Optimized operations by extended X-factor theory including unithours concept

摘要

The relationships between tool performance, cycle time, andnthroughput have been described to achieve the highest productivity.nThough tool utilization is low for manually operated tools, long waitsnprior to product processing lead to a productivity loss in ournproduction line. We focus on operator efficiency in the CMP (chemicalnmechanical polishing) operation, which, as a typical manually operatedntool, influences cycle time. This paper introduces an online/offlinenunit hour analysis method, which has been designed to optimize operatornallocation and headcount in our production line, using X-factor theorynin order to achieve the shortest cycle time. By using online/offlinenunit hour analysis with X-factor theory, the root cause of waiting timencan be identified and the relationship between operator headcount andncycle time can be described. The waiting time can be reduced by 35% andnthe cycle time can be reduced by 25%, according to a simulator withnoptimized operator allocation and headcount based on online/offline unitnhour analysis