Title: Interbay Automated Material Handling System stocker design for wafer fabrication facilities

Authors: Chiahung J. Lin, Taho Yang, Jose M. Padillo, Debbie Beres

Addresses: TEFEN USA, 2080 HWY 360, Suite 130, Grand Prairie, TX 75050, USA. Institute of Manufacturing Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Road, Tainan 70101, Taiwan. i2 Technologies, 909 E. Las Colinas Blvd. 16th Floor, Irving, TX 75039, USA. VLSI Technology, 9651 Westover Hills Blvd., MS 303, San Antonio, TX 78251, USA

Abstract: The use of an interbay Automated Material Handling System (AMHS) for wafer fabrication facilities is prevalent for most of today|s fabs and those being designed for near future. The use of AMHS has the potential of enhancing the system performance in terms of reducing operating and capital costs, and improving tools utilisation, productivity, yield, and safety. Among the issues that are associated with the installation of an AMHS, stocker design is perhaps the most critical element of an interbay AMHS. This paper proposes a systematic AMHS stocker design procedure to solve the stocker design problem effectively and efficiently. Its solution quality is illustrated by case study at a VLSI Technology wafer fabrication facility.

Keywords: automation; semiconductor; Automated Material Handling Systems (AMHS); Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM); material handling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMTM.2000.001344

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, 2000 Vol.1 No.2/3, pp.147-155

Published online: 02 Jul 2003 *

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