2026-09-19T05:35:23Zhttps://dspace.mit.edu/server/oai/requestoai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/442982022-01-28T19:14:56Zcom_1721.1_7582com_1721.1_7581com_1721.1_80738com_1721.1_1773col_1721.1_131023col_1721.1_80739
Stephen Graves and Deborah J. Nightingale.
Wang, Sam, M.B.A. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Leaders for Manufacturing Program.
Leaders for Manufacturing Program at MIT
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division
Sloan School of Management
2009-01-30T16:29:43Z
2009-01-30T16:29:43Z
2008
2008
http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/44298
272382557
Thesis (M.B.A.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management; and, (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division; in conjunction with the Leaders for Manufacturing Program at MIT, 2008.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 55).
Intel's Fab 17, located in Hudson, Massachusetts, has experienced dramatic improvements in its cycle time performance in the last two years. These improvements have been attributed to lean implementation efforts, reduced tool variability, as well as other key initiatives. In its efforts to continuously improve cycle time and cycle time variability, a new methodology of conducting wafer starts was developed and pilot implementations were conducted. The new methodology was based upon the concept of Little's Law of Cycle Time = Inventory / Output, whereby controlling the level of inventory through wafer starts would positively impact cycle time performance. Thus, by monitoring the current Work-in-Process levels at selected areas of operations and contrasting it with the optimal levels based upon Little's Law, an appropriate level of wafer starts could be determined.Close collaboration between the manufacturing, engineering, and planning departments allowed for the creation and pilot implementations of the wafer starts control model. The pilot implementations were conducted in three separate phases, providing opportunities for data analyses and methodology improvements. Model parameters and logic were modified between each phase to better reflect actual fab realities and to achieve more effective outcomes. Positive results were observed during the pilot implementations, as cycle time variability (as defined by standard deviations) decreased and overall fab cycle time remained consistently lower, all during a period of increased production. As of the conclusion of the internship, Fl7 planned to adopt the wafer starts control model as part of its routine starts process.
by Sam Wang.
S.M.
M.B.A.
55 p.
eng
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
M.I.T. theses are protected by
copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but
reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written
permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.
http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582
Sloan School of Management.
Engineering Systems Division.
Leaders for Manufacturing Program.
Cycle time reduction through wafer starts control
Thesis
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Publication
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<Abstract>Intel's Fab 17, located in Hudson, Massachusetts, has experienced dramatic improvements in its cycle time performance in the last two years. These improvements have been attributed to lean implementation efforts, reduced tool variability, as well as other key initiatives. In its efforts to continuously improve cycle time and cycle time variability, a new methodology of conducting wafer starts was developed and pilot implementations were conducted. The new methodology was based upon the concept of Little's Law of Cycle Time = Inventory / Output, whereby controlling the level of inventory through wafer starts would positively impact cycle time performance. Thus, by monitoring the current Work-in-Process levels at selected areas of operations and contrasting it with the optimal levels based upon Little's Law, an appropriate level of wafer starts could be determined.Close collaboration between the manufacturing, engineering, and planning departments allowed for the creation and pilot implementations of the wafer starts control model. The pilot implementations were conducted in three separate phases, providing opportunities for data analyses and methodology improvements. Model parameters and logic were modified between each phase to better reflect actual fab realities and to achieve more effective outcomes. Positive results were observed during the pilot implementations, as cycle time variability (as defined by standard deviations) decreased and overall fab cycle time remained consistently lower, all during a period of increased production. As of the conclusion of the internship, Fl7 planned to adopt the wafer starts control model as part of its routine starts process.</Abstract>
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