摘要:
A method includes generating a plurality of bid requests for processing a workpiece. Each bid request is associated with one of a plurality of resources capable of processing the workpiece. For each of the bid requests, a commitment window including a kernel specifying a time period required for processing the workpiece is generated. A first committed capacity of the associated resource is determined based on a schedule of engagements compatible with the processing required for the workpiece. A second committed capacity of the associated resource is determined based on a schedule of engagements not compatible with the processing required for the workpiece. A first rate function specifying a processing cost for the associated resource as a function of the first and second committed capacities is provided. The first and second committed capacities and the first rate function are combined to generate a basic cost function associated with the associated resource. A plurality of candidate bids are generated based on the basic cost functions. One of the candidate bids is selected for scheduling the associated resource.
摘要:
A method for scheduling a resource for processing a workpiece includes defining a commitment window having a kernel specifying a time period required for processing the workpiece. A plurality of candidate bids having candidate commitment windows within the commitment window with varying start times, end times and candidate commitment window sizes is generated. A cost for each of the plurality of candidate bids is determined. A flexibility discount is applied to the cost of the candidate bid. Each candidate bid is evaluated in accordance with an objective function. A candidate bid is selected for scheduling the resource based on the objective function evaluation. A system includes a resource for processing a workpiece and at least one scheduling agent. The scheduling agent is configured to define a commitment window having a kernel specifying a time period required for processing the workpiece, generate a plurality of candidate bids having candidate commitment windows within the commitment window with varying start times, end times and candidate commitment window sizes, determine a cost for each of the plurality of candidate bids, apply a flexibility discount to the cost of the candidate bid, evaluate each candidate bid in accordance with an objective function, and select a candidate bid for scheduling the resource based on the objective function evaluation.
摘要:
A system and method are provided for calculating virtual WIP time (“VWIP”) in a multiple-bottleneck, multi-product manufacturing facility. The system and method provide for calculation of one or more bottleneck VWIP values. Each of the bottleneck VWIP values represents the amount of work approaching one of n bottleneck workstations, where n>0. The work approaching the bottleneck workstation comprises at least one of m products, where m>0.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for scheduling appointments in a manufacturing process flow are disclosed. The method and apparatus include a number of aspects including appointments in which processing windows float within commitment windows; appointments in which the processing windows include consumption and processing intervals and in which the processing windows can overlap with the processing interval of other appointments; the use of different kinds of calendars including different types of appointments maintained in a variety of states; a calendaring system in which appointments are constrained by the implicit constraints not represented by booked appointments as well as the explicit constraints represented by booked appointments; calendar manipulation techniques used in managing the calendars; and corresponding appointments maintained over multiple calendars in a synchronized manner.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for use in an automated manufacturing environment are disclosed. The method includes autonomously scheduling a consumer manufacturing domain entity for the consumption of services provided by a plurality of provider manufacturing domain entities in an automated process flow; and constraining the autonomous scheduling to lessen queue time violations in the process flow. The apparatus includes a program storage medium encoded with instructions that, when executed by a computing device, performs such a method; a computing apparatus programmed to perform such a method, and an automated process flow implementing such a method.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for scheduling ahead in a process flow for a manufacturing domain entity are disclosed. The method includes detecting an occurrence of a triggering event defined for a current process operation on the manufacturing domain entity; and scheduling the target process operation upon expiration of a timed offset from the detection of the triggering event responsive to the detection thereof, the timed offset being defined for the target process operation scheduling. In various aspects, the apparatus includes a program storage medium encoded with instructions that, when executed by a computing device, perform such a method and a computer programmed to perform such a method. In still other aspects, the apparatus includes a process flow implementing such a method.
摘要:
The invention is a technique by which a manufacturing process flow determines when to begin processing a batch of lots. The invention includes a method for determining whether to begin processing a batch in one aspect and a manufacturing process flow in a second aspect. The method comprises: ascertaining a respective time at which each of a plurality of additional lots will be received into the batch, the batch including a plurality of present lots; assessing a cost for a machine, each additional lot, and each present lot for each respective time at which each additional lot will be received should the machine begin processing the batch at the respective time; and determining the respective time at which the total cost borne by the machine, each additional lot, and each present lot will be at a minimum. The manufacturing process flow comprises a processing tool that processes batch-by-batch, a batch of present lots, a plurality of additional lots that may be included in the batch, and a software agent or a computing system. The software agent/computing system is capable of performing the method set forth above.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for scheduling in an automated manufacturing environment, comprising are disclosed. The method includes detecting an occurrence of a predetermined event in a process flow; notifying a software scheduling agent of the occurrence; and reactively scheduling an action from the software scheduling agent responsive to the detection of the predetermined event. The apparatus is automated manufacturing environment including a process flow and a computing system. The computing system further includes a plurality of software scheduling agents residing thereon, the software scheduling agents being capable of reactively scheduling appointments for activities in the process flow responsive to a plurality of predetermined events.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for scheduling in an automated manufacturing environment, comprising are disclosed. The method includes detecting an occurrence of a predetermined event in a process flow; notifying a software scheduling agent of the occurrence; and reactively scheduling an action from the software scheduling agent responsive to the detection of the predetermined event. The apparatus is automated manufacturing environment including a process flow and a computing system. The computing system further includes a plurality of software scheduling agents residing thereon, the software scheduling agents being capable of reactively scheduling appointments for activities in the process flow responsive to a plurality of predetermined events.
摘要:
An automated, computer-implemented method for managing test wafers in an integrated, automated semiconductor manufacturing environment includes: managing a test wafer inventory; consuming inventoried test wafers in the automated process flow; and distributing the consumed test wafers according to their level of usage after an evaluation thereof. An automated, computer-implemented method for use in semiconductor manufacturing includes: monitoring test wafer utilization in an automated process flow; maintaining an inventory of test wafers of a plurality of different types responsive to the monitored utilization; and managing the test wafer utilization of the test wafer inventory. An automated, computer-implemented method for use in semiconductor manufacturing includes: kitting a lot of test wafers; instantiating a software-implemented test lot scheduling agent for the kitted lot, the agent being capable of: scheduling a build for the kitted lot; or scheduling the kitted lot as a resource for consumption in an automated process flow.