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Photronics Shares Gains in Quality between Sites with STATISTICA Enterprise/QC
Technology Category
- Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics
- Functional Applications - Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
Applicable Industries
- Semiconductors
Applicable Functions
- Quality Assurance
- Process Manufacturing
Use Cases
- Predictive Quality Analytics
- Manufacturing System Automation
Services
- System Integration
- Training
The Challenge
Due to the high-precision nature of the semiconductor industry, it is important that Photronics controls their products and processes to ensure that quality photomasks are shipped to their customers. Photronics management recognized the need for a well thought out enterprise-wide SPC System and conducted a thorough investigation of several SPC packages.
About The Customer
Photronics is a leading worldwide manufacturer of photomasks, high precision quartz plates that contain microscopic images of electronic circuits. A key element in the manufacture of semiconductors, photomasks are used to transfer circuit patterns onto semiconductor wafers during the fabrication of integrated circuits and are produced in accordance with circuit designs provided by customers at strategically located manufacturing facilities in Asia, Europe, and North America.
The Solution
By standardizing their statistical analysis tools, Photronics shares gains in the quality improvement process between manufacturing sites. A cross-functional team at Photronics developed a matrix of selection criteria, conducted a thorough investigation of several SPC packages, and used a weighted voting process to choose STATISTICA Enterprise/QC. They selected STATISTICA based on its ease of integration with the existing manufacturing execution system and the flexibility it provides beyond the system. The STATISTICA Enterprise/QC implementation was coupled with a rigorous SPC training program for the quality and engineering organizations which focused on the comprehensive analytical tools included in the STATISTICA software, which includes hundreds of statistical analyses and graphs. In addition, the Photronics team decided to create a limited number of charts for operators to use initially and provided training for the engineers so that they could conduct their own analysis to determine what “critical-to-quality” characteristics should be monitored.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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