Case Studies Photronics Shares Gains in Quality between Sites with STATISTICA Enterprise/QC

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	Photronics Shares Gains in Quality between Sites with STATISTICA Enterprise/QC

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	Process Manufacturing Quality Assurance
Use Cases	Manufacturing System Automation Predictive Quality Analytics
Services	System Integration Training
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. Read More
About 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. Read More
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. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics

Functional Applications - Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)

Applicable Industries

Semiconductors

Applicable Functions

Process Manufacturing

Quality Assurance

Use Cases

Manufacturing System Automation

Predictive Quality Analytics

Services

System Integration

Training

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 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.

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.

Impact #1	The scalability and flexibility of STATISTICA Enterprise/QC greatly complements the manufacturing environment at Photronics.
Impact #2	STATISTICA was initially installed at six sites internationally.
Impact #3	STATISTICA Enterprise/QC can easily run on any relational database platform.

Impact #1

The scalability and flexibility of STATISTICA Enterprise/QC greatly complements the manufacturing environment at Photronics.

Impact #2

STATISTICA was initially installed at six sites internationally.

Impact #3

STATISTICA Enterprise/QC can easily run on any relational database platform.

Benefit #1	Photronics plans to standardize their approach to Design of Experiment (DOE) and Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) with STATISTICA.

Benefit #1

Photronics plans to standardize their approach to Design of Experiment (DOE) and Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) with STATISTICA.

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Overview

Photronics Shares Gains in Quality between Sites with STATISTICA Enterprise/QC

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit