Software addresses 300 mm semiconductor fab applications.
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Press Release Summary:
Manufacturing Execution Software, 300works v2.0, can accelerate time-to-first-silicon while lowering integration risk. Non-Production Wafer Processing deals with increasing complexity of chamber tools and furnaces and accelerates tool qualification. Computerized Maintenance Management System delivers tightly integrated, preventive maintenance for costly 300 mm tools and ensures timely equipment management. Business Rule Support provides completely automated manufacturing scenarios.
Original Press Release:
Latest Version of Brooks-PRI Automation's 300works Software Can Rapidly Accelerate Time-To-First-Silicon
300works 2.0 leverages Brooks-PRI extensive 300mm experience with built-in business rules that address unique 300mm manufacturing challenges
CHELMSFORD, MA -- Brooks-PRI Automation Inc. (NASDAQ: BRKS), which delivers total automation for semiconductor manufacturing, introduced the second generation of its Manufacturing Execution System (MES) software for 300mm semiconductor fabs: 300works 2.0, which can rapidly accelerate time-to-first-silicon while lowering integration risk. The software will be demonstrated publicly for the first time at SEMICON Taiwan at Brooks-PRI's booth #1038.
300works 2.0 builds upon Brooks-PRI's earlier release of the software - already in use at many 300mm fabs worldwide - with new capabilities such as:
o Non-Production Wafer Processing, to deal with the increasing complexity of chamber tools and furnaces and to accelerate tool qualification. 300works now provides standard solutions for test wafers, monitor, furnace and pilot lot management.
o Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) capabilities, through integration with Brooks-PRI's Xsite software. This delivers tightly integrated, preventive maintenance for costly 300mm tools and ensures timely equipment management to accelerate throughput, track warranty performance and perform equipment qualification.
o Business Rule Support for Completely Automated Manufacturing Scenarios, including enhanced equipment port management, intrabay transport including Overhead Transport support, and material location management. These new business rules and server extensions ensure the successful ramp to full production of highly automated fabs - a crucial capability for 300mm manufacturing, where every wafer move is automated.
300works 2.0 also incorporates new embedded logic that leverages the experience gained by Brooks-PRI as it implemented MES software at 300mm customer sites around the world, such as business rules regarding recipes, reticle, carrier, transport and sorter management - issues that in the past had to be addressed via custom code or third-party add-on applications. The end result: an out-of-the-box MES solution that can enable semiconductor manufacturers to ramp up to first silicon faster, less expensively and with less risk.
According to Dan Hutcheson, president and CEO, VLSI Research, "Rapid ramp-up time in a 300mm fab is absolutely critical, and software integration is generally an area fraught with opportunities for mistakes. I'm pleased to see suppliers such as Brooks-PRI taking steps to ease integration risk for their customers. Due to extremely tight time frames in which to make a fab profitable, these fast-ramp solutions can literally make the difference between lifetime profitability or loss for a new facility."
"Brooks-PRI has software and hardware products in use at every 300mm fab in the world, and we've gained extensive experience in integrating technology in these complex facilities," said Jeff Cassis, senior vice president and general manager of Brooks-PRI's FAB Systems Group. "300works is the epitome of Brooks-PRI's total automation solution on the software side - a strong MES infrastructure that also provides a medium by which to quickly and easily integrate our other software components in the fab. We're very excited about the success of this software in the market, and to be launching our newest version here in Taiwan, which represents such an important market for Brooks-PRI."
300works eliminates the need for costly custom integration and frees up IT resources
MES software enables customers to define and control their manufacturing processes, and interface with their shop floor equipment - acting as the "brains" of a fab. Traditionally, when implementing MES software, manufacturers were required to invest a great deal of time and money custom integrating their MES with other fab software and hardware and purchasing costly third-party add-on components. Brooks-PRI's 300works eliminates the need for much of that integration, thus allowing semiconductor manufacturers to implement their MES much faster than ever before. In addition, Brooks-PRI's provides maintenance services, continually updating 300works' business rules to account for new process technology and other manufacturing advances, thereby freeing up customers' valuable IT resources who traditionally performed this cumbersome task. By ensuring that the software is continually updated and performing optimally, Brooks-PRI can help lower its customers' lifetime cost-of-ownership.
300works is built upon Brooks-PRI's production-proven FACTORYworks(TM) MES software, in use at well over 100 fabs worldwide, and provides customers with pre-defined adapters for integration. It features a complete set of SEMI-compliant 300mm business rules and its robust architecture simplifies integration with additional products from Brooks-PRI and other suppliers. For example, 300works integrates easily with Brooks-PRI's planning, scheduling and dispatch software, reporting software, material control software and process monitoring software.
About Brooks-PRI Automation, Inc.
Brooks-PRI (NASDAQ: BRKS) delivers total automation. The company's hardware, software and services can manage every wafer, reticle and data movement in the fab, helping semiconductor manufacturers accelerate time-to-market while reducing their risk. Brooks-PRI products are used in virtually every fab in the world. For information, visit www.brooks-pri.com.
