Scheduling a hybrid MTO/MTS semiconductor fab with machine-dedication features

Abstract

A semiconductor foundry is essentially a make-to-order (MTO) factory. Yet, in a low-demand season, it may enter into a hybrid business model-producing make-to-stock (MTS) as well as MTO products to maintain high utilization of machines. This research proposes a scheduling method for such a hybrid MTO/MTS system with machine-dedication characteristics, a constraint imposed on the process route caused by the advance of manufacturing technology. The scheduling method aims to achieve a high on-time delivery rate for MTO products as well as a,high throughput for MTS products. Simulation experiments show that the proposed scheduling method outperforms representative methods in the literature. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.