A common buffer-based approach to buffer management for a wafer fabrication factory

Abstract

This paper presents a buffer management method for a wafer fabrication factory. A pull-based production control system (PPCS) is adopted to handle production activity control (PAC) and reduce the work-in-progress (WIP) level. In addition, a common buffer approach is used to further control WIP conditions and utilize limited storage space effectively. Simulation results show that the proposed buffer management method significantly reduces buffer storage space. Besides, it also maintains the manufacturing system's performance roughly equal to that provided by a local buffer scheme. Significance: The proposed buffer management method can handle production activity control, reduce the WIP level, control WIP conditions, and effectively utilize limited storage space. In addition, the method is easy to implement in a practical application.