WORK STUDY TECHNIQUES EVALUATION AT BACK-END SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING

Abstract – With the ever increasing labor cost and high labor turnover, performing labor productivity study is imperative for the back-end semiconductor manufacturer to stay competitive. However, an effective technique to perform the work study on the operators is required before any productivity improvement initiatives can be performed. This paper discusses the various techniques being evaluated based on the preset criteria established by the company’s management. Results from the method evaluation will be used to determine the suitable work study technique to be used to perform labor productivity study

A Model For The Fuzzy Front End Of New Product Development Process

In general, New Product Development (NPD) methodology can be broken down into five phases, Strategic Planning. Idea Generation, Pretechnical Evaluation, Technical Development, and Commercialization. The first three steps are known as the front end and the last two are known as the back-end of the NPD methodology. The scope of this research work is limited to the first two steps of the NPD methodology, which are strategic planning and idea generation. The objectives of this research work are I) to piece together the various steps required in executing strategic planning process to ensure its effectiveness and 2) to define guidelines in selecting idea generation techniques that are suitable for a given set of conditions. Through analyzing case studies on thirty cornpapies that have been proven successful in NPD programs, the main factors that have significant impact on the success of NPD strategic planning process are verified and guidelines for selecting suitable idea generation techniques for a given set of conditions are developed

Human System Modeling for Optimum Labor Utilization and Man-Machine Configuration

Manufacturing organization with increased in the organizational complexity, is facing difficulty in measuring its performance. Various factors could affect manufacturing performance such as equipment performance, material planning and human resources. In this paper, focus was given primarily on the human resource which was considered as an important factor of the simulation model development to achieve optimum utilization and ensure efficient operator allocation to the machines. Static modeling was performed to capture all the critical factors contributing to the work such as the operator activity sequence, the time value for each activity and also the machine process time for each batch of product. A dynamic model was then developed to enable quantitative analysis in the optimization of human system performance. This paper illustrates the application of different modeling approaches to demonstrate advantages gained in the process of evaluating human system performance

Work Study Architecture for Lean Waste Analysis to Achieve Optimum Man-Machine Configuration

To survive in the global marketplace, companies has adopted lean towards reducing wastes and improving their efficiency. Manpower study traditionally employs work study methods such as Process Mapping and Man-Machine Charts which are no longer suitable to be used in the complicated manufacturing environment such as in the electronics manufacturing facility. Thus, a modified work-study architecture is designed and applied at the process under study to optimize the man-machine configuration. This paper details out the development and implementation of the work study architecture to perform lean waste analysis at an electronic manufacturing company. The benefits observed from the implementation phase indicate that the lean waste analysis performed using this system has reduced the lengthy time that work-study usually takes, eliminated human error during analysis and improved the accuracy of data

A Systematic Approach To Model Human System In Cellular Manufacturing

Manufacturing becomes increasingly complex as more variations and uncertainties are introduced to the system. Human competencies are valuable to the operation and are considered to be the most flexible manufacturing component. However, there is still lack of study on the impact of human aspects to the cellular manufacturing system performance. This article reports a case study application to evaluate the human impact in the complex cellular manufacturing system. Specifically, this work shows a systematic approach to depict and evaluate the human dynamics and attributes in measuring the labor utilization and determining the ideal man-machine configuration. The literature on modelling technologies relevant to cellular manufacturing design and change is presented to provide the rationale for the use of heuristic and enterprise modelling for this study. Evaluations on the existing human system model, CIMOSA and the heuristic mathematical model resulted in the development of an enhanced human system model framework. The newly developed model focuses on the aspects of human dynamics and attributes. To improve human work measurement data accuracy, the model also uses Maynard Operational Sequence Technique (MOST). An expert system was also developed which greatly reduced the time and effort spent on data entry and data analysis. An example using a multi-national semiconductor assembly and test company is presented where 20% improvement in resource efficiency and additional machine to a labor reconfiguration was achieved without any human fallout

Optimization of Machining Parameters in Turning Operation Using PSO and AIS Algorithms: A Survey

In recent manufacturing, the optimization of turning processes is one of important problems which aim to increase competitiveness and product quality. However, the choice of optimal machining parameters is difficult and complex. Traditionally, the selections is heavily relies on trial and error methods which is tedious and unreliable. Metaheuristics methods have been proposed over the last decade to overcome these problems. This paper presents a survey for optimizing the parameters of turning operation using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Artificial Immune System (AIS). This study deals with different machining performance in turning operation like surface roughness, material removal rate , tool wear , tool life, production cost, machining time and cutting temperature. Most papers in the field of turning parameters optimization are based on (PSO) algorithms, but only a few efforts that are using (AIS) algorithms. In addition, there is a gap of several machining operation parameters especially for cutting temperature optimization in turning operation using PSO and AIS

Innovative Initiatives in Influencing the Success of Solar Energy Implementation in UAE

This paper presents a research study that investigated the rank of the influence of innovative initiatives' groups and determined the importance of innovative initiatives to the successful implementation of solar energy adoption in the UAE. The information was gathered via a questionnaire survey and analysed descriptively. The findings of this research work include a ranking analysis of the groups of innovative initiatives, which revealed that administrative innovation ranks first, followed by incremental innovation, technical innovation, radial innovation, process innovation, and finally product innovation in influencing the success of solar implementation in the UAE. For decision on the innovative initiatives on its importance to the successful implementation of solar energy, it was found that technical innovation (RII = .87) appeared as the most important innovation initiative that drive solar energy implementation. This is followed by Incremental innovation (RII =.797), Radical innovation (RII =.773), Process innovation (RII =.764), Administrative innovation (RII =.745), and finally Product innovation (RII =.698). The findings of this study contribute to the body of knowledge on innovative initiatives in successful solar implementation, as well as to the parties involved in solar project implementation

Pico Hydro Application for Off-Grid Settlement

Malaysia is currently constructing a large hydropower station with five more schemes under review. However these stations are catering for energy consuming industrial parks while the domestic supply is not making much in-road due to geographical constraints. This paper is discussing the use of off-grid alternative for power supply to the rural settlements. A run-of-river application, pico hydro, requires no dam or reservoir for water storage. It is intended for low flow and low head application. A mapping of possible locations for application along selected rivers in Malaysia is discussed. Two types of pico hydro turbine are selected for review and comparison in power production. Research are undertaken to promote this environment friendly technology to rural electrification program. Studies show that pico hydro manages to provide enough power for basic lighting needs in remote area where water is available with small drop or head