Modeling lot routing software through discrete-event simulation

Intel has recently developed lot-routing tools that can theoretically minimize both local and overall lot movement flexibility of existing automated material handling systems (AMHSs) and minimize the time needed to retrieve lots for processing. In order to gain insight into how the lot-routing rules impact manufacturing and how they should be configured, Intel uses two different analysis tools. First, a static spreadsheet model is used to determine the impact of new lot-routing rules in terms of AMHS lot movement volume. The second level of analysis is to use dynamic discrete-event simulation to determine the impact on AMHS and equipment utilization. Both methods are used to determine how tool policy rules should be set for each operation in the process flow, and to minimize the impact on the AHMS and enhance performance, while meeting manufacturing requirements. The static model analysis showed that ideal use of the lot-routing algorithm had a very significant impact on AMHS transport requirements. The dynamic discrete-event modeling showed that the lot-routing policies can be modified to enhance system performance. These modifications resulted in key lessons about configuring the lot-routing software