To improve overall cost management by increasing
equipment efficiency and cycle time, ANADIGICS has
begun implementation of a manufacturing methodology
known as Total Productive Manufacturing (TPM).
Improvements in equipment efficiency are obtained by
systematically identifying and reducing all forms of loss
on a piece of equipment. TPM identifies sixteen types of
losses, which fall under the categories of equipment,
people, material and safety. The measurement used to
characterize the losses and thus measure the
improvement is Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE).
OEE integrates all aspects of tool maintenance and
operation, including equipment downtime, operator
efficiency, and output quality.
Successful implementation of TPM methodology takes
several years to complete and consists of eight areas of focus
called pillars. This paper describes implementation of the
first pillar, Autonomous Maintenance (AM), which provides
the basic foundation for all future pillars. Implementation of
AM teaches operators to maintain their own equipment on an
ongoing basis. Initially, a team of operators and technicians
follows a systematic approach to restore the tool to basic
condition and characterize recurring problems. As AM is
implemented, improvements in tool availability and
performance are realized. Additionally, empowerment of the
operators leads to improvement in the manufacturing culture
through increased employee morale and job satisfaction.