“The semiconductor and display industries have achieved nearly 100% of automation in terms of process, and about 50% in terms of analysis,” said Samsung Display’s senior vice president Lee Jae-sun on Sept. 27, about a week ahead of the Oct. 8 Manufacturing Tech Conference to be co-hosted by The Elec and Byline Network.
Lee is one of the speakers at the event. He has developed automation software for 30 years since he first entered Samsung in 1989. Since 2010, he has been handling automation solutions for Samsung Display production lines and is currently the head of the firm’s smart IT division.
Semiconductors and displays both use wafers and glass for their base substrates. It usually months for the wafers and glass to come back out after processing, meaning raising their yield rate is critical for chip and display makers.
“Manufacturing Execution System, indicating the system for analyzing the data to automatically locate the cause behind glitches, is the key to the automation of production lines,” said Lee, adding that Samsung has been independently developing the system.
The system also helps iron out differences between engineers who in the past would engage in lengthy battles over who was responsible for whatever went wrong in the production process.
“This can help place more people on other pressing matters, such as developing new products and areas where the machine can’t do everything,” added Lee, pointing out that most chips and displays have short replacement cycles.
He also stressed that not every company can or should aim for the same level of smart factories, and that the priority should be placed on price competitiveness.
On Oct. 8, leading South Korean semiconductor and display manufacturers, along with technology companies from both home and abroad will gather together to share insight on smart factory and digital innovation on at L-Center in Southern Seoul.
The Elec is South Korea’s No.1 tech news platform.
