Technology development: focus on manufacturability

The authors describe the integration of manufacturability in the early stages of a technology development program. The work is based on the experiences of a semiconductor development program at IBM´s facility in Essex Junction, VT. An overview of the methods used, the resultant line and information architectures developed, and experience and results to date are given. The traditional laboratory role of design and process development has expanded to include a parallel responsibility for manufacturability. Design for manufacturability (DFM) and early manufacturing involvement concepts are major components of the development effort designed to maintain and enhance the rate of technology advancement and significantly improve the development-to-manufacturing transition