Golden Wafer Strategy with Intelligent Flow Control

By offering a flexible and dynamic way to route materials based on specific properties, attributes or characteristics, conditional flows act as a powerful tool for optimizing workflows—without requiring extensive custom coding.

So how exactly do conditional flows fit into the broader MES ecosystem, and what value do they unlock when combined with SAR strategies? Let’s dive in and find out.

For more complex scenarios, beyond the scope of expressions, Rule Sets can be used to execute advanced decision-making and control logic within the workflow.

Once the process is stable, it typically runs with minimal concerns. However, when new products are introduced or changes in consumables, durables, or equipment occur, it is common - despite prior engineering validations - for a limited number of units to be sent ahead during a transitional phase.

This practice helps confirm that the results align with expectations before proceeding with the remaining lot and moving into full-scale production.

This approach is known as a Send-Ahead Run in CM MES, and often referred to in the semiconductor industry as a golden wafer or golden sample.

🧩 Challenge: The SAR Validation step is required only for the Send-Ahead wafer to capture the results, while all other lots must bypass this step. How can this be achieved?

In the demonstration, only Material properties were used in the expressions, however, the possibilities extend far beyond that. Attributes and characteristics of Materials, as well as properties of Products, Product families and process Steps, can also be incorporated.

For more complex scenarios, custom rules can be created and embedded within the Flow structure. This functionality also enables the dynamic routing of Material through alternate Flows and can trigger specific Rules when a lot enters or exits a Step.