Towards a supply chain simulation reference model for the semiconductor industry

In this paper, we describe major steps to build a supply chain simulation reference model for the semiconductor industry. We start by identifying requirements for such a reference model. Then we identify the main building blocks of the model. We present a technique to deal with load-dependent cycle times in single front-end and back-end facilities and in the overall network to reduce the modeling and computational burden. The quality of this reduction technique is assessed by comparing the full model and the model with a reduced level of detail. Finally, we discuss several potential application scenarios for a simulation reference model of a semiconductor supply network.