Object-oriented approach in re-engineering: The stmicroelectronics manufacturing model

Current manufacturing systems have a very structured production model, expecially when high complexity and precision is required, as in semiconductor devices manifacturing. In addition, rapid changes in both production and market requirements may occur, hence great flexibility is also essential. These goals, together with the requirement of both adding new features as well as removing some model limitations, often impose to re-engineer periodically existing models, reducing as much as possible the time-to-market of a new product.