The development of a dynamic analytics software platform, which explains the key core dependencies of the vast multifaceted metrology problems within volume manufacturing through a highly visual interactive interface

"This project seeks to develop a dynamic analytics software platform, which explains the key core dependencies of the vast multifaceted metrology problems within volume manufacturing through a highly visual interactive interface where final product performance is determined by the degree of conformance to a 'sameness' metric. This innovative approach pioneered by Belfast-based SME, Data Analytics Labs (DAL) will initially be deployed in one of the critical process blocks at the Seagate Technology wafer fabrication site in Springtown, Northern Ireland. This capability will enable improved productivity through faster cycles of learning for new product introductions, reduced scrap and faster time-to-volume ramps.

The project brings together a world-class interdisciplinary UK team. Data Analytics Labs is an ambitious SME with strong growth projection through both collaborative industrial research and independent R&D. DAL has expertise in advanced modelling, machine learning, big data analytics and data engineering.

DAL will be able to exploit commercial benefits of a new novel diagnostic and visualisation algorithm application in other technological areas, such as semiconductors, for which commercial exploitation is a viable short or medium term goal.

Seagate Technology is a world leader in data storage technology, with approximately 40% share of the global hard disc drive (HDD) market. The Springtown facility produces around 25% of the total global demand for recording heads, the critical sensor in a HDD. As one of only five comparable wafer fabrication sites in the world and the only site in Europe, Seagate is ideally placed to demonstrate commercial viability of the analytics platform in Northern Ireland.

For DAL the benefits of grant funding will be significant. This project will enable DAL to prove the viability of a dynamic analytics software platform technology in the data storage field, opening up many business opportunities within the semiconductor industry, an industry which DAL has yet to penetrate."