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A Closer Look at ROHM’s Analysis Center that Supports High Quality Manufacturing
September 11th, 2024
Established in Kyoto in 1954 as a semiconductor manufacturer initially offering resistors, ROHM has since gone on to develop transistors, diodes, and ICs, with a recent focus on SiC semiconductors that are expected to accelerate decarbonization. In 1971 ROHM became the first Japanese company to establish a presence in Silicon Valley. Now, with a global network of sales, development, and production bases, we continue to progress as a global company based in Japan.
ROHM believes that the most important way to become a company that is chosen by customers and other stakeholders around the world is through manufacturing that values the idea of quality first. Here, we will take a closer look at our Analysis Center that supports high quality manufacturing.
Until ROHM's Quality Control and Analysis Centers can be Established
Even before establishing a quality management and analysis center, quality has been an important element that forms the foundation of manufacturing, and the type of approach can have a profound effect on the level of trust placed in the company. ROHM has a long history of quality control, dating back to 1965. The following year, we established the following corporate objective that places an emphasis on quality, and since then the entire company has been working on quality improvement.
Company Mission
Quality is our top priority at all times.
Our objective is to contribute to the advancement and progress of culture through a consistent supply,
under all circumstances, of high quality products in large volumes to the global market.
In the 1990s QA (Quality Assurance) centers were established in seven major locations around the world. A worldwide quality assurance system centered at our head office allows to respond to customer requests in a timely manner. Since then, the entire group has been working together to improve quality, and in 2012 the Analysis Center began operations under the HQ Quality Division.
An Analysis Center that Supports High Quality Manufacturing
The Analysis Center is located in the development building at ROHM HQ. Designed based on an innovative concept that showcases the facility, the center incorporates glass corridors that allow clients and stakeholders to observe the process of product analysis and evaluation.
What’s more, the company has permanently installed numerous analyzers in place, which is rare for a semiconductor manufacturer. This allows us to analyze products at the same level as specialized analysis facilities.
The center employs eighteen analytical engineers (as of Sept. 2023). As semiconductors become increasing miniaturized and integrated, professionals with expertise in chemistry, physics, electronics, and other fields perform advanced analysis, such as confirming designs at the development stage, defects during customer prototyping, and product quality at the factory.
Creating Quality as a Group
Semiconductors are made of complex combinations of materials and microscopic structures that require extremely sophisticated technologies and equipment for analysis. As such, semiconductor manufacturers often use independent analysis equipment in their factories or outsource analysis to specialized facilities.
So why did ROHM set up its own analysis center? General Manager Miki, who oversees the Quality Division, explains the significance of the project.
‘The significance of consolidating so much equipment and personnel in one location is, first of all, to provide analysis results in a flexible and timely manner while working together with the development section to create quality. The second is to share the knowledge accumulated thus far. We place great value on these two.’
<Takashi Miki, General Manager, Corporate Quality HQ, ROHM Co., Ltd.>
The first key, creating quality in cooperation with the development section, is largely related to ROHM’s unique vertically integrated production system.
ROHM has adopted a vertically integrated production system covering everything from development/design and production (including wafer fabrication) to sales and service within the group. The scope of the analysis center is similarly diverse. The group works together to create quality by sharing information and issues closely with the development and other sections, and by holding discussions involving related departments.
The second key is sharing knowledge through active communication that takes place in the analysis center on a daily basis.
Engineers newly assigned to the analysis center will first assist in a wide range of analysis-related tasks, from sample processing techniques, equipment operation, and approach methods to communication with clients. Through work experience gained under the guidance of superiors, practical skills cultivated over many years can be passed down as knowledge.
Many analysis engineers also have accumulated experience in product development, design, and manufacturing. By stimulating the exchange of information and opinions across domains, we strive not only to improve the level of each individual, but also to grow the organization as a whole.
Although ROHM sometimes brings requested data to external partner facilities, according to Director Yoshikawa, who has been at the center for 29 years, the distinguishing feature of the Analysis Center is the ability of the resident engineers to comprehend and apply the analyzed data.
‘It's true that it can be quite challenging to master such advanced analytical equipment. However, we are not simply concerned with the technology for using the equipment, but also how effectively can we leverage the data and results obtained from analysis, and whether we can provide ‘live’ actionable data that can be useful for the next steps. This is where we can showcase our expertise.
Diagnosing data to identify issues such as what to look for and whether there are hidden problems is also a crucial aspect of analysis and interpretation. In addition to onsite experience, our vertically integrated production system allows us to expand our systematic knowledge from various angles which leads to accurate analysis.’
<Masao Yoshikawa, Center Director, Analysis Center, Quality Division, ROHM Co., Ltd.>
Continuing to take on the Challenge of Improving Quality Throughout the Group
Although the environment surrounding the company has undergone significant changes, going forward we will continue to contribute to the advancement of culture and society by providing innovative, high-quality products based on our corporate objective established when the company was founded.
In 2024, with the construction of the Monozukuri (Manufacturing) Innovation Center scheduled for completion as ROHM’s new development technology base, the roles and responsibilities of the Quality Division Analysis Center will become more important than ever.
A video on ROHM’s website tells the story of ROHM’s manufacturing along with the individuals who are passionate about providing customers with consistently high quality.
A Closer Look at ROHM’s Analysis Center that Supports High Quality Manufacturing
September 11th, 2024
Established in Kyoto in 1954 as a semiconductor manufacturer initially offering resistors, ROHM has since gone on to develop transistors, diodes, and ICs, with a recent focus on SiC semiconductors that are expected to accelerate decarbonization. In 1971 ROHM became the first Japanese company to establish a presence in Silicon Valley. Now, with a global network of sales, development, and production bases, we continue to progress as a global company based in Japan.
ROHM believes that the most important way to become a company that is chosen by customers and other stakeholders around the world is through manufacturing that values the idea of quality first. Here, we will take a closer look at our Analysis Center that supports high quality manufacturing.
Until ROHM's Quality Control and Analysis Centers can be Established
Even before establishing a quality management and analysis center, quality has been an important element that forms the foundation of manufacturing, and the type of approach can have a profound effect on the level of trust placed in the company. ROHM has a long history of quality control, dating back to 1965. The following year, we established the following corporate objective that places an emphasis on quality, and since then the entire company has been working on quality improvement.
Company Mission
Quality is our top priority at all times.
Our objective is to contribute to the advancement and progress of culture through a consistent supply,
under all circumstances, of high quality products in large volumes to the global market.
In the 1990s QA (Quality Assurance) centers were established in seven major locations around the world. A worldwide quality assurance system centered at our head office allows to respond to customer requests in a timely manner. Since then, the entire group has been working together to improve quality, and in 2012 the Analysis Center began operations under the HQ Quality Division.
An Analysis Center that Supports High Quality Manufacturing
The Analysis Center is located in the development building at ROHM HQ. Designed based on an innovative concept that showcases the facility, the center incorporates glass corridors that allow clients and stakeholders to observe the process of product analysis and evaluation.
What’s more, the company has permanently installed numerous analyzers in place, which is rare for a semiconductor manufacturer. This allows us to analyze products at the same level as specialized analysis facilities.
The center employs eighteen analytical engineers (as of Sept. 2023). As semiconductors become increasing miniaturized and integrated, professionals with expertise in chemistry, physics, electronics, and other fields perform advanced analysis, such as confirming designs at the development stage, defects during customer prototyping, and product quality at the factory.
Creating Quality as a Group
Semiconductors are made of complex combinations of materials and microscopic structures that require extremely sophisticated technologies and equipment for analysis. As such, semiconductor manufacturers often use independent analysis equipment in their factories or outsource analysis to specialized facilities.
So why did ROHM set up its own analysis center? General Manager Miki, who oversees the Quality Division, explains the significance of the project.
‘The significance of consolidating so much equipment and personnel in one location is, first of all, to provide analysis results in a flexible and timely manner while working together with the development section to create quality. The second is to share the knowledge accumulated thus far. We place great value on these two.’
<Takashi Miki, General Manager, Corporate Quality HQ, ROHM Co., Ltd.>
The first key, creating quality in cooperation with the development section, is largely related to ROHM’s unique vertically integrated production system.
ROHM has adopted a vertically integrated production system covering everything from development/design and production (including wafer fabrication) to sales and service within the group. The scope of the analysis center is similarly diverse. The group works together to create quality by sharing information and issues closely with the development and other sections, and by holding discussions involving related departments.
The second key is sharing knowledge through active communication that takes place in the analysis center on a daily basis.
Engineers newly assigned to the analysis center will first assist in a wide range of analysis-related tasks, from sample processing techniques, equipment operation, and approach methods to communication with clients. Through work experience gained under the guidance of superiors, practical skills cultivated over many years can be passed down as knowledge.
Many analysis engineers also have accumulated experience in product development, design, and manufacturing. By stimulating the exchange of information and opinions across domains, we strive not only to improve the level of each individual, but also to grow the organization as a whole.
Although ROHM sometimes brings requested data to external partner facilities, according to Director Yoshikawa, who has been at the center for 29 years, the distinguishing feature of the Analysis Center is the ability of the resident engineers to comprehend and apply the analyzed data.
‘It's true that it can be quite challenging to master such advanced analytical equipment. However, we are not simply concerned with the technology for using the equipment, but also how effectively can we leverage the data and results obtained from analysis, and whether we can provide ‘live’ actionable data that can be useful for the next steps. This is where we can showcase our expertise.
Diagnosing data to identify issues such as what to look for and whether there are hidden problems is also a crucial aspect of analysis and interpretation. In addition to onsite experience, our vertically integrated production system allows us to expand our systematic knowledge from various angles which leads to accurate analysis.’
<Masao Yoshikawa, Center Director, Analysis Center, Quality Division, ROHM Co., Ltd.>
Continuing to take on the Challenge of Improving Quality Throughout the Group
Although the environment surrounding the company has undergone significant changes, going forward we will continue to contribute to the advancement of culture and society by providing innovative, high-quality products based on our corporate objective established when the company was founded.
In 2024, with the construction of the Monozukuri (Manufacturing) Innovation Center scheduled for completion as ROHM’s new development technology base, the roles and responsibilities of the Quality Division Analysis Center will become more important than ever.
A video on ROHM’s website tells the story of ROHM’s manufacturing along with the individuals who are passionate about providing customers with consistently high quality.
Stories of Manufacturing
‘Quality Div. Analysis Center: How well can we make use of data? This is where skill comes in.’
https://www.rohm.com/company/about/stories-of-manufacturing/analysis-center
Click here for the video.
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