Modern semiconductor fabrication requires billions of dollars in equipment, facilities, and ongoing process development. Building and operating a fabrication facility is often beyond the financial reach of many companies.
Foundries provide access to advanced manufacturing capabilities without requiring customers to build their own fabrication plants.
Benefits of the foundry model include:
This model allows chip designers to focus on innovation while manufacturing experts handle fabrication.
Once a semiconductor design is completed and approved, design files are transferred to the foundry. Manufacturing teams then use photolithography, deposition, etching, ion implantation, and other semiconductor processes to build integrated circuits on silicon wafers.
The process typically includes:
Because manufacturing can involve hundreds of process steps, close collaboration between design teams and foundries is essential.
Managing communication, revisions, and manufacturing requirements across multiple organizations can be complex. Design changes, process updates, and compliance requirements must be carefully controlled to avoid costly delays or errors.
Common challenges include:
Organizations need systems that provide visibility and traceability throughout the product lifecycle.
PLM systems help engineering teams manage design data, documentation, approvals, and engineering changes before designs are released to foundries. While foundries manage wafer fabrication processes, PLM systems manage the design data, documentation, and approvals that govern what is released to manufacturing.
Centralized product records help ensure that manufacturing partners receive accurate and approved information.
QMS platforms support quality processes throughout the foundry relationship by managing:
Together, PLM and QMS help strengthen collaboration between semiconductor companies and foundry partners while improving traceability and quality oversight.
A semiconductor foundry is a company that manufactures integrated circuits designed by other organizations. It specializes in wafer fabrication and semiconductor production.
A foundry manufactures chips, while a fabless company designs them. Fabless organizations rely on foundries for production.
Foundries provide advanced manufacturing capabilities without requiring companies to invest in their own fabrication facilities. This reduces costs and improves scalability.
PLM systems centralize design data, revisions, approvals, and engineering changes. This helps ensure foundries receive accurate and current manufacturing information.
