Change Batch Processing Modes

The following section describes what happens when you change from one batch processing mode to another.

Automatic to Semi-Automatic

Operation continues normally except that any new phase requires an operator to acknowledge the start of the phase.

You can configure Batch Manager to switch from Automatic to Semi-Automatic after a phase is aborted. The batch then continues to run in Semi-Automatic mode. To enable this capability, you must use Environment Editor to assign the Semi-Auto On Abort parameter to Batch Manager. If you enable this feature, both the phase abort and the mode change from Automatic to Semi-Automatic are logged to history.

For more information on configuring the Environment Editor, see Chapter 3, "Environment Management System.".

Automatic to Manual

Any active phases continue to run to completion. Batch Manager monitors these phases and resets the phases when they are done. No new phases are run. Batch Manager maintains its position in the recipe procedure, and the operator can manually run any of the phases associated with allocated equipment.

Semi-Automatic to Manual Mode

Any active phases continue to run to completion. Batch Manager monitors these phases and resets the phases when they are done. No new phases are run. Batch Manager maintains its position in the recipe procedure, and an operator can manually run any of the phases associated with allocated equipment.

Semi-Automatic to Automatic

Any phases that are running continue to run. Any phase waiting for an operator acknowledgment or any new phase encountered automatically starts. This automatic startup capability assumes that the phase is not configured for Acknowledge on Entry in the recipe procedure. If this is the case, the acknowledgement is still required.

Manual to Automatic

Recipe processing begins from the point where Manual mode was started. Phases start as configured in the recipe procedure. Any phases started in Manual mode complete and are reset by Batch Manager. Any equipment that was manually allocated remains allocated until a release phase for the equipment is encountered or the batch completes.

Manual to Semi-Automatic

Recipe processing begins from the point where Manual mode was started. Phases require an acknowledgement before they can be started. Any phases started in Manual mode complete and are reset by Batch Manager. Any equipment that was manually allocated remains allocated until a Release phase for the equipment is encountered or the batch completes.