The international market is very competitive for high-tech manufacturers to- day. Achieving competitive quality and reliability for products requires leader- ship from the top, good management practices, effective and efficient operation and maintenance systems, and use of appropriate up-to-date engineering de- sign tools and methods. Furthermore, manufacturing yield and reliability are interrelated. Manufacturing yield depends on the number of defects found dur- ing both the manufacturing process and the warranty period, which in turn determines the reliability. the production of...