A process control system that controls processing executed on semiconductor wafers
by processing apparatuses 120, 122, 124 installed in each bay (area) 110
inside a factory the processing results of which are predictable, having installed
in the corresponding bay, at least one measuring apparatus 130 that executes
a measuring operation on workpieces undergoing the processing in the bay, a transfer
path 140 of a transfer apparatus, through which the workpieces are transferred
among various apparatuses installed within the bay including the individual processing
apparatuses and the measuring apparatus and a process control device 150
that controls the processing apparatuses, the measuring apparatus and the transfer
apparatus in the bay. This structure reduces the length of time (cycle time) to
elapse from the processing through the inspection operation and also improves the
operating rate of each processing apparatus.