Agile manufacturing processes and systems

A manufacturing system comprising:

• a frame comprising an alignment tab, a top frame, a bottom frame opposite the top frame, and a support structure, wherein a material is layered below the top frame and over the support structure and wherein the bottom frame is layered below the support structure;
• a first manufacturing station configured to perform a first manufacturing operation;
• a first securing mechanism at the first manufacturing station, wherein the first securing mechanism is configured to secure the frame at the first manufacturing station at a known location at the first manufacturing station;
• a second manufacturing station configured to perform a second manufacturing operation;
• and
• a second securing mechanism at the second manufacturing station, wherein the second securing mechanism is configured to secure the frame at the second manufacturing station, wherein the first securing mechanism and the second securing mechanism are configured to engage with the alignment tab on the frame, such that the alignment tab is configured to confirm that the frame is in a known and stable position and
• wherein the first and second manufacturing stations are configured to utilize data comprising one or more of a size of the frame, the material involved, and prior manufacturing operations configured to define an origin relative to the frame and configured to then proceed to perform location-specific processes without direct, visual or mechanical confirmation of a position of the material inside the frame and further wherein the origin defined at any one of the manufacturing stations is configured to be determined by reference to the alignment tab aligned with the first securement mechanism on the first manufacturing station and the second securement mechanism on the second manufacturing station.