Method for decreasing downtime in vehicle identification number stamping operations

A vehicle identification number data acquisition, communication, and stamping method for a vehicle identification number stamping center, said data acquisition, communication, and stamping method comprising the steps of:

• generating a plurality of vehicle identification numbers in a main computer;
• transmitting said plurality vehicle identification numbers to a programmable logic controller, said controller including an input buffer memory and an output buffer memory, said input buffer memory being adapted to store a predetermined maximum number of vehicle identification numbers;
• monitoring a communications link between said main computer and said programmable logic controller;
• serially accessing individual ones of said plurality of vehicle identification numbers stored in said input buffer memory for subsequent use in a vehicle identification number stamping operation;
• monitoring a quantity of vehicle identification numbers stored in said input buffer memory and, when said quantity is equal to a predetermined minimum number and said communication link between said main computer and said programmable logic controller is operational, requesting said main computer to send further vehicle identification numbers to said programmable logic controller such that the quantity of vehicle identification numbers contained in the programmable logic controller input buffer memory is normally maintained between said predetermined minimum and said predetermined maximum number;
• using said accessed vehicle identification number in a stamping operation as a stamped vehicle identification number;
• and,
• transmitting said stamped vehicle identification number from said programmable logic controller to said main computer.