Method for self-synchronization of modular production systems

A system for self-synchronization of modular production systems having a plurality of components with a plurality of alternative capabilities for processing and transporting work units along at least one transport highway, wherein the components and the at least one transport highway have a configuration, the method comprising:

• means for determining jobs of interest, wherein each said job includes not less than one work unit to be produced;
• means for determining the configuration of the components and the at least one transport highway, wherein said configuration comprises at least one loop, and wherein the components include at least one machine module;
• means for determining the duration time for each of the components, wherein said duration time comprises the elapsed time from receipt of a work unit at the component's input location to arrival of the work unit at the component's output location;
• means for determining at least one default self-synchronization time, wherein said default self-synchronization time comprises a multiple of said duration time for said at least one machine module;
• and
• means for optimizing said default self-synchronization time by adjusting at least one component duration time.

An article of manufacture comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied in said medium which, when said program code is executed by said computer causes said computer to perform method steps for self-synchronization of modular production systems having a plurality of components with a plurality of alternative capabilities for processing and transporting work units along at least one transport highway, wherein the components and the at least one transport highway have a configuration, the method comprising:

• determining jobs of interest, wherein each said job includes not less than one work unit to be produced;
• determining the configuration of the components and the at least one transport highway, wherein said configuration comprises at least one loop, and wherein the components include at least one machine module;
• determining the duration time for each of the components, wherein said duration time comprises the elapsed time from receipt of a work unit at the component's input location to arrival of the work unit at the component's output location;
• determining at least one default self-synchronization time, wherein said default self-synchronization time comprises a multiple of said duration time for said at least one machine module;
• and
• optimizing said default self-synchronization time by adjusting at least one component duration time.