Automated batch manufactuirng

An integrated automated management system for batch manufacturing of products comprising:

• a) a database having stored parameters and details of processed materials and components, and equipment used for the manufacturing of products in which at least some of the equipment is common in the production of multiple products, the database containing process models, production schedules and respective use of equipment and shared equipment, the database further comprising means for storage of details of actual production and correlation to expected criteria and optionally to financial, quality and performance criteria relating to said materials, components, equipment and production,
• b) a design module for the design of the batch manufacturing process, the design module comprising means to correlate input process sequence details of at least one operating process, with appropriate stored parameters and details extracted from the database, to build process controlling operating spread sheets, with operation steps and allocated and shared equipment, where applicable,
• c) a planning module comprising means to enable it to interact with the design module and the database to create production schedules accounting for equipment overlap use and optionally other cost factors and subsequently establishing final projection of time and materials based on available equipment and optionally updating the design module and,
• d) an exploring module having means to interface with the database and with the design and planning modules in a closed loop with said exploring module and comprising means to track materials, production requirements, equipment sharing and maintenance along with operating steps and production data.