Workstation display for an assembly location having a timing indicator portion
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsLawrence W. Clark, Gary Champion, Mitchell Radebaugh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An assembly line includes a plurality of assembly locations. One of a plurality of sequential assembly tasks is performed at each assembly location. A workstation, located at each assembly location, is configured to display information regarding one of a number of variations of the one assembly task to be performed. A timing device is provided for determining a start time of the one assembly task. A display of the workstation includes a timing indicator portion configured to change color in response to a predetermined lapse of time relative to the start time.
Claims20
An assembly line, comprising:
- a plurality of assembly locations, wherein one of a plurality of sequential assembly tasks is performed at each assembly location;
- a workstation located at each assembly location, wherein each workstation is configured to display information regarding one of a number of variations of the one assembly task to be performed;
- a timing device located at each workstation for determining a start time of the one assembly task;
- and
- a timing indicator portion of a display of the workstation, wherein the timing indicator portion is configured to change color in response to a predetermined lapse of time relative to the start time.
A method of operating an assembly line, comprising:
- performing one of a plurality of sequential assembly tasks at one of a plurality of assembly locations;
- displaying information regarding one of a number of variations of the one assembly task on a workstation display located at the assembly location;
- determining a start time of the assembly task;
- and
- changing a color of a timing indicator portion of the display in response to a predetermined lapse of a plan allocated time relative to the start time.
A timing indicator located at an assembly location of an assembly line, comprising:
- a workstation having a display configured to display information regarding one of a number of an assembly tasks to be performed at the assembly location;
- a timing device for determining a start time of the one assembly task;
- and
- a timing indicator portion of the display, wherein the timing indicator is configured to change color in response to a predetermined lapse of time relative to the start time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.