Dynamic, Lean Insulated Glass Unit Assembly Line Scheduler

A dynamic insulated glass unit (IGU) assembly line scheduler for production control of an insulated glass unit assembly line, wherein the IGU assembly line is configured to form IGUs of a plurality of distinct types wherein the distinct types require an assembly line change out to be performed on the IGU assembly line when switching from the production of one type of IGU to a distinct type of IGU,

• said IGU assembly line scheduler coupled to the IGU assembly line for dynamically scheduling the order of insulated glass units to be manufactured on the IGU assembly line,
• wherein the IGU assembly line includes a loading station at a beginning of the IGU assembly line that includes a changeable set of uniquely identifiable glass lite storage loading locations adjacent the loading station formed by at least a plurality of harp racks adjacent the loading station with each harp rack having a plurality of glass lite storage locations, with each storage loading location adapted to receive a glass lite therein for subsequent processing on the IGU assembly line,
• wherein the IGU assembly line includes an unloading station at an end of the IGU assembly line that includes a changeable set of uniquely identifiable IGU storage locations adjacent the unloading station with each storage loading location adapted to receive a IGU therein finished from the IGU assembly line, with the changeable set of IGU storage locations formed at least by harp racks each having a plurality of storage locations, wherein a changeable identifiable subset of the set of uniquely identifiable IGU storage locations adjacent the unloading station formed by one harp rack defines the next in line set of IGUs to be shipped from the IGU assembly line;
• wherein the scheduler is configured to evaluate at least
• i) the changeable set of uniquely identifiable glass lite storage loading locations adjacent the loading station,
• ii) the changeable set of uniquely identifiable IGU storage locations adjacent the unloading station,
• iii) the changeable identifiable subset of the set of uniquely identifiable IGU storage locations, and
• iv) the assembly line change outs to be performed on the IGU assembly line at least in the production of the IGUs for the next in line set of IGUs to be shipped from the IGU assembly line,
• when calculating the IGU assembly order and controls for the IGU assembly line, and
• wherein the scheduler is configured to re-evaluate the IGU assembly order at least with the filling of each next in line set of IGUs to be shipped from the IGU assembly line.

A dynamic insulated glass unit (IGU) assembly line scheduler for production control of an insulated glass unit assembly line, wherein the scheduler is configured to evaluate at least one of the following:

• i) the changeable set of uniquely identifiable glass lite storage loading locations adjacent the loading station,
• ii) the changeable set of uniquely identifiable IGU storage locations adjacent the unloading station,
• iii) the changeable identifiable subset of the set of uniquely identifiable IGU storage locations, and
• iv) the assembly line change outs to be performed on the IGU assembly line at least in the production of the IGUs for the next in line set of IGUs to be shipped from the IGU assembly line,
• when calculating the IGU assembly order and controls for the IGU assembly line