US 6,148,245 AGranted

Method and apparatus for sharing processing information in a manufacturing facility

AssigneeMotorola, Inc.

InventorsMichael P. Lynch, Chin-Shu Lee, Gary Slavin

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Abstract

A line controller (115) for controlling a manufacturing process comprises a data entry device (225) for receiving product identification information and determining circuitry (310, 315) coupled to the data entry device (225) for receiving the product identification information and determining whether the product identification information is indicative of a first product or a second product. A control unit (320) coupled to the determining circuitry (310, 315) automatically generates, in response to the determining circuitry (310, 315) determining that the product identification information is indicative of the second product, a request for information relevant to the processing of the second product. The line controller (115) further comprises a data port (330) coupled to the control unit (320) for transmitting the request and for receiving in response thereto the information.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A method for processing products of first and second types, each different than the other, in a manufacturing facility comprising a first assembly line for normally processing the first type of product and for storing first processing information relevant to the processing of the first type of product, the manufacturing facility further comprising a second assembly line for normally processing the second type of product and for storing second processing information relevant to the processing of the second type of product, wherein the first and second assembly lines are controlled, respectively, by first and second line controllers, the method comprising the steps of:

the first line controller receiving a first product and reading product identification information therefrom;
the first line controller determining whether the product identification information associated with the first product is indicative of the first type of product or of the second type of product without referencing any information other than that stored by the first line controller;
the first line controller utilizing the first processing information stored therein for independently processing, without reference to any information other than that stored by the first line controller, the first product in response to determining that the first product is of the first type;
the first line controller automatically retrieving, in response to determining that the first product is of the second type, the second processing information from the second line controller in which the second processing information is stored;
and
the first line controller utilizing the second processing information for processing the first product in response to determining that the first product is of the second type and subsequent to retrieving the second processing information.

3 more elements

A manufacturing facility for processing first and second types of products, each different from the other, the manufacturing facility comprising:

a first line controller for storing first processing information relevant to the processing of the first type of product, the first line controller comprising first determining means for independently determining whether a product received thereby is of the first type or of the second type without referencing any information other than that stored by the first line controller;
a first assembly line coupled to and controlled by the first line controller for independently processing, without reference to any other information other than that stored by the first line controller, the first type of product in accordance with the first processing information and for processing the second type of product in accordance with second processing information relevant to the processing of the second type of product;
a second line controller coupled to the first line controller for storing the second processing information relevant to the processing of the second type of product, the second line controller comprising second determining means for independently determining whether a product received thereby is of the first type or of the second type without referencing any information other than that stored by the second line controller;
a second assembly line coupled to and controlled by the second line controller for independently processing, without reference to any information other than that stored by the first line controller, the first type of product in accordance with the first processing information and for processing the second type of product in accordance with the second processing information;
wherein, in response to reception of a product of the second type, the first line controller automatically retrieves the second processing information from the second line controller;
wherein, in response to reception of a product of the first type, the second line controller automatically retrieves the first processing information from the first line controller;
and
wherein processing on the first assembly line is unrelated to processing on the second assembly line.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/327,347Filed 21 Oct 1994 · continuation
Priority: 12 Feb 1993
Granted: 14 Nov 2000
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

G05B 19/4183
Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible…:…
Y02P 90/02
Enabling technologies with a potential contribution to greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions mitigation: total factory control, e.g. smart factories,…
Y10T 29/534
Means to assemble or disassemble: multiple station assembly or disassembly apparatus
G05B
Control or regulating systems in general