System and method for accommodating atypical customer requirements in a mass customization manufacturing facility
AssigneeDell Products L.P.
InventorsStephen H. Lawton, John H. Sanders, Mark D. Brown, Kristin E. Toth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A build cell is utilized to manufacture computers and load data into the computers according to customer orders. The build cell may include a build station at which components are assembled into a computer and a first network connection that links the computer with an on-site server. The build cell may also include a supplemental network connection that links the computer with an off-site server. Data from the on-site and off-site servers can be transferred to the computer via the first network connection and the supplemental network connection, respectively.
Claims17
A method for manufacturing computers and loading data into the computers according to customer orders, the method comprising:
- assembling components into a computer within a build cell, wherein the build cell includes a first network connection in communication with an on-site server and a supplemental network connection in communication with an off-site server;
- connecting the computer in the build cell to the first network connection in communication with the on-site server;
- transferring data from the on-site server to the computer in the build cell via the first network connection;
- connecting the computer in the build cell to the supplemental network connection in the build cell;
- and
- transferring data from the off-site server to the computer in the build cell via the supplemental network connection, such that the data from the on-site server and the data from the off-site server are transferred to the computer while the computer remains in the build cells;
- wherein the operation of transferring data from the on-site server comprises transferring data from the on-site server to the computer in the build cell in accordance with a specific customer order for a specific customer;
- and
- wherein the operation of transferring data from the off-site server comprises transferring proprietary data of the specific customer from the off-site server to the computer in the build cell.
A method for manufacturing computers and loading data into the computers during the manufacturing process according to customer orders, the method comprising:
- assembling components into a computer at a build station of a build cell;
- connecting the computer in the build cell to a first network connection in communication with an on-site server;
- transferring data from the on-site server to the computer in the build cell via the first network connection;
- transporting the computer from the bum station of the build cell to a finishing station of the build cell;
- connecting the computer in the finishing station to a supplemental network connection in communication with an off-site server;
- and
- transferring data from the off-site server to the computer via the supplemental network connection while the computer is in the finishing station of the build cell;
- wherein the operation of transferring data from the on-site server comprises transferring data from the on-site server to the computer in the build cell in accordance with a specific customer order for a specific customer;
- and
- wherein the operation of transferring data from the off-site server comprises transferring proprietary data of the specific customer from the off-site server to the computer in the build cell.
A method for manufacturing computers and loading data into the computers according to customer orders, the method comprising:
- collecting components at a kitting facility of a manufacturing facility;
- transporting the components to a build cell of the manufacturing facility;
- assembling the components into a computer at a build station of the build cell;
- connecting the computer to a first network connection in communication with an on-site server;
- transferring data, in accordance with a customer order of a specific customer, from the on-site server to the computer via a first network connection;
- transporting the computer to a finishing station of the build cell;
- connecting the computer to a supplemental network connection in communication with an off-site server;
- transferring proprietary data of the specific customer from the off-site server to the computer via the supplemental network connection;
- transporting the computer to a boxing facility after the data from the on-site server and the off-site server has been loaded;
- and
- packaging the computer at the boxing facility.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.