Modular automated assembly system
OwnerDavid W. Duemlerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of modular manufacturing is disclosed and a modular assembly system is shown utilizing a base unit and a plurality of detachable work stations adapted to operate with the base unit. Each detachable work station includes its own work station control processor. The assembly system is preferably fully modular since each work station is capable of controlling its own operation. Work stations may be plugged into a plurality of different work station ports on the base unit in a plurality of different combinations, preferably without reprogramming either the base unit control processor or the work stations control processor.
Claims20
A modular product assembly system, comprising:
- a base unit comprising:
- a base unit controller;
- a plurality of work stations, each of said work stations including control means for directly controlling an operation of said work station on a product substantially independently of said base unit controller;
- and
- conveying means disposed proximate to said plurality of work stations for moving said product to said plurality of work stations during an assembly of said product,
- said base unit controller including means for monitoring whether at least one of said work stations successfully performs its operation on said product and selectively directs at least a successive one of said work stations to perform its operation on said product based on said monitoring.
A method of modular manufacturing, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a modular assembly system including a base unit comprising a base unit controller, a plurality of work stations and conveying means disposed proximate to said plurality of work stations;
- (b) detachably connecting said plurality of work stations proximate to said conveyor of said base unit, said conveyor being adapted to move a product during assembly of said product responsive to commands from said base unit controller, each of said work stations including control means for directly controlling an operation of said work station on said product substantially independently of said base unit controller;
- (c) monitoring with said base unit controller whether at least one of said work stations successfully performs its operation on said product;
- and
- (d) selectively directing at least a successive one of said work stations to perform its operation on said product based on said monitoring.
A base unit for a modular automated assembly system, comprising:
- a base unit comprising:
- conveying means for moving a product during assembly of said product responsive to commands from a base unit controller;
- and
- a base unit controller, said controller including:
- means for monitoring whether at least one of a plurality of work stations detachably connected to said base unit successfully performs its operation on an individual product;
- and
- means for selectively directing at least a successive one of said work stations to perform its operation on said individual product, in accordance with control programming at said at least one successive work station, based upon said monitoring and based upon information from said at least one successive work station identifying under what conditions it is to perform its operation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.