Integrated reconfigurable manufacturing system
US6920973B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 19, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jul 26, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 4, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/53409
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An integrated reconfigurable multi-stage manufacturing system and associated methods. The system may include a plurality of manufacturing cells, each cell associated with at least one stage of a manufacturing process. The plurality of cells may include a first cell comprising at least one flexible manufacturing station, a second cell comprising at least one reconfigurable manufacturing station, and a third cell comprising at least one reconfigurable inspection machine. The system may also include a plurality of loop conveyors and a plurality of cell gantries. Each loop conveyor may connect at least two neighboring cells and each cell gantry may transport parts from the cell associated with the cell gantry to at least one loop conveyor. In one embodiment, each cell may be hexagonal, and the manufacturing system may have a honeycomb structure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.