Patent · US Expired

Method to turn off machines during-turn down period while achieving minimum cost and required cycle time

US7343353B1 · kind B1 · utility

4Cited by
9References
28Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 2, 2002
Grant dateMar 11, 2008
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 18, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P90/02
  • WIPO fieldIT methods for management
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method and system for determining which machine tools to turn off during slow periods to achieve maximum cost savings with minimum cycle time increase. It uses a product demand forecast and a simplified approach to the X-factor theory to provide an objective, analytical model showing the cost savings of potentially turning off different quantities and types of machine tools versus the resulting impact on increased cycle time. This model, which can be visually plotted into a graph, can aid management decision as to the optimum machine tools to turn off while fine-tuning the marginal machine choices can keep cycle time under a predetermined acceptable maximum.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.