Method for optimizing a manufacturing process having a plurality of interconnected discreet operating stations
US7818081B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 19, 2008 |
| Grant date | Oct 19, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 17, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P90/80
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A process to control product throughput in a multi-station manufacturing system is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of: providing the manufacturing system as a plurality of discrete operating stations; separating the plurality of pathways into a plurality of independent pathways; identifying a first constraining throughput capacity corresponding to each of the plurality of independent pathways; adjusting a target rate of each of the discrete operating stations in each of the plurality of independent pathways according to the corresponding first constraining throughput capacity; reconstituting the plurality of independent pathways into an interconnected pathway comprising the discrete operating stations; reforming the plurality of pathways for the object of manufacture to pass from the first operating station to the distal operating station; combining the target rate of each of the discrete operating stations of the interconnected pathways; and, adjusting product throughput according to the combined target rates.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.