Methods and systems for controlling processing sequences
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- attaching an aligning portion to a part;
coupling a first processing portion to the aligning portion, wherein an indicator of the aligning portion is in a first angular orientation relative to a center axis of the aligning portion;
determining that a current configuration of the indicator is in a first configuration corresponding to the first angular orientation of the indicator relative to the center axis, wherein the first configuration corresponds to the first processing portion;
processing the part using the first processing portion after determining that the current configuration of the indicator is in the first configuration;
after the part has been processed using the first processing portion, changing the current configuration of the indicator from the first configuration to a second configuration corresponding to a second angular orientation of the indicator relative to the center axis of the aligning portion by rotating the indicator about the center axis of the aligning portion, the second configuration corresponding to a second processing portion;
decoupling the first processing portion from the aligning portion; and
coupling a second processing portion to the aligning portion.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Provided are methods for verifying sequences of different operations and controlling processing order in accordance with these sequences. Also provided are apparatuses for executing these methods. A method may involve determining a current configuration of an indicator positioned on a part. This operation may be performed using a tester coupled to a processing portion. If the current configuration of the indicator corresponds to this particular processing portion, then the part is processed using this processing portion. The indicator is then changed to a new configuration corresponding to another processing portion for performing the next operation in the sequence. The processing is only performed if the indicator has the current configuration corresponding to the processing portion. Otherwise, the operation is not performed, and the current configuration of the indicator not changed retained. The indicator may be a mechanical device or an electronic device.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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attaching an aligning portion to a part; coupling a first processing portion to the aligning portion, wherein an indicator of the aligning portion is in a first angular orientation relative to a center axis of the aligning portion; determining that a current configuration of the indicator is in a first configuration corresponding to the first angular orientation of the indicator relative to the center axis, wherein the first configuration corresponds to the first processing portion; processing the part using the first processing portion after determining that the current configuration of the indicator is in the first configuration; after the part has been processed using the first processing portion, changing the current configuration of the indicator from the first configuration to a second configuration corresponding to a second angular orientation of the indicator relative to the center axis of the aligning portion by rotating the indicator about the center axis of the aligning portion, the second configuration corresponding to a second processing portion; decoupling the first processing portion from the aligning portion; and coupling a second processing portion to the aligning portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification