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Methods for simultaneously producing different products on a single production line

  • US 10,613,523 B2
  • Filed: 09/08/2017
  • Issued: 04/07/2020
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2016
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for simultaneously producing different products on a single production line, said method comprising the steps of:

  • (a) providing a track system comprising a track on which vehicles are propellable, wherein at least some of said vehicles are independently routable, and wherein a plurality of unit operations stations are disposed along the track system, wherein the track system comprises a primary transport portion that defines a primary path comprised of track that forms a closed loop that is configured to permit at least one article-loaded vehicle to travel in a holding pattern, at least one secondary transport portion that extends from the primary transport portion and defines a secondary path comprised of track that intersects the primary path at an ingress location and an egress locations;

    (b) providing a control system comprising one or more controller units;

    (c) providing a plurality of articles, said articles comprising a first article and a second article, said first and second articles comprising components of the products to be produced;

    (d) providing a plurality of vehicles;

    (e) receiving demand for finished products to be made and utilizing the control system to provide one or more routes for the plurality of vehicles, wherein the routes are determined based on a status of one or more unit operation stations;

    (f) loading said first article on a vehicle to form an article-loaded vehicle;

    (g) loading said second article on a vehicle to form an article-loaded vehicle; and

    (h) simultaneously sending one of said article-loaded vehicles to a unit operation station where a step in the production of a product is performed and another one of said article-loaded vehicles to a unit operation station where a step in the production of a different product is performed;

    wherein said method further comprises recirculating at least one article-loaded vehicles in a holding pattern on said primary loop.

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