Machine models assembly including bin access control

• US 20020087226A1
• Filed: 01/04/2001
• Published: 07/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Boudreau, Dale E.
• Granted Patent: US 6,539,270 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/95
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/41805 characterised by assembly
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31043 Bin, storage identifier and workstation identifier
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31044 Assembly of modular products, variant configurability
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A machine models assembly workstation is provided for selectively assembling a variety of different machine parts to different machine models having different model identification numbers. The workstation includes a machine model assembly area for holding each different machine model during parts assembly; a machine travel path to, and from, the machine model assembly area; and a plurality of bins located at the machine model assembly area for holding the different machine parts to be selectively assembled to the different models. Each bin of the plurality of bins has walls defining a parts holding chamber, and an access opening into the chamber. A shutter is attached to the walls over the access opening, and has an unlocked open position and a closed locked position. The machine models assembly workstation also includes a bin access control device, responsive to an input machine model identification number, for selectively closing and locking a first set of the plurality of bins, and for automatically selecting, unlocking and opening a second set of the plurality of bins, such that the second set of the plurality of bins holds only approved machine parts for assembly into a machine having the input machine model identification number, thereby enabling fast and accurate assembly while effectively preventing inadvertent operator assembly errors.

Claims

1. A machine models assembly workstation for selectively assembling a variety of different machine parts to different machine models having different model identification numbers, the workstation comprising:

(a) a machine model assembly area for holding each different machine model during parts assembly;

(b) a machine travel path to, and from, said machine model assembly area;

(c) a plurality of bins located at said machine model assembly area for holding the different machine parts to be selectively assembled to the different models, each bin of said plurality of bins having;

(i) walls defining a parts holding chamber, and an access opening into said chamber;

(ii) a shutter attached to said walls over said access opening, and having an unlocked open position and a closed locked position; and

(iii) a bin access control means, responsive to an input machine model identification number, for selectively closing and locking a first set of said plurality of bins, and automatically selecting, unlocking and opening a second set of said plurality of bins, said second set of said plurality of bins holding only approved machine parts for assembly into a machine having the input machine model identification number, thereby enabling fast and accurate assembly while effectively preventing inadvertent operator assembly errors.

2. The machine models assembly workstation of claim 1, including a programmable powered means connected to said shutter for automatically moving said shutter from one to the other of said unlocked open position and said closed locked position.

3. The machine models assembly workstation of claim 1, wherein said bin access control means include a programmable controller and an input device for inputting a machine model identification number.

4. The machine models assembly workstation of claim 2, wherein said programmable powered assembly includes a programmable unit, a solenoid and a shutter return member.

5. The machine models assembly workstation of claim 3, wherein said input means comprises a scanner for scanning the model identification number of each machine model about to be assembled at the workstation.

6. The machine models assembly workstation of claim 4 wherein said shutter return member is a torsion spring member.

7. The machine models assembly workstation of claim 4, wherein said programmable powered assembly further includes a cable and pulley assembly for connecting said solenoid to said shutter.

8. A machine mixed models assembly facility comprising:

a first area for holding a plurality of different mixed models of a machine to be further assembled with approved machine parts;

a machine travel path starting from said first area and having a direction and connections for machine movement; and

a plurality of machine models assembly workstations for selectively assembling a variety of different machine parts to different machine models having different model identification numbers, each of said workstation including;

(a) a machine model assembly area for holding each different machine model during parts assembly;

(b) a machine travel connection from said machine travel path to, and from, said machine model assembly area;

(c) a plurality of bins located at said machine model assembly area for holding the different machine parts to be selectively assembled to the different models, each bin of said plurality of bins having;

(i) walls defining a parts holding chamber, and an access opening into said chamber;

(ii) a shutter attached to said walls over said access opening, and having an unlocked open position and a closed locked position; and

(iii) a bin access control means, responsive to an input machine model identification number, for selectively closing and locking a first set of said plurality of bins, and automatically selecting, unlocking and opening a second set of said plurality of bins, said second set of said plurality of bins holding only approved machine parts for assembly into a machine having the input machine model identification number, thereby enabling fast and accurate assembly while effectively preventing inadvertent operator assembly errors.