Manufacturing method and software product for optimizing information flow

• US 20030212766A1
• Filed: 06/13/2003
• Published: 11/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Patten, Randall E., Giles, Gary W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,285,777 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/219
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/972 Access to data in other repository systems, e.g. legacy data or dynamic Web page generation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063112 Skill-based matching of a person or a group to a task
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0633 Workflow analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

A manufacturing method, software product, system for optimizing information flow within a manufacturing facility based upon the use of a network, a structured data exchange, and a browser allowing access to a plurality of servers, themselves containing software data, thereby presenting an uniform look and feel for the interface serving that information to each employee. Administrators grant employees access to data according to predefined constellations of roles within the manufacturing facility.

Claims

1. A method for providing secure two-way data exchange, the method comprising:

providing a first page at an address on a network;

receiving log-in information from a user through the first page;

retrieving a role for the user responsive to the received log-in information;

affording access to the network responsive to the retrieved role; and

redirecting the user to a second page responsive to the received log-in information, the second page being configured to;

receive requests from the user for a datum stored on the network; and

retrieve the datum responsive to the received request and responsive to the retrieved role.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the datum is selected from a group consisting of files formatted for software used for NC simulation including CGTech;

files formatted for software used for 3D modeling including DIRRECT/WEBDIRRECT;

files formatted for software used for material information including OLP;

files formatted for software used for schedule information including DECAC ERP;

files formatted for software used for NC document ID including SAROS;

files formatted for software used for 3D Model including CATIA;

files formatted for software used for cutter information including CAS;

files formatted for software used for NC simulation including DELMIA;

files formatted for software used for mod including WebCamDNC;

files formatted for software used for 2D drawing including BOLD LITE;

files formatted for software used for NC Document ID software including Planning Paper;

files formatted for software used for labor charging including Timekeeping;

files formatted for software used for job changing including WMS;

files formatted for software used for fabrication including ADEPT;

files formatted for software used for material information including DCAC CAPP;

files formatted for software used for labor including ETS; and

files formatted for software used for customer information including CICS/TCS, or a combination thereof.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the user is selected from a group consisting of a vendor, a potential vendor, an operator, a supervisor, a company officer, a potential customer, a customer, a shipper;

or a combination thereof.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the second page is further configured to display information for the user stored in association with the second page, the information for the user selected from a group consisting of instructions, an order for a product, a request for bid, a contract, a description of an assembly, a list of parts, a manufacturing data file, human resource data, and status of operations;

or a combination thereof.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the manufacturing data file is selected from a group consisting of files formatted for software used for NC simulation including CGTech;

files formatted for software used for 3D modeling including DIRRECT/WEBDIRRECT;

files formatted for software used for material information including OLP;

files formatted for software used for schedule information including DECAC ERP;

files formatted for software used for NC document ID including SAROS;

files formatted for software used for 3D Model including CATIA;

files formatted for software used for cutter information including CAS;

files formatted for software used for NC simulation including DELMIA;

files formatted for software used for mod including WebCamDNC;

files formatted for software used for 2D drawing including BOLD LITE;

files formatted for software used for NC Document ID software including Planning Paper;

files formatted for software used for labor charging including Timekeeping;

files formatted for software used for job changing including WMS;

files formatted for software used for fabrication including ADEPT;

files formatted for software used for material information including DCAC CAPP;

files formatted for software used for labor including ETS; and

files formatted for software used for customer information including CICS/TCS, or a combination thereof.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the order for a product is generated responsive to criteria.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the criteria include a designated quantity of stock on hand.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the order is generated by automated means.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the datum includes a description of an assembly.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the description includes a bill of materials.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the request for the datum generates a request for materials responsive to the bill of materials.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising receiving materials responsive to the request for materials.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising arranging the received materials for assembly by an operator.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the description includes a list of tools.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the request for the datum generates a request for tools responsive to the list of tools.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising receiving at least one tool responsive to the request for tools.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising configuring the at least one tool responsive to the description.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the datum includes feedback for fabricating an assembly.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the feedback includes a video stream.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the video stream includes graphic displays of operating data.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the video stream includes imagery depicting fabricating the assembly.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the video stream includes visible advisements.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the video advisements include cautions.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the video advisements include warnings.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein the feedback includes an audio stream.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the audio stream includes sounds ambient to fabricating the assembly.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the audio stream includes audio advisements.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the advisements include audio warnings.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein the advisements include audio cautions.

30. The method of claim 13, wherein the description includes instructions for fabrication of an assembly.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the instructions include visual cues.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the visual cues include still imagery of the fabrication.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein the visual cues include movie imagery of the fabrication.

34. The method of claim 30, wherein the instructions include audio cues.

35. The method of claim 30, wherein fabricating of an assembly includes discrete tasks, and wherein the instructions are received responsive to a previously completed task.

36. The method of claim 10, wherein the datum includes a status of operations.

37. A computer software program product residing on a computer-readable medium for providing secure two-way exchange of data, the computer software program product comprising:

first computer program code means for providing a first page at an address on a network;

second computer program code means for providing for receiving log-in information from a user through the first page;

third computer program code means for retrieving a role for the user responsive to the received log-in information;

fourth computer program code means for affording access to the network responsive to the retrieved role; and

fifth computer program code means for redirecting the user to a second page responsive to the received log-in information, the second page being configured to;

receive requests for a datum stored on the network; and

retrieve the datum responsive to the received request and responsive to the retrieved role.

38. The computer software program product of claim 37, wherein the datum is selected from a group consisting of files formatted for software used for NC simulation including CGTech;

files formatted for software used for 3D modeling including DIRRECT/WEBDIRRECT;

files formatted for software used for material information including OLP;

files formatted for software used for schedule information including DECAC ERP;

files formatted for software used for NC document ID including SAROS;

files formatted for software used for 3D Model including CATIA;

files formatted for software used for cutter information including CAS;

files formatted for software used for NC simulation including DELMIA;

files formatted for software used for mod including WebCamDNC;

files formatted for software used for 2D drawing including BOLD LITE;

files formatted for software used for NC Document ID software including Planning Paper;

files formatted for software used for labor charging including Timekeeping;

files formatted for software used for job changing including WMS;

files formatted for software used for fabrication including ADEPT;

files formatted for software used for material information including DCAC CAPP;

files formatted for software used for labor including ETS; and

files formatted for software used for customer information including CICS/TCS, or a combination thereof.

39. The computer software program product of claim 37, wherein the user is selected from a group consisting of a vendor, a potential vendor, an operator, a supervisor, a company officer, a potential customer, a customer, a shipper;

or a combination thereof.

40. The computer software program product of claim 39, wherein the second page is further configured to display information for the user stored in association with the second page, the information for the user selected from a group consisting of instructions, an order for a product, a request for bid, a contract, a description of an assembly, a list of parts, a manufacturing data file, human resource data, and status of operations;

or a combination thereof.

41. The computer software program product of claim 40, wherein the manufacturing data file is selected from a group consisting of files formatted for software used for NC simulation including CGTech;

files formatted for software used for 3D modeling including DIRRECT/WEBDIRRECT;

files formatted for software used for material information including OLP;

files formatted for software used for schedule information including DECAC ERP;

files formatted for software used for NC document ID including SAROS;

files formatted for software used for 3D Model including CATIA;

files formatted for software used for cutter information including CAS;

files formatted for software used for NC simulation including DELMIA;

files formatted for software used for mod including WebCamDNC;

files formatted for software used for 2D drawing including BOLD LITE;

files formatted for software used for NC Document ID software including Planning Paper;

files formatted for software used for labor charging including Timekeeping;

files formatted for software used for job changing including WMS;

files formatted for software used for fabrication including ADEPT;

files formatted for software used for material information including DCAC CAPP;

files formatted for software used for labor including ETS; and

files formatted for software used for customer information including CICS/TCS, or a combination thereof.

42. The computer software program product of claim 40, wherein the order for a product is generated responsive to criteria.

43. The computer software program product of claim 42, wherein the criteria include a designated quantity of stock on hand.

44. The computer software program product of claim 43, wherein the order is generated by automated means.

45. The computer software program product of claim 37, wherein the datum includes a description of an assembly.

46. The computer software program product of claim 45, wherein the description includes a bill of materials.

47. The computer software program product of claim 46, wherein the request for the datum generates a request for materials responsive to the bill of materials.

48. The computer software program product of claim 47, further comprising receiving materials responsive to the request for materials.

49. The computer software program product of claim 48, further comprising arranging the received materials for assembly by an operator.

50. The computer software program product of claim 49, wherein the description includes a list of tools.

51. The computer software program product of claim 50, wherein the request for the datum generates a request for tools responsive to the list of tools.

52. The computer software program product of claim 51, further comprising receiving at least one tool responsive to the request for tools.

53. The computer software program product of claim 52, further comprising configuring the at least one tool responsive to the description.

54. The computer software program product of claim 45, wherein the datum includes feedback for fabricating an assembly.

55. The computer software program product of claim 54, wherein the feedback includes a video stream.

56. The computer software program product of claim 55, wherein the video stream includes graphic displays of operating data.

57. The computer software program product of claim 56, wherein the video stream includes imagery depicting fabricating the assembly.

58. The computer software program product of claim 57, wherein the video stream includes visible advisements.

59. The computer software program product of claim 58, wherein the video advisements include cautions.

60. The computer software program product of claim 58, wherein the video advisements include warnings.

61. The computer software program product of claim 54, wherein the feedback includes an audio stream.

62. The computer software program product of claim 61, wherein the audio stream includes sounds ambient to fabricating the assembly.

63. The computer software program product of claim 61, wherein the audio stream includes audio advisements.

64. The computer software program product of claim 61, wherein the advisements include audio warnings.

65. The computer software program product of claim 61, wherein the advisements include audio cautions.

66. The computer software program product of claim 45, wherein the description includes instructions for fabrication of an assembly.

67. The computer software program product of claim 66, wherein the instructions include visual cues.

68. The computer software program product of claim 66, wherein the visual cues include still imagery of the fabrication.

69. The computer software program product of claim 66, wherein the visual cues include movie imagery of the fabrication.

70. The computer software program product of claim 66, wherein the instructions include audio cues.

71. The computer software program product of claim 66, wherein fabricating of an assembly includes discrete tasks, and wherein the instructions are received responsive to a previously completed task.

72. The computer software program product of claim 40, wherein the datum includes a status of operations.

73. A computer software program product residing on a computer-readable medium for facilitating fabricating an assembly, the computer software program product comprising:

first computer program code means for receiving a request to fabricate a designated assembly;

second computer program code means for receiving a description of fabrication of the assembly responsive to the received request;

third computer program code means for;

ordering parts and materials according to the description; and

receiving ordered parts and materials;

fourth computer program code means for;

checking-out tools according to the description; and

receiving checked-out tools;

fifth computer program code means for providing feedback to an operator, the feedback being configured to allow the operator to fabricate an assembly from the ordered parts and materials and to use the checked-out tools responsive to the description; and

sixth computer program code means for delivering the fabricated assembly.

74. The computer software program product of claim 73, wherein the first computer program code means includes seventh computer program code means for generating a web page viewable by a browser.

75. The computer software program product of claim 74, wherein generating the web page includes supporting a log-in.

76. The computer software program product of claim 75, wherein receiving a request includes assigning a role according to the log-in and receiving requests responsive to the assigned role.

77. The computer software program product of claim 76, wherein communications are encrypted and decrypted responsive to the assigned role.

78. The computer software program product of claim 73, wherein the description of the fabrication of the assembly includes visuals cues.

79. The computer software program product of claim 78, wherein the visual cues include still imagery of the fabrication of the assembly.

80. The computer software program product of claim 79, wherein the visual cues include movie imagery of the fabrication of the assembly.

81. The computer software program product of claim 80, wherein the description of the fabrication of the assembly includes audio cues.

82. The computer software program product of claim 81, wherein fabricating an assembly includes discrete tasks, and wherein the instructions are received responsive to a previously completed task.

83. The computer software program product of claim 73, wherein execution of the third computer program code means is responsive to receiving a description of fabricating the assembly.

84. The computer software program product of claim 73, wherein execution of the fourth computer program code means is responsive to receiving a description of fabricating the assembly.

85. The computer software program product of claim 73, wherein the feedback includes a video stream.

86. The computer software program product of claim 85, wherein the video stream includes graphic displays of operating data.

87. The computer software program product of claim 86, wherein the video stream includes imagery depicting fabricating the assembly.

88. The computer software program product of claim 87, wherein the video stream includes visible advisements.

89. The computer software program product of claim 88, wherein the video advisements include cautions.

90. The computer software program product of claim 89, wherein the video advisements include warnings.

91. The computer software program product of claim 73, wherein the feedback includes an audio stream.

92. The computer software program product of claim 91, wherein the audio stream includes sounds ambient to fabricating the assembly.

93. The computer software program product of claim 91, wherein the audio stream includes audio advisements.

94. The computer software program product of claim 91, wherein the advisements include audio warnings.

95. The computer software program product of claim 91, wherein the advisements include audio cautions.

96. The computer software program product of claim 73, wherein the fifth computer program code means further includes eighth computer program code means for generating a page viewable by a browser and wherein a webpage provides feedback.

97. A computer software program product residing on a computer readable medium for providing data compiled in a uniform format according to a received request, the computer software program product comprising:

a page stored at an address on a network, the page being configured to compile a request for data stored on the network;

a database for facilitating retrieval of data from the file, the database including;

a header identifier including information identifying a format for formatted data in the file; and

an API address associated with the header identifier, the API being configured to;

retrieve data from the formatted data in a manner responsive to the identified format; and

compile the distilled data into a uniform format; and

a serving component configured to;

receive the compiled request for data;

retrieve the file responsive to the compiled request, wherein the file includes the header identifier and the data;

read the included header identifier;

execute an API stored at the API address associated with the read header identifier to distill the data and recompile the distilled data into the uniform format; and

transmit the data in the uniform format responsive to the compiled request.

98. The computer software program product of claim 97, the page is further configured to support a log-in by a user.

99. The computer software product of claim 98, wherein the page is further configured to assign the user a role responsive to the log-in.

100. The computer software program product of claim 99, where the page is further configured to compile a request responsive to the assigned role.

101. The computer software program product of claim 100, wherein the formatted data includes a manufacturing data file.

102. The computer software program product of claim 101, wherein the manufacturing data file is selected from a group consisting of files formatted for software used for NC simulation including CGTech;

files formatted for software used for 3D modeling including DIRRECT/WEBDIRRECT;

files formatted for software used for material information including OLP;

files formatted for software used for schedule information including DECAC ERP;

files formatted for software used for NC document ID including SAROS;

files formatted for software used for 3D Model including CATIA;

files formatted for software used for cutter information including CAS;

files formatted for software used for NC simulation including DELMIA;

files formatted for software used for mod including WebCamDNC;

files formatted for software used for 2D drawing including BOLD LITE;

files formatted for software used for NC Document ID software including Planning Paper;

files formatted for software used for labor charging including Timekeeping;

files formatted for software used for job changing including WMS;

files formatted for software used for fabrication including ADEPT;

files formatted for software used for material information including DCAC CAPP;

files formatted for software used for labor including ETS; and

files formatted for software used for customer information including CICS/TCS;

or any combination thereof.

103. The computer software program product of claim 97, wherein the database is relational.

104. The computer software program product of claim 97, wherein the page is viewable on a browser.

105. The computer software program product of claim 104, wherein the browser further facilitates interaction with the page by a user.

106. The computer software program product of claim 97, wherein the page compiles the request responsive to interaction with dialogue boxes by a user.

107. The computer software program product of claim 106, wherein the page generates the dialogue boxes responsive to a role of the user.

108. A method for providing a web portal to facilitate fabricating an assembly, the method comprising:

providing an address on a network, the network including at least one server;

generating a log-in page;

receiving a log-in;

affording access to a subset of the network, the subset being defined responsive to the received log-in;

presenting a request to the server for a description of fabricating an assembly;

receiving a description of fabrication of the assembly responsive to the request;

providing feedback to an operator, the feedback being configured to allow the operator to fabricate the assembly responsive to the description; and

delivering the assembled assembly.

109. The method of claim 108, wherein receiving a description includes receiving a bill of materials.

110. The method of claim 109, wherein the bill of materials includes materials for fabricating the assembly, and wherein receiving the bill of materials further includes requesting the materials for fabricating the assembly.

111. The method of claim 110, wherein requesting the materials includes receiving the materials for fabricating the assembly.

112. The method of claim 110, wherein receiving materials includes prepositioning the materials for fabricating the assembly.

113. The method of claim 108, wherein receiving a description includes receiving a list of tools.

114. The method of claim 113, wherein the list of tools includes tools for fabricating the assembly, and wherein receiving the list of tools further includes requesting at least one tool for fabricating the assembly.

115. The method of claim 114, wherein requesting the tools includes receiving at least one tool responsive to the request for at least one tool for fabricating the assembly.

116. The method of claim 115, wherein receiving the at least one tool includes prepositioning the at least one tool for fabricating the assembly.

117. The method of claim 116, wherein receiving a description of fabricating the assembly responsive to the request includes receiving a manufacturing data file.

118. The method of claim 117, wherein the manufacturing data file is selected from a group consisting of files formatted for software used for NC simulation including CGTech;

files formatted for software used for 3D modeling including DIRRECT/WEBDIRRECT;

files formatted for software used for material information including OLP;

files formatted for software used for schedule information including DECAC ERP;

files formatted for software used for NC document ID including SAROS;

files formatted for software used for 3D Model including CATIA;

files formatted for software used for cutter information including CAS;

files formatted for software used for NC simulation including DELMIA;

files formatted for software used for mod including WebCamDNC;

files formatted for software used for 2D drawing including BOLD LITE;

files formatted for software used for NC Document ID software including Planning Paper;

files formatted for software used for labor charging including Timekeeping;

files formatted for software used for job changing including WMS;

files formatted for software used for fabrication including ADEPT;

files formatted for software used for material information including DCAC CAPP;

files formatted for software used for labor including ETS; and

files formatted for software used for customer information including CICS/TCS;

or any combination thereof.

119. The method of claim 118, wherein providing feedback to an operator includes providing a video stream.

120. The method of claim 119, wherein the video stream includes graphic displays of operating data.

121. The method of claim 119, wherein the video stream includes imagery depicting fabricating of the assembly.

122. The method of claim 119, wherein the video stream includes visible advisements.

123. The method of claim 122, wherein the video advisements include cautions.

124. The method of claim 122, wherein the video advisements include warnings.

125. The method of claim 118, wherein providing feedback to an operator includes providing an audio stream.

126. The method of claim 125, wherein the audio stream includes sounds ambient to fabricating the assembly.

127. The method of claim 125, wherein the audio stream includes audio advisements.

128. The method of claim 125, wherein the advisements include audio warnings.

129. The method of claim 125, wherein the advisements include audio cautions.

130. The method of claim 129, wherein providing feedback to the operator includes providing feedback to the operator in real time.

131. In a manufacturing environment including at least one machine capable of performing a machining operation on a workpiece in response to design data and instructions representative of a completed product, the method comprising:

accessing a address on a network using a web browser;

receiving a role assignment;

requesting information stored in association with the address;

receiving a subset of the information, the subset responsive to the role; and

operating at least one machine to perform a machining operation on a workpiece responsive to the received information.

132. The method of claim 131, wherein the information is a manufacturing data file.

133. The method of claim 132, wherein the manufacturing data file is selected from a group consisting of files formatted for software used for NC simulation including CGTech;

files formatted for software used for 3D modeling including DIRRECT/WEBDIRRECT;

files formatted for software used for material information including OLP;

files formatted for software used for schedule information including DECAC ERP;

files formatted for software used for NC document ID including SAROS;

files formatted for software used for 3D Model including CATIA;

files formatted for software used for cutter information including CAS;

files formatted for software used for NC simulation including DELMIA;

files formatted for software used for mod including WebCamDNC;

files formatted for software used for 2D drawing including BOLD LITE;

files formatted for software used for NC Document ID software including Planning Paper;

files formatted for software used for labor charging including Timekeeping;

files formatted for software used for job changing including WMS;

files formatted for software used for fabrication including ADEPT;

files formatted for software used for material information including DCAC CAPP;

files formatted for software used for labor including ETS; and

files formatted for software used for customer information including CICS/TCS;

or any combination thereof.

134. The method of claim 131, wherein the browser displays the information.

135. The method of claim 131 wherein the operating of the machine includes interacting with a generated web page.

136. The method of claim 135, wherein interacting with the generated web page includes receiving feedback from the machine.

137. The method of claim 136, wherein the feedback includes a video stream.

138. The method of claim 137, wherein the video stream includes graphic displays of operating data.

139. The method of claim 137, wherein the video stream includes imagery depicting fabricating the assembly.

140. The method of claim 137, wherein the video stream includes visible advisements.

141. The method of claim 140, wherein the video advisements include cautions.

142. The method of claim 140, wherein the video advisements include warnings.

143. The method of claim 136, wherein the feedback includes an audio stream.

144. The method of claim 143, wherein the audio stream includes sounds ambient to fabricating the assembly.

145. The method of claim 143, wherein the audio stream includes audio advisements.

146. The method of claim 143, wherein the advisements include audio warnings.

147. The method of claim 143, wherein the advisements include audio cautions.

148. The method of claim 131 wherein the role assignment is responsive to a log-in.