Dynamic line configuration

• US 20060276921A1
• Filed: 06/02/2005
• Published: 12/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Markem-Imaje Corporation (Dover Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Markem Corporation (Dover Corporation)
• Inventors: Verstraeten, Eddy
• Granted Patent: US 7,191,019 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/95
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0423 Input/output
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/054 Input/output
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4183 characterised by data acquisition, e.g. workpiece identification
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/41845 characterised by system universality, reconfigurability, modularity
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31311 Data are id, destination, number of pieces, alternative destination, process data
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32019 Dynamic reconfiguration to maintain optimal design, fabrication, assembly
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32263 Afo products, their components to be manufactured, lot selective
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4913 Assembling to base an electrical component, e.g., capacitor, etc.

Abstract

A dynamically-reconfigurable production line includes an item-interaction unit and an item-identification unit configured to read item data from an item approaching the item-interaction unit. On the basis of the item data, a processor accesses a memory to select particular configuration data stored therein provided by the item-identification unit. The processor then causes an actuator to reconfigure the production line consistent with the particular configuration data.

Claims

1. A dynamically-reconfigurable production line comprising

an item interaction unit;

an item-identification unit configured to read item data from an item approaching the item interaction unit;

a memory for storing configuration data;

an actuator for reconfiguring the production line; and

a processor for accessing the memory to select particular configuration data on the basis of the item data and causing the actuator to reconfigure the production line consistent with the particular configuration data.

2. The production line of claim 1, wherein the memory comprises a local memory.

3. The production line of claim 1, further comprising a network interface in communication with the processor.

4. The production line of claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to cause a shift in a position of an item relative to a position of the item-interaction unit.

5. The production line of claim 1, wherein the item-interaction unit comprises a printer.

6. The production line of claim 1, wherein the item-interaction unit comprises an RFID programmer.

7. The production line of claim 1, wherein the processor is local to the production line.

8. The production line of claim 1, wherein the processor is remote from the production line.

9. The production line of claim 1, further comprising a supervising processor for causing the configuration data to be stored in the memory.

10. The production line of claim 1, further comprising a central memory from which the processor retrieves the configuration data.

11. The production line of claim 1, wherein the item-identification unit comprises an optical reader.

12. The production line of claim 1, wherein the item-identification unit comprises a bar-code scanner.

13. The production line of claim 1, wherein the item-identification unit comprises an item counter.

14. A method for re-configuring a production line, the method comprising:

identifying an item on the production line;

retrieving configuration data associated with the item; and

adaptively reconfiguring the production-line consistent with the configuration data.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein retrieving configuration data comprises accessing a configuration file.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein retrieving configuration data comprises accessing locally stored data.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein retrieving configuration data comprises accessing data over a network.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein identifying the item comprises reading a bar code associated with the item.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein identifying the item comprises reading RFID data associated with the item.

20. A computer-readable medium having encoded thereon software for causing dynamic reconfiguration of a production line, the software including instructions for:

identifying an approaching item;

retrieving configuration data associated with the approaching item; and

reconfiguring the production-line consistent with the data.