Modular manufacturing line including a buffer and methods of operation therefor
First Claim
1. A manufacturing line including a plurality of manufacturing modules positioned in series and defining a main path through the manufacturing line, comprising:
- a main track assembly supported by the manufacturing modules and including a friction drive system for transporting a trolley assembly along the main path; and
a buffer positioned to receive the trolley assembly from the main path and including;
a first track assembly including the friction drive system for transporting the trolley assembly along the first track assembly, the first track assembly being sized to support at least two trolley assemblies thereon;
a second track assembly including the friction drive system for transporting the trolley assembly along the second track assembly, the second track assembly being sized to support at least two trolley assemblies thereon; and
a first movable track assembly movable between a first position defining a first continuous path along the first movable track assembly and the first track assembly, and a second position defining a second continuous path along the first movable track assembly and the second track assembly.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A manufacturing line includes a plurality of manufacturing modules positioned in series and defining a main path through the manufacturing line. A main track assembly is supported by the manufacturing modules and includes at least a first friction drive system for transporting a trolley assembly along the main path. A buffer is positioned to receive the trolley assembly from the main path and includes a first track assembly that includes at least a second friction drive system for transporting the trolley assembly along the first track assembly. The first track assembly is sized to support at least two trolley assemblies thereon. The sequencing buffer also includes a second track assembly that includes at least a third friction drive system for transporting the trolley assembly along the second track assembly. The second track assembly is also sized to support at least two trolley assemblies thereon. A first movable track assembly of the sequencing buffer is movable between a first position defining a first continuous path along the first movable track assembly and the first track assembly, and a second position defining a second continuous path along the first movable track assembly and the second track assembly.
47 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A manufacturing line including a plurality of manufacturing modules positioned in series and defining a main path through the manufacturing line, comprising:
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a main track assembly supported by the manufacturing modules and including a friction drive system for transporting a trolley assembly along the main path; and a buffer positioned to receive the trolley assembly from the main path and including;
a first track assembly including the friction drive system for transporting the trolley assembly along the first track assembly, the first track assembly being sized to support at least two trolley assemblies thereon;
a second track assembly including the friction drive system for transporting the trolley assembly along the second track assembly, the second track assembly being sized to support at least two trolley assemblies thereon; and
a first movable track assembly movable between a first position defining a first continuous path along the first movable track assembly and the first track assembly, and a second position defining a second continuous path along the first movable track assembly and the second track assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of operating a buffer, comprising:
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distributing at least three trolley assemblies among a first track assembly and a second track assembly of the buffer such that a first trolley assembly is blocked from an exit position; and redistributing the at least three trolley assemblies among the first track assembly and the second track assembly to position the first trolley assembly at the exit position; wherein the redistributing step includes;
moving at least a second trolley assembly along the first track assembly and onto a first movable track assembly using a friction drive system;
moving the first movable track assembly from a first position to a second position; and
moving the second trolley assembly from the first movable track assembly and onto the second track assembly using the friction drive system. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of operating a manufacturing line, comprising:
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transporting an article through the manufacturing line, at least in part, by; supporting the article on a carrier, the carrier being supported by a first trolley assembly; moving the first trolley assembly along a main track assembly using a friction drive system; transferring the first trolley assembly from the main track assembly and into a buffer; redistributing the first trolley assembly and a plurality of other trolley assemblies among a first track assembly and a second track assembly of the buffer; and transferring the first trolley assembly from the buffer and onto the main track assembly after the redistributing step. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification