Modular manufacturing chain including a vertical lift device and method of operation thereof
First Claim
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1. A manufacturing chain, comprising:
- a building defining a manufacturing area and having a planar floor;
a plurality of modular manufacturing stations positioned in series within the manufacturing area and above the planar floor;
an article transportation system including a plurality of carrier tracks defining a transportation path through the modular manufacturing stations, wherein the transportation path includes at least one vertical discontinuity; and
a first vertical lift device for moving a first carrier track in a vertical direction relative to the transportation path, wherein the first carrier track is adjacent the vertical discontinuity.
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Abstract
A manufacturing chain includes a building defining a manufacturing area and having a planar floor. A plurality of modular manufacturing stations are positioned in series within the manufacturing area and above the planar floor. An article transportation system includes a plurality of carrier tracks defining a transportation path, having at least one vertical discontinuity, through the plurality of modular manufacturing stations. A first vertical lift device moves a first carrier track, adjacent the vertical discontinuity, in a vertical direction relative to the transportation path.
22 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A manufacturing chain, comprising:
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a building defining a manufacturing area and having a planar floor; a plurality of modular manufacturing stations positioned in series within the manufacturing area and above the planar floor; an article transportation system including a plurality of carrier tracks defining a transportation path through the modular manufacturing stations, wherein the transportation path includes at least one vertical discontinuity; and a first vertical lift device for moving a first carrier track in a vertical direction relative to the transportation path, wherein the first carrier track is adjacent the vertical discontinuity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A manufacturing module, comprising:
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a plurality of beams forming a skeleton and defining an entry and an exit of the manufacturing module, wherein the manufacturing module is positioned above a planar floor; at least one modular manufacturing station disposed between the entry and the exit, wherein the modular manufacturing station includes an article transportation device supported by at least one of the beams and a first vertical lift device; wherein the article transportation device includes a plurality of carrier tracks defining a transportation path through the modular manufacturing station, wherein the transportation path includes at least one vertical discontinuity; wherein the first vertical lift device is configured to move a first carrier track in a vertical direction relative to the transportation path, wherein the first carrier track is adjacent the vertical discontinuity; and a control system in communication with the first vertical lift device and configured to issue a raise signal and a lower signal. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for operating a manufacturing chain having a plurality of modular manufacturing stations, comprising:
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locating the modular manufacturing stations above a planar floor of a manufacturing area; advancing at least one carrier from a beginning of the manufacturing chain to an end of the manufacturing chain along a transportation path; and wherein the advancing step includes transporting the carrier through a vertical discontinuity of the transportation path by moving a first carrier track of an article transportation system in a vertical direction relative to the transportation path. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification