SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING WELDING CONSUMABLES
First Claim
1. A system for managing at least one welding consumable, comprising:
- a welder comprising a consumables monitor that monitors an amount of at least one consumable; and
a local system operatively coupled to the welder via a first network, the local system comprising;
a production control component that receives information from the consumables monitor regarding the amount of the at least one consumable and measures a consumable demand rate based at least in part upon a production control policy;
a financial account component that receives the information from the consumables monitor regarding the amount of the at least one consumable and performs accounting tasks;
a materials management component that receives the information from the consumables monitor regarding the amount of the at least one consumable and performs inventory control; and
an inventory management component that maintains data regarding an inventory of the at least one consumable at a customer location, adjusts the inventory based at least in part on the information received from the consumables monitor regarding the amount of the at least one consumable and invoices for an amount of the at least one welding consumable used based at least in part upon the change in inventory.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for managing welding consumable(s) is provided. The invention includes a welder having a consumable(s) monitor, a customer system and/or a remote system. The invention further provides for monitoring of welding consumable(s) usage and ordering of welding consumable(s) from suppliers, distributors and/or manufacturers. The invention further provides for an optional arc/weld quality monitor that provides information regarding weld quality. The invention further provides for invoicing a customer for welding consumable(s) as the consumable(s) are used by the customer. The invention further provides for invoicing of customers for welding consumable(s) that produce acceptable welds. The invention further provides for remote management of customer welding consumable(s) inventory based at least in part upon information received regarding welding consumable(s) usage. The invention further provides for communication with a production component, financial accounting component and/or materials management component in order to facilitate automation of welding consumable(s) management.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for managing at least one welding consumable, comprising:
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a welder comprising a consumables monitor that monitors an amount of at least one consumable; and a local system operatively coupled to the welder via a first network, the local system comprising; a production control component that receives information from the consumables monitor regarding the amount of the at least one consumable and measures a consumable demand rate based at least in part upon a production control policy; a financial account component that receives the information from the consumables monitor regarding the amount of the at least one consumable and performs accounting tasks; a materials management component that receives the information from the consumables monitor regarding the amount of the at least one consumable and performs inventory control; and an inventory management component that maintains data regarding an inventory of the at least one consumable at a customer location, adjusts the inventory based at least in part on the information received from the consumables monitor regarding the amount of the at least one consumable and invoices for an amount of the at least one welding consumable used based at least in part upon the change in inventory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions for a process, the process comprising:
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monitoring usage of at least one consumable; receiving information regarding the usage of the at least one consumable; measuring a consumable demand rate based at least in part upon the usage; performing accounting tasks based at least in part upon the usage; performing inventory control based at least in part upon the usage;
maintaining data regarding an inventory of the at least one consumable at a customer location based at least in part upon the usage, adjusting the inventory based at least in part upon the usage, and charging a customer based in part upon a change in the inventory; andordering the at least one consumable based at least in part upon the usage.
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17. A method for managing welding consumables, comprising:
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monitoring an amount of at least one consumable consumed by a welder through a consumables monitor coupled to the welder; receiving information from the consumables monitor, via a local system communicatively coupled to the welder, regarding the amount of the at least one consumable consumed; measuring a consumable demand rate based at least in part upon a production control policy and the information; performing one or more accounting tasks based at least in part upon the information; performing an inventory control based at least in part upon the information; and maintaining data regarding an inventory of the at least one consumable at a customer location, adjusting the inventory based at least in part on the information and invoicing for an amount of the at least one welding consumable used based at least in part upon the change in inventory. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification