Modular Manufacturing Line Including Work Tool Having Work Tool Spray Nozzle And Method Of Operation Therefor
First Claim
1. A modular manufacturing line, comprising:
- a first modular manufacturing station including a first framework defining a first manufacturing space, and a first overhead friction drive system supported on the first framework and configured to move a first suspended article through the first manufacturing space;
a second modular manufacturing station including a second framework defining a second manufacturing space, and a second overhead friction drive system supported on the second framework and configured to move a second suspended article through the second manufacturing space;
wherein the first and second overhead friction drive systems are operationally aligned to define a transportation path through the modular manufacturing line;
a control system in control communication with the first and second overhead friction drive systems and configured to simultaneously control the first suspended article according to a first operation pattern and control the second suspended article according to a second operation pattern that is different than the first operation pattern; and
a work tool including a work tool spray nozzle operationally positioned at the first modular manufacturing station and movable along a floor mounted work tool support track;
wherein the first suspended article occupies an article pathway volume during movement through the first manufacturing space, wherein the article pathway volume corresponds to an article footprint and a length of the first modular manufacturing station;
wherein the work tool occupies a work tool pathway volume during movement through the first manufacturing space, wherein the work tool pathway volume corresponds to a work tool footprint and a width of the first modular manufacturing station;
wherein the article pathway volume and the work tool pathway volume intersect.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A modular manufacturing line includes first and second modular manufacturing stations. Each station includes a framework defining a manufacturing space, and an overhead friction drive system supported on the framework for moving a suspended article through the manufacturing space. A control system is in communication with each drive system and is configured to simultaneously control a first article at the first station according to one operation pattern and control a second article at the second station according to a different operation pattern. A work tool including a work tool spray nozzle is positioned at the first station and is movable along a floor mounted work tool support track. The first article moves through an article pathway volume that intersects with a work tool pathway volume defined by the work tool movement.
23 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A modular manufacturing line, comprising:
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a first modular manufacturing station including a first framework defining a first manufacturing space, and a first overhead friction drive system supported on the first framework and configured to move a first suspended article through the first manufacturing space; a second modular manufacturing station including a second framework defining a second manufacturing space, and a second overhead friction drive system supported on the second framework and configured to move a second suspended article through the second manufacturing space; wherein the first and second overhead friction drive systems are operationally aligned to define a transportation path through the modular manufacturing line; a control system in control communication with the first and second overhead friction drive systems and configured to simultaneously control the first suspended article according to a first operation pattern and control the second suspended article according to a second operation pattern that is different than the first operation pattern; and a work tool including a work tool spray nozzle operationally positioned at the first modular manufacturing station and movable along a floor mounted work tool support track; wherein the first suspended article occupies an article pathway volume during movement through the first manufacturing space, wherein the article pathway volume corresponds to an article footprint and a length of the first modular manufacturing station; wherein the work tool occupies a work tool pathway volume during movement through the first manufacturing space, wherein the work tool pathway volume corresponds to a work tool footprint and a width of the first modular manufacturing station; wherein the article pathway volume and the work tool pathway volume intersect. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of operating a modular manufacturing line, wherein the modular manufacturing line includes:
- a first modular manufacturing station including a first framework defining a first manufacturing space and supporting a first overhead friction drive system;
a second modular manufacturing station including a second framework defining a second manufacturing space and supporting a second overhead friction drive system;
wherein the first and second overhead friction drive systems are operationally aligned to define a transportation path through the modular manufacturing line;
a control system in control communication with the first and second overhead friction drive systems; and
a work tool including a work tool spray nozzle operationally positioned at the first modular manufacturing station, the method comprising steps of;supporting a first suspended article from the first overhead friction drive system; supporting a second suspended article from the second overhead friction drive system; transmitting first control signals from the control system to the first overhead friction drive system and transmitting second control signals from the control system to the second overhead friction drive system; simultaneously moving the first suspended article within the first manufacturing space according to a first operation pattern responsive to the first control signals and moving the second suspended article within the second manufacturing space according to a second operation pattern that is different than the first operation pattern responsive to the second control signals; occupying an article pathway volume with the first suspended article during the step of moving the first suspended article, wherein the article pathway volume corresponds to an article footprint and a length of the first modular manufacturing station; and moving the work tool along a floor mounted work tool support track and through the article pathway volume. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
- a first modular manufacturing station including a first framework defining a first manufacturing space and supporting a first overhead friction drive system;
Specification