MANUFACTURING SYSTEM

• US 3,796,163 A
• Filed: 07/12/1972
• Issued: 03/12/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Frank J. Schalk, John E. Schluge, Robert K. Sedgwick, Ronald E. Meyer
• Original Assignee: Frank J. Schalk, John E. Schluge, Robert K. Sedgwick, Ronald E. Meyer
• Inventors: Schalk, Frank J., Sedgwick, Robert K., Schluge, John E., Meyer, Ronald E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sheridan, Robert G.
• Application Number:
  US05/270,972
• Time in Patent Office: 608 Days
• Field of Search: 104/88 198/19,38 246/167,182,187B 214/16B,16.4A
• US Class Current: 104/88.04
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 41/06 Features relating to organisation of working of machines
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4189 characterised by the transport system
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31002 Computer controlled agv conveys workpieces between buffer and cell
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31268 Central workpiece storage, convey workpiece, work pallet, holder to workcell
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 80/10 Efficient use of energy, e.g. using compressed air or pressurized fluid as energy carrier
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A manufacturing system having one or more loading and unloading stations and a plurality of spaced apart numerically controlled machine tools, the operation of which is effected by direct computer control. The manufacturing system includes a workpiece supply system comprising a closed loop trackway on which one or more cars are supported for guided movement to the various stations. The car carries a pallet on which a work holding fixture with a workpiece is secured, and transports the pallet to a computer selected machine station. At the selected station the pallet is automatically removed from the car and placed on a multiple positionable table which serves as a workpiece receiving and storage device from which a desired next workpiece to be supplied to the machine tool is automatically selected and transferred thereto by computer control. The computer automatically directs an empty car to the unloading side of the machine tool to receive a pallet work a workpiece that a work operation has been performed on and then by computer direction returns to the unload station where the pallet is removed or the car will be directed to advance the workpiece to a different machine tool.

Claims

1. In a manufacturing system having a plurality of different work stations at which different work operations are performed on a plurality of different workpieces;

an endless pathway along which workpieces are moved to a selected one of said stations;

at least one loading station along the pathway whereat workpieces are introduced into the pathway for movement to a selected one of said work stations;

a self-powered mobile vehicle guided along said pathway and operable to receive the workpiece at the loading station and move with it into a selected work station;

power means on said vehicle operably connected to effect the power movement of said vehicle along said pathway in either direction;

control means on said vehicle operably connected to regulate the operation of said power means;

an identifying code on said mobile vehicle;

sensors disposed in strategic selected positions along the trackway for identifying the vehicle at the various strategic locations; and

, a computer having a control program operable to effect the operation of said control means for controlling the movement of the vehicle on said trackway, said computer being responsive to a predetermined one of said sensors along said trackway.

2. In a manufacturing system having a plurality of work stations adapted to receive workpieces for the performance of work operations thereon;

a guideway interconnecting said work stations in the system;

a plurality of self-propelled vehicles operating on said guideway for movement around said system for receiving or delivering a workpiece to or from said stations selectively;

a computer having a control program for controlling the routing of said vehicles in the system;

identification means associated with each work station for identifying the vehicles as they approach each station; and

, control means associated with each vehicle and operable in response to a command signal transmitted from the computer when coincidence between vehicle identification and program data is obtained to locate the particular vehicle at a desired work station.

3. A manufacturing system according to claim 2 wherein said self-propelled vehicles are each provided with a control system operable when actuated to regulate the movement of an associated said vehicle;

a control logic system on each of said vehicles operable to actuate the associated vehicle control system for regulating the operation of said vehicle;

an address signal responsive device and command function signal responsive device in each of said vehicle control logic systems; and

, a computer remotely located relative to said vehicle and operable to transmit address signals and function command signals representative of a desired operation to be effected by the vehicle to said vehicle control system, whereby the logic system of each vehicle will act on the command signal transmitted by said computer only when the address signal being transmitted enables the address responsive means of the particular vehicle logic system.

4. A manufacturing system according to claim 3 wherein each of said vehicles is provided with a signal receiver connected to transmit address and command signals received from said computer to the control logic system carried by each vehicle, said control logic system associated with each vehicle having a discrete address circuit which is activated by its particular address signal, said control logic system of each vehicle also having command function circuits which are activated by command signals relayed by said transmitter, said command function control logic being triggered to pass control signals to the vehicle power control when said address circuit is activated;

whereby each vehicle will operate in response to command function only when its address system is activated.