Automated parts supply system
First Claim
1. The method of supplying parts for use at plural work stations in accordance with the number of parts at the respective work stations to thereby minimize the need for parts storage, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing carrier modules at a receiving station, each carrier module having a set of parts containers and having a carrier module identification code and a compartment for each container, each compartment having a compartment address,each of said containers containing a quantity of parts having part identification codes,recording on a machine readable recording medium certain carrier module data including the carrier module identification code and the part identification codes and the quantity of parts in the container at each compartment address,placing one of said carrier modules on a computer controlled vehicle,reading said recording medium for said one carrier module into a computer system and storing it in a memory thereof,keeping count of the quantity of parts and their identification codes at each work station and communicating said count to the computer system,providing rate-of-use data to the computer system including the normal quantity of parts which is scheduled for use per unit time at each work station and the respective identification codes of such parts,programming the computer system for controlling the vehicle to move to the work stations according to a schedule for delivering selected containers to selected stations before the quantity of parts at any selected station is depleted below a predetermined minimum, said schedule being determined by said programming from said count, said rate-of-use data and said carrier module data,and running the computer system in accordance with said program for operating the vehicle.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An automated parts supply system is disclosed for a manufacturing operation to deliver parts to individual work stations on a "just-in-time" basis. A carrier module with a supply of parts in a set of containers is placed on a computer controlled guided vehicle at a receiving station. A record of module data including the identification, quantity and location of parts in the module is supplied for use in the computer system. The vehicle is automatically controlled to move to successive work stations to deliver parts according to a predetermined schedule and in response to special interrupt requests. The system may include more than one vehicle and each vehicle may be loaded with more than one parts carrier module. An in-plant storage module may be used as a back-up supply source in conjunction with scheduled delivery of parts carrier modules at the plant receiving dock. The computer system processes initially stored delivery schedules and data and incoming real time data from the vehicles and work stations to develop the record of parts locations in the system and to generate transfer commands for controlling the vehicles.
223 Citations
16 Claims
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1. The method of supplying parts for use at plural work stations in accordance with the number of parts at the respective work stations to thereby minimize the need for parts storage, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing carrier modules at a receiving station, each carrier module having a set of parts containers and having a carrier module identification code and a compartment for each container, each compartment having a compartment address, each of said containers containing a quantity of parts having part identification codes, recording on a machine readable recording medium certain carrier module data including the carrier module identification code and the part identification codes and the quantity of parts in the container at each compartment address, placing one of said carrier modules on a computer controlled vehicle, reading said recording medium for said one carrier module into a computer system and storing it in a memory thereof, keeping count of the quantity of parts and their identification codes at each work station and communicating said count to the computer system, providing rate-of-use data to the computer system including the normal quantity of parts which is scheduled for use per unit time at each work station and the respective identification codes of such parts, programming the computer system for controlling the vehicle to move to the work stations according to a schedule for delivering selected containers to selected stations before the quantity of parts at any selected station is depleted below a predetermined minimum, said schedule being determined by said programming from said count, said rate-of-use data and said carrier module data, and running the computer system in accordance with said program for operating the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for supplying parts for use at plural work stations in accordance with the number of parts at the respective work stations to thereby minimize the need for storage of parts at the work stations comprising:
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a receiving station, a plurality of work stations, a computer controlled vehicle adapted to move from station-to-station, a carrier module on the vehicle, said carrier module having a set of parts containers and a carrier module identification code and a compartment for each container, each compartment having a compartment address, each container being adapted to contain a quantity of parts having a part identification code, a recording medium for carrier module data associated with said carrier module and containing the carrier module identification code, the part identification code and the quantity of parts in the container at each compartment address, a computer system including terminal means at said receiving station for reading said recording medium into said computer system and storing the carrier module data in a memory of said computer system, means for keeping count of the quantity of parts and their identification codes at each work station and communicating said count to the computer system, said computer system including a data memory for storing data including the normal quantity of parts which will be used per unit of time at each work station and the respective identification codes of such parts, said computer system including a program memory holding a stored program for operating said computer system to produce guidance command signals for said vehicle to move it to the work stations according to a schedule for delivering selected containers to selected stations before the quantity of parts at any selected station is depleted below a predetermined minimum said stored program being adapted to determine said schedule from said count, said normal quantity stored in said data memory and said carrier module data. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification