System and method for providing trim optimization through the pooling of information related to manufacturing configurations and market demands

• US 6,745,099 B2
• Filed: 05/17/2001
• Issued: 06/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lamina Packaging Innovations LLC
• Original Assignee: Roger Hoffman
• Inventors: Hoffman, Roger P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo
• Assistant Examiner(s): Swindell, W. Russell
• Application Number:
  US09/860,187
• Publication Number:
  US 20020022904A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,111 Days
• Field of Search: 700/28-173, 707/200
• US Class Current: 700/171
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/40937 concerning programming of machining or material parameters, pocket machining
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35162 Determine workpiece placement, nesting in blank, optimize, minimize loss material
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36284 Use of database for machining parameters, material, cutting method, tools
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/043 Optimisation of two dimensional placement, e.g. cutting of clothes or wood
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 80/40 Minimising material used in manufacturing processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A system and method for trim optimization comprising a database. The database comprises information concerning widths of specific machines of manufacturers, widths of the orders and remaining space required to be filled on the machines at a given time. The database further comprises specifications of products to be manufactured on the specific machines and specifications of the orders.

Claims

1. A system for trim optimization comprising:

a database;

said database comprising widths of specific machines of manufacturers;

width of orders and remaining space required to be filled on said specific machines at a given time;

said database further comprises specifications of products to be manufactured on said specific machines and specifications of said orders.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said database can be searched to find orders that fill remaining trim of said machine.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein orders are matched to said remaining space to be filled on a specific machine.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein when said remaining space is filled, said system removes said machine from said database for said given time.

5. A process for trim optimization comprising;

entering a database comprising information about width of machines of manufacturers, width of orders and remaining space that is required to be filled on said machine;

viewing said width of machines of current manufacturers, width of orders and remaining space that is required to be filled on said machine; and

choosing a machine.

6. The process of claim 5 further comprising;

viewing information about said width of machines of current manufacturers, said width of orders and said remaining space that is required to be filled on said machine in real time.

7. A process for trim optimization comprising;

providing a pooling network wherein each manufacturer inputs their untrimmed orders into a system;

aggregating and retaining said orders;

inputting width of each manufacturer'"'"'s machines into said system;

providing information regarding what sizes are in excess or are needed to trim said machines.

8. The process of claim 7 further comprising:

providing information regarding price.

9. The process of claim 7 further comprising;

storing trim requirements of users.