Methods and systems for fabricating components

• US 6,785,581 B2
• Filed: 05/06/2002
• Issued: 08/31/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Maloney, Michael Joseph, Roupe, Ronald Clifton, Bowman, William Thomas, Mountcastle, Vernon Benjamin III
• Primary Examiner(s): Gandhi, Jayprakash N.
• Application Number:
  US10/139,883
• Publication Number:
  US 20030208293A1
• Time in Patent Office: 848 Days
• Field of Search: 700/90, 700/96, 700/111, 700/117, 700/180, 700/182, 709/203, 707/10, 703/1, 703/7, 706/919, 345/964
• US Class Current: 700/96
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/41865 characterised by job scheduling, process planning, material flow
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32025 Automatic marking of article
• 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]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/963 Calendar or scheduling

Abstract

A method for fabricating at least one component using a server system is provided. The server system is coupled to a centralized database and at least one client system. The method includes receiving fabrication data for at least one component from a client system, receiving a component order from a client system, storing fabrication data and component order data in the centralized database, creating routing operations for fabricating each ordered component, creating Numerical Control (NC) code for fabricating each ordered component, and fabricating each ordered component.

Claims

1. A method for fabricating at least one component using a server system coupled to a centralized database and at least one client system, said method comprising:

receiving fabrication data for at least one component from the system;

receiving a component order from the client system;

storing fabrication data and component order data in the centralized database;

creating routing operations based on an evaluation of specific machines used to fabricate each ordered component;

creating Numerical Control (NC) code for fabricating each ordered component; and

fabricating each ordered component.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising tracking the fabrication of each ordered component.

3. A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein tracking the fabrication of each ordered component comprises:

tracking a productivity of each user involved in the fabrication of at least one component; and

generating a report displaying the productivity of each user.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein creating routing operations based on an evaluation of specific machines used to fabricate each ordered component comprises optimizing the fabrication of each ordered component by:

nesting components to be fabricated on a piece of sheet metal; and

creating routing operations for fabricating the nested components based on fabrication data and at least one NC machine utilized in the fabrication of the nested components.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein receiving fabrication data comprises receiving fabrication data for each component to be fabricated from a client system that is in communication with the server system through an interface.

6. A method in accordance with claim 5 wherein receiving fabrication data comprises receiving fabrication data for each component to be fabricated from the client system wherein the interface converts the fabrication data from a graphical format to a sheet metal format.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein receiving a component order comprises receiving a component order from the client system wherein the client system is a material requirement planning computer that is in communication with the server system.

8. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein storing fabrication data in the centralized database comprises;

converting fabrication data for each component to be fabricated from a graphical format to a sheet metal format; and

storing fabrication data in sheet metal format for each component to be fabricated in the centralized database.

9. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein fabricating each ordered component comprises transmitting routing operations and NC code to at least one NC machine for fabricating each ordered component.

10. A method in accordance with claim 9 wherein transmitting routing operations and NC code to at least one NC machine comprises:

creating manufacturing instructions for fabricating each ordered component;

creating a bar code that includes the NC code for fabricating each ordered component; and

printing the manufacturing instructions and the bar code for each ordered component such that a user scans the bar code to download the NC code to an NC machine that fabricates each ordered component.

11. A method in accordance with claim 9 wherein transmitting routing operations and NC code to at least one NC machine further comprises transmitting routing operations and NC code to at least one NC machine that fabricates the ordered components wherein the NC machine includes at least one of a Shear Machine, a Turret Machine, a Punch Press Machine, a Brake Machine, a Drill &

Tap Machine, a Weld Machine, and a Paint/Plate Machine.

12. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising connecting the client system and the server system via a network that includes one of a wide area network, a local area network, an intranet and the Internet.

13. A method for fabricating at least one component using a server system coupled to a centralized database and at least one client system, said method comprising:

receiving fabrication data for at least one component from a client system;

receiving a component order from the client system;

storing fabrication data and component order data in the centralized database;

creating routing operations for fabricating each ordered component, wherein creating routing operations for fabricating each ordered component comprises optimizing the fabrication of each ordered component by creating routing operations based on fabrication data received at the server system and at least one NC machine utilized in the fabrication of each ordered component;

creating Numerical Control (NC) code for fabricating each ordered component; and

fabricating each ordered component.

14. A method for fabricating at least one component using a server system coupled to a centralized database and at least one client system, said method comprising:

receiving fabrication data for each component to be fabricated from a client system wherein the fabrication data is in a graphical format and the client system is a computer aided design computer system;

receiving a component order from the client system;

storing the fabrication data and component order data in the centralized database;

creating routing operations for fabricating each ordered component;

creating Numerical Control (NC) code for fabricating each ordered component; and

fabricating each ordered component.

15. A method for fabricating at least one component using a server system coupled to a centralized database and at least one client system, said method comprising:

receiving fabrication data for at least one component from a client system;

receiving a component order from a client system;

storing fabrication data in a graphical format for each component to be fabricated in the centralized database;

creating routing operations for fabricating each ordered component;

creating Numerical Control (NC) code for fabricating each ordered component; and

fabricating each ordered component.

16. A network based system for fabricating at least one component, said system comprising:

a client system;

a centralized database for storing information;

a server system configured to be coupled to said client system and said database, said server system further configured to;

receive fabrication data for at least one component from said client system;

receive a component order from said client system;

store the fabrication data and said component order in said centralized database;

create routing operations based on an evaluation of specific machines used to fabricate each ordered component;

create Numerical Control (NC) code for fabricating each ordered component; and

fabricate each ordered component.

17. A system in accordance with claim 16 wherein said server system is further configured to track the fabrication of each ordered component.

18. A system in accordance with claim 17 wherein said server system further comprises a tracking component for:

tracking a productivity of each user involved in the fabrication of at least one component; and

generating a report displaying the productivity of each user.

19. A system in accordance with claim 16 wherein said client system further comprises at least one of:

a displaying component for displaying at least one of a pull-down list, a check box, and hypertext link options relating to fabrication data;

a sending component to send an inquiry to said server system so that said server system can process and download the requested data to said client system;

a collection component for collecting fabrication data from users into said centralized database;

a tracking component for tracking fabrication data;

a displaying component for displaying fabrication data for at least one component;

a receiving component for receiving an inquiry from said client system regarding fabrication data;

an accessing component for accessing said centralized database and causing the retrieved data to be displayed on said client system; and

a tracking component for tracking productivity of each user involved in fabricating components.

20. A system in accordance with claim 16 wherein said server system further comprises a processing component for optimizing the fabrication of each ordered component by:

nesting components to be fabricated on a piece of sheet metal; and

creating routing operations for fabricating said nested components based on fabrication data and at least one NC machine utilized in the fabrication of said nested components.

21. A system in accordance with claim 16 wherein said client system is in communication with said server system through an interface.

22. A system in accordance with claim 21 wherein said interface converts said fabrication data from a graphical format to a sheet metal format.

23. A system in accordance with claim 16 wherein said collection component is configured to:

convert the fabrication data for each component to be fabricated from a graphical format to a sheet metal format; and

store the fabrication data in sheet metal format for each component to be fabricated in said centralized database.

24. A system in accordance with claim 16 wherein said server system further comprises a processing component for creating routing operations for fabricating each ordered component.

25. A system in accordance with claim 16 wherein said server system further comprises an information fulfillment component for:

creating manufacturing instructions for fabricating ordered components;

creating a bar code that includes the NC code for fabricating each ordered component; and

printing the manufacturing instructions and the bar code for each ordered component wherein a user scans the bar code to download the NC code to an NC machine that fabricates each ordered component.

26. A system in accordance with claim 16 wherein said server system further comprises an information fulfillment component for transmitting routing operations and NC code to at least one NC machine that fabricates each ordered component wherein the NC machine includes at least one of a Shear Machine, a Turret Machine, a Punch Press Machine, a Brake Machine, a Drill &

Tap Machine, a Weld Machine, and a Paint/Plate Machine.

27. A system in accordance with claim 16 wherein said client system further comprises at least one of a computer aided design computer and a material requirement planning computer.

28. A network based system for fabricating at least one component, said system comprising:

a client system;

a centralized database for storing information;

a server system configured to be coupled to said client system and said centralized database, said server system further configured to;

receive fabrication data for at least one component from a client system;

receive a component order from said client system;

store fabrication data and said component order in said centralized database;

create routing operations for fabricating each ordered component based on said fabrication data received and at least one NC machine utilized in the fabrication of each ordered component;

create Numerical Control (NC) code for fabricating each ordered component; and

fabricate each ordered component.

29. A network based system for fabricating at least one component, said system comprising:

a client system;

a centralized database for storing information;

a server system configured to be coupled to said client system and said centralized database, said server system further configured to;

receive fabrication data for at least one component to be fabricated wherein said fabrication data is in a graphical format;

receive a component order from said client system;

store fabrication data and said component order in said centralized database;

create routing operations for fabricating each ordered component;

create Numerical Control (NC) code for fabricating each ordered component; and

fabricate each ordered component.

30. A network based system for fabricating at least one component, said system comprising:

a client system;

a centralized database for storing information;

a server system configured to be coupled to said client system and said centralized database, said server system further configured to;

receive fabrication data for at least one component from said client system;

receive a component order from said client system;

store said component order in said centralized database;

create routing operations for fabricating each ordered component;

create Numerical Control (NC) code for fabricating each ordered component; and

fabricate each ordered component;

said server system including a collection component for collecting and storing said fabrication data in said centralized database wherein said fabrication data is in a graphical format.

31. A network based system for fabricating at least one component, said system comprising:

a client system;

a centralized database for storing information;

a server system configured to be coupled to said client system and said centralized database, said server system further configured to;

receive fabrication data for at least one component from said client system;

receive a component order from said client system;

store fabrication data and said component order in said centralized database;

create routing operations for fabricating each ordered component;

create Numerical Control (NC) code for fabricating each ordered component; and

fabricate each ordered component; and

an information fulfillment component for transmitting the routing operations and the NC code to at least one NC machine for fabricating each ordered component.

32. A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium for fabricating at least one component, said program comprising a code segment that receives fabrication data and then:

receives a component order from a client system;

stores fabrication data and component order data in a centralized database;

creates routing operations based on an evaluation of specific machines used to fabricate each ordered component;

creates Numerical Control (NC) code for fabricating each ordered component;

transmits routing operations and NC code to at least one NC machine for fabricating each ordered component; and

tracks the fabrication of each ordered component.

33. A computer program in accordance with claim 32 further comprising a code segment that optimizes the fabrication of each ordered component by:

nesting components to be fabricated on a piece of sheet metal; and

creating routing operations for fabricating the nested components based on fabrication data and the at least one NC machine utilized in the fabrication said nested components.

34. A computer program in accordance with claim 32 further comprising a code segment that receives fabrication data for each component to be fabricated from a client system through an interface.

35. A computer program in accordance with claim 34 further comprising a code segment that receives fabrication data for each component to be fabricated from a client system such that said interface converts said fabrication data from a graphical format to a sheet metal format.

36. A computer program in accordance with claim 32 further comprising a code segment that:

converts the fabrication data for each component to be fabricated from a graphical format to a sheet metal format; and

stores the fabrication data in sheet metal format for each component to be fabricated in a centralized database.

37. A computer program in accordance with claim 32 further comprising a code segment that:

creates manufacturing instructions for fabricating ordered components;

creates a bar code that includes the NC code for fabricating each ordered component; and

prints the manufacturing instructions and the bar code for each ordered component wherein a user scans the bar code to download the NC code to an NC machine that fabricates each ordered component.

38. A computer program in accordance with claim 32 further comprising a code segment that transmits routing operations and NC code to at least one NC machine that fabricates each ordered component wherein the NC machine includes at least one of a Shear Machine, a Turret Machine, a Punch Press Machine, a Brake Machine, a Drill &

Tap Machine, a Weld Machine, and a Paint/Plate Machine.

39. A computer program in accordance with claim 32 further comprising a code segment that:

tracks a productivity of each user involved in the fabrication of at least one component; and

generates a report displaying the productivity of each user.

40. A computer program in accordance with claim 32 further comprising a code segment that monitors security of a system including the computer program by restricting access to authorized individuals.

41. A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium for fabricating at least one component, said program comprising a code segment that receives fabrication data and then:

receives a component order from a client system;

stores fabrication data and component order data in a centralized database;

creates routing operations for fabricating each ordered component based on fabrication data received and the at least one NC machine utilized in the fabrication of each ordered component;

creates Numerical Control (NC) code for fabricating each ordered component;

transmits routing operations and NC code to at least one NC machine for fabricating each ordered component; and

tracks the fabrication of each ordered component.

42. A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium for fabricating at least one component, said program comprising a code segment that receives fabrication data and then:

receives a component order from a client system;

receives fabrication data for each component to be fabricated wherein said fabrication data is in a graphical format;

stores the fabrication data and component order data in a centralized database;

creates routing operations for fabricating each ordered component;

creates Numerical Control (NC) code for fabricating each ordered component;

transmits routing operations and NC code to at least one NC machine for fabricating each ordered component; and

tracks the fabrication of each ordered component.

43. A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium for fabricating at least one component, said program comprising a code segment that receives fabrication data and then:

receives a component order from a client system;

stores component order data in a centralized database;

collects and stores fabrication data in the centralized database wherein said fabrication data is in a graphical format,

creates routing operations for fabricating each ordered component;

creates Numerical Control (NC) code for fabricating each ordered component;

transmits routing operations and NC code to at least one NC machine for fabricating each ordered component; and

tracks the fabrication of each ordered component.