System and processes for performing quick changeovers on assembly lines
First Claim
1. A method of changing an assembly line between the manufacture of two different products comprising the steps of:
- 1) identifying assembly line components which must be changed to effect a changeover at the assembly line between the manufacture of two different product;
2) preparing an animation showing steps which should be taken by a number of individuals associated with the changeover to effect the changeover, the animation showing movement and steps the individuals will need to make to complete the changeover; and
3) showing the animation to the individuals prior to the changeover to assist in providing instruction to the individuals of the movement and steps necessary during the changeover.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved method for instructing how to most efficiently effect a product changeover on an assembly line includes the steps of providing an instructional animation which schematically shows the steps which are to be taken by a plurality of workers to effect the changeover. Preferably, the animation is a computer animation, and includes color-coded representations of the various workers and the steps that should be taken in a particular sequence. Preferably, the workers are also provided with instructional badges which could be carried by the workers, and which are also color-coded. The animation will also include access to these color-coded instruction to provide further feedback to both the worker, and the supervisory personnel of the steps an individual worker should be taking during a particular point in the assembly in changeover. Further, the present invention includes a method of identifying a required changeover time including the steps of preparing a table showing the number of components which need to be changed, and then providing an identification of the required time for that particular changeover. The components are all preferably used in combination in a method of changing over an assembly line.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of changing an assembly line between the manufacture of two different products comprising the steps of:
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1) identifying assembly line components which must be changed to effect a changeover at the assembly line between the manufacture of two different product;
2) preparing an animation showing steps which should be taken by a number of individuals associated with the changeover to effect the changeover, the animation showing movement and steps the individuals will need to make to complete the changeover; and
3) showing the animation to the individuals prior to the changeover to assist in providing instruction to the individuals of the movement and steps necessary during the changeover. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of changing an assembly line between the manufacture of two different products comprising the steps of:
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1) identifying assembly line components which must be changed to effect a changeover at the assembly line between the manufacture of two different products;
2) preparing an animation showing steps which should be taken by a number of individuals associated with the changeover to effect the changeover;
3) showing the animation to the individuals prior to the changeover to assist in providing instruction to the individuals of the steps necessary during the changeover; and
4) the animation including a representation of icons associated with each of the individuals involved in the changeover, and instructions for any one of the individuals are selectively provided as part of the animation. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. A moving visual instructional animation comprising:
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a schematic representation of an assembly line which is to be changed;
a number of visual icons associated with individuals who are to effect a changeover, the visual icons moving through a sequence of steps which are to be taken during the changeover to effect the changeover; and
a timeline provided as part of the animation to provide instruction of a timing for each of the steps. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for instructing a plurality of individuals in a changeover comprising:
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an animation showing steps to be taken during a changeover, said animation including a schematic representation of an assembly line, and said animation including a number of representations of the individuals who are to effect the changeover, the representations of the individuals being coded such that distinct individuals can identify themselves in the animation; and
said animation also including representations of instruction sheets to be carried by the individuals, the instruction sheets being coded to the coding of the representations of the individuals in the animation. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. An instructional system for providing instructions to a plurality of individuals on an assembly line comprising:
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a plurality of color-coded instructions, each of the color-coded instructions being provided with instructional steps which are to be taken by the individual during a changeover; and
each of the individuals on a changeover being associated with a particular color coding and provided with a badge, the color-coded instructions being provided to the individual based upon the individual'"'"'s associated color coding.
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Specification