Web accessible real time system and software for agile and lean manufacturing

• US 7,236,844 B1
• Filed: 02/27/2006
• Issued: 06/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Simple Technology Incorporated (Western Digital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Simple Technology Incorporated (Western Digital Corporation)
• Inventors: Wang, Zhiyong, Bai, Xue
• Primary Examiner(s): Jarrett; Ryan A.
• Application Number:
  US11/307,907
• Time in Patent Office: 484 Days
• Field of Search: 700/99, 700/100, 700/106, 700/107, 705/8, 705/28, 705/29
• US Class Current: 700/100
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0631 Resource planning, allocation, distributing or scheduling for enterprises or organisations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0875 Itemisation or classification of parts, supplies or services, e.g. bill of materials

Abstract

The present invention is directed to Lean and Agile methods and their applications to manufacturing operations on production floors. A web assessable, modular, user modifiable, and graphically-enriched system and software is disclosed in this document. It provides real time Lean and Agile solutions to reduce production wastes and to enhance productivity and efficiency for manufacturing organizations.

Claims

1. An AgiLean system comprising:

(a) a multiple-function software package, tangibly embodied on a computer-readable memory, consisting of the following modules;

Administration software module, Shop Layout Designer (SLD) software module, Master Production Schedule (MPS) software module, Bill of Materials (BOM) software module, Workflow Designer (WFD) software module, Shop Floor Control (SFC) software module, Lean Warehouse Designer (LWD) software module, Lean Engine (LE) software module, and Agilean Mobile (AM) software module;

(b) wherein each module can work independently in a work environment and perform its tasks on manufacturing related activities.

2. An AgiLean system according to claim 1 wherein the system is capable of recording data comprising actual production times, lead times, quantities, and quality status of each operation step with its WFD and/or SFC software modules in real (or almost real) time.

3. An AgiLean system according to claim 2 wherein the data are immediately analyzed by a Value Stream Mapping (VSM) and other functions of said LE module for further improvement and suggestions on how to reduce wastes on production times, lead times, quantities, and quality are given to workers and production managers before the next production activity.

4. An AgiLean system according to claim 3 wherein said system provides real (or almost real) time inventory status at each step on the shop floor with its SFC module;

web-based templates (kanban) show work in progress and inventory dropping rates for all raw materials and parts used in production;

company personnel, and permitted suppliers can all get real (or almost real) time inventory information via secure internet connections; and

enabling suppliers to better manage their shipment schedules to ensure materials are delivered just in time.

5. An AgiLean system according to claim 4 wherein said system provides real time work-in-progress status of shop floor production to customers via secure internet with its SFC module;

allows customers with given permissions to login to the SFC system via secure internet to view certain production progress at any time;

allows customers to know exactly how many products they ordered have been built, how many are being built on the shop floor, how many are still on the planning table; and

to view quality reports and shipment schedules.

6. An AgiLean system according to claim 5 wherein recommended production flow models with detailed information regarding each machine, each assembly station, and each worker involved in the project are generated and provided by the Web-based SFC software module.

7. An AgiLean system according to claim 6 wherein said system provides a sales person of the company an accurate tool to provide a potential customer with delivery time, quantity, and expected quality for the order/inquiry with the assistance of the Web-based SFC system no matter where he/she is in the world as long as there is secure internet connection available.

8. An AgiLean system according to claim 7 wherein said system provides:

once an order is placed, the SFC software module immediately decomposes the product into order release and order schedule for the plant managers with (or without) the assistance of other modules;

as production proceeds, the SFC software module generates and provides real time order progress reports to all permitted viewers;

with said Web-based SFC software system, company top managers can update incoming orders, production status, machine loading status, and employee performance in almost real time no matter if they are in the company or traveling outside.

9. An AgiLean system according to claim 1 wherein said system provides clickable drawings in all software modules;

and common databases are used to support the drawings with in-depth modifiable information.