Mobile manufacturing platform

• US 8,393,518 B2
• Filed: 08/26/2009
• Issued: 03/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thomas P. Corcoran
• Original Assignee: Thomas P. Corcoran
• Inventors: Corcoran, Thomas P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stoner, Kiley
• Assistant Examiner(s): GAMINO, CARLOS J
• Application Number:
  US13/129,901
• Publication Number:
  US 20120018495A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,294 Days
• Field of Search: 228/44.7, 296/24.3, 296/24.32
• US Class Current: 228/47.1
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2101/24 Frameworks
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2101/28 Beams
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2103/04 Steel or steel alloys
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2103/05 Stainless steel
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 31/022 Making profiled bars with soldered or welded seams
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 37/0235 the guide member forming part of a portal
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 37/0408 for planar work
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 37/0461 Welding tables

Abstract

A mobile manufacturing platform is provided. The mobile manufacturing platform has a base, a cutting platform, and a welding platform. Additionally the mobile manufacturing platform has a rail system capable of moving the stock material in X, Y, Z coordinates around the platform. Stock material can be manufactured into a final desired piece at a building site by being cut on the cutting platform and then welded on the welding platform. A finishing station for painting and other finishing may also be added. The mobile manufacturing platform can be moved from building site to building site or wherever on-site manufacturing is preferred.

Claims

1. A mobile manufacturing platform comprising:

(a) a mobile base;

(b) a cutting platform connected with the mobile base, wherein the cutting platform is disposed along a longitudinal side of the mobile base; and

(c) a welding platform connected with the mobile base, wherein the welding platform is disposed along a longitudinal side of the mobile base opposite the cutting platform,

wherein the cutting platform comprises an arm with a cutting attachment capable of cutting a stock material into a desired shape;

wherein the welding platform comprises an arm with a welding attachment capable of welding the cut stock material in a final desired piece; and

wherein the cutting platform and the welding platform are capable of folding into a position substantially perpendicular to the plane of the mobile base.

2. The mobile manufacturing platform of claim 1 further comprising a rail system, wherein the rail system is capable of moving the stock material from the cutting platform to the welding platform.

3. The mobile manufacturing platform of claim 2 wherein the rail system is directly connected with the mobile base.

4. The mobile manufacturing platform of claim 3 wherein the rail system comprises at least one perpendicular rail and at least one parallel rail connected with the perpendicular rail.

5. The mobile manufacturing platform of claim 4 wherein the rail system comprises two perpendicular rails and two parallel rails.

6. The mobile manufacturing platform of claim 3 wherein the parallel rail is capable of moving along the length of the perpendicular rail.

7. The mobile manufacturing platform of claim 6 wherein the parallel rail is connected with the perpendicular rail through a dolly system.

8. The mobile manufacturing platform of claim 4 further comprising a hoist connected with the parallel rail.

9. The mobile manufacturing platform of claim 8 further comprising a lifting device connected with the hoist.

10. The mobile manufacturing platform of claim 4 wherein the perpendicular rail is a swing rail.

11. The mobile manufacturing platform of claim 4 further comprising at least one support post connected with each perpendicular rail.

12. The mobile manufacturing platform of claim 1 further comprising a roof connected with the mobile base.

13. A mobile manufacturing platform comprising:

(a) a mobile base;

(b) a cutting platform connected with the mobile base, wherein the cutting platform is disposed along a longitudinal side of the mobile base;

(c) a welding platform connected with the mobile base, wherein the welding platform is disposed along a longitudinal side of the mobile base opposite the cutting platform;

(d) a roof connected with the mobile base; and

(e) a rail system;

wherein the cutting platform comprises an arm with a cutting device capable of cutting a stock material into a desired shape;

wherein the welding platform comprises an arm with a welding device capable of welding the cut stock material in a final desired piece;

wherein the rail system is capable of moving the stock material from the cutting platform to the welding platform;

wherein the entire mobile manufacturing platform is capable of being moved from building site to building site; and

wherein the cutting platform and the welding platform are capable of folding into a position substantially perpendicular to the plane of the mobile base.

14. A method of on-site manufacturing of steel building components comprising:

(a) moving a stock material from a loading area to a cutting platform of a mobile manufacturing platform;

(b) cutting the stock material on the cutting platform with an arm comprising a cutting device;

(c) moving the cut stock material from the cutting platform to a welding platform;

and (d) welding the cut stock material into a final desired piece with an arm comprising a welding device;

wherein steps (a)-(d) are performed at a building site and further wherein the mobile manufacturing platform is capable of moving from building site to building site; and

wherein the cutting platform and the welding platform are opposite each other and connected with a mobile base, further wherein the cutting platform and the welding platform are capable of folding into a position substantially perpendicular to the plane of the mobile base.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein steps (a)-(d) are controlled by an automated system.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the automated system comprises computer numerical control software.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the stock material can be moved along X, Y, and Z coordinates.

18. The method of claim 14 further comprising

(e) moving the final desired piece to a finishing station.