Sequenced part delivery system
First Claim
1. A method for providing coordinated part delivery in a predetermined random build sequence for use in manufacturing assembly lines, the method comprising the steps of:
- predetermining a sequence order of specific vehicles to be assembled, the sequence order including a random combination of at least a first vehicle style and a second vehicle style, the first vehicle style different from the second vehicle style;
gathering a plurality of individual vehicle build components for at least the first vehicle style and the second vehicle style;
loading selected of the gathered vehicle build components for one of the first vehicle style on one of a plurality of movable kit carts and selected of the gathered vehicle build components for one of the second vehicle style on another of the plurality of kit carts in an order matching the sequence order;
sequencing each of the plurality of loaded kit carts in sequential order such that its vehicle build components coordinate with a vehicle style to be assembled;
successively placing each of the plurality of loaded kit carts in proximity to a coordinating vehicle style to be assembled along at least one vehicle assembly line; and
progressively moving each loaded kit cart along with its coordinating vehicle style along the at least one assembly line and progressively removing selected vehicle build components therefrom at build stations along the at least one assembly line to progressively assemble at least a portion of a vehicle;
wherein the step of moving each loaded kit cart along the at least one assembly line further comprises the steps of;
moving a loaded kit cart along a first and a second assembly lineprogressively removing selected vehicle build components from a first side of the loaded kit cart at build stations along the first assembly line,upon reaching an end of the first assembly line, maneuvering the loaded kit cart to expose a second side of the loaded kit cart to the second assembly line, andprogressively removing selected vehicle build components from the second side of the loaded kit cart at build stations along the second assembly line.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for sequencing component part delivery for use in assembling vehicle bodies arranged in a substantially random assembly sequence. The system and method includes a plurality of kit carts that are loaded or stocked with vehicle specific parts in a sequence or staging area of an assembly facility. The vehicle specific stocked carts are arranged and positioned to a coordinated vehicle to assemble the vehicle using the kit carts that move along in sequence with the vehicle as the vehicle is assembled along an assembly line. As the carts are depleted of parts, the carts are returned for restocking and assigned to a subsequent vehicle.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for providing coordinated part delivery in a predetermined random build sequence for use in manufacturing assembly lines, the method comprising the steps of:
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predetermining a sequence order of specific vehicles to be assembled, the sequence order including a random combination of at least a first vehicle style and a second vehicle style, the first vehicle style different from the second vehicle style; gathering a plurality of individual vehicle build components for at least the first vehicle style and the second vehicle style; loading selected of the gathered vehicle build components for one of the first vehicle style on one of a plurality of movable kit carts and selected of the gathered vehicle build components for one of the second vehicle style on another of the plurality of kit carts in an order matching the sequence order; sequencing each of the plurality of loaded kit carts in sequential order such that its vehicle build components coordinate with a vehicle style to be assembled; successively placing each of the plurality of loaded kit carts in proximity to a coordinating vehicle style to be assembled along at least one vehicle assembly line; and progressively moving each loaded kit cart along with its coordinating vehicle style along the at least one assembly line and progressively removing selected vehicle build components therefrom at build stations along the at least one assembly line to progressively assemble at least a portion of a vehicle; wherein the step of moving each loaded kit cart along the at least one assembly line further comprises the steps of; moving a loaded kit cart along a first and a second assembly line progressively removing selected vehicle build components from a first side of the loaded kit cart at build stations along the first assembly line, upon reaching an end of the first assembly line, maneuvering the loaded kit cart to expose a second side of the loaded kit cart to the second assembly line, and progressively removing selected vehicle build components from the second side of the loaded kit cart at build stations along the second assembly line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for providing coordinated part delivery in a predetermined random build sequence for use in manufacturing assembly lines, the method comprising the steps of:
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predetermining a sequence order of specific vehicles to be assembled, the sequence order including a random combination of at least a first vehicle style and a second vehicle style, the first vehicle style different from the second vehicle style; gathering a plurality of individual vehicle build components for at least the first vehicle style and the second vehicle style; loading selected of the gathered vehicle build components for one of the first vehicle style on one of a plurality of movable kit carts and selected of the gathered vehicle build components for one of the second vehicle style on another of the plurality of kit carts in an order matching the sequence order; sequencing each of the plurality of loaded kit carts in sequential order such that its vehicle build components coordinate with a vehicle style to be assembled; successively placing each of the plurality of loaded kit carts in proximity to a coordinating vehicle style to be assembled along at least one vehicle assembly line; and progressively moving each loaded kit cart along with its coordinating vehicle style along the at least one assembly line and progressively removing selected vehicle build components therefrom at build stations along the at least one assembly line to progressively assemble at least a portion of a vehicle; wherein the step of moving each loaded kit cart along the at least one assembly line further comprises the steps of; moving a loaded kit cart along a first assembly line and progressively removing selected vehicle build components from the loaded kit cart at build stations along the first assembly line to progressively assemble the at least a portion of a vehicle, transferring the at least a portion of a vehicle from the first assembly line to the loaded kit cart, moving the loaded kit cart towards a second assembly line, transferring the at least a portion of a vehicle from the loaded kit cart to the second assembly line, and moving the loaded cart along the second assembly line and progressively removing selected vehicle build components from the loaded kit cart at build stations along the second assembly line to further progressively assemble the at least a portion of a vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification