Abstract: A wire disconnection prediction device includes: a data acquisition part configured to acquire data relating to machining of a workpiece in a state where a wire is not disconnected during machining of the workpiece by a wire electric discharge machine; a preprocessing part configured to create, machining condition data of a condition relating to a machining condition commanded in machining of the workpiece, machining member data relating to a member used in the machining, and machining state data during machining of the workpiece, as state data indicating a state of the machining; and a learning part configured to generate, based on the state data created by the preprocessing part, a learning model indicating correlation between the state data and the state where the wire of the wire electric discharge machine is not disconnected.

Abstract: A method for improving a cycle time of a process of a product is provided. The method includes: collecting process profile data from a plurality of tool groups running the process, and calculating values of a plurality of key-performance-indicators (KPIs) of each tool group including calculating a standard deviation of an output of a stage of a bottleneck tool group of the tool groups; feeding the values of the KPIs and a work-in-progress (WIP) of each tool group into a neural network model in order to output an impact on the WIP for each KPI of each tool group by the neural network model; selecting a set of major KPIs of each tool group from the KPIs according to the impact of each tool group; and controlling the tool groups according to the impact of the set of major KPIs of each tool group in order to reduce a total WIP.

Abstract: In an example, a method includes receiving object model data at a processor, the object model data characterising an object to be generated using additive manufacturing. The method may further include receiving a status indicator for each of a plurality of additive manufacturing apparatus, the status indicator comprising, for each apparatus, an indication of an adaptable build volume. The processor may assign an object generation task corresponding to the received object model data to one of the plurality of additive manufacturing apparatus based on the status indicators.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and system for scheduling pieces of materials based on a real-time status of a device. Scheduling rules for scheduling the pieces of materials are obtained according to determined parameters. It is determined whether all designated transmission and process tasks of the pieces of materials are completed. If the designated transmission and processing tasks of the pieces of materials are completed, terminating the scheduling of the pieces of materials. If the designated transmission and processing tasks of the pieces of materials are not completed, each of the scheduling rules for scheduling the pieces of materials according to real-time status information of the device are traversed, and according to a traversing result, operation instructions corresponding to the scheduling rules for scheduling the pieces of materials are executed.

Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for optimizing operations of a facility having a number of associated vehicles providing point-to-point transportation of deliverables. The vehicles may comprise autonomous operations directed by a processor. The deliverables may comprise materials or components for facility operations. The facility may be able to dynamically adapt to changes in environment or operational demands.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording information for a part, such as history information for an aircraft part. A part history blockchain network comprises part history blockchains for the part that are configured to record the information for the part. Configuration and activity history information for the vehicle is recorded in vehicle configuration and activity history blockchains for the vehicle in a vehicle configuration and activity history blockchain network. A part installation notification is received by the part history blockchain network. The part installation notification identifies the part and indicates that the part is installed on the vehicle. The part history blockchains for the part are locked in response to receiving the part installation notification to prevent adding information for the part to the part history blockchains for the part for as long as the part is installed on the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a precise predictive maintenance method for a driving unit and a configuration thereof includes a first base information collecting step S10 of collecting change information of an energy size, a second base information collecting step S20 of collecting a peak interval from the change information of the energy size, a setting step S30 of setting an alarm gradient value for the peak interval, and a detecting step S40 of detecting the driving unit as an abnormal state.

Abstract: A system for analyzing geometric properties for an object includes designing the object in a first computer process and producing information relating to the geometric properties of the object, and receiving the information in a second computer processor which identifies a first portion of the geometric property information as masked or private and second portion identified as public or shared, analysis is performed by the second processor on the public/shared portion of the geometric property information. An output based on the analysis may be provided to an industrial system performing processes on the object. A binary privacy label may be assigned to each triangle in a set of triangles representing the surfaces of the object in a 3D object mesh. The privacy label denotes an associated triangle as being private or shared. The system may be used to produce a set of planned grasps for a robotic gripper.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a driving unit of a car body assembly line, and a device therefor. The method includes: storing, for each driving unit, as initial data of the driving unit, information on time length, a peak current, an average current of a constant-speed section, and a current integral area in each sub section on the basis of a time-based current value measured in a normal state of the driving unit; storing, as observation data for each monitoring factor, information on the time length, the peak current, the average current of the constant-speed section, and the current integral area in each sub section, for each operating section observed during an operation of the driving unit; and individually comparing each piece of the information with a threshold level of the initial data, and providing state monitoring information of the driving unit, for each monitoring factor.

Abstract: A numerical control apparatus that is a selection apparatus causes, when an automatic lathe that fabricates a workpiece from a bar is unable to fabricate a workpiece that is a fabrication target from a remaining material that is a remaining part of the bar being machined, the automatic lathe to select another workpiece that the automatic lathe is able to fabricate from the remaining material. The numerical control apparatus includes a selection unit to select, when there are a plurality of other workpieces that are able to be fabricated from the remaining material, a workpiece to be fabricated on the basis of a length of the remaining material and priority.

Abstract: Implementations described herein generally relate method for detecting excursions in time-series traces received from sensors of manufacturing tools. A server extracts one or more time series traces and metrology data collected from one or more sensors associated with one or more manufacturing tools configured to produce a silicon substrate. The server identifies one or more candidate excursions of the one or more time series traces by comparing the one or more time series traces to one or more traces associated with a working reference sensor. The server verifies that a candidate excursion of the one or more candidate excursions is a true excursion based on correlating the one or more time series traces to the metrology data. The server instructs a manufacturing system to take corrective action to remove the selected true excursion.

Abstract: The invention described herein with reference to the drawing figures, with portions of the drawings enumerated and referenced herein. An embodiment in accordance with the present invention discloses and describes the computer implemented method for creating and manipulating a dynamic digital business day Kanban board on a computing device with cards available to users with local and remote access, which allows the users and events to create cards associated with a progress status and behaviors, stored instructions, combined with the ability to group, view, and organize the created cards in a plurality of sections some of which are associated to calendar days. Based on user interactions with the dynamic digital business day Kanban board point value calculations results are created, aggregated, stores, transmitted, and displayed to a number of users.

Abstract: Work at each Work Center in a production system is authorized by a demand-pull system. The demand-pull system can be based on the time for the oldest unauthorized work order in upstream adjacent WCs to get to the next WC and whether that WC will be ready to receive it.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes both systems and methods for introducing variety into search results of non-stock consumer goods. This variety is introduced by recording the common characteristics of non-stock consumer goods in a database and tracking the number of goods with a common characteristic that would be displayed on a webpage. If too many of one type of good would be displayed on a webpage, alternative goods are displayed in place of the additional goods with common characteristics, even if these goods are more relevant to the search performed by a user. In this way, consumers can efficiently be presented with both relevant and alternative non-stock consumer goods, saving consumers' time and using less computing power.

Abstract: A smart tag is attached on a vehicle body in a vehicle manufacturing process. The smart tag includes a position measurement transmitter for transmitting signals for measuring position of a vehicle body, a wireless communication transceiver for performing wireless communication, a position sensor for sensing data for calculating a position of the vehicle body, a memory for storing data including vehicle body information, a controller for controlling operation of the smart tag, and a battery for supplying electric power to components of the smart tag.

Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate processing system capable of performing an etching processing collectively on a plurality of substrates accommodated in a processing container. The system includes: a first acquisition unit which acquires, as information, an amount of a film forming material formed on one of the substrates; a second acquisition unit which acquires, as information, the number of the substrates; a first calculating unit which calculates a total amount of the film forming material formed on the substrates based on the amount of the film forming material and the number of the substrates; and a second calculating unit which calculates an etching condition required to etch and remove the entire film forming material based on the total amount of the film forming materials and a relationship between a predetermined amount of the film forming material and an etching condition.

Abstract: A method operable by a computing device is provided. The method may include receiving a request for a given task to be performed by a robotic system. The method may also determining one or more subtasks required to perform the given task, where the one or more subtasks include one or more parameters used to define the one or more subtasks. The method may also include determining an arrangement of the one or more subtasks to perform the given task, and providing for display an indication of the one or more undefined parameters for the given task. The method may also include receiving an input defining the one or more undefined parameters for the given task, and executing the one or more subtasks in the determined arrangement and in accordance with the one or more defined parameters to cause the robotic system to perform the given task.

Abstract: An apparatus for managing network security includes an inventory module, a survey module, an observation module, and a security module. The inventory module identifies each node of a network. The survey module gathers information for each node of the network. The security module generates notifications to one or more users in response to the observation module detecting one or more irregularities.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a product. The method comprises creating a product plan comprising time units during which manufacturing of the product occurs, wherein the time units are grouped into phases of the manufacturing. Further, the product plan also includes entities performing work on systems for the product and work items performed by the entities during the manufacturing days. The manufacturing of the product is controlled using the product plan.

Abstract: A production sequence optimizing method and a production sequence optimizing system that can reduce downtime caused by a setup operation. The production sequence optimizing method classifies a plurality of production programs which are continuously executed using a production line into a plurality of groups which share resources used for production and optimizes an execution order of the plurality of production programs. The production sequence optimizing method includes: a resource number counting step of counting the number of all resources held in stock; and a resource allocation step of allocating the resources to each of the groups on the basis of the number of all resources, the number of resources required for an N-th group, and the number of resources required for an (N+1)-th group.

Abstract: An automatic cleaning system is configured by a single controlling apparatus, and a plurality of self-traveling cleaners. When the controlling apparatus has received from a self-traveling cleaner a dust location signal containing a dust location detected by the self-traveling cleaner, it writes the received information into a storage unit. When the controlling apparatus has received from one of the plurality of self-traveling cleaners, with respect to dust which is not removed by any self-traveling cleaner, a signal requesting a reservation of removing the dust, the controlling apparatus will not accept from any other of the plurality of self-traveling cleaners a signal requesting a reservation of removing the dust, until receiving from the one self-traveling cleaner information indicating that removing of the dust has been completed or information indicating that the removing of the dust has been stopped.

Abstract: A production configuration is determined for controlling a product processing plant that comprises a collecting system having a conveyor and a plurality of feeders for preparing product collections from products supplied by the feeders. The production configuration defines a production of a plurality of production sequences for a plurality of delivery routes, wherein each delivery route is assigned one or more production sequences, each of which define a production of a plurality of production collections of a collection type comprising a plurality of products. For each feeder an occupancy with products, which are to be conveyed by the feeder to the conveyor for preparation for the product collections, is determined. A production optimization parameter determines whether a defined production order is to be maintained for the delivery routes or whether the production order of the delivery routes can be altered.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for selecting a first robot for a robot task of a user, and during a first session between a computing device of the user and the first robot to perform the task, determining a need for the first robot to perform an alternative task. Based on determining the need, a second robot is selected to “replace” the first robot in performing the task. The second robot may replace the first robot in performing the task by directing the telepresence robot to navigate to a location proximal to the first robot and transitioning the first telepresence robot's session to the second telepresence robot.

Abstract: A system and methods for vehicle build information management in an assembly plant are disclosed. Once example method includes receiving, from a first information source, identification information for at least one vehicle being assembled in the vehicle assembly plant. The method further includes receiving, from a second information source, build instructions describing at least one work process to be performed for the at least one vehicle. The method further includes receiving, from a third information source, inventory information identifying a plurality of components required to comply with the build instructions. Finally, the method further includes sending for display, to a user interface, a visual representation of at least two of the identification information and the build instructions and the inventory information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for transmitting a CAN frame. A method for transmitting a CAN frame includes receiving an input of a transmission file containing a plurality of CAN frames; detecting the number of the CAN frames contained in the transmission file; comparing the number of the CAN frames with the number of transmission buffers; mapping, when the number of the CAN frames is less than or equal to the number of the transmission buffers, the CAN frames onto the transmission buffers in a one-to-one mapping manner; and mapping, when the number of the CAN frames is greater than the number of the transmission buffers, the CAN frames onto the transmission buffers in a many-to-one mapping manner.

Abstract: This disclosure provides for host-controller cooperation in managing NAND flash memory. The controller maintains information for each erase unit which tracks memory usage. This information assists the host in making decisions about specific operations, for example, initiating garbage collection, space reclamation, wear leveling or other operations. For example, metadata can be provided to the host identifying whether each page of an erase unit has been released, and the host can specifically then command each of consolidation and erase using direct addressing. By redefining host-controller responsibilities in this manner, much of the overhead association with FTL functions can be substantially removed from the memory controller, with the host directly specifying physical addresses. This reduces performance unpredictability and overhead, thereby facilitating integration of solid state drives (SSDs) with other forms of storage.

Abstract: A manufacturing execution system (MES) that provides tools for modeling and determining information about physical production lines made up of arrangements of entities. The MES includes configuration tools for modeling the entities in a physical production line. The MES also includes configuration tools for modeling the physical production line. Entity data models and line data models conform to the data structure of respective model templates. Line data models include line definition models and line layout models. Line layout models include an entity link model for each of the entities in the physical production line. The MES includes tools for dynamically determining the bottleneck for the physical production line. Other production metrics are also calculated using the MES.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium for tracking manufacturing steps comprising: tracking kinetic movements of an assembler over a period of time to provide kinetic tracking information, the kinetic movements comprising product assembly movements; storing the kinetic tracking information in a kinetic tracking information repository; identifying a defect in an item manufactured during the period of time; and, analyzing the kinetic tracking information to determine whether the kinetic movements of the assembler contributed to the defect.

Abstract: A secure network of electronic elements (“network”) ensures the electronic elements that implement an electronic device are functioning properly. The network selects at least one master electronic element to consistently check that each of the electronic elements are functioning properly. When the master electronic element identifies that an electronic element is not functioning properly, the network executes a predefined response, such as a counter measure that limits the functional capability of the improperly functioning electronic element or other electronic elements. Electronic elements can identify when a master electronic element is improperly functioning by observing that the master electronic element has ceased checking on the electronic elements. The secure network can then execute a response that includes the counter measure of limiting the functional capability of the improperly functioning master electronic element and assigning a new master electronic element.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus, method and computer program for providing page navigation in a multirole-enabled network application. The apparatus comprises: a virtual role creator adapted to create a virtual role for each user in the multirole-enabled network application based upon an atomic role set configured for the user; an access pattern generator adapted to generate a virtual-role-based access pattern by recording page access requests of the user and by performing pattern mining for the recorded page access requests according to the virtual role of the user; and a page navigation provider adapted to provide page navigation by utilizing the access pattern corresponding to the virtual role of the user when the user accesses the multirole-enabled network application. With the technical solution of the invention, pattern mining can be performed for access data of one or more users according to virtual role, so the user can be provided with optimized personalized page navigation.

Abstract: A method and system to provide an analysis model to determine the specific problem(s) of a multi-threaded application. In one embodiment of the invention, the multi-thread application uses a plurality of threads for execution and each thread is assigned to a respective one of a plurality of states based on a current state of each thread. By doing so, the specific problem(s) of the multi-threaded application is determined based on the number of transitions among the plurality of states for each thread. In one embodiment of the invention, the analysis model uses worker threads transition counters or events to determine for each parallel region or algorithm of the multi-threaded application which problem has happened and how much it has affected the scalability of the parallel region or algorithm.

Abstract: A system for resubmitting a message for integration of applications receives information relating to a plurality of messages. Each message of the plurality of messages has been unsuccessfully transmitted between integration milestones, the message for resubmission being one of the plurality of messages. The corresponding integration milestones of the plurality of messages comprise different types of integration milestones. The system receives criteria to filter the received information. The system determines the message for resubmission by filtering the received information in accordance with the received criteria. The system sends the message from a first integration milestone to a second integration milestone.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with swarm management are described. One example system comprises a communication component configured to establish a communication link with at least one element, where the at least one element is part of a swarm. The example system also comprises a management component configured to manage performance of a task list by the swarm through the communication link.

Abstract: A power interchange system for interchanging electric energy between a battery and an electric grid is provided The power interchange system includes a rectifier unit for converting alternating current of the electric grid into direct current for charging the battery; a grid measurement device for measuring an electric parameter of the electric grid, and a controller unit for adjusting the direct current for the charging the battery as a function of the electric parameter of the electric grid. Moreover a method for interchanging electric energy between a battery and an electric grid is provided.

Abstract: Provided is a substrate processing system including a group controller which determines a combination of processing apparatuses having the shortest total processing time including the processing end time in a final processing apparatus, determines a predictable elapsed time up to a processing start time by a predetermined downstream processing apparatus for a wafer lot from a processing end time of the wafer lot by a predetermined processing apparatus in the combination of the processing apparatuses, and determines a timing of discharging the substrate to the predetermined processing apparatus or an upstream processing apparatus of the predetermined processing apparatus so that the predictable elapsed time is set within a predetermined time when the predictable elapsed time exceeds the predetermined time.

Abstract: A method for order prioritization includes calculating a cycle time for a product order of a plurality of product orders using an artificial neural network, determining a first order priority of the product order based on a priority index using an analytic hierarchy process, determining a second order priority of the product order based on event based simulation model, and determining a shipping date for the product order based on the second order priority. The artificial neural network calculates the cycle time based upon product order type and a plurality of component counts. The analytic hierarchy process determines a first order priority based upon a plurality of product order attributes. The simulation model determines a second order priority and completion time based upon the first order priority, product model, product type, a plurality of component counts, manufacturing capacity and inventory data, and production time data for historical product orders.

Abstract: A supply chain management system for controlling component processes includes a computer device that is adapted to: detect a plurality of component processes; create a relative value of each one of the plurality of component processes; prioritize each one of the plurality of component processes according to sibling relationships; and control a flow of the plurality of component processes in a manufacturing line based on the prioritizing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for semiconductor fabrication. In one embodiment, a method of semiconductor fabrication includes performing a process on substrates with an equipment unit to form processed substrates, communicating processing data from the equipment unit to a local scheduler and a universal scheduler, determining a priority of the processed substrates, and scheduling removal of processed substrates from the equipment unit and delivery of unprocessed substrates to the equipment unit by the local scheduler based on the processing data and the priority of the processed substrates.

Abstract: Priority can be calculated for works-in-process which are not in demand. A priority calculation device (110) comprises a priority calculation unit (124) which specifies a queue of lots in each production stage, a product category wherein the lot is to be used, and the number of components included in the lot, on the basis of information stored in a queue information storage area (115), and allocates priority for each lot so that when the specified lot is supplied to the production stage, a lot, by which a ratio of a component, in each product category, contained in a lot which is in a process subsequent to the process of the production stage is made closer to the ratio of demand in each product category specified by the information stored in a demand information storage area (113), is supplied into the production stage with higher priority.

Abstract: A method and a system control just in time item production via kanban cards. The items are transformed according to a flow shop containing a raw material buffer followed by a sequence of production pairs containing one workstation and an assigned buffer. A local buffer threshold parameter is provided and denotes the desired safety stock of the items of the specific type in the buffer. A global demand threshold parameter is provided and denotes the quantity of items of the specific item type required along the downstream process to satisfy the estimated demand. Whenever a kanban card is associated to an item of a specific type switches status, it is assigned one of four priority levels indicating the priority level of the production request. At each production pair, an item is produced of a type whose priority level is the highest according to a given priority model.

Abstract: A method and a system execute a scheduled production process having an execution duration within a production schedule executed by a manufacturing execution system. The method includes defining within the production process a resource required for the execution of the production process and defining for the resource a sequence-dependent setup sub-process having a setup duration, a productive sub-process and a sequence-dependent teardown sub-process. The production process is scheduled with a start-time. At a predetermined period at the start-time of the production process, the production process for dispatching and subsequent executing is confirmed. In response to the confirmation, individual production processes are created for the sequence-dependent setup sub-process, the production sub-process and the teardown sub-process. The created individual production processes are linked together by precedence constraints defining a sequence of the created individual production processes.

Abstract: A fault detection method of semiconductor manufacturing processes is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a storage device, collecting a fault detection and classification(FDC) parameter by the storage device, setting up a measurement site for measuring an online measurement parameter, collecting a wafer acceptance test(WAT) in correspondence to the FDC parameter, establishing a first relationship equation between the FDC parameter and the online measurement parameter, establishing a second relationship equation of the online measurement parameter and the WAT by using the first relationship equation, establishing a third relationship equation between the FDC parameter and the WAT, establishing a waning region of the manufacturing processes by using the first, second, and third relationship equations, and determining the situation of generating wafer defects according to the warning region. The present invention discloses a system architecture for the method.

Abstract: A system, method apparatus, and computer readable medium for managing renewal of a dynamic set of data items. Each data item has an associated renewal deadline, in a data item management system. A renewal schedule allocates to each data item a renewal interval for renewal of the data item. On addition of a new data item, if a potential renewal interval having a duration required for renewal of the data item, and having an ending at the renewal deadline for that item does not overlap a time period in the schedule during which the system is busy, the renewal schedule is automatically updated by allocating the potential renewal interval to the new data item. If the potential renewal interval does overlap a busy period, the renewal schedule is automatically updated by selecting an earlier renewal interval for at least one data item in the set.

Abstract: A system for lot based, multi-step wafer manufacturing processes is provided and includes a transfer apparatus, disposed among tools for performing respective process steps on each wafer of each lot of wafers transferred thereto, the transfer apparatus being configured to transfer each lot from a current tool to a next tool in accordance with a process step sequence, a dispatcher operably coupled to the transfer apparatus to modify the lot order in response to a modification condition detection, a measurement unit configured to receive each wafer of each fully processed lot and to collect measurements therefrom and a processor disposed in signal communication with the dispatcher and the measurement unit to analyze the measurements relative to the lot order for evidence that a process step of a corresponding tool is responsible for performance effects.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a loading/unloading unit including a mounting table on which a storage container accommodating a target substrate is mounted; a processing unit set including a plurality of processing units that perform a process on the target substrate; a plurality of transit units that transit the target substrate between the loading/unloading unit and the processing unit set; a selection unit that receives input for selecting a storage container for loading, a storage container for unloading, and a processing unit to be used for processing the target substrate; and a transfer recipe creating unit that automatically selects a transit unit to be used among the plurality of transit units based on the storage container for loading, the storage container for unloading, and the processing unit selected through the selection unit, automatically generates a transfer route of the target substrate, and creates a transfer recipe.

Abstract: A system and method for generating indices to quantify operating transition performance of a continuous process, such as a sheet forming process, includes a computer system that is configured to generate a normalized overall transition performance index. The overall transition performance index is formed from a plurality of individual parameter indices associated with specific production components or portions of the process line. As such, the individual parameter indices allow a user of the system to readily identify the particular portion of the continuous process line that is performing below desired levels. In addition, because the overall transition performance index is normalized, it enables comparison of the operating transition performance of multiple process lines.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a sequence of mounting a plurality of components on a board by using variable pitch heads having a plurality of pitches. The method includes: partitioning the board into a plurality of sectors, each of the sectors including a plurality of mounting points arranged in parallel with a direction in which the heads are arranged; dividing the board into a plurality of sub-boards including first sub-boards based on the sectors, each of the first sub-boards including as many mounting points as the heads; and determining a combination of a sequence of mounting the components on the board and at least one pitch among the pitches required to mount the components on the board in a shortest time, compared to another sequence or other sequences of mounting the components on the board and another pitch or other pitches among the pitches, based on the first sub-boards.

Abstract: A system, a method and a computer program product for identifying incompatible manufacturing tools. The system receives measurements of products that were subject to a manufacturing process involving a plurality of manufacturing tools. The measurements pertain to a performance characteristic of each product. The system evaluates whether each manufacturing tool implemented in a sequential manufacturing process individually performs normally based on the received measurements. In response to evaluating each manufacturing tool implemented in said manufacturing process individually performs normally, the system evaluates whether a first combination of the manufacturing tools together in sequential manufacturing process perform normally based on the received measurements.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently transcribing verbal messages to text is provided. Verbal messages are received and at least one of the verbal messages is divided into segments. Automatically recognized text is determined for each of the segments by performing speech recognition and a confidence rating is assigned to the automatically recognized text for each segment. A threshold is applied to the confidence ratings and those segments with confidence ratings that fall below the threshold are identified. The segments that fall below the threshold are assigned to one or more human agents starting with those segments that have the lowest confidence ratings. Transcription from the human agents is received for the segments assigned to that agent. The transcription is assembled with the automatically recognized text of the segments not assigned to the human agents as a text message for the at least one verbal message.

Abstract: A method of managing resources of a histological tissue processor, the tissue processor comprising at least one retort (12, 14) selectively connected for fluid communication to at least one of a plurality of reagent resources (26) by a valve mechanism (40), the method comprising the step of: nominating resources according to one of: group, where a group nomination corresponds to a resource's function; type, where a type nomination corresponds to one or more attributes of a resource within a group; station, where a station nomination corresponds to a point of supply of a resource.