Abstract: The invention related to a processing tool and a processing device for processing a workpiece (5) that is located in a predetermined processing area (1), at a plurality of processing points (4, 4?). A recognition device (20) recognizes the individual processing points (4, 4?) on the workpiece (5) or determines a relative position between the processing tool (7) and the workpiece (5). This ensures that an operator carrier out a predetermined number of processing operations without leaving out any processing point. The recognition device (20, 200) preferably comprises an image pick-up device, on or integrated in the tool (7) or an image pick-up device which picks up an image of the whole processing area (1) and evaluates it.

Abstract: A processing of a first slaughter product to form a second slaughter product comprises: providing one or more processing stations, a parameter of a processing to be carried out in the processing stations being adjustable; collecting and storing data indicating the availability of the processing stations; collecting and storing data which indicate the availability of the first and/or second slaughter product; collecting and storing properties of the first and/or second slaughter product; storing relationships between the parameter of the processing and the properties of the first and/or second slaughter product. The processing of the first slaughter product to form the second slaughter product is controlled by adjusting the parameter of the processing on the basis of said data, properties and/or relationships, such that an additional added value is obtained during the processing of the first slaughter product to form the second slaughter product.

Abstract: An electric-circuit fabricating system for fabricating an electric circuit, by performing a working operation on a circuit substrate, including a substrate holding device to hold the substrate, an imaging device to image a surface of the substrate on which the working operation is to be performed, an imaging control device to control the imaging device to take an image of a substrate-position fiducial mark provided on the substrate, and obtaining substrate-position information on the basis of the image, and a working device to perform the working operation on the substrate, on the basis of the substrate-position information, and wherein the imaging control device is operable to control the imaging device to take an image of a substrate ID mark provided on the substrate as held by the substrate holding device, for obtaining substrate identifying information identifying the substrate, on the basis of the image of the substrate ID mark.

Abstract: A wireless access subsystem is first attached to a peripheral port of a computing product. The computing product is further assembled with other components and goes through various testing processes while being tracked and monitored by a manufacturing control server through wireless communications with the wireless access subsystem. The wireless access subsystem has a separate power supplier incorporated therein and operates independently from the computing product.

Abstract: There is provided a method for automatically tracking compliance in a manufacturing process involving successive manufacturing operations comprising selecting an object; associating an identifier with said object, said identifier comprising a memory; performing a first manufacturing operation relating to the object; following the successful completion of said first manufacturing operation, writing an associated compliance data item to the memory; performing one or more further manufacturing operations relating to the object; and following the successful completion of each said further manufacturing operation or any package thereof, writing an associated compliance data item to the memory.

Abstract: A computer readable recording medium which stores control data to control the action of a sheet metal bending system which is provided with a press brake and a sheet metal support device, where the press brake is provided with a punch and die which bends the sheet metal along the bending line by approaching to and parting from each other, and a back gauge to determine the position of the sheet metal against the punch and die, the sheet metal support apparatus is provided with a support arm which supports the sheet metal and may be rotated freely centered on the rotation axis which is parallel to the bending axis, the control data is a control data to control the bending process which includes a plurality of bending processes to produce sheet metal parts (parts) with a plurality of bending lines by the press brake and sheet metal support device by controlling the approach and parting motion of the punch and die and at least the rotational motion of the support arm, and the control data is related to the sheet

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sorting and selecting parts comprising a computer for designing a plurality of a first type of component parts and a plurality of a second type of component parts. Each job, which consists of the plurality of first component parts and the plurality of second component parts, is assigned a unique identification by the computer. In addition, the computer also assigns a part identification for each of the component parts. A first tooling machine computer-controller, coupled to the computer, receives the plurality of first component part designs, creates tooling instructions for the first component parts, and creates labels for each of the first component parts. The labels include the unique job identification and the part identification. A first tooling machine, coupled to the first tooling machine computer-controller, receives the first component part tooling instructions, receives material for the first component parts, and creates the first component parts.

Abstract: Data on manufacturing processes in a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus mainly containing bar code data are input to a portable input unit in step S1. A main bar code label can be affixed to an extremely short bar-code-labeled component such as a reticle having only a very narrow bar-code to-be-labeled region, which enables data input by bar codes. The portable input unit is placed in a terminal in step S2, so that data input to the portable input unit are transferred to a production line terminal. The production line terminal performs a compiling process (production controlling process) in step S3 based on input data obtained from the portable input unit and master data obtained from a server. Consequently obtained are a production control system and a production controlling method capable of performing production control with high accuracy in which errors created by operators in data input are minimized.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing multi-kind and small-quantity semiconductor products in a mass-production line and a system thereof are provided. One aspect of the present invention, there is provided the method for manufacturing a semiconductor device through a plurality of fabrication processing steps, each of the fabrication processing steps being carried out sequentially with a plurality of chips on a wafer based on a chip identification information formed on the wafer, the method comprises at least two steps sharing the chip identification information before at least one of the two steps is carried out, wherein the steps are not immediately neighbored with each other in fabrication processing sequence.

Abstract: Each object (such as for example an integrated circuit) of a population of similar objects is configured to generate instances of a dynamic binary identification code (ID) that differ from instances of IDs generated by all other member objects of the population. While bits residing in most of the bit positions of the ID generated by each member object of the population do not vary in state from instance-to-instance of that ID, bits residing in one or more of the bit positions of the ID may vary (drift) in state from instance-to-instance of that ID. A set of instances of the ID generated by each member object of the population are analyzed to construct a separate “drift profile” for each member object's ID indicating for each bit position a probability that the bit position will contain a bit of a particular state.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus implementing a technique for assembling a device, such as a digital convergence monitor, at more than one site where data is supplied from a first site to a second site and then the data is used in assembly of the device at the second site. In one implementation, a method for assembling a device at more than one manufacturing site includes: at least partially assembling a device at a first manufacturing site; adjusting the device at the first manufacturing site, where the adjustment is recorded in data; sending the data from the first manufacturing site to a second manufacturing site; assembling the device at the second manufacturing site; storing the data in the device; and adjusting the device at the second manufacturing site, where the adjustment at the second manufacturing site is recorded in the data.

Abstract: A method of assembling an object using a component, the component having an interface surface having coded data disposed thereon or therein, each coded data portion being indicative of an identity of the component, wherein the method includes, in a sensing device:

Abstract: Comprising: an IC tag 120 that is attached to a work in process 100 of a portable telephone 110 and memorizes information related to a production condition of the portable telephone 110; a mounting device 140 that reads out the information related to the production condition of the portable telephone 110 from the IC tag 120 and mounts components of the portable telephone 110, based on the readout information related to the production condition of the portable telephone 110, on the work in process 100 with the IC tag 120 attached; an inspection device 150 that reads out the information related to the production condition of the portable telephone 110 from the IC tag 120, and inspects the work in process 100, which the IC tag 120 is attached and the components of the portable telephone 110 are mounted, based on the readout information related to the production condition of the portable telephone 110; and an editing device 130 that writes the information related to production of the portable telephone 110 into t

Abstract: A data processing system and device for a cohesive technical process are disclosed. The data processing system includes at least one processing station for processing at least one product with an associated specific data record in which product features and/or process information for the product are maintained. The processing station may also include associated data and product buffers. The product associated data record may be provided in a decentralized manner at the processing station during the technical process and can be passed-on to a further processing station. The processing station further comprises data record storage locations that may be used dynamically. The data record for a product may be dynamically matched to a data record length required from a process sequence.

Abstract: A recycling job supporting system is provided which is capable of efficiently carrying out a disassembly job. Information management center equipment 100 has an object disassembly information register DB 40 in which the object disassembly information is registered by associating the object disassembly information with object identification information, retrieves the object disassembly information from the object disassembly information register DB 40 based on the received object identification information when receiving the object identification information, and transmits the object disassembly information found through the retrieval to recycling center equipment 200.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and associated database structure for tracking in production in a plant for liquid foods. Each production unit in the plant is allocated a unit identity which is registered in a database. Each production unit can be a source or a destination. Each material quantity which is included in the production is allocated a work identity which is registered in the database. A material quantity includes a given product of a given quantity. Each event in the plant is registered in the database. The registration takes place as a transport from a source to a destination, with references to the unit identities of both the source and the destination.

Abstract: A method and system (10) for reducing errors in a vehicle manufacturing process is provided. The system is a non-segmented network that includes a plurality of servers (30, 40, 46, 48) for storing build data and transmitting the data to a tracking controller (20). The tracking controller (20) identifies the assembly (18) entering a manufacturing zone (14) and generates positioning information related to the assembly as it passes through the zone (14). The tracking controller (20) is electronically coupled to a series of local I/O interfaces (32) for transmitting the identity, the position information, and the build data of the assembly (18) thereto. Each local I/O interface (32) has one or more I/O manufacturing tools (34, 36) coupled thereto for allowing an operator to perform an assembly task pursuant to the build data. In addition, the I/O manufacturing tools (34, 36) detect whether a successful build condition or an unsuccessful build condition results from performance of the assembly task.

Abstract: This installation comprises: for each receptacle of substance to be treated, radio-wave transmitter means for supplying information identifying the substance contained in the receptacle; for each workstation for implementing a treatment operation on the substances, radio-wave receiver means for supply information identifying the workstation; and for each receptacle support, both radio-wave receiver means for receiving information transmitted by the transmitter means of the receptacles and of the workstations, and at least one forwarding device for forwarding information received by the receiver means to a data storage unit. The installation is applicable to processing biological samples or materials.

Abstract: In production management system of a vehicle, at a parts assembling step, a computer terminal 12 reads the product-specific information and the parts-specific information from an information storage medium 2 through an information read/write unit 3. On the other hand, a bar-code reader 5 reads the product-specific information (e.g., the vehicle code) from the completion check indicator 4 of a vehicle body 1 and the parts-specific information and the parts-intrinsic information from parts 6. And, the computer terminal 12 compares the product-specific information with each other and the parts-specific information with each other and writes, when both the individual comparisons are coincident, the parts-intrinsic information in the information storage medium 2 through the information read/write unit 3 to allow the parts 6 to be assembled in the vehicle body 1.

Abstract: A method of processing a semiconductor wafer. The wafer is secured to a wafer supporting member having a data carrier. Information required for working the semiconductor wafer is input to the data carrier. The wafer is then worked according to information read from the data carrier. The data carrier is configured to permit operations such as back grinding, dicing and pickup of the wafer, and prevents wafer breakage when the wafer is carried between different operations.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for performing a process control using partial measurement data. A process operation is performed on a semiconductor wafer. Inline metrology data related to the process of the semiconductor wafer is acquired. A partial measurement data acquisition process is performed based upon the inline metrology data, the partial measurement data acquisition process comprising determining a time period for acquiring the inline metrology data, determining a number of wafers to be sampled based upon the time period, and determining a number of wafer sites for data acquisition. At least one of a feedback adjustment on a second semiconductor wafer and a feed-forward adjustment relating to a subsequent processing of the first semiconductor wafer based upon the partial measurement data acquisition process is performed.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a wiring harness or a substrate for wiring wherein the wiring diagram applied to the substrate is based on the wiring harness information. Entities representing connectors, binding parts, and wiring length information of wirings are input. The wiring arrangement diagram includes lines that correspond to the wirings and do not have a length corresponding to actual length of the wirings. The wiring harness is made using the information including total length of wiring between each of the connectors, harness information generated based on the entities, and the length information of the desired wiring arrangement. Alternatively, the wiring harness information is used to draw a wiring diagram for fixing on the substrate.

Abstract: A wireless access subsystem is first attached to a peripheral port of a computing product. The computing product is further assembled with other components and goes through various testing processes while being tracked and monitored by a manufacturing control server through wireless communications with the wireless access subsystem. The wireless access subsystem has a separate power supplier incorporated therein and operates independently from the computing product.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a method for modifying process recipe information utilized by a wafer processing system having a controller with permanent rewritable storage, memory, a first and a second communication interface, and a user interface; and one or more process cells to process a wafer; which method comprises steps of: (a) storing baseline process recipe information in permanent rewritable storage; (b) retrieving baseline process recipe information from permanent rewritable storage for a wafer in a group of wafers to be processed and storing it in memory; (c) receiving process recipe modification information utilizing the second communication interface and storing the process recipe modification information in memory; (d) overwriting at least portions of the baseline recipe information in memory with the process recipe modification information to form new recipe information; and (e) processing the wafer utilizing the new recipe information.

Abstract: An intelligent component feeder includes a lever-powered mechanical component feed system and a memory device mounted on the mechanical feed system. The memory device has a two-terminal electrical interface, the two terminals are associated with data and data ground, respectively. The memory device, which is preferably of a non-volatile, rewritable type, contains information indicating a component ID, component Lot Number, feeder serial number, feeder type, number of feeder actuations, and a Quantity value for a reel of components mounted on the component feeder. The intelligent component feeder further includes a data connector for coupling data from the memory device to a data adapter of a placement device. The data connector comes into contact with the data adapter when the intelligent component feeder is installed on the placement device. The terminal associated with data ground is coupled with a body of said intelligent component feeder.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a source flux modulation recipe for achieving a selected thickness profile of a film to be deposited (e.g., with highly uniform or highly accurate custom graded thickness) over a flat or curved substrate (such as concave or convex optics) by exposing the substrate to a vapor deposition source operated with time-varying flux distribution as a function of time. Preferably, the source is operated with time-varying power applied thereto during each sweep of the substrate to achieve the time-varying flux distribution as a function of time.

Abstract: An action management support system that manages and supports through computers actions taken by persons in charge of various duties accompanied by production. The system uses a process information that defines a flow of a plurality tasks in a duty executed by the at least one person, and a product information that includes contents of a product manufactured at each of the plurality of tasks. The system also includes a controller that controls the system to relate the each of the plurality of tasks with the product information immediately before each task, the relationship involving an input and output information of each task, and a product manufactured at each task. Furthermore, the system includes a memory that stores and retains the each of the plurality of tasks and the product information that are related to each other so that the relationship of the each of the plurality of tasks and the product information can be used as a reference.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for matching a creative expression with an order for at least one purchased item to be shipped to a purchaser. Briefly described, the system includes a processor electrically coupled to a local interface, a memory electrically coupled to the local interface, a printer electrically coupled to the local interface via a printer interface, and operating logic stored on the memory and executable by the processor. The operating logic includes logic to interface with the printer to print a creative expression for shipping along with the order for at least one purchased item. The operating logic also includes logic to compare a unique order identifier such as a unique bar code that is associated with the printed creative expression and a second unique order identifier associated with the order for at least one purchased item to determine an existence of a match therebetween.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking articles and controlling inventory thereof on a real time basis comprising the use of a tag assembly including a plurality of tags including both active tags and passive tags distinguishable from one another by the provision of a self contained power source in the active tags. One or more readers are disposed within a locale being monitored and are structured to communicate received data transmission from a host controller, for additional administrative processing in terms of determining the existence, location and/or movement of various articles with which the plurality of tags are directly associated. Depending on the category of tags, they may be activated by either entering an electric field of a predetermined first frequency or by receiving an activation signal from the reader assembly also transmitted at the first predetermined frequency. Communication between the tags and the reader occurs at a second frequency being different from the first frequency.

Abstract: A wire harness manufacturing apparatus includes plural manufacturing lines for respectively manufacturing plural sub-wire harnesses as constituents of a wire harness to be produced, each of the manufacturing lines including plural constituent devices arranged in manufacturing order of each sub-wire harness. Plural line control devices are provided for controlling operational processes of the manufacturing lines respectively. Each of the line control devices is connected with the constituent devices of each of the manufacturing lines through a signal transmitting circuit. At least one system control device is adapted so as to construct a signal transmitting network together with the line control devices, for controlling manufacturing loads among the plural manufacturing lines.

Abstract: ABSTRACT A management computer 21 extracts product type information from a product type data storing unit 23 based on an input product type identifier, and receives information about a selected shipment destination. Then, the management computer 21 extracts a permission type from a shipment destination specification data storing unit 22 based on the product type and a shipment destination identifier. Further, the management computer 21 determines whether or not permission about the permission type has been obtained. When the permission has been obtained, the management computer 21 extracts a permission identifier. The management computer 21 extracts rating information of the product type data based on record items of the shipment destination specification data, and provides an instance format of the rating label.

Abstract: A method for presenting performance data from a process flow includes providing a tool link associated with a first subset of the performance data for at least one tool in the process flow; providing a recipe link associated with a second subset of the performance data for at least one recipe in the process flow; displaying the first subset of the performance data in response to the tool link being selected; and displaying the second subset of the performance data in response to the recipe link being selected.

Abstract: The wafer processing installation is disposed in one or more clean rooms. The installation has a configuration of processing units including fabrication units for executing individual fabricating steps and/or measuring units for checking fabricating steps. The processing units are connected by a transport system for sending the wafers in and out. The wafers are combined into variable batch sizes corresponding to the capacities of the processing units and/or the transport system.

Abstract: A system/method for interactively monitoring and adjusting product output from a module that includes two or more preparation tools. The output is a result of the coordinated effort of the two or more semiconductor preparation tools making up the module. The first of the tools is capable of implementing a first process on a semiconductor product and producing a first output. The second of the tools is configured to receive as input the first output from the first tool. The second tool is also capable of implementing a second process on the semiconductor product and producing a second output. A module control mechanism is capable of facilitating the exchange of information between the first tool and the second tool so that the module yields a desired semiconductor product output. Certain information can also be exchanged between the first and second tools. Other system/method embodiments for output/production control are also envisioned.

Abstract: With respect to production equipment for performing a plurality of production operations having different processing conditions in the same processing chamber, a contamination degree is determined previously, which is an index of how a product or the production equipment is contaminated in the production operations; a contamination degree of the product or the production equipment after processing the product in the production operations is set and recorded in a first storage apparatus; a plurality of products having the same contamination degree recorded in the first storage apparatus are grouped into one contamination group; the products are recorded in a second storage apparatus on the basis of the contamination group; and the execution of the processing in the production operations is designated on the basis of the contamination group recorded in the second storage apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and an apparatus for using an integrated remote identifier for processing semiconductor wafers. Process data is associated with a remote identifier. A remote identifier interfacing process based upon the remote identifier is performed. A first processing run of semiconductor devices is performed in response to the remote identifier interfacing process.

Abstract: A method for controlling a manufacturing system includes processing workpieces in a plurality of tools; initiating a baseline control script for a selected tool of the plurality of tools; providing context information for the baseline control script; determining a tool type based on the context information; selecting a control routine for the selected tool based on the tool type; and executing the control routine to generate a control action for the selected tool. A manufacturing system includes a plurality of tools adapted to process workpieces, a control execution manager, and a control executor. The control execution manager is adapted to initiate a baseline control script for a selected tool of the plurality of tools and provide context information for the baseline control script.

Abstract: Method for providing manufacturing-related data in the large-scale production of manufactured objects, in particular, automobiles, includes a data collecting device assigned to each manufactured object, with manufacturing-related data being input into the data collecting device at least in a part of the manufacturing sections of the large-scale production, and with the data being transmitted at least partially by the corresponding data collecting device to one central device during manufacturing. Manufacturing-related data consequently are made centrally available in the central device and can be used for planning possibly required subsequent work. The planning of subsequent work consequently can be carried out when the manufactured object is still located in the manufacturing process. This considerably simplifies the planning of subsequent work and makes it possible to save time and lower costs.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for checking a computer with a peripheral device installed in one of a plurality of slots. The method can be performed by software running in the computer and/or software running in a separate computer. The method starts by receiving a purchase order for the computer. The purchase order designates the peripheral device and specifies one of the slots in the computer for receiving the peripheral device. A first software routine is used for locating the slot in which the peripheral device was installed. The slot located by the software routine is then compared with the specified slot from the purchase order. If the located slot is not the same as the specified slot, the method automatically provides a first message indicating that the peripheral device should be moved from the located slot to the specified slot.

Abstract: An automatic production and assembly machine focuses on the fact that each unit is provided with coding indicating at least the type of the specific function unit. The coding is transmitted via data transmission existing between the individual function unit and a central control unit. The coding makes possible continuous checking of the control program, such that certain program sequences for certain workstations are only executed when the coding of these workstations agrees with the respective program sequence. A number of other important functions are monitored, corrected and made to coincide with the central programming.

Abstract: A method for tracking multiple SKUs of ophthalmic devices in a manufacturing line, comprises the steps of: assembling first molding devices, at least one of the first molding devices having an identification device, such as, a bar-code or an inductive transmitting/receiving device; reading the identification device of the first molding devices; forming first molded parts using the first molding devices; providing a plurality of carriers, the carriers having carrier indicators; transferring the first molded parts to at least one of a plurality of carriers; reading the carrier indicator of the carrier carrying the first molded parts; and storing in machine-accessible memory the information associated with the identification device of the first molding devices and the information associated with the carrier indicator of the carrier carrying the first molded parts.

Abstract: An original chuck for holding an original includes a plurality of attracting and holding portions for holding the original, each of the plurality of attracting and holding portions having a supporting member for supporting the original with point contact, and an attracting pad of an elastic material for surrounding the supporting member. The original chuck also includes an adjusting mechanism for adjustably moving at least one of the attracting and holding portions in a direction orthogonal to a supporting surface of a respective supporting member.

Abstract: A method for sorting integrated circuit (IC) devices of the type having a fuse identification (ID) into those devices requiring enhanced reliability testing and those requiring standard testing includes storing fabrication deviation data, probe data, and test data in association with the fuse ID of each of the devices indicating each of the devices requires either enhanced reliability testing or standard testing. The fuse ID of each of the devices is then automatically read before, during, or after standard testing of the devices. The testing process requirement data stored in association with the fuse ID of each of the devices is then accessed, and the devices are sorted in accordance with the accessed data into those devices requiring enhanced reliability testing and those requiring standard testing.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing IC devices from semiconductor wafers includes providing the wafers and fabricating IC's on the wafers. At probe, a unique fuse ID is stored in each IC, and an electronic wafer map is electronically stored for each wafer indicating the locations of good and bad IC's on the wafer and the fuse ID's of the IC's on the wafer. Each IC is then separated from its wafer to form an IC die, and the IC dice are assembled into IC devices. At the opens/shorts test at the end of assembly, the fuse ID of each IC in each device is automatically retrieved so the wafer map of the IC device may be accessed and evaluated to identify any IC devices containing bad IC's that have accidentally been assembled into IC devices. Any “bad” IC devices are discarded while remaining IC devices continue on to back-end testing.

Abstract: A lot-base management host computer performs management of wafers with a lot as a unit by managing a process condition for each lot, a correspondence between a carrier ID and a lot ID, and a correspondence between a slot ID and a wafer ID in each lot. A wafer-base management host computer performs management for each wafer in a lot by managing a process condition corresponding to a wafer number in a lot. Further, a converted condition instructing section transmits data acquired from the lot-base management host computer and the wafer-base management host computer to a semiconductor fabrication apparatus. The wafer-base management host computer stores a process condition for each level and a machine number of a semiconductor fabrication apparatus in use in the form of a matrix as an experimental level master and issues a process condition as instructions to the semiconductor fabrication apparatus through the converted condition instructing section according to the experimental level master.

Abstract: A system for monitoring an industrial process and taking action based on the results of process monitoring. Actions taken may include process control, paging, voicemail, and input for e-enterprise systems. The system includes an input module for receiving a plurality of parameters from a process for manufacture of a substance or object. The system also includes a library module. The library module includes a plurality of computer aided processes. Any one of the computer aided processes is capable of using each of the plurality of parameters to compare at least two of the plurality of parameters against a training set of parameters. The training set of parameters is generally predetermined. The computer aided process is also capable of determining if the at least two of the plurality of parameters are within a predetermined range of the training set of parameters. Additionally, the system includes an output module for outputting a result based upon the training set and the plurality of parameters.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system for workpiece cutting and sorting automation, and a method for controlling the system. The system includes a cutting/sorting equipment for cutting a substrate having a plurality of cells into cut substrates, and sorting the cut substrates according to a predetermined mode; and a system controller for receiving a request for operation information on the cut substrates from the cutting/sorting equipment, and transmitting the operation information and operation commands to the cutting/sorting equipment. The method includes the steps of (a) determining an operating mode of the cut substrates; (b) sorting the cut substrates and supplying the sorted cut substrates to one of the plurality of cassettes according to the operating mode of the cut substrates determined in step (a); and (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) for a predetermined lot number of cut substrates.

Abstract: A system and a method for controlling a surface mounting process are proposed. Barcodes of feeder trays in a work station are scanned, prompting an inquiry module to retrieve a corresponding work station serial number, which is transmitted to a microprocessor module. This then prompts the microprocessor module to generate a signal to the work station, so as to inform an operator to place the scanned feeder trays in the work station. After placing the feeder trays in position, the microprocessor module generates another signal to inform the operator whether or not the surface mounting process is readily initiated. A printer device is prompted by the microprocessor module to print a list of material serial numbers of the feeder trays to be replenished, allowing the operator to perform replenishment for the feeder trays according to the list, so as to maintain the progress of the surface mounting process.

Abstract: A factory for manufacturing customized products in response to customer orders includes pre-packaging facilities and packaging facilities. Components are converted into completed products in the pre-packaging facilities, and the completed products are packaged in the packaging facilities. The factory also includes an order management system that associates individually identified products among the completed products with a customer order. Product release logic in the order management system accumulates the individually identified products in the pre-packaging facilities. The product release logic releases the individually identified products for transport from the pre-packaging facilities to the packaging facilities only after determining that substantially all of the individually identified products for the customer order have been completed.

Abstract: A manufacturing process starts from installing a wireless communication subsystem on a computer system, and allows information exchanges made wirelessly by the computer system and a manufacturing control computer of the wireless information network to complete manufacturing the computer system.