Abstract: A position control apparatus for a machine tool such as an SMD-mounter which is capable of moving a head to a desired position in as rapid a time as possible, by estimating a moving position of the head according to an evolutionary computation algorithm, and a friction of a guiding unit for guiding the head and the movement of the head.

Abstract: A system for producing a semiconductor wafer includes a production progress comparing/calculating unit, a fabrication device status monitor step, an inventory control step, and a process shelf controller step. In response to a timing signal from the fabrication device status monitor step, the production progress comparing/calculating unit determines a semiconductor wafer to be processed next, and the determined semiconductor wafer is automatically searched for on a process shelf. The fabrication devices of a semiconductor wafer production line start processing semiconductor wafers at suitable times thereby producing semiconductor wafers according to a production plan and meeting a delivery time for the semiconductor wafers.

Abstract: The pump station control system and method monitors and displays a time history of the operating parameters of a pump station. Sensed operating parameters are transmitted to an operator in real time and are stored at predetermined time intervals over a predetermined period of time. A real-time cost parameter of the system is calculated that provides a measure of the cost per throughput of the material being pumped. The system can be optimized for the cost parameter by controlling system variables such as pump speed in response to the level of fluid.

Abstract: A storing and materials handling facility comprises two communication cables 37, 38 laid between apparatus constituting the facility, integrated control units 31-35 for each of the apparatus are connected by way of branch interface to the two communication cables 37, 38, each of the integrated control units 31-35 transmitting the information data by way of the first communication cable 37 and transmitting the control data by way of the second communication cable 38, in which the branch interface is adapted such that if interference is detected in one of the communication cables, the information data and the communication control data are transmitted by way of the other of the communication cables.

Abstract: An apparatus for comparing one machine in a fleet of machines is provided. The apparatus senses a plurality of characteristics of each machine in the fleet and responsively determines a set of fleet data. The apparatus further determines a set of reference machine data as a function of the fleet data, compares the data for the machine with the reference machine data, and responsively produces a deviation signal.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus incorporating a microcomputer capable of correcting bugs by means of patches. The microcomputer circumvents serious trouble which would usually be produced due to bugs when the power supply is turned on. After the power supply is turned on and initialization of the microcomputer itself is complete, it is determined whether the initialization processing for correcting by patches has ended. If this processing has not yet ended, the microcomputer is inhibited from controlling certain objects (e.g., circuits for driving motors that control the tape transport mechanism of a video camera) which would cause serious trouble if they were to malfunction. The microcomputer control of other objects is not so inhibited. After the end of the initialization for correcting by patches, a program capable of correcting by patches is executed.

Abstract: An existent filing apparatus transfers position information to a developing device. A microcontroller unit of the developing device calculates the current value for moving a head by using the position information in accordance with a firmware, and supplies the current value to the filing apparatus. The filing apparatus drives a motor on the basis of the current value, detects the current head position and supplies the detected head position to the developing device. The microcontroller unit of the developing device determines the next current value by using the head position information in accordance with the firmware, and a monitoring means of the developing device monitors the operation of the filing apparatus on the basis of the head position information and displays the monitored operation.

Abstract: Method and system for designing and producing a lightweight automobile or vehicle body. Structural performance targets are selected, a beam model analysis is conducted, and a body-in-white design is developed. A shell model is created and analyzed and material gauges and manufacturing processes for the body components are selected. A structural analysis is conducted to determine whether the shell model meets the selected structural performance targets. A crash model is created, analyzed, and modified until satisfactory crash requirements are met. A final structural analysis is conducted to determine whether the shell model meets the selected structural performance targets.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for constructing a complex tool surface for use in an age forming process. In one embodiment, the method comprises eight steps. Those steps are (1) modeling a flat panel as a set of finite elements, (2) modeling a rigid tool having a complex tool surface, (3) assigning material characteristics expressed as creep strain to each of the finite elements of the flat panel, (4) modeling the flat panel constrained to the rigid tool in an age forming process to produce a simulated age formed panel, (5) comparing the simulated age formed panel to an actual component and determining the differences, (6) modifying the rigid tool model to eliminate the differences determined in the comparison step, (7) repeating steps 4 and 5 with the modified rigid model until the differences fall within acceptable tolerances; and (8) constructing a tool for use in an age forming process in accordance with the modified rigid model.

Abstract: A mail assembly system and method which utilizes non-print post processing data embedded within the mail statement print data of a data record to carry out post processing operations for a plurality of mailing pieces. The data record is provided to a printer system which sequentially outputs a plurality of printed mail statements according to the statement print data. A wedge or splitter device retrieves the post processing data from the print data stream, and provides the post processing data to a system controller computer. As each printed mail statement is transferred from the printer system to a post processing system, the post processing data for each mailing piece is correlated or matched with each mail statement, and post processing operations are accordingly carried out. The invention thus avoids the use of printed identification codes on mail statements or other control documents for accessing post processing data from a data record.

Abstract: An arrangement for the controlled notching and placement of components, such as studs, wall plates, shelves and furniture. The arrangement includes a support for supporting the components. A notcher is carried by the support for selectively notching the components bought into contact therewith. A traveling pusher is movably carried by the support for horizontal movement thereof in a first direction towards the notcher and in a second opposite direction away from the notcher. The components are marked with an appropriate code for subsequent assembly. A cutoff saw is carried by the support, such that the notcher is positioned between the cutoff saw and the traveling pusher. A computer coordinates and controls the operation and movement of the traveling pusher, the notcher and the cutoff saw, the marking and the ejecting of the components.

Abstract: A data communications system for a plurality of centrifuge instruments, each with a local controller, includes a central data controller and a communication link that connects the central data controller to each of the instrument controllers. The link complies with Electronic Industries Association (EIA) Standard 485. The central data controller transmits a predetermined command and an instrument address signal over the link. Each instrument controller is responsive to the transmission of the command signal and to its respective instrument address signal by transmitting to the central data controller over the communications link the then-current values of at least some of the set of operational parameters for the particular centrifuge instrument.

Abstract: A new method and apparatus for fabrication or alignment of fixtures, jigs and structures is disclosed. The invention uses target points on one or more details which are referenced to the overall structure via targets on the details. These targets are monitored by a TV camera unit which is alternatively interfaced to a display for the human operator or a robot to provide position data. The interface may include input from a CAD system which allows display on robot coordinates to be offset by design data of the structure or a part to be located on it.While mainly envisioned for assistance in constructing fixtures for automobile assembly, the disclosed invention is widely useable for all types of construction including aircraft, bridges, boats, buses, houses, buildings and the like. A means for improving resolution of automatically served camera based systems is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved system and method for scheduling a plurality of orders into a factory for processing by one or more of a plurality of machines located therein, based on the use of a Continuity Index job release strategy. The system and method is particularly addressed to the enhancement of such a job release strategy by introduction of Factory Profile and priority criteria and an algorithm for automatic determination of an optimum job release point based on such criteria.

Abstract: Design data of a knitted product are divided into plural layers, layer numbers are given to the layers, and the layers are stored. The default value of a layer number is the number of the latest layer plus 1, and the layer numbers can be modified. It is made possible to unite or group plural layers into a group, and a layer number is given to the group. It is also made possible to cancel grouping.

Abstract: A designed object workability evaluating system for evaluating quantitatively at a stage of designing an article whether a structure of the article as designed can be realized easily in a manufacturing stage for thereby selectively determining a best structure from a plurality of design plans through comparative evaluation thereof. The system includes a client machine section including a guide information generating unit for generating information for guiding operations of a user, an input device for allowing the user to input commands and data and a display unit. A server machine section includes a registering unit storing evaluation elements defined by the user, an index calculating module for calculating indexes indicating degrees of difficulty/ease of work, an evaluation element estimating module, a part workability evaluation module, an article workability evaluation module, and a best design plan selection/determination module.

Abstract: An auto-handler system is constructed by a supply device, a measurement device and a storage device, through which a carrier circulates. A plurality of IC sockets are arranged on the carrier; and an identification mark, such as a bar-code mark, is attached to the carrier. The supply device supplies ICs to the carrier in accordance with the identification mark so that the ICs are mounted respectively on the IC sockets. The carrier is transported to the measurement device wherein measurement is performed on the ICs. After the measurement, the carrier is transported to the storage device wherein the ICs are removed and classified storage is performed on the ICs. Thereafter, a vacant carrier is returned to the supply device. If defective decision is made on the carrier based on result of measurement, the measurement device creates defective information representing position of an defective IC socket of the carrier.

Abstract: A postal service purchasing system involves the mailer entering information, such as delivery address, weight of mail piece, services required, about each mail piece using for example a personal computer. Electronic postal counter software installed at the mailer's premises causes the information entered to generate a barcode identifier for each mail piece and this barcode identifier is printed on the mail piece. An electronic manifest containing the identifier for the mail pieces is transmitted to a computer at the Post Office Premises. As each mail piece is subsequently sorted the identifier information is captured and reconciled with the information on the electronic manifest.

Abstract: A minimal model representation of a manufacturing process describes process behavior for real-time process control and is continuously verified and adjusted. A minimal set of parameters is obtained at any manufacturing level in order to reduce a complex manufacturing process to a manageable form. Contributions of variables to process models are ranked and dynamically partitioned into primary and secondary sets. The primary variables are those which are currently used in the model and are deemed sufficient for full process representation. All other variables are stored in a secondary variable set for possible future transfer to the primary set, if needed, for the process model. As processes change in time, significant secondary variables are automatically transferred by the system to the primary set and insignificant primary variables are transferred to the secondary set. An interactive local and global optimization process is implemented.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented for five-axis NC milling process simulation and dimensional verification. An algorithm is utilized which employs a dexel representation of the workpiece and milling tool to reduce the complexity of the solid representation and associated Boolean operations. This representation is exploited to obtain high computational efficiency which affords real-time visual verification of milling processes. Simulation is presented as animated images while a unique discrete dexel verification algorithm simultaneously performs calculations of milling error between the emerging workpiece and actual design surfaces. Milling errors are depicted by levels of color on the milled workpiece. The verification result precisely reveals the quality of the tool paths in a realistic depiction of the actual process, which is helpful for determining tool path modifications and additional finishing processes.