Abstract: A computer-implemented decision-support tool serves as a solver to generate a projected supply planning (PSP) or estimated supply planning (ESP) match between existing assets and demands across multiple manufacturing facilities within the boundaries established by the manufacturing specifications and process flows and business policies to determine what supply can be provided over what time-frame by manufacturing and establishes a set of actions or guidelines for manufacturing to incorporate into their manufacturing execution system to ensure that the delivery commitments are met in a timely fashion. The PSP or ESP tool resides within a data provider tool that pulls the required production and distribution information. PSP matching is driven directly by user-supplied guidelines on how to flow or flush assets "forward" to some inventory or holding point. After the supply plan is created, the analyst compares this plan against an expected demand profile.

Abstract: A control unit for controlling a load is provided with a durable-time diagnosing device for generating integrated count data by integrating an operating time of the load, and for generating warning data for notification when the integrated count data has reached the durable time, and concurrently generating an interrupt command for prompting processing for stopping the driving of the load which approached a limit of its life. A notification is given to the effect that the load has approached a limit of its life when the integrated time has reached a durable time set in advance concerning the load. A method of predicting a failure of a load using the control units and a load controlling system using the control units are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-purpose controller for variables which closely controls such variables to set point by making sequential corrections to the level of input to the system of the variable based on: system response time, relationship of controller output to the variable, deviation of the variable from set point, and change in system load as determined by change in error and change in system input. The controller has a self tuning capability and can provide generation of the set point according to a set of variable parameters. It can be configured as a stand alone controller, as an intelligent Input/Output device for another intelligent device, or be resident in another intelligent device such as a programmable controller, computer or other microprocessor based device.

Abstract: A process device couples to a process control loop. The process device receives process signals. A memory in the process device contains a nominal parameter value and a rule. Computing circuitry calculates a statistical parameter of the process signal and operates on the statistical parameter and the stored nominal value based upon the stored rule and responsively provides an event output based upon the operation. Output circuitry provides an output in response to the event output.

Abstract: A substrate transport apparatus comprising a robot transport arm and a substrate aligner located on the robot transport arm.

Abstract: The apparatus may be used with printing apparatus in which a media spreading member, such as a squeegee, moves relative to a surface, causing printing medium to be moved across said surface. The printing medium can be electrical solder paste and the surface can be a stencil. The apparatus is used for measuring linking parameters that are related to mechanical properties of the printing medium and the printing environment, such as viscosity and coefficient of friction. The apparatus comprises means for measuring a machine parameter that represents the force experienced by the media spreading member and means for resolving the measured force parameter into components equivalent to two orthogonal components, typically normal to the surface and tangential to it in the direction of relative motion. The apparatus also includes means for measuring a machine parameter that represents the velocity of the media spreading member relative to the surface.

Abstract: A programmable furniture texturing robotic system includes a programmable multiaxis robot fixed to a support frame and a table fixed to a support frame such that they form an integrated unit and the programmable multiaxis robot has a furniture texturing tool unit attached to the end of the robot arm. The furniture texturing tool unit is attachable to and detachable from the arm of the robot and is either a furniture chattering tool unit or a furniture distressing multitool turret. The furniture chattering tool unit has a circular saw blade which produces surface chatter marks when it is dragged across the surface of a furniture part. The furniture distressing tool unit has a plurality of furniture distressing tools, each of which produce a plurality of furniture distress marks including simulated wood rot, worm holes, hatchet marks, rock marks, wood split marks, crooked vein lines, and cigarette burn marks.

Abstract: In the wafer producing apparatus of this invention, wafers each obtained by a slicing operation of a plurality of slicing devices are transported to a common finishing device by a transport device for chamfering. When the wafer is transferred to the transport device, an identification signal for identifying the slicing device by which the wafer is obtained is stored in an identification signal storage device. When the wafer is transferred from the transport device to the finishing device, the identification signal stored in the identification signal storage device is transmitted on a finish control device. Upon completion of the chamfering operation to the wafer by the finishing device, the finish control device controls the finishing device to allow the wafer to be stored in one of a plurality of wafer storage cassettes corresponding to the inputted identification signal.

Abstract: An intelligent sheet metal bending system is disclosed, having a cooperative generative planning system. A planning module interacts with several expert modules to develop a bending plan. The planning module utilizes a state-space search algorithm. Computerized methods are provided for selecting a robot gripper and a repo gripper, and for determining the optimal placement of such grippers as they are holding a workpiece being formed by the bending apparatus. Computerized methods are provided for selecting tooling to be used by the bending apparatus, and for determining a tooling stage layout. An operations planning method is provided which allows the bending apparatus to be set up concurrently while time-consuming calculations, such as motion planning, are performed. An additional method or system is provided for positioning tooling stages by using a backgage guide member which guides placement of a tooling stage along the die rail of the bending apparatus.

Abstract: A CAD/CAM system arranged so that a re-creation processing for a cutter path is automatically executed by a CAM system when a curved surface is modified by a CAD system. Functions for the cutter path re-creation processing are provided by utilizing a customizing function of the CAD system. In executing computation for the cutter path and in originating NC data, references for assigning the functions are previously set for the curved surface. When the shape of the curved surface is modified on the CAD side after the NC data has been created, the CAM is invoked to invoke the aforesaid functions. Perceiving this invocation, the CAM executes the cutter path re-creation processing by using machining condition data set for the unmodified curved surface, on the basis of the invoked functions. Thus, the cutter path for the modified curved surface is created immediately by the CAM when the curved surface is modified by the CAD.

Abstract: An adjustable filter for a computing system having memory error detecting and correcting features selectively masks user-specified errors, thereby preventing storage of such errors in a control and status register (CSR). The invention includes a command and data register 102; a CSR 103; an error detecting and correcting circuit 108, including a check bit generator 108a, an error detecting circuit 108b, and an error correcting circuit 108c; a memory module 114; and filter logic 300. The contents of a filter control register 220 of the CSR 103 operate to specify a particular error which is to be "filtered". The filter logic 300 includes a plurality of logic gates that compare the user-specified signals stored in the register 220 with error-related signals reported by the error detecting circuit 108b. If the signals match, information associated with the detected error is prevented from being stored in the CSR 103.

Abstract: A high-speed personalization machine has a portable object transfer device for transporting objects that incorporate an integrated circuit which contains at least one memory. The machine has a turning plate whose axis of rotation is inclined or parallel with respect to a transfer line and the plate is equipped with a number of connecting devices and an electronic card that is associated with each connecting device. Each electronic card is connected to a computerized management system and is arranged radially with respect to the turning plate so that the computerized personalization management system makes it possible to manage personalization of all of the cards.

Abstract: A moveable label printer-applicator/conveyor loader assembly for loading articles onto a conveyor comprises a frame mounted for movement along a conveyor path and a controller. The controller receives data from a host computer which specifies an article to be selected and actuates a drive motor to move the assembly to the selected bin location. The quantity of articles to be picked is displayed to an operator via a CRT display. Sensors detect the profile of articles loaded onto the conveyor and transmit this data to the controller. After the controller verifies that the correct article has been selected, a labeler prints and applies a label to each article.

Abstract: The apparatus, such as a photographic sheet material processing apparatus, comprises a plurality of operating components selected from output operating components such as a pump (22), a solenoid (30), a heater (25), an electrolysis cell (54), a fan (92), and a drive motor (96), and input operating components, such as a liquid level sensor (24). Operatively linked to these components is a CPU (100), containing information concerning a desired operating sequence for the apparatus, in the form of functional instructions independent of the characteristics of the operating components. Information concerning characteristics of each component is stored in separate memory means (122, 124, . . . etc.). Means (122, 124, . . . etc.) are provided for converting the functional instructions into physical instructions to operate the operating components.

Abstract: A mailing list is created including destination addresses for mailpieces to be submitted to a carrier service for delivery. A unique mailpiece identifier associated with mailpieces on the mailing list is generated by the carrier or other trusted third party. The unique mailpiece identifier is printed on the mailpiece with which it is associated. The mailpieces with the printed unique identifier are submitted to the carrier service. The carrier service obtains the printed unique identifier from the mailpiece. The obtained unique identifier from each said mailpiece is utilized to verify that data associated with the mailpiece has been processed by the carrier or trusted third party. When the unique number has been obtained from the mailpieces, the carrier service, if desired, may note this fact in the carrier records to prevent reuse of the unique identifier.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for controlling physical distribution pallets, by which it is possible to accurately identify status of pallets, to set up an adequate forwarding plan of pallets, and to accomplish physical distribution in smooth manner. The system comprises wireless detecting means 22 mounted on pallets and for detecting pallet control information transmitted from transmitting means 21 which stores pallet control information of said pallet and transmits in wireless, pallet stock data storage means 23 for receiving and storing the pallet control information detected by the wireless detecting means via a wide area communication network, and pallet status judging means 24 for judging whether the pallet stored in memory of the pallet stock data storage means is empty or not based on the pallet control information of said pallet.

Abstract: A method and system for producing a three-dimensional image of a person's head and the relief produced by the process. The method may be used for producing a three dimensional charm or pendant of a person's face, a three dimensional model of a person's head, a precision formed mold for casting, glass blowing, plastic injection, blow molding, extrusion, thermo forming, manufacturing liquid containers and machine molds for die stamping. A 3-D scanner moving linearly, employs an advanced optical range-finding technique in which a safe, low powered laser projects a vertical plane of light onto a stationary subject to be digitized. The digitized measurements are converted to provide the appropriate milling program. The digitizer then transfers the measurements onto a database on a graphic work station for immediate viewing and editing.

Abstract: A programmed temperature controller including a difference detector which detects a temperature difference .DELTA.T between a quick-response temperature TC2 and a slow-response temperature TC3 at a quickly-responding portion and a slowly-responding portion of a workpiece (e.g., on the surface and core portions thereof). Also included is a comparator which compares the temperature difference .DELTA.T against an allowable difference limit preset by a difference setter. When the temperature difference .DELTA.t is found to be outside the allowable difference limit, a slope operator is actuated by the comparator, so as to calculate a slope of temperature change with respect to time of a program pattern PP which keeps the temperature difference .DELTA.t within the allowable limit. The above-mentioned slope in the program pattern PP is modified to the calculated value, and the temperature difference .DELTA.T is maintained within the allowable difference limit.

Abstract: A method of the invention detects a machining load acting on a tool during a machining process, estimates abrasion amount of the tool based on the machining load and a tool abrasion characteristic registered in advance in a memory, and changes automatically tool position compensation amount based on the tool abrasion. The estimating computation of tool abrasion amount is performed by, for example, obtaining in advance a tool abrasion coefficient based on tool abrasion amount per unit time when a main spindle load current value is taken as a reference machining current value, and integrating for a machining time the product of a ratio of a main spindle load current value during an actual machining process to the reference current value and said tool abrasion coefficient.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products synchronize product fabrication schedules with supplier schedules. A fabrication schedule is obtained from a fabricator data processing system, and supplier schedules are obtained from respective supplier data processing systems. Restrictive links are established between the fabrication schedule and the supplier schedules. Each restrictive link defines the supplier that will perform a work stage, and can also define the starting and ending times for both fabrication and supplier schedules. Float time preceding a selected activity starting time is assigned and utilized to absorb delays in completing activities preceding the selected activity. A computer based product catalog system automatically distributes and updates product information.