Abstract: An automated method for recycling mixed colored cullet glass (i.e., broken pieces of glass of mixed colors and types) into new glass products. A computer controlled process identifies the virgin glass raw materials, the desired target glass properties, the composition of a batch of mixed colored cullet, and the quantity of cullet to be used in the glass melt, and the computer controlled process automatically determines the proper amounts of raw materials to add to the batch of mixed colored cullet so that recycled glass is produced having the desired coloring oxides, redox agents, and glass structural oxides in the proper proportion. The recycled glass is then used to make glass products such as beer bottles.

Abstract: A system and method for trim optimization comprising a database. The database comprises information concerning widths of specific machines of manufacturers, widths of the orders and remaining space required to be filled on the machines at a given time. The database further comprises specifications of products to be manufactured on the specific machines and specifications of the orders.

Abstract: Method of measuring and/or controlling flatness during rolling. The flatness deviation is measured and expressed using orthogonal polynomials. A controlled variable is generated using an Internal Mode Control by comparing the expressed deviation with values of orthogonal polynomials supplied by a model. The comparison provides a control difference to control variables that influence bending, pivoting and axial displacement of the rolls and by multizone cooling.

Abstract: A correction apparatus 1 comprises a correction amount setting section 3 and a correction execution section 4 and provides in an NC lathe 100 equipped with a first tool rest 106 and a second tool rest 108 which are movable in the X-axis direction and in the Z-axis direction. The correction amount setting section 3 sets correction amounts for canceling the displacement of the second tool rest 108 in the X-axis direction caused depending on the position of the first tool rest 106 in the Z-axis direction and for canceling the displacement of the first tool rest 106 in the X-axis direction caused depending on the position of the second tool rest 108 in the Z-axis direction. The correction execution section 4 corrects movement target position data regarding the first tool rest 106 and the second tool rest 108 in the X-axis direction on the basis of the correction amounts.

Abstract: A method and structure for using a materials requirements planning (MRP) tool is disclosed. The invention runs a simulation using a MRP tool for at least one preselected component to produce simulated order levels for a preselected component. The invention then identifies deviations of the simulated order levels from the historical order levels for the preselected component. Next, the invention analyzes the MRP tool to determine whether the deviations are appropriate or are errors. The invention corrects the MRP tool to correct for errors and runs the MRP tool after correcting.

Abstract: Improved methods for performing thermal annealing of objects, such as wafers of integrated circuits (ICs), employ a scanning continuous wave laser beam. The annealing time is dependent upon the beam intensity, the beam spot size, the beam shape, and the beam dwell time, which can be effectively controlled by varying the scanning speed. A variety of different scan patterns can be used. Because the entire wafer is thermally processed by a continuously moving laser beam, annealing throughput is significantly improved over methods utilizing a stepping laser beam.

Abstract: A method for monitoring and assessing operation of a semiconductor fabrication facility comprises the steps of connecting a monitoring and assessment system to a system bus which is connected directly or indirectly to a manufacturing execution system and a plurality of semiconductor fabrication tools. Through a user interface, the state models can be configured for the semiconductor fabrication tools where each state model is based upon a set of defined triggers for each tool. During monitoring various messages are transmitted on the system bus between the semiconductor fabrication tools and the manufacturing execution system and the monitoring and assessment system, and appropriate triggers are generated based upon the messages where the triggers are selected from a set of defined triggers. During operation, the state models are updated for each tool affected by one of the triggers and transitions within the state models are recorded in a tracking database.

Abstract: A protection device includes a measurement device and a downstream evaluation device. The evaluation device is a unit for early short-circuit identification which actuates a semiconductor switch, which is preferably produced based on silicon carbide. The unit for early short-circuit identification preferably operates with switching thresholds which can be predetermined for the product of the current and the current rate of change, or on the basis of tolerant locus curves. In the latter case, different power factors (0.1<cos100 <0.9) are used in the locus curves in a locus curve representation of the current and current rate of change. The semiconductor switch preferably contains two back-to-back series-connected switching elements based on silicon carbide.

Abstract: A method, a device, and a corresponding system for controlling a discrete production process produce or process in a number of production steps. Each step uses a machine, so that different intermediate products are produced. Buffer times are defined and taken into account during which one machine is able to continue to operate for the duration of the failure of one of the machines of a preceding production step by processing a stock of intermediate products corresponding to the associated buffer time and stored in a buffer during the production. In this case, production data are acquired continuously for each machine and, with access to these production data, statistically averaged repair times MTTRi (Mean Time to Repair) are calculated cyclically by using a MTTR calculator. Based on these times MTTRi, buffer times are calculated by using a TP calculator and are fed to a device for controlling the production process as desired values for buffer times.

Abstract: A system for and method of determining a formulation for an animal feed having a customized nucleic acid material content. The system can include an animal profile, an animal nutrient requirement profile, an evaluation criteria, and/or ingredient nutrient content profiles. The information contained in the profiles and criteria can be used to calculate a formulation having a desirable nucleic acid material content. The optimized nucleic acid material content can be used to maximize satisfaction of an evaluation criteria.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to rapid informational prototypes of three-dimensional objects and systems having three or more dimensions, wherein the informational prototype includes information beyond outer physical shape, such as stress contours, thermal gradients, internal structures and elements, and elements varying with time. One preferred manner for indicating information is through the use of differently colored regions in the prototype. According to a rapid prototyping method of the present invention, a series of slices through the object or system are defined by an ordinal number, overall contour information for describing shape of the slice in an X-Y plane, slice thickness information for describing thickness of the slice in a Z direction, and slice image information for providing useful information other than the overall contour information, preferably through color images.

Abstract: A control system enables a press operator to selectively position the slide at a specific resting location corresponding to an absolute dimension of the slide travel path, such as an angular measure relative to the top dead center position of the press machine crankshaft. A programmable limit switch module manages the operation of a brake-clutch combination by commanding a clutch control circuit to actuate disengagement of the clutch at the proper moment so that the slide will subsequently come to rest at the selected resting location. The module includes a programmable limit switch connected to a press speed resolver and a dedicated on-board processor configured to receive the speed data. The processor collects the speed data using a polling operation having very low scan time.

Abstract: A technique that is usable with a fuel cell stack includes providing a fuel flow to the stack, changing the fuel flow and observing a response of at least one cell voltage of the stack to the change in the fuel flow. An efficiency of the stack is regulated based on the observation.

Abstract: A system for estimating energy cost savings during curtailment periods, for example, determines an estimated temperature in the zone during the period of interest as if the thermostat were set at a temperature different than the actual set point temperature. By determining a difference in the estimated temperature in the zone and the actual temperature over time, the amount of energy savings can be estimated. Applying real time energy cost data to the estimated energy savings provides a real time estimation of actual cost savings during a selected period. The inventive estimation technique includes determining an equilibrium condition for the zone as part of the estimation process.

Abstract: CMP systems and methods implement instructions for moving a polishing pad relative to a wafer and a retainer ring and for applying pressure for CMP operations. Feedback of polishing pad position is coordinated with determinations of desired inputs of variable forces by which changing areas of the wafer, a pad conditioning puck, and the retainer ring are separately urged into contact with the polishing pad so that the pressure on each such area is separately controlled. Processing workload is evaluated according to criteria related to the characteristics of the instructions. If none of the criteria is exceeded, a central CMP processor is used for the processing. If any of the criteria is exceeded, the force determinations are made separately from the central CMP processor by a force controller, and the central processor manages data transfer to the force controller.

Abstract: A CAD supporting apparatus supports an assembling of an assembly by a CAD for assembling an assembly constituted of a plurality of components, which creates a geometry of objects, in cooperation with the CAD.

Abstract: A system and method for managing welding procedures is provided. The invention includes a welding system, a local server and/or a remote system. The invention further provides for searching of the welding system, local server and/or remote system for potentially suitable welding procedure(s). The invention further provides for dynamic creation of welding procedure(s) based upon user input, information stored on the welding system, a local area network and/or a remote system. The invention also includes filtering of the search results based at least in part upon commonality of consumables. The invention further includes calculation of weld costs for potentially suitable welding procedure(s). The invention further provides for communication with an inventory & distribution system and/or ordering system in order to facilitate further automation of the industrial environment.

Abstract: A software program for analyzing an embroidery design of stitches which design will be used by an embroidery machine to create an embroidered fabric. Grid software divides the embroidery design to be analyzed into a plurality of grid sections. Identifying software identifies each grid section having a stitch which is partially or completely underlying another stitch. Modification software removes underlying stitches or a portion thereof in each identified grid section. The size of each grid section may be increased or decreased in proportion to a stretch of the thread to be used to create the embroidered fabric.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process and means for identifying opportunities for improvement in assembly line production that overcomes the problem of overlooking opportunities for improvement. Six sigma techniques are used to identify these opportunities. The process includes collecting time data accurately representing operations in an assembly line; conducting a capability analysis of the data collected to identify opportunities for improving operations; identifying changes in operations based on this analysis; and implementing such changes into operations to produce improved assembly line performance. Capability analysis of the data using statistical techniques is a more rigorous and thorough approach than traditional assembly line optimization techniques. The present invention targets opportunities for improvement that would otherwise be overlooked.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for a datamining service vendor to provide subscribing power customers with electrical consumption data services. The system and method provide a mechanism by which electrical consumption is measured at the point of consumption over incremental periods of time. Customers can subscribe to a datamining service vendor which monitors and collects customer electrical consumption data at each addressed location within the customer's electrical network and provides the customer with a detailed report of power consumption statistics and trends. This allows the customer to make informed consumption choices resulting in cost savings to the customer and conservation of power generation resources.