Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for managing and distributing design and manufacturing information throughout a factory in order to facilitate the production of components, such as bent sheet metal components. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the management and distribution of critical design and manufacturing information is achieved by storing and distributing the design and manufacturing information associated with each job. By replacing the traditional paper job set-up or work sheet with, for example, an electronically stored job sheet that can be accessed instantaneously from any location in the factory, the present invention improves the overall efficiency of the factory. In addition, through the various aspects and features of the invention, the organization and accessibility of part information and stored expert knowledge is improved.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling the flow of wafer lots in a semiconductor fabrication facility having multiple storage locations and a fabrication facility employing such techniques are provided. A process and system for controlling the flow of wafer lots within a semiconductor fabrication facility, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, includes determining a first storage location for a wafer lot, determining, prior to moving the wafer lot, an availability condition of the first storage location based on a condition level of the first storage location and a priority of the wafer lot, and storing the wafer lot in the storage location if the location is available and storing the wafer lot in an alternate location if the storage location is unavailable. The storage location may, for example, be a stocker.

Abstract: A strip thickness control method in a twin roll strip casting device having a fixed roll and a horizontally movable roll, the method including the steps of: measuring a movement value Gj(&thgr;) of journals of the fixed and movable rolls and a movement value Gg(&thgr;+&pgr;) of barrels of the rolls; predicting a movement value Mfcr(&thgr;) of a roll nip of the fixed roll and a movement value Mmer(&thgr;) of a roll nip of the movable roll from the movement values Gj(&thgr;) and Gg(&thgr;+&pgr;); calculating a difference value between the movement values Mfcr(&thgr;) and Mmcr(&thgr;) to obtain an amount of variation Mdiff(&thgr;) of a gap between the fixed and movable rolls; and controlling thickness of a strip to minimize the amount of variation Mdiff(&thgr;) of the gap between the rolls.

Abstract: A paperless tablet automation apparatus and method which utilizes a plurality of portable computer tablets assigned to operators, a central server wirelessly communicating with the tablets, and one or more transceivers connected to the server. The server maintains a plurality of databases. The tablets are in wireless communication with the server through the transceivers. Information for a plurality of jobs assigned to a plurality of operators is collected, processed, stored and accessed. Job information is stored for the plurality of jobs on the server. A tablet is allocated to each operator. At least one of the jobs is assigned to an assigned operator. The operator accesses job information for the job using the allocated tablet. Manufacturing information for each of the jobs is entered by the operator on the allocated tablet and collected, stored and processed on the server.

Abstract: A rodent control device generates a pulsating, interrupted electromagnetic field via one or more coil(s) and induces it onto the power line wiring in a building via core(s) linked to the coil(s). The rodent control device circuit is microprocessor controlled which allows automatic sensing of line voltage cycle rates and precise control of coil switching circuitry. The coil(s) are connected to the microprocessor to provide a coil monitoring signal via which the microprocessor detects abnormalities in the coil(s) such as shorts or open circuits. Upon detection of such an abnormality, the microprocessor shuts off control signals to the coil and to an LED indicator until a normal coil condition is sensed. The microprocessor also provides a timed rest signal for shutting down the device for, for example, 2 minutes out of every 6 minute period as a power saving feature.

Abstract: The invention is a unit for pneumatically controlling the position of a workpiece relative to a predetermined workpiece configuration, comprising an enclosure, a minimum of one measuring nozzle for a gaseous pressure medium, which measuring nozzle is located in a contact surface a workpiece fixture. A pressure supply line is connected to the measuring nozzle via pressure lines. Separate adjoining modular enclosure components are detachably connected to one another and each is fitted with a connection leading to measuring nozzle. A first enclosure end cover can be connected to a pressure supply unit and a second enclosure end cover is located at a distance from the first enclosure end cover. The first enclosure end cover, the modular enclosure components that adjoin the first enclosure end cover, and the second enclosure end cover that adjoins the modular enclosure components form the overall enclosure 68.

Abstract: An interactive system involves a machine tool and an operator of the machine tool comprising a controller. The controller is formed of a central processing unit and a control panel connected with the central processing unit. The interactive system comprises a storage unit connected with the central processing unit and composed of a public data area and a program data area, a profile path editor disposed in the central processing unit and connected with the storage unit for converting a workpiece profile coordinate into an actual workpiece profile path pattern and a path program, and a pattern interface unit connected with the central processing unit and the storage unit for transmitting a signal from the central processing unit to the operator in the form of a pattern, so as to guide the operator to enter a finishing condition to actuate the controller to bring about a control signal to regulate the finishing operation of the machine tool.

Abstract: A numerically controlled machine tool which allows the automatic generation of a restoring program for carrying out processing required for the resumption of an NC machining program to resume the execution of the NC machining program after the execution of the NC machining program has been stopped and interrupt processing has been performed. Specifically, even for nesting programs, when the machining program is re-executed from where it had stopped after the execution of the machining program has stopped and the operator has performed optional interrupt processing, the stop-time and re-execution-time machine statuses are compared to automatically generate the restoring program so that the machine status may be returned to the stop-time status, whereby the operator can perform the resumption processing of the machining program without any restrictions.

Abstract: A semiconductor manufacturing system having a high processing efficiency and a high product output includes a processing device for simultaneously processing a prescribed number of lots for which it is reserved, and a semiconductor manufacturing system control device connected to the processing device for managing the manufacturing steps.

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.

Abstract: A production management system performs progress management of working steps applied on a workpiece in accordance with a working step flow for manufacturing a product. The production management system comprises a comment storing device for storing a comment having contents relating to a specified working step in the working step flow, an address storing device for storing address information relating to an author of the comment, and a transmitting device for, when it is confirmed that the workpiece has arrived at the specified working step, transmitting predetermined information to an address obtained from the address information stored in the address storing device.

Abstract: A method of designing an outer air seal for the turbine blades of a gas turbine engine utilizes a knowledge-based product model software program for generating a parametric, three-dimensional, geometric model of the air seal. The product model software program is embodied in a knowledge-based engineering system. The model is created by the program through user selection of various structural feature options available for the air seal. The product model software program uses its internal knowledge base of configuration dependent parameter relationships and rules to design the model. Various types of analyses may then be run to validate the model. The model may be changed, if necessary, as a result of the analyses. The air seal model output from the product model software program is in a file format that defines the topology and dimensions of the geometry of the air seal.

Abstract: A facilities management system is subdivided into a plurality of subsystems. The performance of the system is monitored by producing data which denotes a plurality of operational parameters for each of the subsystems. From that data, a global performance index is derived for each subsystem, thus providing an indication of each subsystem's performance. The global performance indices are employed to produce a universal performance index for the entire facilities management system. This provides a hierarchy of data which enables an operator to quickly determine the overall performance of the facilities management system and each subsystem, and if warranted the operator can step through the data to identify malfunctioning components.

Abstract: An apparatus for the control of a machine tool includes, for the processing of a workpiece, several separate processing units that can execute definite tasks simultaneously and independently of one another. Furthermore, a display unit, as well as at least one assigned input unit, is provided. On the display unit side at least one display window, which can be activated selectively and in which corresponding information can be presented visually, is assigned to each processing unit. The display window active at the moment is thus shown uncovered and/or marked for emphasis.

Abstract: A method of remotely manufacturing a cover for an article, such as a piece of upholstered furniture includes the steps of: ascertaining dimensional data of the article, and relating the data to individual portions of the article, determining a group of physically inter-related templates associated with these individual portions. Each template is definable on a plane of co-oridinates and is derived from a series of mathematical functions evaluated using this data, and using each template to form a corresponding cover piece and joining the cover pieces to form the cover for the furniture article.

Abstract: An embroidery stitch data producing device with two-way data transmission function is disclosed, wherein a first embroidery stitch data producing part A comprises a connecting means 6, a control means 7, an image data memory 2, a stitch data producing means 3 and a stitch data memory 4, while a second embroidery stitch data producing part B comprises a second image data memory 51, a stitch data producing/compiling means 52 and a second stitch data memory 53. The image data memory 2, the stitch data producing means 3 and the stitch data memory 4 may be connected through the connecting means 6 to the second image data memory 51, the stitch data producing/compiling means 52 and the second stitch data memory 53 so that the data may be exchanged therebetween so as to be variously converted for optional embroider stitching.

Abstract: An in-system programmable (ISP) system can be programmed by remote access from a host programming system. The remote access can be accomplished over a wired data network, a wireless data network, a radio channel, or any combination of the above. In the ISP system, an ISP controller receives control and programming data through the access interface to program ISP devices in accordance with ISP programming conventions. The ISP controller can be provided by an integrated circuit having a microprocessor core.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for decreasing the time and expense needed to design, develop, and manufacture a new or modified microlithography exposure apparatus, and for enabling the transfer precision of the various kinetic systems of the apparatus to be accurately estimated before having to actually fabricate and assemble the apparatus. The method comprises generating an overall computer-simulation model of the kinetic system of the apparatus. The model includes characteristic data (e.g., vibration transmission characteristics) of the mechanical assemblies comprising the kinetic system, the mechanical assemblies including the reticle and wafer stages as well as columns for supporting the stages. The model also includes characteristic data of the control system of the kinetic system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved servomechanism for regulating the spark gap in micro electrical discharge machining (micro-EDM). The present invention utilizes a hybrid two actuator servo system for positioning the micro-EDM electrode. The hybrid system comprises a fast, easily controllable, short stroke actuator (such as a piezoelectric actuator) for good instantaneous response, and a second, slower actuator for positioning the fast actuator and for providing the required long stroke. This allows the slower actuator to “feed” the electrode into the work-piece utilizing its long stroke, and the fast, short stroke actuator to respond quickly to instantaneous variations in the spark gap, such as short circuits.

Abstract: A generic process control routine for a process control system is written to include alias names and dynamic reference parameters. Before execution of a process control function on a particular unit of the process control system, an instance of the generic routine is created, in which the alias names are replaced by parameters defined in an alias resolution table for the particular unit. The controller then executes the instantiated version of the generic routine to control operation of the unit. The generic routine can have multiple algorithms associated therewith, wherein each of the algorithms is designed to control different units having somewhat different hardware, even though these different units perform essentially the same function within the process control system. The generic routine may also be used with multiple classes of hardware that perform different functions within the process control system.