Abstract: A modular shipping container includes a layer of two side pieces positioned against sides of a component of several components with a same width. The side piece include pegs protruding from a top of each side piece and bottom openings in a bottom of each side piece sized and positioned to conform to the pegs. The container includes one or more end pieces on the same layer as the side pieces. Each end of the end piece is shaped to attach to an end of a side piece and is shaped to maintain a width between the side pieces. A length of an area formed by the side pieces and end pieces is sized to accommodate a maximum length of each component. The components have a height that is an integer number of standard units and a height of the side pieces matches an integral number of the standard units.

Abstract: A modular shipping container includes a layer of two side pieces positioned against sides of a component of several components with a same width. The side piece include pegs protruding from a top of each side piece and bottom openings in a bottom of each side piece sized and positioned to conform to the pegs. The container includes one or more end pieces on the same layer as the side pieces. Each end of the end piece is shaped to attach to an end of a side piece and is shaped to maintain a width between the side pieces. A length of an area formed by the side pieces and end pieces is sized to accommodate a maximum length of each component. The components have a height that is an integer number of standard units and a height of the side pieces matches an integral number of the standard units.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of determining and assigning ownership of a bill of material (BOM) and/or a part number (PN) is provided. The computer-implemented method includes determining whether elements affected by an engineering change (EC) are BOMs or PNs, compiling the BOMs and PNs into respective lists of BOMs and PNs and setting each of the BOMs and PNs in the respective lists as top BOMs or top PNs if a parent BOM does not exist, setting each parent BOM and each PN to which attribute rules are inapplicable as top BOMs or top PNs. The computer-implemented method further includes assigning the top BOMs and the top PNs if no assignments of ownership exist, executing recursive logic with respect to each top BOM to identify child BOMs and PNs and assigning ownership to the identified child BOMs and PNs if no assignment of ownership exists.

Abstract: An intelligent load control device is provided for operable incorporation in an object. The intelligent load control device includes devices disposed about the object to detect characteristics thereof that are relevant to an object tipping event, a response system, and a processing unit. The response system is configured to take an action to mitigate risks associated with the object tipping event responsive to received control instructions. The processing unit is disposed to be receptive of the detected characteristics from the devices and to issue the control instructions to the response system. The processing unit is configured to dynamically analyze the detected characteristics to determine a likelihood of the object tipping event and to issue the control instructions in accordance with the determined likelihood.

Abstract: Adjustable pallets are provided which include a deck to support a product for shipping. The deck is selectively positionable in a raised position, as a horizontal support surface for the product, and in a lowered position, closer, at least in part, to a floor to facilitate loading the product on or unloading the product from the pallet. Further, the adjustable pallet includes a movable support, the movable support includes an inclined plane. The deck rests on the movable support in the raised position, and the deck traverses, at least in part, the inclined plane of the movable support when the deck is transitioned between the raised position and the lowered position.

Abstract: A system and a method for stability measurement and optimization are provided. For example, the method includes loading an object onto a tilting device that includes one or more sensor devices, collecting resting corner weight values from the one or more sensor devices, tilting the object using the tilting device, collecting tilted corner weight values from the one or more sensor devices while tilting the object using the tilting device, calculating, using a data processor of the tilting device, a center of gravity value based on the resting corner weight values, the tilted corner weight values, and dimensions of the object, generating, using the data processor, a tipping angle based on at least the center of gravity value and the dimensions of the object, and generating, using the data processor, a recommendation to adjust the tipping angle.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present routing returned inventory assets and provide a method, system and computer program product for routing items in a manufacturing environment. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for routing items in a manufacturing environment can be provided. The method can include defining attributes of work pools in the manufacturing environment, defining a set of reuse strategies for use in the manufacturing environment, receiving a returned inventory asset in the manufacturing environment and obtaining at least one attribute of the returned inventory asset, comparing the obtained at least one attribute of the returned inventory asset to the set of reuse strategies to select the reuse strategy to apply to the returned inventory asset and applying the selected reuse strategy to the returned inventory asset to assign the returned inventory asset to one of the work pools in the manufacturing environment.

Abstract: An intelligent load control device is provided for operable incorporation in an object. The intelligent load control device includes devices disposed about the object to detect characteristics thereof that are relevant to an object tipping event, a response system, and a processing unit. The response system is configured to take an action to mitigate risks associated with the object tipping event responsive to received control instructions. The processing unit is disposed to be receptive of the detected characteristics from the devices and to issue the control instructions to the response system. The processing unit is configured to dynamically analyze the detected characteristics to determine a likelihood of the object tipping event and to issue the control instructions in accordance with the determined likelihood.

Abstract: An intelligent load control device is provided for operable incorporation in an object. The intelligent load control device includes devices disposed about the object to detect characteristics thereof that are relevant to an object tipping event, a response system, and a processing unit. The response system is configured to take an action to mitigate risks associated with the object tipping event responsive to received control instructions. The processing unit is disposed to be receptive of the detected characteristics from the devices and to issue the control instructions to the response system. The processing unit is configured to dynamically analyze the detected characteristics to determine a likelihood of the object tipping event and to issue the control instructions in accordance with the determined likelihood.

Abstract: An intelligent load control device is provided for operable incorporation in an object. The intelligent load control device includes devices disposed about the object to detect characteristics thereof that are relevant to an object tipping event, a response system, and a processing unit. The response system is configured to take an action to mitigate risks associated with the object tipping event responsive to received control instructions. The processing unit is disposed to be receptive of the detected characteristics from the devices and to issue the control instructions to the response system. The processing unit is configured to dynamically analyze the detected characteristics to determine a likelihood of the object tipping event and to issue the control instructions in accordance with the determined likelihood.

Abstract: A system and a method for stability measurement and optimization are provided. For example, the method includes loading an object onto a tilting device that includes one or more sensor devices, collecting resting corner weight values from the one or more sensor devices, tilting the object using the tilting device, collecting tilted corner weight values from the one or more sensor devices while tilting the object using the tilting device, calculating, using a data processor of the tilting device, a center of gravity value based on the resting corner weight values, the tilted corner weight values, and dimensions of the object, generating, using the data processor, a tipping angle based on at least the center of gravity value and the dimensions of the object, and generating, using the data processor, a recommendation to adjust the tipping angle.

Abstract: An informational label apparatus for a product component includes a base affixable to a product component. A first portion of labelling information located at the product component is viewable through the base. A door operably connected to the base includes a second portion of labelling information. The first portion of labelling information is hidden from view when the door is in a closed position, and is viewable when the door is at an opened position. A component of a computer machine includes an electronic component including component identification information affixed thereto. A cover is secured over the component identification information and includes a base secured to the electronic component. A door operably connected to the base includes computer machine identification information. The component identification information is hidden from view when the door is at a closed position, and is viewable when the door is at an opened position.

Abstract: An informational label apparatus for a product component includes a base affixable to a product component. A first portion of labelling information located at the product component is viewable through the base. A door operably connected to the base includes a second portion of labelling information. The first portion of labelling information is hidden from view when the door is in a closed position, and is viewable when the door is at an opened position. A component of a computer machine includes an electronic component including component identification information affixed thereto. A cover is secured over the component identification information and includes a base secured to the electronic component. A door operably connected to the base includes computer machine identification information. The component identification information is hidden from view when the door is at a closed position, and is viewable when the door is at an opened position.

Abstract: A novel and non-obvious method, system and apparatus for controlling inventory stocking and usage based on part attributes. A method for controlling inventory stocking and usage based on part attributes that can include establishing a stock footprint, which maps stocking locations to attributes on a part, establishing a usage strategy, which maps a prioritized list of attributes to a part request order type, establishing a usage characteristic set, which maps a set of usage characteristics to the usage strategy, receiving a request order, and, applying the established usage strategy to the received request order based on matching a characteristic set of the received request order with the usage characteristic set of the established usage strategy.

Abstract: Automated techniques for identifying packaging solutions, where a dynamic, automated decision is made as to whether items are to be bulk packed and/or whether particular containers are to be bulk cased (that is, consolidated within casing such as pallets). Factors considered may comprise customer-specific requests, order destination, type of items, quantity of items, size of items, quantity of grouped orders, size of grouped orders, and so forth. Orders may contain items that are alike as well as items that are different from one another. A particular order or orders may be assembled as the items of the order(s) arrive for packaging, without requiring a fixed timing or sequence of item arrival, thereby providing a dynamic, real-time packaging solution.

Abstract: Automated techniques for identifying packaging solutions, where a dynamic, automated decision is made as to whether items are to be bulk packed and/or whether particular containers are to be bulk cased (that is, consolidated within casing such as pallets). Factors considered may comprise customer-specific requests, order destination, type of items, quantity of items, size of items, quantity of grouped orders, size of grouped orders, and so forth. Orders may contain items that are alike as well as items that are different from one another. A particular order or orders may be assembled as the items of the order(s) arrive for packaging, without requiring a fixed timing or sequence of item arrival, thereby providing a dynamic, real-time packaging solution.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present routing returned inventory assets and provide a method, system and computer program product for routing items in a manufacturing environment. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for routing items in a manufacturing environment can be provided. The method can include defining attributes of work pools in the manufacturing environment, defining a set of reuse strategies for use in the manufacturing environment, receiving a returned inventory asset in the manufacturing environment and obtaining at least one attribute of the returned inventory asset, comparing the obtained at least one attribute of the returned inventory asset to the set of reuse strategies to select the reuse strategy to apply to the returned inventory asset and applying the selected reuse strategy to the returned inventory asset to assign the returned inventory asset to one of the work pools in the manufacturing environment.

Abstract: A novel and non-obvious method, system and apparatus for controlling inventory stocking and usage based on part attributes. A method for controlling inventory stocking and usage based on part attributes that can include establishing a stock footprint, which maps stocking locations to attributes on a part, establishing a usage strategy, which maps a prioritized list of attributes to a part request order type, establishing a usage characteristic set, which maps a set of usage characteristics to the usage strategy, receiving a request order, and, applying the established usage strategy to the received request order based on matching a characteristic set of the received request order with the usage characteristic set of the established usage strategy.