Abstract: A manufacturing chain includes a plurality of manufacturing modules positioned in series. Each of the manufacturing modules includes a utility transfer module for transferring at least one of electric power, fluid, and data through the manufacturing module. Each utility transfer module includes an entry port for engaging a utility transfer module of a preceding manufacturing module and an exit port for engaging a utility transfer module of a succeeding manufacturing module.

Abstract: A paint line includes a plurality of modular manufacturing stations positioned in series and defining a forward transport direction. Each modular manufacturing station includes an article transportation device for moving at least one carrier through the modular manufacturing station. At least one of the modular manufacturing stations includes a piece of paint application equipment. A control system is in communication with each article transportation device and configured to independently move the carrier of each modular manufacturing station according to a unique operation pattern. The control system is also configured to index the carrier of each modular manufacturing station as the carrier traverses to a contiguous modular manufacturing station.

Abstract: A paint line includes a plurality of modular manufacturing stations positioned in series and defining a forward transport direction. Each modular manufacturing station includes an article transportation device for moving at least one carrier through the modular manufacturing station. At least one of the modular manufacturing stations includes a piece of paint application equipment. A control system is in communication with each article transportation device and configured to independently move the carrier of each modular manufacturing station according to a unique operation pattern. The control system is also configured to index the carrier of each modular manufacturing station as the carrier traverses to a contiguous modular manufacturing station.

Abstract: A paint line includes a plurality of modular manufacturing stations positioned in series and defining a forward transport direction. Each modular manufacturing station includes an article transportation device for moving at least one carrier through the modular manufacturing station. At least one of the modular manufacturing stations includes a piece of paint application equipment. A control system is in communication with each article transportation device and configured to independently move the carrier of each modular manufacturing station according to a unique operation pattern. The control system is also configured to index the carrier of each modular manufacturing station as the carrier traverses to a contiguous modular manufacturing station.

Abstract: A manufacturing chain includes a plurality of modular manufacturing stations positioned in series and defining a forward transport direction. An article transportation device of at least one modular manufacturing station is configured to move a carrier in a reverse transport direction while an article transportation device of at least one other modular manufacturing station is driven in the forward transport direction.

Abstract: A control system for a manufacturing chain having a plurality of modular manufacturing stations positioned in series includes a memory for storing a plurality of unique operation patterns thereon. The control system also includes at least one communications conduit for receiving a first position signal from a first position tracking device of each modular manufacturing station. A processor is configured to independently transmit at least one operation signal corresponding to one of the unique operation patterns to an article transportation device of each modular manufacturing station via the communications conduit based, at least in part, on the first position signal from each modular manufacturing station. The communications conduit further receives a second position signal from a second position tracking device of each modular manufacturing station.

Abstract: A manufacturing chain includes a building defining a manufacturing area and having a planar floor. A plurality of modular manufacturing stations are positioned in series within the manufacturing area and above the planar floor. An article transportation system includes a plurality of carrier tracks defining a transportation path, having at least one vertical discontinuity, through the plurality of modular manufacturing stations. A first vertical lift device moves a first carrier track, adjacent the vertical discontinuity, in a vertical direction relative to the transportation path.

Abstract: A manufacturing chain includes a plurality of modular manufacturing stations positioned in series. A first position tracking device of a first modular manufacturing station is configured to detect a first position of a carrier being transported along a first article transportation device through the first modular manufacturing station. A control system is in communication with the first position tracking device and is configured to receive a signal indicative of the detected first position. The control system is also configured to issue an operation signal to a second article transportation device of a second modular manufacturing station based, at least in part, on the detected first position.

Abstract: A paint line includes a plurality of modular manufacturing stations positioned in series and defining a forward transport direction. Each modular manufacturing station includes an article transportation device for moving at least one carrier through the modular manufacturing station. At least one of the modular manufacturing stations includes a piece of paint application equipment. A control system is in communication with each article transportation device and configured to independently move the carrier of each modular manufacturing station according to a unique operation pattern. The control system is also configured to index the carrier of each modular manufacturing station as the carrier traverses to a contiguous modular manufacturing station.

Abstract: A control system for a manufacturing chain having a plurality of modular manufacturing stations positioned in series includes a memory for storing a plurality of unique operation patterns thereon. The control system also includes at least one communications conduit for receiving a first position signal from a first position tracking device of each modular manufacturing station. A processor is configured to independently transmit at least one operation signal corresponding to one of the unique operation patterns to an article transportation device of each modular manufacturing station via the communications conduit based, at least in part, on the first position signal from each modular manufacturing station. The communications conduit further receives a second position signal from a second position tracking device of each modular manufacturing station.

Abstract: A manufacturing chain includes a plurality of modular manufacturing stations positioned in series and defining a forward transport direction. An article transportation device of at least one modular manufacturing station is configured to move a carrier in a reverse transport direction while an article transportation device of at least one other modular manufacturing station is driven in the forward transport direction.

Abstract: A manufacturing chain includes a plurality of modular manufacturing stations positioned in series. A first position tracking device of a first modular manufacturing station is configured to detect a first position of a carrier being transported along a first article transportation device through the first modular manufacturing station. A control system is in communication with the first position tracking device and is configured to receive a signal indicative of the detected first position. The control system is also configured to issue an operation signal to a second article transportation device of a second modular manufacturing station based, at least in part, on the detected first position.

Abstract: A manufacturing chain includes a plurality of manufacturing modules positioned in series. Each of the manufacturing modules includes a utility transfer module for transferring at least one of electric power, fluid, and data through the manufacturing module. Each utility transfer module includes an entry port for engaging a utility transfer module of a preceding manufacturing module and an exit port for engaging a utility transfer module of a succeeding manufacturing module.

Abstract: A manufacturing chain includes a building defining a manufacturing area and having a planar floor. A plurality of modular manufacturing stations are positioned in series within the manufacturing area and above the planar floor. An article transportation system includes a plurality of carrier tracks defining a transportation path, having at least one vertical discontinuity, through the plurality of modular manufacturing stations. A first vertical lift device moves a first carrier track, adjacent the vertical discontinuity, in a vertical direction relative to the transportation path.

Abstract: A modular manufacturing station is provided. The modular manufacturing station has a plurality of beams forming a skeleton and being capable of extension and retraction. The modular manufacturing station also has at least one utility connection for receiving external utilities. Additionally, the modular manufacturing station has at least one piece of manufacturing equipment. Furthermore, the modular frame has a control system configured to regulate operation of the manufacturing equipment.