Abstract: An information managing apparatus comprising memories for storing a single or plural application kits including no decision process and no data storage process. The application kits are defined only by an execution element routine. A software kit interface is provided for constructing the application kits independently of hardware and operating system. The software kit interface includes a library group for storing and processing a flow of the constructed application kits.

Abstract: A method and apparatus controlling a production line including at least one work station operable in one of a normal production posture and at least one extraordinary production posture for producing products and a checking station located downstream of the work station for making a quality check to provide a quality audit result for each of the products transferred in succession from the work station. Trouble data are provided in succession for respective troubles which have occurred in the work station. The trouble data are accumulated to provide trouble history data specifying each of the troubles in relation to a nature of the corresponding trouble, a cause of the corresponding trouble, and a stoppage time required to restore the work station so as to remove the corresponding trouble. A failure signal is produced when the work station ceases to function due to a trouble. The failure signal indicates detected nature and cause of the trouble.

Abstract: A method of forming operation programs used in operating respective automatic machines having the same specifications and individual variations. The method employs normal position data specifying predetermined normal positions at which the respective automatic machines are to operate and operation pattern data specifying a predetermined pattern of operation of the automatic machines. Actual normal positions at which the respective automatic machines operate actually are measured to form individual variation data specifying deviations of the measured actual normal positions from the respective predetermined normal positions. The normal position data are corrected based on the individual variation data. The corrected normal position data are combined with the operation pattern data to form operation programs required for controlling the respective automatic machines.

Abstract: In a flexible manufacturing system for assembling various types of vehicle bodies, there is employed a work piece carrier on which a work piece positioning device is mounted. The work piece positioning device has a plurality of position changeable work piece holders which are grouped into a plurality of groups each having its own power input device. When the carrier comes to a type switching stage together with the work piece positioning device, a power source installed in the type switching stage is brought into connection with the power input device of one of the groups thereby to changing the positions of the corresponding work piece holders. Then, the power source is brought into connection with the other power input device of the other group to change the positions of the corresponding work piece holders.

Abstract: In a flexible manufacturing system for assembling various types of vehicle bodies, there is employed a work piece carrier on which a work piece positioning device is mounted. The work piece positioning device has a plurality of position changeable work piece holders which are grouped into a plurality of groups each having its own power input device. When the carrier comes to a type switching state together with the work piece positioning device, a power source installed in the type switching stage is brought into connection with the power input device of one of the groups thereby to change the positions of the corresponding work piece holders. Then, the power source is brought into connection with the other power input device of the other group to change the positions of the corresponding work piece holders.