Abstract: To provide more test data during the manufacture of non-volatile memories and other integrated circuits, machine learning is used to generate virtual test values. Virtual test results are interpolated for one set of tests for devices on which the test is not performed based on correlations with other sets of tests. In one example, machine learning determines a correlation study between bad block values determined at die sort and photo-limited yield (PLY) values determined inline during processing. The correlation can be applied to interpolate virtual inline PLY data for all of the memory dies, allowing for more rapid feedback on the processing parameters for manufacturing the memory dies and making the manufacturing process more efficient and accurate. In another set of embodiments, the machine learning is used to extrapolate limited metrology (e.g., critical dimension) test data to all of the memory die through interpolated virtual metrology data values.

Abstract: A method of avoiding collision between mechanical equipment (10) and obstacles, and a device and controller for this, by detecting whether an external conductor is approaching the device (10); when detecting that the external conductor is approaching the mechanical equipment (10), generating an electrical signal representing a distance between the external conductor and the housing of the mechanical equipment (10) or a change of the distance between the external conductor and the housing of the mechanical equipment (10); controlling the mechanical equipment (10) based on electrical signal so as to avoid the mechanical equipment (10) from collision with the external conductor or to reduce a strength of the collision.

Abstract: An NC device controls a processing machine body so as to form an opening by cutting the periphery of an opening forming area in a material. In a case where a skid interferes with the opening forming area and the interfering skid is positioned within a margin from a first gravity center of the opening forming area in an alignment direction of the skid, the NC device controls the processing machine body so as to cut the opening forming area with a dividing line set at a position that is apart by a predetermined distance from the skid in the alignment direction of the skid. The predetermined distance is a distance in which the material is not welded to the skid, and is a distance in which a second gravity center of a scrap interfering with the skid is positioned at a distance longer than the margin from the skid.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a position of a selected sub-space of a nesting plan is provided. The nesting plan is provided for controlling a cutting process of a flatbed machine tool for cutting out workpieces from a material sheet and includes an overlap-free arrangement of respective sub-spaces, the respective sub-spaces corresponding to the workpieces. The method includes providing contour data specifying a cutting contour that delimits the selected sub-space in the position to be evaluated within the planning space, and providing position data indicating respective positions in the planning space of spaces to be considered in the evaluation. The spaces include a group of supported spaces and a group of support surrounding spaces. The method includes providing cutting operation data for at least one section and determining an evaluation value for the position to be evaluated of the selected sub-space using the calculated damage rate of the cutting contour.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of calculating process parameters. which are optimized for processing a workpiece with specific material properties by means of a laser machine, comprising the method steps of: determining material properties for which the process parameters should be optimized; determining preconfigured initial process parameters; executing a re-optimization algorithm until a target objective function is minimized or maximized for calculating optimized material-specific process parameters by accessing a storage with a statistical model, wherein the statistical model is based on Bayesian optimization using Gaussian Processes as priors.

Abstract: A lens system that forms an image on an imaging element, includes: first to third lens element arranged in order; a diaphragm; and a lens element on the image surface side. At least one of the first and second lens elements has a free-curved surface, and one of the first and second lens elements has free-curved surfaces on both sides. The third lens element has free-curved surfaces on both sides. The first lens element has a convex shape, toward the object side, of a surface facing the object side. The second lens element has a convex shape, toward the object side, of a surface facing the image surface side. The third lens element has a convex shape, toward the image surface side, of a surface facing the object side. The lens element on the image surface side has, at least on the object side, a free-curved surface.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes: a molding mold including a fixed mold in which a gate into which a molding material flows is formed, and a movable mold in which a cavity portion is formed and which is separated from the fixed mold when the mold is opened; a nozzle in which a flow path that guides the molding material to the gate is formed; and a first cooling plate which is detachably attached to an opposite-side surface of the movable mold from a surface to be in contact with the fixed mold and which is provided with a first cooling mechanism therein, and the first cooling mechanism cools the molding material in the cavity portion.

Abstract: A method of making a physical object having a desired geometry from a resin such as a dual cure resin by an additive manufacturing process such as a dual cure additive manufacturing process includes (a) entering into a processor a first input geometry for the physical object, the first input geometry corresponding to a desired geometry for the physical object; (b) modifying in the processor the first input geometry to a candidate inversely distorted input geometry for the physical object; (c) generating a simulated object from the candidate inversely distorted input geometry with a Multiphysics model simulation of the additive manufacturing process, the simulated object including distortions towards the desired geometry arising from the additive manufacturing process; (d) evaluating whether the simulated object sufficiently corresponds to the desired geometry for the physical object.

Abstract: In a standby position determination method, work frequency information including a plurality of work frequencies that a worker works at each of a plurality of production facilities is calculated. On the other hand, floor arrangement information including facility layouts of the plurality of production facilities is acquired. The standby position where the worker waits for the work in the floor is determined based on the work frequency information and the floor arrangement information.

Abstract: A cloud-based platform may receive an indication of one or more event associated with a service provider and modify a configuration associated with providing a schedule of respective service appointments offered by the service provider based on the indication of the one or more events. The cloud-based platform may then receive a request for a new service appointment after modifying the configuration and in response to receiving the request for the new service appointment, determine a number of scheduled appointments associated with a first time window, determine whether the number of scheduled appointments is less than a maximum number of appointments associated with the first time window, and automatically schedule the new service appointment during the first time window in response to determining that the number of scheduled appointments is less than the maximum number of appointments associated with the first window.

Abstract: A system for measuring total operating deflection shapes of a structure includes one or more imagers, each including two cameras spaced apart from one another and each oriented and positioned to have corresponding fields of view of a different corresponding section of the structure, with the corresponding sections that may include overlap area of the structure within each of the different sections of the structure. Each of the cameras generates a corresponding data stream, which is communicated to a controller, which is configured to measure the response of the structure to an excitation, such as a vibration or an impulse. The system is configured to convert time-domain data from each of the data streams to the frequency-domain data using a Fourier Transform algorithm and stitching the shapes to obtain the total operating deflection shapes of the structure by scaling and stitching together the frequency-domain data.

Abstract: Conventionally material selection of composite structure is performed by using discrete materials available in manufacturer's databases. Thus, tailorable nature of composite materials is not exploited to achieve superior performance. Further, conventional methods perform material selection and sizing separately and do not take into account the influence of sizing on material selection and vice versa. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for multiscale material selection for designing of mechanical systems that incorporates tailoring of material microstructures and sizing to achieve improved solutions. The microstructure properties are obtained by using analytical and computational models for various composite materials. These models compute structure-property relations between bulk material properties and their micro-structural constituents.

Abstract: A cascaded MPC system includes an upper tier controller and lower tier controller having stored constraints for controlling a process having manipulated variables (MVs), controlled variables (CVs), and conjoint manipulated variable (CMV). The upper tier passes a target value for the CMV to the lower tier which optimizes for determining a local optimal operating point for the MVs, CVs, and CMV, moves towards the target value starting at the CMVs local operating point, and optimizes for identifying of the constraints as selected constraint(s) when the moving is truncated, passes the selected constraint(s) to the upper tier which performs an overall optimization for the process using the selected constraint to generate an optimal value for the CMV that lower tier uses as a new CM V target value for redetermining updated local optimal operating points for the MVs, CVs, and CMV, and for controlling the process utilizing the updated operating points.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a ranking application automatically ranks designs included in a design space based on user preference(s). The ranking application determines that a first design included in the design space is a first positive example of user preference(s). The ranking application then computes a score associated with a second design that is also included in the design space based on a first attribute value and a second attribute value. The first attribute value is associated with both the first design and an attribute and the second value is associated with both the second design and the attribute. Subsequently, the ranking application orders the designs based on the first score and a second score associated with the second design to generate a ranked list of designs. The ranking application then displays the ranked list of designs via a graphical user interface to facilitate exploration of the design space.

Abstract: The disclosure notably relates to a computer-implemented method for designing a part by topology optimization. The method comprises defining a working volume for the optimization of the part and at least one boundary condition applied to the part, computing a vector field over the working volume, each vector of the field representing an optimal direction and a quantity of material corresponding to satisfy the at least one boundary condition, computing a set of flow lines by propagating from starting points in the vector field. For each flow line of the set, an element for the primary structure of the part is computed and a secondary structure of the part linking the set of primary as well as the secondary structure elements together is computed.

Abstract: Method for determining a coupling point for an attachment on a tooth of a subject comprising: obtaining a digital 3D representation of the tooth to which the attachment will be coupled; obtaining attachment data indicative of the attachment to be coupled to the tooth; determining, on the digital 3D representation of the tooth, a plurality of excluded areas for the coupling point based on the digital 3D representation of the tooth and the attachment data; determining the coupling point by identifying an area on the tooth which is not in the plurality of excluded areas; and storing, in a memory of the computer system, the determined coupling point.

Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and other techniques for a dynamic fabrication system. In some implementations, a computing system obtains a digital model of a physical structure. A fabrication plan for the physical structure is generated. The fabrication plan is provided to a fabrication system to execute the automated fabrication procedure according to the fabrication plan. A set of operations are performed for each of at least a subset of tasks from a set of tasks executed by the fabrication system during an automated fabrication procedure to identify an adjusted fabrication plan. The fabrication system is directed to continue execution of the automated fabrication procedure according to the adjusted fabrication plan.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a robotic system and method. The system may include a robot and a three dimensional sensor device associated with the robot configured to scan a welding area and generate a scanned welding area. The system may include a processor configured to receive the scanned welding area and to generate a three dimensional point cloud based upon, at least in part the scanned welding area. The processor may be further configured to perform processing on the three dimensional point cloud in a two-dimensional domain. The processor may be further configured to generate one or more three dimensional welding paths and to simulate the one or more three dimensional welding paths.

Abstract: A process decision support device includes: a machining performance data storage unit that stores machining performance data indicating machining performance of each of a plurality of machining devices including a machining device that adds material and a machining device that removes material; a process pattern generation unit that refers to the machining performance data and sequences and allocates machining steps performed by a combination of any of the plurality of machining devices to generate a process pattern as a combination of the machining steps with which a product is manufacturable; and an output unit that outputs content of the process pattern generated by the process pattern generation unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling support structures in manufacturing are provided. In particular, the present disclosure provides systems and methods for characterizing the support volume in the design phase based on a perimeter length of a boundary with undercut, projected along a build direction, referred to as a projected undercut perimeter (PUP). By constraining this PUP, the amount of support structures in resulting designs are effectively controlled. By constraining overhang able based PUP, the resulting designs can self support.

Abstract: Provided is an information processing device to estimate a current work status by using record data including Man data and a work model in which the record data and with work content at a manufacturing site are associated. The information processing device supports a production instruction at the manufacturing site, and includes a data extraction unit that acquires record data including Man data from the manufacturing site, and a work candidate calculation unit that estimates a current work status by using the record data and a work model in which the record data and with a work content at the manufacturing site are associated.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to roadmaps for robotic devices are provided. A computing device can receive a roadmap representing a plurality of paths through an environment. The computing device can discretize the roadmap to obtain a discrete planning graph having a plurality of states corresponding to discretized segments of the plurality of paths of the roadmap such that states corresponding to adjacent discretized path segments are connected in the discrete planning graph. The computing device can determine a Boolean equation representing at least a portion of the discrete planning graph. The computing device can determine a sequence of states from the plurality of states of the discrete planning graph such that the determined sequence of states satisfies the Boolean equation. The computing device can provide a route through the environment for a robotic device based on the determined sequence of states.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for optical element fabrication with optical scanner feedback includes initiating the optical scanner to obtain an optical measurement of an optical layer of a multi-layer film. A rotational orientation for an optical element that is to be cut from the multi-layer film is then determined based on the optical measurement. The method also includes initiating a cutting instrument to cut the optical element from the multi-layer film at the rotational orientation.

Abstract: The operation result evaluation system comprises: an operation result information generation part configured to generate operation result information including a production count and an achieved operating time period; and an operation result evaluation device for, after completion of production of corrugated paperboard boxes for a given order, evaluating an operation result of the box making machine. The operation result evaluation device is operable to: with respect to each order, calculate an additional operating time period which is a difference between a target operating time period and the achieved operating time period; generate analytical information regarding an operating time period (FIG. 8) in each order; with respect to each of the entirety or part of a given number of orders, generate comparative information (FIG. 9); and cause the generated comparative information to be transmitted to a user terminal.

Abstract: The operation result evaluation system comprises: an operation result information generation part to generate operation result information including a production count and an achieved operating time period; and an operation result evaluation device for, after completion of production of corrugated paperboard boxes for a given order, evaluating an operation result of the box making machine. The operation result evaluation device is operable to: with respect to each order, calculate an additional operating time period which is a difference between a target operating time period and the achieved operating time period; generate analytical information regarding an operating time period (FIG. 8) in each order; with respect to each of the entirety or part of a given number of orders, generate comparative information (FIG. 9); and cause the generated comparative information to be transmitted to a user terminal.

Abstract: A workpiece processing system and method provides an end effector coupled to a workpiece transfer apparatus. The end effector has support members for selectively contacting and supporting a workpiece. One or more temperature sensors are coupled to the support members and are configured to contact a backside of the workpiece to measure and define one or more measured temperatures of the workpiece. A heated chuck has a support surface at a predetermined temperature, and is configured to radiate heat from the support surface. A controller control the workpiece transfer apparatus to selectively support the workpiece at a predetermined distance from the support surface of the heated chuck to radiatively heat the workpiece, and to selectively transfer the workpiece from the end effector to the support surface of the heated chuck based, at least in part, on the one or more measured temperatures.

Abstract: A device generates a capability map. The device receives one or more design spaces from a materials supplier, the one or more design spaces including candidate components and capabilities of tools available to the materials supplier. The device inputs a design space of the one or more design spaces into a machine learning model, the training data including a plurality of components including input materials and/or chemicals, and, for respective combinations of the plurality of components, a plurality of respective performance properties. The device receives as output from the model a capability map of the materials supplier storing possible combinations of performance properties and a respective difficulty of developing a composition with that combination of performance properties. The device outputs a user interface for display to a user indicating data of the capability map.

Abstract: A method, of the present disclosure, of evaluating a tire ground contact property includes mounting a tire on one surface of a flat plate; placing a predetermined load on the tire or placing the tire in a no-load state; irradiating the tire with terahertz waves having a frequency of 0.1 THz to 10 THz from the other surface side of the flat plate or from inside the flat plate, the wavelength of the terahertz waves being greater than the roughness average length in at least a portion of the one surface of the flat plate and/or greater than the roughness average height in at least a portion of the one surface of the flat plate; detecting reflected terahertz waves from the tire; and evaluating the ground contact property of the tire on the basis of the detection result.

Abstract: A system for analysis of gaps between modeled parts of an assembly to be produced is provided. The system generates a three-dimensional (3D) visualization environment of 3D models of a plurality of parts in the assembly and performs an analysis of those of the 3D models within a given proximity to each other to determine gaps therebetween, including any non-acceptable gaps with gap distances that exceed an acceptable gap threshold. The system generates, for a non-acceptable gap, an instruction and automatically implements the instruction to correct the non-acceptable gap and confirms that the non-acceptable gap as corrected does not have a gap distance that exceeds the acceptable gap threshold. The system generates an output of a 3D model of the assembly populated with the 3D models and with the non-acceptable gap as corrected for use in connection with production of the assembly.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a two-phase process for searching root causes of a yield loss in a production line. In a first phase, an interaction between two process tools, that between two parameters, or that between one process tool and one parameter that is likely to cause the yield loss is identified. In a second phase, a threshold of the parameter that is likely to cause the yield loss and is obtained from the first phase is identified. In each phase, two different algorithms can be used to generate a reliance index (RII) for gauging the reliance levels of their search results.

Abstract: An apparatus for assisting a setup work in a system having lines for producing types of products, each of the lines requesting the setup work for producing the product after switching of the type of product, includes a processor to calculate an earliest time when the setup work for each product in each line becomes executable based on the production-plan information, and when a difference between the earliest time when the setup work for a first product in a first line becomes executable and the earliest time when the setup work for a second product in a second line other than the first line becomes executable is equal or greater than a predetermined threshold value, determines that the setup work for the first product is executed before the setup work for the second product, and determines an execution order of the setup work for each product using a problem solver.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a processor to formulate component-allocation indicating each type of the products, any of the mounters, surface-mounting components, and the number of surface-mounting components to be mounted on a printing-board from the mounter, and optimize the component-allocation using a plan-problem solver; use results of the process by the processor to execute a process of grouping the types of products to be produced without switching surface-mounting component supply carriages set for the plurality of mounters; formulate the order of the production groups of the products after the grouping, solve the integer-plan problem using an integer-plan-problem solver, and execute, for each of the variations, a process of optimizing the production-order so that a time period for producing all the products is minimized; and determine a production-plan that is among results, obtained by the processor, of the process of optimizing the production order and causes a shortest-production time period.

Abstract: In one aspect, a computer-assisted method for the optimization of the design of physical bodies, such as land, air and sea vehicles and robots and/or parts thereof, is provided comprising the steps of: representing the design to be optimized as a mesh, generating update signals to optimize the mesh representation, applying an optimization algorithm until a stop criterion has been reached, and outputting a signal representing the optimized design.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of assembling parts chosen respectively from a plurality of first parts and a plurality of second parts. It comprises: for each first part and each second part of the plurality of first parts and the plurality of second parts the estimation of a defectiveness indicator for the assembly of the first part with the second part; for a batch of N assemblies is to be made, assignment (AFF) of N first parts from the plurality of first parts to N second parts from the plurality of second parts to form N pairs ({Ai, Bj}) of a first part and of a second part, said assignment being performed in such a way that said N pairs minimise a total defectiveness of the assembly. Application to the assembly of a blade and of a leading-edge reinforcement.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a method for generating an asset template. The method may include receiving asset type descriptive data from a client machine, creating an asset template for the asset type based on the asset type descriptive information, and storing the asset template in a network-based database. The creating of the asset template may include defining components of the asset type and a configuration of the components.

Abstract: A manufacturing process management (MPM) computer device is provided. The MPM computer device includes a processor and at least one memory device. The processor is in communication with the at least one memory device. The MPM computer device is configured to receive a first engineering design for a first configuration of a product to be assembled including a plurality of features, determine a plurality of parts associated with the plurality of features based on the received engineering design, and prior to completion of a manufacturing process plan, generate a manufacturing bill of materials based on the determined plurality of parts.

Abstract: In a production support system, process knowledge information is updated using machine learning on the basis of implementable process information, and implementable process information is output as a production plan of a product. Accordingly, production can be carried out considering factors, such as restart cost of facilities used in each of processes, for which skilled experience and knowledge are required with respect to the production of the product, and therefore the product can be produced effectively with low cost. Further, even when limitation conditions such as production capacity or quantity of a product exist for each of processes, suitable production can be carried out that satisfies these limitation conditions.

Abstract: Modeling of electrical behavior during the virtual fabrication of a semiconductor device structure is discussed. Electrical behavior occurring in a designated region of a semiconductor device structure may be determined during the virtual fabrication process. For example, resistance or capacitance values may be determined within a modeling domain of interest.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing a setup kit for at least one placement machine, wherein the placement machine serves for the placement of components on/at assemblies, and wherein those components that are required for the assemblies for a plurality of different assemblies to be manufactured are determined by means of the placement machine; possible setup kits for the placement machine are prepared iteratively from the determined components, with each setup kit comprising a plurality of components; an optimized setup kit is selected from the setup kits by means of an electronic processing device in the method.

Abstract: Provided is a method for allocating assemblies to placement lines for placing components on the assemblies, in order to achieve a minimum variation in components with a predefinable maximum capacity utilization in terms of time for each placement line, wherein the component variation is determined as the sum of the number of component types required on the placement lines and an expected production time is determined for each assembly type of the assemblies to be provided with components and for each placement line, taking into consideration each cycle time for the assembly type on the placement line, each reset time, the degree of utilization for each line and the expected number of pieces to be produced for each assembly type.

Abstract: Set-up families with associated set-ups are provided for populating printed circuit boards by means of a pick-and-place line. Printed circuit board types are associated with each set-up family and component types are associated with each set-up, such that a printed circuit board of a printed circuit board type in a set-up family is populated on the pick-and-place line by means of components of the component types associated with the set-up. Stocks of components of the component types of a set-up are provided by means of set-up tables on the pick-and-place line. A method for populating the printed circuit boards includes the steps of detecting printed circuit board types of which printed circuit boards are intended to be populated with components of associated component types, of associating detected printed circuit board types with a predetermined number of set-up families, and of optimizing the association operation with respect to a predetermined criterion.

Abstract: A document management method by using a computer includes: specifying, among a plurality of documents that belong to a most upstream development process, a document with which association indicating that the document has influence on a document that belongs to a downstream development process is not performed; specifying, among a plurality of documents that belong to a most downstream development process, a document with which association indicating that the document receives influence from a document that belongs to an upstream development process is not performed; and specifying, among a plurality of documents that belong to an intermediate development process, a document with which the association indicating that the document has influence on a document that belongs to the downstream development process or the association indicating that the document receives influence from a document that belongs to the upstream development process is not performed.

Abstract: Described is a human-ear-wearable apparatus having a housing, which contains electronic and auditory components for conveying sound into a human hear. An inflatable mounting system is configured to secure the housing to the human ear. The mounting system includes an elastomeric bladder configured to inflate into a customizable counterpart shape of portions of the user's Concha and Meatus areas of a particular user's ear. A pump, coupled to the housing, is configured to pass air through an opening in the housing to the elastomeric bladder. Inflation of the bladder, via the pump, is controllable by a user to form a customized fit of the mounting system's bladder to the Concha and Meatus areas of the user's ear. One or more speakers may be encased in the elastomeric bladder. For example, a dual-hybrid speaker arrangement is described with a cone speaker and a balanced-armature driver embedded in the bladder.

Abstract: Provided is a control device for a production module having a data memory for storing operational settings of production modules and restrictions, which must be complied with by at least some of the operational settings. A settings management module is used to determine the external operational setting of an adjacent production module on which a local operational setting of the production module is dependent on the basis of a common restriction. An optimization module is also provided and has a local assessment function, which assesses the local operational setting, and a further assessment function which assesses noncompliance with the common restriction.

Abstract: A control device for a production module that has a settings management module for detecting restrictions for operating settings of the production module and for producing corresponding restriction data records is provided. A data memory is provided for the purpose of storing a local restriction table containing a multiplicity of restriction data records. A balancing module is used to iteratively read in first restriction data records in a corresponding restriction table of a first adjacent production module, to iteratively build the local restriction table on the basis of the first restriction data records which have been read in and to iteratively forward second restriction data records in the local restriction table to a second adjacent production module. A control module is also provided for the purpose of setting an operating setting according to a restriction data record which identifies this operating setting.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods of monitoring the utilization of protective equipment by individuals requesting access to a restricted area that requires the use of specific protective equipment, are provided. A protective equipment checker, which includes a proximity sensor, a three-dimensional (3D) camera, and a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader, performs a full body scan on the individual to determine if the location-specific protective equipment is being worn, or is in the possession of the individual. If a determination is made that the proper protective equipment is being worn, the individual is granted access to the location. If, one the other hand, the required protective equipment is not being worn, entry to the location is denied.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to methods, mediums, and systems for associating information, including critical-to-quality (CTQ) information such as minimum or maximum part dimensions, with parts in a three-dimensional model of a product. The information may be identified by performing a failure mode effect analysis (FMEA) against the model. The information is stored with the model data (e.g., in the form of an annotation applied to a model feature corresponding to the part in question). The model data may be consulted by product lifecycle management (PLM) applications during various phases of the product's lifecycle. Among other possibilities, the information may be used to automatically generate regulatory compliance documentation, to ensure product quality standards are met during a manufacturing process, or to perform postproduction quality monitoring of the product.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for computing optimal inventory targets in bill of materials in a multi-echelon supply chain. The system includes one or more memory units and on or more processing units collectively configured to determine a delay time from at least one second plan level node in an at least second indenture plan level to at least one first plan level node in a first indenture plan level. The one or more memory units and on or more processing units is further collectively configured to determine a delay time from the at least one first plan level node in the first indenture plan level to a finished good.

Abstract: Provided is a method for populating printed circuit boards, which includes the steps of acquiring jobs, in each case relating to populating printed circuit boards of a printed circuit board type on the pick-and-place line, and associated probabilities by a job is to be executed in each case, assigning printed circuit board types of the jobs to set-up families, determining for each set-up family the characteristic number which comprises the sum of probabilities of those jobs, the printed circuit board types of which are comprised by the set-up family, optimizing the assignment in such a way that the characteristic numbers of different set-up families are as different as possible, providing a set-up from one of the determined set-up families on the pick-and-place line, and populating printed circuit boards on the pick-and place line.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide a method for managing product development that includes receiving development data. The method also includes recording an amount of time spent developing one or more project features; calculating, based at least in part on development data and the amount of time spent developing the feature, business momentum; and calculating, based on certain development data, project agility and market agility.