Abstract: A system is disclosed providing visualization of a production control framework. The system includes a database storing production control data associated with one or more entities and a production control system coupled with the database and configured to model a production control framework of the one or more entities. The production control system includes one or more work centers authorizing one or more tasks for one or more parts and one or more manufacturing processes that produce one or more finished parts using the one or more parts.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for optimization of a supply chain. In one embodiment, the optimization is accomplished by minimizing the cost of a raw material used by a manufacturer in the supply chain, through the identification of optimal specifications for the required raw material, through the identification of an optimal vendor from which to purchase the raw material given the optimal specification or a combination of the foregoing.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed providing visualization of a production control framework. The system includes a storage medium stored therein one or more user interfaces providing a visual representation of one or more graphical elements representing one or more entities, the one or more entities comprising one or more work centers, wherein the one or more work centers each comprise one or more user interfaces. The system further includes a storage medium stored therein a job queue display within the one or more user interfaces and a plurality of tasks for each of a plurality of parts produced by the one or more entities.

Abstract: Provided is a single-pegging-based product supply chain management system, which manages a supply chain of products with respect to the demand for end products in a continuous process of supplying products to produce other products, represents the supply chain of each product as a node, and converts a multi-pegging process comprising a plurality of nodes in each stage into single-pegging graphs each comprising a single node in each stage by division. The system extracts a certain single-pegging graph from a multi-pegging graph in each stage, excludes the supply amount of the single-pegging graph extracted from the multi-pegging graph, and repeats the process of extracting another single-pegging graph, thus generating a group of single-pegging graphs. According to the system, since the supply chain is represented through only one correlation, it is possible to intuitively show the supply planning to allow a user to easily establish production planning and increase its accuracy.

Abstract: A component mounting system derives work instruction information defining setup changeover work necessary to change an arrangement state of parts feeders from a current arrangement state to a first arrangement state for producing a first substrate type based on current feeder arrangement information corresponding to the current arrangement state and first feeder arrangement information corresponding to the first arrangement state. The work instruction information includes a plurality of pieces of unit work information. Each of the pieces of the unit work information includes kind information indicating a kind of execution operation and feeder state information indicating states before and after execution of work on the parts feeder targeted in the setup changeover work. The pieces of unit work information are displayed on the display screen so as to be arranged in work sequence to be executed.

Abstract: A golf club head for playing golf made by a method including providing a powdered metal; and applying a controlled source of energy to the powdered metal layer by layer to form a golf club head, wherein the golf club head is formed as a one-piece golf head having a hollow or partially hollow section and no welds.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a custom golf club, the method including measuring swing dynamics of a user, determine club design parameters based on the measure swing dynamics of the user, generating a computer model representing an custom golf club head based on the determined design parameters, and manufacturing the custom golf club head based on the generated computer model using additive layer manufacturing processes using powder material and a high energy beam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for operating an industrial system, wherein the system comprises at least one line (1, 2, 3, 4), wherein each line (1, 2, 3, 4) comprises at least one machine (10, 12, 14, 16), and wherein each machine (10, 12, 14, 16) comprises at least one component (110, 112, 114, 116), comprising the steps of detecting state data of each component (110, 112, 114, 116), of each machine (10, 12, 14, 16), and of each line (1, 2, 3, 4), transmitting the state data to at least one user unit, and displaying the state data by means of the at least one user unit. The present invention further relates to an industrial system for performing the method, and a computer program.

Abstract: A method and a system propagate a scaling mode in a production process controlled and executed by a manufacturing executing system (MES). The method includes the steps of providing a production request in terms of an initial quantity of a predetermined product to be produced, identifying the predetermined product by a predetermined production rule thereby dividing the production rule in a number of segment requirements that represent production actions, and defining within the segment requirements resources required to produce the required quantity. A rescaling attribute is defined and is aligned with each of the resources in a production request tree. An interface to the MES is used to update the quantity of the predetermined product to be produced and to recalculate in response to the update, the resources required to produce the updated quantity by applying a rescaling factor calculated from the initial quantity and the updated quantity.

Abstract: A method includes initializing, at a first controller, at least one process step of a control recipe from a master recipe associated with a batch process in response to detection of an event associated with the batch process. The method also includes executing, at the first controller, the at least one process step of the control recipe. The method further includes initializing, at the first controller, at least one second process step of the control recipe while executing the at least one process step of the control recipe. Initializing the at least one process step of the control recipe from the master recipe may include copying only a portion of the master recipe into the control recipe that is needed to begin execution of the control recipe.

Abstract: In an automated system which includes a robot manipulator, a workcell, and a control system implemented on a hardware platform based on a programmable logic controller (“PLC”), a method and apparatus for performing integrated simulation that does not require the presence of both the robot manipulator and the workcell. If one component is real, the other component is simulated so as to be sufficiently responsive to responses from the real component such that the real component is unable to discern that the other component is not also real. A computing device simultaneously displays simulacra of both the components, real and simulated, and visualizations of the responses provided by each.

Abstract: A process for cutting several pieces of glass from at least one glass sheet, includes reading information relating to defects in the at least one glass sheet; and automatically and dynamically generating an optimum cutting layout for each of the at least one glass sheet as a function of at least some of the information relating to the defects.

Abstract: Systems and methods for duplicating keys are provided. In some embodiments, a systems for creating keys are provided, the systems comprising: at least one hardware processor that: receives security information from a user; and receives geometric information about a first key associated with the security information from a storage device; and a key shaping device that creates a second key using the geometric information.

Abstract: In an object generation system, consumable base materials are characterized in a characterization process wherein an object generation system can use a plurality of so-characterized base materials. User input representing a desired object and set of characteristics for that desired object are processed, using a computer or computing device, to derive a mapping of locations for placement of portions of the plurality of base materials such that when the mapping is provided to an object generator, the generated object approximates the representing a desired object and set of characteristics. The characterization of a base material might include elasticity of the base material, the user input might be a desired shape and elasticity, the object generator might be a 3D multi-material printer and the generated object might at least approximate the desired shape and elasticity as a result of being constructed from the plurality of base materials used by the printer.

Abstract: A lot of buildings have been built while it is concerned that a building material is used fraudulently. Therefore, the present invention provides a managing method of the material and a system thereof. The present invention provides a managing method including a step of attaching a sheet including a plurality of memories to each surface of a plurality of materials, a step of dividing the plurality of materials with the sheet in accordance with data in the memory, a step of constructing a building by using the divided material in accordance with the data in the memory, and a step of checking the data on the constructed building, which is stored in the plurality of memories.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing key information are provided. In some embodiments, systems for managing key information are provided, the systems comprising: at least one hardware processor that: receives security information from a user; receives an image of a first key; determines geometric information about the first key based on the image; causes the geometric information about the first key to be stored in a storage device in association with at least a portion of the security information from the user; and causes the geometric information about the first key to be retrieved from the storage device upon validating at least the portion of the security information for use in creating a second key.

Abstract: A method of operating a machining system includes comparing one or more features of a cutting tool to information stored on a data chip secured to a tool holder of the cutting tool. The cutting tool is loaded into the machining system, and the information stored on the data chip is compared to cutting tool requirements of a machining program for instructing operation of the machine. When a result of one or more of the comparisons is outside of a predetermined threshold, operation of the machining system is stopped.

Abstract: An approach for monitoring energy consumption and detecting preventive maintenance issues in a system having control loops and associated devices. Settling time and error value in a control loop may be indicative of the loop's efficiency. Error value may be a difference between a measurement of a parameter and a setpoint for the parameter. Degradation of a loop's efficiency may be an indication of increased energy consumption by the system. Such degradation may also be indicative of a future defect in a control loop or devices associated with the control loop. Thus, the present approach may provide for energy monitoring and preventive maintenance of the system.

Abstract: A server receives equipment data from third party support equipment during operation of the third party support equipment in a manufacturing environment. The server receives the equipment data via a first port on the third party support equipment. The third party support equipment communicates with a process tool via a second port on third party support equipment. The server determines a future state of the third party support equipment based on the equipment data and notifies a user of the future state of the third party support equipment.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a go/no-go Landing Decision Point (LDP) are disclosed. The methods and systems provide a graphical LDP on a cockpit display that pilots can use to determine whether to continue the landing or execute a go-around. The methods and systems may be implemented in embodiments having an onboard portion, an off-board portion, or both operatively coupled to provide an LDP in a preview/planning mode and real time mode.

Abstract: A method includes initializing, at a first controller, at least one process step of a control recipe from a master recipe associated with a batch process in response to detection of an event associated with the batch process. The method also includes executing, at the first controller, the at least one process step of the control recipe. The method further includes initializing, at the first controller, at least one second process step of the control recipe while executing the at least one process step of the control recipe. Initializing the at least one process step of the control recipe from the master recipe may include copying only a portion of the master recipe into the control recipe that is needed to begin execution of the control recipe.

Abstract: A system and method analyze reliability of an electronic device using a computing device. The method generates a component coding rule for components of the electronic device, establishes a BOM table for the electronic device according to the component coding rule, and generates component codes for the components according to the component data. The method further classifies the components into different component types according to the component codes, and calculates a failure rate for each of the components according to a parameter equation, obtains mean time between failures (MTBF) of the electronic device by calculating a sum of the failure rates of all the components. In addition, the method generates a reliability analysis report of the electronic device according to the MTBF of the electronic device. and outputs the reliability analysis report to an output device.

Abstract: A graphic user interface (GUI) display of computer status is provided across multiple computer platforms. A computer and physical layout are identified and this information is used to provide a desired set of displays. Data is parsed from an output from the computer and is stored in a data store in a predetermined common format as a part of a collection of parsed data. A graphic display depicting a physical layout of at least one aspect of a computer or the physical layout is provided along with data retrieved from the collection of parsed data and corresponding to the computer associated with the display depicting the physical layout in accordance with the identification of the computer and physical layout.

Abstract: A lot processing start determining method includes: storing, in a memory, processing conditions of each lot in a first substrate vessel and a maximum usable number of dummy substrates in a second substrate vessel; counting the used number the dummy substrates in the second substrate vessel; and calculating the number of dummy substrates required to process all substrates of a next lot in the first substrate vessel based on the processing conditions of each lot which are stored in the memory, adding the calculated number of the dummy substrates of the next lot to the counted used number of the dummy substrates, and determining whether the added value exceeds the maximum usable number of the dummy substrates stored in the memory. The method further includes prohibiting start of processing the next lot when the added value is determined to exceed the maximum usable number of the dummy substrate.

Abstract: Tools and/or resources which newly become available to a re-entrant flow manufacturing line, data processing pipeline or the like are allocated in substantially real time to processing operations independent of and consistent with a scheduling segment previously generated by dispatching items such as workpieces or data to tools and/or resources of a manufacturing line until the newly available tool or resource can be conveniently included in a subsequently generated schedule segment in order to avoid productivity loss due to schedule latency. Items can be dispatched in a priority order to accelerate completion of processing. A schedule segment including the newly available tool or resource can be facilitated by merging allocations of a real time dispatch list with allocations of a dispatch list corresponding to a previously generated schedule segment.

Abstract: An emission estimation apparatus running a program configured to perform a method of calculating the amount of carbon generated during the life span of a structure by displaying a graphical user interface stored in the memory of the apparatus which is configured to gather structural information pertaining of the structure, receiving structural information from the graphical user interface into the memory of the apparatus which includes information pertaining to the size, types of material used in the structure and structural aspects of the structure, generating an estimated amount of carbon generated from the use of each type of material to construct the structure and the labor used to construct the structure based on the structural information received by the processor, estimating, by the processor, the types and amounts of material and labor required to repair the structure after a destructive event occurs based on a calculated probability and magnitude of a destructive event occurring, generating an estima

Abstract: A method of generating capacity, production and inventory plans, over a designated planning horizon, which will optimize, with respect to a designated performance index, the operations of one or more bulk product blending and packaging plants and a specified number, ranging from zero to a certain count, of distribution centers while meeting key operating constraints. Also decision making tools and computer implemented programs for performing the method.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including systems and computer program products, for a services architecture design that provides enterprise services having foundation layer functionality at the level of an enterprise application. The design includes a set of service operations, process components, and optionally deployment units. Suitable business objects are also described.

Abstract: A method for scheduling a production process is disclosed, wherein a production order requiring components is placed on a production schedule, the availabilities of the components, which are required for the production order, are detected by a computing unit, production orders requesting one or more of the components are classified depending on the availabilities of the corresponding components, and the production order is displayed with a first optically observable marker if the order requests a missing component and/or produces a missing component.

Abstract: A computerized system for scheduling a plurality of work orders in a manufacturing process. Each work order specifies operations to be performed using a plurality of resources and materials. Data including resource availability information for each resource used in the manufacturing process, material availability information for each material used in the manufacturing process, and work order information is received and stored in a computer. The work order information includes a release date for the work order, a want date for the work order, operations information, and material requirements information. Resource capacity and a start date/time and a finish date/time are assigned to each operation based upon the resource availability information, the material availability information, and the work order information. The assigned resource capacity, the assigned start date/time, and the assigned finish date/time for each operation are displayed on a computer screen in a graphical format.

Abstract: A method for calculating a support material volume, the method comprising generating a grid of cells for a tree data structure of a digital part, where the cells define a plurality of cell arrays, and pinging the cells of one of the cell arrays until a cell containing a subset of the tree data structure is reached or until each cell in the cell array is pinged, where if a cell containing the subset of the tree data structure is reached, then designating the reached cell and all remaining unpinged cells in the cell array as filled. The method also includes repeating the pinging step for each remaining cell array to determine a total filled volume, and subtracting a volume of the digital part from the total filled volume to determine a support material volume.

Abstract: A product-line managing module includes a code and bill of material (BOM) generator module and a configuration management module. The code and BOM generator module: receives data dictionary entries and interface information; generates a product BOM of at least one of a product based on the data dictionary entries and interface information; and generates autocode for N modules based on the data dictionary entries and interface information, where N is an integer greater than 1. The configuration management module assembles the autocode to generate the product.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating context offsets for run-to-run control in a semiconductor fabrication facility is described. In one embodiment, contexts associated with a process are identified. The process has one or more threads, and each thread involves one or more contexts. A set of input-output equations describing the process is defined. Each input-output equation corresponds to a thread and includes a thread offset expressed as a summation of individual context offsets. A state-space model is created that describes an evolution of the process using the set of input-output equations. The state-space model allows to estimate individual context offsets.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for recommending one or more materials used in designing and manufacturing parts may include receiving data from at least three data sources. The data sources may include a sourcing, manufacturing, and design data source. The data source data may be standardized to obtain a collection of data including a dataset of materials for consideration in recommending one or more materials for use in one or more parts. The method may also include receiving optimization metrics and constraints for the dataset of materials. Optimization values for each material based on the dataset of materials and the one or more optimization metrics may be determined. An optimization algorithm on each material may be performed based at least on the optimization values and the constraints to obtain one or more recommended materials from the dataset of materials for use in a design of one or more parts.

Abstract: A computerized automated demand-based parts delivery management system and method is disclosed. Parts for use in a production facility are received at a warehouse and housed in storage inventory areas such as trailers parked in a yard. Data about the parts in storage inventory areas and their locations as well as an inventory of parts in the warehouse are stored in a database. A “demand pegging” operation is performed by viewing current delivery inventory levels within the warehouse and applying them to production demand data to determine when parts will be depleted from delivery inventory areas. The operation further identifies storage inventory areas that have the needed parts. Process times for transporting parts between locations are considered in determining task times for transporting parts from storage inventory areas to delivery inventory areas so parts are replenished in advance of the deplete time determined by the demand pegging operation.

Abstract: A computerized system and method for managing parts shortages is disclosed. The computerized system and method analyzes inventory and production demand data over a period of time to whether the parts in inventory are sufficient to meet production demand. The projections allow a logistics provider to determine when parts shortages are likely to occur and the nature of the potential shortages. Information about the type and time of potential parts shortages allow the logistics provider to take action to prevent shortages entirely or minimize their impact on production. Some shortages may be covered by requesting delivery of parts from various locations within the site inventory or by locating parts within the site inventory. Other shortages may be covered by ordering more parts from suppliers. The ability to detect various types of shortages and take mitigating actions allow a logistics provider to maintain a flow of parts to production.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a sheet comprising the steps of casting a sheet and automatically determining characteristics relating to at least one of thickness or shape of the sheet during or immediately after the casting step. The method includes automatically determining chemical composition of the sheet. The method further includes receiving an order for the sheet and retrieving, from a database, specifications based upon the order. Finally, the method includes automatically comparing the determined characteristics to the retrieved specifications to determine the suitability of the sheet for use with the order.

Abstract: The present teaching is intended to observe the delivery date of a product and decrease the number of workpieces in a merger process. A treatment sequence calculator included in manufacturing instruction equipment identifies an in-process part being worked in each process, and calculates the delivery-date allowance of the in-process part. In-process parts whose delivery-date allowances fall below a predetermined threshold are inputted to each process in ascending order of delivery-date allowances. In-process parts whose delivery-date allowances are equal to or larger than the predetermined threshold are inputted to each process in ascending order by a minimum value of remaining treatment times which the in-process parts take to reach the merger process.

Abstract: Third party certification using enhanced claim validation, in which identification information uniquely identifying an item that has moved through a node in a supply chain is received and event data associated with the uniquely identified item is received from the node based on receiving the identification information. The process also includes performing a third party validation of an associated characteristic of the uniquely identified item based on the received event data, and providing a third party certification of the associated characteristic based on performing the third party validation.

Abstract: Tools and/or resources which newly become available to a re-entrant flow manufacturing line, data processing pipeline or the like are allocated in substantially real time to processing operations independent of and consistent with a scheduling segment previously generated by dispatching items such as workpieces or data to tools and/or resources of a manufacturing line until the newly available tool or resource can be conveniently included in a subsequently generated schedule segment in order to avoid productivity loss due to schedule latency. Items can be dispatched in a priority order to accelerate completion of processing. A schedule segment including the newly available tool or resource can be facilitated by merging allocations of a real time dispatch list with allocations of a dispatch list corresponding to a previously generated schedule segment.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing the transportation of dangerous materials. In one embodiment, a system is provided. The system comprises a database for storing master data for a set of materials. Each material has an assigned regulation applicable for the transportation of the material. The master data indicates at least one exception of one of the assigned regulations. The at least one exception defines a modification of the one of the regulations. The system further comprises a user interface for selection of a sub-set of the set of materials to be transported and a processor for checking compliance of the sub-set with the regulations that are assigned to the materials of the sub-set.

Abstract: A quality control method includes: extracting, from a time series distribution of troubles that have occurred in electronic equipments, a first characteristics of states of occurrence of the troubles; specifying one or more parts included in the electronic equipments, the parts being involved with the troubles; extracting, from another time series distribution of a rate of use corresponding to each of suppliers which supply the specified parts, a second characteristics of the parts; and specifying one or more of the suppliers supplying the parts correlated to the troubles based on a correlation between the extracted first characteristics and the extracted second characteristics.

Abstract: Provided is a statistical inventory management system that optimizes inventory investment using historical usage and/or consumption of an inventory component. Generally, the system determines an target inventory level. Once actual inventory is below the replenishment level, an additional supply of an inventory component is ordered. The target inventory level is determined based at least in part on the usage variability of the component. In one arrangement, the usage of the component over periods of time that correspond to a supplier lead-time of that component are utilized. The usage groups generally include several days (or other time periods) of usage data and typically haw a reduced variance compared to, for example, day-to-day usage. These reduced variance usage groups may be utilized to more accurately calculate future inventory levels for an inventory component. Further, all information is based on actual historical usage data as opposed to unsupported forecasts (e.g., sales growth forecasts).

Abstract: Approximating cycle times within a material flow network is disclosed. One embodiment includes assigning an approximate cycle time for completion of a part number PN within the material flow network by using a model that rounds the approximate cycle time to a nearest aggregate time period and adjusting the assigned approximate cycle time based on a mathematical function representing an aggregate accuracy of an aggregation of cycle times throughout the material flow network.

Abstract: A quantity of an item referenced within a multilevel bill of material (BOM) is determined. A price bid for the item is received into an application framework from a supplier. The price bid is associated with the item. The cost of the multilevel BOM is determined based on the quantity of the item and the price bid.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, a tangible computer usable medium, and a data processing system allocate materials to an automated purchase assembly conversion process to support a dynamic configure-to-order production operation. A configure-to-order backlog order is analyzed to determine demand for a particular purchase assembly. If the demand for the particular purchase assembly can be filled with an on-hand purchase assembly in inventory, the on-hand purchase assembly in inventory is allocated to fill the demand. If the demand for the particular purchase assembly can not be filled with an on-hand purchase assembly in inventory, a determination is made as to whether the demand for the particular purchase assembly can be filled by reallocating other similar on-hand purchase assembly in inventory and on-hand individual parts.

Abstract: A method of generating a general recipe for an industrial process that is not site or resource specific to from a master recipe that is site and resource specific, comprises: a) deleting any process elements of the master recipe that are support segments that relate only to resources assigned to the master recipe; b) creating records in the general recipe for any process properties that are designated as not site specific; c) creating records of resource requirements and requirement groups for process elements associated with such resource requirements; and d) determining scheduling relationships for the process elements of the general recipe so generated by: (i) determining which process elements are primary and which are secondary; (ii) determining the processing relationship of other process elements with respect to primary process elements; and (iii) storing data defining whether the processing relationships are general or site specific.

Abstract: In an object generation system, consumable base materials are characterized in a characterization process wherein an object generation system can use a plurality of so-characterized base materials. User input representing a desired object and set of characteristics for that desired object are processed, using a computer or computing device, to derive a mapping of locations for placement of portions of the plurality of base materials such that when the mapping is provided to an object generator, the generated object approximates the representing a desired object and set of characteristics. The characterization of a base material might include elasticity of the base material, the user input might be a desired shape and elasticity, the object generator might be a 3D multi-material printer and the generated object might at least approximate the desired shape and elasticity as a result of being constructed from the plurality of base materials used by the printer.

Abstract: A method of designing and manufacturing a solid-state electrochemical battery cell for a battery device. The method includes building a database of a plurality of first characteristics of a solid-state cells for a battery device and determining at least a third characteristic of the solid-state cell for a given application. The method also includes selecting at least one material of the solid-state electrochemical battery cell, the selected material being from the plurality of first characteristics and forming a plurality of factorial combinations of each component using the selected plurality of first characteristics to derive a respective plurality of solid-state electrochemical battery cells. The method performs a design optimization process for the third characteristic. A step of identifying an optimal design of the second characteristics with the selected first characteristics for each solid-state electrochemical battery cell from the plurality of solid-state cells is included.

Abstract: A market-demand-forecasting-value calculation section acquires order entry actual achievement data from an order-entry-actual-achievement-data storing unit of an order receiving system, and calculates a market demand forecasting value using the order entry actual achievement data. A correction safety inventory quantity calculation section calculates an error rate, which becomes negative when an ordering required-quantity becomes large, based on a number of ordered parts and a past ordering required-quantity. Subsequently, the correction safety inventory quantity calculation section calculates a correction safety inventory quantity using the error rate and the market demand forecasting value and a money-amount-zone index value.