Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for identifying a characteristic of a bulk flowable material. An identification marker is inserted into a bulk flowable material. The identification marker carries information identifying a specified property or properties of the material. A marker dispenser can be located at one or more handling sites of the bulk flowable material. The identification markers can be pre-prepared or property-related information can be added to the marker prior to or subsequent to dispensing. The identification markers can be paper-like labels, for example, or more complex devices. The system can be used to track the lifespan of a material or to indicate a property of the material to others, such as whether the material is a genetically modified organism (GMO). A pre-printed marker source containing a single continuous bar code is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for electronically encoding an article with work-in-progress information includes determining a work-in-progress condition of the article and setting an encoding device attached to the article to a set-point corresponding to the work-in-progress condition. Determining the work-in-progress condition includes identifying a present work-in-progress condition of the article and at least one historical work-in-progress condition of the article. Adjusting the encoding device includes adjusting the encoding device from a first set-point of a first set-point set to a first set-point of a second set-point set in response to passing a first work-in-progress evaluation, and adjusting the encoding device from the first set-point of the second set-point set to a second set-point of the first set-point set in response to failing a second work-in-progress evaluation after passing the first work-in-progress evaluation.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a series of integrated circuits having related functionality, the method including the steps of: (a) determining an identifier; (b) permanently storing the identifier on one of the integrated circuits; (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) for each integrated circuit in the series; and wherein the identifiers for the series are determined in such a way that knowing the identifier of one of the integrated circuits does not improve the ability of an attacker to determine the identifier of any of the other integrated circuits.

Abstract: A design evaluation system 10 which evaluates a design 44 of a component or assembly, such as component or assembly 12. Particularly, system 10 includes a database 30 having several equality and inequality relationships which are required to be satisfied by the design 44. System 10 also includes several equality and inequality relationships which system 10 attempts to have satisfied by the design 44, but which are not required to be satisfied. System 10 further dynamically modifies the values of certain variables within the design 44 in order to substantially ensure that the design 44 is modified in a manner which is consistent with certain of the equality and inequality relationships which are contained within the database 30.

Abstract: A data processing system and device for a cohesive technical process are disclosed. The data processing system includes at least one processing station for processing at least one product with an associated specific data record in which product features and/or process information for the product are maintained. The processing station may also include associated data and product buffers. The product associated data record may be provided in a decentralized manner at the processing station during the technical process and can be passed-on to a further processing station. The processing station further comprises data record storage locations that may be used dynamically. The data record for a product may be dynamically matched to a data record length required from a process sequence.

Abstract: A manufacturing network system comprises at least one master computer and at least one network computer linked therewith for the purpose of network management. The network computer is linked with a number of local control devices in the area of assembly lines, work stations, or the like. The local control devices are associated with field devices, such as initiators, actuators, screw control modules, or the like, of which corresponding work devices are controllable and/or actuable along the assembly lines, in the work stations, or the like. The net server is provided with a number of software modules and/or is linked with software modules in the manufacturing network system for the purpose of data acquisition, management and/or evaluation. The system provides a manufacturing network system which facilitates collection, storage, management and evaluation of data in many ways, and which allows queries at almost any point of the network system.

Abstract: At the shipping department of a company, contracted outlets or outlets of delivery companies, information concerning the shipper and receiver are written into a label having a memory, but no controller or energy source. The label has a transmitter and the label makes use of power supplied by RF query signals to fetch the information stored and transmits such information to a label reader located either in a portable recorder or at sorting locations. After the information is written into the label, the label is attached to the package. Upon being picked up, the label on the package is read by a portable recorder which transmits the information to a main computer.

Abstract: The present invention presents an improved apparatus and method for monitoring parts in a material processing system, wherein the material processing system includes a processing tool, a number of RF-responsive part identifiers coupled to the processing tool to generate and transmit part ID data, and a sensor interface assembly (SIA) configured to receive the part ID data from the plurality of RF-responsive part identifiers.

Abstract: A method for structuring a temporary system includes receiving information obtained by interrogating a tag on an article and establishing a relationship between the article and one or more other articles in the temporary system based at least in part upon the information obtained by interrogating the tag. The information obtained by interrogating the tag regards the article.

Abstract: An input reception unit of a design support apparatus receives input of a definition attribute name of a product to be designed. A definition attribute obtaining unit, control attribute obtaining unit and stress obtaining unit obtain parameter names usable for calculating a strength value and stress value, based on the definition attribute name. The input reception unit further receives input of parameter values of the parameter names. A strength calculation unit calculates a strength value of the product to be designed in accordance with a predetermined calculation procedure using the parameter value. The stress calculation unit calculates a value of stress applied to the product to be designed in accordance with a predetermined calculation procedure using the parameter value. The comparison report unit compares the strength value and the stress value, and reports report information associated with those values in a case where the comparison result satisfies a predetermined condition.

Abstract: A manufacturing optimization and synchronization process is provided in which data records for incomplete orders in the manufacturing and shipping facility are collected and sorted on a priority basis such that orders that have the fewest number of incomplete orders and that have the most total number of units ordered have the highest priority in the sorting process. This data is then displayed for the users on a real-time basis to identify those orders that, when completed, will have the greatest effect on the throughput and efficiency of the manufacturing and shipping process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and associated database structure for tracking in production in a plant for liquid foods. Each production unit in the plant is allocated a unit identity which is registered in a database. Each production unit can be a source or a destination. Each material quantity which is included in the production is allocated a work identity which is registered in the database. A material quantity includes a given product of a given quantity. Each event in the plant is registered in the database. The registration takes place as a transport from a source to a destination, with references to the unit identities of both the source and the destination.

Abstract: A method, apparatus or system is provided for storing information related to a product in a memory device attached thereto, that features the step of gathering, assembling and storing in the memory device product documentation or a link to a website containing the product documentation. The link includes an address to the website. The product documentation includes sales literature, a purchase order, an order entry, performance or test data, equipment selected data/curves, bill of material, repair parts list, installation and operation manuals (IOM), maintenance manuals, product bulletins, product and repair contact lists, equipment drawings, purchase requisition of repair parts orders, factory work and stock orders, product history, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for the automated structuring of data representing a tangible system. The method includes receiving first item information describing a first tangible item of the system, receiving first item position information describing a position of the first item, receiving second item information describing a second tangible item of the system, receiving second item position information describing a position of the second item, and characterizing a relationship between the first item and the second item based at least in part upon the first item position information and the second item position information.

Abstract: A method and system (10) for reducing errors in a vehicle manufacturing process is provided. The system is a non-segmented network that includes a plurality of servers (30, 40, 46, 48) for storing build data and transmitting the data to a tracking controller (20). The tracking controller (20) identifies the assembly (18) entering a manufacturing zone (14) and generates positioning information related to the assembly as it passes through the zone (14). The tracking controller (20) is electronically coupled to a series of local I/O interfaces (32) for transmitting the identity, the position information, and the build data of the assembly (18) thereto. Each local I/O interface (32) has one or more I/O manufacturing tools (34, 36) coupled thereto for allowing an operator to perform an assembly task pursuant to the build data. In addition, the I/O manufacturing tools (34, 36) detect whether a successful build condition or an unsuccessful build condition results from performance of the assembly task.

Abstract: The invention concerns an identification process that makes it possible to confer traceability to manufactured products (PROD), from data of origin (C, D) initially brought together at a source point (P_SOURCE) and including a control identification number (C) and manufacturing data (D) common to these products (PROD).

Abstract: The present invention relates to integrated processing and information handling method for poultry items. As the poultry items are conveyed they are assigned to a processing station where they are processed and thereafter assigned to a predetermined collecting bins, which is connected to a computer system. The information related to the number, the weight and the quality of poultry segments are registered and also the processing time. This information is important not only for the operators but also for the control and management where the status of each processing line can be monitored and refined.

Abstract: This installation comprises: for each receptacle of substance to be treated, radio-wave transmitter means for supplying information identifying the substance contained in the receptacle; for each workstation for implementing a treatment operation on the substances, radio-wave receiver means for supply information identifying the workstation; and for each receptacle support, both radio-wave receiver means for receiving information transmitted by the transmitter means of the receptacles and of the workstations, and at least one forwarding device for forwarding information received by the receiver means to a data storage unit. The installation is applicable to processing biological samples or materials.

Abstract: In production management system of a vehicle, at a parts assembling step, a computer terminal 12 reads the product-specific information and the parts-specific information from an information storage medium 2 through an information read/write unit 3. On the other hand, a bar-code reader 5 reads the product-specific information (e.g., the vehicle code) from the completion check indicator 4 of a vehicle body 1 and the parts-specific information and the parts-intrinsic information from parts 6. And, the computer terminal 12 compares the product-specific information with each other and the parts-specific information with each other and writes, when both the individual comparisons are coincident, the parts-intrinsic information in the information storage medium 2 through the information read/write unit 3 to allow the parts 6 to be assembled in the vehicle body 1.

Abstract: At the shipping department of a company, contracted outlets or outlets of delivery companies, information concerning the shipper and receiver are written into a label having a memory, but no controller or energy source. The label has a transmitter and the label makes use of power supplied by RF query signals to fetch the information stored and transmits such information to a label reader located either in a portable recorder or at sorting locations. After the information is written into the label, the label is attached to the package. Upon being picked up, the label on the package is read by a portable recorder which transmits the information to a main computer.

Abstract: A method for verifying the compatibility of the components of a wheel, having the following steps of: identifying each of the components of the assembly by means of an electronic label; after mounting the assembly, verifying at least two of these labels by checking the mutual compatibility of the components corresponding to the identification elements received by a management unit; detecting any situation in which at least one of the components is incompatible with one or more of the other components, and generating a suitable signal in the event of incompatibility. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out this method, this device comprising an identification element combined with each of the components of the assembly that it is desired to verify, a data transmission means, the management unit being capable of identifying any condition of incompatibility of at least one of the components of an assembly and of generating a signal in the event of a condition of incompatibility.

Abstract: An apparatus such as a large scale sorter with peripheral devices associated therewith and including a transport path has sensors arranged along portions of the path and software objects respectively associated with each sensor and with each other in a tracking chain. Length measurement of articles is provided to confirm article identification and each software object, referred to as a softcell, is of a selectable type in accordance with the type of sensor event it can report and a mode controlling conditions under which selected types of events will be reported. Providing software objects for tracking allows hardware independence and ease of design and modification, particularly in the field by creation of softcells from a generalized architecture through a graphical user interface.

Abstract: A method and a system for managing the movement of material lots through a semiconductor fabrication facility. In an example embodiment of the method, the movement of the material lots is tracked and a business rules module is accessed that generates material movement directives as a function of event changes on the line and externally provided directives that change the material lot movement sequence. Material lots are then rearranged in the material handling system as a function of a carrier code and the directive indicating a change. The result is a fabrication process that is more responsive and flexible with respect to internal or external changing conditions.

Abstract: A method that enables the USPS to be aware of the contents of mail and the identity of the party who licensed the postal meter that paid for the mailing. The foregoing is accomplished by placing human readable postal meter indicia on the mail that contains information that uniquely identifies the mail and the licensee of the meter in addition to incorporating a radio frequency identification tag on the mail that identifies the contents of the mail and the information that uniquely identifies the mail. Additional security will be obtained by knowing the identity of the mailer and the contents of the mailing. The radio frequency tags may be remotely read, enabling the USPS to be aware of the contents of the mail permitting different content mail to be handled differently.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a wiring harness or a substrate for wiring wherein the wiring diagram applied to the substrate is based on the wiring harness information. Entities representing connectors, binding parts, and wiring length information of wirings are input. The wiring arrangement diagram includes lines that correspond to the wirings and do not have a length corresponding to actual length of the wirings. The wiring harness is made using the information including total length of wiring between each of the connectors, harness information generated based on the entities, and the length information of the desired wiring arrangement. Alternatively, the wiring harness information is used to draw a wiring diagram for fixing on the substrate.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a registration mark representing a binary code sequence of N bits. A sensor is provided to output values indicating whether positive bits, negative bits, or no bits of the binary code sequence are detected. A sequence of N sensor values are provided to a code matching filter for comparison with the binary code sequence. The code matching filter increases a value of a detection signal for each sensor value which matches its corresponding bit, decreases the detection signal value for each sensor value which is complementary to its corresponding bit, and neither increases nor decreases the detection signal value in response to a sensor value indicating detection of no bit of the binary code sequence. When the binary code sequence is a Barker code, the code matching filter yields the ideal Barker auto-correlation function response whenever the binary code sequence is detected.

Abstract: System and apparatus for determining a relationship between transportable or storable materials and plural transportation or storage modes for the materials. In a transportation system, placard rules that correlate placards, materials, and transportation or storage modes are pre-stored in a computer memory. Materials data is entered corresponding to a first predetermined material, as well as data corresponding to a predetermined transportation mode or a predetermined storage mode. One of the plurality of predetermined placards is selected in response to the materials data, the transportation or storage data, and the placard rules data. The transportable or storable material may be a hazardous material, and the placard rules therefore correspond to safety rules. In an apparatus aspect, an arrangement selects one of a plurality of placards.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) chip contains a small non-volatile “ID” memory such as an FeRAM array that stores information associated with manufacturing, testing, and performance of the IC chip. The stored information can include but is not limited to a serial number, a wafer ID, a batch ID, a date code, chip history, test data, and performance information. The storing information on the chip eliminates any difficulty in matching the information with the IC chip and provides a flexible permanent record of any information the manufacturer may find useful. The ID memory thus permits tracking and identification of ICs to a degree that was not previously practical.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring a workpiece (WSx) during a transportation and/or production process with at least one workpiece agent (WA1 . . . WAn) assigned to the workpiece. To enhance the freedom of the process from failure on the one hand and to facilitate the incorporation of new workpieces into the process on the other, it is provided that the failure of a workpiece agent (WA1 . . . WAn) assigned to a workpiece (WSx) is detected; that the monitoring of the workpiece (WSx) is taken over by a further workpiece agent (WAk), and workpiece-specific data of the taken-over workpiece (WSx) are contained in the workpiece agent (WAk) taking over the monitoring and/or in a database and are transmitted in the workpiece agents.

Abstract: An action management support system that manages and supports through computers actions taken by persons in charge of various duties accompanied by production. The system uses a process information that defines a flow of a plurality tasks in a duty executed by the at least one person, and a product information that includes contents of a product manufactured at each of the plurality of tasks. The system also includes a controller that controls the system to relate the each of the plurality of tasks with the product information immediately before each task, the relationship involving an input and output information of each task, and a product manufactured at each task. Furthermore, the system includes a memory that stores and retains the each of the plurality of tasks and the product information that are related to each other so that the relationship of the each of the plurality of tasks and the product information can be used as a reference.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking articles and controlling inventory thereof on a real time basis comprising the use of a tag assembly including a plurality of tags including both active tags and passive tags distinguishable from one another by the provision of a self contained power source in the active tags. One or more readers are disposed within a locale being monitored and are structured to communicate received data transmission from a host controller, for additional administrative processing in terms of determining the existence, location and/or movement of various articles with which the plurality of tags are directly associated. Depending on the category of tags, they may be activated by either entering an electric field of a predetermined first frequency or by receiving an activation signal from the reader assembly also transmitted at the first predetermined frequency. Communication between the tags and the reader occurs at a second frequency being different from the first frequency.

Abstract: An article management method and system effectively using characteristic information of an article, wherein identifiers are provided for an article and a slip associated with the article, and article information of the article, the article identifier, and slip identifier are transmitted to a destination of the article. At the destination, a processing method for the received article is determined according to the article information specified in accordance with the slip identifier of the slip received together with the article.

Abstract: A method for fabricating at least one component using a server system is provided. The server system is coupled to a centralized database and at least one client system. The method includes receiving fabrication data for at least one component from a client system, receiving a component order from a client system, storing fabrication data and component order data in the centralized database, creating routing operations for fabricating each ordered component, creating Numerical Control (NC) code for fabricating each ordered component, and fabricating each ordered component.

Abstract: A method for non-destructively inspecting the wall thickness of a component, where the dimensions of the component or of the component surface are measured, substantially without making any contact, and are described by digital data. In accordance with the present invention, a multiplicity of the component's surface points, which substantially completely describe the component, is automatically calculated in a three-dimensional coordinate system. Starting from each of the surface points, going out in one direction that runs perpendicularly to the surface point into the material, one scans for at least one opposite surface point. The wall thickness of the component at the surface point is ascertained as the distance between the surface point and the at least one opposite surface point. The component is visually displayed and, in the visual display, surface points are highlighted for which the wall thickness falls below and/or exceeds one or more predefined values.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and an apparatus for using an integrated remote identifier for processing semiconductor wafers. Process data is associated with a remote identifier. A remote identifier interfacing process based upon the remote identifier is performed. A first processing run of semiconductor devices is performed in response to the remote identifier interfacing process.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a manufacturing information system is disclosed. The system comprises a means for receiving and storing in a data warehouse component identifiers for identifying component manufacturing parameters for a quantity of components. The system further includes product identifiers for identifying manufactured products. The system further comprises a relational means for relating the component identifiers with the product identifiers for the products in which the components are included. The system further comprises a means for receiving a sub-set of the product identifiers, wherein the sub-set of product identifiers is for identifying a sub-set of the products which have a variation in performance.

Abstract: A method for tracking multiple SKUs of ophthalmic devices in a manufacturing line, comprises the steps of: assembling first molding devices, at least one of the first molding devices having an identification device, such as, a bar-code or an inductive transmitting/receiving device; reading the identification device of the first molding devices; forming first molded parts using the first molding devices; providing a plurality of carriers, the carriers having carrier indicators; transferring the first molded parts to at least one of a plurality of carriers; reading the carrier indicator of the carrier carrying the first molded parts; and storing in machine-accessible memory the information associated with the identification device of the first molding devices and the information associated with the carrier indicator of the carrier carrying the first molded parts.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for selectively managing workpieces used in the process of manufacturing semiconductor elements. The present invention comprises equipment for receiving a cassette having a plurality of workpieces and for executing a job on the workpieces; a database having job schedules on the workpieces and information on the cassette; and a controller for referring to workpiece information and job schedule information from the database and controlling the job of the equipment when the cassette is loaded into the equipment. This system provides for loading a cassette with workpieces equipment, and at the same time an equipment server and a host refers to job schedules of the workpieces from a file server, and select workpieces to be processed by the equipment. Since the selected workpieces are processed with different job schedules, the equipment can be automatically and remotely driven without manual mechanical manipulation and operator handling.

Abstract: The present invention is a video aid to assembly system and methods of using the system for providing production personnel access to manufacturing drawing information with minimum user intervention. The system scrolls manufacturing drawings automatically as a monitor is moved relative to a workpiece so that the manufacturing drawing corresponds with the identical location on the workpiece. The system also eliminates the need to store, retrieve, and maintain individual hardcopy drawings. In addition, the color capabilities of the system improve detailed part recognition and provide the ability to highlight items that require special attention. Moreover, mark-ups, such as build instructions or modifications, can be electronically overlaid on the drawing without modifying the original assembly drawing.

Abstract: A method for sorting integrated circuit (IC) devices of the type having a fuse identification (ID) into those devices requiring enhanced reliability testing and those requiring standard testing includes storing fabrication deviation data, probe data, and test data in association with the fuse ID of each of the devices indicating each of the devices requires either enhanced reliability testing or standard testing. The fuse ID of each of the devices is then automatically read before, during, or after standard testing of the devices. The testing process requirement data stored in association with the fuse ID of each of the devices is then accessed, and the devices are sorted in accordance with the accessed data into those devices requiring enhanced reliability testing and those requiring standard testing.

Abstract: A lot-base management host computer performs management of wafers with a lot as a unit by managing a process condition for each lot, a correspondence between a carrier ID and a lot ID, and a correspondence between a slot ID and a wafer ID in each lot. A wafer-base management host computer performs management for each wafer in a lot by managing a process condition corresponding to a wafer number in a lot. Further, a converted condition instructing section transmits data acquired from the lot-base management host computer and the wafer-base management host computer to a semiconductor fabrication apparatus. The wafer-base management host computer stores a process condition for each level and a machine number of a semiconductor fabrication apparatus in use in the form of a matrix as an experimental level master and issues a process condition as instructions to the semiconductor fabrication apparatus through the converted condition instructing section according to the experimental level master.

Abstract: A host computer matches indexes of work data stored in an electro-fusion apparatus against indexes of work data transferred to the host computer. Based on results of the matching, the host computer requests the electro-fusion apparatus for transmission of yet untransferred work data.

Abstract: A factory for manufacturing customized products in response to customer orders includes pre-packaging facilities and packaging facilities. Components are converted into completed products in the pre-packaging facilities, and the completed products are packaged in the packaging facilities. The factory also includes an order management system that associates individually identified products among the completed products with a customer order. Product release logic in the order management system accumulates the individually identified products in the pre-packaging facilities. The product release logic releases the individually identified products for transport from the pre-packaging facilities to the packaging facilities only after determining that substantially all of the individually identified products for the customer order have been completed.

Abstract: Method and system for identifying and facilitating access to computer printouts contained in an array of printout bins. Each printout is provided with indicium information concerning the project and/or the user for whom the printout was prepared. When the printout is placed in a bin, the indicium information is entered and displayed adjacent to the printout bin. A user examines the bin displays, identifies the bin(s) containing the user's printout(s), removes the printout and advises the system that the printout has been removed. Thereafter, the display no longer includes indicium information for the removed printout. One or more bins for confidential printouts can be locked, with bin access allowed only if (1) acceptable confidential user identification is presented and (2) at least one printout for that user is presently contained in the locked bin. Indicium information can be communicated to the printout bin or to a project monitor independently of whether a printout is prepared.

Abstract: A cassette usage rule processing function 66 is used to store usage rules on cassettes for containing wafers. A process flow creation function 72 permits creation of reviewable process flows. A process flow check function 74 provides checks on whether the reviewable process flows comply with the cassette usage rules, and supplies only the conforming process flows to a production line. In each process, a processing condition display function 82 displays the applicable cassette usage rules for review by a line operator. If cassettes need to be changed before or after a process, a process start function 84 or a process end function 86 prompts the line operator to change the cassettes.

Abstract: A manufacturing process starts from installing a wireless communication subsystem on a computer system, and allows information exchanges made wirelessly by the computer system and a manufacturing control computer of the wireless information network to complete manufacturing the computer system.

Abstract: The present invention has been made in order to construct a CIM system that is capable of reducing burden on a host computer and instructing processing conditions by the unit of substrate and a start order of work by the unit of substrate. In the present invention, a recipe applied to each substrate is managed in each manufacturing apparatus rather than being managed in a host computer. One or a plurality of numbered recipes are stored in each manufacturing apparatus. With the structure described above, even if decision of a recipe and an order of work of a manufacturing apparatus is managed by the unit of substrate rather than by the unit of carrier, since it is unnecessary to manage concrete contents of a recipe for each substrate in each manufacturing apparatus in the host computer, burden on the host computer can be reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and an application for handling information in relation to meat being conveyed through a number of processing stations. The information is used to trace the processing history of a piece of meat, including its origination. The ability to trace the processing history may be used e.g. in order to trace back sources of contamination and for verification of the status and quality, weight etc. of the meat. The information is furthermore useful for the workers processing the meat at the stations or useful for the control and management of the meat processing plant.

Abstract: In a process control method, when T1+Tw+T2<Td is satisfied, where a time obtained by adding a conveyance time from a hold stocker to the pre-treatment processing equipment to a waiting time until start of a pre-treatment is T1, treatment time in the pre-treatment processing equipment is Tw, storage time from completion of the process in the pre-treatment processing equipment to starting of charging into a post-treatment is T2, and treatment time in the post-treatment equipment is Td, a point of time TR1 when the treatment of a lot 1 is started in the post-treatment equipment is utilized as a trigger, and a lot 2 is charged after a predetermined standby time Ta1 so that a point of time when the treatment time Td of the lot 1 has been completed in the post-treatment equipment may almost coincide with the point of time when the treatment time Td of the lot 2 is started in the post-treatment equipment.

Abstract: An automated apparatus for tagging individual boards in a pack of lumber. The apparatus includes a support frame with a jump chain conveyer, a lift, a back stop or bump plate, a labeling assembly including a printer and a stapler, an optical, ultrasonic, or RF detector for determining the position of a leading board within the pack, a positioning assembly for moving the labeling assembly in three dimensions via stepper motors, servo motors, or hydraulic cylinders, a computer, and a bidirectional communications link connecting the detector, the labeling assembly, and the positioning assembly to the computer. In operation, a pack of lumber is placed onto the conveyer, lifted, and conveyed by the moving chains to abut the back stop where it is lowered onto the support frame. The operator inputs the number of courses in the pack, the dimensions of the boards, the size of the pack, and other selected identifying indicia into the computer.