Method for manufacturing an item
According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for manufacturing an item. The method comprises the steps of creating a build schedule; creating a first portion of the item for manufacture; causing the first portion of the item to pass in close proximity to a first individual; which said individual assembles at least one of the several components on the first portion; notifying a second individual of the existence and location of the first portion of the item proximate to the first individual; causing the first portion of the item to pass in close proximity to the second individual whereby said second individual assembles at least one of the several components onto the first portion of the item. The method further includes applying dataforms or other such markings on individual components to uniquely identify them and, through such markings, tracking the application of those components to the item being manufactured at each manufacture step. Moreover, the information associated with the components as they are tracked through the manufacture process is used to maintain and enhance the efficient operation of the assembly line. These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and by reference to the following drawings.
1. A method of manufacturing an item using an assembly line having a plurality of operators wherein said item incorporates at least one component from each of a plurality of said operators, comprising:
identifying to a computer system a first portion of said item by automatically reading a first information tag associated with said first portion;
automatically determining the location of said first portion;
recording said location of said first portion in said computer system;
automatically identifying to said computer system at least one component to be added to said first portion;
automatically reading a second information tag accompanying said component, said component and said first portion being separately tagged;
transmitting information from said second tag to said computer;
incorporating said component into said item;
identifying to said computer system that said component has been incorporated into said item; and
displaying information corresponding to said identification.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said item comprises a portion of a vehicle.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:
remotely locating components from said assembly line;
automatically determining when said components are required by said manufacturing process; and
automatically notifying a supplier that said components are required to be supplied to a manufacturing line.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of displaying information corresponding to said identification comprises displaying said information on a graphical display accessible to an operator.
5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising:
creating a graphical representation of the status of an assembly line;
displaying an icon on said graphical display representing the status of one first portion.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein said icon represents the location of said first portion on said manufacturing line.
7. A method of manufacturing an item using an assembly line, comprising:
identifying to a computer system a first portion of said item by reading a first information tag accompanying said first portion;
automatically determining the location of said first portion;
recording said location of said first portion in said computer system;
automatically identifying to said computer system at least one component to be added to said item;
reading a second information tag accompanying said component;
transmitting information from said second tag to said computer;
incorporating said component into said item;
identifying to said computer system that said component has been incorporated into said item; and
updating a database to indicate a status of said item after said component has been incorporated into said item.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein said item comprises a portion of a vehicle.
9. The method of claim 7 further comprising the steps of:
remotely locating components from said assembly line;
automatically determining when said components are required by said manufacturing process; and
automatically notifying a supplier that said components are required to be supplied to a manufacturing line.
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
creating a graphical representation of the status of an assembly line; and
displaying information on said graphical display representing the status of one first portion.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein said information comprises an icon representing the location of said first portion on said manufacturing line.
12. A computer-based system for controlling the manufacture of an item using an assembly line, comprising:
a processing system; and
memory coupled to the processing system,
wherein the processing system is configured to:
receive information comprising the identification of a first portion of said item from a tag reader adapted to read a first information tag accompanying said first portion;
automatically determining the location of said first portion;
record said location of said first portion;
automatically identify at least one component to be added to said item;
receive information regarding said component from a tag reader adapted to read a second information tag accompanying said component; and
update a database to indicate a status of said item after said component has been incorporated into said item.
13. The computer-based system of claim 12 wherein said item comprises a portion of a vehicle.
14. The computer-based system of claim 12 , wherein the processing system is configured to:
remotely locate components from said assembly line;
automatically determine when said components are required by said manufacturing process; and
automatically notify a supplier that said components are required to be supplied to a manufacturing line.
15. The computer-based system of claim 14 , wherein the processing system is configure to:
create a graphical representation of the status of an assembly line; and
display information on said graphical display representing the status of one first portion.
16. The computer-based sys of claim 15 wherein said information comprises an icon representing the location of said first portion on said manufacturing line.