Deere & Company

Other

James Anthony Mitchell

Anthony Rath

Larry Linn Kriener

Matthew Jon Pipho

Mark Douglas Smith

Lesley Ann McNaught

Joshua Mark Edgin

Kevin Dean Bortolazzo

Terry John Phillips

Ibrahim Hussein Shehata

Dave Anthony Sink

Joel Floyd Myers

Michael Eugene Osborn

Kenneth John Kresser

Vern Richard Hoppes

Robert Joseph Mills

Gary Lee Miner

Interfaces are provided which integrate mistake-proofing concepts in a way easily understandable by the operator and easily configured by a manufacturing engineer. As mistake-proofing concepts are developed tables are populated and associated with specific assembly processes. Sensors are employed to monitor parts selection and tool usage. Sensors used for tool use and parts selection, error messages and actions to be performed or monitored are all defined and related in the tables and in turn to specific assembly orders. The tables are also populated with logic pointers, which are referenced by a Process Logic Control (PLC) unit that has been programmed to recall and carry out infinitely variable monitoring or control of the assembly process. For example when a particular order has been identified to the PLC by way of a scanned barcode or other means, a bill of material and assembly sequence is provided to the operator by appropriate means such as a CRT monitor. Parts bins and assembly points may be indicated by visual or other means to indicate parts and tools to be used and assembly points. Sensors determine when the proper part has been selected for the particular assembly step and/or whether the appropriate tool is used. The PLC then provides feedback to the operator to indicate whether all necessary steps have been accomplished in the proper order, with the proper parts using the proper tools. The PLC will provide the operator with understandable error messages indicating when a step has been improperly completed. The PLC can also control stops on the line to prevent the assembly from moving forward until all steps have been completed according to the specific order program. An override means may also be provided to bypass the PLC controls in which case an error log is compiled and an automated message is sent to. supervisory personnel indicating that the system was overridden by the operator and follow up action is required.

Infinitely variable, order specific, holistic assembly process control system

Interfaces are provided which integrate mistake-proofing concepts in a way easily understandable by the operator and easily configured by a manufacturing engineer. As mistake-proofing concepts are developed tables are populated and associated with specific assembly processes. Sensors are employed to monitor parts selection and tool usage. Sensors used for tool use and parts selection, error messages and actions to be performed or monitored are all defined and related in the tables and in turn to specific assembly orders. The tables are also populated with logic pointers, which are referenced by a Process Logic Control (PLC) unit that has been programmed to recall and carry out infinitely variable monitoring or control of the assembly process. For example when a particular order has been identified to the PLC by way of a scanned barcode or other means, a bill of material and assembly sequence is provided to the operator by appropriate means such as a CRT monitor. Parts bins and assembly points may be indicated by visual or other means to indicate parts and tools to be used and assembly points. Sensors determine when the proper part has been selected for the particular assembly step and/or whether the appropriate tool is used. The PLC then provides feedback to the operator to indicate whether all necessary steps have been accomplished in the proper order, with the proper parts using the proper tools. The PLC will provide the operator with understandable error messages indicating when a step has been improperly completed. The PLC can also control stops on the line to prevent the assembly from moving forward until all steps have been completed according to the specific order program. An override means may also be provided to bypass the PLC controls in which case an error log is compiled and an automated message is sent to supervisory personnel indicating that the system was overridden by the operator and follow up action is required.

A multi-purpose mat has open and folded configurations. The mat includes a base and a plurality of sidewalls disposed about a periphery of the base. A first resilient flexible slat is disposed within one of the sidewalls and a second resilient flexible slat is disposed within the remaining sidewalls. The slats provide means for reinforcing the sidewalls and also provide a spring-like effect that allows the mat to automatically rollout into the open configuration from the folded configuration. The sidewalls fold about the periphery of the base; the sidewalls moving from a position generally adjacent to the base to a position generally perpendicular to and extending generally upwardly from the base when the mat is moved from the folded configuration to the open configuration.

Multi-purpose mat

Growing community of inventors

Waterloo, IA, United States of America

James Anthony Mitchell