Ford Motor Company Limited

James S Rankin

Thomas Anthony Spoto

Alex D Colvin

Elaine Cecilia Beckwith

Suresh M Mangrulkar

Hiroshi Higashide

Method and system are provided for processing and presenting on-line, multimedia information such as diagnostic information for a machine tool. The system uses multimedia information tools (i.e. graphics, documentation, drawings, photographs, full motion video with audio, PLC ladder, etc.) and techniques to assist maintenance personnel. Diagnostic development and multimedia information assignment are accomplished through graphical visual programming, which requires no conventional software programming efforts. The system uses diagnostic trees having multimedia graphic icons which define the diagnostic components. In developing a visual diagnostic tree, the multimedia information can be assigned or mapped to each node of the tree by selecting an appropriate icon to represent the multimedia from an icon library. Then, an appropriate media information file or record and comments for that icon are further added to define that node assignments. The system is user friendly, uses conventional hardware and can be used on the plant floor. The system is immediately executable and is generic. The method and system can also be used for training, process planning, marketing, sales, help desk applications, other machine diagnostics, and engineering design.

Method and system for processing and presenting on-line, multimedia

Method and system for monitoring the operation of a stamping press preferably for forming automobile parts, such as fenders and quarter panels, based on a plurality of features extracted from a press signature. The method includes defining the plurality of features, each feature representing a parameter associated with the process of forming the parts, and operating the stamping press so as to produce a predetermined number of production parts while collecting a production operating signature. The method also includes extracting the feature values from the production operating signature to obtain production feature values, and comparing the production feature values to predetermined operating limits which represent limits within which acceptable parts are formed.

Method and system for real-time statistical process monitoring

A molded workpiece is formed using a mold having an inner cavity, an injection port which communicates with the inner cavity for permitting molding material to be injected into the inner cavity, and at least one disposable vent line. The vent line has sidewalls which are substantially transparent to light and provides for venting gases from the inner cavity as molding material is injected into the cavity. A material injector is coupled to the injection port for injecting molding material into the inner cavity through the injection port. A removably sensor receives the disposable vent line for detecting when molding material has substantially filled the vent line and for generating a first signal indicating that the vent line is substantially filled. The sensor includes an infrared light emitting diode positioned adjacent to the vent line for radiating light toward the vent line, and a phototransistor for detecting light radiated through the transparent sidewalls of the vent line and for generating the first signal when no light is detected.

Disposable vent lines with reusable monitors for fabricating molded

A method and apparatus for linearly determining the air/fuel ratio of an internal combustion engine by measuring the oxygen concentration of the exhaust gases provides a linear air/fuel output signal from a single sensor. The sensor is time shared between a current driving or oxygen pumping mode in which a current is applied to the sensor to pump oxygen through the sensor toward one or the other surface, and a voltage sensing mode in which the voltage across the sensor is monitored. A time share circuit switches between the two modes of operation. During the current mode, the oxygen concentration is changed at the sensor surface by the passage of oxygen ion current through the sensor. During the voltage mode, the sensor voltage is measured. Feedback provides necessary current during the current mode to hold the bias voltage substantially constant. The resulting current is a linear measure of the air/fuel ratio of the internal combustion engine as engine operation departs from stoichiometry. The sensor current can be positive or negative and hence will indicate both rich and lean mixtures.

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Farmington Hills, MI, United States of America

James S Rankin