The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 08, 1994
Filed:
Dec. 05, 1986
John J Zimpel, West Allis, WI (US);
David R Koplin, Waukesha, WI (US);
Kearney & Trecker Corporation, Fond du Lac, WI (US);
Abstract
A machining system is provided which includes a selected number of machining centers for selectively cutting or machining metallic parts, the system further including a rack structure for providing inventory storage for parts which are to be machined by the centers. There is further provided a part transport device for moving a given one of the parts in a first part flow loop when the given part is in a condition which enables the part to be readily moved around a plant or other manufacturing establishment or to be shipped in commerce. The part transport device also moves the given part through a second part flow loop when the part is in a condition which enables the part to be machined by one of the machining centers. The first part flow loop comprises the movement of the given part from the inventory storage to a part preparation station and from the part preparation station to a finished part destination, the second part flow loop comprising movement of the part between the part preparation station and one of the machining centers. The system also includes a part monitoring system which keeps track of the location and machined status of every part contained in the machining system.