Planning system and method for processing workpiece

Abstract

A planning system and method for processing a workpiece. There is provided a planning system that simulates processing of a workpiece, the planning system comprising a simulation manager configured to receive a software model of a manufacturing unit, the software model comprising a state machine for performing a timed action on the workpiece. The simulation manager is configured to perform the following steps: creating an instance of the software model and an instance of the simulation controller; determining a next timing action to be performed by the state machine; incrementing the simulation to the next timing action; updating the software model and the analog controller whenever the state machine performs a timed action, and recording a state transition associated with the timed action; and repeating the step of determining the next timing action, the step of incremental simulation and the step of updating the software model and the simulation controller until all the workpieces have been processed. The simulation manager is configured to output a simulation completion time for processing the order of workpieces.

Description

technical field [0001] The present disclosure relates generally to manufacturing systems, and more particularly, to planning systems for processing workpieces in a manufacturing cell. Background technique [0002] A factory or production plant inherently includes a limited amount of factory resources for processing workpieces or components. Plant resources may include technicians (eg, employees) and automation equipment. Processing of workpieces may include creating workpieces from raw materials, and / or performing processing operations on precursor workpieces, such as machining, drilling, and trimming operations. Processing may additionally include cleaning and / or inspecting the workpiece during or after the manufacturing cycle. [0003] Conventional factories are typically configured for high-speed linear production of a single program, where factory resources are configured to perform a predetermined set of operations in the same order for the same workpiece configuratio...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

This arrangement can lead to underutilization of certain factory resources when workpieces must wait to perform certain operations (e.g., machining) before undergoing other operations (e.g., inspection), and this can result in low production volumes

The costs associated with installing, operating, and maintaining plant resources can be prohibitive for low or moderate rate production of a single program

Processing artifacts in a linear sequence can lead to underutilization of plant resources in order to handle different artifact configurations that require the same type of operation

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