System and method for simultaneously manufacturing multiple objects

Abstract

To provide a system and a method for avoiding delays and inefficiencies when one object is moving between multiple manufacturing devices in a case where multiple different objects are manufactured using multiple manufacturing devices.SOLUTION: The method includes simultaneously cycling a plurality of pallets through a conveyor system. The conveyor system is cyclical, and the conveyor system includes an entrance point and an exit point for each pallet, and a plurality of manufacturing points corresponding to a plurality of manufacturing devices. The method includes simultaneously cycling the plurality of pallets passing the plurality of manufacturing points for two or more cycles, each pallet being associated with a series of manufacturing instructions for a corresponding object. While simultaneously cycling the plurality of pallets through the conveyor system, using a different combination of the plurality of manufacturing devices, each object is manufactured in accordance with the series of manufacturing instructions associated with each pallet. Thereby different objects for each pallet are manufactured.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to manufacturing objects. Specifically, the following description relates to simultaneously manufacturing different objects using multiple manufacturing devices.

[0002] Producing an object through additive manufacturing, such as with one or more additive manufacturing machines, involves repeatedly depositing layers of material, each shaped according to the characteristics of the object being produced. Separate manufacturing machines are used to sequentially deposit multiple layers with different properties, such as width or material composition. Thus, an object can be produced by changing from one manufacturing machine to another.

[0003] When multiple manufacturing machines are used to manufacture multiple different objects, delays and inefficiencies arise as an object is moved between the machines, effectively using more than one machine at a given time.

[0004] There is a need for a system that can simultaneously manufacture multiple objects using multiple manufacturing devices. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In one embodiment, a system for simultaneously manufacturing multiple objects is described. The system includes a plurality of pallets associated with a plurality of objects to be manufactured, a plurality of manufacturing devices, each configured to perform a different aspect of manufacturing the plurality of objects, and a conveyor system for moving each of the plurality of pallets to one or more of the manufacturing devices. The conveyor system is circulating and includes an entry point and an exit point for each pallet and a plurality of manufacturing points corresponding to the plurality of manufacturing devices. The system further includes a computing device. The computing device includes one or more processors, memory, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the non-transitory computer-readable medium to perform a series of functions. The series of functions includes simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets by the conveyor system through the plurality of manufacturing points over two or more cycles. Each pallet is associated with a series of manufacturing instructions for the corresponding object. The series of functions further includes manufacturing different objects on each pallet by simultaneously circulating the multiple pallets via a conveyor system while using different combinations of multiple manufacturing devices to manufacture each object according to a series of manufacturing instructions associated with each pallet.

[0006] In another embodiment, a method for simultaneously manufacturing multiple objects is described. The method includes simultaneously circulating multiple pallets through a conveyor system. The conveyor system is circulating, and the conveyor system includes an entry point, an exit point, and multiple manufacturing points corresponding to multiple manufacturing devices for each pallet. Simultaneously circulating the multiple pallets includes simultaneously circulating the multiple pallets through the multiple manufacturing points for two or more cycles, each pallet being associated with a set of manufacturing instructions for a corresponding object. The method further includes manufacturing different objects on each pallet by manufacturing each object according to the set of manufacturing instructions associated with each pallet using different combinations of the multiple manufacturing devices while simultaneously circulating the multiple pallets through the conveyor system.

[0007] In another embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is described having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the medium to perform a series of functions. The series of functions includes circulating a plurality of pallets simultaneously through a conveyor system. The conveyor system is circular, and the conveyor system includes an entry point, an exit point, and a plurality of manufacturing points corresponding to a plurality of manufacturing devices for each pallet. Circulating the plurality of pallets simultaneously includes simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets through the plurality of manufacturing points over two or more cycles, each pallet being associated with a set of manufacturing instructions for a corresponding object. The series of functions further includes producing different objects on each pallet by simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets through the conveyor system using different combinations of the plurality of manufacturing devices to manufacture each object according to the set of manufacturing instructions associated with each pallet.

[0008] The above-described features, functions, and advantages may be realized individually in various examples or may be combined in yet other examples. Further details of the examples may be understood by reference to the following description and drawings.

[0009] The novel features believed characteristic of the illustrative embodiments are set forth in the appended claims, however, the illustrative embodiments, as well as preferred modes of use, further objects and explanations thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2A] 1 illustrates a system for concurrently manufacturing objects at a first time, according to one embodiment. [Figure 2B] 1 illustrates a system for simultaneously manufacturing objects at a second time, according to an embodiment. [Figure 3]1 illustrates a block diagram of a system according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for simultaneously manufacturing multiple objects, according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The disclosed embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate some, but not all, of the disclosed embodiments. Indeed, several different embodiments may be described, and these embodiments should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, such embodiments are described so that this disclosure will be comprehensive and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0012] Exemplary systems and methods for simultaneously manufacturing objects are described. In these examples, various objects have different manufacturing specifications that may involve the use of different manufacturing equipment and the movement of objects between different manufacturing equipment. In conventional manufacturing systems, this use of multiple equipment to build a single object means that one object cannot be manufactured until another object is manufactured, which in turn cannot be manufactured until a second object is manufactured, and so on. The embodiments described herein provide a framework for efficiently using manufacturing equipment to simultaneously manufacture multiple different objects, thereby reducing the production time for each object.

[0013] In an embodiment, the system includes a conveyor system that circulates pallets through multiple manufacturing devices. Each manufacturing device performs a different aspect of the manufacturing of the objects on the pallet. For example, each manufacturing device may be a layering device that layers a specific material at a specific width in a specific direction. These unique aspects of each manufacturing device dictate which manufacturing device performs each portion of the manufacturing process for each object. Thus, the manufacturing instructions for a given object correspond to a series of manufacturing devices that gradually build each object over multiple cycles. Multiple objects can be cycled simultaneously to use each manufacturing device more consistently.

[0014] In an embodiment, each pallet is encoded with manufacturing instructions for the corresponding object to be manufactured. The manufacturing equipment reads the manufacturing instructions and automatically executes the instructions to manufacture the object. The manufacturing equipment is also encoded with manufacturing details (e.g., start and end times for each step of the manufacturing instructions, the amount of material to be applied to the part at each step, the remaining amount of material stored in the manufacturing equipment, or other operational status related to the manufacture of the object or the manufacturing equipment). In this manner, the manufacturing equipment can automatically exchange objects with each other until the object is completed without repeated instructions from a central controller. Furthermore, the manufacturing details encoded on each pallet can be used to evaluate the performance of each manufacturing equipment and the entire system. For example, the manufacturing details can be read from the pallet after an object is manufactured, and a machine learning model can provide an output indicating the performance level of each manufacturing equipment. In this manner, the system can perform predictive maintenance on the manufacturing equipment and optimize subsequent object manufacturing orders.

[0015] In an example, each object is part of a larger assembly. For example, each object may be a different component (e.g., a different stringer) of an aircraft. The objects may be manufactured in a particular order, taking into account the manufacturing characteristics of the system (e.g., the number and type of manufacturing equipment present along the conveyor system). For example, a machine learning model may be trained to predict the output order of the objects to be manufactured from the input order, and the input order may be optimized to achieve the desired output order and / or desired manufacturing time.

[0016] Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a system according to an embodiment. Specifically, Figure 1 shows a system 100 for simultaneously manufacturing multiple objects. In the illustrated example, system 100 includes a computing device 102, a conveyor system 116, multiple pallets 111, and multiple manufacturing devices 117.

[0017] System 100 may be a computing system that includes one or more computing devices, such as computing device 102. For example, computing device 102 may be a central controller for system 100 and may interact with one or more additional computing devices to perform functions. Computing device 102 includes processor(s) 104, memory 106, instructions 108, and encoder 110.

[0018] The processor(s) 104 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor (e.g., a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, etc.) The processor(s) 104 are configured to execute instructions 108 stored in memory 106 to provide the functionality of the computing device 102 and the associated systems and methods described herein.

[0019] Memory 106 may include or take the form of one or more computer-readable storage media that are readable or accessible by processor(s) 104. A computer-readable storage medium may include volatile and / or non-volatile storage components (such as optical, magnetic, organic, or other memory, or disk storage) that may be integrated, in whole or in part, with one or more processor(s) 104. In some embodiments, memory 106 may be implemented using a single physical device (e.g., one optical, magnetic, organic, or other memory, or disk storage unit), while in other embodiments, memory 106 may be implemented using two or more physical devices. Thus, memory 106 is a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having instructions 108 stored thereon. Instructions 108 include computer-executable code.

[0020] The conveyor system 116 includes one or more moving components (e.g., bearings, rollers, servos, or other rotating or translating components) and one or more surfaces that serve as platforms for the plurality of pallets 111. The moving components move the platforms, thereby translating the pallets from one position to another. The plurality of pallets 111 includes at least a first pallet 112 and an nth pallet 114, which are disposed on the conveyor system 116. When the conveyor system is activated, the plurality of pallets 111 cycles through the plurality of manufacturing devices 117, stopping each time a manufacturing device begins an operation on a particular object associated with a given pallet.

[0021] The plurality of manufacturing devices 117 includes at least a first manufacturing device 118 and an nth manufacturing device 120. The number of manufacturing devices 117 does not necessarily have to equal the number of pallets. Each manufacturing device performs a different aspect of manufacturing the object associated with the plurality of pallets 111. For example, each manufacturing device may be a multi-spindle lamination cell that deposits different materials, deposits materials of different widths or thicknesses, or deposits materials in different directions. Other types of manufacturing devices 117 are possible, such as additive manufacturing devices. Various combinations of manufacturing devices 117 may be used to manufacture a particular object.

[0022] Each pallet of the plurality of pallets 111 includes a memory device that is encoded by the encoder 110. For example, each pallet may include a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip that is encoded by the encoder 110. In such an example, the encoder 110 is an RFID encoder, and each RFID chip may be encoded with manufacturing instructions for a given object. In another example, each pallet may include a memory configured similarly to the memory 106, and manufacturing instructions for a given object may be encoded in each memory. A variety of memory devices are possible for storing manufacturing instructions.

[0023] Each manufacturing device also includes an encoder for storing the manufacturing instructions on the pallet. Based on the manufacturing instructions and manufacturing instructions on each pallet, each manufacturing device can determine the manufacturing stage of each object and automatically decide whether to continue performing a manufacturing task (e.g., depositing one or more layers of material) for that object. Each time a manufacturing device begins performing a manufacturing task, the manufacturing device can send a signal to conveyor system 116 or computing device 102 to stop at least a portion of the conveyor system's platform.

[0024] 1 thus illustrates a system including a plurality of pallets 111 associated with a plurality of objects to be manufactured, a plurality of manufacturing devices 117, each configured to perform a different manufacturing aspect of the plurality of objects, a conveyor system 116 that moves each of the plurality of pallets 111 to one or more of the manufacturing devices 117, and a computing device 102. The computing device includes one or more processors, memory, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the non-transitory computer-readable medium to perform a series of functions. The series of functions includes producing a different object for each pallet by circulating the plurality of pallets 111 simultaneously through multiple cycles by the conveyor system and using different combinations of the plurality of manufacturing devices 117 to produce each object according to a series of manufacturing instructions associated with each pallet while the plurality of pallets 111 are circulated simultaneously by the conveyor system. Further details of the simultaneous manufacturing of multiple objects are provided below with respect to FIGS. 2A and 2B.

[0025] FIG. 2A illustrates a system for simultaneously manufacturing objects at a first time, according to one embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 2A illustrates a system 200 having a conveyor system 202 controlled by a computing device (e.g., computing device 102). System 200 further includes a first manufacturing device 204, a second manufacturing device, a plurality of pallets, and a plurality of objects. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, conveyor system 202 is configured to circulate pallets through the manufacturing devices to build the plurality of objects. In this context, a complete cycle may be understood as moving from a given point on conveyor system 202 and eventually returning to that given point. In FIG. 2A, an entry point 208, an exit point 210, a first manufacturing point 212, and a second manufacturing point 214 are illustrated. In practice, a plurality of manufacturing points may be included, each corresponding to a manufacturing device, such that objects are gradually manufactured by the manufacturing device as the pallets circulate through conveyor system 202. Some objects may require many cycles to be completed, while others may require only a few cycles.

[0026] At a first time, a first pallet 216 is waiting at an entry point 208 to enter the conveyor system 202. At the entry point 208, there is a second pallet 218 with a second object 220. Between the entry point 208 and a first manufacturing point 212, there is a third pallet 222. At the first manufacturing point 212, there is a fourth pallet 224 with a fourth object 226. In the example shown in FIG. 2A , the first manufacturing device 204 reads the manufacturing instructions and manufacturing content on the fourth pallet 224 and determines that a manufacturing task should be performed on the fourth object 226. Between the first manufacturing point and an exit point 210, there is a fifth pallet 228 with a fifth object 230. At the exit point 210, there is a sixth pallet 232 with a sixth object 234. Between the exit point 210 and the second manufacturing point 214, there is a seventh pallet 236 with a seventh object 238. At the second manufacturing point 214 is an eighth pallet 240 with an eighth object 242. In the example shown in Figure 2A, the second manufacturing device 206 reads the manufacturing instructions and manufacturing content on the eighth pallet 240 and determines that a manufacturing task should be performed on the eighth object 242. Between the second manufacturing point 214 and the entry point 208 is a ninth pallet 244 with a ninth object 246.

[0027] Each object in FIG. 2A may be in a different stage of manufacturing. In some examples, conveyor system 202 may be optimized to ensure more efficient use of manufacturing equipment. For example, fourth object 226 and eighth object 242 may have manufacturing tasks that require different amounts of time to complete. However, first manufacturing equipment 204 and second manufacturing equipment 206 may be coordinated to stop their respective manufacturing tasks simultaneously. For example, if the first manufacturing task takes 30 seconds and the second manufacturing task takes 60 seconds, the second manufacturing task may be rounded up after 30 seconds to ensure simultaneous operation of both manufacturing equipment. The second manufacturing task may be completed during a different cycle or by a different manufacturing equipment. In other examples, conveyor system 202 may have an independent section. The independent section moves pallets with objects that do not require a manufacturing task through a manufacturing equipment and moves other pallets to the manufacturing point. Other methods of optimally using manufacturing equipment are also possible.

[0028] FIG. 2B illustrates the system 200 for simultaneously manufacturing objects at a second time, according to one embodiment. At the second time, the first pallet 216 is still waiting at the entry point 208 to enter the conveyor system 202. At the entry point 208, there is a ninth pallet 244 with a ninth object 246. Between the entry point 208 and the first manufacturing point 212, there is a second pallet 218 with a second object 220. At the first manufacturing point 212, there is a third pallet 222. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2B, the first manufacturing device 204 reads the manufacturing instructions on the third pallet 222 and determines that the manufacturing task should not be performed. Between the first manufacturing point and the exit point 210, there is a fourth pallet 224 with a fourth object 226. At the exit point 210, there is a fifth pallet 228 with a fifth object 230. A sixth pallet 232 with a sixth object 234 exits the exit point 210 between the first and second times and is no longer on the conveyor system 202. At the second manufacturing point 214, there is a seventh pallet 236 with a seventh object 238. In the example shown in FIG. 2B , the second manufacturing device 206 reads the manufacturing instructions and manufacturing content on the seventh pallet 236 and determines that a manufacturing task should not be performed on the seventh object 238. Between the second manufacturing point 214 and the entry point 208, there is an eighth pallet 240 with an eighth object 242.

[0029] 2B illustrates an example in which system 200 is optimized to position pallets with similar manufacturing instructions (third pallet 222 and seventh pallet 236) opposite each other at a given time. For example, seventh object 238 and the third object to be manufactured on third pallet 222 may be the same part and are separated by one cycle, optimizing how the objects are manufactured. Other orderings of pallets and corresponding objects are also possible. For example, as further described below with respect to FIG. 3, machine learning models, statistical models, cost functions, logic trees, or other methods may be used to optimize the use of conveyor system 202 to efficiently utilize manufacturing equipment and rapidly manufacture objects.

[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a system according to an embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 3 illustrates a central controller 302, a plurality of pallets 304, a stacking module 306, a trimmer 308, a molding machine 310, a post-manufacturing module 312, and a machine learning model 314. The central controller 302 may be the same or similar computing device as the computing device 102. Each pallet of the plurality of pallets 304 is a movable surface used to transport a corresponding plurality of objects on a conveyor system during their manufacture. The stacking module 306 includes a plurality of stacking devices configured for additive manufacturing of the plurality of objects (other types of modules may be used for different manufacturing techniques). For example, the stacking module 306 may include a plurality of devices with different stacking heads, each corresponding to one or more of a different stack width, a different stack composition, and a different stack layout direction. The trimmer 308 is one or more devices used to remove excess material from the manufactured objects. In an embodiment, the trimmer 308 may be included on the same conveyor system as the stacking module 306 to combine the manufacturing and trimming steps. Forming machine 310 is one or more devices used to surface or otherwise finish manufactured and trimmed objects for assembly into a larger system (eg, an aircraft).

[0031] Post-production module 312 may be a submodule of central controller 302 that reads information from each pallet after the object has been manufactured, trimmed, and shaped. The information includes the identity of the manufactured object, the manufacturing instructions encoded on the pallet by computing device 102, and the manufacturing details encoded on the pallet by stacking module 306 or one or more other types of manufacturing equipment. Collectively, this information may indicate the expected characteristics of the object's manufacturing (e.g., the desired start and completion times for each step of the instructions) and the actual characteristics of the object's manufacturing (e.g., the actual start and completion times for each step of the instructions). This information indicates how efficiently central controller 302 planned the manufacturing of the object and how efficient the manufacturing equipment was in manufacturing the object. To optimize the manufacturing of subsequent objects and to perform predictive maintenance on manufacturing equipment, post-production module 312 provides this information, or a representation thereof, to machine learning model 314. Other methods, such as statistical models, cost functions, logic trees, or other optimization methods, may also be used for such optimization.

[0032] The machine learning model 314 may be a random forest model, a support vector machine (SVM), a neural network, or other type of algorithm that employs machine learning. Machine learning generally relates to computer-assisted processing of inputs, using statistical methods to automatically improve task performance in classifying datasets. Machine learning may include supervised learning, in which past data is labeled with appropriate classifications. In this case, a supervised algorithm mathematically optimizes an equation that separates data by corresponding labels. If training a model does not provide the desired output, unsupervised learning may be used to identify hypothetical labels using various clustering techniques, preparing the data for supervised learning. The machine learning model 314 may be stored on a machine learning model server or may be stored in the central controller 302. In some embodiments, the post-manufacturing module 312 uses information stored in the pallet to provide values ​​as inputs to one or more machine learning models.

[0033] The trained machine learning model can be executed to evaluate the performance of the manufacturing equipment and suggest the order and timing of manufacturing objects. For example, the post-manufacturing module 312 provides data similar to that used to train the machine learning model. The machine learning model can be executed to provide an output based on receiving the test data. The central controller 302 receives the output from the machine learning model. The output of the machine learning model can be a binary indication of whether or not the manufacturing equipment requires maintenance, or a performance score for the manufacturing equipment. Based on the binary indication or the performance score, the central controller 302 can provide instructions to perform or schedule maintenance for the manufacturing equipment.

[0034] In another example, the output received from the machine learning model 314 may indicate an efficiency level for manufacturing equipment in terms of the proportion of time each manufacturing equipment is idle relative to the time it is in use, which may be used to improve manufacturing efficiency by optimizing the order in which objects are manufactured. Other methods for optimizing manufacturing efficiency are also possible.

[0035] FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram of a method 400 for simultaneously manufacturing objects, according to one embodiment. The method 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 is an example of a method that may be utilized with the systems 100, 200, and 300, or combinations or components thereof, illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and 3. Additionally, the functionality described with respect to FIG. 4 may be supplemented by, replaced by, or combined with functionality described above with respect to FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and 3. Furthermore, a device or system may be used to implement or be configured to perform the logical functions presented in FIG. 4.

[0036] In some cases, device and / or system components may be configured to perform the functions, and indeed the components may be designed and configured (together with hardware and / or software) to enable such performance. In other examples, device and / or system components may be arranged such that, for example, when operated in a particular manner, they are adapted to perform the functions, are capable of performing the functions, or are appropriately arranged to perform the functions. Method 400 may include one or more operations, functions, or actions depicted in one or more of blocks 402 through 404. Although the blocks are depicted sequentially, these blocks may be performed in parallel and / or in a different order than described herein. Additionally, various blocks may be combined to reduce the number of blocks, divided to add blocks, and / or removed based on the desired implementation.

[0037] For this process and method, as well as other processes and methods disclosed herein, it should be understood that the flow diagram illustrates the functionality and operation of one possible embodiment of this example. In this regard, each block or portion of each block may represent a module, segment, or portion of program code, including one or more instructions executable by a processor to perform a specific logical function or step within the process. The program code may be stored in any type of computer-readable medium or data storage device, such as a storage device including a disk drive or hard drive. Furthermore, the program code may be encoded in machine-readable form on a computer-readable storage medium or other non-transitory medium or product. This computer-readable medium may include non-transitory computer-readable media or memory (e.g., computer-readable media for short-term data storage, such as register memory, processor cache, and random access memory (RAM)). The computer-readable medium may also include non-transitory media (e.g., secondary or permanent long-term storage, such as read-only memory (ROM), optical or magnetic disks, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), etc.). The computer readable medium may also be any other volatile or non-volatile storage system. The computer readable medium may be considered, for example, a tangible computer readable storage medium.

[0038] 4, as well as other processes and methods disclosed herein, may represent circuitry hardwired to perform specific logical functions within the processes. Alternative embodiments are within the scope of the examples of the disclosure, in which functions may be performed out of the order shown or described, including substantially simultaneously or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0039] At block 402, the method 400 includes circulating multiple pallets 304 simultaneously via a conveyor system 202. The conveyor system 202 is circulating and includes an entry point 208, an exit point 210, and multiple manufacturing points corresponding to multiple manufacturing devices 117 for each pallet. The conveyor system 202 may be configured, for example, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Circulating multiple pallets 304 simultaneously includes simultaneously circulating the multiple pallets 304 through multiple manufacturing points for two or more cycles. Each pallet is associated with a set of manufacturing instructions for a corresponding object. For example, a set of manufacturing instructions may be stored on the pallet and indicate steps to be performed to manufacture the corresponding object.

[0040] At block 404, the method 400 includes manufacturing different objects on each pallet by simultaneously circulating the multiple pallets 304 via the conveyor system 202 while using different combinations of the multiple manufacturing devices 117 to manufacture each object according to a set of manufacturing instructions associated with each pallet. Using the system 200 of Figures 2A and 2B as an example, a second object 220 may be manufactured using a first pattern on the first manufacturing device 204 and the second manufacturing device 206, and a fourth object 226 may be manufactured using a second pattern that is different from the first pattern.

[0041] In some embodiments, the method 400 further includes encoding a set of manufacturing instructions for each object on each corresponding pallet. The one or more manufacturing devices 117 are configured to manufacture each object based on the manufacturing instructions on each corresponding pallet. For example, each manufacturing device can read the encoded manufacturing instructions. In related embodiments, each pallet includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip, and encoding the set of manufacturing instructions for each object on each corresponding pallet includes encoding the set of manufacturing instructions onto the RFID chip. In further related embodiments, each of the plurality of manufacturing devices 117 is configured to encode manufacturing details for each object on each corresponding pallet. In these examples, the method further includes evaluating performance of the one or more manufacturing devices 117 based on the one or more manufacturing details encoded on each corresponding pallet. Evaluating the performance of one or more manufacturing devices 117 based on one or more manufacturing contents encoded on each corresponding pallet may include reading a set of manufacturing instructions and one or more manufacturing contents from each pallet, providing the set of manufacturing instructions and one or more manufacturing contents from each pallet to a machine learning model 314, and evaluating the performance of the one or more manufacturing devices 117 based on the output of the machine learning model.

[0042] In an embodiment, method 400 further includes determining the number of pallets on conveyor system 202, determining the utilization of each manufacturing device based on (i) the number of pallets on conveyor system 202 and (ii) manufacturing instructions encoded on the pallets on conveyor system 202, and selecting additional pallets to enter conveyor system 202 based on the utilization of a given manufacturing device being below a threshold level. For example, the number of pallets and manufacturing instructions may indicate the percentage of time each manufacturing device is expected to perform a manufacturing task, and this percentage may be used as the utilization. If the percentage for a particular manufacturing device is below a threshold (e.g., 85%), additional pallets may be added to increase the percentage of time that the particular manufacturing device performs a manufacturing task. In an embodiment, the added pallets may be encoded with manufacturing instructions for an object requiring the performance of a manufacturing task performed by the particular manufacturing device.

[0043] In an embodiment, method 400 further includes determining, based on a status message from a given manufacturing device, that a first object has been manufactured according to its manufacturing instructions, and, based on the determination that the first object has been manufactured, exiting conveyor system 202 at an exit point with a first pallet corresponding to the first object. Using system 200 of Figures 2A and 2B as an example, first manufacturing device 204 may provide a status message that a sixth object 234 has been manufactured, prompting sixth pallet 232 to exit conveyor system 202 at exit point 210.

[0044] In some examples, a first pallet of the plurality of pallets 304 remains on the conveyor system 202 for a first number of cycles, and a second pallet of the plurality of pallets 304 remains on the conveyor system 202 for a second number of cycles, where the first number of cycles is different from the second number of cycles, for example, because the first pallet and the second pallet correspond to different objects. In these examples, the method 400 further includes training the machine learning model 314 based on the first number of cycles and the second number of cycles.

[0045] In some embodiments, each of the plurality of manufacturing devices 117 is configured to encode manufacturing details for each object on each corresponding pallet. In these examples, method 400 further includes reading one or more manufacturing details from each pallet after manufacturing each object, and training machine learning model 314 using the one or more manufacturing details. In these examples, simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets 304 by conveyor system 202 includes simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets 304 by conveyor system 202 based on output from machine learning model 314.

[0046] In some embodiments, each of the plurality of manufacturing devices 117 is configured to encode production details for each object on each corresponding pallet. In these examples, the method 400 further includes reading one or more production details from each pallet after each object is manufactured, training a machine learning model 314 using the one or more production details, and determining that one or more of the plurality of manufacturing devices 117 should be maintained based on output from the machine learning model. For example, the machine learning model 314 can use the production details from each pallet to assess trends in how quickly each manufacturing device is performing its manufacturing tasks relative to expected values. In some embodiments, this can be performed as described above with respect to FIG. 3.

[0047] In some embodiments, method 400 further includes receiving a list of parts for the system assembly. For example, central controller 302 may receive the list from another computing device. Each of the plurality of objects corresponds to a part in the parts list, and method 400 further includes determining a sequence for manufacturing the plurality of objects based on (i) the assembly plan for the system assembly and (ii) the expected usage of each of the plurality of manufacturing devices 117 associated with the sequence. In these examples, simultaneously cycling the plurality of pallets 304 by conveyor system 202 includes simultaneously cycling the plurality of pallets 304 by conveyor system 202 according to the sequence. This allows system 100 to optimize assembly of the system assembly by providing the parts in a desired sequence.

[0048] In this manner, the systems and methods described herein provide a framework for rapidly manufacturing multiple parts simultaneously. By encoding the pallet with instructions for each object, the manufacturing equipment 117 can perform manufacturing tasks automatically, thereby reducing communication between the central controller and the manufacturing equipment 117. By encoding the manufacturing content onto the pallet as the objects are manufactured, the performance of the manufacturing equipment 117 can be evaluated and the order in which the objects are manufactured can be optimized. Thus, the embodiments described herein provide an adaptive system that improves over multiple iterations.

[0049] As used herein, the terms "substantially," "similarity," and "about" mean that the stated characteristic, parameter, or value need not be exactly achieved, but deviations or variations, including tolerances, measurement errors, measurement accuracy limits, and other factors known to those skilled in the art, may occur to the extent that they do not negate the effect that the characteristic is intended to achieve.

[0050] The term "concurrently" means that at least a portion of two different functions are being performed at the same time. For example, simultaneously producing multiple objects means that two or more objects are placed on a conveyor system used to produce the objects at the same time.

[0051] The various example system(s), device(s), and method(s) disclosed herein include various components, features, and functions. The various example system(s), device(s), and method(s) disclosed herein may include any of the components, features, and functions of any of the other example system(s), device(s), and method(s) disclosed herein, in any combination or subcombination, and all such possibilities are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0052] The scope of protection is determined by the scope of the appended claims. However, an understanding of the present disclosure can be obtained in various ways, including, but not limited to, the following clauses.

[0053] Clause 1 A system (100) for simultaneously manufacturing multiple objects, the system (100) comprising: a plurality of pallets (111) associated with a plurality of objects to be manufactured; a plurality of manufacturing devices (117), each configured to perform a different aspect of the manufacturing of a plurality of objects; a circular conveyor system (116) for moving each of the plurality of pallets (111) to one or more of the manufacturing devices (117), the conveyor system (116) including an entry point (208), an exit point (210) for each pallet, and a plurality of manufacturing points corresponding to the plurality of manufacturing devices (117); The computing device (102) includes: one or more processors (104); memory, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by one or more processors (104), cause a set of functions to be performed, the set of functions comprising: circulating, by a conveyor system (116), a plurality of pallets (111) simultaneously through a plurality of manufacturing points over two or more cycles, each pallet being associated with a set of manufacturing instructions for a corresponding object; and A system (100) including manufacturing a different object for each pallet by simultaneously circulating a plurality of pallets (111) via a conveyor system (116) while using different combinations of a plurality of manufacturing devices (117) to manufacture each object according to a set of manufacturing instructions associated with each pallet.

[0054] Clause 2 A series of functions, The system (100) described in clause 1 further includes encoding a set of manufacturing instructions for each object on each corresponding pallet, and one or more manufacturing devices (117) are configured to manufacture each object based on the instructions on each corresponding pallet.

[0055] Clause 3 3. The system (100) of clause 2, wherein each corresponding pallet includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip, and a set of manufacturing instructions is encoded on the RFID chip.

[0056] Clause 4 Each of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117) is configured to encode one or more manufacturing details for each object on each corresponding pallet, and the sequence of functions includes: 4. The system (100) of clause 2 or 3, further comprising evaluating performance of one or more manufacturing devices (117) based on one or more manufacturing details encoded on each corresponding pallet.

[0057] Clause 5 evaluating the performance of one or more manufacturing devices (117) based on one or more manufacturing details encoded on each corresponding pallet; reading a set of manufacturing instructions and one or more manufacturing details from each pallet; providing a set of manufacturing instructions and one or more manufacturing details for each pallet to a machine learning model; and Evaluating the performance of one or more manufacturing devices (117) based on the output of the machine learning model. 5. The system (100) of clause 4, further comprising:

[0058] Clause 6 The system (100) of any one of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the plurality of manufacturing devices (117) includes a plurality of additive manufacturing devices (117) having different stacking heads, the different stacking heads corresponding to one or more of different stacking widths, different stacking compositions, and different stacking layout directions.

[0059] Clause 7 A system (100) as described in any one of clauses 1 to 6, wherein a first pallet (216) of the plurality of pallets (111) remains on the conveyor system (116) for a first number of cycles and a second pallet (218) of the plurality of pallets (111) remains on the conveyor system (116) for a second number of cycles, the first number of cycles being different from the second number of cycles.

[0060] Article 8 1. A method for simultaneously manufacturing multiple objects, comprising: circulating (402) a plurality of pallets (111) simultaneously by a circulating conveyor system (116), the conveyor system (116) including an entry point (208) and an exit point (210) for each pallet and a plurality of manufacturing points corresponding to a plurality of manufacturing devices (117), wherein simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets (111) includes simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets (111) through the plurality of manufacturing points over two or more cycles, each pallet being associated with a set of manufacturing instructions for a corresponding object; and manufacturing (404) each object on each pallet according to a set of manufacturing instructions associated with each pallet using different combinations of manufacturing devices (117) while simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets (111) via a conveyor system (116). A method comprising:

[0061] Article 9 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising encoding a set of manufacturing instructions for each object on each corresponding pallet, wherein one or more manufacturing devices (117) are configured to manufacture each object based on the manufacturing instructions on each corresponding pallet.

[0062] Article 10 10. The method of clause 9, wherein each pallet includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip, and wherein encoding a set of manufacturing instructions for each object on each corresponding pallet includes encoding the set of manufacturing instructions on the RFID chip.

[0063] Article 11 Each of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117) is configured to encode manufacturing details for each object on each corresponding pallet, and the method includes: 11. The method of clause 9 or 10, further comprising evaluating performance of one or more manufacturing devices (117) based on one or more manufacturing details encoded on each corresponding pallet.

[0064] Article 12 evaluating the performance of one or more manufacturing devices (117) based on one or more manufacturing details encoded on each corresponding pallet; reading a set of manufacturing instructions and one or more manufacturing details from each pallet; providing a set of manufacturing instructions and one or more manufacturing details for each pallet to a machine learning model; and Evaluating the performance of one or more manufacturing devices (117) based on the output of the machine learning model. 12. The method of clause 11, further comprising:

[0065] Article 13 Determining the number of pallets on the conveyor system (116); determining the utilization of each manufacturing device based on (i) the number of pallets (111) on the conveyor system (116), and (ii) the manufacturing instructions encoded on the pallets (111) on the conveyor system (116); and Selecting additional pallets to enter the conveyor system (116) based on utilization of a given manufacturing device being below a threshold level. 13. The method of any one of clauses 8 to 12, further comprising:

[0066] Article 14 determining that the first object has been manufactured according to its manufacturing instructions based on status messages from a given manufacturing device; and Based on a determination that the first object has been manufactured, a first pallet (216) corresponding to the first object is exited from the conveyor system (116) at an exit point (210). 14. The method of any one of clauses 8 to 13, further comprising:

[0067] Article 15 a first pallet (216) of the plurality of pallets (111) remains on the conveyor system (116) for a first number of cycles and a second pallet (218) of the plurality of pallets (111) remains on the conveyor system (116) for a second number of cycles, the first number of cycles being different from the second number of cycles, and the method further comprising: 15. The method of any one of clauses 8 to 14, further comprising training a machine learning model based on the first number of cycles and the second number of cycles.

[0068] Article 16 Each of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117) is configured to encode manufacturing details for each object on each corresponding pallet, and the method includes: reading one or more production details from each pallet after each object is produced; and further comprising training a machine learning model using the one or more manufacturing contexts; 9. The method of claim 8, wherein simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets (111) by the conveyor system (116) includes simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets (111) by the conveyor system (116) based on output from the machine learning model.

[0069] Article 17 Each of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117) is configured to encode manufacturing details for each object on each corresponding pallet, and the method includes: reading one or more production details from each pallet after each object is produced; training a machine learning model using one or more manufacturing contexts; and determining that one or more of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117) should be maintained based on output from the machine learning model; 9. The method of clause 8, further comprising:

[0070] Article 18 receiving a parts list for a system (100) assembly, wherein each of a plurality of objects corresponds to a part on the parts list; and Determining a manufacturing sequence for the plurality of objects based on (i) a fabrication plan for the system (100) assembly and (ii) an expected usage of each of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117) associated with the manufacturing sequence. further comprising circulating the plurality of pallets (111) simultaneously by the conveyor system (116) includes circulating the plurality of pallets (111) simultaneously by the conveyor system (116) according to the sequence; The method described in clause 8.

[0071] Article 19 A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by one or more processors (104), cause a sequence of functions to be performed, the sequence of functions comprising: circulating a plurality of pallets (111) simultaneously by a circulating conveyor system (116), the conveyor system (116) including an entry point (208) and an exit point (210) for each pallet and a plurality of manufacturing points corresponding to a plurality of manufacturing devices (117), wherein the simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets (111) includes simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets (111) through the plurality of manufacturing points for two or more cycles, each pallet being associated with a set of manufacturing instructions for a corresponding object; The conveyor system (116) circulates multiple pallets (111) simultaneously, while using different combinations of multiple manufacturing devices (117) to manufacture each object according to a series of manufacturing instructions. 1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising:

[0072] Article 20 A series of functions, encoding manufacturing instructions for each object on each corresponding pallet, wherein one or more manufacturing devices (117) are configured to manufacture each object based on the instructions on each corresponding pallet. 19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19.

[0073] The description of various advantageous configurations has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments in the form disclosed. Numerous modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Moreover, various advantageous embodiments may offer different advantages over other advantageous embodiments. The selected embodiment or embodiments have been chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and practical application of those embodiments and to enable others skilled in the art to understand that the disclosure of the various embodiments, along with their various modifications, is well suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. A system (100), a plurality of pallets (111); a plurality of manufacturing devices (117), each including a computing device, each of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117) configured to perform a different aspect of manufacturing the object and configured to stack material of the object in a different direction relative to the pallet than other manufacturing devices of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117); a circular conveyor system (116) configured to move each of the plurality of pallets (111) to one or more of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117), the conveyor system (116) including an entry point (208) and an exit point (210) for the plurality of pallets and a plurality of manufacturing points corresponding to the plurality of manufacturing devices (117); and an additional computing device (102), wherein the additional computing device (102) one or more processors (104); memory, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors (104), cause the set of functions to be performed, the set of functions comprising: simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets (111) by the conveyor system (116) through the plurality of manufacturing points over two or more cycles, each of the plurality of pallets being associated with a set of manufacturing instructions for a corresponding object; and producing different objects for each of the plurality of pallets (111) by using different combinations of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117) to manufacture each of the plurality of objects according to the set of manufacturing instructions associated with each of the plurality of pallets while simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets (111) by the conveyor system (116); A system (100) comprising:

2. The series of functions is 2. The system (100) of claim 1, further comprising encoding the set of manufacturing instructions for each of the plurality of objects on each of the plurality of pallets, wherein the plurality of manufacturing devices (117) are configured to manufacture each of the plurality of objects based on the set of manufacturing instructions on each of the plurality of pallets.

3. The system (100) described in claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of pallets includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip, and the set of manufacturing instructions is encoded on the RFID chip.

4. each of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117) is configured to encode a plurality of manufacturing details for each of the plurality of objects on each of the plurality of pallets, the manufacturing details including an amount of material applied to the object by the manufacturing device, and the sequence of functions is: The system (100) of claim 1, further comprising evaluating performance of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117) based on the manufacturing content encoded in each of the plurality of pallets.

5. Evaluating the performance of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117), reading the set of manufacturing instructions and the manufacturing content from each of the plurality of pallets; providing the set of manufacturing instructions and the manufacturing content from each of the plurality of pallets to a machine learning model; and evaluating the performance of the plurality of manufacturing tools (117) based on the output of the machine learning model. The system (100) of claim 4, further comprising:

6. A system (100) for simultaneously manufacturing multiple objects, the system (100) comprising: a plurality of pallets (111) associated with a plurality of objects to be manufactured; a plurality of manufacturing devices (117), each configured to perform a different aspect of the manufacturing of said plurality of objects; a circular conveyor system (116) for moving each of the plurality of pallets (111) to one or more of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117), the conveyor system (116) including an entry point (208) and an exit point (210) for each pallet and a plurality of manufacturing points corresponding to the plurality of manufacturing devices (117); The computing device (102) includes: one or more processors (104); memory, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors (104), cause the set of functions to be performed, the set of functions comprising: circulating the plurality of pallets (111) simultaneously by the conveyor system (116) through the plurality of manufacturing points over two or more cycles, each pallet being associated with a set of manufacturing instructions for a corresponding object; producing a different object for each pallet by using a different combination of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117) to manufacture each object according to the set of manufacturing instructions associated with each pallet while simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets (111) by the conveyor system (116); Including, In simultaneously cycling the plurality of pallets, a first pallet (216) of the plurality of pallets (111) remains on the conveyor system (116) for a first number of cycles and a second pallet of the plurality of pallets (111) remains on the conveyor system (116) for a second number of cycles, the first number of cycles being different from the second number of cycles. System (100).

7. The system (100) of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of manufacturing devices includes a multi-spindle stacking cell.

8. 1. A method for simultaneously manufacturing multiple objects, comprising: simultaneously circulating (402) a plurality of pallets (111) by a circulating conveyor system (116), the conveyor system (116) including an entry point (208) and an exit point (210) for the plurality of pallets, and a plurality of manufacturing points corresponding to a plurality of manufacturing devices (117), each of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117) including a computing device, wherein simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets (111) includes simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets (111) through the plurality of manufacturing points for two or more cycles, each of the plurality of pallets being associated with a set of manufacturing instructions for each of the plurality of objects, and each of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117) being configured to stack material for the object in a different direction relative to the pallet than other manufacturing devices of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117); and manufacturing (404) each of a plurality of objects according to the set of manufacturing instructions associated with each of the plurality of pallets using different combinations of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117) while simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets (111) via the conveyor system (116), thereby manufacturing a different object for each of the plurality of pallets. A method comprising:

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising encoding the set of manufacturing instructions for each of the plurality of objects on each of a plurality of pallets, and the plurality of manufacturing devices (117) manufacturing each of the plurality of objects based on the set of manufacturing instructions on each of the plurality of pallets.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of pallets includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip, and encoding the set of manufacturing instructions for each of the plurality of objects includes encoding the set of manufacturing instructions in the RFID chip.

11. The plurality of manufacturing devices (117) encode the manufacturing details for each of the plurality of objects on each of the plurality of pallets; 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising evaluating performance of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117) based on the manufacturing content encoded on each of the plurality of pallets.

12. Evaluating the performance of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117), reading the set of manufacturing instructions and the manufacturing content from each of the plurality of pallets; providing the set of manufacturing instructions and the manufacturing content from each of the plurality of pallets to a machine learning model; and evaluating the performance of the plurality of manufacturing tools (117) based on the output of the machine learning model. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

13. A method for simultaneously manufacturing a plurality of objects, comprising: circulating (402) a plurality of pallets (111) simultaneously by a circulating conveyor system (116), the conveyor system (116) including an entry point (208) and an exit point (210) for each pallet, and a plurality of manufacturing points corresponding to a plurality of manufacturing devices (117), and circulating the plurality of pallets (111) simultaneously includes circulating the plurality of pallets (111) simultaneously through the plurality of manufacturing points for two or more cycles, each pallet being associated with a set of manufacturing instructions for a corresponding object; producing (404) each object according to the set of manufacturing instructions associated with each pallet using a different combination of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117) while simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets (111) via the conveyor system (116); determining the number of pallets on said conveyor system (116); (i) determining the utilization of each manufacturing device based on the number of pallets (111) on the conveyor system (116), and (ii) manufacturing instructions encoded on the pallets (111) on the conveyor system (116); and Selecting additional pallets to enter the conveyor system (116) based on utilization of a given manufacturing device being below a threshold level. A method comprising:

14. A method for simultaneously manufacturing a plurality of objects, comprising: circulating (402) a plurality of pallets (111) simultaneously by a circulating conveyor system (116), the conveyor system (116) including an entry point (208) and an exit point (210) for each pallet, and a plurality of manufacturing points corresponding to a plurality of manufacturing devices (117), and circulating the plurality of pallets (111) simultaneously includes circulating the plurality of pallets (111) simultaneously through the plurality of manufacturing points for two or more cycles, each pallet being associated with a set of manufacturing instructions for a corresponding object; producing (404) each object according to the set of manufacturing instructions associated with each pallet using a different combination of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117) while simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets (111) via the conveyor system (116); determining that the first object has been manufactured according to its manufacturing instructions based on status messages from a given manufacturing device; and Based on a determination that the first object has been manufactured, a first pallet (216) corresponding to the first object is exited from the conveyor system (116) at the exit point (210). A method comprising:

15. A method for simultaneously manufacturing a plurality of objects, comprising: circulating (402) a plurality of pallets (111) simultaneously by a circulating conveyor system (116), the conveyor system (116) including an entry point (208) and an exit point (210) for each pallet and a plurality of manufacturing points corresponding to a plurality of manufacturing devices (117), wherein simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets (111) includes simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets (111) through the plurality of manufacturing points for two or more cycles, each pallet being associated with a set of manufacturing instructions for a corresponding object; producing (404) each object according to the set of manufacturing instructions associated with each pallet using a different combination of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117) while simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets (111) via the conveyor system (116); Including, a first pallet (216) of the plurality of pallets (111) remains on the conveyor system (116) for a first number of cycles and a second pallet (218) of the plurality of pallets (111) remains on the conveyor system (116) for a second number of cycles, the first number of cycles being different from the second number of cycles, and the method further comprising: training a machine learning model based on the first number of cycles and the second number of cycles. A method comprising:

16. A method for simultaneously manufacturing a plurality of objects, comprising: circulating (402) a plurality of pallets (111) simultaneously by a circulating conveyor system (116), the conveyor system (116) including an entry point (208) and an exit point (210) for each pallet and a plurality of manufacturing points corresponding to a plurality of manufacturing devices (117), wherein simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets (111) includes simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets (111) through the plurality of manufacturing points for two or more cycles, each pallet being associated with a set of manufacturing instructions for a corresponding object; and manufacturing (404) each object according to the set of manufacturing instructions associated with each pallet using a different combination of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117) while simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets (111) by the conveyor system (116). Including, Each of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117) is configured to encode manufacturing details for each object on each corresponding pallet, and the method includes: After each object is manufactured, reading said manufacturing details from each pallet; and training a machine learning model using said manufacturing content; further comprising The method, wherein simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets (111) by the conveyor system (116) includes simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets (111) by the conveyor system (116) based on output from the machine learning model.

17. A method for simultaneously manufacturing a plurality of objects, comprising: circulating (402) a plurality of pallets (111) simultaneously by a circulating conveyor system (116), the conveyor system (116) including an entry point (208) and an exit point (210) for each pallet and a plurality of manufacturing points corresponding to a plurality of manufacturing devices (117), wherein simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets (111) includes simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets (111) through the plurality of manufacturing points for two or more cycles, each pallet being associated with a set of manufacturing instructions for a corresponding object; producing (404) each object according to the set of manufacturing instructions associated with each pallet using a different combination of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117) while simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets (111) via the conveyor system (116); Including, Each of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117) is configured to encode manufacturing details for each object on each corresponding pallet, and the method includes: After each object is manufactured, reading said manufacturing details from each pallet; training a machine learning model using the manufacturing content; and determining, based on output from the machine learning model, that one or more of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117) should be maintained; The method further comprises:

18. A method for simultaneously manufacturing a plurality of objects, comprising: circulating (402) a plurality of pallets (111) simultaneously by a circulating conveyor system (116), the conveyor system (116) including an entry point (208) and an exit point (210) for each pallet, and a plurality of manufacturing points corresponding to a plurality of manufacturing devices (117), and circulating the plurality of pallets (111) simultaneously includes circulating the plurality of pallets (111) simultaneously through the plurality of manufacturing points for two or more cycles, each pallet being associated with a set of manufacturing instructions for a corresponding object; producing (404) each object according to the set of manufacturing instructions associated with each pallet using a different combination of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117) while simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets (111) via the conveyor system (116); receiving a parts list for an assembly of the system (100), wherein each of the plurality of objects corresponds to a part on the parts list; determining a manufacturing sequence for the plurality of objects based on (i) a fabrication plan for the system (100) assembly and (ii) an expected usage of each of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117) in relation to the manufacturing sequence; Including, circulating the plurality of pallets (111) simultaneously by the conveyor system (116) includes circulating the plurality of pallets (111) simultaneously by the conveyor system (116) according to the production sequence. method.

19. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by one or more processors (104), cause the processors to perform functions for simultaneously manufacturing multiple objects, the functions comprising: simultaneously circulating a plurality of pallets (111) by a circulating conveyor system (116), the conveyor system (116) including an entry point (208) and an exit point (210) for the plurality of pallets and a plurality of manufacturing points corresponding to a plurality of manufacturing devices (117), each of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117) including a computing device, wherein simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets (111) includes simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets (111) through the plurality of manufacturing points for two or more cycles, each of the plurality of pallets being associated with a set of manufacturing instructions, and each of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117) being configured to stack material of the object relative to the pallet in a different direction than other manufacturing devices of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117); manufacturing each of the plurality of objects according to the set of manufacturing instructions using different combinations of the plurality of manufacturing devices (117) while simultaneously circulating the plurality of pallets (111) by the conveyor system (116); 1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising:

20. The function is encoding the set of manufacturing instructions for each of the plurality of objects on each of the plurality of pallets, wherein the plurality of manufacturing devices (117) are configured to manufacture each of the plurality of objects based on the set of manufacturing instructions on each of the plurality of pallets.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19.

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