Automated Tool Selection System for Manufacturing Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current tool selection processes in manufacturing facilities are time-consuming and inefficient due to the manual identification of tools from extensive lists, relying on user knowledge that may be limited.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented tool selection system that receives tool and requirement data, automatically determining whether the tool data satisfies the selected requirement definition, thereby enabling users to select the appropriate tools for vehicle assembly processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual tool identification is used from extensive lists, then user knowledge and control are maintained, but time consumption and inefficiency increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool selection efficiencyVSAvoidtime for manual tool identification

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of tool selection with an automated computer-based system. The software automatically retrieves tool data from databases, compares it against process requirements, and identifies suitable tools without manual intervention, thereby substituting human cognitive and manual effort with automated information processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing the software to autonomously perform tool selection based on predefined criteria and databases. The automated system serves itself by automatically querying tool databases, evaluating compatibility, and generating tool assignments without requiring continuous human guidance or intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If manual tool selection from extensive lists is used, then flexibility in tool choice is maintained, but the complexity of the selection process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of tool selectionVSAvoidcomplexity of selection process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex evaluation and comparison logic from the user and embeds it within the software system. The software automatically extracts relevant tool characteristics from databases, compares them against process requirements, and filters out unsuitable options, leaving the user with only the final tool recommendations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The software acts as an intermediary between the user and the extensive tool databases. It handles the complex intermediate steps of data retrieval, comparison, and evaluation, presenting simplified results to the user while managing the underlying complexity within the software system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7774090B2Tool selection system and method

Publication Date: 2010.08.10 FORD MOTOR CO

AI summary

Systems and methods to select a tool are provided. In at least one embodiment, a system receives first tool data defining a first tool and requirement data defining a requirement of a process to be performed within a manufacturing facility. The system stores the first tool data in memory. The system automatically determines whether the first tool data satisfies a selected requirement definition and outputs a first representation of the first tool if the first tool data satisfies the selected requirement definition thereby enabling a user to select the tool.