Distributed Light-Guided Production for Remote Quality-Controlled Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for conducting industrial operations such as manufacturing, assembly, and inspection require employees to travel to centralized locations, leading to increased expenses, time consumption, and environmental impact due to traffic congestion and emissions.
Innovation Solution
A distributed processing system utilizing remote light-guided work stations connected through cloud computing, where orders are received and work instructions are sent via the internet, enabling remote production locations to manufacture, inspect, or kit products using raw components and light-guided systems, with data analytics for quality and productivity improvement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If employees travel to centralized factory locations to perform work, then production coordination and quality control are simplified, but expenses increase, time consumption increases, and environmental impact worsens due to traffic congestion and emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized factory into multiple distributed remote production locations, each equipped with light-guided work stations. This segmentation allows employees to work from different locations while maintaining centralized coordination through the production coordinator system, thereby reducing travel time while preserving quality control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a production coordinator as an intermediary system that connects the centralized management with distributed remote locations. This intermediary enables centralized quality control and coordination without requiring employees to physically travel to the factory, thus reducing time consumption while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If employees travel to centralized factory locations, then production coordination is simplified, but expenses increase due to travel costs and facility requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized production model into distributed remote locations, eliminating the need for employees to travel to a central facility. This reduces expenses related to travel, accommodation, and large facility requirements while maintaining production coordination through digital communication systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The production coordinator acts as an intermediary that enables centralized production coordination without physical presence. This digital intermediary reduces expenses by eliminating travel costs and reducing the need for large centralized facilities, while maintaining effective production coordination.
3Reliability
If centralized factory operations are used, then quality control and training are easier to manage, but traffic congestion and emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized operations into distributed remote production locations, eliminating the need for employee commutes and thereby reducing traffic congestion and emissions. Quality control is maintained through the light-guided work stations and centralized monitoring system.
4Loss of time
If distributed remote locations are used, then time consumption and expenses are reduced, but system complexity and coordination difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs universal light-guided work stations that can be deployed at multiple remote locations, providing consistent functionality and interface across all sites. This universality reduces system complexity by using standardized components rather than custom solutions for each location.
Solution Approach 2:
The production coordinator system implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor and coordinate activities across distributed locations. This feedback system automatically manages coordination complexity by providing real-time information and automated adjustments, reducing the burden on human coordinators.
5Loss of energy
If distributed production is implemented, then environmental impact and expenses are reduced, but manufacturing precision and quality consistency may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses light-guided work stations that replicate or copy the standardized work instructions and procedures at each remote location. This copying mechanism ensures that the same quality standards and manufacturing precision are maintained across all distributed locations, preventing quality deterioration.
Solution Approach 2:
The production coordinator system implements feedback loops that monitor quality metrics from all remote locations and provide real-time adjustments. This feedback mechanism maintains manufacturing precision and quality consistency across distributed operations by automatically correcting deviations from standards.
Data Source
AI summary
A distributed light-guided processing method includes obtaining an order from a requester, for at least one completed product. Raw components are provided to at least one selected remote processing location. The selected remote processing location includes a light guided system. Work instructions are provided to the selected remote processing location, wherein the work instructions enable the light guided system to guide construction of the completed product. The completed product is processed, using at least the raw components, the work instructions, and the light guided system. The completed product is shipped from the selected remote processing location upon completion of the processing.