Process System Component Sourcing With Automated Inventory Checking
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Solution Overview
Problem
In industrial environments, designing process systems requires manual component sourcing, which is inefficient and costly, as it relies on users to search for available components within the inventory before ordering from external providers.
Innovation Solution
An automated method that integrates with system design applications to receive process system specifications, determine necessary components, and automatically identify those already in inventory, populating a component sourcing application with components that need to be sourced from external providers, thereby streamlining the sourcing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual component sourcing is used, then users can search for available components in inventory before ordering, but the process is inefficient and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary inventory checking and component identification automatically before the user initiates the ordering process. The automated component identification module pre-processes design specifications to determine which components are already in inventory and which need to be sourced externally, eliminating the need for manual searching during the ordering phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of searching inventory catalogs and checking availability with an automated computer-based system. The automated component identification module uses software to automatically query inventory databases, match components against design specifications, and populate sourcing applications, substituting human manual work with automated computational processes.
2Ease of manufacture
If manual component sourcing is used, then users can make informed decisions about component selection, but the process is costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing the automated component identification module to autonomously perform inventory checks, component matching, and sourcing application population without requiring user intervention. The module independently processes design specifications, queries inventory systems, and generates sourcing recommendations, making the system serve itself rather than requiring manual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary component identification and inventory verification before the user needs to make decisions. By pre-processing design specifications and automatically determining which components are available in inventory versus which need external sourcing, the system prepares all necessary information in advance, making the subsequent user decision-making process faster and more efficient.
3Productivity
If components are automatically identified from design specifications, then sourcing efficiency improves, but automation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated component identification system is divided into distinct functional modules: a design specification parser that processes input files, an inventory query module that checks availability, a component matching algorithm that compares specifications with inventory items, and a sourcing application populator that generates output. This segmentation allows each module to be independently developed, tested, and maintained, reducing overall system complexity despite the high level of automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an automated component identification module as an intermediary layer between the design specification input and the component sourcing output. This intermediary module handles the complex processing of translating design requirements into actionable sourcing information, acting as a mediator that simplifies the interface between users and the underlying inventory management system while maintaining high automation levels.
Data Source
AI summary
The technology disclosed herein enables automation of component sourcing when designing a process system in an industrial environment. In a particular embodiment, a method includes receiving design specifications of a process system in an industrial environment via a system design application. The method further includes determining components to implement the process system from the design specifications and identifying a first subset of the components for sourcing from an external provider. The method also includes populating the first subset into a component sourcing application.