Production Sequence Planning With Machine Network and Product Tree

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing production line programming is time-consuming, inflexible, and prone to bottlenecks, requiring manual reprogramming for product changes and causing significant production losses due to unforeseen issues.

Innovation Solution

A method that automates the programming of production lines using a machine network diagram and product synthesis plan, allowing for flexible manufacturing sequences and simulations, enabling optimal product flow and workload distribution without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual programming is used to control production lines, then production sequences can be planned, but the process becomes time-consuming and inflexible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility of production lineVSAvoidprogramming time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by allowing the production control system to automatically generate and optimize production sequences without manual programming. The machine network diagram and product synthesis plan are automatically linked by the control system, eliminating the need for application developers to manually program production lines while maintaining full adaptability to different products and scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If production lines are programmed for specific products, then manufacturing sequences can be controlled, but switching to other products requires time-consuming reprogramming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidproduct switching capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamics by creating production sequences that are dynamically generated and optimized based on the specific product and manufacturing scenario. The machine network diagram and product synthesis plan are automatically linked in real-time, allowing the system to adapt to different products and manufacturing requirements without manual reprogramming, thus maintaining both productivity and versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If complex machine networks are used to increase manufacturing capability, then production flexibility improves, but system complexity and coordination difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing flexibilityVSAvoidmachine network complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies feedback by continuously monitoring the manufacturing process and automatically adjusting production sequences based on real-time data from the machine network. The control system receives feedback from various manufacturing nodes and dynamically optimizes the production sequence, eliminating bottlenecks and coordinating complex machine interactions without increasing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Manufacturing precision

If manual programming is used to optimize production sequences, then quality control can be maintained, but the process becomes costly and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality controlVSAvoidprogramming effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by automatically generating optimized production sequences that maintain quality control without manual programming. The control system autonomously links the machine network diagram with the product synthesis plan, considering quality criteria and manufacturing constraints, thereby eliminating costly and time-consuming manual programming while preserving manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3812981B1Method and manufacturing system for producing a product
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP3812981B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3812981B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3812981B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

To improve the planning and execution of product manufacturing in a production plant, the production plant (12) is modeled using a machine network plan (M), where the machine network plan (M) models the production plant (12) as a network of production nodes (1), and the product to be manufactured is modeled using a product synthesis plan (S), where the product synthesis plan (S) models the hierarchical structure of the product in the form of a tree of product synthesis nodes (2). The machine network plan (M) and the product synthesis plan (S) are linked by software to form a production sequence (F) by selecting, for each operation node (O) of the product synthesis plan (S), a production node (1) of the machine network plan (M) that executes the production process step to be carried out at the respective operation node (O).The manufacturing sequence (F) is carried out with a plant control system (11) for the production of the product at the manufacturing plant (12).