Integrated software systems and methods that can control the design, emulation, testing and production activities of a conveyor based system. In embodiments, the control system implements an object-oriented like environment into a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) system and uses its software to define and control the operation of the PLC dynamically from a computer. In other embodiments, a hot backup method allows the conveyor system to continue to function on failure of one or more PLCs.

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, include: obtaining one or more design criteria for a modeled object; iteratively modifying a three-dimensional shape of the modeled object in accordance with the one or more design criteria, determining layer boundaries between three or more discrete layers for the three-dimensional shape based on differences among multiple milling depths identified for respective milling lines in a density-based representation of the three-dimensional shape, including adjusting the density-based representation of the three-dimensional shape to reassign milling depths for at least a portion of the milling lines such that the milling depths for the milling lines correspond to the layer boundaries between the three or more discrete layers for the three-dimensional shape, thereby changing the three-dimensional shape of the modeled object; and providing the three-dimensional shape of the modeled object for use in manufacturing a physical structure using a 2.5-axis subtractive manufacturing process.

A flexible, multi-product, multi-technology, expandable facility for manufacturing products, such as biologicals, pharmaceuticals, or chemicals, and manufacturing processes using elements of such a facility.

A flexible, multi-product, multi-technology, expandable facility for manufacturing products, such as biologicals, pharmaceuticals, or chemicals, and manufacturing processes using elements of such a facility.

Integrated software systems and methods that can control the design, emulation, testing and production activities of a conveyor based system. In embodiments, the control system implements an object-oriented like environment into a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) system and uses its software to define and control the operation of the PLC dynamically from a computer. In other embodiments, a hot backup method allows the conveyor system to continue to function on failure of one or more PLCs.

A production facility is provided with: an AGV for transporting a plurality of fuselage panels of multiple types having different shapes in a mixed state on a previously determined transport path; a plurality of A/Rs for riveting the fuselage panels; work areas set so as to correspond to the respective A/Rs in which the A/Rs move to rivet the fuselage panels; and a buffer area, set beforehand in the transport path adjacent to the work area, to which the A/R corresponding to the adjacent work area moves so as to rivet the fuselage panel. When there is no fuselage panel to be riveted in the work area adjacent to the buffer area and the fuselage panel to be riveted is present in the buffer area, a control device moves the A/R corresponding to the work area adjacent to the buffer area to the buffer area to rivet the fuselage panel.

A flexible, multi-product, multi-technology, expandable facility for manufacturing products, such as biologicals, pharmaceuticals, or chemicals, and manufacturing processes using elements of such a facility.

A manufacturing matrix can include a plurality of work cells. The manufacturing matrix can include a plurality of robotic arms disposed in the plurality of work cells to produce a construction product. The manufacturing matrix can include a storage location to store inventory including at least one of the material, the tool, the subassembly of the construction product, or a completed construction product. The manufacturing matrix can include a transportation system to move the inventory within the manufacturing matrix. The manufacturing matrix can include a data processing system communicably coupled with the plurality of robotic arms and the transportation system. The data processing system can provide a first instruction to a first robotic arm cell and a second instruction to a second robotic arm of the second work cell.