The present application concerns a system for tracing a product item (102, 104) on a production line (100) comprising a control unit (10) and a timestamp counter (11), wherein the control unit (10) is configured to receive a product signal related to the product item (102, 104) from at least one peripheral device (12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26). According to the invention, the control unit (10) is further configured to carry out the method steps of receiving a plurality of product signals each relating to a product item (102, 104) and a peripheral device (12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26), generating a plurality of event signals, wherein each event signal is based on one of the product signals, arranging the event signals in a sequence corresponding to an order in which the product signals were received, and associating a timestamp generated by the timestamp counter (11) with the sequence.

A cluster tool assembly includes a vacuum transfer module, a process module having a first side connected to the vacuum transfer module. An isolation valve having a first side and a second side, the first side of the isolation valve coupled to a second side of the process module. A replacement station is coupled to the second side of the isolation valve. The replacement station includes an exchange handler and a part buffer. The part buffer includes a plurality of compartments to hold new or used consumable parts. The process module includes a lift mechanism to enable placement of a consumable part installed in the process module to a raised position. The raised position provides access to the exchange handler to enable removal of the consumable part from the process module and store in a compartment of the part buffer. The exchange handler of the replacement station is configured to provide a replacement for the consumable part from the part buffer back to the process module. The lift mechanism is configured to receive the consumable part provided for replacement by the exchange handler and lower the consumable part to an installed position. The replacement by the exchange handler and the process module is conducted while the process module and the replacement station are maintained in a vacuum state.

A system and method for performing manufacturing quality control with the aid of a digital computer are provided. A specification for manufacturing a part feature is maintained in a storage, the specification including a target value. Measurements for the feature on a plurality of parts manufactured in accordance with the specification using a manufacturing process are maintained in the storage. A score associated with the manufacturing process is calculated based on how close at least some of the measurements associated with the manufacturing process are to the target value. The score is displayed. A recommendation of at least one corrective action to the manufacturing process to remedy one or more causes of non-conformance that are associated with the score is provided, wherein the manufacturing process is changed based on the recommendation to remedy one or more of the causes for non-conformance.

The present application concerns a system for tracing a product item (102, 104) on a production line (100) comprising a control unit (10) and a timestamp counter (11), wherein the control unit (10) is configured to receive a product signal related to the product item (102, 104) from at least one peripheral device (12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26). According to the invention, the control unit (10) is further configured to carry out the method steps of receiving a plurality of product signals each relating to a product item (102, 104) and a peripheral device (12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26), generating a plurality of event signals, wherein each event signal is based on one of the product signals, arranging the event signals in a sequence corresponding to an order in which the product signals were received, and associating a timestamp generated by the timestamp counter (11) with the sequence.

There is described herein an inspection tool for use during the inspection of components as manufactured. The inspection tool allows the comparison of measurement data with nominal data and provides complementary information with regards to at least one feature of the component.

A system and method for performing manufacturing quality control with the aid of a digital computer are provided. A specification for manufacturing a part feature is maintained in a storage, the specification including a target value. Measurements for the feature on a plurality of parts manufactured in accordance with the specification using a manufacturing process are maintained in the storage. A score associated with the manufacturing process is calculated based on how close at least some of the measurements associated with the manufacturing process are to the target value. The score is displayed. A recommendation of at least one corrective action to the manufacturing process to remedy one or more causes of non-conformance that are associated with the score is provided, wherein the manufacturing process is changed based on the recommendation to remedy one or more of the causes for non-conformance.

A system is described for carton serialization on a high-speed production line. The system includes conveying apparatus. A printer prints a unique character string on each piece of feed stock to uniquely identify each assembled carton. Folding and gluing apparatus are operatively associated with the conveying apparatus for selectively gluing and folding feed stock to form assembled cartons. An analysis apparatus monitors operation of carton assembly. A rejection device selectively removes defective assembled cartons from the conveying apparatus. A control system is in operative communication with the sensor, printer, folding and gluing apparatus, the analysis apparatus and the rejection device. The control system stores machine operating parameters in a database. The control system controls the printer to print the unique character string on each piece of feed stock responsive to the sensor and storing the unique character string and production time for each carton produced in a database.

A computer-implemented system and method for part surface manufacturing quality control are provided. A specification for manufacturing a part surface is maintained in a storage, the specification comprising a target value for a profile characteristic of the surface. Measurements of the profile characteristic of the surface produced during multiple manufacturing runs are maintained in the storage, wherein the surface produced during each of the manufacturing runs is associated with two or more of the measurements made at different points of the surface. A score for each of the measurements is calculated based on how the close that measurement is to the target value. For the surface produced during one or more of the manufacturing runs, the scores for at least some of the measurements made for that surface during that manufacturing run are displayed.

A machining machine system includes: a machining machine; a numerical control device which generates a command for driving an axis of the machining machine; an interior information acquisition unit which acquires interior information of the numerical control device; a tentative determination unit which determines acceptance/rejection of a workpiece as machined by the machining machine based on a comparison result between the interior information and a threshold value; a final determination unit which determines acceptance/rejection of workpieces which are targets of an accuracy inspection which include at least a workpiece as determined to be accepted/rejected by the tentative determination unit based on a measurement result with respect to an accuracy of the workpiece; and a threshold value update unit which updates the threshold value used for determination processing by the tentative determination unit based on determination results by the tentative determination unit and the final determination unit.

The invention relates to a method for the quality assessment of a component produced by means of an additive manufacturing method. In the course of the method, it is checked first of all whether the component violates predetermined absolute limits in order to rule out the existence of serious malfunctions in the additive manufacturing process. Subsequently, a component-dependent targeting process is determined. On the basis of this targeting process, the limits for deviations are established and deviating actual values of the component are isolated and assessed by means of various parameters.