A method of identifying a multi-component cutting tool assembly to a user includes the steps of: receiving an indication from the user of a desired characteristic of at least one of the cutting tool assembly or of a workpiece to be machined, determining at least a portion of a first set of characteristics associated with a first component of the plurality of tool components corresponds to the desired characteristic, determining at least a portion of a second set of characteristics associated with a second component of the plurality of tool components corresponds to a portion of the first set of characteristics and responsive thereto grouping the first component and the second component together to form a combination and identifying the combination to the user as the cutting tool assembly.

A method for configuring a modular industrial plant using an engineering tool includes using a plant engineering facility of the tool to create a representation of the modular industrial plant identifying modules to be orchestrated in the modular industrial plant. The modules include at least one function module that includes control software for the modular industrial plant. The method further includes using a module engineering facility of the tool to configure the function module for use in the modular industrial plant by editing a placeholder configuration file created by the tool for defining the configuration of the function module. Editing the configuration file causes a representation of the function module in the plant engineering facility to be automatically updated to reflect adaptations made to the function module using the module engineering facility. The method includes instructing the tool to assign the function modules so configured to the modular industrial plant.

A manufacturing-job apparatus includes a control module, a holding module, and a job module. The holding module is configured to hold a job object. The job module is configured to execute a job for the job object. The control module includes a communication unit and a common interface. The communication unit is configured to communicate with each of the holding module and the job module. The common interface is configured to supply motive power to both of the holding module and the job module.

A method of identifying a multi-component cutting tool assembly to a user includes the steps of: receiving an indication from the user of a desired characteristic of at least one of the cutting tool assembly or of a workpiece to be machined, determining at least a portion of a first set of characteristics associated with a first component of the plurality of tool components corresponds to the desired characteristic, determining at least a portion of a second set of characteristics associated with a second component of the plurality of tool components corresponds to a portion of the first set of characteristics and responsive thereto grouping the first component and the second component together to form a combination and identifying the combination to the user as the cutting tool assembly.

A system and method for a self-contained modular manufacturing device having self-contained modular tools configured to collectively accomplish a specific task or function in a hierarchical control manner. In an embodiment, the modular device includes a housing that has a mount configured to engage a robotic arm or other form of maneuvering actuator (such a crane or gantry). The housing may provide a base by which additional modules may be mounted and coupled. The modular device also includes an interface configured to communicate with a remote master control system capable of control the robotic arm. The modular device also includes one or more other modules that are configured to accomplish a particular task or function. Such modules are sometimes called end-effectors and work in conjunction with each other to accomplish tasks and functions. In a self-contained modular manufacturing device, individual processors disposed in the housing may be configured to control the functional tools (e.g., each end-effector) independent of the overall manufacturing control system and pass control of the self-contained modular device between local controllers in a hierarchical manner.

A manufacturing-job apparatus includes a control module, a holding module, and a job module. The holding module is configured to hold a job object. The job module is configured to execute a job for the job object. The control module includes a communication unit and a common interface. The communication unit is configured to communicate with each of the holding module and the job module. The common interface is configured to supply motive power to both of the holding module and the job module.

An apparatus includes a rigid frame or girder system, a first computer controlled motion system associated with the rigid frame or girder system and configured to move in coordinated positions, a second computer controlled motion system associated with a part to be worked on and configured to move in coordinated positions, and a plurality of sensors associated with the first motion system and the second motion system. The first computer controlled motion system and the second computer controlled motion system use information from the plurality of sensors to assist in coordination between the first computer controlled motion system and the second computer controlled motion system.

A system and method for a self-contained modular manufacturing device having self-contained modular tools configured to collectively accomplish a specific task or function in a hierarchical control manner. In an embodiment, the modular device includes a housing that has a mount configured to engage a robotic arm or other form of maneuvering actuator (such a crane or gantry). The housing may provide a base by which additional modules may be mounted and coupled. The modular device also includes an interface configured to communicate with a remote master control system capable of control the robotic arm. The modular device also includes one or more other modules that are configured to accomplish a particular task or function. Such modules are sometimes called end-effectors and work in conjunction with each other to accomplish tasks and functions. In a self-contained modular manufacturing device, individual processors disposed in the housing may be configured to control the functional tools (e.g., each end-effector) independent of the overall manufacturing control system and pass control of the self-contained modular device between local controllers in a hierarchical manner.

A system and method for a self-contained modular manufacturing device having self-contained modular tools configured to collectively accomplish a specific task or function in a hierarchical control manner. In an embodiment, the modular device includes a housing that has a mount configured to engage a robotic arm or other form of maneuvering actuator (such a crane or gantry). The housing provides a base by which additional modules may be mounted and coupled. The modular device also includes an interface configured to communicate with a remote master control system capable of control the robotic arm. The modular device also includes one or more other modules that are configured to accomplish a particular task or function. Such modules are sometimes called end-effectors and work in conjunction with each other to accomplish tasks and functions. In a self-contained modular manufacturing device, individual processors disposed in the housing are configured to control the functional tools (e.g., each end-effector) independent of the overall manufacturing control system and pass control of the self-contained modular device between local controllers in a hierarchical manner.

To enable an intuitive configuration of a control (S) or of a total plant, a control (S) for the safe controlling of at least one machine (R, St) is provided comprising a control module (SM) for generating output signals in dependence on input signals, wherein the input signals are provided by at least one connected signal generator and the output signals are communicated to the at least one machine (R, St), and wherein the control module (SM) has a display (D, D1) for displaying information of the control (S), said display being movably supported in the control module (SM) such that a moving of the display (D), D1) with respect to the control module (SM) corresponds to an input to the control (S).