Patent ID: 7212882
Filing Date: 2007-05-01
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A data structure residing on a computer-readable medium for providing tool design and instructions in a dynamic manufacturing environment, the data structure comprising: at least one tool object, the at least one tool object configured to be referenced in product information, the at least one tool object configured to be changed without causing the product information to be changed, and the at least one tool object configured to represent all of a plurality of versions of a tool or a part of a tool; and a tool usage instruction generator, wherein the instruction generator is configured to generate and output at least one instruction identifying which version of the tool or the part of the tool to be used in the manufacturing environment, wherein the version of the tool or the part of the tool to be used is based on the tool object, wherein the version of the tool or the part of the tool is based on product information, and wherein the tool usage instruction generator is configured to output the generated tool usage instruction.