Patent ID: 6236901
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: B23P,G05B,Y02P

Abstract:
A build-to-order product assembly system comprising:a control unit capable of receiving a product order describing a product to be assembled, the control unit including a list of product components for the product to be assembled, wherein the product is a computer system including a chassis, a processor supported by the chassis and a memory coupled to the processor;a kitting unit coupled to the control unit and receiving the list of product components, the kitting unit including:a plurality of kit trays;a plurality of stored product components; anda product component list display device, the product component list display device displaying the list of product components so that a kit tray with product components pulled from the stored product components and according to the product component list display device can be prepared;an assembly unit coupled to the kitting unit and receiving the prepared kit tray from the kitting unit, the assembly unit having a first work cell including a work space for assembly of the product using the product components from the prepared kit tray;a chassis preparation unit coupled to the control unit and receiving the list of product components, the chassis preparation unit including:a plurality of chassis components; anda chassis preparation work space in which a chassis is prepared for a computer system according to the list of product components; anda joining area coupled to the kitting unit and to the chassis preparation unit, the joining area receiving a prepared chassis and a prepared kit tray the prepared chassis being added to the prepared kit tray before being sent to the assembly unit, wherein the control unit delivers the list of product components to the chassis preparation unit at a first time, and the control unit delivers the list of product components to the kitting unit at a second time, the first time and the second time being selected by the control unit so the prepared chassis and the prepared kit tray arrive at the joining area at approximately the same time.