Patent ID: 7089082
Filing Date: 2006-08-08
Classification: G05B,G16Z,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method of manufacturing two or more molded parts of separate customers, the method comprising: receiving customer part data from a first customer comprising a CAD file for a first part to be molded, the CAD file defining a first part surface profile, the customer part data from the first customer further comprising a selection of material and a selection of a first delivery time; receiving customer part data from a second customer different from the first customer, the customer part data from the second customer comprising a CAD file for a second part to be molded, the CAD file defining a second part surface profile; the customer part data from the second customer further comprising a selection of material and a selection of a second delivery time; automatically determining that the first part and the second part can be molded in a family mold, the automatic determining requiring both the first part and the second part to be molded of the same material, requiring that the first delivery time and the second delivery time overlap, and requiring that a cavity for the first part and a cavity for the second part fit within a single mold block size; machining, within a single mold block, the cavity for the first part based upon the CAD file defining the first part surface profile and the cavity for the second part based upon the CAD file defining the second part surface profile; and running the single mold block in an injection mold press to manufacture the first part and the second part.