Patent ID: 6522939
Filing Date: 2003-02-18
Classification: G05B,Y02P

Abstract:
A production control system for monitoring process parameters in an automated production line for manufacturing contact lenses, said production line having a plurality of process stations including a beginning and an end, each process station having one or more process control devices that control production operations at a respective process station and generates production parameter data therefrom, said system comprising:(a) a line monitor device for receiving an externally generated production order including a lot number, product type, and quantity, said line monitor: i) coordinating manufacturing processes at each said plurality of process stations, and, ii) tracking order production from said beginning to said end of said production line; (b) a plurality of cell monitor devices for retrieving said production data from said one or more process control devices and processing said data to ensure that production data are within predefined setpoints; and, (c) an interface device for enabling operator activation and completion of orders at each process station and for accessing line status information from said line monitor device and production data from said cell monitor device for real-time viewing of respective line status and control device status information.