Patent ID: 6711798
Filing Date: 2004-03-30
Classification: G05B,G06Q,Y02P,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for manufacturing products according to customer orders, the method comprising:collecting components at a kitting facility for a product ordered by a customer; transporting the components from the kitting facility to a build cell; assembling, configuring, and testing the components in the build cell to form the product, wherein: the operation of configuring comprises installing software into the assembled components in the build cell; and the operation of testing comprises performing extended testing on the assembled components in the build cell; transporting the product to a boxing facility; and packaging the product at the boxing facility; wherein sets of components for at least two build cells are received from a transportation system, via one receiving apparatus; and wherein, after the components have been assembled, configured, and tested to form the product, the receiving apparatus transports the product from the build cell to the transportation system, for delivery to the boxing facility.