Patent ID: 6801821
Filing Date: 2004-10-05
Classification: B62D,G05B,Y02P

Abstract:
An assembly line for processing assemblies, said assemblies formed into lots, and each lot having a manufacturing priority, said assembly line comprising:a plurality of conveyors to move said assemblies from a first point to a second point; a plurality of switching points interconnecting said plurality of conveyors to form a plurality of paths from said first point to said second point, at least some of said plurality of paths conveying said assemblies to different sets of assembly line workstations; and a controller for controlling said plurality of switching points such that a lot of assemblies moves along a path to a set of assembly line workstations and reaches said second point according to the manufacturing priority of said lot and such that said assemblies of said lot are substantially contiguous upon reaching said second point, wherein said controller is for controlling such that a first lot of assemblies having a higher priority than a second lot of assemblies by-passes said second lot of assemblies.