Patent ID: 8360225

Claim:
A manufacturing chain, comprising: a plurality of manufacturing modules positioned in series that together define an article transportation system through the manufacturing chain; each of the manufacturing modules including an independent drive system defining a portion of the article transportation system and being configured to move a carrier in a forward transport direction and a reverse transport direction, a position tracking device configured to detect a position of the carrier, and a piece of manufacturing equipment; and a control system including a memory having first and second unique operation patterns stored thereon, wherein each of the first and second unique operation patterns corresponds to a predetermined sequence of carrier movements that facilitate performance of a task; wherein the control system is in communication with the independent drive system, the position tracking device, and the manufacturing equipment of a first manufacturing module of the plurality of manufacturing modules to operate the manufacturing equipment and move a first carrier relative to the manufacturing equipment according to the first unique operation pattern responsive to a signal from the position tracking device of the first manufacturing module, while the control system is in communication with the independent drive system, the position tracking device, and the manufacturing equipment of a second manufacturing module of the plurality of manufacturing modules to operate the manufacturing equipment and move a second carrier relative to the manufacturing equipment according to the second unique operation pattern responsive to a signal from the position tracking device of the second manufacturing module; wherein each of the manufacturing modules includes a utility transfer module for transferring at least one of electric power, fluid, and data through the manufacturing module; and wherein each utility transfer module includes an entry port for engaging a utility transfer module of a preceding manufacturing module and an exit port for engaging a utility transfer module of a succeeding manufacturing module.