SMART MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REAL-TIME TRACKING AND VALIDATION OF MANUAL ASSEMBLY TASKS

Abstract

A method of operating a smart manufacturing system includes a beacon device borne by a user's appendage broadcasting beacon signals indicative of the appendage's location during assembly of a part within a manufacturing facility. A network of radio-frequency transceivers located within the manufacturing facility receives the beacon signals; a system controller uses the beacon signals to derive an appendage path with a stop location and stop time of the appendage when performing a manual task during part assembly. The controller retrieves a part-specific build plan that contains a predefined stop location and stop time for assembling the part. The controller detects a task error when the task's stop location differs from the predefined stop location and/or the task's stop time differs from the predefined stop time. Responsive to the detected error, the controller commands a system component to output an audible, visual, and/or tactile alert indicative of the task error.

CPC Classifications