Modular manufacturing line including work tool having work tool spray nozzle and method of operation therefor

摘要

A modular manufacturing line includes first and second modular manufacturing stations. Each station includes a framework defining a manufacturing space, and an overhead friction drive system supported on the framework for moving a suspended article through the manufacturing space. A control system is in communication with each drive system and is configured to simultaneously control a first article at the first station according to one operation pattern and control a second article at the second station according to a different operation pattern. A work tool including a work tool spray nozzle is positioned at the first station and is movable along a floor mounted work tool support track. The first article moves through an article pathway volume that intersects with a work tool pathway volume defined by the work tool movement.

主权项

1. A modular manufacturing line, comprising:
a first modular manufacturing station including a first framework defining a first manufacturing space, and a first overhead friction drive system supported on the first framework and configured to move a first suspended article through the first manufacturing space; a second modular manufacturing station including a second framework defining a second manufacturing space, and a second overhead friction drive system supported on the second framework and configured to move a second suspended article through the second manufacturing space; wherein the first and second overhead friction drive systems are operationally aligned to define a transportation path through the modular manufacturing line; a control system in control communication with the first and second overhead friction drive systems and configured to simultaneously control the first suspended article according to a first operation pattern and control the second suspended article according to a second operation pattern that is different than the first operation pattern; and a work tool including a work tool spray nozzle operationally positioned at the first modular manufacturing station and movable along a floor mounted work tool support track; wherein the first suspended article occupies an article pathway volume during movement through the first manufacturing space, wherein the article pathway volume corresponds to an article footprint and a length of the first modular manufacturing station; wherein the work tool occupies a work tool pathway volume during movement through the first manufacturing space, wherein the work tool pathway volume corresponds to a work tool footprint and a width of the first modular manufacturing station; wherein the article pathway volume and the work tool pathway volume intersect.