APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PARTS ASSEMBLY

摘要

A system for manufacturing multiple component assemblies utilizing semi-automatic computer-assisted material handling. The system comprises a plurality of component selection cells each having an alphanumeric display to display a selected assembly model description and a plurality of component bins wherein each bin has an associated bin numeric display or backlight pushbutton switch for displaying the quantity of components from that bin required for a selected assembly model. Each numeric display pushbutton switch has a means for clearing the display after the required quantity of components has been selected and for generating a control signal in response to a completion of a selected collection of parts for that cell relating to the selected assembly model. A computer controls the alphanumeric, numeric and pushbutton switch displays responsive to data entered by an operator relating to the selected assembly model number and controls the clearing of the alphanumeric displays in response to the control signal. Flow racks are also provided for storage of collected kits of parts with a display associated with each rack including a pushbutton switch for indicating when each kit of parts is stored. The computer clears the flow rack display in response to a predetermined number of kits of parts being stored in the flow rack.