Robert D Strauch

US Patent:

6522939, Feb 18, 2003

Filed:

Jul 1, 1996

Appl. No.:

08/550613

Inventors:

Robert D. Strauch - Jacksonville FL 32257
John Mark Lepper - West Jacksonville FL 32257
Wallace Anthony Martin - Orange Park FL 32065
Ravi Sankar Sanka - North Jacksonville FL 32256
Craig William Walker - Jacksonville FL 32224
Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang - Jacksonville FL 32225
Lars William Johnson - Indialantic FL 32903
Leonard Ross Reinhart - Melbourne Beach FL 32951
Larry G. Hearin - Round Rock TX 78681
Carolyn R. Solberg - Austin TX 78731
Jeffrey L. Wilson - Elgin TX 78621

International Classification:

G06F 1900

US Classification:

700116, 700 28, 700 32, 700108, 700109, 700110, 700216, 702 81, 702 82, 702 84, 702115, 165 22

Abstract:

A production control system provides real-time monitoring of process parameters in an automated production line that manufactures contact lenses, the line and having a plurality of process stations with each process station having one or more process control devices that control production operations at each respective process station and generates production parameter data therefrom. The system includes a line monitor device for receiving an externally generated production order including a lot number, product type, and quantity, and further coordinates manufacturing processes at each of the plurality of process stations, and tracks order production. A plurality of cell monitor devices retrieves the production data from one or more process control devices and processes the data to ensure that production parameters are within predefined limits. Real-time viewing of respective line status and device status information is provided by an interface device that accesses respective line status information from the line monitor device and production data from said cell monitor. Activation and completion of orders at each process station is also provided via the interface device.