Abstract:
A method of analyzing a manufacturing system. The manufacturing system includes a plurality of manufacturing resources. A set of orders is currently appointed for processing by the manufacturing system. Each order of the set of orders requires performance of at least one task. Each task is to be performed by at least a respective one of the manufacturing resources. The method includes determining stochastic parameters for each task of the plurality of tasks. The method also includes calculating a loading profile for at least one of the manufacturing resources that is allocated to at least one of the plurality of tasks. The loading profile function is a function of time and represents a probability that the manufacturing resource is occupied at a given time. The calculation is based at least in part on the stochastic parameters of the tasks.
Abstract:
A configurable operator panel that uses a tactile sensor with electrically conductive elastomer and appropriate electronics is disclosed herein. The device relies on a robust and inexpensive tactile sensor that senses the touch position (and may or may not sense touch pressure as well). The physical interface is easily configurable along with the electronics, which execute the desired function based on touch location and pressure. The configurable operator panel is designed to communicate with most industrial automation equipment, including but not limited to, motion control equipment, programmable logic controllers (PLC), personal computers, and can be made to control other types of machines requiring external analog or digital input.
Abstract:
Some embodiments provide a touch-sensitive device to receive a bias and to generate touch location information based on the bias, an element to secure a printed medium in contact with the touch sensitive device, the printed medium to depict a plurality of telephone interface controls, a memory to store a telephone interface layout associating one or more of the telephone interface controls with a respective touch location and a respective action, and a processor to receive touch location information from the touch-sensitive device, to determine a telephone interface control based on the touch location information and on the telephone interface layout, to determine an action based on the telephone interface control and on the telephone interface layout, and to perform the determined action.
Abstract:
A modular laundry system comprises first and second laundry appliances in a horizontal arrangement and first and second single width horizontal modules. The first single width horizontal module is vertically arranged with the first laundry appliance, and the second single width horizontal module is vertically arranged with the second laundry appliance. At least one of the first and second single width horizontal modules is a laundry care module having an associated laundry care function.
Abstract:
A method of determining an imbalance condition in a horizontal axis washing machine is disclosed. The method comprises several steps, including establishing a speed profile for the washing machine, having at least three increasing speed steps, operating a motor to rotate the washing machine drum sequentially through the three speed steps, measuring the power output of the motor at each speed step, calculating an average power output by averaging the power output at the first and second speed steps, calculating the difference between the power output at the third step and the average power output, comparing the difference to a predetermined threshold difference value, and sending a signal indicative of an imbalance condition if the difference exceeds the threshold difference value.
Abstract:
The present invention provides methods for connecting electrically conductive elastomer to electronics that reduce cost and time for manufacturing a tactile sensor that includes an electrically conductive elastomer such as a conductive foam. The methods provide a good connection between the electrically conductive elastomer and the electrodes connected to the electronics, which provide for repeatable measurements. The methods can be used for all cases of electrically conductive elastomers and elastomers made to be conductive with the addition of conductive particles (such as carbon, silver, nickel, gold, etc.) including thermoplastic and some thermosetting elastomers.
Abstract:
Methods for washing fabric loads without water or using water only as a co-solvent are disclosed. One method of non-aqueous clothes washing includes the steps of disposing clothing in a wash container, delivering a wash liquor to the fabric load, the wash liquor comprising a substantially non-reactive, non-aqueous, non-oleophilic, apolar working fluid and at least one washing additive, applying mechanical energy to the clothing and wash liquor for a sufficient amount of time to provide fabric cleaning and, thereafter, substantially removing the wash liquor from the fabric load. The working fluid may be selected from the group consisting of perfluorocarbons, hydrofluoroethers, fluorinated hydrocarbons and fluoroinerts.
Abstract:
Methods for washing fabric loads without water or using water only as a co-solvent are disclosed. One method of non-aqueous clothes washing includes the steps of disposing clothing in a wash container, delivering a wash liquor to the fabric load, the wash liquor comprising a substantially non-reactive, non-aqueous, non-oleophilic, apolar working fluid and at least one washing additive, applying mechanical energy to the clothing and wash liquor for a sufficient amount of time to provide fabric cleaning and, thereafter, substantially removing the wash liquor from the fabric load. The working fluid may be selected from the group consisting of perfluorocarbons, hydrofluoroethers, fluorinated hydrocarbons and fluoroinerts.