US5311759A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for real-time statistical process monitoring
Assignee: Research Foundation of the State University of New York
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Filing: 1992-12-14
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Granted: 1994-05-17
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Expires: 2012-12-14
Abstract
Abstract Method and system for monitoring the operation of a stamping press preferably for forming automobile parts, such as fenders and quarter panels, based on a plurality of features extracted from a press signature. The method includes defining the plurality of features, each feature representing a parameter associated with the process of forming the parts, and operating the stamping press so as to produce a predetermined number of production parts while collecting a production operating signature. The method also includes extracting the feature values from the production operating signature to obtain production feature values, and comparing the production feature values to predetermined operating limits which represent limits within which acceptable parts are formed.
Inventors
- 👤 Suresh M. Mangrulkar
- 👤 Thomas A. Spoto
- 👤 II James S. Rankin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 01:45
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/418; G05B19/41875; B; B30; B30B; B30B15/00; B30B15/26; G01; G01L; G01L5/00; G01L5/0061; G01L5/0076; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/32; G05B2219/32191; G05B2219/50; G05B2219/50197
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of monitoring the operation of a stamping press for forming parts, the method comprising: operating the stamping press so as to produce a predetermined number of production parts while collecting a set of production process signatures for each part; defining a plurality of features for each set of production process signatures, each feature representing a parameter incapable of being directly measured by a single sensor associated with the process of forming the parts; extracting feature values from each set of production process signatures in real-time to obtain a corresponding set of production feature values; and comparing each set of production feature values to predetermined operating limits representing limits within which the process is in control or producing acceptable parts.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of monitoring the operation of a stamping press for forming parts, the method comprising: operating the stamping press so as to produce a predetermined number of production parts while collecting a set of production process signatures for each part; defining a plurality of features for each set of production process signatures, each feature representing a parameter incapable of being directly measured by a single sensor associated with the process of forming the parts; extracting feature values from each set of production process signatures in real-time to obtain a corresponding set of production feature values; and comparing each set of production feature values to predetermined operating limits representing limits within which the process is in control or producing acceptable parts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising detecting an out-of-control process or the formation of unacceptable parts based on the comparison.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising operating the stamping press so as to produce a predetermined number of baseline parts while collecting a set of baseline process signatures for each part; and establishing the predetermined operating limits associated with each of the features based on the set of baseline process signatures for each part.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the predetermined operating limits include control limits and quality limits, the control limits indicating the process of forming the parts is out of statistical control, the quality limits indicating when a part is out of acceptable tolerances.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the step of detecting includes the step of diagnosing the out-of-control process or the production of unacceptable parts at the actual formation of the parts based on the comparison so as to reduce scrap.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising controlling operation of the press upon diagnosing the out-of-control process or the formation of unacceptable parts.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
195 words
A method of monitoring the operation of a stamping press for forming parts, the method comprising: operating the stamping press so as to produce a predetermined number of baseline parts while collecting a set of baseline process signatures for each part; defining a plurality of features based on the set of baseline process signatures for each part, each feature representing a parameter incapable of being directly measured by a single sensor associated with the process of forming the parts; establishing operating limits associated with each of the features based on the set of baseline process signatures for each part, the operating limits representing limits within which the process is in control or producing acceptable parts; operating the stamping press so as to produce a plurality of predetermined number of production parts while collecting a set of production process signatures for each part; extracting feature values from the set of production process signatures in real-time to obtain a corresponding set of production feature values; comparing the set of production feature values to the operating limits; and detecting an out-of-control process or the formation of unacceptable parts based on the comparison for the purposes of process control.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
195 words
A method of monitoring the operation of a stamping press for forming parts, the method comprising: operating the stamping press so as to produce a predetermined number of baseline parts while collecting a set of baseline process signatures for each part; defining a plurality of features based on the set of baseline process signatures for each part, each feature representing a parameter incapable of being directly measured by a single sensor associated with the process of forming the parts; establishing operating limits associated with each of the features based on the set of baseline process signatures for each part, the operating limits representing limits within which the process is in control or producing acceptable parts; operating the stamping press so as to produce a plurality of predetermined number of production parts while collecting a set of production process signatures for each part; extracting feature values from the set of production process signatures in real-time to obtain a corresponding set of production feature values; comparing the set of production feature values to the operating limits; and detecting an out-of-control process or the formation of unacceptable parts based on the comparison for the purposes of process control.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the predetermined operating limits include control limits and quality limits, the control limits indicating the process of forming the parts is out of statistical control, the quality limits indicating when a part is out of acceptable tolerances.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the step of detecting includes the step of diagnosing the production of unacceptable parts at the actual formation of the parts based on the comparison so as to reduce scrap.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 9 further comprising controlling operation of the press upon detecting the formation of the unacceptable parts.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
147 words
For use with a stamping press for forming parts, a system for monitoring the process of forming the parts, the system comprising: means for collecting a set of production process signatures for each part while the stamping press is operating and producing a predetermined number of production parts; means for defining a plurality of features based on the set of production process signatures, each feature representing a parameter incapable of being directly measured by a single sensor associated with the process of forming the parts; means for extracting feature values from the set of production process signature in real-time to obtain a corresponding set of production feature values; and means for comparing the set of production feature values to predetermined operating limits in real-time, the operating limits representing limits within which the process is in control or acceptable parts are formed, for the purpose of process control.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
147 words
For use with a stamping press for forming parts, a system for monitoring the process of forming the parts, the system comprising: means for collecting a set of production process signatures for each part while the stamping press is operating and producing a predetermined number of production parts; means for defining a plurality of features based on the set of production process signatures, each feature representing a parameter incapable of being directly measured by a single sensor associated with the process of forming the parts; means for extracting feature values from the set of production process signature in real-time to obtain a corresponding set of production feature values; and means for comparing the set of production feature values to predetermined operating limits in real-time, the operating limits representing limits within which the process is in control or acceptable parts are formed, for the purpose of process control.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 11 further comprising means for detecting an out-of-control process or the formation of unacceptable parts based on the comparison.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system of claim 12 further comprising: means for collecting a set of baseline process signatures for each part while the stamping press is operating and producing a predetermined number of baseline parts; and means for establishing the operating limits associated with each of the features based on the set of baseline process signatures for each part.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 13 wherein means for establishing the operating limits includes means for establishing control limits and means for establishing quality limits, the control limits indicating the process of forming the parts is out of when a part is out of acceptable tolerances.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 14 wherein the means for detecting includes means for diagnosing the out-of-control process or means for diagnosing the production of unacceptable parts at the actual formation of the parts so as to reduce scrap.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 15 further comprising means for controlling operation of the press upon diagnosing the out-of-control process or the formation of the unacceptable parts.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-05-16 | 1997-11-15 | 1998-05-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-05-16 | 2001-11-15 | 2002-05-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-05-16 | 2005-11-15 | 2006-05-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |