Modular paint line and method of operation therefor

Abstract

A paint line includes a plurality of modular manufacturing stations positioned in series and defining a forward transport direction. Each modular manufacturing station includes an article transportation device for moving at least one carrier through the modular manufacturing station. At least one of the modular manufacturing stations includes a piece of paint application equipment. A control system is in communication with each article transportation device and configured to independently move the carrier of each modular manufacturing station according to a unique operation pattern. The control system is also configured to index the carrier of each modular manufacturing station as the carrier traverses to a contiguous modular manufacturing station.

1 . A method of modifying a paint line having a plurality of modular manufacturing stations, comprising:
 adding a modular manufacturing station to the paint line by:
 interconnecting a plurality of beams to form a skeleton; 
 connecting a utility transfer module supported by at least one of the beams to another utility transfer module of a contiguous modular manufacturing station; 
 supporting an article transportation device with at least one of the beams; and 
 connecting the article transportation device to the utility transfer module. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further including positioning at least one piece of portable paint application equipment within an operable distance of the modular manufacturing station, and connecting the portable paint application equipment to the utility transfer module. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further including supporting a station control system with at least one of the beams, and connecting the station control system to the utility transfer module. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further including positioning a carrier track of the article transportation device along a transportation path of the paint line, wherein the transportation path is at least partially defined by a carrier track of the contiguous modular manufacturing station. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further including supporting a carrier on the carrier track, wherein the station control system is in communication with an independent drive system of the article transportation device to move the carrier along the carrier track. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further including storing a plurality of unique operation patterns in a memory of the station control system, wherein each of the plurality of unique operations patterns corresponds to a predetermined sequence of carrier movements that facilitate performance of a task at the modular manufacturing station. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3 , further including supporting a position tracking device with at least one of the plurality of beams, and connecting the position tracking device to the utility transfer module. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further including expanding or contracting at least one of the plurality of beams. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further including engaging an entry port of the utility transfer module with a preceding utility transfer module of a preceding modular manufacturing station and engaging an exit port of the utility transfer module with a succeeding utility transfer module of a succeeding modular manufacturing station. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further including engaging a quick connect coupling member of an independent drive system of the article transportation device with an equipment port of the utility transfer module.