Computerized virtual paint manufacturing and application system

<b>Background of the Invention</b>

1. Field Of The Invention

The present invention relates generally to painting systems and more particularly to paint manufacturing, paint application and paint product data acquisition and processing.

2. Description

Operations within automotive painting contain many devices and process controllers that chiefly work independently to achieve their individual goals. Moreover, data is individually obtained from them without a structured framework to synthesize the data so that an overall systems analysis of the painting system can be performed.

Information from automotive painting facilities is not only difficult to synthesize for an overall systems perspective, but the information leaves the<img file="EP0915401A2_D0001.tif" />hermetic" environment of these painting facilities with great difficulty. Outside sources, such as remote customer sites, need access to this synthesized information so that they can make informed decisions about certain operational characteristics of the automotive painting factories. For instance, customers wish to know how well their experimental painting products are performing in the automotive factory environment as well as the paint manufacturers and developers. Also lacking are the tools needed by the remote sites to <img file="EP0915401A2_D0002.tif" />fine tune" operational parameters in order to fix painting operations or chemistries that are not in tolerance with such predefined standards as MSDS standards. Accordingly, there is a need to overcome these and other disadvantages exhibited by previous approaches to operating paint-related facilities.

<b>Summary of the Invention</b>

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a computer-implemented apparatus and method are provided for coordinating paint-related process steps of at least one paint-related facility. The paint-related process steps exhibit paint-related characteristics. A data acquisition module is provided for acquiring paint characteristic data indicative of the paint-related characteristics. A Paint process control data structure is provided for interrelating the acquired paint characteristic data with at least two of the paint-related process steps to produce interrelated paint process control data. A paint process control coordinator is connected to the data acquisition module for storing the acquired paint characteristic data in the paint process control data structure. A data display is connected to the paint process control data structure for remotely receiving and viewing the interrelated paint process control data.

<b>Brief Description of the Drawings</b>

Additional advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description in the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>Figure 1 is a process flow diagram depicting the steps involved in the overall painting system.</li><li>Figure 2 is a network schematic diagram showing the data interconnections of the components of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;</li><li>Figure 3 is a network schematic diagram depicting the data interconnections between a painting laboratory and the virtual paint manufacturing and application system;</li><li>Figure 4 is a functional data flow diagram depicting the data flow among components of the present invention;</li><li>Figure 5a is a front view of a painting panel to be analyzed by the paint analyzer device;</li><li>Figure 5b is an exemplary contour plot output from the paint analyzer device that depicts lightness values as related to positions on the panel of Figure 5a;</li><li>Figures 6a-6b are screen displays of the paint simulator computer program;</li><li>Figures 7a-7b are schematics of the memory and data structures utilized within the present invention;</li><li>Figure 8 is an exemplary computer screen display for the data acquisition and interrelationship of resin manufacturing process control data;</li><li>Figure 9 is an exemplary computer screen display for the data acquisition and interrelationship of paint manufacturing process control data;</li><li>Figure 10 is an exemplary computer screen display for the data acquisition and interrelationship of vehicle assembly manufacturing process control data;</li><li>Figure 11a is an exemplary computer screen display showing cross-dependencies through utilization of the links among the data structures of the present invention;</li><li>Figure 11b is an exemplary computer screen display for the level of authorization for accessing the information within the present invention;</li><li>Figure 12 is a flow chart depicting the use of the present invention to do environmental tolerance checking;</li><li>Figure 13 is a flow chart depicting the steps used in the system performing problem resolution and reporting cause and effect analysis; and</li><li>Figure 14 is a flow chart depicting the steps for utilizing the system to form a weekly cause and effect analysis report; and</li><li>Figure 15 is a computer printout depicting an exemplary weekly report as generated by the present invention.</li></ul>

<b>Description of the Preferred Embodiment</b>

Figure 1 illustrates the overall steps in a paint manufacturing and application system. The ultimate purpose of the overall process is to apply manufactured paint onto a vehicle <b>50</b> within predefined tolerances. These tolerances include quality tolerances, and ecological tolerances.

Raw material <b>54</b> comes into the paint manufacturing and application system from an external raw material manufacturing source <b>62</b>. Moreover, resin <b>66</b> comes into the paint manufacturing and application system from an internal raw material manufacturing source <b>70</b>. The terms <img file="EP0915401A2_D0003.tif" />external" and <img file="EP0915401A2_D0004.tif" />internal" refer to the sources of the material that internal and external to the company that is responsible for the paint manufacturing and delivery of the manufactured paint to a vehicle assembly plant.

Data acquisition is performed with respect to raw material <b>54</b> by raw material control process block <b>74</b>. Likewise, data acquisition concerning resin <b>66</b> is performed by resin manufacturing process control block <b>78</b>. The data acquired by blocks <b>74</b> and <b>78</b> is specially structured so as to provide systems-type information with respect to each process step involving raw material <b>54</b> and resin <b>66</b>. Data acquisition is preferably captured through electronic sensors that sense the paint-related characteristics and electronically forward the data to the present invention for synthesis and storage. Also, the present invention supports manual entry of data as well as electronic retrieving the data needed by the present invention directly from databases. This novel data acquisition and its data structures as utilized by blocks <b>74</b> and <b>78</b> are more fully discussed below.

Formulation guidelines <b>82</b> indicate the manner by which raw material <b>54</b> and resin <b>66</b> are to be combined in the paint manufacturing process block <b>86</b> so as to produce paint material <b>90</b>. These formulation guidelines <b>82</b> include such guidelines as quantity and temperature at which raw material <b>54</b> and resin <b>66</b> are to be combined. Data acquisition concerning the manufacturing of the paint is performed by the paint manufacturing process control block <b>88</b>.

Paint material <b>90</b> is delivered to a vehicle assembly plant for processing within that plant as indicated by block <b>94</b>. Within the vehicle assembly plant processing block <b>94</b>, data acquisition is performed by assembly plant process control block <b>98</b>. Block <b>98</b> acquires data related to paint material <b>90</b> and its application as the paint material <b>90</b> courses through each process step within vehicle assembly plant processing block <b>94</b>. The data as acquired by paint manufacturing process control block <b>88</b> and assembly plant process control block <b>98</b> are used for such purposes as batch control <b>102</b>. Batch control <b>102</b> is intended only for illustration of the use of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of application of the present invention. Batch control <b>102</b> includes analyzing the data acquired from blocks <b>88</b> and <b>98</b> to determine whether paint material <b>90</b> is within predefined tolerances.

The data acquired by blocks <b>74</b>, <b>78</b>, <b>88</b> and <b>98</b> all reside within the computerized virtual paint manufacturing and application system <b>120</b> which structures the data so that an overall system perspective can be obtained as well as by providing an environment for entities to remotely view the data captured by the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a network schematic of the interconnections among components of the computerized virtual paint manufacturing and application system <b>120</b> and sources of data as generally depicted at <b>124</b> and recipients of the data as generally depicted at <b>128</b>. Data sources <b>124</b> include data being acquired from one or more paint laboratories <b>132</b>, one or more paint manufacturing factories <b>136</b>, and one or more vehicle assembly plants <b>140</b>.

Paint laboratories <b>132</b> provide technical data about paint material, such as mathematical models that interrelate painting factors (e.g., control settings for paint spraying equipment) with paint responses (e.g., gloss of a paint). The models are stored within the computerized virtual paint manufacturing and application system <b>120</b> in the factor-response models database <b>144</b>. Moreover, paint laboratories <b>132</b> provide technical data to populate one or more of the following data structures that are contained within the computerized virtual paint manufacturing and application system <b>120</b>: resin manufacturing data structure <b>148</b>; paint manufacturing data structure <b>152</b>; and paint application data structure <b>156</b>.

The resin manufacturing data structure <b>148</b> relates to the data obtained from resin material control process block <b>74</b> and resin manufacturing process control block <b>78</b> (of Figure 1). Paint manufacturing data structure <b>152</b> corresponds to the data acquired from paint manufacturing process control block <b>88</b> (of Figure 1). Also, paint application data structure <b>156</b> corresponds to the data acquired from the assembly plant process control block <b>98</b> (of Figure 1).

Data structures <b>148</b>, <b>152</b> and <b>156</b> are located on one or more computers as generally depicted at <b>160</b>. The data structures <b>148</b>, <b>152</b>, and <b>156</b> provide a novel structure for assisting in data acquisition from the data sources <b>124</b> and in the presentation and analysis of the data by data recipients <b>128</b>.

Computers <b>160</b> are preferably located within the physical location of the source of the data. For example, the data that is acquired from paint manufacturing factory <b>136</b> is preferably placed into a computer that is located at the paint manufacturing factory <b>136</b>. Likewise, a computer containing the paint application data structure <b>156</b> is located at a vehicle assembly plant <b>140</b>. Data structures <b>148</b>, <b>152</b> and <b>156</b> and computers <b>160</b> are collectively termed the process control coordinator <b>162</b>. Computers <b>160</b> have the capability to input and to view data that is stored in databases located on networks <b>169</b> subject to computerized security authorization.

The information as structured by data structures <b>148</b>, <b>152</b>, and <b>156</b> are able to be retrieved and analyzed by the data recipients <b>128,</b> such as at a paint manufacturer remote sites <b>164</b> and at customer remote sites <b>168</b>. To allow the data recipients <b>128</b> to analyze the painting system from an overall systems perspective, a technical database <b>172</b> provides additional paint-related data, such as, but not limited to, ecological and internal company quality standards.

Networks <b>169</b> connect the various components of the system so that data communication can occur. The preferred embodiment for networks <b>169</b> utilizes an Intranet network <b>173</b> to perform data communication between components within the computerized virtual paint manufacturing and application system <b>120</b> and within the data sources <b>124</b>. Moreover, paint manufacturer"s remote sites are connected to Intranet <b>173</b>. The customer remote sites <b>168</b> are connected to an Extranet network <b>175</b> to better ensure proper security exists in accessing the data from the computerized virtual paint manufacturing and application system <b>120</b>. Security data is located preferably in technical database <b>172</b> for ensuring that only authorized users (whoever and wherever they may be) can view the portions of the information contained within the computerized virtual paint manufacturing and application system <b>120</b> that they are authorized to view.

Figure 3 depicts the preferred embodiment for the data interconnection between one of the paint laboratories <b>132</b> and the computerized virtual paint manufacturing and application system <b>120</b>. Within paint laboratory <b>132</b>, painting equipment <b>242</b> is controlled by control settings <b>244</b> in order to spray paint upon vehicles. The sprayed paint is analyzed by a paint analyzer device <b>246</b>. The paint analyzer device <b>246</b> examines the physical characteristics of the sprayed paint so that subsequent analysis can reveal how the paint responds under various conditions and under various formulations. The paint analyzer device <b>246</b> examines such physical characteristics as, for example, color (e.g., L, a, b values at different angles), leveling (in the form of wave scanned values), gloss, haze, and film thickness. In the preferred embodiment, paint analyzer device <b>246</b> is a device known as <img file="EP0915401A2_D0005.tif" />PROSIM" which is obtainable from BASF.

Paint analyzer device <b>246</b> is preferably in data communication with a paint simulation computer program <b>248</b>. Paint simulation computer program <b>248</b> models the interrelationship between automotive painting equipment and the sprayed paint so that desired painting characteristics can be achieved. A factor-response models database <b>144</b> is used for storing mathematical models which interrelate painting factors with painting responses. Painting factors relate to the control settings <b>244</b> of the painting equipment <b>242</b>. Painting responses relate to such painting characteristics as those that may be obtained from the paint analyzer device <b>246</b>.

Paint simulation computer program <b>248</b> employs design of experiment techniques, as well as cooptimization techniques in order to determine the values for the painting responses based upon desired painting tolerances to be achieved. For a more complete understanding of the paint simulation computer program <b>248</b>, please refer to U.S. Serial No. 08/822,669 (entitled <img file="EP0915401A2_D0006.tif" />Paint Equipment Set-up Method and Apparatus"), filed March 24, 1997 which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Paint simulation computer program <b>248</b> has as one of its purposes the capability of identifying regions within the mathematical models that need to be better defined. For example, a range of painting factor values that result in relatively low R-squared values for the paint responses indicate regions within the mathematical models that need refinement. These regions within the mathematical models are specifically tested through a design of experiments technique by the paint laboratory, and data points are collected by the paint analyzer device <b>246</b>. The design of experiments factor-response models are refined to incorporate this additional detail.

Computer <b>160</b> utilizes paint manufacturing data structure <b>152</b> to acquire data from paint analyzer device <b>246</b> and paint simulation computer program <b>248</b>. This acquired data is used for several purposes including performing batch control (i.e., to ensure compliance with quality standards as contained in the technical database). Such paint characteristic data as the paint film thickness data from the paint analyzer device <b>246</b> is interrelated with the type of paint material within the paint manufacturing data structure <b>152</b>.

Another example is the following. The paint simulation computer program <b>248</b> performs design of experiments calculations based upon the data from the paint analyzer device <b>246</b> in order to identify which parameters and variables are key in the paint manufacturing and vehicle assembly factory. These identified key parameters are inserted into the process control data structures (such as the paint manufacturing data structure and the vehicle assembly data structure).

Figure 4 shows the detailed informational flow among the aforementioned components of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, the PROSIM device <b>246</b> provides paint characteristic data to the paint simulation computer program <b>248</b> so that factor/control settings can be determined to produce certain paint appearance and application responses of the sprayed paint.

The data from the PROSIM device <b>246</b> is used by the process control coordinator <b>162</b> in order to perform batch control. Within that capacity, the PROSIM device <b>246</b> allows paint material from a paint manufacturing plant to be analyzed to ensure compliance with predefined quality standards. The batch control data from the PROSIM device <b>246</b> is used to populate the paint manufacturing data structure <b>152</b> (especially with respect to the quality forward portion of the data structure).

As described above, paint simulation computer program <b>248</b> uses factor-response models database <b>144</b> in order to perform its design of experiments calculations. Also, paint simulation computer program <b>248</b> updates factor-response models database <b>144</b> based upon actual paint spraying system performance data as provided by PROSIM device <b>246</b>. Paint simulation computer program <b>248</b> along with the factor-response models database <b>144</b> provides the ability to monitor and control variable parameters via technical database <b>172</b>. Technical database <b>172</b>, in its preferred embodiment, contains such information as paint product portfolio information <b>270</b>, ecology information <b>272</b>, communication information <b>274</b>, and quality information <b>276</b> (such as first run capability). Technical database <b>172</b> also contains concern and analysis request forms <b>280</b> so that issues and concerns and their subsequent analysis and resolution can be captured. Security data <b>277</b> about how an entity that is external to the computerized virtual paint manufacturing and application system <b>120</b> may access the information is also contained in the technical database <b>172</b>.

Process control coordinator <b>162</b> synthesizes and packages the data from the data sources so that remote systems can efficiently and effectively analyze the historical, current and potential operational characteristics of the entire painting system (i.e., life history analysis). Process control coordinator <b>162</b> synthesizes and packages the data into the resin manufacturing data structure <b>148</b>, paint manufacturing data structure <b>152</b>, and the paint application data structure <b>156</b> based upon the type of data provided and which particular data source provided the data.

Additionally, process control coordinator <b>162</b> provides problem resolution and reporting information to the data destinations based upon the information captured by the computerized concern and analysis request forms <b>280</b>. The problem resolution reporting module <b>282</b> allows the data destination remote sites to use previous solutions to similar problems in order to solve existing problems. Moreover, a weekly report module <b>284</b> of the process control coordinator <b>162</b> provides for an automated capability to send the information from the various components of the present invention to the data destination remote sites.

Process control coordinator <b>246</b> provides a time stamp for each datum received from the data sources. Not only does this create a historical baseline snapshot <b>285</b>, but it also allows the amount of change at different times in the entire paint manufacturing system to be analyzed.

Figure 5a shows how the PROSIM device captures paint characteristic data from panel <b>290</b>. The regions as exemplarily identified by reference numeral <b>291</b> illustrate where the PROSIM device performs its measurements. For this example, a varying amount of basecoat <b>292</b> was applied to panel <b>290</b>. The panel's top <b>290a</b> contained a thin coating of basecoat whereas the panel's bottom <b>290b</b> contained a greater amount of basecoat. For this example, a consistent amount of clearcoat <b>294</b> was applied to panel <b>290</b>. The varying amount approach with respect to basecoat <b>292</b> is possible with the PROSIM device since the PROSIM device captures paint characteristic data across the entire panel.

To illustrate the entire panel analysis approach of the PROSIM device, figure 5b shows a sample contour plot <b>300</b> output from the PROSIM device that interrelates lightness value of the paint with the position of the paint on the panel of Figure 5a. The abscissa axis <b>302</b> shows the vertical position values of the panel while the ordinate axis <b>304</b> shows the horizontal position values of the panel. Regions within contour plot <b>300</b> reveal how the lightness values vary over panel position. For example, region <b>306</b> depicts an area on the panel that has a lightness value as provided on reference bar <b>308</b>.

Figure 6a is an exemplary screen display from the paint simulation computer program wherein factor/control settings of the paint spraying equipment is generally shown at <b>330</b>. The factor settings are interrelated through mathematical models with certain responses of the sprayed paint as generally shown at <b>334</b> and <b>338</b>. The mathematical models were generated through design of experiments techniques. In this example, the bell speed, shaping, and bell fluids factor/control settings <b>330</b> produce via the mathematical models the paint appearance and application air response as shown at reference numerals <b>334</b> and <b>338</b>.

With reference to Figure 6b, a cooptimizer <b>342</b> is utilized to maintain one or more of the factor/control settings and/or response values at a certain level or range while allowing other settings and/or responses to vary within a predefined range. In this example, the shaping air and bell fluids factor/control settings were respectively fixed at 36 pounds per square inch and 295 cubic centimeters/minute. Moreover, in this example the average film build response was fixed by the cooptimizer <b>342</b> to be within the range 0.90 to 1.0 mils. Cooptimizer <b>342</b> preferably employs a simplex algorithm such as the one provided by the Microsoft Excel software product.

Figure 7a depicts the process control data structure template <b>353</b> as contained in the computer memory <b>360</b> of computer <b>160</b>. These components are part of the process control coordinator <b>162</b>.

Process control data structure template <b>353</b> interrelates paint-related data with one or more relevant process steps of the paint spraying system. The process steps <b>364</b> include the steps used within the process of a paint laboratory, or a resin manufacturing factory, or a paint manufacturing factory, or a vehicle assembly plant. For example, a process step within a vehicle assembly plant may include the process step of when the paint is in storage or when the paint is in the mixing room, or the particular sprayed paint coating that has been applied to a vehicle.

Painting equipment data structure <b>368</b> interrelates with relevant process steps <b>364</b> such painting equipment related data as equipment type, accessories, and equipment configuration.

Process data structure <b>370</b> interrelates with relevant process steps <b>364</b> such process-related data as environmental parameters, constant parameters, and variable parameters. Environmental parameters include such items as line speed, booth temperature, and humidity. Constant parameters include, but are not limited to, application parameters that are substantially constant for each paint (e.g., oven temperature/profile, target distance). Variable parameters include, but are not limited to, application parameters that are different for each paint (e.g., fluid rate, bell speed).

Materials data structure <b>372</b> captures and stores such material related data as material parameters, additions to the material mixture, and consumption data. Specifically, consumption data refers to usage information, such as for example, consumption of resources or materials for a particular time period (e.g., on a daily basis) or consumption of resources or materials for a vehicle. Materials data structure <b>372</b> is preferably not interrelated with the process steps since typically materials-related data is not acquired until the end of an entire process (such as, at the end of the resin manufacturing process).

Quality forward data structure <b>373</b> captures and stores such quality forward-related data as testing data and evaluation data. The term <img file="EP0915401A2_D0007.tif" />quality forward" refers to quality checking for such items as defects in the material before the material is produced by a painting facility. Quality forward typically uses laboratory testing to formulate predictions about how a material should perform in production. The paint laboratory configuration of Figure 3 is preferably used to formulate such predictions for the quality forward data structure <b>373</b>. Quality forward data structure <b>373</b> is preferably not interrelated with the process steps since typically the quality forward-related data is acquired before a process for a product begins (such as, at the beginning of the paint manufacturing process).

With reference to Figure 7b, quality backward data structure <b>374</b> captures and stores such quality backward related data as first category quality backward data, second category quality backward data, and third category quality backward data. Quality backward data structure <b>374</b> interrelates with relevant process steps <b>364</b> such quality backward-related data as typically three categories of quality backward data. The first category addresses in-process batch control. The second category addresses defect-kind/type, quantification, and evaluation. The third category addresses: problem description, interim containment actions, potential causes(s) identification, root cause identification, verification of corrective actions, permanent corrective actions, and preventative actions. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to three categories, but may include only one or two categories depending on the specification application. For example, the paint application data structure preferably contains only categories two and three for the quality backward related data since typically in-process batch control is not performed within the paint application process.

The term <img file="EP0915401A2_D0008.tif" />quality backward" refers to adjusting the process based upon quality predictions, issues and resolutions identified in the <img file="EP0915401A2_D0009.tif" />quality forward" data structure. In this capacity, <img file="EP0915401A2_D0010.tif" />quality backward" operates as a feedback loop to fine tune the process.

People-related data structure <b>375</b> interrelates with relevant process steps <b>364</b> such people-related data as standard training program, job title, and job descriptions.

Painting economic data structure <b>376</b> interrelates with relevant process steps <b>364</b> such painting economic data as the money amount per kilogram per gallon of a particular paint type, the amount of money to spray a predefined automotive vehicle, and quality cost that is internal as well as external.

Lastly, an agreement data structure <b>384</b> is provided so as to interrelate contractual data, such as contract identification number and parties and obligations relevant to an agreement with relevant process steps <b>364</b>.

Process control coordinator <b>162</b> creates and maintains the process control data structure template <b>353</b> during the data acquisition steps from each data source.

Figure 8 depicts the preferred embodiment of the process control data structure template for the resin manufacturing data structure <b>148</b>. The process steps which are to be interrelated with the equipment, process, quality backward, people, economy, and agreement modules of the resin manufacturing data structure <b>148</b> are the following: material receipt, material storage, reactor/vessel preparation, intermediate processing, reactor/vessel charging, process, batch adjustment, material transfer, filtration, filling, equipment cleaning, product storage, and product delivery. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to these process steps. The above list serves only for sake of example, and can be expanded or reduced based upon the specific application at hand.

The primary input materials described by the resin manufacturing data structure <b>148</b> is the chemicals that are used to produce the resins. The chemicals and their properties are described within the raw materials module of the resin manufacturing data structure <b>148</b>. The primary output product described by the resin manufacturing data structure <b>148</b> are the resins that are produced from the chemicals.

Figure 9 depicts the preferred embodiment of the process control data structure template for the paint manufacturing data structure <b>152</b>. The process steps which are to be interrelated with the equipment, process, quality backward, people, economy, and agreement modules of the paint manufacturing data structure <b>152</b> are the following: material receipt, material storage, staging of materials, equipment preparation, raw material transfer, intermediate processing, batch blending, batch adjustment, filling process, equipment cleaning process, product storage, and product delivery to the vehicle assembly plant. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to these process steps. The above list serves only for sake of example, and can be expanded or reduced based upon the specific application at hand.

The primary input materials described by the paint manufacturing data structure <b>152</b> are the resins that are the products of the resin manufacturing data structure <b>148</b> and external raw materials (such as, for example, pigments; the external raw materials are shown by reference numeral <b>62</b> on Figure 1). The resins, the external raw materials, and the properties associated with them are described within the raw materials module of the paint manufacturing data structure <b>152</b>. The primary output product described by the paint manufacturing data structure <b>152</b> are the manufactured paint materials that are produced from the resins and the external raw materials.

Figure 10 depicts the preferred embodiment of the process control data structure template for the paint application data structure <b>156</b>. The process steps which are to be interrelated with the equipment, process, quality backward, people, economy, and agreement modules of the paint application data structure <b>156</b> are the following: storage-customer, storage-customer mixroom, mixroom, pre-cleaning, phosphate, electrocoat, cleaning-manual, cleaning-automation, manual application, robots-interior/exterior, rotational atomizers-bells, air atomizers-reciprocator, flash-off, blow-off, infrared, ovens, miscellaneous automated applications, manual auxiliary operations, automatic auxiliary operations, zone without application operation, sealant, underbody prime, wax, window glazing, transportation concerns, and coagulation. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to these process steps. The above list serves only for sake of example, and can be expanded or reduced based upon the specific application at hand.

The primary input materials described by the paint application data structure <b>156</b> are the paint materials that are the products of the paint manufacturing data structure <b>152</b>. The paint materials and their properties are described within the materials module of the paint application data structure <b>156</b>. The primary output product described by the paint application data structure <b>156</b> are the paint coatings upon vehicles.

Since variation exists within each painting process (i.e., resin manufacturing, paint manufacturing and paint application process), data structures <b>148</b>, <b>152</b>, and <b>156</b> are structured so that variations and cross-dependencies between materials and process steps can be analyzed within each painting process. Moreover, at least one common denominator/link exists among the data structures <b>148</b>, <b>152</b>, and <b>156</b> so that variations and cross-dependencies between materials and process steps can be analyzed across the entire painting process. Preferably, the link among the data structures <b>148, 152</b>, and <b>156</b> are the output materials from one data structure that corresponds to the input material to another data structure. For example, the resin material from the resin manufacturing data structure <b>148</b> is used to link with information contained in the paint manufacturing data structure <b>152</b> since the output of the resin manufacturing data structure <b>148</b> corresponds to the input of the paint manufacturing data structure <b>152</b>. Numeric identifiers are preferably used to uniquely identify the materials that link the data structures. Figure 11a is a computer screen display that provides an example of using the links between the data structures to examine cross-dependencies from one paint process to another. In this non-limiting example, the problem as identified in the quality backward data structure is traced back across materials and processes to the possible root cause of a wrong quality assurance test being used to certify that Resin #419 is acceptable for use in production. Moreover, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to only linking two data structures but includes linking all three data structures to form a complete life history view of the entire system, for example, by providing a life history view from the paint application data structure <b>156</b> through the paint manufacturing data structure <b>152</b> to the resin manufacturing data structure <b>148</b>.

Figure 11b depicts the preferred embodiment to ensure that the data is viewed by data destination remote sites in a secured manner. For example, the paint plant area managers which would be identified by a computer system identifier would only be able to view data within the present invention that relates to its own plant.

Figure 12 depicts the steps wherein the data destination remote sites uses the information from the various components of the present invention in order to control the paint spraying system. At process block <b>400</b>, a user, such as a customer, from a remote site obtains certain technical information regarding the paint spraying system. In order to obtain product data sheets, a customer invokes process block <b>404</b> by preferably clicking on an icon on the screen of the data destination remote site for a specific paint-related product. The requested product data sheet is retrieved from the technical data base and is sent to the customer at process block <b>408</b>. At process block <b>412</b>, a customer industrial hygiene group reviews the product data sheet information and performs at process block <b>416</b> all relevant emissions data. Preferably, the data destination remote site automatically calculates for the group the emissions data and produces a report that determines whether the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and emissions data are in the specified range as determined by the ecological threshold values contained within the technical database. This determination is performed by decision block <b>420</b>.

If decision block <b>420</b> determines that all VOCs and emissions data are in the specified range, then the product is determined to be <img file="EP0915401A2_D0011.tif" />useful" at process block <b>424</b>. However, if decision block <b>420</b> determines that the specified ranges have been violated, then the data destination remote site utilizes the paint simulation computer program and the data in the technical database in order to return the paint formulation back within the specified range. This processing is performed by process block <b>428</b>.

Figure 13 depicts the steps for using the present invention in performing a problem resolution and reporting cause and effect analysis. The term <img file="EP0915401A2_D0012.tif" />VIS" refers to the information presentation portions of the present invention to the data recipients.

At process block <b>440</b>, a customer detects a problem occurring in a customer assembly plant. The customer accesses the process control coordinator data in order to determine at decision block <b>448</b> whether a similar problem has occurred in the past. If the problem has not occurred in the past, then the customer initiates at process block <b>452</b> the concern analysis form that is contained within the technical database of the present invention. Subsequently, process block <b>456</b> initiates a resolution procedure and updates the technical database with the manner in which the concern was addressed and solved. At process block <b>460</b>, the customer is able to access the technical database in order to check on the status of any open PR&amp;Rs (i.e. Problem Resolution and Reporting).

If decision block <b>448</b> has determined that the problem has previously occurred, then the customer at process block <b>464</b> identifies the stored corrective actions taken with respect to that similar problem. If corrective actions are still in place and still being used within the factory environment as determined by decision block <b>468</b>, then process block <b>452</b> is executed. However, if past corrective actions are not in place and not being used, then decision block <b>472</b> of the data destination remote site determines who has responsibility for the corrective action implementation. Decision block <b>472</b> bases this information chiefly upon the agreement data structure of the process control coordinator. If the customer has the responsibility, then at process block <b>476</b> the customer investigates the failure and reimplements or changes the corrective action plan. The customer at process block <b>476</b> uses the information contained within the technical database, as well as the information from the paint simulation computer program and the process control coordinator in order to investigate and correct the failure. If the factory has the responsibility for the corrective action as determined by the agreement data structure, then the data destination remote site notifies factory personnel at process block <b>480</b> so that the factory personnel can investigate the failure and report resolution to the customer at process block <b>484</b>.

Figure 14 shows the steps involved in generating and utilizing automated weekly reports from the process control coordinator in order to analyze and control the operational parameters of the paint spraying system. At process block <b>500</b>, factory technical service representatives input batch specific data into the process control coordinator data structures in real time. The batch specific data includes product data, plant data, batch performance data, and defect occurrence and type of defect. The process control coordinator generates a product-specific report that details the activities in the factory using information provided by the technical databases and the process control coordinator data structures.

At process block <b>504</b>, plant personnel access the weekly report from the process control coordinator so that at process block <b>508</b> the plant personnel can use the information to track performance and consistency. This information is used for problem solving and to track defect occurrence by product. Moreover, the weekly report is automatically produced for customers at process block <b>512</b>. The customer uses the automatic weekly report for such operational analyses as: tracking batches in specific time frames for warranty claims investigation; staying current with plant product and process changes; accessing information on trial and experimental products; accessing assembly plant product information; tracking factory performance in assembly plant; and viewing assembly plant first run capability weekly by product.

Figure 15 illustrates a sample weekly report as provided by the present invention. Within the weekly report is shown what specifically occurred during what time frame for a specific paint. Such information can be used to detect problems with respect to a batch for a particular week or over several weeks.

Various other advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after having the benefit of studying the foregoing text and drawings taken in conjunction with the following claims.