Patent attributes
An assembly material logistics system and methods includes a marketplace component storage area and an assembly area each including an aligned rack aisle for the selected positioning of predetermined full containers and empty containers depleted of components. A plurality of transfer vehicles movable along a material aisle positioned directly adjacent to the rack aisle reciprocally move between the component storage and assembly areas to retrieve and deposit full and empty component storage containers to support assembly of at least one product in the assembly area. In one example, the component storage area includes a large component storage area, small component storage area and a consumable materials storage area. In an alternate example, the transfer vehicles include a first support and a second support to simultaneously support and transfer both a full component container and an empty component container leading to greater efficiency of material logistics.
