FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of component handling in manufacturing plants.

BACKGROUND

The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Generally, multiple models of a single product are manufactured in the same manufacturing plant. Different models have similar components with different designs, which differ in dimensions and shape. The number and the types of components assembled in different models may vary. The order of assembly of components may also be different for different models. Different treatment processes for different components of the same type may be required for different models.
Sometimes, two components of the same type have design differences which are difficult to be noticed by the human eye. Workmen performing repetitive tasks become more prone, due to fatigue, to committing errors in part pickup, storage and assembly. This creates the possibility of assembly of a component of the wrong design being assembled into the product. For products which require close tolerances in dimensions of a component, product failure or malfunction may occur in the field due to a wrong component being assembled. Such an event causes customer dissatisfaction and loss of reputation. Replacement costs are incurred by the manufacturers.
One such scenario exists in a typical vehicle manufacturing plant in which a gear-train subassembly is manufactured. In a manufacturing plant, sometimes, the number of models manufactured simultaneously can go upto a dozen. Moreover, the gearbox of a particular vehicle can house a number of gears. It is, therefore, possible that the design variations of gears in the simultaneously handled and stored a manufacturing plant can be large in number.

Therefore, a system and a method of handling components in a manufacturing plant are required, which eliminates the errors in assembly and thus thereby aforementioned issues.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment satisfies, are as follows.
It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a system and a method of handling components of a product in a manufacturing plant.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system and a method of handling components of a product in a manufacturing plant, which eliminates error in assembly.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system and a method of handling components of a product in a manufacturing plant, which increases speed of assembly.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages a system for handling components of a product in a manufacturing plant, wherein the product is manufactured in multiple variants. The system comprises at least one storage rack, a plurality of indicator means, at least one input device and a control unit. The storage rack has a plurality of storage cells. The indicator means are associated with the storage cells. The input device is configured to receive inputs from a user. The inputs include the details of the component and the product. The control unit is

configured to store a look-up table for the storage cells and component and product details, and to activate the indicator means based on the input, for assisting the user with error-free handling of components.
In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to:
i. store codes associated with the components stored therein and a plurality of assembly sequences, with one assembly sequence for each variant of the product;
ii. activate at least one indicator means based on an input received through the input device for placing to or picking from a storage cell; and
iii. sequentially activate a plurality of indicator means based on the assembly sequence selected by the user through the input device from among the sequences stored in the control unit, as per the given production plan.
In an embodiment, the system comprises a code-label generator and code-reading device. The code-label generator is configured to generate a code-label. The code-label generator is communicatively coupled to the code-reading device. The code-label is configured to be affixed to the material handling containers for the components. The code-reading device is configured to read a code on the code-label and generate a signal. The code-reading device is communicatively coupled to the code-reading device. The control unit is configured to activate at least one indicator means based on a signal received from the code-reading device.
In an embodiment, the system comprises a first storage rack provided with a first set of indicator means. The first set of indicator means is communicatively coupled to the control unit. The control unit is configured to activate at least one indicator means of the first set based on an input received through the input device. In another embodiment, the system comprises a second storage rack provided with a second set of indicator means. The control unit is configured to sequentially activate a plurality of indicator means of the second set based on the assembly sequence selected by the user through the input device from among the

sequences stored in the control unit. In an embodiment, the second storage rack is provided with a displaceable worktable which is configured to be displaced between the extents of the second storage rack.
In an embodiment, the indicator means is configured to generate different indication signals for placing-in and picking-from of components for each storage cell.
In an embodiment, the components are gears and the product is a gear-train.
In an embodiment, the code-label generator is configured to inscribe data on a code-label that includes an optical machine-readable encoded representation of data. In another embodiment, the code-label generator is configured to inscribe data on a code-label that includes human-readable information including component specification, quantity to be placed/picked, date. In yet another embodiment, the code-label generator is configured to inscribe data on a code-label that includes a code associated with the component to be handled as well as a code associated with the variant of the product to be manufactured.
In an embodiment, each of the storage cells in the storage rack is provided with a sensor. Each of the sensors is configured to generate a placing signal on sensing placing and a picking signal on sensing picking of a component, wherein each of the sensors is communicatively coupled to the control unit. In an embodiment, the sensors are optical sensors.
The present disclosure also envisages a method for handling components of a product in a manufacturing plant, the product being manufactured in multiple variants in the plant. The method comprises the following steps:
i. providing, through an input device, an input corresponding to a manufactured component;
ii. placing the component in the first storage rack in a storage cell whose corresponding indicator means is activated;

iii. inputting, through the input device, a code corresponding to a component to be treated as per the given production plan;
iv. picking the component to be treated from a storage cell whose
corresponding indicator means is activated and transporting the
5 component to a treatment station;
v. performing the treatment on the component;
vi. transporting the treated component to a second storage rack;
vii. placing the treated component in the second storage rack in a storage cell whose corresponding indicator means is activated;
10 viii. inputting, through the input device, the product code corresponding
to the product to be assembled as per the given production plan; and
ix. picking and assembling the components in accordance with the sequence in which the indicator means of the second storage rack activate.
15 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A system and a method of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a system of the present disclosure;
20 Figure 2 illustrates a schematic block diagram of the system according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of a storage rack of the system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 4 illustrates a storage rack with a displaceable worktable of the system
25 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
6

Figure 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d illustrate exemplary embodiments of a pair of a storage cell and a corresponding indicator means; and
Figure 6 illustrates a schematic diagram of the system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
5 LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
1000 system of the present disclosure
100 first storage rack
110 storage cell of the first storage rack
120 indicator means of a first set
10 200 second storage rack
210 storage cell of the second storage rack
220 indicator means of a second set
230 worktable
240 rail-track of worktable
15 300 input device
301 code-reading device
310 code-label generator
400 control unit
410 cell allocation module
20 420 repository
430 crawler-and-extractor module
10 machine shop
7

20 washing station
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
5 Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the
present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth,
relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete
understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the
person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be
10 construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-
known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered
15 to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the
forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “including” and “having” are open-ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,
20 elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or
addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood
25 that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element is referred to as being “mounted on”, “engaged to”, “connected to” or „coupled to” another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or
8

coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of
the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to
5 distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another
component, region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
In manufacturing plants of products such as a vehicle, depending upon the number
10 of variants, the design specifications of the same type of components may often
vary. The variations in design such as the dimension of a component may be too miniscule for the human eye to be noticed. However, in the overall functioning of the product, the variation may become significant enough to affect the performance of the product.
15 In a typical tractor manufacturing plant, a gear train subassembly, around 87 gear
types are handled simultaneously. Out of the 87, about 34 gear designs are nearly identical since the difference between them is hardly visible to the human eye. Even more gear designs are expected to be added as new model variants are envisaged to cater to the market demands. The defects in a gear-train subassembly
20 include loose gear, dents or damages, misses and wrong gear fitment, out of which
wrong gear fitment accounts for 78% of the total accounted defects. Fitment of a wrong gear leads to tractor splitting and other field complaints. Abnormal noise is reported in the field by the users. The brand image of the manufacturer is adversely affected ultimately.
25 Since the process of component handling, from machining to intermediate
processes like washing upto subassembly, involve human intervention, the likelihood of defects increases. Moreover, with the jobs requiring skilled workers, a continuously changing manpower increases possibility of defects.
9

In an existing system of manufacture and subassembly of a gear-train, the
machined gears from a machine shop are stored in an in-plant store manually at
specified locations. Thereafter, as per the production plan, specific types of gears
are taken by manually picking from the store to a washing machine. Then, the
5 washed gears are taken to the subassembly station by picking manually, where the
subassembly of the gear-train is done. While storing in the in-plant store, there
exists a possibility of wrong gear feed. While picking gears for washing and
taking the washed gears to the subassembly station, there is a chance of mixing
the gears. At the subassembly station, there is a high possibility of a wrong gear
10 being fitted onto the shaft. Hence, there is a need for a system and a method which
minimizes human error in gear handling and gear-train subassembly.
The present disclosure envisages a system 1000 for handling components of a product in a manufacturing plant, as illustrated in Figure 1. The product which comprises the components is manufactured in multiple variants. The system 1000
15 comprises at least one storage rack 100 having a plurality of storage cells 110, a
plurality of indicator means 120 provided on the storage rack 100, an input device 300 and a control unit 400. The indicator means 120 are associated with the storage cells 110 in a one-to-one correspondence and is positioned in the vicinity of the corresponding storage cell 110. The input device 300 is configured to
20 receive inputs from the user. The inputs that can be given by the user through the
input device 300 include data corresponding to the component being placed in the storage rack 100, the component to be picked from the storage rack 100, the variant of the product to be assembled. The control unit 400 is configured to store a look-up table for the storage rack 100 versus codes associated with the
25 components stored therein as well as to store a plurality of assembly sequences,
with one sequence per variant of the product. The indicator means 120 and the input device 300 are communicatively coupled to the control unit 400. Containers are provided to handle the components. The control unit 400 is configured to assist the user with error-free handling of the components during the production
30 process, for which the control unit 300 is configured to:
10

(i) activate at least one indicator means 120 based on an input received through the input device 300, and
(ii) sequentially activate a plurality of indicator means 120 based on the assembly
sequence selected by the user through the input device 300 from among the
5 sequences stored in the control unit 400, as per the production plan that is given to
the user.
In an embodiment, the system of the present disclosure comprises a code-label
generator 310 and a code-reading device 301, as illustrated in Figure 2. The code-
label generator 310 is configured to be communicatively coupled to the input
10 device 300 and generate a code-label as per the input received through the input
device 300. The code-label is configured to be affixed to the containers, or to a
trolley, or even to the components themselves. The code-reading device 301 is
configured to read a code inscribed on the code-label and generate a signal. The
code-reading device 301 is communicatively coupled to the control unit 400.
15 Thus, the signal generated by the code-reading device 301 is transmitted to the
control unit 400. The code-label generator 310 is configured to inscribe coded as
well as human-readable data on the code-label. The coded data includes an optical
machine-readable representation of data. The type of representation is selected
from the group consisting of a barcode, a QR-code and the like. The human-
20 readable data includes specifications of the component, quantity of the component
to be placed/picked, date and so on. The code-label is printed in the form of a
sheet of paper with data inscribed on the paper. Also, the paper is configured to be
affixed to the containers by means of an adhesive coating on its rear side, by
insertion into a transparent pocket or the like.
25 In an embodiment, the system of the present disclosure comprises a first storage
rack 100 provided with a first set of indicator means 120, as illustrated in Figure 3. The indicator means 120 of the first set are communicatively coupled to the control unit 400. The control unit 400 is configured to activate an indicator means
11

120 of the first set based on an input received form the input device 300. The storage cells of the first storage rack 100 are denoted by the numeral 110.
In an embodiment, the system 1000 of the present disclosure comprises a second
storage rack 200 provided with a second set of indicator means 230, as illustrated
5 in Figure 4. The indicator means 230 of the second set are communicatively
coupled to the control unit 400. The control unit 400 is configured to sequentially activate a plurality of the indicator means 230 of the second set based on the assembly sequence selected by the user through the input device 300 from among the sequences stored in the control unit 400. The storage cells 210 of the second
10 storage rack 200 are denoted by the numeral 210. In an embodiment, the second
storage rack 200 is provided with a displaceable worktable 230 which is configured to be displaced between the extents of the second storage rack 200. In an embodiment, the worktable 230 is mounted on wheels and the wheels are configured to be rolled between rail-tracks 240, wherein the rail tracks 240 extend
15 from one lateral end of the second storage rack 200 to another, as illustrated in
Figure 4.
As illustrated in the exemplary embodiments in Figures 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d, the
indicator means 120, 220 can be configured in the vicinity of the storage cell 110,
210 in various possible relative positions and in various possible shapes. In an
20 embodiment, as shown in Figures 5b, 5c and 5d, the indicator means 120, 220 is
configured to generate different indication signals for placing-in and picking-from of components for each storage cell.
The storage cells in the storage racks are preferably provided with base of a wear-
resistant material. Rollers of polymeric material are installed in the storage cells to
25 allow ease of placing and picking of the components.
In an embodiment, the indicator means 120, 220 are light-emitting devices. The light-emitting devices are selected from the group consisting of polychromatic incandescent light bulbs or fluorescent gas tubes, monochromatic light-emitting diodes and the like. The control unit 400 is configured to make the light-emitting
12

devices glow in either a continuous or a blinking manner. In an embodiment, the indicator means 120, 220 emits light of a first colour for indicating placing-to and light of a second colour for indicating picking-from.
In an embodiment, the control unit 400 is implemented as one or more
5 microprocessors, microcomputers, central processing units, programmable logic
controllers, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. In an embodiment, the control unit 400 comprises a cell allocation module 410 which allocates the storage cells 110, 210 to component codes. In an embodiment, the cell allocation module 410 is
10 implemented in the form of a random number generation module which
implements random number generation logic for allotting an empty storage cell in the storage racks 100, 200 with the current component code, and accordingly activates the corresponding indicator means of the allocated storage cell. In another embodiment, the cell allocation module 410 is implemented in the form of
15 a sequential allocation module which sequentially allocates the empty storage
cells in the storage racks 100, 200 for component codes and accordingly activates the indicator means thereof. In an embodiment, the control unit 400 comprises a repository 420 wherein a look-up table for the storage cells 110, 210 in the storage racks 100, 200 versus codes associated with the components stored therein is
20 therefore updated every time the control unit 400 allocates a storage cell with a
component code. Further, when a component, the code of which is allocated to a storage cell, arrives at a storage rack and the code of which is input by the user through the input device 300 or read through a code-reading device 301, the indicator means corresponding to the previously allocated cell is activated by the
25 control unit 400. In an embodiment, the control unit 400 comprises a crawler-and-
extractor module 430 configured to crawl through the look-up table and extract a storage cell location corresponding to a component code input by the user. The crawler-and-extractor module 430 generates a signal for activation of the indicator means corresponding to the extracted storage cell location. In an embodiment, the
30 input device 300 is configured to provide an input to the control unit 400 asking
13

for a new storage cell to be allocated, in an event that the indicated storage cell is filled to its capacity.
In an embodiment, the input device 300 is configured on a touch-screen panel.
The code for the component to be placed in the storage rack is input by pressing
5 on a simulated keyboard displayed on the panel. Further, code of the component
to be picked from the storage rack is selected from a list of codes displayed in the
form of a list. Also, the assembly sequence for the variant of the product to be
manufactured as per the production plan is selected from a list of assembly
sequences displayed in the form of a list. The screen further allows selection of a
10 menu from a list of menus including placing, picking and product variant. In
another embodiment, a plurality of input devices is provided, with one input device provided in the vicinity of each storage rack in the system.
The repository 420 is implemented as one or more of a hard disc drive, a floppy
disc, a magnetic tape, an optical disc, a paper tape, a punched card, a solid-state
15 drive and the like.
In an embodiment, the containers are crates, bins or pallets made of wear-resistant
material such as polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE),
polypropylene copolymer (PPCP) and the like. The containers are further
compartmentalized using flexible separator sheets to avoid component-to-
20 component contact. In an embodiment, the containers are hand-held and carried
from one location to another. In another embodiment, the containers are loaded on
carts and the cart is moved from one location to another. In yet another
embodiment, the containers are loaded on a material handling mechanism such as
a conveyor mechanism.
25 In an embodiment, the component is a gear and the product to be manufactured is
a gear-train to be assembled in a powertrain of a vehicle. A significant number of gear design pairs can be identified, which are nearly identical to the naked eye. The system 1000 of the present disclosure assists the worker in the manufacturing plant in ensuring correct fitment of gears in a given gear-train of a particular
14

vehicle variant. The gears are typically manufactured by machining gear blanks. Thereafter, the gears are subjected to one or more treatments such as washing. The washed gears are brought to the sub-assembly station for assembling on a shaft, to complete a gear-train assembly.
5 The system 1000 of component handling of the present disclosure implemented
for handling gears in a manufacturing plant is illustrated in Figure 6. The gears from the machine shop 10 are stored in a first storage rack 100. As per the given production plan for the shift or the day, the gears are selectively picked from the first storage rack 100 and taken to the washing station 20. Thereafter, the gears are
10 stored in a second storage rack 200. From the second storage rack 200, based on
the current gear-train variant to be assembled, the gears to be fitted in the current gear-train variant are sequentially withdrawn. The indicator means implemented as indicator lights 120, 220 of the present disclosure, provided at the storage cells 110, 210 of the storage racks 100, 200 respectively, aid the worker, for ensuring
15 accuracy and ease in the handling of the gears.
As per the production plan, a predetermined number of gears of a particular design are manufactured in the machine shop 10. Through an input device implemented as a touch-screen panel 300 which is coupled to the control unit implemented as PLC controller 400, the gear details are fed in. A barcode sticker
20 is generated for gears of the current lot by a code-label generator implemented as
a barcode generator 410, wherein the sticker is inscribed with coded as well as machine-readable data of gear specification, gear-train variant, the date of manufacture and so on. The code-label is stuck on the container in which the gears of the current lot are placed. The container is then taken to the first storage
25 rack 100, where, using a code-reading device implemented as a barcode reader
401, the barcode is scanned. Immediately, an indicator light 120 on a storage cell 110 is made to glow by the PLC controller 300, to guide the worker as to which storage cell 110 the current gear lot is supposed to be placed in. For the next stage of washing the gears, for picking the gears from the first storage rack 100, the
30 corresponding gear code is selected/input on the touch-screen panel 300.
15

Accordingly, the storage cell 110 containing the gears of the selected/input code is
indicated by the corresponding indicator light 120. At the same time, a barcode
sticker for attaching to the trolley/container for the current gear lot is printed. The
worker picks gears from the indicated storage cell 110 and carries the gears
5 towards the washing station 20. Post washing, the gears are taken to the second
storage station 200 in the same trolley/container. The worker uses the barcode scanner 301 to read the barcode stuck on the trolley/container. The PLC controller 400 makes glow specific indicator lights 220 on the second storage rack 200. The worker places the corresponding storage cell 210 with the current gear lot. Finally,
10 for assembly of the current gear-train, the worker selects/inputs the vehicle variant
code through the touch-screen panel 300, upon which the PLC controller 400 initiates a sequence of glowing of indicator lights 220. Firstly, the PLC controller 400 makes glow the indicator light which corresponds to the first gear to be picked. The worker slides the worktable 230 which is loaded with a shaft close to
15 the indicated storage cell 210. As the worker picks the first gear in the sequence
from the storage cell 210, an optical sensor senses the picking action and communicates the signal thus generated to the PLC controller 400. Hence, the PLC controller 400deactivates the first indicator light in the sequence and activates the next indicator light. The worker slides the worktable 230 to the next
20 indicated storage cell 210. In this manner, the current variant of a gear-train is
assembled as per the given production plan.
Finally, the worker uses a profile stencil/template of the current gear-train variant for checking the correctness assembled gear-train for proof-checking.
By eliminating the human effort of checking the gear dimensions every time the
25 gear is picked from or placed into a storage cell or a container, the accuracy of the
gear-train manufacture and assembly process is significantly enhanced by the system for component handling of the present disclosure. Speed of assembly is enhanced. As a result, the field issues associated with wrong gear fitment, viz., gear-train failure, tractor splitting, abnormal noise, are completely eliminated.
16

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a 5 departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described hereinabove has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a system and a method of handling 10 components in a manufacturing plant, which:
• eliminates error in assembly; and
• increases speed of assembly.
The foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The 15 description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The 20 examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general
25 nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge,
readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments
without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and
modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning
17

and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
The use of the expression "at least" or "at least one" suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.

WE CLAIM:

A system (1000) for handling components of a product in a manufacturing plant, the product being manufactured in multiple variants in the plant, said system (1000) comprising:
• at least one storage rack (100, 200) having a plurality of storage cells (110,210);
• a plurality of indicator means (120, 220) associated with said storage cells (110, 210);
• at least one input device (300) configured to receive inputs from a user, said inputs including the details of the component and the product; and
• a control unit (400) configured to store a look-up table for said storage cells (110, 210) and component and product details, and to activate said indicator means (120, 220) based on said input, for assisting the user with error-free handling of components.
The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control unit (400) is configured to:
i. store codes associated with the components stored therein and a plurality of assembly sequences, with one assembly sequence for each variant of the product;
ii. activate at least one indicator means (120, 220) based on an input received through said input device (300) for placing to or picking from a storage cell (110, 210); and
iii. sequentially activate a plurality of indicator means (120, 220) based on the assembly sequence selected by the user through said input device (300) from among said sequences stored in said control unit (400), as per the given production plan.

The system (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system (1000) comprises:
• a code-label generator configured to generate a code-label, said code-label being configured to be affixed to the containers for said components; and
• a code-reading device configured to read a code on said code-label and generate a signal, and said code-reading device communicatively coupled to said code-label generator;
wherein said control unit (400) is configured to activate at least one indicator means (120, 220) based on a signal received from said code-reading device.
The system (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system (1000) comprises a first storage rack (100) provided with a first set of indicator means (120), said first set of indicator means (120) being communicatively coupled to said control unit (1000), wherein said control unit (1000) is configured to activate at least one indicator means (100) of said first set based on an input received through said input device (300).
The system (1000) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said system (1000) comprises a second storage rack (200) provided with a second set of indicator means (220), wherein said control unit (400) is configured to sequentially activate a plurality of indicator means (220) of said second set based on the assembly sequence selected by the user through said input device (300) from among said sequences stored in said control unit (400).
The system (1000) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said indicator means (120, 220) is configured to generate different indication signals for placing-in and picking-from of components for each storage cell (110, 210).
The system (1000) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said second storage rack (200) is provided with a displaceable worktable (230) configured to be displaced between the extents of said second storage rack (200).

The system (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said components are gears and said product is a gear-train.
The system (1000) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said code-label generator is configured to inscribe data on a code-label that includes an optical machine-readable encoded representation of data.
L The system (1000) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said code-label generator is configured to inscribe data on a code-label.
. The system (1000) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said code-label generator is configured to inscribe data on a code-label that includes a code associated with the component to be handled as well as a code associated with the variant of the product to be manufactured.
:. The system (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said storage cells (110, 210) in said storage rack (100, 200) is provided with a sensor, each of said sensors being configured to generate a placing signal on sensing placing and a picking signal on sensing picking of a component.
. The system (1000) as claimed in claim 12, wherein said sensors are optical sensors.
. A method for handling components of a product in a manufacturing plant, the product being manufactured in multiple variants in the plant, said method comprising:
i. providing, through an input device (300), an input corresponding to a manufactured component;
ii. placing said component in said first storage rack (100) in a storage cell (110) whose corresponding indicator means (120) is activated;
iii. inputting, through said input device (300), a code corresponding to a component to be treated as per the given production plan;

iv. picking said component to be treated from a storage cell (120) whose corresponding indicator means (120) is activated and transporting said component to a treatment station;
v. performing the treatment on said component;
vi. transporting said treated component to a second storage rack (200);
vii. placing said treated component in said second storage rack (200) in a storage cell (210) whose corresponding indicator means (220) is activated;
viii. inputting, through said input device (300), the product code corresponding to the product to be assembled as per the given production plan; and
ix. picking and assembling said components in accordance with the sequence in which the indicator means (220) of said second storage rack (200) activate.