MXPA01009642A - Process planning for distributed manufacturing and repair - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for optimizing the performance of a process, especially where the process is performed at several different locations. In one embodiment, one or more experts produce a decision tree (30) for use in determining a recommended sequence of steps for the process. A computer network (14), such as the World Wide Web, is used to convey a request to a computer that has access to the decision tree (30) for a recommended sequence of steps. The request includes any information that is needed by the decision tree (30) to determine the recommended sequence of steps. In response to the request, the computer uses the information in the request and the decision tree (30) to produce the recommended sequence of steps. The recommended sequence of steps is then directed over the network (14) to the user.

Description

PROCESS PLANNING FOR DISTRIBUTED MANUFACTURE AND REPAIR CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED REQUESTS This application is a continuation in part of application No. 09 / 277,460 filed on March 26, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the planning of various processes and, in particular, to the planning of manufacturing and / or repair processes conducted at a number of different sites. A product typically consists of a number of pieces. However, a product can be only one piece. In any case, the piece or pieces of a product have characteristics or aspects. For example, between the aspects of a circular tab there may be a number of holes that are used to join the tab to an arrow. The manufacture of a product begins with the preparation of one or more drawings drawn by engineering for each piece of the product. Typically, the drawings are prepared by a design engineer. The drawings present the aspects or characteristics of the piece and the material that will be used to produce the piece. For example, engineering drawings for the flange of a jet engine can specify the diameter, depth, edge breaking requirements and number of holes to drill on a specific type of material from which the flange is to be made . Engineering drawings are typically provided to a process designer, who determines the sequence in which the aspects or characteristics of a part are going to be made. This sequence hereinafter is referred to as a part production sequence. To continue with the example of the tab, the engineering drawings provided to the process designer can specify: (1) that the flange is to be constructed of titanium, which is of a specific thickness; (2) 5 holes will be drilled around a 10.16 cm bolt circle: (3) the holes will be 2.54 cm deep; and (4) the holes will have a diameter of 1.27 cm, plus minus 0.00254 cm. Since it is usually easier to drill bulk holes that are rectangular instead of circular in shape, the process designer probably specifies a part production sequence that requests holes that will be drilled before the titanium supply material is provided. a circular shape. Once the part production sequence has been completed, the engineering drawings and the production sequence of parts are provided to the manufacturing engineer, who is responsible for the production of the part. Although engineering drawings and the production sequence of parts provide a substantial amount of information to the manufacturing engineer, they do not specify how any particular aspect will occur. Consequently, the manufacturing engineer can determine the sequence of operations that will be used to produce each aspect of the piece. This sequence of operation hereafter is referred to as the sequence of aspect processes. To continue with the flange example due to the narrow tolerance of 0.00254 cm, the fabrication engineer can initially drill each of the holes in a drill with a diameter slightly smaller than 1.27 cm then use a 1.27 cm router and finish with a deburring operation to remove any sharp edges In many industries, it is common to attempt to repair worn or damaged parts as an economical alternative to simply replace such parts. The development of repair processes is similar to the development of manufacturing processes in which one or more engineers determine a sequence of operations that will be used in the repair of a particular part. This sequence of operations in the present is referred to as a repair process sequence. In many situations, the manufacture of a product, a piece of product, or a characteristic that is common for two or more products is done in two or more places. There are a number of possible reasons that a company chooses to distribute the manufacturing of its products. For example, a company may produce a product or part of a product at two or more sites in order to obtain an installation that is capable of maintaining at least a portion of the entire production if the production at one of the sites is interrupted or severely reduced. Other possible reasons include the availability of workers with experience in one area in relation to another and the availability / cost of the materials in one place in relation to the other. In any case, the manufacture of a product, piece of a product, or common characteristic for two or more products in two or more sites at present requires that the manufacturing engineer in each site generate a sequence of characteristic process or aspect. For similar reasons, it is not common to provide repair services at numerous sites. In this case, it could be typical that a sequence of repair process for the repair of a particular part can be generated in each site performing that repair.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION The present invention recognizes that the current aspects for manufacturing and repair are inefficient, and that this inefficiency is particularly evident when two or more sites are used to manufacture a product or a portion of a product or to repair a part. To elaborate, it has been found that with the current aspects, a process sequence of appearance or characteristic designed by a manufacturing engineer in a site is, in many cases, inefficient at least from a perspective. For example, the process sequence of appearance or characteristic may result in fewer parts over time than in an alternative sequence. The sequence may also be more expensive from the point of view of the quantity and / or type of ephemeral tool required to produce the characteristic. Other deficiencies are also present. or not said deficiencies in a particular manufacturing site, it has generally been found that inefficiencies are present when multiple manufacturing sites are involved in the manufacture of a particular aspect. This is because in most cases, a different manufacturing engineer is designing the process sequence of appearance or characteristic in Each site As a consequence, feature process sequences generally vary from site to site. This variation typically results in inefficiencies, such as previously observed inefficiencies with respect to unit time production and ephemeral tool at one or more of the sites The current manufacturing aspect is also inefficient from the point of view of the waste of time by different manufacturing engineers in multiple sites that design process sequences of aspect for the same aspect Similar inefficiencies emerge under the aspect of current repair when multiple repair facilities are involved in the repair of a particular part The present invention provides a method for addressing inefficiencies in the current aspects and particularly the situation where the manufacture of a feature or the repair of a part occurs at sites ultiples. The present invention makes use of a computer network (for example, LAN, WAN or the Great World Network) to transport recommended process sequences to the sites where they are manufacturing a product or repairing a part. This ensures a uniform distribution of a recommended process sequence for the particular task. In one embodiment, the recommended process sequence is provided by a decision tree that is designed by manufacturing or repair experts, and includes: (1) one or more issues that each require a response; (2) steps. During operation, the answers to the questions with used to determine which steps will be part of a recommended process sequence. For example, if the aspect of interest is a hole, there may be two different recommended sequences of steps to be able to form the hole depending on the hole diameter. This can be recognized in the decision tree by asking the diameter of the hole that will be produced and depending on the response by providing one of two possible steps or sequence of steps to be included in the recommended process sequence. Both the questions and the moralized steps' in a decision tree reflect the efficiencies that are of interest to experts in the design of the decision tree. For example, experts may be concerned with the production of time unit, ephemeral tool, aspect quality or resulting feature, and the like. In addition, the efficiencies in which experts worry should be calibrated. For example, production per unit of time can be calibrated more heavily than the ephemeral tool. If so, the decision tree will reflect a preference to increase production with respect to the concerns of reducing the use of the ephemeral tool. Even in the absence of any caliber, it is not known that several efficiency objectives conflict with each other, thus requiring experts to make judgments about the decision tree. Due to the conflict objectives, - the design of the decision tree is typically determined by heuristic methods. In addition, the design of the decision tree is subject to change if the efficiencies of concern or the caliber agreed with a particular efficiency concern change. The method of the present invention involves transferring a request from a manufacturing or repair site for a recommended process sequence for a particular aspect or feature or repair over a computer network. Once the request is received by a computer that has access to the decision tree, the request is processed to identify the recommended process sequence to produce the feature or feature or repair the part. Subsequently, the recommended process sequence is transmitted over the computer network to be received at the request site. By extending the network to several sites, you get the uniform distribution of recommended process sequences for aspects or features of manufacturing or repair parts and efficiencies are made.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a distributed processing system that modalizes the present invention; Figure 2 graphically illustrates a modality of a user interface or entry screen to request information from a user to form a request for a recommended process sequence; Figure 3 is a spreadsheet implementation of an input form to generate an input screen; Figure 4 is an architecture diagram of a mode of a computer system that receives requests for a recommended process sequence from a user site and provides a recommended process sequence in response to it; Figure 5 is a spreadsheet implementation of a decision tree used to provide a recommended process sequence; and Figure 6 is a spreadsheet implementation of "expert notes" used to supplement a recommended process sequence.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 illustrates a distributed processing system 10 that is capable of the uniform distribution of recommended process sequences to a number of manufacturing sites, where two or more sites are either for the manufacture of the same product, part of a product or a common feature or appearance for two or more products, or a number of repair sites where common repairs are made. The system 10 includes: (1) one or more user computers 12A-12N which are each capable of transmitting requests for recommended process sequences over a digital communication network and receiving the recommended process sequences subsequently carried over the network in response to the request; (2) a digital communication network 14 for transporting the requests and the recommended process sequences; and (3) a designer 16 who, in response to a request, provides a recommended process sequence for transportation over the network 14 to the requesting user's computer. The network 14 can include any type of digital communication network or combination of digital communication networks. For example, the network may include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a large global network, or any combination of these networks. Similarly, user computers 12A-12N and designer 16 may be in any way provided that the requests and sequences of recommended processes can be communicated between the user computers 12A-12N and the designer 16 In the illustrated mode, the network 14 includes the Great World Network Consequently, the user computers 12A-12N each uses a web browser to send a request and receive a recommended process sequence Designer 16 is also implemented in the form of a web server Designer 16 provides each of the computers 12A-12N an interface that allows the user to transport requests for a recommended process sequence and receive the recommended process sequence The interface includes an input portion and an output portion The input portion of the interface is used to transport information from the user's computer to the designer 16 The output portion carries information from the designer 16 to the user's computer and is typically displayed on the computer monitor of the user. However, the output portion is capable of being presented on other peripherals of the user. output as printers Typically, the input information is generated by the drive to the user of an input peripheral such as a mouse or an alphanumeric keyboard In the illustrated mode, the ipterfase is provided by two web pages that are transmitted by the designed '16 to each of the user computers 12A-12N. A web page includes input and / or output portions. The input portion of a web page allows the user to enter information regarding a request for a recommended process sequence with an input peripheral, such as a mouse or alphanumeric keyboard. The output portion of a web page is used to provide the user with the recommended process sequence. In addition, the output portion of a web page is used to request information regarding a request for a recommended process sequence from a user. In this case, the website includes both input and output portions. To assemble a request for a recommended-looking process sequence, the interface is initially used to request input from the user concerning the identification of the characteristic appearance for which a recommended process sequence is desired. In the case of a request for a recommended repair process sequence, the interface is initially used to request input from the user concerning the repair for which a recommended repair process sequence is desired. In the illustrated embodiment, a web page is transported from the designer 16 to the user's computer which includes a hierarchical menu that allows the user to identify the type of process for which he wishes to request a recommended process sequence. Preferably, the highest level The menu has the general types of manufacturing and repair processes for which recommended process sequences are going to be generated. These may include, but are not limited to, manufacturing and repair processes such as making holes, welding, brazing, cleaning, marking of parts, mixed lamination, bonding with adhesive, grinding, thermal spray coating, diffusion coating, electrolytic coating chemical attack, assembly, boring, forging, forming, threaded formation, tube bending, balancing, polishing, inspection (for example , in general, X-rays, parasitic current, ultrasonic and penetrating inspection), perf Prayer and laser cutting, electrical discharge machining, electrochemical machining, electronic current drilling, packaging, molding, gear configuration or forming, hammering blasting, edging, welding, casting grinding, rotation and heat treatment. Also other processes can be In fact, the present invention is not necessarily limited to repair manufacturing processes, but may be applicable to any type of process that is carried out in multiple sites Under each higher level menu item there is a submenu which is used for identify the different types of features or repairs applicable to that top-level menu item For example, under the function of making holes could be submenus for different aspects such as' round hole past and blind round hole Likewise, under the welding function, There is a submenu that specifies different are types of welding aspects, such as a chamfer and stop joint, and so on for other functions Alternatively, it is possible that a sub-menu of different sub-processes may reside under one or more of the higher-level menu items. For example, under the function For welding, there may be a submenu that specifies specific types of welding processes such as TIG, EB and resistance welding. In many cases, the identification of an aspect or repair does not provide sufficient data for a recommended process sequence that will be specified accordingly. the interface is used to request information from the user concerning the selected aspect or repair. For example, with respect to a hole characteristic, the user can specify the material where the hole is to be drilled, the diameter of the hole, the depth of the hole, and if the hole is going to be reamed or not In the illustrated mode, the designer 16 provides a user's computer with an input form that causes a screen dynamically written input that will be presented on the user's monitor or other output peripheral. The input screen allows the user to both select entries from a menu of items already contained in the entry form and enter information. Figure 2 is an example of an input screen 18 for use to obtain a process sequence of recommended appearance for the manufacture of a hole. The input screen 18 includes a number of input windows 19 that allow the user to enter the important information regarding the hole. As shown in Figure 2, the input windows are included to request hole parameters such as the class of P11TF12 (which describes the importance of the hole for the life of the part where it will be formed), the material where the hole is going to be made , the type of edge type break, the diameter and length of the hole, the number of holes to be made per part, the diameter tolerance, the minimum diameter, if the hole is to be made with a normal input, the true tolerance of position, if the hole is going to be made with a normal exit, if the hole has a reaming, and if so, the diameter and depth of the reaming. Some of the entry windows, such as those for the class, material and type of edge break, have drop-down menus that provide a list of possible entries for the user to select. Other entry windows, such as the normal entry, normal exit and reaming windows, have drop-down menus from which the user can select a yes or no response. The remaining input windows simply allow the user to enter an appropriate numerical value. In this way, as an example, the user can: (1) select one of a number of materials where the hole will be drilled; (2) enter a yes / no response to a reaming request; and (3) enter a value for the hole length. The input screen can be configured for different parameters when it refers to processes other than the formation of holes. The input form that causes the input screen to be generated is preferably a spreadsheet format, as shown in Figure 3. The input form includes an input parameter column 20 that identifies each parameter, which corresponds to a respective window of the input windows 19, where the user is requested to enter. Two positioning columns 21 are provided to control the relative positions of the input windows 19 on the screen of! input 18. One or more input value columns 22 are also included in the spreadsheet that dictate whether the corresponding input window: (a) will provide the user with a number of selections for a parameter; (b) request a yes / no user input for a parameter; (c) will request a numerical value for a 'parameter by the user. For example, the input value columns 22 that correspond to the material parameter are filled with the types of materials that the user can select from the drop-down menu associated with that input window. Similarly, the input value columns 22 that i correspond to the normal input parameter have yes or no input, allowing the user to select a yes or no entry. The input windows that correspond to parameters 1 for which the columns of entry value 22 are vacant will not have a drop-down menu; the user enters a numerical value in these input windows. Although other types of format are possible to obtain the necessary information for the request, the spreadsheet format is a format that is easily understood by the users, even if they have no previous experience with this format. The designer 16 is able to receive a request for a recommended process sequence and respond to the request with a recommended process sequence. In the embodiment illustrated as shown in Figure 4, the designer includes a web page / graphical user interface ("GUI") 26 to receive a request from network 14 for a recommended process sequence and transmit a recommended process sequence to the network 14 that is directed to the user's computer that requests it. Also part of the designer 16 is a decision-making machine 28 which, in response to a request transported by the GUI or other network interface, assembles a recommended process sequence. The decision making machine 28 uses a decision tree collection 30 to provide a recommended process sequence. In addition, a note decision tree collection 32 is used by the decision making machine 28 to obtain practical and error-proof information. . The decision tree collection 30 is composed of a decision tree for each aspect or repair. For example, and as an example, there may be a decision tree for making a hole, welding, brazing, cleaning, forming of mixed laminations, bonding with adhesive, grinding, thermal spray coating, diffusion coating, plating, etching chemical, assembly, drilling, forging, forming, threaded formation, tube bending, balancing, polishing, inspection (for example, general, X-ray, eddy current, ultrasonic and penetrating inspection), laser drilling and cutting, unloading machining electrical, electrochemical machining, electronic current drilling, packing, molding, configuration or gear formation, hammering, blasting, riveting, welding, casting, grinding, rotation and heat treatment. A decision tree establishes the decisions that must be made to determine what number of possible steps may be applicable to a process to be part of a recommended process sequence. The construction of a decision tree is done by one or more experts who define the decisions that must be made, the sequence of decisions and the steps associated with each decision. Typically, this construction process is based on several considerations related to efficiency. For example, experts may be concerned with production per unit time, ephemeral tool, quality of the resulting characteristic appearance, and the like. In addition, the efficiencies in which the experts are concerned can be calibrated, for example, the production per unit of time can be calibrated more strongly than the ephemeral tool. If so, the resulting decision tree will modalize a preference to increase production over concerns with respect to reducing the use of ephemeral tools. Even if one type of efficiency is not calibrated over another, the various efficiency considerations may compete with one another, requiring experts to make selections in the design of a decision tree that does not necessarily serve one or more of the considerations of efficiency identified. Based on the above, the design of a decision tree is typically determined through heuristic methods and is subject to change based on changes in the efficiencies that are of concern and / or calibres according to the efficiencies of concern. A decision tree can be completely composed of steps. Nevertheless, the typical decision tree includes at least one decision node that, based on a decision, is used to determine whether a step or sequence of steps is or is not part of the recommended process sequence that is transmitted in response to the request of a user. The decision for each decision node is modalized in the request. For example, a request for a recommended process sequence for a hole can include a decision that if the hole is going to be rebounded When the decision maker 28 goes through the decision tree, there is a decision node that asks for a decision that if the hole is going to be reamed or not. If the request indicates that the hole is to be rebored, the decision making machine 28 includes the steps in relation to the reaming in the recommended process sequence. If the hole is not going to be reamed the decision making machine 28 skips the steps related to relationship to the reaming in the decision tree and continues through the decision tree at a point after the reaming steps. The decision trees in the collection 30 are implemented in a spreadsheet format to facilitate the construction and alteration of the decision tree by the experts. Figure 5 is an example of a decision tree spreadsheet to create a hole. The spreadsheet includes: (1) a node index column 36; (2) a type 38 column for each node identifies the node as either a through node or a decision node; (3) a description column 40 that provides either: (a) a description of the step associated with the step node, which in some cases includes data that is necessary for the calculation; or (b) a simple question mark identifier for each decision node; (4) a characteristic column 42, which for decision node identifies the parameter where a value should be in the form of input; (5) a column of value 44 that for each decision node includes a decision value; (6) an operator column 46 that for a decision node, contains an operator that defines the manner in which the value of the parameter identified in the characteristic column is to be compared with the decision value in the value column; and (7) a next node column 48 that for each decision node, identifies the next node in the tree to be traversed if the comparison of the input value with the decision value is true or if the comparison is false .

The decision maker 28 traverses a decision tree that begins at node 0 and proceeds through the tree until the end node of the tree is found. In Figure 5, the end node is identified as node 999 at each node of the node. tree is either a decision node or a step node Decision nodes are used to determine which steps set in the decision tree are used to build the recommended process sequence If a decision node is found, the value for the parameter identified in the characteristic column and obtained from the input form is compared with the decision value according to the defined operator. If the comparison is true, the decision maker continues to traverse the tree in the first node identified in the following node column 48 If the comparison is false, the decision maker continues to traverse the tree in the second node identified in the next node column 48 Each time the decision engine 28 finds a through node, the step set in the description column of the through node is added to the recommended process sequence As an example of whether the step is added or not to the recommended process sequence, the step in the description column of node 2 in the Figure is added to the recommended process sequence if the value of the parameter of smaller hole diameter configured is less than 1 32 cm If the value of the minor diameter parameter of the smallest hole configured is equal to or greater than 1 32 cm, the step in the description column of node 2 is not added to the recommended process sequence. The decision maker 28 also accesses the note decision tree collection 32 which is composed of a note decision tree for each basic decision tree. A note decision tree establishes known error-proof techniques and best practices to follow the creation of the aspect or make a repair. As a basic decision tree, a note decision tree is assembled by experts who define best practices and fail-safe to follow in creating the aspect or making the repair. The note decision tree may also reflect the efficiencies that are of concern. A note decision tree includes a plurality of "note" nodes that each correspond to a step node in the basic decision tree and provides a note that refers to the step set in the step node. During operation, if a step of the basic decision tree is added to the recommended process sequence, the corresponding note in the note decision tree is considered to be included in the recommended process sequence. Whether or not the note is included in the recommended process sequence can depend on the answer to a question IF the answer to the question is present either in the recommended process sequence or in the input form. The note decision trees in the collection are implemented in a spreadsheet format. Figure 6 is an example of a decision tree for use in drilling a hole. The spreadsheet includes: (1) a node index column 50; (2) a type 52 column that identifies each of the nodes in the tree as a "note" node; (3) a description column 54 that establishes the best practice and / or error-proof for being used in the execution of a particular step in the recommended process sequence being developed from the decision tree; (4) a characteristic column 56 that for each note node, identifies the parameter for which a value must exist in the recommended process sequence or in the form of an input; (5) a column of value 58 that for each note node includes a decision value; (6) an operator column 60 which for note node contains an operator defines the manner in which the value of the parameter identified in the characteristic column is to be compared with the decision value in the value column; and (7) a node column following 62 which for each note node identifies the next node in the tree to be traversed if the comparison of the input value with the decision value is true and if the comparison is false. As an example of whether or not a note is added to the recommended process sequence, the note in the description column of node 5 in Figure 6 is added to the recommended process sequence if the process, which is either the Recommended process sequence or the input form, contains the word chamfer. As an alternative to separate note decision trees, the contents of the note decision trees can be incorporated into the corresponding basic decision trees. Also part of the designer 16 is a reducer 66 that receives the process sequence output recommended by the decision-making machine 28 identifies situations where the information is necessary to complete the recommended process sequence, acts to obtain the information and produces the complete sequence for the GUI 26 The reducer 66 identifies the need for additional information by searching for keywords in the steps and notes contained in the recommended process sequence that indicate that additional information is needed Any information that is necessary to complete the sequence refers to process-specific information that can not be easily resolved with a decision tree If the reducer 66 identifies the need for information In addition to completing the recommended process sequence, a process calculator 68 is used to obtain the necessary information. Process calculator 68 has access, if necessary, to one or more 70A-70N databases that provide information that is used together with information contained in a step to provide the necessary information For example, if the recommended process sequence refers to the drilling of a hole, the reducer 66 may request the process computer 68 to provide information regarding which drill to use, the speed at which the drilling must be carried out and the cooler that must be used during the drilling process. Once all the necessary information has been completed, the recommended process sequence has been obtained from the calculator 68, the recommended process sequence is provided to the GUI 26. In response, the GUI 26 provides the recommended process sequence to the network 14 to be transported to the computer of the user requesting. The recommended process sequence is also in the form of a spreadsheet and lists the recommended steps to produce the appearance or repair specified by the user and, if appropriate, the error-proof practices and / or best practices associated with each step . It is also reliable to integrate the designer 16 into each of the 12A-12N user computers to create an independent system. In this case, it is reliable to use the network 14 to update the designer 16 resident in each of the 12A-12N computers. The standalone system is particularly useful in situations where the integrity or ability to use the network 14 is unreliable. It is also reliable to download the designer 16 to the user's computer each time a recommended process sequence of the designer 16 is requested. The previous description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. further, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form described herein. Accordingly, variations and modifications in accordance with the above teachings and the experience or knowledge in the prior art are within the scope of the present invention. The preferred embodiment described above is also intended to explain the best known way for practicing the invention and to allow other experts in the art to use the invention in various embodiments and with the various modifications required by their particular applications or uses of the invention. It is intended that the appended claims to be constructed include alternative modalities to the extent permitted by the prior art.

Claims (1)

1. CLAIMS 1 A method for distributing information with respect to recommended steps for carrying out a process, comprising providing a computer network (14) for communicating digital data between at least two sites, first transporting, using a computer network (14) a request for a recommended process sequence of steps to perform a process, the request originating in a first site and directed to a second site, processing, in the second site, the request to produce the recommended process sequence of steps to perform said process, and second, transporting, in response to the request and using the computer network (14), a response that includes the recommended process sequence of the steps to perform said process, the response originating in the second site and addressed to the ppmer site 2 The method according to claim 1 wherein the processing includes using a decision tree (30) to be used in the recommended process sequence determination of steps 3 The method according to claim 2 wherein the decision tree (30) includes a decision node which, based on a decision, is used to determine whether a first sequence of Steps or a second sequence of steps is part of the sequence of steps of the recommended process 4 The method according to claim 1, wherein the processing includes using a note tree (32) to provide safe addresses for the sequence of the recommended process of steps in the response 5 The method according to claim 1, wherein the processing includes using a data tree (32) to provide the best practice directions for the recommended process sequence of steps in said response. The method according to claim 1, wherein the processing includes using a tree structure that is in the form of a ho The method according to claim 1, wherein the processing includes calculating a value associated with a step of said recommended processing sequence of steps 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the calculation includes using a data file 9 The method according to claim 7, wherein the calculation includes using a data file that is in the form of a spreadsheet 10 A method for distributing information with respect to recommended steps for performing a process comprising providing a computer network (14) for communicating digital data between at least two sites, first transporting, using the computer network (14), a request for a recommended process sequence of steps to perform a process, said request originating in a first site and being directed to a second site; and second, transporting, in response to the request and using the computer network (14), a response that includes a recommended process sequence of steps to perform said process, the response originating in the second site and directed to the first site. The method according to claim 10, wherein the network (14) includes the Great World Network. The method according to claim 10, wherein the step of providing includes providing one of the following: a local area network and a wide area network. The method according to claim 10, wherein the first transportation includes transporting the request in the form of a spreadsheet. The method according to claim 10, wherein the second transportation includes transporting the response in the form of a spreadsheet. The method according to claim 10, wherein the second transportation includes transporting the recommended process sequence of steps in the form of a spreadsheet. 16. A method for providing information regarding recommended steps to perform a process, comprising the steps of: providing, in a computer memory, a decision tree (30) having at least two possible sequences of steps for performing a process; receiving a request originating from a computer input device (12), for a sequence of recommended process steps to perform the process, the request including information to be used in determining a sequence of recommended process steps from at least two possible sequences in the decision tree (30); using, in a digital computer (16), the request and the decision tree (30) to determine a sequence of recommended process steps to perform the process of a product; and transmitting the recommended process sequence of steps to a computer output device (12). 17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising: allowing an expert to modify the decision tree (30). 18. The method according to claim 16, further comprising: receiving the decision tree (30) from a remote site in relation to the digital computer (16). 19. The method according to claim 16, wherein: the step of receiving includes transporting the request over a computer network (14). 20. The method according to claim 16, wherein: the step of transmitting includes transporting the recommended process sequence of steps on a computer network (14)