METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENSURING PROPER USE OF AN INDICATION DEVICE WITHIN AN ASSEMBLY LINE

The present invention warns an operator of failure to properly use an indication device within an assembly line for producing articles of manufacture. The present invention includes a detector, coupled to the indication device, for detecting application of the indication device to a work piece within the assembly line. In addition, the present invention includes a timer, coupled to the detector, for timing a measured time period from a first time point when a prior application of the indication device to a first work piece is detected within the assembly line. The present invention further includes a warning unit, coupled to the timer, for generating an alarm signal if the measured time period is greater than a predetermined time period and if a subsequent application of the indication device to a second work piece has not been detected within the measured time period. The present invention may be used to particular advantage when the indication device is a marker that is used to make a mark on an automotive part to indicate completion of testing the automotive part or to indicate inclusion of a predetermined part to the automotive part. The alarm signal generated by the present invention reminds the operator to use the indication device for each work piece within the assembly line.