JP3238142B2 - Empty pallet management system in molding factory - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention belongs to the technical field of an empty pallet management system for storing molded products in a molding factory having a plurality of molding stations, an automatic warehouse, and an automatic guided vehicle. Empty pallets can be prepared at the station without any excess or shortage.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, as shown in FIG. 1, a molding factory comprises a plurality of molding stations 40 each having a molding machine 41, a take-out machine 42 and a molded article stocking device 43, and moldings produced at each of the molding stations 40. An automatic warehouse 31 for storing articles, and an unmanned transport vehicle 32 for transporting molded articles and empty pallets p reciprocating between the molding stations 40 and the automatic warehouse 31 are provided. Conventionally, an empty pallet p for storing molded articles in such a molding factory is an empty pallet which is used by a worker by inputting a designated date and time to a computer and using the computer for a set time from the present to the designated date and time. Let us predict the number,
Then, an operator prepares pallets for the number of empty pallets. Thus, in each molding station 40, since the empty pallets p to be used by the designated date and time are prepared, it is possible to prevent the pallet shortage from occurring until the designated date and time and stop the molding operation.

[0003]

However, according to the above-described calculation of the number of empty pallets, if any one of the molding stations 40 is to be completed by the designated date and time, the production is completed at that molding station 40. Then, there is a problem that an extra empty pallet p is prepared for a time corresponding to the time until the designated date and time. For example, if the set time from the present time to the designated date and time is 4 hours, even if the No. 3 molding station 40 completes the production 2 hours after now, an empty pallet p for 4 hours is required to be prepared. An extra preparation for the empty pallet p for the time is required [set time (4 hours) -3 molding station remaining time (2 hours) = unnecessary time (2 hours)]. In this case, the operator prepares an extra empty pallet p, and the extra empty pallet p stays in the molding factory.

According to the present invention, a plurality of molding stations each including a molding machine, a take-out machine, and a molded article stocking apparatus, and a predetermined number of molded articles produced at each of the molding stations are stacked and stored on a pallet. A molding factory comprising an automatic warehouse, and an unmanned transporter that transports molded articles and empty pallets for each pile in which a predetermined number of pallets are stacked while reciprocating between the molding stations and the automatic warehouse. In the management system for empty pallets used for transporting molded articles and storing them in automatic warehouses, it is necessary to enable the molding station to make a request for the preparation of the required number of empty pallets by the designated date and time. And

[0005]

The technical means taken to solve the above-mentioned problems are as follows. "A molding station computer connected to each of the molding stations, a logistics control computer connected to the automatic warehouse and the automatic guided vehicle, pallet number data per hill determined for each type of pallet, and data per pallet. A pallet database for storing molding shot number data, a molding situation database for storing the latest molding situation data of each molding station, and a pallet for storing the latest pallet inventory situation data for the automatic warehouse and each molded article stocking apparatus. An area server computer having a stock status database, an area management computer for accessing each database in the area server computer to read data, and finding an insufficient number of empty mountains, which is an insufficient number of empty pallet mountains, for each pallet type; Each A signal line connecting a computer, the area management computer includes a designated date and time input unit, a set time computing unit that calculates a set time from the present time to the designated date and time, the pallet database and the molding situation database. The stored data is read out and the calculation of “the number of pallets per hill × the number of molding shots per pallet × the molding cycle time” is performed for each molding station until the pallet from which the molded product is collected becomes the single hill. And a production unit for calculating the production time per mountain for each molding station, and reading out the data stored in the molding situation database, and reading "molding cycle time × (remaining production number / 1 shot)" for each molding station. The number of moldings per unit) is calculated, and the remaining time from the current time until the production of the planned number of productions is completed is molded A required time calculating unit that determines the shorter time of the remaining time and the set time as a required time for each molding station; and calculates the required time for each molding station. The required number of empty hills for each molding station is calculated by dividing the required number of empty hills for each pallet by calculating the required number of empty hills for each molding station. Reading the data stored in the molding status database and the pallet inventory status database, adding the number of empty pallets of the pallet in the molded article stock apparatus and the number of empty pallets of the pallet in the automatic warehouse, and calculating the inventory empty mountain for each pallet type. A stock empty mountain count calculation unit for calculating the number of empty mountains, and subtracting the required empty mountain count from the stock empty mountain count to obtain the number of empty mountains for each pallet type. Comprising a Mel lack Sorayama number calculation unit, characterized in that. The technical means operates as follows.

When the designated date and time are input to the area management computer, the required number of empty pallets of the pallets according to the required time is obtained, and furthermore, the shortage obtained by subtracting the number of empty cavities of the stocking device and the automatic warehouse from the required number of empty hills. The number of empty mountains is calculated for each pallet type.

Here, the number of missing hills means the number of hills in which the required pallets are stacked in multiple stages by the designated date and time. In addition, since the pallets are transferred back and forth between the molding station in the molding factory and the automatic warehouse,
The number of pallets per hill is predetermined for each type of pallet based on its height and weight.

In calculating the number of vacant vacant mountains, the set time from the present time to the designated date and time is not used as it is, but the set time is calculated by the necessary time calculation unit from the present time to the number of production scheduled for each molding station. The shorter time is used as the required time as compared with the remaining time until the completion. Therefore, if any one of the molding stations ends production by the designated date and time, the required empty mountain count according to the remaining time is calculated by the required empty mountain count calculation unit, so that each molding station is actually required. Only the number of empty pallets on the pallet is required, and there is no need to prepare more empty hills than necessary.

The remaining time is calculated based on the latest molding state data of each molding station.
Even when a change occurs in the molding cycle or the removal cycle, the required number of empty hills is calculated according to the latest actual data.
Incidentally, as the molding cycle time of the molding machine included in the molding situation data, since there is no actual data for the molded article produced at the molding station for the first time, in this case, a default value in design is stored in the molding situation database. It is registered and this default value is used as the molding cycle time.

Further, since the number of empty stocks is calculated based on the latest pallet stock status data of the automatic warehouse and the article stocking apparatus, the empty pallets can be loaded and unloaded from the post-process in the automatic warehouse and the article stocking apparatus. Even if it is performed, the latest stock empty mountain count is calculated.

[0011]

As described above, according to the present invention, the number of empty hills is obtained by taking the remaining time of the molding station, so that only the number of empty pallets of the pallets actually required by each molding station is obtained. There is no need to prepare more than necessary empty mountains.

Accordingly, the operator does not need to perform an extra empty pallet preparation operation, so that the labor of the operator can be reduced correspondingly, and the extra empty pallet can be retained in the molding factory. Therefore, it is possible to save space in the molding factory and to effectively use the space in the factory.

In calculating the number of vacant vacancies, the pallet is calculated based on the latest molding situation data and the latest pallet stock situation data. Can be prepared.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the outline of a molding factory. As shown in FIG. 1, the molding factory includes a plurality of molding stations 40 each having a molding machine 41, an unloader 42, and a molded article stocking device 43. A pile of a predetermined number of pallets p stacked back and forth between each molding station 40 and the automatic warehouse 31, and an automatic warehouse 31 for storing molded products produced at each of the molding stations 40. m) Automatic guided vehicle 32 that transports the molded product and empty pallet p for each
And In the molding factory shown in FIG. 1, the molding station 40 has six (No. 1 to No. 6 molding stations), the automatic warehouse 31 has two (J1, J2), and the automatic guided vehicle 32 has two (1 Car No. 2).

FIG. 2 shows a configuration diagram of an empty pallet management system in the molding factory. As shown in FIG.
0, a logistics control computer 3 connected to the automatic warehouse 31 and the automatic guided vehicle 32, an area server computer 2 having a database 20, and an area for determining the number of empty vacant mountains. The system includes a management computer 1 and a signal line 5 connecting the computers 1 to 4. Here, the insufficient number of empty mountains refers to the insufficient number of mountains (m) in a state where required pallets p are stacked in multiple stages by a specified date and time. Since the pallets p are transferred back and forth between the molding station 40 and the automatic warehouse 31 in the molding factory, the number of pallets per mountain (m) is determined in advance for each type of pallets p from the height and weight. Stipulated.

The molding station computer 4 comprises:
The operation of the molding machine 41, the unloader 42, and the molding stocking device 43 connected thereto is controlled so as to instruct the production of the inputted planned number of moldings. Further, the molding station computer 4 stores the latest molding state data (the molding cycle time of the molding machine 41, the number of moldings per shot of the molding machine 41, the unloading cycle time of the unloading machine 42, the remaining production number, and the number of pallets p used). And the latest pallet inventory status data (the number of vacant mountains for each pallet type) in the molded product stock device 43 is transmitted to the area server computer 2. Here, the number of empty mountains is
The number of mountains (m) in a state where empty pallets p are stacked in multiple stages for each pallet type. As the transmission timing,
The transmission is performed at an appropriate time, such as when a certain number of molded articles are produced, when one production is completed, every molding cycle of the molding machine, or every predetermined time. Incidentally, in the molding condition data, the unloading cycle time of the unloader 41 is usually
Since it coincides with the molding cycle time of the molding machine 41, it may be excluded from this molding situation data.

The distribution control computer 3 manages the entry and exit of the molded articles and the empty pallets p in the automatic warehouse 31, and instructs the traveling and stopping of the automatic guided vehicle 32. The distribution control computer 3 transmits the latest pallet stock status (the number of empty mountains for each pallet type) in the automatic warehouse 31 to the area server computer 2.
As the transmission timing, the pallet p is transmitted at an appropriate time, such as every time the pallet p is loaded and unloaded, every predetermined time, and the like.

The area server computer 2 stores the latest molding state data transmitted from the molding station computer 4 and the distribution control computer 3
Receives the latest pallet inventory status data transmitted from the company, and stores the data in a predetermined location of the database 20. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the database 20 includes a molding status database 21 (see FIG. 3),
The pallet inventory status database 22 (see FIG. 4) and the pallet database 23 (see FIG. 5) are provided.

The molding status database 21 sequentially stores the latest molding status data transmitted from the molding station computer 4, and includes, as shown in FIG. The cycle time, the number of moldings per shot of the molding machine 41 (the same number as the number of molded articles taken out at one time by the unloading machine 42), the unloading cycle time of the unloading machine 42, the number of remaining products, and the currently used It consists of data of the type of the pallet p. The molding cycle time of the molding machine 41 included in the molding situation data is the molding station 40
Since there is no actual data for a molded article produced for the first time, in this case, a default value in design is registered in the molding situation database 21 and this default value is used as a molding cycle time.

The pallet inventory status database 22 sequentially stores the latest pallet inventory status data transmitted from the molding station computer 4 and the physical distribution control computer 3, and includes, as shown in FIG. In each case, data of the number of empty pallets of the molded article stock device 43 and the number of empty pallets of the automatic warehouse 31 are included.

The pallet database 23 is pallet data registered in advance. The contents of the pallet database 23 are necessary for stacking the pallets p for each pallet type to form a mountain (m) as shown in FIG. It consists of data on the number of pallets per hill, the number of molding shots per pallet, data on the type of pallets p used for each type of molded product, and data on the number of molded products stored per pallet p. The data of the number of pallets and the number of molded articles stored in each hill are determined in advance based on the size and weight of the pallets p, the size, shape, and weight of molded articles. The molding shot number data per pallet is obtained by dividing the number of molded articles stored per pallet by the number of moldings per shot of the molding machine 41 in the molding situation data. The calculation is performed by the computer 2.

The area management computer 1 communicates with each database 2 via the area server computer 2.
1 to 23, necessary data is read, and the number of empty vacancies is obtained for each pallet type. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the area management computer 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the area management computer 1 includes a mountain-based production time calculation unit 11, a remaining time calculation unit 12, and a set time calculation unit. It comprises a unit 13, a required time calculating unit 14, a required empty mountain number calculating unit 15, a stock empty mountain number calculating unit 16, and an insufficient empty mountain number calculating unit 17.

The hill-based production time calculation unit 11 is provided with a pallet p for collecting molded products for each molding station 40.
Is a functional unit that calculates the production time per mountain until the pile reaches the state of the pile (m). The remaining time calculating unit 12 is a functional unit that calculates the remaining time from the current time until the production of the planned number of production is completed for each of the molding stations 40. The set time calculation unit 13 is a functional unit that calculates a set time from the present to a designated date and time. The set time calculation unit 13 receives a designated date and time from a designated date and time input unit 13a such as a keyboard provided in the area management computer 1. The required time calculation unit 14 is a functional unit that compares the remaining time and the set time for each molding station 40 and determines the smaller one as the required time. The required empty mountain count calculating unit 15 calculates the required empty mountain count of the pallet by dividing the required time by the one mountain unit production time for each molding station 40.
The required number of empty mountains for each pallet type is calculated by summing up the required number of empty mountains for each pallet type. The inventory empty mountain count calculation unit 16 is a functional unit that calculates the inventory empty mountain count for each pallet type by adding the empty mountain count of the pallet p in the molded article stock device 43 and the empty mountain count of the pallet p in the automatic warehouse 31. is there. Insufficient empty mountain count calculation unit 17
Is a functional unit that subtracts the required empty mountain count from the stock empty mountain count and calculates the insufficient empty mountain count for each pallet type. Further, the insufficient empty mountain count calculating section 17 displays the number of insufficient empty mountains determined here on the display section 18 provided in the area management computer 1.
Output to

Next, the operation of calculating the number of vacant mountains by the area management computer 1 will be described.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the outline of this calculation operation. As shown in FIG. 7, when the designated date and time is input from the designated date and time input section 13a of the area management computer 1, the set time is set in step S1. The calculation unit 13 calculates a set time from the present to the specified date and time. For example, when the set date and time is November 11, 1999 2
Enter 3 o'clock and the current time is 1 November 11, 1999
If it is 9 o'clock, the set time is 4 hours.

In step S2, the production time per mountain unit until the pallets p from which the molded products are collected at the molding station 40 in the mountain-based production time calculation unit 11 are stacked (m) is as follows. It is calculated according to the calculation formula.

The production time per mountain = the number of pallets per mountain × the number of molding shots per pallet × the molding cycle time The number of pallets per mountain and the number of molding shots per pallet in this equation are determined by the area server. Data read from the pallet database 23 in the database 20 of the computer 2 is used. Also,
The molding cycle time is stored in the molding status database 2 in the database 20 of the area server computer 2.
Data obtained by reading the latest information from 1 is used. Therefore, if a change occurs in the molding cycle, the production time per mountain unit according to the latest information after the change is obtained.

The number of molding shots is 1 in the molding machine 41.
The number of molded products produced in one molding operation is the same as the number of molded products extracted by the unloader 42 at one time. Therefore, the number of ejections of the ejection machine 42 may be used instead of the number of molding shots. If one molding cycle time is applied to the number of molding shots per pallet, the time required to store the molded product on one pallet is obtained. Therefore, if the number of pallets per hill is multiplied by the time required to store the molded product on one pallet, the production time per hill is obtained.

In step S3, the remaining time calculator 12 calculates the remaining time from the present to the end of the production of the planned number of production for each molding station 40 according to the following formula.

Remaining time = molding cycle time × (number of remaining production / number of moldings per shot) In this equation, the data of the molding cycle time, the number of remaining productions, and the number of moldings per shot are obtained from the area server computer. Data obtained by reading the latest information from the molding status database 21 in the second database 20 is used. However, the number of molding shots used is the one already read in step S2. That is, access time is reduced by preventing the same data from being read from the database 20 again.

The number of molding cycles of the molding machine 41 required to produce molded products corresponding to the number of remaining productions is obtained by calculating (the number of remaining productions / the number of moldings per shot) in the above equation. . Therefore, if one molding cycle time is multiplied by the number of molding cycles, the remaining time is obtained.

In step S4, the necessary time calculation unit 14 performs the processing in step S3 for each of the molding stations 40.
The remaining time determined in step S1 is compared with the set time determined in step S1, and the smaller one is determined as the required time. For example,
Assuming that the set time obtained in step S1 is 4 hours,
If the remaining time of No. 3 molding station 40 is step S
Assuming that the time obtained in 3 is 2 hours, in this step S4, 2 hours which is the remaining time of the No. 3 molding station 40 is determined as the required time. on the other hand,
Assuming that the remaining time of the No. 3 molding station 40 is 6 hours, the set time of 4 hours is determined as the required time.

In step S5, the required empty mountain number calculation unit 15
The step S for each molding station 40
The required time obtained in step 4 is divided by the one-mount production time obtained in step S2 to calculate the required number of empty pallets on the pallet.
Next, the required number of empty mountains for each molding station 40 is summed up for each pallet type to calculate the required number of empty mountains for each pallet type.

In this operation, the fraction generated when the required time is divided by the production time per mountain is rounded up. The required number of vacant mountains obtained here does not use the set time (step S1) from the present to the designated date and time as it is. Is used as the required time as compared with the remaining time (step S3) until the completion of the production of the molding station 40, if any of the molding stations 40 is to be completed by the designated date and time, Since the required number of empty hills according to the remaining time is calculated by 15, the number of empty hills necessary for storing the actually produced molded product is accurately calculated.

In step S6, the stock empty mountain count calculation unit 16
Thus, the number of empty mountains of the pallets p in the molded article stock device 43 and the number of empty mountains of the pallets p in the automatic warehouse 31 are added to calculate the number of empty mountains of each pallet type.

The number of empty peaks of the pallets p in the molded article stock apparatus 43 and the number of empty peaks of the pallets p in the automatic warehouse 31 are used by reading the latest information from the pallet inventory status database 22 in the database 20 of the area server computer 2. Therefore, even if the empty pallet p is moved in and out of the automatic warehouse 31 and the molded article stocking apparatus 43 in a later process, the number of empty hills according to the latest information is obtained.

In step S7, the number of empty vacant mountains calculating section 17
Then, the required number of empty mountains obtained in step S5 is subtracted from the number of empty mountains obtained in step S6 to calculate the number of insufficient empty mountains for each pallet type. That is, the calculation of (the number of empty mountains in stock−the number of necessary empty mountains) is performed, and when the value is negative, this is regarded as the number of insufficient empty mountains. On the other hand, when the value of (the number of empty vacant mountains−the number of necessary empty hills) is positive, this is set as the surplus empty mountain number. Also,
At the same time, for each pallet type, (the number of vacant empty mountains × the number of pallets per mountain) is calculated to obtain the number of insufficient pallets, and (the number of surplus empty mountains × the number of pallets per mountain) is calculated to obtain the number of excess empty pallets.

The operation for calculating the number of empty vacancies is completed as described above. The calculation result in step S7 is displayed on the display unit 18 of the area management computer 1 as an empty mountain preparation screen.

FIG. 8 shows an empty mountain preparation screen on the display unit 18. Referring to FIG. 8, each pallet type (pallet type: L, S, M,
M1, S1,...) Show the number of insufficient mountains (meaning the number of insufficient empty mountains) and the number of surplus mountains (meaning the number of extra empty mountains) in a bar graph. The number of insufficient mountains and the number of surplus mountains are determined by the warehouse number of the automatic warehouse 31. (J1, J2) are displayed. This is, for example, the warehouse No. J1
The automatic warehouse 31 stores molding products and pallets p of the first to third molding stations 40, and
Warehouse No. J2 automatic warehouse 31 is a molding station 40
The molded products and pallets p of No. 4 to No. 6 are stored and divided into such two groups, and the area management computer 1 calculates the number of vacant mountains by the area management computer 1 for each group (steps S1 to S1). This is because S7) is performed.

In the upper right part of the sky mountain preparation screen,
Warehouse No. Insufficient mountains (meaning the number of insufficient empty pallets), insufficient pallets (meaning the number of insufficient empty pallets), surplus mountains (meaning the number of excess empty mountains), and extra pallets for each pallet type divided into J1 and J2. (Meaning the number of surplus empty pallets) is displayed. In this display screen, the screen is scrolled by clicking the triangle at the right end.

On the other hand, the designated date and time input first to the area management computer 1 is displayed in the upper left portion of the empty mountain preparation screen.

As described above, according to the empty pallet management system according to the present embodiment, the area management computer 1
Between the specified date and time input from the specified date and time input unit 13a, the number of vacant hills necessary to store the molded product actually produced in each molding station 40 is accurately and instantaneously calculated. Become. Therefore, the operator does not need to perform an extra work of preparing the empty pallet p, so that the labor of the operator can be reduced correspondingly. In addition, since an unnecessary empty pallet p does not stay in the molding factory, the space in the molding factory can be saved and the space in the factory can be effectively used. In addition, when calculating the number of vacant vacancies, the pallet is calculated based on the latest molding situation data and the latest pallet stock situation data. can do. Further, by displaying the number of insufficient hills on the display unit 18 of the area management computer 1 in a bar graph or a numerical value on the screen, the number of vacant hills of several types of pallets p can be visually confirmed instantaneously. Work efficiency of the worker can be further improved.

The arithmetic units 11 to 17 in the area management computer 1 can be constituted by predetermined hardware or software.

The number of the molding stations 40, the number of the automatic warehouses 31, and the number of the automatic guided vehicles 32 can be arbitrarily increased or decreased for each molding factory. It may be provided.

The processing for calculating the number of vacant hills in steps S1 to S7 shown in FIG. 7 includes a set time calculating step for obtaining a set time from the present time to a specified date and time input to the specified date and time input unit; And the data stored in the molding status database 21 are read out, and an operation of “the number of pallets per hill × the number of molding shots per pallet × the molding cycle time” is performed for each molding station 40 to collect molded products. A single-mount production time calculating step of obtaining a single-mount production time for each molding station 40 until the set pallet p becomes the single peak; and reading data stored in the molding status database 21 to read out the data of each molding station 40. Calculate the molding cycle time x (number of remaining production / number of moldings per shot) A remaining time calculation step for obtaining the remaining time until the production of the planned number is completed for each molding station 40, and the shorter of the remaining time and the set time for each of the molding stations 40 needs to be the required time A time calculating step;
For each pallet type, the required time is divided by the one-mount production time to calculate the required number of vacant hills for the pallet p. The number of empty hills required for calculating the number of pallets, the data stored in the molding status database 21 and the pallet inventory status database 22 are read out, and the number of empty pallets p in the molded article stock device 43 and the pallets in the automatic warehouse 31 are read. calculating the number of empty hills in stock for each pallet type by adding the number of empty hills to p; and the insufficient hills for calculating the number of empty hills in each pallet type by subtracting the required number of empty mountains from the number of empty stocks in inventory. A program for executing the number calculation step, for example, by downloading from an Internet line or recording the program Be installed from a recording medium,
The program may be executed in the area management computer 1.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of a molding factory.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an empty pallet management system in a molding factory according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing data contents of a molding status database 21;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing data contents of a pallet inventory status database 22.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing data contents of a pallet database 23;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an area management computer 1.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of an operation of calculating the number of insufficient empty mountains by the area management computer 1.

8 is a schematic diagram showing an empty mountain preparation screen on the display unit 18. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 area management computer 2 area server computer 3 distribution control computer 4 molding station computer 5 signal line 11 mountain-unit production time calculation unit 12 remaining time calculation unit 13 set time calculation unit 13a designated date / time input unit 14 required time calculation unit 15 required empty mountain Number calculation unit 16 Stock empty mountain count calculation unit 17 Insufficient empty mountain count calculation unit 18 Display unit 20 Database 31 Automatic warehouse 32 Automated guided vehicle 40 Molding station 41 Molding machine 42 Unloader 43 Molded goods stocking device

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A plurality of molding stations each including a molding machine, a take-out machine, and a molded article stocking apparatus; and an automatic warehouse that stores a predetermined number of molded articles produced at each of the molding stations on a pallet and stores them. A molded article in a molding factory comprising an unmanned transporter for transporting a molded article and an empty pallet for each pile in which a predetermined number of pallets are stacked by reciprocating between the molding stations and the automatic warehouse. An empty pallet management system used for transportation and storage in an automatic warehouse, a molding station computer connected to each of the molding stations, a logistics control computer connected to the automatic warehouse and the automatic guided vehicle, Stores data on the number of pallets per hill defined for each type of pallet and data on the number of molding shots per pallet Area server comprising a pallet database to store, a molding status database storing the latest molding status data of each molding station, and a pallet inventory status database storing the latest pallet inventory status data of the automatic warehouse and each of the molded article stock devices. A computer, an area management computer that accesses each database in the area server computer, reads data, reads out the number of empty pallets that are the number of empty pallets, and obtains the number of vacant hills for each pallet type, and a signal line connecting the computers Wherein the area management computer reads a data stored in the input unit of a designated date and time, a set time calculation unit for calculating a set time from the present to the designated date and time, and the pallet database and the molding situation database. The above For each station, calculate the number of pallets per hill x the number of molding shots per pallet x the molding cycle time, and calculate the production time per hill until the pallet where the molded product is collected reaches the above-mentioned hill. A production time calculating unit for each mountain, which is obtained for each molding station, and reads out data stored in the molding situation database and reads “molding cycle time ×
(Remaining production number / number of moldings per shot)], and a remaining time calculation unit for obtaining the remaining time from the current time until the production of the planned number of productions is completed for each molding station; A required time calculating unit that sets a shorter time of the remaining time and the set time as a required time; and, for each molding station, divides the required time by the one-mount unit production time to determine the required number of empty pallets of the pallet. The required number of empty mountains for each molding station is summed up for each pallet type to calculate the required number of empty mountains for each pallet type, and the required empty mountain number calculation unit is stored in the molding status database and the pallet inventory status database. For each pallet type, the data is read and the number of empty pallets of the pallet in the article stocking apparatus and the number of empty pallets of the pallet in the automatic warehouse are added. A stock empty mountain count calculating unit for calculating the stock empty mountain count; and an insufficient sky mountain count calculating unit for subtracting the required empty mountain count from the stock empty mountain count to obtain the shortage mountain count for each pallet type. Empty pallet management system for molding plants.