JP3748128B2 - Pallet operation control method and apparatus in production facility - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a stocker for a pallet loaded with a workpiece in a production facility such as an FMS (flexible production system) or FMC (flexible production cell) including an NC machine tool or the like controlled by a numerical control (hereinafter referred to as NC) device. The present invention relates to a pallet operation control method and apparatus for smoothly controlling pallet operation in a production facility by controlling the pallet storage means, and the conveyance from an NC machine tool to a setup table.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In production facilities such as FMS, in order to improve production efficiency, a workpiece is attached to a pallet and automatically supplied to a machine tool. Various jigs according to the processing form of the workpiece are attached to the pallet, and the workpiece is attached and fixed to the pallet using these jigs. This work for attaching and detaching a workpiece is referred to as setup, and the work table on which setup is performed is called a setup table. The workpiece mounting pallet that has completed the work for setting up the workpiece is often once transported to a means for storing a plurality of pallets such as a stocker provided near the machine tool. The pallet is transported to the machine tool and the workpiece is processed. The pallet loaded with the processed workpiece is ejected from the machine tool and stored once again in the pallet storage means, and further transferred from the pallet storage means to the setup table, and the processed workpiece is removed and a new workpiece is removed. A setup operation is performed in which an object is attached.
[0003]
In the conventional pallet transport, the pallets that have been set up are sequentially transported to the pallet storage means on the machine tool side, and the pallets that have been processed are transported to the setup table in the order of the end of processing.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
There are many workpieces produced by a production facility that need to be attached to a pallet for processing and then attached to another pallet after the processing is completed. Such a workpiece is called a workpiece that moves across a pallet. In the case of a workpiece that moves between pallets, the method of the prior art needs to control all the flow of pallets, which complicates the control system and results in a system that uses an advanced electronic computer.
[0005]
Therefore, the present invention controls a pallet in a production facility that can control a pallet operation including a workpiece that moves over the pallet with a simple system that controls only the pallet returning to the setup table and does not control the flow of the pallet on the way. An object is to provide an operation control method and apparatus.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a pallet operation control method in a production facility according to the present invention includes a machine tool and a pallet on which a workpiece processed by the machine tool or an unprocessed workpiece to be processed by the machine tool is mounted. Pallet storage means for storing the pallet, a setup table for setting up and removing the workpiece from the pallet, and pallet transfer for transferring the pallet between the machine tool, the pallet storage means and the setup table An independent feedback pallet capable of transporting the pallet independently to the setup table, and a dependent feedback capable of transporting to the setup table only after a specific pallet is transported to the setup table. Type pallets, and the dependency relationship between each of the above independent feedback pallets and each of the above dependent feedback pallets Leave constant, the dependent feedback pallets according to their dependencies, characterized by transporting only the setup stage after the independent feedback pallet.
[0007]
Further, in the pallet operation control method in the above production facility, each pallet is grouped as a group into which the workpiece can be attached for the same machining process of the same workpiece, and the group consisting of the independent feedback pallets Is set as an independent feedback pallet group, and a group consisting of the dependent feedback pallets is defined as a dependent feedback pallet group, and a dependency relationship between each independent feedback pallet group and each dependent feedback pallet group is set. The pallets of the dependent feedback pallet group can be transported to the setup table only after the pallets of the independent feedback pallet group according to the dependency.
[0008]
Moreover, in the pallet operation control method in the production facility, the next transport group data, which is data indicating a group to be transported to the setup table after each group, is set for each group, Search for a pallet belonging to the independent feedback pallet group from among the pallets that can be transported, transport it to the setup table, and if there is a group set in the next transport group data of the group of the transported pallet, that group is included in that group The pallet to which it belongs can be retrieved and transported to the setup table next.
[0009]
Further, in the pallet operation control method in the production facility, a pattern representing a group belonging to a series of pallets conveyed from the pallet storage means to the setup table, a series of patterns starting from an independent feedback pallet group In accordance with the order of the groups constituting the transport pattern, the pallets belonging to the group can be searched from the pallets that can be transported to the setup table and transported to the setup table. .
[0010]
Moreover, in the pallet operation control method in the above production facility, the pallet can be transported by the transport pattern in parallel for a plurality of transport patterns.
[0011]
Further, in the pallet operation control method in the above production facility, together with the data of the group constituting the transport pattern, when there is no pallet belonging to the group, the pallet belonging to the next rank group is transported without performing the transport. It is possible to store a flag instructing to do so.
[0012]
The pallet operation control device in the production facility of the present invention is a pallet storage means for storing a machine tool, a pallet on which a workpiece to be processed by the machine tool is mounted, and a pallet on which a workpiece processed by the machine tool is mounted. And a pallet transfer device for transferring a pallet between the pallet storage means, the machine tool, and the setup table, and a setup table for attaching and detaching a workpiece to and from the pallet. A pallet table for storing a pallet to be transported to a table, and a pallet group for storing the pallet as a group of the same workpieces that can be attached to the same workpiece for the same machining process For each group of tables and pallets, the setup table is independent. The attribute of the group of the independent feedback pallet that can be transported is the independent attribute, and the attribute of the group of the dependent feedback pallet that can be transported to the setup table only after the specific pallet is transported to the setup table is the dependent attribute. A group attribute table for storing next transport group data, which is data indicating a group to be transported to the setup table after the group, and a pallet belonging to the group having the next transport group data is stored in the setup table And a next transport group table for storing the next transport group data of the group to which the pallet belongs.
[0013]
The pallet operation control device in the production facility of the present invention is a pallet storage means for storing a machine tool, a pallet on which a workpiece to be processed by the machine tool is mounted, and a pallet on which a workpiece processed by the machine tool is mounted. And a pallet transfer device for transferring a pallet between the pallet storage means, the machine tool, and the setup table, and a setup table for attaching and detaching a workpiece to and from the pallet. A pallet table for storing a pallet to be transported to a table, and a pallet group for storing the pallet as a group of the same workpieces that can be attached to the same workpiece for the same machining process Group the table and the pattern for transporting the pallet to the setup table. The transfer pattern table stored by the data, the start pattern table for setting and storing the execution flag corresponding to each transfer pattern of the transfer pattern table, the currently executed transfer pattern, and the execution order of each transfer pattern are stored. Execution table.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an outline of a production facility to which the pallet operation control method and apparatus of the present invention is applied. The NC machine tool 1 includes an NC device, and performs desired machining on the workpiece on the pallet 21 according to the NC machining program. In the vicinity of the NC machine tool 1, a stocker (pallet storage means) 3 which is means for storing a plurality of pallets in a shelf-like storage unit is provided. Various jigs are attached to the pallets 21, 22, 23,... 27 according to the processing form of the workpiece, and the workpiece is attached and fixed to the pallet using these jigs.
[0015]
This attachment work or attachment / detachment work or the like is called a setup work (hereinafter referred to as setup), and the setup is performed by the setup table 5. The pallet on which the setup is completed and the workpiece is mounted is conveyed by a carriage (pallet conveying device) 4 and temporarily stored in the stocker 3. The pallet loaded with the unprocessed workpiece stored in the stocker 3 is transported by the carriage 4 to the automatic pallet changer (APC) of the NC machine tool 1 and is carried into the NC machine tool 1 by the APC and is placed on the pallet. The workpiece is processed. The pallet on which the machined workpiece is mounted is carried out of the machining area of the NC machine tool 1 by APC, carried out by the carriage 4 from the APC of the NC machine tool 1, and once stored in the stocker 3 again. Then, the workpiece which has been conveyed to the setup table 5 by the carriage 4 and finished processing is removed, and a new workpiece is attached.
[0016]
The operation of such a pallet is managed and controlled by the pallet operation control device 6. That is, control of pallet transportation from the stocker 3 to the setup table 5 is performed so that the pallets are also transported to the setup table 5 in the order of use even for workpieces that move between pallets. An arbitrary pallet can be selected and transferred from the stocker 3 to the cart 4. Further, a control signal for the carriage 4 from the pallet operation control device 6 is transmitted via the wireless transceiver 41.
[0017]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the pallet operation control device 6 according to the first embodiment. The pallet operation control device 6 includes a CPU 61, and interface circuits 621 to 625, a ROM 65, and a RAM 66 are connected to the CPU 61 via a main bus 611. A display 63 such as a CRT and a keyboard 64 are connected to the interface circuit 621. The other interface circuits 622 to 625 are connected to a radio transceiver 41, an NC machine tool 1, a stocker (pallet storage means) 3, and a setup base 5 to a carriage (pallet conveying means) 4, respectively. Necessary information input / output and pallet operation control are performed.
[0018]
The CPU 61 performs pallet operation control according to programs, data, and the like stored in the ROM 65 and RAM 66. In addition, as a data table that can be referred to by the CPU 61, there are provided a preparation stand conveyance waiting pallet table 661, a pallet group table 662, a group attribute table 663, and a next conveyance group table 664. These data tables are usually provided in the RAM 66.
[0019]
FIG. 3 shows the contents of the setup table conveyance waiting pallet table 661. The pallet of the pallet to be transferred to the setup table 5 is stored in the pallet table 661 waiting for the setup table in order from the start address by the NC machine tool 1 and once stored in the stocker 3. The number is stored. Further, the pallet number of the pallet transferred from the stocker 3 to the setup table 5 is deleted from the setup table transfer waiting pallet table 661, and the pallet number data after that is prepended in the head address direction of the table. The CPU 61 selects a pallet to be transported to the setup table 5 by searching the setup table transport waiting pallet table 661.
[0020]
FIG. 4 shows the contents of the palette group table 662 indicating which group each palette belongs to. Each pallet has the same structure of the pallet body, but the type and arrangement of jigs used for positioning and fixing the workpiece mounted on the pallet are different depending on the type and processing form of the workpiece. . Depending on the type of the pallet, it is divided into groups A, B, C. For example, pallets # 1, # 2, and # 3 belonging to group A have the same configuration, and can be used as a common pallet for the same machining process. As described above, a plurality of pallets having the same configuration belong to each group.
[0021]
In the case of a workpiece that moves between pallets, the workpiece is mounted on a pallet and processed, and then mounted on another pallet to perform the next processing. Therefore, the set-up work is performed until the next pallet arrives at the setup table 5. Can not do. On the contrary, even if the next pallet arrives at the setup table 5, the setup process cannot be performed unless the processing of the previous process is completed and the pallet returns to the setup table 5. That is, there is a case where a waiting time is generated in the setup work and the production efficiency of the entire production facility is lowered. In order to prevent such a state from occurring, the pallets used in accordance with the machining process of the workpiece must be transported from the stocker 3 or the like to the setup table 5 in an appropriate order.
[0022]
For this purpose, independent and dependent attributes are assigned to each group of the palette. The pallet of the independent attribute group is used at the beginning of a series of machining steps of a workpiece or used for a workpiece in a single machining step, and returns to the setup table 5 alone. This is a pallet that can be used (independent feedback pallet). When a series of pallet transportation is completed, any pallet having an independent attribute can be transported to the setup table 5. The pallet of the subordinate attribute group is used for the second and subsequent machining of a series of machining steps, and the other pallet registered as a higher level is returned to the setup table 5. (Subordinate feedback type pallet).
[0023]
FIG. 5 shows the contents of the group attribute table 663. For each group, an attribute of the group and a group to be transported subsequently when the pallet of the group is transported to the setup table 5, that is, the next transport group are stored. In the example of FIG. 5, group A is a group having an independent attribute, and groups B and C are set as the next transport group. Group B has a subordinate attribute and has no next transport group. Group C has a subordinate attribute, and group F is set as the next transport group. Group D has an independent attribute and has no next transport group.
[0024]
FIG. 6 shows the contents of the next transport group table 664. When a certain pallet is transported to the setup table 5 and the next transport group is set in the group attribute table 663 of the group to which the pallet belongs, the next transport group is registered in the next transport group table 664. For example, when the pallet of group A in FIG. 5 is transported to the setup table 5, groups B and C, which are the next transport group, are registered in the next transport group table 664. Subsequently, the pallets of groups B and C are conveyed to the setup table 5. The group that has been transported is deleted from the top of the next transport group table 664, and the subsequent groups are left-justified. When the pallet of group C is transported to the setup table 5, group F is registered in the next transport group table 664.
[0025]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the pallet operation control device 6 according to the first embodiment. When the process is started, the call-up process 71 calls a setup table conveyance search subroutine. Next, referring to the search result of the calling process 71, it is determined in decision 72 whether or not a pallet that meets the search condition exists in the setup table transfer waiting pallet table 661. If the result of determination 72 is “Yes”, the pallet of the pallet number of the search result is conveyed to the setup table 5 in process 73.
[0026]
Subsequently, in the process 74, the pallet number data that has been transported is deleted from the pallet table 661 waiting for transporting the setup table, and the pallet number data after that is prepended. Next, in processing 75, the next transport group table 664 data is rewritten. That is, if there is group data at the head of the next transport group table 664, it is deleted and the subsequent data is left-justified. Further, the group attribute table 663 of the group to which the pallet transported to the setup table 5 belongs is referred, and if the next transport group is set, these are registered in the next transport group table 664. Next, the process proceeds to process 76.
[0027]
If the result of determination 72 is “No”, processing 73 to 75 is skipped and processing proceeds to processing 76. Process 76 is for carrying out pallet transport processing other than pallet transport from the stocker 3 or the like to the setup table 5. The processing 76 includes a transport process such as transport from the setup table 5 to the stocker 3 and transport from the stocker 3 to another machine tool. When the process 76 ends, the process returns to the call process 71 again, and this loop is repeatedly processed.
[0028]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the setup table conveyance search subroutine called in the call processing 71 of FIG. In step 711, the next transport group table 664 is referred to, and in step 712, it is determined whether group data is registered there. If the result of the determination 712 is “Yes”, a pallet belonging to the rank 1 group of the next transport group table 664 is searched from the top of the setup table transport wait pallet table 661 in a process 713. Obtaining all the members of the palette belonging to the group is performed by referring to the palette group table 662.
[0029]
If the result of the determination 712 is “No”, processing 714 searches for the pallet of the group having the independent attribute from the top of the setup table transport waiting pallet table 661. In this case, a series of groups of pallets having independent and dependent relationships have been transported, and any group of pallets having an independent attribute can be transported to the setup table 5. A group having an independent attribute can be searched by referring to the group attribute table 663, and by referring to the palette group table 662, all members of the palette belonging to the group can be known.
[0030]
With reference to the search results of processing 713 and processing 714, it is determined in the next determination 715 whether or not there is a palette. If the determination result is “Yes”, the pallet number of the search result is notified to the main routine in processing 716. If the determination result is “No”, processing 717 notifies the main routine that there is no pallet. After processing 716 and 717, the process returns to the caller of the main routine.
[0031]
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the pallet operation control device 6 according to the second embodiment. The configuration of the data table provided in the RAM 66 is different from the pallet operation control device 6 of FIG. The setup table transfer waiting pallet table 661 and the pallet group table 662 in FIG. 6 are the same as those in FIG. 2, the setup table transfer waiting pallet table 661 has the contents shown in FIG. 3, and the pallet group table 662 has the contents shown in FIG. ing. In addition to this, the pallet operation control device 6 of the second embodiment has a transport pattern table 665, a start pattern table 666, and an execution table 667.
[0032]
FIG. 10 shows the contents of the transport pattern table 665. A plurality of conveyance patterns are registered in the conveyance pattern table 665, and each conveyance pattern is managed by a pattern number. In this embodiment, there is no data table for setting group attributes, but the head of each pattern in the transport pattern table 665, that is, the group of rank 1, corresponds to the group of independent attributes. A transport pattern with one pattern number represents a group of a series of pallets to be subsequently transported to the setup table 5, and one transport pattern corresponds to a series of machining steps for a single product or a product group of workpieces.
[0033]
In FIG. 10, the order represents the order to be transported to the setup table 5. Groups A to F are group names representing pallet groups registered in the pallet group table 662, but group Z represents a special pallet group, and members not registered in the pallet group table 662 are members. It is what. There is a “-” sign in front of the group name. This means that if there is no pallet belonging to the group, the pallet belonging to the next group is transported without carrying it. This is a flag to indicate. On the other hand, items without a “−” sign do not move to the next order unless the pallets belonging to the group are transported to the setup table 5.
[0034]
Taking the transport pattern of pattern number 2 as an example, the pallet belonging to group D is first retrieved from the head of the setup table transport waiting pallet table 661 and transported to the setup table 5. Next, a pallet belonging to group F is searched from the top of the setup table transfer waiting pallet table 661, and if it exists, it is transferred to the setup table 5; Next, a pallet belonging to group E is transported. Finally, if there is a pallet belonging to group Z, it is transported.
[0035]
FIG. 11 shows the contents of the activation pattern table 666. Corresponding to the pattern number of each conveyance pattern, an execution flag indicating whether or not the conveyance pattern should be executed is stored. The pallet operation control device 6 performs control to execute the conveyance pattern whose execution flag is set to “execution”. The execution flag may be set by an operator, or may be automatically set by a process management program higher than the pallet operation control.
[0036]
FIG. 12 shows the contents of the execution table 667. The execution table 667 stores an execution pattern number that is the pattern number of the currently executed conveyance pattern. The execution table 667 stores the order in which the next conveyance pattern is to be conveyed corresponding to the pattern number of each conveyance pattern.
[0037]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the pallet operation control device 6 according to the second embodiment. In the process 81, the data of the execution pattern number in the execution table 667 is first specified, for example, “1” is specified. Next, in decision 82, the execution flag corresponding to the pattern number data of the execution pattern number is read from the activation pattern table 666, and it is determined whether or not the execution flag is “execution”. If the determination result is “Yes”, the in-pattern pallet search transport subroutine is called in the calling process 83, and if the determination result is “No”, the calling process 83 is skipped and the process proceeds to the next.
[0038]
In the next process 84, the next execution pattern number is designated. For example, “1” is added to the execution pattern number data in the execution table 667 to designate the next pattern number. At this time, if the execution pattern number exceeds the last registered pattern number, the execution pattern number data is set to “1”. When the process 84 ends, the process returns to the decision 82 again, and this loop is repeatedly processed.
[0039]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the process of the in-pattern pallet search and transport subroutine called in the call process 83 of FIG. When this subroutine is called, the execution table 667 is referred to in a process 831 to read the pattern number data of the execution pattern number and the execution order corresponding to the pattern number. Next, in step 832, the conveyance pattern table 665 is referred to, and the group corresponding to the pattern number and order read in step 831 and the presence or absence of the “−” flag are read. Next, in process 833, the pallets belonging to the group read in process 832 are searched from the top of the setup table transport waiting pallet table 661. This search can be performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
[0040]
In the next judgment 834, it is judged whether or not there is a pallet. If the determination result is “Yes”, the process proceeds to process 835, and the pallet with the pallet number retrieved in process 833 is conveyed to the setup table 5. Subsequently, in process 836, the pallet number data that has been transported in the setup table transport waiting pallet table 661 is deleted, and the subsequent pallet number data is pre-packed. Next, in process 837, “1” is added to the execution order data corresponding to the execution pattern number in the execution table 667, and the next order is designated as the execution order. At this time, if the execution order exceeds the order of the last group registered in the transport pattern, the execution order data is set to “1”.
[0041]
If the determination result of determination 834 is “No”, the process proceeds to determination 838 to determine whether or not the “−” flag read in the process 832 exists. If the flag is present, the process proceeds to process 837. If the flag is not present, the process returns to the caller of the main routine. Even after the process 837 is completed, the process returns to the caller of the main routine.
[0042]
In the second embodiment, by setting the execution flag of the activation pattern table 666 for a plurality of conveyance patterns, a plurality of conveyance patterns can be executed simultaneously and in parallel. Even when processing is performed, the production efficiency does not decrease. In addition, since it is possible to set a “−” flag, it is possible to carry with the condition that if there is a desired pallet, it is possible to carry a condition, and increase the diversity and flexibility of the carrying pattern.
[0043]
In the above embodiment, a shelf stocker is used as the pallet storage means. However, a pallet pool line that stores pallets arranged in a ring shape that rotates and circulates may be used. Other pallet storage means can also be used. Moreover, as a device for conveying the pallet, any conveying means such as a stacker crane can be used in addition to the carriage.
[0044]
【The invention's effect】
Since the present invention is configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained.
[0045]
By assigning independent and dependent attributes to the pallet, it is possible to control only the pallet transported to the setup table and to control the pallet transport order for workpieces that move between pallets by a simple system that does not control the flow of other pallets at all. Since control can be realized, a high-performance computer is not required, and the cost of production equipment can be reduced.
[0046]
Pallets are classified into groups, and independent attributes and subordinate attributes are assigned to each group, so the size of various tables such as attribute tables and transport pattern tables can be reduced, and the required storage capacity is reduced. And the search speed can be improved.
[0047]
Since the data of the next transport group is set for each group and the pallets are transported in order by referring to the data table, advanced pallet transport can be performed with a data table and program with a simple data structure. The order can be controlled.
[0048]
Since multiple transport patterns have been set and pallets belonging to the transport pattern group are transported according to the transport pattern order, advanced control of pallet transport order using a data table and program with a simple data structure. Is possible. In addition, a plurality of conveyance patterns can be executed simultaneously and in parallel, and the production efficiency is not lowered even when machining a wide variety of workpieces. Furthermore, by setting a flag, it is possible to carry with a condition that if there is a desired pallet, it is possible to increase the variety and flexibility of the conveyance pattern.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a production facility to which a pallet operation control method and apparatus according to the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a pallet operation control device 6 according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 shows a data structure of a setup table conveyance waiting pallet table 661;
4 shows the contents of a palette group table 662. FIG.
FIG. 5 shows the contents of a group attribute table 663.
FIG. 6 shows the contents of a next transport group table 664.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the pallet operation control device 6 according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of a setup table conveyance search subroutine;
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a pallet operation control device 6 according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 10 shows the contents of a transport pattern table 665. FIG.
FIG. 11 shows the contents of an activation pattern table 666.
FIG. 12 shows the contents of an execution table 667.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the pallet operation control apparatus 6 according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing processing of an intra-pattern pallet search conveyance subroutine;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... NC machine tools
3 ... Stocker
4 ... cart
5 ... Setup table
6 ... Pallet operation control device
21-27 ... pallet
41 ... Radio transceiver
61 ... CPU
63 ... Display
64 ... Keyboard
65 ... ROM
66 ... RAM
661 ... Pallet table waiting for setup table
662 ... Pallet group table
663 Group attribute table
664 ... Next transport group table
665 ... Conveyance pattern table
666... Activation pattern table
667 ... Execution table

Claims (8)

A machine tool (1), and a pallet storing means (3) for storing a workpiece processed by the machine tool (1) or a pallet loaded with an unprocessed workpiece to be processed by the machine tool (1). The pallet is placed between a setup table (5) for setting up and removing the workpiece on the pallet, and the machine tool (1), the pallet storage means (3), and the setup table (5). In a production facility having a pallet conveying device (4) for conveying,
An independent feedback pallet capable of transporting the pallet independently to the setup table (5), and a slave capable of transporting to the setup table (5) only after a specific pallet is transported to the setup table (5). Classified as a feedback pallet,
A dependency relation between each of the independent feedback pallets and each of the dependent feedback pallets is set,
The pallet operation control method in a production facility, wherein the dependent feedback pallet is transported to the setup table (5) only after the independent feedback pallet according to the dependency relationship. A pallet operation control method in a production facility according to claim 1,
Each pallet is grouped as a group into which the workpiece can be attached for the same machining process of the same workpiece,
A group consisting of the independent feedback pallets is an independent feedback pallet group, and a group consisting of the dependent feedback pallets is a dependent feedback pallet group.
A dependency relation between each independent feedback pallet group and each dependent feedback pallet group is set,
The pallet operation control method in a production facility, wherein the pallets of the dependent feedback pallet group are transported to the setup table (5) only after the pallets of the independent feedback pallet group according to the dependency. A pallet operation control method in a production facility according to claim 2,
For each group, the next transport group data, which is data indicating a group to be transported to the setup table (5) after the group, is set.
Search for pallets belonging to the independent feedback pallet group from among the pallets that can be transported to the setup table (5) and transport them to the setup table (5).
Pallet in a production facility characterized in that if there is a group set in the next transport group data of the group of the transported pallet, the pallet belonging to that group is searched and transported next to the setup table (5) Operation control method. A pallet operation control method in a production facility according to claim 2,
A pattern representing a group belonging to a series of pallets conveyed from the pallet storage means (3) to the setup table (5), which is a series of patterns starting from an independent feedback pallet group, is set. And
According to the order of groups constituting the transport pattern, a pallet belonging to the group is searched from pallets that can be transported to the setup table (5) and transported to the setup table (5). Pallet operation control method. A pallet operation control method in a production facility according to claim 4,
A pallet operation control method in a production facility, wherein pallet conveyance by the conveyance pattern is executed in parallel for a plurality of conveyance patterns. A pallet operation control method in a production facility according to claim 4,
Along with the data of the group constituting the transport pattern, a flag for instructing the transport of the pallet belonging to the next group without performing the transport when there is no pallet belonging to the group is stored. Pallet operation control method in production equipment. Pallet storage means (3) for storing a machine tool (1), a pallet mounted with a workpiece to be processed by the machine tool (1) and a pallet mounted with a workpiece processed by the machine tool (1) The pallet is transported between the setup table (5) for attaching and detaching the workpiece to and from the pallet, and the pallet storage means (3), the machine tool (1) and the setup table (5). In a production facility having a pallet transfer device (4),
A setup table transport waiting pallet table (661) for storing pallets to be transported to the setup table (5);
A pallet group table (662) for storing pallets by grouping and storing the pallets that can be mounted on the same workpiece as the same group;
For each group of pallets, the attribute of the group of independent feedback pallets that can be transported independently to the setup table (5) is an independent attribute, and only after a specific pallet is transported to the setup table (5). The attribute of the group of the dependent feedback pallet that can be transported to the setup table (5) is stored as the dependent attribute, and data indicating the group to be transported to the setup table (5) after the group A group attribute table (663) for storing certain next transport group data;
And a next transport group table (664) for storing the next transport group data of the group to which the pallet belongs when the pallet belonging to the group having the next transport group data is transported to the setup table (5). Pallet operation control device in production facilities. Pallet storage means (3) for storing a machine tool (1), a pallet mounted with a workpiece to be processed by the machine tool (1) and a pallet mounted with a workpiece processed by the machine tool (1) The pallet is transported between the setup table (5) for attaching and detaching the workpiece to and from the pallet, and the pallet storage means (3), the machine tool (1) and the setup table (5). In a production facility having a pallet transfer device (4),
A setup table transport waiting pallet table (661) for storing pallets to be transported to the setup table (5);
A pallet group table (662) for storing pallets by grouping and storing the pallets that can be mounted on the same workpiece as the same group;
A transport pattern table (665) for storing a pattern for transporting the pallet to the setup table (5) according to group data;
An activation pattern table (666) for setting and storing an execution flag corresponding to each conveyance pattern of the conveyance pattern table;
A pallet operation control apparatus in a production facility, characterized by having an execution table (667) for storing a currently executed conveyance pattern and an execution order of each conveyance pattern.

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