JP4794014B2 - Production system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a production system, for example, a production system for unattended production of a workpiece in a manufacturing factory such as an automobile.

Conventionally, in a production line for industrial products and the like, a processing device (NC processing device) for automatically processing a workpiece has been used.
Here, a production system equipped with a conventionally known NC machining device (machining device) will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8, the production system of the prior art includes a machining data terminal 150, a scheduling terminal 250, a machine monitoring terminal 30, and a plurality of machining devices 40a1 and 40a2 arranged on the production line L (here, explanations are given). For convenience, only two units are shown), control devices 40b1 and 40b2 for controlling the respective processing devices 40a1 and 40a2, and a crane device B for transporting the workpiece W.
The processing data terminal 150 and the control devices 40b1 and 40b2 are connected to the network a so that they can communicate with each other.
In addition, the scheduling terminal 250, the machine monitoring terminal 30, and the processing devices 40a1 and 40a2 are connected to a network b (indicated by a broken line in the drawing) so that they can communicate with each other.

Further, the machining data terminal 150 generates machining data (instruction information) 160 for driving and controlling the machining devices 40a1 and 40a2 using the design information (CAD data) of the workpiece W and the like, and controls each control via the network a. The machining data 160 is transmitted to the devices 40b1 and 40b2. Then, the control device 40b1 (or the control device 40b2) receives the machining data 160 from the machining data terminal 10, and uses the machining data 160 to perform drive control of the machining device 40a1 (or the machining device 40a2).
The processed data terminal 150 is configured by a computer including a CPU and a memory, and a CAM program is stored in the memory. Then, machining data 100 is created when the CPU executes the CAM program.

In addition, the scheduling terminal 250 performs schedule management for the production line L.
Then, the worker inputs the processing data 160 obtained by the processing data terminal 150 to the scheduling terminal 250 (for example, the worker inputs with the keyboard). The scheduling terminal 250 creates a production plan for the production line L using the input processing data 160. In addition, the scheduling terminal 250 gives an instruction to start driving the processing devices 40a1 and 40a2 via the machine monitoring terminal 30 in accordance with the produced production plan.

Further, when the machining of the workpiece W is completed, each machining device 40a1 and 40a2 is configured to transmit a signal indicating the fact (end signal) to the machine monitoring terminal 30 (transmitted via the network b).
And machine monitoring terminal 30 will transmit the received processing end signal to scheduling terminal 250, if the processing end signal from each processing device 40a1 and 40a2 is received. In addition, when receiving the processing end signal, the scheduling terminal 250 notifies the operator to that effect (sounds a buzzer or the like).
Upon receiving the above notification (when a buzzer sound is heard), the operator operates the crane device B to transport and install the workpiece W to the processing devices 40a1 and 40a2 in the next process, indicating the end of the transportation. Data is input to the scheduling terminal 250.

Thereafter, when receiving an input of the end of conveyance, the scheduling terminal 250 gives an instruction to start processing of the next process to each of the processing devices 40a1 and 40a2 via the machine monitoring terminal 30 in accordance with the production plan. Thereby, the workpiece | work W is automatically processed by each processing apparatus 40a1 and 40a2.
As described above, the configuration of a processing apparatus that automatically processes the workpiece W is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1.
Conventionally, in the production line L, an unmanned conveyance system is used as a means for conveying the workpiece W instead of the crane device B (for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2002-200540 A JP 2005-209161 A

However, the above-described conventional production system has the following technical problems.
Specifically, the production system of the prior art shown in FIG. 8 notifies the operator of the completion of the work when the machining apparatus completes the work. It has a technical problem that it cannot be grasped.
For this reason, the production system of the prior art has caused waiting for the set-up of conveyance, or has caused idle time in the processing apparatus of the next process due to a delay in conveyance of the workpiece. As a result, the prior art production system has reduced the productivity of the production line.
In addition, the production system of the prior art uses the machining time calculated by the CAM method as it is to create a production plan, but the characteristics (reaction time, acceleration / deceleration) of each machining device are not considered, There was a gap between the actual process and the production plan. That is, the production system of the prior art cannot improve the productivity of the production line because it cannot create a highly accurate production plan.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above technical problem, and an object of the present invention is to improve the productivity of a production line in a production system including a machining apparatus for automatically machining a workpiece.

The present invention made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems includes a work table on which a work is placed, a processing device disposed on a production line for automatically processing the work placed on the work table, and a work procedure. A control device that causes the machining device to process the workpiece using the machining data included, an unmanned conveyance device that conveys the workpiece to a work table of the machining device, and the machining device and the unmanned conveyance device according to a production plan. This is applied to a production system having a scheduling terminal for instructing to start driving.
In the work procedure included in the machining data, marking data is attached to a predetermined work in the work procedure, and the machining apparatus starts machining the workpiece placed on the work table. Then, a start signal indicating work start is transmitted to the scheduling terminal, an intermediate signal indicating that is transmitted to the scheduling terminal when the predetermined work with the marking data is performed, and the work is processed. When completed, an end signal indicating work completion is transmitted to the scheduling terminal, and the scheduling terminal uses the start signal, the intermediate signal, and the end signal transmitted by the processing apparatus to perform a work in the processing apparatus. Progress information indicating the progress status of the machining is generated and added to the machining apparatus based on the production plan and the progress information. It is characterized by performing a transport instruction for the work to instructions and the unmanned conveying device starts.

Thus, in the production system of the present invention, marking data is attached to a predetermined work in the work procedure in the work procedure included in the machining data.
Further, the machining apparatus transmits a start signal indicating work start to the scheduling terminal when machining of the workpiece is performed, and when performing a predetermined work with marking data, an intermediate signal indicating that is transmitted to the scheduling terminal. When the machining of the workpiece is completed, an end signal indicating completion of work is transmitted to the scheduling terminal.
Therefore, according to the present invention, the scheduling terminal can grasp the progress status of the work of the machining apparatus from the “start signal, intermediate signal, and end signal” from the machining apparatus.
In addition, according to the production system of the present invention, it is possible to control the drive of the processing device and the automatic transfer device according to the progress of the work of the processing device, so that the idle time of the entire production line can be reduced.

  Moreover, since the production system of the present invention includes a processing device that automatically processes a workpiece and an unmanned transfer system that transfers the workpiece unattended, the production line can be unmanned.

Further, the production system includes a machining time calculation terminal that calculates a work time performed by the machining apparatus using the machining data and information indicating characteristics of the machining apparatus, and the scheduling terminal includes the machining time. It is desirable to create the production plan using the work time calculated by the calculation terminal.
As described above, in the present invention, in calculating the work time that is the basis of the production plan, since the information indicating the characteristics of the processing apparatus is taken into account, it is possible to calculate the work time with less error from the actual work time, Thereby, a highly accurate production plan can be created.
As a result, according to the present invention, the production line can be operated according to a highly accurate production plan, so that the productivity of the production line can be improved.

  As described above, according to the present invention, productivity of a production line can be improved in a production system including a processing apparatus that automatically processes a workpiece.

Hereinafter, a production system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, the system configuration of the production system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a production system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In the description of the present embodiment, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description is simplified.

As shown in the drawing, the production system X of the present embodiment includes a machining data terminal 10, a machining time calculation terminal 15, a scheduling terminal 20, a machine monitoring terminal 30, and a plurality of machining devices ( NC machine tools) 40a1 to 40an (n is an integer of 2 or more), control devices 40b1 to 40bn (n is an integer of 2 or more) for controlling the respective processing devices 40a1 to 40an, a plurality of automatic transfer machines 60, And a transfer machine control terminal 70 that controls driving of the plurality of automatic transfer machines 60.
Here, the processing devices 40a1 to 40an are provided with a work table (not shown) on which the workpiece W to be processed is placed, and the work W placed on the work table according to instructions from the control devices 40b1 to 40bn. Is processed automatically.

Further, the processing data terminal 10, the scheduling terminal 20, the control devices 40b1 to 40bn, and the transfer machine control terminal 70 are connected to a network a (for example, a factory LAN), and exchange data with each other via the network a. It has been made possible.
In addition, the scheduling terminal 20, the machine monitoring terminal 30, and the processing devices 40a1 to 40an are connected to a network b (for example, a factory LAN) and can exchange data with each other via the network b. .
The processing time calculation terminal 15 is connected to the processing data terminal 10 and the scheduling terminal 20 via a network.
Note that the network configuration shown is merely an example. The network a and the network b may be wired or wireless (for example, wireless LAN).

In the production system X configured as described above, the scheduling terminal 20 grasps the progress status of the work performed by each of the processing devices 40a1 to 40an via the machine monitoring terminal 30.
In addition, the scheduling terminal 20 instructs the unmanned transporter 60 to transport based on the above progress (drives the unmanned transporter 60 via the transporter control terminal 70) and transports the workpiece W. In addition, the scheduling terminal 20 instructs the machining devices 40a1 to 40an to start machining based on the progress status.
Thus, according to this embodiment, the drive time of each device of the production line L is controlled in accordance with the progress of the work of each processing device 40a1 to 40an, so that the idle time of the entire production line L can be reduced. it can.
Further, the production system X includes processing devices 40a1 to 40an that automatically process the workpiece W and an unmanned transfer system (the unmanned transfer device 60 and the transfer device control terminal 70) that transfers the workpiece W unattended. Therefore, the production line L can be unmanned.
Hereinafter, each apparatus which comprises the production system X of this embodiment is demonstrated sequentially.

First, the processing data terminal 10 will be described.
The processing data terminal 10 generates processing data for controlling the driving of the processing devices 40a1 to 40an and transmits the generated processing data to the control devices 40b1 to 40bn.
Specifically, the machining data terminal 10 includes a machining data generation unit 11 that generates machining data, an I / O processing unit 12 that controls data exchange between the machining time calculation terminal 15, a network a And a communication unit 13 that controls data exchange with each device connected to the PC.

The machining data generation unit 11 uses the design information (CAD data) of the workpiece W to generate machining data 100 for driving and controlling each machining device 40a.
Here, the machining data 100 generated by the machining data generation unit 11 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the data structure of the machining data according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, in the processing data 100, instruction data for controlling the processing device 40a in charge of the process is associated with each data name indicating the process in charge of each processing device 40a.
Specifically, the machining data 100 includes a field 101a for registering a process name, and a field 101b for registering instruction information for controlling the processing apparatus 40a in charge of the process having the process name registered in the field 101a. Two records are formed. Moreover, the process data 100 has a record for each process (consisting of a plurality of records).
In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the roughing machine in charge of roughing is referred to as a processing apparatus 40a1, the intermediate finishing machine in charge of intermediate finishing is referred to as a processing apparatus 40a2, and the finishing machine in charge of finishing is referred to as a processing apparatus 40a3 ( (Not shown).

For example, in the record 100a in which “rough machining data” is registered in the field 101a, instruction information for controlling the driving of the machining apparatus (rough machine) 40a1 in charge of the rough machining in the field 101b corresponding to the field 101a. (For example, a movement method, a movement amount, a device in charge, etc.) are registered.
In addition, in the record 100b in which “intermediate finishing processing data” is registered in the field 101a, instruction information for controlling the driving of the processing apparatus (intermediate finishing machine) 40a2 in charge of the intermediate finishing processing is displayed in the corresponding field 101b (FIG. (Not shown) are associated.

Further, the processing data 100 indicating each process includes data (not shown) indicating the work procedure of the process, and flag data (intermediate marking) is included in the data indicating the predetermined work in the data indicating the work procedure. ) Are associated.
For example, if data indicating the procedure of a certain process (for example, roughing process) is constituted by “first work, second work... Xth work”, an intermediate n-th work (1 <n Intermediate marking is attached to <X).

The position of the intermediate marking may be specified by designation from the system administrator. For example, when the data indicating the procedure (roughing process, etc.) is composed of “first work, second work,... X work”, the procedure immediately before the last procedure. ((X-1) procedure) or an intermediate marking may be attached to the procedure two steps before the last procedure ((X-2) procedure).
And this intermediate marking is used for grasping | ascertaining the progress of the work in each processing apparatus 40a so that it may mention later.

Returning to FIG. 1, the description of the machining data terminal 10 will be continued.
The machining data 100 generated by the machining data generation unit 11 is transmitted to the machining time calculation terminal 15 by the I / O processing unit 12 and used for calculation of the machining time. Further, the machining data 100 is sent by the communication unit 13 to each of the corresponding control devices 40b via the network a (for example, roughing machining data instruction information (record 100a in FIG. 2) is used for roughing machining. Sent to the control device 40b1 for controlling the drive of the processing device 40a1 to be performed).

Moreover, in this embodiment, although it does not specifically limit about the hardware constitutions of the process data terminal 10, For example, the process data terminal 10 is comprised by computer provided with CPU and memory.
The memory stores a program (processing data terminal PG) for realizing the functions of the processing data generation unit 11, the I / O processing unit 12, and the communication unit 13. The functions of the machining data generation unit 11, the I / O processing unit 12, and the communication unit 13 are realized by the CPU executing a program (processing data terminal PG) stored in the memory.
The program (processed data terminal PG) includes a CAM program, and the processes other than the above-described intermediate marking are the same as those of the prior art.

Next, the configuration of the machining time calculation terminal 15 will be described.
The machining time calculation terminal 15 includes a machining time calculation unit 16 that calculates a machining time for each process, an I / O processing unit 17, and a processing machine characteristic database 18.
The I / O processing unit 17 controls data exchange with the machining data terminal 10. Further, the I / O processing unit 17 controls data exchange with the scheduling terminal 20.
Specifically, the I / O processing unit 17 receives the machining data 100 transmitted from the machining data terminal 10 and outputs it to the machining time calculation unit 16. Further, the I / O processing unit 17 transmits the machining time calculated by the machining time calculation unit 16 to the scheduling terminal 20.

In the processing machine characteristic database 18, characteristic information (information indicating characteristics of the processing apparatus 40a) for each processing apparatus 40a in charge of each process is registered.
Here, the processing machine characteristic database 18 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the data structure of the processing machine characteristic database according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In the processing machine characteristic database 18, information indicating the characteristics of the processing apparatus is associated with each processing apparatus name.

Specifically, the processing machine characteristic database 18 includes a field 180 for registering a processing apparatus name, and a field 181 for registering information indicating characteristics of the processing apparatus registered in the field 180, and one record is formed. ing. In the processing machine characteristic database 18, a record is created for each processing apparatus (consisting of a plurality of records).
For example, as shown in the figure, in the record 18a in which “rough machine (processing device 40a1)” is registered in the field 180, “information indicating the characteristics of the rough machine (processing device 40a1) (motor) is stored in the field 181 corresponding to the field 180. Output, acceleration capability, deceleration capability, motor reaction speed, etc.) are registered.
Further, in the record 18c in which “finishing machine (processing apparatus 40a3 (not shown))” is registered in the field 180, “information indicating the characteristics of the finishing machine (processing apparatus 40a3)” is displayed in the field 181 corresponding to the field 180 (FIG. (Not shown) is registered.

Returning to FIG. 1, the description of the machining time calculation terminal 15 will be continued.
The machining time calculation unit 16 calculates the machining time for each process by using the characteristics of each machining apparatus 40a registered in the machining machine characteristic database 18 in addition to the machining data 100 from the machining data terminal 10 (for example, The correction coefficient is obtained from the motor output value, acceleration capability, etc. of the machining apparatus 40, and a value obtained by multiplying the machining time obtained by the conventional technique by the correction coefficient is taken as the machining time).
For example, when calculating the machining time of rough machining, the machining time calculation unit 16 extracts a record 100 a in which “rough machining data” is registered in the data name from the machining data 100. Further, the machining time calculation unit 16 extracts a record 18 a in which “rough machine” is registered as the device name from the machine tool characteristic database 18.
Then, the machining time calculation unit 16 uses the record 100a in which “rough machining data” is registered as the data name and the record 18a in which “rough machine” is registered as the device name. The work time (processing time) is calculated.

Thus, in the present embodiment, the characteristics of the processing apparatus 40a are taken into account in the calculation of the work time of each process.
Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the calculated work time as compared with the above-described related art.

Here, the machining time information indicating the machining time for each process calculated by the machining time calculator 16 is shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, in the machining time information 200, the machining time calculated by the machining time calculation unit 16 is associated with each process. In the illustrated example, only three steps (roughing, intermediate finishing, and finishing) are shown, but this is only an example.

Moreover, in this embodiment, although it does not specifically limit about the hardware constitutions of the process time calculation terminal 15, For example, the process time calculation terminal 15 is comprised by computer provided with CPU and memory.
The memory stores a program (processing time calculation terminal PG) for realizing the functions of the processing time calculation terminal 15 and the I / O processing unit 17. A processing machine characteristic database 18 is stored in a predetermined area of the memory.
The functions of the machining time calculation unit 16 and the I / O processing unit 17 are realized by the CPU executing a program (machining time calculation terminal PG) stored in the memory.

Next, the scheduling terminal 20 will be described.
The scheduling terminal 20 includes a production plan generation unit 21, a production plan management unit 22, an I / O processing unit 23, and a communication unit 24.
Note that the functions of the I / O processing unit 23 and the communication unit 24 are the same as those of the I / O processing unit 12 and the communication unit 13 included in the processed data terminal 10, and a description thereof is omitted here.

The production plan generation unit 21 creates a production plan for the production line L using the machining time 200 transmitted from the machining time calculation terminal 15.
For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the production plan generation unit 21 creates a production plan in a Gantt chart format using the processing time 200.
As shown in the figure, the production plan information 300 shows each processing device 40a (that is, a process in charge of each processing device) on the vertical axis (Y direction) and takes time on the horizontal axis (X direction). The timing and work time for performing the process at 310 are shown.
In the illustrated example, an example is shown in which roughing is first performed by the roughing machine 40a1, then intermediate finishing is performed by the intermediate finishing machine 40a2, and finally finishing is performed by the finishing machine 40a3. .
In addition, the production plan information 300 is provided with a space (entry) 311 for registering the actual result (actual working time in the process) under the horizontal bar 310 (shown by a solid line) indicating the plan. It has been. Then, the actual work time is registered in the space 311 by the production plan management unit 22.

Returning to FIG. 1, the description of the scheduling terminal 20 will be continued.
Further, the production plan management unit 22 controls the machine monitoring terminal 30 and the transfer machine control terminal 70 based on the production plan information 300 created by the production plan generation unit 21, and controls the machining operations of the respective processing devices 40a1 to 40an. At the same time, the automatic guided machine 60 is controlled to deliver the workpiece W to each of the processing devices 40a1 to 40an.

  Specifically, when each processing apparatus 40a1 to 40an arranged in the production line L starts the processing operation of the workpiece W, a signal (start) indicating “work start” is sent to the scheduling terminal 20 via the machine monitoring terminal 30. Signal). Further, when each processing apparatus 40a1 to 40an performs (starts or ends) a designated work (work with an intermediate marking) in the work, a signal (intermediate signal) indicating the fact to the machine monitoring terminal 30. Has been made to send. In addition, when each machining apparatus 40a1 to 40an finishes the machining operation on the workpiece W, the machining apparatus 40a1 to 40an transmits a signal (end signal) indicating “work completion” to the machine monitoring terminal 30.

Then, the production plan management unit 22 receives “start signal”, “intermediate signal”, and “end signal” from the machine monitoring terminal 30, and grasps the progress status of the production line L based on the received signals.
For example, the production plan management unit 22 holds the progress management table 400 as shown in FIG. 6 and grasps the progress of the production line L (creates information indicating the progress using the progress management table 400). .

In FIG. 6, the progress of the machining operation on the workpiece W is shown for each of the processing devices 40a (roughing machine 40a1, intermediate finishing machine 40a2, and finishing machine 40a3) in charge of each process (roughing process, intermediate finishing process, finishing process). Entries to be registered are associated with each other (in FIG. 6, an example in which n workpieces W are machined is taken as an example).
Then, the production plan management unit 22 receives signals (“start signal”, “intermediate signal”, and “end signal”) from the processing apparatus 40a via the machine monitoring terminal 30, and updates the progress management table 400. .

For example, when the production plan management unit 22 receives an “end signal” for the first workpiece W from the rough machine (processing apparatus 40a1), the progress of the work 1 of the rough machine (processing apparatus 40a1) in the progress management table 400. “End” is registered in the entry for registering the status (the progress status is updated according to the signal).
In the progress management table 400, “NULL” is registered in advance in the entry of the workpiece W before machining.

In the present embodiment, the hardware configuration of the scheduling terminal 20 is not particularly limited. For example, the scheduling terminal 20 is configured by a computer including a CPU and a memory.
The memory stores a program (scheduling terminal PG) for realizing the functions of the production plan generation unit 21, the production plan management unit 22, the I / O processing unit 23, and the communication unit 24. The production plan information 300 is stored in a predetermined area of the memory. A progress management table 400 is stored in a predetermined area of the memory.
The functions of the production plan generation unit 21, the production plan management unit 22, the I / O processing unit 23, and the communication unit 24 are performed when the CPU executes a program (scheduling terminal PG) stored in the memory. Realized.

Next, the machine monitoring terminal 30 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the machine monitoring terminal 30 includes a device monitoring unit 31 and a communication unit 32 that monitor the processing devices 40a1 to 40a2.
The apparatus monitoring unit 31 receives “start signal”, “intermediate signal”, and “end signal” transmitted from each of the processing apparatuses 40a1 to 40an, and transmits (transfers) the received signal to the scheduling terminal 20. Moreover, the apparatus monitoring part 31 receives the signal from the scheduling terminal 20, and transmits the received signal to each processing apparatus 40a1-40an. In addition, the communication unit 32 controls data exchange performed with various devices (for example, the processing devices 40a1 to 40an) connected to the network b.
In addition, the machine monitoring terminal 30 is comprised by the computer provided with CPU and memory similarly to each terminal (for example, process data terminal 10) mentioned above. In this case, a program for realizing the functions of the device monitoring unit 31 and the communication unit 32 is stored in the memory. The functions of the device management unit 31 and the communication unit 32 are realized by the CPU executing the program.

Next, the unmanned transfer machine 60 and the transfer machine control terminal 70 will be described.
Unmanned conveyance machine 60 and conveyance machine control terminal 70 are constituted so that radio communications are possible between each other.
The automatic guided machine 60 includes a loading platform 60a on which the workpiece W is mounted, and a robot arm (not shown) that transfers the workpiece W between the loading platform 60a and an external device (processing device 40a). .

Then, in accordance with an instruction from the transfer machine control terminal 70, the unmanned transfer machine 60 grabs the work W placed on the work place (not shown) by the robot arm, and loads it onto its own loading platform 60a. Then, the workpiece W is transported to the processing device 40a. And the unmanned conveyance machine 60 mounts the workpiece | work W on the loading platform 60a on the work bench | platform of the processing apparatus 40a with the said robot arm.
Further, for example, the unmanned transport machine 60 holds the work W placed on the work table of the processing apparatus 40a by the robot arm in accordance with an instruction from the transport machine control terminal 70, and loads the work W on the load platform 60a. It is transported to the work table of the processing apparatus 40a responsible for the next process.

Further, the transfer machine control terminal 70 receives the transfer instruction signal from the scheduling terminal 20 and transmits an operation command to the unmanned transfer machine 60 according to the transfer instruction signal to control the operation of the unattended transfer machine 60.
In addition, the unmanned conveyance machine 60 and the conveyance machine control terminal 70 of this embodiment are implement | achieved by the existing technique.

Next, the processing devices 40a1 to 40an and the control devices 40b1 to 40bn will be described.
Each processing device 40a1 to 40an operates according to the processing data 100 set in the corresponding control device 40b1 to 40bn, and automatically processes the workpiece W placed on the work table (that is, the control device 40b1). ˜40bn causes the machining devices 40a1 to an to perform machining of the workpiece W using the machining data 100).
The processing devices 40a1 to 40an and the control devices 40b1 to 40bn of the present embodiment are the same as those of a known configuration except that the above-described “start signal”, “intermediate signal”, and “end signal” are transmitted. .

Next, the flow of processing performed by the production system X of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of processing of the workpiece W performed by the production system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In the following, for convenience of explanation, only the machining operation of the machining device (rough machine) 40a1 is picked up from among the plurality of machining devices 40a1 to 40an, but driving is performed in the same procedure for other than the machining device 40a1. Be controlled.

First, the production plan management unit 22 of the scheduling terminal 20 transmits a conveyance instruction to the conveyance machine control terminal 70 according to the production plan information 300 (S20). Here, first, it is assumed that the production plan management unit 22 transmits a conveyance instruction for installing the workpiece W on the work table of the roughing machine 40a1 that performs roughing.
In addition, the production plan management unit 22 transmits a work start instruction signal to the rough machine 40a1 toward the machine monitoring terminal 30 (S21).
In addition, when receiving the start instruction signal, the machine monitoring terminal 30 transfers the start instruction signal to the rough machine 40a1 (S10).
Then, when receiving the start signal (S1), the rough machine 40a1 to which the start instruction signal is transferred waits until the work W is placed on the work table by the automatic guided machine 60.

Next, when the conveyance instruction by S20 is received, the conveyance machine control terminal 70 transmits a conveyance instruction to install the workpiece W on the work table of the rough machine 40a1 to the automatic conveyance machine 60 (S30).
In accordance with an instruction from the transfer machine control terminal 70, the unmanned transfer machine 60 mounts the work W placed on a work place (not shown) on its own loading platform 60a, and moves to the position where the rough machine 40a1 is disposed. Then, the automatic guided machine 60 takes out the work W mounted on the loading platform 60a by its own robot arm (not shown), and places the taken out work W on the work table of the rough machine 40a1 (work). Work W is installed on the table).

Next, the operation of the rough machine 40a1 will be described.
When the workpiece W is placed on the work table of the rough machine 40a1 (S2), the rough machine 40a1 transmits a “start signal” to the machine monitoring terminal 30 (S3), and starts rough machining (S3). S4).
The rough machine 40a1 is equipped with sensors (infrared sensors, weight sensors, etc.) so that the sensor can detect that the workpiece W has been installed on the work table.
And when the rough machine 40a1 detects that the workpiece | work W was installed in the workbench, it will transmit a "start signal" to the machine monitoring terminal 30. FIG. Further, the roughing machine 40a1 starts rough machining on the workpiece W in accordance with the machining data 100 input to the control terminal 40b1 (it is difficult to follow an instruction from the control terminal 40b1).

In addition, when receiving the “start signal” from the rough machine 40a1, the machine monitoring terminal 30 transfers the “start signal” to the scheduling terminal 20 (S11).
In addition, when receiving the “start signal” from the machine monitoring terminal 30, the production plan management unit 22 of the scheduling terminal 20 updates the progress management table 400 (S22).
In this step (S22), “start” is registered in the entry for registering the progress status of the work W (for example, work 1) corresponding to the rough machine (processing apparatus 40a1) in the progress management table 400.
Further, upon receiving the “start signal” from the rough machine 40a1, the production plan management unit 22 starts measuring the working time of the rough machine 40a1.

In addition, the roughing machine 40a1 that has started the automatic machining of the workpiece W in S4 described above performs machine monitoring when the designated work (work designated by the intermediate marking) in the roughing machining process is performed (started or finished). An “intermediate signal” is transmitted to the terminal 30 (S5).
In addition, when receiving the “intermediate signal” from the rough machine 40a1, the machine monitoring terminal 30 transfers the “intermediate signal” to the scheduling terminal 20 (S11).

In addition, when receiving the “intermediate signal” from the machine monitoring terminal 30, the production plan management unit 22 of the scheduling terminal 20 transmits a transport instruction to the transport machine control terminal 70 (S23).
In this case, the production plan management unit 22 takes out the workpiece W that has been subjected to the roughing process on the work table of the roughing machine 40a1, and installs a new work (work before the roughing process) W on the work table. A conveyance instruction signal is transmitted.
Further, when receiving the “intermediate signal” from the machine monitoring terminal 30, the production plan management unit 22 updates the progress management table 400 (S24).
In S24, “intermediate” is registered in the entry for registering the progress status of the work W (for example, work 1) corresponding to the rough machine (processing apparatus 40a1) in the progress management table 400.

Next, when the transfer machine control terminal 70 receives the transfer instruction from the scheduling management terminal 20, the unmanned transfer machine 60 takes out the rough-worked workpiece W on the work table of the rough machine 40 a 1, A conveyance instruction to install a work W is transmitted (S31).
For example, the transfer machine control terminal 70 takes out the workpiece W that has undergone roughing processing (unloads the work W) from the first unmanned transfer machine 60, and performs a next process (a finishing machine) 40a2. Instruct to transport to. Moreover, the conveyance machine control terminal 70 transmits the carrying-in instruction | indication which installs the workpiece | work W to the work bench of the roughing machine 40a1 which performs roughing processing with respect to the 2nd automatic guided machine 60 similarly to S30.

  And the 1st unmanned conveyance machine 60 mentioned above moves to the position where rough machine 40a1 is arranged, and waits until roughing processing is completed in front of rough machine 40a1. Further, the second unmanned transport machine 60 described above moves to the position where the rough machine 40a1 is disposed after loading the work W on the loading platform, and in the same way as S30, the first unmanned transport machine 60 is in front of the rough machine 40. It waits until the machine 60 takes out the package.

Next, the rough machine 40a1 after transmitting the intermediate signal in S5 will be described.
When the roughing process is completed (S6), the roughing machine 40a1 transmits an “end signal” to the machine monitoring terminal 30 (S7).
Further, the machine monitoring terminal 30 that has transmitted the “end signal” from the rough machine 40a1 transfers the “end signal” from the rough machine 40a1 to the scheduling terminal 20 (S13).
In addition, when receiving the “end signal” from the machine monitoring terminal 30, the production plan management unit 22 of the scheduling terminal 20 updates the progress management table 400 (S25), and through the machine monitoring terminal 30 as in S21 described above. Then, a “start instruction signal” is transmitted to the rough machine 40a1 (S26).
In S <b> 25, “end” is registered in the entry for registering the progress status of the work W (for example, work 1) corresponding to the rough machine (processing apparatus 40 a 1) in the progress management table 400.

In S25, when receiving the “end signal” from the machine monitoring terminal 30, the production plan management unit 22 ends the measurement of the working time of the rough machine 40a1 started in S21, and the plan in the production plan information 300 is completed. The measured work time (actual result) is registered under a horizontal bar (indicated by a solid line) 310 indicating (see FIG. 5).
With this configuration, according to the present embodiment, the production plan can be automatically verified.

In S25, the production plan management unit 22 transmits the “end signal” to the first automatic guided machine 60 waiting in front of the rough machine 40a1 via the transport machine control terminal 70 (not shown). )
When the first automatic transfer machine 60 receives the “end signal”, the first unmanned transfer machine W takes out the workpiece W that has been subjected to roughing processing on the work table of the rough machine 40a1, and mounts it on its own loading platform 60a. It conveys to the processing apparatus (medium finishing machine) 40a2 to perform.

Further, the second unmanned transport machine 60 is controlled so that the work W is set on the work table after the first unmanned transport machine 60 has taken out the rough-worked work W.
For example, the first automatic transporter 60 and the second automatic transporter 60 can wirelessly communicate with each other.
Then, when the first automatic guided machine 60 takes out the rough-worked workpiece W on the work table of the roughing machine 40a1, the first automatic guided machine 60 transmits a “removal completion signal” to the second automatic guided machine 60. ing.
In addition, when the second unmanned transport machine 60 receives the “takeout completion signal” from the first unmanned transport machine 60, the second unmanned transport machine 60 takes out the workpiece W on its loading platform 60a1 by the robot arm, and The workpiece W is installed on the work table.

On the other hand, the machine monitoring terminal 30 to which the work start instruction is sent in S26 transfers the work start instruction to the rough machine 40a1 (S10b), and the transferred work start instruction is received by the rough machine 40a1 (S1b). . Thereafter, the rough machine 40a1 performs the same processing as S2 to S4 described above (S2b, S3b, S4b).
Thereafter, each device (the rough machine 40a1, the machine monitoring terminal 30, the scheduling terminal 20, and the transfer system (the unmanned transfer machine 60 and the transfer machine control device 70)) repeats the same processing as described above.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the characteristic information of the processing apparatus 40a that performs each process is added to the calculation of the work time that is the basis of the production plan, the work time with less errors than the actual work time. A plan can be calculated. Moreover, in this embodiment, since a production plan is created using the said work time plan, a highly accurate production plan can be created.
As a result, according to the present embodiment, the production line can be operated according to a highly accurate production plan, so that the productivity of the production line can be improved.

In the present embodiment, the processing data 100 for driving the processing apparatus 40a that performs each process includes data indicating the work procedure of the process. Further, in the data indicating the work procedure, an intermediate marking is attached to a predetermined work in the work procedure.
In addition, each processing device 40a to 40n transmits a notification to that effect to the scheduling terminal 20 when a predetermined operation associated with the intermediate marking is performed (start or end).
And thereby, the scheduling terminal 20 can grasp | ascertain the work progress of each processing apparatus 40a-40n. Therefore, for example, by associating the intermediate marking with the work procedure performed in the latter half of the work procedure of a certain process, the scheduling terminal 20 can estimate the processing device 40a at which the process being performed is completed.

In addition, the scheduling terminal 20 delivers the work W by controlling the automatic transporter 60 in consideration of the progress of the work of each processing apparatus 40a to 40n.
Therefore, for example, in the data indicating the work procedure of a certain process, if the intermediate marking is associated with the work procedure performed in the latter half, the scheduling terminal 20 causes the processing device 40a1 performing the work in the latter half of the certain process. Before the operation, it is possible to wait for the unmanned transporter 60 to carry out the processed workpiece and the unmanned transporter 60 to install a new workpiece.
Further, since the automatic transfer machine 60 can be arranged as described above, the work W is taken out immediately after the work of the processing apparatus 40a1 is finished, and is transported to the processing apparatus 40a2 for performing the next process, and the processing apparatus 40a1. A new work W can be installed on the work table.

In addition, according to the production system X of the present embodiment, since the driving of the processing devices 40a1 to 40an is automatically controlled by the scheduling terminal 20 and the machine monitoring terminal 30, like the above-described conventional production system, There is no need to arrange an operator who operates the processing apparatus. Furthermore, according to the production system X of this embodiment, since the unmanned conveyance system (the unmanned conveyance machine 60 and the conveyance machine control terminal 70) that conveys the workpiece W unmanned is provided, the production line L can be unmanned. Can do.
In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, A various deformation | transformation is possible within the range of the summary.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the processing devices 40a1 to 40an are managed by the scheduling terminal 20 and the machine monitoring terminal 30, but this is merely an example. The scheduling terminal 20 and the machine monitoring terminal 30 may be configured as one device.
Further, for example, the machining data terminal 10, the machining time calculation terminal 15, the scheduling terminal 20, and the machine monitoring terminal 30 may be configured as one device.

It is a system configuration figure of a production system of an embodiment of the present invention. It is the schematic diagram which showed the data structure of the process data of embodiment of this invention in simulation. It is the schematic diagram which showed the data structure of the processing machine characteristic database of embodiment of this invention in simulation. It is the schematic diagram which showed the data structure of the processing time information of embodiment of this invention in simulation. It is a mimetic diagram showing a production plan created by a production system of an embodiment of the present invention. It is the schematic diagram which showed the data structure of the progress management table of the production system of embodiment of this invention in simulation. It is the sequence diagram which showed the flow of the processing process of the workpiece | work which the production system of embodiment of this invention performs. It is a block diagram of the production system provided with the NC processing apparatus known conventionally.

Explanation of symbols

L Production line W Work X Production system 10 Machining data terminal 11 Machining data generation unit 12 I / O processing unit 13 Communication unit 15 Machining time calculation terminal 16 Machining time calculation unit 17 I / O processing unit 18 Machine tool characteristic database 20 Scheduling terminal DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Production plan production | generation part 22 Production plan management part 23 I / O processing part 24 Communication part 30 Machine monitoring terminal 31 Machine monitoring part 32 Communication part 40a Processing apparatus 40a1-40an Processing apparatus 40b Control apparatus 40b1-40bn Control apparatus 60 Unmanned conveyance machine 60a loading platform (automated conveyor)
70 Transporter control terminal

Claims (2)

A work table on which the work is placed, a processing device arranged on a production line for automatically processing the work placed on the work table, and processing data including work procedures on the work device. A production system comprising: a control device that executes machining; an unmanned conveyance device that conveys the workpiece to a work table of the machining device; and a scheduling terminal that instructs the unmanned conveyance device to start driving according to the production plan. Because
In the work procedure included in the processing data, marking data is attached to a predetermined work in the work procedure,
When the machining apparatus starts machining the workpiece placed on the work table, the machining apparatus transmits a start signal indicating the work start to the scheduling terminal, and when the predetermined work with the marking data is performed, An intermediate signal indicating that is sent to the scheduling terminal, and when processing of the workpiece is completed, an end signal indicating work completion is transmitted to the scheduling terminal,
The scheduling terminal uses the start signal, the intermediate signal, and the end signal transmitted by the processing device to generate progress information indicating a progress status of workpiece processing in the processing device, and the production plan and the A production system that performs an instruction to start processing to the processing apparatus and an instruction to transfer a workpiece to the automatic transfer apparatus based on progress information. A machining time calculation terminal for calculating a work time performed by the machining apparatus using the machining data and information indicating characteristics of the machining apparatus,
The production system according to claim 1, wherein the scheduling terminal creates the production plan using the work time calculated by the machining time calculation terminal.

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