JP2006164182A - Fa information management system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a FA (factory automation) information management system and a FA information management method which can manage a data collection condition unitarily. <P>SOLUTION: This FA information management system 100 for managing a plurality of processes for manufacturing a product by using a network connected to the respective processes, includes one collection condition setting device 15 for setting a condition for collecting desired information among pieces of field information which are transmitted to a network data transmission network and occur in the respective processes, a plurality of data acquiring devices 18 for requesting the one collection condition setting device 15 to set a condition, and a plurality of data collecting devices 16 for collecting desired information on the basis of the condition set by the collection condition setting device 15. The data acquiring device 18 transmits a request to acquire data to the data collecting devices 16 through one collection condition setting device 15, and the data collecting devices 16 returns desired information to the data acquiring device 18 through one collection condition setting device 15 in response to the request to acquire data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an FA (Factory Automation) information management system and an FA information management method.

  As a conventional method for collecting on-site information in the FA system, first, there is a manual method. That is, it asks workers on site to collect various information such as production management information, machine tool operation information, product quality information, and failure information.

  However, such a manual method has the problems that man-hours and time are required for collecting information, it is difficult to collect a large amount of information, and mistakes are likely to occur in collecting and counting information.

  For this reason, recently, various types of information described above are collected and recorded in an information device called a shared server provided on the FA system network, and the information is collected by a user from an information collection terminal provided on the network. Information is made available by accessing a database recorded on the server.

  This method is suitable for performing routine work in which the type and format of data to be used are predetermined. However, when adding new business or using information in the shared server by a method other than routine business, the structure and contents of the database are usually complicated, so the user is free and easy It is difficult to use information.

  When many users access this database at the same time, not only the load on the shared server but also the load on the entire FA system increases, which may adversely affect the operation of the entire system.

For this reason, a plurality of data collection condition setting devices (client PCs) for setting data collection conditions for collecting desired information from the field information, and collecting desired information based on the data collection conditions, An FA system is disclosed in which a plurality of data collection management devices (data collection servers arranged for each process) are provided, and each data collection condition setting device and each data collection management means transmit and receive information (for example, (See Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent No. 3205538

  However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, each data collection management device sets each data collection condition setting because a plurality of data collection condition setting devices individually set data collection conditions for each data collection management device. It was necessary to acquire information according to the device, and a great load was applied.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an FA information management system and an FA information management method capable of centrally managing data collection conditions.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a first feature of the present invention is an FA information management system that manages a plurality of processes for manufacturing a product using a network connected to each of the processes, and includes (a) a network. One collection condition setting device for setting conditions for collecting desired information from on-site information generated in each process sent to the data transmission network, and (b) one collection condition setting device A plurality of data acquisition devices that request the setting of conditions for the data acquisition, and (c) a plurality of data acquisition devices that collect desired information based on the conditions set by the collection condition setting device. The device transmits a data acquisition request to the data collection device via one collection condition setting device, and the data collection device responds to the data acquisition request via one collection condition setting device. And summarized in that a FA information management system returns the Nozomu information to the data acquisition device.

  The FA information management system according to the first feature includes one collection condition setting device, and the collection condition setting device manages the data collection condition, whereby the data collection condition can be centrally managed.

  In the FA information management system according to the first feature, the plurality of data collection devices may collect desired information before receiving a data acquisition request.

  According to this FA information management system, the data acquisition device can acquire past data.

  In the FA information management system according to the first feature, the data collection device and the data acquisition device may transmit and receive information in the WWW system.

  According to this FA information management system, since information is transmitted and received via the Web, even if the data acquisition device is a PC belonging to DHCP and the IP address changes, information can be transmitted and received without any problem. In addition, since information is transmitted and received via the Web, it is not necessary to install a dedicated program in the data acquisition apparatus.

  A second feature of the present invention is an FA information management method for managing a plurality of processes for manufacturing a product by using a network connected to each of the processes, and (a) a plurality of data acquisition apparatuses are connected to a network. Requesting one collection condition setting device to set conditions for collecting desired information from the field information generated in each process sent to the data transmission network; and (b) one A step in which the collection condition setting device sets conditions for a plurality of data collection devices; and (c) a plurality of data collection devices collect desired information based on the conditions set by the collection condition setting device. A step in which the data acquisition device transmits a data acquisition request to the data collection device via one collection condition setting device; and (e) the data acquisition device acquires the data. On request, through one collection condition setting apparatus, and summarized in that a FA information management method including the steps of returning the desired information to the data acquisition device.

  According to the FA information management method according to the second feature, one collection condition setting device is provided, and the collection condition setting device manages the data collection conditions, whereby the data collection conditions can be managed in an integrated manner.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an FA information management system and FA information management information for centrally managing data collection conditions.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic.

(FA information management system)
The FA information management system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention manages a plurality of processes for manufacturing a product by using a network connected to these processes. As shown in FIG. 1, the FA information management system 100 includes a network bus 11, and each network manufacturing process in the factory (here, three processes are taken up, and processes A, B, Manufacturing apparatus (including a sequencer) 12, 13, 14 corresponding to C). Also, one collection condition setting device 15, a plurality of data collection devices 16, and a plurality of data acquisition devices 18 are connected to the network bus 11. The data acquisition device 18 may be directly connected to the network bus 11 or may be provided outside and connected to the network bus 11 via a communication line (not shown).

  In addition, a sequencer (not shown) is connected to the network bus 11, and this sequencer controls the exchange of signals between the manufacturing process line and the network bus 11. The sequencer stores a sequence program for each manufacturing process, and each process is controlled by this sequencer program.

  In each process, PI / O (Parallel I / O), SERVO, and SENSOR are connected to the manufacturing process line, and these devices operate according to instructions from the sequencer.

  Further, a router 17 serving as a relay device for information transmission is interposed between the network bus 11 and the manufacturing process line, and control information, production management information, operation information, quality information, and manufacturing conditions of the equipment are provided. Various on-site information such as information and failure information is broadcast to the network bus 11.

  In the FA information management system according to the present embodiment, information is transmitted and received in the WWW system. In particular, information is transmitted and received between the data collection device 16 and the data acquisition device 18 via the Web.

  The data acquisition device 18 (Client) uses the field information in each factory to collect the field information in accordance with the data collection conditions set by the user by the person who intends to use the field information. In addition, the data acquisition device 18 requests the collection condition setting device 15 to set data collection conditions. Here, the data collection condition refers to a condition for collecting desired information from the field information generated in each process and sent to the data transmission network of the network.

  The data acquisition device 18 displays what information is present in the FA information management system 100 in a list format, and the user can specify the conditions for collecting desired information as described above. 18 can be set via the collection condition setting device 15. The data collection conditions may be input directly by the user from the data acquisition device 18 or may be prepared in advance using another computer or the like and stored in an external storage device such as a flexible disk. Things can be used.

  Each of the plurality of data acquisition devices 18 transmits a data acquisition request to each of the plurality of data collection devices 16 via one collection condition setting device 15. Then, each of the plurality of data collection devices 16 returns desired information to each of the plurality of data acquisition devices 18 via one collection condition setting device 15 in response to a data acquisition request.

  The collection condition setting device (catalog management server) 15 sets data collection conditions for the data collection device 16. Specifically, the collection condition setting device 15 sets data collection conditions by defining information about which signals are received and stored among the UDP signals on the network in a setting file called a catalog.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the collection condition setting device 15 includes a connection unit 150a, a collection condition setting unit 150b, and an on-site information acquisition unit 150c.

  The connection unit 150 a connects to the network bus 11 and transmits / receives information to / from the data acquisition device 18 and the data collection device 16.

  As described above, the collection condition setting unit 150b manages the data collection conditions received from the data acquisition device 18 and sets the data collection conditions for the data collection device 16. Further, the collection condition setting unit 150b may integrate the data collection conditions received from the plurality of data acquisition devices 18 as necessary.

  The site information acquisition unit 150 c acquires the site information collected by the data collection device 16.

  The collection condition setting device 15 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a processing control device (CPU) 150, and the connection unit 150a, the collection condition setting unit 150b, and the on-site information acquisition unit 150c are realized as modules and executed by the CPU 150 It can be set as the structure made to do. These modules can be realized by executing a dedicated program for using a predetermined program language in a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer. The CPU 150 is connected to a collection condition holding unit 151, an on-site information holding unit 152, a program holding unit 153, an input unit 154, and an output unit 155.

  The collection condition holding unit 151 holds the data collection condition received from the data acquisition device 18.

  The site information holding unit 152 holds the site information received from the data collection device 16.

  The collection condition holding unit 151 and the site information holding unit 152 may use an internal storage device such as a RAM or an external storage device such as a hard disk or a flexible disk.

  The program holding unit 153 is a storage medium that stores a control program for causing the CPU 150 to execute collection condition setting processing, on-site information acquisition processing, and the like. Examples of the recording medium include a RAM, a hard disk, a flexible disk, a compact disk, an IC chip, and a cassette tape. According to the recording medium holding such a program, the program can be easily stored, transported, sold, and the like.

  The input unit 154 indicates devices such as a keyboard and a mouse. When an input operation is performed from the input unit 153, corresponding key information is transmitted to the processing control device CPU150.

  The output unit 155 indicates a screen such as a monitor, and a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) panel, an electroluminescence (EL) panel, or the like can be used.

  The data collection device 16 (Agent) collects desired information for each process based on the conditions set by the collection condition setting device 15. At this time, the data collection device 16 collects desired information before receiving a data acquisition request from the data acquisition device 18.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the data collection device 16 includes connection means 160a, collection condition acquisition means 160b, and site information collection means 160c.

  The connection unit 160 a connects to the network bus 11 and transmits and receives information to and from the data acquisition device 18 and the collection condition setting device 15.

The collection condition acquisition unit 160b acquires the data collection condition received from the collection condition setting device 15 and stores it in the collection condition holding unit 161. The on-site information collection unit 160c is provided by each device (device A12, device B13, device C14). The on-site information to be output is acquired and stored in the on-site information holding unit 162. The site information collected by the site information collection means 160c is raw data 110, 111, 112 that has not been processed, as shown in FIG.

  The data collection device 16 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a processing control device (CPU) 160, and the connection unit 160a, the collection condition acquisition unit 160b, and the on-site information collection unit 160c are realized as modules and are executed by the CPU 160. It can be configured. These modules can be realized by executing a dedicated program for using a predetermined program language in a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer. The CPU 160 is connected to a collection condition holding unit 161, an on-site information holding unit 162, a program holding unit 163, an input unit 164, and an output unit 165.

  The collection condition holding unit 161 holds the data collection condition received from the collection condition setting device 15.

  The on-site information holding unit 162 holds on-site information received from each device.

  The collection condition holding unit 161 and the site information holding unit 162 may use an internal storage device such as a RAM or an external storage device such as a hard disk or a flexible disk.

  The program holding unit 163 is a storage medium that stores a control program for causing the processing control device CPU 160 to execute a collection condition acquisition process, a site information collection process, and the like. Examples of the recording medium include a RAM, a hard disk, a flexible disk, a compact disk, an IC chip, and a cassette tape. According to the recording medium holding such a program, the program can be easily stored, transported, sold, and the like.

  The input unit 164 indicates devices such as a keyboard and a mouse. When an input operation is performed from the input unit 163, corresponding key information is transmitted to the CPU 160.

  The output unit 165 indicates a screen such as a monitor, and a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) panel, an electroluminescence (EL) panel, or the like can be used.

(FA information management method)
Next, the FA information management method according to the present embodiment will be described.

  First, each of the plurality of data acquisition devices 18 requests the collection condition setting device 15 to set data collection conditions.

  Next, the collection condition setting device 15 integrates the data collection conditions and sets the data collection conditions for each of the plurality of data collection devices 16.

  From the time when the data collection condition is set, each data collection device 16 collects desired information based on the set condition.

  Next, each data acquisition device 18 transmits a data acquisition request to each data collection device 16 via the collection condition setting device 15. At this time, information is exchanged between the data acquisition device 18 and the data collection device 16 via the Web. Specifically, a screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the output unit of the data acquisition device 18. Then, data desired by the user of the data acquisition device 18 is checked. Next, a screen as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed, and the data acquisition period desired by the user of the data acquisition device 18 is designated.

  Since the data collection device 16 has already collected data, the data acquisition device 18 may designate data for the past date and time on the screen of FIG.

  Next, each data collection device 16 returns desired information to each data acquisition device 18 via the collection condition setting device 15 in response to a data acquisition request.

  At this time, the data held by the data collection device 16 is raw data that has not been processed. Each data acquisition device 18 may process and analyze the raw data and display the data. The collection condition setting device 15 through which the data passes processes and analyzes the raw data, and transmits the processed data to the data acquisition device 18. May be.

  The raw data format can be set according to the data collection conditions. In FIG. 1, the date and time, the number of the manufacturing apparatus in each process, a bar code indicating the product type, and a plurality of data relating to the product and the apparatus are included, but other data may be used. The raw data may be held in a processed state by the data collection device 16 and transmitted to the data acquisition device 18.

  The data transmitted to the data acquisition device 18 is output to a screen or a printer. Based on this result, the user of the data acquisition device 18 improves the equipment, changes the manufacturing conditions, and responds to the failure.

(Action and effect)
According to the FA information management system and the FA information management method according to the present embodiment, a single collection condition setting device 15 is provided, and the collection condition setting device 15 manages the data collection conditions. Can do. Therefore, no extra load is applied to the data collection device 16.

  In the FA information management system according to the present embodiment, the data collection device 16 can collect desired information before receiving a data acquisition request. For this reason, the data acquisition device 18 can also acquire past data before transmitting the data acquisition request. In this way, past data can also be provided, leading to improved productivity and quality of the FA information management system.

  In the FA information management system according to the present embodiment, the data collection device 16 and the data acquisition device 18 transmit and receive information in the WWW system.

  If the data acquisition device 18 is a PC belonging to DHCP, the IP address may change. In the conventional FA information management system, when the IP address changes after the data collection device 16 makes a data acquisition request, the collected field information cannot be returned to the data collection device 16. In the present embodiment, since information is transmitted and received via the Web, even if the IP address of the data acquisition device 18 changes, information can be transmitted and received without any problem.

  Further, in the conventional FA information management system, it is necessary to install a dedicated program corresponding to the system for each data acquisition device 18. According to the FA information management system according to the present embodiment, since information is transmitted and received via the Web, it is not necessary to install a dedicated program in the data acquisition device 18.

It is a block diagram of the FA information management system according to the present embodiment. It is a block diagram of the configuration of the collection condition setting device according to the present embodiment. It is a block diagram of the configuration of the data collection device according to the present embodiment. It is an example of a screen which the data acquisition device concerning this embodiment displays (the 1). It is an example of a screen which the data acquisition device concerning this embodiment displays (the 2).

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Network bus 15 ... Collection condition setting apparatus 16 ... Data collection apparatus 17 ... Router 18 ... Data acquisition apparatus 100 ... FA information management system 110, 111, 112 ... Raw data 150 ... CPU
150a ... Connection means 150b ... Collection condition setting means 150c ... Site information acquisition means 151 ... Collection condition holding unit 152 ... Site information holding unit 153 ... Program holding unit 154 ... Input unit 155 ... Output unit 160 ... CPU
160a ... Connection means 160b ... Collection condition acquisition means 160c ... Site information collection means 161 ... Collection condition storage unit 162 ... Site information storage unit 163 ... Program storage unit 164 ... Input unit 165 ... Output unit

Claims (4)

An FA information management system that manages a plurality of processes for manufacturing products using a network connected to each of these processes,
One collection condition setting device for setting conditions for collecting desired information from the field information generated in each step sent to the data transmission network of the network;
A plurality of data acquisition devices that request the one collection condition setting device to set the conditions;
A plurality of data collection devices that collect the desired information based on the conditions set by the collection condition setting device;
The data acquisition device transmits a data acquisition request to the data collection device via the one collection condition setting device, and the data collection device responds to the data acquisition request with the one collection condition. An FA information management system, wherein the desired information is returned to the data acquisition device via a setting device.   The FA information management system according to claim 1, wherein the data collection device collects the desired information before receiving the data acquisition request.   The FA information management system according to claim 1, wherein the data collection device and the data acquisition device transmit and receive information in a WWW system. An FA information management method for managing a plurality of processes for manufacturing a product using a network connected to each of these processes,
A plurality of data acquisition devices set conditions for collecting desired information from the field information generated in each step sent to the data transmission network of the network to one collection condition setting device. Step to request,
The one collection condition setting device sets the condition for a plurality of data collection devices;
A plurality of data collection devices collecting the desired information based on the conditions set by the collection condition setting device;
The data acquisition device transmitting a data acquisition request to the data collection device via the one collection condition setting device;
The data collection device includes a step of returning the desired information to the data acquisition device via the one collection condition setting device in response to the data acquisition request. Method.

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