JPWO2011152273A1 - Goods management system - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide an article management system for strengthening a virtual ID management function and reliably processing articles. The line device (12) for conveying and manufacturing the article (14) includes a conveying device (k, l, m, n), a processing device (A, B, C), and a computer (16) for controlling them. Is done. The computer (16) includes check means (34) for collating the contents of the file with the data (b) received from the processing devices (A, B, C). If the contents of the file are correct, the contents of the file and the received data (b) match, and if any mistake occurs in the contents of the file due to some influence, they do not match. By comparing the data (b), the contents of the processing devices (A, B, C) can be monitored periodically.

Description

  The present invention relates to an article management system that manages the state of articles on a production line or the like.

Conventionally, management of articles has been performed at the time of manufacture and at the time of transportation (for example, Patent Document 1). As a management method, RFID (Radio)
Frequency IDentification) tags are attached, data is read / written from / to the RFID tags at various locations, and the obtained data is managed by a computer.

  An RFID tag may not be attached. For example, when the article is very small, or when the article is processed outside the operating environment range of the RFID tag (such as a high temperature environment). In such a case, management is performed using a virtual ID at various points on the production line.

  As shown in FIG. 5, it is assumed that there is a line device 52 including conveying devices k, l, m, n for conveying an article 14 and processing devices A, B, and C that perform predetermined processing on the article 14. A computer 56 controls the line device 52. The computer 56 functions as the article management system 50.

  Processing of the article 14 proceeds in the following procedure. (1) When the article 14 is delivered to the processing devices A, B, and C, data indicating that is sent from the processing devices A, B, and C to the computer 56. (2) The computer 56 receives the data and transmits processing start command data to the processing devices A, B, and C. (3) The processing devices A, B, and C perform predetermined processing on the article 14 according to the processing start command. (4) After the processing is completed, the article 14 is transferred from the processing devices A, B, and C to the conveying devices l, m, and n, and data to that effect is transmitted to the computer 56.

  (A) The computer 56 transmits and receives data to and from the processing devices A, B, and C as described above. (B) The articles 14 are sequentially conveyed along a predetermined route, and are processed in order by the processing apparatuses A, B, and C. Therefore, if virtual ID is given to the article | item 14 in the order conveyed, each virtual ID and the state of the article | item 14 can be linked | related from (A) and (B). In FIG. 5, “ID: 01” or the like is an example of a virtual ID.

  The computer 56 creates a file in which the virtual ID and the state of the article 14 are associated with each other in accordance with data transmission / reception. The file is stored in a memory or hard disk. Each time data is received from the processing devices A, B, and C, the file is updated. For example, in the state of the article as shown in FIG. 5, the file describes the contents of Table 1.

  Assume that the processing in the processing apparatus A is completed from the state of FIG. Data to that effect is sent from the processing apparatus A to the computer 56, and the computer 56 updates the state of ID: 04 to “transporting to the processing apparatus B”. In this way, the processing devices A, B, and C are processed without recognizing the virtual ID of the article 14, and the computer 56 can manage the article 14 with the virtual ID.

  In FIG. 5, if it is not possible to determine that the article 14 has been placed on the first transfer device k, the article 14 may be managed from when the article 14 is delivered to the processing apparatus A.

  However, there may be a case where the content of the file managed by the computer 56 and the virtual ID of the article processed by the processing device are different due to some trouble. For example, the case where only the computer 56 goes down and the processing of the processing devices A, B, and C is continued can be mentioned. In this case, if the process is continued as it is, a desired process may not be performed. If the desired processing cannot be performed, the article may have to be discarded. Further, if the process proceeds in a state that cannot be grasped by the computer 56, an accident may occur in the line device 52.

JP 2006-59244 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide an article management system for strengthening a virtual ID management function and reliably processing articles.

  The line device is disposed between the conveying device that conveys the article, the processing device that performs a predetermined process on the article, and manages the article by assigning a virtual ID to the article. And a computer that transmits and receives data to and from the processing device and controls the processing device.

  The article management system of the present invention manages articles in the above-described line device. The virtual ID of the article to be processed is included in the data transmitted and received between the computer and the processing device.

  The computer includes means for assigning a virtual ID to the article, means for generating a file in which the virtual ID is associated with the state of the article, and collating the contents of the file with data including a virtual ID received from a processing device. It functions as a means to do it.

  The computer assigns a virtual ID to the article, creates a file in which the virtual ID is associated with the state of the article, and collates the file with the received data.

  When the content of the file is different from the data including the virtual ID received from the processing device, the computer is caused to function as means for correcting the content of the file based on the data received from the processing device. The computer modifies the file contents if the file contents differ from the received data.

  The computer is caused to function as means for storing the maximum number of articles in the processing device and means for confirming that the number of articles in each processing device in the file is equal to or less than the maximum number. Check if the file contents are physically impossible.

  In at least one of the processing apparatuses, a plurality of articles can be processed at the same time, and the processed articles are sequentially transferred from the processing apparatus to the transport apparatus. The order of the articles that were initially transported is changed depending on the processing content of the articles.

  At least one of the processing devices includes means for measuring the remaining amount of material used for processing in the processing device, means for measuring temperature for processing, or both, and is transmitted and received between the computer and the processing device. The data includes the remaining amount of the material, the temperature for processing, or both, and the computer stores the amount of material required for processing, the temperature for processing, or both, Means for comparing the stored amount, temperature, or both with the remaining amount of material, temperature, or both received from the processing device is provided. If the processing cannot be performed by the processing device, the processing is stopped.

  The article is a container in which an object to be dyed is placed, a color for dyeing the object to be dyed is set for each container, and the object to be dyed in the container is dyed by performing processing in each processing apparatus. Dye a small lot by changing the color of the object to be dyed (thread, cloth, clothing, etc.).

  The processing device includes means for storing the received virtual ID. The processing device stores the virtual ID so that the virtual ID of the article being processed can be recognized. The stored virtual ID is included in the data transmitted to the computer.

  An external storage device connected to a computer is provided for storing the file. Store the file in an external storage device so that it can be restored even if the computer file disappears.

  According to the present invention, since the computer collates the file with the received data from the processing means, there is no possibility that the processing of the article proceeds while the computer file is in error. Since there is no progress of processing that cannot be managed by a computer, the occurrence of defective products can be reduced. By strengthening the article management function of the computer, it is possible to prevent accidents in the line apparatus.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the article | item management system of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a computer. It is a flowchart which shows the collation method in an article | item management system. It is a figure in which the order of the articles is changed. (A) shows that the article of ID: 02 is processed by the processing apparatus B, and (b) shows that the articles of ID: 02 and ID: 03 are processed simultaneously by the processing apparatus B. (C) is a diagram in which the article of ID: 02 is processed by the processing apparatus B. It is a figure which shows the structure of the conventional article management system.

  The article management system of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the article management system 10 is provided in a line device 12.

  The line device 12 that transports and manufactures the article 14 includes transport devices k, l, m, and n, processing devices A, B, and C, and a computer 16 that controls them. The computer 16 functions as means described by software, hardware, or both.

  Further, data transmitted from the processing devices A, B, and C will be described as data a and data b, and data transmitted from the computer 16 will be described as data c and data d.

  Examples of the conveying devices k, l, m, and n include a belt conveyor. The articles 14 are sequentially arranged on the conveying devices k, l, m, and n and are conveyed in order. Processing devices A, B, and C are disposed between the transfer devices k, l, m, and n. The driving devices of the transport devices k, l, m, and n are connected to the computer 16 (not shown), and receive data d from the computer 16 to start and stop the transport.

  Note that a configuration in which data can be transmitted to the computer 16 from the transport devices k, l, m, and n may be employed. Data such as the conveyance speed of the conveyance devices k, l, m, and n is transmitted to the computer 16.

  The processing apparatuses A, B, and C perform predetermined processing on the article 14. For example, heating, dyeing, and washing of the article 14 can be given. When the article 14 passes through the plurality of processing apparatuses A, B, and C in order, a predetermined process is performed in each of the processing apparatuses A, B, and C, and finally the target article is obtained.

  The processing devices A, B, and C are provided with data transmitting / receiving means 18 for transmitting and receiving data a, b, and c. The processing devices A, B, and C receive the data c from the computer 16 and start / stop the processing for the article 14 and deliver the article 14 to the conveying devices l, m, and n.

  The processing devices A, B, and C transmit data a to that effect to the computer 16 when the article 14 is exchanged with the transfer devices k, l, m, and n. Using this data a, the computer 16 creates a file. The data a includes the names of the processing apparatuses A, B, and C, the virtual ID of the article 14, and the contents of the processing performed. In the case where a plurality of means for performing processing are provided so that the processing apparatuses A, B, and C can simultaneously process a plurality of articles 14, the means for performing the processing are also included in the data a.

  Further, the processing devices A, B, and C transmit data b to the computer 16 at predetermined time intervals. The data b to be transmitted is data including the names of the processing devices A, B, and C, the stored virtual ID, the processing status, and the processing devices A, B, and C status. This data b is collated with a file created by the computer 16. The states of the processing apparatuses A, B, and C include the remaining amount of material used for processing, the temperature for performing processing, and the like. The processing apparatuses A, B, and C are provided with apparatuses for measuring the remaining amount of material and the temperature.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the processing devices A, B, and C are provided with a programmable logic controller (PLC) 20 for the processing devices A, B, and C to perform predetermined processing. . The PLC 20 performs sequence control of a power source for actually performing a predetermined process. The PLC 20 includes a storage device 22 such as a memory, and the storage device 22 stores a virtual ID as will be described later. The PLC 20 may be an equivalent microcomputer.

  The computer 16 generates a data transmission / reception unit 24 that transmits and receives data a, b, c, and d, a virtual ID provision unit 26 that assigns a virtual ID to the article 14, and a file that associates the virtual ID with the state of the article 14. It functions as the file creation means 28.

  The computer 16 transmits / receives data a, b, c, d to / from the transfer devices k, l, m, n and the processing devices A, B, C. (I) Data c transmitted from the computer 16 to the processing devices A, B, and C includes data of an instruction that causes the processing devices A, B, and C to start processing and data of an instruction that stops processing. (Ii) Data d transmitted from the computer 16 to the transport apparatuses k, l, m, and n includes data of a command for starting the transport apparatuses k, l, m, and n, and stops the transport apparatuses k, l, m, and n. The data of the instruction to be included is included. (Iii) Data a transmitted from the processing devices A, B, and C to the computer 16 includes data and processing indicating that the processing devices A, B, and C have received the article 14 from the transport devices k, l, m, and n. Data indicating that the devices A, B, and C have delivered the article 14 to the conveying devices k, l, m, and n is included. When a plurality of means for performing processing are provided so that the processing apparatuses A, B, and C can simultaneously process a plurality of articles 14, the means for performing the processing are also included in the data a. (Iv) The data b transmitted from the processing devices A, B, and C to the computer 16 includes the names of the processing devices A, B, and C, the stored virtual ID, the processing status, and the processing devices A, B, and C. Data of the state of is included.

  The virtual ID assigning unit 26 assigns a virtual ID to each article 14 in order to manage the article 14. An example of the virtual ID is an ID described as “ID: 01” as shown in FIG. The virtual ID assigning method may assign virtual IDs to the articles 14 in the order in which they are transported by the first transport device k, as in the method described in the prior art. You may give virtual ID according to the performed time.

  The file creation unit 28 creates a file that associates the virtual ID with the state of the article 14. As described in the prior art, each time data a is received from the processing devices A, B, and C, a file is created or updated. At this time, the data b transmitted from the processing devices A, B, and C every predetermined time is not used, but is used for collation to be described later.

  In the data c of the processing start command transmitted from the computer 16 to the processing devices A, B, C, the virtual ID of the article processed by the processing devices A, B, C is included. The processing devices A, B, and C store the virtual ID in the storage device 22 from the received data c. For example, in FIG. 1, “ID: 04” is stored in the storage device 22 of the processing device A. When the article 14 with “ID: 04” is transferred to the transport device 1 and a new article 15 with “ID: 05” is received, “ID: 05” is updated to the storage device 22 by sending / receiving data c to / from the computer 16. Is done. Thus, the virtual ID is stored not only in the computer 16 but also in the processing devices A, B, and C. The processing devices A, B, and C update the virtual ID of the storage device 22 every time a new article 14 is received. Since the processing devices A, B, and C store the virtual ID, the processing devices A, B, and C recognize the article 14 to be processed.

  In addition to storing the file in the storage device 30 in the computer 16, the computer 16 may connect an external storage device 32 to the computer 16 and temporarily store the file there. The external storage device 32 is a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk or a flash memory. Even if the file is lost on the computer 16, the file can be restored by reading the file from the external storage device 16.

  Further, the computer 16 includes check means 34 for collating the contents of the file with the data b received from the processing devices A, B, and C. The data b received by the computer 16 includes the names of the processing devices A, B, and C, the virtual IDs stored in the processing devices A, B, and C, and the processing status. If the contents of the file are correct, the contents of the file and the received data b match, and if an error occurs in the contents of the file due to some influence, a mismatch occurs.

  The check unit 34 instructs the file creation unit 28 to correct the file based on the data b received in the case of the mismatch. By modifying the file, the content of the file is matched with the content of the received data b. The reason why the content of the received data b is used for correction is that there are many cases where the virtual ID stored in the processing devices A, B, and C and the content of the processing state are correct. For example, if the computer 16 cannot update the contents of the file due to a malfunction in communication with the line device 12 or the like and a mismatch occurs, the processing devices A, B, and C complete the processing before the communication is restored. It can be considered that the state has shifted to the next state. In this case, the correct state is the data b received from the processing devices A, B, and C.

  After the file is corrected, the check means 34 confirms whether there is any contradiction in the file contents. For this purpose, the storage device 30 of the computer 16 stores predetermined processing contents performed by the processing devices A, B, and C. For example, as the predetermined processing content, the maximum number of articles processed by each processing apparatus A, B, C can be mentioned. If the number of articles processed by a certain processing apparatus A, B, C exceeds the maximum number, it can be seen that there is a contradiction in the contents of the file. Also, if there is a duplicate virtual ID in the file, or if the file does not have a virtual ID of an article that should be there, it is determined that there is a contradiction in the contents of the file.

  If a contradiction occurs, a serious accident may occur when processing is started. If there is a contradiction, the transmission of the data c from the computer 16 to the processing devices A, B, and C is temporarily stopped so that the processing devices A, B, and C do not perform the next processing.

  An alarm device may be connected to the computer 16. When there is a contradiction in the contents of the file, a warning is sent by sending a signal to the alarm device. In addition, the computer 16 includes a monitor for displaying various information, a keyboard for inputting various data, and the like.

  The file collation performed by the article management system 10 will be described. (1) While the line device 12 is operating normally, the computer 16 and the processing devices A, B, and C transmit and receive the data a and c described above. The computer 16 creates a file in which the virtual ID is associated with the processing state of the article 14 and stores the file in the storage device 30 and the external storage device 32 of the computer 16. The processing devices A, B, and C store the virtual ID of the article 14 to be processed in the storage device 22. The computer 16 updates the file every time data a is received from the processing devices A, B, and C.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the data b is periodically transmitted from the processing devices A, B, and C to the computer 16 to check whether the data b received by the check means 34 matches the file contents (S1). . If they match, the collation is repeated as long as the article management system 10 continues to move (S1, S2).

  (2) If they do not match, the check means 34 instructs the file creation means 28 to modify the file. The file creation means 28 corrects the file based on the received data b (S3).

  If they do not match, transmission of the data c from the computer 16 to the processing devices A, B, and C is temporarily stopped. After the processing devices A, B, and C perform the current processing, the next processing cannot be performed.

  (3) The check means 34 confirms whether there is any contradiction in the corrected file (S4). When the number of articles of a certain processing apparatus A, B, C exceeds the maximum number, it is physically impossible, and thus a contradiction occurs. If no contradiction occurs, data c is transmitted from the computer 16 to the processing devices A, B, and C, and the processing devices A, B, and C resume processing (S5).

  (4) When a contradiction occurs, a message to that effect is displayed on the monitor of the computer 16, or an alarm is given to the worker by an alarm device (S6). The operator inspects the line device 12 and corrects the content of the file by inputting it with the keyboard (S7, S8). Thereafter, the processing in the line device 12 is manually resumed (S9).

   If the operator cannot return immediately due to a failure of the line device 12 or the like, the line device 12 is completely stopped (S10).

  In the above description, the data b of the processing apparatuses A, B, and C is assumed to be correct. However, the data b of the processing devices A, B, and C may be wrong. In this case, the mismatch is repeated every time collation occurs, resulting in a contradiction. The worker manually corrects the file.

  As described above, the present invention periodically monitors the contents of the processing devices A, B, and C by collating the contents of the file with the data b received from the processing devices A, B, and C on a regular basis. it can. Processing that is not managed by the computer 16 does not proceed. Since desired processing proceeds, the production of defective products and the like can be reduced.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment was described about this invention, this invention is not limited to said embodiment. For example, since the file is stored in the external storage device 32, when the file of the computer 16 is lost, the computer 16 reads the file stored in the external storage device 32 and restores the file in the computer 16. At this time, transmission of the data c from the computer 16 to the processing devices A, B, and C is stopped so that the processing devices A, B, and C do not enter the next processing.

  After the restoration, the processing devices A, B, and C transmit the data b described above to the computer 16 according to an instruction from the computer 16. The computer 16 collates the contents of the restored file with the received data b.

  If the restored file matches the received data b as a result of the collation, the computer 16 transmits data c including a process resuming instruction to the processing devices A, B, and C, and the processing devices A, B, and C perform processing. To resume.

  If there is a mismatch as a result of the collation, the file is corrected based on the received data b. Also, as described above, the contradiction is checked.

  The data b is periodically transmitted from the processing devices A, B, and C to the computer 16 to check the file. However, the check may be performed at another timing. For example, the processing apparatuses A, B, and C send data a to that effect to the computer 16 when the article 14 is exchanged with the conveying apparatuses k, l, m, and n. You may check this. Further, the check may be performed after receiving data a and data b.

  Further, even when the communication between the computer 16 and the processing devices A, B, and C is in a disconnected state, the processing devices A, B, and C may update the virtual ID. For example, in the processing apparatus A, when the article 14 with “ID: 04” is delivered to the transport apparatus 1 and a new article 14 is received, the virtual ID of the storage device 22 is updated to “ID: 05”. Even if communication is interrupted and the computer 16 cannot manage the correct virtual ID, the processing devices A, B, and C can manage the correct virtual ID. The communication is restored and the correct virtual ID can be reproduced by the computer 16 by correcting the file after collation, and the line device 12 can be operated as it is.

  In addition to checking the processing status of each article 14, the status of each processing apparatus A, B, C may be checked. In order to perform processing in each of the processing apparatuses A, B, and C, a predetermined material is used or a predetermined operation is performed. For example, a dyeing solution or a heater may be used. As described above, the data “b” such as the remaining amount of the predetermined material and the status of the apparatus is sent from the processing apparatuses A, B, and C to the computer 16, and the computer 16 makes a file.

  The computer 16 is provided with means for determining whether processing is possible, and causes the computer 16 to function as the means for determining. Further, the amount of the material for processing is stored in the storage means 30 of the computer 16. Before sending the data c for processing from the computer 16 to the processing devices A, B, C, the amount of materials necessary for performing the processing included in the data c and the materials of the processing devices A, B, C The remaining amount is compared, and if the remaining amount is small, the process is not performed. The computer 16 does not send the data c to the processing devices A, B, and C, or sends data for stopping the processing.

  Further, if the processing apparatuses A, B, and C are not in a state capable of processing, such as the processing apparatuses A, B, and C are not at a predetermined temperature, the processing is not performed. Conditions for processing are stored in the storage means 30 of the computer 16. Therefore, the determination means compares the conditions for performing the processing with the states of the processing devices A, B, and C stored in the file. If the processing devices A, B, and C are not in a state for performing processing, the processing is not performed. The computer 16 does not send the data c to the processing devices A, B, and C, or sends data for stopping the processing. For example, if the processing devices A, B, and C are not at a predetermined temperature, the processing devices A, B, and C stop receiving the article 14 until the predetermined temperature is reached, and the article 14 is processed by the processing devices A and B. , Wait outside C.

  As described above, the maximum number of articles 14 that can be processed by the processing apparatuses A, B, and C is stored. When the number of articles 14 being processed by the processing apparatuses A, B, and C is the maximum number, it is necessary to make the processing apparatuses A, B, and C wait so that no new articles 14 enter. Therefore, in order to determine whether or not processing is possible, the above-described determining means compares the maximum number of articles 14 with the number of articles 14 being processed by the processing apparatuses A, B, and C. As a result of the comparison, if the maximum number matches the number of articles 14 being processed, the processing apparatuses A, B, and C stop receiving new articles 14 and the articles 14 are processed by the processing apparatuses A, B, and C. Wait outside C.

  The line device 12 in FIG. 1 is a single conveyance line, but the present invention may be applied even when the line device 12 is branched into a plurality of conveyance lines. Further, the articles 14 of the plurality of line apparatuses 12 may be managed by one computer 16.

  The specific application of the present invention will be described for the above-described embodiments. The line apparatus 12 of FIG. 1 can be applied to dyeing of various types and small quantities (small lots). The article 14 is a container in which an object to be dyed is placed and conveyed. The objects to be dyed are yarn, cloth, clothing, and the like.

  In the processing apparatus A in FIG. 1, the dye solution is supplied to a cylindrical container. In the processing apparatus B, the object to be dyed is dyed. In the processing apparatus C, post-processing after dyeing is performed. Examples of the post-treatment include neutralization treatment after dyeing, washing treatment, fixing treatment, and softening treatment.

  The processing apparatus A is provided with a plurality of tanks in which a dye solution and an auxiliary agent are placed. Each tank contains different dyes and auxiliaries. The computer 16 transmits to the processing apparatus A data specifying the dyeing liquid and auxiliary agent determined by the color to be dyed, and their amounts. Based on the received data c, the processing device A prepares a specified amount of dye liquor and auxiliary agent and supplies them to the container. The dyeing liquid and auxiliary agent to be supplied and their amounts are specified in consideration of the size, amount, material, etc. of the object to be dyed. Note that the object to be dyed is placed in a container. This makes it possible to set different colors for the objects to be dyed for each container.

  The tank is equipped with a liquid level sensor or a weighing scale. Examples of the liquid level sensor include a method in which a float is floated on the liquid surface and the liquid level is obtained from the height of the float, and a method in which the liquid level is obtained by a change in electrostatic capacity of a dye solution or the like. The liquid level of the dyeing liquid or auxiliary agent measured by the liquid level sensor or the weight measured by the weigh scale is sent to the computer 16. The remaining amount of the dyeing liquid or auxiliary agent is obtained from the shape of the tank and the liquid level, and is stored in the storage device of the computer 16. Alternatively, the remaining amount is obtained from the weight measured by the weigh scale, and the remaining amount is stored in the storage device of the computer 16. This remaining amount may be stored in the PLC of the processing apparatus A.

  The processing device B is provided with a rotation driving device and a heater for rotating the container. The cylindrical container is rotated while being heated. The object to be dyed in the container is dyed. The heating temperature and rotation time differ depending on the color to be dyed. The computer 16 transmits the heating temperature and rotation time determined by the color to be dyed. The processing device B performs heating and rotation based on the received data c, and dyes the object to be dyed. When dyeing a plurality of objects to be dyed at the same time, a plurality of rotary drive devices and heaters are provided.

  The processing apparatus B includes a thermometer and a clock. The processing apparatus B measures the time after starting the measurement and rotation of the heating temperature. Those data b are transmitted to the computer 16. The state in which the processing apparatus B is dyed by the computer 16 is monitored.

  The processing device C includes a device that performs neutralization processing, a device that performs cleaning processing, a device that performs fixing processing, and a device that performs flexible processing. A neutralization process is neutralizing the dyeing liquid adhering to to-be-dyed material. If the dyeing liquor is alkaline, it is neutralized with acetic acid. The washing process is to wash the object to be dyed with hot water and a washing solution. In the case of the fixing treatment, the dyeing solution is fixed to the object to be dyed with hot water washing and a fixing agent. The softening treatment is to immerse the object to be dyed in a softening agent so that the object to be dyed has flexibility and elasticity. The number of times and time of washing are changed depending on the color to be dyed. The computer 16 transmits data such as a neutralization process determined by the color to be dyed. The processing device C performs a neutralization process based on the received data c.

  In the processing apparatus C, a neutralizing agent, a cleaning liquid, a fixing agent, and a softening agent are respectively placed in the tank, and are supplied from the tank into the container based on the data c received from the computer. A liquid level sensor and a weigh scale are provided for measuring the remaining amount of each material in the tank. Data b of the liquid level sensor and weighing scale is transmitted to the computer 16. Those remaining amounts are obtained and stored in the storage device of the computer 16.

  After the processing in the processing apparatus C is completed, the object to be dyed is taken out from the container. After washing the container, the container is returned to the initial position, and a new object to be dyed is put in the container and conveyed to the processing apparatus A.

  As in the above embodiment, a virtual ID is assigned to each object to be dyed and managed by the computer 16. Data to be sent to each of the processing apparatuses A, B, and C varies depending on the color of the object to be dyed. Each processing device A, B, C performs processing according to the received data c. The processing devices A, B, and C store the virtual ID and the processing content. As described above, the computer 16 collates the data received from the processing devices A, B, and C, thereby monitoring the processing contents performed by the processing devices A, B, and C. When data mismatch occurs in the computer 16, the data is corrected based on the data received from the processing devices A, B, and C. The method of correction is the same as the above method shown in FIG.

  In the above embodiment, the articles 14 are conveyed in order, but the order may be reversed depending on the contents of the processing. For example, when dyeing is performed in the processing apparatus B, the time required for dyeing differs depending on the color to be dyed. In the case where a plurality of articles 14 can be processed in the processing apparatus B, the processing may end before the article 14 that has been put in the processing apparatus B later.

  For example, it is assumed that the article 14 is in a state as shown in FIG. At this time, the computer 16 stores a file describing the contents shown in Table 2 by the method described above.

  In the processing apparatus B, it is assumed that a plurality of means for performing processing are provided and a plurality of articles 14 can be processed simultaneously. Even if the article 14 with “ID: 02” is being processed by the processing apparatus B, the article 14 with “ID: 03” is processed by the processing apparatus B (FIG. 4B). Since the contents of the processing are different, the time for ending the processing is different for each article 14. For this reason, the processing of the article 14 with “ID: 03” that has been started by the processing apparatus B later may end first (FIG. 4C).

  Even in the processing apparatuses A, B, and C, even if the order of the articles 14 is changed, the processing apparatuses A, B, and C transmit information on the completed processing to the computer 16. The process information to be transmitted includes the contents of the process and information of the means that performed the process. The computer 16 recognizes which processing has been completed based on the processing information in the received data a and b. When the order is changed, the computer 16 stores the contents as a file. For example, in the case of FIG. 4C, a file describing the contents as shown in Table 3 is stored.

  In Table 3, the order of the article 14 with “ID: 02” and the article 14 with “ID: 03” are reversed. The computer 16 performs monitoring in the order of new articles 14. That is, the file is a file in which the order of the virtual IDs of the articles 14 being conveyed by the conveying apparatuses k, l, m, and n and the order of the virtual IDs of the articles 14 processed by the processing apparatuses A, B, and C are switched. In Table 3, the order of virtual IDs is changed, but the order of virtual IDs does not have to be changed as long as the virtual ID matches the content of the process.

  A plurality of processes such as cleaning are performed in the processing apparatus C, but the processing contents such as the number of times of cleaning differ depending on the color to be dyed. Although the order of the articles 14 may be changed in the processing apparatus C as in the processing apparatus B, the virtual ID is handled in the same manner as in the processing apparatus B.

  In the computer 16, the states of the processing apparatuses A, B, and C are managed. For example, the remaining amount of dye liquor and auxiliary agent contained in the tank of the processing apparatus A is managed. Depending on the color to be dyed, there may be a shortage of dyeing liquid and auxiliary agent in the tank. The computer 16 stores the amount of dyeing liquid or auxiliary agent necessary depending on the color to be dyed. Before transmitting the color data c to be dyed to the processing apparatus A, the computer 16 determines the amount of dyeing liquid and auxiliary agent necessary for the color to be dyed and the remaining amount of the tank received and managed from the processing apparatus A. Compare with data b. By comparison, it is determined whether or not the dyeing liquid or the auxiliary agent can be prepared by the processing apparatus A and supplied to the container. If the amount of the dye or auxiliary agent in the tank is less than the required amount, the processing is stopped without transmitting the data c to the processing apparatus A.

  When a plurality of articles 14 are processed by the processing device B as described above, the maximum quantity that can be processed by the processing device B is stored in the computer 16. Based on the data b received from the processing apparatus B, the number of articles 14 processed by the processing apparatus B is monitored. When the number of articles 14 being processed by the processing apparatus B reaches the maximum quantity, the new article 14 is prevented from entering the processing apparatus B. For example, data c for processing a new article 14 is not transmitted to the processing apparatus B, or data for stopping the conveying apparatus is transmitted.

  In addition, the present invention can be carried out in a mode in which various improvements, modifications, and changes are added based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

10: article management system 12: line device 14: article 16: computer 18, 24: data transmission / reception means 20: PLC
22, 30, 32: storage device 26: virtual ID assigning means 28: file creation means 34: check means A, B, C: processing devices k, l, m, n: transport device

Claims (8)

A plurality of conveying devices for conveying articles;
A processing device that is disposed between the transfer devices and performs predetermined processing on the article;
A computer that manages the article by assigning a virtual ID to the article, sends and receives data to and from the conveying device and the processing device, and controls the conveying device and the processing device;
An article management system for managing articles in a line device comprising:
The virtual ID of the article to be processed is included in the data transmitted and received between the computer and the processing device,
The computer,
Means for giving a virtual ID to the article;
Means for generating a file associating the virtual ID with the state of the article;
Means for collating the contents of the file with the data including the virtual ID received from the processing device;
Goods management system to function as. If the content of the file is different from the data including the virtual ID received from the processing device,
The article management system according to claim 1, wherein the computer functions as means for correcting the contents of a file based on data received from the processing device. The computer,
Means for storing a maximum number of articles in the processing apparatus;
Means for confirming that the number of articles of each processing device in the file is equal to or less than the maximum number;
The article management system according to claim 2, which functions as The article management system according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the processing apparatuses can simultaneously process a plurality of articles, and the processed articles are sequentially transferred from the processing apparatus to the transport apparatus. At least one of the processing devices includes means for measuring the remaining amount of material used for processing in the processing device, means for measuring temperature for processing, or both, and is transmitted and received between the computer and the processing device. The data includes the remaining amount of the material, the temperature for processing, or both,
The computer stores the amount of material required for processing, the temperature at which processing is performed, or both, and the stored amount, temperature, or both received from the processing apparatus is the remaining amount of material, temperature, or the same. The article management system according to claim 4, further comprising means for determining whether or not processing is possible in comparison with both. 6. The article is a container in which an object to be dyed is placed, a color for dyeing the object to be dyed is set for each container, and the object to be dyed in the container is dyed by performing processing in each processing apparatus. Item management system described in 1. The article management system according to claim 6, wherein the processing device includes means for storing the received virtual ID. The article management system according to claim 7, further comprising an external storage device connected to a computer for storing the file.

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