JP2002041128A - Production navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve producing efficiency by integrating a working device and a computer into a network in a working assembly manufacturing field, and quickening the exchange of information such as workflow control between an operator and a manager, and shortening a setup time, and to smoothly perform the work flow control by sharing various data such as order reception control information, production control information, design information, and working information. SOLUTION: A computer on which a database is loaded, a computer on which a WWW server is mounted, a working machine with a personal NC on which a WWW browser is mounted, and a computer on which a WWW browser is mounted are respectively connected through an Ethernet in this production navigation system, and the computer on which the WWW server is mounted acquires various information from the database or the like so that the input and output of the information can be executed by using the WWW browser.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the field of processing, assembly and manufacturing, etc., in which a processing apparatus and a computer are connected to a network, and order management information between a customer, an administrator, a CAD creator, an operator, etc., production management. Information, design information,
The present invention relates to a production navigation system that speeds up information exchange of various data such as processing information and facilitates workflow management.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram relating to a conventional numerical control system disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 11-65629. In the figure, 4 is a personal computer NC, 401 is a CPU,
Reference numeral 402 denotes an input device control unit, 403 denotes an input device, 404 denotes a display device control unit, 405 denotes a display device, 406 denotes a numerical control information analysis unit, 407 denotes a numerical control information storage unit, 408 denotes a numerical control unit, and 409 denotes a machine drive. Unit, 410 is a network connection unit, 411 is a browser function execution unit, and 412 is WWW
A document specification unit 413 is a WWW document storage unit. Personal computer N to realize conventional production navigation system
C is configured as described above. When an operator operates a processing apparatus equipped with a personal computer NC, it is necessary to confirm various data settings. For example, before the operation, it is necessary to check the delivery date, the presence or absence of materials, the data of tools and jigs, the processing shape, and the like. During and after the operation, it is necessary to check the processing dimensions. The personal computer NC4 that realizes the conventional production navigation system operates as follows. Create a WWW document containing the above required data,
Save it in a location accessible from C4. A command for specifying a related WWW document is described in the NC program stored in the numerical control information storage unit 407, the NC program is analyzed by the numerical control information analysis unit 406, and the command is specified by the WWW document specification unit 412. Done W
The WWW document is read via the network connection unit 410 or from within the WWW document storage unit 413, and the browser function for displaying and executing the WWW document specified by the browser function execution unit 411 is activated.

[0003]

In the conventional system as described above, it is assumed that the information displayed on the WWW browser is used only in the personal computer NC. Information such as a situation cannot be returned by input from an operator or obtained from a machine, and it is difficult to share information between users in two directions. In addition, since it is necessary to describe a command for specifying a WWW document in the NC program, the function cannot be used in the NC program as the original machining program, and the NC program lacks flexibility. To describe a command for specifying a WWW document in an NC program, the NC programmer must newly learn how to use the command, or
A person other than the programmer needs to add the command in the NC program, which is inconvenient. Further, the numerical control information analysis unit 406 needs an analysis function other than the NC program description for mechanical drive in the original personal computer NC,
This is disadvantageous for a personal computer NC with limited resources. Also, the WWW document displayed on the WWW browser is assumed to be only a fixed Web page, and must be created each time and stored in the server or the personal computer NC, so that dynamic information is provided. Not suitable for In the conventional system as described above, when it is necessary to give various data to the browser in advance when the specified WWW document is displayed and executed, it is necessary to incorporate a command for giving the necessary data to the browser into the NC program. There is
It is inconvenient to collect data not described in commands in the NC program. Furthermore, since the data obtained from the personal computer NC is reflected only on the browser on the personal computer NC, an administrator or the like cannot use the data from another personal computer. If it is necessary to reflect data from the browser on the execution of the NC program after the specified WWW document is displayed and executed by the browser function, a command for reflecting the data from the browser on the execution of the NC program is transmitted to the NC. It must be incorporated in the program, and does not have a function of specifying the NC program itself or various settings from a browser and downloading the program.
As described above, in the conventional system as described above, each data is used only in the personal computer NC, and the use in the higher-level information system is not considered. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has been developed by a customer, an administrator, and a CA.
D By providing input / output means on the screen of a computer or personal computer NC used by each user of the system such as the creator and the worker, management information such as order management information and production management information, design information and processing information, etc. The purpose is to enable sharing of various data such as production information, and to facilitate workflow management.

[0004]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a production navigation system in which a computer having a WWW server reads and writes at least one piece of management information or at least one piece of production information from a database. Is provided to the WWW browser.

[0005] A production navigation system according to a second configuration of the present invention provides, on a WWW browser, information dynamically changed in accordance with a user browsed by a computer equipped with a WWW server, data on a database, or time. It has a function of displaying.

A production navigation system according to a third configuration of the present invention has at least one of a function of collecting data on a production apparatus by a computer having a WWW server and storing the data in a database or a function of displaying the data on a WWW browser. Have

A production navigation system according to a fourth configuration of the present invention has a function of enabling a computer equipped with a WWW server to download data on another computer to a production device according to designation from a WWW browser.

[0008] A production navigation system according to a fifth configuration of the present invention has an input / output unit in XML format for data collected by a computer equipped with a WWW server.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings,
The same or corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference characters, and description thereof will be omitted. Embodiment 1 FIG. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is a computer equipped with a database 11, 2 is a computer equipped with a WWW server 12, and 3 is a machine equipped with a personal computer NC4. In this embodiment, it is an electric discharge machine. 4 is WW
A personal computer NC with a W browser 13, a computer 5 with a WWW browser 13, a database 11,
12 is a WWW server, 13 is a WWW browser, 21 is J
An ava Servlet engine, 22 is a JSP engine, 31 is a JSP file, and 50 is Ethernet (registered trademark). Computer 1 with database 11 and computer 2 with WWW server 12
The production navigation system in which the processing machine 3 with the personal computer NC4 equipped with the WWW browser 13 and the computer 5 are connected by the Ethernet 50 will be described. The database 11 stores order management information, production management information, design information, processing information, and the like. Data such as customer information, delivery date, progress, specifications, design drawings, NC programs, and processing conditions are stored in association with each processing item. This set of data for each processing item is called a task. The computer 2 on which the WWW server 12 is mounted has Java running thereon.
Servlet engine 21 and JSP (JavaSer
(ver Pages) The engine 22 is mounted. A JSP file 31 for accessing each information stored in the database 11 to process and convert data is stored in a storage device of the computer 2, and is sequentially interpreted by the JSP engine 22 and the Java Servlet engine 21, and is interpreted by Java. The program is executed and the WWW browser 1
3 provides the data to be displayed. Since the JSP file 31 can dynamically process the embedded Java code, the WWW server 12 can access the database 11 using JDBC. The Web page is dynamically changed based on information input from the WWW browser 13 and data that can be obtained by the WWW server 12. In the computer 5 equipped with the WWW browser 13, information is input and output with an administrator or a designer. The manager or designer inputs order management information such as customer data, production management information such as delivery date, design information such as drawings and dimensions, or processing information such as processing instructions, and refers to the progress.
In the processing machine 3 equipped with the WWW browser 13, an operator inputs and displays information. The operator refers to the above various information and inputs the progress status and the like. In the present embodiment, each computer is connected by the Ethernet 50. However, even if this is replaced with a connection using a public line network or a dedicated line, there is a difference in transmission speed, but the same effect can be obtained. The functions of a database, a WWW server, and a WWW browser mounted on a computer are the same as those described above except that the processing speed and the like are affected even if two or all of the functions are combined into one in an arbitrary combination. It works. Further, in this embodiment, the personal computer NC4
Has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a similar effect can be realized when a robot equipped with a robot controller is configured.

The operation will be described below. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the system when the user accesses the Web page described in the JSP file 31. In FIG. 2, ST 101 is a Java file described in a JSP file when accessed from a WWW browser.
a step of connecting to a database by a va program to obtain a task list; a step of displaying a list of tasks read from the database on a WWW browser; a step of selecting a task from a WWW browser by a user; Step of inputting / modifying the contents of task from browser, S
T105 is a step of saving the contents of the task edited by the user in the database, and ST106 is a step of giving the user XML
(eXtensible Markup Languag
e) a step of asking whether to output the format, ST107 a step of asking the user whether to end the work, ST111 a step of inputting / outputting to the database, and ST112 a step of outputting an XML file. is there. Here, the data acquired from the database 11 represented by ST111 is the X obtained from the database 11 itself or another system.
As an input in the ML format, the input may be obtained by providing an XML interpreter in a Java program described in the JSP file 31. Step ST106 relating to XML output;
ST112 and the XML input described above are not essential in the production navigation system according to claims 1 to 4.

In ST101, the computer 2 equipped with the WWW server 12 is connected to the computer 1 equipped with the database 11 represented by ST111 by a Java program described in the JSP file 31, and a task list is stored in the storage device. And converts it into a format that can be displayed on the WWW browser 13. WW in ST102
The converted task list data is transmitted by the function of the W server 12 and displayed on the WWW browser 13 on the display device of the computer. In ST103, WWW browser 1
From the task list displayed in 3, click the edit button of the task to be viewed or the register button of a new task. The database 1 represented by ST111 by the Java program described in the JSP file 31
The required data is acquired from the storage device of the computer 1 on which the computer 1 is mounted, and the task content editing screen is displayed on the personal computer NC4 or the WWW browser 13 on the display device of the computer 5. In ST104, the WWW browser 13
On the task content edit screen displayed in
The contents are input and corrected using C4 or the input device of the computer 5. In general, when an administrator receives an order from a customer, the CAD creator inputs order information such as delivery date, priority, processing charge, processing instruction, production management information, and processing information from the computer 5, and the CAD creator receives the information. From the computer 5, design information such as drawing data and NC program names is input. On the other hand, the operator inputs production management information such as a progress status from the personal computer NC4. In ST105, by clicking the save button on the task content edit screen, the computer 2 equipped with the WWW server 12 transmits the result edited by the user or newly input by the user.
According to the Java program described in the JSP file 31, the data is stored in the storage device of the computer 1 equipped with the database 11 represented by ST111. In ST106, it is determined whether or not the XML output button displayed on the WWW browser 13 has been clicked.
At 112, various data is converted into an appropriate XML file by the Java program described in the JSP file 31 and stored in the computer 2 equipped with the WWW server 12. In ST107, the end of the operation is determined based on whether the browsing of the production navigation Web page by the WWW browser 13 has been completed.

Note that, in the present embodiment, Java
A similar function can be realized by storing a class file of a Java program that can be interpreted by the Servlet engine 21 in the storage device of the computer 2 instead of the JSP file 31. In addition, the portion described in the JSP file is defined as CGI (Common Gateway).
The same function can be realized by describing the program by an Interface program and storing the executable file in the storage device of the computer 2. These replacements are also possible in the following embodiments. According to this embodiment, a configuration using a database, a WWW server, and a WWW browser is provided, and a processing function is provided in the WWW server.
Each of the workers can exchange information with each other, and there is an effect that workflow management becomes smooth.
The XML language is XSL (extensible S).
stylesheet Language)
Because you can easily convert XML files of different formats,
By providing the XML input / output function, it is possible to exchange information with a higher-level information system or another system, and it is possible to directly connect to a business system. Embodiment 2 FIG. This embodiment corresponds to the production navigation system according to the second aspect. In the first embodiment, the Java program described in the JSP file 31 is one of a connection source computer, a user name, a user type, a time at which the program was executed, a current time, and data stored in the database 11. A description will be given of a second embodiment having a function of acquiring the above and using the acquired information to dynamically change the display of the WWW browser 13.
FIG. 3 shows step ST101 after step ST101 in FIG.
102 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the Java program according to the present embodiment, corresponding to around step ST103. In FIG. 3, ST 101 is a program written in a JSP file when accessed from a WWW browser.
The step of connecting to the database by the ava program to obtain a task list, the step ST111 of performing input / output to the database, and the step ST201
ST202: a step of acquiring a P address, a step of determining whether or not the connection source is a personal computer NC;
Is a step of obtaining data relating to the processing machine corresponding to the obtained IP address, ST204 is a step of outputting a Web page dependent on the processing machine, ST205 is a step of determining whether or not the connected person is a worker, and ST206 is a connected state. ST207: a step of outputting a Web page in which progress can be input; ST208: a step of acquiring all tasks; ST209: determining whether or not a connected person is a CAD creator. Step ST210 is a step of outputting a Web page to which design information can be input, ST211 is a step of determining whether or not the connected person is an administrator, and ST212 is a step of outputting a Web page to which all information can be input.

For example, consider a case where an administrator inputs a user name using the WWW browser 13 of the computer 5 to connect to a production navigation system. JS stored in the computer 2 equipped with the WWW server 12
According to the Java program described in the P file 31, the user name data in the database 11 is compared with the input user name, and a result is obtained that the user name belongs to the administrator. Based on the result, step ST211
The process moves from step ST212 to step ST212. Based on the task list acquired from the database 11 in step ST208, a Web page whose contents can be edited or a Web page linked to the Web page is displayed in the WWW browser 1
3 to provide. Next, consider a case where the CAD creator inputs a user name and connects to the production navigation system using the WWW browser 13 of the computer 5. As in the case of the administrator, it is determined from the user name that the user is the CAD creator, and the user proceeds from step ST209 to step ST21.
We can move to 0 and input design information such as CAD drawings
The b page or a web page linked to the web page is provided to the WWW browser 13. Further, a case is considered in which an operator inputs a user name and connects to the production navigation system using the WWW browser 13 of the personal computer NC4. In step ST201, the IP address of the personal computer NC is acquired, and in step ST202, it is determined whether the personal computer NC belongs to the personal computer NC or not, and which processing machine it belongs to, by using a file stored in the database 11 or the computer 2. S
In T203, data related to processing by the processing machine is obtained, and in step ST204, a Web page dependent on the processing machine is output. Step ST2 as in the case of the administrator
At step 05, it is determined from the user name that the operator is a worker, or the worker is specified, and at step ST206, a task related to the worker, such as the worker being assigned to a processing person, is acquired. Based on the task acquired in step ST207, a Web page in which only a part related to the progress status can be edited or a Web page linked to the Web page is provided to the WWW browser 13.

The above is an example in which use within an intranet is assumed, but it is also possible for a customer to input specifications, a desired delivery date, and the like by accessing via the Internet. When the Ethernet 50 is replaced with a public line or a dedicated line, the computer 5 on the Internet
It is also conceivable that a customer inputs a user name and connects to the production navigation system by using the WWW browser 13 described above. As in the above case, the customer is specified, and the Web page customized for the customer is displayed on the WWW browser 13.
To provide. This Web page requires input of specifications, desired delivery date, and the like. These pieces of information are stored in the database 11 as order management information. Alternatively, WWW
J stored in the computer 2 equipped with the server 12
The Java program described in the SP file 31 is
XM from other ordering systems via the Internet
There is also a usage method in which data in the L format is received and stored in a database, and an administrator refers to the data and allocates work. Also, by utilizing the ability to dynamically output Web pages, it is possible to output in a format other than the general HTML format or to send an e-mail in the same manner as in the case of outputting in XML format. Is possible.
By using a JSP file 31 including a program for outputting a Web page and an e-mail for various mobile terminals such as a mobile phone, the customer can use the WWW of the mobile phone from outside.
There are also usage methods such as placing an order using a browser function or an e-mail function, and grasping the progress. Note that I
For the part that identifies the processing machine by the P address,
Co which is information stored in the storage device of the personal computer NC4 or the computer 5 equipped with the WW browser 13
Even if okie is used, display of terminal-specific information on the WWW browser 13 can be realized. Also, by describing a code for acquiring the time at which the Java program is executed in the Java program and displaying the code on the WWW browser 13, the user can grasp at which point the displayed data is the data. According to this embodiment, W
Since various types of output can be performed from the WW server, the output for the portable terminal has the effect of speeding up the order management with the customer.

Embodiment 3 This embodiment corresponds to the production navigation system according to the third aspect. In the first embodiment, a computer equipped with a WWW server capable of acquiring real-time data obtained from a processing machine equipped with a personal computer NC using a DNC, performing appropriate processing, and processing the data into a format that can be browsed with a WWW browser. A third embodiment of the production navigation system including the third embodiment will be described. In FIG. 1, a processing machine 3 equipped with a personal computer NC4 and a computer 2 equipped with a WWW server 12 are connected by an Ethernet 50, and the personal computer NC4 and the computer 2 have a DNC function. With this configuration, real-time data in the personal computer NC4 can be obtained from the computer 2. Save that data to JSP file 3
Processed by the Java program described in
It is provided to the WWW browser 13 as an web page, stored in the database 11, or stored in an XML file. By preparing a Web page with a link to the JSP file 31 containing each execution program in the WWW server 12, an execution command can be issued from the WWW browser 13. According to this embodiment, the content displayed on the WWW browser is WW
Since the program in the W server is obtained from the database or the processing machine, there is an effect that data not related to the NC program can be easily displayed. Also, since various types of data are collected by the program in the WWW server, the WW on the network-connected computer
There is an effect that data can be easily used from the W browser.

Embodiment 4 This embodiment corresponds to the production navigation system according to the fourth aspect. In the first embodiment, an instruction is issued to a computer having an FTP function, and necessary data such as an NC program is transmitted to the personal computer NC.
WWW that can be downloaded to processing machines with
A fourth embodiment of a production navigation system including a computer equipped with a server will be described. In FIG. 1, a personal computer NC4 to which an NC program is to be downloaded has an FTP function and another personal computer NC4.
4, computer 1, 2, 5, or Ethernet 5
It is assumed that any one of the other computers connected to the terminal 0 has the FTP function and the NC program is stored. The same applies to the case where a public line or a dedicated line is used for the Ethernet 50. In the JSP file 31, a Java program that acquires the NC program from the storage device of the computer in which the NC program is stored by FTP and then downloads the NC program to the target personal computer NC by FTP is described. When the Web page based on the above-described JSP file is browsed from the WWW browser 13, the NC program is downloaded to the personal computer NC4 by execution of the Java program, and stored in the storage device. According to the present embodiment, it is natural that various files required by the personal computer NC4, such as a processing condition setting file, can be handled instead of the NC program. In addition, since various files such as the NC program can be downloaded to the production apparatus by the WWW server in accordance with an instruction from the WWW browser, there is an effect that a person other than the person in charge of processing can remotely perform setting related to processing.

[0017]

According to the first structure of the present invention, a database, a WWW server, and a WWW browser are used, and a processing function is provided in the WWW server. Exchange can be performed, and there is an effect that workflow management is facilitated.

According to the second configuration of the present invention, the WWW server is provided with a function of providing dynamically changed information to the WWW browser, so that appropriate information according to the scene of browsing the WWW browser is provided. There is an effect that can be provided. In addition, since it is not necessary to add information other than the operation to the operation program of the production device, the trouble of the programmer can be reduced,
Another effect is that the size of the program is reduced.

According to the third configuration of the present invention, the content displayed on the WWW browser is obtained by the program in the WWW server from the database or the production device.
There is an effect that it is easy to display data not related to the operation program of the production device. In addition, various data
Since the program is collected by a program in the W server, there is an effect that data can be easily used from a WWW browser on a computer connected via a network.

According to the fourth configuration of the present invention, the WWW server can download various files such as the operation program of the production apparatus to the production apparatus in accordance with an instruction from the WWW browser. This has the effect that settings relating to the operation of the production device can be made remotely.

According to the fifth configuration of the present invention, since the XML language can easily convert XML files of different formats by using XSL or the like, by providing an XML input / output function, the upper level information system or other There is an effect that information can be exchanged with the system and a direct connection with the business system becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the system when the system is used according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a program operation in a WWW server according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram related to a conventional numerical control system.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Computer equipped with database, 2 WWW
Computer equipped with server, processing machine equipped with 3 personal computer NC, personal computer N equipped with 4 WWW browser
C, a computer equipped with a 5 WWW browser, 11
Database, 12 WWW server, 13 WWW browser, 21 Java Servlet engine, 2
2 JSP engines, 31 JSP files, 50 Ethernet.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A database, a WWW server, and a WWW server.
A production navigation system comprising a production device and a computer, each having a function of a WWW browser and capable of communicating with each other via a network, comprising:
A production navigation system characterized in that a computer equipped with a server has a function of providing a means for a WWW browser to read and write at least one or more pieces of management information or production information to / from a database. 2. A computer equipped with a WWW server having a function of displaying, on a WWW browser, information dynamically changed according to a browsing user, data on a database, or time. Claim 1
The production navigation system described. 3. A computer equipped with a WWW server having at least one of a function of collecting data on a production apparatus and storing the data in a database or a function of displaying the data on a WWW browser. 1
Alternatively, the production navigation system according to claim 2. 4. The computer according to claim 1, wherein the computer having the WWW server has a function of downloading data on another computer to the production apparatus according to designation from a WWW browser. The production navigation system described. 5. The production navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the computer on which the WWW server is mounted has an input / output unit in XML format for the collected data.