JP2003080432A - Optimum method of moving pallet for sheet metal work line - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To replace with no obstacle a pallet delivered first while waiting it in the delivered first state with a substitute pallet, in the case of replacing the pallet capable of being delivered first during use. SOLUTION: Two types of standby stations A, B are provided independently in adjacent to an in/out handling station PK/UL so as to deliver pallets between them and an automatic warehouse 20. When a first pallet P1 delivered out to the first standby station A from the automatic warehouse 20 is moved to the in/out handling station PK/UL and is used for sheet metal work, a second pallet P2 planned for the next use is delivered out from the warehouse 20 to the second standby station B. The first pallet P1, after use, is moved from the in/out handling station PK/UL to the first stand/by station A and delivered in the automatic warehouse 20.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for optimally moving a pallet on a sheet metal working line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an automated line in a production facility is required to be compatible with flexible production, but in order to obtain an efficient line operation, it is necessary for an operator to be creative. That is, the operation of the automated line is
In a certain sense, the behavior is too exact, so from a human perspective, it is often redundant depending on the situation, and it is necessary to devise a way to avoid such redundant behavior. .

For example, in order to move a pallet between a picking station or an unloading station for loading and unloading materials or semi-finished products placed on a pallet to a sheet metal working machine and an automatic warehouse, it is roughly classified into a non-first-out type. There are two types, one is a type that can be first-come-first-served, and it is also necessary to devise an operation when moving such a pallet.

[0004]

However, all of the conventional pallet movements as described above have the following problems in devising their operation.

That is, the first-out type is
As shown in FIG. 4, a pallet in use (has been unloaded from the automated warehouse) (the movement thereof is indicated by an arrow although not shown)
If the pallet is not stored, the pallet to be used next cannot be stored, and this restriction cannot be structurally circumvented, and there is no room for devising the operation method in software.

On the other hand, the first-out type is
The pallet to be used next can be unloaded while the pallet (not shown in the figure, the movement of which is shown by an arrow) being unloaded from the automated warehouse is in use (without loading), as shown in FIG. There are a pallet moving mechanism using a rotary mechanism and a pallet passing mechanism (depalletizer) as shown in FIG.

Among them, the one that moves the pallet in one direction by using the rotary mechanism is in use even if another pallet (for another kind of material or semi-finished product) is put out in advance while the pallet is in use. When the pallet is empty or full of semi-finished products and you have to replace it with an alternative pallet, you must receive another pallet (for another kind of material or semi-finished product) It doesn't make sense to put out the pallets because we can't issue the alternative pallets. In the case of semi-finished product pallets, when it becomes full and it is necessary to replace with a substitute pallet,
Normally, the pallet that has been put out in advance is used as an alternative pallet, so the pallet cannot be specified in the schedule.

Also, in the case of using the pallet passing mechanism (depalletizer), as in the case of moving the pallet in one direction by using the rotary mechanism, the pallet in use becomes full of materials or full of semi-finished products, and the alternative When you have to replace a pallet, you need to put another pallet (for another type of material or semi-finished product) that you put out beforehand into the warehouse. In addition, in the case of a semi-finished product pallet, normally, the pallet that has been put out in advance is used as an alternative pallet, so that the pallet cannot be specified in the schedule.

An object of the present invention is to eliminate the problems of the above-mentioned conventional ones, to make it possible to advance the pallet, and
When it is necessary to replace the pallet in use, another pallet that has already been put out can be used as a standby pallet while the pallet in use can be replaced with the alternative pallet without any problem. It is to provide a transportation method.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an invention according to claim 1 is to provide a loading / unloading station for loading / unloading a pallet load to / from a sheet metal working machine and an automatic warehouse. A method for optimally moving pallets in a sheet metal processing line for optimally moving pallets between two pallets, which is provided adjacent to the loading / unloading station, so that pallets can be exchanged with an automated warehouse independently of each other. , When the 1st pallet from the automated warehouse to the 1st standby station is moved to the loading / unloading station and used for sheet metal processing, the 2nd pallet to be used next will be the 2nd standby from the automated warehouse. After unloading to the station, the 1st pallet is moved from the loading / unloading station to the 1st standby station after use, and then loaded into the automated warehouse. A pallet optimum method for moving sheet metal processing lines.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet metal working line for optimally moving a pallet between a picking station or an unloading station for loading and unloading materials or semi-finished products placed on a pallet to a sheet metal working machine and an automatic warehouse. A pallet optimum moving method, wherein two waiting stations adjacent to the picking station or the unloading station are provided independently of each other so that pallets can be exchanged with an automated warehouse, and Move the first pallet from the waiting station to the picking station or unloading station to take one material from this pallet, or use it next time when transferring semi-finished products to this pallet. The second pallet scheduled to be released from the automated warehouse And goods issue in two of the waiting station,
After the first pallet is moved from the picking station or unloading station to the first waiting station and stored in the automatic warehouse, the first pallet is moved to the first waiting station and the empty picking station or Optimal pallet moving method for sheet metal processing line in which the second pallet is moved from the second standby station to the unloading station and one material is taken from this pallet, or the semi-finished product is transferred to this pallet Is.

The invention according to claim 3 is a sheet metal working line for optimally moving a pallet between a picking station or an unloading station for loading and unloading a material or a semi-finished product placed on a pallet to a sheet metal working machine and an automatic warehouse. A pallet optimum moving method, wherein two waiting stations adjacent to the picking station or the unloading station are provided independently of each other so that pallets can be exchanged with an automatic warehouse, and Move the first pallet from the waiting station to the picking station or unloading station to take one sheet of material from this pallet, or when transferring semi-finished products to this pallet, Automatic second pallet for materials or semi-finished products When the first pallet is discharged from the storage to the second waiting station and the first pallet is full of materials or full of semi-finished products during the transfer of one material or the transfer of semi-finished products, the second pallet is the second waiting station. While waiting for the first pallet, the first pallet is moved from the picking station or unloading station to the first waiting station and stored in the automatic warehouse, and the pallet for the alternative material or semi-finished product is transferred from the automatic warehouse to the first pallet. This is an optimal pallet moving method for a sheet metal processing line in which a material is taken out to a waiting station and moved to a picking station or an unloading station to continue picking one of the materials or transferring the semi-finished product.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an apparatus to which a pallet optimum moving method for a sheet metal working line according to the present invention is applied. This pallet optimum moving apparatus is provided in a sheet metal working line 1 and has a pallet P. A loading / unloading station for loading / unloading a load (not shown in the drawing, the movement of which is indicated by an arrow) to / from the sheet metal processing machine 10, that is, a picking station PK and an unloading station UL, and a three-dimensional automatic warehouse 20 equipped with a stacker crane SC. Between them, the pallet P is optimally moved.

Therefore, this pallet optimum moving device is
Adjacent to the picking station PK, the two stand-by stations A and B are independent of each other, and the three-dimensional automated warehouse 2
A pallet P is provided so that it can be exchanged with 0 through a trolley 30. Then, from the three-dimensional automatic warehouse 20 to the trolley 30
When the first pallet P1 that has been unloaded to the first waiting station A via the is moved to the picking station PK and is being used for sheet metal processing (taking one sheet of material), the second pallet to be used next Second pallet P2 from the three-dimensional automated warehouse 20 via the trolley 30
While the first pallet P1 is moved from the picking station PK to the first waiting station A after use, the first pallet P1 is put in the three-dimensional automatic warehouse 20 from the first waiting station A via the carriage 30. It is configured.

The unloading station UL
In the same way, on the side, adjacent to the unloading station UL, there are two standby stations A and B.
, Independently of each other, by a trolley 30 with the three-dimensional automated warehouse 20.
A pallet P is provided so that it can be exchanged via the. Then, the first pallet P1 that has been unloaded from the three-dimensional automated warehouse 20 to the first waiting station A via the truck 30 is moved to the unloading station UL and used for sheet metal processing (transferring semi-finished products). At this time, the second pallet P2 to be used next is unloaded from the three-dimensional automated warehouse 20 to the second standby station B via the trolley 30, while the first pallet P1 is used from the unloading station UL after use. It is configured to be moved to the first waiting station A and to be stored in the three-dimensional automatic warehouse 20 from the first waiting station A via the carriage 30.

Next, the basic operation cycle of the above embodiment will be described with reference to the explanatory diagram shown in FIG. However, for ease of explanation, the pallet P is directly exchanged between the standby stations A and B and the three-dimensional automated warehouse 20 without using the carriage 30, and the picking station PK side will be described. Since the movement of the pallet P and the movement of the pallet P on the unloading station UL side are exactly the same, only the picking station PK side will be illustrated and described, and the unloading station UL side will not be illustrated. I will.

In the initial state, as shown in FIG. 2A, the picking station PK and the first waiting station A are
Neither the pallet P nor the second waiting station B exists.

From this state, as shown in FIG.
First, the stacker crane SC puts out the first pallet P1 (shown by a thick line) from the three-dimensional automatic warehouse 20 to the first waiting station A.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 2C, the first pallet P1 is moved from the first waiting station A to the picking station PK, and the pallet P1 is moved.
Take a piece of material from. In the case of the unloading station UL side, the semi-finished products are transferred from the sheet metal processing machine 10 to this pallet P1.

2 (d) during execution of the processing step of taking one sheet of material from the pallet P1 (transfer of the semi-finished product from the sheet metal processing machine 10 to the pallet P1 in the case of the unloading station UL side). ), The stacker crane SC uses the second pallet P to be used next.
2 (indicated by a bold line) is output from the three-dimensional automatic warehouse 20 to the second waiting station B. As a result, the second pallet P2 is put in the first standby station B and is in a standby state.

Then, when one sheet of material from the first pallet P1 is taken (in the case of the unloading station UL side, the transfer of the semi-finished product from the sheet metal working machine 10 to the pallet P1) is completed, the process shown in FIG. ), The first pallet P1 is moved from the picking station PK to the first waiting station A.

At the same time, the second pallet P2 is moved from the second standby station B to the vacant picking station PK, and one material is taken from this pallet P2. In the case of the unloading station UL side, the semi-finished products are transferred from the sheet metal processing machine 10 to this pallet P2.

During the process in which one sheet of material is taken from the pallet P2 (in the case of the unloading station UL side, the semi-finished product is transferred from the sheet metal processing machine 10 to the pallet P2), as shown in FIG. As shown in f), the stacker crane SC stores the first pallet P1 from the first waiting station A into the three-dimensional automated warehouse 20.

In the same manner, an arbitrary sheet metal working cycle can be executed while alternately using the first waiting station A and the second waiting station B.

Next, the applied operation cycle of the above embodiment will be described with reference to the explanatory diagram shown in FIG.

Now, assume that the state is as shown in FIG. This drawing is the same as FIG. 2D, and one sheet of material is taken from the first pallet P1 (shown by a thick line) at the picking station PK (in the case of the unloading station UL side, the sheet metal processing machine 10). From pallet P1
The second pallet P2 (indicated by a thick line) is in the state of being preliminarily put on standby by the second standby station B during the processing step of (transfer of the semi-finished product to the second). However, the material placed on the first pallet P1 and the second pallet P2
It is assumed that it is a different type of material from those listed in.

When the first pallet P1 is empty of material (in the case of the unloading station UL side, the pallet P1 is full of semi-finished products) during the execution of this processing step, as shown in FIG. 3 (b). Then, the first pallet P1 is moved from the picking station PK to the first waiting station A while the second pallet P2 is kept waiting in the second waiting station B.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 3 (c), the stacker crane SC loads the first pallet P1 from the first waiting station A into the three-dimensional automatic warehouse 20.

At the same time, as shown in FIG. 3 (d), the stacker crane SC is a pallet P on which the same material as that placed on the first pallet P1 and a substitute material is placed.
1s (indicated by a thick line) is delivered from the automated warehouse 20 to the first waiting station A.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 3E, the alternative pallet P1s is moved from the first waiting station A to the picking station PK, and one material is taken from the pallet P1s. The machining process that has been interrupted due to the fact that the first pallet P1 has no material (when the unloading station UL is the side, the pallet P1 is full of semi-finished products) is continued.

In the same manner as above, the second pallet P2 on which another kind of material is placed remains in the second pallet P2 until the above-mentioned processing steps are completed.
It is possible to exchange the pallet P1s on which a material that is a substitute for the first pallet P1 is placed a necessary number of times while waiting in the standby station B of 1.

If the number of times of replacement is too large, the second pallet P2 on which different kinds of materials are placed is temporarily stored in the three-dimensional automatic warehouse 20 to open the second standby station B and the standby station A. , B can be used alternately to quickly end the processing step.

In the above embodiment, in the explanation of the operation cycle in FIGS. 2 and 3, the pallet P is directly connected between the waiting stations A and B and the three-dimensional automated warehouse 20 without using the carriage 30. Although it has been described as the type of exchanging, the present invention is not limited to this, and the type of exchanging the pallet P between the waiting stations A and B and the three-dimensional automatic warehouse 20 via the trolley 30 is exactly the same. It is possible to apply it.

Further, in the above embodiment, the material and the semi-finished product are exemplified as the load of the pallet, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it can be applied to anything other than the skeleton.

[0035]

As described above, according to the present invention, adjacent to the loading / unloading station for loading / unloading the pallet load to / from the sheet metal working machine, the two standby stations are independent of each other and the pallet is connected to the automatic warehouse. And the second pallet to be used next when moving the first pallet from the automatic warehouse to the first waiting station to the loading / unloading station for sheet metal processing. To the second standby station, and the first pallet is configured to be moved from the loading / unloading station to the first standby station and stored in the automatic warehouse after use, so that the pallet can be put out first and in use. If you need to replace the
The pallet in use can be replaced with the pallet in use without any problem while the other pallet that has been put out is kept waiting in the state of being put out.

In addition, since the two stand-by stations are provided independently of each other so that the pallets can be exchanged with the automated warehouse, the two systems can be used alternately to handle the alternating machining. Even if some trouble occurs in the vehicle, the other system can be used to continue the operation. Also, in addition to being able to improve the recovery tact when there is no material or when the product is full of semi-finished products, in the case of semi-finished products, the pallet number can be specified in the schedule even in the first-out operation. Furthermore, even for users who use existing equipment,
The effect is that it can be applied simply by changing the control ladder software.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an optimal pallet moving device for a sheet metal working line.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an operation cycle of that of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the operation cycle of that of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a conventional non-first-out type.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a conventional first-out possible type.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the conventional first-out type.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Sheet metal processing line 10 Sheet metal processing machine 20 three-dimensional automated warehouse 30 dolly P pallet PK picking station UL unloading station SC stacker crane A first waiting station B Second waiting station

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A method of optimally moving a pallet in a sheet metal processing line for optimally moving a pallet between a loading / unloading station for loading / unloading a load of a pallet to / from a sheet metal processing machine and an automatic warehouse, the method being adjacent to the loading / unloading station. The two stand-by stations are installed independently of each other so that the pallets can be exchanged with the automated warehouse, and the first pallet from the automated warehouse to the first waiting station is moved to the loading / unloading station to perform sheet metal processing. The second pallet to be used next is unloaded from the automatic warehouse to the second standby station, and the first pallet is automatically moved from the loading / unloading station to the first standby station after use. Optimal pallet moving method for sheet metal processing line, which is characterized by loading into a warehouse. 2. A method for optimal movement of a pallet in a sheet metal processing line, which optimally moves a pallet between a picking station or an unloading station for loading and unloading materials or semi-finished products placed on a pallet to a sheet metal working machine and an automatic warehouse. Adjacent to the picking station or unloading station, there are two standby stations,
Pallets can be transferred to and from the automated warehouse independently of each other, and the first pallet from the automated warehouse to the first waiting station is moved to the picking station or the unloading station to transfer the material from the pallet. When taking sheets or transferring semi-finished products to this pallet, the second pallet to be used next is sent from the automatic warehouse to the second standby station, and the first pallet is used after use. While moving from the picking station or unloading station to the first waiting station and storing in the automatic warehouse, the first pallet moves to the first waiting station to the vacant picking station or unloading station, and the second pallet. Second from the waiting station of
The pallet optimum moving method for a sheet metal working line, characterized in that the pallet is moved and one material is taken from this pallet, or the semi-finished product is transferred to this pallet. 3. An optimal pallet moving method of a sheet metal working line for optimally moving a pallet between a picking station or an unloading station for loading and unloading materials or semi-finished products placed on a pallet to a sheet metal working machine and an automatic warehouse. Adjacent to the picking station or unloading station, there are two standby stations,
Pallets can be transferred to and from the automated warehouse independently of each other, and the first pallet from the automated warehouse to the first waiting station is moved to the picking station or the unloading station to transfer the material from the pallet. When taking a sheet or transferring a semi-finished product to this pallet, the second pallet for another kind of material or semi-finished product is unloaded from the automatic warehouse to the second waiting station, and the first pallet When the first pallet is full of materials or full of semi-finished products during the single-picking of materials or the transfer of semi-finished products, the first pallet remains in the second waiting station,
Moving the pallets from the picking station or unloading station to the first waiting station and storing them in the automatic warehouse, and unloading the pallets for alternative materials or semi-finished products from the automatic warehouse to the first waiting station. An optimal pallet moving method for a sheet metal working line, characterized by moving to an unloading station to continue picking up one of the materials or transferring the semi-finished product.