JP2004310365A - Program, method and apparatus for managing production process - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a program, a method and an apparatus for managing a production process, which improve an operation for manufacturing or handling a product with efficiency. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus includes a server 11 for managing the production process, which detects a change in the attribute and figure for a product component represented by a 3D data stored in a 3D product database 12, reports the change in the product component to a customer who orders components. The server 11 sends a notice for approving the change in a work process for the component after an authorized person examines a data for requesting the change in the work process for the component, which is provided by a terminal 21 for requesting the change in the work process for the component, and the notice is transferred from the server 11 to a terminal of each department that orders the components, for the purpose of announcing the change in the work process for the components. Furthermore, the server 11 sends an alarm to a manager of each database and the manager of each department who issue a purchase order, and enables the manager of each department to know the change in the work process for the component. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a process management device, a process management method, and a program for managing a process of processing an article.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When a product is processed, the contents and schedule of the processing step often change. For this reason, it is necessary to instruct a worker or the like to change the machining process and adjust the schedule of various operations in the machining process. In order to solve this problem, an attempt has been made to adjust the work schedule (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-129147
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When a product consists of multiple parts, the cause of the change in the processing of the product is that the shape, material, cost, etc. of the part are changed due to the design change of the product and this is reflected in the processing of the whole product Can be considered.
However, product manufacturers sometimes use the same parts for a plurality of types of products, while managing the manufacturing process is performed for each product. For this reason, when a part is changed due to a design change of a certain product, operations related to manufacturing and handling of another product using the part are disrupted, and efficiency is hindered.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has as its object to provide a process management device, a process management method, and a program for efficiently performing operations related to the manufacture or handling of articles.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a process management device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes:
Means for accessing part data indicating parts constituting the product;
Detecting whether or not a change has occurred in the machining process of the component represented by the component data, and detecting that the change has occurred, uses and / or manages the data indicating the machining process of the component in which the change has occurred. Means to notify that a change has occurred,
It is characterized by comprising.
[0007]
According to such a process management device, when the processing step of a part of a certain product is changed, the fact that the processing step has been changed for this part is notified to the outside. For this reason, for example, persons involved in the manufacture and handling of other products using this part do not have to investigate whether or not there is a change in the processing of this part, and their work becomes more efficient.
[0008]
Further, a process management method according to a second aspect of the present invention includes:
Access the part data indicating the parts that make up the product,
Detecting whether or not a change has occurred in the machining process of the component represented by the component data, and detecting that the change has occurred, uses and / or manages the data indicating the machining process of the component in which the change has occurred. Will notify you of the change,
It is characterized by the following.
[0009]
According to such a process management method, when the processing of a part of a product is changed, the fact that the processing of the part has been changed is notified to the outside. For this reason, for example, persons involved in the manufacture and handling of other products using this part do not have to investigate whether or not there is a change in the processing of this part, and their work becomes more efficient.
[0010]
Further, a program according to a third aspect of the present invention includes:
Computer
Means for accessing part data indicating parts constituting the product;
Detecting whether or not a change has occurred in the machining process of the component represented by the component data, and detecting that the change has occurred, uses and / or manages the data indicating the machining process of the component in which the change has occurred. Means to notify that a change has occurred,
It is characterized in that it is intended to function as
[0011]
When the processing of a part of a certain product is changed, the computer that executes such a program notifies the outside that the processing of the part has been changed. For this reason, for example, persons involved in the manufacture and handling of other products using this part do not have to investigate whether or not there is a change in the processing of this part, and their work becomes more efficient.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a process management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the process management system includes a process management server 11, a three-dimensional product database 12, a mold order form database 13, a quote database 14, a QC (Quality Control) process diagram database 15, Inspection standard database 16, material department terminal 17, technical department terminal 18, inspection department terminal 19, process application terminal 21, process approval result confirmation terminal 22, mold order receipt terminal 23, quote creation It is composed of a terminal 24, a QC process diagram creation terminal 25, and an inspection standard document creation terminal 26.
[0013]
Among them, the process management server 11, the three-dimensional product database 12, the mold order form database 13, the quote database 14, the QC process diagram database 15, the inspection specification database 16, the material department terminal 17, the technical department terminal 18, and the inspection department terminal Reference numerals 19 are connected to each other via a LAN (Local Area Network) or the like, and all of them are installed at an order source of a component constituting a product (for example, a manufacturer of the product).
[0014]
In particular, the material department terminal 17 is set to the material department of the order source (the department responsible for the procurement of parts). The technical department terminal 18 is installed in the technical department of the ordering party (the department responsible for product design and manufacturing). Further, the inspection section terminal 19 is installed in the inspection section of the order source (a section in charge of inspection of products and parts).
[0015]
On the other hand, the process application terminal 21, the process approval result confirmation terminal 22, the mold order form receiving terminal 23, the estimate creation terminal 24, the QC process diagram creation terminal 25, and the inspection standard document creation terminal 26 are the parts suppliers (for example, Parts manufacturer).
[0016]
Specifically, the process application terminal 21 and the process approval result confirmation terminal 22 are set in the department in charge of the application procedure of the process to the orderer in the supplier. The model order receipt terminal 23 and the quotation creation are installed in the department in charge of ordering and manufacturing parts at the supplier. In addition, the QC process diagram creation terminal 25 is installed in a department that determines the specific contents of the quality control process of the parts, the executor, and the like, and creates a QC process diagram showing the determination result. The inspection standard document creation terminal 26 is installed in a department that determines the inspection procedure of components, the criteria for pass / fail determination, and the like at the supplier, and creates an inspection standard document indicating the determination result.
[0017]
The process management server 11 is configured by, for example, a known server computer, and includes a processor including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a volatile memory including a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a nonvolatile memory including a hard disk device. It comprises a memory, an input unit such as a keyboard, a display unit such as a liquid crystal display, and a communication control unit including a LAN interface circuit and a modem. The process management server 11 is connected to a network N such as the Internet, and performs processing described below according to a program stored in advance.
[0018]
The three-dimensional product database 12 is composed of, for example, a computer separate from the process management server 11 and includes a communication control unit including a LAN interface circuit and the like, and is connected to the process management server 11 via a LAN or the like. ing.
Alternatively, the process management server 11 may also have the function of the three-dimensional product database 12.
[0019]
The three-dimensional product database 12 rewritably stores 3D data indicating the three-dimensional shape of the product and the three-dimensional shape and attributes (for example, material, quality grade, etc.) of the components constituting the product. The 3D data is created, for example, by the technical department terminal 18 executing a CAD (Computer Aided Draft) program according to the operation of the person in charge of the technical department of the ordering source, and stored in the three-dimensional product database 12.
[0020]
The model order form database 13, the quote database 14, the QC process diagram database 15, and the inspection specification database 16 are configured by, for example, a computer separate from the process management server 11, and include a LAN interface circuit and a modem. Control units are provided, each of which is connected to the process management server 11 via a LAN or the like, and is also connected to the network N. Note that one computer may also have a part or all of the functions of the three-dimensional product database 12, the mold order form database 13, the quote database 14, the QC process diagram database 15, and the inspection specification database 16.
Alternatively, part or all of the mold order form database 13, the quote database 14, the QC process diagram database 15, and the inspection specification database 16 may be composed of the process management server 11.
[0021]
The mold order form database 13 rewritably stores data (model order form data) indicating a mold shape of a part and the like and indicating a mold order form for ordering a part to a supplier. The model order form data is created, for example, by the material department terminal 17 executing a program, in accordance with the operation of the manager of the model order form database 13 (for example, the person in charge of the ordering material section), and the model order form. Stored in the database 13.
[0022]
The quote database 14 rewritably stores quote data representing a quote for a component price. The quote data is transmitted from the supplier's quote creation terminal 24 via the network N and stored in the quote database 14, for example. The quote data stored in the quote database 14 is mainly read by the material department terminal 17, and is browsed and used by a person in charge of the ordering material department.
[0023]
The QC process diagram database 15 stores data representing the QC process diagram (QC process diagram data) in a rewritable manner. The QC process diagram data is transmitted from the supplier's QC process diagram creation terminal 25 via the network N and stored in the QC process diagram database 15, for example. The quote data stored in the quote database 14 is read mainly by the material department terminal 17 or the technical department terminal 18, and is browsed and used by a person in charge of the ordering material department or the technical department.
[0024]
The inspection standard database 16 rewritably stores data (inspection standard data) representing the inspection standard. The inspection standard document data is transmitted from, for example, the inspection standard document creating terminal 26 of the supplier via the network N and stored in the inspection standard database 16. The estimate data stored in the estimate database 14 is read mainly by the inspection section terminal 19, and is browsed and used by the person in charge of the inspection section of the order source.
[0025]
Each of the material department terminal 17, the technical department terminal 18, and the inspection department terminal 19 is configured by, for example, a known personal computer, and includes a processor such as a CPU, a volatile memory such as a RAM, a hard disk device, and the like. It comprises a non-volatile memory, an input unit such as a keyboard, a display unit such as a liquid crystal display, and a communication control unit such as a LAN interface circuit.
Each of the material department terminal 17, the technical department terminal 18, and the inspection department terminal 19 executes a program stored in advance, and according to the operation of the operator, the three-dimensional product database 12, the mold order database 13, the quote database. 14. Access the QC process diagram database 15 or the inspection specification database 16 and perform other processes described later.
[0026]
The process application terminal 21, the process approval result confirmation terminal 22, the mold order receipt terminal 23, the quote creation terminal 24, the QC process diagram creation terminal 25, and the inspection standard document creation terminal 26 are each composed of, for example, a known personal computer. And a processor such as a CPU, a volatile memory such as a RAM, a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk device, an input unit such as a keyboard, a display unit such as a liquid crystal display, and a modem. It is composed of a communication control unit and the like.
[0027]
The process application terminal 21, the process approval result confirmation terminal 22, the model order receipt terminal 23, the quote creation terminal 24, the QC process diagram creation terminal 25, and the inspection standard document creation terminal 26 are all connected to the network N. The communication control units of the process approval result confirmation terminal 22, the model order receipt terminal 23, the quote creation terminal 24, the QC process diagram creation terminal 25, and the inspection standard document creation terminal 26 each include a LAN interface circuit and the like. And are connected to each other.
[0028]
Each of the process application terminal 21, the process approval result confirmation terminal 22, the model order receipt terminal 23, the quote creation terminal 24, the QC process diagram creation terminal 25, and the inspection standard document creation terminal 26 must execute a program stored in advance. Performs the processing described below.
[0029]
(motion)
Next, the operation of the process management system of this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the process management system.
[0030]
When the shape or attribute of a part of the product is changed due to a design change of the product or the like, the product manufacturer creates the 3D data after the change in the technical department terminal 18 or the like and stores it in the three-dimensional product database 12. (Step S1 in FIG. 2). Alternatively, the technical department terminal 18 may access the three-dimensional product database 12 according to the operation of the operator, and rewrite the 3D data of the product stored in the three-dimensional product database 12 in advance.
[0031]
On the other hand, the process management server 11 repeatedly determines whether or not the 3D data has been changed, for example, by periodically searching the three-dimensional product database 12. When it is determined that the 3D data has been changed (step S2), the process management server 11 specifies how the 3D data has been changed, and sends the content of the change of the 3D data to the process application terminal 21 via the network N. Is notified (step S3). By this notification, the operator of the process application terminal 21 is prompted to check whether or not the process needs to be changed in accordance with the product change, and if necessary, to apply for the process change.
[0032]
The process application terminal 21 receives the notification issued by the process management server 11 in step S3 via the network N (step S4). The person in charge of the supplier displays this notification on the process application terminal 21 in accordance with the operation of the operator, and determines whether or not it is necessary to change the part processing process accompanying the change of the 3D data. If so, determine how to change the process. When it is determined that there is no need to change, the subsequent processing is interrupted.
[0033]
If it is determined that the process is to be changed, the supplier's staff requests the process application terminal 21 to apply the process change to the process management server 11 via the network N (process change application data). Is transmitted (step S5). The process change application data indicates how the process of which part is to be changed and how.
[0034]
The process management server 11 receives the process change application data via the network N (Step S6). Then, the person in charge of the ordering party decides whether or not to approve the change of the process indicated by the process change application data by, for example, displaying the process change application data on the material department terminal 17 according to the operation of the operator. If the change is not approved, the subsequent processing is interrupted.
[0035]
If it is determined that the change of the process represented by the process change application data is to be approved, the person in charge of the ordering party inputs an instruction to the process management server 11 to approve the change of the process according to the operation of the operator (step S1). S7).
In response to this instruction, the process management server 11 sends an alarm to the manager of the mold order form database 13 (step S8). This alarm prompts the administrator of the mold order database 13 to check whether the mold order needs to be changed due to a change in the process, and to change the relevant part if necessary. Prompted.
[0036]
Alternatively, instead of sending an alarm to the administrator of the mold order form database 13, the process management server 11 determines according to a predetermined procedure whether the mold order needs to be changed due to a change in the process, The portion determined to need to be changed may be rewritten.
[0037]
In step S8, the process management server 11 also sends an alarm addressed to the manager of the estimate database 14, the QC process diagram database 15, and the inspection specification database 16. With this alarm, the manager of the estimate database 14, the QC process diagram database 15, and the inspection standard database 16 checks whether the estimation conditions, the QC process, and the inspection standard need to be changed due to the change of the process. You will be prompted to ask the supplier to change the relevant part if necessary.
[0038]
The change request for the relevant part is made by, for example, operating the terminal of the ordering source (for example, the material department terminal 17, the technical department terminal 18, or the inspection department terminal 19) to obtain the estimate, the QC process diagram, or the inspection standard document. If the data indicating the place where the change is requested is transmitted to a supplier terminal (for example, the estimate creation terminal 24, the QC process diagram creation terminal 25, or the inspection standard document creation terminal 26) via the network N, Good.
[0039]
Alternatively, instead of sending an alarm to a manager of the quote database 14, the QC process diagram database 15, and the inspection standard document database 16, the process management server 11 uses the process change to change the estimate conditions, the QC process, and the inspection. It is determined according to a predetermined procedure whether the standard also needs to be changed, and for a portion determined to need to be changed, data for requesting the supplier to change the data is transmitted via the network N to the terminal of the supplier. (For example, the process approval result confirmation terminal 22).
[0040]
In step S8, the process management server 11 also sends an alarm to the material department terminal 17, the technical department terminal 18, and the inspection department terminal 19. The alarm informs the material department, the technical department, and the inspection department that the process has been changed.
[0041]
In addition, in step S8, the process management server 11 sends a notification to the process approval result confirmation terminal 22 via the network N that the process change is approved. The process approval result confirmation terminal 22 receives this notification, and transfers this notification to the mold order form receiving terminal 23, the estimate creation terminal 24, the QC process diagram creation terminal 25, and the inspection standard document creation terminal 26 (step S9). The transferred notice informs the department that receives the type order, the department that creates the quote, the department that creates the QC process diagram, and the department that creates the inspection standard that the process has been changed. .
[0042]
On the other hand, the manager or the like of the model order book database 13 which is prompted to check the model order book in step S8 operates the terminal of the ordering source or the computer constituting the model order book database 13 to change the new model order. The model order form data representing the purchase order is created and transmitted to the model order form receiving terminal 23 of the supplier via the network N (step S10).
[0043]
If the manager of the quote database 14 has requested the supplier to change the quote conditions, the person in charge of the department that creates the quote determines the new quote conditions, By operating 24, estimate data representing new estimation conditions is created and sent to the estimate database 14 via the network N. In this case, the estimate database 14 receives and stores the estimate data.
[0044]
The mold order form receiving terminal 23 receives the mold order form data transmitted in step S10. Then, the person in charge of the department that creates the QC process diagram of the supplier creates QC process diagram data representing the QC process diagram for the changed part based on the contents of the new model order form, The data is transmitted to the QC process diagram database 15 via N (step S11). The QC process diagram database 15 receives and stores the QC process diagram data (step S12). The QC process diagram database 15 may discard the old QC process diagram for the same part.
[0045]
In step S11, the person in charge of the department that creates the inspection standard document of the supplier generates inspection standard document data representing the inspection standard document for the changed part based on the contents of the new mold order sheet. It is created and transmitted to the inspection standard document database 16 via the network N. In step S12, the inspection standard document database 16 receives and stores the inspection standard document data. The inspection standard document database 16 may discard old inspection standard documents for the same part.
[0046]
By performing the operations described above, in this process management system, a part is changed due to a design change of a certain product, and when the processing of this part is changed, the processing of this part is changed. The effect is communicated to various departments.
For this reason, persons involved in the handling of this part, such as the design, procurement or inspection of other products that use this part, do not need to investigate whether there has been any change in the processing of this part. Can be performed efficiently.
[0047]
The configuration of the process management system is not limited to the above.
For example, the process management server 11 may detect any reason related to a change in the shape, attribute, or other physical property of the component, or the cost of the component, as well as the change in the process of processing the component.
[0048]
Further, the process management server 11, the mold order form database 13, the quote database 14, the QC process diagram database 15, and the inspection specification database 16 do not need to be separately connected to the network N. The server 11, the three-dimensional product database 12, the mold order database 13, the quote database 14, the QC process diagram database 15, and the inspection specification database 16 are connected via a communication control device such as a router connected to a LAN or the like. It only has to be connected to the network N.
[0049]
In addition, the process application terminal 21, the process approval result confirmation terminal 22, the model order receipt terminal 23, the estimate creation terminal 24, the QC process diagram creation terminal 25, and the inspection standard document creation terminal 26 are each separately connected to the network N. For example, the process approval result confirmation terminal 22, the model order receipt terminal 23, the estimate creation terminal 24, the QC process diagram creation terminal 25, and the inspection standard document creation terminal 26 What is necessary is just to be connected to the network N via a communication control device such as a router connected to a communication line such as a LAN connected to each other. If the process application terminal 21 includes a communication control unit including a LAN interface circuit or the like, the process application terminal 21 may be connected to this communication line. In this case, the process application terminal 21 is also connected via this communication control device. Connected to the network N.
[0050]
The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the process management system according to the present invention can be realized using a general computer system without using a dedicated system.
For example, the process management server 11, the three-dimensional product database 12, the model order form database 13, the quote form, and the like are stored in one or more computers connected to each other via a LAN or the like and at least one of them is connected to the network N. A recording medium (CD-ROM, DVD-ROM) storing programs for executing the operations of the database 14, the QC process diagram database 15, the inspection specification database 16, the material department terminal 17, the technical department terminal 18, and the inspection department terminal 19 Etc.) and install these programs on one or more other computers connected to the network N to the above-mentioned process application terminal 21, process approval result confirmation terminal 22, model order receipt terminal 23, quote creation terminal 24, the operation of the QC process diagram creation terminal 25 and the inspection standard document creation terminal 26 By installing these programs from the recording medium which stores a program for, it is possible to configure a process control system for executing the processing described above.
[0051]
Further, for example, these programs may be uploaded to a bulletin board (BBS) of a communication line and distributed via the communication line. Also, a carrier wave is modulated by a signal representing these programs, and the obtained modulation is obtained. A device that transmits a wave and receives the modulated wave may demodulate the modulated wave and restore these programs.
Then, by starting these programs and executing them similarly to other application programs under the control of an OS (Operating System), the above-described processing can be executed.
[0052]
When the OS shares a part of the processing, or when the OS constitutes a part of one component of the present invention, the program excluding the part is stored in the recording medium. You may. Also in this case, in the present invention, it is assumed that the recording medium stores a program for executing each function or step executed by the computer.
[0053]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a process management apparatus, a process management method, and a program for efficiently performing operations related to the manufacture or handling of articles are realized.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a process management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the process management system of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 process management server 12 three-dimensional product database 13 type order database 14 quote database 15 QC process diagram database 16 inspection standard database 17 material department terminal 18 technical department terminal 19 inspection department terminal 21 process application terminal 22 process approval result confirmation terminal 23 type order receipt receiving terminal 24 quote creation terminal 25 QC process diagram creation terminal 26 inspection standard document creation terminal N network

Claims (3)

Means for accessing part data indicating parts constituting the product;
Detecting whether or not a change has occurred in the machining process of the component represented by the component data, and detecting that the change has occurred, uses and / or manages the data indicating the machining process of the component in which the change has occurred. Means to notify that a change has occurred,
A process management device comprising: Access the part data indicating the parts that make up the product,
Detecting whether or not a change has occurred in the machining process of the component represented by the component data, and detecting that the change has occurred, uses and / or manages the data indicating the machining process of the component in which the change has occurred. Will notify you of the change,
A process management method characterized by the above-mentioned. Computer
Means for accessing part data indicating parts constituting the product;
Detecting whether or not a change has occurred in the machining process of the component represented by the component data, and detecting that the change has occurred, uses and / or manages the data indicating the machining process of the component in which the change has occurred. Means to notify that a change has occurred,
Program to make it work.

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