JP2011003096A - Process processing control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a process processing control device for significantly improving the process processing capability as a whole, by eliminating deviations to the positions of a plurality of objects to be processed.SOLUTION: Each object to be processed is conveyed to a plurality of process processing places where a plurality of process processing is performed so that a plurality of process processing can be performed to each object to be processed in a fixed processing sequence, and a conveyance operation to convey each object to be processed from a plurality of process processing places is performed by a plurality of conveyance devices. As the index of the priority order of the conveying operation as the set candidate, a set candidate circulation sequence in which a plurality of conveyance operations are circulated with a fixed sequence is determined; and when the conveying operation is newly set to conveyance devices 9 and 11, the conveyance operation performed by the conveyance devices at that time are defined as a candidate reference. An operation schedule setting part 7 decides whether it is possible to set the conveying operation which comes next to the candidate reference in the set candidate circulation sequence as a set candidate to the conveyance device.

Description

  The present invention relates to a process processing control apparatus. More specifically, the present invention conveys each object to be processed to a plurality of process processing locations where each of the plurality of process processes is performed so that the plurality of process processes are performed on each object to be processed in a fixed processing order. In addition, the present invention relates to a process processing control apparatus for performing a transport operation for transporting each object to be processed from the plurality of process processing places by using a plurality of transport devices.

Conventionally, when a plurality of process processes are performed on each workpiece in a fixed process order, process process control is performed by a first-in first-out method.
In the first-in first-out method, the priority order in which process processing is performed is higher for the workpieces on the downstream side. That is, in the first-in first-out method, it is always checked in order of downstream process processing to upstream process process whether there is a processable object that can be processed, and in order from the first object that is found to be processable. Then, the object to be processed is transported to a process processing place where the next process is performed.

  As a prior art in the technical field of the present invention, for example, there is Patent Document 1 below.

Japanese Patent No. 3950361

In the above-mentioned first-in first-out method, when a specific transport apparatus performs a plurality of transport processes different from each other, the overall process capacity cannot be improved as follows.
For example, the specific transport device transports the workpiece to an intermediate process processing place where an intermediate process is performed and an operation of transporting the workpiece to the most downstream process processing place where the most downstream process processing is performed. It is assumed that the work is performed.
In this case, when the above-mentioned first-in first-out method is employed, the tendency for the specific transport device to continuously perform the same transport work on the downstream side is increased. For example, after a specific transport device transports an object to be processed to the most downstream process place, the tendency to transfer another object to the same most downstream process place becomes high again.
Accordingly, the positions of the plurality of objects to be processed are biased. For example, a plurality of objects to be processed are transported to the most downstream process place, but no object to be processed is transported to other process places. In such a case, the processing capability of a plurality of process processes does not increase as a whole.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a process processing control device that can eliminate the bias in the positions of a plurality of objects to be processed and can greatly improve the process processing capacity as a whole.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, each of the plurality of process treatments is performed at each of the plurality of process treatment places where the plurality of process treatments are performed so that the plurality of process treatments are performed on each workpiece in a fixed processing order. A process processing control device for transporting a workpiece and transporting each workpiece from the plurality of process processing locations with a plurality of transport devices,
A work schedule holding unit for holding the transfer work set for each of the transfer devices;
A control unit for controlling each transport device according to the transport work held in the work schedule holding unit;
A work schedule setting unit for performing a transfer work setting process for setting a new transfer work for each of the transfer devices and holding the work schedule holding unit;
The work schedule setting unit, when performing the transfer work setting process for a transfer device that performs a plurality of different transfer work, in a setting candidate circulation method,
In the setting candidate circulation method, a setting candidate circulation order in which the plurality of transport operations circulate in a fixed order is determined as an index of the priority order of the transport operations to be set as candidates. When a new transfer work is set for the apparatus, the transfer work performed by the transfer apparatus at this time is set as a candidate reference, and the transfer work that comes next to the candidate reference in the set candidate circulation order is set as a candidate. There is provided a process control apparatus characterized by determining whether or not setting is possible for a transfer apparatus.

  In addition, when the work schedule setting unit determines that the transfer work that comes next to the candidate reference in the setting candidate circulation order can be set for the transfer device in the setting candidate circulation method, the transfer work Is newly set for the transfer device, and it is determined that the transfer operation cannot be set, the transfer operation that comes next to the transfer operation in the setting candidate circulation order is set as a setting candidate to the transfer device. Whether it can be set or not is determined.

In the process control apparatus according to the present invention described above, in the setting candidate circulation method, when the work schedule setting unit newly sets a transfer work for the transfer apparatus, the transfer work performed by the transfer apparatus at this time is set. As a candidate criterion, it is determined whether or not the transport operation that comes next to the candidate criterion in the setting candidate circulation order can be set as a setting candidate for the transport device. When a new transfer operation is set for the transfer device and it is determined that the transfer operation cannot be set, the transfer operation that comes next to the transfer operation in the setting candidate circulation order is set as a candidate for the transfer. It is determined whether it can be set for the device. In this way, the settable transfer work is set by searching for the settable transfer work.
Thereby, it is suppressed that the conveying apparatus which performs a mutually different conveyance operation | work performs a specific conveyance operation | work continuously. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of bias in the positions of the plurality of objects to be processed. In addition, if the workpiece flow is disturbed due to damage to the workpiece, and the positions of the workpieces are biased, the conveyance work settings for the conveyance devices that perform different conveyance operations are set as candidate circulation. Since the steps are performed in order, it is possible to prevent the same transfer work from being set continuously while setting an executable transfer work. As a result, a new transfer operation is appropriately set, and the disturbance of the transfer flow is quickly eliminated. Therefore, the process capability as a whole can be greatly improved.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a transport device circulation order in which the plurality of transport devices circulate in a fixed order is determined as an index of the order of transport devices that perform the transport work setting process, and the work schedule setting The unit performs the transfer work setting process on the plurality of transfer devices in the transfer device circulation order.

  In this way, the work schedule setting unit performs the transfer work setting process for a plurality of transfer devices in the transfer device circulation order. As a result, it is possible to prevent the new setting of the transport operation from being biased toward a specific transport device.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the work schedule holding unit can hold unexecuted transfer work for each transfer device up to an upper limit number of 2 or more (for example, 2),
The work schedule setting unit
In the setting candidate circulation method, the conveyance work determined to be set according to the setting candidate circulation order is transferred to the conveyance device until the number of unexecuted conveyance works held in the work schedule holding unit reaches the upper limit number. Set,
Thereafter, a transfer work setting process is performed on the next transfer apparatus in the transfer apparatus circulation sequence.

As described above, in the setting candidate circulation method, the transfer work determined to be set according to the setting candidate circulation order until the number of unexecuted transfer work held in the work schedule holding unit reaches the upper limit number. Set for the transport device.
Thereby, it is possible to prevent the transfer work set for the transfer apparatus from being completely executed by the next time when the transfer work is set for the transfer apparatus. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the operating rate of the transfer device.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when performing the corresponding process at each process processing place, the pre-processing transfer for transferring the workpiece from a predetermined storage place to the process processing place, and the process processing place The post-processed transport for transporting the workpiece to be processed to the same or another storage location is performed, and a single transport is a combination of the pre-process transport and the post-process transport. Work and
The one conveyance work for performing the upstream process process is an upstream conveyance work, the one conveyance work for performing the downstream process process is a downstream conveyance work,
The setting candidate circulation order is:
The setting candidates are shifted one by one from the downstream side transfer work to the upstream side transfer work, and next to the most upstream transfer work among the plurality of transfer works, the most downstream of the plurality of transfer works. Or the order of transition to the transfer operation of
The setting candidates are transferred one by one from the upstream side transport work to the downstream side transport work, and next to the most downstream transport work among the plurality of transport works, the most upstream of the plurality of transport works. This is the order of transfer to the transfer operation.

  As described above, the setting candidate circulation order is one in which the setting candidates are transferred one by one from the downstream transport work to the upstream transport work, or one from the upstream transport work to the downstream transport work. Since the setting candidates are transferred in order, it is possible to prevent the transport operation to be performed from being biased between the upstream side and the downstream side.

Preferably, a transfer operation required for performing the plurality of process processes on the workpiece is assigned to the plurality of transfer devices,
The transfer device that has the longest total time required to execute the assigned transfer work is the bottleneck transfer device,
The bottleneck transfer device performs the transfer operation for performing the most downstream process process among the plurality of process processes, and the workpiece to which the most downstream process process has been performed by the transfer operation is a predetermined process. It is transported to an empty storage position in the final storage location,
In the transfer device circulation sequence, after the work to be taken out from the final storage location, a transfer work setting process is first performed on the bottleneck transfer device among the plurality of transfer devices. Yes.

  As described above, since the transport device that first performs the transport work setting process after the work for removing the workpiece from the final storage location is the bottle neck transport device, the transport work is performed on the bottle neck transport device. Probability of not being able to be set can be lowered. Thereby, the operation rate of a bottleneck conveyance apparatus can be maintained high. Therefore, the process capability as a whole can be further enhanced.

  According to the above-described present invention, the position of the plurality of objects to be processed can be eliminated, and the overall process capacity can be greatly improved.

It is a block diagram which shows the process processing control apparatus by embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the process processing equipment which can apply this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control by the process processing control apparatus by embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the conveyance work setting step by a setting candidate circulation system.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the common part in each figure, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

The process processing control apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention provides each of the plurality of process processes to each of the plurality of process processing places where the plurality of process processes are performed so that the plurality of process processes are performed on each workpiece in a fixed processing order. It is intended for a case where a plurality of transfer apparatuses carry out a transfer operation of transferring a workpiece and transporting each workpiece from the plurality of process processing locations.
Further, the process control apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention targets a case where a plurality of different transport operations are assigned to at least one of the plurality of transport apparatuses.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the process processing control apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the process processing control apparatus 10 includes a work schedule holding unit 3, a control unit 5, and a work schedule setting unit 7.

  The work schedule holding unit 3 holds the transfer work set for each of the transfer devices. In other words, the work schedule holding unit 3 holds one or a plurality of transfer operations to be performed by the transfer device for each transfer device.

  The control unit 5 controls each conveyance device according to the conveyance work held in the work schedule holding unit 3. For example, when the start time is held in the work schedule holding unit 3 together with the transfer work, the control unit 5 outputs a transfer command signal to be transferred to the transfer device at the start time. Thereby, each conveyance apparatus starts conveyance work based on the said conveyance command signal.

The work schedule setting unit 7 performs a transfer work setting process in which a new transfer work is set for each of the transfer devices and is held in the work schedule holding unit 3. According to the present embodiment, the work schedule setting unit 7 performs a setting candidate circulation method when the transfer work setting process is performed on transfer apparatuses that perform a plurality of different transfer works.
In the setting candidate circulation method, a setting candidate circulation order in which a plurality of transport operations circulate in a fixed order is determined as an index of the priority order of transport operations to be set as candidates, and the work schedule setting unit 7 includes a transport device. When a new transfer operation is set for the transfer operation, the transfer operation performed by the transfer apparatus at this time is set as a candidate reference, and the transfer operation that comes after the candidate reference in the set candidate circulation order is set as a transfer candidate. It is determined whether it can be set for the device. When the work schedule setting unit 7 determines that the transport work that comes next to the candidate reference in the setting candidate circulation order can be set for the transport apparatus, the work schedule setting unit 7 newly sets the transport work to the transport apparatus. When it is determined that the transfer work cannot be set, it is determined whether the transfer work that comes next to the transfer work in the setting candidate circulation order can be set for the transfer apparatus as a setting candidate. .

  Preferably, a transfer device circulation order in which a plurality of transfer devices circulate in a fixed order is defined as an index of the order of transfer devices for setting a new transfer work by the work schedule setting unit 7. The work schedule setting unit 7 performs the transfer work setting process for a plurality of transfer apparatuses in the transfer apparatus circulation order.

  Further, preferably, the work schedule holding unit 3 can hold unexecuted transfer work for each transfer apparatus up to an upper limit number of 2 or more. In this case, the work schedule setting unit 7 sets according to the setting candidate circulation order until the number of unexecuted transfer work held in the work schedule holding unit 3 reaches the upper limit number in the setting candidate circulation method. The transfer work determined to be possible is set for the transfer apparatus, and then the transfer work setting process is performed for the next transfer apparatus in the transfer apparatus circulation sequence.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of process processing equipment to which the process processing control apparatus 10 is applied.
As shown in FIG. 2, the process processing facilities are indicated by reference numerals S1 to S3, respectively, first to seventh process processing places indicated by reference signs P1 to P7, and first and second transfer apparatuses 9, 11, respectively. First to third storage locations.

  The first to seventh process treatment places P1 to P7 are places where the first to seventh process treatments are performed, respectively. In addition, the order of the process process performed with respect to each to-be-processed object is the order of the 1st-7th process process. In this embodiment, each of the first to seventh process steps is a process for applying a predetermined coating to the workpiece. In this example, the 1st and 2nd conveyance apparatuses 9 and 11 are robots, and this robot itself also performs process processing of a processed object in each process processing place P1-P7. Instead, there is a predetermined process processing apparatus in each of the process processing places P1 to P7, and each of the transfer apparatuses 9 and 11 may deliver an object to be processed between the process processing apparatuses.

Each of the first and second transfer devices 9 and 11 performs a transfer operation from a predetermined storage location to the process processing location as one transfer operation in order to perform the corresponding process processing at each of the process processing locations P1 to P7. A transport operation is performed that combines a pre-process transport for transporting a processed object and a post-process transport for transporting the object to be processed that has been processed at the process processing location to the same or another storage location.
The one transport operation for performing the upstream process is the upstream transport operation, and the one transport operation for performing the downstream process is the downstream transport operation. In this case, in this example, the setting candidate circulation order is such that the setting candidates are shifted one by one from the downstream transport work to the upstream transport work, and the most upstream transport work among the plurality of transport works. Next, the order of shifting to the most downstream transport operation among the plurality of transport operations.

  The first to third storage locations S1 to S3 are locations where the objects to be processed are stored. In this example, in each process, each workpiece to be transported to the corresponding storage location S1, S2 or S3 by the post-processing transport is stored in the storage location for a predetermined storage time or more. It has become.

  Each of the first to third storage locations S <b> 1 to S <b> 3 is a drying chamber that dries an object to be processed in this example. Moreover, in this Example, the drying chamber S1-S3 is provided with the hanger conveyor 13 of the upper and lower two steps. In FIG. 2, the upper and lower hanger conveyors 13 overlap with each other, so that only the upper hanger conveyor 13 is shown. The upper and lower hanger conveyors 13 have a plurality of hangers 13a fixed to an endless circulation conveyor at intervals in the circulation direction. Each hanger 13a is configured to suspend one workpiece. Further, in this example, the first drying chamber S1 allows the processing object to be delivered to the warehousing port Q, which is the entrance of the processing object that has not been subjected to the first process processing, and the process processing place. And an entrance R for receiving the workpiece. The second drying chamber S <b> 2 has two doorways R through which the object to be processed is discharged to the process processing place and the object to be processed is transferred from the process processing place. In the example of FIG. 2, in the second storage location S2, the left entrance R is for access only by the first transport device 9, and the right entrance in the second storage location S2 is Only for the second transport device 11 to access. The third drying chamber S3 has an inlet / outlet R through which the object to be processed is carried in from the seventh process processing place P7, and an outlet T for taking out the object from the third drying chamber S3. The upper and lower hanger conveyors 13 are moved in the circulation direction, so that a desired hanger 13a can be placed at the entrance Q, the entrance R, or the exit T.

  In this example, as shown in [Table 1] below, a transfer operation is assigned to the first and second transfer apparatuses 9 and 11.

In [Table 1], there are first to seventh transfer operations as transfer operations necessary for performing the first to seventh process steps. The first to seventh transfer operations are transfer operations for performing the first to seventh process steps, respectively. As shown in [Table 1], the first to third transport operations are performed by the first transport device 9, and the fourth to seventh transport operations are performed by the second transport device 11.
In [Table 1], each item is as follows.
The item “removal position” indicates a drying chamber and a stage of the hanger conveyor 13 for taking out an object to be processed for the corresponding process.
The item “storage position” indicates the stage of the drying chamber and the hanger conveyor 13 for storing the workpiece immediately after the corresponding process is performed.
The item “transport device” indicates a transport device that performs a transport operation for performing a corresponding process. That is, pre-processing transport for transporting the processed material to the process processing place of the corresponding process processing, and post-processing transport for transporting the processed material subjected to the process processing from the process processing place to the corresponding drying chamber. The conveyance apparatus to perform is shown.
The item “working time” is the time required to perform the corresponding process, and includes the time required for the corresponding pre-processing transfer and post-processing transfer. That is, the item “working time” is the time from the start of the corresponding pre-processing transfer to the completion of the corresponding post-processing transfer.
The item “drying time” corresponds to the storage time, and is the time required to dry the workpiece in the corresponding drying chamber immediately after the corresponding process.
For example, according to [Table 1], in order to perform the first process, the first transfer device 9 performs the first transfer operation as the first storage location S1 (in this example, the first drying chamber). The unprocessed transport for transporting the object to be processed from the lower hanger conveyor 13) of S1 to the first process processing place P1, and the processed object subjected to the first process at the first process processing place P1. The post-processing conveyance which conveys to 1st storage place S1 (this example hanger conveyor 13 of the upper stage of 1st drying chamber S1) is performed continuously. That is, the first transport device 9 transports the object to be processed to the first storage place S1 after transporting the object to be processed to the first process place P1 and then to the first storage place S1. During this period, no other transfer work is performed. Similarly, when carrying out the second to seventh process steps, the transfer operation is performed as shown in [Table 1].

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing process processing control performed by the process processing control apparatus 10.
The process processing control according to the present embodiment includes a warehousing step S1, a conveyance work setting step S2, a conveyance work setting step S3, a warehousing work setting step S4, a warehousing work setting step S5, and a warehousing work step S6. . Each step is repeated in this order.

  In the unloading operation step S1, when the control unit 5 determines that there is an object to be processed that has passed the storage time in the third storage place S3, a predetermined storage of the object to be processed from the third storage place S3 is performed. Remove to location. In the third storage location S3, which is the final storage location, an object to be processed that has undergone the most downstream process (seventh process) is stored. An object to be processed that has been stored (dried) in the third storage location S3 for the storage time longer than the storage time in the third storage location S3 may be taken out from the third storage location S3. Accordingly, in this step S1, an extraction operation for taking out such a workpiece as a finished product to a predetermined storage location is performed. In addition, step S1 is performed by the control part 5 controlling the taking-out apparatus which takes out a to-be-processed object from the 3rd storage place S3 to a predetermined storage place.

In the transfer work setting step S <b> 2, the work schedule setting unit 7 performs a transfer work setting process for the second transfer device 11. The reason why the transfer work setting process is performed on the second transfer device 11 before the first transfer device 9 is that the second transfer device 11 is a bottleneck transfer device.
The bottleneck conveyance device is a conveyance device that has the longest total of execution time required for the assigned conveyance work among the plurality of conveyance devices used in the process processing facility. An example of [Table 1] will be described. Among the first and second transfer devices 9 and 11, the first transfer device 9 is assigned with the first to third transfer operations because it is a device that performs the first to third process processes. Yes. Since the required execution times of the first to third transfer operations are 4 minutes, 5 minutes, and 5 minutes, respectively, the total of these is 14 minutes. On the other hand, since the second transfer device 11 is a device that performs the fourth to seventh process steps, the fourth to seventh transfer operations are assigned. Since the required execution times of the fourth to seventh transfer operations are 6 minutes, 6 minutes, 6 minutes, 4 minutes and 30 seconds, respectively, the total of these is 22 minutes and 30 seconds. Therefore, among the first and second transfer apparatuses 9 and 11, the transfer apparatus having the longest total of the necessary transfer work execution time is the second transfer apparatus 11. Therefore, in the example of [Table 1], the second transport device 11 is a bottleneck transport device.
In addition, the bottleneck transport device performs the transport work for performing the most downstream process among the plurality of process processes (in this example, the seventh transport work). The object to be processed is transported to the empty storage position in the final storage location (in this example, the third storage location S3). A plurality of storage positions may be provided at the final storage location.
According to the present embodiment, in the transfer device circulation sequence, after the unloading operation step S1 (that is, after the work for removing the workpiece from the final storage location), the plurality of transfer devices (in this example, the first transfer device) Of the second transfer devices 9 and 11), the transfer work setting process is first performed on the bottleneck transfer device 11. Thereby, when an empty storage position is generated in the final storage location, the seventh transfer operation can be set for the second transfer device 11 promptly.

  In the transfer work setting step S <b> 3, the work schedule setting unit 7 performs a transfer work setting process for the first transfer device 9.

  In the unloading work setting step S4, the work schedule setting unit 7 sets a unloading work for taking out the workpiece from the third storage location S3. Based on this setting, the above-described delivery operation step S1 is performed.

  In the warehousing work setting step S5, the work schedule setting unit 7 sets a warehousing work for warehousing the workpieces in the first storage location S1. In addition, the to-be-processed object warehousing at this step S5 is to be subjected to the most upstream process process (first process process in this example).

  In the warehousing operation step S6, the workpiece is admitted to the first storage location S1 based on the setting in the warehousing operation setting step S5. In addition, step S6 is performed by the control part 5 controlling the warehousing apparatus which moves a to-be-processed object into 1st storage location S1 to 1st storage location S1.

  After the warehousing step S6, the process returns to the warehousing step S1, and the above steps S1 to S6 are repeated in this order. This repetitive processing is continuously performed without interruption even while the transfer operation is being performed by each transfer operation. That is, the process is continuously performed without interruption from the start of the process process by the process processing facility until the most downstream process process is performed on all the objects to be processed.

  Hereinafter, each step will be described in detail.

The shipping operation step S1 includes steps S11, S12, and S13.
In step S11, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the delivery work set in the warehouse work setting step S4 exists. If it is determined that it does not exist, the process proceeds to step S2, and if it is determined that it exists, the process proceeds to step S12.
In step S12, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the set shipping operation can be started. In this example, it is determined whether or not the set object to be processed is located at the exit T of the third storage location S3 (by movement of the hanger conveyor 13 in this example). If the object to be processed is located at the exit port T, it is determined that the set exit operation can be performed, and the process proceeds to step S13. On the other hand, if it is determined that the set shipping operation is not executable, the process proceeds to step S2.
In step 13, the control unit 5 outputs an extraction control signal to a predetermined extraction device, so that the processing object is taken out from the outlet T of the third storage location S3 to the predetermined storage location. Let the device do.

  In the transfer work setting step S2, the work schedule setting unit 7 performs the transfer work setting process for the second transfer device 11 by the setting candidate circulation method described above. Here, the candidate reference is the transfer operation that the second transfer device 11 is executing at the time when the transfer operation setting step S2 is performed. Also, in step S2, it is determined that the second transfer device 11 can be set in the setting candidate circulation order until the number of unexecuted transfer operations held in the work schedule holding unit 3 reaches the upper limit number. The carrying work is set for the carrying device 11. For example, if the transfer operation being performed at the time of performing step S2 is performing the sixth step, the settable transfer operation is set in the order of 5 → 4 → 7 → 6. To do.

  The transfer work setting step S3 is a step for performing the same processing as the transfer work setting step S2. That is, in the transfer work setting step S3, the work schedule setting unit 7 performs the transfer work setting process for the first transfer device 9 by the setting candidate circulation method described above. Here, the candidate reference is the transfer operation that the first transfer device 9 is executing at the time when the transfer operation setting step S3 is performed. In step S3, it is determined that the first transfer device 9 can be set in the setting candidate circulation order until the number of unexecuted transfer operations held in the work schedule holding unit 3 reaches the upper limit number. The carrying work is set for the carrying device 9. For example, when the transfer operation performed at the time of performing step S3 is performing the second step, the settable transfer operation is set in the order of first → third → second.

  In the outgoing work setting step S4, the work schedule setting unit 7 determines whether or not there is an object to be processed for which the storage time at the third storage location S3 has elapsed in the third storage location S3. If it is determined that it exists, the work schedule setting unit 7 sets a delivery work for the object to be processed. In this example, in step S4, based on this setting, the control unit 5 outputs a movement control signal to the corresponding hanger conveyor 13 in the third storage location S3. Thereby, at the time of performing said step S12 next, the to-be-processed object used as the object of the said delivery work is made to be located in the delivery port T of 3rd storage place S3.

  In the warehousing operation setting step S5, when the work schedule setting unit 7 determines that one or a plurality of warehousing storage locations provided in the first storage location S1 have a vacancy, the workpiece is received. Set the goods receipt work to be performed. In this example, each hanger 13a of the lower hanger conveyor 13 of the first storage location S1 corresponds to a storage position for warehousing. Therefore, in this example, when the empty hanger 13a in which the workpiece is not suspended is present on the lower hanger conveyor 13, a warehousing operation for warehousing the workpiece is set. Moreover, in this example, based on this setting, the control part 5 outputs a movement control signal to the corresponding hanger conveyor 13 of 3rd storage location S3 in step S5. Thereby, the empty hanger 13a is positioned at the entrance Q of the first storage location S1 at the time of performing step S62 described later.

The warehousing operation step S6 includes steps S61, S62, and S63.
In step S61, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the warehousing work set in the warehousing work setting step S5 exists. If it is determined that it does not exist, the process returns to step S1, and if it is determined that it exists, the process proceeds to step S62.
In step S62, the control unit 5 determines whether the set warehousing operation can be started. In this example, in step S62, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the empty hanger 13a is located at the warehouse Q of the first storage location S1. If the empty hanger 13a is positioned at the warehousing port Q, it is determined that the set warehousing operation can be performed, and the process proceeds to step S63. On the other hand, if the empty hanger 13a is not located at the warehouse Q, the process returns to step S1.
In step S63, the control unit 5 outputs a warehousing control signal to the warehousing device, whereby the warehousing device places a new workpiece at the warehousing storage position. In this example, the control unit 5 outputs a warehousing control signal to the warehousing device, whereby the warehousing device hangs a new object to be processed on the empty hanger 13a located at the warehousing port Q of the first storage location S1. .

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the process of step S2 or step S3 described above. That is, both step S2 and step S3 are performed according to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S <b> 101, the work schedule setting unit 7 determines whether or not the number of unexecuted transfer work held in the work schedule holding unit 3 is less than the upper limit number for the transfer device that is the transfer work setting target. If it is less, the process proceeds to step 102, and if not, the process of step S2 is terminated.

  In step S102, the work schedule setting unit 7 performs initial selection of setting candidates by the setting candidate circulation method. Here, the candidate criterion is a transfer operation being performed by the target transfer apparatus at the time of performing step S102. If the target transport device is not performing a transport operation at the time when step S102 is performed, the last transport operation performed by the target transport device at the time of performing step S102 may be used as the candidate reference. In the setting candidate circulation order, the transport operation next to the candidate criterion is selected as a setting candidate. If a setting candidate is selected in step S102, the process proceeds to step S103.

  In step S103, from among the objects to be processed for the transfer work of the setting candidates selected in step S102 or step S111 described later, one that can start the transfer work at this time is selected as a candidate for the process object, If there is no one that can start the transfer operation, the one that can start the transfer operation earliest is selected as a candidate for the object to be processed. When the candidate for the object to be processed is selected, the process proceeds to step S104. Step S103 is executed by the work schedule setting unit 7.

In step S <b> 104, it is determined whether the setting candidate selected in step S <b> 102 can be carried out on the workpiece candidate selected in step S <b> 103. Specifically, in any one of the following (1) to (3), when the candidate for the object to be processed can be started to carry the setting candidate selected in step S102 (that is, When the candidate for the object to be processed is stored in the corresponding storage location is equal to or longer than the storage time), it is determined that the setting candidate can be transported to the object to be processed. .
(1) Current time.
(2) The scheduled transfer work end time when all the unexecuted transfer work currently held in the work schedule holding unit 3 for the target transfer device ends.
(3) In the case where the above-described hanger conveyor 13 is used as a storage location, a scheduled time point when the workpiece candidate selected in step S103 can reach the entrance / exit R of the corresponding storage location so that the transfer operation can be started.
However, when the hanger conveyor 13 is used, when the number of moving operations set for the hanger conveyor 13 has reached a predetermined upper limit number (for example, six), in step S104, the workpiece It is determined that the transfer operation of the setting candidate for the candidate cannot be performed.
If it is determined in step S104 that the setting candidate can be transferred to the workpiece candidate, the process proceeds to step S105. If not, the process proceeds to step S111.
The determination in step S104 is performed by the work schedule setting unit 7.

  In step S <b> 105, the work schedule setting unit 7 sets a time for starting the transfer operation of the setting candidate selected in step S <b> 102 for the workpiece candidate selected in step S <b> 103. This time is, for example, the latest time point among the time points (1) to (3). When the time setting in step S105 is completed, the process proceeds to step S106.

  In step S106, the work schedule setting unit 7 moves the corresponding hanger conveyor 13 so that the workpiece candidate selected in step S103 has reached the entrance R of the storage location at the time set in step S105. Set. When this setting is completed, the process proceeds to step S107. The hanger conveyor 13 is controlled by the control unit 5 to move according to this setting.

In step S107, the work schedule setting unit 7 determines whether or not the setting candidate selected in step S102 is transported to the same hanger conveyor 13 in the same storage location. Specifically, based on the information in [Table 1], the transfer operation takes out the workpiece from the corresponding hanger conveyor 13 at the corresponding storage location and transports it to the corresponding process processing location. After the process is performed on the object to be processed, it is determined whether or not this is a transfer operation for returning to the hanger conveyor 13 at the same stage in the same storage location. If the transfer operation is to be performed on the same hanger conveyor 13 in the same storage location, the process proceeds to step S109, and if not, the process proceeds to step S108.
When the process proceeds from step S107 to step S109, the hanger 13a from which the target object is taken out in the pre-processing conveyance of the setting candidate selected in step S102 is transferred to the hanger 13a in the post-processing conveyance of the conveyance work. Is set as the storage hanger 13a to be returned, and then the process proceeds to step S109.

In step S <b> 108, the work schedule setting unit 7 selects the hanger 13 a that returns the workpiece by post-processing conveyance that belongs to the conveyance job of the setting candidate selected in step S <b> 102. If there is an empty hanger 13a that can be selected, the process proceeds to step S109. If not, the process performed in steps S103 to S106 is discarded and the process proceeds to step S111.
In the case of proceeding from step S107 to step S109, the selectable empty hanger 13a is set as the hanger 13a for returning the object to be processed by the transport after the transport operation, and then the process proceeds to step S109. In this case, for example, an empty hanger 13a that can reach the entry / exit R of the corresponding storage place earliestly from the circulation position of the corresponding hanger conveyor 13 at the scheduled end time of the transfer operation (2) above. Set as storage hanger 13a.

  In step S109, the storage hanger 13a set between this step and step 107 or step S108 is the entrance / exit of the storage location to which the object is processed by the post-processing transfer of the setting candidate selected in step S102. A moving operation is set for the corresponding hanger conveyor 13 so that the doorway R is reached by the time it reaches R. This setting may be performed by the work schedule setting unit 7 based on, for example, “work time” in [Table 1]. If it sets, it will progress to step S111. The hanger conveyor 13 is controlled by the control unit 5 to move according to this setting.

  In step S110, the work schedule setting unit 7 sets the transfer operation of the setting candidate selected in step S102 for the target transfer device so that it can be started at the time set in step S105. That is, the transfer work is set for the target transfer apparatus, and the start time of the transfer work is set. Once set, the upper limit number of the transfer device is increased by 1, and the process returns to step S101. When step S102 is performed for the second and subsequent times, and immediately before passing through steps S110 and S101, in the setting candidate circulation order, the transport that comes next to the transport work that has become the setting candidate last time. The work is set as a setting candidate in S102.

  In step S111, it is determined whether all the transport operations in the setting candidate circulation order have been investigated. That is, it is determined whether Steps S103 and S104 have been executed for all transport operations in the setting candidate circulation order. If all the transport operations have been investigated, the flow of FIG. 4 is terminated. Otherwise, the next transport operation is selected as a new setting candidate according to the setting candidate circulation order, and step S103 is performed. Return to.

It supplements about the work schedule setting part 7 grade | etc.,.
In the above example, the work schedule setting unit 7 sets a transfer work for each of the transfer devices 9 and 11 and also sets a start time of the transfer work and holds it in the work schedule holding unit 3. The start time is set by the work schedule setting unit 7 so that the operations of the devices do not interfere with each other. Therefore, the work schedule setting unit 7 grasps the operation state such as when the work (conveyance work, moving work) set for each device starts and ends. When the devices interfere with each other, for example, in the second storage location S2, depending on the circulation position of the lower hanger conveyor 13, the first transport device 9 is located in the empty hanger 13a located at the left entrance R in FIG. In some cases, the process of hanging the object to be processed and the process of taking out the object from the desired hanger 13a from the right entrance R of FIG.
In addition, the work schedule setting unit 7 or the control unit 5 knows whether or not each hanger 13a of each hanger conveyor 13 is an empty hanger, and which workpieces are hung on each hanger 13a. It also grasps the circulation position of each hanger conveyor 13 and the like. These grasps may be made based on setting processing / control processing performed by the work schedule setting unit 7 or the control unit 5 or other means (such as a sensor).
Each work (conveyance work, moving work, warehousing work, taking-out work) set by the work schedule setting unit 7 is held in the work schedule holding unit 3, but is deleted from the work schedule holding unit 3 when it is executed.
The counting of the time during which each workpiece is stored in the storage location may be executed by the work schedule holding unit 3 or the control unit 5. Based on this count, the work schedule holding unit 3 or the control unit 5 may determine whether the storage time has elapsed for each workpiece. The time counting may be started by detecting the time when each object to be processed is brought into the storage location by the control information of the control unit 5 or other means (sensor or the like).

  According to the process control apparatus 10 of the above-described embodiment, the following effects (A) to (D) are obtained.

(A) In the setting candidate circulation method, when the work schedule setting unit 7 newly sets a transfer work for the transfer apparatuses 9 and 11, the transfer work performed by the transfer apparatus at this time is set as a candidate reference. In the setting candidate circulation order, it is determined whether or not the transfer work that comes next to the candidate criterion can be set as a setting candidate for the transfer apparatus. If it is newly set for the transfer device and it is determined that the transfer operation cannot be set, the transfer operation that comes next to the transfer operation in the setting candidate circulation order is set as a setting candidate for the transfer device. Determine if it is possible. In this way, the settable transfer work is set by searching for the settable transfer work. Thereby, it is suppressed that the conveying apparatuses 9 and 11 which perform different conveyance work mutually perform a specific conveyance work continuously. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of bias in the positions of the plurality of objects to be processed. In addition, when the processing flow of the processing object is disturbed due to damage to the processing object and the position of the plurality of processing objects is biased, the transport work setting for the transport devices 9 and 11 that perform different transport operations is performed. Since it is performed in the setting candidate circulation order, it is possible to prevent the same transfer work from being set continuously while setting an executable transfer work. As a result, a new transfer operation is appropriately set, and the disturbance of the transfer flow is quickly eliminated. Therefore, the process capability as a whole can be greatly improved.

(B) Further, the work schedule setting unit 7 performs the transfer work setting process on the plurality of transfer apparatuses 9 and 11 in the transfer apparatus circulation order. As a result, it is possible to prevent the new setting of the transport operation from being biased toward a specific transport device.

(C) In the setting candidate circulation method, the conveyance work determined to be set according to the setting candidate circulation order is conveyed until the number of unexecuted conveyance works held in the work schedule holding unit 3 reaches the upper limit number. Set for the device. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the transfer work set for the transfer apparatus from being completely executed by the next time when the transfer work is set for the transfer apparatus. Therefore, the operation rate of the transfer devices 9 and 11 can be improved.

(D) Since the transfer device 11 that first performs the transfer work setting process after the work for removing the workpiece from the final storage location is a bottleneck transfer device, the transfer work is performed on the bottleneck transfer device. Probability of not being able to be set can be lowered. Thereby, the operation rate of a bottleneck conveyance apparatus can be maintained high. Therefore, the process capability as a whole can be further enhanced.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the contents described below can be changed to be independent or combined.

  The number of transfer devices used in the process processing facility is two in the above description, but may be three or more.

  In the above-described example, the setting candidate circulation order is the order in which the setting candidates are transferred one by one from the downstream transport work to the upstream transport work. However, the reverse order may be used. That is, in the setting candidate circulation order, the setting candidates are transferred one by one from the upstream side transport work to the downstream side transport work, and after the most downstream transport work among the plurality of transport works, The order of shifting to the most upstream conveyance work among the plurality of conveyance works may be employed. However, the circulation direction according to the setting candidate circulation order is preferably the same among the plurality of transfer apparatuses. For example, if a certain transfer device is in the order of shifting from the upstream side to the downstream side, all the remaining transfer devices are preferably set in the same order of shifting from the upstream side to the downstream side.

  The work schedule setting unit 7 may not set the start time of the transfer work when setting the transfer work for each transfer device. In this case, for example, each conveyance device outputs an end signal to the control unit 5 when each conveyance operation is completed. Thereby, the control unit 5 recognizes that the transfer work of the transfer device has been completed, and issues a work start command for executing the next transfer work set in the work schedule holding unit 3 for the transfer device, Output to the transport device. Thereby, the transfer device starts the next transfer operation based on the operation start command. In this case, when a plurality of unexecuted transfer operations are held in the work schedule holding unit 3 for each transfer device, the control unit 5 instructs the work start command to execute the transfer operations in the set order. Should be output. In other words, it is preferable to execute the transfer operation that is set first among the plurality of unexecuted transfer operations.

  In the above-described example, the hanger conveyor 13 is used as the storage location, but another moving device may be used as the storage location. In this case, at each storage location, each object to be processed is moved between each of the plurality of storage locations in the storage location and the entrance Q, entrance R or exit T as described above at the storage location. You may make it. In this case, each conveyance apparatus may convey a to-be-processed object between the entrance / exit R and a process processing place, for example.

  In the above example, the storage location is for drying the processed object by storing the processed object for a predetermined storage time or longer. For this purpose, the object to be processed may be stored for a predetermined storage time or longer.

The present invention is also applicable to process processing equipment that does not have a storage location. For example, the present invention can be applied to a case where a workpiece processed at each process processing place P1 to P7 is directly transported from the process processing place to the next process processing place without passing through a storage place. Applicable.
That is, the process control apparatus 10 according to the present invention allows each process target to be sent to a plurality of process process locations where the plurality of process processes are performed, so that a plurality of process processes are performed on each workpiece in a fixed process order. In the case where a plurality of transfer apparatuses perform a transfer operation of transferring a processed object and transferring each object to be processed from the plurality of process processing locations, a plurality of different conveyances to at least one of the plurality of transfer apparatuses Applicable when work is assigned.
For example, in the above-mentioned [Table 1] and the example of FIG. 2, it is assumed that there is no storage place, and each of the transfer devices 9 and 11 performs the pre-processing transfer as one transfer operation. In this case, the processing related to the storage location is omitted or appropriately changed, but other points may be the same as described above.

3 Work schedule holding part,
5 Control unit,
7 Work schedule setting section,
9, 11 Each conveyor 10 Process control device,
13 Hanger conveyor, 13a Hanger P1-P7 1st-7th process place S1-S3 1st-3rd storage place

Claims (6)

Each of the workpieces is transported to a plurality of process processing locations where the plurality of process treatments are respectively performed so that the plurality of process treatments are performed on each workpiece in a fixed processing order, and the plurality of process processing locations A process processing control device for performing a transport operation for transporting each workpiece from a plurality of transport devices,
A work schedule holding unit for holding the transfer work set for each of the transfer devices;
A control unit for controlling each transport device according to the transport work held in the work schedule holding unit;
A work schedule setting unit for performing a transfer work setting process for setting a new transfer work for each of the transfer devices and holding the work schedule holding unit;
The work schedule setting unit, when performing the transfer work setting process for a transfer device that performs a plurality of different transfer work, in a setting candidate circulation method,
In the setting candidate circulation method, a setting candidate circulation order in which the plurality of transport operations circulate in a fixed order is determined as an index of the priority order of the transport operations to be set as candidates. When a new transfer work is set for the apparatus, the transfer work performed by the transfer apparatus at this time is set as a candidate reference, and the transfer work that comes next to the candidate reference in the set candidate circulation order is set as a candidate. It is judged whether it can set with respect to a conveyance apparatus, The process processing control apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned.   When the work schedule setting unit determines that the transfer work that comes next to the candidate reference in the setting candidate circulation order can be set for the transfer device in the setting candidate circulation method, the work schedule setting unit performs the transfer work. If it is newly set for the transfer device and it is determined that the transfer operation cannot be set, the transfer operation that comes next to the transfer operation in the setting candidate circulation order is set as a setting candidate for the transfer device. The process processing control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not it is possible.   A transport device circulation order in which the plurality of transport devices circulate in a fixed order is determined as an index of the order of transport devices that perform the transport work setting process, and the work schedule setting unit is configured to The process processing control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transfer work setting process is performed on the plurality of transfer apparatuses. The work schedule holding unit can hold unexecuted transfer work for each transfer device up to an upper limit number of 2 or more,
The work schedule setting unit
In the setting candidate circulation method, the conveyance work determined to be set according to the setting candidate circulation order is transferred to the conveyance device until the number of unexecuted conveyance works held in the work schedule holding unit reaches the upper limit number. Set,
4. The process processing control apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a transfer work setting process is performed on the next transfer apparatus in the transfer apparatus circulation sequence. When performing the corresponding process at each process processing place, the pre-processing transfer to transfer the object to be processed from a predetermined storage place to the process processing place, and the object subjected to the process processing at the process processing place. Post-processing transport that transports the processed product to the same or another storage location is performed, and a combination of the pre-processing transport and the post-processing transport is a single transport operation,
The one conveyance work for performing the upstream process process is an upstream conveyance work, the one conveyance work for performing the downstream process process is a downstream conveyance work,
The setting candidate circulation order is:
The setting candidates are shifted one by one from the downstream side transfer work to the upstream side transfer work, and next to the most upstream transfer work among the plurality of transfer works, the most downstream of the plurality of transfer works. Or the order of transition to the transfer operation of
The setting candidates are transferred one by one from the upstream side transport work to the downstream side transport work, and next to the most downstream transport work among the plurality of transport works, the most upstream of the plurality of transport works. 5. The process processing control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the process processing order is to shift to a transfer operation. Transport operations required to perform the plurality of process steps on the workpiece are assigned to the plurality of transport devices,
The transfer device that has the longest total time required to execute the assigned transfer work is the bottleneck transfer device,
The bottleneck transfer device performs the transfer operation for performing the most downstream process process among the plurality of process processes, and the workpiece to which the most downstream process process has been performed by the transfer operation is a predetermined process. It is transported to an empty storage position in the final storage location,
In the transfer device circulation sequence, after the work to be taken out from the final storage location, a transfer work setting process is first performed on the bottleneck transfer device among the plurality of transfer devices. The process processing control apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:

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