JP2011248482A - Cell production system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the workability with simple structure in a cell production system while utilizing the flexibility of cell production.SOLUTION: A system 1 is a system to produce products in order by repeating operation to produce a product of a work W, in which workers M, M1 and M2 (represented by M) process the work W while moving along with the work W. The system 1 comprises: conveyer 2 that conveys the work W; a detector 3 that recognizes the worker M; and a controller 4 that controls the conveyer 2. The controller 4 controls the driving speed of the conveyer 2 for each worker M based on a recognition result by the detector 3. Recognition of the worker M by the detector 3 is transferred by a data transmission section 5 attached to an arm of the worker M. The movement speed of the work W on the conveyer 2 can be adjusted to the speed of each worker M; thereby the work time can be reduced and the workability can be increased while utilizing the flexibility of the cell production.

Description

  The present invention relates to a cell production system in which an operator performs production while moving with a workpiece.

Conventionally, in the production system of the flow work method, for work moving on the conveyor,
Many production systems are used in which an operator performs processing to finish a workpiece into a product. In such a production system, production is performed while switching a plurality of types of products in units of lots without stopping the conveyor. However, when the processing time (tact) of workpieces on the conveyor differs for each product type, if the matching between the product type switching and the moving speed of the conveyor is inappropriate, there will be a waiting time for the worker. Conversely, the burden on the worker increases. Therefore, a system that minimizes production loss by optimizing the loading sequence of each product, conveyor speed, workpiece loading time interval, etc. in consideration of the tact for each product type and its margin is proposed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP-A-6-274501

However, when applying the conveyor in a production system as shown by patent document 1 mentioned above to a cell production system, there exist the following subjects. The cell production system is a system in which an operator performs a plurality of work processes on a work that is a work target in a work place called a cell to create one product or a finished product at an intermediate stage. In the cell production system, an operator works on a fixed work table or works while walking with a work. When the worker moves with the workpiece, the workpiece is moved by a conveyor in addition to holding the workpiece by hand. The cell production system is advantageous in that it can promote the multi-skilling of workers, can easily cope with changes in product specifications, and requires less capital investment, and is flexible in various ways. On the other hand, in the cell production system, since the productivity depends on the work pace of each worker, a mechanism for improving the productivity is desired. However,
In the conveyor of the production system disclosed in Patent Document 1, although the tact for each product type is considered, no consideration is given to the ability and improvement of each worker.

The present invention solves the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cell production system capable of improving workability while utilizing flexibility of cell production with a simple configuration.

In order to achieve the above object, a cell production system according to the present invention is a cell production system for sequentially producing products by repeatedly performing a work on a workpiece by moving the workpiece along with the workpiece and processing the workpiece. , A conveyor for transferring the workpiece, a detection device for recognizing the worker, and a control device for controlling the drive speed of the conveyor, and the control device changes the drive speed of the conveyor based on the recognition result by the detection device. It is characterized by that.

In this cell production system, it is preferable that a measuring device for measuring the time required for the operator to perform processing on the workpiece is provided, and the control device changes the driving speed of the conveyor based on the measurement result by the measuring device.

According to the cell production system of the present invention, workability can be improved while taking advantage of the flexibility of cell production.

The top view of the cell production system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The side view of the conveyor in the same system. The block diagram explaining the conveyor control in the same system. The top view of the cell production system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The side view of the conveyor in the same system. The block diagram explaining the conveyor control in the same system. The flowchart of the conveyor control in the same system.

Hereinafter, a cell production system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
1, 2 and 3 show a cell production system according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the cell production system 1 (hereinafter, system 1) is configured so that workers M, M1, and M2 (typically M) perform processing on the workpiece W while moving individually with the workpiece W. This is a system for sequentially producing products by repeating the work of commercializing the workpiece W. The system 1 includes a conveyor 2 that transports the workpiece W, a detection device 3 that recognizes the worker M, and a control device 4 that controls the driving speed of the conveyor 2, and the control device 4 recognizes the recognition result of the detection device 3. Based on the above, the driving speed of the conveyor 2 is changed for each worker M. Recognition of the worker M by the detection device 3 is performed using the data transmission unit 5 attached to the arm of the worker M.

The system 1 is a system for producing, for example, a pack in which electronic devices are packed for product display. A work area surrounded by various facilities including the conveyor 2 constitutes a cell. As shown in the figure, there are a plurality of workers M, and each person circulates counterclockwise as indicated by an arrow in the cell and completes one product for each lap. The number of workers M may be one depending on the production plan. In the cell, various facilities (cell facilities) 11 to 17 for supplying parts to be incorporated into the workpiece W, processing and assembling the workpiece W are arranged in the counterclockwise order, and next to the cell facility 17. The rear part placing table 18 and the front conveyor 2 are arranged.
Component trays a to d are arranged on the component placing table 18. The components stored in the component trays a to d are components that are consumed when working using the conveyor 2. The work table 10 is
This is the storage place for the finished product, and the product will be collected elsewhere as appropriate.

The cell facilities 11 to 17 are, for example, a work table for work, a measuring instrument for electrical inspection, a processing machine such as screwing, a component supplier, and the like. The worker M, while walking, picks up parts such as a case and a circuit board from the parts table, performs assembly, screwing, operation check, etc., and sequentially supplies electronic products, batteries, and instructions. Put in a transparent case for packing, and finally complete the packing pack of electronic products. Therefore, the workpiece W has these parts and instructions,
It is the total of articles that constitute one final product, such as a transparent case. Further, a platform (tray) that is used as an auxiliary to move by holding these also temporarily constitutes the workpiece W.

The conveyor 2 is, for example, a belt conveyor, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of work setting jigs 22 provided on the conveyor 2 for mounting and fixing the work W, and the control device 4. And a motor 21 that drives the conveyor with the rotation speed controlled.
With this conveyor 2, the worker M can work on the workpiece W on the conveyor 2 while walking. The jig 22 is fixed on the belt of the conveyor 2, and supports the workpiece W or a tray for placing the workpiece while the upper surface of the belt moves horizontally, and the motor 21.
The workpiece W is moved horizontally in accordance with the rotation speed. The conveyor 2 is continuously variable in drive speed (conveyor feed speed). For example, the control device 4 and the motor 21 can change the frequency and current value using a drive method such as inverter control. The speed is controlled by. The work using the conveyor 2 is performed by setting a workpiece W made of a transparent packaging case or the like on the jig 22 and sequentially taking parts from the component trays a to d arranged on the component placing table 18 into a transparent case. This is an operation from storing to complete the product and removing the workpiece W from the jig 22. In the component trays a to d, for example, batteries, attached cords, instructions, an upper lid of the transparent case, and the like are stored.

As shown in FIG. 3, the worker M works by attaching the data transmission unit 5 to the arm. The data transmission unit 5 is, for example, a wireless tag using RFID, has communication directivity and a communication limit distance, the detection device 3 is an RFID reader, and the distance between the data transmission unit 5 and the detection device 3 is predetermined. Only when it is within the distance, ID data and the like are read from the data transmission unit 5. Therefore, the detection apparatus 3 selectively receives only the signal of the data transmission unit 5 possessed by the worker M performing the specific process without being influenced by the signal of the data transmission unit 5 possessed by the other worker M. be able to. The detection device 3 is arranged at a work start position by the conveyor 2, reads ID data from the data transmission unit 5 carried by the worker M who performs the work (conveyor work) at the position of the conveyor 2, and the worker M And the recognition result is output to the control device 4.

The control device 4 holds the conveyor feed speed data for each worker M set in advance. The control device 4 calls the conveyor feed speed corresponding to the worker M recognized by the detection device 3, and controls the motor 21 based on the data of the conveyor feed speed, thereby setting the driving speed of the conveyor 2 to the worker M. Change every time. The data on the conveyor feed speed may be held by the detection device 3. In this case, the detection device 3 calls the conveyor feed speed corresponding to the recognized worker M and outputs it to the control device 4. According to the present embodiment, the moving speed of the work W by the conveyor 2 can be matched to each worker M while taking advantage of the flexibility of cell production. Compared to the case of (speed), it is possible to reduce the work time and improve workability.

(Second Embodiment)
4 to 7 show a cell production system according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the system 1 of the present embodiment includes a measuring device 6 that measures the work time required for a specific processing operation by the worker M in the first embodiment, and the control device 4 includes: The driving speed of the conveyor 2 is changed based on the measurement result by the measuring device 6. For example, the conveyor operation itself using the conveyor 2 is taken up as a processing operation for measuring the operation time. However, the operation is not limited to the conveyor operation, and may be a pre-process or a post-process of the conveyor operation. This is because, when the worker M is fixed, various work speeds can be inferred from the work speed of a certain work (a person with a fast work is usually fast even if he / she does another work). It is.

The measuring device 6 reads data from the data transmission unit 5 carried by the worker M.
Two detection devices spaced apart from each other, that is, a start data receiving unit 61 and a completion data receiving unit 62, a data processing unit 63 for calculating a moving speed from a distance between the two data receiving units 61 and 62 and a moving time therebetween, It has. As in the first embodiment, the data transmission unit 5 performs RF
It is an ID tag, and the data receiving parts 61 and 62 are RFID readers similarly to the detection device 3 in the first embodiment. The start data receiving unit 61 is disposed on the movement start end side of the workpiece W on the conveyor 2, and the completion data receiving unit 62 is disposed on the movement end end side of the workpiece W on the conveyor 2, so that the worker M can recognize and work. Acquisition of the approach time and separation time of the person M to the conveyor 2 is performed.

As shown in FIG. 6, the operator M puts the data transmission unit 5 on his arm and sequentially passes in front of the data reception units 61 and 62 while following or following the movement of the workpiece W on the conveyor 2. Move to work. The speed at which the worker M is moving the conveyor during the conveyor work is constant, but the worker M finishes the work early and collects the workpiece W from the conveyor 2, and is faster than the movement of the conveyor 2. When passing in front, the moving time shorter than the moving time of the conveyor is measured. On the contrary, when the worker M moves late and the worker M moves so as to be dragged by the movement of the workpiece W, the moving time longer than the moving time of the conveyor is measured. The data processing unit 63 of the measuring device 6 obtains the work time based on the recognition result and recognition time information of the worker M output from the data receiving units 61 and 62 and outputs the work time to the control device 4. From the received work time and the movement distance of the worker M (the distance between the data receiving units 61 and 62), the control device 4
The work speed of the worker M is calculated. The work speed obtained in this way is recorded in time series for each worker M by the control device 4. The control device 4 changes the driving speed of the conveyor 2 based on the measurement result by the measuring device 6 and the work speed. A processing method for changing the driving speed will be described later (step S9 in FIG. 7).

The series of processes described above in the system 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the worker M starts production work and approaches the end of the conveyor 2, the start data receiving unit 61.
Recognizes the worker M, and the recognition result is output from the measuring device 6 to the control device 4 (S1).
Thereafter, the measuring device 6 starts time measurement (S2). In this case, the start time may be recorded. The control device 4 calls the conveyor speed from the stored data based on the recognition result of the worker M received from the measuring device 6 (S3), and the conveyor 2 based on the conveyor speed.
Is operated (S4). The measuring device 6 determines whether or not the conveyor work is completed based on whether or not the worker M is recognized by the completion data receiving unit 62 (S5). When the completion data receiving unit 62 recognizes the worker M, the data processing unit 63 determines the working time and stops time measurement (S6), outputs the recognition result to the control device 4 and stops the conveyor 2 ( S7). The control device 4 receives the work time from the measuring device 6, calculates the work speed of the worker M based on the received work time of the worker M and the movement distance of the worker M, and uses the work speed as a new conveyor. As the speed, the worker M is stored in the database in time series (S8). Then, after the conveyor speed change (S9) is performed by the control device 4, the process returns to step (S1) and is repeated.

The conveyor speed change (S9) will be described. In step (S9), the control device 4
Sets a conveyor speed (referred to as a calling conveyor speed) that is called in step (S3) during the next conveyor work, based on the past conveyor work speed record of worker M.
The calling conveyor speed is, for example, a conveyor speed increased by adding an addition amount based on a predetermined speed improvement rate to the previous calling conveyor speed. An upper limit is set for the conveyor speed, and the calling conveyor speed is set below the upper limit. Further, the speed addition amount may be set in advance based on the past results of a plurality of workers M, the track speed increase rate until the target worker M reaches the currently calculated conveyor work speed, or the like. That's fine. It is also possible to predict the future growth rate based on the actual growth rate of the conveyor work speed such as the previous time and the previous time, and to determine the calling conveyor speed based on the predicted value. It should be noted that the calculation and recording of the work speed and the recording of the data of the worker M and the conveyor speed may be performed by the measuring device 6 instead of the control device 4. In this case, the control device 4 may be any drive device that drives the conveyor 2 so that the conveyor speed is simply given. According to the present embodiment, since the conveyor speed, and thus the moving speed of the workpiece W, is increased stepwise, the working time can be shortened while taking advantage of the flexibility of cell production, and workability can be improved.

The present invention is not limited to the configurations of the first and second embodiments, and various modifications can be made. For example, as described above, the detection device 3 or the measurement device 6 and the control device 4 can have a configuration in which some or all of their functions are exchanged with each other. It can be configured using a computer having an apparatus and software. Also,
The configurations of the embodiments can be combined with each other. For example, in the case of a system using a plurality of conveyors 2, one of the first and second embodiments may be applied depending on the work process of each conveyor. Further, the conveyor 2 can be used simultaneously by a plurality of workers M. When a plurality of workers M work in the system 1, the moving speed of the conveyor 2 is set not for each worker M but for each group of workers M who work before and after, or for all the workers M. You may do. In this case, the call conveyor speed is set to the average work speed of the worker M working at the same conveyor speed or the faster work speed of the worker M based on the preliminary survey so that the productivity can be improved. That's fine. In addition, the detection device 3 or the measurement device 6 is not limited to recognizing the worker M via the data transmission unit 5, but may be configured to recognize based on the operation of the worker M. For example, the worker M may be identified by the position through which the worker M passes, the operation of the operation button, the use of a jig set for each worker, or the like.

1 Cell production system 2 Conveyor 3 Detection device 4 Control device 6 Measuring device M, M1, M2 Worker W Workpiece

Claims (2)

In a cell production system for producing products sequentially by repeating the work of productizing the work by performing processing on the work while the worker moves with the work,
A conveyor for transferring the workpiece;
A detection device for recognizing the worker;
A control device for controlling the driving speed of the conveyor,
The cell production system, wherein the control device changes a driving speed of the conveyor based on a recognition result by the detection device. Equipped with a measuring device that measures the time required for the operator to process the workpiece,
The cell production system according to claim 1, wherein the control device changes a driving speed of the conveyor based on a measurement result by the measurement device.

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