JP2016179530A - Production system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a production system capable of achieving the reduction of an occupied area and facilitating a configuration change.SOLUTION: A production system according to an embodiment comprises: a plurality of work units 12-14 each having a casing 11a and a work robot 11e using an area above the casing 11a as a work area; and a transfer robot 15 transferring a workpiece 100 among the work units 12-14. The work units 12-14 are disposed in an inverted-U shape so as to surround three sides of the transfer robot 15.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a production system.

The production line is provided with a transport device that transports a workpiece in a straight line and a plurality of work devices arranged in the order of work steps along the workpiece transport direction.
In such a production line, the transfer device causes the work to move sequentially between a plurality of work devices, and the work device performs a predetermined work on the moved work.
However, such a production line has a problem that the occupied area becomes large.
Therefore, a production system has been proposed that includes a transfer robot that transfers a workpiece in the circumferential direction and a work table that is provided so as to surround four sides of the transfer robot.
However, if the work table is provided so as to surround the four sides of the transfer robot, it may be difficult to change the configuration of the production system in accordance with a change in product specifications.
Therefore, it has been desired to develop a technology capable of reducing the occupied area and facilitating the configuration change.

JP 2010-82799 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a production system capable of reducing the occupied area and facilitating the configuration change.

The production system according to the embodiment includes a plurality of work units having a housing and a work robot having a work area above the housing; a transport robot that transports workpieces between the plurality of work units; It has.
The plurality of work units are arranged in a U shape so as to surround three sides of the transfer robot.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a production system capable of reducing the occupied area and facilitating the configuration change.

It is a model perspective view for illustrating production system 1 concerning this embodiment.

The invention according to the embodiment includes: a plurality of work units each including a housing and a work robot having a work area above the housing; a transport robot that transports workpieces between the plurality of work units; The plurality of work units are production systems arranged in a U-shape so as to surround three sides of the transfer robot.
According to this production system, it is possible to reduce the occupied area and facilitate the configuration change.

Each of the plurality of work units is provided on a lower surface of the casing, and a plurality of fixing members for fixing the work unit to a floor of an installation place; provided on a lower surface of the casing; And a plurality of moving members for moving the work unit from the installation location.
When the work unit is fixed to the floor at the installation location, the plurality of fixing members are in contact with the floor, and the plurality of moving members are spaced upward from the floor. When the work unit is moved from the installation location, the plurality of fixing members are separated upward from the floor, and the plurality of moving members are brought into contact with the floor.
In this way, the configuration change can be further facilitated.

Further, the shape of the housing in a plan view can be a quadrangle.
In this way, the exclusive area can be further reduced.

In addition, some of the plurality of work units may be arranged close to each other.
In this way, the exclusive area can be further reduced.

Further, the transfer robot is a vertical articulated robot, and can be fixed to the floor in a rotatable state.
In this way, the conveyance of the workpiece can be stabilized.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be illustrated with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each drawing, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view for illustrating a production system 1 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the production system 1 includes work units 11 to 14, a transfer robot 15, component supply units 16 to 19, a carry-in unit 20, a carry-out unit 21, and a control unit 22.

The work units 11 to 14 perform a predetermined work assigned in advance.
In addition, although the case where four working units are provided was illustrated as an example, the number of working units can be changed as appropriate.
In this case, the layout may be made so that a part of the top plate of the work unit and a part of the operation area of the transfer robot 15 overlap in plan view.

The work units 11 to 14 can perform, for example, component mounting work, soldering work, component adjustment work, processing work, inspection work, and the like.
The part attaching operation is, for example, fastening the part to the main body of the product that is the workpiece 100 (for example, a frame to which the part is attached) or fitting the part to the work 100.
The soldering operation is, for example, soldering a wiring or an electrical component to a substrate attached to the workpiece 100.
The component adjustment work is, for example, adjusting the position of a component attached to the workpiece 100 or adjusting a function such as electrical characteristics.
The processing operation is, for example, painting on a part or the like attached to the workpiece 100 or marking a product grade or the like.
The inspection work is, for example, inspecting the function or appearance of a finished product or attached parts.

The work unit 11 includes a housing 11a, a top plate 11b, a fixing member 11c, a moving member 11d, and a work robot 11e.
The housing 11a has a side surface 11a1 facing the transfer robot 15 and side surfaces 11a2 and 11a3 intersecting the side surface 11a1. The side surface 11a2 and the side surface 11a3 are parallel to each other.
In this case, the side surface 11a2 and the side surface 11a3 are preferably perpendicular to the side surface 11a1.
The external shape of the housing 11a can be, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped or a cube.
A storage space can be provided inside the housing 11a. For example, a control device for the work robot 11e can be provided in the storage space.

The top plate 11b can be a plate-like body.
The top plate 11b is provided on the upper surface of the housing 11a.
A workpiece 100 can be placed on the top surface of the top plate 11b, or a jig 101 necessary for the work can be provided.

The fixing member 11c is provided on the lower surface of the housing 11a.
The fixing member 11c is provided to prevent the work unit 11 from moving. The fixing member 11c has a grounding portion 11c1 whose lower surface is in contact with the floor surface, one end portion screwed into a female screw provided in the housing 11a, and a male screw portion 11c2 provided at the other end portion in the grounding portion 11c1. Have
The number of fixing members 11c and the attachment positions are not particularly limited, but the fixing members 11c are preferably attached one by one near the four corners of the lower surface of the housing 11a. In this way, the posture of the work unit 11 after installation can be stabilized.

The moving member 11d is provided on the lower surface of the housing 11a.
The moving member 11 d is provided for moving the work unit 11.
The moving member 11d can be a caster, for example.
There are no particular limitations on the number of moving members 11d and the attachment positions, but the moving members 11d are preferably attached one by one near the four corners of the lower surface of the housing 11a. If it does in this way, when moving work unit 11, the posture of work unit 11 can be stabilized. After the work unit 11 is moved by the moving member 11d, the housing 11a is lifted by the male screw portion 11c2 of the fixing member 11c so that the moving member 11d is separated from the floor.

That is, when the work unit 11 is fixed to the floor at the installation location, the plurality of fixing members 11c are in contact with the floor and the plurality of moving members 11d are separated upward from the floor.
When the work unit 11 is moved from the installation location, the plurality of fixing members 11c are separated upward from the floor, and the plurality of moving members 11d are brought into contact with the floor.

The work robot 11e performs a predetermined work on the workpiece 100 based on the taught work procedure and work position.
A predetermined working device suitable for the content of the assigned work is attached to the work robot 11e.
For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the work robot 11 e can be provided with a chuck or the like that grips a part to be attached to the workpiece 100.
Note that the work device provided in the work robot 11e can be changed as appropriate according to the content of the work.

In the case of component attachment work or component adjustment work, the work device can be, for example, a chuck for gripping a component, a caulking device, an electric driver, or the like.
In the case of soldering work, the working device can be, for example, a soldering iron.
In the case of a processing operation, the working device can be, for example, a spray gun of a coating device.
In the case of inspection work, the working device can be, for example, a probe of a measuring device such as a tester, a camera of a diagnostic imaging device, or the like.

The form of the work robot 11e is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately selected according to the content of the assigned work.
For example, the work robot 11e can be appropriately selected from a vertical articulated robot, a horizontal articulated robot, an orthogonal axis robot, a single axis robot, and the like.
Note that the work robot 11e illustrated in FIG. 1 is a vertical articulated robot.

The control device for the work robot 11e can be housed in the housing 11a, or the control unit 22 can have a function of controlling the work robot 11e.
However, if the control device of the work robot 11e is housed in the housing 11a, it is easy to move and install the work unit 11, that is, to change the configuration of the production system 1.

The work robot 11e has a work area above the housing 11a.
The work robot 11e can be provided on at least one of the housing 11a and the top plate 11b.
In plan view, an area where the upper surface of the top plate 11b and the operation area of the work robot 11e overlap is the work area of the work robot 11e.
In the work area of the work robot 11e, a jig 101 necessary for work, a holding device (not shown) for holding the work 100, and the like can be provided.

The work unit 12, the work unit 13, and the work unit 14 are also provided with a housing, a top plate, a fixing member, a moving member, and a work robot.
The configuration of the work unit 12, the work unit 13, and the work unit 14 can be the same as or different from the work unit 11.
In this case, if the work unit 11, the work unit 12, the work unit 13, and the work unit 14 have the same configuration other than the work device provided in the work robot, the work unit is replaced, the work unit is added, and the work unit is replaced. It becomes easy to change the configuration of the production system 1 by removal or the like.
For this reason, the configuration of the production system 1 can be quickly changed in accordance with a change in product specifications, etc., so that productivity can be improved and production costs can be reduced.

In the plurality of work units, the work devices provided in the work robot may be the same. That is, the production system 1 having a plurality of work units that perform the same work can be provided.
For example, the work unit 12 and the work unit 13 may perform the same work.
In this way, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a residence time (waiting time) even when the time taken for the assigned work is long.

Moreover, if the shape and dimension of each exclusive space in the work unit 11, the work unit 12, the work unit 13, and the work unit 14 are the same, the configuration of the production system 1 can be easily changed.
For example, the shape and dimensions of the housing and the top plate can be unified so that the shape and dimensions of the exclusive space in plan view are the same.
Further, if the external shape of the housing is a rectangular parallelepiped or a cube, the shape of the housing in plan view is a quadrangle.
If the shape of the housing in plan view is a quadrangle, it becomes easy to place the work units close to each other.
Therefore, it is possible to reduce the exclusive area.
In addition, it becomes easy to arrange a plurality of work units in a U-shape.
If a plurality of work units are arranged in a U-shape, one side of the production system 1 can be released.
If one side of the production system 1 is released, the work unit can be easily moved and installed when the configuration of the production system 1 is changed.
Therefore, it is possible to reduce the occupied area and facilitate the configuration change of the production system 1.
Moreover, the maintainability of the production system 1 can be improved.

The plurality of work units can be arranged in a U shape so as to surround three sides of the transfer robot 15.
Also, some of the plurality of work units can be arranged close to each other.
For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the work unit 11, the work unit 12, the work unit 13, and the work unit 14 can be arranged in a U-shape.
In this case, the work unit 12 and the work unit 13 are arranged side by side. The work unit 12 and the work unit 13 are arranged close to each other.
The work unit 11 is arranged on the work unit 12 side in the row of the work unit 12 and the work unit 13. The work unit 11 is arranged at a position shifted in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the work unit 12 and the work unit 13 are arranged.
The work unit 14 is arranged on the work unit 13 side in the row of the work unit 12 and the work unit 13. The work unit 14 is disposed at a position shifted in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the work unit 12 and the work unit 13 are arranged. The work unit 14 faces the work unit 11.

The transfer robot 15 transfers (transfers) the workpiece 100 between a plurality of work units.
Therefore, the transfer robot 15 is preferably a vertical articulated robot.
For example, the transfer robot 15 can be a 6-axis controlled vertical articulated robot.
Further, the transfer robot 15 is fixed to the floor of the installation place in a rotatable state.
If it does in this way, conveyance of work 100 can be stabilized.
For example, the transfer robot 15 can transfer the workpiece 100 sequentially from the work unit 11. If the placement of the carry-in unit 20 and the carry-out unit 21 is reversed, the transfer robot 15 can transfer the workpiece 100 in order from the work unit 14.

In addition, the transfer robot 15 can transfer the work 100 by skipping work units located between the work unit 11 and the work unit 13 and from the work unit 11 to the work unit 14 as necessary.
In addition, the transfer robot 15 changes the transfer direction so that, for example, the work 100 is transferred from the work unit 11 to the work unit 12 and the work 100 is transferred from the work unit 12 to the work unit 11 as necessary. Can be conveyed back.
In this case, the transfer robot 15 transfers the workpiece 100 based on the taught transfer procedure and transfer position.

In addition, the conveyance order and conveyance direction of the workpiece | work 100 are not necessarily limited to what was illustrated.
The transfer order and transfer direction of the workpiece 100 by the transfer robot 15 can be appropriately changed according to the product production procedure, the work time assigned to the work unit, and the like.

A work device suitable for holding the workpiece 100 is attached to the transfer robot 15.
For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the transfer robot 15 can be provided with a chuck for gripping the workpiece 100.

The control device 15a of the transfer robot 15 can be provided below the transfer robot 15, or the control unit 22 can have a function of controlling the transfer robot 15.
Even when it is necessary to change the configuration of the production system 1, the transfer robot 15 is required.
Therefore, the configuration of the production system 1 can be easily changed even if the control unit 22 has the function of controlling the transfer robot 15.

In plan view, an area where the upper surface of the top plate of the work units 11 to 14 and the operation area of the transfer robot 15 overlap is the transfer area of the transfer robot 15.
In this case, the transfer area of the transfer robot 15 overlaps at least a part of the operation area of the work robot.

When a plurality of work units are arranged in a U shape, it is preferable that the distance from the installation position of the transfer robot 15 to the delivery position of the workpiece 100 in each work unit is equal.
In this way, since the transfer robot 15 can access the workpiece 100 of each work unit only by the rotation operation around the vertical axis, the workpiece 100 can be transferred efficiently.

The component supply unit 16 supplies necessary components to the work unit 11.
The component supply unit 17 supplies necessary components to the work unit 12.
The component supply unit 18 supplies necessary components to the work unit 13.
The component supply unit 19 supplies necessary components to the work unit 14.
The component supply units 16 to 19 have two tables in the vertical direction that can slide in the front-rear direction.
On the table, a pallet, a cassette or the like in which a plurality of parts are stored is placed. The plurality of parts are stored in a state of being aligned inside a pallet or a cassette.

The work robots provided in the work units 11 to 14 take out parts from the part supply units 16 to 19 and attach them to the workpiece 100.
When there are no parts placed on one table, the table moves backward in a direction away from the production system 1. At this time, the other table on which the component is placed moves forward in the direction approaching the production system 1.

The work robots provided in the work units 11 to 14 take out the parts placed on the advanced table and attach them to the work 100.
An operator or a transfer device (not shown) takes out an empty pallet or cassette placed on the retracted table and places a pallet or cassette containing a plurality of parts on the table.

Depending on the contents of the work assigned to the work units 11 to 14, there is a case where it is not necessary to supply parts.
In some cases, a pallet, a cassette, or the like in which a plurality of parts are stored can be placed on the top plates of the work units 11 to 14.
In that case, the component supply units 16 to 19 can be omitted.

Moreover, the format of the component supply units 16-19 is not limited to what was illustrated, What is necessary is just what can supply components with respect to the work units 11-14.
For example, the component supply units 16 to 19 can be fixed tables on which pallets, cassettes, and the like in which a plurality of components are stored are placed.
Further, the component supply units 16 to 19 may be, for example, a parts feeder.

The control devices of the component supply units 16 to 19 can be housed inside the component supply units 16 to 19, and the control unit 22 can have a function of controlling the component supply units 16 to 19.
However, if the control devices of the component supply units 16 to 19 are accommodated in the component supply units 16 to 19, it is easy to move and install the component supply units 16 to 19, that is, to change the configuration of the production system 1. Become.

The carry-in unit 20 carries the product body into the production system 1.
The carry-in unit 20 carries the product main body into the operation area of the transfer robot 15 from outside the operation area of the transfer robot 15.
As shown in FIG. 1, the carry-in unit 20 can be, for example, a conveyor. Outside the operation area of the transfer robot 15, an operator or a transfer device (not shown) supplies the product main body to the carry-in unit 20. The carry-in unit 20 carries the main body of the supplied product into the operation area of the transfer robot 15. The transport robot 15 transports the main body of the loaded product to the work unit 11.

The unloading unit 21 unloads the products for which the work units 11 to 14 have been completed from the operation area of the transfer robot 15 to the outside of the operation area of the transfer robot 15.
As shown in FIG. 1, the carry-out unit 21 can be a conveyor, for example. Within the operation area of the transfer robot 15, the transfer robot 15 transfers the product from the work units 11 to 14 to the carry-out unit 21. The carry-out unit 21 carries the product out of the operation area of the transfer robot 15. Outside the operation area of the transfer robot 15, an operator or a transfer device (not shown) takes out the product from the carry-out unit 21.

The control device of the carry-in unit 20 can be incorporated in the carry-in unit 20, or the control unit 22 can have a function of controlling the carry-in unit 20.
The control device of the carry-out unit 21 can be built in the carry-out unit 21, or the control unit 22 can have a function of controlling the carry-out unit 21.
Even when it is necessary to change the configuration of the production system 1, the carry-in unit 20 and the carry-out unit 21 are often used.
Therefore, if the control unit 22 has a function of controlling the carry-in unit 20 and the carry-out unit 21, the configuration of the production system 1 can be easily changed.

The control unit 22 controls operations of the work units 11 to 14, the transfer robot 15, the component supply units 16 to 19, the carry-in unit 20, and the carry-out unit 21.
In addition, when each of the work units 11 to 14, the transfer robot 15, the component supply units 16 to 19, the carry-in unit 20, and the carry-out unit 21 has a control device, the control unit 22 includes, for example, each control device. Instruct the start timing, stop timing, avoidance of interference between units, and so on.

  As mentioned above, although several embodiment of this invention was illustrated, these embodiment is shown as an example and is not intending limiting the range of invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, changes, and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof. Further, the above-described embodiments can be implemented in combination with each other.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Production system, 11 Work unit, 11a Case, 11a1-11a3 Side surface, 11b Top plate, 11c Fixing member, 11c1 Ground part, 11c2 Male thread part, 11d Moving member, 11e Work robot, 12-14 Work unit, 15 Transfer robot, 16-19 parts supply unit, 20 carry-in unit, 21 carry-out unit, 22 control unit, 100 workpieces

Claims (5)

A plurality of work units each including a housing and a work robot having a work area above the housing;
A transfer robot for transferring workpieces between the plurality of work units;
Comprising
The production system in which the plurality of work units are arranged in a U shape so as to surround three sides of the transfer robot. Each of the plurality of work units includes:
A plurality of fixing members which are provided on the lower surface of the housing and fix the work unit to the floor of the installation place;
A plurality of moving members provided on a lower surface of the housing and configured to move the work unit from the installation location;
Further comprising
When fixing the work unit to the floor of the installation location, the plurality of fixing members are in contact with the floor, and the plurality of moving members are separated upward from the floor,
2. The production system according to claim 1, wherein when the work unit is moved from the installation location, the plurality of fixing members are separated upward from the floor and the plurality of moving members are brought into contact with the floor.   The production system according to claim 1, wherein a shape of the housing in a plan view is a quadrangle.   The production system according to claim 3, wherein some of the plurality of work units are arranged close to each other.   The production system according to claim 1, wherein the transfer robot is a vertical articulated robot and is fixed to the floor in a rotatable state.

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