JP2019000345A - Linen facility - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a linen facility which can shorten waiting time required for switching operation mode of a cloth processing unit.SOLUTION: A linen facility control unit 13 of a top machine 10 performs: a process transmitting switch preparation signal to a bidirectional rear machine 30 when switch operation is accepted; a process transmitting switch signal to the bidirectional rear machine 30 when the switch preparation signal is accepted; and a process stopping acceptance of new cloth since the switch operation is accepted to switch completion signal is accepted. Individual control unit 31 of the bidirectional rear machine 30 performs: a process determining that last cloth is ejected after having received the switch preparation signal; a process transmitting switch preparation completion signal to the top machine 10; a process switching the operation mode when the switch signal is received; and a process transmitting switch completion signal to the top machine 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to linen equipment. More specifically, the present invention relates to a linen facility having a plurality of fabric processing apparatuses that constitute a processing line.

  In hotels and hospitals, large quantities of sheets, towels, clothing, and other fabrics are used. In general, used cloths are collected, washed, ironed and folded in a laundry factory, transported again to a hotel or hospital, and used there.

  In a laundry factory, a processing line is constituted by a plurality of cloth processing apparatuses. For example, a finishing line is constituted by a charging machine, a roll ironer, and a folding machine (for example, Patent Document 1). In the finishing line, when washed and dried cloths are put into the dosing machine, they are put into a slender figure, ironed by a roll ironer, and folded by a folding machine.

JP 2001-113100 A

  Some cloth processing apparatuses switch operation modes depending on the type of cloth to be processed. In the conventional linen equipment, when an operator performs an operation of switching the type of cloth, the leading input machine is controlled to stop accepting new cloth for a predetermined waiting time. By controlling the input machine in this way, it waits for all the fabrics conveyed through the processing line to be discharged from the last folding machine. Thereafter, the operation mode of the cloth processing apparatus is switched.

  The waiting time of the loading machine is set by adding a time with allowance to the time taken for the cloth to be discharged from the last folding machine after being fed into the leading loading machine. In general, the waiting time is several tens of seconds. There is a problem that the production efficiency of the linen equipment is reduced correspondingly because a waiting time of several tens of seconds is generated every time an operation for switching the type of cloth is performed.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a linen facility that can shorten the waiting time required for switching the operation mode of the fabric processing apparatus.

The linen facility according to the first aspect of the present invention is a leading machine that is a cloth processing apparatus disposed at the top of a processing line, and one or a plurality of cloth processing apparatuses that are disposed downstream of the leading machine of the processing line. One or a plurality of two-way communication rear machines capable of bidirectional communication with the head machine, the head machine comprises an input unit for receiving a cloth type switching operation, and a linen equipment control unit, The linen equipment control unit transmits a switching preparation signal for transmitting a switching preparation signal to all of one or a plurality of the two-way communication rear machines that require switching of an operation mode when the input unit receives the switching operation. Processing and when the switch preparation completion signal is received from all of the one or more two-way communication rear machines that have transmitted the switch preparation signal in the switch preparation signal transmission process. Is a switching signal transmission process for transmitting a switching signal to all of the plurality of rear units of the two-way communication, and the switching signal transmission process transmits the switching signal after the input unit accepts the switching operation. Until the switching completion signal is received from all of the plurality of the two-way communication rear machines, a waiting process for stopping the reception of new cloth is performed, and each of the one or more two-way communication rear machines is And an individual control unit, wherein the individual control unit determines that the cloth supplied to the leading machine has been discharged immediately before the switching operation after receiving the switching preparation signal from the leading machine. After the process and the discharge determination process, a switching preparation completion signal transmission process for transmitting the switching preparation completion signal to the leading machine, and an operation for switching the operation mode when the switching signal is received from the leading machine. A mode switching process, after the operation mode switching process, and performing a switching completion signal transmission processing that transmits the changeover completion signal to the first machine.
The linen equipment of the second invention is the linen equipment according to the first invention, wherein the linen equipment control unit of the head machine is a plurality of the two-way communication rear machines that require switching of operation modes in the switching preparation signal transmission process. The switching preparation signal is transmitted only to the two-way communication rear unit arranged on the most downstream side.
The linen equipment of the third invention is the linen equipment according to the first invention, wherein the linen equipment control unit of the leading machine receives the switching preparation completion signal from one of the two-way communication rear machines in the switching signal transmission process. The switching signal is transmitted to the two-way communication rear machine that has transmitted the switching preparation completion signal.
A linen facility according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the linen facility according to the first or second aspect, wherein the linen facility is one or a plurality of cloth processing devices arranged downstream of the leading machine in the processing line, and only receives signals from the leading machine. One or a plurality of possible one-way communication rear machines, the linen equipment control unit of the head machine, in the switching signal transmission process, the one or more that transmitted the switching preparation signal in the switching preparation signal transmission process When the switching preparation completion signal is received from all of the two-way communication rear units, the switching signal is transmitted to all of the one or more one-way communication rear units that require switching of the operation mode, and one or more Each of the unidirectional rear machines performs an operation mode switching process for switching an operation mode when the switching signal is received from the head machine.
A linen facility according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a leading machine that is a cloth processing apparatus disposed at the top of a processing line, and one or a plurality of cloth processing apparatuses that are disposed downstream from the leading machine of the processing line. One or a plurality of two-way communication rear machines capable of bidirectional communication with the head machine, the head machine comprises an input unit for receiving a cloth type switching operation, and a linen equipment control unit, The linen equipment control unit, when the input unit accepts the switching operation, a switching signal transmission process for transmitting a switching signal to all of one or more of the two-way communication rear machines that need to switch the operation mode From the time when the input unit accepts the switching operation until a switching completion signal is received from all of one or a plurality of the two-way communication rear machines that have transmitted the switching signal in the switching signal transmission process. Cloths A waiting process for stopping acceptance, and each of the one or more bidirectional communication rear machines includes an individual control unit, and the individual control unit receives the switching signal from the head machine, After the discharge determination process for determining that the cloth supplied to the leading machine has been discharged immediately before the switching operation, the operation mode switching process for switching the operation mode after the discharge determination process, and after the operation mode switching process And a switching completion signal transmission process for transmitting the switching completion signal to the leading machine.
The linen equipment according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the first, second, third, or fifth aspect, wherein the leading machine is a plurality of cloth types and one or a plurality of the two-way directions corresponding to each of the plurality of cloth types. A storage unit storing each operation mode of the communication rear machine, the linen equipment control unit of the head machine refers to the storage unit when the input unit accepts the switching operation, A rear machine specifying process for specifying one or a plurality of the two-way communication rear machines that require switching of the operation mode is performed from the cloth type before the switching operation and the cloth type after the switching operation.
The linen equipment according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the linen facility according to the fourth aspect, wherein the leading machine includes a plurality of cloth types, and operation modes of one or a plurality of the unidirectional communication rear machines corresponding to the plurality of cloth types, respectively. The linen equipment control unit of the leading machine refers to the storage unit when the input unit accepts the switching operation, and determines the cloth type and the switching before the switching operation. A rear machine specifying process for specifying one or a plurality of the one-way communication rear machines that require switching of the operation mode is performed based on the cloth type after the operation.
The linen equipment according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the first, second, or third aspect of the invention, wherein the linen equipment control unit of the head machine includes information specifying each of a plurality of cloths conveyed through the processing line. The cloth specifying information is transmitted to one or a plurality of the two-way communication back machines, and the individual control unit of the two-way communication back machine receives the cloth specifying information from the head machine. Information specifying the cloth supplied to the leading machine immediately before the switching operation among the cloth specifying information when receiving the cloth preparation information receiving process and the switching preparation signal from the leading machine After the last cloth specifying information extracting process for extracting the last cloth specifying information and the last cloth specifying information extracting process, the cloth to be processed is subjected to the switching operation based on the last cloth specifying information. It was supplied to the head machine just before And last cloth specific process for determining whether or not corresponding to the class, and performing.
The linen equipment of the ninth invention is the linen equipment according to the fifth invention, wherein the linen equipment control unit of the leading machine provides one or more pieces of cloth specifying information including information specifying each of the plurality of cloths conveyed through the processing line. Cloth identification information transmission processing is performed to transmit to a plurality of the two-way communication rear machines, and the individual control unit of the two-way communication rear machine receives the cloth identification information from the head machine Processing and last cloth specifying information which is information specifying the cloth supplied to the leading machine immediately before the switching operation among the cloth specifying information when the switching signal is received from the leading machine After the last cloth specifying information extracting process and the last cloth specifying information extracting process, the cloth to be processed is supplied to the leading machine immediately before the switching operation based on the last cloth specifying information. Whether or not it corresponds to the selected cloth And last cloth specific process of determining, and performing.
In the linen facility of the tenth invention according to the eighth or ninth invention, the cloth specifying information includes a first parameter indicating a dimension of the cloth, a processing order of the cloth, and the processing line of the cloth. One or a plurality of second parameters indicating one or a plurality of positions and a distance between the cloth and the immediately preceding cloth, and the individual control unit of the two-way communication rear machine, In the last cloth specifying process, the cloth to be processed corresponds to the last cloth specifying information in terms of the first parameter, and the processing object in terms of one or more of the second parameters. When the last cloth specifying information corresponds to the last cloth specifying information, it is determined that the cloth to be processed corresponds to the cloth supplied to the leading machine immediately before the switching operation.

According to the first aspect of the invention, since the switching of the operation mode is started at the timing when the preparation for switching the two-way communication rear machine is completed, no extra time is generated before the start of the switching of the operation mode, and the waiting time of the head machine Can be shortened.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to operate only by confirming that the preparation for switching is completed only for the two-way communication rear unit arranged at the most downstream among the plurality of two-way communication rear units that require switching of the operation mode. It can be determined that preparations for switching all the two-way communication rear units that require mode switching have been completed.
According to the third aspect of the invention, the two-way communication rear unit that has completed the preparation for switching starts the switching of the operation mode without waiting for the completion of the preparation for switching of the other two-way communication rear unit, so the operation mode needs to be switched. It is possible to shorten the time required to complete the switching of the operation modes of all the two-way communication rear machines. As a result, the waiting time of the leading machine can be further reduced.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, even when the linen equipment includes a unidirectional communication rear machine, the operation mode of the unidirectional communication rear machine can be switched.
According to the fifth aspect of the invention, since the switching of the operation mode is started at the timing when the preparation for switching the two-way communication rear machine is completed, no extra time is generated until the switching of the operation mode is started, and the waiting time of the head machine Can be shortened.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to identify the rear unit for bidirectional communication that requires switching of the operation mode based on the information stored in the storage unit.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to identify a unidirectional communication rear machine that requires switching of the operation mode based on the information stored in the storage unit.
According to the eighth aspect, the last cloth can be specified based on the cloth specifying information.
According to the ninth aspect, the last cloth can be specified based on the cloth specifying information.
According to the tenth aspect, by using the first parameter and the second parameter, it can be accurately determined whether the cloth to be processed corresponds to the last cloth.

It is a side view of the linen equipment concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the same linen equipment. It is a flowchart of the continuous process in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart (first half part) of the timely process in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart (second half) of timely processing in a 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart (first half part) of the timely process in 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart (second half) of timely processing in a 4th embodiment.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
(Linen facilities)
The structure of the linen equipment A which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.
As shown in FIG. 1, the linen facility A includes a plurality of fabric processing apparatuses 10, 20, 30, and 40 that process the fabric F. A processing line is configured by connecting a plurality of fabric processing apparatuses 10, 20, 30, and 40 in series. The cloth F is subjected to various treatments by various cloth treatment apparatuses 10, 20, 30, and 40 while being conveyed through the treatment line.

  Here, “clothes” is a processing object of the linen facility A. Examples of the cloth include duvet covers, wrapping sheets, sheets, pillow cases, towels and other rectangular cloths, and yukata and sick clothes. The “fabric processing apparatus” is an apparatus that performs some processing on the cloth. Examples of the cloth processing apparatus include a washing machine, a dehydrator, a dryer, a sowing apparatus, a charging machine, a roll ironer, an inspection apparatus, a folding machine, and a binding machine.

  In the present specification, among the plurality of fabric processing apparatuses 10, 20, 30, 40 configuring the processing line, the fabric processing apparatus 10 disposed at the head of the processing line is referred to as a “first machine”. Of the plurality of fabric processing apparatuses 10, 20, 30, and 40 constituting the processing line, the fabric processing apparatuses 20, 30, and 40 disposed downstream from the leading machine 10 in the processing line are referred to as “rear machines”. Called. There can be one rear machine, but usually there are multiple.

  Of the rear machines 20, 30, and 40, a rear machine that can communicate bidirectionally with the leading machine 10 is referred to as a “bidirectional communication rear machine”. There may be one rear communication device or a plurality of rear communication devices. Of the rear machines 20, 30, and 40, a rear machine that can only receive a signal from the head machine 10 is referred to as a “unidirectional communication rear machine”. One or more unidirectional communication rear units may be used. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which does not provide a one-way communication back machine.

  In the present embodiment, the fabric processing apparatuses 10, 20, 30, and 40 are the input machine 10, the roll ironer 20, the inspection apparatus 30, and the folding machine 40. That is, the linen facility A of the present embodiment is configured by the input device 10, the roll ironer 20, the inspection device 30, and the folder 40. The feeder 10, the roll ironer 20, the inspection device 30, and the folding machine 40 are connected in this order to constitute a processing line.

  The washed fabric F is thrown into the dosing machine 10 by the worker W and deployed in a slender shape, and then ironed by the roll ironer 20 and subjected to quality inspection by the inspection device 30. It is folded by the folder 40.

  The input machine 10 is an apparatus into which the fabric F is input. The feeding machine 10 arranges the cloth F in a slender shape and delivers it to the roll ironer 20. The feeder 10 includes a chuck for gripping the fabric F and a conveyor for transporting the fabric F. The fabric F can be unfolded by gripping and suspending both corners of one side of the fabric F with a chuck.

  The roll ironer 20 is a device for ironing the fabric F. The roll ironer 20 includes one or more heating rolls. By transporting the fabric F in contact with the heating roll, the fabric F can be continuously dried.

  The inspection apparatus 30 is an apparatus that inspects the quality of the fabric F based on an image obtained by photographing the fabric F. The cloth F determined to be defective by the inspection apparatus 30 is separately discharged by the subsequent folding machine 40 and subjected to processing such as repeated washing.

  The folder 40 is a device for folding the fabric F. The folding machine 40 includes a plurality of conveyors that convey the fabric F and a plurality of folding devices that fold the fabric F conveyed by the conveyor at a predetermined folding position. The folding device includes a folded plate and an actuator that drives the folded plate. The folding device is configured to advance and retract the folded plate toward the connecting portion of the two conveyors. The folding plate is driven at the timing when the folding position of the fabric F reaches the connecting portion of the conveyor, and the folding position of the fabric F is pushed toward the connecting portion of the conveyor. The cloth F is folded by allowing the cloth F in the folded state to enter the connecting portion of the conveyor. By repeating such folding operation a plurality of times, the fabric F can be folded into a predetermined shape.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each fabric processing apparatus 10, 20, 30, 40 includes individual control units 11, 21, 31, 41. Each individual control part 11, 21, 31, 41 is comprised by the computer comprised by CPU, memory, etc. Each individual control unit 11, 21, 31, 41 has a function of controlling the operation of the cloth processing apparatuses 10, 20, 30, 40 corresponding thereto.

  The leading machine 10 includes a linen equipment control unit 13 in addition to the individual control unit 11. The linen facility control unit 13 is configured by a computer including a CPU, a memory, and the like. The linen facility control unit 13 has a function of controlling the entire linen facility A.

  The linen equipment control unit 13, the individual control unit 31 of the rear unit 30, and the individual control unit 41 of the rear unit 40 are connected by a network line 51 and can communicate bidirectionally. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the rear units 30 and 40 are bidirectional communication rear units capable of bidirectional communication with the head unit 10. The network line 51 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network). A wired LAN using an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable or a wireless LAN may be used.

  The linen equipment control unit 13 and the individual control unit 21 of the rear machine 20 are connected by a communication line 52. The individual control unit 21 can only receive signals from the linen equipment control unit 13. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the rear unit 20 is a unidirectional communication rear unit that can only receive signals from the front unit 10.

  The leading machine 10 includes a cloth detection unit 12. The cloth detection unit 12 has a function of acquiring cloth information (hereinafter referred to as “leading machine cloth detection information”) obtained from detection results of various sensors provided in the leading machine 10. The leading machine cloth detection information acquired by the cloth detection unit 12 is input to the linen equipment control unit 13 via the individual control unit 11. The leading machine cloth detection information includes the time when a new cloth is supplied, the size of the cloth currently being processed, and the interval between the cloth currently being processed and the cloth supplied immediately before. And are included.

  When the leading machine 10 is the throwing machine 10, it is possible to detect the time when a new cloth is supplied from the open / closed state of the closing chuck that allows the worker to grip the cloth. The width dimension of the cloth can be detected from the opening width of the unfolding chuck that grips and widens both corners of one side of the cloth. The vertical dimension of the cloth can be obtained from the time when the photoelectric sensor provided on the conveyor detects the cloth and the transport speed of the conveyor. The interval between the cloth and the cloth just before it can be obtained from the time when the photoelectric sensor provided on the conveyor does not detect the cloth and the conveying speed of the conveyor.

  Each of the two-way communication rear machines 30 and 40 includes cloth detection units 32 and 42. Each of the cloth detection units 32 and 42 is referred to as cloth information (hereinafter referred to as “back machine cloth detection information”) obtained from detection results of various sensors provided in the corresponding two-way communication rear machines 30 and 40. ). The back machine cloth detection information acquired by the cloth detection units 32 and 42 is input to the corresponding individual control units 31 and 41. The rear machine cloth detection information includes the dimensions of the cloth currently being processed, the interval between the cloth currently being processed and the cloth supplied immediately before it, and the time when the cloth was discharged. included.

  When the two-way communication rear machine 30 is the inspection device 30, the width dimension and the vertical dimension of the cloth can be obtained from the cloth image photographed by the camera. The interval between the cloth and the cloth just before it can be obtained from the time when the photoelectric sensor provided on the conveyor does not detect the cloth and the conveying speed of the conveyor. The time when the cloth is discharged can be detected by the photoelectric sensor provided on the discharge conveyor.

  When the two-way communication rear machine 40 is the folding machine 40, the vertical dimension of the cloth can be obtained from the time when the photoelectric sensor provided on the conveyor detects the cloth and the conveyance speed of the conveyor. The interval between the cloth and the cloth just before it can be obtained from the time when the photoelectric sensor provided on the conveyor does not detect the cloth and the conveying speed of the conveyor. The timing at which the fabric is discharged can be detected from the timing when the mechanism for discharging the fabric is operated.

  Each of the cloth processing apparatuses 10, 20, 30, and 40 switches the operation mode according to the type of cloth to be processed (hereinafter referred to as “cloth type”). That is, each of the cloth processing apparatuses 10, 20, 30, and 40 has a plurality of operation modes, and is controlled to operate in an operation mode that is optimal for the type of cloth to be processed.

  For example, in the case of the feeder 10, the operation pattern of each device (strength of force for unfolding the cloth, operation time and operation timing of the wrinkle removing mechanism, etc.) of the various devices, the conveyance speed of the conveyor, and the like are switched. In the case of the roll ironer 20, the conveying speed of the conveyor is switched depending on the cloth type. In the case of the inspection apparatus 30, the image processing parameters, the conveyor conveyance speed, and the like are switched depending on the cloth type. The folding machine 40 switches the operation pattern (folding number, folding method, etc.) of the folding device, the conveyance speed of the conveyor, and the like depending on the cloth type.

  The leading machine 10 includes a storage unit 15. The storage unit 15 stores information on operation modes of the cloth processing apparatuses 10, 20, 30, and 40. The linen facility control unit 13 can access the storage unit 15.

For example, the storage unit 15 stores operation mode information in the form shown in Table 1.

  In Table 1, F1, F2, F3, F4, and F5 mean different types of cloth. Examples of cloth types include duvet cover (normal quality), duvet cover (high quality), duvet cover (colored), wrapping cloth, and sheets.

  In Table 1, M11, M12, M13, M14, and M15 mean different operation modes of the leading machine 10. The leading machine 10 has five operation modes. For example, in the case of the cloth type F1, the operation mode M11 is selected. In the case of the cloth type F5, the operation mode M15 is selected. Each operation mode M11, M12, M13, M14, and M15 also includes information on setting values of the leading machine 10 (setting values such as operation patterns of various apparatuses and conveyor conveyance speeds).

  Similarly, M21 and M22 mean different operation modes of the one-way communication rear unit 20. M31, M32, and M33 mean different operation modes of the bidirectional communication rear machine 30. M41, M42, and M43 mean different operation modes of the bidirectional communication rear machine 40.

  Table 1 is merely an example, and the number of operation modes that each of the fabric processing apparatuses 10, 20, 30, 40 has is not limited to this. The combination of the cloth type and the operation mode is not limited to this.

  Further, the storage unit 15 stores information on the operation modes of all the two-way communication rear machines and the one-way communication rear machines constituting the linen facility A. In the case where there is one bidirectional communication rear unit, information on the operation mode of the bidirectional communication rear unit is stored. In the case where there are a plurality of backward communication rear units, information on the operation modes of the plurality of backward communication rear units is stored. Similarly, when there is one unidirectional communication rear unit, information on the operation mode of the unidirectional communication rear unit is stored. When there are a plurality of unidirectional communication rear units, information on operation modes of the plurality of unidirectional communication rear units is stored. When the linen equipment A does not include a unidirectional communication rear machine, information on the operation mode of the unidirectional communication rear machine is not stored.

  That is, the storage unit 15 includes one or more bidirectional communication rear machines corresponding to the plurality of cloth types F1, F2, F3, F4, and F5 and the plurality of cloth types F1, F2, F3, F4, and F5. Each operation mode is stored. When the linen facility A includes a unidirectional communication rear machine, the storage unit 15 stores one or more unidirectional communication rears corresponding to the plurality of cloth types F1, F2, F3, F4, and F5. Each operation mode of the machine is also stored.

  The leading machine 10 includes an input unit 14 that receives a cloth type switching operation by an operator. The input unit 14 is configured by a touch panel, for example. The worker performs an operation of switching the cloth type using the input unit 14 immediately before starting the supply of the cloth of a different cloth type from the cloth that has been supplied to the leading machine 10 until now. For example, when the cloth type F1 is supplied to the leading machine 10, when the supply of the cloth type F5 is started, an operation of switching from the cloth type F1 to the cloth type F5 is performed immediately before that.

  The operation result of the input unit 14 is input to the linen equipment control unit 13. Therefore, the linen equipment control unit 13 can recognize that the cloth type switching operation has been performed and the cloth types before and after the switching. Moreover, the linen equipment control part 13 performs the process which switches the operation mode of each cloth processing apparatus 10,20,30,40, when the cloth type switching operation is performed.

(Operation mode switching process)
Next, operation mode switching processing by the linen facility A will be described.
The operation mode switching process includes a constant process that is always performed while the linen facility A is operating, and a timely process that is performed when a cloth type switching operation is performed. Hereinafter, it demonstrates in order.

(Always processing)
First, the constant process will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.
The linen equipment control unit 13 of the leading machine 10 generates cloth specifying information (step S101: cloth specifying information generating process). The cloth specifying information includes information for specifying each of a plurality of cloths conveyed through the processing line at the present time.

For example, the cloth specifying information includes information shown in Table 2. That is, the cloth specifying information includes the “processing order” of the cloth conveyed through the processing line, the “position” of the cloth in the processing line, the “dimension” of the cloth, the cloth, “Spacing” with the immediately preceding fabric is included.

  The “processing order” is the order in which the cloth is supplied to the leading machine 10. Usually, the processing order of the cloths supplied to the leading machine 10 immediately after the start of the operation of the linen facility A is 1, and thereafter, every time the cloths are supplied to the leading machine 10, it is counted up. In the example shown in Table 2, five pieces of cloth are conveyed to the processing line. The fabrics with the processing order of 150 are conveyed on the most downstream side of the processing line. The cloth having the processing order of 154 is the cloth supplied to the leading machine 10 most recently. The processing order of the latest cloths can be said to be the number of processed linen equipment A.

  The “position” in the processing line is the position of the cloth when the cloth specifying information is generated. The position on the processing line may be expressed as an elapsed time from when the cloth is supplied to the leading machine 10, or may be expressed as a transport distance obtained from the elapsed time and the transport speed of the conveyor.

  The “dimension” of the cloth may include both the width dimension of the cloth (dimension in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction) and the vertical dimension (dimension in the direction along the conveyance direction). May only be included.

  The “interval” of the cloth is an interval in the processing line between the cloth and the cloth supplied immediately before the cloth. For example, the interval between the fabric having the processing order of 154 and the fabric having the processing order of 153. The interval between the fabrics may be expressed as a time interval between the fabrics or the fabric, or may be expressed as a distance interval on the conveyor.

  The linen equipment control unit 13 generates the cloth specifying information based on the leading machine cloth detection information acquired by the cloth detection unit 12. The “processing order” is obtained by counting the time when a new cloth included in the leading machine cloth detection information is supplied. The elapsed time from the time when the new fabric included in the leading machine fabric detection information is supplied, or the transport position obtained from the elapsed time and the transport speed of the conveyor is defined as a “position” in the processing line. The cloth dimensions and cloth intervals included in the leading machine cloth detection information are used as cloth specifying information.

  In the present specification, the “dimension” of the cloth is referred to as “first parameter”. Each of the “processing order” of the cloth, the “position” in the cloth processing line, and the “interval” between the cloth and the immediately preceding cloth are referred to as “second parameter”. The cloth specifying information may include all of these three second parameters, or may include one or more of them.

  Next, the linen equipment control part 13 transmits the produced | generated cloth specific information to all the two-way communication back machines 30 and 40 (step S102: cloth specific information transmission process). Then, the individual control units 31 and 41 of the two-way communication rear machines 30 and 40 receive the cloth specifying information from the leading machine 10 (step 201: cloth specifying information receiving process).

  The linen equipment control unit 13 repeatedly performs the cloth specifying information generation process (step S101) and the cloth specifying information transmission process (step S102) at predetermined time intervals (for example, 1 second interval, 0.1 second interval). Each time, the individual control units 31 and 41 of the two-way communication rear machines 30 and 40 receive the cloth specifying information. Therefore, the leading machine 10 and the two-way communication rear machines 30 and 40 can share the latest cloth specifying information.

(Timely processing)
Next, timely processing will be described based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
The worker performs a cloth type switching operation using the input unit 14 immediately before starting to supply a cloth of a cloth type different from the cloth that has been supplied to the leading machine 10 (step S301: switching operation). .

  Then, the linen equipment control unit 13 of the leading machine 10 identifies a rear machine that requires switching of the operation mode (step S302: rear machine identification process). Specifically, the linen equipment control unit 13 refers to the storage unit 15 when the input unit 14 receives a switching operation. Then, from the cloth type before the switching operation and the cloth type after the switching operation, one or a plurality of bidirectional communication rear machines that require switching of the operation mode are specified. Further, one or a plurality of unidirectional communication rear machines that require switching of the operation mode are specified from the cloth type before the switching operation and the cloth type after the switching operation.

  For example, it is assumed that the cloth type F1 is switched to the cloth type F3. The operation mode corresponding to the cloth type F1 of the bidirectional communication rear machine 30 is M31, and the operation mode corresponding to the cloth type F3 is M32. Since the operation modes M31 and M32 corresponding to the cloth types F1 and F3 before and after the switching are different, the bidirectional communication rear machine 30 needs to switch the operation mode.

  The operation mode corresponding to the cloth type F1 of the bidirectional communication rear machine 40 is M41, and the operation mode corresponding to the cloth type F3 is M41. Since the operation modes M41 corresponding to the cloth types F1 and F3 before and after the switching match, the bidirectional communication rear machine 40 does not need to switch the operation modes.

  For example, it is assumed that the cloth type F1 is switched to the cloth type F5. The operation mode corresponding to the cloth type F1 of the unidirectional rear machine 20 is M21, and the operation mode corresponding to the cloth type F5 is M22. Since the operation modes M21 and M22 corresponding to the cloth types F1 and F5 before and after the switching are different, the unidirectional communication rear machine 20 needs to switch the operation mode. Similarly, it is necessary to switch the operation mode of the leading machine 10 and the two-way communication rear machines 30, 40.

As described above, based on the information on the operation mode stored in the storage unit 15, the two-way communication rear machine and the one-way communication rear machine that require switching of the operation mode can be specified.

  If it is determined in the rear machine specifying process (step S302) that none of the fabric processing apparatuses 10, 20, 30, and 40 need to be switched in the operation mode (No in step S303), the linen equipment control unit 13 is left as it is. End the process.

  In the rear machine identification process (step S302), it may be determined that only the first machine 10 needs to switch the operation mode. For example, this is a case where the cloth type F1 is switched to the cloth type F2. Also in this case, the linen equipment control unit 13 ends the process as it is (No in step S303).

  When the operation mode of the head machine 10 needs to be switched, the linen equipment control unit 13 instructs the individual control unit 11 of the head machine 10 to switch the operation mode. The individual control unit 11 switches the operation mode of the leading machine 10 based on an instruction from the linen equipment control unit 13.

  When neither the unidirectional communication rear machine 20 nor the two-way communication rear machines 30 and 40 need to switch the operation mode, the “waiting process” described later is not performed. Therefore, there is no waiting time for the work of supplying the cloth to the leading machine 10 by the worker.

  When it is determined in the rear machine specifying process (step S302) that it is necessary to switch the operation mode of either the one-way communication rear machine 20 or the two-way communication rear machine 30, 40 (Yes in step S303), the linen The equipment control unit 13 issues an instruction to the individual control unit 11 of the leading machine 10 and stops accepting new cloths at the leading machine 10 (step S304: stop accepting).

  Reception of new cloths in the leading machine 10 is stopped from step S304 to step 309 described later. The process of stopping acceptance of new fabrics during this period is referred to as “waiting process”.

  Next, the linen equipment control unit 13 transmits a switching preparation signal to all of one or a plurality of two-way communication rear machines that require switching of the operation mode specified in the rear machine specifying process (step S302) (step S305: Switching preparation signal transmission processing).

  For example, when the fabric type F1 is switched to the fabric type F3, a switching preparation signal is transmitted only to the two-way communication rear machine 30 that needs to switch the operation mode. For example, when the fabric type F1 is switched to the fabric type F5, a switching preparation signal is transmitted to both the bidirectional communication rear machine 30 and the bidirectional communication rear machine 40 that require switching of the operation mode.

  Hereinafter, the processing of the bidirectional communication rear unit 40 in steps S401 to S405 will be described on the assumption that the switching preparation signal is transmitted to the bidirectional communication rear unit 40. The processing of the bidirectional communication rear machine 30 when the switching preparation signal is transmitted to the bidirectional communication rear machine 30 is the same.

  The individual control unit 41 of the two-way communication rear machine 40 receives the switching preparation signal from the leading machine 10 (step S401: switching preparation signal reception process). At this time, the individual control unit 41 refers to the cloth specifying information transmitted from the leading machine 10 by the above-described constant processing. Of the cloth specifying information, information specifying the cloth (hereinafter referred to as “last cloth”) supplied to the leading machine 10 immediately before the switching operation (hereinafter referred to as “last cloth specifying information”). (Step S402: last cloth specifying information extraction process).

  For example, in the cloth specifying information shown in Table 2, the last cloth specifying information is information on the cloth whose processing order is 154. That is, of the cloth specifying information, the information on the cloth having the largest processing order corresponds to the last cloth specifying information. Moreover, it can be said that the cloth information in which the position of the cloth is closest to the upstream corresponds to the last cloth specifying information.

  Of the various pieces of information included in the cloth specifying information, the “position” of the cloth changes over time. Therefore, the “position” of the cloth included in the last cloth specifying information also changes over time.

  Next, the individual control unit 41 acquires from the cloth detection unit 42 back machine cloth detection information about the cloth that the bidirectional communication back machine 40 is currently processing. Then, the last cloth specifying information and the rear machine cloth detection information are compared, and it is determined whether or not the cloth currently being processed corresponds to the last cloth. That is, the individual control unit 41 determines whether or not the cloth to be processed corresponds to the last cloth based on the last cloth specifying information (step S403: last cloth specifying process).

The last cloth specifying process (step S403) is performed as follows, for example.
The individual control unit 41 determines whether the cloth to be processed corresponds to the last cloth specifying information for each of the viewpoints 1 to 4 described below.

Viewpoint 1: Dimensions (first parameter)
If the dimensions of the cloth included in the back machine cloth detection information match the dimensions of the cloth included in the last cloth specifying information, the cloth to be processed corresponds to the last cloth specifying information in the viewpoint 1. Judge that.

Viewpoint 2: Processing order (second parameter)
The cloth to be processed corresponds to the last cloth specifying information in the viewpoint 2 when the cloth processing order in the two-way communication rear machine 40 matches the cloth processing order included in the last cloth specifying information. Judge that. Here, the processing order of the cloth in the bidirectional communication rear machine 40 is the order in which the cloth is discharged from the bidirectional communication rear machine 40. The cloth processing order in the two-way communication rear machine 40 is generated by counting up the time when the cloth included in the rear machine cloth detection information is discharged.

Viewpoint 3: Position (second parameter)
When the cloth included in the back machine cloth detection information is discharged, the cloth discharge position of the two-way communication back machine 40 in the processing line matches the cloth position included in the last cloth specifying information. In this case, it is determined from viewpoint 2 that the cloth to be processed corresponds to the last cloth specifying information. Here, the cloth discharge position of the bidirectional communication rear machine 40 in the processing line is set in advance in the bidirectional communication rear machine 40.

Viewpoint 4: Interval (second parameter)
The cloth to be processed corresponds to the last cloth specifying information in the viewpoint 4 when the cloth interval included in the cloth detection information on the rear machine matches the cloth interval included in the last cloth specifying information. Judge that.

  The dimensions of the fabric can be measured more accurately than other parameters. Therefore, if this parameter is used, cloths other than the last cloth can be accurately excluded. However, when a plurality of cloths having the same dimensions are supplied to the linen facility A, the last cloth cannot be specified only by the cloth dimensions.

  The position of the cloth is relatively low in detection accuracy. This is because the relative positions of the plurality of fabric processing apparatuses 10, 20, 30, and 40 constituting the linen facility A vary depending on the installation method.

  When some kind of error occurs in the linen facility A, the cloth being processed in the linen facility A may be discharged from the processing line. Even if the same fabric is discharged when the fabric is discharged. In some cases, the processing order of the leading machine 10 and the processing order of the bidirectional communication rear machine 40 do not match. In addition, when the cloth immediately before the last cloth is discharged from the processing line, the interval between the last cloth detected by the leading machine 10 and the interval between the last cloths detected by the two-way communication rear machine 40 coincide. Disappear.

  As described above, there is a possibility that the last fabric cannot be detected accurately with each parameter alone. Therefore, it is preferable to detect the last fabric by combining these parameters. For example, the cloth to be processed corresponds to the last cloth specifying information in the viewpoint 1 (the viewpoint of the first parameter), and the processing object in any of the viewpoints 2 to 4 (the viewpoint of the second parameter). When the cloth corresponds to the last cloth specifying information, it is determined that the cloth to be processed corresponds to the last cloth.

  As described above, the last cloth can be specified based on the cloth specifying information. Further, by using the first parameter and the second parameter, it can be accurately determined whether the cloth to be processed corresponds to the last cloth.

  Next, the individual control unit 41 determines that the two-way communication rear machine 40 has discharged the last cloth (step S404: discharge determination process). When the cloth detecting unit 42 detects that the last cloth specified in the last cloth specifying process (step S403) has been discharged, it is determined that the last cloth has been discharged.

  Next, the individual control unit 41 transmits a switching preparation completion signal to the leading machine 10 (step S405: switching preparation completion signal transmission process). Then, the linen equipment control unit 13 receives a switching preparation completion signal (step S306: switching preparation completion signal reception process).

  The linen equipment control unit 13 waits until a switching preparation completion signal is received from all of the one or more bidirectional communication rear machines that have transmitted the switching preparation signal in the switching preparation signal transmission process (step S305). For example, when the switch preparation signal is transmitted to both the bidirectional communication rear machine 30 and the bidirectional communication rear machine 40 in the switching preparation signal transmission process (step S305), the bidirectional communication rear machine 30 and the bidirectional communication rear machine 40 Wait until a switch ready signal is received from both. By waiting for the linen equipment control unit 13 to receive a switching preparation completion signal, it can be determined that preparations for switching of all the two-way communication rear machines that require switching of the operation mode are completed.

  Next, the linen equipment control unit 13 transmits a switching signal to all of one or a plurality of one-way communication rear machines that require switching of the operation mode identified in the rear machine identification process (step S302) (step S307: switching). Signal transmission processing).

  The individual control unit 21 of the unidirectional communication rear machine 20 switches the operation mode when receiving a switching signal from the head machine 10 (operation mode switching process). Therefore, even when the linen equipment A includes the unidirectional communication rear machine 20, the operation mode of the unidirectional communication rear machine 20 can be switched.

  Further, the linen equipment control unit 13 transmits a switching signal to all of one or a plurality of two-way communication rear machines that require switching of the operation mode specified in the rear machine specifying process (step S302) (step S307: switching signal). Send processing).

  Hereinafter, assuming that the switching signal is transmitted to the bidirectional communication rear machine 40, the processing of the bidirectional communication rear machine 40 in steps S406 to S408 will be described. The processing of the bidirectional communication rear machine 30 when the switching signal is transmitted to the bidirectional communication rear machine 30 is the same.

  The individual control unit 41 of the two-way communication rear machine 40 receives the switching signal from the leading machine 10 (step S406: switching signal reception process). Then, the individual control unit 41 switches the operation mode of the two-way communication rear machine 40 (step S407: operation mode switching process).

  In addition, what is necessary is just to include the setting value in the operation mode after the switching of the two-way communication rear unit 40 in the switching signal transmitted by the linen equipment control unit 13. The individual control unit 41 switches the operation mode of the two-way communication rear unit 40 by applying the setting value included in the switching signal.

  Only another information on the operation mode may be included in the switching signal transmitted by the linen equipment control unit 13. In this case, setting values corresponding to the respective operation modes are stored in the bidirectional communication rear machine 40 in advance. The individual control unit 41 switches the operation mode of the two-way communication rear unit 40 by applying a setting value corresponding to the operation mode based on another information of the operation mode included in the switching signal.

  Next, after the operation mode switching process (step S407) is completed, the individual control unit 41 of the two-way communication rear machine 40 transmits a switching completion signal to the leading machine 10 (step S408: switching completion signal transmission process).

  The linen equipment control unit 13 receives a switching completion signal (step S308: switching completion signal reception process). At this time, the linen equipment control unit 13 waits until a switching completion signal is received from all of one or more bidirectional communication rear machines that have transmitted the switching signal in the switching signal transmission process (step S307). For example, when a switching signal is transmitted to both the bidirectional communication rear machine 30 and the bidirectional communication rear machine 40 in the switching signal transmission process (step S307), both the bidirectional communication rear machine 30 and the bidirectional communication rear machine 40 Wait until a switch completion signal is received. By waiting for the linen equipment control unit 13 to receive the switching completion signal, it can be determined that the switching of the operation modes of all the two-way communication rear machines that need to be switched is completed.

  Next, the linen equipment control unit 13 issues an instruction to the individual control unit 11 of the leading machine 10 and starts accepting new cloths at the leading machine 10 (Step S309: Acceptance start). Therefore, the leading machine 10 stops accepting new cloths from when the input unit 14 accepts the switching operation (step S304) until the switching completion signal is received from the two-way communication rear machine (step S309). To do.

  As described above, since the switching of the operation mode is started at the timing when the preparation for switching the rear unit of the two-way communication is completed, no extra time is generated until the switching of the operation mode is started. For example, when it is necessary to switch the operation mode only for the two-way communication rear unit 30, the operation mode of the two-way communication rear unit 30 is started at the timing when the last fabric is discharged from the two-way communication rear unit 30. Therefore, there is no waiting until the last cloth is discharged from the two-way communication rear machine 40. When the operation mode of the two-way communication rear unit 40 needs to be switched, the operation mode of the two-way communication rear unit 40 is started at the timing when the last fabric is discharged from the two-way communication rear unit 40. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide an extra time that is conventionally required.

  Since no extra time is generated until the switching of the operation mode is started, the waiting time of the leading machine 10 can be shortened. Therefore, the production efficiency of the linen facility A is improved.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a linen facility A according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The linen equipment A of the present embodiment is different in the switch preparation signal transmission process (step S305) among the timely processes of the first embodiment.

  In the switching preparation signal transmission process (step S305), the linen equipment control unit 13 switches the operation mode instead of transmitting a switching preparation signal to all of the plurality of rear communication devices that require switching of the operation mode. Of the two-way communication rear machines that need to be exchanged, the replacement preparation signal is transmitted only to the two-way communication rear machine arranged at the most downstream side.

  For example, when the fabric type F1 is switched to the fabric type F5, it is necessary to switch the operation modes of the two bidirectional communication rear machines 30 and 40. Among these, the switch preparation signal is transmitted only to the two-way communication rear unit 40 arranged at the most downstream side.

  In this case, in the switching preparation completion signal reception process (step S306), the linen equipment control unit 13 waits until a switching preparation completion signal is received from the two-way communication rear unit 40 arranged on the most downstream side.

  Thus, just confirming that the preparation for switching has been completed only for the two-way communication rear unit 40 arranged at the most downstream among the plurality of two-way communication rear units 30 and 40 that require switching of the operation mode. It can be determined that preparations for switching all the two-way communication rear units 30 and 40 that require switching of the operation mode are completed. This is because when the last cloth is discharged from the downstream downstream communication rear machine 40, the last cloth is also discharged from the upstream bidirectional communication rear machine 30.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, linen equipment A according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The linen equipment A of the present embodiment is different in the switching signal transmission (step S307) in the timely processing of the first embodiment.

  In the switching signal transmission process (step S307), the linen equipment control unit 13 receives a switching preparation completion signal from one bidirectional communication rear machine and sends a switching signal to the bidirectional communication rear machine that has transmitted the switching preparation completion signal. Send.

  For example, when a switching preparation completion signal is first received from the bidirectional communication rear machine 30, the switching signal is transmitted to the bidirectional communication rear machine 30. Thereafter, when a switching preparation completion signal is received from the bidirectional communication rear unit 40, the switching signal is transmitted to the bidirectional communication rear unit 40.

  The two-way communication rear machine 30 that has completed the preparation for switching starts switching the operation mode without waiting for the completion of the preparation for switching of the other two-way communication rear machine 40. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time required for completing the switching of the operation modes of all the two-way communication rear machines 30 and 40 that require the switching of the operation mode.

  For example, it is assumed that the time required for switching the operation mode of the two-way communication rear unit 30 is longer than the time required for switching the operation mode of the two-way communication rear unit 40. When the switching of the operation mode of the two-way communication rear unit 30, 40 is started after the preparation for switching the two-way communication rear unit 40 is completed, the operation mode of the two-way communication rear unit 30 is switched after the two-way communication rear unit 40 Is completed. On the other hand, if the processing is performed as in the present embodiment, the switching of the operation mode of the bidirectional communication rear machine 30 is started before the switching of the operation mode of the bidirectional communication rear machine 40. Useless time can be reduced. As a result, the waiting time of the leading machine 10 can be further shortened.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, linen equipment A according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The linen equipment A of the present embodiment is different in part of the timely processing of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, processing different from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  The linen equipment control unit 13 of the leading machine 10 performs a switching operation (step S501), a rear machine specifying process (step S502), step S503, and reception stop (step S504). These processes are the same as steps S301 to S304 in the first embodiment.

  Next, the linen equipment control unit 13 transmits a switching signal to all of one or a plurality of two-way communication rear machines that require switching of the operation mode specified in the rear machine specifying process (step S502) (step S505: switching). Signal transmission processing).

  For example, when the fabric type F1 is switched to the fabric type F3, a switching signal is transmitted only to the two-way communication rear machine 30 that needs to switch the operation mode. For example, when the fabric type F1 is switched to the fabric type F5, a switching signal is transmitted to both the bidirectional communication rear unit 30 and the bidirectional communication rear unit 40 that require switching of the operation mode.

  Hereinafter, assuming that the switching signal is transmitted to the two-way communication rear unit 40, the processing of the two-way communication rear unit 40 in steps S601 to S606 will be described. The processing of the bidirectional communication rear machine 30 when the switching signal is transmitted to the bidirectional communication rear machine 30 is the same.

  The individual control unit 41 of the two-way communication rear machine 40 receives the switching signal from the leading machine 10 (step S601: switching signal reception process). Next, the individual control unit 41 performs the last cloth specifying information extraction process (step S602), the last cloth specifying process (step S603), and the discharge determination process (step S604). These processes are the same as steps S402 to S404 in the first embodiment.

  Next, the individual control unit 41 performs an operation mode switching process (step S605) and a switching completion signal transmission process (step S606). These processes are the same as steps S407 and S408 in the first embodiment.

Next, the linen equipment control unit 13 receives a switching completion signal (step S506: switching completion signal reception process). At this time, the linen equipment control unit 13 waits until a switching completion signal is received from all of the one or more bidirectional communication rear machines that have transmitted the switching signal in the switching signal transmission process (step S505). For example, when a switching signal is transmitted to both the bidirectional communication rear machine 30 and the bidirectional communication rear machine 40 in the switching signal transmission process (step S505), both the bidirectional communication rear machine 30 and the bidirectional communication rear machine 40 Wait until a switch completion signal is received. By waiting for the linen equipment control unit 13 to receive the switching completion signal, it can be determined that the switching of the operation modes of all the two-way communication rear machines that need to be switched is completed.

  Next, the linen equipment control unit 13 issues an instruction to the individual control unit 11 of the leading machine 10 and starts accepting new cloths at the leading machine 10 (Step S507: Acceptance start). Accordingly, the leading machine 10 stops accepting new cloths from when the input unit 14 accepts the switching operation (step S504) until the switching completion signal is received from the two-way communication rear machine (step S507). To do.

  As described above, since the switching of the operation mode is started at the timing when the preparation for switching the rear unit of the two-way communication is completed, no extra time is generated until the switching of the operation mode is started. As a result, the waiting time of the leading machine 10 can be shortened.

  In addition, when a switching signal is transmitted to the two bidirectional communication rear units 30 and 40, the bidirectional communication rear unit 30 switches the operation mode without waiting for completion of switching preparation of the other bidirectional communication rear units 40. Start. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time required for completing the switching of the operation modes of all the two-way communication rear machines 30 and 40 that require the switching of the operation mode.

A Linen equipment 10 Lead machine 13 Linen equipment control unit 14 Input unit 15 Storage unit 20 Unidirectional communication rear machine 21 Individual control unit 30 Bidirectional communication rear machine 31 Individual control unit 32 Cloth detection unit 40 Bidirectional communication rear machine 41 Individual Control unit 42 Cloth detection unit 51 Network line 52 Communication line

Claims (10)

A leading machine which is a cloth processing device arranged at the top of the processing line;
One or a plurality of cloth processing devices arranged downstream of the leading machine of the processing line, and one or a plurality of bidirectional communication rear machines capable of bidirectionally communicating with the leading machine,
The head machine is
An input unit that accepts a cloth type switching operation;
A linen equipment control unit,
The linen equipment control unit
When the input unit accepts the switching operation, a switching preparation signal transmission process for transmitting a switching preparation signal to all of one or a plurality of the two-way communication rear units that require switching of an operation mode;
In the switching preparation signal transmission process, when one or a plurality of both of the two or more two-way communication rear machines that have transmitted the switching preparation signal have received a switching preparation completion signal, the operation mode needs to be switched. A switching signal transmission process for transmitting a switching signal to all of the rear communication devices,
From when the input unit accepts the switching operation until a switching completion signal is received from all of one or more of the two-way communication rear machines that have transmitted the switching signal in the switching signal transmission process. Waiting process to stop accepting cloth,
Each of the one or more two-way communication rear machines is
With an individual control unit,
The individual control unit is
A discharge determination process for determining that the cloth supplied to the head machine is discharged immediately before the switching operation after receiving the switching preparation signal from the head machine;
After the discharge determination process, a switching preparation completion signal transmission process for transmitting the switching preparation completion signal to the leading machine,
An operation mode switching process for switching an operation mode when the switching signal is received from the head machine;
After the operation mode switching process, a linen facility for performing a switching completion signal transmission process for transmitting the switching completion signal to the leading machine. The linen equipment control unit of the leading machine is only the two-way communication rear machine arranged at the most downstream among the plurality of two-way communication rear machines that require switching of the operation mode in the switching preparation signal transmission process. The linen equipment according to claim 1, wherein the switching preparation signal is transmitted to the linen equipment. The linen equipment control unit of the leading machine transmits the switching preparation completion signal every time the switching preparation transmission signal is received from one of the two-way communication rear machines in the switching signal transmission process. The linen equipment according to claim 1, wherein the switching signal is transmitted to a rear machine. One or a plurality of cloth processing devices arranged downstream from the leading machine of the processing line, comprising one or a plurality of unidirectional communication rear machines capable of only receiving signals from the leading machine,
In the switching signal transmission process, the linen equipment control unit of the leading machine sends a switching preparation completion signal from all of one or a plurality of the two-way communication rear machines that transmitted the switching preparation signal in the switching preparation signal transmission process. When received, the switching signal is transmitted to all of the one or more one-way communication rear units that require switching of the operation mode,
3. The linen according to claim 1, wherein each of the one or more one-way communication rear machines performs an operation mode switching process for switching an operation mode when receiving the switching signal from the head machine. Facility. A leading machine which is a cloth processing device arranged at the top of the processing line;
One or a plurality of cloth processing devices arranged downstream of the leading machine of the processing line, and one or a plurality of bidirectional communication rear machines capable of bidirectionally communicating with the leading machine,
The head machine is
An input unit that accepts a cloth type switching operation;
A linen equipment control unit,
The linen equipment control unit
When the input unit accepts the switching operation, a switching signal transmission process for transmitting a switching signal to all of one or a plurality of the two-way communication rear units that require switching of an operation mode;
From when the input unit accepts the switching operation until a switching completion signal is received from all of one or more of the two-way communication rear machines that have transmitted the switching signal in the switching signal transmission process. Waiting process to stop accepting cloth,
Each of the one or more two-way communication rear machines is
With an individual control unit,
The individual control unit is
A discharge determination process for determining that the cloth supplied to the head machine is discharged immediately before the switching operation after receiving the switching signal from the head machine;
After the discharge determination process, an operation mode switching process for switching the operation mode;
After the operation mode switching process, a linen facility for performing a switching completion signal transmission process for transmitting the switching completion signal to the leading machine. The leading machine includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of cloth types and operation modes of one or a plurality of the two-way communication rear machines corresponding to the plurality of cloth types,
The linen equipment control unit of the leading machine refers to the storage unit when the input unit accepts the switching operation, and operates from the cloth type before the switching operation and the cloth type after the switching operation. 6. The linen equipment according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 5, wherein a rear machine specifying process for specifying one or a plurality of the two-way communication rear machines that need to be switched is performed. The leading machine includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of cloth types and operation modes of one or more unidirectional communication rear machines corresponding to the plurality of cloth types, respectively.
The linen equipment control unit of the leading machine refers to the storage unit when the input unit accepts the switching operation, and operates from the cloth type before the switching operation and the cloth type after the switching operation. 5. The linen equipment according to claim 4, wherein a rear machine identification process is performed to identify one or a plurality of the one-way communication rear machines that need to be switched. The linen equipment control unit of the leading machine transmits cloth specifying information including information specifying each of the plurality of cloths conveyed through the processing line to one or more bidirectional communication rear machines. Perform specific information transmission processing,
The individual control unit of the two-way communication rear machine,
A cloth specifying information receiving process for receiving the cloth specifying information from the leading machine;
When the switching preparation signal is received from the leading machine, the last cloth specifying information that is information specifying the cloth supplied to the leading machine immediately before the switching operation is extracted from the cloth specifying information. The last cloth specific information extraction process,
After the last cloth specifying information extraction process, based on the last cloth specifying information, it is determined whether the cloth to be processed corresponds to the cloth supplied to the leading machine immediately before the switching operation. The linen equipment according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the last cloth specifying process is performed. The linen equipment control unit of the leading machine transmits cloth specifying information including information specifying each of the plurality of cloths conveyed through the processing line to one or more bidirectional communication rear machines. Perform specific information transmission processing,
The individual control unit of the two-way communication rear machine,
A cloth specifying information receiving process for receiving the cloth specifying information from the leading machine;
When the switching signal is received from the leading machine, the last cloth specifying information that is information specifying the cloth supplied to the leading machine immediately before the switching operation is extracted from the cloth specifying information. The last cloth specific information extraction process,
After the last cloth specifying information extraction process, based on the last cloth specifying information, it is determined whether the cloth to be processed corresponds to the cloth supplied to the leading machine immediately before the switching operation. 6. The linen equipment according to claim 5, wherein the last cloth specifying process is performed. The cloth specifying information includes a first parameter indicating cloth dimensions, a processing order of the cloth, a position of the cloth in the processing line, and an interval between the cloth and the immediately preceding cloth. And one or more second parameters indicating one or more of:
In the last cloth specifying process, the individual control unit of the two-way communication rear machine corresponds to the last cloth specifying information in which the cloth to be processed corresponds to the last cloth specifying information in terms of the first parameter. When the cloth to be processed corresponds to the last cloth specifying information from the viewpoint of any one of the second parameters, the cloth to be processed is supplied to the leading machine immediately before the switching operation. 10. The linen equipment according to claim 8, wherein the linen equipment is determined to correspond to cloths.

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