JP2020035253A - Process design support device, support method, and support program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a process design support device that enables efficient design of an assembly process with excellent productivity.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a process design support device for supporting a design of an assembly process of obtaining a finished product by assembling on a downstream side a plurality of intermediate products obtained in parallel on an upstream side. Included are: creating means for creating a dendrogram that shows an assembly process from a plurality of parts through a plurality of intermediate products to a finished product by branching toward an upstream side in a time series, in consideration of configuration information on components constituting a finished product and constraint information on the availability of combinations of components or an assembly order of components; assembly time calculating means for calculating each assembly time required for assembly of an intermediate product or a finished product for each stage based on element time information required for assembly; process time calculating means for calculating a process time required from the start of assembly of the most upstream part to the end of assembly of the finished product based on the assembly time; and output means for outputting the dendrogram, the assembly time and the process time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention is a process design support that is useful when assembling a plurality of members by welding, bonding, fastening, fitting, and the like, and performing a process design that can efficiently produce a desired product (final product, intermediate product, etc.). It relates to a device and the like.

  Various machines, devices, structures, and the like (simply referred to as “products”) can usually be obtained by assembling a plurality of parts (including an assembly obtained by assembling a single body). The productivity (particularly, mass productivity) of such products greatly depends on the process design. In particular, the tendency becomes more remarkable as the number of parts to be assembled increases. Proposals regarding a support device (simulation device) for efficiently performing such a process design have been made, for example, in the following patent documents.

JP-A-5-54017 JP 2003-15723 A

  In the above-mentioned patent document, various assembly operations are sequentially performed on a large number of stages arranged in series along one line on which a work is conveyed, such as a production line (assembly line) of an automobile. Based on the premise, a support device that can efficiently perform a process design that can level the burden of each worker arranged for each stage has been proposed.

  The present invention is different from such a conventional support device in that an intermediate step of assembling each intermediate product assembled at a plurality of stages branched on the upstream side to obtain a desired finished product by assembling the intermediate products on the downstream stage. It is an object of the present invention to provide a process design support device that can efficiently design a process.

  The present inventor has conducted intensive research to solve this problem, and as a result, the assembly process from parts to intermediate products through finished products is represented in a tree diagram, and the assembly process with excellent productivity can be visually or intuitively performed. Inspired and embodied to be able to design efficiently. By developing these results, the present invention described below has been completed.

《Process design support device》
(1) According to the present invention, a plurality of parts are assembled at a plurality of stages arranged side by side on an upstream side to obtain a plurality of intermediate products, and the plurality of intermediate products are assembled at a downstream stage to obtain a completed product. A process design support apparatus for supporting a process design, wherein the plurality of components are configured in consideration of configuration information regarding components constituting the finished product and availability of combinations of the components or constraint information regarding an assembly order between the components. Means for creating a dendrogram showing the assembling process from the part to the finished product through the plurality of intermediate products toward the upstream side in time series, and assembling between the parts that can be combined. Assembling time calculating means for calculating each assembling time required for assembling the intermediate product or the completed product for each of the stages based on element time information relating to the required time; and the most upstream component based on the assembling time. Assembly opening From and a step time calculating means for calculating a process time required until the assembly completion of the finished product, dendritic view, and output means for outputting said set elevational time and 該工 more times.

(2) In the process design support device of the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as “support device”), a plurality of intermediate products assembled at each stage arranged side by side on the upstream side are assembled on the stage on the downstream side to achieve desired completion. The assembling process as a product is represented as a tree diagram along a time series. This tree diagram also shows the time required for the assembly process of the intermediate product and the finished product (assembly time) and the overall time required for performing the assembly process under consideration (process time / lead time). Output (displayed). Therefore, by using the support device of the present invention, it is possible to visually or intuitively grasp the unevenness and unevenness (unevenness) of the assembly work, the wasted time such as the work waiting time, and to efficiently perform the assembly process with excellent productivity. Be able to design.

  For example, when the assembly time of two intermediate products assembled on the downstream side is different, it is necessary to wait for the completion of assembly of the other intermediate product even after the completion of assembly of one intermediate product. In such a case, a difference in assembling time between the intermediate products may be a wasteful work waiting time (also simply referred to as “waiting time”). Such a waiting time is possible in order to shorten the process time from the start of the process (start of assembly of the most upstream part) to the end of the process (end of assembly of the finished product) and to increase the productivity of the entire process. A process design that can reduce as much as possible is desired.

  According to the support device of the present invention, since the tree diagram, the assembly time, and the process time can be grasped at a glance, even when there are many parts and intermediate products, it is possible to accurately grasp the waiting time and examine measures to reduce the waiting time. Can be done. Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently design an assembly process with excellent productivity while reducing the burden on the process designer.

《Process design support method》
The present invention can be understood as a process design support method (hereinafter simply referred to as “support method”). That is, the present invention relates to an assembling step of assembling a plurality of parts at a plurality of independent stages on the upstream side to obtain a plurality of intermediate products and assembling the plurality of intermediate products at the downstream stage to obtain a finished product. A process design support method for supporting a design, wherein the plurality of components are considered in consideration of configuration information regarding components constituting the finished product and availability of combinations between the components or constraint information regarding an assembly order between the components. From a plurality of intermediate products to the finished product by branching toward the upstream side in a time series to create a dendrogram, and a time required for assembling the parts that can be combined. An assembly time calculation step of calculating each assembly time required for assembling the intermediate product or the finished product for each stage based on the element time information related to the stage, based on the assembly time, A process design support method comprising: a process time calculating step of calculating a process time required from the start of assembly of a product to the end of assembly of the finished product; and an output step of outputting the tree diagram, the assembly time, and the process time. May be.

《Process design support program》
The present invention can be understood as a process design support program (hereinafter simply referred to as “support program”) that causes a computer to execute the above-described steps.

《Other》
(1) The process design support according to the present invention is realized by a computer and a program executed by the computer. The computer usually includes an arithmetic unit (CPU or the like), a storage unit (memory or the like), a display unit (display or the like), and an input unit (keyboard or the like). The computer may be an isolated computer or a computer linked by a communication network (for example, a server and a client).

  Each means or each step according to the present invention is usually configured or realized by a program executed by the computer. Therefore, the terms "-means" and "-step" referred to in the present specification can be interchanged with each other depending on the object of the present invention (invention of a product or invention of a method). In addition, “to means” may be replaced with “to unit”, and “support device” may be replaced with “support system”. For example, a support device including a plurality of linked devices (computer, storage device (server, etc.), terminal, etc.) may be called a support system.

(2) The term “assembly” as used in the present specification means that a plurality of members (parts and intermediate products) are joined / joined (welded, bonded, fastened, fitted, etc.) to produce a product in a desired form (finished product) To get.

(3) “Stage” means a place where assembly is performed, and may be translated into an assembly rank (level) or an assembly work name. The place where the assembly is performed may be a line shape in which the objects (parts, intermediate products, etc.) are successively assembled while being transported, or a yard shape in which the assembly work is performed in a specific area.

  The “arrangement” of the stages means a case where the assembly of the intermediate products required for assembling the finished product is performed in parallel (parallel) in time regardless of the geometrical arrangement. The present invention does not assume a case where parts are assembled one after another in series and a finished product is obtained (for example, a case where parts are assembled sequentially along one production line).

  The upstream side means a time series preceding in the assembling process, and the downstream side means a time series following in the assembling process. More specifically, with a particular stage as a starting point, the side where a part or intermediate product assembled at that stage is located is defined as an upstream side. Conversely, with the particular stage as a starting point, the side where the stage to be assembled using the intermediate products assembled at that stage is the downstream side.

(4) Parts and intermediate products are relative expressions. At a specific stage serving as a starting point, a product used for assembly is called a “component”, and an assembled product is called an “intermediate product”. However, the one assembled on the stage at the most upstream side is called "finished product". The “parts” used for assembling the finished product are simply referred to as “intermediate products” for convenience of explanation.

  The “finished product” may be a product assembled on the most downstream side in an assembly process to be designed. Therefore, the “finished product” may be an intermediate product (semi-finished product or work-in-progress) in addition to the final product. The “part” on the most upstream side is not limited to a simple substance (an object that cannot be subdivided), and may be an aggregate in which a plurality of simple substances are assembled. In addition, each product may be an object of the process design, and it does not matter whether or not the product itself is a transaction object.

It is a flowchart of the process design support which is an Example. It is a figure showing the parts and contact points of the object model used in the example. It is a figure showing a completed product of an object model. 9 is a table showing the component configuration and combination restrictions. It is a table | surface which shows the element time regarding the joining of each contact. 5 is a table showing contents of the initial assembly work, work time (assembly time), and work sequence constraints. It is a figure which shows the initial dendrogram, each operation time, and process time. It is a figure which shows the updated tree diagram, each operation time, and process time.

  One or more components arbitrarily selected from the present specification can be added to the components of the present invention described above. The contents described in this specification apply not only to a process design support device (system) but also to a support method, a support program, and the like as appropriate.

《Configuration information, constraint information, element time information / product information》
(1) The dendrogram is created (generated and drawn) in consideration of the configuration information and the constraint information. Thereby, a tree diagram reflecting the feasible assembly process is created.

  The configuration information is information on the components that make up the finished product. In other words, it is information on the type of parts required for assembling the finished product, the quantity thereof and the like. By considering the configuration information, parts necessary for assembling the finished product can be appropriately selected.

  The constraint information is information on the availability of combinations between components selected based on the configuration information and the assembly order (order) between components. The constraint information can change as the assembly process progresses. Normally, the degree of freedom of the combination and the order of assembly between components is greater on the upstream stage, and the degree of freedom on the downstream stage may be smaller. In addition, as the assembly process progresses, the configuration information and the constraint information are usually added to the intermediate product assembled on the upstream side.

(2) The calculation of the assembling time for each stage is calculated based on element time information relating to the time required for assembling between combinable parts. As a result, as long as the assemblable parts are selected, the assembly time at each stage can be efficiently and accurately calculated even if the stage at which the assembly is performed changes (that is, the assembling process changes). .

(3) To support the process design, configuration information, constraint information, and element time information (these are collectively referred to as “product information”) are required. Therefore, the support device (system) of the present invention may include a storage unit for product information. However, the product information may be provided when the support program is executed. Therefore, the storage means may be a storage device (especially a secondary storage device) built in a computer (support device) executing the support program, or an external storage device capable of communication. .

  The product information is a database for each product. The database may be dedicated data input and created to support the process design, or may be external data taken from design data (such as CAD data) of the product itself.

<< Creation method / Creation step >>
The creating means (step) creates (generates) a dendrogram (tree diagram, system diagram) in which the assembly process from parts → intermediate product → finished product is designed in consideration of the above-described configuration information and constraint information. ,draw. Since the display on the screen or the like or the writing to the database is performed by the output unit, the creation unit only needs to be able to create the data of the dendrogram.

  The dendrogram is shown along a time series of the assembling process, and is also called a time dendrogram. The dendrogram branches (branches) toward the upstream side of the time series. Conversely, the tree diagram is merged (integrated) toward the downstream side in the time series of the assembly process.

  In the dendrogram, for example, the names of parts to be assembled are displayed at the upstream end of each branch. Further, an intermediate product name, a stage name (assembly work name), and the like are displayed at a junction of the branches.

《Dialogue method / Dialogue step》
It is preferable to further include a dialogue means (step) for indicating whether or not the assembly process shown in the tree diagram can be changed. The interactive means is realized by an interactive process for notifying an operator (designer or the like) of whether or not the assembly process can be changed based on the above-described constraint information. When the assembling process can be changed, the creating unit updates the dendrogram based on the assembling process. Also, each calculating means (step) may recalculate each assembly time or process time based on the changed tree diagram, and the output means (step) may output the result together with the tree diagram. Thus, the operator (designer) can efficiently study a process design with excellent productivity.

<< output means / output step >>
The output means (step) outputs the assembly time and the process time together with the tree diagram. At this time, the length (interval) of each assembly process shown in the tree diagram may be relatively adjusted and displayed according to the length of the assembly time. As a result, the process designer can visually or intuitively grasp the assembly time and the process time.

《Other》
The support device and the like of the present invention may further include analysis means for analyzing an assembling process capable of shortening (further minimizing) the process time based on the product information. In this case, the creating means may create a tree diagram showing the analyzed assembly process, and the output means may display the tree diagram and the analyzed assembly time and process time.

  The present invention will be described more specifically while showing a target model (virtual case) to which the process design support apparatus (system) of the present invention can be applied.

"Device configuration"
The support device (system) according to the present embodiment includes a computer and a program executed on the computer. The computer includes an arithmetic unit (CPU, etc.), a storage unit (storage device such as ROM, RAM, HDD, SSD, etc.) for storing data or programs temporarily or for a long time, a display unit (display, etc.), an input / output unit (keyboard). , A mouse, a communication interface, etc.). The computer may be a dedicated machine or a general-purpose machine (such as a personal computer (PC)). The program is temporarily or long-term installed in the computer, and executes each step related to a process design support method described later. Each unit according to the present invention is configured by a program portion that executes each step described below.

"Object model"
As an object model, a joining process (an assembling process) in which parts a to f as shown in FIG. 2 are joined (for example, spot welding) at the respective contacts 1 to 8 to obtain a product Z (finished product) as shown in FIG. Consider the case of designing In this case, as shown in the table 1A of FIG. 4, the components constituting the product Z are given as a “component list” (configuration information). The parts that can be combined to be joined are given as a “list of parts that can be joined” (restriction information regarding the possibility of combination). Further, as shown in Table 2 of FIG. 5, the time required to join the contacts is given as “element time” (element time information) with reference to the contacts 1 to 8 between the components.

  The order of assembling the contacts (assembly order) is given as an initial value in the order in which the product can be easily manufactured while satisfying the strength and accuracy of the product. In the case of the target model, as shown in Table 2 of FIG. 5, the operation of joining the component c and the component d at the contact 2 is the highest order (most upstream side) (see Table 3 in FIG. 6). In addition, when there are a plurality of contacts between parts to be joined, separately from before and after (upper and lower) in the work order, these contacts are usually joined continuously at the same stage. In the case of the target model, the contact 4 and the contact 5 are continuously joined to the intermediate product (the component g) in which the component c and the component d are joined (see Table 3 in FIG. 6). Such rules serve as constraint information on the work order (assembly order).

  Incidentally, as shown in the table 1B of FIG. 4, for example, when a part h is produced by joining a part a and a part b at a certain stage, a “part list” and a “list of parts that can be joined” May be updated to the content in which the component h is added. As a result, the “parts list” and the “parts list that can be joined” have contents suitable for subsequent processing as needed.

  The initial contents (initial values) of the joining process are given, for example, as shown in Table 3 in FIG. This initial content may be, for example, automatically set or a value input by an operator with reference to an existing process or the like within a range that satisfies the conditions shown in Table 1A and Table 2.

  In the case of the target model, product information such as “parts list”, “joinable parts list”, “work order”, and “element time” are provided as data having a list structure based on each contact. By using data in such a format, it is possible to efficiently create a tree diagram, calculate work time or process time, and the like. For example, the work time is calculated based on the element time based on the contact point. Therefore, even if the joining process (assembly process) is changed, the time required for each joining process (working time / assembly time), and thus the process time, can be easily calculated.

《Process design》
FIG. 1 shows a processing procedure (flowchart) when a process is designed by the support device. Hereinafter, each procedure (step) related to the process design support will be described in detail with reference to the target model described above.

(1) Input of Product Information In step S1, product information (configuration information, constraint information, element time information) required for process design is acquired from the database DB1. In the case of the target model, for example, the data shown in each of the tables of FIGS. 4 to 6 is read and stored in the memory (primary storage device) of the computer.

(2) Creation of dendrogram In step S2, a dendrogram (data) showing the assembling process in time series is created so as to conform to the acquired product information (creation step). The initial dendrogram is created based on the initial contents of the assembly process prepared in advance. In the case of the target model, for example, a tree diagram is created based on the contents shown in FIG.

(3) Calculation of Assembly Time and Process Time In step S3, first, the time required for each assembly process (assembly time) is calculated based on the element time information (assembly time calculation step). Next, a time (process time) from the start of the process to the end of the process is calculated using the assembly time (process time calculation step).

  In the case of the target model, the time (operation time) required for each joining operation is calculated based on the element times shown in Table 2 of FIG. The initial value of each work time is as shown in Table 3 in FIG. The time required for the entire joining process (process time) is calculated from each operation time.

  In the initial joining process, the product h is obtained by joining the component h and the component j (operation K). The component h is obtained by the operation H (simply referred to as “H side”), and the component j is obtained by the operations J to G (simply referred to as “J side”). That is, the joining process of obtaining the product Z from the components a to f is roughly classified into two systems, the H side and the J side. Here, the total work time on the H side and the total work time on the J side are calculated in advance. The longer of the total working times is the above-described process time. The time difference between the total work times is the waiting time (see FIG. 7).

(4) Display of Dendrogram In step S4, the created dendrogram and the calculated assembly time and process time are displayed on a screen or the like (output step). The branch interval (length) of the tree diagram is relatively adjusted according to the length of each assembly time. In the case of the target model, the tree diagram and the total operation time of each operation time and each system are shown as in FIG. 7 (or FIG. 8). The longer total operation time (the total operation time on the J side in FIG. 7) is the process time. The difference between the systems in the total work time is also shown as the waiting time.

(5) Update of dendrogram (interaction processing)
In step S5, optimization of the assembling process is examined based on the displayed tree diagram. If there is a need for optimization, in step S6, an attempt is made to change the assembly process on the displayed dendrogram. In step S7, it is determined whether or not the change is possible based on the product information (particularly, the constraint information). If the change is possible, the process returns to steps S2 to S4, and a tree diagram reflecting the assembling process after the change is displayed (update step).

  Conversely, if it is determined in step S7 that the change cannot be made, the designer is warned (notified) to that effect, and the process returns to step S5 to urge reconsideration of the assembly process. In this way, by repeating steps S5 to S7 or steps S5 to S7 and S2 to S4, a dialogue process with the designer is performed (dialog step). Thus, the process designer can intuitively and efficiently perform a more suitable process design based on the tree diagram displayed on the screen.

  In the case of the target model, in the initial dendrogram, it can be seen that the total work time on the work J side is long and the work H side has a waiting time (dead time). Therefore, the joining operation (the order of the parts or contacts to be joined) is changed based on the tree diagram shown in FIG. Thus, for example, a tree diagram as shown in FIG. 8 is obtained. In this case, the total work time of the work J 'after the change is equal to the total work time of the work H' after the change, and the waiting time of the joining work between the two systems is eliminated. Is the entire process time. As is clear from the comparison between the dendrograms of FIGS. 7 and 8, it can be understood that the process time can be reduced by 7 seconds (39 seconds to 32 seconds) by reconsidering the bonding process.

(6) Output of Assembly Process In step S8, when an efficient assembly process with a reduced process time is determined, the contents are output to the database DB2 and written and stored.

  Thus, by using the process design support apparatus of the present invention, an assembly process with excellent productivity can be efficiently designed.

Claims (6)

A process of assembling a plurality of parts at a plurality of stages arranged side by side on the upstream side to obtain a plurality of intermediate products, and supporting a design of an assembling process of assembling the plurality of intermediate products at a downstream stage to obtain a finished product A design support device,
Taking into account the configuration information on the components that make up the finished product and the availability of combinations between the components or constraint information on the assembly order between the components, the plurality of components pass through the plurality of intermediate products into the finished product. Creating means for creating a dendrogram showing the assembling process leading to the upstream side of the time series,
Assembly time calculation means for calculating each assembly time required for assembling the intermediate product or the completed product for each of the stages, based on element time information relating to the time required for assembling the parts that can be combined,
Process time calculation means for calculating a process time required from the start of assembly of the part on the most upstream side to the end of assembly of the finished product based on the assembly time;
Output means for outputting the tree diagram, the assembly time and the process time;
A process design support device comprising: Further, a dialogue means for indicating whether or not the assembly process shown in the tree diagram can be changed,
The process design support device according to claim 1, wherein the creating unit updates the tree diagram based on the changeable assembly process.   3. The process design support device according to claim 1, wherein the output unit relatively adjusts and displays the length of each assembly process shown in the tree diagram according to the length of the assembly time. 4.   The process design support apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit configured to store the configuration information, the constraint information, and the element time information. A process of assembling a plurality of parts at a plurality of stages arranged side by side on the upstream side to obtain a plurality of intermediate products and supporting a design of an assembly process of assembling the plurality of intermediate products at a downstream stage to obtain a finished product A design support method,
Taking into account the configuration information on the components that make up the finished product and the availability of combinations between the components or constraint information on the assembly order between the components, the plurality of components pass through the plurality of intermediate products to the finished product. A creating step of creating a dendrogram showing the assembling process that branches off toward the upstream side of the time series,
An assembling time calculating step of calculating each assembling time required for assembling the intermediate product or the completed product for each of the stages, based on element time information relating to an assembling time between the parts that can be combined,
A process time calculating step of calculating a process time required from the start of assembly of the part on the most upstream side to the end of assembly of the finished product based on the assembly time;
An output step of outputting the tree diagram, the assembly time, and the process time;
A process design support method comprising:   A process design support program for causing a computer to execute the steps according to claim 5.