JP2024057469A - Processing schedule adjustment system and its terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a machining schedule adjustment system that can improve the operating efficiency of machine tools by eliminating overlapping setup work even when one operator is in charge of multiple machine tools. [Solution] The machining schedule adjustment system 1 is a system that adjusts the machining schedules of multiple machine tools 3A, 3B using a mobile terminal 7, and the machining schedule includes setup work performed by an operator and machining programs in which the machine tools perform machining in automatic operation. The mobile terminal 7 acquires machining schedules from the multiple machine tools, adjusts each acquired machining schedule so that the setup work times do not overlap, and transmits the adjusted machining schedules to each machine tool to operate the multiple machine tools. [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a processing schedule adjustment system and its terminal device.

Conventionally, a scheduling device for determining the work order of multiple jobs with known delivery dates and man-hours is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The scheduling device disclosed in Patent Document 1 determines the work order of jobs based on an evaluation formula that uses delivery dates and man-hours.

JP 2001-337711 A

In the conventional scheduling device described above, the work order of jobs was determined based only on delivery dates and man-hours. However, when there is setup work that an operator must do to prepare for a job, if multiple setup tasks overlap, one operator cannot perform different setup tasks simultaneously. Therefore, when a job involves machining a machine tool, the machine tool must be stopped. Conventionally, when one operator is in charge of multiple machine tools, setup tasks overlap, resulting in a problem of reduced operating efficiency of the machine tools.

The machining schedule adjustment system according to one aspect of the present invention is a machining schedule adjustment system that adjusts machining schedules of multiple machine tools using a terminal device, and the machining schedules include setup work performed by an operator and machining programs in which the machine tools perform machining in automatic operation. The terminal device acquires the machining schedules from each of the multiple machine tools, adjusts each of the acquired machining schedules so that the setup work times do not overlap, and transmits the adjusted machining schedules to each of the machine tools to operate the multiple machine tools.

A terminal device of a machining schedule adjustment system according to one aspect of the present invention is a terminal device of a machining schedule adjustment system that adjusts machining schedules of multiple machine tools, the machining schedules including setup work performed by an operator and a machining program in which the machine tools perform machining in automatic operation, the machining schedules are acquired from each of the multiple machine tools, the acquired machining schedules are adjusted so that the setup work times do not overlap, and the adjusted machining schedules are transmitted to each of the machine tools to operate the multiple machine tools.

The machining schedule adjustment system and its terminal device configured as described above adjusts the machining schedule so that the times at which setup work is carried out do not overlap, eliminating the need for overlapping setup work and allowing one operator to be responsible for multiple machine tools.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the machining schedule adjustment system and its terminal device can improve the operating efficiency of machine tools because setup work does not overlap even if one operator is in charge of multiple machine tools.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a processing schedule adjustment system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a machining schedule for a machine tool. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a machine tool and a mobile terminal that constitute the machining schedule adjustment system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the machining schedule adjustment process by the machining schedule adjustment system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a machining schedule for a plurality of machine tools. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a combination created by adjusting the machining schedules of a plurality of machine tools. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a combination created by adjusting the machining schedules of a plurality of machine tools. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a mobile terminal in the processing schedule adjustment system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a machining schedule in the case where the setup work can be performed without stopping the automatic operation. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a machining schedule for a plurality of machine tools in a case where the setup work can be performed without stopping the automatic operation. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a machining schedule for a plurality of machine tools in a case where the setup work can be performed without stopping the automatic operation.

[First embodiment]
A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same parts are given the same reference numerals and detailed description will be omitted.

[Configuration of processing schedule adjustment system]
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a machining schedule adjustment system according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the machining schedule adjustment system 1 is composed of a plurality of machine tools 3A, 3B, a plurality of material supply devices 5A, 5B, a mobile terminal 7, and a communication device 9. The machining schedule adjustment system 1 is a system that adjusts the machining schedules of the plurality of machine tools 3A, 3B using the mobile terminal 7.

The machine tools 3A and 3B are devices that process materials using tools, such as laser processing machines or punching machines. The attached tools may be automatically replaced by a replacement device or may be replaced by an operator. The machine tools 3A and 3B are also devices that can process materials automatically, and work is performed according to a preset processing schedule. The processing schedule includes setup work performed by an operator and processing programs in which the machine tools 3A and 3B perform processing automatically. Since the working times for the setup work and the processing programs are preset, the machine tools 3A and 3B predict the start times of the setup work and the processing programs based on the set working times, and set the processing schedule.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the machining schedule for machine tool 3A first performs setup operation WA1, then executes machining programs PA1 and PA2, and then performs setup operation WA2 before executing machining program PA3. Setup operation WA1 is necessary to execute machining programs PA1 and PA2, so it must be performed before executing machining programs PA1 and PA2. Similarly, setup operation WA2 is necessary to execute machining program PA3, so it must be performed before executing machining program PA3. In this way, if there is any setup work required before starting machining or when switching machining programs, such setup work is incorporated into the machining schedule. By setting a machining schedule such as that shown in FIG. 2, machine tools 3A and 3B can execute multiple machining programs consecutively.

Setup work is work performed by an operator, such as setting up materials and tools used in a machining program, removing machined products, and maintaining machine tools and tools. In setup work, preparatory work required for machining is set in advance based on the machining data and information on the tools to be attached, and the work time is set based on the work record. The details of such setup work are displayed on the mobile terminal 7.

Since setup work is performed by an operator, if one operator is in charge of multiple machine tools 3A, 3B, he or she cannot perform setup work on different machine tools simultaneously. Therefore, if the setup work times of multiple machine tools 3A, 3B overlap, the setup work times must be shifted and adjusted. Therefore, the machining schedule adjustment system 1 according to this embodiment adjusts the machining schedule so that the setup work times do not overlap.

The machine tools 3A and 3B are also equipped with cameras 11A and 11B. The cameras 11A and 11B are imaging units that image the machining areas 13A and 13B of the machine tools 3A and 3B, and can image the entire operating range in which the tools operate. The cameras 11A and 11B may also image the entire machine tools 3A and 3B, the material supply devices 5A and 5B, and the area in which the operator works around the machine tools 3A and 3B. Note that while FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which there are two machine tools, there may be three or more machine tools.

The material supply devices 5A and 5B are connected to the machine tools 3A and 3B, respectively, and are devices that automatically supply materials to the machine tools 3A and 3B. The material supply devices 5A and 5B can also transport processed products from the machine tools 3A and 3B, and supply materials and transport processed products according to the control of the machine tools 3A and 3B.

The mobile terminal 7 is a terminal device that can access the communication device 9 via a network, and is, for example, a smartphone or tablet terminal operated by an operator. The mobile terminal 7 has installed therein the applications necessary to execute the processing of the machining schedule adjustment system 1. Therefore, the mobile terminal 7 can transmit necessary information to the machine tools 3A, 3B, and can receive and display information transmitted from the machine tools 3A, 3B.

The communication device 9 has a function of transmitting and receiving information to and from the mobile terminal 7 via a network, and is connected to the machine tools 3A and 3B by wire or wirelessly. Therefore, the communication device 9 can transmit and receive information between the mobile terminal 7 and the machine tools 3A and 3B. For example, the communication device 9 may be a device such as a router equipped with a mobile communication function such as 4G/5G that can connect to the Internet, or an access point that can directly communicate wirelessly with the mobile terminal 7.

Next, the configuration of the machine tools 3A, 3B and the mobile terminal 7 that constitute the machining schedule adjustment system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the machine tools 3A, 3B and the mobile terminal 7 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the machine tools 3A, 3B include controllers 15A, 15B, memory units 17A, 17B, and communication units 19A, 19B.

The controllers 15A, 15B transmit and receive information to and from the mobile terminal 7 via the communication units 19A, 19B, and execute control of the machine tools 3A, 3B. Specifically, the controllers 15A, 15B execute a process for setting a machining schedule for the machine tools 3A, 3B, and operate the machine tools 3A, 3B in automatic operation according to the set machining schedule. The controllers 15A, 15B also control the material supply devices 5A, 5B to supply materials and remove machined products.

The controllers 15A and 15B are general-purpose microcomputers equipped with a CPU (central processing unit) and memory. Computer programs necessary for operating the machine tools 3A and 3B in automatic operation are installed in the controllers 15A and 15B. By executing these computer programs, the controllers 15A and 15B execute control for operating the machine tools 3A and 3B in automatic operation.

The storage units 17A and 17B are memories and databases for storing information necessary for controlling the automatic operation of the machine tools 3A and 3B. The storage units 17A and 17B store, for example, the machining schedule, connection information, matching information, and identification information of the machine tools 3A and 3B. The connection information is an IP address and a port number for connecting the cameras 11A and 11B and the controllers 15A and 15B to a network. The matching information is a machine name or serial number for the mobile terminal 7 to identify the machine tools 3A and 3B, and for example, "MAC3015AJ" is used. The identification information is an arbitrary image or name for the operator to identify the machine tools 3A and 3B, and for example, "MACHINE#1" is used. Similarly, the storage units 17A and 17B also store the connection information, matching information, and identification information of the mobile terminal 7.

The communication units 19A and 19B have a function of transmitting and receiving information to and from the mobile terminal 7 via the communication device 9. The communication units 19A and 19B transmit the machining schedule set in the machine tools 3A and 3B to the mobile terminal 7, receive information such as the adjusted machining schedule transmitted from the mobile terminal 7, and record it in the memory units 17A and 17B.

The mobile terminal 7 includes a controller 21, a communication unit 23, and a display unit 25. The controller 21 transmits and receives information to and from the machine tools 3A, 3B via the communication unit 23, and executes a process of adjusting the machining schedules of the machine tools 3A, 3B. Specifically, the controller 21 acquires machining schedules from the multiple machine tools 3A, 3B, and adjusts the acquired machining schedules so that the implementation times of setup work do not overlap. The controller 21 then transmits the adjusted machining schedules to the multiple machine tools 3A, 3B, and operates the multiple machine tools 3A, 3B.

The controller 21 is a general-purpose microcomputer equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory. A computer program required for executing the process of adjusting the machining schedules of the machine tools 3A and 3B is installed in the controller 21. By executing this computer program, the controller 21 executes the process of adjusting the machining schedules of the machine tools 3A and 3B.

The communication unit 23 is connected to the communication device 9 via a network, and has the function of transmitting and receiving information to and from the machine tools 3A and 3B. The communication unit 23 receives information such as the machining schedule transmitted from the machine tools 3A and 3B, records it in a memory (not shown), and transmits the adjusted machining schedule when adjustment of the machining schedule is completed.

The display unit 25 displays information necessary for the process of adjusting the processing schedule, for example, displaying the processing schedule in the form of a time chart or displaying the time remaining until the processing schedule is completed.

[Processing schedule adjustment process]
Next, a description will be given of a processing schedule adjustment process executed by the processing schedule adjustment system 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the processing schedule adjustment process executed by the processing schedule adjustment system 1 according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, in step S101, the machine tools 3A and 3B set a machining schedule. Specifically, the controllers 15A and 15B of the machine tools 3A and 3B set their respective machining schedules as shown in FIG. 5.

As shown in FIG. 5, the machining schedule of the machine tool 3A is set up so that after setup operation WA1 is performed, machining program PA1 and machining program PA2 are executed, and then setup operation WA2 is performed before machining program PA3 is executed.

On the other hand, the machining schedule for machine tool 3B is set up so that after setup operation WB1 is performed, only machining program PB1 is executed, then setup operation WB2 is performed, and then machining programs PB2 and PB3 are executed.

In step S103, the controllers 15A and 15B transmit the processing schedule set in step S101 to the mobile terminal 7 via the communication units 19A and 19B, respectively.

In step S105, the controller 21 of the mobile terminal 7 acquires the machining schedules of the machine tools 3A and 3B via the communication unit 23.

In step S107, the controller 21 compares the machining schedules of the machine tools 3A and 3B to determine whether the times at which setup work is performed overlap. Since setup work is performed by an operator, one operator cannot simultaneously perform setup work on different machine tools. Therefore, it is determined whether the times at which setup work is performed on multiple machine tools 3A and 3B overlap.

For example, in the processing schedule shown in FIG. 5, the implementation time of setup operation WA1 overlaps with the implementation time of setup operation WB1. Therefore, in the case of the processing schedule shown in FIG. 5, it is determined that the implementation times of the setup operations overlap, and the process proceeds to step S109. On the other hand, if it is determined that the implementation times of the setup operations do not overlap, the process proceeds to step S115.

In step S109, the controller 21 creates multiple combinations of processing schedules in which the implementation times of the setup operations are shifted so that the implementation times of the setup operations do not overlap. For example, in the case of the processing schedules in FIG. 5, the controller 21 first creates FIG. 6, which is a combination of processing schedules in which the implementation time of setup operation WB1 is shifted back so that the implementation times of setup operations WA1 and WB1 do not overlap. In the combination of processing schedules in FIG. 6, shifting the implementation time of setup operation WB1 back results in an overlap between the implementation times of setup operations WA2 and WB2, so the setup operation WA2, which has the later start time, is shifted back even further. Shifting the implementation times of the setup operations in this way results in stop times SA1 and SB1.

Similarly, the controller 21 creates Figure 7, a combination of processing schedules in which the implementation time of the setup operation WA1 is shifted back so that the implementation times of the setup operations WA1 and WB1 do not overlap. In the combination of Figure 7, a stop time SA1 occurs due to the shifting of the implementation time of the setup operation WA1.

In step S111, the controller 21 calculates the stop time for each combination of processing schedules created in step S109. At this time, the controller 21 calculates the total stop time that occurs between the start time of the processing schedule or the current time and the second setup work. For example, in the processing schedule combination of FIG. 6, the stop time that occurs between the start time of the processing schedule and the second setup work WA2, WB2 is stop time SA1 and stop time SB1, so these are added together to calculate the total stop time. On the other hand, in the processing schedule combination of FIG. 7, the only stop time that occurs between the start time of the processing schedule and the second setup work WA2, WB2 is stop time SA1, so stop time SA1 is calculated as the stop time.

In step S113, the controller 21 selects, from among the combinations created in step S109, the combination in which the downtime of the machine tools 3A and 3B caused by shifting the implementation time of the setup work is the shortest. For example, in the combination of the machining schedules of Figures 6 and 7, the downtime in Figure 7 is shorter than the downtime in Figure 6, so the combination of the machining schedules of Figure 7 is selected.

In step S115, the controller 21 displays on the display unit 25 the machining schedules included in the combination of machining schedules selected in step S113. At this time, the controller 21 displays the machining schedule in the form of a time chart in which the setup operations and machining programs are arranged according to the work sequence, as shown in FIG. 7. In addition, when displaying, the display shows how far the machining has progressed. Furthermore, the operator can add, delete, or change machining programs by operating the mobile terminal 7.

The controller 21 also displays the remaining time until the end of the machining schedule for the multiple machine tools 3A and 3B, as shown in Figure 8. In Figure 8, "MACHINE#1" and "MACHINE#2" are displayed as identification information for the operator to identify the machine tools 3A and 3B, along with "operating" and "stopped" indicating the operating status, and "0:40'30" and "0:15'23" indicating the remaining time.

In step S117, the controller 21 transmits the machining schedules included in the combination of machining schedules selected in step S113 to each of the machine tools 3A and 3B via the communication unit 23. For example, since the combination of machining schedules in FIG. 7 is selected, the controller 21 transmits the machining schedule for the machine tool 3A included in FIG. 7 to the machine tool 3A, and transmits the machining schedule for the machine tool 3B included in FIG. 7 to the machine tool 3B.

In step S119, the controllers 15A and 15B of the machine tools 3A and 3B operate the machine tools 3A and 3B in accordance with the machining schedules they have received. When the machine tools 3A and 3B are operating in this manner, the machining schedule adjustment process according to this embodiment is completed.

[Effects of the First Embodiment]
As described above in detail, in the machining schedule adjustment system 1 according to this embodiment, the mobile terminal 7 acquires machining schedules from the multiple machine tools 3A, 3B, and adjusts the acquired machining schedules so that the implementation times of setup work do not overlap. Then, the adjusted machining schedules are transmitted to the multiple machine tools 3A, 3B, and the multiple machine tools 3A, 3B are operated. As a result, even if one operator is in charge of multiple machine tools, setup work does not overlap, and the operating efficiency of the machine tools can be improved.

In addition, in the machining schedule adjustment system 1 according to this embodiment, the mobile terminal 7 creates multiple combinations of machining schedules in which the implementation times of the setup work are shifted so that the implementation times of the setup work do not overlap. From among the multiple combinations, the combination with the shortest machine tool downtime caused by shifting the implementation times of the setup work is selected, and the machining schedule included in the selected combination is transmitted to each machine tool to operate the multiple machine tools. This allows the machining schedule to be adjusted so that the downtime of the machine tools is shortened, thereby further improving the operating efficiency of the machine tools.

Furthermore, in the machining schedule adjustment system 1 according to this embodiment, the mobile terminal 7 displays the machining schedule in the form of a time chart in which the setup work and machining programs are arranged according to the work sequence. This allows the operator to easily recognize the work sequence, so that he or she knows when to perform the setup work, thereby improving the operator's work efficiency.

In addition, in the machining schedule adjustment system 1 according to this embodiment, the mobile terminal 7 displays the remaining time until the machining schedules of the multiple machine tools 3A and 3B are completed. This allows the operator to easily know when the current machining schedule will end and start preparations for the next machining schedule, thereby improving the operator's work efficiency.

[Second embodiment]
A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same parts are given the same reference numerals and detailed description will be omitted.

In the first embodiment, a case was described in which the automatic operation of the machine tools 3A and 3B needs to be stopped when performing setup work, but in this embodiment, a case is described in which the automatic operation of the machine tools 3A and 3B does not need to be stopped when performing setup work. Setup work includes work that requires the automatic operation of the machine tools 3A and 3B to be stopped and work that does not require it to be stopped. This difference is determined by the characteristics of each work, but when material supply devices 5A and 5B are connected, it becomes possible to remove machined products and load materials without stopping the automatic operation of the machine tools 3A and 3B.

In this way, when there is no need to stop automatic operation when performing setup work, setup work WA1 can be performed simultaneously with execution of machining program PA2, as shown in FIG. 9. Also, when setup work WA1 is setup work for a specific machining program PA3, by starting the setup work during the setup margin time T, setup work WA1 can be completed before machining program PA3 starts.

The setup margin time T only needs to be set before time t2, which is the time required for setup operation WA1 before the start time t3 of machining program PA3 by the time Td required for setup operation WA1. Also, FIG. 9 illustrates an example in which setup operation WA1 can be performed after machining program PA1 ends, so the setup margin time T is set between the end time t1 and time t2 of machining program PA1. Therefore, by starting setup operation WA1 during the setup margin time T, the controller 21 can adjust the machining schedule so that setup operation WA1 is completed before machining program PA3 starts. This allows machining program PA3 to be started without stopping the machine tool 3A.

When creating a combination of processing schedules, the controller 21 can adjust the start times of the setup operations so that they do not overlap by moving the start times of the setup operations within the setup margin time. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, by setting the end time t2 of setup operation WA1 to be before the start time t3 of setup operation WB2, the execution time of setup operation WA1 and the execution time of setup operation WB2 can be adjusted so that they do not overlap.

Furthermore, when multiple setup slack times overlap, as shown in FIG. 11, the setup work WA1 is adjusted to start at the start time t1 of the setup slack time TA that starts earlier, and the setup work WB1 is adjusted to start at the end time t2 of the setup work WA1. However, time t2 needs to be set within the range of the setup slack time TB. This allows the setup work WB1 to end before the machining program PB3 starts, so that the machining program PB3 can be executed without stopping the automatic operation of the machine tool 3B. In this way, by adjusting the setup work WA1, WB1, multiple setup works can be performed without stopping the automatic operation, even when the setup slack times TA, TB overlap.

[Effects of the second embodiment]
As described above, in this embodiment, when a specific setup work for a specific machining program can be performed without stopping the automatic operation of the machine tool, the machining schedule is adjusted so that the specific setup work is completed before the specific machining program starts. This allows the specific machining program to be executed without stopping the automatic operation of the machine tools 3A and 3B, thereby improving the operating efficiency of the machine tools.

The above-described embodiment is one example of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made to the design, etc., even if the embodiment is different from the above-described embodiment, as long as the modifications do not deviate from the technical concept of the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Machining schedule adjustment system 3A, 3B Machine tool 5A, 5B Material supply device 7 Portable terminal 9 Communication device 11A, 11B Camera 13A, 13B Machining area 15A, 15B, 21 Controller 17A, 17B Memory unit 19A, 19B, 23 Communication unit 25 Display unit

Claims (6)

A machining schedule adjustment system for adjusting machining schedules of a plurality of machine tools using a terminal device,
the machining schedule includes a setup operation in which an operator performs work and a machining program in which the machine tool performs machining in an automatic operation;
The terminal device
acquiring the machining schedule from each of the plurality of machine tools;
Adjusting each of the acquired machining schedules so that the implementation times of the setup operations do not overlap;
A machining schedule adjustment system that transmits the adjusted machining schedule to each of the machine tools and operates the multiple machine tools. The terminal device
Creating a plurality of combinations of processing schedules in which the implementation times of the setup work are shifted so that the implementation times of the setup work do not overlap;
selecting, from among the plurality of combinations, a combination that results in the shortest downtime of the machine tool caused by shifting the implementation time of the setup work;
The machining schedule adjustment system according to claim 1 , wherein the machining schedule included in the selected combination is transmitted to each of the machine tools to operate the plurality of machine tools. The processing schedule adjustment system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the terminal device displays the processing schedule in the form of a time chart in which the setup operations and the processing programs are arranged according to the operation sequence. When a specific setup operation for a specific machining program among the machining programs can be performed without stopping the automatic operation of the machine tool,
3. The machining schedule adjustment system according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device adjusts the machining schedule so that the specific setup work is completed before the specific machining program is started. The machining schedule adjustment system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the terminal device displays the remaining time until the machining schedule of the plurality of machine tools is completed. A terminal device of a machining schedule adjustment system for adjusting machining schedules of a plurality of machine tools,
the machining schedule includes a setup operation in which an operator performs work and a machining program in which the machine tool performs machining in an automatic operation;
acquiring the machining schedule from each of the plurality of machine tools;
Adjusting each of the acquired machining schedules so that the implementation times of the setup operations do not overlap;
A terminal device of the machining schedule adjustment system that transmits the adjusted machining schedule to each of the machine tools and operates the plurality of machine tools.

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