JP2706190B2 - Assembly line information transmission system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an assembly line information transmission system, and more particularly, to accurately transmitting work instruction information to each worker arranged along a conveyor line, and integrating the progress of each worker's work. The present invention relates to a new assembly line management method that can be grasped in a dynamic manner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 8 shows the concept of a conventional assembly line. A plurality of tacts T (Ta... Tn) are provided along a conveyor line 1 such as a belt, and a process determined by each tact T on a workpiece 3 conveyed by a pallet 2 from the start end of the conveyor line 1 And the final tact Tn
After passing through, it has been processed to the desired state.

Each tact T is provided with a stopper 21 to stop the workpiece 3 conveyed on the conveyor line 1. The stopper 21 is linked with the foot switch 22. When the worker finishes the work, the foot switch 22 is depressed by the foot switch 22 and the stopper 2 is turned off.
1 moves below the conveyor line 1, and the workpiece 3 is sent to the next tact T.

In such a configuration, a worker in each tact T places a drawing displaying the work contents in an easily viewable part at hand, and works while viewing the contents.

[0005]

According to the above-mentioned conventional method, when the worker recognizes that his / her work has been completed, he steps on the foot switch 22 and sends the workpiece 3 to the next tact T. As a result, there was no opportunity to perform a recheck, and there were many defective products (for example, 0.3
% Defective). In particular, when a drawing or the like displaying the work content is difficult to see or is difficult to understand, the tendency is increased. In addition, the worker and the worker who recognize how much the number given to the individual worker in each tact T has been processed or how long the task given to one tact T has been processed is recognized by the worker and the worker. It seemed to be ambiguous from any point of view of the supervisor of the work, and the work took too much time.

In particular, an object of the present invention is to make each tact
Is in control of required work time, and various work changes or
Due to changes in the manual, etc., the work in which tact T is progressing (lagging) as viewed from the supervisor of the work
However, it was not possible to grasp in real time how much or how many pieces are currently being processed, and it was difficult to make a next work plan.

The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and it is possible to check the work contents more sufficiently, to improve the work efficiency, and to monitor the progress of the work in real time. It is an object of the present invention to provide an assembly line information transmission system that can be grasped.

[0008]

The present invention employs the following means to achieve the above object. That is, in the assembly line shown in FIG. 1 in which the conveyor line 1 is divided into a plurality of tacts T, and the workpiece 3 flowing on the conveyor line 1 is sequentially processed by each tact T to finish up to a target stage. As shown in FIG. 2, a work document indicating the work content of each tact T is stored in the storage device 12 of the host machine 10, and a work provided for each tact T by the host machine 10 before starting the work. The work document is transmitted to and displayed on the station 20, and the switch S1 is turned on when the work on one of the workpieces 3 is completed.
By doing so, the workpiece 3 is transported to the next tact T, and a completion report is sent to the host machine 10.

In particular, the present invention relates to a work piece at each tact T.
3 displays the target work time for one of the three
When the switch S1 is turned on at the end of the
Transport to T
The time required for the work is displayed in comparison with the target time.
It was.

When a worker in charge of each tact T finds a faulty product, by turning on the fault occurrence switch S2, "failed product" is displayed for any tact T for that product, and When the fault occurrence switch S2 is instructed again by any tact T, the display is turned off.

Further, a document displaying information to be notified to the worker in charge of each tact T during the work is stored in the host machine 1.
0, a message indicating that there is a notice on the workstation 20 of each tact T is displayed, and the worker in charge of each tact T turns on the notice switch S4 so that the contents of the notice are sent from the host machine 10 to each workstation 20. To be displayed.

[0012]

When the switch S1 is turned on, the workpiece 3 moves to the next step for the first time. This prompts the worker to confirm the work contents again.

In addition, by displaying the time required for the work at each tact T in comparison with the target time, the worker can always proceed with the work based on the target time, thereby improving the work efficiency. it can.

When a fault occurs as described above, any tact T can always recognize which fault has occurred in any of the workpieces 3 and the operator who is in a repairable state is But it can be repaired.

Further, by displaying the document displaying the notice in the middle of the work on the workstation 20 of each tact T, it is possible to easily transmit information such as precautions on the work and the like for smoothly performing the work. Can be.

[0016]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 shows an example of a display screen of a workstation used in the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flow chart on the side of the workstation, and FIG. 4 is a flow chart on the side of the host machine.

Just like the conventional case shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of tacts T are provided along the conveyor line 1, and a stopper 21 and a foot switch 22 for operating the stopper 21 are provided for each tact T. Can be

In the present invention, workstations 20 (20a... 20n) are arranged for each of the takts T arranged along the conveyor line 1, and each workstation 20 is connected to the host machine 10 Is connected to

In the storage device 12 of the host machine 10, a work document displaying the work contents for each tact T when manufacturing a workpiece 3 of a certain model is stored, for example, in the form of an illustration. In another place of the storage device 12, a procedure for transmitting work documents scheduled for each model based on the production plan of the day is stored in accordance with an input instruction from a keyboard.
Prior to the work, the work document describing the work contents of the takt T to which the workstation 20 belongs is transmitted to each workstation 20 according to the above procedure, and necessary items for the work, for example, model name, number of processed machines And target tact time etc. (FIG. 3, F31,
(FIG. 4, F41). In this state, when the worker in charge of each tact T instructs each station 20 to start the work,
Each workstation 20 displays the model name and the number of processed units (remaining number) together with the work document.
Also, as a function switch, a touch sensor type check switch S1, a failure occurrence switch S2, a menu switch S3, a notification switch S4, a next screen switch S5.
Is displayed, and the tact timer 4 described below is displayed (FIG. 3, F32 → F33).

On the other hand, each workstation is provided with a portion for storing the target tact time of the work specified by the tact T as a part of a storage portion (not shown) for temporarily storing information distributed from the host machine 10. At the same time, a not-shown timing unit that is activated by an instruction to start the work is provided. Thus, the tact timer 4 on the screen displays the time required for the work in response to the work / start instruction. For example,
The target time is set and displayed in a blue frame of a predetermined length, and the required time from the start of the work is converted into 100% of the target time, and as the work progresses, one of the blue frames is filled with red. And so on. by this,
When the work falls below the target time, a blue portion still remains, and when the work exceeds the target time, the blue frame is completely painted in red. This allows the worker to know whether his or her work speed is faster or slower than the target time. Of course, in this case, since the actual work time is measured from the above-mentioned timing section, the actual work time is measured every time the unit work is completed.
And stored as one of various kinds of total data.

When the work is completed, the worker turns on the check switch S1 (F34 in FIG. 3). Therefore, before performing this operation, the worker is forced to reconfirm whether the work has been completed as specified, and the probability of occurrence of a failure can be reduced.

Thereafter, the worker in charge enters the foot switch 22.
Is turned on, the stopper 21 described above is lowered below the conveyor line 1, and the workpiece 3 is sent to the next operation step (FIG. 3, F36). Here, the foot switch 22
Is turned on for more than a predetermined time (here, 30 seconds) after turning on the check switch S1, an instruction is given to turn on the check switch S1 again (FIG. 3,
F35a → F35b).

In this way, while the pallet 2 on which the workpiece 3 is placed is conveyed to the next operation step, the conveyor 1
Is turned on. In response to the ON signal, the workstation 20 sends a completion report to the host machine 10 (FIG. 3, F37 →
F38). Then, the process ends unless new data is transmitted from the host device 10. When the new data is transmitted, the process returns to the step of waiting for the instruction of F32 (FIG. 4, F39 → F40).

Upon receiving the completion report as described above, the host machine 1
0 is the first workstation where the report is
(F42 → F43 in FIG. 4)₁~ F
43 _n). And to the corresponding workstation 20
On the other hand, specify initialization of tact timer 4 and display of the remaining number.
(FIG. 4, F44 → F45). The indication was made
As a result, it is determined whether or not the remaining processing number is “0”,
If it is not “0”, the remaining number
Is displayed on the application 20 (F46 → F47). This
Therefore, the remaining number of workstations 20 is reduced by one.
Is displayed and the worker in charge of each tact T
You will always know. When it is “0”,
Is the model processed by accessing the storage device 12,
Enter the number, etc., and check if there is work for the next model
To see. If there is work for the next model,
Working documents pre-scheduled as a plan
The data of the following models is sent to each workstation according to the
And the process returns to step F42 again.
Waiting for a report from the workstation 20
(FIG. 4, F50a → F50b).

If there is no next model, the program is terminated, assuming that the operation has been completed. In order to realize the above method, it is necessary to store work content, for example, a work document displayed as an illustration picture in the storage device 12 of the host machine 10. As a method of loading the work document into the host machine 10, for example, there is a method of loading information created by a graphic computer. FIG. 5 shows a method of loading the document from the image scanner 11.

That is, when “Documentation” is selected on the menu screen of the host machine 10,
Allows reading of a document from the image scanner 11 (FIG. 5, F51). Therefore, the operator is first asked whether the document is a new input document or a revised document, that is, whether the already input work document is corrected or added (FIG. 5, F51 → F52).
When importing a new version, the operator selects “New” and imports an image from the image scanner (FIG. 5,
F53 → F54). Thereafter, the model name and the workstation 20 corresponding to the fetched work document are input and stored in the storage device 12 (FIG. 5, F55 → F5).
6).

On the other hand, when the operator selects “revision”, the model name to be revised and the workstation 20
, The original work document is read out on the screen, a new work document to be revised is fetched from the image scanner 11, and it is confirmed whether or not the screen has been replaced with a new image (FIG. 5, F57 →
F60). After that, the procedure for filing the file in the storage device 12 is the same as that for the new case.

As a result, the work document is taken into the storage device 12, and this work document is used for the work instruction in each tact T as described above. In addition, since the revision of already imported documents can be easily performed as described above, the necessary information is displayed when the worker determines that there are insufficient points in the display of the current work document and wants to add a new item. Can be easily added. Thereby, a more reliable product can be manufactured.

When there is an obstacle in the workpiece 3 processed on the conveyor line 1 as described above, the processing is performed as shown in FIG. On the work screen shown in FIG. 2, the fault occurrence switch S2 of the touch sensor type is displayed as described above, and the worker finds a fault that has occurred in his own process or a fault that has been pulled down from the previous process. Then, the failure switch S2 is pressed. As a result, the content of the fault stored in the menu format in advance, for example, "Screw out"
Are displayed, and the worker in charge can select which type of fault is present (FIG. 6, F61 → F62). When the operator selects the content of the failure, the display of "failure product" for the workpiece 3 is made (for example, the frame of the failure switch S2 is colored red) (F63 in FIG. 6). Here is Tact T
When the failure is repaired and the failure switch S2 is pressed again, the display of the "failed product" disappears (FIG. 6, F64 → F).
65). When only the self process is completed without repairing the fault in the repair step (the check switch S in FIG. 2)
1 is turned on), this fault is taken over by the person in charge of the next takt T. Such a failure processing function is realized by software that controls the exchange of information between each workstation 20 and the host machine 10 as data unique to the workpiece synchronized with the movement of the workpiece on the conveyor line. I have.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a work procedure for transmitting necessary work items to a worker during the work. First, the information to be transmitted to the worker is taken into the host machine 10 from the image scanner 11 in the same manner as the work document. That is, when the notification switch S <b> 4 is selected from the menu of the host device 10, the host device 10 can take in the document from the image scanner 11.
Therefore, a document is set for the image scanner 11, and
The image is read, and the image is transmitted to each workstation 20 (FIG. 7, F71 → F74). As a result, the notification switch S4 of each workstation 20 changes from blue to red, so that the worker in charge of each tact T knows that the notification information has been entered from the host machine 10. Next, the worker can turn on the notification switch S4 to display the information sent from the host machine 10 on the screen (FIG. 7, F75 →
F77).

[0031]

As described above, the present invention provides a
The work efficiency of each tact in production
The transfer of the workpiece to the next process following the completion of the
To communicate information to the host machine,
The work time can be compared with the work time.

That is, each work station displays the target time at the tact to which the work station belongs and the work time since the work start switch was turned on.
The time targets that workers should spend on one workpiece are clarified, the overall work efficiency can be improved , and the production management
The manager can use the data for subsequent production planning.

Further, when the worker in charge of each tact finds a faulty product, by turning on the fault occurrence switch, the workpiece can be recognized as a faulty product in any tact. Any fault can be repaired, and the probability of failure can be reduced (almost 0%
To).

Further, since the host machine can notify each tact during the work, there is an effect that the work efficiency can be further improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of a display screen on which a work content document is displayed.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of each workstation of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the host machine of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a documentation flow diagram.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a failed product processing flow.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a notification process.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram of a conventional assembly line.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Conveyor line 3 Workpiece 10 Host machine 12 Storage device 20 Workstation S1 Switch T Tact S2 Failure occurrence switch S4 Notification switch

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (56) References JP-A-2-95526 (JP, A) JP-A-2-65933 (JP, A) JP-A-2-104935 (JP, U)

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A conveyor line is divided into a plurality of tacts, and a work content of each tact is displayed on a storage device of a host machine.
Stored work documents before starting work
Work station provided for each tact from the host machine
The above work document is transmitted to the
The work target time for one workpiece at each tact
Display and switch at the end of work for one workpiece
Is turned on, the workpiece is transported to the next tact.
And report completion to the host machine
And, following Te, In step until finishing assembly line workpieces flowing on the conveyor line for the purpose by adding sequentially processed in each tact, the ON switch at the end of work, the workpiece
After transporting to the next tact and instructing to start work,
An assembly line information transmission system, wherein a time required for an operation is displayed in comparison with the target time . 2. When a worker in charge of each tact finds a faulty product, the faulty switch is turned on to display "failed product" in any tact for the product and any one of the tacts is displayed. 2. The assembly line information transmission system according to claim 1, wherein when the fault occurrence switch is instructed again by a tact, the display is erased. 3. A document displaying information to be notified to the worker in charge of each tact during the work is taken into the host machine, and a message is displayed on the workstation of each tact to indicate that there is a notice. 2. The assembly line information transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the content of the notice is displayed on each workstation from the host machine by turning on the notice switch.