JP3359655B2 - Production machine operation schedule management device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a production machine operation schedule management device, and more particularly to a production machine operation schedule for sequentially processing a plurality of items to be processed by operating a plurality of production machines. Related to the device to be managed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In various production processes, it is common practice to use a plurality of production machines having different processing capacities at the same time and to allocate a number of items to the respective production machines for processing. For example, in the processing of printed matter, printing of printed matter having various sizes and colors is processed by a plurality of printing machines. In this case, in order to operate the printing press most efficiently, it is necessary to make a schedule of which printing machine should process which items in which order. A scheduling device for efficiently drafting such a schedule is disclosed in, for example, JP-A-3-32556. In the scheduling apparatus disclosed in this publication, processing capacity data indicating processing capacity specific to each production machine is prepared in advance, and the processing capacity data is compared with the processing content of the item to be processed. An efficient schedule table is created. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-256657 discloses a production machine operation schedule management device that detects the actual processing results of each production machine and displays the actual progress of the process together with a schedule table.

[0003]

Even if an optimal schedule table is created by the production machine operation schedule planning apparatus as described above, when each production machine is operated and processing is performed, the actual processing time is reduced. It is not always as planned. In particular, in the printing process using a printing machine, it takes time to prepare for color matching of ink, etc.
The actual processing time may be longer than expected due to the time required for adjustment for removing printing defects. On the contrary, the actual processing time may be earlier than expected because the work has progressed smoothly and unexpectedly. If the schedule is delayed, the schedule for the item to be processed thereafter is sequentially reduced, and if the schedule is advanced, the subsequent schedule is sequentially advanced.

[0004] However, depending on the item, it is inconvenient if the processing is not always performed on a specific day (or time). For example, in a printing process, there is a case where an ordering customer works while attending a printing site in order to check the color of ink. In such a case, since the date and time of the attendance must be promised in advance with the customer, unless the processing is always performed at the planned date and time, a problem will occur.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an operation schedule management apparatus for a production machine which can avoid a trouble due to a change in the scheduled date and time even when a difference between a planned schedule and an actual operation result occurs. The purpose is to:

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems (1) The first invention of the present application manages an operation schedule of a production machine in order to sequentially process a plurality of items to be processed by operating a plurality of production machines. In the apparatus, for each production machine, storage means for storing a schedule table in which items to be processed are arranged in order of date and time; display means for displaying the schedule table stored in the storage means; Schedule planning means for making a new schedule for an item and adding the result of the schedule to the schedule table, and making a correction to move up or down each item in the schedule table based on the operation results of each production machine and correction means for a particular item, enter a fixed time and date information indicating that the date and time to process the particular item should be set to a particular fixed time, the
When the schedule table is corrected by the fixed date and time setting means for storing the fixed date and time information in the storage means and the schedule correction means, the schedule for the specific item is set to the fixed date and time.
And the fixed date and time
In either case
Also, a warning means for displaying a warning on the specific item is provided on the display means.

(2) In the second aspect of the present invention, in the operation schedule management device for a production machine according to the first aspect, the fixed date and time setting means includes the fixed date and time information for the specific item and the specific item. A function for inputting a fixed level indicating the degree of the request to be performed at a fixed date and time, storing the fixed level in the storage means, and displaying a warning in the warning means in a different manner according to the fixed level. Is provided.

(3) The third invention of the present application is directed to the operation schedule management device for a production machine according to the second invention described above, wherein the schedule correction means is provided for an item which moves on a schedule other than the fixed date and time set. Therefore, a function to change the scheduled set according to the priority order based on the fixed level is provided, and the warning means is provided with a function that, even if the scheduled set is changed, a predetermined item that still moves on a schedule other than the set fixed date and time. In some cases, the prescribed
It is provided with a function to display a warning about an item .

[0009]

[Operation] (1) In the production machine operation schedule management device according to the first invention of the present application, when the operation result of each production machine is earlier than planned, the advance of the planned item is advanced, and when The deferral of the scheduled item is performed by the schedule correcting means. At this time, for items for which a fixed date and time has been set , advancement is performed and
In both cases, a warning is displayed for the item on the display screen of the schedule table, so that the attention of the worker can be urged and the worker can re-plan the schedule as necessary. Can be executed.

(2) In the operation schedule management device for a production machine according to the second invention of the present application, a fixed level is input together with fixed date and time information, and a warning is displayed according to the fixed level. Therefore, the operator can grasp the priority of the item for which the warning is displayed.

(3) In the operation schedule management device for the production machine according to the third invention of the present application, the schedule correcting means is provided with a function of changing the schedule set, so that the schedule set that maintains the fixed date and time is automatically generated. Will be done. In addition, since this schedule is made in accordance with the priority based on the fixed level, priority is given to maintaining the fixed date and time for more important items, and a warning is displayed for the items for which the fixed date and time have not been maintained. Can draw the attention of the elderly.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a production machine operation schedule management device according to the present invention. The main components of the management device are a storage unit 10, a display unit 20, a schedule planning unit 30, a schedule correction unit 40, a fixed date and time setting unit 50, and a warning unit 60. In this embodiment, three production machines are used. It has a function of managing an operation schedule for operating a plurality of items to sequentially process a plurality of items. Storage means 1
In 0, a schedule table 11, fixed date and time information 12, and a fixed level 13 are stored. The schedule table 11 is a table in which items to be processed are arranged in order of date and time for each of the production machines 1 to 3.
0 is displayed on the screen. An operator who operates the production machines 1 to 3 performs processing on each item in the order shown in the schedule table 11. The scheduling unit 30 has a function of creating a new schedule for a new item and adding the new schedule to the schedule table 11. That is, when processing for a new item is required due to a new order, a new schedule is created by the schedule planning means 30 and added to the schedule table 11.

The operation results of the production machines 1 to 3 are input to the schedule correcting means 40 (shown by broken lines in the figure). For example, when each of the production machines 1 to 3 is a printing machine, the number of prints is input to the schedule correction unit 40. The operation of inputting the operation results may take the form of a report by an operator who operates each production machine, or may take the form of automatic input by a signal from each production machine. For example, in the case of a printing machine, if a result totaling device that counts the number of printed sheets is provided, the number of printed sheets can be automatically input by a signal. This operation result is not always as planned. Schedule modification means 40
Has a function of correcting the schedule table based on the input operation results. That is, for a schedule for a production machine whose processing is advanced, a correction is made to advance each item sequentially, and for a schedule for a production machine whose processing is delayed, a correction is made to sequentially decrement each item.

On the other hand, the fixed date and time setting means 50 includes, for a specific item, fixed date and time information 12 indicating that the date and time when this item should be processed should be set to a specific fixed date and time;
The storage unit 10 has a function of inputting a fixed level 13 indicating the degree of a request to process the item at a fixed date and time, and storing this in the storage unit 10. Further, the warning unit 60 performs the correction of the schedule table 11 by the schedule correction unit 40,
When a schedule for an item for which a fixed date and time is set moves on a schedule other than the set fixed date and time, a function is provided for displaying a warning for the item. This warning display is performed on the display means 20, and is displayed in different modes according to the fixed levels set respectively. The operations of the fixed date and time setting means 50 and the warning means 60 are related to important functions of the present invention, and will be described later in detail with reference to specific examples.

The above basic components are specifically realized using a computer and its peripheral devices. That is, the schedule planning unit 30, the schedule correction unit 40, the fixed date and time setting unit 50, and the warning unit 60 are all realized by a computer main body and software for operating the computer unit. This is realized by a storage device such as a computer memory or a magnetic disk, and the display means 20 is realized by a display device for the computer.

Subsequently, a specific operation of the apparatus will be described based on a specific example. Now, it is assumed that the schedule table 11 as shown in FIG. In this schedule table, schedules for three production machines 1 to 3 are shown. That is, April 1 (Monday)
From April to Tuesday, April 2, production machine 1
Processing is performed in the order of D and G, and the production machine 2
, And the production machine 3 should process in the order of items C, F, and I. Generally, the processing time for each item is different. For example,
Considering the printing process using a printing machine, the printing time for each item naturally differs depending on the number of colors used for printing and the number of prints. Such a schedule table is created by the schedule planning means 30. In order to create a schedule table, it is necessary to efficiently assign each item in consideration of the processing capacity of each production machine. For example, an item to be printed in four colors must be assigned to a printing machine capable of printing in four colors. Conversely, a printing machine capable of four-color printing can be assigned both an item to be subjected to two-color printing and an item to be subjected to four-color printing. It is necessary to determine whether or not there is an individual item to be processed. Also,
Items for which delivery dates have been determined require processing in accordance with the delivery dates. The schedule planning means 30 has a function of allocating an optimum item and creating a schedule table in consideration of the above. The configuration of the scheduling unit 30 and the algorithm for the scheduling are known technologies disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-32556, and therefore, detailed description thereof is omitted in this specification. .

Now, a new item J to O is received from the customer.
Suppose there is an order for. The operator
When detailed information (for example, information such as four-color printing: A4 size: 1000 printed sheets) on the new items J to O is input to the scheduling unit 30, the scheduling unit 30 enters these items. According to a predetermined algorithm, a schedule set to be assigned to the three production machines 1 to 3 is made, and the result is added to the schedule table 11. Here, as a result, it is assumed that the schedule table is as shown in FIG. Newly ordered items J to O are allocated from April 2 (Tuesday) to April 3 (Wednesday). The display means 20 displays such a schedule table on a screen. The operators who operate the production machines 1 to 3,
The process will proceed based on this schedule table.
Specifically, according to the schedule table shown in FIG.
From midnight on the day (Monday), the production machine 1 starts processing the item A, the production machine 2 starts processing the item B,
The production machine 3 starts to process the item C.

When each processing is actually performed using a production machine, the processing time of each item does not always end according to the schedule table. In a printing machine or the like, it takes a long time to prepare for color matching of ink or the like, and it takes a long time to adjust until a printing defect is removed, so that the schedule may be greatly delayed. Conversely, the preparation time and the adjustment time estimated in the schedule table may actually be shorter, and the schedule may be earlier. Here, April 1
At the time of 12:00 pm on the day (Monday) (midnight on Tuesday, April 2), the following description will be continued on the case where the processing indicated by hatching in FIG. 4 has been completed. That is, in the production machine 1, it takes time to process the item A.
Despite having performed the entire day on the day (Monday), only about half of the processing for the item A has progressed.
Conversely, in the production machine 2, the operation is unexpectedly performed, and the processing up to the items B, E, and H is completed. In the production machine 3, the progress status is exactly as scheduled, and the processes up to the items C and F have been completed. When such a processing result is input to the schedule correcting means 40, the schedule correcting means 40 corrects the schedule table shown in FIG. 4 as shown in FIG. The revised schedule table shows the schedule after April 2 (Tuesday). For the production machine 1 whose schedule has been delayed, the schedule has been revised so that all schedules are moved forward by the delayed amount. With respect to the production machine 2 which has been advanced, a correction has been made in which all schedules are advanced by an amount corresponding to the advance. The plan for the production machine 3 remains unchanged. By correcting the schedule table in this way, the operator of each production machine can continue working based on the schedule table.

However, depending on the item, there may be a problem if the processing schedule moves to another date and time. For example, in the printing process, the ordering customer is to attend the color matching of the ink, and if the attendance schedule is promised in advance, the processing schedule cannot be changed unnecessarily. In such a case, the fixed date and time setting unit 50 sets the fixed date and time. For example, when the schedule table as shown in FIG. 3 is created, the item J is processed on Tuesday, April 2, and the items N and O are processed.
If there is a situation that needs to be processed on April 3 (Wednesday), an input may be made to set these dates as fixed dates. The fixed date and time setting unit 50 causes the storage unit 10 to store the setting input as fixed date and time information 12. Specifically, for example, “J: 4/2, N: 4 /
Data such as "3, O: 4/3" may be written. In the apparatus of this embodiment, the items for which the fixed date and time have been set are displayed in a bold frame on the screen of the display unit 20. In the case of the above example, the schedule table as shown in FIG. 6 is obtained on the display screen, and the item for which the fixed date is set can be seen at a glance.

When the fixed date and time are set, the display after the schedule table is corrected by the schedule correction means 40 is as shown in FIG. 7 instead of FIG. Here, the bold frame display of the items J, N, and O indicates that the fixed date and time are set for these items as described above. Further, a bar display 61 is provided for the item J, and a bar display 62 is provided for the item N. These bar displays are provided by the warning unit 60. That is, when the schedule table is corrected by the schedule correction unit 40, the warning unit 60 checks the fixed date and time information 12 with respect to the corrected schedule table 11. For items assigned to a schedule different from the set fixed date, such a bar display warning is issued. With such a bar display, the operator can
You can immediately recognize that the item has moved since the fixed date. If necessary, a display may be displayed to inform the user how the movement has been performed. For example, item J: April 2 (Tue) → April 3 (Wed) Item N: April 3 (Wed) → April 2 (Tue) It is easy to recognize when the fixed date was. If necessary, such information may be output on paper by a printer.
In any case, this bar display can call the operator's attention. The operator determines what kind of treatment should be performed on each item whose fixed date has moved in this way, and performs a process for coping with this. For example, if the attendance schedule of the customer can be changed, the fixed date and time setting means 50 may be subjected to a process of changing the setting of the fixed date. If it is difficult to change the schedule, the operator may manually change the schedule set and perform a process of correcting the schedule table.

In this apparatus, when a fixed date is set, a fixed rank is also set. The fixed rank is an index indicating the degree of the requirement that the processing of the item should be performed on the fixed day. For example, in this embodiment, rank 1: an item whose fixed date cannot be moved absolutely Rank 2: move the fixed date as much as possible Items to be eliminated Rank 3: In some cases, three ranks of items that can be moved on a fixed date are defined, and when the fixed date is set, rank 1 is set.
To 3 are input. The input fixed level is stored in the storage unit 10 like the fixed date and time information. When such a fixed rank is set, the warning unit 60 can perform a warning display in a different manner depending on the rank. In this embodiment, the mode is changed by changing the color of the bar display. Specifically, if the fixed day of rank 1 has moved, it will be red, if the fixed day of rank 2 has moved, it will be yellow, and if the fixed day of rank 3 has moved, Each bar is displayed in green. Since the operator can see the bar display for each color on the screen of the display means 20 in this manner, the operator can immediately take a treatment suitable for each fixed rank.

As another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, for an item whose fixed date has been moved, a function of automatically modifying the schedule table to return the schedule to the original fixed date is added. Is also possible. In other words, the above-described schedule table correction algorithm is prepared in the schedule correction means 40, and automatic correction is performed. For example, in the schedule table as shown in FIG. 7, items J and N need to be corrected. One of the algorithms for making the correction is to make adjustments in the same column of the schedule table. For example, the modification to the item J can be performed by moving the item J up and down. That is, as shown in FIG.
If you make a correction to be inserted between D, you will not have to move on a fixed day. Another algorithm for making the correction is to make adjustments between different columns of the schedule table. For example, to make a correction to item N, FIG.
As shown in (2), if the item M is reassigned to the production machine 2 and a correction is made to insert it between the items K and N, the fixed date does not have to be moved. As described above, a predetermined correction algorithm is prepared in the schedule correction means 40 and automatic correction is performed. For items for which the fixed date moves even if the automatic correction is performed, a warning by the warning means 60 is issued. If the display is performed, the processing load to be performed by the operator is reduced. When the fixed level is set, the automatic correction is performed in accordance with the priority order of the fixed level.

Although the present invention has been described based on the illustrated embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, but can be implemented in various other modes. In particular, in the specific example described above, an example in which the fixed date is set has been described. However, the fixed date and time setting unit can set not only the date but also the time, for example, in the morning of a specific date. (In this case, if the schedule moves in the afternoon even on the same date, a warning is displayed). Alternatively, the setting of the time may be performed more strictly, and a warning may be displayed when the time is shifted by a predetermined time or more. Further, as an example of the warning display, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which a bar is displayed in the column of the item has been described, but this may be displayed in any manner.

[0024]

As described above, in the operation schedule management device for production machines according to the present invention, even if the schedule table is corrected, it is possible to move up or down the items for which the fixed date and time are set. When this is performed, a warning is displayed for the item on the display screen of the schedule table, so that the worker can be alerted and trouble due to a change in the scheduled date and time can be avoided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of an operation schedule management device for a production machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a schedule table in the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state where a schedule for a new item is further added to the schedule table shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the progress of actual processing in the schedule table shown in FIG. 3 by oblique lines;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which a scheduled carry-up and carry-down correction has been performed on the schedule table shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which fixed dates are set for the schedule table shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which a scheduled carry-up and carry-down correction has been performed on the schedule table shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which the schedule of the item J has been corrected in the schedule table shown in FIG. 7;

9 is a diagram showing a state in which the schedule of the item N has been corrected in the schedule table shown in FIG. 8;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2, 3 ... production machine 10 ... storage means 11 ... schedule table 12 ... fixed date and time information 13 ... fixed level 20 ... display means (display device) 30 ... schedule planning means 40 ... schedule correction means 50 ... fixed date and time setting means 60 ... Warning means 61, 62 ... Bar display

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Yuji Kase 1-1-1, Ichigaya-Kaga-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-3-32556 (JP, A) JP-A-2-311250 (JP, A) JP-A-3-58169 (JP, A) JP-A-63-237165 (JP, A) JP-A-2-127765 (JP, A) (58) Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G05B 19/418 B23Q 41/08 G06F 17/60

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] An apparatus for managing an operation schedule of a production machine in order to sequentially process a plurality of items to be processed by operating a plurality of production machines. Storage means for storing a schedule table in which target items are arranged; display means for displaying the schedule table stored in the storage means; performing a new schedule set for a new item; Schedule planning means for adding the result of the above to the schedule table; schedule correction means for carrying out a correction for raising or lowering each item of the schedule table based on the operation results of each production machine; and Fixed date and time information indicating that the date and time at which a specific item should be processed should be set to a specific fixed date and time, and storing the fixed date and time information in the storage means. When, by the schedule modifying means, when correcting the schedule table, the plan for a particular item, the particular solid
The case where it moves up beyond the fixed date and time,
Either the case of going down from the scheduled date and time,
And a warning unit for displaying a warning on the specific item on the display unit.