JP3619731B2 - Batch processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a batch type processing apparatus used for heat treatment and the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For heat treatment typified by carburizing heat treatment, there is a case where a batch type processing apparatus for processing a plurality of workpieces at once is used. In such a batch processing apparatus, a plurality of lots, which are workpieces of the same model number, are mixed to form one batch, and a predetermined process is performed in batch units. There are cases where a plurality of lots of the same model number are mixedly loaded in one batch, but even lots of different model numbers can be mixedly loaded in one batch if the processing conditions are common.
[0003]
The batch processing apparatus includes, for example, an automatic warehouse, a plurality of processing facilities, a transport mechanism (charging car) that takes out the batch from the automatic warehouse and delivers it to the processing facility, and transfers the batch between the processing facilities. It has. Each processing facility includes a programmable controller (PLC), and a plurality of programmable controllers corresponding to the plurality of processing facilities are controlled by a single master programmable controller.
[0004]
An automatic warehouse control device composed of a personal computer is arranged in the automatic warehouse. This automatic warehouse control apparatus can register processing condition data of lots constituting each batch. This registration is performed each time a worker stores a lot on an automatic warehouse shelf (one batch is stored in each shelf). Even when the lots constituting the batch of each shelf are rearranged, the processing condition data is re-registered accordingly.
[0005]
The automatic warehouse control device and the master programmable controller are connected to a main control device such as a personal computer via a data communication line. The main control device acquires the processing condition data of the batch accommodated in the automatic warehouse from the automatic warehouse control device via the communication line. The worker operates the main control device to set the processing order of a plurality of batches accommodated in the automatic warehouse. In response to this, the main control device gives a delivery instruction to the automatic warehouse control device, and gives the master programmable controller batch processing condition data corresponding to the delivery instruction.
[0006]
As a result, the batch instructed to be taken out is taken out from the automatic warehouse, and the transport mechanism and the plurality of processing facilities operate according to the processing conditions corresponding to the batch.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The combination of lots constituting the batch is determined by the worker. Therefore, regardless of whether a batch is composed of only lots of the same model number, if a batch is composed of a plurality of lots of different model numbers, the possibility that a plurality of lots with different processing conditions will be mixed in one batch is denied. Can not. In this case, there is a possibility that the work group of at least one lot becomes a processing failure.
[0008]
On the other hand, the main control device acquires the processing condition data from the automatic warehouse control device by data communication and stores it in the storage device. However, since the data communication is not always performed, There may be a discrepancy between the registered processing condition data and the processing condition data stored in the storage device of the main controller. For example, this situation occurs immediately after an operator recombines the batch structure of an automated warehouse. Therefore, there may occur a situation in which the processing condition data given to the master programmable controller corresponding to the batch instructed to be delivered does not match the processing conditions for the batch actually taken out from the automatic warehouse. In this case, there is a possibility that all of the work groups of one batch may be defective.
[0009]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a batch type processing apparatus that can solve the above-described technical problems and prevent processing defects.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a batch type processing apparatus that forms a batch by combining a plurality of lots that are the same type of work group and performs a predetermined process on the batch. The processing condition registration means (41, 43) for registering the processing condition data for each lot, and the processing condition of the lot included in the batch to be processed based on the registration contents of the processing condition registration means. A batch processing apparatus including processing condition determination means (30, S2) for determining coincidence / non-coincidence and display means (32, 62) for displaying a determination result by the processing condition determination means. In addition, the alphanumeric characters in parentheses represent corresponding components in the embodiments described later. The same applies hereinafter.
[0011]
In this invention, the processing condition data of each lot is registered in the processing condition registration means. The registered contents of the processing condition registering unit are referred to determine whether or not the processing conditions of the lots included in the batch to be processed match, and the determination result is displayed on the display unit. Thereby, the worker can determine in advance whether there is an error in the configuration of the batch, and can cancel the processing of the batch as necessary.
The invention according to claim 2 is a batch type processing apparatus that configures a batch by combining a plurality of lots that are the same type of work group, and performs a predetermined process on the batch. An automatic warehouse having a take-out mechanism for storing and taking out a batch selected from the plurality of batches, a processing means for processing the batch taken out from the automatic warehouse, and each batch of batches stored in the automatic warehouse And an automatic warehouse control device including a processing condition registration means for registering processing condition data for the output, and a means for outputting the delivery completion data including the processing condition data corresponding to the batch taken out by the take-out mechanism, and the automatic warehouse control A main control device that performs data communication with the device, and stores the processing condition description for acquiring and storing the registration content of the processing condition registration means. Means for determining whether or not the processing conditions of the lots included in the batch to be processed match / mismatch based on the acquired registration contents of the processing condition registration means, and the determination result by the processing condition determination means is displayed. Display means for performing, delivery instruction means for giving a delivery instruction for instructing the automatic warehouse control device to take out a batch, processing condition instruction means for giving the processing means processing condition data corresponding to the batch instructed for delivery, The processing condition data corresponding to the batch instructed to be issued by the issuing instruction means is compared with the processing condition data in the output completion data corresponding to the batch issued from the automatic warehouse in response to the issue instruction. Determining means for determining inconsistency, and the processing means for the batch that has been taken out based on the determination result by the determining means It is a batch type processing apparatus which comprises a main control unit comprising means for determining whether to perform due process.
In the invention according to claim 3, when it is determined by the processing condition determination means that the processing conditions of the lots included in the batch to be processed are inconsistent, the processing conditions of a plurality of lots constituting the batch are 3. The batch processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for displaying on the display means.
According to this configuration, when the processing conditions do not match, the specific contents of the processing conditions can be displayed. Thereby, the worker can check in detail whether the configuration of the batch is correct based on the specific contents of the processing conditions.
The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the display means displays matching / mismatching of processing conditions of a plurality of lots constituting a batch for each processing condition item. It is a batch type processing apparatus described in the above.
[0012]
The invention according to claim 5 is a batch type processing apparatus that forms a batch by combining a plurality of lots that are the same type of work group, and performs a predetermined process on the batch. An automatic warehouse (1) having a take-out mechanism (11) for storing and taking out a batch selected from the plurality of batches, and processing means (2-9) for processing the batch taken out from the automatic warehouse , Processing condition registration means (41, 43) for registering processing condition data for each lot of batches stored in an automatic warehouse, and shipping completion data including processing condition data corresponding to the batch extracted by the extraction mechanism An automatic warehouse control device (40) including means (40) for outputting the data, and a main control device for performing data communication between the automatic warehouse control device, A processing condition storage means (33) for acquiring and storing the registration contents of the physical condition registration means, a delivery instruction means (S4) for giving a delivery instruction to instruct the automatic warehouse control device to take out the batch, and the processing means Processing condition instruction means (S5) for giving processing condition data corresponding to the batch instructed to issue, processing condition data corresponding to the batch instructed to issue by the exit instruction means, and the automatic warehouse in response to the exit instruction Is compared with the processing condition data in the delivery completion data corresponding to the batch delivered from, and the judgment unit (S7) for judging the coincidence / non-coincidence, and the above for the fetched batch based on the judgment result by this judgment unit And a main controller (30) including means (S8, S9) for determining whether or not to perform processing by the processing means. It is a management apparatus.
[0013]
In this invention, the processing condition data for the batch stored in the automatic warehouse is registered in the processing condition registration means. The processing condition data registered in the processing condition registration means is acquired by the main control device by data communication and stored in the processing condition storage means of the main control device. The main control device gives a delivery instruction to instruct the automatic warehouse to take out the batch, reads processing condition data corresponding to the batch instructed to take out from the processing condition storage means, and gives it to the processing means.
[0014]
The automatic warehouse control device controls the take-out mechanism to take out the batch instructed to be delivered (more precisely, the batch stored in the storage position corresponding to the exit instruction) and the processing conditions corresponding to this taken-out batch data you output the unloading completion data, including. This exit completion data is acquired by the main control device via the communication line. The main control device determines whether or not the processing condition data in the shipping completion data matches the processing condition data corresponding to the shipping instruction. If this does not match, the processing by the processing means is stopped, and if they match, the processing by the processing means is performed on the extracted batch. In this case, the processing means executes the processing for the batch according to the processing condition data given from the main control device.
[0015]
Thus, according to the present invention, whether or not the processing by the processing means is performed by comparing the processing condition data corresponding to the leaving instruction and the processing condition data corresponding to the batch actually taken out from the automatic warehouse. Therefore, even if there is a discrepancy between the registration contents of the processing condition registration means and the storage contents of the processing condition storage means, it is possible to prevent the batch processing from becoming defective in advance.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of a batch heat treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The batch heat treatment apparatus includes an automatic warehouse 1 that accommodates a plurality of batches, a charging car 2 (conveying mechanism) that conveys a batch taken out of the automatic warehouse 1 along a track 25, and both sides of the track 25. And a plurality of processing facilities (processing means) provided along. The plurality of processing facilities include a first carburizing furnace 3, a second carburizing passage 4, a first tempering furnace 5, a second tempering furnace 6, a cleaning machine 7, a first cooling device 8 and a second cooling device 9. It is. The charging car 2 transfers the batches unloaded from the automatic warehouse 1 between the plurality of processing facilities in a predetermined order. Thereby, the carburizing heat processing with respect to the workpiece | work which comprises a batch is achieved.
[0017]
As schematically shown in FIG. 1, the automatic warehouse 1 includes a plurality of storage shelves 10 for storing a plurality of batches, and a take-out mechanism 11 for taking out the batches from one of the plurality of storage shelves 10. Have. The batch taken out by the take-out mechanism 11 is transferred to the charging car 2 via the transfer table 26.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the batch heat treatment apparatus. The charging car 2, the first carburizing furnace 3, the second carburizing passage 4, the first tempering furnace 5, the second tempering furnace 6, the washing machine 7, the first cooling device 8 and the second cooling device 9 are respectively It is controlled by programmable controllers (PLC) 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. These programmable controllers 12 to 19 communicate with the master programmable controller 20 and control each processing facility according to the processing condition data given from the master programmable controller 20.
[0018]
The master programmable controller 20 is connected via a communication line 21 to a main control device 30 configured with a personal computer or the like. The main control device 30 is further connected to an automatic warehouse control device 40 that controls the automatic warehouse 1 via the communication line 22. The automatic warehouse control device 40 is composed of, for example, a personal computer, and includes an operation input unit 41 such as a keyboard and a pointing device, a display device 42 composed of a CRT or a liquid crystal panel, a hard disk device, a magneto-optical disk device, and the like. Storage unit 43.
[0019]
Similarly, the main control device 30 includes an operation input unit 31 including a keyboard and a pointing device, a display device 32 such as a CRT and a liquid crystal panel, and a storage unit 33 including a hard disk device.
The main control device 30 gives a delivery instruction for instructing the automatic warehouse control device 40 to take out the batch via the communication line 22. In addition, main controller 30 provides processing condition data corresponding to the batch instructed to be delivered to master programmable controller 20 via communication line 21.
[0020]
In the automatic warehouse 1, lots (a group of workpieces of the same model number) constituting a batch of each storage shelf 10 are stored by an operator. Accordingly, the worker operates the operation input unit 41 of the automatic warehouse control device 40 and registers the processing condition data of the lot in the storage unit 43 in association with the storage shelf number (shelf number). The registration of the processing condition data may be automatically performed by the operation of the automatic warehouse control device 40 in response to the input of the lot model number.
[0021]
One batch is usually composed of a plurality of lots. In this case, one batch may be composed of a plurality of lots of the same model number, but as long as processing under the same conditions is allowed, a plurality of lots of different model numbers may be mixedly loaded in the same batch. Accordingly, in the storage unit 43, processing conditions for a plurality of lots are registered for one shelf number, and the processing conditions may be the same or different.
[0022]
It is also assumed that a worker mistakenly stores lots that cannot be processed under the same conditions in a common storage shelf, so that multiple processing conditions registered for one shelf number are different. The Therefore, when a plurality of processing conditions registered corresponding to one shelf number do not match, there are cases where this is allowed and cases where it is not allowed.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of main controller 30. The main control device 30 acquires the processing condition data 50 registered in the storage unit 43 via the communication line 22 and stores it in the storage unit 33 through the communication line 22 at the timing of starting the extraction order setting (step S1). The processing condition data 50 includes a shelf number 51 of the automatic warehouse 1, a model number 52 of a lot stored in the storage rack of each shelf number, and a processing condition 53 corresponding to each model number. The processing conditions include, for example, carburizing conditions and oil cooling (processing for cooling the work by putting the work in cooling oil after the heat treatment). FIG. 3 illustrates processing condition data when a plurality of lots with model numbers “ABC”, “DEF”, and “GHI” are stored in the storage shelf with the shelf number “111”. The carburizing conditions for the lots of the model numbers “ABC”, “DEF”, and “GHI” are all “A”. Regarding the oil cooling condition, the lots of model numbers “ABC” and “DEF” are set to “a”, whereas the lots of model number “GHI” are set to “b”.
[0023]
The shelf number is represented by, for example, the three-dimensional coordinates of the storage shelf of the automatic warehouse 1. That is, the automatic warehouse 1 has, for example, a three-dimensional warehouse having nine storage shelves in the width direction, two rows in the depth direction, and eight steps in the height direction, and the shelf number of each storage shelf is: It is expressed in a three-dimensional coordinate format of “(continuous) (row) (column)”. Therefore, FIG. 3 shows only processing condition data corresponding to one storage shelf. If lots are stored in the storage shelves of all automatic warehouses 1, 9 × 2 × 8 pieces are stored. The processing condition data corresponding to the shelf number is registered in the storage unit 43, given to the main control device 30, and stored in the storage unit 33.
[0024]
The main control device 30 displays the take-out order setting screen 60 on the display device 32 based on the processing condition data stored in the storage unit 33 (step S2). The take-out order setting screen 60 includes a take-out order setting unit 61, a condition determination display unit 62, a “write” button 63 for writing processing conditions to the master programmable controller 20 and a delivery instruction to the automatic warehouse control device 40. And an “end” button 64 for ending the take-out order setting operation.
[0025]
The take-out order setting unit 61 includes a plurality of fields in which shelf numbers are entered. The operator operates the operation input unit 31 to sequentially enter shelf numbers in the plurality of fields corresponding to the order of batches to be taken out.
The condition determination display unit 62 displays a shelf number field 65 and a representative model number (for example, a model number in which processing conditions are first registered) among a plurality of lots in a batch accommodated in the shelf number 65. A representative model number field 66 and a condition determination result field 67 for displaying a determination result of match / mismatch of the processing conditions of the lots constituting the batch of the shelf number. The condition determination result field 67 displays match / mismatch as “◯” / “×” for each processing condition item.
[0026]
Main controller 30 determines whether the processing condition matches or does not match for each shelf number for each processing condition item. For example, for the shelf number “111”, the carburizing conditions of the three lots “ABC”, “DEF”, and “GHI” match, but the oil cooling conditions do not match. Therefore, in this case, the symbol “◯” representing the match is displayed for the carburizing condition, and the symbol “x” representing the mismatch is displayed for the oil cooling condition. Therefore, the worker can immediately recognize that there is a mismatch in the processing conditions by viewing the display screen.
[0027]
If there is a mismatch in any of the processing condition items, a “detail” button 68 is displayed at a position corresponding to the model number. The “details” button 68 can be operated from the operation input unit 31. When the “details” button 68 is operated (for example, clicked with the mouse) (step S10), the processing conditions of a plurality of lots constituting the batch of the shelf number are specifically displayed (step S11). Thus, for example, it is understood that two lots are designated as “a” and one lot is designated as “b” for the oil cooling condition of the shelf number “111”. Whether or not this difference in oil cooling conditions is acceptable is left to the judgment of the worker.
[0028]
Even if the worker displays the shelf number in which the symbol “◯” representing matching is displayed for all the processing condition items in the condition determination display unit 62 or the symbol “x” representing inconsistency, the condition is displayed. A shelf number that is allowed to be inconsistent is selected and sequentially written in the field of the extraction order setting unit 61 in accordance with a desired processing order. When the writing of the shelf numbers of all the batches to be processed is completed, the worker operates the “write” button 63 from the operation input unit 31 (for example, clicks with the mouse) (step S3). As a result, the main control device 30 gives an outgoing instruction for sequentially specifying the shelf numbers written in the take-out order setting unit 61 to the automatic warehouse control device 40 via the communication line 22 (step S4). Further, main controller 30 reads out processing condition data corresponding to the shelf number instructed to leave from the storage unit 33, and gives it to the master programmable controller 20 (step S5). The master programmable controller 20 gives a command to the programmable controllers 12 to 19 of each facility according to the given processing condition data.
[0029]
The automatic warehouse control device 40 controls the take-out mechanism 11 in accordance with the delivery instruction given from the main control device 30, and takes out the batch from the storage shelf with the shelf number designated by the delivery instruction. The take-out mechanism 11 transfers the taken-out batch onto the transfer table 26 for delivery to and from the charging car 2. At this time, the automatic warehouse control device 40 gives the delivery completion data indicating that the transfer of the batch to the transfer table 26 is completed to the main control device 30 via the communication line 22 (step S6). The delivery completion data includes processing condition data for lots constituting a batch that has been delivered by the take-out mechanism 11 and transferred to the transfer table 26.
[0030]
Main controller 30 compares the processing condition data given to master programmable controller 20 with the processing condition data in the delivery completion data (step S7). If they match, main controller 30 gives a processing start command to master programmable controller 20 (step S8). In response to this, the charging car 2 receives the batch from the transfer table 26 and transports it between the processing facilities in the order corresponding to the processing conditions. Each processing facility operates according to the processing condition data.
[0031]
On the other hand, if the processing condition data given to master programmable controller 20 and the processing condition data in the delivery completion data do not match (NO in step S7), main controller 30 gives a processing stop command to master programmable controller 20. (Step S9).
Thus, in a situation where there is a discrepancy between the processing condition data registered in the storage unit 43 on the automatic warehouse control device 40 side and the processing condition data stored in the storage unit 33 on the main control device 30 side, It is possible to prevent a batch from being processed under different processing conditions. That is, for example, immediately after the worker changes the configuration of the batch in the storage shelf of the automatic warehouse 1, the registered content of the processing condition data on the automatic warehouse control device 40 side is stored in the storage unit 33 of the main control device 30. In the case where it is not reflected, it is possible to reliably prevent the processing for the batch from becoming defective.
[0032]
As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention can also be implemented with another form. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the automatic warehouse control device 40 for the automatic warehouse 1 and the main control device 30 for management and control of the entire system are individually provided, and these are connected via the communication line 22 for data transmission. The configuration for giving and receiving was explained. However, the invention relating to the coincidence / non-coincidence of the processing conditions of a plurality of lots constituting one batch is also applicable to a system configuration in which an automatic warehouse and overall management and control are performed by one control device. Can do.
[0033]
In the above-described embodiment, the batch heat treatment apparatus for performing the carburizing heat treatment is taken as an example. However, the present invention can be applied not only to the heat treatment other than the carburizing heat treatment but also to the batch processing other than the heat treatment.
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a batch heat treatment apparatus having a plurality of processing facilities is taken as an example, but the present invention can be applied to an apparatus that performs batch processing by one processing facility. .
[0034]
In addition, various design changes can be made within the scope of matters described in the claims.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of a batch heat treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the batch heat treatment apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the main controller.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic warehouse 2 Charging car 3 1st carburizing furnace 4 2nd carburizing furnace 5 1st tempering furnace 6 2nd tempering furnace 7 Cleaning machine 8 1st cooling device 9 2nd cooling device 10 Storage shelf 11 Takeout mechanism 12- 19 Programmable Controller 20 Master Programmable Controller 21 Communication Line 22 Communication Line 30 Main Control Unit 31 Operation Input Unit 32 Display Device 33 Storage Unit 40 Automatic Warehouse Control Device 41 Operation Input Unit 42 Display Device 43 Storage Unit 50 Processing Condition Data 60 Extraction Order Setting Screen 62 Condition judgment display section

Claims (5)

A batch-type processing apparatus that forms a batch by combining a plurality of lots that are the same type of work group, and performs a predetermined process on the batch,
Processing condition registration means for registering processing condition data for each lot;
Based on the registration contents of this processing condition registration means, processing condition determination means for determining the match / mismatch of the processing conditions of the lots included in the batch to be processed,
A batch processing apparatus, comprising: a display unit that displays a determination result by the processing condition determination unit.   A batch-type processing apparatus that configures a batch by combining a plurality of lots that are the same type of work group, and performs a predetermined process on the batch,
  An automatic warehouse having a take-out mechanism for storing a plurality of batches and taking out a selected batch from the plurality of batches;
  Processing means for processing the batch taken out from the automatic warehouse;
  Processing condition registration means for registering processing condition data for each lot of batches stored in an automatic warehouse, and means for outputting delivery completion data including processing condition data corresponding to the batch extracted by the take-out mechanism Automatic warehouse control equipment,
  A main control device for performing data communication with the automatic warehouse control device, the processing condition storage means for acquiring and storing the registration contents of the processing condition registration means, the registration of the acquired processing condition registration means Processing condition determining means for determining whether or not the processing conditions of the lots included in the batch to be processed match based on the contents, display means for displaying the determination result by the processing condition determining means, and taking out the batch to the automatic warehouse control device Exit instruction means for instructing delivery, processing condition instruction means for giving processing condition data corresponding to the batch instructed to exit to the processing means, and processing corresponding to the batch instructed to exit by the exit instruction means Condition data and processing condition data in the delivery completion data corresponding to the batch issued from the automatic warehouse in response to the delivery instruction And compare, determining means for match / mismatch, and this on the basis of the determination result by the determination unit, a main control unit for the retrieved batches includes means for determining whether to perform the processing by said processing means
A batch processing apparatus.   Means for causing the display means to display the processing conditions of a plurality of lots constituting the batch when the processing condition determination means determines that the processing conditions of the lots included in the batch to be processed are inconsistent; The batch processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the batch processing apparatus is included.   4. The batch processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display means displays matching / mismatching of processing conditions of a plurality of lots constituting a batch for each processing condition item. . A batch-type processing apparatus that forms a batch by combining a plurality of lots that are the same type of work group, and performs a predetermined process on the batch,
An automatic warehouse having a take-out mechanism for storing a plurality of batches and taking out a selected batch from the plurality of batches;
Processing means for processing the batch taken out from the automatic warehouse;
Including processing condition registration means for registering processing condition data for each batch of batches stored in an automatic warehouse, and means for outputting delivery completion data including processing condition data corresponding to the batch extracted by the extraction mechanism Automatic warehouse control equipment,
A main control device for performing data communication with the automatic warehouse control device, the processing condition storage means for acquiring and storing the registration contents of the processing condition registration means, and instructing the automatic warehouse control device to take out the batch Exit instruction means for giving an exit instruction for processing, processing condition instruction means for giving processing condition data corresponding to the batch instructed to exit to the processing means, processing condition data corresponding to a batch instructed to exit by the exit instruction means And the processing condition data in the delivery completion data corresponding to the batch delivered from the automatic warehouse in response to the delivery instruction, a judgment means for judging coincidence / mismatch, and a judgment result by this judgment means And a main controller including means for determining whether or not to perform processing by the processing means on the extracted batch. Batch type processing apparatus.

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