JP3767340B2 - Production management tag and production system using the same - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tag mounted on each workpiece flowing through a production line composed of a plurality of process stages, and a production system using the tag.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, in many production lines, so-called multi-product mixed flow production is performed in which works having different specifications are continuously flowed and work corresponding to the work is performed for each work. A typical example is an automobile production line, and various types of processing are performed on different vehicle types on one line.
[0003]
Conventionally, in multi-mix mixed-flow production, production control, such as which process is performed on various workpieces, is attached to each workpiece with a tag on which the workpiece identification number and type are written. This is done by looking at the workers in charge of each process stage and performing the necessary work. In addition, as a production management method using such a tag, the identification number of the work written in the tag is transmitted to the process stage where the tag approaches using wireless communication, and this is received. Some equipment on the process stage switches the work procedure stored in advance for each type of work according to the identification number, and performs the machining work.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In conventional production management using such a tag, the information written in the tag is only information for identifying the work or work type, such as the work identification number or type. The work content to be performed is stored in the equipment at each process stage, and the work content stored based on the work information of the tag is to be performed. For this reason, when a new work type is added or when the work content changes, the equipment provided for all process stages is the work to be performed on the added or changed work type. You must remember again. Even if the equipment does not work on the added or changed work, when the added or changed work type arrives, the work content such as “do nothing” is stored for the work. It is necessary to change the memory of work contents even in equipment where work is not increased by adding or changing work.
[0005]
For this reason, in the conventional production management method using tags, there is a problem that when the work type is added or the work is changed, it is necessary to memorize or change the work contents for each equipment, which takes a lot of work and time. there were.
[0006]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide work contents for each facility on the process stage when adding work types or changing work contents in a multi-product mixed flow production line in which tags are attached to individual works for production management. It is an object of the present invention to provide a production management tag and a production system using this tag, which do not require changing the memory.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The object of the present invention is achieved by the following means.
[0008]
  (1) A tag mounted on an individual workpiece flowing through a production line composed of a plurality of process stages, and the equipment on the process stage is provided for each processing content applied to the workpiece on which the tag is mounted. Work procedure storage means for storing work procedures necessary for carrying out machining, communication means for communicating with the equipment provided for each of the plurality of process stages, and whether the workpiece has reached the process stage If it reaches, the work instruction means for reading out the work procedure of the process performed at the process stage from the work procedure storage means, and transmitting to the equipment of the reached process stage by the communication means, A production management tag, comprising: an inter-tag communication means for performing predetermined information communication with a work tag.
  (2) The tag has a memory area for storing the tag information of the tag attached to another work by communicating with the tag intercommunication means together with the tag information of the tag. And
[0009]
  (3) The tagTag of a tag attached to another work stored in its memory areaBased on the information, it has a next process confirmation means for judging whether or not another work exists in the next process stage where the work to which the self is attached advances.
  (4) In the tag, when the work reaches the process stage, the work instruction means is a current process ID that is one of the tag information stored in the memory area and indicates a process that is currently in progress. As described above, the ID of the reached process is written.
[0010]
  (5) A production system comprising tags mounted on individual workpieces flowing through a production line composed of a plurality of process stages, and equipment provided for each of the plurality of process stages. For each machining content to be applied to the mounted workpiece, the equipment on the process stage stores work procedure storage means for storing work procedures necessary for performing the machining, and is provided in the plurality of process stages. Tag-side communication means for communicating with existing equipment, and whether or not the workpiece has reached the process stage, and if it has reached, reads out the work procedure of processing performed at the process stage from the work procedure storage means Inter-tag communication means for performing predetermined information communication between the work instruction means for transmitting to the equipment of the process stage reached by the communication means, and the work tag. The facility side communication unit for communicating with the tag side communication unit, and the facility side communication unit to perform the work in accordance with the work procedure performed in its own facility. And a facility control means for controlling the facility.
  (6) In the production system, the tag is a memory area for storing tag information of a tag attached to another work by communicating with the tag communication means together with the tag information of the tag in the tag. It is characterized by having.
[0011]
  (7)In the production system,The tag further includesTag of a tag attached to the other workpiece stored in the memory area of its ownBased on the information, it has a next process confirmation means for judging whether or not another work exists in the next process stage where the work to which the self is attached advances.
  (8) In the production system, when the work arrives at the process stage, the work instruction unit of the tag acquires the ID of the process reached by communicating with the facility side communication unit, and stores it in the memory area The ID of the reached process is written as a current process ID that is one of the tag information and indicates a process that is currently in progress.
[0012]
  (9) The production line is provided with a central management device that stores the machining content for each type of workpiece and the work procedure for each machining content, and the work procedure is transmitted from the central management device to the tag side communication. It is written in the work procedure storage means in the tag via the means.
[0013]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention described above, the following effects are obtained for each claim.
[0014]
  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a work procedure for machining applied to the workpiece is stored in a tag mounted on the workpiece, and a necessary work procedure is transmitted from the tag to the equipment of the process stage. Therefore, since the work procedure for machining the workpiece is in the tag mounted on the workpiece, it is not necessary to store the machining content and work procedure for each workpiece in the equipment of each process stage. Therefore, even if a new work type is added or the work procedure is changed, it is not necessary to change the program for the equipment on the process stage. It is possible to reduce the stoppage and work waiting time.By providing the inter-tag communication means, it is possible to exchange information with each other's tags.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, a tag attached to another work by communicating with the other tag by the inter-tag communication means together with its own tag information in the memory area in the tag mounted on the work. Since the tag information is stored, a plurality of tags can have common data.
[0015]
  Claim3According to the present invention described, whether or not another workpiece exists in the next process stage is communicated with another tag.Based on the tag information stored in the memory areaSince the tag mounted on the workpiece itself determines, it becomes unnecessary to exchange interlock signals between process stages, and whether or not a workpiece exists for each process stage must be entered. Is also unnecessary.
  According to the present invention described in claim 4, when the work arrives at the process stage, it is one of the tag information stored in the memory area, and the current process ID indicating the process currently in progress is used. Since the ID is written, the ID of the process is written to the tag when the process stage is reached in accordance with the progress of the work.
[0016]
  Claim5According to the described invention, the work procedure for machining applied to the workpiece is stored in the tag mounted on the workpiece, and the work procedure necessary for machining is transmitted from the tag to the equipment of the process stage. On the other hand, since the equipment on the process stage receives the work procedure from this tag and performs the machining, all the work procedures for machining the work are in the tag mounted on the work. The stage equipment eliminates the need to memorize the machining content and work procedure for each workpiece. Therefore, even if a new work type is added or the work procedure is changed, it is not necessary to change the program for the equipment on the process stage. It is possible to reduce the stoppage and work waiting time.By providing the inter-tag communication means, it is possible to exchange information with each other's tags without using the equipment on the process stage.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, a tag attached to another work by communicating with the other tag by the inter-tag communication means together with its own tag information in the memory area in the tag mounted on the work. Since the tag information is stored, a plurality of tags can have common data.
[0017]
  Claim7According to the present invention described, whether or not another workpiece exists in the next process stage is communicated with another tag.Based on the tag information stored in the memory areaSince the tag mounted on the workpiece itself determines, it becomes unnecessary to exchange interlock signals between process stages, and whether or not a workpiece exists for each process stage must be entered. Is also unnecessary.
According to the present invention described in claim 8, when the work arrives at the process stage, the ID of the process reached by communicating with the facility side communication means is obtained, and is one of the tag information stored in the memory area. Since the ID of the reached process is written as the current process ID indicating the process currently in progress, the process ID is written to the tag when it arrives at the process stage according to the progress of the work. Become.
[0018]
  Claim9According to the present invention described, the work procedure stored in the tag is written from the central management device provided in the production line via the tag side communication means provided in the tag. The work procedure corresponding to the processing content to be applied can be easily stored in the tag. Therefore, the work procedure can be easily rewritten and stored in accordance with the addition of the work type or the change of the work content.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining an internal configuration of a production management tag according to the present invention.
[0021]
This production management tag is referred to as a programmable tag because various data are stored therein. The internal configuration of the programmable tag 1 is broadly divided to communicate between a remote input / output (I / O) functional part 10 for exchanging information with the equipment by wireless communication and the programmable tag. The inter-tag link function part 20, the remote I / O function part 10 and the inter-tag link function part 20 are controlled to transmit the work procedure to the equipment and to control the position of the preceding work. It comprises a controller function part 30 to be performed and a battery part 40.
[0022]
The remote I / O function part 10 includes a remote I / O radio interface (I / F) part 11 and a remote I / O protocol part 12.
[0023]
The wireless I / F unit 11 for remote I / O communicates with the wireless communication means in the facility, and communicates with the facility using a channel having a different frequency for each process according to a command from the controller function part 30. Is going.
[0024]
The remote I / O protocol unit 12 performs conversion between a data standard handled by the controller function part 30 and a data standard used for wireless communication.
[0025]
The inter-tag link function part 20 includes an inter-tag link wireless I / F unit 21 and an inter-tag link protocol unit 22.
[0026]
The inter-tag link wireless I / F unit 21 communicates with other tags, and the tags communicate with each other using channels having the same frequency.
[0027]
The inter-tag link protocol unit 22 performs conversion between a data standard handled by the controller function part 30 and a data standard used for wireless communication.
[0028]
The controller function part 30 includes a remote I / O data part 31, a program data part 32, a common memory data part 33, and a program execution part 34. The remote I / O data unit 31 includes an input unit and an output unit. A state signal (mainly a sensing signal from a sensor) of each facility or an actuator in each facility is assigned to the input unit. On the other hand, an operation signal for each facility or an actuator in each facility is assigned to the output unit. The program execution unit 34 refers to the signal of the input unit, performs a predetermined facility control processing calculation, develops the calculation result as an on / off signal in the output unit, and reflects the result on the facility.
[0029]
The program data unit 32 includes a process number for performing the process and a work procedure performed by equipment installed at the process stage according to the content of the process performed on the workpiece on which the programmable tag 1 is mounted. It is something that is remembered.
[0030]
The common memory data part 33 is a memory area for a plurality of programmable tags mounted on a work flowing in the same line to have common data.
[0031]
The program execution part 34 controls the function of the whole programmable tag 1 according to the operation procedure mentioned later by running the program memorize | stored beforehand.
[0032]
Next, the function of each part of the programmable tag 1 configured as described above will be described.
[0033]
First, the remote I / O function will be described with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG.
[0034]
The remote I / O function stores a work procedure for processing applied to a workpiece to which the programmable tag is attached in the programmable tag, and transmits this work procedure to the radio equipment in each step as the process proceeds. By doing so, the work for the work to which the self is attached is managed.
[0035]
For this reason, the program data section 32 of the programmable tag 1 stores data of work procedures performed on the work on which the programmable tag is mounted, and the programmable tag execution section 34 performs this work every time the process proceeds. The procedure is read out and transmitted to the radio equipment in each process stage through the remote I / O wireless I / F unit 11.
[0036]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of work procedure data stored in the programmable tag 1. The programmable tag # 1 mounted on the workpieces of different work types “I”, “RO”, and “E”, The work procedure data of steps # 50, # 60 and # 70 stored in # 2 and # 3 are shown. Here, the workpiece is a car body, and the production line is a car body welding line. The work procedure program actually stored is, for example, robot teaching data or welding condition data for operating the robot on the welding site.
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 2A, the programmable tag # 1 mounted on the work of the vehicle type “I” has a program of work performed in the process for each remote I / O channel (detailed later) corresponding to the process number. The contents are stored. The channel 50 is front fender A spot welded, the channel 60 is rear fender A spot welded, and the channel 70 is roof B spot welded. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2B, in the programmable tag # 2 mounted on the work of the vehicle type “B”, the channel 50 has a front fender B spot weld, the channel 60 has a rear fender A spot weld, and the channel 70 has a roof. It is A point welding. Further, as shown in FIG. 2C, in the programmable tag # 3 mounted on the workpiece of the vehicle type “e”, the channel 50 is front fender D spot welded, the channel 70 is roof A spot welded, and the channel 60 There is no data corresponding to. This is because there is no processing in step # 60 for the vehicle type “e”.
[0038]
For comparison, FIG. 3 shows the storage contents of the work procedure for each process controller when the controller at each process stage manages the work performed in that process for all vehicle types. As shown in the figure, the controller of the process # 50 (FIG. 3A), the controller of the process # 60 (FIG. 3B), and the controller of the process # 70 (FIG. 3C) have the vehicle types “I”, “B”, “C”, The program contents of work to be performed on different vehicle types such as “d” and “e” are stored. For this reason, the controller of step # 60 shown in FIG. 3B stores the program content such as “do nothing” if there is no work for the vehicle type “e”.
[0039]
Therefore, when the controller of each process stage stores the work contents of all the vehicle types, when the work type is added or the work contents are changed, it is necessary to change the storage contents of all the process controllers. There is.
[0040]
On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the work procedure of the work to which the self is attached is stored in the programmable tag, it is not necessary to store the work procedure of “doing nothing” even in the process without work. In addition, since this work procedure only needs to be in the programmable tag, even if a work type is added or a work is changed, only the programmable tag mounted on the work that has been added or changed is stored. It is only necessary to rewrite the contents of work, and there is no need to make any changes to the controller of each process.
[0041]
Communication with the radio equipment in each process is performed by a channel to which a specific frequency is assigned for each process, and this channel is referred to as a remote I / O channel. Here, the remote I / O channel number and the process number correspond to each other for easy understanding. The program execution unit 34 switches the remote I / O channel according to the progress of the process.
[0042]
Next, the inter-tag link function will be described with reference to FIG.
[0043]
The inter-tag link function is a function in which programmable tags attached to a work flowing in the same line exchange information with each other.
[0044]
For this purpose, the programmable tag 1 performs communication by the masterless token method using the frequency fixed in the same production line via the inter-tag link wireless I / F unit 21. In the masterless token method, transmission is performed while passing one transmission right in the order of station numbers given in advance. A programmable tag having a transmission right (token) broadcasts and other programmable tags receive this. The received information is stored in the common memory data unit 33 by all programmable tags classified for each received programmable tag ID.
[0045]
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a communication mode using a plurality of programmable tags. Here, it is a case where programmable tag # 1 has a transmission right. The programmable tag # 1 having the transmission right reads out its own information, that is, # 1 tag information from the common memory data unit 33, and transmits it with a token for the next station. At this time, the other programmable tags # 2 to 5 having no transmission right receive the transmitted information, separate the # 1 tag information from the received information, and store the # 1 tag information in their common memory data section 33. Remember as. If the remaining separated token part indicates the local station, the transmission right is recognized and the next transmission operation is started. Otherwise, the reception state is continued and the next information is transmitted. Will wait.
[0046]
As each piece of tag information, for example, a tag ID unique to each tag, an actual No. for identifying each attached work, a work type No. indicating the type of work, a current process ID indicating a process currently in progress, A process machining history indicating a history of processes that have already been completed. Each item can be rewritten. The tag ID is written as an individual value in the same production line in order to identify each tag. The actual No and the work type No are rewritten when the programmable tag is mounted on the work. The current process ID is written in accordance with the progress of the workpiece when the process ID arrives at the process stage. In the process machining history, for example, a process counter, cycle time, equipment failure information, and the like are written for the completed process.
[0047]
In this way, a plurality of programmable tags share each other's information, so that it is possible to search the common memory data part that the self has to determine whether there is another work in the next step. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide an interlock signal for notifying the other process stages whether or not a workpiece exists between the process stages and stopping the progress of the workpiece in the other process stages.
[0048]
Next, an embodiment of a production system using the above-described programmable tag will be described.
[0049]
5 and 6 are diagrams showing a schematic configuration of the production system according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a production management procedure using programmable tags.
[0050]
The production line shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is a car body welding line similar to that described above, and in turn, starting from the car body charging stage process # 0, # 10, # 20,... # 50, # 60, ... and the welding process are lined up.
[0051]
In the vehicle loading stage process # 0, the entire production line is managed, and the program writing wireless terminal connected to the production management host 51 that stores the machining content for all the workpieces 70 and the work procedure for each machining content is stored. 52 is provided. Also, the other work steps # 10, 20,..., 50, 60 are all welding steps, and the equipment-side wireless terminal 62 for performing wireless communication with the programmable tag 1 together with the robot 61 that performs welding according to the work procedure. Is provided. Each facility-side wireless terminal 62 is connected to a robot control controller (not shown) at the process stage of the work procedure received at each process stage.
[0052]
In this production line, first, when the workpiece 70 is received at the vehicle loading stage # 0, the programmable tag 1 mounted on the workpiece is received from the production management host 51 via the program writing wireless terminal 52. The actual work No., the work type No., and the work procedure for every machining content performed on the work are written as tag information (S1). Note that the programmable tag 1 to be mounted is designated No. 0 as the remote I / O channel when it reaches step # 0. The remote I / O channel number 0 is used here as a write-only channel.
[0053]
Subsequently, the programmable tag 1 in which the tag information is written is mounted on the work 70 received in step # 0. Then, the inter-tag link function is executed simultaneously with the mounting on the work 70 (S2). The inter-tag link function always communicates with other tags in the same production line regardless of the work progress.
[0054]
Subsequently, a remote I / O channel for the next process is set under the control of the program execution unit 34 (S3). For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when moving from step # 50 to the next step # 60, No. 60 is set as the remote I / O channel for the next step.
[0055]
Subsequently, it is confirmed whether there is another workpiece 70 in the next process (S4). This confirmation process is performed by searching the own common memory data section 33 and checking whether there is an ID of the next process in the memory area where the current process ID is written in all tag information. . Here, when the ID of the next process is detected, there is another work 70 in the next process, so that the equipment side wireless terminal 62 of the current process stage waits for the work 70 on the spot. A command is issued (S12). The equipment-side wireless terminal 62 that has received this command causes the work 70 to stand by on the spot. On the other hand, if there is no ID of the next process, the equipment side wireless terminal 62 is instructed to advance the work 70 to the next process (S5). The equipment-side wireless terminal 62 that has received this command advances the work.
[0056]
Subsequently, it is determined whether or not wireless communication has been established with the facility-side wireless terminal 62 in the next process by the advance of the work 70 (S6). Here, forward conveyance is continued until communication is established. Then, when wireless communication is established, it stops at a predetermined position (S7).
[0057]
Subsequently, the program execution unit 34 reads out the work procedure in the process from the program data unit 32 and transmits the work procedure to the equipment side wireless terminal 62 via the remote I / O wireless I / F unit 12. Then, the process ID is acquired from the facility-side radio terminal 62 and written in the current process ID area in its tag information (S8). At this time, in the process stage that has received the machining procedure, the work of each process is performed according to the machining procedure. The reading of the work procedure from the program data unit 32 may be performed when advancement to the next process starts, and transmission of the work procedure to the next process may be started when communication with the next process is established. .
[0058]
Subsequently, after completion of the processing at the process stage (S9), when the processing is completed, it is determined whether or not the completed processing process is the final process (S10). If it is a final process, this programmable tag 1 is removed from the workpiece | work 70 (S11), and all the processes in this production line are complete | finished.
[0059]
As described above, in the production system according to the present embodiment, since the equipment on each process stage receives the work procedure for processing performed there from the programmable tag mounted on the work, a new kind of work is created. Even if it is added or the work procedure is changed, it is not necessary to add or change the work procedure as equipment. Therefore, in multi-mixed mixed production, it can be provided as a production system that can respond quickly to changes in work types and specifications.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a programmable tag to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a work procedure stored in the programmable tag.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a case where each process controller stores a work procedure for each process.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an inter-tag link function in the programmable tag.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a production system using the programmable tag.
6 is a drawing for explaining the production system following FIG. 5. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a production management procedure in the production system.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... Programmable tag
10 ... Remote I / O function part
11 ... Remote I / O wireless I / F section
12. Remote I / O protocol part
20 ... Inter-tag link function part
21 ... Wireless I / F unit for inter-tag link
22 ... Inter-tag link protocol section
30 ... Controller function part
31 ... Remote I / O data section
32 ... Program data part,
33 ... Common memory data section
34 ... Program execution section
40 ... Battery part
70 ... Work

Claims (9)

A tag mounted on individual workpieces flowing through a production line consisting of a plurality of process stages,
Work procedure storage means for storing work procedures necessary for the equipment on the process stage to carry out the machining for each machining content applied to the workpiece on which the tag is mounted,
Communication means for communicating with equipment provided for each of the plurality of process stages;
It is determined whether or not the workpiece has reached the process stage. When the workpiece has arrived, the work procedure of the machining performed at the process stage is read from the work procedure storage means, and the communication stage is used to read the process stage of the reached process stage. Work instruction means to send to the equipment;
A production management tag comprising: an inter-tag communication means for performing predetermined information communication with a tag of another work. The tag has a memory area for storing tag information of a tag attached to another work by communicating by the inter-tag communication means together with its tag information. Item 1. A production management tag according to item 1. The tag further includes:
Based on tag information of a tag attached to another work stored in the memory area of the self, it is determined whether another work exists in the next process stage where the work to which the self is attached proceeds. The production control tag according to claim 2 , further comprising a next process confirmation unit. When the work arrives at the process stage, the work instructing means is one of the tag information stored in the memory area and is a current process ID indicating a process currently in progress. The production management tag according to claim 1, wherein: A production system comprising tags mounted on individual workpieces flowing through a production line composed of a plurality of process stages, and equipment provided for each of the plurality of process stages,
In the tag,
Work procedure storage means for storing work procedures necessary for the equipment on the process stage to carry out the machining for each machining content applied to the workpiece on which the tag is mounted,
Tag-side communication means for communicating with equipment provided in the plurality of process stages;
It is determined whether or not the workpiece has reached the process stage. When the workpiece has arrived, the work procedure of the machining performed at the process stage is read from the work procedure storage means, and the communication stage is used to read the process stage of the reached process stage. Work instruction means to send to the equipment;
Inter-tag communication means for performing predetermined information communication with tags of other works,
The equipment includes
Facility communication means for communicating with the tag communication means;
A production system comprising: equipment control means for controlling equipment so as to carry out work in accordance with work procedures carried out in its own equipment received by said equipment-side communication means. The tag has a memory area for storing tag information of a tag attached to another work by communicating by the inter-tag communication means together with its tag information. Item 6. The production system according to Item 5. Based on the tag information of the tag attached to the other workpiece stored in the memory area of the tag , the other workpiece is moved to the next process stage in which the workpiece to which the tag is attached proceeds. The production system according to claim 6 , further comprising a next process confirmation unit that determines whether or not it exists. The work instruction means is one of the tag information stored in the memory area, acquiring an ID of a process reached by communicating with the equipment side communication means when the work reaches the process stage. 8. The production system according to claim 5, wherein an ID of the reached process is written as a current process ID indicating a process currently in progress. System. The production line is provided with a central management device that stores machining contents and work procedures for each machining content for each type of workpiece, and the work procedures are transmitted from the central management device to the tag side communication means. The production system according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the production system is written in the work procedure storage means in the tag.

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