JP5282490B2 - Production line work transfer method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and an apparatus for carrying a workpiece on a production line including a plurality of machine tools for identical processes, which can improve a rate of the operation of the machine tools by carrying the workpiece so that a downtime of the machine tools becomes the shortest while taking into consideration a process completion time of each machine tool, a conveyance time of a conveying means or the like. <P>SOLUTION: When a transition time to a first machine tool is determined to be shorter than that to a second machine tool (determined as YES) in S13, the operation proceeds to S14. The first machine tool is assumed to be a specific machine in the S14. On the other hand, if the transition time to the first machine tool is determined to be not shorter than that to the second machine tool (determined as NO) in S13, the operation proceeds to S15. The second machine tool is assumed to be a specific machine in the S15. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a work conveying method and an apparatus for a production line, and in particular, includes a plurality of machine tools having the same type of versatility, and is configured to automatically load and unload a work with respect to these machine tools. an apparatus for workpiece transfer method Oyo benefactor line.

Conventionally, a machine tool with a same type of versatility, a plurality placed on one production line, for these machine tools, have been known for automatically loading and unloading the workpiece by the conveying device ing.

  In such a production line, it is required that the operation rate of the production line is not lowered as much as possible by avoiding the stop of the production line.

  For example, in Patent Document 1 below, when there is a machine tool in which it is difficult to load a workpiece due to a failure or the like among a plurality of machine tools, the production line is operated by loading the workpiece into the adjacent machine tool. What prevents the decline in rate is disclosed.

Further, in Patent Document 2, in consideration of the processing completion time of the workpiece, by correcting the conveying speed after and acceleration of the conveyor loader, performs the conveyance of the workpieces is disclosed.
JP 2005-1073 A JP-A-10-309649

  By the way, when there are a plurality of machine tools that perform the same processing and there is only one transport means for transporting a workpiece to these machine tools, the transport efficiency is increased by operating this one transport means. The problem is whether to increase the operating rate of the production line.

  In this regard, as in Patent Document 1, when there is a failure or the like, it is conceivable to bring a workpiece into an adjacent machine tool and increase the operation rate of the production line. However, since the thing of this patent document 1 does not consider the storage condition to the workpiece inlet / outlet, the moving distance of the conveying means to the machine tool, etc., conversely, the moving time of the conveying means is prolonged. As a result, the operating rate of each machine tool may be reduced.

  Further, as in Patent Document 2, if the conveyance speed of the conveyance means is corrected on the premise of the workpiece machining completion time, the movement speed of the conveyance means decreases, and conversely, the operation rate of each machine tool is reduced. This will result in a decline.

  Therefore, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for transporting a workpiece in a production line including a plurality of machine tools that perform the same processing, and the operation of the machine tool in consideration of the processing completion time of each machine tool, the transport time of the transport means, An object of the present invention is to provide a production line workpiece conveyance method and apparatus capable of increasing the operating rate of a machine tool by conveying the workpiece so that the stop time is minimized.

Workpiece transfer apparatus in the production line due to the present invention includes a plurality of machine tools to perform the same processing, setting the transfer means also automatic loading properly is automatically unloaded, the transport conditions by conveying means work to the plurality of machine tools a word click conveyance apparatus conveying condition setting means and the production line provided with a for the each machine tool, and processing completion determining means for determining the state of machining of the workpiece has been completed, the machine tool each , by the machine tool to carry-in workpiece is carried time and work processing time, and a completion time prediction means to predict the processing completion time of the workpiece, the conveying condition setting means, the current position of the conveying means from a first time to a machine tool machining completion time of the earliest work is predict at the completion time predicting means, from the current position of the conveying means of the work at the processing completion determining means By comparing the second Time to machine tool factories it is determined to be complete, for short machine tool movement time, by moving the conveying means, as is carried out the work properly is carried This is to set the transport conditions.

According to the above configuration, the first movement time to the machine tool at which the workpiece machining completion time is predicted the earliest by the transfer condition setting means, and the second movement to the machine tool at which the workpiece machining has been completed. Compare the time and also carry the work for short machine tool moving time properly is that loading, from a plurality of machine tools, earliest unloading the processed workpiece, also properly the raw work machine tool capable of fastest loading of, properly also carries the workpiece can be unloaded.
For this reason, among the machine tools that have finished machining the workpiece, the machined workpiece can be removed from the machine tool with the shortest movement time of the conveying means by unloading the machined workpiece or loading the unmachined workpiece. The machining period can be further increased, and the operating rate of the machine tool can be further increased.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a workpiece carry-in section in which workpieces are temporarily stored before being loaded into each machine tool, and a workpiece carry-out section in which workpieces processed by each machine tool are temporarily stored. And a storage status detection means for detecting the storage status of the workpiece carry-in section and the workpiece carry-out section, wherein the transfer condition setting means is configured to carry in and carry-out work according to the storage status detected by the storage status detection means. This is to select which work should be given priority.
According to the above configuration, since the priority status of the carry-in work and the carry-out work is selected according to the storage status of the work carry-in part and the work carry-out part, not only the machining status of the machine tool but also the work carry-in part and the work carry-out part. The transfer operation of the transfer means can be set according to the storage status of the work in the section.
For example, it is possible to set the transfer work so that priority is given to the carry-out work if the work carry-in part is empty, and priority is given to the carry-in work if the work carry-out part is full.
For this reason, a workpiece | work can be efficiently conveyed and processed in the whole production line, and the operation rate of the machine tool of the whole production line can be raised.
Therefore, the machining efficiency of the workpiece in the production line can be further increased.

Workpiece transfer method of the production line due to the present invention, a plurality of machine tools to perform the same processing, setting the transfer means also automatic loading properly is automatically unloaded, the transport conditions by conveying means work to the plurality of machine tools a word click conveyance method of production line and a transfer condition setting means, said each machine tool, a machining completion determination step of determining a state in which processing is completed in the workpiece, the machine tool each , by the tool carrying time the workpiece is loaded into the machine and workpiece machining time, a machining completion time of the work and a completion time prediction step to predict, in the completion time prediction step from the current position of the conveying means earliest a first movement time of the processing completion time of the workpiece to the machine tool to be predict, working from the current position of the workpiece at the processing completion determination step of said transfer means is completed Compared with the second movement time to the machine tool determined to be, the transfer means is provided for the machine tool having a short movement time between the first movement time and the second movement time. so moved, a method and a conveying condition setting step is properly also carries out the work for setting the transport conditions to carry.

According to the above configuration, the first movement time to the machine tool at which the workpiece machining completion time is predicted earliest by the transfer condition setting step, and the second movement to the machine tool at which the workpiece machining has been completed. Compare the time and, by moving the conveying means carries out the work also properly than be carried to the earliest unloading the processed workpiece from a plurality of machine tools for short machine tool movement time, also properly in machine tools which can be the fastest carry raw workpiece, properly also carries the workpiece can be unloaded.
For this reason, it is possible to reduce the machining period of the workpiece in the machine tool by unloading the machined workpiece or loading the unmachined workpiece from the machine tool with the shortest travel time among the machine tools that have finished machining the workpiece. Therefore, the operating rate of the machine tool can be further increased.

According to the present invention, a machined workpiece is unloaded from a machine tool that has the shortest travel time among machine tools that have completed machining of the workpiece, or an unmachined workpiece is carried in, thereby The machining period can be further increased, and the operating rate of the machine tool can be further increased.
Therefore, in the work transfer method and apparatus for a production line including a plurality of machine tools performing the same processing, the machine tool operation stop time is the shortest in consideration of the processing completion time of each machine tool, the transfer time of the transfer means, etc. The work rate of the machine tool can be increased by carrying the workpiece so that

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
First, the overall configuration of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Figure 1 is an overall plan view of a production line employing the present invention, FIG 2 is a side view of the machine tool and the conveying loader, FIG 3 is a plan view of the gate portion of the machine tool.

The production line L of this embodiment is a production line for cutting a transmission case, and is a cutting line capable of cutting a plurality of various transmission cases at the same time.
As shown in FIG. 1, the production line L is composed of a group of machine tools divided into two large groups A1, A2 and one small group B. Of these, in the two large groups A1 and A2, six surfaces of the transmission case are cut, and in one small group B (cleaning / leakage group), the transmission case after cutting is finally cleaned. Leak inspection is performed.

In these two large groups, in the first group A1 on the upstream side (right side of the drawing), the work W of the transmission case is clamped (chucked) on two sides and the four sides are cut and processed on the downstream side (left side of the drawing). In the second group A2, the two surfaces of the workpiece W processed in the first group A1 are clamped (chucked), and the two surfaces clamped in the first group A1 are set to be cut. "2 chuck flexible line" is configured.

The two large groups A1 and A2 and the small one group B are set so as to deliver the workpiece W by an AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) 100... Transport can be performed unattended.

Among them, the workpiece transfer apparatus and the workpiece transfer method of the present invention are employed in the first group A1 and the second group A2. Here, the workpiece transfer apparatus and the like of the present invention will be described by the first group A1.
In the first group A1, four general purpose machine tools 1 of the same model, four on the left side and four on the right side, are arranged facing each other. who are provided working channel 2 extending in the column direction that obtained free to move.

  These machine tools 1... Are all configured to be able to perform the same cutting process, and in principle, all eight machines are set to have a complementary relationship. Therefore, even if one machine tool 1 is stopped due to failure or replacement, the workpiece W can be cut without stopping the production line L with the remaining machine tools 1.

  However, in this embodiment, it is divided into two types according to the type of workpiece W. By doing so, the production line L can be made to correspond to a wider variety of workpieces W.

  In addition, at the end of the work passage 2 (lower end of the drawing), a carry-in entrance 3 (carry-in table) for carrying in and holding the work W is provided. The carry-in port 3 has wide support surfaces on the front, rear, left and right so that a plurality of pallets P on which three workpieces W are loaded can be placed.

  On the side of the carry-in port 3, a carry-out port 4 (carrying table) for carrying out and holding the workpiece W after cutting is provided. The carry-out port 4 also has a wide support surface so that a plurality of pallets P on which the work W is loaded can be placed. Further, a chute base 5 is provided on the machine tool 1 side (the upper side in the drawing) of the carry-out port 4 so that the work W can be carried out easily.

  Note that an inspection station 6 is provided on the machine tool 1 side (the upper side in the drawing) of the carry-out port 4, and the machined workpiece W is taken out immediately after the machine tool 1 is started or adjusted, and the machining quality is inspected. Like to do.

These eight machine tool 1 ... or carry-in port 3, out port 4, and, above the inspection station 6, the conveying loader 1 0 is provided between them for conveying the workpiece W .
The conveyor loader 1 0 is a pair, a guide rail 11 extending above the respective machine tool 1 in the column direction, and a lateral slide rail 12 extending in the width direction on the guide rail 11, the addition to As will be described later, an upper and lower slide rail 13, a chuck head 14 and the like (see FIG. 2) are provided.

Thus the conveying loader 1 0, with a guide rail 11 and the lateral slide rail 12, in a wide range of longitudinal direction and lateral direction, by configuring so that it can move freely, as described above, of eight machine tool 1 ..., carry-in port 3, out port 4, between and inspection station 4, it is possible to transport the workpiece W freely.
Incidentally, the conveying loader 1 0 by the transfer indicia 7 installed in a lateral position of the carry-in port 3, carrying operation is configured to be controlled.

The conveyor loader 1 0 detailed structure will be described with reference to FIG. Conveying loader 1 0 by a support pillar 15 extending vertically for supporting the guide rails 11, than the machine tool 1 like is installed in the upper position, is disposed at a position higher than the operator P.

The transport path R of the conveyor loader 1 0 position above the working channel 2 the operator P moves, is set so as to substantially position.

  As described above, the lateral slide rail 12 extending in the width direction is installed above the guide rail 11, and the lateral slide rail 12 can slide on the guide rail 11 in the row direction (the vertical direction on the paper). It is configured as follows.

  A vertical slide rail 13 extending in the vertical direction is provided at the center position of the horizontal slide rail 12, and the vertical slide rail 13 is configured to slide on the horizontal slide rail 12 in the width direction.

  Further, the vertical slide rail 13 is configured to be slidable in the vertical direction, and the position of the chuck head 14 provided at the lower end is freely changed in the vertical direction.

Chuck head 14 is installed at the lower end of the vertical slide rails 13, it is configured to be freely changed each time the downward orientation Oyo influence the orientation of the chuck (clamping). The chuck head 14 is configured to chuck (clamp) the workpiece W.

The position of the chuck head 14 shown by a chain line indicates the direction that the position and rotation of the chuck head 14 is moved.

  Also, adjacent to the sides of the upper and lower slide rails 13 are a drive motor 16 and a slide roller 17 that move the upper and lower slide rails 13 and the like in the vertical and horizontal directions.

  A plurality of support pillars 15 that support the guide rails 11 are installed at predetermined intervals in the row direction (see FIG. 1), and are installed on the floor G through a large pedestal 18 at the lower end.

  The machine tool 1 is installed on each of the left and right sides of the work path 2 as described above, and a gate portion 19 that covers the machining space of the machine tool 1 is provided on the work path 2 side of each machine tool 1. Yes. The gate portion 19 is configured to be slidable in the row direction, and the processing space S is opened to the work passage 2 side by sliding.

  In the machine tool 1, a processing machine 20 that cuts the workpiece W is provided on the side opposite to the work passage 2 of the gate portion 19, and the periphery of the processing machine 20 is configured as a processing space S. In the machining space S, when cutting the workpiece W, the tool head portion 21 (see FIG. 3) and the like come and go up and down and right and left to machine the workpiece W. By providing, the safety of the worker P is ensured.

As shown in FIG. 3, the processing machine 20 is provided in the processing space S as described above, and the tool head portion 21 is installed in the processing machine 20. The tool head portion 21 by beauty rotated such Oyo movement in accordance with a predetermined processing step, cutting a workpiece W.

  The inside of the machining space S is divided into a detachable chamber 22 on the work passage 2 side and a machining chamber 23 on the counter-work passage side, and the work W can be positioned in each.

A disc-shaped turntable 24 is installed between the detachable chamber 22 and the processing chamber 23 so as to straddle both chambers, and pedestal plates 25 and 26 on which the workpiece W is placed on the turntable 24. the is provided so as to two opposing.

Of these, the pedestal plate 25 of the removable chamber 22, and functions as the input unit for receiving a workpiece W to be carried by the transport loader 1 0, seat plate 26 of the processing chamber 23, as a support for the workpiece W to be machined Function. When the processing of one workpiece W is completed, the pedestal plates 25 and 26 are switched by rotating the turntable 24 clockwise by 180 °.

  For this reason, in this machine tool 1, even when the workpiece W is being processed in the processing chamber 23, the workpiece W can be freely carried in and out of the detachable chamber 22.

Next, FIGS. 4 to 6, illustrating the conveyance loader 1 0 conveyance control system of this embodiment. 4 is a control block diagram of the conveyance control system, FIG. 5 is a control flowchart of the conveyance control system, and FIG. 6 is a state map diagram of each machine tool.

  First, as shown in FIG. 4, this transport control system is provided with a central control processing unit (CPU) 30 which is a calculation means in the center.

Then, with respect to the CPU 30, as an input means, a conveyance instruction button 31, and 8 Units 1 sensor sensor 32 (32 a to 32 h), the loader position location sensor 33, the entrance condition sensor 34, outlet port The state sensor 35 is connected to each other.

First, the conveyance instruction button 31 is provided in the transfer indicia 7 (see FIG. 1), the operating state of the conveying loader 1 0 (operation, moving, stopping, etc.) to be operable by the operator P, and the operator P The operation signal from is input to the CPU 30.

  The No. 1 sensor to No. 8 sensor 32 (32a to 32h) are installed in each machine tool 1 (see FIG. 3), detect the operating state of each machine tool 1, etc., and send information about each machine tool 1 to the CPU 30. To enter. Further, the processing completion remaining time of the workpiece W, the workpiece W acceptance information, and the workpiece completion processing information are also input to the CPU 30.

  Here, the “working completion remaining time” of the workpiece is “a time obtained by subtracting the machining elapsed time from one machining cycle time to the current time”. Specifically, the elapsed time is calculated from the workpiece machining start time based on the current time, and the workpiece machining end time is predicted and obtained.

Loader position location sensor 33 detects the current position of the transport loader 1 0 (chuck head 14), and configured to input the positional information to the CPU 30. In the loader position location sensor 33, the longitudinal direction of the chuck head 14, the left-right direction, and three-dimensional position information of the vertical direction, constitutes the orientation information or the like of the chuck head 14 to enter the CPU 30. Also it is configured to calculate the arithmetic operation from the information of the loader position location sensor 33, in CPU 30 also Time to the machine tool 1.

  The carry-in entrance state sensor 34 is configured to detect how many (number) of workpieces W are in the carry-in entrance 3 and to input the information to the CPU 30 as information on the carry-in entrance 3. Further, the type of the workpiece W (model, etc.) is detected and the workpiece W information is input.

The carry-out state sensor 35 detects how much (number) of workpieces W are present in the carry-out port 4 or how much (number) there are empty spaces in the carry-out port 4. It is configured to input. Further, in addition to this information, machining information of the workpiece W or the like may be input.

On the other hand, as the output means, the CPU 30, the conveying operation lamp 36, a loader moving motor 37, and connects the clamp motor 38.

Conveying operation lamp 36, the information output from the CPU 30, and configured to display the work state of the transport loader 1 0. The display, the operator P can recognize the current motion of the conveyor loader 1 0.

Loader moving motor 37, from the signal outputted from the CPU 30, before and after the transport loader 1 0, left and right, by causing the vertical movement, and configured to perform transportation task. Specifically, by controlling the number of revolutions of the loader moves the motor 37, and configured to control the moving position of the transfer loader 1 0.

  The clamp motor 38 is configured to perform the chucking operation of the workpiece W by switching the chuck state of the chuck head 14 based on a signal output from the CPU 30.

Next, referring to FIG. 5, a description will be given of a control flow chart of the workpiece transfer device.
First, in S1, various signals are read from each input means (31 to 35). Based on the information at this time, state map information of each machine tool as shown in FIG. 6 is created.

Next, in S2, it is determined whether there is a quality inspection request. Here, when there is a quality inspection request (YES determination), the process proceeds to S3 to determine whether the inspection station 6 has a vacancy. Here, if there is a vacancy (YES determination), the process proceeds to S4 as it is, and the transfer work of transferring the workpiece W to the inspection station 6 is performed. On the other hand, when there is no inspection required in S2 (NO judgment), or, if there is no space (NO decision) to the inspection station 6 at S3, the process proceeds to S5.

  As described above, when there is a quality inspection request, first, the work W is transported to the inspection station 6 to check the quality of the work W after the processing, so that the work W having a processing defect in the subsequent process. Is prevented from flowing. This quality machining request is made immediately after the machine tool 1 is started or when a tool is replaced as described above.

Next, in S5, if there is a previous step or request production type from the rear step identifies the processing priority model for performing preferentially processed. For example, when there is a request to increase the production of the A model from the subsequent process, the conveyance control is performed so that the machining of the A model is preferentially performed.

In S 6, it is determined whether the number of workpieces W held at the carry-in port 3 is larger than the number of empty carry-out ports 4. Here, by comparing the number of workpieces W at the carry-in port 3 and the number of empty ports at the carry-out port 4, it is selected whether the carry-out operation is to be preferentially performed or the carry-in operation is to be preferentially performed. By changing the priority status of the transport task this way, according to the condition of entrance 3 and outlet port 4, it is possible to increase the conveying efficiency of the work W in the production line L.

In S6, when it is determined that the number of workpieces W at the carry-in entrance 3 is larger (YES judgment), the process proceeds to S7 and the carry-in work is preferentially performed. That is, when there are a lot of workpieces W at the carry-in port 3 and there is little space at the carry-out port 4, a larger number of workpieces W are loaded into the machine tool 1. it is What prevents transport congestion unloading work loader 1 0 in the work and unloading opening 4.

On the other hand, when it is determined in S6 that the number of workpieces W at the carry-in port 3 is smaller (NO determination), the process moves to S17 to carry out the carry-out work preferentially. That is, the workpiece W is reduced to the carry-in port 3, if the spare is large in unloading opening 4, by carrying out a number of the workpiece W by unloading port 4, out work and loading of the AGV 100 at unloading port 4 loading work conveying loader 1 0 in the mouth 3 is the is prevented from becoming air shot.

  After S7 in which the loading work is prioritized, the process proceeds to S8 to determine whether there is a machine tool 1 that can be loaded. This is because even if the loading work is given priority in S7, if the machine tool 1 cannot accept the workpiece W, the loading work cannot be performed.

  If it is determined that there is a machine tool 1 that can be loaded (YES determination), the process proceeds to S10 as it is, but if it is determined that there is no machine tool 1 that can be loaded (NO determination), the process proceeds to S9. It is determined whether there is a machine tool 1 that can be carried out.

  When it is determined that there is a machine tool 1 that can be carried out (YES judgment), the flow shifts from (1) to the flow (S20) of S17 in which the carry-out work has priority. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no machine tool 1 that can be carried out (NO determination), the process shifts from (3) to return to prepare for the next control.

On the other hand, even in S17 where unloading work has priority, the process proceeds to S18 to determine whether there is a machine tool 1 that can be unloaded. This is also because even if the unloading work is given priority in S17, the unloading work cannot be performed if the workpiece W cannot be taken out from the machine tool 1 side.

If it is determined in S18 that there is a machine tool 1 that can be carried out (YES determination), the process proceeds to S20 as it is, but if it is determined that there is no machine tool 1 that can be carried out (NO determination), the process proceeds to S19. It is determined whether there is a machine tool 1 that can be loaded.

If it is determined in S19 that there is a machine tool 1 that can be loaded (YES determination), the flow shifts from (2) to the flow of S7 (S10) in which loading work is prioritized. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no machine tool 1 that can be carried in (NO determination), the process shifts from (3) to return to prepare for the next control.

  In S10, the machine tool 1 with the shortest remaining machining time is selected as the first machine tool. For example, in the state map shown in FIG. 6, since the machine with the shortest remaining machining time is No. 3 (10 sec) (except for the machine with machining completed), No. 3 is selected as the first machine tool.

Next, in S11, when the remaining machining completion time is longer than the moving time to the first machine tool, the selection as the first machine tool is canceled. This is because even if the processing completion remaining time is selected the shortest as a first machine tool, the longer the remaining time than the movement time, it becomes necessary to wait for conveying loader 10 in front of the machine tool 1, This is because a loss occurs in the transfer work.
For example, in the state map of FIG. 6, the remaining machining time is longer in the No. 4 machine than the moving time, but if the No. 4 machine is selected as the first machine tool, this selection is canceled. However, this time, because Unit 3 was selected as the first machine tool and the remaining machining time (10 sec) was shorter (smaller) than the travel time (20 sec), Unit 3 was selected as the first machine tool. I will keep it.

  Thereafter, in S12, the machine tool 1 with the shortest movement time is selected as the second machine tool. For example, in the state map of FIG. 6, the machine tools with completed machining are No. 7 and No. 8, and the machine with the shortest movement time is 35 sec of No. 7, so No. 7 is selected as the second machine tool.

Here, the "travel time" is the time elapsed when the chuck head 14 of the conveyor loader 1 0 moves from the current position to the machine tool 1 .... This is the time that is mechanically determined by the current position of the chuck head 14 or the like. In the case of the state map of FIG. 6, it can be seen that the chuck head 14 is located closest to the 4th and 5th machines, and is located away from the 1st and 8th machines.

Then, in S13, it determines the travel time to the first machine tool, whether shorter than the movement time to the second machine tool. For example, in the case of the state map of FIG. 6, the movement time of the first machine tool to the third machine is compared with the movement time of the second machine tool to the seventh machine. According to this comparison, it can be seen that the 20 sec No. 3 machine is shorter. Therefore, in this case, the movement time to the first machine tool is shorter than the movement time to the second movement time.

In S13, the travel time to the first machine tool, when it is determined shorter than the movement time to the second machine tool (YES judgment), the process proceeds to S14. In S14, the first machine tool is a specific machine. On the other hand, in S13, the travel time to the first machine tool, when it is determined that not shorter than the movement time to the second machine tool to the (NO judgment), the process proceeds to S15. In S15, the second machine tool is a specific machine. That is, a machine tool having a short movement time is set as a specific machine.

  And in S16, the carrying-in operation | work which carries in the workpiece | work W to a specific machine is performed. For example, in the case of the state map of FIG. 6, the third machine is designated as the specific machine, and thus the work is carried into the third machine.

  This is because the machine tool (No. 3) that can carry the workpiece W the fastest by considering the travel time, etc., despite the fact that there are machine tools (No. 7 and No. 8) that have already finished machining the workpiece W. The control to carry in the workpiece W is shown. Thus, the operation rate of the machine tool 1 can be further increased by carrying the work W into the machine tool 1 that can carry in the work W most quickly.

  In this embodiment, as shown in the state map of FIG. 6, the case where the machine tools 1... Are not shown is not shown. It is also conceivable to perform control so that the work W is carried into the machine 1 the fastest.

  On the other hand, in S20, the machine tool 1 with the shortest remaining machining time is selected as the third machine tool. For example, in the state map shown in FIG. 6, since the machine with the shortest remaining machining time is No. 3, the No. 3 machine is selected as the third machine tool.

Next, in S21, as in S11, when the remaining machining completion time is longer than the time required for moving to the third machine tool, the selection as the third machine tool is canceled. This also the longer the end of machining remaining time than the movement time, resulting need to wait for the conveyance loader 1 0 in front of the machine tool 1, since the waiting time is loss of the transport task.
After that, in S22, the machine tool 1 with the shortest movement time is selected as the fourth machine tool. For example, in the state map of FIG. 6, the machine tools for which machining has been completed are No. 7 and No. 8, and the movement time is the shortest for 35 sec of No. 7, so No. 7 is selected as the fourth machine tool.

Then, in S23, it determines the movement time to the third machine tool, whether shorter than the movement time to the fourth machine tool. For example, in the state map of FIG. 6, a moving time to Unit 3 of the third machine tool, comparing the movement time to Unit 7 of the fourth machine tool, for 3/5 Unit 20sec shorter, third It can be seen that the travel time to the machine tool is shorter.

In S23, the movement time to the third machine tool, when it is determined shorter than the movement time to the fourth machine tool (YES judgment), the process proceeds to S24. In S24, the third machine tool is a specific machine. On the other hand, in S23, the movement time to the third machine tool, when it is determined that not shorter than the movement time to the fourth machine tool is (NO judgment), the process proceeds to S25. In S25, the fourth machine tool is a specific machine.

  In S26, an unloading operation for unloading the workpiece W from the specific machine is performed. For example, in the case of the state map of FIG. 6, since the third machine is a specific machine, the work is carried out from the third machine.

  This also means that the work W can be carried out most quickly by considering the moving time, etc., even though there is a machine tool (No. 7 or No. 8) in which the work of the work W has already been completed. This indicates that the workpiece W is controlled to be carried out from the machine tool (No. 3 machine). Thus, even in the unloading work, the operation rate of the machine tool can be further increased by unloading the workpiece from the machine tool that can unload the workpiece the fastest.

Next, the effect of this embodiment comprised in this way is demonstrated.
In this embodiment, a plurality machine tool 1 ... the performing the same processing, the conveying loader 1 0 for automatically loading and automatic unloading the workpiece W These multiple machine tool 1 ..., the conveying loader 1 0 A workpiece W conveying apparatus and a conveying method of the production line L provided with a control means 30 for performing conveyance control by the machine tool 1 in a state in which the machining of the workpiece W is completed for each machine tool 1. and detects, on the machine tool 1 ... every calculates a machining completion remaining time of the machine tool 1 from the current position of the transport loader 1 0 chuck head 14, the processing completion of the earliest work W is - forecasting that the machine tool 1 (the first machine tool, or the third machine tool) and time to machine tool 1 machining of the workpiece W has been completed (the second machine tool, or the fourth machine tool) time to (S13, S23) For short machine tool 1 of the dynamic time, move the conveyor loader 1 0, is performed control so that beauty carried Oyo unloading the workpiece W (S16, S26).

Thus, for short machine tool 1 of the moving time, unloading the workpiece W is also properly than be carried, from among a plurality of machine tools 1 ..., earliest unloading the processed workpiece W, it is also properly The work W can be efficiently carried out and carried in from the machine tool 1 that can carry in the unprocessed work W most quickly.
Therefore, in machining of the workpiece W is completed the machine tool 1, the most transporting the machine tool 1 moves time is short the loader 1 0, or carries the machined workpiece W, to carry the raw workpiece The machining period of the workpiece W in the machine tool 1 can be further increased, and the operating rate of the machine tool can be further increased.

  Therefore, in the work W transfer method and transfer device of the production line L including a plurality of machine tools 1 that perform the same processing, the processing time of each machine tool 1 and the transfer time of the transfer means are taken into consideration. By carrying the workpiece W so that the operation stop time is minimized, the operating rate of the machine tool 1 can be increased.

In this embodiment, the state of the loading port 3 where the workpiece W is temporarily stored before being loaded into each machine tool 1... And the workpiece W processed by each machine tool 1. Availability for unloading opening 4 which is in accordance with the (availability of), and to select whether to give priority to any of the loading work and unloading work conveying loader 1 0 (S6).
As a result, the priority status of the carry-in work and the carry-out work is selected according to the storage status of the carry-in port 3 and the carry-out port 4, so that not only the machining status of the machine tools 1. depending on the storage conditions of the workpiece W in, it will control the operation of conveying the conveying loader 1 0.
Specifically, if the number of empty exits 4 is smaller than the number of works W at the carry-in port 3, priority is given to the carry-in operation, and the number of empty exits 4 is greater than the number of works W at the carry-in port 3. In this case, the transfer work is controlled so that the carry-out work is given priority.
For this reason, the workpiece W can be efficiently conveyed and processed in the entire production line L, and the operating rate of the machine tools 1... In the entire production line L can be increased including the conveying operation of the AGV 100. .
Therefore, the processing efficiency of the workpiece W in the production line L can be further increased.

  In this embodiment, the priority status of the carry-in work and the carry-out work is selected by paying attention to the number of workpieces W at the carry-in entrance 3 and the number of empty exits in the carry-out port 4. 3 may be switched depending on the model of the workpiece W stored in 3, the loading degree of the workpiece W, or the like, or may be switched depending on the unloading degree at the unloading port 4.

In correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the above-described embodiment,
Conveying means of the present invention, corresponding to the conveying loader 1 0 embodiment,
Similarly,
The transport condition setting means corresponds to the CPU 30,
Processing completion determination unit corresponds to 1 Unit sensor 8 Unit sensor 32 (32 a to 32 h) and CPU 30,
Completion time prediction unit corresponds to 1 Unit sensor 8 Unit sensor 32 (32 a to 32 h) and CPU 30,
The work carry-in part corresponds to the carry-in entrance 3,
The work carry-out part corresponds to the carry-out port 4,
The storage status detection means corresponds to the carry-in state sensor 34 and the carry-out state sensor 35 ,
The machining completion determination step and the completion time prediction step correspond to step S1 for creating the state map information shown in FIG.
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but includes an embodiment applied to a work conveying method and apparatus for any production line.
In this embodiment, the transmission case cutting line has been described, but the present invention may be implemented on other machine tool production lines.

The whole top view of the production line which adopted this invention. Side view of the transfer loader and machine tools. The top view of the gate part of a machine tool. The control block diagram of a conveyance control system. The control flowchart of a conveyance control system. The state map figure of each machine tool.

L ... Production line W ... Work 1 ... Machine tool 2 ... Work passage 3 ... Carriage entrance (work carry-in part)
4 ... Unloading (work unloading part)
10 ... transport loader (transport means)
30 ... CPU ( conveyance condition setting means )
32a to 32h ... No. 1 sensor to No. 8 sensor (machining completion determination means, completion time prediction means)
34 ... Carry-in state sensor (storage status detection means)
35 ... Carrying-out state sensor (storage status detection means)
S1 ... Machining completion determination step, completion time prediction step
S14, S15, S24, S25 ... transport condition setting step

Claims (3)

A plurality of machine tools to perform the same processing, production line, comprising: a transfer means also automatic loading is properly work to the plurality of machine tools automatically unloaded, the conveying condition setting means for setting the transport conditions by conveying means a of the word click conveyance apparatus,
For each of the machine tools, machining completion determination means for determining a state in which the machining of the workpiece is completed,
Wherein each machine tool by the tool carrying time the workpiece is loaded into the machine and the workpiece processing time, and a completion time prediction means to predict the processing completion time of the workpiece,
The conveying condition setting means, the processing completion time of the earliest work in the current position the completion time predicting means and the first Time to the machine tool to be predict the conveying means, from the current position of the conveying means Compare the second movement time to the machine tool determined to have completed the machining of the workpiece by the machining completion judging means, move the conveying means to the machine tool having a short movement time, and out also properly is fed word click transportable production line for setting transport conditions to carry device. A workpiece loading section where workpieces are temporarily stored before being loaded into each machine tool;
A workpiece unloading part for temporarily storing workpieces machined by each machine tool;
A storage status detection means for detecting the storage status of the workpiece carry-in portion and the workpiece carry-out portion;
The conveying condition setting means, depending on the storage conditions detected by-holding pipe condition detection means, carrying the working and production Rainwa click conveyance apparatus according to claim 1, wherein selecting one or priority of the unloading work. A plurality of machine tools to perform the same processing, production line, comprising: a transfer means also automatic loading is properly work to the plurality of machine tools automatically unloaded, the conveying condition setting means for setting the transport conditions by conveying means a of the word click conveyance method,
For each machine tool, a processing completion determination step for determining a state in which the processing of the workpiece is completed,
Wherein each machine tool by the tool carrying time the workpiece is loaded into the machine and the workpiece processing time, and a completion time prediction step to predict the processing completion time of the workpiece,
Work with the current and the first Time to a machine tool machining completion time of the earliest work in the completion time prediction step is predict the position, the processing completion determining step from the current position of the conveying means of the conveying means Compared with the second travel time to the machine tool that is determined to have completed the machining of the machine tool for the machine tool having a short travel time between the first travel time and the second travel time , by moving the transport means, the workpiece transfer method of a production line and a conveying condition setting step also is properly carries out the work of setting the transport conditions to carry.

Images