JP7377761B2 - Automated design support system and automated design support method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an automated design support system and an automated design support method.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, automation of human work using equipment or equipment has been progressing on factory lines, distribution sites, and the like. When introducing on-site automation, it is important to determine the scope of automation, i.e., which part of the business is to be automated. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an assembly line organization system that determines the scope of automation of tasks to minimize assembly costs under various constraints in a factory and creates an automation plan.

International Publication No. 2016/009483

However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, the scope of automation is determined from the viewpoint of minimizing costs under various constraints in the factory. In other words, the scope of automation is not determined by considering the balance between the required production capacity of the factory, the investment cost of equipment or equipment to be introduced when automating operations, and the reduction in the burden on workers due to automation.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned points, and includes the production or processing capacity required at the site, the investment cost of equipment or facilities introduced when automating work, and the burden on workers due to automation. The purpose is to support the design of business automation plans that take into account the balance with mitigation.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an automation design support system that supports the design of automation of work processes in the field, which includes physical workload of each work in the work process on the body of a worker. The physical workload value of the work in the work process that is not a candidate for automation based on the worker workload analysis execution unit that analyzes the value and the candidate list of equipment or equipment that automates each work in the work process. an automation plan candidate draft creation unit that creates automation plan candidate information that determines automation candidate work to be automated using the facility or equipment so that the automation plan candidate information satisfies the target value; In the case of automating a business process, the processing capacity value of the business process, the cost of introducing the equipment or equipment that automates the work that is a candidate for automation within the business process, and the cost of implementing work that is not a candidate for automation within the business process. It has a simulation execution unit that simulates labor costs for workers.

According to the present invention, a business automation plan is developed that takes into consideration the balance between the production or processing capacity required at the site, the investment cost of equipment or equipment to be introduced when automating the business, and the reduction of the burden on workers due to automation. Can support design.

1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an automated design support system according to a first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a business process table according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a constraint table according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of an equipment/equipment table according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a physical workload table according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a target value table according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of an automation plan candidate (physical workload) table according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of an automation plan candidate (comprehensive) table according to the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing automated design support processing according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a process for creating an automation plan candidate (physical workload) table according to the first embodiment; 7 is a flowchart showing point assignment processing in the automated design support processing of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display screen of automation plan candidates according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a defective product count table according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 1; FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of a target value table of Modification 1 of Embodiment 1; FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of an automation plan candidate (number of defective products) table of Modification 1 of Embodiment 1; FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of an automation plan candidate (comprehensive) table of Modification 1 of Embodiment 1; FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the structure of a work environment risk table according to a second modification of the first embodiment. 7 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a target value table according to a second modification of the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an automation plan candidate (work environment risk) table according to Modification 2 of Embodiment 1; FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of an automation plan candidate (comprehensive) table according to a second modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of an automated design support system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of a body potential table according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of a personnel plan table according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of an automation plan candidate (personnel plan) table according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of a target value table according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of an automation plan candidate (comprehensive) table according to the second embodiment. 7 is a flowchart showing automated design support processing according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a process for creating an automation plan candidate (personnel plan) table according to the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described. In the following, the same or similar elements and processes are given the same reference numerals to explain the differences, and redundant explanation will be omitted. Further, in the embodiments to be described later, differences from the embodiments that have already been described will be explained, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

In addition, the following description and the configuration and processing shown in each figure are intended to illustrate the outline of the embodiment to the extent necessary for understanding and implementing the present invention, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present invention. This is not the intention. In addition, each embodiment and each modified example can be combined in part or in whole within a consistent range without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Furthermore, although various types of information may be explained in a table format below, the information is not limited to the table format, and may be in a document format or other formats. Further, the structure of the table is an example, and two or more tables may be combined into one table, or one table may be divided into a plurality of tables. Various information and tables are stored in the storage unit.

[Embodiment 1]
(Configuration of automated design support system 10 of Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an automated design support system 10 according to the first embodiment. The automated design support system 10 reduces the workload of workers on factory production lines, distribution, retail, nursing care, and other workplaces while satisfying constraints related to tasks and tasks. Develop an automation design plan to introduce and automate equipment and equipment so that In an automation design plan, when introducing equipment or equipment (hereinafter referred to as equipment/equipment) to a production line or distribution site, it is necessary to consider the balance between production capacity and business processing capacity, investment cost of equipment/equipment, and worker workload. In order to optimize the balance, the optimal scope of work to be automated and the equipment and facilities to be introduced are determined.

The automated design support system 10 is composed of one or more computers having a processor such as a CPU, a main storage device (memory), an auxiliary storage device, an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, a display device such as a display, and a communication interface. be done. Each functional configuration of the automated design support system 10, which will be described later, is realized by cooperation of hardware including a CPU that executes a program and a memory. Furthermore, each storage section of the automated design support system 10 is configured with a memory or an auxiliary storage device.

The automation design support system 10 includes a business process information storage section 11a, a constraint information storage section 11b, a facility/equipment information storage section 11c, a workload analysis section 12, an automation design section 13, and an automation cost effectiveness simulation section 15.

The business process information storage unit 11a stores a business process table 11Ta (FIG. 2) in which business process information 30 related to the processes and operations included in the on-site business for which the automation design support system 10 forms an automation design plan is recorded. do. The business process information 30 is input via the equipment introduction planning department terminal 20 .

The business process table 11Ta (FIG. 2) has columns of process ID, process name, work name, standard work time (cycle time), automation availability, worker, and personnel cost. The business process table 11Ta records business process information in which process IDs are assigned in ascending order of the execution order of processes and tasks.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the process with the process ID "1" and the process name "material transport" includes four operations with the job names "aaa1," "aaa2," "aaa3," and "aaa4." For example, for the work with the work name "aaa1", the standard work time is "ta1", the possibility of automation is "0 (automation not possible)", the worker in charge of the work is "AAA", and the labor cost of this worker is within the scheduled time. , overtime work, and holiday work are recorded. Non-automatable means that the work cannot be automated with equipment or equipment.

Further, the process with the process ID "2" and the process name "Material input" includes five operations with the job names "bbb1", "bbb2", "bbb3", "bbb4", and "bbb5". For example, for the work with the work name "bbb1", the standard work time is "tb1", whether automation is possible or not is "1 (automation possible)", and the workers in charge of the work are "BBB" and "CCC". Personnel costs are recorded for regular hours, overtime, and holidays. Automable means that the work in question can be automated with equipment/equipment.

The constraint information storage unit 11b stores a constraint table 11Tb (FIG. 3) in which constraint information 40 that should be satisfied by equipment and equipment that automates work is recorded. The constraint information 40 is input via the equipment introduction planning department terminal 20. The constraint table 11Tb (FIG. 3) has columns for constraint ID, constraint content, and constraint value.

In the example shown in Figure 3, the constraint contents for each constraint ID include the "material", "shape", "size", "weight", and "accuracy" of the "workpiece (material)" handled by the equipment/equipment; There is "installation space" for equipment and "continuous operating time" for equipment/equipment. Each constraint value is recorded in association with each constraint content.

The equipment/equipment information storage unit 11c stores an equipment/equipment table 11Tc (FIG. 4) in which equipment/equipment information 50 regarding equipment/equipment that is a candidate for automating human work is recorded. The equipment/equipment information 50 is input via the equipment introduction planning department terminal 20. The equipment/equipment table 11Tc (Fig. 4) includes equipment/equipment ID, equipment/equipment name, automation work scope, cost (equipment/equipment cost), equipment/equipment specifications (constraints), and standard work time (cycle time). ) columns.

In the example shown in Figure 4, the equipment/equipment with the equipment/equipment ID "1" and the equipment/equipment name "equipment 1" is a continuous work whose work range to be automated is "aaa2" and "aaa3" (Fig. 2). be. In addition, the cost (equipment/equipment cost) is "p1", the specification (constraints) is "sp1", and the standard work time (cycle time) is "t1". The equipment/equipment table 11Tc defines the scope of work to be automated for each equipment/equipment.

The workload analysis section 12 includes a worker workload analysis execution section 12a and a worker workload information storage section 12b.

The worker workload analysis execution unit 12a analyzes work movement information 60 (work movement data) that is a time-series record of the worker's work movements acquired from a camera or a wearable device worn by the worker. The work operation information 60 is input via the equipment introduction planning department terminal 20.

The worker workload analysis execution unit 12a applies a standard index of workload to the worker's work movement information 60 for each process and each task, and measures the degree of physical workload of the task (physical workload value). The workload value is not limited to the physical workload of the work, but may also include the degree of mental workload of the work.

For example, load level information that associates physical load levels with worker postures is prepared in advance. Then, the worker workload analysis execution unit 12a classifies the worker's time-series postures included in the video recording the worker's work movements as work movement information 60, and determines the physical load level corresponding to the classification. By aggregating the data for each task, the physical workload value for each task is calculated.

The worker workload analysis execution unit 12a records the measured physical workload value for each process and task in the physical workload table 12Tb (FIG. 5) stored in the worker workload information storage unit 12b.

The physical workload table 12Tb (FIG. 5) has columns for process ID, process name, work name, and physical workload value. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the physical work load value of the work with the work name "aaa1" of the process name "Material transportation" with the process ID "1" is "98".

The automation design section 13 includes an automation equipment/equipment selection section 13a and an automation plan candidate draft creation section 13b.

The automated equipment/equipment selection unit 13a determines from the equipment/equipment table 11Tc (FIG. 4) that the specifications (constraints) satisfy the constraint information 40 recorded in the constraint table 11Tb (FIG. 3), and that the cost (equipment - Equipment/equipment whose equipment cost) satisfies the target value (target value table 70T (FIG. 6)) is extracted. The target value table 70T (Fig. 6) shows the cycle time of the business process that should be satisfied by automating the work, the cost (equipment/equipment cost), the cost (personnel cost), and the physical work load value of the worker (maximum value). This is a table in which each target value (automation target value 70) is recorded. The automated equipment/equipment selection unit 13a extracts equipment/equipment that satisfies the constraint information 40 and the automation target value 70 from the constraint condition table 11Tb (FIG. 3).

The automation plan candidate draft creation unit 13b generates the following information from the list of equipment and equipment extracted by the automation equipment and equipment selection unit 13a, the physical workload table 12Tb (FIG. 5), and the target value table 70T (FIG. 6). Automation plan candidate information 14 is created in which the physical workload value (maximum value and total value) satisfies the target value. The automation plan candidate information 14 is provided in an automation plan candidate (physical workload) table 14T (FIG. 7), and includes a plurality of automation plans (plans for introducing equipment and equipment).

The automation plan candidate (physical workload) table 14T (FIG. 7) shows automation plan No. , equipment/equipment name, and physical workload value (maximum value and total value). Each automation plan is an automation plan No. is identified by

The automation plan candidate (physical workload) table 14T (FIG. 7) shows one or more combinations of facilities and equipment that satisfy the constraint information 40 and the automation target value 70 extracted from the facility and equipment table 11Tc (FIG. 4). Among the tasks, automation plans in which the physical workload (maximum value and total value) of tasks that are not automated (outside automation candidates) satisfy the target value (target value table 70T (FIG. 6)) are recorded. Details of the creation process of the automation plan candidate (physical workload) table 14T (FIG. 7) will be described later.

The automated cost-effectiveness simulation section 15 includes an automated cost-effectiveness simulation execution section 15a, a point giving section 15b, and a simulation result output section 15c.

The automation cost-effectiveness simulation execution unit 15a calculates the values of three target items when simulating automation based on each automation plan from the automation plan candidate (physical workload) table 14T (FIG. 7). Then, automation plans in which the values of the three target items satisfy the target values (target value table 70T (FIG. 6)) are extracted. The three target items are cycle time, cost (equipment/equipment cost), and cost (personnel cost).

Then, the automation cost-effectiveness simulation execution unit 15a selects automation plan No. 1 for the automation plan extracted as the values of the three target items satisfy the target values. , create an automation plan candidate (comprehensive) table 14T1 (FIG. 8) that stores equipment/equipment names, each target item, and physical workload values (maximum value and total value). Note that, at this stage, no value is entered in the automation point column of the automation plan candidate (comprehensive) table 14T1 (FIG. 8).

The automation plan candidate (comprehensive) table 14T1 (FIG. 8) shows automation plan No. , has columns for equipment/equipment name, automation point, cycle time, cost (equipment/equipment cost), cost (personnel cost), physical workload value (maximum value), and physical workload value (total value) .

The automation cost-effectiveness simulation execution unit 15a calculates the cycle time of each automation plan by simulation as follows. The cycle time of the work to be automated in each automation plan is obtained from the standard work time (cycle time) of the equipment/equipment table 11Tc (Fig. 4), and the cycle time of the work that is not automated is obtained from the business process table 11Ta (Fig. 2). Obtained from standard working time (cycle time). Then, the obtained standard work time (cycle time) for all tasks in the business is totaled and stored in the cycle time of each automation plan (automation plan candidate (comprehensive) table 14T1 (FIG. 8)).

Further, the automation cost-effectiveness simulation execution unit 15a calculates the cost (equipment/equipment cost) of each automation plan by simulation as follows. The cost (equipment/equipment cost) of the equipment/equipment that automates the work to be automated in each automation plan is acquired from the cost (equipment/equipment cost) of the equipment/equipment table 11Tc (FIG. 4). Then, for all the tasks to be automated, the obtained costs (equipment/equipment costs) are totaled and stored in the cost (equipment/equipment costs) of each automation plan (automation plan candidate (comprehensive) table 14T1 (Figure 8)). do.

Further, the automation cost-effectiveness simulation execution unit 15a calculates the cost (personnel cost) of each automation plan by simulation as follows. The cost (personnel cost) of the work that is not automated in each automation plan is obtained from the personnel cost in the business process table 11Ta (Figure 2), and the total of the obtained labor cost for all the tasks that are not automated is calculated as the cost of each automation plan. (Personnel costs) (Automation plan candidate (comprehensive) table 14T1 (FIG. 8)). The cost (personnel cost) of each automation plan may be calculated for each classification of regular work, overtime, and holiday work, as shown in the personnel cost of the business process table 11Ta (FIG. 2).

Here, if the automation cost-effectiveness simulation execution unit 15a cannot extract an automation plan whose value of each target item satisfies the target value from the automation plan candidate (physical workload) table 14T (FIG. 6), If the target is not achieved), the conditions for each target value in the target value table 70T (FIG. 7) are relaxed. The automation cost-effectiveness simulation execution unit 15a tries again to extract an automation plan in which the value of each target item satisfies the target value (achieving the target) using each target value with relaxed conditions. This makes it possible to extract appropriate automation plans based on realistic target values.

The point giving unit 15b calculates automation points (automation evaluation points) for evaluating each automation plan extracted by the automation cost-effectiveness simulation execution unit 15a. Automation points are determined by comprehensively considering cycle time, cost (equipment/equipment costs), cost (personnel costs), physical workload value (maximum value), and physical workload value (total value). This is an indicator for evaluating proposals. The automation point calculation process will be described later.

The simulation result output unit 15c outputs a simulation execution result 80 including an automation plan candidate (comprehensive) table 14T1 (FIG. 8) in which automation points are assigned to each automation plan by the point assignment unit 15b. For example, an automation plan with the maximum automation points is proposed. The simulation execution result 80 is displayed on the display screen of the equipment introduction planning department terminal 20, as will be described later. Further, the simulation execution result 80 is reflected in the equipment installation planning information 90 by the person in charge of the equipment installation planning department via the equipment installation planning department terminal 20.

(Automated design support processing of Embodiment 1)
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing automated design support processing according to the first embodiment. In step S10, the automation design support system 10 acquires business process information 30, constraint information 40, facility/equipment information 50, and work operation information 60 of the business to be automated. Next, in step S20, the automation design support system 10 receives the setting of the automation target value 70.

Next, in step S30, the automated equipment/equipment selection unit 13a extracts equipment/equipment that satisfies the constraint information 40 and the automation target value 70 from the equipment/equipment table 11Tc (FIG. 4). Next, in step S40, the worker workload analysis execution unit 12a calculates the physical workload value for each task and creates a physical workload table 12Tb (FIG. 5).

Next, in step S50, the automation plan candidate creation unit 13b determines whether the physical workload values (total value and maximum value) of the tasks that are not automated among the tasks satisfy the target value (target value table 70T (FIG. 6)). Create an automation proposal. The automation plan is created by combining one or more pieces of equipment/equipment with specifications that satisfy the constraint information 40 extracted from the equipment/equipment table 11Tc (FIG. 4). The created automation plan is stored in the automation plan candidate (physical workload) table 14T (FIG. 7).

With reference to FIG. 10, the creation process of the automation plan candidate (physical workload) table 14T (FIG. 7) in step S50 will be described.

For example, in the example of the business process table 11Ta (FIG. 2), the process name "material transport" includes four operations: "aaa1", "aaa2", "aaa3", and "aaa4". Furthermore, the process name "material input" includes five operations: "bbb1," "bbb2," "bbb3," "bbb4," and "bbb5." Regarding the steps after "jig installation", in the description here, it is assumed for convenience that the physical workload value is 0.

In the example shown in FIG. 10, the tasks for which the physical workload value exceeds the physical workload value (maximum value) in the target value table 70T (FIG. 7) are "aaa2" and "aaa3" for "material transportation", For "material input", these are "bbb1" and "bbb3". In other words, the operations of "aaa2", "aaa3", "bbb1", and "bbb3" are to be automated by equipment/equipment.

Here, referring to the equipment/equipment table 11Tc (FIG. 4), the equipment/equipment that automates the work of "aaa2", "aaa3", "bbb1", and "bbb3" has the automation work scope of "aaa2" and "bbb3". "Device 1" with "aaa3" and "Device 2" with automation work ranges of "bbb1", "bbb2", and "bbb3". In addition, by automating "Device 1" and "Device 2", the physical workload value (total value) ("aaa1", "aaa4", "bbb4", and "bbb5") after automation is applied. The total value of physical workload values) is less than or equal to the physical workload value (total value) of the target value table 70T (FIG. 7). In this case, automation using "device 1" and "device 2" is applied.

Note that although the physical work load value of work "bbb2" does not exceed the physical work load value (maximum value), the automation range of "device 2" that automates the work of "bbb1" and "bbb3" Since it is included in "bbb1" and "bbb3", it is automated along with the work of "bbb1" and "bbb3".

In this way, an automation plan using "device 1" and "device 2" with a physical workload value (maximum value) = 128 and a physical workload value (total value) = 364 was created, and an automation plan candidate (Physical workload) is stored in the table 14T (FIG. 7). The physical workload value (maximum value) = 128 means that the work of "aaa2", "aaa3", "bbb1", "bbb2", and "bbb3" is automated and their physical workload value becomes 0. , the physical workload value of "bbb5" among "aaa1", "aaa4", "bbb4", and "bbb5" which are not automated. Further, the physical workload value (total value)=364 is the total value of the physical workload values of "aaa1", "aaa4", "bbb4", and "bbb5".

Returning to the explanation of FIG. 9. Next, in step S60, the automation cost-effectiveness simulation execution unit 15a determines that the values of the three target items are the target values (target value table 70T (FIG. 6)) from the automation plan candidate (physical workload) table 14T (FIG. 7). )) Extract automation plans that satisfy the following. These three target items are cycle time, cost (equipment/equipment cost), and cost (personnel cost). Cycle time represents the productivity of an automation plan, and the shorter the cycle time, the better the performance of equipment and equipment. The extracted automation plan is stored in the automation plan candidate (general) table 14T1 (FIG. 8).

Next, in step S70, the point assigning unit 15b executes a point assigning process for assigning automation points to the automation plan stored in the automation plan candidate (comprehensive) table 14T1 (FIG. 8). The point granting process will be described later with reference to FIG. 11.

Next, in step S80, the simulation result output unit 15c outputs the automation plan of the automation plan candidate (comprehensive) table 14T1 (FIG. 26) to which the automation points were assigned in step S70 as the simulation implementation result 80.

(Automated design support processing of Embodiment 1)
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the point granting process in the automated design support process of the first embodiment shown in step S70 of FIG.

First, in step S71, the point assigning unit 15b selects "cycle time," "cost (equipment/equipment cost)," and "cost (personnel cost)" to be evaluated based on automation points in the automation plan candidate (comprehensive) table 14T1 (FIG. 8). ), "Physical workload (maximum value)," and "Physical workload (total value)" are each set with weighted numerical values.

Next, in step S72, the point giving unit 15b acquires the maximum value and minimum value of each index to be evaluated by automation points from the automation plan candidate (comprehensive) table 14T1 (FIG. 8), and obtains the maximum value and minimum value for each index. Nine threshold values are calculated that divide the minimum value range into 10 equal parts.

Next, in step S73, for each index, the point giving unit 15b gives 10 points, 9 points, 9 points, ..., give 1 point. Then, for each automation plan in the automation plan candidate (comprehensive) table 14T1 (FIG. 8), the point assigning unit 15b multiplies the points given to the range to which the value of each index belongs by the weighted numerical value of each index. Calculate the multiplication value.

Next, in step S74, the point giving unit 15b adds up the multiplication values of all the indicators calculated in step S73 for each automation plan as automation points in the automation plan candidate (comprehensive) table 14T1 (FIG. 8). Store it in

(Display screen 20A of simulation execution results)
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display screen 20A of simulation results according to the first embodiment. The display screen 20A displays the simulation execution result 80 on the display section of the equipment introduction planning department terminal 20. The simulation execution result 80 includes an automation work process chart 80a, target items (calculated values and target values) 80b, automation points 80c, and a next automation plan button 20A1. The automation work process chart 80a, target items (calculated values and target values) 80b, and automation points 80c are information for each automation plan in the automation plan candidate (comprehensive) table 14T1 (FIG. 8). In the automation plan candidate (comprehensive) table 14T1 (FIG. 8), automation plans are stored in descending order of automation points 80c.

The automation work process chart 80a corresponds to each automation plan in the automation plan candidate (comprehensive) table 14T1 (FIG. 8), and for each automation plan, the presence or absence of automation for each task, the equipment/equipment to automate the task, and this automation equipment.・Includes information on equipment prices (costs), cycle times for automated equipment/equipment or workers, and physical workload values for tasks not subject to automation.

In FIG. 12, the automated business process chart 80a automates tasks with automation ranges of "aaa2" and "aaa3" on "device 1", and automates tasks with "bbb1", "bbb2", and "bbb3" with "device 1". ” is an example of an automation plan.

Further, the target item (calculated value and target value) 80b corresponds to the target value table 70T and includes the calculated value and target value of each target item. Each target item is cycle time, cost (equipment/expenses), cost (personnel expenses), physical workload value (maximum value), and physical workload value (total value). Each target item and target value are the same as the target value table 70T. The calculated value of each target item is a simulation value of each target item when automation is performed based on the currently displayed automated business process chart 80a.

The automation point 80c is an automation point corresponding to the currently displayed automated business process chart 80a.

When the next automation plan button 20A1 is pressed, the display of the automation work process chart 80a changes to the next automation plan number in the automation plan candidate (comprehensive) table 14T1 (FIG. 8). The corresponding automation proposal will be displayed.

(Effects of Embodiment 1)
According to this embodiment, when automating work in a business process, an automation plan is designed that takes into account the balance between the investment cost of equipment or facilities to be introduced when automating the business and the reduction in the burden on workers due to automation. can support. For example, when automating a part of a business process using equipment/equipment, it is possible to reduce the physical workload of workers, reduce the cost of introducing the equipment/equipment, and increase the productivity and processing capacity (throughput) of the business process. From the viewpoint of achieving balance, it is possible to determine the scope of efficient work automation.

(Modification 1 of Embodiment 1)
In the first embodiment, in order to reduce the physical workload of the worker, an automation plan candidate is created to automate tasks that require a high physical workload by replacing them with equipment/equipment. However, the automation plan candidate is not limited to reducing the physical work load of the worker, but may also formulate an automation plan candidate to automate highly difficult tasks by replacing them with equipment/equipment. This case will be described below as Modification 1.

Modification 1 of Embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 13 to 16. When a person performs a certain task, for example, the "number of defective products" generated per unit time in the task is considered to be proportional to the level of difficulty of the task. Therefore, in the first modification of the first embodiment, the "number of defective products" is used instead of the "physical workload value" of the first embodiment, and the other configurations and processes are the same as those of the first embodiment.

Specifically, in the first modification, the automated design support system 10 stores the number of defective products table 12Tba (Fig. 5) instead of or in addition to the physical workload table 12Tb (Fig. 5). 13) is stored. The number of defective products table 12Tba (FIG. 13) has a column for "number of defective products" instead of "physical workload value". The "number of defective products" is the number of defective products per unit time that occurs in each operation, and is calculated based on measurement data over a certain period of time, for example.

Furthermore, in Modification 1, the automated design support system 10 includes a target value table 70Ta (FIG. 14). The target value table 70Ta (FIG. 14) has the number of defective products (maximum value) and the number of defective products (total value) as target items. The number of defective products (maximum value) is a target value of the maximum number of defective products that should be satisfied by operations that are not subject to automation after applying the automation plan. The number of defective products (total value) is a target value of the total number of defective products that should be satisfied by operations that are not subject to automation after applying the automation plan.

Furthermore, in the first modification, the automation plan candidate draft creation unit 13b creates an automation plan candidate (number of defective products) table 14Ta (FIG. 15) as the automation plan candidate information 14. The automation plan candidate (number of defective products) table 14Ta (FIG. 15) is based on the automation plan candidate (physical workload) of the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 10 by replacing "physical workload" with "number of defective products". It is created in the same manner as table 14T (FIG. 7).

The automation plan candidate (number of defective products) table 14Ta (Fig. 15) is compared with the automation plan candidate (physical work load) table 14T (Fig. 7). Instead of "work load value (total value)", it has columns for "number of defective products (maximum value)" and "number of defective products (total value)". The "number of defective products (maximum value)" is the maximum number of defective products that occur in operations that are not subject to automation after each automation plan is applied. The "number of defective products (maximum value)" is the total number of defective products generated in operations that are not subject to automation after each automation plan is applied.

In the first modification, the automation cost-effectiveness simulation execution unit 15a determines the values of three target items when simulating automation based on each automation plan from the automation plan candidate (number of defective products) table 14Ta (FIG. 15). Calculate. Then, automation plans in which the values of the three target items satisfy the target values (target value table 70Ta (FIG. 14)) are extracted. The three target items are cycle time, cost (equipment/equipment costs), and cost (personnel costs). Then, the automation cost-effectiveness simulation execution unit 15a selects automation plan No. 1 for the automation plan extracted as the values of the three target items satisfy the target values. , create an automation plan candidate (comprehensive) table 14T1a (FIG. 16) that stores equipment/equipment names and values of each target item.

The automation plan candidate (comprehensive) table 14T1a (FIG. 16) has a "physical workload value (maximum value)" and "physical workload value ( Instead of ``total value),'' there are columns for ``number of defective items (maximum value)'' and ``number of defective items (total value).''

In this modification, the calculation method of automation points, cycle time, cost (equipment/equipment cost), and cost (personnel cost) in the automation plan candidate (comprehensive) table 14T1a (FIG. 16) is the same as in the first embodiment. be. In this modification, the "physical workload value" is replaced with the "number of defective products" and the simulation implementation result 80 can be output.

In this way, this modification can support the efficient formulation of automation plan candidates for automating highly difficult tasks by replacing them with equipment and equipment.

In addition, in this modification, the "physical workload value" is replaced with "the number of defective products" and the same processing as in the first embodiment is performed, but the "physical workload value" is replaced with the "number of work errors". Instead, the same processing as in the first embodiment may be performed. The "number of work errors" is the number of work mistakes made by a worker per unit time for each work, and is considered to be proportional to the degree of difficulty of the work, similar to the "number of defective products". For example, the "number of work errors" may be calculated based on measurement data over a certain period of time, or may be calculated based on the analysis results of work movement information 60 (work movement data) by the worker workload analysis execution unit 12a. It's okay. Each table in the case where "physical work load value" is replaced with "number of work errors" is the same as in FIGS. 13 to 16, where "number of defective products" and its value are replaced with "number of work mistakes".

(Modification 2 of Embodiment 1)
Alternatively, an automation plan candidate may be formulated to automate tasks with a high degree of risk by replacing them with equipment/equipment. The work environment in which workers work may pose a physical hazard to workers depending on the conditions. Work that is performed in a work environment that poses physical harm to the worker can be automated using equipment and equipment, thereby reducing the work environment risks that the work environment poses to the worker. In this modification, various "work environment risk indexes" are used in place of the "physical workload value" of the first embodiment, and the other configurations and processes are the same as those of the first embodiment.

The "work environment risk index" is an index of the impact that the work environment has on the body of a worker. For example, "work environment risks" that cause bodily harm to workers include "heat stroke risk," "noise risk," "temperature risk," "brightness risk," and "fall risk," as shown in Figure 17. ”, “Risk of proximity to dangerous materials”, etc., but are not limited to these.

For example, "heatstroke risk" is an index of the risk that a worker will suffer from heatstroke while working in the relevant work environment. "Noise risk" is an index of noise in the work environment. "Temperature risk" is an index of the temperature in the relevant work environment. "Brightness risk" is an index of illuminance in the work environment. “Fall risk” is an index of the danger of workers falling in the relevant work environment. "Dangerous material proximity risk" is an index of the risk of dangerous materials approaching workers in the relevant work environment.

These "work environment risk indexes" are calculated, for example, based on measurement data over a certain period of time.

In the second modification, the automated design support system 10 has a worker workload information storage unit 12b that stores a work environment risk table 12Tbb (FIG. 17) instead of or in addition to the physical workload table 12Tb (FIG. 5). do. The work environment risk table 12Tbb (FIG. 17) has columns for each "work environment risk index" instead of "physical work load value".

Furthermore, in Modification 2, the automated design support system 10 includes a target value table 70Tb (FIG. 18). The target value table 70Tb (FIG. 18) has "heat stroke risk", "noise risk", "temperature risk", "brightness risk", "fall risk", and "dangerous material proximity risk" as target items. . "Heat stroke risk" is a target value of heat stroke risk that should be met by tasks that are not subject to automation after applying the automation plan.

Specifically, "noise risk" is a target value of noise that should be met by tasks that are not subject to automation after applying the automation plan. "Temperature risk" is a target value of the temperature of the work environment that should be satisfied by tasks that are not subject to automation after applying the automation plan. The "brightness risk" is a target value of the illuminance of the work environment that should be satisfied by tasks that are not subject to automation after the automation plan is applied. "Fall risk" is a target value of fall risk that should be met by tasks that are not subject to automation after applying the automation plan. "Dangerous material proximity risk" is the target value of the dangerous material proximity risk that should be satisfied by tasks that are not subject to automation after applying the automation plan.

In the second modification, the automation plan candidate draft creation unit 13b creates an automation plan candidate (work environment risk) table 14Tb (FIG. 19) as the automation plan candidate information 14. Automation plan candidate (work environment risk) table 14Tb (Fig. 19) is created by replacing "physical work load (maximum value)" and "physical work load (total value)" with each "work environment risk index" and creating the table 14Tb (Fig. 19). It is created in the same manner as the automation plan candidate (physical workload) table 14T (FIG. 7) of the first embodiment described with reference to FIG.

The automation plan candidate (work environment risk) table 14Tb (Fig. 19) is compared with the automation plan candidate (physical work load) table 14T (Fig. 7). Instead of "workload value (total value)", columns for "heat stroke risk", "noise risk", "temperature risk", "brightness risk", "fall risk", and "risk of proximity to hazardous materials" are added. have In these "work environment risk index" columns corresponding to each automation plan, the total value of each "work environment risk index" of the work that is not subject to automation is stored after each automation plan is applied. In addition, in the "Working environment risk index" column corresponding to each automation plan, the maximum value is stored in addition to the total value of each "Working environment risk index" of tasks that are not subject to automation after each automation plan is applied. It's okay.

In the second modification, the automation cost-effectiveness simulation execution unit 15a also determines three target items when simulating automation based on each automation plan from the automation plan candidate (work environment risk) table 14Tb (FIG. 19). Automation plans whose values satisfy the target value (target value table 70Tb (FIG. 18)) are extracted. These three target items are cycle time, cost (equipment/equipment cost), and cost (personnel cost). Then, the automation cost-effectiveness simulation execution unit 15a selects automation plan No. 1 for the automation plan extracted as the values of these three target items satisfy the target values. , create an automation plan candidate (comprehensive) table 14T1b (FIG. 20) that stores equipment/equipment names and values of each target item.

The automation plan candidate (comprehensive) table 14T1b (FIG. 20) has a "physical workload value (maximum value)" and a "physical workload value ( Instead of "Total value)", there are columns for "Heat stroke risk", "Noise risk", "Temperature risk", "Brightness risk", "Fall risk", and "Dangerous material proximity risk". The "Working environment risk index" column corresponding to each automation plan stores the maximum value in addition to the total value of each "Working environment risk index" of tasks that are not subject to automation after each automation plan is applied. good.

In this modification, the calculation method of automation points, cycle time, cost (equipment/equipment cost), and cost (personnel cost) in the automation plan candidate (comprehensive) table 14T1b (FIG. 20) is the same as in the first embodiment. be. In this modification, "physical work load value" is replaced with "heat stroke risk", "noise risk", "temperature risk", "brightness risk", "fall risk", and "dangerous material proximity risk", A simulation execution result 80 can be output.

In this way, in this modification, it is possible to support the efficient formulation of automation plan candidates for automating tasks that are physically dangerous for workers by replacing them with equipment/equipment.

[Embodiment 2]
In Embodiment 1, automated equipment and equipment are introduced to optimize the balance between productivity (cycle time), cost (equipment/equipment installation cost and personnel cost), and reduction of physical work load in on-site work processes. An automation design support system for formulating automation plan candidates was explained. However, the automated design support system is not limited to this, and the personnel expenses of workers based on the personnel plan of workers, such as training of personnel, transfer from other departments, hiring of external personnel, etc., are calculated as costs (personnel expenses). A candidate automation plan may be formulated by taking into consideration the cost-effectiveness of automation and performing a cost simulation. Hereinafter, a second embodiment will be described in which the personnel expenses of workers based on the personnel plan are considered as costs (personnel expenses). The second embodiment will be described with a focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

Hereinafter, in the second embodiment, the personnel plan is a plan for allocating personnel as workers to tasks within a business process. In Embodiment 2, the personnel plan includes (Case 1) a personnel plan using the current personnel, (Case 2) a personnel plan using the current personnel with training and auxiliary equipment applied, and (Case 3) a personnel plan from other departments. There are four cases: personnel planning using relocated personnel, and (Case 4) personnel planning using personnel procured from outside such as temporary employees. “Current personnel to whom training and auxiliary equipment have been applied” refers to current personnel who have been trained or trained to increase their work performance or who have been assisted to increase their work performance by using auxiliary equipment. .

(Configuration of automated design support system 10B of Embodiment 2)
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the configuration of an automated design support system 10B according to the second embodiment. Compared to the automated design support system 10 of the first embodiment, the automated design support system 10B further includes a physical potential analysis section 16, a personnel planning section 17, employee information 18a, and temporary employee information 18b. The employee information 18a is information that includes, for each employee ID, the employee's name, employee attributes such as department, and personnel expenses for each employee in each category of regular work, overtime, and work on holidays. The temporary employee information 18b is information that includes attributes of the temporary employee such as the name of the temporary employee and personnel expenses for each temporary employee in each category of working during regular hours, overtime, and working on holidays for each temporary employee ID. The employee information 18a and the temporary employee information 18b are stored in a predetermined storage unit.

The body potential analysis unit 16 includes a body potential analysis execution unit 16a, a body potential correction unit 16b using educational/auxiliary equipment, and a body potential information storage unit 16c.

The physical potential analysis execution unit 16a uses a method similar to that of the worker workload analysis execution unit 12a to record time-series body movements for employee evaluation, which are obtained from a camera or a wearable device attached to the employee. The employee assessment video information 60a is analyzed. The employee assessment video information 60a is input via the equipment introduction planning department terminal 20.

The physical potential analysis execution unit 16a applies the standard index to the employee assessment video information 60a for each employee, and measures the degree of the employee's physical potential (physical potential value, physical ability value).

In addition, the physical potential analysis execution unit 16a similarly analyzes temporary employee assessment video information 60b, which is a time-series record of body movements for evaluating temporary employees, obtained from a camera or a wearable device attached to the temporary employee. and measure the degree of physical potential (physical potential value) of temporary employees. The temporary employee assessment video information 60b is input via the equipment introduction planning department terminal 20.

The physical potential analysis execution unit 16a calculates the physical potential values of employees and temporary workers using a physical potential system that records the employee name, department, physical potential value, education correction value, and auxiliary equipment correction value for each employee ID. A table 16Tc (FIG. 22) is created and stored in the body potential information storage section 16c. Note that "employee" in the physical potential table 16Tc (FIG. 22) includes temporary workers as well as employees.

The physical potential correction unit 16b using educational/auxiliary equipment calculates a correction value (educational correction value) of the physical potential value of the employees and temporary workers measured by the physical potential analysis execution unit 16a based on the educational/auxiliary equipment information 60c. ), and the correction value by the auxiliary device (auxiliary device correction value). The educational/auxiliary equipment information 60c is input via the equipment introduction planning department terminal 20.

The physical potential correction unit 16b using the educational/auxiliary equipment records the educational correction value and the educational correction value of the physical potential value of each employee and temporary worker in the record of the corresponding employee ID in the physical potential table 16Tc (FIG. 22). do.

The education/auxiliary equipment information 60c includes the type of education that improves the physical potential value by being implemented for employees and temporary workers, and the amount of improvement in the physical potential value for each education. Further, the educational/auxiliary equipment information 60c includes the types of auxiliary equipment that assist employees and temporary workers to improve their physical potential values, and the amount of improvement in their physical potential values for each auxiliary equipment. Using information on these improvements, the education correction value and the education correction value of the physical potential value for each employee and temporary worker are calculated.

The personnel planning section 17 includes a personnel planning draft creation section 17a, a personnel planning draft storage section 17b, a cost calculation section 17c, and a personnel planning cost storage section 17d.

The personnel plan creation unit 17a creates personnel plans for each of the aforementioned cases (Case 1) to (Case 4) from the employee information 18a and the temporary employee information 18b. The created personnel plan is recorded in the personnel plan table 17Tb (FIG. 23) for each case (case 1) to (case 4) stored in the personnel plan storage section 17b. The personnel plan table 17Tb (FIG. 23) has columns for process ID, process name, work name, worker candidate name, presence or absence of education correction, and presence or absence of auxiliary equipment correction. Although not shown, the personnel plan table 17Tb (FIG. 23) includes information indicating which of (Case 1) to (Case 4) the personnel plan stored in the table corresponds to. .

For example, suppose that the personnel plan table 17Tb (FIG. 23) records a personnel plan using the current personnel (case 1). In this case, the work names "aaa1" to "aaa4" of the process name "Material transport" and the work names "bbb1" to "bbb5" of the process name "Inputting materials" are assigned the worker candidate name "AAAAAA" and the The presence/absence of correction “no” and the presence/absence of auxiliary equipment correction “yes” are stored. For the work names "ccc1" to "ccc3" of the process name "jig installation", the worker candidate name "BBBBBB", the presence or absence of education correction "none", and the presence or absence of auxiliary equipment correction "none" are stored. The worker candidates "AAAAAA" and "BBBBBB" are current personnel, with training "no" and "no" and auxiliary equipment "with" and "no", respectively.

When the personnel plan table 17Tb (Fig. 23) is (Case 2), (Case 3), or (Case 4), the worker candidates of "AAAAAA" and "BBBBBB" are the current workers with training and auxiliary equipment applied, respectively. This includes personnel from other departments, personnel transferred from other departments, and personnel procured from outside.

Note that the personnel plan table 17Tb (Fig. 23) is created for each case (case 1) to (case 4), but it is not limited to this, and two or more cases can be combined into one personnel plan. good. For example, in the personnel plan table 17Tb (Fig. 23), the worker candidate "AAAAAA" is the current personnel in (Case 1), and the worker candidate "BBBBBB" is the one procured from outside in (Case 4). For example, they are temporary employees (temporary employees).

The cost calculation unit 17c calculates each of the personnel plans for (Case 1) to (Case 2) based on the personnel plan table 17Tb (FIG. 23), employee information 18a, temporary employee information 18b, and training/auxiliary equipment information 60c. Calculate the costs (personnel costs for each category of regular hours, overtime, and working on holidays). For example, the cost of the personnel plan in (Case 1) is determined based on the personnel plan table 17Tb (FIG. 23) of the current personnel plan, the employee information 18a, and the temporary employee information 18b. This is the cost (personnel cost) calculated for each task.

In addition, the cost of the personnel plan in (Case 2) is determined based on the personnel plan table 17Tb (Fig. 23) of the current personnel plan to which training and auxiliary equipment is applied, the employee information 18a, and the temporary employee information 18b.・The cost of personnel (personnel expenses) used in the current personnel plan that applies auxiliary equipment is calculated for each task.

In addition, the cost of the personnel plan in (Case 3) is calculated based on the personnel plan table 17Tb (Fig. 23), employee information 18a, and temporary employee information 18b for personnel transfer from other departments. The cost of personnel (personnel expenses) used in the personnel plan for conversion is calculated for each task.

In addition, the cost of the personnel plan in (Case 4) is based on the personnel plan table 17Tb (Fig. 23), employee information 18a, and temporary employee information 18b of the personnel plan procured from outside. The cost of personnel (personnel expenses) used in the personnel plan for conversion is calculated for each task.

The cost calculation unit 17c stores in the personnel plan cost storage unit 17d a table recording the costs (personnel expenses) of personnel used in each of the personnel plans of (case 1) to (case 4) calculated as described above. .

The automation plan candidate draft generation unit 13b in the second embodiment generates the list of equipment and equipment extracted by the automation equipment and equipment selection unit 13a, a physical potential table 16Tc (FIG. 22), and a personnel plan draft table 17Tb (FIG. 23). From this, automation plan candidate information 14 based on each personnel plan is created. The automation plan candidate information 14 is provided in the automation plan candidate (personnel plan) table 14Tc (FIG. 24).

The automation plan candidate (personnel plan) table 14Tc (FIG. 24) shows automation plan no. , equipment/equipment names, and worker physical potential values. Each automation plan is an automation plan No. is identified by

The automation plan candidate (personnel plan) table 14Tc (FIG. 24) is a list of one or more combinations of facilities and equipment that satisfy the constraint information 40, extracted from the automation equipment table (FIG. 4), in accordance with each personnel plan. Record an automation plan for automating work with a physical workload value that exceeds the worker physical potential value (or the correction value of the physical potential value by education/auxiliary equipment) of the worker candidate. Details of the creation process of the automation plan candidate (personnel plan) table 14Tc (FIG. 24) will be described later.

The automation cost-effectiveness simulation execution unit 15a in the second embodiment determines the values of the three target items when simulating automation based on each automation plan from the automation plan candidate (personnel plan) table 14Tc (FIG. 24). (Target value table 70Tc (FIG. 25)) An automation plan that satisfies the following is extracted. The three target items are cycle time, cost (equipment/equipment costs), and cost (personnel costs).

Then, the automation cost-effectiveness simulation execution unit 15a selects automation plan No. 1 for the automation plan extracted as the values of the three target items satisfy the target values. , an automation plan candidate (comprehensive) table 14T1c (FIG. 26) storing the facility/equipment names and the values of each target item is created. Note that, at this stage, no value has been entered in the automation point column of the automation plan candidate (comprehensive) table 14T1c (FIG. 26).

The automation plan candidate (comprehensive) table 14T1c (FIG. 26) shows automation plan no. , has columns for equipment/equipment name, automation point, cycle time, cost (equipment/equipment cost), cost (personnel cost), and worker physical potential value (or correction value of physical potential value by education/auxiliary equipment). .

The automation cost-effectiveness simulation execution unit 15a in the second embodiment calculates the cycle time, cost (equipment/equipment cost), and cost (personnel cost) of each automation plan by simulation in substantially the same manner as in the first embodiment.

The automation cost-effectiveness simulation execution unit 15a calculates the cycle time and the non-automation target when the work to be automated indicated in the automation plan is replaced with equipment/equipment in each personnel plan of (Case 1) to (Case 4). Calculate the cycle time of candidate workers. Each cycle time to be automated and not to be automated is determined in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

In addition, the automation cost-effectiveness simulation execution unit 15a calculates the cost (equipment/equipment cost) when the tasks to be automated indicated in each of the personnel plans of (Case 1) to (Case 4) are replaced with equipment/equipment. do. The cost (equipment/equipment cost) when the work to be automated indicated in the automation plan in each personnel plan is replaced with equipment/equipment is calculated in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

In addition, the automation cost-effectiveness simulation execution unit 15a calculates the cost of the work not targeted for automation (personnel cost) when the work targeted for automation indicated in each of the personnel plans of (Case 1) to (Case 4) is replaced with equipment/equipment. cost). The cost (personnel cost) of work that is not subject to automation for the automation plan in each personnel plan is the cost of the personnel used in each personnel plan of (Case 1) to (Case 4), which is stored in the personnel plan cost storage unit 17d. It is determined by referring to a table that records costs (personnel expenses).

Further, the point giving unit 15b in the second embodiment calculates automation points in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The simulation result output unit 15c in the second embodiment also includes an automated work process chart 80a in which the "physical work load value" column in the simulation execution result 80 of the first embodiment is replaced with "worker physical potential value", and a target item. A simulation execution result 80 including target items (calculated values and target values) 80b from which information related to "physical workload value" is excluded is output.

(Automated design support processing of Embodiment 2)
FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing automated design support processing according to the second embodiment. In step S10B, the automation design support system 10B includes business process information 30 of the work to be automated, constraint information 40, facility/equipment information 50, work operation information 60, employee assessment video information 60a, temporary employee assessment video information 60b, and obtains educational/auxiliary equipment information 60c. Next, in step S20, the automation design support system 10B receives the setting of the automation target value 70.

Next, in step S30B, the automated equipment/equipment selection unit 13a extracts equipment/equipment that satisfies the constraint information 40 from the equipment/equipment table 11Tc (FIG. 4). Next, in step S40B1, the physical potential analysis execution unit 16a calculates the physical potential values of employees and temporary workers and their correction values by educational and auxiliary equipment, and creates a physical potential table 16Tc (FIG. 22).

Next, in step S40B2, the personnel plan creation unit 17a creates a personnel plan for the target business process for each case (case 1) to (case 4), and creates a personnel plan table 17Tb (FIG. 23) for each case. It is stored in the personnel plan storage unit 17b.

Next, in step S50B, the automation plan candidate draft generation unit 13b satisfies the physical potential value of the worker (physical potential table 16Tc (FIG. 22)) in each of the personnel plans of (Case 1) to (Case 4). In other words, an automation plan is created to automate tasks that require a physical workload that exceeds the physical potential value of the worker. The automation plan is created by combining one or more pieces of equipment/equipment with specifications that satisfy the constraint information 40 extracted from the equipment/equipment table 11Tc (FIG. 4). The created automation plan is stored in the automation plan candidate (physical workload) table 14Tc (FIG. 24).

With reference to FIG. 28, the creation process of the automation plan candidate (physical workload) table 14Tc (FIG. 24) in step S50B will be described. In FIG. 28, the steps after "jig attachment" will be explained assuming that the physical workload value is 0 for convenience.

Here, referring to the equipment/equipment table 11Tc (FIG. 4), the equipment/equipment that automates the work of "aaa2", "aaa3", "bbb1", and "bbb3" has the automation work scope of "aaa2" and "bbb3". "Device 1" with "aaa3" and "Device 2" with automation work ranges of "bbb1", "bbb2", and "bbb3".

If the physical potential value of the worker in the personnel plans of (Case 1), (Case 3), and (Case 4) is the value shown in Figure 28, the worker (worker candidate name "AAAAAA" (see Figure 23)) The tasks for which the physical potential value exceeds the physical workload value are the tasks "aaa2", "aaa3", "bbb1", and "bbb3".Therefore, "device 1" and "device 2" By automating the process, it is possible to use equipment and equipment to automate tasks that exceed the physical potential of the personnel planned in the personnel plan.

Although the physical workload value of work "bbb2" does not exceed the worker's physical potential value, it is included in the automation scope of "device 2" that automates the work of "bbb1" and "bbb3". Therefore, the work of "bbb1" and "bbb3" is automated.

In addition, if the physical potential value of the worker due to education and auxiliary equipment in the personnel plan of (Case 2) is the value shown in Figure 28, the physical potential of the worker (worker candidate name "AAAAAA" (see Figure 23)) Work in which the potential value exceeds the physical work load value is "bbb3" work. Therefore, by automating with "device 2", the physical potential value of the personnel for the work planned in the personnel plan can be adjusted. Excessive work can be automated with equipment and equipment.

Returning to the explanation of FIG. 27. Next, in step S60, the automation cost-effectiveness simulation execution unit 15a determines that the values of the three target items are target values (target value table 70Tc (FIG. 25)) from the automation plan candidate (personnel plan) table 14Tc (FIG. 24). Extract automation plans that satisfy the following. These three target items are cycle time, cost (equipment/equipment cost), and cost (personnel cost). The extracted automation plan is stored in the automation plan candidate (comprehensive) table 14T1c (FIG. 26).

Next, in step S70, the point assigning unit 15b executes a point assigning process for assigning automation points to the automation plan stored in the automation plan candidate (comprehensive) table 14T1c (FIG. 26). The point granting process is as described with reference to FIG. 11.

Next, in step S80, the simulation result output unit 15c outputs the automation plan of the automation plan candidate (comprehensive) table 14T1c (FIG. 26) to which automation points were assigned in step S70 as the simulation implementation result 80.

(Effects of Embodiment 2)
According to this embodiment, when automating the work of a business process, the investment cost of equipment or facilities to be introduced when automating the work and the physical work based on the physical potential value of the worker planned in each personnel plan. We can support the design of automation plans that take into account the balance between load reduction and worker costs (personnel expenses) planned in each personnel plan. For example, when automating part of a work process using equipment/equipment, in each personnel plan, the reduction of physical workload that exceeds the physical potential value of workers, the cost of introducing equipment/equipment, etc. Determine which personnel plan should be adopted and determine the scope of efficient work automation from the perspective of balancing the cost (personnel expenses) of adopting a personnel plan with the productivity of business processes. can do.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and includes various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to explain the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to having all the configurations described. Further, as long as there is no contradiction, it is also possible to replace a part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, replace, integrate, or distribute a part of the configuration of each embodiment. Furthermore, the configurations and processes shown in the embodiments can be distributed, integrated, or replaced as appropriate based on processing efficiency or implementation efficiency.

10, 10B: Automation design support system, 12: Workload analysis department, 13: Automation design department, 14: Automation plan candidate information, 15: Automation cost-effectiveness simulation department, 16: Physical potential analysis department, 17: Personnel planning Department

Claims (11)

An automation design support system that supports the design of automation of business processes in the field,
a worker workload analysis execution unit that analyzes the physical workload value of each work in the work process on the worker's body;
Based on the candidate list of equipment or equipment for automating each work in the business process, the equipment or equipment is selected so that the physical workload value of the work that is not a candidate for automation in the business process satisfies the target value. an automation plan candidate draft creation unit that creates automation plan candidate information that determines automation candidate tasks to be automated using;
When the business process is automated based on the automation plan candidate information, the processing capacity value of the business process, the introduction cost of the equipment or equipment that automates the automation candidate work in the business process, and the business process What is claimed is: 1. An automated design support system comprising: a simulation execution unit that simulates personnel costs of workers who perform tasks that are not candidates for automation; The automated design support system according to claim 1,
The simulation execution unit includes:
An automation design support system characterized by extracting the automation plan candidate information in which the processing capacity value, the introduction cost, and the personnel cost satisfy target values. The automated design support system according to claim 2,
The simulation execution unit includes:
If the automation plan candidate information in which the processing capacity value, the introduction cost, and the personnel cost satisfy the target values cannot be extracted, the automation plan satisfies the target values after relaxing the conditions for the target values. An automated design support system characterized by extracting candidate information. The automated design support system according to claim 2,
An automation design support system comprising: an automation evaluation point calculation unit that calculates an automation evaluation point for evaluating the automation plan candidate information based on the processing capacity value, the introduction cost, and the personnel cost. The automated design support system according to claim 4,
The method further includes an output unit that outputs automation plan candidate information extracted by assuming that the processing capacity value, the introduction cost, and the personnel cost that are simulated by the simulation execution unit satisfy the target values, together with the automation evaluation point. Features an automated design support system. The automated design support system according to claim 1,
The worker workload analysis execution unit is
Analyze the difficulty of each task in the business process,
The automation plan candidate draft creation department
Based on the candidate list, determine automation candidate tasks within the business process to be automated using the facility or equipment so that the difficulty level of the non-automation candidate tasks within the business process satisfies a target value. An automation design support system characterized by creating automation plan candidate information based on the information provided. The automated design support system according to claim 1,
The worker workload analysis execution unit is
Analyze the degree of risk of each work in the business process,
The automation plan candidate draft creation department
Based on the candidate list, determine automation candidate tasks within the business process to be automated using the facility or equipment so that the risk level of the non-automation candidate operations within the business process satisfies a target value. An automation design support system characterized by creating automation plan candidate information based on the information provided. The automated design support system according to claim 1,
a physical ability analysis department that analyzes the physical ability values of worker candidates;
a personnel planning department that creates a personnel planning proposal to allocate the worker candidates to work within the business process;
The automation plan candidate draft creation department
In the personnel plan, second automation plan candidate information is created for automating work in the work process in which the physical workload value exceeds the physical ability value of the worker candidate using the facility or equipment. ,
The simulation execution unit includes:
A processing capacity value of the business process when the business process is automated based on the second automation plan candidate information, and an introduction cost of the facility or equipment that automates the automation candidate work in the business process; An automation design support system characterized by simulating the personnel costs of workers who perform tasks that are not candidates for automation within the business process. The automated design support system according to claim 8,
The manpower plan is a first manpower plan that allocates current workers to work in the work process as worker candidates, and a first manpower plan that allocates current workers to work in the work process, and Including a second personnel plan that allocates workers, a third personnel plan that allocates personnel transferred from elsewhere as workers, and a fourth personnel plan that allocates personnel brought in from outside as workers,
The simulation execution unit includes:
When the business process is automated based on the second automation plan candidate information based on the first to fourth personnel plan proposals, the processing capacity value of the business process and the automation candidate work in the business process An automation design support system characterized by simulating the introduction cost of the equipment or equipment for automating the process, and the personnel cost of workers who perform tasks that are not candidates for automation within the business process. An automation design support method performed by an automation design support system that supports the design of automation of business processes in the field, the method comprising:
Automated design support system
Analyzing the physical workload value of each work in the work process on the worker's body,
Based on the candidate list of equipment or equipment for automating each work in the business process, the equipment or equipment is selected so that the physical workload value of the work that is not a candidate for automation in the business process satisfies the target value. Create automation plan candidate information that determines the automation candidate work to be automated using
When the business process is automated based on the automation plan candidate information, the processing capacity value of the business process, the introduction cost of the equipment or equipment that automates the automation candidate work in the business process, and the business process An automation design support method characterized in that it includes each process of simulating the labor costs of workers who perform tasks that are not candidates for automation. The automated design support method according to claim 10,
Automated design support system
Analyze the physical ability values of worker candidates,
creating a personnel plan to allocate the worker candidates to work within the business process;
In the personnel plan, second automation plan candidate information is created for automating work in the work process in which the physical workload value exceeds the physical ability value of the worker candidate using the facility or equipment. ,
A processing capacity value of the business process when the business process is automated based on the second automation plan candidate information, and an introduction cost of the facility or equipment that automates the automation candidate work in the business process; An automation design support method comprising the steps of simulating the personnel costs of workers who perform tasks that are not candidates for automation in the business process.

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