JP7395543B2 - Production management system and production management program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a production management system that manages the production status of production lines that produce, for example, meat, fish, processed foods, pharmaceuticals, and the like.

For example, on production lines that produce meat, fish, processed foods, pharmaceuticals, etc., manufactured goods are weighed and packaged to a specified weight, and then inspected for foreign matter and final weight. Products that are determined to be of good quality through inspection are packaged and shipped as final products.

Patent Document 1 describes a production line consisting of a plurality of production line constituent devices such as a weighing machine, a packaging machine, a product inspection machine, or a boxing machine.

In such a production line in which a plurality of production line components operate in cooperation with each other, operation of the production line cannot be started until the status of all the devices has been confirmed.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-147580

However, since there are multiple production line components, it takes time to check the status of all the devices. Furthermore, if the production line is operated without checking the status of all devices, there is a risk that a large number of defective products will be produced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a production management system that can easily confirm that a plurality of production line components forming a production line are in an operable state, and that can suppress the outflow of defective products. It is said that

The production management system of the present invention manages a production line that executes different processes, includes two or more production line component devices, collectively packages raw materials received from upstream, and inspects the packaged products. A production management system comprising a host computer configured to be able to communicate with the production line configuration device, wherein the production line configuration device stores setting information including a product type set in its own device corresponding to the raw material. and the host computer prohibits the operation of the production line if the host computer determines that the settings of all of the production line constituent devices are not in a state to start operation based on the received setting information. It is something to do.

With this configuration, it is determined whether the settings of each production line component device are in a state to start operation based on the setting information from each production line component device, and it is determined whether the settings of each production line component device are in a state to start operation. If it is determined, the production line will be prohibited from operating. Therefore, it can be easily confirmed that each device forming the production line is in an operable state, and it is possible to suppress the outflow of defective products.

Further, in the production management system of the present invention, the production line component device further transmits information indicating the state of its own device as state information to the host computer, and the host computer, based on the received state information, If it is determined that all of the production line constituent devices are not in a state to start operation, operation of the production line is prohibited.

With this configuration, it is determined whether the state of each production line component device is in a state to start operation based on the status information from each production line component device, and it is determined whether the state of each production line component device is in a state to start operation. If it is determined, the production line will be prohibited from operating. Therefore, it can be easily confirmed that each device forming the production line is in an operable state, and it is possible to suppress the outflow of defective products.

Furthermore, in the production management system of the present invention, the host computer notifies information regarding the production line component devices that have been determined not to be in a state to start operation.

With this configuration, information regarding the production line component device whose settings and status are determined not to be in a state to start operation is notified. Therefore, it is possible to easily recognize a production line component device whose setting or state is determined not to be in a state where it can start operation, and to quickly bring it into a state where it can be operated.

Further, the production management program of the present invention includes two or more production line configuration devices each performing different processing , and includes a production line that collectively packages raw materials received from upstream and inspects the packaged products. , a host computer configured to be able to communicate with the production line configuration device, and the production line configuration device transmits setting information including a product type set in its own device corresponding to the raw material to the host computer. A production management program for a production management system that runs a production management system, in which the host computer determines that the settings of all of the production line components are not in a state to start operation based on the received setting information. This realizes a function that prohibits line operation.

With this configuration, it is determined whether the settings of each production line component device are in a state to start operation based on the setting information from each production line component device, and it is determined whether the settings of each production line component device are in a state to start operation. If it is determined, the production line will be prohibited from operating. Therefore, it can be easily confirmed that each device forming the production line is in an operable state, and it is possible to suppress the outflow of defective products.

The present invention can provide a production management system that can easily confirm that a plurality of production line constituent devices forming a production line are in an operable state and can suppress the outflow of defective products.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a production management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of operation start determination processing by the host computer of the production management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A production management system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, a production management system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention receives raw materials for foods, drinks, etc. that have been manufactured and processed in upstream manufacturing processes, and consolidates them into predetermined weights in a weighing process and packaging process. In the inspection process, the packaged products are inspected for weight, foreign matter, packaging condition, etc.

The production line includes a raw material supply device (not shown), a weighing device 12, a packaging device 13, and an inspection device 14, each of which performs a different process. Each of these devices is also called a production line component device, and each device is usually arranged in a series, and there is a conveyor such as a belt conveyor between the processes before and after the production line, and between the devices of each process. is located.

Note that this is not limited to the case where the devices (12 to 14) are arranged adjacent to each other as shown in FIG. The inspection device 14 and caser (not shown) are placed adjacent to a product area where packaged products are handled, and the two separated areas are connected by a conveying means such as a belt conveyor or a chute. But that's fine.

The weighing device 12 collects or combines the supplied raw materials so as to have a predetermined weight, and discharges the raw materials to the packaging device 13 .

The weighing device 12 temporarily stores the received raw materials in a storage container, distributes them in a predetermined amount into a plurality of weighing containers, and calculates a combination of the measured values obtained from the respective weighing containers to calculate a weight within a predetermined weight range. It may also have a combined metering means for discharging the raw materials.

The packaging device 13 wraps the raw material of a predetermined weight discharged from the measuring device 12 with a packaging material and discharges it to the inspection device 14 . In addition, the packaging device 13 sends information such as packaging OK (indicating a state of normal packaging) or packaging NG (indicating a state of not packaging normally) as a result of packaging, and the time when packaging was completed to a host described below as a packaging result. The data is transmitted to the computer 16 or the like.

The inspection device 14 inspects the weight of the packaged product discharged from the packaging device 13, the presence of foreign matter, etc., and discharges the packaged product that has no abnormality and is determined to be a good product. The inspection device 14 transmits the inspection result, such as OK or NG, the time when the inspection was completed, and the weight of the inspection result, to the host computer 16, which will be described later, as the inspection result.

The inspection device 14 may include a sorting device (14a) that discharges products that have been inspected NG and products that have received packaging NG from the packaging device 13 out of the production line, thereby efficiently sending only normal products to subsequent processes. Can be drained well. It goes without saying that the sorting device 14a may be provided independently of the inspection device 14.

The host computer 16 is configured by a computer unit including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a hard disk drive, and an input/output port (not shown).

Weighing device 12, packaging device 13, inspection device 14, and host computer 16 are connected to network 17. The weighing device 12, packaging device 13, inspection device 14, and host computer 16 can communicate with each other via a network 17.

In the host computer 16, the arrangement of each device on the production line is set in advance, and information regarding other devices placed before and after one device is stored in association with, for example, an ID unique to the device.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the host computer 16 stores that the weighing device 12 is placed in the weighing process, the packaging device 13 is placed in the packaging process, and the inspection device 14 is placed in the testing process in this order.

Note that if there are multiple devices in any process and each can communicate with the host computer 16, it is possible to set whether each device is arranged in series or in parallel. It is good if it is.

The host computer 16 receives inspection information such as inspection results and operation history sent from each device on the production line via the network 17, stores it in a hard disk drive, and manages it.

Note that it is preferable that an ID unique to each device is assigned to the test information, and the ID is used as identification information for identifying in the data which test information has been transmitted from which device.

Further, the host computer 16 may include a reception time information adding means for adding received time information as a time stamp when receiving the test information transmitted from each device. As a result, even if time information is not included in the inspection information of any of the devices, the time information at almost the same time will be recorded in the host computer 16, which will reduce the functional limitations of the control software on the device side. You can avoid receiving it. Further, even if there is a difference in the time set in each device, the effect is small.

In the weighing device 12, the packaging device 13, and the inspection device 14, various settings such as the type of raw material to be processed and the weight to be packaged are made before the start of operation.

The weighing device 12, the packaging device 13, and the inspection device 14 transmit setting information including the set contents to the host computer 16 when various settings as described above are performed.

The host computer 16 checks whether the settings of each device are correct based on the setting information, and prohibits operation of the production line unless the settings of all devices have been confirmed.

The weighing device 12, the packaging device 13, and the inspection device 14 transmit information indicating various states of the devices to the host computer 16 as state information.

The host computer 16 checks whether each device can start operation based on the status information, and prohibits operation of the production line unless confirmation of the start of operation of all devices has been completed.

The weighing device 12, the packaging device 13, and the inspection device 14 transmit information indicating the state of the device detected by sensors provided in each device to the host computer 16 as state information.

For example, when the weighing device 12, the packaging device 13, and the inspection device 14 are provided with a sensor that detects the opening and closing of a safety door for accessing the inside of the device, the sensor detects the opening and closing state of the safety door as status information. It is sent to the host computer 16 as a.

The host computer 16 determines from the state information of the open/closed state of the safety door that it is possible to start work if the safety door is closed.

For example, if the weighing device 12 can detect whether or not the scale has been adjusted, it transmits information indicating that the scale adjustment has been completed to the host computer 16 as status information.

Based on the status information indicating that the scale adjustment is complete, the host computer 16 determines that it is possible to start work if the scale adjustment is complete.

For example, if the packaging device 13 can detect the filling status of the packaging material, it transmits the packaging material filling status to the host computer 16 as status information.

The host computer 16 determines that it is possible to start work if the amount of packaging material filled is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount based on the status information indicating the filling status of the packaging material.

For example, if the packaging device 13 can detect the sealing temperature and sealing pressure of a sealing device for packaging raw materials, it transmits the sealing temperature and sealing pressure of the sealing device to the host computer 16 as status information.

The host computer 16 determines that it is possible to start work if the sealing temperature and sealing pressure of the sealing device are within predetermined allowable ranges.

For example, when the inspection device 14 can detect whether or not the scale for weight inspection has been adjusted, it transmits information indicating that the scale adjustment has been completed to the host computer 16 as status information. .

Based on the status information indicating that the scale adjustment is complete, the host computer 16 determines that it is possible to start work if the scale adjustment is complete.

For example, when the inspection device 14 is able to detect whether or not the adjustment of the sensor for detecting foreign matter has been completed, the inspection device 14 sends information indicating that the adjustment of the sensor for detecting foreign matter has been completed as status information. It is sent to the host computer 16.

Based on the status information indicating that the adjustment of the sensor for detecting foreign matter has been completed, the host computer 16 determines that it is possible to start work if the adjustment of the sensor for detecting foreign matter has been completed.

If the built-in sorting device 14a of the inspection device 14 is capable of detecting, for example, whether or not the sorting confirmation function that confirms that defective products are correctly discharged has been performed, the inspection device 14 detects whether or not the sorting confirmation function has been confirmed. Information indicating that the process has been completed is sent to the host computer 16 as status information.

The host computer 16 determines that it is possible to start work if the confirmation of the sorting confirmation function is completed based on the status information indicating that the confirmation of the sorting confirmation function is completed.

Note that the host computer 16 displays information on devices for which it has been determined that setting confirmation has not been completed and information for devices for which it has been determined that start-up confirmation has not been completed, and notifies the user. You can.

By doing so, it is possible to easily recognize devices for which it has been determined that settings confirmation and start-up confirmation have not been completed, and to quickly bring the device into a state where it can be operated.

The operation start determination process by the host computer 16 of the production management system 1 according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be explained with reference to FIG. 2. Note that the operation start determination process described below is executed before starting the operation of the production line.

In step S1, the host computer 16 determines whether setting confirmation of all devices has been completed.

If it is determined that the setting confirmation of all devices has been completed, the host computer 16 executes the process of step S2. If it is determined that the setting confirmation of all devices has not been completed, the host computer 16 executes the process of step S4.

In step S2, the host computer 16 determines whether start-up confirmation for all devices has been completed.

If it is determined that the start-of-work confirmation of all devices has been completed, the host computer 16 executes the process of step S3. If it is determined that the start-of-work confirmation of all devices has not been completed, the host computer 16 executes the process of step S4.

In step S3, the host computer 16 permits operation of the production line. After executing the process of step S3, the host computer 16 ends the operation start determination process.

In step S4, the host computer 16 prohibits operation of the production line. After executing the process of step S4, the host computer 16 ends the operation start determination process.

In the above-described embodiment, the weighing device 12, the packaging device 13, and the inspection device 14 transmit setting information including the settings for their own devices to the host computer 16, and the host computer 16 If it is determined based on the information that the settings of all devices are not in a state to start operation, operation of the production line is prohibited.

As a result, it is determined whether the settings of each device are in a state to start operation based on the setting information from the weighing device 12, packaging device 13, and inspection device 14, and it is determined that the settings of all devices are not in a state to start operation. If this happens, the production line will be prohibited from operating. Therefore, it can be easily confirmed that each device forming the production line is in an operable state, and it is possible to suppress the outflow of defective products.

In addition, the weighing device 12, packaging device 13, and inspection device 14 transmit information indicating the status of their own devices as status information to the host computer 16, and the host computer 16 controls all devices based on the received status information. If it is determined that the state is not suitable for starting operation, operation of the production line is prohibited.

As a result, based on the status information from the weighing device 12, packaging device 13, and inspection device 14, it is determined whether the status of each device is in a condition to start operation, and it is determined that the condition of all the devices is not in a condition to start operation. If this happens, the production line will be prohibited from operating. Therefore, it can be easily confirmed that each device forming the production line is in an operable state, and it is possible to suppress the outflow of defective products.

Further, the host computer 16 causes the display device to display information regarding the device that is determined not to be in a state to start operation.

As a result, information regarding the device for which it has been determined that setting confirmation and start-of-work confirmation have not been completed is displayed on the display device. Therefore, it is possible to easily recognize devices for which it has been determined that settings confirmation and start-up confirmation have not been completed, and to quickly bring them into an operational state.

Although embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, it is apparent that modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. All such modifications and equivalents are intended to be included in the following claims.

1 Production management system 12 Weighing device (production line configuration device for the weighing process)
13 Packaging equipment (production line configuration equipment for packaging process)
14 Inspection equipment (production line configuration equipment for inspection process)
14a Sorting device 16 Host computer 17 Network

Claims (4)

Manages a production line that each performs different processing, includes two or more production line component devices (12, 13, 14), collectively packages raw materials received from upstream, and inspects the packaged products. A production management system (1),
A host computer (16) configured to be able to communicate with the production line configuration device,
The production line configuration device transmits setting information including the product type set in the device corresponding to the raw material to the host computer,
A production management system in which the host computer prohibits operation of the production line if it is determined based on the received setting information that the settings of all the production line constituent devices are not in a state to start operation. The production line configuration device further transmits information indicating the state of its own device as state information to the host computer,
2. The host computer according to claim 1, wherein the host computer prohibits operation of the production line if it is determined based on the received status information that the status of all the production line constituent devices is not a state to start operation. production management system. 3. The production management system according to claim 1, wherein the host computer notifies information regarding the production line component device determined not to be in a state to start operation. A production line including two or more production line component devices (12, 13, 14) each performing different processing , collectively packaging raw materials received from upstream, and inspecting the packaged products; A host computer (16) configured to be able to communicate with line configuration devices, the production line configuration device transmitting setting information including the product type set in its own device corresponding to the raw material to the host computer. A production management program for a production management system,
When the host computer determines, based on the received setting information, that the settings of all the production line constituent devices are not in a state to start operation, the host computer implements a function of prohibiting the operation of the production line. Production management program.

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