JP7421917B2 - Process chart creation method, process chart creation support program, and process chart creation support device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a process chart creation method, a process chart creation support program, and a process chart creation support device.

2. Description of the Related Art When manufacturing a plurality of parts constituting a product by metal processing including sheet metal processing, a process is performed in which each part is processed according to its shape or function. Therefore, the shape of the part being manufactured changes as the process progresses. Here, if the order of steps is incorrect, it may become impossible to continue processing. For example, during bending, the shape of the part changes significantly. Therefore, for example, processing that can be performed on the shape before bending may not be possible on the shape after bending.

Therefore, each part is sometimes machined according to the order of steps in a process chart drawn up by a skilled worker, or according to the order of steps in a process chart that was used when processing the same part in the past. When processing parts in the order of steps in the process chart, the parts are sequentially supplied to work locations where each process in the process chart is performed in the order of steps in the process chart. In the work place, processing equipment or workers who perform processing work are arranged.

By the way, processing on a part may end in the state of a single part, or in the state of a component or product assembled with other parts. For parts that can be processed as a single unit, it is reasonable to separate them into parts and supply them to the work area. On the other hand, in the case of parts that are processed to become component parts or products, there is an assembly process in which multiple parts are processed at the same time, so the parts to be assembled are brought together at the work place. It is reasonable to supply

When a plurality of parts are supplied at once, each work place is also supplied with parts that are not processed there. Therefore, at each work site, it is necessary to select and take out the parts to be processed at that work site from among the supplied parts. In this case as well, information on the process sheet is necessary to confirm whether the parts supplied to the work site are the parts to be processed there. Note that in order to use the information in the process chart to confirm parts at the work site, the processing steps for all parts must be recorded in the process chart. Additionally, all processing steps to be performed at each work location must be recorded in the process chart.

By the way, in the case of a component whose processing is finished as a component or a product, processing that can be performed before assembly with other parts may no longer be possible after assembly. This is because the shape of the part changes significantly when assembled with other parts. For this reason, the process chart used for checking parts at the work site is required to have a process order that is considered so that the assembly process with other parts does not interfere with the execution of other processes. Patent Document 1 describes an example of a process chart for processing including assembly of parts.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-92274

In the process chart described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to grasp not only the process order of parts that are processed as individual parts, but also the process order of parts that are processed as component parts or products. However, since multiple parts are involved in assembling parts, determining the process order for parts that undergo processing, including assembly, is more complex and difficult than determining the process order for parts that are processed individually. Therefore, in order to create the process chart described in Patent Document 1, the knowledge of a more skilled worker is required than in determining the process order for each part. However, Patent Document 1 does not mention a specific method for creating an entire process chart for processing including assembly of parts.

An object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily obtain a process chart showing the entire manufacturing process of a product, including the process of assembling parts together.

In order to achieve the above object, the process chart creation method according to the first aspect of the present invention includes:
a reading step of reading process data for each part indicating the process order of the machining process for each part constituting the assembly;
The processing steps of the process data corresponding to the plurality of parts are displayed on the overall process chart showing the order of the processing steps for all the parts together, without changing the order of the steps, and in the standard process. a first arrangement step of aligning and arranging the process positions of the processing steps specified in the respective parts;
a second arranging step of arranging an assembling process for assembling all the parts to form the assembly at the last process position in the process order of all the parts;
including.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a process chart creation support program according to a second aspect of the present invention includes:
to the computer,
a reading step of reading process data for each part indicating the process order of the machining process for each part constituting the assembly;
The processing steps of the process data corresponding to the plurality of parts are displayed on the overall process chart showing the order of the processing steps for all the parts together, without changing the order of the steps, and in the standard process. a first arrangement step of aligning and arranging the process positions of the processing steps specified in the respective parts;
a second arranging step of arranging an assembling process for assembling all the parts to form the assembly at the last process position in the process order of all the parts;
Execute.

Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, a process chart creation support device according to a third aspect of the present invention includes:
a reading unit that reads process data for each part indicating the process order of the machining process for each part constituting the assembly;
The processing steps of the process data corresponding to the plurality of parts are displayed on the overall process chart showing the order of the processing steps for all the parts together, without changing the order of the steps, and in the standard process. a first arrangement section that aligns and arranges the process positions of the processing steps specified in the respective parts;
a second arrangement section that arranges an assembly step for assembling all the parts to form the assembly at the last step position in the process order of all the parts;
Equipped with.

According to the present invention, it is possible to easily obtain a process chart showing the entire manufacturing process of a product, including the process of assembling parts together.

1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a sheet metal processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an overall process chart created by the process chart creation support device of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the contents of component data and process data for each component extracted from product shape data acquired from the CAD device of FIG. 1 are developed into the overall process chart of FIG. 2. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall process chart reflecting the processing steps of the panel assembly of FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall process chart in which processing steps for the base shown in FIG. 3 have been read. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall process chart that reflects the processing steps for the base shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall process chart of the process of reading the processing steps of the shade shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall process chart of a process that reflects the processing steps of the shade shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall process chart of a process that reflects the processing steps of the shade shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall process chart in which the processing steps of the shade shown in FIG. 3 are reflected. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall process chart of the process of reading the processing steps of the front beam in FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall process chart of a process that reflects the front beam machining process of FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall process chart of a process that reflects the front beam machining process of FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall process chart of a process that reflects the front beam machining process of FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall process chart of a process that reflects the front beam machining process of FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall process chart of a process that reflects the front beam machining process of FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall process chart of a process that reflects the front beam machining process of FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall process chart that reflects the processing steps for the front beam shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall process chart of the process of reading the back beam machining process of FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall process chart of a process that reflects the processing process of the back beam in FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall process chart of a process that reflects the processing process of the back beam in FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall process chart of a process that reflects the processing process of the back beam in FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall process chart of a process that reflects the processing process of the back beam in FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall process chart that reflects the processing steps of the back beam shown in FIG. 3; 4 is a diagram showing an overall process chart of a process that reflects the processing steps of the top plate in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall process chart of a process that reflects the processing steps of the top plate in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall process chart of a process that reflects the processing steps of the top plate in FIG. 3. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall process chart that reflects the processing steps of the top plate shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall process chart reflecting the processing steps of the panel assembly of FIG. 3; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overall process chart when the process chart creation support device of FIG. 1 receives an instruction to insert a welding process. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an overall process chart when the process chart creation support device of FIG. 1 receives an instruction to assemble the front beam and top plate of FIG. 3 as subassemblies by welding. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall process chart when the process chart creation support device of FIG. 1 receives an instruction to assemble the front beam and top plate of FIG. 3 as subassemblies by welding. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an overall process chart when the process chart creation support device of FIG. 1 receives an instruction to assemble the front beam and top plate of FIG. 3 as subassemblies by welding. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall process chart reflecting process data of a front beam unit that is a subassembly obtained by assembling the front beam and top plate of FIG. 3 by welding. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overall process chart when the process chart creation support device of FIG. 1 receives an instruction to insert a screw fastening process. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall process chart when the process chart creation support device shown in FIG. 1 receives an instruction that the base and back beam shown in FIG. 3 are to be assembled by screwing to form a subassembly. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall process chart when the process chart creation support device shown in FIG. 1 receives an instruction that the base and back beam shown in FIG. 3 are to be assembled by screwing to form a subassembly. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall process chart when the process chart creation support device shown in FIG. 1 receives an instruction that the base and back beam shown in FIG. 3 are to be assembled by screwing to form a subassembly. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall process chart when the process chart creation support device shown in FIG. 1 receives an instruction that the base and back beam shown in FIG. 3 are to be assembled by screwing to form a subassembly. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for creating an overall process chart, which is executed by the production control device of FIG. 1 based on a program. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for creating an overall process chart, which is executed by the production control device of FIG. 1 based on a program. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for creating an overall process chart, which is executed by the production control device of FIG. 1 based on a program. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for creating an overall process chart, which is executed by the production control device of FIG. 1 based on a program. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for creating an overall process chart, which is executed by the production control device of FIG. 1 based on a program.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Identical or equivalent parts or constituent elements are designated by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings.

The embodiments described below exemplify devices and the like for embodying the technical idea of the present invention. The technical idea of this invention does not specify the material, shape, structure, arrangement, function, etc. of each component as described below.

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a sheet metal processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. A sheet metal processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a system that performs sheet metal processing on a plurality of parts constituting a product. In the following description, a product in which all parts are assembled may be referred to as an assembly. Further, a component formed by assembling some parts may be referred to as a subassembly.

The sheet metal processing system 1 is a system that produces products from sheet metal materials (not shown). In this sheet metal processing system 1, products are produced from sheet metal materials through work performed in a distributed manner at a plurality of work locations 3, 3, . In each work place 3, processing work is performed using a processing machine 5 or manually by an operator. Processing operations using the processing machine 5 include, for example, punching using a laser processing machine, bending using a bending machine, welding using a welding machine, and the like. The manual processing work performed by the operator includes, for example, finishing processing such as deburring.

In addition to each processing machine 5, the sheet metal processing system 1 includes a CAD device 7, a CAM device 9, a plurality of NC devices 11 corresponding to each processing machine 5, a production control device 13, and a process chart creation support device 15. ing. Each element of the sheet metal processing system 1 except the processing machine 5 is configured to be able to communicate with each other via a LAN (Local Area Network) 17. The LAN 17 may be wired, wireless, or a combination thereof.

The CAD device 7, the CAM device 9, the plurality of NC devices 11, the production control device 13, and the process chart creation support device 15 can be configured by, for example, a personal computer. The personal computer includes a computer main body 19, an input device 21, a display device 23, and the like.

The computer main body 19 has built-in data storage such as RAM, ROM, CPU, and hard disk. The computer main body 19 can realize the functions described below, for example, by the CPU executing software installed in the data storage.

The input device 21 may include, for example, a keyboard and a mouse. The input device 21 may include a touch panel placed on the screen of the display device 23. The display device 23 can be configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display.

The CAD device 7 creates product shape data from the data of the product order drawing. The product shape data is data of a product manufactured by processing sheet metal material. The CAD device 7 stores the created product shape data in the auxiliary storage device of the computer main body 19. The CAD device 7 can realize the function of creating product shape data by the CPU of the computer main body 19 executing a program in the ROM. Product shape data can be created as a three-dimensional (3D) CAD model.

The product shape data includes part data and process data for each part. Parts data is data that defines parts that constitute a product. The process data for each part is data that defines the process and process order for each part to be performed by the processing machine 5 or an operator. The component data may include thumbnail image data indicating the shape of the component. The process data for each part may include thumbnail image data indicating the details of the processing process for each part. Further, the product shape data may include data of a thumbnail image indicating the contents of the product.

The process data for each part is data indicating a process order determined in consideration of the fact that the shape of the part changes due to processing. This order of steps was taken into consideration so that processing in subsequent steps would not become impossible during the process. The process order can be established by a skilled worker, for example. Further, if there is a track record of manufacturing the same part in the past, the process data for each part used at that time may be reused when manufacturing the same part next time.

The CAD device 7 in FIG. 1 also creates development view data for each part based on the product shape data. The developed view data is data of a developed view in which a sheet metal material, which is a material of a part, is developed into a planar shape.

The CAM device 9 creates a processing program for the sheet metal material by each processing machine 5 based on the product shape data and development view data created by the CAD device 7. The machining program is NC data that is a machine control code. The CAM device 9 can realize a function of creating a machining program by the CPU of the computer main body 19 executing a program in the ROM.

The CAD device 7 and the CAM device 9 may be configured separately as shown in FIG. 1, or may be configured integrally.

The NC device 11 is provided corresponding to each processing machine 5, respectively. Each NC device 11 controls the processing operation of the sheet metal material in each corresponding processing machine 5 based on the processing program created by the CAM device 9.

The production control device 13 is a processing machine 5 for efficiently producing products in the sheet metal processing system 1 based on the product shape data and developed view data created by the CAD device 7, the processing program created by the CAM device 9, etc. Perform operations management, etc.

The process chart creation support device 15 acquires product shape data created by the CAD device 7 via the LAN 17. The process chart creation support device 15 may acquire product shape data via the CAM device 9. The acquired product shape data may be stored in an auxiliary storage device of the computer main body 19 of the process chart creation support device 15, or may be stored in a database device 27 on a cloud connected via the Internet 25.

Then, the process chart creation support device 15 creates an overall process chart based on the acquired product shape data. The overall process chart collectively shows the processing steps and process order of all parts performed by the processing machine 5 or the worker at each work location 3 of the sheet metal processing system 1. The process chart creation support device 15 can identify the parts that indicate the processing steps and process order in the overall process chart based on the component data in the product shape data. The processing steps and process order shown in the overall process chart also include an assembly step in which parts are assembled to form an assembly or subassembly.

The order of steps in the overall process chart is determined in consideration of the fact that the shapes of the parts that make up the product change due to processing. The process chart creation support device 15 can determine the process order of the processing steps in the overall process chart based on the process order of each part indicated by the process data for each part in the product shape data. The process chart creation support device 15 can realize a process chart creation support system by the CPU of the computer main body 19 executing the process chart creation support program in the ROM. The process chart creation support system can support the creation of an overall process chart.

Next, the overall process chart created with the support of the process chart creation support device 15 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an overall process chart created with the support of the process chart creation support device 15.

The overall process chart created by the process chart creation support device 15 can be displayed on the display device 23 of the process chart creation support device 15 shown in FIG. 1, for example. Alternatively, the overall process sheet can be displayed on the display of the mobile terminal 29 using a web browser using, for example, a web console of the mobile terminal 29 connected to the process sheet creation support device 15 via the Internet 25.

The mobile terminal 29 can be operated and used by a worker or an operator of the processing machine 5 at the work place 3, for example. Further, the overall process chart can also be printed on paper using, for example, a network printer (not shown) connected to the LAN 17.

The overall process chart shown in FIG. 2 is composed of a matrix partitioned into a vertical direction in which one column extends, that is, a column direction, and a horizontal direction in which one row extends, that is, in a row direction. .

All the processing steps to be performed until the product is completed are assigned to each column of the overall process chart in the order of the steps. Above the frame of the overall process chart, the process name of the processing process assigned to each column and the process number indicating the process order in the manufacturing process of the entire product are written. In the example overall process chart shown in Figure 2, from the description of the process name, the processing steps performed until the product is completed include punching, tapping, caulking, bending, caulking, welding, tapping, studs, screwing, and assembly. It can be seen that there are 10 steps.

Each row of the overall process chart is assigned an assembly that is a product, parts that constitute the assembly, and subassemblies in which some parts are assembled before the product is completed. In each section in the first column of the overall process chart, that is, in the leftmost section of each row, a thumbnail image indicating the shape of the assembly, part, or subassembly assigned to each row is arranged. In each section in the second column from the left of the overall process chart, the name of the assembly, part, or subassembly assigned to each row is written.

In the example overall process chart shown in FIG. 2, it can be seen from the description of the name in the second column that the product is a panel assembly (PANEL-ASSY) and that there are five parts in the panel assembly. The five parts are the base (BASE), the shade (SHADE), the front beam (FR-BEAM), the back beam (BK-BEAM) and the top plate (TP-PLATE).

Furthermore, in the overall process chart of FIG. 2, it can be seen from the names in the second column that two subassemblies are constructed before the panel assembly is completed. One of the two subassemblies is a base beam unit (BASE-BEAM-UNIT) that includes a base and a back beam. Another subassembly is the front beam unit (FR-BEAM-UNIT), which includes the front beam and top plate. Each subassembly is arranged in a row above the parts that make up the respective subassembly.

In the overall process chart of FIG. 2 described above, in each row, the processing steps to be performed for the assembly, each subassembly, and each part are shown in the order of the steps. Specifically, in the assembly row, thumbnail images showing the assembly in a state corresponding to the processing step are arranged in columns corresponding to processing steps to be performed on the assembly. Further, in each subassembly row, thumbnail images showing the subassembly in a state corresponding to the machining process are arranged in columns corresponding to the machining process to be performed for each subassembly.

Further, in each component row, thumbnail images showing subassemblies in states corresponding to the processing steps are arranged in columns corresponding to the processing steps performed for each component. Sections corresponding to processing steps that are not performed on the assembly, each subassembly, and each part are left blank.

In the overall process chart of FIG. 2, the flow of the machining process for each component and each subassembly is shown by arrow lines connecting the machining processes. Further, a processing step where a plurality of arrow lines join together indicates an assembly step in which parts or subassemblies are assembled.

When the part data and the process data for each part in the acquired product shape data include thumbnail image data, the process chart creation support device 15 in FIG. 1 uses this data to Thumbnail images of parts can be placed in . Furthermore, even if the part data and the process data for each part do not include thumbnail image data, the process chart creation support device 15 creates thumbnail image data using the acquired product shape data, and Thumbnail images of parts can be placed in each section.

The process chart creation support device 15 also acquires thumbnail image data for each subassembly, which is not included in either the component data or the process data for each component in the acquired product shape data, from the CAD device 7 or the CAM device 9. It can be created using the product shape data obtained.

The process chart creation support device 15 reads the processing steps and process order determined in the process data for each component for each component determined in the component data in the product shape data acquired from the CAD device 7, and reads the processing steps and process order determined in the process data for each component. will be reflected in the overall process chart. Here, "reflection" means that all the machining steps specified in the process data are reflected in the process chart, taking into consideration the order of the machining steps of the parts that the process chart creation support device 15 has previously read and incorporated into the overall process chart. This means incorporating them into the overall process chart without changing the order.

The section in which the names of the parts reflected in the overall process chart are written is surrounded by a thick line frame. The section in which thumbnail images of the processing details of the parts reflected in the overall process chart are arranged is also surrounded by a thick line frame. The sections surrounded by thick lines can be distinguished from sections that have not yet been reflected in the overall process chart, for example, by changing the background color.

The rows and columns of the overall process chart can be increased or decreased as needed. Furthermore, the arrangement of each section may be interchanged between the row direction and the column direction of the overall process chart.

Next, the procedure for creating an overall process chart by the process chart creation support device 15 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 to 39. The overall process chart with the contents shown in each of FIGS. 3 to 39 shows the creation procedure until the overall process chart shown in FIG. 2 is completed. The overall process charts shown in FIGS. 3 to 39 include things that are temporarily generated in the process of the process chart creation support device 15 creating the overall process chart shown in FIG. It should be noted that this overall process chart is not generated to be displayed on the display device 23 or the mobile terminal 29 in FIG. 1 and presented to the operator.

First, when the process chart creation support device 15 acquires the product shape data of the assembly, it extracts part data and process data for each part from the product shape data. If the parts data and process data include thumbnail image data, the process chart creation support device 15 also extracts the thumbnail image data. Then, the process chart creation support device 15 develops the contents of the extracted parts data and process data for each part into a blank overall process chart.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the contents of component data and component-specific process data developed in a blank overall process chart. In FIG. 3, the contents of component data and process data for each component are visualized and shown in a table format using thumbnail images.

In the overall process chart of FIG. 3, the process chart creation support device 15 stores product shape data or parts data in the first and second columns of each row, that is, in the first and second columns from the left of the table. Thumbnail images and names of products or parts defined in the above are developed. That is, each section in the first and second columns of the overall process chart indicates the content of the part data.

In addition, in the overall process chart of FIG. 3, the process chart creation support device 15 develops a thumbnail image showing the processing process of "assembly" in the section of the first row and third column. The "assembly" process is the final assembly process of parts to complete the product. From the second row onwards in the overall process chart, the process chart creation support device 15 develops thumbnail images of the machining processes defined in the process data for each part in the order of the process in each section from the third column onwards. That is, the second and subsequent lines of the overall process chart each indicate the content of process data for each part.

The example shown in FIG. 3 shows a case where the product of the product shape data acquired by the process chart creation support device 15 is a panel assembly (PANEL-ASSY). Therefore, the thumbnail image of the panel assembly and the name "PANEL-ASSY" are placed in each section of the first row, first column, and second column of the overall process chart by the process chart creation support device 15, respectively. There is. Also in the section in the third column of the first row of the overall process chart, the process chart creation support device 15 creates a thumbnail image of the same panel assembly as the section in the first column as a thumbnail image indicating the processing process of "assembly" of the product. is located.

The data of the thumbnail image of the panel assembly can be created by the process chart creation support device 15, for example, from a three-dimensional CAD model of product shape data of the panel assembly. The thumbnail image of the panel assembly can be, for example, a two-dimensional or three-dimensional perspective image of the panel assembly.

Furthermore, in the example shown in Fig. 3, the five parts of the panel assembly defined in the parts data are the base, shade, front beam, back beam, and top plate, which also existed in the overall process chart of Fig. 2. It shows. Therefore, in the second and subsequent rows of the overall process chart in FIG. 3 in which the contents of the parts data are expanded, the thumbnail images and names of each part are arranged in the sections of the first and second columns, respectively. The thumbnail images of each component can be, for example, respective two-dimensional or three-dimensional perspective images.

Furthermore, the example shown in FIG. 3 shows a case where the processing steps and process order defined in the base process data are three, punching, bending, and stud (welding). Similarly, the example shown in FIG. 3 shows a case where the processing steps and the order of the steps determined in the shade process data are punching, caulking, and bending. Furthermore, the example shown in FIG. 3 shows a case where the processing steps and process order determined in the process data of the front beam are five: punching, bending, caulking, tapping, and stud.

Further, the example shown in FIG. 3 shows a case where the processing steps and process order determined in the process data of the back beam are four: punching, tapping, caulking, and bending. Further, the example shown in FIG. 3 shows a case where the processing steps and process order determined in the process data of the top plate are two, punching and tapping.

The thumbnail image showing the processing content of each part can be, for example, a two-dimensional or three-dimensional perspective image showing the state of each part before or after processing.

By the way, a standard process is specified in the process chart creation support device 15. When the standard process is specified, the process chart creation support device 15 simultaneously performs the standard process machining for the parts that include the standard process in the machining processes defined in the process data for each part. Adjust the arrangement of processing steps for each part in the overall process chart.

After developing the contents of the process data of the first part into the overall process sheet, the process sheet creation support device 15 performs processing when expanding the contents of the process data of the second and subsequent parts into the overall process sheet. The arrangement of processes can be adjusted. Thereafter, after developing the contents of the base process data into the overall process sheet, when sequentially developing the contents of each process data of the shade, front beam, back beam, and top plate into the overall process sheet, the process sheet creation support device 15 A case will be explained in which the arrangement of processing steps is adjusted.

The process chart creation support device 15 performs this adjustment so that the process order of the standard process and other machining processes for each part does not change due to the adjustment. Therefore, a machining process whose process order is earlier than the standard process remains unchanged even after the arrangement of the standard process is changed by adjustment. Similarly, a machining process whose process order is slower than the standard process remains unchanged even after the arrangement of the standard process is changed by adjustment.

Note that the standard process is specified in advance in the process sheet creation support device 15 before the process sheet creation support device 15 develops the contents of the part data extracted from the product shape data and the process data for each part into the overall process sheet. You can leave it there. Alternatively, when the process sheet creation support device 15 develops the contents of component data and process data for each component extracted from product shape data into an overall process sheet, a reference process is specified to the process sheet creation support device 15. You may also do so.

In the latter case, for example, by operating the input device 21 while the cursor is placed on a section of the overall process chart displayed on the screen of the display device 23 in which the name of the process to be the reference process is placed. , a reference process can be specified. The operation of the input device 21 can be, for example, an operation of an "Enter" key on a keyboard or a click operation of a mouse.

Here, which process is designated as the standard process is basically arbitrary. However, if a process that is relatively highly present in the process of each part, that is, a process that is performed on more parts, is designated as the standard process, the following advantages can be obtained.

As described above, in the overall process chart created by the process chart creation support device 15, the processing designated as the standard process is performed simultaneously on all parts including the processing in the process. Therefore, if machining performed on more parts is designated as the standard machining, the number of machining steps in the overall process chart created by the process chart creation support device 15, that is, the number of machining steps performed to produce the product, will increase. less. As a result, in the example shown in Fig. 3, the length of the machining process in the overall process chart expanded in the row direction is shortened, and all the machining processes performed on each part to produce the product are displayed on the overall process chart. This has the advantage of making it easier to understand.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, among the five parts that make up the panel assembly: the base, the shade, the front beam, the back beam, and the top plate, each part except the top plate has a "bending" process. . That is, the degree of "bending" processing that exists in the processing steps of each component performed to produce a panel assembly is relatively high compared to other processing. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the standard process is "bending" and that "bending" is specified in the process chart creation support device 15 as the standard process.

By the way, in general, the shape of a part changes significantly before and after the "bending" process. For this reason, it is safer to complete other processes that are earlier than the "bending" process before the "bending" process without changing the process order. In contrast, when the process chart creation support device 15 develops the contents of the process data for each part extracted from the product shape data into the overall process chart, the process order of the standard process and other processing processes is not swapped. Adjust the layout of the processing steps so that For this reason, when developing the process data of each part into the overall process chart, "bending" is specified as the standard processing in order to prevent the order of "bending" and other processing from changing. There are advantages to doing so.

Then, the process chart creation support device 15 first reads the processing process of "assembly" of the panel assembly developed in the first line of the overall process chart, and reflects it on the overall process chart. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the process chart creation support device 15 displays the thumbnail images and names of the panel assemblies in the first and second columns, and the thumbnail images of "assembly" in the third column, indicating that they have already been reflected. Switch to the indicated symbol. Further, the process chart creation support device 15 arranges the name "assembly" as the process name of the process number "1" in which the machining process "assembly" is placed above the frame of the overall process chart.

Next, the process chart creation support device 15 performs the three processing steps of "punching," "bending," and "stud" to be performed on the base, which is the first part, developed on the second line of the overall process chart. Load. At this time, the process chart creation support device 15 switches the thumbnail images of the three processing steps of the base to a mark indicating that the process is being read, as shown in FIG. Then, the process chart creation support device 15 selects "punching", "bending" and Place the "stud" name.

Then, the process chart creation support device 15 reflects the read three base processing steps on the overall process chart. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the process chart creation support device 15 switches the name of the base and the thumbnail images of the three processing steps of the base to a mark indicating that the process has been reflected. Furthermore, the process chart creation support device 15 displays arrow lines indicating the process order between adjacent sections of process numbers "1" to "3" in which thumbnail images of each processing process are arranged.

Note that the process numbers "1" to "3" are the base three processing steps, so the "assembly" processing step of the panel assembly placed in the section with step number "1" at this point is It is necessary to remove it from the processes numbered "1" to "3". Therefore, the process chart creation support device 15 adjusts the arrangement of the processing steps in the overall process chart so that the three processing steps for the base and the "assembly" processing step for the panel assembly do not interfere with each other.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the process chart creation support device 15 shifts the processing step of "assembly" of the panel assembly to three steps later, and changes the thumbnail image of "assembly" of the panel assembly to the base. Relocate to the section with process number "4" following the three processing steps. Then, the process chart creation support device 15 rearranges "assembly", which had been arranged as the process name of process number "1" in the overall process chart, as the process name of process number "4".

Subsequently, the process chart creation support device 15 reads the processing steps developed in the overall process chart for the parts after the shade of the panel assembly, and repeats the procedure of reflecting them on the overall process chart for each shade to top plate.

First, the process chart creation support device 15 reads the three processing steps of "punching", "crimping", and "bending" to be performed on the second component, the shade, developed in the third row of the overall process chart. . At this time, the process chart creation support device 15 focuses on the "bending" processing process designated as the standard process, as shown in FIG. Regarding the shade, it is necessary to perform two processing steps: "cutting" and "crimping" before the "bending" processing step. For this reason, the process order of the "bending" process of the shade cannot be made earlier than the third process.

Therefore, the process chart creation support device 15 reflects the process of "bending" the shade in the overall process chart so that it is placed in the process order of process number "3". Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the process chart creation support device 15 switches the thumbnail image of the "bending" process of the shade to a mark indicating that it has been reflected.

At this point, as shown in Figure 7, the processing process of "bending" the base is placed in the section with process number "2" in the overall process chart, and the processing process of "bending" the shade is placed in the section with process number "2" in the overall process chart. It is placed in the section with process number "3". That is, the "bending" process positions are shifted between the base and the shade. Therefore, the process chart creation support device 15 adjusts the arrangement of the processing steps in the overall process chart so that the "bending" process positions match on the base and the shade.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the process chart creation support device 15 selects the "bending" processing step of the base whose step number is smaller than the shade, and the next "bending" processing step. "Stud" machining process and rearrangement. That is, the thumbnail images of "bending" and "stud" are shifted and rearranged one by one to sections with process numbers "3" and "4" in the overall process chart, which are the later processes. As a result, the process order of the "bending" process of the base and shade is aligned to process number "3". In addition, the process chart creation support device 15 draws the arrow line indicating the process order between the sections with process numbers "1" and "3" where the thumbnail images of each processing process are arranged, and between the sections with process numbers "3" and "3". They are displayed between the "4" sections.

Note that the section with process number "2" in the row where the base processing process of the overall process chart is developed is blank. Also, since process number "4" is the process for "stud", as shown in Figure 7, the process for "assembly" of the panel assembly placed in the section with process number "4" at this point It is necessary to remove it from the process with process number "4". Therefore, the process chart creation support device 15 adjusts the arrangement of the processing steps in the overall process chart so that the "stud" processing steps of the base and the "assembly" processing steps of the panel assembly do not interfere.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the process chart creation support device 15 shifts the processing process of "assembly" of the panel assembly to a later process by one step, and changes the thumbnail image of "assembly" of the panel assembly to the process number. Relocate to section "5". Furthermore, the process chart creation support device 15 changes the process names of "bending", "stud", and "assembly" that were arranged as process names "2" to "4" in the overall process chart to process numbers "3" to "4". Rearrange it as the process name "5".

Next, the process chart creation support device 15 pays attention to the "cutting" processing step placed in the section with the process number "1" in the row in which the shade processing step of the overall process chart is expanded. The "cutting" process position is the same for the base and the shade. Therefore, the process chart creation support device 15 does not perform adjustment to match the process order of the "cutting" process between the base and the shade. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the process chart creation support device 15 switches the thumbnail image of "excluded" in the shade to a mark indicating "reflected".

Next, the process chart creation support device 15 pays attention to the "crimping" processing step arranged in the section with step number "2" in the row in which the shade processing step of the overall process chart is expanded. The "caulking" process does not exist on the base. Therefore, the process chart creation support device 15 does not adjust the process position for "crimping". Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the process chart creation support device 15 switches the thumbnail image of "crimped" of the shade to a mark indicating that it has been reflected. Further, the process chart creation support device 15 arranges the name "crimping" as the process name of process number "2" in the overall process chart.

As described above, all the processing steps of the shade have been reflected in the overall process chart, so the process chart creation support device 15 switches the name of the shade to a mark indicating that it has been reflected. In addition, the process chart creation support device 15 draws arrow lines indicating the process order between adjacent sections of process numbers "1", "2", and "3" in which thumbnail images of each processing process are arranged. Display.

Next, the process chart creation support device 15 performs "cutting", "bending", "caulking", "tapping" and Load the 5 processing steps for "Stud". At this time, the process chart creation support device 15 focuses on the "bending" processing process designated as the standard process, as shown in FIG.

At this point, the processing process for "bending" the base and shade is placed in the section with process number "3" in the overall process chart, and the processing process for "bending" the front beam is placed in the section with process number "2" in the overall process chart. ” is located in the section. That is, the "bending" process positions are shifted between the base and shade and the front beam. Therefore, the process chart creation support device 15 adjusts the arrangement of the processing steps in the overall process chart so that the "bending" process positions match among the base, shade, and front beam.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the process sheet creation support device 15 shifts each processing step after the "bending" of the front beam one by one to a later step, and sets the process number "3" in the overall process sheet. ” to “6” sections. As a result, the process order of the "bending" process from the base to the front beam is aligned to process number "3". Then, the process chart creation support device 15 switches the thumbnail image of "bending" of the front beam to a mark indicating that it has been reflected.

Subsequently, the process chart creation support device 15 pays attention to the "cutting" processing step placed in the section with process number "1" in the row in which the front beam processing step of the entire process chart is expanded. The "cutting" process position is the same for the base, shade, and front beam. For this reason, the process chart creation support device 15 does not make adjustments to match the order of the "cutting" process for the base, shade, and front beam. Then, as shown in FIG. 13, the process chart creation support device 15 switches the thumbnail image of the front beam "excluded" to a mark indicating that it has been reflected. Note that the section with process number "2" on the same row is blank.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 14, the process chart creation support device 15 executes the "caulking" processing process arranged in the section with process number "4" in the row in which the front beam processing process of the overall process chart is expanded. Pay attention to. The "caulking" process also exists in shades. However, the process of "caulking" the shade is arranged in the section with process number "2", which is earlier than the process of "bending". Therefore, if the process position of the shade's ``crimping'', which is earlier in the process order, is aligned with the process position of the front beam's ``crimping'', which is later in the process order, the shade's ``crimping'' process and the ``bending'' process will be different. The order of the steps will be changed. Therefore, the process chart creation support device 15 does not adjust the process position for "crimping".

Then, as shown in FIG. 15, the process chart creation support device 15 switches the thumbnail image of "crimped" of the shade to a mark indicating that it has been reflected. Further, the process chart creation support device 15 arranges the name "crimping" as the process name of process number "4" in the overall process chart. Furthermore, the process chart creation support device 15 replaces "stud" and "assembly", which were arranged as process names for process numbers "4" and "5" in the overall process chart, with process numbers "5" and "6". Rearrange as process name.

In addition, since process number ``4'' is the process of ``caulking'', the process of ``stud'' of the base placed in the section with process number ``4'' at this point is changed to the process of process number ``4''. It needs to be removed from the process. Therefore, the process chart creation support device 15 adjusts the arrangement of the processing steps in the overall process chart so that the processing steps for the "stud" of the base and the "crimping" processing steps for the front beam do not interfere with each other.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, the process chart creation support device 15 shifts the processing step of the "stud" on the base to one step later, and changes the thumbnail image of the "stud" on the base to step number "5." ” area. As a result, the thumbnail image of the base "stud" is placed at the process position of the process name "stud". Further, the process chart creation support device 15 changes the arrow lines indicating the process order of the base to process numbers “3” and “5” where thumbnail images of “bending” and “stud” of the base after rearrangement are developed. be displayed between the sections. Note that the section with process number "4" on the same row is blank.

Also, since process number "5" is the process of "stud", as shown in Figure 14, the processing process of "assembly" of the panel assembly placed in the section with process number "5" at this point is , it is necessary to remove it from the process with process number "5". Therefore, the process chart creation support device 15 adjusts the arrangement of the processing steps in the overall process chart so that the "stud" processing steps of the base and the "assembly" processing steps of the panel assembly do not interfere.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, the process chart creation support device 15 shifts the processing process of "assembly" of the panel assembly to a later process by one step, and changes the thumbnail image of "assembly" of the panel assembly to the process number. Relocate to section "6".

Next, as shown in FIG. 16, the process chart creation support device 15 processes the "tap" placed in the section with process number "5" in the row in which the front beam processing process of the overall process chart is developed. Focus on the process. The "tap" process does not exist on the base or shade. Therefore, the process chart creation support device 15 does not adjust the process position for the "tap".

Then, as shown in FIG. 17, the process chart creation support device 15 switches the thumbnail image of "tap" in the shade to a mark indicating that it has been reflected. Further, the process chart creation support device 15 arranges the name "tap" as the process name of process number "5" in the overall process chart. Furthermore, the process chart creation support device 15 replaces "stud" and "assembly", which were arranged as process names for process numbers "5" and "6" in the overall process chart, with process numbers "6" and "7". Rearrange as process name.

In addition, since process number "5" is the process of "tap", the process of "stud" of the base placed in the section of process number "5" at this point is changed to the process of process number "5". It needs to be removed from the process. Therefore, the process chart creation support device 15 adjusts the arrangement of the processing steps in the overall process chart so that the processing steps for the "stud" of the base and the "tap" for the front beam do not interfere with each other.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, the process chart creation support device 15 shifts the processing step of the "stud" on the base to one step later, and changes the thumbnail image of the "stud" on the base to step number "6." ” area. As a result, the thumbnail image of the base "stud" is placed at the process position of the process name "stud". Further, the process chart creation support device 15 changes the arrow lines indicating the process order of the base to the process numbers “3” and “6” where the thumbnail images of “bending” and “stud” of the base after rearrangement are expanded. be displayed between the sections. Note that the section with process number "5" on the same row is blank.

Also, since the process number "6" is the "stud" process, as shown in Figure 16, the "assembly" processing process of the panel assembly placed in the section with the process number "6" at this point is , it is necessary to remove it from the process with process number "6". Therefore, the process chart creation support device 15 adjusts the arrangement of the processing steps in the overall process chart so that the "stud" processing steps of the base and the "assembly" processing steps of the panel assembly do not interfere.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, the process chart creation support device 15 shifts the processing process of "assembly" of the panel assembly to a later process by one step, and displays the thumbnail image of "assembly" of the panel assembly as the whole process. Relocate to the section with process number "7" in the table. As a result, the thumbnail image of "assembly" of the panel assembly is arranged at the process position of the process name "assembly".

Subsequently, the process chart creation support device 15 pays attention to the "stud" processing process arranged in the section with process number "6" in the row in which the front beam processing process of the entire process chart has been developed. The "stud" processing process also exists on the base.

At this point, the processing step for the "stud" of the base is arranged in the section with step number "6" in the overall process chart, and the step position of the "stud" is the same on the base and the front beam. Therefore, the process chart creation support device 15 does not make adjustments to match the order of the "stud" processing steps between the base and the front beam. Then, as shown in FIG. 18, the process chart creation support device 15 switches the thumbnail image of the "stud" of the front beam to a mark indicating that it has been reflected.

As described above, all the processing steps for the front beam have been reflected in the overall process sheet, so the process sheet creation support device 15 switches the name of the front beam to a mark indicating that it has been reflected. In addition, the process chart creation support device 15 draws arrow lines indicating the process order between adjacent sections of process numbers "1", "3" to "6" where thumbnail images of each processing process are arranged. Display.

Next, the process chart creation support device 15 performs "cutting", "tapping", "caulking", and "bending" on the back beam, which is the fourth component developed on the fifth line of the overall process chart. Load the four processing steps. At this time, the process chart creation support device 15 focuses on the "bending" processing process designated as the standard process, as shown in FIG.

At this point, the processing process for "bending" from the base to the front beam is placed in the section with process number "3" in the overall process chart, and the processing process for "bending" the back beam is placed in the section with process number "3" in the overall process chart. It is located in section 4. That is, the "bending" process position is shifted from the base to the front beam and the back beam. Therefore, the process chart creation support device 15 adjusts the arrangement of the processing steps in the overall process chart so that the "bending" process positions match between the base and back beams.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 20, the process chart creation support device 15 shifts the "bending" processing steps of the base, shade, and front beam to one step later, and sets the process number " Relocate to section 4. As a result, the process order of the "bending" process from the base to the back beam is aligned to process number "4".

Then, the process chart creation support device 15 switches the thumbnail image of "bending" of the back beam to a mark indicating that it has been reflected. Further, the process chart creation support device 15 arranges the name "bending" as the process name of process number "4" in the overall process chart. Furthermore, the process chart creation support device 15 replaces the process names of "caulking," "tap," "stud," and "assembly," which were arranged as process names of process numbers "4" to "7" in the overall process chart. Rearrange as process names "5" to "8".

In addition, since the process number "4" is the process of "bending", the process numbers placed in the sections with process numbers "4" to "7" at this point are changed to the process numbers "4" to "7". It is necessary to remove it from each step in step 7. The target processes are the "assembly" of the panel assembly, the "stud" of the base, the "caulking", "tap" and "stud" of the front beam, as shown in FIG. Therefore, the process chart creation support device 15 adjusts the arrangement of the processing steps in the overall process chart so that these processing steps do not interfere with the "bending" processing steps of the base to back beam.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 20, the process chart creation support device 15 slows down the processing steps arranged in each section after process number "4" of the panel assembly, base, and front beam one by one. Shift the process and rearrange it to the sections with process numbers "5" to "8".

Next, the process chart creation support device 15 pays attention to the "cutting" processing step placed in the section with process number "1" in the row in which the back beam processing step of the overall process chart is developed. The "punching" process position is the same from the base to the front beam and back beam. Therefore, the process chart creation support device 15 does not make adjustments to match the process order of the "punching" process from the base to the front beam and the back beam. Then, as shown in FIG. 21, the process chart creation support device 15 switches the thumbnail image of the back beam "excluded" to a mark indicating that it has been reflected.

Next, as shown in FIG. 22, the process chart creation support device 15 processes the "tap" placed in the section with process number "2" in the row in which the back beam processing process of the overall process chart is expanded. Focus on the process. The "tap" process also exists on the front beam. However, the processing step for "tapping" the front beam is placed at step number "6", which is slower than "bending". Therefore, if the process position of the "tap" of the back beam is aligned with the process position of the "tap" of the front beam, the process order of the "tap" process and the "bend" process of the back beam will be swapped. Therefore, the process chart creation support device 15 does not adjust the process position for the "tap".

Then, as shown in FIG. 23, the process chart creation support device 15 switches the thumbnail image of the back beam "tap" to a mark indicating that it has been reflected. Further, the process chart creation support device 15 arranges the name "tap" as the process name of process number "2" in the overall process chart. Further, the process sheet creation support device 15 rearranges "crimping", which was placed as the process name of process number "2" in the overall process sheet, as the process name of process number "3".

In addition, since the process number "2" is the "tap" process, as shown in FIG. , it is necessary to remove it from the process with process number "2". Therefore, the process chart creation support device 15 adjusts the arrangement of the processing steps in the overall process chart so that the "tap" processing step of the back beam and the "crimping" processing step of the shade do not interfere with each other.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 23, the process chart creation support device 15 shifts the process of “crimping” the shade to a later process by one step, and changing the thumbnail image of “crimping” the shade to the process number “3”. ” area. As a result, the thumbnail image of the shade "crimping" is placed at the process position of the process name "crimping". Then, the process order of the "caulking" process of the shade and back beam is aligned to process number "3".

Further, the process chart creation support device 15 changes the arrow lines indicating the process order of the shades to the process numbers “1” and “3” where the thumbnail images of “cutting out” and “caulking” of the shade after rearrangement are expanded. be displayed between the sections. Note that the section with process number "2" on the same row is blank.

The "caulking" process also exists on the front beam. The process of "caulking" the front beam is placed in the section with process number "5", which is slower than the process of "bending". On the other hand, the process of "caulking" the shade and back beam is placed in the section with process number "3", which is earlier than the process of "bending". That is, the "crimping" process position is shifted between the shade and back beam and the front beam.

Here, if the process position of "crimping" of the shade and back beam, which is earlier in the process order, is aligned with the process position of "crimping" of the front beam, which is later in the process order, "crimping" and "bending" will be performed on the shade and back beam. The order of the steps will be swapped. For this reason, the process chart creation support device 15 does not perform adjustment to align the process positions of the "crimping" of the shade and the back beam to the process positions of the "caulking" of the front beam.

Next, the process chart creation support device 15 pays attention to the process of "caulking" the back beam. In the section with process number "3" of the overall process chart, where the processing step of "caulking" of the back beam has been rearranged, no processing steps other than "caulking" are arranged. Therefore, the process chart creation support device 15 does not adjust the process position of the "crimping" relocated to the section with the process number "3". Then, as shown in FIG. 24, the process chart creation support device 15 switches the thumbnail image of "caulking" of the back beam to a mark indicating that it has been reflected.

As described above, all the processing steps of the back beam have been reflected in the overall process chart, so the process chart creation support device 15 switches the name of the back beam to a mark indicating that it has been reflected. Further, the process chart creation support device 15 displays arrow lines indicating the process order between adjacent sections of process numbers "1" to "4" in which the names of each processing process are arranged.

Next, the process chart creation support device 15 reads two processing steps, "punching" and "tapping", to be performed on the top plate, which is the fifth component, developed on the sixth line of the overall process chart. There is no "bending" process specified as a standard process in the top plate process.

Therefore, the process chart creation support device 15 pays attention to the "punching" processing step arranged in the section with step number "1" in the row in which the top plate processing steps are developed. The "punching" process position is the same from the base to the back beam and the top plate. For this reason, the process chart creation support device 15 does not make adjustments to match the process order of the "punching" processing process between the base to the back beam and the top plate. Then, as shown in FIG. 25, the process chart creation support device 15 switches the thumbnail image of the back beam "excluded" to a mark indicating that it has been reflected.

Next, as shown in FIG. 26, the process chart creation support device 15 processes the "tap" placed in the section with process number "2" in the row in which the top plate processing process of the overall process chart is expanded. Focus on the process. The "tap" process also exists on the front and back beams. The processing process for "tapping" the front beam is placed at process number "6", which is slower than "bending". As with the top plate, the "tap" process for the back beam is placed at process number "2", which is earlier than the "bend" process.

There is no "bending" process in the top plate process. Therefore, even if the process position of the "tap" on the top plate is aligned with the process position of the "tap" on the front beam, which has a later process order, the order of the "tap" and "bend" processes on the top plate will still be swapped. do not. Therefore, the process chart creation support device 15 adjusts the arrangement of the processing steps in the overall process chart so that the process positions of the "tap" match between the front beam and the top plate.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 27, the process chart creation support device 15 shifts the processing process of "tap" on the top plate to four steps later, and changes the thumbnail image of "tap" on the top plate to the process number. Relocate to section "6". As a result, the process order of the "tap" processing steps for the front beam and top plate is aligned to process number "6".

Note that if the process position of the "tap" on the back beam is aligned with the process position of the "tap" on the front beam and the top plate, the process order of the "tap" and "bend" processes on the back beam will be reversed. Therefore, the process chart creation support device 15 does not adjust the process position for the "tap" of the back beam. Then, as shown in FIG. 28, the process chart creation support device 15 switches the thumbnail image of "tap" on the top plate to a mark indicating that it has been reflected.

As described above, all the processing steps of the top plate have been reflected in the overall process sheet, so the process sheet creation support device 15 switches the name of the top plate to a mark indicating that it has been reflected. Further, the process chart creation support device 15 displays arrow lines indicating the process order between process numbers "1" and "6" where thumbnail images of "cut" and "tap" are arranged, respectively.

Note that the adjustment of the process chart creation support device 15 that matches the process order of the same processing process between each base to the top plate may be performed automatically as described above, or may be performed with the operator's operation. You can. In the latter case, the operator's operation is, for example, to display a thumbnail image of the target machining process on the overall process chart displayed on the screen of the display device 23, and to arrange thumbnail images of the same machining process of other parts. This can be done by dragging and dropping the mouse to the section with the specified process number. If this operation leads to a change in the process order with "bending", the process sheet creation support device 15 moves the moved thumbnail image to the section corresponding to the destination process number after the mouse operation is completed. It is also possible to forcibly return to the section with the original process number instead of fixing it to the section with the original process number.

When all the processing steps for the base to top plate are reflected in the overall process chart displayed on the screen of the display device 23, the process chart creation support device 15 displays the base to top plate processing steps in the overall process chart as shown in FIG. Display an arrow line from the final process to the assembly process.

Furthermore, when adding a processing step during the process of completing a panel assembly, the additional processing step can be inserted into the overall process chart. When inserting an additional processing step into the overall process chart, for example, by operating the input device 21, the processing step immediately before or after the insertion of the processing step is specified to the process chart creation support device 15. This designation can be made, for example, by operating the input device 21 while placing the cursor on a section in the overall process chart displayed on the screen of the display device 23 where the processing step immediately before or after inserting the processing step is placed. You can do it by doing this.

When a machining process immediately before or after inserting a machining process is specified, the process sheet creation support device 15 creates a process for one process immediately before or immediately after the specified machining process in the overall process sheet, as shown in FIG. Insert a column. In the example shown in FIG. 30, the process chart creation support device 15 inserts the process with process number "6" after the process with process number "5", and inserts the process with process number "6" before the insertion into It has been postponed to process number "7" or later. In this state, the process chart creation support device 15 pops up a process list screen (not shown) on the screen of the display device 23. The operator can specify the contents of the processing process to be inserted to the process sheet creation support device 15 by selecting a process name on the process list screen using the input device 21.

When the process name of the processing process to be inserted is specified on the process list screen, the process sheet creation support device 15 writes the specified process name as the process name of the inserted process number "6" above the frame of the overall process sheet. Deploy. In addition, if the process name of the process to be inserted is specified on the process list screen, the process with the process name selected on the process list screen will be added to the overall process table with the process with process number "6" inserted. You can specify the parts to be processed. For example, by operating the input device 21 to specify the section of the row corresponding to the target part in the column of process number "6" on the screen of the display device 23, the target part can be transferred to the process sheet creation support device 15. can be specified for. The target component can be specified, for example, by pressing the "Cntl" key on the keyboard and clicking the mouse.

When a target part is specified, the process chart creation support device 15 highlights the section corresponding to the specified part. Note that, on the overall process chart in this state, for example, it may be possible to input comments regarding the machining process into which the target part has been inserted, to register attached files, and the like. These can be performed, for example, on an option screen displayed on the display device 23. The process chart creation support device 15 can display an option screen as a pop-up on the screen of the display device 23, for example, by accepting a right-click operation of a mouse by an operator.

Note that when a process name used for assembling parts is selected on the process list screen, the process chart creation support device 15 recognizes that the subassembly assembly process is to be inserted into the overall process chart. In the example shown in FIG. 30, "welding", which is one of the processes for assembling parts together, is designated as the process name of the process with process number "6". When "welding" is designated as a process name, multiple parts to be assembled into a subassembly can be designated on the overall process chart with the process with process number "6" inserted.

In the example shown in FIG. 31, a front beam and a top plate are designated as parts to be a subassembly by the operator's operation of the input device 21. The process chart creation support device 15 highlights the sections of the front beam and top plate surrounded by the dashed frame lines as sections designated as parts to be subassemblies.

By the way, when the front beam and the top plate are welded in the processing step of step number "6", they are treated as one subassembly assembled by welding in the subsequent processing steps. Therefore, it is necessary to merge the arrow lines indicating the flow of the front beam and top plate processing steps from the section with process number "5" to the section with process number "6" into one line. In the current arrangement shown in FIG. 31, the arrow lines from the front beam and the top plate merge across the arrow line indicating the flow of the back beam processing process.

A display format in which a certain line crosses another line, that is, a display format in which a plurality of lines intersect, is not necessarily an ideal display format for correctly recognizing a target component as a subassembly. Therefore, when some parts are assembled to form a subassembly, the process chart creation support device 15 performs processing steps for each part so that the parts to be made into a subassembly are arranged in consecutive rows and adjacent to each other. Rearrange the rows that indicate each.

For example, when the designation of the front beam and top plate to be assembled into a subassembly is finalized, the process sheet creation support device 15, as shown in FIG. Replace with the line showing the back beam processing process. As a result, as shown in FIG. 33, the row indicative of the machining process for the top plate in the overall process chart is adjacent to the row indicative of the machining process for the front beam to be assembled.

Then, the process chart creation support device 15 inserts a row indicating the machining process of the subassembly in which the front beam and the top plate are assembled, directly above the row indicating the machining process of the front beam and the top plate arranged in the adjacent row. let In the example shown in FIG. 34, the process chart creation support device 15 inserts a row indicating a processing step for a subassembly in which a front beam and a top plate are assembled, directly above a row indicating a processing step for the front beam.

Note that the title of the subassembly may be input on the overall process chart in this state. The title of the subassembly can be input into the process sheet creation support device 15 by an operator operating the input device 21 on an option screen displayed as a pop-up on the display device 23, for example. For example, the process chart creation support device 15 can display the input title of the subassembly as the name of the subassembly in the second column section of the row indicating the processing step of the subassembly. In the example shown in FIG. 34, "Front Beam Unit (FR-BEAM-UNIT)" is input as the subassembly title from the option screen and is displayed on the overall process chart.

In addition, the process chart creation support device 15 places a thumbnail image of "welding" of the front beam unit in the section of the process number "6" in the row indicating the processing process of the front beam unit with a caption indicating that it has been reflected. . The data of the thumbnail image of the front beam unit can be created by the process chart creation support device 15, for example, from a three-dimensional CAD model of product shape data of the panel assembly. Alternatively, instead of the process chart creation support device 15, the CAD device 7 may create data for the thumbnail image of the front beam unit from the product shape data of the panel assembly and supply it to the process chart creation support device 15. The created thumbnail image data may be supplied to the process chart creation support device 15 via the CAM device 9. The thumbnail image of the front beam unit can be, for example, a two-dimensional or three-dimensional perspective image of the front beam unit.

Furthermore, the process chart creation support device 15 places arrow lines indicating the process order between each section of the front beam and top plate with process number "5" and the section of the front beam unit with process number "6". Display.

Next, the process chart creation support device 15 selects the "taps" and "studs" arranged in the sections from the sections with process numbers "7" and "8" in each row indicating the processing steps of the front beam and the top plate. Delete the thumbnail image. Instead, the process chart creation support device 15 arranges thumbnail images of "tap" and "stud" in the sections of the front beam unit with process numbers "7" and "8" with a mark indicating that the process has been reflected.

Then, the process chart creation support device 15 draws arrow lines indicating the process order between adjacent sections of process numbers "6" to "8" in which thumbnail images of each processing process of the front beam unit are arranged. Display. In addition, the process chart creation support device 15 also records the process order between the section with the process number "8" of the front beam unit and the section with the process number "9" in which the thumbnail image of "assembly" of the panel assembly is arranged. Display an arrow line indicating.

The thumbnail image showing each processing content of the front beam unit can be, for example, a two-dimensional or three-dimensional perspective image showing the state of the front beam unit before or after processing.

If you replace the row showing the top plate processing process in the overall process chart with the row showing the back beam processing process, the two arrow lines showing the process order of the front beam and top plate will change to the process number of the front beam unit. They meet up just before step 6. The two arrow lines merge without crossing the arrow lines indicating the process order of the other base, shade, and back beam. Therefore, it is possible to avoid misunderstanding which parts are to be assembled to form a subassembly.

Also, if you insert a row indicating the processing process of the front beam unit next to the line indicating the processing process of the front beam and top plate, the processing process after assembling the front beam and top plate will be the processing process of the front beam unit. is shown as For this reason, a worker who performs a processing process on a front beam unit or an operator of a processing machine 5 may be informed that the object to be processed at his or her work place 3 is not the front beam or the top plate before welding, but the welding of both. It is possible to clearly communicate that it is a front beam unit.

The step of assembling some parts to form a subassembly can be inserted even if the subassembly assembling step has already been inserted. In this case as well, for example, by operating the input device 21, the processing step immediately before or after inserting the assembly step is designated to the process chart creation support device 15. When a machining process is designated, the process chart creation support device 15 inserts a column for one process immediately or immediately before the designated machining process in the overall process chart.

In the example shown in FIG. 35, the process chart creation support device 15 inserts the processing process with process number "9" into the overall process chart, and moves the processing process with process number "9" before insertion to process number "10". ing. In this state, the process chart creation support device 15 pops up a process list screen on the screen of the display device 23. The operator specifies the contents of the assembly process to be inserted to the process chart creation support device 15 by performing an operation using the input device 21 to select the process name used for assembling the parts on the process list screen. Can be done.

In the example shown in FIG. 35, "screwing", which is one of the processes for assembling parts together, is specified as the content of the assembly process. Therefore, the process chart creation support device 15 recognizes that the subassembly assembly process is to be inserted into the overall process chart. When "screwing" is specified as a process name, multiple parts to be assembled into a subassembly can be specified on the overall process chart in which the process with process number "9" has been inserted.

In the example shown in FIG. 36, the base and back beam are specified as parts to be made into a subassembly by the operator's operation of the input device 21. The process chart creation support device 15 highlights the base and back beam sections surrounded by the dashed frame lines as sections designated as parts to be subassemblies.

At this time as well, for example, an option screen may be displayed on the display device 23 by operating the mouse so that a title or comment regarding the subassembly can be input, an attached file can be registered, and the like.

Note that inputting a title or comment, associating files, etc. may be performed in any section of the overall process chart, for example, through the option screen displayed on the display device 23 by right-clicking the mouse as described above.

Then, when the designation of the base and back beam to be assembled into a subassembly is determined, as shown in FIG. , replace with the row showing the processing steps for the front beam unit, front beam, and top plate. As a result, the row indicating the machining process of the back beam in the overall process chart is adjacent to the row indicating the machining process of the base to be assembled, as shown in FIG.

Then, the process chart creation support device 15 inserts a row indicating the processing steps of the subassembly in which the base and back beam are assembled, directly above the rows indicating the processing steps of the base and back beam arranged in adjacent rows. In the example shown in FIG. 39, the process chart creation support device 15 inserts a row indicating the processing process of the base beam unit, which is a subassembly in which the base and back beam are assembled, directly above the line indicating the processing process of the base. There is.

Note that here, the title of the subassembly may be input on an option screen displayed as a pop-up on the display device 23. In the example shown in FIG. 39, for example, "BASE-BEAM-UNIT" is input as the title of the subassembly from the option screen by the operator's operation of the input device 21, and is displayed on the overall process chart. ing.

In addition, the process chart creation support device 15 places a thumbnail image of “Screwing” of the base beam unit in the section of the process number “9” in the row indicating the processing process of the base beam unit with a caption indicating that it has been reflected. do. The data of the thumbnail image of the base beam unit can be created by the process chart creation support device 15, for example, from a three-dimensional CAD model of product shape data of the panel assembly. Alternatively, instead of the process chart creation support device 15, the CAD device 7 may create thumbnail image data of the base beam unit from the product shape data of the panel assembly and supply it to the process chart creation support device 15. The created thumbnail image data may be supplied to the process chart creation support device 15 via the CAM device 9. The thumbnail image of the base beam unit can be, for example, a two-dimensional or three-dimensional perspective image of the base beam unit.

Further, the process chart creation support device 15 displays an arrow line indicating the process order between each section of the base and back beam with process number "8" and the section with process number "9" of the base beam unit. let In addition, the process chart creation support device 15 also records the process order between the section with process number "9" of the base beam unit and the section with process number "10" in which the thumbnail image of "assembly" of the panel assembly is arranged. Display an arrow line indicating.

The thumbnail image showing each processing content of the base beam unit can be, for example, a two-dimensional or three-dimensional perspective image showing the state of the base beam unit before or after processing.

If you replace the row showing the machining process of the back beam in the overall process chart with the row showing the machining process of the shade, front beam unit, front beam, and top plate, two arrow lines will appear showing the process order of the base and back beam, respectively. The two join before the process with process number "9" of the base beam unit. The two arrow lines merge without crossing the arrow lines indicating the process order of the other shade, front beam unit, front beam, and top plate, respectively. Therefore, it is possible to avoid misunderstanding which parts are to be assembled to form a subassembly.

Additionally, if you insert a row indicating the base beam unit processing step next to the row showing the base and back beam processing step, the processing steps after the base and back beam are assembled will be shown as the base beam unit processing step. It will be done. For this reason, a worker who performs a processing process on a base beam unit or an operator of a processing machine 5 may be asked if the object to be processed at his or her work place 3 is not the base or back beam before screwing, but the welding of both. You can clearly communicate that it is a base beam unit.

In order to create an overall process chart according to the procedure described above, the CPU of the computer main body 19 of the process chart creation support device 15 executes a program stored in a ROM or the like. This program will be explained with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 40 to 44.

First, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 40, the procedure for editing the overall process chart will be described. The editing process of the overall process chart is a process of arranging the machining steps of each part defined in the process data for each part extracted from the product shape data in the overall process chart in the same process order. In this editing process, the CPU of the process sheet creation support device 15 mainly executes processes corresponding to the overall process sheet creation procedure described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 28.

Then, the CPU of the process chart creation support device 15 first obtains the product shape data of the panel assembly downloaded from the database device 27, and extracts component data and process data for each component (step S101). After acquiring and extracting these data, the CPU creates data for the overall process chart shown in FIG. Next, the CPU of the process chart creation support device 15 starts assembly process arrangement (step S103). When assembly process layout starts, the CPU places the base thumbnail image from which process data was first extracted from the product shape data and the thumbnail image of the panel assembly processing process on the overall process chart without changing the process order. and rearrange. That is, the CPU sequentially creates the data of the overall process chart shown in FIGS. 4 to 6.

Note that the product shape data of the panel assembly may be supplied offline from the CAD device 7 to the process chart creation support device 15. Alternatively, the product shape data of the panel assembly may be supplied to the process chart creation support device 15 from an element other than the CAD device 7, such as the database device 27, for example.

Next, the CPU of the process chart creation support device 15 checks whether there is a next part for which process data for each part is to be extracted from the product shape data (step S105), and if there is no next part (step (“No” in S105), the CPU ends the series of processing. Further, if there is a next part (“Yes” in step S105), the CPU extracts the process data of the next part from the product shape data (step S107). Then, the CPU checks whether or not there is a "bending" processing process, which is a standard process, in the content of the extracted process data for the next component (step S109).

Whether there is a "bending" processing step ("Yes" in step S109) or there is no "bending" processing step ("absent" in step S109), the CPU of the process chart creation support device 15 extracts the The machining process defined in the process data of the next part is additionally placed in the overall process chart (step S111 or step S113). At this time, the CPU arranges the processing steps for the next part in the overall process chart without changing the process order defined in the process data for each part. Then, the CPU performs processing to return to the loop processing for the next component (step S115), and returns to step S105.

Note that if there is a "bending" processing step in the process data for the next part, the CPU of the process sheet creation support device 15 changes the arrangement of the processing step for the next part to be added to the overall process chart to a position other than "bending". The arrangement should take into consideration whether the process order of the ``bending'' process is earlier or later than the ``bending'' process. Specifically, the CPU arranges the machining process for the next part on the overall process chart according to the procedure described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 24.

On the other hand, if there is no "bending" in the machining process for the next part, the CPU of the process chart creation support device 15 is placed in such a way that it does not take into consideration the case where there is "bending" in the machining process. Add the process to the overall process chart. Specifically, the CPU arranges the machining process for the next part on the overall process chart according to the procedure described with reference to FIGS. 25 to 29.

In step S111 or step S113, the CPU of the process sheet creation support device 15, when additionally arranging the machining process of the next part on the overall process sheet, processes the parts already placed on the overall process sheet as necessary. The arrangement of steps can also be changed.

Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 41, the procedure for process editing of the overall process chart will be explained. The process editing process of the overall process chart is the process of inserting into the overall process chart an assembly process in which a part of the parts for which processing steps have been placed in the overall process chart is assembled into a subassembly before the completion of the panel assembly. be. In this process editing process, the CPU of the process sheet creation support device 15 mainly executes the process corresponding to the overall process sheet creation procedure described with reference to FIGS. 30 to 39.

Then, the CPU of the process sheet creation support device 15 receives an operation of the input device 21 for selecting a position to insert an additional processing step into the overall process sheet (step S201). Upon receiving the insertion position selection input, the CPU inserts an additional processing step at the selected position as shown in FIG. 30 or 35.

Subsequently, the CPU accepts an operation of the input device 21 to select the process name of an additional processing process (step S203). Then, the CPU checks whether the process name of the accepted process is a process name of a process in which some parts are assembled into a subassembly, such as "welding" or "screwing". (Step S205). If it is the process name of a subassembly assembly process (YES in step S205), the CPU performs component selection processing (step S207), subassembly name input reception (step S209), and subassembly processing (step S211). After executing, the series of processing ends.

Among these, in the component selection process in step S207, the CPU receives an operation on the input device 21 that specifies a component to be assembled, and selects the specified component as the component to be assembled. Further, the CPU highlights the section corresponding to the target part in the added assembly process, as shown in FIG. 31 or FIG. 36. In the subassembly name input acceptance in step S209, the CPU accepts input of the subassembly name from the option screen. In the subassembly processing in step S211, the CPU changes the contents of the overall process chart to include the components that are to be assembled in the component selection processing in step S207 to be assembled into a subassembly. The details of the subassembly processing in step S211 will be described later with reference to FIG. 42.

If the received process is not the process name of a subassembly assembly process (NO in step S205), the CPU performs a component process editing process (step S213), and then ends the series of processes. In the parts process editing process, the CPU moves the thumbnail image of the row in which the machining process of a certain part is developed to the section corresponding to another process number in the same row, that is, changes the process position of the specific machining process. The operation of the input device 21 is accepted. The operation performed on the input device 21 at this time is, for example, an operation of dragging a thumbnail image of a section corresponding to the processing step whose process position is to be moved with the mouse of the input device 21 and dropping it onto the section of the destination process position. be able to.

However, if this operation changes the order of the process with the "bending" process of the same part, the CPU of the process chart creation support device 15 may refuse to move the thumbnail image. In that case, the CPU may, for example, force the moved thumbnail image back to the original process number section without fixing it to the section corresponding to the destination process number after the mouse operation is completed.

Next, detailed contents of the subassembly processing in step S211 will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 42. In this subassembly process, the CPU of the process sheet creation support device 15 mainly executes the process corresponding to the overall process sheet creation procedure described with reference to FIGS. 32 to 34 and 37 to 39.

Then, the CPU of the process chart creation support device 15 first performs a component movement process (step S301) as a subassembly process. In component movement, the CPU moves the rows corresponding to other parts placed between the rows corresponding to the parts to be assembled into a subassembly to outside the rows corresponding to the parts to be assembled into a subassembly. That is, as shown in FIGS. 32 and 33 or FIGS. 37 and 38, the CPU rearranges the rows in which the process data of each part of the subassembly is expanded so that they are adjacent to each other.

Next, the CPU performs a SUBASSY column creation process (step S303). When creating the SUBASSY column, the CPU arranges the subassembly processes after assembly in the order of the process in the row immediately above the row corresponding to each part that is to be a subassembly rearranged next to each other in step S301. Insert a row. After performing the SUBASSY field creation process, the CPU ends the subassembly process, ends step S211 in FIG. 41, and ends the process editing process in FIG. 41.

Next, the procedure of information registration processing will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 43. Information registration processing is a process of registering comments or attached files in association with the thumbnail images of each base to top plate in the overall process chart, or the section where thumbnail images of the front beam unit or base beam unit are placed. be.

Then, the CPU of the process chart creation support device 15 first performs a parts process selection process (step S401). In this parts process selection process, the CPU accepts, for example, a right-click operation of the mouse that causes the display device 23 to display an option screen while the cursor is placed on a section where each thumbnail image of the overall process chart is arranged. Next, the CPU determines whether the input through the input device 21 is a comment registration request or an attached file registration request on the option screen displayed on the display device 23 by the mouse operation accepted in step S401. is confirmed (step S403).

If the input is a comment registration request ("comment" in step S403), the CPU displays a comment registration screen (not shown) on the display device 23 (step S405). On this registration screen, the CPU accepts an operation of the input device 21 to input a comment to be registered, or an operation of the input device 21 to select a comment to be registered from among the comments stored in the process chart creation support device 15. accept.

Subsequently, the CPU receives an input from the input device 21 instructing registration of the input or selected comment (step S407). The comment registration instruction can be performed, for example, by operating the input device 21 by pressing a registration button on a registration screen. The registration button can be pressed by, for example, operating the "Enter" key on the keyboard or clicking the mouse. After receiving the comment registration instruction, the CPU may store the input or selected comment in, for example, an auxiliary storage device of the computer main body 19 of the process chart creation support device 15. Alternatively, the input or selected comments may be stored in a database device 27 on a cloud connected via the Internet 25. Then, the CPU ends the series of processing.

On the other hand, if the input is a request to register an attached file ("File" in step S403), the CPU displays an attached file registration screen (not shown) on the display device 23 (step S409). On this registration screen, the CPU accepts an operation on the input device 21 to select an attached file to be registered.

Subsequently, the CPU receives an input from the input device 21 instructing registration of the selected attached file (step S411). The instruction to register the attached file can be similar to the instruction to register the comment accepted in step S407, for example. After receiving the instruction to register the attached file, the CPU may store the input or selected comment in, for example, an auxiliary storage device of the computer main body 19 of the process chart creation support device 15. Alternatively, the input or selected comments may be stored in a database device 27 on a cloud connected via the Internet 25. Then, the CPU ends the series of processing.

Next, the procedure of the process extraction process will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The process extraction process is a process in which the CPU of the process chart creation support device 15 acquires product shape data of the panel assembly and extracts process data of the base to top plate. The product shape data of the panel assembly may be stored in the auxiliary storage device of the computer main body 19 of the process chart creation support device 15, or may be downloaded from the data storage of the database device 27 on the cloud logged in via the Internet 25. It can be anything.

Then, the CPU of the process chart creation support device 15 first performs a product list display process (step S501). In this product list display process, the CPU causes the display device 23 to display a login screen for the process sheet creation support system through an input operation on the input device 21, and creates a process sheet by inputting an ID, etc. through the input device 21. Accept login to support system. Then, after permitting the accepted login, the CPU causes the display device 23 to display a list screen of products handled by the worker corresponding to the input ID. Further, the CPU receives an input operation of the input device 21 for selecting a product on the list screen, and stores product shape data corresponding to the received product selection input into the auxiliary storage device or database device of the process sheet creation support device 15. Receive from 27.

Next, the CPU performs process extraction processing to extract process data from the base to the top plate from the received product shape data (step S503). The extracted process data is used when arranging the processing steps from base to top plate in the overall process chart. After the process extraction process, the CPU ends the series of processes.

As is clear from the above description, in this embodiment, the reading step in the process sheet creation method and process sheet creation support program is realized by executing the process of step S101 in the flowchart of FIG. That is, step S101 in FIG. 40 is a process corresponding to the reading section in the process chart creation support device.

Further, in this embodiment, a part of the first arrangement step in the process sheet creation method and process sheet creation support program is realized by executing the processes of each step after step S103 in FIG. That is, each step after step S103 in FIG. 40 is a process corresponding to a part of the first placement section in the process chart creation support device. Then, the process of arranging the base machining process corresponding to the first part, which corresponds to a part of the first arrangement step and the first arrangement part, in the overall process chart without changing the process order is, for example, as shown in FIG. This can be realized by the procedure described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

In this embodiment, step S111 in FIG. 40 corresponds to the remaining part of the first placement step in the process chart creation method and process chart creation support program. That is, the CPU of the process sheet creation support device 15 that executes the process of step S111 in FIG. 40 fulfills the remaining part of the function of the first placement section in the process sheet creation support device. For the process of arranging the machining processes from the shade to the top plate, which correspond to the second and subsequent parts, in the overall process chart without changing the process order, see, for example, Figures 7 to 26. It can be achieved by following the steps described.

In addition, in this embodiment, the CPU of the process chart creation support device 15 displays the "assembly process" that indicates the processing process of the panel assembly in the section of the last process order in the overall process chart, as described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 39. ” Executes the process of placing the thumbnail image. Therefore, in this embodiment, the CPU of the process sheet creation support device 15 functions as the second arrangement section in the process sheet creation support device. That is, the program executed by the CPU of the process sheet creation support device 15 for arranging the "assembly" processing steps in the order of the last process is executed in the second arrangement step in the process sheet creation method and the process sheet creation support program. Corresponding processing has been performed.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the CPU of the process sheet creation support device 15 performs the machining process of "crimping" the shade in the overall process chart, as described with reference to FIGS. Execute the process of repositioning according to the process position. Further, the CPU of the process chart creation support device 15 executes the process of repositioning the top plate "tap" processing process to match the front beam "tap" process position, as described with reference to FIG. 27. . Therefore, in this embodiment, the CPU of the process sheet creation support device 15 functions as the third arrangement section in the process sheet creation support device. That is, the program executed by the CPU of the process sheet creation support device 15 for the process of rearranging the "crimping" processing step is the process corresponding to the third arrangement step in the process sheet creation method and the process sheet creation support program. It becomes.

Further, in this embodiment, step S301 in FIG. 42 corresponds to the insertion step in the process chart creation method and the process chart creation support program. That is, the CPU of the process sheet creation support device 15 that executes the process of step S301 in FIG. 42 functions as an insertion section in the process sheet creation support device. For the process of adding an assembly process for assembling the base to top plate to form a panel assembly immediately after the last process position in the base to top plate process order, which corresponds to this function, see, for example, FIGS. 30 to 39. This can be achieved by following the steps described.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, step S303 in FIG. 42 corresponds to the fourth arrangement step in the process sheet creation method and process sheet creation support program. That is, the CPU of the process sheet creation support device 15 that executes the process of step S303 in FIG. 42 functions as the fourth arrangement section in the process sheet creation support device. Corresponding to this function, the process of rearranging the rows of the overall process chart in which the processing steps of the front beam and top plate, which are to be made into a front beam unit by welding, are arranged in process order, into adjacent rows is shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, for example. This can be achieved by following the steps described in . Further, the process of rearranging the rows of the overall process chart in which the processing steps of the base and back beam, which are made into a base beam unit by screwing, are arranged in process order, into adjacent rows, can be performed with reference to FIGS. 37 and 38, for example. It can be achieved by following the steps described.

In the sheet metal processing system 1 of the present embodiment described above, in the overall process chart created by the process chart creation support device 15, each base to top plate is created from the process data of the base to top plate constituting the panel assembly. The processing steps for the plate were arranged without changing the order of the steps. In addition, in the overall process chart created by the process chart creation support device 15, the process order of the "bending" processing process, which is the standard process, is aligned from the base to the back beam.

For this reason, it is possible to create an overall process chart that shows the process order from base to top plate without changing the process order defined in the process data for each part, without relying on the knowledge of skilled workers. This can be easily obtained using other process data.

In addition, in the overall process chart created by the process chart creation support device 15, other machining processes are also classified as "bending" within the range of a process order earlier than "bending" or a process order later than "bending". The order of the same processing steps was aligned between the base and top plate to prevent the order of the steps from changing.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the number of steps in the overall process chart created by the process chart creation support device 15 from increasing more than necessary, and to support efficient creation of the overall process chart for the panel assembly.

Furthermore, in the sheet metal processing system 1 of the present embodiment, thumbnail images of parts, subassemblies, and assemblies before or after processing are displayed in sections corresponding to each processing step of each part, subassembly, and assembly in the overall process chart. I tried to place it.

Therefore, when creating a thumbnail image before processing, the operator or worker at the work station 3 can create a thumbnail image of the parts, subassemblies, or assemblies to be processed at the work station 3 from among those supplied to the work station 3. You can check the image and select the correct one.

In addition, in the case of using a thumbnail image after processing, the operator or worker at the work location 3 should use the thumbnail image to confirm whether the parts, subassemblies, or assemblies have been processed correctly at the work location 3. Can be done.

Note that the arrow lines indicating the order of steps in the overall process chart may be color-coded. For example, when each base to top plate is supplied to each processing machine 5 all at once using a cart or the like, it is also possible to enable the operator to easily distinguish between the base to top plate to be processed in each processing machine 5. .

The arrow lines in the overall process chart may be color-coded, for example, for each processing step or its working location 3 that is the next step in the order from the perspective of the worker at each work location 3 or the operator of the processing machine 5 . Further, the arrow lines in the overall process chart may be color-coded for each group of parts to be supplied together to each work location 3. Alternatively, the arrow lines in the overall process chart may be color-coded for each group of parts constituting each subassembly. The color of the arrow lines for color-coding can be specified, for example, on a color specification screen displayed on the display device 23 by operating the input device 21 such as a mouse on which the entire process chart is displayed.

Further, in the above embodiment, the CAD device 7 or the process chart creation support device 15 creates thumbnail images of parts, subassemblies, and assemblies before or after processing to be placed in the overall process chart. However, depending on the division of roles, the CAM device 9 may create thumbnail images of parts, subassemblies, and assemblies before or after processing to be placed in the overall process chart based on the product shape data from the CAD device 7. .

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the process sheet creation support device 15 performs an operation of displaying an option screen and registering a comment or an attached file for the processing step of the section where the thumbnail image of the overall process sheet is arranged. I took it as a thing. However, using the web console of the mobile terminal 29 connected to the process chart creation support device 15 via the Internet 25, an operation to register a comment or an attached file for the processing process is performed on the display of the mobile terminal 29. It may be configured as follows.

1 Sheet metal processing system 3 Work place 5 Processing machine 7 CAD device 9 CAM device 11 NC device 13 Production control device 15 Process chart creation support device 17 LAN
19 Computer body 21 Input device 23 Display device 25 Internet 27 Database device 29 Mobile terminal

Claims (21)

a reading step of reading process data for each part indicating the process order of the machining process for each part constituting the assembly;
The processing steps of the process data corresponding to the plurality of parts are displayed on the overall process chart showing the order of the processing steps for all the parts together, without changing the order of the steps, and in the standard process. a first arrangement step of aligning and arranging the process positions of the processing steps specified in the respective parts;
a second arranging step of arranging an assembling process for assembling all the parts to form the assembly at the last process position in the process order of all the parts;
How to create a process chart including. 2. The process chart creation method according to claim 1, wherein the first arrangement step is repeatedly executed for each part. The number of steps in the machining process that exists in a process that is earlier than the reference process in the process data corresponding to one of the plurality of parts, compared to the number of processes of the other part among the plurality of parts When the number of processes of the processing process existing in a process earlier in the process order than the reference process in the process data is greater, in the first arrangement step, the process position of the reference process of the one component is determined. 3. The process chart creation method according to claim 1, wherein the steps on the overall process chart are rearranged to a later process side. Among the machining steps in the process data for each of the parts arranged on the overall process chart, the machining steps other than the standard step are classified as a process earlier than the standard process and a process earlier than the standard process. The method further includes a third arrangement step of rearranging the parts on the overall process chart without changing the process order and aligning the process positions of the same processing process among the parts in each of the processes with a later order. The method for creating a process chart according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. The process chart creation method according to claim 4, wherein, in the third arrangement step, the process positions of the same processing steps are aligned with the component whose process order on the overall process chart is the latest. Immediately before the process position of the same process, inserting an assembly process of a subassembly formed by assembling the parts whose process positions are aligned in the same process; and the process of assembling the subassembly. 5. A fourth arranging step of rearranging rows or columns on the matrix of the overall process chart in which the process order of the processing steps for each of the parts inserted is rearranged into adjacent rows or columns. 5. The process chart creation method described in 5. 7. A thumbnail image of each part showing a state before or after processing corresponding to the processing step is arranged on the overall process chart as the processing step in the process data of each part. The method for creating a process chart according to any one of the above. to the computer,
a reading step of reading process data for each part indicating the process order of the machining process for each part constituting the assembly;
The processing steps of the process data corresponding to the plurality of parts are displayed on the overall process chart showing the order of the processing steps for all the parts together, without changing the order of the steps, and in the standard process. a first arrangement step of aligning and arranging the process positions of the processing steps specified in the respective parts;
a second arranging step of arranging an assembling process for assembling all the parts to form the assembly at the last process position in the process order of all the parts;
A process chart creation support program that executes. to the computer,
repeating the first placement step for each component;
The process chart creation support program according to claim 8. to the computer,
The number of steps in the machining process that exists in a process that is earlier than the reference process in the process data corresponding to one of the plurality of parts, compared to the number of processes of the other part among the plurality of parts When the number of processes of the processing process existing in a process earlier in the process order than the reference process in the process data is greater, in the first arrangement step, the process position of the reference process of the one component is determined. , relocate the process to the side where the process order on the overall process chart is slow;
The process chart creation support program according to claim 8 or 9. to the computer,
Among the machining steps in the process data for each of the parts arranged on the overall process chart, the machining steps other than the standard step are classified as a process earlier than the standard process and a process earlier than the standard process. Further execute a third arrangement step of re-arranging the parts on the overall process chart without changing the process order and aligning the process positions of the same processing process among the parts on each of the processes with a later order. let,
The process chart creation support program according to any one of claims 8 to 10. to the computer,
In the third arrangement step, the process positions of the same processing steps are aligned with the component whose process order on the overall process chart is the latest;
The process chart creation support program according to claim 11. to the computer,
Immediately before the process position of the same process, inserting an assembly process of a subassembly formed by assembling the parts whose process positions are aligned in the same process; and the process of assembling the subassembly. 12. A fourth arranging step of rearranging rows or columns on the matrix of the overall process chart in which the process order of the machining steps for each of the parts inserted is rearranged into adjacent rows or columns. Or the process chart creation support program described in 12. 9. The computer is configured to arrange thumbnail images of each part showing a state before or after processing corresponding to the processing step on the overall process chart as the processing step in the process data of each of the parts. The process chart creation support program described in any one of 13. a reading unit that reads process data for each part indicating the process order of the machining process for each part constituting the assembly;
The processing steps of the process data corresponding to the plurality of parts are displayed on the overall process chart showing the order of the processing steps for all the parts together, without changing the order of the steps, and in the standard process. a first arrangement section that aligns and arranges the process positions of the processing steps specified for each of the parts;
a second arrangement section that arranges an assembly step for assembling all the parts to form the assembly at the last step position in the process order of all the parts;
A process chart creation support device. 16. The process chart creation support device according to claim 15, wherein the first arrangement unit repeats the processing process of the corresponding process data for each part and arranges the parts on the overall process chart. The first arrangement section is configured to arrange the plurality of processing steps in the process data corresponding to one of the plurality of parts with respect to the number of steps of the processing step that exists in a step that is earlier in the process order than the reference step in the process data corresponding to one of the plurality of parts. If the number of processes of the processing process existing in a process earlier in the process order than the reference process in the process data of other parts among the parts is larger, the process position of the reference process of the one part is determined. 17. The process chart creation support device according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the process order on the overall process chart is rearranged to a later process side. Among the machining steps in the process data for each of the parts arranged on the overall process chart, the machining steps other than the standard step are classified as a process earlier than the standard process and a process earlier than the standard process. The method further includes a third arrangement unit that rearranges the parts on the overall process chart without changing the process order and aligning the process positions of the same processing process between the parts in each of the processes with a later order. The process chart creation support device according to any one of claims 15 to 17. 19. The process chart creation support device according to claim 18, wherein the third arrangement unit aligns the process positions of the same processing steps to the component whose process order on the overall process chart is the latest. Immediately before the process position of the same process, an insertion part for inserting an assembly process of a subassembly formed by assembling the parts whose process positions are aligned in the same process, and the process of assembling the subassembly. 19. The fourth arrangement unit further comprises a fourth arrangement unit that rearranges rows or columns on a matrix of the overall process chart in which the process order of the processing steps for each of the parts inserted is rearranged into adjacent rows or columns. 19. The process chart creation support device according to 19. 20. A thumbnail image of each part showing a state before or after processing corresponding to the processing step is arranged on the overall process chart as the processing step in the process data of each part. The process chart creation support device according to any one of the above.