JPH029556A - Work indicating system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the production efficiency of a line by a method wherein when data on a work on a truck is distributed to each work station, data on a work arrived at this time and data on a work arriving at a next time are distributed simultaneously. CONSTITUTION:When a given truck arrives at a given work station, when the discriminating signal of the truck is transmitted from the truck to a main control device 28, the main control device 28 transmits first memory data (the discriminating signal of the truck and data on a kind of a work located thereon) stored in a memory means M, and second memory data (the discriminating signal of a truck arriving at the same station subsequently to aforesaid truck and a data on a kind of the work) to the given work station. On the work station side, a work based on the first memory data is executed, and based on the second memory data, a preceding preparatory work on a work arriving at a next time is performed.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a work instruction system suitable for a mixed production line in which workpieces loaded on a trolley are processed or assembled. By distributing assembled model information to a predetermined workstation under the control of the main controller, the setup work can be completed in advance at the workstation, and the type to be transported by the next trolley can be determined. The present invention relates to a work instruction system that promptly performs predetermined assembly/processing operations according to different workpieces.

[Background of the Invention] Recently, automatic robots have been used in automobile production lines to transport workpieces using self-propelled carts under the control of a main controller, and to distribute model information to each workstation and to be placed at the workstations. Production line systems have been adopted in which workpieces are assembled by hand or manually.

The performance required of the work instruction system in such a production line system is that it must be able to give accurate work instructions in accordance with the type of work loaded on the trolley that arrives at each workstation. ing.

For example, the technical concept disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 61-127921 can be cited as a device employed in this type of instruction system. The device uses a production management system to manage the movement of workpieces to each workstation, and displays information on parts to be assembled on the workpiece that has arrived at the workstation where the worker is located, and information on parts to be assembled on the successive workpieces on three separate screens. This is a production instruction device that displays information on divided displays.

However, this production instruction device simply improves the visibility of information on parts to be assembled by workers at each workstation, and prevents work defects from occurring. Even if the device is applied to the workstation where the work is being executed, information on the parts necessary for the work will be received for the first time when the work arrives, and the time required to prepare for setup work will become waiting time, reducing production efficiency. There is a possibility that this may occur.

Further, as another example of the device employed in the work instruction system, there can be mentioned the device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-249251. This device assigns a unique identification symbol to each pallet loaded with workpieces, and reads the identification mechanism of the pallet at each workstation to call up work information regarding the workpieces loaded on the pallet. .

However, even in this work instruction device, only when the pallet arrives at the workstation, that is,
Since the work information regarding the workpiece is received at the timing when the workpiece arrives, it has not yet been possible to eliminate the inconvenience that the time required to prepare for the setup work described above becomes a waiting time.

[Object of the Invention] The present invention has been made to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages, and is a method for sequentially transporting a plurality of carts loaded with workpieces of different models to a predetermined work station by, for example, a free flow transport method. At the same time, when distributing work information to each workstation of the production line where each workstation receives the assembly/processing work contents corresponding to the work and performs the work, work information regarding the work that has currently arrived at each workstation is transmitted. By distributing both information and work information regarding the next work to arrive, it is possible to immediately advance the next work to arrive at the work station after the assembly or processing work for the work that has arrived at the work station is completed. This makes it possible to improve production efficiency by reducing the waiting time of workers or robots as much as possible even if the distance between carts loaded with workpieces is large. The purpose is to provide a work instruction system.

[Means for achieving the object] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention sequentially moves a plurality of carts loaded with mixed types of workpieces to a predetermined work station under the control of a main controller. In a production line in which each workstation performs work according to the work, each of the trolleys has a unique identification symbol and is equipped with a data communication means, and the main controller that controls the production line is configured to communicate the identification symbol of the trolley and the trolley. first storage data consisting of model data regarding the workpieces loaded on the trolley, and second memory data consisting of the identification symbol of the trolley that will arrive at the same workstation next to the trolley and model data regarding the workpieces loaded on this trolley. It has a storage means for storing the stored data of , as a data pair, a data communication means with the trolley, and a data communication means with the workstation, and when a predetermined trolley arrives at a predetermined workstation, the data from the trolley is When the identification symbol of the trolley is transmitted to the main controller, the main controller is configured to transmit the first storage data and second storage data stored in the storage means to the predetermined workstation, and The present invention is characterized in that the station side executes the work based on the first stored data and also performs advance preparation work for the next arriving work based on the second stored data.

Further, the present invention provides that the storage means for storing the data pair of the first storage data and the second storage data is constituted by a plurality of storage areas in which the data can be shifted, and the storage means stores the data pair of the first storage data and the second storage data, and the storage means is configured of a plurality of storage areas in which data can be shifted. The method is characterized in that the pair of first and second stored data corresponding to the truck is shifted.

[Embodiments] Next, preferred embodiments of the work instruction system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a production line to which a work instruction system according to the present invention is applied, and reference numeral 10 indicates the production line. The production line 10 includes a running road surface 12 configured in a straight line or in a loop shape. On the running road surface 12, carts 14a to 14e, which are self-propelled carts, etc., are arranged, and the carts 14a to 14e move in the direction of arrow Z on the running road surface 12 on which a track (not shown) is laid.

A work station S is provided with a working robot or the like at a predetermined position around the running road surface 12.

A predetermined assembly or processing operation is performed on a workpiece (for example, a main frame of an automobile, hereinafter referred to as a main frame) transported by the trolleys 14a to 14e.

In this case, the workstation S0 is a workstation into which the mainframes are loaded, and the mainframes are loaded onto the carts 14a to 14e that arrive at the workstation S. The work stations SI to Sn perform predetermined processing, assembly, etc. on the main frames that are sequentially transported, and the main frames are taken out from the carts 14a to 14e at the final work station (not shown).

Workstation S. S7 to S7 are an automatic machine 16 such as a robot that performs a predetermined work, an automatic machine control device 18 that controls the automatic machine 16, and a work set table 20 that supplies workpieces to be assembled to the main frame transported by carts 14a to 14e. It consists of 22 workers, etc.
A workpiece supplied from a workpiece supply device (not shown) is placed on the workpiece set table 20, and then the workpiece is placed on the workpiece set table 20.
perform work such as moving the machine to the automatic machine 16.

Each of the trolleys 14a to 14e is given a unique identification symbol, and information related to this identification symbol is stored in the trolley 1.
Data communication interfaces 24a to 24 as data communication means attached to 4a to 14e
It is configured to communicate with the main control device 28 via main control data communication interfaces 26a to 26e as data communication means attached to the main control device 28.

The main control device 28 is also connected to the automatic machine control devices 18 of the workstations SO to So through the data communication means 29, and the identification symbols of the carts 14a to 14e arriving at the workstations S0 to S, and the corresponding carts 14a to 1.
It is possible to distribute model data corresponding to the mainframe loaded on the 4e and issue predetermined work instructions.

Furthermore, the main controller 28 is a host C that controls production management.
The host CPU U30 is connected to the host CPU U30.
In response to a request from the main controller 28, the main controller 28 sends out working model data regarding the mainframes loaded on the carts 14a to 14e, which is stored in the working model data table 34. The main controller 28 also controls the trolleys 14a to 14.
In addition to running control such as starting and stopping the e,
Storage means M, details of which will be described later, store the work model data corresponding to the main frame received from the CPU 30 and the identification symbols received from the trolleys 14a to 14e as data pairs.
Store in.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the storage means M provided in the main controller 28 in relation to the production line IO.

The storage means M is the workstation S. ~S. Storage area M corresponding to . The storage area Mo
In M1% to M1%, there are areas for storing the identification symbols of the trolleys 14a to 14e that have actually arrived at the predetermined workstations So to S, respectively, and model data regarding the mainframes loaded on the trolleys 14a to 14e. (hereinafter referred to as the NOW area) and then the predetermined workstation S. An area (hereinafter referred to as the NEXT area) for storing identification symbols of the carts 14a to 14e loaded with mainframes to arrive at the destination and model data regarding the mainframes loaded on the carts 14a to 14e is provided as a data pair. The configuration is memorized.

Storage area M. The data stored in M7 to Cart 1
The cart 14 is moved in synchronization with the movement of the carts 4a to 14e in the Z direction.
Workstation S where a to 14e have arrived. ~S
Storage area M corresponding to 7.

to the respective workstations S via the data communication means 29 when shifted. It is distributed to S, . That is, workstation S. From the main control device 28, S7 always sends the identification symbols of the carts 14a to 14e that have arrived at the predetermined workstations So to S, and the model data related to the loaded mainframes, and then the predetermined workstations S.
The identification symbols $ of the trolleys 14a to 14e loaded with mainframes to arrive at stations 0 to S7 and model data regarding the loaded workpieces are simultaneously received as data pairs.

On the other hand, the work model data table 34 is stored in the CPU 30 as described above, and the main production line 10
Each workstation So to S corresponds to each type of mainframe handled in the system. The instruction data for the work to be done and the data for the work to be assembled, such as work model data such as parts data, are manually entered, and the required model data is sent to the main controller 28 upon request from the main controller 28. is configured to do so.

The production line to which the work instruction system according to the present invention is applied is basically configured as described above, and its operation and effects will be explained next.

Therefore, first, the main controller 28
. Among the carts 14a to 14e, for example, when the cart 14a arrives, the data communication interface 24a is sent from the cart 14a.

26a, and stores the identification symbol in the NOW area in the storage area M0 of the storage means M. Next, the main controller 2B is a workstation S. When a mainframe as a workpiece is loaded onto the trolley 14a, the host CPU 30 requests the CPU 30 to send model data. The host CPU 30 transmits the working model data corresponding to the main frame entered from the model data table 34, for example DA, to the main control device 28. The main controller 28 that has received the model data DA stores the storage area M. The relevant model data DA is stored in the NOW area inside. As a result, workstation S. The work station S is the identification symbol d6 of the trolley 14a that arrived at 2000 and the work model data DA regarding the main frame loaded on the trolley 14a. Storage area M corresponding to . It will be stored in the NOW area.

Next, the main controller 28 starts the cart 14a to the next workstation S, and also starts the cart 14a to the next workstation S. N O
'Shift the identification symbol da and the model data DA regarding the mainframe stored in the vV area to the NOW area of the storage area M1. Furthermore, the main controller 28 is a workstation S. When the next trolley 14b arrives and the main frame is inserted, the storage area M is loaded in the same manner as described above. NOW
In the area, the identification symbol d and the model data regarding the workpiece,
For example, D, and the same identification symbol d are stored in the NEXT area of the storage area M corresponding to the next workstation S1.

and model data Dg.

In this way, each workstation So to S.

A storage area M corresponding to . to M7 always have the corresponding workstation S. ~S.

Trucks 14a to 14e that arrived at (J) Identification symbol,
For example, d6 to d8 and the trolleys 14a to 14e
The work machine type data regarding the mainframe loaded on the mainframe, for example, DA, etc., is stored in each NOW area, and
Next, the workstation S. ~S. Identification symbols d6 to d@ of the carts 14a to 14e to arrive at and work model data DA to DI regarding the loaded workpieces
! is stored in the NEXT area, and the workstations S of the trolleys 14a to 14e. In synchronization with the movement to S7, the data in the NOW area and NEXT area is transferred to the next storage areas M to M as a data pair.

will be shifted to For example, when the predetermined carts 14a to 14e start from the workstation S, the storage area M
The data stored in the NOW and NEXT areas of I is shifted to the NOW and NEXT areas of storage area M2 corresponding to the next workstation S2. In this way, the data in the NOW area and the NEXT area are paired and transferred to the next workstation S1 in synchronization with the movement of the carts 14a to 14e.
Storage areas M3, M4, . . . corresponding to Sl, . . . So
・Sequentially shifted to M, .

In this case, the main controller 28 is a predetermined workstation, for example, workstation S. When the trolleys 14a to 14e loaded with mainframes arrive at the workstation S, they receive a predetermined identification symbol from the workstation S, . The cart identification symbol of the NOW area that has been shifted to the storage area Mh corresponding to S+ is compared with the identification symbol sent from the workstation S7, and if the comparison results match, the NOW area and the NEXT area are The machine type data is distributed to the workstation S7 to indicate the purpose of the work.

Therefore, Workstation S. , worker 22
supplies a predetermined work to be attached to the main frame to the work setting table 20, and presses a start button (not shown) of the automatic machine 16. In this case, the workpiece setting table 20 moves forward toward the automatic machine 16, supplies the workpiece to the automatic machine 16 such as a robot, and then returns to its original position. Therefore, after predetermined processing, assembly, etc. are performed on the work by the automatic machine 16 under the control of the automatic machine control device 18, the processed work is assembled to the main frame.

7) When the table 20 returns to its original position, the worker 22
prepares the work to be attached to the next mainframe, but at this time, the machine type data regarding the mainframe that will arrive next at the workstation S is stored in the storage area M.

Since the main frame is distributed from the NEXT area of , it is possible to perform preparatory work such as setup for the next work even if the actual mainframe has not arrived at the workstation S.

In particular, when the carts 14a to 14e are self-propelled carts, the carts usually move in a free-flowing manner, and main frames of different models are mixed on the production line. For example, even if the carts arrive at workstations S+, S3, and Ss in a scattered manner, at workstation S5, the process order is such that the carts are loaded onto the cart that has arrived at workstation S3, which is located in the previous process. The machine type data corresponding to the main frame that has been installed can be known in advance, and the worker 22 can prepare the main frame that will be loaded on the next arriving truck.

"Effects of the Invention" As described above, according to the present invention, when data about the workpieces loaded on the trolley is distributed to each work station in the production line where the workpieces loaded on the trolley are processed or assembled. , data about the work that has arrived this time and data about the work that will arrive next are distributed simultaneously.

Therefore, at the workstation, preparation work for the next work to arrive can be carried out in advance after the work for the current work is finished, and the production efficiency of the line can be improved.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.
Of course, various improvements and changes in design are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a production line to which the work instruction system according to the present invention is applied, and Fig. 2 shows the storage means provided in the main control device constituting the work instruction system for storing data on carts and model data. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration for storing data pairs in relation to a production line. 10...Production line 12...Running road surface 14
a-14e... Trolley 16... Automatic machine 18
... Automatic machine control device 20 ... Work set table 2
2... Workers 24a to 24e... Cart data communication interfaces 26a to 26e... Main control data communication interface 28... Main controller 30... Host cPU
34...Model data table

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In a production line in which a plurality of trolleys loaded with mixed types of workpieces are sequentially moved to predetermined workstations under the control of a main controller, and each workstation performs work according to the workpieces, the trolleys are each has a unique identification symbol and is equipped with a data communication means, and the main controller for controlling the production line has first storage data consisting of an identification symbol of the trolley and model data regarding the workpieces loaded on the trolley; It has a storage means for storing as a data pair second storage data consisting of an identification symbol of a cart that arrives at the same work station next to the cart and model data regarding the workpieces loaded on this cart, and a data communication means and a data communication means with a workstation, and when a predetermined trolley arrives at a predetermined workstation, an identification symbol of the trolley is transmitted from the trolley to the main controller. is configured to transmit the first storage data and second storage data stored in the storage means to the predetermined workstation, and the workstation side
1. A work instruction system characterized in that the work instruction system is configured to execute a work based on the stored data of the second work and to perform advance preparation work for the next work to arrive based on the second stored data. (2) In the system according to claim 1, the storage means for storing the data pair of the first storage data and the second storage data is constituted by a plurality of storage areas in which data can be shifted; A work instruction system, characterized in that the pair of first and second stored data corresponding to the cart is shifted in synchronization with movement.