JPH04264583A - Plant simulation showroom - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a plant simulation showroom useful for the user of a machine to be applied relating to a plant layout. CONSTITUTION:Users are sat down around a table 12 arranging a microphone 11, a rear screen 4 is provided on a position where the users are easy to see, the layout of a three-dimentional machine model requested by the users is shown and operated actually on this screen. At this time, in the simulation of a three- dimentional model, the evaluation of raw material control, product control, process cycle time, others, actual result, production efficiency, cost accounting, facilities expense, etc., is performed by an actual working evaluation computer 22 without limited to only an interference check. Further, the progress of the simulation is recorded and edited properly and carried back by the users.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a simulation showroom useful for considering the layout design of factory lines and machines.

0002

[Prior Art] In a factory, for example, a sheet metal factory, when installing a new processing line, changing the line, or introducing a new machine, the line system, the type of machine to be introduced, and the machine Various matters such as layout must be considered.

[0003] Once a line or machine is set, it cannot be changed easily later, so careful consideration is required, and this consideration is of greatest interest to users.

[0004] Conventionally, therefore, machine users refer to a floor plan of the factory floor, refer to the machine manufacturer's pamphlet to determine the dimensions of the lines and machines, and create paper models of the lines and machines on the floor plan as appropriate. I set them up, looked at the specifications of each machine, and continued to consider this and that.

[0005] Also, in order to introduce a new machine, you go to the machine manufacturer's machine showroom and consult with the person in charge at the showroom to discuss various issues such as what to do with the line, which machines to introduce and how to arrange them, etc. Comprehensive evaluation and consideration are conducted in consideration of machine utilization rate, production efficiency, equipment cost, etc.

[0006]

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the user's own study using the above sketch and paper pattern,
It is difficult to create three-dimensional models for all machines, and the operation of each machine is unknown, making it difficult to conduct a thorough study.
It is difficult to construct an optimal system.

[0007] Furthermore, even if you go to a machine manufacturer's machine showroom, you can get a good idea of the individual machines, but the line configuration and the placement of each machine are left to the user, and in the end each user ends up worrying about this or that. become.

[0008]Furthermore, the user who goes to the manufacturer's side must return to the company and report and reconsider the matters examined at the manufacturer's machine showroom, but creating a report is a difficult task. .

An object of the present invention is to provide a factory simulation showroom that can improve these problems and assist machine users in easily, quickly, and reliably constructing a factory line.

0010

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has constructed a factory simulation showroom as described in the claims.

[0011]

[Operation] In the factory simulation showroom of the present invention, a simulation computer is used to appropriately select and arrange three-dimensional models of machines presented by the manufacturer in the space presented by the user, while visually examining possible machine layouts. can do.

Furthermore, an actual operation evaluation computer is connected to the simulation computer, and by inputting and setting programs such as a schedule program, it is possible to show a simulation of the actual operation of each machine, and to evaluate the production efficiency of the construction line. , equipment costs, etc. can be evaluated.

Furthermore, since the content of these simulations is recorded together with the talks of the attendees, by recording the recorded content and bringing it back to the user side, it becomes extremely easy for the user to report and reconsider. .

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the layout of a simulation showroom according to an embodiment of the present invention. The simulation showroom 1 is installed, for example, in a corner of a manufacturer's machine showroom. It may be installed in a prefabricated form.

As shown in FIG. 1, the simulation showroom 1 has a room 2 partitioned by a wall 3, and 10
It consists of a 0 inch rear screen 4 embedded.

A rear projector 5 for displaying an image on the rear screen 4 is arranged in the room 2R on the back side of the rear screen 4. In addition, this room 2R includes a hard copy device 6 for directly copying the image displayed on the rear screen 4, an FA computer 7, a drawing output device 8, a three-dimensional simulation computer main body 9, and an audio/visual (AV/AV) computer 7. ) equipment 10 are arranged. Bookbinding equipment for creating reports will also be provided.

On the other hand, in the room 2M on the front side of the rear screen 4, there is a conference desk 12 equipped with a microphone 11.
is arranged, and around this desk 12 are a plurality of chairs 13 for seating personnel who wish to participate in the factory simulation.
A spare chair 14 is arranged. In addition, in this room 2M, there is an electronic blackboard 1 that converts written letters and figures into electronic signals.
5, and a slide projector 16 equipped with a document camera (37) that also converts projected figures into electronic signals.

Further, an operating desk 17 is arranged near the entrance of the room 2R on the rear side opposite to the entrance door of the room 2M, and a chair 18 for the operator to sit on the rear side thereof.
is located. On the operation desk 17 is an output monitor 1.
9, a recording monitor 20, and a system control console 21 that controls the operation of these monitors 19 and 20;
Actual evaluation computer (sheet metal integrated management system) body 2
2 and monitors 23 and 24 of the computers 9 and 22 are arranged. In addition to the keyboard, a light pen and a mouse are attached to the operating devices of each computer 9, 22.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the connection relationship of each device arranged in the factory simulation showroom 1. As shown in FIG.

As shown in the figure, each device is arranged around a source selector SS as an information exchanger housed in a rack that houses the system control console 21, and other devices are directly or indirectly connected to this source selector SS. ing. In the figure, solid lines indicate coaxial cables and CRT dedicated cables. Dashed lines indicate audio cables. Double solid lines indicate control cables. The dashed line indicates the remote control cable.

In FIG. 2, a rear projector 5 for displaying an image on the rear screen 4 is connected to a source selector SS and also to a remote control box 25 for operating the projector 4. Further, the source selector SS is connected to a remote control box 26 for switching the source selector SS.

The hard copy device 6 is connected to the source selector SS via a universal converter 27, and a video tape recorder (VTR) 28 for recording video and audio is connected to the universal converter 27. This VTR 28 is connected via an audio mixer 29 to a plurality of microphones, including the microphone 11, which are placed at appropriate positions or can be carried freely. This audio mixer 29 includes an amplifier 3
It is connected to speakers 31 installed at multiple locations via 0.

The simulation computer main body 9 and its monitor 24 shown in the upper left of the figure are connected to one input terminal of the source selector SS via a video signal distributor 32.

The actual evaluation computer main body 22 and its monitor 23 are connected to other input terminals of the source selector SS via another video signal distributor 33.

The system control console 21
One of the consoles 21a and its monitor 19 are connected to the source selector SS via an adapter 34. The other console 21b and its monitor 20 are connected to the source selector SS via a cable adapter 35 and an adapter 36.

The output terminal of the electronic blackboard 15 is directly connected to one input terminal of the source selector SS.

A document camera 37 provided integrally with the slide projector 16 is connected to the source selector SS via a digital scan converter 38. A remote control box 39 is connected to this digital scan converter 38, and the other input terminal of the digital scan converter 38 is connected to the AV equipment 10 through a time base collector 40 for image clarity.
is connected.

The input terminal of the AV equipment 10 includes the document camera 37, a camera with a microphone 41, a VTR 42 for playing back recorded video tapes, a laser disc 43 for inputting information, an antenna 44, and A television tuner 45, a cassette tape recorder 46 for inputting commentary sounds, and a CD player 47 are connected. Furthermore, A
A color monitor 48 is connected to the output terminal of the V device 10. Although the drawing output device 8 is not shown in FIG. 2, it is appropriately connected to the source selector SS. A laser box 43 and a TV tuner 45 are used to create a lively space, and a camera 41 is used to create a room 2 during simulation.
It is used to give an overview of the machines displayed outside the building.

[0030] The actual operation evaluation computer main body 22 will be described in detail. This is for simulating the actual operating state of the constructed system, in other words, the factory line system set by the simulation computer. Specifically, by inputting a processing schedule, the schedule is analyzed and each processing program is executed, and based on the execution results, various evaluations necessary for sheet metal processing such as product cost calculation, order calculation, inventory management, production efficiency, etc. This is what we do.

Therefore, according to this integrated sheet metal management system, not only the operating state of the machine can be clearly seen at a glance based on the simulation results, but also the merits of introducing the system can be clearly determined.

In the factory simulation showroom 1 configured as described above, when a visitor comes from the machine user side, they are asked to sit on the chairs 13 around the conference table 12, and one or more operators sit on the chairs 18. Take a seat.

Three-dimensional model data of all machines from the manufacturer is input in advance to the storage device of the simulation computer main body 9. This machine model may be connected to a drawing filing device that records CAD data from the manufacturer, and may have a configuration that eliminates manual input at all.

Then, the operator starts the following three-dimensional simulation after listening to the factory space data and various requests from the user.

First, in the 3D simulation, actual space data such as the floor area, pillars, roof, stairs, etc. of the factory is input as a 3D model using CAD, and the factory space is displayed in 3D on the screen 4. The process begins with the operator appropriately arranging the machine model that the operator devised according to the customer's requests. At this time, the factory layout is mainly designed by considering the factory space, the external shape of machines and line equipment, and the working area of worker models.

At the right and upper ends of the screen 4, icons used in general CAD and a large number of icons for machine selection are displayed. The operator is at desk 1
Using the mouse on 7, select these icons and skillfully arrange the machines.

An example of the basic arrangement will be shown. The user's request is
It is assumed that a line is constructed in which a sheet metal warehouse, a punch press machine, and a loader and unloader for supplying material to the press machine are connected via a factory network (LAN).

This type of network is generally configured as shown in FIG. That is, network (LAN)
) 49, a main controller (IMC) 50, an automatic programming device 51, an NC device 52, and an intelligent data terminal (IDT) 53 as a plurality of data processing devices are connected to each IDT 53.
4, a punch press machine 55, etc.

[0039] The operator is familiar with these matters,
The system listens to the wishes of the users and selects and arranges the appropriate equipment. At this time, the user vocally instructs the operator to change the equipment or shift the arrangement according to the user's convenience. A mouse may be placed on the conference desk 12 and operated directly. All of these audio and simulation steps are recorded on the VTR 28. During this time, if a user or operator has a question, he or she can explain by writing figures or letters on the electronic blackboard 15, but the content written here can also be recorded on the VTR 28 by switching the source selector SS. . Operation simulations are performed each time the machine is placed, interference is checked for each machine, and an interference-free arrangement is determined.

However, the arrangement at this stage is just a simulation that shows that the machine can be arranged in a designated space, and after this it is necessary to verify the practicality.

[0041] Once the general arrangement is determined, the actual evaluation computer 22 is then activated to redefine the machine and FMS line laid out as a three-dimensional model on the monitor. The motion type, velocity, acceleration, gravity, torque, and inverse equation of motion of each joint as a single machine use the database input when creating the CAD three-dimensional model as is, and changes caused by recombining lines and setting positional relationships. Redefine parts. As a result, the factory on the monitor will have the same functions as if the machines and lines were actually installed. Thereafter, a simulation of the actual operation of each machine is performed based on the actual machining program. This is done after making initial settings for each machine in advance.
Operate each module in the same way as when performing actual machining,
The purpose is to check nesting, material flow, loader and unloader operations, press progress, etc. However, the program input here is not the same program as the actual machining, but a machining program that simulates the actual machining, and the operating speed is within the range that can be processed by the computer.

[0042] As a result, it is possible to clearly understand at a glance the state in which the sheet metal material is carried out from the warehouse 54, passed through the loader to the press machine 55, sequentially subjected to punching processing, and carried out as a product, and any defects can be immediately discovered. can. You can also correct any defects and check the actual operation again. All of these monitoring states are recorded on the VTR 28.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the image state of the screen 4 when the actual evaluation computer is in operation.

As shown in the figure, each machine is placed in a space, and the above simulation is performed. Status information during the simulation is displayed in the empty areas at the top and bottom of the screen. That is, display 5 on the diagram
Inventory data of the automated warehouse is displayed at 7a. The contents of the schedule program are displayed on the display 57b on the lower left side of the figure. Further, the display 57c on the lower right side of the figure shows the status of each machine as the processing content.

Finally, the actual operation evaluation computer main body 22
At the end of the simulation, outputs a list of comprehensive evaluations such as process cycle time, performance, production efficiency, equipment cost, etc.

The contents of the simulation can also be copied each time using the hard copy device 6. Further, the drawing output device 8 can output a triangular drawing. These materials are bound into a report using a binding machine.

[0047] Furthermore, prior to the above simulation,
Alternatively, during or after the simulation is finished, the VTR 42, laser disc 43, television tuner 45, cassette tape recorder 46, and CD player 47 can be operated to edit the simulation contents as appropriate and edit the videotape for reporting.

[0048] As described above, the user can easily obtain the optimal line design that meets various needs, and can receive a videotape that includes the intermediate progress. When playing back the recorded video, by referring to it, line corrections can be easily and reliably made, and reports can be easily made after returning to the manufacturer.

In the above embodiment, the rear screen 4 for displaying the output image of the rear projector 5 was used as a large screen display device, but an LCD screen or the like may also be used.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example of new construction of a line is shown, but the same applies even if a part of the machine is changed.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but can be implemented in any appropriate manner by making appropriate design changes.

[0052]

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, since the present invention is a simulation showroom as described in the claims, a three-dimensional model of a machine presented by a manufacturer can be displayed using a simulation computer within a space presented by a user. It is possible to visually consider possible machine layouts while selecting and arranging them appropriately.

Further, an actual operation evaluation computer is connected to the simulation computer, and by inputting and setting programs such as a schedule program, it is possible to show a simulation of the actual operation of each machine, and to evaluate the production efficiency of the construction line. , it is possible to perform a comprehensive evaluation of equipment costs, etc.

Furthermore, since the content of these simulations is recorded together with the talks of the attendees, by recording the recorded content and bringing it back to the user side, it becomes extremely easy for the user to report and reconsider. .

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the arrangement of equipment in a factory simulation showroom according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the connection state of each device in the simulation showroom.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a sheet metal processing line.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the display state of the screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Simulation showroom 2 Room 4 Rear screen 6 Hard copy device 8 Drawing output device 9 Three-dimensional simulation computer main body 10
AV equipment 11 Microphone 12 Conference desk 13 Chair 15 Electronic whiteboard 16 Slide projector 17 Operating desk 20 Recording monitor 21 System control console 22 Actual evaluation computer (sheet metal integrated management system) body 28 Recording VTR 29 Audio mixer 37 Document camera 41 Camera 42 Playback VTR 43 Laser disc 45 TV tuner 46 Cassette tape recorder 47 CD player SS source selector

Claims (1)

[Claims] Claim 1: A plurality of seats in which personnel who wish to participate in the factory simulation are seated in a manner that allows conversation, a large screen display device installed upright at a position that can be easily observed from these seats, and a desired display device on the large screen display device. A display drive device that displays images, and a display drive device that is connected to the display drive device and various devices, provides various video signals to the display drive device, and exchanges various information including the video signals with other connected devices. information exchanger, and the factory space and various machines connected to the information exchanger and input settings.
A simulation computer that generates simulation data for displaying the dimensional model while operating it at a specified angle and under specified operating conditions, and is interconnected with the information exchanger and the simulation computer, and analyzes the machining program input and set. an actual operation evaluation computer that gives sequential operation commands to each operation element of each machine and evaluates the construction line; a manual operation device that gives various instructions such as condition selection to the simulation computer or the actual operation evaluation computer;
A factory simulation showroom characterized by comprising: a recording device connected to the information exchanger and recording the video information displayed on the display device together with the recorded sound of the conversation.