JPH0457658A - Automatic production control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an automatic production control system realized relatively economically while maintaining a large processing capacity and capable of avoiding a hazard of losing data even if the system is failure, by sharing the holding of information of a production control computer and automatic transfer device. CONSTITUTION:An automatic transfer device 12, upon receiving operational schedule and working process information sent through a production control computer 14 and computer station controller 13, stores these information in a production information control table, while preparing and initializing a proceeding control table of every station in a memory region. When the direction of operation start is sent from the production control computer 14, the automatic transfer device 12 is shifted to an operation station controller 17 needing initialization to transmit the stored operational schedule to an operation station 18 and, after registering a work No. on the proceeding control table corresponding to the operation station controller 17, shifted to working machines 16a-16c to transmit working information and return to the place of the computer station controller 13.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Purpose of the Invention (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an automatic manufacturing control system used for manufacturing lines such as machining, sheet metal processing, product assembly, etc. Processing materials and materials 1 according to the prescribed processing and manufacturing process while appropriately exchanging information under the instructions of the computer.
The present invention relates to an automatic manufacturing management system that automatically transports parts and performs predetermined processing and manufacturing.

(Conventional technology) In general, in this type of manufacturing management system, the management computer in charge of manufacturing management is central, and this management computer communicates with each processing/manufacturing automation device and work instruction terminal that construct the manufacturing line. A means is provided, and the control computer and each device exchange manufacturing information and manufacturing progress information with each other through a communication means to process and manufacture the desired product.

Therefore, this management computer not only manages information on the object to be processed (hereinafter referred to as the work), but also manages and understands the status and position of the work, and provides information necessary for processing and manufacturing in accordance with the supply of the work. The system uses a method in which information is sent to automation equipment and work instruction terminals, and performance information associated with the completion of processing and manufacturing by each automation equipment and work instruction terminal is taken in and conveyance instructions are given to the next process.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) Therefore, the manufacturing management system as described above is based on the viewpoint of exchanging a large amount of information between the management computer in charge of manufacturing management and automation equipment and terminals. Each device needs to be equipped with an independent means of communication, and since large amounts of information can be exchanged at high speed, it is necessary to equip each device with advanced means of communication.

In addition, the management computer processes information from each device; it must respond in a timely manner, which requires not only high speed but also an expensive computer with large processing capacity. Furthermore, in order to cope with the loss of management information due to system failure, it is necessary to duplicate data files and install a separate external storage medium, making the entire system very large-scale and requiring a large amount of cost. There is a problem with this.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an automatic manufacturing management system that can be realized at a relatively low cost while maintaining a large processing capacity, and that can avoid the risk of data loss even in the event of a system failure. The purpose is to

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) First, in order to solve the above problems, the invention corresponding to claim 1 provides a method in which a conveying device is configured to operate a work station and one or more work stations based on manufacturing information from a manufacturing management computer. In a manufacturing management system that performs processing while handing over workpieces to processing machines (including manufacturing and assembly machines), the manufacturing information created based on the manufacturing plan and the carry-out request sent from the work station or processing machine the manufacturing control computer that manages overall manufacturing that receives and transmits information; a work station that performs tasks such as inputting and collecting the workpieces according to the work information included in the manufacturing information; and processing information included in the manufacturing information. at least one machining station having a machining machine that processes a workpiece based on the above, and receives and stores manufacturing information sent from the manufacturing management computer, and transmits the work information among the manufacturing information to the work station. The processing information of the manufacturing information is sent to the processing station, and upon receiving the delivery request destination information, the workpiece and performance information are received from the delivery destination station, and the received workpiece is transferred from the manufacturing information to the processing station. This configuration includes the transport device that determines a destination station to carry the product in, and transmits performance information from the station to which the transfer request is made to the manufacturing management computer.

Next, the invention corresponding to claim 2 is a manufacturing management system in which a transport device performs processing while transferring a workpiece to one or more processing machines (including manufacturing and assembly machines) based on manufacturing information from a manufacturing management computer. In the above, the conveyance device includes:
A transport means for loading and transporting the work, a manufacturing information management table for storing manufacturing information including at least machining process information sent from the manufacturing management computer, and information on whether or not each processing machine is being processed and the work number. A storage means having a progress management table to be stored; and receiving workpiece and performance information from the processing machine to which the export request is made based on the instructions of the export request transmitted from the manufacturing control computer, and storing the progress management table of the own progress management table. The contents are changed, and the destination station is determined and transported from the manufacturing information in the manufacturing information management table, and the workpiece is transported to the processing machine at the destination station, and then transported to the manufacturing management computer and the performance information is stored. and a means for transmitting.

(Function) Therefore, by taking the above-mentioned measures in the present invention, the manufacturing control computer can collect processing process information.

When manufacturing information such as processing information and work information is created and transmitted, the automatic transport device receives the manufacturing information and stores it in its own manufacturing information management table, and also stores the progress status of each station in its own progress table. Initialize the management table. Then, at the start of work, the initial information is transported to the installation location of the work station that requires it, and the work information of the manufacturing information is transmitted, and the manufacturing information is also transported to the installation location of the processing station that requires the initial information. Send us your processing information. When the processing at the start of the work is completed in this way, the automatic transport device transports the work to the manufacturing control station where the next work instruction can be received and waits.

In this state, when the manufacturing control computer receives an unloading request from a work station or a processing station, it determines that the machining or work has been completed at that station, and sends information on the destination of the unloading request to the automatic transport device. Here, the automatic transport device transports the workpiece to the station to which the unloading is requested and receives the workpiece, and also receives and stores performance information on the completion of work or machining.

After that, 1. While changing the contents of its own progress management table, it determines the station for the next process from the manufacturing information in the manufacturing information management table, transports the workpiece to this determined station, and transfers the work information if necessary. or send processing information.

Then, when the automatic transport device returns to the manufacturing control station after completing the transport work, it transmits the performance information to the manufacturing control computer, updates the contents of the progress management table of this manufacturing control computer, and then performs the next transport. Search for the request destination and execute the same process as above.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an automatic manufacturing management system. In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a conveyance path that is linear or meandering, for example, and an automatic conveyance device 12 is adapted to convey the material on this conveyance path 11.

A manufacturing management computer 14 is installed near this conveyance path 11 via a computer station control device 13 .

This manufacturing management computer 14 creates necessary manufacturing information based on the manufacturing plan and sends it to the computer station control device 13.
It has the function to send to. This manufacturing information includes, for example, information regarding the manufacturing order, workpiece processing process information, processing information for the processing machine (NC data, correction data, etc.) described later, as well as work schedules for the work stations described later. etc. are included. This work schedule includes, for example, loading a workpiece into a specific processing machine, collecting the processed workpiece, and inspecting and measuring the product after collection. The computer station control device 13 receives manufacturing information from the manufacturing management computer 14 and transmits it to the automatic transport device 12, and also receives, for example, work and processing performance information sent from the automatic transport device 12, and sends it to the manufacturing management computer 14. It has a function to send progress information.

The automatic transport device 12 receives and stores work schedules (see FIG. 2), processing process information (see FIG. 3), and other manufacturing information transmitted from the manufacturing management computer 14 via the computer station control device 13. A manufacturing information management table and a progress management table as shown in Fig. 4 for managing work numbers being processed or worked are provided, and optical transmission devices such as photocouplers are used to communicate data with each station control device. ing.

In addition, at the start of work, this automatic conveyance device 12 receives manufacturing information from the manufacturing management computer 14 via the computer station control device 13 and conveys the necessary information to the station control device to be described later that requires initialization. During processing, the workpiece is transported according to the manufacturing information, while
Upon completion of machining by the processing machine, the machine receives machining performance information, automatically determines the conveyance destination according to the results, and conveys it to the station for the next machining process.

Furthermore, a plurality of processing stations are installed near the conveyance path 11. These processing stations are provided with processing station control devices 15a, 15b, and 15c separated by a predetermined distance, and these processing station control devices 15a, 15b, and 15c are provided.
and a processing machine 16a, respectively.

16b and 16c are connected. Furthermore, the conveyance path 11
A work station 18 is installed in the vicinity of the work station 18 via a work station control section 17.

The processing machines 16a, 16b, 16c are automatic conveyance devices 12
to the processing station control device 15a.

15b and 15c, the workpiece is processed by receiving the processing information in the manufacturing information sent via the processing station controller 15g.
, 15b, 15c to the automatic transport device 12.

The work station control device 17 is the automatic conveyance device 12
It receives work information from and displays and instructs the work contents on the work station 18, and after the work is completed, transmits the work performance information to the automatic conveyance device 12 through the work station control device 17.

This work station 18 has the functions of loading workpieces, collecting completed workpieces, and inspecting and measuring them.

Note that the automatic transport device 12 and each station control device 13
．． 15a to 15c and 17 are configured to perform data communication through optical transmission equipment using photocouplers or the like.

In addition, the processing station control devices 15a to 15c and the work station control device 17 send a "carry-in request signal" to the carry-in side to notify that the workpiece can be carried in.
It is configured to digitally transmit to the computer station control device 13 an "export request signal" that notifies that there is a work on the unloading side and that the work can be unloaded. Therefore, the computer station control device 13, and by extension the manufacturing management computer 14, can know which stations can be carried in or out.

Next, the operation of the device as described above will be explained. At the start of machining work, the manufacturing management computer 14 creates manufacturing information such as a work schedule that determines the order in which workpieces are introduced into the work stations 18, machining process information, and machining information based on the manufacturing plan, and sends the computer station control device 13, optical It is transmitted to the automatic transport device 12 through the transmission device and stored in the manufacturing information management table. Specifically, this work schedule includes the work order 21-1 to 21-n and the work contents 22-1 to 22-n at the work station 18, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
4-n and processing/work instruction information for each process 25-1 to 25-
This information is a list of 〇 and 〇.

Therefore, when the automatic conveyance device 12 receives the work schedule and processing process information sent through the manufacturing management computer 14 and the computer station control device 13 as described above, the automatic conveyance device 12 saves these information to the manufacturing information stored in its own storage device. While storing the information in the management table, a progress management table as shown in FIG. 4 is also created and initialized for each station in a storage area of its own storage device. This progress management table manages the number of the work being processed or being worked in the processing machines 16a to 16C1 work station 18, and when a carry-out request signal arrives from each station control device 15a to 15c, 17, the work number is determined from the table contents. Recognize.

When the manufacturing control computer 14 sends an instruction to start work in the above state, the automatic conveyance device 12 receives the instruction and the work station control device 17 that requires initialization.
2, and transmits the work schedule shown in FIG. 2, which is already stored in its own storage device, to the work station 18 through the work station control device 17. Therefore, when the automatic conveyance device 12 completes transmitting the work schedule to the work station 18, it registers the work number from the work schedule shown in FIG. It moves to the required processing machines 16a to 16c, transmits processing information, and then returns to the computer station control device 13.

On the other hand, at the work station 18, after setting up the work according to the work schedule received from the automatic transport device 12, the work is loaded into a necessary processing machine, for example, 16a. After inputting the workpiece, the automatic transport device 12 moves between each station, progresses the process related to the workpiece, and determines the next machining process, and sequentially transfers the workpiece to the processing machine. This will be explained in detail.

A) Judgment processing for loading and unloading workpieces using automatic transport equipment.

First, in the automatic transport device 12, the computer station control device 13 controls each station control device 17.15a to 15.
A transfer request received via digital input from c is periodically received, and which work station 18, processing machine 16a
~16c is monitored to see if there is a transport request. When the loading work is completed at the work station 18 or the processing by the processing machine 16a or 16b or 16c is completed, the corresponding station control device 17.15a or 15
An export request is issued from 15c and 15c.

Therefore, when the automatic transport device 12 recognizes the carry-out request from the computer station control device 13, it obtains the workpiece number from the progress management table provided in its own storage device, and then selects the next processing step from the processing step information shown in FIG. Determine.

Next, it is checked whether a carry-in request has come from the station corresponding to the destination process, and if a carry-in request has come, the workpiece is transferred from the station where the carry-out request has been made to the station where the carry-in request has come. set off. On the other hand, if a carry-in request has not been received, the apparatus waits for a carry-in request, and when a carry-in request is received, a process of starting for transportation is performed. For example, when a carry-out request is received from the work station control device 17, the identification number of the workpiece is checked from the progress management table, and then the next machining process is determined based on the machining process information. At this time, if the next processing step is processing by the processing machine 16a, for example, the carry-in request of the processing station control device 15a is checked, and if there is a carry-in request, the work station control device 1
7 to the processing station control device 15a of the processing machine 16a
Transport will be carried out. If a carry-in request has not been received and the previously transported workpiece is waiting for processing on the carry-in side, the process waits until a carry-in request is received after the processing is completed, and transport is started when the carry-in request is received.

B) Processing when the automatic transport device arrives at the unloading request station.

When the automatic transport device 12 arrives at a station where a carry-out request has been made, a workpiece is loaded from the carry-out side of the corresponding station control device. At the same time, the loaded work number and performance information are received from the station control device. This performance information may be stored in the work station control device 1, for example.
If it is from the processing station control device 15a, it is processing completion information for the processing machine 16a.

Therefore, when the automatic transport device 12 receives the performance information, it stores it in its own storage device. At this time, if the received track record information is abnormal, the processing step information is referred to at this point, and the delivery destination is changed to the transport step at the time of the abnormality. After loading the workpiece, the reception of the workpiece number and performance information is completed,
When the work numbers to be transported match, transport to the destination is started.

C) Processing when the automatic transport device arrives at the loading station.

When the automatic storage device 12 arrives at the loading station, it unloads the loaded work to the loading side of the station control device. At the same time, the progress management table shown in FIG. 5 stored in the station is marked as being processed by the corresponding station, and its work number is registered.

Furthermore, the automatic transport device 12 transmits processing information corresponding to the process from the processing process information stored in itself to the corresponding station control device. For example, if the processing information is for the processing station control device 15a, it is the NC data and correction data of the workpiece for the processing machine 16a, and if it is for the workstation control device 17, it is the NC data and correction data of the workpiece for the processing machine 16a. This is the work instruction content. Then, when the automatic transport device 12 finishes unloading the cargo to the loading station and transmitting the necessary information,
Return to the computer station controller 13 for the next task.

D) Processing when the automatic transport device reaches the computer station control device.

When the automatic conveyance device 12 completes a series of conveyances and arrives at the location of the computer station control device 13, the automatic conveyance device 12 sends the information shown in FIG. Information indicating which workpiece number was transported from which station to which station, and performance information received from the station control device at the time of transporting the workpiece are transmitted.

When the manufacturing control computer 14 receives the carry-out/carry-in information and performance information, it updates its own workpiece progress management table and accumulates processing performance status information. When this process is completed, the process described in A) above is started again.

Therefore, the automatic conveyance device 12 progresses the machining work by repeatedly performing the processes A) to D), and completes the work as a product after completing the final process.

Therefore, according to the configuration of the embodiment described above, by providing necessary information from the manufacturing control computer 14 to the automatic transport device 12, the automatic transport device 12 can judge the information by itself and transport the workpiece. Since the processing machines 16a to 16c are made to perform the processing work, the management load on the manufacturing management computer 14 can be significantly reduced. In addition, the manufacturing management computer 14
Since this is a method in which communication is performed exclusively between the automatic transport devices 12, there is no need to have communication means with many devices.
Therefore, there is no need for large processing capacity and scale, and there is no need for an expensive configuration.

Furthermore, the automatic transport device 12 requires a memory area for storing various information and processing programs, which makes it expensive.

However, in recent years, the manufacturing technology of microcomputers has made remarkable progress, and it is now possible to manufacture high-performance, large-capacity, and inexpensive products. Device 12 does not result in a significant increase in cost. Considering the overall system, this cost increase is small, and the cost on the manufacturing management computer 14 side can be suppressed, contributing to cost reduction of the entire system.

Furthermore, failures in the manufacturing control computer 14 and automatic conveyance equipment 12
Even if stored information is lost due to a failure, it can be easily restored. That is, in this system, since the manufacturing control computer 14 and the automatic transport device] 2 mutually hold necessary information, for example, when the manufacturing control computer 14 loses the actual manufacturing information and the actual performance information due to a failure, the automatic If the work schedule, actual manufacturing information such as processing process information, and progress management table information stored in the transport device 12 are transmitted through the computer station control device 13, and further transport performance information is transmitted, the manufacturing management computer 14 is not required. information can be restored.

On the other hand, if the stored information is lost due to a failure in the automatic transport device 12, the manufacturing management computer 14 can resend manufacturing information such as work schedules and processing process information, and further transmit processing progress information. In addition to manufacturing information, the current progress management table can be restored, and the restoration process can be performed in a short time. Therefore, a system with less risk of data loss can be constructed.

In addition, although the said Example demonstrated the one automatic conveyance apparatus 12, you may use the multiple automatic conveyance apparatus 12. In this case, when one automatic transport device 12 completes transport and returns to the installation location of the computer station control device 13, it transmits the transport information of other automatic transport devices to inform the progress of each automatic transport device. By making the management tables the same, it is possible to recognize what kind of work is to be transported when a request for transport is received from the station, and the same processing as when using only one machine can be performed.

In addition, as another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a storage facility 22 such as an automatic warehouse is provided via a storage facility station control device 21, and the production management computer 14 outputs the goods in the same manner as the work schedule by the work station. The order information is transmitted to the storage facility station control device 2 via the computer station control device 13 and the automatic transport device 12.
1, or the manufacturing control computer 14 directly sends a delivery instruction to the storage facility 22 via communication means, and at the same time sends the instructions to the automatic transfer device 12 via the computer station control device 13.
By notifying the processing machines 16a to 16c and the work stations] 8, necessary products and workpieces for processing can be stored while performing the same processing as the processing machines 16a to 16c and the work stations 8.

In addition, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the gist thereof.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, by sharing the storage of information between the manufacturing control computer and the automatic conveyance device, it is possible to maintain large processing capacity and achieve relatively low cost, and the system can be improved. It is possible to provide an automatic manufacturing management system that can avoid the risk of data loss even in the event of a failure.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 5 are shown to explain an embodiment of an automatic manufacturing control system according to the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the system, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are is a diagram explaining the data structure of the work schedule and processing process information created in the manufacturing management computer,
Fig. 4 is a diagram explaining the data structure of the progress management table of one station in the automatic transport device, Fig. 5 is a diagram explaining the data structure of reporting performance from the automatic transport device to the manufacturing management computer, and Fig. 6 is a diagram explaining the data structure of the progress management table of one station in the automatic transport device. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of another embodiment of the system of the present invention. 11... Conveyance path, 12... Automatic conveyance device, 13...
- Computer station control device, 14... Manufacturing management computer, 15a-15c... Processing station control device, 16a-16c... Processing machine, 17... Work station control device, 18... Work station, 21・
...Storage equipment station control device, 22...Storage equipment. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) In a manufacturing management system in which a transport device performs processing while passing workpieces to and from a work station and one or more processing machines (including manufacturing and assembly machines) based on manufacturing information from a manufacturing management computer, based on a manufacturing plan. the manufacturing management computer, which manages overall manufacturing, receives and transmits the manufacturing information created by the manufacturing information and the unloading request sent from the work station or the processing machine; at least one processing station having a processing machine that processes the workpiece based on the processing information included in the manufacturing information; It receives and stores the manufacturing information to be sent, transmits the work information of the manufacturing information to the work station, transmits the processing information of the manufacturing information to the processing station, and receives the delivery request destination information. The said receiving the work and performance information from the destination station, determining the destination station from which the received work is to be carried based on the manufacturing information and carrying it therein, and transmitting the performance information from the station to which the discharge is requested to the manufacturing management computer. An automatic manufacturing management system characterized by being equipped with a conveyance device. (2) In a manufacturing management system in which a transport device performs processing while delivering a workpiece to one or more processing machines (including a manufacturing and assembling machine) based on manufacturing information from a manufacturing management computer, the transport device performs processing while delivering the workpiece to one or more processing machines (including manufacturing and assembly machines) based on manufacturing information from a manufacturing management computer. A manufacturing information management table that stores manufacturing information including at least machining process information sent from the manufacturing management computer, and whether or not each processing machine is being processed and the workpiece number are stored. A storage means having a progress management table; and receiving workpiece and performance information from the processing machine to which the export request is made based on the instructions of the export request transmitted from the manufacturing management computer, and also storing the contents of the own progress management table. and determine a destination station from the manufacturing information in the manufacturing information management table and transport the workpiece, and after transporting the workpiece to the processing machine at the destination station, transport it to the manufacturing management computer and transmit the performance information. An automatic manufacturing control system characterized by comprising means for.