JPH1040272A - Center design support method and system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently and effectively design a center by deciding the specification of a work system based on the work system data stored previously and the information on quantity of materials and producing a layout of the work system according to its decided specification. SOLUTION: The set processes are outputted via an output device 204, and the data on quantity of materials corresponding to each process and the type of a work system are inputted via an input device 202. Then the specification of the work system of each set process is calculated based on the work system data stored previously in a storage 203 and the data on quantity of materials. The device 202 inputs the arrangement positions of layout parts on a layout screen shown on the device 204. At the same time, other equipments already arranged are also displayed on the layout screen and then pointed and inputted via the device 202 such as a mouse, etc. Then the layout parts are outputted to the input positions on the layout screen shown on the device 204. In such a way, the equipments are laid out in each process.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a center design support method and system for efficiently implementing a basic design of a distribution center or an assembly factory.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, the construction of a distribution center or an assembly plant is performed by procedures such as planning, basic design, detailed design, construction, and operation. In the basic design, based on the concept, budget and schedule established at the planning stage,
Decide the outline of the center to be built. Specifically, the work flow of the construction target center and the amount of material to be handled are set from the current physical quantity and work, the work method and equipment are determined, and a basic center layout is created. At this basic design stage, the outline of the construction center is almost determined. Therefore, under a number of constraints such as cost and space, multiple alternatives with different processes, facilities, layouts, etc. are created and compared. There is a need to. Conventionally, this center design was carried out by specialists using both individual support systems (data analysis software, CAD, simulators, etc.) and manual work. As an example of CAD, there is a CAD system “Architecture Master” for architectural design by Systems Nakashima Co., Ltd. this is,
Parts such as doors and their drawing parameters are prepared for the center layout creation. When the user sets the values for the parameters, the center layout is drawn on the output screen of the system according to the parameter values. is there. Also, as an example of the simulator, "Distribution Distribution Center System Handbook", Distribution Research Institute, 1992,
“AutoM” described in September, pages 90-96.
odII ". This is a combination of an animation display program and a simulation program. A material handling device such as a conveyor is arranged in the same way as creating a layout by CAD, and specifications and control methods are set in the simulation model. Create it. The design plan is evaluated by simulation based on the created model.

[0003]

In the conventional design work using both the individual support system and the manual work, the design data is closed in each system or data. For example, conventional CAD and simulator software are used in the layout design and design plan evaluation stages of a series of basic design procedures. For this reason, CA
For parameter setting of D and simulator, it was necessary for the user to input the equipment specifications calculated by referring to the equipment catalog separately from the keyboard. As described above, the basic design requires trial and error to repeat the design steps for some alternatives. For this reason, the work of creating several design proposals by trial and error using the conventional method requires re-input and recalculation of data between individual support systems and manual work, which is very time-consuming. It was complicated. In addition, without knowledge of equipment and know-how on equipment selection, it was not possible to draft an effective plan from a wide range of equipment types, or it took time to create an appropriate plan. An object of the present invention is to provide a center design support method and system for solving such a problem and efficiently and effectively designing a center.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide a computer system having a storage device in which work system data, which is original data for determining specifications, is stored in advance, and to perform a work process in a design target center. Enter the quantity information corresponding to each process, enter the type of work system corresponding to each process, determine the specifications of the work system using the previously stored work system data and the quantity information, and determine the work system specifications. This is achieved by creating a layout of the working system according to the specifications of. Another object of the present invention is to further store a correspondence pattern, which is a correspondence table indicating a work system from process information and physical quantity information, in a storage device in advance when inputting the name of the work system, and to store the process information and physical quantity for the work system. This is achieved by referring to the work system candidates from the information according to the stored correspondence pattern and inputting the work system. After creating the layout,
Calculate the created layout and evaluation values of the work system. Furthermore, after calculating the evaluation values of the layout and the work system, the process from inputting process information, inputting the work system, or creating a layout to calculating the evaluation value is repeated until the evaluation value becomes a satisfactory solution. repeat.

[0005]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the first embodiment, the present invention is applied to the design of a distribution center. FIG. 1 is a processing flowchart of a center design support method according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a system for realizing the present embodiment. The system configuration includes a computer 200 and an input device 201, a storage device 202, and an output device 203 connected thereto. Data relating to processes and work systems corresponding to the distribution center are stored in the storage device 202. With reference to FIG. 2, the processing operation in this embodiment will be described according to the processing flowchart of FIG. <Step 101> Center Process Input FIG. 3 is a detailed example of a process flow for inputting the process of the design target center. Based on this, the process of the process input of the center in step 101 will be described. The process here is
It consists of basic processes, process elements, and links. The basic process is
The basic process type is indicated, and the process element indicates the product-specific element in the basic process. Links indicate the flow between each process element. <Step 301> Input of Basic Process FIG. 4 is an example of an input screen of the basic process. Reference numeral 401 denotes a display area of list information 203 of basic processes corresponding to the distribution center, which is stored in the storage device 202 in advance. Examples of basic processes corresponding to a distribution center include “arrival”, “inspection”, “storage”, and “shipment”. Reference numeral 402 denotes a display area of the input and set basic process. When a basic process is to be added, a basic process to be added is selected from the basic process list 401 from the input device 201, a position of the process to be added is selected from the already set process 402, and an add button 403 is selectively input. . When deleting a basic process that has already been set, a process to be deleted is selected from the input device 201 from the 402, and a delete button 404 is selectively input. When the order of the basic steps which have already been set is moved, the step to be moved is input from the input device 201 to the step 402.
To move up, select the up button 405
When moving down, the down-moving button 406 is selected and input. The basic process of the target center is set by the above operation. In this embodiment, the list information of the basic processes corresponding to the distribution center is already prepared, and the process can be selected and input at the time of the process setting, which is efficient. In the case of other centers such as factories, the basic process list information corresponding to the center will be used. <Step 302> Input of process element FIG. 5 is an example of an input screen of a process element. Reference numeral 501 denotes a basic process set in step 301. 502 is 50
This area displays the process element corresponding to the basic process selected in 1. For example, the process elements corresponding to the basic process “storage” are “storage 1” and “storage 2”. When adding a process element corresponding to each basic process, the input device 2
From 02, a basic process to which a process element is to be added is selected and input from the set basic process list 501, the position of the process element to be added is selected from the already set process element 502, and an add button 503 is selectively input. By this operation, the process element display area 502 additionally displays a new process element. Conversely, when the process element is to be deleted, the position of the process element to be deleted is selected from the process element display area 502, and the delete button 504 is selectively inputted. <Step 303> Link Input FIG. 6 is an example of a link input screen. An area 601 displays the FROM (start point) of the link to be set in the process element set in step 302. 602
Is an area for displaying a TO (end point) candidate of a link to be set in the process element set in step 302. Reference numeral 603 denotes an area for displaying the process element selected in 601 as a start point and an end point of a link that has been set. When a link between process elements is added, a process element to be a start point of a link to be added is selected and input from the input device 202 from a process element list 602 of a start point. Next, a process element to be set as an end point is selected from the candidate list 602, and an add button 604 is selected and input. As a result, the added link is additionally displayed in the display area 603 at the end point. On the other hand, if the user wants to delete the process element, the process element serving as the starting point of the link to be deleted is selected as the starting point process element list 602
, The position of the process element to be deleted is selected from the display area 603 of the end point, and a delete button 605 is selectively inputted. <Step 304> Output of process flow The process set in the processes of steps 301 to 303 is output from the output device 204. FIG. 7 is an example of a process output screen. The process screen 700 includes a basic process 701 set in step 301, a process element 702 set in step 302, and a link 703 set in step 303.
Consists of An example of the process setting has been described above. In addition, a GUI (graphical user interface)
Alternatively, the process information may be input and the process may be set by another method using a CUI (character user interface). <Step 102> Input of physical quantity data corresponding to the process The physical quantity data corresponding to each process input in step 101 is input from the input device 202. FIG. 8 shows a file example of the input physical quantity data 800. Physical quantity data 800
Are a process element field 801, a product field 802 storing a product identifier (for example, a product name or a product code) handled by the process element, a product type number per day field 803 handled by the process element, a daily quantity field 804,
The field includes a number-of-transactions-per-day field 805, a packing style field 806, a weight field 807, and a luggage size field 808 to 810. Each field stores physical quantity data that is assumed to be handled by the planning center. <Step 103> Setting of type of work system The type of work system corresponding to each process set in step 101 is input from the input device 202. Here, the work system is equipment (eg, automatic sorting machine) or work method (eg, manual sorting) specified in the process, and the type setting determines which equipment or method is used. It is to be. An example of processing for setting the type of the work system from the physical quantity data 800 set in step 102 will be described with reference to the processing flow of FIG. <Step 901> Process Selection FIG. 10 shows an example of a screen for setting the type of work system. The process element list display area 1001 includes the step 10
This area displays the process elements set in step 1. The work system list display area 1002 is an area for displaying a work system candidate corresponding to the process element selected in the process element list display area 1001. An area 1003 displays a recommended work system. Since the type of work system that can be selected for each process is predetermined, the correspondence is stored, and on this screen, the work system corresponding to the process element selected in the process element list display area 1001 is displayed. The type is displayed in 1002. In the process element list display area 10
Select and enter from 01. Of course, the work system to be set may be selected and input from the input device 202 from the work system list display area 1002 here. In that case, the processing of the following step 902 becomes unnecessary. <Step 902> Reference of recommended work system Based on physical quantity data 800 set in step 102,
Corresponding pattern 11 indicating a recommended work system according to process and physical quantity data stored in advance in storage device 203
From 00, refer to the recommended work system. FIG. 11 shows an example of a file of the corresponding pattern 1100. The corresponding pattern 1100 includes a packing field 1101, a frequency field 1102, a storage item field 110 for each basic process.
3, a storage volume field 1104 and a recommended work system field 1105. Step 90
The physical quantity data of the process selected in step 1 is searched from the physical quantity data 800, and a record matching each data field of the corresponding pattern 1100 is searched based on the data. This is a recommended work system. This recommended work system is the display area 1
003 is displayed. <Step 903> Enter the type of work system In accordance with the recommended work system displayed in 1003 referred to in step 902, the type of work system is input from the input device 202. Similarly, set the type of work system for each process. By setting a work system with reference to this recommended work system, even a person who is not a design expert can select an appropriate work system. <Step 104> Work system specification calculation Work system data 12 previously stored in the storage device 203
Using 00 and the physical quantity data 800 input in step 102, the specifications of the work system for each process set in step 103 are calculated. FIG. 12 shows a file example of the work system data 1200 of the fixed shelf. Here, the specifications of the work system are specifications such as size. For example, in the work system data 1200 of the fixed shelf, it corresponds to the number of shelves, the width, the depth, the height, the load, the required number, and the like. Based on the set physical quantity data 800, the number of shelves, the width, the depth, the height,
Calculate the load, required number, etc. FIG. 13 is an example of a calculation result of the specification of the fixed shelf. The calculation method is specific to each work system. For example, in the case of fixed shelves, a heavy or light shelf is selected from the shelf load and the weight data of luggage, and the height, depth, and frontage size of the shelf are determined from the luggage size data. This determines the fixed shelf specifications,
The number of packages that can be stored in one fixed shelf is determined. Finally, from the physical quantity data 800, how many shelves are required to store all physical quantities in the case of the fixed shelf is calculated. As another example of the calculation of work system data, the case where the work system is "sorting manual work" is shown. In this case, the work system data 1200 indicates the capability of “sorting manual work” (Example 3
00 / hour), and the physical quantity data 800 is “quantity 60
If it is "0", the "number of personnel required for sorting and manual work" is 600/300 = 2. Here, steps 103 and 104 determine the type of work system and calculate its specifications. Therefore, steps 103 and 104 are performed for one process from the continuity of work, and then steps 103 and 104 are performed for the other processes. May be repeated. <Step 105> Layout creation Create the layout of the design target center. Here, the work systems for which layouts are created are indirect areas such as facilities, building sizes, and stairs. A description will be given according to the detailed processing flow of layout creation in FIG. <Step 1401> Selection of Drawing Target FIG. 15 is an example of a selection screen of a drawing target. Here, a drawing target is selected and input from the selection display area 1501 using the input device 202. <Step 1402> Layout size calculation The layout size is calculated according to the specifications of the work system calculated in step 104. FIG. 16 is an example of a screen on which the result of calculating the layout size of the fixed shelf is output.
From the calculation result in step 104, the depth size of one fixed shelf, the width size of one fixed shelf, and the required number of shelves are calculated. Based on the size of the installation location and the width of the aisle, the size of the shelf layout is calculated. The layout size to be calculated includes vertical size, horizontal size,
There are the number of rows of shelves. <Step 1403> Input of layout component layout position FIG. 1 displayed on the output device 204 from the input device 202
7 is input on the layout screen 1700 of the layout part. The layout screen 1700 displays other equipment that has already been arranged, and uses the input device 202 such as a mouse to input an instruction on the arrangement position 1701. <Step 1404> Output layout component The layout component is output to the position input in step 1403 on the layout screen 1700 displayed on the output device 204. <Step 1404> If there is still a drawing target, the flow returns to step 1401 and the processing up to 1404 is repeated to lay out and arrange the equipment in each process to create the entire layout of the design target center. If there is no drawing target, the process ends. As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to create a layout based on an automatic calculation result by automatic calculation of size data and the like and data linkage between design steps, and to provide guidance for selecting a work system, so that efficiency is improved. Accurate center design becomes possible. next,
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 18 is a processing flowchart of the center design support method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
The processing flow is almost the same. The difference is that after step 105, step 1801, step 1802
Is the point where Steps 101 to 105 are the same processes as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. <Step 1801> Calculation of Evaluation Value An evaluation value is calculated for the center design plan established through steps 101 to 105. Evaluation values are cost, required area, and so on. FIG. 19 shows an example of a file for storing evaluation values. The evaluation value file 1900 includes a process element field 191, a work system field 19
02, a required personnel field 1903, a required number field 1904, a cost field 1905, and a required area field 1906. Process element field 19
01 contains each process element set in step 101. Step 1 in the work system field 1902
The work system corresponding to the process element set in 03 enters. The required staff field 1903 and the required number field 1904 are obtained from the result of the specification calculation of the work system in step 104. The cost field 1905 is calculated from the required personnel field 1903, the required number field 1904, and the personnel cost and equipment unit price data stored in the storage device 203 in advance. The data in the required area field 1908 is the product of the vertical size data and the horizontal size data of the layout size data of each facility set in the layout creation in step 105. <Step 1802> Determination of evaluation value The evaluation value calculated in step 1801 is determined. The input device 202 inputs whether the calculated evaluation value is a satisfactory solution. If the answer is satisfactory, the process ends.
If it is not a satisfactory solution, input of the process of step 101, input of physical quantity data of step 102 again, step 1
Return to either the input of the work system of 03 or the creation of the layout at step 105, make another design plan,
The processing up to the evaluation value calculation in step 1801 is repeated.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the effects described in the first embodiment, it is possible to evaluate the designed plan with quantitative numerical values of the cost and the required area, and to achieve an objective and highly persuasive design. I can make a plan. If the design proposal exceeds the budget of the investment scale, return to the previous step, correct only the minimum part of the design proposal, make an alternative plan again, and compare and evaluate based on the evaluation value. be able to. In the first and second embodiments described above, the design support method for the distribution center is described. However, the process data and work system data for the assembly center and the like are also directed to the target center by using the processing flow of the present invention. This can be achieved by: Those skilled in the art can easily infer the detailed processing flow from the processing flow described in the embodiment. Next, a third embodiment for realizing the center design support system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The center design support system of the present invention is stored as a program in the storage medium 203 on the system configuration diagram shown in FIG. The outline of the system configuration is the same as that of FIG.
Note that this embodiment will be described in correspondence with the functions described with reference to FIG. The process of the design target center is input from the input device 202 (step 101). The physical quantity information corresponding to the input process is input from the input device 202 (step 102). The type of the work system corresponding to the input process is input from the input device 202 (step 10).
3). The work system specifications are calculated using the work system data and the physical quantity information stored in the storage device 203 in advance (step 104). Create a layout of the work system according to the calculated work system specifications (Step 1)
05). As described above, according to the present embodiment, similar to the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 1, the layout can be created based on the automatic calculation result by the automatic calculation of the size data and the data cooperation between the design steps. Efficient center design becomes possible.

[0006]

According to the center design support method and system of the present invention, efficient center design and accurate design plan can be made.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a process according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a center design support system using the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process input in the center design support method of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a basic process input screen.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary view of a process element input screen.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a link input screen.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary view of a process display screen.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary diagram of a physical quantity data file.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of setting of a type of a work system in the center design support method of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of a setting screen for a type of a work system.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary diagram of a file for storing physical quantity data and a corresponding pattern of a recommended work system;

FIG. 12 is a view showing an example of a file of work system data.

FIG. 13 is an exemplary diagram of an output screen of a calculation result of the work system.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of layout creation in the center design support method of FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is an exemplary diagram of a layout drawing target selection screen.

FIG. 16 is a view showing an example of a layout component output screen.

FIG. 17 is an exemplary diagram of an output screen of a created entire layout.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a process according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a view showing an example of a file of evaluation values of a center design plan.

FIG. 20 is a configuration diagram of one embodiment of a center design support system of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

201: computer, 202: input device, 203: storage device, 204: output device

Claims (14)

[Claims] In a center design support method using a computer having a storage device in which work system data is stored in advance, a process of a center to be designed is input, and physical quantity information corresponding to the input process is input. The type of the work system corresponding to the selected process is input, the specification of the input work system is determined using the previously stored work system data and the input physical quantity information, and the determined specification of the work system is determined. A center design support method, wherein a layout of the work system is created according to the following. 2. The center design support method according to claim 1, wherein after the layout is created, an evaluation value of the created layout and the input work system is calculated. 3. The center design support method according to claim 2, wherein after calculating the evaluation value of the created layout and the input work system, it is determined whether the calculated evaluation value is a satisfactory solution. If you are not satisfied,
A center design support method, which repeats processing from input of the process information, input of the work system, or creation of the layout to calculation of the evaluation value until a satisfactory solution is obtained. 4. The center design support method according to claim 1, wherein the input of the process is such that process list information is stored in a storage device in advance, and the stored process list information is output. A center design support method characterized by selecting and inputting a process from the output process list information. 5. The center design support method according to claim 1, wherein the input of the step includes inputting a basic step, inputting an element of the basic step, and inputting link information between the step elements. Center design support method characterized by performing 6. A center design support method according to claim 1, wherein the input process is output in a flow diagram format. 7. The center design support method according to claim 1, wherein the input physical quantity information is planned physical quantity information of a design target center. 8. The center design support method according to claim 1, wherein the work system is a work method or equipment. 9. The center design support method according to claim 1, wherein the input of the type of the work system is such that a guidance for selecting a work system is stored in a storage device in advance, and a work system is selected in accordance with the guidance. A center design support method characterized by inputting the type of system. 10. The center design support method according to claim 9, wherein the guidance is a correspondence pattern indicating a work system based on process information and physical quantity information, and the guidance is provided based on process information and physical quantity information for the work system. A center design support method characterized by inputting the type of work system according to 11. A center design support method according to claim 1, wherein the calculated specifications of the work system are the size and the number of the work systems. 12. The center design support method according to claim 1, wherein the layout of the work system is created by outputting layout drawing parts of the work system in accordance with the calculated specifications of the work system. A center design support method, comprising: inputting the layout position of the output layout drawing component, and arranging and outputting the layout component at the input layout position. 13. The center design support method according to claim 2, wherein the calculated layout and the evaluation value of the work system are the required number, cost, and area of the work system. Method. 14. In a center design support system stored in a storage medium as a program, work system data is stored in advance, a process of a design target center is input, and physical quantity information corresponding to the input process is input. The type of the work system corresponding to the input process is input, and the specification of the input work system is determined using the previously stored work system data and the input physical quantity information, and A center design support system characterized by creating a layout of the work system according to specifications.