JPWO2018011886A1 - Production system construction method - Google Patents

Abstract

The construction of a production system (10) in which a work module is disposed on a base (12) on which a rail (20) is laid is performed using a module replacement assist device (30). The device is (a) a table (32) arranged beside the base, (b) releasably mounted on the table, an auxiliary rail (36) is laid on the upper surface, and the working module is an auxiliary rail And (c) a pallet movement permitting mechanism for allowing slide movement of the pallet relative to the table; (d) a pallet for which slide movement is permitted; And a pallet positioning mechanism that positions the work module to enable movement of the work module with the auxiliary rail. Since the pallets can be transported together with the pallets, the modules can be easily arranged on the base without using a crane.

Description

  The present invention relates to a method of constructing a production system in which work modules are arranged on a base.

  As a production system in which a work module is disposed on a base, there is a system as described in the following patent documents. In the system, a rail is laid on a base, and a work module is disposed on the rail. When placing the work module on the base or removing the already placed work module, the work module is moved along the rails.

WO 2015/037147 pamphlet

Problems to be solved by the invention

  When exchanging work modules or constructing the production system, it is desirable to easily carry out the work modules with respect to the base. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a highly practical method for constructing a production system.

Means to solve the problem

In view of the above problems, the production system construction method of the present invention is the above-mentioned production system,
(a) a table arranged beside the base, and (b) a releasably mounted on the table, an auxiliary rail being laid on the upper surface, and the work module being mounted on the auxiliary rail Possible pallets, (c) a pallet movement permitting mechanism for permitting slide movement of the pallet relative to the table, and (d) the pallet for which slide movement is permitted by the pallet movement permitting mechanism, the rail of the base and In order to enable movement of the working module with the auxiliary rail, a pallet replacement mechanism is provided, which has a pallet positioning mechanism for positioning the auxiliary rail at a position located on the extension of the rail of the base. How to build
A module transfer step of transferring the work module to the place where the base is stored, with each pallet;
And a module disposing step of placing the transported work modules together with the pallet on a table and disposing the work modules on the base using a module replacement assist device.

Effect of the invention

  According to the production system construction method of the present invention, for example, since the pallet and the work module can be transported by a forklift and the like, the transported work module can be disposed on the base without using a crane. That is, it becomes possible to construct a production system simply.

Aspect of the invention

  In the following, some aspects of the invention recognized as claimable in the present application (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “claimable invention”) will be exemplified and described. Each aspect is divided into items, as in the claims, and each item is numbered and described in a format in which the numbers of other items are referred to as necessary. This is for the purpose of facilitating the understanding of the claimable inventions to the last, and is not intended to limit the combination of the constituent elements constituting the inventions to those described in the following sections. That is, the claimable invention should be interpreted in consideration of the description accompanying the following sections, the description of the embodiment, etc., and within the scope of the interpretation, other components are added to the aspects of the sections. The above-described aspect and an aspect in which some of the components are removed from the aspects of the respective sections can also be one aspect of the claimable invention.

  In the following items, the items (11) to (15) correspond to claims 1 to 5, respectively.

[A] Aspect of Module Replacement Assist Device Various aspects of the module replacement assist device will be described below.

(1) A base on which a rail is laid on the upper surface, and a working module disposed on the base in a state of riding on the rail and performing work, the working module being pulled out from the base along the rail A module replacement assist device that is used at the time of replacement in a production system that is interchangeable with another work module to assist the replacement;
A table placed beside the base;
A pallet removably mounted on the table, an auxiliary rail being laid on the upper surface, and the work module being able to be mounted on the auxiliary rail;
A pallet movement permitting mechanism which permits slide movement of the pallet relative to the table;
The auxiliary rail is an extension of the rail of the base so as to enable the movement of the working module between the rail of the base and the auxiliary rail, the pallet whose slide movement is permitted by the pallet movement permitting mechanism. And a pallet replacement mechanism for positioning at the upper position.

  This aspect is a basic aspect of the module replacement assist device. With the module replacement assist device of this aspect, for example, a work module disposed on a base in a production system can be transferred to a pallet placed on a table, and the work module can be transported together with the pallet. Then, by placing another work module transported with the pallet on the table with the pallet, it is possible to transfer the other work module from the pallet onto the base of the production system. As described above, according to the module replacement assist device of this aspect, it is possible to easily replace the work module. If it is possible to transport the working module together with the pallet, for example, with a forklift or the like during the work, it is possible to perform the work without using a crane or the like. The module replacement assist device according to this aspect can be used not only for replacing the work module described above, but also for arranging the work module, that is, constructing a production system or removing the work module. Incidentally, when the work module is replaced, it is preferable that there are two pallets, one for the work module to be removed and one for the work module to be newly disposed.

(2) The module replacement assist device according to (1), wherein the work module is a machining module for machining.

  This aspect is an aspect in which a limitation on the type of work module is added. Although the type of working module is not limited in the above basic mode, when the working module is a machining module in which a machining machine such as a lathe, milling machine, drilling machine or machining center is modularized, the weight of the working module is It will be quite big. In view of that, this aspect is a particularly significant aspect.

(3) A plurality of parallel rails, each of which becomes the rail, are laid on the upper surface of the base, and a plurality of work modules, each of which becomes the work module, are mounted on the base. Are arranged side by side,
The module replacement assist device is used to replace one of the plurality of work modules with another work module, and the table corresponds to one of the plurality of work modules to be replaced, The module exchange assist device according to item (1) or (2), which is disposed beside the base.

  This aspect is an aspect in which limitations on the target production system are added. In a production system in which a plurality of work modules are arranged on a base, it may happen that only one arbitrary work module is replaced. At that time, when a plurality of work modules are arranged adjacent to one another, it is expected that replacement of one work module will be troublesome. According to the module replacement assist device of this aspect, by arranging the table at the position corresponding to the one work module, the one work module can be easily replaced.

(4) The module according to any one of the items (1) to (3), wherein the pallet is provided with a module fixing mechanism for fixing the working module in a state where the working module is mounted on the auxiliary rail. Replacement assist device.

  According to this aspect, since the movement of the working module with respect to the pallet is prohibited by the module fixing mechanism, the working module can be easily transported together with the pallet.

(5) The pallet is
In any one of the items (1) to (4), the forklift has a fork hole into which the fork of the forklift is inserted for the transportation by the forklift of the work module with the work module on the pallet Module replacement assist device as described.

  The pallet in this aspect is assumed to be transported by a forklift with the work module loaded on the pallet, and according to this aspect, the work module can be replaced without using a crane. .

(6) The module according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the table is provided with a guide for placing the pallet within a range where positioning by the pallet positioning mechanism can be performed. Replacement assist device.

  According to this aspect, since the pallet carrying the work module can be placed on the table at an appropriate position, it is possible to easily switch from the pallet of the work module to the base.

(7) The pallet positioning mechanism
(a) a first inclined surface defining portion provided on the pallet and defining a pair of inclined surfaces inclined in opposite directions with respect to the extending direction of the rails; (b) provided on the table and inclined And a second inclined surface defining portion defining a pair of inclined surfaces which respectively coincide with the surface, and by sliding the pallet in the direction in which the base exists, the first inclined surface defining portion and the second inclined surface defining portion The positioning in the direction in which the rails of the pallet extend and the direction perpendicular to the direction is performed by coming into contact with the inclined surface defining portion. Module replacement assist device according to claim 1.

  This aspect is an aspect in which the limitation on the structure of the pallet positioning mechanism is added. According to the main body, the positioning is performed such that the pair of inclined surfaces are matched with each other, and the sliding direction of the work module with respect to the base merely results in the direction in which the rails extend and the direction perpendicular to that direction. Can easily be positioned.

  It is desirable that the “first inclined surface defining portion” and the “second inclined surface defining portion” be set so that the distance between the pair of inclined surfaces defined by each of them becomes smaller toward the base. Moreover, the first inclined surface defining portion and the second inclined surface defining portion do not necessarily have to have a substantial pair of inclined surfaces. The inclined surface may be a virtual surface, for example, one in which a virtual surface is defined by bars extending along mutually parallel axes.

(8) The pallet positioning mechanism
The module replacement assist device according to (7), further comprising: a biasing mechanism that biases the pallet toward the base in a state where the pallet is positioned.

  According to this aspect, after the pallet is positioned at the position defined by the first inclined surface defining portion and the second inclined surface defining portion, the position can be maintained by the biasing mechanism. In other words, the pallet on which the work module is loaded is maintained at the positioned position by the biasing mechanism, which makes it possible to easily transfer the work module from the pallet to the base. This aspect is particularly effective when the pallet is positioned such that movement in the direction toward the base is prohibited and movement in a direction perpendicular to the direction is prohibited in accordance with the prohibition. It is an aspect.

(9) The table is
A main base on which the pallet is placed;
A connecting part located on the side of the base of the main base and releasably fastened to the main base and attached to the base and having a connecting rail extending the rail of the base;
The module according to any one of the items (1) to (8), wherein the pallet positioning mechanism is configured to position the pallet with the auxiliary rail of the pallet extending the connecting rail. Replacement assist device.

  In this aspect, the table is constituted by two parts of the main base portion and the connecting portion. According to this aspect, even by using only the main base portion, it is possible to withdraw the working module from the base to some extent by using the connection rail.

[B] Aspect of Production System Construction Method Hereinafter, various aspects of the production system construction method using the above-described module replacement assist device will be described.

(11) A base on which a rail is laid on the upper surface, and a working module disposed on the base in a state of riding on the rail and performing work, the working module being pulled out from the base along the rail A production system construction method for constructing a production system replaceable with another work module using the module replacement assist device according to any one of the items (1) to (9),
A module transfer step of transferring the work module to the place where the base is placed for each of the pallets;
And a module disposing step of placing the transported work modules together with the pallet on the table and disposing the work modules on the base using the module replacement assist device. Production system construction method.

  According to this aspect, by placing the pallet on which the work module is placed on the table, it is possible to easily transfer the work module to the base, that is, to arrange the work module on the base.

  The “place where the base is located” is not limited to, for example, a factory that manufactures and assembles the production system. For example, if the production system already exists for the user and the work module of the system is replaced, etc., the place is the case where only the base in the production system precedes for the user, etc. It can be the place of business of the user. In such a case, the “module transfer step” may be a step of performing land transportation by a truck, transfer by a container, and the like.

(12) including a module completion step of completing the work module on the pallet;
The production system construction method according to (11), wherein the working module completed in the module completion process is transported in the module transporting process for each pallet.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to complete the work module on the pallet, and to transport the completed work module together with the pallet to the place where the base is stored. That is, when arranging the completed work module on the base, it is not necessary to put the work module on the pallet, and the construction of a simpler production system is realized. Furthermore, no crane or the like is required at the place where the work module is completed. In other words, the work module can be completed even where there is no crane or the like.

  The "completion of the work module" in this aspect is not limited to manufacturing the work module. For example, adjusting (this is a concept including maintenance, modification, etc.) a work module that has already been placed corresponds to completion of the work module.

(13) In the case where a work module other than the work module is already arranged on the base,
Including a module removing step of removing the other work module disposed thereon by putting it on a pallet different from the pallet using the module replacement assist device;
The production system construction method according to the paragraph (11) or (12), which is configured to perform the module placement step after the module removal step.

  According to this aspect, removal of the already arranged work module can be easily performed, and replacement of the work module can be fairly easily performed.

(14) The production according to the paragraph (13), including a module return step of returning the other work module removed in the module removal step to the place where the other work module is adjusted together with the another pallet. System construction method.

  According to this aspect, when it is necessary to adjust the removed work module, it is possible to easily transport the work module.

(15) Where the production system construction method includes a module completion step of completing the work module on the pallet,
The production system construction method according to the paragraph (14), wherein a place where the another work module is adjusted is a place where the module completion process is performed.

  According to this aspect, the adjustment of the work module can be performed on the pallet being carried when transported, and furthermore, the adjusted work module can be replaced for replacement while being put on the pallet. It is possible to transport to the place where the base is stored while riding on the pallet.

It is a perspective view which shows the whole of the production system used as the object of the module exchange assistance apparatus of an Example, and a production system construction method. It is a perspective view which shows the state from which the work module which comprises a production system was pulled out from the base. It is a perspective view showing the whole module exchange assistant device of an example. It is a perspective view showing the whole of the table which constitutes a module exchange assistant device. It is a perspective view which shows the whole of the pallet which comprises a module exchange assistance apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows partially the state which mounted the pallet which the work module got on the table. It is a perspective view which shows partially the rear end part of the table in which the pallet which the work module got on was mounted. It is a figure for demonstrating positioning on the table of a pallet. It is a figure for demonstrating positioning on the table of a pallet. It is a perspective view which shows partially the state which the work module got on the pallet. It is a figure which shows a mode when the pallet on which the work module was mounted is mounted on a table. It is a figure for demonstrating manufacture of the production system until now. It is a figure for demonstrating manufacture of the production system using a module exchange assistance apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the exchange of the work module in the user using a module exchange assistance apparatus.

  Hereinafter, representative embodiments of the claimable invention will be described in detail by way of example with reference to the drawings. In addition to the embodiments described below, the claimable invention is practiced in various aspects including various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, including the aspect described in the above [Aspect of the invention] section. can do. Moreover, it is also possible to constitute the modification of the following example using the technical matter described in the explanation of each item of [Aspects of the invention].

[A] Production System As shown in FIG. 1, the production system 10 to be a target of the module replacement assist device and the production system construction method of the embodiment is generally a base 12 and two work modules disposed on the base 12 And a machining center module 14b. The left back in the figure is the front side (front side) of the production system 10, and the front right side is the rear side (back side). In the following description, the front and the rear are defined according to the front and back of the production system 10 unless otherwise noted, and the left and the right are defined in a state where the rear is viewed from the front.

  The lathe module 14a is one of machining modules for machining, and the front side portion is a machining space. Although not shown, the work is held by a spindle arranged along an axis extending in the front-rear direction, and the work is cut by a cutting tool. A plurality of cutting tools are attached to the turret head, and the turret head is fed in the vertical direction and the front-rear direction to perform lathe processing.

  The machining center module 14b is also a machining module for machining, and a portion on the front side is a machining space as in the case of the lathe module 14a. Although not shown, a tool is attached to a spindle disposed along an axis extending in the vertical direction, and drilling, milling, etc. are performed by moving the spindle up, down, left, right, back and forth. In addition, a tool changer is provided, enabling automatic tool change.

  Hereinafter, the lathe module 14a and the machining center module 14b will be collectively referred to as "module 14", and the term "module 14" will be used to continue the description even if one of them is indicated. A front panel 18 is provided, and in the space between each of the modules 14 and the front panel 18, although not shown, work is attached to and detached from each of the modules 14, conveyance of the work among the modules 14, and There is provided a work attachment / detachment / transfer device for carrying in and out the work for each of them.

  The two modules 14 are disposed adjacent to each other in the left-right direction. Four rails 20 a are laid on the upper surface of the base 12. Since each of the four rails 20a forms a pair, if the pair of rails 20a is simply referred to as a rail 20, the base 12 is aligned in the left-right direction, Two rails 20, each extending parallel to the front-rear direction, are laid. Each of the modules 14 is provided with four wheels 22, each of the modules 14 with the four wheels 22 resting on the rail 20, in particular, the two wheels 22 are one rail 20 a. , And another two wheels 22 are disposed on the other rail 20a. As the four wheels 22 roll on the rail 20, the module 14 can be moved back and forth relatively easily.

  The respective positions of the modules 14 shown in the figure are the positions in the state in which the production system 10 is actually in operation, that is, the steady positions, and in that positions, each of the modules 14 It is fixed by illustration). Releasing the locking by the locking mechanism allows each of the modules 14 to move independently back and forth. The forward movement of each module 14, that is, the forward pulling, is permitted within a range in which the front side wheel 22 does not protrude forward from the rail 20, for example, at the time of exchanging tools, tools, etc. There is a forward withdrawal. Similarly, backward movement, that is, backward withdrawal, is permitted within a range in which the rear wheel 22 does not protrude from the rail 20, and, for example, withdrawal during backward adjustment of the module 14 To be done.

  It is also desirable to pull out beyond the above range for easier adjustment, and as shown in FIG. 2, the module 14 is present on the base 12 for maintenance, replacement etc. It is also desirable to move the module 14 backwards from the base 12 until it does not do so. In particular, the module replacement assist device 30 of the embodiment is used when pulling out and pulling out one module 14 in such pulling out and pulling out. Also, when arranging one module 14 on the base 12, the module replacement assist device 30 is used.

[B] Module Replacement Assist Device As shown in FIG. 3, the module replacement assist device 30 of the embodiment roughly includes a main base portion 32a and a connecting portion 32b each having a frame structure generally made of each pipe. And a pallet 34 removably mounted on the table 32. As shown in FIG. Each of the table 32 and the pallet 34 is as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 as a single unit, and the pallet 34 is placed on the table 32 at the main base portion 32a.

  An auxiliary rail 36 consisting of a pair of rails 36 a is laid on the upper surface of the pallet 34, and a connecting rail 38 consisting of a pair of rails 38 a is also laid on the coupling portion 32 b of the table 32 ( Similar to the rails 20 laid on the base 12, the pair of rails 36a and the pair of rails 38a will be simply referred to as the auxiliary rails 36 and the connecting rails 38). The widths of the rails 20, the auxiliary rails 36, and the connecting rails 38 on the base 12, that is, the distance between the pair of rails 20a, the pair of rails 36a, and the pair of rails 38a constituting them are equal to each other.

  The table 32 is arranged beside the rear side of the base 12 such that the connecting portion 32 b is attached to the base 12. Specifically, when one module 14 is pulled out of the base 12, it is disposed at a position corresponding to the module 14, and when the module 14 is disposed on the base 12, the module 14 is disposed at a position where it is disposed. It is arranged at the corresponding position. Specifically, the connecting portion 32 is configured such that the connecting rail 38 of the connecting portion 32b of the table 32 extends the rail 20 on the base 12 on which the corresponding module 14 is disposed or disposed. It is arranged fixed to 12. 1 and 2 illustrate a state in which the module replacement assist device 30 is disposed at a position corresponding to the machining center module 14b, and FIG. 2 illustrates a state in which the machining center module 14b is pulled out.

  Several ball rollers 40 are installed on the upper surface of the main base portion 32a of the table 32 on which the pallet 34 is placed ("ball roller" can also be called "free roll bearing"). The pallets 34 are placed on the ball rollers 40, and in a certain range, can be easily slid in the front, rear, left, and right directions with respect to the table 32. That is, in the module replacement assist device 30, the pallet movement allowing mechanism 42 including the ball roller 40 and allowing the pallet 34 to slide relative to the table 32 is configured. In the state where the pallet 34 is placed on the main platform 32, the heights of the auxiliary rail 36 and the connection rail 38 are aligned.

  The module 14 is movable between the base 12 and the pallet 34 by using the rails 20, the connection rails 38 and the auxiliary rails 36 on the base 12, and in order to enable the movement thereof, It is necessary to position the pallet 34 at a position where the auxiliary rail 36 is located on the extension of the rail 20 on the base 12, that is, a position where the connecting rail 38 is extended. If this position is referred to as a set position, the pallet 34 is placed behind the set position, as shown in FIG. 6, advanced from the set position and positioned at the set position. Incidentally, FIG. 6 shows a state in which the module 14 is mounted on the pallet 34.

  The pallet 34 is additionally provided with a pair of engagement bars 44 projecting forward, and two rollers 46 and 48 are provided on the left and right of the rear side portion of the connecting portion 32 b of the table 32. It is attached. An inclined surface PL1 is provided on an outer portion of each of the pair of engagement bars 44 in the left and right direction, and the pair of inclined surfaces PL1 are inclined in opposite directions to each other in the front and rear direction. . On the other hand, inclined surface PL2 is defined as a surface in contact with the outer peripheral surface of each of rollers 46 and 48, and a pair of inclined surfaces PL2 defined by two rollers 46 and 48 is one pair. In the same manner as the inclined surface PL1 of FIG. When the pallet 34 is advanced, as shown in FIG. 3, more specifically, as shown in FIG. 8A, the pallet 34 has the pair of inclined surfaces PL1 and the pair of inclined surfaces PL2 coincident with each other. Position in the longitudinal direction and in the lateral direction. That position is the above-mentioned set position, in which position the auxiliary rail 36 is in a posture to extend the connecting rail 38.

  In view of the above configuration, the module replacement assist device 30 can move the module 14 between the rail 20 of the base 12 and the auxiliary rail 36 with the pallet 34 allowed to slide relative to the table 32. In order to position the auxiliary rail 36 at a position where the auxiliary rail 36 is located on the extension of the rail 20 of the base 12, the mechanism includes a pair of engagement bars 44, two rollers each. 46 and 48 are included. Also, a pair of engagement bars 44 is provided as a first inclined surface defining portion provided on the pallet 34 and defining a pair of inclined surfaces PL1 inclined in opposite directions to the extending direction of the rail 20. Each of the rollers 46 and 48 functions as a second inclined surface defining portion provided on the table 32 and defining a pair of inclined surfaces PL2 respectively coinciding with the inclined surfaces PL1. When the first slope defining portion abuts on the second slope defining portion, positioning of the pallet 34 in the direction in which the rails 20 extend and in the direction perpendicular to the direction is performed. In other words, the pallet 34 is positioned in such a way that the movement in the left and right direction is prohibited as the movement of the pallet 34 in the forward direction is prohibited.

  Although the module 14 has a considerable weight, although the pallet 34 rests on the ball roller 40, considerable force is required to move the module 14 with the pallet 34. Therefore, the module replacement assist device 30 is provided with the easy movement mechanism 60 for enabling the slide movement of the pallet 34 with a small force. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, a slide body 62 is provided on the rear end portion of the main base portion 32a of the table 32 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The slide body 62 includes a base portion 62a and a support portion 62b movable in the vertical direction with respect to the base portion 62a. A nut 62a1 is fixed to the base portion 62a, and a screw rod 64 extending in the front-rear direction in a state of being screwed with the nut 62a1 is rotatably and immovably held in the front-rear direction by the main base portion 32a. There is. By rotating the handle 66 attached to the rear end of the screw rod 64, the slide body 62 moves in the front-rear direction.

  The support portion 62b of the slide body 62 is provided with a channel 62b1 for engaging a part of the pallet 34, and the channel 62b1 has a pair of buffer members 62b2 facing each other in the front-rear direction. Is provided. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the support portion 62b is located at the lower end of the movable range with respect to the base portion 62a of the slide body 62, and as can be understood from FIG. A portion of 34 does not engage with the channel 62b1 of the support 62b. When the two rotation grips 68 are operated to allow the support portion 62b to move upward, and the support portion 62b is positioned at the upper end of the movable range, as shown in FIG. 9A, the channel 62b1 is formed. Is engaged with a part of the pallet 34 via the shock absorbing material 62b2. In this state, by turning the handle 66, the channel 62b1 and a part of the pallet 34 are engaged, and the module 14 is in the mounted state by the turning force of the handle 66, that is, by a relatively small force. Also, the pallet 34 moves forward. By moving the pallet 34 forward by the easy moving mechanism 60 including the slide body 62 and the screw rod 64, the pallet positioning mechanism 50 can easily position the pallet 34 at the set position. FIGS. 9B and 7 show the pallet 34 positioned at the set position. When the pallet 34 positioned at the set position is to be moved backward, the handle 60 may be turned in the reverse direction.

  Further, in the module replacement assist device 30, an urging mechanism 70 is provided to urge the pallet 34 positioned at the setting position in the forward direction, that is, in the direction toward the base 12, in order to maintain the setting position. There is. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9B, a pair of clamps 72 are attached to the main base portion 32a of the table 32, and by operating the levers of the clamps 72, the clamps 72 can be In the state shown by the two-dot chain line in the figure, the pallet 34 is pushed forward. And, unless the lever operation for release is performed, the clamp 72 will continue to bias the pallet 34 forward. By such a biasing mechanism 70 configured to include the pair of clamps 72, the pallet 34 is effectively prohibited from moving backward and is maintained in the set position.

  As the module 14 is moved from the base 12 to the pallet 34, the module 14 is also expected to move backward beyond the proper range. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, a locking block 74 is attached to the pallet 34. In particular, a locking block 74 is attached to the rear end of each of the pair of rails 36 a that constitute the auxiliary rail 36. The locking block 74 locks the wheels 22 on the rear side of the module 14 as shown in FIG. 7, and these locking blocks 74 allow the module 14 to move rearward beyond the appropriate range. Is prohibited.

  In addition, even with the module 14 once moved onto the pallet 34, it is also expected that some force will cause the module 14 to move back beyond the appropriate range. Therefore, in the present module replacement assist device 30, as shown in FIG. 5, a locking block 76 similar to the locking block 74 described above is attachable. More specifically, the locking block 76 is attachable to the front end of each of the pair of rails 36a constituting the auxiliary rail 36. The locking block 76 locks the front wheel of the module 14, and when the locking block 76 is attached, forward movement of the module 14 beyond an appropriate range is prohibited. . Incidentally, in a state where the module 14 is mounted on the pallet 34, a state in which both the locking block 74 and the locking block 76 are attached is as shown in FIG.

  The modules 14 mounted on the pallets 34 can be transported together with the pallets 34. For transportation by a forklift, the pallet 34 is provided with a pair of fork holes 78 into which forklift forks are inserted. Due to the presence of the fork holes 78, the module 14 can be transported by a forklift without using a crane. When the module replacement assist device 30 is used, the pallet 34 in a state in which the module 14 is mounted can be placed on the table 32 or lowered from the table 32 by a forklift, so replacement of the module 14, Placement of the module 14 on the base 12 can be done without using a crane.

  When transporting the module 14 on the pallet 34, the locking blocks 74 and 76 described above are effective means for prohibiting the movement of the module 14. However, if the module 14 is tall or the like, it is expected that only the module 14 falls. In view of that, in the module replacement assist device 30, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, the module fixing mechanism 80 for fixing the module 14 to the pallet 34 in a state where the module 14 is mounted on the pallet 34 is It is provided. The module fixing mechanism 80 is configured to include two right and left plates 82 and four right and left grip bolts 84. The pallet 34 is provided with two left and right female screw holes, and the module 14 is also formed with two right and left female screw holes. Further, through holes are formed at both ends of each plate 82, and the external screw portion of the grip bolt 84 is penetrated through these through holes and screwed into the female screw hole of the pallet 34 and the female screw hole of the module 14 Thus, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, the plate 82 fastens the module 14 and the pallet 34. The module fixing mechanism 80 secures the module 14 to the pallet 34 in this manner.

  When the module 14 is disposed on the base 12, the pallet 34 on which the module 14 is mounted is placed on the table 32, and thereafter, using the pallet positioning mechanism 50, as described above, Positioning of the pallet 34 to the set position is performed. In order to perform the positioning, the pallet 34 needs to be placed behind the set position, as described above. In other words, it is necessary to place the pallet 34 in the range in which the positioning by the pallet positioning mechanism 50 can be performed, that is, in the proper placement range. The placement is performed by lowering the pallet 34 from above as shown in FIG. 11 (a), but there are some difficulties in placing the pallet 34 in the proper placement range. In particular, when the placement is performed by a forklift, the difficulty becomes high.

  Therefore, in this module replacement assist device 30, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, to put it in detail, the pallet 34 is placed on the main mounting portion 32a of the table 32 in the appropriate mounting range. A pair of guides 86 are provided. Each guide 86 is in the form of a plate extending upward from the frame of the main platform 32a. The left-right spacing of the pair of guides 86 is made somewhat larger than the width in the left-right direction of the portion of the pallet 34 sandwiched by the guides 86, so long as the pallets 34 do not abut the guides 86. Is designed to fall within the proper mounting range in the left-right direction.

  On the other hand, at the upper end of each guide 86, as shown in FIG. 11B, a reference mark M0 is provided, and on the side surface of the pallet 34, three reference marks are made to correspond to the reference mark M0. M1, M2 and M3 are provided. If the pallet 34 is lowered straight at the position where the reference mark M0 matches the middle reference mark M2, the pallet 34 is positioned at the center of the appropriate mounting range in the front-rear direction. If the reference mark M0 is lowered straight at a position where the reference mark M0 matches the reference marks M1 and M3 at both ends, the pallet 34 is positioned at the end of the appropriate mounting range in the front-rear direction. Therefore, if the pallet 34 is lowered straight at the position where the reference mark M0 exists between the reference mark M1 and the reference mark M3, the pallet 34 falls within the appropriate mounting range in the front-rear direction. As described above, in the module replacement assist device 30, the presence of the pair of guides 86 facilitates the placement of the pallet 34 in the appropriate placement range.

  Up to this point, since the replacement of the module 14 and the like have been described, the table 32 in which the main base portion 32a and the connecting portion 32b are integrated has been used. A part of the table 32, specifically, the connecting portion 32b can be used by being disposed beside the base 12. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the main platform portion 32 a and the connecting portion 32 b are integrated using a pair of left and right fasteners 88. Although illustration is omitted, the fastening by the fastener 88 is released, and the two feet 90 attached to the main base 32a are removed and attached to the attaching portion 92 of the connecting portion 32b, or the same foot 90 as the foot 90 Can be disposed on the side of the base 12 only by connecting the mounting portion 92 to the mounting portion 92. In this manner, by using the connecting portion 32b, the module 14 can be largely pulled back from the base 12, and by the pulling, the module 14 can be more easily adjusted. In addition, when using only the connection part 32b, the locking block 74 attached to each of a pair of rails 36a which comprise the auxiliary rail 36, or the locking block 74 same as the locking block is a connection rail By attaching to the rear end of each of the pair of rails 38a constituting 38, the module 14 effectively protrudes from the connecting portion 32b to the rear, that is, the wheels 22 fall off from the connecting rail 38. It is possible to prevent.

[C] Construction Method of Production System Using Module Replacement Assist Device If the above-mentioned module replacement assist device 30 is used, the production system 10 can be easily constructed. Hereinafter, some examples of construction of the production system 10 using the module replacement assist device 30 will be described.

i) Production of Production System In the case of producing the production system 10, it has been as shown in FIG. More specifically, in the base completion process, the base 12 is completed in the module completion process, and the modules 14 are completed respectively, and the completed base 12 and module 14 are respectively transported to the place where the assembly process is to be performed. That is, for the base 12, the base transfer process for transferring to the place where the base 12 is placed for assembly, and for the module 14, the module transfer process for transferring to the place where the base 12 is installed, It was being done. The base transfer process and the module transfer process are mainly performed using the forklift 100. Then, in the assembly process, a module arrangement process of arranging the module 14 on the base 12 is performed, but the module arrangement process is mainly performed using the crane 102. In other words, the assembly process could only be performed at a certain location of the crane. The production system 10 which has been assembled is shipped to the user through an inspection process.

  In the case of manufacturing the production system 10 (which is an example of “construction of the production system 10”) by using the module replacement assist device 30, as shown in FIG. And complete the module 14 and transport the completed module 14 together with the pallet 34 to the place where the base 12 is to be placed in the module transport process. Then, in the assembly process, the table 32 is placed beside the base 12, and the transported module 14 is placed on the table 32 together with the pallet 34. Then, the module replacement assist device 30 is used to place the module 14 on the base 12 in the module placement process. As described above, by using the module replacement assist device 30, the module placement process performed in the assembly process can be performed without using a crane. In other words, the restriction on the place where the assembly process is performed is reduced.

In addition, it is also conceivable to ship the module 14 alone in the case of exchange for the user of the module 14 to be described later or the like, or in terms of transportation. In that case, as shown in FIG. 13, it is also possible to store and ship the module 34 on the pallet 34.

  In addition, even when the manufacturer performs the base completion process and the module completion process, and the assembly process and the inspection process are performed at the user's office, the method of constructing the production system 10 using the module replacement assist device 30 Is applicable. In this case, the base transfer process and the module transfer process are processes for transferring the product from the maker to the user's office. Even in that case, it is possible to easily transport the module 14 together with the pallet 34, and by keeping the base 12 in the place of business of the user and arranging the table 32 beside the base 12, Even if a crane is not installed at a business site, it becomes possible to easily perform the module placement process.

ii) Replacement at the user of the module When the production system 10 is operated at the user, it is expected that the module 14 of the production system 10 is newly replaced with another module 14 for the purpose of adjustment, repair, etc. Ru. Also in that case, the module replacement assist device 30 can be used.

  In that case, as shown in FIG. 4, the table 32 is placed beside the base 12 at a position corresponding to the module 14 to be withdrawn for replacement, while the new module transported while being carried on the pallet 34 14 are prepared in the vicinity of the production system 10 as another module 14. Then, an empty pallet 34 different from the pallet 34 on which the module 14 is mounted is placed on the table 32, and the module replacement assist device 30 is used for the other pallet 34 on the base 12. The module removal process is performed with the module 14 loaded. The module 14 is lowered from the table 32 together with the pallet 34, and another module 14 prepared is placed on the table 32 together with the pallet 34 on which the module 14 is mounted, and the module replacement assist device 30 is used to Place on 12 That is, the module placement process described above is performed.

  The modules 14 removed and remaining on the pallet 34 are returned to the maker together with the pallet 34. That is, a module return process is performed. In other words, it is transported by the pallet 34 different from the transported pallet 34 to the place where the module 14 is adjusted in the maker. The place may be, for example, a place where the above-described module completion process is performed. In this manner, by using the module replacement assist device 30 when replacing the module 14 at the user, it is possible to easily replace the module 14 even if a crane is not installed at the user's office. Become.

  Although the replacement of the module 14 by the user has been described, the module 14 may be replaced when it is necessary to replace the module 14 in the assembly process and the inspection process in the manufacture of the production system 10 described above. It is also possible to exchange using the exchange assist device 30.

10: Production system 12: Base 14: Module [working module, machining module] 14a: lathe module 14b: machining center module
20: Rails 22: Wheels 30: Module replacement assist device 32: Table 32a: Main base portion 32b: Coupling portion 34: Pallet 36: Auxiliary rail
38: Connection rail 40: Ball roller 42: Pallet movement permitting mechanism 44: engagement bar (first inclined surface defining portion) 46, 48: roller (second inclined surface defining portion) 50: pallet positioning mechanism 60: easy movement mechanism 62: Slide body 64: Screw rod 66: Handle 70: Biasing mechanism 72: Clamp 74, 76: Locking block 78: Fork hole 80: Module fixing mechanism 86: Guide

Claims (5)

A base on which a rail is laid on the upper surface, and a working module disposed on the base to carry out an operation while riding on the rail, the working module being pulled out from the base along the rail and others Production systems that can be replaced with work modules,
(a) a table arranged beside the base, and (b) a releasably mounted on the table, an auxiliary rail being laid on the upper surface, and the work module being mounted on the auxiliary rail Possible pallets, (c) a pallet movement permitting mechanism for permitting slide movement of the pallet relative to the table, and (d) the pallet for which slide movement is permitted by the pallet movement permitting mechanism, the rail of the base and In order to enable movement of the working module with the auxiliary rail, a pallet replacement mechanism is provided, which has a pallet positioning mechanism for positioning the auxiliary rail at a position located on the extension of the rail of the base. Method of constructing a production system
A module transfer step of transferring the work module to the place where the base is placed for each of the pallets;
And a module disposing step of placing the transported work modules together with the pallet on the table and disposing the work modules on the base using the module replacement assist device. Production system construction method. Including a module completion step of completing the work module on the pallet;
The method for constructing a production system according to claim 1, wherein the work module completed in the module completion process is configured to be transported together with the pallet in the module transfer process. In the case where a work module other than the work module is already arranged on the base,
Including a module removing step of removing the other work module disposed thereon by putting it on a pallet different from the pallet using the module replacement assist device;
The method for constructing a production system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the module disposing step is performed after the module removing step.   The production system construction method according to claim 4, further comprising: a module return step of returning the another work module removed in the module removal step to the place where the another work module is adjusted for every other pallet. When the production system construction method includes a module completion step of completing the work module on the pallet,
The production system construction method according to claim 4, wherein the place where the another work module is adjusted is a place where the module completion process is performed.

Images