SK5402002A3 - Device for supporting the adjustment of utilization - Google Patents

Description

Device to support load adjustment

Technical field

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for supporting the operation of adjusting the utilization of a plurality of cable harnesses. In particular, the invention relates to a load adjustment aid device which effectively assists in adjusting the load adjustment of the devices during the shear of the cable harnesses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cable harnesses used in the automotive industry are mostly made of coiled electrical cables that are cut to the desired length and trimmed as needed in the process of cutting, stripping and finishing ends. In the cutting process, the coiled electrical cables for each circuit are cut to the appropriate length. In the stripping process, an insulating tube of a predetermined length is removed from one or both ends of the tailored electrical cable. In the end modification process, the respective terminals are fastened to one or both stripped ends of the electrical cable. Subsequently, after connecting the connectors or attaching the sleeves to the electric cables with fitted terminals, such electric cables are assembled according to the type of car in which they are to be used and thus form the respective cable harness.

The current practice with regard to the cable harness production cycle is that before starting work in an office away from the cutting site by means of a so-called production instruction editor, which is basically a PC-based system, the production instruction data is prepared and subsequently sent. individual production facilities. The data is temporarily stored on a portable recording medium, such as a floppy disk, and is transported to the cutting location. The data for the production instructions is transferred to an operation control device consisting mainly of a personal computer installed on site and connected to the production device itself. In accordance with the manufacturing instruction data, the steps associated with the respective cutting processes are performed.

At each workplace, there is a production instruction controller called a group leader or shift manager. The Reviewer collects data on the progress of the work of the whole group four times a day. Based on the progress made, the group leader or shift manager modifies the instructions for production utilization.

However, work progress data, as above, is collected at the appropriate workplace, such as at the cable cutting site. On the basis of the data collected on the progress of the work, the group leader or the shift manager will modify the instructions for production utilization. More precisely, upon receipt of an office-produced instruction to execute a manufacturing instruction to the workplace, the collection of the above information and the adjustment of the utilization of the equipment at the workplace are performed essentially manually. As a result, the controller of the workplace, i.e. the group leader or shift must make enormous efforts to collect the production and extraction data alone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

For this reason, and in view of the current conditions, the present invention has been designed to provide a load adjustment support device that facilitates the collection of production data alone and load adjustment devices at the workplace and greatly facilitates the coordination of a large amount of work.

One aspect of the present invention is a load setting support device connected via a network to a server 7 storing production instruction data pertaining to a plurality of production facilities, actual production status data representing the actual production status of the individual production equipment, and operational data representing the operation status of the individual production equipment. and which supports the workload adjustment of each production facility by utilizing data stored on the server, which equipment comprises: a monitoring means for fetching monitoring information to support the load adjustment based on some of the production instruction data, actual production status data and operation data , possibly on the basis of all these data; and a load adjusting means 103 that realizes the load adjustment by transferring manufacturing instruction information pertaining to a particular manufacturing facility and contained in manufacturing instruction data stored on the server to manufacturing instruction information pertaining to another particular manufacturing facility.

According to the present invention, the load adjustment support device comprises a monitoring means and a load adjustment means. A load setting support device connected over a network to a server on which production instruction data pertaining to multiple production facilities is stored, actual production status data representing the actual production of each production facility and operational data representing the production state of each production facility and supporting the load adjustment of individual production devices using data stored on the server. The monitoring means will send monitoring information to support the load adjustment based on any of the production instruction data, actual production status data and operation data, or based on all such data. The load adjustment means realizes the load adjustment by transferring manufacturing instruction information pertaining to a particular manufacturing facility that is included in the manufacturing instruction data stored on the server to the manufacturing instruction information pertaining to another particular manufacturing facility. In this case, the load setting support device is connected to the server through the network. Manufacturing instruction data, actual production status and operating data can be obtained quickly at any time. Monitoring information to support load adjustment can be led out. Furthermore, the load adjustment means allows the transfer of the work load between the production devices.

Another aspect of the present invention is that the production instruction data stored on the server includes a set of actual production instructions that is arranged according to the production equipment and currently in use, a set of urgent production instructions to be used after the set of actual manufacturing instructions and common production sets. instructions that are used after a set of urgent manufacturing instructions. The files are created from production instruction records for each group separately. The load adjustment means consists of a source file specification means that specifies a set of urgent manufacturing instructions for a particular production facility or a set of common manufacturing instructions as a load adjusting source; a target file specification means, which specifies a set of urgent manufacturing instructions or a set of routine manufacturing instructions, of a particular manufacturing facility as a load setting target; and from the file transfer means specified by the source file specification means or the target file specification means from the source to the destination.

According to the present invention, the source file specification means specifies a set of urgent manufacturing instructions or a set of common manufacturing instructions of the respective manufacturing equipment as a load adjustment source. The target set specification means specifies a set of urgent manufacturing instructions or a set of common manufacturing instructions of the respective production equipment as the load setting target. The transmission means transmits from the source to the destination the file specified by the source file specification means or the destination file specification means. The desired file is specified by source, assigned the desired priority and can then be transferred to the desired destination.

Another aspect of the present invention is that the production instruction data stored on the server includes a set of actual production instructions that is arranged according to the production equipment and currently in use, a set of urgent production instructions to be used after the set of current production instructions, and a set of common production instructions to be used after a set of urgent manufacturing instructions. The files are created from production instruction records for each batch separately. The load adjusting means 5 includes a file specification means that specifies a set of urgent manufacturing instructions or a set of routine manufacturing instructions for a particular manufacturing facility contained in a batch to be moved to adjust the load; a batch specification means for specifying a batch to be moved as a source of load adjustment from the batches included in the file specified by the target file specification means; a target file specification means that allows to specify a set of urgent manufacturing instructions or a set of routine manufacturing instructions of a particular manufacturing facility as a load setting target; and a transmission means for transmitting a dose specified by the dose specification means to a file specified by the target file specification means.

According to the present invention, the set specification means specifies a set of urgent manufacturing instructions or a set of common manufacturing instructions of the respective manufacturing equipment included in the batch to be moved to adjust the load. A batch specification means for specifying a batch to be moved as a source of load adjustment from batches included in a file specified by the source file specification means. The target set specification means specifies a set of urgent manufacturing instructions or a set of common manufacturing instructions of the respective production equipment as the load setting target. The transmission means transmits the batches specified by the batch specification means to a file specified by the destination file specification means. According to the invention as set forth in claim 3, a dose in the desired set is specified from the source and the specified set can be moved to the desired target.

A further aspect of the present invention is that the monitoring means comprises a production condition monitoring means that allows monitoring information on the progress of the production operation of the individual production facilities based on the production instruction data and the actual production status data; and means for detecting the number of parts not yet produced, which, based on the state of progress of production, provides monitoring information representing the number of parts still to be produced by each production facility.

According to the present invention, based on the state of progress of production and operating data, monitoring information representing the operating state of the individual production facilities is transmitted. Real-time, real-time data is obtained for load adjustment purposes.

Another aspect of the present invention is an operating condition monitoring means that, based on the state of progress of production and operating data, it is possible to transmit monitoring information representing the operating status of individual production facilities.

According to the present invention, the monitoring information representing the operational status of the individual production equipment is transmitted not only on the basis of the monitoring information representing the production progress and the number of parts that the individual production equipment has yet to produce, but also on the data stored on the server.

It is a further aspect of the present invention that the means for monitoring the production status, the means for monitoring the number of remaining parts not yet manufactured and the means for monitoring the operating status send monitoring information to a personal computer monitor.

According to the present invention, the personal computer monitor displays monitoring information representing the state of advancement of production, the number of parts still to be manufactured by each production facility, and the operational status of the production facilities. In this way, the actual production status is immediately and intuitively displayed on the monitor.

Another aspect of the present invention is that the production equipment cuts the cable bundles based on the manufacturing instruction data and is located at the cutting site where the cutting operations are performed.

According to the present invention, the load adjustment support device is located at the cutting location where the cutting operations are performed. As a result, the shift manager or group responsible for adjusting the load can conveniently carry out operations related to monitoring the actual production status and adjusting the load.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In FIG. 1 shows the entire network in which a load setting support device is used;

In FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of a load adjustment support device according to the present invention;

In FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating processing operations associated with one embodiment of the present invention;

In FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a window of a production monitor 1 in a load setting support device;

In FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a window of a production monitor 2 in a load setting support device;

In FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an operation monitor window in a load setting support device;

In FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an operation monitor window in a load setting support device;

In FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a screen with the number of parts not yet manufactured in the load setting support device;

In FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a load adjustment screen in a load adjustment support device; and

In FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a screen with a table of transferable instructions in a load setting support device;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following, a possible embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In FIG. 1 is a descriptive view of the entire network in which the load setting support device is used. As shown in FIG. 1, the load setting support device 1 and the production instruction editor 5 and the production performance data collector 6, the server 7, the printer 8, the operating controls 9A, 9B and the performance data collector 10 in connection with the gripping strength are connected via known LAN circuit.

As shown in the figure, the load setting support device 7, the production instruction editor 5, the production performance data collector 6, the server 7 and the printer 6 are located in the office. The load setting support device 1, the operating controls 9A, 9B and the performance data collector in relation to the gripping force 10 are located at the workstation. At the workplace, the cutting process is followed by the inspection process.

The load adjusting support device 7 is essentially a personal computer connected via a network to the server 7. The load adjusting support device 7 retrieves from the server 7 manufacturing instruction data belonging to a plurality of manufacturing devices; actual production state data representing the actual production of the production equipment concerned; operating data representing the operating states of the respective production facilities, which allows to adjust the utilization of individual production facilities. Based on this data, the load setting support device 7 will display on the monitor, for example, a production monitoring window representing the production status, a monitoring window of the remaining cable harnesses not yet manufactured, and an operation monitoring window representing the operating states of the respective production equipment. The information so displayed helps the load adjuster to adjust the load. The load setting support device 11 allows the production instruction data to be prepared with the modified load by ordering to change the production instruction data pertaining to the particular production equipment; that is, to modify the schedule specification file (or schedule description and description) or batch. The load setting support device 1 will be described later with reference to FIG. 2 to 10. The production devices may be, for example, automatic cutters that cut coiled electrical cables intended for individual circuits to the appropriate length. Several dozen cutters are placed in the workplace. As an example of a conventional apparatus, only two production apparatuses A, B are described. In fact, production apparatuses A or B are designated by a number consisting of a combination of model and machine number. For example, the first model 5 machine is designated 501. In the specifications, a number consisting of a combination of model and machine number is often taken simply as a machine number. For example, the first model 5 device is often referred to as machine 501 only.

Since the load setting support device 7 is located at the cutting point, i. where wiring harnesses are cut, the device is very helpful to the group manager or shift who acts as a load adjustment controller. The actual production status is monitored in real time and the load can be adjusted as required.

The host data 4 stored on the diskette is downloaded to the host terminal 2 connected to the host computer 2. The host data 4 corresponds to the electrical cable specification data and the machine number data data. The electrical cable specification registers the electrical cable part numbers, terminal part numbers, and capacitance values. Although host data 4 includes other data, the description is omitted here.

Host data 4 containing such data sets is loaded into the production instruction editor 5. The production instruction editor 5 consists mainly of a computer and its task is to prepare or edit the production plan data or instruction data by obtaining the host data 4. For example, the production instruction editor 5 obtains the host data 4 and splits the machine numbers. The result of this distribution is presented in the form of a schedule listing the production instructions to the monitor or transmitted via the local network circuitry to the server 7. Alternatively, the result can be recorded on a floppy disk as is the case in the workplace.

The production performance data collector 6 consists essentially of a personal computer, and the collector via the server 7 receives the actual production state data and the output performance data from the load setting support device 7. The actual production and operating performance data thus obtained is summarized and the result of the summarization is printed by means of the printer 8. Alternatively, it is also possible to print daily or monthly reports separately for each machine type using the printer 8.

The server 7 essentially consists of a personal computer. In addition, the server 7. obtains from the 5th production instruction editor data on production instructions pertaining to multiple production facilities. The data thus obtained is stored on the hard disk. From the operating controls 9A, 9B, the actual production state data representing the actual production of the individual production equipment and the operational data representing the operating state of the individual production equipment are obtained and stored on the hard disk. The load setting support device 1, the production instruction editor 5, the production performance data collector 6, the operating controls 9A, 9B, and the performance data collector 10 in relation to the gripping power can exchange data with each other. In response to a request from another personal computer for printing output, the server 7 sends a printing instruction to the printer 8.

The operating controls 9A, 9B retrieve the manufacturing instruction data through the server 7 and display the data on the respective monitors, thereby issuing operating instructions or controlling the operation of the manufacturing equipment A and B. The operating controls 9A, 9B can obtain the manufacturing instruction data using a diskette.

The performance data collector 10 in terms of gripping strength is used in the inspection process. The bond strength of the cable harness produced by the cutting process is subjected to a bond strength test, such as a tensile test. The results of the tensile strength tests of the individual wiring harnesses are collected and printed by the printer 8. The inspection result may optionally be transferred to the server 7. The power strength data collector 10 receives the output data from the load setting support device 7 via the server 7 as well as the output data. data from the production instruction editor 5 to obtain data relating to the electrical cables to be checked. While the data thus obtained is considered as a condition, data with default values is sought. The monitor will display the default values for the appropriate controls. Data output from the meter is stored on the server 7 as performance data.

The configuration of the software pertaining to the embodiment of the load adjustment support apparatus of the present invention will be described below. In FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of a load adjustment support device according to the present invention; As shown in FIG. 2, the load adjustment support device comprises a production condition monitoring means 101; means 102 for monitoring the remaining harnesses not yet manufactured; a load setting means 103; operating condition monitoring means 104; means 105 for preparing the actual production state database; and operational performance database preparation means 106.

The production condition monitoring means 101 obtains from the schedule schedule file III, information about the scheduled completion date of the cable ties associated with each machine, as well as information about the number of scheduled cable ties associated with the machines. In addition, the production status monitoring means 101 obtains from the actual production status set 112 information about the number of cable ties already made by each machine and the current state of cable ties production on each machine. Further, the state of production monitoring means 101 obtains information about the number of unit processes, i.e. the number of unit processes. information on the number of processes required to produce one cable harness. The machine number information belonging to the group to be monitored is obtained from the group data 122 of the group. The contents of the master data 121 of the number of unit paths 12 and the group registry data 122 can be changed as desired by keyboard input. As can be seen in Table 22 of FIG. 5, the production status monitoring means 101 that has received the relevant information displays the machine model, machine number, production status, progress, scheduled completion date, number of cable harnesses planned, number of cable harnesses already made, number of bundles still outstanding, number of planned processes, number of currently running processes and number of remaining processes. At the same time, the progress data 131 of the production of all machines pertaining to all machines and the progress data 132 of the production of individual machines for each machine separately are prepared and the data thus prepared are stored on the hard disk. In this way, the display and output of each production model, its number, production status, production progress, scheduled completion date, number of cable harnesses planned, number of cable harnesses already made, number of bundles still outstanding, number of planned processes, number of ongoing processes and the number of processes remaining based on the data stored on the server 7. No real-time data is obtained for setting up the load for real-time data adjustment, which makes it possible to set the machine load more optimally.

The monitoring means 102 of the remaining cable harnesses not yet obtained either obtains progress data 13 1 on the progress of production of all machines or data 132 on progress of production of individual machines. As shown in FIG. 8, the number of cable harnesses not yet produced is displayed on the monitor individually for each machine. In parallel, this information is stored on the hard disk as data 141 on the number of cable harnesses not yet made. If periodic cable bundle information is available, this information is stored on the hard disk as. Thus, the display and output of the number of cable harnesses remaining for each production facility is based on the data stored on the server 7. No real-time data is obtained for load adjustment for the purpose of adjusting the load, making it possible to adjust machine load more optimally.

In addition to information about the planned cable harness completion date and the number of cable harnesses that have not yet been made, associated with each machine number, the load adjustment means 103 obtains serial number information corresponding to batch, product class, electrical cable size, color, cable length , the part number of the appropriate terminal, and the number of electrical cables to be cut. In addition, the means 103 for adjusting the load 103 from the number 141 of the remaining cable bundles not yet produced information about the number of the remaining cable bundles not yet produced corresponding to the individual machine numbers. The load adjustment means 103, after obtaining said information, displays the load adjustment window shown in FIG. 9 or the transferable instruction table window shown in FIG. 10. The choice of displaying one or the other window is determined based on whether the production plan breakdown file or batch is subject to change in the load setting. Specifically, the transferable instruction table window shown in FIG. 10 is displayed when the load setting is subject to a batch change. The difference between the load setting window and the transferable instruction table window will be described later with reference to FIG. 3 and other drawings. After entering the workload move instruction for each schedule schedule file via the load adjustment means 103, the data pertaining to the entire lot batch items listed in the schedule schedule file is stored on the hard disk as production instruction data 151. Here, if the instructions for moving the work load were entered for each batch separately, the data pertaining to the items related to the individual batches shown in FIG. 10 are stored on the hard disk as transferable instruction data 152. The production instruction data 151 and the transferable instruction data 152 are used to prepare new production instruction data on the server 7. The load adjustment means 103 acquires, through the system data 123 subject to the system settings, the machine number register data 124 including the machine option values. and uses this data to set the load. The load adjustment means may store the load adjustment history on the hard disk as the load adjustment history data 153.

From the matrix data 122 of the group, the operational state monitoring means 104 obtains information about the machine numbers belonging to the group to be monitored. In addition, the operational status monitoring means 104 obtains information about the operational labels representing the current state of operation of the individual machines from the set 113 of the operating labels. Traffic labels correspond to different digits, different characters, or different symbols that distinguish between traffic (normal traffic is displayed), schedule pause (schedule pause appears), and scheduled interrupt (interrupt because of problems). The operating condition monitoring means 104 calculates operating conditions, operating time, unplanned interruption time, scheduled interruption time, off-time, pace of operation, and other information individually for each machine, and displays the results of these calculations on the monitor. In this way, in addition to the monitoring information representing the state of production and the number of cable harnesses not yet manufactured, the output monitoring information is provided representing the operating states of the respective production facilities. This makes it possible to adjust the load of the devices more optimally.

The actual production status database preparation means 105 receives information prepared by the production status monitoring means regarding the model, machine number, operating status, progress status, scheduled completion time, number of planned cable harnesses, number of cable harnesses already manufactured, number of cable harnesses not yet manufactured, the number of planned processes, the number of ongoing processes, and the number of processes remaining. After being transformed into a database, this information is supplied to server 7. Server 7 stores the database as actual production state data 701.

The operational performance database preparation means 106 receives the information prepared for each machine separately by the operating state monitoring means 104 for operating time, unplanned shutdown time, scheduled shutdown time, off-time, operating speed, and other information. The information is transformed into a database, and the database is delivered to server 7. Server 7 stores the database as operational performance data 703.

As shown in FIG. 2, the load setting support device may further comprise a form printing means that allows printing detailed information from all machine progress data 1 31, individual machine progress progress data 132, remaining cable harness data 141 and data 151 on production instructions or data 153 on the history of setting the load in the form of a form.

Operation of the load setting support device of FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 4 to 10, examples of windows displayed on the monitor screen during operation will be described. In FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating processing operations associated with one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4 is a window for monitoring the production 1 of the load adjustment support device, and FIG. 5 is a production monitoring window 2 of the load setting support device. In FIG. 6 shows a window for monitoring the operation 1 and FIG. 7 shows an operation monitoring window 2. FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a window showing the number of parts not yet manufactured. In FIG. 9 is a load adjustment window of the load adjustment support device, and FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a transferable instruction table window.

When the original process is interrupted by activating the switch of the load setting support device 7, in step S1 shown in FIG. 3 shows the production progress window. By means of the selection operation associated with step S1A, the production monitoring window associated with step S1B, the operation monitoring window associated with step S1C, or the number of remaining parts not belonging to step SIP can be displayed. Immediately after the main switch is turned on, the production monitoring window associated with step S1B or the operation monitoring window associated with step S1C appears, in accordance with the initial system setup. In step S2, it is decided whether or not to display the load adjustment window. After making the decision to switch the window, the process proceeds to step S3 (when YES is selected in step S2). Step S1 corresponds to the monitoring means defined in claim 1. It is assumed that the windows appearing in the 16 tracking processes of this embodiment of the invention are known Windows-based windows, but the present invention is not limited to Windows-based windows.

First, the display of the production monitoring window associated with step S1B will be described. As shown in FIG. 4 and 5, the production monitoring window 1 or the production monitoring window 2 is displayed in the production monitoring screen associated with step S1B. The two windows can be switched with each other by activating a button that will be described below. Immediately after activating the system, the Production Monitor 1 window appears in accordance with the initial system setup.

In the center of the production monitoring window 1 shown in FIG. 4 are bar graphs 21 representing the number of scheduled cable harnesses pertaining to a particular machine number (i.e., model and number) and the number of cable harnesses already produced. In this example, the white bar graph 218 with corresponding numerical values (e.g., 4,580) shows the number of scheduled cable bundles assigned to the machine number. In addition, a dark bar graph 219 is shown with corresponding numerical values (e.g., 0). Reference numeral 211 indicates the number of cable harnesses already made, the number of cable harnesses planned, and their relative ratio. Reference numeral 212 indicates the number of cable harnesses not yet manufactured. As mentioned above, information on the number of scheduled cable bundles assigned to the respective machine numbers is obtained from the schedule schedule file 111. Information on the number of cable harnesses already assigned to the respective machine numbers is obtained from the actual production state file 112. Information about the machine numbers belonging to the group to be monitored is obtained from the registry data 122 of the group. The bar graphs 218, 219 representing the above numbers, their ratio 211 and the number of 212 cable harnesses not yet manufactured are calculated and displayed in the window. The load adjustment button 213 is a button that the operator clicks with the mouse to continue switching the current window to the load adjustment window shown in FIG. 9. The button 214 is a button that the operator clicks with the mouse or other similar means to end the process. Similarly, the operator clicks the table display button 215 to continue switching the current window to the production monitoring window 2 shown in FIG. 5. The operator clicks the button 216 of the number of parts not yet manufactured, if desired, to switch the current window to the window for monitoring the number of parts not yet finished, shown in FIG. 8. In the upper left corner of the window, a check mark appears next to the traffic monitoring password, and the operator presses the OK button (not shown in the drawing) of the button 214 to convert the current window to the one shown in FIG. 6 (when NO is selected in step S2 and the operating state monitor associated with step S1A is displayed).

The information shown in FIG. 4 are shown in detail in the form of a table in the production monitoring window 2 shown in FIG. 5. In the center of the production monitoring window, the model number, machine number, operating status, progress status, scheduled completion time, number of cable harnesses planned, number of cable harnesses already made, number of cable harnesses not yet manufactured, number of planned processes , the number of currently running processes, and the number of remaining processes. The ratio 221 of the number of cable harnesses already made and the number of scheduled cable harnesses corresponds to the ratio 211 and the number 222 of the remaining cable harnesses not yet manufactured corresponds to the number of 212 of the cable harnesses remaining in FIG. 4. As mentioned above, information on the number of scheduled cable bundles assigned to the respective machine numbers is obtained from the schedule schedule file 111. Information on the number of cable harnesses already assigned to the respective machine numbers is obtained from the actual production state file 112. The unit number information is obtained from the unit number register data 121 and the machine number information belonging to the group to be monitored is obtained from the group register data 122. The information thus obtained, i. table, model, machine number, operating status, progress status, scheduled completion time and number of scheduled cable harnesses, and information calculated from the information thus obtained, i. the status, progress, number of scheduled processes, the number of cable harnesses not yet made, the number of scheduled processes, and the number of remaining processes are displayed in a table. In this example, the X assigned to the progress status field represents the delay status of the product. If production is successful, a appears in the box. The load setting button 223 corresponds to the load setting button 213 and the load setting button 224 corresponds to the load setting button 214. The operator clicks on the graph display button 225 to continue switching the window to the production monitoring window 1 shown in FIG. 4. A check mark appears next to the traffic monitoring password in the upper left corner of the window. When the operator presses the OK button (not shown) which is part of the button 224, the current window changes to the traffic monitoring window 2 shown in FIG. 7 (when NO is selected in step S2 and the operating state monitor associated with step SIA is displayed).

In this way, on the basis of the data stored on the server 7, in step S1B, monitoring information representing the progress of production in individual production facilities is displayed. In this way, realistic data can be obtained in real time, which can be used to adjust the load. Monitoring information is displayed on a personal computer monitor. In this way it is possible to immediately and intuitively monitor the progress of production. Here, step S1B corresponds to a production status monitoring means as defined in claim 4.

The display of the production monitoring window associated with step S1C will now be described. As shown in FIG. 6 and 7, the Production Monitor window T or the Production Monitor 2 window is displayed on the screen of the Production Monitor window associated with Step S1C. These two windows can be switched with each other by activating a button that will be described below.

In the center of the traffic monitoring window 1 shown in FIG. 6, is a bar graph 31 representing the rate of operation pertaining to a particular machine number (i.e., model and number). More specifically, as mentioned above, information about the machine numbers belonging to the group to be monitored is obtained from the group data 122 of the group. The information on the operational labels representing the current operating states of the respective machines is obtained from a set of 113 operating labels. The pace of operation of each machine is calculated and the pace of operation calculated in this way is displayed as a bar graph. Reference numeral 311 indicates the number of cable harnesses already made, the number of cable harnesses planned, and their relative ratio at the top of the window. In addition, the window displays the number of 3 12 cable harnesses not yet manufactured. The rate of operation 311 is obtained from the progress data 131 of the production of all machines, or the number 312 of remaining cable harnesses not yet produced is obtained from the progress data 132 of the production of individual machines. The operator clicks on the screen with the mouse or other similar method the load adjustment button 313 when it wishes to continue by switching this window to the load adjustment window shown in FIG. 9. The operator clicks the button 314 when he wishes to end the operation. Similarly, the operator clicks the table display button 315 to continue switching the window to the traffic monitoring window 2 shown in FIG. 7. A mark appears next to the production monitor password in the upper left corner of the window. When the operator presses the OK button (not shown in the drawing) of the button 314, the current window changes to the production monitor 1 (when NO is selected in step S2 and the operating status monitor associated with step S1A is displayed).

The information shown in FIG. 6 are shown in detail as numbers in the form of a table in the production monitoring window 2 shown in FIG. 7. In the middle of the traffic monitoring window 2 is a table 32 showing model numbers, machine numbers, production status, progress status, scheduled completion time, number of planned cable harnesses, number of cable harnesses already made, number of cable harnesses not yet produced, number of planned harnesses. processes, the number of currently running processes, and the number of remaining processes. As mentioned above, information about the machine numbers belonging to the group to be monitored is obtained from the group data 122 of the group. The information on the traffic labels representing the current operating states of the respective machine numbers is obtained from a set of 113 traffic labels. For each machine, the machine number, operating status, operating time, unplanned shutdown time, scheduled shutdown time, off-time, and pace of operation are calculated and displayed individually. Operation, scheduled interruption, and unscheduled interruption in the field of operation indicate normal operation, scheduled interruption, or unscheduled interruption. Reference numeral 321 indicates the number of cable harnesses already made, the number of cable harnesses planned, and their relative ratio at the top of the window. The number of 322 cable harnesses not yet manufactured is also displayed. These numbers are identical to those shown in FIG. 6 and their explanation is not given here. The operator clicks the graph display button 325 to switch the current window to the production monitoring window 1 shown in FIG. 6. A check mark appears next to the production monitor password in the upper left corner of the window. When the operator presses the OK button (not shown) that is part of the button 324, the current window changes to the production monitor 2 shown in FIG. 5 (when NO is selected in step S2 and the production status monitor associated with step SIA is displayed).

Based on the data stored on the server 7, in step S1C, monitored information representing the operational status of the respective production equipment is displayed. In this way, realistic data can be obtained in real time, which can be used to adjust the load. Viewing monitoring information on a personal computer monitor allows you to immediately and intuitively monitor operating status. Step S1C corresponds to the operational state monitoring means defined in claim 5.

The window for monitoring the number of remaining cable harnesses not yet produced, which is displayed in the SIP step, will now be described. In step S1D, a window for monitoring the number of cable harnesses not yet manufactured, shown in FIG. 8. At the center of the window of the number of remaining harnesses is the bar graphs 41 representing the number of remaining harnesses belonging to specific machine numbers (i.e., models and numbers). The top of the window shows the number of cable harnesses already made, the number of cable harnesses planned, and their relative ratio 411, as is the case with other windows. In addition, the window shows the number of 412 cable harnesses not yet made. The data displayed is obtained from the progress of production of all machines 131 or from the progress of production of individual machines 132. The operator clicks the load adjustment button 413 on the screen with a mouse or other similar method to wish to continue by switching this window to the load adjustment window shown in FIG. 9. When the operator wishes to terminate the operation, the mouse clicks the load adjustment button 414. Similarly, when the operator wishes to display the data displayed in the form of a bar graph in numerical form, he clicks the table view button 415. The numerical value display window is displayed as shown in FIG. 5, and therefore another picture of the window is omitted. When a mark appears in the upper left corner of the window next to the production monitor password, and the operator presses the OK button (not shown) that is part of button 414, the current window changes to the production monitor 1 shown in FIG. 4 (when NO is selected in step S2 and the production status monitor corresponding to step SIA is displayed). Similarly, when a mark is displayed next to the production monitoring password and the operator presses the OK button that is part of button 414, the current window changes to the operation monitoring window 1 shown in FIG. 6 (when NO is selected in step S2 and the operating state monitor associated with step S1A is displayed).

In the SIP step, monitoring information is displayed representing the number of cable harnesses not yet manufactured for the respective production equipment. In this way, realistic data can be reliably obtained in real time for the adjustment of the load. Monitoring information is displayed on a personal computer monitor. In this way, it is possible to immediately and intuitively monitor the number of cable harnesses not yet made. In this case, step S1D corresponds to a means for monitoring the number of cable harnesses not yet made.

In step S2, an instruction to display the load adjustment window is issued. In a subsequent step S3, it is determined whether the load should be adjusted on a batch basis or on a schedule schedule. More precisely, in step S3, it is decided whether the "batch-based" button or the "schedule-based" button in the screen window has been pressed. In this case, if it is determined that the "batch-based" button has been pressed, the process proceeds to steps S4 to S8. If it is determined that the "schedule breakdown" button has been pressed, the process continues with steps S9 to S11.

Dose-based movement will first be described. In step S4, a load adjustment window similar to that shown in FIG. 9. In the center of the load adjustment window, a bar graph 51 is shown representing the number of cable harnesses not yet produced corresponding to the individual machine numbers (model and machine number) as shown in FIG. 8. The data shown is obtained from the data described above for the number of 141 cable harnesses not yet manufactured. At the top of the screen are the machine source component specification section 511, the target file specification section 512, the machine target folder specification section 513, and the source file specification section 514.

Folders (or directories) 501, 502, 503, ... corresponding to the respective machine numbers are created on the server hard disk 7. For example, in a folder 503 corresponding to the machine number 503, a current manufacturing instruction set 503A, an urgent manufacturing instruction set 503B, and a first sequential set 503C, a second sequential set 503D, a third sequential set 503E, ... are stored. These files correspond to the plan layout described above, and the controller 9A (which controls the machine 503) sequentially prioritizes the files stored in the component 503 and assigns them to the urgent file 501B, the first sequential file 502C, the second sequential file 503D, the third sequential file 503E. thereby ensuring the performance of operations in accordance with the manufacturing instructions represented by these files. The same applies to the components 501, 502 corresponding to the remaining machines.

The current production instruction set 503A is a collection of production instructions that are currently being executed and cannot be moved. The current production instruction set 503A is protected so that it cannot be moved. In this case, the downstream set 503C, the second downstream set 503D, and the third downstream set 503E correspond to the set of common manufacturing instructions defined in claims 2 and 3.

As shown in FIG. 9, in step S5, the operator enters the name of the component to be moved to the machine source file specification section 511 and enters the file name to be moved to the destination file specification section 512 of the machine 23. In addition, the operator enters in the destination folder specification section 513 the name of the folder to be moved and in the destination file specification section 514 enters the name of the file to be moved. In the example shown, a portion of the workload of the machine 503 having the largest number of cable harnesses remaining (ie, set of urgent production instructions 503B) is redistributed to a machine 506 having the least number of cable harnesses remaining (ie set of urgent production instructions) ). The input operation is performed, for example, through a group leader or shift. At the time of the assignment operation, the operator can specify the workload shifts more precisely due to the detailed information displayed in the production monitoring window shown in FIG. 4 and 5 and in the traffic monitoring window shown in FIG. 6 and 7.

In this case, the move is performed on a batch-by-batch basis and there is an instruction search button 515B in the upper right window. The instruction search button 515B is used to select a batch to be moved from the specified set of urgent production instructions 503B. The button 515B is used to change the display of the current window to the moving instruction table window shown in FIG. 10. When the operator clicks the instruction search button 515B, the process proceeds to step S6. When the operator wishes to return to the production monitoring window shown in FIG. 4, clicks the button 516, for example, the "cancel" button located in the lower right corner of the window. Here, step S5 corresponds to the file specification means and the source file specification means defined in claim 3.

At step S6, the transferable instruction table window shown in FIG. 10. The data displayed, designated by 61, is obtained from the schedule schedule 111, serial number information relating to the batch, type, size of electric cable, color, wire length, terminal number and number of cables to be cut. In the window shown, highlighting numeric values means that in step S7, the production batch to be moved is marked by a predetermined operation in the normal display of the window. In this case, the number of marked batches is displayed by the number 612 of the moved instructions in the upper right corner of the window, and the total number of batches is shown by the number of 613 batches to move in the upper right corner of the window. Step S7 is a batch specification here.

In step S8, when the operator clicks the move button 611 displayed in the upper left corner of the window, the marked batch is moved to the destination file in the destination folder of the corresponding machine number entered in step S5. The details of the move are stored in the moveable data 152 shown in FIG. A button 614, such as a "cancel" button located in the lower right corner of the window, is equivalent to the button 516 shown in FIG. The step S8 here corresponds to the transfer realization means defined in claim 3.

In this way, a specific batch is assigned from the source file to which the desired priority is assigned and which can be moved to the desired destination. In this way it is possible to adjust the load based on the dose, which makes it possible to adjust the load more optimally.

In step S9, in which a move based on the schedule schedule has been selected and performed, a load adjustment window similar to the window that appears in step S4, such as that shown in FIG. 9. In this case, since the move based on schedule schedule has been selected, the instruction search button 515A is not accessible. Instead, a move button 515B is shown in the upper right corner of the window. In other respects, the display of the window is analogous to that described in connection with step S4, and therefore its explanation is omitted.

In step S10, in the machine source component specification section 511, the name of the machine number component to be moved is entered, and in the source file specification section 512 the file number of the machine number to be moved is described as described in connection with step S5. . In the machine destination folder specification 513, the operator enters the machine number component name to be moved, and in the destination file specification section 514 the machine number file name to be moved. Step S1Q corresponds to the source file specification resource and the destination file specification resource.

In step S11, when the operator clicks the move button 515B shown in the upper right corner of the window, the marked file is moved to the destination file in the destination folder of the respective machine number entered in step S10. The transfer details are stored in the manufacturing instruction data 151 shown in FIG.

2. The operator selects and moves repeatedly until the optimum load setting is reached. Step S11 corresponds to the move implementation means defined in claim 2. Further, steps S3 to S11 correspond to the load adjustment means defined in claim 1. In this way, by specifying the desired file from the source, the operator can move the files to the desired destination with the desired priority. This makes it possible to optimally adjust the utilization of the equipment.

As described, according to the present invention, the load adjustment support device is connected to the server via a network. Therefore, it is necessary to be able to obtain production instruction data, actual production status data and operation data at any time without difficulty, so that the output of monitoring information can be used to support load adjustment. The load setting means 103 allows the work load to be shifted between the production devices. More precisely, this device supports a load adjustment operation which has so far required a considerable amount of work.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. Many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in the sense of the above.

Claims (7)

PATENT CLAIMS 1. A load setting support device connected through a network to a server on which production instruction data pertaining to multiple production facilities is stored, actual production status data representing actual production of individual production equipment and operational data representing operating status of individual production equipment and which supports setting up utilization of individual production equipment using data stored on the server, characterized by: monitoring means for outputting monitoring information to support load adjustment based on any or all of the production instruction data, actual production status data, and operating data; and a load adjusting means for adjusting the load by transferring manufacturing instruction information pertaining to a particular manufacturing facility and contained in manufacturing instruction data that is stored on the server as manufacturing instruction information pertaining to another particular manufacturing facility. The load setting support device of claim 1, wherein the production instruction data stored on the server includes a set of actual production instructions that is arranged according to the production equipment and currently in use, a set of urgent production instructions to be used subsequently. after a set of current manufacturing instructions and a set of common manufacturing instructions to be used after a set of urgent manufacturing instructions; wherein the files consist of production instruction records for each batch separately, and in that the load adjustment means comprises: a source file specification means that allows to specify a set of urgent manufacturing instructions of the respective manufacturing equipment or a set of common manufacturing instructions as a load adjustment source; a target file specification means which allows to specify a set of urgent manufacturing instructions of the respective production equipment or a set of common manufacturing instructions as a load setting target; and a transmission implementation means that allows the file specified by the source file specification means or the destination file specification means from the source to the destination to be transmitted. The load setting support means of claim 1, wherein the production instruction data stored on the server includes a set of actual production instructions that is arranged according to the production equipment and currently in use, a set of urgent production instructions to be used subsequently. after a set of current manufacturing instructions and a set of common manufacturing instructions to be used after a set of urgent manufacturing instructions; wherein the files consist of production instruction records for each batch separately, the load adjustment means comprising: a file specification means which allows to specify a set of urgent manufacturing instructions or a set of routine manufacturing instructions of the respective manufacturing equipment included in the batch to be moved to adjust the load; a batch specification means that allows to specify a batch to be moved from the batches included in the file specified by the source file specification means as the source of the load adjustment; a target file specification means which allows to specify a set of urgent manufacturing instructions or a set of common manufacturing instructions of the respective production equipment or a set of common manufacturing instructions as a load setting target; and a means of performing transmissions that allows the batch specified by the batch specification means to be transferred to a file specified by the target file specification means. The load adjustment support device of claim 2, wherein the monitoring means comprises: a production condition monitoring means which, on the basis of production instruction data and actual production status data, makes it possible to provide monitoring information representing the state of progress of the production operations of the individual production facilities; and means for detecting the number of remaining, not yet manufactured parts, which, based on the state of production progress, makes it possible to provide monitoring information representing the number of remaining parts still to be produced by the individual production equipment. The load adjustment support device of claim 4, wherein the monitoring means comprises: an operational condition monitoring means which, based on the state of progress of the production and the operational data, makes it possible to provide monitoring information representing the operational status of the individual production facilities. The load adjustment support device of claim 5, wherein the means for monitoring the production status, the means for monitoring the number of remaining parts not yet manufactured, and the means for monitoring the operating status provide monitoring information to the display of the personal computer. The load setting support device according to claim 1, characterized in that the individual production equipment cuts the cable bundles based on the production instruction data and is distributed at the cutting site for carrying out the cutting operations.