Process management device, process management method, and storage medium storing process management program

Abstract

The process management device (200) has: a data input unit (240) that inputs various acquired information including operation data of each production device and request instruction information of a manager; a control unit (220) that, based on the operation data, arranges a work time line that indicates work time in each work process by length and a conveyance time line that indicates conveyance time in each conveyance process by slope on a work process management chart, outputs display data of the work process management chart that becomes a reference, that is, first display data, as output display data, and in a case where request instruction information for the first display data is input from the data input unit (240), outputs second display data as output display data, the second display data being display data of a work process management chart that visualizes a production status that is visualized by the first display data in a representation method of the work process management chart that is different from a representation method of the work process management chart displayed using the first display data; and a display unit (210) that displays the output display data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a process management device capable of visually displaying the production status of multiple products manufactured through multiple work processes. Background Technology

[0002] In the past, in product manufacturing, in order to manufacture products through multiple work processes, the operation time of each work process is managed based on the difference between the start time and the end time of the work process, and work processes that hinder productivity improvement are improved. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a process management device that uses a Gantt chart to visually represent the production status to manage multiple work processes. This process management device displays multiple work processes using a Gantt chart represented by a rectangular area with the start time of the work process as the leading edge and the end time of the work process as the trailing edge, thereby visually identifying the operation time and production waiting time of each work process, and easily identifying work processes that hinder productivity improvement.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-181058 Summary of the Invention

[0004] However, the Gantt chart used in Patent Document 1 is limited to a uniform display method, making it difficult to adapt to different situations and display it in a way that is easy to use. For example, the display area that can display the Gantt chart is limited, and when it is desired to adjust the display method to match the display area or to change it to a display method that is easy for managers to manage, the requested display method is not uniform in response to different situations.

[0005] The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a process management device that can flexibly represent the production status of each work process in response to the requests of the manager.

[0006] To address the aforementioned issues and achieve the objective, the process management device of the present invention is as follows: This process management device uses a two-dimensional coordinate system comprising a time axis representing the operation time of each work step and a process axis representing the changes in the work steps to visualize the production status of multiple products manufactured through multiple work steps. The process management device includes: a data input unit that inputs various acquired information, including operating data of each production equipment corresponding to each work step and request instructions from the manager; and a control unit that, based on the operating data, displays the operation time line (representing the operation time in each work step by its length) and the process management device (representing the changes in the work steps by its slope). The conveying timelines for each conveying process are arranged on the work process management chart, which will become the basis for the display data of the work process management chart, namely the first display data, which is output as the output display data. When a request instruction information for the first display data is input from the data input unit, a second display data is output as the output display data. This second display data is based on the request instruction information and uses a work process management chart display method that is different from the work process management chart display method that uses the first display data to visualize the production status. The display unit displays the output display data.

[0007] The effects of the invention

[0008] The process management device of the present invention achieves the effect of flexibly displaying the production status of each work process in response to the manager's requests. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the overall structure of the process management system, which includes the process management device involved in Embodiment 1.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the structure of the process management device involved in Embodiment 1.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the database in the storage unit according to Embodiment 1.

[0012] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the manufacturing process involved in Embodiment 1.

[0013] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing an example of the display data of the work process management diagram displayed by the process management device according to Embodiment 1.

[0014] Figure 6This is a diagram illustrating an example of wiring configuration data generated by the process management device according to Embodiment 1.

[0015] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the first display data shown by the process management device according to Embodiment 1.

[0016] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the second display data displayed by the process management device according to Embodiment 1.

[0017] Figure 9 It means in Figure 7 The illustrated work order management chart features an additional section displaying an example of work order management chart display data to aid in understanding production status.

[0018] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating the process by which the process management device involved in Implementation 1 generates the first display data.

[0019] Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating the process by which the process management device involved in Implementation 1 generates second display data.

[0020] Figure 12 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware structure in the case where a computer system is used to implement the functions of the process management device involved in Implementation Method 1.

[0021] Figure 13 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the manufacturing process involved in Embodiment 2.

[0022] Figure 14 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the first display data displayed by the process management device according to Embodiment 2.

[0023] Figure 15 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the second display data displayed by the process management device according to Embodiment 2.

[0024] Figure 16 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the first display data displayed by the process management device according to Embodiment 3.

[0025] Figure 17 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the second display data displayed by the process management device according to Embodiment 3.

[0026] Figure 18 This is a diagram illustrating an example of first display data generated by the process management device involved in Embodiment 4, which visualizes the production status when multiple products coexist using the same presentation method as in Embodiment 1.

[0027] Figure 19 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the operating data used by the process management device involved in Embodiment 4.

[0028] Figure 20 It means to Figure 18 The diagram shows an example of the first display data after the wiring format of the first display data has been changed.

[0029] Figure 21 This is a diagram showing the structure of the process management device involved in Embodiment 5.

[0030] Figure 22 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the first display data generated by the process management device according to Embodiment 5. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The process management apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0032] Implementation Method 1

[0033] Figure 1 This diagram illustrates the overall structure of a process management system, which includes the process management device described in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The process management system includes a data collection device 300, a process management device 200, and multiple production devices 400. The manufacturing process of a product is configured by combining multiple work processes, with each corresponding production device 400 undertaking each work process. During product manufacturing, the data collection device 300 collects operational data from the production devices 400 undertaking each work process and sends the collected operational data to the process management device 200. In this embodiment, as an example, the operational data represents the time when the corresponding production device 400 begins manufacturing for each product in each work process (i.e., the start time of the work) and the time when manufacturing ends (i.e., the end time of the work). However, this is not a limitation; the operational data can be used for production management. That is, the "start time of the work" is the time when work begins for each product in each work process, and the "end time of the work" is the time when work ends for each product in each work process. The process management device 200 displays display data that has been processed according to a specific representation method.

[0034] Figure 2 It means Figure 1The diagram shows the structure of the process management device 200. The process management device 200 includes a control unit 220, a storage unit 230, a data input unit 240, and a display unit 210. The data input unit 240 inputs various acquired information and stores it in the storage unit 230. This acquired information includes operating data of each production equipment 400 corresponding to each work process collected by the data collection device 300, manager request instructions, and various setting information. The storage unit 230 stores various information necessary for visualizing the production status of products manufactured through multiple work processes, including various acquired information. For example, the storage unit 230 stores operating data in a database format, managing the operating data for each work process and each product number. Additionally, the storage unit 230 also stores setting information, including wiring formats such as work timelines and transport timelines, and manager request instructions, which will be described later. The control unit 220 is a control device that performs the control necessary for visualizing the production status of products in each work process. The control unit 220 obtains operational data from the storage unit 230 and outputs the processed display data, which allows for visualization of the production status based on the obtained operational data, to the display unit 210 as output display data for the work process management chart. The control unit 220 includes a wiring configuration unit 221, a wiring generation unit 222, a wiring adjustment unit 223, and an output unit 224. The display unit 210 displays the output display data for the work process management chart.

[0035] Work order management charts are used to manage the production status of products manufactured through multiple work orders. Because they visually represent operational data in an easy-to-understand way, managers can easily grasp the production status simply by looking at the work order management chart. A detailed explanation of work order management charts follows.

[0036] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the data structure of the database possessed by the storage unit 230. In Figure 3 As an example, this illustrates how data can be stored in a database format. Figure 4The data structure shown stores operational data in cases where multiple products are repeatedly manufactured by producing workpieces through multiple work processes. The database in the storage unit 230 stores the start and end times of each work process for each workpiece with a specific product number. A "product number" is a unique identifier assigned to each product manufactured in the factory. For example, the operational data for product number "SN0001" indicates that manufacturing in work process 1 started at "08:00:00" and ended at "08:10:00," then manufacturing in work process 2 started at "08:15:00" and ended at "08:20:00," then manufacturing in work process 3 started at "08:25:00" and ended at "08:35:00," and then manufacturing in work process 4 started at "08:40:00" and ended at "08:50:00." In addition, the product number is a number assigned to each actual product, but the same number can also be assigned to each group of products.

[0037] exist Figure 5 The image shows an example of the display data of the work process management diagram displayed by the work process management device 200. Figure 5 In the display section Figure 3 The operational data shown is presented as a work order management chart. The work order management chart consists of a two-dimensional coordinate system with a time axis representing time and a process axis representing work orders. That is, the work order management chart comprises a time axis representing the operation time of each work order and a process axis representing the changes in the manufacturing process. By configuring the operational data of each product number to the corresponding coordinate positions for wiring display, it visually represents the operation time of each work order, the conveying time of each conveying process, and the production waiting time of each work order for each of multiple products. Production waiting time also includes scheduling time. Figure 5 In the diagram, operation 1 is the upstream operation, and downstream operations are shown as the process moves to the right. Time axes t1, t2, t3, and t4 represent the timelines involved in operation 1, operation 2, operation 3, and operation 4, respectively. Furthermore, in... Figure 5 In the example, the time axis is configured on the vertical axis of the work process management chart, and the process axis is configured on the horizontal axis, but the configuration of the time axis and the process axis can also be reversed.

[0038] Line segments connecting the coordinates corresponding to the start and end times of each work process represent the work time within that process; this is then called the work timeline. Furthermore, in the work timeline, the coordinate point corresponding to the start time of the work is sometimes called the "start point of the work timeline," and the coordinate point corresponding to the end time of the work is sometimes called the "end point of the work timeline." For example, Figure 5 The work timeline 11 shown illustrates that in work process 1, the work on the first product (product number SN0001) (hereinafter referred to as "the first workpiece") begins at "08:00:00" and ends at "08:10:00". The longer the work timeline, the more time is spent on that work process. For ease of understanding, in... Figure 5 The system displays the product number (e.g., "SN0001"), the start time of the operation (e.g., "08:00:00"), and the end time of the operation (e.g., "08:10:00"), but this is not always necessary. The system can be set to display the information in a way that matches the administrator's preferences.

[0039] Furthermore, the transport time spent transporting the workpiece from the first operation in a series of operations to the subsequent operation (hereinafter referred to as the "second operation") corresponds to the slope of the line segment (hereinafter referred to as the "transport time line") connecting the end point of the time line of the first operation and the beginning point of the time line of the second operation. For example, Figure 5 The conveying timeline 1a shown indicates that for the first workpiece, conveying begins at "08:10:00" from operation 1 and ends at "08:15:00" from operation 2. The steeper the slope of the conveying timeline, the more conveying time is spent between the first and second operation processes.

[0040] Furthermore, the production waiting time in each work process corresponds to the interval (hereinafter referred to as the "work timeline interval") between the end of the work timeline involving the first product and the start of the work timeline involving the product following the first product (hereinafter referred to as the "second product") on the timeline of multiple products in the same work process. For example, Figure 5 The time intervals of 1T, 2T, 3T, and 4T shown represent the production waiting time for process 2. The wider the time interval, the more production waiting time is spent.

[0041] The process management device 200 displays the data of such a work process management chart, thereby assisting in determining the following three reasons based on the characteristics of the length of the work timeline, the interval of the work timeline, or the slope of the transport timeline.

[0042] 1. Insufficient production capacity of production equipment

[0043] In a certain work process, if the time intervals between all work processes are wider than required, it suggests that the production capacity of the corresponding production equipment in the work processes before and after that work process may be insufficient relative to the production plan.

[0044] use Figure 5 Let's illustrate this with an example. In an ideal production plan, to improve overall factory efficiency, the production waiting time in each work process should be minimized. However, as production waiting time, each work process requires a certain amount of scheduling time and other predetermined time. Figure 5 The example illustrates a situation where, in operation 2, the time intervals of 1T, 2T, 3T, and 4T are all longer than the specified time. In such cases, due to insufficient production capacity of the production equipment corresponding to the operations before and after operation 2, useless adjustment time beyond the specified time may occur during the production waiting time of operation 2.

[0045] For example, if the production capacity of the equipment in process 1 is insufficient, the processing time for all products in process 1 will increase. As a result, the start time of the next process 2 will be later, and the time intervals of 1T, 2T, 3T, and 4T will be wider than the specified time. Therefore, if in a certain process, all the time intervals are wider than required, it suggests that the production capacity of the corresponding equipment in the processes before and after that process may be insufficient relative to the production plan.

[0046] 2. Conveying failures between work processes

[0047] If the slope of the transport timeline related to a certain product is greater than the slope of the transport timelines related to other products within the same work process, it suggests that a transport failure may have occurred between the work processes.

[0048] pass Figure 5Let's illustrate with an example. For instance, when the work for the second product (product number SN0002) (hereinafter referred to as "the second workpiece") is completed in operation step 3, and the second workpiece is being transported to operation step 4, normally, without a transport failure, in operation step 4, after the work for the first workpiece is completed, if the required time interval (such as scheduling) is allowed, the work for the second workpiece transported from operation step 3 can begin immediately in operation step 4. Therefore, the slope of the transport timeline is the same as the slope of the transport timeline 1c of the first workpiece, which is transported as usual. However, for the second workpiece, if a transport failure occurs when transporting the workpiece to operation step 4 after the work for operation step 3 is completed, and the transport time between operation step 3 and operation step 4 is longer than usual, the second workpiece arrives at operation step 4 later, and the start time of the work is later than originally planned. Therefore, Figure 5 The slope of the conveying timeline 2c is between operation 3 and operation 4, and is greater than the slope of other conveying timelines 1c, 3c, 4c, and 5c that did not experience conveying failures.

[0049] In contrast, Figure 5 In the case of transport timeline 4b, the slope is greater than that of transport timeline 3b for the third product (product number SN0003) (hereinafter referred to as "the third workpiece"). This is because the operation time for the third workpiece in operation step 3 is longer than planned, and the start time of operation for the fourth product (product number SN0004) (hereinafter referred to as "the fourth workpiece") in operation step 3 is later than originally planned. In this case, although... Figure 5 The slope of transport timeline 4b is large, but the interval between transport timelines in operation step 3 is not greater than or equal to the required interval. Therefore, the interval between a transport timeline m2 and a subsequent transport timeline n2 on the same time axis in the second operation step is greater than or equal to the required interval. Given that the slope of the transport timeline connected to the starting point of transport timeline n2 is greater than the slope of other transport timelines between the first and second operations, this suggests a possible transport failure between operations.

[0050] 3. Production failure

[0051] If, on the timeline of the same work process, the timeline of the work related to a certain product is longer than the timeline of the work related to other products, it suggests that a production failure may have occurred during the work process for that product.

[0052] pass Figure 5Let's illustrate with an example. In operation 3, if a production failure occurs during the operation on the third workpiece, the operation time is longer than usual. Therefore, Figure 5 The length of operation timeline 33 is longer than that of operation timelines 13, 23, 43, and 53, which are related to other products that did not cause production failures. Therefore, in the same operation process, when the operation timeline related to a certain product is longer than that related to other products, it suggests that a production failure may have occurred when the operation for that product was performed.

[0053] The various structures of the control unit 220 will be described. Based on the operation data, the wiring configuration unit 221 configures a first mark (●) indicating the start time of the operation and a second mark (▼) indicating the end time of the operation at the corresponding coordinate positions on the work process management chart. The specific processing performed by the wiring configuration unit 221 will be described. First, the wiring configuration unit 221 retrieves operation data from the database in the storage unit 230 for each product number. Then, from the retrieved operation data for each product number, it extracts the start time and end time of each work process, and the number of work processes required to manufacture one product, i.e., the number of work processes.

[0054] Next, the wiring configuration unit 221 calculates each scale of the time axis and process axis that constitute the coordinates of the work process management chart based on the maximum value of the extracted work end time, the number of work processes, and the display area designated for the work process management chart. In this case, the scale of the process axis corresponds to the interval of the time axis, and therefore is sometimes referred to as the interval of the time axis.

[0055] Specifically, when displaying the work sequence management diagram in the designated display area, the wiring configuration unit 221 calculates the time axis scale and time axis interval based on the extracted maximum value of the work end time, the number of work sequences, and the display area where the work sequence management diagram is displayed, so that the work sequence management diagram converges to the designated display area. The time axis interval is calculated at equal intervals. The wiring configuration unit 221 stores the calculated time axis scale and time axis interval as coordinate system setting information for the work sequence management diagram in the storage unit 230. Thus, the wiring configuration unit 221 generates a coordinate system for the work sequence management diagram suitable for the designated display area.

[0056] Next, the wiring configuration unit 221 configures a first mark (●) and a second mark (▼) at the corresponding coordinate positions on the work process management chart based on the extracted start and end times of each work process. By repeating the same processing on the operation data of all product numbers, the wiring configuration unit 221 generates wiring configuration data at the corresponding coordinate positions on the work process management chart. This wiring configuration data is display data configuring the first mark (●) and the second mark (▼) in each work process.

[0057] For example, according to Figure 3 When generating wiring configuration data based on the shown operating data, the wiring configuration unit 221 performs the following processing: The wiring configuration unit 221 obtains the start time "08:00:00" and end time "08:10:00" for operation step 1, in relation to the product with product number "SN0001". Additionally, the wiring configuration unit 221 obtains the start time "08:15:00" and end time "08:20:00" for operation step 2, in relation to the product with product number "SN0001". Furthermore, the wiring configuration unit 221 obtains the start time "08:25:00" and end time "08:35:00" for operation step 3, in relation to the product with product number "SN0001". Finally, the wiring configuration unit 221 obtains the start time "08:40:00" and end time "08:50:00" for operation step 4, in relation to the product with product number "SN0001".

[0058] Next, the wiring configuration unit 221, based on the start time "08:00:00" and end time "08:10:00" of operation 1 for the product with product number "SN0001", configures the first mark (●) and the second mark (▼) at the corresponding coordinate positions on the operation process management chart. Additionally, based on the start time "08:15:00" and end time "08:20:00" of operation 2 for the product with product number "SN0001", the wiring configuration unit 221 configures the first mark (●) and the second mark (▼) at the corresponding coordinate positions on the operation process management chart. Furthermore, based on the start time "08:25:00" and end time "08:35:00" of operation 3 for the product with product number "SN0001", the wiring configuration unit 221 configures the first mark (●) and the second mark (▼) at the corresponding coordinate positions on the operation process management chart. Additionally, the wiring configuration unit 221, based on the start time "08:40:00" and end time "08:50:00" in operation process 4 of the product with product number "SN0001", configures a first mark (●) and a second mark (▼) at the corresponding coordinate positions on the operation process management chart. The same process is performed for all product numbers, configuring the first mark (●) and the second mark (▼) at the corresponding coordinate positions on the operation process management chart, thereby generating... Figure 6 The wiring configuration data shown.

[0059] The wiring generation unit 222 generates a work timeline by connecting the first mark (●) and the second mark (▼) configured on the work process management chart that correspond to the same product number and the same work process. That is, based on the wiring configuration data, the wiring generation unit 222 generates a work timeline by connecting the first mark (●) and the second mark (▼) configured on the timeline of each of the first and second work processes in the multiple work processes for each of the multiple products.

[0060] Additionally, the wiring generation unit 222 generates a delivery timeline by connecting the second mark (▼) in the first work process and the first mark (●) in the second work process of a product, which are arranged in the first mark (●) and the second mark (▼) on the work process management chart. Using... Figure 7 The processing performed by the wiring generation unit 222 will be explained. Figure 7 This diagram illustrates the process performed by the wiring generation unit 222. Figure 7 It is based on Figure 6 The diagrams of the operation timeline and delivery timeline were generated based on the wiring configuration data shown.

[0061] For example, the wiring generation unit 222 connects the first mark (●) and the second mark (▼) in operation step 1 for the product with product number "SN0001" to generate operation timeline 11 in operation step 1. Similarly, for the product with product number "SN0001", the wiring generation unit connects the first mark (●) and the second mark (▼) in the remaining operation steps to generate operation timelines 12 to 14. At this time, the wiring generation unit 222 generates the operation timeline according to the format of the operation timeline preset from the data input unit 240 and stored in the storage unit 230. For example, as the format of the operation timeline, the color of the wiring, the type of wiring, the thickness of the wiring, the type of the first mark of the wiring, the type of the second mark of the wiring, etc., can be set. Figure 7 In the example, the job timeline is generated from solid lines.

[0062] Next, the wiring generation unit 222 generates a transport timeline 1a by connecting the second mark (▼) of work timeline 11 and the first mark (●) of work timeline 12 for the product with product number "SN0001". Similarly, for the product with product number "SN0001", the wiring generation unit generates transport timelines 1b and 1c by connecting the second mark (▼) of work timeline and the first mark (●) of work timeline between the remaining work processes. At this time, the wiring generation unit generates the transport timeline according to the transport timeline format preset from the data input unit 240 and stored in the storage unit 230. For example, the transport timeline format can be set by specifying the color of the wire, the type of wire, the thickness of the wire, the type of the first mark of the wire, the type of the second mark of the wire, etc. Figure 7 In the example, the delivery timeline is generated using a single-dot dashed line. By setting different formats for the operation timeline and the delivery timeline, managers can easily distinguish and identify the two visually.

[0063] Wiring generation unit 222 performs this process repeatedly for other product numbers, generating... Figure 7 The display data of the work sequence management chart that serves as the basis (hereinafter referred to as "first display data"). That is, the first display data is the display data before adjustments are made to the representation method of the work sequence management chart. For example, if the display data of the work sequence management chart that serves as the basis is generated in an easy-to-use manner and initially matches the overall display area of ​​the screen, then it is the first display data; or, if the display data of the work sequence management chart that serves as the basis is generated in an easy-to-use manner and initially matches half of the display area of ​​the screen, then it is the first display data. Furthermore, in Figure 7In this process, the line segment containing the first mark (●) and the second mark (▼) is designated as the work time line. The wiring generation unit 222 stores the generated first display data in the storage unit 230.

[0064] When the wiring adjustment unit 223 receives a request instruction from the data input unit 240 for the manager of the first display data, it adjusts the display method of the first display data accordingly and generates second display data based on the first display data. That is, when the wiring adjustment unit 223 receives a request instruction from the data input unit 240 for the manager of the first display data, it generates second display data based on the request instruction. This second display data is a display data of a work process management diagram that visualizes the production status visualized using the first display data, but in a different way than the work process management diagram displayed using the first display data. In other words, both the first and second display data are display data of a work process management diagram that visualizes the same production status, but the second display data is a display data of a work process management diagram whose display method has been adjusted.

[0065] Here, we will explain a situation where the method of displaying the work process management chart needs to be adjusted. However, this is just an example and is not limited to it. Even if the display unit 210 has a sufficient display area, the display area that can display the work process management chart is limited, and the display size of the work process management chart is sometimes limited. For example, initially, the first display data is created to match the overall display area of ​​the screen, and then sometimes it is desired to display other information on the same screen simultaneously. In such cases, for example, the work process management chart is displayed in half of the display area of ​​the screen, and other information is displayed in the remaining half of the display area, thus limiting the display area that can display the work process management chart. However, by converging on such a limited display area, the display area can be adjusted to display the work process management chart. Figure 7 If the work process management chart displayed in the first display data is compressed and then displayed, and the display data of the work process management chart is generated by simply matching the scale of the work process management chart displayed in the first display data directly with the display size of the limited display area, it may be difficult to visually recognize and display the work process management chart.

[0066] For example, when the scale is changed to match the display size of the limited display area and the work process management chart displayed using the first display data is displayed, if the work process management chart displayed using the first display data is compressed in the time axis direction, the work timeline is also compressed and deformed in the time axis direction, which will also make it difficult to visually identify. Therefore, it is not preferred for managing work processes.

[0067] use Figure 7 and Figure 8 This indicates that the presentation method is adjusted to generate the processing order of the second display data. This presentation method ensures that the work timeline is not distorted even when displaying a work process management chart that is compressed in the time axis direction using the work process management chart displayed using the first display data. Figure 8 This diagram illustrates the process performed by the wiring adjustment unit 223. Figure 8 Is it to Figure 7 The example shown is a work process management chart generated by adjusting the presentation method of a second display data source when the work process management chart using the first display data is compressed by a compression rate of 1 / 2 in the time axis direction. The second display data source is used to compress the work process management chart using the first display data without altering the length of each work timeline in the time axis direction.

[0068] When the work process management chart displayed by the first display data is compressed in the time axis direction, the wiring adjustment unit 223 calculates the tilt angle that tilts the work time lines based on the compression rate in the time axis direction, and then tilts each work time line on the work process management chart according to the calculated tilt angle.

[0069] Specifically, firstly, for example, a manager inputs a request instruction from the data input department stating, "Change the work process management chart displayed on the first display to a work process management chart compressed by 1 / 2 in the time axis direction." Here, it is assumed that the request instruction is input in text form, but the method of inputting the request instruction is just an example and is not limited to this.

[0070] Next, the wiring adjustment unit 223 parses the content of the request instruction information and adjusts the display method based on the parsing results. Specifically, firstly, the wiring adjustment unit 223 calculates the tilt angle of the work timeline based on the parsing results of the request instruction information. When the work process management chart displayed using the first display data is compressed in the time axis direction with a compression ratio X, the tilt angle θ of the work timeline can be calculated using the following formula (1).

[0071] [Mathematical Expression 1]

[0072] θ=arccosX … (1)

[0073] When the compression ratio X = 1 / 2, the tilt angle θ = 60 degrees can be calculated according to equation (1). Furthermore, the wiring adjustment unit 223 generates the coordinate system of the work process management diagram displayed using the second display data based on the parsing results of the request instruction information. Specifically, the wiring adjustment unit 223 reads the setting information of the coordinate system of the work process management diagram displayed using the first display data stored in the storage unit 230, multiplies the setting information of the time axis scale by the compression ratio 1 / 2, calculates the scale of the time axis of the work process management diagram displayed using the second display data, and stores it in the storage unit 230 as the setting information of the coordinate system of the work process management diagram displayed using the second display data. When the work process management diagram displayed using the first display data is compressed by 1 / 2 in the time axis direction, since the setting information of the process axis scale remains unchanged, the scale of the process axis of the work process management diagram displayed using the first display data is stored in the storage unit 230 as the setting information of the coordinate system of the work process management diagram displayed using the second display data. Therefore, the wiring adjustment unit 223 compresses the work process management chart displayed by the first display data by 1 / 2 in the time axis direction, and generates a coordinate system of the work process management chart displayed by the second display data.

[0074] Next, the wiring adjustment unit 223 uses the midpoint of each work timeline on the work process management chart displayed on the first display as a fulcrum, tilting the second mark (▼) of each work timeline towards the process axis at a calculated tilt angle of 60 degrees, while maintaining the same length. Sometimes, a work timeline tilted towards the process axis while maintaining the same length, in accordance with the compression ratio, is referred to as a "tilted work timeline." Next, the wiring adjustment unit 223 reads the time axis scale setting information from the storage unit 230, and compresses the time axis by changing the scale of the time axis displayed on the work process management chart to that displayed on the second display. Next, the wiring adjustment unit 223 moves each tilted work timeline parallel to the time axis, so that the position of the first mark of each tilted work timeline on the time axis scale of the work process management chart displayed on the second display matches the start time of each work corresponding to each tilted work timeline. Next, the wiring adjustment unit 223 rewires each conveying timeline to match the tilted operation timelines after parallel movement, maintaining the connection between each operation timeline and each conveying timeline in the operation process management chart displayed using the first display data, and generates second display data. As a result, it is possible to obtain... Figure 8Such second display data. The wiring adjustment unit 223 stores the generated second display data in the storage unit 230.

[0075] The output unit 224 outputs the first display data as output display data for the work process management chart to the display unit 210 until a request instruction for the first display data is input from the data input unit. When a request instruction for the first display data is input from the data input unit, the output unit 224 outputs the second display data as output display data for the work process management chart to the display unit 210. Hereinafter, the first display data and the second display data are sometimes collectively referred to as "display data for the work process management chart". Furthermore, the above explanation illustrates that managers can identify the causes hindering productivity improvement by confirming the characteristic quantities of the feature parts that serve as indicators of production status, such as the length of the operation timeline, the interval between operation timelines, or the slope of the transport timeline on the operation process management chart. However, allowable values ​​can also be preset for each characteristic quantity in the process management device. The output unit extracts the characteristic quantities of the feature parts that serve as indicators of production status from the operation process management chart displayed on the operation process management chart. If the characteristic quantity of a feature part exceeds the allowable value, the display data of the operation process management chart with an additional identification display to help grasp the production status of that feature part is output as the output display data of the operation process management chart.

[0076] For example, allowable values ​​for the timeline intervals of each work process can be pre-set. In a particular work process, if all timeline intervals are greater than or equal to the allowable values, the output unit adds an identification display indicating that all timeline intervals are greater than or equal to the allowable values. For example, this could involve displaying a symbol (×) for each timeline interval on the timeline of that work process; however, the identification display method is not limited to this method as long as it indicates that all timeline intervals are greater than or equal to the allowable values. When this identification display is added to the timeline intervals, the manager is aware of the risk that the production capacity of the production equipment involved in the work processes before and after the work process with the added identification display may be insufficient.

[0077] Furthermore, an allowable value for the slope of the transport timeline is pre-set for each work process. When a transport timeline has a slope greater than or equal to the allowable value, the output unit adds an identification display to that transport timeline indicating a risk of inter-process transport failure. For example, methods could include displaying the transport timeline with a different color scheme than transport timelines that do not experience transport failures. However, the identification display method is not limited to this method as long as it indicates a risk of inter-process transport failure at that transport timeline.

[0078] Furthermore, an allowable length for the work timeline is pre-set for each work process. When a work timeline has a length greater than or equal to the allowable value, the output unit adds an identification display indicating a risk of production failure in that work process. For example, there are methods such as displaying the work timeline with a different color scheme than work timelines that have not caused production failures, but the identification display method is not limited to this method as long as it can indicate a risk of production failure in that work process.

[0079] Figure 9 This indicates that an identification display will be added to assist in understanding the production status. Figure 7 The diagram shown is an example of a work order management chart displaying data, representing a characteristic portion of the work order management chart. Figure 9 In the diagram, as an example of an identification display indicating that all work timeline intervals are greater than or equal to the allowable value, a mark (×) is added to the corresponding work timeline interval. Additionally, as an example of an identification display indicating that there is a risk of inter-process transport failure, a mark (△) is added to the corresponding transport timeline. Furthermore, as an example of an identification display indicating that there is a risk of production failure in a work process, a mark (◎) is added to the corresponding work timeline.

[0080] In this way, by pre-setting a predetermined judgment criterion in the process management device 200, the output unit 224 automatically adds identification displays to the feature parts on the work process management chart according to the judgment criterion. Therefore, managers do not need to search for feature parts themselves and can easily determine the reasons that hinder productivity improvement. That is, the output unit 224 extracts the feature quantities of the feature parts that are the judgment indicators of whether the production status is good or bad from the work process management chart displayed using the first display data and the second display data. Based on the pre-defined allowable values ​​for each feature quantity, the output unit 224 outputs the display data of the work process management chart, which adds identification displays to the feature parts of the work process management chart displayed using the first display data or the second display data to help grasp the production status, as the output display data of the work process management chart. Therefore, managers can easily grasp the production status.

[0081] Next, the process of generating the first display data executed by the process management device 200 will be described. Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of generating the first display data. First, the wiring configuration unit 221 obtains operation data from the storage unit 230 (step 1). Specifically, the wiring configuration unit 221 obtains operation data from the database in the storage unit 230 for each product number, and extracts the start time and end time of each operation and the number of operation operations.

[0082] Next, based on the information extracted in step 1, the wiring configuration unit 221 generates a coordinate system for the work process management chart displayed using the first display data in a manner that the first display data converges to the display area designated for the first display data (step 2) when displaying the first display data on the display area designated for the first display data.

[0083] Next, the wiring configuration unit 221 configures the first mark (●) and the second mark (▼) at the corresponding coordinate positions on the work process management chart based on the extracted start and end times of each work process (step 3). Next, the wiring generation unit 222 connects the first mark (●) and the second mark (▼) configured on the work process management chart that correspond to the same product number and the same work process to generate a work timeline (step 4).

[0084] Next, the wiring generation unit 222 will connect the second mark (▼) of the work timeline involved in the first work process and the first mark (●) of the work timeline involved in the second work process from the first mark (●) and the second mark (▼) configured on the work process management chart to generate the delivery timeline (step 5). In addition, the order of step 4 and step 5 can be reversed or executed simultaneously in parallel.

[0085] Next, the output unit outputs the first display data generated by the processing up to step 5 to the display unit 210 as the output display data for the work process management chart (step 6).

[0086] Next, the process of generating the second display data executed by the process management device 200 will be described. Figure 11This is a flowchart illustrating the process of generating the second display data. First, the manager inputs a request instruction message for the first display data from the data input unit 240 (step 7). Next, the wiring adjustment unit 223 generates a coordinate system for the work process management chart displayed using the second display data (step 8). Next, the wiring adjustment unit 223 parses the content of the request instruction message (step 9). Next, based on the parsing result of the request instruction message content, the wiring adjustment unit 223 adjusts the first display data to the representation method corresponding to the request instruction, generating the second display data (step 10). In Embodiment 1, by tilting the work timeline on the work process management chart displayed using the first display data, second display data compressed in the time axis direction is generated without changing the length of the work timeline on the work process management chart displayed using the first display data. Next, the output unit 224 outputs the second display data to the display unit 210 as output display data for the work process management chart (step 11).

[0087] As described above, in this embodiment, when it is desired to compress the work process management chart displayed using the first display data in the time axis direction, the process management device 200 maintains each work timeline at the same length while tilting it, thus preventing distortion of the work timelines. This generates and displays second display data that compresses the work process management chart displayed using the first display data in the time axis direction. Therefore, by reviewing the work process management chart displayed using the second display data, managers can accurately grasp the production status without compromising its clarity. Furthermore, by displaying the work timelines and transport timelines in different formats and adding identification displays to the characteristic parts of the work process management chart, managers can better understand the production status and identify the reasons hindering productivity improvement.

[0088] Next, the hardware structure of the process management device 200 according to Embodiment 1 will be described. Each functional unit of the process management device 200 is implemented using a computer system such as a personal computer or a general-purpose computer. Figure 12 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware structure when the functions of the process management device 200 according to Implementation Method 1 are implemented using a computer system.

[0089] The process management device 200 has a processor 901 that performs various processes, a memory 902 that serves as built-in memory, an external storage device 903 that stores various information, an input interface 904 that accepts the input of various information, and a display 905 that displays various information.

[0090] Processor 901 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Processor 901 can also be a processing device, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The functions of control unit 220 are implemented by processor 901, software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software or firmware is described as a program and stored in external storage device 903. Processor 901 reads the software or firmware stored in external storage device 903 into memory 902 and executes it.

[0091] The memory 902 is a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory, such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), or EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). The external storage device 903 is an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive). The functions of the storage unit 230 are implemented using the external storage device 903.

[0092] Input interface 904 handles the input of information from data collection device 300 and administrator. Input interface 904 also includes input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, or touch panel. The functions of data input unit 240 are implemented using input interface 904. The functions of display unit 210 are implemented using display 905.

[0093] Implementation Method 2

[0094] In Embodiment 2, a process management device is described that allows managers to easily identify the production status even when the manufacturing process includes parallel processes performing the same task in parallel. This device adjusts the representation method of the work process management chart. The structure of the process management device in Embodiment 2 is the same as that of the process management device 200 in Embodiment 1, therefore, its description is omitted.

[0095] When the production capacity of a single production machine is insufficient for a particular work process, sometimes the production capacity can be compensated by having multiple production machines perform the same task in parallel. For example, as illustrated below... Figure 13As shown in the manufacturing process, in operation step 2, the same task is performed in parallel by production equipment 2a and production equipment 2b. Regarding the production status of such a manufacturing process, using the same method as generating the first display data in Embodiment 1, the operation step management diagram generated by dividing operation step 2 performed by production equipment 2a into operation step 2a and operation step 2 performed by production equipment 2b into operation step 2b is as follows: Figure 14 In addition, time axes t2a and t2b are the time axes for operation 2a and operation 2b, respectively.

[0096] exist Figure 14 In the case of a work process management chart displayed on the first display, even if no inter-process transport failure occurs, the slopes of the transport time lines 6b between work processes 2a and 3, and 7a between work processes 1 and 2b, appear to be gentler than the slopes of the transport time lines 6a and 7b between other work processes. Therefore, it may hinder the manager from conducting proper analysis when determining the cause of production failure based on the characteristics of the work process management chart.

[0097] Furthermore, if the production capacity of a single production equipment is not insufficient, and work process 2 could be represented by a single work process, but work process 2 is divided into work process 2a and work process 2b for display, then when managers observe the work process management chart to grasp the production status, they will visually regard work process 2a and work process 2b as separate, unrelated processes. This prevents managers from understanding the production status of work process 2a and work process 2b as a single work process unit of work process 2.

[0098] In such a case, if a manager inputs a request instruction from the data input unit 240 with a subject line such as "to change the work process management chart displayed using the first display data related to the manufacturing process containing parallel processes to a work process management chart that is easier to observe," then the wiring adjustment unit 223 parses the content of the request instruction instruction, adjusts the display method, and generates second display data to make the work process management chart displayed using the first display data related to the manufacturing process containing parallel processes easier to observe. Specifically, the wiring adjustment unit 223 generates second display data that narrows the time axis intervals of the parallel processes in the work process management chart displayed using the first display data. The processing performed by the wiring adjustment unit 223 in this case will be explained.

[0099] First, the manager pre-sets the compression rate of the time axis interval for parallel processes in the storage unit 230 by inputting the data input unit 240. If a request instruction is input from the data input unit, the wiring adjustment unit 223 parses the content of the request instruction and adjusts the display method based on the parsing result. In this case, when a request instruction is input from the data input unit, the following process is performed: the request instruction requests a change from the work process management chart displayed on the first display data to a more easily observable work process management chart.

[0100] First, the wiring adjustment unit 223 reads from the storage unit 230 the setting information of the scale of the process axis of the work process management chart displayed using the first display data and the compression rate of the time axis interval of the parallel processes. It then calculates the interval of the time axis for the parallel processes by multiplying the scale of the process axis of the work process management chart displayed using the first display data (i.e., the interval of the time axis of the work process management chart displayed using the first display data) by the compression rate of the time axis interval of the parallel processes. Next, the wiring adjustment unit 223 changes the scale of the process axis of the work process management chart displayed using the first display data to the interval of the time axis for the parallel processes, compressing the process axis only for the intervals corresponding to the parallel processes, generating the process axis of the work process management chart displayed using the second display data. Next, the wiring adjustment unit 223, matching the scale of the process axis of the work process management chart displayed using the second display data, moves each work timeline on the work process management chart displayed using the first display data parallel to the process axis direction. For example, in... Figure 14 In this case, the work timelines 63, 72, and 73 are moved parallel to each other. Next, the wiring adjustment unit 223 rewires each transport timeline to match the parallel-moved work timelines, maintaining the connection relationship between each work timeline and each transport timeline on the work process management chart displayed using the first display data, and generates second display data. The wiring adjustment unit 223 stores the generated second display data in the storage unit 230.

[0101] The intervals of the time axes used for parallel processes can be freely set to match the manager's preferences, making it easy to observe the work process management chart. For example, if you want to display the time axes of parallel processes in the work process management chart displayed using the first display data as a single time axis, you can set the compression rate of the time axis intervals of the parallel processes to 0, so that the time axes overlap and are displayed as a single time axis.

[0102] Figure 15 It is about Figure 14The work process management chart shown is an example of a work process management chart that uses data displayed on the first display screen. Through the above processing, the time axis t2a of work process 2a and the time axis t2b of work process 2b are narrowed, thereby making the work process management chart displayed on the second display screen easier to observe. Figure 15 The work process management chart shown uses the second display data to make... Figure 14 The work process management diagram shown, displayed using the first display data, has a narrowed interval between the time axes t2a and t2b of work process 2a and work process 2b. As a result, when using the work process management diagram displayed using the first display data, it can be seen that the slopes of the transport time line 6b between work process 2a and work process 3, and the transport time line 7a between work process 1 and work process 2b, are visually gentler than the slopes of the transport time lines 6a and 7b between other work processes. In contrast, in... Figure 15 In the work process management diagram shown by the second display data, since the slopes of the transport time lines 6b' between work process 2a and work process 3, and 7a' between work process 1 and work process 2b are the same as the slopes of the transport time lines 6a and 7b between other work processes, the manager can perform appropriate analysis when determining the cause of production failure based on the characteristics of the work process management diagram.

[0103] In addition, Figure 14 In the case of the work process management chart shown using the first display data, work process 2a and work process 2b are visually regarded as separate, unrelated processes. In contrast, Figure 15 In the work process management diagram shown using the second display data, since work process 2a and work process 2b are regarded as a single unit, it is easy to grasp the production status by treating work process 2a and work process 2b as a single work process unit.

[0104] Implementation Method 3

[0105] In Embodiment 3, it is explained that when there are subtle fluctuations in the production time, or so-called cycles, even for the same work process, the method of representing the work process management chart is adjusted so that managers can easily identify work process management devices with cyclical fluctuations. The structure of the work process management device involved in Embodiment 3 is also the same as the structure of the work process management device 200 in Embodiment 1, so the description is omitted.

[0106] Figure 16 This is an example of a work process management chart that displays data from a first display, generated in the same manner as in Implementation 1, relating to a manufacturing process consisting of three work steps. Figure 16 This illustrates an example of subtle fluctuations in the cycle time of work step 1. Figure 16 In the method of displaying a work process management chart using the first display data, even if there are subtle fluctuations in the cycle of each work process, it is difficult to visually grasp these fluctuations. In such cases, in the process management device 200 according to Embodiment 3, second display data that adjusts the method of displaying a work process management chart using the first display data is displayed in a way that makes it easy to visually grasp the cycle fluctuations.

[0107] For example, in relation to Figure 16 When the first display data shows a request instruction message from the data input unit that reads "Change to a work process management chart that makes it easier to observe the periodic fluctuations of work process 1", the wiring adjustment unit 223 parses the request instruction message and performs the following processing.

[0108] First, the wiring adjustment unit 223 moves the operation timeline 91 in operation step 1 of product number SN0002 parallel to the time axis direction, so that the position of the first mark of operation timeline 91 in operation step 1 of product number SN0002 is consistent with the position of the first mark of operation timeline 81 in operation step 1 of product number SN0001. Next, the wiring adjustment unit 223 moves the operation timelines 92 and 93 in other operation steps of product number SN0002 parallel to the time axis direction by the same amount of time that operation timeline 91 in operation step 1 of product number SN0002 moves parallel to the time axis direction. Similarly, the wiring adjustment unit 223 moves each transport timeline 9a and 9b of product number SN0002 parallel to the time axis direction by the same amount of time that operation timeline 91 in operation step 1 of product number SN0002 moves parallel to the time axis direction. The wiring adjustment unit 223 performs the same process for the remaining product numbers. As a result, the wiring adjustment unit 223 generates Figure 17 The second set of display data is shown.

[0109] Here, each operation timeline and each conveying timeline is moved in parallel in a manner that aligns with the position of the first mark of operation timeline 81 in operation process 1 of product number SN0001. However, each operation timeline and each conveying timeline may also be moved in parallel in a manner that aligns with the position of the first mark of operation timeline in operation process 1 of product number other than product number SN0001.

[0110] In this way, when the wiring adjustment unit 223 receives a request instruction to change the work process management chart, which is used to easily observe the periodic fluctuations of a specific work process within the work process management chart displayed on the first display data, it first moves each work time line in the specific work process specified by the request instruction instruction parallel to the time axis in the direction of the work axis, such that the positions of the first marks of each work time line in the specific work process specified by the request instruction instruction are aligned with the positions of the first marks of each work time line in the specific work process specified by the request instruction instruction on the work process management chart displayed on the first display data. Then, for the same amount of time as moving each work time line in the specific work process specified by the request instruction instruction parallel to the time axis, it moves other work time lines associated with each work time line in the specific work process specified by the request instruction instruction parallel to the time axis, and each transport time line in the specific work process specified by the request instruction instruction parallel to the time axis, thereby generating second display data. That is, in a specific work process specified by the request instruction information, the second display data is generated by moving each work time line that moves parallel to the time axis direction, the other work time lines related to the same product number, and each conveying time line in the same time amount as moving each work time line in the specific work process specified by the request instruction information in parallel to the time axis direction.

[0111] In other words, when a set of associated work timelines and delivery timelines for each product number is defined as a "wiring group", the wiring adjustment unit 223 makes each wiring group on the work process management chart displayed by the first display data move parallel to each other in the time axis direction and overlap in such a way that the positions of the first marks of each work timeline in the specific work process specified by the request instruction information are consistent, thereby generating second display data.

[0112] In this way, the process management device 200 of Embodiment 3 displays multiple wiring groups overlappingly in such a way that the positions of the first marks of each operation timeline of the specified operation process are consistent, thereby making the periodic fluctuations visually obvious, so that the manager can easily grasp the fluctuations.

[0113] Implementation Method 4

[0114] In Embodiment 4, a process management device that can visualize the production status for each type of product when multiple products are being produced simultaneously will be described. The structure of the process management device in Embodiment 4 is the same as that of the process management device 200 in Embodiment 1, so the description is omitted.

[0115] Figure 18This example illustrates a work order management chart generated by visualizing the production status of multiple coexisting products using the same representation method as in Embodiment 1. The wiring groups for product numbers SN0001 and SN0002 represent the production status when producing products of product category A; the wiring groups for product numbers SN0003 and SN0004 represent the production status when producing products of product category B; and the wiring group for product number SN0005 represents the production status when producing products of product category C. Figure 18 When using the work process management chart displayed on the first display, it is visually difficult to determine which of the multiple wiring groups is related to the same type of product.

[0116] Figure 19 An example of operational data used by the process management device 200 according to Embodiment 4 is shown. For each product number... Figure 19 The operational data shown includes product category information. Thus, when the wiring generation unit 222 includes product category information for multiple products in the operational data, it modifies the format of the operational timeline and the delivery timeline based on the product category information when generating the operational timeline and the delivery timeline, and generates first display data according to the modified format. That is, the wiring generation unit 222 modifies the format of the preset operational timeline based on the product category information, making the operational timelines corresponding to the same category and the operational timelines corresponding to different categories have different formats. Similarly, the wiring generation unit 222 modifies the format of the preset delivery timeline, making the delivery timelines corresponding to the same category and the delivery timelines corresponding to different categories have different formats. Then, the wiring generation unit 222 generates first display data according to the modified format of the operational timeline and the delivery timeline. Figure 20 The diagram shows a work process management chart generated by the wiring generation unit 222 using the first display data generated through such processing.

[0117] exist Figure 20 In the work process management diagram shown using the first display data, for products of product category A, the format of the first mark on the work timeline is changed from ● to 〇, and the format of the transport timeline is changed from a single-dot dashed line to a dashed line. Similarly, for products of product category C, the format of the first mark on the work timeline is changed from ● to ■, and the format of the transport timeline is changed from a single-dot dashed line to a solid line. Figure 20The work process management chart shown using the first display data is just one example; for instance, the color scheme of the work timeline and delivery timeline can also be changed. Then, using the same method as described in the above embodiments, second display data can also be generated based on the first display data.

[0118] Therefore, managers can visually monitor the production status for each product type. Furthermore, it is shown that when the format of the wiring group changes between the first and subsequent wiring groups in a series of wiring groups, a product type change is scheduled during the production wait time between the first and subsequent wiring groups. Thus, managers can easily identify the scheduling issues arising from the product type change. Therefore, if the production wait time between the first and subsequent wiring groups is greater than or equal to the expected time, it can be inferred that a problem has occurred in the scheduling of the product type change.

[0119] Implementation Method 5

[0120] In Embodiments 1 to 4, a process management device was described that displays a work process management chart that visualizes the actual production status of the past. However, in Embodiment 5, a process management device is described that, when all products of the same category are repeatedly manufactured through each work process, a work process management chart is described that visualizes the production status after the time when the operating data is obtained from each production equipment. That is, the process management device according to Embodiment 5 visualizes the production status of multiple products of the same category through a work process management chart, including the time after the time when the operating data is obtained from each production equipment, when multiple products manufactured through each work process are all of the same category. Descriptions of parts identical to those in Embodiment 1 are omitted; descriptions of parts different from those in Embodiment 1 are provided.

[0121] Figure 21 This is a diagram showing the structure of the process management device 200A according to Embodiment 5. The structure of the process management device 200A according to Embodiment 5 is the same as the structure of the process management device 200 of Embodiment 1, with the addition of a predictive operation data creation unit 225, which creates a predicted value (hereinafter referred to as "predictive operation data") of the operation data after the time when the operation data is obtained from each production equipment.

[0122] When the predictive operation data creation unit 225 receives a request instruction information that requests a work process management chart to predict and visualize the production status after the time when operation data is obtained from the data input unit 240, it analyzes the operation time and production waiting time in each work process based on the operation data stored in the storage unit 230, and creates predictive operation data based on the analyzed operation time, production waiting time in each work process and the number of units in the pre-indicated production plan.

[0123] Specifically, in each work process where the same type of product is repeatedly produced, since it is anticipated that production will proceed with the same work time and production waiting time in each work process after the time of obtaining the operation data from each production equipment, the predictive operation data creation unit 225 first calculates the analysis values ​​of the work time and production waiting time in each work process based on the operation data obtained from each production equipment up to this point. The analysis values ​​of the work time and production waiting time can also be calculated, for example, based on the distribution of multiple work times and multiple production waiting times extracted from the operation data obtained from each production equipment up to this point as a parent group.

[0124] Furthermore, since operation time or production waiting time is often delayed only when non-standard phenomena such as production failure occur, and is usually likely to become fixed operation time or fixed production waiting time, multiple operation time and multiple production waiting time data extracted from the operation data obtained from each production equipment up to this point can be used to remove data that is presumed to be associated with non-standard phenomena such as production failure, and calculate the fixed operation time and fixed production waiting time, and use them as the analysis values ​​of operation time and production waiting time.

[0125] Next, the predictive operation data creation unit 225 calculates the predicted start and end times of each work process after the time the operation data is obtained from each production equipment, based on the analysis values ​​of the operation time and production waiting time in each work process, and the number of units in the pre-indicated production plan. Specifically, by sequentially stacking the analysis values ​​of the operation time and production waiting time for each work process according to the number of units in the production plan from the operation data obtained from each production equipment up to this point, the predictive start and end times of each work process after the time the operation data is obtained from each production equipment are calculated, and the predictive operation data is created.

[0126] Alternatively, the predictive operation data creation unit 225 may analyze the trends of operation time and production waiting time in each work process based on the operation data obtained from each production equipment up to this point. If there is a clear trend of delay in operation time and production waiting time, the predictive operation data may be created while calculating the predicted values ​​of the start time and end time of each work process after the time when the operation data is obtained from each production equipment, and the delay time is added as a correction value.

[0127] If the predictive operation data creation unit 225 creates predictive operation data, it stores the predictive operation data in the storage unit 230. When the wiring configuration unit 221 receives a request instruction from the data input unit 240 requesting a work process management chart that predicts and visualizes the production status after the time when operation data is obtained, it generates wiring configuration data based on operation data obtained from each production equipment up to this point, with the predicted operation data appended. Then, it generates first display data or second display data using the same method as in Embodiment 1. Furthermore, the wiring generation unit 222 can also change the format of the work timeline and delivery timeline before or after the time desired by the manager, such as the current time when the operation data is obtained from each production equipment or the timing time, when generating the work timeline and delivery timeline, thereby displaying the production status in a way that is easy for the manager to understand.

[0128] exist Figure 22 The image shows an example of a work process management chart generated by the work process management device 200A using data from a first display screen, processed in this way. The manager can then view the data from this chart. Figure 22 The work process management chart shown predicts how much has been produced up to a certain time, or the scheduled end time of the production plan.

[0129] As described above, the process management device 200A in this embodiment can predict and display the production status after the current moment based on the operating data obtained from each production equipment up to this point, so that managers can determine the necessity of overtime or holiday attendance at an early stage.

[0130] The structure shown in the above embodiments is an example of the content of the present invention, and it can also be combined with other known technologies. Without departing from the spirit of the present invention, some parts of the structure can be omitted or modified.

[0131] Explanation of the label

[0132] Work timelines for 11, 12, 13, 14, 23, 33, 43, 53, 63, 72, 73, 81, 82, 83, 91, 92, 93, 101, 102, 103; conveying timelines for 1a, 1c, 2c, 3b, 3c, 4b, 4c, 5c, 6a, 6b, 6b', 7a, 7a', 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b; process management devices for 200 and 200A; display for 210. Display unit, 220, 220A control unit, 221 wiring configuration unit, 222 wiring generation unit, 223 wiring adjustment unit, 224 output unit, 225 predictive operation data creation unit, 230 storage unit, 240 data input unit, 300 data collection device, 400 production equipment, 901 processor, 902 memory, 903 external storage device, 904 input interface, 905 display, t1, t2, t2a, t2b, t3, t4 time axes.

Claims

1. A process management device that visualizes production status of a plurality of products manufactured through a plurality of work processes by a work process management chart composed of a two-dimensional coordinate system of a time axis that indicates work time of each work process and a process axis that indicates change of the work process, The process management device is characterized by comprising: a data input section that inputs various acquisition information including operation data of each production equipment corresponding to the each work process and request instruction information of a manager; a control section that outputs, as output display data, display data of a work process management chart that becomes a reference obtained by arranging a work time line that indicates work time in the each work process by length and a conveyance time line that indicates conveyance time in each conveyance process by slope on the work process management chart, that is, first display data, based on the operation data, and outputs, as the output display data, second display data that visualizes production status visualizable by the first display data in a representation method of the work process management chart different from a representation method of the work process management chart displayed using the first display data, based on the request instruction information, in a case where the request instruction information for the first display data is input from the data input section; and a display section that displays the output display data, The control section has: a line arrangement section that generates line arrangement data that arranges, on a coordinate position corresponding on the work process management chart, a first mark that indicates a work start time and a second mark that indicates a work end time in the each work process, from the operation data, from a work start time and a work end time at which work starts and ends for each product in the each work process; a line generation section that generates the first display data by arranging the first mark and the second mark for one product on a time axis of each of a first work process and a second work process subsequent to the first work process among the plurality of work processes, and generating the work time line by arranging the first mark and the second mark for the one product, and generating the conveyance time line by arranging the second mark in the first work process and the first mark in the second work process for the one product, based on the line arrangement data, for each of the plurality of products; a line adjustment section that adjusts the representation method of the work process management chart displayed using the first display data corresponding to the request instruction information to generate the second display data in a case where the request instruction information for the first display data is input from the data input section; and a line adjustment section that adjusts the representation method of the work process management chart displayed using the first display data corresponding to the request instruction information to generate the second display data in a case where the request instruction information for the first display data is input from the data input section; and The output section outputs the first display data as the output display data until the request indication information for the first display data is input from the data input section, and outputs the second display data as the output display data in a case where the request indication information for the first display data is input from the data input section.

2. The process management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The output section extracts a feature amount of a feature portion that becomes an index for determining whether or not the production situation is good, from a work process management chart displayed using the first display data or the second display data, and outputs display data of a work process management chart to which a recognition display for assisting in grasping the production situation is added to the feature portion on the work process management chart displayed using the first display data or the second display data, based on an allowable value that is specified in advance for each of the feature amounts, as the output display data.

3. The process management apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The wiring adjustment section, in a case where request indication information requesting a change from a work process management chart displayed using the first display data to a work process management chart in which a coordinate system of the work process management chart displayed using the first display data is compressed in a time axis direction at a specified compression rate is input from the data input section, compresses the coordinate system of the work process management chart displayed using the first display data in the time axis direction at the compression rate, generates a coordinate system of a work process management chart displayed using the second display data, then tilts each work time line on the work process management chart displayed using the first display data in a process axis direction in a manner of maintaining the same length so as to generate each tilted work time line, moves the each tilted work time line in the time axis direction so that a position of the first mark of the each tilted work time line becomes each work start time corresponding to the each tilted work time line on a scale of a time axis of the coordinate system of the work process management chart displayed using the second display data, and then re-wires each transport time line in a manner of maintaining a connection relationship of the each work time line and the each transport time line on the work process management chart displayed using the first display data in correspondence with the each tilted work time line after the movement, thereby generating the second display data.

4. The process management apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The wiring adjustment section, in a case where the request instruction information requesting a change of the job process management chart to easily observe the job process management chart displayed using the first display data is input from the data input section, generates a coordinate system of the job process management chart displayed using the second display data, by compressing the process axis of the job process management chart displayed using the first display data only for an interval corresponding to the parallel processes, after moving each job time line on the job process management chart displayed using the first display data in the process axis direction of the coordinate system in correspondence with the coordinate system, and re-wires each transport time line in correspondence with each job time line in a manner of maintaining the connection relationship of each job time line and each transport time line on the job process management chart displayed using the first display data, thereby generating the second display data.

5. The process management apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The wiring adjustment section, in a case where the request instruction information requesting a change of the job process management chart to easily observe the cycle fluctuation of a specific job process in the job processes of the job process management chart displayed using the first display data is input from the data input section, moves each job time line in the specific job process in the time axis direction in a manner of making the positions of the first marks of each job time line in the specific job process coincide with each other, moves each other job time line and each transport time line associated with each job time line in the specific job process in the time axis direction by the same amount of time as the movement of each job time line in the specific job process, thereby generating the second display data.

6. The process management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein The wiring generation section generates the job time lines and the transport time lines in accordance with the format of the job time lines and the format of the transport time lines set in advance.

7. The process management apparatus according to claim 6, wherein The wiring generation section, in a case where the product category information is added to the plurality of products in the operation data, changes the format of the job time lines and the format of the transport time lines based on the product category information when generating the job time lines and the transport time lines, and generates the first display data in accordance with the changed format of the job time lines and the format of the transport time lines.

8. The process management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein Further provided is a predicted operation data creation section that, when all of the plurality of products are products of the same category, analyzes the operation time and production waiting time in each work process based on the operation data, calculates an analysis value of the operation time in each work process and an analysis value of the production waiting time in each work process, and creates predicted operation data that is a predicted value of the operation data after the time at which the operation data was acquired, based on the analysis value of the operation time in each work process, the analysis value of the production waiting time in each work process, and the number of products indicated in advance in the production plan, In a case where the request instruction information for requesting the work process management chart that predicts and visualizes the production status after the time at which the operation data was acquired is input from the data input section, the wiring configuration section generates the wiring configuration data based on the operation data to which the predicted operation data is added.

9. A work process management method that visualizes the production status of a plurality of products manufactured through a plurality of work processes by a work process management chart constituted by a time axis that indicates the operation time in each work process and a process axis that indicates the change in work process, The work process management method is characterized by comprising: a data input step of inputting various acquired information including operation data of each production device corresponding to each work process and request instruction information of a manager; a wiring configuration step of generating wiring configuration data in which a first mark indicating the start time of work and a second mark indicating the end time of work in each work process are configured at coordinate positions corresponding to the work processes on the work process management chart, from the operation data, extracting the start time of work and the end time of work for each product in each work process; a wiring generation step of generating the work time line by wiring the first mark and the second mark for one product configured on the time axis of each of a first work process and a second work process subsequent to the first work process among the plurality of work processes for each of the plurality of products, and generating the conveyance time line by wiring the second mark in the first work process and the first mark in the second work process for the one product, based on the wiring configuration data, thereby generating first display data; a wiring adjustment step of adjusting the display method of the work process management chart displayed using the first display data in correspondence with the request instruction information for the first display data, and generating second display data that is display data of a work process management chart visualized in a display method different from the display method of the work process management chart displayed using the first display data; and a display step of displaying the second display data.

9. A work process management method that visualizes the production status of a plurality of products manufactured through a plurality of work processes by a work process management chart constituted by a time axis that indicates the operation time in each work process and a process axis that indicates the change in work process, The work process management method is characterized by comprising: a data input step of inputting various acquired information including operation data of each production device corresponding to each work process and request instruction information of a manager; a wiring configuration step of generating wiring configuration data in which a first mark indicating the start time of work and a second mark indicating the end time of work in each work process are configured at coordinate positions corresponding to the work processes on the work process management chart, from the operation data, extracting the start time of work and the end time of work for each product in each work process; a wiring generation step of generating the work time line by wiring the first mark and the second mark for one product configured on the time axis of each of a first work process and a second work process subsequent to the first work process among the plurality of work processes for each of the plurality of products, and generating the conveyance time line by wiring the second mark in the first work process and the first mark in the second work process for the one product, based on the wiring configuration data, thereby generating first display data; a wiring adjustment step of adjusting the display method of the work process management chart displayed using the first display data in correspondence with the request instruction information for the first display data, and generating second display data that is display data of a work process management chart visualized in a display method different from the display method of the work process management chart displayed using the first display data; and a display step of displaying the second display data. an output step of outputting the first display data as the output display data until the request instruction information for the first display data is input, and outputting the second display data as the output display data in a case where the request instruction information for the first display data is input.

10. A storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the following steps for visualizing production status of a plurality of products manufactured through a plurality of job processes by a job process management chart constituted by a two-dimensional coordinate system of a time axis indicating job time of each job process and a process axis indicating change of the job process: a data input step of inputting various acquisition information including operation data of each production device corresponding to the each job process and request instruction information of a manager; a wiring configuration step of generating wiring configuration data in which a first mark indicating a job start time and a second mark indicating a job end time in the each job process are configured at coordinate positions corresponding on the job process management chart, from the operation data of each production device corresponding to the each job process, the job start time and the job end time being times when job is started and ended for each product in the each job process; a wiring generation step of generating the job time line by wiring the first mark and the second mark for one product configured on the time axis of each of a first job process and a second job process subsequent to the first job process among the plurality of job processes for each of the plurality of products based on the wiring configuration data, and generating the conveyance time line by wiring the second mark in the first job process and the first mark in the second job process for the one product, thereby generating the first display data; a wiring adjustment step of adjusting a representation method of the job process management chart displayed with the first display data corresponding to the request instruction information of the manager in a case where the request instruction information for the first display data is input, and generating second display data which is display data of the job process management chart visualized in a representation method of the job process management chart different from the representation method of the job process management chart displayed with the first display data; and an output step of outputting the first display data as the output display data until the request instruction information for the first display data is input, and outputting the second display data as the output display data in a case where the request instruction information for the first display data is input.

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