Sequence program creation device

Abstract

A sequence program creation device according to an embodiment of the present invention performs the following: receiving selection of a first signal in a sequence program; extracting signals, which are interchangeable with the first signal, from a signal database in which a set of interchangeable signals having the same function and different control targets is defined; and displays the extracted signals in the form of a list. Upon reception of selection of a second signal from the list, the sequence program creation device replaces the first signal with the second signal.

Description

Sequence Program Creation Device

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a technique for creating a sequence program (ladder program) for operating a control device of an industrial machine.

[0002] A sequence program for operating a control device is created by arranging components. In order for a user to efficiently select and arrange appropriate components, a technique for searching for components that meet conditions or components similar to the specified components is used.

[0003] International Publication No. 2013 / 140497, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-159893, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-028552

[0004] When controlling an industrial machine having a plurality of axes, there may be cases where the same function but different signals are described in the parts corresponding to each axis of the sequence program. In this case, after creating the sequence program for the first axis, it is often the case that the sequence program for the first axis is copied and modified to the signals for the second axis. Also, for different machine groups, different systems, etc., efficient creation of the sequence program is achieved by the same procedure.

[0005] However, since it is difficult for a program creator to remember different signals for each of the plurality of controlled axes, it takes time to create a sequence program while looking at a manual, and input errors also occur.

[0006] Therefore, at the stage of creating a sequence program, it is desired that the description items can be easily replaced with appropriate signals for each of the controlled objects.

[0007] A sequence program creation device according to an embodiment receives a selection of a first signal in a sequence program, and extracts a signal that is interchangeable with the first signal from a signal database in which a set of interchangeable signals having the same function but different controlled objects is defined, and displays it in a list. When the sequence program creation device receives a selection of a second signal from the list, it replaces the first signal with the second signal.

[0008] In one embodiment, the sequence program creation device accepts the selection of at least a portion of the sequence program and extracts from the selected portion a first signal from a signal database defined in which a set of interchangeable signals with the same function but different controlled objects are associated with auxiliary information for identifying the controlled object. When the sequence program creation device receives a substitution instruction to determine which of the interchangeable signals to replace with the signal associated with the auxiliary information for which substitution instruction was given, it replaces the first signal with a second signal from the set of interchangeable signals that is associated with the auxiliary information for which substitution instruction was given.

[0009] This is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the sequence program creation device in the first embodiment. This is a diagram illustrating a set of interchangeable signals stored in the signal database in the first embodiment. This is a flowchart showing the processing flow in the sequence program creation device of the first embodiment. This is a diagram illustrating how a sequence program is edited in the first embodiment. This is a diagram illustrating a set of interchangeable signals stored in the signal database in the second embodiment. This is a diagram illustrating how a sequence program is edited in the second embodiment. This is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the sequence program creation device in the third embodiment. This is a flowchart showing the processing flow in the sequence program creation device of the third embodiment. This is a diagram illustrating how a sequence program is edited in the third embodiment. This is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the sequence program creation device in the fourth embodiment. This is a flowchart showing the processing flow in the sequence program creation device of the fourth embodiment. This is a diagram illustrating how a sequence program is edited in the fourth embodiment. This is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the sequence program creation device in the fifth embodiment. This is a flowchart showing the processing flow in the sequence program creation device of the fifth embodiment. This is a diagram illustrating how a sequence program is edited in the fifth embodiment.

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In each embodiment, the sequence program editor appropriately replaces a signal by selecting one of the automatically presented identical interchangeable signals, thereby adapting the original sequence program to a different control target.

[0011] [First Embodiment] In the first embodiment, when a signal in the sequence program is selected by the editor, the sequence program creation device 1 presents a list of similar interchangeable signals and replaces the original signal with the signal selected from the list.

[0012] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the sequence program creation device 1 in the first embodiment. The sequence program creation device 1 is an information processing device (computer) equipped with a control unit 10 (processor) and a storage unit 20 (memory), and creates or edits a sequence program based on operation input by an editor.

[0013] The control unit 10 comprises a signal reception unit 101, a replaceable signal extraction unit 102, a list display unit 103, a replacement signal reception unit 104, and a signal replacement unit 105. These functional units operate when the control unit 10 reads and executes a sequence program creation program stored in the storage unit 20.

[0014] The memory unit 20 stores various software, including a sequence program creation program, as well as a signal database 201 in which a set of interchangeable signals that differs depending on the control target of the sequence program is defined.

[0015] The signal receiving unit 101 receives the selection of the first signal in the sequence program from the editor.

[0016] The interchangeable signal extraction unit 102 extracts signals interchangeable with the first signal from a signal database 201, which defines a set of interchangeable signals that have the same function but differ only in the controlled object. Here, an interchangeable signal is one that has the same function as the first signal for an axis, system, or machine group different from the controlled object of the first signal.

[0017] Figure 2 illustrates a set of interchangeable signals stored in the signal database 201 in the first embodiment. Sets of interchangeable signals with the same function are distinguished by signal type, such as an overtravel signal for notifying that the control axis has reached a range of motion, an emergency stop signal for instantly stopping the movement of the machine in an emergency, and an inter-system interference check signal for checking whether the tool posts of each system interfere with each other.

[0018] These signals are assigned differently for each axis, system, or machine group. For example, the overtravel signal for the first axis is assigned "G0114.0", and the signal for the same function on the second axis is assigned "G0114.1". Similarly, the emergency stop signal for the first machine group is assigned "X8.4", and the signal for the same function on the second machine group is assigned "X8.0".

[0019] The list display unit 103 displays a list of signals that are interchangeable with the first signal, which have been extracted by the interchangeable signal extraction unit 102.

[0020] The replacement signal receiving unit 104 accepts the selection of a second signal from the list displayed by the list display unit 103.

[0021] The signal replacement unit 105 replaces the first signal selected by the signal reception unit 101 with the second signal selected by the replacement signal reception unit 104, and updates the sequence program.

[0022] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the processing flow in the sequence program creation device 1 of the first embodiment. In step S1, the signal receiving unit 101 receives a selection of one of the signals in the sequence program.

[0023] In step S2, the commutative signal extraction unit 102 searches the signal database 201 for the signal received by the signal reception unit 101 in step S1, and extracts a set of signals that are commutative with this signal.

[0024] In step S3, the list display unit 103 displays a list of the set of signals extracted by the commutative signal extraction unit 102 in step S2.

[0025] In step S4, the substitution signal receiving unit 104 accepts the selection of one interchangeable signal from the list displayed by the list display unit 103 in step S3.

[0026] In step S5, the signal replacement unit 105 replaces the signal received in step S1 of the sequence program with the interchangeable signal received by the replacement signal reception unit 104 in step S4, and updates the sequence program.

[0027] Figure 4 illustrates how the sequence program is edited in the first embodiment. Here, the sequence program for the first axis is copied and the sequence program for the second axis is being edited.

[0028] When the editor selects the first signal (G0114.0), the signal database 201 extracts and displays a list of interchangeable signals with the same function, distinguished by the same signal type (G0114.1, G0114.2, ...). If the editor then selects the signal corresponding to the second axis (G0114.1), the corresponding section of the sequence program is replaced from "G0114.0" to "G0114.1".

[0029] Furthermore, the method by which the editor selects the first signal is not limited; in addition to hovering the cursor over it as shown in the diagram, it may be designed as appropriate, such as by double-clicking or selecting from a right-click context menu.

[0030] According to the first embodiment, the sequence program creation device 1 displays a list of interchangeable signals, thereby facilitating signal substitution by the editor and suppressing input errors.

[0031] [Second Embodiment] The sequence program creation device 1 of the second embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in the configuration of the signal database 201, and consequently, the information handled by the interchangeable signal extraction unit 102 and the list display unit 103 is different.

[0032] Figure 5 illustrates a set of interchangeable signals stored in the signal database 201 in the second embodiment. In the signal database 201, a set of interchangeable signals is defined in association with auxiliary information for identifying the axis, system, or machine group that is the target of control.

[0033] The commutative signal extraction unit 102 extracts the first signal received by the signal reception unit 101, along with the signals that are commutative with it, and also extracts auxiliary information associated with each of these commutative signals.

[0034] The list display unit 103 displays a list of signals that are interchangeable with the extracted first signal, as well as at least a portion of the auxiliary information.

[0035] Figure 6 illustrates how the sequence program is edited in the second embodiment. Here, similar to the first embodiment (Figure 4), the sequence program for the first axis is copied and the sequence program for the second axis is being edited.

[0036] When the editor selects the first signal (G0114.0), the signal database 201 extracts and displays a list of interchangeable signals with the same function, distinguished by the same signal type (G0114.1, G0114.2, ...). At this time, auxiliary information or part thereof is added to the list display, allowing the editor to easily select the appropriate signal.

[0037] [Third Embodiment] In addition to the configuration of the second embodiment, the sequence program creation device 1 of the third embodiment further includes an identical information signal extraction unit 106 in the control unit 10, enabling sequential replacement of signals within the sequence program.

[0038] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the sequence program creation device 1 in the third embodiment. The identical information signal extraction unit 106 extracts identical information signals from the sequence program, to which the same auxiliary information as the first signal is associated.

[0039] Accordingly, the replaceable signal extraction unit 102 extracts signals that can be replaced with the same information signal from the signal database 201. Further, the signal replacement unit 105 replaces the same information signal with a replaceable signal associated with the same auxiliary information as the second signal specified by the editor.

[0040] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing flow in the sequence program creation device 1 of the third embodiment. In step S11, the signal reception unit 101 receives a selection of any one of the signals in the sequence program.

[0041] In step S12, the replaceable signal extraction unit 102 searches the signal database 201 for the signal received by the signal reception unit 101 in step S11, and extracts a set of combinations of signals replaceable with this signal and auxiliary information.

[0042] In step S13, the list display unit 103 displays in a list the set of signals and auxiliary information extracted by the replaceable signal extraction unit 102 in step S12.

[0043] In step S14, the replacement signal reception unit 104 receives a selection of one signal from the list displayed by the list display unit 103 in step S13.

[0044] In step S15, the signal replacement unit 105 replaces the signal received in step S11 in the sequence program with the signal received by the replacement signal reception unit 104 in step S14, and updates the sequence program.

[0045] In step S16, the same information signal extraction unit 106 extracts the same information signal having the same auxiliary information as the original first signal replaced with the replaceable signal in step S15 from the sequence program.

[0046] In step S17, the same information signal extraction unit 106 determines whether there is any remaining un-replaced same information signal. If this determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S18, and if the determination is NO, the process ends.

[0047] In step S18, the signal replacement unit 105 replaces, in the sequence program, the same information signal that is located next to the signal replaced in the previous step S15 or S18 with a replaceable signal having the same auxiliary information as the signal received by the replacement signal receiving unit 104 in step S14, and updates the sequence program.

[0048] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating how a sequence program is edited in the third embodiment. In this example, the signal "G0114.0" of the first system and the first axis existing in the sequence program is selected, and the signal "G0114.1" of the first system and the second axis is selected from the list of replaceable signals.

[0049] At this time, the signal "G0114.0" is replaced with "G0114.1". Subsequently, the sequence program creation device 1 extracts the subsequent same information signal, that is, the signal "G0130.0" of the first system and the first axis, and replaces it with the signal "G0130.1" of the first system and the second axis in the same manner as the previous replacement.

[0050] Here, although the sequential replacement is automatically executed, it is not limited to this. For example, the sequence program creation device 1 may receive from the editor the permission to execute the replacement process one by one or collectively for the whole at once, or may display a list of the same information signals and replaceable signals as in the second embodiment and receive a selection input.

[0051] According to the third embodiment, the sequence program creation device 1 sequentially replaces the same type of signals existing in the sequence program according to the selected replacement method, thereby reducing the workload of the editor and enabling appropriate editing without omission.

[0052] [Fourth Embodiment] In the first to third embodiments, the signal replacement is performed triggered by the selection of one first signal. However, the sequence program creation device 1 of the fourth embodiment receives a selection input for the whole or a partial range of the sequence program, and replaces the signals in this range in a batch.

[0053] Figure 10 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the sequence program creation device 1 in the fourth embodiment. The control unit 10 includes a program receiving unit 107, a replacement candidate signal extraction unit 108, a replacement instruction receiving unit 109, and a signal replacement unit 105.

[0054] The program reception unit 107 accepts the selection of the entire sequence program, or at least a part of it.

[0055] The replacement candidate signal extraction unit 108 extracts one or more signals from the whole or a part of the sequence program selected by the program reception unit 107, which are listed in the signal database 201, in which a set of interchangeable signals is defined in association with auxiliary information for identifying a controlled object.

[0056] The replacement instruction receiving unit 109 receives a replacement instruction to determine which of the signals extracted by the replacement candidate signal extraction unit 108, which is associated with a particular piece of auxiliary information (the first signal), should be replaced with which of the signals interchangeable with the first signal, which is associated with a particular piece of auxiliary information (the second signal).

[0057] The signal replacement unit 105 replaces the first signal all at once with the second signal, which is associated with the auxiliary information that has been instructed to be replaced, from among a set of interchangeable signals.

[0058] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the processing flow in the sequence program creation device 1 of the fourth embodiment. In step S21, the program receiving unit 107 accepts the selection of all or part of the sequence program.

[0059] In step S22, the replacement candidate signal extraction unit 108 refers to the signal database 201 and extracts replacement candidate signals that can be replaced from the range of sequence programs received by the program reception unit 107 in step S11.

[0060] In step S23, the replacement instruction receiving unit 109 receives an instruction to replace the candidate replacement signal corresponding to the relevant auxiliary information with the selected auxiliary information signal, for example, by having the editor select from a list which of the pre-prepared replacement methods to perform (for example, replacing the first axis signal with the second axis signal).

[0061] In step S24, the signal replacement unit 105 replaces one of the replacement candidate signals extracted by the replacement candidate signal extraction unit 108 in step S22 with a signal corresponding to the instruction received by the replacement instruction reception unit 109 in step S23, using a replacement method according to the instruction, with an interchangeable signal corresponding to the relevant auxiliary information, and updates the sequence program.

[0062] Figure 12 illustrates how a sequence program is edited in the fourth embodiment. In this example, a subprogram (P0002) within the sequence program is selected by right-clicking, and a context menu is displayed.

[0063] Here, the sequence program creation device 1 displays items such as "open subprogram" and "delete subprogram," as well as items indicating pre-defined substitution methods, such as "substitute the first axis signal with the second axis signal."

[0064] When the editor selects one of the substitution methods, the sequence program creation device 1 extracts from the signals included in the subprogram those combinations of signals that can be replaced by the selected substitution method, as listed in the signal database 201. Then, the extracted first signals (G0114.0, G0116.0) are all replaced together with their respective interchangeable second signals (G0114.1, G0116.1).

[0065] The means by which the selection of the whole or part of the sequence program is accepted are not limited. In addition to allowing the user to right-click on the list of subprograms as exemplified, selection may also be made by double-clicking, or by displaying the program and then allowing range selection.

[0066] According to the fourth embodiment, the sequence program creation device 1 replaces all signals present in a specified range at once, thereby reducing the workload of the editor and enabling the efficient creation of sequence programs.

[0067] [Fifth Embodiment] The sequence program creation device 1 of the fifth embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in that it automatically generates a list of substitution methods. Specifically, in the signal database 201, a set of interchangeable signals and auxiliary information for identifying axes, systems, or machine groups are defined in association. In addition to the configuration of the fourth embodiment, the sequence program creation device 1 further includes a substitution instruction candidate creation unit 110 and a substitution instruction candidate display unit 111.

[0068] Figure 13 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the sequence program creation device 1 in the fifth embodiment. The replacement instruction candidate creation unit 110 extracts combinations of auxiliary information associated with signals that are interchangeable with the first signal as replacement instruction candidates.

[0069] The replacement instruction candidate display unit 111 displays a list of replacement instruction candidates extracted by the replacement instruction candidate creation unit 110. The replacement instruction reception unit 109 accepts a selection from the list of replacement instruction candidates as a replacement instruction.

[0070] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the processing flow in the sequence program creation device 1 of the fifth embodiment. In step S31, the program receiving unit 107 accepts the selection of all or part of the sequence program.

[0071] In step S32, the replacement candidate signal extraction unit 108 refers to the signal database 201 and extracts replacement candidate signals that can be replaced from the range of sequence programs received by the program reception unit 107 in step S31.

[0072] In step S33, the replacement instruction candidate creation unit 110 extracts from the signal database 201 a set of replacement instruction candidates, which are combinations of the auxiliary information of the signal extracted by the replacement candidate signal extraction unit 108 in step S32 and the auxiliary information of the interchangeable signal.

[0073] In step S34, the replacement instruction candidate display unit 111 displays a list of replacement instruction candidates extracted by the replacement instruction candidate creation unit 110 in step S33.

[0074] In step S35, the replacement instruction receiving unit 109 accepts the selection of one replacement instruction candidate from the list displayed by the replacement instruction candidate display unit 111 in step S34.

[0075] In step S36, the signal replacement unit 105 replaces the signals extracted by the replacement candidate signal extraction unit 108 in step S32 with a combination of interchangeable signals corresponding to the combination of auxiliary information in step S35, according to the instruction received by the replacement instruction reception unit 109 in step S35, and updates the sequence program.

[0076] Figure 15 illustrates how the sequence program is edited in the fifth embodiment. In this example, signals corresponding to "overtravel signal +" and "overtravel signal -" registered in the signal database 201 (G0114.0, G0116.0) are extracted from the selected subprograms.

[0077] In this case, since the auxiliary information of the extracted signals is all "First System, First Axis," replacement instruction candidates are extracted in combinations of interchangeable signals, such as "Replace the First System, First Axis signal with the First System, Second Axis signal" and "Replace the First System, First Axis signal with the First System, Third Axis signal." These replacement instruction candidates are displayed in a list, and if, for example, "Replace the First System, First Axis signal with the First System, Second Axis signal" is selected, "G0114.0" will be replaced with "G0114.1" and "G0116.0" will be replaced with "G0116.1."

[0078] According to the fifth embodiment, the sequence program creation device 1 can perform the signal replacement work efficiently and without waste by allowing the user to select the signals to be replaced in a batch from a list of existing auxiliary information.

[0079] According to the embodiments illustrated above, the sequence program creation device 1 can suppress errors by the editor due to direct input by allowing the user to select a method for replacing a selected signal or a signal within a selected range from a list, based on a signal database 201 that defines interchangeable signals. As a result, the editor can easily replace the information with the appropriate signal for each controlled object during the sequence program creation stage, enabling the efficient creation of sequence programs.

[0080] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the individual embodiments described above. These embodiments can be added, replaced, modified, or partially deleted in various ways, without departing from the spirit of the invention or without departing from the idea and spirit of the present invention derived from the claims and their equivalents. For example, the order of operations and processes in the embodiments described above are shown as examples only and are not limited thereto. The same applies when numerical values ​​or mathematical formulas are used in the description of the embodiments described above.

[0081] With respect to the above-described embodiment, the following additional notes are disclosed. (Addendum 1) A sequence program creation device (1) for creating a sequence program, comprising: a signal receiving unit (101) that receives the selection of a first signal in the sequence program; a replaceable signal extraction unit (102) that extracts a signal that is replaceable with the first signal from a signal database (201) which defines a set of replaceable signals that have the same function but differ only in the controlled object; a list display unit (103) that displays the extracted signals that are replaceable with the first signal in a list; a replacement signal receiving unit (104) that receives the selection of a second signal from the list; and a signal replacement unit (105) that replaces the first signal with the second signal.

[0082] (Note 2) The interchangeable signal has the same function as the first signal for an axis, system, or machine group different from the control target of the first signal. (Note 1) Sequence program creation device (1)

[0083] (Note 3) In the signal database (201), the set of interchangeable signals and auxiliary information for identifying the axis, system, or machine group are defined in association with each other, the interchangeable signal extraction unit (102) extracts the auxiliary information associated with the first signal together with the signals interchangeable with the first signal, and the list display unit (103) displays the extracted signals interchangeable with the first signal and the auxiliary information in a list, as described in (Note 2) of the sequence program creation device (1).

[0084] (Note 4) The sequence program creation device (1) described in (Note 3), further comprising: an identical information signal extraction unit (106) that extracts an identical information signal from the sequence program to which the same auxiliary information as the first signal is associated; an interchangeable signal extraction unit (102) that extracts a signal interchangeable with the identical information signal from the signal database (201); and a signal replacement unit (105) that replaces the identical information signal with an interchangeable signal to which the same auxiliary information as the second signal is associated.

[0085] (Note 5) Sequence program creation device (1) for creating a sequence program, comprising: a program receiving unit (107) that accepts the selection of at least a part of the sequence program; a replacement candidate signal extraction unit (108) that extracts a first signal from the part selected by the program receiving unit (107) which is described in a signal database (201) in which a set of interchangeable signals with the same function but different controlled targets are associated with auxiliary information for identifying the controlled target; a replacement instruction receiving unit (109) that accepts a replacement instruction to determine which of the interchangeable signals to replace the signal associated with the auxiliary information for which the replacement instruction was given; and a signal replacement unit (105) that replaces the first signal with a second signal from the set of interchangeable signals which is associated with the auxiliary information for which the replacement instruction was given.

[0086] (Note 6) The interchangeable signal has the same function as the first signal for an axis, system, or machine group different from the control target of the first signal. (Note 5) Sequence program creation device (1)

[0087] (Note 7) The sequence program creation device (1) described in (Note 6), wherein in the signal database (201), the set of interchangeable signals and auxiliary information for identifying the axis, system, or machine group are defined in association, and the sequence program creation device (1) includes a replacement instruction candidate creation unit (110) that extracts the auxiliary information associated with the signals interchangeable with the first signal as replacement instruction candidates, and a replacement instruction candidate display unit (111) that displays the replacement instruction candidates in a list, and the replacement instruction receiving unit (109) accepts selection from the list of replacement instruction candidates as the replacement instruction.

[0088] 1 Sequence program creation device 10 Control unit 20 Storage unit 101 Signal reception unit 102 Interchangeable signal extraction unit 103 List display unit 104 Replacement signal reception unit 105 Signal replacement unit 106 Identical information signal extraction unit 107 Program reception unit 108 Replacement candidate signal extraction unit 109 Replacement instruction reception unit 110 Replacement instruction candidate creation unit 111 Replacement instruction candidate display unit 201 Signal database

Claims

1. A sequence program creation device for creating a sequence program, comprising: a signal receiving unit that accepts the selection of a first signal in the sequence program; a replaceable signal extraction unit that extracts signals replaceable with the first signal from a signal database in which a set of replaceable signals with the same function but different controlled targets is defined; a list display unit that displays the extracted signals replaceable with the first signal in a list; a replacement signal receiving unit that accepts the selection of a second signal from the list; and a signal replacement unit that replaces the first signal with the second signal.

2. The sequence program creation device according to claim 1, wherein the interchangeable signal has the same function as the first signal for an axis, system, or machine group different from the control target of the first signal.

3. The sequence program creation device according to claim 2, wherein in the signal database, a set of interchangeable signals and auxiliary information for identifying the axis, system, or machine group are defined in association with each other, the interchangeable signal extraction unit extracts the auxiliary information associated with the first signal together with the signals interchangeable with the first signal, and the list display unit displays the extracted signals interchangeable with the first signal and the auxiliary information in a list.

4. The sequence program creation device according to claim 3, comprising: an identical information signal extraction unit that extracts identical information signals from the sequence program to which the same auxiliary information as the first signal is associated; a replaceable signal extraction unit that extracts signals replaceable with the identical information signals from the signal database; and a signal replacement unit that replaces the identical information signals with replaceable signals to which the same auxiliary information as the second signal is associated.

5. A sequence program creation device for creating a sequence program, comprising: a program receiving unit that accepts the selection of at least a part of the sequence program; a replacement candidate signal extraction unit that extracts a first signal from the part selected by the program receiving unit, which is described in a signal database defined in association with auxiliary information for identifying a control target, and a replacement instruction receiving unit that accepts a replacement instruction to determine which of the interchangeable signals should be replaced with the signal associated with the auxiliary information for which the replacement instruction was given; and a signal replacement unit that replaces the first signal with a second signal from the set of interchangeable signals which is associated with the auxiliary information for which the replacement instruction was given.

6. The sequence program creation device according to claim 5, wherein the interchangeable signal has the same function as the first signal for an axis, system, or machine group different from the control target of the first signal.

7. The sequence program creation device according to claim 6, wherein in the signal database, a set of interchangeable signals and auxiliary information for identifying an axis, system, or machine group are defined in association, and the device comprises: a replacement instruction candidate creation unit that extracts the auxiliary information associated with a signal interchangeable with the first signal as a replacement instruction candidate; and a replacement instruction candidate display unit that displays the replacement instruction candidates in a list, wherein the replacement instruction receiving unit accepts selection from the list of replacement instruction candidates as the replacement instruction.

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