Inspection device, computer-readable recording medium, and inspection method

Abstract

The design management device (100) includes a conversion unit (12) and an inspection unit (13). The conversion unit (12) generates model information (403) obtained by converting the format of design information (303) generated in the process of mechanical design in the engineering chain, and model information (405) obtained by converting the format of design information (305) generated in the process of control design in the engineering chain. The inspection unit (13) uses overall reference information (22) that correlates the model information (403) and the model information (405) to correlate the model information (403) and the model information (405), and inspects the matching between the correlated model information (403) and the model information (405).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an inspection device for checking the matching of a plurality of design information with different formats. Background Art

[0002] In the engineering chain of developing a factory automation system, there are various processes of design such as product design, process design, mechanical design, electrical design, and control design. In the engineering chain, multiple designers use dedicated tools corresponding to the work content to generate design information in each process. The designer ensures the matching of the design information to be generated through the confirmation of the design information generated in the previous process and the adjustment with the designer of the previous process. However, due to insufficient understanding of other processes or insufficient adjustment with the designer of the previous process, man-hours are spent in ensuring the matching of design information.

[0003] Regarding such a situation of man-hour consumption, there is disclosed a matching inspection device that inspects the matching between product CAD (Computer Aided Design) data as shape data of a product and component management data for managing information on a plurality of components used in the product (Patent Document 1).

[0004] Prior Art Documents

[0005] Patent Documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005 - 242674 Summary of the Invention

[0007] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] However, the purpose of the device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is to investigate whether the design information generated based on product CAD data matches the current component management data, and does not disclose a technique for checking the matching of design information generated in each process with each other.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a matching inspection device for checking the matching of a plurality of design information with different formats generated in each process of an engineering chain with each other.

[0010] Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] The inspection device of the present invention has: a conversion unit that converts the formats of a plurality of design information generated in each of a plurality of processes in an engineering chain into a format that enables comparison between the design information, and generates model information representing the design information after format conversion for each of the design information; and an inspection unit that uses overall reference information, which is information for corresponding the plurality of design information, to correspond the plurality of model information, and inspects the matching of the corresponding model information with each other.

[0012] Advantages of the Invention

[0013] Since the matching inspection device of the present invention has a conversion unit and an inspection unit, it is possible to inspect the matching of a plurality of design information with different formats generated in each process of the engineering chain with each other. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] Figure 1 It is a diagram of Embodiment 1, showing the functional structure of the design management device 100.

[0015] Figure 2 It is a diagram of Embodiment 1, showing the outline of the engineering chain 200.

[0016] Figure 3 It is a diagram of Embodiment 1, showing the outline of the production line for producing bolts.

[0017] Figure 4 It is a diagram of Embodiment 1, showing the hardware structure of the design management device 100.

[0018] Figure 5 It is a diagram of Embodiment 1, showing the flowchart of the operation of the design management device 100.

[0019] Figure 6 It is a diagram of Embodiment 1, showing the sequence of the operation of the design management device 100.

[0020] Figure 7 It is a diagram of Embodiment 1, showing the overall reference information 22.

[0021] Figure 8 It is a diagram of Embodiment 1, showing the inspection result of the matching by the inspection unit 13.

[0022] Figure 9 It is a diagram of Embodiment 1, showing the inspection result of the matching using the internal reference information 23.

[0023] Figure 10 It is a diagram of Embodiment 1, showing the structure in which the functions of the design management device 100 are implemented by hardware. Detailed Embodiments

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the description of the embodiments, the description of the same or corresponding parts will be appropriately omitted or simplified.

[0025] Embodiment 1

[0026] Refer to Figures 1 to 10 The design management device 100 of Embodiment 1 will be described. The design management device 100 is an inspection device.

[0027] Figure 1 The functional structure of the design management device 100 is shown. The design management device 100 is an inspection device. The design management device 100 includes an input unit 11, a conversion unit 12, and an inspection unit 13. The input unit 11 receives the design information of each process of the engineering chain. The conversion unit 12 models the design information according to the conversion rule 21 and converts it into model information. The conversion rule 21, the design information, and the model information will be described later in the description of the operation. The inspection unit 13 checks the matching of the model information based on the overall reference information 22 and the internal reference information 23.

[0028] The storage device 20 stores the conversion rule 21, the overall reference information 22, the internal reference information 23, and the model information.

[0029] The design management device 100 uses the overall reference information 22 to correspond the design information generated in each process of the engineering chain to each other, thereby automatically checking the matching between the design information and the design information.

[0030] Figure 2 The outline of the engineering chain 200 is shown. The engineering chain 200 has a plurality of processes such as product design 201, process design 202, mechanical design 203, electrical design 204, control design 205,.... Design information is generated in each process. Figure 2 The shown engineering chain 200 relates to the design of a production line for producing bolts.

[0031] Figure 3 The outline of the production line for producing bolts is shown. The production line for bolts has a screw cutting machine, an in-line inspection device, a conveyor, a grinder, and an inspection device. The in-line inspection device has a function of discharging defective workpieces. Figure 3 The shown production line uses Figure 2 the engineering chain 200 for design. In Figure 2 the engineering chain 200, a state is shown in which design information 303 is generated in the mechanical design 203, design information 304 is generated in the electrical design 204, and design information 305 is generated in the control design 205.

[0032] In the design management device 100 of Embodiment 1, the conversion unit 12 converts the formats of the multiple design information generated in each of the multiple processes of the engineering chain into a format that enables comparison between the design information, and generates model information representing the design information after format conversion for each design information. The conversion unit 12 converts the formats of the multiple design information into formats that can be compared with each other by using a conversion rule 21 that defines the format conversion rules. The information after format conversion of the design information is model information. If reference is made to Figure 2 Specifically, the conversion unit 12 converts the format of the design information 303 according to the conversion rule 21, generates model information 403 based on the design information 303, converts the format of the design information 304 according to the conversion rule 21, generates model information 404 based on the design information 304, converts the format of the design information 305 according to the conversion rule 21, and generates model information 405 based on the design information 305.

[0033] In Figure 2 it shows the state where the inspection unit 13 inspects the matching of the model information 403 and the model information 405. Internal data 1 and internal data 2 are shown in the model information 403. However, the internal data will be described later.

[0034] ***Description of the structure***

[0035] Figure 4 It shows the hardware structure of the design management device 100. Refer to Figure 4 to describe the hardware structure of the design management device 100.

[0036] The design management device 100 is a computer. Denote the interface as IF. The design management device 100 has a processor 110. In addition to having a processor 110, the design management device 100 also has other hardware such as a main storage device 120, an auxiliary storage device 130, an input IF 140, an output IF 150, a communication IF 160, and a display device 170. The processor 110 is connected to other hardware via a signal line 180 and controls other hardware.

[0037] The design management device 100 has an input unit 11, a conversion unit 12, and an inspection unit 13 as functional elements. The functions of the input unit 11, the conversion unit 12, and the inspection unit 13 are implemented by an inspection program 101.

[0038] The processor 110 is a device that executes the inspection program 101. The inspection program 101 is stored in the auxiliary storage device 130. The inspection program 101 is a program that implements the functions of the input unit 11, the conversion unit 12, and the inspection unit 13. The processor 110 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) that performs arithmetic processing. Specific examples of the processor 110 are a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

[0039] The main storage device 120 is a storage device. Specific examples of the main storage device 120 are an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) and a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). The main storage device 120 holds the arithmetic result of the processor 110.

[0040] The auxiliary storage device 130 is a storage device that stores data in a non-volatile manner. Specific examples of the auxiliary storage device 130 are an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). In addition, the auxiliary storage device 130 can also be a removable recording medium such as an SD (registered trademark) (Secure Digital) memory card, a NAND flash memory, a floppy disk, an optical disk, a high-density disk, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[0041] The auxiliary storage device 130 implements Figure 1 the storage device 20.

[0042] The input IF 140 is a port for inputting data from each device. The input unit 11 acquires data via the input IF 140. The output IF 150 is a port to which various devices are connected and through which the processor 110 outputs data to various devices. In Figure 4 this case, a display device 170 is connected to the output IF 150. The communication IF 160 is a communication port for the processor 110 to communicate with other devices.

[0043] The processor 110 loads the inspection program 101 from the auxiliary storage device 130 into the main storage device 120, reads out and executes the inspection program 101 from the main storage device 120. In the main storage device 120, not only the inspection program 101 is stored, but also an OS (Operating System) is stored. The processor 110 executes the inspection program 101 while executing the OS. The design management device 100 may also have a plurality of processors in place of the processor 110. These multiple processors share the execution of the inspection program 101. Each processor is a device that executes the inspection program 101 in the same manner as the processor 110. The data, information, signal values, and variable values used, processed, or output by the inspection program 101 are stored in the main storage device 120, the auxiliary storage device 130, or registers or caches within the processor 110.

[0044] The inspection program 101 is a program that causes a computer to execute each process, each sequence, or each step of rewriting the "units" of the input unit 11, the conversion unit 12, and the inspection unit 13 into "processing", "sequence", or "step".

[0045] In addition, the inspection method is a method implemented by the design management device 100 of a computer executing the inspection program 101. The inspection program 101 can be provided by being stored in a computer-readable recording medium, or can be provided as a program product.

[0046] ***Description of operations***

[0047] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the operations of the design management device 100. Figure 5 The functional elements in parentheses shown in each step of represent the operation subject.

[0048] Figure 6 is the sequence of operations of the design management device 100. Refer to Figure 5 、 Figure 6 to describe the operations of the design management device 100. The operation sequence of the design management device 100 as an inspection device corresponds to the inspection method. The program that implements the operations of the design management device 100 corresponds to the inspection program 101.

[0049] <Step S11>

[0050] In step S11 of obtaining the overall reference information 22, the already generated overall reference information 22 is input to the input unit 11. The input unit 11 obtains the overall reference information 22 and stores it in the storage device 20.

[0051] <Overall reference information 22>

[0052] Figure 7The overall reference information 22 is shown. The overall reference information 22 is information for matching a plurality of design information generated in each process of the engineering chain. The overall reference information 22 can record any information as long as it can match the design information. Matching the design information is the function of the overall reference information 22. The model information described later is generated based on the design information, so if the overall reference information 22 is used, the model information can be matched.

[0053] In the overall reference information 22, the lines of the design object are divided and expressed in layers according to each function. Specifically, the overall reference information 22 records the cutting function, the screw cutting function, the defective workpiece removal function, the appearance inspection function, and the workpiece removal function. The overall reference information 22 corresponds to Figure 3 Production line of bolts.

[0054] Furthermore, design information is classified into two types, hardware and software, in the overall reference information 22. Hereinafter, hardware is referred to as H / W, and software is referred to as S / W.

[0055] exist Figure 7 In the overall reference information 22, the premise is that each function is independent, so the reference destinations of H / W and S / W are different. However, when there is a relationship between functions, the same reference destination can be recorded between multiple functions, and multiple reference destinations can be recorded in one function. In addition, in addition to H / W and S / W, any classification can be added to the classification of design information.

[0056] <Step S12>

[0057] In step S12 of acquiring design information, each design information generated in each process of the process chain is input to the input unit 11. In step S12 of the first embodiment, it is assumed that Figure 2 Design Information 303 of Mechanical Design 203 and Figure 2 The input design information 305 of the control design 205 may be input in a format that is inherent to the tool that generates the design information. The input design information may be in a generally used format such as xml (Extensible Markup Language). The input design information may be in a format that is common between the same tools, such as IGES (Initial Graphics Exchange Specification) in the case of CAD.

[0058] <Step S13>

[0059] In step S13 of modeling the design information, the conversion unit 12 converts the design information into model information using the conversion rule 21. The conversion rule 21 records the rules for format conversion of the design information. Specifically, as described below. The conversion unit 12 converts the format of the design information 303 into the model information 403 and generates the model information 403 based on the design information 303. Similarly, the conversion unit 12 converts the format of the design information 305 into the model information 405 and generates the model information 405 based on the design information 305. The conversion unit 12 stores the model information 403 and the model information 405 in the storage device 20.

[0060] <Step S14>

[0061] In step S14, the inspection unit 13 that checks the matching of the model information corresponds the multiple model information using the overall reference information 22 and checks the matching of the corresponding model information. Specifically, the inspection unit 13 uses the overall reference information 22 and the internal reference information 23 to perform a matching check on whether the model information 403 and the model information 405 match. The internal reference information 23 is information that records the correspondence between the internal data regarding the internal data that may be included in the model information. The model information 403, the model information 405, the overall reference information 22, and the internal reference information 23 are stored in the storage device 20. In addition, it is preferable to use the internal reference information 23. However, the inspection unit 13 may also check the matching of the model information 403 and the model information 405 using only the overall reference information 22 without using the internal reference information 23.

[0062] Figure 8 Shows the inspection result of the inspection unit 13 on the matching of the model information 403 and the model information 405. Figure 8 Shows the case where the internal reference information 23 is not used. In Figure 8 The inspection unit 13 checks the matching of the "unit structure information and input / output information" included in the model information 403 and the "unit structure information and input / output information" included in the model information 405.

[0063] In Figure 8 The cutting processing function 220, which is one of the functions shown as the overall reference information 22, corresponds the cutting processing device classified as H / W, that is, the model information 403, and the cutting processing logic classified as S / W, that is, the model information 405. The arrows 22a and 22b indicate that the model information 403 and the model information 405 are corresponded via the overall reference information 22.

[0064] In addition, in step S12, design information 303 and 305 are input to the design management device 100, and model information 403 and 405 are generated based on the design information 303 and 305. However, at the time when the model information 403 and 405 are generated, the inspection unit 13 does not know whether the model information 403 and the model information 405 correspond to each other. In step S14, the inspection unit 13 uses the overall reference information 22 to check the model information 403 and the model information 405, whereby the inspection unit 13 knows whether the model information 403 and the model information 405 correspond to each other.

[0065] The inspection unit 13 determines that both the cutting device, i.e., the model information 403, and the cutting logic, i.e., the model information 405, have the same structure with respect to the basic unit surrounded by the dotted line. Thus, the inspection unit 13 determines that the model information 403 and the model information 405 are matched with respect to the basic unit.

[0066] The inspection unit 13 corresponds the internal data included in the model information to each other by using the internal reference information 23 in which the correspondence relationships between the internal data are recorded with respect to the internal data included in the model information. The inspection unit 13 checks whether the first model information representing the model information in which the internal data are corresponded to each other and the second model information representing the model information corresponded to the first model information by using the overall reference information 22 are matched. The following is a specific description. The following model information 403a is the first model information in which the internal data are corresponded to each other, and the model information 405a is the second model information.

[0067] Figure 9 Shows the inspection result of the matching by the inspection unit 13 when using the internal reference information 23. In Figure 9 it shows the state in which the inspection unit 13 corresponds the model information 403a and the model information 405a by using the overall reference information 22. The model information 403a is the information of the cutting device, and the model information 405a is the cutting device I / O (Input Output). The model information 403a is the model information after format conversion based on the design information of the mechanical design 203, and the model information 405a is the model information after format conversion based on the design information of the control design 205. The model information 403a and the model information 405a are corresponded to each other by the “H / W: <cutting device>” and “I / O: <cutting device I / O>” of the overall reference information 22. Further, as shown by the arrow 25, the model information 403a corresponds the “Switch01” as the internal data to the “X0: operation ready” as the internal data by using the internal reference information 23.

[0068] As shown by arrow 26, "Lamp02" as internal data corresponds to "Y0: Input Acceptance" as internal data. The relationship shown by arrow 25 exists in model information 405a as "X0: Operation Preparation (I) Switch01". On the other hand, the relationship shown by arrow 26 in model information 403a does not exist in model information 405a. In model information 405a, "Lamp01" corresponds to "Y0: Input Acceptance". That is, it is "Lamp02" in model information 403a and "Lamp01" in model information 405a, and the names of the lamps are different.

[0069] By using internal reference information 23, the inspection unit 13 learns the correspondence relationship between the internal data shown by arrow 26 in model information 403a. Thus, in model information 403a, "Lamp02" corresponds to "Y0: Input Acceptance", and in model information 405a, "Lamp01" corresponds to "Y0: Input Acceptance". Therefore, the inspection unit 13 can determine that the names of the lamps corresponding to "Y0: Input Acceptance" do not match. By using internal reference information 23, more detailed matching determination can be performed.

[0070] <Step S15>

[0071] Step S15 is a step of outputting the inspection result of the matching. As described in step S14, when the inspection unit 13 inspects the matching between model information 403a having multiple internal data as multiple elements and model information 405a having multiple internal data as multiple elements, it determines whether the elements of model information 403a match the elements of model information 405a. Model information 403a is one model information, and model information 405a is another model information. When the inspection unit 13 determines that the elements of model information 403a do not match the elements of model information 405a, it outputs the elements determined to be unmatched. Specifically, if it is Figure 9 such an example, the inspection unit 13 displays "Y0: Input Acceptance: Lamp02" of model information 403a and "Y0: Input Acceptance: Lamp01" of model information 405a as elements via output IF150 on the display device 170.

[0072] ***Effects of Embodiment 1***

[0073] In the design management device 100 of the present embodiment 1, the following effects can be obtained.

[0074] (1) According to the design management device 100, in the case where the tools for generating design information are different, and even for design information of different processes, the matching between the design information can be confirmed.

[0075] (2) The inspection unit 13 outputs the mismatched elements. Therefore, when the inspection unit 13 detects a violation of the matching property, it is possible to identify the elements that violate the matching property among the elements included in the design information.

[0076] (3) It is possible to simultaneously confirm the matching property between multiple pieces of design information. Therefore, when a design change occurs at any step in the engineering chain, by inputting the changed design information into the design management device 100, it is possible to identify the affected design information.

[0077] (4) Before and after the import into the design management device 100, the work of the designer to generate the design information remains unchanged. Therefore, it is also possible to prevent an increase in the working hours of the designer.

[0078] <Supplement of the hardware structure>

[0079] In Figure 4 the design management device 100, the functions of the design management device 100 are implemented by software. However, the functions of the design management device 100 can also be implemented by hardware.

[0080] Figure 10 Shows a structure in which the functions of the design management device 100 are implemented by hardware. Figure 10 The electronic circuit 90 of is a dedicated electronic circuit that implements the functions of the input unit 11, the conversion unit 12, and the inspection unit 13 of the design management device 100. The electronic circuit 90 is connected to the signal line 91. Specifically, the electronic circuit 90 is a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel-programmed processor, a logic IC, a GA, an ASIC, or an FPGA. GA is an abbreviation for Gate Array. ASIC is an abbreviation for Application Specific Integrated Circuit. FPGA is an abbreviation for Field-Programmable Gate Array. The functions of the structural elements of the design management device 100 can be implemented by one electronic circuit or can be dispersed among multiple electronic circuits. In addition, it can also be that part of the functions of the structural elements of the design management device 100 are implemented by an electronic circuit and the remaining functions are implemented by software.

[0081] The processor 110 and the electronic circuit 90 are each referred to as a processing line. In the design management device 100, the functions of the input unit 11, the conversion unit 12, and the inspection unit 13 can also be implemented by a processing line.

[0082] The above has described Embodiment 1. However, Embodiment can also be partially implemented. Or, two or more parts in Embodiment 1 can be combined and implemented. In addition, the present invention is not limited to Embodiment 1 and can be variously changed as needed.

[0083] Description of reference numerals

[0084] 11: Input unit; 12: Conversion unit; 13: Inspection unit; 20: Storage device; 21: Conversion rule; 22: Overall reference information; 22a, 22b: Arrows; 23: Internal reference information; 25, 26: Arrows; 100: Design management device; 101: Inspection program; 110: Processor; 120: Main storage device; 130: Auxiliary storage device; 140: Input IF; 150: Output IF; 160: Communication IF; 200: Engineering chain; 201: Product design; 202: Process design; 203: Mechanical design; 204: Electrical design; 205: Control design; 220: Machining function; 303, 304, 305: Design information; 403, 404, 405: Model information.

Claims

1. An inspection device, the inspection device having: a conversion unit that converts the formats of a plurality of design information generated in each of a plurality of processes in an engineering chain into a format capable of comparison between the design information, and generates model information representing the design information after format conversion for each of the design information; and an inspection unit that uses overall reference information, which is information for corresponding the plurality of design information, to correspond the plurality of model information, and inspects the matching of the corresponding model information with each other, wherein, the conversion unit converts the formats of the plurality of design information into a format capable of mutual comparison by using a conversion rule for format conversion, the conversion unit generates a corresponding one of the plurality of model information according to one of the plurality of design information by converting the format of the one design information according to the conversion rule.

2. The inspection device according to claim 1, wherein, the inspection unit corresponds the internal data included in the model information to each other by using internal reference information in which the correspondence between the internal data is recorded regarding the data included inside the model information representing the model information, the inspection unit inspects whether a first model information representing the model information in which the internal data is corresponded to each other matches a second model information representing the model information corresponded to the first model information by using the overall reference information.

3. The inspection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, when the inspection unit inspects the matching of one model information having a plurality of elements and another model information having a plurality of elements, it determines whether the elements of the one model information match the elements of the another model information, and outputs the elements determined to be mismatched in the case where it is determined that the elements of the one model information do not match the elements of the another model information.

4. A computer-readable recording medium recording an inspection program, the inspection program causing a computer to execute the following processes: a conversion process of converting the formats of a plurality of design information generated in each of a plurality of processes in an engineering chain into a format capable of comparison between the design information, and generating model information representing the design information after format conversion for each of the design information; and an inspection process of using overall reference information, which is information for corresponding the plurality of design information, to correspond the plurality of model information, and inspecting the matching of the corresponding model information with each other, wherein, in the conversion process, the formats of the plurality of design information are converted into a format capable of mutual comparison by using a conversion rule for format conversion, in the conversion process, a corresponding one of the plurality of model information is generated according to one of the plurality of design information by converting the format of the one design information according to the conversion rule.

5. An inspection method, wherein, a computer converts the formats of a plurality of design information generated in each of a plurality of processes in an engineering chain into a format capable of comparison between the design information, The computer generates model information representing the design information after format conversion according to each of the design information. The computer uses overall reference information, which is information for corresponding the multiple design information, to correspond the multiple model information, thereby checking the matching of the corresponding model information with each other. Among them, the computer converts the formats of the multiple design information into formats that can be compared with each other by using the conversion rules of format conversion. The computer generates a corresponding one of the multiple model information according to one of the multiple design information by converting the format of one of the multiple design information according to the conversion rules.

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