System and method for dispatching production orders for products in a distributed environment

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and system for dispatching production orders for products in a distributed environment, the method comprising: receiving a production order, the order comprising a first list of required production parameters, wherein an ordered target value is defined for each production parameter in the first list; automatically determining a nominal group for achieving product production relative to resource availability; automatically determining a first group, a second group, and a third group of production lines from the nominal group according to the production scenario, the first group comprising all production lines of the nominal group that meet the target value defined in the first list, the second group comprising all production lines of the nominal group that meet the target value of at least one production site constraint production parameter defined in the second list, and the third group comprising all production lines of the nominal group that meet the target value of at least one line-specific production parameter defined in the third list; automatically determining the optimal production line through a central system and from the first group, the second group, and the third group; and automatically dispatching the order to the optimal production line.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to methods and systems for manufacturing products, particularly automatically, in a distributed environment comprising a number of production lines distributed across one or more production sites. The present invention also relates in particular to dispatching production orders to production lines at the one or more production sites. More generally, the present invention relates to a Manufacturing Execution System (MES). Recently, the term Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) has been increasingly used instead of the term MES. Background Art

[0002] As defined by the Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association (MESA International), an MES / MOM system is a "dynamic information system that drives the efficient execution of manufacturing operations" by managing "production operations from the point an order is released into manufacturing to the point the product is delivered as a finished product" and by "providing mission-critical information about production activities to other parties across the organization and supply chain via two-way communication." Furthermore, the ISA-95 standard details the meaningful resources that must be considered by the manufacturing process in order to optimize and streamline the production process. Particular emphasis is placed on the management of materials, equipment, tools, and personnel. Typically, an MES system connects, monitors, and controls complex manufacturing production processes and data flows within an enterprise. One of the primary goals of an MES system is to ensure the efficient execution of manufacturing operations and improve output.

[0003] In order to improve the quality and processing performance of manufacturing plants, MES / MOM systems usually include the following functions: resource allocation and status, dispatching production orders, data collection / acquisition, quality management, maintenance management, performance analysis, operation / detail scheduling, document control, labor management, process management and product tracking. For example, Siemens has implemented MES / MOM in its SIMATIC The product line offers a wide range of MES / MOM products. MES or MOM systems such as SIMATIC IT manage and monitor the production of a wide variety of products. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention is particularly interested in the management of production orders that impact product production. Production Order Management (hereinafter referred to as "POM") refers to the set of processes responsible for tracking customer orders and providing plans and resources to fulfill them. Traditional MES systems are designed as monolithic, single-factory applications.

[0005] Unfortunately, such a monolithic POM design is no longer desirable in the Industry 4.0 environment, where globalization (wider distribution of production sites) and customization (production models focused on smaller batch sizes and flexible outputs) require greater flexibility and efficiency in manufacturing processes. In fact, traditional MES systems are unable to cope with this distributed environment, where manufacturing processes are now described as a set of decomposed functions distributed hierarchically across geographically dispersed enterprises. Due to this deficiency, order dispatching based on traditional MES systems becomes less efficient because it lacks a global view of integrated production capabilities.

[0006] The present invention is based on a new design for an MES system, in which the POM is implemented as a combination of at least order management and order fulfillment functions to better accommodate the globalization of production. In other words, the POM according to the present invention is divided into several independent functions that are executed in a distributed and hierarchical system, in contrast to the monolithic POM function in traditional MES.

[0007] In particular, the order management functionality is a global functionality that provides an entry point for collecting customer orders from the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system and bill of process (BoP) and bill of materials (BoM) data from the product lifecycle management (PLM) software (BoP and BoM data relate to the definition of the production processes and materials required to make a product, respectively). The order management functionality provides, in particular, the logic for creating production orders, splitting production orders into sub-orders, and dispatching production orders for their execution. On the other hand, and in particular, the order execution functionality is a local functionality that provides local order planning functionality (e.g., scheduling orders according to factory-specific constraints) as well as production order and production order step execution, which takes into account the dependencies between them and ensures that all necessary resources (e.g., equipment, materials, personnel, etc.) are correctly allocated. From a very broad perspective, both the global order management functionality and the local order management functionality can have multiple instances running simultaneously at different enterprise levels.

[0008] In such a distributed environment, several production order execution modules (each responsible for local order execution functions) can be coordinated by a single, centralized order management module responsible for global order management functions. This is the case, for example, for a production site with multiple functionally equivalent production lines.

[0009] In such an environment, the dispatch of production orders is typically accomplished using scheduling tools available within the MOM system, which are configured to optimize resource allocation. Scheduling tools are specifically used to schedule, control, and optimize the work and workload within a production or manufacturing process. Scheduling tools can allocate plant and machinery resources, plan human resources, schedule production processes, and purchase materials, with the goal of achieving the shortest possible release time for received production orders.

[0010] However, producing according to the shortest release time is usually not an optimization of production. In fact, the dispatch of production orders is usually calculated based on the available resources (e.g., machines, materials, personnel) when each production order is received to ensure the shortest release time. This is not always effective or optimized for saving materials, space or money. For example, shortening the release time may increase production waste or energy consumption, etc. In addition, the current solution for dispatching production orders does not provide any flexibility to the MES or MOM operator. The MES or MOM operator cannot decide where and how to optimize production, or whether certain production parameters should be minimized or maximized to, for example, reduce the workload on a specific production line or achieve a specific product quality.

[0011] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a method and a system that are able to optimize production and thus provide efficient manufacturing of products in a distributed environment, so that received production orders are intelligently dispatched within a production environment comprising several production lines distributed in one or several production sites, wherein the production sites are, for example, sites remotely located relative to each other.

[0012] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method and a system for dispatching production orders in a distributed environment according to the objects of the independent claims. Further advantages of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0013] According to the invention, the production of products in a distributed environment comprising several production lines distributed in one or several production sites is optimized by finding one or several production lines that provide a suitable balance between several sets of required or constrained production parameters, such as resource allocation, energy consumption, availability date, production waste, production speed, job cost, average delay to due date, material consumption, line availability, etc. Production parameters according to the invention are quantitative or measurable parameters, the values ​​of which can be used to configure the production line, i.e., to set the production line so that the production of this line meets the production parameters.

[0014] The present invention specifically provides for automatically selecting the most appropriate production line within the distributed environment based on a set of production parameters, preferably key performance indicators (KPIs) defined for each production site, each received production order, and each production line. Each set of parameters, such as KPIs, is thus defined at different levels of the distributed environment: at a first level corresponding to the production parameters required by the customer request, at a second level corresponding to the production parameters required or provided by the production site, and at a third level corresponding to the production parameters required or provided by the production line. Based on the customer's required production parameters, a production scenario is defined, wherein production parameters for the second and third levels are selected and defined, and target values ​​to be met are assigned to each of the production parameters in the second and third levels. By determining which production line or lines can meet the target values ​​defined at each level, the most appropriate production line can be selected to respond to the customer request and produce the requested product in an optimized manner. As previously mentioned, the production parameters are preferably KPIs. In this case, the target values ​​are defined as KPI values, which are measurable or quantitative values ​​associated with one or more production steps (e.g., energy values, time values, product quality values, cost values, etc.).

[0015] According to the invention, the previously mentioned objectives are achieved in practice by a method for dispatching production orders for products in a distributed environment comprising several production lines distributed in one or several production sites Si and optionally manufacturing said products. The method comprises the following steps:

[0016] - receiving, by a central system for managing production orders, said production order for said product, said production order comprising a list of required production parameters (e.g. required KPIs), said list being referred to hereinafter as a first list, said list comprising at least one required production parameter, and wherein each required production parameter (e.g. each required KPI) is associated with an ordered target value which said product or its production must comply with or meet. Thus, said ordered target value is a target value defined for said required production parameter and therefore defines the requirements which said product or its production must meet with respect to said required production parameter. said first list of required production parameters comprises, for example, at least one of the following requirements: product quality level, expiration date, production costs, material and / or energy consumption, average delay to expiration date, etc. A production order typically results from a customer request and can be entered into said central system by an operator or automatically determined by the central system based on a customer request;

[0017] - The central system automatically determines the production lines distributed in the one or several production sites Si A nominal group, wherein the nominal group includes a production line The production line Each can be used in the production line under consideration The resources required to produce the product are sufficient (i.e., enable the production of the product). The resources according to the present invention include, for example, at least one of the following: equipment or machinery, materials, and personnel. The central system may include scheduling tools known in the art for optimizing resource allocation;

[0018] - a production scenario used by the central system for the production of the product. The production scenario may be received or selected by the central system. The production scenario is configured to define:

[0019] a list of production site constraint production parameters (e.g., production site constraint KPIs), hereinafter referred to as a second list, comprising at least one production site constraint production parameter for a production line of the one or several production sites. For example, the second list associates at least one production site constraint production parameter defined for the production line under consideration and based on the production site constraints or requirements under consideration with the production line of the production site, preferably with each production line of the one or several production sites. In particular, the production site constraint production parameter may be the same for all production lines of the same production site, or preferably for all identical production lines of the same production site;

[0020] as well as

[0021] a list of line-specific production parameters (e.g., line-specific KPIs), which list is referred to hereinafter as a third list and comprises, for the production line of the one or several production sites, at least one line-specific production parameter, e.g., at least one line-specific KPI. For example, the third list associates at least one line-specific production parameter defined for the production line in question and based on the production characteristics or requirements of the production line in question with a production site, preferably with each production line of the one or several production sites. In particular, the line-specific production parameter can be identical for all identical production lines;

[0022] as well as

[0023] The production scenario is configured to define, for each production site constraint production parameter of the second list and, for each line-specific production parameter of the third list, an associated value, which is a target value for the parameter under consideration. In other words, the scenario preferably defines, for each production line of the one or more production sites, a target value for each production site constraint production parameter of the second list and a target value for each line-specific production parameter of the third list, such that the number of target values ​​defined for the second list and the third list, respectively, is equal to the number of production site constraint production parameters of the second list and the number of line-specific production parameters of the third list, respectively. The scenario can be selected by the operator and provided as input to the central system, or it can be automatically determined or generated by the central system, or it can be predefined in a memory or central database of the central system (e.g., by a production expert) based on the type of product that must be produced and / or based on a list of required production parameters defined in a production order. Each production site constraint production parameter value defines a production site constraint (i.e., a target) to be achieved (i.e., satisfied or complied with) by the production process for producing the product. It may relate to energy consumption (e.g. minimizing energy consumption, indicating a production site-constrained production parameter value, e.g. a maximum energy consumption that should not be exceeded), utilization of the production line (e.g. full utilization of the production line), maximum authorized delay to expiration date, etc. Each line-specific production parameter value defines a production line characteristic or feature or variable that must be achieved or complied with by the associated production line. It may relate to availability of the production line (i.e. the ratio between operating time and total time), scrap value (e.g. a maximum scrap value), line speed, material consumption, etc. According to the invention, production site-constrained production parameters are defined relative to the production site, whereas line-specific production parameters are defined relative to the production line. Preferably, the central system is configured to automatically sort (i.e. classify) the required production parameters in said first list according to an order of importance from the most important required production parameter that must be met to the least important required production parameter that must be met, in case said first list comprises more than one required production parameter. The same applies to the second list and the third list, wherein the central system is configured for automatically sorting the production site-constrained production parameters and the line-specific production parameters, respectively, according to their respective order of importance from most important to least important, in case the second list includes more than one production site-constrained production parameter and the third list includes more than one line-specific production parameter;

[0024] - Automatically determined by the central system from the nominal group of the production line and based on the production scenario:

[0025] - a first group of production lines comprising all production lines of said nominal group of production lines capable of meeting an ordered target value of at least one (e.g. only the most important, preferably all) required production parameters defined in a first list. Preferably, the central system is configured to sort / classify the selected / determined production lines of said first group according to the degree of satisfaction of the ordered target value of said at least one (preferably all) required production parameters, e.g. from the product line that best meets the ordered target value of each of said required production parameters to the product line that least meets said value. Preferably, a target value defined for a production site constrained production parameter, a required production parameter or a line-specific production parameter is considered to be met or complied with if the value defined for or characterizing the production line under consideration falls within a predefined interval including said target value. In other words, a production line characterized by a production or characteristic value close to a target value, whether relating to a production site constrained production parameter, a required production parameter or a line-specific production parameter, can be considered to meet or comply with said target value;

[0026] a second group of production lines comprising all production lines of the nominal group of production lines that are able to satisfy the value of at least one (e.g. only the most important, preferably all) production site constraint production parameter defined in the second list. Preferably, the central system is configured to sort / classify the production lines of the second group according to the degree of satisfaction of the value of at least one (preferably all) production site constraint production parameter, e.g. from the production line that best satisfies the value of each of the production site constraint production parameters to the production line that least satisfies said value;

[0027] a third group of production lines comprising all production lines of said nominal group of production lines which are able to satisfy the value of at least one (e.g. only the most important, preferably all) line-specific production parameter defined in a third list. Preferably, the central system is configured to sort / classify said production lines of said third group according to the degree of satisfaction of said at least one (preferably all) line-specific production parameter value, e.g. from the production line which satisfies the value of each line-specific production parameter the most to the production line which satisfies said value the least;

[0028] - The most suitable production line, i.e., the optimal production line for producing the product, is automatically selected or determined by the central system from the first, second, and third groups previously selected. For example, the central system may use a constraint satisfaction algorithm or constraint solver that uses the first, second, and third groups of production lines and the target values ​​defined for the first, second, and third lists (as constraints to be solved) as input. The output is then a set of production lines that meets or satisfies all the target values ​​(i.e., constraints), which is referred to as the optimal production line. The optimal production lines within the obtained set may be sorted from the line that is most suitable for producing the product (i.e., most satisfies all the target values) to the line that is least suitable (i.e., least satisfies all the target values). Preferably, the constraint satisfaction algorithm may be configured to determine an intersection between the first, second, and third groups, wherein the intersection defines a set of production lines that belongs to the first, second, and third groups and therefore satisfies all the target values. In particular, if the production lines have been ranked in each of the first, second, and third groups, the central system may assign weights to the rankings (e.g., the first production line of each group receives a higher weight than the next production line in the ranking, wherein the weights are predefined based on production parameters and are independent of any target values), such that the production lines belonging to the intersection between the groups may be ranked according to their assigned weights, thereby generating an ordered group of optimal production lines, wherein the first optimal production line of the resulting group is the optimal production line that best satisfies all target values;

[0029] - Automatically assigning the production order to the optimal production line. In particular, the production order can be assigned to the first optimal production line in the ordered optimal production line group;

[0030] - Optionally, said product is manufactured automatically by said optimal production line, eg by said first optimal production line.

[0031] With regard to the classification of the production lines in each of the first, second and third groups, different known techniques (e.g. based on weights) can be used by the central system to determine the degree of satisfaction with respect to a set of target values ​​associated with the production lines, in order to thereby define an order between the production lines in each of the aforementioned groups, for example from the production line that best satisfies the target values ​​for the group as a whole to the production line that least satisfies said target values ​​for the group as a whole. The goal is to sort the production lines in each of the groups from the production line that will provide the optimal production with respect to the set of target values ​​defined in conjunction with the group of production lines under consideration to the production line that will provide the least optimal production. Such a weight-based system can also be used to sort the so-called optimal production lines in the previously mentioned intersection.

[0032] The objects of the present invention are also solved by a system for dispatching production orders for products in a distributed environment comprising several production lines distributed in one or several production sites Si and optionally for manufacturing said products The system includes:

[0033] a central system for managing production orders, said central system comprising at least a processor and a memory, said central system preferably comprising a scheduling tool configured to optimize resource allocation;

[0034] a production order execution module at each production site, the production order execution module being configured to manage production at said production site and to control the production site production line in order to enable production of said product, each production order execution module being connected to the central system;

[0035] - optionally, one or several production lines at each production site for manufacturing said product, each production line being configured to communicate with said production order execution module designed to equip said production site;

[0036] The system according to the invention is characterized in that it is configured for executing the steps of the method for manufacturing a product in a distributed environment as previously disclosed.

[0037] In particular, the system according to the present invention includes a central database connected to the central system and to each production module. The central database is preferably configured to store and update production parameters of the production lines of the distributed environment. Specifically, the central database includes, for each production line: a predefined list of line-specific production parameters, the predefined list including, for each line-specific production parameter, a current value associated with the line-specific production parameter and defined for the relevant production line; a predefined list of production site-constrained production parameters, the predefined list including, for each production site-constrained production parameter, a current value associated with the production site-constrained production parameter and defined for the relevant production line; and a predefined list of required production parameters, the predefined list including, for each required production parameter, a current value associated with the required production parameter and defined for the relevant production line.

[0038] Furthermore, the central database is configured to store a plurality of scenarios, each of which is predefined based on the type of product to be produced and / or based on a list of required production parameters and / or based on ordered target values ​​associated with each required production parameter. According to the present invention, and preferably when the central system receives a new production order, it automatically determines a predefined scenario corresponding to the new order (e.g., a predefined scenario associated with the same product or type of product and with similar or identical required production parameters). Furthermore, each predefined scenario is configured to define the second list of site-constrained production parameters and the third list of line-specific production parameters, and to associate target values ​​with each site-constrained production parameter of the second list and each line-specific production parameter of the third list, respectively. Thus, based on the required production parameters and the product to be produced, the central system can automatically select one of the predefined scenarios, which then becomes the production scenario used by the central system to calculate the automatic selection or determination of the first, second, and third groups of production lines using the production scenario, the nominal group of production lines, the required production parameters, and their associated ordered target values ​​as input. The central system is therefore configured to determine which of the predefined scenarios best matches or is most suitable for modeling the required production parameters and the products to be produced defined in the received production order, and the best matching or most suitable predefined scenario defines the second list and the third list, which are then used by the central system to determine whether the production line under consideration can meet the target values ​​based on the current values ​​of the production parameters for the production line stored in the central database. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] A preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0040] Figure 1 Schematically shows a preferred embodiment of the method according to the present invention;

[0041] Figure 2 A system for manufacturing a production order according to the present invention is schematically shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The present invention belongs to the technical field of manufacturing execution systems (MES / MOM). Figure 1 The steps of the method according to the invention are schematically described, and Figure 2 A preferred embodiment of a system 200 for manufacturing a product in a distributed environment comprising several production lines distributed in one or several production sites Si is provided. where i=1, ..., n, where n is the number of production sites, and j=1, ..., m Si , where m Si is the number of production lines used in production site Si. Figure 2 In the example shown, there is a case where n=3, that is, there are three production sites, namely production sites S1, S2 and S3, wherein production site S1 includes three production lines, namely and Production site S2 includes three production lines, namely and And the production site S3 includes 4 production lines, namely and The production sites are far apart, i.e. geographically separated from each other, e.g. one production site is located in one country and another production site is located in another country. Each production site Si comprises at least one order execution module 220, which is configured for communicating with each production line of the production site in order to manage and / or control the production carried out by the production lines of the production site, and for communicating with the central system 210. The central system 210 preferably comprises a central database 211, which can be connected to the production lines of each production site, e.g. via / through the order execution module 220, in order to receive or exchange relevant production data for the production lines. The central system 210 is configured for receiving customer requests for the production of products. For each customer request received, it has to be determined which production line or group of production lines is appropriate for producing the requested product. "Appropriate" means that the production line to be selected for the production of the product is configured for optimizing the production, taking into account different production parameters at different levels of the structured hierarchy of the distributed environment. In fact, one of the tasks of the central system is to dispatch production orders for production requests received from customers. The central system 210 therefore provides Figure 2 The global order management runs at the first level (top level) of the structured hierarchy shown in , each of the production sites Si corresponds to the second level of the structured hierarchy, and each production line Belonging to the third level of said structured hierarchy. According to the invention, the central system 210 is configured for dispatching production orders of products to production lines, which enables optimizing production taking into account production parameters at the first, second and third levels.

[0043] At each level, different production parameters are defined according to constraints, requirements, equipment characteristics, etc. The present invention proposes a central system configured to determine the optimal production line for said production taking into account the production parameters defined at each level:

[0044] - At the first level, the customer's production order defines a first list of required production parameters. According to this embodiment, these may be required KPIs. The production order may come directly from the customer or may be generated upon customer request. For each required production parameter RPP of the first list p , the ordered target value TV1 is limited by the production order p (hereinafter "TV1" will be used to refer to "ordered target values"), where p = 1, ..., P, where P is the number of required production parameters of the first list. For example, the first list may include required KPIs, where a required KPI value is provided for the quality level of the ordered product, another required KPI value is provided for the due date for delivery of the ordered product, and yet another required KPI value is associated with the cost of production. In other words, at the first level, the production order is configured to define a list of required KPIs and to associate a target value defined for the ordered product (e.g., due date, cost, expected quality, etc.) with each required KPI;

[0045] - For the second level, the central system considers the constrained production parameters of each production site. Constrained production parameters are typically constrained KPIs tied to the production site, which are used to achieve specific target values ​​during the production process of the product carried out by the production lines of the production site in question. According to the invention, the central system determines or selects a second list of constrained production parameters of the production site for each production line of each production site. This second list defines, for the relevant production line, which constraints at the production site level must be met / satisfied during the production process of the product at the production site, and the constrained production parameters CPP for each production site are defined. q with the target value TV2 for the production of the product q (hereinafter, "TV2" will be used to refer to the "target value of the production site constraint production parameter"), where q = 1, ..., Q, where Q is the number of production site constraint production parameters in the second list. Thus, different production site constraint production parameters may be present in the second list, each of which is associated with a target value TV2, i.e., a target value specific to the production site constraint production parameter with which it is associated. For example, there may be as many target values ​​TV2 as there are production site constraint production parameters in the second list. Examples of constraint KPIs that may be found in the second list are energy consumption, line utilization, pollution parameters, etc.

[0046] - For the third level, the central system takes into account line-specific production parameters. Line-specific production parameters are production line data indicating characteristics of the production line and / or production characteristics of the production line that may affect the production of said production line. According to the invention, the central system determines or selects said third list of line-specific production parameters for each production line and sets the target value TV3r LPP with specific production parameters for each line r associated (hereinafter "TV3" will be used to refer to "target values ​​of line-specific production parameters"), where r=1, ..., R, R being the number of line-specific production parameters of the third list. Line-specific production parameters are typically line-specific KPI values. Therefore, there may be different line-specific production parameters in the third list, each line-specific production parameter being associated with a target value TV3, i.e. a target value specific to the line-specific production parameter with which it is associated. For example, there may be as many target values ​​TV3 as there are line-specific production parameters in the third list. For example, even if two production lines may be functionally equivalent, they may be characterized by different KPI values ​​that may affect the production process (e.g. due to more newer equipment or manually / automatically adjusted production processes, etc.). Therefore, the central system takes into account line-specific KPI values ​​for optimizing the production of the ordered products. The line-specific KPIs are, for example, production line availability, scrap, etc.

[0047] In order to be able to determine or select the second and third lists, the central system 210 uses production scenarios. Preferably, several production scenarios are stored in the central database 211. Each production scenario defines the second and third lists according to user input and / or production orders, for example according to required production parameters and / or according to the product itself and / or according to the ordered target value TV1, and for the second list, each production scenario constrains the production parameter CPP for each production site included in the second list. q Limit target value TV2 q , and for the third list, each production scenario for each line-specific production parameter LPP included in said third list r Limit target value TV3 r The individual target values ​​TV2, TV3, and optionally TV1 are then used to determine the most appropriate production line for producing the ordered product. Preferably, a plurality of predefined production scenarios are included in the central database 211, and the central system automatically selects a predefined scenario for a received production order based on the required production parameters. For example, each of the predefined scenarios defines a second list of constraint KPIs and their associated target values, as well as a third list of line-specific KPIs and their associated target values.

[0048] Preferably, the central system 210 includes the central database 211 or communicates with the central database 211. The central database 211 includes the second list and the third list for each predefined scenario. Preferably, the central database 211 may also include a list of each production site Si in the distributed environment, and for each production site Si, the central database 211 may also include the production lines included in each production site Si. The central database is also configured for each production line in the distributed environment. A predefined list of production site constraint production parameters is stored, associating each production site constraint production parameter with its current value, and a predefined list of line-specific production parameters is stored, associating each line-specific production parameter with its current value. The current values ​​are stored in the database and can, for example, be updated periodically. The current values ​​are used by the central system 210 to check whether the production line is able to meet or satisfy target values. For example, if the second list includes a maximum value for energy consumption as a target value TV2, the central system can find the current value of energy consumption that characterizes the production line in the predefined list associated with the production site in question and, accordingly, determine whether the current value stored for the production line is able to meet the target value TV2 for energy consumption associated with the production site constraint production parameters of the second list. Furthermore, the central database 211 can include a nominal list of required production parameters, including all required production parameters defined in the corresponding predefined list for each production line, and associated with each required production parameter the following value: The central system can use this value to create scenarios, particularly based on machine learning techniques known in the art, thereby storing a plurality of scenarios in the central database, each scenario being a function of a set of required production parameters from the nominal list and the corresponding associated values ​​stored for the set of required production parameters. For example, the central database 211 is configured to include a plurality of scenarios, which are preferably automatically determined by the central system using, for example, the machine learning technology, wherein each scenario is predefined for the production of a product and a set of required production parameters and their optional associated values, the set being defined or determined based on the nominal list of required production parameters, and wherein the central system 210 is configured to automatically select the production scenario from the plurality of predefined scenarios based on the product to be manufactured, the required production parameters and the optional ordered target value TV1.

[0049] Preferably, for each scenario, the central database 211 may also be configured to associate a weight with each required production parameter included in the second list, and to associate another weight with each line-specific production parameter included in the third list of line-specific production parameters, and finally to associate a weight with the required production parameters included in the predefined list of required production parameters. The weights enable sorting of the production lines in the groups of production lines that meet the target values ​​defined in association with the first, second, and third lists from the line that best meets the target value to the line that least meets the target value.

[0050] Figure 1 The method according to the present invention is shown in more detail, the steps of the method are as follows:

[0051] - At step 101, the central system 210 receives a production order for a product (e.g., a bicycle). The production order comprises said first list of required production parameters RPP, said first list associating an ordered target value TV1 with each of said required production parameters RPP. For example, the first list comprises the due date as time, the production cost and the quality level of said bicycle as required production parameters, and comprises 6 months, 500 euros / bicycle, 0.6 as corresponding target values. The central system 210 can automatically sort the required production parameters using the weights defined for the predefined list of required production parameters in the central database (and, if necessary, the normalized values ​​associated with the required production parameters). For example, the due date has a weight w_1,1=0.9, the production cost has a weight w_1,2=0.8, and the quality level has a weight w_1,3=0.6, giving priority to the due date;

[0052] - At step 102, the central system 210 automatically defines a set of nominal production lines based on resource availability. These are the production lines for which resources are available to produce the requested product. To this end, and as is known in the art, the central system 210 may use a scheduling tool configured to optimize resource allocation. For example, the nominal set S_nominal of production lines may include information about Figure 2 The following production lines: Other production lines do not include the required resources (e.g., equipment, available personnel, or materials) and are therefore not considered for manufacturing bicycles;

[0053] - At step 103, the central system 210 determines three groups of production lines, namely a first group, a second group and a third group, based on the nominal group and the predefined production scenarios. To this end, the predefined production scenarios are first determined from the central database or automatically selected in the central database based on the required production parameters and the products to be produced of the first list and optionally the ordered target value TV1. The scenarios define, for example, that at the production site level, the second list includes the utilization of the production line as a production site constrained production parameter CPP, and the target value TV2 associated with the utilization of the production line is greater than 3. Similarly, at the production line level, the scenarios define that a third list includes a waste parameter and a production speed as line-specific production parameters LPP, each of the waste parameter and the production speed being associated with a target value TV3 (for example, a maximum number of waste and a minimum number of articles (bicycles) produced per week, respectively). The central system then determines a first group of production lines that includes production lines with an S_nominal value of 500 euros that can be produced within the next six months at a quality level equal to or higher than 0.6, a second group of production lines that includes production lines from the nominal group characterized by a line utilization rate greater than 3, and a third group of production lines that includes production lines from the nominal group characterized by a scrap count lower than a maximum scrap count and a number of articles produced per week higher than the minimum count. Thus, based on the predefined list of production parameter values ​​associated with each production line stored in the central database, the central system determines, for example:

[0054] The first group of production lines is production line Not considered due to having a quality value less than 0.6,

[0055] The second production line is According to the production line The respective production site constraints are associated with a predefined list of production parameters, production lines Characterized by a utilization value below 3, and

[0056] The third production line is According to the production line The respective line-specific production parameters are associated with a predefined list of values ​​for the production line are characterized by a number of scraps above the maximum number and a production speed below the minimum number, respectively; - at step 104, the central system 210 then automatically determines the optimal production line for producing the product from the first group, the second group and the third group. Specifically, the central system 210 can automatically determine the optimal production line by running a constraint satisfaction algorithm or solver, which uses the first group of production lines, the second group of production lines and the third group of production lines and the target values ​​defined in association with the first list, the second list and the third list as input, and provides a set of optimal production lines, i.e., a set of production lines that optimally meet the target values, in particular, meet the target values, when implementing the production of the product, as output. For example, the central system 210 can automatically determine the intersection It generates a set of optimal production lines, which includes the production lines that achieve optimal production of the requested product with respect to the first, second and third lists of production parameters. As already explained, using the weights associated with the production parameters (required production parameters, production site constraint production parameters and line-specific production parameters), the central system can automatically determine which production line in the subset is best for optimal production of the requested product, i.e., it can classify the production lines in the subset according to the degree to which the target values ​​associated with the production parameters of the first, second and third lists are satisfied;

[0057] - At step 105, the central system 210 automatically assigns the production order to the optimal production line

[0058] - Optionally, at step 106, the system 200 automatically manufactures the product through the optimal production line, thereby ensuring optimal production.

[0059] In summary, the present invention advantageously provides a novel concept for assigning production orders to a nominal group of production lines by automatically finding a group of production lines that can achieve optimal production and assigning the production orders to that group of production lines. The system can autonomously assign production orders based on the determined optimal group of production lines by using a constraint satisfaction algorithm or solver, preferably based on KPIs, to automatically solve the constraint problem associated with the first, second, and third lists of production parameters to be satisfied or complied with at the first, second, and third levels, respectively, of a structured hierarchy of a distributed environment, thereby providing more flexibility and a balance between different target values ​​associated with each production parameter.

Claims

1. A method for dispatching production orders for products in a distributed environment, the distributed environment comprising several production lines distributed in one or several production sites Si The method comprises the following steps: a) receiving, by a central system (210) for managing production orders, said production order for said product, wherein said production order comprises a first list of required production parameters RPP of said product, wherein for each required production parameter RPP of said first list an ordered target value TV1 is defined; b) automatically determining, by the central system (210) and according to resource availability, a production line capable of realizing the production of the product relative to the resource availability; The nominal group of c) automatically determining, by the central system (210), a first group of production lines, a second group of production lines and a third group of production lines from the nominal group of production lines and according to a production scenario, the production scenario being configured to define a second list and a third list, wherein the second list is a list of production site constrained production parameters CPP, wherein a target value TV2 is associated with each production site constrained production parameter CPP of the second list, and the third list is a list of line-specific production parameters LPP, wherein a target value TV3 is associated with each line-specific production parameter LPP of the third list: said first group of production lines comprises all the production lines of said nominal group capable of satisfying an ordered target value TV1 of at least one required production parameter RPP defined in said first list, said second group of production lines comprises all the production lines of said nominal group capable of satisfying said target value TV2 of at least one production site constraining production parameter CPP defined in said second list, - said third group of production lines comprises all the production lines of said nominal group capable of satisfying said target value TV3 of at least one line-specific production parameter LPP defined in said third list; d) automatically determining, by the central system (210), one or more optimal production lines for producing the product from the previously determined first group, second group, and third group; e) Automatically assigning the production order to the one or more optimal production lines.

2. The method according to claim 1, comprising: A production scenario for production of the product is automatically selected by the central system.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The central database (211) is configured to include a plurality of scenarios, which are predefined for the production of the product based on a nominal list of required production parameters RPP and values ​​associated with each of the required production parameters, and wherein the central system (210) is configured to automatically select the production scenario from the plurality of predefined scenarios based on the product to be manufactured and the required production parameters RPP.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein Automatically determining the optimal production line includes running a constraint satisfaction algorithm or solver through the central system (210), which uses the first group of production lines, the second group of production lines and the third group of production lines, the ordered target value TV1 defined in association with the first list, and the target value TV2 and the target value TV3 defined in association with the second list and the third list as input, and provides a group of production lines called optimal production lines as output, which optimally satisfies the ordered target value TV1, the target value TV2 and the target value TV3 when achieving production of the product.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein The constraint satisfaction algorithm is configured to automatically find an intersection among the first group of production lines, the second group of production lines, and the third group of production lines, wherein the production lines included in the intersection form an optimal production line group.

6. The method according to claim 4, comprising: A weighting technique is used to associate a weight with each production parameter RPP, CPP and LPP for sorting the production lines in the first group, the second group and the third group, respectively, according to the degree of satisfaction of the target values ​​TV1, the target value TV2 and the target value TV3 defined in association with the first list, the second list and the third list, from the production line that most satisfies or is most compliant with the target values ​​TV1, the target value TV2 and the target value TV3 to the production line that least satisfies or is least compliant with the target values ​​TV1, the target value TV2 and the target value TV3.

7. The method according to claim 5, comprising: A weighting technique is used to associate a weight with each production parameter RPP, CPP and LPP for sorting the production lines in the first group, the second group and the third group, respectively, according to the degree of satisfaction of the target values ​​TV1, the target value TV2 and the target value TV3 defined in association with the first list, the second list and the third list, from the production line that most satisfies or is most compliant with the target values ​​TV1, the target value TV2 and the target value TV3 to the production line that least satisfies or is least compliant with the target values ​​TV1, the target value TV2 and the target value TV3.

8. A method for manufacturing a product in a distributed environment according to one of claims 1 to 7, said distributed environment comprising several production lines distributed in one or several production sites Si The method comprises: f) Automatically manufacturing the product via the one or more optimized production lines.

9. A system (200) configured for dispatching production orders for products in a distributed environment comprising several production lines distributed in one or several production sites Si The system comprises: - a central system (210) for managing production orders, said central system (210) comprising at least a processor and a memory; - a production order execution module (220) at each production site, the production order execution module (220) being configured to manage production at the production site Si and to control the production site production line in order to realize the production of the product, each production order execution module (220) being connected to the central system (210); The system (200) is characterized in that the system (200) is configured to perform the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The system (200) of claim 9, wherein: The central system (210) is configured to automatically select a production scenario for the production of the product in a central database (211).

11. The system (200) of claim 10, wherein: The central database (211) is configured to include a plurality of scenarios, which are predefined for the production of the product based on a nominal list of required production parameters RPP and values ​​associated with each of the required production parameters, and wherein the central system (210) is configured to automatically select the production scenario from the plurality of predefined scenarios based on the product to be manufactured and the required production parameters RPP.

12. The system (200) according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein The central system (210) includes a scheduling tool configured to optimize resource allocation.

13. The system (200) according to one of claims 9 to 11, comprising the production line for manufacturing the product and configured for manufacturing the product.

14. The system (200) according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein The central system (210) is configured to automatically run a constraint satisfaction algorithm or solver for determining an optimal production line, wherein the first group of production lines, the second group of production lines and the third group of production lines and the target values ​​TV1, the target value TV2 and the target value TV3 defined in association with the first list, the second list and the third list, respectively, are used as inputs, and the group of optimal production lines is the output of the constraint satisfaction algorithm or solver.

15. The system (200) of claim 14, wherein: The constraint satisfaction algorithm is configured to automatically find an intersection among the first group of production lines, the second group of production lines, and the third group of production lines, wherein the production lines included in the intersection form the optimal group of production lines.

16. The system (200) of claim 14, wherein: The central system (210) is configured to associate a weight with each production parameter RPP, CPP and LPP using a weighting technique, so as to sort the production lines in the first group, the second group and the third group respectively, according to the degree of satisfaction of the target values ​​TV1, the target value TV2 and the target value TV3 defined in association with the first list, the second list and the third list respectively, from the production line that most satisfies or is most compliant with the target values ​​TV1, the target value TV2 and the target value TV3 to the production line that least satisfies or is least compliant with the target values ​​TV1, the target value TV2 and the target value TV3.

17. The system (200) of claim 15, wherein: The central system (210) is configured to associate a weight with each production parameter RPP, CPP and LPP using a weighting technique, so as to sort the production lines in the first group, the second group and the third group respectively, according to the degree of satisfaction of the target values ​​TV1, the target value TV2 and the target value TV3 defined in association with the first list, the second list and the third list respectively, from the production line that most satisfies or is most compliant with the target values ​​TV1, the target value TV2 and the target value TV3 to the production line that least satisfies or is least compliant with the target values ​​TV1, the target value TV2 and the target value TV3.

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