Transport system, transport control method, and computer program product

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a conveyance system, a conveyance control method, and a computer program product, and aims to operate an appropriate number of conveyance devices. A conveyance system (100) is provided with an acquisition unit (93), a prediction unit (94), and a distribution unit (95). The acquisition unit acquires production performance information including production performance of a product produced by mounting components supplied from a plurality of component holding devices on a base material. The prediction unit generates, on the basis of the production performance information, prediction information including time points at which the components are used up in each of the plurality of component holding devices. The distribution unit distributes, from among the plurality of component holding devices, a target device to which the component is to be replenished, to a conveyance device (8) to which the component is to be replenished. The distribution unit determines, on the basis of the prediction information, the number of transport devices that distribute the target device from among the plurality of component holding devices such that the supply of components to each of the plurality of component holding devices is performed before the components in each of the plurality of component holding devices are used up.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a conveying system, a conveying control method, and a computer program product, and more particularly, to a conveying system, a conveying control method, and a computer program product for supplying components to a production apparatus for a product. Background Art

[0002] The production management apparatus described in Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-196664) includes: a plan acquisition unit, an actual result acquisition unit, a simulation unit, a deviation degree determination unit, and a determination notification unit. The plan acquisition unit acquires a production plan in which the progress status of production is predetermined in a production system having a plurality of apparatuses for producing a product. The actual result acquisition unit acquires the production actual result which is the actual progress status of production in the production system. The simulation unit simulates the progress status of future production based on the production actual result, and derives a first production prediction. The deviation degree determination unit calculates a first deviation degree indicating the deviation state of the first production prediction with respect to the production plan, and determines whether the first deviation degree after a first time is equal to or greater than a first threshold value. When the deviation degree determination unit determines that the first deviation degree is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, the determination notification unit notifies the determination information. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Regarding the conveying apparatus used in the production management apparatus as described in Document 1, there is a demand to operate an appropriate number of conveying apparatuses so that there is no excess or shortage in the progress status of future production simulated based on the production actual result of the product.

[0005] In view of the above reasons, the present disclosure is achieved, and an object thereof is to provide a conveying system, a conveying control method, and a computer program product capable of operating an appropriate number of conveying apparatuses.

[0006] Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A transfer system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit, a prediction unit, and an allocation unit. The acquisition unit acquires production performance information, which includes the production performance of products produced by assembling components supplied from a plurality of component holding devices onto a base material. The prediction unit generates prediction information including the time points when the components run out in each of the plurality of component holding devices, based on the production performance information. The allocation unit allocates, from among the plurality of component holding devices, a target device to be replenished with the components to a transfer device that replenishes the components. The allocation unit determines the number of the transfer devices that allocate the target device from among the plurality of component holding devices, based on the prediction information, so that replenishment of the components to each of the plurality of component holding devices is performed before the components run out in each of the plurality of component holding devices.

[0008] A transfer control method according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition step, a prediction step, and an allocation step. The acquisition step acquires production performance information, which includes the production performance of products produced by assembling components supplied from a plurality of component holding devices onto a base material. The prediction step generates prediction information including the time points when the components run out in each of the plurality of component holding devices, based on the production performance information. The allocation step allocates, from among the plurality of component holding devices, a target device to be replenished with the components to a transfer device that replenishes the components. In the allocation step, the number of the transfer devices that allocate the target device from among the plurality of component holding devices is determined based on the prediction information, so that replenishment of the components to each of the plurality of component holding devices is performed before the components run out in each of the plurality of component holding devices.

[0009] A computer program product according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a computer program product including a computer program that, when executed by one or more processors, implements the steps of the transfer control method.

[0010] Advantageous Effects of the Invention

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to operate an appropriate number of transfer devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a manufacturing system including a transfer system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram of a component mounting system included in the above-described manufacturing system.

[0014] Figure 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the above-described transfer system.

[0015] Figure 4 It is a top view for explaining the component supply operation to the component holding device by the above-mentioned transfer system.

[0016] Figure 5 It is a top view for explaining the component supply operation to the component holding device by the above-mentioned transfer system.

[0017] Figure 6 It is a top view for explaining the component supply operation to the component holding device by the above-mentioned transfer system.

[0018] Figure 7 It is a top view for explaining the component supply operation to the component holding device by the above-mentioned transfer system.

[0019] Figure 8 It is a top view for explaining the component supply operation to the component holding device by the above-mentioned transfer system.

[0020] Figure 9 It is a top view for explaining the component supply operation to the component holding device by the above-mentioned transfer system.

[0021] Figure 10 It is a top view for explaining the component supply operation to the component holding device by the above-mentioned transfer system.

[0022] Symbol Explanation

[0023] 5 Component holding device

[0024] 8 Transfer device

[0025] 93 Acquisition unit

[0026] 94 Prediction unit

[0027] 95 Allocation unit

[0028] 96 Movement control unit

[0029] 100 Transfer system

[0030] M1 Product

[0031] P0 Component

[0032] PT1 Reference point. Detailed Implementation Manner

[0033] The handling system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the drawings described in the following embodiments are schematic diagrams, and the ratios of the sizes and thicknesses of the respective structural elements in each drawing do not necessarily reflect the actual size ratios. Further, the embodiments and modification examples described below are merely examples of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and modification examples. Even outside the embodiments and modification examples, various changes can be made according to the design and the like as long as the scope of the technical idea of the present disclosure is not deviated from. In addition, the following embodiments (including modification examples) can also be implemented by being appropriately combined.

[0034] (1) Outline

[0035] First, Figure 1 and Figure 2 will be referred to for an outline of the handling system 100 of the present embodiment.

[0036] As Figure 1 shown, the handling system 100 includes an acquisition unit 93, a prediction unit 94, and an allocation unit 95.

[0037] The acquisition unit 93 acquires production result information, which includes the production results of the product M1 (refer to Figure 2 ) produced by assembling the component P0 (refer to Figure 2 ) supplied from a plurality of component holding devices 5 onto a base material (substrate B1) (refer to Figure 2 ).

[0038] Based on the production result information, the prediction unit 94 generates prediction information including the time points when the component P0 runs out in each of the plurality of component holding devices 5.

[0039] The allocation unit 95 allocates, from among the plurality of component holding devices 5, the target device to be replenished with the component P0 to the handling device 8 that replenishes the component P0.

[0040] In addition, based on the prediction information, the allocation unit 95 determines the number of handling devices 8 for allocating the target device from among the plurality of component holding devices 5 so that the replenishment of the component P0 to each of the plurality of component holding devices 5 is performed before the component P0 runs out in each of the plurality of component holding devices 5.

[0041] According to the above structure, since the number of transfer devices 8 of the dispensing object device is determined based on prediction information, replenishment of the component P0 to each of the plurality of component holding devices 5 can be performed before the component P0 runs out. In addition, there is no need to make the transfer devices 8 with a surplus number standby in a standby state in order to replenish the component P0 to the plurality of component holding devices 5. That is to say, according to the above structure, an appropriate number of transfer devices 8 without excess or shortage can be operated based on the production results of the product M1.

[0042] (2) Details

[0043] Hereinafter, the details of the manufacturing system 300 including the transfer system 100 according to the embodiment will be described.

[0044] (2.1) Premise

[0045] As Figure 1 shown, the manufacturing system 300 includes a component mounting system 200 that mounts the component P0 on a base material (for example, the substrate B1) and a transfer system 100 that supplies the component P0 to the component mounting system 200.

[0046] In the present embodiment, a case where the component mounting system 200 is used in the manufacture of electronic devices in a factory will be described. General electronic devices, for example, have various circuit blocks such as a power supply circuit and a control circuit. In the manufacture of these circuit blocks, as an example, a solder coating process, a mounting process, and a soldering process are performed in this order. In the solder coating process, for example, a paste solder is printed on the substrate B1 by a screen printer S1 (refer to Figures 4 to 10 ). In the mounting process, the component P0 is mounted on the substrate B1. In the soldering process, for example, by heating the substrate B1 in the state where the component P0 is mounted in a reflow oven R1 (refer to Figures 4 to 10 ), the paste solder is melted to perform soldering.

[0047] In the mounting process, as Figure 2 shown, an operation of mounting a plurality of components P0 on the substrate B1 is performed. Thereby, a product M1 composed of the substrate B1 on which a plurality of components P0 are mounted is generated.

[0048] Hereinafter, as an example, three axes, namely the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis that are orthogonal to each other, are set. The axes parallel to the surface of the substrate B1 are defined as the "X-axis" and "Y-axis", and the axis parallel to the thickness direction of the substrate is defined as the "Z-axis". In particular, the "X-axis" is the axis along the direction in which multiple mounting machines 3 in the component mounting system 200 are arranged. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are all virtual axes. The arrows indicating "X", "Y", and "Z" in the drawings are only marked for illustration purposes and do not accompany any entities. Additionally, these directions are not intended to limit the directions during the use of the component mounting system 200.

[0049] (2.2) Structure of the Component Mounting System

[0050] As Figure 1 and Figures 4 to 10 shown, the component mounting system 200 includes a first mounting line L1 for mounting the component P0 on the surface of the substrate B1, a second mounting line L2 for mounting the component P0 on the back surface of the substrate B1, and a first control device 1 for monitoring the operations of the first and second mounting lines L1 and L2. In addition, in the present embodiment, a screen printer S1 for applying paste solder on the substrate B1 is provided upstream of the first mounting line L1. Further, a reflow oven R1 is provided downstream of the second mounting line L2. The reflow oven R1 heats the substrate B1 with the component P0 mounted thereon to melt the paste solder and perform the soldering of the component P0 to the substrate B1. Furthermore, between the first mounting line L1 and the second mounting line L2, a substrate flipper F1 is provided to flip the surface and back surface of the substrate B1 discharged from the first mounting line L1.

[0051] The first mounting line L1 includes multiple (here, four) mounting machines 3. The multiple mounting machines 3 are arranged in a row along the X-axis. When differentiating these multiple mounting machines 3, as Figures 4 to 10 shown, the multiple mounting machines 3 are sequentially called mounting machine 31, mounting machine 32, mounting machine 33, and mounting machine 34 from the negative side of the X-axis.

[0052] The second mounting line L2 includes multiple (here, four) mounting machines 3. The multiple mounting machines 3 are arranged in a row along the X-axis. When differentiating these multiple mounting machines 3, as Figures 4 to 10 shown, the multiple mounting machines 3 are sequentially called mounting machine 35, mounting machine 36, mounting machine 37, and mounting machine 38 from the negative side of the X-axis.

[0053] Here, the first mounting line L1 and the second mounting line L2 are arranged in a row along the X-axis via the substrate flipper F1. Specifically, they are arranged in a row in the order of the first mounting line L1, the substrate flipper F1, and the second mounting line L2 from the negative side of the X-axis.

[0054] In the first mounting line L1, the substrate B1 moves in the order with the mounter 31 at the head, followed by the mounters 32, 33, and 34 at the end. That is, the substrate B1 moves in the positive X-axis direction and sequentially passes through the mounters 31 to 34. During the period when the substrate B1 passes through the mounters 31 to 34, the first mounting line L1 mounts a plurality of components P0 on the surface of the substrate B1 by using each mounter 3.

[0055] The substrate flipper F1 flips the front and back surfaces of the substrate B1 discharged from the first mounting line L1 and supplies the substrate B1 to the second mounting line L2. In addition, the substrate B1 discharged from the first mounting line L1 can also be flipped on the front and back surfaces by manual operation of an operator and then supplied to the second mounting line L2.

[0056] In the second mounting line L2, the substrate B1 moves in the order with the mounter 35 at the head, followed by the mounters 36, 37, and 38 at the end. That is, the substrate B1 moves in the positive X-axis direction and sequentially passes through the mounters 35 to 38. During the period when the substrate B1 passes through the mounters 35 to 38, the second mounting line L2 mounts a plurality of components P0 on the back surface of the substrate B1 by using each mounter 3.

[0057] Thus, the component mounting system 200 imports the substrate B1 from the side of the mounter 31, mounts a plurality of components P0 on the substrate B1 by using a plurality of mounters 3, and discharges the product M1 from the side of the mounter 38. In addition, in the following description, the components P0 mounted in the mounters 31 to 38 may be respectively referred to as the first component P1 to the eighth component P8. Additionally, in the present embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the first component P1 to the eighth component P8 are the same type of components, but the first component P1 to the eighth component P8 may also respectively include multiple types of components.

[0058] In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the basic structures of the eight mounters 3 (mounters 31 to 38) are common.

[0059] As Figure 2 shown, the mounter 3 includes a mounting head 4 and a component holding device 5.

[0060] The mounting head 4 has one or more catching parts 41. In the present embodiment, the mounting head 4 has a plurality of catching parts 41. The mounting head 4 moves in a state where the component P0 is caught by the catching part 41, approaches the substrate B1 with the catching part 41, and mounts the component P0 on the substrate B1.

[0061] The component holding device 5 supplies the components P0 to the mounting head 4. The component holding device 5 holds, for example, a tape cassette. The tape cassette accommodates a carrier tape that holds a plurality of components P0. The component holding device 5 supplies the components P0 to the mounting head 4 by feeding out the carrier tape from the tape cassette.

[0062] In addition, the component holding device 5 has a plurality of slots SL1 for holding the tape cassettes. At least one of the plurality of slots SL1 is an empty slot, i.e., a spare slot, for receiving a spare tape cassette supplied from a supply device 6 described later. In addition, in the following description, the component holding devices 5 provided in the mounting machines 31 to 38 may be referred to as the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58, respectively. That is, the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58 are arranged in a row in order from the negative side of the X axis.

[0063] The first control device 1 monitors the operations of the mounting machines 31 to 34 provided in the first mounting line L1 and the mounting machines 35 to 38 provided in the second mounting line L2. The first control device 1 is configured to be able to communicate with the mounting machines 31 to 38 via a network.

[0064] The first control device 1 collects status information indicating the operating status from the mounting machines 31 to 38, and generates production performance information including the production performance of the product M1 based on the collected status information. The first control device 1 outputs the generated production performance information to a management device 7 described later.

[0065] (2.3) Conveying System

[0066] As Figure 1 shown, the conveying system 100 includes: a supply device 6, a conveying device 8, a second control device 2, and a management device 7.

[0067] The second control device 2 and the management device 7 are configured to be able to communicate with each other. In addition, the first control device 1 and the management device 7 provided in the component mounting system 200 are configured to be able to communicate with each other. Furthermore, the conveying device 8 and the management device 7 are configured to be able to communicate with each other. In addition, "able to communicate" in the present disclosure means being able to directly or indirectly transmit and receive information through an appropriate communication method such as wired communication or wireless communication, directly or via a network or a relay machine AP1, etc.

[0068] The conveying device 8 and the supply device 6 replenish the components P0 to the component holding device 5. In addition, in this embodiment, "replenishment of the components P0" means that the conveying device 8 transports the supply device 6 to the component holding device 5, and the supply device 6 supplies the components P0 to the component holding device 5.

[0069] The transfer device 8 moves, for example, by traveling on a moving surface G1 with one or more wheels. The moving surface G1 is the surface on which the transfer device 8 moves. When the transfer device 8 moves inside a facility, the floor surface of the facility, etc. becomes the moving surface G1. When the transfer device 8 moves outdoors, the ground surface, etc. becomes the moving surface G1. In addition, the transfer device 8 is not limited to a vehicle-type robot that moves (travels) on the moving surface G1 using wheels. The transfer device 8 can also be a flying drone that flies in the air, a water drone that sails on water, or a submersible drone that sails in water, etc. However, in the following embodiments, it is assumed that the transfer device 8 is a vehicle-type robot that travels on the moving surface G1.

[0070] The transfer device 8 receives a transfer instruction from the second control device 2 and transfers the supply device 6 from the component warehouse to the component holding device 5. Here, the component warehouse is a place where the operation of loading the tape cassette holding the component P0 onto the supply device 6 is performed. After the supply device 6 is assembled with the tape cassette in the component warehouse, it is combined with the transfer device 8 and transferred to the component holding device 5 by the transfer device 8. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that one transfer device 8 can transfer one supply device 6.

[0071] The supply device 6 is mechanically and electrically connected to the component holding device 5. The supply device 6 supplies the tape cassette holding the component P0 to the component holding device 5 according to the control signal sent from the component holding device 5. In addition, the supply device 6 can also recover the empty tape cassette after the component P0 is taken out from the component holding device 5.

[0072] The second control device 2 is configured to be able to communicate with the transfer device 8 via one or more repeaters AP1. The second control device 2 respectively gives a transfer instruction to the transfer device 8 and controls the transfer operation of the supply device 6 performed by the transfer device 8.

[0073] Based on the production performance information received from the first control device 1, the management device 7 controls the transfer operation of the transfer device 8 by giving a control instruction to the second control device 2.

[0074] The management device 7 includes: a first communication unit 71, a second communication unit 72, a storage unit 73, and a processing unit 9.

[0075] The first communication unit 71 is a communication module configured to be able to communicate with the first control device 1, for example, by a wired communication method.

[0076] The second communication unit 72 is a communication module configured to be able to communicate with the second control device 2, for example, by a wired communication method.

[0077] The storage unit 73 includes, for example, memories such as RAM and ROM, and external storage devices such as hard disks and SSDs.

[0078] The storage unit 73 stores, for example, electronic map information inside the facility where the transfer device 8 travels, information related to the transfer device 8 and the supply device 6, and the like.

[0079] The processing unit 9 is mainly configured with a computer system having one or more processors and memories. The functions of the processing unit 9 are realized by the processor of the computer system executing a program recorded in the memory of the computer system. The program can be recorded in the memory, provided through an electric communication line such as the Internet, or provided by being recorded in a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card.

[0080] The processing unit 9 has functions such as a generation instruction unit 91, a timing unit 92, an acquisition unit 93, a prediction unit 94, an allocation unit 95, and a movement control unit 96. Furthermore, the allocation unit 95 has functions such as a temporary allocation unit 951, a determination unit 952, a formal allocation unit 953, and an equalization unit 954. In addition, these only represent the functions realized by the processing unit 9 and do not necessarily represent an entity structure. The functions of each part of the processing unit 9 are described in detail in "(2.4 Operation Example)".

[0081] (2.4 Operation Example)

[0082] Based on the Figure 3 and Figures 4 to 10 as a flowchart, Figure 3 The operation example of the transfer system 100 of the present embodiment will be described. In addition,

[0083] First, the generation instruction unit 91 included in the management device 7 sends a generation instruction signal for causing the first control device 1 to generate production performance information from the first communication unit 71 to the first control device 1.

[0084] When the first control device 1 receives the generation instruction signal, it collects status information indicating the operating state from the installation machines 31 to 38, and generates production performance information based on the collected status information. Here, as an example, the production performance information includes the production performance (production quantity) of the product M1 up to the current time, the remaining quantities of the first component P1 to the eighth component P8 at the current time, the consumption numbers per unit time of the first component P1 to the eighth component P8 up to the current time, and the like.

[0085] The first control device 1 sends the generated production performance information to the management device 7.

[0086] The acquisition unit 93 included in the management device 7 acquires production result information via the first communication unit 71 (step ST1).

[0087] When the acquisition unit 93 acquires the production result information, the prediction unit 94 included in the management device 7 generates prediction information based on the production result information (step ST2). As an example, the prediction unit 94 uses a learned model that has undergone machine learning to output prediction information with the production result information as the input to generate the prediction information. In this case, the algorithm for machine learning is, for example, a neural network. However, the algorithm for machine learning is not limited to a neural network and may also be, for example, XGB (eXtreme Gradient Boosting) regression, Random Forest, decision tree, Logistic Regression, Support Vector Machine (SVM), Naive Bayes classifier, or k-nearest neighbors method. Furthermore, the algorithm for machine learning may also be, for example, a Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) or k-means clustering.

[0088] In addition, as a method for the prediction unit 94 to generate prediction information, it is not limited to using a learned model and may also use a preset calculation formula or the like.

[0089] The prediction information includes information on the component exhaustion time points, i.e., the time points when the first components P1 to P8 are used up in the respective first component holding devices 51 to 58. The prediction information is, for example, a data table as shown in Table 1.

[0090] [Table 1]

[0091]

[0092] The prediction information includes data on the component exhaustion times of the components P0 (the first components P1 to P8) in the respective first component holding devices 51 to 58. In addition, "1" and "2" in the "installation line number" in Table 1 represent installation lines L1 and L2, respectively. Also, "1" to "8" in the "component holding device number" represent the component holding devices 51 to 58, respectively.

[0093] Next, the temporary allocation unit 951 of the allocation unit 95 allocates the first component holding devices 51 to 58 to the transfer device 8 with a temporarily set number (for example, one) as the target devices for supplying the component P0 (step ST3). In this case, since the temporarily set number is one, the first component holding devices 51 to 58 are all allocated to one transfer device 8 as the target devices.

[0094] The determination unit 952 of the allocation unit 95 determines whether one transfer device 8 (and one supply device 6 carried by one transfer device 8) can supply the first components P1 to 8 to the first component holding devices 51 to 58 based on the prediction information generated by the prediction unit 94 and the device information related to the transfer device 8 and the supply device 6 stored in the storage unit 73 (step ST4). Here, the device information includes, for example, the number of tape cartridges that can be mounted on one supply device 6 and the time required to supply one tape cartridge to the component holding device 5. In the present embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the number of tape cartridges that can be mounted on one supply device 6 is eight, and the time required to supply one tape cartridge to the component holding device 5 is three minutes. In addition, in the present embodiment, the "time required to supply one tape cartridge to the component holding device 5" means the time from the completion time of supplying one tape cartridge to one component holding device 5 to the completion time of supplying one tape cartridge to an adjacent other component holding device 5. That is, the "time required to supply one tape cartridge to the component holding device 5" includes the time required to transfer one tape cartridge from one component holding device 5 to an adjacent other component holding device 5. In addition, in the present embodiment, the term "can supply" means that the supply of the first components P1 to 8 to the first component holding devices 51 to 58 is completed before the first components P1 to 8 in the first component holding devices 51 to 58 are used up respectively.

[0095] More specifically, the determination unit 952 determines that eight tape cartridges for holding the first components P1 to 8 can be mounted on one supply device 6 carried by one transfer device 8 based on the number of tape cartridges (eight) that can be mounted on one supply device 6 included in the device information.

[0096] In addition, the determination unit 952 predicts the component supply time when one transfer device 8 and one supply device 6 complete the supply of the first components P1 to 8 to the first component holding devices 51 to 58 respectively based on the time required to supply one tape cartridge to the component holding device 5 (three minutes) included in the device information and the moving speed of the transfer device 8, etc.

[0097] A data table showing the correspondence between the predicted component supply times for replenishing the first component P1 to the eighth component P8 to the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58, respectively, and the prediction information shown in Table 1 is shown in Table 2. In addition, "1" in the "transport device number" in Table 2 indicates one transport device 8.

[0098] [Table 2]

[0099]

[0100] Here, as described above, the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58 are arranged in a row in order from the negative side of the X-axis. It is assumed that the transport path in front of the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58 arranged in a row is such a width that only one transport device 8 can pass through, and it is not possible to stagger two transport devices 8 or for one transport device 8 to overtake another transport device 8, etc.

[0101] The determination unit 952 predicts the component supply times assuming that one transport device 8 supplies the first component P1 to the eighth component P8 to the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58 in this order. Since it takes 3 minutes to supply one tape cassette to the component holding device 5, as shown in Table 2, the component supply times for the first component P1 to the eighth component P8 to the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58 are predicted at 3-minute intervals.

[0102] The determination unit 952 compares the component supply times with the component exhaustion times to determine whether the first component P1 to the eighth component P8 can be supplied to the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58. Here, as shown in Table 2, in the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58, since the component supply times are earlier than the component exhaustion times, the determination unit 952 determines that the first component P1 to the eighth component P8 can be supplied to the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58 by one transport device 8 (step ST4: Yes).

[0103] When the determination unit 952 determines that the first component P1 to the eighth component P8 can be supplied to the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58 by one transport device 8, it sets one, which is the temporarily set number of units, as the officially set number of units (step ST5).

[0104] Next, in the case where the officially set number of units is multiple, the equalization process described later is performed (step ST7). Here, since the officially set number of units is one (step ST6: No), the equalization process is not performed.

[0105] The formal allocation unit 953 allocates the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58 as target devices to one transfer device 8 as the formal setting number (step ST8).

[0106] When the formal allocation unit 953 allocates the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58 as target devices to one transfer device 8, the movement control unit 96 issues a control instruction to the second control device 2, causing one transfer device 8 (hereinafter, transfer device 81) connected to the supply device 6 to move, for example, from the component warehouse to the standby location W1. The standby location W1 is an area set near the first component holding device 51.

[0107] As Figure 4 shown, when the transfer device 81 moves to the standby location W1, the movement control unit 96 causes the transfer device 81 to move sequentially from the standby location W1 to the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58. The supply device 6 connected to the transfer device 81 supplies tape cartridges for holding the first component P1 to the eighth component P8 to the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58, respectively. That is, when the formal allocation unit 953 allocates the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58 as target devices to one transfer device 81, the transfer device 81 and the supply device 6 replenish the first component P1 to the eighth component P8 to the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58 (step ST9).

[0108] As Figure 5 shown, when the supply of the eighth component P8 to the eighth component holding unit 58 is completed, the movement control unit 96 causes the transfer device 81 to move to the standby location W1. After the movement control unit 96 causes the transfer device 81 to move to the standby location W1, it causes the transfer device 8 to move, for example, to the component warehouse. In addition, the movement control unit 96 may cause the transfer device 8 to move to the component warehouse without passing through the standby location W1.

[0109] Here, the transfer system 100 repeats the above actions at a given interval. That is, the acquisition unit 93 acquires production performance information at a given interval, and the prediction unit 94 updates the prediction information at a given interval. Furthermore, the allocation unit 95 determines the number of transfer devices 8 for the allocation target devices and allocates the target devices to the transfer device 8 at a given interval. As a result, it is possible to allocate the target devices to the optimal number of transfer devices 8 corresponding to the operating states of the mounting machines 31 to 38 that change over time. In addition, the given interval may be measured by the timer unit 92 included in the processing unit 9.

[0110] Hereinafter, based on Figure 3 and Figures 6 to 10A description will be given of an operation example of the transfer system 100 in a case where the operating state of the mounting machines 31 to 38 has changed and the number of transfer devices 8 of the devices to be allocated has changed.

[0111] The acquisition unit 93 acquires production result information via the first communication unit 71 (step ST1).

[0112] When the acquisition unit 93 acquires the production result information, the prediction unit 94 generates prediction information based on the production result information (step ST2). The prediction information includes the time points when the first components P1 to the eighth components P8 are used up in the respective first component holding devices 51 to 58. The prediction information is, for example, a data table as shown in Table 3.

[0113] [Table 3]

[0114]

[0115] In the data table shown in Table 3, the component exhaustion times of the second component P2 in the second component holding device 52 and the sixth component P6 in the sixth component holding device 56 are the same time.

[0116] The temporary allocation unit 951 allocates the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58 as the target devices for replenishing the component P0, that is, to a temporarily set number (for example, 1) of transfer devices 8 (step ST3).

[0117] The determination unit 952 determines whether it is possible to replenish the first components P1 to the eighth components P8 to the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58 by one transfer device 8 (and one supply device 6 carried by one transfer device 8) based on the prediction information generated by the prediction unit 94 and the device information related to the transfer device 8 and the supply device 6 stored in the storage unit 73 (step ST4).

[0118] The determination unit 952 predicts the component replenishment times when one transfer device 8 and one supply device 6 complete replenishing the first components P1 to the eighth components P8 to the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58 respectively based on the time (3 minutes) required to supply one tape cassette to the component holding device 5 included in the device information and the moving speed of the transfer device 8, etc.

[0119] Table 4 shows a data table in which the component replenishment times are made to correspond to the prediction information shown in Table 3. The component replenishment times are the times predicted to complete replenishing the first components P1 to the eighth components P8 to the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58 by one transfer device 8 respectively.

[0120] [Table 4]

[0121]

[0122] The determination unit 952 compares the component supply time and the component exhaustion time, and determines whether it is possible to supply the first component P1 to the eighth component P8 to the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58. Here, as shown in Table 4, in the sixth component holding device 56, since the component supply time is later than the component exhaustion time, the determination unit 952 determines that the first component P1 to the eighth component P8 cannot be supplied to the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58 by one transfer device 8 (step ST4: No).

[0123] When the determination unit 952 determines that the first component P1 to the eighth component P8 cannot be supplied to the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58 by one transfer device 8, the temporary allocation unit 951 increases the temporarily set number by one (step ST10). That is, the temporary allocation unit 951 changes the temporarily set number from one to two.

[0124] The temporary allocation unit 951 allocates the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58 as target devices to the transfer devices 8 of the changed temporarily set number (two) (step ST3). At this time, when the temporary allocation unit 951 allocates target devices to a plurality of transfer devices 8, two or more consecutively arranged component holding devices 5 among the plurality of component holding devices 5 are respectively allocated to the plurality of transfer devices 8 as target devices. In the present embodiment, the temporary allocation unit 951 allocates the consecutively arranged first component holding device 51 to the fifth component holding device 55 as target devices to one of the two transfer devices 8. In addition, the temporary allocation unit 951 allocates the consecutively arranged sixth component holding device 5 to the eighth component holding device 5 as target devices to the other of the two transfer devices 8. Thereby, when the transfer device 8 performs the supply operation of the component P0, the length of the moving path can be minimized and the operation efficiency can be improved.

[0125] Here, the sixth component holding device 56 is a component holding device 5 in which the determination unit 952 determines that the supply of the sixth component P6 is too late when supplying the first component P1 to the eighth component P8 to the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58 by one transfer device 8.

[0126] The determination unit 952 determines whether it is possible to supply the first component P1 to the eighth component P8 to the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58 by two transfer devices 8 (and two supply devices 6 respectively carried by the two transfer devices 8) based on the prediction information generated by the prediction unit 94 and the device information related to the transfer device 8 and the supply device 6 stored in the storage unit 73 (step ST4).

[0127] Based on the time (3 minutes) required to supply one cassette to the component holding device 5 included in the device information, the moving speed of the transfer device 8, etc., the determination unit 952 predicts the component supply times when the two transfer devices 8 and the two supply devices 6 complete supplying the first components P1 to P8 to the first component holding devices 51 to 8th component holding devices 58 respectively.

[0128] Table 5 shows a data table in which the component supply times are associated with the prediction information shown in Table 3. The component supply times are the times predicted to complete supplying the first components P1 to P8 to the first component holding devices 51 to 8th component holding devices 58 respectively by the two transfer devices 8.

[0129] [Table 5]

[0130]

[0131] The determination unit 952 compares the component supply times with the component exhaustion times, and determines whether the first components P1 to P8 can be supplied to the first component holding devices 51 to 8th component holding devices 58. Here, as shown in Table 5, in the first component holding devices 51 to 8th component holding devices 58, since the component supply times are earlier than the component exhaustion times, the determination unit 952 determines that the first components P1 to P8 can be supplied to the first component holding devices 51 to 8th component holding devices 58 by the two transfer devices 8 (step ST4: Yes).

[0132] When the determination unit 952 determines that the first components P1 to P8 can be supplied to the first component holding devices 51 to 8th component holding devices 58 by the two transfer devices 8, it sets the two as the formal setting number of units, which was the temporary setting number of units (step ST5). In this way, the distribution unit 95 can distribute the target devices to an appropriate number of transfer devices 8 without excess or shortage according to the changes in the operating states of the mounting machines 31 to 38.

[0133] Next, in the case where the formal setting number of units is multiple, the equalization unit 954 performs equalization processing (step ST7). Here, since the formal setting number of units is two (step ST6: Yes), equalization processing is performed.

[0134] Hereinafter, the equalization processing will be described.

[0135] When the officially set number of units is multiple (two units in this embodiment), the equalization unit 954 of the allocation unit 95 changes the target devices so that the number of target devices of each of the two transfer devices 8 is nearly the same. Based on the changed target devices, the equalization unit 954 predicts the component replenishment times of the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58 in the same method as the determination unit 952, for example. The equalization unit 954 calculates the operation time of each of the two transfer devices 8 based on the predicted component replenishment times. In addition, the operation time of the transfer device 8 is, for example, the time from the component replenishment time of the component holding device 5 that first replenishes the component P0 to the component replenishment time of the component holding device 5 that last replenishes the component P0 by the transfer device 8.

[0136] The equalization unit 954 repeatedly changes the target devices of the two transfer devices 8 and calculates the operation time until the operation times of the two transfer devices 8 become equal. In addition, the "equal" mentioned here includes not only the case of being completely equal but also the state with a difference of several seconds to several tens of seconds.

[0137] In this embodiment, as shown in Table 6, when the equalization unit 954 sets the target devices of one of the two transfer devices 8 to four component holding devices 5 (the first component holding device 51 to the fourth component holding device 54) and sets the target devices of the other of the two transfer devices 8 to four component holding devices 5 (the fifth component holding device 55 to the eighth component holding device 58), the operation times of the two transfer devices 8 become equal. That is, when the equalization unit 954 sets the target devices of the two transfer devices 8 to the same number, the operation times of the two transfer devices 8 become equal. Specifically, the operation time of each of the two transfer devices 8 is 9 minutes.

[0138] [Table 6]

[0139]

[0140] Based on the result of the equalization process of the equalization unit 954, the official allocation unit 953 allocates the target devices to the two transfer devices 8 so that the operation times of the two transfer devices 8 when respectively replenishing the component P0 to the target devices become equal. Specifically, the official allocation unit 953 allocates the first component holding device 51 to the fourth component holding device 54 as the target devices to one of the two transfer devices 8. In addition, the official allocation unit 953 allocates the fifth component holding device 55 to the eighth component holding device 58 as the target devices to the other of the two transfer devices 8 (step ST8).

[0141] When the formal allocation unit 953 allocates the target devices to the two transfer devices 8, the movement control unit 96 issues a control instruction to the second control device 2, causing the two transfer devices 8 (hereinafter, transfer devices 81 and 82) respectively connected to the supply device 6 to move from the component warehouse to the standby location W1. That is, the movement control unit 96 controls the movement of the transfer devices 81 and 82.

[0142] When the transfer devices 81 and 82 move to the standby location W1, the movement control unit 96 causes the transfer device 8 that is farther from the reference point PT1 among the transfer devices 81 and 82 from the target device allocated by the formal allocation unit 953 to start moving toward the target device. The reference point PT1 is the center point of the area where the screen printing machine S1 is installed. The reference point PT1 is located at a position in the positive direction of the X-axis relative to the standby location W1.

[0143] Here, it is assumed that the first component holding devices 51 to the fourth component holding devices 54 are allocated to the transfer device 81 as target devices, and the fifth component holding devices 55 to the eighth component holding devices 58 are allocated to the transfer device 82 as target devices.

[0144] As Figure 6 shown, the movement control unit 96 causes the transfer device 82 that is farther from the reference point PT1 among the transfer devices 81 and 82 from the target device to start moving toward the target devices (the fifth component holding devices 55 to the eighth component holding devices 58).

[0145] As Figure 7 shown, after the movement control unit 96 starts the movement of the transfer device 82, it causes the transfer device 81 to start moving toward the target devices (the first component holding devices 51 to the fourth component holding devices 54). In addition, the movement control unit 96, for example, causes the transfer device 81 to start moving when a given time has elapsed after starting the movement of the transfer device 82. Thereby, it is possible to suppress a large difference in the time when the transfer devices 81 and 82 reach the component holding device 5 that first replenishes the component P0 among the respective target devices. In the present embodiment, the time when the transfer device 81 reaches the first component holding device 51 and the time when the transfer device 82 reaches the fifth component holding device 55 are substantially equal. Therefore, the transfer devices 81 and 82 can start the replenishment operation substantially simultaneously. In addition, the "substantially simultaneously" mentioned here includes not only the case of being completely simultaneous but also a state with a difference of about several seconds to several tens of seconds.

[0146] As Figure 8As shown, the movement control unit 96 moves the transfer device 81 successively to the first component holding device 51 to the fourth component holding device 54. The supply device 6 connected to the transfer device 81 supplies tape cartridges holding the first component P1 to the fourth component P4 to the first component holding device 51 to the fourth component holding device 54 respectively (step ST9). In addition, the movement control unit 96 moves the transfer device 82 in the order of the fifth component holding device 55 to the eighth component holding device 58. The supply device 6 connected to the transfer device 82 supplies tape cartridges holding the fifth component P5 to the eighth component P8 to the fifth component holding device 55 to the eighth component holding device 58 respectively (step ST9).

[0147] Here, in the present embodiment, as described above, the transfer devices 81 and 82 start the replenishment operation substantially simultaneously. The "substantially simultaneously" mentioned here includes not only the case of complete simultaneity, but also a state with a difference of several seconds to several tens of seconds. In addition, the target devices of the two transfer devices 81 and 82 are set so that the operation times of the transfer devices 81 and 82 when they respectively supply the component P0 to the target devices are balanced. Therefore, the time when the transfer device 81 finishes supplying the fourth component P4 to the fourth component holding unit 54 and the time when the transfer device 82 finishes supplying the eighth component P8 to the eighth component holding unit 58 are substantially equal.

[0148] Therefore, as Figure 9 shown, when the supply of the fourth component P4 to the fourth component holding unit 54 and the supply of the eighth component P8 to the eighth component holding unit 58 are completed substantially simultaneously, the movement control unit 96 makes the transfer devices 81 and 82 start moving to the standby location W1 substantially simultaneously. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation (congestion) where the transfer device 8 (for example, the transfer device 82) that has completed the operation among the transfer devices 81 and 82 is blocked by the other transfer device 8 (for example, the transfer device 81) that has not completed the operation and cannot move to the standby location W1.

[0149] The transfer device 81 closer to the standby location W1 arrives at the standby location W1 first. As Figure 10 shown, when the transfer device 81 arrives at the standby location W1, the movement control unit 96 makes the transfer device 81 move to, for example, the component warehouse. In addition, the transfer device 82 arrives at the standby location W1 after the transfer device 81. When the transfer device 82 arrives at the standby location W1, the movement control unit 96 makes the transfer device 82 move to, for example, the component warehouse. In addition, the movement control unit 96 may also make the transfer devices 81 and 82 move to the component warehouse without passing through the standby location W1.

[0150] (3)Modification

[0151] The above-described embodiments are merely one of the various embodiments of the present disclosure. As long as the above-described embodiments can achieve the object of the present disclosure, various changes can be made according to the design and the like. In addition, the same functions as those of the transfer system 100 related to the above-described embodiments can also be embodied by a transfer control method, a computer program product, or a non-transitory recording medium recording a computer program, etc.

[0152] The transfer control method according to one embodiment includes an acquisition step, a prediction step, and an allocation step. In the acquisition step, production result information is acquired, and the production result information includes the production results of the product M1 produced by assembling the component P0 supplied from the plurality of component holding devices 5 on the base material. In the prediction step, based on the production result information, prediction information including the time points when the component P0 runs out in each of the plurality of component holding devices 5 is generated. In the allocation step, among the plurality of component holding devices 5, the target device to be replenished with the component P0 is allocated to the transfer device 8 that replenishes the component P0. In addition, in the allocation step, based on the prediction information, the number of transfer devices 8 that allocate the target device among the plurality of component holding devices 5 is determined so that the replenishment of the component P0 to each of the plurality of component holding devices 5 is performed before the component P0 runs out in each of the plurality of component holding devices 5.

[0153] The computer program product according to one embodiment is a computer program product including a computer program that implements the steps of the above-described control method when executed by one or more processors.

[0154] Hereinafter, modified examples of the above-described embodiments will be described. In the modified examples described below, the same reference numerals are given to the structural elements common to the above-described embodiments, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0155] The equalization process performed by the equalization unit 96 is not essential in the operation of the transfer system 100 and may be omitted.

[0156] The supply device 6 may also supply the paste solder to the screen printer S1.

[0157] The handling system 100 in the present disclosure includes a computer system. The computer system mainly consists of a processor and a memory as hardware. By the processor executing a program recorded in the memory of the computer system, the functions of the handling system 100 in the present disclosure are realized. The program can be either pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, provided through an electrical communication line, or provided by being recorded in a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card, an optical disc, or a hard disk drive that can be read by the computer system. The processor of the computer system is composed of one or more electronic circuits including semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs) or large-scale integrated circuits (LSIs). The integrated circuits such as the ICs or LSIs mentioned here have different names according to the degree of integration, and include integrated circuits called system LSIs, VLSIs (Very Large Scale Integration), or ULSIs (Ultra Large Scale Integration). Furthermore, for an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) that can be programmed after the manufacture of the LSI, or a logic device that can reconstruct the bonding relationship inside the LSI or the circuit partitioning inside the LSI, it can also be used as a processor. The one or more electronic circuits can be concentrated on one chip or arranged dispersedly on multiple chips. The multiple chips can be concentrated on one device or arranged dispersedly on multiple devices. The computer system mentioned here includes a microcontroller having one or more processors and one or more memories. Therefore, the microcontroller is also composed of one or more electronic circuits including semiconductor integrated circuits or large-scale integrated circuits.

[0158] In addition, it is not a necessary structure of the handling system 100 to concentrate multiple functions in the handling system 100 in one housing. The structural elements of the handling system 100 can also be arranged dispersedly in multiple housings. Furthermore, at least a part of the functions of the handling system 100 can also be realized through the cloud (cloud computing), etc.

[0159] (4) Summary

[0160] As described above, the conveying system (100) according to the first mode includes an acquisition unit (93), a prediction unit (94), and an allocation unit (95). The acquisition unit (93) acquires production performance information, which includes the production performance of products (M1) produced by assembling components (P0) supplied from a plurality of component holding devices (5) onto a base material. The prediction unit (94) generates prediction information based on the production performance information, including the time points when the components (P0) are used up in each of the plurality of component holding devices (5). The allocation unit (95) allocates an object device, which is a target for replenishing the components (P0) among the plurality of component holding devices (5), to a conveying device (8) that replenishes the components (P0). The allocation unit (95) determines the number of conveying devices (8) for allocating the object device from among the plurality of component holding devices (5) based on the prediction information, such that replenishment of the components (P0) to each of the plurality of component holding devices (5) is carried out before the components (P0) are used up in each of the plurality of component holding devices (5).

[0161] According to this mode, since the number of conveying devices (8) for allocating the object device is determined based on the prediction information, it is possible to replenish the components (P0) to each of the plurality of component holding devices (5) before the components (P0) are used up. In addition, there is no need to keep a surplus number of conveying devices (8) in a standby state in order to replenish the components (P0) to the plurality of component holding devices (5). That is, it is possible to operate an appropriate number of conveying devices (8) without excess or deficiency according to the production performance of the products (M1).

[0162] In the conveying system (100) according to the second mode, in the first mode, the prediction unit (94) updates the prediction information at a given interval.

[0163] According to this mode, the allocation unit (95) can determine the number of conveying devices (8) for allocating the object device from among the plurality of component holding devices (5) based on the latest prediction information. Thereby, it is possible to more reliably operate an appropriate number of conveying devices (8) without excess or deficiency.

[0164] In the conveying system (100) according to the third mode, in the first mode or the second mode, when the allocation unit (95) allocates the object device to a plurality of conveying devices (8) that replenish the components (P0) including the conveying device (8), the object device is allocated to the plurality of conveying devices (8) respectively, such that the operation times of the plurality of conveying devices (8) when each of the plurality of conveying devices (8) replenishes the components (P0) to the object device become balanced.

[0165] According to this method, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of congestion of multiple transfer devices (8) on the transfer path, etc., by equalizing the operation loads of the multiple transfer devices (8), and to operate the multiple transfer devices (8) efficiently.

[0166] In the transfer system (100) according to the fourth method, in any of the first to third methods, when the distribution unit (95) distributes the target device to multiple transfer devices (8) that perform replenishment of components (P0) including the transfer device (8), the same number of target devices are respectively distributed to the multiple transfer devices (8) from among the multiple component holding devices (5).

[0167] According to this method, it is possible to operate the multiple transfer devices (8) efficiently by equalizing the operation loads of the multiple transfer devices (8).

[0168] In the transfer system (100) according to the fifth method, in any of the first to fourth methods, when the distribution unit (95) distributes the target device to multiple transfer devices (8) that perform replenishment of components (P0) including the transfer device (8), two or more consecutive component holding devices (5) are respectively distributed to the multiple transfer devices (8) as the target devices from among the multiple component holding devices (5).

[0169] According to this method, when the transfer device (8) performs the replenishment operation of the component (P0), it is possible to minimize the length of the path along which the transfer device (8) moves and improve the operation efficiency.

[0170] The transfer system (100) according to the sixth method is the same as the fifth method, and the transfer system further includes: a movement control unit (96) that controls the movement of the multiple transfer devices (8). The movement control unit (96) causes the transfer device (8) that is farther from the reference point (PT1) among the multiple transfer devices (8) from the target device distributed by the distribution unit (95) to start moving toward the target device.

[0171] According to this method, it is possible to suppress a situation where there is a large difference in the time when the multiple transfer devices (8) reach the component holding device (5) that is the first to perform replenishment of the component (P0) among the respective target devices.

[0172] The transfer control method according to the seventh mode includes an acquisition step, a prediction step, and an allocation step. In the acquisition step, production actual result information is acquired, and the production actual result information includes the production actual results of products (M1) produced by assembling components (P0) supplied from a plurality of component holding devices (5) onto a base material. In the prediction step, based on the production actual result information, prediction information including the time points when the components (P0) are used up in each of the plurality of component holding devices (5) is generated. In the allocation step, among the plurality of component holding devices (5), an object device to be replenished with the component (P0) is allocated to a transfer device (8) for replenishing the component (P0). In the allocation step, based on the prediction information, the number of transfer devices (8) for allocating the object device is determined from among the plurality of component holding devices (5) such that replenishment of the component (P0) to each of the plurality of component holding devices (5) is performed before the component (P0) is used up in each of the plurality of component holding devices (5).

[0173] According to this mode, since the number of transfer devices (8) for allocating the object device is determined based on the prediction information, replenishment of the component (P0) to each of the plurality of component holding devices (5) can be performed before the component (P0) is used up. In addition, it is not necessary to keep a surplus number of transfer devices (8) in a standby state in order to replenish the component (P0) to the plurality of component holding devices (5). That is, an appropriate number of transfer devices (8) without excess or deficiency can be operated according to the production actual results of the product (M1).

[0174] The computer program product according to the eighth mode is a computer program product including a computer program that implements the steps of the transfer control method according to the seventh mode when executed by one or more processors.

[0175] According to this mode, since the number of transfer devices (8) for allocating the object device is determined based on the prediction information, replenishment of the component (P0) to each of the plurality of component holding devices (5) can be performed before the component (P0) is used up. In addition, it is not necessary to keep a surplus number of transfer devices (8) in a standby state in order to replenish the component (P0) to the plurality of component holding devices (5). That is, an appropriate number of transfer devices (8) without excess or deficiency can be operated according to the production actual results of the product (M1).

[0176] In addition, the structures according to the second to sixth modes are not essential structures of the transfer system (100) and can be appropriately omitted.

Claims

1. A handling system comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires production performance information, where the production performance information includes the production performance of products produced by assembling components supplied from a plurality of component holding devices onto a substrate; a prediction unit that generates prediction information including the time points when the components run out in each of the plurality of component holding devices, based on the production performance information; and an allocation unit that allocates, from among the plurality of component holding devices, a target device, which is the object for replenishing the components, to a handling device that replenishes the components, wherein the allocation unit determines the number of the handling devices to which the target device is allocated from among the plurality of component holding devices, such that replenishment of the components to each of the plurality of component holding devices is carried out before the components run out in each of the plurality of component holding devices.

2. The handling system according to claim 1, wherein the prediction unit updates the prediction information at a given interval.

3. The handling system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the allocation unit allocates the target device to a plurality of handling devices including the handling device that replenishes the components, the allocation unit allocates the target device to each of the plurality of handling devices such that the operation time of each of the plurality of handling devices when replenishing the components to the target device becomes balanced.

4. The handling system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the allocation unit allocates the target device to a plurality of handling devices including the handling device that replenishes the components, the allocation unit allocates the same number of the target devices to each of the plurality of handling devices from among the plurality of component holding devices.

5. The handling system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the allocation unit allocates the target device to a plurality of handling devices including the handling device that replenishes the components, the allocation unit allocates, as the target device, two or more consecutively arranged component holding devices to each of the plurality of handling devices from among the plurality of component holding devices.

6. The handling system according to claim 5, wherein the handling system further comprises: a movement control unit that controls the movement of the plurality of handling devices, and the movement control unit causes the movement of the plurality of handling devices to start from the handling device that is farther from a reference point among the target devices allocated by the allocation unit, towards the target device.

7. A handling control method comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring production performance information, where the production performance information includes the production performance of products produced by assembling components supplied from a plurality of component holding devices onto a substrate; a prediction step of generating prediction information including the time points when the components run out in each of the plurality of component holding devices, based on the production performance information; and an allocation step of allocating, from among the plurality of component holding devices, a target device, which is the object for replenishing the components, to a handling device that replenishes the components In the allocation step, based on the prediction information, the number of the transfer devices for allocating the target device from among the plurality of component holding devices is determined such that replenishment of the components to each of the plurality of component holding devices is carried out before the components are used up in each of the plurality of component holding devices.

8. A computer program product comprising a computer program which, when executed by one or more processors, implements the steps of the transfer control method according to claim 7.

Images