production facility

Abstract

A production facility comprising at least one production line having a plurality of devices and a line management device, and a facility management device configured to manage information about software to be installed in a plurality of target devices among the plurality of devices and the line management device, and configured to allow a user to specify the software to be installed in the target devices based on the information, whereby it is possible to appropriately manage the software to be installed in the plurality of target devices and appropriately maintain a state of the software in the plurality of target devices.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a production plant comprising at least one production line having a plurality of devices and a line management device. State of the art

[0002] An information processing system is known in which a device, such as a printer, connected to a client can be used by an information processing server in the same usage environment as when the device is used by the client (see, for example, Patent Literature 1). When the information processing system detects that a user connects the device to the client and a device driver for the device is not present in the information processing server, a device driver present in the client is transmitted to the information processing server, and the device driver is automatically installed in the information processing server. Citation listPatent specifications

[0003] Patent Document 1:JP-A-2008-146398 Summary of the inventionTechnical problem

[0004] In a production facility including multiple devices, a line management device, and the like, it is necessary to install new software in the multiple devices or update software according to a specification change or the like. However, if the software corresponding to a target device of the production facility is automatically installed using a technique described in Patent Literature 1, software management throughout the entire production facility becomes complicated, which may result in incorrect installation of the software or the like, or make it impossible to properly perform the software update or the like.

[0005] Therefore, a main object of the present disclosure is to appropriately manage software to be installed in a plurality of target devices in a production facility including at least one production line having a plurality of devices and a line management device, and to appropriately maintain a state of the software in the plurality of target devices. Solution to the problem

[0006] A production facility of the present disclosure is a production facility including at least one production line having a plurality of devices and a line management device, and a facility management device configured to manage information about software to be installed in a plurality of target devices among the plurality of devices and the line management device, and configured to allow a user to specify the software to be installed in the target devices based on the information.

[0007] In the production plant, the information of the software to be installed in the target devices is centrally managed by the equipment management device, and the user can specify the software to be installed in the target devices in the equipment management device based on this information. Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately manage the software to be installed in the multiple target devices and appropriately maintain the state of the software in the multiple target devices. Short description of the characters Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a production facility of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an installation history list stored by a facility management device provided in the production facility of the present disclosure. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a software combination list stored by the facility management device provided in the production facility of the present disclosure. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a software distribution target setting screen displayed on a display device of the facility management apparatus provided in the production facility of the present disclosure. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a distribution software setting screen displayed on the display device of the facility management apparatus provided in the production facility of the present disclosure. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a routine executed by the facility management apparatus provided in the production facility of the present disclosure. Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a routine executed by target devices provided in the production facility of the present disclosure. Description of embodiments

[0008] Next, an embodiment for carrying out the invention of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the production plant F of the present disclosure. Fig. The production plant F shown in Figure 1 comprises several production lines A, B, ..., X that produce printed circuit boards on which components are mounted. Production line A comprises several devices A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, A9, and A10, as well as a line management device A0 that jointly manages and controls several devices A1 to A10.

[0010] The device A1 is a circuit board loading device, and the device A2 is a conveyor. The device A3 is a printing machine that prints solder onto a wiring pattern of a circuit board, and the device A4 is an inspection machine that inspects a condition of the solder printed on the circuit board. The device A5 is a first mounting device, the device A6 is a second mounting device, and the device A7 is a third mounting device. Each of the devices A5 to A7 picks up a component from a tape fed by a feeder (not shown) and mounts the component onto the circuit board. The device A8 is an inspection machine that inspects the mounting condition of the components mounted by the devices A5 to A7 (first to third mounting devices).Device A9 is a reflow device that melts the solder on the circuit board by heating the circuit board to a preset reflow temperature, and device A10 is a circuit board unloading device.

[0011] The line management device A0 of the production line A is a computer that includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a storage device that stores various production information and the like related to the production of a printed circuit board, an input / output interface, and the like, and to which an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse (not shown) and a display device D are connected. A plurality of devices A1 to A10 each include a control device (not shown) that includes a microcomputer and the like. The line management device A0 outputs various command signals and the like to the control devices of a plurality of devices A1 to A10 in response to requests and the like from a plurality of devices A1 to A10.The control device of each of the devices A1 to A10 exchanges information with the line management device A0 to control an operation of the device A1 and the like.

[0012] The production line B includes a plurality of devices B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, and B6, and a line management device B0 that collectively manages and controls a plurality of devices B1 to B6. Device B1 is a printed circuit board loading device, and device B2 is a conveyor. Device B3 is a printing machine, and device B4 is a conveyor. Furthermore, device B5 is an inspection machine, and device B6 is a placement device. The line management device B0 of the production line B is a computer that includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a storage device that stores various production information and the like related to the production of a printed circuit board, an input / output interface, and the like, and to which an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse (not shown) and a display device D are connected.A plurality of devices B1 to B6 each includes a control device (not shown) including a microcomputer and the like. The line management device B0 outputs various command signals and the like to the control devices of the plurality of devices B1 to B6 in response to requests and the like from the plurality of devices B1 to B6. The control device of each of the devices B1 to B6 exchanges information with the line management device B0 to control an operation of the device B1 and the like.

[0013] The production line X includes a plurality of devices X1, X2, X3, X4, and X5, and a line management device X0 that collectively manages and controls a plurality of devices X1 to X5. A plurality of devices X1 to X5 are all pick-and-place devices. The line management device X0 of the production line X is a computer that includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a storage device that stores various production information and the like related to the production of a printed circuit board, an input / output interface, and the like, and to which an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse (not shown) and a display device D are connected. A plurality of devices X1 to X5 each includes a control device (not shown) that includes a microcomputer and the like.The line management device X0 outputs various command signals and the like to the control devices of the plurality of devices X1 to X5 in response to requests and the like from the plurality of devices X1 to X5. The control device of each of the devices X1 to X5 exchanges information with the line management device X0 to control an operation of the device X1 and the like.

[0014] Furthermore, the production plant F includes, as in Fig. 1, a facility management device M that manages information of software to be installed in a plurality of devices A1 to A10, B1 to B6, and X1 to X5 (respective control devices) and line management devices A0, B0, and X0. The facility management device M is a computer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a storage device, an input / output interface, and the like, and to which an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse (not shown) and a display device D are connected.

[0015] The storage device of the facility management device M stores a Fig. 2 shown installation history list and one in Fig. 3. The installation history list indicates the versions of the software installed in the control devices of the devices A1 to A10, B1 to B6, and X1 to X5, and the line management devices A0, B0, and X0, and the installed software. The installation history list is updated by the facility management device M each time new software, an updated software version, or the like is installed in any of the devices A1 to A10, B1 to B6, and X1 to X5, and the line management devices A0, B0, and X0. The software combination list defines the software and versions (latest versions) to be installed in the devices A1 to A10, B1 to B6, and X1 to X5, and the line management devices A0, B0, and X0.The software combination list is updated by a user, for example, an administrator of the production facility F or the facility management device M, when new software is introduced according to a specification change or the like of the production facility F or when a version upgrade or the like of the software is performed.

[0016] The storage device of the facility management device M stores the latest version of software to be installed in the devices A1 to A10, B1 to B6, and X1 to X5 and the line management devices A0, B0, and X0. Furthermore, the facility management device M can exchange data and the like with each of the plurality of devices A1 to A10, B1 to B6, and X1 to X5 (respective control devices) and each of the line management devices A0, B0, and X0 via a dedicated protocol, and transmits the software (installation file) to be installed in the devices A1 to A10, B1 to B6, and X1 to X5 and the line management devices A0, B0, and X0 upon instruction from the user.An installation application for installing the software transferred from the facility management device M into the devices (target devices) is pre-installed in the control devices of the devices A1 to A10, B1 to B6, and X1 to X5 and the line management devices A0, B0, and C0 of the production facility F. In the present embodiment, the installation application causes the control devices of the target devices to perform a general file operation including at least copying, deleting, compressing, and extracting a file, along with executing an executable file.

[0017] Furthermore, in the production plant F of the present embodiment, the user can specify software to be installed in desired devices (hereinafter referred to as “target devices”) among the devices A1 to A10, B1 to B6, and X1 to X5 and the line management devices A0, B0, and X0 by using the plant management device M. More specifically, by clicking a button (Add distribution destination) on a distribution destination setting screen displayed in Fig. 4 is displayed on the display device D of the facility management device M, select device names given to the plurality of devices in advance from a pull-down list based on the software combination list or the like, and specify the target devices in which the software is to be installed. When the device names of the target devices are specified, IP addresses of the target devices as distribution destinations of the software and ports of the IP addresses are displayed on the display device D.

[0018] If the software to be installed in the target devices is stored in a server (not shown) other than the facility management device M, the user can select the server from a pull-down list as a distribution source by clicking a button (Add Distribution Source). When a predetermined operation is performed by the user, a distribution software setting screen, which is shown in Fig. 5 is displayed on the display device D. On the distribution software setting screen, the user can select and set the software to be installed in the target devices and their versions from a pull-down list set based on the software combination list or the like while referring to a software name and a current version displayed on the screen.

[0019] Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a routine executed by the facility management device M when the software to be installed in the target devices is set by the user on the distribution software setting screen.

[0020] As in Fig. As shown in Fig. 6, when the user specifies the software and versions to be installed in the target devices on the distribution software setting screen, the facility management device M acquires the content input by the user (step S100). Furthermore, the facility management device M refers to the above-described software combination list to determine (check) whether the software and version specified by the user are suitable according to the software combination list (step S110). If the software and version specified by the user are not suitable (step S110: NO), the facility management device M displays a predetermined warning on the distribution software setting screen to inform the user that there is an error in setting the software or the like (step S115), and executes the process of step S100 according to the arrival of a next execution timing.

[0021] If the software and version specified by the user or newly specified by the user according to the warning are suitable (step S110: YES), the facility management device M determines whether the user's setting of the target devices, software, and versions is complete (step S120). If the user's setting of the target devices, software, and versions is not complete (step S120: NO), the facility management device M executes the processes of step S100 and subsequent steps according to the arrival of the next execution time.On the other hand, when the designation of the target devices, software, and versions by the user is completed (step S120: YES), the facility management device M confirms the target devices, software, and versions designated by the user (step S130), transmits a compressed file of an installation file (data) of the designated software and an installation request of the software to one or more designated target devices (step S140), and terminates the routine in . Fig. 6.

[0022] Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a routine executed by the control devices of the target devices when the installation file and the installation request of the software are transmitted from the facility management device M.

[0023] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, when the compressed file of the software installation file and the installation request are received from the facility management device M, the control devices of the target devices activate the above-described installation application (step S200). When the installation application is activated, the control devices of the target devices copy the compressed file of the installation file from the facility management device M, paste the compressed file into a predetermined folder, and extract the compressed file (step S210).

[0024] Next, the control devices of the target devices execute an executable file in the extracted folder and install the software specified by the user (step S220). After the installation is completed, the control devices of the target devices delete the compressed file, the extracted folder, and the like received from the facility management device M (step S230). Further, the control devices of the target devices send an installation completion message indicating that the installation of the specified software is complete to the facility management device M (step S240) and end the routine in Fig. 7. When the installation completion message is received from the target devices, the asset management device M updates the installation history list.

[0025] As described above, the production line F includes production lines A, B, ..., X, each having a plurality of devices A1 to A10, B1 to B6, or X1 to X5, and a line management device A0, B0, or X0, and a facility management device M that manages the information of the software to be installed in the plurality of target devices among the plurality of devices A1 to A10, B1 to B6, and X1 to X5 (each a control device) and the line management devices A0, B0, and X0. Then, the facility management device M allows the user to specify the software to be installed in the target devices and the version based on the information via the display device D.

[0026] In the production facility F, the information of the software to be installed in the target devices is centrally managed by the facility management device M, and the user can specify the software to be installed in the target devices and the version from the pull-down list set based on the information on the display device D of the facility management device M. Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately manage the software to be installed in the multiple target devices and appropriately maintain a state of the software in the multiple target devices.

[0027] The facility management device M has a function of checking whether the software specified by the user should be installed in the target devices (step S110). Accordingly, it is possible to advantageously reduce erroneous installation of software in the target devices. In the above embodiment, when there is an error in the user's software specification or the like, the facility management device M displays a predetermined warning on the distribution software setting screen; however, the configuration is not limited to this. That is, the facility management device M may be configured to perform a check based on the above information and set the pull-down list on the distribution software setting screen so that software that should not be installed in the target devices cannot be selected by the user.

[0028] Further, the asset management device M stores the software combination list defining the software to be installed in the target devices and checks, based on the software combination list, whether the software specified by the user should be installed in the target devices (step S110). Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately check, using the asset management device M, whether the software specified by the user should be installed in the target devices. The process of step S110 may be a process of checking whether user-specified software should be installed in the target devices based on a previously created list defining software that should not be installed in the target devices.

[0029] In the production facility F, the control devices of a plurality of devices A1 to A10, B1 to B6, and X1 to X5, which are target devices, have the installation application for installing the software in the devices installed in advance. The target devices acquire the software transmitted from the facility management device M, another server, or the like, and execute the installation application to install the software. Accordingly, it is not necessary for the user to install software corresponding to each of the plurality of devices (target devices) A1 to A10, B1 to B6, and X1 to X5, and thus it is possible to significantly reduce a management burden for software in the production facility F. However, the production lines A, B, ..., X may include a device controlled by a line management device A0 or the like without including the control device in which software is installed.

[0030] Furthermore, the installation application causes the target devices to perform a general file operation, including at least copying, deleting, compressing, and extracting a file, as well as executing an executable file. This can shorten a file (software) transfer time, and advantageously suppress unnecessary files remaining in the target devices. Furthermore, when new software is installed on the target devices and a software setting file is converted to an external file, it is possible to overwrite a separately created setting file using the copy / paste function or the like of the installation application.If the software installed in the target devices has a log output function, it is possible to create a compressed file for log collection using the copy / paste function, the compression / extraction function, or the like of the installation application, and transfer the compressed file from the target devices to the line management device A0 or the like.

[0031] The present invention is by no means limited to the above embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications may be made within the scope of expanding the present disclosure. Furthermore, the above embodiment is merely a specific aspect of the invention described in the Summary of the Invention and does not limit the elements of the invention described in the Summary of the Invention. Industrial applicability

[0032] The invention of the present disclosure can be used in a production plant comprising at least one production line having a plurality of devices and a line management device. List of reference symbols

[0033] A0, B0, X0: Line management device, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, A9, A10, B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, X1, X2, X3, X4, X5: Device (aiming device), D: Display device, F: Production device, M: Equipment management device. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP-A-2008-146398

[0003]

Claims

[1] Production facility comprising: at least one production line comprising a plurality of devices and a line management device; and a facility management device configured to manage information about software to be installed in a plurality of target devices among the plurality of devices and the line management device, and configured to that it enables a user to determine the software to be installed on the target devices based on the information. [2] The production facility according to claim 1, wherein the facility management device is configured to check whether the software specified by the user should be installed in the target devices. [3] The production facility according to claim 2, wherein the facility management device has a list defining the software to be installed in the target devices or the software not to be installed in the target devices, and is configured to check whether the software specified by the user should be installed in the target devices based on the list. [4] Production plant according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an installation application for installing the software in the target devices is pre-installed in the target devices and the target devices are configured to obtain the software from the asset management device or another device and are configured to run the installation application to install the software. [5] The production facility of claim 4, wherein the installation application is configured to cause the target devices to perform a general file operation including at least copying, deleting, compressing, and extracting a file, along with executing an executable file.

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