Computer-implemented method for determining a subset of assembly types of a given set of assembly types and an associated modified fixed armament

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a computer-implemented method for determining a subset of assembly types of a predetermined set of assembly types and an associated modified fixed equipment and a control system as well as an associated computer program product.

[0002] Particularly in the field of electronics production, printed circuit boards and assemblies are manufactured on SMT assembly lines using surface-mounted technology (SMT). Electronics production and manufacturing are characterized by high demands for short lead times, high productivity (including short changeover times, short production times, etc.), and high flexibility.

[0003] Several placement machines, which are usually connected by a transport system and which work together, for example, to manufacture or assemble (electronic) components, represent a placement line.

[0004] In industrial manufacturing plants in the field of electronics production, assemblies (or printed circuit boards) are produced in orders with fixed batch sizes.

[0005] Batch sizes implicitly determine how frequently an assembly type must be produced. The smaller the batch size of an assembly type, the more frequently assemblies of that type must be produced and the greater the setup effort.

[0006] Creating a (component) setup for an assembly line is a huge undertaking. The setups of the setup families are set up for production and then dismantled again afterwards. Retrieving and manually setting up conveyors on the shuttle tables in a pre-setup area takes approximately 6-10 hours for all shuttle tables in a setup family. The production of the assemblies therefore takes place in setup families. A setup family is a set of assembly types that can be produced with one setup on the assembly line.

[0007] In other words, a setup family, also called a cluster, comprises a set of batches that can be manufactured within one setup. All assemblies of the assembly types in a setup family can therefore be manufactured one after the other on the assembly line without retooling.

[0008] A setup can be held on one or more shuttle tables, which can be easily exchanged on the pick and place machine. However, as explained above, upgrading a shuttle table with components of predetermined component types is complex. Setups are therefore often divided into fixed setups and variant setups. A fixed setup on one or more shuttle tables is designed to maintain its component type composition over a specified period of time, also known as the planning horizon, while a variant setup is expected to be retooled within the planning horizon.

[0009] US 5,170,554 A describes a process for manufacturing a large number of different printed circuit boards with a large number of different component types. The printed circuit boards are divided into different families, which are then apparently manufactured in different production periods (first mode, second mode) with different component type configurations.

[0010] WO 2010 / 105876 A1 deals with a set of assembly types for which empty tables are determined at fixed table locations (= constant tables) and whose setups are created, which remain on the assembly line.

[0011] EP 2 893 791 B1 discloses a method for determining the most advantageous fixed setup for an assembly line.

[0012] Variable production is in high demand in the high-mix, low-volume sector, meaning that many different assembly types must be manufactured in small quantities. In this sector, production is also operated in a mixed mode whenever possible, meaning that some products are manufactured with fixed setups and others with variant setups. Due to the described advantages of fixed setup production, the goal of these production plants is to maximize the proportion of production volume / order numbers in the fixed setup portion.

[0013] Conversely, it is not possible to use an unlimited number of shuttle tables with fixed conveyors to create fixed setups, as this would result in very high capital commitment costs (approximately €50,000 per shuttle table). Furthermore, there is often not enough space in the production hall for a large number of fixed setups. Therefore, typically only 1-3 fixed setups are planned per assembly line.

[0014] However, it is often the case that the proportion of assembly types manufactured with fixed setups, and thus the production volume covered, can be significantly increased by using a few additional fixed setup shuttle tables. For example, if a placement line has previously had exactly one fixed setup family, it often happens in practice that a significant portion of the assembly types not previously included in the fixed setup family have a high component overlap with the component types equipped in the fixed setup, but cannot be fully manufactured with the existing fixed setup.

[0015] The object of the invention is to provide a method and associated device / system or arrangement in which a modified or altered fixed setup is found for a certain number of assembly types that cannot be manufactured completely, i.e. only partially, with a given fixed setup in order to achieve the maximum possible total production time during assembly / manufacturing with fixed setups.

[0016] This problem is solved by the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0017] The invention claims a computer-implemented method for determining a subset of assembly types of a predetermined set of assembly types for a given fixed setup of a given assembly line and an associated modified fixed setup, wherein the assemblies of the assembly types of the subset can only be partially populated with components of the predetermined set of component types, wherein the component types, whose assignment of component types to tracks of the shuttle tables remains unchanged and whose components are kept ready on a predetermined set of shuttle tables that can be attached to an assembly line over a predetermined period of time, form a fixed setup, comprising the following steps: Selecting at least one shuttle table from the predetermined set of shuttle tables for an exchange of component types; Determining the subset of assembly types from the predetermined set of assembly types; Determining a set of component types that can be sorted out and are equipped on the at least one selected shuttle table and that are superfluous (i.e. not necessary, not required) for the assembly of the specific subset of assembly types; Determining a set of necessary component types that results from the predetermined set of component types less the set of component types that can be sorted out; Determining a set of additional component types that are required together with the set of necessary component types for a complete assembly of the assemblies of the specific assembly types;Determining a modified fixed setup such that the component types that can be sorted out are replaced (fully or partially) by the additional component types and the necessary component types find space on the remaining shuttle tables of the predetermined number of shuttle tables less the at least one selected shuttle table; Outputting the determined subset of the assembly types and the determined modified fixed setup in a suitable form for controlling and / or regulating a complete assembly of the modules of the determined assembly types.

[0018] As already mentioned above, a fixed setup is created by providing stocks of components of the component types it encompasses on one or more transfer tables. A fixed setup is assigned to a fixed setup family mentioned above.

[0019] An (assembly) order comprises a number or quantity of assemblies of an assembly type.

[0020] The specific subset of assembly types should be optimized such that the sum of the production times of all assembly types in the subset is maximized. Alternatively, a number of assembly orders with the assembly types from the subset is maximized, or a combination of both numbers can be maximized, possibly with a weighting of the two numbers.

[0021] In a further development of the invention, a set of assembly types is to be determined or ascertained in a production-time-optimal manner for an assembly line.

[0022] In practice, the replacement of entire fixed-set shuttle tables is preferred. The assembly types from the subset and the remaining assembly types from the specified set generally require a common component range for their assembly. According to the invention, the common component range can be completely covered by replacing at least one shuttle table from the fixed setup with at least one other shuttle table. In this way, the at least one other shuttle table can also be provided with a fixed setup or with a fixed pre-set setup. This creates a so-called modified fixed setup. If assemblies now have to be manufactured from the modified fixed setup, the quick replacement of at least one shuttle table is sufficient to enable immediate continuation of production.

[0023] The invention thus has the advantage of increasing flexibility in the production of the assemblies and the products in which the manufactured assemblies are to be used.

[0024] According to the invention, the sortable component types are replaced by the additional component types by exchanging at least one changing table on the assembly line with at least one other changing table which is only pre-equipped with components of the additional component types.

[0025] The number of component types that can be sorted out and / or the number of additional component types may occupy a maximum of one shuttle table.

[0026] The above procedure can be iterated any number of times.

[0027] The method according to the invention and its further developments / embodiments can be carried out centrally on a control system, preferably of the type described below.

[0028] The form suitable for controlling or regulating the complete assembly of the modules of the specific module types and the associated form suitable for controlling the assembly of these modules is preferably computer-readable. The assembly of the modules is ultimately carried out by controlling or regulating the assembly of the modules assigned to the corresponding module types.

[0029] Based on the specific subset of the module types and the specific modified fixed setup in the form mentioned, the assembly of modules can be controlled and / or regulated and / or carried out.

[0030] In the above computer-implemented method, "captured" or "capturable" or "predetermined" or "predeterminable" can be understood to mean that one or more input values ​​are already specified, for example, by default values, or are specified or determined by a user and / or by output values ​​of an upstream computer-implemented method and / or are predeterminable or determinable. Thus, these input values ​​are captured by the computer-implemented method.

[0031] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the method is implemented using mixed integer programming. Mixed integer programming represents a global optimization approach that is easily extensible and for which commercial solution methods or solution devices, also called solvers, are available. Using mixed integer programming, global maxima can be found in a multitude of possible solutions, allowing a particularly good solution to be found. Available methods and devices for mixed integer programming are continuously being improved, so it can be expected that even better optimization results will be achievable in the future.

[0032] A measure can be predetermined that expresses a proportion of the difference between the key figure and the maximum achievable matching quality. This difference is also called the "gap." It is preferable to use an optimization method that allows this "gap" to be determined. This can be achieved, in particular, with mixed integer programming.

[0033] The inventive determination of the subset of assembly types and the associated modified fixed setup results in an increase in productivity in a production plant by Setup effort is significantly reduced, productivity is increased through shorter lead times, shorter changeover times, and shorter production times. Flexibility, throughput, and delivery reliability are increased, and smaller batch sizes are possible.

[0034] A further aspect of the invention provides a control system comprising at least one computing unit configured to execute a computer-implemented method for determining a subset of assembly types of a predetermined set of assembly types for a given fixed setup of a given assembly line and an associated modified fixed setup according to the above-mentioned type and its further developments / embodiments.

[0035] The control system according to the invention can be centrally located for multiple assembly lines. One or more control devices, each responsible for the individual assembly lines, can be connected to the control system. The control system can also be located remotely from the control device(s) and, if necessary, outside the production plant in a data center or in a cloud (computer cloud). It is also possible to provide one control system for each assembly line or one control system for each assembly line. In the latter decentralized solution, the multiple control systems communicate with each other via a wired and / or wireless communication network.

[0036] The system or device and any associated unit(s) are configured to perform such method steps and may be implemented in hardware, firmware and / or software.

[0037] A further aspect of the invention is a computer program (product) comprising a program code executable by a computing unit or processor or a plurality of program code modules executable and interacting by a plurality of computing units, which has or has instructions that cause the execution of the method according to one of the above-mentioned embodiments on the control system of the above-mentioned type.

[0038] The computer program or product can be stored on a computer-readable storage medium or data carrier. It is possible for the computer program (product) to be embedded in a data carrier signal intended for downloading it from a server to a storage medium. The computer program or product can be created in a common programming language (e.g., C++, Java). A processing device or processor for executing its program code / program code modules can comprise a commercially available computer or server with corresponding input, output, and storage means. This processing device or computing unit can be integrated into the control system or device or into its units.

[0039] The computer-implemented process also applies to so-called cloud services (cloud = computer cloud). A computer cloud typically comprises one or more servers operated by a cloud service provider and configured to deliver a cloud service to a service provider, such as a network of companies. Accordingly, the system can be implemented in a computer cloud.

[0040] The control system or the control devices as well as the computer program (product) and data carrier or data carrier signal can be further developed or designed analogously to the above-mentioned method and its further developments.

[0041] Further advantages, details and developments of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments in conjunction with the drawings.

[0042] Figure 1 shows an example of a placement system, and

[0043] Figure 2shows a flow chart of the method according to the invention.

[0044] Figure 1 shows a placement system 100 with one or more placement lines. The placement system 100 includes one or more placement lines 110 and a control system 115.

[0045] Each assembly line 110 comprises an optional transport system 125 and one or more automatic placement machines 130. Each automatic placement machine 130 comprises one or more placement heads 135, each of which is configured to pick up components or parts 155 from a shuttle table 140 and to position them at a predetermined position on the assembly or printed circuit board 120 located on the transport system 125.

[0046] During the assembly process, the printed circuit board 120 is usually stationary with respect to the placement machine 130. The change tables 140 each comprise a plurality of conveyors or feed devices 150, of which Figure 1 Only one is shown by way of example. Each feed device 150 holds a supply of components 155 of a predetermined component type 160. The feed device 150 has a capacity for the components 155, which is usually expressed in tracks. A track is usually 8 mm wide, and the number of tracks in each feed device 150 is limited, for example to 40. Components 155 of the same component type 160 are usually provided in a belt, on a tray, or in a tube. Each component type 160 requires space in the feed device 150 with a predetermined number of tracks, which usually have to be adjacent to one another.

[0047] Each feeder 150 can be configured to hold different components 155, and typically, different feeders 150 can be attached to a shuttle table 140. If a component 155 of a component type 160 is required on the pick-and-place machine 130 that is not present in one of the shuttle tables 140, typically one of the attached shuttle tables 140 is not provided with the required components 155, but rather is completely replaced with another, appropriately equipped shuttle table 140. Upgrading a shuttle table 140 to be exchanged with components 155 is called pre-equipment and can require a processing time in the range of hours.

[0048] Since changing the shuttle tables 140 on the assembly line 110 is usually associated with a production downtime, the aim is to change the shuttle tables 140 as infrequently as possible.

[0049] A placement order comprises the number of printed circuit boards of a circuit board type to be populated. To populate a predetermined quantity of printed circuit boards 120 based on the placement orders, setups can be formed, each comprising stocks of components 155 of predetermined component types 160, wherein each printed circuit board of the quantity of printed circuit boards 120 can be completely populated with components 155 of the setup. A setup can be realized by a number of shuttle tables 140. In the illustration of Figure 1 A fixed setup 165, whose shuttle tables 140 are attached to the assembly line 110, and a variant setup 170, whose shuttle tables 140 are separate from the assembly line 110, are formed. One or more fixed setups 165 and one or more variant setups 170 can be provided. A desired case without variant setups 170 is possible.

[0050] The fixed setup 165 is designed to remain unchanged or existing with respect to its component types 160, at least during a planning horizon, which may, for example, be six months or a year. Thus, while components 155 can be replenished at the shuttle tables 140 of the fixed setup 165 if necessary, the assignment of component types 160 to tracks of the shuttle tables 140 remains unchanged. If multiple fixed setups 165 are planned, they can be interchanged within the planning horizon.

[0051] A variant setup 170, on the other hand, is configured to accommodate components 155 of different component types 160 during the planning horizon, but only exists temporarily. For this purpose, the shuttle tables 170, while not attached to the assembly line 110, are typically stripped of components 155 of predetermined component types 160 and reloaded with components 155 of other component types 160. This retooling can involve a significant amount of manual work and be time-consuming.

[0052] A setup family, whether a fixed setup family or a variant setup family, is defined as a set of circuit board types whose circuit boards can be assembled on a placement line without changing the set of component types held ready for assembly on the placement line. That is, no changeover is necessary.

[0053] The control system 115 assigns circuit board types 122, whose associated circuit boards 120 are to be assembled on the assembly line 110, to a setup family. A setup family is a set of circuit board types 122 whose circuit boards 120 can be fully assembled with components 155 provided in the associated setup 165, 170. A setup family is typically assigned to exactly one setup 165, 170, and vice versa.

[0054] One or more control devices (not shown), each of which is / are configured for one or more assembly lines 110 to control / regulate the component assembly process on the assembly lines to fulfill the assembly orders, can each be connected to the (central) control system 115 in a cloud or computer cloud via wired and / or wireless network technologies.

[0055] Said control system 115 is designed to execute the inventive computer-implemented method, explained in more detail below, for determining a subset of assembly types from a predetermined set of assembly types and an associated modified fixed setup. The control system can comprise a computing unit that can be connected to a data storage device or medium (not shown). Stored or preconfigured models of the assembly systems can be retrieved from the data storage device if necessary. One or more optimization units (not shown) can also be integrated into the control system or coupled to it, in which so-called solvers, e.g., Cplex or Gurobi, can be used. Solvers are special mathematical computer programs that can solve mathematical problems numerically.

[0056] In the optimization unit or in the optimization units, which interact with the computing unit or can be integrated into the computing unit, the selection of at least one shuttle table from the specified set of shuttle tables and the determination of a subset of assembly types from a specified set of assembly types as well as an associated modified fixed setup can be carried out (in multiprocessing). Furthermore, the optimization unit(s) can determine the sortable component types that are set up on the at least one selected shuttle table, the necessary and additional component types, whereby the additional component types are required together with the necessary component types for a complete assembly of the modules of the specific assembly types of the subset.In addition, the optimization unit(s) can determine a modified fixed setup such that the component types that can be sorted out are replaced by the additional component types.

[0057] In the exemplary embodiment, an assembly type may, for example, require a total of 200 component types, of which 190 are already included in the fixed setup. A total of 400 component types are already loaded in the fixed setup. To load this assembly type, only 10 component types would have to be sorted out or removed from the fixed setup (which are superfluous or not needed) and the 10 additionally required component types would have to be loaded into the freed-up space. For this purpose, at least one shuttle table is selected from the fixed setup, on which the component types that can be sorted out are replaced with the additional ones. Preferably, at least a second shuttle table is provided, which is pre-loaded with the additional component types and, if necessary, with the necessary component types.In the fixed setup, the exchange of the two component types mentioned is achieved by exchanging at least one selected shuttle table with the provided second shuttle table. As a result of the exchange, a modified fixed setup is to be made available on the assembly line for assembling the modules of the module types from the specified subset.

[0058] An output unit of the control system (not shown) supplies the specific subset of assembly types and the specific modified fixed setup in a form suitable for controlling and / or regulating the assembly order fulfillment. Such a form should be computer-readable, e.g., one or more Excel lists in CSV format containing the specific individual assembly types and the sortable and additional component types for the at least one selected shuttle table and, if applicable, the component types for the specified fixed setup of the remaining shuttle tables. If applicable, it can be determined from the information in the data memory which component type is suitable for assembling which assembly type.

[0059] Subsequently, the impact of the modified fixed setup on the operation of the assembly line can be evaluated, preferably by simulation. The objective of the optimization is to achieve its maximum or a predefined key figure.

[0060] If necessary, the determination of a subset of assembly types of a given set of assembly types and an associated modified fixed setup can then be repeated.

[0061] These Excel lists can then be sent to one or more control devices (not shown) for receipt by a receiving unit. The control device (not shown) can then control and / or regulate the assembly of printed circuit boards accordingly.

[0062] Additionally and alternatively, it is possible for the control system to send out or receive other computer-readable control signals in order to initiate the control / regulation process in its processing unit.

[0063] The assembly of the assemblies or printed circuit boards is typically performed by individually fixing the components 155 to the printed circuit boards 120 using solder paste. The assembled printed circuit boards 155 can then be finished in a reflow oven, in which the solder paste is temporarily melted so that the components 155 are electrically and mechanically connected to conductor tracks on the surface of the printed circuit board 120.

[0064] Figure 2shows a flow chart of the method according to the invention comprising the following steps: In step 10, the set of assembly types and the set of component types are specified, the components of which are permanently set up on a predetermined set of shuttle tables that can be attached to an assembly line over a predetermined period of time, forming a predetermined fixed setup.

[0065] In the next step 20, at least one shuttle table is selected from the specified set of shuttle tables; in step 30, the subset of assembly types from the specified set of assembly types is determined for which a modified fixed setup is to be determined in step 50.

[0066] In step 40, the following sets of component types are determined: a set of component types that can be sorted out and are set up on the at least one selected shuttle table and that are superfluous for the assembly of the specific subset of the assembly types, a set of necessary component types that results from the specified set of component types less the set of component types that can be sorted out, and a set of additional component types that are required together with the set of necessary component types for a complete assembly of the modules of the specific assembly types.

[0067] In step 50, a modified fixed setup is determined such that the component types that can be sorted out are exchanged or replaced by the additional component types.

[0068] Optional step 60: For step 50, various additional constraints can be taken into account, which are described in more detail, for example, in the following formulation of a mixed integer program.

[0069] This step 60 can also be skipped, then step 70 follows directly after step 50.

[0070] Step 70: Based on a key figure calculated below, the execution of steps 20 to 60 can be optimized such that an optimum, preferably a maximum, of this key figure is achieved. In addition to other embodiments of the key figure mentioned above in the general part of the present application, the key figure in the exemplary embodiment is preferably calculated as follows: the sum of the production times of all assembly types in the subset is maximized.

[0071] Optionally, the procedure is repeated by continuing with step 20 in order to further optimize the key figure if necessary, in particular to maximize it.

[0072] Finally, in step 80, the result of the determined subset of the assembly types and the determined modified fixed setup is output in a form (preferably computer-readable) suitable for controlling and / or regulating the assembly order fulfillment.

[0073] Any optimization method can be used to optimize the process steps described above, for example, based on local search methods or metaheuristic algorithms. With each iteration of the steps described above, the best matching determined so far is varied pseudo-randomly or according to a heuristic, resulting in different matchings, from which the one with the optimal matching quality is selected.

[0074] A special case of optimization methods is linear optimization. It deals with the optimization of linear objective functions over a set constrained by linear equations and inequalities. It forms the basis of the solution methods of (mixed-) integer linear optimization. In conjunction with MIP (mixed integer programming) or MILP (mixed integer linear programming), standard solvers such as CPLEX, Scip, Gurobi, and Xpress can be used for small IP programs (integer optimization models).

[0075] More challenging than linear optimization is the case of nonlinear integer optimization (MINLP), where the objective function, the constraints (NB), or both can be specified. The solution is achieved using suitable linear approximations, so standard solvers can be used directly. Furthermore, the standard solvers mentioned above can each solve certain types of nonlinear problems. There are also additional solvers specialized for solving nonlinear problems (e.g., ANTIGONE, BARON).

[0076] Preferably, steps 10 to 80 are performed by solving a mixed integer program. Optimizers (solvers) based on mixed integer programming are available as commercial products, as explained above.

[0077] Advantages of mixed integer linear programming (MILP) are: Global optimization approach. Easily extensible. Excellent commercial standard solvers (e.g., Gurobi, SCIP, CPLEX, Ilog, Xpress) are widely used and proven in practice. For a determined solution, the maximum distance from the optimal solution (gap) is known.

[0078] The following is an example of a MILP formulation for determining a subset of assembly types of a given set of assembly types and an associated modified fixed setup.

[0079] The inventive approach pursues the determination of a subset of assembly types from a predetermined set of assembly types for a given fixed setup of a given assembly line, which is suitable for an exchange of component types by selecting at least one exchange table. MILP (mixed integer linear programming) describes a method that only considers the sets of component types required for the fixed setup or the modified fixed setup. In practice, however, the concrete setup of these component types is still required, i.e. which ones are loaded on which exchange tables. This approach can be applied to one or more exchange tables.The fixed setup modified by exchanging at least one selected shuttle table with at least one other shuttle table is created in such a way that the highest possible production volume of assembly types is covered by the assembly types contained in the modified fixed setup. It is also possible not to replace the selected table, but to replace or exchange component types on tracks with other component types required for assembling the assembly types from the subset.

[0080] The following terms apply in the MILP formulation. Indices

[0081] FC Quantity of component types in the fixed equipment ("fixed comps") NC Number of additional component types that are not included in the fixed equipment ("new comps") R Number of possible additional assembly types for the modified fixed setup (not included in the fixed setup) R c Subset of assembly types from R that have the component type c (out of FC or NC) need parameter

[0082] Width c Space consumption of a component type c in traces TableCap Number of tracks of the shuttle table LineCap Number of tracks of all change tables of the assembly line Time r Total production time of the assembly type r (number times individual production time) MaxAdded Maximum number of additional component types to be added MaxExcluded Maximum number of component types that can be sorted out or dismantled Binary variables

[0083] assign r 1 if assembly type r was included in the modified fixed setup (0 otherwise). added nc 1 if component type nc was equipped in the modified fixed setup (0 otherwise). excluded fc 1 if component type fc was sorted out or dismantled from the fixed equipment (0 otherwise). Objective function:

[0084] Maximiere ∑ r ∈ R assign r ∗ Time r Side conditions:

[0085] (1)The non-excluded (rejected) component types must be placed on the remaining tables of the assembly line: ∑ fc ∈ FC Width fc 1 − excluded fc ≤ LineCap − TableCap (2)The excluded component types may occupy a maximum of one shuttle table: ∑ fc ∈ FC Width fc excluded fc ≤ TableCap (3) The added component types may occupy a maximum of one shuttle table: ∑ nc ∈ NC Width nc added nc ≤ TableCap (4)All added component types of the subset of assembly types from R must be equipped in the modified fixed setup: ∑ r ∈ R c assign r ≤ R c added c c ∈ NC (5)All component types of the subset of assembly types from R that are adopted from the fixed setup (not excluded) must be equipped in the modified fixed setup: ∑ r ∈ R c assign r ≤ R c 1 − excluded c c ∈ FC (6) The number of additional component types that can be added is limited: ∑ nc ∈ NC added c ≤ MaxAdded (7) The number of component types that can be excluded is limited: ∑ fc ∈ FC excluded fc ≤ MaxExcluded (8)Variable restrictions assign r ∈ {0,1} r ∈ R added nc ∈ {0,1} nc ∈ NC excluded fc ∈ {0,1} fc ∈ FC

[0086] If the focus of the process is on the best possible production times for the fixed setup assembly types, it is advantageous to create the fixed setup first, which defines the number of component types to be placed on each shuttle table.

[0087] Now you can select a shuttle table that you want to change, change, or swap to create the modified fixed setup. Before using the MILP, in this embodiment, only the variable excluded = 1 is set for assembly types that were assigned to the selected table in the fixed setup, and excluded = 0 for the other component types. The MILP then finds the best possible shuttle table for this shuttle table, which is then equipped with component types for the modified fixed setup. If only individual component types / conveyors are to be swapped, only excluded = 0 needs to be set in the MILP for all component types of the fixed setup that are not on the selected shuttle table.

[0088] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by the preferred embodiment, the invention is not limited to the disclosed examples and other variations may be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0089] The processes or procedural steps described above can be implemented using commands or instructions located on computer-readable, non-volatile storage media or in volatile computer memories (hereinafter collectively referred to as computer-readable memories). Computer-readable memories include, for example, volatile memories such as caches, buffers, or RAM, as well as non-volatile memories such as removable storage devices, hard drives, etc.

[0090] The functions or steps described above can be present in the form of at least one instruction set in / on a computer-readable memory. The functions or steps are not tied to a specific instruction set or to a specific form of instruction sets, to a specific storage medium, to a specific processor, or to specific execution schemes and can be executed by software, firmware, microcode, hardware, processors, integrated circuits, etc., either alone or in any combination. A wide variety of processing strategies can be used, for example, serial processing by a single processor, multiprocessing, multitasking, parallel processing, etc.

[0091] The instructions can be stored in local memory, but it is also possible to store the instructions on a remote system, e.g. cloud, and access them via the network.

[0092] In the context of the invention, "computer-assisted" or "computer-implemented" can be understood, for example, as an implementation of the method in which, in particular, a processor or a computing unit, which can be part of the control system or the (control or processing) device or unit and / or a computer and / or one or more services in a computer cloud of a service provider, carries out at least one method step of the method.

[0093] Unless otherwise stated in the following description, the terms "mapping", "replicating", "receiving", "applying", "outputting", "providing" and the like preferably refer to actions and / or processes and / or processing steps that change and / or generate data and / or convert the data into other data, wherein the data can in particular be represented or present as physical quantities.

[0094] The term "processor," "central signal processing," "control unit," or "data evaluation means," as used herein, encompasses processing means in the broadest sense, such as servers, general-purpose processors, graphics processors, digital signal processors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic circuits such as FPGAs, discrete analog or digital circuits, and any combinations thereof, including all other processing means known to those skilled in the art or developed in the future. Processors can consist of one or more systems, devices, or units. If a processor consists of multiple devices, these devices can be designed or configured for parallel or sequential processing or execution of instructions. A "memory unit," in the context of the invention, can be, for example, a computer-readable storage medium in the form of RAM.Random-Access Memory (RAM) or a hard disk.

Claims

1. Computer- implemented method for determining a subset of assembly types in a predefined set of assembly types (122) for a given fixed set-up of a given pick-and-place line and an associated modified fixed set-up, wherein the assemblies (120) of the assembly types in the subset can only be partially populated with components in the predefined set of component types (160) of the fixed set-up, wherein the component types, whose assignment of component types (160) to tracks of the shuttle tables (140) remains unchanged and whose components are kept ready for a predefined period of time on a predefined set of shuttle tables (140) that can be attached to a pick-and-place line (110), form a predefined fixed set-up, having the following steps: - selecting at least one shuttle table from the predefined set of shuttle tables for replacing component types; - determining the subset of assembly types from the predefined set of assembly types; - ascertaining a set of rejectable component types which have been set up on the at least one selected shuttle table and are superfluous for populating the determined subset of assembly types; - ascertaining a set of necessary component types resulting from the predefined set of component types minus the set of rejectable component types; - ascertaining a set of additional component types that are required, together with the set of necessary component types, for completely populating the assemblies of the determined assembly types; - determining a modified fixed set-up in such a way that the rejectable component types are replaced by the additional component types and the necessary component types find space on the remaining shuttle tables in the predefined set of shuttle tables minus the at least one selected shuttle table; - outputting the determined subset of assembly types and the determined modified fixed set-up in a suitable form for controlling and / or regulating a complete population of the assemblies of the determined assembly types, characterized in that the rejectable component types are replaced by the additional component types by replacing the at least one shuttle table on the pick-and-place line with at least one other shuttle table which is previously set up only with components of the additional component types.

2. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the number of rejectable component types may occupy at most one shuttle table.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the number of additional component types may occupy at most one shuttle table.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the determined subset of assembly types and the determined associated modified fixed set-up are optimized in such a way that a number of population orders with the assembly types from the subset or the sum of the respective production time of each assembly type is maximized.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method is carried out using mixed-integer linear programming.

6. Control system (115) comprising at least one computing unit configured to perform a computer-implemented method for determining a subset of assembly types in a predefined set of assembly types (122) for a given fixed set-up of a given pick-and-place line and an associated modified fixed set-up, wherein the assemblies (120) of the assembly types in the subset can only be partially populated with components in the predefined set of component types (160) of the fixed set-up, wherein the component types, whose components are kept ready for a predefined period of time on a predefined set of shuttle tables (140) that can be attached to a pick-and-place line (110), remain unchanged and form a predefined fixed set-up, having at least one optimization unit which cooperates with the computing unit and is configured - to select at least one shuttle table from the predefined set of shuttle tables for replacing component types, - to determine the subset of assembly types from the predefined set of assembly types, - to ascertain a set of rejectable component types which have been set up on the at least one selected shuttle table and are superfluous for populating the determined subset of assembly types, - to ascertain a set of necessary component types resulting from the predefined set of component types minus the set of rejectable component types, - to ascertain a set of additional component types that are required, together with the set of necessary component types, for completely populating the assemblies of the determined assembly types, and - to determine a modified fixed set-up in such a way that the rejectable component types are replaced by the additional component types and the necessary component types find space on the remaining shuttle tables in the predefined set of shuttle tables minus the at least one selected shuttle table, wherein the rejectable component types are replaced by the additional component types by replacing the at least one shuttle table on the pick-and-place line with at least one other shuttle table which is previously set up only with components of the additional component types, and - an output unit for outputting the determined subset of assembly types and the determined modified fixed set-up in a suitable form for controlling and / or regulating a complete population of the assemblies of the determined assembly types.

7. Computer program product comprising program code able to be executed by a computing unit or multiple interacting program code modules able to be executed by multiple computing units and having instructions that prompt the performance of the method according to one of the preceding method claims on the control system according to Claim 6.