Conveyance system, conveyance control method and program

Abstract

To activate an appropriate number of conveyance devices.SOLUTION: A conveyance system 100 includes an acquisition unit 93, a prediction unit 94, and an assigning unit 95. The acquisition unit 93 acquires actual production information including actual production of products produced by attaching components supplied from a plurality of component holders to a base material. Based on the actual production information, the prediction unit 94 generates prediction information including timing at which components run out at each of the plurality of components holders. The assigning unit 95 assigns, to a conveyance device 8 that performs component replenishment, the target device as a target of the component replenishment from among the plurality of component holders. The assignment unit 95 determines the number of conveyance devices 8 to which the target device is assigned from among the plurality of component holders based on the prediction information so that the component replenishment to each of the plurality of component holders is carried out before the components run out at each of the plurality of component holders.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a conveyance system, a conveyance control method, and a program, and more particularly, to a conveyance system, a conveyance control method, and a program for supplying parts to a production apparatus for products.

Background Art

[0002] The production management apparatus described in Patent Document 1 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 that predetermines the progress of production in a production system having a plurality of apparatuses for producing products. The actual result acquisition unit acquires the production actual results that are the actual progress of production in the production system. The simulation unit simulates the future progress of production based on the production actual results 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 the first time is equal to or greater than a first threshold value. The determination notification unit notifies determination information when the deviation degree determination unit determines that the first deviation degree is equal to or greater than the first threshold value.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Regarding the conveyance apparatus used in the production management apparatus as described in Patent Document 1, there is a demand to operate an appropriate number of conveyance apparatuses without excess or deficiency with respect to the future progress of production simulated based on the production actual results of products.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a conveyance system, a conveyance control method, and a program that can operate an appropriate number of conveyance devices.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A conveyance 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 result information including the production results of products produced by attaching parts supplied from a plurality of part holding devices to a base material. The prediction unit generates prediction information including the timing at which the parts run out in each of the plurality of part holding devices based on the production result information. The allocation unit allocates a target device, which is a target for replenishing the parts, among the plurality of part holding devices to a conveyance device that replenishes the parts. The allocation unit determines the number of the conveyance devices for allocating the target device from among the plurality of part holding devices based on the prediction information so that the replenishment of the parts to each of the plurality of part holding devices is carried out before the parts run out in each of the plurality of part holding devices.

[0007] A conveyance 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 result information including the production results of products produced by attaching parts supplied from a plurality of part holding devices to a base material. The prediction step generates prediction information including the timing at which the parts run out in each of the plurality of part holding devices based on the production result information. The allocation step allocates a target device, which is a target for replenishing the parts, among the plurality of part holding devices to a conveyance device that replenishes the parts. In the allocation step, the number of the conveyance devices for allocating the target device from among the plurality of part holding devices is determined based on the prediction information so that the replenishment of the parts to each of the plurality of part holding devices is carried out before the parts run out in each of the plurality of part holding devices.

[0008] A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a program for causing one or more processors to execute the conveyance control method.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, an appropriate number of conveyance devices can be operated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] The transport system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that each of the drawings described in the following embodiments is a schematic diagram, and the ratios of the sizes and thicknesses of the respective components in each drawing do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios. Further, the embodiments and modifications described below are merely examples of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and modifications. Even outside of these embodiments and modifications, various changes can be made according to the design and the like as long as the technical idea of the present disclosure is not deviated from. Further, the following embodiments (including modifications) may be realized in appropriate combination.

[0012] (1) Overview First, the overview of the transport system 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the transport system 100 includes an acquisition unit 93, a prediction unit 94, and an allocation unit 95.

[0014] The acquisition unit 93 acquires production result information including the production results of the product M1 (see FIG. 2) produced by attaching the component P0 (see FIG. 2) supplied from the plurality of component holding devices 5 to the base material (substrate B1) (see FIG. 2).

[0015] Based on the production result information, the prediction unit 94 generates prediction information including the timing at which the component P0 runs out in each of the plurality of component holding devices 5.

[0016] The allocation unit 95 allocates the target device, which is the target for replenishing the component P0, among the plurality of component holding devices 5 to the transport device 8 that replenishes the component P0.

[0017] Further, based on the prediction information, the allocation unit 95 determines the number of transport devices 8 that allocate 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.

[0018] According to the above configuration, since the number of transfer devices 8 for allocating the target device is determined based on the prediction information, it is possible to replenish the component P0 to each of the plurality of component holding devices 5 before the component P0 runs out. In addition, for replenishing the component P0 to the plurality of component holding devices 5, it is not necessary to make a number of transfer devices 8 with a margin wait in a standby state. That is, according to the above configuration, an appropriate number of transfer devices 8 without excess or deficiency can be operated according to the production record of the product M1.

[0019] (2) Details Hereinafter, details of the manufacturing system 300 including the transfer system 100 according to the embodiment will be described.

[0020] (2.1) Premise As shown in FIG. 1, the manufacturing system 300 includes a component mounting system 200 that mounts a component P0 on a base material (for example, a substrate B1), and a transfer system 100 that supplies the component P0 to the component mounting system 200.

[0021] In the present embodiment, a case where the component mounting system 200 is used for manufacturing electronic devices in a factory will be described. A general electronic device has various circuit blocks such as a power supply circuit and a control circuit, for example. In manufacturing these circuit blocks, as an example, a solder application process, a mounting process, and a soldering process are performed in this order. In the solder application process, for example, cream solder is printed on the substrate B1 by a screen printer S1 (see FIGS. 4 to 10). In the mounting process, the component P0 is mounted on the substrate B1. In the soldering process, for example, the substrate B1 on which the component P0 is mounted is heated in a reflow furnace R1 (see FIGS. 4 to 10) to melt the cream solder and perform soldering.

[0022] In the mounting process, as shown in FIG. 2, 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.

[0023] Hereinafter, as an example, three axes of an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis orthogonal to each other are set. The axes parallel to the surface of the substrate B1 are defined as the "X-axis" and the "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 an axis along the direction in which a plurality of mounting machines 3 in the component mounting system 200 are arranged in a row. The X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis are all virtual axes, and the arrows indicating "X", "Y", and "Z" in the drawings are merely marked for the purpose of explanation and do not have any physical entity. Also, these directions do not limit the directions during the use of the component mounting system 200.

[0024] (2.2) Configuration of Component Mounting System As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 to 10, 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 mounting lines L1 and L2. In this embodiment, a screen printer S1 for applying cream solder to the substrate B1 is provided upstream of the first mounting line L1. Also, a reflow oven R1 for soldering the component P0 to the substrate B1 by heating the substrate B1 in a state where the component P0 is mounted to melt the cream solder is provided downstream of the second mounting line L2. Further, a substrate inverter F1 for inverting the front and back of the substrate B1 discharged from the first mounting line L1 is provided between the first mounting line L1 and the second mounting line L2.

[0025] The first mounting line L1 includes a plurality of (here, four) mounting machines 3. The plurality of mounting machines 3 are arranged in a row along the X-axis. When distinguishing these plurality of mounting machines 3, each of the plurality of mounting machines 3 is called a mounting machine 31, a mounting machine 32, a mounting machine 33, and a mounting machine 34 in order from the negative side of the X-axis as shown in FIGS. 4 to 10.

[0026] The second mounting line L2 is equipped with a plurality of (here, four) mounting machines 3. The plurality of mounting machines 3 are arranged in a row along the X-axis. When distinguishing these plurality of mounting machines 3, each of the plurality of mounting machines 3 is called a mounting machine 35, a mounting machine 36, a mounting machine 37, and a mounting machine 38 in order from the negative side of the X-axis as shown in FIGS. 4 to 10.

[0027] Here, the first mounting line L1 and the second mounting line L2 are arranged in a row along the X-axis via a substrate inverter F1. Specifically, they are arranged in a row in the order of the first mounting line L1, the substrate inverter F1, and the second mounting line L2 from the negative side of the X-axis.

[0028] In the first mounting line L1, the mounting machine 31 is at the head, and the substrate B1 moves in the order of the mounting machine 32, the mounting machine 33, and the mounting machine 34 at the end. That is, the substrate B1 moves in the positive direction of the X-axis and sequentially passes through the mounting machines 31 to 34. The first mounting line L1 mounts a plurality of components P0 on the surface of the substrate B1 at each mounting machine 3 while the substrate B1 passes through the mounting machines 31 to 34.

[0029] The substrate inverter F1 inverts the front and back of the substrate B1 discharged from the first mounting line L1 and supplies the substrate B1 to the second mounting line L2. Note that the substrate B1 discharged from the first mounting line L1 may be manually inverted by an operator and supplied to the second mounting line L2.

[0030] In the second mounting line L2, the mounting machine 35 is at the head, and the substrate B1 moves in the order of the mounting machine 36, the mounting machine 37, and the mounting machine 38 at the end. That is, the substrate B1 moves in the positive direction of the X-axis and sequentially passes through the mounting machines 35 to 38. The second mounting line L2 mounts a plurality of components P0 on the back surface of the substrate B1 at each mounting machine 3 while the substrate B1 passes through the mounting machines 35 to 38.

[0031] As a result, the component mounting system 200 introduces the substrate B1 from the side of the mounter 31, mounts a plurality of components P0 on the substrate B1 using a plurality of mounters 3, and then discharges the product M1 from the side of the mounter 38. In the following description, the components P0 mounted on the mounters 31 to 38 may be referred to as the first component P1 to the eighth component P8, respectively. Also, in this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that each of the first component P1 to the eighth component P8 is a single type of component, but each of the first component P1 to the eighth component P8 may include a plurality of types of components.

[0032] In this embodiment, it is assumed that each of the eight mounters 3 (mounters 31 to 38) has the same basic configuration.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, the mounter 3 includes a mounting head 4 and a component holding device 5.

[0034] The mounting head 4 has one or more capturing portions 41. In this embodiment, the mounting head 4 has a plurality of capturing portions 41. The mounting head 4 moves the capturing portion 41 closer to the substrate B1 while capturing the component P0 with the capturing portion 41, and mounts the component P0 on the substrate B1.

[0035] The component holding device 5 supplies the component P0 to the mounting head 4. The component holding device 5 holds, for example, a tape box. The tape box houses a carrier tape that holds a plurality of components P0. The component holding device 5 supplies the component P0 to the mounting head 4 by feeding out the carrier tape from the tape box.

[0036] The component holding device 5 also has a plurality of slots SL1 for holding the tape boxes. At least one of the plurality of slots SL1 is a spare slot which is an empty slot for receiving a spare tape box supplied from a supply device 6 described later. In the following description, the component holding devices 5 provided in the mounters 31 to 38 may be referred to as a first component holding device 51 to an 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.

[0037] The first control device 1 monitors the operations of the mounters 31 to 34 provided in the first mounting line L1 and the mounters 35 to 38 provided in the second mounting line L2. The first control device 1 is configured to be communicable with the mounters 31 to 38 via a network.

[0038] The first control device 1 collects state information indicating the operating state from the mounters 31 to 38, and generates production performance information including the production performance of the product M1 from the collected state information. The first control device 1 outputs the generated production performance information to a management device 7 described later.

[0039] (2.3) Conveying System As shown in FIG. 1, the conveying system 100 includes a supply device 6, a conveying device 8, a second control device 2, and a management device 7.

[0040] The second control device 2 and the management device 7 are configured to be communicable with each other. Also, the first control device 1 provided in the component mounting system 200 and the management device 7 are configured to be communicable with each other. Further, the conveying device 8 and the management device 7 are configured to be communicable with each other. Note that "communicable" in the present disclosure means that information can be exchanged directly or indirectly via a network or a relay machine AP1 or the like by an appropriate communication method of wired communication or wireless communication.

[0041] The transfer device 8 and the supply device 6 supply the component P0 to the component holding device 5. Note that "supply of the component P0" in this embodiment means that the transfer device 8 transports the supply device 6 to the component holding device 5, and the supply device 6 supplies the component P0 to the component holding device 5.

[0042] The transfer device 8 moves, for example, by traveling on the moving surface G1 using 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 the facility, the floor surface of the facility etc. becomes the moving surface G1, and when the transfer device 8 moves outdoors, the ground etc. becomes the moving surface G1. Note that 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 may be a flying drone that flies in the air, a water drone that sails on water, or a submersible drone that sails underwater 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.

[0043] The transfer device 8 receives a transfer instruction from the second control device 2 and transports the supply device 6 from the component warehouse to the component holding device 5. Here, the component warehouse is the place where the work of mounting the tape box holding the component P0 on the supply device 6 is performed. After the tape box is attached to the supply device 6 in the component warehouse, the supply device 6 is coupled to the transfer device 8 and transported to the component holding device 5 by the transfer device 8. In this embodiment, it is assumed that one transfer device 8 can transport one supply device 6.

[0044] The supply device 6 is mechanically and electrically connected to the component holding device 5. The supply device 6 supplies the tape box holding the component P0 to the component holding device 5 according to the control signal transmitted from the component holding device 5. Note that the supply device 6 may recover the empty tape box from which the component P0 has been taken out from the component holding device 5.

[0045] The second control device 2 is configured to be able to communicate with the transfer device 8 via one or more relays AP1. The second control device 2 gives transfer instructions to the transfer device 8 respectively and controls the transfer operation of the supply device 6 by the transfer device 8.

[0046] Based on the production result information received from the first control device 1, the management device 7 controls the conveyance operation of the conveyance device 8 by giving a control instruction to the second control device 2.

[0047] The management device 7 includes a first communication unit 71, a second communication unit 72, a storage unit 73, and a processing unit 9.

[0048] The first communication unit 71 is a communication module configured to be communicable with the first control device 1 by, for example, a wired communication method.

[0049] The second communication unit 72 is a communication module configured to be communicable with the second control device 2 by, for example, a wired communication method.

[0050] The storage unit 73 includes, for example, memories such as RAM and ROM, and external storage devices such as hard disks and SSDs.

[0051] The storage unit 73 stores, for example, electronic map information inside the facility where the conveyance device 8 travels, information regarding the conveyance device 8 and the supply device 6, and the like.

[0052] The processing unit 9 mainly consists of 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 may be recorded in the memory, may be provided through a telecommunication line such as the Internet, or may be provided by being recorded on a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card.

[0053] 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. Further, the allocation unit 95 has functions such as a temporary allocation unit 951, a determination unit 952, a main allocation unit 953, and an equalization unit 954. Note that these only indicate the functions realized by the processing unit 9 and do not necessarily indicate a physical configuration. The functions of each part of the processing unit 9 will be described in detail in “(2.4) Operation example”.

[0054] (2.4) Operation example An operation example of the transport system 100 of the present embodiment will be described based on the flowcharts in FIGS. 3 and 4 to 10. Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is only an example of the control method performed by the transport system 100 of the present embodiment, and the order of processing may be changed as appropriate, and processing may be added or omitted as appropriate.

[0055] First, the generation instruction unit 91 included in the management device 7 causes the first communication unit 71 to transmit a generation instruction signal for causing the first control device 1 to generate production result information to the first control device 1.

[0056] When the first control device 1 receives the generation instruction signal, it collects state information indicating the operating state from the mounting machines 31 to 38, and generates production result information from the collected state information. Here, as an example, the production result information includes information such as the production result (production quantity) of the product M1 up to the current time, the remaining quantities of the first part P1 to the eighth part P8 at the current time, and the consumption quantities per unit time of the first part P1 to the eighth part P8 up to the current time.

[0057] The first control device 1 transmits the generated production result information to the management device 7.

[0058] The acquisition unit 93 included in the management device 7 acquires the production result information via the first communication unit 71 (step ST1).

[0059] When the acquisition unit 93 acquires production result information, the prediction unit 94 of the management device 7 generates prediction information based on the production result information (step ST2). As an example, the prediction unit 94 generates prediction information using a learned model that has been machine-learned to output prediction information with the production result information as input. In this case, the algorithm of machine learning is, for example, a neural network. However, the algorithm of machine learning is not limited to a neural network, and may 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, etc. Further, the algorithm of machine learning may be, for example, Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM), or k-means clustering method, etc.

[0060] Also, the method for the prediction unit 94 to generate prediction information is not limited to using a learned model, and a preset calculation formula or the like may be used.

[0061] The prediction information includes information on the part out time, which is the timing when the first parts P1 to the eighth parts P8 are out of stock in each of the first part holding devices 51 to 58. The prediction information is, for example, a data table as shown in Table 1.

[0062]

Table 1

[0063] The prediction information includes data on the out-of-stock times of the components P0 (the first component P1 to the eighth component P8) for each of the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58. In Table 1, "1" and "2" in "Mounting line No." indicate the mounting lines L1 and L2, respectively. Also, "1" to "8" in "Component holding device No." indicate the component holding devices 51 to 58, respectively.

[0064] Next, the provisional allocation unit 951 of the allocation unit 95 provisionally allocates the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58 to the transfer device 8 with a provisional set number (for example, one) as the target device for replenishing the component P0 (step ST3). In this case, since the provisional set number is one, all of the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58 are allocated to one transfer device 8 as the target device.

[0065] The determination unit 952 of the allocation unit 95 determines whether one transfer device 8 (and one supply device 6 transported by one transfer device 8) can supply the first component P1 to the eighth component P8 to the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58 based on the prediction information generated by the prediction unit 94 and the device information regarding 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 boxes that can be mounted on one supply device 6, and information such as the time required for supplying one tape box to the component holding device 5. In this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the number of tape boxes that can be mounted on one supply device 6 is 8, and the time required for supplying one tape box to the component holding device 5 is 3 minutes. Note that in this embodiment, the "time required for supplying one tape box to the component holding device 5" refers to the time from the completion time of supplying one tape box to one component holding device 5 to the completion time of supplying one tape box to another adjacent component holding device 5. That is, the "time required for supplying one tape box to the component holding device 5" includes the time required for transporting one tape box from one component holding device 5 to another adjacent component holding device 5. Further, in this embodiment, "can supply" means that the supply of the first component P1 to the eighth component P8 to each of the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58 is completed before the first component P1 to the eighth component P8 are exhausted in the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58, respectively.

[0066] More specifically, the determination unit 952 determines that it is possible to mount eight tape boxes that respectively hold the first component P1 to the eighth component P8 on one supply device 6 transported by one transfer device 8 based on the number of tape boxes (8) that can be mounted on one supply device 6 included in the device information.

[0067] Further, the determination unit 952 predicts the component supply time when the replenishment of the first component P1 to the eighth component P8 to each of the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58 by one transfer device 8 and one supply device 6 is completed, based on the time (3 minutes) required for supplying one tape box to the component holding device 5 included in the device information, the moving speed of the transfer device 8, and the like.

[0068] Table 2 shows a data table in which the component supply times predicted to be completed for the replenishment of the first component P1 to the eighth component P8 to each of the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58 are associated with the prediction information shown in Table 1. Note that "1" in "Transfer Device No" in Table 2 indicates one transfer device 8.

[0069]

Table 2

[0070] 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. The conveyance path in front of the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58 arranged in a row is set to a width such that only one transfer device 8 can pass through, and it is assumed that the width is such that two transfer devices 8 cannot pass by each other or one transfer device 8 cannot overtake another transfer device 8.

[0071] The determination unit 952 predicts the component supply time on the assumption that one transfer device 8 replenishes 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 the time required for supplying one tape box to the component holding device 5 is 3 minutes, the component supply times of 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 to be at 3 - minute intervals as shown in Table 2.

[0072] The determination unit 952 compares the component replenishment time with the component depletion time, and determines whether it is possible to replenish 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 2, in the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58, the component replenishment time is earlier than the component depletion time. Therefore, the determination unit 952 determines that it is possible to replenish 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 (step ST4: Yes).

[0073] When the determination unit 952 determines that it is possible to replenish 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, it sets one, which is the temporarily set number, as the actually set number (step ST5).

[0074] Next, when the actually set number is a plurality of units, an equalization process described later is performed (step ST7). Here, since the actually set number is one unit (step ST6: No), the equalization process is not performed.

[0075] The allocation unit 953 allocates one transfer device 8, which is the actually set number, to the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58 as the target devices (step ST8).

[0076] When the allocation unit 953 allocates one transfer device 8 to the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58 as the target devices, the movement control unit 96 issues a control instruction to the second control device 2 to move one transfer device 8 (hereinafter referred to as transfer device 81) to which the supply device 6 is connected from, for example, the component warehouse to the standby location W1. The standby location W1 is an area provided near the first component holding device 51.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 4, when the transfer device 81 moves to the standby location W1, the movement control unit 96 moves the transfer device 81 from the standby location W1 to the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58 in order. The supply device 6 connected to the transfer device 81 supplies the first component holding device 51 to the eighth component holding device 58 with tape boxes holding the first component P1 to the eighth component P8, respectively. That is, when the 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 supply 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).

[0078] As shown in FIG. 5, when the supply of the eighth component P8 to the eighth component holding unit 58 is completed, the movement control unit 96 moves the transfer device 81 to the standby location W1. After moving the transfer device 81 to the standby location W1, the movement control unit 96 moves the transfer device 8 to, for example, a component warehouse. Note that the movement control unit 96 may move the transfer device 8 to the component warehouse without passing through the standby location W1.

[0079] Here, the transfer system 100 repeats the above operations at a predetermined interval. That is, the acquisition unit 93 acquires production result information at a predetermined interval, and the prediction unit 94 updates the prediction information at a predetermined interval. Further, the allocation unit 95 determines the number of transfer devices 8 to which the target devices are to be allocated and allocates the target devices to the transfer devices 8 at a predetermined interval. Thereby, it is possible to allocate the target devices to an optimal number of transfer devices 8 in accordance with the operating states of the mounters 31 to 38 that change over time. The predetermined interval may be measured by a timing unit 92 included in the processing unit 9.

[0080] Hereinafter, an operation example of the transfer system 100 when the operating states of the mounters 31 to 38 change and the number of transfer devices 8 to which the target devices are allocated changes will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 6 to 10.

[0081] The acquisition unit 93 acquires production result information via the first communication unit 71 (step ST1).

[0082] When the acquisition unit 93 acquires production result information, the prediction unit 94 generates prediction information based on the production result information (step ST2). The prediction information includes the timing when the first parts P1 to P8 run out in each of the first part holding devices 51 to 58. The prediction information is, for example, a data table as shown in Table 3.

[0083] [Table 3]

[0084] In the data table shown in Table 3, the part out time of the second part P2 in the second part holding device 52 and the part out time of the sixth part P6 in the sixth part holding device 56 are the same time.

[0085] The temporary allocation unit 951 temporarily allocates the first part holding devices 51 to 8 to a transport device 8 of a temporary set number (for example, one) as a target device for replenishing the part P0 (step ST3).

[0086] The determination unit 952 determines whether it is possible to supply the first parts P1 to P8 to the first part holding devices 51 to 8 with one transport device 8 (and one supply device 6 transported by one transport device 8) based on the prediction information generated by the prediction unit 94 and the device information regarding the transport device 8 and the supply device 6 stored in the storage unit 73 (step ST4).

[0087] The determination unit 952 predicts the part supply time when the replenishment of the first parts P1 to P8 to each of the first part holding devices 51 to 8 is completed by one transport device 8 and one supply device 6 based on the time (3 minutes) required for supplying one tape box to the part holding device 5 included in the device information and the moving speed of the transport device 8 and the like.

[0088] Table 4 shows a data table in which component supply times predicted to be completed 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 by one transfer device 8 are associated with the prediction information shown in Table 3.

[0089]

Table 4

[0090] The determination unit 952 compares the component supply time with the component shortage 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 shortage time, the determination unit 952 determines that it is impossible 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 one transfer device 8 (step ST4: No).

[0091] When the determination unit 952 determines that it is impossible 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 one transfer device 8, the temporary allocation unit 951 increases the temporarily set number of units by one (step ST10). That is, the temporary allocation unit 951 changes the temporarily set number of units from one to two.

[0092] The temporary allocation unit 951 allocates the first to eighth component holding devices 51 to 58 to the two transfer devices 8 with the temporarily set number (two) changed as the target devices (step ST3). At this time, when the temporary allocation unit 951 allocates the target devices to a plurality of transfer devices 8, it allocates two or more consecutively arranged component holding devices 5 among the plurality of component holding devices 5 as the target devices to each of the plurality of transfer devices 8. In the present embodiment, the temporary allocation unit 951 allocates the consecutively arranged first to fifth component holding devices 51 to 55 as the target devices to one of the two transfer devices 8. Further, the temporary allocation unit 951 allocates the consecutively arranged sixth to eighth component holding devices 56 to 58 as the target devices to the other of the two transfer devices 8. Thereby, when the transfer device 8 performs the replenishment operation of the component P0, the length of the moving path can be minimized, and the work efficiency can be improved.

[0093] Here, the sixth component holding device 56 is a component holding device determined by the determination unit 952 that the replenishment of the sixth component P6 cannot be completed in time when one transfer device 8 replenishes the first to eighth components P1 to P8 to the first to eighth component holding devices 51 to 58.

[0094] The determination unit 952 determines whether the first to eighth components P1 to P8 can be replenished to the first to eighth component holding devices 51 to 58 by the two transfer devices 8 (and the two supply devices 6 respectively transported by the two transfer devices 8) based on the prediction information generated by the prediction unit 94 and the device information regarding the transfer device 8 and the supply device 6 stored in the storage unit 73 (step ST4).

[0095] The determination unit 952 predicts the component replenishment time when the replenishment of the first to eighth components P1 to P8 to each of the first to eighth component holding devices 51 to 58 is completed by the two transfer devices 8 and the two supply devices 6 based on the time (three minutes) required for supplying one tape box to the component holding device 5 included in the device information, the moving speed of the transfer device 8, and the like.

[0096] Table 5 shows a data table in which the predicted information shown in Table 3 is associated with the part supply times at which it is predicted that the supply of the first parts P1 to the eighth parts P8 to the first part holding devices 51 to the eighth part holding devices 58 by the two transfer devices 8 will be completed.

[0097]

Table 5

[0098] The determination unit 952 compares the part supply time with the part depletion time and determines whether the supply of the first parts P1 to the eighth parts P8 to the first part holding devices 51 to the eighth part holding devices 58 is possible. Here, as shown in Table 5, in the first part holding devices 51 to the eighth part holding devices 58, the part supply time is earlier than the part depletion time. Therefore, the determination unit 952 determines that the first parts P1 to the eighth parts P8 can be supplied to the first part holding devices 51 to the eighth part holding devices 58 by the two transfer devices 8 (step ST4: Yes).

[0099] When the determination unit 952 determines that the first parts P1 to the eighth parts P8 can be supplied to the first part holding devices 51 to the eighth part holding devices 58 by the two transfer devices 8, it sets the two units, which is the temporarily set number, as the actually set number (step ST5). In this way, the allocation unit 95 can allocate the target devices to an appropriate number of transfer devices 8 without excess or deficiency according to the change in the operating state of the mounters 31 to 38.

[0100] Next, when the actually set number is a plurality of units, an equalization process is performed by the equalization unit 954 (step ST7). Here, since the actually set number is two units (step ST6: Yes), the equalization process is performed.

[0101] The equalization process will be described below.

[0102] When the number of the present setting is plural (two 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 approaches the same. After changing the target devices, the equalization unit 954 predicts the component replenishment times in the first to eighth component holding devices 51 to 58 in the same manner as the determination unit 952, for example. The equalization unit 954 calculates the working times of each of the two transfer devices 8 based on the predicted component replenishment times. Note that the working time of the transfer device 8 is, for example, the time from the component replenishment time of the component holding device 5 at which the transfer device 8 first replenishes the component P0 to the component replenishment time of the component holding device 5 at which the transfer device 8 last replenishes the component P0.

[0103] The equalization unit 954 repeatedly changes the target devices of the two transfer devices 8 and calculates the working times until the working times of each of the two transfer devices 8 become equal. Here, the term "equal" includes not only the case of being completely equal but also the state with a difference of about several seconds to several tens of seconds.

[0104] 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 to fourth component holding devices 51 to 54) and sets the target devices of the other one of the two transfer devices 8 to four component holding devices 5 (the fifth to eighth component holding devices 55 to 58), the working times of each of the two transfer devices 8 become equal. That is, when the equalization unit 954 sets the same number of target devices for the two transfer devices 8, the working times of each of the two transfer devices 8 become equal. Specifically, the working time of each of the two transfer devices 8 is 9 minutes.

[0105]

Table 6

[0106] Based on the result of the equalization process by the equalization unit 954, the allocation unit 953 allocates the target device to each of the two transfer devices 8 so that the working hours of each of the two transfer devices 8 when each supplies the component P0 to the target device are equal. Specifically, the allocation unit 953 allocates the first to fourth component holding devices 51 to 54 as the target device to one of the two transfer devices 8. Further, the allocation unit 953 allocates the fifth to eighth component holding devices 55 to 58 as the target device to the other of the two transfer devices 8 (step ST8).

[0107] When the allocation unit 953 allocates the target device to the two transfer devices 8, the movement control unit 96 issues a control instruction to the second control device 2 to move the two transfer devices 8 (hereinafter, transfer devices 81 and 82) to which the supply devices 6 are respectively connected 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.

[0108] When the transfer devices 81 and 82 move to the standby location W1, the movement control unit 96 starts the movement toward the target device from the transfer device 8 that is farther from the reference point PT1 among the transfer devices 81 and 82, to which the allocation unit 953 has allocated 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 in the positive direction of the X-axis with respect to the standby location W1.

[0109] Here, it is assumed that the first to fourth component holding devices 51 to 54 are allocated as the target device to the transfer device 81, and the fifth to eighth component holding devices 55 to 58 are allocated as the target device to the transfer device 82.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 6, the movement control unit 96 starts the movement toward the target device (the fifth to eighth component holding devices 55 to 58) from the transfer device 82 that is farther from the reference point PT1 among the transfer devices 81 and 82.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 7, after starting the movement of the transfer device 82, the movement control unit 96 starts the movement of the transfer device 81 toward the target device (the first to fourth component holding devices 51 to 54). For example, the movement control unit 96 starts the movement of the transfer device 81 when a predetermined time has elapsed after starting the movement of the transfer device 82. Thereby, it is possible to suppress a large difference in the arrival times of the transfer devices 81 and 82 at the component holding device 5 that first supplies the component P0 in each target device. In the present embodiment, the arrival time of the transfer device 81 at the first component holding device 51 is substantially equal to the arrival time of the transfer device 82 at the fifth component holding device 55. Therefore, the transfer devices 81 and 82 can start the supply operation substantially simultaneously. Here, the term "substantially simultaneously" 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.

[0112] As shown in FIG. 8, the movement control unit 96 moves the transfer device 81 in order to the first to fourth component holding devices 51 to 54. The supply device 6 connected to the transfer device 81 supplies the first to fourth component holding devices 51 to 54 with tape boxes holding the first to fourth components P1 to P4, respectively (step ST9). Further, the movement control unit 96 moves the transfer device 82 in order to the fifth to eighth component holding devices 55 to 58. The supply device 6 connected to the transfer device 82 supplies the fifth to eighth component holding devices 55 to 58 with tape boxes holding the fifth to eighth components P5 to P8, respectively (step ST9).

[0113] Here, in the present embodiment, as described above, the transfer devices 81 and 82 start the replenishment operation substantially simultaneously. The "substantially simultaneously" here includes not only the case of being completely simultaneous but also the state with a difference of about several seconds to several tens of seconds. Also, the target devices of the two transfer devices 8, i.e., transfer devices 81 and 82, are set so that the working times of the transfer devices 81 and 82 when each of them supplies the component P0 to the target device are equal. Therefore, the time when the supply of the fourth component P4 to the fourth component holding part 54 by the transfer device 81 is completed and the time when the supply of the eighth component P8 to the eighth component holding part 58 by the transfer device 82 is completed are substantially equal.

[0114] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, when the supply of the fourth component P4 to the fourth component holding part 54 and the supply of the eighth component P8 to the eighth component holding part 58 are completed substantially simultaneously, the movement control unit 96 starts moving the transfer devices 81 and 82 to the standby location W1 substantially simultaneously. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation (congestion) where one of the transfer devices 8 (for example, transfer device 82) that has completed the operation is blocked by the other transfer device 8 (for example, transfer device 81) that has not completed the operation and cannot move to the standby location W1.

[0115] The transfer device 81 that is closer to the standby location W1 arrives at the standby location W1 first. As shown in FIG. 10, when the transfer device 81 arrives at the standby location W1, the movement control unit 96 moves the transfer device 81 to, for example, the parts warehouse. Also, 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 moves the transfer device 82 to, for example, the parts warehouse. Note that the movement control unit 96 may move the transfer devices 81 and 82 to the parts warehouse without passing through the standby location W1.

[0116] (3) Modification The above-described embodiment is merely one of various embodiments of the present disclosure. The above-described embodiment can be variously modified according to the design and the like as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. Further, functions similar to those of the conveyance system 100 according to the above-described embodiment may be embodied by a conveyance control method, a (computer) program, or a non-transitory recording medium storing a computer program.

[0117] A conveyance control method according to one aspect includes an acquisition step, a prediction step, and an allocation step. In the acquisition step, production result information including the production results of products M1 produced by attaching parts P0 supplied from a plurality of part holding devices 5 to a base material is acquired. In the prediction step, prediction information including the timing when the parts P0 run out in each of the plurality of part holding devices 5 is generated based on the production result information. In the allocation step, a target device that is a target for replenishing the parts P0 from among the plurality of part holding devices 5 is allocated to a conveyance device 8 that replenishes the parts P0. Further, in the allocation step, based on the prediction information, the number of conveyance devices 8 that allocate the target device from among the plurality of part holding devices 5 is determined so that the parts P0 are replenished to each of the plurality of part holding devices 5 before the parts P0 run out in each of the plurality of part holding devices 5.

[0118] A program according to one aspect is a program for causing one or more processors to execute the above control method.

[0119] Hereinafter, modified examples of the above-described embodiment will be described. In the modified examples described below, the same reference numerals are given to the constituent elements common to the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0120] The equalization process by the equalization unit * is not essential in the operation of the conveyance system 100 and may be omitted.

[0121] The supply device 6 may supply cream solder to the screen printer S1.

[0122] The transport 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 as the transport system 100 in the present disclosure are realized. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, may be provided through a telecommunication line, or may be recorded and provided on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card, an optical disk, 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 a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large-scale integrated circuit (LSI). Here, integrated circuits such as the IC or LSI are called differently depending on the degree of integration, and include integrated circuits called system LSI, VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration), or ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration). Furthermore, for an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) that is programmed after the manufacture of the LSI, or a logic device capable of reconfiguring the bonding relationship inside the LSI or reconfiguring the circuit section inside the LSI, it can also be adopted as a processor. The one or more electronic circuits may be integrated on one chip, or may be provided distributed on a plurality of chips. The plurality of chips may be integrated in one device, or may be provided distributed on a plurality of devices. The computer system referred to 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 a semiconductor integrated circuit or a large-scale integrated circuit.

[0123] Also, it is not an essential configuration of the transport system 100 that a plurality of functions in the transport system 100 are integrated in one housing. The components of the transport system 100 may be provided distributed in a plurality of housings. Furthermore, at least some of the functions of the transport system 100 may be realized by a cloud (cloud computing) or the like.

[0124] (4) Summary As described above, the conveyance system (100) according to the first aspect includes an acquisition unit (93), a prediction unit (94), and an allocation unit (95). The acquisition unit (93) acquires production result information including the production results of products (M1) produced by attaching parts (P0) supplied from a plurality of part holding devices (5) to a base material. The prediction unit (94) generates prediction information including the timing when the parts (P0) run out in each of the plurality of part holding devices (5) based on the production result information. The allocation unit (95) allocates a target device, which is a target for replenishing the parts (P0) from among the plurality of part holding devices (5), to a conveyance device (8) that replenishes the parts (P0). The allocation unit (95) determines the number of conveyance devices (8) to which the target device is allocated from among the plurality of part holding devices (5) based on the prediction information so that the replenishment of the parts (P0) to each of the plurality of part holding devices (5) is carried out before the parts (P0) run out in each of the plurality of part holding devices (5).

[0125] According to this aspect, since the number of conveyance devices (8) to which the target device is allocated is determined based on the prediction information, it is possible to replenish the parts (P0) to each of the plurality of part holding devices (5) before the parts (P0) run out. In addition, it is not necessary to standby a sufficient number of conveyance measures (8) in a standby state for replenishing the parts (P0) to the plurality of part holding devices (5). That is, it is possible to operate an appropriate number of conveyance devices (8) without excess or deficiency according to the production results of the products (M1).

[0126] In the conveyance system (100) according to the second aspect, in the first aspect, the prediction unit (94) updates the prediction information at a predetermined interval.

[0127] According to this aspect, the allocation unit (95) can determine the number of conveyance devices (8) to which the target device is allocated from among the plurality of part holding devices (5) based on the latest prediction information. Thereby, it is possible to more reliably operate an appropriate number of conveyance devices (8) without excess or deficiency.

[0128] In the transport system (100) according to the third aspect, in the first or second aspect, when the allocation unit (95) allocates a target device to a plurality of transport devices (8) that include the transport device (8) and supply parts (P0), the allocation unit (95) allocates the target device to each of the plurality of transport devices (8) so that the working time of each of the plurality of transport devices (8) when each of the plurality of transport devices (8) supplies the parts (P0) to the target device becomes equal.

[0129] According to this aspect, by equalizing the working loads of the plurality of transport devices (8), it is possible to suppress the occurrence of congestion and the like of the plurality of transport devices (8) in the transport path, and the plurality of transport devices (8) can be operated efficiently.

[0130] In the transport system (100) according to the fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, when the allocation unit (95) allocates a target device to a plurality of transport devices (8) that include the transport device (8) and supply parts (P0), the allocation unit (95) allocates the same number of target devices from among the plurality of part holding devices (5) to each of the plurality of transport devices (8).

[0131] According to this aspect, by equalizing the working loads of the plurality of transport devices (8), the plurality of transport devices (8) can be operated efficiently.

[0132] In the transport system (100) according to the fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, when the allocation unit (95) allocates a target device to a plurality of transport devices (8) that include the transport device (8) and supply parts (P0), the allocation unit (95) allocates two or more consecutively arranged part holding devices (5) from among the plurality of part holding devices (5) as target devices to each of the plurality of transport devices (8).

[0133] According to this aspect, when the transport device (8) performs the part supply operation, the length of the path along which the transport device (8) moves can be minimized, and the working efficiency can be improved.

[0134] The transport system (100) according to the sixth aspect further includes a movement control unit (96) that controls the movement of the plurality of transport devices (8) in the fifth aspect. The movement control unit (96) starts moving toward the target device from the transport device (8) that is farther from the reference point (PT1) among the plurality of transport devices (8), which is the target device assigned by the assignment unit (95).

[0135] According to this aspect, it is possible to suppress a large difference in the arrival time when the plurality of transport devices (8) each arrive at the component holding device (5) that first replenishes the component (P0) at each target device.

[0136] The transport control method according to the seventh aspect includes an acquisition step, a prediction step, and an assignment step. In the acquisition step, production result information including the production results of products (M1) produced by attaching components (P0) supplied from a plurality of component holding devices (5) to a base material is acquired. In the prediction step, prediction information including the timing when the components (P0) run out in each of the plurality of component holding devices (5) is generated based on the production result information. In the assignment step, a target device that is a target for replenishing the component (P0) is assigned to a transport device (8) that replenishes the component (P0) from among the plurality of component holding devices (5). In the assignment step, based on the prediction information, the number of transport devices (8) that assign the target device from among the plurality of component holding devices (5) is determined so that the component (P0) is replenished to each of the plurality of component holding devices (5) before the component (P0) runs out in each of the plurality of component holding devices (5).

[0137] According to this aspect, since the number of transport devices (8) that assign the target device is determined based on the prediction information, it is possible to replenish the component (P0) to each of the plurality of component holding devices (5) before the component (P0) runs out. Also, there is no need to standby a redundant number of transport devices (8) for replenishing the component (P0) to the plurality of component holding devices (5). That is, an appropriate number of transport devices (8) without excess or deficiency can be operated according to the production results of the product (M1).

[0138] The program according to the eighth aspect is a program for causing one or more processors to execute the conveyance control method according to the seventh aspect.

[0139] According to this aspect, since the number of the conveyance devices (8) for allocating the target device is determined based on the prediction information, it is possible to replenish the parts (P0) to each of the plurality of parts holding devices (5) before the parts (P0) run out. Further, it is not necessary to standby a surplus number of conveyance devices (8) for replenishing the parts (P0) to the plurality of parts holding devices (5). That is, it is possible to operate an appropriate number of conveyance devices (8) without excess or deficiency according to the production results of the product (M1).

[0140] Note that the configurations according to the second to sixth aspects are not essential configurations of the conveyance system (100) and can be omitted as appropriate.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0141] 5 Parts holding device 8 Conveyance device 93 Acquisition unit 94 Prediction unit 95 Allocation unit 96 Movement control unit 100 Conveyance system M1 Product P0 Parts PT1 Reference point

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires production result information including the production results of products produced by attaching parts supplied from a plurality of part holding devices to a base material; A prediction unit that generates prediction information including the timing when the parts run out in each of the plurality of part holding devices based on the production result information; An allocation unit that allocates a target device, which is a target for replenishing the parts, among the plurality of part holding devices to a transport device that replenishes the parts, comprising: The allocation unit determines the number of the transport devices to which the target device is allocated from among the plurality of part holding devices based on the prediction information so that the parts are replenished to each of the plurality of part holding devices before the parts run out in each of the plurality of part holding devices. A transport system.

2. The prediction unit updates the prediction information at a predetermined interval. The transport system according to claim 1.

3. When the allocation unit allocates the target device to a plurality of transport devices including the transport device and replenishes the parts, the allocation unit allocates the target device to each of the plurality of transport devices so that the working hours of each of the plurality of transport devices when each of the plurality of transport devices replenishes the parts to the target device are equal. The transport system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. When the allocation unit allocates the target device to a plurality of transport devices including the transport device and replenishes the parts, the allocation unit allocates the same number of the target devices from among the plurality of part holding devices to each of the plurality of transport devices. The transport system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. When the allocation unit allocates the target device to a plurality of transport devices including the transport device and replenishes the parts, the allocation unit allocates two or more consecutively arranged part holding devices from among the plurality of part holding devices as the target device to each of the plurality of transport devices. The transport system according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The transport system further includes a movement control unit that controls the movement of the plurality of transport devices, The movement control unit starts moving toward the target device from the transport device among the plurality of transport devices that is farther from the reference point among the transport devices allocated by the allocation unit. The transport system according to claim 5.

7. An acquisition step of acquiring production result information including the production results of products produced by attaching components supplied from a plurality of component holding devices to a base material; A prediction step of generating prediction information including the timing when the components run out in each of the plurality of component holding devices based on the production result information; An allocation step of allocating a target device, which is a target for replenishing the components, among the plurality of component holding devices to a transport device that replenishes the components, and In the allocation step, based on the prediction information, the number of the transport devices for allocating the target device is determined from among the plurality of component holding devices so that the components are replenished to each of the plurality of component holding devices before the components run out in each of the plurality of component holding devices. A transport control method.

8. A program for causing one or more processors to execute the transport control method according to claim 7. A program.

Images