Production management system

Abstract

To provide a production management system that can identify the cause of a processing machine stoppage with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A production management system 1 includes a processing machine 10 that processes a workpiece W, an upstream spot 20 that is located on the upstream side of the processing machine 10 and where the workpiece W is placed, a downstream spot 30 that is located on the downstream side of the processing machine 10 and where the workpiece W is placed, a camera 40 that images an identifier I associated with the workpiece W, and a controller 50 connected to the camera 40. The camera 40 images the identifier I associated with the workpiece W placed on the upstream spot 20 and also images the identifier I associated with the workpiece W placed on the downstream spot 30. The controller 50 determines the cause of the stop of the processing machine 10 based on the identifier I at the upstream spot 20 or the identifier I at the downstream spot 30 that is imaged by the camera 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a production management system. [Background technology]

[0002] With conventional production management methods, in order to obtain information on process results and traceability, workers had to input process results, register IDs, read barcodes, etc. for each process, such as processing workpieces with a processing machine. This method placed a heavy burden on workers and made it difficult to reliably grasp production information.

[0003] In the object movement management method disclosed in Patent Document 1, position information of objects moving in a predetermined area within a building is acquired by an object position detection device, and the position of the object is displayed in three dimensions on a monitor in real time based on the position information, enabling three-dimensional object movement management. Specifically, as the object position detection device, a transmitter is attached to the object, and a receiver for receiving a wireless signal from the transmitter is installed above the logistics warehouse. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-196553 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, there are cases where a processing machine that processes a workpiece stops for some reason. If the abnormal stop is due to an error such as a malfunction of the processing machine, the cause of the processing machine stop can be easily identified from the error information etc. issued by the processing machine.

[0006] However, when a processing machine stops even though the processing machine itself is functioning normally, it is difficult to identify the cause of the processing machine stopping. Causes of a processing machine stopping even though it is functioning normally include, for example, waiting in a previous process where the workpiece has not yet been sent from the previous process to the processing machine, or waiting in a subsequent process where the processing machine cannot send the workpiece to the subsequent process because the subsequent process is delayed.

[0007] It may be possible to identify the cause of a processing machine stoppage by attaching an oscillator to each workpiece, as in Patent Document 1. However, this method requires preparing a large number of oscillators corresponding to the number of workpieces, which increases costs and complicates the production management system.

[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a production management system that can identify the cause of a processing machine stoppage with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The production management system according to the present disclosure comprises a processing machine for processing a workpiece, an upstream spot located on the upstream side of the processing machine and where the workpiece is placed, a downstream spot located on the downstream side of the processing machine and where the workpiece is placed, a camera for capturing an image of an identifier associated with the workpiece, and a controller connected to the camera, wherein the camera captures an image of the identifier associated with the workpiece placed at the upstream spot and also captures an image of the identifier associated with the workpiece placed at the downstream spot, and the controller determines the cause of the processing machine stopping based on the identifier at the upstream spot or the identifier at the downstream spot captured by the camera. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows the production process. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows the production control system. [Figure 3]Figure 3 shows a case where the cause of the machine stopping is waiting for the previous process. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a case where the cause of the machine stopping is waiting for a subsequent process. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows a flowchart for identifying the cause of a stoppage of a processing machine. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows storage by the controller. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its applications, or its uses.

[0012] (Production process) 1 shows a production process T. The production process T includes, for example, a warehousing process T1, a pressing process T2, an intermediate welding process T3, a final welding process T4, an inspection process T5, and a shipping process T6. In each of the processes T1 to T6 of the production process T, a predetermined process is performed on a workpiece W. In this example, the workpiece W includes a first workpiece Wa, a second workpiece Wb, and a third workpiece Wc.

[0013] In the receiving process T1, the workpieces W are received into the factory and placed on pallets P. The pallets P include a first pallet Pa, a second pallet Pb, and a third pallet Pc. Specifically, in the receiving process T1, (one or more) first workpieces Wa are placed on the first pallet Pa, (one or more) second workpieces Wb are placed on the second pallet Pb, and (one or more) third workpieces Wc are placed on the third pallet Pc.

[0014] In the receiving process T1, the identifier I is attached to the pallet P. The identifier I includes a first identifier Ia, a second identifier Ib, and a third identifier Ic. Specifically, in the receiving process T1, the first identifier Ia is attached to the first pallet Pa, the second identifier Ib is attached to the second pallet Pb, and the third identifier Ic is attached to the third pallet Pc.

[0015] The identifier I is removable from the pallet P. The first identifier Ia is removable from the first pallet Pa. The second identifier Ib is removable from the second pallet Pb. The third identifier Ic is removable from the third pallet Pc.

[0016] The identifier I is, for example, a mark such as a flag. The identifier I is associated with the work W (or its type, etc.). In other words, the identifier I is linked to the work W. The first identifier Ia is associated with the first work Wa. The second identifier Ib is associated with the second work Wb. The third identifier Ic is associated with the third work Wc. The first identifier Ia, the second identifier Ib, and the third identifier Ic differ, for example, in the color or shape of a flag, so that they can be distinguished from one another by the camera 40, which will be described later.

[0017] In the pressing process T2, the workpieces W are removed from the pallet P, pressed by a press machine, and then returned to the pallet P. Specifically, in the pressing process T2, the first workpiece Wa is removed from the first pallet Pa, pressed, and then placed back on the first pallet Pa, the second workpiece Wb is removed from the second pallet Pb, pressed, and then placed back on the second pallet Pb, and the third workpiece Wc is removed from the third pallet Pc, pressed, and then placed back on the third pallet Pc.

[0018] In the intermediate welding step T3, the workpieces W are welded by a welding machine. Specifically, in the intermediate welding step T3, the first workpiece Wa is removed from the first pallet Pa, the second workpiece Wb is removed from the second pallet Pb, and the first workpiece Wa and the second workpiece Wb are welded (joined) to each other by the welding machine, thereby obtaining an intermediate joined body Wab of the first workpiece Wa and the second workpiece Wb.

[0019] In the intermediate welding step T3, the intermediate joined body Wab of the first workpiece Wa and the second workpiece Wb is placed on a fourth pallet Pd. Either the first pallet Pa or the second pallet Pb may be used as the fourth pallet Pd, or a new pallet may be prepared. The third workpiece Wc remains on the third pallet Pc.

[0020] The first identifier Ia is removed from the first pallet Pa and attached to the fourth pallet Pd. The second identifier Ib is removed from the second pallet Pb and attached to the fourth pallet Pd. The third identifier Ic remains attached to the third pallet Pc.

[0021] That is, the first identifier Ia and the second identifier Ib are attached to the fourth pallet Pd on which the intermediate joined body Wab of the first workpiece Wa and the second workpiece Wb is placed, and therefore remain associated with the first workpiece Wa and the second workpiece Wb. The third identifier Ic remains attached to the third pallet Pc on which the third workpiece Wc is placed, and therefore remains associated with the third workpiece Wc.

[0022] In the final welding step T4, the workpieces W are welded by a welding machine. Specifically, in the final welding step T4, the intermediate joined body Wab of the first workpiece Wa and the second workpiece Wb is removed from the fourth pallet Pd, and the third workpiece Wc is removed from the third pallet Pc. In the final welding step T4, the intermediate joined body Wab of the first workpiece Wa and the second workpiece Wb and the third workpiece Wc are welded (joined) to each other by the welding machine. That is, in the final welding step T4, the first workpiece Wa, the second workpiece Wb, and the third workpiece Wc are welded (joined) to each other, and a final joined body Wabc of the first workpiece Wa, the second workpiece Wb, and the third workpiece Wc is obtained.

[0023] In the final welding step T4, the final joined body Wabc of the first workpiece Wa, the second workpiece Wb, and the third workpiece Wc is placed on a fifth pallet Pe. Either the fourth pallet Pd or the third pallet Pc may be used as the fifth pallet Pe, or a new pallet may be prepared.

[0024] The first identifier Ia and the second identifier Ib are removed from the fourth pallet Pd and attached to the fifth pallet Pe, and the third identifier Ic is removed from the third pallet Pc and attached to the fifth pallet Pe.

[0025] In other words, the first identifier Ia, the second identifier Ib, and the third identifier Ic are attached to the fifth pallet Pe on which the final joined body Wabc of the first workpiece Wa, the second workpiece Wb, and the third workpiece Wc is placed, and therefore remain associated with the first workpiece Wa, the second workpiece Wb, and the third workpiece Wc.

[0026] In the inspection step T5, the final joined body Wabc of the first workpiece Wa, the second workpiece Wb, and the third workpiece Wc is taken out from the fifth pallet Pe, inspected, and placed back on the fifth pallet Pe.

[0027] In the shipping process T6, the final joined body Wabc of the first workpiece Wa, the second workpiece Wb, and the third workpiece Wc is removed from the fifth pallet Pe and shipped from the factory. In the shipping process T6, the first identifier Ia, the second identifier Ib, and the third identifier Ic are removed from the fifth pallet Pe and collected.

[0028] (Production Management System) FIG. 2 shows the production management system 1. The production management system 1 is used to manage production in a factory. The production management system 1 is applied to each of the processes T1 to T6 of the production process T. In this example, the case where the production management system 1 is applied to the intermediate welding process T3 is illustrated.

[0029] The production control system 1 includes a processing machine 10, a front-end spot 20, a back-end spot 30, a camera 40, and a controller 50.

[0030] The processing machine 10 processes the workpiece W. Specifically, the processing machine 10 is a welding machine. The processing machine 10 welds (joins) a first workpiece Wa and a second workpiece Wb together to obtain an intermediate joined body Wab of the first workpiece Wa and the second workpiece Wb.

[0031] The upstream process spot 20 is located closer to the upstream process (closer to the press process T2) than the processing machine 10. A workpiece W is placed in the upstream process spot 20. Specifically, a first workpiece Wa placed on a first pallet Pa, a second workpiece Wb placed on a second pallet Pb, and a third workpiece Wc placed on a third pallet Pc are placed in the upstream process spot 20. The upstream process spot 20 is, for example, a space formed by partitioning off a portion of a factory floor.

[0032] The downstream process spot 30 is located closer to the downstream process than the processing machine 10 (closer to the final welding process T4). A workpiece W is placed in the downstream process spot 30. Specifically, an intermediate joined body Wab of a first workpiece Wa and a second workpiece Wb placed on a fourth pallet Pd, and a third workpiece Wc placed on a third pallet Pc are placed in the downstream process spot 30. The downstream process spot 30 is, for example, a space formed by partitioning off a portion of a factory floor.

[0033] The camera 40 captures an image of the identifier I. The camera 40 is, for example, a network camera. The camera 40 captures an image of the identifier I associated with the work W placed in the upstream process spot 20. The camera 40 captures an image of the identifier I associated with the work W placed in the downstream process spot 30. The camera 40 is attached, for example, to the ceiling of a factory.

[0034] In this example, the camera 40 includes a first camera 41 and a second camera 42. The first camera 41 corresponds to the front-end spot 20. The second camera 42 corresponds to the back-end spot 30.

[0035] The first camera 41 captures images of the first identifier Ia attached to the first pallet Pa carrying the first workpiece Wa, the second identifier Ib attached to the second pallet Pb carrying the second workpiece Wb, and the third identifier Ic attached to the third pallet Pc carrying the third workpiece Wc at the upstream process spot 20.

[0036] The second camera 42 captures images of the first identifier Ia and the second identifier Ib attached to the fourth pallet Pd carrying the intermediate bonded body Wab of the first work Wa and the second work Wb, and the third identifier Ic attached to the third pallet Pc carrying the third work Wc, ​​at the downstream process spot 30.

[0037] The controller 50 is connected to the processing machine 10 by wire or wirelessly. The controller 50 is connected to the camera 40 by wire or wirelessly. The controller 50 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer and a program. The controller 50 has a memory as a storage unit. The controller 50 may be located inside the factory. The controller 50 may also be a server located outside the factory.

[0038] The controller 50 acquires the image data captured by the camera 40. The controller 50 determines the cause of the stop of the processing machine 10 based on the identifier I at the upstream process spot 20 or the identifier I at the downstream process spot 30 captured by the camera 40 (the first camera 41 and the second camera 42).

[0039] (Identifying the cause of the machine's shutdown) The processing machine 10 that processes (specifically, welds) the workpiece W in the intermediate welding step T3 may stop for some reason. If the abnormal stop is caused by a malfunction of the processing machine 10, the cause of the stop of the processing machine 10 can be easily identified by error information, etc., issued by the processing machine 10.

[0040] However, if the processing machine 10 stops even though the processing machine 10 itself is functioning normally, it is difficult to identify the cause of the stoppage of the processing machine 10. Causes of the processing machine 10 stopping even though it is functioning normally include, for example, waiting in a previous process where the workpiece W has not yet been sent from the previous process (pressing process T2) to the processing machine 10 (intermediate welding process T3), waiting in a subsequent process where the workpiece W cannot be sent from the processing machine 10 (intermediate welding process T3) to the subsequent process (final welding process T4) because the subsequent process is delayed, etc.

[0041] 3 shows a case where the cause of the stoppage of the processing machine 10 is waiting for a previous process. When the identifier I associated with the workpiece W required for processing by the processing machine 10 is not present in the previous process spot 20, the controller 50 determines that the cause of the stoppage of the processing machine 10 is in a process previous to the processing machine 10.

[0042] The workpieces W required for processing by the processing machine 10 are a first workpiece Wa and a second workpiece Wb for forming an intermediate bonded body Wab. The identifiers I associated with the workpieces W required for processing by the processing machine 10 are a first identifier Ia associated with the first workpiece Wa and a second identifier Ib associated with the second workpiece Wb.

[0043] When either the first identifier Ia or the second identifier Ib is not present in the previous process spot 20, the controller 50 determines that the cause of the stop of the processing machine 10 is in the process previous to the processing machine 10 (intermediate welding process T3) (warehousing process T1 or pressing process T2) (waiting for the previous process).

[0044] If the first identifier Ia and / or the second identifier Ib are not present in the preceding process spot 20, it is highly likely that the press processing of the first workpiece Wa and / or the second workpiece Wb is delayed in an earlier process, for example, in the press process T2, relative to the processing machine 10 (intermediate welding process T3). In such a case, the first workpiece Wa and / or the second workpiece Wb (to form the intermediate bonded body Wab) cannot be sent to the processing machine 10 (intermediate welding process T3), and therefore the processing machine 10 must be stopped even though it is functioning normally.

[0045] 4 shows a case where the cause of the stoppage of the processing machine 10 is waiting for a subsequent process. When an identifier I related to a workpiece W required in a process subsequent to the processing machine 10 is present in the subsequent process spot 30, the controller 50 determines that the cause of the stoppage of the processing machine 10 is in a process subsequent to the processing machine 10.

[0046] The workpieces W required in the process subsequent to the processing machine 10 are the first workpiece Wa, the second workpiece Wb, and the third workpiece Wc for forming the final bonded body Wabc. The identifiers I associated with the workpieces W required in the process subsequent to the processing machine 10 are the first identifier Ia associated with the first workpiece Wa, the second identifier Ib associated with the second workpiece Wb, and the third identifier Ic associated with the third workpiece Wec.

[0047] When the first identifier Ia, the second identifier Ib, and the third identifier Ic are all present in the subsequent process spot 30, the controller 50 determines that the cause of the stop of the processing machine 10 is in a process subsequent to the processing machine 10 (intermediate welding process T3) (final welding process T4 or inspection process T5 or shipping process T6) (waiting for subsequent process).

[0048] If the first identifier Ia, the second identifier Ib, and the third identifier Ic are all present in the subsequent process spot 30, there is a high possibility that the work of welding (joining) the intermediate joined body Wab (of the first workpiece Wa and the second workpiece Wb) to the third workpiece Wc to obtain the final joined body Wabc in a process subsequent to the processing machine 10 (intermediate welding process T3), for example in the final welding process T4, is delayed.

[0049] In such a case, the first identifier Ia, the second identifier Ib, and the third identifier Ic (used to form the final bonded body Wabc) cannot be sent to the final welding process T4, which is a process subsequent to the processing machine 10 (intermediate welding process T3), and must be kept in the subsequent process spot 30. In such a case, the processing machine 10 must be stopped even though it is functioning normally.

[0050] Alternatively, when the number N of identifiers I in the subsequent process spot 30 reaches the threshold value F, the controller 50 determines that the cause of the stoppage of the processing machine 10 lies in a process subsequent to the processing machine 10 .

[0051] When the number N of identifiers I in the subsequent process spot 30 reaches the threshold value F, the subsequent process spot 30 becomes completely filled with pallets P carrying the workpieces W. In such a case, the intermediate joined body Wab (of the first workpiece Wa and the second workpiece Wb) formed by the processing machine 10 (intermediate welding process T3) cannot be sent to the subsequent process spot 30, and the processing machine 10 must be stopped.

[0052] The threshold value F is arbitrarily set by the user based on, for example, the installation space of the downstream process spot 30 allocated in the factory. The threshold value F is preferably 3 or more so as to correspond to the first identifier Ia and the second identifier Ib corresponding to the intermediate bonded body Wab (of the first workpiece Wa and the second workpiece Wb) and the third identifier Ic corresponding to the third workpiece Wc.

[0053] (flowchart) 5 shows a flowchart for identifying the cause of a stop of the processing machine 10. Starting from the start, in a first step S1, the controller 50 determines whether or not stop information has been acquired from the processing machine 10. If it is determined that stop information has not been acquired from the processing machine 10, the process proceeds to a second step S2. If it is determined that stop information has been acquired from the processing machine 10, the process proceeds to a third step S3.

[0054] In the second step S2, it is determined that the processing machine 10 is operating normally. When the second step S2 is completed, the process reaches the end.

[0055] In a third step S3, the controller 50 determines whether or not error information has been acquired from the processing machine 10. If it is determined that error information has been acquired from the processing machine 10, the process proceeds to a fourth step S4. If it is determined that error information has not been acquired from the processing machine 10, the process proceeds to a fifth step S5.

[0056] In the fourth step S4, it is determined that the cause of the stop of the processing machine 10 is an error (failure, etc.) in the processing machine 10 itself, that is, an abnormal stop. When the fourth step S4 is completed, the process reaches the end.

[0057] In a fifth step S5, the controller 50 determines, based on the image captured by the camera 40 (first camera 41), whether or not an identifier I, specifically the first identifier Ia and the second identifier Ib, associated with the workpiece W required for processing by the processing machine 10 is present in the upstream process spot 20. If it is determined that either the first identifier Ia or the second identifier Ib is not present in the upstream process spot 20, the process proceeds to a sixth step S6. If it is determined that both the first identifier Ia and the second identifier Ib are present in the upstream process spot 20, the process proceeds to a seventh step S7.

[0058] In the sixth step S6, it is determined that the cause of the stoppage of the processing machine 10 is in the process (warehousing process T1 or pressing process T2) preceding the processing machine 10 (intermediate welding process T3) (waiting for the previous process). When the sixth step S6 is completed, the process reaches the end.

[0059] In seventh step S7, the controller 50 determines, based on the image captured by the camera 40 (second camera 42), whether or not all of the identifiers I, specifically the first identifier Ia, the second identifier Ib, and the third identifier Ic, associated with the workpiece W required in the process subsequent to the processing machine 10 (intermediate welding process T3) (final welding process T4, inspection process T5, or shipping process T6) are present in the subsequent process spot 30. If it is determined that all of the first identifier Ia, the second identifier Ib, and the third identifier Ic are present in the subsequent process spot 30, the process proceeds to eighth step S8. If it is determined that any of the first identifier Ia, the second identifier Ib, and the third identifier Ic are not present in the subsequent process spot 30, the process proceeds to ninth step S9.

[0060] Alternatively, in seventh step S7, the controller 50 determines whether or not the number N of identifiers I in the downstream process spot 30 has reached the threshold value F. If it is determined that the number N of identifiers I in the downstream process spot 30 has reached the threshold value F, the process proceeds to eighth step S8. If it is determined that the number N of identifiers I in the downstream process spot 30 has not reached the threshold value F, the process proceeds to ninth step S9.

[0061] In the eighth step S8, it is determined that the cause of the stoppage of the processing machine 10 is in a process (final welding process T4, inspection process T5, or shipping process T6) subsequent to the processing machine 10 (intermediate welding process T3) (waiting for subsequent process). When the eighth step S8 is completed, the process reaches the end.

[0062] In the ninth step S9, it is determined that the cause of the stop of the processing machine 10 is a normal stop due to a normal waiting time (such as the time required to change the workpiece W in the processing machine 10). When the ninth step S9 is completed, the process reaches END. The fifth step S5 and the seventh step S7 may be performed in the reverse order.

[0063] (Memorized by controller) 6 shows storage by the controller 50. The controller 50 stores that the identifier I is present in the upstream process spot 20 when the identifier I enters the upstream process spot 20, and stores that the identifier I is not present in the upstream process spot 20 when the identifier I leaves the upstream process spot 20.

[0064] For example, there is a case where the first pallet Pa carrying the first workpiece Wa is sandwiched between the second pallet Pb carrying the second workpiece Wb and the third pallet Pc carrying the third workpiece Wc, and the pallets are stacked vertically in the upstream spot 20. In such a case, there is a possibility that the first identifier Ia attached to the first pallet Pa cannot be imaged in real time by the camera 40 (first camera 41).

[0065] Therefore, when the first identifier Ia enters / exits the upstream process spot 20, the controller 50 stores the presence / absence of the first identifier Ia in the upstream process spot 20. This allows the controller 50 to recognize the presence / absence of the first identifier Ia in the upstream process spot 20 even if the camera 40 (first camera 41) cannot capture an image of the first identifier Ia itself in real time.

[0066] The controller 50 stores the presence of the identifier I in the downstream process spot 30 when the identifier I enters the downstream process spot 30, and stores the absence of the identifier I in the downstream process spot 30 when the identifier I leaves the downstream process spot 30.

[0067] For example, the third pallet Pc carrying the third workpiece Wc may be stacked vertically in the downstream spot 30 so as to be sandwiched between two fourth pallets Pd carrying intermediate joined bodies Wab of the first workpiece Wa and the second workpiece Wb. In such a case, it may be impossible to capture an image of the third identifier Ic attached to the third pallet Pc in real time with the camera 40 (second camera 42).

[0068] Therefore, when the third identifier Ic enters / exits the downstream process spot 30, the controller 50 stores the presence / absence of the third identifier Ic in the downstream process spot 30. This allows the controller 50 to recognize the presence / absence of the third identifier Ic in the downstream process spot 30 even if the camera 40 (second camera 42) cannot capture an image of the third identifier Ic itself in real time.

[0069] (Action and effect) The controller 50 determines the cause of the stoppage of the processing machine 10 based on the identifier I at the upstream process spot 20 or the identifier I at the downstream process spot 30, which are imaged by the camera 40. This makes it possible to identify the cause of the stoppage of the processing machine 10 with a low-cost and simple configuration, compared to the case where an oscillator is attached to each workpiece W.

[0070] As described above, it is possible to provide a production control system 1 that can identify the cause of a stoppage of the processing machine 10 with a simple configuration.

[0071] When the identifier I associated with the workpiece W required for processing by the processing machine 10 is not present in the upstream process spot 20, the controller 50 determines that the cause of the stoppage of the processing machine 10 is in the process upstream of the processing machine 10. It can be easily identified that the cause of the stoppage of the processing machine 10 is waiting for the upstream process.

[0072] When an identifier I related to a workpiece W required in a process downstream of the processing machine 10 is present in the downstream process spot 30, the controller 50 determines that the cause of the stoppage of the processing machine 10 is in a process downstream of the processing machine 10. It can be easily identified that the cause of the stoppage of the processing machine 10 is waiting for a downstream process.

[0073] Alternatively, when the number N of identifiers I in the subsequent process spot 30 reaches a threshold value F, the controller 50 determines that the cause of the stop of the processing machine 10 is a process subsequent to the processing machine 10. This method also makes it easy to identify that the cause of the stop of the processing machine 10 is waiting for a subsequent process.

[0074] The identifier I is removably attached to a pallet P on which the workpieces W are placed. When the processing machine 10 is a welding machine or the like and joins multiple workpieces W, the identifier I can be conveniently moved.

[0075] When the identifier I enters / exits the upstream process spot 20 (downstream process spot 30), the controller 50 stores the presence / absence of the identifier I in the upstream process spot 20 (downstream process spot 30). This allows the controller 50 to recognize the presence / absence of the identifier I in the upstream process spot 20 (downstream process spot 30) even if the camera 40 cannot capture an image of the identifier I itself in real time.

[0076] This is effective when the pallet P carrying the workpiece W is stacked one on top of the other in the upstream process spot 20 (next process spot 30), causing the identifier I (associated with the workpiece W) attached to the pallet P to be in the blind spot of the camera 40.

[0077] (Other embodiments) Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, such description is not limiting, and it goes without saying that various modifications, substitutions, or combinations are possible.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the case where the production management system 1 is applied to the intermediate welding process T3 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the production management system 1 may be applied to other processes.

[0079] The processing machine 10 is not limited to a welding machine, and may be other types of machine, such as a machine tool for machining or a press for pressing.

[0080] In the above embodiment, three types of identifiers I, the first identifier Ia, the second identifier Ib, and the third identifier Ic, are exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. The number of types of identifiers I may be, for example, one, two, four, or more.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the identifier I is attached to the pallet P on which the workpiece W is placed, but the present invention is not limited to this. The identifier I may also be provided directly on the workpiece W.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the identifier I is a flag, but the present invention is not limited to this. The identifier I may be, for example, a marker, or may be a characteristic part of the workpiece W itself, such as its shape or color.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the camera 40 includes the first camera 41 and the second camera 42, but is not limited to this. One camera 40 may correspond to the front-end process spot 20 and the back-end process spot 30. [Industrial Applicability]

[0084] The present disclosure is applicable to production management systems and is therefore extremely useful and has high industrial applicability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] T Production process T1 Warehousing process T2 Pressing Process T3 intermediate welding process T4 Final welding process T5 Inspection process T6 Shipping process double work Wa 1st Work Wb 2nd Work Wc 3rd Work Wab intermediate conjugate Wabc final conjugate P Palette Pa 1st Pallet Pb 2nd Pallet Pc 3rd Palette Pd 4th Palette Pe 5th Palette Identifier Ia First Identifier Ib Second Identifier Ic Third Identifier N number F threshold 1 Production management system 10 Processing machine 20 Front-end spot 30 Post-process spot 40 Camera 41 Camera 1 42 Second Camera 50 Controllers

Claims

1. a processing machine for processing the workpiece; a front-end spot located on the front-end side of the processing machine and on which the workpiece is placed; a downstream spot located on the downstream side of the processing machine and on which the workpiece is placed; a camera that captures an image of an identifier associated with the workpiece; a controller connected to the camera, the camera captures an image of the identifier associated with the workpiece placed at the upstream process spot, and also captures an image of the identifier associated with the workpiece placed at the downstream process spot; The controller determines the cause of the stop of the processing machine based on the identifier at the upstream process spot or the identifier at the downstream process spot imaged by the camera.

2. 2. The production management system according to claim 1, wherein the controller determines that the cause of the stop of the processing machine is in an upstream process relative to the processing machine when the identifier associated with the work required for processing by the processing machine is not present in the upstream process spot.

3. 3. The production management system according to claim 1, wherein the controller determines that the cause of the stoppage of the processing machine is in a process downstream of the processing machine when the identifier associated with the work required in a process downstream of the processing machine is present in the downstream process spot.

4. 3. The production management system according to claim 1, wherein the controller determines that the cause of the stop of the processing machine is in a process downstream of the processing machine when the number of the identifiers in the downstream process spot reaches a threshold value.

5. The workpiece is placed on a pallet, the identifier is attached to the pallet; The production management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the identifier is removable from the pallet.

6. The controller storing the presence of the identifier in the upstream process spot when the identifier enters the upstream process spot, and storing the absence of the identifier in the upstream process spot when the identifier leaves the upstream process spot; 3. The production management system according to claim 1, wherein when the identifier enters the downstream process spot, it stores the fact that the identifier is present in the downstream process spot, and when the identifier leaves the downstream process spot, it stores the fact that the identifier is not present in the downstream process spot.

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