Supply order determination device, supply order determination method, and program

Abstract

To reduce the number of conveyance and a yard area by arranging a processing facility capable of changing the order of objects just behind a yard, and determining the conveyance order in the yard in consideration of a range where the order can be changed there.SOLUTION: The supply order determination device 100 lists a plurality of transport lots based on the arrangement of the objects in the unloading order in the stack for each of the plurality of stack forms. Then, the supply order determination device 100 determines the supply order of the transport lot on the basis of the unloading order of the objects included in the transport lot.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a supply sequence determination device, a supply sequence determination method, and a program, and is particularly a technology suitable for use in determining the supply sequence of a plurality of objects to processing equipment. [Background technology]

[0002] When transporting objects from a pre-process to a post-process, the processing order of the objects in the pre-process and post-process do not necessarily match. Therefore, it is necessary to change the processing order between processes. The change in the processing order of the objects is generally performed at the object storage area (such a change in the processing order of the objects is called a shunting). Deciding how to perform the shunting generally involves many combinations, and is difficult to do manually. Therefore, it is required to calculate the transport procedure including the shunting using a device such as a computer. An example of this type of technology is described in Patent Document 1.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses that in a yard where steel materials are stored between processes, multiple steel materials are brought in and stacked in order so that the steel materials that will be processed first in the next process are on top, and multiple piles are created to be released to the next process in the yard, using the vertex coloring problem.

[0004] Patent document 2 discloses that by solving a mathematical programming problem aimed at minimizing the total number of steel material transports and the total number of final piles in a yard, the steel material that makes up the initial pile is classified as either mobile steel material or non-mobile steel material, and at least the order in which the mobile steel material is transported and whether or not temporary storage occurs when the mobile steel material is moved are determined.

[0005] On the other hand, Patent Document 3 discloses that a rolled material yard is a temporary storage location for rolled materials, i.e., slabs before hot rolling. It discloses that the rolling order of slabs in a hot rolling line is determined based on the order of treatment for slabs after casting, slab information indicating the physical specifications of the slabs after treatment, and the mountain order of the slab piles in the rolled material yard. Patent Document 3 also discloses that if the rolling order of slabs in each slab pile is not adjusted to the order from the top to the bottom of the slab pile, i.e., the mountain order (if the mountain order and the slab rolling order are not consistent), the rolling order is changed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-39556 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-196902 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-226566 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, the technologies in Patent Documents 1 to 3 are all based on the premise that the order of steel materials in a pile of steel materials stored in a yard or other storage area is completely rearranged within the yard to match the order of processing in the next process, which may increase the number of transports and the yard area required for rearrangement within the yard.

[0008] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to make it possible to reduce the number of transports and the yard area by locating processing equipment that can change the order of objects immediately after the yard and determining the order of transport within the yard taking into account the range of possible order changes there. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The supply order determination device disclosed herein is a supply order determination device that determines the order in which multiple objects are supplied to processing equipment, and includes: an acquisition unit that acquires arrangement information including a removal order from the processing equipment that has been previously assigned to the multiple objects and an arrangement appearance that represents the arrangement order of the objects in multiple arrays each formed by one or more of the multiple objects; and a supply order determination unit that determines the supply order of the multiple objects based on the arrangement information.The supply order determination unit includes: a transport lot enumeration unit that, for each of the multiple arrays, enumerates transport lots, which are sets of objects that can be transported at one time, based on the removal order of the objects in the array, allowing overlap of the objects among multiple transport lots; and a determination unit that determines the supply order of the transport lots based on the removal order of the objects included in the transport lot.

[0010] The supply order determination method disclosed herein is a supply order determination method for determining the supply order of a plurality of objects to processing equipment, and includes an acquisition step for acquiring arrangement information including a removal order from the processing equipment previously assigned to the plurality of objects and an arrangement appearance representing the arrangement order of the objects in a plurality of arrays each formed by one or more of the plurality of objects, and a supply order determination step for determining the supply order of the plurality of objects based on the arrangement information.The supply order determination step includes a transport lot enumeration step for, for each of the plurality of arrays, enumerating transport lots, which are sets of objects that can be transported at one time, based on the removal order of the objects in the array, allowing overlap of the objects among multiple transport lots, and a determination step for determining the supply order of the transport lots based on the removal order of the objects included in the transport lot.

[0011] The program of the present disclosure causes a computer to function as each unit of the supply sequence determination device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present disclosure, by locating processing equipment capable of rearranging the order of objects immediately after the yard and determining the order of transport within the yard taking into account the range of rearrangement possible there, it is possible to reduce the number of transports and the yard area. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a supply sequence determination device. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a supply order determination method. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a nearby storage site and processing equipment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the order in which slabs are supplied to a heating furnace and the order in which the slabs are discharged from the heating furnace. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of slabs piled up in the nearest storage area (storage area of ​​the receiving building). [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for listing transport lots. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transport lot sequence set. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of two transport lots whose extraction order cannot be uniquely determined. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of two transport lots whose extraction order relationship can be uniquely determined. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the second operation (temporary storage). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the supply sequence determination device 100. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing method performed using the supply sequence determination device 100. The supply sequence determination device 100 has, as hardware, one or more hardware processors, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and one or more memories, such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The supply sequence determination device 100 performs various calculations, for example, by executing one or more programs stored in the memory using one or more hardware processors. Furthermore, an input device 110 and an output device 120 are communicably connected to the supply sequence determination device 100. Communication between the supply sequence determination device 100 and the input device 110 and the output device 120 may be wired or wireless. The supply sequence determination device 100 may also include the input device 110 and the output device 120. Furthermore, the supply sequence determination device 100 may be realized by dedicated hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0015] The supply sequence determination device 100 determines the supply sequence of multiple objects to processing equipment. This embodiment illustrates a case where multiple piles are formed by multiple objects. This embodiment also illustrates a case where the yard where the multiple piles are placed is a yard where a first operation and a second operation are possible. This embodiment also illustrates a case where the yard where the multiple piles are placed is the yard closest to the processing equipment among the yards where the first operation and the second operation are possible. The first operation is an operation to transfer the objects from the pile to a transport path for the objects heading to the processing equipment. The second operation is an operation to temporarily store the objects. As described above, this embodiment illustrates a case where the yard where the multiple piles are placed is the last yard among the yards where both the first operation and the second operation are possible to supply objects to the processing equipment. The processing equipment may be a production facility. In this case, the processing equipment is capable of changing the order in which objects are supplied and the order in which they are dispensed (the actual order in which they are taken out; the extraction order will be described later) by moving objects in and out of the processing equipment last.

[0016] The term "last-in, first-out" for objects means that an object that was added later to a processing facility is removed from the facility before an object that was added earlier. This last-in, first-out ordering of objects increases the flexibility of changing the order in which objects are supplied to the processing facility relative to the predetermined removal order (rolling order). For example, even if the order in which any two objects in a pile are supplied to the processing facility that is being determined is reversed in relation to the removal order, the last-in, first-out ordering of objects may allow the extraction order, which is the actual removal order at the processing facility after supply to the processing facility, to be changed to the removal order. Note that last-in, first-out ordering of objects may be performed in a single processing facility, or last-in, first-out ordering of objects may be performed using multiple processing facilities (the latter case is illustrated in this embodiment).

[0017] As described above, in this embodiment, an example is given of a case where the take-out order from the processing equipment is given in advance in the information (arrangement information, which will be described later) to be input to the supply sequence determination device 100. On the other hand, the take-out order derived in the process of determining the supply sequence of objects in the supply sequence determination device 100 is called the dispensing order. Note that the orders such as the take-out order, dispensing order, and stacking order do not necessarily need to be given by numbers, and it is sufficient if the order is uniquely determined by letters, symbols, etc.

[0018] In addition, this embodiment exemplifies a case where the processing equipment has a function of delivering objects to processing equipment for the next process. Specifically, this embodiment exemplifies a case where the processing equipment is equipped with a heating furnace that heats slabs before hot rolling (e.g., rough rolling). In this case, the processing equipment for the next process is equipment that performs hot rolling (rough rolling). In addition, in this case, the objects are slabs. In addition, in this case, the (predetermined) take-out order is the same as the rolling order.

[0019] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example is given in which objects (specifically, slabs) are supplied to a plurality of processing facilities (specifically, heating furnaces) of the same type (see FIG. 3, which will be described later). However, the number of processing facilities may be one. In this case, for example, a facility for changing the arrangement order of slabs may be installed within one heating furnace, or before or after the heating furnace. This facility may be a device having a mechanism for changing the arrangement order of objects discharged from a facility such as a heating furnace that performs the intended processing of the processing facility, or a storage area or space for temporarily waiting for objects to be removed from the processing facility, and this space may be a transport path having the length required for this purpose. In this case, the processing facility may include, for example, a heating furnace and the facility.

[0020] As described above, this embodiment illustrates a case where multiple piles are formed by multiple objects. However, the multiple objects supplied to the processing equipment do not necessarily have to be piled up. For example, the multiple objects may be placed side by side as long as multiple objects can be transported at one time.

[0021] <Storage space and facilities> In Figure 3, the dashed arrow indicates the direction in which the slab moves. Figure 3 illustrates an example in which a slab produced by a continuous casting process is transported to the receiving building 310. Note that there may or may not be a storage area such as a slab yard between the receiving building 310 and the continuous casting equipment. The receiving building 310 has a storage area for slabs. Multiple slabs can be piled up in the storage area of ​​the receiving building 310. Furthermore, multiple piles of such slabs can be formed in the storage area of ​​the receiving building 310. In the following explanation, the storage area of ​​the receiving building 310 will be referred to as the nearest storage area as necessary.

[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates an example in which the transfer of slabs from the nearest storage location to the transport table 330 (first operation) and the temporary placement of the slabs in the nearest storage location (second operation) are performed using a crane 320. This embodiment also illustrates an example in which the crane 320 can simultaneously lift (move) multiple slabs stacked in one pile. There are limitations on the number, weight, size, etc. of slabs that the crane 320 can simultaneously lift. Operations including the first operation and the second operation may be performed by multiple cranes. For example, the crane that performs the first operation and the crane that performs the second operation may be different cranes. Each of the multiple cranes may be capable of performing multiple types of operations including the first operation and the second operation.

[0023] The slabs placed on the conveying table 331 move toward the heating furnace 340. In this manner, this embodiment illustrates a case where a conveying path to a specified facility is realized by the conveying tables 330 and 331. When the crane 320 lifts multiple slabs simultaneously, the multiple slabs are placed on the conveying table 330 in a stacked state. This embodiment illustrates a case where the crane 360 ​​is a single-lift crane. In this case, the crane 360 ​​lifts the multiple slabs one by one from the top and places them back on the conveying table 331. Because the crane 360 ​​is a single-lift crane, of the pile of slabs placed on the conveying table 330, the slabs are moved to the conveying table 331 in order, starting from the top of the pile of slabs at the top of the conveying table 330.

[0024] In this embodiment, when the slabs arrive at the heating furnace 340, they are not stacked one on top of the other, but are arranged in a line. Therefore, in this embodiment, starting with the leading slab (the slab closest to the heating furnace 340) on the conveying table 331, the slabs are supplied one by one to one of the heating furnaces 340a-340c. This embodiment illustrates a case in which the heating furnace 340 is made up of multiple heating furnaces 340a-340c. While the number of heating furnaces is not limited to three, this embodiment illustrates a case in which there are multiple furnaces, taking advantage of the flexibility of changing the supply order based on last-in / first-out. However, as mentioned above, if the flexibility of the supply order based on last-in / first-out can be utilized, the number of processing facilities may be one.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the order in which slabs are supplied to the heating furnace 340 and the order in which the slabs are discharged from the heating furnace 340. In FIG. In this embodiment, the order in which the slabs are supplied to the heating furnace 340 is the order in which they are supplied when viewed as a whole from the plurality of heating furnaces 340a to 340c (in the following description, such a supply order will be simply referred to as the supply order as needed). Also, the order in which the slabs are discharged from the heating furnace 340 is the order in which they are discharged when viewed as a whole from the plurality of heating furnaces 340a to 340c (in the following description, such a discharge order will be simply referred to as the discharge order as needed).

[0026] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, as an example, as an initial value, the heating furnaces 340 that supply slabs are periodically assigned in the order of heating furnace 340a, heating furnace 340b, heating furnace 340c, heating furnace 340a, ... in relation to the order of slab supply. The assignment of heating furnaces given as an initial value does not necessarily have to be periodic. The initial value of the assignment of heating furnaces 340 can be changed as needed, and such a change in furnace number is called furnace number transfer. In Figure 4, "1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ..." shown above heating furnaces 340a to 340c indicates the order of slab supply to the heating furnaces 340 determined in this manner.

[0027] This embodiment also illustrates a case where the order in which the slabs are discharged from the heating furnace 340 is the order in which they are discharged from the heating furnaces 340a to 340c as a whole. Furthermore, this embodiment also illustrates a case where the order in which the slabs are discharged from the heating furnace 340 corresponds to the order in which they are rolled in the hot rolling line 250. This embodiment also illustrates a case where such a rolling order is predetermined for each slab.

[0028] In this embodiment, any of the three slabs M1 to M3 located at the most downstream position (closest to the outlet) of the heating furnaces 340a to 340c may be selected. In other words, the removal order (discharge order) of the three slabs M1 to M3 processed in the heating furnaces 340a to 340b and waiting to be removed can be changed. In FIG. 4, the supply order of slabs M1, M2, and M3 is assumed to be n+2, n, n+1 (n is a positive integer). Furthermore, the discharge order of slabs M1, M2, and M3 is assumed to be n, n+2, n+1 (n is a positive integer). In this case, a last-in, first-out arrangement can be implemented (specifically, slabs M1 and M3, which are supplied later than slab M2, can be discharged from the heating furnace 340b before slab M2) (see below the white arrow in FIG. 4). In this embodiment, by utilizing this last-in / first-out flexibility, a method is shown for creating a plan in which the order of unloading from the heating furnace 340 is the order of rolling even when the order of supply is not necessarily the order of rolling.

[0029] <Supply sequence determination device 100 and processing method> An example of the supply sequence determination device 100 and supply sequence determination method of this embodiment will be described below. <<Acquisition Unit 101, Step S201>> The acquisition unit 101 acquires information indicating the initial extraction order of a plurality of objects. In this embodiment, the acquisition unit 101 acquires order information. The sorting order information is information about multiple objects for which the supply order to the processing equipment is to be determined. The sorting order information includes the removal order and an arrangement form that indicates the arrangement order in multiple arrays formed by one or more of the multiple objects. As described above, this embodiment illustrates a case in which multiple piles are formed by multiple objects for which the supply order to the processing equipment is to be determined. In this case, the multiple piles are an example of multiple arrays, and the pile shapes of the multiple piles are an example of an arrangement form. In this case, the arrangement information also includes the removal order and the arrangement order of the objects in the multiple piles. As described above, the removal order is a removal order that is assigned in advance to the supply order determination device 100 as the order in which objects are to be removed from the processing equipment (in this embodiment, the heating furnace 340), and is assigned in advance to each of the multiple objects for which the supply order is to be determined. The arrangement order includes information for identifying which objects are in which pile order in the pile. In this embodiment, a unique removal order is assigned to each individual object. For example, a take-out order may be assigned to multiple objects (i.e., the same take-out order may be assigned to the multiple objects). Therefore, individual objects can be identified by the take-out order. There may be objects for which no take-out order is assigned. Furthermore, the take-out order may be the order of requests for the next process. Therefore, for each pile, the arrangement order of the objects to be dispensed is identified from the pile order of the objects. Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example is given of a pile formed in the nearest storage area.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of slabs M piled up in the nearest storage area (the storage area of ​​the receiving building 310). FIG. 5 illustrates a case where the nearest storage area has five piles 510a to 510e, each containing five slabs M. The number of piles 510 that can be formed in the nearest storage area is not limited to five. The number of objects (slabs M in this embodiment) in each pile does not have to be equal. The arrangement information may also include information about objects (slabs M in this embodiment) that have not yet arrived at the nearest storage area, among the objects (slabs M in this embodiment) for which the supply order is to be calculated. In such a case, for example, planned values ​​may be used as the takeout order and arrangement order of the objects (slabs M in this embodiment).

[0031] In FIG. 5, for convenience of notation, the removal order (rolling order) is shown in the rectangle representing the slab M. Also, in FIG. 5, a symbol is attached only to the slab M whose removal order (rolling order) is 3 (03). The stacking order may be the stacking order when counting in ascending order from the bottom, or the stacking order when counting in ascending order from the top. The sequence of numbers shown in the rectangle in FIG. 5 is an example of the sequence of the removal order.

[0032] The arrangement information may include information other than the take-out order and the arrangement order as information about the objects (slabs M in this embodiment) for which the supply order to the processing equipment (heating furnace 340 in this embodiment) is to be determined. For example, the arrangement information may include information about the attributes of the objects (slabs M in this embodiment) (for example, at least one of mass and size (width, length, thickness)).

[0033] The acquiring unit 101 may, for example, input the arrangement information from the input device 110, or may calculate the arrangement information based on the data input from the input device 110. The input device 110 may be a storage medium, a user interface, or a communication device (for example, a device that receives information to be input to the acquiring unit 101 directly from another device or via a communication network and transmits the information to the supply sequence determination device 100), or may be a device that includes two or three of these.

[0034] <<Supply Sequence Determination Unit 102, Steps S202 to S205>> The supply sequence determination unit 102 determines the supply sequence of multiple objects to the processing equipment based on the arrangement information acquired by the acquisition unit 101. The supply sequence does not necessarily have to match the removal sequence (rolling sequence). In this embodiment, the supply sequence determination unit 102 determines the supply sequence of multiple slabs M forming multiple piles. In this embodiment, the supply sequence determination unit 102 includes a transport lot enumeration unit 102a and a determination unit 102b, determines transport lots, and calculates the supply sequence for each transport lot. A transport lot is a collection of one or more objects (slabs M in this embodiment) transported at the same time by a transport means (crane 320 in this embodiment) performing the first operation and a transport means (slabs M in this embodiment) performing the second operation. Calculating the supply sequence for each transport lot in this manner makes it possible, for example, to group multiple objects (slabs M in this embodiment) transported from a pile into a single lot. This makes it possible to create a plan that reduces the supply time to the equipment during operation compared to when the supply sequence is calculated for each object (slab M in this embodiment). For example, when the last-in, first-out method described with reference to FIG. 4 is possible, even if an object (slab M in this embodiment) that is relatively earlier in the removal order (rolling order) is stacked below a later object (slab M in this embodiment) in the same transport lot, the object (slab M in this embodiment) that is relatively earlier in the removal order (rolling order) can be removed from the processing equipment (heating furnace 340 in this embodiment) before the later object (slab M in this embodiment). Therefore, it is possible to increase the number of objects (slab M in this embodiment) that can be included in a transport lot. This, for example, can reduce storage space and the number of first and second operations.

[0035] In order to realize the calculation of the supply sequence for each transport lot in this manner, in this embodiment, as described above, the supply sequence determination unit 102 includes a transport lot enumeration unit 102a and a determination unit 102b.

[0036] <<<Transport Lot Enumeration Unit 102a, Step S202>> The transport lot enumeration unit 102a enumerates multiple transport lots for each of multiple arrays (piles in this embodiment) based on the order of removal from the array (piles in this embodiment). A transport lot is a collection of objects that can be transported at one time. In this embodiment, a transport lot is illustrated as a collection of slabs M that can be transported at one time by a crane 320. As described above, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the order of numbers shown in the rectangles indicates the order of removal. Furthermore, the transport lot enumeration unit 102a enumerates transport lots while allowing overlapping of objects (slabs M in this embodiment) (included in a transport lot) between multiple transport lots.

[0037] 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for listing transport lots. An example of a method for listing transport lots will be explained with reference to FIG.

[0038] The transport lot enumeration unit 102a calculates multiple transport lots based on, for example, the arrangement information and the same lot non-permission condition acquired by the acquisition unit 101. The same lot non-permission condition is a condition for objects that cannot be included in the same transport lot.

[0039] In this embodiment, the same lot disallowance condition includes, for example, a condition that when there is a discrepancy between the stacking order and the removal order (rolling order) in the same pile, the difference in the removal order is equal to or greater than a first specified value. A discrepancy between the stacking order and the removal order (rolling order) in the same pile means that the removal order (rolling order) of the object at the top (slab M in this embodiment) in the same pile is later than the removal order (rolling order) of the object at the bottom (slab M in this embodiment) (note that this is equivalent to the removal order (rolling order) of the object at the bottom (slab M in this embodiment) in the same pile being earlier than the removal order (rolling order) of the object at the top (slab M in this embodiment)). This condition is intended to prevent differences in the removal order (rolling order) that would prevent last-in / first-out. In the following description, when there is a discrepancy between the stacking order and the removal order (rolling order) for the same pile, it will be abbreviated as "there is a discrepancy between the stacking order and the removal order (rolling order)" as necessary.

[0040] For example, the first specified value is set to 3. In the transport lot candidate 620b shown in FIG. 6(b), the take-out order (rolling order) of the top slab (=14) is later than the take-out order (rolling order) of the bottom slab (=11). Therefore, there is a discrepancy between the stacking order and the take-out order (rolling order). Furthermore, the difference (=3) is greater than or equal to the first specified value (=3). Therefore, the transport lot enumeration unit 102a does not enumerate the transport lot candidate 620b as a transport lot. On the other hand, in the transport lot candidate 610f shown in FIG. 6(a), the take-out order (rolling order) of the top slab (=14) is later than the take-out order (rolling order) of the second-highest slab (=12). Therefore, there is a discrepancy between the stacking order and the take-out order (rolling order). However, the difference (=2) is less than the first specified value (=3). Therefore, the transport lot enumeration unit 102a enumerates the transport lot candidate 610f as a transport lot. In this embodiment, by using such a same-lot disallowance condition, the transport lot enumeration unit 102a determines that two objects in the array (in this embodiment, any two slabs in a pile) can be included in the same transport lot even if the supply order to be determined is reversed in relation to the takeout order (even if there is a discrepancy between the stacking order and the takeout order (rolling order) in the above-mentioned example). If the two objects have a certain relationship that determines that the actual takeout order, which is the discharging order, can be changed to the takeout order in the processing equipment (in this embodiment, the heating furnace 340) after supply to the processing equipment, after the objects are supplied to the array, the difference in the takeout order between the two objects in the array (in this embodiment, any two slabs M in a pile) is less than a threshold value (less than a first specified value in the above-mentioned example). Note that "less than a threshold" may be used instead of "less than a threshold value."

[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the supply order does not necessarily have to match the removal order (rolling order). The supply order can be made different from the removal order (rolling order) within the range of the aforementioned last-in / first-out flexibility. In this way, the number of first operations and the number of second operations (number of times temporary placement is performed) in the nearest storage area for rearranging the objects (slabs M in this embodiment) in the supply order can be reduced.

[0042] In this embodiment, the same lot disallowance condition is that the difference in the take-out order (rolling order) when there is no discrepancy between the stacking order and the take-out order (rolling order) for the same pile is equal to or greater than a second specified value. This condition is intended to prevent a difference from occurring between the supply order and the take-out order (rolling order) to the extent that the take-out order does not match the take-out order (rolling order) even when the above-mentioned last-in / first-out flexibility is utilized.

[0043] For example, the second specified value is set to 5. In the transport lot candidate 620a shown in FIG. 6(b), the dispensing order (=1) of the top slab is not later than the dispensing order (=7) of the bottom slab. Therefore, there is no discrepancy between the stacking order and the removal order (rolling order). However, the difference (=6) is greater than or equal to the second specified value (=5). Therefore, the transport lot enumeration unit 102a does not enumerate the transport lot candidate 620a as a transport lot. The above-described same lot denial condition using the first and second specified values ​​is not a sufficient condition for prohibiting inclusion in the same transport lot, but is a necessary condition.

[0044] Furthermore, when multiple objects are placed side by side, the object closest to the processing equipment may be assigned an order of precedence. In this case, the first object in the order of precedence may be designated as the top object of the pile, and the same lot disapproval condition may be determined using the first and second specified values ​​described above.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the same lot disallowance condition includes a condition determined by the constraints of the transfer means (in this embodiment, the crane 320) that transfers the objects. For example, such a condition may be that the number of objects (in this embodiment, the slabs M) that the transfer means can transfer at one time exceeds the upper limit, that the total amount (mass) of objects (in this embodiment, the slabs M) that the transfer means can transfer at one time exceeds the upper limit, or that the difference in width between multiple objects (in this embodiment, the slabs M) transferred at one time by the transfer means exceeds the upper limit. This condition is intended to prevent the listing of transport lots that cannot transfer objects (in this embodiment, the slabs M) from the pile in transport lot units.

[0046] For example, the upper limit of the number of objects (slabs M in this embodiment) that a transport means can transport at one time is set to 3. The number of slabs M included in the transport lot candidate 620c shown in FIG. 6(b) is 4, which exceeds the upper limit (= 3). Therefore, the transport lot enumeration unit 102a does not enumerate the transport lot candidate 620c as a transport lot.

[0047] 6(a) do not satisfy the same lot non-permission condition, and therefore can be included in the same transport lot. Therefore, the transport lot enumeration unit 102a enumerates the transport lot candidates 610a to 610f as transport lots.

[0048] Here, the case where the transport lot enumeration unit 102a enumerates transport lot candidates that do not satisfy the same-lot non-permission condition as transport lots has been exemplified. However, this is not necessarily the case. For example, a same-lot permission condition may be used instead of the same-lot non-permission condition. The same-lot permission condition is a condition for objects (slabs M in this embodiment) that can be included in the same transport lot. In this case, the transport lot enumeration unit 102a may enumerate transport lot candidates that satisfy the same-lot permission condition as transport lots, but may not enumerate transport lot candidates that do not satisfy the same-lot permission condition as transport lots.

[0049] <<<Determining Unit 102b, Steps S203 to S204>>> The determination unit 102b determines the supply order of the transport lots based on the removal order assigned to the objects (slabs M in this embodiment) included in the transport lots listed by the transport lot enumeration unit 102a. In this embodiment, the determination unit 102b determines the supply order of the transport lots on the premise that the first processed side of the pile (one side of the arrangement (heap in this embodiment)) will be processed first. When it is assumed that the objects will be processed first on the arrangement (heap in this embodiment), if the processing order (transportation order) is reversed, the object with the earliest processing order must be temporarily placed. When multiple objects are placed side by side, the one side of the arrangement may be, for example, the side closer to or farther from the processing equipment. When a pile is formed as in this embodiment, the one side of the arrangement is the upper or lower side of the pile, and in this embodiment, it is assumed to be the upper side of the pile.

[0050] As described above, this embodiment illustrates a case where the supply order is determined for each transport lot. Also, as described above, this embodiment illustrates a case where the slabs M are unloaded in order from the top when moved from the transport table 330 to the transport table 331. Therefore, the supply order of objects (in this embodiment, the slabs M) to the heating furnace 340 is ascending order, starting from the object (in this embodiment, the slabs M) stacked at the top of the transport lot. Therefore, this embodiment illustrates a case where the determination unit 102b arranges multiple transport lots in the order in which they are supplied, and arranges the objects (in this embodiment, the slabs M) within a single transport lot so that the object (in this embodiment, the slabs M) on the side of the pile to be processed first (in this embodiment, the upper side of the pile) is arranged first, and determines the supply order of multiple objects (in this embodiment, the multiple slabs M whose supply order to the heating furnace 340 is to be determined) whose supply order to the processing equipment is to be determined.

[0051] In this embodiment, the determination unit 102b includes a candidate generation unit 102b1 and a solution determination unit 102b2. <<<<<Candidate Creation Unit 102b1, S203>>>> The candidate creation unit 102b1 lists multiple candidates for combinations of multiple transport lots (a set of transport lot series described below) that can ensure that the actual removal order (discharge order) of the multiple objects from the processing equipment is the same as the removal order (rolling order) when the multiple objects are supplied to the processing equipment in the supply order to be determined, based on the removal order assigned to the objects (slabs M in this embodiment) contained in each of the multiple transport lots, and that can include all of the multiple objects without overlapping.

[0052] In the following description, a combination of multiple transport lots in the order of supply will be referred to as a transport lot sequence set as needed. In this embodiment, even if the multiple transport lots included in two transport lot sequence sets are the same, if the supply order (arrangement order) of the multiple transport lots is different, the two transport lot sequence sets will be treated as different transport lot sequence sets. Furthermore, among the transport lot sequence sets, a transport lot sequence set that can be delivered in the same order as the takeout order (rolling order) and can contain all of the multiple objects without overlapping will be referred to as a transport lot sequence set that is a solution candidate, or simply as a solution candidate, as needed. Among the transport lot sequence sets, a transport lot sequence set at a stage where it has not yet been determined whether the delivery order can be delivered in the same order as the takeout order (rolling order) and can contain all of the multiple objects without overlapping will be simply referred to as a transport lot sequence set as needed.

[0053] In this embodiment, the candidate creating unit 102b1 lists multiple candidates for a transport lot sequence set so that multiple objects (in this embodiment, multiple slabs M for which the supply order to the heating furnace 340 is to be determined) for the processing equipment are included in one transport lot sequence set without overlap or omission. Also, in this embodiment, the candidate creating unit 102b1 lists all sets of multiple transport lots that can be such a transport lot sequence set.

[0054] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a transport lot sequence set 700. Fig. 7 illustrates an example in which the transport lot sequence set 700 is represented in a tree structure. Fig. 7 illustrates an example in which a transport lot 710 including an object (slab M in this embodiment) with an early takeout order (rolling order) is the upper node.

[0055] In Fig. 7, a rectangle with "Lot" written inside it indicates one transport lot. For convenience of notation, in Fig. 7, a reference symbol (710) is assigned to one transport lot.

[0056] A plurality of transport lots 710 corresponding to nodes passed through when tracing from the root node to the leaf nodes without going back are included in one transport lot sequence set 700. In Fig. 6(a), transport lot candidates 610c and 610d are listed as transport lots 710, and each contains slab M whose removal order (rolling order) is 1. Therefore, these transport lot candidates 610c and 610d are represented by different tree structures (different root nodes).

[0057] As described with reference to FIG. 6 , one transport lot may contain multiple objects (slabs M in this embodiment) whose take-out order (rolling order) is discontinuous, taking into account the flexibility of last-in / first-out in the processing equipment (the heating furnace 340 in this embodiment) (see transport lot candidates 610e and 610f shown in FIG. 6( a)). Therefore, the take-out order (rolling order) relationship between two transport lots 710 may not be uniquely determined. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of two transport lots 710a and 710b whose take-out order (rolling order) relationship cannot be uniquely determined. The transport lots 710a and 710b shown in FIG. 8 are the transport lot candidates 610e and 610f shown in FIG. 6( a), respectively. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of two transport lots 710c and 710a whose take-out order (rolling order) relationship can be uniquely determined. The transport lot 710c shown in FIG. 9 is the transport lot candidate 610d shown in FIG. 6(a).

[0058] The fact that the order of removal (rolling order) of two transport lots 710 cannot be uniquely determined means that the removal order (rolling order) of an object (slab M in this embodiment) contained in one of the two transport lots 710 may be either earlier or later than the removal order (rolling order) of an object (slab M in this embodiment) contained in the other transport lot 710. In FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b), the removal order (rolling order) of the slab M stacked on top of the transport lot 710a is 13. The removal orders (rolling orders) of the slabs M contained in transport lot 710b are 12 and 14. Therefore, the removal order (rolling order) of the slab M contained in transport lot 710a (= 13) may be either earlier or later than the removal order (rolling order) of the slab M contained in transport lot 710b (= 12, 14). This also applies between the slab M stacked on top of the transport lot 710b (slab M with removal order (rolling order) 14) and the slab M included in the transport lot 710a (slab M with removal order (rolling order) 13, 15).

[0059] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 9, if the removal order (rolling order) of all slabs M contained in one of two transport lots 710c to 710d is earlier or later than the removal order (rolling order) of all slabs M contained in the other transport lot, the order of the removal orders (rolling orders) of the two transport lots 710 can be uniquely determined.

[0060] In this embodiment, when the chronological relationship between two transport lots 710 cannot be uniquely determined as described above, the candidate creation unit 102b1 lists a transport lot sequence set 700 in which the removal order (rolling order) of one of the two transport lots 710 comes first and the removal order (rolling order) of the other transport lot comes later, and a transport lot sequence set 700 in which the removal order (rolling order) of the other transport lot comes first and the removal order (rolling order) of one transport lot comes later. In the example shown in Figure 8, the candidate creation unit 102b1 lists a set of transport lot sequences 700 in which the removal order (rolling order) of transport lot 710a comes first and the removal order (rolling order) of transport lot 710b comes last, as shown in Figure 8(a), and a set of transport lot sequences 700 in which the removal order (rolling order) of transport lot 710b comes first and the removal order (rolling order) of transport lot 710a comes last, as shown in Figure 8(b).

[0061] On the other hand, when the chronological order of two transport lots 710 can be uniquely determined, the candidate creation unit 102b1 calculates the supply order of the two transport lots 710 according to the chronological order of the two transport lots 710. In the example shown in Fig. 9, the candidate creation unit 102b1 lists a transport lot sequence set 700 in which the supply order of transport lot 710c comes first and the supply order of transport lot 710d comes last.

[0062] For each of the transport lot sequence sets 700 listed as above, the candidate creating unit 102b1 sets a supply order for the multiple transport lots 710 included in the transport lot sequence set 700 such that the earlier the takeout order (rolling order) of the multiple transport lots 710 included in the transport lot sequence set 700, the earlier the supply order. In the example shown in Fig. 7, the candidate creating unit 102b1 sets a supply order that is earlier for the transport lots 710 of higher-ranking nodes (the supply order is set for each node in ascending order starting from the root node with 1 as the initial value).

[0063] In this embodiment, the candidate creating unit 102b1 searches for a transport lot that requires the second operation (temporary storage) for each of the transport lot sequence sets 700 listed as described above, designates the searched transport lot as a transport lot that requires the second operation (temporary storage), and then checks whether the transport lot sequence set 700 can have the same order of removal as the order of removal (rolling) and can include all of the multiple objects without overlapping. The confirmation is performed assuming that the second operation (temporary storage) will be performed on the transport lot designated as a transport lot that requires the second operation (temporary storage).

[0064] Here, temporary storage will be explained. Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the second operation (temporary storage). Here, a case is illustrated in which transport lots 710a to 710b shown in Fig. 8 are included in the candidates for the transport lot sequence set 700. The transport lots included in the transport lots 710a to 710b are made up of slabs M piled up in the pile 510c shown in Fig. 5.

[0065] 8(a), if the supply order of transport lots 710a to 710b included in the candidates for the transport lot sequence set 700 is transport lots 710a, 710b, the crane 320 can transfer the slabs M included in transport lot 710a with removal orders (rolling orders) of 13 and 15 to the transport table 330, and then transfer the slabs M included in transport lot 710b with removal orders (rolling orders) of 14 and 12 to the transport table 330. Therefore, the second operation (temporary storage) is not required.

[0066] On the other hand, if the supply order of transport lots 710a to 710b included in the transport lot series set 700 is transport lots 710b, 710a, as shown in Figure 8(b), the slabs M included in transport lot 710a and with removal orders (rolling orders) of 13 and 15 cannot be moved to the transport table 330 by the crane 320 until they are placed in a location other than the pile 510c in the nearest storage area (i.e., temporarily placed) (see Figure 10).

[0067] As described above, in this embodiment, the candidate creating unit 102b1 specifies the transport lots that require temporary storage as described above, and then checks, for each transport lot sequence set 700, whether the order of removal can be the same as the order of removal (rolling order) and whether it is possible to include all of the multiple objects without overlapping. This check may be performed, for example, by computer simulation of the transport of the objects. An example of a computer simulation method is mathematical optimization using constraint equations that formulate equipment constraints.

[0068] When using a mathematical optimization method to determine whether it is possible for each transport lot sequence set 700 to have the same dispensing order as the removal order (rolling order) and to include all of the multiple objects without overlapping, constraints are formulated, such as, for example, that multiple slabs M are not extracted consecutively from the same heating furnace 340, and that a subsequent slab M in the same heating furnace 340 cannot overtake a preceding slab M, and a furnace number reassignment result is found that minimizes changes from the predetermined furnace number within the scope that satisfies the constraints. At this time, if a furnace number reassignment method that results in the dispensing order being the rolling order cannot be found, this optimization problem cannot be solved.

[0069] In this embodiment, the candidate creating unit 102b1 confirms whether the transport lot sequence set 700 can have the same dispensing order as the take-out order (rolling order) and can include all of the multiple objects without overlapping, assuming that the furnace number transfer and last-in / first-out described with reference to FIG. 4 are possible. Therefore, the candidate creating unit 102b1 selects, as a solution candidate, the transport lot sequence set 700 that has been shown, through the above-mentioned computer simulation, to have the same dispensing order as the take-out order (rolling order) and can include all of the multiple objects without overlapping, if the furnace number transfer and last-in / first-out are performed. On the other hand, if the candidate creating unit 102b1 cannot find, through the above-mentioned computer simulation, a solution that results in a dispensing order that satisfies the rolling order even when the furnace number transfer and last-in / first-out are performed, the transport lot sequence set 700 is not selected as a solution candidate.

[0070] As described above, in this embodiment, the candidate creation unit lists a set of multiple transport lot series that can contain all of the multiple objects without overlapping, and then, based on the constraints of the processing equipment, creates as solution candidates those of the multiple transport lot series that can match the actual removal order (discharge order) of the multiple objects from the processing equipment when the multiple objects are supplied to the processing equipment in the supply order to be determined.

[0071] <<<<Solution determining unit 102b2, S204>>> The solution determination unit 102b2 determines the set of transport lot sequences 700 that will be a solution based on the evaluation value for evaluating the set of transport lot sequences 700 that will be solution candidates. In the following description, the set of transport lot sequences 700 that will be a solution will be referred to as a solution as necessary.

[0072] The evaluation value may be calculated using the value of an evaluation index for evaluating the set 700 of transport lot sequences that is a candidate solution. For example, the evaluation value may be calculated using the number of second operations (temporary placement). However, the evaluation value is not limited to this. For example, the evaluation value may be calculated using the number of first operations in addition to or instead of the number of second operations (temporary placement). In addition, this embodiment illustrates a case in which the candidate solution with the smallest evaluation value is determined as the solution. However, this is not necessarily required. For example, when the transport means performing the first operation and the second transport means performing the second operation are separate transport means and an increase in the workload of either of the transport means is allowed, the evaluation value may be calculated using only one of the number of first operations or the number of second operations. Furthermore, for example, the evaluation value may be calculated by multiplying these numbers by −1, and the candidate solution with the largest evaluation value may be determined as the solution. Furthermore, the supply capacity of objects (slabs M in this embodiment) to the processing equipment (heating furnace 340 in this embodiment) may be calculated using the sum of the number of times the first operation is performed and the number of times the second operation is performed. Furthermore, multiple candidate solutions whose absolute value of the evaluation value is equal to or less than a predetermined value may be determined as the solution.

[0073] Furthermore, the evaluation index used to calculate the evaluation value may include, for example, an evaluation index for evaluating the number of furnace number changes described above. Note that, from the viewpoint of evenly supplying the slabs M to the heating furnaces 340a to 340c, it is preferable that the number of furnace number changes is small.

[0074] In this embodiment, a case where the solution candidate created by the candidate creating unit 102b1 is not set as the solution is exemplified. However, for example, in a case where the solution is uniquely determined by the candidate creating unit 102b1, the solution candidate created by the candidate creating unit 102b1 may be set as the solution. In this case, the solution determining unit 102b2 (and the processing of step S204) may be omitted.

[0075] <<Output Unit 103, Step S205>> Output unit 103 outputs information about transport lot sequence set 700 determined as a solution by solution determination unit 102b2 to output device 120. When one solution is selected by solution determination unit 102b2, output unit 103 outputs information about the one solution to output device 120. Output device 120 may be a computer display, a storage medium, or a communication device (for example, a device that transmits information output from output unit 103 to another device directly or via a communication network), or may be a device that includes two or three of these.

[0076] When multiple solutions are selected by the solution determination unit 102b2, the output unit 103 outputs information on the multiple solutions to the output device 120. In this case, one solution may be selected from the multiple solutions outside the supply sequence determination device 100. For example, an operator may select one solution from the multiple solutions, or a device other than the supply sequence determination device 100 may select one solution from the multiple solutions.

[0077] <Summary> As described above, in this embodiment, the supply sequence determination device 100 lists multiple transport lots for each of multiple piles based on the order in which the objects will be removed from the piles.The supply sequence determination device 100 then determines the supply sequence of the transport lots based on the order in which the objects included in the transport lots will be removed.Therefore, by locating processing equipment (heating furnace 340 in this embodiment) that can change the order of objects immediately after the yard and determining the transport sequence within the yard in consideration of the range in which the order can be changed there, it is possible to reduce the number of transports and the yard area.

[0078] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the supply sequence determination device 100 determines that any two objects in the array can be included in the same transport lot even if the supply sequence to the processing equipment being determined is reversed in relation to the removal sequence from the processing equipment, if the two objects have a certain relationship that determines that the actual removal sequence from the processing equipment after supply to the processing equipment can be changed to the removal sequence. Therefore, the flexibility of changing the supply sequence based on the last-in, first-out principle described above can be utilized. Therefore, for example, the number of operations in the nearest storage area, such as the number of first operations and the number of second operations (temporary storage), can be reduced. This shortens the time required for objects to reach the downstream equipment (the heating furnace 340 in this embodiment) after the start of transport from the upstream equipment (the receiving building 310 in this embodiment). Furthermore, it is possible to suppress an increase in storage space in the upstream equipment (the receiving building 310 in this embodiment).

[0079] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the supply sequence determination device 100 lists the transport lots based on the order of removal from the array and constraints on the weight or size of objects that can be transported by the transport means that supplies the objects to the processing facility. Therefore, it is possible to prevent transport lots that are impossible (or difficult) to supply to the processing facility from being listed.

[0080] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the supply sequence determination device 100 generates solution candidate sets 700 of multiple transport lot sequences that can make the dispensing order the same as the take-out order (rolling order) and can include all of the multiple objects without overlapping, based on the take-out orders assigned to the objects included in the multiple transport lots. Then, the supply sequence determination device 100 determines the solution transport lot sequence set 700 based on an evaluation value that evaluates the solution candidate transport lot sequence set 700. Therefore, it is possible to search for a solution that can perform operations efficiently, such as reducing the number of first operations and the number of second operations (temporary storage).

[0081] (Other embodiments) The above-described embodiments of the present disclosure can be realized by a computer executing a program. A computer-readable recording medium having the program recorded thereon and a computer program product such as the program can also be applied as embodiments of the present disclosure. Examples of recording media that can be used include flexible disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, and ROMs. The embodiments of the present disclosure can also be realized by a programmable logic controller (PLC) or dedicated hardware such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Furthermore, the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely examples of specific embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure, and the technical scope of the present disclosure should not be interpreted as being limited by these. In other words, the present disclosure can be embodied in various forms without departing from its technical concept or main features.

[0082] The disclosure of the above embodiments can be summarized as follows, for example. [Disclosure 1] A supply sequence determination device that determines a supply sequence of a plurality of objects to a processing facility, an acquisition unit that acquires arrangement information including a take-out order from the processing equipment that is previously assigned to the plurality of objects and an arrangement appearance that represents an arrangement order of the objects in a plurality of arrays each formed by one or more of the plurality of objects; a supply order determination unit that determines a supply order of the plurality of objects based on the arrangement information, The supply sequence determination unit a transport lot enumeration unit that enumerates, for each of the plurality of arrays, transport lots that are collections of the objects that can be transported at one time based on the order in which the objects are taken out of the array, while allowing overlapping of the objects among the plurality of transport lots; a determination unit that determines a supply order of the transport lots based on the order in which the objects included in the transport lots are taken out; A supply sequence determination device having the above structure. [Disclosure 2] The transport lot enumeration unit determines that any two objects in the array can be included in the same transport lot if they have a certain relationship that determines that there is a possibility that the actual removal order, that is, the dispensing order, can be changed to the removal order in the processing equipment after supply to the processing equipment, even if the supply order to be determined is reversed in relation to the removal order. [Disclosure 3] The supply sequence determination device according to Disclosure 2, wherein the certain relationship exists when a difference in the takeout sequence between the objects is equal to or less than a threshold value. [Disclosure 4] the alignment information includes at least one of a weight and a size of the object; The transport lot enumeration unit is a supply sequence determination device described in any one of Disclosures 1 to 3, which enumerates the transport lots based on the order of removal in the array and constraints regarding the weight or size of the objects that can be transported by a transport means that supplies the objects to the processing equipment. [Disclosure 5] The determination unit a candidate creation unit that creates candidates for a series set of the plurality of transport lots that can be set to match the take-out order of the objects included in each of the plurality of transport lots when the plurality of objects are supplied to the processing equipment in the supply order to be determined based on the take-out order of the objects included in each of the plurality of transport lots and that can include all of the plurality of objects without overlapping, so that the actual take-out order, i.e., the dispensing order, of the plurality of objects from the processing equipment can be set to match the take-out order; a solution determination unit that determines the candidate to be a solution based on an evaluation value that evaluates the candidate; The supply sequence determination device according to any one of Disclosures 1 to 4, comprising: [Disclosure 6] The supply sequence determination device described in Disclosure 5, wherein the candidate creation unit sets as the candidates a series set of the plurality of transport lots that can make the dispensing sequence the same as the removal sequence if the objects are temporarily placed and can include all of the plurality of objects without overlapping. [Disclosure 7] The supply sequence determination device according to Disclosure 6, wherein the evaluation values ​​include an evaluation value for evaluating the number of times the object is temporarily placed. [Disclosure 8] The supply sequence determination device described in any one of Disclosures 5 to 7, wherein the candidate creation unit checks whether the multiple candidates can make the dispensing order the same as the removal order and can include all of the multiple objects without overlapping, based on the constraints of the processing equipment. [Disclosure 9] The candidate creation unit enumerates a set of series of the plurality of transport lots that can contain all of the plurality of objects without overlap, and then, based on the constraints of the processing equipment, creates as the candidate a series of the plurality of transport lots that can be made to match the withdrawal order, which is the actual removal order of the plurality of objects from the processing equipment, when the plurality of objects are supplied to the processing equipment in the supply order to be determined. The supply sequence determination device described in any one of Disclosures 5 to 8. [Disclosure 10] the plurality of arrays are a plurality of piles, The supply sequence determination device according to any one of Disclosures 1 to 9, wherein the arrangement is a pile arrangement of the plurality of piles. [Disclosure 11] A supply sequence determination method for determining a supply sequence of a plurality of objects to processing equipment, comprising: an acquiring step of acquiring arrangement information including a take-out order given to the plurality of objects from the processing equipment in advance and an arrangement appearance representing an arrangement order of the objects in a plurality of arrays each formed by one or more of the plurality of objects; a supply order determination step of determining a supply order of the plurality of objects based on the arrangement information, The supply order determination step a transport lot enumeration step for enumerating, for each of the plurality of arrays, transport lots that are collections of the objects that can be transported at one time based on the order in which the objects are taken out of the array, while allowing overlapping of the objects among the plurality of transport lots; a determining step of determining a supply order of the transport lots based on a removal order of the objects included in the transport lots; A supply sequence determination method comprising: [Disclosure 12] A program for causing a computer to function as each unit of the supply sequence determination device according to any one of Disclosures 1 to 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 100 Processing equipment 101 Acquisition Department 102 Supply sequence determination unit 102a Transport Lot Enumeration Department 102b Decision section 102b1 Candidate Creation Department 102b2 Solution determination part 103 Output section 110 Input Device 120 Output Device 310 Reception Building 320 Crane 330, 331 Transport table 340(340a~340c) Heating furnace 350 Hot Rolling Line 510(510a~510e) Sekiyama 610 (610a~510f) Transport lot candidates 620 (620a~620c) Transport lot candidates that are not transport lots 700 Transport lot series set 710(710a~710c) Transport lot M (M1~M3) Slab

Claims

1. A supply sequence determination device that determines a supply sequence of a plurality of objects to a processing facility, an acquisition unit that acquires arrangement information including a take-out order from the processing equipment that is previously assigned to the plurality of objects and an arrangement appearance that represents an arrangement order of the objects in a plurality of arrays each formed by one or more of the plurality of objects; a supply order determination unit that determines a supply order of the plurality of objects based on the arrangement information, The supply sequence determination unit a transport lot enumeration unit that enumerates, for each of the plurality of arrays, transport lots that are collections of the objects that can be transported at one time based on the order in which the objects are taken out of the array, while allowing overlapping of the objects among the plurality of transport lots; a determination unit that determines a supply order of the transport lots based on the order in which the objects included in the transport lots are taken out; A supply sequence determination device having the above structure.

2. The transport lot enumeration unit determines that any two objects in the array can be included in the same transport lot if they have a certain relationship that determines that there is a possibility that the actual removal order, that is, the dispensing order, can be changed to the removal order in the processing equipment after supply to the processing equipment, even if the supply order to be determined is reversed in relation to the removal order.

3. The supply sequence determination device according to claim 2 , wherein the predetermined relationship exists when a difference in the takeout sequence between the objects is equal to or less than a threshold value.

4. the alignment information includes at least one of a weight and a size of the object; A supply sequence determination device described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transport lot enumeration unit enumerates the transport lots based on the order of removal in the array and constraints regarding the weight or size of the objects that can be transported by the transport means that supplies the objects to the processing equipment.

5. The determination unit a candidate creation unit that creates candidates for a series set of the plurality of transport lots that can be set to match the take-out order of the objects included in each of the plurality of transport lots when the plurality of objects are supplied to the processing equipment in the supply order to be determined based on the take-out order of the objects included in each of the plurality of transport lots and that can include all of the plurality of objects without overlapping, so that the actual take-out order, i.e., the dispensing order, of the plurality of objects from the processing equipment can be set to match the take-out order; a solution determination unit that determines the candidate to be a solution based on an evaluation value that evaluates the candidate; The supply sequence determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:

6. 6. The supply sequence determination device according to claim 5, wherein the candidate creation unit selects as the candidate a series set of the plurality of transport lots that can make the take-out sequence the same as the take-out sequence if the objects are temporarily placed and that can include all of the plurality of objects without overlapping.

7. The supply sequence determination device according to claim 6 , wherein the evaluation values ​​include an evaluation value for evaluating the number of times the object has been temporarily placed.

8. The supply sequence determination device according to claim 5, wherein the candidate creation unit checks whether the plurality of candidates can make the dispensing order the same as the removal order and can include all of the plurality of objects without overlapping, based on the constraints of the processing equipment.

9. 6. The supply sequence determination device according to claim 5, wherein the candidate creation unit enumerates a set of transport lot series that can contain all of the objects without overlap, and then, based on the constraints of the processing equipment, creates as the candidate a series of transport lots that can be used to determine the order of removal, which is the actual order of removal of the objects from the processing equipment, when the objects are supplied to the processing equipment in the supply sequence to be determined.

10. the plurality of arrays are a plurality of piles, 4. The supply sequence determination device according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement is a pile arrangement of the plurality of piles.

11. A supply sequence determination method for determining a supply sequence of a plurality of objects to processing equipment, comprising: an acquiring step of acquiring arrangement information including a take-out order given to the plurality of objects from the processing equipment in advance and an arrangement appearance representing an arrangement order of the objects in a plurality of arrays each formed by one or more of the plurality of objects; a supply order determination step of determining a supply order of the plurality of objects based on the arrangement information, The supply order determination step a transport lot enumeration step for enumerating, for each of the plurality of arrays, transport lots that are collections of the objects that can be transported at one time based on the order in which the objects are taken out of the array, while allowing overlapping of the objects among the plurality of transport lots; a determining step of determining a supply order of the transport lots based on a removal order of the objects included in the transport lots; A supply sequence determination method comprising:

12. A program for causing a computer to function as each unit of the supply sequence determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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