Industrial equipment design equipment

Abstract

To provide a design device capable of designing and estimating industrial facilities according to needs of a user even when there is no professional knowledge of a robot or the like.SOLUTION: With a design device 1, an input unit 11, a facilities design unit 12, and an estimating calculation unit 13 perform design of facilities and estimation of a cost only by an input of information of work and processing to be applied to the work by a user according to an object process selection screen 21 and a work supply selection screen 25 of work. In design of facilities, specifications of facilities greatly change depending on settings of a cycle time indicating machining time per work and tact time indicating time in which a robot grips one work and machining is completed. With the design device 1, design and estimation of facilities are performed based on the cycle time and the tact time information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for designing industrial facilities. [Background technology]

[0002] Industrial equipment, mainly industrial robots, are being introduced to improve the efficiency of work in factories, etc. When introducing such robots, the design is carried out by designers who have knowledge of robots and know-how for introducing equipment.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a system that can facilitate design by using a database that stores information on previously manufactured equipment so that designers can easily design industrial equipment. Patent Document 2 discloses a system that iconizes equipment such as robots and allows the user to design by arranging the icons on a design screen, and at the same time, makes it possible to estimate the cost of introducing the equipment. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-219857 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2019-061404 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The system described in Patent Document 1 makes it easy for designers to design industrial equipment and also enables them to obtain estimate information, but there is a growing demand for designing industrial equipment even when such designers are not available.

[0006] However, the system described in Patent Document 1 does not allow designing without knowledge of robots and other equipment, and does not allow obtaining an estimate of the costs required for the equipment to be designed.

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a device that allows a user to design industrial equipment according to the user's needs even if the user does not have specialized knowledge of robots, etc. Another aim of the present invention is to provide a device that allows a user to obtain an estimate of the cost required to introduce the designed equipment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the industrial equipment design device of the present invention is an apparatus for designing industrial equipment including a robot that transports and processes workpieces using a computer, and includes an input unit that receives input from a user, and an equipment design unit that selects necessary equipment from input information input from the input unit to design the equipment, the input unit including information on the type of transport and processing, a supply method for the workpieces, workpiece information including the shape of the workpieces, processing time for each of the workpieces, This is the time it takes for the robot to grasp one workpiece and complete processing. This system is characterized in that it is possible to input takt time information, which indicates whether or not importance is attached to takt time, and operation time information, which determines the extent of continuous operation time.

[0009] According to the design device for industrial equipment of the present invention, when designing industrial equipment, a user inputs, into an input section, work information including the type of conveyance and processing, the supply method of the work, and the shape of the work, the processing time for each work, takt time information indicating whether or not to emphasize the takt time, and operation time information determining the degree of continuous operation time. In other words, even a user who has no knowledge of industrial equipment including robots and no design experience can design industrial equipment. Here, the takt time is the time from when a robot grasps one work to when processing is completed.

[0010] Furthermore, in the industrial equipment design device of the present invention, the type of transportation / processing is selected from at least one of receiving / unloading, transportation / removal, processing, assembly, inspection, or packaging, the supply method is selected from at least one of bulk loading, stocker, with conveyor positioning, or without conveyor positioning for the supply of the work, the work information is selected from at least one of ring / disc / nut type parts, rod-shaped parts, or others (complex shapes made by sheet metal, casting, or forging) as the shape of the work, the dimensions of the work and the weight of the work are input, and the operating time information is selected from at least whether long-term operation beyond a predetermined operating time is required or whether long-term operation is not required.

[0011] According to this configuration, a user can design industrial equipment by selecting an item prepared in advance for each input item and inputting work information.

[0012] In addition, when the industrial equipment design device of the present invention is equipped with an estimate calculation unit that estimates the costs required to construct the equipment and the equipment, it can calculate estimates of the equipment costs including mechanical design costs, electrical design and wiring costs, and costs including software design for the industrial equipment designed by the equipment design unit. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, even if a user does not have specialized knowledge of robots, etc., the user can design industrial equipment according to the user's needs. In addition, the user can obtain an estimate of the cost required to introduce the industrial equipment that the user has designed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of a facility design device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a target process selection screen for selecting a process for a workpiece. [Diagram 3]FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a supply selection screen for selecting a work supply method. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a quantity input unit for inputting the number of workpieces stored in a stocker. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an information input section for a workpiece when the workpiece is ring-shaped; [Figure 6] FIG. 1A is an explanatory diagram showing the work information input section when the work is a rod-shaped part, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing the work information input section when the work has another shape. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a cycle time input screen for inputting a machining time per workpiece. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen for inputting information on a workpiece takt time. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen for inputting the continuous operation time of the equipment. [Figure 10] An explanatory diagram showing a design result screen that displays images or videos of the designed equipment and the equipment specifications and estimates. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Next, an industrial facility design device as an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 10. The design device 1 of this embodiment is a device realized by a server 2 and software stored in the server 2, as shown in Figure 1.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 1, the server 2 is connected to a network 3 such as the Internet. A user terminal 4 and an equipment information database 5 are also connected to the network 3. The user terminal 4 may be a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or another terminal capable of viewing and operating a screen formed by the design device 1 of this embodiment. The equipment information database 5 is a database that stores equipment information on various robots including industrial robots, as well as on stockers, conveyors, recognition sensors, and the like.

[0017] The server 2 includes a computer as its main hardware. The computer includes a processor such as a CPU, a storage device such as a RAM, a ROM, a hard disk, or an SSD (Solid State Drive), a communication unit for connecting to the network 3, and the like. The storage device of the server 2 stores a program for operating the server 2 as the design device 1 of the present embodiment. The computer includes a cloud computing system.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 1, the server 2 includes an input unit 11, an equipment design unit 12, and an estimate calculation unit 13 as functional units realized by a program. The input unit 11 is a functional unit that displays various input screens on the user terminal 4 and receives information input by the user. The equipment design unit 12 is a functional unit that designs industrial equipment that meets the needs of the user, using the input information acquired by the input unit 11 and equipment data such as devices stored in the equipment information database 5. The estimate calculation unit 13 is a functional unit that estimates the cost of the equipment designed by the equipment design unit 12.

[0019] 2 to 9 on the user terminal 4, and allows the user to input information that can be answered based on the user's knowledge regarding the specifications of the equipment desired. Even if the user is not familiar with equipment such as robots, this input unit is designed to be sufficient for inputting what kind of processing is desired to be performed on the workpiece.

[0020] The equipment design unit 12 can design industrial equipment that meets the user's needs and display the designed industrial equipment on the user terminal 4 (FIG. 10). Similarly, the estimate calculation unit 13 can make an estimate for the production equipment designed by the equipment design unit 12 and display details of the estimated costs on the user terminal 4 (FIG. 10).

[0021] The equipment information database 5 stores information on various robots including industrial robots, stockers, conveyors, recognition sensors, etc. The data on the robots stored includes the type, size, shape, function, operating speed, operating range, power consumption, optional equipment, price, etc. of the robot.

[0022] Data on stockers in the equipment information database 5 includes data on the type, size, shape, and price of the stocker. Data on conveyors includes data on the type, length, width, drive mechanism, transport speed, power consumption, optional equipment, and price of the conveyor. In addition, data on recognition sensors, protective fences, rotating lights, control panels, and other equipment necessary for factories is stored in the equipment information database 5. This data is provided by manufacturers or agents of these products.

[0023] Next, the operation of the design device 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 10. A user can connect to the design device 1 of this embodiment via a user terminal 4. For example, the user can access the design device 1 from a web browser or an application (program) pre-installed in the user terminal 4. In this case, the user can access the design device 1 even if he or she has not previously registered as a user of the design device 1.

[0024] When a user accesses the design device 1 to design industrial equipment or estimate costs, the user accesses the URL of the design device 1 via a web browser or the like of the user terminal 4. When the user accesses the design device 1 of this embodiment, a target process selection screen 21 shown in Fig. 2(A) is displayed.

[0025] The user selects the process that the user desires on this target process selection screen 21. The options are receiving / unloading, transporting / removing, processing, assembly, inspection, packing, or others. In the following, in this embodiment, the operation when processing is selected on the target process selection screen 21 will be described.

[0026] When a user selects a processing operation on the target process selection screen 21 and clicks (or taps) the Next button 23, a processing content selection screen 22 shown in Fig. 2(B) is displayed. The user selects the desired processing content on this processing content selection screen 22. Here, for example, when selecting polishing and deburring processing, the user clicks on the "○" in front of the words "polishing and deburring processing" on the user terminal 4, and the circle becomes a "●" as shown in Fig. 2(B).

[0027] In this way, when the user selects the polishing / deburring process on the process content selection screen 22 and clicks the Next button 23, the supply selection screen 25 shown in Fig. 3 is displayed. On the other hand, when the user wants to return to the target process selection screen 21, the user clicks the Back button 24.

[0028] The supply selection screen 25 displays a flow chart 26 showing the procedure for constructing industrial equipment for polishing and deburring, and a supply selection section 27 for work supply. In Fig. 3, the "1" displayed below the supply method in the flow chart 26 is highlighted, indicating that the currently displayed screen is a screen for selecting the work supply method.

[0029] The user selects the workpiece supply method in the supply selection unit 27. In this embodiment, the workpiece supply method has each option of bulk pile, stocker, with conveyor positioning, and without conveyor positioning.

[0030] Depending on the work supply method, the specifications of the equipment when picking up the workpieces differ, so the user is asked to select a supply method from the above options according to their needs. For example, if the user selects bulk loading, bulk loading is selected in the supply selection unit 27.

[0031] Here, as shown in Fig. 3, when the user selects bulk loading and clicks the Next button 23, a quantity input section 28 is displayed in which the number of workpieces stored in the Paletina Stocker is input, as shown in Fig. 4. In this embodiment, bulk loading of workpieces means that the workpieces are stored in a container such as a Paletina Stocker without being arranged. When the user wants to return to the target process selection screen 21, the user clicks the Back button 24.

[0032] Even when the user selects a stocker in the supply selection section 27 and clicks the next button 23, a quantity input section 28 for inputting how many workpieces are stored in the Palletina Stocker is displayed as shown in Fig. 4, and the number of workpieces can be input. In this embodiment, a stocker means that the works are arranged and stored in the Palletina Stocker.

[0033] When the user inputs the number 20 in the quantity input section 28 in FIG. 4 if the number of workpieces is about 20, and clicks the Next button 23, a work shape selection screen 29 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed.

[0034] When the user selects "with conveyor positioning" or "without conveyor positioning" in the supply selection section 27 in Fig. 3 and clicks the Next button 23, the work shape selection screen 29 shown in Fig. 5 is also displayed. In the case of transportation by conveyor, the work is picked up from the conveyor, so options related to the stocker, etc. are not displayed.

[0035] On the workpiece shape selection screen 29, the user selects the shape of the workpiece, inputs the weight of the workpiece, and acquires the workpiece information by the input unit 11. In this embodiment, the shape of the workpiece is selected from among ring / disc / nut type parts, bar-shaped parts, and others (complex shapes made by sheet metal, casting, forging, etc.). Here, the number "2" below the description of the workpiece shape in the flow chart 26 is inverted, indicating that this is the screen for selecting the workpiece shape.

[0036] When the user selects a ring-shaped workpiece, the information input section 30 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. Here, the workpiece outer diameter (inner diameter) and workpiece height, i.e., the dimensions of the workpiece, are input. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, a weight input section 31 for inputting the workpiece weight is displayed below the ring-shaped workpiece information input section 30. When the user inputs the workpiece outer diameter (inner diameter) and workpiece height in the ring-shaped workpiece information input section 30, inputs the workpiece weight in the weight input section 31, and clicks the next button 23, a cycle time input screen 34 shown in FIG. 7, which will be described later, is displayed.

[0037] When the user selects a rod-shaped part on the work shape selection screen 29 in Fig. 5, a rod-shaped work information input section 32 shown in Fig. 6(A) is displayed. Here, the diameter and length (dimension) of the work are input.

[0038] Also, when the user selects "Other", the other work information input section 33 shown in Fig. 6(B) is displayed. Here, the work width, work depth, and work height are input. In either case, when the work weight is input and the Next button 23 is clicked, the cycle time input screen 34 shown in Fig. 7 is displayed.

[0039] Referring to Fig. 7, the cycle time input screen 34 allows the user to input the expected processing time per workpiece. If the cycle time is shorter than a predetermined threshold, the emphasis is on speed, and a SCARA robot is the first choice for the robot. Also, if the workpieces are piled up in a random pile, it may be necessary to provide a work feeder between the palette and the processing device to shorten the time it takes to pick up the workpieces.

[0040] On the other hand, when the cycle time is longer than a specified threshold, speed is not emphasized, so that, for example, random picking can be performed even if the workpieces are piled up in bulk, allowing the equipment configuration to be simplified.

[0041] Here, the cycle time threshold value differs depending on the process performed on the workpiece, either transport or processing, but the threshold value can be set according to each process, such as 1 to 10 seconds for transport and 20 seconds to 5 minutes for processing.

[0042] Generally, known types of robots include cartesian coordinate robots (orthogonal coordinate type), cylindrical coordinate robots, polar coordinate robots, articulated robots (vertical articulated type), SCARA robots (horizontal articulated type), parallel link robots, and dual-arm robots. In the design device 1 of this embodiment, information on various robots that can be traded as products is stored in the equipment information database 5, and the equipment design unit 12 selects these robots based on various conditions.

[0043] When the user inputs a processing time in the cycle time input screen 34 and clicks the next button 23, a takt time information input screen 35 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed.

[0044] The user selects whether to place importance on the takt time or not on the takt time information input screen 35. The takt time is the time it takes for a robot to grasp one workpiece and complete machining.

[0045] The threshold value for whether or not to emphasize the takt time is stored in advance in the equipment design unit 12 according to the type of processing for the workpiece, but can be changed according to the user's requests.

[0046] When takt time is important, speed is required for the robot, so the fast SCARA robot is the first choice. However, depending on the type of processing work, there are cases where a SCARA robot cannot handle it, in which case another type of robot, such as a 6-axis articulated robot, should be selected.

[0047] When the user selects whether to place importance or little importance on takt time on takt time information input screen 35 and clicks the Next button 23, an operation time selection screen 36 is displayed, as shown in FIG. 9, in which the user can determine the degree of continuous operation time and whether to place importance on continuous operation time.

[0048] The user selects operation time information on whether a long operation time (e.g. 30 minutes) longer than a predetermined operation time is required or whether long operation time is not required on the operation time selection screen 36. If a long operation time is required, it is preferable to supply the workpieces using a conveyor, and if a Palletina Stocker is used, it is necessary to use one that can store a large number of workpieces.

[0049] On the other hand, if long-term operation is not required, equipment such as conveyors can be eliminated. The standard time for long-term operation is pre-stored in the equipment design unit 12 according to the type of work, etc., but can be changed according to the user's request.

[0050] When the user selects whether a long continuous operation time is desired or a short one is acceptable on the operation time selection screen 36 and clicks the estimate button 37, the data entered from the input unit 11 is sent to the equipment design unit 12. In the equipment design unit 12, equipment such as a robot, a stocker, or a conveyor is designed based on the data in the equipment information database 5.

[0051] The facility design unit 12 acquires data related to robots, etc. from the data stored in the facility information database 5 based on the input information entered from the input unit 11. For example, when the type of transport / processing is transport, data on robots capable of transporting workpieces is acquired. At that time, since the input unit 11 has acquired the workpiece supply method, workpiece information including the shape of the workpiece, cycle time which is the processing time for one workpiece, and takt time information as to whether or not importance is attached to the takt time, a robot that meets these conditions is searched for and extracted.

[0052] Furthermore, the estimate calculation unit 13 estimates the cost of the industrial equipment designed by the equipment design unit 12. The estimate calculation unit 13 calculates estimates of the costs of the industrial equipment designed by the equipment design unit 12, including equipment costs including mechanical design costs, electrical design and wiring costs, and software design costs.

[0053] After the equipment design unit 12 designs the equipment and the estimate calculation unit estimates the cost, a design result screen 38 is displayed on the user terminal 4, as shown in Fig. 10. The design result screen 38 displays details of the equipment designed by the equipment design unit 12, an image or video of the equipment, and a cost estimate, etc.

[0054] In Fig. 10, the equipment specification column displays the system name, system function, processing specifications, and equipment information. In addition, the figure displays information such as the equipment price, continuous operation time, takt time, cost breakdown, delivered items, and delivery location.

[0055] If there are multiple robots extracted by the equipment design unit 12, they are ranked with reference to the constraints of the installation location, the presence or absence of linkage with other ancillary equipment, etc., and further with reference to price, and the one with the lowest overall price is finally extracted. In addition, the multiple extracted equipment can be displayed in a column of similar robot systems on the design result screen 38 shown in Figure 10 and presented to the user.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the operation when polishing and deburring the workpiece has been described, but problems can also be solved by the same operation as above for receiving and unloading, transporting and removing, assembling, inspecting, packing, and other operations.

[0057] In addition, in the above embodiment, the facility information database 5 is provided separately from the server 2, but the facility information database 5 may be provided within the server 2. In addition, various screens may be provided with a button or the like for displaying a chat screen to respond to user questions, etc.

[0058] As described above, according to the design device 1 of the present invention, even a person who has no experience in designing robots or other equipment can design equipment by simply inputting the information required on the various screens displayed by the input unit 11. In addition, a cost estimate for the designed equipment can also be obtained.

[0059] Furthermore, by repeating the above operations while changing the information to be input, it is possible to know the specifications and costs of various types of equipment. This will give the user new insights and information about equipment that the user was not aware of, which is expected to reveal the user's potential needs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1…Design equipment 2. Server 3. Network 4. User terminal 5. Facility information database 11...Input section 12…Equipment Design Department 13... Estimate Calculation Department 21…Target process selection screen 22... Processing content selection screen 23...Next button 24…Back button 25…Supply selection screen 26...Flow chart 27…Supply selection section 28…Quantity input section 29…Work shape selection screen 30…Ring-shaped workpiece information input section 31...Weight input section 32...Information input section for rod-shaped workpieces 33...Other work information input section 34...Cycle time input screen 35…Takt time information input screen 36...Operation time selection screen 37…Quote button 38…Design result screen

Claims

1. An apparatus for designing industrial equipment including a robot that transports and processes workpieces using a computer, an input unit for accepting input from a user; an equipment design unit that selects necessary equipment from the input information input from the input unit and designs the equipment; The input unit is capable of inputting work information including the type of transportation and processing, the method of supplying the workpiece, and the shape of the workpiece, processing time for each of the workpieces, takt time information indicating whether or not to place importance on takt time, which is the time it takes for the robot to grasp a single workpiece and complete processing, and operating time information determining the degree of continuous operating time.

2. The design device for industrial equipment according to claim 1, The type of transportation / processing is selected from at least one of receiving / unloading, transporting / removing, processing, assembly, inspection, or packaging; The supply method selects the supply of the workpiece from at least one of bulk pile, stocker, conveyor positioning, and conveyor positioning without conveyor positioning; The workpiece information includes at least one of a ring, disk, or nut type part, a rod-shaped part, or other (complex shape by sheet metal, casting, or forging) as the shape of the workpiece, and the dimensions and weight of the workpiece are input; The operating time information is at least a design device for industrial equipment that selects whether long-term operation equal to or longer than a predetermined operating time is required or whether long-term operation is not required.

3. The design device for industrial equipment according to claim 1 or 2, an estimate calculation unit that estimates the cost required for constructing the device and the facility; The estimate calculation unit is an industrial equipment design device that calculates estimates of costs, including equipment costs including mechanical design costs, electrical design and wiring costs, and software design costs, for the industrial equipment designed by the equipment design unit.

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