Production equipment management system

Abstract

To enable re-generation of a production plan when an operator's work shift is changed in a management system for a production facility including a plurality of devices. [Solution] A management system 10 for generating a production plan for a production facility 100 includes a production facility information memory unit 16 that stores production facility information related to the production facility, a work shift memory unit 30 that stores work shifts for operators working at the production facility, an order memory unit 14 that stores order information including the type of work, production quantity and delivery date, an input unit 12 that provides input to the order memory unit and the work shift memory unit, a production plan generation unit 34 that generates a production plan based on the production facility information, orders and work shifts and compares the completion time of the generated production plan with the delivery date, a production plan memory unit 36 ​​that stores the comparison result between the generated production plan and the delivery date, and a display unit 32 that displays the generated production plan, the comparison result with the delivery date and the work shifts.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a management system for generating a production plan for a production facility including a machine tool, a transport device, and a setup device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a production management method for receiving an order and generating a production plan taking into consideration the load status of the manufacturing line. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2011 / 121703 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the production management method described in Patent Document 1, manufacturing conditions including the product to be ordered, the number of orders, the desired delivery date, and the manufacturing period are input, and orders are allocated to each day based on the production plan stored in the production plan storage unit and the manufacturing resource information stored in the manufacturing resource information storage unit so as to minimize the difference in the load on the manufacturing line for each day included in the manufacturing period. However, since the production plan is not generated in relation to the operator's work shifts, there is a problem that an appropriate production plan cannot be generated when, for example, the work shift is changed.

[0005] The present invention has as its technical objective the resolution of such problems with the conventional technology, and aims to improve the work efficiency of production managers involved in determining production plans by generating production plans taking into account the work shifts of operators and making it possible to generate the production plans again if the work shifts are changed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to the present invention, a management system for generating a production plan for a production facility including a machine tool, a transport device, and a setup device includes a production facility information storage unit which stores production facility information related to the production facility, a work shift storage unit which stores work shifts of operators working at the production facility, an order storage unit which stores orders including a type of workpiece, a production quantity, and a delivery date, an input unit which inputs the orders to the order storage unit and inputs the work shifts to the work shift storage unit, a production plan generation unit which generates a production plan based on at least the production facility information, the orders, and the work shifts, and compares a completion time of the generated production plan with the delivery date, a production plan storage unit which stores the generated production plan and a comparison result against the delivery date, and a display unit which displays the generated production plan, the comparison result against the delivery date, and the work shifts. a notification unit which, when an input related to a new, separate order is made to the order storage unit while the production plan generating unit is generating a production plan, holds the input related to the new, separate order and notifies a production manager via a speaker, a display unit, and / or a terminal that the input related to the new, separate order has been made; Including, The production plan generating unit may be configured to generate a production plan again when a change in the work shift is input. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the collation result of the generated production plan and the delivery date and the work shifts are displayed, and when the work shift is changed, the production plan is generated again, so that when the delivery date cannot be met, the work shifts of the insufficient operators can be increased to meet the delivery date. Also, according to the present invention, when the delivery date can be met, it becomes possible to reduce the burden on each operator or to reduce surplus work shifts to reduce labor costs. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a preferred embodiment of the management system of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a production facility to which the management system of FIG. 1 is applied. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of order information. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of machine tool information. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of setup device information. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of palette information. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of transport device information. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of work information. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of work shift pattern information. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of work shift information. [Figure 11] 1 is a flowchart showing a production plan generation process. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a generated production plan. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a Gantt chart as a production plan displayed on a display unit. [Figure 14] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating an example of a Gantt chart displayed on the display unit when the delivery date can be met, and a sub-window displaying that the delivery date can be met. [Figure 15] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating an example of a Gantt chart displayed on the display unit when the delivery date cannot be met, and a sub-window displaying the fact that the delivery date cannot be met. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a work shift change dialog box that is displayed superimposed on a Gantt chart when a work shift is changed. [Figure 17] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing another example of a Gantt chart displayed on the display unit when the delivery date can be met, and a sub-window displaying that the delivery date can be met. [Figure 18] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing another example of a Gantt chart displayed on the display unit when the delivery date cannot be met, and a sub-window displaying the fact that the delivery date cannot be met. [Figure 19] 13 is a diagram showing yet another example of a Gantt chart displayed on the display unit when the delivery date can be met, and a sub-window displaying that the delivery date can be met. FIG. [Figure 20] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a Gantt chart displayed on a display unit when a delivery deadline cannot be met, and a message indicating that the delivery deadline cannot be met being displayed in separate non-overlapping windows or areas. FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a notification unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic block diagram of a production facility 100 to which the present invention is applied and a management system 10 for managing the production facility are shown. In FIG. 2, the production facility 100 includes at least one machine tool 102, 104, at least one setup device 106, 108, a pallet stocker 112, and a conveying device 110 as main components. In the example of FIG. 2, the machine tools 102, 104 are horizontal machining centers having a rotating spindle S, and include a table (not shown) for fixing a pallet P1, a pallet changer PC, and a feed device (not shown) for relatively moving the table and the rotating spindle S at least in three orthogonal axial directions of X, Y, and Z. The feed device may include a rotary feed device (not shown). The pallet changer exchanges the pallet P1 on which a machined workpiece is attached with the pallet P2 on which an unmachined workpiece is attached.

[0010] The machine tools 102, 104 may further include a tool magazine (not shown) that stores a plurality of tools used in machining, an automatic tool changer (not shown) that changes tools between the tool magazine and the rotating spindle S, a coolant supplying device (not shown) that supplies coolant to the machining area of ​​the machine tools 102, 104, etc. The machine tools 102, 104 may further include an NC device that controls the drive motor of the rotating spindle S and the drive motor of the feed shaft device, and a machine control device that controls peripheral devices such as the pallet changer, the tool magazine, the automatic tool changer, and the coolant supplying device.

[0011] In the setup change devices 106 and 108, an operator can perform a setup operation of attaching and detaching a workpiece (workpiece) to and from a pallet. The pallet stocker 112 can include shelves for storing the pallet P with the work W attached or the pallet P without the work W attached. The transfer device 110 transfers the pallet P with the work W attached among the machine tools 102 and 104, the pallet stocker 112, and the setup change devices 106 and 108. The transfer device 110 may transfer only the pallet P without the work W attached or directly transfer the work W not attached to the pallet P. The transfer device 110 may transfer articles other than the work W or the pallet P, such as tools. The transfer device 110 and the setup change devices 106 and 108 can each include their own control device (local control device).

[0012] The production facility 100 is controlled by the management system 10. The management system 10 can include, as main components, an input unit 12, an order storage unit 14, a production facility information storage unit 16, a work shift storage unit 30, a display unit 32, a production plan generation unit 34, a production plan storage unit 36, and a production execution unit 38. The production facility information storage unit 16 can include a machine tool information storage unit 18, a setup change device information storage unit 20, a pallet information storage unit 22, a transfer facility information storage unit 24, a work information storage unit 26, and a work shift pattern storage unit 28.

[0013] The management system 10 can be composed of a computer device including a CPU (central processing unit), a memory device such as a RAM (random access memory) and a ROM (read only memory), a storage device such as an SSD (solid state drive), a network communication device, an input / output port, and a bidirectional bus interconnecting these, and related software. The management system 10 can be connected to the NC device or machine control device of the machine tools 102 and 104, the local control devices of the transfer device 110 and the setup change devices 106 and 108 via a communication network (not shown) conforming to a communication standard such as IEEE802.3 (Ethernet) or IEEE802.11 (wireless LAN).

[0014] The input unit 12 can be configured with an input device such as a keyboard (not shown) or a touch panel (not shown) connected to an input / output port. The input unit 12 may also be formed by a server (not shown) or a personal computer on a communication network connected to a network communication device. The order storage unit 14, the production facility information storage unit 16, the work shift storage unit 30, and the production plan storage unit 36 ​​can be configured with memory areas or storage areas partitioned in the above-mentioned memory devices or storage devices.

[0015] The display unit 32 can be configured by a display device (not shown) of a computer device constituting the management system 10. The display unit 32 may include a program for generating images and characters to be displayed on the display device. The display unit 32 may be a display device such as a touch panel provided on a control panel (not shown) of the production facility 100 production-managed by the management system 10 or on a control panel (not shown) of each of the machine tools 102, 104 of the production facility 100. In this case, the input unit 12 may include the touch panel of the control panel.

[0016] The order storage unit 14 stores information (order information) related to the order input from the input unit 12. The order information can be stored in the order storage unit 14 in the form of a table, as shown in FIG. 3 as an example. In FIG. 3, the order information includes an "order number" which is a number assigned to each order and identifies the order, a "production work" which is an identification name (such as a designation or a product number) of the work to be produced, a "production number" which is the number of the work to be produced, a "production start time" which is the time when the production of the work should start, and a "delivery date" which is the deadline by which all of the work pieces indicated in the "production number" should be produced. The "delivery date" can be defined as the time when the processing of the work is completed, the time when the processed work is removed from the pallet, the time when the produced work is ready to be shipped from the factory, and the like. In the example of FIG. 3, the "production start time" and the "delivery date" are specified by date and time, but they may be simply dates. The order information may include other information related to the order.

[0017] The machine tool information storage unit 18 stores information (machine tool information) related to all machine tools 102, 104 equipped in the production facility 100 that is production-managed by the management system 10. The machine tool information can be input from the input unit 12. The machine tool information can be stored in the machine tool information storage unit 18 in the form of a table, as shown in FIG. 4 as an example. In FIG. 4, the machine tool information includes an "identification name", a "model name", and an "operation status". The "identification name" is the name of the machine tools 102, 104 in the production facility 100, and in this embodiment, the identification names MC1, MC2 correspond to the machine tools 102, 104 in FIG. 2, respectively. The "model name" is the model of the machine tool, and can be, for example, a model number, a product number, or a product number.

[0018] The "operating state" indicates whether or not the machine tool can be used. In FIG. 4, only "operating" is shown as the "operating state", but the "operating state" can include, for example, "stopped", which indicates that the machine tool cannot be used due to reasons such as failure, repair, or maintenance. The "operating state" can be input by the operator or input from the NC devices or machine control devices of the machine tools 102 and 104 via the communication network.

[0019] As an example, the machine tool information shown in FIG. 4 indicates that the machine tools 102 and 104 of the production facility 100 each have an identification name MC1 and MC2, are machine tools of the same model with the model name a71nx, and are both in a usable state. The machine tool information may include other information related to the machine tools 102 and 104.

[0020] The tool changer information storage unit 20 stores information (tool changer information) regarding all the tool changers 106 and 108 provided in the production facility 100. The tool changer information can be input from the input unit 12. The tool changer information can be stored in the tool changer information storage unit 20 in the form of a table as shown in FIG. 5 as an example. In FIG. 5, the tool changer information includes an "identification name" and an "operating state". The "identification name" is the name of the tool changers 106 and 108 in the production facility 100. In this embodiment, the identification names WSS1 and WSS2 respectively correspond to the tool changers 106 and 108 in FIG. 2.

[0021] The "operating state" indicates whether the setup device is in a usable state or not. Although only "operating" is shown as the "operating state" in FIG. 5, the "operating state" can include, for example, "stopped", which indicates that the setup device is not usable due to a reason such as a breakdown, repair, or maintenance. The "operating state" can be input by an operator or input from the local control device of the setup device 106, 108 via a communication network. As an example, the setup device information shown in FIG. 5 indicates that the setup devices 106, 108 of the production facility 100 are in a usable state. The setup device information may include other information related to the setup devices 106, 108.

[0022] The pallet information storage unit 22 stores information (pallet information) related to all pallets P equipped in the production facility 100. The pallet information can be input from the input unit 12. The pallet information can be stored in the pallet information storage unit 22 in the form of a table, as shown in FIG. 6 as an example. In FIG. 6, the pallet information includes "identification name," "corresponding work," "storage location," and "operation status." The "identification name" is the name of each pallet P in the production facility 100. In FIG. 6 as an example, P1, P2, P3, P4, ... mean pallet No. 1, pallet No. 2, pallet No. 3, pallet No. 4, .... The "identification name" may simply be 1, 2, 3, 4, ... instead of P1, P2, P3, P4, ....

[0023] Usually, a specialized jig for mounting a workpiece is fixed to the pallet P. The "corresponding workpiece" is information for identifying a workpiece that can be mounted on each pallet P. In FIG. 6, which shows an example, the "corresponding workpiece" field has the name of the workpiece to be mounted on the pallet P, that is, information on the "production workpiece." The "storage location" is the storage location of the pallet P in the pallet stocker 112, and can be, for example, an address assigned to each storage location. The "operating status" indicates whether the pallet is in a usable state or not. Note that, although only "usable" is shown as the "operating status" in FIG. 6, the "operating status" can also include, for example, "unusable," which indicates that the pallet cannot be used for reasons such as breakdown, repair, maintenance, and preparation.

[0024] 6 shows that pallets P1, P2, P3, P4, ... on which workpieces A, B, C, B, ... are mounted are all usable and are respectively stored in storage locations S1-9, S1-5, S1-8, S1-1, ... of pallet stocker 112. In this embodiment, the pallet stocker has a 2-tier x 10-row configuration, and the storage location "S1-9" for pallet P1 indicates that pallet P1 is stored in the "1st tier, 9th row."

[0025] The conveying device information storage unit 24 stores information (conveying device information) related to the conveying device 110 equipped in the production facility 100. The conveying device information can be input from the input unit 12. Referring to FIG. 7, the conveying device information can include an "identification name" which is the name of the conveying device 110 in the production facility 100, a "model name" which indicates the model of the conveying device 110, an "operating status" which indicates whether the conveying device 110 can be used, and a "conveying time" which is the time required to transport a pallet. The "identification name" is the name of the conveying device 110 in the production facility 100. The "model name" is the model of the conveying device 110, and can be, for example, a model number, a product number, or a product number.

[0026] The "operating state" indicates whether the transport device 110 is in a state where it can be used. Although only "operating" is shown as the "operating state" in Fig. 7, the "operating state" can include, for example, "stopped", which indicates that the transport device 110 cannot be used due to a breakdown, repair, maintenance, or the like. The "operating state" can be input by an operator or input from a local control device of the transport device 110 via a communication network.

[0027] "Transport time" is the time required for the transport device 110 to transport a pallet between devices in the production facility 100. FIG. 7 shows the time required to transport a pallet between the machine tool 102 (MC1) and the setup device 106 (WSS1). Note that FIG. 7 only shows the "transport time" required to transport a pallet between the machine tool 102 (MC1) and the setup device 106 (WSS1), but the transport device information can include the "transport time" required to transport a pallet between the machine tool 102 (MC1) and the setup device 108 (WSS2), the "transport time" required to transport a pallet between the machine tool 104 (MC2) and the setup device 106 (WSS1), and the "transport time" required to transport a pallet between the machine tool 104 (MC2) and the setup device 108 (WSS2). The "transport time" between the machine tools 102, 104 or setup devices 106, 108 and the pallet stocker 112 may also be included.

[0028] 7 shows that the transport device 110 of the production facility 100 has an identification name AGV1, is a transport device with a model name PZ1-AGV, is in an available state, and takes one minute to transport a pallet between the machine tool 102 (MC1) and the setup device 106 (WSS1). The transport device information may include other information related to the transport device 110.

[0029] The work information storage unit 26 stores information related to the work to be machined (work information). Referring to Fig. 8, the work information shown as an example includes "identification name", "machining program number", "machining time", "installation time", "removal time", "MC1 machining", "MC2 machining", "WSS1 setup", and "WSS2 setup". The work information can be input from the input unit 12. In this specification, "installation time" and "removal time" are collectively referred to as "setup time".

[0030] "Identification name" is the same information as the "production work" of the order above. "Processing program number" is the number of the processing program for processing the work. "Processing time" is the time required to process the work. "Installation time" is the time required for the setup device WSS1 (106) or WSS2 (108) to install the unmachined work on the pallet P. "Removal time" is the time required for the setup device WSS1 (106) or WSS2 (108) to remove the machined work from the pallet P. Note that in this specification, the "installation work" of the work on the pallet and the "removal work" from the pallet are also simply referred to as "setup."

[0031] "MC1 machining" and "MC2 machining" indicate whether the workpiece can be machined by the machine tools MC1 (102) and / or MC2 (104), i.e., the suitability of the machine tools for the workpiece. "WSS1 setup" and "WSS2 setup" indicate whether the workpiece can be set up on the pallet P by the setup device WSS1 (106) and / or WSS2 (108), i.e., the suitability of the setup device for the workpiece.

[0032] 8 shows that the workpieces to be machined in the production facility 100 are workpieces A, B, and C, that it takes 30 minutes, 45 minutes, and 60 minutes to machine each one, that it takes 5 minutes, 15 minutes, and 15 minutes to attach the unmachined workpiece to the pallet P, that it takes 5 minutes, 10 minutes, and 12 minutes to remove the machined workpiece from the pallet P, that the workpieces A and B can be machined by the machine tools MC1 and MC2, that the workpiece C can be machined by the machine tool MC1 but cannot be machined by the machine tool MC2, that the workpieces A and B can be set up for the pallet P by the set-up devices WSS1 and WSS2, and that the workpiece C can be set up for the pallet P by the set-up device WSS1 but cannot be set up by the set-up device WSS2. Furthermore, the workpiece information may include process information consisting of tasks required for the production of the workpieces and their order. Process information is composed of three pieces of information: the tasks required to produce the workpiece, the order of the tasks, and the equipment on which the tasks are executed, such as "1: Installation (setup device) → 2: Transport (transport device) → 3: Processing (machine tool) → 4: Transport (transport device) → 5: Removal (setup device)." Work information may include other information related to the workpiece.

[0033] The work shift pattern storage unit 28 stores information related to the work shift patterns of operators, that is, the normal working patterns of operators engaged in work related to the production equipment 100. The work shift pattern information can be input from the input unit 12. Referring to FIG. 9, the work shift pattern information shown as an example includes "pattern," "working hours 1," and "working hours 2."

[0034] A "pattern" is a name given to a working style in the production facility 100 or in the factory in which the production facility 100 is installed. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the "pattern" includes overtime work in addition to day shifts and night shifts. "Working hours 1" and "Working hours 2" are the times when the operator is engaged in work related to the production facility 100. The time between "Working hours 1" and "Working hours 2" can be a break.

[0035] The work shift pattern information shown in FIG. 9 includes, as work styles, day shift 1, working from 8:00 (8:00 a.m.) to 12:00 (noon), followed by a one-hour break, and then working from 13:00 (1:00 p.m.) to 17:00 (5:00 p.m.); night shift 1, working from 16:00 (4:00 p.m.) to 20:00 (8:00 p.m.), followed by a one-hour break, and then working from 21:00 (9:00 p.m.) to 25:00 (1:00 a.m.); overtime 1, working from 17:15 (5:15 p.m.) to 19:15 (7:15 p.m.); and overtime 2, working from 17:15 (5:15 p.m.) to 21:15 (9:15 p.m.). The work shift pattern information may also include other work styles, such as early shifts starting before 8:00 (8:00 a.m.), late shifts starting in the afternoon, and night shifts starting after 25:00 (1:00 a.m.).

[0036] The work shift memory unit 30 stores work shift information related to work shifts of operators engaged in work related to the production equipment 100. The work shift information can be input from the input unit 12. The work shift information can be input by a production manager, or can be input via a communication network from an attendance management server (not shown) in the factory where the production equipment 100 is installed. The work shift information stored in the work shift memory unit 30 can be displayed as a work shift table on the display unit 32. Note that, although the production manager refers to the manager and operator of the management system in this invention, the operator may also fulfill the role of the production manager.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 10, an example of work shift information includes "working date," "operator," "working time 1," and "working time 2." "Working date" is the date on which an individual operator works on tasks related to the production equipment 100. "Operator" is the name of the working operator. "Working time 1" and "working time 2" are the times when the operator works on tasks related to the production equipment 100. The time between "working time 1" and "working time 2" can be a break time.

[0038] The work shift information shown in FIG. 10 indicates that on September 15, 2023, operator OP1 will work from 8:00 (8:00 a.m.) to 12:00 (noon) and from 13:00 (1:00 p.m.) to 17:00 (5:00 p.m.), operator OP2 will work from 16:00 (4:00 p.m.) to 20:00 (8:00 p.m.) and from 21:00 (9:00 p.m.) to 25:00 (1:00 a.m. the next day), and on September 16, 2023, operator OP1 will work from 8:00 (8:00 a.m.) to 12:00 (noon) and from 13:00 (1:00 p.m.) to 17:00 (5:00 p.m.), and operator OP2 will work from 16:00 (4:00 p.m.) to 20:00 (8:00 p.m.) and from 21:00 (9:00 p.m.) to 25:00 (1:00 a.m. the next day).

[0039] The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. After the production manager inputs a new order from the input unit 12, the production plan generation unit 34 generates a production plan which is a set of tasks required to produce the production work specified in the order and is the work procedure of each device in the production facility 100. When the production manager commands the production plan generation (step S10), the production plan generation unit 34 generates a production plan which is the work procedure of each device in the production facility 100 (step S12). The production plan generation may be started automatically when an order is input. Furthermore, the production plan can be generated when, for example, the operating state of a machine tool is changed or when the status of the production facility is changed, such as when a pallet is added.

[0040] In order to produce the workpieces described in the order information, the production plan generation unit 34 can generate a production plan, which is the work procedures of the machine tools 102, 104, setup devices 106, 108, pallet P, and transport device 110 of the production facility 100, in the form of a table (FIG. 12) as shown as an example in FIG. 12, based on the order information stored in the order storage unit 14, the machine tool information, setup device information, pallet information, transport device information, and work information stored in the production facility information storage unit 16, and the work shift stored in the work shift storage unit 30. The production plan generated by the production plan generation unit 34 is stored in the production plan storage unit 36 ​​(step S14).

[0041] The production plan shown as an example in FIG. 12 includes "task", "workpiece-processing number", "order", "pallet", "scheduled task start time", "scheduled task end time", and "equipment". "Task" is a name for an operation performed by an apparatus constituting the production facility 100. In this example, the "task" includes an "attaching operation" in which an operator attaches an unmachined workpiece to a pallet P in the setup device 106 or 108, a "transport 1" in which the workpiece W attached to the pallet P is transported together with the pallet P from the setup device 106 or 108 to the machine tool 102 or 104 by the transport device 110, a "processing" in which the transported workpiece W is processed in the machine tool 102 or 104, a "transport 2" in which the machined workpiece W is transported together with the pallet P from the setup device 106 or 104 to the setup device 106 or 108 by the transport device 110, and a "removal operation" in which the machined workpiece W is removed from the pallet P in the setup device 106 or 108.

[0042] "Work-processing number" is information that indicates the number of the work among the "production work" and "production quantity" listed in the order information. The "work-processing number" shown as an example in Figure 12 is a combination of (production work)-(number)-(production quantity). "Order" is the "order number" listed in the order information. "Pallet" is the "identification name" of the pallet P to be used (see Figure 6). "Scheduled task start time" is the chronological start point of the "task" in question in the production plan, "scheduled task end time" is the chronological end point of the "task" in question in the production plan, and "equipment" is the "identification name" of the equipment used to execute the "task" in question (see Figures 4, 5, and 7).

[0043] In the example of Figure 12, the production plan for production work A by order number PO-A-0915 in Figure 3 is as follows: (1) From 8:00 a.m. on September 15, 2023 to 8:05 a.m. on September 15, 2023, an operator installs the first production workpiece A, unprocessed workpiece A-1-10, on pallet P1 at setup device WSS1, (2) From 8:05 a.m. on September 15, 2023 to 8:06 a.m. on September 15, 2023, the workpiece A-1-10 attached to the pallet P1 is transported from the setup device WSS1 to the machine tool MC1 by the transport device AGV1, (3) From 8:06 a.m. on September 15, 2023 to 8:36 a.m. on September 15, 2023, workpiece A-1-10 is machined using machine tool MC1. (4) From 8:36 a.m. on September 15, 2023 to 8:37 a.m. on September 15, 2023, the machined workpiece A-1-10 is transported from the machine tool MC1 to the setup device WSS1 by the transport device AGV1. (5) From 8:37 a.m. on September 15, 2023 to 8:42 a.m. on September 15, 2023, an operator removes the machined workpiece A-1-10 from pallet P1 at setup device WSS1, (6) From 8:42 a.m. on September 15, 2023 to 8:47 a.m. on September 15, 2023, an operator installs the second production workpiece A, unprocessed workpiece A-2-10, on pallet P1 at setup device WSS1, (7) From 8:47 a.m. on September 15, 2023 to 8:48 a.m. on September 15, 2023, the workpiece A-2-10 attached to the pallet P1 is transported from the setup device WSS1 to the machine tool MC1 by the transport device AGV1, (8) From 8:48 a.m. on September 15, 2023 to 9:18 a.m. on September 15, 2023, workpiece A-2-10 is machined using machine tool MC1. After performing further tasks not shown in the figure, (9) From 15:48 (3:48 pm) on September 15, 2023 to 15:53 ​​(3:53 pm) on September 15, 2023, an operator removes the processed workpiece A-10-10, which is the 10th production workpiece A, from pallet P1 in setup device WSS1.

[0044] The production plan generating unit 34 compares (step S16) the time point at which all work on the production work A in the production facility 100 is completed, which is the completion time of the generated production plan, in the example of FIG. 12, the scheduled task end time at which the last work A-10-10 is removed from the pallet P1 (September 15, 2023, 15:53 ​​(3:53 PM)), with the delivery date (September 20, 2023, 8:00 (8 AM)) stated in the order information. The comparison result is stored in the production plan storage unit 36.

[0045] The display unit 32 accesses the production plan storage unit 36 ​​and displays the production plan together with the collation results, as described below. When displaying the production plan, the display unit 32 may display the production plan in a table format as shown in FIG. 12, but it is preferable to display the production plan in the form of a Gantt chart as shown in FIG. 13. When the schedule related to the production plan is long or there are many devices to be displayed, it is preferable to be able to enlarge or reduce the display, or to switch the display vertically and horizontally using a scroll bar. Furthermore, by making sure that the last task of the last work is always displayed when the production plan is first displayed after generation is completed, it becomes easier to confirm whether the delivery date will be met.

[0046] 13, the Gantt chart 50 as the production plan displayed by the display unit 32 includes, as an example, a working time chart 52, a processing plan chart 54, a transportation plan chart 56, a setup plan chart 58, and an operator working time chart 60. The Gantt chart 50 showing the production plan further includes an icon (completion icon) 62 indicating the completion point of the generated production plan, here, the completion time of the production plan. In FIGS. 13 to 19, the completion icon 62 indicates the time when the processing of the final production work A is completed and the work of removing the work W from the pallet P is completed, but it may also indicate the time when the processing of the final production work A is completed. In this embodiment, the delivery date and the completion time are expressed in minutes, but both or either of the delivery date and the completion time may be expressed in other units, such as months only, days, time in hours, or time in seconds.

[0047] In Fig. 13, the working time chart 52 is a chart showing the working hours of all operators engaged in the production equipment 100 in a superimposed manner, and includes working hours shown in white and non-working hours shown in hatched areas. The working hours shown in the working time chart 52 in Fig. 13 include 8:00 (8:00 a.m.) to 12:00 (12:00 noon) and 13:00 (1:00 p.m.) to 17:00 (5:00 p.m.). Note that in the working hours shown in the working time chart 52 in Fig. 13, no operators are working after 17:00 (5:00 p.m.).

[0048] The machining plan chart 54 can be generated for each of the machine tools MC1 and MC2, but in FIG. 13, it is generated only for the machine tool MC1. The machining plan chart 54 includes a plurality of task icons (machining task icons) arranged in chronological order. In the example of FIG. 13, the machining plan chart 54 for the machine tool MC1 includes machining task icons T1 to T10. The machining task icons T1 to T10 correspond to machining in the machine tool MC1. In the example of FIG. 13, the machining task icons T1 to T10 are assigned the pallet numbers of the pallets on which the workpieces to be machined by the machine tool MC1 are attached, but instead of the pallet numbers, "workpiece-machining number" or "production workpiece" may be assigned.

[0049] The transportation plan chart 56 includes a plurality of task icons (transportation task icons) arranged in chronological order. In the example of Fig. 13, the transportation plan chart 56 includes transportation task icons C1 to C20. The transportation task icons C(1+2i): i = 0 to 9 correspond to transportation 1 in Fig. 12, that is, the transportation work of an unmachined workpiece from the setup device WSS1 to the machine tool MC1, and the transportation task icons C(2i): i = 1 to 10 correspond to transportation 2 in Fig. 12, that is, the transportation work of a machined workpiece from the machine tool MC1 to the setup device WSS1.

[0050] The setup chart 58 includes task icons (setup task icons) WS1 to WS20. The setup task icons WS(1+2i)i=0 to 9 correspond to the installation work in Fig. 12, and the setup task icons WS(2i)i=1 to 10 correspond to the removal work in Fig. 12. Although Figs. 13 to 20 only show the setup in the setup device WSS1, the setup for the setup device WSS2 can be displayed in the same manner.

[0051] The operator working hour chart 60 is a chart showing the working hours of each individual operator, and includes working hours shown in white and non-working hours shown in hatching. The working hours include 8:00 (8:00 a.m.) to 12:00 (12:00 noon) and 13:00 (1:00 p.m.) to 17:00 (5:00 p.m.). In FIG. 13, since only operator OP1 is working, the working hour chart 52 and the operator working hour chart 60 match in terms of the working hours of operator OP1.

[0052] If the delivery date is achievable (Yes in step S16), the display unit 32 displays the production plan and the fact that the delivery date can be achieved (step S18). Referring to FIG. 14, the display unit 32 displays a subwindow 64 including a display of the delivery date achievable together with the Gantt chart of FIG. 13. The display of the delivery date achievable, shown as an example in FIG. 14, includes the order number "PO-A-0915" and the delivery date "2023 / 9 / 15 8:00 (8:00 a.m. on September 15, 2023)". The subwindow 64 also displays buttons 66a and 66b for asking the production manager whether or not to approve the production plan.

[0053] If the delivery date cannot be met (No in step S16), the display unit 32 displays the fact that the delivery date cannot be met together with the production plan (step S20). Referring to FIG. 15, the Gantt chart as the production plan displayed on the display unit 32 when the delivery date cannot be met includes the work time chart 52, the processing plan chart 54, the transportation plan chart 56, the setup plan chart 58, and the operator work time chart 60, similar to the Gantt chart in FIG. 13. The Gantt chart in FIG. 15 further includes an icon (delivery date icon) 68 indicating the delivery date with a line and a text box. A line is displayed according to the time of the delivery date, and the date and time of the delivery date are displayed in the text box. The delivery date icon 68 includes the display of "delivery date" to clearly indicate that the icon indicates the delivery date, but may be an icon of another aspect, for example, an icon of a different color or shape from the completion icon 62. In the Gantt chart in FIG. 15, the completion date icon 62 indicating the completion date is to the right of the delivery date icon 68, so that the production manager can easily understand that the completion date exceeds the delivery date and the delivery date cannot be met. Furthermore, in the Gantt chart of Figure 15, since the three processing task icons T13 to T15 are located to the right of the delivery date icon 68, the production manager can easily understand that the production of production work A-13-15 to A-15-15 of order PO-A-0918, which corresponds to the processing task icons T13 to T15, will not be produced in time for the delivery date.

[0054] If the delivery date cannot be met, the display unit 32 displays a sub-window 70 including a display indicating that the delivery date cannot be met, together with a Gantt chart as a production plan. The display indicating that the delivery date cannot be met, shown as an example in FIG. 15, includes the order number "PO-A-0918" and the delivery date "2023 / 9 / 18 23:00 (11:00 p.m. on September 18, 2023)". Buttons 72a and 72b for asking the production manager whether to change the work shift are also displayed in the sub-window 70.

[0055] When the production manager taps or clicks the "Yes" button 72a to change the work shift, a work shift change dialog box 74 (FIG. 16) is displayed on the Gantt chart of the production plan. The work shift change dialog box 74 includes a table showing the current work shift (current work shift table) 76, a table showing the work shift to be added to the current work shift (additional work shift table) 78, an add button 80, and a cancel button 82. The current work shift table 76 is generated based on the current work shift information stored in the work shift storage unit 30. The additional work shift table 78 is generated when the production manager selects an operator capable of additional work, and further inputs or selects the date of the work day and the working hours. By simultaneously displaying the generated production plan and the work shift on the display unit 32, the management system operator can adjust the work shift while checking the production plan. Here, the additional work shift table 78 first displays the headings of work day · operator · working hours 1 · working hours 2 and an input line with an input rule set, and the production manager can directly input while following the input rule. For example, the input rule may be that the work day is in the format of year / month / day. Further, the input rule may be set by referring to each storage unit of the management system 100. For example, referring to the above work shift pattern storage unit 28, the work shift pattern information is displayed in list form and associated with working hours 1 or working hours 2 of the additional work shift table 78. When the production manager taps or clicks on the desired work shift pattern from the list and selects it, the selected work shift pattern may be input into working hours 1 or working hours 2 of the additional work shift table 78.

[0056] The management system 10 may include a work shift calculation unit (not shown) that calculates work shifts to achieve the delivery date and proposes them to the management system operator in order to assist the production manager in selecting and inputting operators who can work additional shifts. Furthermore, the management system 10 may include an operator information storage unit (not shown) that stores operator information. The operator information may include work availability information for each individual operator (for example, operator OP1 can work overtime up to 5 hours a week, cannot work night shifts, and cannot work on Sundays) and skill information for each operator (for example, operator OP1 can set up works A and B, but cannot set up work C). Based on the operator information, work shift selection, generation plan generation, or work shift calculation may be performed.

[0057] In the embodiment of FIG. 16, when the production manager creates an additional work shift table 78 with the contents that the work date is September 18, 2023, the operator is P1, the work time 1 is 17:15-21:15 (5:15 pm to 9:15 pm), and the work time 2 is not set, and taps or clicks the Add button 80 (Yes in step S22), the flowchart returns to step S12, and the production plan generation unit 34 generates a new production plan taking into account the added work shift. The generated new production plan is stored in the production plan storage unit 36 ​​(step S14). Next, the production plan generation unit 34 again determines whether the delivery date can be achieved (step S16), and if the delivery date can be achieved (Yes in step S16), the display unit 32 displays a subwindow 64 including a display of the delivery date achievable together with a Gantt chart showing the new production plan, as shown in FIG. 17 (step S18).

[0058] If the answer is No in step S16, that is, if the delivery date cannot be met even if the work shift is changed and the production plan is regenerated, the display unit 32 again displays the subwindow 70 including a message indicating that the delivery date cannot be met, together with the Gantt chart as the newly generated production plan (step S20). Here, if the production manager taps or clicks the "Yes" button 72a to change the work shift, the display unit 32 again displays the work shift change dialog box 74. The production manager can then reconsider the work shift.

[0059] Figures 18 and 19 show an embodiment different from Figures 16 and 17. The work shift change dialog box 74 in Figure 18 includes an additional work shift table 84. In the additional work shift table 78 in Figure 16, the operator OP1 works from 17:15 (5:15 PM) to 21:15 (9:15 PM), whereas in the additional work shift table 84 shown in Figure 18, the operator OP2 works from 15:20 (3 PM) to 20:00 (8 PM) and from 21:00 (9 PM) to 25:00 (1 AM the next day).

[0060] When the production manager taps or clicks the Add button 80 (Yes in step S22), the flow chart returns to step S12, and the production plan generating unit 34 generates a new production plan by taking into account the added work shift. The generated new production plan is stored in the production plan storage unit 36 ​​(step S14). Next, the production plan generating unit 34 again determines whether the delivery date can be achieved (step S16), and if the delivery date can be achieved (Yes in step S16), the display unit 32 displays a subwindow 64 including a display indicating that the delivery date can be achieved together with a Gantt chart showing the new production plan, as shown in FIG. 19 (step S18). In the Gantt chart in FIG. 17, the operator working time chart 60 indicates that only the operator OP1 is working, but in the Gantt chart in FIG. 19, the operator working time chart 60 indicates that in addition to the operator OP1, the operator OP2 is working.

[0061] In step S16, if the delivery date cannot be met even with a new production plan, the above process may be repeated until the delivery date can be met. However, the process can be interrupted, and a dialog box can be displayed to prompt a radical solution, such as asking the production manager to review the order and arrange production facilities as candidates.

[0062] When the delivery date can be met (Yes in step S16), if the production manager approves the generated production plan by tapping or clicking the "Yes" button 66a (Figs. 14, 17, 19) of the sub-window 64 including the display of achievable delivery date (step S24 is Yes), it is determined whether there has been a change in the work shift when generating the production plan. If there has been no change in the work shift (No in step S26), an "Execution button (not shown)" can be displayed on the display unit 32 (step S30) to prompt the production manager to execute the production plan. If there has been a change in the work shift (Yes in step S26), after reflecting the change in the work shift in the work shift stored in the work shift storage unit in step S28, the production manager can be prompted to execute the production plan in step S30.

[0063] When the production manager taps or clicks the execution button to instruct the production execution unit 38 to execute the production plan (Yes in step S32), the production execution unit 38 reads the approved production plan from the production plan storage unit 36 and instructs the production facility 100 to execute production according to the read production plan (step S34), and the production plan generation process ends (step S36). When the production manager does not instruct the execution of the production plan (No in step S32), the production plan generation process ends (step S36) with the approved production plan stored in the production plan storage unit 36 without the production facility 100 executing the production plan.

[0064] Even if the delivery date can be achieved, the production manager can choose not to approve the generated production plan (No in step S24). That is, when the subwindow 64 including the display of the delivery date achievable in Figs. 14, 17, and 19 is displayed, the production manager can tap or click the "No" button 66b included therein to display the work shift change dialogue box 74 and change the work shift. This allows further improvements to be made even if the delivery date can be achieved. For example, in order to reduce labor costs, it is possible to reduce redundant work shifts by having one operator achieve the delivery date as shown in Fig. 17, or to increase the number of operators to reduce the burden on the operators as shown in Fig. 19.

[0065] If the "No" button 72b is tapped or clicked in step S22 (No in step S22), the production plan generation process ends (step S36) with the generated production plan stored in the production plan storage unit 36. In this case, the generated production plan is not executed.

[0066] According to this embodiment, the generated production plan is collated with the delivery date, and the collation results and work shifts are displayed, and when the work shifts are changed, the production plan is generated again. If the delivery date cannot be met, the work shifts of the insufficient operators can be increased to meet the delivery date. If the delivery date can be met, the surplus work shifts can be reduced to reduce the burden on the operators and reduce labor costs.

[0067] Furthermore, the production facility information storage unit 16 stores machine tool information including the operating status of the machine tools 102, 104, setup device information including the operating status of the setup devices 106, 108, pallet information including the type and number of pallets P held by the production facility 100, transport device information including the transport capacity and operating status of the transport device 110, work information including the machining program number for each work type, setup time (mounting time and removal time), machining time, machine tools capable of machining, and setup devices capable of setup, and work shift pattern information including work shift patterns, and the production plan generation unit 34 generates a production plan based on this information. This improves the accuracy of the generated production plan, and when a work shift is changed, the work shift pattern can be displayed to assist in changing the work shift.

[0068] In the embodiment described above, the work shift change dialog box 74 is displayed (popped out) so as to be superimposed on the Gantt chart of the production plan, but the production plan and the work shift may be displayed in separate windows or areas that do not overlap, as shown in Fig. 20. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 20, the production plan display area 90, the work shift display area 92, and the sub-window 70 including the display of the impossibility of meeting the delivery date are displayed on the display unit 32 at the same time so as not to overlap each other.

[0069] If a new order is input while a production plan is being generated, a production plan that the production manager does not expect may be generated. To prevent such a situation from occurring, the management system 10 may include a notification unit that notifies the production manager when another order is input to the order storage unit 14 while the production plan generation unit 34 is generating a production plan.

[0070] 21, the notification unit 40 monitors the production plan generation unit 34 and the order storage unit 14, and when an order other than the order related to the production plan is input to the input unit 12 while the production plan generation unit 34 is generating a production plan, the notification unit 40 puts the input related to this order on hold and notifies the production manager that a different order has been input via the speaker 42, the display unit 32, or a preferably portable terminal 44 such as a smartphone or tablet. After confirming the notification that a new, different order has been input, the production manager can choose whether to continue or cancel the input of this different order.

[0071] If the production manager selects to continue inputting another order, the generation of the currently ongoing production plan is forcibly stopped, and if the production manager selects to stop inputting another order, the generation of the currently ongoing production plan can be continued. After the generation of the currently ongoing production plan is forcibly stopped, the generation of a new production plan that takes into account the other order may be started.

[0072] Furthermore, the production plan may be generated not on the management system 10 attached to the actual production facility, but on a virtual management system (not shown) that replicates information from various storage units of the management system 10. This allows the production plan to be generated freely in response to various orders, changes in the status and number of production facilities, etc., without interfering with the actual production. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 10 Management Systems 12 Input section 14 Order storage section 16 Production equipment information storage unit 18 Machine tool information storage section 20 Setup device information storage unit 22 Palette information storage section 24 Transport device information storage unit 26 Work information storage unit 28 Work shift pattern memory unit 30 Work shift memory section 32 Display section 34 Production Planning Division 36 Production planning memory section 38 Production Execution Department 40 Notification Department 42 Speakers 44 Terminals 50 Gantt Chart 52 Working Hours Chart 54 Processing plan chart 56 Transportation Planning Chart 58 Setup Planning Chart 60 Operator Working Hours Chart 62 Completion icon 64 Subwindows 66a Button 66b Button 68 Delivery icon 70 Subwindows 72a Button 72b Button 74 Work Shift Change Dialog Box 76 Current work shift schedule 78 Additional shift schedule 80 Add button 82 Cancel button 84 Additional shift schedule 90 Production plan display area 92 Work shift display area 102 Machine tools 104 Machine tools 106 Setup device 108 Setup device 110 Conveyor 112 Pallet Stocker

Claims

1. In a management system for generating a production plan for a production facility including a machine tool, a conveying device, and a setup device, a production facility information storage unit that stores production facility information relating to the production facility; A work shift storage unit that stores work shifts of operators working at the production facility; an order storage unit that stores an order including a type of work, a production quantity, and a delivery date; an input unit that inputs the order to the order storage unit and inputs the work shift to the work shift storage unit; a production plan generating unit that generates a production plan based on at least the production facility information, the order, and the work shift, and compares a completion time of the generated production plan with the delivery date; a production plan storage unit that stores the generated production plan and a collation result of the collation with the delivery date; A display unit that displays the generated production plan, a collation result against the delivery date, and the work shift; a notification unit which, when an input related to a new, separate order is made to the order storage unit while the production plan generating unit is generating a production plan, reserves the input related to the new, separate order and notifies a production manager via a speaker, a display unit and / or a terminal that the input related to the new, separate order has been made; Including, The management system is characterized in that the production plan generation unit regenerates the production plan when a change in the work shift is input.

2. 2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the production equipment information memory unit stores machine tool information including the operating status of the machine tool, transport device information including the transport capacity and operating status of the transport device, setup device information including the operating status of the setup device, pallet information including the types of workpieces that can be attached to pallets held by the production equipment, work information including the machining program number, setup time, machining time, machine tools capable of machining and setup devices capable of setup, for each type of workpiece, and work shift pattern information including the work shift patterns of operators, and the production plan generation unit generates a production plan based on this information.

3. 2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the generated production plan and the work shift are simultaneously displayed on a display unit.

4. 4. The management system according to claim 3, wherein the generated production plan and work shift are displayed simultaneously in a production plan display area and a work shift display area of ​​the display unit so as not to overlap each other.

Images