Planning device, planning method, and control program

Abstract

To satisfy a condition related to the number of times of welding and improve a yield in slivering work of cutting out product coils from raw coils that may include a defective part.SOLUTION: A planning device (1) comprises: a first acquisition unit (11) that acquires first information on one or more raw coils; a second acquisition unit (12) that acquires second information on product coils to be cut out; a first calculation unit (13) that, for each of the one or more raw coils, calculates a passage position of a cutting blade and a collectable weight corresponding to the passage position; and a second calculation unit (14) that, when the total of the collectable weights reaches the total weight of the products and the product coil is cut out for each individual weight of the product, calculates the arrangement order in which the number of times of welding in the production coil becomes equal to or less than the weldable number of times.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a planning device, a planning method, and a control program.

Background Art

[0002] In the manufacturing industry that performs order production with different order specifications for each customer, for example, the planning of the slitting operation for cutting out product coils (hoops) shipped from a rectangular plate-shaped original coil is an important operation that affects the manufacturing cost of the product coils. In this operation, it is required to formulate a plan that can cut out rectangular products with dimensions specified by the customer from the original coil that contains defective parts at various positions and has various sizes, using a cutting blade arranged for slitting. Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing device capable of allocating a plurality of ordered products to a plurality of base materials. Patent Document 2 discloses a coil rewinding combination processing method capable of automating the coil combination problem and improving the yield in the rewinding facility.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the conventional apparatus or method related to the slitting operation, there is a problem that the countermeasures in the case where the raw coil contains defective parts are insufficient. For example, in the invention of Patent Document 1, the handling of the raw coil with defective parts is not defined. Further, in the invention of Patent Document 2, it cannot be applied to the slitting operation of continuously cutting out product coils of the same width from a plurality of raw coils while managing the number of welds, and since the countermeasures against defective parts are uniform, the raw coil cannot be used effectively.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and in the slitting operation of cutting out product coils from a raw coil that may contain defective parts, while satisfying the conditions regarding the number of welds, the purpose is to further improve the yield.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a planning device according to Aspect 1 of the present invention is a planning device for planning a slitting operation of cutting out product coils from a raw coil by cutting blades at predetermined intervals in the width direction of the raw coil, and includes a first acquisition unit that acquires first information including the width, length, weight, and position of defective parts for each of one or more raw coils, a second acquisition unit that acquires second information including the width, product unit weight, total product weight, and the maximum number of welds, which is the number of welds required for the product coil to reach the product unit weight, for the product coils to be cut out, a first calculation unit that calculates the passing position of the cutting blade for collecting the product coil from the raw coil so as not to include the defective part and the collectable weight corresponding to the passing position for each of the one or more raw coils, and a second calculation unit that calculates an arrangement order of the raw coils for cutting, including some or all of the one or more raw coils, such that the total of the collectable weights reaches the total product weight and the number of welds in each product coil is equal to or less than the weldable number of times when each product coil is cut out for each product unit weight.

[0007] According to the above configuration, it becomes possible to cut out coils with the maximum collectable weight from each of the original coils for cutting and manufacture product coils by welding less than the weldable number of times. Thereby, in the strip cutting operation of cutting out product coils from the original coils that may contain defective parts, it is possible to further improve the yield while satisfying the conditions regarding the number of welds.

[0008] In the planning device according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure, in the above Embodiment 1, when at least one end portion in the width direction of the target original coil is cut off and the original coil contains a defective part, the cut-off part including the defective part is cut off in the width direction of the original coil, the weight of the part excluding the end portion and the cut-off part of the original coil is calculated as the collectable weight, and the collectable weights corresponding to the positions of the cutting blades at the predetermined intervals in the width direction of the original coil are compared to calculate the collectable weight used in the original coil.

[0009] According to the above configuration, the first calculation unit can calculate the passing position of the cutting blade where the cut-off part is least likely to occur and the collectable weight corresponding to the passing position.

[0010] In the planning device according to Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure, in the above Embodiment 2, the second calculation unit calculates the arrangement order that maximizes the yield defined by the ratio of the weight obtained by excluding the weight of the cut-off part of a predetermined weight or more from the total weight of the collectable weights to the weight obtained by excluding the weight of the cut-off part of a predetermined weight or more from the total weight of the original coils for cutting.

[0011] According to the above configuration, for example, the cut-off part of a predetermined weight or more can be excluded from the calculation of the yield on the assumption that it can be used for other purposes, and the arrangement order that maximizes the yield can be calculated.

[0012] In the planning device according to aspect 4 of the present disclosure, in any one of aspects 1 to 3, the second calculation unit calculates the arrangement in the width direction of each of the original coils for cutting so that the cutting blades at the predetermined intervals can pass through each of the original coils for cutting in a straight line.

[0013] According to the above configuration, in an apparatus for performing strip cutting, it is possible to reduce the labor of adjusting the arrangement of the original coil and the cutting blade every time the object to be cut becomes another original coil.

[0014] The planning device according to aspect 5 of the present disclosure further includes an input unit that receives an input of a user operation in any one of aspects 1 to 4, and the second acquisition unit acquires the value input via the input unit as the second information.

[0015] According to the above configuration, the user can easily set an arbitrary value for the unit weight of the product coil to be cut out.

[0016] The planning method according to aspect 6 of the present disclosure is a planning device for planning a strip cutting operation of cutting a product coil from an original coil with a cutting blade at a predetermined interval in the width direction of the original coil, and includes a first acquisition step of including the width, length, weight, and the position of a defective portion for each of one or more original coils, and a second acquisition step of acquiring second information including the width, product unit weight, product total weight, and the maximum number of welding times, which is the maximum number of welding times for the product coil to reach the product unit weight, for the product coil to be cut out, and for each of the one or more original coils, a first calculation step of calculating the passing position of the cutting blade for collecting the product coil from the original coil so as not to include the defective portion and the collectable weight corresponding to the passing position, and a second calculation step of calculating an arrangement order of the original coils for cutting including some or all of the one or more original coils, in which the total of the collectable weights reaches the product total weight and the number of welding times in each product coil is equal to or less than the weldable number of times when each product coil is cut out for each product unit weight.

[0017] According to the above method, in the slitting operation of cutting out product coils from the original coil that may include defective parts, it is possible to further improve the yield while satisfying the conditions regarding the number of welds, achieving the same effect as the above-described planning device.

[0018] The control program according to Aspect 7 of the present disclosure is a control program for causing a computer to function as the planning device described in Aspect 1 above, and is a control program for causing a computer to function as the first acquisition unit, the second acquisition unit, the first calculation unit, and the second calculation unit.

[0019] According to the above configuration, in the slitting operation of cutting out product coils from the original coil that may include defective parts, it is possible to further improve the yield while satisfying the conditions regarding the number of welds, achieving the same effect as the above-described planning device.

Advantages of the Invention

[0020] According to one aspect of the present invention, in the slitting operation of cutting out product coils from the original coil that may include defective parts, it is possible to further improve the yield while satisfying the conditions regarding the number of welds.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

[0022] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The planning device 1 according to this embodiment is a device for formulating a plan to cut a raw coil of a rolled steel sheet into product coils according to the product specifications required by a user.

[0023] Before explaining the configuration of the planning device 1, slitting will be briefly explained. FIG. 2 is an example of a conceptual diagram of a slitting device that cuts a product coil from a raw coil. As shown in the figure, the raw coil 31 is fed out in a predetermined direction by the slitting device 3 and is cut by a cutting blade 30 such as a round blade fixed in the middle of the feeding direction. Usually, a plurality of cutting blades 30 are arranged, and adjacent cutting blades 30 are arranged at a predetermined interval. In the example of FIG. 2, seven cutting blades 30 are arranged in the slitting device 3. The predetermined interval is set to the width of the product coil 32, which is one of the product specifications. Also, in many cases, as illustrated in FIG. 2, at least one end 33 in the width direction of the raw coil 31, that is, the left - right direction in FIG. 2 etc., is cut off. Usually, the end 33 is treated as waste when manufacturing the product coil 32.

[0024] The planning device 1 according to the present disclosure is a device for formulating a plan related to the slitting operation of cutting product coils along the product specifications required by a user. The slitting device 3 in FIG. 2 shows an example of cutting out six product coils 32 in parallel, but the planning device 1 will be described as a device corresponding to a slitting device that cuts out product coils one by one. Hereinafter, a configuration example of the planning device 1 will be described.

[0025] (Configuration Example of the Planning Device 1) FIG. 1 is an example of a block diagram showing the configuration of the planning device 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the planning device 1 includes a control unit 10, a storage unit 21, and an input unit 22.

[0026] The control unit 10 is a control device that overall controls the entire planning device 1, and is, for example, one or more processors, and various processors such as an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) can be used.

[0027] Further, the control unit 10 also functions as a first acquisition unit 11, a second acquisition unit 12, a first calculation unit 13, and a second calculation unit 14.

[0028] The first acquisition unit 11 acquires first information about each of one or more raw coils. The first information is information about each of the raw coils, and includes information such as the width, length, weight, and position of defective portions of the raw coils. Further, the first information may include the density, thickness, etc. of the raw coils.

[0029] The second acquisition unit 12 acquires second information about the product coils cut out from the raw coils. The second information is information about the cut-out product coils, and includes information such as the width of the product coils, the product unit weight, the total product weight, and the number of weldable times. Further, the second information may include the length, etc. of the product coils.

[0030] Here, the product unit weight is the weight that each of the product coils should reach. The total product weight is the total weight of all the product coils to be acquired from the one or more raw coils. The number of weldable times is the upper limit of the number of welds for each product coil to reach the product unit weight, and indicates how many welds are allowed for one product coil. Details of the welding and the number of weldable times will be described later.

[0031] Further, the acquisition sources from which the first acquisition unit 11 and the second acquisition unit 12 acquire information may be, for example, the storage unit 21, or an external storage medium connected to the planning device 1. Further, the first acquisition unit 11 may acquire the information input via the input unit 22 as first information, and the second acquisition unit 12 may acquire the information input via the input unit 22 as second information.

[0032] The first calculation unit 13 calculates, for each of one or more raw coils, the passing position of the cutting blade 30 at a predetermined interval for collecting a product coil from the raw coil so as not to include a defective portion, and the collectable weight and the like corresponding to the passing position.

[0033] The second calculation unit 14 calculates the arrangement order of the cut-out raw coils including part or all of one or more raw coils, such that the total collectable weight reaches the total product weight, and the number of welding times in each product coil is equal to or less than the weldable number of times when each product coil is cut out for each product unit weight.

[0034] Here, the cut-out raw coil means a raw coil actually used for cutting out a product coil among the prepared raw coils. That is, the aforementioned one or more raw coils are divided into one or more cut-out raw coils and zero or more remaining raw coils.

[0035] The storage unit 21 is a storage device that stores various information at least temporarily, and stores, for example, the first information and the second information. The first information and the second information stored in the storage unit 21 may be, for example, information input via the input unit 22. Further, the storage unit 21 may be an external storage medium connected to the planning device 1.

[0036] The input unit 22 receives the input of user operations for the planning device 1. The input unit 22 is, for example, a keyboard and a mouse. The user inputs the second information and the like into the planning device 1 via the input unit 22. When a part of the product coil has already been manufactured, the control unit 10 may use, as the total product weight, a value obtained by subtracting the total weight of the already manufactured product coil from the total weight of the product coil input as an order.

[0037] The planning device 1 is connected to an output device so as to be able to communicate information either wired or wirelessly. The output device outputs the information input from the planning device 1 based on the control by the control unit 10. As an example, the output device 2 is a monitor (display), a printing device, a projection device, or the like.

[0038] Note that each part included in the planning device 1 does not necessarily have to be incorporated into a single device. For example, one or more of the parts may be included in separate devices and be communicably connected, or one or more of the parts may be arranged on the cloud and be communicably connected.

[0039] (Overall process flow) Subsequently, the overall process flow executed by the planning device 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is an example of a flowchart showing the overall process flow.

[0040] First, in S11 (step S11), the first acquisition unit 11 performs a process of acquiring the first information from the storage unit 21. S11 corresponds to the first acquisition step. As described above, the first information is information including the width, length, weight, and the position of defective parts of each original coil.

[0041] Next, in S12, the second acquisition unit 12 performs a process of acquiring the second information from the storage unit 21. S12 corresponds to the second acquisition step. As described above, the second information is the width of the product coil to be cut out from the original coil, the product unit weight, the total product weight, the number of weldable times, and the like.

[0042] Next, in S13, the first calculation unit 13 performs a first calculation process. S13 corresponds to the first calculation step. Details of the first calculation process will be described later.

[0043] Next, in S14, the second calculation unit 14 performs a second calculation process. S14 corresponds to the second calculation step. Details of the second calculation process will be described later.

[0044] Next, in S15, the control unit 10 causes the output device 2 to output the processing result of the second calculation process. The user can view the processing result output to the output device 2 and confirm the conditions for strip cutting the product coil according to the product specifications.

[0045] Note that the control unit 10 may output the processing result of the second calculation process to the strip cutting device associated with the planning device 1, and subsequently the strip cutting device may perform strip cutting based on the processing result. Also, the planning device 1 and the strip cutting device may be included in a single strip cutting system.

[0046] (First Calculation Process) Subsequently, the above-described first calculation process will be described. The first calculation process is a process of calculating the passing position of the cutting blade 30 in each of the original coils, the collectable weight, and the like. The first calculation unit 13 may refer to the first information and the second information as necessary in each process included in the first calculation process. The same also applies to the second calculation process described later that is executed by the second calculation unit 14.

[0047] First, the process of determining the cut-off portion in the original coil and welding, which are the premises in the first calculation process, will be described. FIG. 4 is an example of a schematic diagram showing the flow of the process of cutting off defective portions that cannot be used for product coils and the like from the original coil.

[0048] The original coil 401 in Fig. 4 shows the position of the defective part 41 included in a single original coil. As shown in the original coil 401, the defective part 41 may be located only at the end 33 in the width direction of the original coil or may spread to the central part. As an example, the position of the defective part 41 is represented by the coordinates of a rectangle including the defective part 41. The coordinates may be a plurality of numerical values respectively corresponding to the positions of the respective corners of the rectangle on the original coil.

[0049] The first calculation unit 13 sets the passing positions of the cutting blades 30 at a predetermined interval on the original coil. Here, the predetermined interval is the width of the product coil. The passing positions of the cutting blades 30 are variable in the width direction of the original coil. Therefore, both ends in the width direction of the original coil are not necessarily cut off, and only one end 33 may be cut off. Also, as an exception, when the width of the original coil is equal to the width of the product coil, neither end 33 is cut off.

[0050] If the defective part 41 is located at the end 33 of the original coil, the defective part 41 is cut off when the end 33 is cut off over the entire length direction. However, when the defective part 41 spreads to the central part, as shown in the original coil 402, it is necessary to cut off the entire width direction including the defective part 41 as the cut-off part 42. Also, the cut-off part 42 of the original coil may be configured to be cut off in advance by changing the direction of the cutting blade 30 that cuts off the end 33, or may be configured to be cut off by a cutting blade different from the cutting blade 30 that cuts off the end 33.

[0051] In addition, the cut-off part 42 is connected by welding across the cut-off location. Welding is also performed when the length of the product coil exceeds the length of the original coil, or when manufacturing a product coil by connecting the ends of the original coils. From another aspect, a single product coil may be manufactured from non-continuous ranges of the original coil or from multiple original coils. In many cases, the product specifications required by the user include the requirement that the number of welds in each product coil be equal to or less than a predetermined number. This is because welding requires a certain amount of time and energy, which can reduce production efficiency, and the external or internal quality of the welded part may be slightly modified in terms of specifications. When the cut-off location is finally located at the end in the length direction of the product coil, the product part 43 including each cut-off location corresponds to a separate product coil, so welding is not performed.

[0052] As a result, the original coil becomes a state in which the defective part 41 is removed as shown in the original coil 403. In other words, the product coil needs to be taken from the range excluding the end part 33 and the defective part 41 in the original coil. Also, the weight of the original coil in the state shown in the original coil 403 becomes the extractable weight of the original coil. In other words, the first calculation unit 13 calculates, as the extractable weight, the weight of the part excluding the end part 33 and the cut-off part 42 of the original coil. The extractable weight can be calculated based on, for example, the information included in the first information. Specifically, it may be calculated by multiplying the area (length × width) of the cut-out part as shown in the original coil 403, the thickness of the original coil, and the density. In addition, the ratio of the extractable weight to the weight of the original original coil shown in the original coil 401 is the yield in the original coil 401. Therefore, an increase in the cut-off part 42 in the original coil is a factor that reduces the yield.

[0053] In addition, the processing sequence for manufacturing the original coil 403 is not necessarily limited, but may be executed, for example, in the order of cutting off the cut-off part 42, welding, and strip cutting of the end part 33.

[0054] As described above, the passing position of the cutting blade 30 at a predetermined interval is variable in the width direction of the original coil. Therefore, depending on the passing position of the cutting blade 30, even if the defective portion 41 is located near the end portion 33 of the original coil, when the end portion 33 is cut off over the entire length direction, the defective portion 41 may not be cut off. In this case, the entire width direction including the defective portion 41 is set as the cut-off portion 42. From another aspect, the collectable weight, yield, welding location, and number of welds in a certain original coil vary depending on the passing position of the cutting blade 30. The first calculation unit 13 calculates the collectable weight, yield, welding location, and number of welds for each passing position while shifting the passing position of the cutting blade 30 at regular intervals in the width direction of the original coil, and stores each piece of information in the storage unit 21 as an evaluation index. By the process described with reference to FIG. 4, when the defective portion 41 is located near the end portion 33 of the original coil, by shifting the passing position of the cutting blade 30 to avoid the defective portion 41, it becomes possible to utilize the original coil without waste.

[0055] Based on the above premises, the flow of the first calculation process will be described. FIG. 5 is an example of a flowchart showing the flow of the first calculation process. The flowchart of FIG. 5 corresponds to the process of S13 in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 shows an example of each passing position of the cutting blade 30 in the original coil and the evaluation index stored in the storage unit 21.

[0056] In S1301, the first calculation unit 13 determines whether there is still an original coil among one or more original coils for which the evaluation index has not been calculated. If the first calculation unit 13 determines that there is still an original coil for which the evaluation index has not been calculated (S1301: YES), it performs the process of S1302 for the target original coil. On the other hand, if the first calculation unit 13 determines that there is no original coil for which the evaluation index has not been calculated (S1301: NO), that is, if it determines that the evaluation index has been calculated for all of the one or more original coils, the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 ends, and subsequently the process of S13 in FIG. 3 is executed.

[0057] In S1302, the first calculation unit 13 calculates the position of the cut-off portion 42 of the original coil with respect to the passing position of the target cutting blade 30. The original coils 601 to 603 in FIG. 6 show an example of the passing position of the cutting blade 30 in the original coil and the cut-off portion 42 corresponding to the passing position. Also, the original coil 601 shows an example of the passing position of the cutting blade 30 when the process of S1302 is first executed for a certain original coil.

[0058] In S1303, the first calculation unit 13 calculates an evaluation index corresponding to the passing position of the target cutting blade 30 based on the calculated position of the cut-off portion 42, and stores it in the storage unit 21.

[0059] Table 604 in FIG. 6 shows an example of the evaluation index stored in the storage unit 21. In Table 604, "original coil" indicates the ID for identifying each original coil. "Passing position" indicates how far the passing position of the cutting blade 30 is from a predetermined reference position in the width direction of the original coil. The predetermined position is, for example, the left end position of each original coil in FIG. 6. "Yield" and "collectable weight" have the meanings as described above.

[0060] Also, "(2000,1000)" of the collectable weight in Table 604 means that a 2000 kg product portion 43 and a 1000 kg product portion 43 can be collected from the original coil, and one welding portion occurs at the terminal portion in the length direction of the 2000 kg product portion 43. Also, "(4500)" of the collectable weight means that a single 4500 kg product portion 43 can be collected from the original coil, indicating that no welding portion occurs.

[0061] In the original coil "X0001" illustrated in Table 604, when the passing position of the cutting blade 30 is "0 mm" from the reference predetermined position, the yield is "a%", and the collectable weight is "(2000,1000)". Also, in the example of FIG. 6, the passing position "0 mm" of the cutting blade 30 corresponds to the passing position of the cutting blade 30 shown in the original coil 601. Further, in the original coil "X0002", when the passing position of the cutting blade 30 is "0 mm" from the reference predetermined position, the yield is "b%", and the collectable weight is "(4500)".

[0062] Also, the processes of S1302 and S1303 will be executed a plurality of times by changing the passing position of the cutting blade 30. The first calculation unit 13 may be configured to update the evaluation index stored in the storage unit 21 with the evaluation index corresponding to the most recently calculated yield when the most recently calculated yield is higher than the yield already stored in the storage unit 21. In other words, the storage unit 21 may be configured to store only the evaluation index corresponding to the passing position of the cutting blade 30 when the yield is maximized for the target original coil. Note that the item of the evaluation index serving as a reference for updating the information stored in the storage unit 21 is not limited to the yield, and may be other items.

[0063] In S1304, the first calculation unit 13 determines whether there remains a position to which the passing position of the cutting blade 30 should be moved next in the width direction of the original coil. When the first calculation unit 13 determines that there remains a position to which the passing position of the cutting blade 30 should be moved next (S1304: YES), in S1305, the passing position of the cutting blade 30 is set to the position to be moved, and then the process from S1302 is executed. Also, the predetermined distance by which the passing position of the cutting blade 30 is moved at one time is not limited to a specific distance, and may be, for example, from 1 mm to several mm, or may be about ten-odd mm.

[0064] On the other hand, when the first calculation unit 13 determines that there is no remaining position to which the passing position of the cutting blade 30 should be moved next (S1304: NO), the process of calculating the evaluation index for the target original coil is terminated, and subsequently, the process of S1301 is executed. Here, the determination of "NO" in S1304 means, from another aspect, that it is determined that the evaluation index has been calculated for all positions at a predetermined distance interval.

[0065] As an example, the original coils 602 and 603 in FIG. 6 show the state in which the passing position of the cutting blade 30 shown in the original coil 601 is gradually moved to the right in S1305. When the passing position of the cutting blade 30 at the time when the evaluation index was most recently calculated is the position shown in the original coil 603, the first calculation unit 13 makes a determination of "NO" in S1304, assuming that there is no remaining position to which the passing position of the cutting blade 30 should be moved next. Also, moving the passing position of the cutting blade 30 can be said to be equivalent to moving the position of the product coil cut out from the original coil.

[0066] When the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is completed, the evaluation indices exemplified in the table 604 of FIG. 6 are recorded in the storage unit 21 for all the original coils. In this way, the first calculation unit 13 compares the collectible weights corresponding to the respective positions of the cutting blade 30 at a predetermined interval in the width direction of each original coil, calculates the collectible weight used in each original coil, and stores it in the storage unit 21.

[0067] In addition, when the cut-off portion 42 is large and exceeds a predetermined weight, the first calculation unit 13 may be configured not to include the cut-off portion 42 in the calculation of the yield, assuming that the cut-off portion 42 can be diverted for uses other than the product coil.

[0068] Also, the storage unit 21 may be configured to store not only the evaluation index corresponding to the passing position of the cutting blade 30 when the yield or the like is maximized, but also all the evaluation indices corresponding to the respective passing positions of the cutting blade 30.

[0069] (Second calculation process) Next, the second calculation process described above will be explained. The second calculation process is a process of calculating the arrangement order of the original coils for cutting. FIG. 7 is an example of a flowchart showing the flow of the second calculation process. The flowchart of FIG. 7 corresponds to the process of S14 in FIG. 3. FIG. 8 is an example of a schematic diagram for explaining the combination and arrangement order of the original coils.

[0070] In S1401, the second calculation unit 14 determines whether there remains a combination of original coils that are candidates for the original coil for cutting among one or more original coils. The processes from S1401 to S1405 are processes for extracting combinations of original coils that can be the original coil for cutting. In the processes up to S1405, consideration is given to which original coil is used as the original coil for cutting, but the arrangement order within the combination of original coils is not considered.

[0071] If the second calculation unit 14 determines that the combination of the original coils remains (S1401: YES), in S1402, the remaining combination of the original coils is set as the determination target in the subsequent S1403.

[0072] In S1403, the second calculation unit 14 determines whether the total collectable weight of the original coils included in the set combination of the original coils has reached the total product weight, in other words, whether the total collectable weight is equal to or greater than the total product weight.

[0073] The original coil 801 in FIG. 8 shows an example of the original coil, and Table 811 shows an example of some evaluation indicators stored in the storage unit 21. The original coil 801 corresponds to the original coil "X0001" in Table 811. The second calculation unit 14 calculates the total collectible weight of the original coils included in the combination with reference to the evaluation indicators, and performs the above-described determination. When the second calculation unit 14 determines that the total collectible weight has reached the total product weight (S1403: YES), it subsequently executes the process of S1404. On the other hand, when the second calculation unit 14 determines that the total collectible weight has not reached the total product weight (S1403: NO), it subsequently executes the process of S1401 and determines for other combinations of original coils.

[0074] In S1404, the second calculation unit 14 calculates an evaluation indicator including at least the yield in the entire combination for the combination of original coils that has reached the total product weight, and stores it in the storage unit 21 in association with the combination of the original coils. Here, the yield in the entire combination may be, for example, the average value of the yields of the original coils included in the combination, or the ratio of the total collectible weight to the total weight of the original coils included in the combination, etc. Further, the second calculation unit 14 may calculate the collectible weight, etc. in the entire combination as part of the evaluation indicator and store it in the storage unit 21.

[0075] Also, when the second calculation unit 14 determines in S1401 that there are no remaining combinations of original coils (S1401: NO), it subsequently rearranges the combinations of original coils stored in the storage unit 21 in the order of yield in the entire combination in S1405.

[0076] The processes from S1406 to S1409 are processes for calculating a combination of original coils that satisfies the requirements for the product coil, that is, the original coil for cutting and its arrangement order.

[0077] In S1406, the second calculation unit 14 sets the arrangement order of the raw coils included in the combination for the combination of raw coils to be processed. As shown in FIG. 7, the processes from S1406 to S1409 can be executed multiple times. Each time the process of S1406 is executed, a new arrangement order of the raw coils included in the combination is set. Further, in the processes from S1406 to S1408, the combination of raw coils is used in descending order of the yield in the entire combination. When the process of S1409 described later is performed, the combination of raw coils with the next highest yield is used as the processing target. The raw coil 802 in FIG. 8 and the table 812 show an example of the arrangement order of the raw coils included in the combination.

[0078] In S1407, when the second calculation unit 14 cuts out the product coil using the set arrangement order of the raw coils, the second calculation unit 14 determines whether the number of welding times is less than or equal to the weldable number of times, in other words, whether the arrangement order of the raw coils satisfies the conditions regarding the number of welding times.

[0079] The raw coil 803 in FIG. 8 shows an example of the position of the product coil cut out from the raw coil, and the table 813 shows information regarding each product coil. In the table 813, for example, the product coil with the product number 1 has a product unit weight of 5000 kg and a number of welding times of 2. When the weight of the product part 43 reaches the product unit weight, it becomes the separation of the product coil. However, when the product coil is collected across a plurality of raw coils, welding is also performed between the raw coils. Also, as shown in the field of the product unit weight in the table 813, the product unit weights of the respective product coils may be different from each other.

[0080] When the second calculation unit 14 determines that the number of welding times exceeds the weldable number of times (S1407: NO), in S1408, the second calculation unit 14 determines whether there is another arrangement order of the raw coils included in the combination.

[0081] When the second calculation unit 14 determines that there is another arrangement order of the original coils included in the combination (S1408: YES), subsequently in S1406, it sets the remaining arrangement order. On the other hand, when the second calculation unit 14 determines that there is no such remaining arrangement order (S1408: NO), in S1409, it sets the combination of the original coils used in the processes from S1406 to S1408 to the combination with the next highest yield in the overall combination.

[0082] Here, the determination of "NO" in S1408, from another aspect, means that for the combination of the original coils to be processed, it is determined that no matter how the arrangement order of the original coils is rearranged, the conditions regarding the number of welding times are not satisfied. Also, in S1409, if there is no remaining combination of the original coils to be set next, the second calculation unit 14 ends the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 on the assumption that there is no combination of the original coils and arrangement order that satisfies the conditions regarding the number of welding times.

[0083] Further, when the second calculation unit 14 determines in S1407 that the aforementioned number of welding times is less than or equal to the number of weldable times (S1407: YES), it proceeds to the process of S1410 on the assumption that the set combination of the original coils and the arrangement order satisfy the conditions regarding the number of welding times.

[0084] In S1410, the second calculation unit 14 determines and outputs the set combination of the original coils and the arrangement order as the result of the second calculation process.

[0085] According to the second calculation process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, the combination of the original coils with the maximum yield and the arrangement order that satisfies the conditions regarding the number of welding times are calculated.

[0086] Further, the second calculation unit 14 may calculate the arrangement in the width direction of each of the original coils for cutting so that the cutting blades 30 at a predetermined interval can pass through each of the original coils for cutting in a straight line.

[0087] FIG. 9 is an example of a schematic diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the original coils in the width direction. The second calculation unit 14 refers to the evaluation index indicating the passing position of the cutting blade 30 in each original coil stored in the storage unit 21, and calculates the arrangement in the width direction of the original coils so that each passing position is in a straight line. Thereby, when cutting off the end portion 33 of the original coil for cutting over the entire length direction, it is possible to reduce the labor for adjusting the arrangement of the original coil and the cutting blade 30.

[0088] As described above, an example of a planning method for planning the slitting operation has been described, which includes a first acquisition step, a second acquisition step, a first calculation step, and a second calculation step. According to the above method, in the slitting operation of cutting out product coils from original coils that may include defective parts, the yield can be further improved while satisfying the conditions regarding the number of welds.

[0089] Note that, as described above, the first calculation unit 13 may be configured not to include in the yield calculation the cut-off portion having a predetermined weight or more in the original coil. As a result, in the above configuration, the second calculation unit 14 calculates the arrangement order that maximizes the yield defined by the ratio of the weight obtained by removing the weight of the cut-off portion having a predetermined weight or more from the total weight of the original coil for cutting to the weight obtained by removing the weight of the cut-off portion having a predetermined weight or more from the total weight of the collectable weight.

[0090] 〔Example of Realization by Software〕 The function of the planning device 1 (hereinafter referred to as "device") is a program for causing a computer to function as the device, and can be realized by a program for causing a computer to function as each control block of the device (particularly the first acquisition unit 11, the second acquisition unit 12, the first calculation unit 13, and the second calculation unit 14).

[0091] In this case, as hardware for executing the above program, the above device includes a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., a memory). By executing the above program with this control device and storage device, each function described in each of the above embodiments is realized.

[0092] The above program may be recorded on one or more computer-readable recording media, rather than being temporary. This recording medium may or may not be included in the above device. In the latter case, the above program may be supplied to the above device via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0093] Also, part or all of the functions of each of the above control blocks can also be realized by a logic circuit. For example, an integrated circuit in which a logic circuit functioning as each of the above control blocks is formed is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition to this, for example, it is also possible to realize the functions of each of the above control blocks by a quantum computer.

[0094] Also, each process described in each of the above embodiments may be executed by AI (Artificial Intelligence). In this case, the AI may operate in the above control device, or may operate in another device (e.g., an edge computer or a cloud server, etc.).

[0095] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0096] 1 Planning Device 2 Output Device 10 Control Unit 11 First Acquisition Unit 12 Second Acquisition Unit 13 First calculation unit 14 Second calculation unit 21 Memory unit 22 Input unit 3 Strip cutting device 30 Cutting edge 31, 401, 402, 403, 601, 602, 603, 801, 802, 803 Original coil 32 Product coil 33 End part 41 Defective part 42 Cut-off part 43 Product part

Claims

1. A planning device for planning a slitting operation of cutting out a product coil from an original coil by a cutting blade arranged at an interval of the width of the product coil in the width direction of the original coil, a first acquisition unit that acquires first information including the width, length, weight, and position of a defective portion for each of one or more original coils; a second acquisition unit that acquires second information including the width, product unit weight, total product weight, and weldable times which is the upper limit of the number of welds for the product coil to reach the product unit weight for the product coil to be cut out; a first calculation unit that calculates, for each of the one or more original coils, a passing position of the cutting blade for collecting the product coil from the original coil so as not to include the defective portion, and a collectable weight corresponding to the passing position; an arrangement order when passing the original coil for cutting including part or all of the one or more original coils along the length direction of each original coil for cutting while arranging the original coil for cutting in the width direction so that the passing position of the cutting blade becomes a predetermined position, and the total of the collectable weights reaches the total product weight, and the number of welds in each product coil is equal to or less than the weldable times when each product coil is cut out for each product unit weight, and a second calculation unit that calculates the arrangement order; comprising: The connection by the welding is performed between the divided portions straddling the cut-off portion that becomes the entire width direction including the defective portion, or between the original coils when the product coil is collected across a plurality of original coils. A planning device characterized by the above.

2. The first calculation unit when a defective portion is included in the original coil when at least one end portion in the width direction of the target original coil is cut off, assumes that the cut-off portion including the defective portion is cut off in the width direction of the original coil, calculates, as the collectable weight, the weight of the portion excluding the end portion and the cut-off portion of the original coil, The planning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the collectable weight corresponding to each position of the cutting blade in the width direction of the original coil is compared to calculate the collectable weight used in the original coil.

3. The second calculation unit Calculating the arrangement order that maximizes the yield defined by the ratio of the weight obtained by subtracting the weight of the cut-off portion of a predetermined weight or more from the total weight of the original coil for cutting, to the weight obtained by subtracting the weight of the cut-off portion of a predetermined weight or more from the total collectable weight The planning device according to claim 2, characterized in that.

4. The second calculation unit Calculates the arrangement in the width direction of each of the original coils for cutting so that the cutting blade can pass through each of the original coils for cutting in a straight line The planning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that.

5. Further comprising an input unit that receives an input of a user operation The second acquisition unit Acquires the value input via the input unit as the second information The planning device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that.

6. A planning method for planning a strip cutting operation of cutting out a product coil from an original coil with a cutting blade arranged at intervals of the width of the product coil in the width direction of the original coil, comprising: A first acquisition step including the width, length, weight, and position of a defective portion for each of one or more original coils A second acquisition step of acquiring second information including the width, product unit weight, total product weight, and the maximum number of welding times, which is the upper limit of the number of welding times for the product coil to reach the product unit weight, for the product coil to be cut out A first calculation step of calculating, for each of the one or more original coils, the passing position of the cutting blade for collecting the product coil from the original coil so as not to include the defective portion, and the collectable weight corresponding to the passing position A second calculation step of calculating an arrangement order when passing the original coils for cutting, including some or all of the one or more original coils, along the length direction of each original coil for cutting while arranging them in the width direction so that the passing position of the cutting blade becomes a predetermined position, wherein the total collectable weight reaches the total product weight, and when each product coil is cut out for each product unit weight, the number of welding times in each product coil is equal to or less than the weldable number of times Including The connection by welding Is performed between the divided portions straddling the cut-off portion that becomes the entire width direction including the defective portion, or between the original coils when the product coil is collected across a plurality of original coils A planning method characterized by that.

7. A control program for causing a computer to function as the planning device according to claim 1, the control program for causing a computer to function as the first acquisition unit, the second acquisition unit, the first calculation unit, and the second calculation unit.

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