Production management system and production management program

The production management system addresses the challenge of identifying upstream defects by associating and displaying production data with individual and box identification, enhancing production efficiency by tracing defects back through the line.

JP7768874B2Active Publication Date: 2025-11-12ANRITSU CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2022202857
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2022-12-20
Publication Date
2025-11-12
Estimated Expiration
2042-12-20

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing production management systems struggle to identify the cause of defects in equipment upstream of the inspection device when a final product is found defective, leading to decreased production efficiency due to the need to open boxes and read individual product barcodes, especially when multiple items are packed together.

Method used

A production management system that associates and displays production data in order of product passage, using first and second identification information from individual products and boxes, allowing easy identification of defective causes by tracing back through the production line.

Benefits of technology

Enables efficient identification of defects in upstream equipment by associating and displaying production data, improving production line efficiency by preventing mixing of defective products and facilitating quick resolution of issues.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a production management system and a production management program with which, when found faulty by inspection, it is possible to grasp production data relating to an apparatus preceding an inspection unit.SOLUTION: The present invention comprises production line configuration apparatuses including a combinatorial weighing unit 11, a packaging unit 12, an inspection unit 14, a caser 15, and an inspection unit 17, and a server device 30. Each production line configuration apparatus transmits production data including processing data relating to a processed product and information for identifying the product to the server device 30, and the server device 30 stores the production data and, upon designation of information to identify the product, displays the production data of each apparatus in list form that is associated with information to identify the product, in order of passage of corresponding products.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a production management system that manages the production status of a production line that produces, for example, meat, fish, processed foods, pharmaceuticals, and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, on production lines that produce meat, fish, processed foods, pharmaceuticals, etc., the manufactured goods are weighed and packaged at a specified weight, and then inspected for foreign matter and for final weight, and those that pass these inspections are boxed and shipped as final products.

[0003] Patent document 1 describes that the inspection device adds the inspection results of the inspection device, detected data used in the inspection, etc. to the unique information of the item read by the barcode reader and outputs this as inspection information to a host computer, and the host computer registers the information output from the inspection device in a product database, and when a query request is made specifying unique information, it searches the product database and notifies the inspection information of that unique information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-219420 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with the system described in Patent Document 1, although it is possible to refer to the inspection results and data detected by the inspection device, it is difficult to identify the cause of the defect in equipment upstream of the inspection device when the inspection results in a defect. In particular, when a final product in which several packaged items are packed together in a box is found to be defective during inspection, since each product is still packed in the box, it is necessary to open the box and read the barcode or the like of each product in order to identify which product caused the defect, which poses a problem in that the production efficiency of the production line deteriorates as the number of items packed in a box increases.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a production management system and a production management program that can grasp production data related to equipment before an inspection machine when an inspection is found to be defective. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The production management system of the present invention is a production management system for managing a production line including two or more production line constituent devices, and includes a server device configured to be able to communicate with the production line constituent devices, The production line constituent equipment includes equipment for processing individual products, equipment for assembling a predetermined number of the individual products processed by the equipment into boxes, and equipment for processing the products in which the predetermined number of the individual products have been assembled into boxes by the equipment, The production line components Each device teeth, Each device Processed data, which is information about the processed product and identifies that product identification transmitting production data including the information to the server device; the identification information includes first identification information read from the individual product and second identification information read from the box; The server device Sent from different devices The production data Associating each production data based on the identification information included in the data Memorize the above Second Identification By specifying the information, The second identification The information associated with First identification information of Identify ,The production data of each device is arranged in the order of passing of the corresponding product. List It is what is displayed.

[0008] This configuration allows: Second Identification By specifying the information, The second identification associated with information First identification information but Identified The production data of each device is arranged in the order in which the corresponding products pass through. List Therefore, if an inspection is found to be defective, the information on the equipment preceding the inspection machine can be checked, and the cause of the defect in the equipment preceding the inspection machine can be easily identified.

[0009] In addition, in the production management system of the present invention, ,before The server device The first identification information is directly added to the second identification information. It is something that is associated.

[0010] This configuration allows ,sa The server device Directly insert the first identification information into the second identification information association, First identification information Associated production data can be displayed in a list, and the production data of the equipment that makes up the production line can be easily understood from the information contained in the production data.

[0011] In addition, in the production management system of the present invention, the production line components include a combination weighing machine that receives manufactured raw materials, weighs them in predetermined amounts, combines them to a predetermined weight, and discharges the combined raw materials; and a packaging machine that packages the predetermined weight of raw materials discharged from the combination weighing machine in packaging material and discharges the packaged product. and generating the first identification information for each product. A packaging machine, a printer connected to a control unit of the packaging machine and configured to print the first identification information on the product; a first inspection machine that inspects the weight of the packaged products discharged from the packaging machine and discharges packaged products that are found to be free of defects; a code reader connected to a control unit of the first inspection machine and configured to read the first identification information; The combination weighing machine includes a weighing result of the raw materials as the processing data. The packaging machine transmits the weighing result and the first identification information as the production data. The first inspection machine transmits the production Data includes the test results and the weight of the packaged product. and the first identification information is transmitted to the server device.

[0012] With this configuration, the weighing results of the raw materials from the combination weighing machine, the inspection results from the first inspection machine, and the measured weight of the packaged product are production The data is then sent to the server device. Therefore, for products that have been judged to be defective by the first inspection machine, the cause of the defect can be easily identified by referring to the weighing results of the combination weighing machine.

[0013] Furthermore, in the production management system of the present invention, the first inspection machine is equipped with a sorting machine for removing packaged products that are found to be defective in inspection from the production line.

[0014] With this configuration, the first inspection machine can remove packaged products that have been inspected as defective from the production line and discharge packaged products that have been inspected as passable to downstream equipment, so packaged products that have been inspected as passable and failable do not get mixed in the downstream equipment, and there is no need for downstream equipment to process defective packaged products, improving the efficiency of the production line.

[0015] In the production management system of the present invention, the production line component equipment includes a device for collectively packaging a predetermined number of packaged products. In the box After packing, a caser seals the boxes and discharges the packed products. a code reader connected to a control unit of the caser for reading the first identification information printed on the packaged product before packing it into a box, and a printer for printing the second identification information on the box; A second inspection machine inspects the weight of the boxed products and ejects boxed products that pass inspection. a code reader connected to a control unit of the second inspection machine and configured to read the second identification information; The case is provided with the production As data, In the box Identify boxed and packaged products The first identification information and the second identification information The second inspection machine transmits the information to the server device. production Data includes the inspection results and the weight of the boxed product. and the second identification information is transmitted to the server device.

[0016] This configuration allows identification of packaged products packed in a case. First identification information and second identification information Information, inspection results of the second inspection machine and the weight of the packaged product measured and second identification information ,but production The data is then sent to the server device. Therefore, for boxes that are judged to be defective by the second inspection machine, the product that is packed in the case can be identified. First identification information and second identification information From the information, the packaged product production By referring to the data, the cause of the defect can be easily identified.

[0017] The production management program of the present invention is a production management system including a production line including two or more production line constituent devices and a server device configured to be able to communicate with the production line constituent devices, wherein the production line constituent devices transmit production data to the server device, the production data including processing data that is information about processed products and information that identifies the products, the production line constituent equipment includes equipment for processing individual products, equipment for assembling a predetermined number of the individual products processed by the equipment into boxes, and equipment for processing the products in which the predetermined number of the individual products have been assembled into the boxes by the equipment, and the identification information includes first identification information read from the individual products and second identification information read from the boxes; The server device Sent from different devices The production data Associating each production data based on the identification information included in the data Memorize the above Second Identification By specifying the information, The second identification The information associated with First identification information of Identify ,The production data of each device is arranged in the order of passing of the corresponding product. List It realizes the display function.

[0018] This configuration allows: Second Identification By specifying the information, The second identification associated with information First identification information but Identified The production data of each device is arranged in the order in which the corresponding products pass through. List Therefore, if an inspection is found to be defective, the information on the equipment preceding the inspection machine can be checked, and the cause of the defect in the equipment preceding the inspection machine can be easily identified.

[0019] In addition, in the production management program of the present invention, ,before The server device The second identification information is input by the user as a search condition, and a search function based on the search condition is realized. It is something.

[0020] This configuration allows: The production data is searched using the second identification information as a search condition, The production data of the equipment that makes up the production line can be easily understood from the information contained in the production data. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] The present invention can provide a production management system and a production management program that can grasp production data related to equipment upstream of an inspection machine when an inspection is found to be defective. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a production management system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a production line according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows examples of windows displayed on the display of a server device of a production management system according to one embodiment of the present invention, where Figure 3(a) shows an example of a search window, Figure 3(b) shows an example of a search result window, and Figure 3(c) shows an example of a setting condition window. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Hereinafter, a production management system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0024] In Figures 1 and 2, a production management system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention receives raw materials M such as food and beverages manufactured and processed in an upstream manufacturing process, packages them together in a predetermined weight amount in a weighing process and packaging process to produce product P, inspects the weight of product P, checks for foreign matter contamination and packaging condition in an inspection process, and then manages a production line in which a predetermined number of products P that have been determined to be non-defective by inspection are packed into boxes B in a boxing process.

[0025] The production line is composed of a combination weighing machine 11, each of which performs a different process, a packaging machine 12, a printer 13, an inspection machine 14 as a first inspection machine, a caser 15, a printer 16, and an inspection machine 17 as a second inspection machine. These devices (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) are also called production line components, and are usually arranged in a row, with conveying means such as belt conveyors between the previous and next processes on the production line and between the devices in each process.

[0026] Note that the arrangement of the devices (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) is not limited to being adjacent to each other as shown in FIG. 2, but may also be such that, for example, the combination weighing machine 11 to the printing machine 13 are arranged adjacent to each other in a raw material area that handles raw materials M before packaging, and the inspection machines 14 to 17 are arranged adjacent to each other in a product area that handles packaged products, with the two separated areas connected by a transport means consisting of a belt conveyor or a chute.

[0027] The individual pieces of equipment (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) that make up such a production line are variously combined with equipment having different functions depending on the raw materials M to be handled, their packaging form, the inspection contents of the packaged products P, the handling of products P that have been found to be defective in the inspection, and the packing conditions and packaging form of boxed products S that have been boxed from products P that have been found to be good in the inspection.

[0028] First, the operation of each device (11 to 17) will be explained from upstream to downstream of the production line.

[0029] The combination weighing machine 11 receives raw materials M produced in an upstream manufacturing process, weighs them out in predetermined amounts, combines or consolidates them to a predetermined weight, and discharges them into the packaging machine 12. Note that the combination weighing machine 11 may be provided with a plurality of weighing units that weigh raw materials M to predetermined amounts, and each weighing unit may combine or consolidate the weighed raw materials M.

[0030] The packaging machine 12 is controlled by the control unit 21, and packages a predetermined weight of raw material M discharged from the combination weighing machine 11 in packaging material, passes it through the printing area of ​​the printer 13, and discharges it to the inspection machine 14.

[0031] The printer 13 prints identification information (first identification information 51) that identifies each product, such as a product serial number that can be expressed in the form of a barcode, two-dimensional code, alphanumeric characters, etc., on the packaged product P at a predetermined printing position.

[0032] The packaging machine 12, the combination weighing machine 11 and the printing machine 13 are connected to each other and can communicate with each other.

[0033] The packaging machine 12 generates, for example, a product serial number, which is information that identifies the packaged product P, and transmits the generated product serial number to the printer 13. The printer 13 prints information on the packaged product P based on the product serial number transmitted from the packaging machine 12. This product serial number is assigned to each packaged product P. Printing here may mean, for example, directly printing the product serial number at a predetermined position, such as on the side or top surface of the packaged product P, or affixing a label on which the product serial number is printed.

[0034] The combination weighing machine 11 and the printing machine 13 may be configured as part of the packaging machine 12.

[0035] The inspection machine (first inspection machine) 14 is controlled by the control unit 22 and inspects the weight of the packaged products P discharged from the packaging machine 12 based on the weighing value output from a weighing means (not shown), and discharges packaged products P that are found to be of correct weight, i.e., within the correct weight range defined by upper and lower weight limits set for the reference weight, as correct weight products into a case 15. Packaged products P that are overweight or underweight are treated as defective products and removed from the production line by operating a sorting machine 14A. Products that cannot be weighed correctly and therefore cannot be inspected are also treated as defective products.

[0036] In addition to inspecting the weight of the packaged product P, the inspection machine 14 may also inspect for foreign matter and shape using image inspection with visible light, infrared rays, X-rays, etc. to check for the presence of foreign matter, defective packaging, and deformation. In this case, it is preferable that the sorting machine 14A be set with multiple rejection destinations in order to distinguish rejection destinations according to the inspection items that are deemed defective.

[0037] A code reader 18 is connected to the inspection machine 14, and reads information printed at a predetermined position on the packaged product P by the printer 13. The first identification information 51, such as a product serial number, read by the code reader 18 is transmitted to the inspection machine 14.

[0038] The code reader 18 is provided at the entrance of the inspection machine 14, and the inspection machine 14 stores the first identification information 51 transmitted from the code reader 18 and sequentially associates it with the weight and quality inspection results of each product P. That is, the inspection machine 14 generates a data set including the weight and quality inspection results of each product P and the first identification information 51 that identifies that product P.

[0039] The caser 15 is controlled by the control unit 23, and packs a predetermined number of packaged products P discharged from the inspection machine 14 into boxes B using a packing mechanism (not shown), then seals the boxes and discharges them to the inspection machine (second inspection machine) 17. "Packaging" here refers to packing a predetermined number of packaged products P together.

[0040] A code reader 19 is connected to the entrance of the case 15. The code reader 19 reads the first identification information 51 printed on the packaged product P before packing it into a box. The first identification information 51, such as a product serial number, read by the code reader 19 is transmitted to the case 15.

[0041] The caser 15 sequentially receives packaged products P from the inspection machine 14 and sequentially stores the first identification information 51 read by the code reader 19. When a box B is set in a predetermined boxing position, the caser 15 generates, for example, a cardboard serial number as second identification information 52 for identifying the box B and transmits it to the printer 16, which will be described later.

[0042] The caser 15 associates the generated second identification information 52 with the first identification information 51 that identifies each product P packed in or to be packed in the same box B. This association directly or indirectly indicates the correspondence between each product P and the box B in which or to be packed these products P. As a result, even after the box B is sealed by the caser 15, the first identification information 51 of the packaged product P in the box can be identified using the second identification information 52 printed on the box B.

[0043] The printer 16 prints second identification information 52, which can be expressed in the form of a bar code, two-dimensional code, alphanumeric characters, etc., on the box B at either the packing position where the box B is set in the caser 15 or a predetermined position on the path where the packed product S is discharged to the inspection machine 17. The caser 15 and the printer 16 are connected and can communicate with each other.

[0044] For example, when cardboard box B is set in the packing position, caser 15 generates a cardboard serial number, which is information for identifying cardboard box B, and transmits second identification information 52, such as the generated cardboard serial number, to printer 16. Printer 16 prints the cardboard serial number as second identification information 52 on cardboard box B based on the second identification information 52 transmitted from caser 15. Note that printer 16 may be configured as a part of caser 15. Printing here may mean, for example, directly printing second identification information 52 at a predetermined position, such as on the side or top of cardboard box B, or affixing a label on which second identification information 52 is printed.

[0045] The inspection machine 17 is controlled by the control unit 24, and inspects the weight of the boxed products S discharged from the case 15. The inspection machine 17 discharges the boxed products S that are found to be neither too heavy nor too light, i.e., the products that are within the correct weight range determined by the upper and lower weight limits set for the reference weight, to the downstream process as correct weight products containing a predetermined number of packaged products P packed in a box. If a boxed product S is found to be too heavy or too light, it will not be discharged downstream and will output an alarm.

[0046] A code reader 20 is connected to the inspection machine 17, and reads second identification information 52 printed on the box B of the boxed product S by the printer 16. The second identification information 52, such as a cardboard serial number, read by the code reader 20 is transmitted to the inspection machine 17.

[0047] Now, assuming that the code reader 20 is installed upstream of the inspection machine 17, the inspection machine 17 stores the second identification information 52 transmitted from the code reader 20 and associates the second identification information 52 with the weight and inspection results of the boxed product S.

[0048] The server device 30 is composed of a computer unit equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), not shown, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a hard disk drive, and an input / output port, and is connected by wire or wirelessly to a network 40 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) as shown in FIG. 1.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the packaging machine 12, the inspection machine 14, the caser 15, the inspection machine 17, and the server device 30 are capable of communicating with each other via a network 40.

[0050] As shown in Figure 2, the combination weighing machine 11 and the printer 13 are configured as parts of the packaging machine 12 and are controlled by the control unit 21 of the packaging machine 12, the sorting machine 14A and the code reader 18 are configured as parts of the inspection machine 14 and are controlled by the control unit 22 of the inspection machine 14, the printer 16 and the code reader 19 are configured as parts of the caser 15 and are controlled by the control unit 23 of the caser 15, and the code reader 20 is configured as part of the inspection machine 17 and is controlled by the control unit 24 of the inspection machine 17.

[0051] The server device 30 has the layout of each device on the production line set in advance, and stores information about other devices located before and after one device, for example, in association with the device's unique device ID.

[0052] The weighing machine 11, packaging machine 12, inspection machine 14, caser 15, and inspection machine 17 transmit production data including an equipment ID unique to each machine, processing data such as weighing results, inspection results, and packaging results, which are information about the processed products, condition data, which is information about operation settings such as weighing conditions, inspection conditions, and packing conditions, as well as a product serial number (first identification information 51) or a cardboard serial number (second identification information 52), to the server device 30 via the network 40.

[0053] The server device 30 receives the production data transmitted from each device on the production line via the network 40, associates it with the product serial number corresponding to the packaged product P or the cardboard serial number corresponding to the box B of the product S, which is a box containing a predetermined number of packaged products P, and stores and manages it on the hard disk drive. The production data includes information on the time when the production data information was acquired.

[0054] The combination weighing machine 11 has, for example, multiple weighing units, and raw materials M are supplied to each weighing unit one by one or in a lump, and are weighed, and then combined and discharged so that the total weight is close to a predetermined reference value, and the weighing result, which is the total weight of the discharged raw materials M, is transmitted to the packaging machine 12.

[0055] When the packaging machine 12 packages the raw materials M discharged collectively from the combination weighing machine 11 in a bag-shaped packaging material to form packaged products P, it generates a product serial number for each packaged product P and transmits, for example, the weighing results received from the combination weighing machine 11, the packaging results at the time of packaging, the generated product serial number, etc. as production data from the control unit 21 to the server device 30.

[0056] The inspection machine 14 transmits inspection conditions such as a reference weight for determining the weight of the packaged product P, the inspection results, the measured weight of the packaged product, the product serial number read by the code reader 18, and the like as production data from the control unit 22 to the server device 30.

[0057] The caser 15 transmits, from the control unit 23 to the server device 30, in a predetermined data format, production data regarding the boxed products S that have been boxed, such as the number of products to be boxed and the type of box B, as well as packing conditions, such as the product serial numbers of each of a predetermined number of packaged products P packed in the same box B, and the cardboard serial numbers generated for the boxes B into which these packaged products P are packed.

[0058] For example, as shown in Figure 2, suppose six packaged products P are packed into one cardboard box B. In this case, the caser 15 identifies the cardboard box B, generates an identifiable cardboard serial number, and causes the printer 16 to print the cardboard serial number on the side of the cardboard box B. The caser 15 also transmits to the server device 30 a data set that directly associates the product serial numbers of the packaged products P packed in the cardboard box B.

[0059] Specifically, for each identical cardboard box B, a data set including a "device ID" unique to the caser 15, "packing conditions" such as the number of items packed and the current time, a "cardboard serial number" for identifying the cardboard box B, and the product serial numbers of the six packaged products P packed in that box, i.e., "product serial number (1)," "product serial number (2)," ..., "product serial number (6)," is transmitted to the server device 30. In other words, according to such a data set, one data set can include one cardboard serial number and six product serial numbers, and the caser 15 transmits data to the server device 30 a number of times corresponding to the number of boxed products S that it has packed.

[0060] The caser 15 may also transmit packing data to the server device 30 in other forms. Specifically, for each packaged product P packed in the same cardboard box B, the caser 15 transmits a total of six times to the server device 30 the "device ID" unique to the caser 15, "packing conditions" such as the number of products packed and the time of packing, a "cardboard serial number" for identifying the cardboard box B, and the "product serial number (k)" (k is 1 to 6) of the kth product among the six packaged products packed in that cardboard box B. In other words, according to such a data set, one data set can include one cardboard serial number and one product serial number, and the caser 15 transmits data to the server device 30 a number of times corresponding to the number of packaged products P packed in one cardboard box B.

[0061] The inspection machine 17 transmits inspection conditions such as a reference weight for determining the weight of the boxed product S, the inspection results, the measured weight of the boxed product S, the cardboard serial number read by the code reader 20, etc. as production data from the control unit 24 to the server device 30.

[0062] The server device 30 stores the production data received from each control unit (21, 22, 23, 24) of the packaging machine 12, the inspection machine 14, the case 15, and the inspection machine 17, by associating it with, for example, a product serial number that identifies the packaged product P or a cardboard serial number that identifies the box B in which the packaged product P is packed.

[0063] It is advisable to store the serial number of the boxed packaged product P in direct association with the cardboard serial number.

[0064] In response to a user request, the server device 30 searches for and displays production data using, for example, a product serial number or a cardboard box serial number as a key.

[0065] The server device 30 displays the production data, for example, by arranging the processing data and condition data of each device in the order in which the corresponding products passed through. The server device 30 may also display the production data in the order in which they were acquired.

[0066] For example, when caser 15 sets cardboard box B in the packing position, it generates a cardboard serial number and causes printer 16 to print the cardboard serial number at a predetermined position on cardboard box B. It also transmits a data set to server device 30, including a "device ID" unique to caser 15, "packing conditions" such as the number of items to be packed and the current time, and the "cardboard serial number." Next, caser 15 sequentially receives packaged products P that have been determined to be non-defective by inspection machine 14, and when the product serial number is read by code reader 19, it transmits a data set to server device 30, including a "device ID," "current time," and "product serial number" unique to caser 15. This process is repeated until the number of items to be packed is reached, and when packing is complete, the next cardboard box B is set.

[0067] Based on the time information contained in the data set transmitted from the caser 15, the server device 30 indirectly associates the cardboard serial number with the product serial number, i.e., can identify a certain cardboard box B and the packaged product P packed in the box.

[0068] According to this configuration, even if the existing caser 15 does not have the above-mentioned association function or data transmission function implemented, it is possible to realize this without updating the hardware or program of the caser 15 by simply retrofitting and linking a unit that generates and prints cardboard serial numbers, a unit that reads product serial numbers, and a controller that controls these units to the caser 15.

[0069] The server device 30 also has a function to search for production data transmitted from each device based on predetermined conditions. For example, when the data search function is activated on the server device 30, a search condition input screen is displayed. If a cardboard box serial number is input as a search condition, the server device 30 outputs production data for the product with the product serial number associated with the input cardboard box serial number in a predetermined format.

[0070] For example, when the inspection machine 17 outputs an alarm indicating that the weight of the boxed product S is either excessive or insufficient, the user activates the search function of the server device 30 and inputs, as a search condition, the cardboard serial number printed on the cardboard box B of the boxed product S that is either excessive or insufficient. The server device 30 identifies the product serial number associated with the input cardboard serial number, and then displays a list of production data transmitted from the packaging machine 12, inspection machine 14, case 15, and inspection machine 17 for each associated packaged product P on a display or the like.

[0071] The user can check, based on the production data displayed in a list, the reason why the inspection machine 17 determined that each packaged product P packed by the caser 15 was in excess or deficiency, even though it was the correct quantity discharged from the inspection machine 14.

[0072] For example, let us consider a case where the weight of the product S boxed by the inspection machine 17 falls below the lower limit weight. The inspection machine 14 discharges correct-weight products into the case 15. However, if the weight of each correct-weight product is biased toward the lower limit weight relative to the reference weight, the total weight of the boxed products S may fall below the lower limit weight for the inspection machine 17. The user can easily see from the production data list display that the case 15 has packed a predetermined number of packaged products P, that all of the packaged products P are correct-weight products, and that their weights are biased toward the lower limit weight. The user can then discharge the boxed products S as correct-weight products to the downstream process. This also applies when the total weight of the boxed products S exceeds the upper limit weight for the inspection machine 17, or when the weight of the boxed packaged products P is biased toward the upper limit weight relative to the reference weight.

[0073] Next, another example will be described in which the weight of the product S boxed by the inspection machine 17 falls below the lower limit weight. If the total weight of the boxed packaged product P sent from the inspection machine 14 based on the product serial number associated with the input cardboard serial number differs from the total weight of the boxed product S sent from the inspection machine 17, it can be seen from the data list display that there is a risk that the number of products that should have been boxed has not been packed. In this case, the sealed cardboard box B can be opened to check the number of products packed, and additional packaged products P can be packed to make up for the shortage, thereby making it possible to ensure that the correct amount of product is packed, but it can also be seen that the operation of the caser 15 needs to be checked. This also applies when there is a risk that more products than should have been packed.

[0074] By doing this, the production data of the packaged product P before packing and the production data of the boxed product S are associated with the first identification information 51 printed on the packaged product P and the second identification information 52 printed on the cardboard box B in which the packaged product P is packed.By doing this, the product serial number as the first identification information 51 can be identified from the cardboard serial number as the second identification information 52, and a data set including the product serial number can be output, making it possible to easily refer to the production data for each packaged product P that has been boxed, even after packing.

[0075] For example, the server device 30 displays a window such as that shown in FIG. 3 on a display (not shown) to allow the user to set search conditions, display search results, and display setting conditions for each device.

[0076] The server device 30 allows the user to set search conditions using a search window 31 as shown in FIG. 3(a), for example.

[0077] As shown in Figure 3(a), the search window 31 allows searches to be made using search criteria such as product serial number (Prod. S / N), carton serial number (Carton S / N), date and time, etc. Figure 3(a) shows a case where a search is made using carton serial number B3356.

[0078] The server device 30 displays the search results in a search result window 32 as shown in FIG. 3(b), for example.

[0079] As shown in Figure 3(b), the search result window 32 shows that six products are contained in the same B3356 box. Information such as the serial number and inspection results of each product is also displayed. In other words, it is possible to understand information about the individual items contained within from the cardboard serial number.

[0080] The server device 30 displays the setting conditions of each device in a setting conditions window 33 as shown in FIG. 3(c), for example.

[0081] 3(c), information such as the target weight of the target product is displayed in the setting condition window 33. The setting condition window 33 may be displayed in parallel with the search result window 32, or may be normally hidden and displayed by a user operation.

[0082] While an embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention, and it is intended that all such modifications and equivalents be included in the following claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1 Production management system 11 Combination weighing machine (production line component equipment) 12 Packaging machine (production line equipment) 13 Printing machine 14 Inspection machine (first inspection machine, production line component equipment) 14A Sorting machine (production line equipment) 15 Caser (production line equipment) 16 Printing machine 17 Inspection machine (second inspection machine, production line component equipment) 18, 19, 20 Code reader 21, 22, 23, 24 Control section 30 Server device 40 Network 51 Primary identification information (product serial number) 52 Secondary identification information (cardboard serial number) M Raw materials P Packaged products S Boxed products B box

Claims

1. A production management system (1) for managing a production line including two or more production line constituent devices (11, 12, 14, 15, 17), A server device (30) configured to be able to communicate with the production line constituent devices, The production line constituent equipment includes equipment for processing individual products (P), equipment for assembling a predetermined number of the individual products processed by the equipment into boxes (B), and equipment for processing products (S) in which the predetermined number of the individual products are assembled into boxes by the equipment, Each of the production line constituent devices transmits production data to the server device, the production data including processing data that is information about the product processed by the respective device and identification information that identifies the product; The identification information includes first identification information (51) read from the individual product and second identification information (52) read from the box; The server device stores the production data transmitted from different devices in association with each other based on the identification information contained in each piece of production data, and when the second identification information is specified, identifies the first identification information associated with the second identification information, and displays a list of the production data for each device in the order in which the corresponding products pass through.

2. The production management system described in Claim 1, characterized in that the server device directly associates the first identification information with the second identification information.

3. The production line components include: a combination weighing machine (11) that receives the manufactured raw materials (M), weighs them in predetermined amounts, combines them to a predetermined weight, and discharges them; a packaging machine (12) that packages a predetermined weight of raw materials discharged from the combination weighing machine in a packaging material, discharges the packaged product (P), and generates the first identification information for each of the products; a printer (13) connected to a control unit (21) of the packaging machine and configured to print the first identification information on the product; a first inspection machine (14) that inspects the weight of the packaged products discharged from the packaging machine and discharges packaged products that are found to be free of defects; a code reader (18) connected to a control unit (22) of the first inspection machine and configured to read the first identification information; the combination weighing machine transmits the weighing results of the raw materials to the packaging machine as the processing data, and the packaging machine transmits the weighing results and the first identification information to the server device as the production data; 3. The production management system according to claim 1, wherein the first inspection machine transmits the inspection results, the measured weight of the packaged product, and the first identification information as the production data to the server device.

4. 4. The production management system according to claim 3, wherein the first inspection machine includes a sorting machine (14A) for removing packaged products that are found to be defective in the inspection from the production line.

5. The production line components include: a caser (15) that packs a predetermined number of packaged products into the box, seals the box, and discharges the packed products (S); a code reader (19) connected to a control unit (23) of the caser for reading the first identification information printed on the packaged product before packing it into a box, and a printer (16) for printing the second identification information on the box; a second inspection machine (17) that inspects the weight of the boxed products and discharges the boxed products that are found to be free of defects; a code reader (20) connected to a control unit (24) of the second inspection machine and configured to read the second identification information; the caser transmits the first identification information and the second identification information for identifying the packaged product packed in the box to the server device as the production data; The production management system according to claim 3 , wherein the second inspection machine transmits the inspection results, the measured weight of the boxed product, and the second identification information as the production data to the server device.

6. A production management program for a production management system (1) comprising a production line including two or more production line constituent devices (11, 12, 14, 15, 17) and a server device (30) configured to be able to communicate with the production line constituent devices, wherein the production line constituent devices transmit production data to the server device, the production data including processing data that is information about processed products (P, S) and identification information that identifies the products, The production line constituent equipment includes equipment for processing individual products (P), equipment for assembling a predetermined number of the individual products processed by the equipment into boxes (B), and equipment for processing products (S) in which the predetermined number of the individual products are assembled into boxes by the equipment, The identification information includes first identification information (51) read from the individual product (P) and second identification information (52) read from the box; A production management program for realizing the function of storing the production data transmitted from different devices in association with each other based on the identification information contained in each production data in the server device, specifying the first identification information associated with the second identification information when the second identification information is specified, and displaying the production data of each device in a list in the order in which the corresponding products pass through.

7. A production management program as described in Claim 6, which allows a user to input the second identification information as a search condition into the server device, and realizes a search function based on the search condition.

Citation Information

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