Switchboard production support system

Abstract

To provide a switchboard manufacturing support system which can reduce a data amount and prevent data communication infrastructures from being tight when storing data in a PLM system.SOLUTION: A switchboard manufacturing support system 100 includes an electrical CAD 21 for electrical designing, a mechanical CAD 22 for mechanical designing, an integrated CAD-PDM 20A in which 3D model data 24 of the mechanical CAD 22 is stored, a PLM system 90 for batch management of information on a lifecycle of a switchboard, and a data conversion I / F 40 which converts the 3D model data 24 from the integrated CAD-PDM 20A to transmit it to the PLM system 90.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present application relates to a switchboard production support system. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, efforts have been made to improve business efficiency by utilizing information from the entire product lifecycle using a PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) system that centrally manages information across the entire product lifecycle of a distribution board (order acceptance, design, production, shipping, installation, maintenance, etc.) (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Design information for switchboards includes electrical circuit diagrams, mechanical drawings, and BOMs (Bill of Materials). Electrical circuit diagrams are the output of electrical circuit design that meets required specifications and are created using electrical CAD (Computer Aided Design). Mechanical drawings and BOMs are the output of mechanical design, which designs the layout and component configuration of the electrical components specified in the electrical circuit diagram, such as how they will be placed and installed within the switchboard, and are created using 3D mechanical CAD. In recent years, integrated CADs that combine electrical and mechanical CAD functions and enable the sharing of information between the two have become popular.

[0004] The PLM system centrally manages information as electronic data by importing electrical circuit diagrams, mechanical drawings, BOMs, and other design information for switchboards into the PLM system's own database (hereafter referred to as PLM-PDM; PDM: Product Data Management) or by storing it in the database of a system linked to the PLM system. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-242970 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In addition to the aforementioned electrical circuit diagrams, mechanical drawings, and BOMs, three-dimensional model data (hereafter referred to as 3D models) created with mechanical CAD to create mechanical drawings is also useful design information. For example, by referencing a 3D model in the manufacturing department, it is easier to recognize the structure and layout of a switchboard than with a paper drawing.

[0007] However, 3D models created with mechanical CAD handle 3D shape data, resulting in large data volumes. Therefore, storing this 3D model information in the database of a PLM system or related systems requires securing a large-capacity database server, which leads to high server purchase costs or cloud usage fees. Furthermore, when the data server is located in a remote location, the large amount of data exchanged can strain the communication infrastructure, creating an issue.

[0008] This application discloses technology to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a switchboard production support system that can reduce the amount of data and prevent data communication infrastructure from becoming congested when storing 3D models created with mechanical CAD in a PLM system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The switchboard production support system disclosed in the present application comprises: Electrical CAD for electrical design, Mechanical CAD for mechanical design, an integrated CAD-PDM that stores 3D model data of the mechanical CAD; A PLM system that centrally manages information on the life cycle of switchboards, and a data conversion I / F that converts 3D model data from the integrated CAD-PDM and transmits it to the PLM system. death, The data conversion I / F has an input unit that sequentially reads 3D model data of the integrated CAD-PDM, a selection unit that selects the 3D model data read by the input unit, and an output unit that transmits the 3D model data selected by the selection unit to the PLM system. death, The selection unit excludes 3D shape data from the 3D model data of the integrated CAD-PDM. R It is something. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the switchboard production support system disclosed in the present application, when a 3D model created by mechanical CAD is stored in a PLM system, the amount of data can be reduced and congestion on the data communication infrastructure can be prevented. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a switchboard production support system for a switchboard according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of the configuration of a 3D model according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a tree diagram showing the configuration of a unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 3 is a diagram showing the data structure (3D model information) of the unit shown in FIG. 2 as a 3D model. FIG. [Figure 5] 3 is a diagram showing the data configuration (3D model information) of a unit case according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of determining the position and orientation of one part in a 3D coordinate system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of determining the position and orientation of one part in the 3D coordinate system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the data configuration (3D model information) of a unit as a 3D model in the case of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a data conversion I / F according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example of a 3D model according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a tree diagram showing the configuration of a unit according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the data structure (3D model information) of a unit according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Embodiment 1 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a switchboard production support system 100. The switchboard production support system 100 is made up of a PLM system 90 that collectively manages product information for the entire product lifecycle of a switchboard, an integrated CAD 20 that has the functions of an electrical CAD 21 used for electrical design and a mechanical CAD 22 used for mechanical design, and a data conversion interface 40 (hereinafter referred to as data conversion I / F 40) that converts 3D model data (information) of the integrated CAD 20.

[0013] The PLM system 90 includes a PLM-PDM 91 that stores information related to the manufacture of distribution boards, and a design information management unit 92 that manages the information stored in the PLM-PDM 91. The integrated CAD 20 includes an electrical CAD 21 and a mechanical CAD 22 that are functionally linked, an integrated CAD-PDM 20A that stores a plurality of electrical circuit diagrams 21Z created by the electrical CAD 21, a plurality of mechanical drawings 22Z created by the mechanical CAD 22, a bill of materials (BOM) 23, and a plurality of 3D models 24 (3D model data) that make up the distribution board. The 3D models 24 are hierarchically organized, and one 3D model 24 may include 3D models 24 of multiple components.

[0014] 2 is a diagram showing a specific configuration example of the 3D model 24, using as an example a unit 50 mounted on an MCC (Motor Control Center), which is a type of switchboard. The MCC is equipped with multiple units such as unit 50, and each unit can control, protect, and measure the power supply to motors such as fans.

[0015] Unit 50 is composed of structural members (001-000: unit case, etc.), main circuit devices used to open / close and protect the main circuit (002-000: molded case circuit breaker, 003-000: electromagnetic contactor, etc.), and control devices (004-000: timer, 005-000: relay, etc.) that control the main circuit devices.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a tree diagram showing the configuration of the unit 50. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the data configuration (3D model information) of the unit 50 as the 3D model 24 shown in Fig. 2. Each 3D model 24 of the part (product name) that makes up the unit 50 can be uniquely identified by a model ID. Note that the model ID also includes a sub-number (the part following the hyphen in the model ID in Fig. 4), so if there is a change, the sub-number is incremented.

[0017] In other words, if the model ID is the same, it indicates the same 3D model 24, and once a model ID is assigned, it will remain the same until it is deleted. There are two types of 3D models 24: simple data and composite data.

[0018] For example, the unit case 50A that constitutes the unit 50 shown in Fig. 4 is composite data, while other elements such as the molded case circuit breaker 50B are individual element data. The individual element data represents a single 3D model 24, while the composite data is configured as a single 3D model 24 by combining multiple 3D models 24 of individual element data.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the data configuration (3D model information) of the unit case 50A as the 3D model 24. As shown in FIG. The unit case 50A, which is composite data, has data on the multiple parts (product names) that make up the unit case 50A, just like the unit 50. Both the composite data and the single data have a model ID and information on the position (coordinates) and posture (orientation) that uniquely determine the placement within the 3D model (inside the unit 50 in FIG. 4).

[0020] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of determining the position and orientation of the 3D model 24 of the unit case 50A in the 3D model coordinate system. In FIG. 4, in order to uniquely determine the position of the 3D model 24, such as the unit case 50A, within the 3D model coordinate system, coordinates (x1, y1, z1) relative to the reference position (x0, y0, z0) of the 3D model and rotation angles (α, β, γ) relative to the XYZ axes are set. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of determining the position and orientation of the 3D model 24 of the unit case 50A in the 3D model coordinate system. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the data configuration (3D model information) of the unit 50 as the 3D model 24 in the case of FIG. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, three or more reference positions may be set on each 3D model 24, such as the unit case 50A, and the position and orientation of the 3D model 24 of each part may be determined by these coordinates.

[0021] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of the data conversion I / F 40. As shown in FIG. The data conversion I / F 40 has an input unit 41 that sequentially reads data (including 3D model data) from the integrated CAD-PDM 20A, a selection unit 42 that selects whether or not to send the data read by the input unit 41 to the PLM system 90, and an output unit 43 that sends the data selected by the selection unit 42 to the PLM system 90.

[0022] Next, referring to FIG. 1, a flow of storing the electrical circuit diagram 21Z, the mechanical drawing 22Z, the BOM 23, and the 3D model 24, which are design information for manufacturing a switchboard, in the PLM system 90 will be described. First, in accordance with the specifications of the customer's electrical equipment, the electrical circuit design is performed using electrical CAD 21, and the mechanical design is performed using mechanical CAD 22. As the results of these designs, an electrical circuit diagram 21Z, a mechanical drawing 22Z, a BOM 23, and a 3D model 24 are created, and this information is stored in integrated CAD-PDM 20A within the integrated CAD 20.

[0023] Next, a workflow section 92A in the design information management section 92 of the PLM system 90 is used to approve the design deliverables created by the integrated CAD 20. The PLM system 90 and the integrated CAD 20 are linked systems, and after workflow approval, the design deliverables are stored in the PLM-PDM 91 in the PLM system 90.

[0024] At this time, the 3D model 24 of the design deliverable undergoes data conversion via the data conversion I / F 40 and is then stored in the PLM-PDM 91. The design deliverable stored in the PLM-PDM 91 becomes the official information handled within the switchboard production support system 100.

[0025] The design deliverables, that is, the electrical circuit diagram 21Z, the mechanical drawing 22Z, the BOM 23, and the 3D model 24, are mutually associated within the PLM system 90 by identifiers such as drawing numbers and model IDs.

[0026] After each design deliverable is stored in the PLM system 90, the manufacturing process for the switchboard after design is carried out using the design deliverable information. For example, the procurement department imports the design deliverable information into a parts ordering system (not shown) and arranges for parts. This parts arrangement information and the design deliverables are linked, and the information is managed centrally in the PLM system 90.

[0027] Next, the operation of the data conversion I / F 40 will be described with reference to FIG. The input unit 41 reads the data of the 3D model 24 that has been instructed to be sent to the PLM system 90 from the data of the integrated CAD-PDM 20A. The target 3D model 24 is the source information for creating the mechanical drawing 22Z and BOM 23, so first, the mechanical drawing 22Z is ​​specified in the workflow unit 92A of the PLM system 90, and the 3D model 24 is specified as its related information. Here, it is assumed that the 3D model 24 of the unit 50 also shown in Figure 4 has been selected.

[0028] The 3D model 24 may be specified by the data conversion I / F 40 receiving information on the mechanical drawing 22Z from the PLM system 90, and the data conversion I / F 40 may specify the corresponding 3D model 24 from this information.

[0029] The data of the 3D model 24 of the read unit 50 is transmitted to the PLM system 90, excluding the 3D shape data (single unit data) of the parts that make up the 3D model 24. In other words, the data conversion I / F 40 transmits only the part configuration and placement information of the target unit 50 to the PLM system 90. Since the 3D shape data 50K, which has a large data volume, is not transmitted, the amount of data transmitted to the PLM system 90 can be significantly reduced.

[0030] In this embodiment, the data conversion I / F 40 is provided outside the PLM system 90 and the integrated CAD 20, but functions equivalent to the data conversion I / F 40 may be implemented in the PLM system 90 or the integrated CAD 20.

[0031] The data conversion I / F 40 is started up by information from the PLM system 90 after workflow approval. After the design deliverable is created by the mechanical CAD 22, the data conversion I / F 40 may be started up by information from the integrated CAD 20. In this case, the converted data is temporarily stored in the data conversion I / F 40, and the data is transferred to the PLM system 90 after the workflow of the PLM system 90 is approved.

[0032] Next, a description will be given of the operation of the PLM system 90. In the PLM system 90, the data conversion I / F 40 converts the data, and the information of the 3D model 24, from which the 3D shape data 50K has been removed, is stored in the PLM-PDM 91.

[0033] For example, when checking the quantity of a certain part in an electrical circuit diagram using the PLM system 90, the quantity of the part can be extracted from the BOM 23 associated with the electrical circuit diagram. On the other hand, when it is desired to visually check the placement of a certain part in three dimensions, the PLM system 90 does not have 3D shape data, so the display itself is displayed by activating the mechanical CAD 22.

[0034] In this case, if the information of the design deliverable stored in the integrated CAD 20 has been changed, for example, even if the placement of the control equipment has been changed in the 3D model 24, the PLM system 90 has the official information approved in the workflow, and can use this official information to restore the placement of the control equipment in the 3D model 24 to its original state.

[0035] Furthermore, if the PLM system 90 holds the layout information of the parts that make up the 3D model 24, even if a design change occurs due to a change in the customer's specifications after workflow approval, such as a change in the position of a control device, the difference detection unit 92B can compare the old data stored in the PLM system 90 with the newly converted new data to mechanically extract the difference data for each 3D model 24. This makes it possible, for example, to issue a notice via the PLM system 90 informing the assembly department that the equipment layout has been changed.

[0036] As described above, according to the switchboard production support system of the first embodiment, 3D shape data, which is a particularly large amount of data, is not transmitted from the 3D model 24, which is the output of the mechanical CAD 22, stored in the PLM system 90. This reduces the data capacity of the PLM-PDM 91 of the PLM system 90, specifically the data capacity stored on the server and in the cloud (hereinafter referred to as the server, etc.). This reduces the cost of purchasing a server or the cost of using the cloud. It also reduces congestion on the communication infrastructure for transferring data.

[0037] Embodiment 2 The switchboard production support system according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example of the configuration of the 3D model 24 of the unit 50. As shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a tree diagram showing the configuration of the unit 250. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the data structure (3D model information) of the unit 250. As shown in FIG. In the first embodiment, the data conversion I / F 40 also transmits to the PLM system 90 information on the 3D model that constitutes the composite data within the data of the 3D model 24 that is the result of the mechanical CAD 22.

[0038] In this embodiment, the mechanical CAD 22 divides the parts that make up the 3D model 24 into parts that do not change functionally or according to customer orders (fixed parts 250F) and parts that may change (variable parts 250C). The fixed parts 250F have identifying symbols in the 3D data so that they can be distinguished from the variable parts 250C.

[0039] If a fixed part 250F exists among the multiple models that make up the 3D model 24, which is the output of the mechanical CAD 22, the data conversion I / F 40 extracts only the 3D model data (information) of the hierarchical top-level 3D model of that fixed part 250F and transmits it to the PLM system 90, but does not transmit the 3D model data of the lower 3D models that make up the layers below the top-level to the PLM system 90.

[0040] 11, the portion of unit 250 that is configured by the unit case, molded case circuit breaker, and electromagnetic contactor is fixed portion 250F, and the timer and relay are variable portion 250C. In this case, 3D model information of the unit fixed portion is transmitted to PLM system 90, but 3D model information of layers below the unit fixed portion, such as the unit case and molded case circuit breaker that configure the unit fixed portion, is not transmitted to PLM system 90.

[0041] According to the switchboard production support system of the second embodiment, among the 3D model 24, which is the output of the mechanical CAD 22 and is transmitted to the PLM system 90, the configuration data belonging to the fixed part does not change, and therefore, only the top layer is transmitted to the PLM system 90. This makes it possible to further reduce the amount of data to be stored. This also makes it possible to reduce the capacity of the server to be prepared. It also makes it possible to prevent congestion in the communication infrastructure for transferring data.

[0042] 11, screws are required to secure the timer, and the mechanical CAD 22 may place these screws in the 3D model 224. The number of such secondary materials, such as screws, tends to increase. Therefore, for example, a database of secondary materials may be provided in the data conversion I / F 40, and the secondary material model information may be removed by referencing this database. This further reduces the amount of data stored in the PLM system 90.

[0043] The integrated CAD 20 and the PLM system 90 may be located on the same computer device or on different computer devices. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the computer device 10. As shown in FIG. The computer device 10 is composed of a processor 11 and a storage device 12. The storage device 12 includes a volatile storage device such as a random access memory and a non-volatile auxiliary storage device such as a flash memory, both not shown. Alternatively, a hard disk auxiliary storage device may be provided instead of the flash memory. The processor 11 executes a program such as an integrated CAD 20 input from the storage device 12. In this case, the program is input to the processor 11 from the auxiliary storage device via the volatile storage device. The processor 11 may output data such as calculation results to the volatile storage device of the storage device 12, or may store the data in the auxiliary storage device via the volatile storage device.

[0044] Various aspects of the present disclosure will be summarized below as appendices. (Appendix 1) Electrical CAD for electrical design, Mechanical CAD for mechanical design, an integrated CAD-PDM that stores 3D model data of the mechanical CAD; A PLM system that centrally manages information on the life cycle of switchboards, and a data conversion I / F that converts 3D model data from the integrated CAD-PDM and transmits it to the PLM system. (Appendix 2) The data conversion I / F of the switchboard production support system described in Appendix 1 has an input unit that sequentially reads 3D model data of the integrated CAD-PDM, a selection unit that selects the 3D model data read by the input unit, and an output unit that transmits the 3D model data selected by the selection unit to the PLM system. (Appendix 3) 3. The switchboard production support system according to claim 2, wherein the selection unit excludes 3D shape data from the 3D model data of the integrated CAD-PDM. (Appendix 4) The switchboard production support system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the selection unit has a function of excluding pre-specified 3D model data from the 3D model data of the integrated CAD-PDM. (Appendix 5) The switchboard production support system according to any one of Supplementary Note 2 to Supplementary Note 4, wherein the selection unit selects only the top-level 3D model data of the 3D model data of the integrated CAD-PDM, including a variable part whose content changes and a hierarchical fixed part whose content does not change. (Appendix 6) The PLM system is a distribution board production support system according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 5, which has a difference detection unit that detects a difference between the 3D model data transmitted from the data conversion I / F and stored in the PLM system and the 3D model data subsequently transmitted from the data conversion I / F.

[0045] Although the present application describes various exemplary embodiments and examples, the various features, aspects, and functions described in one or more embodiments are not limited to application to a particular embodiment, but may be applied to the embodiments alone or in various combinations. Therefore, countless variations not illustrated are conceivable within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application, including, for example, cases where at least one component is modified, added, or omitted, and cases where at least one component is extracted and combined with a component of another embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 10 Computer equipment, 100 Switchboard production support system, 11 Processor, 12 Storage device, 21Z Electrical circuit diagram, 22Z Mechanical drawing, 23 BOM, 24,224 3D models, 40 data conversion interfaces, 41 input sections, 42 selection section, 43 output section, 50,250 unit, 250C variable section, 250F fixed part, 50A unit case, 50B wiring breaker, 50K 3D shape data, 90 PLM systems, 92 design information management departments, 92A Workflow section, 92B Difference detection section, 21 Electrical CAD, 22 Mechanical CAD, 20 Integrated CAD, 20A Integrated CAD-PDM.

Claims

1. an electrical CAD for carrying out electrical design; a mechanical CAD for carrying out mechanical design; an integrated CAD-PDM that stores 3D model data of the mechanical CAD; A PLM system that centrally manages information on the life cycle of switchboards, a data conversion I / F that converts 3D model data from the integrated CAD-PDM and transmits the converted data to the PLM system; the data conversion I / F has an input unit that sequentially reads 3D model data of the integrated CAD-PDM, a selection unit that selects the 3D model data read by the input unit, and an output unit that transmits the 3D model data selected by the selection unit to the PLM system, The selection unit excludes 3D shape data from the 3D model data of the integrated CAD-PDM.

2. 2. The switchboard production support system according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit has a function of excluding pre-specified 3D model data from the 3D model data of the integrated CAD-PDM.

3. The selection unit selects only the highest level 3D model data of the 3D model data of the integrated CAD-PDM, including variable parts whose contents change and hierarchical fixed parts whose contents do not change. The distribution board production support system according to claim 2.

4. 4. The switchgear production support system according to claim 1, wherein the PLM system has a difference detection unit that detects a difference between the 3D model data transmitted from the data conversion I / F and stored in the PLM system and the 3D model data subsequently newly transmitted from the data conversion I / F.

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