Processing apparatus, processing method, and processing program

Abstract

To improve supplier selection accuracy.SOLUTION: A processing device 100 includes a storage unit that stores history information on one or more existing parts, an acquisition unit that acquires part information 300 on a new part, a calculation unit that calculates one or more indicators based on the history information and the part information 300, and a selection unit that selects candidate suppliers for the new part using the one or more indicators. The one or more indicators include one or more first indicators that are similarity degrees in shape between the new part and each of the one or more existing parts. The history information includes first shape information that indicates the shape of each of the one or more existing parts. The part information 300 includes second shape information that indicates the shape of the new part. The calculation unit calculates the one or more first indicators based on the first shape information and the second shape information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a processing apparatus, a processing method, and a processing program for selecting supplier candidates for new parts.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, overseas production has become common in manufacturing, and local suppliers are also being utilized for parts procurement. However, since their track records are inferior compared to those in the domestic market, production staff on the manufacturer side travel to the local area for follow-up to achieve part accuracy (appearance) and delivery schedules. Currently, for the selection of suppliers for hundreds of types of parts in one product development, people in the procurement department are doing it. Therefore, it is difficult to select the optimal supplier for all parts, and the number of business trips and man-hours for production staff on the manufacturer side are increasing.

[0003] In contrast, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-48862 discloses an apparatus for selecting a supplier of alternative parts using a classification code (category) of parts that a supplier can provide.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-140567 discloses a system for selecting a supplier based on evaluation items related to the management aspect of the supplier and evaluation items of the manufacturing process of parts by the supplier.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-38658 discloses an apparatus for searching for a new supplier using company information.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

[0007] According to the apparatus or system disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3, potential suppliers can be selected. However, the supplier selection methods disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3 are selection methods that use classification codes, evaluation items for management and manufacturing processes, or company information. Therefore, when ordering parts from suppliers selected using such selection methods, parts that do not meet the desired quality may be delivered, and there is a need to improve the accuracy of supplier selection.

[0008] One of the purposes of this disclosure is to improve the accuracy of supplier selection. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A processing apparatus according to a certain aspect of this disclosure includes a storage unit that stores historical information relating to one or more existing parts, an acquisition unit that acquires part information relating to a new part, a calculation unit that calculates one or more indicators based on the historical information and the part information, and a selection unit that selects a candidate supplier for the new part using the one or more indicators. The one or more indicators include one or more first indicators which are the degree of similarity in shape between the new part and each of the one or more existing parts. The historical information includes first shape information which shows the shape of each of the one or more existing parts. The part information includes second shape information which shows the shape of the new part. The calculation unit calculates one or more first indicators based on the first shape information and the second shape information.

[0010] Preferably, one or more first indicators include at least one of a first shape indicator, which is the degree of overall shape similarity between the new part and each of the one or more existing parts, and a second shape indicator, which is the degree of partial shape agreement between the new part and each of the one or more existing parts.

[0011] Preferably, one or more indicators further include a second indicator, which is the similarity of attributes between the new part and each of the one or more existing parts. The attributes include at least one of material and volume. The history information further includes first attribute information indicating the attributes of each of the one or more existing parts. The part information further includes second attribute information indicating the attributes of the new part. The calculation unit calculates the second indicator based on the first attribute information and the second attribute information.

[0012] Preferably, one or more indicators further include a third indicator, which is the reliability of each supplier of one or more existing parts. The historical information further includes supplier information for each of the suppliers of one or more existing parts. The supplier information includes at least one of the following: transaction history, part completion rate, and on-time delivery rate. The calculation unit calculates the third indicator based on the supplier information.

[0013] Preferably, the selection unit selects potential suppliers for new parts by assigning weights to each of one or more indicators.

[0014] Preferably, the historical information further includes price information indicating the price of one or more existing parts, and processing information indicating the processing method for one or more existing parts. The processing device further includes an estimation unit that estimates one or more processing methods as processing methods for new parts based on the parts information. The selection unit, in addition to one or more indicators, selects candidate suppliers for new parts for each of the one or more processing methods based on the processing information, and calculates the price if the new parts were ordered from the candidate suppliers based on the price information.

[0015] Preferably, the historical information further includes supplier information for each supplier of one or more existing parts. The supplier information includes at least one of the following: supply capacity, equipment operating status, part completion status, price information indicating the price of the existing part, manufacturing site information, and transaction history. The part information further includes specification conditions for the manufacture of new parts. The specification conditions include at least one of the following: desired delivery quantity, desired delivery date, desired quality, desired price, desired manufacturing location, and conditions required of the supplier regarding transaction history. The selection unit selects supplier candidates that meet the specification conditions based on the supplier information in addition to one or more indicators.

[0016] Preferably, the second shape information is a 3D CAD model of the new part. The second attribute information is included in the 3D CAD model.

[0017] Preferably, the second shape information is a 3D CAD model of the new part. The acquisition unit acquires the second attribute information from an external device.

[0018] Preferably, the second shape information is a 3D CAD model of the new part. The specifications are included in the 3D CAD model.

[0019] Preferably, the second shape information is a 3D CAD model of the new part. The acquisition unit acquires the specification conditions from an external device.

[0020] Preferably, the acquisition unit acquires part information for each of the multiple new parts. The selection unit selects a supplier candidate for each of the multiple new parts using one or more indicators.

[0021] Preferably, the selection unit adjusts the supplier candidates among the multiple new parts based on the desired delivery quantity for each of the multiple new parts and the supplier's supply capacity.

[0022] Preferably, the processing device further includes a reception unit that receives an instruction to change a supplier candidate for at least one new part among a plurality of new parts. When the change instruction is received, the selection unit reselects supplier candidates for one or more other new parts among the plurality of new parts.

[0023] A processing method according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes storing history information regarding one or more existing parts, obtaining part information regarding new parts, calculating one or more indicators based on the history information and the part information, and selecting a supplier candidate for the new parts using the one or more indicators. The one or more indicators include one or more first indicators that are the degrees of similarity in shape between each of the new parts and each of the one or more existing parts. The history information includes first shape information indicating the shape of each of the one or more existing parts. The part information includes second shape information indicating the shape of the new parts. Calculating the one or more indicators includes calculating the one or more first indicators based on the first shape information and the second shape information.

[0024] A processing program according to another aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute the above-described processing method.

Advantages of the Invention

[0025] According to the present disclosure, the selection accuracy of suppliers can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing an example of a processing device in Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the processing device in Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing an overview of the supplier candidate selection process by the processing device in Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] It is a flowchart showing the procedure of the supplier candidate selection process by the processing device in Embodiment 1. [Figure 5]This is a diagram showing an example of a screen on which the selection result of supplier candidates in Embodiment 1 is displayed. [Figure 6] This is a diagram showing an overview of the selection process of supplier candidates by the processing device in Embodiment 2. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart showing the procedure of the selection process of supplier candidates by the processing device in Embodiment 2. [Figure 8] This is a diagram showing an example of a screen on which the selection result of supplier candidates in Embodiment 2 is displayed.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments and modifications according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts and components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated. Note that the embodiments and modifications described below may be selectively combined as appropriate.

[0028] [Embodiment 1] [A. Configuration of the Processing Device] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the configuration of the processing device in Embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the processing device in Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the processing device in Embodiment 1.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the processing device 100 acquires part information 300 regarding a new part and selects supplier candidates for the new part.

[0030] The processing device 100 includes a processor 101, a memory 102, a storage 103, an input device 104, a display device 105, and a communication interface 106. The processor 101, the memory 102, the storage 103, the input device 104, the display device 105, and the communication interface 106 are connected by a bus 199.

[0031] The processor 101 consists of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit). The memory 102 consists of, for example, a volatile storage device such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or SRAM (Static Random Access Memory). The storage 103 consists of, for example, a non-volatile storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or flash memory.

[0032] The storage 103 stores the program 131. The program 131 includes computer-readable instructions for controlling the processing unit 100. The program 131 includes the “processing program” as defined in this disclosure. The processor 101 controls the various parts of the processing unit 100 by executing the program 131 and realizes various processes according to this embodiment.

[0033] Program 131 may be provided not as a standalone program, but incorporated as part of any other program. In this case, processing according to this embodiment is realized in cooperation with the other program. Even if a program does not include such a partial module, it does not deviate from the spirit of the processing unit 100 according to this embodiment. Furthermore, some or all of the functions provided by program 131 may be implemented by dedicated hardware.

[0034] Storage 103 is an example of a “storage unit” in this disclosure. Storage 103 further stores history information 132 relating to one or more existing parts. The history information 132 includes the name and part type of each of the one or more existing parts. Part types include, for example, resin, sheet metal, and shafts. Each of the one or more existing parts is classified as one of resin, sheet metal, or shafts.

[0035] The history information 132 further includes first shape information indicating the shape of one or more existing parts, first attribute information indicating the attributes of one or more existing parts, and supplier information relating to the supplier of one or more existing parts.

[0036] The first shape information includes information indicating the overall shape of one or more existing parts, and information indicating the partial shape of one or more existing parts. The information indicating the overall shape indicates the overall dimensions of the existing part. The information indicating the partial shape includes at least one of the following in the existing part: the number of holes, the number of bends, and the dimensions of each part. For example, if the existing part is a bolt with a head attached to a screw, the information indicating the overall shape indicates the dimensions of the bolt, and the information indicating the partial shape includes the dimensions of the head and the number of threads.

[0037] The attributes of a part include at least one of the material of the part and the volume of the part. If the part type is resin, the material of the part may be, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, or ABS resin (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin). If the part type is sheet metal or a shaft, the material of the part may be, for example, iron or steel, cast iron, cast steel, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, copper alloy, or alloy steel.

[0038] Supplier information includes the supplier's transaction history, the supplier's part completion rate, and the supplier's on-time delivery rate. The supplier's transaction history includes at least one of the following: the supplier's transaction history with your company, and the supplier's transaction history with other companies. The supplier's part completion rate is, for example, the tolerance compliance rate. The supplier's transaction history, the supplier's part completion rate, and the supplier's on-time delivery rate may be information for each part type or for each part. In addition, the supplier information may include at least one of the supplier's transaction history, the supplier's part completion rate, and the supplier's on-time delivery rate.

[0039] The supplier information may include at least one of the supplier's supply capacity, the operating status of the supplier's facilities, the component completion level of the supplier, price information indicating the prices of existing components, the manufacturing base information of the supplier, and the transaction record of the supplier. The supplier's supply capacity, the operating status of the supplier's facilities, the component completion level of the supplier, the manufacturing base information of the supplier, and the transaction record of the supplier may be information for each component type or information for each component.

[0040] The history information 132 further includes price information indicating the price of each of one or more existing components and processing information indicating the processing method of each of one or more existing components. When the component type is resin or fabric, examples of the processing method include mold processing using a mold for molding or moldless processing without using a mold for molding. When the component type is sheet metal, examples of the processing method include cutting processing for processing the sheet metal into a predetermined shape by cutting or bending processing for processing the sheet metal into a predetermined shape by bending. The processing information is information indicating by which processing method the existing component was manufactured.

[0041] The input device 104 receives the user's operation, converts the operation into an operation signal, and outputs it to the processor 101. The input device 104 includes at least one of, for example, a mouse, a keyboard, and a touch pad. The display device 105 displays various information such as the operation status and processing results of the processing device 100. The display device 105 is, for example, a liquid crystal display.

[0042] The communication interface 106 transmits and receives information to and from an external device 500. As an example, the processor 101 receives at least a part of the component information 300 regarding new components from the external device 500 via the communication interface 106.

[0043] <B. Selection Process of Supplier Candidates> Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the selection process of supplier candidates by the processing device 100 will be described.

[0044] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the overview of the supplier candidate selection process by the processing unit in Embodiment 1. The processing unit 100 includes an acquisition unit 151, a calculation unit 152, a selection unit 153, a receiving unit 154, a storage unit 103, and a display device 105. The acquisition unit 151, the calculation unit 152, the selection unit 153, and the receiving unit 154 are realized by the processor 101 executing program 131.

[0045] The acquisition unit 151 acquires part information 300 related to the new part. The method for inputting the part information 300 to the processing unit 100 may be by the user inputting it using the input device 104, or by an external device 500 transmitting it to the processing unit 100 according to the user's operation.

[0046] Part information 300 includes the name and type of the new part. Part types include, for example, resin, sheet metal, and shafts. The new part is classified as one of resin, sheet metal, or shafts.

[0047] The part information 300 further includes second shape information indicating the shape of the new part, second attribute information indicating the attributes of the new part, and specification conditions for the manufacture of the new part.

[0048] The second shape information includes information indicating the overall shape of the new part and information indicating the partial shape of the new part. The information indicating the overall shape shows the overall dimensions of the new part. The information indicating the partial shape includes at least one of the following in the new part: the number of holes, the number of bends, and the dimensions of each part. For example, if the new part is a bolt with a head attached to a screw, the information indicating the overall shape shows the dimensions of the bolt, and the information indicating the partial shape includes the dimensions of the head and the number of threads. The attributes of the part are as described above.

[0049] The second shape information is, for example, a 3D CAD model of a new part. The second attribute information may be included in the 3D CAD model of the new part, or the acquisition unit 151 may acquire the second attribute information from an external device 500.

[0050] The specifications include at least one of the following: desired delivery quantity, desired delivery date, desired quality, desired price, desired manufacturing location, and conditions required of the supplier regarding transaction history. For example, the condition required of the supplier regarding transaction history is that they have a history of doing business with our company. The specifications may be included in the 3D CAD model of the new part, or the specification acquisition unit 151 may acquire the specifications from an external device 500. The data format of the various information acquired from the external device 500 can be any format, for example, a CSV file.

[0051] The calculation unit 152 calculates one or more indicators based on the history information 132 and the part information 300. The history information 132 is stored in the storage 103. The one or more indicators include one or more first indicators, a second indicator, and a third indicator.

[0052] The first indicator, which is one or more, is the similarity in shape between the new part and each of the one or more existing parts. The first indicator, which is one or more, includes a first shape indicator, which is the overall similarity in shape between the new part and each of the one or more existing parts, and a second shape indicator, which is the degree of partial shape agreement between the new part and each of the one or more existing parts. The second indicator is the similarity in attributes between the new part and each of the one or more existing parts. The third indicator is the reliability of the supplier of each of the one or more existing parts.

[0053] The calculation unit 152 calculates one or more first indicators (first shape indicator and second shape indicator) based on the first shape information and the second shape information. The calculation unit 152 calculates a second indicator based on the first attribute information and the second attribute information. The calculation unit 152 calculates a third indicator based on supplier information. More specifically, the calculation unit 152 calculates a third indicator based on at least one of the supplier information, including the supplier's transaction history, the supplier's parts completion rate, and the supplier's on-time delivery rate.

[0054] The selection unit 153 selects potential suppliers for new parts using one or more indicators. Preferably, in addition to one or more indicators, the selection unit 153 selects potential suppliers that meet the specification conditions based on supplier information. More specifically, first, the selection unit 153 ranks all suppliers by indicator and calculates an overall rank for each supplier across all indicators. Next, the selection unit 153 extracts one or more potential suppliers that meet the specification conditions based on the supplier information. Finally, the selection unit 153 selects the supplier with the highest overall rank, the supplier with the second highest overall rank, and the supplier with the third highest overall rank from among the one or more potential suppliers that meet the specification conditions as potential suppliers for new parts.

[0055] The selection unit 153 determines whether the supplier meets the desired delivery quantity among the specification conditions, based on at least one of the supplier's supply capacity and the supplier's equipment operating status from the supplier information.

[0056] The selection unit 153 determines whether the supplier can meet the desired delivery date among the specification conditions, based on at least one of the supplier's supply capacity and the supplier's equipment operating status from the supplier information.

[0057] The selection unit 153 determines whether the supplier meets the desired quality requirements based on the supplier's component completion status from the supplier information.

[0058] The selection unit 153 determines whether a supplier meets the desired price among the specification conditions, based on price information from the supplier information that shows the price of existing parts.

[0059] The selection unit 153 determines whether the supplier meets the desired manufacturing location requirements based on the supplier's manufacturing site information from the supplier information.

[0060] The selection unit 153 determines whether a supplier meets the requirements that the supplier has regarding the transaction history among the specification conditions, based on the supplier's transaction history among the supplier information. Based on this determination using the supplier information, the selection unit 153 selects a candidate supplier that meets the specification conditions.

[0061] The selection unit 153 may select new supplier candidates for parts by assigning weights to each of one or more indicators. For example, if the part type is resin, the weights of the first shape indicator, the second shape indicator, the second indicator, and the third indicator are 40%, 10%, 20%, and 30%, respectively. For example, if the part type is sheet metal, the weights of the first shape indicator, the second shape indicator, the second indicator, and the third indicator are 50%, 20%, 5%, and 25%, respectively. For example, if the part type is a shaft, the weights of the first shape indicator, the second shape indicator, the second indicator, and the third indicator are 50%, 10%, 10%, and 30%, respectively. Note that the weights may be changed for each part type, or the weights may be common regardless of the part type. It may also be possible for the user to change the weights. Furthermore, the weight values ​​are merely examples and are not limited to these.

[0062] The display device 105 displays potential suppliers for the new component. Alternatively, instead of outputting to the display device 105, or in conjunction with outputting to the display device 105, the potential suppliers for the new component may be sent to a specified address.

[0063] The reception unit 154 receives a change instruction from a supplier candidate for a new part. The change instruction includes at least one of the following: an addition instruction, a modification instruction, and a deletion instruction regarding the specifications of the new part. The selection unit 153 re-selects a supplier candidate for the new part when a change instruction is received.

[0064] The acquisition unit 151 may acquire part information 300 for each of the multiple new parts. In this case, the selection unit 153 selects a supplier candidate for each of the multiple new parts using one or more indicators. Preferably, the selection unit 153 adjusts the supplier candidates among the multiple new parts based on the desired delivery quantity for each of the multiple new parts and the supply capacity of the suppliers.

[0065] For example, suppose the acquisition unit 151 acquires part information 300 for each of two new parts, and there is an overlap in the supplier candidates for the two new parts. If the total desired delivery quantity for the two new parts exceeds the supply capacity of the supplier, the selection unit 153 selects the supplier for one of the new parts as a supplier candidate, and selects a different supplier as a supplier candidate for the other new part.

[0066] Furthermore, the receiving unit 154 may accept a change instruction from a supplier candidate for at least one of the multiple new parts. The change instruction includes at least one of the following: an addition instruction, a change instruction, and a deletion instruction regarding the specifications of the at least one new part. When the selection unit 153 receives a change instruction, it re-selects a supplier candidate for each of the multiple new parts. That is, when the selection unit 153 receives a change instruction, it re-selects a supplier candidate for at least one of the new parts, and also re-selects a supplier candidate for one or more of the other new parts.

[0067] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure for selecting a supplier candidate by the processing device in Embodiment 1.

[0068] In step S1, the processor 101 obtains component information 300 related to the new component.

[0069] In step S2, the processor 101 calculates a first shape index (first index) based on the first shape information and the second shape information.

[0070] In step S3, the processor 101 calculates a second shape index (first index) based on the first shape information and the second shape information.

[0071] In step S4, the processor 101 calculates a second index based on the first attribute information and the second attribute information.

[0072] In step S5, the processor 101 calculates a third indicator based on the supplier information.

[0073] In step S6, the processor 101 selects potential suppliers for new components using one or more indicators.

[0074] In step S7, the processor 101 outputs the selection results. For example, the processor 101 instructs the display device 105 to display the candidate suppliers for the new component. As a result, the candidate suppliers for the new component are displayed on the display device 105.

[0075] In step S8, the processor 101 determines whether or not it has received a change instruction from the supplier candidate for the new component. If it has received a change instruction from the supplier candidate for the new component (YES in step S8), the processor 101 returns to step S6. On the other hand, if it has not received a change instruction from the supplier candidate for the new component (NO in step S8), the selection process ends.

[0076] Figure 5 shows an example of a screen displaying the supplier candidate selection results in Embodiment 1. Screen G1 is an example of a screen displaying the supplier candidate selection results in Embodiment 1. Screen G1 is displayed on the display device 105.

[0077] In the example shown in Figure 5, screen G1 displays the supplier candidate selection results when the acquisition unit 151 acquires part information 300 for each of the four new parts (new parts "A0001", "A0002", "A0003", and "A0004").

[0078] Screen G1 includes information on new parts and information on potential suppliers. The information on new parts includes at least the name of the new part (part name) from the part information 300 related to the new part. The information on new parts may also include the material name of the new part.

[0079] The supplier candidate information is information about the supplier candidates selected by the selection unit 153. One or more supplier candidates are displayed for each new part. In the example shown in Figure 5, three supplier candidates are displayed for each new part. In the example shown in Figure 5, the three supplier candidates for new parts "A0001" and "A0004" are companies A, B, and C. In the example shown in Figure 5, the three supplier candidates for new parts "A0002" and "A0003" are companies D, E, and F.

[0080] For each new part, the supplier with the highest overall rank is highlighted. For new part "A0001", the supplier with the highest overall rank is Company A. For new part "A0002", the supplier with the highest overall rank is Company D. For new part "A0003", the supplier with the highest overall rank is Company E. For new part "A0004", the supplier with the highest overall rank is Company B. This highlighting makes it easier for users to recognize the supplier with the highest overall rank.

[0081] The supplier candidate information includes the supplier candidate's company name and the names of existing parts of the supplier candidate that are similar to the new part (hereinafter referred to as "similar parts"). The supplier candidate information further includes information on the first shape index, the second shape index, the second index, and the third index. In the example shown in Figure 5, the information on the first shape index is the overall shape similarity between the new part and the similar part. In the example shown in Figure 5, the information on the second shape index is ranking information regarding the degree of partial shape agreement between the new part and the similar part. In the example shown in Figure 5, the information on the second index is ranking information regarding the similarity of attributes between the new part and the similar part. In the example shown in Figure 5, the information on the third index is ranking information regarding the reliability of the supplier candidate.

[0082] The supplier candidate information may further include information indicating the supplier's manufacturing location, information indicating the processing method for similar parts, and the material names of similar parts.

[0083] Screen G1 may further include information showing the price when ordering a new part from a candidate supplier. The price when ordering a new part from a candidate supplier is calculated by the selection unit 153 based on price information for similar parts.

[0084] Furthermore, screen G1 may include, in addition to the information shown in Figure 5, other information related to the new part, such as part information 300. Similarly, screen G1 may include, in addition to the information shown in Figure 5, other information related to the history information 132 of similar parts, such as supplier candidate information.

[0085] Thus, the processing apparatus 100 in Embodiment 1 selects potential suppliers for new parts using one or more indicators. The one or more indicators include one or more first indicators, which represent the similarity in shape between the new part and one or more existing parts. As a result, the shape of the part is taken into consideration when selecting a supplier, improving the accuracy of supplier selection. Consequently, the delivery of parts that do not meet the desired quality standards is suppressed.

[0086] Furthermore, according to the processing device 100 in Embodiment 1, since new component supplier candidates are selected using one or more indicators, the number of meetings and business trips required by the manufacturer's personnel for selecting supplier candidates can be reduced. Therefore, the man-hours required by the manufacturer's personnel for selecting supplier candidates can be reduced.

[0087] When the processing unit 100 obtains part information 300 for each of the multiple new parts, it selects a supplier candidate for each of the multiple new parts using one or more indicators. The processing unit 100 then adjusts the supplier candidates among the multiple new parts based on the desired delivery quantity for each of the multiple new parts and the supply capacity of the suppliers. This enables the simultaneous and automatic selection of the optimal supplier candidates, which was not possible with manual supplier selection.

[0088] [Embodiment 2] In Embodiment 1, supplier candidates were selected regardless of the processing method of the existing parts. In Embodiment 2, supplier candidates are selected for each processing method. Embodiment 2 mainly describes the differences from Embodiment 1.

[0089] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the overview of the supplier candidate selection process by the processing unit in Embodiment 2. The hardware configuration of the processing unit 100A in Embodiment 2 is the same as the hardware configuration of the processing unit 100 in Embodiment 1.

[0090] The processing unit 100A further includes an estimation unit 155A in addition to the configuration of the processing unit 100. The estimation unit 155A is realized when the processor 101 executes the program 131.

[0091] The estimation unit 155A estimates one or more processing methods for a new part based on part information 300, which includes part type and second shape information. As an example, the estimation unit 155A estimates a processing method for a new part based on at least one of the overall shape of the new part and the partial shape of the new part (including at least one of the number of holes, the number of bends, and the dimensions of each part), and the part type of the new part.

[0092] Furthermore, the desired processing method for the new part may be input to the processing device 100A as a specification condition. In that case, the estimation unit 155A estimates the input processing method as the processing method for the new part.

[0093] The selection unit 153 selects potential suppliers for new parts for each of the one or more processing methods, based on one or more indicators and processing information indicating the processing method for each of the one or more existing parts. More specifically, first, the selection unit 153 ranks all suppliers by indicator and calculates an overall rank for each supplier across all indicators. Next, the selection unit 153 extracts potential suppliers that meet the specification conditions based on the supplier information. Finally, for each of the one or more processing methods, the selection unit 153 selects the supplier with the highest overall rank, the supplier with the second highest overall rank, and the supplier with the third highest overall rank from among the potential suppliers that meet the specification conditions and manufacture parts using that processing method, as potential suppliers for new parts. The selection unit 153 calculates the price of ordering new parts from these potential suppliers based on the price information of the potential suppliers' existing parts.

[0094] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure for selecting supplier candidates by the processing apparatus in Embodiment 2. In the processing procedure shown in Figure 7, step S5A is added to the processing procedure shown in Figure 4. For processes in Figure 7 that are the same as those in Figure 4, the same step numbers are used and the explanation is not repeated.

[0095] After steps S1 to S5, the processor 101 proceeds to step S5A. In step S5A, the processor 101 estimates the processing method for the new part. After step S5A, the processor 101 proceeds to step S6.

[0096] Figure 8 shows an example of a screen displaying the supplier candidate selection results in Embodiment 2. Screen G2 is an example of a screen displaying the supplier candidate selection results in Embodiment 2. Screen G2 is displayed on the display device 105.

[0097] In the example shown in Figure 8, screen G2 displays the supplier candidate selection results when the acquisition unit 151 acquires part information 300 for each of the four new parts (new parts "A0001", "A0002", "A0003", and "A0004").

[0098] In the example shown in Figure 8, the supplier candidate selection results are shown when the estimation unit 155A estimates the processing method for new part "A0001" to be "P1 method", the processing methods for new part "A0002" to be "Q1 method" and "Q2 method", the processing method for new part "A0003" to be "R1 method", and the processing method for new part "A0004" to be "Q1 method". In the example shown in Figure 8, three supplier candidates are displayed for each new part.

[0099] Screen G2, like Screen G1, includes information on new parts and information on potential suppliers. However, while Screen G1 displayed potential suppliers regardless of the processing method, Screen G2 displays potential suppliers for each processing method.

[0100] More specifically, for the new parts "A0001", "A0003", and "A0004", only one estimated processing method was found for each. Therefore, for the new parts "A0001", "A0003", and "A0004", suppliers that manufacture the parts using the estimated processing method are displayed as supplier candidates. In other words, for the new part "A0001", suppliers that manufacture the part using "P1 method" are displayed as supplier candidates; for the new part "A0003", suppliers that manufacture the part using "R1 method" are displayed as supplier candidates; and for the new part "A0004", suppliers that manufacture the part using "Q1 method" are displayed as supplier candidates.

[0101] On the other hand, for the new part "A0002," multiple processing methods were estimated. Therefore, for the new part "A0002," a supplier that manufactures the part using one of the estimated processing methods (for example, "Q1 method") is displayed as a supplier candidate by default, while supplier candidates that manufacture the part using the remaining estimated processing method (for example, "Q2 method") are displayed only when button B1 is pressed.

[0102] When the processor 101 receives a press of button B1, it displays on the display device 105 a list of suppliers that can manufacture the new part "A0002" using the "Q2 method". Therefore, by pressing button B1, the user can view a list of suppliers that can manufacture the new part "A0002" using a method different from the default supplier list.

[0103] Furthermore, if the number of remaining processing methods (i.e., processing methods not displayed by default) among those estimated by the estimation unit 155A is two or more, a button is provided for each processing method. When the processor 101 receives a button press operation, it causes the display device 105 to display candidate suppliers that manufacture parts using the processing method corresponding to that button.

[0104] Thus, in the second embodiment, the processing apparatus 100A selects potential suppliers for new parts according to the processing method. Therefore, in addition to the same effects as the processing apparatus 100 in the first embodiment, the processing apparatus 100A in the second embodiment further improves user convenience.

[0105] [Differentiation] In embodiments 1 and 2, one or more indicators may include one or more first indicators. Furthermore, one or more first indicators may include only one of the first shape indicators and the second shape indicators.

[0106] In embodiments 1 and 2, the history information 132 may include first shape information indicating the shape of one or more existing parts. In embodiments 1 and 2, the part information 300 may include second shape information indicating the shape of a new part.

[0107] In embodiments 1 and 2, the number of supplier candidates selected for each new component is not limited to three.

[0108] [Note] The embodiments and variations described above include the following technical concepts.

[0109] [Configuration 1] A storage unit that stores historical information about one or more existing parts, An acquisition unit that acquires part information related to new parts, A calculation unit that calculates one or more indicators based on the historical information and the parts information, The system includes a selection unit that selects a candidate supplier for the new part using one or more of the aforementioned indicators, The aforementioned one or more indicators include one or more first indicators which represent the similarity in shape between each of the new part and the one or more existing parts. The history information includes first shape information indicating the shape of each of the one or more existing parts, The aforementioned part information includes second shape information indicating the shape of the new part, The calculation unit is a processing device that calculates one or more first indicators based on the first shape information and the second shape information.

[0110] [Configuration 2] The apparatus according to configuration 1, wherein the one or more first indicators include at least one of a first shape indicator, which is the degree of overall shape similarity between the new part and each of the one or more existing parts, and a second shape indicator, which is the degree of partial shape agreement between the new part and each of the one or more existing parts.

[0111] [Configuration 3] The aforementioned one or more indicators further include a second indicator which is the similarity of attributes between each of the new parts and the aforementioned one or more existing parts. The aforementioned attributes include at least one of material and volume, The history information further includes first attribute information indicating the attributes of each of the one or more existing parts, The aforementioned part information further includes second attribute information indicating the attributes of the new part, The processing apparatus according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the calculation unit calculates the second index based on the first attribute information and the second attribute information.

[0112] [Structure 4] The aforementioned one or more indicators further include a third indicator, which is the reliability of each supplier of the aforementioned one or more existing parts. The aforementioned history information further includes supplier information relating to each of the suppliers of the one or more existing parts, The supplier information includes at least one of the following: transaction history, part completion rate, and on-time delivery rate. The processing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the calculation unit calculates the third indicator based on the supplier information.

[0113] [Composition 5] The processing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the selection unit selects a candidate supplier for the new component by assigning weights to each of the one or more indicators.

[0114] [Composition 6] The historical information further includes price information indicating the price of each of the one or more existing parts, and processing information indicating the processing method for each of the one or more existing parts. The processing apparatus further comprises an estimation unit that estimates one or more processing methods as processing methods for the new part based on the part information, The processing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the selection unit, in addition to the one or more indicators, selects a candidate supplier for the new part for each of the one or more processing methods based on the processing information, and calculates the price when ordering the new part from the candidate supplier based on the price information.

[0115] [Composition 7] The aforementioned history information further includes supplier information relating to each of the suppliers of the one or more existing parts, The supplier information includes at least one of the following: supply capacity, equipment operating status, part completion status, price information indicating the price of the existing part, manufacturing site information, and transaction history. The aforementioned part information further includes specifications and conditions relating to the manufacturing of the new part, The aforementioned specifications include at least one of the following conditions that the supplier requires regarding the desired quantity, desired delivery date, desired quality, desired price, desired manufacturing location, and transaction history: The processing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the selection unit selects a supplier candidate that satisfies the specification conditions based on the supplier information in addition to the one or more indicators.

[0116] [Structure 8] The second shape information is a 3D CAD model of the new part, The second attribute information is included in the 3D CAD model, and is the processing device described in configuration 3.

[0117] [Composition 9] The second shape information is a 3D CAD model of the new part, The acquisition unit is the processing apparatus according to configuration 3, which acquires the second attribute information from an external device.

[0118] [Configuration 10] The second shape information is a 3D CAD model of the new part, The aforementioned specifications are for the processing apparatus described in Configuration 7, which is included in the 3D CAD model.

[0119] [Composition 11] The second shape information is a 3D CAD model of the new part, The acquisition unit is the processing apparatus according to configuration 7, which acquires the specification conditions from an external device.

[0120] [Composition 12] The acquisition unit acquires the part information for each of the multiple new parts, The processing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, wherein the selection unit selects a supplier candidate for each of the plurality of new parts using one or more indicators.

[0121] [Composition 13] The processing apparatus according to configuration 12, wherein the selection unit adjusts supplier candidates among the plurality of new parts based on the desired delivery quantity of each of the plurality of new parts and the supply capacity of the suppliers.

[0122] [Composition 14] The processing apparatus further includes a receiving unit that receives a change instruction from a supplier candidate for at least one of the plurality of new parts, The processing apparatus according to configuration 12 or 13, wherein the selection unit, upon receiving the change instruction, re-selects supplier candidates for one or more other new parts from the plurality of new parts.

[0123] [Composition 15] To store historical information about one or more existing parts, To obtain part information regarding new parts, Calculate one or more indicators based on the aforementioned history information and the aforementioned part information, The process includes selecting a candidate supplier for the new component using one or more of the aforementioned indicators, The aforementioned one or more indicators include one or more first indicators which represent the similarity in shape between each of the new part and the one or more existing parts. The history information includes first shape information indicating the shape of each of the one or more existing parts, The aforementioned part information includes second shape information indicating the shape of the new part, A processing method for calculating one or more of the aforementioned indicators, which includes calculating one or more of the aforementioned first indicators based on the first shape information and the second shape information.

[0124] [Composition 16] A processing program that causes a computer to execute the processing method described in Configuration 15.

[0125] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0126] 100, 100A Processing unit, 101 Processor, 102 Memory, 103 Storage, 104 Input device, 105 Display device, 106 Communication interface, 131 Program, 132 History information, 151 Acquisition unit, 152 Calculation unit, 153 Selection unit, 154 Reception unit, 155A Estimation unit, 199 Bus, 300 Part information, 500 External device, B1 Button, G1, G2 Screen.

Claims

1. A storage unit that stores historical information about one or more existing parts, An acquisition unit that acquires part information related to new parts, A calculation unit that calculates one or more indicators based on the historical information and the parts information, The system includes a selection unit that selects a candidate supplier for the new part using one or more of the aforementioned indicators, The one or more indicators mentioned above include one or more first indicators which represent the similarity in shape between each of the new part and the one or more existing parts. The history information includes first shape information indicating the shape of each of the one or more existing parts, The aforementioned part information includes second shape information indicating the shape of the new part, The calculation unit calculates one or more first indicators based on the first shape information and the second shape information. Apparatus apparatus, wherein the one or more first indicators include at least one of a first shape indicator, which is the degree of overall shape similarity between the new part and each of the one or more existing parts, and a second shape indicator, which is the degree of partial shape agreement between the new part and each of the one or more existing parts.

2. The aforementioned one or more indicators further include a second indicator which is the similarity of attributes between each of the new parts and the aforementioned one or more existing parts. The aforementioned attributes include at least one of material and volume, The history information further includes first attribute information indicating the attributes of each of the one or more existing parts, The aforementioned part information further includes second attribute information indicating the attributes of the new part, The processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the calculation unit calculates the second index based on the first attribute information and the second attribute information.

3. The aforementioned one or more indicators further include a third indicator which is the reliability of each supplier of the aforementioned one or more existing parts. The aforementioned history information further includes supplier information relating to each of the suppliers of the one or more existing parts, The supplier information includes at least one of the following: transaction history, parts completion rate, and on-time delivery rate. The processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the calculation unit calculates the third indicator based on the supplier information.

4. The processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit selects a candidate supplier for the new component by assigning weights to each of the one or more indicators.

5. The historical information further includes price information indicating the price of each of the one or more existing parts, and processing information indicating the processing method for each of the one or more existing parts. The processing apparatus further comprises an estimation unit that estimates one or more processing methods as processing methods for the new part based on the part information, The processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit, in addition to the one or more indicators, selects a candidate supplier for the new part for each of the one or more processing methods based on the processing information, and calculates the price when ordering the new part from the candidate supplier based on the price information.

6. The aforementioned history information further includes supplier information relating to each of the suppliers of the one or more existing parts, The supplier information includes at least one of the following: supply capacity, equipment operating status, part completion status, price information indicating the price of the existing part, manufacturing site information, and transaction history. The aforementioned part information further includes specifications and conditions relating to the manufacturing of the new part, The aforementioned specifications include at least one of the following conditions that are required of the supplier regarding the desired quantity, desired delivery date, desired quality, desired price, desired manufacturing location, and transaction history. The processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit selects a supplier candidate that satisfies the specification conditions based on the supplier information in addition to the one or more indicators.

7. The second shape information is a 3D CAD model of the new part, The processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second attribute information is included in the 3D CAD model.

8. The second shape information is a 3D CAD model of the new part, The processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the second attribute information from an external device.

9. The second shape information is a 3D CAD model of the new part, The processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the aforementioned specifications are included in the 3D CAD model.

10. The second shape information is a 3D CAD model of the new part, The processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the specification conditions from an external device.

11. The acquisition unit acquires the part information for each of the multiple new parts, The processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit selects a supplier candidate for each of the plurality of new parts using one or more indicators.

12. The processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the selection unit adjusts supplier candidates among the plurality of new parts based on the desired delivery quantity of each of the plurality of new parts and the supply capacity of the suppliers.

13. The processing apparatus further includes a receiving unit that receives a change instruction from a supplier candidate for at least one of the plurality of new parts, The processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the selection unit, upon receiving the change instruction, re-selects supplier candidates for one or more of the plurality of new parts.

14. A processing method performed by a computer, To store historical information about one or more existing parts, To obtain part information regarding new parts, To calculate one or more indicators based on the aforementioned history information and the aforementioned part information, The process includes selecting a candidate supplier for the new component using one or more of the aforementioned indicators, The one or more indicators mentioned above include one or more first indicators which represent the similarity in shape between each of the new part and the one or more existing parts. The history information includes first shape information indicating the shape of each of the one or more existing parts, The aforementioned part information includes second shape information indicating the shape of the new part, Calculating the one or more indicators includes calculating the one or more first indicators based on the first shape information and the second shape information, A processing method wherein the one or more first indicators include at least one of a first shape indicator, which is the degree of overall shape similarity between the new part and each of the one or more existing parts, and a second shape indicator, which is the degree of partial shape agreement between the new part and each of the one or more existing parts.

15. A processing program that causes a computer to execute the processing method described in claim 14.

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