Parts management system, parts management method, and parts management program

Abstract

This invention provides a parts management system, a parts management method, and a parts management program that enable the rapid supply of replacement parts for equipment components that are causing malfunctions. [Solution] The parts management system 1 includes a storage location identification unit 61 and an output unit 65. The storage location identification unit 61 acquires information on device components that are determined to need replacement and identifies the storage location of replacement device components associated with each device or each user of the device. The output unit 65 outputs the identified storage location.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] One aspect of the present invention relates to a parts management system, a parts management method, and a parts management program.

Background Art

[0002] In factories, distribution centers, and the like, a plurality of devices are combined to constitute a product production line. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a production line configured by combining various devices such as a weighing device that weighs articles conveyed from an upstream process, a packaging device that packages the weighed articles and discharges them as products, and a boxing device that packs a plurality of packaged products into boxes.

[0003] Here, during operation of the production line, when any device becomes unable to perform normally expected operations due to aged deterioration or failure of parts, it is necessary to stop the production line until the relevant device is restored, making it impossible to produce products. For this reason, when a device fails, it is desired to restore the production line promptly. Patent Document 2 discloses a parts ordering system that can solve such problems. The parts ordering system described in Patent Document 2 discloses a device parts ordering system that allows even inexperienced users to easily and accurately identify the device component part that is the cause of a failure based on the symptoms of the failure, and to order the part quickly without error.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, even if the faulty component causing the malfunction can be easily and accurately identified, it will still take time to restore the production line as replacement parts must be ordered and procured.

[0006] Therefore, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a parts management system, a parts management method, and a parts management program that can quickly supply replacement parts for device components that are causing failures. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) A parts management system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a storage location identification unit that acquires information on equipment components that are deemed to need replacement and identifies the storage location of replacement equipment components associated with each equipment or each user of the equipment, and an output unit that outputs the identified storage location. In a parts management system with this configuration, information on equipment components that are deemed to need replacement is acquired, and the storage location where the replacement parts are stored for each equipment or each user is provided to the user who manages the equipment. As a result, the user who has been provided with information on the storage location can obtain the replacement equipment component by going to the storage location output by the output unit. This makes it possible to quickly supply replacement equipment components that are causing malfunctions without requiring the user to order the parts that need replacing.

[0008] (2) The parts management system described in (1) above further comprises an acquisition unit that acquires output information from a sensor that monitors the operating status of the device to be monitored, and a determination unit that determines which device components need to be replaced based on the output information, and the storage location identification unit may acquire information from the determination unit regarding which device components need to be replaced. In this configuration, the device components that need to be replaced are determined based on the output information from a sensor that monitors the operating status of the device to be monitored. As a result, even inexperienced users can easily and accurately identify the device component causing the failure based on the symptoms of the failure.

[0009] (3) The parts management system described in (1) or (2) above may store replacement parts of the same type of device component in multiple storage locations. In this configuration, since replacement parts of the same type of device component are stored in multiple storage locations, for example, replacement parts of the device component can be stored separately for each device, or separately for each user.

[0010] (4) In any of the parts management systems described in (1) to (3) above, the storage location may be a smart locker that can be unlocked and managed remotely. This configuration makes it easy to store replacement parts of the same type of device components in multiple storage locations.

[0011] (5) In the parts management system described in (4) above, the smart locker may further have a transmitting unit for transmitting payment information. This configuration makes it easy to store replacement parts of the same type of device components in multiple storage locations.

[0012] (6) A parts management method relating to one aspect of the present invention includes the steps of: receiving output information from a sensor that monitors the operating status of the device; determining which device components need to be replaced based on the output information; identifying a storage location for replacement device components associated with each device or each user of the device for the device components that have been determined to need to be replaced; and outputting the identified storage locations.

[0013] This parts management method obtains information on equipment components that are deemed to need replacement, and provides the user or other person responsible for managing the equipment with the storage location where the replacement parts are stored, either for each device or for each user. Therefore, the user or other person who receives the storage location information can obtain the replacement equipment component by going to the storage location indicated by the output unit. This allows for the rapid supply of replacement parts for equipment components causing malfunctions without requiring the user to order replacement parts.

[0014] (7) A parts management program according to one aspect of the present invention causes a computer to execute the steps included in the parts management method described in (6) above. This parts management program acquires information on device components that are deemed to need replacement, and provides the user or other person who manages the device with information on the storage locations where the replacement parts are stored for each device or each user. As a result, the user or other person who has been provided with information on the storage locations can obtain replacement parts for the device components by going to the storage locations output from the output unit. This makes it possible to quickly supply the parts causing the malfunction without having to order the parts that need to be replaced. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention, replacement parts for the device components that are causing the malfunction can be supplied quickly. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a parts management system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the device management server included in the parts management system shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the product production line managed by the device management server in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of a device information table managed by the device management server shown in Figure 2. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of a grouping table managed by the device management server in Figure 2. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of location information output by the parts management server included in the parts management system shown in Figure 1. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the parts management locker included in the parts management system of Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] Hereinafter, a component management system 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions are omitted. In addition, "A or B" in the present specification only needs to include either one of A and B, and does not exclude the case of including both A and B.

[0018] The component management system 1 is a system that identifies information related to device components determined to require replacement at a plurality of factories 110, and guides users who use the devices (persons in charge of managing the factories 110) and the like to the storage locations of the device components determined to require replacement. As shown in FIG. 1, the component management system 1 includes a device management server 90, a component management server 60, and a component management locker 70.

[0019] The device management server 90 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 collects data (device state data DT) for identifying the states of a plurality of devices (production line configuring devices 112) constituting a product production line L1 in a factory 110 where a production line for producing products (product production line L1) as shown in FIG. 2 is deployed, accumulates and analyzes the collected data, thereby extracting signs of deterioration of each device (operation failure or performance degradation due to aging degradation), adjustment failure or maintenance time, and appropriately outputs maintenance information IF.

[0020] The device management server 90 is connected to management computers 80 (80a, 80b, ... 80n) installed in a plurality of factories 110 (first factory 110a, second factory 110b, ... n-th factory 110n) via a wide area network NW1. In each factory 110, a plurality of product production lines L1 for producing products are configured, and a plurality of production line configuring devices 112 constituting each product production line L1 and the management computer 80 are electrically connected via a local area network NW2.

[0021] The management computer 80 is a general-purpose computer composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The management computer 80 has applications installed that are necessary for sending and receiving data with the device management server 90. The wide area network NW1 is a WAN (Wide Area Network) built using public or dedicated lines. The local network NW2 is a LAN (Local Area Network) configured using hubs, etc.

[0022] The following describes the product production line L1 configured in each factory 110. While the following description uses the product production line L1 configured in the first factory 110a as an example, similar product production lines L1 are configured in the other factories 110. However, the configuration of the article manufacturing line L2 (described later) configured in each factory 110 and the types of articles C manufactured and supplied in the article manufacturing line L2 can be selected and changed as appropriate.

[0023] In the first factory 110a, multiple product production lines L1 (A1, A2, ..., and An) are configured. Each product production line L1 is connected to a product manufacturing line L2 that manufactures and supplies product C. In the first factory 110a, potato chips are manufactured as product C in the product manufacturing line L2, and the manufactured product C is supplied to each product production line L1. In connection with this, in the first factory 110a, the product manufacturing line L2 is mainly equipped with a crate damper 1, a peeler 2, an inspection table 3, a slicer 4, a spreader 5, a fryer 6, a seasoning device 7, and a fast bag 8 in that order.

[0024] Potatoes, the raw material for potato chips, are brought into the production line L2 in crates. Crate damper 1 receives the crates containing the potatoes, removes the potatoes from the crates, and transports them to peeler 2. Crate damper 1 washes the potatoes with water, removing any dirt or pebbles attached to them. Peeler 2 washes the potatoes with water and peels them. The peeled potatoes are then transported to inspection table 3. At inspection table 3, the condition of the potatoes is checked manually, and any abnormal potatoes are removed from the production line. The potatoes that leave inspection table 3 are then transported to slicer 4.

[0025] Slicer 4 slices peeled potatoes to a uniform thickness while rinsing off the starch on the surface with water. The sliced ​​potatoes are transported to Blancher 5. Blancher 5 transports the sliced ​​potatoes to Fryer 6 while rinsing off the sugar on the surface with water. Fryer 6 has an oil tank for frying the sliced ​​potatoes. The fried potatoes are transported to Seasoning Device 7. Seasoning Device 7 seasons the fried potatoes with seasoning powder. The potato chips that leave Seasoning Device 7 are transported to Fastback 8. Fastback 8 is connected to the upstream end of each product production line L1 and transports potato chips (item C) to each product production line L1. The potato chips fall from the end of Fastback 8 and are fed into the combined weighing machine 10 of each product production line L1.

[0026] Each product production line L1 mainly consists of a combination weighing machine 10, a bag-making and packaging machine 20, a seal checker 30, and a box-packing device 40 (hereinafter, these devices are referred to as "production line configuration devices 112"). The combination weighing machine 10 continuously receives goods C, performs combination weighing of potato chips, and supplies goods C in predetermined weights to the bag-making and packaging machine 20. The bag-making and packaging machine 20 bags the supplied goods C in predetermined weights and sends them to the seal checker 30 as products P. The seal checker 30 inspects the proper sealing of the bags of products P. After leaving the seal checker 30, products P are transported to a sorting device that sorts good products to the regular line conveyor and defective products to a defective product collection conveyor (not shown) according to the inspection results of the seal checker 30. A box-packing device 40 is located at the end of the regular line conveyor.

[0027] The packing device 40 packs a predetermined quantity of goods P into cardboard boxes BC, seals the packed cardboard boxes BC, and transports the sealed cardboard boxes BC to the weight checker 50. Goods P produced on each product production line L1 are sent to the weight checker 50 located downstream. The weight checker 50 checks whether the weight of the sealed cardboard boxes BC is within the appropriate range. The weight checker 50 comprises a conveyor belt 51, a load cell (not shown), and a control unit 50A that controls the operation of the weight checker 50. The load cell weighs the cardboard boxes BC (boxes containing multiple goods P) as they are transported on the conveyor belt 51. Based on the output signal of the load cell, the control unit 50A determines whether the weight of the cardboard boxes BC is within the appropriate range. Cardboard boxes BC that are determined to be within the appropriate range are eligible for shipment.

[0028] Each factory 110 is equipped with a control computer 80 that controls the operation of each product production line L1 and the goods manufacturing line L2. The control computer 80 is connected via a communication network (local network NW2) established within the factory 110 to the microcomputers of each device included in the goods manufacturing line L2 (specifically, the control unit for the crate damper 1, the control unit for the peeler 2, the control unit for the inspection table 3, the control unit for the slicer 4, the control unit for the spreader 5, the control unit for the fryer 6, the control unit for the seasoning device 7, the control unit for the fast bag 8, and the control unit for the weight checker 50), and monitors and controls the operation of each of these devices 1 to 8 and the weight checker 50.

[0029] Furthermore, the management computer 80 is electrically connected to each microcomputer of each production line component 112 included in each product production line L1 via the local network NW2, and monitors and controls the operation of each production line component 112. The management computer 80 periodically acquires and stores device status data DT from each production line component 112 under its management. The management computer 80 periodically transmits any untransmitted device status data DT it holds to the device management server 90.

[0030] The device management server 90 is a general-purpose computer composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The device management server 90 is located in a remote location away from each factory 110 (production line component equipment 112). The device management server 90 periodically acquires and stores device status data DT from the management computer 80. The device management server 90 also analyzes the stored data and, based on the analysis results, outputs maintenance prompt information (maintenance information IF) to a specific factory 110 or production line component equipment 112.

[0031] As shown in Figure 1, the device management server 90 consists of, for example, a server communication unit 90a, a program storage unit 90b, a device information storage unit 90c, a device status data storage unit 90d, a grouping information storage unit 90e, a maintenance information storage unit 90f, an acquisition unit 90g, a maintenance flag 90h, an analysis unit (decision unit) 90i, a maintenance information generation unit 90j, and a server output unit 90k, etc., as software in which a program stored in ROM is loaded onto RAM and executed by the CPU.

[0032] The server communication unit 90a includes a communication module that communicates with each management computer 80 via the wide-area network NW1. Signal transmission and reception with each management computer 80 are performed via the server communication unit 90a. The server communication unit 90a acquires output information (monitoring status data DT) from sensors that monitor the operating status of the devices to be monitored. The program storage unit 90b stores control programs that define the processing of each part included in the device management server 90. The contents of each control program are updated as needed via input devices and storage media (not shown). The device information storage unit 90c stores production line configuration device information related to the identification information, maintenance period, and maintenance history of the production line configuration devices 112.

[0033] Production line configuration equipment information is updated as needed by the administrator of the parts management system 1, the staff of the factory 110, etc. Production line configuration equipment information is stored, for example, as equipment information table TB1 as shown in Figure 4. Equipment information table TB1 defines information that identifies the line ID, model code, and maintenance period and maintenance history set for each production line configuration equipment 112 included in the parts management system 1. The line ID is information that uniquely identifies the production line configuration equipment 112.

[0034] Furthermore, the model code indicates the type of production line equipment 112. For example, in Figure 4, "CCW" indicates the combination weighing machine 10, "AFP" indicates the bag-making and packaging machine 20, "TSC" indicates the seal checker 30, and "AC" indicates the box-packing machine 40. In addition, the equipment information table TB1 registers the maintenance period for each equipment component. Furthermore, the equipment information table TB1 registers the most recent maintenance history for each equipment component.

[0035] The device status data storage unit 90d stores the device status data DT transmitted from each management computer 80. Here, the device status data DT is data that identifies the status of the production line configuration device 112, and is information that identifies (estimates or predicts) the operating status, capacity values, functional characteristics, adjustment problems, aging deterioration, or failures of the components included in the production line configuration device 112. More specifically, it is data related to various parameters that serve as the basis for detecting signs of deterioration or adjustment problems with respect to each device component that makes up the production line configuration device 112.

[0036] For example, the parameters "encoder pulse value of the pull-down motor" and "registration mark pitch correction amount," which identify signs of deterioration (wear) or improper adjustment of the pull-down belts 23a and 23b of the bag-making and packaging machine 20, correspond to the device status data DT. For example, the parameter "encoder pulse value of the pressure motor during vertical sealing," which identifies signs of deterioration (slack) or improper adjustment of the timing belt of the bag-making and packaging machine 20, corresponds to the device status data DT.

[0037] The grouping information storage unit 90e stores information related to the grouping of multiple production line components 112 (grouping table TB2), as shown in Figure 5. It is generated for each component included in the production line components 112 of the same model. Specifically, the grouping table TB2 registers the line ID, model code, component name, component status data DT, and capability information for each specific component of the production line components 112. Here, the "capability information" in the grouping table TB2 is information that pre-defines the numerical range (i.e., the capability required for the component) that is assumed to be achievable by a normal component with respect to the parameters related to the component status data DT.

[0038] The maintenance information storage unit 90f stores the maintenance information IF generated by the maintenance information generation unit 90j. The maintenance information IF is information that prompts the user or manager to perform maintenance on a specific device component of a specific production line device 112, or information that notifies the user of the maintenance timing.

[0039] The acquisition unit 90g collects device status data DT from each management computer 80. The acquisition unit 90g acquires output information (device status data DT) from sensors that monitor the operating status of the devices to be monitored and stores it in the device status data storage unit 90d. The device status data DT includes maintenance flags 90h for determining whether maintenance is required for each production line component 112 (more specifically, its component parts) (i.e., whether a predetermined maintenance period has arrived, or whether maintenance is required due to a predetermined deterioration sign, misadjustment, or malfunction). Each flag in the maintenance flags 90h is associated one-to-one with any of the component parts.

[0040] The analysis unit 90i creates the grouping table TB2 described above. When new device status data DT is stored in the device status data storage unit 90d, the analysis unit 90i updates the grouping table TB2 based on the device status data DT. The analysis unit 90i also analyzes various information and performs an analysis process to determine whether maintenance is required for each device component of each production line device 112 included in the parts management system 1. In other words, the analysis unit 90i determines which device components require replacement based on the device status data DT.

[0041] The maintenance information generation unit 90j periodically refers to the maintenance flag 90h, and when any bit is set, generates maintenance information IF for the device component identified by that bit. The maintenance information generation unit 90j adds the communication address of the destination device (management computer 80 and / or production line device 112) to the generated maintenance information IF and stores it in the maintenance information storage unit 90f. After generating the maintenance information IF, the maintenance information generation unit 90j clears the corresponding bit of the maintenance flag 90h.

[0042] When a new maintenance information IF is stored in the maintenance information storage unit 90f, the server output unit 90k causes the server communication unit 90a to transmit the maintenance information IF to the destination device. In other words, the server output unit 90k outputs information regarding "device components requiring replacement" determined by the analysis unit 90i, for each device and for each user of the device. For example, the server output unit 90k outputs information such as the factory name, line ID, and model code (hereinafter also referred to as "replacement reminder information") associated with the device components requiring replacement.

[0043] The parts management server 60 is a general-purpose computer composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The parts management server 60 consists of a storage location identification unit 61 and an output unit 65, etc., which are software components in which a program stored in ROM is loaded onto RAM and executed by the CPU. The parts management server 60 further includes a storage location memory unit 63.

[0044] The storage location identification unit 61 obtains information from the device management server 90 (analysis unit 90i) regarding device components that the server has determined need to be replaced, and identifies the storage location where replacement parts for each device and each user of the device are stored. More specifically, as shown in Figure 6, the storage location identification unit 61 obtains the replacement reminder information described above and, based on this information, outputs the storage location of the replacement parts (in the example shown in Figure 6, the locker ID and storage box number) for each device (model code) and each user of the device (factory name). The storage location where the replacement parts are stored is retrieved from the storage location memory unit 63.

[0045] The storage location memory unit 63 is a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage location memory unit 63 stores the storage location of device components that require replacement. Specifically, it stores information relating to the replacement part, information identifying the parts management locker 70, and information regarding the storage box 73 number. For example, when an administrator managing the parts management locker 70 stores a replacement part in a storage box 73 of the parts management locker 70, they input information that identifies the replacement part (e.g., the name of the device component) and which storage box 73 it was stored in, from the operation unit 75 of the storage box 73. The storage location memory unit 63 stores and updates the information entered in this way.

[0046] The output unit 65 outputs information (hereinafter referred to as "location information") regarding the storage box (storage location) 73 of the parts management locker 70 identified by the storage location identification unit 61. The output unit 65 outputs the storage location of replacement parts for each device (model code) and for each user of the device (factory name). The output unit 65 may display such location information on a display device (not shown) provided in the parts management server 60, as shown on screen SC1 in Figure 6, or on a terminal device (not shown) owned by the user of the device, etc. The output unit 65 may also output authentication information, etc., for retrieving replacement parts from the parts management locker 70.

[0047] The parts management locker 70 stores device components and is provided for providing (handing over) replacement parts presented to users by the parts management server 60. The parts management locker 70 is a so-called smart locker that performs unlocking management based on information transmitted from the parts management server 60 located remotely. The parts management locker 70 is provided to communicate with the parts management server 60. The parts management locker 70 is located, for example, on the premises of a factory where a group of devices managed by the device management server 90 are deployed. Alternatively, the parts management locker 70 may be located, for example, on the premises of a shopping center or a convenience store. As shown in Figure 7, the parts management locker 70 comprises a housing 71, a plurality of storage boxes (storage locations) 73, an operation unit 75, a control device 76, payment hardware 77, a communication device 78, and a weight sensor 79.

[0048] The housing 71 supports a plurality of storage boxes 73, an operating unit 75, and a control device 76. The housing 71 is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. The bottom of the housing 71 is supported by the floor surface that serves as the installation surface. The housing 71 is equipped with fasteners on its bottom or back and is fixed to the floor or wall surface to prevent tipping. The plurality of storage boxes 73 form a rectangular parallelepiped or cubic internal space, and a rectangular opening / closing door 71A is provided on the front. The opening / closing door 71A of the storage box 73 is supported so as to be rotatable outward relative to the opening edge on the front of the housing 71. When locked, the opening / closing door 71A closes the opening, and when unlocked, it is opened by being pulled from the front by the user, allowing access to the storage space.

[0049] Small accessory members 71B are provided near the vertical edge of each opening / closing door 71A. An example of an accessory member 71B is a handle for gripping, pulling, or pushing the opening / closing door 71A. The accessory members 71B also include hinges for supporting the rotation of the opening / closing door 71A, latches / locks for closing the opening / closing door 71A, and their mounting seats or drive mechanisms. Each opening / closing door 71A is numbered to uniquely identify its storage box 73. In the example shown in Figure 7, numbers 1-11 are assigned from top to bottom in the left column, 12-17 in the center column, and 18-28 in the right column. The numbers are attached to the opening / closing door 71A in a visible location as plates or indicators.

[0050] Locking and unlocking of each opening / closing door 71A is performed independently for each door 71A. The attached component 71B also includes a mechanical or electric locking mechanism, enabling individual locking and unlocking for each storage box 73. Locking and unlocking of each opening / closing door 71A is controlled by the control device 76. In other words, only the storage box 73 with a specific number presented to the user by the parts management server 60 can be selectively opened.

[0051] An operating unit 75 is provided in the center of the front of the housing 71. The operating unit 75 is positioned slightly above the center height of the central row, taking into consideration the visibility and operability of the user. The operating unit 75 consists of a rectangular touch panel. The operating unit 75 may be configured as an input / output unit for user authentication, locking and unlocking the opening and closing door 71A, payment for replacement parts, and storage location of replacement parts.

[0052] The control device 76 controls the locking mechanism of each opening / closing door 71A, and the display and input of the operation unit 75. The control device 76 is an electronic control unit consisting of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The control device 76 controls various operations in the parts management locker 70. The control device 76 can be configured as software, for example, in which a program stored in ROM is loaded onto RAM and executed by the CPU. The control device 76 may also be configured as hardware, such as an electronic circuit.

[0053] The payment hardware 77 is known hardware and includes, for example, a slot into which a credit card can be inserted. Alternatively, instead of or in addition to the slot, a reader for reading two-dimensional codes or for exchanging information with a contactless IC card may be provided. When the opening / closing door 71A is locked, the control device 76 enables payment through the exchange of information read from the payment hardware 77 with the payment server via the communication device 78.

[0054] The communication device 78 is configured to communicate with the parts management server 60. The control device 76 obtains user information, information about replacement parts, and information about the storage location of replacement parts (storage box 73 number) from the parts management server 60 via the communication device 78. The communication device 78 is also configured to communicate with a payment server managed by a payment company (not shown). The control device 76 exchanges payment information with the payment server via the communication device 78. A weight sensor 79 is located on the bottom of each storage box 73. The weight sensor 79 detects the weight of the replacement parts stored in the storage box 73. The detection result of the weight sensor 79 is obtained by the control device 76. Based on the detection result of the weight sensor 79, the control device 76 can detect when replacement parts have been taken out of or put back into the storage box 73.

[0055] In a parts management locker 70 with this configuration, when the user inputs information about the user from the operation unit 75 and authentication information presented from the output unit 65, the control device 76 communicates with the parts management server 60 and obtains information about the storage location (storage box 73 number) of the replacement parts presented to the user by the parts management server 60. Based on the acquired storage location, the control device 76 unlocks the opening / closing door 71A of the corresponding storage box 73. This allows the user to retrieve the desired replacement parts. The fact that replacement parts have been removed from storage box 73 can be determined from the output information of a weight sensor 79 that measures the weight of the replacement parts stored in storage box 73. When the user retrieves the replacement parts from storage box 73, the operation unit 75 prompts the user for payment information. When the user performs the prescribed operation, the payment for the replacement parts is completed.

[0056] The effects and advantages of the parts management system 1 and parts management method of the above embodiment will now be explained. In the parts management system 1 of the above embodiment, information on equipment components that have been determined to need replacement is acquired, and information on the storage boxes 73 of the parts management lockers 70, where the replacement parts are stored for each piece of equipment and each user, is provided by the output unit 65 to the user who manages the equipment located in the factory or elsewhere. As a result, the user who has been provided with information on the storage boxes 73 can obtain the replacement parts by going to the parts management locker 70, which is output from the output unit 65. This makes it possible to quickly supply the parts causing the malfunction without requiring the user to order the parts that need replacing.

[0057] The parts management system 1 of the above embodiment includes an acquisition unit 90g that acquires output information from a sensor that monitors the operating status of the device to be monitored, and an analysis unit 90i that determines the device components that need to be replaced based on the output information. The storage location identification unit 61 acquires information from the analysis unit 90i regarding the device components that have been determined to need to be replaced. As a result, the device components that need to be replaced are determined based on the output information from the sensor that monitors the operating status of the device to be monitored. This allows even inexperienced users to easily and accurately identify the device component causing the failure based on the symptoms of the malfunction.

[0058] Furthermore, according to the parts management system 1 of the above embodiment, users can obtain replacement parts for the equipment components at an early stage, thereby shortening the time required to restore the production line. In addition, according to the parts management system 1 of the above embodiment, users can directly go to the parts management locker 70 to pick up replacement parts, which helps to prevent damage such as being unfairly charged an intermediate margin by a supplier of replacement parts for the equipment components.

[0059] In the parts management system 1 of the above embodiment, the same type of replacement part (in this embodiment, a pull-down belt) is allowed to be stored in multiple storage locations. As a result, since the same type of replacement part is stored in different storage boxes 73, it is possible to store replacement parts separately for each device, or separately for each user.

[0060] In the parts management system 1 of the above embodiment, a smart locker that can be unlocked and managed remotely is given as an example of a parts management locker 70. This makes it easy to store identical replacement parts in multiple storage boxes 73. In addition, in the parts management system 1 of the above embodiment, the parts management locker 70 has a communication unit that transmits payment information. This makes it easy to store identical replacement parts in multiple storage boxes 73.

[0061] Although one embodiment has been described above, one aspect of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0062] In the above embodiment, a parts management system 1 including a parts management server 60 and an equipment management server 90 was mainly described as one aspect of the present invention, but the aspects of the present invention are not limited to this. One aspect of the present invention may be configured as a program (parts management program) that causes a parts management method to be executed, which includes, for example, the steps of receiving output information from a computer such as the parts management server 60 and the equipment management server 90, and a sensor that monitors the operating status of the equipment; determining equipment components that need to be replaced based on the output information; identifying a storage location for replacement parts associated with each equipment or each user of the equipment for the equipment components that have been determined to need to be replaced; and outputting the identified storage location.

[0063] In the parts management system 1 of the above embodiment, the output unit 65 was described as outputting the storage location of replacement parts for each device (model code) and each user of the device (factory name). However, for example, the storage location of replacement parts may be output for each user of the device (factory name). In this case, as shown in the example in Figure 6, the pull-down belt with model code AFP and the bearing with model code CCW used in the first factory are displayed together. Also, in this case, the pull-down belt and the bearing are stored together in one storage box 73 in the parts management locker. In such a case, the control device 76 can also detect which replacement parts have been taken out of or put back into the storage box 73 based on the detection result of the weight sensor 79.

[0064] In the above embodiment of the parts management system 1, an example was given in which the parts management server 60 and the device management server 90 are configured as separate servers capable of communicating with each other. However, for example, the functions of the parts management server 60 and the functions of the device management server 90 may be configured to be performed by a single server. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0065] 1...Parts management system, 20...Bag-making and packaging machine, 60...Parts management server, 61...Storage location identification unit, 63...Storage location memory unit, 65...Output unit, 70...Parts management locker, 71...Enclosure, 71A...Opening / closing door, 71B...Accessory components, 73...Storage box (storage location), 75...Operation unit, 76...Control device, 77...Payment hardware, 78...Communication device, 79...Weight sensor, 90...Device management server (analysis unit 90i), 90g...Acquisition unit, 90i...Analysis unit (judgment unit).

Claims

1. A storage location identification unit acquires information on device components that are deemed to need replacement and identifies the storage location of replacement device components associated with each device or each user of the device, It comprises an output unit that outputs the identified storage location, The aforementioned storage location is a parts management system having a communication unit for transmitting payment information.

2. A storage location identification unit that acquires information on device components that are determined to need replacement and identifies a storage location for replacement device components associated with each device or each user of the device, It comprises an output unit that outputs the identified storage location, The aforementioned storage location is a smart locker that can be unlocked and managed remotely. The smart locker is a parts management system having a communication unit for communicating payment information.

3. An acquisition unit that acquires output information from sensors that monitor the operating status of the device to be monitored, The system further includes a determination unit that determines the device component requiring replacement based on the output information, The parts management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the storage location identification unit obtains information from the determination unit regarding the device components that have been determined to require replacement.

4. The parts management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein replacement parts of the same type of device components are stored in multiple storage locations.

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