Production program creation support device and production program creation support method

Abstract

To provide a manufacturing program forming support device and a manufacturing program forming support method that can easily recognize a possibility that productivity may be improved by changing a manufacturing program.SOLUTION: A manufacturing program forming support method that supports forming of a manufacturing program which is used in a manufacturing device includes: acquiring a manufacturing result including information on manufactured varieties, a manufacturing period and quantity thereof, and a manufacturing program used (ST1); reforming grouping information including grouping information of the plurality of varieties and a manufacturing program thereof based on the manufacturing result (ST3); determining whether to propose changing of the manufacturing program being used based on the reformed grouping information (ST5); and if it is determined to propose a change (Yes in ST5), providing a notification of a changing proposal of the manufacturing program (ST6).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a production program creation support apparatus and a production program creation support method that support the creation of production programs used in production apparatuses.

Background Art

[0002] In a production line equipped with production apparatuses such as component mounting apparatuses, products of a plurality of types are produced. In particular, in a component mounting line that produces mounting boards for in-vehicle applications and the like, production programs used in the component mounting apparatuses are created so that mounting boards of a plurality of types can be efficiently produced over a long period of time without changing the line configuration (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a simulation apparatus that automatically creates and evaluates the input order of a plurality of product types, the size of input lots, the allocation of product types to a plurality of lines, and the allocation of components to each component mounting apparatus so that the load between the component mounting apparatuses on the component mounting line is leveled.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in a production line, the proportion of a plurality of product types to be produced gradually changes, and new product types to be produced may be added. For this reason, even for a production line that initially efficiently produced a plurality of product types, if the proportion of the product types to be produced fluctuates, the production efficiency may be lower than the initial level. In the conventional techniques including Patent Document 1, although the input order of a plurality of product types, lot sizes, allocation to a plurality of lines and the like can be examined within the scope of daily production, it is not possible to examine the propriety of restructuring the production line accompanied by stopping the production line or changing the production program, and there is room for further improvement.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a production program creation support device and a production program creation support method that make it easy to recognize that productivity may be improved by changing the production program. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The production program creation support device of the present invention is a production program creation support device that assists in creating a production program used in a production device that produces multiple types of products, and comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires production results including information on the produced types, their production period and quantity, and the production program used; a creation unit that recreates grouping information including grouped information of the multiple types and their production programs based on the production results; a proposal determination unit that determines whether or not to propose a change to the production program being used based on the recreated grouping information; and a notification unit that notifies the proposal to change the production program when the proposal determination unit determines to propose a change.

[0007] The present invention provides a production program creation support method that supports the creation of a production program used in a production apparatus that produces multiple types of products, and includes: an acquisition step of acquiring production results including information on the produced types, their production period and quantity, and the production program used; a creation step of recreating grouping information including grouped information of the multiple types and their production programs based on the production results; a proposal determination step of determining whether or not to propose a change to the production program being used based on the recreated grouping information; and a notification step of notifying the production program change proposal if it is determined in the proposal determination step to propose a change.

[0008] Another production program creation support device of the present invention is a production program creation support device that assists in creating a production program used in a production device that produces multiple types of products, and comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires production results including information on the types produced, the production period and quantity produced, and the production program used; an examination and determination unit that determines whether or not to propose the start of consideration of changing the production program being used based on the production results; and a notification unit that notifies the user of the proposal to start consideration of changing the production program being used if the examination and determination unit determines that it should make such a proposal.

[0009] Another production program creation support method of the present invention is a production program creation support method for creating a production program used in a production apparatus that produces multiple types of products, and includes: an acquisition step of acquiring production results including information on the types produced, the production period and quantity, and the production program used; a review and determination step of determining whether or not to propose the start of a review of the production program being used based on the production results; and a notification step of notifying the proposal to start a review of the production program being used if it is determined in the review and determination step to propose such a change. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is easy to recognize that productivity may be improved by changing the production program. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Diagram illustrating the configuration of a component mounting system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Diagram illustrating the configuration of a production line equipped with a component mounting system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing system of a management computer (production program creation support device) according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] An explanatory diagram illustrating an example of production results for a component mounting system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5](a)(b) Explanatory diagram of an example of actual setup time of a production line equipped with a component mounting system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] (a)(b) Explanatory diagram of an example of actual production time of a production line equipped with a component mounting system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] An explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the actual production volume and the estimated improved production volume of a production line equipped with a component mounting system in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] An explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the estimated production time of a production line equipped with a component mounting system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] Flowchart of a production program creation support method according to one embodiment of the present invention [Figure 10] Block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing system in another embodiment of the management computer (production program creation support device) of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] Flowchart of another embodiment of the production program creation support method according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The configurations, shapes, etc. described below are illustrative examples for illustrative purposes and can be modified as appropriate according to the specifications of the component mounting system, production line, management computer (production program creation support device), component mounting device, etc. In the following, all corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals in all drawings, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0013] First, the configuration of the component mounting system 1 will be explained with reference to Figure 1. The component mounting system 1 consists of three production lines L1 to L3 located on floor 4, connected by a communication network 2 and managed by a management computer 3. Each production line L1 to L3 is composed of multiple production devices, including component mounting equipment, linked together as described later, and has the function of producing mounted circuit boards (products) with components mounted on them. Note that the production lines L1 to L3 of the component mounting system 1 do not necessarily have to be three; there may be one, two, or four or more.

[0014] Next, the detailed configuration of the production lines L1 to L3 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The production lines L1 to L3 have the same configuration, and the production line L1 will be described below. The production line L1 is configured by serially connecting production apparatuses such as a solder printing apparatus M1, a printing inspection apparatus M2, component mounting apparatuses M3 to M6, a mounting inspection apparatus M7, and a reflow apparatus M8 from the upstream side (left side of the drawing sheet) to the downstream side (right side of the drawing sheet) in the board conveyance direction. The production apparatuses are connected to a management computer 2 via a communication network 3. The production line L1 is a group of production apparatuses connected via the communication network 2, and the production apparatuses do not need to be physically connected to each other.

[0015] The solder printing apparatus M1 executes a solder printing operation of printing solder onto the board 5 carried in from the upstream side by a solder printing operation unit through a mask in which a plurality of openings are formed. In a setup change operation for switching the mounted boards (product types) to be produced, an operator W performs operations such as mask replacement work and arrangement change work of support pins that support the board 5 from below during solder printing. The printing inspection apparatus M2 executes a printing inspection operation of inspecting the state of the solder printed on the board 5 by a printing inspection operation unit including a solder inspection camera. The production line L1 does not need to be provided with the printing inspection apparatus M2.

[0016] In FIG. 2, the component mounting apparatuses M3 to M6 execute a component mounting operation of mounting components 6 onto the board 5 by a component mounting operation unit including a conveyor, a component supply section, and a mounting head. The production line L1 is not limited to the configuration having four component mounting apparatuses M3 to M6, and the number of component mounting apparatuses M3 to M6 may be 1 to 3, or 5 or more. In the component mounting apparatuses M3 to M6, the conveyor extending in the board conveyance direction conveys the board 5 to the component mounting position.

[0017] The component supply unit is equipped with a cart that mounts a plurality of tape feeders that feed carrier tapes holding components 6 to supply the components 6, and a tray feeder that supplies the components 6 while replacing trays holding a plurality of components 6. The mounting head includes a plurality of suction nozzles that vacuum-suction the components 6, picks up the components 6 supplied by the component supply unit, and executes a component mounting operation of transferring and mounting the components 6 onto the substrate 5 that is conveyed, positioned and held by the conveyor.

[0018] To supply predetermined components 6 to the tape feeders and trays of the component supply unit according to the type of mounting board (product) to be produced, carrier tapes and trays holding the predetermined components 6 are set during setup change (in other words, the components 6 are arranged in the component supply unit). In the setup change operation for switching the mounting boards to be produced, in the component mounting apparatuses M3 to M6, the worker W performs operations such as replacement of carrier tapes and tape feeders, replacement of trays, replacement of mounting heads, replacement of suction nozzles, and layout change of support pins that support the substrate 5 from below during component mounting.

[0019] In Figure 2, the mounting inspection apparatus M7 executes a mounting inspection operation of inspecting the state of the components 6 mounted on the substrate 5 by a mounting inspection operation unit including a component inspection camera. The reflow apparatus M8 executes a substrate heating operation of heating the substrate 5 carried into the apparatus by a substrate heating unit to cure the solder on the substrate 5 and join the electrode portions of the substrate 5 and the components 6. Note that the production line L1 does not need to include the mounting inspection apparatus M7.

[0020] Next, the configuration of the information processing system of the management computer 3 will be described with reference to Figure 3. Here, among the multiple functions provided by the management computer 3, the function as a production program creation support apparatus that determines whether a change to the production program is beneficial based on the production results of the production lines L1 to L3 and notifies a change proposal will be described. In addition, the production lines L1 to L3 are configured to be suitable for continuously producing a plurality of fixed types of mounting boards (products) over a relatively long period of about several months in response to short-term orders such as on a daily basis.

[0021] The management computer 3 includes a processing unit 10 and a storage device 17, as well as an input unit 25, a display unit 26, and a communication unit 27. The input unit 25 is an input device such as a keyboard, touch panel, or mouse, and is used when entering data. The display unit 26 is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel, which displays various data stored in the storage device 17, as well as various information such as operation screens and input screens for operation by the input unit 25. The communication unit 27 is a communication interface that transmits and receives data with production equipment (solder printing machine M1, printing inspection machine M2, component mounting machines M3-M6, mounting inspection machine M7, etc.) that make up production lines L1-L3 via the communication network 2.

[0022] In Figure 3, the processing unit 10 is a data processing unit such as a CPU, and its internal processing units include an acquisition unit 11, an analysis unit 12, a creation unit 13, a calculation unit 14, a proposal and judgment unit 15, a notification processing unit 16, and a control unit (not shown). The calculation unit 14 also includes a production time estimation unit 14a, an improvement time calculation unit 14b, and a production capacity estimation unit 14c as internal processing units. The storage device 17 is a storage device such as an HDD or SSD, and stores production results 18, analysis results 19, grouping information 20, estimated production time 21, improvement time 22, estimated production capacity 23, and production resource information 24.

[0023] Each internal processing unit may be composed of independent hardware assets or a common CPU and programs for each information processing function. The control unit controls the entire management computer 3. Furthermore, the management computer 3 does not need to be a single computer, but may be composed of multiple devices. For example, all or part of the storage device 17 and the data processing devices that make up the management computer 3 may be provided in the cloud via a server.

[0024] In Figure 3, the acquisition unit 11 periodically collects production data of mounted circuit boards (products) from multiple production devices on production lines L1 to L3 installed on floor 4, and stores it in the storage device 17 as production data 18. The production data includes the start date and time of setup changes, the end date and time of setup changes, the start date and time of production, and the end date and time of production.

[0025] Here, with reference to Figure 4, an example of production record 18 for mounted circuit boards will be explained. Production record 18 stores, for each lot, the production period (production start date and time, production end date and time), board information identifying the type of mounted circuit board, the number of boards produced, information identifying production lines L1 to L3, setup change information, information identifying the production program used, and information identifying the layout data. The board information includes information identifying the configuration of the mounted circuit board, such as the size of the board 5, the mounting position of components 6, and the type of components 6. The setup change information includes information identifying the type before the setup change, and the actual value of the setup change time.

[0026] The placement data includes information identifying the mask used in the solder printing machine M1, information on the arrangement of components 6 in the component supply section of the component mounting machines M3 to M6, and information identifying the mounting head and suction nozzle used. In other words, the placement data includes information indicating the placement position of components (masks, tape feeders, mounting heads, suction nozzles, etc.) used to produce mounted substrates (products) in the production equipment. The production program includes information for producing that type of mounted substrate (product), such as NC data for controlling the production equipment. Thus, the acquisition unit 11 acquires production results 18, which include information on the type of mounted substrate produced, its production period and quantity, and the production program used.

[0027] In Figure 3, the analysis unit 12 analyzes the acquired production results 18 to calculate the actual changeover time for each production line L1 to L3 (hereinafter referred to as "actual changeover time"), the actual production time for each product type (hereinafter referred to as "actual production time"), the actual production volume, etc., and stores the analysis results 19 in the storage device 17.

[0028] Here, with reference to Figures 5 to 7, an example of the analysis result 19 calculated based on the production results 18 will be explained. Figure 5 shows an example of the actual setup time for each production line L1 to L3 included in the analysis result 19. Figure 5(a) shows the average actual setup time for the first month (March 1 to March 31) immediately after the start of production of mounted circuit boards (products) of types A to E, with production programs and layout data set up to efficiently produce these products on production lines L1 to L3. In other words, production using production programs and layout data optimized for the production of mounted circuit boards of types A to E started on March 1st on production lines L1 to L3. Figure 5(b) shows the average actual setup time for the first month (July 1 to July 31) five months after the start of production.

[0029] The optimized production program referred to here is a production sequence rearranged to shorten the setup time for each product type from A to E. Similarly, the optimized layout data is a layout data rearranged to shorten the production time for each product type from A to E.

[0030] In Figure 5(a), the actual setup time is shown for each production line L1 to L3 as a combination (production order) of product types A to E before setup and product types A to E after setup. For example, on production line L1, the actual setup time for changing from product type B to product type A is 600 seconds. Also, production line L1 is not configured to produce mounted boards of product type E, and production line L2 is not configured to produce mounted boards of product type D.

[0031] In Figure 5(b), the production program and layout data for production line L1 were modified (recreated) by July 1st so that it could produce mounted circuit boards of type F. Production lines L2 and L3 were not reconfigured to produce mounted circuit boards of type F. Furthermore, none of production lines L1 to L3 have ever produced mounted circuit boards of type A, and therefore no actual setup time has been calculated. In other words, production of mounted circuit boards of type A was completed by July 1st. Thus, the setup time includes not only the time required to change the setup of multiple mounted circuit boards (products) of types A to F in the production equipment (the time required to change the type of mounted circuit board produced in the production equipment from type A to type F), but also information indicating the production order.

[0032] Figure 6 shows examples of actual production times for each product type in production lines L1 to L3, which are included in the analysis results 19. Figure 6(a) shows the average actual production time per mounted board for the first month (March 1 to March 31) immediately following the start of production of mounted boards for product types A to E. Figure 6(b) shows the average actual production time per mounted board for the first month (July 1 to July 31) five months after the start of production. In other words, Figure 6 contains information showing the correspondence between multiple product types A to F and multiple production lines L1 to L3.

[0033] In Figure 6(b), the production program and layout data of production line L1 have been modified (recreated) to enable the production of mounted circuit boards of type F. Furthermore, in production line L1, the production programs and layout data for types B, C, and D have also been modified (recreated) to enable the production of type F. As a result of these modifications, the actual production times for types B, C, and D are longer than those shown in Figure 6(a) when using the initially optimized production program. In other words, in production line L1, the production efficiency of other types B, C, and D has decreased as a consequence of modifying (recreating) the production line to enable the production of type F without optimization. The analysis unit 12 calculates the actual production capacity (hereinafter referred to as "actual production capacity") as a production indicator, in addition to the actual production time, and stores the analysis results 19 in the storage device 17.

[0034] Furthermore, in cases where the production of variety F is modified (recreated) without optimization, it is important to note that optimizing production programs and layout data requires advanced software skills. Therefore, production managers with lower skill levels may find the process time-consuming. For this reason, there is a tendency to retain the optimized production programs and layout data for a period of time after initial optimization. Additionally, recreating production programs and layout data involves rearranging the order and layout data of varieties based on the changed data, which can require preparation time. Therefore, optimization needs to be performed at appropriate timings and frequencies.

[0035] Figure 7 shows an example of actual production values ​​for production lines L1 to L3 included in analysis result 19. In this example, the total daily production volume for production lines L1 to L3 (total production volume) and the total daily production time are shown as average values ​​for the production period (March 1 to March 31) and the production period (July 1 to July 31).

[0036] During the production period (March 1st to March 31st), mounted circuit boards of types A to E were produced on production lines L1 to L3, and during the production period (July 1st to July 31st), mounted circuit boards of types B to F were produced on production lines L1 to L3. In other words, production of mounted circuit boards of type A on production lines L1 to L3 has ended, and production of mounted circuit boards of type F on production line L1 has begun. Furthermore, there is no significant difference in the actual total daily production volume between the production period (March 1st to March 31st) and the production period (July 1st to July 31st), but the actual total daily production hours have increased from 20 hours to 24 hours. In other words, production efficiency was lower during the production period (July 1st to July 31st) than during the production period (March 1st to March 31st).

[0037] In Figure 3, the creation unit 13, based on the production results 18, recreates group information by grouping information for multiple product types A to F, and a production program corresponding to the new group information, and stores it in the storage device 17 as grouping information 20. The grouping information 20 includes information indicating the production order of multiple product types A to F mounted boards (products) in the production equipment, information indicating the time required to change product types A to F of mounted boards produced in the production equipment (setup time) (Figure 5), information indicating the placement location of components used to produce multiple product types A to F mounted boards in the production equipment (placement data), and information indicating the correspondence between multiple product types A to F and multiple production lines L1 to L3 (Figures 5 and 6). The creation unit 13 also has the function of creating new production programs in addition to recreating production programs.

[0038] Furthermore, the creation unit 13 recreates the grouping information 20 based on information such as the types and performance of production equipment provided by production lines L1 to L3, and the types and number of materials available on floor 4, which are included in the production resource information 24. In the example of production results 18 shown in Figures 5 to 7, the creation unit 13 excludes product A, whose production has ended, and recreates the grouping information 20 so that the production efficiency of products D to F, whose production volume is expected to increase, is higher (Figure 8). In addition to recreating the grouping information 20, the creation unit 13 also has the function of creating new grouping information 20.

[0039] In Figure 3, the calculation unit 14 calculates estimated values ​​of the production indicators for the production equipment based on grouping information 20, which includes the recreated production program. The calculation unit 14 calculates estimated values ​​of the production indicators using the actual values ​​of the product types and production quantities for the production period (July 1st to July 31st) included in the production results 18 as input information. The production time estimation unit 14a of the calculation unit 14 calculates an estimated value of the production time of the production equipment (hereinafter referred to as "estimated production time") as an estimated value of the production indicators for the production equipment, and stores it in the storage device 17 as estimated production time 21. Furthermore, the improvement time calculation unit 14b of the calculation unit 14 calculates the improvement time, which is the difference between the actual production time and the estimated production time 21 included in the analysis results 19 calculated by the analysis unit 12, and stores it in the storage device 17 as improvement time 22.

[0040] Figure 8 shows an example of the estimated production time 21 calculated by the production time estimation unit 14a of the calculation unit 14 based on the recreated grouping information 20.

[0041] In Figure 3, the production capacity estimation unit 14c of the calculation unit 14 calculates an estimated value of the production capacity of the production equipment (hereinafter referred to as "estimated production capacity") as an estimated value of the production indicator of the production equipment, and stores it in the memory device 17 as the estimated production capacity 23. The production capacity estimated by the production capacity estimation unit 14c includes the amount of production that production lines L1 to L3 can produce per day (number of mounted boards) and the number of components that component mounting equipment M3 to M6 can mount per unit time, which is called Chips Per Hour (hereinafter referred to as "CPH").

[0042] Furthermore, the calculation unit 14 calculates an estimated value of the total daily production time (hereinafter referred to as "estimated total production time") based on the actual value of the total daily production volume and the estimated production time 21 included in the analysis result 19. Figure 7 shows examples of the estimated total production time for improvement plan 1 and improvement plan 2 calculated by the calculation unit 14. Improvement plan 1 is an example of calculating the estimated total production time under the condition that the same number of mounted boards (actual value of total production volume) as the mounted boards of product types B to F produced during the production period (7 / 1 to 7 / 31) are produced. In improvement plan 1, it is estimated that the total production time will be shortened from 24 hours (actual value) to 20 hours (estimated value) by recreating the grouping information 20.

[0043] Improvement plan 2 is an example of calculating the estimated total production time under the condition that the number of mounted circuit boards of types B to F produced during the production period (July 1st to July 31st) estimated from the trend of actual production volume is greater than the number of mounted circuit boards of types B to F produced. In improvement plan 2, even if the grouping information 20 is recreated, the total production time is estimated to be 24 hours (estimated value) due to the increase in the number of units produced.

[0044] In Figure 3, the proposal decision unit 15 determines whether or not to propose a change to the production program being used, based on the estimated values ​​of production indicators (estimated production time 21, estimated production capacity 23) calculated based on the recreated grouping information 20 and the actual values ​​of production indicators included in the analysis results 19 calculated based on the production results 18. If the proposal decision unit 15 determines that a change to the production program should be proposed, the notification processing unit 16 causes the display unit 26 of the management computer 3 to notify the production program change proposal. In other words, the notification processing unit 16 and the display unit 26 of the management computer 3 constitute a notification unit that notifies the production program change proposal when the proposal decision unit 15 determines that a change to the production program should be proposed.

[0045] Furthermore, if the management computer 3 (production program creation support device) is located on floor 4, in a cloud outside the factory, or at the service center of the production equipment manufacturer, the notification processing unit 16 will notify the management computer installed in the factory or other location of the proposed change. Alternatively, the notification processing unit 16 may notify the service engineer of the production equipment manufacturer of the proposed change, and the service engineer may visit the factory to present the proposed change to the production manager.

[0046] In Figure 3, the proposal decision unit 15 determines whether or not to propose a change to the production program based on the actual production time and estimated production time 21 included in the analysis results 19. Specifically, the proposal decision unit 15 decides to propose a change if the improvement time 22 (the difference between the actual production time and the estimated production time 21) is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold. If the proposal decision unit 15 decides to propose a change, the notification processing unit 16 notifies the display unit 26 of the actual production time, estimated production time 21, and improvement time 22. The predetermined threshold may be a value set in advance by the production manager. For example, the threshold may be a numerical value such as 5 hours, or it may be an abstract choice such as large, medium, or small.

[0047] Furthermore, the proposal determination unit 15 determines whether or not to propose a change to the production program based on the actual production capacity (actual value of production capacity) and estimated production capacity 23 (estimated value of production capacity) included in the analysis results 19. If the proposal determination unit 15 determines to propose a change, the notification processing unit 16 notifies the display unit 26 of the actual production capacity and estimated production capacity 23.

[0048] Furthermore, the proposal determination unit 15 determines to propose the addition of production resources if the estimated production time 21 (or estimated total production time) is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. When the proposal determination unit 15 determines to propose the addition of production resources, the notification processing unit 16 notifies the display unit 26 of the proposal to add production resources. The production manager checks the contents notified by the notification processing unit 16 and considers whether to change the production program.

[0049] Next, following the flow in Figure 9, a production program creation support method will be described to assist in the creation of a production program used in a production device that produces multiple types A to F mounted circuit boards (products). First, the acquisition unit 11 acquires production results 18, which include information on the produced types A to F, the production period, and the production program used (ST1: acquisition process). In the acquisition process (ST1), production results 18 are acquired from immediately after (3 / 1) production using production programs and placement data optimized for the production of multiple types A to E is started on production lines L1 to L3.

[0050] Next, the analysis unit 12 analyzes the acquired production results 18 to calculate actual setup time (Figure 5), actual production time (Figure 6), total production volume, total production time (Figure 7), etc., and stores them as analysis results 19 (ST2: analysis process). Next, the creation unit 13 recreates grouping information 20, which groups information on multiple product types B to F, including production programs, based on the production results 18 (ST3: creation process). Next, the calculation unit 14 calculates the estimated total production time of the production equipment (estimated value of production indicator) based on the recreated grouping information 20 and the actual production numbers of product types B to F included in the production results 18 (ST4: calculation process) (Figure 8).

[0051] In Figure 9, the proposal decision unit 15 then determines whether the estimated total production time calculated based on the recreated grouping information 20 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (e.g., 22 hours) (ST5: First decision step). If the estimated total production time is less than the predetermined threshold (No in ST5), the calculation unit 14 calculates the improvement time, which is the difference between the measured total production time and the estimated total production time (ST6: Improvement time calculation step). The proposal decision unit 15 then determines whether the improvement time is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (e.g., 1 hour) (ST7: Second decision step).

[0052] If the improvement time is above a predetermined threshold (Yes in ST7), the notification unit (notification processing unit 16, display unit 26) notifies the production program change proposal (ST8: first notification step). In improvement proposal 1 shown in Figure 7, the estimated total production time is 20 hours, which is less than the threshold (22 hours) (No in ST5), and the improvement time is 4 hours, which is above the threshold (1 hour) (Yes in ST7), so the production program change proposal is notified (ST8).

[0053] In Figure 9, if the estimated total production time is above a predetermined threshold (Yes in ST5), the notification unit (notification processing unit 16, display unit 26) notifies a proposal to add production resources (ST9: second notification step). In improvement plan 2 shown in Figure 7, the estimated total production time is 24 hours, which is above the threshold (22 hours) (Yes in ST5), and it is determined that this cannot be addressed by changing the production program alone, so the addition of production resources is proposed.

[0054] Thus, the first decision step (ST5) is a proposal decision step that determines whether or not to propose a change to the production program that does not add production resources, based on the recreated grouping information 20. The second decision step (ST7) is a proposal decision step that determines whether or not to propose a change to the production program that adds production resources. The first notification step (ST8) and the second notification step (ST9) are notification steps that notify the change proposal. If the improvement time is less than a predetermined threshold (No in ST7), the process returns to the acquisition step (ST1). The acquisition step (ST1) and notification steps (ST8, ST9) are executed periodically (for example, every month).

[0055] In this way, by notifying production managers of proposed changes to the production program or proposals to add production resources, production managers can easily recognize that productivity may improve through changes to the production program, etc. Subsequently, production managers recreate the production program using a production program creation device (not shown) or the like, as needed.

[0056] As described above, the management computer 3 of this embodiment is a production program creation support device that assists in the creation of production programs used in production equipment. This makes it easy to recognize that productivity may be improved by changing the production program.

[0057] Next, referring to Figure 10, the configuration of another embodiment of the management computer (production program creation support device) (hereinafter simply referred to as "management computer 3A") will be described. Management computer 3A differs from management computer 3 shown in Figure 3 in that it further has a function to determine whether or not to propose the start of production program review based on production results 18. Hereafter, the same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as those of management computer 3 shown in Figure 3, and detailed explanations will be omitted.

[0058] In Figure 10, the processing unit 10A of the management computer 3A comprises an acquisition unit 11, an analysis unit 12, a creation unit 13, a calculation unit 14, a proposal judgment unit 15, a notification processing unit 16A, a review judgment unit 28, a reception processing unit 29, and a control unit (not shown). The review judgment unit 28 determines whether or not to propose the start of a review of changes to the production program being used, based on the production results 18 acquired by the acquisition unit 11. Specifically, the review judgment unit 28 determines to propose the start of a review of changes to the production program being used if the production program included in the acquired production results 18 has been changed from the previous production program. In addition, the review judgment unit 28 determines to propose the start of a review of changes to the production program being used if any of the previously produced product varieties A to E are not included in the acquired production results 18.

[0059] When the notification processing unit 16A determines that the review and judgment unit 28 should propose to start a review, it notifies the display unit 26 of the management computer 3A of the proposal to start a review of changes to the production program being used. If the management computer 3A (production program creation support device) is located outside the factory, the notification processing unit 16A notifies the production manager through the factory's management computer. In this way, the notification processing unit 16A and the display unit 26 constitute a notification unit that notifies the production manager of the proposal to start a review of changes to the production program being used when the review and judgment unit 28 determines that it should propose to start a review.

[0060] In Figure 10, the receiving processing unit 29 receives an instruction from the production manager to begin considering changes to the production program via the input unit 25 of the management computer 3A. If the management computer 3A (production program creation support device) is located outside the factory, the receiving processing unit 29 receives instructions output by the production manager from the factory's management computer via the communication unit 27.

[0061] In this way, the receiving processing unit 29 and the input unit 25, or the receiving processing unit 29 and the communication unit 27, constitute a receiving unit that receives instructions to start considering changes to the production program being used. When the receiving unit receives instructions to start considering changes to the production program being used, the creation unit 13 recreates group information that groups multiple product types B to F, and grouping information 20 that includes the production program corresponding to the group information, based on the production results 18.

[0062] Next, following the flow chart in Figure 11, we will describe another embodiment of the production program support method that assists in the creation of production programs. This other embodiment of the production program support method differs from the production program support method shown in Figure 9 in that it considers the appropriateness of proposed changes to the production program based on production results 18, rather than periodically reviewing proposed changes. Hereafter, the same reference numerals are used for the same steps as in the production program support method shown in Figure 9, and detailed explanations are omitted.

[0063] In Figure 11, first, the production record 18 is acquired through the acquisition process (ST1). Next, the review and judgment unit 28 determines whether the production program included in the production record 18 has been changed from the previous production program (ST11: Production program change determination process). If it has not been changed from the previous production program (No in ST11), the review and judgment unit 28 determines from the production record 18 whether there are any varieties among the previously produced varieties A to E that have been discontinued (ST12: Discontinued variety determination process). If there are no discontinued varieties (No in ST12), the process returns to the acquisition process (ST1).

[0064] Thus, the production program change decision step (ST11) and the discontinued product type decision step (ST12) are review decision steps that determine whether or not to propose the start of a review of the production program being used, based on the production results 18. If the review decision step determines that a proposal should be made (Yes in ST11, or Yes in ST12), the notification unit (notification processing unit 16A, display unit 26) notifies the system of the proposal to start a review of the production program being used (ST13: Review start proposal notification step).

[0065] In Figure 11, the receiving unit (receiving processing unit 29 and input unit 25, receiving processing unit 29 and communication unit 27) then receives an instruction to start considering changes to the production program being used (ST14: receiving process). If the receiving unit receives an instruction to start the consideration (Yes in ST14), the analysis process (ST2), creation process (ST3), calculation process (ST4), proposal decision process (ST5~ST7), and notification process (ST8, ST9) are executed. If the receiving unit receives an instruction not to start the consideration (No in ST14), the process returns to the acquisition process (ST1).

[0066] As described above, other embodiments of the production program creation support method determine whether or not to start considering changes to the production program based on changes in the production program included in the production results 18 or changes in the production varieties A to F (ST11, ST12). This makes it easy to recognize at an appropriate time that there is a possibility of improving productivity by changing the production program. [Industrial applicability]

[0067] The production program creation support apparatus and production program creation support method of the present invention have the effect of making it easy to recognize that productivity may be improved by changing the production program, and are useful in the field of mounting components onto a substrate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0068] 3. 3A Management Computer (Production Program Creation Support Device) L1~L3 Production Line M1 Solder Printing Machine (Production Equipment) M3-M6 Component Mounting Equipment (Production Equipment)

Claims

1. A production program creation support device that assists in creating production programs used in production equipment that produces multiple types of products, An acquisition unit that acquires production results including information on the varieties produced, their production period and quantity, and the production program used, Based on the aforementioned production results, a creation unit recreates grouping information including information that groups multiple varieties and their production programs, Based on the recreated grouping information, a proposal determination unit determines whether or not to propose a change to the production program being used, A production program creation support device comprising: a notification unit that notifies the production program change proposal when the proposal determination unit determines to make a proposal.

2. The production program creation support device according to claim 1, wherein the grouping information includes information indicating the production order of the plurality of product types in the production device and information indicating the time to change the product type produced in the production device.

3. The production program creation support device according to claim 1, wherein the grouping information includes information indicating the arrangement position of components used to produce the plurality of product varieties in the production device.

4. The aforementioned production equipment is installed on multiple production lines, The production program creation support device according to claim 1, wherein the grouping information includes information indicating the correspondence between the plurality of varieties and the plurality of production lines.

5. The system further includes a calculation unit that calculates an estimated value of the production indicator of the production apparatus based on the recreated grouping information. The production program creation support device according to claim 1, wherein the proposal determination unit determines whether or not to propose a change to the production program based on the actual values ​​of the production indicators calculated based on the production results and the estimated values ​​of the production indicators.

6. The calculation unit calculates the estimated production time of the production equipment as an estimated value of the production indicator of the production equipment, The actual values ​​of the production indicators for the production equipment include the actual production time of the production equipment. The production program creation support device according to claim 5, wherein the proposal determination unit determines whether or not to make a proposal based on the actual production time and the estimated production time.

7. The production program creation support device according to claim 6, wherein the notification unit notifies the actual production time and the estimated production time when the proposal determination unit determines to make a proposal.

8. The calculation unit further calculates the improvement time, which is the difference between the actual production time and the estimated production time. The production program creation support device according to claim 6, wherein the proposal determination unit determines to make a proposal when the improvement time is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

9. The production program creation support device according to claim 8, wherein the notification unit notifies the improvement time when the proposal determination unit determines to make a proposal.

10. The calculation unit calculates an estimated value of the production capacity of the production equipment as an estimated value of the production indicator of the production equipment, The production program creation support device according to claim 5, wherein the proposal determination unit determines whether or not to propose a change to the production program based on the actual value of production capacity calculated based on the production results and the estimated value of production capacity.

11. The production program creation support device according to claim 10, wherein the notification unit notifies the actual value of the production capacity and the estimated value of the production capacity when the proposal judgment unit determines to make a proposal.

12. The system further includes a calculation unit that calculates the estimated production time of the production apparatus based on the recreated grouping information, The production program creation support device according to claim 1, wherein the proposal determination unit determines that it proposes to add production resources when the estimated production time is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

13. A method for creating production programs that assists in creating production programs used in production equipment that produces multiple types of products, The acquisition process involves obtaining production results, including information on the varieties produced, their production period and quantity, and the production program used. Based on the aforementioned production results, a creation step is made to recreate grouping information including information that groups multiple varieties and their production programs, Based on the recreated grouping information, a proposal decision step is made to determine whether or not to propose a change to the production program being used. A method for supporting the creation of a production program, comprising a notification step of notifying the production program change proposal when it is determined in the proposal decision step to make a proposal.

14. A production program creation support device that assists in creating production programs used in production equipment that produces multiple types of products, An acquisition unit that acquires production results including information on the varieties produced, their production period and quantity, and the production program used, Based on the aforementioned production results, a review and determination unit determines whether or not to propose starting a review of the production program being used, A production program creation support device comprising: a notification unit that, when the aforementioned review and judgment unit determines to do so, notifies the user of a proposal to start reviewing changes to the production program being used.

15. A receiving unit that receives an instruction to begin considering changes to the aforementioned production program, When the receiving unit receives the instruction, the creation unit recreates grouping information, including information that groups multiple varieties and their production programs, based on the production results. The system further includes a proposal determination unit that determines whether or not to propose a change to the production program being used based on the recreated grouping information, The production program creation support device according to claim 14, wherein, when the proposal determination unit determines to make a proposal, the notification unit notifies the production program change proposal.

16. The production program creation support device according to claim 14, wherein the grouping information includes information indicating the production order of the plurality of product varieties in the production device and information indicating the time to change the product varieties produced in the production device.

17. The production program creation support device according to claim 14, wherein the grouping information includes information indicating the arrangement position of components used to produce the plurality of product varieties in the production apparatus.

18. The aforementioned production equipment is installed on multiple production lines, The production program creation support device according to claim 14, wherein the grouping information includes information indicating the correspondence between the plurality of varieties and the plurality of production lines.

19. The production program creation support device according to claim 14, wherein the review and determination unit determines that it will propose to start a review of the change to the production program if the production program included in the acquired production results has been changed from the previous production program.

20. The production program creation support device according to claim 14, wherein the review and determination unit determines that it will propose to start a review of the production program if the previously produced varieties are not included in the acquired production record.

21. The system further includes a calculation unit that calculates an estimated value of the production indicator of the production apparatus based on the recreated grouping information. The production program creation support device according to claim 15, wherein the proposal determination unit determines whether or not to propose a change to the production program based on the actual values ​​of the production indicators calculated based on the production results and the estimated values ​​of the production indicators.

22. The system further includes a calculation unit that calculates the estimated production time of the production apparatus based on the recreated grouping information, The production program creation support device according to claim 15, wherein the proposal determination unit determines that it proposes to add production resources when the estimated production time is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

23. A method for creating production programs that assists in creating production programs used in production equipment that produces multiple types of products, The acquisition process involves obtaining production results, including information on the varieties produced, their production period and quantity, and the production program used. Based on the aforementioned production results, a review and decision process is performed to determine whether or not to propose starting a review of the production program being used, A method for supporting the creation of a production program, comprising: a notification step of notifying the start of a review of the production program being used if it is determined in the review and judgment step to make a proposal.

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