Component picking guidance system

Abstract

This component picking guidance system is provided with: a component specification unit for specifying a storage position in a component storage area of each of a plurality of components to be picked from the component storage area, according to a work order; a flow line calculation unit for calculating, on the basis of the storage position of each of the plurality of components specified by the component specification unit, the shortest picking flow line to minimize a movement distance or a movement time for sequentially picking the plurality of components from a predetermined start position to a predetermined end position; and a guidance unit for guiding a worker with information indicating the shortest picking flow line calculated by the flow line calculation unit.

Description

Parts picking guidance system

[0001] The present specification relates to a parts picking guidance system.

[0002] Conventionally, there are known techniques for providing guidance for picking parts such as articles and components stored in a warehouse or the like (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). In the technique described in Patent Document 1, the shortest picking route that a worker should take to sequentially remove a plurality of articles from the warehouse is presented to the worker via a mobile terminal (see paragraphs

[0041] and

[0042] , FIG. 6, etc.).

[0003] JP 2014-156299 A

[0004] However, in the technology of Patent Document 1, the picking route is searched on the assumption that the worker moves through the aisles in the warehouse in a single stroke (see FIG. 6 ). Therefore, when the worker picks multiple parts in order, the searched route may not be the shortest in terms of the worker's travel distance or travel time.

[0005] An object of this specification is to provide a parts picking guidance system that enables a worker to pick a plurality of parts according to a work order using the shortest possible movement line.

[0006] This specification discloses a parts picking guidance system that includes a part identification unit that identifies the storage position in a part storage area of ​​each of multiple parts to be picked from the part storage area in accordance with a work order; a flow line calculation unit that calculates the shortest picking flow line that will have the shortest travel distance or travel time for picking the multiple parts in sequence from a predetermined start position to a predetermined end position, based on the storage positions of each of the multiple parts identified by the part identification unit; and a guidance unit that provides a worker with information indicating the shortest picking flow line calculated by the flow line calculation unit.

[0007] This specification also discloses a parts picking guidance system that includes a part identification unit that identifies the storage position in the part storage area of ​​each of multiple parts that should be picked from the part storage area in accordance with a work order; an execution area designation unit that designates an execution area within the part storage area where picking should be performed; an extraction unit that extracts the parts that have their storage position in the execution area based on the storage position of each of the multiple parts identified by the part identification unit and the execution area designated by the execution area designation unit; and a guidance unit that provides a worker with information indicating the storage positions of the parts extracted by the extraction unit all at once.

[0008] According to the configuration disclosed above, it is possible to have a worker pick up a plurality of parts according to a work order using the shortest possible movement line.

[0009] In this specification, the technical idea of ​​changing "the parts picking guidance system according to claim 1" in claim 4 as originally filed to "the parts picking guidance system according to any one of claims 1 to 3"; the technical idea of ​​changing "the parts picking guidance system according to claim 1" in claim 5 as originally filed to "the parts picking guidance system according to any one of claims 1 to 4"; the technical idea of ​​changing "the parts picking guidance system according to claim 1" in claim 6 as originally filed to "the parts picking guidance system according to any one of claims 1 to 5"; the technical idea of ​​changing "the parts picking guidance system according to claim 1" in claim 7 as originally filed to "the parts picking guidance system according to claim 1"; The technical idea of ​​changing "the parts picking guidance system described in claim 1" to "the parts picking guidance system described in any one of claims 1 to 6" in claim 9 as originally filed, the technical idea of ​​changing "the parts picking guidance system described in claim 1" to "the parts picking guidance system described in any one of claims 1 to 6" in claim 10 as originally filed, and the technical idea of ​​changing "the parts picking guidance system described in claim 1" to "the parts picking guidance system described in any one of claims 1 to 6 and 9" in claim 11 as originally filed are also disclosed.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a board production system including a component picking guidance system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example layout of a board production factory. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example layout in which storage cabinets are arranged in a component storage area. FIG. 4 is a parts list based on a work order. FIG. 5 is a table showing reel information. FIG. 6 is a table showing picking guidance information for each component in a work order. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a production work process. FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a component picking guidance system. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a picking guidance process. FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a component picking guidance system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of a component picking guidance system according to a modified embodiment.

[0011] Hereinafter, the configuration of a parts picking guidance system 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0012] [First embodiment] 1. Overview of component picking guidance system Component picking guidance system 1 is a system incorporated in board production system 2, and is a system that provides necessary guidance to operator P when picking various components used in board production. Note that the components to be picked include feeders F that supply board components such as electronic components to be mounted on boards, reels R that wind carrier tapes that contain multiple board components before they are mounted on the feeders, trays on which board components to be mounted on boards are placed, etc.

[0013] 2. Configuration and Operation of Board Production System Board production system 2 is a system that produces boards on which board components are mounted. As shown in Fig. 1, board production system 2 includes production line 21, storage 22, and management device 23. Production line 21 and management device 23 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via network 24, such as a wired LAN or wireless LAN.

[0014] The production line 21 is a facility for mounting and mounting board components onto boards. The production line 21 includes a component mounting machine 30 that picks up board components from a carrier tape on a reel R or a tray and mounts them on the board, a printing device that prints solder on the board, and a reflow device that performs a reflow process on the board on which the board components have been mounted. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of production lines 21 may be provided in the board production factory FA. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of component mounting machines 30 may be provided on the production line 21.

[0015] The storage facility 22 is a warehouse or the like that stores components to be picked, such as feeders F and reels R. The storage facility 22 can store multiple components to be picked, sorted by type or vendor. The storage facility 22 is composed of storage shelves and flat tables with multiple levels that are arranged in the board production factory FA. The storage facility 22 forms a component storage area M that stores components using storage shelves and device units.

[0016] The component storage area M may be a collection of storage shelves, etc. serving as storage cabinets 22, all concentrated in one location within the board production factory FA, ​​or may be a collection of storage shelves, etc. serving as storage cabinets 22, scattered across multiple locations. The component storage area M is a collection of storage shelves, etc. serving as storage cabinets 22, all placed together in one section within the board production factory FA, ​​with multiple sections arranged vertically and horizontally separated by aisles MP through which workers P and mobile carts C can proceed.

[0017] For example, as shown in Fig. 3, storage shelves serving as the storage cabinet 22 may be arranged in nine rows numbered "A" to "I" and five columns numbered "1" to "5." Aisles MP may be provided on the outside of row A (upper side in Fig. 3), between rows A and B, between rows C and D, between rows E and F, between rows G and H, and outside row I (lower side in Fig. 3). Aisles MP may also be provided on the outside of row 1 (left side in Fig. 3), between rows 2 and 3, and outside row 5 (right side in Fig. 3).

[0018] A shelf code, which is unique identification information, may be assigned to each storage shelf serving as the storage cabinet 22. This shelf code may be read using the mobile terminal 25 and transmitted to the management device 23.

[0019] 1, each component mounting machine 30 on the production line 21 has a control unit 31, a supply unit 32, a transport unit 33, a transfer unit 34, a communication unit 35, and an operation panel 36. The control unit 31 is mainly configured with a microprocessor, and is composed of a CPU and memory. The control unit 31 can exchange information with the supply unit 32, the transport unit 33, the transfer unit 34, the communication unit 35, and the operation panel 36, and can execute predetermined control.

[0020] The supply unit 32 is a unit that supplies board components. The supply unit 32 has a slot that can detachably accommodate a feeder F to which a reel R around which a carrier tape is wound is attached, or has a storage section that can accommodate a tray on which board components are placed. The transport unit 33 is a unit that transports boards on which board components are to be mounted. The transfer unit 34 is a unit that sucks or grips board components from the supply unit 32 and transfers them to the board on the transport unit 33. The transfer unit 34 has a head to which a suction nozzle or a chuck section is attached, and a moving section that moves the head in any direction.

[0021] The communication unit 35 is a unit for sending and receiving information to and from the management device 23 via the network 24. The operation panel 36 is a unit for presenting information to the worker P and accepting operations from the worker P. The operation panel 36 has a display unit for displaying information and an operation unit that is operated by the worker P to input information.

[0022] Management device 23 is a device that manages board production. Management device 23 is communicatively connected via network 24 to component mounting machines 30, portable terminals 25 carried by workers P, printers 26 that print various forms, and the like. Portable terminal 25 displays various information on a display screen, allows information to be input by input operations, and is capable of reading codes such as barcodes and two-dimensional codes attached to reels R and feeders F to obtain identification information. Note that portable terminal 25 may be capable of detecting the location of worker P on Earth and ultimately within board production factory FA using a GPS or the like.

[0023] The management device 23 is mainly composed of a microprocessor. As shown in Fig. 1, the management device 23 has a CPU 41, a memory unit 42 for storing various data, a communication unit 43 for communicating via the network 24, a display unit 44 for displaying various information, and an input unit 45 such as a mouse or keyboard for inputting various instructions. The management device 23 can send and receive information to and from the mobile terminal 25 and the like via the communication unit 43.

[0024] The memory unit 42 stores information about work orders WO, which are orders for board production in the board production system 2. The information about work orders WO includes, for example, information such as the type and quantity of boards to be produced, delivery date, and the types and required numbers of board components to be mounted on the boards. The memory unit 42 also stores information about each storage shelf serving as the stockroom 22. This storage shelf information includes, for example, layout information and size indicating the position in the component storage area M, the number of the adjacent aisle MP, and the like, associated with the shelf code.

[0025] The management device 23 can also create a parts list that lists the types and required quantities of board components for each work order WO. This parts list includes part codes that indicate the types of board components and the required quantities for each work order WO (see FIG. 4). This parts list can be printed as a form on the printer 26 or displayed on the display screen of the mobile terminal 25. Therefore, the worker P can check the types and required quantities of board components for the work order WO by looking at the parts list.

[0026] Furthermore, memory unit 42 stores reel information regarding reels R in board production system 2 and feeder information regarding feeders F. The reel information includes a reel ID, which is unique identification information for reel R, a component code and remaining number indicating board components on reel R, location information for reel R in board production factory FA, ​​and information on whether or not components have been picked from stocker 22 (see FIG. 5). The feeder information includes a feeder ID, which is unique identification information for feeder F, location information for feeder F in board production factory FA, ​​and information on whether or not components have been picked from stocker 22. Management device 23 updates the reel information and feeder information as needed based on information from mobile terminal 25 and information from control unit 31 of component mounting machine 30.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, the board production factory FA has a line area L where the production line 21 is located, a parts storage area M where the storage 22 is located, a picking area N where parts picked from the parts storage area M (i.e., the storage 22) are temporarily stored, and an off-site setup area S where parts are collected and production preparations such as off-site setup in which a worker P attaches a reel R to a feeder F are carried out.

[0028] When worker P picks a part from storage 22, i.e., part storage area M, or when moving the picked part to mobile cart C, i.e., picking area N, worker P reads the code of the part using mobile terminal 25. In this case, the read code of the part is transmitted to management device 23 together with location information indicating picking area N. Note that when a part is picked and its code is read as described above, the cart code, which is unique identification information attached to mobile cart C, may also be read using mobile terminal 25, and the part code and the code of mobile cart C may be transmitted together to management device 23. When this process is performed, the part location information stored in memory unit 42 is switched from part storage area M to picking area N.

[0029] The worker P places the picked part on the mobile cart C and transports it to the off-site setup area S. Then, when the transportation to the off-site setup area S is completed, the worker P reads the part's code using the mobile terminal 25. In this case, the read part code is transmitted to the management device 23 together with location information indicating the off-site setup area S. When this process is performed, the part's location information is switched from the picking area N to the off-site setup area S.

[0030] The worker P performs off-site setup work such as attaching the reel R to the feeder F in the off-site setup area S, and after completing the off-site setup, transports the feeder F with the attached reel R to the line area L. When attaching the reel R to the feeder F, the worker P reads the codes on the feeder F and the reel R using the portable terminal 25. In this case, information on the feeder F and the reel R is transmitted to the management device 23. The transmitted information on the feeder F and the reel R is stored in the memory unit 42 of the management device 23.

[0031] An operator P installs a feeder F in a slot of the supply unit 32 of the component mounting machine 30 in the line area L. The installation of the feeder F in the slot of the supply unit 32 may be performed using an automatic transport device that automatically travels from the off-site setup area S to the line area L. The control unit 31 of the component mounting machine 30 communicates with the control unit of the feeder F installed in the slot to obtain information about the feeder F, and requests information about the reel R from the management device 23 based on the information. The management device 23 accesses the reel information based on the reel ID identified by comparing the installation information between the feeder F and the reel R, obtains the component code and remaining quantity, and transmits the information to the component mounting machine 30. The control unit 31 of the component mounting machine 30 receives the information transmitted from the management device 23 and checks whether the reel R is the allocated one based on the reel ID, component code, remaining quantity, etc.

[0032] Next, various tasks and processes performed in board production system 2 will be described. First, in the production work process in board production system 2, management device 23 first registers the ID of a component such as reel R received in storage 22 or the like (step S100 shown in FIG. 7). For example, when reel R is received, the identification code of reel R is added to the component code of the board component wound on reel R, and a reel ID unique to reel R is registered. Once this ID registration is complete, the component can be allocated. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the component to be picked is reel R, as appropriate.

[0033] Next, the CPU 41 of the management device 23 creates a schedule for the production line 21 based on the information on the work order WO stored in the storage unit 42 (step S110). For example, based on the production efficiency of the production line 21 and the number of boards to be produced for the work order WO, the type and required number of board components to be mounted by the component mounting machine 30 are determined, and a schedule is created that defines the timing for starting production for the work order WO, the timing for picking the components (specifically, the reels R), the timing for off-site setup, etc.

[0034] Next, the management device 23 executes a process for allocating reels R according to the type and required number of board components (step S120). In this allocation process, as described below, for example, reels R are allocated by ID unit, and the slot position of the feeder F to which the reels R are attached in the component mounting machine 30 is determined. Also, a picking slip indicating picking guide information for the reels R and a setup change slip indicating setup change guide information are created. Once the picking slips have been created, the worker P picks the reels R from the component storage area M (step S130). The reels R are then collected in the picking area N and transported to the off-site setup area S. The picking process for reels R will be described in detail later.

[0035] After transporting the reel R to the off-site setup area S, the worker P performs off-site setup work in the off-site setup area S, such as attaching the reel R to the feeder F (step S140). Then, the worker P reads the codes on the components, such as the reel R and the feeder F, and causes the management device 23 to transmit information relating to the reel R and the feeder F to the management device 23. After the information relating to the reel R and the feeder F is stored in the memory unit 42, the management device 23 transmits a work order WO relating to the reel R to the production line 21 based on the schedule and production status of the production line 21 (step S150). Furthermore, after completing the off-site setup work, the worker P transports the feeder F to which the reel R is attached to the line area L to the line area L.

[0036] When the feeder F or the like is transported to the line area L, the worker P, while referring to the setup change slip and the screen display on the operation panel 36, performs internal setup work in the line area L, such as mounting the feeder F in a slot of the component mounting machine 30 or mounting a tray with tray components on it in the supply unit 32 (step S160). When the production line 21 confirms that the feeder F has been mounted on the component mounting machine 30, it starts the process of mounting board components on the board based on the work order WO.

[0037] After the mounting process on the production line 21 has begun, the worker P, in the line area L, checks the production status of the component mounting machine 30 on the operation panel 36 or the mobile terminal 25, and replenishes any shortages of board components or tray components in the feeder F (step S170). Furthermore, when a feeder F is no longer needed due to the end of production or the like, the worker P removes the feeder F from the component mounting machine 30 and puts away the components (step S180). After collecting the components, the worker P temporarily places the components in the line area L or moves them to the mobile cart C and transports them to the component storage area M and stores them in the storage cabinet 22, depending on the planned use or the like.

[0038] The above-described part allocation process is performed as follows: The CPU 41 of the management device 23 acquires the type (part code) and required quantity of parts for each work order WO according to the created schedule, and allocates the reel ID of the reel R corresponding to that information. In this allocation process, reels R with matching part codes and remaining quantities greater than or equal to the required quantity are searched for based on the reel information, and the reel ID of the reel R that meets these conditions is allocated. Note that, taking into account errors in the remaining quantity of board parts, the reel R to be allocated may be one with a remaining quantity greater than or equal to the required quantity plus a margin.

[0039] Next, after performing part allocation processing based on the work order WO, the CPU 41 obtains location information for the allocated reel R from the reel information in the memory unit 42. If the location of the reel R is in the part storage area M, the CPU 41 generates picking guide information for picking parts from the part storage area M. Once picking guide information for all parts allocated to the work order WO has been generated, a picking slip indicating the picking guide information is displayed on the display unit 44 of the management device 23, and can also be displayed on the display screen of the mobile terminal 25 or printed by the printer 26.

[0040] The picking guide information includes, for example, the reel ID of the reel R, location information, and status information indicating whether picking is complete or not. The status information in the picking guide information can be changed after the code is read. As shown in FIG. 6, the picking guide information is associated with the device number of the component mounting machine 30, the slot number of the supply unit 32, the component code of the required component, and the reel ID for each work order WO.

[0041] 3. Configuration and Operation of Part Picking Guidance System Next, a configuration for the part picking guidance system 1 to guide a worker to pick parts will be described.

[0042] In the parts picking guidance system 1, picking guidance information for each work order WO is sent from the CPU 41 of the management device 23 to the mobile terminal 25 automatically or at the request of the worker. When the mobile terminal 25 receives the picking guidance information, it displays a message on the display screen or outputs a voice message from the voice output unit indicating that the picking guidance information has been received. Therefore, by looking at the screen display of the mobile terminal 25, the worker P can recognize that parts should be picked, for example, by work order WO.

[0043] 8 , the part picking guidance system 1 includes a part identification unit 11, a start section designation unit 12, a flow line calculation unit 13, a candidate presentation unit 14, a guidance unit 15, a first part determination unit 16, an error notification unit 17, and a second part determination unit 18. The part identification unit 11, the start section designation unit 12, the flow line calculation unit 13, the first part determination unit 16, and the second part determination unit 18 are provided in a mobile terminal 25 or a CPU 31 of a management device 23. The candidate presentation unit 14, the guidance unit 15, and the error notification unit 17 are provided in the mobile terminal 25.

[0044] The component identification unit 11 is a component that identifies, for each work order WO, the storage location in the component storage area M of each of multiple components to be picked from the component storage area M in accordance with that work order WO. The component identification unit 11 identifies the storage location of each of all components in accordance with the work order WO based on the picking guide information for the parts (specifically, reels R) based on that work order WO. Note that if the work order WO includes a component whose storage location in the component storage area M is dispersed across multiple locations due to, for example, differences in vendors, the multiple locations may be identified as the storage location for that component and the worker may later select one of the multiple locations, or one location may be identified as the storage location automatically or according to a predetermined priority.

[0045] The start section designation unit 12 is a part that designates a start section within the component storage area M where the worker should start picking. The start section designation unit 12 designates the start section in accordance with input operations by the worker P on the mobile terminal 25. Note that the section within the component storage area M may refer to a single storage shelf in the storage warehouse 22, or may designate a section in which multiple storage shelves are arranged together (for example, as shown in FIG. 3 , a section including the storage shelves A1 and A2, or a section including the storage shelves B3 to B5 and C3 to C5). The designation of the start section may be realized by the worker inputting information on the operation screen of the mobile terminal 25 or by the worker directly reading a barcode or two-dimensional code attached to the storage shelf using the mobile terminal 25.

[0046] The flow line calculation unit 13 is a component that calculates a picking flow line that indicates the order in which a worker should pick parts, based on the storage positions of each of the multiple parts identified by the part identification unit 11. Specifically, the flow line calculation unit 13 calculates, as the picking flow line, a shortest picking flow line that minimizes the travel distance or travel time required for a worker to pick multiple parts in order in accordance with a work order WO from a predetermined start position to a predetermined end position.

[0047] Note that multiple shortest picking flow lines can be calculated depending on conditions such as the picking method used by the worker P, the arrangement of the same type of parts in the part storage area M, and the direction of travel of the aisle MP. That is, the flow line calculation unit 13 can calculate two or more shortest picking flow lines as candidate targets depending on predetermined conditions. For example, when parts of the same type are stored in multiple locations, that is, when a work order WO includes parts whose storage locations are multiple locations, the flow line calculation unit 13 can calculate the shortest picking flow line when each location is set as the storage location of the part, and calculate two or more shortest picking flow lines as candidate targets.

[0048] Furthermore, when storage shelves are arranged facing each other across an aisle MP, and there are parts to be picked in each of the two opposing storage shelves, the picking order in which worker P should pick the parts can be either (A) or (B) below, depending on the picking conditions when passing through the aisle MP. (A) As worker P passes from one end of the aisle MP to the other, parts are picked from each of the two opposing storage shelves. (B) As worker P passes from one end of the aisle MP to the other, a part is picked from one storage shelf, and then as worker P passes from the other end of the aisle MP back to the one end, a part is picked from the other storage shelf.

[0049] The predetermined start position is the position of the start section specified by the start section designation unit 12. The predetermined end position is the position of the off-site setup area S where off-site setup work is performed using parts according to the work order WO. That is, the flow line calculation unit 13 calculates the shortest picking flow line for a worker to start picking parts from the start section, complete picking of all parts, and transport the parts to the off-site setup area S. After calculating the shortest picking flow line, the flow line calculation unit 13 can update and calculate the shortest picking flow line in accordance with an update to the current position of the worker P after the guidance unit 15 starts guiding.

[0050] The candidate presentation unit 14 is a component that, when two or more shortest picking flow lines are calculated as candidate targets by the flow line calculation unit 13, presents the two or more shortest picking flow lines to the worker P so that the worker P can select one of the shortest picking flow lines to be guided by the guidance unit 15. The candidate presentation unit 14 presents the candidates visually or audibly using the display unit or audio output unit of the mobile terminal 25. Note that the candidate presentation may be performed automatically after the two or more shortest picking flow lines are calculated, or may be performed when the worker P performs a predetermined operation on the mobile terminal 25 after the two or more shortest picking flow lines are calculated.

[0051] In addition, the information presented on the display unit of the mobile terminal 25 may be, for each of the shortest picking routes, a route shown as a line on a layout map showing the parts storage area M and the location of the part shown with a mark, or part information such as the part code or photo may be shown in association with location information such as the shelf number of the storage shelf in the warehouse 22 where the part is located.

[0052] It is preferable that the candidate presentation by the candidate presentation unit 14 be performed in a format in which two or more shortest picking flow lines that are candidates are compared. Furthermore, this candidate presentation may be performed by presenting information indicating the storage locations of multiple components on the shortest picking flow line all at once, or by presenting information indicating the storage locations of each of the multiple components individually. In the case of a bulk presentation, only a predetermined number of all components may be presented at once, and other components may be presented by, for example, scrolling or tapping. Furthermore, different portions of the two or more shortest picking flow lines being compared may be highlighted for comparison, for example, by displaying them in different colors.

[0053] The guidance unit 15 is a part that provides the worker P with information indicating the shortest picking flow line calculated by the flow line calculation unit 13. The guidance unit 15 provides visual or audible guidance using the display unit or audio output unit of the mobile terminal 25. This guidance may be provided automatically after the shortest picking flow line is calculated, or may be provided when the worker P performs a predetermined operation on the mobile terminal 25 after the shortest picking flow line is calculated.

[0054] In addition, the guidance information displayed on the display unit of the mobile terminal 25 may be such that a route indicating the shortest picking route is shown as a line on a layout map showing the parts storage area M and the location of the parts is shown as a mark, or part information such as the part code or photo may be shown in association with location information such as the shelf number of the storage shelf in the warehouse 22 where the part is located.

[0055] The information guidance provided by the guidance unit 15 may be a system in which information indicating the storage locations of multiple parts on the shortest picking flow line is provided all at once, or information indicating the storage locations of each of the multiple parts is provided individually. In the case of collective guidance, multiple parts are guided together, and for example, only a predetermined number of all parts are the subject of collective guidance, and other parts can be guided by, for example, a scrolling operation or a tap operation. In the case of individual guidance, parts are guided one by one, and for example, the next part is guided sequentially as the picking of a part is completed.

[0056] According to the above-mentioned collective guidance, multiple parts according to the work order WO are targeted for guidance, so the worker P can see guidance for multiple parts at a glance, and when multiple parts are stored on the same storage shelf, for example, it is possible to prevent the mobile terminal 25 from switching guidance for each part, and the worker can pick the parts all at once. Furthermore, according to the above-mentioned sequential guidance, only the part that the worker P should pick next out of multiple parts according to the work order WO is targeted for guidance, so the guidance information for the worker P is simplified and the worker P is prevented from picking the wrong part.

[0057] The first part determination unit 16 is a part that determines whether or not the actual part actually picked by the worker P is a part in accordance with the work order WO. For example, the first part determination unit 16 may determine whether or not the code of the actual part picked by the worker P is the code of the part included in the work order WO, based on the result of reading the code of the actual part using the mobile terminal 25 when the actual part picked by the worker P is moved to the mobile cart C.

[0058] The error notification unit 17 is a part that notifies the worker P of an error when the actual part actually picked by the worker P is not a part in accordance with the work order WO. The error notification unit 17 visually or audibly notifies the worker P of the error by using the display unit or audio output unit of the mobile terminal 25, that the picked actual part is not a part in accordance with the work order WO.

[0059] The second part determination unit 18 is a unit that determines whether the actual part actually picked by the worker P is a part in accordance with the work order WO and in accordance with the order of the shortest picking flow line calculated by the flow line calculation unit 13. The second part determination unit 18 may, for example, determine whether the code of the actual part picked by the worker P is read using the mobile terminal 25 when the actual part is moved to the mobile cart C, and based on the result of the read code of the actual part, whether the code of the read actual part is a code of an acceptable part in accordance with the work order WO and in the picking order.

[0060] Next, a control process for the parts picking guidance system 1 to guide the worker to pick parts will be described.

[0061] When it is time for the worker P to pick a part using the mobile terminal 25 or the like, the worker P operates the mobile terminal 25 to activate the part picking guidance (step S200 shown in FIG. 9 ). When this activation is performed, the start section designation unit 12 first designates a start section from within the part storage area M in accordance with input operations on the mobile terminal 25 by the worker P (step S210). Furthermore, if picking guidance information for multiple work orders WO has been sent from the management device 23, the worker P also designates one of the multiple work orders WO for which picking guidance should be provided in accordance with input operations on the mobile terminal 25 (step S220). Furthermore, the worker P reads a code using the mobile terminal 25 to designate a mobile cart C on which to place the part (step S230).

[0062] When the above process is completed, based on the specified work order WO, the part identification unit 11 identifies the storage positions of each of the multiple parts related to that work order WO in the part storage area M. Then, based on the storage positions of those parts, the flow line calculation unit 13 calculates the shortest picking flow line that will minimize the travel distance or travel time required for a worker to pick multiple parts in order according to the work order WO from the specified start section, which is the predetermined start position, to the off-site setup area S, which is the predetermined end position (step S240).

[0063] Once the shortest picking flow line is calculated as described above, the guidance unit 15 displays information indicating the calculated shortest picking flow line on the display unit of the mobile terminal 25 or outputs it as voice from the voice output unit to provide guidance to the worker P (step S250). This guidance information includes the path of the shortest picking flow line in the component storage area M, the location of the storage shelf where each component is stored, etc.

[0064] If two or more shortest picking flow lines are calculated in step S240, the candidate presentation unit 14 presents the two or more shortest picking flow lines to the worker P so that the worker P can select one of the shortest picking flow lines to be guided by the guidance unit 15. When the two or more shortest picking flow lines are presented, the worker P selects one of the shortest picking flow lines. When this selection is made, in step S250, the guidance unit 15 presents information indicating the selected shortest picking flow line to the worker P.

[0065] When the information indicating the shortest picking route is displayed on the mobile terminal 25, the worker P recognizes the information, moves the mobile cart C to the part storage location, and performs the part picking work (step S260). The worker P reads the code of the picked part using the mobile terminal 25, and places the part on the mobile cart C.

[0066] When the code of the picked actual part is read by the mobile terminal 25, it is determined whether the picked actual part is a proper, acceptable part (step S270). This determination is performed by the second part determination unit 18, and is negative if the code of the actual part is not the code of a part in accordance with the work order WO and the picking order, and is positive if the code of the actual part is the code of that part. If a positive determination is made, the mobile terminal 25 notifies the worker P that the part picking was successful. The worker P recognizes this notification and knows that the part picking was successful. In this case, the part is switched from an unpicked part to a picked part.

[0067] If a positive determination is made in step S270, it is then determined whether a positive determination has been made in step S270 for all parts in the work order WO (step S280). If picking has not yet been performed for all parts in the work order WO and there are parts that have not yet been picked, a negative determination is made in step S280, and the processing of step S240 is executed again.

[0068] In step S240 after the processing of step S280, the shortest picking flow line is updated and calculated, starting from the current position of worker P (i.e., the storage shelf where the most recently picked part is stored) and connecting the storage positions of unpicked parts, excluding the parts that have already been picked, and information indicating this shortest picking flow line is provided to worker P. In this case, worker P can recognize the storage position of the part that should be picked next.

[0069] When the guidance of the shortest picking flow line by the guidance unit 15 is to sequentially provide information indicating the storage location of the next part that the worker P should pick after each part picking task is completed, only the information indicating the storage location of the next part that the worker P should pick is provided to the worker P. In this case, the worker P can recognize only the storage location of the next part that he or she should pick.

[0070] If all parts in the work order WO have been picked and no parts remain to be picked, a positive determination is made in step S280, and it is determined that picking of all parts based on the work order WO has been completed (step S290). When picking of all parts based on the work order WO has been completed, the worker P is notified of this using the mobile terminal 25. Upon recognizing the content of this notification, the worker P moves the mobile cart C and transports all parts to the off-site setup area S.

[0071] If a negative determination is made in step S270, it is next determined whether the picked actual part is a part included in the work order WO (step S300). This determination is made by the first part determination unit 16. The determination is negative if the actual part's code is not the code of a part specified in the work order WO, and affirmative if the actual part's code is the code of that part. If the actual part is a part specified in the work order WO (a positive determination), the processing of step S240 is executed again. In this case, step S240 updates and calculates the shortest picking flow line connecting the storage locations of unpicked parts, excluding the picked part, from the current location of the worker P (i.e., the storage shelf where the most recently picked part is stored). Information indicating this shortest picking flow line is then provided to the worker P, allowing the worker P to recognize the location of the next part to be picked.

[0072] If a negative determination is made in step S300, it is determined that the worker P has picked a part that is not related to the work order WO, and an error notification is sent to the worker using the mobile terminal 25 (step S310). In this case, the worker P can recognize the error notification on the mobile terminal 25 and know that the picked actual part is not included in the work order WO, and can take appropriate action, such as returning the picked actual part to its original storage shelf.

[0073] In this way, the part picking guidance system 1 can provide information indicating the shortest picking flow line that will minimize the travel distance or travel time of the worker P when he or she picks multiple parts in accordance with the work order WO from the part storage area M, specifically, the route of the shortest picking flow line in the part storage area M and the location of the storage shelf where the parts are stored. If the worker P moves along this guided shortest picking flow line, he or she can pick multiple parts in accordance with the work order WO and transport them to the off-site setup area S while minimizing the travel distance or travel time in the part storage area M. Therefore, it is not necessary to leave the order in which the worker P picks multiple parts in accordance with the work order WO to the worker P's individual judgment, and the efficiency of the picking work can be improved.

[0074] Furthermore, in the parts picking guidance system 1, when guidance first begins, guidance is provided along the shortest picking flow line from the start section specified by the start section designation unit 12 to the off-site setup area S, and thereafter, guidance can be provided by updating the shortest picking flow line from the current position of the worker P to the off-site setup area S in accordance with updates to the worker P's current position. With this configuration, for example, guidance can be provided along the subsequent shortest picking flow line each time a part is picked in accordance with a work order WO, so that the worker can always be guided along the optimal shortest picking flow line until picking of all parts in the work order WO is completed.

[0075] Furthermore, after the worker P picks a part, it can be determined whether the picked actual part is a part in accordance with the work order WO and whether the actual part is a part in accordance with the work order WO and in the correct picking order. If the actual part is an acceptable part in accordance with the work order WO and in the correct picking order, the worker P is notified that the part picking was successful. This allows the worker P to recognize that the part picking was successful and start moving toward the storage location for the next part to be picked.

[0076] In a configuration in which the guidance unit 15 sequentially provides information indicating the storage location of the part that the worker P should pick next, if the actual part is an acceptable part in accordance with the work order WO and in the picking order, the information indicating the storage location of the part that the worker P should pick next is provided to the worker P. According to this configuration, information indicating the storage location of the part that the worker P should pick next is provided sequentially each time a part picking operation is completed. Therefore, when providing guidance on the shortest picking flow line in accordance with the work order WO, the worker P can be made to recognize only the storage location of the part that he or she should pick next, which makes it possible to prevent the worker P from picking the wrong part.

[0077] Furthermore, if the actual parts do not conform to the work order WO and are not in the correct picking order, an error notification is sent to the worker P regarding the part picking. This allows the worker P to recognize that the picked actual part is not related to the work order WO and to take appropriate action, such as returning the actual part to its original storage shelf, thereby preventing parts not related to the work order WO from being transported to the off-site setup area S.

[0078] Furthermore, in cases where the actual parts do not conform to the work order WO and are not in the picking order as described above, the shortest picking flow line from the current position of the worker P to the off-site setup area S is also guided in accordance with the update of the current position of the worker P. With this configuration, when the part picked by the worker P is not related to the work order WO, the shortest picking flow line in accordance with the work order WO can be subsequently guided. Therefore, even if the worker picks the wrong part, the worker can be encouraged to pick the part in accordance with the work order WO.

[0079] Furthermore, if the actual parts comply with the work order WO but are not in the picking order, the above-mentioned error notification is not sent to the worker P. In this case, the shortest picking flow line for the unpicked parts, excluding the picked parts, is updated and calculated, and the shortest picking flow line is guided to the worker P. Therefore, when the actual parts picked by the worker P are not in the picking order but comply with the work order WO, the parts in accordance with the work order WO can be included in the parts to be transported to the off-site setup area S, and the worker P can travel the shortest distance or in the shortest time to pick the remaining parts after picking the parts.

[0080] Furthermore, in the part picking guidance system 1, when the flow line calculation unit 13 calculates two or more shortest picking flow lines as candidates according to predetermined conditions, the two or more shortest picking flow lines are presented to the worker P by the candidate presentation unit 14, and when one of the presented shortest picking flow lines is selected, that one shortest picking flow line is guided to the worker P. Therefore, when the worker P prefers to pick parts or when the same type of parts are distributed in multiple locations, it is possible to guide the worker P to one of the shortest picking flow lines selected from multiple options depending on conditions such as the worker P's preferred picking method or the direction of travel of the aisle MP, thereby realizing flow line guidance that can be adapted to a variety of cases.

[0081] In addition, when the same type of parts are distributed across multiple locations due to differences in vendors or the like, as described above, the flow line calculation unit 13 may calculate the shortest picking flow line for each of the multiple storage locations of the parts, and the guidance unit 15 may then guide the customer along one of the two or more calculated shortest picking flow lines. However, instead of this configuration, the flow line calculation unit 13 may calculate the shortest picking flow line so as to include a part in a storage location that has been selected or designated in advance from multiple storage locations, and the guidance unit 15 may then guide the customer along the calculated shortest picking flow line.

[0082] [Second embodiment] In the above-described first embodiment, the part picking guidance system 1 includes a part identification unit 11 that identifies the storage position in the part storage area M of each of a plurality of parts to be picked from the part storage area M in accordance with the work order WO; a flow line calculation unit 13 that calculates, based on the storage positions of each of the identified plurality of parts, the shortest picking flow line that will minimize the travel distance or travel time for picking the plurality of parts in sequence from a predetermined start position to a predetermined end position; and a guidance unit 15 that provides the worker with information indicating the shortest picking flow line calculated by the flow line calculation unit 13.

[0083] In contrast, in the second embodiment, as shown in Figure 10, the part picking guidance system 100 includes a part identification unit 111 that identifies the storage position in the part storage area M of each of multiple parts to be picked from the part storage area M in accordance with the work order WO, an execution area designation unit 112 that designates the execution area within the part storage area M where picking should be performed, an extraction unit 113 that extracts parts that have a storage position in the execution area based on the relationship between the storage positions of each of the multiple identified parts and the designated execution area, and a guidance unit 114 that provides the worker with information indicating the storage positions of the parts extracted by the extraction unit 113 all at once.

[0084] The part picking guidance system 100 corresponds to the above-described part picking guidance system 1, the part identification unit 111 corresponds to the above-described part identification unit 11, and the guidance unit 114 corresponds to the above-described guidance unit 15. In the following, explanations of the configurations of the part picking guidance system 100, the part identification unit 111, and the guidance unit 114 will be omitted or simplified. The execution area designation unit 112 and the extraction unit 113 are provided in the CPU 31 of the mobile terminal 25 or the management device 23.

[0085] The execution area designation unit 112 designates an execution area from within the component storage area M, for example, by the worker P inputting information on the operation screen of the mobile terminal 25, by directly reading a barcode or two-dimensional code attached to a storage shelf using the mobile terminal 25, or automatically in accordance with an update of the current location of the worker P. The extraction unit 113 extracts components that have storage locations in the designated execution area. The guidance unit 114 then provides the worker P with information indicating the storage locations of the components within the execution area all at once.

[0086] This configuration allows for the picking guidance of multiple parts according to the work order WO to be performed collectively for each designated area, so that, for example, a worker P can collectively pick only parts in a limited area within the part storage area M, thereby improving the convenience of the worker P when using the part picking guidance.

[0087] [Modifications] In the first and second embodiments described above, when the worker P picks a component from the component storage area M, the worker P is required to specify a start section within the component storage area M from which the picking should begin. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the current location of the worker P, which is detected when the component picking guidance is activated, may be automatically specified as the start section.

[0088] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, the part identification unit 11 identifies the storage positions in the part storage area M of each of the multiple parts to be picked from the part storage area M in accordance with the work order WO, the movement line calculation unit 13 calculates the shortest picking movement line that requires the shortest travel distance or travel time to pick the multiple parts in order from a specified start position to a specified end position based on the storage positions of each of the multiple parts that have been identified, and the guidance unit 15 provides information indicating the calculated shortest picking movement line to the worker P.

[0089] However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the part picking guidance system 1, 100 may include an extraction unit (in FIG. 11 , a second extraction unit 120) that extracts parts that have a storage location for each compartment based on the relationship between the storage locations of each of the multiple parts according to the work order WO identified by the part identification unit 11, 111 and two or more compartments in the part storage area M, and the guidance unit 15, 114 may provide information indicating the storage locations of the parts extracted for each compartment by the extraction unit all at once for each compartment.

[0090] According to the configuration of this modified embodiment, picking guidance for multiple parts according to the work order WO can be performed for each section at once. Therefore, for example, when a worker P moves in a predetermined direction, such as in a single stroke, within the part storage area M, the worker P can be prompted to pick all parts stored in the storage shelf facing the current position of the worker P at once, thereby improving the convenience of the worker P when using the part picking guidance.

[0091] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0092] 1: Component picking guidance system, 2: Board production system, 11: Component identification unit, 12: Start section designation unit, 13: Flow line calculation unit, 14: Candidate presentation unit, 15: Guidance unit, 16: First component discrimination unit, 17: Error notification unit, 18: Second component discrimination unit, 21: Production line, 22: Storage, 23: Management device, 30: Component mounting machine, FA: Board production factory, L: Line area, M: Component storage area, N: Picking area, S: Off-site setup area, R: Reel, F: Feeder.

Claims

1. A parts picking guidance system comprising: a parts identification unit that identifies the storage position in a parts storage area for each of a plurality of parts to be picked from the parts storage area in accordance with a work order; a flow line calculation unit that calculates the shortest picking flow line that will have the shortest travel distance or travel time for picking the plurality of parts in order from a specified start position to a specified end position, based on the storage positions of each of the plurality of parts identified by the part identification unit; and a guidance unit that provides a worker with information indicating the shortest picking flow line calculated by the flow line calculation unit.

2. The parts picking guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined starting position is the current position of the worker.

3. A parts picking guidance system as described in claim 1, wherein the parts storage area is divided into two or more sections, the parts picking guidance system includes a start section designation unit that designates a start section, which is the section of the parts storage area where picking should start, and the predetermined start position is the position of the start section designated by the start section designation unit.

4. A parts picking guidance system as described in claim 1, wherein the flow calculation unit updates and calculates the shortest picking flow for picking the remaining parts in accordance with an update of the worker's current position after the guidance unit begins guidance.

5. The parts picking guidance system of claim 1, wherein the flow line calculation unit is capable of calculating two or more of the shortest picking flow lines as candidates according to predetermined conditions, and the parts picking guidance system comprises a candidate presentation unit that, when the two or more shortest picking flow lines are calculated as candidates by the flow line calculation unit, presents the two or more shortest picking flow lines to a worker so that the worker can select one of the shortest picking flow lines to be guided by the guidance unit, and the guidance unit presents information indicating one of the two or more shortest picking flow lines presented by the candidate presentation unit.

6. A parts picking guidance system as described in claim 1, wherein, when the work order includes a part whose storage locations in the part storage area are dispersed across multiple locations, the flow line calculation unit calculates the shortest picking flow line as a route that passes through the storage locations where the part selected based on predetermined selection conditions should be picked.

7. A parts picking guidance system as described in claim 1, wherein the guidance unit sequentially provides information indicating the storage location of the part that the worker should pick next.

8. A parts picking guidance system as described in claim 7, wherein the parts picking guidance system includes a first parts discrimination unit that discriminates whether the actual part picked by the worker is the part in accordance with the work order, and the guidance unit provides information indicating the storage location of the part that the worker should pick next when the first parts discrimination unit discriminates that the actual part is the part in accordance with the work order.

9. The parts picking guidance system according to claim 1, comprising: a first parts discrimination unit that discriminates whether an actual part picked by a worker is the part in accordance with the work order; and an error notification unit that notifies the worker of an error when the first parts discrimination unit determines that the actual part is not the part in accordance with the work order.

10. A parts picking guidance system as described in claim 1, wherein the parts storage area is divided into two or more sections, the parts picking guidance system includes an extraction unit that extracts the parts that have the storage location for each section based on the storage location and the section of each of the plurality of parts identified by the parts identification unit, and the guidance unit provides information indicating the storage location of the parts extracted for each section by the extraction unit all at once for each section.

11. The parts picking guidance system of claim 1, further comprising a second parts discrimination unit that discriminates whether an actual part picked by a worker is the part in accordance with the work order and the part in accordance with the order of the shortest picking flow line, and when the second parts discrimination unit determines that the actual part is the part in accordance with the work order but not the part in accordance with the order, the flow line calculation unit updates and calculates the shortest picking flow line for picking the remaining parts excluding the part in question.

12. A parts picking guidance system comprising: a parts identification unit that identifies the storage position in a parts storage area of ​​each of a plurality of parts to be picked from the parts storage area in accordance with a work order; an execution area designation unit that designates an execution area within the parts storage area where picking should be performed; an extraction unit that extracts parts whose storage position is in the execution area based on the storage position of each of the plurality of parts identified by the part identification unit and the execution area designated by the execution area designation unit; and a guidance unit that provides a worker with information indicating the storage positions of the parts extracted by the extraction unit all at once.

13. A parts picking guidance system as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the guidance unit provides guidance using a display unit or a voice output unit of a mobile terminal carried by the worker.

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