Manufacturing planning system, manufacturing planning method, and program

Abstract

Provided are a manufacturing planning system, a manufacturing planning method, and a program that make it possible to improve production efficiency and reduce the load of off-line setup. A manufacturing planning system (1) is for determining a manufacturing plan for producing a plurality of types of products by one or more production lines, and comprises an arithmetic circuit (15) capable of accessing changeover time data (D1) indicating a changeover time for one or more production lines due to a changeover between a plurality of types of products, and workload data (D2) indicating a workload of off-line setup due to a changeover. The arithmetic circuit (15) outputs a manufacturing plan (D5) for optimizing the sum of changeover times and the sum of workloads, on the basis of the changeover time data (D1) and the workload data (D2), in response to an input of production requirement data (D4) including target quantities of a plurality of types of products.

Description

Manufacturing planning system, manufacturing planning method, and program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a manufacturing planning system, a manufacturing planning method, and a program, and more particularly to a manufacturing planning system, a manufacturing planning method, and a program for a production line that produces multiple types of products.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a machining scheduling system. In the machining scheduling system disclosed in Patent Document 1, a setup information creation means creates in advance a setup information database for each workpiece to be machined, storing a reference time for external setup work, which is production preparation work while the machining equipment is in operation, and a reference time for internal setup work, which is production preparation work while the machining equipment is stopped. Based on a separately created production plan, a scheduler refers to the setup information database and schedules, for each workpiece to be machined, the reference time for external setup work, the reference time for internal setup work, and the machining time by the machining equipment so that the reference time for the external setup work of the workpiece and the machining time of the workpiece to be machined overlap, and displays the schedule on a schedule screen.

[0003] Patent No. 5622483

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the reference time for off-site setup work remains unchanged, and therefore reduction of the load of off-site setup work is not taken into consideration.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a manufacturing planning system, a manufacturing planning method, and a program that enable improvement in production efficiency and reduction in the load of off-site setup.

[0006] A manufacturing planning system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a manufacturing planning system for determining a manufacturing plan for producing multiple types of products using one or more production lines, and includes an arithmetic circuit that can access switching time data indicating the switching time of one or more production lines due to setup changes between multiple types of products and workload data indicating the workload of off-site setup due to setup changes. In response to input of production request data including target quantities of multiple types of products, the arithmetic circuit outputs a manufacturing plan that optimizes the total switching time and the total workload based on the switching time data and the workload data.

[0007] A manufacturing planning method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a manufacturing planning method for determining a manufacturing plan for producing multiple types of products using one or more production lines, and is executed by an arithmetic circuit that can access switching time data indicating the switching time of one or more production lines due to setup changeovers between multiple types of products and workload data indicating the workload of off-site setup due to setup changeovers. In response to input of production request data including target quantities of multiple types of products, the manufacturing planning method outputs a manufacturing plan that optimizes the total switching time and the total workload based on the switching time data and the workload data.

[0008] A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a program (computer program) for causing an arithmetic circuit to execute the above-described manufacturing planning method.

[0009] Aspects of the present disclosure enable improved production efficiency and reduced off-site setup load.

[0010] A block diagram of a manufacturing planning system according to an embodiment. A schematic diagram of manufacturing equipment. A flowchart of the operation of the manufacturing planning system according to an embodiment. An explanatory diagram of an example of presentation of evaluation information of a manufacturing plan by the manufacturing planning system according to an embodiment.

[0011] [1. Embodiments] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described, with reference to the drawings where appropriate. However, the following embodiments are merely examples for explaining the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure to the following content (e.g., the shape, dimensions, and arrangement of each component). Positional relationships, such as up, down, left, and right, are based on the positional relationships shown in the drawings unless otherwise specified. Each figure described in the following embodiments is a schematic diagram, and the ratios of the size and thickness of each component in each figure do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios of each element are not limited to the ratios shown in the drawings.

[0012] In the following description, when it is necessary to distinguish between multiple components, prefixes such as "first" and "second" are added to the names of the components. However, when the components can be distinguished from each other by the symbols attached to them, the prefixes such as "first" and "second" may be omitted in consideration of readability of the text.

[0013] In the following description, when it is necessary to distinguish between multiple components, suffixes such as "-1" and "-2" are added to the symbols of the components. However, when it is not necessary to distinguish between multiple components, the suffixes "-1" and "-2" may be omitted to improve readability.

[0014] 1 is a block diagram of a manufacturing planning system 1 according to this embodiment. The manufacturing planning system 1 is used to determine a manufacturing plan for producing a product in a manufacturing facility 100 as shown in FIG.

[0015] Figure 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a manufacturing facility 100. The manufacturing facility 100 is capable of producing multiple types of products 200 using one or more production lines 110. Figure 2 illustrates multiple production lines 110. Figure 2 illustrates three types of products 200, distinguished by the letters "A," "B," and "C."

[0016] The production line 110 may include one or more manufacturing equipment that enables production using various manufacturing techniques. Examples of manufacturing techniques include additive manufacturing techniques (material extrusion, liquid bath photopolymerization, material jetting, binder jetting, powder bed fusion, sheet lamination, directed energy deposition, etc.), subtractive manufacturing techniques (cutting, grinding, electrical discharge machining, casting, die casting, pressing, forging, sheet metal processing, etc.), formative manufacturing techniques (injection molding, extrusion molding, etc.), surface treatment techniques (coating, painting, plating, polishing, etc.), heat treatment techniques (sintering, cooling, etc.), joining techniques (ultrasonic bonding, thermal welding, mechanical bonding, adhesive bonding, etc.), and assembly techniques (part assembly, micro-imprinting, impregnation, etc.). The production line 110 is not limited to manufacturing equipment, but may also include measurement equipment, inspection equipment, and transport equipment.

[0017] The production line 110 is capable of producing multiple types of products 200. When the type of product 200 to be produced on the production line 110 is changed, a changeover (also called a "model changeover") is performed on the production line 110. A changeover may include adjusting or changing standards, switching assembly parts or components, confirming the work content with workers before production, etc. A changeover may be classified into "internal changeover," which is performed by stopping the production line, and "external changeover," which is performed without stopping the production line.

[0018] For example, if the product 200 is a circuit board and the manufacturing equipment of the production line 110 includes a mounting machine, elements of the internal setup include program changes, component matching, printer switching, reflow oven switching, rail width adjustment, solder switching, switching between groups, and switching between plants. Elements of the external setup include preparatory work for the internal setup, such as program changes, component matching, printer switching, reflow oven switching, rail width adjustment, solder switching, switching between groups, and switching between plants.

[0019] The production line is stopped during internal setup work. Therefore, it is preferable to shorten the time required for internal setup as much as possible in order to improve production efficiency. The time required for internal setup is the time required for switching one or more production lines 110 due to setup changeovers between multiple types of products 200. The time required for switching one or more production lines 110 due to setup changeovers between multiple types of products 200 is equal to the time required for stopping one or more production lines 110 due to setup changeovers between multiple types of products 200.

[0020] Because the production line does not stop during off-site setup work, it does not directly affect the time required to produce the product 200. However, the high workload of off-site setup for multiple types of product 200 increases the burden on workers. Such an increase in the burden on workers can lead to mistakes during work, reduced work efficiency, and the like, and can be an obstacle to realizing well-being.

[0021] The manufacturing planning system 1 enables the determination of a manufacturing plan that optimizes the total switching time (total switching time) of one or more production lines 110 due to setup changes between multiple types of products 200 and the total workload (total workload) of off-site setup for the multiple types of products 200 (i.e., optimizes (minimizes) so that both the total switching time of one or more production lines 110 due to setup changes between multiple types of products 200 and the total workload of off-site setup for the multiple types of products 200 are small).

[0022] The manufacturing planning system 1 will be described in further detail below.

[0023] Referring again to Fig. 1, the manufacturing planning system 1 includes an input device 11, an output device 12, a communication device 13, a storage device 14, and an arithmetic circuit 15. The manufacturing planning system 1 can be realized, for example, by one or more servers. The manufacturing planning system 1 may also be realized, for example, by a personal computer (desktop computer, laptop computer), a mobile terminal (smartphone, tablet terminal, etc.), etc.

[0024] The input device 11 includes one or more human-machine interfaces for inputting information. Examples of the human-machine interface include a keyboard, a pointing device (such as a mouse or a trackball), a touchpad, a position input device such as a touch panel display, etc. The one or more human-machine interfaces of the input device 11 may be built into the manufacturing planning system 1 or may be externally attached. In other words, the input device 11 may include a human-machine interface of the manufacturing planning system 1 itself and a human-machine interface connected to the manufacturing planning system 1.

[0025] The output device 12 includes one or more human-machine interfaces for outputting information. Examples of the human-machine interface include a display, a speaker, a touch panel display, and the like. The one or more human-machine interfaces of the output device 12 may be built into the manufacturing planning system 1 or may be externally attached. In other words, the output device 12 may include a human-machine interface of the manufacturing planning system 1 itself and a human-machine interface connected to the manufacturing planning system 1.

[0026] The communication device 13 is used for communication through a communication network. The communication device 13 has one or more communication interfaces. The communication device 13 is connectable to a communication network and has the function of communicating through the communication network. The communication device 13 complies with a predetermined communication protocol. The predetermined communication protocol may be selected from various well-known wired and wireless communication standards.

[0027] The storage device 14 includes one or more storages (non-transitory storage media). The storages may be, for example, hard disk drives, optical drives, or solid-state drives (SSDs). The storages may be internal, external, or network-attached storage (NAS).

[0028] The information stored in the storage device 14 includes switching time data D1, workload data D2, equipment data D3, production request data D4, and manufacturing plan D5. Fig. 1 shows a state in which the storage device 14 stores the switching time data D1, workload data D2, equipment data D3, production request data D4, and manufacturing plan D5. The switching time data D1, workload data D2, equipment data D3, production request data D4, and manufacturing plan D5 do not need to be stored in the storage device 14 at all times; they only need to be stored in the storage device 14 when needed by the arithmetic circuit 15.

[0029] The switching time data D1 indicates the switching time of one or more production lines 110 due to setup changes between multiple types of products 200. As described above, the switching time corresponds to the time required for internal setup. If the product 200 is a circuit board and the manufacturing equipment of the production line 110 includes a mounting machine, elements of internal setup include program changes, component verification, printer switching, reflow oven switching, rail width adjustment, solder switching, switching between groups, and switching between plants. Table 1 shows examples of switching times [minutes] for elements of internal setup.

[0030]

[0031] The internal setup elements may include reflow furnace switching. Table 2 shows an example of the switching time for reflow furnace switching. Table 2 shows the switching time [minutes] for switching between five types of reflow furnaces, R1, R2, R3, R4, and B1. In Table 2, the rows indicate the source of the switching, and the columns indicate the destination of the switching.

[0032]

[0033] In Table 1, the switching time between products 200 is assumed to be equal for each element. That is, the switching time is constant regardless of the type of product 200. However, in reality, the switching time may vary depending on the combination of products 200 to be switched. Table 3 shows an example of the switching time [minutes] between three types of products A, B, and C for one element of internal setup (e.g., switching between plants). In Table 3, the rows indicate the source of switching, and the columns indicate the destination of switching.

[0034]

[0035] The workload data D2 indicates the workload of external setup for multiple types of products 200. Elements of external setup include preparatory work for internal setup. If the product 200 is a circuit board and the manufacturing equipment on the production line 110 includes a mounting machine, elements of external setup include program changes, component verification, printer switching, reflow furnace switching, rail width adjustment, solder switching, group switching, and plant switching. Table 4 shows an example of the workload of elements of external setup. In Table 4, the workload is expressed in units of time. That is, the time indicating the workload is obtained by converting the external setup workload into hours. For example, the greater the workload of external setup, the longer the time indicating the workload, and the smaller the workload of external setup, the shorter the time indicating the workload. Therefore, the time indicating the workload does not necessarily correspond to the time required for external setup. Therefore, even if the external setup itself is completed in a short time, the time indicating the workload may be set long if the physical or mental burden caused by the external setup is high. Conversely, even if the external setup itself is long, if the physical or mental load caused by the external setup is low, the time indicating the workload can be set short.

[0036]

[0037] In Table 4, the workload between the products 200 is assumed to be equal for each element. That is, the workload is constant regardless of the type of product 200. However, in reality, the workload may change depending on the combination of products 200 to be switched. Table 5 shows an example of the workload between three types of products A, B, and C for one element of off-site setup (e.g., switching between plants). In Table 5, the workload is expressed in units of time. In Table 5, the rows indicate the source of the switch, and the columns indicate the destination of the switch.

[0038]

[0039] The equipment data D3 includes information about one or more production lines 110. The equipment data D3 includes, for example, the manufacturing time of the product 200 on each production line 110 and the operating time of each production line 110. Table 6 shows an example of some of the information included in the equipment data D3. Table 6 shows an example of the manufacturing time between three types of products A, B, and C. Although Table 6 assumes that the manufacturing time of the same product 200 on multiple production lines 110 is the same, the manufacturing time of the same product 200 on different production lines 110 may be different.

[0040]

[0041] The production request data D4 includes information regarding multiple types of products 200 to be produced by one or more production lines 110. The production request data D4 may include, for example, the target number of multiple types of products 200, the production start time, the production completion time, and the final time by which production of all the target number of products 200 should be completed. Table 7 shows an example of some of the information included in the production request data D4. Table 7 shows the target numbers, production start time, and production completion time for three types of products A, B, and C.

[0042]

[0043] The manufacturing plan D5 includes the order of production of the target number of multiple types of products 200 specified in the production request data D4 on one or more production lines 110. Table 8 shows an example of the manufacturing plan D5. Table 8 shows the order of production of three types of products A, B, and C on each production line 110. In Table 8, the column "Production order of products" indicates that the products are produced from left to right.

[0044]

[0045] The arithmetic circuit 15 is connected to the input device 11, the output device 12, the communication device 13, and the storage device 14, and can access data stored in the storage device 14. The arithmetic circuit 15 can be realized, for example, by a computer system. The computer system includes one or more processors (microprocessors) and one or more memories. The one or more processors execute programs (stored in one or more memories or the storage device 14) to realize various functions of the manufacturing planning system 1. The programs may be pre-recorded in the storage device 14, or may be provided via a telecommunications line such as the Internet, or recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card.

[0046] The arithmetic circuit 15 executes a process for determining a manufacturing plan D5 for producing a plurality of types of products 200 using one or more production lines 110 based on the switching time data D1 and the workload data D2.

[0047] When determining the production plan D5, the arithmetic circuit 15 performs single-objective optimization to optimize (minimize) an objective function f, which has time as a variable. The objective function f includes a term representing the sum of the switching times of one or more production lines 110 (i.e., a term representing the total switching time) and a term representing the sum of the workloads of one or more production lines 110 (i.e., a term representing the total workload). In this embodiment, the objective function f also includes a term representing a constraint. The constraint indicates a time constraint for completing the production of one or more of the target number of multiple types of products 200. The following equation (1) represents an example of the objective function f. In the following equation (1), the first term represents the sum of the switching times of one or more production lines 110, the second term represents the constraint, and the third term represents the sum of the workloads of one or more production lines 110.

[0048]

[0049] In the above formula (1), V is a set of production lines, k is an integer corresponding to the number of the production line, and ∀k∈V. C is a set of products, i is an integer corresponding to the product before the changeover, and j is an integer corresponding to the product after the changeover, and ∀i, j∈C. N is a set obtained by adding the start point and end point to the set of products C, and N=C+{0, n+1}, and ∀i, j∈N. ｉｊ is the switching time when switching from product i to product j. ｉ,ｊ is the workload when switching from product i to product j. ｉｊｋ is a parameter for the occurrence of switching, and takes the value 1 when production line k is manufacturing product i to product j, and takes the value 0 otherwise. ０ｊｋ = 1, x ｉ,ｎ＋１,ｋ = 1. ｉｋ is the time when production line k completes the production of product i. ｉ is the production completion time for product i. Here, the production time for product i is t ｉ , the production start time of product i is a ｉ Then, a ｉ ≦s ｉｋ -t ｉ If the final time when the production of the target number of products should be completed is z, then s ｎ＋１,ｋ ≦z.

[0050] In the objective function f, the switching time c ｉｊ is obtained from the switching time data D1. ｉ,ｊ is obtained from the workload data D2. ｉ are obtained from the equipment data D3. The set C, the production start time, the production end time, and the total production completion time z are obtained from the production request data D4.

[0051] The arithmetic circuit 15 can determine the manufacturing plan D5 by performing optimization for the objective function f. When optimizing the objective function f, a combination of one or more conventionally known solutions to optimization problems can be used. Examples of conventionally known solutions to optimization problems include solutions to combinatorial optimization problems such as a delivery optimization problem and a traveling salesman problem, such as the cross exchange method, the 2-opt method, and the insertion method.

[0052] Next, an example of the operation of the arithmetic circuit 15 (operation for executing optimization) will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

[0053] The arithmetic circuit 15 determines an initial manufacturing plan D5 (S1). The initial manufacturing plan D5 may be determined randomly, for example.

[0054] The arithmetic circuit 15 determines the value of the objective function f of the first manufacturing plan D5, and sets the determined value of the objective function f to the minimum value (S2).

[0055] The arithmetic circuit 15 changes the manufacturing plan D5 (S3). The manufacturing plan D5 can be changed using the cross exchange method, the 2-opt method, the insertion method, or a combination of these. However, the cross exchange method cannot be applied unless there are two or more production lines 110. Furthermore, whether to apply the cross exchange method, the 2-opt method, or the insertion method may be determined in advance.

[0056] The arithmetic circuit 15 determines the value of the objective function f of the modified manufacturing plan D5 (S4).

[0057] The arithmetic circuit 15 determines whether the value of the objective function f of the changed manufacturing plan D5 is smaller than the minimum value (S5).

[0058] If the value of the objective function f of the changed manufacturing plan D5 is smaller than the minimum value (S5: YES), the arithmetic circuit 15 updates the minimum value to the value of the objective function f of the changed manufacturing plan D5 (S6). If the value of the objective function f of the changed manufacturing plan D5 is not smaller than the minimum value (S5: NO), the arithmetic circuit 15 does not update the minimum value and proceeds to the next step S7.

[0059] The arithmetic circuit 15 determines the minimum number of updates for the changed production plan D5 (S7). The minimum number of updates is used as a criterion for whether to terminate the search for the production plan D5. The minimum number of updates is determined based on whether the value of the objective function of each production line 110 has updated to a minimum value. If the value of the objective function of the production line 110 has updated to a minimum value, the minimum number of updates is decreased by a first specified value (e.g., 2), and if the value of the objective function of the production line 110 has not updated to a minimum value, the minimum number of updates is increased by a second specified value (e.g., 1).

[0060] The arithmetic circuit 15 determines whether the minimum number of updates is equal to or less than an upper limit (S8). The upper limit is determined appropriately based on the extent to which the manufacturing plan D5 is to be searched.

[0061] If the minimum update count is equal to or less than the upper limit (YES at step S8), the arithmetic circuit 15 outputs the manufacturing plan D5 corresponding to the minimum value. Outputting the manufacturing plan D5 may include transmitting the manufacturing plan D5 to an external device via the communication device 13 and presenting the manufacturing plan D5 on the output device 12.

[0062] If the minimum update count exceeds the upper limit (S8: NO), the arithmetic circuit 15 returns to step S3 and changes the manufacturing plan D5.

[0063] The arithmetic circuit 15 can output a manufacturing plan D5 that optimizes the total switching time and the total workload. Note that the manufacturing plan D5 that optimizes the total switching time and the total workload does not necessarily mean that the manufacturing plan D5 in which the total switching time and the total workload are the smallest among all possible manufacturing plans D5. It may not be realistic to calculate the value of the objective function f for all possible manufacturing plans D5. Therefore, the manufacturing plan D5 that optimizes the total switching time and the total workload may be the manufacturing plan D5 obtained by optimization using an optimization algorithm so that the total switching time and the total workload are the smallest.

[0064] Here, a description will be given of an example of the manufacturing plan D5 output from the manufacturing planning system 1. For example, it is assumed that for products A, B, and C, it is necessary to set the setting values ​​for each item as shown in Table 9.

[0065]

[0066] For ease of understanding, assume that there is one production line 110 and the target numbers of products A, B, and C are each one. The values ​​in Table 1 are used for the changeover time, and the values ​​in Table 4 are used for the workload. In a first example in which products A, B, and C are produced on the production line 110 in this order, one printer changeover, two rail width adjustments, and two solder changeovers are required, resulting in a total changeover time of 6 x 1 + 3 x 2 + 3 x 2 = 18 minutes. The total workload is 0 x 1 + 1 x 2 + 2 x 2 = 6 minutes. On the other hand, in a second example in which products A, C, and B are produced on the production line 110 in this order, two printer changeovers, one rail width adjustment, and one solder changeover are required, resulting in a total changeover time of 6 x 2 + 3 x 1 + 3 x 1 = 18 minutes. The total workload is 0 x 2 + 1 x 1 + 2 x 1 = 3 minutes. Looking only at the total switching time, the first and second examples are the same at 18 minutes, but the total workload is smaller in the second example than in the first example.

[0067] In this way, the manufacturing planning system 1 can output a manufacturing plan D5 that optimizes (minimizes) not only the total switching time but also the total workload.

[0068] The arithmetic circuit 15 may generate evaluation information for the manufacturing plan D5 based on the manufacturing plan D5. The evaluation information for the manufacturing plan D5 can be used to compare different manufacturing plans D5. The evaluation information may include, for example, the production quantity, total manufacturing time, total changeover time (total changeover time), number of changeovers, and total workload (total workload). The production quantity is the total of the production quantities for all production lines 110 according to the manufacturing plan D5. The total manufacturing time is, for example, the time from the production start time of the production line with the earliest production start time to the production end time of the production line with the latest production end time. For each production line 110, the production end time may be the time elapsed from the production start time by the sum of the total changeover time and the total manufacturing time. Furthermore, the total manufacturing time may be calculated for each production line 110 or for all production lines 110. As an example, the total manufacturing time is calculated from the sum of the manufacturing times of the products 200 produced according to the manufacturing plan D5 and the changeover time. In the first example described above, in which products A, B, and C are produced on the production line 110 in this order, the total manufacturing time for products A, B, and C is 10 minutes using the values ​​in Table 6. The changeover time in this example is 18 minutes. Therefore, the total manufacturing time is 28 minutes. The changeover time may be calculated for each production line 110 or for all production lines 110. The number of changeovers is the number of setup changes. The number of changeovers may be calculated for each production line 110 or for all production lines 110. In the first example described above, in which products A, B, and C are produced on the production line 110 in this order, one printer changeover, two rail width adjustments, and two solder changeovers are required, so the number of changeovers is five. The workload may be calculated for each production line 110 or for all production lines 110.

[0069] The evaluation information may include a breakdown of the changeovers for the number of changeovers. Table 10 shows an example of the breakdown of the changeovers.

[0070]

[0071] The arithmetic circuitry 15 can output evaluation information of the manufacturing plan D5. Outputting the evaluation information may include transmitting the evaluation information to an external device via the communication device 13 and presenting the evaluation information by the output device 12.

[0072] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of presentation of evaluation information. The arithmetic circuit 15 may display an evaluation screen 300 shown in FIG. 4 via the output device 12. The evaluation screen 300 includes a table 310 and a radar chart 320 showing evaluation information. In FIG. 4, the evaluation information in the table 310 and the radar chart 320 includes the production quantity, total manufacturing time, total changeover time, total workload, and number of changeovers. For example, in the radar chart 320, the value of the production quantity item increases as the production quantity increases, and the maximum production quantity in the manufacturing plan obtained during the optimization process of the manufacturing plan D5 may be represented as 1. In the radar chart 320, the values ​​of the total manufacturing time, total changeover time, total workload, and number of changeovers increase as the values ​​of each item decrease, and the minimum value in the manufacturing plan obtained during the optimization process of the manufacturing plan D5 may be represented as 1. In the radar chart 320, a larger area indicates a better manufacturing plan D5. The radar chart 320 facilitates evaluation of the manufacturing plan D5.

[0073] 1.2 Effects, etc. The manufacturing planning system 1 described above is a manufacturing planning system for determining a manufacturing plan D5 for producing multiple types of products 200 using one or more production lines 110, and includes an arithmetic circuit 15 that can access switching time data D1 indicating the switching time of the one or more production lines 110 due to setup changeovers between the multiple types of products 200, and workload data D2 indicating the off-site setup workload due to the setup changeovers. The arithmetic circuit 15 receives production request data D4 including the target quantities of the multiple types of products 200, and outputs a manufacturing plan D5 that optimizes the total switching time and the total workload based on the switching time data D1 and the workload data D2. This configuration enables improved production efficiency and reduced off-site setup workload.

[0074] In the manufacturing planning system 1 described above, the manufacturing plan D5 includes the order of production of the target number of multiple types of products specified in the production request data D4 on one or more production lines 110. This configuration enables improvement of production efficiency and reduction of the load of off-site setup.

[0075] In the above-described manufacturing planning system 1, the workload is expressed in units of time in the workload data D2. This configuration allows the units of switching time and workload to match, thereby making it possible to improve the efficiency of the calculation process for determining the manufacturing plan D5.

[0076] In the above-described manufacturing planning system 1, the greater the workload, the longer the time indicating the workload, and the smaller the workload, the shorter the time indicating the workload. This configuration matches the magnitude relationship between the workload and the time indicating the workload, making it possible to improve the efficiency of the calculation process for determining the manufacturing plan D5.

[0077] In the manufacturing planning system 1 described above, when determining the manufacturing plan D5, the arithmetic circuitry 15 executes single-objective optimization to optimize an objective function f with time as a variable, and the objective function f includes a term representing the total switching time of one or more production lines 110 and a term representing the total workload of one or more production lines 110. This configuration eliminates the need to set separate objective functions for the switching time and the workload, thereby enabling more efficient arithmetic processing for determining the manufacturing plan D5.

[0078] In the manufacturing planning system 1 described above, the objective function f includes a term representing a constraint condition. The constraint condition indicates a time constraint for completing the manufacturing of one or more of the target number of multiple types of products 200. This configuration makes it possible to determine a manufacturing plan D5 that reflects the delivery dates of the products 200.

[0079] The manufacturing planning system 1 described above can be said to execute the following method (manufacturing planning method). The manufacturing planning method is a manufacturing planning method for determining a manufacturing plan D5 for producing multiple types of products 200 using one or more production lines 110. The manufacturing planning method is executed by an arithmetic circuit 15 that has access to switching time data D1 indicating the switching time of one or more production lines 110 due to setup changes between the multiple types of products 200 and workload data D2 indicating the off-site setup workload due to the setup changes. The manufacturing planning method receives production request data D4 including the target quantities of the multiple types of products 200 and outputs a manufacturing plan D5 that optimizes the total switching time and the total workload based on the switching time data D1 and the workload data D2. This configuration enables improved production efficiency and reduced off-site setup workload.

[0080] The manufacturing planning method executed by the manufacturing planning system 1 can be realized by the arithmetic circuitry 15 executing a program (computer program). This program is a computer program for causing the arithmetic circuitry 15 to execute the manufacturing planning method. This configuration makes it possible to improve production efficiency and reduce the load of off-site setup.

[0081] [2. Modifications] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described embodiments. The above-described embodiments can be modified in various ways depending on the design, etc., as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. Modifications of the above-described embodiments are listed below. The modifications described below can be applied in appropriate combinations.

[0082] In one modified example, the arithmetic circuitry 15 may output a plurality of manufacturing plans D5. For example, the arithmetic circuitry 15 may output a manufacturing plan D5 in which the total switching time and the total workload fall within a certain range, or a manufacturing plan D5 in which the total switching time and the total workload ranges from the smallest to a predetermined number.

[0083] In one modified example, the manufacturing plan D5 may include a breakdown of the workload. For example, the breakdown of the workload may include rail width adjustment x 1, solder change x 1, and so on.

[0084] In one modified example, the calculation circuit 15 is not necessarily limited to performing single-objective optimization when determining the production plan D5. The calculation circuit 15 may perform multi-objective optimization using multiple objective functions when determining the production plan D5. Here, the multiple objective functions include a first objective function and a second objective function. The first objective function represents the total switching time of one or more production lines 110. The first objective function may include a constraint. The constraint indicates a time constraint for completing the production of one or more of the target number of multiple types of products 200. The second objective function represents the total workload of the one or more production lines 110. If the unit of the workload is something other than time, the calculation circuit 15 may perform multi-objective optimization.

[0085] In one variation, the operation circuitry 15 may not necessarily perform the optimization itself, but may have an external device perform the optimization. For example, the operation circuitry 15 may have a quantum computer (e.g., a quantum annealing machine) perform the optimization. In this case, the operation circuitry 15 may be able to access the quantum computer through the communication device 13.

[0086] In one modified example, the manufacturing planning system 1 may be realized by two or more computers capable of communicating with each other, such as multiple servers. It is not necessary for multiple functions (components) of the manufacturing planning system 1 to be concentrated in a single housing; the components of the manufacturing planning system 1 may be distributed across multiple housings. Furthermore, at least some of the functions of the manufacturing planning system 1, for example, some functions of the arithmetic circuit 15, may be realized by cloud computing or the like.

[0087] [3. Aspects] As is clear from the above-described embodiment and modifications, the present disclosure includes the following aspects.

[0088] [Aspect 1] A manufacturing planning system for determining a manufacturing plan for producing a plurality of types of products using one or more production lines, comprising: an arithmetic circuit that can access switching time data indicating a switching time of the one or more production lines due to a changeover between the plurality of types of products, and workload data indicating an off-site setup workload due to the changeover; wherein the arithmetic circuit, in response to input of production request data including a target number of the plurality of types of products, outputs the manufacturing plan that optimizes the total switching time and the total workload based on the switching time data and the workload data.

[0089] [Aspect 2] The manufacturing planning system of Aspect 1, wherein the manufacturing plan includes a production order of the target number of the plurality of types of products specified in the production request data on the one or more production lines.

[0090] [Aspect 3] The manufacturing planning system of Aspect 1 or 2, wherein, when determining the manufacturing plan, the arithmetic circuit performs multi-objective optimization using a first objective function that represents the sum of the switching times of the one or more production lines and a second objective function that represents the sum of the workloads of the one or more production lines.

[0091] [Aspect 4] The manufacturing planning system of aspect 1 or 2, wherein in the workload data, the workload is expressed in units of time.

[0092] [Aspect 5] The manufacturing planning system of Aspect 4, wherein the greater the workload, the longer the time period during which the workload is displayed; and the smaller the workload, the shorter the time period during which the workload is displayed.

[0093] [Aspect 6] The manufacturing planning system of Aspect 4 or 5, wherein, when determining the manufacturing plan, the arithmetic circuit executes single-objective optimization to optimize an objective function with time as a variable, and the objective function includes: a term representing the total of the changeover times of the one or more production lines; and a term representing the total of the workloads of the one or more production lines.

[0094] Aspect 7: The manufacturing planning system of aspect 6, wherein the objective function includes a term representing a constraint, and the constraint indicates a time constraint for completing the production of the target number of one or more of the multiple types of products.

[0095] [Aspect 8] A manufacturing planning method for determining a manufacturing plan for producing a plurality of types of products using one or more production lines, the method being executed by an arithmetic circuit that can access switching time data indicating a switching time of the one or more production lines due to a changeover between the plurality of types of products and workload data indicating an off-site setup workload due to the changeover, the manufacturing planning method receiving production request data including a target number of the plurality of types of products, and outputting the manufacturing plan that optimizes the total switching time and the total workload based on the switching time data and the workload data.

[0096] [Aspect 9] A program for causing the arithmetic circuit to execute the manufacturing planning method of aspect 8.

[0097] Aspects 2 to 7 are optional elements and are not essential. Aspects 2 to 7 can be appropriately combined with Aspect 8.

[0098] The present disclosure is applicable to a manufacturing planning system, a manufacturing planning method, and a program (program product) for a production line that produces multiple types of products.

[0099] 1 Manufacturing planning system 15 Arithmetic circuit D1 Switching time data D2 Workload data D4 Production request data D5 Manufacturing plan 110 Production line 200 Product

Claims

1. A manufacturing planning system for determining a manufacturing plan for producing multiple types of products using one or more production lines, comprising an arithmetic circuit that can access switching time data indicating the switching time of the one or more production lines due to setup changeovers between the multiple types of products and workload data indicating the workload of off-site setup due to the setup changeovers, wherein the arithmetic circuit, in response to input of production request data including target quantities of the multiple types of products, outputs the manufacturing plan that optimizes the total switching time and the total workload based on the switching time data and the workload data.

2. The manufacturing planning system according to claim 1, wherein the manufacturing plan includes a production order for the target number of the plurality of types of products specified in the production request data on the one or more production lines.

3. The manufacturing planning system of claim 1, wherein the arithmetic circuit, when determining the manufacturing plan, performs multi-objective optimization using a first objective function representing the total switching time of the one or more production lines and a second objective function representing the total workload of the one or more production lines.

4. The manufacturing planning system according to claim 1, wherein in the workload data, the workload is expressed in units of time.

5. The manufacturing planning system according to claim 4, wherein the greater the workload, the longer the time period during which the workload is displayed; and the smaller the workload, the shorter the time period during which the workload is displayed.

6. The manufacturing planning system of claim 4 or 5, wherein, when determining the manufacturing plan, the arithmetic circuit executes single-objective optimization to optimize an objective function with time as a variable, and the objective function includes: a term representing the total of the changeover times of the one or more production lines; and a term representing the total of the workloads of the one or more production lines.

7. The manufacturing planning system according to claim 6, wherein the objective function includes a term representing a constraint, and the constraint indicates a time constraint for completing the production of one or more of the target number of the multiple types of products.

8. A manufacturing planning method for determining a manufacturing plan for producing a plurality of types of products using one or more production lines, the method being executed by an arithmetic circuit that can access switching time data indicating the switching time of the one or more production lines due to setup changeovers between the plurality of types of products and workload data indicating the workload of off-site setup due to the setup changeovers, the manufacturing planning method receiving production request data including target quantities of the plurality of types of products and outputting the manufacturing plan that optimizes the total switching time and the total workload based on the switching time data and the workload data.

9. A program for causing the arithmetic circuit to execute the manufacturing planning method of claim 8.

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