Management system

Abstract

This management system manages a plurality of component mounting lines which are each capable of mounting a component on a substrate. The management system comprises: a reception unit that receives a login to the management system by a worker; a determination unit that, in response to the login and on the basis of the progress status of work on each of the plurality of component mounting lines, determines a priority order of the component mounting lines to be worked on by the worker; and a display control unit that causes a first display unit to display a list of the plurality of component mounting lines in a display mode reflecting the priority order. The determination unit determines the priority order on the basis of the progress statuses including the remaining amount of work, the remaining time allowed for the work, and the current number of workers for each of the component mounting lines.

Description

Management system

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a system for managing a plurality of component mounting lines.

[0002] Product production using a substrate is carried out by a component mounting line including one or more component mounters for mounting components on the substrate. The component mounter is a type of substrate working machine. Generally, a component mounting line includes various substrate working machines such as a solder printer, a solder print inspection machine, and a substrate inspection machine in addition to the component mounter.

[0003] In the production site, a plurality of component mounting lines are installed, and each of a plurality of workers performs work on each component mounting line as needed. The work on the component mounting line includes, for example, various operations such as replacement, cleaning, inspection, adjustment, and repair of components and members on each substrate working machine.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-85436 discloses a management system for managing the work of replenishing components to a plurality of feeders in a component mounting line having a plurality of component mounting devices for mounting components supplied from the plurality of feeders.

[0005] In a situation where a plurality of component mounting lines are installed, when a worker attempts to perform work, it is necessary to appropriately determine which component mounting line to perform work on. Such a determination is not easy. Therefore, a situation may occur where there are not enough workers on a certain component mounting line and the work is delayed, while on another component mounting line, there are more workers than necessary. Also, for a system administrator in the position of managing a plurality of component mounting lines, it is a great burden to determine which component mounting line work each worker should perform at what time and instruct the determination result to each worker.

[0006] According to the aforementioned Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-85436, when an emergency operation occurs regarding a feeder that is about to run out of parts, the work instruction display frame notifies the sub-worker to carry out the emergency operation, regardless of whether the main worker has finished replenishing the feeder under work. However, in a configuration that notifies the sub-worker when an emergency operation occurs, it is not possible to provide the optimal notification to the worker at the moment they are about to perform the work.

[0007] This specification discloses a management system for managing a plurality of component mounting lines, each capable of mounting components onto a circuit board. The management system comprises: a reception unit that accepts logins to the management system by an operator; a determination unit that, upon the login, determines the priority of the component mounting lines that the operator should work on based on the progress of work on each of the plurality of component mounting lines; and a display control unit that displays a list of the plurality of component mounting lines on a first display unit in a display manner that reflects the priority.

[0008] According to the above configuration, when an operator logs into the management system to perform work, they can view the list, displayed in a manner that reflects the priority of the component mounting lines to be worked on, through the first display unit. This allows the operator to correctly and easily recognize which of the multiple component mounting lines they should work on.

[0009] A diagram illustrating a simplified system according to this embodiment. A block diagram illustrating a simplified configuration of the management device. A flowchart illustrating the worker management process. A diagram illustrating the progress of work and worker assignment for each component mounting line. A diagram showing an example of the work target selection screen displayed on the first display unit. A diagram showing another example of the work target selection screen displayed on the first display unit. A diagram showing an example of the work target selection screen displayed on the second display unit. A diagram showing another example of the work target selection screen displayed on the second display unit. A diagram illustrating a simplified transition between screens displayed on the first display unit.

[0010] The main features of the embodiments described below are listed below. Note that the technical elements described below are independent technical elements that exhibit technical usefulness individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing.

[0011] According to the management system disclosed herein, the determination unit may determine the priority based on the remaining workload, the remaining time allowed for the work, and the current number of workers for each component mounting line, as the progress status. With this configuration, the determination unit can appropriately determine the priority of component mounting lines that should be made known to workers who have logged into the management system.

[0012] According to the management system disclosed herein, the determination unit may predict, based on the progress status, which component mounting lines will have zero remaining work within the remaining time, and the display control unit may cause the first display unit to display the list excluding the predicted component mounting lines. With this configuration, when a worker logs into the management system, the logged-in worker can view the list excluding component mounting lines that do not require further workers at that time.

[0013] According to the management system disclosed herein, the display control unit may cause the first display unit to display a warning when a component mounting line other than the component mounting line with the highest priority is selected as the work target from the list. With this configuration, a warning can be given to an operator who has logged into the management system if the selection of the work target is inappropriate.

[0014] According to the management system disclosed herein, the display control unit may, after causing the first display unit to display the warning, cause the first display unit to display the list again. With this configuration, after the warning, the worker can view the list again and select the work target again.

[0015] According to the management system disclosed herein, when the reception unit accepts a login to the management system based on the authority of the system administrator, the display control unit may display the current number of workers for each component mounting line on a second display unit that is viewable by the system administrator. With this configuration, the system administrator can recognize the current number of workers for each component mounting line through the second display unit.

[0016] According to the management system disclosed herein, the receiving unit can receive completion reports for the component mounting lines selected as work targets from the list, and when the receiving unit receives the completion report, the determination unit may determine the priority based on the progress status for the component mounting lines, excluding the component mounting line corresponding to the completion report from among the multiple component mounting lines. With this configuration, when a worker submits a completion report for a component mounting line, the list reflecting the latest priority of the component mounting lines can be viewed by the worker through the first display unit.

[0017] The embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Each figure is for illustrative purposes only, and these embodiments are not limited to what is shown. Also, since each figure is illustrative, some parts may be omitted.

[0018] Figure 1 shows a simplified representation of the management system 10 according to this embodiment. The management system 10 manages multiple component mounting lines 20, each capable of mounting components onto a circuit board. Although Figure 1 shows three component mounting lines 20, the management system 10 may manage two or four or more component mounting lines 20. Each component mounting line 20 includes multiple board-mounting machines 21, including one or more component mounting machines 21a.

[0019] The management device 30 is a computer that manages multiple component mounting lines 20. The management performed by the management device 30 includes at least the process of managing the workers who perform work on the component mounting lines 20. The management system 10 includes some or all of the configuration shown in Figure 1. The management system 10 includes at least the management device 30.

[0020] The management device 30 may also function as a computer capable of controlling the board-mounting machines 21 of each of the multiple component mounting lines 20. The management device 30 may be implemented not only by a single device, but also by a system including multiple computers and various devices that are connected to each other in a communicative manner. The computers may be of any form, such as desktop, laptop, or tablet PCs, servers, smartphones, or other mobile computers.

[0021] Figure 1 shows multiple first terminals 40, each operated by different workers. Figure 1 also shows a second terminal 42, operated by a system administrator. Terminals 40 and 42 are, for example, communication devices such as smartphones and PCs. Each of terminals 40 and 42 is equipped with a display unit 41 or 43 for displaying visual information. The display unit 41 of each first terminal 40 is called the first display unit 41. The display unit 43 of the second terminal 42 corresponds to the second display unit 43, which can be viewed by the system administrator. The first display unit 41 and the second display unit 43 may be so-called touch panels.

[0022] There may be one first terminal 40 for each worker, or a certain number of workers may share one first terminal 40. The first terminal 40 and the second terminal 42 may be portable, for example. Alternatively, the first terminal 40 and the second terminal 42 may be installed on the component mounting line 20.

[0023] Figure 2 shows a simplified block diagram of the main components of the management device 30. The management device 30 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a communication IF 33. IF stands for interface. The communication IF 33 is a general term for one or more IFs that the management device 30 uses to communicate with the component mounting line 20, the first terminal 40, and the second terminal 42 by wired or wireless means. In this embodiment, there are no particular restrictions on the standards or protocols used for communication between devices.

[0024] The control unit 31 has a processor such as a CPU and memory, and functions as, for example, a reception unit 31a, a decision unit 31b, a display control unit 31c, etc., by having the processor perform calculation processing according to a program stored in the memory, etc. The storage unit 32 is composed of a storage medium. At least a part of the memory of the control unit 31 may be considered as the storage unit 32, or the storage unit 32 may be considered as a part of the control unit 31. The second terminal 42 may be considered as a part of the management device 30. The second display unit 43 may be considered as one of the monitors provided by the management device 30.

[0025] Figure 3 shows a flowchart illustrating the worker management process performed by the control unit 31 of the management device 30. The worker management process involves suggesting or allowing workers to select the component mounting line 20 that they should work on.

[0026] When a worker intends to perform work on the component mounting line 20, they first log in to the management system 10. The worker operates the first terminal 40 and enters their identification information into the login user interface (UI) screen displayed on the first display unit 41 to log in to the management system 10. Identification information is unique information for each worker that is pre-registered in the management system 10, such as a user ID and password. The UI screen is provided by the control unit 31 of the management device 30.

[0027] The reception unit 31a accepts the worker's login to the management system 10 (step S100). As a result of step S100, the control unit 31 recognizes the worker who has logged into the management system 10 using the identification information described above. Hereinafter, for convenience, the worker whose login has been recognized by the control unit 31 in step S100 may be referred to as the logged-in worker.

[0028] Upon receiving confirmation of the login in step S100, the determination unit 31b determines the priority of the component mounting lines 20 that the logged-in worker should work on, based on the progress of work on each of the multiple component mounting lines 20 (step S110). The determination unit 31b can recognize the progress of work on each of the multiple component mounting lines 20, for example, based on communication with each of the multiple component mounting lines 20, the number of logged-in workers currently recognized, and the schedule described later. Then, the determination unit 31b refers to the progress and determines that the component mounting lines 20 that currently require workers to a higher degree have a higher priority.

[0029] In step S120, the display control unit 31c displays a list of multiple component mounting lines 20 (hereinafter referred to as the component mounting line list) on the first display unit 41 in a display mode that reflects the priority determined in step S110. The list is also called a list. The first display unit 41 on which the display control unit 31c displays the component mounting line list is, of course, the first display unit 41 of the first terminal 40 operated by the logged-in worker whose login was recognized in step S100. A display mode that reflects the priority means, for example, a mode in which component mounting lines 20 with higher priority are displayed higher up in the list. Alternatively, a display mode that reflects the priority may be a mode in which component mounting lines 20 with higher priority are displayed in a way that makes them visually more prominent. Displaying in a way that makes them stand out means using differences in position, size, color, brightness, presence or absence of blinking, presence or absence of movement, etc., or a combination of these.

[0030] The worker management process will be further explained using a specific example. Figure 4 illustrates the progress of work on each component mounting line 20 based on a certain time T0, and the assignment of workers to the component mounting lines 20 according to the progress. As mentioned above, the tasks that workers perform on the component mounting lines 20 are diverse, but as an example, let's assume that the "task" is supplying feeders to the component mounting machines 21a within the component mounting line 20. The feeders are set on the component mounting machines 21a with reels that hold a large number of electronic components before they are mounted on the circuit board by the component mounting machines 21a.

[0031] The replenishment of feeders to the component mounting machine 21a can be performed, for example, by an operator directly to the component mounting machine 21a. Alternatively, various devices or robots may be interposed between the component mounting machine 21a, which is the target of the feeder replenishment, and the operator. For example, the operator's task may be to replenish the feeders to a device called a smart loader, which is capable of automatically replacing the feeders to the component mounting machine 21a. Furthermore, if a transport robot such as an AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot) is used to transport the feeders from the operator's work position to the smart loader or the position of the component mounting machine 21a, the operator's task may be to replenish the feeders to the transport robot or a trolley towed by the transport robot.

[0032] The three component mounting lines 20 shown in Figure 1 will be appropriately distinguished and referred to as the first line L1, the second line L2, and the third line L3. Furthermore, assuming three workers as an example, the three workers will be appropriately distinguished and referred to as the first worker P1, the second worker P2, and the third worker P3.

[0033] Figure 4 shows the progress of work at time T0 for the first line L1, the second line L2, and the third line L3, respectively. For example, the progress of work for the second line L2 is 40 remaining units and 30 minutes remaining for the work. In Figure 4, the remaining unit represents the number of feeders. Therefore, a remaining unit of 40 means the amount of work required to replenish 40 feeders. This remaining unit and remaining time are information that the control unit 31 can grasp based on the product production and work schedule predetermined for each component mounting line 20, and the amount of work completed at time T0. The schedule may be stored in, for example, the storage unit 32.

[0034] According to Figure 4, the predicted completion time for the work on the second line L2 is 40 minutes after time T0 (T2). The predicted completion time is the time it would take to complete the remaining work if it were performed by only one worker from time T0. The length from time T0 to the predicted completion time is shown by a dashed rectangle. In Figure 4, the time is shown on the assumption that it takes an average of 1 minute to replenish one feeder, including the time required for the operation and movement of the aforementioned devices and robots involved in the work. In other words, since there are 40 remaining tasks, the predicted completion time is 40 minutes later. The time required for each unit of work will naturally vary depending on the specific content of the work. In any case, in this embodiment, the control unit 31 has prior knowledge of the time required for each unit of work.

[0035] Similarly, according to Figure 4, the progress of the work on the first line L1 is 10 remaining units and 30 minutes remaining. The progress of the work on the third line L3 is 60 remaining units and 50 minutes remaining. Therefore, the predicted completion time for the work on the first line L1 is 10 minutes after time T0 (T1), and the predicted completion time for the work on the third line L3 is 60 minutes after time T0 (T3).

[0036] In this situation, for example, suppose that at time T0, the first worker P1 operates the first terminal 40 and logs into the management system 10 (step S100). The decision unit 31b determines the priority of the component mounting lines 20 that the first worker P1 should work on (step S110). According to Figure 4, both the first line L1 and the second line L2 have 30 minutes remaining, and the third line L3 has 50 minutes remaining. Also, the predicted completion time T2 for the second line L2 exceeds the remaining time, while the predicted completion time T1 for the first line L1 does not exceed the remaining time. Furthermore, assume that at time T0, the number of workers on the first line L1, the second line L2, and the third line L3 are all 0. Based on this progress, the decision unit 31b determines that the second line L2, which has a relatively short remaining time and a predicted completion time that exceeds the remaining time, has the highest priority. The determination unit 31b determines that the first line L1, which has less remaining time than the third line L3, has the next highest priority after the second line L2.

[0037] Based on the decision made in step S110, the display control unit 31c displays the work target selection screen 50, as shown in Figure 5, on the first display unit 41 of the first terminal 40 operated by the first worker P1 (step S120). According to Figure 5, the work target selection screen 50 includes a component mounting line list 51. In the component mounting line list 51, multiple component mounting lines 20 are shown in the order of second line L2, first line L1, third line L3, and so on, from top to bottom of the list. In addition, the component mounting line list 51 may also show the current progress status, such as the remaining amount of work and the remaining time, for each component mounting line 20.

[0038] Upon viewing the work target selection screen 50, the first worker P1 operates the first terminal 40 to select one of the component mounting lines 20 to be worked on from the component mounting line list 51. Basically, the worker selects the component mounting line 20 with the highest priority from the component mounting line list 51 (according to Figure 5, the second line L2). For example, with the second line L2 selected in the component mounting line list 51, the first worker P1 operates the work start button 52 located on the work target selection screen 50.

[0039] Upon receiving such an operation, the control unit 31 recognizes that the logged-in operator, the first operator P1, has selected the second line L2 as the work target and has started working on the second line L2. Accordingly, the control unit 31 changes its recognition of the number of workers on the second line L2 from the current 0 to 1. The first operator P1, who has selected the second line L2 and pressed the work start button 52, begins working on the second line L2. The control unit 31 can monitor the progress of the work (for example, the number of feeders that have been replenished) and grasp the latest remaining workload in real time by communicating with the board-to-board work machines 21 included in each component mounting line 20 and the aforementioned devices and robots involved in the work.

[0040] Next, suppose that the second worker P2 operates the first terminal 40 and logs into the management system 10 at roughly the same time as the first worker P1, or slightly later (step S100). The judgment unit 31b determines the priority of the component mounting line 20 that the second worker P2 should work on (step S110). At this point, the first worker P1 is counted as one of the workers on the second line L2, but the predicted end time T2 for the second line L2 is still longer than the remaining time. Therefore, the judgment unit 31b determines that the second line L2 has the highest priority, followed by the first line L1. Based on the determination in step S110, the display control unit 31c displays the work target selection screen 50 on the first display unit 41 of the first terminal 40 operated by the second worker P2 (step S120). The work target selection screen 50 displayed to the second worker P2 can be understood to be substantially the same as the work target selection screen 50 shown in Figure 5, which is displayed to the first worker P1.

[0041] Upon viewing the work target selection screen 50, the second worker P2, like the first worker P1, selects the second line L2, which has the highest priority in the component mounting line list 51. As a result, the control unit 31 recognizes that the logged-in worker, the second worker P2, has selected the second line L2 as the work target and has started working on the second line L2. The control unit 31 changes its recognition of the number of workers on the second line L2 from the current 1 person to 2 people. With the second line L2 selected, the second worker P2 operates the work start button 52 and begins working on the second line L2.

[0042] In Figure 4, the working time for each worker on the component mounting line 20 is illustrated by solid rectangles. As shown in Figure 4, the work on the second line L2 is carried out in parallel by the first worker P1 and the second worker P2, with each worker replenishing approximately 20 feeders. As a result, the work on the second line L2 is completed approximately 20 minutes after time T0, preventing the work on the second line L2 from exceeding the remaining time (30 minutes) based on time T0. In this way, the judgment unit 31b can perform the judgment in step S110 based on the progress status of each component mounting line 20, namely the remaining work amount, remaining time, and the current number of workers. The judgment based on the remaining work amount, remaining time, and current number of workers is a judgment based on at least a part of the remaining work amount, remaining time, and current number of workers.

[0043] Suppose that, slightly behind the first operator P1 and the second operator P2, the third operator P3 operates the first terminal 40 to log in to the management system 10 (step S100). The determination unit 31b determines the priority of the component mounting line 20 to be worked on by the third operator P3 (step S110). At this point, since the first operator P1 and the second operator P2 are counted as the number of workers on the second line L2, the remaining workload regarding the second line L2 is predicted to become zero within the remaining time. That is, the determination unit 31b can predict the component mounting line 20 whose remaining workload will become zero within the remaining time based on the current progress status. The determination unit 31b determines the priority for the component mounting lines 20 (the first line L1 and the third line L3) excluding the component mounting line 20 (the second line L2) whose remaining workload is predicted to become zero within the remaining time. As can be understood from the above description, the determination unit 31b determines that the first line L1 has a higher priority than the third line L3.

[0044] Upon receiving the determination in step S110, the display control unit 31c causes the first display unit 41 of the first terminal 40 operated by the third operator P3 to display the work target selection screen 50 (step S120). The display control unit 31c causes the first display unit 41 to display the list 53 of component mounting lines excluding the component mounting line 20 (the second line L2) predicted as described above.

[0045] Figure 6 shows the work target selection screen 50 displayed on the first display unit 41 of the first terminal 40 operated by the third worker P3. According to Figure 6, the work target selection screen 50 includes a list of component mounting lines 53. In the list of component mounting lines 53, multiple component mounting lines 20 are shown in the order of first line L1, third line L3, and so on, from top to bottom of the list. Therefore, it is prevented that the third worker P3 will mistakenly select a component mounting line 20 (second line L2) that does not require further workers at that time. After viewing the work target selection screen 50, the third worker P3 selects the first line L1, which has the highest priority in the list of component mounting lines 53. The control unit 31 recognizes that the logged-in worker, the third worker P3, has selected the first line L1 as the work target and has started work on the first line L1. The control unit 31 changes the recognition of the number of workers on the first line L1 from the current 0 to 1. When the third worker P3 selects the first line L1 and operates the start work button 52, the third worker P3 begins working on the first line L1. As shown in Figure 4, the work on the first line L1 is performed by the third worker P3, and the work is completed approximately 10 minutes after time T0.

[0046] As described above, according to this embodiment, when a worker logs into the management system 10 to work on one of the multiple component mounting lines 20, they can view a list of component mounting lines through the first display unit 41. Therefore, each worker can correctly and easily recognize which of the multiple component mounting lines 20 they should work on at the time they log in. In addition, the appropriate number of workers will be assigned to each component mounting line 20, improving the overall productivity of the multiple component mounting lines 20. Furthermore, the system administrator will be relieved of the burden of deciding and instructing each worker on which component mounting line 20 to work on and when.

[0047] The system administrator can operate the second terminal 42, enter the identification information of the system administrator into the UI screen for login displayed on the second display unit 43, and log in to the management system 10. The system administrator may be a person completely different from the operator or may be one of the operators. However, the identification information as an operator is different from the identification information as a system administrator. The login by entering the identification information of the system administrator is a login based on the authority of the system administrator. When the reception unit 31a receives the login of the system administrator, as described above, the determination unit 31b determines the priority order of the component mounting lines 20 based on the progress status of the work for each of the plurality of component mounting lines 20. Then, the display control unit 31c causes the second display unit 43 to display the component mounting line list in a display mode reflecting the priority order determined by the determination unit 31b.

[0048] Each of FIGS. 7 and 8 shows an example of a work target selection screen 60 that the display control unit 31c causes to be displayed on the second display unit 43 when the reception unit 31a receives a login to the management system 10 based on the authority of the system administrator. The work target selection screen 60 includes a component mounting line list 61. As can be seen by comparing FIGS. 7 and 8 with FIGS. 5 and 6, the component mounting line list 61 is different from the component mounting line lists 51 and 53 in that the current number of workers for each component mounting line 20 is shown.

[0049] FIG. 7 shows the component mounting line list 61 in a state where the control unit 31 has recognized the selection of the second line L2 by each of the first worker P1 and the second worker P2. According to FIG. 7, the current number of workers on the second line L2 is shown as "2". FIG. 8 shows the component mounting line list 61 in a state where the first worker P1 and the second worker P2 have selected the second line L2 and then the third worker P3 has selected the first line L1. According to FIG. 8, the current number of workers on the second line L2 is shown as "2", and the current number of workers on the first line L1 is shown as "1". By visually recognizing the component mounting line list 61, the system administrator can accurately know the current number of workers for each component mounting line 20, including whether it is zero.

[0050] The component mounting line list 61 shows each component mounting line 20 that has not yet completed its work, regardless of whether or not it is currently predicted that the remaining workload for that component mounting line 20 will be completed (reduced to 0) within the remaining time. This is because the component mounting line list 61 is a display for the system administrator to monitor the current status of each component mounting line 20. The component mounting line lists 51 and 53 may also show the current number of workers for each component mounting line 20.

[0051] Figure 9 shows a simplified illustration of how the screens displayed on the first display unit 41 transition according to the situation. When a logged-in worker selects a component mounting line 20 as a work target from the component mounting line list (for example, component mounting line list 51 or component mounting line list 53) included in the work target selection screen 50 and operates the work start button 52, the display control unit 31c displays the work guidance screen 54 on the first display unit 41. The work guidance screen 54 is a screen that presents the logged-in worker with detailed information about the work on the selected component mounting line 20. The work guidance screen 54 displays work guidance information 55, such as the name and model name of the component mounting line 20, the current progress status, and images and messages that guide the work method in an easy-to-understand manner.

[0052] The display control unit 31c may, if a component mounting line 20 other than the component mounting line 20 with the highest priority is selected as the work target from the list of component mounting lines included in the work target selection screen 50, display a warning screen 57 including a warning 58 on the first display unit 41. The warning 58 includes, for example, an image or message indicating that the selection of component mounting line 20 is inappropriate or prompting the user to select component mounting line 20 again. The logged-in user sees the warning 58 and recognizes that the selection of component mounting line 20 was inappropriate.

[0053] As shown in Figure 9, the display control unit 31c may, after displaying the warning 58 on the first display unit 41, return the display of the first display unit 41 to the work target selection screen 50 and then display the component mounting line list again. The process of returning the display on the first display unit 41 from the warning 58 to the component mounting line list may be performed automatically, for example, or it may be performed on the condition that the logged-in worker has performed a predetermined operation to clear the warning 58. After the warning 58 is displayed, the component mounting line list is displayed again, allowing the logged-in worker to select the appropriate, i.e., the highest priority, component mounting line 20. The warning 58 may be displayed on a warning screen 57 that is different from the work target selection screen 50 and the work guidance screen 54, as shown in Figure 9, but it may also be displayed on the work target selection screen 50 or the work guidance screen 54. In other words, the warning 58 may be displayed as a pop-up within the work target selection screen 50 or the work guidance screen 54.

[0054] The reception unit 31a can receive completion reports for the component mounting line 20 selected as the work target from the component mounting line list. In other words, a logged-in worker who has completed work on the target component mounting line 20 submits a completion report to the management device 30 by a predetermined means. For example, a work completion button 56 is located on the work guidance screen 54, and the logged-in worker submits a completion report by operating the work completion button 56. When the reception unit 31a receives a completion report, the judgment unit 31b makes a priority determination in the same way as in step S110. As a result of the reception unit 31a receiving a completion report, the judgment unit 31b makes a priority determination based on the current progress status of the component mounting lines 20, excluding the component mounting line 20 corresponding to the completion report.

[0055] After determining the priority, step S120, which reflects that determination, is executed. That is, as shown in Figure 9, after the work completion button 56 on the work guidance screen 54 is operated, the display on the first display unit 41 switches to the work target selection screen 50. The work target selection screen 50, which has been switched in this way, displays a list of component mounting lines that reflect the priority determined by the determination unit 31b in response to the completion report.

[0056] The process following the completion report will be explained in detail with reference to Figure 4. Approximately 10 minutes after time T0, the third worker P3, having completed work on the first line L1, submits a completion report. Then, the first display unit 41, which is visible to the third worker P3, displays a work target selection screen 50 that includes a list of component mounting lines for selecting the next component mounting line 20 to be worked on. This list of component mounting lines does not include the first line L1, which has been completed, nor the second line L2, which does not require additional workers, but it does include the third line L3. Therefore, the third worker P3 selects the third line L3 as the work target and begins working on the third line L3, as shown in Figure 4.

[0057] Approximately 20 minutes after time T0, the first worker P1 and the second worker P2, having completed their work on the second line L2, each submit a completion report. Then, the first display unit 41, visible to both the first worker P1 and the second worker P2, displays a list of component mounting lines that includes the third line L3 but does not include the first line L1 and the second line L2, for which completion reports have been submitted. Both the first worker P1 and the second worker P2 select the third line L3 as their work target and begin working on the third line L3, as shown in Figure 4. As a result, the work on the third line L3, which had 60 remaining units, is completed in parallel by the three logged-in workers, faster than the remaining time of 50 minutes.

[0058] As another example, suppose that when the third worker P3 completes the work on the first line L1 and submits a completion report, the first worker P1 has already left the work on the second line L2 midway and logged off from the management system 10. In other words, when the third worker P3 completes the work on the first line L1, the second line L2 requires an additional worker. In this case, the first display unit 41, which is viewed by the third worker P3 who submitted the completion report for the first line L1, displays a work target selection screen 50 that includes a list of component mounting lines listing the second line L2 and the third line L3. Since the second line L2 is shown with a higher priority than the third line L3 in this component mounting line list, the third worker P3 selects the second line L2 as the work target. As a result, after the first worker P1 leaves and after the work on the first line L1 is completed, the third worker P3 performs the work on the second line L2 in addition to the second worker P2. After completing their work on the second line L2, the second worker P2 and the third worker P3 each submit their completion reports, then select the third line L3 as their next work target and perform their work on the third line L3.

[0059] In this embodiment, the display control unit 31c may display a warning 58 on the first display unit 41 even when the component mounting line 20 with the highest priority is selected as the work target from the list of component mounting lines included in the work target selection screen 50. As an example, let's assume that the first worker P1 and the second worker P2 log in to the management system 10 at almost the same time, and the same work target selection screen 50 is displayed on the first display unit 41 of the first terminal 40 operated by the first worker P1 and the second worker P2. As shown in Figure 5, the component mounting line list 51 in the work target selection screen 50 displays the second line L2 as the component mounting line 20 with the highest priority, and here we assume that the second line L2 requires one additional worker based on its progress.

[0060] In this situation, suppose both the first worker P1 and the second worker P2 select the second line L2, which has the highest priority in the component mounting line list 51. Then, suppose the control unit 31 recognizes that the first worker P1 has selected the second line L2 slightly earlier than that the second worker P2 has selected the second line L2. In this case, since the second worker P2's selection of the second line L2 is ultimately inappropriate (unnecessary), the display control unit 31c displays a warning 58 on the first display unit 41 of the first terminal 40 operated by the second worker P2. After displaying the warning 58, the display control unit 31c also displays a work target selection screen 50, which includes a component mounting line list, allowing the second worker P2 to select a component mounting line 20 other than the second line L2.

[0061] The specific examples of the technologies disclosed herein have been described in detail above, but these are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technologies described in the claims include various modifications and changes to the specific examples described above. Furthermore, the technical elements described herein or in the drawings exhibit technical usefulness individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technologies illustrated herein or in the drawings achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving even one of these objectives constitutes technical usefulness in itself.

[0062] 10: Management system 20: Component mounting line 21: Board work machine 21a: Component mounting machine 30: Management device 31: Control unit 31a: Reception unit 31b: Judgment unit 31c: Display control unit 40: First terminal 41: First display unit 42: Second terminal 43: Second display unit 50: Work target selection screen 51, 53, 61: Component mounting line list 52: Start work button 54: Work guidance screen 56: Work completion button 57: Warning screen 58: Warning

Claims

1. A management system for managing multiple component mounting lines, each capable of mounting components onto a circuit board, comprising: a reception unit that accepts logins to the management system by workers; a determination unit that, upon receiving a login, determines the priority of the component mounting lines that the worker should work on based on the progress of work on each of the multiple component mounting lines; and a display control unit that displays a list of the multiple component mounting lines on a first display unit in a display manner that reflects the priority.

2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines the priority based on the remaining workload, the remaining time allowed for the work, and the current number of workers for each component mounting line, as the progress status.

3. The management system according to claim 2, wherein the determination unit predicts, based on the progress status, which component mounting line will have zero remaining work within the remaining time, and the display control unit causes the first display unit to display the list excluding the predicted component mounting line.

4. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit causes the first display unit to display a warning when a component mounting line other than the component mounting line with the highest priority is selected as the work target from the list.

5. The management system according to claim 4, wherein the display control unit causes the first display unit to display the warning, and then causes the first display unit to display the list again.

6. The management system according to claim 1, wherein when the reception unit accepts a login to the management system based on the authority of the system administrator, the display control unit causes the current number of workers for each component mounting line to be displayed on a second display unit that can be viewed by the system administrator.

7. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the receiving unit is capable of receiving completion reports for the component mounting lines selected as work targets from the list, and when the receiving unit receives the completion report, the determination unit determines the priority based on the progress status for the component mounting lines among the plurality of component mounting lines, excluding the component mounting line corresponding to the completion report.

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