Predictive Processing Instructing Device for Job-Shop Scheduling

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Solution Overview

Problem

In manufacturing factories with job-shop type production systems, the existing control systems lengthen the lead time for product manufacturing due to inadequate preparation processing and device state improvement treatments, leading to inefficient use of processing devices and congested conveyance paths.

Innovation Solution

A processing instructing device that predicts arrival and finish times of workpieces, allowing for early execution of device state improving treatments and preparation processing, thereby optimizing the operation of processing devices and conveyance systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If device state improving treatment is executed, then device reliability is improved, but processing productivity deteriorates due to device unavailability during treatment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice stateVSAvoidprocessing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system predicts workpiece arrival times and schedules device state improving treatments during periods when no workpieces will arrive, performing maintenance actions in advance of when they would interfere with processing. This allows reliability improvements without sacrificing productivity, as the device is taken offline only when it would otherwise be idle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If preparation processing is performed in advance, then processing speed is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional control requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses predicted arrival times of workpieces as feedback to dynamically schedule preparation processing and device state improving treatments. The control device monitors the production management device's schedule predictions and adjusts processing timing accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that optimizes speed without requiring overly complex manual coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If workpiece arrival time is reduced, then productivity is improved, but conveyance system congestion increases due to insufficient preparation time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing lead timeVSAvoidconveyance path congestion
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preparation processing in advance based on predicted workpiece arrival times, ensuring that processing devices are ready before workpieces arrive. This eliminates waiting time and reduces the need for workpieces to queue in conveyance paths, thereby improving productivity without causing congestion. The key is scheduling preparation actions before the arrival time without extending the overall lead time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2733558B1Processing indicating device, processing indicating method, computer program and processing device
Publication Date: 2020.03.18 TOKYO ELECTRON LTD
  • EP2733558B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2733558B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2733558B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a processing indicating device capable of improving the efficiency of processing on an object to be processed. A processing indicating device is provided with: a first communication unit which communicates information with a plurality of processing devices (2) for processing an object to be processed; a second communication unit which communicates information with a conveyance controlling device (31) for controlling the operation of a conveying device (32) for conveying the object to be processed to the plurality of processing devices (2); an arrival time predicting unit which, on the basis of information received by the second communication unit, predicts the time when the conveying device (32) arrives at one of the processing devices (2); a finish time predicting unit which receives information indicating that processing on the object to be processed in the one processing device (2) has finished by the first communication unit, or on the basis of received information, predicts the time when the processing on the object to be processed in the one processing device (2) finishes; and a processing indicating unit which, on the basis of the predicted respective times, causes processing control information that orders the execution of device state improvement treatment to be transmitted to the one processing device (2).