Production Process Assignment via Equipment Grouping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information processing systems face difficulties in assigning production processes to equipment schedules when the schedule is full, particularly when only a single piece of equipment is capable of executing the process, leading to potential unassigned production tasks.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that associates production processes with equipment groupings consisting of multiple pieces of equipment, allowing for assignment to an operating schedule based on predetermined conditions, such as priority, to ensure efficient allocation even when individual equipment schedules are full.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a production process is associated with only a single piece of equipment capable of executing the production process, then the assignment is simple and direct, but the production process cannot be assigned if the equipment's operating schedule is full
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple pieces of equipment into a unified equipment grouping that shares a common operating schedule. This allows a production process to be assigned to the equipment grouping as a whole, and the system automatically determines which specific equipment within the grouping will execute the process, thereby resolving the contradiction between assignment simplicity and assignment success rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The equipment grouping is designed to perform multiple functions by pooling together different pieces of equipment. The grouping can execute various production processes that any of its member equipment can handle, making the system more versatile and increasing the likelihood of successful process assignment while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Productivity
If a production process is associated with an equipment grouping that includes multiple pieces of equipment, then the production process can be assigned even when individual equipment schedules are full, but the assignment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (the equipment grouping) between the production process and individual equipment. This intermediary manages the complexity by providing a unified interface for process assignment while handling the internal logic of selecting specific equipment and managing their schedules, thereby increasing assignment success rate without exposing the user to excessive complexity.
3Productivity
If the operating schedule of equipment is fully utilized, then equipment usage efficiency is maximized, but new production processes cannot be assigned
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple equipment into a shared equipment grouping with a common operating schedule, the system achieves better load balancing. When one equipment is fully utilized, the system can automatically assign new production processes to other available equipment within the same grouping, thereby maintaining high equipment usage efficiency while improving assignment flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes a processor configured to: associate a production process for producing a product with an equipment grouping that includes multiple pieces of equipment capable of executing the production process; and assign, if the production process is associated with the equipment grouping, the production process to an operating schedule of one of the multiple pieces of equipment on the basis of a predetermined condition.