JPH0386449A - Control method for flexible manufacturing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable obtaining necessary information from either file, and allow the flexible machining of plurality of types of workpieces while grasping the whole of a current system by providing a workpiece number column, a jig number column and a workpiece status number column respectively in schedule and tracking files. CONSTITUTION:The workpiece numbers are retrieved in sequence from a schedule file A, and the acceptability of machining for the retrieved workpieces is judged via the retrieval of a tracking file B, thereby allowing the flexible machining process for a plurality of types of workpieces. Also, both the schedule file A and the tracking file B have a workpiece number column, a jig number column, and a workpiece status number column, and necessary information, therefore, can be obtained from either file.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] Industrial application field The present invention is applicable to MC (machining center), robot,
This invention relates to a method of controlling a flexible production system that is configured by combining an automated warehouse, an unmanned carrier, a control computer, etc.

Conventional Technology In recent years, as the market has matured, society has entered an era of high-mix, low-volume production, and there is a need for production systems that can flexibly respond to diverse needs and demands.

Problems that the invention aims to solveIn addition, due to the highly advanced development of microelectronics technology in recent years, MC (machining center),
The development of flexible production systems that combine robots, automated warehouses, unmanned carriers, control computers, etc. and can process and process multiple types of products has been highlighted as an issue.

The present invention solves the above problems, and aims to provide a method for controlling a flexible production system that can process and process a plurality of types of products.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a rack device that stores each of a plurality of types of jigs for holding a workpiece, and a rack device that allows the workpiece to be attached to and removed from the jig. Multiple types of processing devices that perform processing on workpieces held by tools, a transport device that is movable between each processing device and delivers the jig to and from the processing device, and each processing device and transport device. In a flexible production system equipped with an overall control device, a schedule file, a tracking file, and a jig master file are defined on the main memory of the overall control device, and a work number indicating the type of each work is defined in the schedule file. The following fields are set: a work state number field that indicates the progress status of each workpiece, and a jig number field that indicates the type of jig used for machining each workpiece, and the type and rack of each processing device are set in the tracking file. Set the device number section indicating the shelf position of the device, the work number section, the jig number section, and the work state number section, and set the jig number section, device number section, and work number section in the jig master file. Set each item in advance, enter the work number in the machining order in the work number field of the schedule file, and write the equipment number field of the tracking file and the jig number field, equipment number field, and work number field of the jig master file. Enter the jig number of each jig, device number of each processing device, and work number of each work in each item, search the work number section of the schedule file in order, and find the corresponding jig corresponding to the searched work number. Search the jig master file for the corresponding device number and processing device number, search the tracking file, and confirm that the corresponding jig number does not exist at the address in the jig number field corresponding to the corresponding device number. By confirming that there is no work number in the address of the work number field corresponding to the jig number, it is possible to confirm that the jig and processing equipment corresponding to the jig number and device number can be used, and to check the usable jig. The overall control device instructs the conveyance device and processing device to sequentially process the work using tools and processing equipment, and is currently used in the jig number, device number, and workpiece number fields of the schedule file and tracking file. In addition to writing the jig number, equipment number, and workpiece number, as the machining status of the workpiece progresses, the workpiece status number section of the schedule file and tracking file is rewritten so that the numerical value in the workpiece status number section becomes the end status of each machining process. When this is indicated, the overall control device instructs the transport device □ and the processing device to operate in the next step.

Effects With the above-described configuration, whether or not a workpiece found by sequentially searching the workpiece number section of the schedule file can be machined is determined by searching the tracking file, and the machining process for a plurality of types of workpieces proceeds flexibly. Further, since both the schedule file and the tracking file have a work number field, a jig number field, and a work state number field, necessary information can be obtained from either file.

EXAMPLE An example of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings. 1st
In the figure, a plurality of processing devices 1 are lined up in a straight line, and each processing device 1 is a stageron in which a computer for data transfer and a local transport device are attached to a robot, M/C, temporary assembly device, etc. .

Further, a rack device 4 is provided which is located parallel to the processing device 1 and temporarily stores the jigs 2 and workpieces 3. A rail 5 is laid parallel to each processing device 1 and rack device 4, and a rail 5 is placed above the rail 5.
A conveying device 6 is provided which travels between the processing device 1 and the rack 4 while being guided by the processing device 1 . Further, the processing device 1, the rack device 4, and the transport device 6 are provided with an independent control device 7 that controls each device, and the independent control device 7 is connected to the overall control device 8 via a signal line. .

Each file shown in FIG. 2 is defined on the memory of the overall control device 8. That is, schedule file A includes a work number field in which work names indicating the type of work are listed in the order of processing as work numbers, and a jig number indicating the type of jig 2 used to hold each work 3. and a work state number field indicating the progress state of the current machining status of each workpiece 3. This work state number term increases as the process progresses, and finally reaches its maximum value when all processes are completed. Further, in the tracking file B, an apparatus number field, a workpiece number field, a jig number field, and a workpiece state number field are set, which indicate the type of each processing device 1 and the shelf position of the rack device 4. Furthermore, the jig master file C includes a jig number field, a jig state number indicating the usage status of the jig and the number of machining steps, a device number field indicating applicable processing equipment 1, and a workpiece 3 field that is compatible with the jig. A work number field indicating a work number and a machining job number field are set. This Kanjicob number field is the number of the program to be input into the independent control device 7 of the processing device 1.

The effects of the above configuration will be explained below.

In advance, write the work number in the processing order in the work number field of schedule file A, and write each item in the equipment number field of tracking file B and the jig number field, equipment number field, and work number field of jig master file C. The jig number of each jig 2, the device number of each processing device 1, the device number of the rack device 4, and the work number of each work are written in . That is, only the work numbers are arranged in the desired processing order in the schedule file A, and the jig numbers and work state numbers are not written. This is because the jig number is written to schedule file A when it is decided to use jig 2.
There is only one jig 2 in the schedule file A that is currently being executed. Further, the tracking file B contains only the device number and the jig number, and the work number and work state number are written when it is decided to use the work 3.

First, the work number section of schedule file A is sequentially searched. At this time, the jig master file C is searched for the corresponding jig number and the corresponding device number of the processing device corresponding to the searched workpiece number. Furthermore, search tracking file B and confirm that no jig number, work number, or work state number exists in each address of the jig number field, work number field, and work state number field corresponding to the applicable device number. , the work number in each address of the work number field and work state number field corresponding to the corresponding jig number,
By confirming that the work state number does not exist, it is confirmed that the jig and processing device corresponding to the corresponding jig number and device number can be used. In other words, if a jig number exists in the jig number field in tracking file B in correspondence with the corresponding jig number, this is because the jig 2 is in use. In this way, the overall control device 8 searches for available jigs 2 and processing devices 1, and instructs the rack device 4 to sequentially process the workpieces 3 using the available jigs 2 and processing devices 1. An instruction is given to the conveyance device 6 and the independent control device 7 of the processing device 1. Further, the processing job number of the searched workpiece 3 is searched from the jig master file and instructed to the processing device 1. Note that there are multiple machining job numbers depending on the number of processes, and they are sequentially selected as the machining progresses.

Then, write the currently used jig number, device number, and workpiece number in the jig number, device number, and workpiece number fields of schedule file A and tracking file B, and as the machining status for workpiece 3 progresses. Therefore, the work status number terms of schedule file A and tracking file B are rewritten. Then, when the numerical value of the work state number term indicates the end state of each machining process, the overall control device 8 transfers the work 3 and jig 2 to the independent control device 7 of the transport device 6. and instructs the independent control device 7 of the processing device 1 and rack device 4 to start up.

Therefore, the current overall state of the system can be grasped from the schedule file A and the tracking file B, and a plurality of types of workpieces 3 can be flexibly processed sequentially according to the schedule file A.

Effects of the invention and the invention As described above, according to the present invention, since both the schedule file and the tracking file have a work number field, a jig number field, and a work state number field, necessary information can be obtained from either file. It is possible to flexibly process multiple types of workpieces sequentially according to a schedule file while grasping the current overall status of the system.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the file configuration inside the overall control device. 1... Processing equipment, 2... Jig, 3... Workpiece, 4
...Rack device, 6...Transport device, 7...Independent control device, 8...Overall control device, A...Schedule file, B...Tracking file, C...Jig master File.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A rack device that stores multiple types of jigs for holding workpieces, and multiple types of processing that attaches and detaches workpieces to and from jigs, or performs processing on workpieces held in jigs. In a flexible production system that includes a device, a transport device that is movable between each processing device and delivers the jig to and from the processing device, and an overall control device that controls each processing device and the transfer device, A schedule file, a tracking file, and a jig master file are defined on the main memory of the control device, and the schedule file has a work number field indicating the type of each work and a work state number field indicating the progress state of the machining status of each work. and a jig number field indicating the type of jig used for machining each workpiece, and in the tracking file, set a device number field indicating the type of each processing device and the shelf position of the rack device, the work number field, and the jig number field indicating the type of jig used for processing each workpiece. Set the jig number field and the work state number field, and write it in the jig master file.
Set each item of the jig number field, equipment number field, and work number field, and write the work number in the machining order in the work number field of the schedule file in advance, as well as the equipment number field of the tracking file and the jig master file. Enter the jig number of each jig, the equipment number of each processing device, and the work number of each work in the jig number, equipment number, and work number fields, and then write the work number fields of the schedule file in order. Search the jig master file for the corresponding jig number and the corresponding device number of the processing device corresponding to the searched workpiece number, search the tracking file, and find the address corresponding to the jig number section corresponding to the corresponding device number. By confirming that the jig number does not exist and also confirming that the work number does not exist in the address of the work number field corresponding to the jig number, the jig and equipment corresponding to the jig number and equipment number are The overall control device instructs the transport device and processing device to sequentially process the workpieces using the available jigs and processing devices by confirming that the processing equipment can be used, and by checking the jig numbers in the schedule file and tracking file. In addition to writing the currently used jig number, device number, and workpiece number in the section, equipment number section, and workpiece number section, the workpiece status number section of the schedule file and tracking file is rewritten as the machining status for the work progresses. 1. A method for controlling a flexible production system, comprising instructing a transfer device and a processing device to operate the next step by an overall control device when a numerical value in a work state number term indicates the end state of each processing step.