JPH0665455B2 - Production control information transmission control method - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a production control information transmission control method, and more specifically, an automatic operation for performing an assembly operation or the like on a work transferred by a self-propelled transfer means. The present invention relates to a production control information transmission control method capable of delivering work information or the like to the work in advance of actual work to a machine or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Recently, in an automobile production line, a work is placed on a transfer means to move between work stations, and
A production control information transmission control method is adopted in which model information is distributed to each work station in synchronism with the movement of the transportation means, and the work machines are assembled by an automatic machine or the like arranged in the work station. There is.

In such a production control information transmission control method, it is an essential condition that accurate model information corresponding to the type of work loaded on the transport means that has arrived at the workstation is delivered to the automatic machine. .

An example of a device having a carrying means for delivering model information of this type is a carrying device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-99160. In this transfer device, storage means capable of reading and writing information necessary for processing a work placed on the transfer means is attached to the transfer means that moves between the work stations, and the transfer means has a predetermined size. When reaching the workstation, the storage means and the work processing device are connected to each other, information stored in advance in the recording means is sent to the work processing device, and the work is processed by the work processing device. It was done.

However, this transfer device is the first time the transfer means arrives at the work station, and the information such as parts necessary for assembling work of the work placed on the transfer means is provided to the work processing device,
For example, the automatic machine receives the data, and there is a disadvantage that the time required for preparation such as setup work becomes a standby time and the production efficiency decreases.

In order to avoid this inconvenience, the present invention relates to a work that is placed on a plurality of conveyance means that are connected to an automatic machine that constitutes each work station and a predetermined control device and are expected to arrive at the predetermined work station from the control device. A system is conceivable in which the model information is distributed before the transportation means for mounting the work arrives.

However, according to this system, when defective work assembly occurs in any of the work stations arranged in the preceding process of the predetermined work station, the conveying means on which the defective work is placed is used as the production line. The work of correcting the information distributed to the automatic machine when it is taken out from the machine becomes extremely complicated work, and the inconvenience that the production efficiency is reduced in the end cannot be avoided.

[Object of the Invention] The present invention has been made in order to overcome the above-mentioned inconvenience, and is a production line having a plurality of work stations for performing assembly work or the like on a work placed on a self-propelled transfer means. In the transmission control method of production management information applied to, the model information assembled according to the production plan from the storage medium attached to the self-propelled conveying means is delivered to a predetermined workstation prior to the actual work. By doing so, it becomes possible to finish the setup work and the like in advance at the work station, and then perform predetermined assembly work and the like according to the different types of work carried by the self-propelled carrying means that arrives at the work station. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for controlling transmission of production management information that enables prompt execution of the above.

[Means for Achieving the Purpose] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is applied to a production line having a plurality of work stations for processing a work placed on a self-propelled transfer means. And a step of detecting that the self-propelled transfer means is stopped at a predetermined work station by a stop detection means arranged in the work station, A step of reading processing data from a storage medium disposed in the transporting means at the next workstation at least on the downstream side of the work placed on the stopped self-propelling transporting means; When the downstream self-propelled transport means stops before the transport means, the read processing data is written in a storage medium arranged in the preceding self-propelled transport means. It is characterized by comprising the step of imprinting.

[Embodiment] A preferred embodiment of the production control information transmission control method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 indicates a production line to which the production control information transmission control method according to the present embodiment is applied.
The production line 10 has a traveling path 12 formed in a straight line or a loop, and on the traveling path 12, carts 14a to 14n, which are self-propelled conveying means, are arranged so as to be movable in the arrow Z direction. The traveling path 12 connects the workstations Sa to Sb provided with the automatic machines Ra to Rb for work. At the work stations Sa to Sb, predetermined assembling or processing operations are performed on the works conveyed by the carriages 14a to 14n by the automatic machines Ra to Rb.

On the other hand, the carriages 14a to 14n are driving units 18a to 18n for self-propelled along the traveling path 12, control units 20a to 20n for controlling the driving units 18a to 18n, and communication interfaces 22a to 2n.
2n and IC card drive units 24a to 24n. In this case, the communication interfaces 22a to 22n are connected to the production line via the workstation control devices 28a to 28d that configure the workstations Sa to Sb and have the memories 26a to 26g.
10 is configured to communicate with a main controller 30 that controls the whole. The workstation controllers 28a to 28d include proximity switches 29a to 29g for detecting the carriages 14a to 14n and the carriages.
Photoelectric switch 31 for workpiece detection placed on 14a to 14n
a to 31 g are provided.

Sheet-shaped IC cards 32a to 32n as recording media are mounted on the IC card drive units 24a to 24n. These IC cards 32a to 32n are commercially available and are configured as shown in FIG. 2, for example. That is, the printed circuit board 34a
Through 34n, chip components such as ICs, active devices such as transistors, passive devices such as resistors and capacitors, and thin-plate batteries are mounted by surface mounting technology, and these components are surrounded by a plastic film to form a sheet body. It is configured.

The electric circuits of the IC cards 32a to 32n basically store the microcomputers 38a to 38n having the serial / parallel interfaces 36a to 36n, the RAMs 40a to 40n as storage media, and the data recorded in the RAMs 40a to 40n. Backup batteries 42a to 42n such as lithium batteries, first coils 44a to 44n for generating power and clocks formed by a print pattern, and first coils 44a to 4n
The high-frequency pulse output from the 4n is shaped and simultaneously multiplied by a predetermined value, and the microcomputers 38a to 38n and the RAM4
Clock generation circuits 46a to 46n for supplying clock pulses to 0a to 40n, and DC power generation circuits 48a to 48n for rectifying the high frequency pulses and generating DC power to be supplied to components mounted on the printed boards 34a to 34n. A read coil 50a to 50n, which is a sheet coil for sending data introduced by magnetic coupling from the IC card drive units 24a to 24n to a serial / parallel interface, and a write coil
52a to 52n, read / write switch coils 54a to 54n
And each component is connected by a print pattern.

The production line to which the production control information transmission control method according to the present invention is applied is basically configured as described above. Next, regarding the action and effect thereof, the third and fourth aspects will be described.
A description will be given based on the figure. In this case, FIG. 4 shows the main processing flow in the workstation controllers 28b to 28n and the main controller 30.

Then, when the carriage 14a moves along the traveling path 12 in the direction of the arrow Z and reaches the work position of the workstation Sa, as shown in FIG. 3a, the proximity switch 29a is actuated to move the carriage 14a.
Via the communication interfaces 22a and 28a
In addition, it outputs a truck arrival signal to main controller 30. In this case, the automatic machine Ra uses the work W, for example, the predetermined work W _A.
Is placed on the carriage 14a. Then, the main controller 30 sends the model data D _A for processing the work W _A at the workstations Sb to Se, which is a post-process, to the IC card drive unit 24a via the workstation controller 28a and the communication interface 22a. To send. The workstation Se is a workstation arranged in a subsequent process of the workstation Sd. The IC card drive unit 24a supplies a high frequency pulse to the first coil 44a constituting the IC card 32a to activate the IC card 32a, and also supplies a predetermined pulse to the read / write switch coil 54a to supply the serial / parallel interface 36a. Are electrically connected to the side of the light coil 52a. Then, the model data D _A is recorded in the RAM 40a under the action of the microcomputer 38a via the write coil 52a and the serial / parallel interface 36a (see FIG. 3b). The same applies to the carriage 14b.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3c, when the carriage 14a reaches the work position of the workstation Sc and the carriage 14b is on the downstream side of the workstation Sb, the carriage 14c and the carriage 14d respectively work stations Sb and Sa. Control at the workstation Sb when it reaches the work position of
Description will be given based on the processing flow shown in the figure and the enlarged view of the workstation Sb shown in FIG.

When the carriage 14c arrives at the work position of the workstation Sb, the proximity switch 29b is activated (STP1). Next, from the RAM 40c of the IC card 32c attached to the trolley 14c, the work W placed on the trolley 14c, in this case, for example, model data Dc for processing the work Wc is read and the workstation is read. It is stored in the memory 26b constituting the control device 28b (see FIG. 5b, STP2). Next, it is confirmed whether or not the photoelectric switch 31b for workpiece detection is operating (STP3). If the work Wc is not placed and the photoelectric switch 31b is not operating, the work Wc is stored in the RAM 40b of the IC card 32b attached to the trolley 14b preceding the trolley 14c by the workstation controller 28b. Write data that does not exist. In this embodiment,
Assuming that the work Wc exists, the determination in step 3 is established and the process proceeds to step 4, and it is determined whether or not there is a previous dolly in the workstation Sb in which the dolly 14c exists.
Confirmed by the operation of c (STP4).

If it does not exist, the model data Dc is read from the memory 26b that constitutes the workstation controller 28b by the automatic machine Rb.
Then, a predetermined work is performed on the work Wc that is sent to the work Wc placed on the carriage 14c by the automatic machine Rb. in this case,
Since the carriage 14b exists, this determination is established and step 5
Proceed to. In step 5, whether or not the work Wb is placed on the front carriage 14b is confirmed by the operation of the photoelectric switch 31c, and when the work Wb does not exist, the work W _C placed on the carriage 14c as described above. Predetermined work is performed for (STP5). In this case, work W on the carriage 14b
If b exists, proceed to the sixth step. Then, in the sixth step, the model data Dc is recorded from the memory 26b to the memory 26c (see FIG. 5c, STP6).

When the process of step 6 is completed, as described above, the model data Dc is sent from the memory 26b to the automatic machine Rb, and the predetermined work is performed on the work Wc placed on the carriage 14c by the automatic machine Rb. (STP7). Next, in step 8, the model data Dc recorded in the memory 26c is changed to the workstation controller 28b and the communication interface 22.
b, RAM 40b in IC card 32b via IC card driver 24b
(See STP8 in FIG. 3d). This allows the next trolley 14b to be stored in the RAM 40b of the IC card 32b of the previous trolley 14b.
When the trolley 14b is installed in the next workstation Sc, the model data Dc for work work installed in the c will be recorded, and then the workstation
Since the type of work that arrives at Sc can be known in advance, the worker Mc in charge of the workstation Sc can perform preparatory work such as setup work for the next work in advance, and in the end, the takt time is reduced. It can be shortened.

When this data writing work is completed, the main controller 30 outputs a transmission command for the carriages 14b, 14c, and the command is introduced to the control units 20b, 20c via the workstation control device 28b and the communication interface 22c, and the drive unit 18b, Under the action of 18c, the carriages 14b and 14c move in the direction of arrow Z (STP9).

Next, as shown in FIG. 3E, for example, a work defect in which a bolt or the like is not screwed with respect to the work Wb placed on the carriage 14b occurs at the workstation Sc, and the work Wb is
The trolley 14b with the
Consider the case when it is drawn from 2. in this case,
As shown in FIGS. 3f and 3g, the workstation controller 28d and the main controller 30 constituting the workstation Sd.
Under the action of, the model data in the RAM 40c of the IC card 32c attached to the carriage 14c is transferred to the RAM 40a of the IC card 32a attached to the carriage 14a in the same manner as in step 8 of the processing flow shown in FIG. D _C , D _D , D _E ) is transferred, and the model data D _B is deleted from the model data (D _A , D _B , D _C ) of the RAM 40a at that time (D _A , D _C , D _D , By processing so that D _E ) is written in the RAM 40a, it becomes possible to update the correct data. That is, in the model data (D _A , D _B , D _C ) of the RAM 40a, data other than the model data D _A is updated.

Next, the repair of the work Wb placed on the carriage 14b in the state shown in FIG. 3h is completed by the worker Mc, and the carriage 14b on which the work Wb is placed is moved from the position where the workstation Sc exists. The correction of the data of the RAMs 40b and 40d in the case of returning to the traveling path 12 again will be described. In this case, as shown in FIG.
The data (D _B , D _C , D _D ) of the model data of the RAM 40b that configures the IC card 32b of the trolley 14b is updated to (D _B , D _E , D _F ) by Sc, and the data is updated at the next workstation Sd. model data from the previous carriage 14d preceding the carriage 14b is data _{(D B, D E, D} F,)
To (D _D , D _B , D _E , D _F ) correctly updated. In this case, the data in the RAMs 40a and 40c of the trucks 14a and 14b have not been updated to the correct data, but when the truck 14c catches up with the truck 14a and is located in the same workstation, the data in the RAM 40c of the truck 14c is updated to the correct data. It goes without saying that, when the carriage 14c catches up with the carriage a and is located at the same workstation, the data in the RAM 40a of the carriage 14a is updated to correct data. In this way, all the data in the RAMs 40a to 40i of the IC cards 32a to 32i added to the carriages 14a to 14i existing on the traveling path 12 become correct. Therefore, according to the present invention,
It is possible to correct model data due to the re-introduction of the trolley, etc. within a very short time and surely.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, information for processing a work placed on the transport means in a storage medium added to the self-propelled transport means and placement information on the subsequent transport means. It also records the information on the processed work. Therefore, it is possible to preliminarily perform the work for preparing the work placed on the transfer means that arrives at the predetermined work station, and to shorten the tact time of the production line and improve the production efficiency. .

Moreover, even if a work defect occurs on a work and the trolley on which the work is placed is pulled out from the main traveling path of the production line, the data on the storage medium of the trolley preceding the trolley on which the defective work is placed can be stored for a short time. It is possible to correct in.

Furthermore, the work in which the work defect has occurred is repaired,
When the dolly on which the repaired work is placed is returned to the main traveling path, the data of the storage medium of the dolly and the data of the storage media of all the dollies located in front of the dolly are also corrected in a short time. The advantage is obtained.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment,
It goes without saying that various improvements and design changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of a production line to which the method for controlling transmission of production management information according to the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is attached to a conveying means which runs on a traveling path in the production line shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view for explaining the configuration of a storage medium, FIG. 3 is an explanatory view for explaining transfer of data stored in the storage medium in correspondence with the traveling of the transporting means, and FIG. 4 is for storing data in the storage medium. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view for explaining the processing in the workstation control device in the production line shown in FIG. 1. 10 …… Production line, 12 …… Traveling path 14a ～ 14n …… Car, 18a ～ 18n …… Drive unit 20a ～ 20n …… Control unit 22a ～ 22n …… Communication interface 24a ～ 24n …… IC card drive unit 26a ～ 26g ...... Memory 28a to 28d ...... Workstation controller 30 ...... Main controller 29a to 29g ...... Proximity switch 31a to 31g ...... Photoelectric switch 32a to 32n ...... IC card 38a to 38n ...... Microcomputer 40a to 40n ...... RAM 46a to 46n ...... Clock generation circuit 48a to 48n ...... DC power supply generation circuit Ra to Rb ...... Automatic machine Sa to Se ...... Workstation

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A transmission control method of production management information applied to a production line having a plurality of workstations for processing a work placed on a self-propelled carrier, said self-propelled carrier A step of detecting that the means has stopped at a predetermined work station by means of a stop detection means arranged at the work station; and the stopped self-propelled state from the recording medium arranged at the stopped self-propelled conveying means. A step of reading the processing data at the next workstation at least on the downstream side of the work placed on the automatic transfer means, and the self-propelled transfer means on the downstream side is stopped prior to the stopped self-propelled transfer means. Then, the read process data is written in a storage medium provided in the preceding self-propelled conveying means, and the production control information is transmitted. Reach control method. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the processing data is written in the recording medium of the self-propelled conveying means preceding the downstream side at a different work from the preceding self-propelling conveying means on the downstream side. A transmission control method of production control information, which is characterized in that it is during stoppage in a station. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the processing data is written in the storage medium of the self-propelled conveying means preceding the downstream side at the self-propelled conveying means and the downstream side of the self-propelled conveying means. A method for controlling transmission of production management information, characterized in that the self-propelled conveying means preceding the side is stopped at the same work station at the same time. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when processing data is written in the storage medium of the preceding self-propelled conveying means, it is placed on the preceding self-propelled conveying means on the downstream side. A method for controlling transmission of production management information, characterized by updating processing data other than processing data necessary for processing the processed work. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein processing data is written in or read out from a storage medium provided in the self-propelled conveying means via a non-contact type data input / output means. A transmission control method of production control information, which is characterized by the above.