JPH07266164A - Control of production facilities and device therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a production facilities control device and its control method, capable of solving any supply delay and supply miss of peculiar parts by improving a work instruction mode to a peculiar parts supply station. CONSTITUTION:Those of basic indicated data of preassembled car types and assembling timing in plural car assembly factories F1 to Rn are sorted by factories and stored in a car assembly scheduled information buffer 35 in a time series manner, and these basic indicated data are fed to both first and second line controllers collectively controlling a production line via four buffers 36, 37, 39 and 40 and thus production control is carried out. Three programming stations 20 to 22 are those where peculiar parts to be required by car types are provided, feeding them to the production line, while the basic indicated data of the buffer 35 are sorted according to whether or not these peculiar parts are required and then stored in the buffers 36 and 37, and on the basis of the basic indicated data of the buffer 36, a command pertaining to the peculiar parts is outputted to a data input-output unit 42.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a production facility control method and apparatus therefor, and more particularly to a plurality of types of products to be produced having the same function in an automobile or the like, which are sequentially conveyed by a conveyance line having a plurality of work stations. However, the present invention relates to a method and a control device for controlling a production facility that processes and assembles each product to be produced.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent automobile manufacturing plants and the like, it is common to produce a plurality of types of products to be produced with the same function (components or component assemblies consisting of a plurality of components) in a common production facility. , In this case, from the host computer
Receive instruction information instructing the type of vehicle to be assembled and the date and time (assembly time, that is, the order of assembly) at multiple vehicle assembly factories that assemble automobile outfits, and make sure that the vehicle assembly time is in time. , Produce the products to be produced and supply them to multiple vehicle assembly plants.

As a production facility for producing the product to be produced, there is provided a work line having a plurality of work stations and a plurality of work pallets in a circulating manner, and the plurality of work stations are respectively machined and assembled. It is often the case that an automatic device for performing the above is provided, and a production facility for producing each production target product set on the work pallet while sequentially transporting the production target product to a plurality of work stations is applied.

It is necessary to produce a plurality of types of production target products corresponding to the vehicle type. However, for some types of production target products of the plurality of types of production target products, the production line At any work station on the way,
It is necessary to assemble special parts that are not required for other types of products to be produced. In order to prepare the special parts according to the production of the product to be produced, in the setup station which is attached to the production facility and is manually operated by the operator, the special parts are selectively taken out from a plurality of kinds of special parts. Therefore, it is necessary to carry the product to a predetermined work station on the transfer line by a trolley or the like, which requires a predetermined preparation period (that is, a reading time). Moreover, since the instruction information from the host computer of the host computer includes only the information about the type of vehicle and its assembly time, conventionally, the operator refers to the prescribed table or list based on the instruction information. Then, the presence / absence of special parts, the type and quantity of the special parts, the required time at the work station, etc. are discriminated, and the special parts are supplied by instructing the setup station.

In the past, at least the instruction information from the host computer of the upper level was not classified and stored in the buffer or the like in the computer on the production facility side according to the presence or absence of special parts. Then
In addition, the fact is that it was not designed to automatically determine the presence or absence of special parts and automatically instruct the preparation stations that depend on manual work by the operator to prepare special parts. Is. Here, for reference, JP-A-3-
Japanese Patent No. 66533 discloses a production facility that assembles products to be produced while transporting a plurality of work stations.
Each time a new work is loaded into each work station,
There is described a display device of an assembly part for displaying an assembly part in each work station on a display means of the work station to prevent erroneous assembly.

[0006]

As described above, a plurality of types of products to be produced having the same function are sequentially conveyed by a conveyer line having a plurality of work stations, while processing or assembling each product to be produced. In the production equipment to perform, like the setup station for supplying special parts, the work instruction system for the setup station that relies on the manual work of the operator is not fully automated, and the supply error of special parts Etc. were likely to occur, which was a bottleneck in improving productivity.

That is, in order to maintain the time-sequentiality of time-series instruction information from the host computer, the computer on the production equipment side sorts and stores the information in an orderly manner according to the presence or absence of special parts. In addition, based on the instruction information, the presence or absence of special parts, the type, quantity, etc. of special parts were discriminated through the operator's judgment work, and the instructions were given to the setup station. There is a problem that parts supply delay, special parts specification error, quantity error, etc. are likely to occur, and production equipment is stopped due to insufficient supply of special parts. An object of the present invention is to provide a production facility control device and a production facility control method capable of improving a work instruction system for a special component supply station and eliminating supply delays and supply errors of special components.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a production equipment control device based on instruction information for instructing a type and a production order of each production target article among a plurality of types of production target articles having the same function.
In a production facility that processes or assembles each product to be produced while sequentially transporting it on a transport line having a plurality of work stations, instruction information storage that receives the instruction information from a higher order command system and stores it in time series Means for receiving instruction information from the instruction information storage means, and determining whether or not a special part is required for the product to be produced, which is instructed by the instruction information, before the production is started, When the means determines that a special part is required, the special part supply station is instructed to supply the special part to a predetermined work station at a time suitable for the production of the product requiring the special part. And a special component supply instructing means.

Here, the judging means includes a first storing means for storing in advance a list of special parts necessary for the production of a part of the plurality of kinds of production target products, and the instruction information storing means. The second storage means for storing the instruction information to be received, which is the instruction information of the product to be produced which does not require the special parts, in a time series, and the instruction information received from the instruction information storage means, which requires the special parts. It may be configured to include a third storage unit that stores the instruction information of the product to be produced in time series (claim 2 dependent on claim 1).

The special component supply instructing means is configured to instruct the special component supplying station based on the instruction information received from the instruction information storing means and the list of special parts received from the first storing means. It may be (claim 3 dependent on claim 2).

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a production line control method, wherein a plurality of types of production target products having the same function are used in a transfer line having a plurality of work stations based on instruction information for instructing the type and production sequence of each production target product. In a method for controlling a production facility for processing or assembling each product to be produced while sequentially transporting the products, the instruction information is received from a higher order command system and stored in a time-series instruction information storage means, and the instruction is stored. Before the production of the production target product instructed by the instruction information read from the information storage means is started, it is determined whether or not the production target product requires a special part, and when the determination requires the special part, the special part is determined. At a time suitable for the production of the product that requires
The special component supply station is instructed to supply the special component to a predetermined work station.

[0012]

In the production facility control apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the plurality of work stations are based on the instruction information for instructing the type and the production sequence of each of the plurality of types of production target products having the same function. The instruction information storage means receives the instruction information from the higher order command system and stores the instruction information in a time series when processing or assembling each product to be produced while sequentially conveying the product with The means receives the instruction information from the instruction information storage means, determines whether or not a special part is required for the product to be produced indicated by the instruction information before starting the production of the product to be produced, and the special component supply instructing means When the determination means determines that a special part is necessary, the special part is supplied to a predetermined work station at a time suitable for the production of a product to be produced that requires the special part,
Instruct the special parts supply station.

As described above, by providing the instruction information storage means, the judging means, and the special component supply instructing means, it is possible to automatically instruct the special component supply station to supply an instruction regarding the supply of the special component. Therefore, in addition to improving the information processing efficiency for making decisions regarding the supply of special parts and outputting instructions, eliminating delays and supply errors of special parts,
The productivity of production equipment can be improved.

In the production equipment control device of claim 2,
The determination means includes a first storage means, a second storage means, and a third storage means, and the first storage means stores the production target products of some of the plurality of types. A list of necessary special parts is stored in advance, and the second storage means stores, in time series, instruction information received from the instruction information storage means, that is, instruction information of a product to be produced that does not require special parts. The third storage means stores instruction information received from the instruction information storage means, that is, instruction information of a product to be produced that requires a special part in time series. In this way, based on the list of special parts stored in the first storage means of the determination means,
Since the special parts can be automatically specified, and the determination means is provided with the second storage means and the third storage means, the instruction information of the product to be produced which does not require the special parts, and the production requiring the special parts. Since the instruction information of the target product can be classified and stored in time series, it is possible to perform control in consideration of the leading time for supplying the special component.

In the production equipment control device of claim 3,
The special component supply instruction means gives an instruction to the special component supply station based on the instruction information received from the instruction information storage means and the list of special parts received from the first storage means. Since the required time can be accurately instructed to the special component supply station, it is possible to eliminate the supply delay and supply error of the special component.

According to the production equipment control method of claim 4,
Based on the instruction information that indicates the type and production order of each production target product of multiple types of production target products, processing each production target product while sequentially transporting it on a transport line having multiple work stations When controlling the production equipment for assembling and assembling, the instruction information is received from the higher order command system, stored in the instruction information storage means in time series, and the production is instructed by the instruction information read from the instruction information storage means. Before starting the production of the target product, determine whether the target product requires special parts, and if the above determination requires special parts, a time suitable for the production of the target product requiring the special parts. To
The special parts supply station is instructed to supply the special parts to a predetermined work station. Similar to claim 1, since it becomes possible to automatically instruct the special component supply station to issue an instruction regarding the supply of the special component, the information processing efficiency for the determination regarding the supply of the special component and the output of the instruction is improved. In addition, it is possible to eliminate delays and mistakes in supply of special parts and improve productivity of production equipment.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment is an example of the case where the present invention is applied to a control device and a control method of a production facility for producing an axle hub unit of a front wheel of an FF type automobile in a vehicle manufacturing plant. Includes a description of production facility control methods. As shown in FIG. 1, the production control command system of an automobile manufacturing factory includes information related to overall production control, information on vehicle body assembly schedules of a plurality of vehicle body assembly plants for assembling automobile bodies, and vehicle body bodies of a plurality of vehicle body painting plants. Various production control information such as painting schedule information, vehicle assembly schedule information of multiple vehicle assembly plants that completes automobiles by fitting outfitting to the vehicle body, delivery schedule information that delivers finished vehicles of multiple vehicle types to the delivery destination, etc. There is provided a host computer 1 which stores

From the host computer 1 via the LAN 2 which is a communication line, a plurality of vehicle body assembly factories, a plurality of vehicle body painting factories, a plurality of vehicle assembly factories, the axle hub unit, suspension device, engine, automatic transmission, etc. The production management information is transferred to the line host computers 3 respectively provided in a plurality of component production factories that produce various components, component assemblies, and device units. Each line host computer 3 is connected to a line controller 4 that controls a production line to be managed, and each line controller 4 controls a plurality of automatic devices on each production line by a PLC (programmable logic controller).
Is connected to a signal line capable of transmitting and receiving 16-bit data.

Next, FIG. 2 to FIG. 2 are diagrams showing the overall construction of a production facility for producing an axle hub unit of a plurality of types of FF type automobiles (this corresponds to a plurality of types of production objects having the same function in this embodiment). This will be described with reference to FIG. Materials on the production line such as the material of the axle hub unit and semi-finished products and finished products will be abbreviated as "workpiece" hereinafter. Figure 2
~ As shown in Figure 4, the first upstream side of the production line
A transfer line 7 and a second transfer line 8 on the downstream side as a production line, which is positioned in series at a downstream end of the transfer line 7, are provided. The first transfer line 7 is provided with twelve work stations (1st to 12st) (see FIG. 3) for performing machining such as machining of works and assembling, and near these work stations (1st to 12st). Is
Various automatic devices 7a to 7l for processing and assembling are provided, and the second transfer line 8 has eight work stations (13st to 2) for machining and assembling workpieces.
0st) (see FIG. 4), and various automatic devices 8a to 8g for processing and assembling are provided near these work stations (13st to 20st).

As shown in FIG. 3, the first transfer line 7 is provided with a pallet circulation path 11 including the work stations (1st to 12st).
1 includes a work pallet transport path 12 including work stations (1st to 12st), and a pallet return pallet transport path 13 that transports a work pallet 9 from a downstream end to an upstream end of the work pallet transport path 12. , 14 work pallets 9 can be arranged in the work pallet transport path 12, and each work pallet 9 is sequentially transported to the downstream side position by a free flow type transport mechanism (not shown). A maximum of 14 work pallets 9 can be arranged in the pallet return pallet transfer path 13, and each work pallet 9 is sequentially transferred to the downstream side position by a free flow type transfer mechanism (not shown). It

As shown in FIG. 4, the second transfer line 8 is provided with a pallet circulation path 14 including the work stations (13st to 20st). The pallet circulation path 14 is a work station (13st to 20st). And a pallet returning pallet transporting path 16 for transporting the work pallet 9 from the downstream end to the upstream end of the working pallet transporting path 15. Eleven work pallets 9 can be arranged, and each work pallet 9 is sequentially transported to a downstream side position by a free-flow type transport mechanism (not shown). A maximum of 14 work pallets 9 can be arranged, and each work pallet 9 is sequentially downstream one by a free-flow type transport mechanism (not shown). It is conveyed to the position.

Further, the work is transferred from the work pallet P at the downstream end of the work pallet transfer path 12 of the first transfer line 7 to the work pallet 9 at the upstream end of the work pallet transfer path 15 of the second transfer line 8. A hanger type transport device 10 is provided for this purpose.
It is operated by the operator via the operation panel 17. Setup stations 20 to 22 for supplying a plurality of types of special parts are provided at a plurality of predetermined work stations of the first and second transfer lines 7 and 8, respectively.
The special parts prepared in 22 are supplied to a plurality of predetermined work stations by a trolley at a time when the work can be produced. Further, a plurality of shooters 23 to 25 for supplying a plurality of parts to the work pallet 9 at the upstream end of the work pallet transport path 15 of the second transport line 8 are also provided.

Next, the first and second transfer lines 7 and 8
The control system will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5 to 12. As shown in FIG. 2, 12 of the first transfer line 7
PLCs 5a to 5l for controlling the set of automatic devices 7a to 7l are provided, and these are connected in sequence so that signals can be transmitted, and are also connected to the first line controller 4a. In addition, the seven automatic devices 8a to 8 of the second transfer line 8
PLCs 6a to 6g for controlling g are provided, which are sequentially connected so that signals can be transmitted, and are also connected to the second line controller 4b. The first line controller 4a and the second line controller 4b are connected to the line host computer 3a.

As shown in FIG. 5, the line host computer 3a has a control program memory 31 in which control programs for various controls described later are stored in advance, a central processing unit 32 (CPU), and a database in which a database is stored in advance. A memory 33, a work memory 34 for storing data of various calculation processing or calculation results, a vehicle assembly schedule information buffer 35 for storing vehicle assembly schedule information supplied from the host computer 1 via the LAN 2, and setup information. The buffer 36 and the setup unnecessary information buffer 37
, Insertion information buffer 38, and confirmation information buffer 39
And a ring buffer 40, which are connected by a bus 41. This line host computer 3
In a, a data input / output device 42 installed in the setup stations 20 to 22, a plug-in data input device 43,
The first line controller 4a and the second line controller 4b are connected by a signal line capable of transmitting and receiving 16-bit data.

As shown in FIG. 6, the vehicle assembly schedule information buffer 35 includes F1 bands to Fn bands corresponding to a plurality of vehicle assembly plants F1 to Fn. Data of vehicle types of vehicles to be assembled in the vehicle assembly factory Fi, data of the date and time (assembly time) of the vehicle assembly start, and data of data reception time are stored in time series. The vehicle type data and the assembling time data of each vehicle assembled in the vehicle will be defined as basic instruction data (this corresponds to instruction information). In addition, the time series means a mode in which the earliest one precedes in the date. In the setup information buffer 36, the setup station 2
Basic instruction data supplied from the vehicle assembly schedule information buffer 35, which is basic instruction data of an automobile of a vehicle type in which special parts need to be set up (prepared) in 0 to 22 in advance, is stored in time series. The special parts are
Due to the convenience of assembly at the vehicle assembly plant, the convenience of transportation to the vehicle assembly plant, etc., it also includes parts that can be attached only to the work of a specific vehicle type, and does not mean only structurally special parts. Absent.

The setup unnecessary information buffer 37 is basic instruction data of an automobile of a vehicle type that does not need to be set up (prepared) in advance at the setup stations 20 to 22, and is a basic instruction supplied from the vehicle assembly schedule information buffer 35. The data is stored in time series. The insertion information buffer 38 is the basic instruction data input from the insertion data input device 43 installed near the line host computer 3a, and is the time when the first and second transfer lines 7 and 8 are relatively busy. In addition, basic instruction data of works of the same function of a plurality of vehicle types that need to be produced independently of vehicle assembly in a vehicle assembly factory is stored in time series. The database 33 includes data on vehicle types that do not need to be set up at the setup stations 20 to 22, data on vehicle types that need to be set up at the setup stations 20 to 22, and a list of special parts in the vehicle types that need to be set up. Data, data of a work station (destination) into which special parts should be loaded, and the like are stored in advance.

The fixed information buffer 39 is basic instruction data transferred from the insertion information buffer 38, the setup information buffer 36, and the setup unnecessary information buffer 37. The basic instruction data that has been determined is stored. The ring buffer 40 is composed of 50 bands of 1st to 50th bands, and the basic instruction data transferred from the definite information buffer 39 is the first band, the second band, the third band, ... 49th band. Band, 50th band, 1st band, 2nd band,
Are stored in this order. In the ring buffer 40, the basic instruction data is transferred from the i-th band to the first line controller 4a with i = 1 to 50, and then the i-th
The basic instruction data from the definite information buffer 39 is written in the band, and immediately after that, the basic instruction data is transferred from the (im) band to the second line controller 4b. In addition, the positive integer m in the above (im)
Is the total number of works (the total number of work pallets 9) on the work pallet transfer path 12 of the first transfer line 7 from the most upstream end to the most downstream end, that is, on the work pallet transfer path 12 In the case of this embodiment, m = 14.

The first line controller 4a is composed of a computer having a control program memory storing a control program, a file memory storing tables and files, a work memory, and a central processing unit (CPU). As shown in FIG. 4, at least the NG flag table 44 for each vehicle type is stored in the file memory,
A work code file 45 for each station for each vehicle type is stored in advance, and a work code sheet 46 described later is stored in the work memory.
There is provided a common memory area for storing the data.

The NG flag table 44 for each vehicle type is
It stores an NG flag for confirming the completion status of the work in a plurality of work stations in the preceding process in each work. For example, the NG flag for all related work stations is initially set, and the NG flag is set every time the work is completed. The NG flag is sequentially reset in the corresponding PLC 5a to 5l. That is, it is configured to confirm the completion of the work at each work station through the NG flag, and prevent the occurrence of troubles such as erroneous processing and erroneous assembly.

Each station work code file 45 for each vehicle type is a table in which work codes obtained by coding the work contents at each work station (1st to 12st) are coded for the works of a plurality of vehicle types. In the example of, the first work station (1st)
The work code indicating the work content of “2” is “1000”, and the work code indicating the work content of the second work station (2st) is “1100”. Each work pallet 9 is provided with an identifier for identifying the pallet number, and each work station is provided with a detector for detecting the pallet number from the identifier. The detection signal of the detector indicates the work Since the PLCs 5a to 5l of the station are input, each PLC 5a to 5l is configured to identify the pallet number of the work pallet 9 conveyed to the work station.

The first line controller 4a receives the basic instruction data from the ring buffer 40 of the line host computer 3a, and at the same time, detects the detection signal from the detector and moves the most upstream part of the first transfer line 7 (first work station).
The pallet number of the work pallet 9 conveyed to the vehicle is detected, the data of the NG flag table 44 for each vehicle and the station work code file 45 for each vehicle are searched to create the data of the work code slip 46 shown in FIG. The data of the work code slip 46 is stored in the common memory area.
The work code slip 46 includes at least data such as a plurality of NG flags, pallet numbers, work codes at a plurality of work stations, and the like.

The plurality of work stations (1st to 1)
2st) a plurality of Ps for controlling the automatic devices 7a to 7l, respectively.
Each of the LCs 5a to 5l has the same function as that of the microcomputer, and has a control program memory, a work memory, and a central processing unit (CPU), and the control program memory corresponds to the work code based on the work code. A control program for controlling the automatic devices 7a to 7l to execute processing and assembling is stored in advance, and as shown in FIG. 7, the work code is transferred from the first line controller 4a to the work memory. A common memory area for storing the data of 46, a common memory area common (same) as the common memory area of the first line controller 4a, and a dedicated memory area for storing a work code of a work to be executed at each work station. And are provided.

The first line controller 4a has a first
When an empty work pallet 9 is transported to the most upstream part of the transport line 7, a command for transferring the basic instruction data is output to the line host computer 3a, and when the basic instruction data is received, the work is performed as described above. After the data of the code form 46 is created and written in the common memory area, the twelve PLCs 5a to 5 controlled by the first line controller 4a
The data of the work code slips 46 are simultaneously and collectively transferred to the common memory area of l. Each of the PLCs 5a to 5l stores the received data of the work code slip 46 in the common memory area, and writes the data of the work code corresponding to the own work station from the data of the work code slip 46 in the dedicated memory area. After that, when the corresponding work pallet 9 and the work are conveyed to the own work station, the work and assembly are automatically performed based on the work and assembly control program corresponding to the work code written in the dedicated memory area. Control the devices 7a-7l.

Above, the first line controller 4a,
The 12 PLCs 5a to 5l that it controls have been described, but the second line controller 4b and the 8 line controllers 6a to 6g that it controls also have the same configuration as the above description, so description thereof will be omitted. . The second line controller 4b creates a work code slip as described above based on the basic instruction data transferred from the ring buffer 40, stores the work code slip data in the common memory area, and then PLC6a-6 of 2 conveyance lines 8
The data of the work code slip is simultaneously transferred to g.

Next, the line host computer 3a
Various controls executed by the above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Incidentally, the reference symbol Si (i = 1, 2, 3, ...) In the flowchart indicates each step. First, the vehicle assembly schedule information buffer 35
The basic instruction data stored in the storage device and the basic instruction data input from the insertion data input device 43 are selectively and time-sequentially input to the insertion information buffer 38, the setup information buffer 36, and the setup unnecessary information buffer 37. The basic instruction data writing process of writing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, by searching the data in the vehicle assembly schedule information buffer 35, the basic instruction data of the vehicle having the highest priority, that is, the earliest in time series, is read from the vehicle assembly schedule information buffer 35 (S1). ), And then the vehicle type is determined based on the read basic instruction data (S
2) Next, the database of the database memory 33 is searched based on the data of the vehicle type, and whether or not a special part is necessary for the work of the specified vehicle type, and a special part when the special part is necessary And the destination (work station to which the special parts should be loaded), etc. are determined (S3).

Next, based on the result of the above search, it is judged whether or not there is a special part (S4). If the judgment is Yes, the list of special parts, the destination, the carry-in time, and the command time are determined. The data is calculated and stored in the work memory 34 (S5). Note that the carry-in time is determined as a time to carry in the special parts to the corresponding work station at a time that is sufficiently in time for the work production time determined from the vehicle assembly time of the basic instruction data, and the command time is the setup station 20. It is the time to instruct the data input / output devices 42 to 42 of the special parts to be set up, and is determined based on the carry-in time and the required setup time.

Next, in S6, the basic instruction data is stored in the setup information buffer 36 in time series,
Then, the process proceeds to S8. The setup station 20-
The basic data is read from the vehicle assembly schedule information buffer 35 in consideration of a time margin corresponding to the setup time in 22. That is, the insertion information buffer 38, the setup information buffer 37, and the setup unnecessary information buffer 36.
Have a sufficient memory capacity. On the other hand, when the determination in S4 is No, the special parts are not required in S7, so the vehicle assembly schedule information buffer 35
The basic instruction data read from is stored in the setup unnecessary information buffer 37 in time series, and then the process proceeds to S8.

Next, in step S8, it is determined whether or not information about the plug-in component (data corresponding to basic instruction data) has been input from the plug-in data input device 43.
If Yes, the information of the plug-in component is stored in the plug-in information buffer 38 in time series (S9), and then the process returns. When the determination in S8 is No, the process directly returns. The routine of FIG. 8 is repeatedly executed every predetermined time. As described above, the basic instruction data is stored in time series in the insertion information buffer 38, the setup information buffer 36, and the setup unnecessary information buffer 37, respectively.

Next, the insertion information buffer 38, the setup information buffer 36, and the setup unnecessary information buffer 37.
The basic information data writing process for the basic information data for writing the basic instruction data in the fixed information buffer 39 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the insertion information buffer 38 and the setup information buffer 3
6 and basic setup data of the setup unnecessary information buffer 37 are searched to find and read the highest priority basic designation data in time series (S20), and then the fixed information buffer 39 is in a memory full state. Instead, it is determined whether data writing is possible (S21). If the determination is No, S21 is repeated while waiting, and if the determination in S21 becomes Yes,
The read basic instruction data is stored in the fixed information buffer 39 in time series, and then the process returns. still,
This routine is also repeatedly executed every predetermined time. As described above, the basic instruction data is stored in the fixed information buffer 39 in time series.

Next, the setup command processing for instructing the data input / output device 42 of the setup stations 20 to 22 to set up the special parts will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, from the work memory 34,
The data regarding the highest priority special component is read (S3
0), based on the command timing data included in the data, it is then determined whether or not it is the command timing (S31).
If No, the process waits and repeats S31. When the command time comes (S31: Yes), the list of special parts, the destination,
A command for instructing the carry-in time is output to the data input / output device 42 and displayed on the display of the data input / output device 42 (S32).

At the setup stations 20 to 22, special parts are prepared based on the instructions displayed on the display, and the work of carrying them to the designated destination by the designated loading time is executed. When the operation is completed, the operator operates any one of the completion notification switches 20a to 22a of the setup stations 20 to 22. Completion signals from the completion notification switches 20a to 22a are supplied to the line host computer 3a by the data input / output device 42. In S33, it is determined whether the setup completion signal has been received, and if the determination is No, the process returns. When the setup completion signal is received (S33: Yes)
), The data relating to the corresponding special part is erased from the work memory 34 (S34), and then the process returns.
If S31 is No, the process may return. As described above, the command relating to the special part is supplied to the setup stations 20 to 22, so that the special part is surely supplied to the predetermined work station at an appropriate time in time for the production of the work.

Next, the basic instruction data is read from the ring buffer 40 of the line host computer 3a, and the first line controller 4a and the second line controller 4 are read.
The read processing to be supplied to b will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. First, the first line controller 4a
The read process for the above will be described. As shown in FIG. 11, first, it is determined whether or not there is a data supply command from the first line controller 4a (S40), and then,
When the determination is Yes (S40: Yes), it is the counter i that indicates the band number from which the basic instruction data is to be read (its count value is i) and is stored in the work memory 34 while being updated. Is incremented (S41), then it is determined whether i = 50, i = 5
When 0, i = 1 is set (S42, S43).

Next, the basic instruction data of the i-th band of the ring buffer 40 is transferred to the first line controller 4a (S44), and then the highest priority basic instruction data of the fixed information buffer 39 is read out and ringed. It is transferred to the i-th band of the buffer 40 (S45), and then returns.
It should be noted that this process is repeatedly executed every predetermined minute time. As described above, the basic instruction data of the ring buffer 40 which is the slowest in time series is the first line controller 4
are sequentially transferred to a.

Next, the read processing for the second line controller 4b will be described. As shown in FIG. 12, first, it is judged whether or not there is a data supply command from the second line controller 4b (S50), , (I
−m) ≦ 0 is determined, and if (i−m) ≦ 0, then (i−m) = 50− | i−m | is set (S5).
1, S52), and then the ring buffer 40th (im)
The basic instruction data of the band is read out, transferred to the second line controller 4b, and then returns. still,
This process is repeatedly executed at the same predetermined minute time intervals as the process of FIG.

As described above, the basic instruction data of the ring buffer 40 is sequentially transferred to the second line controller 4b. The positive integer m in (im) is the number of work pallets 9 on the work pallet transport path 12 of the first transport line 7, that is, the number of works on the work pallet transport path 12. Is a number equivalent to. The number of workpieces in the uppermost stream of the work pallet transport path 15 of the second transport line 8 is a few m with respect to the number of workpieces in the uppermost stream of the work pallet transport path 12 of the first transport line 7. Considering that they are ahead in time series,
With respect to the read position of the basic instruction data supplied to the line controller 4a, the read position of the basic instruction data supplied to the second line controller 4b is set to the number m of the works.
The basic instruction data can be supplied from the ring buffer 40 to the second line controller 4b by offsetting it to the leading side only in time series.

Next, the work code creation and transfer process executed by the first line controller 4a will be described with reference to FIG. First, the first work station (1
In st), it is determined whether or not an empty work pallet 9 is newly set (S60), and if the determination is Yes, S
At 61, a data supply command is output to the line host computer 3a. Next, the basic instruction data is transferred from the line host computer 3a, it is determined whether or not the reception of the basic instruction data is completed (S62), and when the data reception is completed (S62: Yes), the basic instruction data is received in S63. The data of the work code slip corresponding to is created and stored in the common memory area. Next, S64
After the data transfer command is output to the twelve PLCs 5a to 5l controlled by the first line controller 4a, the data of the work code slip 46 is twelve PLCs 5a to 5l.
It is simultaneously transferred to 5l (S65), and then returns. It should be noted that this process is repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals.

Next, the data reception selection production control process executed by each of the PLCs 5a to 5l will be described with reference to FIG. First, it is determined whether or not a data transfer command is received (S70), and if the determination is Yes, the basic instruction data received from the first line controller 4a is stored in the common memory area (S71), and then the corresponding It is determined whether or not the work pallet 9 of the work has arrived at the own work station (S72). When the determination is Yes, the corresponding work code of the work code slip data in the common memory area is stored in the dedicated memory area. Store (S73),
Next, the machining / assembly control program corresponding to the work code in the dedicated memory area is read out to control the automatic devices 7a to 7l of the own work station (S74), and it is determined whether or not the work of machining and assembly is completed (S75). When the processing or assembling work is completed (S75: Yes), a command to transfer the corresponding work pallet 9 to the next station is output to the pallet transfer control device (not shown), and then the process returns.
It should be noted that this process is repeatedly executed every predetermined minute time.

In the second transfer line 8, an empty work pallet 9 is provided at the most upstream end of the work pallet transfer path 15.
Is newly set, and when the work is set on the work pallet 9 by the hanger type transfer device 10, the basic instruction data is transferred from the ring buffer 40 to the second line controller 4b. Since the control thereafter is the same as that in FIGS. 13 and 14, the description with the flowchart is omitted. The operator confirms whether or not the work has been correctly set on the work pallet 9 at the most upstream end of the work pallet transport path 15.

Next, the operation of the production equipment control device and the production equipment control method described above will be described. The line host computer 1 is configured as described above, and basic instruction data received from the host computer 1 which is a higher order instruction system is stored in the vehicle assembly schedule information buffer 35 in time series. , Database 33
By determining the necessity of the special parts based on the data of the above, the basic instruction data of the vehicle assembly schedule information buffer 35 is changed to the setup information buffer 36 according to the presence or absence of the special parts.
And the setup unnecessary information buffer 37, which are configured to be stored in time series, and special parts that need to be prepared prior to the production of workpieces are

Based on the basic instruction data of the information buffer 36 and the data on the special parts stored in the database memory 33, a special part supply command (special parts list, destination, time of arrival) is created, Since it is configured to output to the data input / output device 42 of the setup stations 20 to 22, necessary special parts can be reliably supplied to the required work station at a time suitable for the production of the work. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the production stagnation caused by the delay in supply of the special parts, and it is possible to improve the productivity. Moreover, the command to supply special parts
Setup station 2 without the operator's judgment
Since it is possible to automatically output to 0 to 22, it is possible to accurately and reliably output the command for supplying the special parts without error.
Then, since the basic instruction data of the vehicle type that requires the special parts is stored in the setup information buffer 36 in time series, it becomes easy to control in consideration of the reading time for preparing the special parts.

Regarding the data read from the ring buffer 40, the read position to the second line controller 4b is set to the read position to the first line controller 4a, and the number of works on the work pallet transport path 12 is set. By offsetting to the leading side in chronological order by m,
From the ring buffer 40 to the first line controller 4a
2nd line controller 4b directly without going through
It is now possible to supply basic instruction data to. As a result, the second
There are problems such as a count error of the work on the transfer line 8, a wrong product being produced by wrong processing or assembly due to the count error, and the first and second transfer lines 7 and 8 having to be stopped. I was able to resolve it. In addition, as described above, the read position to the second line controller 4b only needs to be offset by the number m of works on the work pallet transport path 12, so address designation for the read position is also simplified. did.

Finally, as described with reference to FIG. 7, the first line controller 4a is provided with a common memory area, and the PLCs 5a to 5l are provided with a common memory area common to the common memory area and a dedicated memory, respectively. Area, the first line controller 4a is provided with at least each station work code file 45 for each vehicle type, basic instruction data received from the line host computer 3a, and each station work code file 4 for each vehicle type
5, the data of the work code form 46 is created and stored in the common memory area, and then the work code form 46 is created.
Data in the common memory area of PLCs 5a-5l,
At the same time, they are transferred and stored respectively, and in each of the PLCs 5a to 5l, among the data of the work code sheet 46 in each common memory area, only the work code to be performed by the own work station is stored in the dedicated memory area, and the dedicated memory area Since it is configured to control the automatic devices 7a to 7l based on the work code, the first line controller 4a can control the PLC.
It was possible to significantly reduce the load of the transfer processing for transferring the work code to 5a to 5l.

When the first and second transfer lines 7 and 8 are stopped due to some trouble and then the lines are restarted, even if the data of the work code slip 46 is transferred again, the transfer is extremely short. Since it can be done in a short time, the line recovery time can be significantly shortened, and each PLC
5a to 5l, it is possible to store and hold the data of the work code slip 46 in the common memory area of each of them, in which case the line can be restored in a shorter time. The above is the first line controller 4a.
And the PLCs 5a to 5l subordinate thereto, which means that the second line controller 4b and
The same applies to the subordinate PLCs 6a to 6g.

Corresponding relationships between the constituent elements described in the claims of the present application and the constituent elements in the embodiment will be briefly described. Instruction information: Basic instruction data. Higher command system
Host computer 1, LAN 2. Instruction information storage means ... Vehicle assembly schedule information buffer 35. Judgment means ...
Line host computer 3a (in particular, control program memory 31, control of FIG. 8, central processing unit 32, database memory 33). Special parts supply station ... Setup stations 20-22. Special parts supply instruction means
..Line host computer 3a (particularly, control program memory 31, control of FIG. 10, central processing unit 32, work memory 34), data input / output device 42. First storage means ... Database memory 33. Second storage means ...
Setup unnecessary information buffer 37. Third storage means ... Setup information buffer 36.

The above embodiment has been described by taking the case where the present invention is applied to the production equipment including the first and second transfer lines 7 and 8 for producing the axle hub unit in the automobile manufacturing plant as an example. The product is not limited to the axle hub unit, and the present invention can be similarly applied to production equipment in a production factory that produces various products to be produced other than an automobile manufacturing factory.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a production management system of an automobile manufacturing factory according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a production line of an axle hub unit subordinate to the production management system.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a work station and a pallet circulation path of the first transfer line.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a work station and a pallet circulation path of a second transfer line.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a line host computer and its control target.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an information transmission system from a line host computer to related devices.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating contents of information in a line controller and a PLC.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a basic instruction data writing process to buffers 36 to 38.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a basic information writing process for a fixed information buffer.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a setup command process.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a read process to the first line controller.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a read process to a second line controller.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of work code creation and transfer processing in the first line controller.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a data reception selection production control process in each PLC.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Host computer 2 LAN 3a Line host computer 4a, 4b 1st, 2nd line controller 7 1st transfer line 8 2nd transfer line 20-22 Setup station 31 Control program memory 32 Central processing unit 33 Database memory 34 Work memory 35 Vehicle Assembly schedule information buffer 36 Setup information buffer 37 Setup unnecessary information buffer 42 Data input / output device

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. Based on instruction information for instructing the type and production order of each production target product among a plurality of types of production target products having the same function, each of the production target products is sequentially transported by a transport line having a plurality of work stations. In a production facility that processes or assembles products to be produced, an instruction information storage unit that receives the instruction information from a higher order instruction system and stores the instruction information in time series, and the instruction information that receives the instruction information from the instruction information storage unit Before the start of production of the production target product instructed by, the determination means for determining whether the production target product requires special parts, and when the determination means determines that special parts are required,
Special part supply instructing means for instructing the special part supply station to supply the special part to a predetermined work station at a time suitable for the production of a product to be produced requiring the special part, The production equipment control device characterized by. 2. The determination means receives from a first storage means which stores in advance a list of special parts required for production of a part of the plurality of types of production target products, and the instruction information storage means. Second storage means for time-sequentially storing instruction information, which is instruction information of a product to be produced that does not require special parts, and instruction information received from the instruction information storage means, which requires special parts The production facility control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a third storage unit that stores instruction information of the product to be produced in time series. 3. The special component supply instructing means is configured to instruct the special component supply station based on instruction information received from the instruction information storage means and a list of special parts received from the first storage means. The production equipment control device according to claim 2, wherein the production equipment control device is provided. 4. Based on the instruction information for instructing the type and production sequence of each production target product among a plurality of types of production target products having the same function, each of them is sequentially transported by a transport line having a plurality of work stations. In a method of controlling a production facility for processing or assembling a product to be produced, the instruction information received from the higher order command system is stored in the instruction information storage means in time series, and the instruction information read from the instruction information storage means Before the start of production of the production target product instructed in, determine whether the production target product requires special parts, and when the determination requires special parts, the production target product requiring the special parts To supply the special parts to a predetermined work station at a time suitable for production,
A production equipment control method characterized by instructing a special parts supply station.