JPH02221012A - Tracking in parts assembly line - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce an operator's load by reading out a bar code before branching in tracking when different kinds of parts are carried on the some line, and making a next process work means and facility switching instructions after assembly finish when parts passing is detected in an assembling line. CONSTITUTION:When work W1-W3 are carried in order from a main carrying line 1A. The bar code of individual work is read out in a reader 2 to be sent to a control part 5. Based on this, they are divided into a given branch lines 1B and 1C by a control part 5, and individual qorking instructions are displayed on a display device 6. An operator Kentfield the work carried according to display and conducts assembly. On the other hand, parts passing is detected with a bar code reader 3 provided in each branch, and inputted in the part 5. When this detected signal is received, the working procedure and facility switching in the next process after assemble completion is displayed by the part 5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a tracking method in a parts assembly line, and particularly to a method for sorting different types of parts when they are introduced into the same assembly line.

(Prior Art) As is well known, in parts assembly lines in factories and the like, one assembly line is sometimes used to assemble parts of different types with the intention of increasing the operating efficiency of equipment.

One of the assembly lines mentioned above is an assembly line for automobile engines, and on this assembly line, gasoline engines and diesel engines of approximately the same displacement are assembled.
The process for assembling the cylinder head for each cylinder head is changed, and after assembly is completed, the cylinder heads are transported to the same assembly line again.

Therefore, when assembling such dissimilar parts, the time required for assembly for each engine is generally different, so the time equivalent to the cycle time for each part is set as the moving time of the parts. Branching is being done.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) By the way, in the above-mentioned assembly line, if the order of the engines introduced on the line before branching matches the order of the engines at the time of assembly completion, the next preset Transport management becomes easier when executing work procedures in a process.

However, although the above-mentioned dissimilar parts, in this case the engine model, in other words, the assembly specifications are determined by the operator, the cycle time of each part is different, so the parts after assembly are assembled depending on the order before installation. Since it is impossible to transport an engine that is
As a result, it is necessary to replan the steps for the next process after one assembly is completed in the order of transportation.

In other words, assembly according to the specifications of each part can be performed by branching the assembly line, but after assembly is completed,
The order in which parts are transported differs from before assembly due to differences in cycle time. When setting the procedure for the first process, it is a hassle to determine the order of each part and re-set the procedure according to the specifications. work is required.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to automatically set the work procedure for the next process according to the parts that are transported after assembly is completed, in view of the above-mentioned problems in assembly lines where dissimilar parts are transported. To obtain a tracking method on an assembly line that does not require transport management after assembly is completed.

(Means for Solving the Problem) In order to achieve this object, the present invention introduces different types of parts from the same line and branches to an assembly line where the cycle time required for assembling each part is set, After completing the assembly of each part, in the parts assembly line where it is transferred to the same line again and transported to the next process, before the above branch,
The barcode displaying the specifications for each part is read, and the parts are sorted based on the specifications indicated by the barcode. An assembly work chart according to the specifications is attached to each part, and each of the branched parts is It detects the passage of each part on the assembly line, and also detects the passage of parts on the same line after assembly is completed, and reads the barcode before the branch and the passage of the part on the branched assembly line. If detected, the system instructs the work procedure in the next process and switches the equipment required for that work as soon as it detects the passing of the part after completing one assembly, while reading before the above branch is performed. However, if the passing of parts on the branched assembly line is not detected, the instructions for the above work procedure and instructions for switching equipment required for the work will be suspended until the passing of parts is detected after assembly is completed. This is what we propose to do.

(Function) According to the present invention, the work procedure for each assembled part and instructions for switching the equipment necessary for this procedure are performed in a state that corresponds to each individual part before it is transported to the next process. transported.

(Example) Hereinafter, details of embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the configuration of a parts assembly line used to carry out an embodiment of the present invention.

The assembly line 1 used in this embodiment is the main transport line I
A part of A is branched to form a second branch line IC and a second branch line IC, and the engine (
M1, v2, and v3 (hereinafter referred to as works) are transferred from the right side to the left side in the figure. Furthermore, among these works,
In the case of this embodiment, the workpiece indicated by numeral 1 is a diesel engine.

A first branch line IB from the main transport line IA is located on an extension of the main transport line IA.

The second branch line IC is of a bypass type, and each of these branch lines IB and IC is set to move at a transport speed corresponding to the cycle time required for assembling each workpiece. In the figure, the first branch line IB is configured for gasoline engines, the second branch line IC is configured for diesel engines, and the first branch line 1B is configured for use with diesel engines.
The movement speed is slower.

On the other hand, barcode readers 2.3.4 are arranged near the assembly line mentioned above, and each barcode reader 2.
, 3.4 are placed at locations corresponding to before branching, in each branch line, and at merging positions after branching.

That is, the above-mentioned barcode reader 2.3.4 learns the assembly procedure, so-called specifications, in accordance with the production plan by reading the barcode attached to each workpiece.

The barcode reader 2.3.4 is connected as an input member to the control section 5 of this assembly line.

The above-mentioned control unit 5 is for instructing work procedures and equipment switching in the next process according to each workpiece,
Specifically, the first branch is set according to the content of the barcode read before the first branch, and the assembly procedure for the workpiece in each branch line is set using a display device 6 equipped with a cathode ray tube, as shown in FIG. The passing state of the workpiece is detected by reading the barcode at the branch line, and based on the detection of this passing state, the barcode is read at the merging position after the branch, and the work in the next process is performed. It is designed to instruct the procedure and change of equipment required for this procedure.

That is, the control unit 5 detects the passage of the branched workpiece in each branch line based on the barcode read before the first branch, and when the workpiece passes through the branch line and reaches the merging position, the control unit 5 detects the passage of the branched workpiece in the next process. Instructions are given to change over the work procedure and the equipment necessary for this procedure, and for workpieces that are not detected to have passed through the branch line, they are not allowed to pass through the next process until they reach the merging position. The work procedure and equipment switching instructions are reserved, and the above-mentioned instructions are performed only when the workpiece reaches the merging position. As a result, the order of the workpieces at the merging position is the same as before the branch. Even in the case where the workpieces are different from each other, there is no need to change the work procedure and equipment in the next process according to the transport order of the workpieces at the merging position.

Since the present embodiment has the above-described configuration, the execution procedure will be described below based on the operation of the control section 5 described above.

That is, when the workpieces are sequentially conveyed from the main conveyance line LA, the barcode affixed to each workpiece at a position before branching is read by one of the barcode readers indicated by reference numeral 2.

At this point, the control unit 5 determines the conveyance direction of the work from the read barcode, in other words, whether the work requires branching.In this case, since the work is a diesel engine, the second The guidance to the branch line IC is set, and the next work is guided to the first branch line 1B, and the display device 11 described above is set.
6 displays work instructions from the barcode. Therefore, by viewing the display on the display device 6, the operator can easily identify the work procedure for the workpieces transported to the branch line.

On the other hand, a barcode reader 3 is placed at a predetermined position in each branch, and the barcode 3 detects passage of a workpiece in the branch line.

At this time, 1. For example, if the workpieces v2 and Ii3 are detected on the first branch line IB, which is the branch line with the shorter cycle time, the workpieces v2 and w3 are detected by the barcode reader 4 placed at the merging position. At the time when the barcode is read, the work procedure for the next process and equipment switching instructions for this work are given using a display device H (not shown) arranged in the next process line.

In the above-mentioned detection of passage of the workpiece on the branch line, detection of passage of the leader v1 on the second branch line.

When the work is performed after the above-mentioned works W2 and w3.

In other words, if the passage in the branch line is not detected due to the transport order before the branch, instructions for work procedures and equipment switching in the next process line will be sent to this work v.
1 is held until it reaches the merging position. Therefore, in the entire engine assembly process, at the stage when the workpieces being worked on the branch line finish their work and are transferred to the next work process, only the workpieces that have actually been assembled on the branch line are Instructions for the work procedure, etc. for the next process will be given, thereby making it possible to match the work procedure for the next process with the work to be transferred to the next process line.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the present invention, when conveying workpieces with different cycle times using a branch line, the work procedure and equipment switching for the workpiece in the next process can be changed from the branch line after the actual work is completed. Since this can be done in accordance with the order of the workpieces that have arrived at the merging position, there is no need to manage the transport status of each component that is transported in a fully assembled state, thereby reducing the burden on the operator other than work. It becomes possible to do so.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a parts assembly line to which a tracking method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a model diagram showing a part of a control section in the assembly line shown in FIG. 1... Assembly line, IA... 1st branch line, IB
...Second branch line, 2.3.4...Barcode reader, 5...Control unit, 6...Display device.

Claims (1)

[Claims] Introducing different types of parts from the same line, branching to an assembly line with a set cycle time required for assembling each part, and returning to the same line again after completing the assembly of each part. On the parts assembly line that transports the parts to the next process, before the above branching, the barcode displaying the specifications of each part is read, and the parts are sorted based on the specifications indicated by this barcode. An assembly work chart according to the specifications is attached to the parts, and the passage of each part on each of the branched assembly lines mentioned above is detected, as well as the passage of parts on the same line after assembly is completed. If the barcode is read and the passing of a part on the branched assembly line is detected, the moment the passing of the part is detected after assembly is completed, instructions on the work procedure for the next process and the time required for that work will be sent. On the other hand, if the passage of parts on the branched assembly line is not detected even though the reading is performed before the above branch, the instruction for the above work procedure and the equipment required for the work are given. A tracking method for a parts assembly line, characterized in that a switching instruction is withheld until the passage of a part is detected after assembly is completed.