JPH04240031A - Machine kind control system in assembly line - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To surely select the part to be assembled to the work becoming an assembly object in each assembly process, in the assembly line where the works in multi-kinds are flowed with their mixing. CONSTITUTION:Respectively different discrimination display 19 is imparted to each carrier 5 which transfers a work W in order individually to each assembly process 7 of a main line 2. In the case of the work W being supported by the carrier 5 at the upper stream original position 6, the kind of the work W read by a 1st bar code reader 20 and the discrimination display 19 of the carrier 5 read by a 2nd bar code reader 21 are input to a memory device 27 with their corresponding. Thereafter, the discrimination display 19 of the carrier 5 is read by the 3rd bar code reader 22 at the upper stream side of each assembly process 7. The kind of the work W corresponding to a control unit 26 is specified from the memory device 27, and output by an output device 29.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an assembly line in which many types of workpieces flow side by side, and more specifically, an assembly line for reliably selecting and assembling parts corresponding to the type of workpiece in each assembly process. Regarding the model management system.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art A large number of carriers are disposed on an assembly line for automatic transmissions for automobiles. On the assembly line,
A plurality of assembly processes are provided from upstream to downstream, and each carrier sequentially transports each automatic transmission individually supported at the most upstream stage to each assembly process. In each assembly process, parts corresponding to the automatic transmission model on the carrier are assembled one after another. These parts include not only individual parts, but also parts assembled into units on sub-lines that intersect with the main line, and parts stored in parts boxes, such as clutch plates. The one suitable for the machine has been selected in advance. To assemble the parts, change the posture of the automatic transmission. That is, the carrier supports the automatic transmission so that its posture can change, so that in each assembly process, the automatic transmission is optimally positioned for each assembly operation, and then the parts are assembled.

[0003] In this way, the automatic transmission supported by the carrier at the most upstream stage of the main line is removed from the carrier at the most downstream stage, but during the process, including during the assembly of parts, the automatic transmission is It will remain supported by the carrier.

By the way, on an assembly line, many types of products may be assembled at the same time. In this case, many types of automatic transmissions, each supported by a different carrier, coexist on the same assembly line, and in each assembly process, parts that are compatible with each automatic transmission are selected and Model management, which involves assembling parts into the correct model without fail, is essential. Note that the automatic transmission components include many parts, such as clutch plates, that are hardly distinguishable from the outside, even if the models are different.

One method of model management is to sequentially identify the automatic transmission model when the carrier supports the automatic transmission upstream of the main line, and to transmit this information to each downstream assembly process. There is something to do. In each assembly process, predetermined parts are selected according to the order of the automatic transmission models that are transported.

Another method is to directly determine the type of sequential automatic transmission from the automatic transmission upstream of each assembly process. The model of each of these can be read from the stamp on the automatic transmission or the attached label.

[0007] The above-described assembly line model management is not limited to automatic transmissions, but is similarly performed for a wide variety of general workpieces.

[0008]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the case where a workpiece type is determined upstream of an assembly line, for example, if a workpiece on the assembly line is removed from a carrier due to a defect, etc., In this case, the order of the models transmitted in advance is different from the order of the workpieces that actually flow, so there is a risk that parts that should originally be assembled on the removed workpiece will be assembled on the next workpiece, resulting in assembly defects. be.

On the other hand, since the posture of the workpiece changes variously in each assembly process, it is possible to identify the workpiece sequentially upstream of each assembly process by automatically checking stamps, labels, etc. on the workpiece using a reading device, etc. It is difficult to read, and even when done manually, visibility is poor and it is easy to misidentify, and in this case too, there is a risk that parts of other models may be incorporated.

[0010] Therefore, the present invention provides each carrier with an individual discrimination display, associates the two when the carrier supports a workpiece, and thereafter identifies the carrier and specifies the model of the workpiece. The object of the present invention is to provide a model management system for an assembly line that can ensure that parts selected in an assembly process correspond to workpieces to be assembled.

[0011]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and is provided with a plurality of carriers for transporting workpieces along a main line, and provides for the workpieces to be individually supported and transported by the carriers. On the other hand, in an assembly line where parts are assembled sequentially in each assembly process on the main line, different identification displays are placed on each carrier at approximately the same position, and a first input is provided upstream of the main line to read the model of the workpiece. The device, a second input device that reads the identification display of the carrier that supports the workpiece upstream of the main line, and inputs from the first input device and the second input device to determine the model of the workpiece and the carrier. A storage device that stores the data in correspondence with each other, a third input device that is disposed upstream of each assembly process and reads the identification display of each carrier, and stores the workpieces corresponding to the carriers based on the input from the third input device. The present invention is characterized in that it includes a control device that specifies from the device, and an output device that outputs the model of the workpiece based on a signal from the control device.

0012

[Operation] Based on the above configuration, when each carrier to which a different discrimination display is attached individually supports a workpiece upstream of the main line, by associating the discrimination display of this carrier with the model of the workpiece. , the correspondence between the two is maintained as long as the carrier supports the workpiece. Therefore, in each assembly process, by reading the identification display on the carrier at each upstream stage, it is possible to identify the model of the next workpiece to be carried in, so it is possible to select in advance the parts that correspond to this model. can.

When reading the identification markings on carriers, the identification markings to be read are affixed to almost the same position on each carrier, unlike stamps or labels on workpieces that change posture frequently. Therefore, as long as the second input device and the third input device are fixed at predetermined positions on the main line of the carrier, these input devices can automatically and reliably read the identification display of each carrier. It is.

[0014] In this way, the carrier and the workpiece are placed one to one.
The model of the workpiece is identified through a carrier that does not change its posture and is easy to identify. Moreover, this identification is automatically performed by an input device upstream of each assembly process, so there is no need for each assembly process. Always ensure that new information about the next workpiece is conveyed after completing the previous assembly process, and confirm this in advance even if the workpiece is removed from the carrier due to a defect, for example. is easy.

[0015]

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, an outline of the assembly line 1 to which the present invention is applied will be explained with reference to FIG.
is formed into a closed loop by a main line 2 and a rear line 3, and a large number of carriers 5 are disposed to travel in a circular manner along these lines.

An original position 6 is set at the most upstream side of the main line 2, and one workpiece W is attached to each carrier 5 at this position. Further, on the downstream side of the original position 6, a large number of assembly processes 7 are provided along the main line 2, in which predetermined parts are assembled one after another onto the workpieces W sequentially conveyed by the carrier 5. ing.

A rear line 3 continuous to the downstream of the main line 2 is provided with, for example, a completion inspection process 9 and a separation process 10, in which the work W separated from the carrier 5 is sent for shipping inspection, while the empty The carrier 5 returns to the original position 6 again and supports another workpiece W.

Next, the carrier 5, which is one of the main components of the present invention, can be of a suspended type as shown in FIG. 3, for example. The rail member 11 for suspending the carrier is formed by laying a channel member having a C-shaped cross section with the opening facing downward above the assembly line 1 and along the channel member. The carrier 5 has a carrier body 12 that engages with the rail member 11 and is equipped with a self-propelled device, and a support part 13 that can be raised and lowered relative to the carrier body 12 is attached to the lower end of the carrier body 12. . A gripping portion 15 for gripping the workpiece W is attached to the support portion 13, and the gripping portion 15 is rotatably supported by a geared motor 16.

Furthermore, a name plate 17 is fixed to each carrier body 12 at approximately the same position. Each nameplate 17 is given a different barcode 19 as an identification display, and each barcode 19 and each carrier 5 are uniquely identified.
It corresponds to 1:1. Each barcode 19 has a carrier 5
Assuming that there are n units, for example, it is sufficient to display each number from 1 to n, and in this case, one carrier 5 can be specified by specifying one number.

Note that the carrier 5 is not limited to a hanging type as shown in FIG. 3, but may also be of a cart type or a conveyor type, for example. That is, any type of carrier 5 can be used as long as it can support the work W in a changeable posture and transport it along the assembly line 1. However, regardless of the format,
A nameplate 17 with a barcode 19 attached thereto can be held without changing its posture.

The first input device, second input device, and third input device, which together with the carrier 5 constitute the main parts of the present invention, are as follows.
As shown in FIG. 1, for example, a first barcode reader 20
, second barcode reader 21, third barcode reader 2
2 can be used.

The first barcode reader 20 and the second barcode reader 21 are both placed at the original position 6 on the main line 2, and the former reads the information on the label attached to the workpiece W by manual operation. The bar code 23 is read, and a completion lamp 20a is connected thereto to indicate whether or not the bar code 23 has been successfully read. On the other hand, the latter is fixed on the main line 2 and reads the barcode 19 on the nameplate 17 of the carrier 5. It is assumed that the barcode 23 on the workpiece W is displayed differently depending on the model of the workpiece W.

The third barcode reader 22 is fixedly disposed upstream of each assembly process 7 provided on the downstream side of the original position 6, and is installed before each carrier 5 carries the workpiece W into each assembly process 7. Then, the bar code 19 of the carrier 5 is read.

Furthermore, each barcode reader 20, 21, 2
2 includes a control device 26 of a computer 25 and a storage device 2.
7 is connected to the control device 26, and an output device 29 disposed in each assembly process 7 is connected to the control device 26.

[0026] The second barcode reader 21 and each third barcode reader 22 are equipped with a reed switch that is turned on and off by a magnet piece fixed to each carrier 5, and this causes the reading to start. and the timing of termination.

Furthermore, it is sufficient to use the same type of second barcode reader 21 and third barcode reader 22, but since the former is limited to the original position 6,
Especially distinguishing it from others.

Next, regarding the operation of the above-mentioned embodiment,
This will be explained along with FIG.

First, the workpiece W is carried from the previous process to the original position 6 of the main line 2, and the barcode 23 on the workpiece W is read by the first barcode reader 20 and stored in the storage device 27. At this time, the completion lamp 20a confirms that normal reading has been performed.

On the other hand, the carrier 5 that has traveled to the original position 6
When passing through the second barcode reader 21, the nameplate 1
Barcode 19 on 7 is read. The second barcode reader 21 has a reed switch activated by a magnetic piece of the carrier 5, and automatically starts and ends reading.

In this way, the barcode 23 and barcode 19 read by the first barcode reader 20 and the second barcode reader 21 are stored in the storage device 27 in a one-to-one correspondence. At the same time, both barcodes 2
The work W marked with 3 and 19 is combined with the carrier 5, and the carrier 5 supports the work W so that its posture can be changed.

Regarding the order of each operation of reading by the first barcode reader 20, reading by the second barcode reader 20, and supporting by the carrier 5, the correspondence between each barcode 23 and 19 and the workpiece W by the carrier 5 are Other types than those described above may be used as long as the support is properly performed.

The carrier 5 that has been associated is moved toward the assembly process 7 downstream from the original position 6, and is read by the third barcode reader 22 upstream of the assembly process 7 as it was by the second barcode reader 21. Similarly, automatically barcode 19
is read. As a result, the control device 26 selects the barcode 23 corresponding to the barcode 19 from the storage device 27, specifies the model of the workpiece W, and then
The model of the workpiece W is output to the assembly process 7 via.

Based on this output, in the assembly process 7,
Since the model of the workpiece W to be transported next can be known in advance, parts to be assembled to the workpiece W can be reliably prepared.

Thereafter, at the upstream stage of each assembly process 7, the type of workpiece to which the parts are to be assembled can be confirmed by reading the barcode 19 in the same manner, and the appropriate parts can be selected and prepared.

Each assembly process 17 can know the parts that differ depending on the model of the work W based on the latest information read by the third barcode reader 22 upstream of each assembly process 7. Even if the workpieces W of different models flow, parts can be surely selected without confusion. Furthermore, even if the workpiece W is removed from the carrier 5 due to a defect during assembly, for example, by inputting this information into the storage device 27,
can be easily dealt with.

[0037] In each assembly process 7, the method of selecting and preparing parts corresponding to the model of the workpiece is, for example, when parts of many models are waiting, the corresponding parts may be selected by lighting a lamp. Alternatively, if an automatic parts feeder is used, the parts to be assembled may be fed one by one.

In the present invention, the barcodes 23 and 19 attached to the workpiece W and the carrier 5 are shown as an example of a discrimination display, and the barcode readers 20, 21 and 22 for reading the barcodes are an example of an input device. It goes without saying that these may be any other values.

[0039]

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention,
In an assembly line equipped with multiple carriers that individually transport workpieces along each assembly process on the main line, each carrier is given a different identification mark at approximately the same position, and a workpiece is placed upstream of the main line. A first input device for reading the type and a second input device for reading the discrimination display of the carrier are disposed, and a third input device for reading the discrimination display is disposed on the upstream side of each assembly process,
By connecting a storage device, a control device, and an output device to these input devices, when a carrier supports a workpiece upstream of the main line, the type of carrier and workpiece can be matched by the first and second input devices. After that, the type of workpiece can be identified by reading the identification display of the carrier with the third input device upstream of each assembly process.In each assembly process, the type of workpiece is identified based on this latest information It is possible to reliably select parts according to the type.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an assembly line.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a carrier.

[Explanation of symbols]

1...assembly line, 2...main line,
5...Carrier, 7...Assembly process, 19...Barcode (discrimination display), 20...First barcode reader (first input device), 21...Second barcode reader (
(second input device), 22...third barcode reader (third input device), 26...control device,
27...Storage device, 29...Output device, W...Work.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An assembly comprising a plurality of carriers that transport workpieces along a main line, and in which parts are sequentially assembled in each assembly process on the main line to the workpieces that are individually supported and transported by the carriers. A first input device for reading the model of the workpiece upstream of the main line; and a first input device for reading the model of the workpiece upstream of the main line; and the carrier supporting the workpiece upstream of the main line. 2nd to read the identification display of
an input device; a storage device that stores the model of the workpiece and the carrier in correspondence based on the input from the first input device and the input from the second input device; and a storage device disposed upstream of each of the assembly steps. a third input device for reading a discrimination display of each carrier; a control device for specifying a workpiece corresponding to the carrier from the storage device based on input from the third input device; An assembly line model management system comprising: an output device that outputs the model of a workpiece in response to a signal.