JPH0440145B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a flexible manufac- turing system (hereinafter referred to as FMS) for machine tools.
The present invention relates to a multi-step processing apparatus in FMS, which is applied when performing so-called transition processing in which a workpiece is divided into multiple steps and sequentially processed to complete the process.

<Conventional technology> Conventionally, FMS in machine tools is operated based on the machining schedule and setup schedule for workpieces or workpiece pallets that have already been determined. Even when post-process processing is completed and transport is possible, the transport vehicle often performs other operations based on the above schedule, and transport efficiency is not necessarily taken into account.

Furthermore, when emergency processing such as interrupt processing is required, data is uploaded to the upstream central control unit (host computer) and processing schedules and setup schedules are rearranged.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, in the prior art described above, there are many operations in which workpieces are temporarily placed on standby in the pallet stocker. In other words, waiting time increases, and processing efficiency is not necessarily improved. Furthermore, in interrupt processing and emergency processing, processing schedules and setup schedules must be rearranged, resulting in a lack of flexibility.

The purpose of the present invention was proposed in order to solve the problem in view of the above circumstances, and the purpose of the present invention is to perform control that can maximize the transport efficiency of the transport cart in FMS, and to improve the processing efficiency of FMS. The object of the present invention is to provide a multi-step processing device for FMS that increases production efficiency and can flexibly respond to emergency processing such as interrupt processing.

<Means and effects for solving the problem> The present invention provides a request command priority processing means in which the request commands of the final process are given first priority and priorities are given from the subsequent processes in the FMS machining process. It is at the point that I have set. In other words, by transporting workpieces with priority from the exit of the FMS, the workpieces that have been processed are immediately transported out, and the next workpiece can be processed as quickly as possible with as little waiting time as possible. The concrete means for this purpose are a group of machine tools that divide a workpiece to be processed in multiple steps into multiple steps and process them sequentially, a pallet stocker for storing pallets, and a part of the pallet stocker that is installed to store the parts on the pallet. a setup station for attaching a workpiece to the setup station; a transport device that moves between the setup station, the pallet stocker, and the machine tool group to convey and deliver the workpiece; and an input/output means for inputting and outputting requests from the setup station. , the transfer operation procedure of the transfer device is determined based on the input/output means and the machine request commands, and the final process request command is the first.
The feature is that a request command priority processing means is provided for giving priority and giving priority from the subsequent process.

Therefore, by adopting the device of the present invention,
Since workpieces are transported and processed by the transporting device with priority from the exit of the FMS, the workpieces that have been processed are immediately transported, and the next workpiece can be processed as quickly as possible with as little waiting time as possible.

<Example> Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

(1) First, FMS of the machine tool to which the present invention is applied
An outline will be explained below.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an FMS suitable for implementing the present invention.

In Fig. 2, the system is roughly composed of a management department and a work department. Information such as schedule data and setup schedule data is comprehensively understood and managed.

In the work department, NC data sent every moment from the central control device 100 is sequentially transmitted to each machining center 102a, 102b, 102c, and 102.
The NC devices 103a, 103b, 103c and 103d of d receive the data. If the workpiece is to be completed in two processing steps, for example, the first step is performed in the machining center 102a or 102b among the machining centers 12a to 102d.
The second process is performed in the machining center 102c or 102d. In this embodiment, up to four processes are possible, but of course it is possible to add more processes, and the process is not limited to this. Along with the central controller 100, the main controller 101 and NC devices 103a, 103b,
103c and 103d are linked to the optical data highway 104 and provide necessary information via an NLU (Network Linkage Unit).
NC data is imported as and when required.

The main controller 101 also controls a transport vehicle 11 that transports a pallet P on which a workpiece W is placed.
0 is connected to a conveyance control device 106 that directly controls the conveyance control device 106. Furthermore, the main control device 101 is a PC device (referred to as a programmable controller) 108a, 108b, 10 of each machining center 102a, 102b, 102c, and 102d.
It also controls the transmission and reception of request signals from the machine side connected to terminals 8c and 108d, command signals from the central control unit 100, and the like.

A plurality of pallets P for storing raw materials or processed products are placed on the pallet stocker 107. Palette Stockka 10
Setup tables 109 are provided at several locations of 7, and an operator performs setup work for mounting workpieces to be processed on the pallet P on the setup tables 109, which are setup stations.

The pallet with workpieces P set up on the set-up table 109 is transported to and from various locations by a transport cart 110 controlled by the transport control device 106, which moves along the transport line 105.

On the other hand, the field terminal 111 is connected to the NLU,
A worker sends request commands, management data, etc. to the central control device 100 by hitting the keyboard of the field terminal device 111.

In the FMS as shown in FIG. 2, processing is carried out using the machining centers 102a and 102b, which are NC machine tools, in the first process and the machining centers 102c and 102d in the second process. (For example, a request for setup by a worker, etc.) and a multi-step processing device that improves the service processing method of a transport vehicle 110 that transports work pallets in response to request commands output from each machining center 102a to 102d, etc. ,
In the FMS machining process, a request command priority processing means is provided in which the request command for the final process is given first priority and priority is given from the subsequent process. In other words, by preferentially transporting workpieces from the exit of the FMS machining process, the workpieces that have been processed can be transported immediately.
This is a multi-step processing device designed to process the next workpiece as quickly as possible with as little waiting time as possible.

(2) The basic concept of priority processing of request commands, which is a feature of the present invention, is explained, in which the request commands of the final process are given first priority and priorities are given from the subsequent processes.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the priority order of pallet transport requests, and shows the pallet P transport order of the transport vehicle 110 in relation to the pallet stocker 107, the setup table 109, and the machining centers 102a to 102d for the first and second processes. It is a model diagram.

Moreover, FIG. 3 shows a series of flowcharts of work pallets subjected to multi-step processing in FMS. When the required pallet P is requested to be set up from the pallet stocker 107 to the setup stand 109, the pallet P is conveyed to the setup stand 109 by the conveyor cart 110, and when a workpiece that has been processed is received, the workpiece is removed and the next work is carried out. The material workpiece to be processed is attached by the worker's hands. Next, the pallet P is transported from the setup table 109 to the machining center M-1 for the first process or via the pallet stocker 107 to the machining center M-1.
is transported. Next, from the first process machining center M-1 to the second process machining center M
-2 or via the pallet stocker 107 to the machining center M-2. The pallet P is conveyed from the second process machining center M-2 to the setup table 109 or via the pallet stocker 107, and the completed workpiece is removed. When a normal workpiece is attached, it is transported to a predetermined pallet stocker 107.

In this flow of pallet conveyance, the present invention adds priority for loading and unloading in the n-th process of the total number N of processing processes. Export; (N
−n)×2+2, import; defined as (N−n)×2+3.

Also, regarding the setup table, when unloading, use the above formula as n =
0, rank 1 at the time of delivery.

Based on this definition, in this example, the total number of processing steps N = 2, the order of carry-out and carry-in of the second process (n = 2) is 2 and 3, respectively, and
=1), the order of carry-out and carry-in is 4 and 5, respectively. The carry-in order of the setup table is prioritized as 1, and the carry-out order is prioritized as 6.

That is, in FIG. 3, the order in which the pallets P are carried from the machining center M-2 or from the pallet stocker 107 to the setup table 19 is 1, and the order in which the pallets P are carried out from the machining center M-2 in the second process to the setup table 109 or to the pallet stocker 107 is 1. The order in which the pallet P is transported to the machining center M-2 for the second process is 3. Further, the pallet P is transferred from the first process machining center M-1 to the second process M-
2 or to the pallet stocker 107 is 4, the order in which the pallet P is carried to the machining center M-1 of the first process is 5, and the pallet P is carried out from the setup table 109 to the machining center M-1 of the first process or to the pallet stocker 107. The ranking will be 6. In this way, the request command for the final process is given first priority, and priorities are given from subsequent processes.

In other words, the aim is to immediately carry out workpieces that have been processed, promote continuous workpiece processing, and improve system operation.

(3) Next, the specific structure of the present invention will be explained.

FIG. 1 is a control block diagram illustrating the configuration of the present invention.

In Figure 1, the central control unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU)
) 100 to which the entire FMS line explained in FIG. 2 is connected. Therefore, details of the FMS line will be omitted. In this embodiment, four machining centers, which are machine tools, are used, and the machining centers 102a (MC1-1), 10
2b (MC1-2) is the first process, machining center 102c (MC2-1), 102d (MC2-
The case where 2) is used as the second step will be explained. 100 CPUs and 1 keyboard with screen
11 (referred to as a field terminal in FIG. 2) is connected via an input/output device 111a, and an operator uses this keyboard with screen 111 to issue commands for loading and unloading pallets on the setup table 109. is input.

If a setup board import request command is issued now, AND gates 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 will be
A bit signal is set at gate 9. The bit signal opens the AND gate 9, and the ranking data P=1 stored in the ranking data register 1 passes through the AND gate 9 and is fetched into the OR gate 19. =1 is transmitted to the transport vehicle operation program memory 22 via the ranking data selection circuit 22a.

Next, when a second process discharge request command is issued, bit signals are set at AND gates 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, respectively. A bit signal is set to AND gates 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 for the second process carry-in request command, a bit signal is set to AND gates 6, 7, and 8 for the first process carry-out request command, and a bit signal is set to AND gates 6, 7, and 8 for the first process carry-in request command. A bit signal is set at AND gates 7 and 8, and a bit signal is set at AND gate 8 for the setup table carry-out request command.

In the AND gate 4, even if a second process carry-out request command is issued while a setup table carry-in request command is issued, the AND gate 4 remains closed and the bit signal cannot pass through. That is, when a setup table carry-in request command is issued, the command is executed with priority. Therefore, when a setup table carry-in request command is issued, the above-mentioned AND gate 9 sends out the ranking data P=1. If there is no setup table carry-in request command, when a second process carry-out command is issued to execute the second priority, the AND gate 4 opens, the bit signal goes up, and the second process data is transferred from the AND gate 10. n=2 is sent. In the AND gate 5, while the setup table carry-in request command and the second process carry-out request command are being issued, even if there is a second process carry-in request command, it cannot pass through. In other words, when there is no upper request command, the second process import request command is AND gate 5.
It passed and was put into action as the 3rd priority ranking.
The AND gate 6 allows the first process carry-out request command to pass if the setup table carry-in request command, the second process carry-in request command, and the second process carry-in request command have not been issued. The AND gate 7 allows the first process carry-in request command to pass if the setup table carry-in request command, the second process carry-out request command, the second process carry-in request command, and the first process carry-out request command have not been issued. The AND gate 8 outputs a setup table carry-in request command, a second process carry-out request command, a second process carry-in request command, a first process carry-out request command, and a first process carry-out request command.
If none of the process carry-in request commands has been issued, the setup table carry-out request command is passed.

The second process data n=2 is AND gate 1
0, 11, first process data n=1
is fetched into the AND gates 12 and 13, and the setup table carry-out data n=0 is fetched into the AND gate 14 from the setup table carry-out data register 2.

The AND gate 10 opens in response to the second process export request command sent when the above conditions are met, and the second
The process data n=2 is passed through and taken into the OR gate 15.

The AND gate 11 is opened by a second process carry-in request command, and the second process data n=2 is passed through and taken into the OR gate 16.

The AND gate 12 is opened by the first process export request command, and the first process data n=1 is passed through and taken into the OR gate 15. The AND gate 13 opens in response to the first process import request command, allows the first process data n=1 to pass, and then opens the OR gate 1.
Incorporated into 6. The AND gate 14 is opened in response to a setup table carry-out request command, and the setup table carry-out data n=0 is passed through and taken into the OR gate 15.

The second process data n=2, the first process data n=1, and the setup table carry-out data n=0, which are taken into the OR gate 15, are taken into the arithmetic circuit 17, respectively. Second process data n=2 and first process data n taken into OR gate 16
=1 is taken into the arithmetic circuit 18. In addition, the total number of processes stored in the register 3 of the total number of processes N=
2 is taken into arithmetic circuit 17 and arithmetic circuit 18, respectively.

In the arithmetic circuit 17, priority data P=2(N
-n)+2, n=0, 1 and 2 are taken in and 2, 4 and 6 are processed as the rank P.

In the arithmetic circuit 18, P=2(N-n)+3 and N=
2, n=1 and 2 are taken in, and 3 and 5 are processed as the rank P.

Any one of the ranks P=2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 passes through the OR gate 19 and is sent to the transport vehicle operation program via the rank data selection circuit 22a.
The signals are respectively transmitted to the memory 22.

Further, a pallet stocker selection program memory 20 is connected to the CPU 100, and the transport vehicle 110 selects the pallet stocker 10 as needed.
A pallet P is selected from 7 and transported to the setup table 109 or one of the machining centers 102a to 102d. Furthermore, a system operating status file 21 is connected to the CPU 100, and the system operating status file 21 contains information for each element such as the equipment status, pallet status, pallet number, and work status such as MC1-1, transport vehicle, etc. are filed and managed.

A machining schedule file 23 is also connected to the CPU 100, and the machining schedule file 23 includes machining order, pallet No., part name, first
Data is filed and managed for each process NC data and second process NC data.

(4) The operation of pallet conveyance processing according to the apparatus of the present invention will be explained based on the flowchart of FIG.

In FIG. 4, the apparatus of the present invention is started at the stage, and it is determined at the stage whether there is a request to carry the equipment to the setup table.

When the operator inputs a setup request using the screen keyboard 111 in the first stage, a request to carry the setup to the setup platform is notified, and in the second stage, the setup platform that is ranked 1 in the transport vehicle operation program memory 22 is loaded. The operation program is activated and the transport vehicle 110 is moved to either the machining center 102c or 102d.
Alternatively, a pallet is selected from the pallet stocker 107 and carried to the setup table 109.

If there is no request for loading onto the setup table 109a in the second stage, the process advances to the second stage and sets the total number of processes N to a counter n (2 in this embodiment).

Furthermore, in the second stage, it is determined whether there is a request for carrying out from the NC machine in the n-th process, that is, a request for carrying out from the NC machine in the second process. If there is an unloading request from the NC machine of the second process, which is the second order, in the second stage, the second process machine, that is, the machining center 10
The pallet P is carried out from 2c or 102d by a conveyance truck 110. 2nd step NC
If there is no request for carry-out from the machine, the process proceeds to the second stage, where it is determined whether there is a request for carry-in to the NC machine for the second process. If there is a request for import from the second process NC machine, which is the third priority, in the second stage, the second
Process machine, that is, machining center 102c or 1
The pallet P is transported to 02d by the transport vehicle 110.

If there is no request to carry it into the NC machine for the nth process, that is, the second process, the process proceeds to the second stage, and if the process number counter has not reached n=1 in the second stage, then n=N-1 is subtracted in the second stage. The processing is carried out and feedback is fed back to the second stage, and the carrying-out and carrying-in operations in the first step are carried out in the same manner as the carrying-out and carrying-in operations in the second step. That is, the fourth and fifth ranks are processed.

When the process number counter n=1 in the second stage, it is determined in the second stage whether there is a request for unloading from the setup table 109, which is the sixth priority. Setup table 1 at stage 1
If there is an unloading request from 09, the setup table 10 will be set up at the 1st stage.
9, the pallet P is carried out by a carrier 110. If the process ends in the first stage without a request for carrying out from the setup table (first stage), the process ends.

<Effects> The present invention uses FMS for machine tools to divide a workpiece into multiple processes and process them sequentially, giving first priority to the request command of the final process for loading and unloading of pallets, and giving priority to subsequent processes. Because of this, the workpiece that has been machined can be carried out immediately and the next workpiece can be machined as quickly as possible with as little waiting time as possible. Therefore, the machining rate and production efficiency of the system are greatly improved compared to conventional FMS machining.

According to the present invention, the operating procedure of the transport vehicle is improved as the processing efficiency is improved, which leads to an improvement in the operating efficiency of the transport vehicle.

Further, by employing the processing device of the present invention, each NC machine tool has a characteristic of always having a receiving posture in which it is ready to process the next workpiece, thereby increasing the actual operating rate.

Further, according to the present invention, since the operator requests setup or gives instructions for completion depending on the progress status, it is possible to flexibly respond to emergency processing such as interrupt processing.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a control block diagram illustrating the configuration of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a configuration suitable for carrying out the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of FMS. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the priority order of pallet transport requests, and is a model diagram showing the pallet transport order of the carrier vehicle in relation to the pallet stocker, the setup table, and the machining centers for the first and second processes. FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the present invention. 1...Order data register, 2...Setup table unloading data register, 3...Total process number register,
4, 5, 6, 7, 8...and gate, 9, 1
0, 12, 13, 14, ...and gate, 1
5, 16, 19... OR gate, 17, 18... Arithmetic circuit, 22... Transport vehicle operation program memory, 100... CPU, 101... Main controller, 10
2a-102d...machining center, 103a-
103d...NC device, 106...Transportation vehicle control panel,
107...Patsutostotsuka, 108a-108d...
PC device, 109a...Setup table, 110...Transportation truck, 111...Field terminal, keyboard with screen, P
...Palette.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In an FMS having a central processing unit, a group of machine tools that sequentially process workpieces to be machined by dividing them into multiple steps, a pallet stocker that stores pallets, and a machine tool group that sequentially processes workpieces to be machined in multiple processes; a pallet stocker that stores pallets; a setup station for mounting; a conveyance device that moves between the setup station and the pallet stocker and the machine tool group to directly transfer and deliver pallets; and an input/output unit that inputs and outputs requests from the setup station; an input/output means and a calculation means for calculating the transport order of the pallets in accordance with the request commands of the machine tool group, giving first priority to the request commands of the final process in the operation procedure of the conveyance device according to the request commands of the machine tool group; 1. A multi-step processing device for an FMS, characterized in that a selection means is provided for selecting an operation of a conveying device based on a priority order calculated by a calculation means, and the priority for subsequent processes is automatically determined.