JPH0451299B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a manufacturing system, and particularly to a manufacturing system in which a workpiece is subjected to processes such as processing and measurement using a plurality of processing apparatuses.

[Conventional technology]

In recent years, manufacturing systems have placed a large number of processing devices around a conveyance means, transporting workpieces to the most suitable processing device in terms of transportation time and processing time, and handling different work instructions for each lot, even for the same lot. It is required to give different processing instructions such as machining and measurement for each workpiece, and therefore it is necessary to perform tracking control for each workpiece.

A conventional manufacturing system includes a plurality of cascade-connected processing devices that perform predetermined processing on a workpiece, a conveying means for transporting the workpiece from the processing device to another processing device, and a central control device for supplying process instruction data to the device and a transfer instruction to the transfer means, and a transfer means and processing device for transferring a workpiece from a predetermined processing device to another predetermined processing device; The entire process is controlled by one central control device, and processing instruction data is sent from the central control device to individual processing devices as necessary, and the processing devices send a processing completion signal to the central control device when processing is completed. Ta.

Next, a conventional manufacturing system will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional manufacturing system.

The manufacturing system shown in Figure 1 consists of a central control unit
It is configured to include a CPU, cascade-connected processing devices 1 to 4, and a transport means T.

Processing devices 1 to 4 are controlled by control means C1 to C4, respectively.
and processing means M1 to M4. The central control means CPU controls the conveyance means T to move the workpiece B.
Processing means M1 to M of processing apparatuses 1 to 4 to process
Processing means 1 to be conveyed to 4 and processed
-4 control means C1-C4, respectively, processing instruction data S instructing the processing means M1-M4;
Send out. This processing instruction data S includes information to be processed only by each of the processing devices 1 to 4, and when the processing in the processing devices 1 to 4 is completed, which processing device 1 to 4 will be used next. Whether such processing is to be performed or not is sent to the processing devices 1 to 4 to be processed separately by the central processing unit CPU. transported.

Now, the workpiece B _a is processed by processing devices 1 and 4,
An example in which a workpiece B _b is processed by the processing devices 2 and 3 will be described.

First, a transport instruction signal g is sent from the central processing unit CPU.
is supplied to the conveying means T, and the workpiece B _a is conveyed to the take-out position of the processing device 1. Then the central processing unit
The CPU supplies processing instruction data _S1 to the control means C1, processing is performed by the processing means M1, and at the end of the processing, a processing end signal _q1 is transferred to the central processing unit CPU via the control means C1. Since processing of the workpiece B _a takes time, the workpiece B _b is transported and processing is started. For this reason, the central processing unit
The CPU supplies a transport instruction signal g to the transport means T,
The workpiece B _b is transported to the take-out position of the processing device 2. Thereafter, the central processing unit CPU controls the control means C
Processing instruction data S2 is supplied to processing means _M2 , processing is performed by processing means M2, and at the end of the processing, a processing end signal _q2 is supplied to central processing unit CPU via control means C2.

The central processing unit CPU monitors whether the processing end signals q ₁ and q ₂ are supplied, and when the processing end signal q ₁ is supplied, the workpiece processed by the processing device 1 is
A search is made to determine whether the next processing of B _a should be performed in the processing apparatuses 1 to 4, a transfer instruction signal g is supplied to the transfer means T, the transfer is carried to the processing apparatus 4, and then processing instruction data S4 is supplied to the processing apparatus 4. and process it. Similarly, when the processing end signal g ₂ is supplied to the intermediate processing device CPU, a transport instruction signal g is supplied to the transport means T to transport the workpiece B _b to the processing device 3, and then the processing device A processing instruction signal S3 is supplied to the terminal 3 for processing.

When processing of workpieces B _a and B _b is completed, processing end signals q ₄ and q ₃ are sent to the central processing unit in the same way as described above.
After being supplied to the CPU and processing of the workpieces B _a and B _b has been completed, a transport instruction signal g is supplied to the transport means T to transport them.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

In this way, in conventional manufacturing systems, a central control unit performs all controls at once, so
Tracking and controlling workpieces in a situation where multiple workpieces are simultaneously transported to each processing device and conveyance means and where multiple lots are mixed in a complicated manner is difficult.
It has the disadvantage that it requires a large amount of man-hours to manufacture the software due to the control ability on the hardware wafer and the complexity of the software program, and it also requires a large amount of processing time to complete the workpiece. .

Furthermore, if processing equipment is added or removed,
Since it was necessary to review the entire central control unit from both the hardware and software aspects, it had the disadvantage of requiring a lot of correction time and trial time.

[Means for solving problems]

The manufacturing system of the present invention is a manufacturing system consisting of a plurality of cascade-connected processing devices,
Each processing device performs a first processing operation when it is supplied with a conveyance control signal and workpiece data instructing the processing of the workpiece in that stage from the control means of the processing device in the previous stage.
A transport instruction signal is sent to the transport means of the stage concerned, a processing command signal is sent to the processing means of the stage concerned, and a transport control signal is transmitted from the control means of the processing device of the previous stage and the processing of the workpiece at the stage concerned. When uninstructed workpiece data is supplied, a second conveyance instruction signal is sent to the conveyance means of the relevant stage, and the conveyance control signal and the workpiece data supplied from the previous stage are sent as they are to the control means of the next stage processing device. When the processing completion signal is supplied from the processing means of the relevant stage, the third transport instruction signal is sent to the transport means of the relevant stage, and the transport command signal and the correction signal are sent to the control means of the processing device of the next stage. control means for transmitting processed workpiece data, and when a processing instruction signal is supplied from the control means, processes the workpiece according to the workpiece data, and outputs a processing end signal to the control means when the processing is completed. a processing means for transporting the workpiece supplied from the transport means of the preceding processing apparatus when the first transport instruction signal is supplied from the control means; When the workpiece is conveyed to the processing means and a second conveyance instruction signal is supplied from the control means, the workpiece supplied from the previous conveyance means is conveyed to the next conveyance means and a third conveyance instruction signal is supplied. and a transport means for transporting the workpiece processed by the processing means to the next stage transport means when the workpiece is processed by the processing means.

〔Example〕

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

The manufacturing system shown in FIG.
14 are connected in cascade. These processing devices 11-14 are all controlled by control means C11-C.
14, processing means M11 to M14, transport means T11
- Contains T14. Control means C11 to C14
And the transport means T11 to T14 each have the same function. However, processing means M
11 to M14 may all have similar functions, may all have different functions, or may have a mixture of the same and different functions. Such functions include processing functions and measurement processing functions. Examples of processing processing functions include cutting and drilling, and examples of measurement processing functions include dimensional measurement and electromagnetic property measurement. There is. Although such a function is a unique function that is known in advance for each of the processing means M11 to M14, the present invention is not limited to which processing device has what function. .

Next, the operation of the manufacturing system shown in FIG. 2 will be explained.

Now, the workpiece data D _a for the workpiece B _a instructs the processing devices 11 and 14 to process the workpiece B a.
The workpiece data D _a for B _b is the processing equipment 12, 1
An example in which the processing in Step 3 is instructed will be explained.

First, the control means 11 is supplied with the transport control signal f and the workpiece data D _a . As a result, the control means 11 supplies the transport instruction signal g ₁ to the transport means T11 since the workpiece data D _a instructs processing in the processing device 11, and the processing instruction signal p ₁ is supplied to the processing means M1.
Supply to 1. The conveying means T11 conveys the workpiece B _a supplied from the previous stage to the processing means M11, the processing means M11 processes the workpiece B _a , and at the end of the process, a process end signal p ₂ is sent to the control means C1.
1.

Assuming that the transport control signal f and the workpiece data D _b are supplied to the control means C11 before the processing on the workpiece B _a in the processing means M11 is completed.
Since this workpiece data D _b does not instruct processing in the processing device 11, the control means C11 supplies a transport instruction signal g ₂ to the transport means T11, and also sends a transport control signal f and the workpiece data D to the processing device 12. supply _b . Thereby, the workpiece B _b is transported through the transport means T11 and supplied to the processing device 12.

Workpiece data D _b indicates that workpiece B _b is processed by processing device 12.
Since it indicates that the processing is to be performed with
Since the processing and control of the workpiece B _b is performed in the same manner as the processing of the workpiece B _a in the processing device 11, the details will be omitted.

Now, returning to the original topic, the control means C11, which has been supplied with the processing end signal _p2 , sends a transport instruction signal _g3 to the transport means T11 for transporting the workpiece B _a from the processing means M11 to the processing apparatus 12. It transports the workpiece B _a and sends the transport control signal f and the corrected workpiece data D _a to the control means C12. Here, the modified workpiece data D _a
may be modified to indicate that the processing by the processing device 11 has been completed, or may be modified so that it no longer needs to be processed by the processing device 11.

Workpiece data D _a supplied to the control means C12
is instructed to be processed by the processing device 14, and the processing device 1
Since the processing in steps 2 and 13 is not instructed, the workpiece B _a is processed in the processing devices 12 and 13 in the same manner as described above.
It passes through the processing equipment 14 and is processed, and after the processing is completed, it is transported out. The workpiece B _b is similarly processed by the processing device 13 and then transported out.

In addition, in the above explanation, the conveyance control signal f is unidirectional.
Although an example has been shown in which the workpiece data D is transferred and the workpiece B is transported, the data may be transferred and transported in either direction.

Furthermore, although an example has been described which shows which processing device the workpiece data D is processed by, it may also show what kind of processing function the workpiece data D is processed by.

Furthermore, a plurality of processing apparatuses having the same processing function may be provided, and processing may be performed using the available processing apparatuses.

Next, a specific example of the conveyance means and control means shown in FIG. 2 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

The conveyance means T12 shown in FIG. 3 has a conveyance means T11 connected in the front stage and a conveyance means T13 connected in the rear stage. The conveying means T12 includes a loading section 27 and an unloading section 2.
8. Each workpiece detection sensor 2 is installed in the unloading section 19.
1, 22, and 23, from the loading section 27 to the unloading section 2.
A handler section 25 that transfers the workpiece B between the take-out section 28 and the processing means M12, and a stopper section that stops and positions the workpiece B. 26.

The control means C12 shown in FIG.
2, and the stopper section 26.
a stopper control section 33 that controls the handler section 2;
5, a workpiece detection signal input unit 34 that inputs workpiece detection signals from the workpiece detection sensors 21 to 23, and a transport means T.
A transport data input/output unit 35 receives the workpiece data D of the workpiece B sent from the processing means M12 to the transport means T12 and transmits a transport-impossible state signal b, and a processing end signal P2 and transport-impossible state signal b from the processing means M12. A workpiece data input/output unit 37 receives the status signal d and transmits the workpiece data D, and a workpiece data input/output unit 37 transmits the corrected workpiece data D of the workpiece B to be carried out from the transport means T12 to the transport means T13. Disabled status signal g
The conveyance data input/output unit 36 receives the information, and the workpiece detection signal from the workpiece detection signal input unit 34 indicates that the workpiece B has been carried into the conveyance means T12, and the workpiece from the conveyance data input/output unit 35. Judging from the data D, if the workpiece B should be sent to the processing means M12, the stopper section 26 is activated to stop the workpiece B, and the time point when the carry-in impossible state signal d from the processing means M12 is released. , the processing means M12 is instructed to transfer, the workpiece B is transferred to the transport means T12 by a signal from the workpiece detection signal input section 34, and the workpiece is transmitted from the transport data input/output section 35. Conveying means T according to data D
When it is determined that the workpiece B should be sent to the transport means T13, and the transport prohibition state signal g from the transport means T13 is released, the workpiece B is sent to the transport means T13.
Workpiece B to be sent to the transport means T13
Even if it is determined that the carry-in prohibited state signal g is not released, the stopper portion 26 is activated to stop the workpiece B. Then, when the carry-in prohibited state signal g is released, the workpiece is transported to the transport means T13. and to transfer the workpiece B from the processing means M12 onto the transport means T12 when the workpiece B is not present on the transport means T12 after receiving the processing end signal P2 from the processing means M12. and a determining section 38 that instructs to transport the workpiece B to the transport means T13 when the carry-in impossible state signal g is released.

Next, the operation will be explained using the conveyance means shown in FIG. 3 and the control means shown in FIG. 4.

When the unloading status signal b is released,
From the conveying means T11 to the carrying-in section 27 of the conveying means T12
When the workpiece B is carried in, the workpiece detection sensor 21 detects the workpiece B, and the control means C1
2 sends an unloadable status signal b to the control unit C11 at the previous stage. Depending on the workpiece data D received from the control unit C11 when the workpiece B is carried in, the workpiece B is sent to the processing means M12 or the workpiece B is sent to the transport means T13.
If the workpiece B is to be sent to the processing means M12, the workpiece B is stopped by the stopper 26, the workpiece B is detected by the workpiece detection sensor 22, and a carry-in impossible state signal is sent. If d is released, the handler section 25 removes the workpiece B.
At the same time, the workpiece data D including process specifications is transferred from the take-out section 28 to the processing means M12.
2 and cancels the carry-in prohibited state signal b.

When it is determined that the workpiece B is to be sent to the transport means T13 and the carry-in impossible state signal g is released, the stopper part 26 is released and the workpiece B is transferred to the transport means T13 via the carry-out part 29. When the workpiece detection sensor 23 turns ON, the carry-in impossible state signal b is canceled.

When the processing end signal P2 is received by the processing means M12, the judgment unit 38 judges whether the workpiece B can be carried onto the transport means T12, and if it is possible, the handler unit 25 moves the workpiece B from the processing means M12 onto the transport means T12. Transfer workpiece B. Transport means T
The workpiece B transferred onto the workpiece 12 is conveyed to the conveyance means T13 by releasing the stopper portion 26 when the carry-in prohibited state signal g is cancelled.

〔Effect of the invention〕

In the manufacturing system of the present invention, instead of providing the conveying means separately from the cascade-connected multiple stages of processing equipment,
By installing it in each processing device, even if the number of processing steps increases or decreases, there is no need to replace the transportation means depending on the length of the transportation means, so it is easy to deal with increases or decreases in the number of processing steps. There is an effect that it can be done.

Furthermore, the manufacturing system of the present invention is capable of sequentially transmitting the data to the control means of the first-stage processing device in batches instead of supplying the data instructing processing in the processing device one by one from the central processing unit. Since it is not necessary to perform tracking control for each workpiece, there is an effect that a central processing unit for issuing processing instructions to the processing equipment can be eliminated, and the software for manufacturing can be simplified.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional manufacturing system, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the manufacturing system of the present invention, and FIG. 3 includes a specific example of the conveying means shown in FIG. The perspective view of FIG. 4 is a detailed block diagram showing a specific example of the control means shown in FIG. 2. CPU...Central control means, 1-4, 11-14
...Processing equipment, C1-C4, C11-C14...
Control means, M1-M4, M11-M14...processing means, T, T11-T14...transporting means, B,
B _a , B _b ... Workpiece, D, D _a , D _b ... Workpiece data, f ... Transport control signal, g, g ₁ , g ₂ , g ₃ ...
Transport instruction signal, P1...Processing instruction signal, P2, q ₁
~q ₄ ...Processing end signal, S1-S4...Processing instruction data, 21-23...Workpiece detection sensor, 2
5...Handler section, 26...Stopper section, 27...
... Carrying in section, 28... Taking out section, 29... Carrying out section, 3
1...Transportation control unit, 32...Handler control unit, 3
3...stopper control section, 34...workpiece detection signal input section, 35, 36...conveyance data input/output section,
37... Workpiece data input/output unit, 38... Judgment unit, b, d, g... Carry-in not allowed state signal.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A manufacturing system consisting of multiple stages of processing equipment connected in cascade, each processing equipment receiving a transport control signal from the control means of the processing equipment in the previous stage and a workpiece that instructs processing of the workpiece at the relevant stage. A first control function that sends a first conveyance instruction signal to the conveyance means of the relevant stage when data is supplied, and also sends a processing instruction signal to the processing means of the relevant stage, and conveyance from the control means of the processing device of the previous stage. When a control signal and workpiece data that does not instruct the processing of the workpiece at the stage concerned are supplied, a second conveyance instruction signal is sent to the conveyance means of the stage concerned, and the workpiece is conveyed to the control means of the processing device of the next stage. A second control function that sends out the control signal and workpiece data supplied from the previous stage as is, and a third transport instruction signal that sends out a third transport instruction signal to the transport means of the relevant stage when a processing end signal is supplied from the processing means of the relevant stage. and a third control function for sending a transport instruction signal and the corrected workpiece data to the control means of the next-stage processing device; processing means for processing the workpiece in accordance with workpiece data and outputting a processing end signal to the control means when the processing is completed; and a processing device at the previous stage when a first conveyance instruction signal is supplied from the control means. When a second transport instruction signal is supplied from the control means, the workpiece supplied from the previous transport means is transported to the next stage. A manufacturing system comprising: transport means for transporting the workpiece processed by the processing means to the next stage transport means when a third transport instruction signal is supplied.