Production lines utilizing auto guided pallet and production line design support system

Abstract

The present invention is a new manufacturing system which is small one that can mount on a desk and the like. The inventors call it a DTF (Desk Top Factory) such as to mean a small factory. In the present application is described what “DTF” aims at and two main items are described in this report. 1) A manufacturing system having an automatic guided pallet (what is called “AGP”) as an automatic transport system. This AGP system is in harmony with an advantage of conventional two transfer systems of manufacturing lines that is, a flow shop type (what is called “assembly line”), which is suitable for a mass-manufacturing, has the advantage of being able to minimize the distance transferred between each process in the system and a job shop type (there is much to need a batch working) has an advantage of enabling traffic (go and return) between each process. The present invention develops an Automatic Guided Pallet (AGP) that is suitable for one-by-one operation and can traffic (go and return) between each process. The present system can be used in a flexible manufacturing system where the volume of production is relatively low and there are a wide variety of products to be made. 2) A manufacturing line design support system. One embodiment is that firstly, an operator inputs system design requirements of a manufacturing line design such as a working time of each process, an operating rate plant and equipment cost and the like, furthermore, the weight (importance) of each of the above requirements is inputted. Secondly, the system outputs some candidates, respectively. Finally, the system allows the construction of the optimum manufacturing line by simulations.

1 . A manufacturing line having an automatic transport system comprising: 
 an input means for inputting design conditions and the importance of each of said design conditions, said design conditions being a manufacturing line's design that is comprised of an environment of work area and transfer paths connected among said work area;    a calculation means from which candidates of an appropriate manufacturing line are outputted by being calculated from said design conditions and said importance;    a simulation means which simulates said some candidate of said manufacturing line respectively; and    an output means which generates and outputs a program or programs of an optimized manufacturing line.    
   
   
       2 . The manufacturing line having automatic transport system according to  claim 1 , wherein said design conditions include: 
 required working steps for said manufacturing line;    working time of each of said required working steps;    outputted products of said line;    working space available in said work area;    transfer paths connected among said working area; and    investment value.    
   
   
       3 . The manufacturing line having automatic transport system according to  claim 1 , wherein said simulation means simulates a transfer duration among said working area and usage rates of said working space.  
   
   
       4 . A manufacturing line design support system comprising: 
 inputting at least one system design requirement of a manufacturing line design from a group consisting of working time of each process, an operating rate, plant cost or equipment cost;    inputting and applying a weighting factor of importance to said design requirements;    outputting potential candidates of an optimum manufacturing line;    performing performance simulations on said outputted candidates; and    displaying a resultant construction design of the optimum manufacturing line.    
   
   
       5 . An automated production line system comprising: 
 a work area for automated guided pallets (AGP);    automated guided pallets (AGP);    a flow type (FT) control system to guide the automated guided pallets (AGP) around the work area;    a job type (JT) control system to control the specific function performed on the automated guided pallets (AGP) when the automated guided pallets (AGP) are placed at a job site in the work area;    a system controller which harmonizes the functions of the flow type (FT) control system and the a job type (JT) control system so that the two systems wok together at the same time in the work area to optimize output.