MATERIAL-LOADING CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20130144430A1
• Filed: 02/07/2012
• Published: 06/06/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Askey Computer Corporation (ASUSTek Computer, Inc.), Askey Technology Jiangsu Ltd (ASUSTek Computer, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Askey Computer Corporation (ASUSTek Computer, Inc.), Askey Technology Jiangsu Ltd (ASUSTek Computer, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hsieh, Ching-Feng, Tao, Ya-Jun, Lee, Shu-Yen
• Application Number:
  US13/368,014
• Publication Number:
  US 20130144430A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/225
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/41815 characterised by the cooperation between machine tools, manipulators and conveyor or other workpiece supply system, workcell
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32391 Machining center, pallet stocker, setup station, conveyor, control unit
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/40554 Object recognition to track object on conveyor
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/67276 Production flow monitoring, e.g. for increasing throughput program-control systems per se G05B19/00, e.g. total factory control G05B19/418
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A material-loading control system and method are disclosed for controlling a track conveyor on a production line through a control unit. When materials are to be loaded, production information is first obtained from a production management system, and information of a tray to be loaded, information of a feeder in which the tray is loaded, and information of a corresponding station are identified. The various information are compared with the production information obtained to see whether they are matched or not. If they are not matched, the control unit is instructed to power off the track conveyor to stop the operation of the track conveyor. In addition, during subsequent production process, if a material-tossing action is detected in the production line, then the control unit is instructed to stop the operation of the track conveyor, thereby ensuring the correctness of tray changing and reducing the error rate in material loading.

Claims

1. A material-loading control system connectible to a production management system and a track conveyor for controlling material loading in a production line , the material-loading control system comprising:

a production management unit connected with the production management system for receiving production information about the production line obtained in the production management system, the production information including information of a tray to be loaded, information of a feeder in which the tray is loaded, and information of a station corresponding to the feeder;

an identifying unit connected with the production management system for identifying the information of the tray, the information of the feeder, and the information of the station;

a comparing unit connected with the identifying unit for comparing the information of the tray, the information of the feeder, and the information of the station identified by the identifying unit with the production information received by the production management unit and outputting a comparison signal; and

a control unit connected with the track conveyor and the comparing unit for controlling the track conveyor based on the comparison signal of the comparing unit.

2. The material-loading control system of claim 1, wherein the track conveyor includes a track motor for powering on and off the track conveyor.

3. The material-loading control system of claim 2, wherein when the information of the tray, the information of the feeder, and the information of the station identified by the identifying unit do not match the production information received by the production management unit, the comparison signal outputted to the control unit instructs the control unit to power off the track motor.

4. The material-loading control system of claim 1, further comprising a detecting unit for detecting a material-tossing action in the production line.

5. The material-loading control system of claim 4, wherein when the material-tossing action is detected in the production line by the detecting unit, a signal is outputted to the control unit to instruct the control unit to power off the track conveyor.

6. A material-loading control method applicable to a production management system for controlling material loading in a production line, the production line being equipped with a track conveyor and a control unit, the material-loading control method comprising:

receiving production information about the production line obtained in the production management system, the production information including information of a tray to be loaded, information of a feeder in which the tray is loaded, and information of a station corresponding to the feeder;

identifying the information of the tray, the information of the feeder, and the information of the station;

comparing the identified information of the tray, the identified information of the feeder, and the identified information of the station with the production information obtained by the production management system and outputting a comparison signal; and

controlling the track conveyor based on the comparison signal.

7. The material-loading control method of claim 6, wherein the track conveyor includes a track motor for powering on and off the track conveyor.

8. The material-loading control method of claim 7, wherein when the identified information of the tray, the identified information of the feeder, and the identified information of the station do not match the production information obtained in the production management system, the comparison signal is outputted to the control unit to instruct the control unit to power off the track motor.

9. The material-loading control method of claim 6, further comprising detecting a material-tossing action in the production line during a production process.

10. The material-loading control method of claim 9, wherein when the material-tossing action is detected in the production line, a signal is outputted to the control unit to instruct the control unit to power off the track conveyor.