JPH04244352A - Tray - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To hold many kinds of various information of a workpiece during transfer singly by a tray by mounting a readable/writable memory unit onto the tray. CONSTITUTION:A semiconductor magnetic memory unit 3, possible to read/write information at any time, is mounted onto a tray used in a transfer of an article. In this way, a workpiece and a large amount of information following the workpiece are collectively controlled at the time of transferring the workpiece to promote accuracy and efficiency of transmitting information in an information control system of work, assembly and inspection lines.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tray used for feeding, removing, and transporting workpieces or finished products (hereinafter referred to as "workpieces") in mechanical equipment for processing, assembly, and inspection.

0002

[Prior Art] In conventional machining, assembly, and inspection processes, a worker attaches a memo recording necessary items to a tray to obtain information about a workpiece, transports the workpiece, and processes it in the next process based on the recorded information. , assembly, and inspection.

[0003] Alternatively, in a line using a computer, numbers are assigned to trays using bar codes, the numbers are read by a reading device, and the data is transferred to the line management computer to obtain the necessary data or to register the data. He used the method of

0004

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] However, with the above-mentioned method in which a worker notes the necessary information and transfers it to the next process, not only does it take time to transmit the information, but also the transmission of incorrect information may occur. Was. In addition, since the amount of information that can be stored and transmitted is small with methods using barcodes, the amount of time and number of times a computer must process the information read from the barcode, and the amount of information stored in the computer is also increased. As the number of times, number of barcode readings, and number of workpieces increases, the time, number of times, and amount of information become enormous, which significantly hinders production efficiency. In order to improve efficiency, line management computers need to have high processing power, so in order to manage work and line information,
This was a major cost burden in terms of both hardware and software.

[0005] The present invention solves these conventional problems, and is capable of collectively managing workpieces and a large amount of information associated with them when transporting workpieces, and in an information management system for processing, assembly, and inspection lines. The aim is to improve the accuracy and efficiency of information transmission, as well as to speed up information processing and reduce investment costs in computerized management systems.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The tray of the present invention is characterized in that it is equipped with a readable and writable semiconductor/magnetic storage device.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external view showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the storage unit. In the figure, 1
2 is a tray, 2 is a work holding part, 3 is a storage device, 4 is a circuit board, 5 is a connection part of the circuit board, and 6 is a storage element. The storage device 3 is arranged at a corner of the tray 1, and the tray 1 loaded with a workpiece and transferred exchanges data with a reading/writing device via the storage device 3.

The storage device 3 includes a circuit board 4 on which a storage element 6 is mounted and has a connection part 5. As the storage element, a semiconductor RAM, a non-volatile semiconductor RAM, a magnetic bubble memory, etc. are used. - The connection part 5 is connected to the writing device. Storage device 3 has tray 1
Necessary data regarding the work mounted on the machine is stored.

[0010] In this embodiment, the storage device and the read/write
Although a card edge terminal is used for the connection part with the writing device, a configuration using a pin probe as a contact method is also considered. Furthermore, as a measure against the decrease in reliability due to poor contact, it is also possible to use a storage device that interfaces with a reading/writing device using light or magnetism without contact.

[0011]

As described above, according to the present application, since the tray is equipped with a readable/writable storage device, it is possible to store a wide variety of information about the work being transferred, such as date, number of pieces, lot number, built-in part number, Since processing conditions, inspection data, etc. can be stored on the tray alone, it is possible to manage the workpiece and its accompanying data all at once, and further information regarding the workpiece can be stored between the tray and the computer, processing, assembly, and inspection equipment. High-speed and accurate data transfer is possible at any time. In addition, since the tray itself can hold all the necessary data, it also reduces the burden on computers and processing, assembly, and inspection equipment that read and write data.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an external view showing an embodiment of a tray according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a tray storage device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Tray 2 Work holding part 3. Storage device 4 Circuit board 5　Circuit board connection part 6 Memory element

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A tray (transferable container) used for transporting articles, which is equipped with a semiconductor/magnetic storage device capable of reading and writing information at any time.