TITLE
MAINTENANCE ORDER ADWSTMENT SYSTEM FOR
TEXTILE MACHINERY
TECHNICAL FIELD
5 [0001] The present disclosure relates to a maintenance order adjustment
system for textile machinery.
BACKGROUND
[0002] There exists a system including textile machinery that generates
a fiber assembly. For example, Patent Literature (Japanese
10 Unexamined Patent Publication No. H1-183530) describes a system
including a plurality of spinning frames configured to generate yam and
a plurality of auto winders configured to wind yam, as textile machinery
that generates yam as a fiber assembly.
SUMMARY
15 [0003] In the system including textile machinery that generates a fiber
assembly as described above, it is necessary to perform maintenance
such as oiling for individual textile machines. For example, in a step
of generating a fiber assembly, when maintenance of a textile machine
in a subsequent step is performed, the operation states of a textile
20 machine in the subsequent step may affect the operation of the textile
machine in a previous step.
[0004] It is noted that the previous step is not limited to a step
immediately before the subsequent step (a step one step before the
subsequent step) but includes a step two or more steps before the
25 subsequent step. Therefore, when maintenance is performed on a
plurality of textile machines in a subsequent step, it is requested to
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perform maintenance of the textile machines in a subsequent step while
suppressing the effects on the operation of a textile machine in a
previous step.
[0005] The present disclosure is thus aimed to provide a maintenance
5 order adjustment system for textile machinery that can adjust and
present the maintenance order for the plurality oftextile machines in a
subsequent step according to the operation state of a textile machine in a
previous step.
[0006] A maintenance order adjustment system for textile machinery in
10 the present disclosure includes: one or more first textile machines each
configured to perform a first process on a first fiber assembly; a
plurality of second textile machines each configured to be supplied with
a second fiber assembly subjected to the first process by the first textile
machine and perform a second process on the supplied second fiber
15 assembly to generate a third fiber assembly; an operation information
acquisition unit configured to acquire operation information
representing. an operation state of the first textile machine; an order
setting unit configured to determine a maintenance order in performing
maintenance on the second textile machines based on a preset order and
20 adjust the determined maintenance order based on the operation
information acquired by the operation information acquisition unit; and
a presentation unit configured to present the maintenance order adjusted
by the order setting unit.
[0007] According to the present disclosure, the maintenance order for
25 the plurality of textile machines in a subsequent step can be adjusted
and presented according to the operation state of a textile machine in a
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previous step.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic c;onfiguration of a
maintenance order adjustment system according to an embodiment.
5 [0009] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration
around a management control unit that performs a maintenance
order-presenting process.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display screen example on a
display unit.
10 [0011] FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a display screen example on the
display unit.
[0012] FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a display screen example on the
display unit.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the maintenance order-presenting
15 process performed in the management control unit.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a
maintenance order adjustment system according to a modification.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a
maintenance order adjustment system according to another
20 modification.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below
with reference to the drawings. The same elements are denoted by the
same reference signs in the drawings, and an overlapping description
25 will be omitted.
[00 17] A maintenance order adjustment system in the present
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embodiment is a system configured to adjust the maintenance order of
textile machines that process a fiber assembly. The fiber assembly
refers to a textile product or a textile material such as yam, sliver, rover,
lap, web, fabric, and !mit fabric. The fiber assembly may refer to a
5 rover bobbin formed by winding rover, and a yam supply bobbin or a
package formed by winding yam. In the present embodiment, as the
process for a fiber assembly, a process of generating yam from rover,
winding the generated yam to fonn (generate) a yam supply bobbin, and
winding the yam on the yam supply bobbin again to form (generate) a
10 package will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the maintenance order
adjustment system (maintenance order adjustment system for textile
machinery) 1 includes a plurality of spinning frames (first textile
machines) 2, a plurality of auto winders (second textile machines) 3,
and a management device 5. In the present embodiment, three
15 spinning frames 2 and three auto winders 3 are provided. The number
of spinning frames 2 and the number of auto winders 3 are not limited to
three each.
[0018] The spinning frame 2 performs a process of generating yam.
The spinning frame 2 includes a plurality of spinning units 21 and a
20 spinning control device 22. The spinning unit 21 performs a process
(first process) of generating yam from rover and winding the generated
yam to form a yam supply bobbin (second fiber assembly) B. The
spinning unit 21 is supplied with a rover bobbin (first fiber assembly)
formed by winding rover in a not-illustrated roving frame. The
25 spinning control device 22 controls the operation of the plurality of
spinning units 21.
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[00 19] Here, the spinning frame 2 is of a simultaneous doffing type.
Specifically, the spinning frame 2 stocks a plurality of empty bobbins
transferred from a winder unit 31 by a bobbin transfer device 33,
simultaneously sets the empty bobbins on the respective spinning units
5 21, and simultaneously starts yam winding. When winding of yam has
been completed in the respective spinning units 21 and yam supply
bobbins B have been formed, the spinning frame 2 simultaneously doffs
all of the yam supply bobbins B. Subsequently, the spinning frame 2
pulls empty bobbins that have been already stocked out of
10 corresponding trays 33a and simultaneously sets the empty bobbins on
the respective spinning units 21 again and, instead, simultaneously sets
the doffed yam supply bobbins B on the trays 33a.
[0020] The auto winder 3 is supplied with a yam supply bobbin B from
the spinning frame 2 and performs a process (second process) of
15 winding yam from the supplied yam supply bobbin B to fonn a package
(third fiber assembly) P. The auto winder 3 includes a plurality of
winder units 31, a winder control device 32, and a bobbin transfer
device 33. The bobbin transfer device 33 transfers the yam supply
bobbin B set on the tray 33a to the corresponding winder unit 31.
20 [0021] The winder unit 31 unwinds yam from a yam supply bobbin B
to form a package P on which a predetermined length of yam is wound.
The winder control device 32 controls the operation of the plurality of
winder units 31 and the operation of the bobbin transfer device 33.
[0022] Here, for convenience of explanation, the three spinning frames
25 2 are called a spinning frame 2A, a spinning frame 2B, and a spinning
frame 2C. Similarly, the three auto winders 3 are called an auto
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winder 3A, an auto winder 3B, and an auto winder 3C. In the present
embodiment, the bobbin transfer device 33 transfers a yam supply
bobbin B received from one spinning frame 2. Specifically, the
spinning frames 2 are configured such that one auto winder 3 is
5 associated as a supply destination of a yarn supply bobbin B with one
spinning frame 2.
[0023] Specifically, the bobbin transfer device 33 of the auto winder 3A
receives a yarn supply bobbin B from the spinning frame 2A and
transfers the yarn supply bobbin B to the winder unit 31 of the auto
10 winder 3A. The bobbin transfer device 33 of the auto winder 3B
receives a yarn supply bobbin B from the spinning frame 2B and
transfers the yarn supply bobbin B to the winder unit 31 of the auto
winder 3B. The bobbin transfer device 33 of the auto winder 3C
receives a yarn supply bobbin B from the spinning frame 2C and
15 transfers the yarn supply bobbin B to the winder unit 31 of the auto
winder 3C.
[0024] The management device 5 is a device configured to manage the
spinning frames 2 and the auto winders 3 as a whole. The
management device 5 includes a display unit (presentation unit) 51 and
20 a management control unit 52. The management control unit 52 is an
electronic control unit including, for example, a central processing unit
(CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM),
an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM),
and a conununication unit. The management control unit 52 loads a
25 program stored in the ROM onto the RAM and executes the program in
the CPU using numerical values or others stored in the EEPROM to
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execute various processes.
[0025] The management control unit 52 can communicate with the
spinning control device 22 in each spinning frame 2 and the winder
control device 32 in each auto winder 3 through a communication cable
5 L. The management control unit 52 determines a maintenance order in
perfonning maintenance on the plurality of auto winders 3. The
display unit 51 is equipment such as a display that can display
information. The display unit 51 displays (presents) the maintenance
order adjusted by the management control unit 52.
10 [0026] The spinning frames 2A to 2C and the auto winders 3A to 3C are
provided with respective machine numbers for identification. When
managing the spinning frames 2 and the auto winders 3 as a whole, the
management device 5 can identify the spinning frames 2A to 2C and the
auto winders 3A to 3C using the machine numbers.
15 [0027] The details of a maintenance order-presenting process
performed in the management device 5 will now be described. As
shown in FIG. 2, the spinning control device 22 ofthe spinning frame 2
includes an operation information transmission unit 22a. The
operation information transmission unit 22a transmits the operation
20 information representing the operation state of its corresponding
spinning frame 2 to the management device 5 through the
communication cable L.
[0028] Here, the operation information includes a doffing waiting time,
which is the time taken for the spinning frame 2 to doff a yam supply
25 bobbin B next time. The operation information may include
information as to whether the spinning frame 2 (spinning unit 21) is in
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operation or under suspension. The information indicating
under-suspension may include a state in which the operation is
suspended to wait for replacement of bobbins and a state in which the
operation is suspended due to a failure. The operation information
5 may include offline information indicating that communication with the
spinning frame 2 fails. Examples of the failure of communication with
the spinning frame 2 include a communication failure due to the
power-off ofthe spinning frame 2 and a communication failure due to a
malfunction in the communication cable L, for example. The
10 operation information may include, for example, the operation
efficiency in the spinning frame 2, the production volume of yarn, and
the duration of suspension due to a failure.
[0029] The management control unit 52 functionally includes an
operation information acquisition unit 52a, a maintenance cycle storage
15 unit 52b, an order setting unit 52c, and a display control unit 52d. The
operation information acquisition unit 52a acquires the operation
information transmitted from the operation information transmission
units 22a of the spinning frames 2 through the communication cable L.
[0030] The maintenance cycle storage unit 52b stores the maintenance
20 cycle of the auto winders 3. This maintenance cycle is a cycle of
maintenance performed every predetermined cycle preset for the
plurality of auto winders 3A to 3C. For example, the maintenance
cycle is preset based on the operation hours of the auto winders 3.
This maintenance cycle is set for each of the maintenance contents.
25 Specifically, the maintenance contents include, for example, oiling,
parts replacement, and cleaning of the parts of the winder unit 31, and
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oiling, parts replacement, and cleaning of the parts ofthe bobbin
transfer device 33. The maintenance cycle and contents are preset, for
example, by the manufacturer of the auto winders 3.
[0031] The order setting unit 52c determines a maintenance timing (the
5 timing for performing maintenance) in performing maintenance on the
plurality of auto winders 3A to 3C, based on the maintenance cycle
stored in the maintenance cycle storage unit 52b. Here, the order
setting unit 52c can set a timing a predetermined period before the
timing when the maintenance cycle is reached, as the maintenance
10 timing, so as not to exceed the preset maintenance cycle. The
maintenance performed based on the maintenance cycle is hereinafter
referred to as "regular maintenance".
[0032] The order setting unit 52c determines a maintenance order in
perfonning regular maintenance on the plurality of auto winders 3A to
15 3C, based on a preset order. For example, when oiling is to be
performed as regular maintenance on the auto winders 3A to 3C, it is
necessary to determine a maintenance order to allow a maintenance
worker to perform work on the auto winders 3A to 3C in order. For
this purpose, the order setting unit 52c determines a maintenance order
20 based on a preset order. Here, the order setting unit 52c can determine
a maintenance order, for example, using the machine numbers set for
the auto winders 3A to 3B, as the preset order. Alternatively, the order
setting unit 52c may determine a maintenance order according to an
order other than the machine numbers as the preset order.
25 [0033] Here, the maintenance of the auto winders 3 includes irregular
maintenance in addition to regular maintenance. For example, the
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irregular maintenance includes maintenance such as oiling, cleaning, or
parts replacement for a certain auto winder 3 due to individual
differences of the auto winders 3. The information of this irregular
maintenance may be input to the management device 5, for example, by
5 the operator of the auto winders 3 or may be input to the management
device 5, for example, by the winder control device 32 automatically
determining whether irregular maintenance is required. The
information of irregular maintenance input to the management device 5
includes the timing for performing irregular maintenance, information
10 as to a section to be subjected to maintenance, and maintenance
contents.
[0034] The order setting unit 52c adds irregular maintenance in the
maintenance order of regular maintenance, based on the timing for
performing irregular maintenance. The maintenance order of
15 maintenance including regular maintenance and irregular maintenance
is thus determined by the order setting unit 52c.
[0035] In addition, after determining a maintenance order, the order
setting unit 52c adjusts the determined maintenance order, based on the
operation information acquired by the operation information acquisition
20 unit 52a. Specifically, the order setting unit 52c calculates a supply
waiting time, which is the time taken for each spirming frame 2 to
supply a yarn supply bobbin B to each auto winder 3 next time, for each
of the spinning frames 2, based on the operation information. The
order setting unit 52c calculates the supply waiting time, for example,
25 based on at least one of the doffing waiting time included in the
operation information, the time required for winding of the yam supply
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bobbin B in the spinning frame 2, and the time during which the
spinning frame 2 is suspended due to a failure. As long as the
infonnation included in the operation information is used, the order
setting unit 52c may calculate the supply waiting time using information
5 other than the doffing waiting time, the time required for winding of the
yam supply bobbin B in the spinning frame 2, and the time during
which the spinning frame 2 is suspended due to a failure.
[0036] When the maintenance order is to be adjusted, the order setting
unit 52c selects a spinning frame 2 of which calculated supply waiting
1 0 time is a predetermined time or longer, from among the spinning frames
2A to 2C. The order setting unit 52c adjusts the maintenance order
such that maintenance ofthe auto winder 3 associated with the selected
spinning frame 2 as a supply destination of the yam supply bobbin B is
preferentially performed.
15 [0037] The wording "maintenance is preferentially performed" means
that maintenance is performed prior to any other maintenance. More
specifically, the maintenance to be preferentially performed is
accelerated (advanced), or the maintenance other than the maintenance
to be preferentially performed is delayed later than the maintenance to
20 be preferentially performed.
[0038] For example, it is assumed that the maintenance order
determined by the order setting unit 52c is the auto winder 3A, the auto
winder 3B, and the auto winder 3C. It is also assumed that the supply
waiting time of the spinning frame 2B is a predetermined time or longer,
25 and the supply waiting time of the spinning frames 2A and 2C is shorter
than a predetermined time. In this case, since there is time left before a
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yam supply bobbin B is supplied from the spinning frame 2B to the auto
winder 3B, maintenance of the auto winder 3B is performed during this
time, thereby suppressing the effects on the operation of the spinning
frame 2B. Thus, the order setting unit 52c adjusts the maintenance
5 order such that maintenance of the auto winder 3B associated with the
spinning frame 2B with the supply waiting time equal to or longer than
a predetermined time is preferentially performed.
[0039] For example, in the maintenance of the auto winders 3, the
plurality of maintenance contents may be perfonned simultaneously.
10 In this case, when the maintenance order of the auto winders 3 is
adjusted based on the supply waiting time, the order setting unit 52c
may adjust the maintenance order such that the maintenance content that
can be finished within the supply waiting time is preferentially
performed.
15 [0040] For example, it is assumed that the supply waiting time of the
spinning frame 2B is a predetermined time or longer. It is also
assumed that the maintenance of the auto winder 3B includes the
plurality of maintenance contents to be performed simultaneously. In
this case, the order setting unit 52c selects a maintenance content that
20 can be finished within the supply waiting time, from among the plurality
of maintenance contents for the auto winder 3B. The order setting unit
52c may advance the selected maintenance content so that the selected
maintenance content is preferentially performed. Thus, the effects on
the spinning frame 2B by performing maintenance of the auto winder
25 3B can be suppressed.
[0041] For example, the operation information acquisition unit 52a may
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acquire the operation information of a textile machine (for example, the
roving frame) in a step previous to the spinning frame 2. In this case,
the order setting unit 52c may adjust the maintenance order of the auto
winders 3 based on the operation information of the textile machine in
5 the step previous to the spinning frame 2, instead of the operation state
ofthe spinning frame 2. For example, when the roving frame is
suspended for a long time, it can be predicted that the spinning frame 2
will be suspended to wait for supply of rover, although the spinning
frame 2 is in operation at the present moment. For example, when it is
10 predicted that the spinning frame 2B will be suspended in a short time,
the order setting unit 52c may postpone (delay) the maintenance timing
of the auto winder 3B so that performing maintenance ofthe auto
winder 3B does not suspend the operation of the spinning frame 2B.
For example, the order setting unit 52c may adjust the maintenance
15 timing of the auto winder 3B such that the maintenance timing of the
auto winder 3B overlaps the timing when the spinning frame 2B is
suspended, as the timing at which performing maintenance of the auto
winder 3B does not suspend the spinning frame 2B. It is noted that
when the maintenance timing of the auto winder 3 is postponed, the
20 order setting unit 52c sets the timing so as not to exceed the preset
maintenance cycle.
[0042] In addition, the order setting unit 52c further calculates a margin
time that allows the auto winder 3 to be suspended for performing
maintenance, based on the supply waiting time included in the operation
25 infonnation. For example, the order setting unit 52c may set the
supply waiting time as a margin time, or the time obtained by adding or
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subtracting a predetermined time to or from the supply waiting time as a
margin time. The order setting unit 52c may determine a margin time
based on the supply waiting time and information other than the supply
waiting time. Furthermore, the order setting unit 52c may detenuine a
5 margin time based on information other than the supply waiting time
(for example, infonuation as to whether the spinning frame 2 is in
operation or under suspension), rather than using the supply waiting
time included in the operation information.
[0043] The order setting unit 52c repeatedly performs determination of
10 a maintenance order of regular and irregular maintenance of the auto
winders 3 and adjustment of the maintenance order based on the
operation state of the spinning frames 2, every predetermined cycle.
The order setting unit 52c may perform determination of a maintenance
order of the auto winders 3 and adjustment of the maintenance order
15 based on the operation state of the spinning frames 2 in the same cycle
or in different cycles. The operation state of the spinning frames 2
continuously changes. Therefore, the order setting unit 52c may
perform adjustment of the maintenance order based on the operation
state of the spinning frames 2 every predetermined cycle (for example,
20 within 10 minutes) shorter than the cycle of determination of a
maintenance order of the auto winders 3.
[0044] The order setting unit 52c creates schedule data that associates
the determined maintenance timing, the machine number to be
subjected to maintenance, the maintenance order, the maintenance
25 contents, the margin time, and the like. The order setting unit 52c
updates the schedule data, for example, every time the maintenance
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order of the auto winders 3 is adjusted.
[0045] The display control unit 52d converts the schedule data created
by the order setting unit 52c into a predetenuined format to be displayed
on the display unit 51. Every time the schedule data is updated in the
5 order setting unit 52c, the display control unit 52d updates the display
on the display unit 51. The maintenance worker can view the display
unit 51 to grasp, for example, the maintenance order in performing
maintenance on the plurality of auto winders 3.
[0046] For example, the display control unit 52d converts the schedule
10 data into a calendar display format as shown in a screen example SCI in
FIG. 3 to be displayed on the display unit 51. The screen example SCl
in FIG. 3 shows, for example, schedule data in March as of March 3.
In this example, it is shown that there are six maintenance tasks to be
performed on March 12, 20XX, and there are three maintenance tasks to
15 be performed on March 13. In this case, the maintenance worker can
grasp the number and the date of maintenance processes to be
performed.
[0047] Also in the screen example SCl shown in FIG. 3, the
maintenance order adjusted by the order setting unit 52c based on the
20 operation state ofthe spinning frame 2 is reflected. The maintenance
order adjusted by the order setting unit 52c is reflected, for example, in
a case where the maintenance task originally scheduled to be performed
on March 13 based on the maintenance cycle is changed to March 12
based on the operation state of the spinning frame 2.
25 [0048] For example, the display control unit 52d can convert the
schedule data into a table format as shown in a screen example SC2 in
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FIG. 4A and a screen example SC3 in FIG. 4B to be displayed on the
display unit 51. The screen example SC2 shown in FIG. 4A depicts the
details of maintenance items to be performed on a certain date (here,
March 12). The screen example SC3 shown in FIG. 4B depicts all the
5 maintenance items to be performed in March. The screen example
SC2 in FIG. 4A and the screen example SC3 in FIG. 4B depict the
maintenance items as of March 3, in the same manner as the screen
example SC1 shown in FIG. 3. These tables include the machine
numbers of auto winders 3 to work on, maintenance sections (places),
10 maintenance contents, and margin time. The maintenance tasks in the
tables of the screen examples SC2 and SC3 are arranged in the
maintenance order adjusted by the order setting unit 52c. The
maintenance worker can view this table to grasp the maintenance order
of the auto winders 3 determined based on the operation state of the
15 spinning frame 2.
[0049] The display formats of schedule data shown in these screen
samples SC1 to SC3 may be switched, for example, through switching
operation by the maintenance worker. The maintenance worker may
give an instruction for switching the display formats, for example, using
20 a touch panel superimposed on the display unit 51 or may give an
instruction for switching the display formats, for example, using a
switch provided at a section different from the display unit 51. For
example, the screen example SC2 shown in FIG. 4A may be displayed
by touching the portion "March 12" in the calendar display format
25 shown in the screen example SC1 in FIG. 3.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, when the schedule data is
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displayed in a table format, the display control unit 52d may have the
sorting function of sorting the display items (machine numbers, places,
maintenance contents, and margin time) according to a predetermined
rule. The sorting of the display can be performed based on an
5 instruction from the maintenance worker.
[0051] For example, when a large number of spinning frames 2, auto
winders 3, etc. are installed and the factory where they are installed is
large, it takes time for the maintenance worker to move between
machines and between units. In such a case, the maintenance worker,
10 for example, sorts the maintenance items in the order of machine
numbers thereby performing maintenance tasks efficiently in order from
the one closest to the present location. In addition, for example, the
maintenance worker can intensively perform maintenance tasks at the
same place by sorting the maintenance items according to the place of
15 maintenance tasks (maintenance section). For example, the
maintenance worker can perform maintenance tasks in order from the
task with a large margin time by sorting the maintenance items
according to the margin time. In this way, the function of sorting
maintenance items extends a wide variety of assistance in the
20 determination and the maintenance tasks ofthe maintenance worker.
[0052] Here, the margin time shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B is the
margin time calculated as of March 3. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4A
and FIG. 4B, the same machine has the same margin time even when the
maintenance date or the maintenance content varies. Since a
25 maintenance task may be also performed ahead of the adjusted order for
the maintenance item on a future date coming after the present time
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(March 3), the margin time of each machine that is calculated at present
is provided along with the maintenance item.
[0053] In the example shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, for example,
"unit number 1: parts replacement (splicer)" is included as irregular
5 maintenance, in addition to regular maintenance such as "bobbin
replenishing device: cleaning".
[0054] The screen examples in FIG. 3, FIG. 4A, and FIG. 4B are shown
by way of example. The display control unit 52d can create a variety
of display screen data based on the schedule data and display the display
10 screen data on the display unit 51.
[0055] The maintenance order-presenting process performed in the
management control unit 52 will now be described with reference to
FIG. 5. The process shown in FIG. 5 is repeatedly executed every
predetermined cycle as described above. As shown in FIG. 5, the order
15 setting unit 52c determines a maintenance order of maintenance
including regular maintenance and irregular maintenance (S 101 ). The
order setting unit 52c adjusts the determined maintenance order, based
on the supply waiting time, which is the time taken for the spinning
frame 2 to supply a yam supply bobbin B next time (S 1 02). When
20 there exists a spinning frame 2 with the supply waiting time equal to or
longer than a predetermined time, the order setting unit 52c adjusts the
maintenance order. When there exists no spinning frame 2 with the
supply waiting time equal to or longer than a predetermined time, the
maintenance order is not adjusted.
25 [0056] The order setting unit 52c calculates a margin time that allows
the auto winder 3 to be suspended for performing a maintenance process
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on the auto winder 3, based on the supply waiting time (S 103 ). The
order setting unit 52c may calculate a margin time for all maintenance
performed on the auto winder 3 or may calculate a margin time solely
for predetennined maintenance.
5 [0057] The order setting unit 52c creates schedule data based on, for
example, the determined maintenance order or the adjusted maintenance
order (Sl04). The display control unit 52d converts the schedule data
into a predetermined format to be displayed on the display unit 51
(Sl05).
10 [0058] The present embodiment is configured as described above. In
this maintenance order adjustment system 1, the maintenance order of
the auto winders 3 in a subsequent step can be adjusted and presented
according to the operation state of the spinning frame 2 in a previous
step. The maintenance worker therefore can perform maintenance of
15 the auto winders 3 according to the presented maintenance order,
whereby maintenance of the auto winders 3 can be performed while the
effects on the operation state of the spinning frame 2 are reduced.
[0059] The order setting unit 52c calculates the supply waiting time,
which is the time taken for the spinning frame 2 to supply a yam supply
20 bobbin B next time, based on the operation information. The order
setting unit 52c adjusts the maintenance order of auto winders 3 based
on the calculated supply waiting time. For example, when the supply
waiting time is long, suspending the auto winder 3 associated with the
spinning frame 2 with a long supply waiting time and performing
25 maintenance has small effects on the operation of the spinning frame 2.
Thus, the maintenance order is adjusted such that maintenance of the
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auto winder 3 associated with the spinning frame 2 with the supply
waiting time equal to or longer than a predetermined time is
preferentially perfonned, whereby the effects on the operation of the
spinning frame 2 can be suppressed even when the auto winder 3 is
5 suspended and maintenance is performed.
[0060] The order setting unit 52c calculates the margin time that allows
the auto winder 3 to be suspended for performing maintenance. The
display control unit 52d also displays this margin time on the display
unit 51. This enables the maintenance worker to grasp the margin time
10 in performing maintenance of the auto winder 3. For example, when
the maintenance is irregular maintenance and the margin time is short,
the maintenance worker himsel£'herself can determine the timing of
performing maintenance, for example, detennine to perform this
maintenance later, based on the margin time.
15 [0061] The display control unit 52d also displays the maintenance
contents on the display unit 51. In this case, the maintenance worker
can grasp the maintenance contents and the margin time. This enables
the maintenance worker to determine whether maintenance can be
performed within the margin time and then perform maintenance.
20 [0062] For example, in a system including spinning frames 2 and auto
winders 3, the spinning frames 2 may be a rate-determining step for the
production capacity of the entire system. In such a case, it is
detrimental that the maintenance task on the auto winder 3 affects the
operation of the spinning frame 2 (suspend the operation), in terms of
25 production capacity. The maintenance order of auto winders 3 is then
determined based on the operation state of the spinning frame 2, thereby
20
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suppressing reduction in production capacity of the entire system.
[0063] Although an embodiment of the present disclosure has been
described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the foregoing
embodiment. For example, the embodiment described above may be
5 at least partially combined as desired.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 1, the spinning frames 2 are configured such
that one auto winder 3 is associated as a supply destination of yam
supply bobbins B with one spinning frame 2. The embodiment is not
limited to this configuration, and as in a maintenance order adjustment
10 system 1A shown in FIG. 6, the spinning frames 2 may be configured
such that two auto winders 3Aand 3B are associated as supply
destinations of yam supply bobbins B with one spinning frame 2A.
Alternatively, three or more auto winders 3 may be associated with one
spinning frame 2, rather than one or two auto winders 3. As in a
15 maintenance order adjustment system 1B shown in FIG. 7, the plurality
of auto winders 3 may be associated with the plurality of spinning
frames 2, as supply destinations of yam supply bobbins B by the bobbin
transfer device 33.
[0065] The transfer of a yarn supply bobbin B from the spinning frame
20 2 to the winder unit 31 of the auto winder 3 is not limited to the bobbin
transfer device 33 of the auto winder 3. The transfer of a yarn supply
bobbin B from the spinning frame 2 to the auto winder 3 may be
performed, for example, by a device other than the bobbin transfer
device 33 or a worker. Also in this case, one auto winder 3 may be
25 associated with one spinning frame 2, or the plurality of auto winders 3
may be associated with one spinning frame 2, or the plurality of auto
21
FP17-0471-00
winders 3 may be associated with the plurality of spinning frames 2.
Also in these cases, determination, adjustment, etc. of the maintenance
order can be performed in the same manner as in the embodiment.
[0066] The display unit 51 may not be provided in the management
5 device 5. For example, the display unit 51 may be a display unit
provided in the spinning control device 22 or the winder control device
32. Alternatively, the display unit 51 may be a display screen of a
portable tenninal that can be carried by a maintenance worker. In the
example described above, the spinning control device 22 of the spinning
10 frame 2 and the winder control device 32 of the auto winder 3
communicate with the management control unit 52 of the management
device 5 through the communication cable L. Alternatively, the
communication may be performed by radio.
[0067] When the order setting unit 52c adjusts the maintenance order,
15 for example, the maintenance order may be adjusted based on the
present location ofthe maintenance worker, in addition to the operation
information of the spinning frame 2 which is a textile machine in a
previous step. This adjustment based on the present location of the
maintenance worker may be the adjustment considering the moving
20 time for moving to the place where a maintenance task is to be
performed next time (the adjustment to shorten the moving time) when
maintenance tasks are performed successively according to the
maintenance items. The order setting unit 52c can grasp the present
location ofthe maintenance worker, for example, from the machine
25 number ofthe spinning control device 22 or the winder control device
32 currently operated by the maintenance worker, or the positional
22
FP17-0471-00
infonnation of the portable terminal carried by the maintenance worker.
Alternatively, the order setting unit 52c may grasp the present location
of the maintenance worker, for example, from the location where the
maintenance worker has performd input operation to the spinning
5 control device 22, the winder control device 32, or a potable terminal.
In this way, the maintenance worker can efficiently perform
maintenance tasks by adjusting the maintenance order considering the
location of the maintenance worker.
[0068] In the present embodiment, the maintenance order is presented
10 using the display unit 51. Alternatively, the maintenance order may be
presented by a speaker (presentation unit) outputting sound, instead of
the display on the display unit 51.
[0069] In the embodiment, an example in which the maintenance order
of the auto winders 3 is adjusted based on the operation state of the
15 spinning frame 2 has been illustrated by way of example. However,
the embodiment is not limited to the application to the spinning frames
2 and the auto winders 3. For example, the embodiment may be
applied to drawing frames each configured to form a string-shaped
sliver with aligned fibers and spinning frames each configured to spin
20 the sliver generated by the drawing frame to generate yam and wind the
generated yam to form a package P. In this case, the maintenance
order of the spinning frames is adjusted based on the operation state of
the drawing frame. Additionally, the disclosure is not limited to the
application to textile machines that are used in consecutive steps such as
25 the spinning frame and the auto winder or the drawing frame and the
spinning frame that spins yam from the sliver generated by the drawing
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FP17-0471-00
frame. For example, the disclosure may be applied to textile machines
that are used in non-consecutive steps such as a roving frame and an
auto winder.
[0070] In the foregoing embodiment, an example in which the
5 maintenance order of textile machines (spinning frames 2, auto winders
3, etc.) that generate yam is adjusted has been illustrated by way of
example. The embodiment, however, is not limited to this example.
The maintenance order of textile machines (such as carding machine,
drawing frame, fly frame, loom, and knitting machine) that generate a
10 fiber assembly other than yam (sliver, rover, fabric, knit fabric, etc.)
may be adjusted.
[0071] In the present disclosure, the maintenance order adjustment
system for textile machinery, the maintenance order of the plurality of
second textile machines in a subsequent step can be adjusted and then
15 presented according to the operation state of the first textile machine in
a previous step. The maintenance worker therefore can perform
maintenance of the second textile machines according to the presented
maintenance order, whereby maintenance of the second textile machines
can be performed while the effects on the operation state ofthe first
20 textile machine are suppressed. It should be noted that the first textile
machine is not limited to the textile machine that is used in the step
immediately prior to the second textile machines, but may be the textile
machine that is used in the step two or more steps before the second
textile machines.
25 [0072] In the present disclosure, the order setting unit may repeatedly
perform each of determination of a maintenance order of the second
24
FP17-0471-00
textile machines based on a preset order and adjustment of the
determined maintenance order based on the operation information,
every predetermined cycle. Thus, the order setting unit can repeatedly
perform determination and adjustment of the maintenance order.
5 [0073] In the present disclosure, the order setting unit may perform
adjustment ofthe maintenance order based on the operation
information, every cycle shorter than a cycle of determination of a
maintenance order based on a preset order. Thus, even when the
operation state of the spinning frame continuously changes, the order
I 0 setting unit can adjust the maintenance order according to a change in
operation state.
[0074] In the present disclosure, the maintenance order adjustment
system for textile machinery includes a plurality of the first textile
machines, and one or more of the second textile machines may be
15 associated as a supply destination of the second fiber assembly with one
of the first textile machines. The order setting unit may calculate a
supply waiting time based on the operation information, the supply
waiting time being a time taken for the first textile machine to supply
the second fiber assembly to the second textile machine next time.
20 When the maintenance order is adjusted, the order setting unit may
adjust the maintenance order such that maintenance of the second textile
machine associated with the first textile machine with the supply
waiting time equal to or longer than a predetermined time is
preferentially performed. For example, when the supply waiting time
25 is long, suspending the second textile machine during this time and
performing maintenance has small effects on the operation of the first
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FP17-0471-00
textile machine in the previous step. Therefore, the maintenance order
is adjusted such that maintenance of the second textile machine
associated with the first textile machine with the supply waiting time
equal to or longer than a predetermined time is preferentially performed,
5 whereby the effects on the operation of the first textile machine in the
previous step can be suppressed even when the second textile machine
is suspended and maintenance is performed.
[0075] In the present disclosure, the order setting unit may further
calculate a margin time that allows the second textile machine to be
10 suspended for performing maintenance of the second textile machine,
based on the supply waiting time. The presentation unit may further
present the margin time calculated by the order setting unit. In this
case, the maintenance worker can grasp the margin time in performing
maintenance.
15 [0076] In the present disclosure, when there exists a plurality of
maintenance contents to be performed on the second textile machine,
the order setting unit may adjust the maintenance order such that a
maintenance content to be finished within the supply waiting time is
preferentially performed. Thus, the effects on the operation of the first
20 textile machine can be suppressed even when maintenance of the second
textile machine is performed.
[0077] In the present disclosure, the order setting unit may further
adjust the maintenance order based on a present location of a
maintenance worker. This enables the maintenance worker to perform
25 maintenance tasks efficiently.
[0078] In the present disclosure, the presentation unit may further
26
FP17-0471-00
present maintenance contents of maintenance to be performed on the
second textile machine. In this case, the maintenance worker can
grasp the maintenance contents and the margin time. This enables the
maintenance worker to determine whether maintenance can be
5 performed within the margin time and then perform maintenance.
[0079] In the present disclosure, based on an instruction from a
maintenance worker, the presentation unit may sort presentation items
to be presented, according to a predetermined rule. This enables the
maintenance order adjustment system for textile machinery to perform a
10 wide variety of assistance in the determination and the maintenance
tasks ofthe maintenance worker.
[0080] In the present disclosure, the first textile machine may be a
spinning frame configured to generate yam from the first fiber assembly
and wind the generated yam to generate a yam supply bobbin as the
15 second fiber assembly. The second textile machine may be an auto
winder configured to wind yam from the yam supply bobbin to generate
a package as the third fiber assembly. For example, in a system
including spirming frames and auto winders, the spinning frames may
be a rate-determining step for the production capacity of the entire
20 system. In such a case, it is not preferable that the maintenance task on
the auto winder affects the operation ofthe spinning frame (suspend the
process), in terms of production capacity. The maintenance order of
the auto winders is then determined based on the operation state of the
spinning frames, thereby suppressing reduction in production capacity
25 of the entire system.
[0081] In the present disclosure, the plurality of spinning frames and
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FP17-0471-00
the plurality of auto winders may be provided. One auto winder may
be associated as a supply destination of the yam supply bobbin with one
spinning frame.
[0082] The present disclosure also refers to the following method steps:
5 A maintenance order adjustment method for textile machinery,
comprising the following steps:
- performing a first process on a first fiber assembly, using one or more
first textile machines (2, 2A, 2B, 2C),
-supplying a plurality of second textile machines (3, 3A, 3B, 3C) with a
10 second fiber assembly (B) subjected to the first process by the first
textile machines and performing a second process on the supplied
second fiber assembly (B) to generate a third fiber assembly (P);
-acquiring operation information representing an operation state of the
first textile machines (2, 2A, 2B, 2C);
15 - determining a maintenance order in performing maintenance on the
second textile machines (3, 3A, 3B, 3C) based on a preset order and
adjusting the determined maintenance order based on the operation
information; and presenting the adjusted maintenance order adjusted by
the order setting unit (52c).
20 The maintenance order adjustment method for textile machinery ,
including repeatedly performing each of determination of a maintenance
order ofthe second textile machines (3, 3A, 3B, 3C) based on a preset
order and adjustment ofthe determined maintenance order based on the
operation information, every predetermined cycle.
25 The maintenance order adjustment method for textile machinery,
including performing adjustment of the maintenance order based on the
28
FP17-0471-00
operation information, every cycle shorter than a cycle of determination
of a maintenance order based on a preset order.
The maintenance order adjustment method for textile machinery,
wherein the maintenance order adjustment system comprises a plurality
5 ofthe first textile machines (2, 2A, 2B, 2C), with the steps of:
-associating one or more of the second textile machines (3, 3A, 3B, 3C)
as a supply destination of the second fiber assembly (B) with one of the
first textile machines (2, 2A, 2B, 2C), and
- calculating a supply waiting time based on the operation information,
1 0 the supply waiting time being a time taken for the first textile machine
(2, 2A, 2B, 2C) to supply the second fiber assembly (B) to the second
textile machine (3, 3A, 3B, 3C) next time, and when the maintenance
order is adjusted, the order setting unit (52c) adjusts the maintenance
order such that maintenance of the second textile machine (3, 3A, 3B,
15 3C) associated with the first textile machine (2, 2A, 2B, 2C) with the
supply waiting time equal to or longer than a predetermined time is
preferentially performed.
The maintenance order adjustment method for textile machinery with
the further steps of:
20 -calculating a margin time that allows the second textile machine (3,
3A, 3B, 3C) to be suspended for performing maintenance of the second
textile machine (3, 3A, 3B, 3C), based on the supply waiting time, and
presenting the margin time calculated by the order setting unit (52c ).
The maintenance order adjustment method for textile
25 machinery ,wherein when there exists a plurality of maintenance
contents to be perfonned on the second textile machine (3, 3A, 3B, 3C),
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FP17-0471-00
the order setting unit ( 5 2c) adjusts the maintenance order such that a
maintenance content to be finished within the supply waiting time is
preferentially performed.
The maintenance order adjustment method for textile machinery,
5 wherein the order setting unit (52c) further adjusting the maintenance
order based on a present location of a maintenance worker.
The maintenance order adjustment system for textile machinery,
wherein the presentation unit (51) further presents maintenance contents
of maintenance to be performed on the second textile machine (3, 3A,
10 3B, 3C).
The maintenance order adjustment method for textile machinery,
wherein based on an instruction from a maintenance worker,
the presentation unit (51) sorts presentation items to be presented,
according to a predetermined rule.
15 The maintenance order adjustment method for textile machinery,
wherein the first textile machine (2, 2A, 2B, 2C) is a spinning frame (2,
2A, 2B, 2C), which generates yarn from the first fiber assembly and
winds the generated yam to generate a yam supply bobbin (B) as the
second fiber assembly (B), and the second textile machine (3, 3A, 3B,
20 3C) is an auto winder (3, 3A, 3B, 3C) which winds yam from the yarn
supply bobbin (B) to generate a package (P) as the third fiber assembly
(P).
The maintenance order adjustment method for textile machinery,
wherein the plurality of spinning frames (2, 2A, 2B, 2C) and the
25 plurality of auto winders (3, 3A, 3B, 3C) are provided, and one of the
auto winders (3, 3A, 3B, 3C) is associated as a supply destination of the
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FP17-0471-00
yam supply bobbin (B) with one of the spinning frames (2, 2A, 2B, 2C).

We claim:
1. A maintenance order adjustment system (1, IA, IB) for textile
machinery, comprising:
5 one or more first textile machines (2, 2A, 2B, 2C) each
configured to perform a first process on a first fiber assembly;
a plurality of second textile machines (3, 3A, 3B, 3C) each
configured to be supplied with a second fiber assembly (B) subjected to
the first process by the first textile machines and to perform a second
10 process on the supplied second fiber assembly (B) to generate a third
fiber assembly (P);
15
an operation information acquisition unit (52a) configured to
acquire operation information representing an operation state of the first
textile machines (2, 2A, 2B, 2C); characterized by
an order setting unit (52c) configured to determine a
maintenance order in performing maintenance on the second textile
machines (3, 3A, 3B, 3C) based on a preset order and adjust the
determined maintenance order based on the operation information
acquired by the operation information acquisition unit (52a); and
20 a presentation unit (51) configured to present the maintenance
order adjusted by the order setting unit (52c ).
2. The maintenance order adjustment system (1, IA, IB) for textile
machinery according to claim 1, wherein the order setting unit (52c) is
25 adapted to repeatedly perform each of determination of a maintenance
order of the second textile machines (3, 3A, 3B, 3C) based on a preset
32
FP17-0471-00
order and adjustment of the determined maintenance order based on the
operation information, every predetermined cycle.
3. The maintenance order adjustment system (1, lA, lB) for textile
5 machinery according to claim 2, wherein the order setting unit (52c) is
adapted to perform adjustment of the maintenance order based on the
operation information, every cycle shorter than a cycle of determination
of a maintenance order based on a preset order.
10 4. The maintenance order adjustment system (1, 1A, lB) for textile
machinery according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
the maintenance order adjustment system comprises a plurality
of the first textile machines (2, 2A, 2B, 2C),
one or more of the second textile machines (3, 3A, 3B, 3C) are
15 associated as a supply destination of the second fiber assembly (B) with
one ofthe first textile machines (2, 2A, 2B, 2C), and
the order setting unit (52c) is adapted to calculate a supply
waiting time based on the operation information, the supply waiting
time being a time taken for the first textile machine (2, 2A, 2B, 2C) to
20 supply the second fiber assembly (B) to the second textile machine (3,
3A, 3B, 3C) next time, and when the maintenance order is adjusted, the
order setting unit (52c) is adapted to adjust the maintenance order such
that maintenance of the second textile machine (3, 3A, 3B, 3C)
associated with the first textile machine (2, 2A, 2B, 2C) with the supply
25 waiting time equal to or longer than a predetermined time is
preferentially performed.
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FP17-0471-00
5. The maintenance order adjustment system (1, IA, IB) for textile
machinery according to claim 4, wherein
the order setting unit (52c) further is adapted to calculate a
5 margin time that allows the second textile machine (3, 3A, 3B, 3C) to be
suspended for performing maintenance of the second textile machine (3,
3A, 3B, 3C), based on the supply waiting time, and
10
the presentation unit (51) further is adapted to present the
margin time calculated by the order setting unit (52c).
6. The maintenance order adjustment system (1, IA, IB) for textile
machinery according to claim 4 or 5, wherein when there exists a
plurality of maintenance contents to be performed on the second textile
machine (3, 3A, 3B, 3C), the order setting unit (52c) is adapted to adjust
15 the maintenance order such that a maintenance content to be finished
within the supply waiting time is preferentially performed.
7. The maintenance order adjustment system (1, lA, lB) for textile
machinery according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the order
20 setting unit (52c) further is adapted to adjust the maintenance order
based on a present location of a maintenance worker.
8. The maintenance order adjustment system (1, IA, lB) for textile
machinery according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the
25 presentation unit (51) further presents maintenance contents of
maintenance to be performed on the second textile machine (3, 3A, 3B,
34
FP17-0471-00
3C).
9. The maintenance order adjustment system (1, lA, lB) for textile
machinery according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein based on an
5 instruction from a maintenance worker, the presentation unit (51) is
adapted to sort presentation items to be presented, according to a
predetermined rule.
10. The maintenance order adjustment system (1, lA, lB) for textile
10 machinery according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein
the first textile machine (2, 2A, 2B, 2C) is a spinning frame (2,
2A, 2B, 2C) configured to generate yarn from the first fiber assembly
and wind the generated yarn to generate a yarn supply bobbin (B) as the
second fiber assembly (B), and
15 the second textile machine (3, 3A, 3B, 3C) is an auto winder (3,
3A, 3B, 3C) configured to wind yarn from the yarn supply bobbin (B) to
generate a package (P) as the third fiber assembly (P).
11. The maintenance order adjustment system (1, lA, lB) for textile
20 machinery according to claim 10, wherein
the plurality of spinning frames (2, 2A, 2B, 2C) and the plurality
of auto winders (3, 3A, 3B, 3C) are provided, and
one of the auto winders (3, 3A, 3B, 3C) is associated as a supply
destination of the yarn supply bobbin (B) with one of the sp1nnmg
25 frames (2, 2A, 2B, 2C).
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FP17-0471-00
12. A maintenance order adjustment method for textile machinery
comprising one or more first textile machines (2, 2A, 2B, 2C)
configured to perform a first process on a first fiber assembly, and a
plurality of second textile machines (3, 3A, 3B, 3C) supplied with a
5 second fiber assembly (B) subjected to the first process by the first
textile machines and configured to perform a second process on the
supplied second fiber assembly (B) to generate a third fiber assembly
(P), the maintenance order adjustment method comprising the steps of:
acquiring operation information representing an operation state
10 of the first textile machines (2, 2A, 2B, 2C);
determining a maintenance order in performing maintenance on
the second textile machines (3, 3A, 3B, 3C) based on a preset order and
adjusting the determined maintenance order based on the operation
information; and
15 presenting the adjusted maintenance order.
13. The maintenance order adjustment method for textile machinery
according to claim 12, wherein
the textile machinery comprises a plurality of the first textile
20 machines (2, 2A, 2B, 2C), with the steps of
associating one or more of the second textile machines (3, 3A,
3B, 3C) as a supply destination of the second fiber assembly (B) with
one of the first textile machines (2, 2A, 2B, 2C), and
calculating a supply waiting time based on the operation
25 information, the supply waiting time being a time taken for the first
textile machine (2, 2A, 2B, 2C) to supply the second fiber assembly (B)
36
FP17-0471-00
to the second textile machine (3, 3A, 3B, 3C) next time, and when the
maintenance order is adjusted, adjusting the maintenance order such that
maintenance of the second textile machine (3, 3A, 3B, 3C) associated
with the first textile machine (2, 2A, 2B, 2C) with the supply waiting
5 time equal to or longer than a predetennined time is preferentially
perfonned.
14. The maintenance order adjustment method for textile machinery
according to claim 13, with the further steps of:
10 calculating a margin time that allows the second textile machine
15
(3, 3A, 3B, 3C) to be suspended for performing maintenance of the
second textile machine (3, 3A, 3B, 3C), based on the supply waiting
time, and
presenting the calculated margin time .
15. The maintenance order adjustment method for textile machinery
according to claim 13 or 14, wherein when there exists a plurality of
maintenance contents to be performed on the second textile machine (3,
3A, 3B, 3C), adjusting the maintenance order such that a maintenance
20 content to be finished within the supply waiting time is preferentially
performed.