Abstract: A control program is automatically created using an action chart that is easy to create for an automated manufacturing machine with a complex operation. A subchart is pre-created for a set of consecutive subperiods of multiple subperiods included in an action chart. The action chart includes a subchart representation in a subperiod for identifying the subchart to represent the set of consecutive subperiods corresponding to the subchart. The action chart and the subchart are read together. Program elements for element actions in the subperiods on the action chart are combined together. For the subperiod with the subchart representation on the action chart, program elements for element actions assigned to the consecutive subperiods on the subchart are combined together in an order of the consecutive subperiods on the subchart. The control program is thus generated.

Abstract: A stored control program includes subperiods into which an operation period from a start to an end of an operation of an automated manufacturing machine is divided. Each subperiod is assigned with an actuator to act and action information about the actuator. The subperiods are sequentially selected one by one as a control target, and feedback control is performed on an action of the actuator assigned to the selected subperiod. This reduces the number of actuators controlled at the same time for controlling the operation of an automated manufacturing machine including many actuators. The control program can thus be executed promptly with an operation control apparatus having ordinary processing capability.

Abstract: An action chart describing an operation of an automated manufacturing machine includes subperiods into which an operation period from a start to an end of the operation of the automated manufacturing machine is divided. The action chart includes element actions included in the operation of the automated manufacturing machine. The element actions on the action chart are assigned to the subperiods and each include an action identifier including qualitative information about the element action, and a numerical table or numerical parameters. The action chart is read. The action identifiers on the action chart are converted into program elements stored in a manner associated with the action identifiers. A numerical value in the numerical table or the numerical parameters is set for each program element. The program elements are combined together in an order of the subperiods on the action chart.