Data processing device, data processing method, and production system

A method for producing a product performed by a production system that comprises a data processing device and a production control system, the method comprising:

• a collection step, by the data processing device, of collecting setting values in operating elements that control a production process for a product at prescribed intervals from a time when a brand change is made to a time when a next brand change is made, and collecting brand information indicating a brand of the product, materials being continuously fed and the product being continuously produced;
• a first processing step, by the data processing device, of performing a statistical process for the setting values in the operating elements collected in the collection step, obtaining representative values for the setting values in the operating elements as operation performance values while the product of the brand indicated in the brand information is being produced, and generating a performance value database including the operation performance values associated with the brand information of the product produced while the setting values are collected;
• a second processing step, by the data processing device, of performing a statistical process for operation performance values associated with brand information indicating the next brand to be produced in the production process among operation performance values included in the performance value database, and obtaining optimal setting values in the operating elements for producing the product of the next brand;
• an output step, by the data processing device, of outputting the setting values obtained in the second processing step to the production control system;
• and
• a production step, by the production system, of producing the product of the next brand by using the setting values output from the data processing device in the operating elements with a control by the production control system.