JP7410235B2 - Feeder management method - Google Patents

Description

The present specification relates to a feeder management method and a feeder management device when producing substrates based on a production plan that defines the production order of multiple types of substrates.

Equipment for producing boards with a large number of electronic components mounted thereon include solder printing machines, electronic component mounting machines, reflow machines, and board inspection machines. It has become common to connect these board production facilities to form a board production line. Among these, the electronic component mounting machine includes a board transfer device, a component supply device, a component transfer device, and a control device. As a representative example of a component supply device, a configuration in which a plurality of feeders that feed a carrier tape holding a plurality of electronic components are removably arranged in a row is known.

In response to the diversification of consumer needs in recent years, there has been a trend toward high-mix, low-volume production, and there are cases in which circuit boards are produced based on a production plan that determines the production order of multiple types of circuit boards. In this case, when changing the type of board, a setup change operation is performed to change the type of electronic components supplied from the component supply device. As methods for changing the part type, there are a first method of replacing the reel around which the carrier tape is wound, and a second method of replacing the feeder itself. In the second method, a reel to be used next is held in advance in a replacement feeder, and the replacement feeder is equipped during a setup change operation. Generally, the correspondence between reels and feeders is often managed by associating ID codes attached to each reel. Technical examples regarding this type of feeder management method are disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2.

The chip component supply device of Patent Document 1 includes a reel holding part that exchangeably holds a reel wound with a carrier tape, a rod-shaped member that holds the reel holding part at one end, and a carrier arranged at the other end of the rod-shaped member. The present invention includes a reel feeding means for feeding the tape, a reel guide section for taking in the carrier tape and separating it into a component storage tape and a top tape, and a take-up reel for winding the top tape. According to the description of the embodiment, when replacing the tape, the reel is rotated in the opposite direction to rewind the used tape and the top tape, and the reel guide section is moved to the outside of the electronic component mounting machine to perform the replacement work. According to this, it is said that even in situations where reels are half-used and frequently replaced, the replacement work can be made more efficient, speeding up the work and reducing costs.

In addition, the feeder management method of Patent Document 2 includes a step of determining whether the current part type of the component used for the board type currently being produced will be used for the next and subsequent board types, and a step of determining whether or not the current part type of the component used for the board type currently being produced is The feeder management device performs two steps during execution of the current production job. Additionally, the guiding step maintains the feeder in the current populated slot when the current type is used for the next board type, and keeps the feeder in the empty slot or the current population when the current type is used for the next and subsequent board types. When the current type is used for another electronic component placement machine, the feeder is stored on the separate placement machine shelf, and when the current type is no longer used, the feeder is stored on the warehouse shelf. A notice will be displayed to inform you that it will be stored. According to this, it is possible to reduce the number of steps required for the operator to check the contents of the setup change work, and also to start the work quickly.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-261191 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-199217

By the way, the feeder management method disclosed in Patent Document 2 is a technique that determines whether or not a feeder needs to be removed during setup change work, and additionally guides the storage location of the removed feeder. As the trend toward high-mix, low-volume production progresses, the number of types of electronic components increases, greatly exceeding the number of feeders on hand, and setup changes occur frequently. As a result, the frequency of reel replacement work, as exemplified in Patent Document 1, increases. However, the technique of Patent Document 2 does not include any description regarding reel replacement work, and the operator is confused about whether or not it is better to remove the reel from the feeder. Conventionally, in order to accurately make this determination, it has been necessary to take the troublesome effort of investigating the production plan and confirming whether electronic components are planned to be used.

Furthermore, it is common practice to use a mounting operation optimization technique to optimize the arrangement order of feeders on a component supply device for each type of board, that is, the arrangement order of component types. At this time, even if the feeder is to be used continuously, the position of the mounting slot may be changed. Furthermore, it is difficult to know whether or not a feeder that is used before or after a certain type of board can continue to occupy the mounting slot during the idle period when it is not used. Considering such a usage pattern of the feeder, the guidance step of Patent Document 2 cannot necessarily be said to be appropriate and sufficient.

Therefore, an object of this specification is to provide a feeder management method and a feeder management device that appropriately guide the attachment and detachment of feeders and reel removal based on a production plan and improve work efficiency.

The present specification provides a method for managing a feeder that is detachably installed at a plurality of positions of an electronic component mounting machine by exchangeably holding a reel wound with a carrier tape that holds electronic components, and comprising: When the production of substrates of a certain substrate type is completed and production of the next substrate type is started, a guidance step for providing guidance regarding the feeder used in the production of the certain substrate type, in which the feeder is supplied If the current component type of the electronic component that was currently being supplied is supplied from the same placement position in the production of the next board type, guidance is provided to maintain the current state of the feeder, and the current component type is When the reel is not used in the production of the board type, the reel is guided to be removed from the feeder, and when the current component type is supplied from the different placement position in the next production of the board type, Guidance is given to remove the feeder with the reel held and re-equip it later, and also provide information indicating the individual of the feeder, the current placement position, and the placement position to be re-equipped. Discloses a feeder management method.

The present specification also provides a feeder management device that replaceably holds a reel wound with a carrier tape holding electronic components and is detachably installed at a plurality of placement positions of an electronic component mounting machine. and a guide section for guiding the feeder used in the production of the certain substrate type when production of a certain substrate type is completed and production of the next substrate type is completed; The unit provides guidance for maintaining the current state of the feeder when the current component type of the electronic component that the feeder was supplying is supplied from the same placement position in the production of the next board type; When the current component type is not used in the next production of the board type, the reel is guided to be removed from the feeder, and the current component type is different in the next production of the board type. If the feeder is supplied from a position, the feeder is guided to be removed with the reel held and re-equipped later, and information indicating the individual of the feeder, the current arrangement position, and the re-equipment are provided. A feeder management device is disclosed that guides the installation position of the feeder.

In the feeder management method and feeder management device disclosed in this specification, the current part type of electronic components that can be supplied at present is compared with the part type required in the subsequent production plan, and the current part type is determined to be the next one. Guidance is provided to maintain the current state of the feeder when it is fed from the same location. In addition, if the current component type is not used in the production of a subsequent board type, guidance is provided to remove the reel from the feeder. Furthermore, if the current component type is to be supplied from a different placement position in the production of the next and subsequent board types, there is a guide for removing the feeder with the reel held and reinstalling it at a different placement position later. I do. Therefore, the worker can work according to the guidance without getting confused, and work efficiency is improved.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an electronic component mounting machine to which the feeder management method and feeder management device of the embodiment are applied. FIG. 2 is a side view schematically illustrating a configuration example of a feeder. It is a functional block diagram explaining a feeder management device of an embodiment. It is a figure of the processing flow explaining the feeder management method of an embodiment. 5 is a diagram illustrating a list of information stored in the current storage step and the plan storage step shown in FIG. 4; FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing examples of guidance contents in a reel removal guidance step, a feeder removal guidance step, a current status maintenance guidance step, and a reequipment guidance step. It is a figure showing another example of guidance contents.

(1. Configuration of electronic component mounting machine 1)
First, the configuration of the electronic component mounting machine 1 to which the feeder management method and feeder management device of the embodiment are applied will be described. FIG. 1 is a plan view of an electronic component mounting machine 1 to which the feeder management method and feeder management device of the embodiment are applied. The left-right direction on the paper surface of FIG. 1 is the X direction in which the substrate K is transported, and the vertical direction on the paper surface is the Y direction. As shown in the figure, the electronic component mounting machine 1 includes a board transfer device 2, a component supply device 3, a component transfer device 4, and the like.

The substrate transfer device 2 is disposed on the upper surface of the machine stand 9, and transfers the substrate K in the X direction to position it at a mounting position. The substrate conveyance device 2 includes a pair of guide rails 21, a pair of conveyor belts 22, a clamp device 23, and the like. The pair of guide rails 21 extend in the X direction and are arranged parallel to each other. The pair of conveyor belts 22 have annular shapes on which the substrates K can be placed, and are rotatably provided inside the guide rails 21 facing each other. The clamp device 23 is disposed below a mounting position set around the center of the pair of guide rails 21 in the X direction. The substrate K is carried in and out by a conveyor belt 22 while being guided by a guide rail 21, and is positioned and fixed at a mounting position by a clamp device 23.

The component supply device 3 is configured with a substantially rectangular pallet member 31 as a main member. A plurality of slots 32 are formed on the upper surface of the pallet member 31, extending in the Y direction and lined up in the X direction. The slot position where the slot 32 is formed corresponds to the installation position where the feeder 6 is installed. At the upper front side of the pallet member 31, display sections 33 corresponding to each slot 32 are provided. The display section 33 can be exemplified by an LED lamp, but is not limited thereto. The component supply device 3 has a plurality of feeders 6 removably installed in a plurality of slots 32, respectively. The component supply device 3 has a display section 33 and a component supply control section 35 (shown in FIG. 3) that controls the feeder 6 provided therein.

The feeder 6 replaceably holds the reel R on the rear side, and has a component supply position 67 on the upper front side (details will be described later). In the example of FIG. 1, the pallet member 31 is provided with 16 sets of slots 32 and display sections 33. A feeder 6 is installed in each of the slots 32 at six locations in total, two locations closer to the right end of the pallet member 31 and four locations closer to the left end.

The component transfer device 4 includes a pair of fixed rails 41, a head moving rail 42, a mounting head 43, a suction nozzle 44, and the like. The pair of fixed rails 41 extend above the substrate transport device 2 in the Y direction and are arranged parallel to each other. The head moving rail 42 extends in the X direction, and both ends thereof are movably supported by the fixed rail 41. The head moving rail 42 is driven in the Y direction by a ball screw feeding mechanism (not shown). The mounting head 43 is movably supported by the head movement rail 42. The mounting head 43 is driven in the X direction by a ball screw feeding mechanism (not shown). The mounting head 43 has a suction nozzle 44 and a board recognition camera 45 facing downward. The suction nozzle 44 suctions and collects electronic components from the feeder 6 and mounts them on the positioned substrate K. The board recognition camera 45 recognizes the exact coordinate position of the positioned board K.

A component recognition camera 5 is disposed between the board transfer device 2 and the component supply device 3. The component recognition camera 5 recognizes the suction state of the electronic component picked up by the suction nozzle 44 from below.

FIG. 2 is a side view schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of the feeder 6. As shown in FIG. The feeder 6 includes a reel holding shaft 61, a tape guide member 62, a sprocket 63, a drive motor 64, a feeder control section 65, an operation panel 66, a tape detection sensor 68, etc. attached to a side plate 69. The reel holding shaft 61 is provided at the lower rear side of the side plate 69. The reel holding shaft 61 replaceably holds a reel R around which a carrier tape T for holding electronic components is wound. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the reel R of the reel holding shaft 61 can be replaced while the feeder 6 is installed in the slot 32. The present invention is not limited to this, and a structure may be adopted in which the feeder 6 is removed from the slot 32 and the reel R of the reel holding shaft 61 is replaced.

The reel ID code Rid attached to each individual reel R is read by the code reading section 36 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 3) of the component supply device 3, and recognized by the component supply control section 35. A barcode can be exemplified as the reel ID code Rid, and a barcode reader can be exemplified as the code reading section 36. The type of electronic component supplied from the carrier tape T wound around the reel R is determined by the reel ID code Rid.

The tape guide member 62 extends forward and upward from the front side of the held reel R, and extends horizontally forward after reaching the upper edge of the side plate 69. The tape guide member 62 guides the carrier tape T unwound from the reel R to a component supply position 67 at the upper front side. A sprocket 63 is rotatably supported on the lower front side of the tape guide member 62. Teeth on the outer periphery of the sprocket 63 are engaged in sprocket holes of the carrier tape T. The drive motor 64 can rotate the sprocket 63 in both the forward and reverse directions. The drive motor 64 is controlled by a feeder control section 65.

The feeder control unit 65 is a computer control device that has a CPU and operates using software. The feeder control unit 65 stores feeder ID codes set for each individual feeder 6. The feeder control section 65 is communicatively connected to the component supply control section 35 via a connector 651 provided on the front surface. Sprocket 63, drive motor 64, and feeder control section 65 constitute a tape feeding mechanism.

The operation panel 66 is provided on the upper surface of the side plate 69 near the rear. The operation panel 66 has a feed switch 661 and a rewind switch 662. The feeding switch 661 and the rewinding switch 662 are manual switches operated by an operator, and the operating status thereof is transmitted to the feeder control unit 65. When the feed switch 661 or the rewind switch 662 is pressed, the sprocket 63 of the tape feed mechanism is intermittently driven forward or reverse. As a result, the carrier tape T is fed out little by little or rewound little by little.

During normal operation, the function of the operation panel 66 is restricted, and the tape feeding mechanism feeds out the carrier tape T in a pitched manner to sequentially feed electronic components to the component supply position 47. On the other hand, the functions of the operation panel 66 are used in a setup change operation when changing the type of board K produced by the electronic component mounting machine 1. That is, the operator sets the reel R on the reel holding shaft 61, inserts the tip of the carrier tape T up to the sprocket 63, and then presses the feed switch 661. Thereby, the tape feeding mechanism feeds out the carrier tape T little by little.

On the other hand, regarding the removal of the reel R, two types of operation modes can be selected. The first operating mode is an automatic rewind mode, in which the functions of the operation panel 66 are not used. In the automatic rewind mode, the tape feeding mechanism automatically rewinds the carrier tape T onto the reel R. The second operating mode is a manual rewind mode, in which the functions of the operation panel 66 are used. In the manual rewind mode, when the rewind switch 662 is pressed for a long time, the tape feeding mechanism is allowed to continuously rewind the carrier tape T onto the reel R. This facilitates the work of removing the reel R.

The automatic rewind mode is selected in an automatic rewind step described below, and the manual rewind mode is selected in a manual rewind step described below. Note that, depending on the model of the feeder 6, only one of the automatic rewinding mode and the manual rewinding mode may be fixedly provided.

The tape detection sensor 68 is arranged on an inclined portion of the tape guide member 62 closer to the rear side. The tape detection sensor 68 detects the presence or absence of the carrier tape T being fed out, and sends the detection result to the feeder control unit 65. Even when the carrier tape T is rewound by the tape feeding mechanism during the replacement work of the reel R, the leading end of the carrier tape T returns only to the sprocket 63. Thereafter, when the operator rewinds the leading end of the carrier tape T to the reel R, the detection result of the tape detection sensor 68 changes from "tape present" to "tape absent". Based on this change in the detection result, the feeder control unit 65 determines that the reel R has been removed.

(2. Configuration of feeder management device 7 of embodiment)
The description will now turn to the feeder management device and feeder management method of the embodiment. The electronic component mounting machine 1 described above constitutes a board production line together with other board production equipment. A host computer is used to manage the operating status of the board production line. The feeder management device 7 of the embodiment is realized by software of a host computer. Further, the feeder management method of the embodiment is implemented by the feeder management device 7. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating the feeder management device 7 of the embodiment. In FIG. 3, the component supply device 3 of the electronic component mounting machine 1 is simplified, and feeders 6 are provided in five slots 32, that is, the first to fifth slots SL1 to SL5, respectively.

The host computer has a production plan management section 81 and a feeder management section 82 as functions other than the feeder management device 7. The production plan management unit 81 manages a production plan that defines the production order of multiple types of substrates K in a predetermined future period. The production plan management unit 81 sequentially updates the production plan based on the progress of production, addition of orders for new types of substrates K, and the like. The production plan includes the necessary types of electronic components to be mounted on multiple types of circuit boards K, slot positions of the feeder 6 that supplies the necessary types of electronic components (any of the first to fifth slots SL1 to SL5), etc. Contains information on.

On the other hand, the component supply control unit 35 of the component supply device 3 acquires the feeder ID code of the equipped feeder 6 from each feeder control unit 65 through communication. Thereby, the component supply control unit 35 can store the feeder ID code of each feeder 6 and the slot position in association with each other. Next, the component supply control section 35 can sequentially focus on the reel R set on each feeder 6 and use the code reading section 36 to acquire the attached reel ID code Rid. Thereby, the component supply control unit 35 can perform a code association step of storing the feeder ID code for identifying the feeder and the reel ID code Rid for identifying the reel in association with each other. Note that in the feeder 6 that previously holds the reel R that is being used, the code matching step has already been performed when the feeder 6 holds the reel R, so the code matching step is not necessary again. The component supply control unit 35 can store the current component types of electronic components supplied by the currently installed feeders 6 and the slot positions of the currently installed feeders 6 in association with each other.

Information associating the feeder ID code with the reel ID code Rid, and information associating the current electronic component type with the slot position of the feeder 6 are delivered from the component supply control unit 35 to the feeder management unit 82. . The feeder management section 82 collectively manages not only the information sent from the component supply control section 35 but also information from another component supply control section and information delivered in the past. In other words, the feeder management unit 82 also manages feeders 6 that are used in another electronic component mounting machine or feeders that have been temporarily removed.

The host computer has a current storage section 71, a plan storage section 72, a reel removal guide section 73, a feeder removal guide section 74, a current maintenance guide section 75, a reequipment guide section 76, and a guide display section as functions of the feeder management device 7. 77. The guidance display section 77 is hardware such as a display device that displays guidance contents for the worker. Each section 71 to 76 other than the guide display section 77 is realized using software. The functions of each section 71 to 76 other than the guide display section 77 are shown in the feeder management method of the embodiment described below.

(3. Feeder management method of embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram illustrating the feeder management method of the embodiment. This processing flow is executed to facilitate setup change work when production of a substrate K of a certain substrate type is completed and the production is shifted to the next substrate type. In the current storage step S1 in FIG. 4, the current storage unit 71 associates the current component types of the electronic components supplied by the currently installed feeders 6 with the slot positions of the installed feeders 6. Remember. The current status storage unit 71 acquires necessary information from the feeder management unit 82. In the next plan storage step S2, the plan storage unit 72 associates the required part types of electronic components to be mounted on the plurality of types of boards K with the slot positions of the feeder 6 that supplies the required part types of the electronic components. memorize it. The plan storage section 72 acquires necessary information from the production plan management section 81.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a list of information stored in the current storage step S1 and the plan storage step S2 shown in FIG. 4. In the figure, F1 to F8 indicate individual feeders 6, and P1 to P8 in parentheses indicate the types of electronic components. In this example, the production order of the substrates K is simplified to 1st to 4th, and the types of substrates K to be produced are 4 types: substrate types B1 to B4. Further, the slots 32 are simplified to five locations, first to fifth slots SL1 to SL5, and the types of electronic components mounted on one type of board K are simplified to five types or less. Now, assume that the production of the substrate K of the first substrate type B1 in the production order shown in FIG. 5 has been completed.

In the illustrated first production order, the feeder F1 was installed in the first slot SL1, and electronic components of the component type P1 were supplied from the feeder F1. Similarly, the second slot SL2 was equipped with a feeder F2, and electronic components of component type P2 were supplied from the feeder F2. Furthermore, feeders F3 to F5 were installed in the third to fifth slots SL3 to SL5, and electronic components of component types P3 to P5 were supplied from the feeders F3 to F5. The feeder ID codes of the feeders F1 to F5 and the reel ID code Rid of the reel R that supplies electronic components of the component types P1 to P5 are associated in advance by the code association step described above.

Therefore, the current state storage unit 71 stores the current component type P1 and the first slot SL1 in association with each other. Similarly, the current storage unit 71 stores the current component type P2 and the second slot SL2 in association with each other, and further associates the current component types P3 to P5 with the third to fifth slots SL3 to SL5, respectively. memorize it.

Furthermore, in the second production order, the first slot SL1 and the fifth slot SL5 are planned to be unused. It is planned that the second slot SL2 is equipped with a feeder F2, and electronic components of the component type P2 are supplied from the feeder F2. Similarly, it is planned that feeders F6 and F7 will be installed in the third and fourth slots SL3 and SL4, and electronic components of component types P6 and P7 will be supplied from the feeders F6 and F7.

Therefore, the plan storage unit 72 stores the required part type P2 and the second slot SL2 in association with each other. Similarly, the plan storage unit 72 stores the necessary part type P6 and the third slot SL3 in association with each other, and also stores the necessary part type P7 and the fourth slot SL4 in association with each other.

Similarly, in the third production order, the first slot SL1 is planned to be unused. The plan storage unit 72 stores the necessary part type P2 and the second slot SL2 in association with each other, and stores the necessary part type P4 in association with the third slot SL3. Further, the plan storage unit 72 stores the necessary part type P8 and the fourth slot SL4 in association with each other, and stores the necessary part type P5 in association with the fifth slot SL5.

Furthermore, similarly, in the fourth production order, the first slot SL1 and the fifth slot SL5 are planned to be unused. The plan storage unit 72 stores the necessary part type P2 and the second slot SL2 in association with each other, and stores the necessary part type P3 in association with the third slot SL3. Furthermore, the plan storage unit 72 stores the required part type P7 and the fourth slot SL4 in association with each other.

Returning to FIG. 4, in step S3, the feeder management device 7 sets the target slot of interest to the first slot SL1. In the next step S4, the feeder management device 7 determines whether the current component type P1 of the first slot SL1 of interest matches any of the required component types. The feeder management device 7 recognizes that the current part type P1 does not match any of the required part types P2 to P8, and advances the processing flow to reel removal guidance step S5.

In the reel removal guide step S5, the reel removal guide section 73 causes the guide display section 77 to display a guide for removing the reel from the feeder F1. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing examples of guidance contents in the reel removal guidance step S5, the feeder removal guidance step S8, the current maintenance guidance step S23, and the reequipment guidance step S24. As shown in the figure, the guidance content "Please remove the reel from the feeder F1" is displayed at the position of the first slot SL1 of the guidance display section 77. Therefore, the operator can start the work of removing the reel R from the feeder F1 without being confused by the setup change work.

Further, the reel removal guide step S5 includes an automatic rewinding step or a manual rewinding step. If an automatic rewinding step is included, the reel removal guide section 73 selects the automatic rewinding mode and instructs the feeder F1 via the component supply control section 35. Thereby, the tape feeding mechanism of the feeder F1 automatically rewinds the carrier tape T onto the reel R. If a manual rewinding step is included, the reel removal guide section 73 selects the manual rewinding mode and instructs the feeder F1 via the component supply control section 35. Thereby, in the feeder F1, when the rewind switch 662 is pressed for a long time, the tape feeding mechanism continuously rewinds the carrier tape T onto the reel R.

In the next step S6, the reel removal guide section 73 waits for the reel R of the feeder F1 to be removed. Information that the reel R has been removed is sent from the tape detection sensor 68 to the reel removal guide section 73 via the feeder control section 65, component supply control section 35, and feeder management section 82. When the reel R is removed, the reel removal guide section 73 advances the processing flow to association deletion step S7. In the association deletion step S7, the reel removal guide section 73 deletes the association between the feeder ID code of the feeder F1 and the reel ID code Rid of the reel R that supplies the electronic component of the component type P1.

In the next feeder removal guidance step S8, the feeder removal guidance section 74 causes the guidance display section 77 to display guidance for removing the feeder F1 from the component supply device 3. As shown in FIG. 6, the guidance content for the position of the first slot SL1 on the guidance display section 77 is changed and displayed as "Please remove the feeder F1."

Furthermore, the feeder removal guidance step S8 includes an information display step. That is, the feeder removal guide section 74 displays removal information on the display section 33 corresponding to the first slot SL1 via the component supply control section 35. As a result, for example, an LED lamp serving as the display section 33 lights up. Therefore, the operator can visually check the removal information on the display unit 33 during the setup change work and start the work to remove the feeder F1 without getting confused.

In the next step S9, the feeder removal guide section 74 waits for the feeder F1 to be removed. Information that the feeder F1 has been removed is sent to the feeder removal guide section 74 via the component supply control section 35 and the feeder management section 82. When the feeder F1 is removed, the feeder removal guide section 74 erases the removal information, turns off the LED lamp, for example, and advances the processing flow to step S10.

In step S10, the feeder management device 7 determines whether processing of all slots has been completed. In the first step S10, the processing of the first slot SL1 is only completed, so the processing flow proceeds to step S11. In step S11, the feeder management device 7 increases the number of the target slot by 1, focuses on the second slot SL2, and returns the processing flow to step S4.

In the second step S4, the feeder management device 7 recognizes that the current part type P2 of the second slot SL2 of interest matches the required part type P2 of the second slot SL2 that is second in the production order, and The processing flow advances to step S21. In step S21, the feeder management device 7 determines whether the current component type P2 will be supplied from the same slot next time. Since the current part type P2 is the second in the next production order and is supplied from the same second slot SL2, the feeder management device 7 advances the processing flow to step S22. In step S22, the feeder management device 7 determines whether it is necessary to temporarily give up the second slot SL2 to another required component type. It is clear that this is not necessary, and the feeder management device 7 advances the processing flow to the status quo maintenance guidance step S23.

In the current status maintenance guidance step S23, the current status maintenance guidance section 75 causes the guidance display section 77 to display guidance for maintaining the current state of the feeder F2. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the guidance content "Please maintain the current status of feeder F2" is displayed at the position of the second slot SL2 of the guidance display section 77. Therefore, the operator is not confused by the setup change work. When the status quo maintenance guidance step S23 is completed, the feeder management device 7 causes the processing flow to merge to step S10, focuses on the third slot SL3 in step S11, and returns the processing flow to step S4.

In the third step S4, the feeder management device 7 recognizes that the current part type P3 of the third slot SL3 of interest matches the required part type P3 of the fourth third slot SL3 in the production order, The processing flow advances to step S21. In step S21, the feeder management device 7 recognizes that the current part type P3 will be fourth in the production order next time and will be supplied from the same third slot SL3, and advances the processing flow to step S22. In step S22, the feeder management device 7 recognizes that it is necessary to temporarily surrender the third slot SL3 to the required part types P6 and P4 at the second and third positions in the production order, and advances the processing flow to reequipment guidance step S24. .

In the re-equipment guide step S24, the re-equipment guide section 76 causes the guide display section 77 to display a guide to remove the feeder F3 with the reel held there and re-equip it later. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, at the position of the third slot SL3 of the guide display section 77, a message saying "Remove the feeder F3 with the reel held and reinstall it in the third slot SL3 at the fourth place in the production order" is displayed. Please do so.” is displayed. Further, the reequipment guidance step S24 includes an information display step, in which removal information is displayed on the display section 33 corresponding to the third slot SL3. Therefore, the operator can remove the feeder F3 and reinstall it at the fourth position in the production order without being confused by the setup change work. When the reequipment guidance step S24 is completed, the feeder management device 7 causes the processing flow to merge to step S10, focuses on the fourth slot SL4 in step S11, and returns the processing flow to step S4.

In the fourth step S4, the feeder management device 7 recognizes that the current part type P4 of the fourth slot SL4 of interest matches the required part type P4 of the third slot SL3 that is third in the production order, and The processing flow advances to step S21. In this way, even the same component type P4 may be supplied from different slot positions when the type of board is changed. For example, the mounting operation optimization technique may be used to optimize the arrangement order of the feeders 6 on the component supply device 3 for each type of board K, that is, the arrangement order of the component types. In this case, the third slot SL3 at the center in the width direction of the component supply device 3 is closest to the board K and the component recognition camera 5, and the mounting operation can be performed in a short time. On the other hand, as the slot approaches the widthwise end of the component supply device 3, the mounting operation takes a longer time. Therefore, when a large number of required component types P4 are mounted on the third board type B3 in the production order, the supply position of component type P4 is changed from the fourth slot SL4 to the third slot SL3, and the mounting operation is optimized. .

In step S21, the feeder management device 7 recognizes that the current part type P4 is third in the production order and is supplied from a different third slot SL3, and advances the processing flow to reequipment guidance step S24. In the re-equipment guidance step S24, the re-equipment guide section 76 instructs the guide display section 77 to remove the feeder F4 with the reel held and to re-equip it later. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, at the position of the fourth slot SL4 in the guide display section 77, "Remove the feeder F4 with the reel held and reinstall it in the third slot SL3 at the third place in the production order." Please do so.” is displayed. Further, the reequipment guidance step S24 includes an information display step, and the removal information is displayed on the display section 33 corresponding to the fourth slot SL4. Therefore, the operator can remove the feeder F4 and reinstall it at the third position in the production order without being confused by the setup change work. When the reequipment guidance step S24 is completed, the feeder management device 7 merges the processing flow with step S10, focuses on the fifth slot SL5 in step S11, and returns the processing flow to step S5.

In the fifth step S4, the feeder management device 7 recognizes that the current part type P5 of the fifth slot SL5 of interest matches the required part type P5 of the fifth slot SL5, which is third in the production order, and The processing flow advances to step S21. In step S21, the feeder management device 7 recognizes that the current part type P5 is third in the production order and is supplied from the same fifth slot SL5, and advances the processing flow to step S22. In step S22, the feeder management device 7 determines that the fifth slot SL5 is unused second in the production order, and there is no need to temporarily give it up to another required part type, and the feeder F5 may continue to occupy the fifth slot SL5. I can recognize that. Therefore, the feeder management device 7 advances the processing flow to the status quo maintenance guidance step S23.

In the current status maintenance guidance step S23, the current status maintenance guidance section 75 causes the guidance display section 77 to display guidance for maintaining the current state of the feeder F5. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the guidance content "Please maintain the current status of feeder F5" is displayed at the fifth slot SL5 of the guidance display section 77. The feeder F5 is installed in the fifth slot SL5 in the second production order but is not used, and is used in the third production order.

When the status quo maintenance guidance step S23 is completed, the feeder management device 7 causes the processing flow to merge into step S10. At this point, since the processing of all slots has been completed, the feeder management device 7 ends the processing flow.

Next, it is assumed that the production of the board K of the second board type B2 in the production order has been completed, and that no orders for a new type of board K will be added. At this time, the guide display section 77 displays the guide contents shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of the guidance content.

When changing the production order from second to third, the first slot SL1 remains unused. Therefore, the guidance content "Unused." is displayed at the position of the first slot SL1 on the guidance display section 77. In the second slot SL2, the supply of the component type P2 from the feeder F2 is continued. Therefore, the guidance content "Please maintain the current status of feeder F2" is displayed at the second slot SL2 position of the guidance display section 77.

Furthermore, in the third slot SL3, the supply of the component type P6 from the feeder F6 has ended, and there is no plan to use it thereafter. Therefore, the guidance content "Please remove the reel from the feeder F6" is displayed at the position of the third slot SL3 of the guidance display section 77. At this time, an automatic rewind step or a manual rewind step is performed. Then, when the reel R is actually removed, the guidance content is changed to "Please remove the feeder F6.". Further, in the information display step, removal information is displayed on the display section 33 corresponding to the third slot SL3.

In the fourth slot SL4, the part type P7 is supplied from the feeder F7, and the plan is to supply the part type P8 from the feeder F8 in the third production order, and again to supply the part type P7 from the feeder F7 in the fourth production order. It has become. In other words, the component type P7 of the feeder F7 needs to temporarily give up the fourth slot SL4 to another required component type. Therefore, at the fourth slot SL4 position of the guidance display section 77, there is a message saying, "Remove the feeder F7 with the reel held, and reinstall it in the fourth slot SL4 at the fourth position in the production order." Is displayed. In addition, in the information display step, removal information is displayed on the display section 33 corresponding to the fourth slot SL4.

In the fifth slot SL5, the unused feeder F5 is used third in the production order. Therefore, the guidance content "Please maintain the current status of feeder F5" is displayed at the fifth slot SL5 of the guidance display section 77.

In this way, even when the production of the board K of the board type B2 is finished, the feeder management device 7 provides guidance for removing the reel R, guidance for removing the feeder 6, guidance for maintaining the current status, and guidance for re-equipment for each slot position. can be carried out appropriately. In addition, an automatic rewinding step or a manual rewinding step is used in combination to guide the removal of the reel R, and an information display step is used in combination to guide the removal of the feeder 6. Therefore, the operator is not confused by the setup change work, and work efficiency is significantly improved.

(4. Aspects and effects of feeder management method and feeder management device 7 of embodiment)
In the feeder management method of the embodiment, a plurality of substrate conveyance devices 2 for loading/unloading and positioning substrates K, and a plurality of feeders 6 for exchangeably holding reels R wound with carrier tapes T for holding electronic components are arranged. An electronic component mounting machine equipped with a component supply device 3 that is removably installed at each installation position (slot position), and a component transfer device 4 that takes electronic components from a feeder 6 and mounts them on a positioned board K. 1 is used to manage the feeder 6 when producing substrates K based on a production plan that determines the production order of multiple types of substrates B1 to B4 in a predetermined future period. a current storage step S1 for storing the current electronic component types P1 to P5 of the electronic components supplied by the respective feeders 6 and the arrangement positions of the installed feeders 6 in association with each other, and a board K of multiple types B2 to B4; A plan storage step S2 for storing the necessary part types P2 to P8 of the electronic components to be mounted on the electronic parts and the arrangement position of the feeder 6 that supplies the necessary part types P2 to P8 of the electronic parts in association with each other; A reel removal guide step S5 is provided to guide the removal of the reel R from the feeder F1 that supplies the electronic component of the current component type P1 that does not match any of P2 to P8.

According to this, by storing and comparing the current part types P1 to P5 of electronic parts that can be supplied at present and the required part types P2 to P8 of electronic parts required for production planning, The current part type P1 can be automatically determined. Then, prior to the setup change work, guidance is provided to remove the reel R from the feeder F1 that supplies electronic components of the current component type P1 that are not scheduled to be used. Therefore, the operator can remove the reel R from the feeder F1 without being confused. This eliminates the need to check whether the electronic component is scheduled to be used and determine whether or not to remove the reel R, thereby improving work efficiency.

Further, in the feeder management method of the embodiment, when the feeder 6 holds the reel R, a code association is created in which a feeder ID code for identifying the feeder 6 and a reel ID code Rid for identifying the reel R are stored in association with each other. The reel removal guide step S5 includes an association deletion step of deleting the association between the feeder ID code of the feeder F1 and the reel ID code Rid of the reel R. According to this, since the correspondence between the feeder and the reel is automatically managed, there is no need for the labor of the operator, and in addition, errors in correspondence due to human error do not occur.

Furthermore, the feeder 6 has a tape feeding mechanism (sprocket 63, drive motor 64, feeder control unit 65) that feeds out and rewinds the carrier tape T, and the reel removal guide step S5 is connected to the tape feeding mechanism of the feeder F1. An automatic rewinding step of rewinding the carrier tape T onto the reel R may also be included.

Alternatively, the feeder 6 includes a tape feeding mechanism (sprocket 63, drive motor 64, feeder control unit 65) that feeds out the carrier tape T, and a rewinding mechanism that causes the tape feeding mechanism to rewind a small amount of the carrier tape T onto the reel R. The reel removal guide step S5 includes a switch 662, and the reel removal guide step S5 is a manual winding mechanism that allows the tape feeding mechanism to continuously rewind the carrier tape T onto the reel R when the rewind switch 662 of the feeder F1 is pressed and held down. It may also include a return step.

By including an automatic rewinding step or a manual rewinding step, the effort of rewinding the carrier tape T is reduced, so the work efficiency of the work of removing the reel R is improved.

Furthermore, the feeder management method of the embodiment further includes a feeder removal guide step S8 that guides the removal of the feeder F1 from the component supply device 3. According to this, the worker can remove the feeder F1 without getting confused, and the work efficiency is improved.

Furthermore, the component supply device 3 has a display unit 33 corresponding to a plurality of placement positions (slot positions), and the feeder removal guidance step S8 is performed on a display unit corresponding to the placement position where the feeder F1 is installed. 33, and also includes an information display step of erasing the removal information when the feeder F1 is removed from the placement position. According to this, since the feeder 6 to be removed is made clear by the removal information, work efficiency is improved and the operator does not mistake which feeder 6 to remove.

In addition, the feeder management method of the embodiment includes a plurality of substrate transport devices 2 that carry in/out and position the substrates K, and a plurality of feeders 6 that exchangeably hold reels R wound with carrier tapes T that hold electronic components. An electronic component equipped with a component supply device 3 that is removably installed at each arrangement position (slot position), and a component transfer device 4 that takes electronic components from a feeder 6 and mounts them on a positioned board K. A method of managing a feeder 6 when producing substrates K using a placement machine 1 based on a production plan that determines the production order of substrates K of multiple types B1 to B4 in a predetermined future period, and which is currently not equipped. A current storage step S1 stores the current component types P1 to P5 of the electronic components supplied by the feeders 6, respectively, and the arrangement positions of the installed feeders 6, in association with each other; A plan storage step S2 stores the required electronic component types P2 to P8 to be mounted on the board K and the arrangement position of the feeder 6 that supplies the required electronic component types P2 to P8 in association with each other; There are current component types P2 and P5 that match component types P2 and P5, and it is necessary to remove feeders F2 and F5 that are installed in the second and fifth slots SL2 and SL5 that correspond to the current component types P2 and P5. There is a current maintenance guidance step S23 that provides guidance to maintain the current state of feeders F2 and F5 when there is no current state of feeders F2 and F5, and current component types P3 and P4 that match required component types P3 and P4, and current component types P3 and P4. When it is necessary to remove the feeders F3 and F4 that supply P4, a reequipment guide step S24 is provided for guiding the removal of the feeders F3 and F4 while holding the reel R and reequipment later.

According to this, the current component types P2 to P5 that are scheduled to be used can be automatically determined, and furthermore, the current component types P2 to P5 that are scheduled to be used are installed in the second to fifth slots SL2 to SL5 corresponding to the current component types P2 to P5 that are scheduled to be used. It is possible to automatically determine whether it is necessary to remove the feeders F2 to F5 that are present. Then, guidance is provided to maintain the current state of the feeders F2 and F5, and guidance is provided to remove the feeders F3 and F4 while holding the reel R and reinstall them later. Therefore, the operator can properly handle the feeders F2 to F5 without getting confused, and will not accidentally remove the reel R from the feeders F2 to F5. This eliminates the need to investigate the production plan and determine the contents of the work to handle the feeder 6, improving work efficiency.

Furthermore, in the feeder management method of the embodiment, if the third slot SL3 of the third slot in the production order corresponding to the required part type P4 does not overlap with the fourth slot SL4 of the first one in the production order, and if the third slot SL3 corresponding to the required part type P3 Even if the third slot SL3, which is the fourth in the production order, overlaps the third slot SL3, which is the first in the production order, in the middle of the production plan, the feeders F6 and F4 that supply electronic components of other required part types P6 and P4 are If it is necessary to temporarily surrender the three slots SL3, a reequipment guidance step S24 is performed. According to this, appropriate handling operations are guided according to various usage patterns of the feeder 6.

In addition, the feeder management device 7 of the embodiment includes a substrate transport device 2 that carries in/out and positions the substrate K, and a plurality of feeders 6 that exchangeably hold a reel R wound with a carrier tape T that holds an electronic component. The electronic device is equipped with a component supply device 3 that is removably installed at a plurality of placement positions (slot positions), and a component transfer device 4 that takes electronic components from a feeder 6 and mounts them on a positioned board K. This is a device that manages the feeder 6 when producing the board K using the component placement machine 1 based on a production plan that determines the production order of multiple types of boards B1 to B4 in a predetermined future period, and is currently not equipped. A current storage unit 71 stores the current component types P1 to P5 of the electronic components supplied by each of the feeders 6 and the arrangement positions of the installed feeders 6 in association with each other; A plan storage unit 72 stores the required electronic component types P2 to P8 to be mounted on the board K and the placement positions of the feeders 6 that supply the required electronic component types P2 to P8 in association with each other. A reel removal guide section 73 is provided that guides the removal of the reel R from the feeder F1 that supplies the electronic component of the current component type P1 that does not match any of the component types P2 to P8.

According to this, similarly to the feeder management method of the embodiment including the reel removal guide step S5, the effort of determining whether or not to remove the reel R is unnecessary, and work efficiency is improved.

Furthermore, the feeder management device 7 of the embodiment includes a substrate transport device 2 that carries in/out and positions the substrate K, and a plurality of feeders 6 that exchangeably hold a reel R wound with a carrier tape T that holds an electronic component. The electronic device is equipped with a component supply device 3 that is removably installed at a plurality of placement positions (slot positions), and a component transfer device 4 that takes electronic components from a feeder 6 and mounts them on a positioned board K. This is a device that manages the feeder 6 when producing the board K using the component placement machine 1 based on a production plan that determines the production order of multiple types of boards B1 to B4 in a predetermined future period, and is currently not equipped. A current storage unit 71 stores the current component types P1 to P5 of the electronic components supplied by each of the feeders 6 and the arrangement positions of the installed feeders 6 in association with each other; A plan storage unit 72 stores the required electronic component types P2 to P8 to be mounted on the board K and the placement positions of the feeders 6 that supply the required electronic component types P2 to P8 in association with each other. There are current part types P2 to P5 that match the current part types P2 to P5, and it is necessary to remove feeders F2 and F5 installed in the second and fifth slots SL2 and SL5 corresponding to the matching current part types P2 and P5. There is a current maintenance guide section 75 that provides guidance to maintain the current state of feeders F2 and F5 when there is no current state of feeders F2 and F5, and a current state maintenance guide section 75 that provides guidance to maintain the current state of feeders F2 and F5. A reequipment guide part 76 is provided which guides the feeders F3 and F4 to be removed with the reels R held and reequipped later when the feeders F3 and F4 need to be removed.

According to this, similarly to the feeder management method of the embodiment including the current maintenance guidance step S23 and the reequipment guidance step S24, there is no need to judge the content of the feeder handling work, and work efficiency is improved.

(5. Application and modification of embodiments)
Note that in the embodiment, the configuration of the feeder 6 can be changed as appropriate. For example, a rewinding mechanism for driving the reel R in reverse may be added near the reel holding shaft 61 to automatically rewind the leading end of the carrier tape T to the reel R. Further, for example, instead of the tape detection sensor 68, a reel detection sensor that directly detects the presence or absence of a reel may be provided near the reel holding shaft 61. Furthermore, in the correspondence deletion step S7, not only the correspondence between the ID codes is deleted, but also the constraint condition further linked to the correspondence between the feeder ID code and the reel ID code Rid may be canceled as well. Examples of the constraints include constraints on usable substrate production lines and constraints on the types of substrates that can be used. Further, the feeder management device 7 can also be configured using a computer device other than the host computer. The embodiments can be modified in various other ways.

1: Electronic component mounting machine 2: Board transfer device 3: Component supply device 32: Slot 33: Display section 4: Component transfer device 6: Feeder 63: Sprocket 64: Drive motor 65: Feeder control section 662: Rewind switch ( manual switch)
7: Feeder management device 71: Current status storage unit 72: Plan storage unit 73: Reel removal guide unit 74: Feeder removal guide unit 75: Current status maintenance guide unit 76: Re-equipment guide unit 77: Guide display unit K: Board R: Reel T: Carrier tape SL1 to SL5: 1st to 5th slots (arrangement positions)

Claims (1)

A method for managing a feeder that is detachably installed at a plurality of placement positions of an electronic component mounting machine by exchangeably holding a reel wound with a carrier tape that holds electronic components, the method comprising:
obtaining data associating the current component type of the electronic component installed in the electronic component mounting machine with the placement position;
Obtaining a production plan including required part types of electronic components to be mounted on a plurality of types of circuit boards to be produced thereafter, and information on the placement position for supplying the required part types,
Based on the acquired data and the production plan, grasp the usage status in the production of the next board type of the current component type,
If the current component type is not used in the next production of the board type and is supplied from a different placement position in the subsequent production of the board type, the electronic component of the current component type information for identifying the feeder , the timing to re-equip the feeder, and the arrangement to be re-equipped. guide you to the location,
Feeder management method.

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