Carrier tape processing device and carrier tape processing method

Abstract

The carrier tape processing device includes: a carrier tape supplying unit that supplies a carrier tape containing components; and a carrier tape processing unit that extracts the carrier tape from the carrier tape supplying unit, rolls it into a roll, and stores it in a box. In addition, the carrier tape processing unit includes: a roll body making unit that has a shaft member that holds the front end of the carrier tape, and rolls the carrier tape around the shaft member by rotating the shaft member to make a roll body; and a shaft member removing unit that removes the shaft member from the roll body made by the roll body making unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a carrier tape processing device and a carrier tape processing method for processing a carrier tape storing components. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a component supply unit in a component assembly device for mounting components on a substrate, a tape feeder is known that supplies components to a component removal position by conveying a carrier tape containing components. The carrier tape used in the tape feeder is wound on a reel as a holding body thereof, and the carrier tape is transported, stored, and arranged relative to the component supply unit while being held wound on the reel (held on the reel body).

[0003] In such a tape feeder, the reel is a standard product and it is difficult to reduce its width dimension. After the use of the carrier tape is finished, an empty reel is generated. Considering the time and effort required for handling and storing the empty reel, a device that can supply the carrier tape to the component supply unit in a rolled-up state without using a reel is proposed (for example, refer to the following patent document 1). In patent document 1, the carrier tape roll is placed from a component replenishment mechanism (component supply mechanism) into a storage section of the component supply unit, and after the component supply unit has completely extracted the carrier tape, an unnecessary reel will not remain at the assembly work site.

[0004] Prior Art Literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-21990 Summary of the invention

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a carrier tape processing apparatus and a carrier tape processing method that can realize a reel-less component supply mode with an inexpensive structure.

[0008] The carrier tape processing device disclosed in the present invention comprises: a carrier tape supply unit that supplies a carrier tape containing components; a carrier tape processing unit that extracts the carrier tape from the carrier tape supply unit and rolls the carrier tape into a box; and a writing unit that writes information related to the components contained in the carrier tape into a wireless tag provided in the box.

[0009] The carrier processing method disclosed in the present invention includes: a carrier extraction process, in which the carrier is extracted from a carrier supply section that supplies the carrier containing components; a carrier processing process, in which the carrier extracted in the carrier extraction process is rolled up and contained in a box; and a writing process, in which information related to the components contained in the carrier is written into a wireless tag provided in the box.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, a reel-less component supply mode can be realized with an inexpensive structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a component assembly system in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 2 It is a side view of the component assembly device provided in the component assembly system in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of a boxed roll used in a component assembly device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 4A This is a perspective view of a cassette used when the carrier tape processing apparatus in one embodiment of the present disclosure manufactures a cassette roll.

[0015] Figure 4B This is a partially enlarged view of a box used when the carrier tape processing device in one embodiment of the present disclosure manufactures a boxed roll.

[0016] Figure 5A This is a perspective view of a boxed roll produced by a carrier tape processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 5B This is a partially enlarged view of a boxed roll produced by a carrier tape processing device in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Fig. 6A This is a diagram showing a usage state of a boxed roll produced by a carrier tape processing apparatus in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 6B This is a diagram showing a usage state of a boxed roll produced by a carrier tape processing apparatus in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 6C This is a diagram showing a usage state of a boxed roll produced by a carrier tape processing apparatus in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 7 It is a side view of the carrier tape processing device in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 8 It is an operation explanation diagram of the carrier tape processing device in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Fig. 9 It is an operation explanation diagram of the carrier tape processing device in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Fig.10It is an operation explanation diagram of the carrier tape processing device in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Fig.11 It is an operation explanation diagram of the carrier tape processing device in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Fig.12 It is an operation explanation diagram of the carrier tape processing device in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Fig.13 It is an operation explanation diagram of the carrier tape processing device in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Fig.14A It is an operation explanation diagram of the carrier tape processing device in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Fig. 14B It is an operation explanation diagram of the carrier tape processing device in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Fig.15 It is an operation explanation diagram of the carrier tape processing device in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Fig.16 This is a perspective view of a storage warehouse in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Fig.17 This is a block diagram showing a control system of a component assembly system in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Fig.18 This is a flowchart showing the flow of an operation of manufacturing a boxed roll by the carrier tape processing apparatus in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Fig.19 This is a flowchart showing the flow of an operation of packing rolls in a storage box in a storage warehouse according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Fig. 20 This is a schematic diagram showing the operation of the boxed roll body in one embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Before describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, problems in conventional devices will be briefly described.

[0037] The device described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that a large device (component supply mechanism) is required to supply the roll of the carrier tape to the component supply unit, which increases costs.

[0038] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1The structure diagram of a component assembly system 1 including a carrier tape processing device in one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The component assembly system 1 includes: a manufacturing line 2; a carrier tape processing device 3 associated with the supply of components to the manufacturing line 2; and a storage warehouse 4 associated with the storage and management of components. The manufacturing line 2 performs operations while transferring substrates KB between a plurality of devices connected in series, thereby manufacturing an assembled substrate JK in which components are assembled on the substrate KB.

[0039] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment, the manufacturing line 2 is connected to the management computer 6 via the information management terminal 5. The management computer 6 manages the operation of each device constituting the manufacturing line 2. Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the carrier tape processing device 3 and the storage warehouse 4 are also connected to the management computer 6. The management computer 6 also manages the operations of the carrier tape processing device 3 and the storage warehouse 4. Figure 1 As shown, the operator terminal 7 is connected to the management computer 6 , and the operator of the component assembly system 1 can perform various operation inputs on the component assembly system 1 through the operator terminal 7 .

[0040] First, the manufacturing line 2 will be described. Figure 1 In the figure, the manufacturing line 2 includes a substrate supply device 11, a printing device 12, a post-printing inspection device 13, a plurality of component assembly devices 14, a post-assembly inspection device 15, a reflow device 16, a final inspection device 17 and a substrate recovery device 18.

[0041] The substrate supply device 11 sequentially supplies the substrate KB to the printing device 12 on the downstream side. The printing device 12 carries in the substrate KB supplied from the substrate supply device 11, applies a paste-like solder to the electrode formed on the surface of the substrate KB, and carries it out to the post-printing inspection device 13 on the downstream side. The post-printing inspection device 13 carries in the substrate KB carried out from the printing device 12, and after observing and inspecting the coating state of the solder using a camera to see if there are any defective parts, carries out the substrate KB to the component assembly device 14 on the downstream side.

[0042] Each component assembly device 14 assembles components on a substrate KB carried in from the upstream side and carries it out to the downstream side. The component assembly device 14 located at the most downstream side carries out the substrate KB to the post-assembly inspection device 15 located downstream thereof. The component assembly device 14 will be described later.

[0043] The post-assembly inspection device 15 carries in the substrate KB carried out from the component assembly device 14 located on the most downstream side, and after observing and inspecting the assembly state of the components using a camera to see if there are any defective parts, carries out the substrate KB to the reflow soldering device 16 on the downstream side. The reflow soldering device 16 carries in the substrate KB carried out from the post-assembly inspection device 15, and passes it through a reflow furnace to melt and solidify the solder to join the components to the electrodes. The final inspection device 17 carries in the substrate KB that has passed through the reflow soldering device 16, and after observing and inspecting the joining state of the components to the electrodes using a camera, carries it out to the substrate recovery device 18 on the downstream side. The substrate recovery device 18 receives and recovers the substrate KB carried out from the final inspection device 17.

[0044] Next, use Figure 2 The component assembly device 14 will be described. Figure 2 In the embodiment, a base cover 22 is provided on a base 21 of the component assembly device 14 , and a substrate conveyance path 24 for conveying a substrate KB in a horizontal direction is provided in a work space 23 between the base 21 and the base cover 22 .

[0045] Feeder carriages 25 are connected to positions on both sides of the substrate conveying path 24 on the base 21. A plurality of component supply units 26 are mounted on each feeder carriage 25. Here, the component supply unit 26 is a tape feeder, and the carrier tape 27 is conveyed by a sprocket 26S, thereby supplying components BH one by one to a predetermined component supply position.

[0046] exist Figure 2 In the working space 23, an assembly head 32 is provided, and the assembly head 32 moves in a horizontal plane by means of an assembly head moving mechanism 31. A component suction nozzle 33 is provided on the assembly head 32 in a manner extending downward. The component BH supplied by the component supply unit 26 is sucked at the lower end of the component suction nozzle 33.

[0047] In each component assembly device 14, after the substrate conveyor path 24 carries in the substrate KB from the upstream side and positions it, the assembly head 32 is repeatedly operated to perform assembly rounds while the component supply unit 26 supplies the component BH. In one assembly round, the assembly head 32 sequentially performs the actions of sucking and picking up the component BH supplied by the component supply unit 26 and assembling the component BH at a predetermined component mounting position on the substrate KB. After the assembly head 32 repeatedly performs assembly rounds and assembles all the components BH to be assembled on the substrate KB, the substrate conveyor path 24 is operated to carry the substrate KB out to the downstream side.

[0048] Here, in the present embodiment, the carrier tape 27 used in the supply of the component BH by the component assembly device 14 is successively unwound from the boxed roll body 41. Here, the "boxed roll body 41" refers to a structure in which the roll body 27R in which the carrier tape 27 is rolled is stored in the box 42 (see also Figure 3 The boxed roll 41 is different from a roll with a reel used in the past. Here, the "reel with a reel" means a structure in which the roll 27R is held by the reel 44.

[0049] Here, the box 42 of the boxed roll body 41 is described. Figure 4A As shown in the figure, the wireless tag 42M is attached to the outer surface of the front wall 53. The upper part of the rear wall 54 is provided with two upper and lower protrusion bases 51B extending inward from the inner surface of one side wall 51, and the two protrusion bases 51B are provided with a belt front end holding portion 42K ( Figure 4B ). In addition, the side wall 51 on which the protrusion base 51B is provided has a notch 42D obtained by cutting off the portion sandwiched by the two protrusion bases 51B. The left and right side walls 51 of the box 42 are provided with grooves 51M extending in a U shape from the edge of the upper opening 55 side toward the center of each side wall 51.

[0050] like Figure 5A , Figure 5B As shown, during the storage or transportation of the boxed roll 41, the tape front end retaining portion 42K provided in the box 42 is inserted in advance into the conveying hole 27K (the hole engaged with the outer peripheral teeth of the sprocket 26S) possessed by the carrier tape 27 and locked. It should be noted that during the storage or transportation of the boxed roll 41 refers to the situation where the roll 27R is stored in the box 42 and is not in a state of being pulled out from the roll 27R for use. In the present embodiment, two tape front end retaining portions 42K provided in the box 42 are inserted into the two conveying holes 27K and locked. As a result, the carrier tape 27 is prevented from escaping from the box 42 of the boxed roll 41 during the storage or transportation, and the roll 27R is prevented from falling off from the box 42 as a whole.

[0051] On the other hand, when the carrier tape 27 is used after being drawn out from the boxed roll body 41, the two tape front end holding portions 42K are removed from the conveying holes 27K of the carrier tape 27, and further Figure 3As shown in the figure, the front wall 53 is set to the following posture. By setting the front wall 53 to the following posture and pulling out the carrier tape 27 from the rear opening 56, the carrier tape 27 can be conveyed to the component supply unit 26. In this way, by providing the tape front end holding portion 42K in the cassette 42, the position of the front end of the carrier tape 27 in the cassette 42 is unified, so that the operation of taking out the front end of the carrier tape 27 from the cassette 42 can be easily performed. In addition, it is also easy to cope with the operation of taking out the front end of the carrier tape 27 by automated equipment such as a robot.

[0052] As the usage form of the boxed roll body 41 with respect to the component supply unit 26, for example, in addition to the following Figure 2 In addition to the form of being installed in the feeder carriage 25 as the boxed roll body 41 shown on the left side of Figure 2 The right side and Fig. 6A The boxed roll body 41 shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on the component supply unit 26 via the attachment 26A. Alternatively, there is also a form such as Figure 6B As shown in FIG. 2 , the entire boxed roll body 41 is accommodated in the component supply unit 26. Figure 6C As shown in FIG. 2 , the roll body 27R is taken out from the boxed roll body 41 , and only the roll body 27R is stored inside the component supply unit 26 .

[0053] Thus, in this embodiment, the cassette 42 of the cassette roll 41 can function as a support mechanism for the roll 27R when the roll 27R is installed outside the component supply unit 26 for use (the role of the reel in the conventional reel-attached roll).

[0054] Next, the carrier tape processing device 3 will be described. The carrier tape processing device 3 is a device that processes the carrier tape 27 used in the component assembly device 14 to manufacture the boxed roll body 41. Figure 7 As shown, the carrier tape processing device 3 includes: a carrier tape supply unit 61 that supplies the carrier tape 27 storing the components BH; a carrier tape processing unit 62 that draws out the carrier tape 27 from the carrier tape supply unit 61 and rolls it into a box 42; and a handheld scanner 63 and a writing unit 64.

[0055] exist Figure 7In the embodiment, the carrier tape supply unit 61 includes: a reel 61R on which the carrier tape 27 storing the components BH is wound; and a reel support unit 61S which supports the reel 61R so as to be rotatable. A coding label 61L is attached to the reel 61R, and the coding label 61L records the information (component information) of the components BH stored in the carrier tape 27. The coding label 61L has an identifier (mark) such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code printed on the surface. The reel 61R winds up the carrier tape 27 in the opposite direction to the usual direction. In the case of a carrier tape of 8 mm width paper tape, when the carrier tape 27 is pulled out from the reel 61R to the front, the conveying hole 27K is exposed on the left side, but in a reel (hereinafter referred to as a normal reel) that can directly supply the carrier tape 27 to the component supply unit 26, it is exposed on the right side. This is to make the orientation of the carrier tape 27 of the reel 27R produced by the reel production unit 73 described later the same as that of the usual reel.

[0056] exist Figure 7 In the figure, the carrier tape processing section 62 includes a cassette holding section 71 , a carrier tape conveying section 72 , a roll forming section 73 , a measuring section 74 , a gripper 75 , a cutter 76 , and a shaft member removing section 77 .

[0057] The box holding portion 71 is composed of a conveying mechanism that moves along the horizontal box conveying direction (with the same Figure 7 The box holding portion 71 holds the plurality of boxes 42 in a row with the upper openings 55 facing upward, and intermittently transports the boxes in the box transport direction.

[0058] The carrier tape conveying unit 72 performs a conveying operation of conveying the carrier tape 27 fed out from the reel 61R of the carrier tape supply unit 61 downward (that is, toward the cassette 42 held by the cassette holding unit 71 ).

[0059] exist Figure 7 In the embodiment, the roll making unit 73 includes an axis member 81, an axis member moving unit 82, and an axis member driving unit 83. The axis member 81 is provided so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis. A clamping unit 81A is provided on the axis member 81, and the front end portion 27T ( Figure 8 → Fig. 9 ).

[0060] The shaft member moving portion 82 has a position where the shaft member 81 having the front end portion 27T of the carrier tape 27 clamped by the clamping portion 81A is located above the cassette 42 ( Fig. 9 ) and the position in the groove 51M of the box 42 (referred to as the "box inner position", Fig.10 ) between the two positions. When the shaft member moving unit 82 moves the shaft member 81 to the position in the box, the shaft member driving unit 83 rotates the shaft member 81 ( Fig.11 As a result, the carrier tape 27 is successively wound around the shaft member 81.

[0061] In this manner, roll forming unit 73 includes shaft member 81 that holds tip portion 27T of carrier tape 27 , and is configured to form roll 27R by rotating shaft member 81 to wind carrier tape 27 around shaft member 81 .

[0062] exist Figure 7 In the embodiment, the measuring unit 74 is composed of a length sensor 74A and a component counter 74B. The length sensor 74A measures the length of the carrier tape 27 drawn out from the carrier tape supply unit 61 by the carrier tape conveying unit 72 based on the amount of movement of the carrier tape conveying unit 72. The carrier tape conveying unit 72 includes a sprocket 72A for drawing out the carrier tape 27, and the length sensor 74A detects the amount of rotation of the sprocket 72A by an encoder or the like, thereby measuring the length of the drawn carrier tape 27. The component counter 74B is located below the length sensor 74A, and counts the number of components BH drawn out from the carrier tape supply unit 61.

[0063] exist Figure 7 In the embodiment, the clamp 75 is disposed below the component counter 74B. The clamp 75 includes a pair of clamping members 75b and 75c on a base portion 75a. The pair of clamping members 75b and 75c move toward each other, thereby clamping the carrier tape 27 ( Fig.11 → Fig.12 ).

[0064] exist Figure 7 In the embodiment, the cutter 76 is provided between the component counter 74B and the clamp 75, and the two cutting members 76a and 76b are arranged so that the blades face each other. The two cutting members 76a and 76b move toward each other, thereby cutting the carrier tape 27 ( Fig.12 → Fig.13 ).

[0065] After the carrier tape 27 is cut by the cutter 76, the cut end 27E (which is the end opposite to the front end 27T) of the carrier tape 27 held by the two holding members 75b and 75c is cut. Fig.14A ) state, by the clamp moving part 75K ( Figure 7 ) moves the base portion 75a of the clamp 75 (that is, the entire clamp 75). Then, the clamp member 75b enters the notch portion 42D ( Fig.14A → Fig. 14B ), and the cut end portion 27E of the carrier tape 27 is arranged (fixed) on the tape front end holding portion 42K ( Fig. 14B , also refer to Figure 5BThen, after the clamp 75 releases the clamp on the carrier tape 27, the base portion 75a of the clamp 75 is horizontally moved away from the box 42 to withdraw the clamping member 75b from the notch portion 42D, and then the base portion 75a is moved upward (retreat) of the box 42 ( Fig. 14B → Fig.15 ). Thus, roll body 27R of carrier tape 27 is formed in box 42.

[0066] Thus, in this embodiment, the clamp 75 and the clamp moving portion 75K become a carrier end arrangement portion 75S, which arranges the end (cut end 27E) of the carrier 27 cut by the cutter 76 on the side opposite to the front end 27T in the tape front end retaining portion 42K provided in the box 42.

[0067] The shaft member removal unit 77 removes the shaft member 81 from the roll 27R produced by the roll production unit 73. The shaft member removal unit 77 includes a mechanism for moving the shaft member 81 along the thickness direction of the produced roll 27R. When the shaft member removal unit 77 moves the shaft member 81 along the thickness direction of the roll 27R, the roll 27R is prevented from moving by the side wall 51 of the box 42, so the shaft member 81 is withdrawn from the roll 27R. As a result, the roll 27R produced by the roll production unit 73 is stored in the box 42.

[0068] The handheld scanner 63 is a device that optically reads identifiers such as bar codes. The handheld scanner 63 is operated by an operator to read component information from the identifier of the code label 61L attached to the reel 61R of the carrier tape supply unit 61. Here, "component information" refers to information related to the component BH stored in the carrier tape 27 wound on the reel 61R of the carrier tape supply unit 61, including at least one of the type of component BH, component name, characteristics, manufacturing date, manufacturer, expiration date, number of components, and access information (URL, etc.) for accessing the above information.

[0069] Thus, in the present embodiment, the handheld scanner 63 serves as a component information acquisition unit that acquires information related to the components stored in the carrier tape 27, that is, component information. It should be noted that, when the reel 61R has a wireless tag storing component information, a non-contact reader having a function of reading information recorded in the wireless tag in a non-contact manner may be used as the component information acquisition unit instead of the handheld scanner 63.

[0070] The writing unit 64 uses wireless communication to write information to the wireless tag 42M of the cartridge 42 held by the cartridge holding unit 71. The information written to the wireless tag 42M by the writing unit 64 is the component information acquired (read) via the hand scanner 63 and the identification information.

[0071] Here, the "identification information" refers to information used to distinguish the components BH stored in one roll 27R used in the component assembly system 1 from the components BH stored in other rolls 27R. The identification information is composed of, for example, a serial number issued in a factory where the component assembly system 1 is installed. In the present embodiment, as described later, when the roll 27R of the carrier tape 27 is generated, the identification information is generated (issued) in the management computer 6. In addition, the identification information is also used as management information for managing the box 42. That is, the identification information is used for both the purpose of identifying the roll 27R and the purpose of identifying the box 42.

[0072] Next, the storage warehouse 4 will be described. The storage warehouse 4 stores the boxed rolls 41. The boxed rolls 41 mentioned here include not only the boxed rolls 41 just manufactured by the carrier tape processing device 3, but also the boxed rolls 41 in use such as those used in the component assembly device 14 and sent back in the middle.

[0073] exist Fig.16 In the embodiment, the storage warehouse 4 has a plurality of shelf sections 92 (storage sections) in a shell 91. An entrance 93 is provided below the front surface of the shell 91, and a movable workbench 94 is provided inside the shell 91. The movable workbench 94 extends through the entrance 93 to the outside of the shell 91 (the side near the operator OP) and is pulled into the shell 91 (the side in the depth when viewed from the operator OP). When the boxed roll 41 is stored in the storage warehouse 4, the movable workbench 94 is extended to the side near the operator OP, and when the boxed roll 41 placed on the movable workbench 94 is accommodated in the shell 91, the movable workbench 94 is pulled into the depth.

[0074] A plurality of storage positions 92S for storing (loading) the boxed roll 41 are predefined in advance on the plurality of shelf sections 92 provided in the storage warehouse 4. That is, in the present embodiment, each shelf section 92 is a storage section having a plurality of storage positions 92S, and the storage positions 92S store the box 42 (i.e., the boxed roll 41) containing the roll 27R.

[0075] exist Fig.16 In the embodiment, a box transfer mechanism 95 is provided in the housing 91. The box transfer mechanism 95 includes: a Z-axis table 96 extending in the up-down direction (set as the Z-axis direction); a Y-axis table 97 extending in the front-back direction (set as the Y-axis direction) when the operator OP observes, and moving in the up-down direction with the help of the Z-axis table 96; an X-axis table 98 extending in the lateral direction (set as the X-axis direction) when the operator OP observes, and moving in the front-back direction with the help of the Y-axis table 97; and a transfer head 99 moving in the X-axis direction with the help of the X-axis table 98.

[0076] The cassette transfer mechanism 95 moves the transfer head 99 three-dimensionally by moving the Y-axis table 97 along the Z-axis direction based on the Z-axis table 96, moving the X-axis table 98 along the Y-axis direction based on the Y-axis table 97, and moving the transfer head 99 along the X-axis direction based on the X-axis table 98. The transfer head 99 has two fingers 99F arranged along the X-axis direction.

[0077] The transfer head 99 can move the two fingers 99F closer to or farther from each other in the X-axis direction. When the two fingers 99F are operated in a closed manner with the cassette roll 41 disposed between the two fingers 99F, the cassette roll 41 is gripped by the two fingers 99F (ie, by the transfer head 99).

[0078] exist Fig.16 In the embodiment, the transfer head 99 is provided with a non-contact reader 100 with an imaging field of view oriented in the depth direction when viewed by the operator OP. The non-contact reader 100 faces the wireless tag 42M provided on the box 42 of the boxed roll 41 at the position where the transfer head 99 holds the boxed roll 41.

[0079] The contactless reader 100 reads the information written in the wireless tag 42M (the component information and identification information of the component BH stored in the roll 27R) by wireless communication while facing the wireless tag 42M. In the present embodiment, the contactless reader 100 functions as an identification information reading unit that reads the identification information written in the wireless tag 42M as a storage unit. After reading the information written in the wireless tag 42M of the boxed roll 41, the contactless reader 100 causes the management computer 6 to store the read information (described later).

[0080] A unique address is assigned to each storage position 92S defined in each of the plurality of shelf sections 92. In the present embodiment, when the boxed roll 41 is stored (placed) in the storage position 92S, information (component information) of the component BH stored in the roll 27R (carrier tape 27) of the boxed roll 41 is associated (so-called linked) with the identification information of the boxed roll 41 and stored in the management computer 6. Furthermore, information (storage position information) of the component information is associated with the information of the storage position 92S and stored in the management computer 6 (described later). Thus, the management computer 6 can understand which boxed roll 41 storing which component BH is stored in which storage position 92S of the storage warehouse 4.

[0081] Fig.17 The overall control system of the component assembly system 1 is shown by a block diagram. Fig.17As shown, the management computer 6 includes a production information management unit 101, a component monitoring unit 102, an operation instruction unit 103, and an information management unit 104. The production information management unit 101 stores production plan data in the component assembly system 1. The component monitoring unit 102 monitors the remaining quantity of the component BH in the manufacturing line 2. When the component monitoring unit 102 predicts that the component is running out, it transmits this to the operation instruction unit 103.

[0082] The operation instruction unit 103 instructs the manufacturing line 2 and the operator OP on the operation when the machine type is switched based on the production plan data stored in the production information management unit 101, and instructs the storage warehouse 4 on the delivery of the parts BH used in the production of the next machine type. In addition, the operation instruction unit 103 instructs the operation based on the information from the parts monitoring unit 102 (specifically, instructions on the delivery of the replenishment parts to the storage warehouse 4, and instructions on the parts replenishment operation to the operator OP).

[0083] The information management unit 104 includes a first information management unit 104a, a second information management unit 104b, an identification information generation unit 104c, and a storage location information generation unit 104d ( Fig.17 ). The first information management unit 104a manages the component information, and the second information management unit 104b manages the information (storage location information) of the storage location 92S of the component BH in the storage warehouse 4. Specifically, the first information management unit 104a stores the component information and the identification information about the generated roll 27R in a state of being associated with each other. In addition, the second information management unit 104b stores the identification information and the storage location 92S information (storage location information) about the generated roll 27R in a state of being associated with each other.

[0084] The identification information generating unit 104c generates (issues) identification information about the roll 27R when the shaft member removing unit 77 removes the shaft member 81 from the roll 27R in the carrier tape processing device 3. The storage position information generating unit 104d determines the storage position 92S of the boxed roll 41 when the boxed roll 41 is stored in the storage warehouse 4 and generates the storage position information.

[0085] like Fig.17 As shown, the carrier processing device 3 includes a processing device control unit 3C. The processing device control unit 3C controls the carrier processing unit 62 (box holding unit 71, carrier conveying unit 72, shaft member moving unit 82 and shaft member driving unit 83 of roll making unit 73, measuring unit 74 (length sensor 74A, component counter 74B), clamp 75, clamp moving unit 75K, cutter 76, shaft member removing unit 77), handheld scanner 63, and writing unit 64 of the carrier processing device 3. Fig.17As shown, the storage warehouse 4 includes a warehouse control unit 4C. The warehouse control unit 4C controls the moving table 94, the box transfer mechanism 95, and the non-contact reader 100 provided in the storage warehouse 4.

[0086] Next, follow Fig.18 1, the process of manufacturing the boxed roll 41 (processing of the carrier tape 27) performed by the carrier tape processing device 3 is described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 1. First, the processing device control unit 3C of the carrier tape processing device 3 obtains the component information of the carrier tape 27 wound on the reel 61R of the carrier tape supply unit 61 (the component information acquisition process in step ST1). Here, the component information is acquired by the operator OP using the handheld scanner 63 to read the identifier of the code label 61L attached to the reel 61R of the carrier tape supply unit 61 ( Figure 7 ), but other methods may be used. For example, the operator OP may input the content of the code tag 61L from an input device (not shown) connected to the processing device control unit 3C.

[0087] After obtaining the component information of the carrier tape 27 wound on the reel 61R of the carrier tape supply unit 61 in step ST1, the processing device control unit 3C operates the box holding unit 71 to position the box 42 (empty box 42) to be stored in the reel 27R next at the working position below the reel 61R (box positioning process of step ST2). And, after positioning the box 42 at the working position, the processing device control unit 3C operates the shaft member moving unit 82 to move the shaft member 81 to a predetermined position above the empty box 42 (i.e., the working position) held by the box holding unit 71 (the shaft member upper movement process of step ST3, Figure 8 ).

[0088] After the shaft member 81 is moved to a predetermined position above the cassette 42 in step ST3, the processing device control unit 3C rotates the reel 61R to release the carrier tape 27 downward while using the carrier tape conveying unit 72 to convey the carrier tape 27 downward, and holds the front end 27T of the carrier tape 27 on the shaft member 81 (tape holding process of step ST4). In this tape holding process, after the front end 27T of the carrier tape 27 is grasped by a robot (not shown), the front end 27T of the carrier tape 27 is passed between the shaft member 81 and the clamping unit 81A. Then, the clamping unit 81A is operated to sandwich the front end 27T of the carrier tape 27 between the shaft member 81 and the clamping unit 81A ( Fig. 9 → Fig.10 ).

[0089] After holding the front end portion 27T of the carrier tape 27 on the shaft member 81, the processing device control unit 3C operates the shaft member moving unit 82 to move the shaft member 81 to the position inside the cassette 42 positioned at the working position by the cassette holding unit 71 (the shaft member lower movement process in step ST5). Fig.10 ), and after the processing device control unit 3C positions the shaft member 81 in the box, the carrier tape 27 is pulled out downward from the carrier tape supply unit 61 by the carrier tape conveying unit 72 (the carrier tape pulling out process of step ST6), and on the other hand, the shaft member driving unit 83 is used to rotate the shaft member 81, thereby winding the carrier tape 27 around the shaft member 81 to produce a roll 27R in a roll shape (the roll production process of step ST7, Fig.11 ).

[0090] After the carrier tape 27 is wound around the shaft member 81 by rotating the shaft member 81 in the carrier tape drawing process of step ST6 and the roll making process of step ST7, the processing device control unit 3C measures the drawn length of the carrier tape 27 using the length sensor 74A constituting the measuring unit 74 (or measures the number of drawn components BH using the component counter 74B constituting the measuring unit 74). Then, when the length of the carrier tape 27 drawn from the carrier tape supply unit 61 reaches a predetermined length (or the number of components BH drawn from the carrier tape supply unit 61 reaches a predetermined number), the processing device control unit 3C stops the rotation of the shaft member 81.

[0091] After the roll 27R is produced, the processing device control unit 3C causes the clamp 75 to clamp the carrier tape 27 (the clamping process of step ST8). Fig.11 → Fig.12 Then, the cutter 76 is operated to cut the carrier tape 27 (the cutting process of step ST9). Fig.12 → Fig.13 ).

[0092] Thus, in the present embodiment, when the measuring unit 74 measures the length of the carrier tape 27 specified in advance or the number of the components BH specified in advance, the processing device control unit 3C of the carrier tape processing device 3 functions as a cutting control unit, and causes the cutter 76 as a cutting unit to cut the carrier tape 27. It should be noted that, here, the processing device control unit 3C causes the cutter 76 to cut the carrier tape 27 when the length sensor 74A measures the length of the carrier tape 27 specified in advance, but it may also cause the cutter 76 to cut the carrier tape 27 when the component counter 74B measures the number of components specified in advance.

[0093] After the processing device control unit 3C operates the cutter 76 to cut the carrier tape 27, it operates the clamper moving unit 75K and fixes the cut end 27E of the carrier tape 27 cut by the cutter 76 to the tape front end holding unit 42K provided in the box 42 according to the above-mentioned method (the tape fixing process of step ST10, Fig.14A → Fig. 14B ).

[0094] After the cut end 27E of the carrier tape 27 is fixed to the cassette 42 in step ST10, the processing device control unit 3C moves the base portion 75a of the clamper 75 upward ( Fig.15 ), the shaft member moving part 82 is operated to withdraw the shaft member 81 from the box 42 (from the roll 27R). Thus, the roll 27R produced by winding the carrier tape 27 around the shaft member 81 is stored in the box 42 (the roll storing step of step ST11). Through this roll storing step, one roll 27R is stored in one empty box 42.

[0095] Here, a series of steps from the roll making step (step ST7 ) to the roll storing step (step ST11 ) described above constitutes a carrier tape handling step of rolling up the carrier tape 27 drawn out in the carrier tape drawing step and storing it in the cassette 42 .

[0096] When the shaft member 81 is removed from the box 42 in step ST11, the processing device control unit 3C requests the identification information generating unit 104c of the management computer 6 to generate identification information about the roll 27R in the box 42. Then, the identification information generating unit 104c to which the processing device control unit 3C has requested the generation of identification information generates identification information about the roll 27R in the box 42 (identification information generating step of step ST12).

[0097] After the identification information is generated by the identification information generating unit 104c in step ST12, the processing device control unit 3C receives the generated identification information. Then, the component information acquired in step ST1 and the identification information generated in step ST12 are written to the wireless tag 42M attached to the box 42 (the box 42 storing the roll 27R) by the writing unit 64 (writing process in step ST13).

[0098] After the component information and identification information are written to the wireless tag 42M of the box 42, the processing device control unit 3C sends the information written to the wireless tag 42M (component information and identification information about the roll 27R) to the management computer 6, and causes the first information management unit 104a of the management computer 6 to store the information (component information and identification information). As a result, the roll 27R in the box 42 is registered in the management computer 6 in a state where the identification information, which is the inherent information of the roll 27R, and the component information, which is the information of the component BH stored in the roll 27R, are associated with each other (component information registration process of step ST14).

[0099] After writing the information about the roll 27R to the first information management unit 104a of the management computer 6, the processing device control unit 3C determines whether all the boxed rolls 41 to be manufactured have been manufactured (the end determination process of step ST15). If it is determined that all the boxed rolls 41 have not been manufactured, the process returns to step ST2 to manufacture the boxed rolls 41 again. If it is determined that all the boxed rolls 41 have been manufactured, the manufacturing of the boxed rolls 41 (the processing operation of the carrier tape 27) by the carrier tape processing device 3 is terminated.

[0100] Next, use Fig.19 The flowchart shown in FIG. 2 is used to explain the storage operation of the boxed roll 41. First, the warehouse control unit 4C of the storage warehouse 4 moves the movable workbench 94 from the entrance 93 provided in the housing 91 to the front side. Then, the operator OP (or a mobile robot not shown) places the boxed roll 41 on the movable workbench 94 (placement process of step ST21, Fig.19 At this time, the boxed roll 41 is placed on the movable table 94 with the upper opening 55 facing upward and the front wall 53 facing the near side (the operator OP side). As a result, the wireless tag 42M set in the box 42 is in a state of facing the near side ( Fig.16 ).

[0101] After the boxed roll 41 is placed on the movable workbench 94, the warehouse control unit 4C operates the movable workbench 94 to pull the boxed roll 41 into the shell 91. After the boxed roll 41 is pulled into the shell 91, the warehouse control unit 4C moves the transfer head 99 to the near front side of the boxed roll 41 placed on the movable workbench 94. Then, the two fingers 99F are operated in a closed manner to allow the transfer head 99 to grip the boxed roll 41. At this time, the non-contact reader 100 provided on the transfer head 99 is directly opposite to the wireless tag 42M of the box 42 provided on the boxed roll 41, so that the non-contact reader 100 reads the identification information written on the wireless tag 42M (the identification information reading process of step ST22).

[0102] After the contactless reader 100 reads the identification information written in the wireless tag 42M, the warehouse control unit 4C transmits the identification information read by the contactless reader 100 to the management computer 6. Then, the management computer 6 receiving the transmission of the identification information from the warehouse control unit 4C determines the storage position 92S of the boxed roll body 41 (the boxed roll body 41 whose identification information is read by the contactless reader 100) corresponding to the identification information in the storage position information generating unit 104d and generates the storage position information (storage position information generating process of step ST23). The storage position 92S is determined by arbitrarily selecting and determining from the storage positions 92S that are in an idle state at that time point, or by selecting and determining according to a predetermined rule.

[0103] After the storage location information generating unit 104d generates the storage location information in step ST23, the management computer 6 stores the generated storage location information and the identification information of the boxed roll body 41 corresponding to the storage location information in the second information management unit 104b in a state of being associated with each other. Thus, the boxed roll body 41 to be stored in the storage warehouse 4 is registered in the management computer 6 in a state of being associated with the information (storage location information) of the storage location of the boxed roll body 41 including the roll body 27R in the storage warehouse 4 (storage location information registration process of step ST24) with respect to the boxed roll body 41 to be stored in the storage warehouse 4.

[0104] The management computer 6 stores the storage information and identification information of the boxed roll body 41 placed on the movable table 94 in the second information management unit 104b in a state of being associated with each other. Furthermore, the management computer 6 operates the box transfer mechanism 95 to transfer and store the boxed roll body 41 placed on the movable table 94 to the storage position 92S corresponding to the storage position information (storage process of step ST25). Thus, the storage operation of the boxed roll body 41 is completed.

[0105] Thus, in this embodiment, by storing the roll 27R formed by rolling the carrier tape 27 drawn from the reel 61R of the carrier tape supply unit 61 in the box 42, the roll 27R can be handled as a boxed roll 41. The boxed roll 41 can be made smaller in width and more compact than a reel-attached roll, and the reel does not remain as waste after the roll 27R (i.e., the carrier tape 27) is used up, so the workability is also good. In addition, the box 42 itself is not only inexpensive, but also can be reused (circulated) unlike the reel, so the cost can be reduced in this respect as well.

[0106] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the box 42 is provided with a wireless tag 42M as a storage unit capable of storing component information, and the component information of the carrier tape 27 wound on the reel 61R can be written and stored in the wireless tag 42M. In addition, the component information can be stored in association with the unique information of the roll 27R, that is, the identification information, so that the component information can be managed in units of each boxed roll 41.

[0107] In the above-mentioned component assembly system 1, the processing device control unit 3C of the carrier processing device 3, the carrier processing unit 62, the handheld scanner 63 as a component information reading unit, the writing unit 64, the storage warehouse 4 (warehouse control unit 4C, shelf unit 92, box transfer mechanism 95, non-contact reader 100 as an identification information reading unit), and the information management unit 104 (first information management unit 104a, second information management unit 104b, identification information generation unit 104c and storage location information generation unit 104d) constitute a component management device 110 ( Fig.17 ).

[0108] In the management operation (parts management method) of the parts BH using the parts management device 110, first, the parts information is acquired (parts information acquisition process), and after the identification information is generated (identification information generation process), the parts information and the identification information are written to the wireless tag 42M provided in the box 42 (writing process), and the written parts information is associated with the identification information and stored in the first information management unit 104a (parts information registration process). Then, the following steps are performed: the identification information written in the wireless tag 42M is read by the identification information reading unit (non-contact reader 100) (identification information reading process), and after the storage location 92S is determined and the storage location information is generated (storage location information generation process), the identification information is associated with the storage location information and stored in the second information management unit 104b (storage location information registration process).

[0109] According to such a component management method, in addition to the component information and identification information about the boxed roll body 41 being stored in association with each other, the identification information and storage location information of the boxed roll body 41 are also stored in association with each other, so that the boxed roll body 41 in the storage warehouse 4 can be stored and taken out smoothly. Therefore, according to the component management device 110 (component management method) in this embodiment, the components BH can be put in and taken out simply and efficiently.

[0110] Fig. 20The schematic diagram of the operation of the boxed roll 41 in the component assembly system 1 in the present embodiment is illustrated. As shown in the figure, the boxed roll 41 in the present embodiment is manufactured by supplying a reel 61R wound with a carrier tape 27 and a box 42 to a carrier tape processing device 3. A portion of the boxed roll 41 manufactured by the carrier tape processing device 3 is transported to the manufacturing line 2 and used, and the other portion is stored in the storage warehouse 4 (entered into storage). The boxed roll 41 stored in the storage warehouse 4 is unloaded from the storage warehouse 4 and transported to the manufacturing line 2 and used. Then, the box 42 generated due to the exhaustion of the carrier tape 27 of the boxed roll 41 in the manufacturing line 2 is recovered and supplied to the carrier tape processing device 3, so as to be reused in the manufacture of a new boxed roll 41. In addition, a portion of the boxed roll 41 that is transported to the manufacturing line 2 and is in a state where the carrier tape 27 has not been exhausted is sent back to the storage warehouse 4 and is stored (entered into storage).

[0111] As described above, in the carrier tape processing device 3 (carrier tape processing method) of the present embodiment, the roll 27R formed by rolling the carrier tape 27 drawn out from the reel 61R of the carrier tape supply unit 61 can be stored in the box 42, so that the roll 27R can be processed as a boxed roll 41. The boxed roll 41 can be made smaller in width and more compact than a reel-attached roll, and the reel does not remain as waste after the roll 27R (i.e., the carrier tape 27) is used up, so the workability is also good.

[0112] In addition, the box 42 is not only cheap in itself, but also can be reused (circulated) unlike the reel 44, so the cost can be reduced in this respect. Therefore, according to the carrier processing device 3 (carrier processing method) in this embodiment, a component supply form without a reel can be realized with a cheap structure.

[0113] The embodiments of the present disclosure have been described so far, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications are possible. For example, the specific structure of the carrier tape processing unit 62 shown in the above-mentioned embodiments is only an example, and the structure is arbitrary as long as the carrier tape 27 can be drawn out from the carrier tape supply unit 61 and set in a roll and stored in the box 42. In addition, the reel 61R may also use a structure in which the carrier tape 27 is wound from a general reel that is generally circulated. In this case, the handheld scanner 63 reads the component information from the identifier of the general reel instead of the reel 61R.

[0114]

Industrial Applicability

[0115] Provided are a carrier tape processing device and a carrier tape processing method capable of realizing a reel-less component supply mode with an inexpensive structure.

[0116] Description of reference numerals:

[0117] 3 Carrier tape handling device

[0118] 3C Processing Device Control Unit (Cut-off Control Unit)

[0119] 27 Carrier tape

[0120] 27T front end

[0121] 27E Cut off the end (the end on the opposite side)

[0122] 27R Roll

[0123] 41 rolls per box

[0124] 42 boxes

[0125] 61 Carrier tape supply unit

[0126] 62 Carrier tape processing department

[0127] 64 Writing Department

[0128] 73 Roll production department

[0129] 74 Measurement Department

[0130] 75S Carrier tape end mounting section

[0131] 76 Cutter (cutting part)

[0132] 77 Shaft member removal unit

[0133] 81 Shaft component

[0134] 104 Information Management Department

[0135] 104a First Information Management Department

[0136] 104b Second Information Management Department

[0137] 104c Identification information generation unit

[0138] BH parts.

Claims

1. A carrier tape processing device, comprising: a carrier tape supplying unit for supplying a carrier tape containing components; a carrier tape processing unit that draws out the carrier tape from the carrier tape supply unit, rolls the carrier tape, and stores the rolls in a box; and a writing unit that writes information related to the components stored in the carrier tape into the wireless tag provided in the box, The carrier processing section includes: a cutting section, which cuts the carrier tape drawn out from the carrier tape supply section; and a carrier tape end placement section, which clamps the end of the carrier tape cut by the cutting section on the side opposite to the front end section and moves it toward a tape front end holding section provided in the box, and places the end on the tape front end holding section.

2. The carrier tape processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The carrier tape processing unit comprises: a roll-making unit having a shaft member for holding the front end of the carrier tape, and producing a roll-shaped roll by rotating the shaft member to wind the carrier tape around the shaft member; as well as A shaft member removing section removes the shaft member from the roll produced by the roll producing section.

3. The carrier tape processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The carrier tape processing unit comprises: a measuring unit that measures the length of the carrier tape drawn out from the carrier tape supply unit or the number of the components drawn out from the carrier tape supply unit; and The cutting control unit causes the cutting unit to cut the carrier tape when the measuring unit measures a predetermined length of the carrier tape or a predetermined number of components.

4. The carrier tape processing device according to claim 2, wherein: The shaft member has a clamping portion that sandwiches and holds the front end of the carrier tape, and the shaft member is removed from the roll body by being moved in the thickness direction of the roll body.

5. The carrier tape processing device according to claim 2, wherein: The carrier tape processing device includes a cassette holding portion that holds an empty cassette, and one of the rolls is stored in one of the empty cassettes held by the cassette holding portion.

6. A method for processing a carrier tape, comprising: a carrier tape extracting step of extracting the carrier tape from a carrier tape supplying section that supplies the carrier tape containing the components; a carrier tape handling step of rolling the carrier tape drawn out in the carrier tape drawing out step and storing the rolled carrier tape in a box; and a writing step in which information related to the components stored in the carrier tape is written into the wireless tag provided in the box, The carrier tape processing step includes: a cutting step in which the carrier tape extracted in the carrier tape extracting step is cut; And a carrier end placement process, in which the end of the carrier tape cut in the cutting process on the side opposite to the front end is clamped and moved toward the front end holding portion of the tape provided in the box, and the end is placed on the front end holding portion of the tape.

7. The method for processing a carrier tape according to claim 6, wherein: The carrier tape processing step includes: a roll-making step of rotating a shaft member holding the front end portion of the carrier tape to wind the carrier tape around the shaft member to make a roll-shaped roll; and and a roll storing step of removing the shaft member from the roll and storing the roll in the box.

8. The method for processing a carrier tape according to claim 6, wherein: The carrier tape processing step includes a measuring step in which the length of the carrier tape extracted in the carrier tape extracting step or the number of the components extracted in the carrier tape extracting step is measured. The cutting step is performed when a predetermined length of the carrier tape or a predetermined number of components is measured in the measuring step.

9. The method for processing a carrier tape according to claim 7, wherein: In the roll storing step, one roll is stored in one empty box.

10. The method for processing a carrier tape according to claim 7, wherein: The shaft member has a clamping portion that clamps and holds the front end of the carrier tape, and the shaft member is removed from the roll by moving the shaft member in the thickness direction of the roll.

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