Equipment management device, substrate operation machine and equipment management method

Abstract

The equipment management device includes a substrate handling machine and a management unit. The substrate handling machine has a first slot and a second slot, and produces substrate products by performing predetermined substrate handling operations on substrates. The first slot can hold equipment used in the production of substrate products. The second slot can either hold equipment intended for use in the production of substrate products in advance, or temporarily hold equipment no longer needed in the production of substrate products. The management unit updates the control program of the target equipment whose control program needs updating in the second slot.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification discloses technology related to a device management apparatus, a substrate work machine, and a device management method. Background Art

[0002] The mounting machine described in Patent Document 1 includes a first determination unit, a first guidance unit, and an update unit. The first determination unit determines whether a delay time until the replenished feeder starts to be used is longer than a replenishment update time, which is a time obtained by summing a replenishment time for preparing components and replenishing them and an update time required for updating a control program of the replenished feeder. The first guidance unit guides replenishment of a feeder whose control program has not been updated when the first determination unit determines that the delay time is longer than the replenishment update time. The update unit updates the control program of the replenished feeder.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-18930 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] However, in the mounting machine described in Patent Document 1, the supplied feeder is connected to a slot used in the production of substrate products. Therefore, the mounting machine may not be able to use the feeder or at least a part of the function of the feeder during the execution of the update process of the control program, and the production efficiency of the substrate products may be reduced.

[0008] In view of such circumstances, this specification discloses a device management apparatus, a substrate working machine, and a device management method capable of updating a control program for controlling devices used in the production of substrate products while suppressing a decrease in the production efficiency of substrate products.

[0009] Technical solutions to solve problems

[0010] This specification discloses an equipment management device, which includes a substrate operation machine and a management unit. The substrate operation machine includes a first slot and a second slot, and produces a substrate product by performing a predetermined substrate operation on the substrate. The first slot can hold equipment used in the production of the substrate product. The second slot can reservely hold the equipment that is scheduled to be used in the production of the substrate product, or can temporarily hold the equipment that is no longer needed in the production of the substrate product. The management unit updates the control program of the target device that needs to update the control program of the device in the second slot.

[0011] In addition, the present specification discloses a substrate operation machine, which includes a first slot, a second slot, and a management unit, and produces a substrate product by performing a predetermined substrate operation on a substrate. The first slot can hold a device used in the production of the substrate product. The second slot can reservely hold the device to be used in the production of the substrate product, or can temporarily hold the device no longer needed in the production of the substrate product. The management unit updates the control program of the target device whose control program needs to be updated in the second slot.

[0012] Furthermore, the present specification discloses a device management method, which uses a substrate operation machine and has a management process. The substrate operation machine has a first slot and a second slot, and produces a substrate product by performing a predetermined substrate operation on the substrate. The first slot can hold the equipment used in the production of the substrate product. The second slot can reservely hold the equipment scheduled to be used in the production of the substrate product, or can temporarily hold the equipment that is no longer needed in the production of the substrate product. In the management process, in the second slot, the control program of the target device whose control program for controlling the device needs to be updated is updated.

[0013] Effects of the Invention

[0014] According to the above-mentioned equipment management device, a management unit is provided. The management unit updates the control program of the target device in the second slot. Thus, compared with the case where the control program of the target device is updated in the first slot, the equipment management device can suppress the reduction in the production efficiency of the substrate product. The above situation is also the same for the substrate operation machine and the equipment management method. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 It is a top view showing a structural example of a substrate production line.

[0016] Figure 2 Yes means Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of a structural example of a replacement system and a component assembly machine.

[0017] Figure 3 It is a top view showing an example of a feeder replacement operation between a transport device and a component supply device of a component mounting machine.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a block diagram showing an example of a control block of the equipment management device.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a flowchart showing an example of a control procedure by the equipment management device.

[0020] Figure 6 It is a top view showing another structural example of a substrate production line. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] 1. Implementation Method

[0022] 1-1. Configuration example of substrate production line WL0

[0023] The equipment management device 70 of this embodiment is applied to the substrate production line WL0. Figure 1 As shown, the substrate production line WL0 includes at least one (four in this figure) component mounting machine 10, a replacement system 30, a transport device 40a, a storage device 50, and a line management device 60. The four component mounting machines 10 are arranged along Figure 2 The component mounting machine 10 is included in a substrate mounting operation machine WM0 that performs a predetermined substrate mounting operation on the substrate 90. The substrate mounting operation based on the component mounting machine 10 includes a substrate 90 carrying-in operation and a substrate 90 carrying-out operation, a component supply operation, a picking operation, and an assembly operation. The component mounting machine 10 is provided with a cassette feeder 20, for example, in a detachable manner.

[0024] On the substrate loading side of the substrate production line WL0 ( Figure 1 On the left side of the paper), for example, a storage device 50 used for the storage of the feeder 20 is provided. In addition, a replacement system 30 and a conveying device 40a are provided in the substrate production line WL0 to perform supply operations, replacement operations, and recovery operations of the feeder 20. In addition, the substrate production line WL0 can appropriately add and change its structure according to, for example, the type of substrate product 900 to be produced. Specifically, on the substrate production line WL0, for example, a solder printer, a solder inspection machine, a reflow furnace, an appearance inspection machine, etc., can be appropriately set. In this way, the substrate production line WL0 can use various substrate operation machines WM0 to sequentially convey the substrate 90, perform production processing including inspection processing, and produce the substrate product 900.

[0025] The substrate processing machine WM0 constituting the substrate production line WL0 is configured to be able to input and output various data to and from the production line management device 60 via a network. For example, the storage device 50 has a plurality of slots. The storage device 50 stores the feeders 20 equipped in the plurality of slots. The feeders 20 equipped in the slots of the storage device 50 are in a state of being able to communicate with the production line management device 60. Thus, the slots of the storage device 50 are associated with the identification information of the feeders 20 equipped in the slots and recorded in the production line management device 60.

[0026] In addition, the line management device 60 monitors the operation status of the substrate production line WL0, and uniformly controls the substrate operation machine WM0 such as the component mounting machine 10, the replacement system 30, the conveying device 40a, and the storage device 50. The line management device 60 stores various data for controlling the substrate operation machine WM0, the replacement system 30, the conveying device 40a, and the storage device 50. For example, when the component mounting machine 10 performs the component mounting process, the line management device 60 sends various data such as the production program.

[0027] 1-2. Configuration Example of Component Mounting Machine 10

[0028] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , each of the four component assembly machines 10 includes a substrate conveying device 11, a component supply device 12, and a head driving device 13. In this specification, the conveying direction of the substrate 90 is set as the X direction. In addition, the direction perpendicular to the X direction in the horizontal plane is set as the Y direction. Furthermore, the vertical direction ( Figure 2 The up and down direction on the paper is set as the Z direction.

[0029] The substrate transport device 11 is composed of, for example, a belt conveyor and a positioning device. The substrate transport device 11 sequentially transports the substrate 90 in the transport direction (X direction) and positions the substrate 90 at a predetermined position in the machine. After the assembly process by the component assembly machine 10 is completed, the substrate transport device 11 transports the substrate 90 out of the component assembly machine 10.

[0030] The component supply device 12 supplies components to be assembled to the substrate 90. The component supply device 12 includes a first slot 12a and a second slot 12b that can be equipped with a plurality of feeders 20. In the present embodiment, the first slot 12a is arranged at the upper portion of the front side of the component assembly machine 10, and the equipped feeder 20 is kept in a movable state. The feeder 20 equipped in the first slot 12a is controlled to operate in the assembly process based on the component assembly machine 10, and the component is supplied to the take-out portion provided at a predetermined position above the feeder 20. In this way, the first slot 12a can hold the feeder 20 used in the production of the substrate product 900.

[0031] In the present embodiment, the second slot 12b is arranged below the first slot 12a, and stores the equipped feeder 20. Specifically, the second slot 12b holds the feeder 20 to be used in the production of the substrate product 900 in advance. In addition, the second slot 12b temporarily holds the feeder 20 that is no longer needed in the production of the substrate product 900. In addition, the replacement operation of the feeder 20 between the first slot 12a and the second slot 12b is performed by the conveying device 40a.

[0032] like Figure 2 As shown, the feeder 20 includes a feeder body 21 and a drive device 22. The feeder body 21 of this embodiment is formed in a flat box shape. The feeder body 21 holds a tape reel 23 wound with a carrier tape containing a plurality of components so that it can be attached and detached (replaced). The drive device 22 includes a tape guide gear 22a engaged with a feed hole provided in the carrier tape. The drive device 22 rotates the tape guide gear 22a to feed and move the carrier tape.

[0033] The feeder 20 controls the operation of the drive device 22 by the control device of the component mounting machine 10. When the feeder 20 is mounted on the first slot 12a of the component mounting machine 10, it receives power supply from the component mounting machine 10 via the connector, and becomes a state in which communication with the component mounting machine 10 is possible. Thus, the component mounting machine 10 can detect the supply and recovery of the feeder 20 in the first slot 12a. The above contents about the first slot 12a are also the same for the second slot 12b.

[0034] The feeder 20 provided in the first slot 12a controls the feeding action of the carrier tape containing the components based on the control command of the component mounting machine 10. Thus, the feeder 20 supplies the components in a pickup portion provided on the upper portion of the feeder 20 through the holding member of the mounting head 13b so as to be picked up.

[0035] The head driving device 13 moves the movable table 13a in the horizontal direction (X direction and Y direction) through the direct-acting mechanism. The assembly head 13b is fixed to the movable table 13a in a replaceable (loadable) manner through a clamping component. The assembly head 13b moves in the X direction and the Y direction integrally with the movable table 13a through the direct-acting mechanism of the head driving device 13. The assembly head 13b uses a holding component to pick up the component supplied by the component supply device 12. The holding component can use, for example, a suction nozzle that adsorbs the component by the supplied negative pressure air, a chuck that holds the component, etc.

[0036] The assembly head 13b holds the holding component so that it can move in the Z direction and can rotate around the Q axis parallel to the Z axis. The assembly head 13b adjusts the position and angle of the holding component according to the posture of the picked-up component. In addition, the assembly head 13b assembles the component at the assembly position of the substrate 90 indicated by the production program. The total time of the required time corresponding to the predetermined number of cycles of the pick-and-place cycle of the above-mentioned component and the required time required for carrying in and carrying out the substrate 90 is equivalent to the cycle time of each substrate 90.

[0037] In addition, the holding member provided in the mounting head 13b can be appropriately changed according to the type of the component in the mounting process of mounting the component on the substrate 90. For example, when the suction nozzle used in the mounting process to be performed is not mounted on the mounting head 13b, the component mounting machine 10 mounts the suction nozzle accommodated in the nozzle station on the mounting head 13b. The nozzle station is equipped at a predetermined position in the component mounting machine 10 in a detachable manner.

[0038] 1-3. Configuration Example of Replacement System 30 and Transport Device 40a

[0039] like Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown, the replacement system 30 includes a first rail 31 and a second rail 32. The first rail 31 and the second rail 32 form a travel path 30R of the conveying device 40a. The first rail 31 extends along the conveying direction (X direction) of the substrate 90 and is provided between the first slot 12a and the second slot 12b in the vertical direction (Z direction).

[0040] The second rail 32 extends along the conveying direction (X direction) of the substrate 90 and is provided below the second slot 12b in the vertical direction (Z direction). The first rail 31 and the second rail 32 extend over substantially the entire area of ​​the conveying direction (X direction) of the substrate 90 on the substrate production line WL0. The conveying direction (X direction) of the substrate 90 corresponds to the arrangement direction of the four component mounting machines 10.

[0041] The transport device 40a is configured to be able to travel on the travel path 30R formed by the first rail 31 and the second rail 32. The transport device 40a receives power supply from the power transmission unit through contactless power supply, for example, via a power receiving unit provided opposite to the power transmission unit provided on the first rail 31. The power received by the power receiving unit is used for the travel of the transport device 40a, predetermined operations, etc. via the power receiving circuit. In addition, the transport device 40a detects the position (current position) on the travel path 30R, for example, by a position detection device. The position detection device can detect the position by, for example, an optical detection method, a detection method using electromagnetic induction, etc.

[0042] The above-mentioned predetermined operation includes a replacement operation of replacing the device DD0 used in the production of the substrate product 900 by the substrate operation machine WM0 such as the component mounting machine 10 with the substrate operation machine WM0. The transport device 40a of this embodiment uses the feeder 20 that supplies the component to be mounted on the substrate 90 as the device DD0, and performs the replacement operation of the feeder 20 with the component mounting machine 10 as the substrate operation machine WM0. In addition, the transport device 40a can also use the feeder 20 as the device DD0 and perform the replacement operation of the feeder 20 with the storage device 50.

[0043] The transport device 40a of this embodiment transports the feeder 20 from the storage device 50 to the first slot 12a or the second slot 12b of the component mounting machine 10, and performs a supply operation of the feeder 20. In addition, the transport device 40a performs a replacement operation of the feeder 20 between the first slot 12a and the second slot 12b of the component mounting machine 10. Furthermore, the transport device 40a transports the unnecessary feeder 20 from the component mounting machine 10 to the storage device 50, and performs a recovery operation of the feeder 20.

[0044] like Figure 3 As shown, the transport device 40a includes at least one (two in this figure) holding portion 41 and a control device 42. In this embodiment, the two holding portions 41 can each simultaneously clamp a plurality of (two in this figure) feeders 20, and can simultaneously hold a plurality of (two) feeders 20. In addition, the two holding portions 41 can each independently move along the loading and unloading direction of the feeder 20 (in this embodiment, the Y direction) by, for example, a direct-acting mechanism, and can simultaneously move a plurality of (two) feeders 20 along the Y direction.

[0045] Furthermore, the two holding parts 41 can be moved integrally in the vertical direction (Z direction) by a direct-acting mechanism, etc., for example, and multiple (four) feeders 20 can be moved simultaneously in the Z direction. In addition, the conveying device 40a can also have multiple (four) holding parts 41, for example. In this case, the multiple (four) holding parts 41 each clamp a feeder 20, and the multiple (four) feeders 20 can be moved independently in the Y direction and the Z direction. In addition, the type of the holding part 41 is not limited to a clamping mechanism or a direct-acting mechanism, and various types can be used. For example, the holding part 41 can also have a protrusion that can be engaged with a hole provided in the feeder 20. In this case, the feeder 20 is held by engaging the protrusion of the holding part 41 with the hole of the feeder 20.

[0046] The control device 42 includes a known computing device and a storage device, and constitutes a control circuit. The control device 42 is connected to the four component assembly machines 10, the replacement system 30, the storage device 50, and the line management device 60 so as to be able to communicate. The control device 42 controls the travel of the conveying device 40a, the operation of the two holding parts 41, etc. Through the above structure, the conveying device 40a can move to a predetermined position along the first track 31 and the second track 32, and perform the replacement operation of the feeder 20 at the stop position.

[0047] In addition, the storage device 50 is not limited to the feeder 20, and can also store equipment DD0 used in the production of the substrate product 900 using the substrate operation machine WM0. For example, when the substrate operation machine WM0 is a component mounting machine 10, a reel or tray for accommodating a plurality of components, a tray unit for accommodating the tray, an assembly head 13b, a holding component (a suction nozzle, a chuck, etc.), a nozzle station, and a substrate transport device 11 are included in the equipment DD0.

[0048] When the substrate work machine WM0 is a solder printer that prints solder on the substrate 90, the solder container, mask, squeegee, and dispensing head are included in the device DD0. When the substrate work machine WM0 is an inspection machine, the inspection head is included in the device DD0. The inspection machine includes a solder inspection machine that inspects the solder printed on the substrate 90 and a visual inspection machine that inspects the components mounted on the substrate 90.

[0049] In addition, not limited to the feeder 20, the transport device 40a can supply the device DD0 used in the production of the substrate product 900 to the substrate operation machine WM0. Specifically, the transport device 40a can supply the device DD0 stored in the storage device 50 to the substrate operation machine WM0. In addition, the transport device 40a can also collect the device DD0 that is no longer needed in the production of the substrate product 900 to the storage device 50.

[0050] Furthermore, the substrate work machine WM0 is not limited to the component mounting machine 10, and can include the first slot 12a and the second slot 12b, and the device DD0 held is not limited to the feeder 20. That is, the substrate work machine WM0 includes: the first slot 12a, which can hold the device DD0 used in the production of the substrate product 900; and the second slot 12b, which can hold the device DD0 scheduled to be used in the production of the substrate product 900, or can temporarily hold the device DD0 that is no longer needed in the production of the substrate product 900.

[0051] 1-4. Configuration Example of Equipment Management Device 70

[0052] The device DD0 includes the target device TG0 whose control program of the control device DD0 needs to be updated. For example, when the substrate work machine WM0 is a component assembly machine 10, the feeder 20, the tray unit, the assembly head 13b, and the substrate conveying device 11 are included in the target device TG0. When the substrate work machine WM0 is a solder printer, the dispensing head is included in the target device TG0. When the substrate work machine WM0 is an inspection machine, the inspection head is included in the target device TG0.

[0053] In addition, the control program may be any program that controls the device DD0, and may include various programs. For example, the control program of this embodiment is firmware assembled into the device DD0. Such a control program is updated (version upgrade or version downgrade) in conjunction with the production of the substrate product 900 for the purpose of, for example, improving the operating speed of the target device TG0, stabilizing the operating state, adding functions, etc.

[0054] Assume that the target device TG0 is held in the first slot 12a and the control program of the target device TG0 is updated. In this case, during the period when the substrate work machine WM0 is executing the update process of the control program, the target device TG0 and at least a part of the function of the target device TG0 may not be used, and the production efficiency of the substrate product 900 may be reduced.

[0055] For this purpose, the substrate production line WL0 of this embodiment is provided with an equipment management device 70. The equipment management device 70 includes a substrate operation machine WM0 and a management unit 71. The equipment management device 70 may also include a planning unit 72. The equipment management device 70 may also include a conveying device 40a and a storage device 50. Figure 4 As shown, the equipment management device 70 of the present embodiment includes the component mounting machine 10 as the substrate working machine WM0 , the transport device 40 a , the storage device 50 , the management unit 71 , and the planning unit 72 .

[0056] In addition, the management unit 71 and the planning unit 72 of this embodiment are provided in the production line management device 60. The management unit 71 and the planning unit 72 can also be provided in a management device that manages multiple substrate production lines WL0, on the cloud, etc. The management unit 71 can also be provided in the production line management device 60, and the planning unit 72 can also be provided in a management device that manages multiple substrate production lines WL0, on the cloud, etc.

[0057] Furthermore, for example, the equipment management device 70 Figure 5The management unit 71 performs the processing and judgment shown in step S12, step S13, step S14, step S17, and step S19. In addition, the management unit 71 causes the operator or the unmanned guided vehicle to perform the processing shown in step S15 and step S20. Furthermore, the planning unit 72 performs the processing shown in step S11. In addition, the conveying device 40a performs the processing shown in step S16 and step S18.

[0058] The management unit 71 updates the control program of the target device TG0, which needs to update the control program of the control device DD0, in the second slot 12b. Thus, compared with the case where the control program of the target device TG0 is updated in the first slot 12a, the device management device 70 can suppress the reduction in the production efficiency of the substrate product 900. The device management device 70 can adopt various methods as long as it can update the control program of the target device TG0 in the second slot 12b.

[0059] In this embodiment, based on the management plan prepared by the planning unit 72, the transport device 40a supplies the target device TG0 to the second slot 12b. Then, the management unit 71 updates the control program of the target device TG0 in the second slot 12b. After that, the transport device 40a recovers the target device TG0 that is no longer needed in the production of the substrate product 900. The following description is based on Figure 5 The flowchart shown in FIG. 1 is an example of control when the control program of the target device TG0 is updated.

[0060] The planning unit 72 formulates a management plan for updating the control program of the target device TG0. Figure 5 For example, when the planning unit 72 receives a notification of the existence of an update program from the management device of the control program of the object device TG0, the planning unit 72 formulates a management plan. In addition, the planning unit 72 can also formulate a management plan based on a production request from an operator. For example, the planning unit 72 sets an update period for updating the control program based on the idle state of the second slot 12b, the time until the object device TG0 is used in the production of the substrate product 900, and the required time required for the update of the control program.

[0061] The idle state of the second slot 12b and the time until the target device TG0 is used in the production of the substrate product 900 can be obtained from the production plan of the substrate product 900. The production plan records the type of substrate product 900 to be produced, the scheduled production quantity, the production time period, the substrate handling machine WM0 used in the production, the device DD0 used in the production and its required quantity, the configuration of the device DD0, etc. The production plan is stored in the storage device of the production line management device 60, the storage device of the management device that manages multiple substrate production lines WL0, the cloud, etc.

[0062] In addition, the required time required for updating the control program includes, for example, the time for transmitting the update program for updating the control program from the production line management device 60 to the target device TG0, the time for expanding the update program to update the control program, etc. Furthermore, in the case where the target device TG0 needs to be restarted during the update process of the control program, the required time appropriately includes the time required for the restart, the delay time set in consideration of the case where the update process is delayed due to various factors, etc.

[0063] The planning unit 72 extracts the target device TG0 from the device DD0 used in the production based on the production plan of the substrate product 900. For example, the planning unit 72 considers the time until the target device TG0 is equipped in the free second slot 12b, and calculates the time period in which the idle time occurs in the target device TG0. When the idle time is longer than the time required for the update of the control program, the planning unit 72 determines that the control program can be updated in the second slot 12b. In this case, the planning unit 72 sets the time period in which the idle time occurs as the update period for updating the control program. In addition, during the idle time, the target device TG0 is connected to the substrate operation machine WM0 so that it can communicate, and the dormant state of the target device TG0 is maintained.

[0064] In addition, as in the present embodiment, when there are a plurality of substrate work machines WM0, the planning unit 72 specifies the substrate work machine WM0 that updates the control program of the target device TG0. In addition, among the plurality of substrate work machines WM0, there is a case where the control program of the target device TG0 can be updated. In this case, for example, the planning unit 72 can also specify the substrate work machine WM0 that updates the control program of the target device TG0 in a manner that minimizes the number of substrate work machines WM0 that update the control program of the target device TG0.

[0065] The management unit 71 obtains the management plan prepared by the planning unit 72 ( Figure 5 The management unit 71 determines whether it is the update period of the control program for each target device TG0 (step S13). If there is a target device TG0 for which the update period of the control program has arrived (if "yes" in step S13), the management unit 71 performs pre-update preparation and guides the target device TG0 to move in (step S14). If there is no target device TG0 for which the update period of the control program has arrived (if "no" in step S13), the control is temporarily terminated.

[0066] In the preparation before the update, the management unit 71 notifies the substrate operation machine WM0 of the control program of the target device TG0 to be updated. Upon receiving the notification, the substrate operation machine WM0 prepares to update the control program of the target device TG0. For example, the substrate operation machine WM0 can receive an instruction to update the control program of the target device TG0. In addition, the management unit 71 guides the operator or the unmanned guided vehicle to carry in the target device TG0 (step S14).

[0067] like Figure 1 As shown, the equipment management device 70 of this embodiment includes a storage device 50 and a conveying device 40a. The storage device 50 can store the device DD0. In addition, the conveying device 40a is configured to be able to travel on a travel path 30R extending along the conveying direction (X direction) of the substrate 90. The conveying device 40a supplies the target device TG0 before the update control program is moved into the storage device 50 to the second slot 12b, and recovers the target device TG0 that is no longer needed in the production of the substrate product 900 to the storage device 50.

[0068] As described above, the storage device 50 of the present embodiment can store the feeder 20. In addition, the conveying device 40a supplies the feeder 20 before the update control program is moved into the storage device 50 to the second slot 12b, and recovers the feeder 20 that is no longer needed in the production of the substrate product 900 to the storage device 50. In this manner, the operator or the unmanned guided vehicle can move the feeder 20 in and out of the storage device 50. Therefore, compared with the case where the feeder 20 is directly moved in and out of the second slot 12b, the convenience of the operator is improved and the control of the unmanned guided vehicle becomes simple. The above content about the feeder 20 is also the same for other target equipment TG0. Hereinafter, similarly, this specification exemplifies the feeder 20 as the target equipment TG0, but the target equipment TG0 is not limited to the feeder 20.

[0069] In addition, if Figure 1 As shown, the storage device 50 of the present embodiment is divided into a preparation area 51 for storing the target device TG0 before the control program is updated and a collection area 52 for storing the target device TG0 that is no longer needed in the production of the substrate product 900. As a result, compared with a case where the preparation area 51 and the collection area 52 are not divided, the operation of carrying in and carrying out the target device TG0 becomes easier.

[0070] The management unit 71 guides the carrying in of the target device TG0, for example, on a display device provided in the production line management device 60. The management unit 71 can also guide the carrying in of the target device TG0, for example, on a display screen of a portable terminal device. Thus, the operator can take out the target device TG0 from the storage warehouse 81 storing the target device TG0, and carry the target device TG0 into the preparation area 51 of the storage device 50 (step S15).

[0071] In addition, an identification code is attached to the target device TG0, and the operator uses a reading device to read the identification code before carrying the target device TG0 into the preparation area 51. Thus, the management unit 71 can determine whether the target device TG0 carried into the preparation area 51 is correct. When a target device different from the target device TG0 to be carried in is carried in the preparation area 51, the management unit 71 guides the operator to this effect. The operator confirms the target device TG0 and carries the correct target device TG0 into the preparation area 51.

[0072] The management unit 71 can also instruct the unmanned guided vehicle to carry in the target device TG0. As a result, the unmanned guided vehicle removes the target device TG0 from the storage warehouse 81 storing the target device TG0, and carries the target device TG0 into the preparation area 51 of the storage device 50 (step S15). The management unit 71 can determine whether the target device TG0 carried into the preparation area 51 is correct by using the identification code, similarly to the case of the carrying operation performed by the operator.

[0073] When the target device TG0 is carried into the preparation area 51 of the storage device 50, the transport device 40a supplies the target device TG0 to the second slot 12b of the predetermined substrate operation machine WM0 (step S16). The transport device 40a can also transport a plurality of target devices TG0 at a time. Thus, the transport device 40a can reduce the number of times the target device TG0 is transported. In addition, the supply destination (substrate operation machine WM0) and the supply period of the target device TG0 are set by the planning unit 72.

[0074] When the target device TG0 is supplied to the second slot 12b, the management unit 71 updates the control program of the target device TG0 (step S17). Specifically, the management unit 71 downloads an update program for updating the control program from the line management device 60 to the target device TG0, and expands the update program to update the control program.

[0075] The management unit 71 can update the control program every time the target device TG0 is supplied to the second slot 12b. However, in this case, the number of operations to update the control program increases, and the operation may become complicated. Therefore, when the management unit 71 holds a predetermined number of target devices TG0 in the second slot 12b, it is sufficient to update the control programs of the predetermined number of target devices TG0 at the same time. Thus, the device management device 70 can suppress the increase in the number of operations to update the control program.

[0076] Furthermore, the object devices TG0 for which the control programs are updated simultaneously only need to be object devices TG0 for which the update period of the control programs is at least the same. In addition, when the management unit 71 holds a predetermined number of the same object devices TG0 in the second slot 12b, the control programs of the predetermined number of the same object devices TG0 can also be updated simultaneously. The number (predetermined number) of the object devices TG0 for which the control programs are updated simultaneously is set by the planning unit 72.

[0077] In addition, the management unit 71 can confirm whether the version of the control program of the target device TG0 scheduled to be used in the production of the substrate product 900, for which the update of the control program has been completed, is consistent with the specified version of the control program specified in the production of the substrate product 900 scheduled to be executed. For example, the specified version is specified according to the production process in the production plan of each substrate product 900. In addition, the specified version is specified according to the type of each target device TG0. The specified version is specified, for example, according to a specific version, the latest version, a version higher than the specific version, etc.

[0078] When the version of the control program of the target device TG0 scheduled to be used in the production of the substrate product 900 is consistent with the specified version, the target device TG0 can be used in the production of the substrate product 900 to be executed. On the other hand, when the version of the control program of the target device TG0 scheduled to be used in the production of the substrate product 900 is inconsistent with the specified version, the target device TG0 cannot be used in the production of the substrate product 900 to be executed. In this case, the management unit 71 informs the operator of the inconsistency of the control program version.

[0079] The management unit 71 leaves the object device TG0 that is scheduled to be used in the production of the substrate product 900 among the object devices TG0 for which the control program has been updated in the second slot 12b, and recovers the object device TG0 that is no longer needed in the production of the substrate product 900 (step S18). Thus, the equipment management device 70 can leave the object device TG0 that is needed in the production of the substrate product 900 in the second slot 12b, and recover the object device TG0 that is no longer needed in the production of the substrate product 900 from the second slot 12b. In the present embodiment, the transport device 40a recovers the object device TG0 that is no longer needed in the production of the substrate product 900 from the second slot 12b to the recovery area 52 of the storage device 50. As described later, an operator or an unmanned transport vehicle can also recover the object device TG0 that is no longer needed in the production of the substrate product 900 from the second slot 12b.

[0080] When the target device TG0 that is no longer needed in the production of the substrate product 900 is collected in the collection area 52 of the storage device 50, the management unit 71 guides the operator or the unmanned guided vehicle to carry out the target device TG0 (step S19). The management unit 71 guides the carrying out of the target device TG0 on the display device provided in the production line management device 60, for example. The management unit 71 can also guide the carrying out of the target device TG0 on the display screen of the portable terminal device, for example.

[0081] Thus, the operator carries out the target device TG0 from the collection area 52 of the storage device 50 (step S20). The management unit 71 can also instruct the unmanned guided vehicle to carry out the target device TG0. Thus, the unmanned guided vehicle carries out the target device TG0 from the collection area 52 of the storage device 50 (step S20).

[0082] Each time the target device TG0 is collected in the collection area 52 of the storage device 50, the management unit 71 can guide the operator or the automated guided vehicle to carry out the target device TG0. However, in this case, the number of operations to carry out the target device TG0 increases, and the operation may become complicated.

[0083] Therefore, when the number of target devices TG0 stored in the collection area 52 exceeds the predetermined number, the management unit 71 can instruct the operator or the unmanned guided vehicle to move out the target device TG0. Thus, the equipment management device 70 can suppress the increase in the number of operations to move out the target device TG0. For example, when the number of target devices TG0 that can be moved out at one time by the operator or the unmanned guided vehicle is stored in the collection area 52, the management unit 71 can instruct the target device TG0 to be moved out.

[0084] 1-5. Deformation method

[0085] 1-5-1. First deformation method

[0086] In the above embodiment, the target device TG0 is supplied from the storage device 50 to the second slot 12b by the transport device 40a, and is recovered from the second slot 12b to the storage device 50. However, the target device TG0 can be transported by various methods. Figure 6 As shown, the equipment management device 70 can include a transport device 40b.

[0087] The transport device 40b is an unmanned transport vehicle, and supplies the target device TG0 before the control program is updated to the second slot 12b, and recovers the target device TG0 that is no longer needed in the production of the substrate product 900. For example, the transport device 40b removes the target device TG0 from the storage 81 storing the target device TG0, and supplies the target device TG0 before the control program is updated to the second slot 12b. In addition, the transport device 40b recovers the target device TG0 that is no longer needed in the production of the substrate product 900 from the second slot 12b, and stores it in the storage 81, for example. In this method, the management unit 71 and the planning unit 72 can also perform the same control as that described in the embodiment.

[0088] 1-5-2. Second deformation method

[0089] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the management unit 71 is provided in the production line management device 60. However, the management unit 71 can also be provided in the substrate operation machine WM0. Specifically, the substrate operation machine WM0 includes a first slot 12a, a second slot 12b and a management unit 71, and produces a substrate product 900 by performing a predetermined substrate operation on the substrate 90. In this embodiment, the first slot 12a and the second slot 12b also have the same structure as that described in the embodiment. In addition, the management unit 71 can perform the same control as that described in the embodiment. Furthermore, the substrate operation machine WM0 can also include a planning unit 72. The planning unit 72 can perform the same control as that described in the embodiment. In addition, in this embodiment, the management unit 71 is, for example, provided in the control device of the substrate operation machine WM0. The planning unit 72 is, for example, provided in the control device of the substrate operation machine WM0, the production line management device 60, a management device for managing multiple substrate production lines WL0, a cloud, etc.

[0090] In addition, in this method, it is assumed that an operator or an unmanned guided vehicle supplies the target device TG0 before the control program is updated to the second slot 12b, and collects the target device TG0 that is no longer needed in the production of the substrate product 900 from the second slot 12b. In this case, the management unit 71 can guide the arrangement of the target device TG0 in the second slot 12b based on the management plan for updating the control program of the target device TG0. As described above, the management plan is prepared by the planning unit 72.

[0091] The management unit 71 guides the placement of the target device TG0 in the second slot 12b, for example, on a display device provided in the substrate operation machine WM0. The management unit 71 can also guide the placement of the target device TG0 in the second slot 12b on a display screen of a portable terminal device, for example. In either case, the management unit 71 can display a placement image of the target device TG0 in the second slot 12b, etc., to guide the placement of the target device TG0 in the second slot 12b. This makes it easier for the operator to carry in and carry out the target device TG0.

[0092] In addition, the management unit 71 can send the configuration of the target device TG0 in the second slot 12b to the unmanned guided vehicle based on the management plan for updating the control program of the target device TG0. As a result, the unmanned guided vehicle can know the position of the target device TG0 to be moved in (moving-in position) in the second slot 12b, and can know the position of the target device TG0 to be moved out (moving-out position) in the second slot 12b.

[0093] 1-5-3. Other methods

[0094] The control program of the target device TG0 can also be updated in the storage 81 storing the target device TG0. For example, when the target device TG0 is the feeder 20, the feeder rack storing the feeder 20 is included in the storage 81. In addition, the control program of the target device TG0 can also be updated in the maintenance device 82 that performs maintenance on the target device TG0. For example, when the target device TG0 is the feeder 20, a feeder inspection jig that inspects the feeder 20, a feeder automatic maintenance unit that cleans the feeder 20, and a drive adjustment are included in the maintenance device 82.

[0095] In both the storage 81 and the maintenance device 82, the control program of the target device TG0 that is not scheduled to be used in the production of the substrate product 900 is updated within a predetermined period. Specifically, the drive power is supplied to the target device TG0, and the control program is updated in a state where communication with the control device of the storage 81 or the maintenance device 82 is possible. The control device has a function of managing the version of the control program and a function of updating the control program of the target device TG0.

[0096] The update program for updating the control program may be held by the control device or by a higher-level control device (e.g., the production line management device 60, a management device for managing a plurality of substrate production lines WL0, etc.). The control device causes the target device TG0 to download the update program, expands the update program, and updates the control program. The control device can confirm the version of the control program of the target device TG0 for which the control program update has been completed.

[0097] 2. Equipment management method

[0098] The situation already described about the equipment management device 70 is also the same for the equipment management method. Specifically, the equipment management method is an equipment management method for the substrate operation machine WM0, and has a management process. The management process is equivalent to the control performed by the management unit 71. The equipment management method can have a planning process. The planning process is equivalent to the control performed by the planning unit 72. In addition, the substrate production line WL0 equipped with the substrate operation machine WM0 can have a conveying device 40a and a storage device 50. The substrate production line WL0 can also have a conveying device 40b.

[0099] 3. An example of the effect of the embodiment

[0100] According to the equipment management device 70, the management unit 71 is provided. The management unit 71 updates the control program of the target device TG0 in the second slot 12b. Thus, compared with the case where the control program of the target device TG0 is updated in the first slot 12a, the equipment management device 70 can suppress the reduction in the production efficiency of the substrate product 900. The above situation is also the same for the substrate work machine WM0 and the equipment management method.

[0101] Description of Reference Numerals

[0102] 12a: First slot 12b: Second slot 30R: Travel paths 40a, 40b: Transport device 50: Storage device 51: Preparation area 52: Collection area 70: Equipment management device 71: Management unit 72: Planning unit 90: Board 900: Board product DD0: Equipment TG0: Target equipment WM0: Board operation machine.

Claims

1. A device management device, comprising: A substrate operation machine, comprising a first slot and a second slot, for producing a substrate product by performing a predetermined substrate operation on a substrate, wherein the first slot can hold a device used in the production of the substrate product, and the second slot can preliminarily hold the device to be used in the production of the substrate product, or can temporarily hold the device no longer needed in the production of the substrate product; and The management unit updates the control program of a target device whose control program for controlling the device needs to be updated in the second slot located below the first slot and in which the device cannot be used in production of the substrate product.

2. The equipment management device according to claim 1, wherein: The management unit leaves the target devices scheduled to be used in the production of the substrate product among the target devices for which the update of the control program has been completed in the second slot, and collects the target devices no longer required in the production of the substrate product.

3. The equipment management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The management unit checks whether a version of the control program of the target device scheduled to be used in production of the substrate product, for which the update of the control program has been completed, matches a specified version of the control program specified in production of the substrate product scheduled to be executed.

4. The equipment management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: When a predetermined number of the target devices are held in the second slot, the management unit updates the control programs of the predetermined number of the target devices at the same time.

5. The equipment management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The equipment management device includes a planning unit that formulates a management plan for updating the control program of the target equipment. The planning unit sets an update period for updating the control program based on a vacancy status of the second slot, a time until the target device is used in production of the substrate product, and a required time required for updating the control program.

6. The equipment management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The equipment management device comprises: a storage device capable of storing the device; and The transport device is configured to be able to travel on a travel path extending along the transport direction of the substrate, supply the object device transported to the storage device before updating the control program to the second slot, and recover the object device no longer needed in the production of the substrate product to the storage device.

7. The equipment management device according to claim 6, wherein: The storage device is divided into: a preparation area for storing the object device before the control program is updated; and a recycling area for storing the target equipment that is no longer needed in the production of the substrate product.

8. The equipment management device according to claim 7, wherein: When the number of the target devices stored in the collection area reaches or exceeds a predetermined number, the management unit instructs an operator or an automated guided vehicle to carry out the target devices.

9. The equipment management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The equipment management device includes a transport device, which supplies the target equipment before the control program is updated to the second slot and collects the target equipment that is no longer needed in the production of the substrate product. The transport device is an unmanned transport vehicle.

10. The equipment management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The control program is firmware built into the device.

11. A substrate working machine comprising: A first slot capable of holding a device used in the production of a substrate product; A second slot capable of preliminarily holding the device to be used in the production of the substrate product, or capable of temporarily holding the device no longer required in the production of the substrate product; and The management unit updates the control program of the target device whose control program for controlling the device needs to be updated in the second slot located below the first slot and in which the device cannot be used in the production of the substrate product. The substrate operation machine produces the substrate product by performing a predetermined substrate operation on the substrate.

12. The substrate working machine according to claim 11, wherein: The management unit guides the arrangement of the target device in the second slot based on a management plan for updating the control program of the target device.

13. A method for managing equipment, using a substrate operation machine, the substrate operation machine having a first slot and a second slot, producing a substrate product by performing a predetermined substrate operation on a substrate, the first slot being capable of holding equipment used in the production of the substrate product, the second slot being capable of preliminarily holding the equipment scheduled to be used in the production of the substrate product, or being capable of temporarily holding the equipment no longer required in the production of the substrate product, wherein: The device management method includes a management step of updating a control program of a target device whose control program for controlling the device needs to be updated in the second slot located below the first slot and in which the device cannot be used in production of the substrate product is arranged.

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