Carrier tape processing device and carrier tape processing method

Abstract

The carrier tape processing apparatus includes: a carrier tape supply unit that supplies a carrier tape in which a component is housed; and a carrier tape processing unit that draws out the carrier tape from the carrier tape supply unit, sets the carrier tape in a roll shape, and houses the carrier tape in a cartridge. Furthermore, the carrier tape processing unit is provided with: a roll manufacturing unit that has a shaft member that holds the tip of the carrier tape, and that manufactures a roll-shaped roll by rotating the shaft member and winding the carrier tape around the shaft member; and a shaft member taking-away part for taking away the shaft member from the roll body manufactured by the roll body manufacturing part.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with the application date of January 21, 2021, application number 202180017847.9, and invention creation name of "Tape Processing Device and Tape Processing Method". Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a tape processing device and a tape processing method for processing a tape that houses components. Background Art

[0003] Conventionally, as a component supply unit in a component assembly device that mounts components on a substrate, a tape feeder that supplies components to a component extraction position by conveying a tape that houses components is known. The tape used in the tape feeder is wound around a reel as its holding body, and transportation, storage, and arrangement relative to the component supply unit of the tape are performed in a state where it is held and wound around the reel (in a state where it is held as a reel-attached roll).

[0004] In such a tape feeder, since the reel is a standard product and it is difficult to reduce the width direction dimension thereof, an empty reel is generated after the use of the tape. Considering the effort required for its processing and storage, a device that can supply the tape to the component supply unit in a state where the tape is wound into a roll without using a reel has been proposed (for example, refer to Patent Document 1 below). In Patent Document 1, a roll of the tape is placed in a storage portion of the component supply unit from a component replenishing mechanism (component supply mechanism), and after the tape is completely drawn out in the component supply unit, an unnecessary reel does not remain at the assembly work site.

[0005] Prior Art Documents

[0006] Patent Documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-21990 Summary of the Invention

[0008] Accordingly, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a tape processing device and a tape processing method that can achieve a reel-less component supply form with an inexpensive structure.

[0009] The tape processing device of the present disclosure includes: a tape supply unit that supplies a tape that houses components; a tape processing unit that extracts the tape from the tape supply unit and stores the tape in a roll shape in a cassette; and a writing unit that writes information related to the components housed in the tape to a wireless tag provided on the cassette.

[0010] The tape handling method of the present disclosure includes: a tape extraction process in which a tape is extracted from a tape supply unit that supplies and stores a tape with components; a tape processing process in which the tape extracted in the tape extraction process is wound and stored in a cassette; and a writing process in which information related to the components stored in the tape is written to a wireless tag provided on the cassette.

[0011] According to the present disclosure, a component supply form without a reel can be realized with an inexpensive structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a component assembly system in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 2 is a side view of a component assembly device included in a component assembly system in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a cassette roll used in a component assembly device in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 4A is a perspective view of a cassette used by a tape handling device in manufacturing a cassette roll in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 4B is a partially enlarged view of a cassette used by a tape handling device in manufacturing a cassette roll in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 5A is a perspective view of a cassette roll manufactured by a tape handling device in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 5B is a partially enlarged view of a cassette roll manufactured by a tape handling device in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 6A is a diagram showing a usage form of a cassette roll manufactured by a tape handling device in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 6B is a diagram showing a usage form of a cassette roll manufactured by a tape handling device in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 6C is a diagram showing a usage form of a cassette roll manufactured by a tape handling device in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 7 is a side view of a tape handling device in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 8 It is an operation explanatory diagram of a carrier tape processing device in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 9 It is an operation explanatory diagram of a carrier tape processing device in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 10 It is an operation explanatory diagram of a carrier tape processing device in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 11 It is an operation explanatory diagram of a carrier tape processing device in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 12 It is an operation explanatory diagram of a carrier tape processing device in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 13 It is an operation explanatory diagram of a carrier tape processing device in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 14A It is an operation explanatory diagram of a carrier tape processing device in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 14B It is an operation explanatory diagram of a carrier tape processing device in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 15 It is an operation explanatory diagram of a carrier tape processing device in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 16 It is a perspective view of a storage warehouse in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 17 It is a block diagram showing a control system of a component assembly system in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 18 It is a flowchart showing the process of an operation of manufacturing a boxed roll by a carrier tape processing device in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 19 It is a flowchart showing the process of an operation of storing a boxed roll in a storage warehouse in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 20 It is a schematic diagram showing the use of a boxed roll in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Explanation of reference numerals:

[0038] 3 Carrier tape processing device

[0039] 3C Processing Device Control Unit (Cut-off Control Unit)

[0040] 27 Carrier Tape

[0041] 27T Front End

[0042] 27E Cut-off End (Opposite End)

[0043] 27R Reel

[0044] 41 Boxed Reel

[0045] 42 Box

[0046] 61 Carrier Tape Supply Unit

[0047] 62 Carrier Tape Processing Unit

[0048] 64 Writing Unit

[0049] 73 Reel Manufacturing Unit

[0050] 74 Measuring Unit

[0051] 75S Carrier Tape End Disposing Unit

[0052] 76 Cutter (Cut-off Unit)

[0053] 77 Shaft Member Removing Unit

[0054] 81 Shaft Member

[0055] 104 Information Management Unit

[0056] 104a First Information Management Unit

[0057] 104b Second Information Management Unit

[0058] 104c Identification Information Generation Unit

[0059] BH Component Detailed Implementation Manner

[0060] Before describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, the problems in the conventional devices will be briefly described.

[0061] In the device described in Patent Document 1, there are the following problems: A large device (component supply mechanism) for supplying the reel of the carrier tape to the component supply unit is required, which incurs costs.

[0062] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1The figure shows a structural diagram of a component assembly system 1 including a carrier tape processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The component assembly system 1 includes: a manufacturing line 2; a carrier tape processing device 3 associated with the supply of components supplied 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 a substrate KB between a plurality of serially connected devices, thereby manufacturing an assembled substrate JK in which components are assembled on the substrate KB.

[0063] In Figure 1 , the manufacturing line 2 is connected to a management computer 6 via an information management terminal 5. The management computer 6 manages the operations of each device constituting the manufacturing line 2. In addition, as Figure 1 shown, 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. As Figure 1 shown, an operator connects to the management computer 6 using a terminal 7, and an operator of the component assembly system 1 can perform various operation inputs on the component assembly system 1 from the operator terminal 7.

[0064] First, the manufacturing line 2 will be described. In Figure 1 , 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 soldering device 16, a final inspection device 17, and a substrate recovery device 18.

[0065] The substrate supply device 11 sequentially supplies the substrate KB to the printing device 12 on the downstream side. The printing device 12 loads the substrate KB supplied from the substrate supply device 11, coats paste-like solder on the electrodes formed on the surface of the substrate KB, and unloads it to the post-printing inspection device 13 on the downstream side. The post-printing inspection device 13 loads the substrate KB unloaded from the printing device 12, and after observing and inspecting the coating state of the solder using a camera to check for defective parts, unloads the substrate KB to the component assembly device 14 on the downstream side.

[0066] Each component assembly device 14 assembles components on the substrate KB loaded from the upstream side and unloads it to the downstream side. The component assembly device 14 located on the most downstream side unloads the substrate KB to the post-assembly inspection device 15 located downstream of it. The component assembly device 14 will be described later.

[0067] The post-assembly inspection device 15 transports the substrate KB unloaded from the component assembly device 14 located on the far downstream side. After observing and inspecting the component assembly state using a camera to check for any defective parts, the substrate KB is transported to the downstream reflow soldering device 16. The reflow soldering device 16 transports the substrate KB unloaded from the post-assembly inspection device 15, and passes it through a reflow oven to melt and solidify the solder, thereby bonding the components to the electrodes. The final inspection device 17 transports the substrate KB that has passed through the reflow soldering device 16. After observing and inspecting the bonding state of the components to the electrodes using a camera, it is transported to the downstream substrate recovery device 18. The substrate recovery device 18 receives and recovers the substrate KB unloaded from the final inspection device 17.

[0068] Next, Figure 2 the component assembly device 14 will be described. In Figure 2 it, a base cover 22 is provided on the base 21 of the component assembly device 14, and a substrate transport path 24 for transporting the substrate KB in the horizontal direction is provided in the working space 23 between the base 21 and the base cover 22.

[0069] Feeder carts 25 are connected at positions on both sides sandwiching the substrate transport path 24 on the base 21. A plurality of component supply units 26 are installed on each feeder cart 25. Here, the component supply unit 26 is a tape feeder, and the carrier tape 27 is transported using a sprocket 26S, thereby supplying the components BH one by one to a specified component supply position.

[0070] In Figure 2 it, an assembly head 32 is provided in the working space 23. The assembly head 32 moves in the horizontal plane direction by means of an assembly head moving mechanism 31. A component nozzle 33 is provided at the assembly head 32 so as to extend downward. The component BH supplied by the component supply unit 26 is adsorbed at the lower end of the component nozzle 33.

[0071] In each component assembly device 14, after the substrate transport path 24 transports and positions the substrate KB from the upstream side, while supplying the component BH using the component supply unit 26, the assembly head 32 repeatedly performs assembly rounds. In one assembly round, the assembly head 32 sequentially performs the actions of adsorbing and picking up the component BH supplied by the component supply unit 26, and assembling the component BH to a specified component mounting position on the substrate KB. After the assembly head 32 repeatedly performs assembly rounds to assemble all the components BH to be assembled on the substrate KB, the substrate transport path 24 operates to transport the substrate KB to the downstream side.

[0072] Here, in the present embodiment, the carrier tape 27 used in the supply of the component BH is successively unwound from the cassette roll body 41. Here, the "cassette roll body 41" is a structure in which the roll body 27R formed by winding the carrier tape 27 is housed in the cassette 42 (also refer to Figure 3 ). The cassette roll body 41 is different from the conventional spooled roll body. Here, the "spooled roll body" is a structure in which the roll body 27R is held by the spool 44.

[0073] Here, the cassette 42 of the cassette roll body 41 will be described. As shown in Figure 4A the cassette 42 has left and right side walls 51, a bottom wall 52, a front wall 53, and a rear wall 54, and has an upper opening 55 and a rear opening 56. A wireless tag 42M is attached to the outer surface of the front wall 53. At the upper part of the rear wall 54, two upper and lower protrusion bases 51B protruding inward from the inner surface of one of the side walls 51 are provided, and a tape front end holding portion 42K protruding outward in the horizontal direction is provided on the two protrusion bases 51B ( Figure 4B ). In addition, one of the side walls 51 provided with the protrusion base 51B has a notch portion 42D obtained by cutting out the portion sandwiched between the two protrusion bases 51B. Groove portions 51M are provided on the left and right side walls 51 of the cassette 42, and the groove portions 51M extend in a U-shape from the edge portion on the upper opening 55 side toward the central portion side of each side wall 51.

[0074] As shown in Figure 5A and Figure 5B , during the storage period or transportation period of the cassette roll body 41, the tape front end holding portion 42K provided in the cassette 42 is inserted into the conveyance holes 27K (holes that engage with the outer peripheral teeth of the sprocket 26S) provided in the carrier tape 27 in advance and locked. It should be noted that the storage period or transportation period of the cassette roll body 41 means the case where the roll body 27R is housed in the cassette 42 and is not in the state of pulling out the carrier tape 27 from the roll body 27R for use. In the present embodiment, the two tape front end holding portions 42K provided in the cassette 42 are inserted into the two conveyance holes 27K and locked. Thereby, during the storage period or transportation period, the carrier tape 27 is prevented from coming off from the cassette 42 of the cassette roll body 41, and further, the entire roll body 27R is prevented from falling off from the cassette 42.

[0075] On the other hand, when in the state of pulling out and using the carrier tape 27 from the cassette roll body 41, the two tape front end holding portions 42K are removed from the conveyance holes 27K of the carrier tape 27, and further as shown in Figure 3As shown, the front wall 53 is set to be in the following posture. By setting the front wall 53 to be in 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 portion of the carrier tape 27 in the cassette 42 is unified, so that the operation of taking out the front end portion of the carrier tape 27 from the cassette 42 can be easily performed. In addition, it is also possible to easily cope with the operation of taking out the front end portion of the carrier tape 27 by an automated device such as a robot.

[0076] As a usage form of the cassette roll body 41 with respect to the component supply unit 26, for example, in addition to the form in which the cassette roll body 41 as shown on the left side is mounted on the feeder cart 25, there is also a form in which, as shown on the right side of Figure 2 and the cassette roll body 41 as shown in Figure 2 the right side and Figure 6A the cassette roll body 41 as shown is mounted on the component supply unit 26 via the fitting 26A. Or, there is also a form in which the entire cassette roll body 41 is housed inside the component supply unit 26 as shown in Figure 6B . In addition, or there is also a form in which, as shown in Figure 6C , the roll body 27R is taken out from the cassette roll body 41 and only the roll body 27R is housed inside the component supply unit 26.

[0077] In this way, in the present embodiment, the cassette 42 of the cassette roll body 41 can function as a support mechanism for the roll body 27R when the roll body 27R is used outside the component supply unit 26 (the function of the reel in the conventional roll body with a reel).

[0078] 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 cassette roll body 41. As shown in Figure 7 , the carrier tape processing device 3 includes: a carrier tape supply unit 61 that supplies the carrier tape 27 containing the components BH; a carrier tape processing unit 62 that pulls out the carrier tape 27 from the carrier tape supply unit 61 and winds it into a roll shape and houses it in the cassette 42; and a hand-held scanner 63 and a writing unit 64.

[0079] In Figure 7In [the structure], the carrier tape supply unit 61 includes: a reel 61R around which a carrier tape 27 containing components BH is wound; and a reel support unit 61S that rotatably supports the reel 61R. An encoding label 61L is attached to the reel 61R, and the encoding label 61L records information (component information) of the components BH contained in the carrier tape 27. The encoding label 61L is printed with identifiers (marks) such as barcodes and two-dimensional codes on its surface. The reel 61R winds the carrier tape 27 in a direction opposite to the normal direction. In the case of a carrier tape made of an 8 mm-wide paper tape, when the carrier tape 27 is drawn out from the reel 61R toward the front, the conveying holes 27K are 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, they are exposed on the right side. This is to make the orientation of the carrier tape 27 of the roll body 27R manufactured by the roll body manufacturing unit 73 described later the same as that of the normal reel.

[0080] In Figure 7 [the structure], the carrier tape processing unit 62 includes a cassette holding unit 71, a carrier tape conveying unit 72, a roll body manufacturing unit 73, a measuring unit 74, a gripper 75, a cutter 76, and a shaft member removing unit 77.

[0081] The cassette holding unit 71 is constituted by a conveying mechanism that extends along a horizontal cassette conveying direction (a direction perpendicular to the plane of Figure 7 ). The cassette holding unit 71 holds a plurality of cassettes 42 in a state where they are arranged in a row with the upper openings 55 facing upward, and intermittently conveys them in the cassette conveying direction.

[0082] The carrier tape conveying unit 72 performs a conveying operation of conveying the carrier tape 27 released from the reel 61R of the carrier tape supply unit 61 downward (i.e., toward the cassette 42 held by the cassette holding unit 71).

[0083] In Figure 7 [the structure], the roll body manufacturing unit 73 includes a shaft member 81, a shaft member moving unit 82, and a shaft member driving unit 83. The shaft member 81 is provided to be rotatable about a horizontal axis. A clamping portion 81A is provided on the shaft member 81, and the front end portion 27T of the carrier tape 27 can be clamped by the clamping portion 81A ( Figure 8 → Figure 9 ).

[0084] The shaft member moving unit 82 has a function of moving the shaft member 81 with the front end portion 27T of the carrier tape 27 clamped by the clamping portion 81A between a position above the cassette 42 ( Figure 9 ), and a position inside the groove portion 51M of the cassette 42 (referred to as the "inside-cassette position", Figure 10 ). In a state where the shaft member 81 is moved to the inside-cassette position by the shaft member moving unit 82, the shaft member driving unit 83 rotates the shaft member 81 ( Figure 11 the arrow R shown in). Thereby, the carrier tape 27 is successively wound around the shaft member 81.

[0085] In this way, the roll body manufacturing unit 73 is configured to include a shaft member 81 that holds the front end portion 27T of the carrier tape 27, and the carrier tape 27 is wound around the shaft member 81 by rotating the shaft member 81 to manufacture a roll-shaped roll body 27R.

[0086] In Figure 7 it, the measurement 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 conveyance unit 72 based on the operation amount of the carrier tape conveyance unit 72. The carrier tape conveyance unit 72 includes a sprocket 72A that discharges the carrier tape 27, and the length sensor 74A measures the length of the drawn-out carrier tape 27 by detecting the rotation amount of the sprocket 72A through an encoder or the like. 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.

[0087] In Figure 7 it, the gripper 75 is provided below the component counter 74B. The gripper 75 has a pair of gripping members 75b and 75c on the base portion 75a. The pair of gripping members 75b and 75c move closer to each other to grip the carrier tape 27 located between the pair of gripping members 75b and 75c ( Figure 11 → Figure 12 ).

[0088] In Figure 7 it, the cutter 76 is provided between the component counter 74B and the gripper 75, and two cutting members 76a and 76b are arranged with their cutting edges facing each other. The two cutting members 76a and 76b move closer to each other to cut the carrier tape 27 that extends downward between the two cutting members 76a and 76b and is gripped by the gripper 75 ( Figure 12 → Figure 13 ).

[0089] After the cutter 76 cuts the carrier tape 27, in a state where the cut end portion 27E ( Figure 14A ), which is the end portion of the carrier tape 27 opposite to the front end portion 27T, is gripped by the two gripping members 75b and 75c, the base portion 75a of the gripper 75 (i.e., the entire gripper 75) is moved by the gripper moving portion 75K ( Figure 7 ). Then, the gripping member 75b enters the notch portion 42D provided in the cassette 42 ( Figure 14A → Figure 14B ), and the cut end portion 27E of the carrier tape 27 is disposed (fixed) in the tape front end holding portion 42K provided in the cassette 42 ( Figure 14B , also refer to Figure 5B). Then, after releasing the gripper 75's grip on the carrier tape 27, the base portion 75a of the gripper 75 is horizontally moved away from the cassette 42 to retract the gripping member 75b from the notch portion 42D, and then the base portion 75a is moved upward (retracted) above the cassette 42 ( Figure 14B → Figure 15 ). As a result, a state is formed in which a wound body 27R of the carrier tape 27 is formed in the cassette 42.

[0090] In this way, in the present embodiment, the gripper 75 and the gripper moving portion 75K form a carrier tape end portion disposing portion 75S that disposes the end portion (cut end portion 27E) of the carrier tape 27 opposite to the front end portion 27T, which is cut by the cutter 76, at the tape front end holding portion 42K provided in the cassette 42.

[0091] The shaft member removing portion 77 removes the shaft member 81 from the wound body 27R produced by the wound body producing portion 73. The shaft member removing portion 77 is provided with a mechanism for moving the shaft member 81 along the thickness direction of the produced wound body 27R. When the shaft member removing portion 77 moves the shaft member 81 along the thickness direction of the wound body 27R, the movement of the wound body 27R is obstructed by the side wall 51 of the cassette 42, so the shaft member 81 is retracted from the wound body 27R. As a result, the wound body 27R produced by the wound body producing portion 73 is in a state of being stored in the cassette 42.

[0092] The hand-held scanner 63 is a device that optically reads identifiers such as barcodes. The hand-held scanner 63 is operated by an operator to read component information from the identifier reading part of the coding label 61L attached to the reel 61R of the carrier tape supply portion 61. Here, "component information" refers to information related to the component BH stored in the carrier tape 27 wound around the reel 61R of the carrier tape supply portion 61, and includes at least one of the type, component name, characteristics, manufacturing date, manufacturer, expiration date, number of components, and access information (URL, etc.) for accessing the above information.

[0093] In this way, in the present embodiment, the hand-held scanner 63 becomes a component information acquisition portion that acquires component information, which is information related to the component stored in the carrier tape 27. It should be noted that when the reel 61R has a wireless tag storing component information, a non-contact reader having a function of non-contact reading of the information recorded in the wireless tag can be used instead of the hand-held scanner 63 as the component information acquisition portion.

[0094] The writing portion 64 writes information to the wireless tag 42M of the cassette 42 held by the cassette holding portion 71 by wireless communication. The information written by the writing portion 64 to the wireless tag 42M is the component information and identification information acquired (read) via the hand-held scanner 63.

[0095] Here, the "identification information" refers to information used to distinguish the component BH stored in a roll body 27R used in the component assembly system 1 from the component BH stored in other roll bodies 27R. The identification information is composed of, for example, a serial number issued in the factory where the component assembly system 1 is installed. In the present embodiment, as described later, when generating the roll body 27R of the carrier tape 27, the identification information is generated (issued) in the management computer 6. In addition, the identification information also serves as management information for managing the cassette 42. That is, the identification information is used for both the purpose of identifying the roll body 27R and the purpose of identifying the cassette 42.

[0096] Next, the storage warehouse 4 will be described. The storage warehouse 4 stores the cassette roll bodies 41. The cassette roll bodies 41 mentioned here include not only the cassette roll bodies 41 just manufactured by the carrier tape processing device 3 but also the cassette roll bodies 41 in use that are used in the component assembly device 14 and are sent back halfway.

[0097] In Figure 16 the storage warehouse 4 has a plurality of shelf portions 92 (storage portions) inside the housing 91. An entrance 93 is provided below the front surface of the housing 91, and a moving workbench 94 is provided inside the housing 91. The moving workbench 94 performs a protruding action of protruding through the entrance 93 to the outside of the housing 91 (near the operator OP) and a pulling action into the housing 91 (the depth side when observed from the operator OP). When the cassette roll body 41 is stored in the storage warehouse 4, the moving workbench 94 is protruded toward the near side of the operator OP, and when the cassette roll body 41 placed on the moving workbench 94 is accommodated inside the housing 91, the moving workbench 94 is pulled into the depth side.

[0098] A plurality of storage positions 92S for storing (placing) the cassette roll bodies 41 are respectively predefined in the plurality of shelf portions 92 provided in the storage warehouse 4. That is, in the present embodiment, each shelf portion 92 becomes a storage portion having a plurality of storage positions 92S, and the storage positions 92S store the cassette 42 (i.e., the cassette roll body 41) containing the roll body 27R.

[0099] In Figure 16 the housing 91, a cassette transfer mechanism 95 is provided. The cassette transfer mechanism 95 includes: a Z-axis workbench 96 extending in the vertical direction (set as the Z-axis direction); a Y-axis workbench 97 extending in the front-rear direction (set as the Y-axis direction when observed by the operator OP) and moving in the vertical direction by means of the Z-axis workbench 96; an X-axis workbench 98 extending in the lateral direction (set as the X-axis direction when observed by the operator OP) and moving in the front-rear direction by means of the Y-axis workbench 97; and a transfer head 99 moving in the X-axis direction by means of the X-axis workbench 98.

[0100] The cassette transfer mechanism 95 moves the transfer head 99 three-dimensionally by the movement of the Y-axis table 97 along the Z-axis direction based on the Z-axis table 96, the movement of the X-axis table 98 along the Y-axis direction based on the Y-axis table 97, and the movement of the transfer head 99 along the X-axis direction based on the X-axis table 98. The transfer head 99 includes two finger portions 99F arranged in the X-axis direction.

[0101] The transfer head 99 can move the two finger portions 99F closer to or away from each other in the X-axis direction. When the two finger portions 99F are operated in a closed manner with the cassette-shaped roll body 41 disposed between them, the cassette-shaped roll body 41 is gripped by the two finger portions 99F (i.e., by the transfer head 99).

[0102] In Figure 16 a non-contact reader 100 is provided on the transfer head 99 so that the imaging field of view faces the depth direction when observed by the operator OP. The non-contact reader 100 faces the wireless tag 42M of the cassette 42 provided on the cassette-shaped roll body 41 at the position where the transfer head 99 grips the cassette-shaped roll body 41.

[0103] In a state where the non-contact reader 100 faces the wireless tag 42M, information (part information and identification information of the part BH stored in the roll body 27R) written in the wireless tag 42M is read by wireless communication. In the present embodiment, the non-contact reader 100 functions as an identification information reading unit that reads the identification information written in the wireless tag 42M serving as a storage unit. After the non-contact reader 100 reads the information of the wireless tag 42M of the cassette-shaped roll body 41, it causes the management computer 6 to store the read information (described later).

[0104] A unique address is assigned to each storage position 92S defined in the plurality of shelf portions 92. In the present embodiment, when the cassette-shaped roll body 41 is stored (placed) in the storage position 92S, information (part information) of the part BH stored in the roll body 27R (carrier tape 27) of the cassette-shaped roll body 41 is associated (so-called linked) with the identification information of the cassette-shaped roll body 41 and stored in the management computer 6. Further, information in which the part information is associated with the information of the storage position 92S (storage position information) is stored in the management computer 6 (described later). Thereby, the management computer 6 can grasp in which storage position 92S of the storage warehouse 4 the cassette-shaped roll body 41 storing which part BH is stored.

[0105] Figure 17 The overall control system of the component assembly system 1 is shown by a block diagram. As Figure 17As shown, the management computer 6 includes a production information management department 101, a component monitoring department 102, an operation instruction department 103, and an information management department 104. The production information management department 101 stores production plan data in the component assembly system 1. The component monitoring department 102 monitors the remaining quantity of component BH in the manufacturing line 2, etc. When the component monitoring department 102 predicts that the components will be exhausted, it transmits this intention to the operation instruction department 103.

[0106] The operation instruction department 103 gives operation instructions for switching the machine types based on the production plan data stored in the production information management department 101 to the manufacturing line 2 and the operator OP, and gives instructions such as sending out the component BH to be used in the production of the next machine type to the storage warehouse 4. In addition, the operation instruction department 103 gives operation instructions based on the information from the component monitoring department 102 (specifically, instructions for sending out supplementary components to the storage warehouse 4 and instructions for the component replenishment operation for the operator OP), etc.

[0107] The information management department 104 includes a first information management department 104a, a second information management department 104b, an identification information generation department 104c, and a storage location information generation department 104d ( Figure 17 ). The first information management department 104a manages component information, and the second information management department 104b manages information on the storage location 92S of the component BH in the storage warehouse 4 (storage location information). Specifically, the first information management department 104a stores the component information about the generated reel body 27R and the identification information in an associated state. In addition, the second information management department 104b stores the identification information about the generated reel body 27R and the information on the storage location 92S (storage location information) in an associated state.

[0108] The identification information generation department 104c generates (issues) identification information about the reel body 27R when the shaft member removal unit 77 in the tape processing device 3 removes the shaft member 81 from the reel body 27R, etc. The storage location information generation department 104d determines the storage location 92S of the boxed reel body 41 and generates storage location information when the boxed reel body 41 is stored in the storage warehouse 4.

[0109] As Figure 17 shown, the tape processing device 3 includes a processing device control unit 3C. The processing device control unit 3C controls the tape processing unit 62 (the cassette holding unit 71, the tape conveying unit 72, the shaft member moving unit 82 and the shaft member driving unit 83 of the reel body manufacturing unit 73, the measuring unit 74 (the length sensor 74A, the component counter 74B), the gripper 75, the gripper moving unit 75K, the cutter 76, the shaft member removal unit 77), the hand-held scanner 63, and the writing unit 64 provided in the tape processing device 3. In addition, as Figure 17As shown, the storage warehouse 4 is provided with a warehouse control unit 4C. The warehouse control unit 4C controls the mobile workbench 94, the cassette transfer mechanism 95, and the non-contact reader 100 provided in the storage warehouse 4.

[0110] Next, according to the Figure 18 flowchart shown, the process of manufacturing the cassette wound body 41 (the process of processing the carrier tape 27) by the carrier tape processing device 3 will be described. First, the processing device control unit 3C of the carrier tape processing device 3 acquires the component information of the carrier tape 27 wound around the reel 61R of the carrier tape supply unit 61 (the component information acquisition process in step ST1). Here, the acquisition of the component information is performed by the operator OP reading the identifier of the coded label 61L attached to the reel 61R of the carrier tape supply unit 61 using the hand-held scanner 63 ( Figure 7 ), but other methods can also be used. For example, the operator OP can also input the content equivalent to that of the coded label 61L from an input device (not shown) connected to the processing device control unit 3C.

[0111] After acquiring the component information of the carrier tape 27 wound around the reel 61R of the carrier tape supply unit 61 in step ST1, the processing device control unit 3C operates the cassette holding unit 71 to position the cassette 42 (empty cassette 42) that will receive the wound body 27R below the reel 61R at the working position (the cassette positioning process in step ST2). And after positioning the cassette 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 specified position above the empty cassette 42 held by the cassette holding unit 71 (i.e., at the working position) (the shaft member upward movement process in step ST3, Figure 8 ).

[0112] After moving the shaft member 81 to the specified position above the cassette 42 in step ST3, the processing device control unit 3C rotates the reel 61R to pay out the carrier tape 27 downward while conveying the carrier tape 27 downward by the carrier tape conveying unit 72, and holds the front end portion 27T of the carrier tape 27 on the shaft member 81 (the tape holding process in step ST4). In this tape holding process, after gripping the front end portion 27T of the carrier tape 27 with a robot or the like (not shown), the front end portion 27T of the carrier tape 27 is passed through between the shaft member 81 and the clamping portion 81A. And then, the clamping portion 81A is operated, whereby the front end portion 27T of the carrier tape 27 is clamped between the shaft member 81 and the clamping portion 81A ( Figure 9 → Figure 10 ).

[0113] After the processing device control unit 3C holds the front end 27T of the carrier tape 27 on the shaft member 81, it operates the shaft member moving unit 82 to move the shaft member 81 to a position inside the cassette 42 that is positioned at the working position by the cassette holding unit 71 (the shaft member downward movement process in step ST5, Figure 10 ), and after the processing device control unit 3C positions the shaft member 81 at the position inside the cassette, it withdraws the carrier tape 27 downward from the carrier tape supply unit 61 by the carrier tape conveying unit 72 (the carrier tape withdrawal process in step ST6). On the other hand, it rotates the shaft member 81 by the shaft member driving unit 83, thereby winding the carrier tape 27 around the shaft member 81 to produce a wound body 27R (the wound body production process in step ST7, Figure 11 ).

[0114] After starting to wind the carrier tape 27 around the shaft member 81 by rotating the shaft member 81 in the carrier tape withdrawal process of step ST6 and the wound body production process of step ST7, the processing device control unit 3C measures the length of the withdrawn carrier tape 27 using the length sensor 74A that constitutes the measurement unit 74 (or measures the number of the withdrawn components BH using the component counter 74B that constitutes the measurement unit 74). And when the length of the carrier tape 27 withdrawn from the carrier tape supply unit 61 reaches a preset specified length (or the number of the components BH withdrawn from the carrier tape supply unit 61 reaches a preset specified number), the processing device control unit 3C stops the rotation of the shaft member 81.

[0115] After producing the wound body 27R, the processing device control unit 3C clamps the carrier tape 27 with the gripper 75 (the clamping process in step ST8, Figure 11 → Figure 12 ). Then, it operates the cutter 76 to cut the carrier tape 27 (the cutting process in step ST9, Figure 12 → Figure 13 ).

[0116] In this way, in the present embodiment, when the measurement unit 74 measures the preset specified length of the carrier tape 27 or the preset specified number of the components BH, 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 perform the cutting of 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 preset specified length of the carrier tape 27, but it may also be that the cutter 76 cuts the carrier tape 27 when the component counter 74B measures the preset specified number of the components.

[0117] After the processing device control unit 3C operates the cutter 76 to cut the carrier tape 27, it operates the gripper 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 part 42K provided in the cassette 42 according to the above-mentioned method (the tape fixing process in step ST10, Figure 14A → Figure 14B ).

[0118] After fixing the cut end 27E of the carrier tape 27 to the cassette 42 in step ST10, the processing device control unit 3C moves the base part 75a of the gripper 75 upward ( Figure 15 ), and then operates the shaft member moving unit 82 to retract the shaft member 81 from the cassette 42 (from the reel body 27R). Thus, the reel body 27R formed by winding the carrier tape 27 around the shaft member 81 is stored in the cassette 42 (the reel body storage process in step ST11). One reel body 27R is stored in one empty cassette 42 through this reel body storage process.

[0119] Here, a series of processes from the above-mentioned reel body manufacturing process (step ST7) to the reel body storage process (step ST11) constitute a carrier tape processing process of winding the carrier tape 27 drawn out in the carrier tape drawing process into a roll shape and storing it in the cassette 42.

[0120] When taking away the shaft member 81 from the cassette 42 in step ST11, the processing device control unit 3C requests the identification information generation unit 104c of the management computer 6 to generate identification information about the reel body 27R in the cassette 42. Then, the identification information generation unit 104c, which has been requested by the processing device control unit 3C to generate identification information, generates identification information about the reel body 27R in the cassette 42 (the identification information generation process in step ST12).

[0121] After the identification information generation unit 104c generates the identification information in step ST12, the processing device control unit 3C receives the generated identification information. Then, the writing unit 64 writes the component information obtained in step ST1 and the identification information generated in step ST12 into the wireless tag 42M installed in the cassette 42 (the cassette 42 storing the reel body 27R) (the writing process in step ST13).

[0122] After writing the component information and identification information into the wireless tag 42M of the cartridge 42, the processing device control unit 3C transmits the information (component information and identification information regarding the roll body 27R) written into the wireless tag 42M to the management computer 6, and causes the first information management unit 104a of the management computer 6 to store this information (component information and identification information). Thus, regarding the roll body 27R in the cartridge 42, it is registered in the management computer 6 in a state where the identification information, which is the inherent information of the roll body 27R, is associated with the component information, which is the information of the component BH stored in the roll body 27R (component information registration process of step ST14).

[0123] After writing the information regarding the roll body 27R into the first information management unit 104a of the management computer 6, the processing device control unit 3C determines whether all the cartridge rolls 41 to be manufactured have been manufactured (end determination process of step ST15). And, when it is determined that not all the cartridge rolls 41 have been manufactured, the process returns to step ST2 to remanufacture the cartridge rolls 41, and when it is determined that all the cartridge rolls 41 have been manufactured, the manufacturing of the cartridge rolls 41 (processing operation of the carrier tape 27) by the carrier tape processing device 3 ends.

[0124] Next, the Figure 19 flowchart shown is used to explain the process of the storage operation of the cartridge roll 41. Among them, first, the warehouse control unit 4C of the storage warehouse 4 moves the mobile 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 cartridge roll 41 on the mobile workbench 94 (loading process of step ST21, Figure 19 ). At this time, the cartridge roll 41 is placed on the mobile workbench 94 with the upper opening 55 facing upward and the front wall 53 facing the front side (the side of the operator OP). Thus, the wireless tag 42M provided on the cartridge 42 is in a state of facing the front side ( Figure 16 ).

[0125] After placing the cartridge roll 41 on the mobile workbench 94, the warehouse control unit 4C operates the mobile workbench 94 to pull the cartridge roll 41 into the housing 91. After the cartridge roll 41 is pulled into the housing 91, the warehouse control unit 4C moves the transfer head 99 to the front side of the cartridge roll 41 placed on the mobile workbench 94. Then, the two finger portions 99F are operated to close so that the transfer head 99 holds the cartridge roll 41. At this time, the non-contact reader 100 provided on the transfer head 99 is aligned with the wireless tag 42M of the cartridge 42 provided on the cartridge roll 41, and thus the non-contact reader 100 reads the identification information written in the wireless tag 42M (identification information reading process of step ST22).

[0126] After the non-contact reader 100 reads the identification information written in the wireless tag 42M, the warehouse control unit 4C sends the identification information read by the non-contact reader 100 to the management computer 6. Then, the management computer 6 that has received the transmission of the identification information from the warehouse control unit 4C determines the storage location 92S of the cassette reel body 41 (the cassette reel body 41 from which the non-contact reader 100 has read the identification information) in the storage warehouse 4 in the storage location information generation unit 104d and generates storage location information (the storage location information generation process in step ST23). Regarding the determination of the storage location 92S, it is determined by arbitrarily selecting from the storage locations 92S that are in the idle state at that time, or by selecting according to a specified rule.

[0127] After the storage location information generation 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 cassette reel body 41 corresponding to the storage location information in an associated state in the second information management unit 104b. Thus, regarding the cassette reel body 41 to be stored in the storage warehouse 4, it is registered in the management computer 6 in a state where the inherent information of the reel body 27R, that is, the identification information, is associated with the information of the storage location of the cassette reel body 41 (storage location information) containing the reel body 27R in the storage warehouse 4 (the storage location information registration process in step ST24).

[0128] The management computer 6 stores the storage information of the cassette reel body 41 placed on the mobile workbench 94 and the identification information in an associated state in the second information management unit 104b. Then, the management computer 6 operates the cassette transfer mechanism 95 to transfer the cassette reel body 41 placed on the mobile workbench 94 to the storage location 92S corresponding to the storage location information and stores it (the storage process in step ST25). Thus, the storage operation of the cassette reel body 41 is completed.

[0129] In this way, in the present embodiment, by housing the tape 27 drawn out from the reel 61R of the tape supply unit 61 as a wound tape into the cassette 42, the reel body 27R can be processed as a cassette reel body 41. The cassette reel body 41 can reduce the width direction dimension compared to the reel body with an attached reel and achieve compactness, and after the reel body 27R (i.e., the tape 27) is used up, the reel does not remain as waste, so the workability is also good. In addition, the cassette 42 is not only inexpensive itself, but also can be reused (recycled) unlike the reel, so the cost can be reduced in this regard.

[0130] Moreover, in the present embodiment, a wireless tag 42M as a storage unit capable of storing component information is provided in the cassette 42, and the component information of the carrier tape 27 wound around the reel 61R can be written into the wireless tag 42M and stored. In addition, since the component information can be associated with the inherent information of the wound body 27R, i.e., the identification information, and stored, the component information can be managed in units of individual boxed wound bodies 41.

[0131] In the above-described component assembly system 1, the processing device control unit 3C of the carrier tape processing device 3, the carrier tape processing unit 62, the hand-held scanner 63 as a component information reading unit, the writing unit 64, the storage warehouse 4 (warehouse control unit 4C, shelf unit 92, cassette 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 the component management device 110 ( Figure 17 ).

[0132] In the management operation (component management method) of the component BH using the component management device 110, first, component information is acquired (component information acquisition step). After generating the identification information (identification information generation step), the component information and the identification information are written into the wireless tag 42M provided in the cassette 42 (writing step), and the written component information and the identification information are associated and stored in the first information management unit 104a (component information registration step). Then, the following steps are performed: the identification information written in the wireless tag 42M is read using the identification information reading unit (non-contact reader 100) (identification information reading step), and after determining the storage location 92S and generating the storage location information (storage location information generation step), the identification information and the storage location information are associated and stored in the second information management unit 104b (storage location information registration step).

[0133] According to such a component management method, in addition to the component information and the identification information of the boxed wound body 41 being associated and stored, the identification information of the boxed wound body 41 and the storage location information are also associated and stored. Therefore, the storage and retrieval of the boxed wound body 41 in the storage warehouse 4 can be carried out smoothly. Therefore, according to the component management device 110 (component management method) in the present embodiment, the warehousing and out-of-warehouse of the component BH can be carried out simply and efficiently.

[0134] Figure 20The figure is a schematic diagram showing the use of the cassette roll body 41 in the component assembly system 1 in the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the cassette roll body 41 in the present embodiment is manufactured by supplying a reel 61R around which a carrier tape 27 is wound and a cassette 42 to the carrier tape processing device 3. A part of the cassette roll body 41 manufactured by the carrier tape processing device 3 is conveyed to the manufacturing line 2 and used, and the other part is stored in the storage warehouse 4 (warehoused). The cassette roll body 41 stored in the storage warehouse 4 is taken out of the storage warehouse 4, conveyed to the manufacturing line 2, and used. Then, the cassette 42 generated due to the exhaustion of the carrier tape 27 in the manufacturing line 2 is recovered and supplied to the carrier tape processing device 3, and thus reused for the manufacture of a new cassette roll body 41. In addition, a part of the cassette roll body 41 that is conveyed to the manufacturing line 2 and in a state where the carrier tape 27 has not been exhausted is sent back to the storage warehouse 4 and stored (warehoused).

[0135] As described above, in the carrier tape processing device 3 (carrier tape processing method) in the present embodiment, by storing the roll body 27R formed by making the carrier tape 27 drawn out from the reel 61R of the carrier tape supply unit 61 into a roll shape in the cassette 42, the roll body 27R can be processed as the cassette roll body 41. The cassette roll body 41 can be made more compact by reducing the width direction dimension compared with the roll body with a reel, and after the roll body 27R (that is, the carrier tape 27) is exhausted, the reel does not remain as waste, so the workability is also good.

[0136] In addition, the cassette 42 is not only inexpensive itself, but also different from the reel 44 and can be reused (recycled), so the cost can also be reduced in this regard. Therefore, according to the carrier tape processing device 3 (carrier tape processing method) in the present embodiment, a component supply form without a reel can be realized with an inexpensive structure.

[0137] So far, the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications and the like can be made. For example, the specific structure of the carrier tape processing unit 62 shown in the above embodiment is merely an example, and as long as the carrier tape 27 can be drawn out from the carrier tape supply unit 61 and formed into a roll shape and stored in the cassette 42, the structure is arbitrary. In addition, the reel 61R can also use a structure in which the carrier tape 27 is wound from a general commercially available ordinary reel. In this case, the hand-held scanner 63 reads the component information from the identifier of the ordinary reel instead of the reel 61R.

[0138]

Industrial Applicability

[0139] To provide a carrier tape processing device and a carrier tape processing method capable of realizing a component supply form without a reel with an inexpensive structure.

Claims

1. A carrier tape processing device, comprising: A carrier tape supply unit that supplies a carrier tape containing components; and A carrier tape processing unit that withdraws the carrier tape from the carrier tape supply unit to form a roll shape and stores it in a cassette, The carrier tape processing unit includes: A roll body manufacturing unit that winds the carrier tape around the shaft member by rotating the shaft member holding the carrier tape to manufacture a roll-shaped roll body; A cutting unit that cuts the carrier tape connected to the roll body manufactured by the roll body manufacturing unit; and A carrier tape end portion arranging unit that clamps the front end portion on the roll body side of the carrier tape cut by the cutting unit and moves it to a tape front end holding portion provided in the cassette, and arranges the front end portion in the tape front end holding portion.

2. The carrier tape processing device according to claim 1, wherein The carrier tape processing unit includes a shaft member removing unit that removes the shaft member from the roll body manufactured by the roll body manufacturing unit.

3. The carrier tape processing device according to claim 1, wherein The carrier tape processing unit has: A measuring unit that measures the length of the carrier tape withdrawn from the carrier tape supply unit or the number of the components withdrawn from the carrier tape supply unit; and A cutting control unit that causes the cutting unit to perform cutting of the carrier tape when the measuring unit measures a preset length of the carrier tape or a preset number of components.

4. The carrier tape processing device according to claim 2, 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 body by being moved along the thickness direction of the roll body.

5. The carrier tape processing device according to claim 2, wherein The carrier tape processing device has a cassette holding unit that holds an empty cassette, and one of the empty cassettes held by the cassette holding unit stores one roll body.

6. A carrier tape processing method, comprising: A carrier tape withdrawal step in which the carrier tape is withdrawn from a carrier tape supply unit that supplies a carrier tape containing components; And A carrier tape processing step in which the carrier tape withdrawn in the carrier tape withdrawal step is formed into a roll shape and stored in a cassette, The carrier tape processing step includes: A roll body manufacturing step in which the carrier tape is wound around the shaft member by rotating the shaft member holding the carrier tape to manufacture a roll-shaped roll body; A cutting step in which the carrier tape connected to the roll body manufactured in the roll body manufacturing step is cut; and A carrier tape end portion arranging step in which the front end portion on the roll body side of the carrier tape cut in the cutting step is clamped and moved to a tape front end holding portion provided in the cassette, and the front end portion is arranged in the tape front end holding portion.

7. The carrier tape processing method according to claim 6, wherein The carrier tape processing step includes a roll body storage step in which the shaft member is removed from the roll body and the roll body is stored in the cassette.

8. The carrier tape processing method according to claim 6, wherein The carrier tape processing step includes a measurement step in which the length of the carrier tape drawn out in the carrier tape drawing step or the number of the components drawn out in the carrier tape drawing step is measured. When the length of the carrier tape specified in advance or the number of the components specified in advance is measured in the measurement step, the cutting step is executed.

9. The carrier tape processing method according to claim 7, wherein In the roll body housing step, one of the roll bodies is housed in one empty cassette.

10. The carrier tape processing method 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 body by moving the shaft member along the thickness direction of the roll body.

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