Production management device

Abstract

Production management device (300), which is configured to determine a production sequence of many substrate types in order to produce the substrates sequentially, subdivided by product type, using a component assembly device (U1, U2) comprising a plurality of component feed devices (F), wherein the production management device (300) has a determination device (211), configured to determine a production sequence of substrates such that if a time from the start to the completion of an off-line setup of all component feed devices (F) to be used for a single product type of substrate is defined as the off-line setup time, a sum of the off-line setup times for two product types of substrates to be produced sequentially is balanced over an entire period of sequential production.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The technology disclosed in the present document relates to a production management device. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0002] A production support system, described in publication JP 2013-191677A, is conventionally known to increase production efficiency when manufacturing a variety of product types on a printed circuit board (PCB) production line. This production support system includes a grouping unit that groups many product types within a range of the maximum number of component types to be attached by an assembly device, and a planning unit that determines a production sequence for the groups based on the component installation time for each group.This planning unit determines the production sequence of the groups by alternating between a group requiring the longest component installation time and a group requiring the shortest component installation time, in order to balance the total component installation time required for the groups adjacent in the production sequence over the entire production period.

[0003] German patent application DE 102 30 356 A1 describes a device and a method for manufacturing simulation, which performs a simulation to calculate the total number of mounting plates that can be produced in a given time by a device for mounting electronic components. This device includes a component feeding section with multiple component feeding devices for feeding different components. The simulation for manufacturing the mounting plates is performed using manufacturing data and manufacturing command data.

[0004] German patent application DE 10 2014 222 936 A1 describes how, for the assembly of printed circuit boards (PCBs) using a placement line, several setups are formed, each with its own associated setup families. Each setup is assigned a number of component types, and each associated setup family is assigned a number of PCB types, so that a PCB of a specific PCB type within a setup family can be assembled on the placement line using components of the component types within that setup. A setup table containing a supply of components of a specific component type within a setup can be provided at the placement line. A method for assembling the PCBs includes steps for identifying the PCB types from which PCBs are to be assembled with components of the associated component types, and for assigning the identified PCB types to setup families.Subsequently, a sequence is determined in which the armor of the formed armor families are to be equipped on the assembly line, and the sequence is optimized with respect to a predetermined criterion.

[0005] German patent application DE 10 2014 222 940 A1 describes a method for assembling printed circuit boards (PCBs) with components on a placement machine, in which a fixed setup and several variant setups are defined. Each setup comprises a number of components, stocks of which are mounted on setup tables at the placement line. Each setup is assigned a setup family with PCB types that can be assembled using the setup. The fixed setup is optimized with respect to a weighted parameter before simulation is used to determine how well variant setups, to which the remaining components of predefined placement orders are assigned, can be implemented on setup tables and mounted at the placement line. DISCLOSURE OF THE PRESENT INVENTION Problem to be solved by the invention

[0006] According to the production support system described above, the total component installation time required for adjacent groups in the production sequence can be balanced. However, this does not reduce the downtime from the completion of the current group's installation until the start of the next group's installation. This is because the component installation time is not always proportional to the off-line setup time required for component installation.

[0007] Assuming, for example, that there are two groups requiring the same component installation time, the off-line setup time for one group will be shorter than the off-line setup time for the other group if the number of cars to be used for one group is lower than the number to be used for the other group. Therefore, it is more likely that an operational stoppage will occur for the other group compared to the first.

[0008] As described above, reducing downtime between groups requires considering the off-line setup time for each group. Simply compensating for the total component installation time required for groups located adjacent to each other in the production sequence is considered insufficient. Means to solve the problem

[0009] The claimed invention is defined by the subject matter of the independent claim. Further embodiments constitute the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0010] The production management device disclosed in the present description is a production management device that determines a production sequence of many substrate types in order to produce the substrates sequentially, subdivided by product type, using a component assembly device comprising component feed devices. The production management device includes a determination device for determining a production sequence of substrates such that if a time from the start to the completion of an off-line setup of all component feed devices to be used for a single product type of substrate is defined as the off-line setup time, the sum of the off-line setup times for two product types of substrates to be produced sequentially is balanced over an entire period of sequential production.

[0011] Assuming that the substrates to be produced sequentially are represented as A, B, C, and D, the off-line setup time is set to 50 minutes for B, 10 minutes for C, and 10 minutes for D, and A, B, C, and D are produced in the described order because off-line setup for A generally takes place the day before, and off-line setup for B occurs simultaneously with the start of production for A. In this case, the off-line setup time for B is the longest of the three. Therefore, due to the waiting time for the off-line setup work for B, this leads to a machine stoppage if the off-line setup for B is not completed before the end of production for A.

[0012] Accordingly, for example, B and C are swapped in the production sequence, resulting in the complete production sequence A, C, B, and D. This means that the sum of the off-line setup times for C and B is 60 minutes, and the sum of the off-line setup times for B and D is also 60 minutes. The sum of the off-line setup times is thus balanced over the entire period of sequential production. In this way, the off-line setup for C begins simultaneously with the start of production for A. The off-line setup time for C is shorter than the off-line setup time for B. This facilitates the completion of the off-line setup for B before the completion of production for A and can prevent machine downtime.Furthermore, the off-line setup for B can also be carried out after completion of the off-line setup for C, until production of C is completed.

[0013] According to the configuration described above, the sum of the setup times outside the line for two substrate product types to be produced consecutively is balanced over the entire period of sequential production. This can prevent machine downtime caused by waiting time for setup work outside the line.

[0014] The production management device disclosed in the present description can be designed as described below.

[0015] The determining device can determine a production sequence of substrates such that if a time from the start to the completion of production of a single product type of substrate is defined as machine operating time, and if the machine operating time is constant for two product types of substrates to be produced successively, a substrate of a product type for which the line-external setup time is longer and a substrate of a product type for which the line-external setup time is shorter are alternately lined up.

[0016] According to this design, the sum of the setup times outside the line can be balanced in a case where the machine operating time is constant, whereas the setup time outside the line differs between two product types of substrates to be produced successively, by alternately arranging these two product types of substrates.

[0017] The component feed devices can be arranged side by side on a single mounting plate, and it may be possible to attach the mounting plate to the component assembly device. The determining device can define a production sequence of substrates such that a substrate of a product type requiring a higher number of mounting plates and a substrate of a product type requiring a lower number of mounting plates are alternately arranged.

[0018] To implement an off-line setup, at least a certain number of mounting plates are required, sufficient for two substrate product types to be produced sequentially. According to the configuration described above, a substrate of one product type requiring a higher number of mounting plates and a substrate of another product type requiring a lower number of mounting plates are alternately arranged. This minimizes the number of mounting plates required simultaneously.

[0019] In a case where the off-line setup time for each substrate is approximately proportional to the number of mounting plates used, the sum of the off-line mounting times for two successive substrate product types can also be balanced. Advantageous effect of the invention

[0020] The technology disclosed in the present description can prevent a machine stoppage caused by a waiting time for setup work outside the line. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a line layout of a substrate production line according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 2 is a top view of a surface mounting device. Fig. Figure 3 is a top view of a batch exchange trolley (showing only a feed plate and the area around the feed plate). Fig. Figure 4 is a side view of a feeding device. Fig. Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating the electrical configuration of the entire substrate production line. Fig. Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating details stored in a memory unit. Fig. Figure 7 is a flowchart to represent a sequence of operations to be performed by a production management computer. Fig. Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating a method for determining a production sequence of substrates. MODE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION<Ausführungsform>

[0021] An embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the Fig. 1 to 8 described. 1. Overall design of the substrate production line L

[0022] Fig. Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating part of the configuration of a substrate production line L, which is applied to the present invention. This substrate production line L connects a soldering printing device (not shown), surface mounting devices U1 and U2, and a remelting device R in series via a conveyor.The substrate production line L produces a substrate by performing predetermined operations on the substrate, such as a printing operation (a process to perform a screen printing of solder paste on the substrate surface), a component assembly operation (a process to mount chip components such as an integrated circuit (IC) onto the substrate after it has undergone the printing operation), and a remelting operation (a process to dissolve the solder paste at high temperature to electrically connect the chip components and a structure on the substrate), each through these devices U1, U2, and R.

[0023] In Fig. 1 is a production management computer, designated by reference numeral 300, which manages the production line L. In the present embodiment, the devices U1, U2, and R, which constitute the substrate production line L, are electrically connected to the production management computer 300 via a local area network (LAN). The production management computer 300 is configured to manage the operating status of the devices U1, U2, and R. 2. Design of the surface mounting devices U1 and U2

[0024] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, each of the surface mounting devices U1 and U2 has a substrate transport conveying device 20, a component line unit 30, and a head unit 60. In the following descriptions, one substrate transport direction (the lateral direction in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) defined as the X-axis direction, whereas a Y-axis direction and a Z-axis direction as in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are defined as shown.

[0025] As in Fig. Figure 2 shows that the transfer conveyor device 20 has a pair of conveyor belts 21 which are driven to rotate in the X-direction such that the transfer conveyor device 20 is set up to convey a substrate placed on the upper surface of the belts 21 by friction between the substrate 21 and the belts 21 in the X-axis direction.

[0026] A transfer conveyor 25 is installed on the upstream side of assembly unit U1. A transfer conveyor 27 is installed on the downstream side of assembly unit U2. Furthermore, a transfer conveyor 26 is installed between assembly units U1 and U2.

[0027] These transfer conveying devices 25 to 27 transition seamlessly into the transfer conveying devices 20 provided in the assembly devices U1 and U2 and have a function of transferring a substrate between adjacent devices.

[0028] In this configuration, a substrate can be conveyed sequentially from the soldering printing device provided on the downstream side (the soldering printing device → the assembly device U1 → the assembly device U2 → the remelting device R).

[0029] A substrate conveyed by the transfer conveyor 25 onto a base plate 11 of the assembly device U1 and a substrate conveyed by the transfer conveyor 26 onto the base plate 11 of the assembly device U2 are each stopped by a substrate stop (not shown) at a processing position (indicated by the dotted-dashed line in Fig. 2 position shown) stopped in the middle of the base tables 11.

[0030] The component feed units 30 are provided at four corners on the base plate 11 of each of the assembly devices U1 and U2. These component feed units 30 serve as feed points for components to be mounted, to each of which a batch exchange trolley is detachably attached. That is, in the present embodiment, a total of four batches D1 to D4 are attached to the surface mounting device U1, and a total of four batch exchange trolleys D5 to D8 are attached to the surface mounting device U2. A maximum of eight batch exchange trolleys can be used in total in the two surface mounting devices U1 and U2.

[0031] Each of the batch exchange trolleys D1 to D8 (hereinafter simply referred to as "trolley") has a feed plate 110 (an example of the "mounting plate" of the present invention) with a Fig. The feed plate 110 is formed in a shape which is located in the flat form shown in 3 on the front part of the carriage. Fig. 3 extends vertically (relative to the surface mounting devices U1 and U2 in the X-axis direction along the transport direction of the conveyor devices 20). The feed plate 110 is designed to allow feed devices F to be installed side by side on it.

[0032] The feeding device F is mainly composed of a feeding device 83, a clamping device 87, a feeding body 81 to which the feeding device 83 and the clamping device 87 are attached, and other devices. The feeding device F is as shown in Fig. 4 shown in its entirety in a form which is elongated in the Y-axis direction.

[0033] A component feed tape BP, in the form of a web, is wound around a spool (not shown) and held in place by the spool. The tape holds components at regular intervals on its upper surface. The feed tape BP is provided with a tape passage 90. The component feed tape BP, unwound from the spool, passes through the tape passage 90 and is pulled forward with respect to the feed device F.

[0034] In the embodiment described above, when the feed device 83 is activated, a gear 84, which constitutes the feed device 83, rotates to pull the component feed belt BP forward within the belt passage 90 and consequently feed the components to a component feed position O, which is fixed at regular intervals at the front end of the feed device F. A single feed device F can only feed one type of component. Thus, substrate production requires at least the number of feed devices F corresponding to the number of component types to be assembled.

[0035] Now, with reference to the Fig. 2 and Fig. Section 3 describes the head unit 60 and a servo mechanism that drives the head unit 60. The head unit 60 mounts components fed by the feeding device F described above onto a substrate, which is stopped at the processing position. Since the assembly devices U1 and U2 both use this mechanism with a common structure, these mechanisms are only explained as an example in the context of assembly device U1.

[0036] A pair of support legs 41 are provided on the base plate 11. The support legs 41 are positioned on opposite sides of the machining position and extend straight along the Y-axis (in the direction shown in the diagram). Fig. 2 (vertical direction shown).

[0037] The support legs 41 are each provided with guide rails 42, which extend in the Y-direction on the upper surface of the support legs 41. A head support body 51 is attached to the support legs 41, with its longitudinally opposite ends being attached to these left and right-side guide rails 42.

[0038] A Y-axis ball screw drive 45, extending in the Y direction, is attached to the support leg 41 on the right side. A ball nut (not shown) is also screwed onto the Y-axis ball screw drive 45. A Y-axis motor 47 is additionally mounted on the Y-axis ball screw drive 45.

[0039] When the Y-axis motor 47 is energized and actuated, the ball nut moves back and forth along the Y-axis ball screw drive 45. As a result, the head support body 51 attached to the ball nut, and thus the head unit 60, which will be described subsequently, move in the Y-axis direction along the guide rails 42 (a Y-axis servomechanism).

[0040] The head unit 60 is attached to the head support body 51 by a guide element (not shown) in such a way that the head unit 60 is movable in the X-axis direction.

[0041] An X-axis ball screw drive 55, which extends in the X-axis direction, is attached to the headrest body 51. Furthermore, a ball nut is screwed onto the X-axis ball screw drive 55.

[0042] In this configuration, when an X-axis motor 57 is energized and actuated, the ball nut moves back and forth along the X-axis ball screw drive 55. As a result, the head unit 60 attached to the ball nut moves in the X-axis direction (an X-axis servomechanism).

[0043] Therefore, the head unit 60 can be actuated to move in a horizontal direction (the XY direction) on the base plate 11 by controlling the X-axis servomechanism and the Y-axis servomechanism in combination.

[0044] The head unit 60 contains suction heads (not shown) arranged in a line, which perform an assembly process. The suction heads project downwards from the underside of the head unit 60 and are configured to move up and down relative to a frame of the head unit 60 by driving a Z-axis motor (a Z-axis servomechanism). The tip of each suction head is equipped with a suction nozzle 63 through which a vacuum device (not shown) applies a vacuum.

[0045] In the configuration described above, each servomechanism is activated at a predetermined time, enabling the suction nozzle 63 to pick up a component fed from the component feed position O by the feed device F. Furthermore, it is possible to move the component picked up by the suction nozzle 63 to the component mounting position on a substrate and then mount the component at the component mounting position (the component mounting process).

[0046] Fig. Figure 2 shows a component recognition camera, which is identified by a reference symbol 17. The component recognition camera 17 takes an image of a component picked up by the suction nozzle 63 and records the position of the picked-up component. 3. Electrical design of each device (a) Electrical design of the surface mounting device

[0047] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, each of the assembly devices U1 and U2 is controlled in a centralized manner by a controller 210. The controller 210 comprises a main control unit 211, which consists of a CPU and the like, as well as a memory unit 212, an axis control unit 215, an image processing unit 216, and a communication unit 217.

[0048] The axis control unit 215 is electrically connected to the respective axis motors 47 and 57 and the respective axis rotary encoders, which detect a rotational state of the respective axis motors 47 and 57, in such a way that the respective axis motors 47 and 57 can be controlled by the axis control unit 215.

[0049] The image processing unit 216 is electrically connected to the component recognition camera 17 and a light source in such a way that an image output from the component recognition camera 17 can be imported into the image processing unit 216.

[0050] In the configuration described above, the main control unit 211 activates the respective axis motors 47 and 57 as well as other devices accordingly, in order to make it possible to carry out the component feeding process through the feeding device F and the component assembly process using the head unit 60. (b) Electrical design of a production management computer

[0051] The Production Management Computer 300 consists primarily of a main control unit 310, a program storage unit 320, a storage unit 330, a display unit 350, an input unit 360, and other units. The Production Management Computer 300 is connected to the LAN via the communication unit 340.

[0052] The input unit 360 has the function of receiving input of production information (information related to substrate production for target product types). In this example, the input unit 360 is formed from a touch panel.

[0053] The storage unit 330 contains various data types necessary for controlling the devices, as well as data by means of which components B1 to B15, as described in Fig. 6 are shown in advance and assigned to their respective feed devices F1 to F15.

[0054] In this configuration, provided that the type of components B1 to B15, which are to be mounted on a substrate, can be identified, data on the type of the feeding devices F1 to F15, which are necessary for supplying the identified component type, and data on the width dimensions W1 to W15 of the corresponding feeding devices F1 to F15 can be obtained.

[0055] When production information is entered via the input unit 360, the necessary data is read from the storage unit 330. The main control unit 310 reads the necessary programs from the program storage unit 320 and executes the programs sequentially, thus automatically generating a production plan, such as a production sequence of substrates.

[0056] A specific sequence of operations to be executed by the production management computer 300 is described below with reference to a document in Fig. The flowchart shown in section 7 is described.

[0057] The specific sequence of processes is now described under the assumption that the following production information has already been entered via input unit 360. (1) Product types of substrates to be produced successively (four product types including product types A to D) (2) Information on components to be mounted on each product type of substrate

[0058] In the production management computer 300, the main control unit 310 performs a process to access the storage unit 330 and to read data from the feeding devices F to be used for production (S10) when product information is entered.

[0059] When data from the feeding devices F are read, a process is carried out to calculate an arrangement space for the feeding devices F and therefore to calculate the number of necessary trolleys N which are necessary for the arrangement of the feeding devices F on each of the product types A to D (S20).

[0060] The process in S20 is described using a concrete example. In a case where 12 component types, components B1 to B12, are mounted on a substrate of product type A, a numerical value for the arrangement space F for the feeding devices for product type A is calculated by summing the widths W1 to W12 of 12 types of feeding devices F1 to F12 corresponding to components B1 to B12. WF=W1+W2+⋯⋯+W11+W12+α where “α” is an expected value corresponding to certain gaps that are necessary between the feeding devices in an actual arrangement.

[0061] As in Fig. Figure 3 shows that the feed plate 110 provided on each of the carriages D1 to D8 has a predetermined transverse width Wo. Therefore, the number of carriages N required for the substrate of product type A can be calculated by dividing the arrangement space WF for the feeding devices F by the transverse width Wo of the feed plate 110.

[0062] The process is further described below under the assumption that, as a result of the calculation as in Fig. Figure 8(A) shows that the number of necessary wagons N for the substrate of product type A is "eight", the number of necessary wagons N for the substrate of product type B is "seven", the number of necessary wagons N for the substrate of product type C is "three", and the number of necessary wagons N for the substrate of product type D is "four".

[0063] As in Fig. Figure 7 shows that the number of required carriages N is calculated in the manner described above, and then the main control unit 310 performs a process to change the sequence of the substrates in descending order of the number of required carriages N (S30).

[0064] In this process, the sequence is as described in Fig. 8(B) is shown in the order described as product type A, product type B, product type C and product type D.

[0065] A setup process outside the line is now described, in which the feeding devices F, which are to be used for the subsequent substrate production, are attached to the feeding plate 110, and the feeding plate 110 is attached to the assembly devices U1 and U2 before completion of the current substrate production. First, the setup time outside the line and the machine operating time are defined. The setup time outside the line refers to the time from the start to the completion of the setup of all feeding devices F outside the line, which are to be used for a single product type of substrate. The machine operating time refers to the time from the start to the completion of the production of a single product type of substrate.

[0066] The setup time outside the production line can vary depending on a worker's experience, skills, and other factors. Therefore, the setup time outside the production line can be stored in the memory unit assigned to each individual worker, so that the setup time is read from memory unit 330 for each worker. Alternatively, it can be calculated by the main control unit 310 based on the number of required carts N, as described elsewhere. Machine operating time, on the other hand, can be determined based on the types and total number of components to be used, as well as the number of substrates planned for production. Accordingly, the machine operating time can be calculated by the main control unit 310.

[0067] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 8(A), off-line setup for product type A, whose production is scheduled to begin first, generally takes place the day before. Therefore, off-line setup for product type B begins simultaneously with the start of production for product type A. The machine operating time for product type A is 30 minutes, whereas the off-line setup time for product type B is 50 minutes. This results in a 20-minute machine downtime from the completion of production for product type A until the start of production for product type B. To prevent this downtime, product type C or product type D, whose off-line setup time is shorter than that of product type A, is selected. It is necessary to select product type C or product type D, whose off-line setup time is equal to or less than 30 minutes, as the substrate to be produced after product type A.

[0068] If product type D is selected, eight trolleys are required for product type A and four trolleys for product type D. Therefore, the total number of trolleys required is 12. However, if product type C is selected, eight trolleys are required for product type A and three trolleys for product type C. Therefore, the total number of trolleys required is 11. Thus, in a case where product types C and D require the same off-line setup time, it is more advantageous to select product type C, which requires fewer trolleys.

[0069] This consequently leads to a situation in Fig. Figure 8(B) shows the production sequence in which product type C is selected as the substrate to be produced after product type A, thus swapping product types B and C. In this production sequence, the off-line setup time from point A is 30 minutes for product type A, 10 minutes for product type C, 50 minutes for product type B, and 10 minutes for product type D. Substrates of product types with longer off-line setup times and substrates of product types with shorter off-line setup times are alternately lined up.

[0070] This results in the sum of the off-line setup times for product types A and C being 40 minutes, the sum of the off-line setup times for product types C and B being 60 minutes, and the sum of the off-line setup times for product types B and D being 60 minutes. The sum of the off-line setup times for two substrate product types produced consecutively is balanced over the entire period of sequential production. Furthermore, the off-line setup time for product type C is completed before the production of product type A is finished, since the off-line setup time for product type C is 10 minutes. This can prevent a machine stoppage and can also allow off-line setup for product type B to begin while product type A is still in production.

[0071] Regarding the in Fig.In Figure 8(B), for the substrate product types shown, all machine operating times are uniformly set to 30 minutes, regardless of the substrate product type. In this case, the sum of the machine operating times for two substrate product types produced consecutively is constant. Accordingly, the substrate production sequence is determined such that a substrate of a product type with a longer off-line setup time and a substrate of a product type with a shorter off-line setup time are alternately processed. This makes it easier to balance the sum of the off-line setup times.

[0072] In general, the setup time outside the line tends to be proportional to the number of required carriages N. Thus, in the present embodiment, the production sequence of substrates is determined by alternately lining up a substrate of a product type requiring a higher number of required carriages N and a substrate of a product type requiring a lower number of required carriages N. As described above, the main control unit 310 can calculate the number of required carriages N and, accordingly, the main control unit 310 can also determine the production sequence of substrates. In this way, the main control unit 310 determines the production sequence of substrates such that a substrate of a product type requiring a higher number of required carriages N and a substrate of a product type requiring a lower number of required carriages N are lined up alternately (S40).

[0073] After determining the production sequence of substrates, the main control unit 310 then selects a single substrate according to the production sequence (S50), then determines an allocation of the feeding devices F with respect to which of the feeding devices F is arranged at which position of which of the carriages D1 to D8, such that the component assembly process can be carried out with maximum efficiency, and further determines the component assembly sequence (an optimization process in S60).

[0074] The optimization process is completed on the substrate of product type A, and then the main control unit 310 performs operations in S70 and S80. If the determination for the operation in S70 is YES, and if the determination for the operation in S80 is NO, the operation consequently proceeds to S90.

[0075] In S90, an exception is made for a cart assigned to the substrate that has already undergone the optimization process in S60, removing it from the target of the optimization process. The process then proceeds to S100. In S100, the main control unit 310 performs an operation to select the next substrate according to the production sequence. In this example, a substrate of product type C is selected. When the optimization process is completed on the substrates of all product types A, C, B, and D, the determination in S80 is YES, and a series of operations is completed.

[0076] Subsequently, under the control of the production management computer 300, the respective devices that form the production line L, i.e., the soldering printing device, the surface assembly devices U1 and U2, and the remelting device R, are operated in such a way that the production of a substrate of product type A follows.

[0077] During the production of substrate type A, the feeding devices F, which are to be used for product type C (scheduled to follow product type A), can be set up on trolleys simultaneously with the production of substrate type A. The trolleys on which a setup of the feeding devices F has been completed are attached to the component feed units 30 of the surface mounting devices U1 and U2. Then, after completion of substrate type A, substrate type C can be produced immediately afterward without interruption. In other words, a trolley replacement operation is performed without stopping the substrate production line L.

[0078] Furthermore, the feeding devices F, which are to be used for product type B, which is to be produced subsequently according to plan, can be set up on trolleys simultaneously with the production of the substrate of product type A.

[0079] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the sum of the off-line setup times for two substrate product types to be produced consecutively is balanced over the entire period of sequential production. This can prevent machine downtime caused by waiting time for off-line setup work.

[0080] The determining device can determine a production sequence of substrates such that if a time from the start to the completion of production of a single product type of substrate is defined as machine operating time, and if the machine operating time is constant for two product types of substrates to be produced successively, a substrate of a product type for which the line-external setup time is longer and a substrate of a product type for which the line-external setup time is shorter are alternately lined up.

[0081] According to this design, the sum of the setup times outside the line can be balanced in a case where the machine operating time is constant, whereas the setup time outside the line differs between two product types of substrates to be produced successively, by alternately arranging these two product types of substrates.

[0082] The component feed devices can be arranged side by side on a single mounting plate (the feed plate 110), and it may be possible to attach the mounting plates to the surface mounting device. The determining device can define a production sequence of substrates such that a substrate of a product type requiring a higher number of mounting plates simultaneously and a substrate of a product type requiring a lower number of mounting plates simultaneously are alternately fed.

[0083] To implement the off-line setup, at least a certain number of mounting plates are required, sufficient for two substrate product types to be produced consecutively. According to the configuration described above, a substrate of one product type requiring a higher number of mounting plates and a substrate of another product type requiring a lower number of mounting plates are alternately arranged. This minimizes the number of mounting plates required simultaneously.

[0084] In a case where the off-line setup time for each substrate is approximately proportional to the number of mounting plates used, the sum of the off-line setup times for two successive substrate product types can also be balanced. <Weitere Ausführungsformen>

[0085] The technology disclosed in the present description is not limited to the embodiment described in the preceding descriptions with reference to the preceding drawings, but also includes, for example, various aspects which are mentioned below. (1) In the above embodiment, the two-circuit type line configuration, in which the two surface mount devices U1 and U2 are connected in series, is illustrated as an example. However, the number of integrated surface mount devices is not limited to two, but can also be three or more. Furthermore, the preceding embodiment can also be applied to a line configuration in which a single surface mount device is used. (2) In the above embodiment, the production management computer 300, provided as a dedicated computer, is illustrated by way of example. However, in a case where, for example, a single surface-mount device is used, the processing functions of the production management computer 300 according to the preceding embodiment can all be integrated into the surface-mount device, making it possible to dispense with the production management computer 300 itself. (3) In the above embodiment, the production sequence of substrates is determined such that a substrate of a product type requiring a higher number of required carriages N and a substrate of a product type requiring a lower number of required carriages N are alternately lined up. Consequently, a substrate of a product type for which the line-external setup time is longer and a substrate of a product type for which the line-external setup time is shorter are alternately lined up. However, the production sequence of substrates can also be determined solely by the line-external setup time read from the memory unit 330, independent of the number of required carriages N. EXPLANATION OF THE REFERENCE SYMBOLS 110 Feed plate (mounting plate) 211 Main control unit (determination device) 300 production management computers (production management equipment) F Feeding device (component feed device) U1, U2 Surface mounting device (component mounting device)

Claims

[1] Production management device (300) configured to determine a production sequence of many substrate types in order to produce the substrates sequentially, subdivided by product type, using a component assembly device (U1, U2) comprising a plurality of component feed devices (F), wherein the production management device (300) includes a determination device (211) configured to determine a production sequence of substrates such that if a time from the start to the completion of an off-line setup of all component feed devices (F) to be used for a single product type of substrate is defined as the off-line setup time, the sum of the off-line setup times for two product types of substrates to be produced sequentially is balanced over an entire period of sequential production. [2] Production management device (300) according to claim 1, wherein the determining device (211) is configured to determine a production sequence of substrates such that if a time from the start to the completion of a production of a single product type of substrate is defined as machine operating time and if the machine operating time for two product types of substrates to be produced successively is constant, a substrate of a product type for which the line-external setup time is longer and a substrate of a product type for which the line-external setup time is shorter are alternately lined up. [3] Production management device (300) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of component feed devices (F) are arranged side by side on a single mounting plate (110) and it is possible to attach a plurality of the mounting plates (110) to the component assembly device (U1, U2), and the determining device (211) is configured to determine a production sequence of substrates such that a substrate of a product type with a higher number of the mounting plates (110) required at the same time and a substrate of a product type with a lower number of the mounting plates (110) required at the same time are arranged alternately.

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