Feeder management device and setup device

Abstract

A feeder management device includes a determination section configured to determine whether unloading of a predetermined component type from a component container set in a bulk material feeder that accommodates the component is permitted into the bulk material feeder based on feeder information related to the bulk material feeder and container information related to the component container; and a handling process section configured to execute a predetermined handling process based on a determination result of the permission to unload by the determination section.

Description

Technical FieldThe present invention relates to a feeder management device and a setup device.Prior ArtA feeder management device manages a feeder that feeds components in a component assembler as a target. As disclosed in Patent Literature 1, there is a type of feeder described above in which the components are fed as bulk material, the components being dispersed in a feeding area in which the components are collectable by a suction nozzle. A component container accommodating a large number of components is set in the bulk feeder.Citing listPatent LiteraturePatent Literature 1: WO 2022 / / .162916SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONTechnical ProblemIn the above-described configuration of the bulk feeder, a component container accommodating a component of a type other than scheduled may be erroneously used. In this case, the component discharged from the component container enters the inside of the feeder, which requires maintenance work such as removal work of the component. The component removed from the bulk feeder is an object that must be ejected.An object of the present specification is to provide a feeder management device and a setup device that prevent a component of a type other than scheduled from being discharged from a component container in a bulk feeder.Solution to the ProblemThe present specification discloses a feeder management device including: a determination section configured to determine whether unloading of a predetermined component type into the bulk feeder from a component container set in a bulk feeder accommodating the component is permitted based on feeder information related to the bulk feeder and container information related to the component container; and a handling process section configured to execute a predetermined handling process based on a determination result of permission for unloading by the determination section.The bulk feeder includes a container supporting member detachably attached to a feeder main body and supporting the inserted component container, and a conveying unit including a path member formed with a conveying path through which the component is conveyed, and a feeding portion for feeding the component in a collectable manner. The present specification discloses a setup apparatus including: a support table configured to support the conveyance unit detached from the feeder main body; and the feeder management apparatus.Also, in the present specification, there is disclosed a technical idea in which "the feeder management apparatus according to claim 1 or 2" in claim 4 at the beginning of the application is changed to "the feeder management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3", and a technical idea in which "the feeder management apparatus according to claim 1 or 2" in claim 5 at the beginning of the application is changed to "the feeder management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4". Further, in the present specification, there are also disclosed a technical idea in which "the feeder management apparatus according to claim 1 or 2" in claim 6 at the beginning of the application is changed to "the feeder management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4", and a technical idea in which "the feeder management apparatus according to claim 1 or 2" in claim 7 at the beginning of the application is changed to "the feeder management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6". Further, in the present specification, a technical idea is also disclosed in which "the feeder management device according to claim 1 or 2" in claim 8 at the beginning of the application is changed to "the feeder management device according to any one of claims 1 to 7".Advantageous Effects of the InventionAccording to such a configuration of the feeder management device, whether unloading is permitted is determined based on the feeder information and the container information, and the handling process is executed based on the determination result, and thus, even when, for example, a component container accommodating a component of the type other than scheduled is set in the feeder, the handling process can prevent the component from being unloaded. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of maintenance work due to erroneous work, to prevent a decrease in production efficiency, and to prevent unnecessary disposal of the component.Brief Description of the DrawingsFIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a production system in which a feeder management device and a setup device are used. FIG. 2 is a side view schematically illustrating a portion of a bulk feeder that includes a feed region. FIG. 3 is a plan view viewed from a III direction in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a conveying unit constituting the bulk feeder and a setup device. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the setup device. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating feeder information and container information. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the feeder management process. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a shutter opening / closing device in the setup device.DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS1. Overview of feeder management device 60 and setup device 50The feeder management device 60 manages a feeder that supplies a component to a component assembler 2 as a target. In the present embodiment, the feeder management device 60 is integrated with the setup device 50 used for setting up a feeder, and the bulk feeder 10, which is a type of a feeder, is set as a management target.The component assembler 2 performs an assembly process of assembling a component on a board with a predetermined board work. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the production line Ln is formed by arranging a plurality of plate work machines in the conveying direction of the plate. Each of the plurality of disk work machines is connected to the host computer 70 that collectively controls the production line Ln. The production line Ln includes a printer 1, a plurality of component assemblers 2, a reflow furnace 3, and an inspector 4 as a plurality of plate work machines.The printer 1 prints paste-like solder at a mounting position of the component on the board which has been conveyed in. Each of a plurality of component assemblers 2 mounts a component on a board conveyed from an upstream side of the production line Ln. The configuration of the component assembler 2 will be described later. The reflow furnace 3 heats the board conveyed from the upstream side of the production line Ln, melts the solder on the board, and performs the soldering. The inspector 4 checks whether the appearance or a function of the plate product manufactured by the production line Ln is normal.In the present embodiment, a factory for manufacturing the plate product may be configured with a plurality of production lines Ln (Ln 1, Ln 2,... ). The configuration of each of the plurality of production lines Ln may be appropriately provided with additional configurations, or may be appropriately modified, for example, according to the type of the plate product to be manufactured. Specifically, a plate working machine such as a buffer device for temporarily holding the conveyed plate, a plate feeder, a plate reversing device, various kinds of inspection devices, a shield mounting device, an adhesive applying device, an ultraviolet ray irradiation device, or the like can be suitably installed in a plurality of production lines Ln.The setup device 50 serves for a work of loading a component into a feeder used for an assembly process to be performed, a work of removing a component from a feeder used for the assembly process, and the like. The setup device 50 comprises a support table 51 which supports the feeder or a part of the units removed from the feeder. The setup device 50 is communicatively connected to the host computer 70 and inputs and outputs various information regarding the facility. A detailed configuration of the setup apparatus 50 will be described later.2. Configuration of Bulk Feeder 10The bulk feeder 10 controlled by the setup device 50 and the feeder management device 60 will be described. The bulk feeder 10 is installed in the component assembler 2 and functions as a part of a component feeder. The bulk feeder 10 feeds components accommodated in a loose state in which the components are not aligned as opposed to carrier tapes (in an irregular state in which the respective layers thereof are not regular). Since the bulk feeder 10 does not use the carrier tape unlike the tape feeder, there is an advantage that the loading of the carrier tape, the accumulation of the used tape, or the like can be omitted.For example, there is a bulk feeder 10 of a type that feeds components in an irregular posture to a planar feeding portion As. However, when the components are so close to each other as to contact each other, the components are piled up (a state of being overlapped in an up-down direction), or the components are in a horizontally standing posture in which a width direction of the component in the up-down direction is directed in the feeding area As, the component assembler 2 cannot regard these components as a collection target. Then, in order to increase the proportion of the components that can be collected, there is a bulk feeder 10 of a type that feeds components in an aligned state to the feeding area As. In the present embodiment, the bulk feeder 10 aligning the components will be described as an example.2-1. Main Part of Feeder 11As illustrated in FIG. 2, the bulk feeder 10 includes a feeder main body 11. To a front portion (the right side end portion in FIG. 2 ) of the feeder main body 11, a connector 111 and two pins 112 are attached. When the feeder main body 11 is inserted into a slot of the component feeder, power is supplied via the connector 111, and the feeder main body 11 becomes communicable with a control device of a component assembler. The two pins 112 are inserted into guide holes provided in the slot to be used thereby to position the feeder main body 11 when the feeder main body 11 is inserted into the slot.2-2. Conveying unit 20As shown in FIG. 2, the bulk feeder 10 includes a conveying unit 20, and the conveying unit 20 is detachably attached to the feeder main body 11. The conveying unit 20 supports an inserted component container 40 which will be described later. The conveying unit 20 is a unit for conveying from a region for receiving the component discharged from the component container 40 to the supply region As.After the bulk feeder 10 is used for a predetermined assembly process, as one type of maintenance, a removal work is performed to remove all the components inside the feeder in preparation for the next use. The conveying unit 20 is configured to be detachable from the feeder main body 11 as a unit that functions as a flow path of a component to improve efficiency, assuming the extraction work described above. In the present embodiment, the conveying unit 20 includes a container supporting member 21, a track unit 22, and a coupling member 23.The container supporting member 21 is provided to be capable of vibrating with respect to the feeder main body 11. The container supporting member 21 is vibrated by the first vibration device 15 described later. The container supporting member 21 supports the inserted component container 40. the container supporting member 21 receives the component discharged from the component container 40. In the present embodiment, the portion of the container supporting member 21 that receives the component has an inclined surface inclined toward the front side with respect to a horizontal surface. The container supporting member 21 is formed with a flow path of a component extending upward from a lower end portion of the inclined surface.The sheet unit 22 is provided to be capable of vibrating against the feeder main body 11. The web unit 22 is vibrated by the second vibration device 16 described later. The track unit 22 is formed with a conveyance path R through which a plurality of components are conveyed, and a supply area As that communicates with the conveyance path R and opens upward, so that the plurality of components can be collected. In this case, the "supply area As" is an area where the components are supplied in a bulk state and an area where the components can be picked up by the component assembler 2. The "conveyance path R" is a path of a component on which the component flowing from the container support member 21 side to the web unit 22 is conveyed to the supply area As.The sheet unit 22 is formed to extend in the front-rear direction (left-right direction in FIG. 2 ) of the feeder main body 11 as an overall shape. In the present embodiment, the sheet unit 22 is fixed to the sheet main body 31 so that the aligning member 32 can be replaced. The alignment member 32 is, for example, one or more plate-shaped members. The sheet unit 22 is a sheet member unified by attaching an alignment member 32 selected from a plurality of types of alignment members 32 according to the shape of a plurality of types of components to the common sheet main body 31.As shown in FIG. 3, the aligning member 32 forms a plurality of recesses 35 arranged in a predetermined pattern (in a zigzag pattern in the present embodiment). Each of the numerous recesses 35 has a rectangular shape that is slightly larger than the outer shape of the component supplied from the bulk feeder 10. As described above, the bulk feeder 10 includes a plurality of recesses 35 in which the components are accommodated in a state in which the thickness direction of the component is the up-down direction in the feeding region As to which the components are fed, so that the components can be collected. A pair of side walls 36 protruding upward are formed along both edges in a width direction (up-down direction in FIG. 3 ) of the sheet unit 22. The pair of side walls 36 surround the peripheral edge of the conveyance path R together with the distal end portion 37 of the path unit 22 to prevent the components conveyed on the conveyance path R from leaking.A feeder shutter 38 capable of closing the opening of the feeding area As is provided above the web unit 22. When the web unit 22 is fixed to the feeder main body 11, the opening and closing of the feeder shutter 38 is controlled by a shutter driving device (not shown). By opening and closing the feeder shutter 38, the bulk feeder 10 can prevent components from protruding and foreign objects from entering the feeding area As.The coupling member 23 couples the container supporting member 21 and the sheet unit 22 so that a plurality of components can flow therebetween. The coupling member 23 has a tubular shape in which the plurality of components can flow. The coupling member 23 is flexible and absorbs any vibration by being deformed according to the vibration of the container supporting member 21 and the vibration of the sheet unit 22. Accordingly, the coupling member 23 reduces or blocks the vibrations transmitted between the container supporting member 21 and the web unit 22 which vibrate independently of each other.When the conveying unit 20 is attached to the feeder main body 11, it is supplied with positive pressure air from the air supply device 17 and causes the plurality of components to flow from the container supporting member 21 to the web unit 22 via the coupling member 23. In the present embodiment, the air supply device 17 supplies or blocks the positive pressure air supplied from the outside from the lower side of the container supporting member 21 based on a command from the later-described supplier control device 18.2-3. First Vibration Device 15 and Second Vibration Device 16The bulk feeder 10 includes a first vibrator 15 and a second vibrator 16 provided in the feeder main body 11. The first vibration device 15 applies vibration to the container supporting member 21 to promote the discharge of the components from the inserted component container 40. The second vibration device 16 applies vibration to the track unit 22 so that the plurality of components are conveyed along the conveying path R. When the second vibration device 16 applies vibration to the track unit 22, the track unit 22 performs elliptical motion in a side view.As a result, a forward and upward external force or a rearward and upward external force is applied to a plurality of components on the conveying path R in accordance with a rotational direction of the elliptical motion of the path unit 22. Thereby, the plurality of components are conveyed to the front side or the back side of the web unit 22. The bulk feeder 10 can vary the conveying speed of the components to be conveyed, the degree of scattering of the components, the conveying direction, and the like by controlling the frequency and amplitude of the vibration acting on the web unit 22 and the rotational direction of the elliptical motion caused by the vibration.2-4. Feeder Controller 18The hopper 10 includes a hopper control device 18. the hopper control device 18 mainly includes a CPU, various memories, or a control circuit. In a state where the bulk feeder 10 is inserted into the slot of the component assembler 2, the feeder control device 18 is supplied with power via the terminal 111 and can communicate with the control device of the component assembler 2.In the feeder control device 18, various data including a program, a feed parameter, and the like for use in controlling a component feeding process are stored. The above-mentioned "conveyance parameter" is a parameter for controlling the operation of the second vibration device 16 so that the vibration applied to the web unit 22 is appropriate when the component is conveyed in the component supply process, and is set in advance in association with each component type, for example.The feeder control device 18 controls the operations of the first vibrator 15, the second vibrator 16, the air supply device 17, the shutter driving device, and the like. For example, the feeder control device 18 controls the operation of the second vibration device 16 based on a parameter set in advance to execute the component feeding process. Accordingly, the vibration is applied to the web unit 22, and the component on the conveying path R is conveyed by receiving an external force so as to move in the conveying direction.3. Component Containers 40The component container 40 receives the plurality of components in loose bulk. The component container 40 is an external device that is interchangeably set on the container supporting member 21 in the conveying unit 20 of the bulk feeder 10. The component container 40 has a container main body 41 formed in a flat box shape similarly to the feeder main body 11. The component container 40 includes a discharge opening 42 through which the accommodated component is discharged to the outside at a front lower portion (a lower right portion in FIG. 2 ) of the container main body 41.The component container 40 includes a shutter 43 that opens and closes the opening of the discharge opening 42. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the shutter 43 includes an operation plate 431 extending along the lower surface portion of the container main body 41, a shutter plate 432 extending along the front surface portion of the container main body 41, and a bent portion 433 connecting the operation plate 431 and the shutter plate 432. In the operation plate 431, an operation hole 434 penetrating in the up-down direction is formed. The opening 435 communicating with the discharge opening 42 is formed in the closure plate 432 when the closure plate 432 is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the container main body 41. The bent portion 433 is formed to be bendable to follow the curved shape of the corner portion of the container main body 41.According to such a configuration, in the component container 40, when the operation plate 431 slides in the front-rear direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 2, the upper left and lower right directions in FIG. 8 ), the shutter plate 432 coupled by the bent portion 433 slides in the up-down direction (the up-down direction in FIGS. 2 and 8 ). When the shutter plate 432 slides downward and the opening 435 communicates with the unloading opening 42, the shutter 43 is in the open state and the component can be unloaded to the outside. Meanwhile, when the shutter plate 432 slides upward and the opening 435 is displaced with respect to the unloading opening 42, the shutter 43 is in the closed state and the component is in a state in which it cannot be discharged to the outside.The opening and closing operation of the shutter 43 is performed, for example, by the worker inserting a specific device into the operation hole 434 and sliding the operation plate 431 in a state where the component container 40 is inserted into the conveyance unit 20. Moreover, the opening and closing operation of the shutter 43 is automatically performed by the shutter opening / closing device 53 of the setup device 50, as illustrated in FIG. 8, in a state where the conveying unit 20 into which the component container 40 is inserted is supported by the setup device 50 described later. A detailed configuration of the setup apparatus 50 will be described later.4. Component Feeding Process of Bulk Feeder 10A component supply process by a bulk feeder 10 configured as described above will be described. First, the feeder control device 18 discharges the component from the component container 40 based on, for example, a feeding command from the outside. Specifically, the feeder control device 18 controls the operation of the first vibrator 15 so that the vibration is applied to the container supporting member 21 to which the component container 40 is attached. When the component container 40 vibrates, the component is discharged from the discharge port 42. The unloaded component falls on the inclined portion of the container supporting member 21 positioned below the unloading opening 42 and slides forward along the inclined surface of the inclined portion. Accordingly, the components remain at the lower end portion before the inclined portion.In this state, the feeder control device 18 instructs the air feeding device 17 to feed the positive pressure air. The positive pressure air supplied from the air supply device 17 blows up the plurality of remaining components and flows together with the component through the flow path formed in the container support member 21. Thereby, the positive pressure air and the plurality of components flow from the container supporting member 21 to the web unit 22 via the coupling member 23 and reach the conveyance path R of the web unit 22, here, the positive pressure air is discharged to the outside through an exhaust air opening formed in the cover of the web unit 22.Thereafter, when the second vibration device 16 for conveying the component applies vibration to the web unit 22, a plurality of components are conveyed to the supply area As side. Moreover, vibration for moving the component forward or backward is applied to the web unit 22 in accordance with the supply amount of the component in the supply area As or the like. Some of the plurality of components conveyed into the supply area As are accommodated in the recess 35. The components not accommodated in the recess 35 are further returned to the conveyance path R by the vibration applied from the second vibrator 16 and removed from the supply area As. According to the component supply process, the components accommodated in a plurality of recesses 35 are supplied in a state in which the components can be accommodated by the component assembler 2.5. Setup device 505-1. Overview of the Setup Device 50The setup device 50 is installed, for example, in an offline setup area between a storage for storing components (not illustrated) or the like and a production line Ln in a production facility of a product board. In the offline setup area, work of loading components so that various types of feeders can supply components can be performed automatically by the setup device 50 or manually by a worker. The setup device 50 also supports a part of the work of loading components. Between the offline setup area and the warehouse and between the offline setup area and the production line Ln, a automated transport vehicle or the worker can transport a feeder or a component.In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the setup device 50 sets the component container 40 in the conveying unit 20 separated from the bulk feeder 10, switches the shutter 43 to the open state, and assists the work to achieve a state in which the conveying unit 20 makes the component flow. Further, the setup device 50 allocates the component container 40 set in the conveying unit 20 and performs a work of registering the combination in the host computer 70.Here, the conveying unit 20 differs in the types of components compatible with the feeding (hereinafter referred to as "compatible component type") depending on the type of the aligning member 32 of the sheet unit 22, particularly the shape of the recess 35. That is, the conveying unit 20 is classified according to, for example, the compatible component type (20A, 20B,... in FIG. 4 ) and is selected according to the type of the component to be supplied.The component container 40 is classified according to the type of the component to be accommodated (hereinafter referred to as "accommodation component type"). That is, the component container 40 is classified according to the accommodation component type (40A, 40B,... in FIG. 4 ) and is selected according to the type of the component to be supplied. The conveying unit 20 and the component container 40 may be classified according to the functions and characteristics of the conveying unit 20 and the component container 40 in addition to or instead of a new type of a compatible part and the accommodation component type.In the present embodiment, identification codes indicating the respective identification information are attached to the bulk feeder 10 and the component container 40. Since the present embodiment adopts the configuration in which the conveying unit 20 is interchangeable with respect to the feeder main body 11, a unit code 25 is attached to the conveying unit 20 as an identification code. The container code 45 is attached as an identification code to the component container 40. The unit code 25 and the housing code 45 may be bar codes or 2D codes, or codes to which RFID is applied.5-2. Configuration of the Setup Apparatus 50As illustrated in FIG. 4, the setup apparatus 50 includes a support table 51. the support table 51 supports the conveyance unit 20 detached from the feeder main body 11 of the bulk feeder 10. the support table 51 has a support structure similar to that of the feeder main body 11, and supports the container support member 21 and the path unit 22 of the conveyance unit 20.As illustrated in FIG. 5, the setup device 50 includes a code reader 52, and the code reader 52 reads the unit code 25 of the conveying unit 20 and the container code 45 of the component container 40, and acquires the identification information. The code reader 52 may be, for example, a hand scanner, or may be configured to perform the reading when the conveying unit 20 or the component container 40 is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the support table 51.As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the setup device 50 includes a shutter opening / closing device 53. the shutter opening / closing device 53 includes an operation pin 531 and a driving device 532. As shown in FIG. 8, the operation pin 531 is disposed below the shutter 43 of the component container 40 set in the conveying unit 20. The operation pin 531 is configured to be raised and lowered in the up-down direction and slidable in the front-rear direction. The driving device 532 raises and lowers the operation pin 531 between a height at which the operation pin 531 is inserted and a height at which the operation pin 531 is separated from the operation hole 434 of the shutter 43. The driving device 532 slides the operation pin 531 in the front-rear direction in a state where the operation pin 531 is inserted into the operation hole 434.As described above, when the driving device 532 of the shutter opening / closing device 53 drives the operation pin 531, the operation plate 431 of the shutter 43 moves in the front-rear direction, and thus the shutter plate 432 moves in the up-down direction. As a result, the open state and the closed state of the shutter 43 are switched by the shutter opening / closing device 53.6. Feeder Management Device 606-1. Overview of Feeder Management Device 60Here, when the bulk feeder 10 is installed, the component container 40 accommodating a component of a type other than scheduled may be erroneously inserted into the conveying unit 20. Therefore, when the component discharged from the component container 40 enters the bulk feeder 10, maintenance work such as component extraction work is required. In addition, the component taken out from the bulk feeder can influence the production cost of the product plate which is a product to be disposed of.In the present embodiment, the feeder management device 60 integrated with the setup device 50 is configured to prevent a component of a type other than scheduled from being discharged from the component container 40 in the bulk feeder 10. Specifically, the feeder management device 60 includes a determination section 62 and a handling process section 63 as illustrated in FIG. 5. In the present embodiment, the feeder management device 60 further includes an information acquisition section 61.The feeder management device 60 executes the feeder management process illustrated in FIG. 7. Hereinafter, each step of the feeder management process and a detailed description of each configuration of the feeder management device 60 will be described in association with each other. The feeder managing process is executed when, for example, a predetermined conveying unit 20 is set in the setup device 50, a predetermined component container 40 is carried by the conveying unit 20, and the identification codes of the conveying unit 20 and the component container 40 are read.6-2. Information Acquisition Section 61The information acquisition section 61 acquires the identification information by the code reader 52 reading each of the identification codes (unit code 25 and container code 45). Then, the information acquisition section 61 acquires the feeder information D 1 and the container information D 2 associated with each identification information (S 11). In the present embodiment, the storage section 71 of the host computer 70 stores the feeder information D 1 associated with each unit code 25 of a plurality of bulk feeders 10 and the container information D 2 associated with each container code 45 of a plurality of component containers 40.Specifically, the feeder information D 1 is information related to the bulk feeder 10, and as illustrated in the upper part of FIG. 6, for each identification code (ID) of the conveying unit 20, a recess type, a compatible component type (Cp 1, Cp 2,...), a use history, and a maintenance history are stored. The recess type corresponds to the type of alignment member 32 attached to the web unit 22. The compatible component type Cp indicates the types of components that can be supplied from the bulk feeder 10 to which the conveying unit 20 is attached according to the recess type. The compatible component type Cp may indicate the component types themselves or may indicate the component types comprehensively based on the external shapes and dimensions of the components.The use history indicates the type of the component supplied from the bulk feeder 10 in the previous use. The maintenance history indicates whether the component extraction work has been performed after the previous use of the bulk feeder 10. Since the use history and the maintenance history are additional information, feeder management can be performed even if the information is insufficient. However, when the use history and the maintenance history are included in the feeder information D 1, the management performance can be further improved.The container information D 2 is information related to the component container 40 accommodating a predetermined component type, and as illustrated in the lower part of FIG. 6, for each identification code (ID) of the component container 40, the accommodation component type Hp, the use history, and the maintenance history are stored. In the accommodation component type Hp, when the component container 40 is of a type that can replenish components, the type of the component is associated with the ID of the component container 40 when the component is replenished into the component container 40. Since the use history and the maintenance history of the component container 40 are the same as the use history and the maintenance history in the feeder information D 1, detailed description thereof will be omitted.In the present embodiment, the information acquisition section 61 acquires feeder information D 1 and container information D 2 associated with the identification code read by the code reader 52 from the host computer 70. when the compatible component type Cp, the accommodation component type Hp, and various kinds of history information are stored in the unit code 25 and container code 45 in addition to the ID, the request to the host computer 70 can be omitted.6-3. Determination Section 62The determination section 62 determines whether the component is allowed to be discharged from the component container 40 into the bulk feeder 10 based on the feeder information D 1 and the container information D 2. The unloading reject determination process is a determination as to whether the component accommodated in the component container 40 is permitted to be unloaded to enter the inside of the conveying unit 20 of the present embodiment.The determination process is based on the feeder information D 1 and the container information D 2, and various aspects may be considered. In the present embodiment, when the accommodation component type Hp in the container information D 2 is not included in the compatible component type Cp in the feeder information D 1 (S 12: NO), the determination section 62 determines that the discharging of the component is not permitted. Further, when the accommodation component type Hp is included in the container information D 2 (S 12: YES), the determination section 62 may perform the determination process based on the use history and the maintenance history. Specifically, when the type of the component indicated by the use history is different from the accommodation component type Hp and the extraction work has not been performed by the maintenance history (S 13: NO), the determination section 62 does not allow the component to be discharged.That is, when the type (hereinafter, referred to as "previous component type") of the component supplied from the bulk feeder 10 in the previous use matches the accommodation component type Hp (S 13: Yes), the determination section 62 allows the component to be discharged. When the previous component type and the accommodation component type Hp do not match and the extraction work has been performed by the maintenance history (S 13: YES), the determination section 62 allows the component to be discharged. The reason why the extraction of the component is permitted as in the above two examples is because, in the device for supplying the same component type, it is possible to prevent the different component type from being mixed regardless of the presence or absence of the extraction work after the previous use.On the other hand, when the previous component type and the accommodation component type Hp do not match and the extraction work has not been performed (S 13: NO), the determination section 62 does not allow the unloading of the component. According to such a determination, for example, even when the scheduled component container 40 is inserted into the conveying unit 20 and the accommodation component type Hp is included in the compatible component type Cp, it is possible to prevent the mixing with the other component type that may remain in the conveying unit 20 due to insufficient maintenance.In addition to the above determination, the determination section 62 may adopt an aspect in which the discharge of the component is not uniformly allowed when the extraction work is not performed by the maintenance history regardless of the use history. The determination process may be limited to the comparison between the compatible component type Cp and the accommodation component type Hp, and the determination based on the use history and the maintenance history may be omitted.6-4. Handling Process Section 63Based on the determination result by the determination section 62 as to whether discharge is permitted, a predetermined handling process (S 21 to S 23) is executed. Specifically, when the discharge of the component is permitted (S 13: YES), the development process section 63 permits the operation of the driving device 532 in the shutter opening / closing device 53 in the development process and opens the shutter 43 (S 21). Meanwhile, when the discharge of the component is not permitted (S 12: NO, S 13: NO), the development process section 63 controls the operation of the driving device 532 that opens and closes the shutter 43 of the component container 40 supported by the container supporting member 21 in the development process (S 22).In the settlement process, when the determination result indicates that the unloading of the component is not permitted (S 12: NO, S 13: NO), the settlement process section 63 notifies the worker putting the component container 40 in the hopper 10 of the determination result (S 23). Thus, the worker can recognize that the mounted component container 40 does not match the conveying unit 20 inserted in the setup device 50. This makes it possible to prevent a component other than scheduled from being discharged from the improper component container 40 into the conveying unit 20.In a case where the setup device 50 includes a shutter opening / closing device 53 as described above, the development process section 63 can take measures by regulating the operation of the shutter opening / closing device 53. Moreover, the unwinding process section 63 can operate, for example, a locking mechanism (not illustrated) that locks the opening and closing of the shutter 43 of the component container 40 in the unwinding process. In the above embodiment, the unwinding process is performed by regulating the movement of the shutter 43 of the component container 40 to the open state. Meanwhile, the development process may be performed by, for example, inserting a shield plate separate from the shutter 43 between the component container 40 and the container supporting member 21 and removing the shield plate.7. Effects of Configuration of EmbodimentAccording to the configuration of the feeder management device 60 as exemplified in the embodiment, the determination as to whether the unloading is permitted is made based on the feeder information D 1 and the container information D. Then, by performing the settlement process based on the determination result, for example, even when the component container 40 containing a component of a type other than scheduled is inserted into the bulk feeder 10, the settlement process can prevent the component from being discharged. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of maintenance work due to a miswork, reduce a decrease in production efficiency, and prevent unnecessary disposal of the component. By using such a feeder management device 60 on the setup device 50, it is particularly useful to improve the setup efficiency.8. Modifications of the EmbodimentIn the embodiment, the feeder management device 60 is integrated into the setup device 50. Meanwhile, a part or the entire feeder management device 60 may be an external device different from the setup device 50. For example, a part or all of the feeder management device 60 may be integrated with the component assembler 2, the host computer 70, or the bulk feeder 10, or may be a dedicated device installed in an offline setup area or the like.In this embodiment, the bulk feeder 10 feeds components to be mounted on the board by the component assembler 2. Meanwhile, the component is used in a plate working machine that performs a predetermined work on the plate as in the component assembler 2, and various types of components may be used as long as the article can be fed in a state of being accommodated in the recess 35 in the bulk feeder. For example, the bulk feeder 10 may feed a ball-shaped solder ball. Also in such a case, similar effects to the embodiment are obtained.List of reference characters2: Component assembler, 10: Bulk feeder, 11: Feeder main body, 20, 20A, 20B: Conveying unit, 21: Container supporting member, 22: Web unit (web member), 31: Web main body, 32, 32A, 32B: Aligning member, 35: Recess, 36: Side wall, 37: Distal end portion, 38: Feeder shutter, 23: Coupling member, 25: Unit code (identification code), 40, 40A, 40B: Component container, 41: Container main body, 42: Unloading opening, 43: Shutter, 45: Container code (identification code), 50: Setup device, 51: Support table, 52: Code reader, 53: Shutter opening / closing device, 531: Operating pin, 532: Driving device, 60: feeder management device, 61: information acquisition section, 62: determination section, 63: handling process section, 70: host computer, D 1: feeder information, D 2: container information, Cp: compatible component type, Hp: accommodation component type, As: feeding area, R: conveyance path, Sy: production system, Ln, Ln 1, Ln 2: production lineReferences included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedWO 2022 / 162916

[0003]

Claims

A feeder management device, comprising: a determination section configured to determine whether unloading of a predetermined component type into the bulk feeder from a component container set in a bulk feeder accommodating the component is permitted, based on feeder information related to the bulk feeder and container information related to the component container; and a handling process section configured to execute a predetermined handling process, based on a determination result of permission to unload by the determination section.The feeder management device according to claim 1, wherein the feeder information includes a compatible component type indicating a component type compatible with the feeder of the bulk feeder, the container information de-als an accommodation component type indicating the type of the component accommodated in the component container, and the determination section determines that the unloading of the component is not permitted if the accommodation component type is not included in the compatible component type.The feeder management device according to claim 2, wherein the bulk feeder includes a plurality of recesses configured to accommodate the component in a feeding area to which the component is fed so that the component can be collected, and the compatible component type is set in advance according to a shape of the recess.The feeder management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the feeder information includes a use history indicating the type of the component supplied from the bulk feeder in a previous use and a maintenance history indicating whether a removal work of the component is performed after the previous use, the container information includes an accommodation component type indicating the type of the component accommodated in the component container, and the determination section does not allow the unloading of the component when the type of the component indicated by the use history is different from the accommodation component type and the removal work is not performed based on the maintenance history.The feeder management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bulk feeder includes a container support member configured to support the component container, the component container includes an unloading opening through which the component to be accommodated is unloaded to the outside, and a shutter configured to open and close an opening of the unloading opening, and the unwinding process section controls an operation of a drive device configured to open and close the shutter of the component container supported by the container support member in the unwinding process.The feeder management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the component container includes an unloading opening through which the component to be accommodated is unloaded to the outside, and a shutter configured to open and close an opening of the unloading opening, and the unwinding process section operates a locking mechanism configured to lock the opening and closing of the shutter of the component container in the unwinding process.The feeder management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the handling process section notifies the determination result to a worker who sets the component container in the bulk feeder when the determination result indicates that the unloading of the component is not permitted in the handling process.The feeder management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an identification code indicating identification information of each of the bulk feeder and the component container is attached to each of the bulk feeder and the component container, and the feeder management device further comprises an information acquisition section configured to acquire the identification information by reading each identification code and acquire the feeder information and container information associated with each identification information.An equipment device in which the bulk feeder comprises a container supporting member detachably attached to a feeder main body and supporting the inserted component container, and a conveying unit including a track member formed with a conveying path through which the component is conveyed and a feeding portion to which the component is fed so that the component can be collected, the equipment device comprising: a supporting table configured to support the conveying unit detached from the feeder main body; and the feeder management device according to claim 1 or 2.

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