Component supply device and component supply method

Abstract

To provide a component supply device and the like capable of preventing productivity decline.SOLUTION: A component supply device 100 is a component supply device for supplying a component to a component mounting unit 200. The component supply device 100 includes: a detection unit 171 that detects the presence or absence of separation paper 310 on a tray 300, which is supplied from a tray supply unit 110 that supplies a tray 300 on which a component and a sheet of separation paper 310 covering the component; and a control unit 172 that is configured to, when the detection unit 171 determines that there is the separation paper 310 on the tray 300, control the paper pickup unit 130 to pick up the separation paper 310.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a component supplying device and a component supplying method for supplying components to a component mounting device that mounts components on a board. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is a component supplying device for supplying components to a component mounting device that mounts components on a board (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a component supplying device that supplies a plurality of components stored in a tray to a component mounting section. The component supplying device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a tray storage section that stores trays, and a tray transport section that transports the tray stored in the tray storage section to a component supplying position where components are supplied to the component mounting section. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-119390 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the tray storage unit disclosed in Patent Document 1, multiple trays are stacked and arranged. Here, on the trays arranged in the tray storage unit, separation paper is placed so as to cover the components placed on the trays and prevent contact between the components and other trays.

[0005] Conventionally, the separation paper placed on the tray is removed by an operator. However, such a method requires an operator to remove the separation paper, which increases labor costs, and may lead to operational mistakes such as turning over the tray, making the components unusable. In other words, such a method may increase the cost of supplying components to the component mounting device, which may reduce the productivity of the component mounting system that includes the component supply device and the component mounting device and produces boards on which components are mounted.

[0006] The present invention provides a component supplying device and the like that can suppress a decrease in productivity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A component supplying device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a component supplying device for supplying components to a component mounting device, and includes a detection unit that detects the presence or absence of separation paper on a tray supplied from a tray supplying unit that supplies a tray on which the components and separation paper covering the components are placed, and a control unit that causes a paper pickup unit to pick up the separation paper when the detection unit determines that the separation paper is present on the tray.

[0008] A component supplying method according to one embodiment of the present invention is a component supplying method for supplying components to a component mounting device, and includes a detection step of detecting the presence or absence of separation paper on a tray supplied from a tray supplying unit that supplies a tray on which the components and separation paper covering the components are placed, and a control step of causing a paper pickup unit to pick up the separation paper when it is determined in the detection step that the separation paper is present on the tray. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a component supplying device and the like that can suppress a decrease in productivity. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a top view showing a component mounting system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a component supplying device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the component supplying device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view showing a specific configuration of the paper pickup unit according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of a measurement position of a detection unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining measurement positions according to a comparative example. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between a plurality of suction nozzles and separation paper according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between a plurality of suction nozzles and separation paper according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between a plurality of suction nozzles and separation paper according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between a plurality of suction nozzles and separation paper according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the component supplying device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that each of the embodiments described below shows a specific example of the present invention. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, components, the arrangement and connection of the components, steps, and the order of steps shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Therefore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in the independent claims will be described as optional components.

[0012] In addition, each drawing is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily a precise illustration. In addition, in each drawing, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0013] In addition, in this specification, ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" do not refer to the number or order of components, unless otherwise specified, but are used for the purpose of avoiding confusion and distinguishing between components of the same type.

[0014] In this specification, the vertical direction is referred to as the Z-axis direction or up-down direction, one direction on a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction is referred to as the Y-axis direction or depth direction, and a direction perpendicular to the Y-axis direction on the perpendicular plane is referred to as the X-axis direction, left-right direction, or lateral direction. In this specification, the positive side of the Z-axis direction is upward or up, and the negative side of the Z-axis direction is downward or down. In this specification, the positive side of the Y-axis direction is the back side or back, and the negative side of the Y-axis direction is the front side or front. In this specification, the positive side of the X-axis direction is the right side or right, and the negative side of the X-axis direction is the left side or left.

[0015] (Embodiment) [composition] First, the configuration of the component supply device according to the embodiment will be described.

[0016] Fig. 1 is a top view showing a component mounting system 10 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a component supplying device 100 according to an embodiment. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the component supplying device 100 according to an embodiment. Note that in Figs. 1 and 2, illustration of a computer for controlling each device provided in the component mounting system 10, such as a control device 170, is omitted.

[0017] The component mounting system 10 is a system that mounts components on a board 400 to produce a mounted board on which components are mounted.

[0018] An example of the substrate 400 is a film-like flexible substrate made of resin, etc. The substrate 400 may be a rigid substrate such as a glass substrate.

[0019] Examples of components that can be attached to the substrate 400 via ACF pieces include electronic components such as ICs (Integrated Circuits), TCPs (Tape Carrier Packages), and FPCs (Flexible Printed Circuits).

[0020] The component mounting system 10 includes a component mounting apparatus 200 and a component supplying apparatus 100. In addition, for example, the component mounting system 10 includes an ACF (Anisotropic Conductive Film) bonding apparatus (not shown) located upstream of the component mounting apparatus 200, and a main pressure bonding apparatus (not shown) located downstream of the component mounting apparatus 200.

[0021] The ACF attachment device is a device that receives the substrate 400 carried in from the loader and attaches ACF, which is an adhesive material, to the electrode portion of the substrate 400. The ACF attachment device is realized by, for example, a transport mechanism that transports the substrate 400 and an attachment mechanism that attaches ACF to the substrate 400.

[0022] The component mounting apparatus 200 is a mounting apparatus that mounts components on the board 400. Specifically, the component mounting apparatus 200 provisionally pressure-bonds the components to the board 400. More specifically, the component mounting apparatus 200 provisionally pressure-bonds the components supplied from the component supplying apparatus 100 to the portions of the board 400 carried in from the ACF attachment apparatus to which the ACF is attached.

[0023] The component mounting apparatus 200 includes a component placement stage 220 , a component mounting section 230 , a substrate stage 240 , and a substrate transport section 250 .

[0024] The component placement stage 220 is a stage on which the components picked up by the component pickup unit 190 and supplied from the component supply device 100 are placed. Specifically, the components placed on the tray 300 and picked up by the component pickup unit 190 are placed on the component placement stage 220.

[0025] The component mounting section 230 is a device that picks up a component placed on the component placement stage 220 and mounts (more specifically, temporarily presses) the picked-up component onto the substrate 400 placed on the substrate stage 240.

[0026] The component mounting section 230 is realized by, for example, a pick-up head for picking up a component and mounting it on the substrate 400, a camera for determining the placement position of the component on the substrate 400, and a backup stage for supporting the end of the substrate 400 from below. The method of holding the component by the pick-up head is not particularly limited, but in the case of this embodiment, a method of holding the component by vacuum suction is adopted as the method of the pick-up head picking up the component. Also, for example, the pick-up head is arranged on a head transfer mechanism constituted by a combination of a linear guide and a linear motor, and is movable.

[0027] The substrate stage 240 is a stage on which the substrate 400 carried in by the substrate transport unit 250 is placed.

[0028] The substrate transport unit 250 is a device that transports the substrate 400 from the ACF attachment device to the substrate stage 240 and transports the substrate 400 on which components are mounted to the main pressure bonding device. The substrate transport unit 250 is realized, for example, by a suction nozzle that suctions and holds the substrate 400, and a suction nozzle transfer mechanism that moves the suction nozzle. Note that the method of holding the substrate 400 by the suction nozzle is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, a method of holding the substrate by vacuum suction is adopted as a method of holding the substrate 400 by the suction nozzle. Also, for example, the suction nozzle transfer mechanism is configured by a combination of a linear guide and a linear motor.

[0029] The final bonding apparatus is an apparatus that performs a final bonding operation of final bonding (i.e., thermocompression bonding) to the board of components that have been provisionally bonded to the board by the component mounting apparatus 200. In this way, the electrode parts formed on the board and the components are electrically connected via the ACF. In other words, the components are mounted on the board by this final bonding, thereby producing a mounted board.

[0030] Each device included in the component mounting system 10, such as the component mounting device 200, the ACF attachment device, and the full-pressure bonding device, is controlled by a computer. The computer is realized by, for example, a communication interface for communicating with these devices, a non-volatile memory in which a program is stored, a volatile memory which is a temporary storage area for executing the program, an input / output port for transmitting and receiving signals, and a processor for executing the program. The communication interface may be a connector to which a communication line is connected for performing wired communication, or a wireless communication circuit for performing wireless communication. The computer may be realized by one computer together with the control device 170 included in the component supply device 100, or may be realized by a computer separate from the control device 170.

[0031] The component supplying device 100 is a device for supplying components to the component mounting device 200. Specifically, the component supplying device 100 supplies components to the component mounting device 200 by placing the components on a component placement stage 220 by a component pickup unit 190. One or more components are placed on a tray 300, and the one or more components are picked up in sequence by the component pickup unit 190. Note that the type and number of components placed on the tray 300 are not particularly limited.

[0032] The component supplying device 100 includes a tray supplying unit 110, a sensor unit 120, a paper pickup unit 130, a tray transport unit 180, a component pickup unit 190, a collection unit 160, and a control device 170.

[0033] The tray supply unit 110 is a device that supplies trays 300 on which components and separation paper 310 covering the components are placed. In the present embodiment, the tray supply unit 110 supplies the trays 300 to the tray transport unit 180. Specifically, the tray supply unit 110 supplies the trays 300 by placing the trays 300 on a tray stage 150 included in the tray transport unit 180.

[0034] Moreover, the trays 300 that have been emptied after the parts have been picked up are returned to the tray supply unit 110. The tray supply unit 110 is realized by a storehouse (tray stocker) that stores the trays 300. In the storehouse, for example, a plurality of trays 300, each having separation paper 310 placed thereon, are arranged in a stacked state. The lower part of the storehouse is a door section that can be opened and closed. The trays 300 are handed over and received by opening and closing the door section.

[0035] The mechanism for transferring the tray 300 between the tray supply unit 110 and the tray stage 150 may be provided by the tray supply unit 110 or by the tray transport unit 180 .

[0036] The sensor unit 120 is a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of separation paper 310 on the tray 300. In the present embodiment, the sensor unit 120 is a camera that captures an image of the tray 300 from above. The type of sensor employed as the sensor unit 120 is not particularly limited as long as it can detect the presence or absence of separation paper 310 on the tray 300, and may be realized by a sensor that emits light and detects reflected light of the light from an object.

[0037] In the following description, it is assumed that the sensor unit 120 is a camera.

[0038] The paper pickup unit 130 is a device that picks up the separation paper 310 on the tray 300 supplied from the tray supply unit 110 .

[0039] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the paper pickup unit 130 according to the embodiment.

[0040] The paper pickup unit 130 includes one or more suction nozzles 131 , a support 132 , and a lifting mechanism 133 .

[0041] The suction nozzle 131 is a nozzle that suctions and holds the separation paper 310. The paper pickup unit 130, for example, picks up the separation paper 310 on the tray 300 by suctioning from the suction nozzle 131 while the suction nozzle 131 is separated from the separation paper 310. In this embodiment, a method of holding the substrate by vacuum suction is adopted as a method for the suction nozzle 131 to hold the separation paper 310. Note that the method of holding the separation paper 310 by the suction nozzle 131 is not particularly limited. Suction by the suction nozzle 131 may be started with the suction nozzle 131 in contact with the separation paper 310.

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the paper pickup unit 130 is provided with four suction nozzles so as to be able to suck each of the four corners of the rectangular separation paper 310. The number of suction nozzles 131 provided in the paper pickup unit 130 may be one, or may be two or more, and is not particularly limited.

[0043] The support 132 is a support that supports one or more suction nozzles. The support 132 supports the one or more suction nozzles 131 so that the heights of the lower surfaces of the one or more suction nozzles 131 (i.e., the positions at which the separation paper 310 is sucked) are the same.

[0044] The lifting mechanism 133 is a device that lifts and lowers one or more suction nozzles 131 by lifting and lowering the support 132. For example, the lifting mechanism 133 is realized by an air cylinder for moving the nozzles up and down, and an air supply source and a valve for driving the air cylinder.

[0045] The configuration for moving the suction nozzle 131 is not particularly limited, and may be realized by a motor or the like.

[0046] The tray transport section 180 is a device that transports the trays 300 .

[0047] The tray transport section 180 includes a transport section 140 and a tray stage 150 .

[0048] The transport unit 140 is a transport mechanism for transporting the tray 300 placed on the tray stage 150 by moving the tray stage 150. In the present embodiment, the transport unit 140 moves the tray stage 150 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The transport unit 140 is realized by, for example, a linear guide and a linear motor.

[0049] The tray stage 150 is a stage on which the tray 300 is placed. In the present embodiment, two trays 300 can be arranged on the tray stage 150 so as to be aligned in the X-axis direction. The number of trays arranged on the tray stage 150 may be one or more, and is not particularly limited.

[0050] For example, the tray transport section 180 receives the tray 300 on which the separation paper 310 is placed from the tray supply section 110, and transports the tray 300 to a position where the paper pickup section 130 picks up the separation paper 310 on the tray 300. In this embodiment, the tray transport section 180 moves the tray stage 150 below the tray supply section 110, and receives the tray 300 on which the separation paper 310 is placed from the tray supply section 110. Also, for example, the transport section 140 transports the tray 300 on which the separation paper 310 is picked up to a position where the component pickup section 190, which supplies components to the component mounting device 200, picks up the components placed on the tray 300. In this way, the component supplying device 100 supplies components to the component mounting device 200. Furthermore, when the components have been picked up and the tray 300 is empty, the tray transport section 180 moves the tray stage 150 to below the tray supply section 110 and returns the tray 300 to the tray supply section 110.

[0051] The collection section 160 is a mechanism that collects the separation paper 310 picked up by the paper pickup section 130. In this embodiment, the collection section 160 is a box body that is open at the top. The separation paper 310 picked up by the paper pickup section 130 is discarded in the collection section 160 so as to be stored in the collection section 160. The collection section 160 is also disposed in the transport section 140, and is movable by the transport section 140. In this embodiment, the collection section 160 is disposed alongside the tray stage 150 in the X-axis direction (specifically, it is disposed on the X-axis positive side of the tray stage), and is moved in the X-axis direction together with the tray stage 150.

[0052] The recovery unit 160 may be realized by a slope for receiving the separated paper 310 picked up by the paper pickup unit 130 from the paper pickup unit 130, and a box connected to the slope for receiving the separated paper 310 that has flowed down the slope. In this case, for example, the slope is moved by the transport unit 140, and the box is fixedly disposed at a specific location.

[0053] The component pickup unit 190 is a mechanism that picks up components placed on a tray 300 supplied from the component supply device 100 and places the components on the component placement stage 220. The component pickup unit 190 is realized, for example, by a pickup head that picks up the components and a movement mechanism that moves the pickup head. The movement mechanism is realized, for example, by a linear guide and a linear motor.

[0054] The method by which component pickup unit 190 holds components is not particularly limited, but in the case of this embodiment, a method in which component pickup unit 190 holds components by vacuum suction is adopted as the method by which component pickup unit 190 picks up components.

[0055] The control device 170 is a computer that controls each device included in the component supply device 100. Specifically, the control device 170 controls the tray supply unit 110, the sensor unit 120, the paper pickup unit 130, the tray transport unit 180, and the component pickup unit 190 to cause these devices to perform various operations. The control device 170 is realized by, for example, a communication interface for communicating with these devices, a non-volatile memory in which a program is stored, a volatile memory that is a temporary storage area for executing the program, an input / output port for transmitting and receiving signals, and a processor for executing the program. The communication interface may be a connector to which a communication line is connected to perform wired communication, or a wireless communication circuit for performing wireless communication.

[0056] The control device 170 includes a detection unit 171, a control unit 172, and a storage unit 173.

[0057] The detection unit 171 is a processing unit that detects the presence or absence of separation paper 310 on the tray 300 supplied from the tray supply unit 110 that supplies the trays 300 on which the components and the separation paper 310 covering the components are placed. Specifically, the detection unit 171 detects the presence or absence of separation paper 310 on the tray 300 based on the detection result of the sensor unit 120. For example, the detection unit 171 determines whether or not the separation paper 310 is present on the tray 300 based on an image captured by the sensor unit 120.

[0058] The control unit 172 is a processing unit that controls the operation and operation timing of each device included in the component supplying device 100, such as the tray supplying unit 110, the sensor unit 120, the paper pickup unit 130, the tray transport unit 180, and the component pickup unit 190. For example, the control unit 172 controls the paper pickup unit 130 based on the detection result of the detection unit 171. Specifically, when the detection unit 171 determines that the separation paper 310 is present on the tray 300, the control unit 172 causes the paper pickup unit 130 to pick up the separation paper 310.

[0059] Processing units such as the detection unit 171 and the control unit 172 are realized by, for example, a processor, a memory, and a control program stored in the memory or the like and executed by the processor.

[0060] The storage unit 173 is a storage device that stores various data indicating the size and shape of the tray 300 and the separation paper 310, the operation of each device, the timing of the operation, etc., the control program executed by the processing unit, and information for the detection unit 171 to detect the separation paper 310. The storage unit 173 is realized by, for example, a flash memory, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), etc.

[0061] [Specific example] <Detection section processing> Next, a specific example of the process performed by the detection unit 171 will be described.

[0062] Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of the measurement position of the detector 171 according to the embodiment. Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining the measurement position according to the comparative example.

[0063] As described above, for example, the detection unit 171 determines whether or not there is separation paper 310 on the tray 300 based on an image captured by the sensor unit 120. For example, the detection unit 171 determines the presence or absence of separation paper 310 based on the color or brightness of the image. For example, the sensor unit 120 captures an image of the tray 300 from above the tray 300 so that the entire tray 300 is captured.

[0064] Here, for example, if the presence or absence of separation paper 310 on tray 300 is determined by performing image processing on the entire image generated by sensor unit 120 capturing an image of tray 300, the amount of processing will be large.

[0065] Therefore, the detection unit 171 judges whether or not the separation paper 310 is present based on whether or not the chromaticity or luminance of a specific position (also called a measurement position) in the image is a predetermined value. At this time, for example, the detection unit 171 detects the presence or absence of the separation paper 310 at each of three or more measurement positions that surround the center of gravity C of the tray 300 and are positioned so as to overlap with the tray 300 when the tray 300 is viewed in a plane (viewed from above). For example, the detection unit 171 judges that the separation paper 310 is present on the tray 300 when the separation paper 310 is detected at at least one measurement position out of the three or more measurement positions. On the other hand, for example, the detection unit 171 judges that the separation paper 310 is not present on the tray 300 when the separation paper 310 is not detected at at least one measurement position out of the three or more measurement positions. That is, for example, when the separation paper 310 is not detected at any of the three or more measurement positions, the detection unit 171 determines that the separation paper 310 is not present on the tray 300. Also, for example, when there are three measurement positions, the detection unit 171 determines that the separation paper 310 is present on the tray 300 when the separation paper 310 is detected at one of the three measurement positions and not detected at the remaining two measurement positions.

[0066] In addition, taking into consideration erroneous detection, for example, the detection unit 171 may determine that the separation paper 310 is present on the tray 300 when the separation paper 310 is detected at a number of measurement positions equal to or greater than a threshold value that is arbitrarily determined in advance among the three or more measurement positions. Alternatively, for example, the detection unit 171 may determine that the separation paper 310 is present on the tray 300 when the separation paper 310 is detected at half or more of the three or more measurement positions.

[0067] In this embodiment, the tray 300 has a square shape in a plan view, and the center of gravity C of the tray 300 coincides with the center of the tray 300 in a plan view.

[0068] For example, suppose that an image of the positional relationship between the tray 300 and the separation paper 310 as shown in Fig. 5 is generated by the sensor unit 120. For example, the control unit 172 controls the transport unit 140 so that the center of the image of the sensor unit 120 coincides with the center of the tray 300. As a result, the center of the image of the sensor unit 120 coincides with the center of gravity C of the tray 300 when viewed from above. For example, the detection unit 171 determines whether or not separation paper 310 is present at each of measurement positions P1, P2, and P3 in the image generated in this manner, which surround the center of gravity C of the tray 300 when the tray 300 is viewed in plan, and are positioned so as to overlap with the tray 300.

[0069] According to this, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, it is easier to correctly determine that separation paper 310 is present when separation paper 310 is on tray 300 than when determining whether or not separation paper 310 is present at each of measurement positions P4, P5, and P6, which are set so as not to surround center of gravity C of tray 300 when tray 300 is viewed in a plane.

[0070] The sensor unit 120 may generate a plurality of images including one or more measurement positions by capturing an image of the tray 300. In this case, the detection unit 171 may detect the presence or absence of the separation paper 310 on the tray 300 based on the plurality of images thus generated.

[0071] In addition, if the sensor unit 120 is an optical sensor that emits laser light and receives reflected light of the laser light, the sensor unit 120 may irradiate each measurement position with laser light and receive reflected light of the laser light. In this case, the detection unit 171 may detect the presence or absence of the separation paper 310 on the tray 300 based on the light reception result (e.g., light intensity) of each measurement position by the sensor unit 120.

[0072] <Processing of control unit> Next, a specific example of the process of the control unit 172 will be described.

[0073] 7 to 10 are diagrams for explaining the positional relationship between the multiple suction nozzles 131 and separation paper 310 according to the embodiment. Each of Figs. 7 to 10 is a diagram that diagrammatically shows the positional relationship between the tray 300, separation paper 310, and multiple suction nozzles 131 when viewed from above. In Fig. 10, the multiple suction nozzles 131 shown in Figs. 7 to 9 are distinguished and shown as suction nozzles 131a, 131b, 131c, and 131d, respectively.

[0074] The control unit 172 controls the paper pickup unit 130 to cause the paper pickup unit 130 to pick up the separation paper 310 on the tray 300. For example, the paper pickup unit 130 has a plurality of suction nozzles 131. In this embodiment, the paper pickup unit 130 has four suction nozzles 131, and the positional relationship is fixed by the support 132 so that the four suction nozzles 131 can suck the four corners of the separation paper 310.

[0075] The detection unit 171 detects the position of the separation paper 310 relative to the tray 300, for example, based on an image generated by the sensor unit 120. The control unit 172 aligns the multiple suction nozzles 131 with the separation paper 310 by controlling the transport unit 140 based on the position of the separation paper 310 relative to the tray 300 detected by the detection unit 171. For example, as shown in Fig. 7, the control unit 172 controls the transport unit 140 so that the four suction nozzles 131 suck the four corners of the separation paper 310.

[0076] For example, assume that the center of the tray 300 and the center of the separation paper 310 are significantly misaligned when viewed from above, as shown in Fig. 8. In such a case, for example, the control unit 172 aligns the multiple suction nozzles 131 with the separation paper 310 by controlling the transport unit 140 based on the position of the separation paper 310 relative to the tray 300 detected by the detection unit 171, as shown in Fig. 9.

[0077] In this manner, for example, the detection unit 171 detects the position of the separation paper 310 relative to the tray 300, and the control unit 172 changes the relative position between the paper pickup unit 130 and the tray 300 based on the position of the separation paper 310 relative to the tray 300 detected by the detection unit 171, so that the separation paper 310 can be picked up by the paper pickup unit 130.

[0078] The control unit 172 may switch whether or not each of the suction nozzles 131 performs suction so that the separation paper 310 can be picked up by the paper pickup unit 130 based on the position of the separation paper 310 relative to the tray 300 detected by the detection unit 171. In other words, if the paper pickup unit 130 is configured to be able to change the position (suction area) where the separation paper 310 is sucked by switching whether or not each of the suction nozzles 131 performs suction, the control unit 172 may change the suction area based on the detection result of the detection unit 171. Each of the multiple suction nozzles 131 for sucking the separation paper 310 is provided with a valve, for example, and is configured so that whether or not to perform suction can be changed by the valve. The control unit 172 may switch whether or not to perform suction for each of the multiple suction nozzles 131 by controlling the valve, for example.

[0079] For example, assume that the positional relationship between the separation paper 310 and the multiple suction nozzles 131a, 131b, 131c, and 131d is as shown in Fig. 10. In this case, for example, the control unit 172 causes the suction nozzles 131a and 131b to perform suction, thereby causing the suction nozzles 131a and 131b to pick up the separation paper 310. In this case, for example, the control unit 172 does not cause the suction nozzles 131c and 131d to perform suction. In this way, the control unit 172 operates only the suction nozzles 131 required to pick up the separation paper 310, for example.

[0080] [Processing Procedure] Next, a processing procedure of the component supplying device 100 according to the embodiment will be described in detail.

[0081] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the component supplying device 100 according to the embodiment.

[0082] First, the detection unit 171 detects the presence or absence of the separation paper 310 on the tray 300 supplied from the tray supply unit 110, which supplies the tray 300 on which the components and the separation paper 310 covering the components are placed (S10). For example, first, the conveyance unit 140 moves the tray stage 150 to the tray supply unit 110 (more specifically, below the tray supply unit 110). Here, the tray stage 150 receives the tray 300 from the tray supply unit 110. Next, the conveyance unit 140 moves the tray stage 150 to a camera position. The camera position is the position of the tray stage 150 when the sensor unit 120 captures an image of the tray 300. In this embodiment, the camera position is below the sensor unit 120. Note that, for example, the imaging direction of the sensor unit 120 and the camera position are vertically below the sensor unit 120, but when the imaging direction of the sensor unit 120 is diagonally downward, the camera position may be diagonally below the sensor unit 120. Here, the detection unit 171 detects the presence or absence of the separation paper 310 on the tray 300 supplied from the tray supply unit 110 which supplies the tray 300 on which the components and the separation paper 310 covering the components are placed. Specifically, the sensor unit 120 captures an image of the tray 300, and the detection unit 171 determines (confirms) the presence or absence of the separation paper 310 on the tray 300 based on the image capture result of the sensor unit 120.

[0083] When the detection unit 171 determines that the separation paper 310 is present (Yes in S20), the control unit 172 causes the paper pickup unit 130 to pick up the separation paper 310 (S30). Specifically, when the separation paper 310 is detected, the transport unit 140 moves the tray stage 150 to a paper pickup position. The paper pickup position is a position where the paper pickup unit 130 picks up the separation paper 310 placed on the tray 300. Next, the paper pickup unit 130 picks up the separation paper 310 on the tray 300. Next, the transport unit 140 moves the collection unit 160 to a paper collection position (below the paper pickup unit 130 in this embodiment). Next, the paper pickup unit 130 discards the separation paper 310 picked up by the collection unit 160.

[0084] If the detection unit 171 determines that the separation paper 310 is not present (No in S20), or after step S30, the transport unit 140 moves the tray stage 150 to a component pickup position (S40). The component pickup position is a position where the component pickup unit 190 picks up a component placed on the tray 300.

[0085] Thereafter, for example, the component pickup unit 190 picks up the components placed on the tray 300. The picked up components are placed on the component placement stage 220. The components placed on the component placement stage 220 are picked up by the component mounting device 200 and placed on the board 400. This process is repeated, so that one or more components placed on the tray 300 are sequentially placed on the board 400. When the tray 300 becomes an empty tray, the transport unit 140 moves the tray stage 150 to the tray supply position. An empty tray is a tray 300 on which no components are placed. The tray stage 150 returns the empty tray 300 to the tray supply unit 110.

[0086] For example, the above process is repeated, whereby components are repeatedly supplied to the component mounting apparatus 200.

[0087] (Effects, etc.) Below, examples of technologies that can be obtained from the disclosure of this specification will be given, and effects and the like that can be obtained from the exemplified technologies will be described.

[0088] Technology 1 is a component supplying device 100 for supplying components to a component mounting device 200, and includes a detection unit 171 that detects the presence or absence of separation paper 310 on a tray 300 supplied from a tray supply unit 110 that supplies a tray 300 on which components and separation paper 310 covering the components are placed, and a control unit 172 that causes a paper pickup unit 130 to pick up the separation paper 310 when the detection unit 171 determines that separation paper 310 is present on the tray 300.

[0089] Conventionally, the separation paper 310 placed on the tray 300 is removed by an operator. However, such a method may result in high labor costs or an operational error such as turning over the tray 300, which may render the components unusable. Therefore, the component supply device 100 detects the presence or absence of the separation paper 310 on the tray 300, and if the separation paper 310 is present, the separation paper 310 on the tray 300 is picked up by the paper pickup unit 130, thereby removing the separation paper 310 on the tray 300. In other words, the component supply device 100 can automatically remove the separation paper 310 on the tray 300. As a result, the component supply device 100 can reduce the labor costs of the operator who removes the separation paper 310, and can also reduce the loss of components due to the operator's operational error. Also, for example, the component supplying device 100 detects the presence or absence of separation paper 310 on the tray 300, and if separation paper 310 is not present, proceeds to the next process without performing the process of picking up separation paper 310 on the tray 300 by the paper pickup unit 130. This makes it possible to prevent the paper pickup unit 130 from operating unnecessarily. For these reasons, the component supplying device 100 can reduce the cost associated with supplying components to the component mounting device 200, thereby making it possible to prevent a decrease in productivity in the component mounting system 10.

[0090] Technology 2 is the component supplying device 100 described in Technology 1, in which the detection unit 171 detects the presence or absence of separation paper 310 at each of three or more measurement positions that surround the center of gravity C of the tray 300 and are positioned so as to overlap with the tray 300 when the tray 300 is viewed in a plane, and determines that the separation paper 310 is present on the tray 300 when the separation paper 310 is detected at at least one of the three or more measurement positions.

[0091] If the detection unit 171 were to detect only a specific narrow measurement position, then if the separation paper 310 on the tray 300 is poorly positioned, there is a possibility that a malfunction would occur in which the detection unit 171 does not detect the separation paper 310 even though it is on the tray 300. Therefore, the detection unit 171 detects the presence or absence of the separation paper 310 at each of three or more measurement positions that surround the center of gravity C of the tray 300 when the tray 300 is viewed in a plan view and are positioned so as to overlap with the tray 300. This reduces the possibility of a malfunction occurring in which the detection unit 171 does not detect the separation paper 310 even though it is on the tray 300.

[0092] Technology 3 is a component supplying device 100 described in Technology 1 or 2, in which a detection unit 171 detects the position of the separation paper 310 relative to the tray 300, and a control unit 172 changes the relative position of the paper pickup unit 130 and the tray 300 based on the position of the separation paper 310 relative to the tray 300 detected by the detection unit 171 so that the separation paper 310 can be picked up by the paper pickup unit 130.

[0093] If the separation paper 310 is simply placed on the tray 300, the relative positional relationship between the tray 300 and the separation paper 310 may shift while the tray 300 is being transported. Therefore, the detection unit 171 detects the position of the separation paper 310 relative to the tray 300. This enables the control unit 172 to cause the paper pickup unit 130 to appropriately pick up the separation paper 310 based on the position of the separation paper 310 relative to the tray 300 detected by the detection unit 171.

[0094] In addition, in order to change the relative position between the paper pickup unit 130 and the tray 300, the control unit 172 may move the paper pickup unit 130 by controlling it, or may move the tray stage 150 on which the tray 300 is placed by controlling the conveying unit 140.

[0095] Also, in the above embodiment, the paper pickup unit 130 is configured not to move in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, but may be configured to be movable in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. For example, the paper pickup unit 130 may be realized by a conveyor or the like that is configured to allow the pickup head that picks up the separation paper 310 to move arbitrarily in the XY plane and to move up and down in the Z-axis direction.

[0096] Technology 4 is a component supplying device 100 described in any of Technologies 1 to 3, in which the paper pickup unit 130 is equipped with multiple suction nozzles 131, the detection unit 171 detects the position of the separation paper 310 relative to the tray 300, and the control unit 172 switches between whether or not to perform suction for each of the multiple suction nozzles 131 so that the separation paper 310 can be picked up by the paper pickup unit 130 based on the position of the separation paper 310 relative to the tray 300 detected by the detection unit 171.

[0097] Thus, the control unit 172 can cause the paper pickup unit 130 to appropriately pick up the separation paper 310 simply by switching between whether or not each of the multiple suction nozzles 131 performs suction.

[0098] A fifth aspect of the present invention relates to the component supplying device 100 according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising a tray supplying unit 110.

[0099] According to this, the separation paper 310 on the tray 300 can be appropriately removed while the tray 300 is being fed by the tray feed unit 110 included in the component feed device 100.

[0100] A sixth aspect of the present invention relates to the component supply device 100 according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, further comprising a paper pickup unit 130.

[0101] According to this, the separation paper 310 on the tray 300 can be appropriately removed by the paper pickup unit 130 provided in the component supplying device 100.

[0102] Technology 7 is a component supplying method for supplying components to a component mounting apparatus 200, and includes a detection step (S20) for detecting the presence or absence of separation paper 310 on a tray 300 supplied from a tray supply unit 110 that supplies a tray 300 on which components and separation paper 310 covering the components are placed, and a control step (S40) for causing the paper pickup unit 130 to pick up the separation paper 310 if it is determined in the detection step that separation paper 310 is present on the tray 300 (Yes in S30).

[0103] According to this, the same effects as those of the component supplying device 100 are achieved.

[0104] These comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized as a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be realized as any combination of the system, the method, the integrated circuit, the computer program, and the recording medium. For example, the present invention may be realized as a program that causes a computer to execute the component supply method. For example, the present invention may also be realized as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium that stores the program.

[0105] (Other embodiments) Although the component supply device according to the present embodiment has been described based on the above-mentioned embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0106] For example, all or some of the components of the processing unit of the component supply device may be configured with dedicated hardware, or may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a HDD or semiconductor memory.

[0107] Furthermore, the components of the processing unit of the component supplying device may be configured with one or more electronic circuits. Each of the one or more electronic circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0108] The one or more electronic circuits may include, for example, a semiconductor device, an IC, or an LSI (Large Scale Integration). The IC or LSI may be integrated into one chip or into multiple chips. Here, we refer to it as an IC or an LSI, but depending on the degree of integration, it may be called a system LSI, a VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration), or an ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration). Also, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), which is programmed after the LSI is manufactured, can be used for the same purpose.

[0109] The present invention can be realized not only as a component supplying device, but also as a program including, as steps, processes performed by each component of the component supplying device, and a computer-readable recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) on which the program is recorded. In other words, the above-mentioned comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized as a system, a device, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium, or as any combination of the system, the device, the integrated circuit, the computer program, and the recording medium.

[0110] In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art may conceive, and forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope that does not deviate from the spirit of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0111] The present invention can be used in a component supplying device for supplying components to a component mounting device that mounts components on a board. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 10 Component mounting system 100 Parts supply device 110 Tray supply section 120 Sensor section 130 Paper Pickup Unit 131, 131a, 131b, 131c, 131d suction nozzle 132 Support 133 Lifting mechanism 140 Conveyor 150 Tray Stage 160 Recovery Department 170 Control device 171 Detection unit 172 Control section 173 Storage section 180 Tray conveyor 190 Parts Pick-up Section 200 Component mounting equipment 220 Parts placement stage 230 Parts mounting section 240 Substrate Stage 250 Board transport section 300 Trays 310 Separate Paper 400 Substrates

Claims

1. A component supplying device for supplying components to a component mounting device, a detection unit that detects the presence or absence of the separation paper on the tray supplied from a tray supply unit that supplies a tray on which the components and the separation paper covering the components are placed; and a control unit that causes a paper pickup unit to pick up the separation paper when the detection unit determines that the separation paper is present on the tray. Parts supply device.

2. The detection unit is The presence or absence of the separation paper is detected at each of three or more measurement positions that surround the center of gravity of the tray and are positioned so as to overlap with the tray when the tray is viewed in a plan view; when the separation paper is detected at at least one of the three or more measurement positions, it is determined that the separation paper is present on the tray; The component supply device according to claim 1 .

3. The detection unit detects a position of the separation paper relative to the tray, the control unit changes a relative position between the paper pickup unit and the tray based on the position of the separation paper relative to the tray detected by the detection unit so that the separation paper can be picked up by the paper pickup unit.

3. The component supply device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The paper pickup unit includes a plurality of suction nozzles, The detection unit detects a position of the separation paper relative to the tray, the control unit switches between whether or not to perform suction for each of the plurality of suction nozzles so that the separation paper can be picked up by the paper pickup unit based on the position of the separation paper relative to the tray detected by the detection unit.

3. The component supply device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. Further, the tray supply unit is provided.

3. The component supply device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. Further, the paper pickup unit is provided.

3. The component supply device according to claim 1 or 2.

7. A component supply method for supplying components to a component mounting apparatus, comprising: a detection step of detecting the presence or absence of the separation paper on the tray supplied from a tray supply unit that supplies a tray on which the components and the separation paper covering the components are placed; and a control step of causing a paper pickup unit to pick up the separation paper when it is determined in the detection step that the separation paper is present on the tray. Parts supply method.

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