Mask storage device, printing system and warning notice method in printing system
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023125911
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-08-02
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-14
Smart Images
Figure 2025021874000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a mask storage device that is provided adjacent to a printing device that automatically changes masks and prints paste on a substrate, and that stores masks that are automatically inserted into and removed from the printing device, a printing system, and an alarm notification method in the printing system. [Background technology]
[0002] Conventionally, there is known a printing apparatus that prints a paste such as solder paste on the surface of a substrate using a mask with a pattern opening. In such a printing apparatus, the mask is usually replaced when the type of substrate changes. While mask replacement is generally performed manually by an operator, there is also known a printing system in which a mask storage device equipped with a magazine that stores multiple replacement masks is provided adjacent to the printing apparatus, and the printing apparatus automatically retrieves and replaces a mask from the magazine (see, for example, Patent Document 1 listed below).
[0003] In such a printing system, when the printing operation by the printing device is completed, the used mask is automatically returned to the magazine, but the used mask cannot be reused as it is because paste remains in the mask. Therefore, when the used mask is returned to the magazine of the mask storage device, the worker must remove the used mask from the magazine, clean it, and then return the mask to the magazine in preparation for the next use. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-299812 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0005] However, there was a possibility that the operator would remove the mask that had been returned to the mask storage device as a used mask from the magazine, but return it to the mask storage device without cleaning it. In this case, the uncleaned mask would be placed in the printing device and used again in a dirty state, which could result in poor quality printing.
[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a mask storage device, a printing system, and an alarm notification method in a printing system that can prevent a situation in which a used mask is reused in a printing device without being cleaned. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] The mask device of the present invention is a mask storage device that is provided adjacent to a printing device that automatically changes masks and prints paste on a substrate, and has a storage unit that stores masks that are automatically put in and taken out of the printing device, and is equipped with a timing unit that measures the elapsed time from when a used mask that has been returned to the storage unit from the printing device is manually removed to when it is manually returned to the storage unit, and an alarm notification unit that issues an alarm if the elapsed time measured by the timing unit is shorter than a predetermined reference time.
[0008] The printing system of the present invention is a printing system having a printing device that automatically changes masks and prints paste on a substrate, and a mask storage device that is provided adjacent to the printing device and has a storage unit that stores masks that are automatically put into and taken out of the printing device, and is also provided with a timing unit that measures the elapsed time from when a used mask that has been returned to the storage unit from the printing device is manually removed to when the used mask is manually returned to the storage unit, and an alarm notification unit that issues an alarm if the elapsed time measured by the timing unit is shorter than a predetermined reference time.
[0009] The alarm notification method in a printing system of the present invention is a method for notifying an alarm in a printing system having a printing device that automatically changes masks and prints paste on a substrate, and a mask storage device that is provided adjacent to the printing device and has a storage unit that stores masks that are automatically put into and taken out of the printing device, and includes a timing step of timing the elapsed time from when a used mask that has been returned to the storage unit from the printing device is manually removed from the storage unit to when the used mask is manually returned to the storage unit, a determination step of determining whether the elapsed time measured in the timing step is shorter than a predetermined reference time, and an alarm notification step of issuing an alarm if it is determined in the determination step that the elapsed time is shorter than the reference time. [Effects of the Invention]
[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a used mask is reused in a printing device without being cleaned. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control system of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mask storage device provided in a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] (a) and (b) are perspective side views of a mask storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a magazine provided in a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention and a portion of the masks stored therein; [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are side views illustrating the operation of a print head provided in a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] A flowchart showing the flow of alarm notification control executed by the storage device control unit of the mask storage device according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figures 1, 2, and 3 show a printing system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The printing system 1 is a system that prints a paste Pst such as solder paste on the upper surface of a substrate KB (Figures 2 and 3) as a printing object, and includes a printing device 2 and a mask storage device 3.
[0013] 2 and 3, the printing apparatus 2 is provided with a substrate transport and lifting unit 12 on a base 11 covered by a base cover 11K. The substrate transport and lifting unit 12 has a transport conveyor 12A for transporting the substrate KB and a lifting unit 12B for raising and lowering the substrate KB carried in by the transport conveyor 12A. For convenience, in the description of the printing system 1, the horizontal direction in which the transport conveyor 12A transports the substrate KB is referred to as the X direction, and the direction perpendicular to the X direction in the horizontal plane is referred to as the Y direction. The up and down direction is referred to as the Z direction.
[0014] 2 and 3, a pair of mask guides 13 are provided above the substrate transport / lifting unit 12, facing each other in the X direction. Each of the pair of mask guides 13 is made up of an L-angle member extending in the Y direction.
[0015] 2, a mask 14 is placed at a predetermined mask placement position determined on a mask guide 13. The mask 14 is made of a rectangular metal plate, and its periphery is held by a rectangular mask frame 14W. A plurality of pattern openings 14K are provided in the center of the mask 14, and are arranged in accordance with the arrangement of electrode patterns (not shown) formed on the surface of the substrate KB.
[0016] In Figure 3, a print head 15 is provided above the mask guide 13. The print head 15 is equipped with two squeegees 15S, each consisting of a spatula-shaped member extending in the X direction. The two squeegees 15S are arranged opposite each other in the Y direction. The print head 15 can be moved in the Y direction, and the two squeegees 15S can be raised and lowered individually.
[0017] A mask moving unit 16 is provided below the mask guide 13 so as to be movable in the Y direction. The mask moving unit 16 moves forward while adsorbing the front surface 14Z (FIG. 2) of the mask frame 14W of the mask 14 stored in the mask storage device 3, thereby placing the mask 14 at the mask placement position, and returning the mask 14 placed at the mask placement position (used mask 14) to the mask storage device 3. In this way, the printing device 2 is configured to automatically replace the mask 14 to be used.
[0018] The operation of each of the components of the printing device 2, such as the substrate transport and lifting unit 12, print head 15, and mask moving unit 16, is controlled by a printing device control unit 17 (FIG. 3) provided in the base 11 (FIG. 4). The printing device control unit 17 stores a printing operation program in a memory unit (printing device memory unit 17a), and performs printing work by controlling the operation of each of the components, such as the substrate transport and lifting unit 12, print head 15, and mask moving unit 16, in accordance with the printing operation program.
[0019] 1, 2, and 3, the mask storage device 3 is provided adjacent to the rear of the printing device 2. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the mask storage device 3 includes a housing 21, a magazine 22, a magazine elevator 23, operation buttons 24, a touch panel 25, an information code reader 26, and a shutter detection sensor 27.
[0020] 2, 3, and 6(a) and (b), a magazine lifting space SP is formed inside the housing 21. The magazine 22 is a storage unit that stores the masks 14 that are automatically inserted into and removed from the printing device 2, and is installed inside the magazine lifting space SP.
[0021] 5, the magazine 22 has a rectangular cylindrical shape that is open on both the front and back sides, and has a plurality of slots 22S arranged in the Z direction inside. Each slot 22S stores (places) one mask 14 in a horizontal position. The magazine 22 normally stores a plurality of masks 14 corresponding to the type of substrate KB.
[0022] The front-to-back orientation of the mask 14 stored in the slot 22S remains the same even when the mask 14 is set at the mask setting position of the mask guide 13. Therefore, the front-to-back orientation of the mask 14 in the magazine 22 must match the front-to-back orientation when set at the mask setting position, and the mask 14 stored in the magazine 22 has the front surface 14Z of its mask frame 14W facing forward (FIG. 7).
[0023] 7, an information code 14C, such as a QR code (registered trademark), on which information unique to the mask 14 is recorded is attached to the front surface 14Z of the mask frame 14W of the mask 14 stored in the slot 22S of the magazine 22. In this embodiment, the information code 14C attached to the mask frame 14W of each mask 14 functions as an individual identifier for that mask 14.
[0024] 3, 5, and 6(a) and (b), the magazine elevator 23 is provided in the housing 21. As shown in FIG. 5, the magazine elevator 23 includes an elevator body 23a having a shape that extends in a horizontal plane. The elevator body 23a is raised and lowered within the magazine elevator space SP by an elevator body raising and lowering mechanism (not shown). The magazine 22 is placed on the elevator body 23a.
[0025] 5 and 6(a) and (b), a mask entrance / exit 21A is provided on the rear surface (the surface facing the operator) of the housing 21. The mask entrance / exit 21A is an opening for manually inserting and removing a used mask 14 that has been returned to the magazine 22 from the printing device 2 into and from the magazine 22. In other words, when the mask 14 is manually inserted or removed from the magazine 22, the mask 14 always passes through the mask entrance / exit 21A.
[0026] 5, the mask entrance 21A is provided at a position and with a size that allows an operator to access all of the slots 22S of the magazine 22 when the magazine 22 is positioned at the lowest position (bottom position) within the range of movement of the magazine by the magazine elevator 23. Therefore, when the magazine 22 is positioned at the bottom position by the magazine elevator 23, the operator can insert and remove masks 14 into and from all of the slots 22S of the magazine 22 through the mask entrance 21A.
[0027] 5 and 6(a) and (b) (see also FIG. 1), a shutter 21S that opens and closes a mask entrance 21A is provided in the housing 21. When the shutter 21S closes the mask entrance 21A (FIGS. 1 and 6(b)), the worker cannot take a mask 14 in or out of the magazine 22. However, when the shutter 21S is lifted (opened) by a required amount from the closed position (FIGS. 5 and 6(a)), the worker can take a mask 14 in or out of the magazine 22.
[0028] The shutter 21S is operated by an operator every time a mask 14 is inserted or removed through the mask entrance 21A. That is, the operator opens and closes the shutter 21S each time a mask 14 is inserted or removed from the magazine 22. In this manner, the shutter 21S in this embodiment opens and closes the mask entrance 21A every time a mask 14 is inserted or removed through the mask entrance 21A.
[0029] 1, 3, and 5, the operation button 24 and the touch panel 25 are provided on the rear surface of the housing 21. When the operator operates the operation button 24, an operation signal (operation button operation signal) is output, and when the operator operates the touch panel 25, an operation signal (touch panel operation signal) is output.
[0030] 3, 5, and 6(a) and (b), the information code reader 26 is provided on the inner surface (the surface on the magazine lifting space SP side) of the front wall of the housing 21. The information code reader 26 is an individual identifier reader that reads an information code as an individual identifier, and its information code reading surface faces backward (FIGS. 6(a) and (b)).
[0031] 3, 5, and 6(a) and (b), the shutter detection sensor 27 is provided inside the housing 21. The shutter detection sensor 27 is a sensor that detects whether the shutter 21S is located at a "closed position" where the shutter 21S closes the mask entrance 21A, or at an "unclosed position" where the shutter 21S does not close the mask entrance 21A. In this embodiment, the shutter detection sensor 27 detects the position of the lower end of the shutter 21S to detect whether the shutter 21S is located at the closed position or the unclosed position.
[0032] As described above, the shutter 21S is operated by an operator every time a mask 14 is taken in or out through the mask entrance 21A. Therefore, the shutter detection sensor 27 detects whether the shutter 21S is in the closed position or the non-closed position every time a mask 14 is taken in or out through the mask entrance 21A.
[0033] The operation of each part of the mask storage device 3, such as the magazine elevator 23, is controlled by a storage device control unit 28 (FIGS. 3 and 5) provided in the housing 21 (FIG. 4). An operation button operation signal output from the operation button 24 is input to the storage device control unit 28, and a touch panel operation signal output from the touch panel 25 is input to the storage device control unit 28. The storage device control unit 28 outputs a display instruction signal to the touch panel 25 as needed, and the touch panel 25, having received the display instruction signal, performs a required display in accordance with the display instruction signal (FIG. 4). Information obtained by reading the information code by the information code reader 26 and information on the shutter 21S detected by the shutter detection sensor 27 (information on whether the shutter 21S is in the closed position or the unclosed position) are input to the storage device control unit 28 (FIG. 4).
[0034] 4, the storage device control unit 28 includes a safety control unit 28a. The safety control unit 28a has a function of locking the shutter 21S in the closed position when the shutter 21S is in the closed position. To release the lock on the shutter 21S by the safety control unit 28a, the operation button 24 must be operated. That is, when the operation button 24 is operated, an operation button operation signal is output, and the safety control unit 28a releases the lock on the shutter 21S in the closed position based on the operation button operation signal.
[0035] Here, when the operation button 24 is operated when the shutter 21S is in the closed position as described above, the safety control unit 28a operates the magazine elevator 23 before unlocking the shutter 21S, and locks the magazine 22 in the lowest position. In this manner, in the present embodiment, the safety control unit 28a restricts the movement of the magazine 22 up and down when the shutter 21S is open (not in the closed position), thereby ensuring the safety of the worker when inserting or removing the mask 14 into or from the magazine 22.
[0036] Furthermore, when the shutter 21S is moved from the open position to the closed position, the safety control unit 28a maintains the magazine elevator 23 locked at the lowest position unless the operator operates the operation button 24. Therefore, the operator must operate the operation button 24 when attempting to open the shutter 21S to remove a mask 14 from the magazine 22 or when closing the shutter 21S after storing a mask 14 in the magazine 22.
[0037] 2, 3, 5, and 6(a) and (b), a mask passing opening 21B is provided in the front wall (the wall on the printing device 2 side) of the housing 21. The mask passing opening 21B is a passage that connects the internal area of the housing 21 (the magazine lifting space SP) with the external area of the housing 21 (the area on the printing device 2 side). The mask passing opening 21B has a shape and size that allows the mask 14 to pass through in the front-to-rear direction.
[0038] 4, the storage device control unit 28 includes a mask information acquisition unit 28b. The mask information acquisition unit 28b acquires "in-magazine mask information," which is information about what type of mask 14 is stored in what position (slot 22S) in the magazine 22. The mask information acquisition unit 28b acquires the in-magazine mask information every time the operation button 24 is operated after the shutter 21S is closed.
[0039] When acquiring mask information in a magazine, the mask information acquisition unit 28b causes the magazine elevator 23 to raise and lower the magazine 22 so that all slots 22S provided in the magazine 22 pass through a position facing the reading surface of the information code reader 26. Then, as the magazine 22 is raised and lowered, the information code reader 26 reads the information codes 14C of all masks 14 stored in the magazine 22 (skips if there is no mask 14 in the slot 22S).
[0040] After the information code reader 26 has read the information codes 14C of all the masks 14 in the magazine 22 as described above, the mask information acquisition unit 28b generates in-magazine mask information by linking the contents of the information codes 14C of all the masks 14 in the magazine 22 that have been read (individual identification information of the masks 14) with information on the positions of the slots 22S in which the masks 14 are stored. The in-magazine mask information generated in this manner is stored in the storage device storage unit 28c (FIG. 4) provided in the storage device control unit 28.
[0041] In this embodiment, the information code reader 26 that reads the information code 14C, which is an individual identifier attached to the mask 14, functions as a mask identification means that identifies the individual masks 14 stored in the magazine 22.
[0042] As described above, in this embodiment, the open / closed state of the shutter 21S relative to the mask entrance / exit 21A is detected by the shutter detection sensor 27, and at the timing when the shutter 21S detected by the shutter detection sensor 27 closes the mask entrance / exit 21A, the information code reader 26 individually identifies the mask 14 in the magazine 22. Therefore, in this embodiment, the shutter detection sensor 27 and the information code reader 26 constitute a "mask entrance / exit detection unit" that manually detects the entrance / exit of the mask 14 into / from the magazine 22.
[0043] Next, the operation of the printing device 2 will be described. The printing device 2 performs a printing operation to print the paste Pst on the substrate KB while automatically changing the mask 14. When performing a printing operation, the printing device control unit 17 first reads out a printing operation program from the printing device storage unit 17a (FIG. 4). Then, in order to retrieve the type of mask 14 specified in the read printing operation program from the mask storage device 3 as the installation target mask 14 (installation target mask 14P), the printing device control unit 17 transmits information about the installation target mask 14P to the storage device control unit 28.
[0044] The storage device control unit 28, which has received information about the installation target mask 14P from the printing device control unit 17, operates the magazine elevator 23 so that the installation target mask 14P is positioned at the height of the mask passing opening 21B based on the mask information in the magazine that has already been acquired (FIG. 6(a) → FIG. 6(b)). Once the installation target mask 14P is positioned at the height of the mask passing opening 21B, the printing device control unit 17 operates the mask moving unit 16 to pull out the mask 14 (installation target mask 14P) from the magazine 22 through the mask passing opening 21B and place it at the mask installation position.
[0045] Once the mask 14 has been placed at the mask placement position, the printing device control unit 17 causes the transfer conveyor 12A to carry in the substrate KB from outside. Next, the printing device control unit 17 activates the lifting unit 12B to lift the substrate KB and bring the top surface of the substrate KB into contact with the mask 14. Once the top surface of the substrate KB has come into contact with the mask 14, the printing device control unit 17 causes the print head 15 to perform a squeegeeing operation.
[0046] When the print head 15 is made to perform a squeegeeing operation, the paste Pst is supplied to the upper surface of the mask 14, and then one of the two squeegees 15S provided on the print head 15 is lowered. Then, with the lower end of the lowered squeegee 15S in contact with the upper surface of the mask 14, the print head 15 is moved in the Y direction (FIG. 8(a) → FIG. 8(b)). As a result, the paste Pst is scraped onto the mask 14 by the squeegee 15S, and the paste Pst is applied to the electrode pattern on the substrate KB through the pattern openings 14K of the mask 14.
[0047] After the paste Pst has been applied to the electrode pattern on the substrate KB by the squeegeeing action of the print head 15, the printing device control unit 17 lowers the lifting unit 12B so that the substrate KB is separated from the mask 14 (separated from the mask). Once the substrate KB is separated from the mask, the transfer conveyor 12A carries the substrate KB out. This completes the printing operation for one substrate KB.
[0048] When the printing operation on the substrate KB as described above is repeated, the mask 14 becomes soiled with the paste Pst. When the degree of soiling of the mask 14 reaches a specified level or when the mask 14 needs to be replaced due to a change in the model of the substrate KB, the printing device control unit 17 returns the mask 14 (used mask) placed in the mask placement position to the mask storage device 3, and pulls out a new mask 14 and places it in the mask placement position.
[0049] When returning a used mask to the mask storage device 3, the printing device control unit 17 executes the reverse procedure of the procedure for placing the above-described installation target mask 14P at the mask installation position. Note that when returning a used mask to the magazine 22, the slot 22S in which the used mask is stored does not necessarily have to be the same as the slot 22S in which the used mask was originally stored.
[0050] The masks 14 (used masks) soiled with the paste Pst as described above are returned to the mask storage device 3, but the used masks returned to the mask storage device 3 cannot be reused in the printing device 2 as they are. For this reason, the worker removes the used masks returned to the mask storage device 3 from the magazine 22, cleans the masks 14, and then returns the masks (cleaned masks) to the magazine 22. This allows the printing device 2 to reuse the masks 14 returned to the mask storage device 3.
[0051] On the other hand, the printing apparatus control unit 17 must not remove the mask 14 (used mask) from the mask storage device 3 if the mask 14 has not been cleaned after being returned to the mask storage device 3. For this reason, if the printing apparatus control unit 17 does not detect that the mask 14 (used mask) returned to the mask storage device 3 from the printing apparatus 2 has subsequently been removed from the magazine 22 by an operator (i.e., the used mask has not been removed from the magazine 22), the printing apparatus control unit 17 determines that the mask 14 is uncleaned and excludes it from being placed at the mask placement position (FIG. 4). Here, the determination unit 17b of the printing apparatus control unit 17 (FIG. 4) determines whether the mask 14 (used mask) returned to the mask storage device 3 from the printing apparatus 2 has been manually removed from the magazine 22 by an operator, based on the history of mask information in the magazine acquired by the mask information acquisition unit 28b of the storage device control unit 28.
[0052] However, even if the mask 14 is removed from the magazine 22 after being returned from the printing device 2 to the mask storage device 3, if the mask 14 is returned to the magazine 22 without being cleaned, the mask 14 will remain dirty. For this reason, the mask storage device 3 in this embodiment is designed to detect when a used mask is returned to the magazine 22 without being cleaned, and to notify the operator of an alarm. This will be explained below.
[0053] 4, the storage equipment control unit 28 includes a timekeeping unit 28d, a determination unit 28e, and an alarm notification control unit 28f. The timekeeping unit 28d is made up of a timer unit included in the storage equipment control unit 28, for example.
[0054] The timing unit 28d measures the elapsed time from when a used mask is manually removed from the printing device 2 and returned to the magazine 22 until it is manually returned to the magazine 22. In this embodiment, the timing unit 28d starts timing when the aforementioned "mask in / out detection unit" detects that a mask 14 in the magazine 22 has been manually removed. Then, the timing ends when the mask in / out detection unit detects that the removed mask 14 has been manually returned to the magazine 22.
[0055] The determination unit 28e determines whether the elapsed time measured by the timer unit 28d is shorter than a predetermined reference time. Here, the "reference time" is determined based on the time required to clean a used mask. If the time required to clean a used mask is about 15 minutes, the elapsed time is set to, for example, 20 to 30 minutes.
[0056] When the determination unit 28e determines that the elapsed time is shorter than the reference time, the alarm notification control unit 28f outputs an alarm notification command signal to the touch panel 25. Upon receiving the alarm notification command signal from the alarm notification control unit 28f, the touch panel 25 operates in accordance with the alarm notification command signal and notifies the operator of an alarm, for example, by displaying an alarm on a screen. That is, in this embodiment, the touch panel 25 serves as an alarm notification unit that notifies an alarm when the elapsed time measured by the timing unit 28d is shorter than a predetermined reference time.
[0057] 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of alarm notification control (alarm notification method in the printing system 1) performed by the storage device control unit 28. The alarm notification control is a control that issues an alarm when it is detected that an operator has removed a used mask from the magazine 22 but returned the used mask to the magazine 22 without cleaning it (in an uncleaned state). It is assumed that the shutter 21S is in the closed position when the storage device control unit 28 starts the alarm notification control.
[0058] When the storage device control unit 28 starts the alarm notification control, first, the mask information acquisition unit 28b acquires the mask information in the magazine (step ST1 shown in FIG. 9). After acquiring the mask information in the magazine in step ST1, the storage device control unit 28 determines whether the shutter 21S has been opened from the closed position based on the detection information from the shutter detection sensor 27 (step ST2). This determination is repeated until the shutter 21S is opened, and if the shutter 21S has been opened from the closed position, it then determines whether the shutter 21S has been closed (step ST3). This determination is repeated until the shutter 21S is closed. Then, if the shutter 21S is closed, new mask information in the magazine is acquired (step ST4).
[0059] When the storage device control unit 28 acquires new mask information in the magazine in step ST4, it compares this with the previously acquired mask information in the magazine to determine whether any masks 14 have been removed from the magazine 22 (step ST5). Specifically, the storage device control unit 28 compares the mask information in the two previous and next magazines, and if there is no difference between the two, it determines that no masks 14 have been removed from the magazine 22, but if there is a difference between the two (a mask 14 that was there last time is gone this time), it determines that a mask 14 has been removed from the magazine 22.
[0060] If the storage device control unit 28 determines in step ST5 that no mask 14 has been removed from the magazine 22, it determines that no mask 14 has been removed or entered between steps ST2 and ST3, and returns to step ST2. On the other hand, if the storage device control unit 28 determines in step ST5 that a mask 14 has been removed from the magazine 22, it stores the individual identification information of the mask 14 determined to have been removed, and starts timing by the timer unit 28d (step ST6).
[0061] After starting timekeeping in step ST6, the storage device control unit 28 determines whether the shutter 21S has been opened from the closed position based on the detection information from the shutter detection sensor 27, as in step ST2 (step ST7). This determination is repeated until the shutter 21S is opened, and if the shutter 21S has been opened from the closed position, it then determines whether the shutter 21S has been closed (step ST8). This determination is repeated until the shutter 21S is closed. Then, if the shutter 21S is closed, new mask information within the magazine is acquired (step ST9).
[0062] When the storage device control unit 28 acquires new in-magazine mask information in step ST9, it compares this with the previously acquired in-magazine mask information to determine whether the mask 14 determined to have been removed from the magazine 22 in step ST5 has been returned to the magazine 22 (step ST10). Specifically, these two in-magazine mask information are compared, and if there is no difference between them, it determines that the removed mask 14 has not been returned to the magazine 22, but if there is a difference between them (a mask 14 that was not there last time is now present), it compares the individual identification information of the mask 14 that is the subject of the difference with the individual identification information of the mask 14 acquired in step ST4, and after confirming that both are the same mask 14, it determines that the removed mask 14 has been returned to the magazine 22.
[0063] If the storage device control unit 28 determines in step ST10 that the removed mask 14 has not been returned to the magazine 22, it returns to step ST7 and waits for the shutter 21S to be opened again. On the other hand, if the storage device control unit 28 determines in step ST10 that the removed mask 14 has been returned to the magazine 22, it ends the timing of the timer 28d (step ST11).
[0064] After completing the timekeeping in step ST11, the storage device control unit 28 determines the time measured from the start of the timekeeping in step ST6 to the end of the timekeeping in step ST11 as the elapsed time T and compares this with a predetermined reference time T0. Then, the determination unit 28e determines whether the elapsed time T is shorter than the reference time T0 (step ST12). As described above, the reference time T0 is predetermined based on the time required to clean a used mask 14.
[0065] If the storage device control unit 28 determines in step ST12 that the elapsed time T is not shorter than the reference time T0, it determines that the mask 14 removed from the magazine 22 has been cleaned (returned to the magazine 22 after being cleaned), and returns to step ST2. On the other hand, if the storage device control unit 28 determines in step ST12 that the elapsed time T is shorter than the reference time T0, it determines that the mask 14 removed from the magazine 22 has not been cleaned (returned to the magazine 22 without being cleaned), and notifies the operator of an alarm via the touch panel 25 or the like, which is an alarm notification unit (step ST13).
[0066] The alarm notification control (alarm notification method in the printing system 1) performed by the storage device control unit 28 in this manner includes a timing process (steps ST6 to ST11) for timing the elapsed time T between when the used mask 14 that was returned from the printing device 2 to the magazine 22 is manually removed from the magazine 22 and when it is manually returned to the magazine 22, a determination process (step ST12) for determining whether the elapsed time T measured in the timing process is shorter than a predetermined reference time T0, and an alarm notification process (step ST13) for issuing an alarm if it is determined in the determination process that the elapsed time T is shorter than the reference time T0.
[0067] Therefore, if an operator removes a used mask from the magazine 22 but mistakenly returns the used mask to the magazine 22 without cleaning it (in an uncleaned state), the operator will be made aware of this through an alarm notification issued via a screen display on the touch panel as an alarm notification unit, and will be able to remove the used mask from the magazine 22 again and clean it. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a used mask is reused in the printing device 2 without being cleaned.
[0068] As described above, in the mask storage device 3 (or printing system 1) and the alarm notification method in the printing system 1 in this embodiment, the elapsed time T from when a used mask is manually removed from the printing device 2 and returned to the magazine 22 until it is manually returned to the magazine 22 is measured, and an alarm is notified if the measured elapsed time T is shorter than a predetermined reference time T0. Therefore, even if an operator removes a used mask from the magazine 22 but mistakenly returns the used mask to the magazine 22 without cleaning it, the operator can notice this and clean the mask 14, thereby preventing a situation in which a used mask is reused in the printing device 2 without being cleaned.
[0069] While the present invention has been described above in terms of an embodiment, it is not limited to the above and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above embodiment, the mask identification means is comprised of an information code reader 26 that reads the information code 14C, which is an individual identifier attached to the mask 14. However, the mask identification means does not necessarily have to be the information code reader 26, but may be an individual identifier reader that reads other individual identifiers. Also, in the above embodiment, the alarm notification unit notifies the worker by displaying the alarm on a screen (touch panel 25), but this is only an example, and the alarm may also be notified by sound, such as a buzzer or lamp. In other words, the alarm notification unit may notify the worker of the alarm by at least one of visual output and sound output.
[0070] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the timing unit 28d and the alarm notification unit (touch panel 25) are provided in the mask storage device 3 of the printing system 1, but the timing unit 28d and the alarm notification unit may be provided in the printing device 2. In other words, the timing unit 28d and the alarm notification unit may be provided anywhere in the printing system 1. [Industrial Applicability]
[0071] A mask storage device, a printing system, and an alarm notification method for a printing system are provided that can prevent a situation in which a used mask is reused in a printing device without being cleaned. [Explanation of symbols]
[0072] 1 Printing System 2 Printing device 3 Mask storage device 14 Mask 14C Information Code (Individual Identifier) 21A Mask Entrance / Exit 21S Shutter 22 Magazine (storage section) 24 Operation buttons 25 Touch panel (alarm notification section) 26 Information code reader (individual identifier reader) (mask identification means) (mask entrance / exit detection unit) 27 Shutter detection sensor (mask in / out detection part) 28a Safety control section 28b Mask information acquisition unit 28c Storage device memory unit 28d Clock section T elapsed time T0 reference time KB board PST Paste
Claims
1. A mask storage device is provided adjacent to a printing device that automatically replaces a mask and prints a paste on a substrate, the mask storage device having a storage unit that stores a mask that is automatically inserted into and removed from the printing device, A timer that measures an elapsed time from when the used mask that has been returned to the storage unit from the printing device is manually removed to when the used mask is manually returned to the storage unit; an alarm notification unit that issues an alarm when the elapsed time measured by the timing unit is shorter than a predetermined reference time; A mask storage device comprising:
2. The mask storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the reference time is determined based on a time required to clean a used mask.
3. 3. The mask storage device according to claim 2, further comprising a mask entry / exit detection unit that detects manual entry / exit of a mask into / from the storage unit, wherein the timer starts timing when the mask entry / exit detection unit detects that a mask in the storage unit has been manually removed, and ends timing when the mask entry / exit detection unit detects that the removed mask has been manually returned to the storage unit.
4. 4. The mask storage device according to claim 3, further comprising: a mask entrance through which a mask passes when the mask is manually inserted or removed from the storage section; a shutter which opens and closes the mask entrance each time a mask is inserted or removed through the mask entrance; and a mask identification means which performs individual identification of the mask stored in the storage section, wherein the mask entrance / exit detection unit detects manual insertion or removal of a mask into or from the storage section based on information obtained by the mask identification means which individually identifies the mask in the storage section at a timing according to the open / close state of the shutter with respect to the mask entrance / exit.
5. 5. The mask storage device according to claim 4, wherein the mask identification means comprises an individual identifier reader for reading an individual identifier attached to the mask.
6. The mask storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the alarm notification unit notifies the user of the alarm by at least one of a visual output and an audio output.
7. A printing system including: a printing device that automatically changes a mask and prints a paste on a substrate; and a mask storage device that is provided adjacent to the printing device and has a storage unit that stores a mask that is automatically inserted into and removed from the printing device, A timer that measures an elapsed time from when the used mask that has been returned to the storage unit from the printing device is manually removed to when the used mask is manually returned to the storage unit; an alarm notification unit that issues an alarm when the elapsed time measured by the timing unit is shorter than a predetermined reference time; A printing system comprising:
8. The printing system according to claim 7, wherein the printing device is adapted to remove a mask from the storage unit and place it at a predetermined mask placement position, and to return the used mask to the storage unit after printing paste on the substrate using the placed mask, and if the used mask returned to the storage unit is not subsequently removed from the storage unit, it is excluded from being placed at the mask placement position.
9. A method for notifying an alarm in a printing system having a printing device that automatically replaces a mask and prints a paste on a substrate, and a mask storage device that is provided adjacent to the printing device and has a storage unit that stores a mask that is automatically inserted into and removed from the printing device, comprising: a timing step of timing an elapsed time from when the used mask that has been returned from the printing device to the storage unit is manually removed from the storage unit until when the used mask is manually returned to the storage unit; a determination step of determining whether or not the elapsed time measured in the time measuring step is shorter than a predetermined reference time; a warning notification step of issuing a warning when it is determined in the determination step that the elapsed time is shorter than the reference time; A method for notifying an alarm in a printing system having the above configuration.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Screen printer
JP1993299812A