Mounting apparatus and method for replacing head of the same

Abstract

To make it easier to mount a mounting head and suppress breakage of a head attachment unit and a mounting head.SOLUTION: A mounting apparatus 10 includes a head attachment unit 21, a horizontal driving device 30, a brake mechanism 41, and a controller 50. The head attachment unit 21 can be removably provided with a mounting head 22 which adsorbs a component 2 and is mounted on a substrate 1. The horizontal driving device 30 includes: a first driving unit 31 for moving the head attachment unit 21 to a first direction; and a second driving unit 32 for moving the head attachment unit 21 to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The brake mechanism 41 blocks the head attachment unit 21 from moving to the first direction as a direction in which a load is applied when the mounting head 22 is attached to the head attachment unit 21. The controller 50 controls to operate the brake mechanism 41 when the head attachment unit 21 is attached to the mounting head 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a head replacement method for a mounting machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a mounting machine equipped with a head attachment part to which a mounting head that picks up components and mounts them on a board can be attached and detached, and a drive device that moves the head attachment part in a horizontal direction. For example, a technique of this type is disclosed in Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-46091 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, when attaching the mounting head to the head attachment part of the mounting machine, the attachment relies on the experience and intuition of the worker. For this reason, if an operator with little mounting experience performs the work, when the mounting head is pushed in the Y-axis direction (the direction intersecting the board transport direction), the head attachment part may be pushed backward along the Y-axis direction. In this case, the mounting head will not be attached properly, which leads to a problem of an increase in labor hours. There is also the problem that the head attachment part or mounting head may hit other components of the mounting machine and be damaged.

[0005] Therefore, this specification provides a technique that can facilitate attachment of the mounting head and prevent damage to the head attachment portion and the mounting head. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This specification discloses a mounting machine. The mounting machine includes a head mounting section, a horizontal direction drive device, a brake mechanism, and a control device. A mounting head that picks up components and mounts them on a board is detachable from the head mounting section. The horizontal direction drive device includes a first drive unit that moves the head mounting section in a first direction, and a second drive unit that moves the head mounting section in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The brake mechanism prevents the head mounting section from moving in the first direction, which is a direction in which a load is applied when the mounting head is attached to the head mounting section. The control device controls the brake mechanism to operate when the mounting head is attached to the head mounting section. According to the above-mentioned configuration, the mounting head can be attached to the head mounting section that is prevented from moving by the brake mechanism. The same also applies to a head replacement method of the mounting machine. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a mounting machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a main portion of the mounting machine. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a brake mechanism in an inoperative state, and FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the brake mechanism in an activated state. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the mounting machine. [Diagram 5] 11 is a flowchart for explaining a head replacement method of the mounting machine. [Figure 6] 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the mounting machine in a state where a head attachment section has been moved to a head attachment / detachment position. [Figure 7] In another embodiment, (a) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a brake mechanism in an inoperative state, and (b) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the brake mechanism in an activated state. [Figure 8] In another embodiment, (a) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state of a mechanical chuck when not in operation, and (b) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state of the mechanical chuck when in operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] (Example) The mounting machine of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0009] 1, the mounting machine 10 is a device for mounting components 2 on a board 1. The mounting machine 10 includes a plurality of component feeders 11, a board transport device 12, a parts camera 13, a head attachment unit 21, an XY robot 30 (a horizontal driving device), a brake mechanism 41, and the like. Specific examples of the components 2 include semiconductor packages such as QFP (Quad Flat Package) and BGA (Ball Grid Array), and chip components such as chip resistors and chip capacitors.

[0010] Each component feeder 11 stores a plurality of components 2. The component feeders 11 are removably attached to the feeder holding portion 14, and supply the components 2 to the head attachment portion 21. The component feeders 11 of this embodiment are tape-type feeders that store a plurality of components 2 on a tape.

[0011] The board transport device 12 is a device that performs the operations of transporting the board 1 to the work position A1 in the mounting machine 10, positioning the board 1 at the work position A1 before component mounting, and transporting the board 1 from the work position A1 after component mounting. The board transport device 12 in this embodiment can be configured, for example, with a pair of belt conveyors, a support device (not shown) that is attached to the belt conveyors and supports the board 1 from below, and a drive device (not shown) that drives the belt conveyors.

[0012] Part camera 13 is provided between component feeder 11 and board transport device 12, below the movement path of head attachment unit 21. Part camera 13 captures images of components 2 picked up by head attachment unit 21 from below. Part camera 13 is configured using an imaging element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), for example.

[0013] A mounting head 22 that picks up components 2 and mounts them on the board 1 is detachably attached to the head attachment section 21. The mounting head 22 is equipped with a plurality of suction nozzles 23 and a mark camera 24. Each suction nozzle 23 is raised and lowered in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) by an actuator (not shown) housed in the mounting head 22, and is configured to be able to pick up components 2.

[0014] To mount the component 2 on the board 1 by the head attachment unit 21, first, the suction nozzle 23 is moved downward until the suction surface of the suction nozzle 23 abuts on the component 2 accommodated in the component feeder 11. Next, the suction nozzle 23 picks up the component 2, and then the suction nozzle 23 is moved upward. Once the process of picking up the component 2 onto the suction nozzle 23 is completed, the XY robot 30 is driven to position the head attachment unit 21 with respect to the board 1. Then, the suction nozzle 23 is lowered toward the board 1, thereby mounting the component 2 on the board 1.

[0015] The mark camera 24 moves above the substrate 1 that has been brought into the working position A1 by the substrate transport device 12, and captures images of marks (not shown) and the like attached to the substrate 1. The mark camera 24 is configured using an imaging element such as a CCD or a CMOS.

[0016] The XY robot 30 moves the head mounting part 21 between above the component feeder 11 and above the board 1 by moving the head mounting part 21 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The XY robot 30 includes a Y-axis direction driving part 31 (see FIG. 4) which is a first driving part, and an X-axis direction driving part 32 (see FIG. 4) which is a second driving part. The Y-axis direction driving part 31 is a driving part that moves the head mounting part 21 in the Y-axis direction (first direction) which intersects with the transport direction of the board 1. The X-axis direction driving part 32 is a driving part that moves the head mounting part 21 in the X-axis direction (second direction) which intersects with the Y-axis direction and is the transport direction of the board 1.

[0017] The Y-axis direction drive unit 31 has a pair of Y-axis rails 33 extending along the Y-axis direction, a Y-axis ball screw 34 also extending along the Y-axis direction, and a Y-axis drive motor 35 for rotating the Y-axis ball screw 34. The XY robot 30 has a slider 36 supported so as to be movable in the Y-axis direction along both Y-axis rails 33, and a head mounting unit 21 supported so as to be movable in the X-axis direction along the slider 36. A nut 36a through which the Y-axis ball screw 34 is inserted is attached to one end (the left in FIG. 1) of the slider 36. The slider 36 moves along the Y-axis direction together with the nut 36a by rotating the Y-axis ball screw 34 by the Y-axis drive motor 35 installed on one Y-axis rail 33 (the left in FIG. 1). The head mounting unit 21 is driven and fed via an X-axis ball screw 38 (see FIG. 2) by an X-axis drive motor 37 (see FIG. 4) installed on the slider 36. The XY robot 30 is housed inside the housing 15 and is disposed above the substrate 1.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the brake mechanism 41 of this embodiment is mounted on, for example, the Y-axis rail 33, which is a fixed member. The brake mechanism 41 is a mechanism that prevents the head mounting part 21 from moving in the Y-axis direction, which is the direction in which a load is applied, when the mounting head 22 is attached to the head mounting part 21. The brake mechanism 41 completely prevents the head mounting part 21 from moving in the Y-axis direction by restricting the operation of the Y-axis direction drive part 31. Specifically, the brake mechanism 41 fixes the Y-axis ball screw 34 so that it cannot rotate by contacting with the Y-axis ball screw 34. The brake mechanism 41 is composed of a pair of air cylinders 43 (actuators) that support a stopper 42 at the tip. Air is supplied to and discharged from the pair of air cylinders 43 via an electromagnetic valve (not shown). Both air cylinders 43 are arranged horizontally and are arranged opposite each other on the left and right sides of the Y-axis ball screw 34. The stopper 42 is a pad formed of a soft material such as rubber. Furthermore, the stopper 42 is movable between an advanced position (see FIG. 3(b)) and a retracted position (see FIG. 3(a)). When the stopper 42 is in the advanced position, the tip surface of the stopper 42 abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the Y-ball screw 34. On the other hand, when the stopper 42 is in the retracted position, the tip surface of the stopper 42 is separated from the outer circumferential surface of the Y-ball screw 34.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 4, the mounting machine 10 is equipped with a control device 50. The control device 50 is a computer configured with a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, a memory 54, an input / output interface 55, etc. Also connected to the control device 50 are the board transport device 12, the parts camera 13, the XY robot 30, and the brake mechanism 41. Furthermore, a touch panel type monitor 56 is connected to the control device 50, allowing the worker to input data, display the work content, etc.

[0020] Next, a method for replacing the mounting head 22 in the mounting machine 10 will be described.

[0021] The replacement of the mounting head 22 on the head attachment portion 21 of the mounting machine 10 is started by an operator inputting a head replacement command into the monitor 56. That is, the CPU 51 of the control device 50 determines whether or not a head replacement command instructing replacement of the mounting head 22 has been input in step S10 shown in FIG. 5. If it is determined that a head replacement command has been input, the CPU 51 proceeds to processing of step S20. On the other hand, if it is determined that a head replacement command has not been input, the CPU 51 proceeds again to processing of step S10. That is, the processing of step S10 is repeated until a head replacement command is input.

[0022] In the next step S20, the CPU 51, in response to input of the head replacement instruction command, operates the XY robot 30 to move the head attachment unit 21 to a predetermined head attachment / detachment position P1 (see FIG. 6). In the next step S30, the CPU 51 operates the brake mechanism 41 to stop the head attachment unit 21 at the head attachment / detachment position P1. Specifically, the CPU 51 simultaneously operates a pair of air cylinders 43 to bring the stopper 42 into contact with the Y-axis ball screw 34 from two directions (both sides). In the next step S40, the CPU 51 cuts off the power supply to the mounting head 22.

[0023] Then, with the brake mechanism 41 activated, the worker attaches the mounting head 22 to the head attachment portion 21. Furthermore, when the attachment of the mounting head 22 is complete, the worker operates the brake release switch 57 on the monitor 56.

[0024] Furthermore, in step S50, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the brake release switch 57 has been operated. If it is determined that the brake release switch 57 has been operated, the CPU 51 proceeds to the process of step S60. On the other hand, if it is determined that the brake release switch 57 has not been operated, the CPU 51 proceeds to the process of step S50 again. That is, the process of step S50 is repeatedly performed until the brake release switch 57 is operated.

[0025] In the next step S60, the CPU 51 releases the operation of the brake mechanism 41. Then, the CPU 51 ends the process here.

[0026] As described above, in the mounting machine 10 of this embodiment, when replacing the mounting head 22, the control device 50 activates the brake mechanism 41 to prevent the head mounting part 21 from moving in the Y-axis direction. This prevents the head mounting part 21 from moving in a direction in which a load is applied when the mounting head 22 is attached. As a result, the mounting head 22 can be attached to the immovable head mounting part 21, making it easier to attach the mounting head 22. In addition, because the head mounting part 21 is prevented from moving in the Y-axis direction, it is possible to prevent the head mounting part 21 or the mounting head 22 that has moved in the Y-axis direction from colliding with and damaging other components of the mounting machine 10.

[0027] In the mounting machine 10 of this embodiment, the brake mechanism 41 is composed of a pair of air cylinders 43 that support a stopper 42 at the tip. The pair of stoppers 42 can clamp and fix the Y-ball screw 34, so that the rotation of the Y-ball screw 34 can be reliably prevented. In addition, when the stopper 42 is brought into contact with the Y-ball screw 34, it is possible to prevent a large stress from being applied in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the Y-ball screw 34. Furthermore, the configuration of the stopper 42, etc. can be made smaller than when the brake mechanism is composed of only one air cylinder 43.

[0028] In the mounting machine 10 of this embodiment, after the head mounting unit 21 is moved to the head attachment / detachment position P1 located on the side of the mounting machine 10 (the right side in FIG. 6) between the component feeder 11 and the board transport device 12, the brake mechanism 41 is activated to automatically stop the head mounting unit 21. In other words, since the worker does not have to move the head mounting unit 21 to a position where the mounting head 22 can be easily attached, the number of steps in the mounting head 22 attachment operation can be reduced.

[0029] Although the embodiment has been described above, the specific aspects are not limited to the above embodiment. In the above embodiment, the CPU 51 operates the brake mechanism 41 to stop the head attachment part 21 at the head attachment / detachment position P1 (see step S30 in FIG. 5), but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, in another embodiment, a push button (not shown) may be provided near the head attachment / detachment position P1, and the brake mechanism 41 may be operated to stop and release the head attachment part 21 when the worker operates the push button. In this way, the head attachment part 21 can be stopped and released at the worker's will, which increases the convenience of the mounting head 22 installation work.

[0030] In the above embodiment, the brake mechanism 41 is configured by a pair of air cylinders 43 that support the stopper 42 at the tip, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, in another embodiment, the brake mechanism 61 may be configured by one air cylinder 43 that supports the stopper 42 at the tip (see Figs. 7(a) and 7(b)). In this case, the configuration of the brake mechanism 61 becomes relatively simple. Also, an electric cylinder may be used instead of the air cylinder. In other words, an electric actuator may be used instead of the fluid pressure actuator. Furthermore, in another embodiment, the brake mechanism 62 may be configured by a mechanical chuck 64 that clamps the Y-axis ball screw 34 with a pair of arms 63 (see Figs. 8(a) and 8(b)).

[0031] In the above embodiment, the brake mechanism 41 restricts the operation of the Y-axis direction drive unit 31 to completely prevent the head attachment unit 21 from moving in the Y-axis direction, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, in other embodiments, the brake mechanism 41 may restrict the operation of the Y-axis direction drive unit 31 to the extent that it makes it difficult for the head attachment unit 21 to move.

[0032] In the above embodiment, the pair of air cylinders 43 constituting the brake mechanism 41 are disposed on the left and right of the Y-ball screw 34, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, in other embodiments, both air cylinders 43 may be disposed above and below the Y-ball screw 34.

[0033] In the above embodiment, the brake mechanism 41 is disposed at the end of the Y-axis ball screw 34 on the Y-axis drive motor 35 side (upper side in FIG. 1), but this is not limited to the configuration. For example, in other embodiments, the brake mechanism 41 may be disposed at the end of the Y-axis ball screw 34 on the opposite side to the Y-axis drive motor 35 (lower side in FIG. 1).

[0034] In the above embodiment, the brake mechanism 41 is attached to the Y-axis rail 33, which is the fixed member, but this is not limited to the configuration. For example, in other embodiments, the brake mechanism 41 may be attached near the nut 36a of the slider 36, which is the movable member.

[0035] In the above embodiment, the stopper 42 of the brake mechanism 41 abuts against the Y-axis ball screw 34, but this is not limited to the configuration. For example, in other embodiments, the brake mechanism may be engaged with the slider 36, the head mounting portion 21, or the like to prevent the head mounting portion 21 from moving in the Y-axis direction.

[0036] In the above embodiment, the Y-axis direction driving unit 31 (first driving unit) has the Y-axis ball screw 34 extending along the Y-axis direction, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, in other embodiments, the Y-axis direction driving unit 31 may have a linear motor or the like.

[0037] In the above embodiment, when the mounting head 22 is attached to the head mounting part 21, the brake mechanism 41 is operated to prevent the head mounting part 21 from moving in the Y-axis direction, but this is not limited to the configuration. For example, if the head mounting part 21 is likely to move due to a force applied in the X-axis direction rather than the Y-axis direction when the mounting head 22 is attached, the brake mechanism may be operated to prevent the head mounting part 21 from moving in the X-axis direction. Note that an example of a brake mechanism that prevents the head mounting part 21 from moving in the X-axis direction is an air cylinder (actuator) that supports a stopper at its tip. This stopper abuts against the X-axis ball screw 38, for example.

[0038] In the above embodiment, the CPU 51 performs the process of cutting off the power supply to the mounting head 22 (the process of step S40 in FIG. 5) in response to the input of the head replacement command, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, in other embodiments, the process of step S40 may be performed between step S10 and step S20, or between step S20 and step S30.

[0039] In the above embodiment, the CPU 51 releases the operation of the brake mechanism 41 when the operator operates the brake release switch 57 on the monitor 56 (see step S60 in FIG. 5), but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, in another embodiment, the operator may release the operation of the brake mechanism 41 when the operator operates a switch (not shown) provided outside the mounting machine 10. Alternatively, a plurality of means for releasing the operation of the brake mechanism 41 may be provided. For example, the brake release switch 57 operated by the operator may be provided on the monitor 56, and a release switch may be further provided outside the mounting machine 10. With this configuration, even if the power supply to the mounting machine 10 is cut off while the brake mechanism 41 is in operation, the brake mechanism 41 can be released by the release switch provided outside the mounting machine 10.

[0040] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described above in detail, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. The technical elements described in this specification or drawings exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technology exemplified in this specification or drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of these objectives is itself technically useful. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1: Substrate 2: Parts 10: Mounting machine 21: Head mounting part 22: Mounting head 30: XY robot as a horizontal drive device 31: Y-axis direction drive unit as the first drive unit 32: X-axis direction drive unit as the second drive unit 34: Y-axis ball screw as ball screw 35: Y-axis drive motor as a motor 41, 61, 62: Brake mechanism 42: Stopper 43: Air cylinder as actuator 50: Control device P1: Head attachment / detachment position

Claims

1. a head attachment section to which a mounting head that picks up components and mounts them on a board can be attached and detached; a horizontal direction drive device including a first drive unit that moves the head mounting portion in a first direction and a second drive unit that moves the head mounting portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a brake mechanism that prevents the head mounting portion from moving in the first direction, which is a direction in which a load is applied when the mounting head is attached to the head mounting portion; a control device that controls activation of the brake mechanism when the mounting head is attached to the head attachment portion; A mounting machine equipped with the above.

2. The mounting machine according to claim 1 , wherein the brake mechanism restricts an operation of the first drive unit to prevent the head attachment unit from moving in the first direction.

3. The first drive unit includes a ball screw extending along the first direction and a motor that rotates the ball screw, The mounting machine according to claim 2 , wherein the brake mechanism immobilizes the ball screw so as to be unrotatable by contacting the ball screw.

4. The brake mechanism is constituted by an actuator supporting a stopper at a tip end thereof, The mounting machine according to claim 3 , wherein the control device causes the stopper to abut against the ball screw by actuating the actuator when the mounting head is attached to the head attachment section.

5. The brake mechanism is composed of a pair of actuators each supporting a stopper at its tip, The pair of actuators are disposed opposite each other with the ball screw in between, The mounting machine according to claim 3 , wherein the control device operates the pair of actuators when the mounting head is attached to the head attachment portion, thereby causing the stopper to abut against the ball screw from two directions.

6. the first driving unit is a Y-axis direction driving unit that moves the head mounting unit in a Y-axis direction that intersects with a transport direction of the substrate, the second driving unit is an X-axis direction driving unit that moves the head mounting unit in an X-axis direction that is a transport direction of the substrate, The mounting machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the brake mechanism prevents the head attachment portion from moving in the Y-axis direction by regulating the operation of the Y-axis direction drive portion.

7. The mounting machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control device, upon input of a command instructing replacement of the mounting head, activates the horizontal drive device to move the head mounting portion to a predetermined head attachment / detachment position, and then activates the brake mechanism to stop the head mounting portion at the head attachment / detachment position.

8. a head attachment section to which a mounting head that picks up components and mounts them on a board can be attached and detached; a horizontal direction drive device including a first drive unit that moves the head mounting unit in a first direction, and a second drive unit that moves the head mounting unit in a second direction intersecting the first direction, A head replacement method for a mounting machine, comprising: attaching the mounting head to the head mounting portion while activating a brake mechanism that prevents the head mounting portion from moving in the first direction, which is the direction in which a load is applied when attaching the mounting head to the head mounting portion.

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