Support device and support method

Abstract

To satisfy a demand of users for selecting a storage environment for a container for accommodating remaining parts by themselves.SOLUTION: A support device supports the storage of a container for accommodating a plurality of electronic parts to be supplied to a mounting machine. The support device includes a selection accept unit for accepting, from a user, a selection of a storage environment for the container for accommodating remaining parts, which are electronic parts remaining after a first production lot by the mounting machine is terminated, and a determination unit for determining, based on production-related information regarding production by the mounting machine, whether the remaining parts can be used for a second production lot after the first production lot when the container for accommodating the remaining parts is stored in a selected storage environment accepted by the selection accept unit. The selection accept unit accepts a selection of a storage environment from options that include at least a nearby environment including an installation location of the container in the mounting machine or the vicinity of the mounting machine, a moisture-proof environment that prevents a decrease in the floor life of the remaining parts, and a recovery environment that restores the floor life of the remaining parts.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a technology for assisting the storage of containers for electronic components.

Background Art

[0002] In a mounter, which is a device for mounting electronic components on a circuit board, a plurality of types of electronic components are supplied according to the production items. The electronic components are supplied to the mounter in a state of being accommodated in containers such as reels and trays.

[0003] When a certain production lot is completed, unused electronic components remain in the containers set in the mounter. If such containers are left set in the mounter, they can be used in the next production lot. However, among the electronic components, there are those called MSD (Moisture Sensitive Device) that have the characteristic of deteriorating by absorbing moisture. For such electronic components, a floor life is defined. Therefore, if the containers used in the next production lot are left set in the mounter, the floor life of the electronic components may expire before the next production lot is completed.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a management computer determines a management mode suitable for a container using a container database that records the type, remaining quantity, and remaining time of the floor life of the electronic components accommodated in the container, and a production plan database that records the type and number of electronic components required for each production lot and the scheduled start time of the production lot. Further, the management computer teaches the determined management mode to the outside.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] According to Patent Document 1, a management mode suitable for a container is determined by a management computer based on the remaining time of the floor life, the schedule of the production lot, etc. On the other hand, there is also a desire for the user to select by himself / herself in what kind of environment the container for storing the remaining electronic components should be stored. This specification provides a technique for meeting such a desire.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] This specification discloses a support device for supporting the storage of a container that houses a plurality of electronic components supplied to a mounting machine. The support device includes a selection reception unit that receives from a user a selection of a storage environment for the container that houses the remaining components, which are the electronic components remaining after the end of a first production lot by the mounting machine; and a determination unit that determines, based on production-related information regarding production by the mounting machine, whether or not the remaining components can be used in a second production lot after the first production lot when the container that houses the remaining components is stored in the storage environment according to the selection received by the selection reception unit. The selection reception unit receives the selection of the storage environment from among options that include at least a vicinity environment including a location where the container is installed in the mounting machine or a vicinity environment near the mounting machine, a moisture-proof environment for preventing a decrease in the floor life of the remaining components, and a recovery environment for recovering the floor life of the remaining components.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the selection reception unit receives the user's selection of the storage environment from among options that include at least the vicinity environment, the moisture-proof environment, and the recovery environment. Therefore, the user can select the storage environment in consideration of the situation within the facility where the mounting machine is installed, work efficiency, etc. Further, according to the above configuration, when the container is stored in the storage environment selected by the user, it is determined by the determination unit whether or not the remaining components housed in the container can be used in the second production lot, that is, whether or not the user's selection is appropriate.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] The main features of the embodiments described below are listed. Note that the technical elements described below are each independent technical elements, which exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing.

[0011] The support device disclosed in this specification may further include a notification unit that notifies the user of the result of the determination by the determination unit. According to the above configuration, since the result of the determination is notified to the user, the user can recognize whether the selection of the storage environment made by the user is appropriate.

[0012] In the support device disclosed in this specification, when the humidity-proof environment is selected as the storage environment, the determination unit acquires, from the production-related information, a first time that is the time from the start to the end of the second production lot, and a second time that is the remaining time of the floor life of the remaining parts. Then, if the first time is shorter than the second time, the determination unit may determine that the remaining parts in the container when stored in the humidity-proof environment can be used for the second production lot, and if the first time is longer than the second time, the determination unit may determine that the remaining parts in the container when stored in the humidity-proof environment cannot be used for the second production lot. According to the above configuration, the determination unit can determine whether the selection of the humidity-proof environment by the user is appropriate by comparing the first time and the second time.

[0013] In the support device disclosed in this specification, when the recovery environment is selected as the storage environment, the determination unit acquires, from the production-related information, a third time that is the time from the end of the first production lot to the start of the second production lot, and a fourth time that is the time required to recover the floor life of the remaining parts in the recovery environment. Then, if the third time is longer than the fourth time, the determination unit may determine that the remaining parts in the container when stored in the recovery environment can be used for the second production lot. According to the above configuration, the determination unit can determine whether the selection of the recovery environment by the user is appropriate by comparing the third time and the fourth time.

[0014] In the support device disclosed in this specification, when the third time is shorter than the fourth time, the determination unit acquires, from the production-related information, a first time that is the time from the start to the end of the second production lot and a second time that is the remaining time of the floor life of the remaining parts. Then, if the first time is shorter than the second time, the determination unit determines that the remaining parts in the container when stored in the recovery environment can be used for the second production lot, and if the first time is longer than the second time, the determination unit determines that the remaining parts in the container when stored in the recovery environment cannot be used for the second production lot. This may be the case. According to the above configuration, even when the determination unit cannot sufficiently recover the floor life of the remaining parts in the recovery environment, by comparing the first time and the second time, the determination unit can determine whether the selection of the recovery environment by the user is substantially problem-free.

[0015] In the support device disclosed in this specification, when the vicinity environment is selected as the storage environment, the determination unit acquires, from the production-related information, a first time that is the time from the start to the end of the second production lot, a second time that is the remaining time of the floor life of the remaining parts, and a third time that is the time from the end of the first production lot to the start of the second production lot. Then, if the total time of the first time and the third time is shorter than the second time, the determination unit determines that the remaining parts in the container when stored in the vicinity environment can be used for the second production lot, and if the total time is longer than the second time, the determination unit determines that the remaining parts in the container when stored in the vicinity environment cannot be used for the second production lot. This may be the case. According to the above configuration, the determination unit can determine whether the selection of the vicinity environment by the user is appropriate by comparing the total time and the second time.

[0016] In the support device disclosed in this specification, when the determination unit determines that the remaining parts in the container when stored in the nearby environment cannot be used in the second production lot, a change unit may be further provided to change the production plan by the mounter including the second production lot so that the total time becomes shorter than the second time. According to the above configuration, when the mounter follows the production plan changed by the change unit, it becomes possible to use the remaining parts in the container when stored in the nearby environment in the second production lot.

[0017] In the support device disclosed in this specification, the selection reception unit may receive the selection of the storage environment for each container that stores the remaining parts. According to the above configuration, the user can select the storage environment for each container in consideration of, for example, the difference in the remaining time of the floor life.

[0018] The category of the technology disclosed in this specification is not limited to the support device. This specification discloses a support method for supporting the storage of containers that store a plurality of electronic components supplied to a mounter. The support method includes a selection reception step of receiving from the user a selection of a storage environment for a container that stores remaining parts, which are the electronic components remaining after the end of a first production lot by the mounter, and a determination step of determining whether the remaining parts can be used in a second production lot after the first production lot when the container storing the remaining parts is stored in the storage environment according to the selection received in the selection reception step, based on production-related information regarding production by the mounter. In the selection reception step, the selection of the storage environment is received from among options including at least a nearby environment including the installation location of the container in the mounter or the vicinity of the mounter, a moisture-proof environment for preventing the reduction of the floor life of the remaining parts, and a recovery environment for recovering the floor life of the remaining parts.

Example

[0019] With reference to the drawings, embodiments will be described. Each drawing is merely illustrative, and the present embodiment is not limited to the illustrated content. Also, since each drawing is illustrative, the illustrated shape may not be accurate or a part may be omitted.

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a mounting system 1 according to the present embodiment. The mounting system 1 is a system that mounts electronic components 18 on a circuit board 28 to produce an electronic circuit. The mounting system 1 includes a mounter 10 and a management computer 50. The mounting system 1 may include a reading device 40. The reading device 40 is a reader capable of non-contact reading of information recorded on a reading object such as a barcode, two-dimensional code, RF tag, IC tag, etc. The management computer 50 is configured to be communicable with the mounter 10 and the reading device 40 by wire or wirelessly.

[0021] The mounter 10 is a device that mounts electronic components 18 on a circuit board 28. The mounter 10 is also referred to as a surface mounter, component mounter, chip mounter, etc. The mounter 10 includes a mounting head 14 and a plurality of component supply devices 26 that supply the electronic components 18 to the mounting head 14. The plurality of component supply devices 26 are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1. Therefore, only one component supply device 26 is illustrated in FIG. 1. Each component supply device 26 is detachably attached to the stage 30 of the mounter 10. The mounting head 14 is supported by a moving robot 12, and conveys and mounts the electronic components 18 supplied by the component supply device 26 to the mounting positions on the circuit board 28.

[0022] A reel 24 is attached to the component supply device 26. The reel 24 accommodates a plurality of electronic components 18 on the wound carrier tape 20. Hereinafter, the reel 24 will be regarded as a container for the electronic components 18 and the description will continue, but the container may be something other than the reel 24, such as a tray. The component supply device 26 supplies the electronic components 18 to the mounting head 14 one by one by feeding out the carrier tape 20 in predetermined amounts. In the mounter 10, a plurality of types of electronic components 18 are supplied for one production item (i.e., one circuit board 28). Therefore, according to the production item, reels 24 of a plurality of types of electronic components 18 are respectively set in a plurality of component supply devices 26. Each reel 24 is provided with a reading object for recording identification information for each reel 24, for example, a barcode 22.

[0023] In the mounter 10, when a certain production lot (the first production lot) is completed, a setup operation for replacing the reel 24 is performed for a subsequent production lot (the second production lot). When the first production lot is completed, the electronic components 18 remaining on each reel 24 set in the mounter 10 will be referred to as "remaining components". Among the plurality of reels 24 set in the mounter 10, for those remaining components that can be used in the second production lot, if they are left set in the mounter 10, a part of the setup operation can be omitted. On the other hand, as described above, some of the electronic components 18 have a defined floor life, and the remaining components with a defined floor life need to be mounted on the circuit board 28 before the floor life expires. The floor life is a kind of index indicating the expiration date of the electronic component 18 and means the period during which the electronic component 18 can withstand an environment with a predetermined humidity or more.

[0024] FIG. 2 simply shows the configuration of the management computer 50 and the like. The management computer 50 includes a control unit 52 and a storage unit 54. The control unit 52 has a processor such as a CPU and a memory, and by executing arithmetic processing according to a program stored in the memory or the like, various functional units such as a selection reception unit 52a, a determination unit 52b, a notification unit 52c, and a change unit 52d are realized. The storage unit 54 stores various data and programs required by the control unit 52, including "production-related information 55" related to production by the mounting machine 10. The storage unit 54 is constituted by, for example, a storage medium built into the management computer 50. At least a part of the memory of the control unit 52 may be regarded as the storage unit 54. Alternatively, the storage unit 54 may be an external storage medium communicably connected to the management computer 50.

[0025] According to FIG. 2, a reading device 40, an input device 60, and a display device 16 are connected to the management computer 50. The input device 60 is a means for receiving an input from a user, and is, for example, a mouse, a keyboard, or other switches operable by the user. The display device 16 is a means for displaying visual information, and according to FIG. 1, is attached to the mounting machine 10. However, the installation location of the display device 16 is not limited. There may be a plurality of display devices 16. When the display device 16 functions as a touch panel, the display device 16 may be regarded as a part of the input device 60. The input device 60 and the display device 16 may be regarded as a part of the configuration of the management computer 50.

[0026] The device having the control unit 52 according to the present embodiment is a "support device" for supporting the storage of a container that houses a plurality of electronic components 18 supplied to the mounting machine 10. Therefore, the management computer 50 corresponds to an example of the support device. The support device may be a mobile type computer.

[0027] 3 is a flowchart showing a support method executed by the control unit 52 in this embodiment. In step S100, the control unit 52 causes the display device 16 to display the UI screen 17 for receiving a selection of a storage environment for the reel 24 from the user. UI is an abbreviation for user interface. The control unit 52 causes the display device 16 to display the UI screen 17, for example, when the identification information of the reel 24 is specified by an external input.

[0028] For example, when the first production lot is finished, the user reads the barcode 22 attached to the reel 24 containing the remaining parts using the reading device 40. When the reading device 40 reads the barcode 22, the identification information of the reel 24 recorded in the barcode 22 is transmitted from the reading device 40 to the management computer 50. When the control unit 52 receives the identification information of the reel 24 transmitted from the reading device 40, it causes the display device 16 to display the UI screen 17 for receiving the selection of the storage environment for the reel 24 identified by the identification information. Such a reel 24 having the remaining parts and being the selection target for the storage environment is referred to as the "target reel 24". Of course, the acquisition route of the identification information of the reel 24 is not limited to the reading device 40. For example, the identification information of the reel 24 may be manually input to the management computer 50 by the user operating the input device 60, or may be transmitted to the management computer 50 by the mounting machine 10.

[0029] In step S110, the selection receiving unit 52a receives from the user a selection of a storage environment for the target reel 24. Step S110 corresponds to an example of a "selection receiving process." In this embodiment, the selection receiving unit 52a can receive a selection of a storage environment from a plurality of options including at least "line side," "dry box," and "dry oven."

[0030] FIG. 4 shows an example of the UI screen 17. Options are listed on the UI screen 17, and the user can arbitrarily select a storage environment from these options via the input device 60. The identification number of the target reel 24 and the like may also be displayed on the UI screen 17. The line side means a "proximity environment" including the installation location of the container in the mounting machine 10 or the vicinity of the mounting machine 10. That is, the situation of leaving the reel 24 for storing the remaining parts set in the mounting machine 10 or placing it on a shelf or the like beside the mounting machine 10 is storage on the line side. On the line side, the floor life of the remaining parts decreases over time.

[0031] The dry box means a "moisture-proof environment". If the reel 24 for storing the remaining parts is stored in the dry box, the decrease in the floor life of the remaining parts can be prevented. The dry oven corresponds to a "recovery environment". If the reel 24 for storing the remaining parts is stored in the dry oven, the floor life of the remaining parts can be recovered by the baking process. Although not particularly shown in FIG. 4, the user can also select options other than these three as the storage environment.

[0032] In steps S120 to S280, the determination unit 52b determines, based on the production-related information 55, whether the remaining parts can be used in a second production lot after the first production lot when the target reel 24 is stored in the storage environment selected in step S110. Steps S120 to S280 correspond to an example of the "determination step".

[0033] In step S120, the determination unit 52b branches the process depending on whether the storage environment selected in step S110 is a dry box. If the selected storage environment is a dry box, the determination unit 52b proceeds to step S130 from the "Yes" determination, and if the selected storage environment is not a dry box, it proceeds to step S170 from the "No" determination.

[0034] In step S130, the determination unit 52b acquires from the production-related information 55 stored in the storage unit 54 a "first time" which is the time from the start to the end of the second production lot, and a "second time" which is the remaining time of the floor life of the remaining components stored in the target reel 24. The production-related information 55 includes various information necessary for the production by the mounter 10, such as detailed conditions and times for each production lot executed by the mounter 10, and the remaining time of the floor life for each reel 24.

[0035] As an example, the production-related information 55 includes a production plan table 56, a mounting program table 57, and a reel database 58 as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7. As shown in FIG. 5, in the production plan table 56, for each production lot (column A), the type of circuit board 28 to be produced (column B), the production quantity (column C), the start time (column D), the end time (column E), and other information are recorded. As shown in FIG. 6, the mounting program table 57 is prepared for each type of circuit board 28. In each mounting program table 57, along the order of mounting (column H), the mounting time (column I), the type of electronic component 18 to be mounted (column J), the mounting position on the circuit board 28 (column K), and other information are recorded.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 7, in the reel database 58, for each reel ID (column M) which is the identification information assigned to the reel 24, the type of electronic component 18 stored (column N), the remaining quantity of the electronic component 18 (column O), the remaining time of the floor life of the electronic component 18 (column P), etc. are recorded. The information in columns O and P may be regarded as the latest values at the current time calculated based on the production lots already executed and the elapsed time so far. In this embodiment, the production-related information 55 is referred to within the range necessary for the explanation of FIG. 3. The form of the data included in the production-related information 55 does not have to be as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7.

[0037] The determination unit 52b refers to the production-related information 55, and among the production lots that are executed after the first production lot and require the type of electronic component 18 accommodated in the target reel 24, recognizes the production lot that is executed in the earliest order as the second production lot. Then, the determination unit 52b refers to the production-related information 55 and acquires the time from the start to the end of the second production lot as the first time. Further, the determination unit 52b refers to the production-related information 55 and acquires the remaining time of the floor life of the electronic component 18 accommodated in the target reel 24 as the second time.

[0038] In step S140, the determination unit 52b compares the first time with the second time. If the first time is shorter than the second time, it proceeds from the determination of “Yes” to step S150. On the other hand, if the first time is longer than the second time, the determination unit 52b proceeds from the determination of “No” in step S140 to step S160. Note that in step S140 and steps S190 described later, it is rare for the lengths of the two times to be equal. In such a case, the program may be designed to select either “Yes” or “No”.

[0039] In step S150, the determination unit 52b determines that the remaining parts of the target reel 24 when stored in the dry box can be used for the second production lot, and proceeds to step S290. On the other hand, in step S160, the determination unit 52b determines that the remaining parts of the target reel 24 when stored in the dry box cannot be used for the second production lot, and proceeds to step S290.

[0040] In step S170, the determination unit 52b branches the process depending on whether the storage environment selected in step S110 is a dry oven. If the selected storage environment is a dry oven, the determination unit 52b proceeds from the determination of “Yes” to step S180. If the selected storage environment is not a dry oven, the determination unit 52b proceeds from the determination of “No” to step S250.

[0041] In step S180, the determination unit 52b acquires from the production-related information 55 a "third time", which is the time from the end of the first production lot to the start of the second production lot, and a "fourth time", which is the time required to restore the floor life of the remaining parts in the dry oven. The fourth time can be said to be the time required for the baking process executed by the dry oven and is a predetermined time. Although not shown in the figure, it is assumed that the information on the fourth time is also included in the production-related information 55.

[0042] In step S190, the determination unit 52b compares the third time with the fourth time. If the third time is longer than the fourth time, it proceeds from the "Yes" determination to step S200. On the other hand, if the third time is shorter than the fourth time, the determination unit 52b proceeds from the "No" determination in step S190 to step S210. In step S200, the determination unit 52b determines that the remaining parts in the target reel 24 when stored in the dry oven can be used in the second production lot and proceeds to step S290.

[0043] Even when the third time is shorter than the fourth time, it cannot be immediately said that the dry oven is an inappropriate storage environment. In the dry oven, at least the decrease in the floor life of the remaining parts stops. Therefore, after the "No" in step S190, the determination unit 52b compares the first time with the second time. Since steps S210 and S220 are the same processes as steps S130 and S140, the description is omitted. In step S230, which proceeds from the "Yes" in step S220, the determination unit 52b determines that the remaining parts in the target reel 24 when stored in the dry oven can be used in the second production lot and proceeds to step S290. On the other hand, in step S240, which proceeds from the "No" in step S220, the determination unit 52b determines that the remaining parts in the target reel 24 when stored in the dry oven cannot be used in the second production lot and proceeds to step S290.

[0044] In FIG. 3, for simplicity of explanation, when the determination unit 52b determines “No” in step S170, it automatically determines that the selected storage environment is the line side, and the flowchart proceeds to step S250. However, when there are four or more selectable storage environments for the user, the determination unit 52b proceeds to step S250 after confirming that the selected storage environment is the line side. In step S250, the determination unit 52b acquires the first hour, the second hour, and the third hour from the production-related information 55.

[0045] In step S260, the determination unit 52b compares the “total time” between the first hour and the third hour with the second hour. If the total time is shorter than the second hour, it proceeds from the “Yes” determination to step S270. On the other hand, if the determination unit 52b determines that the total time is longer than the second hour, it proceeds from the “No” determination in step S260 to step S280. In step S270, the determination unit 52b determines that the remaining parts in the target reel 24 when stored on the line side can be used for the second production lot, and proceeds to step S290. On the other hand, in step S280, the determination unit 52b determines that the remaining parts in the target reel 24 when stored on the line side cannot be used for the second production lot, and proceeds to step S290.

[0046] In step S290, the notification unit 52c notifies the user of the result of the determination by the determination unit 52b, and ends the flowchart of FIG. 3. That is, the notification unit 52c notifies the user by causing the display device 16 to display the result of any one of the determinations in steps S150, S160, S200, S230, S240, S270, and S280 by the determination unit 52b. Of course, the notification may use voice output by a speaker (not shown). Step S290 may be referred to as a notification step. According to such a configuration, the user can know whether it is appropriate to store the target reel 24 in the storage environment selected by the user. If the selection of the storage environment is appropriate, the user may store the target reel 24 in the storage environment as selected and prepare for the second production lot. On the other hand, if the selection of the storage environment is inappropriate, the user can reselect the storage environment or discard the target reel 24 that houses the remaining parts.

[0047] The above-mentioned notification by the notification unit 52c may include further guidance or suggestions to the user. For example, when the result of selecting the line side as the storage environment is inappropriate, that is, when the determination in step S280 is made, the notification unit 52c may guide the user to recommend a dry box or a dry oven as the storage environment together with the determination result of step S280. Also, for example, when the result of selecting the dry oven as the storage environment is inappropriate, that is, when the determination in step S240 is made, the notification unit 52c may guide the user to discard the target reel 24 that houses the remaining parts together with the determination result of step S240.

[0048] The support method according to this embodiment does not have to be as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3, and may be a different flowchart as long as it has substantially the same effect. For example, the order of the processes (steps S120, S170) for determining what the selected storage environment is does not have to be as shown.

[0049] So far, the scenario where the user selects a storage environment for a single target reel 24 has been described. However, the user may select a storage environment for each of the plurality of reels 24 as the target reel 24. That is, the selection reception unit 52a can receive the selection of the storage environment for each reel 24 that houses the remaining parts. The selection reception unit 52a receives the selection of the storage environment for each target reel 24 via the UI screen 17, and the determination unit 52b may determine whether the selected storage environment is appropriate for the subsequent use of the remaining parts for each target reel 24 as described above.

[0050] The user may collectively select the same storage environment for a plurality of target reels 24. By collectively selecting the same storage environment, the labor of selection is reduced. The selection reception unit 52a collectively receives the selection of the same storage environment for a plurality of reels 24 that house the remaining parts. Even if the selected storage environments are the same, the determination results by the determination unit 52b will be different because the remaining time of the floor life of the remaining parts and the time conditions of the second production lot, etc. differ depending on the target reel 24.

[0051] Alternatively, even if the user selects a storage environment in advance without specifying the reel 24 and the selection reception unit 52a receives such a selection of the storage environment. Then, for example, at the timing when a certain production lot (the first production lot) ends, the determination unit 52b determines whether the remaining parts can be used in the second production lot when stored in the selected storage environment for each reel 24 that houses the remaining parts, and the notification unit 52c may notify the user of the determination result.

[0052] Taking into account the actual situation at the production site, such as the time required to move the reel 24 for storing the remaining components to a dry box or a drying oven, the determination unit 52b may perform the comparison after correcting each of the times described above with a predetermined coefficient. For example, with respect to the second time, which is the remaining time of the floor life and is used for the determination in step S140 or step S220, the determination unit 52b may correct the value obtained from the production-related information 55 to a smaller value using a coefficient and then compare it with the first time. Also, for example, with respect to the third time, which is the time from the end of the first production lot to the start of the second production lot and is used for the determination in step S190, the determination unit 52b may correct the value obtained from the production-related information 55 to a smaller value using a coefficient and then compare it with the fourth time.

[0053] As described above, according to the support device of this embodiment, the user can arbitrarily select the storage environment of the container for storing the remaining components from options such as the line side (an example of the nearby environment), the dry box (an example of the moisture-proof environment), and the drying oven (an example of the recovery environment), taking into account the situation and work efficiency within the facility where the mounter 10 is installed. Further, when the container storing the remaining components is stored in the storage environment selected by the user, it is automatically determined whether the remaining components can be used in the second production lot, so that the user's selection can be appropriately supported.

[0054] A modification will be described. The support device may have a modification unit 52d. In FIG. 3, the process executed by the modification unit 52d is described by a dashed line as step S285. In this modification, when the determination unit 52b determines that the remaining components in the target reel 24 when stored on the line side cannot be used in the second production lot (step S280), the modification unit 52d executes step S285.

[0055] In step S285, the changing unit 52d changes the production plan by the mounting machine 10 including the second production lot so that the total time of the first hour and the third hour is shorter than the second hour. The changing unit 52d shortens, for example, the third hour which is the time from the end of the first production lot to the start of the second production lot. That is, by advancing the start time of the second production lot, the total time is consequently made to be less than the second hour. The changing unit 52d realizes such a change, for example, by rewriting part of the information in the production plan table 56. Based on the production-related information 55 including the rewritten production plan table 56, the control unit 52 thereafter issues commands to the mounting machine 10 to control each production lot. According to such a configuration, by the mounting machine 10 following the production plan changed by the changing unit 52d, it becomes possible to use the remaining parts in the target reel 24 stored on the line side for the second production lot. Therefore, the burden on the user is reduced and the disposal of the remaining parts can be avoided.

[0056] In the modification, after step S285, the notification unit 52c may execute step S290. In step S290 after step S285, the notification unit 52c may notify that the remaining parts in the target reel 24 stored on the line side can be used for the second production lot because the production plan has been changed.

[0057] As described above, specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples exemplified above. Also, the technical elements described in this specification or the 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. Further, the technology exemplified in this specification or the drawings achieves a plurality of purposes simultaneously, and has technical utility by achieving one of those purposes itself.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0058] 1: Mounting system 10: Mounting machine 12: Mobile robot 14: Mounting head 16: Display device 17: UI screen 18: Electronic component 20: Carrier tape 22: Barcode 24: Reel 26: Component supply device 28: Circuit board 30: Stage 40: Reading device 50: Management computer 52: Control unit 52a: Selection reception unit 52b: Judgment unit 52c: Notification unit 52d: Change unit 54: Storage unit 55: Production-related information 56: Production plan table 57: Mounting program table 58: Reel database 60: Input device

Claims

1. An assistance device for supporting the storage of a container that houses a plurality of electronic components supplied to a mounting machine, comprising: a selection reception unit that receives from a user a selection of a storage environment for the container that houses the remaining components, which are the electronic components remaining after the end of a first production lot by the mounting machine; a determination unit that determines, based on production-related information regarding production by the mounting machine, whether the remaining components in the container when stored in the storage environment selected by the selection reception unit can be used in a second production lot after the first production lot; The selection reception unit receives the selection of the storage environment from among options including at least a vicinity environment including the installation location of the container in the mounting machine or the vicinity of the mounting machine, a moisture-proof environment that prevents a decrease in the floor life of the remaining components, and a recovery environment that restores the floor life of the remaining components. An assistance device.

2. The assistance device according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the user of the result of the determination by the determination unit.

3. The determination unit: When the moisture-proof environment is selected as the storage environment, obtains from the production-related information a first time, which is the time from the start to the end of the second production lot, and a second time, which is the remaining time of the floor life of the remaining components; If the first time is shorter than the second time, determines that the remaining components in the container when stored in the moisture-proof environment can be used in the second production lot; The assistance device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein if the first time is longer than the second time, determines that the remaining components in the container when stored in the moisture-proof environment cannot be used in the second production lot.

4. The determination unit: When the recovery environment is selected as the storage environment, obtains from the production-related information a third time, which is the time from the end of the first production lot to the start of the second production lot, and a fourth time, which is the time required to restore the floor life of the remaining components in the recovery environment; The assistance device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein if the third time is longer than the fourth time, determines that the remaining components in the container when stored in the recovery environment can be used in the second production lot.

5. The determination unit: When the third time is shorter than the fourth time, obtain from the production-related information a first time that is the time from the start to the end of the second production lot, and a second time that is the remaining time of the floor life of the remaining parts, if the first time is shorter than the second time, determine that the remaining parts in the container when stored in the recovery environment can be used for the second production lot, if the first time is longer than the second time, determine that the remaining parts in the container when stored in the recovery environment cannot be used for the second production lot. The support device according to claim 4.

6. The determination unit, when the vicinity environment is selected as the storage environment, obtain from the production-related information a first time that is the time from the start to the end of the second production lot, a second time that is the remaining time of the floor life of the remaining parts, and a third time that is the time from the end of the first production lot to the start of the second production lot, if the total time of the first time and the third time is shorter than the second time, determine that the remaining parts in the container when stored in the vicinity environment can be used for the second production lot, if the total time is longer than the second time, determine that the remaining parts in the container when stored in the vicinity environment cannot be used for the second production lot. The support device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

7. When it is determined by the determination unit that the remaining parts in the container when stored in the vicinity environment cannot be used for the second production lot, further comprising a change unit that changes the production plan by the mounting machine including the second production lot so that the total time becomes shorter than the second time. The support device according to claim 6.

8. The selection reception unit receives a selection of the storage environment for each container that houses the remaining parts. The support device according to claim 1.

9. A support method for supporting the storage of containers that house a plurality of electronic components supplied to a mounting machine, a selection reception step of receiving from a user a selection of a storage environment for a container that houses remaining parts, which are the electronic components remaining after the end of a first production lot by the mounting machine, A determination step of determining whether or not the remaining parts can be used for a second production lot after the first production lot when the container for storing the remaining parts is stored in the storage environment related to the selection received in the selection reception step, based on production-related information regarding production by the mounter; A support method for receiving a selection of the storage environment from among options including at least the installation location of the container in the mounter or the vicinity environment including the vicinity of the mounter, a moisture-proof environment for preventing a decrease in the floor life of the remaining parts, and a recovery environment for recovering the floor life of the remaining parts, in the selection reception step.

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