Component mounting system and information management method

Abstract

To provide a component mounting system which functions properly for both an automatic replacement and a manual replacement of a component supply device, and can properly manage a type of a component held by the component supply device.SOLUTION: A component mounting system includes: an association registration part that registers association data in which individual identification information on a component supply device that is attached to a component mounting machine and supplies a component is associated with a type of a component loaded in the component supply device; a storage device that stores the component supply device in which the association data is registered; an automatic replacement device that transfers the component supply device from the storage device and attaches the component supply device to the component mounting machine; and an association maintaining part that maintains the association data while the component supply device is removed from the storage device and managed by the automatic replacement device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present specification relates to a component type management device that manages the types of components held in a component supply device attached to a component mounting machine. [Background technology]

[0002] A technology for mass-producing board products by performing substrate-related operations on boards with printed wiring has become widespread. A typical example of a substrate-related operation machine for performing substrate-related operations is a component mounting machine that performs component mounting operations. Generally, component supply devices such as feeders attached to component mounting machines are assigned individual identification information and managed. Furthermore, the types of components held in the component supply devices are managed in association with the individual identification information of the component supply devices. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a technology for managing the individual identification information of component supply devices and information on the types of held components.

[0003] The method for managing the remaining number of components in a component mounting machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 stores a feeder ID (individual identification information) that identifies the feeder, a component ID that identifies the type of component to be supplied, and the remaining number of components in association with each other. When a feeder is attached to a component mounting machine, if the combination of the feeder ID and component ID for that feeder is not stored, that combination is stored; if that combination is stored, the information on the remaining number of components is used. This method is said to make it easy to manage the remaining number of components in each feeder. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-216946 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a component mounting machine, multiple feeders, each loaded with a reel, are installed side by side. When changing the type of PCB product being produced, a first case occurs in which the feeders are temporarily removed and their positions are changed. A second case occurs in which the reels are replaced after the feeders are removed, changing the type of components held by them.

[0006] Here, the control unit that associates feeder IDs and component IDs in Patent Document 1 must maintain the association in the first case and discard the association in the second case. A simple method for distinguishing between the first and second cases is to use a discrimination method that uses the duration of the detached state. That is, the two cases are distinguished because the duration of the detached state is short in the first case and long in the second case.

[0007] In recent years, in response to demands for labor-saving and automation in production, automatic feeder exchangers that automatically exchange feeders have been put into practical use. However, achieving complete automation is difficult, and manual exchange is sometimes also used. In some production lines, new component placement machines compatible with automatic exchangers are used in conjunction with older component placement machines that rely on manual exchange. In such cases, the automatic exchanger manages feeders removed from the component placement machine and does not allow reel exchanges. Therefore, within the scope of application of the automatic exchanger, there is no need to discard the association between feeder IDs and component IDs.

[0008] In other words, the prior art, such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1, does not function properly for automatic feeder replacement. Even if a feeder is automatically removed by an automatic feeder replacement device, if the removed state continues for a long time, the association is discarded. As a result, when the automatic feeder replacement device reattaches the feeder device to the component mounting machine, the operator must re-register the association, which is a redundant task. Furthermore, if the operator neglects to re-register, an error occurs.

[0009] The problem to be solved in this specification is to provide an information management method and a part type management device that function properly for both automatic and manual replacement of part supply devices and can properly manage the types of parts held in the part supply devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] This specification discloses an information management method including a correspondence registration step of registering correspondence data that associates individual identification information of a component supply device that is attached to a component mounting machine and supplies components with the type of component held in the component supply device, and a correspondence discarding step of discarding the correspondence data when a predetermined condition is met after the component supply device is detached from the component mounting machine. This specification discloses a component type management device that includes an association registration unit that registers association data that associates individual identification information of a component supply device that is attached to a component mounting machine and supplies components with the type of the component held in the component supply device; an association discarding unit that discards the association data when a predetermined condition is met after the component supply device is detached from the component mounting machine; a removal determination unit that determines whether the component supply device has been detached by an automatic exchange device; and an association maintenance unit that, when it is determined that the component supply device has been detached by the automatic exchange device, disables the function of the association discarding unit before the predetermined condition is met and maintains the association data. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] In the component type management device disclosed in this specification, the removal determination unit determines whether a component supply device has been removed by an automatic exchange device, and if the component supply device has been automatically removed, the association maintenance unit functions to maintain the association data. This eliminates the need for an operator to re-register the association data and eliminates the risk of errors. Furthermore, if the component supply device is manually removed, the association discard unit functions to discard the association data when a predetermined condition is met. This eliminates the risk of errors caused by continuing to maintain the association data despite the possibility that the type of component held in the component supply device may change. Therefore, the component type management device functions properly for both automatic and manual replacement of component supply devices and can properly manage the types of components held in the component supply device. The disclosed information management method also produces the same effects as described above. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a component mounting system in which a component type management device according to an embodiment is incorporated; [Figure 2] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a component type management device and the control configuration of a component mounting system according to an embodiment; FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is an operational flow diagram illustrating the operation of the parts type management device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] 1. Example of component placement system 9 First, an example of the configuration of a component mounting system 9 incorporating a component type management device 5 (see FIG. 2) according to an embodiment will be described. The component mounting system 9 mounts components onto a board to produce a board product. As shown in FIG. 1, the front, back, left, and right of the component mounting system 9 are defined for convenience. The component mounting system 9 is configured by a plurality of substrate-related work machines arranged in a row in the left-right direction. That is, a solder printing machine 91, a print inspection machine 92, a first component mounting machine 93, a second component mounting machine 94, a third component mounting machine 95, a board appearance inspection machine (not shown), and a reflow machine (not shown) are arranged in a row from left to right.

[0014] Each board-related operation machine performs a specific operation on a board, i.e., board-related operations. Specifically, the solder printer 91 prints solder paste on the board in a specified pattern. The print inspection machine 92 inspects the printed solder on the board by capturing images of the board. The first component placement machine 93, the second component placement machine 94, and the third component placement machine 95 pick up components from the component supply unit 9A and place them on the solder on the board. The board visual inspection machine captures images of the components placed on the board to inspect their appearance. The reflow machine heats and cools the solder to ensure proper soldering of the components. Board-related operations are not limited to the operations described above and also include various associated operations. For example, board-related operations include board loading / unloading, positioning, and confirmation operations such as capturing images of the board and components to determine their position and orientation.

[0015] The first component mounting machine 93, the second component mounting machine 94, and the third component mounting machine 95 have the same structure. Each of the component mounting machines (93, 94, 95) has a component supply unit 9A, a spare feeder storage unit 9B, a board transport device not visible in FIG. 1, and a component transfer device.

[0016] The component supply unit 9A is disposed at approximately the middle height on the front side of the machine base 99. The component supply unit 9A has a plurality of slots extending in the front-rear direction and formed parallel to one another at a predetermined pitch. A feeder 8 is inserted and attached to each slot of the component supply unit 9A. In other words, the plurality of feeders 8 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction in FIG. 1. The feeders 8 are an example of a component supply device.

[0017] The spare feeder storage section 9B is located below the component supply section 9A on the front side of the machine base 99. The spare feeder storage section 9B also has multiple slots extending in the front-to-rear direction and formed parallel to each other at a predetermined pitch. The slots of the spare feeder storage section 9B are arranged to temporarily store spare feeders 8 that have completed setup work and feeders 8 that have been used. The board transport device loads, positions, and loads boards. The component transfer device uses component placement tools such as suction nozzles to pick up components from the component supply section 9A and place them on the board.

[0018] The feeders 8 are detachably attached to the component supply section 9A and the spare feeder storage section 9B. The feeders 8 are interchangeably used by the first component placement machine 93, the second component placement machine 94, and the third component placement machine 95. The feeders 8 are also used in other component placement systems (not shown). The left-right direction in FIG. 1 is the arrangement direction in which the multiple feeders 8 are arranged, and the front-rear direction in FIG. 1 is the attachment and detachment direction of the feeders 8.

[0019] The feeders 8 are managed with individual identification information assigned to them. The individual identification information is displayed by a label with a printed barcode or the like. Furthermore, a control unit (not shown) of the feeder 8 holds the individual identification information and has the function of transmitting the individual identification information via communication. The feeder 8 is loaded with replaceable reels on which carrier tape is wound. The carrier tape stores and holds components in cavities arranged in a line along its length. Information on the type of components held on the reel is displayed by a label with a printed barcode affixed to the reel. Note that the individual identification information and information on the type of components may be assigned in locations and by methods other than those described above.

[0020] The component mounting system 9 is provided with a feeder storage device 96, a line management device 97, and an automatic exchange device 1. The feeder storage device 96 is located adjacent to the left side of the solder printing machine 91 and at the same height as the component supply unit 9A of the component mounting machine (93, 94, 95). Like the component supply unit 9A, the feeder storage device 96 has a plurality of slots that extend in the front-to-rear direction and are formed parallel to each other at a predetermined pitch. Feeder 8 that have completed setup work or feeders 8 that have been used are attached to and stored in the slots of the feeder storage device 96. The line management device 97 is located adjacent to the left side of the feeder storage device 96.

[0021] The automatic exchanger 1 automatically exchanges the feeders 8. Specifically, the automatic exchanger 1 exchanges the feeders 8 between the component supply unit 9A of the component mounting machine (93, 94, 95) and the spare feeder storage unit 9B. The automatic exchanger 1 also moves between the component mounting machine (93, 94, 95) and the feeder storage device 96, transporting and exchanging the feeders 8.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic exchanger 1 is composed of an arrangement direction moving unit 2, an arrangement direction driving unit 20, and an exchange unit 3. The arrangement direction moving unit 2 is provided so as to be movable in the arrangement direction relative to the component mounting machines (93, 94, 95). The arrangement direction moving unit 2 is a vertically long box-shaped member with an open rear side. The arrangement direction driving unit 20 moves the arrangement direction moving unit 2 in the arrangement direction. The arrangement direction driving unit 20 is composed of a track unit provided on the non-moving side, an engagement unit provided on the moving side that movably engages with the track unit, and a drive source that generates power for movement.

[0023] Middle rails 21 and lower rails 22, which correspond to the track section, are provided in front of machine bases 99 of the multiple substrate-related operation machines and in front of feeder storage device 96, respectively. Middle rails 21 and lower rails 22 extend in the arrangement direction. The height position of middle rail 21 is uniformly located between component supply unit 9A and spare feeder storage unit 9B. The height position of lower rail 22 is uniformly located below spare feeder storage unit 9B. As a result, the multiple middle rails 21 and multiple lower rails 22 form two parallel track sections extending from feeder storage device 96 to third component mounting machine 95.

[0024] Middle running section 23 and lower running section 24, which correspond to engaging sections, are arranged on the left and right sides of the rear side of arrangement direction moving section 2. Middle running section 23 is engaged with middle rail 21 so as to be able to run, and lower running section 24 is engaged with lower rail 22 so as to be able to run. Middle running section 23 further includes a drive source that generates power for running. As a result, arrangement direction moving section 2 is mounted on middle rail 21 and lower rail 22 and moves by running in the arrangement direction.

[0025] Furthermore, the arrangement direction moving unit 2 is provided with a non-contact power receiving unit 25 at a height position between the middle travel unit 23 and the lower travel unit 24, at a height position that does not interfere with the replacement of the feeders 8. The non-contact power receiving unit 25 receives power contactlessly from non-contact power transmitting units provided at corresponding heights of the plurality of substrate-related operation machines. This allows power to be supplied to the arrangement direction driving device 20, the replacement unit 3, etc. The method of coupling the non-contact power receiving unit 25 and the non-contact power transmitting unit may be an electromagnetic coupling method, an electrostatic coupling method, or the like, as appropriate.

[0026] The arrangement direction moving unit 2 has a lifting / lowering drive unit 26 and an exchange unit 3 inside a box-shaped structure. The lifting / lowering drive unit 26 drives the exchange unit 3 to move up and down from the height of the component supply unit 9A to the height of the spare feeder storage unit 9B. An example of the lifting / lowering drive unit 26 is, but is not limited to, a ball screw feed mechanism. The exchange unit 3 has a feeder gripping unit (not shown) on its rear side, and automatically attaches, removes, and exchanges feeders 8.

[0027] 2. Control configuration of component mounting system 9 Next, the control configuration of the component mounting system 9 will be described. As shown in Fig. 2, the line management device 97 is configured using a computer device having memory 57, wired communication capabilities, and wireless communication capabilities. The line management device 97 is connected to the control units (not shown) of multiple substrate-related operation machines via wired communication. The line management device 97 is also connected to the control unit (not shown) of the automatic exchanger 1 via wireless communication.

[0028] The line management device 97 also has a barcode reader 58 that is operated by an operator. The barcode reader 58 reads the barcodes displayed on the feeders 8 to obtain the individual identification information of the feeders 8. The barcode reader 58 also reads the barcodes displayed on the reels to obtain information on the type of component. The information obtained by the barcode reader 58 is stored in the memory 57. Note that if the method of displaying the individual identification information of the feeders 8 and the information on the type of component is different from the barcode, a device other than the barcode reader 58 is used depending on the display method.

[0029] The line management device 97 manages job data that describes the work content of substrate-related operations that differ for each type of board product. The line management device 97 sends each job data to a plurality of substrate-related operation machines based on a production plan. As a result, each of the substrate-related operation machines performs the substrate-related operation in accordance with the job data. Furthermore, the line management device 97 monitors the operating status of the plurality of substrate-related operation machines.

[0030] Furthermore, when a feeder 8 runs out of components as the component placement machine (93, 94, 95) performs its mounting operation, the line management device 97 issues a replacement command to the automatic exchanger 1. In accordance with the replacement command, the automatic exchanger 1 first removes the feeder 8 that has run out of components from the component supply unit 9A. This creates an empty slot in the component supply unit 9A. The automatic exchanger 1 then transfers another feeder 8 that holds the same type of component that has run out from the spare feeder storage unit 9B or the feeder storage device 96, and installs it in the empty slot in the component supply unit 9A.

[0031] Furthermore, when the type of board product to be produced is changed, the line management device 97 issues a setup change command to the automatic exchange device 1. The automatic exchange device 1 performs automatic replacement work of the feeders 8 of the component mounting machines (93, 94, 95) in accordance with the setup change command. In many setup change commands, multiple feeders 8 of multiple component mounting machines (93, 94, 95) are automatically replaced.

[0032] Prior to issuing a replacement command or a setup command, the line management device 97 specifies the type of component required based on the production plan and requests setup work to be performed outside the component mounting machines (93, 94, 95) to load the reels into the feeders 8. The operator performs the setup work in advance in response to the request, and sets the feeders 8 after the setup work has been completed in the spare feeder storage unit 9B or the feeder storage device 96. This reduces the amount of time the component mounting machines (93, 94, 95) are interrupted when they run out of components.

[0033] The control units of the component mounting machines (93, 94, 95) communicate with the control units of the feeders 8 attached to the component supply unit 9A and the spare feeder storage unit 9B to acquire individual identification information of the feeders 8. Furthermore, the control units of the component mounting machines (93, 94, 95) recognize that a feeder 8 has been attached or removed and is no longer under management (attachment / detachment information) based on whether communication with the feeder 8 is possible. The acquired individual identification information of the feeder 8 and the recognized attachment / detachment information are transmitted to the line management device 97 and shared.

[0034] The control unit of the automatic exchange device 1 also communicates with the control units of the feeders 8 held by the exchange unit 3 and the feeder storage device 96 to acquire individual identification information of the feeders 8. The control unit of the automatic exchange device 1 also recognizes that the feeders 8 have been held and that they have been removed and are no longer under management (attachment / detachment information) based on whether communication with the feeders 8 is possible. The acquired individual identification information of the feeders 8 and the recognized attachment / detachment information are transmitted to the line management device 97 and shared.

[0035] The control units of the component mounting machines (93, 94, 95) manage the attached feeders 8. Reel replacement is not possible when the feeders 8 are attached to the component mounting machines (93, 94, 95). The control unit of the automatic exchanger 1 manages the feeders 8 held in the exchange unit 3 or the feeder storage device 96. Reel replacement is not possible when the feeders 8 are held in the exchange unit 3 or the feeder storage device 96. Therefore, when an operator wants to replace a reel, he or she must manually remove the feeders 8 from the component mounting machines (93, 94, 95) or the feeder storage device 96.

[0036] 3. Configuration of the part type management device 5 according to the embodiment Next, the configuration of the component type management device 5 according to the embodiment will be described. As shown in Fig. 2, the component type management device 5 is realized by software of the line management device 97. The component type management device 5 includes an association registration unit 51, an association discarding unit 52, a removal determination unit 53, and an association maintenance unit 54.

[0037] Correspondence registration unit 51 registers in memory 57 correspondence data 55 that associates the individual identification information of feeder 8 with information on the type of component held in feeder 8. The correspondence between individual feeders 8 and the type of component is established by operating barcode reader 58. That is, the operator operates barcode reader 58 to read the individual identification information of feeder 8 and the information on the type of component displayed on the reel, thereby creating correspondence data 55. Thereafter, the operator loads the relevant reel into the relevant feeder 8.

[0038] The association discarding unit 52 discards the association data 55 when a predetermined condition is met after the feeder 8 is removed from the component mounting machine (93, 94, 95). Similarly, the association discarding unit 52 discards the association data 55 when a predetermined condition is met after the feeder 8 is removed from the feeder storage device 96. The predetermined condition is for determining whether or not the type of components (reel) held in the feeder 8 is likely to be changed. In this embodiment, the predetermined condition is defined as the passage of a predetermined time T0 (see FIG. 3).

[0039] In other words, if the elapsed time TX (see FIG. 3) after the feeder 8 is removed from the component mounting machine (93, 94, 95) or the feeder storage device 96 is less than the predetermined time T0, it is difficult to complete the reel replacement operation, and there is no possibility of changing the type of component. Furthermore, if the elapsed time TX is equal to or greater than the predetermined time T0, there is a possibility of reel replacement operation, and there is a possibility of changing the type of component. The predetermined time T0 is practically set to approximately several tens of seconds. The predetermined condition may be a condition other than the elapse of the predetermined time T0. For example, it may be determined that the predetermined condition is met when the feeder 8 is separated from the component mounting system 9 by more than a predetermined distance.

[0040] The removal determination unit 53 determines whether or not the feeder 8 has been removed by the automatic exchanger 1. More specifically, the removal determination unit 53 acquires attachment / detachment information indicating that the feeder 8 has been removed from the control unit of the component mounting machine (93, 94, 95), and further acquires individual identification information of the removed feeder 8. Next, the removal determination unit 53 acquires, from the control unit of the automatic exchanger 1, attachment / detachment information indicating whether or not the exchange unit 3 has held the feeder 8, and the individual identification information of the held feeder 8.

[0041] When the replacement unit 3 is not holding the feeder 8, the removal determination unit 53 determines that the feeder 8 has not been removed by the automatic exchanger 1, in other words, that the feeder 8 has been manually removed. Furthermore, when the individual identification information of the feeder 8 held by the replacement unit 3 differs from the individual identification information of the feeder 8 removed from the component mounting machine (93, 94, 95), the removal determination unit 53 determines that the removal has been manual. Furthermore, the removal determination unit 53 obtains, from the control unit of the automatic exchanger 1, attachment / detachment information indicating that the feeder 8 has been manually removed from the feeder storage device 96.

[0042] When it is determined that the feeder 8 has been removed by the automatic exchanger 1, the association maintaining unit 54 disables the function of the association destroying unit 52 before a predetermined condition is met, thereby maintaining the association data 55. For example, the association maintaining unit 54 may stop the association destroying unit 52 or may control the function of the association destroying unit 52 to be ignored. Furthermore, the association maintaining unit 54 continues to disable the function of the association destroying unit 52 while the feeder 8 is managed by the automatic exchanger 1. Furthermore, the association maintaining unit 54 restores the function of the association destroying unit 52 when the feeder 8 is no longer managed by the automatic exchanger 1, in other words, when the feeder 8 is manually removed from the feeder storage device 96.

[0043] 4. Operation and Function of Part Type Management Device 5 of the Embodiment Next, the operation and function of the component type management device 5 of this embodiment will be described. The operation flow shown in Fig. 3 is initiated when the component mounting system 9 starts production of a board product or when the type of board product is changed, and is executed repeatedly during production. This operation flow is carried out under the joint control of the component type management device 5 and the control units of the component mounting machines (93, 94, 95), and is also carried out in part by the operator's setup work.

[0044] 3, an operator sets up the types of components required for the board products to be produced. That is, the operator loads the required reels into feeder 8. At this time, by operating barcode reader 58 described above, the individual identification information of feeder 8 is associated with information on the types of components held in feeder 8, and association data 55 is created. Association registration unit 51 registers association data 55 in memory 57. When reels of all types of required components have been loaded into feeder 8 and all association data 55 has been registered, the operation flow proceeds to step S2.

[0045] In step S2, the operator installs the prepared feeder 8 in the component mounting machine (93, 94, 95). This completes the changeover work. In the next step S3, the component mounting machine (93, 94, 95) starts the mounting work. The operation flow from step S4 onwards is carried out in parallel with the mounting work. As the mounting work progresses, in step S4, it is determined whether or not the feeder 8 needs to be replaced. In other words, it is determined whether or not there is a feeder 8 that has run out of components or a feeder 8 that no longer needs to supply components.

[0046] In step S5, if the feeder 8 needs to be replaced, the automatic exchanger 1 automatically replaces the feeder 8. After this, the automatic exchanger 1 manages the removed feeder 8. At this time, the removal determination unit 53 can determine that the feeder 8 has been removed by the automatic exchanger 1. Therefore, the association maintenance unit 54 immediately disables the function of the association discard unit 52. As a result, the association data 55 for the removed feeder 8 is maintained.

[0047] If it is determined in step S4 that feeder 8 does not need to be replaced, or after step S5 is completed, the operation flow merges in step S6. In step S6, removal determination unit 53 determines whether feeder 8 has been manually removed. Manual removal can occur in three locations: component supply unit 9A, spare feeder storage unit 9B, and feeder storage device 96. In step S7, if manual removal has occurred, association discard unit 52 starts a timer to begin measuring the elapsed time TX since removal.

[0048] If manual removal has not been performed in step S6, or after step S7 is completed, the operation flow merges in step S8. In step S8, the association discarding unit 52 determines whether the elapsed time TX has reached the predetermined time T0. In the first step S8, the elapsed time TX has not reached the predetermined time T0, and the execution of the operation flow proceeds to step S9.

[0049] In step S9, the association discarding unit 52 determines whether the feeder 8 has been manually attached. If the feeder 8 has not been manually attached, the execution of the operation flow returns to step S4 with the timer running. Thereafter, the loop from step S4 to step S9 is repeatedly executed.

[0050] When the feeder 8 is manually attached during the repetition of the loop, the execution of the operation flow proceeds from step S9 to step S10. In step S10, the association discarding unit 52 resets and stops the timer, and the execution of the operation flow returns to step S4. This means that even though the feeder 8 was manually removed, it was reattached within a short time within the predetermined time T0, and therefore the association data 55 was maintained.

[0051] Furthermore, when the elapsed time TX reaches a predetermined time T0 during the repetition of the loop, the execution of the operation flow branches from step S8 to step S21. In step S21, the association discarding unit 52 discards the association data 55 of the removed feeder 8. In the next step S22, the association discarding unit 52 resets and stops the timer, and returns the execution of the operation flow to step S1. This means that the predetermined time T0 has passed since the feeder 8 was manually removed, and the type of component (reel) may have been changed, so the association data 55 has been discarded.

[0052] Note that, for a feeder 8 whose association data 55 has been discarded, regardless of whether the component type (reel) has actually been replaced or not, the association registration unit 51 re-registers the association data 55 in step S1, and the feeder is then reinstalled in step S2. There may also be cases where multiple feeders 8 are manually removed. In this case, a timer is provided for each removed feeder 8, and the association data 55 is managed using the individual elapsed time TX.

[0053] In the component type management device 5 of the embodiment, the removal determination unit 53 determines whether the feeder 8 has been removed by the automatic exchange device 1. If the feeder 8 has been automatically removed, the association maintenance unit 54 functions to maintain the association data 55. This eliminates the need for an operator to re-register the association data 55 and eliminates the risk of errors. Furthermore, if the feeder 8 is manually removed, the association discard unit 52 functions to discard the association data 55 after a predetermined time T0 has elapsed. This eliminates the risk of errors occurring if the association data 55 is maintained despite the possibility that the type (reel) of components held in the feeder 8 may change. Therefore, the component type management device 5 functions appropriately for both automatic and manual exchange of the feeder 8 and can appropriately manage the types of components held in the feeder 8.

[0054] 5. Applications and Modifications of the Embodiments The component type management device 5 may be realized using a computer device other than the line management device 97. In addition, one of the spare feeder storage unit 9B and the feeder storage device 96 described in the embodiment may be omitted. In addition, the component mounting system 9 may also be used in conjunction with an older model component mounting machine that only allows manual replacement of the feeders 8.

[0055] Furthermore, the component type management device 5 and the automatic exchange device 1 may be provided in common for a plurality of component mounting systems 9. For example, the automatic exchange device 1 may be configured to include a track extending from the feeder storage device 96 to the plurality of component mounting systems 9, and an automated guided vehicle carrying the feeders 8 and traveling on the track. The component type management device 5 may manage all of the feeders 8 used in the plurality of component mounting systems 9. This embodiment may be subject to various other applications and modifications. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1: Automatic exchange device 2: Arrangement direction movement unit 3: Exchange unit 5: Component type management device 51: Correspondence registration unit 52: Correspondence discard unit 53: Removal determination unit 54: Correspondence maintenance unit 55: Correspondence data 58: Barcode reader 8: Feeder 9: Component placement system 93: First component placement machine 94: Second component placement machine 95: Third component placement machine 96: Feeder storage device 97: Line management device 9A: Component supply unit 9B: Spare feeder storage unit T0: Predetermined time TX: Elapsed time

Claims

1. a correspondence registration unit that registers correspondence data that associates individual identification information of a component supply device that is attached to a component mounting machine and supplies components with the type of the component loaded on the component supply device; a storage device that stores the component supply device in which the correspondence data is registered; an automatic exchange device that transfers the component supply device from the storage device and attaches it to the component mounting machine; an association maintaining unit that maintains the association data while the component supply device is removed from the storage device and managed by the automatic exchange device; A component mounting system comprising:

2. a correspondence registration unit that registers correspondence data that associates individual identification information of a component supply device that is attached to a component mounting machine and supplies components with the type of the component loaded on the component supply device; a storage device that stores the component supply device in which the correspondence data is registered; an automatic exchange device that transfers the component supply device from the storage device and attaches it to the component mounting machine; an association maintaining unit that maintains the association data when the component supply device is transferred from the storage device by the automatic exchange device and attached to the component mounting machine; A component mounting system comprising:

3. a correspondence registration unit that registers correspondence data that associates individual identification information of a component supply device that is attached to a component mounting machine and supplies components with the type of the component loaded on the component supply device; a spare storage unit provided in the component mounting machine for storing the component supply device for which the correspondence data is registered; an automatic exchange device that transfers the component supply device from the spare storage section and attaches it to the component supply section of the component mounting machine; an association maintaining unit that maintains the association data while the component supply device is removed from the spare storage unit and managed by the automatic exchange device; A component mounting system comprising:

4. a correspondence registration unit that registers correspondence data that associates individual identification information of a component supply device that is attached to a component mounting machine and supplies components with the type of the component loaded on the component supply device; a spare storage unit provided in the component mounting machine for storing the component supply device for which the correspondence data is registered; an automatic exchange device that transfers the component supply device from the spare storage section and attaches it to the component supply section of the component mounting machine; an association maintaining unit that maintains the association data when the component supply device is transferred from the spare storage unit by the automatic exchange device and attached to the component supply unit; A component mounting system comprising:

5. registering correspondence data that associates individual identification information of a component supply device that is attached to a component mounting machine and supplies components with the type of the component loaded on the component supply device; storing the component supply device in which the correspondence data has been registered in a storage device; a step of transferring the component supply device from the storage device and attaching it to the component mounting machine by an automatic exchange device; maintaining the correspondence data while the component supply device is removed from the storage device and managed by the automatic exchange device; Information management methods, including:

6. registering correspondence data that associates individual identification information of a component supply device that is attached to a component mounting machine and supplies components with the type of the component loaded on the component supply device; storing the component supply device in which the correspondence data has been registered in a storage device; a step of transferring the component supply device from the storage device and attaching it to the component mounting machine by an automatic exchange device; maintaining the correspondence data when the component supply device is transferred from the storage device and attached to the component mounting machine by the automatic exchange device; Information management methods, including:

7. registering correspondence data that associates individual identification information of a component supply device that is attached to a component mounting machine and supplies components with the type of the component loaded on the component supply device; storing the component supply device in which the correspondence data has been registered in a spare storage unit provided in the component mounting machine; a step of transferring the component supply device from the spare storage section by an automatic exchange device and attaching it to the component supply section of the component mounting machine; maintaining the correspondence data while the component supply device is removed from the spare storage section and managed by the automatic exchange device; Information management methods, including:

8. registering correspondence data that associates individual identification information of a component supply device that is attached to a component mounting machine and supplies components with the type of the component loaded on the component supply device; storing the component supply device in which the correspondence data has been registered in a spare storage unit provided in the component mounting machine; a step of transferring the component supply device from the spare storage section by an automatic exchange device and attaching it to the component supply section of the component mounting machine; maintaining the correspondence data when the component supply device is transferred from the spare storage unit and attached to the component supply unit by the automatic exchange device; Information management methods, including:

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