Exchange device

Abstract

To provide an exchange device which can supply masks having different sizes to a printer properly.SOLUTION: An exchange device 30 includes: a storage section 73 for storing masks M; a holding section having a rear cylinder 48 which moves a pad 52 for holding the mask M toward the mask M, the holding section holding the mask M in a rotatable manner and lifting up the mask M to a rotation height H1; and a rear detection section which detects the pad 52, which is moved by the rear cylinder 48, holding the mask M. The exchange device 30 supplies the masks M to a printer 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a changer that supplies a mask to a screen printing apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] A screen printing apparatus prints a paste such as solder paste onto the surface of a substrate using a mask having a printing pattern. In such a screen printing apparatus, the mask to be used is changed depending on the type of substrate. Patent Document 1 discloses a screen printing apparatus equipped with a mask changer (exchange device) configured to allow continuous and automatic mask change to be performed, in which a magazine (storage unit) holding multiple masks (exchange members) horizontally is configured to be freely raised and lowered within a housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-107329 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, while the prior art including Patent Document 1 allows masks of the same size to be stored in a storage unit, there is no disclosure regarding storing masks of different sizes in a storage unit, and there is room for further improvement in order to properly supply masks of different sizes to a screen printing device.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an exchange device that can appropriately supply masks of different sizes to a printing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The replacement device disclosed herein is an replacement device that supplies masks to a printing device that prints paste on a substrate using a mask with a predetermined printing pattern, and is equipped with a storage unit that stores the mask, a holding unit that has a drive unit that moves a holding member that holds the mask toward the mask, and that rotatably holds the mask and lifts it to a predetermined height, and a detection unit that detects that the holding member moved by the drive unit is holding the mask.

[0007] Another replacement device disclosed herein is an replacement device that supplies masks to a printing device that prints paste on a substrate using a mask with a predetermined printing pattern, and includes: a main body; a storage section that is configured to be attachable and detachable to the main body and can store the mask with its main surface upright; and an attachment section that is provided on the main body and has a space in which the storage section can be attached, wherein the storage section can store a first mask and a second mask that is relatively larger than the first mask, and the attachment section is provided with an anti-misattachment member that does not interfere with the first mask stored in the storage section when the storage section is attached to the attachment section, but interferes with the second mask stored in the storage section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, masks of different sizes can be appropriately supplied to a printing device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a screen printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective side view showing a configuration of a main part of a printing device and an exchange device included in a screen printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 3] 1A is a perspective plan view showing the configuration of a main part of an exchange device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 1B is a perspective rear view showing the configuration of a main part of an exchange device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 4]FIG. 1A is a perspective plan view illustrating the function of an exchange device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 1B is a perspective rear view illustrating the function of an exchange device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 1A and 1B are enlarged plan views illustrating the configuration of a holding mechanism of a holding unit included in an exchange device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view of a storage device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 7] (a) An enlarged oblique view of the vicinity of the fixing portion of the right regulating portion attached to the housing portion of the storage device of one embodiment of the present disclosure, (b) An enlarged oblique view of the vicinity of the fixing portion of the lower support portion attached to the housing portion of the storage device of one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 1A is a front view of a storage device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 1B is a plan view of the storage device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams illustrating the function of an incorrect installation prevention member provided in the replacement device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 1A, 1B, and 1C are explanatory diagrams illustrating the function of a drive unit included in an exchange device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams illustrating the position of a contact member in a swinging part included in an exchange device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams illustrating the function of a determination unit having an optical sensor provided in an exchange device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a screen printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams illustrating a process of attaching a storage device to an exchange device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams illustrating a process of recovering a mask from a printing device using an exchange device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] 1A is an explanatory diagram of a process of collecting a mask from a printing device using an exchange device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram of a process of supplying a mask to a printing device using an exchange device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 17]5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams illustrating a process of supplying a mask to a printing device by an exchange device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 18] 10A, 10B, and 10C are explanatory diagrams of another example of a drive unit included in an exchange device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 19] 1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams of a determination unit having an ultrasonic sensor provided in an exchange device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 20] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mask provided with an identifier according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 21] 1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams of a determination unit having a reading unit provided in an exchange device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The configurations, shapes, etc. described below are examples for explanation purposes and can be modified as appropriate depending on the specifications of the screen printing apparatus, printing apparatus, exchange apparatus, storage apparatus, etc. In the following, corresponding elements in all drawings will be given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted. In FIG. 1 and in some parts described below, two axes that are orthogonal to each other in a horizontal plane are shown: an X axis in the substrate transport direction (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 2) and a Y axis that is orthogonal to the substrate transport direction (a left-right direction in FIG. 2). In addition, in FIG. 1 and in some parts described below, a Z axis that is orthogonal to the horizontal plane (a vertical direction in FIG. 2) is shown.

[0011] First, the configuration of the screen printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The screen printing apparatus 1 is configured to include a printing device 10 that performs a printing operation, an exchange device 30 that supplies exchange members such as masks M to the printing device 10 and collects the exchange members from the printing device 10, and a storage device 70 that can store the masks M (exchange members) and is detachably provided with respect to the exchange device 30.

[0012] An exchange device 30 is disposed behind the printing device 10, which supplies a mask M to the printing device 10 and collects the mask M from the printing device 10. A storage device 70 that stores the mask M (replacement member) is attached to and detached from the exchange device 30. Details of the exchange device 30 and the storage device 70 will be described later. The mask M is configured such that a screen Ms on which a predetermined printing pattern (not shown) is formed is stretched over a frame Mf. The printing device 10 has the function of printing a paste P, such as cream solder, on a substrate B using the mask M on which the predetermined printing pattern is formed.

[0013] In FIG. 2, the printing apparatus 10 includes a substrate transport and holding unit 13 on a base 12 covered by a printing apparatus cover 11. The substrate transport and holding unit 13 includes a conveyor 13a that transports the substrate B along the X axis. The substrate transport and holding unit 13 includes a multi-stage table 13b that is disposed on the base 12 below the center of the conveyor 13a in the X axis direction, and a substrate holding unit 13c that is supported by the multi-stage table 13b. The multi-stage table 13b moves the substrate holding unit 13c in the X axis direction and the Y axis direction (horizontal direction), and raises and lowers the substrate holding unit 13c in the Z axis direction (up and down direction). The substrate holding unit 13c receives the substrate B transported by the conveyor 13a, and lifts and holds the received substrate B from the conveyor 13a.

[0014] 2, a mask transport unit 14 extending along the Y axis (front-rear direction) is disposed above the substrate transport and holding unit 13. On the mask transport unit 14, the mask M, which is placed with the screen Ms (the main surface of the exchange member) stretched across a frame Mf in a horizontal position, moves back and forth along the Y axis. A mask holding unit 14a is disposed in front of the mask transport unit 14 and above the substrate holding unit 13c.

[0015] Above the mask transport unit 14, there is disposed a mask moving unit 15 including a contact member 16, an elevation cylinder 17 that raises and lowers the contact member 16 up and down (arrow a), and a forward / backward movement mechanism 18 (FIG. 13) that moves the elevation cylinder 17 back and forth (arrow b) along the mask transport unit 14. The mask moving unit 15 brings the lowered contact member 16 into contact with the frame Mf of the mask M, and moves the mask M back and forth along the mask transport unit 14.

[0016] In Figure 2, a rear opening 19 is formed on the rear side of the printing apparatus cover 11. An opening 32 (see also Figure 3(b)) is formed on the front side of the main body 31 of the replacement device 30, through which the mask M (replacement member) can pass and which communicates with the interior of the printing apparatus 10. The mask moving unit 15 moves the mask M between the replacement device 30 and the mask holding unit 14a via the rear opening 19 and the opening 32. The mask M that has moved to the mask holding unit 14a is held by a holding mechanism (not shown) of the mask holding unit 14a with the main surface of the mask M horizontal.

[0017] A print head 20 is disposed above the mask holding unit 14a and is moved along the Y-axis by a print head moving mechanism 24 (FIG. 13). The print head 20 extends along the X-axis and has two squeegees 20a that move up and down. With the substrate B held by the substrate holding unit 13c pressed from below against the mask M held by the mask holding unit 14a, the print head 20 lowers one of the squeegees 20a to abut on the mask M. The print head moving mechanism 24 then moves the print head 20 in the Y-axis direction and slides one of the squeegees 20a over the mask M, thereby printing the paste P supplied onto the mask M onto the substrate B via the printing pattern (openings) formed in the mask M (see FIG. 14).

[0018] 1 and 2, the printing device 10 is equipped with an air conditioning unit 81 (FIG. 13) that supplies temperature- and humidity-controlled air to the interior of the printing device 10 via a duct 80 connected to an air intake port 11a formed in the upper part of the printing device cover 11. The printing device 10 also has an exhaust unit 82 that has a blower that exhausts the air inside the printing device 10 to the outside through an exhaust port 11b formed in the lower part of the printing device cover 11. By controlling the amount of air exhausted by the exhaust unit 82 (exhaust volume), the air pressure inside the printing device 10 is maintained higher than that outside the printing device 10. This prevents air (outside air) whose temperature and humidity are not regulated from flowing into the interior of the printing device 10.

[0019] Next, the exchange device 30 and the storage device 70 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12. In FIGS. 1 and 2, a mounting opening 33 into which the storage device 70 is inserted from the rear side is provided at the rear side of the main body 31 of the exchange device 30. The storage device 70 includes a storage section 73 having a plurality of bottomed slots 71 to 72 for storing the masks M. The slots 71 to 72 of the storage section 73 can store the masks M with their main surfaces standing upright. The depth L1 of the slots 71 to 72 is shallower than the length L2 of the main surface of the mask M. As a result, the masks M stored in the slots 71 to 72 are partially protruding from the top of the slots 71 to 72.

[0020] A back panel 74 is disposed on the rear side of the storage section 73, and is large enough to extend at least above and beyond the left and right sides of the storage section 73. Wheels 75 are provided on the bottom of the storage device 70. This allows the storage device 70 to be moved on the floor F within the floor on which the printing device 10 is installed by a worker or an automated guided vehicle (not shown). The main body 31 of the exchange device 30 is formed with an attachment section 34 having a space in which the storage section 73 of the storage device 70 inserted through the attachment opening 33 can be attached.

[0021] Here, the detailed configuration of the storage device 70 will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 8. Figure 7(a) is a partially enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the fixing portion 79 of the right restricting portion 78R indicated by circle D in Figure 6. Figure 7(b) is a partially enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the fixing portion 79 of the lower support portion 77 indicated by circle E in Figure 6.

[0022] 6 to 8, the storage section 73 of the storage device 70 is configured with a housing section 76 formed by combining multiple rod-shaped frame members. The housing section 76 includes four vertical frame members 76V1 to 76V4 arranged side by side in an upright position at the front side of the storage section 73, and two vertical frame members 76V5 and 76V6 arranged in an upright position at the left and right corners in the X-axis direction at the rear side of the storage section 73. The housing section 76 also includes four horizontal frame members 76H1 to 76H4 combined into a rectangular shape at the top of the storage section 73, and whose undersides are connected to the vertical frame members 76V2, 76V3, 76V5, and 76V6.

[0023] The housing 76 is also provided with four horizontal frame members 76H5-76H8 that are combined into a rectangular shape at the bottom of the storage section 73 and have their upper surfaces connected to the vertical frame members 76V1-76V4, 76V5, and 76V6. Between the upper horizontal frame members 76H1-76H4 and the lower horizontal frame members 76H1-76H4, the housing 76 is also provided with a horizontal frame member 76H9 that is arranged between the vertical frame member 76V1 and the vertical frame member 76V2 on the front side of the storage section 73, a horizontal frame member 76H10 that is arranged between the vertical frame member 76V3 and the vertical frame member 76V4 on the front side of the storage section 73, and a horizontal frame member 76H11 that is arranged between the vertical frame member 76V5 and the vertical frame member 76V6 on the rear side of the storage section 73. The three horizontal frame members 76H9-76H11 are arranged at the same height.

[0024] 6 to 8, a lower support section 77 that extends in a horizontal plane (X-axis direction, Y-axis direction) and supports the mask M (replacement member) from below is disposed in the housing section 76. The lower support section 77 is provided with four fixing sections 79 that slide up and down along four vertical frame members 76V2, 76V3, 76V5, and 76V6 and are fixed in position by screw members 79a. The lower support section 77 is movable up and down in the housing section 76 (arrow e), and its height is changed according to the size of the mask M stored in the storage device 70.

[0025] A right restriction portion 78R is disposed on the right side of the housing 76, extending along the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, and restricts the position of the right side of the mask M. The right restriction portion 78R is provided with four fixing portions 79 that slide left and right (in the X-axis direction) along the four horizontal frame members 76H1, 76H3, 76H9, and 76H11, and are fixed in position by screw members 79a. A left restriction portion 78L is disposed on the left side of the housing 76, extending along the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, and restricts the position of the left side of the mask M. The left restriction portion 78L is provided with four fixing portions 79 that slide left and right (in the X-axis direction) along the four horizontal frame members 76H1, 76H3, 76H10, and 76H11, and are fixed in position by screw members 79a.

[0026] 6 to 8, the right restricting portion 78R and the left restricting portion 78L are disposed above the lower support portion 77. The right restricting portion 78R and the left restricting portion 78L are each movable in the left-right direction in the housing portion 76 (arrows f and g), and their left-right positions are changed according to the size of the masks M stored in the storage device 70. Each of the right restricting portion 78R and the left restricting portion 78L has a plate-shaped front partition plate 78f, a middle partition plate 78m, and a rear partition plate 78b that protrude in opposing directions and are arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction).

[0027] The space above the lower support portion 77, between the front partition plate 78f and the middle partition plate 78m of the right restricting portion 78R and the left restricting portion 78L, forms a slot 71 that stores the mask M (storage portion). The space above the lower support portion 77, between the middle partition plate 78m and the rear partition plate 78b of the right restricting portion 78R and the left restricting portion 78L, forms a slot 72 that stores the mask M (storage portion). The right restricting portion 78R and the left restricting portion 78L change their left and right positions depending on the size (width) of the mask M stored in the slots 71-72. In other words, the right restricting portion 78R and the left restricting portion 78L form a pair of left and right restricting portions that restrict the left and right position of the replacement member (mask M).

[0028] 6 and 8(a), the lower support part 77 is provided with shock absorbing members 77a made of shock absorbers, rubber, hard sponge, etc. at positions corresponding to the slots 71 to 72. The shock absorbing members 77a have the function of absorbing the shock applied to the mask M if the mask M is released and dropped at a position higher than the lower support part 77 when storing the mask M in the slots 71 to 72, thereby preventing deformation of the frame Mf of the mask M, etc.

[0029] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a first mask M1 (first replacement member) indicated by a solid line and a second mask M2 (second replacement member) indicated by a dashed line and relatively larger than the first mask M1 are stored in the storage device 70. In the storage device 70, the lower support portion 77 is moved downward from a state in which the first mask M1 is stored, and the right and left restricting portions 78R and 78L are moved left and right so that the distance between them increases, thereby enabling the larger second mask M2 to be stored. That is, the storage portion 73 of the storage device 70 can store, as replacement members, the first replacement member (first mask M1) and a second replacement member (second mask M2) relatively larger than the first replacement member. Similarly, the storage device 70 can store a third mask M3 indicated by a dashed line and relatively smaller than the first mask M1 by moving the lower support portion 77, the right restricting portion 78R, and the left restricting portion 78L.

[0030] As described above, the storage unit 73 of the storage device 70 includes a housing 76 constituting the storage unit 73, a lower support 77 provided in the housing 76 and supporting the replacement member (mask M) from below, and a pair of left and right restricting portions (right restricting portion 78R, left restricting portion 78L) provided in the housing 76 and restricting the position of the replacement member in the left-right direction. At least one of the lower support 77 and the pair of left and right restricting portions is provided to be movable relative to the housing 76. At least one of the lower support 77 and the pair of left and right restricting portions is attached to the housing 76 via a screw member 79a. An impact absorbing member 77a is provided on the upper surface of the lower support 77. This allows replacement members (first mask M1, second mask M2, third mask M3) of different sizes to be appropriately stored.

[0031] Next, the detailed configuration of the replacement device 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. Here, the replacement device 30 to which the storage device 70 is attached will be described. Hereinafter, the replacement device 30 in which the storage device 70 is attached to the main body 31 will be referred to as the "component replacement system Q." In addition, hereinafter, when the storage device 70 is attached to the replacement device 30, the front slot 71 of the storage unit 73 will be referred to as the "front slot Sf," and the rear slot 72 will be referred to as the "rear slot Sb." The component replacement system Q has the function of supplying replacement components (masks M) to the printing device 10 and collecting replacement components from the printing device.

[0032] 1 and 2, the mounting portion 34 formed on the main body 31 of the replacement device 30 is provided with a plate-shaped anti-mis-mounting member 58 that does not interfere with the first mask M1 (first replacement member) stored in the storage portion 73 when the storage portion 73 of the storage device 70 is attached to the mounting portion 34, but interferes with the second mask M2 (second replacement member) that is relatively larger than the first mask M1 stored in the storage portion 73.

[0033] 9, the details of the incorrect installation prevention member 58 will be described. The incorrect installation prevention member 58 is configured to include an upper member 58b that is attached to the main body 31 of the exchange device 30, and a pair of left and right side members 58c that are arranged below the upper member 58b and are movable in the X-axis direction (the width direction of the mask). The space defined by the upper side by the upper member 58b and the left and right sides by the pair of side members 58c forms a cutout portion 58a of the incorrect installation prevention member 58. The distance between the pair of side members 58c is changed according to the width of the mask M supplied to the printing device 10 (arrow h).

[0034] 9 shows an example of an incorrect installation prevention member 58 in which the spacing between the pair of side members 58c is changed to correspond to a first mask M1 (first replacement member) having a width W1. That is, the spacing between the pair of side members 58c is set to be larger than the width W1 of the first mask M1 and smaller than the width W2 (W2>W1) of a second mask M2 (second replacement member) that is relatively larger than the first mask M1. In addition, the height of the lower support portion 77 of the storage device 70 is set so that the upper end of the first mask M1 or second mask M2 stored in the slots 71, 72 is lower than the lower edge of the upper member 58b of the incorrect installation prevention member 58.

[0035] When the storage device 70 that stores the first mask M1 in the storage section 73 is attached to the attachment section 34, the upper part of the first mask M1 passes through the notch 58a and does not interfere with the incorrect attachment prevention member 58 (FIG. 9(a)). On the other hand, when the storage device 70 that stores the second mask M2 is attached to the attachment section 34, part of the second mask M2 interferes with the pair of side members 58c of the incorrect attachment prevention member 58, making it impossible to attach the storage device 70 to the exchange device 30 (FIG. 9(b)).

[0036] In this way, by setting the spacing (position) between the pair of side members 58c to correspond to the width W1 of the first mask M1, it is possible to prevent a storage device 70 storing a second mask M2 that is relatively larger than the first mask M1 from being attached to the exchange device 30. Similarly, by setting the spacing (position) between the pair of side members 58c to correspond to the width W3 of the third mask M3, it is possible to prevent a storage device 70 storing a first mask M1 or second mask M2 that is relatively larger than the third mask M3 from being attached to the exchange device 30. In this way, the storage device 70 can appropriately supply exchange members of different sizes (first mask M1, second mask M2, third mask M3) to the printing device 10.

[0037] 2 and 3, inside the main body 31 of the exchange device 30, there is arranged a holding section 39 that holds the mask M (exchangeable part) stored in the front slot Sf or rear slot Sb of the storage section 73 of the storage device 70 attached to the exchange device 30 so that it can rotate relative to the printing device 10 (printing device), and moves the held mask M along the Z axis to lift it to a predetermined height.

[0038] The holding unit 39 has multiple (two in this example) pairs of holding mechanisms that correspond to multiple (two in this example) slots (front slots Sf, rear slots Sb) and grip both sides of the frame Mf of the mask M to hold the mask M. Hereinafter, the holding mechanism that corresponds to the front slot Sf on the front side (the side closer to the printing device 10) will be referred to as the "front holding mechanism 40," and the holding mechanism that corresponds to the rear slot Sb on the rear side will be referred to as the "rear holding mechanism 41."

[0039] 3 and 4, the front holding mechanism 40 and the rear holding mechanism 41 are arranged side by side in the front and rear direction along the Y axis on the lifting plate 42. As will be described later, the positions at which the front holding mechanism 40 and the rear holding mechanism 41 are arranged on the lifting plate 42 are changed depending on the width of the mask M to be held. In other words, the holding mechanisms (the front holding mechanism 40 and the rear holding mechanism 41) are provided so as to be movable relative to the main body 31.

[0040] The lifting plate 42 is provided so as to be able to move up and down along a linear guide 43 that extends vertically (in the Z-axis direction) and is fixed inside the main body 31. A nut 44 is fixed to the lifting plate 42. A ball screw 45 that extends vertically is engaged with the nut 44. The ball screw 45 is rotated around the Z-axis by an lifting motor 46 that is fixed inside the main body 31.

[0041] 3 and 4, the lift motor 46 is controlled by an exchange control unit 60 (FIG. 13) provided in the exchange device 30. When the lift motor 46 rotates the ball screw 45, the lift plate 42 moves up and down (arrow d in FIG. 4), and the front holding mechanism 40 and the rear holding mechanism 41 move up and down.

[0042] Here, the detailed configurations and functions of the front holding mechanism 40 and the rear holding mechanism 41 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5(a) is an enlarged view of the vicinity of one (left) of the front holding mechanism 40 and the rear holding mechanism 41 indicated by circle A in Fig. 3(a). Fig. 5(b) is an enlarged view of the vicinity of one (left) of the front holding mechanism 40 and the rear holding mechanism 41 indicated by circle C in Fig. 4(a). Fig. 4 shows a state in which the pair of rear holding mechanisms 41 hold the mask M (replacement member) stored upright in the rear slot Sb of the storage section 73 and lift it up to a rotation height H1 (see Fig. 17(a)) described later.

[0043] The other (right) front holding mechanism 40 and rear holding mechanism 41 have the same configuration as the other (left) front holding mechanism 40 and rear holding mechanism 41, except that the components are arranged symmetrically with respect to the front slot Sf and rear slot Sb, and detailed explanations will be omitted.

[0044] 5, the front holding mechanism 40 includes a front cylinder 47, the tip of which is connected to a joint 49, and the piston of which can be extended and retracted in the direction of the front slot Sf by a stroke amount G2 (FIG. 10). The rear holding mechanism 41 includes a rear cylinder 48, the tip of which is connected to a joint 49, and the piston 48a of which can be extended and retracted in the direction of the rear slot Sb by a stroke amount G2. A shaft 50 extending along the X-axis is attached to each joint 49 so as to be rotatable about the X-axis. A locking portion 50a provided at the end of the shaft 50 is held in an internal space 49a of the joint 49 so as to be movable within a range of play G1.

[0045] The shaft 50 is held by a rotary bearing 51 so as to be rotatable about the X-axis and movable back and forth along the X-axis. A pad 52 that abuts against the frame body Mf of the mask M is connected to the end of the shaft 50 opposite the locking portion 50a side. A compression spring 53, which is an elastic body, is inserted into the shaft 50 and disposed between the rotary bearing 51 and the pad 52. The elastic force of the compression spring 53 urges the shaft 50 toward the front slot Sf or the rear slot Sb. The front cylinder 47 and the rear cylinder 48 are controlled by a replacement control unit 60.

[0046] 4 and 5(b), when the rear cylinder 48 of each of the pair of rear holding mechanisms 41 protrudes the piston 48a, the shaft 50 is pushed by the joint 49 and moves toward the rear slot Sb, and the pads 52 of each shaft 50 come into contact with both side surfaces of the mask M housed in the rear slot Sb. As a result, both side surfaces of the mask M are gripped by the pair of rear holding mechanisms 41. The mask M is stably gripped by the elastic force of the compression springs 53 of the rear holding mechanisms 41.

[0047] In this way, the front cylinder 47 and the rear cylinder 48 constitute a drive unit J (FIG. 13) that moves the pad 52, which is a holding member that holds the mask M (replacement member), toward the mask M. In addition, the holding unit 39 is configured so that the attachment position of the drive unit J can be changed (see FIG. 11).

[0048] When the mask M held by the pair of rear holding mechanisms 41 is placed in the rear slot Sb, the pistons 48a of the rear cylinders 48 are retracted, and the pair of pads 52 move away from both sides of the mask M, thereby releasing the mask M. As a result, the mask M is stored in the rear slot Sb.

[0049] In Figure 4(b), while the pair of rear holding mechanisms 41 are holding the mask M, the lifting motor 46 is operated to raise and lower the lifting plate 42 (arrow d), whereby the mask M is removed from the rear slot Sb, raised and lowered within the main body 31, and stored in the rear slot Sb.

[0050] Similarly, when the front cylinders 47 of the pair of front holding mechanisms 40 extend their pistons while the mask M is stored in the front slot Sf, both end surfaces of the mask M are gripped by the pair of front holding mechanisms 40. When the mask M held by the front holding mechanisms 40 lands in the front slot Sf and each front cylinder 47 retracts its piston, the pair of pads 52 move away from both side surfaces of the mask M, releasing the mask M. When the pair of front holding mechanisms 40 grip the mask M, the lift motor 46 is operated to lift and lower the lift plate 42, whereby the mask M is removed from the front slot Sf, lifted up and down within the main body 31, and stored in the front slot Sf.

[0051] Here, with reference to FIG. 10, the mounting positions and functions of the holding mechanisms (front holding mechanism 40, rear holding mechanism 41) provided in the holding unit 39 will be described in detail. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram that schematically shows the left rear holding mechanism 41 as an example of a holding mechanism aligned to the first mask M1 of width W1. The rear cylinder 48 (drive unit J) of the rear holding mechanism 41 is mounted at a position where the distance between the position of the pad 52 when the piston 48a is retracted (hereinafter referred to as the "retracted position I") and the side of the first mask M1 with which the pad 52 abuts is the distance (G2-G3) obtained by subtracting the pushing amount G3 from the stroke amount G2. Note that the pushing amount G3 is set to a value smaller than the play amount G1 (G3 <G1)。

[0052] 10(a) shows a state in which the rear cylinder 48 protrudes the piston 48a without the first mask M1 in the rear slot Sb. The joint 49 moves a stroke amount G2 from the state in which the piston 48a is retracted toward the rear slot Sb and then stops. The shaft 50 is biased toward the rear slot Sb by the compression spring 53, and the surface 50b of the locking portion 50a of the shaft 50 on the rear slot Sb side abuts against the surface 49b of the internal space 49a of the joint 49 on the rear slot Sb side and stops. As a result, the pad 52 (holding member) moves a stroke amount G2 from the retracted position I toward the rear slot Sb and then stops.

[0053] The holding unit 39 is provided with a rear-side detection unit Kb such as an end sensor that detects a state in which the surface 50b of the locking portion 50a on the rear slot Sb side abuts against the surface 49b of the internal space 49a on the rear slot Sb side, i.e., a "farthest-end stopped state" in which the pad 52 has moved to the farthest end on the rear slot Sb side and stopped (FIG. 13). Similarly, the holding unit 39 is provided with a front-side detection unit Kf such as an end sensor that detects when the surface 50b of the locking portion 50a of the shaft 50 on the rear slot Sb side abuts against the surface 49b of the internal space 49a on the rear slot Sb side of the joint 49 connected to the front cylinder 47 (FIG. 13). In FIG. 10(a), the rear-side detection unit Kb detects the farthest-end stopped state.

[0054] 10(b) shows a state in which the rear cylinder 48 protrudes the piston 48a while the first mask M1 is housed in the rear slot Sb. The joint 49 moves a stroke amount G2 from the state in which the piston 48a is retracted toward the rear slot Sb and stops. Meanwhile, the shaft 50 stops at a position where the pad 52 abuts against the side of the first mask M1. That is, the surface 50b of the engaging portion 50a of the shaft 50 on the rear slot Sb side stops at a position separated by a push-in amount G3 from the surface 49b of the internal space 49a of the joint 49 on the rear slot Sb side. Therefore, the rear detector Kb detects that the farthest end stop state has not been reached.

[0055] FIG. 10(c) shows a state in which the rear cylinder 48 projects the piston 48a with the third mask M3 having a width W3 smaller than that of the first mask M1 stored in the rear slot Sb (W3 < W1). The side surface of the third mask M3 is at a position separated from the immersion position I by a distance G4. In this example, the distance G4 is longer than the stroke amount G2 (G4 > G2), and the pad 52 stops at the farthest end before contacting the side surface of the third mask M3. Also, the surface 50b of the locking portion 50a on the rear slot Sb side abuts against the surface 49b of the inner space 49a on the rear slot Sb side, and the farthest end stop state is detected by the rear detection portion Kb.

[0056] As described above, the storage portion 73 of the storage device 70 can store, as replacement members, a first replacement member (first mask M1) and a third replacement member (third mask M3) relatively smaller than the first replacement member. The drive portion J (front cylinder 47, rear cylinder 48) moves the holding member (pad 52) within a range (stroke amount G2) where the first replacement member can be held but the third replacement member cannot be held. Thereby, replacement members (first mask M1, third mask M3) having different sizes can be appropriately held and supplied to the printing device 10.

[0057] In FIGS. 2 to 4, inside the main body portion 31 of the replacement device 三十, a swing portion 54, which is a posture changing portion that swings the mask M (replacement member) lifted to a predetermined height (swing height H1) toward the printing device 10 and inserts a part of the mask M into the printing device 10, is arranged. The swing portion 54 has a swing motor fifty-six. The swing motor fifty-six is arranged on a fixed plate fifty-five fixed inside the main body portion 31 with the rotation shaft 56a directed in the X-axis direction. A crank-shaped pusher fifty-seven is connected to the rotation shaft 56a of the swing motor fifty-six. The swing motor fifty-six is controlled by the replacement control portion 60. When the swing motor fifty-six operates, the pusher fifty-seven rotates (arrow c in FIG. 2).

[0058] The fixed plate 55 and the swing motor 56 of the swinging unit 54 are disposed in positions where they do not interfere with the lifting plate 42 of the holding unit 39, which moves up and down. Furthermore, the pusher 57 is shaped so that it does not interfere with the lifting plate 42 of the holding unit 39, which moves up and down, when it rotates to the retracted position (see FIG. 3(a)). Furthermore, the pusher 57 extends along the X-axis to a position where it comes into contact with the back surface of the mask M held and lifted by the holding unit 39. The pusher 57 is provided with an abutment member 59 having a roller 59a (FIG. 11) that comes into contact with the back surface of the mask M. The abutment member 59 is provided so that its position can be changed along the pusher 57 depending on the size of the mask M.

[0059] 2 and 4, when the pair of front holding mechanisms 40 or rear holding mechanisms 41 grip the mask M and lift it up to a predetermined position (pivoting height H1), the swing motor 56 swings the pusher 57 from the retracted position toward the printing device 10, causing the pusher 57 to come into contact with the back surface of the mask M and swing the mask M toward the printing device 10 (see FIG. 17). In this way, the swinging unit 54 is provided in the main body 31 of the replacement device 30, and has a contact member 59 that comes into contact with the replacement part (mask M) and is movable relative to the main body 31.

[0060] Here, with reference to FIG. 11, the relationship between the width W1 of the first mask M1, the width W2 of the second mask M2, the position of the drive unit J of the holder 39, and the position of the abutment member 59 of the swinging unit 54 will be described. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram that schematically shows the rear cylinder 48 as an example of the drive unit J. FIG. 11(a) shows a state in which the position of the rear cylinder 48 of the holder 39 and the position of the abutment member 59 of the swinging unit 54 are set to match the first mask M1 (first replacement member) having a width W1. FIG. 11(b) shows a state in which the position of the rear cylinder 48 and the position of the abutment member 59 are set to match the second mask M2 (second replacement member) having a width W2 that is relatively larger than the first mask M1.

[0061] 11, the position of the rear cylinder 48 is set to a position where, when the rear cylinder 48 protrudes the piston 48a, the piston 48a moves by a pushing amount G3 after the pad 52 abuts against the first mask M1 or the second mask M2. In other words, the position of the rear cylinder 48 corresponding to the second mask M2 is set outward by ΔW (ΔW=(½)*(W2-W1)) from the position corresponding to the first mask M1.

[0062] The position of the contact member 59 is set at a position where the roller 59a of the contact member 59 abuts from the back side against the frame Mf on the side of the first mask M1 or second mask M2 held by the holding unit 39. In other words, the position of the contact member 59 corresponding to the second mask M2 is set outward by ΔW from the position corresponding to the first mask M1. This allows replacement members of different sizes (first mask M1, second mask M2) to be appropriately supplied to the printing device 10.

[0063] 2 and 3, the main body 31 of the replacement device 30 is provided with a front optical sensor 90 and a rear optical sensor 91 that irradiate light onto the screen Ms of the mask M (replacement component) that has been lifted to a predetermined height (rotation height H1) by the holding part 39, thereby measuring the distance to the screen Ms.

[0064] Here, the front-side optical sensor 90 and the rear-side optical sensor 91 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 schematically shows a state in which the rear-side holding mechanism 41 of the holding unit 39 holds the mask M (replacement member) stored in the rear-side slot Sb and lifts it up to a rotation height H1, and the front-side optical sensor 90 and the rear-side optical sensor 91 measure the distance to the screen Ms of the mask M. Fig. 12(a) shows a state in which the screen Ms of the mask M is on the rear side and the mask M has been stored with the front and back facing in the correct direction. Fig. 12(b) shows a state in which the screen Ms of the mask M is on the front side and the mask M has been stored with the front and back facing in the wrong direction.

[0065] In Figure 12(a), the front optical sensor 90 and the rear optical sensor 91 are each configured with an irradiation unit 90e, 91e that irradiates light onto the mask M (replacement member), and a light receiving unit 90r, 91r that receives reflected light that is light irradiated by the irradiation unit 90e, 91e and reflected by the mask M.

[0066] 12(a), the positions of the irradiation unit 91e and the light-receiving unit 91r are set so that the rear-side optical sensor 91 receives only light reflected from a screen Ms that is located at a distance U2 from the rear-side optical sensor 91. Here, the distance from the screen Ms of a mask M that is stored in the rear-side slot Sb with its front and back facing up to the rear is the distance U2 to the rear-side optical sensor 91. Therefore, the rear-side optical sensor 91 detects light reflected from a mask M that is stored in the rear-side slot Sb with its front and back facing up.

[0067] 12(b), the distance U3 from the screen Ms of the mask M stored in the rear slot Sb with the front and back facing up to the rear optical sensor 91 is longer than the distance U2 when the screen Ms is facing up correctly. Therefore, the rear optical sensor 91 does not detect the light reflected from the mask M stored in the rear slot Sb with the front and back facing up.

[0068] 12(a), the positions of the irradiating unit 90e and the light-receiving unit 90r of the front-side optical sensor 90 are set so that the front-side optical sensor 90 receives only light reflected from the screen Ms that is located at a distance U1 from the front-side optical sensor 90. Here, the distance from the screen Ms of the mask M stored in the front-side slot Sf with its front and back facing up to the front is the distance U1 to the front-side optical sensor 90. Therefore, the front-side optical sensor 90 detects light reflected from the mask M stored in the front-side slot Sf with its front and back facing up.

[0069] In this way, the front optical sensor 90 and the rear optical sensor 91 are limited reflective sensors that detect only the screen Ms at the distances U1 and U2, respectively. Note that the front optical sensor 90 and the rear optical sensor 91 are not limited to limited reflective sensors, and may be reflective sensors that measure a continuous distance including the distances U1 and U2. In this case, it is sufficient that one reflective sensor is disposed in the exchange device 30.

[0070] 2, a shutter unit 37 is disposed on the front side (printing apparatus 10 side) of the exchange device 30. The shutter unit 37 is made up of a plate member or the like that moves up and down by a shutter drive unit 38 (FIG. 13) and covers the opening 32. When the shutter drive unit 38 moves the shutter unit 37 down to a closed position Hs1 (FIG. 14(a)), the opening 32 is covered by the shutter unit 37, restricting access from the exchange device 30 to the inside of the printing apparatus 10. When the shutter drive unit 38 moves the shutter unit 37 up to an open position Hs2 (FIG. 14(b)), the opening 32 is opened, allowing access from the exchange device 30 to the inside of the printing apparatus 10.

[0071] In this way, the shutter drive unit 38 moves the shutter unit 37 between a closed position Hs1 that covers the opening 32 and an open position Hs2 that opens the opening 32. When the opening 32 is closed by the shutter unit 37, it is possible to prevent an operator from accidentally inserting their hand or the like into the printing device 10 through the installation opening 33 when the storage device 70 is not installed in the exchange device 30. Furthermore, when the opening 32 is closed by the shutter unit 37, it is possible to prevent outside air, the temperature and humidity of which have not been adjusted, from flowing in through the rear opening 19 of the printing device 10.

[0072] Next, the configuration of the control system of the screen printing apparatus 1 equipped with the printing device 10 and the exchange device 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Note that for the printing apparatus 10, the portions related to the mask exchange operation will be mainly described. The printing control unit 21 equipped in the printing apparatus 10 is connected to the lifting cylinder 17 and front-rear movement mechanism 18 of the mask moving unit 15, the air conditioning unit 81, the exhaust unit 82, and the receiving unit 25. The printing control unit 21 is equipped with a print processing unit 22 and a print memory unit 23. The receiving unit 25 is a communication interface and receives various information transmitted from the exchange device 30 via a signal line 26.

[0073] The print storage unit 23 is realized by, for example, a flash memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The print storage unit 23 stores information about replacement parts such as the mask M transported by the storage device 70 and supplied by the replacement device 30, and information about the substrate B on which the paste P is printed. The processing units such as the print processing unit 22 are realized by, for example, a memory that stores control programs executed by each processing unit, and a processor that executes the control programs. The print processing unit 22 executes a replacement process for the mask M used in the printing operation based on the various information stored in the print storage unit 23.

[0074] 13, the exchange control unit 60 provided in the exchange device 30 is connected to the touch panel 36, the shutter drive unit 38, the lift motor 46 of the holding unit 39, the front cylinder 47, the rear cylinder 48, the front detection unit Kf, the rear detection unit Kb, the swing motor 56 of the swing unit 54 (position change unit), the front optical sensor 90, the rear optical sensor 91, and a transmission unit 63. The exchange control unit 60 is equipped with an exchange processing unit 61, an exchange memory unit 62, a holding determination unit 64, and a front / back determination unit 65. The transmission unit 63 is a communication interface, and transmits various information to the printing device 10 via the signal line 26.

[0075] The exchange storage unit 62 is realized by, for example, a flash memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), etc. The exchange storage unit 62 stores information about exchange parts such as the mask M that are transported by the storage device 70 and supplied to the printing device 10, and that are received from the printing device 10 and stored in the storage device 70. The processing units such as the exchange processing unit 61, the holding determination unit 64, and the front / back determination unit 65 are realized by, for example, a memory that stores a control program executed by each processing unit, and a processor that executes the control program.

[0076] In Figure 13, the exchange processing unit 61 executes various processes, such as a supply process for supplying a mask M (exchange part) to the printing device 10 and a recovery process for recovering the mask M from the printing device 10, based on various information stored in the exchange memory unit 62.

[0077] 13, the hold determination unit 64 executes a hold determination process to determine whether the holder 39 holds the replacement member (mask M). Specifically, if the rear cylinder 48 protrudes the piston 48a so that the pad 52 (holding member) holds the mask M that is stored (or is expected to be stored) in the rear slot Sb, and then the rear detection unit Kb does not detect the farthest end stopped state, the hold determination unit 64 determines that the rear holding mechanism 41 holds the mask M (FIG. 10(b)).

[0078] On the other hand, when the rear detection unit Kb detects the farthest end stop state, the hold determination unit 64 determines that the rear holding mechanism 41 did not hold the mask M. The rear holding mechanism 41 did not hold the mask M when the mask M was not stored in the rear slot Sb (FIG. 10(a)), or when the size of the mask M stored in the rear slot Sb was smaller than expected (FIG. 10(c)).

[0079] In Figure 13, the hold determination process in which the hold determination unit 64 determines whether the front holding mechanism 40 holds the mask M based on the detection result of the farthest end stop state by the front detection unit Kf is also similar, and detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0080] In this way, the front detection unit Kf and the rear detection unit Kb constitute a detection unit K (FIG. 13) that detects whether the holding member (pad 52) moved by the drive unit J (front cylinder 47, rear cylinder 48) of the holder 39 holds the replacement member (mask M). The detection unit K detects whether the holding member holds the replacement member (not in the farthest end stopped state) based on the position of the holding member moved by the drive unit J (whether it is in the farthest end stopped state or not). The detection unit K also detects whether the holding member does not hold the replacement member (is in the farthest end stopped state) based on the position of the holding member moved by the drive unit J (whether it is in the farthest end stopped state or not) (holding detection process).

[0081] Then, the hold determination unit 64 determines whether the holding member holds the replacement member based on the detection result by the detection unit K (whether the farthest end is stopped or not) (hold determination step). Furthermore, if the detection unit K does not detect that the holding member holds the replacement member, the hold determination unit 64 displays a warning on the touch panel 36 (notification unit) to notify the worker that the mask M cannot be held (non-hold notification step). Note that the notification unit that notifies the worker that the mask M cannot be held is not limited to the touch panel 36. For example, the notification unit may be a rotating light or an information terminal carried by the worker.

[0082] 13, if the detection unit K does not detect that the holding member holds the replacement member, the replacement processing unit 61 controls the shutter drive unit 38 to move the shutter unit 37 to the closed position Hs1 (shutter closing step). This prevents outside air, the temperature and humidity of which have not been adjusted, from flowing into the interior of the printing device 10 through the opened rear opening 19 of the printing device 10 until the operator has completed the recovery work of the replacement device 30.

[0083] 13, the front / back determination unit 65 executes a front / back determination process to determine the front / back of the replacement member (mask M) lifted to a predetermined height (pivot height H1) by the holder 39. Specifically, when the light receiving unit 91r of the rear optical sensor 91 receives reflected light of light irradiated from the irradiation unit 91e, the front / back determination unit 65 determines that the front / back of the mask M held by the rear holding mechanism 41 of the holder 39 is correct (FIG. 12(a)). On the other hand, when the light receiving unit 91r of the rear optical sensor 91 does not receive reflected light, the front / back determination unit 65 determines that the front / back of the mask M held by the rear holding mechanism 41 of the holder 39 is incorrect (FIG. 12(b)).

[0084] The front / back determination process in which the front / back determination unit 65 determines whether the front / back of the mask M held by the front holding mechanism 40 is correct or incorrect based on the detection result of the front optical sensor 90 is similar, and detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0085] In this way, the irradiating units 90e, 91e that irradiate the exchangeable member (mask M) with light, the front optical sensor 90 and the rear optical sensor 91 that have light receiving units 90r, 91r that receive reflected light that is light irradiated by the irradiating units 90e, 91e and reflected by the exchangeable member, and the front / back determining unit 65 that determines whether the exchangeable member is front or back depending on the state of the reflected light received by the light receiving units 90r, 91r constitute a determining means 92 (FIG. 13) that determines whether the exchangeable member is front or back of the exchangeable member that has been lifted to a predetermined height (pivoting height H1) by the holding unit 39. That is, the determining means 92 determines whether the exchangeable member is front or back of the exchangeable member that has been lifted to the predetermined height (pivoting height H1) by the holding unit 39 (front / back determining process).

[0086] 13, after the determination means 92 determines the front and back of the replacement part (mask M), if the determination means 92 determines that the front and back of the replacement part are correct, the replacement processing unit 61 executes a supply process to supply the replacement part to the printing device 10. Furthermore, if the determination means 92 determines that the front and back of the replacement part are incorrect, the front and back determination unit 65 displays a warning on the touch panel 36 (notification unit) to notify the operator that the front and back of the mask M are incorrect (incorrect front and back notification process).

[0087] Furthermore, if the determining means 92 determines that the front and back of the replacement component are incorrect, the replacement processing unit 61 controls the shutter driving unit 38 to move the shutter unit 37 to the closed position Hs1 (shutter closing step). This prevents outside air, the temperature and humidity of which have not been adjusted, from flowing into the interior of the printing device 10 through the opened rear opening 19 of the printing device 10 until the operator completes the recovery work of the component replacement system Q.

[0088] Next, with reference to Fig. 14, an attachment method for inserting the storage device 70 into the attachment opening 33 of the exchange device 30 and attaching the storage section 73 to the attachment section 34 will be described. In Figs. 14 to 17, the spacing between the pair of side members 58c of the erroneous attachment prevention member 58 in the exchange device 30, the attachment position of the drive section J of the holding section 39, and the position of the abutment member 59 of the swinging section 54 are set (changed) to match the masks M4 and M5.

[0089] 14(a), a replacement mask M5, with its main surface standing, to be used for printing paste P on a substrate B of the next substrate type is stored in a slot 72 of the storage device 70. In the printing device 10, a printing operation is being performed in which paste P is printed on the substrate B using a mask M4.

[0090] 14(a), when the storage device 70 is removed from the exchange device 30, the shutter unit 37 is moved to the closed position Hs1 by the shutter drive unit 38. As a result, the opening 32 is covered by the shutter unit 37, and access from the exchange device 30 to the inside of the printing device 10 is restricted.

[0091] 14(b), when the storage device 70 is attached to the exchange device 30 by an operator or an automated guided vehicle (arrow i1), the mask M5 stored in the slot 72 passes between the notches 58a of the incorrect attachment prevention member 58 and enters the attachment portion 34. If a mask M that is relatively larger than the masks M4 and M5 is stored in the storage device 70, the stored mask M interferes with the incorrect attachment prevention member 58, and the storage device 70 cannot be attached to the exchange device 30. In other words, the incorrect attachment prevention member 58 prevents the incorrect attachment of a mask M that is larger than the set sizes of the masks M4 and M5, and allows exchange parts of different sizes to be properly supplied to the printing device 10.

[0092] When the storage device 70 is properly attached to the exchange device 30, the exchange processing unit 61 controls the shutter driving unit 38 to move the shutter unit 37 to the open position Hs2 (arrow i2), thereby opening the opening 32 and enabling the supply and collection of masks M4 and M5.

[0093] 15 and 16, a description will be given of a replacement component recovery method (recovery process) in which the replacement device 30 (component replacement system Q) recovers the mask M4 (replacement component) from the printing device 10, as well as control by the printing control unit 21 and the replacement control unit 60. Here, an example will be described in which the replacement device 30 recovers the mask M4 from the printing device 10 and stores it in the front slot Sf of the storage device 70.

[0094] First, the replacement processing unit 61 of the replacement control unit 60 controls the lifting motor 46 of the holding unit 39 to move the height of the pair of front holding mechanisms 40 to the mask transport height H2 where the frame body Mf of the mask M4, which is discharged from the rear opening 19 of the printing device 10 along the mask transport unit 14, is located (discharge height movement process) (Figure 15(a)).

[0095] 15(a), the print processing unit 22 included in the print control unit 21 then controls the front-rear movement mechanism 18 to move the lift cylinder 17 to the front side of the mask M4 (the side farther from the exchange device 30), and controls the lift cylinder 17 to lower the contact member 16 (arrow j1). Next, the print processing unit 22 controls the front-rear movement mechanism 18 to move the lift cylinder 17 toward the exchange device 30, and moves it so that the holding position set in the frame body Mf is the position of the pads 52 of the pair of front holding mechanisms 40 (exchange member discharging step) (arrow j2).

[0096] Next, the replacement processing unit 61 controls the front cylinder 47 to protrude the piston, and holds both end faces (frame body Mf) of the mask M4 (replacement member) with the pair of pads 52 (replacement member holding process). In Figures 15 to 17, the states in which the pads 52 of the front holding mechanism 40 or the rear holding mechanism 41 hold both end faces of the mask M4 or the mask M5 are indicated by black circles.

[0097] In Figure 15(b), the replacement processing unit 61 then controls the lifting motor 46 to raise the pair of front holding mechanisms 40 to an upright height H3 at which the main surface of the mask M4 (replacement member) being held is upright (replacement member uprighting process) (arrow j3).

[0098] In Figure 16(a), the replacement processing unit 61 controls the lifting motor 46 to lower the pair of front holding mechanisms 40 to a landing height H4 at which the mask M4 (replacement member) held by it lands in the front slot Sf (arrow j4) (replacement member landing process).

[0099] 16(b), the replacement processing unit 61 then controls the front cylinder 47 to retract the piston, moving the pair of pads 52 away from both end surfaces of the mask M4 and releasing the mask M4 from the front holding mechanism 40 (replacement member releasing step). Note that the replacement processing unit 61 may release the mask M4 from the front holding mechanism 40 at a height at which the shock absorbing members 77a arranged at the bottom of the front slots Sf can absorb the impact before the mask M4 lands on the front slots Sf.

[0100] 16(b) and 17, a description will be given of a replacement component supply method (supply process) in which the replacement device 30 (component replacement system Q) supplies the mask M5 (replacement component) to the printing device 10, as well as control by the printing control unit 21 and the replacement control unit 60. Here, an example will be described in which the replacement device 30 supplies the mask M5 stored in the rear slot Sb of the storage device 70 to the printing device 10.

[0101] In Figure 16(b), first, the replacement processing unit 61 possessed by the replacement control unit 60 controls the lifting motor 46 of the holding unit 39 to move the height of the pair of rear holding mechanisms 41 to a holding height H5 at which the pads 52 of the rear holding mechanisms 41 can hold both end faces of the mask M5 stored in the rear slot Sb (holding height movement process).

[0102] 16(b), the replacement processing unit 61 then controls the rear cylinder 48 to protrude the piston 48a and hold both end surfaces of the mask M5 with the pair of pads 52 (replacement member holding process). Next, the hold determination unit 64 executes a hold determination process (hold determination process). If the hold determination process determines that the pads 52 (holding members) are not holding the mask M5 (replacement member), the hold determination unit 64 displays a warning on the touch panel 36 (notification unit) (held notification process). Furthermore, the replacement processing unit 61 moves the shutter unit 37 to the closed position Hs1 (shutter closing process).

[0103] 17(a), if the holding determination process determines that the pad 52 is holding the mask M5, the replacement processing unit 61 controls the lift motor 46 to raise the rear holding mechanism 41 to a rotation height H1 (replacement member raising process) (arrow k1) at which the bottom end of the rotated mask M5 enters the inside of the rear opening 19 of the printing device 10. Next, the determination means 92 executes a front / back determination process (front / back determination process). If the front / back determination process determines that the front / back of the mask M5 is incorrect, the front / back determination unit 65 displays a warning on the touch panel 36 (notification unit) (incorrect front / back notification process). Furthermore, the replacement processing unit 61 moves the shutter unit 37 to the closed position Hs1 (shutter closing process).

[0104] 17(a), if the front / back determination process determines that the front and back of mask M5 are correct, the exchange processing unit 61 controls the swing motor 56 to move the pusher 57 toward mask M5 (arrow k2) and bring the pusher 57 (contact member 59) into contact with the back surface of mask M5. In addition, the print processing unit 22 controls the front / rear movement mechanism 18 to move the lift cylinder 17 to a position where movement of mask M5 starts (arrow k3).

[0105] 17(b), the replacement processing unit 61 then controls the swing motor 56 to rotate the pusher 57 (arrow k4), and controls the lifting motor 46 to lower the pair of rear holding mechanisms 41 (replacement member landing step). As a result, the lower end of the mask M5 lands on the upper surface of the mask transport unit 14.

[0106] Next, the exchange processing unit 61 controls the swing motor 56 to rotate the pusher 57 to the retracted position (pusher retraction step). Next, the exchange processing unit 61 controls the lift motor 46 to lower the pair of rear holding mechanisms 41 to the mask transport height H2 (mounting height lowering step) (arrow k5). As a result, the main surface of the mask M5 becomes horizontal with a portion of the mask M5 placed on the mask transport unit 14.

[0107] 17(b), when the main surface of the mask M5 is in a horizontal state, the print processing unit 22 controls the lifting cylinder 17 to lower the contact member 16 (arrow k6) and bring the contact member 16 into contact with the rear side of the front frame Mf of the mask M5. Next, the replacement processing unit 61 controls the rear cylinder 48 to retract the piston 48a and move the pair of pads 52 away from both end surfaces of the mask M5, thereby releasing the mask M5 from the pair of rear holding mechanisms 41 (replacement member releasing process).

[0108] When the mask M5 is released from the pair of rear holding mechanisms 41, the print processing unit 22 controls the front-rear movement mechanism 18 and the lift cylinder 17 to move the mask M5 to the mask holding unit 14a using the mask moving unit 15, and causes the holding mechanism to hold the mask M5 (replaceable member). This makes the printing device 10 ready for printing using the mask M5.

[0109] As described above, the holding unit 39 and swinging unit 54 of the replacement device 30 constitute a replacement component transport unit T (FIG. 2) that transports the replacement component (mask M5) between the storage unit 73 and the printing device 10. That is, the replacement component transport unit T has a holding unit 39 that rotatably holds the replacement component and lifts the replacement component stored in the storage unit 73 upright to a predetermined height (rotation height H1). In addition, the determination means 92 determines the front and back of the replacement component being transported by the replacement component transport unit T.

[0110] As described above, the replacement device 30 includes the storage section 73, the replacement component transport section T, and a determination means 92 that determines whether the replacement component (mask M5) is front or back. After the determination means 92 determines whether the replacement component is front or back, the replacement device 30 supplies the replacement component to the printing device 10. This allows the front or back of the replacement component to be supplied to the printing device 10 to be determined appropriately.

[0111] Next, another embodiment of a drive unit (hereinafter referred to as "drive unit JA") that moves the holding member (pad 52) of the exchange device 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 18. Fig. 18 is an explanatory diagram that schematically shows a left-side rear holding mechanism 41A as an example of the drive unit JA.

[0112] The rear holding mechanism 41A differs from the rear holding mechanism 41 equipped with the rear cylinder 48 shown in FIG. 10 in that it is equipped with a linear motor 48A such as a linear motor that is servo-controlled to change the target distance for moving the pad 52. Also, it differs from the rear holding mechanism 41 in that only the amount of play necessary for the shaft 50A to rotate is set between the internal space of a joint 49A connected to a piston 48Aa of the linear motor 48A and a locking portion 50Aa of the shaft 50A. Also, it differs from the rear holding mechanism 41 in that no compression spring 53 is attached to the shaft 50A. Hereinafter, the same parts as those in the drive unit J shown in FIG. 10 will be assigned the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0113] In FIG. 18(a), the linear motor 48A moves the pad 52 (holding member) with a target distance G5 (G5 > G6), which is longer than the distance G6 from the position of the pad 52 (holding member) in the state where the piston 48Aa is immersed (hereinafter referred to as "immersion position IA") to the side surface of the first mask M1. When the first mask M1 is not stored in the rear slot Sb (FIG. 18(a)), or when the third mask M3, which is relatively smaller than the first mask M1 with a side surface at a distance G7 beyond the distance G6, is stored in the rear slot Sb (FIG. 18(c)), the pad 52 moves to the target distance G5 and stops. The position where the pad 52 stops is measured by a servo control device (not shown) that controls the linear motor 48A.

[0114] In FIG. 18(b), when the first mask M1 is stored in the rear slot Sb, the pad 52 moves only a distance G6, which is shorter than the target distance G5, and abuts against the side surface of the first mask M1. The linear motor 48A stops with a pressing force applied to the pad 52 to hold the first mask Ml. When the linear motor 48A stops the movement of the pad 52 at the distance G6 (G6 < G5), the holding determination unit 64 determines that the rear holding mechanism 41 holds the first mask M1. Also, when the linear motor 48A moves the pad 52 to the target distance G5 and stops, the holding determination unit 64 determines that the rear holding mechanism

[0115] 41 cannot hold the first mask M1.

[0115] The target distance (distance G5) for the drive unit JA to move the pad 52 is set corresponding to the width of the first mask M1. Thus, the drive unit JA can change the target distance for moving the holding member (pad 52). The servo control device measures the distance that the holding member has moved by the linear motor 48A provided in the drive unit JA, and detects that the holding member can hold the first mask M1 when it stops before moving to the target distance, and detects that the holding member cannot hold the first mask M1 when it moves to the target distance (distance G5) and stops. Thereby, it is possible to determine whether or not the replacement members (first mask M1, third mask M3) with different sizes can be held, and the replacement members can be appropriately held and supplied to the printing apparatus 10.

[0116] Next, with reference to Fig. 19, another embodiment of the determination means provided in the exchange device 30 (hereinafter referred to as "determination means 92A") will be described. The determination means 92A differs from the determination means 92 shown in Figs. 12 and 13 in that it has one sonic sensor 93 instead of the front optical sensor 90 and the rear optical sensor 91, and the front / back determination unit 65 determines the front / back of the exchange member (mask M) lifted to a predetermined height (pivot height H1) by the holding unit 39 based on the measurement result of the sonic sensor 93. Hereinafter, the same parts as those in the determination means 92 shown in Figs. 12 and 13 will be assigned the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0117] 19(a), the ultrasonic wave sensor 93 is configured to include a transmitter 93a that emits ultrasonic waves toward the mask M (replaceable member), and a ultrasonic wave receiver 93b that receives reflected ultrasonic waves that are emitted by the transmitter 93a and reflected by the screen Ms of the mask M. The ultrasonic wave sensor 93 measures the distance to the screen Ms of the mask M from the time difference between when the transmitter 93a emits the ultrasonic waves and when the ultrasonic wave receiver 93b receives the reflected ultrasonic waves. If the distance to the screen Ms measured by the ultrasonic wave sensor 93 is distance U2, the front / back determination unit 65 determines that the front / back of the mask M stored in the rear slot Sb is correct. If the distance to the screen Ms measured by the ultrasonic wave sensor 93 is distance U1, the front / back determination unit 65 determines that the front / back of the mask M stored in the front slot Sf is correct.

[0118] 19(b), if the distance to the screen Ms measured by the acoustic wave sensor 93 is neither distance U1 nor distance U2, such as distance U3, the front / back determination unit 65 determines that the mask M stored in the front slot Sf or the rear slot Sb is upside down. In this way, the determination means 92A has the acoustic wave sensor 93 and the front / back determination unit 65 that determines whether the replacement part (mask M) is upside down based on the state (time difference) of the reflected sound waves received by the acoustic wave receiving unit 93b. This makes it possible to appropriately determine whether the replacement part is upside down when supplied to the printing device 10.

[0119] Next, with reference to Figures 20 and 21, another embodiment of the determination means provided in the exchange device 30 (hereinafter referred to as "determination means 92B") will be described. The determination means 92B differs from the determination means 92 shown in Figures 12 and 13 in that it has one reading unit 95 instead of the front optical sensor 90 and the rear optical sensor 91, and the front / back determination unit 65 determines the front / back of the exchange member (mask M) lifted to a predetermined height (pivoting height H1) by the holding unit 39 based on the presence or absence of an identifier 94 provided on the mask M. Hereinafter, the same parts as those in the determination means 92 shown in Figures 12 and 13 will be assigned the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0120] 20, an identifier 94 such as a barcode or two-dimensional code is provided on the frame Mf of the mask M. Information about the mask M is recorded on the identifier 94. In FIG. 21(a), the exchange device 30 has a reading unit 95 that reads the identifier 94, located at a position where the reading unit 95 can read the identifier 94 provided on the mask M lifted to a predetermined height (pivoting height H1) by the holder 39. If the reading unit 95 can read the identifier 94, the front / back determination unit 65 determines that the front / back of the mask M stored in the front slot Sf or the rear slot Sb is correct.

[0121] 21(b), if the reading unit 95 cannot read the identifier 94, the front / back determination unit 65 determines that the mask M stored in the front slot Sf or the rear slot Sb is upside down. In this way, the determination means 92B has the identifier 94 provided on the replacement part (mask M), the reading unit 95 that reads the identifier 94, and the front / back determination unit 65 that determines the front / back of the replacement part depending on whether or not the identifier read by the reading unit 95 is present. This makes it possible to properly determine the front / back of the replacement part to be supplied to the printing device 10.

[0122] Note that the above description has been given using the mask M as an example of the replacement member stored in the storage device 70 and supplied to the printing apparatus 10 by the replacement device 30, but the replacement member is not limited to the mask M. For example, the replacement member may be a transport jig that transports a support member that is attached to the upper surface of the substrate holding portion 13c in the printing apparatus 10 and holds the substrate B from below, a transport jig that transports cleaning paper that wipes off the paste P adhering to the mask M, a transport jig that transports the squeegee 20a, or a transport jig that transports a substrate for test printing. In other words, the replacement member only needs to have the same external shape as the frame Mf of the mask M.

[0123] As described above, the replacement device 30 of this embodiment is equipped with a storage section 73 that stores the mask M, a drive section J that moves a holding member (pad 52) that holds the mask M toward the mask M, a holding section 39 that rotatably holds the mask M and lifts it to a predetermined height (rotation height H1), and a detection section K that detects that the holding member moved by the drive section J is holding the mask M.

[0124] This allows masks M of different sizes to be supplied to the printing device 10 appropriately. [Industrial Applicability]

[0125] The changing device of the present disclosure has the effect of being able to appropriately supply masks of different sizes to a printing device, and is useful in the field of component mounting where components are mounted on a board. [Explanation of symbols]

[0126] 10 Printing device 30 Exchange device 36 Touch panel (notification section) 31 Main body 32 Opening 34 Mounting part 37 Shutter section 39 Holding part 52 Pad (holding member) 58 Mis-installation prevention parts 73 Storage area B board H1 Rotation height (predetermined height) Hs1 occlusion position Hs2 open position J, JA drive unit K Detector M, M4~M5 Mask M1 1st Mask M2 Second Mask M3 3rd Mask P Paste

Claims

1. An exchange device that supplies a mask to a printing device that prints paste on a substrate using a mask having a predetermined printing pattern, a storage section for storing the mask; a holding unit that has a drive unit that moves a holding member that holds the mask toward the mask, and that rotatably holds the mask and lifts it to a predetermined height; a detector that detects that the holding member, which has been moved by the drive unit, has held the mask.

2. The exchange device according to claim 1 , wherein the detector detects that the holding member has held the mask based on the position of the holding member moved by the drive unit.

3. the storage section is capable of storing a first mask and a third mask that is relatively smaller than the first mask, as the masks; The replacement device according to claim 1 , wherein the drive unit moves the holding member within a range that can hold the first mask but cannot hold the third mask.

4. The exchange device according to claim 1 , wherein the holding unit is capable of changing an attachment position of the drive unit.

5. The exchange device according to claim 1 , wherein the drive unit is capable of changing a target distance for moving the holding member.

6. The replacement device according to claim 1 , further comprising a notification unit that notifies an operator when the detection unit does not detect that the holding member holds the mask.

7. an opening through which the mask can pass and which communicates with the interior of the printing device; a shutter portion that covers the opening; a shutter driving unit that moves the shutter unit between a closing position that covers the opening and an opening position that opens the opening, The exchange device according to claim 1 , wherein the shutter driving unit moves the shutter unit to the closed position when the detection unit does not detect that the mask is held.

8. An exchange device that supplies a mask to a printing device that prints paste on a substrate using a mask having a predetermined printing pattern, a main body; a storage section configured to be detachable from the main body section and capable of storing the mask with the main surface of the mask standing upright; a mounting portion provided on the main body portion and having a space in which the storage portion can be mounted, the storage section is capable of storing a first mask and a second mask that is relatively larger than the first mask, as the masks; The mounting portion is provided with an anti-mis-attachment member that does not interfere with the first mask stored in the storage portion when the storage portion is attached to the mounting portion, but interferes with the second mask stored in the storage portion.

Images