Component mounting apparatus

Abstract

To provide a component mounting machine capable of automatically collecting components in a component supply device.SOLUTION: The component mounting machine includes a component supply device that supplies a component at a predetermined supply position, a collection container for collecting the component, a board transport device that can transport either a board or the collection container and position the board or the collection container at a predetermined work position, and a component transfer device that also serves as a component collection device that performs a mounting operation of picking up the component from the supply position of the component supply device and mounting the component at a predetermined mounting position of the positioned board and performs a collection operation of moving a plurality of components from the component supply device to the positioned collection container.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present specification relates to a component mounting machine that performs a mounting operation of mounting components on a board. [Background technology]

[0002] The technology of mass-producing board products by performing substrate-related operations on boards on which circuit patterns are formed is becoming widespread. A typical example of a substrate-related operation machine is a component mounting machine that mounts components on a board. Generally, a component mounting machine includes a board transport device, a component supply device, and a component transfer device. There are various types of component supply devices. Specifically, there are tape feeders that use carrier tape as a component supply medium, tray feeders that use trays as a component supply medium, and bulk feeders that feed multiple components in bulk without using a component supply medium. An example of technology related to bulk feeders is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a bulk feeder that includes a track member having a conveying path extending from a receiving area that receives parts discharged from a parts case to a supplying area that supplies the parts, a vibration device that imparts vibration to the track member so that the parts on the conveying path are conveyed, and a conveyance control unit that controls the operation of the vibration device to perform part sending and returning operations. According to this, by dispersing multiple parts in the supplying area and making it possible to adjust the number of parts in the supplying area, it is possible to reduce the width of the bulk feeder and shorten the time required to supply parts. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2021 / 095219 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When changing the type of board that a component mounting machine is to operate, the components left in the bulk feeder may no longer be needed and may need to be replaced with different types of components. In this case, the operator must collect and store the components left in the bulk feeder for future use. However, even if the operator can remove the component case of the bulk feeder disclosed in Patent Document 1 and collect the components inside, it is difficult for the operator to manually collect the components on the transport path.

[0006] Furthermore, in bulk feeders that feed multiple parts in bulk without using a parts case, it is difficult to manually retrieve parts left inside, regardless of their location. A similar problem occurs with stick feeders that use sticks as a part supply medium. In other words, even if an operator can remove the stick and retrieve the parts inside, it is difficult to manually retrieve parts that have been pushed out of the stick onto the transport path. Therefore, a configuration is needed to automatically retrieve parts from within a part supply device.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present specification is to provide a component mounting machine that can automatically collect components from a component supply device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] This specification discloses a component mounting machine that includes a component supply device that supplies components at a predetermined supply position, a collection container for collecting the components, a board transport device that can transport either a board or the collection container and position it at a predetermined work position, and a component transfer device that also serves as a component collection device that picks up the components from the supply position of the component supply device and performs a mounting operation to mount the components at a predetermined mounting position on the positioned board, and also performs a collection operation to move a plurality of parts from the component supply device to the positioned collection container.

[0009] This specification discloses the technical idea of ​​changing "a component mounting machine according to claim 1 or 2" in claim 7 originally filed to "a component mounting machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6." [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] In the disclosed component mounting machine, the component recovery device performs a recovery operation of moving a plurality of components from the component supply device to a recovery container, so that the components in the component supply device can be automatically recovered. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view schematically illustrating an overall configuration of a component mounting machine according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 10 is a plan view showing a schematic diagram of a state in which a board transport device of a component mounting machine positions a collection container at a work position. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an operational flow diagram illustrating the operation of the component mounting machine. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the configuration of a part collection device of another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] 1. Overall configuration of component mounting machine 1 according to the embodiment First, the overall configuration of a component mounting machine 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, the horizontal direction from left to right is the X-axis direction along which a board K is transported, the horizontal direction from the bottom (front) to the top (rear) of the paper is the Y-axis direction, and the vertical direction is the Z-axis direction. The component mounting machine 1 is configured by assembling a board transport device 2, a component supply unit 3, a component transfer device 4, a control device 5, and other components to a base 10. The base 10 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape and is robust. A manually openable protective cover (not shown) is provided above the base 10. The protective cover ensures the safety of the operator and prevents dust and other particles from entering the machine.

[0013] The substrate transport device 2 can transport both substrates K and collection containers C (described later) and position them at a predetermined working position. The substrate transport device 2 is composed of a pair of guide rails 21, a pair of conveyor belts (not shown), a belt drive unit (not shown), and a clamping mechanism 22. The pair of guide rails 21 extend in the X-axis direction across the upper surface of the base 10 slightly toward the rear, and are attached to the base 10 in parallel with each other. The distance between the pair of guide rails 21 is adjusted according to the width dimensions of the substrates K or collection containers C to be transported.

[0014] The pair of conveyor belts are driven by a belt drive unit, and rotate along guide rails 21 with two parallel sides of a rectangular object being placed on them. As a result, board transport device 2 carries the object into the machine from the carry-in end (left end in FIG. 1) and transports it to a predetermined work position near the center of base 10. Clamping mechanism 22 clamps and positions the object that has stopped at the work position between itself and guide rails 21. After component transfer device 4 has completed its mounting operation or collection operation (described later), clamping mechanism 22 releases the object, and the conveyor belts transport the object to the carry-out end (right end in FIG. 1) and remove it from the machine.

[0015] The component supply unit 3 is composed of a pallet table 31 and multiple component supply devices. The pallet table 31 is a roughly rectangular member in a plan view. The pallet table 31 may be configured in the shape of a dolly with casters for movement. The pallet table 31 has multiple slots extending parallel to each other in the Y-axis direction and aligned in the X-axis direction. Multiple component supply devices are detachably attached and aligned in the multiple slots. Each component supply device occupies one or multiple slots depending on its width.

[0016] 1, the multiple component supply devices include multiple tape feeders 6 and two bulk feeders 7. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the type, size, and number of component supply devices constituting the component supply unit 3 may be changed. However, in this embodiment, the component supply unit 3 must include one or more bulk feeders 7.

[0017] Each of the multiple tape feeders 6 occupies one slot. The tape feeder 6 includes a reel holding section and a tape feeding mechanism (not shown). The reel holding section rotatably holds a reel 61 around which a carrier tape containing multiple components is wound. The tape feeding mechanism feeds the carrier tape pulled out from the reel 61 to a predetermined supply position 63. In this way, the tape feeder 6 supplies components at the supply position 63.

[0018] Each of the two bulk feeders 7 occupies two slots. The bulk feeder 7 includes an input section 71 and an alignment guide section 72. The input section 71 is box-shaped with an opening. Multiple components are input into the input section 71 in a bulk state (no component supply medium is used, and multiple components are loose and irregularly oriented). The alignment guide section 72 has a groove with a rectangular cross section that opens upward, is connected to the input section 71, and extends in the Y-axis direction. The alignment guide section 72 guides the components supplied from the input section 71 to a predetermined supply position 73 while aligning them along the groove. The alignment guide section 72 can be driven by a vibration device similar to that described in Patent Document 1, for example. This allows the bulk feeder 7 to supply components at the supply position 73.

[0019] The bulk feeder 7 may have a counting unit that measures the number of parts remaining in the device. The counting unit is composed of, for example, an initial setting unit and a sequential reduction unit. The initial setting unit obtains the initial number of parts input into the input unit 71 and sets this as the initial value of the remaining number information. In addition, the operator inputs the total number of parts, for example, packed in a bag or a box, into the input unit 71 and inputs the number of parts (initial quantity) displayed on the bag or box. This allows the initial setting unit to obtain the initial quantity.

[0020] The sequential reduction unit sequentially reduces the remaining number information each time a component is removed from the supply position 73 or each time a component moves through the alignment and guide unit 72. Therefore, the remaining number information indicates the number of components remaining in the device. The remaining number information may also indicate the number of components to be collected (described in detail below). Furthermore, the bulk feeder 7 may have a component detection sensor that detects whether or not there are components in the alignment and guide unit 72. The bulk feeder 7 transmits the remaining number information, which corresponds to the measurement result of the counting unit, and the detection result of the component detection sensor to the control device 5.

[0021] The component transfer device 4 is composed of a pair of guide rails 40, a Y-axis movable body 41, an X-axis movable body 42, a mounting head 43, a nozzle tool 44, a suction nozzle 45 (a form of component picking tool), a mark camera 46, and a component camera 47. The pair of guide rails 40 are arranged on both edges of the base 10 spaced apart in the X-axis direction and extend parallel to each other in the Y-axis direction. The Y-axis movable body 41 is formed of a member that is long in the X-axis direction and is mounted on the pair of guide rails 40. The Y-axis movable body 41 is driven by a Y-axis direction drive mechanism (not shown) to move in the Y-axis direction. The X-axis movable body 42 is mounted on the Y-axis movable body 41 and driven by an X-axis direction drive mechanism (not shown) to move in the X-axis direction.

[0022] The mounting head 43 is provided in front of the X-axis movable body 42, and is positioned above the board transport device 2 and the component supply unit 3. The mounting head 43 moves horizontally in two directions together with the X-axis movable body 42. A rotationally symmetric nozzle tool 44 is rotatably provided below the mounting head 43. The nozzle tool 44 is driven by an R-axis drive mechanism (not shown) to rotate around a vertical central axis. The nozzle tool 44 interchangeably holds multiple (12 in the example of FIG. 1) suction nozzles 45 at positions equidistant from the vertical central axis.

[0023] The suction nozzle 45 is driven to move up and down by a lifting drive mechanism (not shown) and rotates around a vertical axis by a Q-axis drive mechanism (not shown). Furthermore, the suction nozzle 45 is selectively supplied with negative pressure air or positive pressure air from a not shown air supply mechanism. This allows the suction nozzle 45 to pick up components from the supply position 63 of the tape feeder 6 and the supply position 73 of the bulk feeder 7. Furthermore, the suction nozzle 45 performs a mounting operation to mount the components it has picked up and held at a predetermined mounting position on the positioned board K. The mounting head 43 may hold a single suction nozzle 45 without the nozzle tool 44, or may hold multiple suction nozzles 45 arranged in a row or a grid. The mounting head 43 may also hold a component picker other than the suction nozzle 45, such as a chuck for clamping components.

[0024] The mark camera 46 is mounted on the X-axis movable body 42 facing downward, alongside the mounting head 43, and moves integrally with the X-axis movable body 42. Meanwhile, the substrate K, which is the subject of the mark camera 46, has position marks attached near two diagonally opposite corners. The mark camera 46 captures images of the two position marks separately twice to obtain image data. This image data is processed to detect the exact positions of the two position marks. Furthermore, the exact working position of the substrate K and the rotation angle of the substrate K in the horizontal plane are determined and reflected in the mounting operation.

[0025] The component camera 47 is mounted facing upward on the base 10 between the board transport device 2 and the component supply unit 3. The component camera 47 captures an image from below of the mounting head 43 as it moves from the component supply unit 3 to the board K, capturing image data of the state in which the suction nozzle 45 is picking up a component. This image data is processed to determine whether the type of component is correct, and also to detect the position and orientation of the component relative to the suction nozzle 45, which are reflected in the mounting operation.

[0026] There is a time period during which component camera 47 functions as part of collection completion determination unit 52, which will be described later. Note that instead of component camera 47, or in combination with component camera 47, a component camera that captures images of the state in which suction nozzle 45 is suctioning a component from the side may be provided on X-axis movable body 42 or mounting head 43. Examples of mark camera 46 and component camera 47 include digital imaging devices having imaging elements such as CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor).

[0027] The component transfer device 4 performs the mounting work by repeating a mounting cycle, which corresponds to one mounting operation. Specifically, the component transfer device 4 first moves the mounting head 43 to the component supply unit 3, where the multiple suction nozzles 45 pick up components from the respective supply positions (63, 73). The component transfer device 4 then moves the mounting head 43 above the component camera 47. The component camera 47 then captures images of the component suction states of the multiple suction nozzles 45. The component transfer device 4 then moves the mounting head 43 to the board K, where it mounts multiple components at predetermined mounting positions on the board K. The component transfer device 4 then moves the mounting head 43 back to the component supply unit 3, completing one mounting cycle. The component transfer device 4 can perform mounting operations for a number of components equal to the number of suction nozzles 45 in one mounting cycle.

[0028] The control device 5 is mounted on the base 10, and its position is not limited. The control device 5 is configured as a computer device having a CPU and operating on software. The control device 5 may be configured by distributing multiple CPUs within the machine and connecting them for communication. The control device 5 controls the mounting work based on mounting work data received from a higher-level management device.

[0029] The mounting operation data is created for each type of board K (board product). The mounting operation data includes data related to the suction nozzles 45 and component supply devices used in the mounting operation, data related to the method of performing the mounting operation, and the mounting sequence. The mounting sequence is data that associates the type of component to be mounted, the supply position (63, 73), and the mounting position. The mounting sequence differs for each component to be mounted. In other words, the mounting sequence differs for each repeated mounting cycle and for each suction nozzle 45. In other words, the component transfer device 4 performs the mounting operation for each of the multiple components based on a large number of mounting sequences. For this reason, it is necessary to secure a memory area for storing a large number of mounting sequences.

[0030] 2. Configuration of component collection function of component placement machine 1 In the overall configuration described above, when the substrate K (substrate product) to be mounted is changed from the current type to the next type, the components for the current type remaining in the bulk feeder 7 may no longer need to be supplied and may need to be replaced with components for the next type. For example, if the planned production quantity of the current type of substrate K is unknown or if more components for the current type than the planned production quantity of the current type of substrate K have been fed into the bulk feeder 7, excess components may remain. In this case, the operator will collect and store the components left in the bulk feeder 7 for the next use. Therefore, all remaining components are to be collected. However, it is difficult to manually collect the components left inside the bulk feeder 7 regardless of their location, which poses a problem.

[0031] To address the above-mentioned problems, in this embodiment, the component mounting machine 1 is provided with a function to automatically collect components from the bulk feeder 7. As shown in FIG. 2, the component mounting machine 1 is configured for the component collection function by using a collection container C and providing the control device 5 with a collection control unit 51 and a collection completion determination unit 52. Furthermore, the board transport device 2 and the component transfer device 4 share part of the role of the component collection function. The component collection function may also be performed when the type of board K is not changed. For example, the component collection function may be performed when component supply errors tend to occur in the bulk feeder 7 and emergency maintenance is required.

[0032] The collection container C is a container for collecting components from the bulk feeder 7. The collection container C is transported by the substrate transport device 2 and positioned at the same working position as the substrate K. Therefore, the collection container C is formed into a rectangular shape that is approximately the same size as the various types of substrates K. The collection container C is also formed into a dish shape or a shallow box shape that opens upward using plastic or the like, and the components are stored in its internal space. The collection container C may be formed into a dish shape that is smaller than the substrate K, and an auxiliary plate member that is approximately the same size as the substrate K may be attached to the bottom. By the substrate transport device 2 transporting the collection container C, the burden on the operator is reduced and the working position of the collection container C is stabilized.

[0033] The component transfer device 4 also serves as a component recovery device that performs a recovery operation of transferring multiple components from the bulk feeder 7 to a positioned recovery container C. The component transfer device 4 functions as a component recovery device after production of the current type of board K has been completed and the recovery container C has been positioned at the work position. Therefore, the component transfer device 4 (component recovery device) can repeat the recovery operation as many times as necessary without an insertion operation in between.

[0034] Supplementally, the component transfer device 4 performs a recovery operation for all remaining components that no longer need to be supplied from the bulk feeder 7 when the type of board K is changed. In other words, the component transfer device 4 performs a recovery operation for all remaining components from the bulk feeder 7 into which components that are to be mounted on the current type of board K but not on the next type of board K have been input. The component transfer device 4 performs the recovery operation based on a recovery sequence that is the same format as the mounting sequence. The recovery sequence is data that associates the type of component, the supply position 73 of the bulk feeder 7, and the recovery position of the component in the recovery container C positioned at the work position.

[0035] The collection control unit 51 and collection completion determination unit 52 are mainly configured using software in the control device 5. The collection control unit 51 and collection completion determination unit 52 start up after production of the current type of board K has finished. The collection control unit 51 first controls the bulk feeder 7 to an operating state, maintaining a state in which components are guided in order to the supply position 73. The collection control unit 51 then controls the collection operation of the component transfer device 4 based on the collection sequence.

[0036] More specifically, the collection control unit 51 repeats control based on one collection sequence or multiple collection sequences with different collection positions, causing the component transfer device 4 to repeatedly perform the collection operation. Similar to the mounting cycle described above, the component transfer device 4 repeats a collection cycle equivalent to one collection operation. This allows the component transfer device 4 to perform the collection operation of a number of components equal to the number of suction nozzles 45 in one collection cycle.

[0037] In this embodiment, it is assumed that at least one of the two bulk feeders 7 is the target of the collection operation. When either bulk feeder 7 is the target, the component type and supply position 73 in the collection sequence will be the same as those in the mounting sequence, and will be automatically determined as one. On the other hand, the operator can create a collection sequence by appropriately determining the collection position within the collection container C. For example, as shown by the circle in Figure 2, the collection position C1 can be determined to be in the center of the collection container C positioned at the work position. In this case, one collection sequence that can be repeatedly executed is created.

[0038] Furthermore, if it is considered undesirable that parts are piled up too high at the central collection position C1, the operator can determine, for example, four collection positions C4, indicated by triangles in FIG. 2. The four collection positions C4 are arranged in a grid pattern corresponding to the vertices of a rectangle. In this case, four collection sequences that can be executed repeatedly in order are created. The number and arrangement of collection positions can be freely determined without being limited to the above description.

[0039] In either case, the number of collection sequences is not limited by the number of parts to be collected, and is significantly smaller than the number of mounting sequences. Furthermore, the operator can create a collection sequence by replacing the mounting positions in the mounting sequence with the collection positions. Therefore, the time and effort required for the operator to create the collection sequence is extremely small. Furthermore, only a small memory area is required to store the collection sequence.

[0040] The retrieval sequence is the same as the placement sequence, and the retrieval position is determined within the distribution range of the placement positions. Therefore, the retrieval operation by the placement head 43, nozzle tool 44, suction nozzle 45, etc. of the component transfer device 4 moves in the same way as when performing the placement operation. This increases the accuracy and reliability of the retrieval operation of the component transfer device 4 to the same level as the placement operation.

[0041] The number of repetitions of the collection operation described above is changeable and is set by the operator after the collection control unit 51 has started. More specifically, the collection control unit 51 requests the operator to set the number of repetitions after production of the current type of board K has finished. The operator roughly grasps the number of components remaining in the bulk feeder 7 at that time by visual inspection or the like, and inputs and sets that quantity. The collection control unit 51 divides the input and set number of components by the number of suction nozzles 45 to determine the number of repetitions of the collection cycle. By setting the number of repetitions based on the number of components remaining in the bulk feeder 7 after the collection control unit 51 has started in this way, the accuracy of setting the number of repetitions can be improved.

[0042] The number of repetitions may also be set by the operator in conjunction with the creation of the collection sequence. That is, when creating the collection sequence, the operator may set the number of repetitions of the collection cycle, estimating the number of components remaining in the bulk feeder 7. By setting the number of repetitions in advance in this way, the collection operation can be started promptly after the production of the current type of board K has finished.

[0043] Furthermore, the bulk feeder 7 may have a counting unit that measures the quantity of parts to be collected. In this case, the collection control unit 51 can automatically set the number of repetitions based on the measurement results of the counting unit. When the bulk feeder has a counting unit in this way, the accuracy of setting the number of repetitions is further improved. In the three methods for setting the number of repetitions described above, it is preferable to set the number of repetitions to be larger, taking into account the possibility of a suction error in which the suction nozzle 45 is unable to pick up a part. This ensures that the collection operation of all remaining parts is completed.

[0044] The collection end determination unit 52 determines that there are no more parts to be collected and ends the collection operation. This allows the collection operation to be properly ended regardless of the set number of repetitions, and subsequent meaningless collection operations to be omitted. Furthermore, the collection end determination unit 52 may notify the operator of the end of the collection operation. The collection end determination unit 52 is configured, for example, to include a component camera 47 that captures an image of the suction nozzle 45 of the component transfer device 4 suctioning a component.

[0045] More specifically, in a collection cycle when only a few parts remain to be collected by the component transfer device 4, the component camera 47 captures an image of a state in which some of the multiple suction nozzles 45 are picking up components and the remaining nozzles are not picking up components, thereby acquiring first image data. Furthermore, in the next collection cycle, the component camera 47 captures an image of a state in which none of the suction nozzles 45 are picking up components, thereby acquiring second image data. At this time, the collection completion determination unit 52 can process the first and second image data to determine that there are no more parts to be collected. Furthermore, as a fail-safe, the collection completion determination unit 52 may determine that there are no more parts to be collected when consecutive image data of a state in which none of the suction nozzles 45 are picking up components is captured. The image processing function may be provided on the component camera 47 side.

[0046] Collection completion determination unit 52 may be configured to include a component camera provided on X-axis movable body 42 or mounting head 43 instead of component camera 47, and can make the same determination. Collection completion determination unit 52 may also be configured to include a sensor that detects the operating status of suction nozzle 45. For example, a negative pressure detection sensor or an air flow sensor can detect whether suction nozzle 45 is suctioning a component. Therefore, collection completion determination unit 52 can make the same determination as in the case of a configuration that includes component camera 47.

[0047] Furthermore, in a configuration in which a chuck is used as the part picking tool, collection completion determination unit 52 may be configured to include a chuck opening sensor and a light-shielding part detection sensor. In this configuration, the chuck opening sensor and the light-shielding part detection sensor can detect whether the chuck is clamping a part. Therefore, collection completion determination unit 52 can make the same determination as in the configuration including part camera 47.

[0048] Furthermore, collection completion determination unit 52 may be configured to include a counting unit and a component detection sensor provided in bulk feeder 7. With this configuration, collection completion determination unit 52 can more accurately determine that there are no more components to be collected, based on the internal status of bulk feeder 7, rather than on the implementation status of the collection operation on the part transfer device 4 side. For example, if a component is caught on alignment guide unit 72 of bulk feeder 7 and is not guided to supply position 73, collection completion determination unit 52 including component camera 47 will make an incorrect determination, but collection completion determination unit 52 including a counting unit and a component detection sensor will be able to make a correct determination.

[0049] 3. Component collection operation of component placement machine 1 The operation of the component mounting machine 1 during mounting work is the same as that of the conventional technology, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, the operation of the component mounting machine 1 for automatically collecting components will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The operation flow shown in Fig. 3 is carried out under the control of the control device 5 (including the collection control unit 51 and the collection completion determination unit 52), with some involvement of the operator.

[0050] In step S1 of FIG. 3, the control device 5 starts the mounting operation on the current type of board K. In the next step S2, the operator selects a bulk feeder 7 that is the target of the collection operation. That is, the operator selects a bulk feeder 7 that has loaded therein components that will be mounted on the current type of board K but will not be mounted on the next type of board K. In the next step S3, the operator creates a collection sequence to be used by the collection control unit 51 for the selected bulk feeder 7. That is, the operator creates one or more collection sequences by replacing the mounting positions in the mounting sequence corresponding to the current type with collection positions.

[0051] In the next step S4, the control device 5 ends the mounting work for the current type of substrate K when the actual production number of the current type of substrate K reaches the planned production number. Alternatively, if the planned production number of the current type of substrate K is unknown, the control device 5 ends the mounting work in accordance with an instruction from the operator. In the next step S5, the collection control unit 51 and the collection completion determination unit 52 start. In the next step S6, the collection control unit 51 sets the number of repetitions of the collection cycle (collection operation) in accordance with the input setting by the operator. Note that the number of repetitions may be set in conjunction with the creation of the collection sequence in step S3.

[0052] In the next step S7, the collection control unit 51 controls the board transport device 2 to load the collection container C prepared by the operator into the device and position it at the work position. At this time, the operator checks the width dimension of the collection container C and adjusts the distance between the pair of guide rails 21 as necessary. This completes preparations for the collection operation of components from the bulk feeder 7 that is the target of the collection operation. In the next step S8, the collection control unit 51 controls the component transfer device 4 (component collection device) to move the multiple suction nozzles 45 in sequence to the supply position 73 of the bulk feeder 7 and perform the component suction operation.

[0053] In the next step S9, the collection control unit 51 controls the component transfer device 4 to move the mounting head 43 to above the component camera 47, as shown by arrow M1 in FIG. 2. The component camera 47 captures an image from below showing the state in which the multiple suction nozzles 45 are suctioning components, and acquires image data. In the next step S10, the collection completion determination unit 52 processes the image data to determine whether or not there are any components to be collected, and branches the operation flow. That is, if one or more of the multiple suction nozzles 45 have picked up a component, the collection completion determination unit 52 advances the operation flow to step S11, and if none of the suction nozzles 45 have picked up a component, the operation flow advances to step S12.

[0054] In step S11, if there are components to be collected, the collection control unit 51 controls the component transfer device 4 to move the mounting head 43 to above the collection container C, as shown by arrow M2 in FIG. 2. Furthermore, the collection control unit 51 releases the component picked up by the suction nozzle 45 to the collection position. After this, the operation flow returns to step S8. Then, the collection operation consisting of steps S8 to S11 is repeated. By repeating the collection operation, the bulk feeder 7 will eventually run out of components.

[0055] If there are no parts to be collected, the collection operation ends in step S10. In the next step S12, the collection control unit 51 controls the substrate transport device 2 to carry the collection container C out of the machine. This completes the operation flow. After this, a setup change operation corresponding to the next type of substrate K is performed.

[0056] In the component mounting machine 1 of the embodiment, the component transfer device 4, which also functions as a component retrieval device, performs a retrieval operation of moving multiple components from the bulk feeder 7 to the retrieval container C, so that the components in the bulk feeder 7 can be automatically retrieved. Also, because the component transfer device 4 also functions as a component retrieval device, an increase in costs is suppressed. Furthermore, because the board transport device 2 positions the retrieval container C at the work position, the burden on the operator who creates the retrieval sequence is minimized, and the accuracy and reliability of the retrieval operation of the component transfer device 4 are improved.

[0057] 4. Another type of parts collection device 8 and collection container D Next, a different type of parts collection device 8 and collection container D will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the different type of parts collection device 8 is attached to the X-axis movable body 42 so as to be replaceable with the mounting head 43. Therefore, the parts collection device 8 is part of the parts transfer device 4, and the parts transfer device 4 can be considered to also function as the parts collection device 8. The parts collection device 8 has a configuration similar to that of an electric vacuum cleaner that sucks dust into a dust bag. The parts collection device 8 is composed of a device main body 81, a hose 82, an air pump 85, an air filter 86, etc. Furthermore, the parts collection device 8 stores the collection container D within the device.

[0058] The device main body 81 is formed in a generally hollow box shape. The device main body 81 removably houses the collection container D. Furthermore, the device main body 81 receives power for driving the air pump 85 from the X-axis movable body 42. The collection container D is a closed container having a hose connection port DH and a suction port DK. The collection container D may be a container of a fixed shape made of metal or resin, or may be a deformable container made of film, paper, cloth, or the like.

[0059] The hose 82 allows the components P to pass through it together with air. A base end 83 of the hose 82 is connected to a hose connection port DH of the collection container D. When the position of the X-axis movable body 42 is adjusted, a tip end 84 of the hose 82 is positioned close to and opposite the supply position 73 of the bulk feeder 7 of the component supply unit 3, or is in contact with and connected to the supply position 73. An air pump 85 is connected to a suction port DK of the collection container D. An air filter 86 is provided in the air flow path between the air pump 85 and the collection container D. The air filter 86 allows air to pass through but prevents the components P from passing through.

[0060] Next, the operation of the component collection device 8 will be described. The air pump 85 operates when power is supplied, and discharges air from the collection container D to the outside, as shown by arrow M3 in FIG. 4. This creates a negative pressure inside the collection container D and the hose 82. The hose 82 sucks the components P at the supply position 73 into the inside from the tip 84, as shown by arrow M4. The hose 82 then moves the components P into the collection container D. The components P in the collection container D are blocked by the air filter 86 and are not discharged to the outside. The collection container D is removed after the collection operation is completed. According to the component collection device 8 of this alternative form, the collection operation can be completed in a shorter time than the component transfer device 4 that also serves as a component collection device described in the embodiment.

[0061] 5. Applications and Modifications of the Embodiments In the embodiment, the collection container C is transported by the substrate transport device 2 and positioned at the same work position as the substrate K, but is not limited to this. That is, the operator may open the protective cover and manually position the collection container C on the upper surface of the base 10. The work position of the collection container C may be within the movement range of the mounting head 43, and may be, for example, a position adjacent to the component camera 47 (to the right of the component camera 47 in FIG. 2). In this way, by arranging the bulk feeder 7, the component camera 47, and the collection container C in close proximity, the movement distance of the mounting head 43 during the collection operation can be shortened, and the collection operation can be made more efficient.

[0062] Furthermore, when a bulk feeder using a parts case, as exemplified in Patent Document 1, is the target of the collection operation, the parts to be collected may be parts ejected from the parts case and positioned on the conveying path. Furthermore, when a stick feeder using a stick is the target of the collection operation, the parts to be collected may be parts pushed out from the stick onto the conveying path. Furthermore, a different type of parts collection device 8 may be provided on a base 10, and the tip 84 of the hose 82 may be configured to be movable. In addition, various other applications and modifications are possible for the embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1: Component placement machine 2: Board transport device 3: Component supply unit 31: Pallet table 4: Component transfer device 42: X-axis moving body 43: Placement head 45: Suction nozzle 47: Component camera 5: Control device 51: Collection control unit 52: Collection completion determination unit 6: Tape feeder 7: Bulk feeder 71: Input unit 72: Alignment guide unit 73: Supply position 8: Component collection device 81: Device body 82: Hose 85: Air pump 86: Air filter C: Collection container C1, C4: Collection position D: Collection container K: Board P: Component

Claims

1. a component supply device that supplies components at a predetermined supply position; a collection container for collecting the parts; a substrate transport device capable of transporting both the substrate and the collection container and positioning them at a predetermined work position; a component transfer device that also serves as a component recovery device that performs a mounting operation of picking up the components from the supply positions of the component supply device and mounting the components at predetermined mounting positions on the positioned board, and also performs a recovery operation of moving the multiple components from the component supply device to the positioned recovery container; A component placement machine comprising:

2. 2. The component mounting machine according to claim 1, wherein the component retrieving device performs the retrieval operation for a component that is difficult to retrieve manually and that no longer needs to be supplied from the component supplying device when the type of the board is changed.

3. the component transfer device performs the mounting operation based on a mounting sequence that associates the component type, the supply position, and the mounting position; the component mounting machine includes a collection control unit that controls the collection operation of the component collection device based on a collection sequence that is the same format as the mounting sequence and that associates the type of the component, the supply position, and the collection position of the component in the collection container positioned at the work position.

3. The component mounting machine according to claim 1.

4. 4. The component mounting machine according to claim 3, wherein the recovery control unit repeats control based on one of the recovery sequences or a plurality of the recovery sequences with different recovery positions, causing the component recovery device to repeatedly perform the recovery operation.

5. 5. The component mounting machine according to claim 4, wherein the variable number of repetitions of the collection operation is set in conjunction with creation of the collection sequence, or is set after the collection control unit is started.

6. the component supply device has a counting unit that counts the number of the components to be collected, The collection control unit sets a changeable number of repetitions of the collection operation based on the measurement result of the counting unit.

5. The component mounting machine according to claim 4.

7. a collection end determination unit that determines that there are no more parts to be collected and ends the collection operation or notifies an operator of this; 3. The component mounting machine according to claim 1.

8. 8. The component mounting machine according to claim 7, wherein the collection completion determination unit includes one of a camera that captures an image of the component picking tool of the component transfer device picking up the components, a sensor that detects the operating status of the component picking tool, and a counting unit that is provided in the component supply device and that counts the number of the components to be collected.

9. the component supply device is a bulk feeder having an input section into which a plurality of the components are input, and an alignment guide section connected to the input section and guiding the components to the supply position while aligning them, the component recovery device performs the recovery operation for all the remaining components that no longer need to be fed from the bulk feeder due to the change in the type of the board.

3. The component mounting machine according to claim 2.

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