Hot press system and control method

Abstract

In a hot press system that includes multiple hot press devices, the entire hot press system can be monitored centrally. [Solution] The hot press system comprises a first hot press device (Hp1) and a second hot press device (Hp2) for manufacturing multilayer printed circuit boards, a management device (100) for managing the first and second hot press devices, and a display device (200). The management device acquires first data related to the first hot press device (S101), acquires second data related to the second hot press device (S101), and displays data related to the first and second hot press devices on the display device based on the first and second data (S102).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a hot press system and a control method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a hot press system including a plurality of hot press apparatuses has been known. Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-262245) discloses a press molding system including a hot press apparatus including a plurality of hot plates whose temperatures change due to the inflow of a heat medium, and a pressing device that applies pressure to a workpiece disposed between the plurality of hot plates. The press molding system described in Patent Document 1 includes two hot press apparatuses and one loader / unloader device that transfers a workpiece between the two hot press apparatuses.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the press forming system described in Patent Document 1, a single loader / unloader device is used to load and unload workpieces to and from multiple hot presses. That is, a single loader / unloader device is shared among multiple hot presses, while each hot press independently performs the pressurizing process on the workpiece. When a user wanted to monitor the status of the entire hot press system, they had to operate the individually provided control devices for each of the multiple hot presses to check the status of each hot press. Accessing all of the control devices provided for each of the multiple hot presses was a burden on the user. Therefore, in a hot press system with multiple hot presses, it is desirable to be able to monitor the entire hot press system at once.

[0005] This disclosure was made to solve these problems, and its purpose is to provide a system that can monitor the entire hot press system, including multiple hot press devices, in a unified manner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In a hot press system according to one embodiment, the control device acquires first data related to the first hot press device and second data related to the second hot press device. Based on the first and second data, the control device displays the data related to the first and second hot press devices on a display device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the hot press system described herein, in a hot press system that includes multiple hot press devices, the entire hot press system can be monitored collectively. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows the hot press system in this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic block diagram of a hot press machine. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart illustrating the display process of the centralized management screen executed by the management device. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a display screen shown on a display device. [Figure 5] This is an example of a management screen for individually managing the status of hot press equipment. [Figure 6] This flowchart illustrates the loading and unloading processes performed by the loader / unloader in automatic loading / unloading mode. [Figure 7] This flowchart explains the process of controlling a hot press machine while considering the selection of the operating location. [Figure 8] This figure shows a modified example of a display screen shown on a display device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0010] [Embodiment] <Overview of the Hot Press System> The following describes a hot press system 1 including multiple hot press devices in this embodiment. Figure 1 is a diagram of the hot press system 1 in this embodiment. The hot press system 1 in this embodiment comprises hot press devices Hp1 to Hp6, operating devices Pn1 to Pn6, control panels S1 to S6, loader / unloader LUL1, stocker St1, and management device 100. Each component included in the hot press system 1 is connected to each other via a wired or wireless network.

[0011] In the following, the hot press devices Hp1 to Hp6 may be collectively referred to as "hot press device Hp." Similarly, the operating devices Pn1 to Pn6 may be collectively referred to as "operating device Pn." Furthermore, the control panels S1 to S6 may be collectively referred to as "control panel S."

[0012] The hot press system 1 of this embodiment includes six hot press devices Hp1 to Hp6. Each of the hot press devices Hp1 to Hp6 is, for example, a hot press device of the same model. Note that the number of hot press devices Hp included in the hot press system 1 is not limited to six; it may include two or more hot press devices.

[0013] Figure 1 shows an example of the arrangement of the hot press devices Hp1-Hp6, the travel path R1 of the loader / unloader LUL1, and the stocker St1, as viewed from above in a factory where the hot press system 1 is installed. The Z-axis direction shown in Figure 1 is the vertical direction.

[0014] The hot press devices Hp1 to Hp6 are arranged in a line along the X-axis. A loader / unloader LUL1 and its travel path R1 are located on the positive Y-axis side of the hot press devices Hp1 to Hp6. The travel path R1 extends along the X-axis, similar to the extension direction of the arrangement of the hot press devices Hp1 to Hp6. That is, the loader / unloader LUL1 is movable along the X-axis. A stocker St1 is located on the positive Y-axis side of the travel path R1. The stocker St1 is connected to a conveyor (not shown) and facilitates the transfer of unprocessed and processed workpieces between the conveyor and the hot press system 1.

[0015] The stocker St1 includes an outstocker Ej1 and an instocker Ij1. The instocker Ij1 receives the unprocessed workpiece from the upstream conveyor by the hot press machine Hp and then passes it to the loader / unloader LUL1. The loader / unloader LUL1 transports the unprocessed workpiece to one of the multiple hot press machines Hp.

[0016] Furthermore, the loader / unloader LUL1 receives the processed workpieces from any of the plurality of hot press devices Hp and conveys the processed workpieces to the out-stocker Ej1. After receiving the workpieces processed by the hot press device Hp, the out-stocker Ej1 transfers them to the downstream conveyor. Thus, the hot press system 1 typically undertakes part of the line process in the factory.

[0017] The loader / unloader LUL1 is configured to move in the X-axis direction on the travel path R1 and enable the transfer of workpieces with each of the hot press devices Hp1 to Hp6. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the loader / unloader LUL1 is arranged at a position where it can transfer workpieces with the hot press device Hp2. That is, the loader / unloader LUL1 is arranged at the position closest to the hot press device Hp2 among the hot press devices Hp1 to Hp6. Note that the loader / unloader LUL1 may be provided with a separate loader for loading processes and an unloader for unloading processes. In this case, the loader and the unloader can travel independently on the travel path R1.

[0018] Control panels S1 to S6 are respectively connected to each of the hot press devices Hp1 to Hp6. The control panels S1 to S6 control the hot press devices Hp1 to Hp6 respectively. The control panels S1 to S6 can be collectively arranged, for example, in an electrical equipment room W1 away from the positions where the hot press devices Hp1 to Hp6 are arranged. In addition to the control panels S1 to S6, control panels SL1 and SL2 are arranged in the electrical equipment room W1. The control panels SL1 and SL2 are control panels for controlling the stocker St1 and the loader / unloader LUL1 respectively.

[0019] Each of the control panels S1 to S6, SL1, and SL2 includes an input device and a display device (not shown) and receives commands from the user via the input device. Thereby, for example, the control panel S1 can operate movable devices included in the hot press device Hp1 such as the movable plate 17 and the heat medium supply device Ht1 described later. Similarly, the control panel SL2 can move the position of the loader / unloader LUL1 based on a user command.

[0020] Operating devices Pn1 to Pn6 are provided in the vicinity of the hot press devices Hp1 to Hp6, respectively. The operating devices Pn1 to Pn6 are connected to the control panels S1 to S6 via the hot press devices Hp1 to Hp6, respectively. The operating device Pn receives a command from the user to operate the hot press device Hp to which it is connected and transmits the received command to the control panel S. Thereby, the user can operate the hot press device Hp from the operating device Pn.

[0021] Each of the operating devices Pn1 to Pn6 has switches Pc1 to Pc6, respectively. Each of the control panels S1 to S6 has switches Sc1 to Sc6, respectively. The switches Pc1 to Pc6 and the switches Sc1 to Sc6 are switches for selecting the control panels S1 to S6 as the operating locations of the hot press devices Hp1 to Hp6, respectively.

[0022] The switch Sc1 can be switched between an ON state and an OFF state. The ON state indicates that the control panel S1 is selected as the operating location of the hot press device Hp1, and the OFF state indicates that the control panel S1 is not selected as the operating location of the hot press device Hp1. For example, based on the user switching the switch Sc1 from the OFF state to the ON state, the control panel S1 stores information indicating that the operating location of the hot press device Hp1 in the hot press system 1 has become the control panel S1 in the storage device.

[0023] When switch Sc1 is ON, control panel S1 does not control the hot press device Hp1 based on the command from operating device Pn1, even if it receives a command to operate the hot press device Hp1 from operating device Pn1. Because control panel S1 is selected as the operating location for the hot press device Hp1, control panel S1 does not control the hot press device Hp1 based on commands input to devices other than control panel S1.

[0024] In the operating device Pn1, based on the user switching the switch Pc1 of the operating device Pn1 from the OFF state to the ON state, the operating device Pn1 transmits information to the control panel S1 indicating that the operating device Pn1 has been selected as the operating location for the hot press device Hp1. In this case, even if the control panel S1 receives a command to operate the hot press device Hp1 from the input device of the control panel S1, for example, it will not control the hot press device Hp1 based on that command. Because the operating device Pn1 has been selected as the operating location for the hot press device Hp1, the control panel S1 will not control the hot press device Hp1 based on commands input to devices other than the operating device Pn1.

[0025] Thus, in this embodiment, the control panel S that controls the hot press device Hp determines which device is selected as the operating location for the hot press device Hp, and determines whether or not it is possible to control the hot press device Hp based on the received command. The hot press system 1 may be configured such that if no device is selected as the operating location for the hot press device Hp, none of the devices can operate the hot press device Hp.

[0026] Furthermore, when switch Sc1 or switch Pc1 is switched from the OFF state to the ON state, if another device has already been selected as the operating location for the hot press device Hp1, the control panel S1 or operating device Pn1 cannot be selected as the operating location for the hot press device Hp1 twice. In this case, the control panel S or operating device Pn will not be selected as the operating location until the selection of the device already selected as the operating location is canceled. Display devices (not shown) included in operating device Pn1 and control panel S1 each indicate whether or not a device is currently selected as the operating location in the hot press system 1. This allows the user to determine which device is currently selected as the operating location for the hot press device Hp that they wish to operate.

[0027] As shown in Figure 1, each of the operating devices Pn1 to Pn6 is positioned near the hot press devices Hp1 to Hp6, while the control panels S1 to S6 are positioned at a distance from the hot press devices Hp1 to Hp6. In the hot press system 1, by selecting the operating devices Pn and control panels S as the operating locations for the hot press device Hp, it is possible to prevent the hot press device Hp from being operated by multiple devices simultaneously.

[0028] The hot press system 1 of this embodiment includes, in addition to the operating device Pn and the control panel S, a management device 100, a display device 200, and an input device 300. The management device 100, the display device 200, and the input device 300 may be located in a room different from the space where the hot press machines Hp1 to Hp6 are located and the electrical equipment room W1, for example, in a control room that oversees the entire factory. The management device 100, like the operating device Pn, can receive commands from the user via the input device 300 and transmit those commands to the control panel S. That is, a user in the control room can remotely control the hot press machines Hp1 to Hp6 using the management device 100. The management device 100, like the control panel S and the operating device Pn, may also be configured to be selected as the operating location for each of the hot press machines Hp1 to Hp6.

[0029] The management device 100 comprises a communication interface 101, a control unit 102, and a storage device 105 for storing program 10P. The components included in the management device 100 are connected to each other by a bus. The control unit 102 comprises a CPU 103 and memory 104. Program 10P is a program for managing the hot press machines Hp1 to Hp6.

[0030] The CPU 103 loads the program into memory 104 and executes it. Memory 104 includes ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory) and temporarily or permanently stores information such as the program executed by the CPU 103. The storage device 105 may include, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Flash Solid State Drive).

[0031] In certain situations, the control unit 102 may be configured using dedicated hardware circuits. That is, the control unit 102 may be implemented using an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or the like. Alternatively, the control unit 102 may be implemented by appropriately combining a processor, memory, ASIC, FPGA, etc.

[0032] The control unit 102 connects to control panels S1 to S6, a display device 200, and an input device 300 via a communication interface 101. The control unit 102 can acquire various data contained in the hot press devices Hp1 to Hp6 via control panels S1 to S6. In this embodiment, the control unit 102 displays the various data acquired from the hot press devices Hp1 to Hp6 on the display device 200. The various data includes, for example, data containing detection values ​​from various sensors included in the hot press device Hp. As a result, in the hot press system 1 of this embodiment, by collecting various data from each of the multiple hot press devices Hp1 to Hp6 and displaying it on the display device 200, information from multiple hot press devices Hp included in the hot press system 1 can be provided to the user all at once. In the hot press system 1, the user does not need to operate the operating device Pn of each hot press device Hp to check various data for each hot press device Hp, and the entire hot press system, including multiple hot press devices, can be monitored all at once.

[0033] Furthermore, as described above, the control unit 102 can control each of the hot press devices Hp1 to Hp6 according to commands input from the user via the input device 300. In this embodiment, the hot press system 1 can display information about each of the hot press devices Hp1 to Hp6 and perform overall control via the management device 100.

[0034] In this embodiment, "Hot press device Hp1" may correspond to "First hot press device" in this disclosure. In this embodiment, "Hot press device Hp2" may correspond to "Second hot press device" in this disclosure. In this embodiment, "Loader / unloader LUL1" may correspond to "Transportation device" in this disclosure.

[0035] <Schematic block diagram of the hot press machine> Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of the hot press apparatus Hp. Below, the structure of the hot press apparatus Hp of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 2. The hot press apparatus Hp of this embodiment is, for example, a hot press apparatus for manufacturing multilayer printed circuit boards. The hot press apparatus Hp performs a pressurizing process on the workpiece. The pressurizing process is a process in which a force is applied by the hydraulic mechanism 40, which will be described later, to press the movable platen 17 from the negative direction of the Z axis, thereby applying pressure to the workpiece placed between the movable platen 17 and the fixed platen 16.

[0036] The hot press apparatus Hp comprises a press apparatus Pr1, a heat transfer medium supply apparatus Ht1, a hydraulic mechanism 40, and a control device 20. The press apparatus Pr1 includes a fixed platen 16, a movable platen 17, and a plurality of hot plates 11. The hot plates 11 are positioned between the fixed platen 16 and the movable platen 17. The hot plates 11 are plates of uniform thickness with flat upper and lower surfaces, and have heat transfer medium passages formed inside for circulating a heat transfer medium such as oil. Of the plurality of hot plates 11, all hot plates 11 except the one positioned at the top are configured to support a workpiece. The minimum number of hot plates 11 is two, and for example, the hot plates 11 are arranged in the Z-axis direction (vertical direction) in a range of 2 to 20. In this embodiment, the hot press apparatus Hp has 13 hot plates 11. That is, the hot press apparatus Hp has 12 stages for storing workpieces.

[0037] The hydraulic mechanism 40 raises and lowers the position of the movable platen 17 in the Z-axis direction. When pressurization begins, the hydraulic mechanism 40 raises the position of the movable platen 17. As the movable platen 17 rises, each heating plate 11 also rises towards the fixed platen 16. As the movable platen 17 rises, the heating plates 11 are pressed together, and the workpieces placed between the heating plates 11 are pressed. When pressurization is completed, the hydraulic mechanism 40 lowers the position of the movable platen 17.

[0038] The press apparatus Pr1 of this embodiment is housed in a chamber 19 and can perform press forming in a vacuum (reduced pressure) state inside the chamber 19. An inert gas such as nitrogen gas may be supplied into the chamber 19 for purposes such as preventing oxidation of the workpiece. In some aspects, the press apparatus Pr1 may not be equipped with a chamber 19.

[0039] The press apparatus Pr1 further includes a manifold 21 that distributes and supplies heat transfer fluid to each hot plate 11, a manifold 22 that collects the heat transfer fluid discharged from each hot plate 11, and a sensor Sr1. The heat transfer fluid flow path FP1 is a circulation flow path for the heat transfer fluid. In the heat transfer fluid flow path FP1, the heat transfer fluid circulates in the order of heat transfer fluid supply device Ht1, manifold 21, hot plate 11, and manifold 22. An on / off valve or a flow control valve may be provided on the heat transfer fluid flow path FP1. Sensor Sr1 is at least one sensor for acquiring various data within the hot press apparatus Hp. Sensor Sr1 includes at least one of the following: a sensor that detects whether or not a workpiece is placed on each hot plate 11, a sensor that detects the position of the movable platen 17, and a sensor that detects the circulation state of the heat transfer fluid by the heat transfer fluid supply device Ht1.

[0040] The heat transfer medium supply device Ht1 includes a pump 53 for supplying the heat transfer medium, a heating device 51 for heating the heat transfer medium, a cooling device 52 for cooling the heat transfer medium, and a switching valve 54 for controlling the temperature of the heat transfer medium. The switching valve 54 switches whether the heat transfer medium passing through the heat transfer medium supply device Ht1 passes through a passage affected by either the heating device 51 or the cooling device 52. By controlling the switching valve 54, the temperature of the heat transfer medium is affected by either the heating device 51 or the cooling device 52 and is controlled, for example, within a range of 230°C to 260°C.

[0041] The control device 20 controls the hydraulic mechanism 40 to apply pressure to the workpiece and controls the heat transfer medium supply device Ht1 to control the temperature of the heat transfer medium. This enables press forming in the hot press device Hp.

[0042] The control device 20 comprises a communication interface 201 and a control unit 202. The control unit 202 comprises a CPU 203 and a memory 204. The control unit 202 is connected via the communication interface 201 to an external configuration including a hydraulic mechanism 40, a sensor Sr1, a heat transfer medium supply device Ht1, an operating device Pn, and a control panel S. The control unit 202 acquires various data related to the hot press device Hp based on the detection value of the sensor Sr1.

[0043] The various data represent the status of the hot press machine Hp. These data include, for example, information such as whether workpieces are placed on the hot plates 11 (excluding the uppermost plate), whether the movable platen 17 is raised or lowered, and whether the heat transfer medium is being heated or cooled by the heat transfer medium supply device Ht1. The control unit 202 can transmit the various data contained in the hot press machine Hp via the control panel S.

[0044] [Centralized management of multiple hot press machines (HP)] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the display process of the centralized management screen performed by the management device 100. The flowchart shown in Figure 3 is stored in the storage device 105 as program 10P. The CPU 103 of the management device 100 executes the flowchart shown in Figure 3 to display the management screen Sc1, which aggregates and shows the status of each of the hot press machines Hp1 to Hp6.

[0045] The control device 100 acquires various data from each of the hot press machines Hp1 to Hp6 (S101). Based on the command received from the user via the input device 300 to display the status of each hot press machine Hp1 to Hp6, the control device 100 displays the control screen Sc1 shown in Figure 4 on the display device 200 (S102).

[0046] Figure 4 shows an example of the management screen Sc1 displayed on the display device 200. The management screen Sc1 displays the status of the entire hot press system 1. The management screen Sc1 includes buttons Bt1 to Bt9, each associated with a component included in the hot press system 1, and a button Bt10 for switching to the automatic loading / unloading mode. Below, we will first explain the status display of the components associated with buttons Bt1 to Bt9, and then describe the automatic loading / unloading mode later.

[0047] As shown in Figure 4, buttons Bt1 to Bt3 are associated with hot press devices Hp1 to Hp3, respectively. Buttons Bt4 and Bt5 are associated with out-stocker Ej1 and in-stocker Ij1, respectively. Buttons Bt6 to Bt8 are associated with hot press devices Hp4 to Hp6, respectively. Button Bt9 is associated with loader / unloader LUL1.

[0048] Each of the buttons Bt1-Bt3 and Bt6-Bt8 has three illuminated sections A-C associated with its top, which can be illuminated in multiple colors. Illuminated sections A-C indicate the status of the associated hot press device Hp. For example, illuminated sections A1, B1, and C1 indicate the status of hot press device Hp1, and illuminated sections A2, B2, and C2 indicate the status of hot press device Hp2. The control device 100 determines the color of illuminated sections A-C based on the detected value of sensor Sr1 in each hot press device Hp1.

[0049] Illuminator A indicates the operating status of the hot press machine Hp by changing its color. For example, if Illuminator A is lit white, it indicates that the hot press machine Hp is stopped. If Illuminator A is lit green, it indicates that the hot press machine Hp is in standby mode. If Illuminator A is lit yellow, it indicates that the hot press machine Hp is performing pressurization.

[0050] The indicator light B shows whether or not a workpiece is placed on the hot plate 11 of the hot press machine Hp by changing its color. For example, if indicator light B is lit in blue, it indicates that a workpiece is placed on the hot plate 11. If indicator light B is lit in green, it indicates that no workpiece is placed on the hot plate 11.

[0051] The indicator light C shows the status of the heat transfer medium supply device Ht1 of the hot press machine Hp by changing its color. For example, if indicator light C is lit red, it indicates that the heat transfer medium supply device Ht1 is heating the heat transfer medium. If indicator light C is lit blue, it indicates that the heat transfer medium supply device Ht1 is cooling the heat transfer medium.

[0052] Similarly, buttons Bt4, Bt5, and Bt9 are associated with two illuminated sections D and E, which can be illuminated in multiple colors. Illuminated sections D and E indicate the status of the out-stocker Ej1, in-stocker Ij1, and loader / unloader LUL1, as indicated on the associated button Bt. Specifically, illuminated sections De and Ee indicate the status of the out-stocker Ej1, illuminated sections Di and Ei indicate the status of the in-stocker Ij1, and illuminated sections Du and Eu indicate the status of the loader / unloader LUL1.

[0053] The indicator light D shows the operating status of the associated device through changes in color. For example, if indicator light D is lit white, it indicates that the associated device is stopped. If indicator light D is lit green, it indicates that the associated device is in standby mode.

[0054] The illuminated section E indicates whether or not a workpiece is located within the associated device by changing its color. For example, if illuminated section E is blue, it indicates that a workpiece is located within the associated device. If illuminated section E is green, it indicates that a workpiece is not located within the associated device.

[0055] Furthermore, indicator lights Ps1 to Ps15 are located below buttons Bt1 to Bt9. The indicator lights Ps1 to Ps15 are configured so that only one of them lights up at a time, and the lit indicator light indicates the current position of the loader / unloader LUL1. In the example in Figure 4, indicator light Ps3 is lit. Since indicator light Ps3 is located below button Bt2, which is associated with the hot press device Hp2, the example in Figure 4 indicates that the loader / unloader LUL1 is located near the hot press device Hp2. Indicator light Ps2 indicates that the loader / unloader LUL1 is moving between the hot press devices Hp1 and Hp2. This allows the user to determine the position of the loader / unloader LUL1 from a remote location such as a control room.

[0056] As described above, in the hot press system 1 of this embodiment, data related to each hot press device Hp1 to Hp6 is collected by the management device 100 and aggregated and displayed on a single management screen Sc1. This allows the hot press system 1 of this embodiment to monitor the entire hot press system, including multiple hot press devices, at once. Furthermore, the hot press system 1 of this embodiment can display not only the status of each hot press device Hp, but also the status of the stocker St1 and the loader / unloader LUL1 on a single screen, allowing the user to easily grasp the status of the entire hot press system 1. Moreover, in Figure 4, each component included in the hot press system 1 is displayed in a manner that reflects the actual layout. Specifically, within the display screen Sc1, multiple hot press devices Hp are arranged in a single line, and the illuminated units Ps1 to Ps15 indicating the travel path R1 are also arranged in a single line in the same direction as the multiple hot press devices Hp. This allows the user to grasp the status of each component in a layout similar to that of the factory, making it easier to grasp the status of the entire hot press system 1.

[0057] When the user selects one of the buttons Bt1 to Bt9, the control device 100 switches the screen displayed on the display device 200. In this embodiment, based on the selection of button Bt1, the control device 100 displays the control screen Sc2, which shows the status of the hot press device Hp1 in more detail.

[0058] Figure 5 shows an example of a management screen Sc2 for individually managing the status of the hot press machine Hp. The management screen Sc2 shown in Figure 5 displays the status of the hot press machine Hp1. Similar to the management screen Sc1, it includes illuminated sections A1, B1, and C1, and a button Bt10. The management screen Sc2 also has a table Wk12 that shows whether or not a workpiece is placed on each of the multiple hot plates 11. By checking the table Wk12, the user can easily determine which of the multiple hot plates 11 of the hot press machine Hp1 the workpiece is placed on.

[0059] Furthermore, the management screen Sc2 may include buttons for operating the hot press device Hp1. For example, the management screen Sc2 may include buttons labeled "Up" and "Down." By selecting these buttons, the user can remotely control the position of the movable platen 17.

[0060] [About the automatic loading / unloading mode] The control screens Sc1 and Sc2 displayed a button Bt10 for switching to automatic loading / unloading mode. Based on the user's selection of button Bt10, the control device 100 switches the hot press system 1 to automatic loading / unloading mode.

[0061] The automatic loading / unloading mode is one of the modes that the hot press system 1 can switch to, and each component included in the hot press system 1, such as the hot press device Hp, loader / unloader LUL1, and stocker St1, automatically performs processing. The hot press device Hp, loader / unloader LUL1, and stocker St1 constantly store various data indicating their own status in a storage device not shown. This storage device not shown is, for example, located on the same network. The hot press device Hp, loader / unloader LUL1, and stocker St1 acquire the status of other devices, determine the interlock conditions, and execute processing. For example, the loader / unloader LUL1 transports the workpiece received from the stocker Ij1 while adhering to the interlock condition that it does not perform loading / unloading processing on the hot press device Hp while it is performing pressurizing processing. In this way, the hot press system 1 of this embodiment automatically controls the hot press device Hp, etc., so as not to stop the factory line, without the user having to manually operate the operating device Pn or control panel S.

[0062] The loading and unloading process performed by the loader / unloader LUL1 in automatic loading / unloading mode will be explained below using Figure 6. Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the loading and unloading process performed by the loader / unloader in automatic loading / unloading mode. The flowchart shown in Figure 6 is stored as a program in a memory device accessible by the control panel SL2, which controls the loader / unloader LUL1. Based on receiving a command from the user to transition to automatic loading / unloading mode, the control panel SL2 executes the flowchart shown in Figure 6.

[0063] The control panel SL2 acquires various data from each of the hot presses Hp1 to Hp6 (S201). The control panel SL2 extracts the hot presses Hp that are capable of receiving workpieces from among the hot presses Hp1 to Hp6 and adds them to the queue for workpiece loading. A hot presse Hp capable of receiving workpieces means a hot presse Hp that is in a standby state, with no workpieces placed on the hot plate 11 and not performing pressurization or lifting / lowering of the movable platen 17. If there are multiple hot presses Hp that are capable of receiving workpieces, the control panel SL2 determines the order in which to load the workpieces (step S202). Determining the loading order means updating the order of the hot presses Hp that have been added to the queue for workpiece loading.

[0064] The loading order can be determined, for example, based on the position of the loader / unloader LUL1. If the loader / unloader LUL1 has unprocessed workpieces, the control panel SL2 will prioritize loading the hot press device Hp, which is located closer to the loader / unloader LUL1's current position. This reduces the processing time required for loading the loader / unloader LUL1.

[0065] Furthermore, if the loader / unloader LUL1 does not have any unprocessed workpieces, the control panel SL2 may determine the loading order based on the position of the in-stocker Ij1. That is, the control panel SL2 may prioritize loading the hot press device Hp, which is located closer to the in-stocker Ij1. This allows the pressurization process on the unprocessed workpieces to begin sooner after the loader / unloader LUL1 starts the loading process.

[0066] Furthermore, the loading order may be determined based on the length of the waiting period for each hot press device Hp that is ready to load workpieces. In this case, the control panel SL2 prioritizes loading hot press devices Hp with longer waiting periods. This allows the hot press system 1 to equalize the operating rate of the hot press devices Hp included in the hot press system 1, and prevents excessive load on only some of the hot press devices Hp.

[0067] The control panel SL2, similar to the loading process, extracts the hot press devices Hp1 to Hp6 that are in a state where they can unload workpieces. A hot press device Hp that can unload workpieces means a hot press device Hp that has finished pressurizing and lowering the movable platen 17 and is in a standby state. If there are multiple hot press devices Hp that are in a state where they can unload workpieces, the control panel SL2 determines the order in which to unload the workpieces, similar to the loading order (step S203).

[0068] The unloading order, like the loading order, may be determined based on at least one of the positions of the loader / unloader LUL1 and the outstocker Ej1, depending on whether there is space in the loader / unloader LUL1 to store workpieces. Alternatively, the unloading order, like the loading order, may be determined based on the length of the waiting period of the hot press machine Hp.

[0069] The control panel SL2 determines whether or not there is a hot press machine Hp that can load a workpiece (step S204). That is, the control panel SL2 determines whether or not there is a hot press machine Hp that has been added to the loading queue. If there is a hot press machine Hp that has been added to the loading queue (YES in step S204), the control panel SL2 removes the hot press machine Hp from the loading queue and performs the loading process on the removed hot press machine Hp (step S205).

[0070] After the loading process is completed, the control panel SL2 determines whether the automatic loading / unloading mode has ended (step S208). If the automatic loading / unloading mode has ended (YES in step S208), the control panel SL2 terminates the flowchart in Figure 6. If the automatic loading / unloading mode has not ended (NO in step S208), the control panel SL2 returns to step S201, acquires various data again, and updates the order of the hot press machine Hp in the loading / unloading queue.

[0071] If there are no hot presses Hp added to the loading queue (NO in step S204), the control panel SL2 determines whether there are any hot presses Hp that can discharge workpieces (step S206). That is, the control panel SL2 determines whether there are any hot presses Hp added to the discharge queue. If there are hot presses Hp added to the discharge queue (YES in step S206), the control panel SL2 takes the hot presses Hp from the discharge queue, performs the discharge process on the taken hot presses Hp (step S207), and then performs the process in step S208. If there are no hot presses Hp added to the discharge queue (NO in step S206), the control panel SL2 performs the process in step S208.

[0072] As described above, the control panel SL2 in this embodiment repeats the processing of steps S201 to S208 during the automatic loading / unloading mode. Each time the processing of steps S201 to S208 is repeated, the control panel SL2 updates the loading / unloading order based on the updated various data. As a result, the hot press system 1 can automatically execute loading and unloading processes based on the latest data. Note that the execution order of steps S201 to S208 is not limited to the order shown in Figure 6; for example, the execution order of the processing in step S202 and the processing in step S203 may be swapped. Alternatively, the execution order of the processing in steps S204 and S205 and the processing in steps S206 and S207 may be swapped.

[0073] [Regarding mutual exclusion] As described above, the operating device Pn, the control panel S, and the management device 100 are selected as the operating locations for the hot press machine Hp. Below, we will describe the process by which the control panel S controls the hot press machine Hp, taking into account which device has been selected as the operating location for the hot press machine Hp.

[0074] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating the process of controlling the hot press machine Hp, taking into account the selection of the operating location. While Figure 7 uses control panel S1 for the explanation, the same process is performed in control panels S2 to S6. Control panel S1 repeatedly executes the flowchart shown in Figure 7 at predetermined intervals.

[0075] The control panel S1 determines whether the operating device Pn1 has been selected as the operating location for the hot press device Hp1 (step S301). In this embodiment, the control panel S1 determines that the operating device Pn1 has been selected as the operating location for the hot press device Hp1 when the switch Pc1 is in the ON state. If the operating device Pn1 has been selected as the operating location for the hot press device Hp1 (YES in step S301), the control panel S1 controls the hot press device Hp1 based on the command input to the operating device Pn1 by the user (step S302). In other words, in step S302, even if a command is input to the control panel S1 and the management device 100, the control panel S1 does not control the hot press device Hp1 based on the command input to the control panel S1 and the management device 100. This prevents the hot press system 1 from being operated unintentionally from a remote location.

[0076] If the control panel S1 is not selected as the operating location for the hot press device Hp1 (NO in step S301), it determines whether the control panel S1 is selected as the operating location for the hot press device Hp1 (step S303). In this embodiment, the control panel S1 determines that it is selected as the operating location for the hot press device Hp1 when the switch Sc1 is ON. If the control panel S1 is selected as the operating location for the hot press device Hp1 (YES in step S303), it controls the hot press device Hp1 based on the commands input to the control panel S1 by the user (step S304). In step S304, even if commands are input to the operating device Pn1 and the management device 100, the control panel S1 does not control the hot press device Hp1 based on the commands input to the operating device Pn1 and the management device 100. If the control panel S1 is not selected as the operating location for the hot press device Hp1 (NO in step S303), the control panel S1 controls the hot press device Hp1 based on the command input to the management device 100 (step S305). Thus, in the hot press system 1 of this embodiment, commands are received in the order of priority of the operating device Pn, the control panel S, and the management device 100.

[0077] [Differentiation] Figure 8 shows a modified example of the management screen displayed on the display device 200. As mentioned above, the number of hot press machines Hp included in the hot press system 1 is not limited to 6; it can be 2 or more. Figure 8 shows an example of the management screen Sc1A when there are 11 hot press machines Hp. In this way, the layout of the displayed screen can be set in the hot press system 1 based on the number of hot press machines Hp owned by the user.

[0078] In the management screen Sc2, the layout of the stage display can be set according to the number of hot plates 11 that the hot press machine Hp has. In the modified hot press system 1, the entire hot press system can be monitored at once, even in a hot press system that includes multiple hot press machines. Furthermore, as in the modified hot press system 1, when the number of hot press machines Hp exceeds 10, the total distance over which the hot press machines Hp are located may reach several tens of meters. In such cases, the workload of collecting data from the operating device Pn provided on each hot press machine Hp is significant. The modified hot press system 1 can reduce this workload for the user.

[0079] Other variations are described below. In the example above, we described a case where each of the hot presses Hp1 to Hp6 is of the same type. In some situations, each of the hot presses Hp1 to Hp6 may be of different types; for example, some may be older models of hot presses.

[0080] In the example described above, the control device 100, display device 200, and input device 300 are located in a control room separate from the space where the factory line processes are laid out. However, the control device 100, display device 200, and input device 300 may be located in the same space as the hot press machine Hp, or they may be located in the electrical equipment room W1 together with the control panel S. Alternatively, the components included in the electrical equipment room W1 may be located in the control room.

[0081] In the example described above, for illustrative purposes, the operating device Pn is shown as being connected to the control panel S via the hot press device Hp. However, the operating device Pn may be connected directly to the control panel S without going through the hot press device Hp.

[0082] In the example described above, the control panel S determines which device has been selected as the operating location for the hot press device Hp and then determines whether or not it can control the hot press device Hp based on the received command. However, the process of determining which device in the hot press system 1 has been selected as the operating location may be performed by the hot press device Hp itself, rather than by the control panel S. That is, the hot press device Hp may receive information indicating which device has been selected as its operating location and, based on that information, determine whether or not the received command was input to the device selected as the operating location. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0083] 1 Hot press system, Hp, Hp1~Hp11 Hot press equipment, 10P Program, 11 Hot plate, 16 Fixed plate, 17 Movable plate, 19 Chamber, 20 Control device 21,22 Manifold, 40 Hydraulic mechanism, 51 Heating device, 52 Cooling device, 53 Pump, 54 Switching valve, 100 Management device, 101,201 Communication interface, 102,202 Control unit, 104,204 Memory, 105 Storage device, 200 Display device, 300 Input device, A,B,C,D,E,Ps1~Ps15 Lighting unit, Bt,Bt1~Bt10 Button, Ej1 Out-stocker, FP1 Heat transfer fluid flow path, Ht1 Heat transfer fluid supply device, Ij1 In-stocker, LUL1 Unloader, Pc,Pc1~Pc6,Sc,Sc1~Sc6 Switch, Pn,Pn1~Pn6 Operating device, Pr1 Press device, R1 Travel path, S,S1~S6,SL1,SL2 Control panel, Sc1A,Sc1,Sc2 Management screen, Sr1 sensor, St1 stocker, W1 electrical equipment room, Wk12 table.

Claims

1. Hot press systems including the following: First hot press apparatus for manufacturing multilayer printed circuit boards; Second hot press machine for manufacturing multilayer printed circuit boards; A control device for managing the first hot press apparatus and the second hot press apparatus; and display device, Here, the management device is First data related to the first hot press apparatus is acquired, Second data related to the second hot press apparatus is obtained, Based on the first data and the second data, data related to the first hot press apparatus and the second hot press apparatus are displayed on the display device.

2. The hot press system according to claim 1 further includes the following: An operating device that receives commands from a user to operate the first hot press device; and A first control panel that receives commands from the user regarding the first hot press apparatus and controls the first hot press apparatus, The first control panel is, When the operating device is selected as the operating location for the first hot press device, the first hot press device is controlled based on the operation of the operating device. If the first control panel is selected as the operating location for the first hot press device, the first hot press device is controlled based on the operation of the first control panel. If neither the first control panel nor the operating device is selected as the operating location for the first hot press device, the first hot press device is controlled based on an operation to the management device.

3. In the hot press system according to claim 1, The first data indicates the state of the first hot press apparatus. The second data indicates the state of the second hot press apparatus. The management device displays the status of the first hot press device and the status of the second hot press device on a single screen based on the first data and the second data.

4. In the hot press system according to claim 1, The management device can set the layout of the screen for displaying at least one of the first data and the second data according to the device configuration of the hot press system.

5. The hot press system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising the following: A transport device for loading workpieces into the first hot press apparatus and the second hot press apparatus; and A second control panel for controlling the transport device, The second control panel is, Based on the first and second data, it is determined whether or not there is a hot press device among the first and second hot press devices that is in a state where a workpiece can be loaded. If a hot press machine is available that is ready to receive workpieces, the hot press machine is instructed to load the workpieces into the transport device.

6. In the hot press system according to claim 5, If there are multiple hot presses ready to receive workpieces, the second control panel determines, based on the position of the transport device, the order in which the hot presses ready to receive workpieces should be loaded into the transport device.

7. In the hot press system according to claim 5, If there are multiple hot presses ready to receive workpieces, the second control panel determines the order in which the hot presses should be loaded with workpieces into the transport device, based on the length of the waiting period for each hot press.

8. The hot press system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising the following: A transport device for unloading workpieces from the first hot press apparatus and the second hot press apparatus; and A second control panel for controlling the transport device, The second control panel is, Based on the first data and the second data, it is determined whether or not there is a hot press device among the first hot press device and the second hot press device that has completed the pressurization process on the workpiece. If a hot press device has completed the pressurization process on the workpiece, the workpiece inside the hot press device is transferred to the transport device.

9. In the hot press system according to claim 8, If there are multiple hot presses that have finished applying pressure to a workpiece, the second control panel determines, based on the position of the transport device, the order in which the hot presses that have finished applying pressure to a workpiece should be transported to the transport device.

10. In the hot press system according to claim 8, If there are multiple hot presses that have finished applying pressure to a workpiece, the second control panel determines the order in which the hot presses that have finished applying pressure to a workpiece should be transported to the transport device, based on the length of the waiting period for each hot press.

11. In the hot press system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The hot press system includes 10 or more hot press devices.

12. A control method used in a hot press system, including the following steps: The aforementioned hot press system is A first hot press machine for manufacturing multilayer printed circuit boards, A second hot press machine for manufacturing multilayer printed circuit boards, A control device for managing the first hot press apparatus and the second hot press apparatus, Equipped with a display device, The control method causes the management device to perform the following steps: (a) A step of acquiring first data related to the first hot press apparatus; (b) A step of acquiring second data related to the second hot press apparatus; (c) A step of displaying data related to the first hot press apparatus and the second hot press apparatus on the display device based on the first data and the second data.

13. The control method according to claim 12, further comprising the following steps: The first data indicates the state of the first hot press apparatus. The second data indicates the state of the second hot press apparatus. The control method causes the management device to perform the following steps: (d) A step of displaying the status of the first hot press device and the status of the second hot press device on a single screen based on the first data and the second data.

14. The control method according to claim 12, further comprising the following steps: The control method causes the management device to perform the following steps: (e) A step of setting a screen layout for displaying at least one of the first data and the second data according to the device configuration of the hot press system.

15. A control method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, further comprising the following steps: The hot press system includes a transport device for loading workpieces into the first hot press device and the second hot press device; The system further comprises a control panel for controlling the aforementioned transport device, The control method described above causes the control panel to perform the following steps: (f) A step of determining, based on the first data and the second data, whether or not there is a hot press device among the first hot press device and the second hot press device that is in a state where a workpiece can be loaded; (g) If a hot press device is available that is ready to receive workpieces, the step of causing the hot press device to receive workpieces into the transport device.

16. The control method according to claim 15, further comprising the following steps: The control method described above causes the control panel to perform the following steps: (h) If there are multiple hot presses that are ready to receive workpieces, the step of determining the order in which the hot presses that are ready to receive workpieces should be loaded into the transport device, based on the position of the transport device.

17. The control method according to claim 15, further comprising the following steps: The control method described above causes the control panel to perform the following steps: (i) If there are multiple hot presses that are ready to receive workpieces, the step of determining the order in which the hot presses that are ready to receive workpieces should be loaded into the transport device is based on the length of the waiting period of the hot presses.

18. A control method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, further comprising the following steps: The hot press system includes a transport device for transporting workpieces to the first hot press device and the second hot press device, The system further comprises a control panel for controlling the aforementioned transport device, The control method described above causes the control panel to perform the following steps: (j) A step of determining whether there is a hot press device among the first hot press device and the second hot press device that has completed the pressurization process on the workpiece, based on the first data and the second data, (k) If there is a hot press device in which the pressurization process on the workpiece has been completed, the step of transporting the workpiece from the hot press device to the transport device.

19. The control method according to claim 18, further comprising the following steps: The control method described above causes the control panel to perform the following steps: (l) If there are multiple hot presses that have completed pressurizing the workpiece, the step of determining the order in which the hot presses that have completed pressurizing the workpiece should be transported to the transport device, based on the position of the transport device.

20. The control method according to claim 18, further comprising the following steps: The control method described above causes the control panel to perform the following steps: (m) If there are multiple hot presses that have completed pressurizing the workpiece, the step of determining the order in which the hot presses that have completed pressurizing the workpiece should be transported to the transport device, based on the length of the waiting period of the hot presses.

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