Production preparation support system, method for creating parts data

Abstract

We will actively utilize discarded parts in operational testing. [Solution] The production preparation support system S comprises a mounting line 10 equipped with multiple machines 12 that perform predetermined tasks on a circuit board, a storage station 15 for storing discarded parts that have been damaged by errors in the machines 12 of the mounting line 10, and a management device 17 for managing information on the discarded parts stored in the storage station 15. The machines 12 perform operational tests for creating part data using the discarded parts stored in the storage station 15.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a system for supporting production preparation associated with the launch of a new product type in a mounting line for mounting components on a substrate.

Background Art

[0002] The mounting line is composed of machines such as an inspection machine, a printer, and a surface mounter, and usually performs inspection, printing, and component mounting of the substrate in order. Patent Document 1 below discloses a mounting substrate manufacturing system capable of appropriately and efficiently correcting component data.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the mounting line, when launching a new product type, it is necessary to create substrate data and component data. The component data includes component adsorption data, recognition data, mounting data, etc. These data are machine parameters (control data) when performing adsorption operation, recognition operation, and mounting operation.

[0005] Currently, actual unused components are used to perform operation tests such as component adsorption operation, recognition operation, and mounting operation, and component data is created. However, unused components may take time to procure and may also be expensive. Therefore, there is a demand to minimize the use of unused components for operation tests and creation of component data.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) A production preparation support system comprising: an assembly line equipped with multiple machines that perform predetermined work on a circuit board; a storage station for storing discarded parts that have been discarded by the machines on the assembly line; and a management device for managing information on the discarded parts stored in the storage station. The machines perform operational tests for creating part data using the discarded parts stored in the storage station. According to the configuration of (1), by utilizing discarded parts, it is possible to reduce the use of unused parts for operational tests and the creation of part data.

[0007] (2) The production preparation support system described in (1) above, wherein the management device may retain identification information of the part, the disposal location, and error information for each waste part stored in the storage station. The configuration of (2) is considered effective for obtaining information on waste parts.

[0008] (3) The production preparation support system described in (1) or (2) above, wherein when a part search instruction is given, the management device may search for and output parts from among the discarded parts stored in the storage station that meet the conformity conditions for the operational test related to the creation of part data. According to (3), parts that can be tested for operation can be automatically searched.

[0009] (4) The production preparation support system described in (3) above, wherein when a part search instruction is given, the management device may search for and output the same part as the instructed part from among the discarded parts stored in the storage station. According to (4), since an operation test can be performed using the same part as the instructed part, it is possible to perform an operation test under conditions that are almost the same as when unused parts are used.

[0010] (5) The production preparation support system described in (4) above, wherein if the same part is not included among the discarded parts stored in the storage station, the management device may search for and output similar parts to the instructed part. According to (5), the range of parts that can be used for operational testing is expanded to include similar parts, making it possible to further reduce the use of unused parts.

[0011] (6) A production preparation support system according to any one of items (1) to (5) above, wherein the operational test may include at least one of the following: a component suction test, a recognition test, and a mounting test.

[0012] (7) The production preparation support system described in (6) above, wherein the operation test may include a parts recognition test. The machine may perform a recognition test on discarded parts stored in the storage station, and if the recognition test reveals a defect in part of the part's shape, the details of the defect may be registered. According to (7), it becomes possible to create recognition data by supplementing the details of the defect, and the range of parts that can be used for the operation test can be expanded to include parts with defects in part. As a result, it becomes possible to further reduce the use of unused parts.

[0013] (8) A production preparation support system as described in any one of the above items (1) to (7), wherein the storage station may include storage locations inside and outside the machine. When a part search instruction is given, the management device may search for discarded parts that meet the conformity conditions for the operational test in the storage locations inside the machine, and if no suitable discarded parts are found, it may search for discarded parts in the storage locations outside the machine and output the results. According to (8), by prioritizing the storage locations inside the machine where the operational test is to be performed when searching for parts, the effort required to collect discarded parts can be reduced.

[0014] (9) A method for creating component data, wherein the machine on the mounting line performs an operational test on the machine using discarded components that have been discarded, and creates component data for components to be mounted on a circuit board. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, by utilizing discarded parts, it becomes possible to refrain from using unused parts for operation tests and the creation of component data.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] [Figure 1] System Configuration Diagram of the Production Preparation Support System [Figure 2] System Configuration Diagram of the Production Preparation Support System [Figure 3] Block Diagram of the Management Device and the Surface Mounting Machine [Figure 4] List of Management Information of Discarded Parts [Figure 5] Plan View of the Surface Mounting Machine [Figure 6] Side View of the Surface Mounting Machine [Figure 7] Perspective View of the Recovery Conveyor [Figure 8] Work Flow at the Time of Launching a New Product [Figure 9] Figure Showing the Adsorption Test of Components [Figure 10A] Figure Showing the Recognition Test of Components [Figure 10B] Figure Showing the Recognition Test of Components [Figure 11] Flowchart of the Procedure for Creating Component Data [Figure 12] Flowchart of the Similarity Judgment Process for the Adsorption Test [Figure 13] Flowchart of the Similarity Judgment Process for the Recognition Test [Figure 14] Flowchart of the Similarity Judgment Process for the Mounting Test [Figure 15] Flowchart of the Recognition Data Creation Process

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] <Embodiment 1> 1. Production Preparation Support System S Figure 1 is a system configuration diagram of the production preparation support system S. The production preparation support system S is a system that supports the production preparation of the assembly line 10, and comprises the assembly line 10, a storage station 15, and a management device 17.

[0018] The mounting line 10 is a line for mounting components E onto a substrate P. In this embodiment, the line is equipped with, in order from the upstream side (right side in Figure 1), an inspection machine 11, a surface mount machine 12, an inspection machine 13, and a reflow apparatus 14, which are connected in series via multiple conveyors. The inspection machine 11, surface mount machine 12, inspection machine 13, and reflow apparatus 14 are examples of the "machines" of the present invention.

[0019] The inspection machine 11 is a device that inspects the condition of the substrate P before it is fed into the surface mount machine 12. The surface mount machine 12 is a device that mounts components E onto the surface of the substrate P.

[0020] The number of surface mount machines 12 may be one or multiple, and in this embodiment, three surface mount machines 12 are arranged in a line configuration in series. The configuration of the surface mount machines 12 will be described later.

[0021] The inspection machine 13 is a device that inspects the substrate P on which the component E is mounted before it is fed into the reflow machine 14. The reflow machine 14 is a device that reflow bonds the substrate P and the component E.

[0022] The storage station 15 is a storage location for parts (hereinafter referred to as "discarded parts") that are judged as errors due to some malfunction during production in each machine 11 to 14 of the assembly line 10 and are disposed of.

[0023] The storage station 15 may be a shelf 15A or warehouse 15B provided separately from the mounting line 10, as shown in Figure 2, or it may be a recovery conveyor 90 or recovery plate 200 provided on the surface mount machine 12.

[0024] The management device 17 manages information on discarded parts stored in the storage station 15. As shown in Figure 3, the management device 17 comprises a control unit 17A, a storage unit 17B, and a display unit 17C. The management device 17 can be operated using an input interface such as a keyboard.

[0025] In this embodiment, the management device 17 includes a database (hereinafter also referred to as DB) 18. The management device 17 is configured to perform the following two information processing operations in response to the operator's input.

[0026] (A) Database registration of discarded parts (B) Database search of discarded parts

[0027] <Management information for discarded parts> Identification information for discarded parts Designated location for storing discarded parts Error information for discarded parts

[0028] Figure 4 shows a list of management information for discarded parts registered in DB18. The identification information for discarded parts is information that allows for the identification of both the part type and the individual part. In this embodiment, an ID number is assigned to the part name to enable the identification of both the part type and the individual part. In the example in Figure 4, in "QFP-1", "QPF" indicates the part type and "-1" indicates the individual part.

[0029] The management device 17 may also maintain a parts library. The parts library is provided for each type of part and contains information such as the shape of the part, its weight, and the number of leads. By referring to this information, it is possible to perform a similarity determination of parts (S40 in Figure 11), which will be described later.

[0030] Storage location identification information identifies the location where the discarded parts are stored. In this example, the name of the storage location is used as is. The ID number attached to the storage name is assigned to each discarded part and identifies where in the storage location the desired discarded part is stored. In the example in Figure 4, "Collection Pallet-1" indicates the storage location, and "-1" is the identification information assigned to each discarded part.

[0031] Error information includes details such as the cause of the error in a discarded part during production and the location of the error. Possible causes of error detection include a defect in a portion of part E. While error detection of parts is primarily expected to be performed on the surface mount machine 12, it may also be performed on other machines such as inspection machines.

[0032] Furthermore, if there is a part E that is discarded due to an error during production on the assembly line 10, it is assumed that after production is completed, the operator will first store the discarded part in the storage station 15, and then perform the information processing (A).

[0033] The information processing in (B) is expected to be performed at the time of production preparation associated with the launch of a new product, after the management information of discarded parts has been accumulated in DB18 through the information processing in (A).

[0034] Furthermore, the management device 17 is accessible to users and is also connected to communicate with each device (hereinafter referred to as machine) 11, 12, 13, and 14 of the implementation line 10, and each machine 11 to 14 is also accessible to the management device 17.

[0035] 2. Surface mount machine As shown in Figure 5, the surface mount machine 12 comprises a base 12A, a transport conveyor 20, a head unit 60, and a drive unit 30. In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the base 12A (left-right direction in Figure 5) is referred to as the X direction, and the depth direction of the base 12A (up-down direction in Figure 5) is referred to as the Y direction.

[0036] The conveyor belt 20 is located in the center of the base 12A. The conveyor belt 20 is equipped with a pair of conveyor belts 21 and conveys the printed circuit board P in the X direction.

[0037] Four feeder plates 25 are provided on the base 12A, surrounding the central work area. Numerous feeders 80 for supplying parts E are installed side-by-side on each feeder plate 25. A recovery conveyor 90 can also be installed alongside the feeders 80 on the feeder plate 25. The recovery conveyor 90 will be described later.

[0038] The drive unit 30 is a device that moves the head unit 60 on the base 12A in a planar direction (X-axis to Y-axis direction). The drive unit 30 consists of a Y-axis ball screw 45, a Y-axis motor 47, an X-axis ball screw 55, and an X-axis motor 57.

[0039] The Y-axis motor 47 drives the X-beam 51 and the head unit 60, allowing them to move in the Y direction along the guide rail 42 (Y-axis servo mechanism).

[0040] The head unit 60 can be moved in the X direction relative to the X beam 51 by driving the X-axis motor 57 (X-axis servo mechanism).

[0041] Therefore, by controlling the X-axis motor 57 and the Y-axis motor 47 in combination, the head unit 60 can be moved in a planar direction (X-axis-Y-axis direction) on the base 12A.

[0042] The head unit 60 is equipped with multiple mounted heads 61. In this embodiment, an in-line type head unit is shown, in which the mounted heads 61 are arranged in a single row.

[0043] The mounting head 61 is axially shaped and elongated in the vertical direction, and is equipped with a suction nozzle H at its tip. The suction nozzle H is configured to receive negative pressure from a negative pressure means (not shown), thereby generating suction force.

[0044] The mounting head 61 is configured to be able to move up and down independently of the head unit 60 by a linear motion mechanism (for example, a screw mechanism) driven by the Z-axis motor 67.

[0045] With this configuration, the X-axis motor 57, Y-axis motor 47, and Z-axis motor 67 can be operated at predetermined timings to perform the suction and mounting operations of component E.

[0046] The component E suction operation is the operation of picking up component E with the mounting head 61 and removing it from the feeder 80. The mounting operation is the operation of mounting the component E, which has been picked up by the mounting head 61, to the mounting point on the substrate P.

[0047] Furthermore, reference numeral 27 in Figure 5 represents a component recognition camera, and reference numeral 62 in Figure 6 represents a substrate recognition camera. The component recognition camera 27 is fixed on the base 12A with its imaging surface facing upwards.

[0048] The component recognition camera 27 captures an image of the underside of component E taken from the feeder 80 and detects the orientation of component E being picked up by the mounting head 61 and any component abnormalities (errors) (recognition operation).

[0049] The circuit board recognition camera 62 is fixed to the head unit 60 with its imaging surface facing downwards, and is configured to move integrally with the head unit 60.

[0050] Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of the recovery conveyor 90. As described above, the recovery conveyor 90 is detachably mounted on the feeder plate 25, similar to the tape feeder 80.

[0051] The recovery conveyor 90 has a transport belt 91 on its upper surface, and components E can be transferred onto the transport belt by a suction head 61 at the center of the device, close to the substrate P. The recovery conveyor 90 is a device that recovers discarded components that have been discarded due to errors or other reasons by the surface mount machine 12.

[0052] The electrical configuration of the surface mount machine 12 will be explained with reference to Figure 3. The surface mount machine 12 includes an arithmetic processing unit 100, a motor control unit 110, cameras 27 and 62, a storage unit 111, a display unit 113, and an input unit 115, etc.

[0053] The motor control unit 110 is connected to the X-axis motor 57, the Y-axis motor 47, and the Z-axis motor 67. The memory unit 111 stores production programs for mounting components E onto the circuit board P, as well as circuit board data and component data for the types of products to be produced.

[0054] The arithmetic processing unit 100 includes a CPU 101, RAM 103, etc. The arithmetic processing unit 100 controls the motor control unit 110 according to the production program while referring to board data and component data, thereby mounting component E onto the board P.

[0055] The display unit 113 is, for example, a display. The input unit 115 is a user interface for the user to perform input operations on the surface mount machine 12.

[0056] 3. Creation of component data for launching new product varieties The "product type" refers to the type of circuit board P produced on assembly line 10. When a new product type is launched on assembly line 10, it is necessary to create circuit board data and component data.

[0057] The circuit board data is data related to the circuit board P to be produced, and includes information on the pads, the mounting points of components E, and information on the components E to be mounted.

[0058] The component data consists of machine parameters (control data) used by the surface mount machine 12 when performing suction, recognition, and mounting operations on the component E. This data includes suction data, recognition data, and mounting data for the component E. Specific examples of each of these data will be explained later.

[0059] Currently, operational tests of component E, such as its suction, recognition, and mounting functions, are performed using unused actual components to create component data.

[0060] In this configuration, the storage station 15 stores and manages discarded parts that become ineligible for disposal during line operation on the mounting line 10. Then, the surface mount machine 12 performs operational tests using the discarded parts to create component data for the components E to be mounted on the circuit board P.

[0061] Figure 8 shows the expected workflow when launching a new product. The workflow mainly concerns the creation of component data. In S1, the operator starts creating the component data and also procures the components E to be mounted on the new product's substrate P.

[0062] In S2, the operator accesses the control device 17, enters information about part E, and inquires whether there are any discarded parts available for use in the operational test.

[0063] When an inquiry about discarded parts is received, the management device 17 accesses DB 18 and searches for a part E that can be used for operational testing among the registered discarded parts.

[0064] Furthermore, whether or not a part can be used for operational testing can be determined by whether or not it meets the suitability criteria for operational testing. In this embodiment, identical and similar parts of the part being searched are determined to meet the suitability criteria and be usable for operational testing (S30, S40 in Figure 11).

[0065] When the database search is complete, the management device 17 displays the results on the display unit 17C. If usable discarded parts are found through the search, in S3 the operator collects the testable discarded parts from the storage station 15. Then, in S4, the operator performs as many operational tests as possible on the surface mount machine 12 using the discarded parts collected in S3.

[0066] Subsequently, in S5, when unused components to be mounted on the new type of circuit board P arrive, in S6, the remaining operational tests that could not be performed with the discarded components are carried out using the unused components that arrived in S5.

[0067] Once all operational tests are complete, in S7, the operator creates component data (such as suction data, recognition data, and mounting data) based on the machine data obtained from the surface mount machine 12 during the operational tests. With this, the creation of component data is complete, and the process moves on to prototyping the new product on the mounting line 10.

[0068] Thus, this configuration makes it possible to reduce the use of unused parts for operational testing and the creation of part data by utilizing discarded parts. Furthermore, since operational testing using discarded parts can be performed without waiting for the arrival of unused parts, the time required to start up new models after the arrival of unused parts can be shortened.

[0069] 4. Operation Test Details The component's operational testing is performed using a surface mount machine 12 and includes suction testing, recognition testing, and mounting testing.

[0070] <Adsorption Test> In the suction test of part E, the suction height, speed, and matching of the suction nozzle H are checked. Specifically, as shown in Figure 9, part E is actually suctioned by the suction nozzle H. Then, the main axis (X and Y axes) is moved randomly while the state of part E held by the suction nozzle H is recognized by the camera 27 repeatedly, and the stability of the suction is checked. Suction data of part E can then be obtained from the results of the suction test.

[0071] The suction data represents control parameters related to the component suction operation of the surface mount machine 12, and an example is shown below.

[0072] <Adsorption Data> Adhesion height (mm) Suction timer (seconds) Adsorption speed (%) XY Speed ​​(%) Adsorption vacuum pressure (%)

[0073] <Recognition Test> In the recognition test of component E, the lighting conditions and the quality of the resulting image are checked. Specifically, component E, which is attached to the suction nozzle H, is illuminated and photographed by camera 27. Then, it is checked whether component E can be recognized from the image.

[0074] Figure 10A shows image G1 of the SOP captured by camera 27, and Figure 10B shows image G2 of the QFP captured by camera 27. Recognition data for component E can then be obtained from the recognition test results.

[0075] The recognition data consists of control parameters related to the component recognition operation of the surface mount machine 12, and an example is shown below.

[0076] <Recognition Data> Types of lighting Lighting level Threshold for part shape recognition Read detection range shape reference angle

[0077] <Installation Test> The component E mounting test checks whether component E is correctly mounted on the mounting point on the substrate P. Specifically, component E is held by the suction nozzle H and actually mounted on the substrate P. Then, it is recognized from above by the camera 62 to check if the mounting position error is within the acceptable range. Furthermore, the polarity of component E may also be checked. The operator then obtains the mounting data of component E from the results of the mounting test.

[0078] The mounted data consists of control parameters related to the component mounting operation of the surface mount machine 12, and an example is shown below.

[0079] <Included Data> Mounting height (mm) Built-in timer (seconds) Installation speed (%) XY Speed ​​(%) Vacuum pressure (%)

[0080] 5. Procedure for creating part data Figure 11 is a flowchart of the procedure for creating part data. The creation of part data consists of steps S10 to S100 and is performed, for example, when launching a new product line.

[0081] In S10, the operator inputs identification information for component E to be mounted on a new type of circuit board P into the management device 17. The identification information identifies the component type (including the model number). In the example in Figure 4, "QFP" and "SOP" are component types. The model number identifies the product. By including information that distinguishes the model number, such as the product name, in the identification information, the model numbers of component types can be distinguished.

[0082] When the management device 17 receives the identification information of a part, it selects the first storage location (for example, the recovery conveyor of the surface mount machine 12) and searches to see if any discarded parts that can be used for operational testing are stored there.

[0083] In this embodiment, discarded parts that are identical or similar to the part being searched for are determined to be parts that can be used for operational testing. Identical parts are determined to be the same as the part being searched for (E) if the part type (including the model number) is the same but only the individual part differs. Similarity determination will be explained later, referring to Figures 12-13.

[0084] Once the part search for the first storage location is complete, the process proceeds to S30. S30 branches depending on whether an identical part to the searched part exists among the discarded parts stored in the storage location.

[0085] If identical parts exist (S30: YES), the process proceeds to S50, and the management device 17 displays a list of the discarded parts that were determined to be identical on the display unit 17C.

[0086] If no identical part exists (S30: NO), the process proceeds to S40. Similar to S30, S40 branches depending on whether a similar part to the searched part exists among the discarded parts stored in the storage location.

[0087] If similar parts exist (S40: YES), the process proceeds to S50, and the management device 17 displays a list of discarded parts that were determined to be similar on the display unit 17C.

[0088] If no similar part exists (S40: NO), the process proceeds to S60. Upon proceeding to S60, if there are any unsearched storage locations, the process returns to S20, and the same procedure as above is used to search for parts in the next storage location. In this way, the management device 17 sequentially searches the data of each storage location until a usable discarded part is found.

[0089] Furthermore, the processes S20 to S60, indicated by the dashed box in Figure 11, are executed for each component being searched. Once the search for the first component is completed in the first cycle, the process enters the second cycle and searches for the second component.

[0090] Then, once the search for all the parts for which a search instruction was given is complete, the process moves to S70. In S70, the operator collects the discarded parts listed by the management device 17 from the storage station 15 and sets them in the surface mount machine 12.

[0091] Subsequently, the process moves to S80, where a functional test is performed using the surface mount machine 12 with discarded parts collected from the storage station 15. The operator then creates part data (specifically, suction data, recognition data, and mounting data) from the results of the functional test.

[0092] Next, the process moves to S90. S90 branches depending on whether all the necessary data has been obtained as part data. If sufficient data is obtained through operational testing using discarded parts, the process ends.

[0093] If sufficient data cannot be obtained from operational tests using discarded parts, the process proceeds to S100. In S100, the remaining operational tests are performed using unused parts intended for mounting on a new type of circuit board P, and the remaining part data is created. This completes the process.

[0094] Figures 12-14 show the subroutines for S40 (similar part detection process) in Figure 11. The S40 similar part detection process is configured for each type of operational test; Figure 12 shows the similar part detection process for the suction test, Figure 13 shows the similar part detection process for the recognition test, and Figure 14 shows the similar part detection process for the mounting test.

[0095] As shown in Figure 12, the similarity determination process for the adsorption test consists of three steps: S111, S113, and S115. Specifically, the management device 17 compares the discarded part with the part input in S10 of Figure 11, determines in S111 whether the part weights are the same, and determines in S113 whether the contact areas are the same. The contact area is the contact area of ​​the nozzle tip with the upper surface of the part. The contact area can be determined from the shape of the upper surface of the part and the diameter of the nozzle hole.

[0096] Furthermore, the control device 17 stores data on the nozzle holes of the suction nozzle H that is intended to be used for adsorbing component E, so that the identity of the contact area can be determined.

[0097] If both S111 and S113 are YES, the control device 17 determines that the discarded part is a part that can be adsorbed (similar part), registers it as an adsorbable part in S115, and displays it in the list. If either S111 or S113 is NO, the part is determined to be unsuitable for adsorption testing.

[0098] As shown in Figure 13, the similarity determination process for the recognition test consists of four steps: S121, S123, S125, and S127. Specifically, in S121, the management device 17 determines whether the condition of the discarded part is good.

[0099] The purpose of determining the condition of a part is to decide whether it can be recognized as an object in image recognition. For example, if a part is severely damaged and cannot be recognized as an object in image recognition, it will be judged as "not good." On the other hand, even if there are defects such as a missing part or a bent lead, if the shape of the part can be recognized in image recognition, it will be judged as "good."

[0100] Furthermore, the condition of the parts can be judged by the operator when registering discarded parts in the storage station 15, for example, and the result can be registered as management information in DB 18. In this way, the management device 17 can obtain the condition of the parts by referring to this data.

[0101] Next, the management device 17 compares the discarded parts with the parts entered in S10 of Figure 11 to determine if their external size and shape are the same. Then, in S125, it determines if the number of leads is the same.

[0102] If S121, S123, and S125 are all YES, the management device 17 determines that the discarded part is a recognizable testable part (similar part), registers it as a recognizable part in S127, and displays it in the list. If any of S121, S123, or S125 is NO, the part is determined to be unrecognizable.

[0103] As explained earlier, in the similarity determination process for recognition, even if there are some defects, if there is no problem in recognizing the part shape, the condition is judged to be good, and if the conditions of S123 and S125 are met, it is registered as a part that can be recognized and displayed in the list. In this way, it is expected that the use of discarded parts will be promoted for large and expensive parts such as IC components, and the wasteful use of unused parts will be reduced.

[0104] As shown in Figure 14, the similarity determination process for mounting tests consists of three steps: S131, S133, and S135. Specifically, in S131, the management device 17 determines whether the discarded part is deemed suitable for adsorption testing by the similarity determination process shown in Figure 12, and in S133, it determines whether it is deemed suitable for recognition testing by the similarity determination process shown in Figure 13.

[0105] If both S131 and S133 are YES, the management device 17 determines that the discarded part is a part that can be mounted for testing (similar part), and registers it as a part that can be mounted for testing in S135 and displays it in the list. If either S131 or S133 is NO, the part is determined to be unsuitable for mounting for testing.

[0106] Furthermore, if the surface mount machine 12 finds any NGs (Not Good) in part of the shape information of component E as a result of the recognition test, it may register the details in the storage unit 111 or the like. By registering the NG details, the recognition data can be created by supplementing the data of the NG portion.

[0107] Figure 15 is a flowchart illustrating the recognition data creation process for a quad flat package (QFP).

[0108] The recognition data creation process consists of steps S150 to S159. In step S150, the surface mount machine 12 performs a recognition test of component E based on the shape information of component E. The shape information includes, for example, the outer dimensions, lead width, and lead pitch of component E. Recognition of a component is considered OK if it can be recognized as a component even if some of the shape information is incorrect.

[0109] In S151, the surface mount machine 12 determines whether or not it has successfully recognized component E. If recognition is unsuccessful, it proceeds to S152 and registers the result. If recognition is successful, it proceeds to S153 and determines whether the external dimensions of component E are acceptable. If the external dimensions of component E are unacceptable, it proceeds to S156 and the surface mount machine 12 registers that the external dimensions are unacceptable.

[0110] If the external dimensions are OK, proceed to S154 to determine if the lead width is OK. If the lead width is NOT OK, proceed to S157, and the surface mount machine 12 registers that the lead width is NOT OK.

[0111] If the lead width is OK, proceed to S155 to determine if the lead pitch is OK. If the lead pitch is NG, proceed to S158 and the surface mount machine 12 registers that the lead pitch is NG.

[0112] The process then proceeds to S159. Upon moving to S159, the operator reads the NG data information registered from the surface mount machine 12. The operator then completes the shape data that was judged as NG and creates recognition data. If the lead width is NG, the lead width is completed with the normal lead width to create recognition data. If the lead pitch is NG, the lead pitch is completed with the normal lead pitch to create recognition data. The same completion process is performed if the outer shape of the part is NG to create recognition data.

[0113] Furthermore, the surface mount machine 12 may pre-store threshold data for determining the boundary between OK and NG in order to perform the judgments in S153, S154, and S155. In addition, for elements that can be compared between leads, such as lead width, the OK and NG determination may be made by comparing the recognition results.

[0114] 5. Explanation of Effects According to Embodiment 1, by utilizing discarded parts, it becomes possible to reduce the use of unused parts for operational testing and the creation of part data.

[0115] <Embodiment 2> Embodiment 2 prioritizes the location of parts search. Specifically, when a part search instruction is received, the management device prioritizes the recovery conveyor 90 and recovery pallet 200 within the surface mount machine 12 where the operational test is scheduled to be performed, and searches for discarded parts that meet the compliance conditions for the operational test. If no suitable discarded parts are found, the search range is expanded to shelves 15A, warehouse 15B, etc., to search for discarded parts that meet the compliance conditions for the operational test, and the results are output.

[0116] By prioritizing storage locations within machine 12, which is used for operational testing, when searching for parts, the effort required to collect discarded parts can be reduced, and the work associated with launching new models can be carried out efficiently. Note that the recovery conveyor 90 and recovery pallet 200 are examples of storage locations within machine 12, while the shelf 15A and warehouse 15B are examples of storage locations outside the machine.

[0117] <Other Embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and in the drawings, and the following embodiments, for example, are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0118] (1) In the above embodiment, one example of a mounting line 10 is a configuration comprising an inspection machine 11, a surface mount machine 12, an inspection machine 13, and a reflow apparatus 14. The mounting line 10 is not limited to the example disclosed in the embodiment, and other line configurations are also possible as long as it has at least one surface mount machine 12. For example, a printer or dispenser may be located upstream of the surface mount machine 12.

[0119] (2) In the above embodiment, a single management device 17 is used to manage discarded parts that have been disposed of in one assembly line 10. However, a single management device 17 may be used to manage discarded parts that have been disposed of in multiple assembly lines 10. The same applies to the storage of discarded parts; a single storage station 15 may be used to store discarded parts from multiple assembly lines 10.

[0120] (3) In the above embodiment, as preparation for creating component data, a component suction test, recognition test, and mounting test were performed. It is not necessary to perform all of the component operation tests, suction tests, recognition tests, and mounting tests; only one or two of these tests may be performed. The same applies to the creation of component data.

[0121] (4) In the above embodiment, identical and similar parts of the part to be searched were made available for operational testing. These are just examples of suitability conditions for operational testing, and other suitability conditions may be set to determine whether or not the operational test is possible. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0122] 10: Implementation Line 12: Surface mount machine 15: Storage Station 17: Management device S: Production support system

Claims

1. A production preparation support system, An assembly line equipped with multiple machines that perform predetermined tasks on a circuit board, A storage station for storing discarded parts that have been disposed of by the machines on the aforementioned assembly line, The storage station includes a management device for managing information on discarded parts stored in the storage station, The machine is a production preparation support system that performs operational tests for creating part data using discarded parts stored in the storage station.

2. A production preparation support system according to claim 1, The management device is a production preparation support system that maintains identification information, disposal location, and error information for each waste part stored in the storage station.

3. A production preparation support system according to claim 1, The aforementioned management device is a production preparation support system that, upon receiving a command to search for a part, searches for and outputs a part from among the discarded parts stored in the storage station that meets the conformity conditions for operational tests related to the creation of part data.

4. A production preparation support system according to claim 3, The aforementioned management device is a production preparation support system that, when a part search instruction is received, searches for and outputs the same part as the instructed part from among the discarded parts stored in the storage station.

5. A production preparation support system according to claim 4, The management device is a production preparation support system that, if the same part is not found among the discarded parts stored in the storage station, searches for and outputs similar parts to the instructed part.

6. A production preparation support system according to claim 1 or claim 2, The aforementioned operational test is a production preparation support system that includes at least one of the following: a component suction test, a recognition test, or a mounting test.

7. A production preparation support system according to claim 6, The aforementioned operational test includes a component recognition test, The machine is a production preparation support system that performs recognition tests on discarded parts stored in the storage station, and if a defect is found in part of the part's shape as a result of the recognition test, it registers the details.

8. A production preparation support system according to claim 1 or claim 2, The aforementioned storage station includes storage locations inside and outside the machine, The aforementioned management device is a production preparation support system that, upon receiving a part search instruction, searches for discarded parts that meet the conformity conditions for operational testing within the machine's storage locations, and if no suitable discarded parts are found, searches for discarded parts within storage locations outside the machine and outputs the results.

9. A method for creating part data, A method for creating component data, comprising using discarded components that have been disposed of by the assembly line machine to perform operational tests on the machine and creating component data for components to be mounted on a circuit board.

Images