Line control system, priority determination method, and production equipment

Abstract

To provide a line control system, a preferential sequence deciding method and a production facility capable of deciding a process preferential sequence that has an excellent production efficiency in a production line including a plurality of production facilities.SOLUTION: A production line includes a plurality of production facilities which processes a workpiece to produce a product, and at least one of the plurality of production facilities includes: a plurality of carrying units that carries the workpieces in a parallel manner; and a processing unit that processes the workpiece. A preferential sequence deciding method in the production line includes: obtaining processing states of the workpieces from the plurality of production facilities (ST1); and deciding a preferential sequence of the processes for the workpiece from the obtained processing states (ST6). The preferential sequence is hence decided for timing of process or carriage of the workpiece.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a line control system for controlling a production line equipped with a plurality of production facilities, a priority determination method, and the production facilities. [Background technology]

[0002] As a production facility that operates on a workpiece to produce a product, a component mounting device that mounts components on a board to produce a component-mounted board is known. In addition, a dual-lane type component mounting device that has two transport lanes for transporting boards and performs component mounting work in parallel on each transport lane is widely used as a component mounting device (for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, production efficiency is improved by allocating boards to the vacant transport lane in order and performing component mounting work. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-25270 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, while conventional technologies including Patent Document 1 can improve the production efficiency of a single production facility, in a production line that produces products by handing over work to multiple production facilities, there is an issue that performing work in the order of the most vacant transport lanes is not necessarily optimal in terms of production efficiency, and there is room for further improvement in order to improve the production efficiency of the production line.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE An object of the present invention is to provide a line control system, a priority determination method, and production equipment that are capable of determining the priority of operations that have high production efficiency in a production line equipped with a plurality of production equipment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The line control system of the present invention is a line control system that controls a production line equipped with a plurality of production equipment that operates on workpieces to produce products, and at least one of the plurality of production equipment includes a plurality of conveying units that convey the workpieces in parallel, and a conveying unit that conveys the workpieces to the workpieces. Alternately Do the work Multiple a working unit, and the line control system is The above An acquisition unit that acquires a work status of a workpiece, and from the acquired work status, Transported in parallel Multiple sheets The above Of the works, The plurality of working units Should be working The above The system comprises a priority determination unit which determines the priority of the work, an instruction unit which instructs the production equipment to perform work based on the determined priority, and a production time estimation unit which estimates the production time required for the work from the timing at which the work status is acquired onwards, and the priority determination unit determines the priority based on the production time estimated at the timing of operation or transportation of the work.

[0007] The priority order determination method of the present invention is provided with a plurality of production facilities that perform operations on workpieces to produce products, and at least one of the plurality of production facilities includes a plurality of conveying units that convey the workpieces in parallel and a conveying unit that conveys the workpieces to the workpieces. Alternately Do the work Multiple A method for determining a priority order in a production line having a plurality of production facilities and a work unit, The above A work status of a work is acquired, and at the timing when the work status is acquired, a production time of the work required from that timing onward is estimated, and from the acquired work status, Transported in parallel Multiple sheets The above Of the works, The plurality of working units Should be working The above The method includes determining a priority order of the workpieces, and the priority order is determined based on the production time estimated for the timing of operations or transportation for the workpieces.

[0008] The production equipment of the present invention is a production line production equipment having a plurality of production equipments that perform operations on workpieces to produce products, the production equipment including a plurality of conveying units that convey the workpieces in parallel, and a conveying unit that conveys the workpieces to the workpieces. Alternately Do the work Multiple From the working section and the production equipment The above An equipment acquisition unit that acquires the work status of the work, and Transported in parallel Multiple sheets The above Of the works, The plurality of working units Should be working The above The system includes an equipment priority determination unit which determines the priority of work, a production time estimation unit which estimates the production time required for the work from the timing at which the work status is acquired, and a control unit which controls the work unit based on the determined priority, and the equipment priority determination unit determines the priority based on the production time estimated at the timing of operation or transportation of the work. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to determine the priority order of operations with high production efficiency in a production line equipped with a plurality of production facilities. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory diagram of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory diagram of a component mounting device provided in a component mounting line according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1A, 1B, and 1C are explanatory diagrams of a component mounting operation in an alternating mounting mode in a component mounting device provided in a component mounting line according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1A, 1B, and 1C are diagrams for explaining priority determination and work instructions by a line control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining the determination of priority by a line control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a priority order determination method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of an estimation model used in a line control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system for a component mounting line according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining how to determine a priority order in a component mounting line according to another embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 11] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining how to determine a priority order in a component mounting line according to another embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 12] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining how to determine a priority order in a component mounting line according to another embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a component mounting method according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 1 is a flow diagram of a substrate request method according to another embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The configurations, shapes, etc. described below are examples for explanation and can be appropriately changed according to the specifications of the component mounting system, component mounting line, line management computer, printing device, component mounting device, conveyor, etc. In the following, the same reference numerals are used for corresponding elements in all drawings, and duplicated explanations will be omitted. In FIG. 1, the left side of the paper is referred to as the upstream side in the board transport direction, the right side of the paper is referred to as the downstream side in the board transport direction, the lower side of the paper is referred to as the front side, and the upper side of the paper is referred to as the rear side.

[0012] First, the configuration of component mounting system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Component mounting system 1 is configured such that one component mounting line L1 is connected by a wired or wireless communication network 2 and is managed by a line management computer 3. Component mounting line L1 is configured by connecting multiple production facilities including component mounting devices as described below, and has the function of producing component-mounted boards in which components are mounted on boards. In other words, the production line (component mounting line L1) is equipped with multiple production facilities that work on workpieces (boards) to produce products (component-mounted boards). Note that component mounting system 1 does not need to be equipped with one component mounting line, and may have two or more.

[0013] The production equipment constituting the component mounting line L1 is connected to a line management computer 3 via a communication network 2. The work status of each production equipment, event information occurring at each production equipment, and the like are sequentially transmitted to the line management computer 3. For example, information on boards being carried in and out, the remaining number of components being supplied by the component mounting equipment, the status of component resupply work being performed by the component mounting equipment, equipment errors that have occurred in the production equipment, information input to the production equipment, information on work performed by the production equipment, the status of error recovery work by workers, and the like are collected by the line management computer 3.

[0014] Next, the detailed configuration of the component mounting line L1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of the component mounting line L1. In the component mounting line L1, production equipment such as a loader M1, a first conveyor M2, a printing device M3, a second conveyor M4, a printing inspection device M5, a third conveyor M6, a component mounting device M7, a component mounting device M8, a fourth conveyor M9, a mounting inspection device M10, a fifth conveyor M11, a reflow device M12, and an unloader M13 are connected in series from the upstream side to the downstream side.

[0015] Each production facility has two conveying units 4 on the front and rear sides that convey the board (work) from the upstream side to the downstream side. The conveying units 4 connected to each other in the component mounting line L1 form a front conveying lane 4F on the front side and a rear conveying lane 4R on the rear side. That is, the component mounting line L1 has a front conveying lane 4F and a rear conveying lane 4R in parallel, and can convey the board in parallel. The number of conveying units 4 provided in each production facility is not limited to two, and may be three or more. In this way, the production facility has multiple conveying units 4 that convey multiple work (board) in parallel. It is sufficient that at least one production facility has multiple conveying units 4, and the component mounting line L1 may be configured to include a production facility with one conveying unit 4.

[0016] In FIG. 1, the loader M1 has two board supplying work units (work units) that supply boards or component-mounted boards with components mounted on the boards to downstream production equipment. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the term "board" will be used to refer to both component-mounted boards and boards in the middle of production with solder printed. The printing device M3 has two printing work units (work units) that perform a solder printing operation to screen-print solder for component bonding on the boards. The printing inspection device M5 has two printing inspection work units (work units) that perform a printing inspection operation to inspect the state of the solder printed on the boards. The component mounting devices M7 and M8 have two mounting work units (work units) that perform a component mounting operation to mount components on boards with solder printed on them.

[0017] The mounting inspection device M10 has two mounting inspection working sections (working sections) that perform a mounting inspection work to inspect the state of components mounted on a board. The reflow device M12 has two reflow working sections (working sections) that perform a reflow work to heat the board to melt the solder, harden it, and solder-bond the electrodes of the board to the terminals of the components. The unloader M13 has two board recovery working sections (working sections) that perform a board recovery work to recover boards transported from the upstream side. The first conveyor M2, the second conveyor M4, the third conveyor M6, the fourth conveyor M9, and the fifth conveyor M11 have two board transport working sections (working sections) that perform a board transport work to temporarily store boards unloaded from the upstream production equipment and transport them to the downstream production equipment.

[0018] The component mounting line L1 may be configured with a printing device M3 having one printing work unit (working unit), or may be configured to include multiple printing devices M3 having one printing work unit (working unit). The component mounting line L1 may be configured with a print inspection device M5 having one print inspection work unit (working unit). The component mounting line L1 may be configured with component mounting devices M7, M8 having one mounting work unit (working unit). The component mounting line L1 may be configured with a mounting inspection device M10 having one mounting inspection work unit (working unit). The component mounting line L1 may be configured with a reflow device M12 having one reflow work unit (working unit).

[0019] In this way, the production equipment has a plurality of working sections that perform work on the workpieces (boards). In the component mounting line L1, while the boards are transported by the transport section 4 of the production equipment from upstream to downstream in the front transport lane 4F and the rear transport lane 4R, the working sections of the production equipment perform production work on the boards to produce component-mounted boards. In the component mounting line L1, component-mounted boards of the same board type can be produced in parallel in the front transport lane 4F and the rear transport lane 4R, and component-mounted boards of different board types can be produced in parallel.

[0020] The component mounting line L1 can freely change the configuration of its production equipment depending on the type of component-mounted boards to be produced and the production volume. In addition to the production equipment described above, the line may also be equipped with a laser marking device that marks a board with a laser, a solder application device that applies solder to the board, a conveyor device with a mark reading function having a camera that reads marks on the board, a board inversion device that inverts the front and back sides of the board, and a post-reflow inspection device that inspects the state of the board after reflow. The component mounting line L1 may be equipped with a printing device M3 and component mounting devices M7 and M8, and the layout of other production equipment is not limited.

[0021] Next, the configuration of component mounting devices M7 and M8 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The component mounting devices M7 and M8 have the same configuration, and here, the component mounting device M7 will be described. A shutter 6 is provided above the center of the front surface of the component mounting device M7 to prevent workers from accidentally touching moving parts such as the mounting head 5 that mounts components on the board and the head moving mechanism (not shown) that moves the mounting head 5 horizontally. A component supply unit 7 is provided below the center of the front surface of the component mounting device M7 (below the shutter 6).

[0022] The component supply unit 7 is provided with a dolly 9 which holds a plurality of tape feeders 8 in parallel on the upper part thereof as component supply devices. In the dolly 9, a plurality of reels 10 which wind and store component supply tapes for storing components are held in parallel below the tape feeders 8. The tape feeders 8 feed the components stored in the component supply tapes to the component mounting device M7 in order while conveying the component supply tapes pulled out from the reels 10 inside. When the number of components stored in the component supply tapes decreases, a component supply operation is performed by an operator to supply components to the tape feeders 8 by splicing a new component supply tape to the rear end of the component supply tape which is supplying the components or by inserting a new component supply tape into the tape feeders 8. In addition, the supply form of the components is not limited to the component supply tape, and may be a stick-shaped case in which the components are stored, a tray case on which the components are placed, a bulk case in which the components are stored, or the like, and the components are supplied by a supply means suitable for the case.

[0023] 2, a touch panel 11 is provided at the upper right part of the front surface. The touch panel 11 displays various information, warning information, operation buttons, input buttons, etc. on its display section. An operator operates the operation buttons, input buttons, etc. displayed on the touch panel 11 to operate the component mounting device M7. In addition to the front surface, the component mounting device M7 is also provided with a mounting head 5, a head moving mechanism, a shutter 6, a component supply unit 7, and a touch panel 11 on the rear surface. The transport unit 4, mounting head 5, head moving mechanism, tape feeder 8, and touch panel 11 of the component mounting device M7 are controlled by a mounting control unit 12 provided in the component mounting device M7.

[0024] The mounting control unit 12 causes the mounting head 5 to pick up the components supplied by the tape feeder 8, and performs a component mounting operation by repeating a series of turns to transfer the components held by the mounting head 5 to the mounting position of the board held at the mounting operation position of the transport unit 4. That is, the mounting head 5, the head moving mechanism, and the tape feeder 8 configure a mounting operation unit (operation unit) that performs the component mounting operation. That is, the component mounting device M7 includes two transport units 4 (front transport unit 4A, rear transport unit 4B) that transport the board (work) in parallel, and two mounting operation units (front mounting operation unit 13A, rear mounting operation unit 13B) (operation units) that perform the operation of mounting components on the board (see FIGS. 9 and 10).

[0025] In this way, component mounting device M7 mounts components on the board to produce a component-mounted board. Mounting control unit 12 causes two transport units 4 (front transport unit 4A, rear transport unit 4B) and two mounting work units (front mounting work unit 13A, rear mounting work unit 13B) to perform their respective work in accordance with work instructions from line management computer 3. Mounting control unit 12 also transmits to line management computer 3 the status of component mounting work in component mounting device M7, information on events that have occurred, and the like.

[0026] The mounting control unit 12 controls the two front and rear mounting work units (front mounting work unit 13A and rear mounting work unit 13B) in cooperation with each other so that component mounting work is performed efficiently. An example of component mounting work in the alternate mounting mode in component mounting device M7 will now be described with reference to Fig. 3. In the alternate mounting mode, components are alternately mounted by the two mounting heads 5 on the front and rear sides onto a board held at the mounting work position of the transport unit 4 (front transport unit 4A and rear transport unit 4B).

[0027] 3(a) shows a component mounting operation in the alternating mounting mode on the board B1 held by the transport section 4 (front transport section 4A) of the front transport lane 4F. That is, a turn (arrow a1) in which the front mounting head 5 (hereinafter referred to as the "front mounting head 5F") takes out components from the front component supply section 7 (hereinafter referred to as the "front component supply section 7F") and mounts them on the board B1, and a turn (arrow a2) in which the rear mounting head 5 (hereinafter referred to as the "rear mounting head 5R") takes out components from the rear component supply section 7 (hereinafter referred to as the "rear component supply section 7R") and mounts them on the board B1 are alternately repeated.

[0028] In Fig. 3(b), after the component mounting operation on the board B1 is completed by repeating a predetermined number of turns, the component mounting operation is then performed in the alternating mounting mode on the board B2 held by the transport section 4 (rear transport section 4B) of the rear transport lane 4R. That is, a turn in which the front mounting head 5F takes out components from the front component supply section 7F and mounts them on the board B2 (arrow a3) and a turn in which the rear mounting head 5R takes out components from the rear component supply section 7R and mounts them on the board B2 (arrow a4) are alternately repeated. During the component mounting operation on the board B2, the board B1 is conveyed downstream from the transport section 4 of the front transport lane 4F (arrow a5), and the next board B3 is conveyed in.

[0029] 3(c), when the component mounting operation on board B2 is completed, the component mounting operation is then performed in the alternating mounting mode on board B3 held by the transport section 4 of the front transport lane 4F (arrows a6, a7). Then, during the component mounting operation on board B3, board B2 is transported downstream from the transport section 4 of the rear transport lane 4R (arrow a8), and the next board is transported in.

[0030] Thus, in the alternate mounting mode, while one mounting head 5 picks up components from the component supply unit 7, the other mounting head 5 mounts components onto the board, resulting in high efficiency of component mounting work. Also, while one transport unit 4 is performing component mounting work, the other transport unit 4 is replacing the board, reducing waiting time for board transport. Note that component mounting work in the above-mentioned alternate mounting mode can also be performed in production equipment equipped with one work unit, excluding the reflow equipment M12.

[0031] Next, the configuration of the control system of the component mounting system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Here, a configuration related to a priority determination process that determines the priority of work for multiple boards (workpieces) transported in parallel in the front transport lane 4F and rear transport lane 4R of the component mounting line L1 will be described. The line management computer 3 includes an information processing device 20, a storage device 21, and a display unit 22. The storage device 21 stores production data information 23, work status information 24, event information 25, priority information 26, estimated production time information 27, and the like.

[0032] The information processing device 20 includes, as internal processing units, an acquisition unit 28, a priority determination unit 29, an instruction unit 30, a production time estimation unit 31, an equipment status estimation unit 32, and a retention estimation unit 33. The display unit 22 is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel, and displays various data, priority information, notification information, and the like stored in the storage device 21. The line management computer 3 does not need to be configured as a single computer, and may be configured as a plurality of devices. For example, all or part of the storage device and internal processing units may be provided in a cloud via a server.

[0033] 4, production data information 23 stores information necessary for component mounting work, such as the type of components to be mounted on a board, the mounting position, and the supply position of the components in component supply unit 7 of component mounting devices M7, M8, for each type of component-mounted board produced on component mounting line L1 and for each board. In addition, production data information 23 includes the standard operation time (logical cycle time) per board expected in each production facility.

[0034] The acquisition unit 28 acquires the work status of the board (work) from the multiple production equipments constituting the component mounting line L1, and stores it in the storage device 21 as work status information 24. The acquisition unit 28 also acquires various information that occurs in association with production, such as equipment errors that have occurred in the multiple production equipments, error recovery work, event information for the production equipment, and supply work of materials (solder, parts) to the production equipment, and stores it in the storage device 21 as event information 25.

[0035] 4, the production time estimation unit 31, at the timing when the working status of the board (work) is acquired from the production equipment, estimates the production time (estimated production time) required for the board after that timing based on the standard working time included in the working status information 24 and the production data information 23, and stores it in the storage device 21 as estimated production time information 27. At that time, the production time estimation unit 31 estimates the estimated production time until the work on the board in the last production equipment to which the board is transported (board recovery work in the unloader M13 in the component mounting line L1) is completed.

[0036] 3(a), when a work status is acquired that component mounting work on board B1 in the front transport lane 4F of component mounting device M7 has been completed, production time estimation unit 31 calculates an estimated production time from the transport work of board B1 to component mounting device M8 to the board recovery work in unloader M13. This estimated production time includes the production times required for component mounting work in component mounting device M8, mounting inspection work in mounting inspection device M10, reflow work in reflow device M12, board recovery work in unloader M13, and board transport work in the fourth conveyor M9 and the fifth conveyor M11, as well as the waiting time for waiting for the completion of work in downstream production equipment.

[0037] That is, even if the estimated work time is from the same work position, the estimated work time may differ depending on the work status of the downstream production equipment. For example, the same production work is performed on the board B1 shown in Fig. 3(a) and the board B3 shown in Fig. 3(c) in the same production equipment in the front transport lane 4F, but the estimated work time may differ depending on the work status of the downstream production equipment at the time when the estimated work time is estimated, or the expected work status of the production equipment at the time the board is transported.

[0038] In FIG. 4, the priority determination unit 29 determines the priority of work on the board (workpiece) based on estimated production time information 27 (estimated estimated production time) at the timing of work or transport on the board (workpiece), and stores it in the storage device 21 as priority information 26. That is, the priority determination unit 29 determines the priority of work on the board from work status information 24 (acquired work status). This makes it possible to determine the priority of work with good production efficiency in a production line (component mounting line L1) equipped with multiple production equipment. Note that the priority may be determined for each production equipment, or may be determined for the production line. The instruction unit 30 instructs the production equipment to perform work based on the priority information 26 (determined priority).

[0039] Specifically, when there are workable boards in each of the multiple transport sections 4, the priority determination section 29 assigns a higher priority to the board with the shortest estimated production time among the multiple boards. For example, as shown in Fig. 3(a), when the transport section 4 in the front transport lane 4F has board B1 and the transport section 4 in the rear transport lane 4R has board B2, both boards B1 and B2 are workable and the estimated production time of board B1 is shorter than that of board B2, the priority determination section 29 assigns a higher priority to board B1 than board B2. Then, the instruction section 30 instructs the component mounting device M7 to mount components on board B1 in the alternate mounting mode.

[0040] In addition, when one board (workpiece) is being worked on in one transport section 4 and another board is carried into another transport section 4, the priority order determination section 29 gives a higher priority to the board with the shortest estimated production time among the multiple boards. For example, as shown in FIG. 5(a), when board B5 is carried into the transport section 4 of the other rear transport lane 4R (arrow b3) while component mounting work (arrows b1 and b2) is being performed on board B4 in the transport section 4 of the front transport lane 4F, the production time estimation section 31 calculates the estimated production time of board B5. When the estimated production time of board B5 is shorter than that of board B4, the priority order determination section 29 gives board B5 a higher priority than board B4, and the instruction section 30 instructs the component mounting device M7 to give priority to component mounting work on board B5.

[0041] In Fig. 5(b), component mounting device M7, which receives an instruction from line management computer 3, temporarily suspends component mounting work on board B4 and performs component mounting work on board B5 (arrows b4 and b5). For example, component mounting device M7 suspends component mounting work on board B4 at the fifth turn and starts component mounting work on board B5. In Fig. 5(c), when component mounting device M7 finishes component mounting work on board B5, it transports board B5 to downstream component mounting device M8 (arrow b6) and resumes component mounting work on board B4 from the sixth turn (arrows b7 and b8).

[0042] In Fig. 4, the equipment status estimation unit 32 estimates the occurrence of a stoppage or delay of work in the production equipment from the acquired event information 25, and the priority determination unit 29 lowers the priority of the board (work) to be transported to the transport section 4 of the production equipment where the stoppage or delay of work is estimated to occur. Here, an example shown in Fig. 6(a) will be described in which the priority of the board Bf7 in the transport section 4 of the front transport lane 4F of the component mounting device M7 and the board Br6 in the transport section 4 of the rear transport lane 4R are determined. In the front transport lane 4F, the boards Bf1 to 3 are in the reflow device M12, the board Bf4 is in the mounting inspection device M10, the board Bf5 is in the fourth conveyor M9, the board Bf6 is in the component mounting device M8, the board Bf7 is in the component mounting device M7, and the board Bf8 is in the third conveyor M6.

[0043] In addition, in the rear transport lane 4R, the reflow device M12 has boards Br1-4, the mounting inspection device M10 has board Br5, the component mounting device M7 has board Br6, and the third conveyor M6 has board Br7. That is, in the rear transport lane 4R, there are no boards in the component mounting device M8 or the fourth conveyor M9. In this situation, assume that an equipment error occurs behind the mounting inspection device M10, and the acquisition unit 28 acquires this as event information 25. The equipment status estimation unit 32 estimates from the acquired event information 25 that work in the rear transport lane 4R of the mounting inspection device M10 will be stopped or delayed.

[0044] Therefore, the priority determination unit 29 assigns a lower priority to the board Br6 transported to the rear transport lane 4R of the mounting and inspection device M10, which is estimated to stop or be delayed at the mounting and inspection device M7, than the board Bf7 in the front transport lane 4F. Based on this determination, the instruction unit 30 sends an instruction to the mounting device M7, which starts mounting components on the board Bf7. That is, although the rear transport lane 4R is less crowded, it is estimated that production will stop at the mounting and inspection device M10 even if the mounting work on the board Br6 is performed first, and so the mounting work on the board Bf7 is given priority.

[0045] In FIG. 4, the retention estimation unit 33 estimates the occurrence of retention of boards (workpieces) in the production equipment from the work status information 24 (acquired work status), and the priority determination unit 29 lowers the priority of the boards to be transported to the transport section 4 of the production equipment where retention is estimated to occur. Here, an example shown in FIG. 6(b) will be described in which the priority of the board Bf17 in the transport section 4 of the front transport lane 4F of the component mounting device M7 and the board Br16 in the transport section 4 of the rear transport lane 4R are determined. In the front transport lane 4F, the reflow device M12 has boards Bf11-13, the fifth conveyor M11 has board Bf14, the mounting inspection device M10 has board Bf15, the fourth conveyor M9 has board Bf16, the component mounting device M7 has board Bf17, and the third conveyor M6 has board Bf18.

[0046] In the rear transport lane 4R, there are boards Br11-14 in the reflow device M12, board Br15 in the component mounting device M8, board Br16 in the component mounting device M7, and board Br17 in the third conveyor M6. That is, in the front transport lane 4F, there are boards in the transport section 4 from the fourth conveyor M9 to the reflow device M12, so the retention estimation unit 33 estimates that retention will occur in the front transport lane 4F from the fourth conveyor M9 to the downstream reflow device M12.

[0047] Therefore, the priority determination unit 29 estimates that the front transport lane 4F of the component mounting device M8 is free, but that congestion will occur in the production equipment downstream of the front transport lane 4F, and so assigns a lower priority to the board Bf17 transported to the transport section 4 of the front transport lane 4F than the board Br16 in the rear transport lane 4R. Based on this determination, the instruction unit 30 sends an instruction to the component mounting device M7, which starts the component mounting work on the board Br16. That is, even though the downstream transport section 4 is free, it estimates that congestion will occur downstream of the component mounting device M8, and so prioritizes the component mounting work on the board Br16.

[0048] As described above, the production line (component mounting line L1) has a plurality of production equipments including a plurality of transport units 4 that transport a plurality of workpieces (boards) in parallel, and a plurality of working units that perform work on the workpieces. The line management computer 3 of this embodiment is a line control system that includes an acquisition unit 28 that acquires the work status of the workpieces from the plurality of production equipments, a priority order determination unit 29 that determines the priority order of work on the workpieces from the acquired work status, and an instruction unit 30 that instructs the production equipment to perform work based on the determined priority order, and controls the production line. The priority order determination unit 29 then determines the priority order for the timing of work or transport on the workpieces. This makes it possible to determine the priority order of work with good production efficiency in a production line equipped with a plurality of production equipments.

[0049] Next, a method for determining the priority order of boards in the component mounting line L1 (production line) will be described with reference to the flow of FIG. 7. First, the acquisition unit 28 acquires the work status of the boards (workpieces) from a plurality of production facilities and stores it as work status information 24 (ST1). Next, the acquisition unit 28 acquires and stores event information 25 that has occurred in a plurality of production facilities (ST2). Next, the production time estimation unit 31 estimates the estimated production time required for the boards from the timing at which the work status is acquired, and stores it as estimated production time information 27 (ST3). Next, the equipment status estimation unit 32 estimates the occurrence of a stoppage or delay in work in the production facilities from the acquired event information 25 (ST4).

[0050] Next, the retention estimation unit 33 estimates the occurrence of retention of boards in the production facility from the acquired work status (work status information 24) (ST5). Next, the priority determination unit 29 determines the priority of work for the boards based on the estimated production time, occurrence of work stoppage or delay, and occurrence of board retention (ST6). Next, the instruction unit 30 instructs the production facility to perform work based on the determined priority (ST7). Then, until component mounting boards on component mounting line L1 are completed (No in ST8), the process returns to (ST1) to acquire the work status and determine the priority. In this way, the priority for the boards is determined based on the timing of work or transport for the boards. This makes it possible to determine the priority of work with good production efficiency.

[0051] Any method may be used to estimate the estimated production time by the production time estimation unit 31. The following will be described as an example.

[0052] The estimated production time is calculated using the standard work time (logical cycle time) expected per board at each piece of production equipment. The ideal production time is the sum of the standard work times at each piece of production equipment. Therefore, the sum of the standard work times for the workpieces (boards) transported on the front transport lane 4F and the rear transport lane 4R is calculated as the estimated production time. Then, the workpiece (board) with the shorter estimated production time is given priority at each piece of production equipment.

[0053] In another calculation of the estimated production time, the actual operation time of each piece of production equipment is used as is or after statistical processing. By using the actual operation time of each piece of production equipment, it is possible to take into account minute operation delays caused by deterioration of the equipment or the effects of the created production data, and it is possible to calculate a more accurate estimated production time. In addition, the timing of acquiring the operation time of the production equipment is not limited, and it is possible to use the operation time of the production equipment acquired in the past, or the operation time of the production equipment acquired immediately before.

[0054] The calculation of the estimated production time described above is a calculation method in the case where there is no stoppage or delay in work at the production facility. Next, an example of estimation of the occurrence of stoppage or delay in work at the production facility will be described.

[0055] In estimating the stoppage of work at production facilities, event information 25 on the production facilities and a correlation table between the cause of work stoppage and the standard stoppage time of work are used. The correlation table is created in advance, and the stoppage time is set based on past performance values ​​and manual or automatic updates (or weighting values ​​or a selection of multiple percentage values). The cause of the stoppage is identified from the event information 25 acquired up until the stoppage (or afterwards).

[0056] For example, if work is stopped after acquiring event information 25 of picking up a part with a nozzle, event information 25 of recognizing the picked up part, and event information 25 of a recognition error of the recognized part, the part recognition error is determined to be the cause of the work stoppage, and the occurrence of a work stoppage or delay in the production facility is estimated based on the standard stoppage time of work stoppage due to the recognition error. Also, if the cause of the stoppage corresponding to the acquired event information 25 cannot be identified, the occurrence of a work stoppage or delay in the production facility is estimated based on a predetermined standard stoppage time. Then, the worker creates a correlation table by relating the actual stoppage time, the acquired event information 25, and the work stoppage cause. The work stoppage cause may be manually set by the worker or automatically identified from the event information 25 immediately before the work stoppage.

[0057] Moreover, a more accurate method for calculating the downtime uses event information 25 for eliminating the cause of the downtime from the time the work is stopped. When the work stoppage is eliminated, the operation information of the production equipment or the input to the production equipment by the worker is used as event information 25, and the time required to eliminate the cause of the downtime is estimated. For example, the downtime is weighted and estimated by increasing or decreasing it from the predetermined time depending on whether event information 25 for re-recognition within a predetermined time in the case of the above-mentioned recognition error is acquired, or whether event information 25 for transition to a screen for correcting the recognition parameters is acquired.

[0058] In addition to the estimation method using a correlation table between work stoppage causes and standard work stoppage times in production equipment, an estimation model that learns estimated production times according to a learning algorithm using machine learning, etc. The estimation model is created by repeatedly executing learning based on a data set including event information 25 and production times in advance or during actual production.

[0059] As an example of machine learning, an estimation model using a neural network will be described. FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of an estimation model E of a multi-layered neural network formed by combining neurons N. A plurality of event information 25 (X1 to X5) is input from the left side, each is multiplied by a corresponding weight W, and the result, an estimated production time (Y1 to Y5), is output from the right side. Since it is sufficient to be able to estimate the estimated production time finally by the estimation model E, the estimated production time may be estimated by including the standard work time (logical cycle time) per board in the event information 25, or the estimated production time may be estimated by inputting only the event information and estimating the time difference from the standard work time.

[0060] The estimation model E may be constructed by a learning algorithm configured by subdividing the input event information 25 by event, time, worker, board type, etc. Also, the estimation model E may be constructed by a learning algorithm that combines a plurality of such learning algorithms into one.

[0061] As an example of a learning algorithm configured by dividing the time period into smaller parts, a production delay or work stoppage caused by production time will be described. In some production factories, rest periods are set at specified times, and some or all of the workers may take a break while the production equipment continues to operate. If work is required on the production equipment during such a time period, there may be a shortage of workers who can handle the work, which may result in work delays or work stoppages. Therefore, by using such a relationship, the learning algorithm may learn the time periods when the number of workers fluctuates due to breaks, etc., and the work delay or work stoppage times, and construct an estimation model E.

[0062] As another example, the timing of the production time zone during the initial production stage, switching of board types, and switching of parts can cause the production equipment to operate stably, or automatic adjustment of production data can occur, resulting in delays or stoppages in work at the production equipment. Therefore, using such a relationship, the production time zone (initial production time zone) and work delays or work stoppage times can be learned by a learning algorithm to construct an estimation model E.

[0063] Next, as an example of a learning algorithm configured by subdividing each worker, a production delay or work stoppage caused by the number of workers corresponding to production equipment will be described. The work capacity for the production equipment that can be handled per unit time differs depending on the number of workers. In addition, if the number of workers is large, the work capacity for the production equipment that can be handled increases, and becomes stable at a certain number of workers or more. In addition, if the number of workers is small, the work capacity for the production equipment that can be handled decreases. Therefore, by using such a relationship and having the learning algorithm learn the number of workers corresponding to the production equipment and the work delay or work stoppage that occurred in the past, an estimation model E can be constructed, and the estimated production time can be calculated.

[0064] As another learning algorithm, we will explain production delays or work stoppages that occur due to a specific worker corresponding to production equipment. The work capacity of the production equipment that can be handled per unit time varies depending on the worker's work capacity. The longer the worker's years of experience, the higher the work capacity for production equipment increases, and it becomes stable once the worker has a certain number of years of experience. Therefore, by using this relationship to learn the work capacity corresponding to the production equipment and the work delay or work stoppage time that occurred when that worker was working as a learning algorithm and constructing an estimation model E, it is possible to calculate the estimated production time.

[0065] Next, as an example of a learning algorithm configured by subdividing each board type, a production delay or work stoppage caused by the type of board produced in the production facility will be described. Boards produced in the production facility have different mounting difficulty depending on the components to be mounted, the circuit formation pattern, the material of the board, and the like. For example, minute components and narrow adjacent mounting require high printing accuracy and mounting accuracy, and there is a tendency for production delays and work stoppages to increase due to the increased occurrence of printing defects and mounting defects. Therefore, by using such a relationship, the board type and the work delay or work stoppage time are learned as a learning algorithm to construct an estimation model E, and the estimated production time can be calculated. Note that the board type here refers to the production model, as well as the types of components to be mounted, the circuit formation pattern, the material of the board, and the like.

[0066] This embodiment is not limited to a specific machine learning method, and examples of the machine learning include supervised learning, which learns the relationship between input and output using teacher data in which output information is assigned to input information, unsupervised learning, which builds a data structure only from input without output information, semi-supervised learning, which handles both with and without output information, and reinforcement learning, which learns an action that can obtain the most feedback by obtaining feedback for an action selected from the observation result of a state, etc. Specific examples of machine learning methods include neural networks (including deep learning using multi-layered neural networks), genetic programming, decision trees, Bayesian networks, support vector machines (SVMs), etc.

[0067] Furthermore, similarly to the example of the correlation table described above, the event information 25 for estimating the stoppage of work at the production equipment may include event information 25 after the stoppage of work at the production equipment, and operation information of the production equipment or input by a worker to the production equipment when resolving the stoppage of work, to estimate the work stoppage time.

[0068] In the above description, the line management computer 3 is configured to include the acquisition unit 28 and the priority order determination unit 29, but the line control system is not limited to this configuration. For example, the production equipment such as the component mounting devices M7, M8 may be configured to include the acquisition unit 28 and the priority order determination unit 29, and each piece of production equipment may determine the priority order of the boards on which it works.

[0069] Next, the configuration of the control system of the component mounting line L1 of another embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. In this other embodiment, production equipment such as component mounting devices M7, M8 each determine the priority of work for a workpiece based on the work status of the workpiece (board), which is different from the above-mentioned component mounting system 1 in which the line control system (line management computer 3) determines the priority. Here, the component mounting devices M7, M8 and the fourth conveyor M9 arranged adjacent to each other on the component mounting line L1 will be described as an example. The component mounting devices M7, M8 have the same configuration, and only the component mounting device M7 will be described here.

[0070] 9, the mounting control unit 12 of the component mounting device M7 is connected to the front conveying unit 4A constituting the front conveying lane 4F, the rear conveying unit 4B constituting the rear conveying lane 4R, the front mounting head 5F constituting the front mounting work unit 13A, the front component supply unit 7F, the rear mounting head 5R constituting the rear mounting work unit 13B, the rear component supply unit 7R, and the touch panel 11. The mounting control unit 12 is equipped with a mounting memory unit 40, an equipment acquisition unit 41, an equipment priority order determination unit 42, a conveying processing unit 43, a mounting processing unit 44, a board request processing unit 45, and a mounting communication unit 46. The mounting memory unit 40 is a storage device, and stores production data 47, history data 48, and the like.

[0071] The production data 47 stores information necessary for component mounting work, such as the type of components to be mounted on the board for each type of board (board type), the position of the tape feeder 8 that supplies components in the component supply unit 7 (front component supply unit 7F, rear component supply unit 7R), the mounting position (XY coordinates) of the components, and the mounting direction (θ direction). The history data 48 stores work history such as the progress of the component mounting work. The mounting communication unit 46 transmits and receives data to and from other production equipment including the component mounting device M8 and the third conveyor M6 via the communication network 2.

[0072] 9, the equipment acquisition unit 41 acquires the work status of the work (board) from other downstream production equipment. The production status acquired by the component mounting device M7 includes a board request signal and a notice signal, which are transmitted from the downstream component mounting device M8 (production equipment) to each of the transport sections 4 (front transport section 4A, rear transport section 4B), as described below. The production status acquired by the component mounting device M8 also includes a board request signal transmitted from the downstream fourth conveyor M9 (production equipment) to each of the transport sections 4 (front transport section 4A, rear transport section 4B).

[0073] The transfer processing unit 43 controls the front transfer unit 4A and the rear transfer unit 4B to transfer the board from the upstream production equipment (the third conveyor M6, the component mounting device M7). When the equipment acquisition unit 41 acquires a board request signal from the downstream production equipment (the component mounting device M8, the fourth conveyor M9), the transfer processing unit 43 controls the requested transfer unit 4 (the front transfer unit 4A, the rear transfer unit 4B) to transfer the board after the component mounting work to the downstream production equipment (the component mounting device M8, the fourth conveyor M9).

[0074] 9, the equipment priority determination unit 42 determines the priority of work on the workpiece (board) from the work status including the board request signal and advance notice signal acquired by the equipment acquisition unit 41. Specifically, the equipment priority determination unit 42 determines the priority such that, at the timing of work on the workpiece or transport, the work on the transport unit 4 (front transport unit 4A, rear transport unit 4B) side of the board request signal or advance notice signal acquired first is given priority.

[0075] The mounting processing unit 44 (control unit) controls the front mounting work unit 13A and the rear mounting work unit 13B (work units) based on the priority order determined by the equipment priority order determination unit 42. Specifically, the mounting work is performed in an alternating mounting mode so that the component mounting work on the workpiece (board) on the transport unit 4 (front transport unit 4A, rear transport unit 4B) side with the higher priority is completed first.

[0076] 9, when any of the transport units 4 (front transport unit 4A, rear transport unit 4B) starts a board transport operation to transport a work (board) downstream, the board request processing unit 45 transmits a board request signal to the upstream production equipment (third conveyor M6, component mounting device M7) to have the transport unit 4 that is transporting the work out transport the next work out. Also, when the remaining amount of component mounting work on the work becomes less than a predetermined amount based on the production data 47 and history data 48, the board request processing unit 45 transmits a notice signal to the upstream production equipment (third conveyor M6, component mounting device M7) to the effect that the component mounting work on the work on the transport unit 4 on that side will soon be completed.

[0077] The predetermined remaining amount is set appropriately, for example, as the time when the remaining scheduled work time is 10 seconds, the time when 80% of the components to be mounted have been mounted (the time when 20% of the components remain), etc. Furthermore, the board request processing unit 45 may transmit a notice signal to the upstream production equipment (the third conveyor M6, the component mounting device M7) on the condition that it has received a board request signal or a notice signal from the downstream production equipment (the component mounting device M8, the fourth conveyor M9) in addition to the remaining amount of component mounting work on the work.

[0078] 9, the fourth conveyor M9 (production equipment) includes a board transport work section 50 having a transport section 4 constituting a front transport lane 4F and a transport section 4 constituting a rear transport lane 4R, and a conveyor control section 51 that controls the board transport work section 50. The conveyor control section 51 includes a transport processing section 52, a board request processing section 53, and a conveyor communication section 54. The conveyor communication section 54 transmits and receives data to and from other production equipment including a component mounting device M8 and a mounting inspection device M10 via the communication network 2.

[0079] The transfer processing unit 52 controls the board transfer working unit 50 to transfer the work (board) from the upstream production equipment (component mounting device M8). The transfer processing unit 52 also controls the board transfer working unit 50 based on a board request signal transmitted from the upstream mounting inspection device M10 to transfer the work from the transfer unit 4 requested by the board request signal. When any of the transfer units 4 starts a board transfer operation to transfer the work (board) downstream, the board request processing unit 53 transmits a board request signal to the upstream production equipment (component mounting device M8) to request that the work be transferred to the transfer unit 4 that is transferring the work.

[0080] Next, an example of a method for determining the priority order in component mounting line L1 according to another embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10 to Fig. 12. Here, the method will be described taking component mounting devices M7 and M8 and a fourth conveyor M9 arranged adjacent to each other in component mounting line L1 as an example.

[0081] In the example of FIG. 10(a), boards are stopped at the conveying section 4 of the front conveying lane 4F and the conveying section 4 of the rear conveying lane 4R of the component mounting devices M7 and M8 and the fourth conveyor M9. In the component mounting device M8, the front mounting work section 13A and the rear mounting work section 13B (working section) perform component mounting work in the alternating mounting mode for the board Bf22 stopped at the conveying section 4 of the front conveying lane 4F (front conveying section 4A). Here, when the board Br21 is conveyed downstream from the conveying section 4 of the rear conveying lane 4R of the fourth conveyor M9 (arrow c), the board request processing section 53 of the fourth conveyor M9 transmits a board request signal S1 (working status) to the upstream component mounting device M8 (production equipment) to convey the board Br22 to the conveying section 4 of the rear conveying lane 4R.

[0082] 10(b), the equipment priority determination unit 42 of the component mounting device M8 changes the priority order based on the board request signal S1 (work status) sent from the downstream fourth conveyor M9 (production equipment) so as to give priority to the work on the transport section 4 (rear transport section 4B) side of the rear transport lane 4R. Next, based on the determined priority order, the mounting processing unit 44 (control unit) of the component mounting device M8 temporarily suspends the component mounting work on the board Bf22 stopped at the front transport section 4A, and starts the component mounting work on the board Br22 stopped at the rear transport section 4B.

[0083] This makes it possible to determine the priority order of tasks with the highest production efficiency, so that component mounting work and board transport work can be performed preferentially on the board Br22 on the transport section 4 (rear transport section 4B) of the rear transport lane 4R of the component mounting device M8, which has vacant downstream.

[0084] In the example of Fig. 11(a), boards are stopped at the conveying section 4 of the front conveying lane 4F and the conveying section 4 of the rear conveying lane 4R of the component mounting device M7 and the fourth conveyor M9. In addition, in the component mounting device M8, the front mounting working section 13A and the rear mounting working section 13B (working section) are performing component mounting work in the alternating mounting mode for the board Bf32 stopped at the front conveying section 4A. In addition, there is no board on the rear conveying section 4B of the component mounting device M8, and the board request processing section 45 of the component mounting device M8 transmits a board request signal S2 (working status) to the upstream component mounting device M7 (production equipment) to convey the board Br32 to the rear conveying section 4B.

[0085] 11(a), the transport processing unit 43 of the component mounting device M7 transports the board Br32 from the rear transport unit 4B based on a board request signal S2 (working status) sent from the downstream component mounting device M8 (production equipment) (arrow d1). Here, when the board Br31 is transported downstream from the transport unit 4 of the rear transport lane 4R of the fourth conveyor M9 (arrow d2), the board request processing unit 53 of the fourth conveyor M9 transmits a board request signal S3 to the upstream component mounting device M8 (production equipment) to transport the board Br32 to the transport unit 4 of the rear transport lane 4R.

[0086] 11(b), the equipment priority determination unit 42 of the component mounting device M8 changes the priority to give priority to the work on the rear conveyor 4B side based on the board request signal S3 (work status) sent from the fourth conveyor M9 (production equipment) adjacent downstream. When the board Br32 stops on the rear conveyor 4B of the component mounting device M8, the mounting processing unit 44 (control unit) then temporarily suspends the component mounting work on the board Bf32 stopped on the front conveyor 4A based on the determined priority, and starts the component mounting work on the board Br32 stopped on the rear conveyor 4B.

[0087] This makes it possible to determine the priority order of tasks with the highest production efficiency, so that component mounting work and board transport work can be performed preferentially on the board Br32 on the transport section 4 (rear transport section 4B) side of the rear transport lane 4R of the component mounting device M8, which has vacant downstream.

[0088] In the example of Fig. 12(a), boards are stopped at the conveying section 4 of the front conveying lane 4F and the conveying section 4 of the rear conveying lane 4R of the component mounting devices M7, M8, and the fourth conveyor M9. In the component mounting device M8, the front mounting working section 13A and the rear mounting working section 13B (working section) are performing component mounting work in the alternate mounting mode on the board Br42 stopped at the rear conveying section 4B. In the component mounting device M7, the front mounting working section 13A and the rear mounting working section 13B (working section) are performing component mounting work in the alternate mounting mode on the board Bf43 stopped at the front conveying section 4A.

[0089] 12(a), when the board Br41 is conveyed downstream from the conveying section 4 of the rear conveying lane 4R of the fourth conveyor M9 (arrow e), the board request processing section 53 of the fourth conveyor M9 transmits a board request signal S4 to the upstream component mounting device M8 (production equipment) to convey the board Br42 to the conveying section 4 of the rear conveying lane 4R. In FIG. 12(b), when the remaining amount of component mounting work for the board Br42 stopped at the rear conveying section 4B of the component mounting device M8 becomes less than a predetermined amount, the board request processing section 45 transmits a notice signal V1 to the upstream component mounting device M7 (production equipment) to inform that the component mounting work for the board Br42 on the rear conveying section 4B side will soon be completed.

[0090] 12(b), the equipment priority determination unit 42 of the component mounting device M7 then changes the priority to give priority to the work on the rear conveyer 4B side based on the advance notice signal V1 (work status) sent from the component mounting device M8. Then, the mounting processing unit 44 (control unit) of the component mounting device M7 temporarily suspends the component mounting work on the board Bf43 stopped on the front conveyer 4A based on the determined priority, and starts the component mounting work on the board Br43 stopped on the rear conveyer 4B.

[0091] This allows the priority order of tasks with the highest production efficiency to be determined, so that component mounting work and board transport work can be performed preferentially on the boards Br42 and Br43 on the transport section 4 (rear transport section 4B) of the rear transport lane 4R of component mounting devices M7 and M8, which are available downstream.

[0092] Next, a component mounting method by the component mounting apparatuses M7 and M8 of another embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 10 to 12 along the flow of Fig. 13. First, when a board is carried into one of the transport sections 4 (front transport section 4A, rear transport section 4B) of the component mounting apparatuses M7 and M8 (ST11), the equipment priority determination section 42 judges whether a component mounting operation is being performed on the board stopped on the other transport section 4 (ST12). In Fig. 11(b), when a board Br32 is carried into one of the rear transport sections 4B of the component mounting apparatus M8 (ST11), the equipment priority determination section 42 judges whether a component mounting operation is being performed on the board Bf32 stopped on the other front transport section 4A (ST12).

[0093] 13, when component mounting work is being performed on the other side (Yes in ST12), the equipment priority determination unit 42 judges whether or not a board request signal or a notice signal is being sent from the downstream production equipment (component mounting device M8, fourth conveyor M9) to the transport unit 4 on the other side (ST13). When a board request signal or a notice signal is being sent to the transport unit 4 on the other side (Yes in ST13), the equipment priority determination unit 42 does not change the priority, and the process returns to (ST12) to continue component mounting work on the board stopped on the transport unit 4 on the other side.

[0094] If a board request signal or advance notice signal has not been sent to the transport section 4 on the other side (No in ST13), the equipment priority determination section 42 judges whether or not a board request signal or advance notice signal has been sent from the downstream production equipment (component mounting device M8, fourth conveyor M9) to the transport section 4 on the side (one side) where the board was carried in (ST14). If a board request signal or advance notice signal has not been sent to the transport section 4 on the side (one side) where the board was carried in (No in ST14), the equipment priority determination section 42 does not change the priority, and returns to (ST12) to continue component mounting work on the board stopped in the transport section 4 on the other side.

[0095] 13, when a board request signal or a notice signal is being sent to the transport unit 4 on the side (one side) where the board is carried in (Yes in ST14), the equipment priority determination unit 42 changes the priority order so that the side (one side) where the board is carried in is given priority. That is, priority is given to component mounting work on the board stopped at the transport unit 4 on the side that first received the board request signal or notice signal. As a result, component mounting work on the carried-in board (one side) is started (ST15). Also, when component mounting work is not being performed on the other side (No in ST12), component mounting work on the carried-in board (one side) is started (ST15).

[0096] In FIG. 10(a), component mounting is being performed on the other board Bf22 stopped on the other front-side conveying section 4A of the component mounting device M8 (Yes in ST12), and a board request signal is not sent from the downstream fourth conveyor M9 to the other front-side conveying section 4A of the component mounting device M8 (No in ST13). Meanwhile, a board request signal S1 is sent from the downstream fourth conveyor M9 to one rear-side conveying section 4B of the component mounting device M8 (Yes in ST14). Therefore, the equipment priority determination section 42 of the component mounting device M8 changes the priority order so that one rear-side conveying section 4B is given priority. As a result, the component mounting operation on the other board Bf22 is temporarily suspended, and the component mounting operation on one board Br22 stopped on the rear-side conveying section 4B is started (ST15) (FIG. 10(b)).

[0097] In Fig. 11(b), the downstream fourth conveyor M9 does not transmit a board request signal to the other front-side transport section 4A of the component mounting device M8 (No in ST13), but the downstream fourth conveyor M9 transmits a board request signal S3 to one rear-side transport section 4B of the component mounting device M8 (Yes in ST14). Therefore, the equipment priority determination section 42 of the component mounting device M8 changes the priority order so that the one board Br32 carried into one rear-side transport section 4B has priority over the other board Bf32 stopped at the other front-side transport section 4A. As a result, the component mounting operation on the other board Bf32 is temporarily suspended, and the component mounting operation on the one board Br32 carried in is started.

[0098] In FIG. 12(a), component mounting is being performed on the other board Bf43 stopped on the front conveying section 4A of the component mounting device M7 (Yes in ST12), and no board request signal or notice signal is sent from the downstream component mounting device M8 to the other front conveying section 4A of the component mounting device M7 (No in ST13). In this state, a notice signal V1 is sent from the downstream component mounting device M8 to one rear conveying section 4B of the component mounting device M7 (Yes in ST14). Therefore, the equipment priority determination section 42 of the component mounting device M7 changes the priority order so that one rear conveying section 4B is given priority. As a result, the component mounting operation on the other board Bf43 is temporarily suspended, and the component mounting operation on one board Br43 stopped on one rear conveying section 4B is started (ST15) (FIG. 12(b)).

[0099] In Fig. 13, when component mounting work on a board that has been carried in is completed, the board on which component mounting work has been completed is unloaded downstream (ST16). If there are boards that have not yet been worked on (No in ST17), the process returns to (ST11) and the next board is loaded in. When work on all boards has been completed (Yes in ST17), component mounting work in component mounting devices M7 and M8 ends. Note that when mounting work on the other side is completed in ST12, the board on the other side is unloaded.

[0100] In this way, equipment priority determination unit 42 determines the priority order so as to give priority to the work on the transport unit 4 side of the previously acquired board request signal (board request signal S1 in FIG. 10, board request signal S3 in FIG. 11) or notice signal (notice signal V1 in FIG. 12(b)). This makes it possible to determine the priority order of the work with the best production efficiency in a production line (component mounting line L1) equipped with multiple pieces of production equipment (component mounting devices M7, M8).

[0101] Next, a board request method by component mounting devices M7, M8 of another embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 11 and 12 along the flow of Figure 14. After a board is carried out from one of the transport sections 4 (front transport section 4A, rear transport section 4B) and before the next board is carried out, the board request processing section 45 of the component mounting devices M7, M8 transmits (sends) a board request signal or a notice signal to the upstream production equipment according to the board request method described below for each transport section 4.

[0102] 14, when a board is unloaded from any of the transport sections 4, the board request processing section 45 monitors the next board being loaded into that transport section 4 (ST21). When the next board is loaded (Yes in ST21), the board request processing section 45 monitors the remaining amount of component mounting work on the board loaded into that transport section 4 (ST22). When the remaining amount of component mounting work falls below a predetermined amount (Yes in ST22), the board request processing section 45 transmits a notice signal to the upstream production equipment to the effect that the component mounting work of that transport section 4 will soon be completed (ST23).

[0103] In FIG. 12(b), the board request processing unit 45 of the component mounting device M8 detects that the remaining amount of component mounting work on the board Br42 stopped at the rear transport unit 4B that it has been monitoring has fallen below a predetermined amount (Yes in ST22), and the board request processing unit 45 sends a warning signal V1 to the upstream component mounting device M7 to the effect that the component mounting work on the board Br42 will soon be completed (ST23).

[0104] In Fig. 14, when the notice signal V1 is sent, the board request processing unit 45 monitors the board being unloaded from the transport unit 4 (ST24). When the board is unloaded (Yes in ST24), the board request processing unit 45 sends a board request signal to the upstream production equipment to unload the board to the transport unit 4 (ST25). In Fig. 11(a), since the board has been unloaded from the rear transport unit 4B (Yes in ST24), the board request processing unit 45 of the component mounting device M8 sends a board request signal S2 to the upstream component mounting device M7 to unload the board to the rear transport unit 4B (ST25).

[0105] In Fig. 14, after a board is unloaded and a board request signal is sent, if there are any boards that have not yet been worked on (No in ST26), the process returns to (ST21) and monitoring for the loading of the next board is performed. When work on all boards is completed (Yes in ST26), the component mounting work in component mounting devices M7 and M8 is completed. In this way, by sending a notice signal V1 based on the progress of the component mounting work before board request processing unit 45 sends a board request signal, upstream production equipment can appropriately determine the priority of component mounting work. This makes it possible to determine the priority of work with the best production efficiency on component mounting line L1 (production line).

[0106] As described above, the component mounting devices M7 and M8 of other embodiments are production equipment for a production line (component mounting line L1) equipped with multiple production equipment that performs operations on workpieces (substrates) to produce products (mounted substrates), and are equipped with multiple transport units 4 (front transport unit 4A, rear transport unit 4B) that transport the workpieces in parallel, work units (front mounting work unit 13A, rear mounting work unit 13B) that perform operations on the workpieces, an equipment acquisition unit 41 that acquires the work status of the workpieces from the production equipment, an equipment priority determination unit 42 that determines the priority of operations for the workpieces from the acquired work status, and a control unit (mounting processing unit 44) that controls the work units based on the determined priority.

[0107] The equipment priority determination unit 42 determines the priority of the timing of the work or transportation for the work. This makes it possible to determine the priority of the work with the best production efficiency in a production line (component mounting line L1) equipped with multiple pieces of production equipment.

[0108] In addition to the alternating mounting mode described above, the same effect can be obtained by determining the priority based on the work situation in a configuration with one mounting head 5 and giving priority to mounting on boards on one or the other transport section 4.

[0109] In addition, the above description of the line control system uses a component mounting line L1 that mounts components on a board as an example of a production line, but the production line is not limited to this. For example, the production line may be a semiconductor production line that manufactures semiconductors, an assembly production line that assembles electrical equipment, or a food processing line that produces food products. [Industrial Applicability]

[0110] The line control system, priority determination method, and production equipment of the present invention have the effect of being able to determine the priority of tasks with high production efficiency in a production line equipped with multiple pieces of production equipment, and are useful in the field of mounting components onto circuit boards. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] 3. Line management computer (line control system) 4. Conveyor 4A Front conveying section (conveying section) 4B Rear conveying section (conveying section) 5 Mounting head (working section) 5F Front mounting head (working section) 5R Rear mounting head (working section) 8 Tape feeder (working section) 13A Front mounting work area (work area) 13B Rear mounting work area (work area) B1~B5, Bf1~Bf8, Bf11~Bf18, Bf21~Bf22, Bf31~Bf32, Bf41~Bf43, Br1~Br7, Br11~Br17, Br21~Br22, Br31~Br32, Br41~Br43 Substrate (work) L1 Component mounting line (production line) M1 Loader (production equipment) M2 First conveyor (production equipment) M3 Printing Equipment (Production Equipment) M4 Second conveyor (production equipment) M5 Printing inspection device (production equipment) M6 3rd conveyor (production equipment) M7, M8 component mounting equipment (production equipment) M9 4th conveyor (production equipment) M10 Mounting inspection device (production equipment) M11 5th conveyor (production equipment) M12 Reflow machine (production equipment) M13 Unloader (production equipment)

Claims

1. In a line control system for controlling a production line having a plurality of production facilities that perform operations on workpieces to produce products, At least one of the plurality of production facilities is A plurality of conveying units that convey the workpieces in parallel; A plurality of working units that alternately perform work on the workpiece, The line control system comprises: An acquisition unit that acquires the work status of the work from a plurality of the production facilities; A priority order determination unit that determines a priority order of the workpieces to be worked on at the plurality of working units among the plurality of workpieces that are transported in parallel based on the acquired work status; an instruction unit that instructs the production equipment to perform work based on the determined priority order; A production time estimation unit that estimates a production time of the work required after the timing at which the work status is acquired, A line control system, wherein the priority determination unit determines the priority based on the production time estimated for the timing of work or transportation on the work.

2. The line control system according to claim 1 , wherein when there are workable workpieces on a plurality of the transport sections, the priority determination section assigns a higher priority to a workpiece among the plurality of the workpieces that has a shorter estimated production time.

3. 3. The line control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when a workpiece is being worked on in one of the transport sections and another workpiece is brought into another of the transport sections, the priority determination section increases the priority of a workpiece among the plurality of works that has a shorter estimated production time.

4. 4. The line control system according to claim 1, wherein the production time estimation unit estimates the production time until an operation on the workpiece is completed in the production equipment at the very end to which the workpiece is transported.

5. The acquisition unit further acquires event information that has occurred in the plurality of production facilities, The system further includes an equipment status estimation unit that estimates the occurrence of a stoppage or delay of work in the production equipment from the acquired event information, The line control system according to claim 1 , wherein the priority determination unit lowers the priority of the workpiece to be transported to the transport unit of the production equipment in which a stop or delay of the work is estimated to occur.

6. A retention estimation unit that estimates the occurrence of retention of work in the production equipment from the acquired work status, The line control system according to claim 1 , wherein the priority determination unit lowers the priority of the workpiece to be transported to the transport unit of the production equipment where the congestion is estimated to occur.

7. 7. The line control system according to claim 1, wherein the production facility includes at least a component mounting device that mounts components on a board to produce a component-mounted board.

8. A method for determining a priority order in a production line including a plurality of production facilities for performing operations on workpieces to produce products, at least one of the plurality of production facilities having a plurality of transport units for transporting workpieces in parallel and a plurality of working units for performing operations on the workpieces alternately, the method comprising the steps of: Acquire the operation status of the work from a plurality of the production facilities; At the timing when the operation status is acquired, a production time of the work required from that timing onward is estimated; determining a priority order of the workpieces to be worked on at the plurality of working units among the plurality of workpieces transported in parallel based on the acquired working status; A priority determination method for determining the priority based on the production time estimated for the timing of operation or transportation of the work.

9. 9. The priority determination method according to claim 8, wherein, when there are workable workpieces in a plurality of the transport sections, the priority of a workpiece having a short estimated production time among the plurality of the workpieces is set to be high.

10. 10. The priority determination method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein, when a work is being worked on in one of the transport sections and another work is brought into another of the transport sections, the priority of the work among the plurality of works whose estimated production time is short is increased.

11. 11. The priority determination method according to claim 8, wherein the production time until the operation on the workpiece is completed in the production equipment at the very end to which the workpiece is transported is estimated.

12. Further acquiring event information occurring in the plurality of production facilities; The method further includes estimating the occurrence of a stoppage or delay of work in the production facility from the acquired event information; The priority determination method according to claim 8 , further comprising the step of lowering the priority of the workpiece to be transported to the transport section of the production facility where it is estimated that a stop or delay of the work will occur.

13. The method further includes estimating the occurrence of work retention in the production facility from the acquired work status; The priority determination method according to claim 8 , further comprising the step of lowering the priority of the workpiece to be transported to the transport section of the production facility where the retention is estimated to occur.

14. 14. The priority determination method according to claim 8, wherein the production facilities include at least a component mounting device that mounts components on a board to produce a component-mounted board.

15. A production line including a plurality of production equipment that performs operations on a workpiece to produce a product, A plurality of conveying units that convey the workpieces in parallel; A plurality of working units that alternately perform work on the workpiece; An equipment acquisition unit that acquires a work status of the work from the production equipment; an equipment priority order determination unit that determines a priority order of the workpieces to be worked on in the plurality of working units among the plurality of workpieces that are transported in parallel based on the acquired working status; a production time estimation unit that estimates a production time of the work required after the timing at which the work status is acquired; A control unit that controls the working unit based on the determined priority order, The equipment priority determination unit determines the priority based on the production time estimated for the timing of work or transportation on the work.

16. The production facility according to claim 15 , wherein the work status includes a board request signal transmitted from a production facility downstream of the production facility for each of the transport units.

17. The production facility according to claim 16 , wherein the facility priority determination unit determines the priority such that a task on the transport unit side of the board request signal acquired first is given priority.

18. 18. The production facility according to claim 15, wherein the production facility includes at least a component mounting device that mounts components on a board to produce a component-mounted board.

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