Production support device

Abstract

To provide a production support device capable of detecting without error that a supply unit set on a component mounting machine is set when the supply unit is out of a regular position.SOLUTION: A production support device includes: a transport section that transports and sets a supply unit that supplies components to be mounted on a circuit board by a component mounting machine or an instrument to be replaced and used by the component mounting machine to a set position provided on the component mounting machine; and a detection section that is provided in the transport section and detects whether or not the supply unit is present at the set position while allowing for positional errors.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification relates to a production support device for supporting the production work of a component mounter.

Background Art

[0002] Techniques for performing production work on a circuit board and mass-producing board products are widespread. As a representative example of a substrate working machine that performs production work, there is a component mounter that mounts components on a circuit board. Many component mounters are detachably provided with a component supply unit, and components are replenished by replacing the component supply unit. In recent years, in order to save the labor of component replenishment by workers, the practical application of a system for automatically replacing the component supply unit has been progressing. As a representative example of a component supply unit, there is a tape feeder that uses a carrier tape. One technical example related to the automatic replacement of a tape feeder is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0003] The production management system of the component mounting line disclosed in Patent Document 1 operates an automatic replacement device to change the feeder arrangement of each component mounter to the feeder arrangement specified in the production job. According to this, it is said that by changing the feeder arrangement, it becomes possible to increase production efficiency and shorten production time.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in an automatic replacement system for a component supply unit including Patent Document 1, an effect of streamlining production support operations such as component replenishment to a component mounter can be obtained. However, when the set position of the component supply unit is deviated from the normal position, the component supply unit is not recognized as being set. As a result, another component supply unit may be erroneously set at the same position, causing interference between the units. In addition to the component supply unit, an instrument supply unit that supplies an instrument used by exchanging it with a component mounter is assumed as an object to be replaced in the automatic replacement system.

[0006] Therefore, in this specification, it is an issue to be solved to provide a production support device that accurately detects that a supply unit set in a component mounter is set even when the supply unit is deviated from the normal position.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] This specification discloses a production support device including a transport unit that transports and sets a component to be mounted on a circuit board by a component mounter or a supply unit that supplies an instrument used by exchanging it with the component mounter to a set position provided in the component mounter, and a detection unit provided in the transport unit that detects whether or not the supply unit is at the set position while allowing a position error.

Effect of the Invention

[0008] In the disclosed production support device, the detection unit detects whether or not a supply unit is at the set position while allowing a position error. Therefore, the production support device accurately detects that the supply unit is set not only when the supply unit is set at the normal position but also when the supply unit is set with a position error due to being deviated from the normal position. As a result, the risk of interfering with another supply unit with respect to the supply unit set with a deviation from the normal position is eliminated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] 1. Configuration of the substrate work line 9 First, a configuration example of the substrate processing line 9 to which the production support apparatus 1 of the first embodiment is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4. As shown by the arrow in the upper left of FIG. 1, the front, back, left, and right are arbitrarily defined. The substrate processing line 9 is configured by arranging a plurality of substrate processing machines side by side in the left-right direction. That is, a solder printer 91, a print inspection machine 92, a first component mounter 93, a second component mounter 94, a third component mounter 95, a substrate appearance inspection machine (not shown), and a reflow machine (not shown) are arranged in order from the left side (upstream side) to the right side (downstream side). The direction from the left side to the right side is the substrate conveyance direction.

[0011] Each substrate processing machine performs a predetermined production operation on the circuit board, in other words, a substrate processing operation. More specifically, the solder printer 91 prints paste-like solder on the substrate in a defined pattern shape. The print inspection machine 92 images and inspects the solder printing state on the circuit board. The first component mounter 93, the second component mounter 94, and the third component mounter 95 suck components from the component supply unit 8 described later and mount them on the solder printed on the circuit board. The substrate appearance inspection machine images the components mounted on the circuit board and inspects the mounting state. The reflow machine heats and cools the solder to ensure the soldering state of the components.

[0012] The first component mounter 93, the second component mounter 94, and the third component mounter 95 have the same structure as each other. Each component mounter (93, 94, 95) is configured by assembling a device pallet 9A, an in-machine replenishment pallet 9S, a substrate conveyance device not visible in FIG. 1, a component transfer device, and a control device 96 (see FIG. 6) to a base 99.

[0013] The device pallet 9A is detachably attached at approximately the middle height on the front side of the base 99. The device pallet 9A operates as a component supply device. As shown in FIG. 2, the device pallet 9A has a horizontally arranged rectangular plate-shaped bottom plate portion 9B and an upright portion 9D that stands upright from the rear edge of the bottom plate portion 9B. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the device pallet 9A has a right side plate 9F that stands upright from the right edge of the bottom plate portion 9B and a left side plate 9H that stands upright from the left edge of the bottom plate portion 9B.

[0014] The bottom plate portion 9B has a plurality of groove-shaped slots 9C that extend in the front-rear direction and are arranged at a predetermined pitch in the left-right direction. Each component supply unit 8 is inserted and set into each slot 9C from the front side. Each slot 9C corresponds to a set position for setting each component supply unit 8. On the front surface of the upright portion 9D, pallet-side connectors 9E are provided at a plurality of locations corresponding to the upper rear sides of the respective slots 9C. The pallet-side connectors 9E serve to supply power and connect communication paths. A position marker 9G that is detected by a right detection unit 4R described later is set near the upper part of the front surface of the right side plate 9F. The position marker 9G does not have to be a dedicated member, as long as it indicates the thickness or the left-right position of the right side plate 9F.

[0015] The component supply unit 8 pulls out a carrier tape from a built-in reel 81 to supply components. The component supply unit 8 is formed in a thin type with a small width dimension in the left-right direction. For ease of viewing FIG. 4, the width dimension in the left-right direction of the component supply unit 8 and the like is enlarged in the drawing. The component supply unit 8 is not limited to a standard type set in one slot 9C. That is, the component supply unit 8 allows mixing with a large component supply unit 8W having a large width dimension and set in a plurality of slots 9C, and further allows mixing with another type of component supply unit having a different internal configuration.

[0016] The component supply units (8, 8W) have unit-side connectors 82 on the rear surface. The unit-side connectors 82 serve to receive power and connect communication lines. The unit-side connectors 82 are connected to a unit control unit 83. The unit control unit 83 controls the component supply operation of the component supply units (8, 8W). The unit control unit 83 stores identification information for identifying the individual component supply units (8, 8W). The component supply units (8, 8W) can be used interchangeably with the first component mounting machine 93, the second component mounting machine 94, and the third component mounting machine 95.

[0017] In FIGS. 2 and 4, the component supply units (8, 8W) are correctly inserted and set to the normal position at the innermost part of the slot 9C. In the first embodiment, the front end of the component supply unit (8, 8W) set at the normal position substantially coincides with the front end of the bottom plate portion 9B of the device pallet 9A. Also, the component supply units (8, 8W) may be insufficiently inserted without being inserted to the normal position at the innermost part of the slot 9C. In this case, a positional error in the front-rear direction occurs in the component supply units (8, 8W) (see FIG. 5).

[0018] When the component supply units (8, 8W) are set to the normal position of the slot 9C, the unit-side connectors 82 automatically fit into the pallet-side connectors 9E. Thereby, power is supplied from the device pallet 9A to the component supply units (8, 8W). Further, the unit control unit 83 and the control device 96 are communicatively connected. When the communication connection is established, the unit control unit 83 transmits the stored identification information to the control device 96. The control device 96 that has received the identification information recognizes that the component supply units (8, 8W) are set in the slot 9C. Further, the control device 96 stores the identification information of the component supply units (8, 8W) in association with the arrangement position of the slot 9C.

[0019] The in-machine replenishment pallet 9S is arranged below the device pallet 9A on the front side of the base 99. The in-machine replenishment pallet 9S has the same configuration as the device pallet 9A. The number of slots in the in-machine replenishment pallet 9S may be the same as that of the device pallet 9A, or may be different. Used component supply units 8 that have finished being used on the device pallet 9A, component supply units 8 that are planned to be used in the future, etc. are set on the in-machine replenishment pallet 9S.

[0020] Note that the supply units set on the device pallet 9A and the in-machine replenishment pallet 9S are not limited to the component supply unit 8. For example, the supply unit may be an instrument supply unit that supplies instruments such as suction nozzles that are replaced and used in component mounting machines (93, 94, 95). The applicant of the present application discloses a detailed internal configuration example of the component supply unit 8 and the nozzle supply unit in Patent Document 1.

[0021] The substrate transfer device performs the loading, positioning, and unloading of the circuit board. The component transfer device uses a suction nozzle to suck components from the component supply unit 8 on the device pallet 9A and mounts the components on the solder printed on the circuit board. The control device 96 controls the component supply unit 8, the substrate transfer device, and the component transfer device based on the operation data described later, and advances the component mounting operation (production operation). The control device 96 is configured using a computer device, or is configured by communication connection of a plurality of computer devices distributed in the component mounting machines (93, 94, 95).

[0022] A separate supply pallet device 7 is provided on the substrate processing line 9. The separate supply pallet device 7 is provided adjacent to the left side of the solder printer 91. The separate supply pallet device 7 is arranged at the same height as the device pallet 9A of the component mounters (93, 94, 95). The separate supply pallet device 7 has the same configuration as the device pallet 9A. The number of slots of the separate supply pallet device 7 may be the same as or different from that of the device pallet 9A. Used component supply units 8 that have finished being used on the device pallet 9A, component supply units 8 that are planned to be used in the future, etc. are set on the separate supply pallet device 7.

[0023] Furthermore, a line management device 97 is provided on the substrate processing line 9. The line management device 97 is arranged adjacent to the left side of the separate supply pallet device 7. The line management device 97 is communicatively connected to a plurality of substrate processing machines. The line management device 97 manages work data describing the work content of different substrate processing operations for each type of circuit board. Based on the production plan of the substrate products (circuit boards), the line management device 97 sends the respective work data to a plurality of substrate processing machines. The line management device 97 further monitors the operating status of the plurality of substrate processing machines.

[0024] 2. Configuration of the production support device 1 of the embodiment Next, the configuration of the production support device 1 of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 to 5. The production support device 1 supports the production operations of the component mounters (93, 94, 95). The production support device 1 includes a transport unit 3, a right detection unit 4R and a left detection unit 4L provided on the transport unit 3, and a transport control unit 5 (see FIG. 6), etc.

[0025] The transfer unit 3 transports the component supply unit 8 between the device pallet 9A, the in-machine replenishment pallet 9S, and the separate replenishment pallet device 7, and attaches and detaches it to and from the slot 9C. The transfer unit 3 is formed in a vertically long box shape with an open rear side. The transfer unit 3 is provided so as to be movable in the left-right direction along a rail portion provided in front of three component mounting machines (93, 94, 95) and the separate replenishment pallet device 7. Therefore, the transfer unit 3 moves in the left-right direction in front of the device pallet 9A.

[0026] The middle-stage rail 21 and the lower-stage rail 22 corresponding to the rail portion are respectively provided on the front surface of the base 99 of a plurality of pairs of substrate working machines and on the front surface of the separate replenishment pallet device 7. The middle-stage rail 21 and the lower-stage rail 22 extend in the left-right direction. The height position of the middle-stage rail 21 is unified to the middle height between the device pallet 9A and the in-machine replenishment pallet 9S. The height position of the lower-stage rail 22 is unified to the lower height of the in-machine replenishment pallet 9S. Thereby, the plurality of middle-stage rails 21 and the plurality of lower-stage rails 22 form two rail portions that continue from the separate replenishment pallet device 7 to the third component mounting machine 95 and are parallel to each other.

[0027] On the other hand, the transfer unit 3 has a middle-stage traveling portion 23 and a lower-stage traveling portion 24 on its rear side. The middle-stage traveling portion 23 is engageable to travel on the middle-stage rail 21. The lower-stage traveling portion 24 is engageable to travel on the lower-stage rail 22. The middle-stage traveling portion 23 further includes a drive source that generates driving power for traveling, for example, a motor that drives traveling wheels. Thereby, the transfer unit 3 is mounted on the middle-stage rail 21 and the lower-stage rail 22 and travels and moves in the left-right direction. As a standby position where the transfer unit 3 waits, for example, the front side of the separate replenishment pallet device 7 is set.

[0028] Furthermore, the transfer unit 3 includes a non-contact power receiving unit 25 at a height position between the middle-stage traveling portion 23 and the lower-stage traveling portion 24 and at a height position that does not hinder the attachment and detachment of the component supply unit 8. The non-contact power receiving unit 25 receives power non-contact from a non-contact power transmission unit (not shown) provided at the corresponding height of a plurality of pairs of substrate working machines. Thereby, the power consumption in the transfer unit 3 is covered.

[0029] Further, the conveyance unit 3 has an elevating drive unit 26 and an exchange unit 27 inside a box shape. The elevating drive unit 26 drives the exchange unit 27 to elevate from the height of the device pallet 9A to the height of the in-machine supply pallet 9S. As the elevating drive unit 26, a ball screw feed mechanism can be exemplified, but it is not limited thereto. The exchange unit 27 is normally maintained at the heights of the device pallet 9A and the separate supply pallet device 7, and descends to the height of the in-machine supply pallet 9S as necessary.

[0030] The exchange unit 27 has an internal space for accommodating one or more component supply units 8. Further, the exchange unit 27 has a unit attachment / detachment mechanism (not shown in the figure). The unit attachment / detachment mechanism drives the component supply unit 8 accommodated in the internal space backward, and inserts and sets it into the slot 9C. Further, the unit attachment / detachment mechanism removes the component supply unit 8 set in the slot 9C by pulling it forward, and accommodates it in the internal space. The applicant of the present application has disclosed a detailed configuration example of the exchange unit 27 in International Publication No. 2019 / 239475.

[0031] The right detection unit 4R and the left detection unit 4L detect whether the component supply units (8, 8W) are present in the slot 9C of the device pallet 9A while allowing a positional error. Further, the right detection unit 4R and the left detection unit 4L exhibit the same functions and actions with respect to the separate supply pallet device 7. The main purpose of providing the right detection unit 4R and the left detection unit 4L is to confirm that there are no component supply units (8, 8W) in the slot 9C before setting the component supply units (8, 8W) in the slot 9C.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, the right detection unit 4R and the left detection unit 4L are provided on both sides in the left - right direction of the conveyance unit 3. Specifically, the right detection unit 4R is provided rearward near the right end of a mounting plate 41 that horizontally extends rightward from the rear surface of the conveyance unit 3. On the other hand, the left detection unit 4L is provided rearward near the left end of the mounting plate 41 that horizontally extends leftward from the rear surface of the conveyance unit 3. The separation distance between the right detection unit 4R and the left detection unit 4L is set to be approximately the same as the maximum width dimension in the left - right direction of the schematic portion of the conveyance unit 3. The right detection unit 4R and the left detection unit 4L are arranged at approximately the same height as the component supply units (8, 8W) set on the device pallet 9A.

[0033] Each of the right detection unit 4R and the left detection unit 4L includes a light - reflection type sensor having a light - projecting unit 42 and a light - receiving unit 43, and a determination unit 44 (see FIG. 6), etc. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the light - projecting unit 42 and the light - receiving unit 43 are arranged vertically side - by - side on the rear surface of the right detection unit 4R and the left detection unit 4L. The light - projecting unit 42 projects detection light 45 rearward. The time zone when the light - projecting unit 42 projects the detection light 45 is controlled to be on / off by the determination unit 44. The light - receiving unit 43 detects the detection light 45 that is reflected by the component supply units (8, 8W) and then incident.

[0034] The positional relationship between the light - projecting unit 42 and the light - receiving unit 43 is not limited to the above, and any positional relationship that enables the projection and incidence of the detection light 45 is acceptable. Also, as the detection light 45, a laser beam with strong directivity can be used. The determination unit 44 controls the light - projecting unit 42 and finally determines the presence or absence of the component supply units (8, 8W) based on the detection result of the light - receiving unit 43. The determination unit 44 may be provided integrally with the light - projecting unit 42 or the light - receiving unit 43, or may be separate from the light - projecting unit 42 and the light - receiving unit 43.

[0035] When the conveying unit 3 moves in from the outside to the front side of the device pallet 9A, the right detection unit 4R and the left detection unit 4L can detect whether each of the plurality of component supply units (8, 8W) is present. As shown by the arrow M1 in FIG. 4, when the conveying unit 3 moves in from the left outside to the front side of the device pallet 9A, the right detection unit 4R on the front side of the entering direction mainly performs detection. Conversely, when the conveying unit 3 moves in from the right outside to the front side of the device pallet 9A, the left detection unit 4L mainly performs detection. The right detection unit 4R and the left detection unit 4L can perform detection even during the movement of the conveying unit 3.

[0036] Regarding the detection method in detail, the light projecting unit 42 projects the detection light 45 toward a plurality of different locations of one component supply unit (8, 8W). For example, as shown in FIG. 4, in the standard type component supply unit 8, three detection points P1 spaced apart by a distance D1 in the width direction are set. Also, in the large-sized component supply unit 8W, three detection points P2 spaced apart by a distance D2 (larger than the distance D1) in the width direction are set.

[0037] The determination unit 44 executes a first method or a second method for controlling the light projecting unit 42 to be turned on / off. In the first method, the determination unit 44 controls the light projecting unit 42 to be turned on each time the light projecting unit 42 and the light receiving unit 43 face the detection point P1 during the movement of the conveying unit 3. That is, the light projecting unit 42 projects the detection light 45 a total of three times toward the three detection points P1. Also, in the second method, the determination unit 44 controls the light projecting unit 42 to be turned on throughout the time period when the light projecting unit 42 and the light receiving unit 43 face the component supply unit 8 during the movement of the conveying unit 3. That is, the light projecting unit 42 projects the detection light 45 only once so as to include not only the three detection points P1 but also their left and right positions, and projects it for a longer time compared with the first method.

[0038] On the one hand, the light-receiving unit 43 performs detection at three detection points P1 respectively. In other words, it performs detection three times, which is the specified number of detections. The light-receiving unit 43 outputs the three received light amounts detected at each detection point to the determination unit 44. That is, in either of the above-described first method and second method, the light-receiving unit 43 focuses only on the three detection points P1 and detects whether the detection light 45 is reflected. The determination unit 44 determines that "the component supply unit 8 is present" when one or more of the three received light amounts exceed a predetermined determination value. Note that the comparison of the magnitude between the received light amount and the determination value may be performed by the light-receiving unit 43.

[0039] The purpose of performing multiple detections on a plurality of different locations of the component supply unit (8, 8W) is to improve the detection reliability. Specifically, the front surface of the component supply unit (8, 8W) is formed with uneven portions and hole portions, and in addition, since a plurality of materials are mixed, it is difficult to stably reflect the detection light 45. For this reason, if detection is performed only at one location, there is a risk of misjudging the presence or absence of the component supply unit (8, 8W). On the other hand, by performing detections at a plurality of locations and determining that the component supply unit (8, 8W) is present when the detection light 45 is detected at even one location, the detection reliability can be improved. To meet this purpose, the number of detection points (P1, P2) can be increased or decreased, and the positions of the detection points (P1, P2) can be changed to avoid uneven portions and hole portions.

[0040] Also, the right detection unit 4R and the left detection unit 4L can detect whether the component supply unit (8, 8W) is present while allowing for positional errors. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the component supply unit 8 may be inserted insufficiently into the slot 9C by a shortage dimension LE, resulting in a positional error in the front-rear direction. In this case, although slight variations may occur in the path direction and path length of the detection light 45, the right detection unit 4R can accurately detect that the component supply unit 8 is present. The functions and operations of the right detection unit 4R and the left detection unit 4L described above are similarly exhibited for the separate replenishment pallet device 7. Note that the cause of the insufficient insertion of the component supply unit 8 is not limited to the malfunction of the unit attachment / detachment mechanism of the replacement unit 27, and may also be due to the malfunction of the manual setting operation of the component supply unit 8 by the operator.

[0041] Furthermore, the right detection unit 4R detects the position marker 9G on the right side plate 9F of the device pallet 9A. Thereby, the mounting position of the device pallet 9A in the left-right direction can be determined, and the accurate position of the set component supply unit 8 in the left-right direction can be determined. Since the device pallet 9A is repeatedly attached and detached, the mounting position may change slightly each time. Therefore, the right detection unit 4R detects the position marker 9G each time the device pallet 9A is attached. Note that by providing the position marker 9G also on the left side plate 9H and having the left detection unit 4L detect it, the detection accuracy of the position of the device pallet 9A can be improved.

[0042] The conveyance control unit 5 controls the conveyance unit 3. The conveyance control unit 5 is configured using a computer device. The position where the conveyance control unit 5 is provided is not particularly limited.

[0043] 3. Control Configuration of the Production Support Device 1 Next, the control configuration of the production support apparatus 1 will be described in association with the substrate work line 9 with reference to FIG. 6. In FIG. 6, only one of the unit control units 83 provided in each of the plurality of component supply units 8 is illustrated. In each component mounting machine (93, 94, 95), when the component supply unit 8 is set in the slot 9C of the device pallet 9A, the unit control unit 83 of the component supply unit 8 and the control device 96 are automatically communicatively connected. Thereby, the control device 96 recognizes that the component supply unit 8 is set in the slot 9C and the identification information of the component supply unit 8.

[0044] Also, when the component supply unit 8 is set in the slot of the in-machine supply pallet 9S, the unit control unit 83 and the control device 96 are automatically communicatively connected in the same manner as when set in the device pallet 9A. Thereby, the control device 96 recognizes that the component supply unit 8 is set in the slot of the in-machine supply pallet 9S and the identification information of the component supply unit 8.

[0045] Each control device 96 of the component mounting machines (93, 94, 95) is communicatively connected to the conveyance control unit 5 via the line management device 97. Each control device 96 transmits a setting command to the conveyance control unit 5 when the production operation of the component mounting machine (93, 94, 95) progresses and any of the component supply units 8 becomes used. Also, when changing the type of the substrate product (circuit board) to be produced, the line management device 97 or the control device 96 transmits a setting command to the conveyance control unit 5. The setting command specifies the identification information of the component supply unit 8 that has become necessary (requests setting) and the array position of the empty slot 9C for setting the component supply unit 8, and requests a setting operation.

[0046] In addition to the line management device 97, the conveyance control unit 5 is communicatively connected to the separate replenishment pallet device 7. When the component supply unit 8 is set on the separate replenishment pallet device 7, the unit control unit 83 of the component supply unit 8 and the conveyance control unit 5 are automatically communicatively connected. Thereby, the conveyance control unit 5 recognizes that the component supply unit 8 is set in the slot of the separate replenishment pallet device 7 and the identification information of the component supply unit 8.

[0047] Furthermore, the conveyance control unit 5 is communicatively connected to the moving side control unit 6 of the conveyance unit 3 using wireless communication or the like. Based on a command from the conveyance control unit 5, the moving side control unit 6 controls the drive source of the middle running unit 23 to move the conveyance unit 3. Also, the moving side control unit 6 controls the operations of the lifting drive unit 26 and the exchange unit 27. Furthermore, the moving side control unit 6 recognizes the current position of the conveyance unit 3 and controls the detection timings of the right detection unit 4R and the left detection unit 4L. In addition, the moving side control unit 6 acquires detection results from the right detection unit 4R and the left detection unit 4L and transmits them to the conveyance control unit 5.

[0048] The conveyance control unit 5 controls the operation of the conveyance unit 3 via the moving side control unit 6 according to the set command received from the control device 96. First, the conveyance control unit 5 determines whether the component supply unit 8 specified in the set command is on the in-machine replenishment pallet 9S or the separate replenishment pallet device 7. Next, the conveyance control unit 5 extracts the specified component supply unit 8 from the in-machine replenishment pallet 9S or the separate replenishment pallet device 7, conveys it to the device pallet 9A, and transmits an operation command to set it in the specified slot 9C to the moving side control unit 6. The control methods of the conveyance control unit 5 and the moving side control unit 6 and the like will be specifically described in the following description of the operation.

[0049] 4. Operation of the production support device 1 Next, the operation of the production support device 1 will be described with reference to the operation flows in two cases shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In FIGS. 7 and 8, it is assumed that the control device 96 of the first component mounting machine 93 has sent a set command. Also, the right detection unit 4R and the left detection unit 4L detect only the slots 9C at specific array positions specified in the set command. Further, in FIG. 7, it is assumed that the component supply unit 8 specified in the set command is in the separate replenishment pallet device 7.

[0050] In step S1 of FIG. 7, the conveyance control unit 5 acquires a set command from the control device 96 of the first component mounting machine 93. Further, the conveyance control unit 5 transmits an operation command corresponding to the set command to the moving side control unit 6. In the next step S2, the conveyance unit 3 moves to the separate replenishment pallet device 7 according to the control from the moving side control unit 6 (it may not be necessary to move from the standby position). Next, the conveyance unit 3 extracts the specified component supply unit 8 from the separate replenishment pallet device 7 and accommodates it in the replacement unit 27. In the next step S3, the conveyance unit 3 moves from the separate replenishment pallet device 7 toward the first component mounting machine 93 and enters from the left side.

[0051] In the next step S4, the moving side control unit 6 determines whether the right detection unit 4R has reached the first detection point P1. Specifically, the moving side control unit 6 assumes that the component supply unit 8 is in the slot 9C specified in the set command, and based on the current position of the conveyance unit 3, determines whether the right detection unit 4R has reached the first detection point P1 of the assumed component supply unit 8. If it has not reached, the execution of the operation flow returns to step S3, and the movement of the conveyance unit 3 continues.

[0052] In step S5 when the right detection unit 4R has reached the assumed first detection point P1, the right detection unit 4R performs detection for the first detection point P1. In the next step S6, the determination unit 44 of the right detection unit 4R determines whether the detection for three times of the specified detection count has been completed. If not, the execution of the operation flow returns to step S3, and the movement of the conveyance unit 3 continues toward the second detection point P1. The operation loop composed of steps S3 to S6 is repeated for the specified detection count.

[0053] When the detection of the specified number of detections (three times) is completed in step S5, the execution of the operation flow proceeds from step S6 to step S7. In step S7, the conveyance control unit 5 determines whether it is in an abnormal state. The abnormal state is a state in which the determination unit 44 of the right detection unit 4R determines that "the component supply unit 8 is present". This abnormal state does not occur normally and can occur in a state of insufficient insertion into the slot 9C of the component supply unit 8 as shown in FIG. 5.

[0054] Specifically, when the component supply unit 8 is in a state of insufficient insertion, the unit-side connector 82 and the pallet-side connector 9E are not engaged. Then, the control device 96 cannot receive the identification information of the component supply unit 8 and erroneously recognizes that the corresponding slot 9C is empty. As a result, the control device 96 may send an incorrect setting command to set another component supply unit 8 toward the slot 9C in which the component supply unit 8 is set in a state of insufficient insertion. In the prior art, the right detection unit 4R and the left detection unit 4L are not provided, and the component supply units 8 may interfere with each other according to the incorrect setting command.

[0055] On the other hand, in the first embodiment, when the conveyance control unit 5 determines that it is in an abnormal state, in step S10, it operates as a notification unit and notifies the operator of the abnormal state. As a notification method, methods such as display on a display unit attached to the conveyance control unit 5 or the line management device 97, lighting of a display lamp or voice notification, and communication to a mobile terminal possessed by the operator can be used. According to this, the setting operation of another component supply unit 8 is not performed on the component supply unit 8 with insufficient insertion, and interference is eliminated.

[0056] Also, in step S8 when not in an abnormal state, the transfer unit 3 moves to the designated slot 9C. In the next step S9, the transfer unit 3 sets the component supply unit 8 it was holding in the designated slot 9C. By executing step S9 or step S10, the operation flow ends. After this, the transfer unit 3 returns to the standby position.

[0057] Next, in FIG. 8, assume that the component supply unit 8 specified in the set command is on the in-machine replenishment pallet 9S of the first component mounter 93. Also, assume a situation where the transfer unit 3 is moving to the third component mounter 95. In FIG. 8, the same step numbers as in FIG. 7 indicate that the operation contents are generally the same.

[0058] In step S1 of FIG. 8, the transfer control unit 5 acquires a set command from the control device 96 of the first component mounter 93. Further, the transfer control unit 5 transmits an operation command corresponding to the set command to the moving side control unit 6. In the next step S3, the transfer unit 3 moves from the third component mounter 95 toward the first component mounter 93 in accordance with the control from the moving side control unit 6 and enters from the right side.

[0059] By repeating the operation loop composed of steps S3 to S6 three times, the left detection unit 4L performs three detections of the specified detection count. In the next step S7, the transfer control unit 5 determines whether it is in an abnormal state. In step S10 when it is determined that it is in an abnormal state, the transfer control unit 5 notifies the operator of the abnormal state (acts as a notification unit).

[0060] Also, in step S11 when not in an abnormal state, the conveyance unit 3 moves to the storage position of the in-machine replenishment pallet 9S in which the designated component supply unit 8 is stored. In the next step S12, the conveyance unit 3 extracts the designated component supply unit 8 from the in-machine replenishment pallet 9S and stores it in the exchange unit 27 that is driven downward by the lifting drive unit 26. In the next step S13, the conveyance unit 3 raises the exchange unit 27 and, if necessary, moves it in the left-right direction, and sets the stored component supply unit 8 in the designated slot 9C. By executing step S13 or step S10, the operation flow ends.

[0061] In the production support apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, the right detection unit 4R and the left detection unit 4L detect whether the component supply unit 8 is inserted into the slot 9C while allowing a positional error in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the production support apparatus 1 can accurately detect that the component supply unit 8 is set not only when it is set at the normal position, but also when the component supply unit 8 is set with a deviation from the normal position (insertion shortage) and a positional error occurs. As a result, in the device pallet 9A and the separate replenishment pallet device 7, the possibility of interfering with another component supply unit 8 with respect to the component supply unit 8 set with a deviation from the normal position is eliminated.

[0062] 5. The production support apparatus 1A of the second embodiment Next, the production support apparatus 1A of the second embodiment will be mainly described with reference to FIG. 9, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the number of installed detection units is four, which is an increase from the two in the first embodiment. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, a lower right detection unit 4U is provided below the right detection unit 4R of the conveyance unit 3. Also, although not visible in FIG. 9, a lower left detection unit is provided below the left detection unit 4L of the conveyance unit 3. The lower right detection unit 4U and the lower left detection unit are arranged at approximately the same height as the component supply unit 8 set on the in-machine replenishment pallet 9S. The configurations of the lower right detection unit 4U and the lower left detection unit are the same as those of the right detection unit 4R and the left detection unit 4L.

[0063] The functions and operations of the lower right detection unit 4U and the lower left detection unit are the same as those of the right detection unit 4R and the left detection unit 4L, except that the object is the in-aircraft replenishment pallet 9S. In the second embodiment, the same effects as those in the first embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, even in the case of the in-aircraft replenishment pallet 9S, the risk of another component supply unit 8 interfering with the component supply unit 8 set off from the normal position is eliminated.

[0064] 6. Application and Modification of the Embodiment Note that one of the right detection unit 4R and the left detection unit 4L can be omitted. However, in order to perform detection at the position of the designated slot 9C, the number of lateral movements and the movement distance of the conveyance unit 3 increase. Also, as the right detection unit 4R and the left detection unit 4L, sensors other than the light reflection type sensor can be used. For example, a configuration including a camera that captures an image of the component supply unit 8 to acquire image data and an image processing unit that performs image processing on the image data to detect the presence or absence of the component supply unit 8 can be used. Also, a configuration that detects a magnetic field change due to the presence or absence of the component supply unit 8 composed of a ferrous material by using a magnetic field sensor that generates its own magnetic field and detects a change in the magnetic field can be used.

[0065] Furthermore, one of the in-aircraft replenishment pallet 9S and the separate replenishment pallet device 7 can be omitted. Also, when the conveyance unit 3 moves toward the first component mounting machine 93, the right detection unit 4R and the left detection unit 4L can detect the presence or absence of the component supply units (8, 8W) with all the slots 9C of the device pallet 9A as detection targets and acquire the arrangement status of the component supply units (8, 8W). The first and second embodiments can be applied and modified in various other ways.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0066] 1, 1A: Production support device 26: Lifting drive unit 27: Exchange unit 3: Conveyor unit 4R: Right detector 4L: Left detector 4U: Lower right detector 42: Light projecting unit 43: Light receiving unit 44: Judgment unit 45: Detection light 5: Conveyor control unit 6: Moving side control unit 7: Separate supply pallet device 8, 8W: Component supply unit 82: Unit side connector 83: Unit control unit 9: Substrate work line 93: First component mounter 94: Second component mounter 95: Third component mounter 96: Control device 97: Line management device 9A: Device pallet 9C: Slot 9E: Pallet side connector 9G: Position marker 9S: In-machine supply pallet P1, P2: Detection points

Claims

1. A transport unit that transports and sets a supply unit that supplies a component to be mounted on a circuit board by a component mounter or an instrument to be used by replacing it with the component mounter to a set position provided on the component mounter, a detection unit provided in the transport unit that detects whether or not the supply unit is present at the set position while allowing a position error, and the component mounter has a device pallet having a plurality of the set positions arranged in the left - right direction and extending in the front - rear direction, the transport unit is movable in the left - right direction on the front side of the device pallet, the detection unit is provided on both sides in the left - right direction of the transport unit, and when the transport unit moves into the front side of the device pallet from the outside, detects whether or not each of the plurality of supply units is present while allowing the position error in the front - rear direction of the supply unit, A production support device.

2. The production support device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit also detects an attachment position of the device pallet that is detachably attached to the component mounter.

3. A transport unit that transports and sets a supply unit that supplies a component to be mounted on a circuit board by a component mounter or an instrument to be used by replacing it with the component mounter to a set position provided on the component mounter, a detection unit provided in the transport unit that detects whether or not the supply unit is present at the set position while allowing a position error, and the component mounter has a replenishment pallet having a second set position for setting the supply unit to be replenished to the transport unit, the production support device includes a second detection unit provided in the transport unit that detects whether or not the supply unit is present at the second set position of the replenishment pallet while allowing a position error, A production support device.

4. A transport unit that transports and sets a supply unit that supplies a component to be mounted on a circuit board by a component mounter or an instrument to be used by replacing it with the component mounter to a set position provided on the component mounter, a detection unit provided in the transport unit that detects whether or not the supply unit is present at the set position while allowing a position error, and the detection unit includes a light reflection type sensor having a light projecting unit that projects detection light toward the supply unit set at the set position and a light receiving unit that detects the detection light reflected by the supply unit, The light projecting unit projects the detection light toward a plurality of different locations of one of the supply units, the light receiving unit performs detection at each of the plurality of locations, the detection unit includes a determination unit that determines that the supply unit is present when the light receiving unit detects the detection light one or more times, a production support device.

5. A transport unit that transports and sets a supply unit that supplies components to be mounted on a circuit board by a component mounter or implements to be used by being exchanged by the component mounter to a set position provided in the component mounter, a detection unit provided in the transport unit that detects whether or not the supply unit is present at the set position while allowing a position error, a notification unit that notifies an operator of the abnormal state when the detection unit detects that the supply unit is already present at the set position in an abnormal state when the transport unit sets the supply unit at the set position according to a command, A production support device comprising the same.

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