Reel Loader

Abstract

This reel loading device comprises: a feeder-holding part capable of holding a plurality of types of tape feeders having different mechanisms for feeding out a carrier tape that is let out from a detachable and rotatable reel; a plurality of types of dedicated loading units provided in accordance with the types of tape feeders, each of the dedicated loading units being capable of executing a loading process for loading the reel into the tape feeder such that the tape feeder can feed out the carrier tape in a state in which a corresponding type of tape feeder is held by the feeder-holding part; and a movement mechanism that selectively causes each of the plurality of types of dedicated loading units to undergo relative movement between a removed position and a loaded position relative to the tape feeder held by the feeder-holding part, in accordance with execution of the loading process.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present specification relates to a reel loading device. [Background technology]

[0002] A typical example of a substrate-related operation machine that performs substrate-related operations, including component mounting on a substrate, is a component mounting machine that performs component mounting operations. Many component mounting machines use a tape feeder that transports a carrier tape containing components to feed the components when mounting the components. Conventionally, the reel loading operation of setting the carrier tape wound on a reel into the tape feeder was performed by an operator. In recent years, technology has been developed to automate the reel loading operation into the tape feeder (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The reel loading device described in Patent Document 1 guides the carrier tape pulled out from the tape reel attached to the tape feeder from the tape inlet at the rear end of the tape feeder to the tape feed guide at the front end, and processes the leading end of the carrier tape to align the component. With this configuration, the carrier tape pulled out from the tape reel can be automatically set in the tape feeder. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2013 / 132599 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, multiple types of tape feeders are provided depending on the mechanism for handling the carrier tape within the tape feeder and the mechanism for processing the cover tape after components are removed from the carrier tape. However, the technology of Patent Document 1 does not allow the reel loading device to accommodate multiple types of tape feeders. Therefore, in order to accommodate multiple types of tape feeders, it is necessary to provide dedicated reel loading devices for each type of tape feeder, which requires an excessive amount of space to install the reel loading devices for reel loading processing into multiple types of tape feeders.

[0006] An object of the present specification is to provide a reel loading device that can perform reel loading processing into multiple types of tape feeders in a space-saving manner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This specification discloses a reel loading device comprising: a feeder holding section capable of holding multiple types of tape feeders each having a different mechanism for feeding and moving a carrier tape unwound from a detachable and rotatable reel; multiple dedicated loading units provided corresponding to the types of tape feeders, each capable of executing a loading process to load the reel into the tape feeder so that the tape feeder can feed and move the carrier tape when the corresponding type of tape feeder is held in the feeder holding section; and a moving mechanism that selectively moves each of the multiple types of dedicated loading units relative to the tape feeder held in the feeder holding section between a retracted position and a loaded position in accordance with the execution of the loading process.

[0008] According to this disclosed configuration, it is possible to selectively move multiple dedicated loading units to one feeder holding section to load reels into the corresponding types of tape feeders, thereby enabling the reel loading process into multiple types of tape feeders to be performed in a space-saving manner. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1]1 is a perspective view of a reel loading device according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a feeder holding portion and a tape feeder. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a dedicated loading unit and a moving mechanism. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the dedicated loading unit and the moving mechanism. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are plan views illustrating the operation of removing a reel from a tape feeder and the preparation operation of preparing a reel to be attached to the tape feeder. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are plan views illustrating a recovery operation for recovering a removed reel and an attachment operation for attaching the reel to a tape feeder. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart of an example of a control routine executed in the reel loading device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] 1. Reel loading device configuration The configuration of the reel loading device 1 of the embodiment will be described below. In the embodiment, for convenience, the front, rear, left and right directions are defined as shown in FIGS.

[0011] The reel loading device 1 is a device that automatically executes a loading process to load a reel R into a tape feeder (hereinafter simply referred to as the feeder) 90. The loading process of the reel R includes a process of feeding the carrier tape T unwound from the reel R to the feeder 90 so that it can be moved. The loading process of the reel R may also include a process of automatically attaching and detaching the reel R itself to and from the reel attachment portion of the feeder 90. Hereinafter, the reel loading device 1 will be referred to as automatically attaching and detaching the reel R to and from the reel attachment portion of the feeder 90, and also as automatically unwinding the carrier tape from the reel R, feeding it to the feeder 90, and setting it so that it can be moved.

[0012] First, the configuration of the feeder 90 will be described with reference to Figure 3. The feeder 90 is a device that is detachably mounted on a component mounting machine and feeds and moves the carrier tape T that houses components. A reel R around which the carrier tape T is wound is detachably and rotatably supported by the feeder 90. While supporting the reel R, the feeder 90 feeds and moves the carrier tape T to supply components. The reel R is formed in a disk shape. An identification code that identifies each individual reel R is attached to the reel R.

[0013] Carrier tape T is a tape that houses components. Carrier tape T has a base tape with cavities for housing the components, and a cover tape that covers the cavities of the base tape. The cavities are arranged at a constant pitch in the longitudinal direction of the tape. The base tape also has sprocket holes. The sprocket holes are arranged at a constant pitch in the longitudinal direction of the tape along one side edge of the base tape.

[0014] The cover tape is normally adhered to the top surface of the base tape and is peeled off from the base tape just before the component is removed from the cavity. After the component is removed from the cavity, the cover tape may be returned to contact the base tape and wound up together with the base tape, or may be wound up independently along a path separate from the base tape after the component is removed from the cavity.

[0015] The feeder 90 is formed to be thin and have a small width in the left-right direction. The right side of the feeder 90 is left wide open in the center to facilitate the attachment and detachment of the reel R. A plurality of types of reels R are provided corresponding to the material of the carrier tape T and further to the tape width dimensions of the carrier tape T and the width dimensions of the reel R. A plurality of types of feeders 90 are provided corresponding to the type of reel R or the type of carrier tape T. The plurality of types of feeders 90 have different mechanisms for feeding and moving the carrier tape T.

[0016] There are various types of feeders 90, such as one that partially peels the cover tape off the base tape, and after removing the component from the cavity, returns the cover tape to contact the base tape and winds it up together with the base tape, and another type that completely peels the cover tape off the base tape, and after removing the component from the cavity, winds up the cover tape separately from the base tape via a separate route.

[0017] The feeder 90 has a reel holding shaft 91. The reel holding shaft 91 is provided in a generally central position when the feeder 90 is viewed from the side. The reel holding shaft 91 protrudes rightward from the left side plate 92. The reel holding shaft 91 is fitted into a central hole formed in the center of the reel R, and holds the reel R detachably and rotatably.

[0018] The feeder 90 has a component supply unit 93, a sprocket 94, and a tape peeling unit (not shown). The component supply unit 93 is provided near the rear end of the upper surface of the feeder 90. The sprocket 94 is disposed in front of the component supply unit 93 and is rotatably supported by the side plate 92. The teeth of the sprocket 94 engage with sprocket holes in the carrier tape T. The sprocket 94 is intermittently driven by a drive motor (not shown) to feed and move the carrier tape T at a constant pitch. The tape peeling unit peels the cover tape that constitutes the carrier tape T from the base tape, thereby enabling the component in the cavity to be removed by the component supply unit 93.

[0019] Each feeder 90 is assigned an identification code that identifies the individual feeder 90. The feeder 90 also has a feeder control unit (not shown). The feeder control unit stores the identification code of the feeder 90 and the identification code of the reel R, and controls the component supply operation of the feeder 90. The feeder 90 is held in a feeder holding unit 20 (described below) in the reel loading device 1. When the feeder 90 is held in the feeder holding unit 20, the feeder control unit is automatically fitted via a connector (not shown) and is connected for communication with the main control unit of the reel loading device 1.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the reel loading device 1 includes a reel attaching / detaching section 11, a reel supplying section 13, and a feeder supplying section 15.

[0021] The reel attachment / detachment section 11 is a section where the reel R is attached to and detached from the feeder 90. The reel attachment / detachment section 11 is provided inside the device housing 12. The device housing 12 is a rectangular parallelepiped case that is formed so that the front and left sides are partially open. The reel attachment / detachment section 11 has a feeder holding section 20, a reel attachment mechanism 30, a tape loading mechanism 40, and a reel removal mechanism 50.

[0022] Feeder holding section 20 is a section that holds feeders 90. As shown in FIG. 2, feeder holding section 20 is located in a position toward the left front inside device housing 12. Feeder holding section 20 holds one feeder 90 in a vertically placed position at work execution position P. As shown in FIG. 3, feeder holding section 20 has a bottom plate 21 and a support plate 23.

[0023] The bottom plate 21 is a plate member extending in the front-rear direction. The bottom plate 21 has a slit 22 formed in a groove shape that extends in the front-rear direction. The feeder 90 is inserted from the front side of the slit 22 toward the rear, and is held at the operation execution position P on the bottom plate 21. The support plate 23 is a plate member that supports the lateral pressing load that is generated on the feeder 90 when the reel R is attached to the feeder 90. The support plate 23 is provided to stand up from the bottom plate 21. The support plate 23 contacts the left side surface of the feeder 90 that is held at the operation execution position P.

[0024] The reel attachment mechanism 30 is a mechanism that changes the orientation of the reel R from a horizontally placed position to a vertically placed position and attaches the reel R to the feeder 90 held at the operation position P. The reel attachment mechanism 30 is disposed on the right side of the feeder holding unit 20 inside the device housing 12. The reel attachment mechanism 30 has a pair of guide rails 31, a movable table 32, an attachment member 33, a placement area 34, and a temporary placement area 35. Note that the reel attachment mechanism 30 may be configured such that the mechanism that changes the orientation of the reel R from a horizontally placed position to a vertically placed position and the mechanism that grips the vertically placed reel R and attaches it to the feeder 90 are separate.

[0025] The pair of guide rails 31 extend in the left-right direction between the front edge of the device housing 12 and approximately the center in the front-rear direction, and are arranged parallel to and spaced apart from each other. The movable table 32 is formed to extend in the front-rear direction and is mounted across the upper side of the pair of guide rails 31. The movable table 32 can move back and forth along the guide rails 31 between the feeder holding unit 20 and a standby position located to the right of the feeder holding unit 20.

[0026] The attachment member 33 is a member that detachably picks up and moves the reel R. The attachment member 33 is formed in a roughly square bar shape and is provided so as to extend upward from the right side surface of the movable table 32. The attachment member 33 faces the reel holding shaft 91 of the feeder 90 held at the operation position P. In other words, the attachment member 33 is located to the right of the reel holding shaft 91.

[0027] The attachment member 33 swings around a swing shaft 331 provided near the movable table 32 between an upright position and a horizontal position tilted to the left (see arrow SW1 in FIG. 1). A collection unit 332 is provided at the end of the attachment member 33 away from the swing shaft 331. The collection unit 332 detachably collects the reel R. The collection unit 332 is configured, for example, by a gripping mechanism that grips claws formed on the reel R or the periphery of the reel R, or a suction mechanism that sucks the reel R by using negative pressure.

[0028] The placement area 34 is an area where the next reel R to be attached to the feeder 90 is placed in a horizontal position. The placement area 34 is located to the right between the pair of guide rails 31. The temporary placement area 35 is an area where, when the reel attachment mechanism 30 changes the use order of the reels R, the reel R is temporarily placed in a horizontal position so that the use order can be changed later. The temporary placement area 35 is located on the left side of the placement area 34 between the pair of guide rails 31. Note that the reel R placed in the temporary placement area 35 may not end up being used. The temporary placement area 35 may be formed wide enough to temporarily place multiple reels R. The movable platform 32 and the attachment member 33 move above the placement area 34 and the temporary placement area 35, respectively.

[0029] The tape loading mechanism 40 is a mechanism that performs the loading process by feeding the carrier tape T within the feeder 90 and making it movable. The tape loading mechanism 40 is disposed adjacent to the feeder holding section 20 (omitted in FIG. 1). The tape loading mechanism 40 has a dedicated loading unit 41 and a moving mechanism 42.

[0030] The dedicated loading unit 41 is a unit that executes a loading process to load the reel R into the feeder 90. A plurality of types of dedicated loading units 41 are provided corresponding to the types of feeders 90, and a plurality of dedicated loading units 41 are provided. Each dedicated loading unit 41 executes a loading process so that the corresponding type of feeder 90 is held in the feeder holding section 20 and the feeder 90 can feed and move the carrier tape T. Note that the dedicated loading unit 41 may have a function to cut the guide tape attached to the leading end of the carrier tape T and load the feeder 90 to which a new reel R is attached until the cut end engages with the sprocket 94.

[0031] The multiple types of dedicated loading units 41 have different structures or shapes depending on the types of corresponding feeders 90. In this embodiment, the tape loading mechanism 40 has one each of two types of dedicated loading units 41. The dedicated loading units 41 are configured, for example, by an articulated robot, and specifically have an articulated arm 43, a camera 44, and multiple fingers 45.

[0032] The articulated arm 43 is configured to be freely movable, such as rotating and bending, and the positions and orientations of the camera 44 and fingers 45 can be freely adjusted. The camera 44 captures an image of the feeder 90 at the work position P to detect the position and state of the reel R and carrier tape T. The camera 44 is attached to the tip of the articulated arm 43. Each finger 45 can perform operations such as moving and twisting in addition to gripping and releasing the work object. The multiple fingers 45 are provided alongside the camera 44 at the tip of the articulated arm 43.

[0033] Prior to the loading operation, the fingers 45 peel off the seal securing the leading end of the carrier tape T. The fingers 45 then load the leading end of the carrier tape T until it engages with the sprocket 94, making the carrier tape T ready to be fed and moved. The fingers 45 can facilitate the loading and unloading operations by rotating the reel R around the reel holding shaft 91 as needed. The tape loading mechanism 40 is maintained in a retracted position with the articulated arm 43 bent during non-operational times so as not to hinder the attachment and detachment of the reel R.

[0034] The movement mechanism 42 is a mechanism that moves each dedicated loading unit 41 relative to the feeder 90 held in the feeder holding section 20 between a retracted position and a loading position. Specifically, the movement mechanism 42 can independently raise and lower each of the multiple types of dedicated loading units 41 in the vertical direction, and can also move the multiple types of dedicated loading units 41 together in the horizontal direction. Note that the movement mechanism 42 may also move the multiple types of dedicated loading units 41 independently in the horizontal direction.

[0035] The movement mechanism 42 selectively moves each of the multiple types of dedicated loading units 41 between a retracted position and a loading position depending on the execution of the loading process into the feeder 90. The loading position is the position of the dedicated loading unit 41 at which the reel R or carrier tape T can be loaded into the feeder 90 at the operation execution position P held by the feeder holding section 20. The loading position is located on the lower side in the vertical direction.

[0036] The retracted position is a position of the dedicated loading unit 41 where it is not possible to load a reel R or carrier tape T into the feeder 90 at the operation position P held by the feeder holding section 20, and where there is no interference with the feeder 90 or other dedicated loading units 41 even when the horizontal holding base 46 described below moves left and right along the left and right guide rails 47. The retracted position is located on the upper side above the loading position.

[0037] The movement mechanism 42 has a horizontal holding table 46 , left and right guide rails 47 , a vertical movement table 48 , and upper and lower guide rails 49 .

[0038] The horizontal holding base 46 is a base that holds the dedicated loading unit 41 so that it can move left and right. The horizontal holding base 46 is configured to hold a plurality of dedicated loading units 41 together. The horizontal holding base 46 is held so that it can slide left and right along left guide rails 47.

[0039] The left and right guide rails 47 are guide rails that move the horizontal holding table 46 in the left and right direction. The left and right guide rails 47 extend in the left and right direction, and four of them are provided, one above the other and one behind the other. The horizontal holding table 46 can move in the left and right direction along the left and right guide rails 47. The horizontal holding table 46 moves by being driven by a motor. The horizontal holding table 46 can move each dedicated loading unit 41 to the left from the right side of the feeder holding section 20 to the loading position.

[0040] The vertically movable platform 48 is a platform that holds the dedicated loading unit 41 so that it can be raised and lowered in the vertical direction. A vertically movable platform 48 is provided for each dedicated loading unit 41, and is configured to hold one corresponding dedicated loading unit 41. Each vertically movable platform 48 is held so that it can slide in the vertical direction along vertical guide rails 49. Note that each vertically movable platform 48 may be separate from the main body base of the dedicated loading unit 41, or may be integrated with the main body base.

[0041] The vertical guide rails 49 are guide rails that move the vertical moving tables 48 in the vertical direction. The vertical guide rails 49 are attached and fixed to the horizontal holding table 46. The vertical guide rails 49 extend in the vertical direction, and four are provided on the left, right, front and rear. Each vertical moving table 48 can move in the vertical direction along a pair of vertical guide rails 49 at the front and rear. Each vertical moving table 48 moves by being driven by a motor. Each vertical moving table 48 can raise and lower the corresponding dedicated loading unit 41 to the right of the work execution position P.

[0042] The reel removal mechanism 50 is a mechanism that removes the reel R from the feeder 90 held at the operation position P. The reel removal mechanism 50 is disposed on the right side of the feeder holding section 20, and is located above the reel attachment mechanism 30. The reel removal mechanism 50 has a guide rail 51, a movable table 52, a removal member 53, and a collection box 54.

[0043] Guide rails 51 are provided near the ceiling of device housing 12 and extend in the front-to-rear direction. Movable platform 52 is formed to extend in the left-to-right direction and is mounted below guide rails 51. Movable platform 52 can move back and forth along guide rails 51 between feeder holding unit 20 and a standby position located rearward of feeder holding unit 20.

[0044] The detachment member 53 is a member that detachably collects and moves the reel R. The detachment member 53 is formed in the shape of a thick plate that is longer than the movable base 52 and is provided below the movable base 52, extending in the left-right direction. The detachment member 53 swings between a horizontal position and a vertical position hanging downward around a swing shaft 531 provided near the left end of the movable base 52 (see arrow SW2 in FIG. 1). A collection unit 532 is provided at the end of the detachment member 53 away from the swing shaft 531. The collection unit 532 detachably collects the reel R. The collection unit 532 may employ a collection method similar to that of the collection unit 332 of the reel attachment mechanism 30, or may employ a different method.

[0045] The collection box 54 is a box body that collects the detached reel R. The collection box 54 is disposed below the detachable member 53 when the movable table 52 moves to the standby position. The collection box 54 is formed in a box shape that opens upward. The collection box 54 can automatically collect the reel R that falls when the collection portion 532 of the detachable member 53 is released.

[0046] The reel supply unit 13 is a section that supplies the reel R. The reel supply unit 13 is arranged connected to the front side of the reel attachment / detachment unit 11. The reel supply unit 13 is provided on a box-shaped base 14. The base 14 corresponds to a device housing that is smaller than the device housing 12. The reel supply unit 13 has a reel holder 60 and a reel transfer mechanism 70.

[0047] The base 14 has a pair of guide plates 141. The pair of guide plates 141 extend in the front-to-rear direction on the left and right sides of the top surface of the base 14. The reel holder 60 is detachably placed between the pair of guide plates 141 of the base 14. The pair of guide plates 141 are tapered on the inner sides facing each other at the front, and are formed so that the distance between them at the front is greater than the distance between them at the rear. This structure makes it easy for the reel holder 60 to enter the base 14 from the front of the base 14.

[0048] The reel holder 60 is a component that holds a plurality of reels R (e.g., 20 reels R) stacked sideways. The reels R are not limited to new reels R, and may be reels whose carrier tape T has been partially used. The reel holder 60 includes a disk-shaped holding plate 61 and a round-bar-shaped holding shaft 62. The holding plate 61 is horizontally disposed. The holding shaft 62 is provided facing upward from the center of the holding plate 61. The holding shaft 62 is fitted into the center hole of the reel R. The reel holder 60 can hold reels R with their center holes aligned even when reels R with different diameters or widths are mixed. An identification code 63 is attached near the outer periphery on the top surface of the holding plate 61. The identification code 63 includes information that identifies each individual reel holder 60. The identification code 63 is provided by printing or attaching a sticker.

[0049] Based on the work instruction data, the worker procures multiple reels R and performs stacking work by stacking them on the reel holder 60. The work instruction data instructs the content of the loading process to be performed by the reel loading device 1. The work instruction data is data that associates type information of multiple reels R that are required in sequence as the production progresses in the component mounting machine with type information of multiple feeders 90 that can be used with those reels R.

[0050] The reel transfer mechanism 70 is a mechanism that transfers the reel R between the reel holder 60 and the placement area 34 or temporary placement area 35 of the reel attachment mechanism 30. The reel transfer mechanism 70 is disposed on a plate seat 142 that extends leftward from the bottom of the base 14. The reel transfer mechanism 70 has a support 71, an arm 72, and a collection unit 73. The support 71 stands vertically upward from a position near the rear of the plate seat 142. The arm 72 is provided so as to be able to move up and down relative to the support 71. The arm 72 is rotatable in a horizontal plane around a rotation axis 74 provided near the support 71.

[0051] The collection unit 73 detachably collects the reel R. The collection unit 73 is extendable relative to the arm 72. The collection unit 73 is attached and detached while holding the reel R horizontally. The collection unit 73 may employ the same collection method as the collection unit 332 of the reel attachment mechanism 30 and the collection unit 532 of the reel removal mechanism 50, or it may employ a different method. In addition, a code reader (not shown) is attached to the collection unit 73. The code reader can read the identification code 63 of the reel holder 60 and the identification code of the topmost reel R in the stack.

[0052] The reel transfer mechanism 70 removes the reel R from the reel holder 60 by operating the arm 72 and the collection unit 73. The reel transfer mechanism 70 also places the removed reel R in a horizontal position in the placement area 34 or the temporary placement area 35 by operating the arm 72 and the collection unit 73. The reel transfer mechanism 70 sequentially removes the multiple reels R stacked on the reel holder 60 from the top.

[0053] The feeder supply unit 15 is a portion that supplies the feeder 90. The feeder supply unit 15 is disposed connected to the left side of the reel attachment / detachment unit 11. The feeder supply unit 15 is provided inside the device housing 16. The device housing 16 is smaller than the device housing 12. The device housing 16 has a storage space 161 that is open to the front.

[0054] Feeder supply section 15 has a feeder housing section 80 and a feeder conveying section 81. Feeder housing section 80 is a box-shaped section that houses feeders 90. Feeder housing section 80 is detachably housed in storage space 161. Storage space 161 can house two feeder housing sections 80 side by side. A plurality of roller conveyors 162 extending in the left-right direction are provided on the bottom surface of storage space 161, lined up in the front-rear direction.

[0055] Feeder accommodating section 80 is formed in the shape of a box that is open at the front. A plurality of slits having the same shape as slits 22 of feeder holding section 20 are formed in the bottom surface of feeder accommodating section 80. Feeder accommodating section 80 can accommodate a plurality of (e.g., 20) feeders 90 arranged in the left-right direction in a vertical orientation.

[0056] When multiple feeders 90 are accommodated in feeder accommodation sections 80 and the feeder accommodation sections 80 are accommodated in the accommodation space 161, the feeder control sections of each feeder 90 are automatically fitted via connectors (not shown) to be communicatively connected to the main control section. Each feeder accommodation section 80 is assigned an identification code that identifies the individual feeder accommodation section 80. Based on the work instruction data described above, a worker procures multiple feeders 90 to be used and performs the accommodation work of accommodating them in the feeder accommodation sections 80. The number of feeder accommodation sections 80 accommodated in the accommodation space 161 may be one or three or more.

[0057] A guide rail 163 is provided at the front lower portion of the storage space 161 of the device housing 16. The guide rail 163 extends across almost the entire storage space 161 in the left-right direction, and also extends to the front side of the feeder holding unit 20. The feeder conveying unit 81 is mounted on the guide rail 163. The feeder conveying unit 81 moves back and forth along the guide rail 163 between the feeder accommodating unit 80 and the feeder holding unit 20.

[0058] The feeder conveying section 81 is formed in a box shape. The feeder conveying section 81 has an opening on the rear side. The feeder conveying section 81 has an internal space that temporarily houses the feeder 90, and a feeder operation mechanism that moves the feeder 90 in and out of the internal space via the opening. The feeder conveying section 81 can pull out the feeder 90 from the feeder storage section 80 or the feeder holding section 20, and conversely, can insert the feeder 90 into the feeder storage section 80 or the feeder holding section 20. Note that, to prevent workers from inadvertently approaching, it is preferable to provide an openable safety fence (not shown) in front of the reel supplying section 13 and the feeder supplying section 15.

[0059] 2. Configuration related to control and drive of reel loading device 1 Next, we will explain the configuration related to the control and drive of the reel loading device 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the reel loading device 1 is equipped with a control unit 100. The control unit 100 is configured using a computer device having a communication function and a man-machine interface function.

[0060] The control unit 100 is communicatively connected to a feeder control unit for controlling the feeders 90 held in the feeder holding unit 20 and the feeders 90 housed in the feeder housing unit 80. The control unit 100 is also communicatively connected to a host control unit 110. The host control unit 110 stores feeder correspondence data that associates the identification code of the feeder housing unit 80 with the identification code of each housed feeder 90. The feeder correspondence data is created during the housing operation described above. The host control unit 110 also stores reel correspondence data that associates the identification code of the reel holding body 60 with the identification code of each housed reel R. The reel correspondence data is created during the stacking operation described above. The host control unit 110 stores feeder information that associates the identification code of the feeder 90 with type information of the feeder 90. The host control unit 110 stores reel information that associates the identification code of the reel R with type information of the reel R.

[0061] Before starting the loading process, the control unit 100 acquires work instruction data from the host control unit 110. In addition to the work instruction data, the control unit 100 also acquires feeder-related data and reel-related data from the host control unit 110. The control unit 100 may have a code reader (such as a two-dimensional code reader) that reads the identification code of the feeder housing unit 80, and may inquire about the read identification code to the host control unit 110 to acquire the feeder-related data.

[0062] The reel attachment mechanism 30, tape loading mechanism 40, reel removal mechanism 50, and reel transfer mechanism 70 are provided separately, have different drive sources, and can operate independently of one another. The control unit 100 controls the reel attachment mechanism 30, tape loading mechanism 40, reel removal mechanism 50, and reel transfer mechanism 70 to operate separately and in parallel so as to avoid interference between the mechanisms, thereby enabling efficient loading processing.

[0063] The control unit 100 controls the start and stop of the first motor that drives the movement of the moving table 32 of the reel attachment mechanism 30, and the change of the movement direction by switching the first motor between forward and reverse rotation. The control unit 100 also controls the swinging operation of the attachment material 33 and the collection operation of the collection unit 332.

[0064] The control unit 100 controls the operation of the articulated arm 43 and the finger 45 based on the detection results of the camera 44 of the tape loading mechanism 40. The control unit 100 controls the start and stop of the second motor that drives the movement of the moving table 52 of the reel removal mechanism 50, and the change in the movement direction by switching the second motor between forward and reverse rotation. Furthermore, the control unit 100 controls the swinging operation of the removal member 53 and the collection operation of the collection unit 532. The control unit 100 controls the lifting and rotating operation of the arm 72 of the reel transfer mechanism 70, and also controls the extension and contraction operation and collection operation of the collection unit 73.

[0065] The control unit 100 also queries the host control unit 110 for the identification code 63 of the reel holder 60 read by the code reader to obtain reel-related data and identify all of the individual reels R on the reel holder 60. Alternatively, the code reader may sequentially obtain the identification code attached to each of the reels R. The control unit 100 controls the start and stop of the third motor that drives the movement of the feeder conveying unit 81, and the change in the direction of movement by switching the third motor between forward and reverse rotation.

[0066] The control unit 100 acquires work instruction data, feeder information, and reel information from the higher-level control unit 110, acquires the identification code of the feeder 90 held in the feeder holding unit 20, and acquires the identification code of the reel holder 60 or the identification code of the reel R. Furthermore, the control unit 100 selects a feeder 90 that is applicable to the topmost reel R of the reel holder 60 based on the work instruction data, feeder information, reel information, and identification code. In other words, the control unit 100 selects a type of feeder 90 that corresponds to the type of reel R based on the identification information of the recognized reel R and the identification information of the feeder 90.

[0067] 3. Operation of reel loading device 1 Next, the operation of the reel loading device 1 will be described with reference to Figures 2, 6, and 7. The reel loading device 1 is capable of operating a plurality of mechanisms in parallel.

[0068] In the initial state, all of the dedicated loading units 41 of the tape loading mechanism 40 are located in the retracted position on the upper side. The operator stores the first feeder housing section 80, which houses the multiple feeders 90 to be loaded, in the housing space 161. The operator then stores the empty second feeder housing section 80 in the housing space 161. This allows the feeders 90 with reels loaded to be collected in the second feeder housing section 80, and ultimately empties the first feeder housing section 80.

[0069] Instead of the above operation, only one feeder housing section 80 may be used, and the feeder 90 that has completed the loading process may be returned to its original housing position. Alternatively, two feeder housing sections 80 may be tightly packed with feeders 90, allowing the maximum number of loading processes to be performed. In this operation, when the loading process into the first feeder housing section 80 is completed and the loading process into the second feeder housing section 80 is being performed, the first feeder housing section 80 that has already been operated can be replaced with the third feeder housing section 80 that has not yet been operated. By repeating this replacement, the loading process can be performed without interruption.

[0070] The worker then places the reel holder 60, which holds the multiple reels R to be used in the loading process, on the pedestal 14 of the reel supply unit 13. At this time, it is preferable that the multiple feeders 90 housed in the feeder housing unit 80 correspond one-to-one with the multiple reels R held by the reel holder 60, so that there is neither a surplus nor a deficiency. When the worker performs the above-described storage work and stacking work based on the work instruction data, the one-to-one correspondence is satisfied, and no surplus or deficiency occurs. The one-to-one correspondence is satisfied even when multiple types of feeders 90 and multiple types of reels R are used together.

[0071] The control unit 100 controls the feeder transport unit 81 to transport the feeder 90 corresponding to the topmost reel R of the reel holder 60. The feeder transport unit 81 pulls out the feeder 90 from the feeder storage unit 80, stores it inside, moves to the feeder holding unit 20 (see arrow M1 in FIG. 6), and inserts the stored feeder 90 into the feeder holding unit 20 (step S100 in FIG. 8). As a result, the feeder 90 is held at the operation execution position P. At this time, the control unit 100 reads the identification code of the feeder 90.

[0072] Furthermore, if the feeder 90 applicable to the top reel R of the reel holding body 60 is not accommodated in the feeder accommodating section 80, the top reel R is placed in the temporary placement area 35 by the reel transfer mechanism 70, and the feeder 90 corresponding to the second reel R is inserted into the feeder holding section 20.

[0073] The control unit 100 first checks the state of the reel R of the feeder 90 based on the read identification code of the feeder 90 or the identification code of the reel R. When the feeder 90 has been used in a component mounting machine beforehand, the reel R may be in a partially used state where only a portion of the carrier tape T has been used, or may be in a used state where the entire carrier tape T has been used, or the reel R may not have been attached to the feeder 90 to begin with. The control unit 100 changes and executes the operation of each mechanism of the reel loading device 1 according to the state of the reel of the feeder 90.

[0074] When a reel R is attached to the feeder 90, the reel removal mechanism 50 removes the reel R from the feeder 90. Specifically, first, the movable table 52 moves from the standby position to the feeder holding unit 20 (see arrow M2 in FIG. 6). Next, when the detachable member 53 swings from a horizontal position to a vertical position, the collection unit 532 comes into contact with the reel R and collects the reel R. Next, when the detachable member 53 returns from the vertical position to the horizontal position, the collection unit 532 removes the reel R from the reel holding shaft 91 and holds it in a horizontal position.

[0075] At this time, the control unit 100 deletes the identification code of the reel R from the storage unit of the feeder control unit of the feeder 90. Furthermore, the control unit 100 transmits the identification code of the feeder 90 from which the reel R was actually removed to the upper control unit 110. At this time, the control unit 100 may transmit the identification code of the removed reel R together with the identification code of the feeder 90 to the upper control unit 110.

[0076] Next, the reel removal mechanism 50 collects the reel R. Specifically, first, the movable table 52 moves from the feeder holding unit 20 to the standby position (see arrow M4 in FIG. 7). Next, the collection unit 532 releases the reel R. As a result, the released reel R automatically drops into the collection box 54.

[0077] When a reel R is removed from the feeder 90 or when no reel R was originally attached to the feeder 90, the reel transfer mechanism 70 uses the collection unit 73 to collect the top reel R from the reel holder 60 and place it in the placement area 34 (see arrow M3 in FIG. 6). Also, when the top reel R is placed in the temporary placement area 35, the reel transfer mechanism 70 places the second reel R in the placement area 34. Once this reel R is placed in the placement area 34 (step S101), the reel transfer mechanism 70 returns the collection unit 73 to above the reel holder 60.

[0078] Next, the reel attachment mechanism 30 changes the orientation of the reel R in the placement area 34 (step S102). Specifically, first, when the attachment member 33 falls from an upright orientation to a horizontal orientation, the collection unit 332 comes into contact with the reel R and collects the reel R. At this time, the reel R is in a horizontal orientation, so the placed position and orientation are stabilized. Therefore, the collection unit 332 can easily collect the reel R.

[0079] Next, when the attachment material 33 returns from the horizontal position to the upright position, the collection unit 332 changes the reel R from the sideways position to the upright position and holds it. When using the reel R in the temporary storage area 35, the moving platform 32 moves a predetermined distance to the left before the attachment material 33 falls over. After the above-mentioned holding, the operation execution is suspended.

[0080] Then, when a state in which interference between the reel attachment mechanism 30 and the reel removal mechanism 50 is avoided is achieved, the reel attachment mechanism 30 attaches the reel R to the feeder 90 (step S103). Specifically, with the collection unit 332 holding the reel R in a vertical position, the movable table 32 moves to the feeder 90 at the operation execution position P. As a result, the reel R moves forward straight toward the reel holding shaft 91 (see arrow M5 in FIG. 7) and is automatically attached to the reel holding shaft 91. The movement of the movable table 32 can be performed simultaneously in parallel with the movement of the movable table 52 to the standby position.

[0081] When the attachment of the reel R is completed, the control unit 100 stores the identification code of the reel R in the feeder control unit of the feeder 90. Furthermore, the control unit 100 associates the identification code of the actually combined feeder 90 with the identification code of the reel R and transmits them to the higher-level control unit 110. Thereafter, the movable table 32 retreats from the feeder 90 and returns to the standby position.

[0082] When the movable table 32 returns to the standby position, the control unit 100 controls the tape loading mechanism 40 to operate for the feeder 90, which has been inserted into the feeder holding unit 20 and held at the operation execution position P, before executing the loading process of the carrier tape T for that feeder 90. Specifically, the control unit 100 first identifies one dedicated loading unit 41 corresponding to that feeder 90, and then controls the moving mechanism 42 to move that dedicated loading unit 41 from the retracted position and place it in the loading position (step S104).

[0083] The movement mechanism 42 is controlled as follows when the moving platform 32 is retracted from the feeder 90 at the operation execution position P. First, the horizontal holding platform 46 is moved left or right along the left and right guide rails 47 from the retracted position of the dedicated loading unit 41 so that the dedicated loading unit 41 corresponding to the feeder 90 at the operation execution position P is positioned to the right of the feeder holding section 20. Then, the vertical moving platform 48 is moved downward along the up and down guide rails 49 so that the dedicated loading unit 41 descends from the upper level to the lower level. Then, the horizontal holding platform 46 is moved leftward along the left and right guide rails 47 so that the dedicated loading unit 41 is positioned at the loading position. Note that the left-right movement and the up-down movement may be performed simultaneously within a range that does not cause interference between the members.

[0084] Next, when the dedicated loading unit 41 reaches the loading position, the control unit 100 controls the dedicated loading unit 41 to execute the loading process on the feeder 90 (step S105). In this control, the dedicated loading unit 41 at the loading position peels off the fastening tape at the leading end of the carrier tape T and loads the leading end of the carrier tape T until it engages with the sprocket 94. After the leading end of the carrier tape T engages with the sprocket 94 as described above, the feeder 90 may perform a cueing of the carrier tape T so that the component supply unit 93 can pick up components.

[0085] When the loading of the carrier tape T into the feeder 90 is completed as described above, the dedicated loading unit 41 is returned from the loading position to the retracted position (step S106). Specifically, the dedicated loading unit 41 first moves to the right from the loading position, and then rises and is returned to the retracted position.

[0086] The control unit 100 controls the feeder transport unit 81 to carry out the feeder 90 loaded with the carrier tape T from the feeder holding unit 20 (step S107). The feeder transport unit 81 pulls out the feeder 90 from the feeder holding unit 20, stores it inside, moves to the feeder housing unit 80, and inserts the stored feeder 90 into the feeder housing unit 80. This completes the process of loading the reel R into one feeder 90.

[0087] The control unit 100 repeatedly executes the process of loading the reels R into each feeder 90 (step S108). Then, when the process of loading the reels R into all the feeders 90 is completed, the operation flow ends.

[0088] Thereafter, the operator transports the feeder accommodating section 80 accommodating the feeder 90 that has been loaded to the component mounting machine, and performs setup change of the feeder 90 .

[0089] When a reel R is temporarily placed in the temporary placement area 35, the worker can load the feeder 90 that is applicable to the reel R into the feeder storage section 80 and hold the feeder 90 in the feeder holding section 20. Furthermore, instead of loading the reel R left in the temporary placement area 35 into the feeder 90, the reel R may be returned to the reel holding body 60 by the reel transfer mechanism 70 and collected by the worker.

[0090] In this way, in the reel loading device 1 of this embodiment, the worker prepares a plurality of feeders 90 in the feeder housing section 80 and a plurality of reels R in the reel holder 60, and the reels R are then automatically loaded onto the plurality of feeders 90. Therefore, the reel loading device 1 can reduce labor.

[0091] Furthermore, in the reel loading device 1, the tape loading mechanism 40 has a plurality of types of dedicated loading units 41 corresponding to a plurality of types of feeders 90, and can select a dedicated loading unit 41 to be used for the loading process corresponding to the type of feeder 90 held in the feeder holding section 20. Specifically, the tape loading mechanism 40 can selectively move each of the plurality of types of dedicated loading units 41 relative to the feeder 90 between a retracted position and a loading position depending on the execution of the loading process. Meanwhile, the reel loading device 1 has one feeder holding section 20 capable of holding one feeder 90, and can operate the feeder transport section 81, the reel attachment mechanism 30, and the reel removal mechanism 50 for that one feeder holding section 20.

[0092] According to this configuration, common operations performed on feeders 90 can be performed using common units, while multiple dedicated loading units 41 can be selectively moved to one feeder holding section 20 to load reels into the corresponding types of feeders 90. The common operations described above include supplying and holding feeders 90, and attaching and detaching reels R. The common units described above include the feeder holding section 20, reel attachment mechanism 30, reel removal mechanism 50, feeder transport section 81, etc.

[0093] Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare the same number of feeder holding units 20 and reel attachment mechanisms 30 as there are types of feeders 90, and it is not necessary to prepare a reel loading device for each type of feeder 90. Therefore, the reel loading process for multiple types of feeders 90 can be performed using a single reel loading device 1 in a space-saving manner.

[0094] Furthermore, in the reel loading device 1, each dedicated loading unit 41 of the tape loading mechanism 40 moves up and down between a retracted position and a loaded position. In this configuration, a space for retracting the multiple types of dedicated loading units 41 selectively moved to the feeder holding section 20 only needs to be provided above the feeder holding section 20, and there is no need to provide a space in the horizontal direction, for example, in front or behind the feeder holding section 20. This makes it possible to reduce the installation space required for one reel loading device 1 for performing reel loading processes for multiple types of feeders 90.

[0095] In the above embodiment, the feeder holding section 20 corresponds to the "feeder holding section" set forth in the claims, the dedicated loading unit 41 corresponds to the "dedicated loading unit" set forth in the claims, the moving mechanism 42 corresponds to the "moving mechanism" set forth in the claims, the control section 100 corresponds to the "control section" set forth in the claims, the reel holding body 60, the placement area 34 or temporary placement area 35, and the collection box 54 correspond to the "reel placement section" set forth in the claims, the reel holding shaft 91 corresponds to the "reel holding section" set forth in the claims, and the reel attachment mechanism 30, the reel removal mechanism 50, and the reel transfer mechanism 70 correspond to the "reel transfer unit" set forth in the claims.

[0096] 4. Transformation In the above embodiment, each dedicated loading unit 41 of the tape loading mechanism 40 moves up and down between the retracted position and the loaded position. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and each dedicated loading unit 41 may move in the front-rear or left-right direction rather than moving up and down between the retracted position and the loaded position, as long as there is no interference with other mechanisms or components.

[0097] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, moving mechanism 42 moves dedicated loading unit 41 relative to fixed feeder holding section 20 (operation execution position P). However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and moving mechanism 42 may move feeder holding section 20 relative to fixed dedicated loading unit 41 as long as feeder holding section 20 and dedicated loading unit 41 move relative to each other. In this case, movement of feeder holding section 20 is performed relative to dedicated loading unit 41 corresponding to feeder 90 held by that feeder holding section 20.

[0098] In the above embodiment, the work of storing the feeders 90 in the feeder storage section 80 and the work of stacking the reels R on the reel holder 60 are performed by an operator. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the above-mentioned storing and stacking work may be performed by an automated guided vehicle or a robot without the need for an operator. The configuration of this modified embodiment can further enhance the labor-saving effect.

[0099] The reel loading device 1 may have a configuration in which the reel supply unit 13 and the feeder supply unit 15 are omitted from the configuration of the embodiment. In this configuration, the operator inserts the feeder 90 into the feeder holding unit 20 and places the reel R in a horizontal position on the placement area 34. As a result, the reel R is automatically attached to the feeder 90, the carrier tape T is automatically unwound from the reel R, and the carrier tape T is automatically loaded into the feeder 90.

[0100] The reel loading device 1 may also have a configuration in which the reel mounting mechanism 30 and the reel removal mechanism 50 of the reel mounting / removal unit 11 are omitted. In this configuration, the operator further mounts the reel R on the feeder 90 and then removes it. As a result, the carrier tape T is automatically unwound from the reel R mounted on the feeder 90, and the carrier tape T is automatically loaded into the feeder 90.

[0101] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1: reel loading device, 11: reel attachment / detachment section, 13: reel supply section, 15: feeder supply section, 20: feeder holding section, 30: reel mounting mechanism, 40: tape loading mechanism, 41: dedicated loading unit, 42: movement mechanism, 46: horizontal holding table, 47: left and right guide rails, 48: up and down moving table, 49: up and down guide rails, 50: reel removal mechanism, 60: reel holding body, 70: reel transfer mechanism, 80: feeder storage section, 81: feeder transport section, 90: tape feeder (feeder), 91: reel holding shaft, 94: sprocket, 100: control section, 110: upper control section, R: reel, T: carrier tape.

Claims

1. a feeder holding unit capable of holding a plurality of types of tape feeders each having a different mechanism for feeding and moving a carrier tape unwound from a detachable and rotatable reel; a plurality of dedicated loading units provided corresponding to the types of the tape feeders, each dedicated loading unit being capable of executing a loading process to load the reel into the tape feeder so that the tape feeder can feed and move the carrier tape when the corresponding type of tape feeder is held in the feeder holding section; a movement mechanism that selectively moves each of the plurality of types of dedicated loading units relative to the tape feeder held in the feeder holding section between a retracted position and a loading position in accordance with execution of the loading process; A reel loading device comprising:

2. A reel loading device as described in claim 1, further comprising a control unit that controls the moving mechanism so that one of the dedicated loading units corresponding to the tape feeder held in the feeder holding unit is positioned at the loading position before the loading process is performed on the tape feeder held in the feeder holding unit.

3. a reel transfer unit that transfers the reel between a reel placement section on which the reel is placed and a reel holding section of the tape feeder held by the feeder holding section, 3. A reel loading device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the moving mechanism moves the dedicated loading unit of the corresponding type relative to the feeder holding section when the reel transfer unit is retracted from the tape feeder held in the feeder holding section.

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