Substrate transport method and transport management device

Abstract

To provide a transport method capable of improving the efficiency of transport operation.SOLUTION: A transport method includes the steps: acquiring a piece of unloader information regarding the storage status of substrates 1 in a first magazine 60 and a second magazine 60 and a piece of loader information regarding the removal status of substrates 1 from the magazine 60 (step S1); and transporting at least one magazine 60 out of the first magazine 60 and the second magazine 60 placed on the unloader 40a to the loader 30b with a transport device 50 based on the unloader information and the loader information before the number of substrates 1 stored in a third magazine 60 placed on the loader 30b becomes 0 (step S2).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a transport method and a transport management device for a magazine that stores a plurality of substrates. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, substrate storage devices and substrate supply devices have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This substrate storage device sequentially receives, from an electronic component mounting device, a plurality of substrates on each of which components are mounted by the electronic component mounting device, and stores them in a magazine. Then, when the magazine is filled with substrates, the substrate storage device stores substrates in the next empty magazine. The substrate storage device repeatedly stores substrates in this manner in the magazine. Meanwhile, the substrate supply device sequentially removes each of the plurality of substrates from a magazine that is full of substrates, and supplies the substrate to, for example, another electronic component mounting device. Then, when the magazine is emptied, the substrate supply device removes a substrate from the next full magazine. The substrate supply device repeatedly removes substrates from the magazine in this manner.

[0003] Here, each of the substrate storage device and the substrate supply device outputs a warning signal when the number of substrates stored in the magazine reaches a predetermined number. For example, when substrates are being stored in the magazine in order, the substrate storage device outputs a full warning signal when the number of substrates reaches a predetermined number and the magazine is close to being full. When substrates are being removed from the magazine in order, the substrate supply device outputs an empty warning signal when the number of substrates reaches a predetermined number and the magazine is close to being empty. The output of such a full warning signal allows an empty magazine to be transported to the substrate storage device before the magazine becomes full, and the output of the empty warning signal allows a full magazine to be transported to the substrate supply device before the magazine becomes empty. This prevents the electronic component mounting device from stopping its mounting operations. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4-364097 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the magazine transport method using the substrate storage device and substrate supply device of Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the efficiency of the magazine transport work is insufficient.

[0006] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a transport method and the like that can improve the efficiency of transport work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A method for transporting substrates according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a method for transporting magazines from an unloader to a loader, wherein a first magazine stores a plurality of substrates transported from a first component mounting device that mounts components onto the substrates, a second magazine stores a plurality of substrates that are transported from the first component mounting device after the first magazine is filled with the plurality of substrates, and a third magazine stores a plurality of substrates to be transported to a second component mounting device that mounts components onto the substrates, and unloader information regarding the storage status of substrates in the first magazine and the second magazine and loader information regarding the removal status of substrates from the third magazine are obtained, and based on the unloader information and the loader information, at least one of the first magazine and the second magazine placed on the unloader is transported to the loader by a transport device before the number of substrates stored in the third magazine placed on the loader reaches zero.

[0008] A method for transporting substrates according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes storing multiple substrates removed from a first component mounting device that performs mounting work to mount components on one of the two sides of the loaded substrate in a magazine placed on an unloader, transporting the magazine containing the multiple substrates from the unloader to a loader using a transport device that transports the magazine, and the loader removing the multiple substrates from the magazine transported from the unloader and supplying the multiple substrates to a second component mounting device that performs the mounting work on the other of the two sides of the substrates, (a) acquiring unloader information regarding the storage status of the substrates in the unloader and loader information regarding the removal status of the substrates in the loader, and (b) determining, based on the unloader information and the loader information, whether at least one magazine, each containing multiple substrates, needs to be transported from the unloader to the loader.

[0009] A transport method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a transport method for transporting a magazine from an unloader to a loader, wherein the unloader sequentially acquires each of a plurality of substrates from a first device for each of a plurality of magazines and stores them in the magazine, and the loader sequentially removes each of the plurality of substrates from the magazine in which the plurality of substrates are stored and sends them to a second device, and the transport method includes (a) acquiring unloader information regarding the storage status of the substrates in the unloader and loader information regarding the removal status of the substrates in the loader, and (b) determining, based on the unloader information and the loader information, whether at least one magazine each storing the plurality of substrates needs to be transported from the unloader to the loader.

[0010] These comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized as a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be realized as any combination of the system, the method, the integrated circuit, the computer program, and the recording medium. The recording medium may also be a non-transitory recording medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The transport method of the present disclosure can improve the efficiency of transport work.

[0012] Further advantages and benefits of certain aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the specification and drawings. Such advantages and / or benefits may be provided by some of the embodiments and features described in the specification and drawings, respectively, but not necessarily all of them may be provided to obtain one or more identical features. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a transport system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a magazine according to an embodiment. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a state in which substrates are stored in a magazine in the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a magazine to be transported in the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the mechanism of the unloader in the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a mechanism of a loader according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the functional configurations of the unloader, the loader, and the transport management device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in an information storage unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a schematic processing operation of the transport management device according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the detailed processing operation of the transport management device according to the embodiment. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a more detailed processing operation of the transport management device according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the transport management device according to the first modification of the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing work type information according to the second modification of the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the transport management device in the second modification of the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration of a transport system according to the third modification of the embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the transport management device in the third modification of the embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the transport management device in the fourth modification of the embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the results of a simulation of production time according to the number of mounting boards produced and the number of retained boards in the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] A transport method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a transport method for transporting a magazine from an unloader to a loader, wherein the unloader sequentially acquires each of a plurality of substrates from a first device for each of a plurality of magazines and stores them in the magazine, and the loader sequentially removes each of the plurality of substrates from the magazine in which the plurality of substrates are stored and sends them to a second device, and the transport method includes (a) acquiring unloader information regarding the storage status of the substrates in the unloader and loader information regarding the removal status of the substrates in the loader, and (b) determining, based on the unloader information and the loader information, whether at least one magazine each storing the plurality of substrates needs to be transported from the unloader to the loader.

[0015] This allows for the determination of whether a magazine needs to be transported based on the board storage status in the unloader and the board removal status in the loader, thereby improving the efficiency of the transport operation. In other words, while the above-mentioned patent documents determine whether a magazine needs to be transported based on the status of only one of the unloader and the loader, the transport method according to one aspect of the present disclosure determines the determination based on the status of both the unloader and the loader. This prevents the first and second devices from stopping their respective operations due to a lack of boards to be used in those operations, thereby shortening the production time required for producing multiple mounted boards. Furthermore, it also reduces the number of times at least one magazine, each containing multiple boards, needs to be transported from the unloader to the loader. As a result, the efficiency of the transport operation can be improved.

[0016] For example, the transportation method may further include (c) outputting a first instruction signal to a third device instructing the third device to transport the at least one magazine from the unloader to the loader when it is determined in (b) that transportation is necessary.

[0017] As a result, for example, if the third device is a display device, the content of the first instruction signal is displayed on the display device. Therefore, an operator operating the first device and the second device can transport at least one magazine to the loader at the appropriate time according to the content displayed on the display device. Furthermore, if the third device is a magazine transport robot, at least one magazine can be automatically transported to the loader at the appropriate time.

[0018] The unloader information includes first magazine information relating to the storage status of substrates in a first magazine handled by the unloader, and second magazine information relating to the storage status of substrates in a second magazine handled next by the unloader, and the loader information includes third magazine information relating to the removal status of substrates in a third magazine handled by the loader, and (a) further includes first work information relating to the work time for substrates in the first device, second work information relating to the work time for substrates in the second device, and transport information relating to the transport time required to transport the magazine from the unloader to the loader. and in (b), it is determined whether it is necessary to transport at least the first magazine from the unloader to the loader at a predetermined time based on the first magazine information, the second magazine information, the third magazine information, the first work information, the second work information, and the transport information, and in (c), if it is determined in (b) that it is not necessary to transport at least the first magazine to the loader, a second instruction signal may be output to the third device to instruct it to transport at least the first magazine and the second magazine together from the unloader to the loader at a timing after the predetermined time.

[0019] This allows appropriate determination based on various information as to whether at least the first magazine needs to be transported to the loader at a predetermined time. Furthermore, if it is determined that transport is not necessary, a second instruction signal is output at a timing after the predetermined time to instruct the first and second magazines to be transported together. This eliminates the need to transport only the first magazine at the predetermined time, thereby improving the efficiency of the transport operation.

[0020] Further, the first magazine information includes information regarding a first magazine full time, which is the time when the first magazine is filled with the plurality of boards, and the predetermined time is the first magazine full time, the second magazine information includes board number information regarding the number of boards stored in the second magazine, and the third magazine information includes board number information regarding the number of boards remaining in the third magazine, and in (b), a second magazine full time, which is the time when the second magazine is filled with the plurality of boards, is calculated based on the board number information of the second magazine and the first work information, and the second magazine filled with the plurality of boards is calculated based on the second magazine full time and the transport time. The method may calculate an arrival time when the gadget will arrive at the loader, calculate a third magazine empty time when the number of boards remaining in the third magazine will be zero based on the board number information of the third magazine and the second work information, and determine at the predetermined time whether the third magazine empty time is earlier than the arrival time of the second magazine, thereby determining whether at least the first magazine needs to be transported from the unloader to the loader at the predetermined time, and in (c), if it is determined in (b) that the third magazine empty time is not earlier than the arrival time of the second magazine, output the second instruction signal to the third device at a timing after the predetermined time.

[0021] As a result, a transport determination is made at the first magazine full time when the first magazine of the unloader is full. This determination determines whether the third magazine of the loader will be empty before the first and second magazines arrive at the loader if they are transported together after the second magazine next to the unloader becomes full. If it is determined that the third magazine will not be empty, the second instruction signal is output at a timing after the predetermined time, which is the first magazine full time. In other words, an instruction is issued to transport the first and second magazines together. Therefore, the first and second magazines can be transported efficiently to the loader without interrupting the operation of the second device using the loader.

[0022] Furthermore, in (b), if it is determined that the third magazine empty time is not earlier than the arrival time of the second magazine, it may further determine whether the number of at least one magazine, including the first magazine, placed on the unloader and each filled with the plurality of substrates is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, and in (c), if it is determined in (b) that the number of the at least one magazine is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, the first instruction signal may be output to the third device to instruct the at least one magazine to be transported from the unloader to the loader.

[0023] As a result, even if the first and second magazines can be transported together without interrupting the operation of the second device using the loader, if the number of full magazines in the unloader is equal to or exceeds a predetermined number, the first magazine is transported to the loader, thereby preventing full magazines from overflowing from the unloader.

[0024] In addition, in (c), if it is determined in (b) that the number of the at least one magazine is not equal to or greater than the predetermined number, the second instruction signal may be output to the third device at a timing after the predetermined time.

[0025] As a result, when the number of full magazines in the unloader is less than a predetermined number, the full magazines do not overflow from the unloader, and the second instruction signal can be output appropriately. In other words, the full magazines do not overflow from the unloader, and after waiting for the next second magazine to become full in the unloader, the first and second magazines, both of which are full, can be transported to the loader together.

[0026] Furthermore, in (b), if it is determined that the third magazine empty time is not earlier than the arrival time of the second magazine, it is further determined whether the number of at least one magazine, including the first magazine, placed on the unloader and each filled with the plurality of substrates is equal to or greater than a predetermined number; the transport method may further include: (d) if it is determined in (b) that the number of the at least one magazine is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, acquiring work type information indicating the priority of each of a plurality of tasks including magazine transport work; (e) based on the priority of each of the plurality of tasks, determining whether there is high-priority work that is a task with a higher priority than the magazine transport work; and (f) if it is determined in (e) that there is high-priority work, outputting information regarding instructions to carry out the high-priority work.

[0027] As a result, even if the number of full magazines in the unloader is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, if there is a high-priority task that has a higher priority than the magazine transport task, the execution of the high-priority task is instructed to take priority over the magazine transport task. For example, if there is enough time until the second magazine becomes full and there is a high-priority task before the second magazine becomes full, the execution of the high-priority task is given priority. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the efficiency of other tasks from being reduced in order to improve the efficiency of the transport task.

[0028] Furthermore, the transportation method may further include (g) outputting the first instruction signal to the third device when it is determined in (e) that there is no high priority work, instructing the third device to transport at least one magazine including the first magazine from the unloader to the loader.

[0029] As a result, when there is no high-priority task that has a higher priority than the magazine transport task, the magazine transport task is instructed first. In other words, the transport of at least the first magazine to the loader is instructed. For example, if there is not enough time until the second magazine is full, the magazine transport task is given top priority. In such a case, the first magazine is transported to the loader without waiting for the second magazine to be full. This prevents full magazines from overflowing from the unloader.

[0030] The transport method may further include (g) determining whether the magazine filled with the plurality of substrates placed on the unloader can be placed on the loader when it is determined in (e) that there is no high priority work, and (h) outputting a third instruction signal to the third device instructing it to transport the magazine to a temporary storage location when it is determined in (g) that the magazine cannot be placed on the loader.

[0031] This allows a full magazine to be transported to a temporary storage location if it cannot be placed on the loader.

[0032] The transport method may further include (i) outputting a fourth instruction signal to the third device instructing the loader to transport the magazine when it is determined in (g) that the magazine can be placed.

[0033] This makes it possible to prevent the loader from being unable to load a full magazine even if the magazine is transported to the loader.

[0034] The transport method may further include (j) determining whether transport request information has been acquired requesting transport of the magazine containing the plurality of substrates to the loader when it is determined in (b) that transport is not necessary, and (k) outputting the first instruction signal to the third device when it is determined in (j) that the transport request information has been acquired.

[0035] This allows, for example, a full magazine to be transported to the loader when transport request information is acquired, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in transport.

[0036] Furthermore, the transport method may further determine the predetermined number based on (l) the production number of mounted boards, each having one or more components mounted thereon, produced by the operations of the first device and the second device. For example, in (l), the predetermined number may be set to a smaller number as the production number of mounted boards decreases.

[0037] This makes it possible to improve the efficiency of the transport work while shortening the production time of the multiple mounting boards produced by the work of the first device and the second device.

[0038] The transport method may further include (m) determining the number of boards to be stored in the magazine by the unloader based on the production number of mounted boards, each having one or more components mounted thereon, produced by the operations of the first device and the second device. For example, in (m), the number of boards to be stored in the magazine by the unloader may be determined to be smaller as the production number of mounted boards decreases.

[0039] This makes it possible to improve the efficiency of the transport work while shortening the production time of the multiple mounting boards produced by the work of the first device and the second device.

[0040] These comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized as a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be realized as any combination of the system, the method, the integrated circuit, the computer program, or the recording medium. The recording medium may also be a non-transitory recording medium.

[0041] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[0042] The embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection configurations, steps, and step order shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in the independent claims that represent the highest concepts are described as optional components.

[0043] Furthermore, each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily an exact illustration. Furthermore, in each figure, the same components are assigned the same reference numerals. Furthermore, in the following embodiments, expressions such as "approximately parallel" are used. For example, "approximately parallel" does not only mean completely parallel, but also means substantially parallel, that is, including an error of, for example, about several percent. Furthermore, "approximately parallel" means parallel within the range in which the effects of the present disclosure can be achieved. The same applies to other expressions using "approximately."

[0044] (Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a transport system according to an embodiment.

[0045] The conveying system 100 in this embodiment includes a conveying management device 10, a display device 20, loaders 30a and 30b, unloaders 40a and 40b, a conveying device 50, a plurality of magazines 60, a first component mounting device 91, and a second component mounting device 92.

[0046] The transport management device 10 manages the transport of the magazine 60 from the unloader 40a to the loader 30b. The transport management device 10 also communicates with the loaders 30a and 30b, the unloaders 40a and 40b, the first component mounting device 91, and the second component mounting device 92 via wireless or wired communication. The wireless communication may be Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), ZigBee, or a specific low-power radio.

[0047] The display device 20 is connected to the transport management device 10 and displays images, characters, etc. under the control of the transport management device 10. For example, the display device 20 is a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, etc.

[0048] The first component mounting device 91 mounts components onto a board supplied from the loader 30a, and then transports the board onto which the components have been mounted to the unloader 40a. For example, the first component mounting device 91 mounts components onto one of the two sides of the board. The first component mounting device 91 in this embodiment is an example of a first device.

[0049] The second component mounting device 92 mounts components on a board supplied from the loader 30b and transports the board with the mounted components to the unloader 40b. For example, the second component mounting device 92 mounts components on the other of the two sides of the board. The second component mounting device 92 in this embodiment is an example of a second device.

[0050] By performing such mounting operations using first component mounting device 91 and second component mounting device 92, components are mounted on both sides of the board, resulting in the production of a mounted board.

[0051] Loader 30a has one or more magazines 60 placed thereon, each filled with a plurality of circuit boards. Loader 30a sequentially removes each of the plurality of circuit boards stored in one of the one or more magazines 60 from that magazine 60, and supplies the removed circuit boards to first component mounting device 91. When a magazine 60 becomes empty, loader 30a sequentially removes each of the plurality of circuit boards from the next magazine 60 from the one or more magazines 60, and supplies the removed circuit boards to first component mounting device 91.

[0052] Loader 30b has the same function as loader 30a, but supplies boards to second component mounting device 92 instead of first component mounting device 91. That is, loader 30b has one or more magazines 60, each filled with a plurality of boards, placed on it. Loader 30b then sequentially removes each of the plurality of boards stored in one of the one or more magazines 60, and supplies the removed boards to second component mounting device 92. When a magazine 60 becomes empty, loader 30b then sequentially removes each of the plurality of boards from the next magazine 60 of the one or more magazines 60, and supplies the removed boards to second component mounting device 92.

[0053] Unloader 40a has one or more empty magazines 60 placed thereon. Each time a board is transported from first component mounting device 91, unloader 40a stores the board in one of the one or more magazines 60. When a magazine 60 becomes full with boards, unloader 40a stores the board transported from first component mounting device 91 in the next magazine 60 of the one or more magazines 60.

[0054] Unloader 40b has the same function as unloader 40a, but stores boards discharged from second component mounting device 92, not first component mounting device 91, in magazines 60. In other words, unloader 40b has one or more empty magazines 60 placed thereon. Then, each time a board is discharged from second component mounting device 92, unloader 40b stores the board in one of the one or more magazines 60. Then, when a magazine 60 becomes full with multiple boards, unloader 40b stores the board discharged from second component mounting device 92 in the next magazine 60 of the one or more magazines 60.

[0055] The transport device 50 is a carriage that transports multiple magazines 60 from the unloader 40a to the loader 30b. The transport device 50 has a mounting table on which the multiple magazines 60 are placed. In this embodiment, the transport device 50 transports the multiple magazines 60 by being pushed by an operator of the transport system 100. The transport device 50 may also be a self-propelled transport robot.

[0056] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the magazine 60. FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a state in which substrates are stored in the magazine 60. In this disclosure, the vertical direction is referred to as the Z-axis direction or up-down direction, one direction in a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction is referred to as the Y-axis direction or depth direction, and a direction perpendicular to the Y-axis direction in that perpendicular plane is referred to as the X-axis direction, left-right direction, or lateral direction. In this disclosure, the positive side of the Z-axis direction is upward or up, and the negative side of the Z-axis direction is downward or down. In this disclosure, the positive side of the Y-axis direction is the depth side or back, and the negative side of the Y-axis direction is the front side or front. In this disclosure, the positive side of the X-axis direction is the right side or right, and the negative side of the X-axis direction is the left side or left.

[0057] The magazine 60 includes a top plate 61 , a bottom plate 62 , a first side plate 63 a , a second side plate 63 b , and two support posts 64 .

[0058] The top plate 61 and the bottom plate 62 are each a substantially rectangular plate, and are disposed so as to face each other in the Z-axis direction.

[0059] The first side plate 63a and the second side plate 63b are each a substantially rectangular plate and are arranged to face each other in the X-axis direction. Furthermore, a plurality of grooves 65 are formed along the Y-axis direction on the opposing surfaces of the first side plate 63a and the second side plate 63b. These grooves 65 are arranged in the Z-axis direction. The first side plate 63a is arranged between the top plate 61 and the bottom plate 62 and is fixed to the top plate 61 and the bottom plate 62. The second side plate 63b is arranged between the top plate 61 and the bottom plate 62 and is attached to each of the top plate 61 and the bottom plate 62 so as to be slidable in the X-axis direction.

[0060] The two support columns 64 are arranged to face the first side plate 63a and the second side plate 63b in the X-axis direction, and are fixed so as to be sandwiched between the top plate 61 and the bottom plate 62.

[0061] 2B, a plurality of substrates 1 are stored in the magazine 60. Here, when a substrate 1 is stored in the magazine 60, the second side plate 63b is slid along the X-axis direction in advance, and the distance between the first side plate 63a and the second side plate 63b is adjusted to the width of the substrate 1.

[0062] Then, the unloader 40a brings the substrate 1 into a state approximately parallel to the XY plane and inserts the substrate 1 between the first side plate 63a and the second side plate 63b. This causes the substrate 1 to be stored in the magazine 60. At this time, both edges of the substrate 1 in the X-axis direction are fitted into the grooves 65 of the first side plate 63a and the second side plate 63b. Therefore, when multiple substrates 1 are stored in the magazine 60, the multiple substrates 1 are stacked in the Z-axis direction with a distance between them equal to the pitch between adjacent grooves 65 in the Z-axis direction. The loader 30b also removes the substrate 1 from the magazine 60 shown in FIG. 2B. At this time, the loader 30b slides the substrate 1 in the Y-axis direction to remove the substrate 1 from the magazine 60.

[0063] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the magazine 60 being transported.

[0064] As described above, the transport device 50 has a mounting table capable of mounting multiple magazines 60. Therefore, the transport device 50 can transport multiple magazines 60, each filled with multiple substrates 1, from the unloader 40a to the loader 30b in a batch. Here, the maximum number of magazines 60 that can be transported in a batch by the transport device 50 may be three. However, the maximum number is not limited to three, and may be any number equal to or greater than two.

[0065] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the mechanism of the unloader 40a.

[0066] The unloader 40a sequentially acquires the plurality of boards 1 from the first component mounting device 91 for each of the plurality of magazines 60 and stores them in the magazine 60. The unloader 40a includes an elevator device 41, an unloading conveyor 44, and an inlet conveyor 45.

[0067] The carry-in conveyor 45 is configured so that, with a plurality of empty magazines 60 arranged along the X-axis direction, the empty magazines 60 can be placed on the carry-in conveyor 45. The carry-in conveyor 45 moves the placed empty magazines 60 toward the lifting device 41 and hands them over to the lifting device 41. The maximum number of magazines 60 that can be placed on the carry-in conveyor 45 is, for example, three. However, the maximum number is not limited to three and may be any number equal to or greater than two.

[0068] The lifting device 41 includes a transfer conveyor 43 and a lifter 42. The lifter 42 raises and lowers the transfer conveyor 43. The lifter 42 raises the transfer conveyor 43 to the height of the carry-in conveyor 45 (hereinafter referred to as the carry-in height). At this time, the transfer conveyor 43 receives an empty magazine 60 from the carry-in conveyor 45 and moves the empty magazine 60 toward the first component mounting device 91. The lifter 42 then rises or lowers to a predetermined first reference height. Next, when the board 1 to be carried out from the first component mounting device 91 is stored in the magazine 60 on the transfer conveyor 43, the lifter 42 lowers by the pitch interval of the grooves 65 of the magazine 60.

[0069] By repeating this process of storing substrates 1 in magazine 60 and lowering lifter 42 at pitch intervals, magazine 60 becomes filled with a plurality of substrates 1. When magazine 60 is full, lifter 42 descends until delivery conveyor 43 reaches the height of carry-out conveyor 44 (hereinafter referred to as the carry-out height). Then, delivery conveyor 43, which has descended to the carry-out height, moves the full magazine 60 toward the carry-out conveyor 44 and hands it over to the carry-out conveyor 44. When delivery of magazine 60 from delivery conveyor 43 to carry-out conveyor 44 is complete, lifter 42 again raises delivery conveyor 43 to the carry-in height. By this raising and lowering of lifter 42, a plurality of empty magazines 60 are filled in turn and handed over to the carry-out conveyor 44.

[0070] The output conveyor 44 is configured so that multiple full magazines 60 can be placed on it when they are aligned along the X-axis direction. The output conveyor 44 receives a full magazine 60 from the delivery conveyor 43, which has lowered to the delivery height. At this time, if a full magazine 60 is already placed on the output conveyor 44, the output conveyor 44 receives a new full magazine 60 from the delivery conveyor 43 while moving the existing magazine 60 to the side opposite the lifting device 41. By repeatedly receiving magazines 60 in this manner, multiple full magazines 60 are placed on the output conveyor 44 in an aligned state along the X-axis direction. The maximum number of magazines 60 that can be placed on the output conveyor 44 is, for example, three. However, the maximum number is not limited to three and may be any number equal to or greater than two.

[0071] The transport device 50 transports at least one full magazine 60 placed on its discharge conveyor 44 from the unloader 40a to the loader 30b.

[0072] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the mechanism of the loader 30b.

[0073] Loader 30b sequentially takes out each of the plurality of boards 1 from magazine 60 storing the plurality of boards 1 and sends the boards 1 to second component mounting device 92. Loader 30b includes lifting device 31, unloading conveyor 34, and loading conveyor 35.

[0074] The carry-in conveyor 35 is configured so that, when a plurality of full magazines 60 are arranged along the X-axis direction, the full magazines 60 can be placed on the carry-in conveyor 35. The carry-in conveyor 35 moves the full magazines 60 placed on it toward the lifting device 31 and hands them over to the lifting device 31. The maximum number of magazines 60 that can be placed on the carry-in conveyor 35 is, for example, three. However, the maximum number is not limited to three and may be any number equal to or greater than two.

[0075] The lifting device 31 includes a transfer conveyor 33 and a lifter 32. The lifter 32 raises and lowers the transfer conveyor 33. The lifter 32 lowers the transfer conveyor 33 to the height of the carry-in conveyor 35 (hereinafter referred to as the carry-in height). At this time, the transfer conveyor 33 receives a full magazine 60 from the carry-in conveyor 35 and moves the full magazine 60 toward the second component mounting device 92. The lifter 32 then rises or lowers to a predetermined second reference height. Next, when a board 1 is removed from the magazine 60 on the transfer conveyor 33 toward the second component mounting device 92, the lifter 32 rises by the pitch interval of the grooves 65 of the magazine 60.

[0076] By repeating this process of removing substrates 1 from magazine 60 and raising the pitch interval of lifter 32, magazine 60 becomes empty. When magazine 60 becomes empty, lifter 32 rises until delivery conveyor 33 reaches the height of carry-out conveyor 34 (hereinafter referred to as the carry-out height). Then, delivery conveyor 33, which has risen to the carry-out height, moves the empty magazine 60 toward carry-out conveyor 34 and hands it over to the carry-out conveyor 34. When delivery of magazine 60 from delivery conveyor 33 to carry-out conveyor 34 is complete, lifter 32 again lowers delivery conveyor 33 to the carry-in height. By this raising and lowering of lifter 32, multiple full magazines 60 are emptied in turn and handed over to the carry-out conveyor 34.

[0077] The output conveyor 34 is configured so that a plurality of empty magazines 60 can be placed on the output conveyor 34 in a state in which the empty magazines 60 are arranged along the X-axis direction. The output conveyor 34 receives the empty magazine 60 from the delivery conveyor 33 that has been raised to the output height. At this time, if an empty magazine 60 is already placed on the output conveyor 34, the output conveyor 34 receives a new empty magazine 60 from the delivery conveyor 33 while moving the existing magazine 60 to the side opposite the lifting device 31. By repeatedly receiving the magazines 60 in this manner, a plurality of empty magazines 60 are placed on the output conveyor 34 in a state in which they are arranged along the X-axis direction. The maximum number of magazines 60 that can be placed on the output conveyor 34 is, for example, three. However, the maximum number is not limited to three and may be any number equal to or greater than two.

[0078] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the functional configurations of the unloader 40a, the loader 30b, and the transport management device 10. As shown in FIG.

[0079] The unloader 40 a includes a first board number detector 411 , a first magazine number detector 412 , a first drive mechanism 413 , a first control unit 414 , and a first communication unit 415 .

[0080] The first substrate number detection unit 411 detects the number of substrates 1 stored in the magazine 60 in the lifting device 41 of the unloader 40a. For example, the first substrate number detection unit 411 may be equipped with a weight sensor, and detect the number of substrates 1 stored in the magazine 60 from the weight obtained by the weight sensor, i.e., the weight on the transfer conveyor 43. In other words, the first substrate number detection unit 411 may calculate the number of substrates 1 stored in the magazine 60 by subtracting the weight of the magazine 60 alone from the weight on the transfer conveyor 43 and dividing the result of this subtraction by the weight of the substrates 1. The first substrate number detection unit 411 may also be equipped with an infrared sensor, and detect the number of substrates 1 stored in the magazine 60 by infrared rays.

[0081] The first magazine number detection unit 412 detects the number of full magazines 60 placed on the discharge conveyor 44 of the unloader 40a. For example, the first magazine number detection unit 412 may be equipped with a weight sensor and detect the number of full magazines 60 placed on the discharge conveyor 44 from the weight obtained by the weight sensor, i.e., the weight on the discharge conveyor 44. In other words, the first magazine number detection unit 412 may calculate the number of full magazines 60 placed on the discharge conveyor 44 by dividing the weight on the discharge conveyor 44 by the weight of the full magazines 60. The first magazine number detection unit 412 may also be equipped with an infrared sensor and detect the number of magazines 60 by infrared light.

[0082] The first driving mechanism 413 is a mechanism made up of a lifter 42 , a delivery conveyor 43 , an unloading conveyor 44 , and an inloading conveyor 45 .

[0083] The first communication unit 415 communicates with the transport management device 10.

[0084] The first control unit 414 controls the first driving mechanism 413 and the first communication unit 415 .

[0085] The loader 30b includes a second board number detector 311, a second magazine number detector 312, a second drive mechanism 313, a second control unit 314, and a second communication unit 315.

[0086] The second substrate number detection unit 311 detects the number of substrates 1 remaining in the magazine 60 in the lifting device 31 of the loader 30b. Similar to the first substrate number detection unit 411, the second substrate number detection unit 311 detects the number of substrates 1 using a weight sensor, an infrared sensor, or the like.

[0087] The second magazine number detection unit 312 detects the number of full magazines 60 placed on the carry-in conveyor 35 of the loader 30b. Similar to the first magazine number detection unit 412, the second magazine number detection unit 312 detects the number of full magazines 60 using a weight sensor, an infrared sensor, or the like.

[0088] The second driving mechanism 313 is a mechanism made up of a lifter 32, a delivery conveyor 33, an unloading conveyor , and an inloading conveyor .

[0089] The second communication unit 315 communicates with the transport management device 10.

[0090] The second control unit 314 controls the second drive mechanism 313 and the second communication unit 315 .

[0091] The transport management device 10 includes a time calculation unit 11, a determination unit 12, a third communication unit 13, a third control unit 14, an acquisition unit 15, an information storage unit 16, and an instruction unit 17.

[0092] The third communication unit 13 communicates with the first communication unit 415 of the unloader 40a and the second communication unit 315 of the loader 30b. This communication is performed via wired or wireless communication. The wireless communication may be Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), ZigBee, or a specific low-power radio.

[0093] The acquiring unit 15 acquires various pieces of information from the unloader 40a and the loader 30b via the third communication unit 13. The acquiring unit 15 also acquires various pieces of information stored in the information storage unit 16.

[0094] The time calculation unit 11 uses the various information acquired by the acquisition unit 15 to calculate each time point related to the transport of the magazine 60 from the unloader 40a to the loader 30b.

[0095] The determination unit 12 uses each time calculated by the time calculation unit 11 to determine whether or not at least one magazine 60 containing a plurality of substrates 1 needs to be transported from the unloader 40a to the loader 30b.

[0096] The instruction unit 17 outputs an instruction signal corresponding to the determination result by the determination unit 12 to the display device 20. This instruction signal is, for example, a signal instructing the transport of at least one magazine 60 from the unloader 40a to the loader 30b. When the display device 20 acquires the instruction signal, it displays the content indicated by the instruction signal. Therefore, a message instructing the transport of at least one magazine 60 from the unloader 40a to the loader 30b is displayed on the display device 20. Upon seeing such a message, the operator uses the transport device 50 to transport at least one magazine 60 from the unloader 40a to the loader 30b.

[0097] The information storage unit 16 is a recording medium that stores various information used for time calculation by the time calculation unit 11. For example, the information storage unit 16 is a hard disk, a RAM (Read Only Memory), a ROM (Random Access Memory), or a semiconductor memory. Note that such information storage unit 16 may be volatile or non-volatile.

[0098] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the information storage unit 16. As shown in FIG.

[0099] The information storage unit 16 stores first work information, second work information, and transport information.

[0100] The first work information indicates a first work time ta1 as the time required for the first component mounting device 91 to perform the mounting work on the board 1. This mounting work is work in which the first component mounting device 91 mounts at least one predetermined component on the supplied board 1 and carries it out.

[0101] The second work information indicates a second work time ta2 as the time required for the second component mounting device 92 to perform the mounting work on the board 1. This mounting work is work in which the second component mounting device 92 mounts at least one predetermined component on the supplied board 1 and carries it out.

[0102] The transport information indicates the transport time T required for the transport device 50 to transport the magazine 60 from the unloader 40a to the loader 30b.

[0103] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a schematic processing operation of the transport management device 10.

[0104] The acquisition unit 15 of the transport management device 10 acquires unloader information relating to the storage status of the substrate 1 in the unloader 40a and loader information relating to the removal status of the substrate 1 in the loader 30b (step S1).

[0105] Based on the unloader information and loader information, the determination unit 12 determines whether or not it is necessary to transport the magazine 60 to the loader 30b (step S2). That is, the determination unit 12 determines whether or not it is necessary to transport at least one magazine 60, each containing a plurality of substrates 1, from the unloader 40a to the loader 30b.

[0106] Here, if the determining unit 12 determines that transport is not necessary (No in step S2), the transport management device 10 repeatedly executes the process from step S1.

[0107] On the other hand, if the determination unit 12 determines that transportation is necessary (Yes in step S2), the instruction unit 17 outputs a first instruction signal to the third device instructing the third device to transport at least one magazine 60 from the unloader 40a to the loader 30b (step S3). This third device is, for example, the display device 20. Upon receiving the first instruction signal, the display device 20 displays the content indicated by the first instruction signal. In other words, the display device 20 displays a message or the like urging the third device to transport at least one magazine 60 from the unloader 40a to the loader 30b.

[0108] In addition, if the transport device 50 is a transport robot, the third device may be the transport device 50. In this case, upon receiving the first instruction signal, the transport device 50 travels on its own to transport at least one magazine 60 from the unloader 40a to the loader 30b.

[0109] This allows the efficiency of the transport operation to be improved because the necessity of transporting the magazine 60 is determined based on the storage status of the boards 1 in the unloader 40a and the removal status of the boards 1 in the loader 30b. In other words, while the necessity of transporting the magazine was conventionally determined based on the status of only one of the unloader and the loader, in this embodiment, the determination is made based on the status of both the unloader 40a and the loader 30b. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the first component mounting device 91 and the second component mounting device 92 from stopping their respective operations due to the absence of a board 1 to be used for that operation, thereby shortening the production time required for producing multiple mounted boards. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the number of times at least one magazine 60, each containing multiple boards 1, needs to be transported from the unloader 40a to the loader 30b. As a result, the efficiency of the transport operation can be improved.

[0110] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the detailed processing operation of the transport management device 10.

[0111] The third control unit 14 of the transport management device 10 first initializes a variable i to 1 (step S4). Then, the acquisition unit 15 acquires magazine information i and magazine information (i+1) as unloader information (step S11). This magazine information i is information relating to the storage status of substrates 1 in magazine i of unloader 40a. Magazine information (i+1) is information relating to the storage status of substrates 1 in magazine (i+1) next to magazine i. The acquisition unit 15 acquires the magazine information i and magazine information (i+1) from unloader 40a via the third communication unit 13.

[0112] Note that magazine i is the magazine 60 identified by variable i, and more specifically, the i-th magazine 60 handled by unloader 40a. When i=1, magazine information i is information about the storage status of the first magazine 60 handled first by unloader 40a, and magazine information (i+1) is information about the storage status of the second magazine 60 handled next by unloader 40a. Magazine i and magazine information i are also referred to as the first magazine and first magazine information, and magazine (i+1) and magazine information (i+1) are also referred to as the second magazine and second magazine information.

[0113] Next, the acquiring unit 15 acquires the last magazine information as loader information (step S12). This last magazine information is information regarding the removal status of the substrates 1 from the magazine 60 handled last by the loader 30b. For example, the second control unit 314 of the loader 30b determines whether the number of full magazines 60 placed on the carry-in conveyor 35 detected by the second magazine number detecting unit 312 is 0. If the second control unit 314 determines that the number of full magazines 60 is 0, it determines that the magazine 60 in the lifting device 31 is the magazine 60 to be handled last. The second control unit 314 of the loader 30b then transmits the last magazine information as information about the magazine 60 to be handled last to the transport management device 10 via the second communication unit 315. The acquiring unit 15 of the transport management device 10 acquires the last magazine information from the loader 30b via the third communication unit 13.

[0114] This final magazine information is also called third magazine information, and the magazine handled last by the loader 30b is also called the final magazine or the third magazine.

[0115] Furthermore, the acquiring unit 15 acquires first work information relating to a first work time ta1 of the first component mounting device 91 (step S13). Specifically, the acquiring unit 15 acquires the first work information from the information storage unit 16. The first time information is information relating to the work time for the first device, which is the first component mounting device 91, to the board 1.

[0116] Furthermore, the acquiring unit 15 acquires second work information relating to a second work time ta2 of the second component mounting device 92 (step S14). Specifically, the acquiring unit 15 acquires the second work information from the information storage unit 16. The second time information is information relating to the work time for the second device, which is the second component mounting device 92, to the board 1.

[0117] Furthermore, the acquiring unit 15 acquires transport information relating to the transport time T required to transport the magazine 60 from the unloader 40a to the loader 30b (step S15). Specifically, the acquiring unit 15 acquires the transport information from the information storage unit 16.

[0118] The determination unit 12 determines whether or not it is necessary to transport the magazine 60 to the loader 30b based on the information acquired in steps S11 to S15 (step S2a). That is, the determination unit 12 determines whether it is necessary to transport at least the magazine i from the unloader 40a to the loader 30b at a predetermined time based on the magazine information i, the magazine information (i+1), the last magazine information, the first work information, the second work information, and the transport information. The predetermined time is, for example, the time when the magazine i becomes full and when it is determined whether the magazine i needs to be transported.

[0119] Here, if the determination unit 12 determines that transportation is necessary (Yes in step S2a), the instruction unit 17 outputs a first instruction signal to the third device instructing it to transport at least magazine i from the unloader 40a to the loader 30b (step S3a). At this time, the instruction unit 17 may obtain information indicating the number of magazines 60 detected by the first magazine number detection unit 412 of the unloader 40a from the unloader 40a via the third communication unit 13. Specifically, this information indicates the number of full magazines 60 placed on the discharge conveyor 44 of the unloader 40a. Therefore, the instruction unit 17 may output a first instruction signal to the third device instructing it to transport the number of magazines 60 indicated by this information to the loader 30b.

[0120] On the other hand, if the determination unit 12 determines that at least magazine i does not need to be transported to loader 30b (No in step S2a), the third control unit 14 increments the variable i (step S5). Then, the third control unit 14 causes the acquisition unit 15 and the determination unit 12 to repeatedly execute the processes from step S11 onwards. Therefore, in this case, the instruction unit 17 executes the process of step S3a at a timing after the above-mentioned predetermined time. That is, the instruction unit 17 outputs a second instruction signal to the third device at a timing after the above-mentioned predetermined time to instruct the third device to transport at least magazine i and magazine (i+1) collectively from unloader 40a to loader 30b.

[0121] It should be noted that the magazine i and magazine (i+1) whose transport is instructed by the second instruction signal are the magazines 60 before the variable i is incremented. For example, it is determined in the first step S2a that transport of magazine (i=1) is not necessary, and it is determined in the second step S2a that transport of magazine (i=2) is necessary. At this time, a second instruction signal is output instructing the simultaneous transport of magazines (i=1) and (i=2) before the increment of variable i, rather than magazine (i=2) and magazine (i=3). This second instruction signal is output when magazine (i=2) becomes full after the predetermined time when magazine (i=1) becomes full.

[0122] Similarly to the output destination of the first instruction signal, the third device to which the second instruction signal is output is, for example, display device 20. Upon receiving the second instruction signal, display device 20 displays the content indicated by the second instruction signal. In other words, display device 20 displays a message urging the user to transport at least magazine i and magazine (i+1) together from unloader 40a to loader 30b.

[0123] If the transport device 50 is a transport robot, the third device may be the transport device 50. In this case, upon receiving the second instruction signal, the transport device 50 travels on its own to transport at least magazine i and magazine (i+1) together from the unloader 40a to the loader 30b.

[0124] In this manner, in this embodiment, it is possible to appropriately determine, based on various information, whether at least magazine i needs to be transported to loader 30b at a predetermined time. Furthermore, if it is determined that transport is not necessary, a second instruction signal is output at a timing after the predetermined time to instruct the simultaneous transport of magazine i and magazine (i+1). This eliminates the need to transport only magazine i at the predetermined time, thereby improving the efficiency of the transport operation.

[0125] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the transport management device 10 in more detail.

[0126] The third control unit 14 of the transport management device 10 first initializes a variable i to 1 (step S4). Then, as part of the processing of step S11 in FIG. 9, the acquisition unit 15 acquires magazine information i indicating the full time t1(i) when magazine i of the unloader 40a becomes full (step S11a). The full time t1(i) is also called the first magazine full time. In other words, the magazine information i includes information regarding the first magazine full time, which is the full time t1(i) when that magazine i is filled with multiple substrates 1. Furthermore, the above-mentioned predetermined time in the example of FIG. 9 is that full time t1(i).

[0127] For example, as described above, the first substrate number detection unit 411 of the unloader 40a detects the number of substrates 1 stored in the magazine 60 in the lifting device 41. This magazine 60 is the i-th magazine 60 to be handled, i.e., magazine i. The number of substrates 1 detected by the first substrate number detection unit 411 reaches the maximum number of substrates 1 that can be stored in the magazine 60. At this time, it is detected that the magazine i is full. As a result, the first control unit 414 of the unloader 40a transmits magazine information i indicating the full time t1(i) when the magazine i became full to the transport management device 10 via the first communication unit 415. The acquisition unit 15 of the transport management device 10 acquires the magazine information i, i.e., the full time t1(i), from the unloader 40a via the third communication unit 13.

[0128] Furthermore, the acquisition unit 15 acquires magazine information (i+1) indicating the number of boards in the magazine (i+1) of the unloader 40a (step S11b) as part of the processing of step S11 in Fig. 9. That is, the magazine information (i+1) includes board number information regarding the number of boards 1 stored in the magazine (i+1).

[0129] For example, the first substrate number detection unit 411 of the unloader 40a detects the number of substrates 1 stored in the magazine (i+1) that will be placed next on the lifting device 41 after the magazine i becomes full. As a result, the first control unit 414 of the unloader 40a transmits substrate number information indicating the number of substrates 1 stored in the magazine (i+1), detected by the first substrate number detection unit 411, to the transport management device 10 via the first communication unit 415. The acquisition unit 15 of the transport management device 10 acquires the substrate number information from the unloader 40a via the third communication unit 13 as magazine information (i+1).

[0130] Next, the acquisition unit 15 acquires final magazine information indicating the number of boards in the final magazine 60 of the loader 30b (step S12). That is, the final magazine information includes board number information regarding the number of boards 1 remaining in the final magazine 60.

[0131] For example, as described above, the second control unit 314 of the loader 30b determines that the magazine 60 in the lifting device 31 is the last magazine 60. At this time, the second board number detection unit 311 of the loader 30b detects the number of boards 1 remaining in that magazine 60. As a result, the second control unit 314 of the loader 30b transmits board number information indicating the number of boards 1 remaining in the last magazine, detected by the second board number detection unit 311, to the transport management device 10 via the second communication unit 315. The acquisition unit 15 of the transport management device 10 acquires the board number information from the loader 30b via the third communication unit 13 as last magazine information.

[0132] Next, the acquisition unit 15 performs the processes of steps S13 to S15 shown in FIG. 10 to acquire the first work information, the second work information, and the transport information (step S15).

[0133] Then, the time calculation unit 11 calculates the full time t1(i+1) when the magazine (i+1) of the unloader 40a becomes full (step S16). That is, the time calculation unit 11 calculates the second magazine full time, which is the time when the magazine (i+1) is filled with a plurality of boards 1, based on the board number information of the magazine (i+1) and the first work information. Specifically, the time calculation unit 11 calculates the remaining number of boards by subtracting the number of boards in the magazine (i+1) indicated by the magazine information (i+1) from the maximum number of boards 1 that can be stored in the magazine 60. Then, the time calculation unit 11 multiplies the remaining number by the first work time ta1 indicated by the first work information, and adds the multiplication result to the current time. In this way, the full time t1(i+1), which is the second magazine full time, is calculated.

[0134] Next, the time calculation unit 11 calculates the arrival time (t1(i+1)+T) when magazine (i+1) of unloader 40a arrives at loader 30b (step S17). That is, the time calculation unit 11 calculates the arrival time (t1(i+1)+T) when magazine (i+1) filled with multiple substrates 1 arrives at loader 30b based on the full time t1(i+1), which is the second magazine full time, and the transport time T. Specifically, the time calculation unit 11 calculates the arrival time (t1(i+1)+T) by adding the transport time T to the full time t1(i+1).

[0135] Furthermore, the time calculation unit 11 calculates the empty time t2 when the last magazine 60 of the loader 30b will be empty (step S18). That is, based on the board number information of the last magazine 60 and the second work information, the time calculation unit 11 calculates the empty time when the number of boards 1 remaining in that last magazine 60 will be zero. This empty time is also called the third magazine empty time. Specifically, the time calculation unit 11 multiplies the number of boards in the last magazine 60 by the second work time ta2 indicated by the second work information, and adds the multiplication result to the current time. This calculates the empty time t2, which is the third magazine empty time.

[0136] Then, the determination unit 12 determines whether or not the empty time t2 is earlier than the arrival time (t1(i+1)+T) as the process of step S2a in Fig. 9 (step S2b). That is, the determination unit 12 determines at the full time t1(i) whether or not the empty time t2 is earlier than the arrival time (t1(i+1)+T) of magazine (i+1). This determines whether or not at least magazine i needs to be transported from unloader 40a to loader 30b at the predetermined time, which is the full time t1(i).

[0137] Here, if the judgment unit 12 judges that the empty time t2 is earlier than the arrival time (t1(i+1)+T) (Yes in step S2b), the instruction unit 17 outputs a first instruction signal to the third device (step S3a), as in the example shown in FIG.

[0138] On the other hand, if the determination unit 12 determines that the empty time t2 is not earlier than the arrival time (t1(i+1)+T) (No in step S2b), the third control unit 14 increments the variable i (step S5). Then, the third control unit 14 causes the acquisition unit 15, the time calculation unit 11, and the determination unit 12 to repeatedly execute the processes from step S11a. Therefore, in this case, the instruction unit 17 executes the process of step S3a at a timing after the predetermined time, which is the full time t1(i). That is, the instruction unit 17 outputs a second instruction signal to the third device at a timing after the predetermined time, instructing it to transport at least magazine i and magazine (i+1) collectively from unloader 40a to loader 30b. Note that the magazine i and magazine (i+1) instructed to be transported by the second instruction signal are the magazines 60 before the variable i was incremented, as in the example shown in FIG.

[0139] In this embodiment, the transport determination is made at the full time t1(i) when the magazine i of the unloader 40a is full. This determination determines whether the last magazine 60 of the loader 30b will be empty before the full magazines i and (i+1) arrive at the loader 30b if the next magazine (i+1) of the unloader 40a is full and the full magazines i and (i+1) are transported together to the loader 30b. If it is determined that the last magazine 60 will not be empty, the second instruction signal is output at a timing after the full time t1(i), which is the predetermined time. That is, the transport of the magazine i and (i+1) together is instructed. Therefore, the magazine i and the magazine (i+1) can be transported efficiently to the loader 30b without interrupting the operation of the second component placement device 92 using the loader 30b.

[0140] (Variation 1) In this modification, the transportation of the magazines 60 is instructed based not only on the empty time t2 and the arrival time (t1(i+1)+T) but also on the number of full magazines 60 placed on the unloader 40a.

[0141] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the transport management device 10 in the first modification.

[0142] The third control unit 14 of the transport management device 10 first initializes a variable i to 1 (step S4). Then, the acquisition unit 15 executes an information acquisition process including the processes of steps S11a to S15 in Fig. 10 (step S21). Next, the time calculation unit 11 executes a time calculation process including the processes of steps S16 to S18 in Fig. 10 (step S22).

[0143] Then, based on the empty time t2 calculated in step S22 and the arrival time (t1(i+1)+T), the judgment unit 12 judges whether the empty time t2 is earlier than the arrival time (t1(i+1)+T) (step S2b).

[0144] Here, if the judgment unit 12 judges that the empty time t2 is earlier than the arrival time (t1(i+1)+T) (Yes in step S2b), the instruction unit 17 outputs a first instruction signal to the third device (step S3a), as in the example shown in FIG.

[0145] On the other hand, in this modified example, if the judgment unit 12 determines that the empty time t2 is not earlier than the arrival time (t1(i+1)+T) (No in step S2b), the judgment unit 12 further determines whether the number of magazines in the unloader 40a is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (step S31). In other words, the judgment unit 12 determines whether the number of at least one magazine 60, including magazine i, placed on the unloader 40a and each filled with a plurality of substrates 1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number.

[0146] For example, the acquisition unit 15 of the transport management device 10 acquires information indicating the number of magazines 60 detected by the first magazine number detection unit 412 of the unloader 40a from the unloader 40a via the third communication unit 13. Then, in step S31, the determination unit 12 determines whether the number of at least one magazine 60 indicated by the acquired information is equal to or greater than a predetermined number.

[0147] Here, when the determination unit 12 determines that the number of the at least one magazine 60 is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (Yes in step S31), the instruction unit 17 outputs a first instruction signal to the third device (step S3a). That is, the instruction unit 17 outputs a first instruction signal to the third device to instruct the third device to transport at least one magazine 60 including magazine i from the unloader 40a to the loader 30b.

[0148] On the other hand, if the determination unit 12 determines that the number of at least one magazine 60 is less than the predetermined number (No in step S31), the third control unit 14 increments the variable i (step S5). Then, the third control unit 14 causes the acquisition unit 15, the time calculation unit 11, and the determination unit 12 to repeatedly execute the processes from step S21 onward. Therefore, in this case, the instruction unit 17 executes the process of step S3a at a timing after the predetermined time, which is the full time t1(i). That is, the instruction unit 17 outputs a second instruction signal to the third device at a timing after the predetermined time, instructing it to transport at least magazine i and magazine (i+1) collectively from the unloader 40a to the loader 30b. Note that the magazine i and magazine (i+1) whose transport is instructed by the second instruction signal are the magazines 60 before the variable i was incremented.

[0149] In this way, in this modification, even if it is possible to transport magazine i and magazine (i+1) together without stopping the operation of the second component mounting device 92 using loader 30b, if the number of full magazines 60 in unloader 40a is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, magazine i is transported to loader 30b. Therefore, it is possible to prevent full magazines 60 from overflowing from unloader 40a.

[0150] Furthermore, if the number of full magazines 60 in unloader 40a is less than the predetermined number, the full magazines 60 will not overflow from unloader 40a, and the second instruction signal can be output appropriately. In other words, full magazines 60 will not overflow from unloader 40a, and after waiting for the next magazine (i+1) to become full in unloader 40a, full magazines i and (i+1) can be transported together to loader 30b.

[0151] (Variation 2) In this modification, the transport of the magazine 60 is instructed based on the work type information as well.

[0152] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing work type information in the second modification.

[0153] As shown in FIG. 12, the work type information d1 indicates a plurality of work types, the priority of each of the plurality of work types, and the scheduled work completion time.

[0154] For example, the multiple work types include pallet supply work, reel supply work, magazine transport work, nozzle preparation work, pin preparation work, and adhesive supply work.

[0155] The pallet supplying work is, for example, the work of supplying pallets to devices such as first component mounting device 91 and second component mounting device 92. The pallet is a plate or a stand, and is supplied with a plurality of components to be mounted on board 1 placed on the pallet.

[0156] The reel supplying work is, for example, the work of supplying reels to devices such as the first component mounting device 91 and the second component mounting device 92. The reels are supplied with component tape wound around them, which holds multiple components to be mounted on the board 1.

[0157] The magazine transport operation is an operation of transporting at least one magazine 60 from the unloader 40a to the loader 30b.

[0158] The nozzle preparation work is, for example, work of arranging nozzles for sucking and holding components and mounting them on the board 1 in devices such as the first component mounting device 91 and the second component mounting device 92.

[0159] The pin preparation work is a work of setting pins provided on devices such as first component mounting device 91 and second component mounting device 92, which pins are used to support from below board 1 on which components are to be mounted.

[0160] The adhesive replenishing operation is an operation of replenishing adhesive for adhering components to the board 1 to the first component mounting device 91, the second component mounting device 92, and other devices.

[0161] The estimated completion time of each of the multiple work types indicated by the work type information d1 is the time when the work of that work type should be completed. Therefore, if the work is not completed by the estimated completion time, the work of first component mounting device 91 and second component mounting device 92 will be stopped or interrupted, and the production time of the mounted board will be extended.

[0162] Furthermore, the priority of each of the multiple work types indicated by the work type information d1 is a numerical value set according to the scheduled completion time of that work type, with the higher the priority being the smaller the numerical value. For example, in the work type information d1, the earlier the scheduled completion time of a work type is, the higher the priority, i.e., the smaller the numerical value, associated with that work type. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 12, the work with the highest priority is the work type "pallet supply work," and the work with the third highest priority is the work type "magazine transport work."

[0163] Such work type information d1 may be generated by, for example, the third control unit 14 of the transport management device 10 and stored in the information storage unit 16. In addition, the work type information d1 may be periodically updated according to the status of the work of mounting components on the board 1.

[0164] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the transport management device 10 in the second modification.

[0165] The third control unit 14 of the transport management device 10 first initializes a variable i to 1 (step S4). Then, the acquisition unit 15 executes an information acquisition process including the processes of steps S11a to S15 in Fig. 10 (step S21). Next, the time calculation unit 11 executes a time calculation process including the processes of steps S16 to S18 in Fig. 10 (step S22).

[0166] Then, based on the empty time t2 calculated in step S22 and the arrival time (t1(i+1)+T), the judgment unit 12 judges whether the empty time t2 is earlier than the arrival time (t1(i+1)+T) (step S2b).

[0167] Here, if the judgment unit 12 judges that the empty time t2 is earlier than the arrival time (t1(i+1)+T) (Yes in step S2b), the instruction unit 17 outputs a first instruction signal to the third device (step S3a), as in the example shown in FIG.

[0168] On the other hand, if the judgment unit 12 determines that the empty time t2 is not earlier than the arrival time (t1(i+1)+T) (No in step S2b), the judgment unit 12 further determines whether the number of magazines in the unloader 40a is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (step S31). That is, the judgment unit 12 determines whether the number of at least one magazine 60, including magazine i, placed on the unloader 40a and each filled with a plurality of substrates 1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number.

[0169] Here, in this modified example, when the determination unit 12 determines that the number of the at least one magazine 60 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (Yes in step S31), the acquisition unit 15 acquires the work type information d1 stored in the information storage unit 16 (step S32). That is, the acquisition unit 15 acquires the work type information d1 indicating the priority of each of a plurality of works including the magazine transport work.

[0170] Then, the determination unit 12 determines whether there is a high-priority task that is a task with a higher priority than the magazine transport task, based on the priority of each of the multiple tasks indicated in the task type information d1 (step S33). If the determination unit 12 determines that there is a high-priority task (Yes in step S33), the instruction unit 17 outputs information regarding an instruction to perform the high-priority task to a third device (step S34). The third device is, for example, the display device 20. When the display device 20 receives the information regarding the instruction to perform the high-priority task, it displays a message urging the user to perform the high-priority task. Thereafter, the determination unit 12 repeatedly executes the process of step S33.

[0171] On the other hand, if the determination unit 12 determines that there is no high-priority work (No in step S33), the instruction unit 17 outputs a first instruction signal (step S3a). That is, the instruction unit 17 outputs a first instruction signal to the third device to instruct the third device to transport at least one magazine 60 including magazine i from the unloader 40a to the loader 30b.

[0172] In this way, in this modification, even if the number of full magazines 60 in the unloader 40a is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, if there is a high-priority task that has a higher priority than the magazine transport task, the execution of the high-priority task is instructed to take precedence over the magazine transport task. For example, if there is sufficient time until magazine (i+1) becomes full and a high-priority task is executed before magazine (i+1) becomes full, the execution of the high-priority task is prioritized. This prevents the efficiency of other tasks from being reduced in order to improve the efficiency of the transport task. Furthermore, it reduces the possibility that the operations of the first component placement device 91 and the second component placement device 92 will be stopped or interrupted.

[0173] Furthermore, when there is no high-priority task that has a higher priority than the magazine transport task, the magazine transport task is instructed first. That is, the transport of at least magazine i to loader 30b is instructed. For example, when there is not enough time until magazine (i+1) becomes full, the magazine transport task is given top priority. In such a case, magazine i is transported to loader 30b without waiting for magazine (i+1) to become full. This makes it possible to prevent a full magazine 60 from overflowing from unloader 40a.

[0174] (Variation 3) In this modification, a temporary storage location is used for transporting the magazine 60.

[0175] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the configuration of a transport system in the third modification.

[0176] The transport system 101 in the third modified example has a temporary storage location 80. For example, there may be cases where a magazine 60 filled by an unloader 40a cannot be placed on either the unloader 40a or the loader 30b. In such a case, the transport device 50 transports the magazine 60 filled by the unloader 40a to the temporary storage location 80. Then, when the full magazine 60 can be placed on the loader 30b, the transport device 50 transports the full magazine 60 to the loader 30b.

[0177] That is, the transport device 50 transports a full magazine 60 from the unloader 40a to the loader 30b, or transports a full magazine 60 from the unloader 40a via the temporary storage location 80 to the loader 30b.

[0178] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the transport management device 10 in the third modification.

[0179] The third control unit 14 of the transport management device 10 first initializes a variable i to 1 (step S4). Then, the acquisition unit 15 executes an information acquisition process including the processes of steps S11a to S15 in Fig. 10 (step S21). Next, the time calculation unit 11 executes a time calculation process including the processes of steps S16 to S18 in Fig. 10 (step S22).

[0180] Then, based on the empty time t2 calculated in step S120 and the arrival time (t1(i+1)+T), the judgment unit 12 judges whether the empty time t2 is earlier than the arrival time (t1(i+1)+T) (step S2b).

[0181] Here, when the determination unit 12 determines that the empty time t2 is earlier than the arrival time (t1(i+1)+T) (Yes in step S2b), the instruction unit 17 outputs an instruction signal to the third device to instruct the third device to transport at least one magazine 60 to the loader 30b (step S3b). The at least one magazine 60 may be a magazine 60 other than the magazine i. Furthermore, the at least one magazine 60 may be placed on the unloader 40a or in the temporary storage location 80. The third device is, for example, the display device 20.

[0182] On the other hand, if the judgment unit 12 determines that the empty time t2 is not earlier than the arrival time (t1(i+1)+T) (No in step S2b), the transport management device 10 performs the processes of steps S31, S32, and S33, as in the example shown in Figure 13.

[0183] Here, in this modified example, if the judgment unit 12 determines in step S33 that there is no high priority work (No in step S33), it determines whether the full magazine 60 placed on the unloader 40a can be placed on the loader 30b (step S35).

[0184] For example, the acquisition unit 15 of the transport management device 10 acquires information indicating the number of magazines 60 detected by the second magazine number detection unit 312 of the loader 30b from the loader 30b via the third communication unit 13. Then, in step S35, the determination unit 12 determines that a full magazine 60 can be placed on the loader 30b if the number of magazines 60 indicated by the acquired information is less than the maximum number of magazines 60 that can be placed on the input conveyor 35 of the loader 30b. Conversely, the determination unit 12 determines that a full magazine 60 cannot be placed on the loader 30b if the number of magazines 60 indicated by the information is equal to or greater than the maximum number.

[0185] If the determination unit 12 determines that the full magazine 60 cannot be placed thereon (No in step S35), the instruction unit 17 outputs a third instruction signal to the third device (step S37). This third instruction signal is a signal that instructs the third device to transport at least one magazine 60 placed on the unloader 40a to the temporary storage location 80.

[0186] After the process of step S37, the determination unit 12 again determines whether the magazine 60 filled with a plurality of substrates 1 can be placed on the loader 30b (step S38). If the determination unit 12 determines that the magazine 60 can be placed on the loader 30b (Yes in step S38), the instruction unit 17 outputs an instruction signal to the third device to instruct the third device to transport at least one magazine 60 from the temporary storage location 80 to the loader 30b (step S39). If the determination unit 12 determines that the magazine 60 cannot be placed on the loader 30b (No in step S38), the process of step S38 is repeated.

[0187] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S35 that the magazine 60 can be placed on the loader 30b, the instruction unit 17 outputs a fourth instruction signal to the third device (step S36). This fourth instruction signal is a signal that instructs the third device to transport the full magazine 60 placed on the unloader 40a to the loader 30b.

[0188] In steps S3b, S36, S37, and S39, instruction signals such as the third instruction signal are output to a third device, such as the display device 20. Upon receiving the instruction signal, the display device 20 displays the content indicated by the instruction signal. Furthermore, if the transport device 50 is a transport robot, the third device may be the transport device 50. In this case, upon receiving the instruction signal, the transport device 50 transports the magazine 60 by self-propelling in response to the instruction signal.

[0189] In this manner, in this modified example, if a full magazine 60 cannot be placed on the loader 30b, the magazine 60 can be transported to the temporary storage location 80. Furthermore, even if a full magazine 60 is transported to the loader 30b, it is possible to prevent the magazine 60 from being unable to be placed on the loader 30b.

[0190] (Variation 4) In this modification, the transportation of the magazine 60 is instructed in accordance with the transportation request information.

[0191] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the transport management device 10 in the fourth modification.

[0192] The acquisition unit 15 of the transport management device 10 acquires unloader information and loader information, similar to the example of FIG. 8 (step S1).

[0193] Based on the unloader information and loader information, the determination unit 12 determines whether or not it is necessary to transport the magazine 60 to the loader 30b (step S2). That is, the determination unit 12 determines whether or not it is necessary to transport at least one magazine 60, each containing a plurality of substrates 1, from the unloader 40a to the loader 30b.

[0194] Here, in this modified example, when the determination unit 12 determines that transport is not necessary (No in step S2), it further determines whether the acquisition unit 15 has acquired transport request information (step S41). The transport request information is information requesting the transport of a magazine 60 containing multiple substrates 1 to the loader 30b. For example, the transport request information is transmitted from the second communication unit 315 of the loader 30b and acquired by the acquisition unit 15 via the third communication unit 13 of the transport management device 10. In other words, the transport request information is information requesting the loader 30b to transport a full magazine 60. Note that the transport request information may be transmitted from a device other than the loader 30b.

[0195] Then, when the determining unit 12 determines that the acquiring unit 15 has not acquired the transport request information (No in step S41), the transport management device 10 repeatedly executes the process from step S1.

[0196] On the other hand, when the judgment unit 12 determines that the acquisition unit 15 has acquired the transport request information (Yes in step S41), the instruction unit 17 outputs a first instruction signal to the third device instructing it to transport at least one magazine 60 from the unloader 40a to the loader 30b (step S3).

[0197] As a result, when the transport request information is acquired, the full magazine 60 can be transported to the loader 30b, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in transport.

[0198] (Variation 5) The transport management device 10 in this modification determines the predetermined number of magazines 60 in the above modifications 1 to 4. This predetermined number is used for the judgment in step S31 in Figures 11, 13, and 15. The numerical value obtained by multiplying the maximum number of substrates 1 that can be stored in the magazine 60 by this predetermined number is also called the number of retained substrates 1.

[0199] 17 is a diagram showing the results of a simulation of production time according to the number of mounted boards produced and the number of retained boards 1. Here, the retained number is the number of boards 1 transported in a batch from the unloader 40a to the loader 30b. In other words, when the retained number of boards 1 is stored in one or more magazines by the unloader 40a, those one or more magazines are transported in a batch to the loader 30b. Furthermore, when the production number of mounted boards is less than the retained number, the same number of boards 1 as the production number are transported in a batch from the unloader 40a to the loader 30b. In other words, when the unloader 40a stores the same number of boards 1 as the production number in one or more magazines, those one or more magazines are transported in a batch to the loader 30b.

[0200] 17, the production time when the production number of mounted boards is 25 is the same whether the number of boards in stock is 100 or 25. However, the production time when the production number of mounted boards is 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 1000 differs depending on whether the number of boards in stock is 100 or 25.

[0201] Specifically, the production time when the production number of mounted boards is 50 differs between when the number of stockpiles is 100 and when the number of stockpiles is 25. The production time when the production number of mounted boards is 50 is 1 hour, 7 minutes, and 16 seconds when the number of stockpiles is 100, and 59 minutes and 26 seconds when the number of stockpiles is 25. In other words, the production time can be reduced by 12% when the number of stockpiles is 25 compared to when the number of stockpiles is 100.

[0202] Therefore, when the production volume of mounting boards is small, such as 50 to 100 boards, the production time can be shortened by reducing the number of remaining boards.

[0203] However, when the production number of mounted boards is 150 or more, the difference in production time is small even when the backlog number is 100 or 25. For example, the production time when the production number of mounted boards is 150 is 2 hours 10 minutes 30 seconds when the backlog number is 100, and 2 hours 7 minutes 32 seconds when the backlog number is 25. In other words, the difference between the production time when the backlog number is 25 and the production time when the backlog number is 100 is only 2%.

[0204] Therefore, when the production volume of mounting boards is large, such as 150 or more, it is difficult to achieve the effect of shortening production time even by reducing the number of retained boards. Furthermore, if the number of retained boards is reduced, it becomes necessary to frequently transport one or more magazines 60, which reduces the efficiency of the transport work.

[0205] Therefore, the transport management device 10 in this modification determines the number of retained sheets in order to achieve both a reduction in production time and an improvement in the efficiency of the transport work. That is, the transport management device 10 determines the predetermined number of magazines 60 in the above modifications 1 to 4.

[0206] Specifically, the third control unit 14 of the transport management device 10 determines the predetermined number based on the production number of mounted boards, each having one or more components mounted on the board 1, produced by the work of the first component mounting device 91 and the second component mounting device 92. For example, the third control unit 14 determines the predetermined number to be a smaller number as the production number of mounted boards is smaller.

[0207] Furthermore, third control unit 14 determines the number of boards 1 to be stored in magazine 60. In other words, third control unit 14 determines the number of boards 1 to be stored in magazine 60 by unloader 40a based on the production number of mounted boards, each having one or more components mounted on board 1, produced by the work of first component mounting device 91 and second component mounting device 92. For example, the number of boards 1 to be determined is the maximum number of boards 1 that can be stored in magazine 60 to fill magazine 60.

[0208] This allows for both a reduction in production time and improved efficiency in transport work.

[0209] (Other variations) While the conveying method according to one or more aspects has been described above based on the embodiment and its modifications, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment and its modifications. As long as it does not deviate from the spirit of the present disclosure, various modifications that a person skilled in the art may make to the above embodiment and its modifications, or forms constructed by combining components of different modifications, may also be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0210] 10 in the above embodiment, the full time t1(i) is the predetermined time, and the processes of steps S11a to S18 and S2b are performed at that predetermined time. However, these processes may be performed at timings that are different from the full time t1(i).

[0211] Furthermore, the transport device 50 in the above embodiment and each modification may be a cart that is pushed by an operator to transport the magazine 60, or may be a self-propelled transport robot. The transport robot may be an AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle). In the present embodiment and each modification, the efficiency of the transport work can be improved, thereby reducing the number of AGVs required.

[0212] Furthermore, in the above embodiment and each modified example, the third magazine is the magazine 60 handled last by the loader 30b, but it is not limited to the last handled magazine 60. For example, the third magazine may be the Nth magazine 60 handled from the end (N is an integer of 2 or more).

[0213] In the above-described embodiment and each modification, each component may be configured with dedicated hardware or may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory. Here, the software that realizes the transport management device 10 of the above-described embodiment and each modification is a program that causes a computer to execute the processing of the flowcharts shown in Figures 8 to 11, 13, 15, and 16.

[0214] The following cases are also included in this disclosure:

[0215] (1) The at least one device is specifically a computer system comprising a microprocessor, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk unit, a display unit, a keyboard, a mouse, etc. A computer program is stored in the RAM or hard disk unit. The at least one device achieves its function when the microprocessor operates in accordance with the computer program. Here, the computer program is composed of a combination of multiple instruction codes that indicate instructions to the computer to achieve a predetermined function.

[0216] (2) Some or all of the components constituting at least one of the above devices may be configured as a single system LSI (Large Scale Integration). A system LSI is an ultra-multifunctional LSI manufactured by integrating multiple components on a single chip, and specifically, is a computer system configured to include a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, etc. A computer program is stored in the RAM. The system LSI achieves its functions when the microprocessor operates in accordance with the computer program.

[0217] (3) Some or all of the components constituting at least one of the above devices may be configured as an IC card or a standalone module that can be attached to the device. The IC card or module is a computer system composed of a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, etc. The IC card or module may include the above-mentioned ultra-multifunctional LSI. The IC card or module achieves its functions when the microprocessor operates according to a computer program. This IC card or module may be tamper-resistant.

[0218] (4) The present disclosure may be embodied as the methods described above, a computer program for implementing these methods on a computer, or a digital signal comprising the computer program.

[0219] The present disclosure may also be a computer program or a digital signal recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, such as a flexible disk, a hard disk, a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM, a DVD, a DVD-ROM, a DVD-RAM, a BD (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc), a semiconductor memory, etc. Alternatively, the present disclosure may be a digital signal recorded on such a recording medium.

[0220] The present disclosure may also be applied to transmitting a computer program or digital signal via a telecommunications line, a wireless or wired communication line, a network such as the Internet, data broadcasting, or the like.

[0221] Furthermore, the program or digital signal may be recorded on a recording medium and transferred, or the program or digital signal may be transferred via a network or the like, so that the program or digital signal may be implemented by another independent computer system. [Industrial Applicability]

[0222] The present disclosure can be used in systems that mount components on boards to produce mounted boards. [Explanation of symbols]

[0223] 1 board 10. Transport management device 11 Time calculation section 12 Judgment Department 13 Third Communications Department 14 Third Control Section 15 Acquisition Department 16 Information storage section 17 Instruction section 20 Display device 30a, 30b Loader 31, 41 Lifting device 32, 42 lifter 33, 43 Delivery conveyor 34, 44 Discharge conveyor 35, 45 Intake conveyor 40a, 40b Unloader 50 Conveyor 60 magazines 100, 101 Conveyor system 311 Second board number detection unit 312 Second magazine number detection unit 313 Second Drive Mechanism 314 Second Control Section 315 Second Communications Department 411 First board number detection unit 412 First magazine number detection unit 413 First drive mechanism 414 First Control Section 415 First Communications Department

Claims

1. A method for transporting a magazine from an unloader to a loader, comprising: The first magazine stores a plurality of circuit boards that are conveyed from a first component mounting device that mounts components on the circuit boards, the second magazine stores the plurality of boards that are transported from the first component mounting device after the first magazine is filled with the plurality of boards; The third magazine stores a plurality of circuit boards to be carried into a second component mounting device that mounts components on the circuit boards, acquire unloader information relating to the storage status of the substrates in the first magazine and the second magazine, and loader information relating to the removal status of the substrates in the third magazine; transporting at least one of the first magazine and the second magazine placed on the unloader to the loader by a transport device before the number of substrates stored in the third magazine placed on the loader becomes zero based on the unloader information and the loader information; Method of transporting substrates.

2. The transport method includes: further acquiring first operation information relating to the operation time for the board in the first component mounting device and second operation information relating to the operation time for the board in the second component mounting device; determining whether to transport only the first magazine to the loader or to transport the first magazine and the second magazine together to the loader based on the unloader information, the loader information, the first work information, and the second work information; The substrate transport method according to claim 1 .

3. determining at a predetermined time whether to transport only the first magazine from the unloader to the loader; the predetermined time is a time when the first magazine is filled with the plurality of substrates and a time before the second magazine is filled with the plurality of substrates; The substrate transport method according to claim 2 .

4. calculating a second magazine full time, which is the time when the second magazine is filled with the plurality of substrates, based on the storage status of the substrates in the second magazine included in the unloader information and the first work information; calculating a third magazine empty time when the number of substrates remaining in the third magazine becomes zero based on the board removal status in the third magazine included in the loader information and the second work information; determining whether the third magazine empty time is earlier than the second magazine full time, thereby determining whether it is necessary to transport only the first magazine from the unloader to the loader, or whether it is necessary to transport the first magazine and the second magazine together from the unloader to the loader; The substrate transport method according to claim 2 .

5. A transport management device that manages transport of a magazine from an unloader to a loader, The first magazine stores a plurality of circuit boards that are conveyed from a first component mounting device that mounts components on the circuit boards, the second magazine stores the plurality of boards that are transported from the first component mounting device after the first magazine is filled with the plurality of boards; The third magazine stores a plurality of circuit boards to be carried into a second component mounting device that mounts components on the circuit boards, an acquisition unit that acquires unloader information relating to the storage status of substrates in the first magazine and the second magazine, and loader information relating to the removal status of substrates in the third magazine; an instruction unit that outputs an instruction to transport at least one of the first magazine and the second magazine placed on the unloader to the loader by a transport device before the number of substrates stored in the third magazine placed on the loader reaches 0, based on the unloader information and the loader information; A transport management device comprising:

Images