Mounting System

Abstract

This mounting system, which is configured by arranging a plurality of mounting devices, to which a plurality of members used in a process for mounting a substrate are attached, side by side in a conveyance direction of the substrate, comprises: an information acquiring unit that acquires information that includes a conveyance condition of the substrate; and a guidance output unit that, when replenishment of the members is required for two or more mounting devices or when said requirement is predicted, determines which mounting device is to be preferentially replenished on the basis of the conveyance condition of the substrate, and outputs the determined replenishment guidance.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present specification discloses a mounting system and a component supply guide method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a mounting system configured by arranging a plurality of mounting devices along the conveyance direction of the board, on which components such as component supply units used in the mounting process of the board are attached (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This mounting system is equipped with an operating device (exchange device) that automatically performs the replacement work of components required for production, and by providing work instructions to the worker taking into consideration the operating status of the operating device, it encourages cooperation between the replacement work by the worker and the replacement work by the operating device, thereby improving the efficiency of the component replacement work. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] WO2021 / 186552A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There are cases where two or more mounting devices require the replenishment of components at the same time. In such cases, board production will be interrupted until the necessary components are replenished for each mounting device. Therefore, depending on the order in which components are replenished, there is a risk that production will be interrupted for a long time while waiting for the components to be replenished, resulting in a decrease in production efficiency.

[0005] A main object of the present disclosure is to efficiently replenish components when two or more mounting devices require replenishment of components. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present disclosure has adopted the following means to achieve the above-mentioned main object.

[0007] The mounting system of the present disclosure includes: A mounting system configured by arranging a plurality of mounting devices, each of which is equipped with a plurality of components used in a mounting process of a substrate, along a transport direction of the substrate, an information acquisition unit that acquires information including a transport status of the substrate; a guidance output unit that, when two or more mounting devices require or are predicted to require the supply of the components, determines which mounting device should be given priority for supply based on the transport status of the substrates, and outputs the determined supply guidance; The gist of the project is to provide the following:

[0008] In the mounting system disclosed herein, when two or more mounting devices require or are predicted to require component replenishment, a determination is made based on the board transport status as to which mounting device to prioritize replenishment, and the determined replenishment guidance is output. Therefore, it is possible to output replenishment guidance that takes into account the board transport status and minimizes the impact of waiting for component replenishment. Therefore, when two or more mounting devices require component replenishment, components can be replenished efficiently. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a mounting system 10. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the outline of the configuration of a mounting apparatus 20. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration related to control of the mounting system 10. [Figure 4] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of feeder information 54a and board information 54b. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a feeder replenishment-related process. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a target lane setting process. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a transfer state of a substrate S. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a supply guidance output process. [Figure 9]FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of how to determine a mounting apparatus 20 to which components are to be preferentially replenished. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of how to determine a mounting apparatus 20 to which components are to be preferentially replenished. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of how to determine a mounting apparatus 20 to which components are to be preferentially replenished. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a removal guidance process. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing a modified example of a feeder replenishment-related process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Next, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a mounting system 10. Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a mounting device 20. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration related to control of the mounting system 10. In this embodiment, the left-right direction (X-axis), front-back direction (Y-axis), and up-down direction (Z-axis) are as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

[0011] The mounting system 10 performs the process of mounting components onto a board S (see FIG. 2), and includes a mounting line 11, a loader 30, an automated guided vehicle 40 (hereinafter, AGV 40), and a management device 50. The mounting line 11 includes a printing device 12, a print inspection device 14, a storage cabinet 16, a mounting device 20, a mounting inspection device 18, and the like, which are arranged side by side along the transport direction (X-axis direction) of the board S. Note that the mounting line 11 may also include a reflow device or the like that performs a reflow process on the board S on which components have been mounted.

[0012] The printing device 12 prints solder on the board S by forcing it into pattern holes formed in a screen mask. The print inspection device 14 inspects the condition of the solder printed by the printing device 12. The mounting inspection device 18 inspects the mounting condition of the components mounted on the board S by the mounting device 20.

[0013] A plurality of mounting devices 20 are arranged along the transport direction of the board S, and mount components on the board S. Each mounting device 20 includes a board transport device 21, a plurality of feeders 22, a head 23, a movement mechanism 24, an operation panel 26, and a control unit 28. The board transport device 21 has two pairs of conveyor belts, and transports the board S by each conveyor belt. Therefore, the mounting line 11 can transport the board S on two parallel transport lanes, one at the front and one at the back. These two transport lanes are referred to as transport lanes L1 and L2, respectively.

[0014] The feeder 22 is configured as a tape feeder having a reel wound with tape that holds components at a predetermined pitch, and feeding the tape by rotating the reel. The feeders 22 are detachable from a mounting table provided in front of the mounting device 20, and multiple feeders 22 are held side by side in the X-axis direction. The head 23 has a pickup member such as a nozzle that can be raised and lowered, and picks up components using the pickup member and mounts them on the board S. The movement mechanism 24 has a slider that moves in the X and Y directions along a guide rail, and a motor that drives the slider, and moves the head 23 attached to the slider in the X and Y directions. The operation panel 26 has a display unit that displays various information and an operation unit that allows the operator to perform various input operations.

[0015] Control unit 28 is composed of a known CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and outputs drive signals to substrate transport device 21, each feeder 22, head 23, moving mechanism 24, etc., and outputs display signals to operation panel 26. Control unit 28 also inputs signals from substrate transport device 21, each feeder 22, head 23, moving mechanism 24, etc., and inputs operation signals from operation panel 26.

[0016] The storage 16 is an in-line storage that stores the feeders 22 used in the mounting process within the mounting line 11. In the storage 16, workers replenish and retrieve the feeders 22. Also, in the storage 16, the loader 30 and the AGV 40 can automatically replace the feeders 22, and can replenish and retrieve the feeders 22. The AGV 40 is configured to automatically travel between the mounting line 11 and the warehouse of the feeders 22 to transport the feeders 22.

[0017] The loader 30 includes a movement mechanism 32, a transfer mechanism 34, a sensor 36, and a control unit 38. The movement mechanism 32 is configured to move the loader 30 left and right along the transport direction of the substrates S, in front of the multiple mounting devices 20 and the storage 16. The transfer mechanism 34 includes, although not shown, a clamp mechanism that clamps the feeder 22 and a clamp movement mechanism that moves the clamp mechanism back and forth and up and down, and is configured to transfer the feeder 22 between the loader 30 and the mounting devices 20 or the storage 16. The sensor 36 includes a detection sensor that detects a worker or an object within a predetermined detection range in the traveling direction (left and right) of the loader 30, a position sensor that detects the movement position, and the like.

[0018] The control unit 38 is composed of a known CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and inputs various detection signals from the sensor 36 and outputs drive signals to the movement mechanism 32 and the transfer mechanism 34. When automatically replacing the feeder 22, the control unit 38 controls the movement mechanism 32 so that the loader 30 moves to a target position facing the mounting device 20 having the feeder 22 to be replaced. When the loader 30 arrives at the target position, the control unit 38 controls the transfer mechanism 34 to pull out and recover the feeder 22 attached to the mounting device 20. The control unit 38 also controls the transfer mechanism 34 to send out a new feeder 22 from the loader 30 and attach it to the mounting device 20. Furthermore, when the sensor 36 detects an obstacle such as a worker or an object while the loader 30 is traveling, the control unit 38 controls the movement mechanism 32 to stop traveling until the obstacle is no longer detected.

[0019] The management device 50 is a general-purpose computer equipped with a control unit 52, typically configured with a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like, and a storage unit 54, such as a hard disk drive (HDD), for storing various information. The storage unit 54 is connected to input devices 56, such as a keyboard and mouse, and output devices 58, such as a display. The storage unit 54 stores a production program for the boards S, as well as feeder information 54a and board information 54b. The production program includes information such as the number of boards S to be produced, the solder printing positions on the boards S, the types, mounting positions, and mounting order of components to be mounted on the boards S. During the production of the boards S, the management device 50 outputs various command signals to each device, such as the printing device 12, print inspection device 14, mounting device 20, and mounting inspection device 18, based on the production program, and inputs production status information from each device. The management device 50 also outputs replenishment instructions to the loader 30, instructing the mounting device 20 to replenish the feeder 22, and inputs the loader 30's operating status information. The management device 50 can also communicate wirelessly with the AGV 40, outputting driving instructions to the AGV 40 and inputting the driving status of the AGV 40. The management device 50 can also communicate with a mobile terminal 60 carried by a worker, outputting various information to be displayed on the display screen of the mobile terminal 60, and inputting information entered or read by the mobile terminal 60.

[0020] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of feeder information 54a and board information 54b. The feeder information 54a includes information about the placement location of the feeder 22, a feeder ID that identifies the feeder 22, the type of components stored in the feeder 22, and the remaining number of components. The information about the placement location includes information about which mounting device 20 or storage 16 the feeder 22 is located in and which slot the feeder 22 is attached to. The board information 54b includes a board ID that identifies the board S present on the mounting line 11, i.e., the board S in production, the board type, information about the location of the board S, and the date and time the board S was delivered. The information about the location includes information about the device and transport lane in which the board S is present. The delivery date and time is information about the date and time the board S was delivered to the mounting device 20(1) at the head of the transport lane in which the board S is present. The management device 50 appropriately updates the feeder information 54a and the board information 54b through communication with each device, the storage 16, and the like.

[0021] The operation of the mounting system 10 configured as described above will be described below. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a feeder supply-related process. This process is executed by the control unit 52 of the management device 50. In the supply-related process, the control unit 52 first acquires the usage status of the feeders 22 (S100). The control unit 52 acquires, for example, information on the number of remaining components in each feeder 22 from the feeder information 54a as the usage status of the feeders 22.

[0022] Next, the control unit 52 determines whether any feeder 22 in any of the mounting devices 20 has required replenishment (replacement) or is predicted to require replenishment, based on the usage status of the feeders 22 (S110). For example, a feeder 22 that requires replenishment is a feeder 22 that has run out of components and the number of remaining components is zero, and a feeder 22 that is predicted to require replenishment is a feeder 22 that has run out of components and the number of remaining components is equal to or less than a predetermined number near zero. The control unit 52 may also obtain the production status of each device in S100 to predict a change in board type, and determine whether any feeder 22 predicted to require replenishment will occur due to the associated changeover. If the control unit 52 determines in S110 that no feeder 22 needs replenishment or is predicted to require replenishment, the process proceeds to S170.

[0023] On the other hand, when the control unit 52 determines that a feeder 22 that needs or is predicted to need replenishment has occurred, it determines whether to replenish the feeder 22 to two or more mounting devices 20 (S120). When the control unit 52 determines that the feeder 22 should be replenished to one mounting device 20 but not to two or more mounting devices, it outputs a replenishment guide for the feeder 22 required for that mounting device 20 (S130) and ends the replenishment-related processing. The replenishment guide of S130 is output to the loader 30 and includes the identification number (module number) of the mounting device 20 that needs replenishment, the feeder ID and slot number of the feeder 22, and the feeder ID and slot number of the feeder 22 to be replenished in the storage 16. The loader 30 that received the replenishment guide moves to the storage 16, removes the feeder 22 to be replenished from the storage 16, and then moves to the mounting device 20 to be replenished. Then, the loader 30 removes the feeder 22 that needs to be replenished from the mounting device 20 to be replenished, and then attaches the feeder 22 to be replenished, thereby replenishing (replenishing) the feeder 22. The replenishment guidance in S130 may be output to the mobile terminal 60 of the worker.

[0024] Furthermore, when the control unit 52 determines that two or more mounting devices 20 need to be replenished with feeders 22, that is, that there are two or more mounting devices 20 that are replenishment targets that require replenishment of feeders 22 at the same time, the control unit 52 acquires the transport status of the board S from the board information 54b (S140). Next, the control unit 52 performs a target lane setting process (S150) and a replenishment guidance output process (S160) to determine which mounting device 20 should be given priority for replenishment based on the transport status of the board S and to replenish the feeders 22 to that mounting device.

[0025] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the target lane setting process. Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the transport status of the board S. In this process, the control unit 52 determines whether the board S is present in each transport lane (transport lanes L1, L2) based on the transport status of the board S acquired in S140 (S200). If the control unit 52 determines that the board S is present in only one of the transport lanes, it sets the transport lane in which the board S is present as the target lane (S210) and ends the target lane setting process.

[0026] On the other hand, when the control unit 52 determines that a board S is present in each transport lane, it acquires information on the delivery date and time when the board S located at the head (most downstream) of each transport lane was delivered to the head mounting apparatus 20(1) from the board information 54b (S220). Next, the control unit 52 identifies the board S with the earliest delivery date and time, sets the transport lane in which the board S is present as the target lane (S230), and ends the target lane setting process. In FIG. 7, if the board S in the mounting apparatus 20(3) has an earlier delivery date and time, the transport lane L2 is set as the target lane. Also, if the board S in the mounting apparatus 20(1) has an earlier delivery date and time despite its transport being delayed due to a component shortage or the like, the transport lane L1 is set as the target lane. Note that although the delivery date and time are included in the board information 54b, it is sufficient to identify the board S that was delivered earliest, and it is sufficient to include at least the delivery time. Alternatively, the substrate information 54b may include the time that has elapsed since the substrate S was carried in, and the control unit 52 may identify the substrate S that was carried in earliest based on the elapsed time.

[0027] 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the replenishment guidance output process. In this process, the control unit 52 first divides the target lane set in the target lane setting process into one or more sections, each of which is defined by a mounting apparatus 20 that is a target for replenishment of the feeder 22 (S300). Next, the control unit 52 determines whether a board S is present in the most downstream section of the divided sections (S310). If it determines that a board S is present, the control unit 52 determines the downstream dividing device 20 in that section, in this case the most downstream section (S320). Next, the control unit 52 outputs replenishment guidance to the loader 30 to preferentially replenish the feeder 22 to the determined mounting apparatus 20 (S330), and ends the replenishment guidance output process. The replenishment guidance of S330 may also be output to the worker's mobile terminal 60.

[0028] On the other hand, if the control unit 52 determines in S310 that the board S is not present in the most downstream section, it determines whether or not there is a section next upstream from that section (S340). If the control unit 52 determines that there is a next upstream section, it determines whether or not the board S is present in that section (S350). That is, the control unit 52 sequentially determines whether or not the board S is present in each section, starting from the most downstream section in the target lane. If the control unit 52 determines that the board S is present in the upstream section, it determines the mounting device 20 that is the downstream separator of that section (S320), outputs replenishment guidance to preferentially replenish the feeder 22 to that mounting device 20 (S330), and ends the replenishment guidance output process.

[0029] Furthermore, if the control unit 52 determines in S340 that there is no upstream section, i.e., that there is no substrate S in any of the sections sandwiched between the mounting devices 20 to be replenished, it determines the mounting device 20 that is the most upstream of the mounting devices 20 to be replenished (S360). Next, the control unit 52 outputs replenishment guidance to preferentially replenish the feeders 22 to the determined mounting device 20 (S330), and ends the replenishment guidance output process.

[0030] 9 to 11 are explanatory diagrams showing an example of how to determine the mounting apparatus 20 to be given priority for replenishment. In FIGS. 9 to 11, the replenishment targets are mounting apparatuses 20(1) and (4), and it is determined whether or not a board S exists in a section defined by these apparatuses, i.e., mounting apparatuses 20(2) and (3). Note that it may also be possible to include the downstream dividing mounting apparatus 20(4) in the section, and determine whether or not a board S exists in mounting apparatuses 20(2) to (4). Furthermore, the replenishment targets are not limited to two mounting apparatuses 20, and may be two or more mounting apparatuses 20.

[0031] In FIG. 9, the target lane is transport lane L2. Since it is determined that a board S of mounting apparatus 20(3) exists within the section, in S320, mounting apparatus 20(4), which is the downstream boundary of the section, is determined to be the priority supply target, and the feeder 22 is supplied. If the feeder 22 is supplied to mounting apparatus 20(1) first, the board S in mounting apparatus 20(3) will have to wait a long time for the feeder 22 to be supplied to mounting apparatus 20(4), resulting in a processing delay. Due to this delay, even if a new board S is carried into transport lane L2 and processed, it may not be transported promptly downstream and may remain stuck. Therefore, the mounting apparatus 20, which is the downstream boundary of the section where the board S exists, is determined to be the priority supply target, and the feeder 22 is supplied. This prevents delays in the processing of boards S within the section, and enables efficient production of boards S.

[0032] 10, the target lane is the transport lane L1, and since it is determined that no boards S are present within the section, in S360 the most upstream mounting apparatus 20(1) among the supply targets is determined to be the priority supply target, and the feeder 22 is supplied. This is because, if no boards S are present within the section, the upstream mounting apparatus 20 will be the first to require the feeder 22 in processing the next board S carried in. This prevents the next board S from having to wait for the supply of feeders 22 to the mounting apparatus 20(1), allowing for efficient production of boards S.

[0033] In addition, in FIG. 11, although transportation is delayed, the board S in the mounting device 20(1) is set as the target lane because its arrival date and time is earlier. Therefore, it is determined that the board S is not present within the section, and the mounting device 20(1) is determined as the target lane for priority replenishment, and the feeder 22 is replenished. In a case like FIG. 11, it is also possible to set the target lane for priority replenishment simply because the board S is located downstream, and the mounting device 20(4) is determined as the target lane for priority replenishment because the board S is present within the section. However, if priority is given to processing the board S in the transport lane L2, the processing of the board S in the transport lane L1, which was transported earlier, will be further delayed by waiting for the feeder 22 to be replenished. If this situation continues, the imbalance in the production progress between the transport lanes L1 and L2 will become significant, which is undesirable. Therefore, the mounting device 20 for priority replenishment is determined based on the transportation status of the transport lane 1, where the board S was transported first, and the feeder 22 is replenished.

[0034] 5, the control unit 52 executes a target lane setting process (S150) and a replenishment guidance output process (S160), then executes a removal guidance process (S170), and ends the feeder replenishment related process. Here, the replenishment guidance of S330 is also output to the worker's mobile terminal 60, and the worker may manually replenish the feeder 22. In that case, the worker may first replenish the feeder 22 to a mounting device 20 with a lower priority (a mounting device 20 different from the one specified in the instruction) other than the mounting device 20 that is the priority replenishment target, and this is dealt with in S170.

[0035] 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the removal guidance process. In this process, the control unit 52 first determines whether a new feeder 22 has been installed (S400), and if it determines that a new feeder 22 has not been installed, the removal guidance process ends. If the control unit 52 determines that a new feeder 22 has been installed, the control unit 52 then determines whether the new feeder 22 has been installed first in a mounting device 20 with a lower priority (S410), and whether a feeder 22 containing the same type of components as the feeder 22 that is to be preferentially replenished has been installed (S420). If the control unit 52 makes a negative determination in either S410 or S420, the removal guidance process ends.

[0036] Furthermore, when the control unit 52 determines in S410 and S420 that a feeder 22 for the same type of component has been attached to a mounting device 20 with a lower priority, it outputs guidance to remove the feeder 22 and reattach it to the mounting device 20 that is the priority replenishment target (S430), and ends the removal guidance process. The guidance outputs information that the feeder 22 has been mistakenly attached first to the mounting device 20 with a lower priority, the module number and slot number of the mounting device 20 from which the feeder 22 is to be removed, and the module number and slot number of the mounting device 20 to which the feeder 22 is to be attached. This makes it possible to properly replenish the feeder 22 to the mounting device 20 that is the priority replenishment target, even if the feeder 22 is attached first to the mounting device 20 with a lower priority.

[0037] Here, the correspondence between the components of this embodiment and the components of the present disclosure will be clarified. The mounting system 10 of this embodiment corresponds to the mounting system of the present disclosure, the control unit 52 of the management device 50 that executes S140 of the feeder supply-related process corresponds to the information acquisition unit, and the control unit 52 that executes S160 of the same process corresponds to the guidance output unit. Note that in this embodiment, an example of a component supply guidance method is also clarified by explaining the operation of the mounting system 10.

[0038] In the mounting system 10 described above, the control unit 52 determines which of the two or more mounting devices 20 to be supplied with the feeders 22 should be given priority based on the transport status of the substrates S. Therefore, it is possible to output a supply guide in consideration of the transport status of the substrates S so as to reduce the impact of waiting for the feeders 22 to be supplied, thereby enabling the feeders 22 to be supplied efficiently.

[0039] Furthermore, the control unit 52 divides the sections into sections separated by the mounting devices 20 to be replenished, determines the sections in which the substrates S exist, starting from the downstream side in the transport direction, and if there is a section in which the substrates S exist, prioritizes replenishment to the mounting device 20 that separates the section downstream. This prevents other substrates S from accumulating upstream of the section, which would otherwise prevent progress in processing the substrates S within the section due to waiting for replenishment from the feeder 22, thereby enabling efficient production.

[0040] Furthermore, if there is no section in which the substrate S is present, the control unit 52 will prioritize supplying the mounting device 20 that is the most upstream of the supply targets, thereby efficiently supplying the feeder 22 to the upstream mounting device 20 that will next require the feeder 22 when the substrate S is brought in.

[0041] Furthermore, the control unit 52 identifies the board S that was carried in first among the boards S present in each transport lane, and determines which mounting device 20 should be given priority for supply based on the transport status of the one transport lane in which the board S is present. Therefore, when there are multiple transport lanes, it is possible to prevent delays in the mounting process of the board S that was carried in first.

[0042] It goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be embodied in various forms as long as they fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0043] For example, in the embodiment, two carrier lanes L1 and L2 are exemplified as the multiple carrier lanes, but three or more carrier lanes may be used. Furthermore, the board S that was loaded first among the boards S present in the multiple carrier lanes is identified, and the mounting device 20 to which the board S is preferentially supplied is determined based on the transport status of the single carrier lane in which the board S is located. However, this is not limited to this. The board S present in the most downstream section among the boards S present in the multiple carrier lanes may be identified, and the mounting device 20 that separates the downstream side of that section may be determined. Note that the system is not limited to having multiple carrier lanes, and a single carrier lane may also be used. In this case, the single carrier lane is the target lane, so the target lane setting process of S150 can be omitted.

[0044] In the embodiment, if there are no substrates S in the section between the mounting devices 20 to be replenished, the mounting device 20 located most upstream is given priority for replenishment, but this is not limited to this. For example, if the storage 16 is provided in a location other than the upstream side in the transport direction, midway in the transport direction, or downstream side, the mounting device 20 closest to the storage 16 may be given priority for replenishment.

[0045] In the embodiment, the multiple mounting apparatuses 20 are divided into sections to determine which mounting apparatus 20 should be given priority for replenishment, but it is also possible to determine which mounting apparatus 20 should be given priority for replenishment based on the transport status of the substrates S without dividing them into sections. For example, of the two or more mounting apparatuses 20 to be replenished, the mounting apparatus 20 into which the next substrate S will be carried in earliest may be identified and selected as the mounting apparatus 20. However, because if a substrate S on the downstream side is waiting for replenishment from the feeder 22, other substrates S will be accumulated on the upstream side, it is preferable to determine the mounting apparatus 20 as in the embodiment.

[0046] In the embodiment, the mounting device 20 to be preferentially replenished is determined without considering the number of feeders 22 that the loader 30 can transport at one time, but this is not limited to this. For example, if the loader 30 can transport only one feeder 22 at a time, the process may be as in the embodiment, and if there are multiple feeders 22, the process may be as in the following modified example. Figure 13 is a flowchart showing the feeder replenishment-related process of the modified example. In the modified example, the same steps as in the embodiment are assigned the same step numbers, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0047] In this process, if the control unit 52 determines in S120 that two or more mounting devices 20 require replenishment, it determines whether the loader 30 can transport the feeders 22 to be replenished collectively (at one time) (S132). The control unit 52 makes the determination in S132 taking into consideration the maximum number of feeders that the loader 30 can transport and the number of feeders to be replenished. If the control unit 52 determines that the loader 30 cannot transport the feeders 22 collectively, it executes the processes from S140 onwards, as in the embodiment. On the other hand, if the control unit 52 determines that the loader 30 can transport the feeders 22 collectively, it outputs a replenishment guide to replenish the feeders 22 in order, starting with the mounting devices 20 closest to the storage 16 (S134). That is, the control unit 52 determines that, of the two or more mounting devices 20 to be replenished, the upstream mounting device 20 closest to the storage 16 should be given priority for replenishment.

[0048] As described above, in the modified example, if the loader 30 (mobile work device) can transport all the feeders 22 that need to be replenished, it is determined that the mounting device 20 closest to the storage 16 (storage unit) is to be given priority for replenishment, regardless of the transport status of the boards S. On the other hand, if the loader 30 cannot transport all the feeders 22 that need to be replenished, it is determined which mounting device 20 is to be given priority for replenishment based on the transport status of the boards S. Here, if the loader 30 can transport all the feeders 22 to be replenished, it may be possible to replenish the feeders 22 more efficiently by minimizing the movement loss of the loader 30. For example, consider a case where the feeders to be replenished are an upstream mounting device 20 close to the storage 16 and a downstream mounting device 20 far from the storage 16. In this case, it may be possible to replenish the feeders 22 more efficiently with less movement loss by having the loader 30 replenish the feeders 22 in that order, rather than moving from the storage 16 to the downstream mounting device 20 to replenish the feeders 22 and then returning to the upstream mounting device 20 to replenish them. Therefore, by adopting the modified example, the feeder 22 can be efficiently replenished without reducing the work efficiency (movement efficiency) of the loader 30.

[0049] In the embodiment, the process of determining the mounting apparatus 20 to be given priority for supplying components is performed regardless of whether the component types of the feeders 22 to be supplied are the same or not, but this is not limited to this. For example, the process of determining the mounting apparatus 20 to be given priority for supplying components may be performed only when the component types of the feeders 22 to be supplied to two or more mounting apparatuses 20 are the same.

[0050] In the embodiment, the supply of feeders 22 (component supply units) has been exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be any supply of components used in the mounting process of boards by the mounting device. For example, the present invention may be the supply (replacement) of heads or nozzles that are detachably attached to the mounting device 20. Furthermore, the present invention may be the supply of components used in the mounting process of boards by mounting-related devices, such as masks that are detachably attached to the printing device 12, in addition to the mounting device 20. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to a system that includes a loader 30 for automatic supply of components, and may be a mounting system that does not include a loader 30 and manually supplies components.

[0051] Here, the mounting system of the present disclosure may be configured as follows. For example, in the mounting system of the present disclosure, the guidance output unit may divide the array of multiple mounting devices into one or more sections sandwiched between the two or more mounting devices (the dividing mounting devices), using each of the two or more mounting devices as a dividing section, determine the section in which the substrate exists from the downstream side in the transport direction based on the transport status of the substrate, and, if there is a section in which the substrate exists, determine to prioritize replenishment of the mounting device that is the dividing section downstream of that section. This can prevent the influence of waiting for component replenishment on boards in the section downstream in the transport direction from being affected. Therefore, it is possible to prevent other boards from accumulating upstream of the section due to a delay in the mounting process of the board downstream in the transport direction, thereby enabling efficient production.

[0052] In the mounting system of the present disclosure, the guidance output unit may determine that, if there is no section in which the substrate exists, the mounting device that is most upstream in the transport direction among the two or more mounting devices should be given priority for replenishment. In this way, if there are no substrates within the section, the components can be efficiently replenished from the upstream mounting device that has transported the substrate first and needs the components.

[0053] In the mounting system of the present disclosure, multiple parallel transport lanes are provided as transport lanes for the boards extending in the transport direction, and the information acquisition unit acquires delivery information capable of identifying the board that was delivered to the transport lane earliest among the boards present in the multiple transport lanes. The guidance output unit may identify the board that was delivered earliest based on the delivery information and determine which mounting device should be given priority for replenishment based on the transport status of the board in the one transport lane in which the identified board is present. In this way, when there are multiple transport lanes, components can be replenished taking into account the transport status of the transport lane in which the board that was delivered earliest is located. This prevents delays in the mounting process of the board that was delivered earliest, thereby enabling efficient production.

[0054] In the mounting system of the present disclosure, a mobile work device that moves along the transport direction between the component storage unit and the mounting device to transport and replenish the components may be provided, and the guidance output unit may determine that if the mobile work device can transport all the components that need to be replenished at once, the mounting device that is closest to the storage unit should be given priority for replenishment regardless of the transport status of the board, and if the mobile work device cannot transport all the components that need to be replenished at once, the guidance output unit may determine which mounting device should be given priority for replenishment based on the transport status of the board. In this way, the necessary components can be efficiently replenished without reducing the work efficiency of the mobile work device.

[0055] The component supply guidance method disclosed herein is a component supply guidance method in an implementation system configured by arranging multiple mounting devices, each equipped with multiple components used in the implementation process of a substrate, along the transport direction of the substrate, and includes the steps of (a) acquiring information including the transport status of the substrate, and (b) when two or more mounting devices require or are predicted to require the components to be supplied, determining which mounting device should be given priority for supply based on the transport status of the substrate, and outputting the determined supply guidance.

[0056] In the component supply guidance method of the present disclosure, similar to the mounting system described above, when two or more mounting devices require component supply, the components can be efficiently supplied. In this component supply guidance method, various aspects of the mounting system described above may be adopted, or steps may be added that realize each function of the mounting system described above. [Industrial Applicability]

[0057] The present disclosure can be used in a mounting system in which mounting devices onto which components are attached are arranged. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 10 Mounting system, 11 Mounting line, 12 Printing device, 14 Printing inspection device, 16 Storage, 18 Mounting inspection device, 20 Mounting device, 21 Board transport device, 22 Feeder, 23 Head, 24 Moving mechanism, 26 Operation panel, 28, 38 Control unit, 30 Loader, 32 Moving mechanism, 34 Transfer mechanism, 36 Sensor, 40 Automated guided vehicle (AGV), 50 Management device, 52 Control unit, 54 Memory unit, 54a Feeder information, 54b Board information, 56 Input device, 58 Output device, 60 Portable terminal, S board.

Claims

1. A mounting system configured by arranging a plurality of mounting devices, each of which is equipped with a plurality of components used in the mounting process of a substrate, along a transport direction of the substrate, an information acquisition unit that acquires information including a transport status of the substrate; a guidance output unit that, when two or more mounting devices require or are predicted to require the supply of the components, determines which mounting device should be given priority for supply based on the transport status of the boards, and outputs the determined supply guidance; Equipped with The guidance output unit divides the array of the multiple mounting devices into one or more sections sandwiched between the two or more mounting devices, with each of the two or more mounting devices as a separator, determines the section in which the substrate exists from the downstream side in the transport direction based on the transport status of the substrate, and if there is a section in which the substrate exists, determines that the mounting device that is the separator on the downstream side of the section should be given priority for replenishment. Implementation system.

2. A mounting system configured by arranging a plurality of mounting devices, each of which is equipped with a plurality of components used in the mounting process of a substrate, along a transport direction of the substrate, an information acquisition unit that acquires information including a transport status of the substrate; a guidance output unit that, when two or more mounting devices require or are predicted to require the supply of the components, determines which mounting device should be given priority for supply based on the transport status of the boards, and outputs the determined supply guidance; Equipped with The guidance output unit divides the array of the multiple mounting devices into one or more sections sandwiched between the two or more mounting devices, with each of the two or more mounting devices as a separator, and if there is no section in which the substrate exists among the divided sections, determines that the mounting device that is furthest upstream in the transport direction among the two or more mounting devices should be given priority for replenishment. Implementation system.

3. A mounting system configured by arranging a plurality of mounting devices, on which a plurality of members used in the mounting process of a substrate are attached, along a transport direction of the substrate, an information acquisition unit that acquires information including a transport status of the substrate; a guidance output unit that, when two or more mounting devices require or are predicted to require the supply of the components, determines which mounting device should be given priority for supply based on the transport status of the boards, and outputs the determined supply guidance; Equipped with a plurality of parallel transport lanes are provided as transport lanes for the substrate extending in the transport direction; the information acquisition unit acquires carry-in information capable of identifying the board that was carried into the transportation lane earliest among the boards present in the plurality of transportation lanes, The guidance output unit identifies the board that was carried in first based on the carry-in information, and determines which mounting device should be given priority for replenishment based on the transport status of the board in one of the transport lanes in which the identified board exists. Implementation system.

4. A mounting system configured by arranging a plurality of mounting devices, each of which is equipped with a plurality of components used in the mounting process of a substrate, along a transport direction of the substrate, an information acquisition unit that acquires information including a transport status of the substrate; a guidance output unit that, when two or more mounting devices require or are predicted to require the supply of the components, determines which mounting device should be given priority for supply based on the transport status of the boards, and outputs the determined supply guidance; Equipped with a mobile work device that moves between the storage unit for the components and the mounting device along the transport direction to transport and replenish the components; The guidance output unit determines that if the mobile work device can transport the components that need to be replenished all at once, the mounting device that is closest to the storage unit should be given priority for replenishment regardless of the transport status of the board, and if the mobile work device cannot transport the components that need to be replenished all at once, determines which mounting device should be given priority for replenishment based on the transport status of the board. Implementation system.

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