Parts supply unit setup system

Abstract

To provide a component supply unit maintenance system, where maintenance of component supply units and related work before and after the maintenance are automated.SOLUTION: A component supply unit maintenance system comprises: a unit storage cabinet for accommodating a plurality of component supply units that are used when supplying components stored in a component accommodation case in mounting work performed by a component mounting machine; a maintenance device that is positioned adjacent to the unit storage cabinet and performs maintenance for the component supply units; and a unit transport robot that transports the component supply units between the unit storage cabinet and the maintenance device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present specification relates to a setup system that handles the loading operation of loading a component container into a component supply unit and related operations before and after the loading operation. [Background technology]

[0002] The technology of mass-producing circuit board products by performing substrate-related operations on printed circuit boards is becoming widespread. Furthermore, it is common to line up multiple types of substrate-related operations machines to perform substrate-related operations, forming a substrate-related operation line. Among the substrate-related operations machines, component placement machines use component supply units loaded with component containers that can hold multiple components. The loading operation (setup operation) of loading the component containers into the component supply units is often performed in a setup area away from the operating component placement machines (off-site setup).

[0003] This loading work has traditionally been performed manually, requiring a great deal of work. Furthermore, in order to ensure the achievement of production plans, the loading work is performed ahead of schedule, resulting in an increase in the number of in-process component supply units that cannot be used for other purposes. This makes management cumbersome and requires even more work. In recent years, in order to save labor, container loaders that automate at least part of the loading work have been put into practical use. One example of technology related to the automation of loading work is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0004] The second embodiment of Patent Document 1 describes a configuration including a storage facility for storing reels (an example of a component container), a storage facility for storing feeders (an example of a component supply unit), a reel setting device (an example of a container loader), a conveying device, and a management unit. The reel setting device performs a loading operation to set reels in the feeders. The conveying device conveys the prepared feeders to the component mounting machine. The management unit controls the unloading and loading operations of the reels and feeders, conveying operations, etc., to manage the production of the component mounting machine. This is said to make it easy to grasp the combinations and locations of reels and feeders, facilitating their management. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2019 / 142336 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The reel setting device of Patent Document 1 is advantageous in that the loading operation itself is automated, thereby saving labor. However, the work of transporting the reels and feeders from the storage to the reel setting device and the work of loading the prepared feeders onto the transport device are performed manually. In other words, the related work before and after the loading operation still requires manual labor.

[0007] The problem to be solved in this specification is to provide a component supply unit setup system that automates the loading operation of loading a component container into a component supply unit and related operations before and after that. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] This specification discloses a component supply unit setup system including a container warehouse that stores a plurality of component containers that each store a plurality of components, a unit storage warehouse that stores a plurality of component supply units that are used to supply the components stored in the component containers during mounting work performed by a component mounting machine, a container loader that loads the component containers into the component supply units, a container transport robot that transports the component containers between the container warehouse and the container loader, and a unit transport robot that transports the component supply units between the unit storage warehouse and the container loader. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] In the component supply unit setup system disclosed in this specification, component containers are transported from a container warehouse to a container loader by a container transport robot, and component supply units are transported from a unit storage to the container loader by a unit transport robot. The container loader automatically loads the component container into the component supply unit. Furthermore, the component supply unit loaded with the component container can be returned to the unit storage by the unit transport robot. This achieves automation of the loading operation and related operations such as transportation before and after the loading operation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view conceptually showing the overall configuration of a setup system for a component supply unit according to a first embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of the unit storage and the unit transport robot. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a control configuration in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is an operational flow diagram illustrating the control operation of the setup control unit in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view conceptually showing a setup system for a component supply unit according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] 1. Configuration of the component supply unit setup system 1 of the first embodiment The configuration of a setup system 1 for a component supply unit according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to the overall configuration diagram of Fig. 1, the partially enlarged view of Fig. 2, and the functional block diagram of Fig. 3. The setup system 1 handles the loading operation of loading a component container 91 into a component supply unit 92, as well as related operations before and after that. The setup system 1 is composed of a container warehouse 2, a first setup line 11, a second setup line 12, and a unit warehouse 13. The container warehouse 2 is shown on the left side of Fig. 1, the substrate-related work line 97 is shown on the right side, and the second setup line 12, the first setup line 11, and the unit warehouse 13 are shown from the bottom left to the top right of the page.

[0012] The component container 91 stores a plurality of components. The component supply unit 92 is used to supply the components stored in the component container 91 during the mounting operation performed by the component mounting machine 98. Identification codes indicating the type and individuality of each component are affixed to the component container 91 and the component supply unit 92. The identification code of the component container 91 includes information indicating the type of component stored in the component container 91. The identification code may be a barcode, a two-dimensional code, or the like.

[0013] An example of the component container 91 is a tape reel, and an example of the component supply unit 92 is an integrated feeder device into which the tape reel is directly loaded. A carrier tape containing a large number of components enclosed at a predetermined pitch is wound and held on the tape reel. The feeder device is installed in the component mounting machine 98 with the tape reel loaded. The feeder device supplies components to the component mounting fixtures of the component mounting machine 98 by pulling out the carrier tape from the tape reel and sending it to the component removal position. As the component mounting operation progresses and the components on the tape reel are consumed, the entire feeder device is replaced.

[0014] Feeder devices are not limited to integrated types, and separate types are also available. Separate feeder devices consist of a feeder main body with a carrier tape feeding mechanism and a reel cassette into which tape reels are loaded. The feeder main body is permanently installed in the component placement machine 98, and a separate reel cassette is placed near the feeder main body. As the component placement operation progresses and the components on the tape reel are consumed, the reel cassette is replaced. The reel cassette corresponds to the component supply unit 92 into which the component container 91 is loaded.

[0015] In the following, a case will be described in which the component supply unit 92 is an integrated feeder device and the component container 91 is a tape reel. Note that a tray can also be used as the component container 91, and a tray loading unit can also be used as the component supply unit 92.

[0016] The container warehouse 2 stores multiple part containers 91, enabling them to be supplied to the first setup line 11 and the second setup line 12. As shown in FIG. 1, the container warehouse 2 is formed in the shape of a large box that is roughly T-shaped in plan view. The container warehouse 2 has an inlet port on the side corresponding to the bottom end of the T, and outlet ports 21 on each side corresponding to the left and right ends of the T. The part containers 91 are stored through the inlet ports by workers. In FIG. 1, the outlet port 21 leading to the first setup line 11 is not visible, but the outlet port 21 leading to the second setup line 12 is shown.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 3, a plurality of storage positions, an actuator 22, and a code reader 23 are provided inside the container warehouse 2. The actuator 22 transports a part container 91 received at an inlet to a storage position, and also transports the part container 91 from the storage position to one of two outlets 21. The actuator 22 is controlled by the container warehouse control unit 29. The code reader 23 reads the identification code attached to the received part container 91 and passes the read result to the container warehouse control unit 29. Therefore, the container warehouse control unit 29 can recognize all stored part containers 91 in association with their storage positions.

[0018] The unit warehouse 13 shown in Figure 1 is separate from the unit storage warehouse 3, which will be described later, and stores more component supply units 92 than the unit storage warehouse 3. The component supply units 92 stored in the unit warehouse 13 may or may not be loaded with component containers 91. The unit warehouse 13 has a number of storage positions, three loading / unloading ports 14, an actuator 15, a code reader 16, and a unit warehouse control unit 19 (see Figure 3).

[0019] The actuator 15 transports a component supply unit 92 that has been stored at the loading / unloading gate 14 to a storage position, and also transports a component supply unit 92 from the storage position to any of the three loading / unloading gates 14. The actuator 15 is controlled by the unit warehouse control unit 19. The code reader 16 reads the identification code attached to the stored component supply unit 92 and passes the read result to the unit warehouse control unit 19. Therefore, the unit warehouse control unit 19 can recognize all stored component supply units 92 in association with their storage positions.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the first setup line 11 is composed of three unit storage cabinets 3, a container loader 4, a container transport robot 5, a unit transport robot 6, a maintenance device 7, and a departure / arrival station 61. The unit storage cabinet 3 stores a plurality of component supply units 92. As shown in FIG. 2, the unit storage cabinet 3 is composed of a base 31 and a storage rack 35. The base 31 is formed in a rectangular frame shape. An upper section guide 32 extending in the left-right direction is provided on the upper front surface of the base 31. A lower section guide 33 extending in the left-right direction is provided on the lower front surface of the base 31. The upper section guide 32 and the lower section guide 33 are formed, for example, in a convex shape that protrudes forward or a groove shape that opens upward.

[0021] The storage rack 35 is formed in a box shape that opens to the front, and is fixed to the top of the base 31. A plurality of storage slots are formed on the inner bottom surface of the storage rack 35, aligned in the left-right direction. The storage slots are formed, for example, by grooves extending in the front-to-rear direction, and the component supply units 92 are inserted from the front and stored in the slots. The component supply units 92 stored in the unit storage 3 may or may not be loaded with component receptacles 91. While one component supply unit 92 is illustrated in FIG. 2, in reality, a large number of component supply units 92 are stored aligned left and right.

[0022] A plurality of storage-side connectors 36 are provided on the rear inner surface of the storage rack 35, aligned in the left-right direction to correspond to the storage slots. When a component supply unit 92 is stored in a storage slot, the unit-side connector provided on the rear of the component supply unit 92 automatically mates with the storage-side connector 36. This mates the component supply unit 92 so that it is powered and connected for communication with the storage cabinet control unit 39. Here, the component supply unit 92 stores its own identification code information in its built-in memory. Therefore, the storage cabinet control unit 39 can acquire the identification codes of all stored component supply units 92 via communication and recognize them in association with the positions of the storage slots.

[0023] A minimum of one unit storage cabinet 3 is required, but additional cabinets can be installed. When additional cabinets are installed, multiple unit storage cabinets 3 are arranged adjacent to each other in the left-right direction. This allows multiple upper section guides 32 to be lined up and connected in the left-right direction to form a long moving guide. Similarly, multiple lower section guides 33 are lined up and connected in the left-right direction to form a long moving guide.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the container loader 4 is disposed between the container warehouse 2 and the unit storage 3 on the left side. The container loader 4 automatically performs a loading operation to load a component container 91 into a component supply unit 92. Examples of the loading operation include assembling a tape reel corresponding to the component container 91 into a feeder device corresponding to the component supply unit 92, pulling out the carrier tape from the tape reel and cutting off an unnecessary portion of the leading end, and advancing the leading end of the carrier tape after cutting it off to a predetermined position within the feeder device.

[0025] The container loader 4 also has an unloading function for removing the component container 91 from the component supply unit 92. The container loader 4 is formed in a box shape. A container insertion opening 41 for inserting the component container 91 is provided on the left side of the container loader 4. A unit insertion opening 42 for inserting the component supply unit 92 is provided on the upper right part of the front of the container loader 4.

[0026] The container loader 4 has a code reader 43 and a loader control unit 49 (see FIG. 3). The code reader 43 is controlled by the loader control unit 49. The code reader 43 reads the identification codes affixed to the inserted component container 91 and component supply unit 92, and passes the read results to the loader control unit 49. This enables the loader control unit 49 to create loading information V that associates the individual component container 91 with the individual component supply unit 92 into which the component container 91 is loaded. The loader control unit 49 controls the execution of the loading operation described above.

[0027] An upper section guide (not shown) extending in the left-right direction is provided at approximately the middle height of the front surface of the container loader 4. A lower section guide (not shown) extending in the left-right direction is provided at the bottom of the front surface of the container loader 4. The upper section guide and the lower section guide are positioned at the same height as the upper section guide 32 and the lower section guide 33 of the unit storage 3, and are formed in the same shape.

[0028] The container transport robot 5 transports the part container 91 between the container warehouse 2 and the container loader 4. The container transport robot 5 is a conveyor robot, which is an embodiment of a non-mobile robot that does not need to move. The container transport robot 5 is composed of a circular transport conveyor and a conveyor drive control unit. The transport conveyor rotates with the part container 91 placed on it. The conveyor drive control unit controls the rotation and stopping of the transport conveyor. In this way, the container transport robot 5 transports the part container 91 from the delivery port 21 of the container warehouse 2 to the container insertion port 41 of the container loader 4 and inserts it. The container transport robot 5 is controlled by the setup control unit 8.

[0029] The container transport robot 5 may also have a transport function in the reverse direction. The container transport robot 5 may also be an arm robot, which is another form of a non-mobile robot. The arm robot transports the component container 91 using an end effector that holds the component container 91 and a movable arm.

[0030] The maintenance device 7 is arranged next to the right side of the right-hand unit storage 3. The maintenance device 7 is formed in a box shape and has an insertion opening for the component supply unit 92. The maintenance device 7 performs maintenance on the component supply unit 92. An upper section guide extending in the left-right direction is provided at approximately the middle height on the front side of the maintenance device 7 (not shown). A lower section guide extending in the left-right direction is provided at the bottom of the front side of the maintenance device 7 (not shown). The upper section guide and lower section guide are arranged at the same height as the upper section guide 32 and lower section guide 33 of the unit storage 3 and are formed in the same shape.

[0031] The arrival and departure station 61 is arranged next to the right side of the maintenance device 7. The arrival and departure station 61 serves as an unloading station for unloading the component supply unit 92 loaded with the component storage container 91 toward the component mounting machine 98, and as an unloading station for unloading the component supply unit 92 that has been used by the component mounting machine 98. At the arrival and departure station 61, loading and unloading onto the arriving and departing transport vehicle 66 is performed, and further, the unit storage container 64 is set up. The arrival and departure station 61 is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped frame. Two unit storage containers 64 are placed on the upper surface of the arrival and departure station 61.

[0032] The unit storage 64 stores a plurality of component supply units 92. The unit storage 64 is mounted on the component mounting machine 98 with a plurality of component supply units 92 stored therein, enabling the supply of components. Note that the unit storage 64 may not be mounted on the component mounting machine 98, but may be used to improve the efficiency of setup work and transportation of a plurality of component supply units 92.

[0033] An upper section guide extending in the left-right direction is provided at the top of the front surface of the arrival and departure station 61 (not shown). A lower section guide extending in the left-right direction is provided at the bottom of the front surface of the arrival and departure station 61 (not shown). The upper section guide and the lower section guide are arranged at the same height as the upper section guide 32 and the lower section guide 33 of the unit storehouse 3, and are formed in the same shape. From the container loader 4 through the three unit stores 3 and the maintenance device 7 to the arrival and departure station 61, all of the upper section guides (32) and lower section guides (33) are lined up in the left-right direction and connected to form a long moving guide.

[0034] The unit transport robot 6 moves along the lined-up unit storage cabinets 3, and transports the component supply units 92 between the unit storage cabinets 3 and the container loader 4. Furthermore, the unit transport robot 6 transports the component supply units 92 to the maintenance device 7 or the arrival and departure station 61. As shown in FIG. 2, the unit transport robot 6 is formed vertically. The unit transport robot 6 is provided with a guide member and a movement drive unit on the rear side.

[0035] The guide member engages with a moving guide consisting of multiple section guides (32, 33). As a result, the entire weight of the unit transport robot 6 is supported by the moving guide, and the direction of movement is determined. The moving drive unit operates using, for example, a non-contact power supply device or a battery (not shown) as a power source. The moving drive unit is composed of, for example, a combination of traveling wheels and a drive motor, or a moving mechanism that applies a linear motor. As a result, the unit transport robot 6 moves along the moving guide from the container loader 4 to the departure / arrival station 61 on the front side.

[0036] The unit transport robot 6 further includes a unit holding space and a unit operation mechanism. The unit holding space is a partitioned space inside the unit transport robot 6. The unit holding space temporarily holds the component supply unit 92 to be transported. The unit operation mechanism delivers the component supply unit 92 between the unit holding space and other devices.

[0037] The other devices are the unit insertion port 42 of the container loader 4, the storage rack 35 of the unit storage 3, the insertion port of the maintenance device 7, and the unit storage 64 on the departure and arrival station 61. During delivery, the height of the unit transport robot 6 is maintained at an appropriate level by the engagement of the guide member and the moving guide, stabilizing the delivery operation. The unit transport robot 6 is controlled by the setup control unit 8.

[0038] A travel path 65 is laid from the front of the departure and arrival station 61 to the substrate-related work line 97 and the unit warehouse 13. While one substrate-related work line 97 is illustrated in FIG. 1, multiple substrate-related work lines 97 may be arranged along the travel path 65. Preferably, multiple guided vehicles 66 travel along the travel path 65, and their travel is controlled to avoid collisions. The multiple guided vehicles 66 may be shared by the first setup line 11 and the second setup line 12, or may be dedicated to each line. Note that the guided vehicles 66 do not require a physical travel path 65 and may instead be AGVs that travel by referring to travel path information on map data.

[0039] The transport vehicle 66 travels in accordance with wireless commands from the setup control unit 8, and loads and unloads the component supply unit 92 and the unit storage container 64. The transport vehicle 66 transports the component supply unit 92 between the loading / unloading entrance 14 of the unit warehouse 13 and the arrival / departure station 61. The transport vehicle 66 also transports the component supply unit 92 and the unit storage container 64 between the arrival / departure station 61 and a component mounter 98 on the substrate-related work line 97. The transport vehicle 66 reports the progress of the transport operation to the setup control unit 8 as appropriate.

[0040] As shown in Figure 1, the second setup line 12 is composed of four unit storage cabinets 3, a container loader 4, a container transport robot 5, a unit transport robot 6, and a departure and arrival station 61, but does not include a maintenance device 7. The structure of each component of the second setup line 12 is the same as that of the first setup line 11 except that it faces in the opposite direction, so a description thereof will be omitted. Note that the first setup line 11 and the second setup line 12 are arranged facing each other, so that workers can enter between the two lines and easily perform inspection and maintenance.

[0041] 2. Configuration related to control of setup system 1 Next, the configuration related to control of the setup system 1 will be described. As shown in Fig. 3, the setup control unit 8 is communicatively connected to a production management device 95. The production management device 95 is communicatively connected to a line control unit 96. Furthermore, the line control unit 96 is communicatively connected to each of a plurality of types of substrate-related operation machines that make up a substrate-related operation line 97. The substrate-related operation line 97 is a production line that mounts components on boards to mass-produce board products. The component mounting machines 98 that make up the substrate-related operation line 97 are equipped with pre-set component supply units 92 or unit storage containers 64, and are therefore able to supply components.

[0042] Production management device 95 manages the production plan and production progress status of board products. Line control unit 96 controls the operation of substrate-related work line 97 based on the production plan received from production management device 95. In addition, line control unit 96 successively transmits the production progress status on substrate-related work line 97 to production management device 95.

[0043] On the other hand, the setup control unit 8 is connected for communication with the unit warehouse control unit 19, the container warehouse control unit 29, the storage control unit 39, and the loader control unit 49. The setup control unit 8 also controls the container transport robot 5, the unit transport robot 6, and the transport vehicle 66. Furthermore, a loading information storage unit 81 attached to the setup control unit 8 stores loading information V. The setup control unit 8 is equipped with a man-machine interface (input unit, display unit, wireless communication unit, etc.) for exchanging information with an operator.

[0044] Various information, including loading information V, is transmitted and received as appropriate between the above-mentioned control elements. Furthermore, the above-mentioned control elements do not all need to be independent hardware. For example, multiple control elements may be realized by different software on a single computer device. Furthermore, for example, the setup control unit 8 may be realized as a partial function of the production management device 95. Furthermore, the above-mentioned communication connection and information transmission may be performed using a wireless communication device. The control functions of the setup control unit 8 and the like will be described in detail in the following explanation of the operation.

[0045] 3. Operation of Setup System 1 Next, the operation of the setup system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. In step S1 of FIG. 4, the setup control unit 8 refers to the production progress status of board products managed by the production management device 95 to determine whether or not the time for component replenishment due to component shortage is approaching. For example, it is determined whether or not the number of remaining components in the component container 91 of the component supply unit 92 equipped to the component mounting machine 98 has decreased to a specified number or less. If the time for component replenishment is approaching, the setup control unit 8 determines that now is the time to perform the loading operation and executes steps S2 to S6. If the time for component replenishment is not approaching, the setup control unit 8 immediately advances control to step S11. Naturally, the time to perform the loading operation is determined with a margin of time that exceeds the time required for the loading operation relative to the expected time for component shortage.

[0046] In step S2, the setup control unit 8 determines, based on the loading information V, whether an output component supply unit, which is a component supply unit 92 loaded with a component container 91 required by the component mounting machine 98, is stored in the unit storage 3. If it is stored (if it has been set up), the setup control unit 8 skips the setup operations up to step S5 and proceeds to step S6. If it is not stored, the setup control unit 8 selects a component container 91 for the type of component that needs to be replenished and selects a component supply unit 92 that can load the component container 91. Next, the setup control unit 8 commands the container loader 4 to perform the loading operation while specifying the identification codes of the component container 91 and component supply unit 92.

[0047] In the next step S3, the setup control unit 8 specifies the identification code of the part container 91 in question, commands the container warehouse control unit 29 to retrieve the part container 91, and commands the container transport robot 5 to transport the part container 91. The container warehouse control unit 29 controls the actuator 22 in accordance with the command to transport the part container 91 in question to the outgoing port 21. The container transport robot 5 transports the part container 91 from the outgoing port 21 to the container insertion port 41 of the container loader 4 in accordance with the command.

[0048] In the next step S4, the setup control unit 8 first checks the location of the component supply unit 92. If the location is in one of the unit storage cabinets 3, the setup control unit 8 specifies the identification code of the component supply unit 92 and commands the unit transport robot 6 to transport it. In accordance with the command, the unit transport robot 6 removes the component supply unit 92 from the unit storage cabinet 3 and transports it to the unit insertion port 42 of the container loader 4.

[0049] Furthermore, if the location is the unit warehouse 13, the setup control unit 8 specifies the identification code of the component supply unit 92 and commands the unit warehouse control unit 19 to remove it from the warehouse, commands the transport vehicle 66 to transport it via wireless communication, and commands the unit transport robot 6 to transport it. As a result, the component supply unit 92 is transported from the unit warehouse 13 to the unit insertion port 42 of the container loader 4 via the departure / arrival station 61. Note that steps S3 and S4 may be performed in parallel, or the order of execution may be reversed.

[0050] In the next step S5, the loader control unit 49 of the container loader 4 first uses the code reader 43 to confirm that there are no errors in the identification codes of the transported and inserted component container 91 and component supply unit 92. The container loader 4 then loads the component container 91 into the component supply unit 92 to create an output component supply unit. After the loading operation, the loader control unit 49 creates loading information V that associates the identification code of the component container 91 with the identification code of the component supply unit 92 into which the component container 91 is loaded, and sends this to the setup control unit 8. The created loading information V is shared by the unit warehouse 13, the unit storage 3, and the component placement machine 98 via communication or the like.

[0051] In the next step S6, the setup control unit 8 controls the component mounting machine 98 to be equipped with the component supply unit for carry-out. Specifically, the setup control unit 8 commands the unit transport robot 6 and the transport vehicle 66 to carry out the transport. Furthermore, if the component supply unit for carry-out is stored in the unit storage 3 in step S2, the setup control unit 8 controls the unit transport robot 6 to preferentially move the component supply unit for carry-out to the departure / arrival station 61. As a result, the set-up component supply unit for carry-out is used preferentially, and the loading operation by the container loader 4 is omitted.

[0052] The unit transport robot 6 transports the component supply unit for carrying out from the container loader 4 or the unit storage 3 to the departure / arrival station 61 (carry-out station). Next, the transport vehicle 66 transports the component supply unit for carrying out from the departure / arrival station 61 to the component mounting machine 98 and installs it. Alternatively, the transport vehicle 66 hands over the component supply unit for carrying out to a worker beside the component mounting machine 98.

[0053] If there is sufficient time to install the component mounting machine 98 or if the transport vehicle 66 has not yet arrived at the departure / arrival station 61, the setup control unit 8 may control the component supply unit for carry-out to be temporarily stored in the unit storage 3. This makes it possible to set up multiple component supply units for carry-out. After step S6 is completed, the setup control unit 8 advances control to step S11.

[0054] In step S11, the setup control unit 8 refers to the production plan and production progress status of the board products to determine whether the time for a setup change to change the type of board product is approaching. For example, it is determined whether the remaining production quantity of the type of board product currently being produced has decreased to a specified number or less. If the time for a setup change is approaching, the setup control unit 8 determines that now is the time to perform the loading work, and executes steps S12 to S18. If the time for a setup change is not approaching, the setup control unit 8 immediately returns control to step S1. Naturally, the time to perform the loading work is determined with a margin that exceeds the time required for multiple loading operations required relative to the expected time to complete production of the current board product.

[0055] The operations of steps S12 to S15 are the same as those of steps S2 to S5, and therefore will not be described further. In the next step S16, the setup control unit 8 commands the unit transport robot 6 to store the outgoing component supply unit set up in step S15 in the unit storage container 64. In accordance with the command, the unit transport robot 6 transports the outgoing component supply unit from the storage container loader 4 or the unit storage 3 to the departure / arrival station 61 and stores it in the unit storage container 64.

[0056] In a changeover, it is generally necessary to perform multiple loading operations to prepare multiple component supply units for carry-out. Therefore, in step S17, the setup control unit 8 determines whether all component supply units for carry-out required for the changeover have been prepared in the unit storage container 64. If the result is no, the setup control unit 8 repeats steps S12 to S17. When all component supply units for carry-out have been prepared in the unit storage container 64 through the repetition, the setup control unit 8 advances the control to step S18.

[0057] In step S18, the setup control unit 8 commands the transport vehicle 66 to mount the set-up unit storage container 64 on the component mounting machine 98. In accordance with the command, the transport vehicle 66 transports the unit storage container 64 from the departure / arrival station 61 to the component mounting machine 98 and mounts it there. Alternatively, the transport vehicle 66 hands over the unit storage container 64 to an operator beside the component mounting machine 98. After step S18 is completed, the setup control unit 8 returns control to step S1.

[0058] Next, a description will be given of the operation when a component supply unit 92 that has been used by a component mounting machine 98 is carried into the departure / arrival station 61 (carry-in station) by a transport vehicle 66. The setup control unit 8 processes the component supply unit 92 carried into the departure / arrival station 61 based on at least one of the production plan and the production progress status, or based on a command from the production management device 95.

[0059] To explain the process in more detail, the setup control unit 8 checks, based on the loading information V of the carried-in component supply unit 92, whether or not the component supply unit 92 is scheduled to be used again in the near future according to the production plan. If there is a plan to use the component supply unit 92, the setup control unit 8 controls the unit transport robot 6 so that the component supply unit 92 with the component receptacle 91 loaded therein is stored directly in the unit storage 3. In accordance with the control, the unit transport robot 6 transports the component supply unit 92 from the departure / arrival station 61 to the unit storage 3 and stores it there. This eliminates the need for loading work for the next use.

[0060] Furthermore, if there is no plan for use, the setup control unit 8 controls the unit transport robot 6 and the container loader 4 to remove the component container 91 from the component supply unit 92. The unit transport robot 6 follows the control to transport the component supply unit 92 from the departure / arrival station 61 to the container loader 4. The container loader 4 uses its unload function to remove the component container 91 from the component supply unit 92. The removed component container 91 is returned to the container warehouse 2 for storage. Meanwhile, the component supply unit 92 is stored in the unit storage 3 or in the unit warehouse 13.

[0061] Furthermore, when maintenance is performed on a component supply unit 92 in the first setup line 11, the component supply unit 92 in question is transported to the maintenance device 7 by the unit transport robot 6 of the first setup line 11. When maintenance is performed on a component supply unit 92 in the second setup line 12, the component supply unit 92 in question is transported to the maintenance device 7 by the unit transport robot 6 of the second setup line 12, the transport vehicle 66, and the unit transport robot 6 of the first setup line 11. When maintenance is performed on a component supply unit 92 in the unit warehouse 13, the component supply unit 92 in question is transported to the maintenance device 7 by the transport vehicle 66 and the unit transport robot 6 of the first setup line 11. After maintenance in the maintenance device 7 is completed, the component supply unit 92 is returned to its original position.

[0062] In the component supply unit setup system 1 of the first embodiment, the component container 91 is transported from the container warehouse 2 to the container loader 4 by the container transport robot 5, and the component supply unit 92 is transported from the unit storage 3 to the container loader 4 by the unit transport robot 6. The container loader 4 also automatically performs a loading operation to load the component container 91 into the component supply unit 92. Furthermore, the component supply unit 92 into which the component container 91 has been loaded is returned to the unit storage 3 by the unit transport robot 6 or transported to the departure / arrival station 61. This achieves automation of the loading operation and related operations such as transportation before and after the loading operation.

[0063] Furthermore, the setup control unit 8 can timely determine the timing of the loading operation of the container loader 4 based on the production plan and production progress status of the board products. This prevents the number of setup-ready component supply units 92 for which the loading operation has been completed from increasing unnecessarily, thereby reducing the management effort. Furthermore, the component supply units 92 do not become in-process items that cannot be diverted to other uses, enabling efficient operation. Furthermore, delays in the loading operation that would otherwise cause a stagnation in the mounting operation of the component placement machine 98 are suppressed. In addition, by arranging the devices related to the loading operation adjacent to each other, a space-saving system configuration is realized.

[0064] 4. Second embodiment of component supply unit setup system 1A Next, a setup system 1A of a second embodiment will be described, mainly focusing on the differences from the first embodiment, with reference to Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 5, in the second embodiment, the unit warehouse 13, the arrival and departure station 61 of the first setup line 11, and the arrival and departure station 61 of the second setup line 12 are omitted. Substrate-related work lines 97 are arranged adjacent to the first setup line 11 and the second setup line 12, respectively.

[0065] Each of the multiple types of substrate-related operating machines that make up the substrate-related operating line 97 has an upper section guide 971 and a lower section guide 972 on its front surface. The upper section guide 971 and the lower section guide 972 are positioned at the same height as the upper section guide 32 and the lower section guide 33 of the unit storage 3, and are formed in the same shape. Therefore, the upper section guide 971 and the lower section guide 972 form part of the moving guide. This allows the unit transport robot 6 to directly transport the component supply unit 92, on which the component container 91 is loaded, from the container loader 4 to the component placement machine 98.

[0066] According to the second embodiment, even if the transport vehicle 66 is omitted, the component supply unit 92 can be automatically transported to the component mounting machine 98, and the setup time can be further reduced by direct delivery. In addition, since the substrate-related work line 97 is arranged adjacent to the setup system 1A, further space saving is achieved.

[0067] 5. Applications and Modifications of the Embodiments In the first embodiment, the maintenance device 7 may be located at a position away from the first setup line 11 and the second setup line 12. In this case, the transport vehicle 66 transports the component supply unit 92 to the maintenance device 7. Alternatively, the transport vehicle 66 may be omitted, and the component supply unit 92 and the unit storage container 64 may be transported manually to the component mounting machine 98. Furthermore, the unit warehouse 13 and the maintenance device 7 may be omitted. The production management device 95 may determine the timing of component replenishment and the timing of setup change, as described in the operation flow of FIG. 4. In this case, the setup control unit 8 proceeds with control in accordance with a command to perform the loading work from the production management device 95.

[0068] Furthermore, the transport vehicle 66 of the first embodiment may return the unit storage container 64 that has been used by the component mounting machine 98 to the departure / arrival station 61. Thereafter, the component supply units 92 in the unit storage container 64 are processed as described above depending on whether or not they are scheduled to be used in the near future. In addition, various other applications and modifications are possible for the first and second embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1, 1A: Component supply unit setup system 13: Unit warehouse 19: Unit warehouse control unit 2: Container warehouse 21: Outlet gate 22: Actuator 23: Code reader 29: Container warehouse control unit 3: Unit storage 32: Upper section guide 33: Lower section guide 35: Storage rack 39: Storage control unit 4: Container loader 43: Code reader 49: Loader control unit 5: Container transport robot 6: Unit transport robot 61: Departure and arrival station 64: Unit storage 66: Transport vehicle 8: Setup control unit 81: Loading information memory unit 91: Component container 92: Component supply unit 95: Production management device 971: Upper section guide 972: Lower section guide 98: Component placement machine V: Loading information

Claims

1. a unit storage that stores a plurality of component supply units used to supply components accommodated in a component container during a mounting operation performed by the component mounting machine; a container loader that loads the component container into the component supply unit; a unit transport robot that transports the component supply unit between the unit storage and the container loader; a carry-in station for carrying in the component supply unit that has been used by the component mounting machine; a setup control unit that controls the unit transport robot and the container loader to remove the component container from the component supply unit carried into the carry-in station based on at least one of a production plan and a production progress status of the board product, or based on a command from a production management device; A parts supply unit setup system equipped with

2. a unit storage that stores a plurality of component supply units used to supply components accommodated in a component container during a mounting operation performed by the component mounting machine; a container loader that loads the component container into the component supply unit; a unit transport robot that transports the component supply unit between the unit storage and the container loader; a carry-in station for carrying in the component supply unit that has been used by the component mounting machine; a setup control unit that executes a first control for controlling the unit transport robot so as to store the component supply unit carried into the carry-in station in the unit storage warehouse with the component container still loaded in the component supply unit, and a second control for controlling the unit transport robot and the container loader so as to remove the component container from the component supply unit carried into the carry-in station; Equipped with The setup control unit selects and executes the first control or the second control based on at least one of a production plan and a production progress status of a board product, or based on instructions from a production management device.

3. a unit storage that stores a plurality of component supply units used to supply components accommodated in a component container during a mounting operation performed by the component mounting machine; a container loader that loads the component container into the component supply unit; a unit transport robot that transports the component supply unit between the unit storage and the container loader; a carry-in station for carrying in the component supply unit that has been used by the component mounting machine; a setup control unit that controls, based on at least one of a production plan and a production progress status of a board product or based on a command from a production management device, the unit transport robot to store the component supply unit with the component container loaded in the unit storage warehouse when the use schedule of the component supply unit carried into the carry-in station is included in the production plan, and controls the unit transport robot and the container loader to remove the component container from the component supply unit when the use schedule of the component supply unit carried into the carry-in station is not included in the production plan; A parts supply unit setup system equipped with

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