Maintenance device and maintenance method

Abstract

To provide a maintenance device capable of determining whether or not a storage member in a cavity is clogged, and a maintenance method.SOLUTION: A maintenance device is applied to a bulk feeder, which includes a trajectory member and a cavity unit, and comprises a recognition section and a determination section. The trajectory member includes a transfer path for transferring a component between a reception region and a supply region. The cavity unit includes, in the supply region, a plurality of cavities in each of which one of components transferred from the reception region to the supply region should be stored by oscillating the trajectory member. Each time a supply operation for transferring a component from the reception region to the supply region is performed, the recognition section recognizes a posture of the storage member, which is stored in the cavity, in the cavity. Based on the posture of the storage member recognized by the recognition section regarding a plurality of times of continuous supply operations, the determination section determines whether or not the storage member in the cavity is clogged.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification discloses technologies related to a maintenance device and a maintenance method.

Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1, even though an attempt was made to collect a component from a cavity in which the component was properly accommodated, when a collection error occurred in which the component was not held, although the component appeared to be properly accommodated in the cavity on the surface, in reality, the component may have been stuck in the cavity. And the determination unit described in Patent Document 1 determines the cavity that housed the component as defective when the component was not collected, and records it in the cavity information.

[0003] Also, in Patent Document 1, as causes of the above collection error, in addition to the cavity being defective, cases where the component is dropped while moving the suction nozzle from the bulk feeder to the component camera, or cases where a malfunction of the suction nozzle occurs are assumed. Therefore, the determination unit described in Patent Document 1 can also determine the cavity as defective, for example, when a mounting error occurs continuously a predetermined number of times in a collection operation of collecting a component from the same cavity.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In bulk feeders equipped with cavity units that have multiple cavities, there is a possibility of component stacking occurring due to components becoming lodged in the cavities. Furthermore, foreign matter may remain in the cavities. Thus, the more clogging of the contained components occurs in the cavities, the fewer cavities are available to supply components to the component mounting machine, potentially reducing the production efficiency of printed circuit board products.

[0006] In view of these circumstances, this specification discloses a maintenance device and a maintenance method capable of determining whether or not there is clogging in the housing members in the cavity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This specification discloses a maintenance device applicable to a bulk feeder comprising a track member and a cavity unit. The maintenance device comprises a recognition unit and a determination unit. The track member includes a transport path through which parts are transported between a receiving area that receives parts discharged from a parts case containing parts in bulk and supplied to a parts mounting machine and a supply area from which the parts mounting machine can pick up the parts. The cavity unit includes a plurality of cavities in the supply area into which one of the parts transported from the receiving area to the supply area is to be accommodated by vibrating the track member. The recognition unit recognizes the orientation of the accommodating member in the cavity each time a supply operation is performed to transport the parts from the receiving area to the supply area. The determination unit determines whether or not the accommodating member is clogged in the cavity based on the orientation of the accommodating member recognized by the recognition unit for a plurality of consecutive supply operations.

[0008] This specification also discloses a maintenance method applicable to a bulk feeder comprising a track member and a cavity unit. The maintenance method comprises a recognition step and a determination step. The track member includes a transport path through which the parts are transported between a receiving area that receives the parts discharged from a parts case containing parts in bulk and supplied to a parts mounting machine, and a supply area from which the parts mounting machine can pick up the parts. The cavity unit includes a plurality of cavities in the supply area into which one of the parts transported from the receiving area to the supply area is to be accommodated by vibrating the track member. The recognition step recognizes the orientation of the accommodating member in the cavity each time a supply operation is performed to transport the parts from the receiving area to the supply area. The determination step determines whether or not the accommodating member is clogged in the cavity based on the orientation of the accommodating member recognized by the recognition step for a plurality of consecutive supply operations. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the maintenance device described above, since it includes a recognition unit and a determination unit, it is possible to determine whether or not there is clogging of the housing member in the cavity based on the orientation of the housing member recognized by the recognition unit during multiple consecutive supply operations. The same applies to the maintenance method as described above regarding the maintenance device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a plan view showing an example configuration of a parts mounting machine. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing an example of a bulk feeder. [Figure 3] This is a schematic side view showing a portion of the bulk feeder in Figure 2. [Figure 4] This is a plan view as seen in the direction of arrow IV in Figure 2. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing an example of a transport route. [Figure 6]This is a block diagram showing an example of a control block for a maintenance device. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows an example of a control procedure using a maintenance device. [Figure 8] This is a plan view showing an example of a cavity unit to which parts have been supplied. [Figure 9] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of how the components are housed in the three cavities. [Figure 10] This schematic diagram shows an example of the first and second orientation ranges that can be assumed when the housing member is a part that has been properly supplied to the cavity and can be picked up by the part mounting machine. [Figure 11] This is a schematic diagram showing examples of the first and second posture ranges that can be expected when clogging occurs in the housing component. [Figure 12] This schematic diagram shows an example of the first and second attitude changes that can be assumed when the housing member is a part that has been properly supplied to the cavity and can be collected by the part mounting machine. [Figure 13] This schematic diagram shows an example of the first and second posture changes that can be expected when clogging occurs in the housing component. [Figure 14] This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of maintenance instructions for a cavity unit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] 1. Embodiment 1-1. Example configuration of the parts mounting machine 10 The bulk feeder 30 to which the maintenance device 80 is applied supplies components 91 to the component mounting machine 10, which mounts components 91 onto the substrate 90.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the component mounting machine 10 of the embodiment includes a substrate transfer device 11, a component supply device 12, a component transfer device 13, a component camera 14, a substrate camera 15, and a control device 20. The substrate transfer device 11 is constituted by, for example, a belt conveyor or the like, and transfers the substrate 90 in the transfer direction (X-axis direction). The substrate 90 is a circuit board on which an electronic circuit, an electric circuit, a magnetic circuit, or the like is formed. The substrate transfer device 11 loads the substrate 90 into the component mounting machine 10 and positions the substrate 90 at a predetermined position inside the machine. After the mounting process by the component mounting machine 10 is completed, the substrate transfer device 11 unloads the substrate 90 outside the component mounting machine 10.

[0013] The component supply device 12 supplies the components 91. The component supply device 12 includes a plurality of feeders 12b provided along the transfer direction (X-axis direction) of the substrate 90. Each of the plurality of feeders 12b is detachably attached to the slot 12a. The feeder 12b can use a tape feeder, a bulk feeder 30, or the like. The tape feeder pitch-feeds the carrier tape in which the components 91 are stored and supplies the components 91 in a manner that allows them to be picked up at the supply position. The bulk feeder 30 supplies the components 91 discharged from the component case 70 that houses the components 91 in a bulk state (a state where the posture of the components 91 is irregular) in a manner that allows them to be picked up.

[0014] In the embodiment, the bulk feeder 30 is installed in a predetermined slot 12a among the plurality of slots 12a of the component supply device 12 of the component mounting machine 10. The slot 12a in which the bulk feeder 30 is installed is determined in the production plan of the substrate product. For example, the slot 12a in which the bulk feeder 30 is installed is determined together with the slots 12a in which other feeders 12b such as tape feeders are installed so that the throughput (the production volume of substrate products per unit time) of the component mounting machine 10 becomes a predetermined value or more.

[0015] The component transfer device 13 includes a head drive device 13a, a moving stage 13b, a mounting head 13c, and a holding member 13d. The head drive device 13a is configured to be able to move the moving stage 13b in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction (a direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction in the horizontal plane) by a linear motion mechanism. The mounting head 13c is detachably (replaceably) provided on the moving stage 13b by a clamp member. The mounting head 13c picks up and holds the component 91 supplied by the component supply device 12 using at least one holding member 13d, and mounts the component 91 on the substrate 90 positioned by the substrate transfer device 11. The holding member 13d can use, for example, a suction nozzle, a chuck, or the like.

[0016] The component camera 14 and the substrate camera 15 can use known imaging devices. The component camera 14 is fixed to the base of the component mounting machine 10 so that the optical axis is upward in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction). The component camera 14 can image the component 91 held by the holding member 13d from below.

[0017] The substrate camera 15 is provided on the moving stage 1�b of the component transfer device 13 so that the optical axis is downward in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The substrate camera 15 can image, for example, the substrate 90, the cavity unit 50 of the bulk feeder 30, etc. from above. The component camera 14 and the substrate camera 15 perform imaging based on a control signal sent from the control device 20. The image data of the images captured by the component camera 14 and the substrate camera 15 is transmitted to the control device 20.

[0018] The control device 20 includes a known arithmetic device and a storage device, and a control circuit is configured. Information output from various sensors provided in the component mounting machine 10, image data, etc. are input to the control device 20. The control device 20 sends a control signal to each device based on a control program and preset mounting conditions, etc.

[0019] For example, the control device 20 causes the substrate camera 15 to image the substrate 90 positioned by the substrate transport device 11. The control device 20 processes the image captured by the substrate camera 15 to recognize the positioning state of the substrate 90. The control device 20 also causes the holding member 13d to pick up and hold the component 91 supplied by the component supply device 12, and causes the component camera 14 to image the component 91 held by the holding member 13d. The control device 20 processes the image captured by the component camera 14 to recognize the holding posture of the component 91.

[0020] The control device 20 moves the holding member 13d upwards to the planned mounting position, which is predetermined by a control program or the like. The control device 20 also corrects the planned mounting position based on the positioning state of the substrate 90, the holding posture of the component 91, etc., to set the actual mounting position for the component 91. The planned mounting position and the mounting position include rotation angles in addition to position (X-axis coordinates and Y-axis coordinates).

[0021] The control device 20 corrects the target position (X-axis coordinates and Y-axis coordinates) and rotation angle of the retaining member 13d to match the mounting position. The control device 20 lowers the retaining member 13d at the corrected target position and the corrected rotation angle to mount the component 91 onto the substrate 90. The control device 20 repeats the above pick-and-place cycle to perform a mounting process in which multiple components 91 are mounted onto the substrate 90.

[0022] 1-2. Example configuration of bulk feeder 30 The bulk feeder 30 only needs to be able to supply parts 91 and can take various forms. As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the bulk feeder 30 of the embodiment includes a feeder body 31, a receiving member 32, a bracket 33, a track member 34, a locking unit 35, a cover 36, a shutter 37, a connecting member 38, an air supply device 39, a vibration device 40, a cavity unit 50, a feeder control device 60, and a parts case 70.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, the feeder body 31 is formed in a flat, box-like shape. The feeder body 31 is detachably mounted in the slot 12a of the parts supply device 12. The feeder body 31 has a connector 31a and several (two in the figure) pins 31b, 31b formed on the leading end side in the direction of transport of the parts 91. The transport direction of the parts 91 is the direction of extension of the transport path Rd0 (arrow SD direction), which corresponds to the Y-axis direction in the parts mounting machine 10 when the feeder body 31 is mounted in the slot 12a.

[0024] The connector 31a is provided to enable communication with the control device 20 when the feeder body 31 is installed in the slot 12a. The bulk feeder 30 is also powered via the connector 31a. Multiple (two) pins 31b, 31b are inserted into guide holes provided in the slot 12a and are used for positioning when the feeder body 31 is installed in the slot 12a.

[0025] A parts case 70 for storing parts 91 in bulk is detachably attached to the feeder body 31 via a receiving member 32. As shown in Figure 3, the parts case 70 has an outlet 71 for discharging the parts 91. In this embodiment, the parts case 70 is an external device of the bulk feeder 30. For example, an operator selects a parts case 70 containing the parts 91 to be supplied to the substrate 90 from among a plurality of parts cases 70, and attaches the selected parts case 70 to the feeder body 31.

[0026] The receiving member 32 supports the parts case 70 attached to the feeder body 31 and is vibrately mounted relative to the feeder body 31. The receiving member 32 is provided in a receiving region Ar0 that receives parts 91 discharged from the parts case 70. The receiving member 32 of this embodiment includes an inclined portion 32a and a delivery portion 32b. The inclined portion 32a is a portion that slopes downward from the discharge port 71 of the parts case 70. Parts 91 discharged from the discharge port 71 are guided downward. The delivery portion 32b is a portion that extends upward from the tip side of the inclined portion 32a. The tip side of the delivery portion 32b is open and communicates with the transport path Rd0 of the track member 34. Parts 91 guided downward by the inclined portion 32a are transported upward by the air supply device 39 to the delivery portion 32b and delivered to the transport path Rd0.

[0027] The bracket 33 is provided so as to be vibrable relative to the feeder body 31. The bracket 33 is formed in a block shape that extends in the direction of transport of the parts 91 (the direction of extension of the transport path Rd0 (arrow SD direction)). A track member 34 is attached to the upper surface of the bracket 33. The bracket 33 is supported by a support member 41 of the vibration device 40. The lock unit 35 fixes the track member 34 when it is attached to the bracket 33. When the track member 34 is fixed by the lock unit 35, it becomes possible for it to vibrate together with the bracket 33 relative to the feeder body 31. The track member 34 can be removed from the bracket 33 by releasing the lock unit 35.

[0028] The track member 34 is equipped with a groove-shaped transport path Rd0 through which the parts 91 discharged from the parts case 70 are transported. The transport path Rd0 only needs to be capable of transporting the parts 91 and can take various forms. As shown in Figure 5, the transport path Rd0 of the embodiment is equipped with a pair of side wall surfaces 34a, 34a, a front end side wall surface 34b, a pair of corners 34c, 34c, and an introduction section 34d.

[0029] The pair of side wall surfaces 34a, 34a are wall surfaces that extend along the extension direction (arrow SD direction) of the groove-shaped transport path Rd0. The tip side wall surface 34b is a wall surface provided on the tip side in the extension direction (arrow SD direction) of the groove-shaped transport path Rd0. The pair of corners 34c, 34c are corners formed by the tip side wall surface 34b and the pair of side wall surfaces 34a, 34a. The introduction section 34d communicates with the delivery section 32b of the receiving member 32 and delivers the parts 91 delivered from the delivery section 32b to the transport path Rd0.

[0030] When the feeder body 31 is installed in the slot 12a, at least a portion of the track member 34 is positioned in the supply area As0. The supply area As0 is the area from which the component mounting machine 10 can pick up the component 91. Specifically, the supply area As0 is the area from which the component 91 can be picked up by the holding member 13d supported by the mounting head 13c, and is included in the movable range of the mounting head 13c.

[0031] The component 91 is transported to a cavity unit 50 located in the supply area As0 at the bottom of the groove-shaped transport path Rd0. The cavity unit 50 has multiple cavities 51 in the supply area As0 (120 in the example shown in Figure 4) to accommodate one of the components 91 that have been transported from the receiving area Ar0 to the supply area As0 by vibrating the track member 34. The cavity unit 50 is interchangeably attached to the track member 34.

[0032] Each of the multiple (120) cavities 51 is intended to accommodate one component 91. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the multiple (120) cavities 51 are arranged in a matrix in the supply area As0. For example, the cavity unit 50 of the embodiment has a total of 120 cavities 51, with 10 arranged in the extension direction of the transport path Rd0 (arrow SD direction) and 12 arranged in the width direction of the transport path Rd0 (arrow WD direction).

[0033] Each of the multiple (120) cavities 51 opens above the transport path Rd0 and is capable of accommodating a part 91. For example, if the part 91 is rectangular, the opening of the cavity 51 is formed in a rectangular shape and set to a dimension slightly larger than the external dimensions of the part 91. The depth of the cavity 51 is set appropriately according to the size of the part 91 so that it can accommodate the part 91. The number of cavities 51 is also set appropriately, taking into account the required number of cavities 51 and the density that may affect transportability.

[0034] Specifically, the number of cavities 51 in the cavity unit 50 should be set to be greater than the maximum number of parts 91 picked up in a single pick-and-place cycle. The above maximum number corresponds to the number of retaining members 13d supported by the mounting head 13c. For example, if the mounting head 13c supports 24 suction nozzles, the number of cavities 51 should be set to be at least greater than 24.

[0035] Furthermore, the track member 34 is provided with at least one reference portion 34e. The at least one reference portion 34e is provided in the supply area As0 and is used to recognize the positions of the multiple cavities 51 of the cavity unit 50. In this embodiment, multiple (e.g., two) reference portions 34e, 34e are provided in the area on the tip side of the tip side wall surface 34b. The multiple (two) reference portions 34e, 34e are circular marks and are spaced apart at a predetermined distance in the width direction (arrow WD direction) of the track member 34.

[0036] The cover 36 is fixed to the track member 34 and covers the area above the transport path Rd0. An exhaust port 36a is formed on the upper surface of the cover 36. The exhaust port 36a is covered with a mesh whose gaps are smaller than the outer dimensions of the part 91. The cover 36 prevents the part 91 from flying out of the transport path Rd0 and also discharges air to the outside through the exhaust port 36a.

[0037] The shutter 37 is provided on the upper part of the track member 34 and can close the opening of the supply area As0. The bulk feeder 30 can prevent parts 91 from flying out and foreign matter from entering the supply area As0 by opening and closing the shutter 37. In this embodiment, the shutter 37 can be switched between an open state, a closed state, or an intermediate state by opening and closing the shutter 37. In the closed state of the shutter 37, the shutter 37 is in contact with the track member 34 and the opening of the supply area As0 is completely closed. At this time, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 4, the shutter 37 is located on the base end side of the track member 34 in the transport direction of the parts 91 (the extension direction of the transport path Rd0 (arrow SD direction)) than the multiple (two) reference parts 34e, 34e, and in an upward view, the multiple (two) reference parts 34e, 34e become visible and imageable.

[0038] The open state of the shutter 37 is a state in which the opening of the supply area As0 is not closed and the cavity unit 50 is exposed. At this time, the holding member 13d supported by the mounting head 13c can attempt to collect the part 91 from any of the multiple cavities 51 of the cavity unit 50. The intermediate state of the shutter 37 is a state between the closed state and the open state in which the shutter 37 is spaced further away from the track member 34 than the amplitude of the track member 34 vibrated by the excitation of the excitation device 40, and restricts the part 91 from flying out of the opening of the supply area As0. The shutter 37 is opened and closed by the drive device and is set to the closed state, open state or intermediate state depending on the drive state of the drive device.

[0039] The introduction portion 34d of the track member 34 communicates with the delivery portion 32b of the receiving member 32, and delivers the parts 91 delivered from the delivery portion 32b to the transport path Rd0. Specifically, the tip of the introduction portion 34d is open and connected to the tip of the delivery portion 32b via a connecting member 38. The connecting member 38 is formed in a tubular shape and connects the delivery portion 32b of the receiving member 32 and the introduction portion 34d of the track member 34. The connecting member 38 in this embodiment is a tight coil spring and is flexible.

[0040] The connecting member 38 connects the delivery section 32b of the receiving member 32 and the introduction section 34d of the track member 34, enabling the component 91 to flow between the receiving area Ar0 and the transport path Rd0. The connecting member 38 also absorbs vibrations by deforming in response to vibrations of the receiving member 32 and the track member 34 relative to the feeder body 31. The connecting member 38 reduces or blocks vibrations transmitted between the receiving member 32 and the track member 34, which vibrate independently of each other.

[0041] The air supply device 39 supplies air (positive pressure air) from below the receiving region Ar0, allowing the component 91 to flow from the receiving member 32 to the track member 34 via the connecting member 38. In this embodiment, the air supply device 39 supplies positive pressure air from an external source from below the receiving region Ar0 based on a command from the feeder control device 60. The air supply device 39 can also shut off the supply of positive pressure air based on a command from the feeder control device 60.

[0042] When the air supply device 39 supplies positive-pressure air, the parts 91 that are lingering in the receiving area Ar0 are blown upward by the positive-pressure air. The positive-pressure air and the parts 91 flow through the delivery section 32b, connecting member 38, and introduction section 34d of the receiving member 32 in that order, and reach the transport path Rd0 of the track member 34. The positive-pressure air that reaches the transport path Rd0 is exhausted to the outside from the exhaust port 36a of the cover 36. The parts 91 that reach the transport path Rd0 fall onto the transport path Rd0 of the track member 34 due to their own weight.

[0043] The vibration device 40 vibrates the track member 34 to transport the part 91 to a cavity unit 50 located in the supply area As0 at the bottom of the groove-shaped transport path Rd0, where the part mounting machine 10 can pick up the part 91. The vibration device 40 only needs to be able to transport the part 91 to the cavity unit 50 and can take various forms. The vibration device 40 of this embodiment includes a plurality (e.g., four) support members 41, a plurality (e.g., four) vibrators 42, a plurality (e.g., two) vibration sensors 43, and a power supply device 44. The plurality (four) support members 41 connect the feeder body 31 and the bracket 33 to support the bracket 33 and the track member 34.

[0044] The multiple (four) support members 41 consist of two types of support members 41: forward support members 41a and backward support members 41b. The forward support member 41a is used for forward transport, transporting the part 91 along the extension direction (arrow SD direction) from the part case 70 side toward the cavity unit 50 side in the transport path Rd0. The backward support member 41b is used for backward transport, transporting the part 91 along the extension direction (arrow SD direction) from the cavity unit 50 side toward the part case 70 side in the transport path Rd0. The forward support member 41a and the backward support member 41b have different inclination directions with respect to the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

[0045] Specifically, one end of the forward support member 41a is connected to the feeder body 31, and the other end of the forward support member 41a is connected to the bracket 33. The forward support member 41a is inclined in the backward direction (the direction in which the part 91 is transported backward) with respect to the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). Similarly, one end of the backward support member 41b is connected to the feeder body 31, and the other end of the backward support member 41b is connected to the bracket 33. The backward support member 41b is inclined in the forward direction (the direction in which the part 91 is transported forward) with respect to the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

[0046] Multiple (four) vibrators 42 are powered by a power supply device 44 and vibrate at a predetermined amplitude and frequency. Multiple (four) vibrators 42 can be, for example, piezoelectric elements and are attached to a support member 41. In this embodiment, the multiple (four) support members 41 comprise two types of support members 41: a forward support member 41a and a backward support member 41b. Therefore, the multiple (four) vibrators 42 comprise two types of vibrators 42: a forward vibrator 42a provided on the forward support member 41a and a backward vibrator 42b provided on the backward support member 41b.

[0047] Vibration is applied to the track member 34 via the bracket 33 when at least one of the multiple (four) vibrators 42 vibrates. The amplitude and frequency of the vibration applied to the track member 34 vary depending on the voltage and frequency of the AC power supplied to the vibrators 42. Multiple (two) vibration sensors 43 detect the vibration state of the track member 34 excited by the vibration exciter 40. The multiple (two) vibration sensors 43 can detect, for example, the amplitude, frequency, decay time, and vibration trajectory (the movement trajectory of a specific part associated with the vibration) of the vibration of the track member 34. In this embodiment, the multiple (two) vibration sensors 43 are provided on a pair of forward support members 41a and backward support members 41b, respectively.

[0048] When the vibration device 40 vibrates the track member 34, the track member 34 undergoes elliptical motion when viewed from the side. As a result, an external force is applied to the parts 91 on the transport path Rd0 in either an upward and forward direction or an upward and backward direction, depending on the rotational direction of the elliptical motion of the track member 34. Consequently, the parts 91 on the transport path Rd0 are transported in either the forward or backward direction.

[0049] The power supply device 44 varies the voltage and frequency of the AC power supplied to the vibrator 42 based on commands from the feeder control device 60. This adjusts the amplitude and frequency of vibrations applied to the track member 34, and defines the rotational direction of the elliptical motion of the track member 34. When the amplitude, frequency, and rotational direction of the elliptical motion of the track member 34 change, the transport speed, dispersion, and transport direction of the transported parts 91 also change.

[0050] The feeder control device 60 is equipped with a known computing device and memory device, and a control circuit is configured. When the feeder body 31 is installed in the slot 12a, the feeder control device 60 is powered via the connector 31a and becomes capable of communicating with the control device 20 of the component mounting machine 10. The feeder control device 60 drives and controls the vibration device 40 to vibrate the track member 34 and transport the components 91 on the transport path Rd0.

[0051] 1-3. Example configuration of the maintenance device 80 The maintenance device 80 is applied to a bulk feeder 30 which comprises a track member 34 and a cavity unit 50. As previously described, the track member 34 includes a transport path Rd0 through which the parts 91 are transported between a receiving area Ar0 that receives the parts 91 discharged from a parts case 70 that houses the parts 91 in bulk and supplied to the parts mounting machine 10, and a supply area As0 from which the parts mounting machine 10 can collect the parts 91. The cavity unit 50 also includes a plurality (120) of cavities 51 in the supply area As0, which are to accommodate one of the parts 91 transported from the receiving area Ar0 to the supply area As0 by vibrating the track member 34.

[0052] When viewed as a control block, the maintenance device 80 comprises a recognition unit 81 and a determination unit 82. The maintenance device 80 may also include a resolution unit 83. The maintenance device 80 may also include a guidance unit 84. As shown in Figure 6, the maintenance device 80 of the embodiment comprises a recognition unit 81, a determination unit 82, a resolution unit 83, and a guidance unit 84.

[0053] Furthermore, the maintenance device 80 can be installed in various control devices. For example, the maintenance device 80 can be installed in the feeder control device 60 of the bulk feeder 30. The maintenance device 80 can also be installed in the control device 20 of the component mounting machine 10. The maintenance device 80 can also be installed in a control device that controls a board-to-board work line including the component mounting machine 10. The maintenance device 80 can also be installed in a control device that controls at least one board-to-board work line. The maintenance device 80 can also be formed on the cloud. As shown in Figure 6, the maintenance device 80 of the embodiment is installed in the control device 20 of the component mounting machine 10.

[0054] Furthermore, the maintenance device 80 performs control according to the flowchart shown in Figure 7. The recognition unit 81 performs the process shown in step S11. The determination unit 82 performs the process shown in step S12. The resolution unit 83 makes the decision shown in step S13 and performs the process shown in step S14. The guidance unit 84 makes the decision shown in step S15 and performs the process shown in step S16.

[0055] 1-3-1. Recognition unit 81 and determination unit 82 Figure 8 shows an example of a cavity unit 50 to which parts 91 are supplied. The figure shows an example of the arrangement of parts 91 in a total of 120 cavities 51, with 10 cavities arranged in the transport direction of parts 91 (the direction of extension of the transport path Rd0 (arrow SD direction)) and 12 cavities arranged in the width direction of the transport path Rd0 (arrow WD direction). Figure 9 also shows an example of the arrangement of parts 91 housed in the three cavities 51 of Figure 8.

[0056] As shown in Figure 9, there are parts 91 that are properly housed in the cavity 51 (e.g., region AR1 in Figure 8). There are also cavities 51 that do not house any parts 91 (e.g., region AR2 in Figure 8). Furthermore, there are parts 91 that are piled up with other parts 91, as shown in Figure 9, in the cavity 51 in the center of the page (e.g., region AR3 in Figure 8).

[0057] Furthermore, there are cavities 51 that contain foreign matter 92 other than the component 91 (such as region AR4 in Figure 8). In addition, there are cases where multiple (two in this figure) components 91 are housed in a single cavity 51, such as the component 91 housed in the cavity 51 on the right side of Figure 9 (such as region AR5 in Figure 8). In the cavity 51 on the right side of Figure 9, two components 91 are housed in a position different from the normal position (the components 91 are standing upright).

[0058] Of the regions AR2 to AR5 from which it is difficult to extract part 91, the cavities 51 shown in regions AR2 and AR3 may become properly housed in the part 91 as the supply of part 91 is repeated, making it possible to extract part 91. However, the cavities 51 shown in regions AR4 and AR5 may remain difficult to extract even after repeated supply of part 91. For example, the foreign matter 92 may include electrode material from which at least a portion of the electrode of part 91 has peeled off. The foreign matter 92 may also include sticky debris. These materials may become embedded in the cavity 51 and remain there.

[0059] Furthermore, when multiple components 91 are housed in a single cavity 51, a stack of components 91 may occur where components 91 become stuck in one cavity 51. In this way, the more clogging occurs in the housing members 90m within the cavity 51, the fewer cavities 51 can be supplied with components 91, potentially reducing the production efficiency of the substrate product. Therefore, the maintenance device 80 is equipped with a recognition unit 81 and a determination unit 82.

[0060] Each time a supply operation is performed to transport the component 91 from the receiving area Ar0 to the supply area As0, the recognition unit 81 recognizes the orientation of the housing member 90m housed in the cavity 51 (step S11 shown in Figure 7). The determination unit 82 then determines whether or not the housing member 90m is clogged in the cavity 51 based on the orientation of the housing member 90m recognized by the recognition unit 81 for multiple consecutive supply operations (step S12 shown in Figure 7).

[0061] For example, the housing member 90m includes parts 91 that are properly supplied to the cavity 51 and can be picked up by the parts mounting machine 10, such as the parts 91 housed in the cavity 51 on the left side of Figure 9 (such as area AR1 in Figure 8). The housing member 90m also includes parts 91 that are fitted into the cavity 51, such as the parts 91 housed in the cavity 51 on the right side of Figure 9 (such as area AR5 in Figure 8). Furthermore, the housing member 90m includes foreign matter 92 remaining in the cavity 51 (such as area AR4 in Figure 8).

[0062] The recognition unit 81 only needs to be able to recognize the orientation of the housing member 90m, and can take various forms. For example, the recognition unit 81 can also recognize the orientation of the housing member 90m housed in the cavity 51 using a known measuring instrument after the supply operation has been performed. However, as the number of cavities 51 increases, the measurement work becomes more complicated, and the time required to recognize the orientation of the housing member 90m may increase.

[0063] Therefore, after the supply operation is performed, the recognition unit 81 may cause the imaging device CU0 to image the cavity unit 50, process the image of the cavity unit 50 captured by the imaging device CU0, and recognize the orientation of the housing member 90m in the cavity 51. The imaging device CU0 only needs to be able to image the cavity unit 50, and any known imaging device can be used. For example, the imaging device CU0 can be a substrate camera 15.

[0064] The substrate camera 15 images at least some of the cavities 51 contained in the cavity unit 50 from above. If it is difficult for the substrate camera 15 to image all of the cavities 51 contained in the cavity unit 50 at once, it can divide the cavity unit 50 into multiple regions and image at least one cavity 51 in each divided region.

[0065] The image processing can be any process that allows for the extraction of the housing member 90m from the image of the cavity unit 50, and various methods can be used. For example, the recognition unit 81 can recognize the external shape of the housing member 90m by binarizing the image of the cavity unit 50 captured by the imaging device CU0. Based on the recognized external shape of the housing member 90m, the recognition unit 81 can recognize the center position 90a of the housing member 90m.

[0066] Furthermore, the recognition unit 81 can recognize the arrangement of the multiple cavities 51 and the position of each of the multiple cavities 51 based on at least one reference unit 34e (in this embodiment, multiple (two) reference units 34e, 34e). Based on the recognized center position 90a of the housing member 90m, the arrangement and position of the cavities 51, the recognition unit 81 can recognize the cavity 51 in which the housing member 90m is housed, and the position of the housing member 90m within that cavity 51.

[0067] Furthermore, the recognition unit 81 can also recognize the housing angle 90b of the housing member 90m housed in the cavity 51 based on the external shape of the recognized housing member 90m and the shape information of the cavity 51. In this way, the recognition unit 81 can recognize the orientation of the housing member 90m in the cavity 51 based on the center position 90a and housing angle 90b of the housing member 90m.

[0068] The recognition unit 81 recognizes the orientation of the housing member 90m for all cavities 51 in which the housing member 90m is housed. The cavity 51 in which the housing member 90m is housed has a different brightness in the image of the cavity unit 50 compared to the cavity 51 in which the housing member 90m is not housed. Therefore, the recognition unit 81 can also recognize the orientation of the housing member 90m for the cavity 51 in which a predetermined brightness is obtained in the image of the cavity unit 50. As a result, the recognition unit 81 can shorten the time required to recognize the orientation of the housing member 90m compared to when it attempts to recognize the orientation of the housing member 90m for all cavities 51.

[0069] The recognition unit 81 stores information regarding the orientation of the recognized housing member 90m (including information identifying the housing cavity 51, and information regarding the center position 90a and housing angle 90b of the housing member 90m) in a storage device. The storage device only needs to be able to store the above information, and any known storage device can be used. For example, the recognition unit 81 can store the above information in a storage device provided in the control device 20.

[0070] The determination unit 82 determines whether or not the housing member 90m is clogged in the cavity 51 based on the orientation of the housing member 90m recognized by the recognition unit 81 for multiple consecutive supply operations. The determination unit 82 only needs to be able to determine whether or not the housing member 90m is clogged, and can take various forms. For example, when multiple consecutive supply operations are performed on a housing member 90m that is clogged, the variation in the center position 90a of the housing member 90m will be smaller compared to a housing member 90m that is not clogged. Also, when multiple consecutive supply operations are performed on a housing member 90m that is clogged, the variation in the housing angle 90b of the housing member 90m will be smaller compared to a housing member 90m that is not clogged.

[0071] Therefore, the range of variation in the center position 90a of the housing member 90m housed in the same cavity 51 during multiple consecutive supply operations is defined as the first posture range AR11. Furthermore, the range of variation in the housing angle 90b of the housing member 90m housed in the same cavity 51 during multiple consecutive supply operations is defined as the second posture range AR21. In addition, at least one of the first posture range AR11 and the second posture range AR21 is defined as the posture range AR01. The posture range AR01 can be statistically expressed, for example, by variance, standard deviation, etc.

[0072] At this time, the determination unit 82 can determine that there is clogging of the housing member 90m in the cavity 51 if the recognition unit 81 obtains the following recognition result: The orientation range AR01 of the housing member 90m housed in the same cavity 51 is narrower than the orientation range AR01 expected when the housing member 90m is a component 91 that has been properly supplied to the cavity 51 and can be collected by the component mounting machine 10. The determination unit 82 can also determine that there is no clogging of the housing member 90m in the cavity 51 if the recognition unit 81 does not obtain the above recognition result for a predetermined orientation range AR01.

[0073] Figure 10 shows an example of the first and second orientation ranges AR11 and AR21 assumed when the housing member 90m is a part 91 that has been properly supplied to the cavity 51 and can be picked up by the part mounting machine 10. Figure 11 shows an example of the first and second orientation ranges AR11 and AR21 assumed when clogging occurs in the housing member 90m. The three dashed rectangles shown in Figures 10 and 11 show an example of the recognition result (external shape of the housing member 90m) when the housing member 90m housed in the same cavity 51 is recognized in three consecutive supply operations.

[0074] Furthermore, the first posture range AR11 shown in Figures 10 and 11 schematically shows the range of variation in the center position 90a of the housing member 90m housed in the same cavity 51 during three consecutive supply operations, indicated by dashed circles. In addition, the second posture range AR21 shown in Figures 10 and 11 schematically shows the range of variation in the housing angle 90b of the housing member 90m housed in the same cavity 51 during three consecutive supply operations, indicated by arrows. Note that the housing angle 90b is shown for one housing member 90m for illustrative purposes. The housing angle 90b is shown as an angle with respect to the target housing angle (in this case, the state in which the housing member 90m is housed with its longitudinal direction aligned with the vertical direction of the paper).

[0075] The first orientation range AR11 shown in Figure 11 is narrower than the first orientation range AR11 shown in Figure 10, which is assumed to be the first orientation range AR11 when the housing member 90m is a part 91 that has been properly supplied to the cavity 51 and can be picked up by the part mounting machine 10. Also, the second orientation range AR21 shown in Figure 11 is narrower than the second orientation range AR21 shown in Figure 10, which is assumed to be the second orientation range AR21 when the housing member 90m is a part 91 that has been properly supplied to the cavity 51 and can be picked up by the part mounting machine 10. Therefore, the determination unit 82 determines that there is clogging of the housing member 90m in the cavity 51 based on the recognition result shown in Figure 11. However, the determination unit 82 determines that there is no clogging of the housing member 90m in the cavity 51 based on the recognition result shown in Figure 10.

[0076] Furthermore, the recognition unit 81 may recognize whether the first posture range AR11 shown in Figure 11 is narrower than the threshold range, using a range that is arbitrarily narrower than the first posture range AR11 assumed when the housing member 90m is a component 91 that has been properly supplied to the cavity 51 and can be picked up by the component mounting machine 10. The recognition unit 81 may also recognize whether the second posture range AR21 shown in Figure 11 is narrower than the threshold range, using a range that is arbitrarily narrower than the second posture range AR21 assumed when the housing member 90m is a component 91 that has been properly supplied to the cavity 51 and can be picked up by the component mounting machine 10. Furthermore, the recognition unit 81 may recognize both the first posture range AR11 and the second posture range AR21 as the posture range AR01 of the housing member 90m, or it may recognize only one of them. If the recognition unit 81 recognizes only one of the first attitude range AR11 and the second attitude range AR21, the determination unit 82 determines whether or not there is clogging of the housing member 90m in the cavity 51 based only on the recognition result of the attitude range AR01 recognized by the recognition unit 81.

[0077] The number of supply operations used to determine whether or not the housing member 90m is clogged (three times in the above example) can be obtained in advance through simulation, verification with an actual machine, etc. The judgment threshold used to determine whether or not the housing member 90m is clogged can also be obtained in advance through simulation, verification with an actual machine, etc. In the above case, the judgment threshold includes the first posture range AR11 and the second posture range AR21 assumed when the housing member 90m is a part 91 that has been properly supplied to the cavity 51 and can be collected by the part mounting machine 10. The judgment threshold also includes a range that is any amount narrower than the first posture range AR11 assumed when the housing member 90m is a part 91 that has been properly supplied to the cavity 51 and can be collected by the part mounting machine 10. The judgment threshold also includes a range that is any amount narrower than the second posture range AR21 assumed when the housing member 90m is a part 91 that has been properly supplied to the cavity 51 and can be collected by the part mounting machine 10.

[0078] When a clogging storage member 90m is subjected to multiple (e.g., three) consecutive supply operations, the change in the center position 90a of the storage member 90m between the previous (e.g., first) supply operation and the current (e.g., second) supply operation is smaller compared to a storage member 90m that is not clogging. Furthermore, when a clogging storage member 90m is subjected to multiple (e.g., three) consecutive supply operations, the change in the storage angle 90b of the storage member 90m between the previous (e.g., first) supply operation and the current (e.g., second) supply operation is smaller compared to a storage member 90m that is not clogging.

[0079] Therefore, the change in the center position 90a of the housing member 90m recognized in the previous supply operation and the change in the center position 90a of the housing member 90m recognized in the current supply operation for the same cavity 51 is defined as the first posture change amount AR12. Also, the change in the housing angle 90b of the housing member 90m recognized in the previous supply operation and the change in the housing angle 90b of the housing member 90m recognized in the current supply operation for the same cavity 51 is defined as the second posture change amount AR22. Furthermore, at least one of the first posture change amount AR12 and the second posture change amount AR22 is defined as the posture change amount AR02.

[0080] At this time, the determination unit 82 can determine that there is clogging of the housing member 90m in the cavity 51 if the recognition results shown below are obtained multiple times consecutively by the recognition unit 81. The amount of change in posture AR02 of the housing member 90m housed in the same cavity 51 is smaller than the amount of change in posture AR02 that would be expected if the housing member 90m were a part 91 that was supplied to the cavity 51 in a normal manner and could be collected by the part mounting machine 10.

[0081] Furthermore, the determination unit 82 can determine that there is no clogging of the housing member 90m in the cavity 51 if the recognition unit 81 does not obtain the above recognition result for a predetermined attitude change amount AR02. Also, the determination unit 82 can determine that there is no clogging of the housing member 90m in the cavity 51 if the above recognition result is not obtained multiple times consecutively.

[0082] Figure 12 shows an example of the first and second attitude change amounts AR12 and AR22 assumed when the housing member 90m is a part 91 that has been properly supplied to the cavity 51 and can be collected by the part mounting machine 10. Figure 13 shows an example of the first and second attitude change amounts AR12 and AR22 assumed when clogging occurs in the housing member 90m. The three dashed rectangles shown in Figures 12 and 13 show an example of the recognition result (external shape of the housing member 90m) when the housing member 90m housed in the same cavity 51 is recognized in three consecutive supply operations, similar to the examples shown in Figures 10 and 11.

[0083] Furthermore, the first posture change amount AR12 shown in Figure 12 schematically shows, using arrows, the change in the center position 90a of the housing member 90m recognized in the previous supply operation and the center position 90a of the housing member 90m recognized in the current supply operation, for three consecutive supply operations. The first posture change amount AR12 shown in Figure 13 indicates the region where the above change amount is extremely small and difficult to illustrate with arrows, and therefore should be illustrated. In addition, the second posture change amount AR22 shown in Figures 12 and 13 schematically shows, using arrows, the change in the housing angle 90b of the housing member 90m recognized in the previous supply operation and the housing angle 90b of the housing member 90m recognized in the current supply operation, for three consecutive supply operations. The method of illustrating the housing angle 90b, as previously described, also applies to Figures 12 and 13.

[0084] The first attitude change amount AR12 shown in Figure 13 is smaller than the first attitude change amount AR12 shown in Figure 12, which is the first attitude change amount AR12 assumed when the housing member 90m is a part 91 that has been properly supplied to the cavity 51 and can be collected by the part mounting machine 10. Also, the second attitude change amount AR22 shown in Figure 13 is smaller than the second attitude change amount AR22 shown in Figure 12, which is the second attitude change amount AR22 assumed when the housing member 90m is a part 91 that has been properly supplied to the cavity 51 and can be collected by the part mounting machine 10. Therefore, the determination unit 82 determines that there is clogging of the housing member 90m in the cavity 51 based on the recognition result shown in Figure 13. However, the determination unit 82 determines that there is no clogging of the housing member 90m in the cavity 51 based on the recognition result shown in Figure 12.

[0085] Furthermore, the recognition unit 81 may recognize whether the first attitude change amount AR12 shown in Figure 13 is smaller than the threshold amount, using a change amount that is arbitrarily smaller than the first attitude change amount AR12 assumed when the housing member 90m is a part 91 that has been properly supplied to the cavity 51 and can be collected by the part mounting machine 10 as a threshold. The recognition unit 81 may also recognize whether the second attitude change amount AR22 shown in Figure 13 is smaller than the threshold amount, using a change amount that is arbitrarily smaller than the second attitude change amount AR22 assumed when the housing member 90m is a part 91 that has been properly supplied to the cavity 51 and can be collected by the part mounting machine 10 as a threshold. Furthermore, the recognition unit 81 may recognize both the first attitude change amount AR12 and the second attitude change amount AR22 as the attitude change amount AR02 of the housing member 90m, or it may recognize only one of them. If the recognition unit 81 recognizes only one of the first attitude change amount AR12 and the second attitude change amount AR22, the determination unit 82 determines whether or not there is clogging of the housing member 90m in the cavity 51 based only on the recognition result of the attitude change amount AR02 recognized by the recognition unit 81.

[0086] As previously described, the number of supply operations used to determine whether or not the housing member 90m is clogged (three times in the above example) can be obtained in advance through simulation, verification with an actual machine, etc. Also, the judgment threshold used to determine whether or not the housing member 90m is clogged can be obtained in advance through simulation, verification with an actual machine, etc. In the above case, the judgment threshold includes the first attitude change amount AR12 and the second attitude change amount AR22 that are assumed to be when the housing member 90m is a part 91 that has been properly supplied to the cavity 51 and can be collected by the part mounting machine 10. The judgment threshold also includes an amount of change that is arbitrarily smaller than the first attitude change amount AR12 that is assumed to be when the housing member 90m is a part 91 that has been properly supplied to the cavity 51 and can be collected by the part mounting machine 10. The judgment threshold also includes an amount of change that is arbitrarily smaller than the second attitude change amount AR22 that is assumed to be when the housing member 90m is a part 91 that has been properly supplied to the cavity 51 and can be collected by the part mounting machine 10.

[0087] For example, the heavier the mass of part 91, the more difficult it is for part 91 to move within the cavity 51. Thus, different types of part 91 may cause variations in the number of samples required for determination, and may also cause variations in the number of supply operations used to determine whether or not the housing member 90m is clogged. Furthermore, different types of part 91 may necessitate changing at least one of the aforementioned determination thresholds.

[0088] Therefore, the determination unit 82 can also change at least one of the number of supply operations and the determination threshold used to determine whether or not the housing member 90m is clogged, according to the type of part 91. This allows the determination unit 82 to determine whether or not the housing member 90m is clogged using an appropriate number of operations and determination threshold according to the type of part 91. The above number of operations and determination threshold according to the type of part 91 can be obtained in advance through simulation, verification with an actual machine, etc. Furthermore, the type of part 91 can be specified by an operator, or it can be specified automatically based on a control program, etc.

[0089] Furthermore, the more times the supply operation used to determine whether or not the housing member 90m is clogged is performed, the more information there is about the orientation of the component 91, and the more storage space is required for the storage device. Also, the more the number of cavities 51 contained in the cavity unit 50 is increased, the more information there is about the orientation of the component 91, and the more storage space is required for the storage device.

[0090] Therefore, the recognition unit 81 can store information regarding the orientation of the component 91 in the storage device when a predetermined recognition result is obtained. The recognition unit 81 can also delete the stored information regarding the orientation of the component 91 from the storage device when a predetermined recognition result is not obtained. For example, suppose the first orientation range AR11 of the housing member 90m for the second supply operation is wider than the first orientation range AR11 that would be expected if the housing member 90m were a component 91 that was properly supplied to the cavity 51 and could be collected by the component mounting machine 10, and therefore a predetermined recognition result is not obtained.

[0091] In this case, the recognition unit 81 does not store information regarding the orientation of the component 91 for the second supply operation in the storage device. The recognition unit 81 can also delete information regarding the orientation of the component 91 for the first supply operation from the storage device. What has been described above regarding the first orientation range AR11 also applies to the first orientation change amount AR12, the second orientation range AR21, and the second orientation change amount AR22.

[0092] Furthermore, consider the case where multiple (two) components 91 are housed in a single cavity 51, as shown in the component 91 housed in the cavity 51 on the right side of Figure 9. In this case, the arrangement of multiple (two) components 91 corresponds to the arrangement of electrodes of a single component 91. Therefore, as shown by the dashed line, the recognition unit 81 may recognize the orientation of the component 91 as a single component 91, treating the multiple (two) components 91 housed in a single cavity 51 as such. Even if such misrecognition occurs, the determination unit 82 can recognize a stack (clogging of components 91) where components 91 are stuck in a single cavity 51. Thus, attempts by the component mounting machine 10 to pick up stacked components 91 are suppressed, and a decrease in throughput (production volume of substrate products per unit time) is suppressed.

[0093] 1-3-2. Resolution section 83 The clearing unit 83 attempts to clear the blockage in the housing member 90m when the determination unit 82 determines that there is a blockage in the housing member 90m and that maintenance of the cavity unit 50 is necessary (steps S13 and S14 shown in Figure 7). Note that in Figure 7, the description is simplified for illustrative purposes. The predetermined conditions shown in Figure 7 are met when the determination unit 82 determines that there is a blockage in the housing member 90m and the clearing unit 83 determines that maintenance of the cavity unit 50 is necessary.

[0094] The clearing unit 83 only needs to be able to attempt to clear the blockage and can take various forms. For example, the clearing unit 83 can attempt to clear the blockage by using a known suction device to suck the blockaged storage member 90m. However, as the number of blockaged storage members 90m increases, the suction operation becomes more complicated, and the time required for the suction operation may increase.

[0095] Therefore, the decompression unit 83 may increase the excitation force applied to the track member 34 compared to when the track member 34 is excited during the production of the substrate product, thereby attempting to resolve the clogging of the housing member 90m. For example, as previously described, the power supply device 44 of the excitation device 40 varies the applied voltage and frequency of the AC power supplied to the vibrator 42 based on the command of the feeder control device 60. This adjusts the amplitude and frequency of the vibration applied to the track member 34.

[0096] Therefore, the elimination unit 83 sends a command from the feeder control device 60 to the power supply device 44 to increase the applied voltage of the AC power supplied to the vibrator 42 compared to when the track member 34 is vibrated during the production of the substrate product, thereby increasing the amplitude of the vibration applied to the track member 34. In addition, the elimination unit 83 sends a command from the feeder control device 60 to the power supply device 44 to increase the frequency of the AC power supplied to the vibrator 42 compared to when the track member 34 is vibrated during the production of the substrate product, thereby increasing the frequency of the vibration applied to the track member 34.

[0097] Furthermore, the deactivation unit 83 can also increase the amplitude and frequency of vibrations applied to the track members 34 by sending a command from the feeder control device 60 to the power supply device 44 to increase both the applied voltage and frequency of the AC power supplied to the vibrator 42 compared to when the track members 34 are vibrated during the production of the substrate product. The rate of increase in the excitation force of the excitation device 40 (the rate of increase in the amplitude or frequency of vibrations applied to the track members 34) can be obtained in advance by simulation, verification using actual equipment, etc.

[0098] Furthermore, the elimination unit 83 can attempt to eliminate clogging of the housing member 90m by increasing the excitation time for the track member 34 compared to when the track member 34 is excited during the production of the substrate product. In addition, the elimination unit 83 can attempt to eliminate clogging of the housing member 90m by increasing the excitation force as described above, along with increasing the excitation time.

[0099] The more cavities 51 that the determination unit 82 determines to be clogged with the housing member 90m, the fewer cavities 51 can be supplied with components 91, and the more likely it is that the production efficiency of the circuit board product will decrease. Therefore, the resolution unit 83 can determine that maintenance of the cavity unit 50 is necessary when the number of cavities 51 that the determination unit 82 determines to be clogged with the housing member 90m exceeds a predetermined allowable number.

[0100] Furthermore, the more the throughput of the component mounting machine 10 (the amount of substrate products produced per unit time) decreases due to clogging of the housing member 90m, the greater the need for maintenance of the cavity unit 50. Therefore, the resolution unit 83 can also determine that maintenance of the cavity unit 50 is necessary when the throughput of the component mounting machine 10 falls below a predetermined threshold.

[0101] Furthermore, the resolution unit 83 can also determine that maintenance of the cavity unit 50 is necessary when the number of cavities 51 determined by the determination unit 82 to be clogged in the housing member 90m exceeds a predetermined allowable number, and the throughput of the component mounting machine 10 falls below a predetermined threshold. In addition, the allowable number of clogged cavities 51 and the throughput threshold can be obtained in advance through simulation, verification using actual equipment, etc.

[0102] For example, the bulk feeder 30 performs a parts supply operation if it is anticipated that it will not be able to secure the maximum number of parts 91 to be picked up in a single pick-and-place cycle. The clearing unit 83 can attempt to clear the blockage of the storage member 90m before the above supply operation if the determination unit 82 determines that there is a blockage in the storage member 90m and that maintenance of the cavity unit 50 is necessary.

[0103] 1-3-3. Information section 84 The guide unit 84 guides the user to perform maintenance on the cavity unit 50 if the clogging of the housing member 90m is not cleared by the clearing unit 83 (steps S15 and S16 shown in Figure 7). Whether or not the clogging of the housing member 90m has been cleared by the clearing unit 83 can be determined by the determination unit 82 in the same manner as determining whether or not the housing member 90m is clogged.

[0104] The guide unit 84 only needs to be able to guide the user through the maintenance of the cavity unit 50 and can take various forms. For example, the guide unit 84 can guide the user through the maintenance of the cavity unit 50 using the display device 21 shown in Figures 1 and 6. The display device 21 can be any known display device. Figure 14 shows an example of the guide unit 84 guiding the user through the maintenance of the cavity unit 50.

[0105] The guide section 84 can guide the location of the cavity 51 in the cavity unit 50 where clogging of the housing member 90m has occurred. The thick rectangle in Figure 14 shows an example of a method for guiding the cavity 51 where clogging of the housing member 90m has occurred. For the sake of explanation, the clogging cavity 51 corresponds to the clogging in the cavity unit 50 shown in Figure 8.

[0106] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the bulk feeder 30 of the embodiment is installed in a predetermined slot 12a of the multiple slots 12a of the parts supply device 12 of the parts mounting machine 10. When multiple bulk feeders 30 are installed in multiple slots 12a of the parts supply device 12, it is difficult for the operator to recognize which bulk feeder 30 requires maintenance of the cavity unit 50.

[0107] Therefore, the guide unit 84 can also guide the user to the slot location where the bulk feeder 30, which requires maintenance of the cavity unit 50, is installed. In the guide example shown in Figure 14, the slot number (xxx) indicating the slot location is guided. In addition, the guide example shown in the same figure also guides the user to the abbreviation (bulk) indicating that the feeder type is a bulk feeder 30, and to the cause of the maintenance (cavity failure).

[0108] The cavity unit 50 has a unique address assigned to each of its 120 cavities 51. The unique addresses have a continuity related to the arrangement of the 120 cavities 51. Specifically, the unique addresses may simply be numbers from (001) to (120). Alternatively, the unique addresses may be a combination of numbers from (01) to (10) indicating the row number and numbers from (01) to (12) indicating the column number (for example, (0712) for a cavity 51 with 7 rows and 12 columns). Furthermore, the unique addresses may be unique information that is associated one-to-one with each of the 120 cavities 51, and may include strings or other information in addition to numbers.

[0109] If each of the multiple (120) cavities 51 is assigned a unique address, the guide unit 84 can also guide the user to the address of the cavity 51 where clogging is occurring in the housing member 90m. In the example shown in Figure 14, each of the multiple (120) cavities 51 is assigned a unique address by a combination of numbers from (01) to (10) indicating the row number and numbers from (01) to (12) indicating the column number. The guide unit 84 guides the user to the address of the cavity 51 where clogging is occurring in the housing member 90m, using a combination of numbers indicating the row number and the column number. The address is attached to the leader line extending from the thick rectangle described above.

[0110] As previously described, the housing member 90m contains the part 91 fitted into the cavity 51 or the foreign matter 92 remaining in the cavity 51. Therefore, the determination unit 82 can determine whether or not there is clogging of the part 91 or the foreign matter 92 in the cavity 51 based on the orientation of the part 91 fitted into the cavity 51 or the foreign matter 92 remaining in the cavity 51. The clearing unit 83 can attempt to clear the clogging of the part 91 fitted into the cavity 51 or the foreign matter 92 remaining in the cavity 51. Furthermore, if the clogging of the part 91 fitted into the cavity 51 or the foreign matter 92 remaining in the cavity 51 cannot be cleared, the guide unit 84 can guide the user to perform maintenance on the cavity unit 50.

[0111] 2. Maintenance Method The same can be said for the maintenance method as for the maintenance device 80. Specifically, the maintenance method is applied to a bulk feeder 30 comprising a track member 34 and a cavity unit 50, and comprises a recognition step and a determination step. The recognition step corresponds to the control performed by the recognition unit 81. The determination step corresponds to the control performed by the determination unit 82. The maintenance method may also include a clearing step. The clearing step corresponds to the control performed by the clearing unit 83. The maintenance method may also include a guidance step. The guidance step corresponds to the control performed by the guidance unit 84.

[0112] 3. An example of the effects of the embodiment The maintenance device 80 includes a recognition unit 81 and a determination unit 82, so that it can determine whether or not the housing member 90m in the cavity 51 is clogged based on the orientation of the housing member 90m recognized by the recognition unit 81 for multiple consecutive supply operations. The same applies to the maintenance method as described above for the maintenance device 80. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0113] 10: Parts mounting machine, 12: Parts supply device, 12a: Slot, 30: Bulk feeder, 34: Track members, 50: Cavity unit, 51: Cavity, 70: Parts case, 80: Maintenance device, 81: Recognition unit, 82: Determination unit, 83: Resolution unit, 84: Guidance unit, 90m: housing member, 90a: center position, 90b: housing angle, 91: part, 92: foreign object, AR01: Posture range, AR02: Change in posture, AR11: First posture range, AR12: Change in first posture, AR21: Range of second posture, AR22: Change in second posture, Ar0: Receptor area, As0: Supply area, CU0: Imaging device, Rd0: Transport path.

Claims

1. A track member comprising a receiving region for receiving the parts discharged from a parts case containing parts in bulk and supplied to a parts mounting machine, and a transport path for transporting the parts between a supply region from which the parts mounting machine can pick up the parts, A cavity unit having a plurality of cavities in the supply region in which one of the parts transported from the receiving region to the supply region by vibrating the track member is to be accommodated, Applicable to bulk feeders equipped with, Each time a supply operation is performed to transport the component from the receiving area to the supply area, a recognition unit recognizes the orientation of the housing member housed in the cavity within the cavity, A determination unit determines whether or not the housing member in the cavity is clogged based on the orientation of the housing member recognized by the recognition unit for multiple consecutive supply operations, Equipped with, When the range of variation in the center position of the housing member housed in the same cavity during the multiple consecutive supply operations is defined as the first posture range, and the range of variation in the housing angle of the housing member housed in the same cavity during the multiple consecutive supply operations is defined as the second posture range, and at least one of the first posture range and the second posture range is defined as the posture range, A maintenance device in which the determination unit determines that there is clogging of the housing member in the cavity when the recognition unit obtains a recognition result that the orientation range of the housing member housed in the same cavity is narrower than the orientation range that would be expected in the case of the housing member that has been supplied to the cavity in the normal manner and can be collected by the housing machine.

2. A track member comprising a receiving region for receiving the parts discharged from a parts case containing parts in bulk and supplied to a parts mounting machine, and a transport path for transporting the parts between a supply region from which the parts mounting machine can pick up the parts, A cavity unit having a plurality of cavities in the supply region in which one of the parts transported from the receiving region to the supply region by vibrating the track member is to be accommodated, Applicable to bulk feeders equipped with, Each time a supply operation is performed to transport the component from the receiving area to the supply area, a recognition unit recognizes the orientation of the housing member housed in the cavity within the cavity, A determination unit determines whether or not the housing member in the cavity is clogged based on the orientation of the housing member recognized by the recognition unit for multiple consecutive supply operations, Equipped with, When, for the same cavity, the change in the center position of the housing member recognized in the previous supply operation and the change in the center position of the housing member recognized in the current supply operation is defined as the first posture change, and the change in the housing angle of the housing member recognized in the previous supply operation and the change in the housing angle of the housing member recognized in the current supply operation is defined as the second posture change, and at least one of the first posture change and the second posture change is defined as the posture change, A maintenance device in which the determination unit determines that there is clogging of the housing member in the cavity when the determination unit obtains a recognition result multiple times in a row in which the amount of change in the posture of the housing member housed in the same cavity is smaller than the amount of change in posture of the housing member housed in the same cavity, compared to the amount of change in posture of the housing member housed in the cavity that can be collected by the component mounting machine when the housing member is supplied to the cavity in the correct manner.

3. The maintenance device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the recognition unit causes the imaging device to image the cavity unit after the supply operation has been performed, processes the image of the cavity unit captured by the imaging device, and recognizes the orientation of the housing member in the cavity.

4. The maintenance device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the determination unit changes at least one of the number of supply operations and the determination threshold used when determining whether or not the housing member is clogged, according to the type of part.

5. The maintenance device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a clearing unit that attempts to clear the blockage of the housing member when the determination unit determines that there is a blockage in the housing member and that maintenance of the cavity unit is necessary.

6. A track member comprising a receiving region for receiving the parts discharged from a parts case containing parts in bulk and supplied to a parts mounting machine, and a supply region from which the parts mounting machine can pick up the parts, the parts being transported between these regions, A cavity unit having a plurality of cavities in the supply region in which one of the parts transported from the receiving region to the supply region by vibrating the track member is to be accommodated, Applicable to bulk feeders equipped with, Each time a supply operation is performed to transport the component from the receiving area to the supply area, a recognition unit recognizes the orientation of the housing member housed in the cavity within the cavity, A determination unit determines whether or not the housing member in the cavity is clogged based on the orientation of the housing member recognized by the recognition unit for multiple consecutive supply operations, When the determination unit determines that there is clogging in the housing member and that maintenance of the cavity unit is necessary, the clearing unit attempts to clear the clogging in the housing member. A maintenance device equipped with the following features.

7. The maintenance device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the decompression unit increases the excitation force applied to the track member compared to when the track member is excited during the production of the substrate product, thereby exciting the track member and attempting to resolve clogging of the housing member.

8. The maintenance device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the clearing unit determines that maintenance of the cavity unit is necessary when the number of cavities determined by the determination unit to be clogged in the housing member exceeds a predetermined allowable number.

9. The maintenance device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the resolution unit determines that maintenance of the cavity unit is necessary when the throughput of the component mounting machine falls below a predetermined threshold.

10. The maintenance device according to any one of claims 5 to 9, further comprising a guide section for guiding maintenance of the cavity unit when the clogging of the housing member is not resolved by the clearing section.

11. The maintenance device according to claim 10, wherein the guide portion guides the location of the cavity in the cavity unit where clogging of the housing member has occurred.

12. The bulk feeder is installed in a predetermined slot among a plurality of slots in the parts supply device of the parts mounting machine, The maintenance device according to claim 11, wherein the guide portion also guides the slot position where the bulk feeder requiring maintenance of the cavity unit is installed.

13. The maintenance device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the housing member includes the part fitted into the cavity or foreign matter remaining in the cavity.

14. A track member comprising a receiving area for receiving the parts discharged from a parts case containing parts in bulk and supplied to a parts mounting machine, and a transport path for transporting the parts between a supply area from which the parts mounting machine can pick up the parts, A cavity unit having a plurality of cavities in the supply region in which one of the parts transported from the receiving region to the supply region by vibrating the track member is to be accommodated, Applicable to bulk feeders equipped with, Each time a supply operation is performed to transport the component from the receiving area to the supply area, a recognition step is performed to recognize the orientation of the housing member housed in the cavity within the cavity, A determination step that determines whether or not the housing member in the cavity is clogged based on the orientation of the housing member recognized by the recognition step for multiple consecutive supply operations, Equipped with, When the range of variation in the center position of the housing member housed in the same cavity during the multiple consecutive supply operations is defined as the first posture range, and the range of variation in the housing angle of the housing member housed in the same cavity during the multiple consecutive supply operations is defined as the second posture range, and at least one of the first posture range and the second posture range is defined as the posture range, The determination step is a maintenance method in which, if the recognition step obtains a recognition result indicating that the orientation range of the housing member housed in the same cavity is narrower than the orientation range expected when the housing member is a part that has been supplied to the cavity in a normal manner and can be collected by the part mounting machine, the determination step determines that there is clogging of the housing member in the cavity.

15. A track member comprising a receiving region for receiving the parts discharged from a parts case containing parts in bulk and supplied to a parts mounting machine, and a transport path for transporting the parts between a supply region from which the parts mounting machine can pick up the parts, A cavity unit having a plurality of cavities in the supply region in which one of the parts transported from the receiving region to the supply region by vibrating the track member is to be accommodated, Applicable to bulk feeders equipped with, Each time a supply operation is performed to transport the component from the receiving area to the supply area, a recognition step is performed to recognize the orientation of the housing member housed in the cavity within the cavity, A determination step that determines whether or not the housing member in the cavity is clogged based on the orientation of the housing member recognized by the recognition step for multiple consecutive supply operations, Equipped with, When, for the same cavity, the change in the center position of the housing member recognized in the previous supply operation and the change in the center position of the housing member recognized in the current supply operation is defined as the first posture change, and the change in the housing angle of the housing member recognized in the previous supply operation and the change in the housing angle of the housing member recognized in the current supply operation is defined as the second posture change, and at least one of the first posture change and the second posture change is defined as the posture change, The determination step is a maintenance method in which, if the recognition result obtained multiple times in a row by the recognition step is smaller than the amount of change in posture of the housing member housed in the same cavity compared to

16. A track member comprising a receiving region for receiving the parts discharged from a parts case containing parts in bulk and supplied to a parts mounting machine, and a transport path for transporting the parts between a supply region from which the parts mounting machine can pick up the parts, A cavity unit having a plurality of cavities in the supply region in which one of the parts transported from the receiving region to the supply region by vibrating the track member is to be accommodated, Applicable to bulk feeders equipped with, Each time a supply operation is performed to transport the component from the receiving area to the supply area, a recognition step is performed to recognize the orientation of the housing member housed in the cavity within the cavity, A determination step that determines whether or not the housing member in the cavity is clogged based on the orientation of the housing member recognized by the recognition step for multiple consecutive supply operations, If the determination step determines that there is clogging in the housing member and that maintenance of the cavity unit is necessary, the clearing step attempts to clear the clogging in the housing member. A maintenance method that includes the following features.

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