Component mounting system and information management method

Abstract

To provide a component mounting system which functions properly for both an automatic replacement and a manual replacement of a component supply device, and can properly manage a type of a component held by the component supply device.SOLUTION: A component mounting system includes: an association registration part that registers association data in which individual identification information on a component supply device that is attached to a component mounting machine and supplies a component is associated with a type of a component loaded in the component supply device; a storage device that stores the component supply device in which the association data is registered; an automatic replacement device that transfers the component supply device from the storage device and attaches the component supply device to the component mounting machine; and an association maintaining part that maintains the association data while the component supply device is removed from the storage device and managed by the automatic replacement device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification relates to a component type management device that manages the types of components held in a component supply device attached to a component mounting machine.

Background Art

[0002] Techniques for mass-producing substrate products by performing substrate work on a substrate with printed wiring are widespread. As a representative example of a substrate working machine that performs substrate work, there is a component mounting machine that performs component mounting work. Generally, component supply devices such as feeders attached to component mounting machines are managed with individual identification information assigned. Furthermore, the types of components held in the component supply device are managed in association with the individual identification information of the component supply device. One technical example of managing the individual identification information of the component supply device and the information on the types of components held is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0003] The component remaining quantity management method for the component mounting machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 stores in association the feeder ID (individual identification information) for identifying the feeder, the component ID for identifying the type of component to be supplied, and the remaining quantity of the component. And when attaching a feeder to the component mounting machine, if the combination of the feeder ID and the component ID of the feeder is not stored, that combination is stored, and if that combination is stored, the information on the remaining quantity of the component is used. According to this, it is said that the remaining quantity of components in each feeder can be easily managed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Incidentally, in component mounting machines, multiple feeders, each loaded with reels, are mounted in a row. Then, during setup changes when the type of circuit board product to be produced is changed, a first case occurs where the feeders are temporarily removed and their arrangement is changed. A second case occurs where, after the feeders are removed, the reels are replaced and the type of components held is changed.

[0006] Here, the control unit that associates the feeder ID and component ID in Patent Document 1 needs to maintain the association in the first case and discard the association in the second case. A simple method for distinguishing between the first and second cases is to use a method that uses the duration of the detached state. In other words, since the duration of the detached state is short in the first case and long in the second case, the two cases can be distinguished.

[0007] In recent years, in response to the demand for labor-saving and automation in production, automatic feeder exchange devices have been put into practical use. However, achieving complete automation is difficult, and manual exchange is sometimes used in conjunction with automatic exchange. Furthermore, there are line configurations in which newer component mounting machines that support automatic exchange devices are used together with older component mounting machines that rely on manual exchange. In this case, the automatic exchange device manages the feeders removed from the component mounting machine and does not allow reel replacement. Therefore, within the scope in which the automatic exchange device is applied, there is no need to discard the correspondence between feeder IDs and component IDs.

[0008] In other words, the prior art described in Patent Document 1, etc., does not function properly for automatic feeder replacement. That is, even if the feeder is automatically removed by the automatic replacement device, if the removal period is long, the mapping is discarded. As a result, when the automatic replacement device reattaches the feeder device to the parts mounting machine, the operator has to re-register the mapping, resulting in double work. Furthermore, if the operator fails to re-register, an error occurs.

[0009] This specification aims to provide an information management method and a parts type management device that function appropriately for both automatic and manual replacement of parts supply devices and that can properly manage the types of parts held in the parts supply device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] This specification discloses an information management method that includes: a mapping registration step of registering mapping data that associates individual identification information of a parts supply device attached to a parts mounting machine and supplying parts with the types of parts held in the parts supply device; and a mapping discarding step of discarding the mapping data when predetermined conditions are met after the parts supply device has been removed from the parts mounting machine. This specification discloses a parts type management device comprising: an association registration unit that registers association data between individual identification information of a parts supply device attached to a parts mounting machine and the types of parts held in the parts supply device; an association discard unit that discards the association data when predetermined conditions are met after the parts supply device has been removed from the parts mounting machine; a removal determination unit that determines whether or not the parts supply device has been removed by an automatic exchange device; and an association maintenance unit that, if it is determined that the parts supply device has been removed by the automatic exchange device, disables the function of the association discard unit before the predetermined conditions are met to maintain the association data. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] In the parts type management device disclosed herein, the removal determination unit determines whether the parts supply device has been removed by the automatic replacement device. If the parts supply device is removed automatically, the mapping maintenance unit functions to maintain the mapping data. Therefore, the operator does not need to re-register the mapping data, and there is no risk of errors occurring. Furthermore, if the parts supply device is removed manually, the mapping discard unit functions and discards the mapping data when predetermined conditions are met. Therefore, there is no risk of errors occurring due to the continued maintenance of mapping data in the event that the types of parts held in the parts supply device change. Accordingly, the parts type management device functions appropriately for both automatic and manual replacement of the parts supply device and can properly manage the types of parts held in the parts supply device. The same effects are obtained in the disclosed information management method. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing one example configuration of a parts mounting system that incorporates the parts type management device of the embodiment. [Figure 2] This block diagram shows the configuration of the component type management device and the control configuration of the component mounting system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a diagram illustrating the operation flow of the parts type management device according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] 1. Example configuration of component mounting system 9 First, an example configuration of the component mounting system 9 into which the component type management device 5 (see Figure 2) of the embodiment is incorporated will be described. The component mounting system 9 produces circuit board products by mounting components onto a circuit board. As shown in Figure 1, the front, back, left, and right of the component mounting system 9 are arbitrarily defined. The component mounting system 9 is composed of multiple circuit board work machines arranged in a row in the left-right direction. That is, a solder printing machine 91, a printing inspection machine 92, a first component mounting machine 93, a second component mounting machine 94, a third component mounting machine 95, a circuit board appearance inspection machine (not shown), and a reflow machine (not shown) are arranged in a row from left to right.

[0014] Each board-to-board (TB) work machine performs a predetermined operation on the board, i.e., a TB-to-board operation. Specifically, the solder printing machine 91 prints paste-like solder onto the board in a predetermined pattern shape. The printing inspection machine 92 inspects the solder printing state of the board by imaging it. The first component mounting machine 93, the second component mounting machine 94, and the third component mounting machine 95 pick up components from the component supply unit 9A and mount them onto the solder on the board. The board appearance inspection machine inspects the appearance of the components mounted on the board by imaging them. The reflow machine ensures that the components are properly soldered by heating and cooling the solder. TB-to-board operations are not limited to the operations described above, but also include various incidental operations. For example, board loading and unloading, positioning, and verification operations that detect the position and orientation of boards and components by imaging them are also included in TB-to-board operations.

[0015] The first component mounting machine 93, the second component mounting machine 94, and the third component mounting machine 95 have the same structure as each other. The component mounting machines (93, 94, 95) include a component supply unit 9A, a spare feeder storage unit 9B, a substrate transport device (not shown in Figure 1), and a component transfer device.

[0016] The parts supply unit 9A is positioned at approximately the middle height on the front side of the machine base 99. The parts supply unit 9A has a plurality of slots that extend in the front-rear direction and are formed parallel to each other at a predetermined pitch. A feeder 8 is inserted and mounted into each slot of the parts supply unit 9A. In other words, the plurality of feeders 8 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction in Figure 1. The feeder 8 is an example of a parts supply device.

[0017] The spare feeder storage section 9B is located below the parts supply section 9A on the front side of the machine base 99. The spare feeder storage section 9B also has multiple slots that extend in the front-to-back direction and are formed parallel to each other at a predetermined pitch. Spare feeders 8 that have been set up and used feeders 8 are arranged in the slots of the spare feeder storage section 9B and stored temporarily. The substrate transport device loads, positions, and unloads substrates. The parts transfer device uses parts mounting tools such as suction nozzles to pick up parts from the parts supply section 9A and mount them on the substrates.

[0018] The feeder 8 is detachably attached to the parts supply unit 9A and the spare feeder storage unit 9B. The feeder 8 is interchangeable with the first parts mounting machine 93, the second parts mounting machine 94, and the third parts mounting machine 95. The feeder 8 is also used in other parts mounting systems not shown. In Figure 1, the left-right direction is the arrangement direction in which multiple feeders 8 are arranged, and the front-back direction in Figure 1 is the attachment and detachment direction of the feeder 8.

[0019] Feeder 8 is managed with individual identification information. This individual identification information is displayed by a label with a barcode printed on it. Furthermore, the control unit of Feeder 8 (not shown in the diagram) holds the individual identification information and has the function of transmitting it using communication. Feeder 8 is loaded with a removable reel around which carrier tape is wound. The carrier tape holds components in cavities arranged in the longitudinal direction. Information about the type of component held on the reel is displayed by a label with a barcode printed on it that is attached to the reel. Note that individual identification information and component type information may also be provided by other display locations and methods.

[0020] The component mounting system 9 is provided with a feeder storage device 96, a line management device 97, and an automatic exchange device 1. The feeder storage device 96 is arranged adjacent to the left side of the solder printer 91 and at the same height as the component supply unit 9A of the component mounting machines (93, 94, 95). The feeder storage device 96 has a plurality of slots that extend in the front-rear direction and are formed parallel to each other at a predetermined pitch, similar to the component supply unit 9A. In the slots of the feeder storage device 96, the feeders 8 that have completed the setup work or the used-up feeders 8 are attached and stored. The line management device 97 is arranged adjacent to the left side of the feeder storage device 96.

[0021] The automatic exchange device 1 automatically exchanges the feeder 8. Specifically, the automatic exchange device 1 exchanges the feeder 8 between the component supply unit 9A of the component mounting machines (93, 94, 95) and the spare feeder storage unit 9B. Also, the automatic exchange device 1 moves between the component mounting machines (93, 94, 95) and the feeder storage device 96 to transport and exchange the feeder 8.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic exchange device 1 is composed of an array direction moving unit 2, an array direction driving device 20, an exchange unit 3, etc. The array direction moving unit 2 is provided so as to be movable in the array direction with respect to the component mounting machines (93, 94, 95). The array direction moving unit 2 is a vertically long box-shaped member with an open rear side. The array direction driving device 20 moves the array direction moving unit 2 in the array direction. The array direction driving device 20 is composed of a track portion provided on the non-moving side, an engaging portion provided on the moving side and engaging movably with the track portion, a driving source that generates power for movement, etc.

[0023] The intermediate rail 21 and lower rail 22, which correspond to the track sections, are provided on the front of the machine base 99 of multiple substrate work machines and on the front of the feeder storage device 96, respectively. The intermediate rail 21 and lower rail 22 extend in the direction of arrangement. The height position of the intermediate rail 21 is uniformly located midway between the parts supply section 9A and the spare feeder storage section 9B. The height position of the lower rail 22 is uniformly located below the spare feeder storage section 9B. As a result, the multiple intermediate rails 21 and multiple lower rails 22 extend from the feeder storage device 96 to the third parts mounting machine 95, forming two parallel track sections.

[0024] The intermediate running section 23 and the lower running section 24, which correspond to the engagement parts, are positioned on the left and right sides, respectively, at the rear of the alignment direction moving section 2. The intermediate running section 23 engages with the intermediate rail 21 so as to be able to move, and the lower running section 24 engages with the lower rail 22 so as to be able to move. The intermediate running section 23 further includes a drive source that generates power for movement. As a result, the alignment direction moving section 2 is mounted on the intermediate rail 21 and the lower rail 22 and moves by traveling in the alignment direction.

[0025] Furthermore, the array direction movement unit 2 is equipped with a non-contact power receiving unit 25 at a height position between the middle-level travel unit 23 and the lower-level travel unit 24, at a height position that does not obstruct the replacement of the feeder 8. The non-contact power receiving unit 25 receives power non-contactly from non-contact power transmitting units provided at corresponding heights of multiple substrate work machines. This provides power to the array direction drive device 20, the replacement unit 3, and the like. The coupling method between the non-contact power receiving unit 25 and the non-contact power transmitting unit can be an electromagnetic coupling method, an electrostatic coupling method, or any other method as appropriate.

[0026] The array direction movement unit 2 has a lifting drive unit 26 and a replacement unit 3 inside a box shape. The lifting drive unit 26 drives the replacement unit 3 up and down from the height of the parts supply unit 9A to the height of the spare feeder storage unit 9B. The lifting drive unit 26 can be exemplified by, but is not limited to, a ball screw feed mechanism. The replacement unit 3 has a feeder gripping unit (not shown) on its rear side and automatically performs the installation, removal, and replacement of the feeder 8.

[0027] 2. Control configuration of the component mounting system 9 Next, the control configuration of the component mounting system 9 will be described. As shown in Figure 2, the line management device 97 is configured using a computer device having a memory 57, wired communication function, and wireless communication function. The line management device 97 is connected to the control units (not shown) of a plurality of board-mounting work machines using wired communication. The line management device 97 is also connected to the control unit (not shown) of the automatic exchange device 1 using wireless communication.

[0028] The line management device 97 also includes a barcode reader 58 operated by an operator. The barcode reader 58 reads the barcode displayed on the feeder 8 and obtains the individual identification information of the feeder 8. The barcode reader 58 also reads the barcode displayed on the reel and obtains information about the type of part. The information obtained by the barcode reader 58 is stored in the memory 57. If the method of displaying the individual identification information of the feeder 8 and the information about the type of part differs from that of the barcode, a device other than the barcode reader 58 will be used to correspond to the display method.

[0029] The line management device 97 manages job data that describes the different work procedures for each type of circuit board product. Based on the production plan, the line management device 97 sends the respective job data to multiple circuit board processing machines. As a result, each circuit board processing machine performs the circuit board processing according to the job data. Furthermore, the line management device 97 monitors the operating status of the multiple circuit board processing machines.

[0030] Furthermore, the line management device 97 issues a replacement command to the automatic replacement device 1 when the component mounting work of the component mounting machines (93, 94, 95) progresses and a component shortage occurs in the feeder 8. In accordance with the replacement command, the automatic replacement device 1 first removes the feeder 8 that has run out of components from the component supply unit 9A. This creates an empty slot in the component supply unit 9A. Next, the automatic replacement device 1 transfers another feeder 8 that holds the same type of component that has run out from the spare feeder storage unit 9B or the feeder storage device 96 and installs it in the empty slot in the component supply unit 9A.

[0031] Furthermore, the line management device 97 issues a changeover command to the automatic changeover device 1 when changing the type of circuit board product to be produced. The automatic changeover device 1 performs the automatic changeover operation of the feeders 8 of the component mounting machines (93, 94, 95) according to the changeover command. In many changeover commands, multiple feeders 8 of multiple component mounting machines (93, 94, 95) are automatically changed.

[0032] Prior to issuing replacement or setup change commands, the line management device 97 specifies the types of parts required based on the production plan and requests setup work to load the reels into the feeders 8 outside the parts mounting machines (93, 94, 95). The operator performs the setup work in advance in response to the request and sets the completed feeder 8 in the spare feeder storage unit 9B or the feeder storage device 96. This reduces the downtime for the parts mounting machines (93, 94, 95) when parts run out.

[0033] The control units of the component mounting machines (93, 94, 95) communicate with the control units of the feeders 8 attached to the component supply unit 9A and the spare feeder storage unit 9B to obtain individual identification information for the feeders 8. Furthermore, the control units of the component mounting machines (93, 94, 95) recognize whether the feeders 8 have been attached or removed and taken out of management (attachment / detachment information) based on whether communication with the feeders 8 is possible. The acquired individual identification information for the feeders 8 and the recognized attachment / detachment information are transmitted to and shared with the line management device 97.

[0034] Furthermore, the control unit of the automatic exchange device 1 communicates with the control units of the feeders 8 held by the exchange unit 3 and the feeder storage device 96 to obtain individual identification information for the feeders 8. The control unit of the automatic exchange device 1 also recognizes whether the feeder 8 has been held or removed and taken out of management (attachment / detachment information) based on whether communication with the feeder 8 is possible. The acquired individual identification information for the feeder 8 and the recognized attachment / detachment information are transmitted to and shared with the line management device 97.

[0035] The control units of the component mounting machines (93, 94, 95) manage the attached feeder 8. Reel replacement is impossible while the feeder 8 is attached to the component mounting machine (93, 94, 95). In addition, the control unit of the automatic replacement device 1 manages the feeder 8 held in the replacement unit 3 or the feeder storage device 96. Reel replacement is impossible while the feeder 8 is held in the replacement unit 3 or the feeder storage device 96. Therefore, when performing reel replacement, the operator must manually remove the feeder 8 from the component mounting machine (93, 94, 95) or the feeder storage device 96.

[0036] 3. Configuration of the parts type management device 5 of the embodiment Next, the configuration of the component type management device 5 of the embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 2, the component type management device 5 is implemented by the software of the line management device 97. The component type management device 5 consists of an association registration unit 51, an association discard unit 52, a removal determination unit 53, and an association maintenance unit 54.

[0037] The mapping registration unit 51 registers mapping data 55 in the memory 57, which maps the individual identification information of the feeder 8 to the information of the type of part held in the feeder 8. The mapping between the individual feeder 8 and the type of part is performed by operating the barcode reader 58. In other words, the operator operates the barcode reader 58 to read the individual identification information of the feeder 8 and the information of the type of part displayed on the reel, thereby creating the mapping data 55. After this, the operator loads the reel into the feeder 8.

[0038] The correspondence discarding unit 52 discards the correspondence data 55 when predetermined conditions are met after the feeder 8 has been removed from the component mounting machine (93, 94, 95). Similarly, the correspondence discarding unit 52 discards the correspondence data 55 when predetermined conditions are met after the feeder 8 has been removed from the feeder storage device 96. The predetermined conditions determine whether or not there is a possibility that the type of component (reel) held in the feeder 8 will change. In this embodiment, the predetermined conditions are defined as the elapsed time T0 (see Figure 3).

[0039] In other words, as long as the elapsed time TX (see Figure 3) after the feeder 8 has been removed from the component mounting machine (93, 94, 95) or the feeder storage device 96 is less than the predetermined time T0, it is difficult to complete the reel replacement work, and there is no possibility of changing the type of component. However, when the elapsed time TX is equal to or greater than the predetermined time T0, the possibility of reel replacement work arises, and there is a possibility of changing the type of component. The predetermined time T0 is practically set to about several tens of seconds. Note that the predetermined condition may be a condition other than the elapsed time T0. For example, the predetermined condition may be determined to be met when the feeder 8 moves beyond a predetermined distance from the component mounting system 9.

[0040] The removal determination unit 53 determines whether or not the feeder 8 has been removed by the automatic exchange device 1. More specifically, the removal determination unit 53 obtains attachment / detachment information that the feeder 8 has been removed from the control units of the component mounting machines (93, 94, 95), and further obtains individual identification information of the removed feeder 8. Next, the removal determination unit 53 obtains attachment / detachment information from the control unit of the automatic exchange device 1, indicating whether or not the exchange unit 3 has held the feeder 8, and individual identification information of the held feeder 8.

[0041] If the exchange unit 3 is not holding the feeder 8, the removal determination unit 53 determines that the feeder 8 has not been removed by the automatic exchange device 1, in other words, that the feeder 8 has been removed manually. Furthermore, if the individual identification information of the feeder 8 held by the exchange unit 3 differs from the individual identification information of the feeder 8 removed from the component mounting machine (93, 94, 95), the removal determination unit 53 determines that the removal was done manually. In addition, the removal determination unit 53 obtains attachment / detachment information that the feeder 8 has been manually removed from the feeder storage device 96 from the control unit of the automatic exchange device 1.

[0042] When the mapping maintenance unit 54 determines that the feeder 8 has been removed by the automatic exchange device 1, it disables the function of the mapping discard unit 52 before a predetermined condition is met to maintain the mapping data 55. For example, the mapping maintenance unit 54 may stop the mapping discard unit 52, or it may control the function of the mapping discard unit 52 to be ignored. Furthermore, the mapping maintenance unit 54 continues to disable the function of the mapping discard unit 52 while the feeder 8 is under the management of the automatic exchange device 1. In addition, the mapping maintenance unit 54 restores the function of the mapping discard unit 52 when the feeder 8 is removed from the management of the automatic exchange device 1, in other words, when the feeder 8 is manually removed from the feeder storage device 96.

[0043] 4. Operation and behavior of the parts type management device 5 of the embodiment Next, the operation and function of the component type management device 5 of the embodiment will be described. The operation flow shown in Figure 3 is initiated when the component mounting system 9 starts production of the circuit board product or when the type of circuit board product is changed, and is executed repeatedly during production. This operation flow is carried out by the joint control of the component type management device 5 and the control units of the component mounting machines (93, 94, 95), and is partially carried out by the operator's setup work.

[0044] In step S1 of Figure 3, the operator sets up the types of components required for the circuit board product to be produced. That is, the operator loads the required reels into the feeder 8. At this time, the barcode reader 58, as described above, is used to associate the individual identification information of the feeder 8 with the information of the types of components held in the feeder 8, and association data 55 is created. The association registration unit 51 registers the association data 55 in the memory 57. Once all the reels of all the required component types are loaded into the feeder 8 and all the association data 55 has been registered, the operation flow proceeds to step S2.

[0045] In step S2, the operator attaches the prepared feeder 8 to the parts mounting machine (93, 94, 95). This completes the setup changeover. In the next step S3, the parts mounting machine (93, 94, 95) begins the mounting process. The subsequent operation flow from step S4 onwards proceeds in parallel with the mounting process. As the mounting process progresses, in step S4, it is determined whether or not the feeder 8 needs to be replaced. In other words, it is determined whether or not there are any feeder 8 that have run out of parts, or feeder 8 that no longer require parts.

[0046] In step S5, when feeder 8 needs to be replaced, the automatic exchange device 1 performs an automatic replacement of feeder 8. After this, the automatic exchange device 1 manages the removed feeder 8. At this time, the removal detection unit 53 can determine that feeder 8 has been removed by the automatic exchange device 1. Therefore, the mapping maintenance unit 54 immediately disables the function of the mapping discard unit 52. As a result, the mapping data 55 of the removed feeder 8 is maintained.

[0047] If replacement of the feeder 8 is not required in step S4, and after the completion of step S5, the operation flow merges in step S6. In step S6, the removal determination unit 53 determines whether or not the feeder 8 has been manually removed. Manual removal can occur in three locations: the parts supply unit 9A, the spare feeder storage unit 9B, and the feeder storage device 96. If manual removal has occurred, in step S7, the matching and discarding unit 52 starts the timer to begin measuring the elapsed time TX after removal.

[0048] If manual removal is not performed in step S6, and after the completion of step S7, the operation flow merges in step S8. In step S8, the correspondence discard unit 52 determines whether the elapsed time TX has reached a predetermined time T0. In the first step S8, the elapsed time TX has not reached the predetermined time T0, and the execution of the operation flow proceeds to step S9.

[0049] In step S9, the matching and discarding unit 52 determines whether the feeder 8 has been manually installed. If manual installation has not been performed, the timer is activated and the execution of the operation flow returns to step S4. After this, the loop from step S4 to step S9 is executed repeatedly.

[0050] During the loop repetition, if the feeder 8 is manually installed, the execution of the operation flow proceeds from step S9 to step S10. In step S10, the mapping discard unit 52 resets the timer and stops the execution of the operation flow, returning to step S4. This means that even though the feeder 8 was manually removed, the mapping data 55 was maintained because it was reinstalled within a short time, within the predetermined time T0.

[0051] Furthermore, during the loop repetition, when the elapsed time TX reaches a predetermined time T0, the execution of the operation flow branches from step S8 to step S21. In step S21, the mapping discard unit 52 discards the mapping data 55 of the removed feeder 8. In the next step S22, the mapping discard unit 52 resets the timer and stops, returning the execution of the operation flow to step S1. This means that the mapping data 55 has been discarded because a predetermined time T0 has elapsed since the manual removal of the feeder 8, and the type of component (reel) may have been changed.

[0052] Furthermore, for feeder 8 whose associated data 55 has been discarded, regardless of whether the type of part (reel) has actually been replaced, the associated data registration unit 51 will re-register the associated data 55 in step S1, and then the feeder 8 will be reinstalled in step S2. In addition, it is possible that multiple feeders 8 may be removed manually. In this case, a separate timer is provided for each removed feeder 8, and the associated data 55 is managed using the elapsed time TX for each individual feeder 8.

[0053] In the component type management device 5 of this embodiment, the removal determination unit 53 determines whether the feeder 8 has been removed by the automatic exchange device 1. If the feeder 8 is removed automatically, the mapping maintenance unit 54 functions to maintain the mapping data 55. Therefore, the operator does not need to re-register the mapping data 55, and there is no risk of errors occurring. Furthermore, if the feeder 8 is removed manually, the mapping discard unit 52 functions and discards the mapping data 55 after a predetermined time T0 has elapsed. Therefore, even if the type of component (reel) held in the feeder 8 changes, the mapping data 55 is maintained, and there is no risk of errors occurring. Accordingly, the component type management device 5 functions properly for both automatic and manual exchange of the feeder 8, and can properly manage the type of component held in the feeder 8.

[0054] 5. Applications and Variations of Embodiments Furthermore, the parts type management device 5 may be implemented using a computer device other than the line management device 97. Also, one of the spare feeder storage unit 9B and the feeder storage device 96 described in the embodiment may be omitted. In addition, the parts mounting system 9 may be used in conjunction with an older type of parts mounting machine that is only capable of manually replacing the feeders 8.

[0055] Furthermore, the parts type management device 5 and the automatic exchange device 1 may be provided in common for multiple parts mounting systems 9. For example, the automatic exchange device 1 can be configured to include a track leading from the feeder storage device 96 to the multiple parts mounting systems 9, and an automated guided vehicle that carries the feeders 8 and travels along the track. The parts type management device 5 can then manage all the feeders 8 used in the multiple parts mounting systems 9. This embodiment can be applied and modified in various other ways. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0056] 1: Automatic exchange device 2: Arrangement direction movement unit 3: Exchange unit 5: Part type management device 51: Correspondence registration unit 52: Correspondence discard unit 53: Removal discrimination unit 54: Correspondence maintenance unit 55: Correspondence data 58: Barcode reader 8: Feeder 9: Part mounting system 93: First part mounting machine 94: Second part mounting machine 95: Third part mounting machine 96: Feeder storage device 97: Line management device 9A: Part supply unit 9B: Spare feeder storage unit T0: Scheduled time TX: Elapsed time

Claims

1. A correspondence registration unit registers correspondence data that associates individual identification information of a parts supply device attached to a parts mounting machine and supplying parts with the type of parts loaded into the parts supply device. A storage device for storing the parts supply device on which the aforementioned correspondence data is registered, An automatic exchange device that transfers the parts supply device from the storage device and attaches it to the parts mounting machine, While the parts supply device is removed from the storage device and managed by the automatic exchange device, the correspondence maintenance unit maintains the correspondence data, A component mounting system equipped with the following features.

2. A correspondence registration unit registers correspondence data that associates individual identification information of a parts supply device attached to a parts mounting machine and supplying parts with the type of parts loaded into the parts supply device. A storage device for storing the parts supply device on which the aforementioned correspondence data is registered, An automatic exchange device that transfers the parts supply device from the storage device and attaches it to the parts mounting machine, When the parts supply device is transferred from the storage device by the automatic exchange device and attached to the parts mounting machine, the correspondence maintenance unit maintains the correspondence data, A component mounting system equipped with the following features.

3. A correspondence registration unit registers correspondence data that associates individual identification information of a parts supply device attached to a parts mounting machine and supplying parts with the type of parts loaded into the parts supply device. A spare storage unit is provided in the component mounting machine for storing the component supply device on which the correspondence data has been registered, An automatic exchange device that transfers the parts supply device from the spare storage unit and attaches it to the parts supply unit of the parts mounting machine, While the parts supply device is removed from the spare storage unit and managed by the automatic exchange device, the correspondence maintenance unit maintains the correspondence data, A component mounting system equipped with the following features.

4. A correspondence registration unit registers correspondence data that associates individual identification information of a parts supply device attached to a parts mounting machine and supplying parts with the type of parts loaded into the parts supply device. A spare storage unit is provided in the component mounting machine for storing the component supply device on which the correspondence data has been registered, An automatic exchange device that transfers the parts supply device from the spare storage unit and attaches it to the parts supply unit of the parts mounting machine, When the parts supply device is transferred from the spare storage unit and attached to the parts supply unit by the automatic exchange device, the correspondence maintenance unit that maintains the correspondence data, A component mounting system equipped with the following features.

5. A step of registering correspondence data that associates individual identification information of a parts supply device attached to a parts mounting machine and supplying parts with the type of parts loaded into the parts supply device, A step of storing the parts supply device on which the aforementioned correspondence data has been registered in a storage device, A step of transferring the parts supply device from the storage device by an automatic exchange device and attaching it to the parts mounting machine, The process of maintaining the correspondence data while the parts supply device is removed from the storage device and managed by the automatic exchange device, Information management methods including

6. A step of registering correspondence data that associates individual identification information of a parts supply device attached to a parts mounting machine and supplying parts with the type of parts loaded into the parts supply device, A step of storing the parts supply device on which the aforementioned correspondence data has been registered in a storage device, A step of transferring the parts supply device from the storage device by an automatic exchange device and attaching it to the parts mounting machine, When the parts supply device is transferred from the storage device by the automatic exchange device and attached to the parts mounting machine, the process of maintaining the correspondence data is performed. Information management methods including

7. A step of registering correspondence data that associates individual identification information of a parts supply device attached to a parts mounting machine and supplying parts with the type of parts loaded into the parts supply device, A step of storing the parts supply device on which the aforementioned correspondence data has been registered in a spare storage section provided in the parts mounting machine, A process of transferring the parts supply device from the spare storage unit by an automatic exchange device and attaching it to the parts supply unit of the parts mounting machine, The process of maintaining the correspondence data while the parts supply device is removed from the spare storage unit and managed by the automatic exchange device, Information management methods including

8. A step of registering correspondence data that associates individual identification information of a parts supply device attached to a parts mounting machine and supplying parts with the type of parts loaded into the parts supply device, A step of storing the parts supply device on which the aforementioned correspondence data has been registered in a spare storage section provided in the parts mounting machine, A process of transferring the parts supply device from the spare storage unit by an automatic exchange device and attaching it to the parts supply unit of the parts mounting machine, When the parts supply device is transferred from the spare storage unit by the automatic exchange device and installed in the parts supply unit, the process of maintaining the correspondence data is performed. Information management methods including

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