Method for determining the arrangement of component housings, apparatus for determining the arrangement of component housings

Abstract

To provide an arrangement determination method for a component storage body capable of suppressing a decrease in the number of kinds of suppliable components while preventing production from being stopped by component shortage, an arrangement determination device for the component storage body, a component mounting method and a component mounting device.SOLUTION: An arrangement determination method for a component storage body for determining a position for arranging a component storage body, in which a component to be supplied to a component mounting device is stored, in a holding section includes: predicting for each component storage body in a normal region component shortage timing in which there is no component in the component storage body from the kinds of the components stored in the component storage body arranged in the normal region of the holding section and the number of stored components, the kinds of the components used for production and a total number of used components, the kind and the total number being included in production data (ST2); and determining a maximum number of auxiliary regions in which auxiliary component storage bodies are disposed and which are different from the normal region of the holding section (ST4) based on an overlap of the component shortage timing (ST3).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for determining the placement position of a component container that houses components supplied to a component mounting device, and a component container placement determination device. Place Related thereto.

Background Art

[0002] In a tape feeder that supplies components housed in a component container such as a carrier tape to a component mounting device that mounts components on a substrate, when the remaining number of components housed in the component container decreases during the production of the mounting substrate, an operator performs a component replenishment operation to replenish the components by splicing the carrier tape or the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1). However, since the component replenishment operation requires time and skill, there is a case where production stops because the component replenishment operation cannot keep up. Patent Document 1 discloses a method in which a spare feeder that supplies components that will run out during production is arranged in a sub-region before production starts, and when the feeder in the main region runs out of components, the component supply is switched to the spare feeder in the sub-region to continue production.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the conventional technology including Patent Document 1, it was necessary to secure sub-regions for the number of feeders that run out of components. Therefore, in the case of mass-producing the same mounting substrate for a long period of time, a large number of spare feeders are required, and there is a problem that the main region is eroded and the number of component types that can be mounted by one component mounting device decreases.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention provides a method for determining the arrangement of a component housing that can prevent production stoppages due to parts shortages while suppressing a decrease in the number of types of parts that can be supplied, and a component housing arrangement determination device. Place The purpose is to provide. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides a method for determining the placement of component housings, which house components to be supplied to a component mounting device, in a holding section. The method involves predicting the component depletion timing for each component housing in the normal area of ​​the holding section based on the type and number of components housed in the component housings placed in the normal area of ​​the holding section, and the type and total number of components used in production included in the production data. Based on the overlap of these component depletion timings, the method determines the maximum number of spare areas in the holding section, which are different from the normal area, for arranging spare component housings. If the sum of the number of normal areas and the maximum number of reserved areas determined to be greater than the maximum number of component housings that can be placed in the holding section, an alternative process is determined, one of which is to place another component housing in the normal area that supplies the same type of component as supplied by at least one of the component housings whose component depletion timings overlap. .

[0007] The component housing placement determination device of the present invention is a component housing placement determination device that determines the position in a holding section for component housings that house components to be supplied to a component mounting device, and comprises: a timing prediction unit that predicts the component depletion timing at which components run out in each component housing in the normal area of ​​the holding section based on the type and number of components housed in the component housings placed in the normal area of ​​the holding section, and the type and total number of components used in production included in production data; and a determination unit that determines the maximum number of spare areas in the holding section, which are different from the normal area, for arranging spare component housings, based on the overlap of the component depletion timings. The system further includes a placement determination unit that determines a first placement of component types to be placed in the normal area based on the mounting positions of components included in the production data, and determines a second placement of component types to be placed in the reserve area based on the determined first placement, wherein the placement determination unit determines to place another component container in the normal area if the sum of the number of normal areas and the determined maximum number of reserve areas is greater than the maximum number of component containers that can be placed in the holding unit, and that at least one of the component containers whose component depletion timings overlap supplies a different component container of the same type as the component supplied by that container. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent production stoppages due to parts shortages while suppressing a decrease in the number of types of parts that can be supplied. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1]Diagram illustrating the configuration of a component mounting system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Front view showing the configuration of the main part of a component mounting device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of a component mounting system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] (a) Diagram illustrating the overlap of component depletion timings in a component mounting device according to one embodiment of the present invention; (b) Diagram illustrating component placement data; (c) Diagram illustrating the reserve area placement table. [Figure 5] (a)(b) Explanatory diagram of an example of an alternative processing for arranging component housings in a component mounting device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Flowchart of a method for determining the arrangement of a component housing according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Flowchart of a component mounting method according to one embodiment of the present invention [Figure 8] (a)(b)(c)(d)(e) Diagram illustrating the process of component mounting using a component mounting apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The configurations, shapes, etc. described below are illustrative examples for illustrative purposes and can be modified as appropriate according to the specifications of the component mounting system, management computer (component housing placement determination device), and component mounting device. In the following, all corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals in all drawings, and redundant explanations are omitted. In Figure 1 and some parts described later, the X-axis in the substrate transport direction (left-right direction in Figure 1) and the Y-axis in the substrate transport direction (up-down direction in Figure 1) are shown as two mutually orthogonal axes in the horizontal plane. In Figure 2 and some parts described later, the Z-axis (up-down direction in Figure 2) is shown as the height direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane.

[0013] First, the configuration of the component mounting system 1 will be explained with reference to Figure 1. The component mounting system 1 has the function of mounting components onto a substrate to produce a mounted substrate. In the component mounting system 1, three component mounting devices M1 to M3 are connected in series from upstream (left side of the page) to downstream (right side of the page) in the substrate transport direction. Note that the component mounting devices M1 to M3 in the component mounting system 1 are not limited to three; there may be one, two, or four or more. The component mounting devices M1 to M3 are connected to the management computer 3 via the communication network 2.

[0014] The management computer 3 has the function of centrally controlling the component mounting devices M1 to M3. Various information such as the operating status of component mounting devices M1 to M3, the number of remaining parts, and the status of parts replenishment work are transmitted sequentially to the management computer 3. Workers W who perform parts replenishment work in the component mounting system 1 are equipped with an information terminal T. Various instructions and information regarding work to component mounting devices M1 to M3 are notified to the information terminal T from the management computer 3 via wireless communication. As will be described later, the management computer 3 determines the arrangement of part containers in component mounting devices M1 to M3 and transmits instructions for parts replenishment work to the information terminal T.

[0015] Next, the configuration and function of component mounting devices M1 to M3 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. In Figure 1, a substrate transport unit 5 is located in the center of the base 4 of component mounting devices M1 to M3, transporting the substrate 6 from upstream to downstream. The substrate transport unit 5 positions and holds the substrate 6 at the mounting work position where components will be mounted by the mounting head, which will be described later. Component supply units 7 are provided on both sides of the substrate transport unit 5.

[0016] In FIG. 2, a cart 10 having a feeder base 9 that holds a plurality of tape feeders 8, which are component supply devices, in parallel is mounted on a component supply unit 7 at the upper part. In the cart 10, a plurality of reels 11 that wind and store a carrier tape for storing components are held in parallel below the tape feeder 8. The tape feeder 8 sequentially supplies the components stored in the carrier tape to the component mounting devices M1 to M3 while transporting the carrier tape drawn out from the reel 11 inside.

[0017] When the remaining number of components stored in the carrier tape decreases, an operator W performs a component replenishment operation to replenish the tape feeder 8 with components, such as splicing a new carrier tape to the rear end of the carrier tape supplying components or inserting a new carrier tape into the tape feeder 8. Note that the supply of components is not limited to the carrier tape, and it may also be a stick-shaped case storing components, a tray case on which components are placed, a bulk case storing components, etc., and is supplied by a component supply device corresponding to them. Note that the operator W does not necessarily have to be a person, and it may be an automatic supply device that automatically supplies the tape feeder.

[0018] Hereinafter, the combination of the reel 11 that stores the carrier tape supplied to the tape feeder 8 and the tape feeder 8 is referred to as a "component container Q". The cart 10 is a holding unit where a component container Q that stores components supplied to the component mounting devices M1 to M3 is arranged. Also, it is assumed that the component container Q includes a tape feeder with a built-in carrier tape, a combination of a case storing components and a feeder, etc. Also, it is assumed that in some cases, the "arrangement of the component container Q in the holding unit" is synonymous with the "arrangement of the types of components supplied by the tape feeder 8 held by the cart 10". Also, the "component replenishment operation of the component container Q" is assumed to include, in addition to the "operation of replenishing the carrier tape to the tape feeder 8", the "operation of replacing the tape feeder 8 with a shortage of components with another tape feeder 8 for which the carrier tape has been set", etc.

[0019] In FIGS. 1 and 2, above the base 4, a mounting head 12 having a nozzle 12a for holding components is arranged. The mounting head 12 is moved between the component supply unit 7 and the substrate 6 held at the mounting operation position of the substrate transfer unit 5 by a head movement mechanism (not shown). Thereby, a component mounting operation for mounting the component taken out by the nozzle 12a from the tape feeder 8 of the component supply unit 7 onto the substrate 6 is performed. That is, the mounting head 12 and the head movement mechanism constitute a component mounting unit 15 (FIG. 3) that takes out the components supplied by the component container Q arranged in the carriage 10 (holding unit) and mounts them on the substrate 6.

[0020] In FIG. 2, a touch panel 13 is arranged at the upper right front of the component mounting apparatuses M1 to M3. The touch panel 13 displays various information, operation buttons, etc. on its display unit. The operator W operates the operation buttons etc. displayed on the touch panel 13 to operate the component mounting apparatuses M1 to M3. The substrate transfer unit 5, the component mounting unit 15, the tape feeder 8, and the touch panel 13 are controlled by a control unit 14 provided in the component mounting apparatuses M1 to M3.

[0021] Next, referring to FIG. 3, the configuration of the control system of the component mounting system 1 will be described. Here, in the management computer 3 (component container arrangement determination device), the arrangement of the component container Q (component type) arranged in the carriage 10 (holding unit) of the component mounting apparatuses M1 to M3 is determined, and the description will focus on the configuration related to the process of producing the mounting substrate in the component mounting apparatuses M1 to M3. The management computer 3 includes an information processing device 20, a management storage device 21, and a wireless communication unit 22. In the management storage device 21, production plan data 23, production data 24, component data 25, remaining quantity data 26, timing data 27, component arrangement data 28, spare area arrangement table 29, etc. are stored.

[0022] The information processing device 20 includes an internal processing unit 30, a timing prediction unit 31, a reserve area determination unit 32, a placement determination unit 33, and a parts supply instruction unit 34. The wireless communication unit 22 is a wireless communication interface and transmits and receives data wirelessly with the information terminal T. The management computer 3 does not need to be a single computer and may be composed of multiple devices. For example, all or part of the storage device and internal processing unit may be stored in the cloud via a server.

[0023] In Figure 3, the status acquisition unit 30 acquires information such as the status of the component mounting work from the component mounting devices M1 to M3, the remaining number of components in the component housing Q placed on the trolley 10 (holding unit), and the status of the component replenishment work to the component housing Q. The status acquisition unit 30 stores the acquired remaining number of components in the component housing Q as remaining number data 26 in the management storage device 21. The remaining number data 26 also stores the remaining number of components in the component housing Q attached to the component mounting devices M1 to M3, as well as the remaining number of components in spare component housing Q and reels 11 in the component storage.

[0024] The production plan data 23 includes information such as the type of board, the number of boards to be produced, and the production start date and time for the boards to be produced by the component mounting system 1. The production data 24 includes, for each type of board, the component name that identifies the type of component to be mounted on the board 6, the mounting position of the component, the mounting angle, information that identifies the mounting head 12 installed on the component mounting devices M1 to M3, and the nozzle arrangement that shows the type and position of the nozzle 12a installed on the mounting head 12. The component data 25 includes, for each component name, information such as the size of the component, the type of corresponding nozzle 12a, the type of means for storing the component such as a carrier tape or case, and the model name of the corresponding tape feeder 8.

[0025] In Figure 3, the component replenishment instruction unit 34 transmits instructions for component replenishment work to the component housing Q installed in the component mounting devices M1 to M3 via the wireless communication unit 22 to the information terminal T, based on the production data 24 of the mounted boards being produced in the component mounting system 1, component data 25, remaining quantity data 26, component placement data 28, spare area placement table 29, and the number of workers W. When the number of remaining components in the component housing Q falls below a predetermined number, the component replenishment instruction unit 34 transmits instructions for component replenishment work to the information terminal T.

[0026] By the way, if parts replenishment work occurs for multiple parts storage units Q at the same time, depending on the number of workers W, there may be parts storage units Q that run out of parts before the parts replenishment work is completed. Hereafter, the situation in which parts run out from parts storage units Q due to insufficient parts replenishment work will be referred to as "parts shortage." The timing at which parts shortage occurs will be referred to as "parts shortage timing."

[0027] In Figure 3, the timing prediction unit 31 predicts the component depletion timing, when components will run out from the component housings Q that will be placed in the component mounting devices M1 to M3 in the production of the next mounted board, based on the production plan data 23, production data 24, and remaining quantity data 26 (see Figure 4(a)). Specifically, the timing prediction unit 31 predicts the component depletion timing for each component housing Q based on the type (part name) and number (remaining quantity data 26) of components housed in the component housing Q, and the type and total number of components used in production (product of the number of components mounted on one mounted board and the number of mounted boards produced) included in the production data 24. The timing prediction unit 31 associates the time when the component depletion timing is predicted to occur, the type (part name) of the component, and information identifying the component housing Q, and stores this information in the management storage device 21 as timing data 27.

[0028] The reserve area determination unit 32 (determination unit) divides the arrangement area of ​​the trolley 10 (holding unit) into a normal area where normally used part containers Q are placed and a reserve area where spare part containers Q are placed, and determines the maximum number of reserve areas based on the overlap of part shortage timings included in the timing data 27. For example, the reserve area determination unit 32 determines that the part shortage timings overlap if the interval between multiple part shortage timings occurring on the same trolley 10 is 5 minutes or less. The reserve area determination unit 32 determines the maximum number of reserve areas as the maximum value of the overlap of part shortage timings in multiple part shortage events that occur due to overlapping part shortage timings.

[0029] Referring to Figure 4(a), an example of overlap between the component depletion timing predicted by the timing prediction unit 31 and the component depletion timing determined by the reserve area determination unit 32 will be explained. Figure 4(a) shows the component depletion predicted to occur in the front carriage 10 (holding unit) of the component mounting device M1 in chronological order.

[0030] The timing prediction unit 31 predicts that between 10:03 and 10:12, component A will run out, component D will run out, and component F will run out in that order. The interval between the component A run-out timing and the component D run-out timing is within 5 minutes, and the interval between the component D run-out timing and the component F run-out timing is also within 5 minutes. Therefore, the reserve area determination unit 32 groups the component A run-out, component D run-out, and component F run-out together and designates them as overlapping component run-out event I1. The number of overlapping component run-out events I1 is "3".

[0031] In Figure 4(a), a component shortage of component B is predicted at 10:24. No component shortages are predicted for any other component within 5 minutes before or after the component B shortage. In this case, the reserve area determination unit 32 designates the component B shortage as component shortage event I2. The number of overlaps for component shortage event I2 is "1". Similarly, a component shortage event I3 is predicted between 10:43 and 10:48, where component shortages of components E and C overlap. Also, a component shortage event I4 is predicted between 11:07 and 11:09, where component shortages of components A and G overlap. The number of overlaps for component shortage events I3 and I4 is "2". In this example, the reserve area determination unit 32 determines the maximum number of reserve areas to be "3".

[0032] In Figure 3, the placement determination unit 33 determines the placement (part placement) of the part housings Q on multiple (six in Figure 1) trolleys 10 (holding units) attached to the part mounting devices M1 to M3. First, the placement determination unit 33 distributes the parts to be mounted on the substrate 6 to each trolley 10 based on the production data 24 of the next mounted substrate to be produced. At this time, the placement determination unit 33 distributes a number of part types that is less than the maximum number of part housings Q that can be placed on each trolley 10 (maximum number of placements). Next, if the sum of the maximum number of spare areas determined by the spare area determination unit 32 and the number of part types allocated is less than or equal to the maximum number of part housings Q that can be placed on the trolley 10, the placement determination unit 33 reserves spare areas on the trolley 10 equal to the maximum number of spare areas determined by the spare area determination unit 32.

[0033] Next, the placement determination unit 33 determines a first placement of component types to be placed in the normal area, based on the mounting positions of components included in the production data 24, the nozzle arrangement of the mounting head 12, etc., so that components can be efficiently mounted on the substrate 6. The placement determination unit 33 stores the determined first placement as component placement data 28 in the management storage device 21. Next, the placement determination unit 33 determines a second placement of component types to be placed in the spare area, based on the determined first placement and the predicted component depletion timing. The placement determination unit 33 determines the second placement for each of the overlapping component depletion timings (component depletion events I1 to I4). The placement determination unit 33 stores the determined second placement as a spare area placement table 29 in the management storage device 21.

[0034] Next, with reference to Figures 4(b) and 4(c), an example of how the placement determination unit 33 determines the first placement in the normal area (part placement data 28) and the second placement in the reserve area (reserve area placement table 29) will be explained.

[0035] First, let's explain the component placement data 28 with reference to Figure 4(b). Figure 4(b) is an example of component placement data 28 for the front trolley 10 (holding unit) of the component mounting device M1, determined based on the component depletion timing shown in Figure 4(a). The number of positions (maximum number of placements) for placing component containers Q on the trolley 10 (hereinafter referred to as "component supply positions P1 to P10," etc.) is "10." Also, the maximum number of spare areas determined by the spare area determination unit 32 is "3." Therefore, the placement determination unit 33 determines that 7 of the 10 component supply positions P1 to P10 are in the normal area, and 3 of the component supply positions P8 to P10 are in the spare area.

[0036] Next, the placement determination unit 33 determines a first placement based on the production data 24, allocating components A to G to component supply positions P1 to P7 in the normal area so that they can be efficiently mounted on the substrate 6. In this example, the component housing Q (tape feeder 8) that supplies components A to E is of the same model, and the component housing Q that supplies components F to G is of the same model but is of a different model than the component housing Q that supplies components A to E. In this example, the placement determination unit 33 arranges the component housings Q of the same model so that they are adjacent to each other. That is, it determines to place components A to E in this order at component supply positions P1 to P5, and components F to G in this order at component supply positions P6 to P7.

[0037] Next, the spare area placement table 29 will be described with reference to Figure 4(c). Figure 4(c) is an example of the spare area placement table 29 (second placement) of the front trolley 10 (holding section) of the component mounting device M1, determined based on the component depletion timing shown in Figure 4(a) and the component placement data 28 shown in Figure 4(b). The placement determination unit 33 determines the type of component to be placed at the component supply positions P8 to P10 in the spare area for each of the component depletion events I1 to I4 (overlap of component depletion timings).

[0038] In the case of a component shortage event I1, the placement determination unit 33 decides to place component A, which is expected to be out of stock, at component supply position P8, component D at component supply position P9, and component F at component supply position P10. That is, tape feeders 8 capable of supplying components A to E are installed at component supply positions P8 to P9, and tape feeders 8 capable of supplying components F to G are installed at component supply position P10. Furthermore, the placement determination unit 33 decides to place component A at the upstream component supply position P8 and component D at the downstream component supply position P9, in accordance with the positional relationship of components A to E in the normal area of ​​the component placement data 28 (first placement).

[0039] In Figure 4(c), the placement determination unit 33 determines that in the case of a component shortage event I2, component B, which is expected to be out of stock, should be placed at component supply position P8. Furthermore, in the case of a component shortage event I3, the placement determination unit 33 determines that component C, which is expected to be out of stock, should be placed at component supply position P8, and component E should be placed at component supply position P9. Finally, in the case of a component shortage event I4, the placement determination unit 33 determines that component A, which is expected to be out of stock, should be placed at component supply position P8, and component G should be placed at component supply position P10, where the tape feeder 8 capable of supplying components F through G is installed.

[0040] In Figure 3, the placement determination unit 33 determines that if the total number of component containers Q being considered for placement in the normal area and the spare area is greater than the maximum number of component containers Q that can be placed on the trolley 10 (holding unit), it will perform a predetermined alternative process to ensure that the total number of component containers Q placed in the normal area and the spare area falls within the maximum number. In other words, if the sum of the number of normal areas and the maximum number of spare areas is greater than the maximum number of component containers Q that can be placed, an alternative process is considered.

[0041] Here, with reference to Figure 5, an example of an alternative process determined by the placement determination unit 33 will be explained. Figure 5(a) is an example of component placement data 28 corresponding to an alternative process in which the placement determination unit 33 has decided to place another component housing Q that supplies the same type of component as at least one of the component housings Q whose component depletion timings overlap in the normal area. In this example, the total number of component A units used is greater than that of other components, and their component depletion timings often overlap. Therefore, component A is placed in two locations in the normal area: component supply position P1 and component supply position P2. This avoids the overlap of component depletion timings between component A and other components.

[0042] Figure 5(b) shows an example of component placement data 28 corresponding to an alternative process determined by the placement determination unit 33, which decides to assign a component container Q with a shorter required time for component replenishment to at least one of the component containers Q whose component depletion timings overlap. In this example, since components A to C often have overlapping component depletion timings with other components, tape feeders 8 with a shorter required time for component replenishment are assigned to component supply positions P1 to P3. For example, tape feeders 8 that complete component replenishment by inserting a new carrier tape without splicing carrier tapes are installed at component supply positions P1 to P3. This shortens the component replenishment work for components A to C, avoids component depletion, or reduces the downtime of the device in the event of component depletion.

[0043] In addition, the placement determination unit 33 determines, as an alternative process, that at least one of the component housings Q whose component depletion timings overlap will not place the type of component supplied by that housing in the spare area, and will instead perform component replenishment work on the component housing Q that supplies that type of component, which is normally placed in the spare area at the time of component depletion. In this case, the device will shut down due to component depletion, but this is an effective alternative process when there are many types of components to be mounted on the board 6 and many spare areas cannot be secured. Furthermore, the impact of shutdown can be reduced by setting the type of component for the alternative process to a component that will have less impact on the device shutdown due to component depletion in advance.

[0044] Thus, the management computer 3 is a component housing placement determination device that determines the position in the holding unit where component housings Q containing components to be supplied to component mounting devices M1 to M3 are placed. This prevents production stoppages due to component shortages while suppressing a decrease in the number of available component types. This is achieved by using the types and number of components stored in component housings Q (tape feeder 8, reel 11) placed in the normal area of ​​the holding unit (cart 10), and the types and total number of components used in production included in the production data 24. The computer 3 also includes a timing prediction unit 31 that predicts the component shortage timing for each component housing Q in the normal area of ​​the holding unit, and a determination unit (reserve area determination unit 32) that determines the maximum number of spare areas different from the normal area of ​​the holding unit where spare component housings Q are placed, based on the overlap of component shortage timings.

[0045] Next, following the flow in Figure 6, we will explain the method for determining the placement of component housings Q, which contain components to be supplied to component mounting devices M1 to M3, on the holding units (carts 10). First, the placement determination unit 33 distributes the components to be mounted on the substrate 6 to each cart 10 (holding unit) attached to the component mounting devices M1 to M3 based on the production data 24 of the mounted substrate to be produced (ST1). Next, the timing prediction unit 31 predicts the component depletion timing (timing data 27) for each component housing Q in the normal area, based on the type and number of components contained in the component housing Q placed in the normal area and the type and total number of components used in production included in the production data 24 (ST2).

[0046] Next, the reserve area determination unit 32 (determination unit) extracts overlapping timings of parts running out for each trolley 10 (ST3). Then, based on the overlapping timings of parts running out, the reserve area determination unit 32 determines the maximum number of reserve areas where spare parts containers Q will be placed (ST4). Next, the placement determination unit 33 compares the maximum number of parts containers Q that can be placed on the trolley 10 (maximum placement number) with the sum of the number of normal areas (number of allocated parts) and the determined maximum number of reserve areas (ST5).

[0047] In Figure 6, if the maximum number of component housings Q is greater than or equal to the total number (Yes in ST5), the placement determination unit 33 reserves the maximum number of spare areas on the trolley 10 and determines a first placement (component placement data 28) of the types of components to be placed in the normal areas for each trolley 10 based on the mounting positions of the components included in the production data 24 (ST6: first placement determination step). Next, based on the determined first placement, the placement determination unit 33 determines a second placement (spare area placement table 29) of the types of components to be placed in the spare areas for each trolley 10 based on each overlap of component shortage timings (ST7: second placement determination step).

[0048] If the maximum number of components that can be placed in component housing Q is less than the total number (No in ST5), the placement determination unit 33 determines an alternative process to bring the total number within the maximum number of components (ST8). If the alternative process results in the total number being less than or equal to the maximum number of components that can be placed in component housing Q (Yes in ST9), the first placement determination process (ST6) and the second placement determination process (ST7) are executed. If, even after performing the alternative process, the total number is greater than the maximum number of components that can be placed in component housing Q (No in ST9), an error is notified to the display device of the management computer 3 or the like (ST10). This makes it possible to determine the placement of component housings (component placement data 28, reserve area placement table 29) that prevents production stoppages due to component shortages while suppressing a decrease in the number of available component types.

[0049] Next, referring to Figure 3, the configuration of the control systems for component mounting devices M1 to M3, which mount components onto the substrate 6 based on component placement data 28 determined by the management computer 3 (component housing placement determination device) and the reserve area placement table 29, will be explained. Specifically, component mounting devices M1 to M3 have component housings Q that contain components of the same type as those contained in component housings Q that are expected to run out of components supplied from the normal area of ​​the holding unit (carry 10), pre-placed in a reserve area different from the normal area of ​​the holding unit.

[0050] The component mounting devices M1 to M3 are equipped with a mounting memory device 40, a control unit 14, a substrate transport unit 5, a tape feeder 8, a component mounting unit 15, and a touch panel 13. The mounting memory device 40 stores mounting data 41, remaining component count 42, and a spare area layout table 43. The mounting data 41 includes the component name, mounting position, mounting angle, and component placement (component layout data 28) of the components to be mounted on the substrate 6 by the component mounting devices M1 to M3. The remaining component count 42 records the number of components remaining in the component housing Q to which the trolley 10 is mounted. The remaining component count 42 is deducted when a component is removed from the component housing Q. The spare area layout table 43 is stored after the spare area layout table 29 determined by the management computer 3 is transmitted.

[0051] In Figure 3, the control unit 14 controls the component mounting unit 15 to take components from the component housing Q located in the normal area and mount them on the substrate 6. Then, when any of the multiple component housings Q, which were predicted to have overlapping component depletion timings, run out of components, the control unit 14 controls the component mounting unit 15 to switch the components to be mounted on the substrate 6 to components supplied from the multiple component housings Q that have been pre-placed in the spare area, based on the spare area placement table 43.

[0052] Subsequently, worker W replenishes components to all of the component housings Q that were predicted to experience overlapping component depletion timings, based on instructions from the component replenishment instruction unit 34 displayed on the information terminal T. Once the component replenishment work for all component housings Q in the normal area is complete, the control unit 14 controls the component mounting unit 15 to switch the components to be mounted on the circuit board 6 to components supplied from the component housings Q that have been replenished (returning to the original state). Subsequently, worker W places a component housing Q containing components of the same type as those contained in the component housing Q that is predicted to experience overlapping component depletion timings next, in the reserve area, based on instructions from the component replenishment instruction unit 34 displayed on the information terminal T. This prevents production stoppages due to component depletion while suppressing a decrease in the number of available component types.

[0053] Next, following the flow chart in Figure 7 and referring to Figure 8, we will explain a component mounting method for mounting components housed in component housings Q arranged on the holding unit (cart 10) onto the substrate 6. Here, we will explain using as an example a method of removing components from the front cart 10 (holding unit) of the component mounting device M1 and mounting them onto the substrate 6, based on the component placement data 28 shown in Figure 4(b) and the reserve area placement table 29 (reserve area placement table 43) shown in Figure 4(c).

[0054] In Figure 7, first, worker W places parts A to G in the normal area (part supply positions P1 to P7) of the trolley 10 according to the command displayed on the information terminal T (ST11) (Figure 8(a)). Next, worker W places parts A, D, and F corresponding to the first part shortage event I1 in the spare area (part supply positions P8 to P10) of the trolley 10 according to the command displayed on the information terminal T (ST12) (Figure 8(a)). In other words, multiple spare part containers Q containing parts of the same type as those contained in multiple part containers Q that are predicted to run out of parts supplied from the part containers Q located in the normal area of ​​the trolley 10 (part shortage event I1) are pre-placed in a spare area different from the normal area of ​​the trolley 10.

[0055] Next, the control unit 14 controls the component mounting unit 15 to mount components supplied from component housings Q located in the normal area onto the substrate 6 (ST13: normal component mounting process). The normal component mounting process (ST13) is repeatedly executed until a component shortage occurs in the component housings Q located in the normal area (No in ST14). When any of the multiple component housings Q, where component shortage timings were predicted to overlap, runs out of components (a component shortage occurs) (Yes in ST14), the control unit 14 controls the component mounting unit 15 to switch the components to be mounted on the substrate 6 to components supplied from component housings Q that have been previously placed in the spare area (ST15: spare component mounting process).

[0056] In other words, when a component shortage occurs in the normal area (Yes in ST14), components from the spare area and components from the normal area are mounted on the board 6 (ST15). In Figure 8(b), component A, which was being supplied from component supply position P1 in the normal area, runs out (Yes in ST14), and component A is being supplied from component supply position P8 in the spare area (ST15).

[0057] In Figure 7, the spare parts mounting process (ST15) is repeatedly executed until worker W completes the supply of parts to the parts housing Q in the normal area (No in ST16). In Figure 8(c), while the spare parts mounting process (ST15) is repeatedly executed, parts D, which was supplied from parts supply position P4 in the normal area, and parts F, which was supplied from parts supply position P6, also run out (Yes in ST14), and parts D is supplied from parts supply position P9 in the spare area, and parts F is supplied from parts supply position P10 (ST15).

[0058] In Figure 7, once worker W has completed supplying all components to the component housing Q in the normal area (Yes in ST16), the component mounting process changes from the spare component mounting process (ST15) to the normal component mounting process (ST13). That is, while the components supplied from the component housing Q pre-placed in the spare area are being mounted onto the substrate (ST15), worker W supplies components to all of the multiple component housings Q that were predicted to run out of components at the same time. Once the supply is complete (Yes in ST16), the control unit 14 controls the component mounting unit 15 to switch the components to be mounted on the substrate 6 to the components supplied from the component housing Q that has been fully supplied (ST13) (Figure 8(d)).

[0059] In Figure 7, after mounting the components supplied from the component housing Q, which has been replenished, onto the circuit board 6 (Yes in ST16), the worker W places multiple component housings Q containing the same type of components as those contained in multiple component housings Q, which are expected to experience overlapping component depletion timings, into the spare area (ST17).

[0060] In Figure 8(e), worker W places part B, which is predicted to be out of stock in the next part shortage event I2, at part supply position P8. Specifically, worker W removes the carrier tape of part A from the tape feeder 8 installed at part supply position P8 and replaces it with the carrier tape of part B. Furthermore, worker W places part E, which is predicted to be out of stock in part shortage event I3, at part supply position P9, and part G, which is predicted to be out of stock in part shortage event I4, at part supply position P10. This prevents production stoppages due to part shortages while suppressing a decrease in the number of available part types. [Industrial applicability]

[0061] The present invention provides a method for determining the arrangement of a component housing, a device for determining the arrangement of a component housing, a component mounting method, and a component mounting device, all of which have the effect of preventing production stoppages due to component shortages while suppressing a decrease in the number of available component types, and are useful in the field of mounting components onto substrates. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0062] 3. Management computer (device for determining the arrangement of component housings) 6 circuit boards 10. Trolley (holding part) M1-M3 Component Mounting Equipment Q Component housing

Claims

1. A method for determining the placement of a component housing, which contains components to be supplied to a component mounting device, and for determining the position in which the component housing is placed in a holding section, Based on the type and number of parts housed in the parts housings located in the normal area of ​​the holding section, and the type and total number of parts used in production included in the production data, the timing of parts running out in each of the parts housings in the normal area is predicted. Based on the overlap of the timing of component shortages, the maximum number of spare areas in the holding section that are different from the normal area for arranging spare component housings is determined. If the sum of the number of normal areas and the maximum number of reserved areas determined to be greater than the maximum number of component housings that can be placed in the holding section, an alternative process is determined. A method for determining the placement of component housings, wherein one of the alternative processes is to place another component housing in the normal area that supplies the same type of component as that supplied by at least one of the component housings whose component depletion timings overlap.

2. A method for determining the arrangement of a component housing according to claim 1, wherein the type of component to be placed in the reserve area is determined based on the overlap of the timing of component shortages.

3. Based on the mounting positions of the components included in the production data, a first arrangement of the types of components to be placed in the normal area is determined. A method for determining the arrangement of a component housing according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a second arrangement of the types of components to be placed in the reserve area is determined based on the first arrangement determined.

4. The method for determining the arrangement of a component housing according to claim 3, wherein the second arrangement is determined for each of the overlapping timings of component shortages.

5. The method for determining the arrangement of component housings according to claim 1, wherein one of the alternative processes is to not place the type of component supplied by at least one of the component housings whose component depletion timings overlap in the spare area, and to perform a component replenishment operation of the component housing to supply that type of component that is placed in the normal area at the component depletion timing.

6. The method for determining the arrangement of component housings according to claim 1, wherein one of the alternative processes is to assign a component housing with a shorter required time for component replenishment work to at least one of the component housings whose component shortage timings overlap.

7. A component housing placement determination device that determines the position in a holding section of a component housing that contains components to be supplied to a component mounting device, A timing prediction unit predicts the timing at which parts run out in each of the component housings in the normal area of ​​the holding unit, based on the type and number of parts housed in the component housings located in the normal area of ​​the holding unit, and the type and total number of parts used in production included in the production data. The system includes a determination unit that determines the maximum number of spare areas, which are different from the normal area of ​​the holding unit, for arranging spare parts housings, based on the overlap of the timing of parts running out, Based on the mounting positions of the components included in the production data, a first arrangement of the types of components to be placed in the normal area is determined. The system further includes an arrangement determination unit that determines a second arrangement of the types of components to be placed in the reserve area based on the first arrangement determined, A component housing arrangement determination device, wherein the arrangement determination unit determines, if the sum of the number of normal areas and the determined maximum number of reserve areas is greater than the maximum number of component housings that can be arranged in the holding unit, to arrange another component housing of the type of component supplied by at least one of the component housings whose component depletion timings overlap in the normal areas.

8. The component housing arrangement determination device according to claim 7, further comprising an arrangement determination unit that determines the type of component to be placed in the reserve area based on the overlap of component shortage timings.

9. The arrangement determination device for a component housing according to claim 7, wherein the arrangement determination unit determines the second arrangement for each of the overlapping timings of component shortages.

10. The component housing arrangement determination device according to claim 9, wherein if the sum of the number of normal areas and the maximum number of determined reserve areas is greater than the maximum number of component housings that can be arranged in the holding unit, the arrangement determination unit assigns a component housing with a shorter required time for component replenishment work to at least one of the component housings whose component depletion timings overlap.

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