Circuit board work machine

Abstract

To provide a substrate-related work machine capable of eliminating dust in the work space inside the machine.SOLUTION: A component mounting machine as a substrate-related work machine has a main body of the machine, a work execution device installed in the main body of the machine to execute a predetermined work, i.e., mounting work, on a substrate positioned at a predetermined work execution position in the machine's work space, an air supply device installed in the main body of the machine to supply positive pressure air, and a duct to circulate positive pressure air supplied by the air supply device to the work space and discharge the air inside the work space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a substrate processing machine.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, a component mounting machine as a substrate processing machine disclosed in the following patent document is known. This conventional component mounting machine has an air supply device that supplies air into the machine body, and a rectifying member provided inside a cover member assembled to the work machine main body for guiding the air supplied by the air supply device in a predetermined direction. Thereby, dust existing around the substrate to which components are mounted is excluded, and intrusion of dust from the outside is prevented.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the above conventional component mounting machine, the air discharged from the air supply device provided on the upper part of the work machine main body is passed through the gaps between various members and devices provided on the work machine main body so as to sew them, and is supplied to the periphery of the substrate. In this case, the distance from the air supply device to the substrate is long, and there is a risk that the air contains dust and the like attached to various members and devices by the time it reaches the substrate. There is room for improvement in order to exclude dust and the like existing around the substrate and achieve further cleaning.

[0005] This specification aims to provide a substrate processing machine capable of excluding dust in the working space inside the machine.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] This specification discloses a substrate work machine comprising: a work machine body; a work execution device provided on the work machine body for performing predetermined work on a substrate positioned at a predetermined location in the work space inside the machine; an air supply device provided on the work machine body for supplying positive-pressure air; and a duct for circulating the positive-pressure air supplied by the air supply device to the work space and discharging it into the work space.

[0007] According to this system, purified positive-pressure air from the air supply device can be circulated through the duct and discharged into the workspace from an open end close to the workspace. As a result, in substrate handling machines, purified positive-pressure air can be directly supplied into the workspace via the duct without coming into contact with outside air containing foreign matter such as dust. The purified positive-pressure air that has circulated through the duct can then fill the workspace by being supplied directly. This eliminates foreign matter such as dust present in the workspace and prevents dust from entering the workspace from the outside, creating a clean workspace. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view showing the entire component mounting machine, which is an example of a substrate mounting machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a parts mounting machine. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the substrate transport device and positioning device. [Figure 4] This is a diagram illustrating the ductwork configuration. [Figure 5] This is a VV cross-sectional view in Figure 4, showing an enlarged view of the duct's shape. [Figure 6] This diagram illustrates the duct layout when multiple component mounting machines are located adjacent to each other. [Figure 7] This is a schematic perspective view showing the main body of a component mounting machine, which is an example of a circuit board mounting machine according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a diagram illustrating the ductwork configuration. [Figure 9] This is a front view illustrating the shape of the duct. [Figure 10] This is a side view illustrating the shape of the duct. [Figure 11] The duct shape is shown in an enlarged view, and is a partial cross-sectional view including the XI-XI section in Figures 9 and 10. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] 1. Overall configuration of the circuit board work machine The configuration of the substrate mounting machine will be explained with reference to Figure 1-4. The substrate mounting machine of the first embodiment is exemplified by a component mounting machine 10 that performs a mounting operation in which components are mounted on a substrate as a predetermined operation. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, multiple component mounting machines 10 of the same type are arranged in the width direction to form a production line for mounting predetermined components (for example, electronic components) on a substrate. In the production line formed by the multiple component mounting machines 10, substrates are transported sequentially into each component mounting machine 10, and predetermined components are mounted in each component mounting machine 10.

[0010] Here, as shown in Figure 1, the component mounting machine 10 of this embodiment is narrow in width and can be placed close together in the width direction. For this reason, this embodiment illustrates a case where two component mounting machines 10 are mounted on one base B, resulting in a compact production line. However, the arrangement of the component mounting machines 10 is not limited to mounting two component mounting machines 10 on one base B; it is also possible to mount one component mounting machine 10 on one base B depending on the production content.

[0011] The component mounting machine 10 includes a work machine body 11 fixed to a base B. The work machine body 11 includes a frame 12 that supports a component transfer device 17 (described later) as a work execution device, and a cover member 13 that covers the frame 12. The work machine body 11 has a work space S inside the machine, which is a space for the work execution device (component transfer device 17 described later) to perform mounting work on a substrate K (see Figure 2). Here, the work space S can be a space formed by including the mounting surface on which the substrate K is placed, the opposing surface of the component transfer device 17 that faces the substrate K before the mounting work is performed, and the inner surface of the cover member 13.

[0012] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the parts mounting machine 10 is equipped with an air supply device 20 that is provided on the work machine body 11 and supplies positive-pressure air to the work space S. In this embodiment, an example is given in which two air supply devices 20 are provided on one work machine body 11, but the number of air supply devices 20 is not limited to this. In addition, as shown in Figure 1, the parts mounting machine 10 is equipped with a duct 30 that conducts and discharges the purified positive-pressure air supplied from the air supply device 20 to the work space S.

[0013] In this embodiment, the two component mounting machines 10 are mounted on the base B so that their respective workspaces S are adjacent to each other. Each cover member 13 that covers both sides of the machine body 11 in the width direction has a substrate transport opening 13a. As a result, substrates K are brought into the workspace S through the substrate transport opening 13a, and the mounted substrates K are discharged (see Figure 2).

[0014] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the main body of the work machine 11 (more specifically, the frame 12) is fitted with a substrate transport device 14, a positioning device 15, a component supply device 16, a component transfer device 17, a component camera 18, and a control device 19.

[0015] The substrate transfer device 14 transfers the substrate K before being mounted to the working position inside the working space S along the transfer path. For example, it is carried in from the working space S of the adjacent component mounting machine 10 on one side. Also, the substrate transfer device 14 transfers the substrate K after the mounting operation at the working position inside the working space S, for example, out towards the working space S of the adjacent component mounting machine 10 on the other side.

[0016] Here, the transfer path is constituted by, for example, a pair of belt conveyors 141, 142 and a pair of rail guides 143, 144. The belt conveyors 141, 142 rotate along the rail guides 143, 144 with the substrate K placed thereon, thereby transferring the substrate K in the X-axis direction along the transfer path. Here, in this embodiment, the substrate transfer device 14 is of a so-called single conveyor type consisting of a pair of belt conveyors. However, as the substrate transfer device 14, it is also possible to adopt a so-called double conveyor type consisting of, for example, two pairs of belt conveyors.

[0017] The positioning device 15 positions the substrate K carried into the working position. As shown in FIG. 3, the positioning device 15 has a lifter 151 and a plurality of clamp rods 152 fixed to the lifter 151, and is arranged below at the working position. The plurality of clamp rods 152 push up the substrate K in the Z-axis direction as the lifter 151 moves upward, and clamp the substrate K between the rail guides 143, 144 of the substrate transfer device 14. Thereby, the substrate K is positioned so as not to move from the working position.

[0018] The component supply device 16 is detachably equipped in a plurality of groove-shaped slots provided in a pallet member P installed on the front side of the work machine body 11. As shown in FIG. 2, the component supply device 16 includes a plurality of feeders 161 and reels 162 provided corresponding to each feeder 161. A carrier tape in which components are respectively stored in a number of cavities is wound around the reel 162, and each feeder 161 is loaded with the carrier tape fed out from the reel 162. A predetermined supply position 163 for supplying components is set at the upper part near the rear side of the feeder 161. Each feeder 161 intermittently feeds the carrier tape by a tape feeding mechanism (not shown) and supplies the components so that they can be collected at the supply position 163. Thereby, the component supply device 16 performs a component supply operation.

[0019] The component transfer device 17 is a work execution device that performs a mounting operation of mounting the collected components on a substrate K positioned at a work execution position (predetermined position) in the work space S inside the machine. The component transfer device 17 is arranged above the substrate transfer device 14 and the component supply device 16 in the Z-axis direction (vertical direction). The component transfer device 17 collects components from the component supply device 16 and mounts the components on the substrate K. The component transfer device 17 includes a head drive mechanism 170, a moving table 174, a mounting head 175, a suction nozzle 176, etc.

[0020] The head drive mechanism 170 includes a pair of Y-axis rails 171, 172, a Y-axis slider 173, and a drive motor etc. (not shown). The Y-axis rails 171, 172 extend in the Y-axis direction and are arranged parallel to each other with a distance therebetween. The Y-axis slider 173 that is long in the X-axis direction is provided straddling both Y-axis rails 171, 172 and moves in the Y-axis direction. The moving table 174 is assembled to the Y-axis slider 173 and moves in the X-axis direction. Thereby, the head drive mechanism 170 drives the Y-axis slider 173 in the Y-axis direction and drives the moving table 174 on the Y-axis slider 173 in the X-axis direction.

[0021] The mobile platform 174 holds the mounting head 175. The mounting head 175 holds one or more suction nozzles 176 downward in the Z-axis direction and moves in the X-axis and Y-axis directions (i.e., two horizontal directions) driven by the head drive mechanism 170. The suction nozzles 176 move up and down driven by a lifting drive unit (not shown).

[0022] The suction nozzle 176 descends from above in the Z-axis direction of the supply position 163 and performs a suction operation to pick up components by supplying negative pressure air. The suction nozzle 176 is also driven upward in the Z-axis direction of the substrate K and performs a mounting operation to mount components by supplying positive pressure air. There are multiple types of mounting heads 175 and suction nozzles 176, which can be replaced automatically or manually.

[0023] Furthermore, a mark camera MC is mounted on the mobile platform 174. The mark camera MC captures position marks attached to the positioned substrate K as described above. The image data acquired by the mark camera MC is used in image processing to detect the work position on the positioned substrate K.

[0024] The component camera 18 is mounted on the upper surface of the base B between the substrate transport device 14 and the component supply device 16, facing upward in the Z-axis direction. The component camera 18 captures images of the component being held by the suction nozzle 176 as the mounting head 175 moves from the supply position 163 of the component supply device 16 to the mounting position on the substrate K. The image data acquired by the component camera 18 is used in image processing to determine the presence and correctness of the component, and to acquire the suction posture of the component. The results of the image processing are reflected in the mounting operation of the suction nozzle 176.

[0025] The control device 19 is, for example, mounted on base B. The placement of the control device 19 is not particularly limited. The control device 19 is a computer device that operates by software, with a CPU, ROM, RAM, and various interfaces as its main components. The control device 19 may also be configured by distributing multiple CPUs within the machine. The control device 19 controls the component mounting process according to a pre-stored control program. Here, the control program differs for each type of circuit board product being manufactured.

[0026] In the component mounting machine 10 configured as described above, the substrate transport device 14 transports the substrate K into the work space S through the substrate transport opening 13a provided in the cover member 13. Next, in the component mounting machine 10, the positioning device 15 positions the substrate K that has been transported into the work space S at the work position. Then, in the component mounting machine 10, the component transfer device 17 mounts the components supplied from the component supply device 16 onto the substrate K.

[0027] In the process of mounting components onto the substrate K, if dust is present inside the machine, particularly in the workspace S, which is enclosed by the cover member 13, the dust may adhere to the substrate K, causing a decrease in product quality or clogging the suction nozzle 176 during its suction operation. In other words, a clean environment is required in the component mounting machine 10.

[0028] Therefore, the parts mounting machine 10 is equipped with an air supply device 20 that supplies positive-pressure air into the workspace S, in order to prevent dust from entering the workspace S or to discharge dust from the workspace S. In addition, the parts mounting machine 10 of this embodiment is equipped with a duct 30 located outside the cover member 13, and the duct 30 allows the positive-pressure air supplied by the air supply device 20 to flow to the workspace S and be discharged into the workspace S.

[0029] 2. Configuration of the air supply device 20 As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the air supply device 20 is installed on the upper surface of the work machine body 11 in the Z-axis direction. The air supply device 20 consists of a fan 21 and a filter 22 located below the fan 21, and discharges pressurized air, i.e., positive-pressure air, downward in the Z-axis direction as the fan 21 operates. For example, an electric fan can be used as the fan 21. For example, a HEPA filter (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter) can be used as the filter 22. As a result, when the fan 21 operates, dust is removed from the outside air drawn in by the filter 22, and purified (clean) positive-pressure air is discharged from the air supply device 20.

[0030] 3. Configuration of duct 30 As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the duct 30 in this embodiment is positioned outside the resin cover member 13 that covers the frame 12 of the work machine body 11. As shown in Figure 4, the duct 30 in this embodiment supplies purified positive-pressure air from the air supply device 20 to the inside of the work space S through the air supply opening 13b formed in the cover member 13.

[0031] Therefore, one end (base end) of the duct 30 is a hollow connecting end 31 connected to the lower part of the air supply device 20, as shown in Figure 4. The other end (tip end) of the duct 30 is an open end 32 that opens to an air supply opening 13b located above the substrate transport opening 13a in the Z-axis direction relative to the cover member 13. The duct 30 in this embodiment has a hollow and linear conductive section 33 that conducts positive-pressure air from the connecting end 31 to the open end 32, so as to be downward in the Z-axis direction (vertical direction). The material used to form the duct 30 is not limited to resin, but may also be metal.

[0032] As a result, in this embodiment, the clean positive-pressure air discharged from the air supply device 20 is discharged to the conductive section 33 via the connecting end 31. The linear conductive section 33 then allows the discharged positive-pressure air to flow toward the opening end 32, i.e., the air supply opening 13b, thereby supplying positive-pressure air directly into the workspace S through the outside of the work machine body 11 (parts mounting machine 10). In other words, the duct 30 in this embodiment can supply positive-pressure air purified by the air supply device 20 directly into the workspace S while isolating it from the air present around the parts mounting machine 10.

[0033] As shown in Figure 5, the cross-sectional shapes of the open end 32 and the conductive portion 33 of the duct 30 in this embodiment are the same. Specifically, to illustrate with an example of the conductive portion 33, the cross-sectional shape of the conductive portion 33 (duct 30) in the direction perpendicular to the flow direction of the flowing positive-pressure air is rectangular in shape, where the width dimension L1, which is the dimension in the direction along the surface direction of the outer surface 13c of the cover member 13, is larger than the height dimension L2, which is the dimension in the direction along the surface normal direction of the outer surface 13c. In this embodiment of the duct 30, the width dimension L1 is set along the Y-axis direction (see Figure 4).

[0034] In this way, by making the cross-sectional shape of the open end 32 and the conductive portion 33 of the duct 30 the same wide rectangular shape (flattened shape), and by making the conductive portion 33 straight along the Z-axis direction (vertical direction), the pressure loss of the positive-pressure air discharged from the air supply device 20 can be reduced. As a result, positive-pressure air can be smoothly conducted from the air supply device 20, and the flow rate of positive-pressure air supplied to the inside of the working space S can be easily adjusted, for example, by adjusting the airflow rate of the fan 21. In particular, by making the cross-sectional shape of the open end 32 a wide rectangular shape (flattened shape), the positive-pressure air discharged from the open end 32 toward the working space S can be spread out inside the working space S. As a result, the duct 30 can supply purified positive-pressure air to the entire inside of the working space S.

[0035] As described above, in this embodiment, two parts mounting machines 10 are arranged on the base B such that their respective workspaces S are adjacent to each other. In this case, if the ducts 30 provided on each parts mounting machine 10, i.e., the work machine body 11, are arranged on the same side, the ducts 30 will be located between the work machine bodies 11, requiring that the work machine bodies 11 (parts mounting machines 10) be spaced apart. As a result, it becomes impossible to place the narrow work machine bodies 11 (parts mounting machines 10) close together in the width direction, raising concerns that the overall production line will become larger.

[0036] Therefore, when assembling the duct 30 of this embodiment to the work machine body 11, the arrangement of the duct 30 can be appropriately changed as shown in Figure 6. That is, when two work machine bodies 11 (parts mounting machines 10) are arranged so that the work space S is adjacent to each other, each duct 30 can be arranged outward in the width direction (X-axis direction in Figure 6) relative to the inner side of the two work machine bodies 11 (parts mounting machines 10) facing each other. This allows the work machine bodies 11 (parts mounting machines 10) to be arranged close together in the width direction, making the entire production line more compact.

[0037] 4. Operation of the air supply device 20 and duct 30 In the air supply device 20, the fan 21 operates to draw in ambient outside air and discharge the drawn-in outside air toward the filter 22. As a result, the filter 22 removes dust contained in the outside air as it passes through, and discharges the purified positive-pressure air into the duct 30. The frequency of operation of the fan 21 may be continuous throughout the operation of the component mounting machine 10, meaning the air supply device 20 always discharges purified positive-pressure air, or it may be intermittently operated, for example, only when components are mounted on the circuit board K inside the workspace S, meaning the air supply device 20 selectively discharges purified positive-pressure air.

[0038] In the duct 30, purified positive-pressure air is discharged to the connecting end 31 via the filter 22 of the air supply device 20. Then, a linear, flattened conductive section 33, with a width L1 greater than the height L2, allows the purified positive-pressure air to flow to the open end 32. The open end 32 opens through an air supply opening 13b formed in the cover member 13, and as shown by the thick solid arrow in Figure 4, the purified positive-pressure air that has flowed through the conductive section 33 is discharged towards the interior of the working space S (more specifically, the substrate K). In other words, the duct 30 can discharge purified positive-pressure air towards the working space S from a position close to the working space S, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 4.

[0039] In this way, when purified positive-pressure air is discharged into the workspace S via the duct 30, the workspace S is filled with purified positive-pressure air. In other words, by discharging (supplying) purified positive-pressure air into the workspace S, the pressure inside the workspace S is raised to, for example, above atmospheric pressure, allowing dust present inside the workspace S to be discharged to the outside. Furthermore, by raising the pressure inside the workspace S to, for example, above atmospheric pressure, dust from the outside into the workspace S can be prevented. Therefore, when the air supply device 20 and duct 30 are in operation, purified positive-pressure air that does not come into contact with the outside air is supplied to the workspace S, thus maintaining a clean state inside the workspace S.

[0040] As can be understood from the above explanation, the component mounting machine 10 as a substrate work machine comprises a work machine body 11, a component transfer device 17 which is a work execution device provided on the work machine body 11 and performs a predetermined work, which is mounting work, on a substrate K positioned at a predetermined work execution position in the work space S inside the machine, an air supply device 20 provided on the work machine body 11 that supplies positive pressure air, and a duct 30 which circulates the positive pressure air supplied by the air supply device 20 to the work space S and discharges it into the interior of the work space S.

[0041] According to the parts mounting machine 10, purified positive-pressure air from the air supply device 20 is circulated inside the duct 30 and discharged into the workspace S from the open end 32 adjacent to the workspace S. As a result, the parts mounting machine 10 can supply purified positive-pressure air directly into the workspace S without contact with outside air containing foreign matter such as dust. The purified positive-pressure air that has circulated through the duct 30 can then fill the workspace S by being supplied directly. This makes it possible to create a workspace S in which the presence of dust and other foreign matter is suppressed.

[0042] In particular, in the component mounting machine 10, which performs the mounting operation of attaching components to a substrate K, a highly clean environment in the workspace S is required to maintain high mounting accuracy during component mounting. In response to this requirement, the component mounting machine 10 can supply purified positive-pressure air directly to the workspace S, more specifically to the substrate K on which the components are attached, using a duct 30. This effectively removes foreign matter such as dust present around the substrate K from the workspace S. As a result, a clean environment can be achieved in the workspace S, and high mounting accuracy during component mounting can be maintained.

[0043] Furthermore, the work machine body 11 includes a frame 12 that supports the parts transfer device 17 and a cover member 13 that covers the frame 12. The duct 30 can circulate positive-pressure air outside the cover member 13 and directly discharge positive-pressure air into the work space S. This allows the duct 30 to be placed outside the cover member 13, while preventing contact with the outside air, and to discharge (supply) purified positive-pressure air into the work space S. Since the duct 30 can be placed outside the cover member 13, for example, the duct 30 can be retrofitted to the parts mounting machine 10 together with the air supply device 20. In this way, by selecting the assembly of the air supply device 20 and the duct 30 as needed or according to the application, it is possible to appropriately manage the introduction cost when introducing the parts mounting machine 10.

[0044] 5. Second Embodiment In the first embodiment described above, purified positive-pressure air from the air supply device 20 is discharged into the workspace S through a duct 30 located outside the cover member 13. The ability to place the duct 30 outside the cover member 13 in this way is particularly useful when used in a narrow parts mounting machine 10.

[0045] Incidentally, for example, when performing mounting work on a large circuit board, as shown in Figure 7, there are cases where only one wide component mounting machine 110 is mounted on base B. In such cases where the component mounting machine 110 has ample width, a resin duct 130 can be placed inside the component mounting machine 110, thereby suppressing further enlargement of the component mounting machine 110 and ultimately making the entire production line more compact. The second embodiment will be described below.

[0046] Here, the component mounting machine 110 operates to perform a mounting operation to mount components onto the substrate K, similar to the component mounting machine 10 of the first embodiment described above, and comprises a work machine body 111, a frame 112, a cover member 113, a substrate transport device 114, a positioning device 115, a component supply device 116, a component transfer device 117, and an air supply device 120. The configuration and operation of the work machine body 111, frame 112, cover member 113, substrate transport device 114, positioning device 115, component supply device 116, component transfer device 117, and air supply device 120 are the same as the corresponding work machine body 11, frame 12, cover member 13, substrate transport device 14, positioning device 15, component supply device 16, component transfer device 17, and air supply device 20 in the component mounting machine 10 of the first embodiment described above, so they are denoted by reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted. Although not shown in the illustration, the component mounting machine 110 is also equipped with a component camera, a mark camera MC, and a control device, similar to the component mounting machine 10 of the first embodiment described above.

[0047] 6. Configuration of Duct 130 As shown in Figure 7, the duct 130 of the second embodiment is positioned in the space between the frame 112 of the work machine body 111 and the cover member 113 (shown by a dashed line) that covers the frame 112. One end (base end) of the duct 130 is a hollow connecting end 131 that is connected to the lower part of the air supply device 120, as shown in Figure 8. The other end (tip end) of the duct 130 is an open end 132 that opens in (or near) the work space S, as shown in Figure 8. The duct 130 has a hollow conductive portion 133 inside the cover member 113 that conducts positive-pressure air from the connecting end 131 to the open end 132, so as to be downward in the Z-axis direction (vertical direction). Here, the conductive portion 133 can be formed curved to avoid interference with the frame 112, for example, as shown in Figures 9 and 10. Furthermore, the material used to form the duct 130 is not limited to resin; it may also be made of metal.

[0048] As a result, the clean, positive-pressure air discharged from the air supply device 120 is discharged through the connecting end 131 to the conductive section 133 of the duct 130. The conductive section 133 then allows the discharged positive-pressure air to flow through the inside of the cover member 113 toward the opening end 132, thereby supplying the positive-pressure air directly into the workspace S through the inside of the work machine body 111 (parts mounting machine 110). In other words, the duct 130 can supply the positive-pressure air purified by the air supply device 120 directly into the workspace S while isolating it from the air present inside the parts mounting machine 110.

[0049] Here, regarding the cross-sectional shape of the duct 130 in the direction perpendicular to the flow direction of the circulating positive-pressure air, as shown in Figure 11, the opening area A2 at the open end 132 is larger than the opening area A1 at the conductive portion 133 at the connection point with the connecting end 131, which is one end. That is, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the duct 130 has a so-called trumpet shape, with the opening area A2 at the open end 132 being larger than the opening area A1 at the conductive portion 133.

[0050] In this way, by making the opening area A2 of the opening end 132 of the duct 130 trumpet-shaped, the pressure loss of the positive-pressure air discharged from the air supply device 120 can be reduced, and the necessary flow rate of positive-pressure air supplied to the inside of the working space S can be secured. In particular, by making the opening end 132 trumpet-shaped, the positive-pressure air discharged from the opening end 32 toward the working space S can be spread out inside the working space S. As a result, the duct 130 can supply purified positive-pressure air to the entire inside of the working space S.

[0051] 7. Operation of the air supply device 120 and duct 130 In the air supply device 120, the fan 121 operates to draw in ambient outside air and discharge the drawn-in outside air toward the filter 122. As a result, the filter 122 removes dust contained in the outside air as it passes through, and discharges the purified positive-pressure air into the duct 130. The frequency of operation of the fan 121 may be such that it operates continuously throughout the operation of the component mounting machine 110, meaning the air supply device 120 always discharges purified positive-pressure air, or it may operate intermittently, for example, only when components are mounted on the circuit board K inside the workspace S, meaning the air supply device 120 selectively discharges purified positive-pressure air.

[0052] In the duct 130, purified positive-pressure air is discharged to the connecting end 131 via the filter 122 of the air supply device 120. Then, as shown by the thick solid arrow in Figure 8, the curved conductive section 133 allows the purified positive-pressure air to flow through the inside of the cover member 113 to the trumpet-shaped opening end 132. The opening end 132 opens inside the cover member 113 close to and facing the working space S, and discharges the purified positive-pressure air that has flowed through the conductive section 133 into the working space S.

[0053] Thus, when the purified positive-pressure air is discharged into the workspace S via the duct 130, the workspace S is filled with purified positive-pressure air, similar to the first embodiment described above. Therefore, in the second embodiment as well, the operation of the air supply device 120 and the duct 130 supplies purified positive-pressure air to the workspace S that does not come into contact with outside air containing foreign matter such as dust, thus maintaining a clean state inside the workspace S.

[0054] As can be understood from the above explanation, the component mounting machine 110 as a substrate work machine of the second embodiment comprises a work machine body 111, a component transfer device 117 which is a work execution device provided on the work machine body 111 and performs a predetermined work, which is mounting work, on a substrate K positioned at a predetermined work execution position in the work space S inside the machine, an air supply device 120 provided on the work machine body 111 that supplies positive pressure air, and a duct 130 which allows the positive pressure air supplied by the air supply device 120 to flow to the work space S and be discharged into the work space S.

[0055] In the parts mounting machine 110, the work machine body 111 includes a frame 112 that supports the parts transfer device 117 and a cover member 113 that covers the frame 112. The duct 130 is provided in the space between the frame 112 and the cover member 113, and positive pressure air can be circulated inside the cover member 113 and discharged into the work space S.

[0056] As a result, even when positive-pressure air flows through the duct 130 inside the cover member 13, the positive-pressure air purified by the air supply device 20 can be circulated inside the duct 130 and discharged into the workspace S from the open end 132 adjacent to the workspace S. This allows the parts mounting machine 110 to directly discharge (supply) purified positive-pressure air into the workspace S without exposing it to outside air. The purified positive-pressure air that has flowed through the duct 130 can then fill the workspace S by being directly supplied. This makes it possible to create a workspace S in the parts mounting machine 110 where the presence of dust and other particles inside is suppressed.

[0057] In particular, in the component mounting machine 110, which performs the mounting work of attaching components to the substrate K, a clean environment in the workspace S is required in order to maintain high mounting accuracy during component mounting. In response to this requirement, the component mounting machine 110, like the component mounting machine 10 of the first embodiment described above, can also supply purified positive-pressure air directly to the workspace S using the duct 130, thereby effectively removing foreign matter such as dust present around the substrate K from the workspace S. As a result, a clean environment can be achieved in the workspace S, and high mounting accuracy during component mounting can be maintained.

[0058] 8. Variations In carrying out the present invention, we are not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible as long as they do not depart from the purpose of the present invention.

[0059] For example, in the first and second embodiments described above, the component mounting machines 10 and 110 are equipped with substrate transport devices 14 and 114, so that substrates K are automatically transported into and out of the workspace S. However, if, for example, an operator manually transports the substrates K into and out of the workspace S, the substrate transport devices 14 and 114 can be omitted. In this case, in the component mounting machine 10 of the first embodiment described above, one of the substrate transport openings 13a provided on both sides can be used as an air supply opening. In other words, in this case, without providing a separate air supply opening 13b, the duct 30 can discharge (supply) purified positive-pressure air into the workspace S using one of the substrate transport openings 13a.

[0060] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, the air supply devices 20 and 120 are positioned on the upper surface of the work machine bodies 11 and 111. However, the position of the air supply devices 20 and 120 is not limited to this, and they may be positioned at any location as long as purified positive-pressure air can be directly discharged into the work space S via the ducts 30 and 130. However, when the air supply devices 20 and 120 are positioned on the upper surface of the work machine bodies 11 and 111, for example, the replacement of filters 22 and 122 can be easily performed by the operator. Therefore, it is preferable to position the air supply devices 20 and 120 on the upper surface of the work machine bodies 11 and 111.

[0061] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, component mounting machines 10 and 110 were used as the substrate work machines. However, the substrate work machine is not limited to component mounting machines; other machines equipped with work execution devices that perform predetermined work on the substrate, such as solder printing machines and substrate inspection machines, can also be used. When the substrate work machine is a solder printing machine, the work execution device corresponds to, for example, a squeegee moving device that moves a squeegee along a mask to perform printing work. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 10,110: Component mounting machine (for PCB work), 11,111: Work machine body, 12,112: Frame, 13,113: Cover member, 14,114: PCB transport device, 15,115: Positioning device, 16,116: Component supply device, 17,117: Component transfer device (work execution device), 18,118: Component camera, 19,119: Control device, 20,120: Air supply device, 21,121: Fan, 22,122: Filter, 30,130: Duct, 31,131: Connecting end, 32,132: Opening end, 33,133: Conductive part, K: PCB, L1: Width dimension, L2: Height dimension, A1,A2: Opening area

Claims

1. The main body of the work machine, A work execution device provided on the main body of the work machine, which performs predetermined work on a substrate positioned at a predetermined location in the work space inside the machine, The above-mentioned work machine body is equipped with an air supply device that supplies positive-pressure air, The system includes a duct that allows the positive-pressure air supplied by the air supply device to flow to the workspace and be discharged into the workspace, The main body of the work machine comprises a frame that supports the work execution device and a cover member that covers the frame. The duct is arranged along the outer surface of the cover member, and the positive pressure air flows outside the cover member and is discharged into the working space. The cross-sectional shape of the duct in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction of the positive-pressure air is rectangular, where the width dimension, which is the dimension in the direction along the surface direction of the outer surface, is greater than the height dimension, which is the dimension in the direction along the surface normal direction of the outer surface. Circuit board work machine.

2. The main body of the work machine, A work execution device provided on the main body of the work machine, which performs predetermined work on a substrate positioned at a predetermined location in the work space inside the machine, The above-mentioned work machine body is equipped with an air supply device that supplies positive-pressure air, A substrate work machine comprising a duct that circulates the positive-pressure air supplied by the air supply device to the work space and discharges it into the work space, The main body of the work machine comprises a frame that supports the work execution device and a cover member that covers the frame. The duct circulates the positive-pressure air outside the cover member and discharges the positive-pressure air into the working space. When two of the aforementioned circuit board work machines are arranged so that their work spaces are adjacent, the duct is positioned on the outside relative to the inside of each of the two circuit board work machines facing each other. Circuit board work machine.

3. The main body of the work machine is equipped with a substrate transport device that transports the substrate along the transport path to the predetermined position and then transports it out. The cover member has a substrate transport opening in a part of it through which the transport path passes, and an air supply opening provided above the substrate transport opening. The substrate work machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one end of the duct is connected to the air supply device and the other end has an open end that opens at the air supply opening, and the positive pressure air is discharged into the work space through the air supply opening.

4. The substrate work machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the duct circulates the positive-pressure air vertically downward from the air supply device.

5. The substrate-to-substrate work machine is a component mounting machine that performs mounting work to attach components taken by the work execution device to the substrate, according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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