Feeder management device and setup device

Abstract

This feeder management device comprises: a determination unit that determines whether to permit a component to be ejected from a component case into a bulk feeder on the basis of feeder information regarding the bulk feeder and case information regarding the component case which has been set on the bulk feeder and in which a predetermined type of component is accommodated; and a corresponding process unit that performs a predetermined corresponding process on the basis of the ejection permission determination result of the determination unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a feeder management device and a setup device.

Background Art

[0002] The feeder management device performs management targeting feeders that supply components in a component mounting machine. As shown in Patent Document 1, there is a type of the above feeder that supplies components in a bulk state in which the components are scattered in a supply area where a suction nozzle can collect the components. A component case containing a large number of components is set in the bulk feeder.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the setup of the bulk feeder as described above, it may occur that a component case containing components of a type different from the planned one is mistakenly set. Then, since the components discharged from the component case enter the inside of the feeder, maintenance such as a component removal operation becomes necessary. In addition, the components removed from the bulk feeder are to be discarded.

[0005] This specification aims to provide a feeder management device and a setup device that prevent components of a type different from the planned one from being discharged from a bulk feeder.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] This specification discloses a feeder management device comprising: a determination unit that determines whether or not to discharge parts from a parts case to a bulk feeder based on feeder information relating to a bulk feeder and case information relating to a parts case set in the bulk feeder and containing predetermined types of parts; and a response processing unit that performs a predetermined response process based on the determination result of whether or not to discharge the parts by the determination unit.

[0007] The bulk feeder comprises a transport unit comprising a case support member that is detachably attached to the feeder body and supports the set component case, and a track member that has a transport path for transporting the components and a supply area for supplying the components in a collectible manner. This specification discloses a setup device comprising a support base for supporting the transport unit when removed from the feeder body, and the feeder management device described above.

[0008] This specification also discloses the technical idea of ​​changing "the feeder management device described in claim 1 or 2" in claim 4 of the original application to "the feeder management device described in any one of claims 1 to 3," and the technical idea of ​​changing "the feeder management device described in claim 1 or 2" in claim 5 of the original application to "the feeder management device described in any one of claims 1 to 4." Furthermore, this specification also discloses the technical idea of ​​changing "the feeder management device described in claim 1 or 2" in claim 6 of the original application to "the feeder management device described in any one of claims 1 to 4," and the technical idea of ​​changing "the feeder management device described in claim 1 or 2" in claim 7 of the original application to "the feeder management device described in any one of claims 1 to 6." Furthermore, this specification also discloses the technical idea of ​​changing "the feeder management device described in claim 1 or 2" in claim 8 of the original application to "the feeder management device described in any one of claims 1 to 7." [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] With this feeder management system configuration, a determination is made regarding whether or not to allow discharge based on feeder information and case information, and a corresponding process is performed based on this determination result. For example, even if a parts case containing a different type of part than intended is set in the feeder, the corresponding process prevents the parts from being discharged. This prevents maintenance from being required due to incorrect work, prevents a decrease in production efficiency, and reduces the waste of unnecessary parts. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing a production system to which a feeder management device and setup device are applied. [Figure 2] This is a schematic side view showing a portion of the bulk feeder, including the supply area. [Figure 3] This is a plan view from direction III in Figure 2. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the transport unit and setup device that make up the bulk feeder. [Figure 5] This is a block diagram of the setup device. [Figure 6] This figure shows feeder information and case information. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart showing the feeder management process. [Figure 8] This diagram shows the shutter opening and closing device in a setup device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] 1. Overview of the feeder management device 60 and setup device 50 The feeder management device 60 manages the feeders that supply parts to the parts mounting machine 2. In this embodiment, the feeder management device 60 is incorporated into the setup device 50 used for setting up the feeders, and the bulk feeder 10, which is a type of feeder, is the target of its management.

[0012] The component mounting machine 2 described above performs the mounting process of attaching components to a substrate as a predetermined substrate operation. As shown in Figure 1, the production line Ln is configured by installing multiple substrate operation machines in the direction of substrate transport. Each of the multiple substrate operation machines is communicated to a host computer 70 that controls the production line Ln as a whole. The production line Ln includes a printing press 1 as multiple substrate operation machines, multiple component mounting machines 2, a reflow oven 3, and an inspection machine 4.

[0013] Printer 1 prints paste-like solder onto the component mounting positions on the incoming circuit board. Each of the multiple component mounting machines 2 mounts components onto the circuit boards transported from the upstream side of the production line Ln. The configuration of component mounting machines 2 will be described later. Reflow oven 3 heats the circuit boards transported from the upstream side of the production line Ln to melt the solder on the circuit boards and perform soldering. Inspection machine 4 inspects whether the appearance or function of the circuit board products produced by the production line Ln is normal.

[0014] In this embodiment, the substrate product factory may be configured with multiple production lines Ln (Ln1, Ln2, ...). The configuration of each of the multiple production lines Ln may be appropriately added or changed depending on, for example, the type of substrate product to be produced. Specifically, the multiple production lines Ln may be appropriately equipped with substrate handling equipment such as buffer devices for temporarily holding the substrates being transported, substrate supply devices, substrate inversion devices, various inspection devices, shielding devices, adhesive application devices, and ultraviolet irradiation devices.

[0015] The setup device 50 is used for tasks such as loading components into feeders used in the planned mounting process and removing components from feeders used in the mounting process. The setup device 50 includes a support base 51 that supports the feeders or some of the units removed from the feeders. The setup device 50 is connected to the host computer 70 for communication and inputs and outputs various information related to the setup. The detailed configuration of the setup device 50 will be described later.

[0016] 2. Configuration of Bulk Feeder 10 The bulk feeder 10 targeted by the setup device 50 and the feeder management device 60 will be described. The bulk feeder 10 is equipped on the component mounter 2 and functions as a part of the component supply device. The bulk feeder 10 supplies components stored in a bulk state that is not aligned like a carrier tape (a scattered state where each posture is irregular). Therefore, unlike the tape feeder, the bulk feeder 10 does not use a carrier tape, which has the advantage of being able to omit the loading of the carrier tape and the collection of the used tape.

[0017] There is a type of bulk feeder 10 that supplies components in an irregular posture to, for example, a planar supply area As. However, if the components are too close to each other or deposited (in a state of overlapping in the vertical direction) in the supply area As, or if they are in a standing posture where the width direction of the components is in the vertical direction, the component mounter 2 cannot target these components for picking. Therefore, in order to increase the ratio of pickable components, there is a type of bulk feeder 10 that supplies components in an aligned state in the supply area As. In the present embodiment, a type of bulk feeder 10 that aligns components will be exemplified and described.

[0018] 2-1. Feeder Body 11 As shown in FIG. 2, the bulk feeder 10 includes a feeder body 11. The feeder body 11 is formed in a flat box shape. A connector 111 and two pins 112 are provided at the front part (the right end in FIG. 2) of the feeder body 11. When the feeder body 11 is set in the slot of the component supply device, it is powered through the connector 111 and can communicate with the control device of the component mounter. The two pins 112 are inserted into the guide holes provided in the slot and are used for positioning when the feeder body 11 is set in the slot.

[0019] 2-2. Conveying Unit 20 As shown in Figure 2, the bulk feeder 10 includes a transport unit 20. The transport unit 20 is detachably attached to the feeder body 11. The transport unit 20 supports the set parts case 40, which will be described later. The transport unit 20 is a unit for transporting parts discharged from the parts case 40 from the receiving area to the supply area As.

[0020] After being used for a predetermined loading process, the bulk feeder 10 undergoes a removal operation as a type of maintenance, in which all parts inside the feeder are removed in preparation for the next use. The transport unit 20 is configured to be removable from the feeder body 11 as a unit that functions as a flow path for parts, anticipating the above-mentioned removal operation and improving workability. In this embodiment, the transport unit 20 comprises a case support member 21, a track unit 22, and a connecting member 23.

[0021] The case support member 21 is vibrably mounted relative to the feeder body 11. The case support member 21 is vibrated by a first vibration device 15, which will be described later. The case support member 21 supports the set component case 40. The case support member 21 receives the components discharged from the component case 40. In this embodiment, the portion of the case support member 21 that receives the components has an inclined surface that is tilted forward with respect to the horizontal plane. The case support member 21 forms a component flow path that extends upward from the lower end of the inclined surface.

[0022] The track unit 22 is provided so as to be vibrable relative to the feeder body 11. The track unit 22 is subjected to vibration by a second vibration exciter 16, which will be described later. The track unit 22 forms a transport path R through which multiple parts are transported, and a supply area As that is connected to the transport path R and opens upward so that multiple parts can be picked up. Here, the "supply area As" is an area in which parts are supplied in bulk and which can be picked up by the parts mounting machine 2. The "transport path R" is a path through which parts that have flowed from the case support member 21 to the track unit 22 are transported to the supply area As.

[0023] The track unit 22 is formed so as to extend in the front-to-back direction (left-to-right direction in Figure 2) of the feeder body 11. In this embodiment, the track unit 22 has an alignment member 32 that is interchangeably attached to the track body 31. The alignment member 32 is, for example, one or more plate-shaped members. The track unit 22 is a track member that is unitized by attaching one alignment member 32, selected from multiple types of alignment members 32 corresponding to the shapes of multiple types of parts, to a common track body 31.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, the alignment member 32 constitutes a plurality of cavities 35 arranged in a predetermined pattern (staggered in this embodiment). Each of the plurality of cavities 35 is rectangular in shape, slightly larger than the outer shape of the parts supplied by the bulk feeder 10. In this way, the bulk feeder 10 has a plurality of cavities 35 that accommodate parts in a supply area As where parts are supplied in a collectible manner, with the thickness direction of the parts being in the vertical direction. A pair of side walls 36 projecting upward are formed on both edges of the track unit 22 in the width direction (vertical direction in Figure 3). The pair of side walls 36, together with the tip 37 of the track unit 22, surround the periphery of the transport path R, preventing leakage of parts being transported along the transport path R.

[0025] A feeder shutter 38 capable of closing the opening of the supply area As is provided on the upper part of the track unit 22. When the track unit 22 is attached to the feeder body 11, the feeder shutter 38 is controlled to open and close by a shutter drive device (not shown). The bulk feeder 10 can prevent parts from flying out and foreign matter from entering the supply area As by opening and closing the feeder shutter 38.

[0026] The connecting member 23 connects the case support member 21 and the track unit 22, allowing multiple components to flow through it. The connecting member 23 is tubular in shape, allowing multiple components to flow through its interior. The connecting member 23 is flexible and absorbs vibrations by deforming in response to vibrations of the case support member 21 and the track unit 22. As a result, the connecting member 23 reduces or blocks vibrations transmitted between the case support member 21 and the track unit 22, which vibrate independently of each other.

[0027] When the transport unit 20 is attached to the feeder body 11, it is supplied with positive-pressure air by the air supply device 17, and multiple parts are transported from the case support member 21 to the track unit 22 via the connecting member 23. In this embodiment, the air supply device 17 supplies or shuts off positive-pressure air supplied from the outside from below the case support member 21 based on a command from the feeder control device 18, which will be described later.

[0028] 2-3. First vibration device 15, second vibration device 16 The bulk feeder 10 includes a first vibration device 15 and a second vibration device 16 provided on the feeder body 11. The first vibration device 15 applies vibration to the case support member 21 to encourage the discharge of parts from the set parts case 40. The second vibration device 16 applies vibration to the track unit 22 so that multiple parts are transported along the transport path R. When the second vibration device 16 applies vibration to the track unit 22, the track unit 22 moves in an elliptical motion when viewed from the side.

[0029] As a result, multiple parts in the transport path R are subjected to either a forward and upward external force or a backward and upward external force depending on the rotational direction of the elliptical motion of the track unit 22. Consequently, multiple parts are transported to either the front or rear side of the track unit 22. The bulk feeder 10 can vary the transport speed of the transported parts, the degree of dispersion of the parts, and the transport direction by controlling the frequency and amplitude of the vibrations applied to the track unit 22, as well as the rotational direction of the elliptical motion caused by the vibrations.

[0030] 2-4. Feeder control device 18 The bulk feeder 10 is equipped with a feeder control device 18. The feeder control device 18 mainly consists of a CPU, various memories, and control circuits. When the bulk feeder 10 is set in the slot of the component mounting machine 2, the feeder control device 18 is powered via the connector 111 and becomes capable of communicating with the control device of the component mounting machine 2.

[0031] The feeder control device 18 stores various data, such as programs and transport parameters used to control the parts supply process. The "transport parameters" mentioned above are parameters used to control the operation of the second vibration exciter 16 so that the vibration applied to the track unit 22 is appropriate when transporting parts in the parts supply process, and are set in advance, for example, associated with each type of part.

[0032] The feeder control device 18 controls the operation of the first vibration exciter 15, the second vibration exciter 16, the air supply device 17, the shutter drive device, and other components. For example, the feeder control device 18 controls the operation of the second vibration exciter 16 based on preset parameters to perform the parts supply process. As a result, vibration is applied to the track unit 22, and the parts on the transport path R are subjected to external forces that cause them to move in the transport direction and are transported.

[0033] 3. Parts case 40 The parts case 40 houses multiple parts in bulk. The parts case 40 is an external device that is interchangeably set on the case support member 21 in the transport unit 20 of the bulk feeder 10. The parts case 40 has a case body 41 that is formed in a flat, box shape, similar to the feeder body 11. The parts case 40 has an outlet 42 at the front lower part of the case body 41 (lower right side in Figure 2) for discharging the stored parts to the outside.

[0034] The parts case 40 is equipped with a shutter 43 that opens and closes the opening of the discharge port 42. As shown in Figure 8, the shutter 43 has an operating plate 431 that extends along the bottom surface of the case body 41, a shutter plate 432 that extends along the front surface of the case body 41, and a bent portion 433 that connects the operating plate 431 and the shutter plate 432. An operating hole 434 that penetrates in the vertical direction is formed in the operating plate 431. An opening 435 that communicates with the discharge port 42 is formed in the shutter plate 432 when the shutter plate 432 is positioned in a predetermined position relative to the case body 41. The bent portion 433 is formed to bend to conform to the curved shape of the corner of the case body 41.

[0035] With this configuration, when the operating plate 431 of the parts case 40 slides in the front-to-back direction (left-to-right direction in Figure 2, upper-left-to-lower-right direction in Figure 8), the shutter plate 432 connected by the bent portion 433 slides in the up-and-down direction (up-and-down direction in Figures 2 and 8). When the shutter plate 432 slides downward and the opening 435 communicates with the discharge port 42, the shutter 43 opens, making it possible to discharge parts to the outside. On the other hand, when the shutter plate 432 slides upward and the opening 435 is misaligned with the discharge port 42, the shutter 43 closes, making it impossible to discharge parts to the outside.

[0036] The shutter 43 is opened and closed when the parts case 40 is set in the transport unit 20, for example, by an operator inserting a special jig into the operation hole 434 and sliding the operation plate 431. Alternatively, the shutter 43 is opened and closed automatically by the shutter opening / closing device 53 of the setup device 50, as shown in Figure 8, when the transport unit 20 with the parts case 40 set in it is supported by the setup device 50, which will be described later. The detailed configuration of the setup device 50 will be described later.

[0037] 4. Parts supply process of bulk feeder 10 The parts supply process using the bulk feeder 10, which has the configuration described above, will now be explained. First, the feeder control device 18 discharges parts from the parts case 40 based on a supply command from, for example, an external source. Specifically, the feeder control device 18 controls the operation of the first vibration device 15 to apply vibration to the case support member 21 to which the parts case 40 is attached. When the parts case 40 vibrates, parts are discharged from the discharge port 42. The discharged parts fall onto the inclined portion of the case support member 21 located below the discharge port 42 and slide forward along the inclined surface of the inclined portion. As a result, the parts accumulate at the lower front end of the inclined portion.

[0038] In this state, the feeder control device 18 commands the air supply device 17 to supply positive-pressure air. The positive-pressure air supplied by the air supply device 17 blows up the multiple stagnant parts and flows through the passage formed in the case support member 21 together with the parts. As a result, the positive-pressure air and the multiple parts flow from the case support member 21 through the connecting member 23 to the track unit 22, and reach the transport path R of the track unit 22. Here, the positive-pressure air is exhausted to the outside through an exhaust port formed in the cover of the track unit 22.

[0039] Subsequently, when the second vibration exciter 16 for parts transport applies vibration to the track unit 22, multiple parts are transported to the supply area As. The track unit 22 is also subjected to vibrations that either advance or retract the parts, depending on the amount of parts to be supplied in the supply area As. Some of the multiple parts transported to the supply area As are placed in the cavity 35. Parts that are not placed in the cavity 35 are retracted to the transport path R by vibrations applied by the second vibration exciter 16 and removed from the supply area As. Through this parts supply process, the parts placed in the multiple cavities 35 are supplied in a state where they can be picked up by the parts mounting machine 2.

[0040] 5. Setup device 50 5-1. Overview of the setup device 50 The setup device 50 is installed, for example, in an external setup area between a warehouse storing components (not shown in the diagram) and the production line Ln in a production facility for product substrates. In the external setup area, the setup device 50 can automatically load components so that various feeders can supply them, or this can be done manually by an operator. The setup device 50 also assists with part of the component loading process. Feeders and components can be transported between the external setup area and the warehouse, and between the external setup area and the production line Ln, by an automated guided vehicle or by an operator.

[0041] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the setup device 50 assists in setting the parts cases 40 into the transport unit 20 that has been removed from the bulk feeder 10, and switching the shutter 43 to the open state to prepare the transport unit 20 for the flow of parts. The setup device 50 also associates the parts cases 40 set in the transport unit 20 and registers these combinations with the host computer 70.

[0042] Here, the transport unit 20 supplies different types of parts (hereinafter referred to as "corresponding part types") depending on the type of alignment member 32 of the track unit 22, specifically according to the shape of the cavity 35. This is because, depending on the shape of the part and the shape of the cavity 35, the part may not fit into the cavity 35, or even if it does fit, it may not be properly aligned. In other words, the transport unit 20 is classified by corresponding part type, for example (20A, 20B, ... in Figure 4), and selected according to the type of part to be supplied.

[0043] The parts cases 40 are classified according to the type of parts they contain (hereinafter referred to as "type of contained parts"). In other words, the parts cases 40 are classified according to the type of contained parts (40A, 40B, etc. in Figure 4), and selected according to the type of parts to be supplied. The transport unit 20 and the parts cases 40 may also be classified according to their respective functions and characteristics, in addition to or instead of corresponding types of parts and types of contained parts.

[0044] In this embodiment, the bulk feeder 10 and the parts case 40 are each marked with an identification code indicating their respective identification information. In this embodiment, since the transport unit 20 is interchangeable with the feeder body 11, the transport unit 20 is marked with a unit code 25 as an identification code. The parts case 40 is also marked with a case code 45 as an identification code. The unit code 25 and the case code 45 may be barcodes, 2D codes, or codes to which RFID is applied.

[0045] 5-2. Configuration of the setup device 50 As shown in Figure 4, the setup device 50 includes a support base 51. The support base 51 supports the transport unit 20 that has been removed from the feeder body 11 of the bulk feeder 10. The support base 51 has the same support structure as the feeder body 11 and supports the case support member 21 and the track unit 22 of the transport unit 20, respectively.

[0046] As shown in Figure 5, the setup device 50 includes a code reader 52. The code reader 52 reads the unit code 25 of the transport unit 20 and the case code 45 of the parts case 40 and obtains identification information. The code reader 52 may be, for example, a hand scanner, or it may be configured to perform readings when the transport unit 20 and parts case 40 are positioned in a predetermined position on the support base 51.

[0047] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the setup device 50 includes a shutter opening / closing device 53. The shutter opening / closing device 53 includes an operating pin 531 and a drive device 532. As shown in Figure 8, the operating pin 531 is positioned below the shutter 43 of the parts case 40 set in the transport unit 20. The operating pin 531 is configured to be able to move up and down in the vertical direction and slide in the front-rear direction. The drive device 532 moves the operating pin 531 up and down between a height at which it is inserted into the operating hole 434 of the shutter 43 and a height at which it is separated from that height. The drive device 532 also slides the operating pin 531 in the front-rear direction when it is inserted into the operating hole 434.

[0048] In this manner, the drive unit 532 of the shutter opening / closing device 53 drives the operating pin 531, causing the operating plate 431 of the shutter 43 to move in the front-to-back direction, and consequently the shutter plate 432 to move in the up-and-down direction. As a result, the open and closed states of the shutter 43 are switched by the shutter opening / closing device 53.

[0049] 6. Feeder management device 60 6-1. Overview of the feeder management device 60 In the setup of the bulk feeder 10, a parts case 40 containing a different type of part than intended may be mistakenly set in the transport unit 20. If this results in parts being discharged from the parts case 40 entering the bulk feeder 10, maintenance such as part removal will be required. Furthermore, parts removed from the bulk feeder may affect the production cost of product substrates that are to be discarded.

[0050] Therefore, in this embodiment, the feeder management device 60 incorporated into the setup device 50 employs a configuration that prevents parts of a different type than intended from being discharged from the parts case 40 to the bulk feeder 10. Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the feeder management device 60 includes a determination unit 62 and a corresponding processing unit 63. In this embodiment, the feeder management device 60 further includes an information acquisition unit 61.

[0051] Furthermore, the feeder management device 60 performs the feeder management process shown in Figure 7. Below, each step in the feeder management process will be described in correspondence with a detailed explanation of each component of the feeder management device 60. The feeder management process is performed, for example, when a predetermined transport unit 20 is set in the setup device 50, a predetermined parts case 40 is supported by the transport unit 20, and the identification codes of the transport unit 20 and the parts case 40 are read.

[0052] 6-2. Information acquisition section 61 The information acquisition unit 61 acquires identification information when the code reader 52 reads each identification code (unit code 25, case code 45). The information acquisition unit 61 then acquires feeder information D1 and case information D2 associated with each identification information (S11). In this embodiment, the storage unit 71 of the host computer 70 stores feeder information D1 associated with each unit code 25 of the multiple bulk feeders 10, and case information D2 associated with each case code 45 of the multiple component cases 40.

[0053] Specifically, the feeder information D1 is information about the bulk feeder 10, and as shown in the upper part of Figure 6, for each identification code (ID) of the transport unit 20, the cavity type, corresponding part type (Cp1, Cp2, ...), usage history, and maintenance history are recorded. The cavity type corresponds to the type of alignment member 32 attached to the track unit 22. The corresponding part type Cp indicates the type of part that the bulk feeder 10 to which the transport unit 20 is attached can appropriately supply, depending on the cavity type. The corresponding part type Cp may indicate the part type itself, or it may indicate the part type comprehensively by the external shape and dimensions of the part.

[0054] The usage history indicates the types of parts supplied by the bulk feeder 10 during its last use. The maintenance history indicates whether or not parts removal work was performed after the bulk feeder 10's last use. Since the usage history and maintenance history are supplementary information, feeder management can be performed even if this information is missing. However, including the usage history and maintenance history in the feeder information D1 will improve manageability.

[0055] Furthermore, case information D2 is information about a parts case 40 that houses a predetermined type of part. As shown in the lower part of Figure 6, the type of part Hp, usage history, and maintenance history are recorded for each identification code (ID) of the parts case 40. If the parts case 40 is of a type that can be refilled with parts, the type of part Hp is associated with the ID of the parts case 40 when parts are refilled into the parts case 40. The usage history and maintenance history of the parts case 40 are the same as those in feeder information D1, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0056] In this embodiment, the information acquisition unit 61 acquires feeder information D1 and case information D2 associated with the identification code read by the code reader 52 from the host computer 70. If the unit code 25 or case code 45 contains corresponding part type Cp, contained part type Hp, and various history information in addition to the ID, the query to the host computer 70 may be omitted.

[0057] 6-3. Judgment section 62 The determination unit 62 determines whether to allow the discharge of parts from the parts case 40 to the bulk feeder 10 based on the feeder information D1 and the case information D2. In this embodiment, the discharge refusal determination process determines whether to allow or disallow the discharge of parts contained in the parts case 40 so that they enter the interior of the transport unit 20.

[0058] The above determination process is based on feeder information D1 and case information D2, and various forms can be adopted. In this embodiment, the determination unit 62 determines that the discharge of the part is not permitted if the corresponding part type Cp in the feeder information D1 does not include the contained part type Hp in the case information D2 (S12: No). Furthermore, if the contained part type Hp is included in the case information D2 (S12: Yes), the determination unit 62 may perform a determination process based on the usage history and maintenance history. Specifically, the determination unit 62 determines that the discharge of the part is not permitted if the type of part indicated by the usage history is different from the contained part type Hp, and if the removal work has not been performed according to the maintenance history (S13: No).

[0059] In other words, the determination unit 62 permits the discharge of the part if the type of part supplied by the bulk feeder 10 in the previous use (hereinafter referred to as "previous part type") matches the contained part type Hp (S13: Yes). The determination unit 62 also permits the discharge of the part if the previous part type and the contained part type Hp do not match, and if removal work has been performed according to the maintenance history (S13: Yes). As in the two examples above, the reason for permitting the discharge of the part is that, if the setup is for supplying parts of the same type, it is possible to prevent the mixing of different types of parts regardless of whether or not removal work has been performed after the previous use.

[0060] On the other hand, the determination unit 62 will not permit the discharge of the part if the previous part type and the contained part type Hp do not match and the removal work has not been performed (S13: No). This determination prevents, for example, the mixing of different types of parts that may remain inside the transport unit 20 due to insufficient maintenance, even if the planned part case 40 is set in the transport unit 20 and the contained part type Hp is included in the corresponding part type Cp.

[0061] In addition to making the determination as described above, the determination unit 62 may also adopt a mode in which it uniformly refuses to discharge parts if removal work has not been performed according to the maintenance history, regardless of the usage history. Furthermore, the determination process may be limited to comparing the corresponding part type Cp with the contained part type Hp, and determinations based on usage history or maintenance history may be omitted.

[0062] 6-4. Corresponding Processing Unit 63 Based on the determination result of the determination unit 62 regarding whether or not to allow discharge, predetermined corresponding processing (S21-S23) is executed. Specifically, if the discharge of the part is permitted (S13: Yes), the corresponding processing unit 63 permits the operation of the drive unit 532 in the shutter opening / closing device 53 and opens the shutter 43 (S21). On the other hand, if the discharge of the part is not permitted (S12: No, S13: No), the corresponding processing unit 63 restricts the operation of the drive unit 532 that opens and closes the shutter 43 of the part case 40 supported by the case support member 21 (S22).

[0063] Furthermore, if the corresponding processing unit 63 determines in the corresponding processing that the discharge of the parts is not permitted (S12: No, S13: No), it notifies the operator who sets the parts case 40 in the bulk feeder 10 of the determination result (S23). This allows the operator to recognize that the attached parts case 40 is not compatible with the transport unit 20 set in the setup device 50. This prevents the transport unit 20 from discharging parts other than those intended from the incompatible parts case 40.

[0064] As described above, if the setup device 50 is equipped with a shutter opening / closing device 53, the corresponding processing unit 63 can respond by restricting the operation of the shutter opening / closing device 53. Alternatively, the corresponding processing unit 63 may, in the corresponding processing, activate a locking mechanism (not shown) that locks the opening and closing of the shutter 43 of the parts case 40. In the above embodiment, the response was made by restricting the transition of the shutter 43 of the parts case 40 to the open state. In contrast, for example, a shielding plate, which is a separate component from the shutter 43, may be inserted between the parts case 40 and the case support member 21, and the response may be made by whether or not to remove this shielding plate.

[0065] 7. Effects of the Configuration of the Embodiment According to the configuration of the feeder management device 60 illustrated in the embodiment, a determination of whether or not to allow discharge is made based on feeder information D1 and case information D. Then, a corresponding process is performed based on this determination result, so even if, for example, a parts case 40 containing a different type of part than intended is set in the bulk feeder 10, the corresponding process prevents the parts from being discharged. This prevents maintenance from being required due to incorrect work, prevents a decrease in production efficiency, and reduces the disposal of unnecessary parts. Furthermore, applying such a feeder management device 60 to the setup device 50 is particularly useful as it can improve the efficiency of the setup.

[0066] 8. Modified embodiments of the embodiment In this embodiment, the feeder management device 60 is configured to be integrated into the setup device 50. However, part or all of the feeder management device 60 may be an external device separate from the setup device 50. For example, part or all of the feeder management device 60 may be integrated into the component mounting machine 2, the host computer 70, or the bulk feeder 10, or it may be a dedicated device installed in an external setup area or the like.

[0067] In this embodiment, the bulk feeder 10 supplies components to be mounted on the substrate by the component mounting machine 2. In contrast, the components are those used in a substrate work machine that performs predetermined operations on the substrate, such as the component mounting machine 2, and can be various items as long as they can be supplied in a state where they are housed in the cavity 35 of the bulk feeder. For example, the bulk feeder 10 may supply spherically formed solder balls. Even in this configuration, the same effects as in the embodiment are achieved. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 2: Parts mounting machine, 10: Bulk feeder, 11: Feeder body, 20, 20A, 20B: Conveying unit, 21: Case support member, 22: Track unit (track member), 31: Track body, 32, 32A, 32B: Alignment member, 35: Cavity, 36: Side wall, 37: Front end, 38: Feeder shutter, 23: Connecting member, 25: Unit code (identification code), 40, 40A, 40B: Parts case, 41: Case body, 42: Discharge port, 43: Shutter, 45: Case code (identification code), 50: Setup device, 51: Support base, 52: Code reader, 53: Shutter opening / closing device, 531: Operation pin, 532: Drive device, 60: Feeder management device, 61: Information acquisition unit, 62: Judgment unit, 63: Corresponding processing unit, 70: Host computer, D1: Feeder information, D2: Case information, Cp: Corresponding part type, Hp: Housed part type, As: Supply area, R: Transport path, Sy: Production system, Ln, Ln1, Ln2: Production line

Claims

1. A determination unit that determines whether or not to allow the discharge of the parts from the parts case to the bulk feeder based on feeder information relating to the bulk feeder and case information relating to the parts case which is set in the bulk feeder and contains predetermined types of parts, A response processing unit that performs a predetermined response process based on the determination result of the determination unit regarding whether or not to allow discharge, Equipped with, The feeder information includes a usage history indicating the type of parts supplied by the bulk feeder in the previous use, and a maintenance history indicating whether or not the parts were removed after the previous use. The case information includes the type of component to be housed in the component case, The determination unit is a feeder management device that, if the type of part indicated by the usage history differs from the type of part to be stored, and the removal work has not been performed according to the maintenance history, does not permit the discharge of the part.

2. The feeder information includes a corresponding part type indicating the type of part that the bulk feeder is responsible for supplying. The case information includes the type of component to be housed in the component case, The feeder management device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines that the discharge of the component is not permitted if the corresponding component type does not include the component type to be contained.

3. The bulk feeder comprises a plurality of cavities for housing the parts in a supply area for supplying the parts in a manner that allows the parts to be collected, The feeder management device according to claim 2, wherein the corresponding component type is set in advance according to the shape of the cavity.

4. The bulk feeder includes a case support member that supports the set component case, The aforementioned parts case includes an outlet for discharging the contained parts to the outside, and a shutter for opening and closing the opening of the outlet. The corresponding processing unit restricts the operation of a drive device that opens and closes the shutter of the component case supported by the case support member in the corresponding processing, according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The aforementioned parts case includes an outlet for discharging the contained parts to the outside, and a shutter for opening and closing the opening of the outlet. The feeder management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the corresponding processing unit activates a locking mechanism for locking the opening and closing of the shutter of the component case during the corresponding processing.

6. The feeder management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the corresponding processing unit, in the corresponding processing, notifies the operator who sets the parts case in the bulk feeder of the determination result if the determination result does not permit the discharge of the parts.

7. The bulk feeder and the parts case are each marked with an identification code indicating their respective identification information. The feeder management device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an information acquisition unit that acquires identification information by reading each of the aforementioned identification codes, and also acquires feeder information and case information associated with each of the aforementioned identification information.

8. The bulk feeder comprises a transport unit consisting of a case support member that is detachably attached to the feeder body and supports the set parts case, and a track member that has a transport path for transporting the parts and a supply area for supplying the parts in a collectible manner. A support base for supporting the transport unit removed from the feeder body, A feeder management device according to claim 1 or 2, A setup device equipped with the following features.

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