Substrate production system

Abstract

This substrate production system comprises an upstream device that executes first processing on a substrate, and a downstream device that executes second processing on the substrate. The upstream device is provided with an upstream first lane and an upstream second lane, which are each made of a conveyor and extend in parallel to each other. The downstream device is provided with a downstream second lane that receives and conveys a substrate from the upstream first lane, and a downstream first lane that extends in parallel to the downstream second lane and receives and conveys the substrate from the upstream second lane, the downstream second lane and the downstream first lane each being made of a conveyor. One or two lanes among the upstream first lane, the upstream second lane, the downstream first lane, and the downstream second lane are provided so as to straddle the upstream device and the downstream device by extending from a device on one side to the inside of a device on the other side among the upstream device and the downstream device.

Description

PCB Production System

[0001] The present invention relates to a board production system that includes two board production devices for producing component-mounted boards, and the two board production devices are arranged in the board transport direction.

[0002] As an example of the above-mentioned board production system, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printing system including two printing devices (examples of board production devices) lined up in the transport direction of the board, and a shuttle conveyor arranged between the two printing devices.

[0003] Each printing device is equipped with two conveyors, one in the front and one in the rear, which form two transport lanes. The front lane, consisting of the front conveyor, is a lane for holding a substrate and performing printing processing, and the rear lane, consisting of the rear conveyor, is a dedicated transport lane (pass lane) for passing the substrate.

[0004] The board is carried into the front lane or rear lane of the first printing device (the upstream printing device). The board carried into the front lane undergoes printing processing in the front lane, is then handed over to a shuttle conveyor, and is then transferred by the shuttle conveyor to the rear lane of the second printing device (the downstream printing device). The board is then carried out along the rear lane to the next process, i.e., to the component mounting device.

[0005] If a substrate is present in the front lane of the first printing device, the subsequent substrate is carried into the rear lane of the first printing device. The substrate carried into the rear lane is handed over from the rear lane to a shuttle conveyor, which then transfers the substrate to the front lane of the second printing device. After undergoing printing processing in this front lane, the substrate is carried out and carried into the component mounting device. In this manner, in the above printing system, printing processing is performed alternately on substrates by the first printing device and the second printing device.

[0006] In each of the above-mentioned printing devices, the rear conveyor that constitutes the rear lane is composed of a single conveyor extending in the board transport direction. On the other hand, the front conveyor that constitutes the front lane is composed of three conveyors divided in the board transport direction. Specifically, the front conveyor is composed of an in-conveyor that carries the board into the machine, an out-conveyor that carries the board out of the machine, and a main conveyor located between the in-conveyor and out-conveyor. The board is clamped on the main conveyor and undergoes printing processing.

[0007] In such a printing system, the first printing device and the second printing device each have their own conveyors, which increases the cost and burden of conveyor control for each printing device. Therefore, it is desirable to further simplify the configuration of the substrate transport lanes, but Patent Document 1 does not disclose any ideas in this regard.

[0008] JP 2011-235584 A

[0009] The present invention aims to provide a technology that contributes to simplifying the configuration of board transport lanes in a board production system that includes two board production devices lined up in the board transport direction, each of which has two lanes for transporting boards.

[0010] A board production system according to one aspect of the present invention includes an upstream device that performs a first process on a board, and a downstream device that is arranged adjacent to the upstream device downstream in the board transport direction and performs a second process on the board, wherein the upstream devices each comprise a conveyor for transporting a board, and are provided with an upstream first lane and an upstream second lane that extend parallel to each other in the board transport direction, and the downstream devices each comprise a conveyor for transporting a board, and are provided with a downstream second lane that receives a board from the upstream first lane and transports it, and a downstream first lane that extends parallel to the downstream second lane and receives a board from the upstream second lane and transports it, and one or two of the upstream first lane, the upstream second lane, the downstream first lane, and the downstream second lane extend from one of the upstream device and the downstream device to the inside of the other device, thereby spanning the upstream device and the downstream device.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a first embodiment of a printing system that is a board production system of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view (partial cross-sectional view) showing the device body of a first printing device. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the printing system including covers and sensors. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the printing system showing lanes that are stopped when the outer cover of the first printing device is opened. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the printing system showing lanes that are stopped when the outer cover of the second printing device is opened. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a printing system. FIG. 7 is a plan view of a third embodiment of a printing system. FIG. 8 is a plan view of a fourth embodiment of a printing system. FIG. 9 is a plan view of a fifth embodiment of a printing system.

[0012] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] 1 is a schematic plan view showing a printing system 1A (an example of a board production system) according to a first embodiment. The printing system 1A is part of a system for producing component-mounted boards in which components are mounted on a board P such as a printed wiring board, and is a system for printing cream solder (an example of a coating material; hereinafter, abbreviated as solder) on the board P before the components are mounted.

[0014] The printing system 1A includes a plurality of printing devices, each of which performs a printing process to print solder onto lands of the substrate P. In this example, the printing system 1A includes two printing devices (a first printing device 2 and a second printing device 3).

[0015] The first printing device 2 and the second printing device 3 are connected in series in this order along the transport direction of the substrate P, and together with a component mounting device and a reflow device not shown, form a production line that produces component-mounted substrates. The X and Y directions indicated by the indicators in the figure are directions that are perpendicular to each other in a horizontal plane, and the X direction is the transport direction of the substrate P. The Z direction (see FIG. 2), which will be described later, is the vertical direction.

[0016] 1, the substrate P is transported from the X1 side toward the X2 side, and after being subjected to a printing process by the first printing device 2 or the second printing device 3, is carried into the component mounting device. The component mounting device is a device that mounts components onto the substrate P that has been subjected to a printing process, and the reflow device is a device that performs a reflow process that melts and hardens the solder by heating the substrate P on which the components have been mounted.

[0017] The printing system 1A includes a first transport lane L1 extending in the X direction and a second transport lane L2 adjacent to the first transport lane L1 on the Y2 side and extending parallel to the first transport lane L1 in the X direction. The substrate P is transported along these two transport lanes L1 and L2.

[0018] The first printing device 2 includes a device main body 2A that performs printing processing and a first control device 2B that primarily controls the device main body 2A. Similarly, the second printing device 3 includes a device main body 3A that performs printing processing and a second control device 3B that primarily controls the device main body 3A. In this example, the first printing device 2 corresponds to the "upstream device" of the present invention, and the first control device 2B corresponds to the "upstream control device" of the present invention. Furthermore, the second printing device 3 corresponds to the "downstream device" of the present invention, and the second control device 3B corresponds to the "downstream control device" of the present invention.

[0019] [Configuration of Printing Apparatus] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view (partial cross-sectional view) showing the apparatus main body 2A of the first printing apparatus 2. As shown in FIG.

[0020] The device main body 2A is a so-called screen printing device that prints solder onto the substrate P using a mask (screen plate) with pattern holes (openings) that correspond to the lands on the substrate P. The device main body 2A includes a base 200 and, mounted on the base 200, a main lane 10, a sub-lane 11, a mask holding unit 20, a substrate support unit 24, and a squeegee unit 35.

[0021] Both the main lane 10 and the sub-lane 11 have the function of transporting the substrate P, the main lane 10 forms part of the first transport lane L1 of the printing system 1A, and the sub-lane 11 forms part of the second transport lane L2.

[0022] In this example, the main lane 10 and the sub-lane 11 are both made up of belt-type conveyors that support and transport both ends (both ends in the Y direction) of the substrate P. The main lane 10 and the sub-lane 11 are adjacent to each other in the Y direction and extend parallel to each other in the X direction. A printing device equipped with two lanes 10, 11 for transporting the substrate P in this way is sometimes called a "dual lane printing device."

[0023] The main lane 10 is a lane that mainly transports the substrate P that undergoes printing processing in the first printing device 2. In other words, the main lane 10 is a lane that transports substrates to be printed in and out of the first printing device 2.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, the main lane 10 includes two conveyors, an input conveyor 10a and an operation conveyor 10b, which are independent of each other. The operation conveyor 10b is disposed in the central region of the base 200 in the X direction, and the input conveyor 10a is disposed adjacent to the X1 side of the operation conveyor 10b. The input conveyor 10a carries the substrate P into the machine before printing processing. The operation conveyor 10b receives the substrate P from the input conveyor 10a and places it at a predetermined printing work position, and passes the substrate P after printing processing to the second printing device 3.

[0025] The sub-lane 11 is located on the Y2 side of the main lane 10. The sub-lane 11 is a so-called pass lane that allows the substrate P to pass through without undergoing printing processing in the first printing device 2. The sub-lane 11 is a single conveyor that extends in the X direction, and does not have a divided structure like the main lane 10.

[0026] A certain region including the end of the sub-lane 11 on the X2 side (referred to as the downstream end region 111) extends outside the base 200 (in the X2 direction) and enters the device main body 3A (base 200) of the second printing device 3. As a result, the sub-lane 11 of the first printing device 2 is provided across from the first printing device 2 (device main body 2A) to the second printing device 3 (device main body 3A).

[0027] The main lane 10 and the sub-lane 11 are made up of variable-gap conveyors whose width (the gap between the pair of conveyors) can be changed, thereby enabling boards P of different sizes to be transported.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2, the mask holding unit 20 is disposed above the work conveyor 10b in the main lane 10. The mask holding unit 20 includes a mask 22 and a clamping member (not shown) that holds the mask 22. The mask 22 has a mask frame 21 attached to its periphery that is clamped by the clamping member. As a result, the mask 22 is disposed parallel to the XY plane above the work conveyor 10b.

[0029] The substrate supporting unit 24 positions the substrate P relative to the mask 22, and is disposed below the mask holding unit 20. The substrate supporting unit 24 includes a substrate supporting portion 25, a movable table 26, and a table driving mechanism 30.

[0030] The substrate support unit 25 is attached to the movable table 26 together with the work conveyor 10b. The substrate support unit 25 includes a lift table 27 having a plurality of backup pins 27a erected thereon, and a slide support 28 that supports the lift table 27 so that it can be raised and lowered relative to the movable table 26.

[0031] The lifting table 27 is raised and lowered relative to the movable table 26 by the driving force of a motor or the like. The raising and lowering of this lifting table 27 causes the board P to be transferred between the working conveyor 10b and the backup pins 27a. For example, when the lifting table 27 rises from the home position, the board P is lifted from the working conveyor 10b by the backup pins 27a. As a result, the board P is transferred from the working conveyor 10b to the backup pins 27a.

[0032] The substrate support section 25 is equipped with a pair of clamp plates 29. The pair of clamp plates 29 are arranged above the working conveyor 10b at a distance in the Y direction, and move between a close position and a separated position by the driving force of an air cylinder or the like. When the clamp plates 29 move to the close position, the substrate P lifted from the working conveyor 10b by the backup pins 27a is clamped horizontally from both sides in the Y direction. At this time, the upper surface of the substrate P and the upper surfaces of the clamp plates 29 are flush with each other.

[0033] The table drive mechanism 30 includes a Y-axis table 31 installed on the base 200 of the apparatus main body 2A, an X-axis table 32 installed on the upper surface of the Y-axis table 31, an R-axis table 33 installed on the upper surface of the X-axis table 32, and a slide support 34 that supports the movable table 26 so that it can be raised and lowered relative to the R-axis table 33. The Y-axis table 31, the X-axis table 32, the R-axis table 33, and the movable table 26 each move in a predetermined direction by a driving force such as a motor. Specifically, the Y-axis table 31 moves in the Y direction relative to the base 200 of the apparatus main body 2A, and the X-axis table 32 moves in the X direction relative to the Y-axis table 31. Furthermore, the R-axis table 33 moves in the R direction (a rotational direction about an axis extending in the Z direction) relative to the X-axis table 32, and the movable table 26 rises and falls relative to the R-axis table 33.

[0034] That is, the table driving mechanism 30 moves the work conveyor 10b and the substrate support section 25, which are assembled to the movable table 26, in the X, Y, Z, and R directions, thereby bringing the substrate P supported by the substrate support section 25 (substrate P clamped by the clamp plate 29) into contact with the lower surface of the mask 22. As a result, the substrate P is superimposed on the mask 22.

[0035] The squeegee unit 35 is disposed above the mask holding unit 20. The squeegee unit 35 includes a squeegee head 36 and a squeegee 37 supported thereby.

[0036] The squeegee head 36 moves horizontally in the Y direction and rises and falls relative to the mask 22 due to the driving force of a motor or the like. The squeegee 37 is a plate-shaped spatula member extending in the X direction and is supported so as to be swingable relative to the squeegee head 36 around an axis extending in the X direction. The squeegee 37 swings relative to the squeegee head 36 due to the driving force of a motor or the like. The squeegee 37 is brought into contact with the upper surface of the mask 22 at a predetermined angle (attack angle) and printing pressure (pressing pressure), and moves along the mask 22 together with the squeegee head 36 at a predetermined speed (squeegee speed). In this way, the solder is printed on the substrate P through the pattern holes while moving along the upper surface of the mask 22.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the printing system 1A including the covers and sensors.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the device main body 2A includes an outer cover 40 that, together with the base 200, forms the outer shell of the first printing device 2.

[0039] The external cover 40 covers mainly the movable parts of the apparatus main body 2A. Specifically, by covering the main lane 10, sub lane 11, mask holding unit 20, substrate support unit 24, and squeegee unit 35 described above, it isolates them from the outside. The external cover 40 is formed in a box shape. Openings are formed on both side surfaces of the external cover 40 in the X direction. Substrates P are carried in and out along the main lane 10 and sub lane 11 through these openings. In addition, lid members 40a are provided on both sides of the external cover 40 in the Y direction. By opening the lid members 40a, an operator can access the interior through openings 41 formed in the external cover 40.

[0040] 2 and 3, reference numeral 42 denotes a lane cover that covers the secondary lane 11 and isolates the secondary lane 11 inside the external cover 40. The lane cover 42 is formed in a box shape. Openings are formed on both side surfaces of the lane cover 42 in the X direction. The board P is transported along the secondary lane 11 through these openings. In addition, a lid member 42a is provided on the Y2 side of the lane cover 42. An operator can access the secondary lane 11 through the opening 43 formed in the lane cover 42 by opening the lid member 40a on the Y2 side of the external cover 40 and then opening the lid member 42a of the lane cover 42.

[0041] In the following description, opening the lid member 40a of the external cover 40 may be referred to as "opening the external cover 40," and opening the lid member 42a of the lane cover 42 may be referred to as "opening the lane cover 42."

[0042] The basic operation of the printing process in the above-mentioned device main body 2A (first printing device 2) is as follows. First, with the lift table 27 positioned at its lowest end position, the substrate P is carried into the machine along the main lane 10 (carry-in conveyor 10a) and placed at the printing work position (work conveyor 10b). Next, the lift table 27 rises, and the substrate P is transferred from the main lane 10 (work conveyor 10b) to the substrate support section 25 (backup pins 27a), and then the substrate P is clamped by the clamp plate 29.

[0043] Thereafter, the table driving mechanism 30 is operated to overlay the substrate P supported by the substrate support parts 25 on the lower surface of the mask 22. At this time, the position of the substrate support parts 25 is adjusted in the X, Y, and R directions. Through this adjustment, the substrate P is overlaid at a predetermined position on the mask 22.

[0044] When the substrate P is superimposed on the mask 22, the squeegee unit 35 is positioned at a predetermined movement start position. The squeegee head 36 is lowered at this position, causing the squeegee 37 to be pressed against the upper surface of the mask 22 at a predetermined angle (attack angle) and printing pressure (pressing pressure). In this state, the squeegee 37 moves in the Y direction at a predetermined movement speed (squeegee speed) together with the movement of the squeegee head 36. As this movement occurs, solder is printed onto the substrate P through the pattern holes.

[0045] When the squeegee unit 35 reaches the end of movement position, the table drive mechanism 30 is operated to reset the substrate support section 25 to its original position. This causes the substrate P to be released from the mask 22. Thereafter, the clamp plate 29 releases the clamp on the substrate P, and the lift table 27 descends, transferring the substrate P from the substrate support section 25 (backup pins 27a) to the main lane 10 (work conveyor 10b). This completes the series of printing processes in the device main body 2A. After the printing process, the substrate P is transported out of the first printing device 2, and then transported via the second printing device 3 to the component mounting device, which is the next process.

[0046] 1, the device main body 3A of the second printing device 3 has a configuration that is rotationally symmetrical in plan view to the device main body 2A of the first printing device 2. In this example, the second printing device 3 is provided by rotating a printing device having the same configuration as the first printing device 2 by 180 degrees about a vertical axis relative to the first printing device 2 and placing it adjacent to the downstream side (X2 side) of the first printing device 2. The basic configuration of the device main body 3A of the second printing device 3 is the same as the configuration of the device main body 2A of the first printing device 2, except for the following points.

[0047] 1, the arrangement of the main lanes 10 and sub-lanes 11 in the second printing device 3 is opposite to the arrangement of the main lanes 10 and sub-lanes 11 in the first printing device 2. As a result, in the second printing device 3, the main lane 10 forms part of the second transport lane L2 of the printing system 1A, and the sub-lane 11 forms the first transport lane L1.

[0048] In the second printing device 3, a certain region (referred to as the upstream end region 110) including the X1 side end of the sub lane 11 extends outside the base 200 (in the X1 direction) and enters the device main body 2A (base 200) of the first printing device 2. As a result, the sub lane 11 of the second printing device 3 is provided across from the second printing device 3 (device main body 3A) to the first printing device 2 (device main body 2A). The X1 side end of the sub lane 11 is closely opposed to the X2 side end of the main lane 10 (work conveyor 10b) of the first printing device 2.

[0049] The main lane 10 of the second printing device 3 includes two conveyors, a working conveyor 10b and an unloading conveyor 10c, which are independent of each other. The working conveyor 10b is located in the central region of the base 200 in the X direction, and the unloading conveyor 10a is located adjacent to the X2 side of the working conveyor 10b. The unloading conveyor 10c receives the printed substrate P from the working conveyor 10b and unloads it outside the machine. Note that the end (X2 side end) of the sub lane 11 of the first printing device 2, which extends inside the device main body 3A, is located in a position adjacent to the X1 side end of the main lane 10 of the second printing device 3, more specifically, in a position adjacent to the X1 side end of the working conveyor 10b.

[0050] In other words, the board P transported along the sub-lane 11 of the first printing device 2 (the board P that simply passes through the first printing device 2 without undergoing printing processing) is transferred directly from the sub-lane 11 to the work conveyor 10b (main lane 10) of the second printing device 3. This causes the board P to be carried into the second printing device 3, where printing processing is performed on the board P. The operation of the printing processing in the second printing device 3 (device main body 3A) is the same as the operation after printing processing in the first printing device 2 (device main body 2A). After printing processing, the board P is transferred from the work conveyor 10b to the carry-out conveyor 10c, and is carried out of the machine (towards X2) by the carry-out conveyor 10c, where it is carried into the component mounting device, which is the next process.

[0051] Meanwhile, the board P that has undergone printing processing in the first printing device 2 is transferred from the main lane 10 of the first printing device 2, specifically the work conveyor 10b, to the sub-lane 11 of the second printing device 3. The board P is carried out of the first printing device 2 by the sub-lane 11 and carried into the second printing device 3, and then passes through the second printing device 3 and is carried out of the machine (towards X2) and carried into the component mounting device, which is the next process.

[0052] In this example, the next process is a component mounting device, but the next process may also be a solder inspection device, a buffer conveyor, etc. In this case, the board P that is carried out from the second printing device 3 is carried into the solder inspection device or the buffer conveyor.

[0053] 3, the device main body 3A of the second printing device 3 also has an outer cover 40 and a lane cover 42, similar to the device main body 3A of the first printing device 2. Although not shown, in the second printing device 3, the lid member 42a of the lane cover 42 is provided on the Y1 side, and an operator can access the secondary lane 11 through an opening 43 formed in the lane cover 42 by opening the lid member 40a on the Y1 side of the outer cover 40 and then opening the lid member 42a of the lane cover 42.

[0054] In this printing system 1A, the internal space of the external cover 40 of the first printing device 2 (excluding the inside of the lane cover 42) is substantially in communication only with the internal space of the lane cover 42 of the second printing device 3, and the internal space of the external cover 40 of the second printing device 3 (excluding the inside of the lane cover 42) is substantially in communication only with the internal space of the lane cover 42 of the first printing device 2. In other words, in this printing system 1A, the first transport lane L1 and the second transport lane L2 are isolated from each other by being arranged in independent spaces.

[0055] In this example, the main lane 10 of the first printing device 2 corresponds to the "upstream first lane" of the present invention, and the secondary lane 11 corresponds to the "upstream second lane" of the present invention. Furthermore, the main lane 10 of the second printing device 3 corresponds to the "downstream first lane" of the present invention, and the secondary lane 11 corresponds to the "downstream second lane" of the present invention. Furthermore, the external cover 40 of the first printing device 2 corresponds to the "upstream external cover" of the present invention, and the lane cover 42 of the first printing device 2 corresponds to the "upstream lane cover" of the present invention. Furthermore, the external cover 40 of the second printing device 3 corresponds to the "downstream external cover" of the present invention, and the lane cover 42 of the second printing device 3 corresponds to the "downstream lane cover" of the present invention.

[0056] In this printing system 1A, the substrate P undergoing printing processing in the first printing device 2 is transported along the first transport lane L1, and the substrate P undergoing printing processing in the second printing device 3 is transported along the second transport lane L2.

[0057] As described above, the first printing device 2 includes a first control device 2B that mainly controls the device main body 2A, and the second printing device 3 includes a second printing device 3B that mainly controls the device main body 3A. The first control device 2B and the second control device 3B are connected to each other so that data can be communicated with each other.

[0058] The first control device 2B and the second control device 3B are each composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), peripheral circuits, etc., and include a printing control unit 51 and a conveying control unit 52 as their main functional components.

[0059] The print control unit 51 of the first control device 2B controls the operation of the print process on the substrate P in the first printing device 2, which is its own device. That is, the print control unit 51 of the first control device 2B controls the driving of the substrate support unit 24 and the squeegee unit 35 in the device main body 2A, thereby executing the print process on the substrate P as described above.

[0060] The printing control unit 51 of the second control device 3B controls the operation of the printing process on the substrate P in the second printing device 3, which is its own device. In other words, the printing control unit 51 of the second control device 3B controls the driving of the substrate support unit 24 and the squeegee unit 35 in the device main body 3A, thereby executing the printing process on the substrate P as described above.

[0061] Each transport control unit 52 of the first control device 2B and the second control device 3B controls the transport operation of the substrate P in the device main bodies 2A, 3A. Specifically, each transport control unit 52 controls the driving of the main lane 10 and the sub-lane 11 to carry the substrate P into the machine, transport the substrate P within the machine, and carry the substrate P out of the machine.

[0062] In this printing system 1A, the transport control unit 52 of the first control device 2B controls the main lane 10 of the first printing device 2, which is the host device, and the sub-lane 11 of the second printing device 3, which is the other device (see the dashed arrow in FIG. 1). Also, the transport control unit 52 of the second control device 3B controls the main lane 10 of the second printing device 3, which is the host device, and the sub-lane 11 of the first printing device 2, which is the other device (see the dashed arrow in FIG. 1). In other words, the transport control unit 52 of the first control device 2B does not control the sub-lane 11 of the first printing device 2, which is the host device. Also, the transport control unit 52 of the second control device 3B does not control the sub-lane 11 of the second printing device 3, which is the host device.

[0063] [Relationship between the control of the first control device 2B and the second control device 3B and the open / closed state of the cover] The first control device 2B and the second control device 3B each receive a signal from a sensor that detects the open / closed state of each cover 40, 42, and the printing control unit 51 controls the operation of the printing process based on the input signal, and the conveying control unit 52 controls the main lane 10 and the sub lane 11 based on the input signal.

[0064] 3, the first printing device 2 is provided with a first sensor SA1 that detects the open / closed state of the outer cover 40 (lid member 40a) and a second sensor SA2 that detects the open / closed state of the lane cover 42 (lid member 42a). The second printing device 3 is provided with a first sensor SB1 that detects the open / closed state of the outer cover 40 (lid member 40a) and a second sensor SB2 that detects the open / closed state of the lane cover 42 (lid member 42a).

[0065] 1, in addition to signals from the first sensor SA1 and second sensor SA2 of the first printing device 2, which is the host device, a signal from the second sensor SB2 of the second printing device 3, which is another device, is input to the first control device 2B. Furthermore, in addition to signals from the first sensor SB1 and second sensor SB2 of the second printing device 3, which is the host device, a signal from the second sensor SA2 of the first printing device 2, which is another device, is input to the second control device 3B.

[0066] Based on input signals from the sensors SA1, SA2, SB2, the first control device 2B executes operations within its control range only when all covers 40, 42 of its own first printing device 2 are closed and the lane cover 42 of the other second printing device 3 is closed. That is, the printing control unit 51 executes the printing process for the substrate P, and the transport control unit 52 operates the main lane 10 of its own first printing device 2 and the sub-lane 11 of the other second printing device 3.

[0067] If the outer cover 40 of the first printing device 2 is opened while the printing system 1A is in operation (if the first sensor SA1 detects that the outer cover 40 has been opened), the first control device 2B (printing control unit 51) stops the printing process by stopping the squeegee unit 35 and other units that are in operation. Furthermore, the first control device 2B (conveyance control unit 52) ​​stops the main lane 10 of the first printing device 2, which is its own device, and the sub-lane 11 of the second printing device 3, which is another device, as shown in FIG. 4 .

[0068] On the other hand, the second control device 3B performs operations within its control range based on input signals from the respective sensors SB1, SB2, SA2 only when all covers 40, 42 of its own second printing device 3 are closed and the lane cover 42 of the other first printing device 2 is closed. In other words, the printing control unit 51 of the second control device 3B performs printing processing on the substrate P, and the transport control unit 52 thereof operates the main lane 10 of its own second printing device 3 and the sub-lane 11 of the other first printing device 2.

[0069] If the outer cover 40 of the second printing device 3 is opened while the printing system 1A is in operation (if the first sensor SB1 detects that the outer cover 40 has been opened), the second control device 3B (printing control unit 51) stops the printing process by stopping the squeegee unit 35 and other operating units. Furthermore, the second control device 3B (conveyance control unit 52) ​​stops the main lane 10 of the second printing device 3 (its own device) and the sub-lane 11 of the second printing device 3 (the other device), as shown in FIG. 5 .

[0070] If the lane cover 42 of the first printing device 2 or the lane cover 42 of the second printing device 3 is opened while the printing system 1A is in operation, the first control device 2B and the second control device 3B stop all operations within their control ranges. That is, the printing control unit 51 of the first control device 2B stops the printing process, and the transport control unit 52 stops the main lane 10 of its own device, the first printing device 2, and the sub lane 11 of the other device, the second printing device 3. Similarly, the printing control unit 51 of the second control device 3B stops the printing process, and the transport control unit 52 stops the main lane 10 of its own device, the second printing device 3, and the sub lane 11 of the other device, the second printing device 3.

[0071] As described above, when opening the lane cover 42, the external cover 40 must also be opened, so the lane cover 42 rarely opens independently while the printing system 1A is in operation. However, due to the above-described control of the first control device 2B and the second control device 3B, neither the first printing device 2 nor the second printing device 3 can operate when at least either the lane cover 42 of the first printing device 2 or the lane cover 42 of the second printing device 3 is open.

[0072] [Operation and Effect] In the printing system 1A described above, the downstream end region 111 of the sub lane 11 of the first printing device 2 is extended into the interior of the second printing device 3, so that the sub lane 11 is provided spanning from the first printing device 2 to the second printing device 3. With this configuration, the substrate P transported along the sub lane 11 of the first printing device 2 (the substrate P that simply passes through the first printing device 2 without undergoing printing processing) is carried out of the first printing device 2 and carried into the second printing device 3 by the sub lane 11, and is then directly delivered to the work conveyor 10b (main lane 10) of the second printing device 3. In other words, the downstream end region 111 of the sub lane 11 of the first printing device 2 functions as an input conveyor for the second printing device 3.

[0073] Furthermore, an upstream end region 110 of the sub-lane 11 of the second printing device 3 is extended into the interior of the first printing device 2, so that the sub-lane 11 is provided straddling from the second printing device 3 to the first printing device 2. With this configuration, the substrate P that has been printed by the first printing device 2 is transferred directly from the work conveyor 10b (main lane 10) of the first printing device 2 to the sub-lane 11 of the second printing device 3, and is carried out of the first printing device 2 and carried into the second printing device 3 by the sub-lane 11. In other words, the upstream end region 110 of the sub-lane 11 of the second printing device 3 functions as an output conveyor for the main lane 10 of the first printing device 2.

[0074] This configuration reduces the number of conveyors compared to a conventional printing system (Patent Document 1), i.e., a printing system in which the lane (corresponding to the main lane 10 in this example) for transporting the substrate to be printed in the printing device is composed of three conveyors: an in-conveyor (in-conveyor), a work conveyor (main conveyor), and an out-conveyor (out-conveyor). Specifically, while the conventional printing system has four conveyors per printing device, the printing system 1A of the above embodiment only requires three conveyors per printing device 2, 3. Therefore, the printing system 1A of the above embodiment can simplify the configuration of the transport lane for the substrate P. Furthermore, because the number of conveyors is reduced, the printing system 1A of the above embodiment reduces the control burden for transport control of the substrate P.

[0075] In addition, in the above printing system 1A, the first control device 2B controls the main lane 10 of the first printing device 2, which is the own device, and the sub-lane 11 of the second printing device 3, which is the other device, and the second control device 3B controls the main lane 10 of the second printing device 3, which is the own device, and the sub-lane 11 of the first printing device 2, which is the other device.

[0076] As described above, this configuration enables safer operation of the secondary lane 11 in a configuration in which the secondary lane 11 straddles the first printing device 2 and the second printing device 3. In other words, if the first control device 2B controls the main lane 10 and secondary lane 11 of its own first printing device 2 (device main body 2A), the secondary lane 11 of the second printing device 3 will not be stopped even if the first printing device 2 is stopped for setup or other operations. Therefore, if an operator opens the external cover 40 to access the interior of the machine, there is a concern that the operator may come into contact with the secondary lane 11 of the second printing device 3 while it is in operation—specifically, the upstream end region 110 of the secondary lane 11 that extends into the first printing device 2. Similarly, if the second printing device 3 is stopped to perform setup or other operations, there is a concern that the operator may come into contact with the downstream end region 111 of the secondary lane 11 of the first printing device 2 that extends into the second printing device 3.

[0077] However, according to the printing system 1A, when the first printing apparatus 2 is stopped to perform setup work or the like, the main lane 10 of the first printing apparatus 2 (the host apparatus) and the sub lane 11 of the second printing apparatus 3 (the other apparatus) can be stopped to perform the work. Similarly, when the second printing apparatus 3 is stopped to perform setup work or the like, the sub lane 11 of the first printing apparatus 2 (the other apparatus) can be stopped to perform the work. Therefore, even if an operator were to come into contact with a portion of the sub lane 11 of the other apparatus that extends into the host apparatus (the upstream end region 110 or the downstream end region 111) during setup work, there is no particular danger because the sub lane 11 is stopped.

[0078] The same applies if the external cover 40 is opened while the first printing device 2 and the second printing device 3 are operating. That is, according to the printing system 1A, when the first sensor SA1 detects that the external cover 40 of the first printing device 2 has been opened, the printing process of the first printing device 2 is stopped, and the main lane 10 of the first printing device 2 and the secondary lane 11 of the second printing device 3 are stopped. Furthermore, when the first sensor SB1 detects that the external cover 40 of the second printing device 3 has been opened, the printing process of the second printing device 3 is stopped, and the main lane 10 of the second printing device 3 and the secondary lane 11 of the first printing device 2 are stopped. Therefore, even if an operator were to come into contact with a portion of the secondary lane 11 of another printer that extends into the interior of the own printer (the upstream end region 110 or the downstream end region 111), there is no particular danger because the secondary lane 11 is stopped, as described above.

[0079] In the printing system 1A of the above embodiment, even if the first printing device 2 is stopped, the sub lane 11 of the first printing device 2 does not stop because the sub lane 11 is controlled by the second control device 3B. However, the sub lane 11 is covered by the lane cover 42 and isolated inside the outer cover 40. This reliably prevents contact with the sub lane 11 of the first printing device 2 during setup work for the first printing device 2. This also applies when the second printing device 3 is stopped and setup work for the second printing device 3 is performed.

[0080] Furthermore, in the printing system 1A of the above embodiment, when the input signals from the second sensors SA2 and SB2 detect that the lane cover 42 of at least one of the first printing device 2 and the second printing device 3 is open, the first control device 2B and the second control device 3B are completely stopped. That is, the first control device 2B stops the printing process of the first printing device 2, which is its own device, and stops the main lane 10 of the first printing device 2 and the sub lane 11 of the second printing device 3, which is the other device. The second control device 3B also stops the printing process of the second printing device 3, which is its own device, and stops the main lane 10 of the second printing device 3 and the sub lane 11 of the first printing device 2, which is the other device. Therefore, after maintenance or other work, the printing system 1A is prevented from operating with the lane cover 42 open—more specifically, with the external cover 40 closed but the lane cover 42 open. Therefore, the printing system 1A of the above embodiment has the advantage of being able to safely operate the sub lane 11 in this respect as well.

[0081] 6 is a plan view showing a printing system 1B according to a second embodiment. The printing system 1B according to the second embodiment has the same basic configuration as the printing system 1A according to the first embodiment, but differs from the printing system 1A according to the first embodiment in the following respects.

[0082] In the printing system 1B of the second embodiment, the main lane 10 of the first printing device 2 and the main lane 10 of the second printing device 3 are each composed only of a work conveyor 10b and do not have a divided structure like the first embodiment.

[0083] The work conveyor 10b of the first printing device 2 is configured so that its X1 side end is flush with the X1 side end of the base 200 or protrudes outward from that end. The work conveyor 10b of the second printing device 3 is configured so that its X2 side end is flush with the X2 side end of the base 200 or protrudes outward from that end.

[0084] That is, in the first printing device 2, a certain region of the working conveyor 10b including the end on the X1 side (upstream end region 101) functions as the carry-in conveyor 10a of the first embodiment. Also, in the second printing device 3, a certain region of the working conveyor 10b including the end on the X2 side (downstream end region 102) functions as the carry-out conveyor 10c of the first embodiment.

[0085] Therefore, according to the configuration of the printing system 1B of the second embodiment, the number of conveyors provided in each of the printing devices 2 and 3 is further reduced compared to the printing system 1A of the first embodiment, and therefore it is possible to further simplify the configuration of the transport lane for the substrate P.

[0086] 7 is a plan view showing a printing system 1C according to a third embodiment. The printing system 1C according to the third embodiment has the same basic configuration as the printing system 1B according to the second embodiment, but differs from the printing system 1B according to the second embodiment in the following respects.

[0087] In the printing system 1C of the third embodiment, the sub-lane 11 of the first printing device 2 and the sub-lane 11 of the second printing device 3 each have a divided structure.

[0088] Specifically, the sub-lane 11 of the first printing apparatus 2 includes an input conveyor 11a, an intermediate conveyor 11b, and an output conveyor 11c, which are independent of each other. The intermediate conveyor 11b is located in the central region of the base 200 in the X direction, with the input conveyor 11a located adjacent to the intermediate conveyor 11b on the X1 side and the output conveyor 11c located adjacent to the X2 side. A certain region (downstream end region 113) including the X2-side end of the output conveyor 11c extends outside the base 200 (in the X2 direction) and into the device main body 3A (base 200) of the second printing apparatus 3. As a result, the sub-lane 11 of the first printing apparatus 2 is provided across from the first printing apparatus 2 to the second printing apparatus 3.

[0089] Similarly, the sub-lane 11 of the second printing device 3 also includes an input conveyor 11a, an intermediate conveyor 11b, and an output conveyor 11c that are independent of each other. A certain region (upstream end region 112) including the X1-side end of the input conveyor 11a extends outside the base 200 (in the X1 direction) and enters the device main body 3A (base 200) of the first printing device 2. As a result, the sub-lane 11 of the second printing device 3 is provided across from the second printing device 3 to the first printing device 2.

[0090] That is, in the printing system 1C of the third embodiment, the downstream end region 113, which includes the end on the X2 side, of the carry-out conveyor 11c (sub-lane 11) of the first printing device 2, functions as the carry-in conveyor of the main lane 10 of the second printing device 3. Also, the upstream end region 112, which includes the end on the X1 side of the carry-in conveyor 11a (sub-lane 11) of the second printing device 3, functions as the carry-out conveyor of the main lane 10 of the first printing device 2.

[0091] Therefore, according to the configuration of this printing system 1C, the discharge conveyor 11c of the sub-lane 11 of the first printing device 2 is also used as the discharge conveyor of the main lane 10 of the second printing device 3, and the discharge conveyor 11a of the sub-lane 11 of the second printing device 3 is also used as the discharge conveyor of the main lane 10 of the first printing device 2, so it can be said that the configuration of the transport lanes for the substrate P is simplified.

[0092] Furthermore, the configuration of printing system 1C makes it possible for each of conveyors 11a to 11c that make up sub-lane 11 to function as a buffer section for waiting substrates P. This makes it possible to have more substrates P waiting within printing system 1C, which is advantageous in this respect.

[0093] 8 is a plan view showing a printing system 1D according to a fourth embodiment. The printing system 1D according to the fourth embodiment has the same basic configuration as the printing system 1A according to the first embodiment, but the sub-lane 11 of the first printing device 2 and the sub-lane 11 of the second printing device 3 each have a divided structure. In this respect, it differs from the printing system 1A according to the first embodiment.

[0094] Specifically, the sub-lane 11 of the first printing device 2 and the sub-lane 11 of the second printing device 3 have the same configuration as in the third embodiment (see FIG. 7).

[0095] Therefore, according to the configuration of the printing system 1D of the fourth embodiment, similar to the printing system 1D of the third embodiment, the discharge conveyor 11c of the sub-lane 11 of the first printing device 2 is also used as the discharge conveyor of the main lane 10 of the second printing device 3, and the discharge conveyor 11a of the sub-lane 11 of the second printing device 3 is also used as the discharge conveyor of the main lane 10 of the first printing device 2, so it can be said that the configuration of the transport lanes for the substrate P is simplified in that

[0096] Furthermore, similar to the printing system 1C of the third embodiment, it is possible to have a larger number of substrates P on standby within the printing system 1D, which is advantageous in this respect.

[0097] 9 is a plan view showing a printing system 1E according to a fifth embodiment. The printing system 1E according to the fifth embodiment further includes a first traverse device 4 and a second traverse device 5 in addition to a first printing device 2 and a second printing device 3. Note that the covers 40 and 42 of the printing devices 2 and 3 are omitted from FIG.

[0098] The first traverse device 4 and the second traverse device 5 are devices that adjust (change) the spacing between the transport lanes L1 and L2 when the substrate P is transferred to the component mounting device, which is the next process. If the spacing between the transport lanes L1 and L2 in the printing system 1E differs from the spacing between the transport lanes L1 and L2 in the component mounting device, the traverse devices 4 and 5 adjust (change) the spacing between the transport lanes L1 and L2. This makes it possible to transfer the substrate P from the second printing device 3 to the component mounting device.

[0099] The first traverse device 4 and the second traverse device 5 are arranged side by side in the Y direction, adjacent to each other on the X2 side of the second printing device 3. The first traverse device 4 is arranged on the Y1 side in the Y direction, and the second traverse device 5 is arranged on the Y2 side.

[0100] The first traverse device 4 is provided with a lane 12 made of a conveyor extending in the X direction. The substrate P conveyed from the second printing device 3 along the sub-lane 11 is transferred to the lane 12 of the first traverse device 4. In other words, the lane 12 constitutes a part of the first transport lane L1.

[0101] Similarly, the second traverse device 5 has a lane 13 extending in the X direction and made up of a conveyor. The substrate P carried out from the second printing device 3 along the main lane 10 is handed over to the lane 13 of the second traverse device 5. In other words, the sub-lane 11 constitutes a part of the second transport lane L2.

[0102] Each of the lanes 12, 13 is made up of a variable-gap conveyor whose width (the gap between the pair of conveyors) can be changed, and each of the lanes 12, 13 is configured to be able to transport boards P of different sizes.

[0103] Furthermore, the lane 12 of the first traverse device 4 is configured to be displaceable in the Y direction relative to the base 300 of the first traverse device 4 while supporting the substrate P by a driving force such as a motor. Similarly, the lane 13 of the second traverse device 5 is configured to be displaceable in the Y direction relative to the base 300 of the second traverse device 5 while supporting the substrate P. In other words, after the traverse devices 4 and 5 receive the substrate P transported from the second printing device 3 into the lanes 12 and 13, they move the substrate P in the Y direction together with the lanes 12 and 13 so as to correspond to the spacing between the transport lanes L1 and L2 of the component mounting device. This adjusts (changes) the spacing between the transport lanes L1 and L2 between the second printing device 3 and the component mounting device in the next process. In this example, the lane 12 corresponds to the "third lane" of the present invention, and the lane 13 corresponds to the "fourth lane" of the present invention.

[0104] Each of the traverse units 4, 5 is equipped with an external cover 44 that, together with the base 300, forms the outer shell of the traverse unit 4, 5. The external cover 44 covers the lanes 12, 13 of each of the traverse units 4, 5 and their movable ranges, isolating them from the outside. The external cover 44 is box-shaped, and a cover member (not shown) is provided on the Y1 side of the first traverse unit 4 and the Y2 side of the second traverse unit 5. By opening the cover member, an operator can access the interior through an opening formed in the external cover 44. The first traverse unit 4 is equipped with a third sensor SC1 that detects whether the cover member of the external cover 44 is open or closed, and the second traverse unit 5 is equipped with a third sensor SC2 that detects whether the cover member of the external cover 44 is open or closed.

[0105] 9, the first traverse device 4 (lane 12) is controlled by a first control device 2B (transport control unit 52), and the second traverse device 5 is controlled by a second control device 3B (transport control unit 52). A signal from a third sensor SC1 of the first traverse device 4 is further input to the first control device 2B, and a signal from a third sensor SC2 of the second traverse device 5 is further input to the second control device 3B.

[0106] In the fifth embodiment, the first control device 2B performs operations within the range controlled by the first control device 2B based on input signals from each of the sensors SA1, SA2, SB2, and SC1 only when all covers 40, 42 of the first printing device 2, which is the own device, the lane cover 42 of the second printing device 3, which is the other device, and the external cover 44 of the first traverse device 4 are closed.

[0107] If the external cover 44 of the first traverse device 4 is opened while the printing system 1E is in operation (if the third sensor SC1 detects that the external cover 44 has been opened), the first control device 2B stops the printing process of the first printing device 2, stops the main lane 10 of the first printing device 2 and the sub-lane 11 of the second printing device 3, and also stops the lane 12 of the first traverse device 4.

[0108] On the other hand, the second control device 3B performs operations within its control range based on signal inputs from each of the sensors SB1, SB2, SA2, and SC2 only when all covers 40, 42 of the second printing device 3, which is its own device, the lane cover 42 of the first printing device 2, which is the other device, and the external cover 44 of the second traverse device 5 are closed.

[0109] If the external cover 44 of the second traverse device 5 is opened while the printing system 1E is in operation (if the third sensor SC2 detects that the external cover 44 has been opened), the second control device 3B stops the printing process of the second printing device 3, stops the main lane 10 of the second printing device 3 and the sub-lane 11 of the first printing device 2, and also stops the lane 12 of the second traverse device 5.

[0110] According to the printing system 1E of the fifth embodiment described above, the spacing between the transport lanes L1 and L2 can be adjusted (changed) when the board P is transferred to the component mounting device in the next process. This alleviates restrictions on the configuration (spacing) of the transport lanes on the component mounting device side, improving the design freedom of the production line for component-mounted boards.

[0111] Furthermore, if the external cover 44 of the first traverse device 4 is opened while the printing system 1E is in operation, the main lane 10 of the first printing device 2 and the sub-lane 11 of the second printing device 3 are stopped together with the lane 12. This prevents the substrate P from being unintentionally transported from the second printing device 3 to the first traverse device 4 during maintenance work on the first traverse device 4. Similarly, if the external cover 44 of the second traverse device 5 is opened while the printing system 1E is in operation, the main lane 10 of the second printing device 3 and the sub-lane 11 of the first printing device 2 are stopped together with the lane 13. This prevents the substrate P from being unintentionally transported from the second printing device 3 to the second traverse device 5 during maintenance work on the second traverse device 5.

[0112] The printing systems 1A to 1E described above are examples of preferred embodiments of the board production system according to the present invention, and the specific configurations of the printing systems 1A to 1E and the first printing device 2 and second printing device 3 that make up the printing systems 1A to 1E can be modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the following configurations can also be adopted.

[0113] (1) In all of the printing systems 1A to 1E of the embodiments, the sub-lane 11 of one of the first printing device 2 and the second printing device 3 extends into the interior of the other device, thereby providing the sub-lane 11 across the first printing device 2 and the second printing device 3. However, it is also possible to configure the system such that the main lane 10 of one of the first printing device 2 and the second printing device 3 extends into the interior of the other device, thereby providing the main lane 10 across the first printing device 2 and the second printing device 3. It is also possible to configure the system such that the sub-lane 11 of one device extends into the interior of the other device and the main lane 10 of one device extends into the interior of the other device are both combined.

[0114] (2) In the embodiment, the sub-lane 11 of the first printing device 2 and the sub-lane 11 of the second printing device 3 are both lanes (pass lanes) that simply allow the substrate P to pass through. However, the sub-lane 11 may also be a lane for performing some kind of processing on the substrate P. For example, the sub-lane 11 may be a lane for inspecting the substrate P (inspecting the lands before the printing process or inspecting the print state after the printing process). In this case, an imaging device that captures an image of the substrate P is disposed above the sub-lane 11, and the control devices 2B and 3B perform the inspection process based on the image data captured by the imaging device.

[0115] (3) In the embodiment, printing systems 1A to 1E in which two printing apparatuses 2 and 3 are arranged adjacent to each other have been described as the board production system of the present invention. However, the board production system of the present invention is not limited to a printing system. For example, the board production system may be an inspection system equipped with an inspection apparatus for the board P as the "upstream apparatus" and "downstream apparatus" of the present invention. Furthermore, the board production system may be a bonding system equipped with a bonding apparatus that applies adhesive to the board P as the "upstream apparatus" and "downstream apparatus" of the present invention.

[0116] The present invention described above can be summarized as follows.

[0117] The board production system of the present invention includes an upstream device that performs a first process on a board, and a downstream device that is arranged adjacent to the downstream side of the upstream device in the board transport direction and performs a second process on the board, wherein the upstream devices each consist of a conveyor for transporting a board, and have an upstream first lane and an upstream second lane that extend parallel to each other in the board transport direction, and the downstream devices each consist of a conveyor for transporting a board, and have a downstream second lane that receives a board from the upstream first lane and transports it, and a downstream first lane that extends parallel to the downstream second lane and receives a board from the upstream second lane and transports it, and one or two of the upstream first lane, the upstream second lane, the downstream first lane, and the downstream second lane extend from one of the upstream device and the downstream device to the inside of the other device, and are thereby provided across the upstream device and the downstream device.

[0118] According to the configuration of this board production system, a lane extending from one of the upstream and downstream devices to the inside of the other device functions to unload boards from the upstream device and to load boards into the downstream device. Therefore, it is possible to omit the conveyor for unloading boards from the conveyors that make up the lane of the upstream device, or the conveyor for loading boards from the conveyors that make up the lane of the downstream device, thereby simplifying the configuration of the board transport lane.

[0119] In this board production system, for example, the upstream first lane may be a lane for transporting boards to be processed in the first process into and out of the upstream device, the upstream second lane may be a lane for transporting boards that are to pass through the upstream device without undergoing the first process, the downstream first lane may be a lane for transporting boards to be processed in the second process into and out of the downstream device, and the downstream second lane may be a lane for transporting boards that are to pass through the downstream device without undergoing the second process.

[0120] With this configuration, for the transport lanes (upstream first lane and downstream second lane) that transport substrates to be processed in the first process, the conveyor for unloading the upstream first lane or the conveyor for loading the downstream second lane can be omitted. Also, for the transport lanes (upstream second lane and downstream first lane) that transport substrates to be processed in the second process, the conveyor for unloading the upstream second lane or the conveyor for loading the downstream first lane can be omitted.

[0121] The above-mentioned board production system can be configured to have at least one of a first configuration in which the upstream side of the downstream second lane is extended to the inside of the upstream device, thereby spanning the downstream device and the upstream device, or a second configuration in which the downstream side of the upstream second lane is extended to the inside of the downstream device, thereby spanning the upstream device and the downstream device.

[0122] That is, according to the first configuration, in the transport lanes (the upstream first lane and the downstream second lane) that transport substrates to be processed in the first process, the conveyor for unloading the upstream first lane can be omitted, whereas according to the second configuration, in the transport lanes (the upstream second lane and the downstream first lane) that transport substrates to be processed in the second process, the conveyor for loading the downstream first lane can be omitted.

[0123] In this case, the board production system may have the first configuration and the second configuration, and further include an upstream control device that controls the first process by the upstream device, and a downstream control device that controls the second process by the downstream device, wherein the upstream control device controls the upstream first lane and the downstream second lane, and the downstream control device controls the downstream first lane and the upstream second lane.

[0124] With this configuration, when the upstream device is stopped, the downstream second lane extending inside the upstream device can be stopped together with the upstream first lane, thereby preventing an operator from coming into contact with the operating downstream second lane during maintenance work on the upstream device.

[0125] Furthermore, when the downstream device is stopped, the upstream second lane extending inside the downstream device can be stopped together with the downstream first lane. This prevents an operator from coming into contact with the operating upstream second lane during maintenance work on the downstream device. This allows for safe operation of the transport lane that transports substrates to be processed in the first process and the transport lane that transports substrates to be processed in the second process.

[0126] Furthermore, in the above-described board production system, it is preferable that the upstream device comprises an upstream external cover that forms the outer shell of the upstream device and is configured to be openable and closable, and an upstream lane cover that covers the upstream second lane inside the upstream external cover to isolate it and is configured to be openable and closable, and that the downstream device comprises a downstream external cover that forms the outer shell of the downstream device and is configured to be openable and closable, and a downstream lane cover that covers the downstream second lane inside the downstream external cover to isolate it and is configured to be openable and closable.

[0127] This configuration prevents an operator from unintentionally touching the upstream first lane or the upstream second lane in operation from outside the upstream device, or from unintentionally touching the downstream first lane or the downstream second lane in operation from outside the downstream device. In particular, since the upstream second lane is isolated by the upstream lane cover inside the upstream external cover, and the downstream second lane is isolated by the downstream lane cover inside the downstream external cover, an operator who opens the upstream external cover to access the interior is prevented from unintentionally touching the upstream second lane in operation, and an operator who opens the downstream external cover to access the interior is prevented from unintentionally touching the downstream second lane in operation.

[0128] In addition, in the above-described board production system, the upstream control device may be configured to stop the first process and stop the upstream first lane and the downstream second lane when it detects that the upstream external cover is open, and the downstream control device may be configured to stop the second process and stop the downstream first lane and the upstream second lane when it detects that the downstream external cover is open.

[0129] According to this configuration, when the upstream external cover is detected to be open, the upstream control device stops the first process and stops the upstream first lane and the downstream second lane. Furthermore, when the downstream external cover is detected to be open, the downstream control device stops the second process and stops the downstream first lane and the upstream second lane. Therefore, when the upstream external cover is opened without first stopping the upstream device or the downstream external cover is opened without first stopping the downstream device, an operator is prevented from coming into contact with the operating lanes.

[0130] In addition, in the above-mentioned board production system, when it is detected that the upstream lane cover or the downstream lane cover is open, the upstream control device may be configured to stop the first process and stop the upstream first lane and the downstream second lane, and the downstream control device may be configured to stop the second process and stop the downstream first lane and the upstream second lane.

[0131] According to this configuration, when it is detected that the upstream lane cover or the downstream lane cover is open, the board production system is completely stopped, thereby preventing the board production system from operating with the upstream lane cover or the downstream lane cover left open (with the upstream external cover and the downstream external cover closed).

[0132] In addition, the above-mentioned board production system may further include a first traverse device and a second traverse device each arranged adjacent to the downstream side of the downstream device in the board transport direction, wherein the first traverse device is a lane consisting of a conveyor that receives and transports the board from the downstream second lane, and has a third lane that is movable together with the board in a direction perpendicular to the board transport direction, and the second traverse device is a lane consisting of a conveyor that receives and transports the board from the downstream first lane, and has a fourth lane that is movable together with the board in a direction perpendicular to the board transport direction, and the upstream control device may further control the third lane, and the downstream control device may further control the fourth lane.

[0133] With this configuration, a substrate (substrate that has undergone the first process) that is transported from a downstream device along the downstream second lane can be received by the third lane of the first traverse device, and the substrate can be moved together with the third lane in a direction perpendicular to the substrate transport direction. Furthermore, a substrate (substrate that has undergone the second process) that is transported from a downstream device along the downstream first lane can be received by the fourth lane of the second traverse device, and the substrate can be moved together with the third lane in a direction perpendicular to the substrate transport direction. This allows the substrate that is transported from a downstream device to be easily handed over to a subsequent device that has a different transport lane spacing from the downstream device.

[0134] Furthermore, when stopping the upstream device, it is possible to stop the third lane (first traverse) together with the upstream first lane and the downstream second lane, and when stopping the downstream device, it is possible to stop the fourth lane (second traverse) together with the upstream second lane and the downstream first lane. Therefore, it is possible to safely operate the transport lanes (upstream first lane, downstream second lane, and third lane) through which substrates to be processed in the first process are transported and the transport lanes (upstream first lane, downstream second lane, and third lane) through which substrates to be processed in the second process are transported independently of each other.

[0135] In addition, in the above-mentioned board production system, at least one of the upstream first lane, the upstream second lane, the downstream first lane, and the downstream second lane may have a divided structure in which multiple conveyors lined up in the board transport direction work together to form the lane.

[0136] This configuration allows each of the multiple conveyors to function as a buffer unit for waiting substrates, which is advantageous in that more substrates can be placed on standby in the upstream and downstream devices.

[0137] In the above-described board production system, the upstream device and the downstream device may both be printing devices, and the first process and the second process may be printing processes for printing a coating material onto a board.

[0138] With this configuration, as an example of a board production system, it is possible to provide a printing system in which a board is transported along a conveying lane consisting of an upstream first lane and a downstream second lane, and a conveying lane consisting of an upstream second lane and a downstream first lane, and printing processing is performed on the board in an upstream device and a downstream device.

Claims

1. an upstream device that performs a first process on the substrate; a downstream device disposed adjacent to the upstream device on the downstream side in the substrate transport direction and configured to perform a second process on the substrate; the upstream device includes a first upstream lane and a second upstream lane, each of which is formed by a conveyor for transporting a substrate, and which extend parallel to each other in the substrate transport direction; the downstream devices each comprise a conveyor for transporting a substrate, and include a downstream second lane that receives the substrate from the upstream first lane and transports it, and a downstream first lane that extends parallel to the downstream second lane and receives the substrate from the upstream second lane and transports it; A board production system characterized in that one or two of the upstream first lane, the upstream second lane, the downstream first lane, and the downstream second lane are extended from one of the upstream device and the downstream device to the inside of the other of the upstream device and the downstream device, thereby spanning the upstream device and the downstream device.

2. 2. The board production system according to claim 1, the upstream first lane is a lane through which the substrate to be processed in the first process is carried in and out of the upstream device, the upstream second lane is a lane for transporting a substrate that passes through the upstream device without undergoing the first processing; the downstream first lane is a lane through which the substrate to be processed in the second process is carried in and out of the downstream device, A substrate production system, characterized in that the downstream second lane is a lane that transports substrates that pass through the downstream device without undergoing the second processing.

3. 3. The board production system according to claim 1, A board production system characterized by having at least one of a first configuration in which the upstream side of the downstream second lane is extended into the interior of the upstream device, thereby causing the downstream second lane to straddle the downstream device and the upstream device, or a second configuration in which the downstream side of the upstream second lane is extended into the interior of the downstream device, thereby causing the upstream second lane to straddle the upstream device and the downstream device.

4. 4. The board production system according to claim 3, the substrate production system includes the first configuration and the second configuration, and further includes an upstream control device that controls the first process by the upstream device, and a downstream control device that controls the second process by the downstream device; the upstream control device controls the upstream first lane and the downstream second lane; The downstream control device controls the downstream first lane and the upstream second lane.

5. 5. The board production system according to claim 4, the upstream device includes an upstream external cover that forms an outer shell of the upstream device and is configured to be openable and closable, and an upstream lane cover that covers the upstream second lane inside the upstream external cover to isolate it and is configured to be openable and closable, A board production system characterized in that the downstream device comprises a downstream external cover that forms an outer shell of the downstream device and is configured to be openable and closable, and a downstream lane cover that covers the downstream second lane inside the downstream external cover to isolate it and is configured to be openable and closable.

6. 6. The board production system according to claim 5, When the upstream control device detects that the upstream outer cover is open, the upstream control device stops the first process and stops the upstream first lane and the downstream second lane; A board production system characterized in that, when the downstream control device detects that the downstream external cover is open, it stops the second process and stops the downstream first lane and the upstream second lane.

7. 6. The board production system according to claim 5, a downstream control device that stops the second process and stops the downstream first lane and the upstream second lane when it is detected that the upstream lane cover or the downstream lane cover is open, and a downstream control device that stops the second process and stops the downstream first lane and the upstream second lane.

8. 5. The board production system according to claim 4, The downstream device further includes a first traverse device and a second traverse device disposed adjacent to each other on the downstream side of the downstream device in the substrate transport direction, the first traverse device is a lane formed by a conveyor that receives and transports the substrate from the downstream second lane, and includes a third lane that is movable together with the substrate in a direction perpendicular to the substrate transport direction; the second traverse device is a lane formed by a conveyor that receives and transports the substrate from the downstream first lane, and includes a fourth lane that is movable together with the substrate in a direction perpendicular to the substrate transport direction; The upstream control device further controls the third lane, The substrate production system, wherein the downstream control device further controls the fourth lane.

9. 3. The board production system according to claim 1, A board production system characterized in that at least one of the upstream first lane, the upstream second lane, the downstream first lane, and the downstream second lane has a divided structure in which a plurality of conveyors lined up in the board transport direction work together to form a lane.

10. 3. The board production system according to claim 1, the upstream device and the downstream device are both printing devices, A substrate production system, characterized in that the first process and the second process are printing processes for printing a coating material onto a substrate.