Tape feeder, feeder processing device, and feeder processing method

Abstract

This tape feeder comprises: a thin plate-shaped body part; a guide member that is provided so as to be displaceable on the body part and guides a carrier tape storing a component along a conveyance path formed on one surface side of the body part; and an opening part or a notch part that is provided in the body part and enables operation of the guide member or processing of the carrier tape from the other surface side of the body part.

Description

Tape feeder, feeder processing device, and feeder processing method

[0001] The present specification relates to a tape feeder that supplies components housed on a carrier tape, and a feeder processing device and a feeder processing method that perform predetermined processing on the tape feeder.

[0002] A technology for mass-producing board products by performing substrate-related operations on boards on which circuit patterns are formed is becoming widespread. A typical example of a substrate-related operation machine is a component placement machine that performs component placement operations. Many component placement machines are equipped with a tape feeder that supplies components housed on a carrier tape. The tape feeder changes the type of components it supplies by replacing the reel on which the carrier tape is wound and unwinding and loading the carrier tape. Reel replacement operations and carrier tape loading operations have traditionally been performed by an operator. One example of technology related to this type of tape feeder is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a tape cassette including a feeding mechanism that feeds out the carrier tape in a step feed, a tensioner that applies a predetermined tension by peeling a cover tape from a tape body (base tape) that constitutes the carrier tape, a take-up mechanism that takes up the cover tape, and a tape holder that has a supply window and feeds the tape body forward. An operator peels the cover tape from the tape body, folds the cover tape back, and sets it in the take-up mechanism via the tensioner, and then performs a loading operation by setting the tape body in the tape holder.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-206963

[0005] However, not only in the technical example of Patent Document 1 but also in general, the loading of the carrier tape is performed in a narrow space, making it difficult to improve workability. In addition, a portion of the guide member that guides the carrier tape along the transport path is displaceable, and the loading work must be performed while maintaining the guide member in a displaced state. For example, Patent Document 1 provides a spring member that pulls the tensioner downward, making the work of loading the cover tape against the spring member difficult and cumbersome. It is also difficult to improve workability when removing the carrier tape from the tape feeder.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present specification is to provide a tape feeder, a feeder processing device, and a feeder processing method that can improve the workability of operations involving handling carrier tapes.

[0007] This specification discloses a tape feeder comprising: a thin plate-shaped main body; a guide member that is displaceably provided on the main body and guides a carrier tape containing components along a conveying path formed on one side of the main body; and an opening or cutout that is provided on the main body and allows the guide member to be operated or the carrier tape to be processed from the other side of the main body.

[0008] This specification also discloses a feeder processing device that includes a base on which the tape feeder is set, an operating member that passes through the opening or the cutout from the other side of the main body to the one side and engages with the guide member or the carrier tape, and a drive unit that drives the operating member to operate the guide member or process the carrier tape.

[0009] Furthermore, this specification discloses a feeder processing method using the above-mentioned feeder processing device, comprising: a setting step of setting the tape feeder on the base; an engagement step of operating the operating member by driving it from the drive unit to pass through the opening or the cutout portion and engage it with the guide member or the carrier tape; and an operation step of operating the operating member by driving it from the drive unit to operate the guide member or process the carrier tape.

[0010] This specification discloses the technical idea of ​​changing "the tape feeder according to claim 3" to "the tape feeder according to claim 3 or 4" in claim 5 as originally filed, the technical idea of ​​changing "the tape feeder according to claim 3" to "the tape feeder according to any one of claims 3 to 5" in claim 6 as originally filed, and the technical idea of ​​changing "the tape feeder according to claim 1 or 2" to "the tape feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 6" in claim 7 as originally filed. Also, this specification discloses the technical idea of ​​a feeder processing device in which "the tape feeder according to claim 1 or 2" to "the tape feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 9" in claim 10 as originally filed, and the technical idea of ​​changing "the feeder processing device according to claim 10" to "the feeder processing device according to any one of claims 10 to 12" in claim 13 as originally filed. Furthermore, this specification discloses the technical idea of ​​a feeder processing method in which "the feeder processing device described in claim 10" in claim 14 of the original application is changed to "the feeder processing device described in any one of claims 10 to 13."

[0011] According to the disclosed configuration and method, the loading operation of loading the leading end of the carrier tape into the transport path of the tape feeder and the removal operation of removing the carrier tape from the transport path are performed from one side of the main body. In this case, the opening or the notch can be used to operate the guide member or process the carrier tape from the other side of the main body. Therefore, handling of the carrier tape is simplified and workability is improved.

[0012] 1 is a plan view schematically showing a component mounting machine to which a tape feeder of an embodiment is detachably mounted; FIG. 2 is a front view of the tape feeder of an embodiment as seen from one side of a main body; FIG. 3 is a rear view of the tape feeder of an embodiment as seen from the other side of the main body; FIG. 4 is a front view of the tape feeder showing the loaded positions of a tape guide, a tensioner, and a cover tape feeding unit; FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a detailed configuration of a tape guide; FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a detailed configuration of a tensioner; FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a detailed configuration of a cover tape feeding unit; FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which a base tape cutting process is being carried out; FIG. 9 is a perspective view schematically showing a feeder processing device of an embodiment; FIG. 10 is a plan view schematically showing an operation display unit of the feeder processing device; FIG. 11 is a perspective view schematically explaining an operating state of the feeder processing device; FIG. 12 is a process diagram of a carrier tape loading operation using a feeder processing device, and also shows a feeder processing method of an embodiment; FIG. 13 is a process diagram of a carrier tape removal operation using a feeder processing device, and also shows a feeder processing method of an embodiment.

[0013] 1. Configuration Example of Component Mounting Machine 1 The tape feeder 6 of this embodiment is detachably mounted on the component mounting machine 1 and supplies components housed on a carrier tape. First, a configuration example of the component mounting machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 . The component mounting machine 1 performs a mounting operation to mount components on a board K. In FIG. 1 , the horizontal direction from left to right on the paper surface is the X-axis direction along which the board K is transported, the horizontal direction from the bottom (front) to the top (rear) of the paper surface is the Y-axis direction, and the vertical direction is the Z-axis direction. The component mounting machine 1 is configured by assembling a board transport device 2, a component supply device 3, a component transfer device 4, a control device 5, and the like to a base 10.

[0014] The board transport device 2 has a pair of guide rails 21 that form a transport path for the board K. The board transport device 2 transports the board K that has been carried into the carry-in end (left end in FIG. 1 ) of the guide rails 21 by the board carry-in device or an external transport device along the guide rails 21 to a predetermined stopping position. The board transport device 2 has a positioning mechanism 22 that pushes up the board K at the stopping position and clamps it between the guide rails 21. The component transfer device 4 performs a component mounting operation on the positioned board K. After the mounting operation is completed, the board transport device 2 transports the board K from the stopping position to the carry-out end (right end in FIG. 1 ) and carries it out of the machine.

[0015] The component supply device 3 is disposed at the front in the Y-axis direction on the top surface of the base 10. The component supply device 3 is configured by setting a tape feeder 6 in each of a plurality of slots arranged in a line in the X-axis direction on the top surface of a pallet table 31. The tape feeders 6 supply components using a carrier tape CT (see FIG. 2). A pair of upper and lower positioning holes and a receiving connector are provided on an upright portion 32 on the rear side of the pallet table 31, corresponding to the positions of each of the plurality of slots. Because the pallet table 31 is shaped like a dolly, the component supply device 3 is detachably mounted on the base 10.

[0016] The component transfer device 4 is composed of a Y-axis movable body 41, an X-axis movable body 42, a mounting head 43, a rotary tool 44, multiple suction nozzles 45, a board camera 46, and a component camera 47. The Y-axis movable body 41 is formed of a member that is long in the X-axis direction, and is driven by a Y-axis drive mechanism (not shown) to move in the Y-axis direction. The X-axis movable body 42 is mounted on the Y-axis movable body 41, and is driven by an X-axis drive mechanism (not shown) to move in the X-axis direction. The mounting head 43 is attached to the front of the X-axis movable body 42. The mounting head 43 is driven in two horizontal directions together with the X-axis movable body 42, and moves to above the component supply device 3 and above the board K.

[0017] A rotary tool 44 having a generally axisymmetric shape is rotatably provided below the mounting head 43. The rotary tool 44 is driven by an R-axis drive mechanism (not shown) to rotate about a vertical central axis. The rotary tool 44 holds a plurality of suction nozzles 45 below it. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the rotary tool 44 has 12 suction nozzles 45 equidistant from the vertical central axis. The suction nozzles 45 are driven by an elevation drive mechanism (not shown) to move up and down, and are driven by a Q-axis drive mechanism (not shown) to rotate about the vertical axis. The suction nozzles 45 are further selectively supplied with negative pressure air or positive pressure air from an air supply mechanism. This allows the suction nozzles 45 to perform a mounting operation of picking up components from the tape feeder 6 and mounting them on the board K.

[0018] The board camera 46 is mounted on the X-axis movable body 42 facing downward, alongside the mounting head 43. The board camera 46 captures an image of a position reference mark attached to the board K from above. The acquired image data is processed to accurately determine the stopping position of the board K. The component camera 47 is mounted on the base 10 between the board transport device 2 and the component supply device 3 facing upward. The component camera 47 captures an image of a component picked up by the suction nozzle 45 from below while the mounting head 43 is moving from the component supply device 3 to the board K. The acquired image data is processed to determine whether the component type is correct, and further, the position and orientation of the component relative to the suction nozzle 45 are detected and reflected in the mounting operation. Digital imaging devices can be used as the board camera 46 and the component camera 47.

[0019] The component transfer device 4 performs a mounting operation by repeating a mounting cycle. To describe the mounting cycle in detail, the component transfer device 4 first moves the mounting head 43 to the tape feeder 6 to pick up a component. The component transfer device 4 then moves the mounting head 43 above the component camera 47. The component camera 47 then captures images of the components being held by the multiple suction nozzles 45. The component transfer device 4 then moves the mounting head 43 to the board K to mount multiple components. The component transfer device 4 then moves the mounting head 43 back to the tape feeder 6, completing one mounting cycle.

[0020] The control device 5 is mounted on the base 10, and its position is not limited. The control device 5 is configured as a computer device having a CPU and operating on software. The control device 5 controls the board transport device 2, component supply device 3, and component transfer device 4 to repeat a mounting cycle in accordance with mounting job data created for each type of board K (board product). The mounting job data includes data on the shapes of the board K and components, coordinate data on the component supply and mounting positions, and data on the types and arrangement positions of the tape feeders 6 and suction nozzles 45 to be used.

[0021] 2. Overall Configuration of Tape Feeder 6 of the Embodiment Next, the overall configuration of the tape feeder 6 of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The tape feeder 6 feeds the carrier tape CT containing components in a predetermined feed direction and supplies the components at a supply position 641. The direction from left to right in FIG. 2 is the feed direction of the carrier tape CT, with the left side being the upstream side and the right side being the downstream side. The tape feeder 6 is used for loading the leading end of the carrier tape CT to be used, and also for removing the partially used carrier tape CT as needed. The tape feeder 6 is composed of a main body 61, a reel holding unit 62, a tape transport path 63, a tape guide 64, a tape feeding mechanism 65, a base tape duct 66, a cover tape recovery unit 67, a feeder control unit 6C, and the like.

[0022] The main body portion 61 is composed of a thin plate-shaped main body material 611 and a thin plate-shaped secondary main body material 612, and forms the outer shape of the tape feeder 6. The main body material 611 is formed by joining multiple thin plate materials, or may be formed from a single large thin plate material. In FIG. 3, the outer shape of the main body material 611 is indicated by a thick line. A transport path for the carrier tape CT is formed on one side of the main body material 611 (the front side of the paper in FIG. 2). Furthermore, a number of components are assembled to one side of the main body material 611.

[0023] The carrier tape CT is composed of a base tape BT that houses components in each of a plurality of cavities, and a cover tape VT that is adhered to the base tape BT by two adhesive strips and covers the cavities. In Figure 2, the carrier tape CT is indicated by a thick solid line, the base tape BT is indicated by a medium-thick dashed line, and the cover tape VT is indicated by a medium-thick broken line. In this specification, the transport path of the carrier tape CT includes the transport path of the base tape BT, which is a part of the carrier tape CT, and the transport path of the cover tape VT, which is the remainder of the carrier tape CT.

[0024] The secondary body material 612 is formed by joining multiple thin plates together and is smaller than the main body material 611. The secondary body material 612 is arranged parallel to but spaced apart from one surface of the main body material 611, closer to the downstream side. In Figure 2, the outline of the secondary body material 612 is indicated by a medium-thick line.

[0025] A downwardly protruding detachable rail 613 is provided on the lower part of the main body 61. The detachable rail 613 is inserted into a slot in the pallet table 31. This allows the tape feeder 6 to be detachably mounted on the component mounting machine 1. An upper positioning pin 614, a connector 615, and a lower positioning pin 616 are provided on the downstream end face of the main body 61, in this order from top to bottom. The upper positioning pin 614 and the lower positioning pin 616 engage with a pair of upper and lower positioning holes provided in the upright portion 32 of the pallet table 31 to position the tape feeder 6. When the tape feeder 6 is positioned, the connector 615 automatically engages with a receiving connector provided in the upright portion 32. This allows power to be supplied to the tape feeder 6, and the feeder control unit 6C is connected for communication with the control device 5 of the component mounting machine 1.

[0026] A locking mechanism 617 is provided at the upper upstream side of the main body 61. The locking mechanism 617 is composed of a locking pin 618, a release lever 619, and the like. The locking pin 618 is supported by the main body 61 so as to be vertically movable, and is biased upward by a biasing spring (not shown). The locking pin 618 normally protrudes above the top surface of the main body 61 to be in a locked state, restricting the removal operation of the tape feeder 6. The release lever 619 is supported by the main body 61 so as to be swingable, and is engaged with the locking pin 618. When the release lever 619 is swung, it drives the locking pin 618 downward, transitioning the locked state to an unlocked state, and allowing the removal operation of the tape feeder 6.

[0027] The reel holding portion 62 is located upstream of the main body 61. The reel holding portion 62 rotatably and replaceably holds a reel RL around which a carrier tape CT is wound. The reel holding portion 62 is composed of an outer peripheral holding portion (not shown) and an opening / closing plate 621. The outer peripheral holding portion is formed by arranging multiple members in a ring shape and rotatably holds the outer peripheral edge of the reel RL. The opening / closing plate 621 is arranged parallel to but spaced apart from the main body material 611, and holds the reel RL between itself and the main body material 611. The opening / closing plate 621 is swingably supported by the main body 61 at two lower support portions 622 so that it can be opened and closed. As shown in FIG. 2 , the opening / closing plate 621 closes upward to prevent the held reel RL from falling off. The opening / closing plate 621 opens downward to allow replacement of the reel RL.

[0028] The tape transport path 63 extends from near the reel RL held by the reel holding part 62 to an upper part on the downstream side. The tape transport path 63 forms a transport path that guides the carrier tape CT pulled out from the reel RL in a predetermined transport direction. The tape transport path 63 is configured using, for example, a bottom plate, two side plates, and a ceiling plate, and is formed into a cylindrical shape with a rectangular cross section perpendicular to the transport direction.

[0029] A tape guide 64 is provided near the downstream end of the tape transport path 63 in place of a ceiling plate. The tape guide 64 is a form of a guide member that guides the carrier tape CT along the transport path. An opening that opens upward is provided near the downstream end of the tape guide 64. The downstream portion of the opening serves as a supply position 641 where components are supplied to the suction nozzle 45. The upstream portion of the opening serves as a cover tape fold-back portion 642 where the cover tape VT peeled off from the base tape BT is folded back in the opposite direction to the transport direction.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, the tape feed mechanism 65 is composed of a sprocket 651, a motor 652, and the like. The sprocket 651 is located below the tape transport path 63, approximately directly below the tape guide 64. The sprocket 651 is rotatably supported between the main body material 611 and the secondary body material 612. The teeth of the sprocket 651 pass upward through grooves formed in the bottom plate of the tape transport path 63 and engage with feed holes in the carrier tape CT. A motor 652 is located close to the sprocket 651. The motor 652 rotates the sprocket 651 via a gear mechanism (not shown).

[0031] The tape feeding mechanism 65 performs a component supply operation by rotating the motor 652 a predetermined amount to feed the carrier tape CT by the pitch distance of the cavities. When removing the carrier tape CT, the motor 652 rotates in the reverse direction, automatically returning the carrier tape CT in the reverse direction. The rotation direction, rotation amount, and rotation timing of the motor 652 are controlled by the feeder control unit 6C.

[0032] The base tape duct 66 is provided downstream of the main body 61. The base tape duct 66 is formed by the space between the main body material 611 and the secondary body material 612, and extends in the vertical direction. The base tape duct 66 serves as a transport path for the base tape BT after the component is removed from the cavity.

[0033] The cover tape recovery unit 67 peels the cover tape VT from the base tape BT and recovers the cover tape VT. The cover tape recovery unit 67 is composed of a tensioner 68, a cover tape feed unit 69, a recovery box 6A, and the like. The tensioner 68 is disposed near the center of the feed direction near the top of the main body unit 61. The tensioner 68 applies tension to the cover tape VT fed from the cover tape folding unit 642, and guides the cover tape VT toward the cover tape feed unit 69.

[0034] The cover tape feed unit 69 is disposed below the tensioner 68 of the main body 61. The cover tape feed unit 69 is driven by a motor 652 and operates in synchronization with the sprocket 651, driving it in a direction that pulls the cover tape VT. As a result, the cover tape VT is peeled off from the base tape BT near the cover tape folded-back portion 642. The cover tape feed unit 69 also serves to feed the cover tape VT, which is conveyed from the tensioner 68 through the tape conveyance path 63, toward the collection box 6A. At this time, the tensioner 68 applies tension to the cover tape VT, stabilizing the peeling and feeding operations of the cover tape VT by the cover tape feed unit 69.

[0035] The collection box 6A is disposed below the cover tape feed unit 69 and downstream of the reel holding unit 62. The collection box 6A collects and stores the cover tape VT fed from the cover tape feed unit 69 in its box-shaped internal space. When the motor 652 rotates in the reverse direction to return the carrier tape CT, the cover tape feed unit 69 drives the cover tape VT in the reverse direction. The path from the cover tape folding unit 642 to the collection box 6A via the tensioner 68 and the cover tape feed unit 69 forms the feed path for the cover tape VT. Therefore, the tensioner 68 and the cover tape feed unit 69 serve as guide members that guide the cover tape VT along the feed path.

[0036] The feeder control unit 6C is configured using a computer, and its location is not limited. The feeder control unit 6C controls the tape feeding mechanism 65 to proceed with the component supply operation in accordance with commands received from the control device 5 via the connector 615. The feeder control unit 6C receives a detection signal from a tape detection sensor located midway along the tape transport path 63, and recognizes the presence or absence of the carrier tape CT and the leading edge position of the carrier tape CT.

[0037] During the component supply operation of the tape feeder 6, the cover tape VT of the carrier tape CT is peeled off from the base tape BT near the cover tape fold-back portion 642. The peeled cover tape VT travels upward from the tape transport path 63 through the cover tape fold-back portion 642, makes a U-turn, and travels backward above the tape transport path 63. The cover tape VT is then collected into the collection box 6A by the cover tape collection unit 67.

[0038] Meanwhile, the base tape BT is fed to the supply position 641 with the cavity open to supply components. After heading downstream, the base tape BT is bent downward and discharged downward from the base tape duct 66. The discharged base tape BT is collected in a tape collection unit provided in the component mounting machine 1. An example of the tape collection unit is a combination of a tape cutting mechanism and a tape collection box.

[0039] 3. Detailed Configuration of Tape Guide 64 Next, the detailed configuration of the tape guide 64 will be described with reference to Figure 5. As shown in the figure, the tape guide 64 is formed long in the feed direction. The tape guide 64 has a ceiling plate 643 and two side plates 644, and is formed in a crank shape with a cross section perpendicular to the feed direction that opens downward. As described above, the supply position 641 and the cover tape fold-back portion 642 are set in the opening of the ceiling plate 643 of the tape guide 64.

[0040] A vertically long slot 647 is provided in one downstream end 645 of each of the two side plates 644. A circular engagement protrusion 61A provided on the main body 61 is fitted into the slot 647. A circular operation hole 648 is provided in the other upstream end 646 of each of the two side plates 644. The tape guide 64 is supported by the main body 61 so as to be able to move up and down, and is biased downward by a biasing member (not shown). During operation, the tape guide 64 is located in a lower operating position.

[0041] The tape guide 64 in the operating position is shown in Fig. 2 and by a dashed line in Fig. 5. In the operating position, one end 645 of the tape guide 64 generally serves as a fulcrum, and the other end 646 is biased downward to press the carrier tape CT against the bottom plate of the tape transport path 63. This ensures that the teeth of the sprocket 651 reliably engage with the feed holes of the carrier tape CT, stabilizing the feeding operation of the carrier tape CT.

[0042] On the other hand, when the tape guide 64 is in the operating position, the loading operation of the carrier tape CT cannot be performed. More specifically, when the carrier tape CT is not loaded, the biasing force of the biasing member brings the other end 646 of the tape guide 64 and the bottom plate of the tape transport path 63 close together, so that a sufficient gap for inserting the leading end of the carrier tape CT is not secured. For this reason, when loading the carrier tape CT, an operation is performed to displace the other end 646 of the tape guide 64 to the upper loading position, as shown by arrow M1.

[0043] The tape guide 64 in the loading position is shown in Figure 4 and by a solid line in Figure 5. As shown, one end 645 of the tape guide 64 generally serves as a fulcrum, and the other end 646 is driven to swing upward. In the above-described operation, it is necessary to insert the leading end of the carrier tape CT below the tape guide 64 while maintaining the tape guide 64 displaced to the upper loading position against the biasing force of the biasing member. This makes the loading operation of the carrier tape CT complicated, and the workability is poor.

[0044] 4. Detailed Configuration of Tensioner 68 Next, the detailed configuration of the tensioner 68 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. As shown in the figure, the tensioner 68 includes a pair of tension rollers, namely, a fixed tension roller 681 and a movable tension roller 682. The fixed tension roller 681 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is rotatably supported by the main body 61. The movable tension roller 682 is formed in a bobbin shape with a small diameter at a central portion 683 in the width direction and large diameters at both end portions 684. The movable tension roller 682 is rotatably supported at the tip of a swing arm 685. A cover tape VT is loaded between the fixed tension roller 681 and the movable tension roller 682.

[0045] The base end of the swing arm 685 is swingably supported by the main body 61. An operation hole 686 (see FIG. 3) is provided between the tip and base end of the swing arm 685. The swing arm 685 is biased in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 6 by a biasing member (not shown), and swings counterclockwise during operation.

[0046] At this time, the movable tension roller 682 is in the operating position, with the center portion 683 pressed against the fixed tension roller 681. Alternatively, the movable tension roller 682 is not pressed against the fixed tension roller 681, with the fixed tension roller 681 sandwiched between both end portions 684. The movable tension roller 682 in the operating position is shown in FIG. 2 and by a dashed line in FIG. 6. The tensioner 68 can stably hold the cover tape VT between the fixed tension roller 681 and the movable tension roller 682. Furthermore, the movable tension roller 682 applies tension by pulling the cover tape VT in a direction that lengthens the feed path.

[0047] On the other hand, when the movable tension roller 682 is in the operating position, the cover tape VT cannot be loaded. More specifically, when the cover tape VT is not loaded, the biasing force of the biasing member presses the center portion 683 of the movable tension roller 682 against the fixed tension roller 681, making it difficult to insert the leading edge of the cover tape VT between the fixed tension roller 681 and the movable tension roller 682. For this reason, when loading the cover tape VT, the swing arm 685 is operated to displace the movable tension roller 682 to the loading position away from the fixed tension roller 681, as shown by arrow M2.

[0048] The movable tension roller 682 in the loading position is shown in Fig. 4 and by a solid line in Fig. 6. In the above-described operation, it is necessary to insert the leading edge of the cover tape VT between the fixed tension roller 681 and the movable tension roller 682 while maintaining the swing arm 685 and the movable tension roller 682 displaced to the loading position against the biasing force of the biasing member. Therefore, the loading operation of the cover tape VT is complicated, and the workability is poor.

[0049] 5. Detailed Configuration of Cover Tape Feeding Unit 69 Next, the detailed configuration of the cover tape feeding unit 69 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. As shown in the figure, the cover tape feeding unit 69 includes a pair of feed gears, namely, a fixed feed gear 691 and a movable feed gear 692. Note that in FIGS. 2, 4, and 7, the outer shapes of the gears are simplified and shown as circles. The cover tape VT is loaded between the fixed feed gear 691 and the movable feed gear 692. The fixed feed gear 691 is rotatably supported by the main body 61 and is driven by the motor 652 via a transmission mechanism (not shown), rotating synchronously with the sprocket 651. The movable feed gear 692 is rotatably supported by a swing arm 693.

[0050] The swing arm 693 has a large main arm 694 that bends in an L shape, and a short, small auxiliary arm 695. A swing fulcrum 696 is provided where the main arm 694 and the auxiliary arm 695 join together. The swing fulcrum 696 is swingably supported by the main body 61. A movable feed gear 692 is disposed at a position close to the swing fulcrum 696 of the main arm 694. An operation knob 697 is provided at the end of the main arm 694 away from the swing fulcrum 696. An operation hole 698 is provided at a widened position between the bending point of the main arm 694 and the operation knob 697.

[0051] Meanwhile, one upper end of a biasing member 699 is engaged with the tip of the auxiliary arm 695. The other lower end of the biasing member 699 is fixed to the main body 61. A coil spring, as shown in FIG. 7 in an extended state, can be used as the biasing member 699. The swing arm 693 is biased in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 7 by the biasing force of the biasing member 699 in the direction of contraction, and swings counterclockwise during operation.

[0052] At this time, the movable feed gear 692 is located in the operating position and meshes with the fixed feed gear 691. The movable feed gear 692 in the operating position is shown in Fig. 2 and by a dashed line in Fig. 7. The movable feed gear 692 is pressed against the cover tape VT sandwiched between it and the fixed feed gear 691. Therefore, the cover tape feed unit 69 can feed the cover tape VT toward the collection box 6A by rotating the fixed feed gear 691.

[0053] On the other hand, when the movable feed gear 692 is in the operating position, the loading operation of the cover tape VT cannot be performed. More specifically, when the cover tape VT is not loaded, the movable feed gear 692 is pressed against the fixed feed gear 691 by the biasing force of the biasing member 699, making it difficult to insert the leading end of the cover tape VT between the fixed feed gear 691 and the movable feed gear 692. For this reason, when loading the cover tape VT, the operating knob 697 is operated upward as shown by arrow M3 to displace the movable feed gear 692 to the loading position away from the fixed feed gear 691.

[0054] The movable feed gear 692 and the swing arm 693 in the loading position are shown in Fig. 4 and by solid lines in Fig. 7. In the above-described operation, it is necessary to insert the leading end of the cover tape VT between the fixed feed gear 691 and the movable feed gear 692 while maintaining the swing arm 693 displaced to the loading position against the biasing force of the biasing member 699. Therefore, the operation of loading the cover tape VT is complicated, and the workability is poor.

[0055] 6. Three Openings in the Main Body Material 611 To improve the ease of loading the carrier tape CT and the cover tape VT, three openings are provided in the main body material 611 as shown in FIG. 3. A first opening 71 is provided in the main body material 611 at a position corresponding to the operation hole 648 of the tape guide 64. The first opening 71 is formed as a long hole that is long in the vertical direction so as to encompass the operating position and the installation position of the operation hole 648. The first opening 71 allows a round bar-shaped operating member that operates the tape guide 64 to pass from the other side of the main body 61 (the front side of the paper in FIG. 3) to one side (the back side of the paper in FIG. 3) of the paper.

[0056] An operator can insert the operating member from the other side toward one side of the main body 61 and pass it through (engage with) one of the operating holes 648 of the tape guide 64, the first opening 71, and the other operating hole 648 in that order. Furthermore, by operating the operating member upward, the operator can displace the tape guide 64 from the operating position to the installation position against the biasing force of the biasing member. Therefore, when loading the carrier tape CT from one side of the main body 61, the operator can operate the tape guide 64 from the other side of the main body 61 using the first opening 71. This facilitates the loading of the carrier tape CT and improves workability.

[0057] The second opening 72 is provided in a position in the main body material 611 that corresponds to the operation hole 686 of the swing arm 685 that constitutes the tensioner 68. The second opening 72 is formed as an elongated hole that is long in the vertical direction so as to encompass the operating position and the attached position of the operation hole 686. Similar to the first opening 71, the second opening 72 allows a round bar-shaped operating member to pass from the other side to the one side of the main body 61.

[0058] The operator can insert the operating member from the other side of the main body 61, pass it through the second opening 72, and insert (engage) it into the operating hole 686. Furthermore, by operating the operating member downward, the operator can displace the swing arm 685 and the movable tension roller 682 of the tensioner 68 from the operating position to the installation position against the biasing force of the biasing member. Therefore, when loading the cover tape VT from one side of the main body 61, the operator can operate the tensioner 68 from the other side of the main body 61 using the second opening 72. This facilitates the loading of the cover tape VT and improves workability.

[0059] The third opening 73 is provided in a position in the main body material 611 corresponding to the operation hole 698 of the swing arm 693 that constitutes the cover tape feeding unit 69. The third opening 73 is formed as an elongated hole that is inclined with respect to the vertical direction so as to encompass the operating position and the attached position of the operation hole 698. Similar to the first opening 71 and the second opening 72, the third opening 73 allows a round bar-shaped operating member to pass from the other side to the one side of the main body 61.

[0060] An operator can insert the operating member from the other side of the main body 61, pass it through the third opening 73, and insert (engage) it into the operating hole 698. Furthermore, by operating the operating member diagonally upward, the operator can displace the swing arm 693 and the movable feed gear 692 of the cover tape feed unit 69 from the operating position to the installation position against the biasing force of the biasing member 699. Therefore, when loading the cover tape VT from one side of the main body 61, the operator can operate the cover tape feed unit 69 from the other side of the main body 61 using the third opening 73. This facilitates the loading of the cover tape VT and improves workability.

[0061] 7. Configuration of the Cutout 74 of the Main Body Material 611 and the Sub-Main Body Material 612 As described above, the tape feeder 6 may require the removal of the carrier tape CT. To facilitate this removal, a cutout 74 is provided in the main body material 611, as shown in FIG. 3 . The cutout 74 is formed by cutting horizontally from the downstream end face of the main body material 611 and is positioned at a height midway along the base tape duct 66, which extends vertically. The cutout 74 allows the base tape BT to be cut. As shown in FIG. 8 , the cutout 74 allows the cutting edge of scissors 75 to pass through from the other side to the one side of the main body 61.

[0062] The operator can insert the blade of scissors 75 from the other side of the main body 61 through the notch 74 and into the base tape BT to perform the cutting process of the base tape BT. This allows the base tape BT to be significantly shorter than when cut by the tape cutting mechanism of the component mounting machine 1, improving the workability of the carrier tape CT removal process. However, because the blade of scissors 75 abuts against the main body secondary material 612, there is a concern that a portion of the width of the base tape BT will not be cut and will remain uncut. To address this concern, the main body secondary material 612 is provided with a notch 76 and a cover 77.

[0063] The cutout portion 76 of the main body secondary material 612 is disposed opposite the cutout portion 74 of the main body material 611. The cover 77 is supported by the main body secondary material 612 so as to be able to rotate and swing by approximately 90° between the operating position shown in FIG. 2 and the cutting position shown in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 8, the cover 77 is formed so that a central portion 78 is thin and both end portions 79 are thick. The cover 77 is biased by a biasing member (not shown), and during operation, it is positioned at the operating position and blocks the cutout portion 76. At the same time, the central portion 78 of the cover 77 becomes part of the feed path through which the base tape BT is fed.

[0064] During the cutting process, the cover 77 is pressed by the blade edges of the scissors 75, causing it to rotate and swing from the operating position to the cutting position against the biasing force of the biasing member. This causes the blade edges of the scissors 75 to protrude beyond the main body secondary material 612, ensuring that the entire width of the base tape BT is cut. After the cutting process, the carrier tape CT is returned in the opposite direction, and the base tape BT and cover tape VT are also returned in the opposite direction and removed from the transport path, and finally the reel RL is removed.

[0065] When the cutting process is completed and the scissors 75 are pulled out to the other side of the main body 61, the cover 77 automatically returns to the operating position due to the action of the biasing member. In other words, the cover 77 automatically covers the cutout 76 except for the time period during which the cutting process is being performed. If the cutout 76 were provided but the cover 77 were not provided, it would be possible to reliably cut the base tape BT, but problems such as the leading edge of the base tape BT getting caught in the cutout 76 during the loading process could occur.

[0066] According to the embodiment, during the loading operation of loading the leading end of the carrier tape CT into the transport path of the tape feeder 6, the tape guide 64 can be operated from the other side of the main body 61 using the first opening 71. In addition, the tensioner 68 can be operated from the other side of the main body 61 using the second opening 72, and the cover tape feeding unit 69 can be operated from the other side of the main body 61 using the third opening 73. Therefore, the loading operation of the carrier tape CT and the cover tape VT is facilitated, improving workability.

[0067] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, when removing the carrier tape from the transport path of the tape feeder 6, the cutout portion 74 can be used to cut the base tape BT from the other surface side of the main body portion 61. This allows the base tape BT to be shorter than when the cutout portion 74 is not used, and the removal of the carrier tape CT and the reel RL is facilitated, improving workability.

[0068] 8. Feeder Processing Device 8 of an Embodiment Next, the configuration and operation of the feeder processing device 8 of an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11 . The feeder processing device 8 automates the operation and cutting process from the other side of the main body 61 described above, thereby further improving workability. The front, back, left, and right of the feeder processing device 8 are defined as indicated by the arrows in the upper left of FIG. 9 . Note that in FIGS. 9 and 11 , the shapes and movement amounts of some components (e.g., the first operating pin 912) are scaled out for easy viewing. Furthermore, the operating status of the feeder processing device 8 shown in FIG. 11 is actually the operation when the tape feeder 6 is set in the slot 821.

[0069] The feeder processing device 8 is formed of a device main body 81, a base 82, a front panel 83, a top panel 84, etc. The device main body 81 has an operation display unit 85 and a device control unit 86. Furthermore, the device main body 81 is provided with a first operation unit 91, a second operation unit 92, a third operation unit 93, and a cutting processing unit 94.

[0070] The device main body 81 is formed in a box shape that is thin in the left-right direction. The base 82 is formed in a plate shape that extends horizontally and is disposed so as to protrude to the right from the underside of the device main body 81. A groove-shaped slot 821 that extends in the front-to-rear direction is provided on the top surface of the base 82. The slot 821 has the same shape as the slot on the top surface of the pallet table 31 of the component mounting machine 1.

[0071] The front plate 83 is formed in the shape of a vertical thick plate and is disposed so as to protrude rightward from the upper front side of the device main body 81. An upper positioning hole 831, a receiving connector 832, and a lower positioning hole 833 are provided in this order from top to bottom on the rear surface of the front plate 83 at positions on an extension of the slot 821. The shapes and sizes of the upper positioning hole 831, the receiving connector 832, and the lower positioning hole 833, as well as their relative positional relationship with the slot 821, are the same as those of the pallet base 31.

[0072] The top plate 84 is formed in a plate shape extending in the front-rear direction and is disposed so as to protrude to the right from the top of the device body 81. A locking member 841 is provided near the rear of the top plate 84. One end of the locking member 841 is swingably supported on the top plate 84 and is biased in the clockwise direction in FIG. 9 by a biasing member (not shown). The tip of the locking member 841, which is spaced apart from the top plate 84, is normally positioned in a locked position (the position shown in FIG. 9 ) protruding to the right, and can be displaced to a swinging position swung forward. When the locking pin 618 of the locking mechanism 617 of the tape feeder 6 passes from rear to front, the locking member 841 swings from the locked position to a swinging position, allowing the locking pin 618 to pass. On the other hand, even if the locking pin 618 attempts to pass from front to rear, the locking member 841 maintains the locked position and restricts the passage of the locking pin 618.

[0073] The operator inserts the tape feeder 6 from the rear to the front of the slot 821 to set the tape feeder 6 in the feeder processing device 8. At this time, the upper positioning pin 614 and the lower positioning pin 616 of the tape feeder 6 engage with the upper positioning hole 831 and the lower positioning hole 833, respectively, to position the tape feeder 6. At the same time, the connector 615 automatically engages with the receiving connector 832. Therefore, power is supplied to the tape feeder 6, and the feeder control unit 6C is connected to the device control unit 86 for communication. The locking member 841 allows the locking pin 618 to pass forward, and thereafter restricts the locking pin 618 from passing backward. The operator swings the release lever 619 of the locking mechanism 617 to lower the locking pin 618 to the released state, and then removes the tape feeder 6 backward.

[0074] The operation and display unit 85 is disposed near the rear of the top surface of the device main body 81. The operation and display unit 85 is connected to the device control unit 86. As shown in FIG. 10 , the operation and display unit 85 has a forward button 851, an origin button 852, a reverse button 853, a forward button 854, and a display unit 855. The four buttons are push buttons that can be pressed by an operator, and the pressing operation is detected by the device control unit 86. The forward button 851 and the reverse button 853 distinguish between a press operation within a predetermined time range and a long press operation in which the button is pressed for more than the predetermined time. The display unit 855 is composed of a plurality of indicator lamps, a display screen, and the like. The display unit 855 displays information in accordance with a display command from the device control unit 86. The operation and display unit 85 may have a different configuration, such as a touch panel.

[0075] Pressing the feed button 851 assigns to the tape feed mechanism 65 a function of feeding the carrier tape CT by the pitch distance of the cavities. Pressing and holding the feed button 851 assigns to the tape feed mechanism 65 a long feed function of feeding the carrier tape CT for the duration the button is pressed. Pressing the origin button 852 assigns to the tape feed mechanism 65 a function of returning the carrier tape CT to a predetermined origin position.

[0076] On the other hand, pressing the reverse button 853 assigns a function of causing the tape feeding mechanism 65 to pitch-reverse the carrier tape CT by a pitch distance. Also, pressing and holding the reverse button 853 assigns a long-reverse function of causing the tape feeding mechanism 65 to reverse the carrier tape CT for the duration of the time the button is pressed. Also, pressing the advance button 854 assigns a function of performing operations by the first operation unit 91, the second operation unit 92, and the third operation unit 93, and a function of performing cutting processing by the cutting processing unit 94 (described in detail later).

[0077] The display unit 855 displays a "power on" state in which the feeder processing device 8 is connected to a power source and power is being supplied, and a "set state" in which a tape feeder 6 is set in the slot 821 and a communication connection is established. The display unit 855 also displays the operational progress of the first operation unit 91, the second operation unit 92, the third operation unit 93, and the cutting processing unit 94. When loading and removing the carrier tape CT, the operator can proceed with the work by pressing the four buttons as appropriate and checking the display content of the display unit 855.

[0078] The first operating unit 91, the second operating unit 92, and the third operating unit 93 are provided to individually and automatically operate the tape guide 64, the tensioner 68, and the cover tape feeding unit 69 of the tape feeder 6. The first operating unit 91 is composed of a first operating port 911, a first operating pin 912, a first driving unit 913, and the like. The first operating port 911 is formed by opening the right surface of the device main body 81 so as to directly face the first opening 71 of the tape feeder 6 set in the slot 821. The first operating port 911 is formed to have the same shape and size as the first opening 71, or is formed larger than the first opening 71 so as to encompass the first opening 71. The first operating pin 912 is a member equivalent to the round bar-shaped operating member operated by an operator. The first operating pin 912 is movably supported by the first driving unit 913 and can pass through the first operating port 911 and the first opening 71.

[0079] The first drive unit 913 is provided in the device main body 81 and drives the first operating pin 912. Specifically, the first drive unit 913 drives an engagement operation that causes the first operating pin 912, which is in its initial position within the device main body 81, to protrude to the right of the device main body 81, and a lifting operation that moves the protruding first operating pin 912 upward. The first drive unit 913 includes, for example, two motors or electromagnetic solenoids, or two air cylinders, that separately drive the engagement operation and the lifting operation. FIG. 9 shows the initial position of the first operating pin 912. FIG. 11 shows the protruding position of the first operating pin 912 with a solid line, and the operating position in which it is moved upward with a dashed line.

[0080] The first operating pin 912 operates the tape guide 64 of the tape feeder 6 set in the slot 821. More specifically, by moving from the initial position to the protruding position, the first operating pin 912 passes through the first opening 71 from the other surface side to the one surface side of the main body 61 of the tape feeder 6 and engages with the operating hole 648 of the tape guide 64. Next, by moving from the protruding position to the operating position, the first operating pin 912 displaces the tape guide 64 from the operating position to the installed position against the biasing force of the biasing member.

[0081] The second operation unit 92 is composed of a second operation port 921, a second operation pin 922, and a second drive unit 923. The second operation port 921 is opened on the right side of the device body 81 so as to face the second opening 72 of the installed tape feeder 6. The second operation port 921 is formed to be the same shape and size as the second opening 72, or larger than the second opening 72. The round bar-shaped second operation pin 922 is movably supported by the second drive unit 923 and passes through the second operation port 921 and the second opening 72. The second drive unit 923 is provided in the device body 81 and drives an engagement operation that causes the second operation pin 922, which is in its initial position within the device body 81, to protrude to the right of the device body 81 and a downward operation that moves the protruding second operation pin 922 downward. FIG. 9 shows the initial position of the second operation pin 922. FIG. 11 shows the protruding position of the second operation pin 922 in solid lines and the downward operating position in dashed lines.

[0082] As the second operating pin 922 moves from the initial position to the protruding position, it passes through the second opening 72 from the other side to the one side of the main body 61 and engages with the operating hole 686 of the swing arm 685 of the tensioner 68. Next, as the second operating pin 922 moves from the protruding position to the operating position, it displaces the swing arm 685 and the movable tension roller 682 from the operating position to the installed position against the biasing force of the biasing member.

[0083] The third operation unit 93 is composed of a third operation port 931, a third operation pin 932, and a third drive unit 933. The third operation port 931 is opened on the right side of the device body 81 so as to face the third opening 73 of the installed tape feeder 6. The third operation port 931 is formed to be the same shape and size as the third opening 73, or larger than the third opening 73. The round bar-shaped third operation pin 932 is movably supported by the third drive unit 933 and passes through the third operation port 931 and the third opening 73. The third drive unit 933 is provided in the device body 81 and drives an engagement operation that causes the third operation pin 932, which is in its initial position within the device body 81, to protrude to the right of the device body 81, and an elevation operation that moves the protruding third operation pin 932 diagonally upward. FIG. 9 shows the initial position of the third operation pin 932. FIG. 11 shows the protruding position of the third operation pin 932 with a solid line, and the diagonally upward operating position with the third operation pin 932 with a dashed line.

[0084] As the third operating pin 932 moves from the initial position to the protruding position, it passes through the third opening 73 from the other surface side to the one surface side of the main body 61 and engages with the operating hole 698 of the swing arm 693 of the cover tape feed unit 69. Next, as the third operating pin 932 moves from the protruding position to the operating position, it displaces the swing arm 693 and the movable feed gear 692 from the operating position to the installation position against the biasing force of the biasing member.

[0085] The cutting processing unit 94 is provided to automatically perform cutting processing of the base tape BT loaded in the tape feeder 6. The cutting processing unit 94 is composed of a fourth operation opening 941, a cutting blade 942, a fourth drive unit 943, etc. The fourth operation opening 941 is formed by opening the right surface of the device main body 81 so as to directly face the cutout portion 74 of the tape feeder 6 set in the slot 821. The fourth operation opening 941 is formed to have the same shape and size as the cutout portion 74, or is formed to be larger than the cutout portion 74 so as to encompass the cutout portion 74.

[0086] The cutting blade 942 has a different cutting method from the scissors 75 and is composed of a horizontally arranged fixed blade and a movable blade. The movable blade is normally separated from the fixed blade and performs the cutting process by moving parallel to overlap the fixed blade. The cutting blade 942 is movably supported by the fourth drive unit 943 and can pass through the fourth operation opening 941 and the notch 74. Note that the cutting method of the cutting blade 942 may be a method other than the above.

[0087] The fourth drive unit 943 is provided in the device body 81 and drives the cutting blade 942. More specifically, the fourth drive unit 943 drives an engagement operation that causes the cutting blade 942, which is in its initial position within the device body 81, to protrude to the right of the device body 81, and a cutting process using the protruding cutting blade 942. The engagement operation positions the fixed blade and movable blade of the cutting blade 942 so as to sandwich the base tape BT. Furthermore, during the cutting process, the movable blade moves parallel to overlap the fixed blade, as described above.

[0088] The fourth drive unit 943 is configured to include, for example, two motors or electromagnetic solenoids, or two air cylinders, which separately drive the engaging operation and the cutting process. Figure 9 shows the initial position of the cutting blade 942. Figure 11 shows the protruding position of the cutting blade 942. As with the case of using scissors 75, the cutting blade 942 pushes the cover 77 from the protruding position to the cutting position, and then performs the cutting process on the base tape BT.

[0089] The device control unit 86 is configured using a computer device, and its location is not limited. The device control unit 86 controls the tape feeder 6 set in the slot 821. That is, when any of the feed button 851, origin button 852, and return button 853 is pressed (including a long press), the device control unit 86 transmits a command indicating a predetermined function assigned to the press operation to the feeder control unit 6C of the tape feeder 6. The feeder control unit 6C that receives the command controls the tape feed mechanism 65 to perform the function corresponding to the pressed button.

[0090] The device control unit 86 also acquires the loading status of the carrier tape CT from the feeder control unit 6C of the tape feeder 6 set in the slot 821, and determines whether to perform a loading operation or a removal operation based on the loading status. That is, if the carrier tape CT is loaded, the device control unit 86 controls the cutting process of the base tape BT in order to remove the carrier tape CT. In this case, the device control unit 86 operates the cutting processing unit 94 when the progress button 854 is pressed. On the other hand, if the carrier tape CT is not loaded, the device control unit 86 starts the built-in sequence control unit 87 in order to load the carrier tape CT.

[0091] Each time the progress button 854 is pressed, the sequence control unit 87 operates the first operation unit 91, the second operation unit 92, and the third operation unit 93 in that order. In other words, the sequence control unit 87 operates the first drive unit 913, the second drive unit 923, and the third drive unit 933 in that order so as to correspond to the order of the tape guide 64, the tensioner 68, and the cover tape feed unit 69, depending on the progress of the loading operation of loading the leading end of the carrier tape CT into the transport path.

[0092] According to the feeder processing device 8 of the embodiment, when the carrier tape CT is loaded from one side of the main body 61 of the tape feeder 6, the feeder processing device 8 automatically operates the tape guide 64, the tensioner 68, and the cover tape feeding unit 69 from the other side of the main body 61. This makes the loading of the carrier tape CT and the cover tape VT even easier, improving workability. Furthermore, when the carrier tape CT is removed from the transport path of the tape feeder 6, the feeder processing device 8 automatically cuts the base tape BT. This makes the removal of the carrier tape CT even easier, improving workability.

[0093] 9. Feeder Processing Method of the Embodiment Next, a feeder processing method using the feeder processing device 8 will be described with reference to Figs. 12 and 13. Fig. 12 is a process diagram for loading the carrier tape CT, and Fig. 13 is a process diagram for removing the carrier tape CT. The two process diagrams are carried out through cooperation between the feeder processing device 8 and the worker.

[0094] In the first setting step S1 in Figure 12, the worker sets a tape feeder 6 that does not hold a reel RL, for example, a tape feeder 6 to be used in the component mounting machine 1, in the slot 821 of the feeder processing device 8. The worker then causes the reel holding unit 62 of the set tape feeder 6 to hold the reel RL. The device control unit 86 acquires information indicating that no carrier tape CT is loaded from the feeder control unit 6C that is connected to the device control unit 86 in communication with the device control unit 86, and starts the sequence control unit 87. The device control unit 86 also displays "Setting status" on the display unit 855. The worker, who sees the "Setting status," presses the proceed button 854.

[0095] The sequence control unit 87 detects this pressing operation and, in a first engagement step S2, operates the first drive unit 913 to move the first operation pin 912 from the initial position to the protruding position and engage it with the operation hole 648 of the tape guide 64. In the next first operation step S3, the sequence control unit 87 further operates the first drive unit 913 to move the first operation pin 912 from the protruding position to the operation position and displace the tape guide 64 from the operating position to the installation position.

[0096] Having visually confirmed the displacement of the tape guide 64, the worker pulls out the carrier tape CT from the reel RL and loads the leading end below the tape guide 64 in a loading step S4. The worker then presses the advance button 854 again. In response, in a second engagement step S5, the sequence control unit 87 operates the second drive unit 923 to move the second operation pin 922 from the initial position to the protruding position and engage it with the operation hole 686 of the tensioner 68. In the next second operation step S6, the sequence control unit 87 further operates the second drive unit 923 to move the second operation pin 922 from the protruding position to the operation position, thereby displacing the movable tension roller 682 of the tensioner 68 from the operating position to the installation position.

[0097] In addition, in parallel with the second engagement step S5 and the second operation step S6, the sequence control unit 87 operates the first drive unit 913 in the reverse direction, causing the first operation pin 912 to return from the operation position to the protruding position and then to the initial position. The worker presses the feed button 851 to feed the carrier tape CT, and the cover tape folding portion 642 peels the leading end of the cover tape VT from the base tape BT. Furthermore, after visually confirming the displacement of the movable tension roller 682, the worker loads the leading end of the cover tape VT into the tensioner 68 in the loading step S7. If the length of the cover tape VT is insufficient, the worker can attach a loading auxiliary tape to the leading end of the cover tape VT.

[0098] The operator then again presses the proceed button 854. Then, in a third engagement step S8, the sequence control unit 87 operates the third drive unit 933 to move the third operation pin 932 from the initial position to the protruding position and engage it with the operation hole 698 of the cover tape feed unit 69. In the next third operation step S9, the sequence control unit 87 further operates the third drive unit 933 to move the third operation pin 932 from the protruding position to the operation position and displace the movable feed gear 692 of the cover tape feed unit 69 from the operating position to the installation position.

[0099] Furthermore, in parallel with the third engaging step S8 and the third operating step S9, the sequence control unit 87 operates the second drive unit 923 in the reverse direction, causing the second operating pin 922 to return from the operating position to the initial position via the protruding position. The operator presses the feed button 851 to feed the carrier tape CT and the cover tape VT, and pulls out the leading end of the cover tape VT or the loading auxiliary tape to the bottom side of the tensioner 68. Furthermore, after visually confirming the displacement of the movable feed gear 692, the operator loads the leading end of the cover tape VT or the loading auxiliary tape into the cover tape feed unit 69 in the loading step S10.

[0100] The operator then presses the advance button 854 again. The sequence control unit 87 then operates the third drive unit 933 in the reverse direction, causing the third operating pin 932 to return from the operating position to the initial position via the protruding position. The operator presses the feed button 851 to feed the carrier tape CT and the cover tape VT. This causes the leading edge of the cover tape VT or loading aid tape to enter the recovery box 6A. Finally, the operator presses the feed button 851 and the return button 853 to adjust the loading position of the carrier tape CT so that the cavity at the leading edge of the base tape BT is aligned with the supply position 641. This completes the loading operation of the carrier tape CT and the cover tape VT.

[0101] According to this feeder processing method, the tape guide 64, the movable tension roller 682, and the movable feed gear 692 are displaced in sequence, allowing the operator to visually recognize the transport path and the area to be worked on. The synergistic effect of visual recognition and the operation of the feeder processing device 8 on behalf of the operator significantly improves the workability of the loading operation. Furthermore, the displacements of the tape guide 64, the movable tension roller 682, and the movable feed gear 692 are displayed on the display unit 855, allowing visual recognition from two locations. Furthermore, the second engagement step S5 and the third engagement step S8 can be performed in advance simultaneously with the first engagement step S2, thereby reducing the required time.

[0102] 13 , the worker sets the tape feeder 6 loaded with the carrier tape CT, for example, the tape feeder 6 removed from the component mounting machine 1, in the slot 821 of the feeder processing device 8. The device control unit 86 acquires information indicating that the carrier tape CT is loaded from the feeder control unit 6C connected to the device control unit 86, and starts controlling the cutting process of the base tape BT. The device control unit 86 also displays the "set status" on the display unit 855. The worker, visually recognizing the "set status," presses the proceed button 854.

[0103] Upon detecting this pressing operation, the device control unit 86 operates the fourth drive unit 943 in a fourth engagement step S22, moving the cutting blade 942 from the initial position to the protruding position and engaging it with the base tape BT. In the next cutting step S23, the device control unit 86 further operates the fourth drive unit 943, cutting the base tape BT through a cutting process that translates the movable blade of the cutting blade 942. In parallel with the cutting step S23, the operator cuts the cover tape VT from one side of the main body 61 using scissors 75 or the like. The cutting position can be, for example, but is not limited to, between the cover tape feed unit 69 and the collection box 6A. The operator then presses the proceed button 854.

[0104] The device control unit 86 executes the return step S24 on the condition that the cutting process of the base tape BT is completed and the advance button 854 is pressed. That is, the device control unit 86 drives the motor 652 in the reverse direction to return the carrier tape CT in the reverse direction. As a result, the feed holes at the leading end of the base tape BT are disengaged from the sprocket 651 and return to the upstream side. This makes it possible to perform the removal operation of removing the leading end of the carrier tape CT (including the peeled base tape BT and cover tape VT) from the transport path. The return step S24 may also be performed by the operator pressing and holding the return button 853.

[0105] In the next removal step S25, the worker removes the carrier tape CT from the transport path, and then removes the reel RL from the reel holding part 62. This completes the removal of the carrier tape CT and the reel RL. According to this feeder processing method, the feeder processing device 8 automatically cuts the base tape BT instead of the worker using scissors 75, which significantly improves the workability of the carrier tape CT removal operation.

[0106] 10. Applications and Modifications of the Embodiments In the tape feeder 6 of the embodiment, the tape guide 64, the swing arm 685, and the swing arm 693 rotate and swing, but may also be configured to slide linearly. Furthermore, the first opening 71 and the second opening 72 may be modified into notches cut into the upper end of the main body material 611. Conversely, the notches 74 and 76 may be modified into openings that are surrounded by a periphery. Furthermore, in the process diagrams shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 , instead of pressing the proceed button 854, a timer may be provided so that the process automatically proceeds after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0107] Furthermore, the embodiment can be applied to a semi-peel-off tape feeder that peels off only one side of the two adhesive strips of the carrier tape CT. In a semi-peel-off tape feeder, one adhesive strip is peeled off below the tape guide 64, and the cover tape VT stands up at the supply position 641, opening the cavity. The base tape BT and cover tape VT are then fed to the base tape duct 66 while remaining integrated, and discharged downward. Therefore, the first opening 71 and the cutout 74 are effective for a semi-peel-off tape feeder, and the first operation unit 91 and cutting unit 94 of the feeder processing device 8 are also effective. The embodiment can be applied to various other applications and modifications.

[0108] 1: Component mounting machine 3: Component supply device 6: Tape feeder 61: Main body 611: Main body main material 612: Main body secondary material 62: Reel holding section 63: Tape transport path 64: Tape guide 648: Operation hole 65: Tape feeding mechanism 66: Base tape duct 67: Cover tape recovery section 68: Tensioner 681: Fixed tension roller 682: Movable tension roller 685: Swing arm 686: Operation hole 69: Cover tape feeding section 691: Fixed feed gear 692: Movable feed gear 693: Swing arm 698: Operation hole 699: Urging member 6A: Recovery box 71: First opening 72: Second opening 73: Third opening 74: Notch 76: Notch 77: Cover 8: Feeder processing device 81: Device main body 82: Base 85: Operation display unit 854: Progress button 86: Device control unit 87: Sequence control unit 91: First operation unit 912: First operation pin 913: First drive unit 92: Second operation unit 922: Second operation pin 923: Second drive unit 93: Third operation unit 932: Third operation pin 933: Third drive unit 94: Cutting processing unit 942: Cutting blade 943: Fourth drive unit CT: Carrier tape BT: Base tape VT: Cover tape RL: Reel

Claims

1. A tape feeder comprising: a thin plate-like main body; a guide member displaceably provided on the main body for guiding a carrier tape for accommodating components along a conveyance path formed on one surface side of the main body; and an opening or notch provided on the main body enabling operation of the guide member or processing of the carrier tape to be performed from the other surface side of the main body.

2. The tape feeder according to claim 1, wherein the opening or notch enables an operating member for operating the guide member or processing the carrier tape to pass from the other surface side to the one surface side of the main body.

3. The tape feeder according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the guide member is displaceable between an operating position when feeding the carrier tape along the conveyance path and a loading position when loading the leading end of the carrier tape into the conveyance path, and the opening or notch enables operation to displace the guide member from the operating position to the loading position.

4. The tape feeder according to claim 3, wherein the guide member has one end supported by the main body and the other end biased by a biasing member to be positioned at the lower operating position, and includes a tape guide for pressing the carrier tape against a bottom plate forming the conveyance path at the operating position, and the opening or notch enables operation to displace the other end of the tape guide to the upper loading position against the biasing force of the biasing member.

5. The tape feeder according to claim 3, wherein the carrier tape includes a base tape for accommodating the components in respective cavities and a cover tape adhered to the base tape for covering the cavities, the guide member includes a cover tape feeding portion having a pair of feed gears biased by a biasing member to sandwich and feed the cover tape at the operating position where they approach each other, and the opening or notch enables operation to displace the pair of feed gears to the loading position where they are separated from each other against the biasing force of the biasing member.

6. The carrier tape includes a base tape that houses the component in each of a plurality of cavities, and a cover tape that is adhered to the base tape and covers the cavities. The guide member includes a tensoner having a pair of tension rollers that apply tension to the cover tape at the operating position where they are urged by an urging member to approach each other. The opening or the notch enables an operation of displacing the pair of tension rollers to the loading position where they are separated from each other against the urging force of the urging member. The tape feeder according to claim 3.

7. The opening or the notch enables the cutting process of the carrier tape. The tape feeder according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The carrier tape includes a base tape that houses the component in each of a plurality of cavities, and a cover tape that is adhered to the base tape and covers the cavities. The opening or the notch enables a cutting blade for performing a cutting process of the base tape from which the cover tape has been peeled to pass from the other surface side to the one surface side of the main body portion. The tape feeder according to claim 7.

9. The tape feeder according to claim 8, further comprising a cover that automatically closes the opening or the notch except during a time period when the cutting process is performed.

10. A feeder processing apparatus including: a pedestal on which the tape feeder according to claim 1 or 2 is set; an operation member that passes through the opening or the notch from the other surface side to the one surface side of the main body portion and engages with the guide member or the carrier tape; and a drive unit that drives the operation member to perform an operation of the guide member or a process of the carrier tape.

11. The carrier tape includes a base tape that houses the component in each of a plurality of cavities, and a cover tape that is adhered to the base tape to cover the cavities. The guide member has one end supported by the main body portion and the other end biased by a biasing member to be located at a lower operating position, and is a tape guide that presses the carrier tape against a bottom plate that forms the conveyance path at the operating position. The cover tape feeding section has a pair of feeding gears that are biased by the biasing member and sandwich and feed the cover tape at the operating position where they approach each other. The tensoner has a pair of tension rollers that are biased by the biasing member and apply tension to the cover tape at the operating position where they approach each other. The feeder processing apparatus according to claim 10 includes at least one of these, and the operating member and the driving section are individually provided for at least one of the tape guide, the cover tape feeding section, and the tensoner.

12. The guide member includes the tape guide, the cover tape feeding section, and the tensoner. The feeder processing apparatus includes a sequence control section that operates the driving section in the order of the tape guide, the tensoner, and the cover tape feeding section according to the progress of a loading operation of loading a leading end of the carrier tape into the conveyance path. The feeder processing apparatus according to claim 11.

13. The operating member is a cutting blade that engages with the carrier tape by passing through the opening or the notch from the other surface side to the one surface side of the main body portion. The driving section drives the cutting blade to perform a cutting process on the carrier tape. The feeder processing apparatus according to claim 10.

14. A feeder processing method comprising: a setting step of setting the tape feeder on the pedestal; an engaging step of operating the operating member by driving from the driving section to pass through the opening or the notch and engage with the guide member or the carrier tape; and an operating step of causing the operating member to perform an operation of the guide member or a process of the carrier tape by driving from the driving section, using the feeder processing apparatus according to claim 10.

15. Using the feeder processing apparatus according to claim 12, a setting step of setting the tape feeder on the pedestal, an engaging step of operating the operation member by driving from the drive unit to pass through the opening or the notch and engaging with the guide member, and an operating step of causing the operation member to perform the operation of the guide member by driving from the drive unit, and according to the progress of the loading operation of loading the tip of the carrier tape into the transport path, the engaging step and the operating step are respectively performed in the order of the tape guide, the tensoner, and the cover tape feed unit, a feeder processing method.

16. Using the feeder processing apparatus according to claim 13, a setting step of setting the tape feeder on the pedestal, an engaging step of operating the cutting blade by driving from the drive unit to pass through the opening or the notch and engaging with the carrier tape, and a cutting step of causing the cutting blade to perform the cutting process of the carrier tape by driving from the drive unit, a feeder processing method comprising the steps.

Images