Nozzle management device, feeder storage system, nozzle management system, and nozzle management method

Abstract

Provided are a nozzle management device, a feeder storage system, a nozzle management system, and a nozzle management method that are capable of reducing a workload in cleaning a suction nozzle.　A nozzle management device according to the present disclosure comprises: a cleaning device that cleans a suction nozzle held by a cleaning pallet; a warehouse unit that houses a replacement cleaning pallet with which the cleaning pallet can be replaced; a nozzle transfer device that conveys the suction nozzle between the cleaning pallet and a nozzle station capable of holding the suction nozzle; and a replacing robot that replaces the cleaning pallet with the replacement cleaning pallet housed in the warehouse unit.

Description

Nozzle management device, feeder storage system, nozzle management system, and nozzle management method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a nozzle management device that cleans suction nozzles, a feeder storage system that includes a nozzle management device, a nozzle management system, and a nozzle management method.

[0002] Conventionally, a mounting device that mounts components on a circuit board uses a suction nozzle to pick up the components. The nozzle management device described in Patent Document 1 includes a cleaning unit that cleans the suction nozzle used in the mounting device. The cleaning unit immerses the suction nozzle in a cleaning solution stored in a cleaning tank, and cleans the suction nozzle by generating high-frequency vibrations in the cleaning solution from an ultrasonic vibrator located at the bottom of the cleaning tank.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-064697

[0004] Different types of suction nozzles are used depending on the type of component to be mounted on the board and the type of mounting head to which the suction nozzle is attached. The inner diameter and outer shape of the suction nozzle hole vary depending on the type of suction nozzle. If a member to hold the suction nozzle is used when cleaning the suction nozzle, the user will need to change the holding member depending on the type of suction nozzle, which could increase the workload of the user.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a nozzle management device, a feeder storage system, a nozzle management system, and a nozzle management method that can reduce the workload involved in cleaning suction nozzles.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, this specification discloses a nozzle management device including a cleaning device that cleans suction nozzles held on a cleaning pallet, a warehouse unit that stores replacement cleaning pallets that can be replaced with the cleaning pallet, a nozzle transfer device that transports the suction nozzles between the cleaning pallet and a nozzle station that can hold the suction nozzles, and an exchange robot that exchanges the cleaning pallet with the replacement cleaning pallet stored in the warehouse unit. Note that the content of this disclosure is not limited to being implemented as a nozzle management device, and is also extremely useful when implemented as a feeder storage system that includes the nozzle management device, a nozzle management system that manages suction nozzles, and a nozzle management method.

[0007] According to the nozzle management device, feeder storage system, nozzle management system, and nozzle management method disclosed herein, cleaning is performed while suction nozzles are held on a cleaning pallet. The warehouse can store the cleaning pallet used for this cleaning and a replaceable replacement cleaning pallet. This allows replacement cleaning pallets compatible with suction nozzles with different hole inner diameters or outer shapes to be stored in the warehouse. The replacement robot then exchanges the cleaning pallet used for cleaning the cleaning device for the replacement cleaning pallet in the warehouse. This allows cleaning pallet replacement to be performed automatically, reducing the user's workload in nozzle management.

[0008] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a production system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 2 is a perspective view of the exterior of a storage device and a nozzle management device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 3 is a perspective view of a main body; 4 is a plan view of a main body and a warehouse, viewed downward from a position between a nozzle transfer device and a cleaning device in the vertical direction; 5 is a perspective view of a suction nozzle; 6 is a perspective view of a warehouse, an exchange robot, and a nozzle feeder; 7 is a perspective view of a first exchange device; 8 is a perspective view of a nozzle station that includes a plurality of nozzle stations and that accommodates different types of suction nozzles; and 9 is a block diagram of a nozzle management device.

[0009] An embodiment of the feeder storage system of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a production system 10 equipped with the feeder storage system of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the production system 10 includes, for example, multiple production lines 2, multiple line management devices 3, a supervisory device 4, an automated guided vehicle 5, a display terminal 6, a storage device 7, and a nozzle management device 8. The production line 2 includes, for example, from upstream to downstream of the production line 2, a printer 11, a feeder storage unit 12, multiple placement devices 13, a reflow oven 14, and a board visual inspection machine 15. The production system 10 transports boards 19 from upstream to downstream of the production line 2 and mounts components (e.g., electronic components) on the boards 19.

[0010] The printer 11 is a screen printer, and is a device that prints, for example, cream solder on a circuit board 19. A plurality of (two in this embodiment) magazines 21 can be placed in the feeder storage unit 12. The feeder storage unit 12 is equipped with a plurality of rollers that move the magazines 21, and by rotating the plurality of rollers, the magazines 21 are transferred to and from the automatic guided vehicle 5. The magazine 21 is box-shaped and has an opening on one of its six sides. The magazine 21 is provided with a plurality of slots (grooves) that can accommodate cassette-type (box-shaped) component feeders 22 and nozzle feeders 91 (see FIG. 6 ) inserted into each slot through the opening.

[0011] The production line 2 is equipped with a line exchange device 23. The line exchange device 23 exchanges component feeders 22 stored in magazines 21 in the feeder storage unit 12 with component feeders 22 attached to the placement devices 13. Traveling rails are provided in front of the feeder storage unit 12 and the placement devices 13. The line exchange device 23 moves along these traveling rails, thereby moving in the conveying direction of the boards 19, i.e., the direction in which the devices on the production line are lined up. The line exchange device 23 is equipped with a chuck device that chucks the component feeders 22 and nozzle feeders 91 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as nozzle feeders 91, etc.), and moves in front of the placement devices 13 to exchange the nozzle feeders 91, etc. of each placement device 13.

[0012] The placement device 13 is a device that places components on a board 19 printed with solder paste. The placement device 13 includes a slot for placing a component feeder 22, a placement head that places components on the board 19, and a slide device that moves the placement head. The placement device 13 uses the placement head to pick up components supplied from the component feeder 22 and place them on the board 19. The placement head can be equipped with a suction nozzle for picking up the components. The suction nozzle can be accommodated in an internal nozzle station (not shown) provided within the placement device 13 or in a nozzle station 47 (see FIG. 6 ) of a nozzle feeder 91 attached to the slot. The placement device 13 exchanges the suction nozzle attached to the placement head with the suction nozzle accommodated in the internal nozzle station or the nozzle station 47 depending on the type of board or component being produced. The nozzle feeder 91, like the component feeder 22, is exchanged by the line exchange device 23. The reflow furnace 14 is a device that heats the board 19 on which components are mounted, melts the cream solder, and then solidifies it, thereby mounting the components on the board 19. The board appearance inspection machine 15 is a device that inspects the mounting state of the board 19 on which components are mounted.

[0013] The line management device 3 and the coordinating device 4 are communicatively connected to each device on the production line 2 via a network 17 (e.g., a LAN). The line management device 3 is, for example, located in the feeder storage unit 12 and is a device that manages the production line 2, monitoring the operating status of each device on the production line 2 and managing the progress status. Each device on the production line 2 exchanges information with the line management device 3 and acquires information such as the progress status of other devices. The coordinating device 4 communicates with each device in the production system 10 and manages the production system 10 in an integrated manner. For example, the coordinating device 4 determines the order of production, the destination of the automated guided vehicle 5, etc.

[0014] The automated guided vehicle 5 moves around the production facility where the production system 10 is installed, delivering parts needed for the production line 2 and collecting parts after use. In this embodiment, the automated guided vehicle 5 transports nozzle feeders 91 and the like stored in the magazine 21. Note that the parts transported by the automated guided vehicle 5 are not limited to the part feeders 22 and the nozzle feeders 91. For example, the automated guided vehicle 5 may transport squeegees used in the printing machine 11. The control device 4, for example, performs wireless communication with the automated guided vehicle 5 and manages the parts being transported by the automated guided vehicle 5, the current position of the automated guided vehicle 5, and the like.

[0015] The production facility in which the production system 10 is installed is provided with a preparation room 9 for storing materials required for the production line 2. The automated guided vehicle 5 travels between the preparation room 9 and the production line 2 and within the production facility, automatically transporting nozzle feeders 91 and the like. Note that the device for transporting the materials is not limited to a wheeled vehicle, and may also be a flying device such as a drone. Therefore, the method for transporting the materials is not particularly limited.

[0016] Display terminal 6 is, for example, a personal computer, and is installed in preparation room 9. Display terminal 6 is connected to network 17 and displays information acquired from line management device 3, control device 4, etc. Workers in preparation room 9 operate display terminal 6 to manage collection and delivery of nozzle feeders 91, etc., by automatic guided vehicles 5. In addition, workers in preparation room 9 use, for example, barcode readers 6A provided on display terminal 6 to manage component feeders 22.

[0017] The storage device 7 and the nozzle management device 8 are installed in the preparation room 9 and are capable of communicating with the control device 4 and the like via a network 17. The storage device 7 is a device that stores the nozzle feeder 91 and the like. The nozzle management device 8 is a device that cleans, stores, removes, and inspects the suction nozzles. Details of the storage device 7 and the nozzle management device 8 will be described later.

[0018] The configuration of the production system 10 shown in FIG. 1 is an example. For example, the automated guided vehicle 5 may directly replace the nozzle feeder 91 or the like with the placement device 13. For example, the placement device 13 may be configured to be able to mount a magazine 21. The automated guided vehicle 5 may then replace the magazine 21 of the placement device 13. In this case, the production line 2 may not be equipped with the line replacement device 23. The production system 10 may be configured to include multiple automated guided vehicles 5 or to include only one production line 2. The production system 10 may also be configured not to include an automated guided vehicle 5.

[0019] 2 is a perspective view of the appearance of the storage device 7 and the nozzle management device 8. In the following explanation, as shown in FIG. 2, the direction in which the feeder exchange device 31 of the storage device 7 moves will be referred to as the left-right direction, and the upstream side where the feeder exchange device 31 performs its work will be referred to as the right side. Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to the installation surface of the storage device 7 and the nozzle management device 8 will be referred to as the up-down direction. Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to both the left-right direction and the up-down direction will be referred to as the front-rear direction, and the feeder exchange device 31 side will be referred to as the front, and the nozzle management device 8 side will be referred to as the rear.

[0020] 2 , the storage device 7 includes a magazine device 32, a plurality of (three in this embodiment) feeder storage cabinets 33, and a feeder exchange device 31. The magazine device 32 and the plurality of feeder storage cabinets 33 are arranged in a row in the left-right direction, with the magazine device 32 being arranged on the most upstream side (right end). The magazine device 32 can accommodate two magazines 21, for example, similar to the feeder storage unit 12 of the production line 2. Similar to the feeder storage unit 12, the magazine device 32 includes a plurality of rollers for moving the magazines 21, and exchanges the magazines 21 with the automatic guided vehicle 5 arranged in front of it.

[0021] Like the magazine 21, the feeder storage 33 has an opening on the front surface, allowing the insertion of the component feeders 22 and nozzle feeders 91. Like the magazine 21 and the mounting device 13, the feeder storage 33 has a plurality of slots, allowing the nozzle feeders 91 and the like to be slid and inserted. The feeder exchange device 31 has a configuration similar to, for example, the line exchange device 23 of the production line 2, and moves left and right along running rails provided on the front surfaces of the magazine device 32 and the feeder storage 33 to exchange the nozzle feeders 91 and the like.

[0022] The nozzle management device 8 is disposed, for example, behind the middle feeder storage 33 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as feeder storage 33A) of the three feeder storages 33. The nozzle management device 8 acquires the nozzle station 47 from the nozzle feeder 91 attached to the feeder storage 33A, and performs cleaning of the suction nozzles housed in the nozzle station 47, etc.

[0023] 2 is an example. For example, the storage device 7 does not need to be equipped with the feeder exchange device 31. In this case, the component feeders 22 and nozzle feeders 91 may be replaced manually by a person. Also, for example, the nozzle management device 8 may be located in front of the storage device 7, and the feeder exchange device 31 may be located between the nozzle management device 8 and the storage device 7 to perform the replacement. Also, the storage device 7 may be located near the production line 2.

[0024] The nozzle management device 8 includes a main body 41, a storage unit 42, and an exchange robot 43. The main body 41 is covered by a roughly rectangular parallelepiped device cover 41A, and a door 41B is provided on the front side (rear side in FIG. 2 ) of the device cover 41A. By opening this door 41B, an operator can store the nozzle station 47 in a fixing unit 45 (see FIG. 3 ) within the main body 41 or remove the nozzle station 47 from the main body 41. Alternatively, the operator can remove unnecessary nozzles from a disposal box 69 (see FIG. 3 ), which will be described later. As will be described later, the nozzle management device 8 performs cleaning and other operations on the suction nozzles of the nozzle station 47 that have been transported to the storage unit 42 by the transport robot 43. However, the nozzle management device 8 may also perform cleaning and other operations on the suction nozzles stored in the nozzle station 47 that have been manually transported therein by the operator. An operation unit 51 is also provided on the upper front side of the main body 41. The operation unit 51 includes, for example, a touch panel and operation switches, and functions as a user interface for the nozzle management device 8 .

[0025] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the main body 41. Note that Fig. 3 shows the main body 41 with the device cover 41A removed. As shown in Fig. 3, the main body 41 has a frame 52, a beam 53, a nozzle transfer device 54, a nozzle inspection device 56, and a cleaning device 58. The frame 52 has a hollow structure, and the beam 53 is provided on the upper part of the frame 52.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the main body 41 and the storage unit 42, viewed downward from a position between the nozzle transfer device 54 and the cleaning device 58 in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the storage unit 42 is disposed adjacent to the left side of the main body 41, for example. The storage unit 42 is capable of accommodating cleaning pallets 46 and nozzle stations 47. A first work position 48 for arranging the nozzle stations 47 and a second work position 49 for arranging the cleaning pallets 46 are provided on the upper surface of the storage unit 42. The storage unit 42 also includes a first exchange device 92 for exchanging the nozzle stations 47 and a second exchange device 93 for exchanging the cleaning pallets 46, as described below. Therefore, in the following description, when distinguishing between the nozzle stations 47, the nozzle station 47 at the first work position 48 will be referred to as nozzle station 47A, and the nozzle station 47 exchanged by the first exchange device 92 will be referred to as nozzle station 47B. Furthermore, when describing each cleaning pallet 46 separately, the cleaning pallet 46 at the second work position 49 will be referred to as cleaning pallet 46A, and the cleaning pallet 46 exchanged by the second exchange device 93 will be referred to as cleaning pallet 46B.

[0027] The nozzle transfer device 54 is provided on the beam section 53 and exchanges suction nozzles between, for example, the nozzle station 47A arranged at the first work position 48 of the warehouse section 42 and a cleaning pallet 46 (the cleaning pallet 46 at the exposed position 85 described below) being cleaned by the cleaning device 58. The nozzle transfer device 54 has a transfer head 61 and a head moving device 62. A camera 63 facing downward and a holding chuck 64 for holding the suction nozzle are attached to the lower end surface of the transfer head 61. The head moving device 62 is, for example, an XYZ-type moving device that includes a plurality of slide devices and moves the transfer head 61 in the front-to-back, left-to-right, and up-and-down directions on the frame section 52.

[0028] The nozzle inspection device 56 is a device that inspects suction nozzles. Detailed description of the nozzle inspection device 56 is omitted; however, the nozzle inspection device 56 is equipped with a camera 65 and a load cell 66 provided on the upper surface of the frame portion 52, an air supply device 67 attached to the transfer head 61 of the nozzle transfer device 54, and the like, and performs various inspections. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a suction nozzle 71, illustrating an example of the shape of the suction nozzle 71. As shown in FIG. 5 , the suction nozzle 71 includes, for example, a tubular body 72, a flange portion 73, a suction tube 74, and a latch pin 75. The tubular body 72 is cylindrical, and the flange portion 73 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body 72 so as to protrude from it. Identification information 77 for management purposes is provided on the upper surface of the flange portion 73. The identification information 77 is information for individually identifying the suction nozzle 71, and may be, for example, a two-dimensional code or a barcode.

[0029] The suction tube 74, which is used to suck up components, extends downward from the lower end of the tubular body 72 and is held by the tubular body 72 so as to be movable in the axial direction of the tubular body 72. A spring (not shown) is disposed in a compressed state between the suction tube 74 and the tubular body 72, and the elastic force of the spring urges the suction tube 74 in a direction extending downward from the lower end of the tubular body 72. A locking pin 75 is provided at the upper end of the tubular body 72 and extends in the radial direction of the tubular body 72. The suction nozzle 71 is detachably attached to the mounting head of the mounting device 13 with a single touch using the locking pin 75. Various inspections performed by the nozzle inspection device 56 described above include, for example, an inspection to determine the condition of the suction tube 74 of the suction nozzle 71 based on image data captured by the camera 65. The inspection may involve, for example, determining the force required to retract the suction tube 74 toward the interior of the body tube 72 based on the load detected by the load cell 66. The inspection may involve, for example, determining the flow rate of air flowing through the suction nozzle 71 based on the air supplied from the air supply device 67. A plurality of waste boxes 69 are provided at the front end of the upper surface of the frame portion 52, and a waste box 69 is provided for each cause determined to be defective during the inspection. A suction nozzle 71 determined to be defective during the above inspection is discarded by the nozzle transfer device 54 into the waste box 69 corresponding to the cause of the determined defect.

[0030] The cleaning device 58 is a device that cleans and dries the suction nozzles 71 and is disposed at the rear of the upper surface of the frame portion 52. The cleaning device 58 includes a cleaning / drying mechanism 81, a moving mechanism 82, and a blowing device 83. The cleaning / drying mechanism 81 is a mechanism that cleans and dries the suction nozzles 71 inside. The cleaning method of the cleaning / drying mechanism 81 can be, for example, a method in which a cleaning liquid is sprayed toward the suction nozzles 71 held on the cleaning pallet 46. The cleaning method is not limited to the above-described method, and can also be, for example, a method in which the suction nozzles 71 held on the cleaning pallet 46 are immersed in a cleaning liquid and cleaned using high-frequency vibrations. Similarly, the drying method can be a method in which air or hot air is blown onto the suction nozzles 71, a method in which a heater is used to heat the nozzles, or other methods can be used.

[0031] The moving mechanism 82 moves the cleaning pallet 46 between an exposed position 85 (see FIG. 4 ), where the cleaning pallet 46 is exposed, and the interior of the cleaning and drying mechanism 81. The exposed position 85 is, for example, a position behind the cleaning and drying mechanism 81. The exchange robot 43 (described later) transports the cleaning pallet 46A from the second work position 49 or the cleaning pallet 46B from the second exchange device 93 to the exposed position 85. The nozzle transfer device 54 uses the holding chuck 64 of the transfer head 61 to move the suction nozzle 71, for example, from the nozzle station 47A located at the first work position 48 of the warehouse section 42 to the cleaning pallet 46 located at the exposed position 85. Once the suction nozzle 71 has been moved to the cleaning pallet 46, the moving mechanism 82 moves the cleaning pallet 46 into the cleaning and drying mechanism 81. Then, the suction nozzle 71 is cleaned and dried inside the cleaning and drying mechanism 81.

[0032] The blowing device 83 is a device that sprays air inside and dries the suction nozzles 71 that have been cleaned and dried by the cleaning and drying mechanism 81. After the cleaning and drying mechanism 81 completes cleaning and drying of the suction nozzles 71, the cleaning pallet 46 is moved to the exposed position 85 by the movement mechanism 82. At this time, the suction nozzles 71 are dried to a certain extent. However, because the suction nozzles 71 are dried in the cleaning and drying mechanism 81 while still mounted on the cleaning pallet 46, there is a risk of moisture adhering to the suction nozzles 71. For this reason, the blowing device 83 is used to dry the suction nozzles 71. For example, the cleaned suction nozzles 71 are held by the holding chuck 64, removed from the cleaning pallet 46 at the exposed position 85, and inserted into the blowing device 83. The blowing device 83 then sprays air inward to blow away moisture adhering to the suction nozzles 71 and dry them.

[0033] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the exchange robot 43, the warehouse unit 42, and the nozzle feeder 91. Note that FIG. 6 also shows a schematic diagram of each component. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 , the warehouse unit 42 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is elongated in the front-to-back and up-to-down directions, and houses a first exchange device 92 and a second exchange device 93. The first exchange device 92 is provided at the front end of the warehouse unit 42. The first exchange device 92 can house a plurality of nozzle stations 47B, and can remove any one of the housed nozzle stations 47B. Each of the plurality of nozzle stations 47B houses, for example, a different type of suction nozzle 71.

[0034] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the first exchange device 92. As shown in Figure 7, the first exchange device 92 has a member transport device 94 and a storage tower 95, and the member transport device 94 and the storage tower 95 are arranged, for example, facing each other in the front-to-rear direction. The member transport device 94 has a support arm 96 and an arm movement mechanism 97. The support arm 96 is a device that holds the nozzle station 47B.

[0035] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of multiple nozzle stations 47, each accommodating different types of suction nozzles 71. As shown in FIG. 8 , the nozzle station 47 is, for example, formed in a generally plate-like shape having a predetermined thickness and has multiple mounting holes 101 formed in the thickness direction. Each of the multiple mounting holes 101 is capable of accommodating a suction nozzle 71. The inner diameter of the mounting hole 101 is, for example, larger than the outer diameter of the suction tube 74 of the suction nozzle 71 and smaller than the outer diameter of the flange portion 73. Thus, the suction nozzle 71 is accommodated in the nozzle station 47 with the suction tube 74 inserted into the mounting hole 101 and the flange portion 73 engaged with the opening of the mounting hole 101. Note that FIG. 8 illustrates the suction nozzle 71 only in the bottommost nozzle station 47. The nozzle station 47 may also include a mechanism for restricting removal of the suction nozzle 71 from the mounting hole 101. For example, the nozzle station 47 may be configured such that a plate on its upper surface is slidable, and the sliding of the plate switches between a state in which the suction nozzle 71 inserted into the mounting hole 101 can be removed and a state in which it cannot be removed. In this case, for example, the nozzle transfer device 54 or the exchange robot 43 may change the state by operating the plate.

[0036] Furthermore, the diameter of the mounting hole 101 of the nozzle station 47 varies depending on the shape and size of the suction nozzle 71, specifically, the thickness and outer shape of the suction tube 74. Therefore, a different nozzle station 47 is required for each type of suction nozzle 71. Identification information 102 for management purposes is provided on the top surface of the nozzle station 47. The identification information 102 is information for individually identifying the nozzle station 47, and is, for example, a two-dimensional code or a barcode. The nozzle management device 8 can confirm the types of the nozzle station 47 and the suction nozzle 71 and manage their usage periods by capturing images of the identification information 102 of the nozzle station 47 and the identification information 77 of the suction nozzle 71 (see FIG. 5 ) using the camera 63 of the transfer head 61.

[0037] The cleaning pallet 46 is, for example, a plate-shaped member and, like the nozzle station 47, has a plurality of mounting holes 103 (see FIG. 4) formed therein for inserting and holding the suction nozzles 71. Like the nozzle station 47, the cleaning pallet 46 has different diameters of the mounting holes 103 depending on the shape and size of the suction nozzles 71. That is, a different cleaning pallet 46 is required for each type of suction nozzle 71. Like the nozzle station 47, the cleaning pallet 46 is provided with identification information 104 (see FIG. 4) that individually identifies the cleaning pallet 46. The types of cleaning pallets 46 and nozzle stations 47 do not necessarily have to correspond one-to-one to the types of suction nozzles 71. For example, the cleaning pallet 46 may be configured so that it can be commonly used for multiple types of suction nozzles 71. In this case, a different cleaning pallet 46 is required for each type of suction nozzle 71.

[0038] Furthermore, for example, the nozzle station 47 has a plurality of engagement holes that open to the bottom surface. These engagement holes are formed in the same positions, sizes, and numbers even for different types of nozzle stations 47. The support arm 96 shown in FIG. 7 has, for example, a bifurcated shape that extends toward the accommodation tower 95, and is provided with a plurality of engagement pins that can be inserted into the engagement holes of the nozzle station 47. The support arm 96 supports the nozzle station 47 from below by inserting each of the plurality of engagement pins into the engagement holes.

[0039] The arm movement mechanism 97 also includes a lifting mechanism 98 that moves the support arm 96 up and down, and a slide mechanism 99 that moves the support arm 96 horizontally. The lifting mechanism 98 is, for example, a ball screw mechanism that has a screw shaft extending up and down, and moves the support arm 96 to any position in the up and down direction based on the drive of a servo motor (not shown). The slide mechanism 99 includes a slide rail, a slider that can move along the slide rail, and a servo motor that moves the slider. The slide mechanism 99 slides the support arm 96 toward or away from the storage tower 95. The component transport device 94 can move the nozzle station 47B supported by the support arm 96 up and down and back and forth by driving the lifting mechanism 98 and the slide mechanism 99.

[0040] The storage tower 95 is, for example, a roughly rectangular prism-like cylinder with four side walls, the one facing the component transport device 94 being eliminated. The component transport device 94 inserts and removes the nozzle station 47 through this sidewall-free opening. A pair of opposing side walls 111 of the storage tower 95 are formed with multiple grooves 112 into which the nozzle stations 47 can be inserted, and the two side walls are comb-shaped. The nozzle station 47 is accommodated in the storage tower 95 by being inserted into the grooves 112 in the pair of side walls 111. The component transport device 94 drives the lifting mechanism 98 to position the support arm 96 to the height of a desired groove 112, and drives the slide mechanism 99 to insert the nozzle station 47B into the groove 112. The component transport device 94 lowers the support arm 96 to remove the engagement pin from the engagement hole and accommodate the nozzle station 47B in the storage tower 95. Furthermore, the member transport device 94 can remove any nozzle station 47B from the storage tower 95 by performing the reverse operation of the storage operation. The member transport device 94 transports and positions the removed nozzle station 47B upward. As shown in FIG. 4 , the upper end of the first exchange device 92 is exposed from the upper surface of the storage section 42. The upper surface of this storage section 42 is, for example, at the same height as the upper surface of the frame section 52. The removed nozzle station 47B is positioned adjacent to the first work position 48. In the following description, the position of the upper end of the first exchange device 92 may be referred to as the "exchange position." The same applies to the second exchange device 93. In this embodiment, the exchange position of the first exchange device 92 is adjacent to the first work position 48 on the left, and the exchange position of the second exchange device 93 is adjacent to the second work position 49 in front of it.

[0041] The second exchange device 93 differs from the first exchange device 92 in that the object to be exchanged is a cleaning pallet 46B, but has a similar configuration to the first exchange device 92. For this reason, a detailed description of the second exchange device 93 will be omitted, but the second exchange device 93 includes a component transport device 121 (see FIG. 9) that supports and moves the cleaning pallet 46B, and a storage tower (not shown) that can store the cleaning pallet 46B. The second exchange device 93 drives the component transport device 121 to load and unload the cleaning pallet 46B. The removed cleaning pallet 46B is placed at an exchange position adjacent to the second work position 49, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 6 , the exchange robot 43 includes a first slide device 131, a head unit 132, a second slide device 133, and an elevating device 134 (see FIG. 9 ). The nozzle management device 8 is disposed on the opposite side (rear side) of the feeder exchange device 31 in the front-rear direction, with the feeder storage 33A sandwiched therebetween (see FIG. 2 ). The exchange robot 43 has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is elongated in the front-rear direction. The exchange robot 43 forms a transport path that extends from above the storage unit 42 to a position above the feeder storage 33A. A slide rail of the first slide device 131 is provided along this transport path along the front-rear direction. The head unit 132 is attached to the slide rail of the first slide device 131 and is slidable in the front-rear direction. The first slide device 131 includes, for example, a linear motor as a device for moving the head unit 132. The first sliding device 131 can move the head unit 132 to any position in the front-rear direction by driving a linear motor. Note that the device for moving the head unit 132 is not limited to a linear motor. Alternatively, a method may be used in which teeth are provided on a slide rail, a gear that meshes with the teeth is provided on the head unit 132, and the gear is rotated by a servo motor to move the head unit 132. Alternatively, a ball screw mechanism may be used to move the head unit 132.

[0043] The second sliding device 133 is provided on the head unit 132. The head unit 132 is also provided with a holding mechanism 135 that holds the nozzle station 47. The second sliding device 133 is a mechanism that slides a portion of the head unit 132 to which the holding mechanism 135 is attached in the left-right direction, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 6 . As with the first sliding device 131, a linear motor, for example, can be used as the driving source for the second sliding device 133. When the second sliding device 133 moves the holding mechanism 135 to the left end, the portion to which the holding mechanism 135 is attached is housed within the head unit 132. When the second sliding device 133 moves the holding mechanism 135 to the right, the portion to which the holding mechanism 135 is attached protrudes to the right from the head unit 132. Therefore, the holding mechanism 135 can be moved to any position in the front-rear and left-right directions based on the driving of the first sliding device 131 and the second sliding device 133.

[0044] The movable range of the holding mechanism 135 is a range required for transporting the nozzle station 47 and the cleaning pallet 46. Specifically, the movable range of the holding mechanism 135 in the front-rear direction, i.e., the movable range of the first sliding device 131, is, for example, a range having a mounting section 91A (described later) as its front end and a first working position 48 as its rear end. Furthermore, the movable range of the holding mechanism 135 in the left-right direction, i.e., the movable range of the second sliding device 133, is, for example, a range having an exchange position of the first exchange device 92 as its left end and an exposed position 85 as its right end.

[0045] The holding mechanism 135 has, for example, a plurality of chuck jaws that can chuck the nozzle station 47 and the cleaning pallet 46, and opens and closes the chuck jaws to hold and release the nozzle station 47, etc. Note that the configuration of the holding mechanism 135 is not limited to a method using chuck jaws, and may also be a method using an engaging pin like the first exchange device 92, or the like.

[0046] The lifting device 134 is a mechanism for moving the holding mechanism 135 up and down. As with the first slide device 131, a device using a linear motor as a drive source can be used for the lifting device 134. Alternatively, the lifting device 134 may be configured to use a fluid pressure cylinder such as an air cylinder as a drive source, and to drive the fluid pressure cylinder to lift and lower the holding mechanism 135.

[0047] The exchange robot 43, configured as described above, transports and exchanges the nozzle station 47 and the cleaning pallet 46. As described above, the nozzle feeder 91 is a cassette-type (box-shaped) member that can be inserted into a slot provided in the magazine 21 (see FIG. 1) or the mounting device 13 (see FIG. 1), and has a mounting portion 91A on its upper surface on which the nozzle station 47 can be placed. The mounting portion 91A is provided at the end of the nozzle feeder 91 that is the far side (rear side in FIG. 6) of the nozzle feeder 91 in the insertion direction of the nozzle feeder 91 (front-rear direction in FIG. 6). The exchange robot 43 can transport the nozzle station 47 between the mounting portion 91A, the first work position 48, and the exchange position of the first exchange device 92. The exchange robot 43 can also transport the cleaning pallet 46 between the exposure position 85, the second work position 49, and the exchange position of the second exchange device 93.

[0048] Fig. 9 shows a block diagram of the nozzle management device 8. As shown in Fig. 9, the nozzle management device 8 includes a control device 141. The control device 141 includes a CPU 143, a storage device 144, and a network IF (interface) 145. The storage device 144 includes, for example, RAM, ROM, HDD, etc., and stores a control program 146.

[0049] The nozzle management device 8 includes a control device 141 and a drive circuit 147 that connects each device. The devices referred to here are the nozzle transfer device 54, nozzle inspection device 56, cleaning device 58, operation unit 51, first exchange device 92, second exchange device 93, and exchange robot 43. The drive circuit 147 includes, for example, a driver circuit that drives the drive source (such as a servo motor) of each device and an amplifier circuit that amplifies the signals. The control device 141 executes a control program 146 using the CPU 143 to control the operation of each device via the drive circuit 147 and comprehensively control the nozzle management device 8. The network IF 145 is, for example, a LAN interface and is connected to the network 17. The control device 141 communicates with the supervisory device 4 via the network IF 145.

[0050] Next, a control (method) for managing the nozzle station 47 in the production system 10 configured as described above will be described. For example, when a change in suction nozzle 71 occurs in a given production line 2 due to a change in the board 19 being produced, the supervisory device 4 executes collection of the used suction nozzle 71. The supervisory device 4 instructs the line management device 3 of the production line 2 to collect the used suction nozzle 71. The line management device 3 instructs the placement device 13 to collect the used suction nozzle 71 to the nozzle station 47 attached to the slot of the placement device. The line management device 3 also controls the line exchange device 23 to move the nozzle feeder 91 (nozzle station 47) from which the used suction nozzle 71 has been collected to the magazine 21 of the feeder storage unit 12. The supervisory device 4 also controls the automated guided vehicle 5 to move the automated guided vehicle 5 to the position in the feeder storage unit 12 of the production line 2 from which the used suction nozzle 71 needs to be collected. Under the control of the supervisory device 4 , the automated guided vehicle 5 transports the magazine 21 containing the used suction nozzles 71 to the preparation room 9 and hands it over to the magazine device 32 of the storage device 7 .

[0051] The storage device 7 controls the feeder exchange device 31 under the control of the supervisory device 4, and mounts the nozzle feeder 91 housed in the magazine 21 arranged in the magazine device 32, i.e., the nozzle feeder 91 equipped with the nozzle station 47 housing a used suction nozzle 71, in a predetermined slot of the feeder storage 33A. This predetermined slot is a slot at a position where the exchange robot 43 can hold the nozzle station 47 with the holding mechanism 135. When the storage device 7 has completed the work of mounting the nozzle feeder 91 in the predetermined slot, it notifies the supervisory device 4 of the completion. Note that the storage device 7 may also communicate directly with the nozzle management device 8 and notify the nozzle management device 8 of the completion of mounting of the nozzle feeder 91.

[0052] When the supervisory device 4 receives a completion notification from the storage device 7, it instructs the nozzle management device 8 to collect the nozzle station 47. The nozzle management device 8 controls the exchange robot 43 to transport the nozzle station 47 from the mounting section 91A of the nozzle feeder 91 attached to a predetermined slot to the first work position 48. The supervisory device 4 also notifies the nozzle management device 8 of information on the type of the collected suction nozzle 71. Based on the received type information, the nozzle management device 8 identifies a cleaning pallet 46 that matches the type of the collected suction nozzle 71. The nozzle management device 8 controls the second exchange device 93 to transport a cleaning pallet 46B of the identified type to the upper exchange position. The nozzle management device 8 controls the exchange robot 43 to transport the cleaning pallet 46B removed to the exchange position of the second exchange device 93 to the exposure position 85. If a cleaning pallet 46 used in the previous cleaning is positioned at the exposed position 85, the nozzle management device 8 transports the cleaning pallet 46 positioned at the exposed position 85 to the second work position 49. For example, the nozzle management device 8 retracts the cleaning pallet 46 from the exposed position 85 to the second work position 49, and transports the cleaning pallet 46B in the exchange position of the second exchange device 93 to the exposed position 85. Furthermore, when drying of the cleaning pallet 46 positioned at the second work position 49 is completed, the nozzle management device 8 stores it in the second exchange device 93. Furthermore, the nozzle management device 8 may use the camera 63 to capture images of the identification information 104 provided on the cleaning pallet 46, the identification information 102 provided on the nozzle station 47, and the identification information 77 provided on the suction nozzle 71, and confirm that the types of each component match.

[0053] The nozzle management device 8 controls the nozzle transfer device 54 to transport the suction nozzle 71 of the nozzle station 47 that has been recovered to the first work position 48 to the cleaning pallet 46 that is placed at the exposed position 85. When the transport is complete, the nozzle management device 8 causes the moving mechanism 82 to transport the cleaning pallet 46 that houses the suction nozzle 71 into the cleaning and drying mechanism 81, where it cleans and dries the suction nozzle 71. The nozzle management device 8 transports the suction nozzle 71 that has been dried by the blow device 83 to the nozzle station 47 at the first work position 48 and stores it in the first exchange device 92.

[0054] Furthermore, when the supervisory device 4 identifies a suction nozzle 71 required for production on the production line 2, for example, it instructs the nozzle management device 8 to dispense the suction nozzle 71. The nozzle management device 8 controls the first exchange device 92 to carry the nozzle station 47B, which houses the suction nozzle 71 specified by the supervisory device 4, to the exchange position. The nozzle management device 8 controls the exchange robot 43 to transport the nozzle station 47B from the exchange position of the first exchange device 92 to the nozzle feeder 91. When the transport of the nozzle station 47B is complete, the nozzle management device 8 notifies the supervisory device 4 of the completion. The supervisory device 4 can dispense the suction nozzle 71 by transporting the nozzle station 47 to the production line 2, in contrast to the process of recovering the suction nozzle 71. In this way, the production system 10 of this embodiment can automatically dispense, recover, clean, and manage the suction nozzle 71.

[0055] The order and content of control in the above-described method for managing the nozzle station 47 are merely examples. For example, the supervisory device 4 does not need to notify the nozzle management device 8 of information on the type of suction nozzle 71. In this case, the nozzle management device 8 may identify and prepare a cleaning pallet 46 that matches the type of the collected suction nozzle 71, based on the identification information 104, 77, etc. Also, the nozzle transfer device 54 may transport the suction nozzle 71 from the nozzle station 47B removed by the first exchange device 92 to the exposed position 85.

[0056] As described above, the exchange robot 43 transports the nozzle station 47 stored in the feeder storage 33 to a position (the first work position 48 or the exchange position of the first exchange device 92) where the nozzle transfer device 54 performs the work of transporting the suction nozzle 71. The nozzle station 47 can also be attached to the mounting device 13. In this configuration, by setting the nozzle station 47 collected from the mounting device 13 in the feeder storage 33, the nozzle station 47 can be moved into the nozzle management device 8 by the exchange robot 43. The suction nozzle 71 of the collected nozzle station 47 can be transported to the cleaning device 58 by the nozzle transfer device 54.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the storage of the present disclosure employs a component feeder 22 that supplies components and a feeder storage 33 to which a nozzle feeder 91 that holds a nozzle station 47 can be detachably attached. The exchange robot 43 transports the nozzle station 47 held by the nozzle feeder 91 housed in the feeder storage 33 to a first work position 48 or the like where the nozzle transfer device 54 transports the suction nozzle 71. This allows the nozzle station 47 to be handled in the same manner as the component feeder 22. In the placement device 13, the suction nozzle 71 can be supplied from the nozzle station 47 to an in-apparatus nozzle station and the suction nozzle 71 can be retrieved from the in-apparatus nozzle station to the nozzle station 47, similar to the supply of components. Furthermore, by attaching the nozzle feeder 91 to the feeder storage 33, the exchange robot 43 can transport the nozzle station 47 to the first work position 48. The storage cabinet of the present disclosure is not limited to a feeder storage cabinet capable of storing the component feeders 22 and the nozzle feeders 91, but may be a station storage cabinet capable of storing only the nozzle stations 47.

[0058] The warehouse section 42 also houses a plurality of replacement nozzle stations 47B that can be replaced with the nozzle stations 47, and is equipped with a first exchange device 92 that supplies any one of the plurality of housed nozzle stations 47B. The exchange robot 43 transports the replacement nozzle station 47B that the first exchange device 92 has taken out to the exchange position to the placement section 91A (the storage position) of the nozzle feeder 91 in the feeder storage 33A. This allows the replacement nozzle station 47B housed in the warehouse section 42 to be taken out from the warehouse section 42 (first exchange device 92) as needed and set in the nozzle feeder 91. In response to a changeover to change the type of substrate 19 to be manufactured, for example, the nozzle station 47B housing the required suction nozzle 71 can be automatically set in the nozzle feeder 91.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the replacement robot 43 replaces both the nozzle station 47 and the cleaning pallet 46. However, the nozzle management device 8 may be provided with a robot that transports the cleaning pallet 46 in addition to the robot that transports the nozzle station 47. For example, the replacement robot for the nozzle station 47 may be disposed on the left side of the main body 41, and the replacement robot for the cleaning pallet 46 may be disposed on the right side of the main body 41.

[0060] The warehouse 42 can also accommodate a replacement cleaning pallet 46B and a replacement nozzle station 47B capable of holding a first type of suction nozzle 71, as well as a replacement cleaning pallet 46B and a replacement nozzle station 47B capable of holding a second type of suction nozzle 71 that is different from the first type (see FIG. 8). This allows for the preparation of nozzle stations 47 and cleaning pallets 46 corresponding to the suction nozzles 71 to be used when producing different types of substrates or heads. This allows for the appropriate storage, transport, and cleaning of different types of suction nozzles 71.

[0061] The warehouse section 42 also includes a second exchange device 93 that stores a plurality of replacement cleaning pallets 46B and supplies any one of the stored cleaning pallets 46B to the exchange position. This allows a cleaning pallet 46 that matches the suction nozzle 71 to be cleaned to be taken out of the second exchange device 93 and used for cleaning. By using the exchange robot 43 to exchange the cleaning pallet 46B at the exchange position of the second exchange device 93 with the cleaning pallet 46 at the exposed position 85, an appropriate cleaning pallet 46 can be set in the cleaning device 58 according to the suction nozzle 71 to be cleaned.

[0062] The preparation room 9 is also equipped with a nozzle management device 8, a feeder storage cabinet 33 to which the component feeders 22 and nozzle feeders 91 can be attached and detached, and a feeder exchange device 31. The feeder exchange device 31 exchanges the component feeders 22 and nozzle feeders 91 attached to the feeder storage cabinet 33. This allows the feeder exchange device 31 to exchange the component feeders 22 and nozzle feeders 91 attached to the feeder storage cabinet 33 in the preparation room 9. Similar to the preparation and retrieval of the component feeders 22, the preparation and retrieval of the nozzle feeders 91 (suction nozzles 71) can be performed automatically.

[0063] The feeder exchange device 31 installs the component feeders 22 and the nozzle feeders 91 in the feeder storage 33 from the front of the feeder storage 33. The nozzle management device 8 is disposed on the opposite side (rear side) of the feeder exchange device 31, with the feeder storage 33A in between. The nozzle transfer device 54 transports the suction nozzles 71 from the nozzle stations 47 disposed at the first work position 48. The exchange robot 43 has a transport path (first slide device 131) extending from the rear of the feeder storage 33A to above the feeder storage 33A, and removes the nozzle stations 47 from the nozzle feeders 91 attached to the feeder storage 33A and transports them to the first work position 48. This allows the work location of the feeder exchange device 31 to be located in front of the feeder storage 33A, and the work location of the nozzle management device 8 to be located behind the feeder storage 33A. This allows the overall size of the system, including the storage device 7 and the nozzle management device 8, to be reduced.

[0064] Incidentally, the correspondence between the terms used in this embodiment and those described in the claims will be explained below. The storage device 7 of this embodiment is an example of a feeder storage system. The nozzle management device 8 is an example of a feeder storage system and a nozzle management system. The feeder storage cabinets 33, 33A are an example of a storage cabinet. The cleaning pallets 46A, 46B are an example of a replacement cleaning pallet. The cleaning pallet 46 arranged at the exposed position 85 is an example of a cleaning pallet. The nozzle station 47B is an example of a replacement nozzle station. The first work position 48 is an example of a work position where the nozzle transfer device 54 transports the suction nozzle 71. The placement unit 91A is an example of a storage position. The first exchange device 92 is an example of a station exchange device. The second exchange device 93 is an example of a pallet exchange device.

[0065] As described above, the present embodiment provides the following advantages. The nozzle management device 8, which is one aspect of the present embodiment, includes a warehouse unit 42 that stores replacement cleaning pallets 46B. The nozzle transfer device 54 transports suction nozzles 71 between the cleaning pallet 46 arranged at the exposure position 85 and the nozzle station 47A. The exchange robot 43 exchanges the cleaning pallet 46 at the exposure position 85 with the cleaning pallet 46B stored in the second exchange device 93. This allows the cleaning pallet 46 to be replaced automatically, thereby reducing the user's workload in nozzle management. Specifically, the cleaning pallet 46 can be prepared automatically according to the type of suction nozzle 71 to be cleaned. Preferably, the nozzle station 47, the exchange of the cleaning pallet 46, and the cleaning of the suction nozzle 71 can all be performed automatically.

[0066] It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the configurations of the systems, devices, etc. in the above-described embodiments are merely examples. For example, the production system 10 may be configured without including an automated guided vehicle 5. Furthermore, the nozzle management device 8 may be configured to communicate directly with the storage device 7. Furthermore, the nozzle management device 8 may be attached to the mounting device 13, etc., of the production line 2.

[0067] The configuration of the nozzle management device 8 in the above embodiment is merely an example. For example, at least one of the cleaning device 58, the warehouse unit 42, the nozzle transfer device 54, and the exchange robot 43 may be configured as a separate device from the nozzle management device 8 rather than as part of the nozzle management device 8. The warehouse unit 42 and the exchange robot 43 may be located on the right side of the main body unit 41 or on both sides. The suction nozzle 71 may not be provided with the identification information 77. The nozzle station 47 may not be provided with the identification information 102. The cleaning pallet 46 may not be provided with the identification information 104. The warehouse unit 42 may not be provided with the first exchange device 92 or the second exchange device 93. For example, the warehouse unit 42 may be configured to have a plurality of first work positions 48 and second work positions 49 on its upper surface, with a plurality of nozzle stations 47 and cleaning pallets 46 arranged side by side (laid flat) on the upper surface.

[0068] The scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the dependent relationships set forth in the claims. For example, this specification also discloses a technical idea in which claim 4 changes "the nozzle management device according to claim 1 or claim 2" to "the nozzle management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3." This specification also discloses a technical idea in which claim 6 changes "the nozzle management device according to claim 1 or claim 2" to "the nozzle management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5." This specification also discloses a technical idea in which claim 7 changes "the nozzle management device according to claim 1 or claim 2" to "the nozzle management device according to any one of claims 1 to 6."

[0069] 7 Storage device (feeder storage system), 8 Nozzle management device (feeder storage system, nozzle management system), 13 Placement device, 19 Board, 22 Component feeder, 33 Feeder storage (storage), 31 Feeder exchange device, 42 Warehouse section, 43 Exchange robot, 46 Cleaning pallet, 46A, 46B Cleaning pallet (replacement cleaning pallet), 47, 47A Nozzle station, 47B Nozzle station (replacement nozzle station), 48 First work position (work position), 58 Cleaning device, 54 Nozzle transfer device, 71 Suction nozzle, 91A Placement section, 92 First exchange device (station exchange device), 93 Second exchange device (pallet exchange device).

Claims

1. A nozzle management device comprising: a cleaning device that cleans suction nozzles held on a cleaning pallet; a warehouse unit that stores replacement cleaning pallets that can be exchanged for the cleaning pallet; a nozzle transfer device that transports the suction nozzles between the cleaning pallet and a nozzle station that can hold the suction nozzles; and an exchange robot that exchanges the cleaning pallet with the replacement cleaning pallet stored in the warehouse unit.

2. The nozzle management device according to claim 1, wherein the exchange robot transports the nozzle station stored in a storage facility to a position where the nozzle transfer device performs the work of transporting the suction nozzle, the suction nozzle is used in a mounting device that mounts components on a board, and the nozzle station is attachable to the mounting device.

3. The nozzle management device according to claim 2, wherein the storage is a feeder storage to which a part feeder that supplies the parts and a nozzle feeder that holds the nozzle station can be attached and detached, and the exchange robot transports the nozzle station held by the nozzle feeder housed in the feeder storage to a position where the nozzle transfer device performs the work of transporting the suction nozzle.

4. A nozzle management device as described in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the warehouse section is equipped with a station exchange device that stores a plurality of replacement nozzle stations that can be exchanged with the nozzle station and supplies any one of the stored replacement nozzle stations, and the exchange robot transports the replacement nozzle station of the station exchange device to a position where it is stored in the storage facility.

5. The nozzle management device described in claim 4, wherein the warehouse section is capable of accommodating the replacement cleaning pallet and the replacement nozzle station capable of holding a first type of suction nozzle, and the replacement cleaning pallet and the replacement nozzle station capable of holding a second type of suction nozzle different from the first type.

6. A nozzle management device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the warehouse section is equipped with a pallet exchange device that stores a plurality of replacement cleaning pallets and supplies any one of the plurality of replacement cleaning pallets stored therein.

7. A feeder storage system comprising: the nozzle management device according to claim 1 or claim 2; a component feeder that supplies components to be picked up by the suction nozzle; a feeder storage cabinet to which the nozzle feeder that holds the nozzle station can be attached and detached; and a feeder exchange device that exchanges the component feeder and the nozzle feeder that are attached to the feeder storage cabinet.

8. The feeder storage system described in claim 7, wherein the feeder exchange device attaches the component feeder and the nozzle feeder to the feeder storage from the front of the feeder storage, the nozzle management device is positioned on the opposite side of the feeder exchange device with the feeder storage in between, the nozzle transfer device transports the suction nozzle from the nozzle station positioned at a work position, and the exchange robot has a transport path extending from the rear of the feeder storage to above the feeder storage, and removes the nozzle station from the nozzle feeder attached to the feeder storage and transports it to the work position.

9. A nozzle management system comprising: a cleaning device that cleans suction nozzles held on a cleaning pallet; a warehouse unit that stores replacement cleaning pallets that can be replaced with the cleaning pallet; a nozzle transfer device that transports the suction nozzle between the cleaning pallet and a nozzle station that can hold the suction nozzle; and an exchange robot that exchanges the cleaning pallet with the replacement cleaning pallet stored in the warehouse unit.

10. A nozzle management method for managing nozzles using a cleaning device that cleans suction nozzles held on a cleaning pallet, a warehouse unit that stores replacement cleaning pallets that can be replaced with the cleaning pallet, a nozzle transfer device, and an exchange robot, the nozzle management method including: a transport step in which the nozzle transfer device transports the suction nozzle between the cleaning pallet and a nozzle station that can hold the suction nozzle; and an exchange step in which the exchange robot exchanges the cleaning pallet with the replacement cleaning pallet stored in the warehouse unit.

Images