Printing system

Abstract

This printing system is provided with: a printing unit including a mask and a squeegee; a printing inspection unit for inspecting a substrate onto which a solder paste has been printed by the printing unit; an identification unit for reading squeegee identification information from a recording unit attached to the squeegee; a storage unit; and a management unit. The storage unit stores: squeegee information including specifications information pertaining to specifications of the squeegee; and printing history information including printing conditions history information pertaining to a history of printing conditions of the squeegee as well as inspection history information pertaining to a history of inspection results from the printing inspection unit. The management unit identifies a usage squeegee used by the printing unit on the basis of the squeegee identification information read at the identification unit. The management unit manages the usage squeegee on the basis of: the squeegee information associated with the squeegee identification information of the used squeegee; and the printing history information.

Description

Printing System

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing system for printing solder paste onto a substrate.

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Screen printing devices have been known in the past that print solder paste on a substrate such as a printed circuit board superimposed on a mask by sliding a squeegee over the mask to which solder paste such as cream solder has been supplied.

[0003] In a screen printing apparatus, it is necessary to use an appropriate printing member such as a squeegee depending on the characteristics of the substrate to be printed. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for determining whether a printing member such as a squeegee used in a screen printing apparatus is appropriate. The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 reads an identification mark attached to the printing member and compares the member information corresponding to the read identification mark with the member information assigned to the substrate to determine whether the printing member is appropriate.

[0004] When printing solder paste on a substrate, the squeegee that slides on the mask may become worn or deformed as the number of printing operations increases. In this case, the squeegee may not be able to properly print the solder paste on the substrate. For this reason, it is not sufficient to simply determine whether a printing member such as a squeegee is appropriate, as in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1; it is necessary to properly manage the squeegee used to print solder paste on the substrate.

[0005] JP 2014-108569 A

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a printing system that is capable of accurately managing squeegees used to print solder paste on a substrate.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system for printing solder paste on a substrate, the printing system including: a printing unit including a mask disposed above the substrate and a squeegee that slides over the mask to which the solder paste is supplied to print the solder paste at multiple printing positions set on the substrate; a print inspection unit that inspects the printed state of the solder paste at each of the printing positions on the substrate; an identification unit attached to the squeegee and including a recording unit that records squeegee identification information for identifying the squeegee and a reading unit that reads the squeegee identification information from the recording unit; a memory unit that stores squeegee information including specification information for each of the multiple squeegees, printing condition history information regarding a history of printing conditions corresponding to the number of prints performed for each of the multiple squeegees, and inspection history information regarding a history of inspection results by the print inspection unit; and a management unit that manages the squeegees used by the printing unit. The management unit identifies the used squeegee based on the squeegee identification information read by the reading unit in the identification unit, and manages the used squeegee based on the squeegee information and printing history information associated with the squeegee identification information of the used squeegee.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a component mounting system to which a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a side view of a printing press provided in the printing system. FIG. 3 is a front view of a printing press. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining squeegee information input to a printing management device provided in the printing system. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining printing history information input to the printing management device. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a situation in which the printing management device outputs changed printing condition information. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a situation in which the printing management device outputs squeegee replacement guide information. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining printing plan information input to the printing management device, and a situation in which the printing management device outputs setup information. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the printing management device.

[0009] A printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, directional relationships will be explained using XYZ Cartesian coordinates. That is, directions that are perpendicular to each other on a horizontal plane will be referred to as the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and a vertical direction that is perpendicular to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction will be referred to as the Z-axis direction. The printing system according to this embodiment is applied to a component mounting system that mounts components on a substrate such as a printed circuit board, and is a system for printing solder paste such as cream solder on the substrate.

[0010] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a component mounting system PMS to which a printing system PS according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. The component mounting system PMS includes a production line PL and a printing system PS.

[0011] The production line PL is a line on which a plurality of work machines, including a printing machine 1, a print inspection machine PIM, a mounting machine MM, a reflow machine RM, and a board inspection machine BIM, are arranged to perform work for producing mounted boards in which components are mounted on a board PB. On the production line PL, the printing machine 1, the print inspection machine PIM, the mounting machine MM, the reflow machine RM, and the board inspection machine BIM are arranged in tandem from the upstream side to the downstream side in the board transport direction on a board transport path that transports the board PB.

[0012] The printing machine 1 and the print inspection machine PIM constitute part of the printing system PS. The printing machine 1 performs the task of printing solder paste, such as cream solder, onto the board PB, for example, using a screen printing method. The print inspection machine PIM performs the task of inspecting whether the position, amount, and height of the solder paste printed on the board PB are appropriate. Details of the printing machine 1 and the print inspection machine PIM will be described later.

[0013] The mounting machine MM mounts components on a substrate PB printed with solder paste to produce a mounted substrate. The mounting machine MM includes a mounting unit MMU that performs the work of producing the mounted substrate. The mounting unit MMU captures images of the substrate PB and components to obtain captured images, and then moves above the substrate PB while recognizing FID (fiducial) marks on the substrate PB, the size of the substrate PB, the shapes of the components, and the like based on the captured images, and mounts the components on the substrate PB.

[0014] The reflow machine RM heats the mounting board produced by the mounting machine MM to melt the solder and fix the components to the board PB.

[0015] The board inspection machine BIM is a device that inspects mounted boards and is located at the most downstream position in the board transport direction on the production line PL. The board inspection machine BIM inspects mounted boards for component misalignment, lead misalignment, component lift, missing components, soldering defects, and foreign matter. The board inspection machine BIM includes a board inspection unit BIMU that performs the work of inspecting mounted boards. The board inspection unit BIMU captures an image of the mounted board and, based on the captured image, moves above the mounted board while recognizing the FID marks on the mounted board, the size of the mounted board, and the positions of the components on the mounted board, and inspects for component misalignment. It should be noted that, in addition to being located at the most downstream position in the board transport direction on the production line PL, a board inspection machine BIM may also be located between the mounting machine MM and the reflow machine RM. In this case, the board inspection machine BIM inspects the mounted board before the reflow process by the reflow machine RM.

[0016] [Overall Configuration of Printing System] The printing system PS is a system for printing solder paste such as cream solder onto a substrate PB. The printing system PS includes a printing machine 1, a print inspection machine PIM, a print management device PM, a setup management device AM, and a storage cabinet SW.

[0017] (Regarding the Printing Machine) The printing machine 1 prints solder paste at a plurality of printing positions set on the substrate PB. This printing machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 in addition to FIG. 1. The printing machine 1 is a so-called screen printing device and includes a base 1A. On this base 1A, an input conveyor 2a, an output conveyor 2b, and a printing stage 3 located between these conveyors 2a and 2b are arranged in the Y-axis direction. In the printing machine 1, the substrate PB is carried into the printing stage 3 by the input conveyor 2a, where it is subjected to a printing process in which solder paste is printed, and then carried out by the output conveyor 2b.

[0018] A four-axis unit 10 is disposed on the printing stage 3. The four-axis unit 10 supports the substrate PB and mounts the substrate PB on the underside of a mask 4 (described later), and supports the substrate PB carried in by the carry-in conveyor 2a horizontally and supports it so that it can be displaced in the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, Z-axis direction, and R direction (around the Z axis).

[0019] Specifically, the four-axis unit 10 is hierarchically provided with, in order from the bottom up, a fixed table 11 fixed on the base 1A, an X-axis table 12 movable in the X-axis direction relative to the fixed table 11, a Y-axis table 13 movable in the Y-axis direction relative to the X-axis table 12, an R-axis table 14 rotatable about the Z-axis relative to the Y-axis table 13, and a lifting table 15 movable up and down in the Z-axis direction relative to the R-axis table 14. A support unit 16 is provided on the lifting table 15, and the substrate PB is supported by this support unit 16, so that the substrate PB moves in the X-axis, Y-axis, Z-axis, and R directions by driving the tables 12, 13, 14, and 15.

[0020] The support unit 16 has a conveyor 19 that supports the substrate PB so that it can be transported in the Y-axis direction, a support mechanism 17 for supporting the substrate PB, and a clamp mechanism 18 for clamping the substrate PB. In other words, the support unit 16 receives the substrate PB from the carry-in conveyor 2a onto the conveyor 19, and lifts the substrate PB from the conveyor 19 by supporting it from below with the support mechanism 17, and clamps the substrate PB from both sides in the X-axis direction with the clamp mechanism 18. In this way, the substrate PB is positioned and fixed at a predetermined position on the lift-up table 15.

[0021] The printer 1 includes a printing unit PU disposed above the printing stage 3. The printing unit PU is a unit for printing solder paste at a plurality of printing positions set on the substrate PB, and includes a mask 4, a solder supply unit 5, and a squeegee unit 6.

[0022] The mask 4 is positioned approximately horizontally above the printing stage 3. The mask 4 is replaceably positioned above the substrate PB on the printing stage 3. The mask 4 is a plate-like member, for example made of stainless steel, in which a printing opening is formed. The mask 4 is stretched over a predetermined frame and is replaceably incorporated into the printing machine 1 via the frame. The mask 4 is replaced by a mask replacement unit 7. A movable cleaning device 9 is disposed directly below the mask 4. As the printing operation progresses, the cleaning device 9 slides along the underside of the mask 4 at regular intervals to remove solder paste adhering to the underside of the mask 4 and the printing opening. During the printing operation, the cleaning device 9 is positioned in a predetermined retracted position outside the mask 4.

[0023] A detection unit 8 is disposed below the mask 4. The detection unit 8 is supported movably in the X-axis direction and is driven by a servo motor or the like. The detection unit 8 is equipped with a detection section 8a. The detection section 8a detects the mask 4 from below. The position of the mask 4 is recognized based on the detection result of the detection section 8a. In the printing press 1, the relative position of the substrate PB with respect to the mask 4 is recognized based on the detection result of the detection section 8a, and then the relative position of the substrate PB with respect to the mask 4 is accurately positioned by driving the X-axis table 12, the Y-axis table 13, and the R-axis table 14 in the four-axis unit 10 of the printing stage 3. Then, in the printing press 1, with the relative position of the substrate PB with respect to the mask 4 accurately positioned, the lift table 15 in the four-axis unit 10 is driven to lift the substrate PB and bring it into contact with the underside of the mask 4.

[0024] The solder supply unit 5 is disposed above the mask 4. The solder supply unit 5 supplies solder paste onto the mask 4. The solder supply unit 5 is attached to a unit support member 21 that supports the squeegee unit 6. The solder supply unit 5 is driven by drive mechanisms 22, 23, and 24 supported by the unit support member 21.

[0025] The squeegee unit 6 is disposed above the mask 4. The squeegee unit 6 is a unit for printing solder paste at multiple printing positions set on the substrate PB through the printing openings of the mask 4 by moving the solder paste along the mask 4. The squeegee unit 6 is supported movably in the X-axis direction and driven by a servo motor or the like. More specifically, above the mask 4, there are disposed a pair of fixed rails 20 extending in the X-axis direction, unit support members 21 extending in the Y-axis direction and movably supported on each fixed rail 20, and a drive mechanism such as a screw feed mechanism that drives the unit support member 21 using a servo motor 20A as a drive source. The squeegee unit 6 is supported by the unit support member 21. The squeegee unit 6 can move in the X-axis direction together with the unit support member 21 by driving the servo motor 20A.

[0026] The squeegee unit 6 is equipped with a squeegee 6a. The squeegee 6a is connected to a drive mechanism, such as a screw feed mechanism, that drives the squeegee 6a using a drive source such as a servo motor. This allows the squeegee 6a to move up and down in the Z-axis direction relative to the squeegee unit 6. The squeegee 6a spreads the solder paste on the mask 4 while moving along the mask 4, and is made of, for example, a plate member made of hard urethane or metal such as stainless steel that is elongated in the Y-axis direction. The squeegee 6a is pressed against the mask 4 by lowering in the Z-axis direction relative to the squeegee unit 6, and in this state, the squeegee unit 6 moves in the X-axis direction together with the unit support member 21, sliding along the mask 4.

[0027] The pressing force, contact angle, and movement speed of the squeegee 6 a against the mask 4 are set in advance. The pressing force is the pressing pressure when the squeegee 6 a is pressed against the mask 4. The contact angle is the angle formed between the squeegee 6 a and the mask 4 when the squeegee 6 a is pressed against the mask 4. The movement speed is the speed at which the squeegee 6 a moves over the mask 4. With the pressing force, contact angle, and movement speed against the mask 4 set, the squeegee 6 a slides along the mask 4 and moves the solder paste supplied onto the mask 4 in the X-axis direction, thereby printing the solder paste through the printing openings in the mask 4 at multiple printing positions set on the substrate PB.

[0028] (Regarding the Print Inspection Machine) The print inspection machine PIM includes a print inspection unit PIMU that inspects the printing state of solder paste at multiple printing positions set on the substrate PB. The print inspection unit PIMU captures an image of the substrate PB on which solder paste has been printed at each printing position to obtain the captured image, and then moves above the substrate PB while recognizing the FID marks on the substrate PB, the size of the substrate PB, and the like, based on the captured image to inspect the printing state of the solder paste at each printing position on the substrate PB.

[0029] (Regarding the Setup Management Device) The setup management device AM is, for example, a personal computer, and manages the setup work for preparing the printing unit PU of the printing press 1. The setup work involves preparing printing-related components, such as the mask 4, squeegee 6a, and solder paste, to be used in the printing unit PU according to the type of substrate PB to be printed. The setup work includes a replacement work in which the mask 4, squeegee 6a, and solder paste used in the printing unit PU are replaced with new printing-related components, and a cleaning work in which the squeegee 6a is cleaned. The printing-related components to be replaced in the replacement work, such as the mask 4, squeegee 6a, and solder paste, are stored in a storage cabinet SW. The storage cabinet SW has multiple storage shelves, and stores the mask 4, squeegee 6a, solder paste, and other components arranged on each shelf. The setup work, including the replacement work and cleaning work, is performed by an operator or a work robot.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1 , the setup management device AM includes an identification unit AM1 that manages a recording unit REC attached to the squeegee 6a and a reading unit REA. The recording unit REC records squeegee identification information J1 for identifying the squeegee 6a. The recording unit REC is configured, for example, as a barcode or QR code (registered trademark) that encodes and records the squeegee identification information J1, or an RFID (radio frequency identification) tag. The reading unit REA reads the squeegee identification information J1 from the recording unit REC. During setup work to prepare the squeegee 6a to be used in the printing unit PU, a worker or a work robot reads the squeegee identification information J1 from the recording unit REC attached to the squeegee 6a using the reading unit REA. The identification unit AM1 manages the squeegee identification information J1 read by the reading unit REA from the recording unit REC attached to the squeegee 6a.

[0031] (Regarding the Printing Management Device) The printing management device PM is configured, for example, by a personal computer. The printing management device PM includes a management unit PM1 configured by a processor capable of information processing, and a storage unit PM2 that stores various types of information. The management unit PM1 manages the squeegees 6a used in the printing unit PU of the printing press 1. The management unit PM1 acquires squeegee identification information J1 from the setup management device AM, acquires squeegee information J2 created by an external computer device, and further acquires print history information J3 from the printing press 1 and the print inspection machine PIM.

[0032] The storage unit PM2 stores the squeegee information J2 and the print history information J3 acquired by the management unit PM1.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4 , the squeegee information J2 is information about each of the multiple squeegees 6a. The squeegee information J2 for each of the multiple squeegees 6a includes specification information J21, storage location information J22, remaining print count information J23, and cleaning time information J24, all of which are associated with the squeegee identification information J1. The specification information J21 is information about the specifications of the squeegee 6a, including specification information about the length and material of the squeegee 6a. The storage location information J22 is information about the storage location of the squeegee 6a. If the squeegee 6a is stored in the storage cabinet SW, the storage location information J22 records information about the storage shelf on which the squeegee 6a is located in the storage cabinet SW. If the squeegee 6a is being used by the printing unit PU, the storage location information J22 records information indicating that the squeegee 6a is in use. The remaining print count information J23 is information about the remaining print count for the squeegee 6a. The cleaning time information J24 is information about the cleaning time required to clean the squeegee 6a.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 5 , the printing history information J3 is information about the history of printing conditions when each of the multiple squeegees 6 a is used in the printing unit PU. The printing history information J3 for each of the multiple squeegees 6 a includes printing condition history information J31, inspection history information J32, print count information J33, and printing press information J34, all of which are associated with the squeegee identification information J1. The printing condition history information J31, print count information J33, and printing press information J34 are acquired from the printing press 1, and the inspection history information J32 is acquired from the printing inspection machine PIM. The print count information J33 is information about the number of prints made by the squeegee 6 a. The printing press information J34 is information for identifying the printing press 1 equipped with the printing unit PU in which the squeegee 6 a is used. The printing condition history information J31 is information about the history of printing conditions for the squeegee 6 a, and includes information about the history of printing conditions such as the pressing force, contact angle, and movement speed of the squeegee 6 a against the mask 4. The inspection history information J32 is information related to the history of inspection results of the print inspection unit PIMU, and includes information on the history of inspection results of the solder paste printing state at multiple printing positions set on the board PB. The inspection history information J32 includes, for example, information on the history of the number of printing defects, which indicate the inspection results of printing defects, among the printing states at each printing position on the board PB.

[0035] The management unit PM1 manages the used squeegee 6aX, which indicates the squeegee 6a used in the printing unit PU of the printing press 1. The management unit PM1 identifies the used squeegee 6aX used in the printing unit PU based on the squeegee identification information J1 read by the reading unit REA from the recording unit REC attached to the squeegee 6a. The management unit PM1 then manages the used squeegee 6aX based on the squeegee information J2 and printing history information J3 associated with the squeegee identification information J1 of the used squeegee 6aX. In this case, the management unit PM1 can confirm whether the used squeegee 6aX is appropriate as the squeegee 6a used in the printing unit PU based on the specification information J21 included in the squeegee information J2. Furthermore, the management unit PM1 can confirm the history of printing conditions corresponding to the print count information J33 of the used squeegee 6aX and the history of inspection results from the printing inspection unit PIMU by comparing them with each other based on the printing condition history information J31 and inspection history information J32 included in the printing history information J3. This allows the management unit PM1 to accurately manage the squeegees 6aX used in the printing units PU.

[0036] While the squeegee 6aX in use is being used by the printing unit PU, the management unit PM1 sequentially acquires the printing condition history information J31, print count information J33, and printing press information J34 included in the printing history information J3 from the printing press 1, and also sequentially acquires the inspection history information J32 from the print inspection machine PIM. As the management unit PM1 sequentially acquires the information included in the printing history information J3 in this way, the storage unit PM2 sequentially accumulates and stores the history of each piece of information included in the printing history information J3.

[0037] The management unit PM1 monitors the history of each piece of information contained in the printing history information J3 that is sequentially accumulated in the storage unit PM2. Here, in addition to the standard printing conditions, changed printing conditions indicated by changed printing condition information J4 in Fig. 6 are preset for the squeegee 6a. The changed printing conditions indicated by the changed printing condition information J4 are printing conditions set in accordance with the specifications of the squeegee 6a for the number of printing times of the squeegee 6a.

[0038] If the number of printing defects, which indicate the results of inspections of the printing conditions at each printing position on the substrate PB indicated by the inspection history information J32 included in the printing history information J3, exceeds a predetermined threshold TH, the squeegee 6a may be suffering from wear or deformation that could cause printing defects. Therefore, the management unit PM1 outputs changed printing condition information J4 when the number of printing defects indicated by the inspection history information J32 in the squeegee information J2 and printing history information J3 associated with the squeegee identification information J1 of the used squeegee 6aX exceeds a predetermined threshold TH. In this case, the management unit PM1 changes the printing conditions of the used squeegee 6aX indicated by the printing condition history information J31 included in the printing history information J3 to the changed printing conditions indicated by the changed printing condition information J4. By changing the printing conditions of the used squeegee 6aX, the management unit PM1 can prevent printing defects caused by wear or deformation of the used squeegee 6aX.

[0039] The changed printing condition information J4 output from the management unit PM1 is input to the printing press 1. When the changed printing condition information J4 is input to the printing press 1, the printing conditions of the squeegee 6aX used in the printing unit PU are changed to the changed printing conditions indicated by the changed printing condition information J4.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 7 , even if the printing conditions of the squeegee 6aX in use are changed in accordance with the output of the changed printing condition information J4 from the management unit PM1, the number of printing defects indicated in the inspection history information J32 may not be reduced to zero. In this case, the squeegee 6aX in use may be excessively worn or deformed, which may cause printing defects. Therefore, if the number of printing defects indicated in the inspection history information J32 is not reduced to zero after the printing conditions of the squeegee 6aX in use are changed to the changed printing conditions, the management unit PM1 outputs squeegee replacement guide information J5, which advises replacing the squeegee 6aX in use. The squeegee replacement guide information J5 output from the management unit PM1 is input to the setup management device AM. In this case, for example, a worker or a work robot can replace the squeegee 6aX in use in accordance with the squeegee replacement guide information J5.

[0041] 7, the management unit PM1 may calculate a print limit LPC indicating the number of prints of the squeegee 6aX in use at which the number of print defects is predicted to exceed a predetermined threshold TH, based on the correlation between the number of print defects indicated in the inspection history information J32 and the number of prints indicated in the print count information J33. The management unit PM1 then outputs squeegee replacement guide information J5, which indicates a guide to replacing the squeegee 6aX in use, based on the print limit LPC. The squeegee replacement guide information J5 output from the management unit PM1 is input to the setup management device AM. In this case, for example, a worker or a work robot can replace the squeegee 6aX in use in accordance with the squeegee replacement guide information J5.

[0042] The management unit PM1 may acquire printing plan information J6, shown in FIG. 8 , created by an external computer device. The printing plan information J6 is information indicating a plan for printing solder paste on the board PB by the printing unit PU. The printing plan information J6 includes board type information J61, printed board count information J62, setup time information J63, solder plan information J64, mask plan information J65, and squeegee plan information J66. The board type information J61 is information regarding the type of board PB to be printed by the printing unit PU. The printed board count information J62 is information regarding the number of boards PB to be printed by the printing unit PU. The setup time information J63 is information regarding the setup time required for the setup work to prepare the printing unit PU to print solder paste on the board PB of the type indicated by the board type information J61. The solder plan information J64 is information regarding the type of solder paste to be printed on the board PB of the type indicated by the board type information J61. The mask planning information J65 is information about the type of mask 4 to be used when printing solder paste on the board PB of the type indicated by the board type information J61. The squeegee planning information J66 includes planning specification information J661 about the specifications of the squeegee 6aX to be used when printing solder paste on the board PB of the type indicated by the board type information J61. The planning specification information J661 includes specification information about the length and material of the squeegee 6aX to be used.

[0043] The management unit PM1 generates and outputs setup information J7 related to the setup for preparing the squeegee 6aX to be used based on the squeegee information J2 and the printing plan information J6. The setup information J7 output from the management unit PM1 is input to the setup management device AM. In this case, for example, a worker or a work robot can perform the setup work for preparing the squeegee 6aX to be used in accordance with the setup information J7.

[0044] Specifically, the management unit PM1 extracts specification information J21 for each of the squeegees 6a included in the squeegee information J2 that matches the planned specification information J661 included in the printing plan information J6. The management unit PM1 then selects a squeegee 6aX to be used from the multiple squeegees 6a based on the remaining print count information J23 associated with the extracted specification information J21 in the squeegee information J2 and the number of printed boards information J62 included in the printing plan information J6, and outputs setup information J7 including squeegee selection information J71 indicating the selection result. In this case, the management unit PM1 compares the specification information J21 included in the squeegee information J2 with the planned specification information J661 included in the printing plan information J6, and compares the remaining print count information J23 included in the squeegee information J2 with the number of printed boards information J62 included in the printing plan information J6, thereby selecting a squeegee 6aX to be used for the printing unit PU.

[0045] When setup information J7 including squeegee selection information J71 is output from management unit PM1, for example, a worker or a work robot can perform setup work to prepare the squeegee 6aX to be used indicated in the squeegee selection information J71.

[0046] The management unit PM1 also extracts specification information J21 for each of the multiple squeegees 6a included in the squeegee information J2 that matches the planned specification information J661 included in the printing plan information J6. The management unit PM1 then identifies the storage location information J22 associated with the extracted specification information J21 in the squeegee information J2 as information indicating the storage location of the squeegee 6aX to be used, and outputs setup information J7 including storage location information J72 that matches the identified storage location information J22. In this case, the management unit PM1 can identify the storage location of the squeegee 6aX to be used from the storage location information J22 included in the squeegee information J2 by ​​comparing the specification information J21 included in the squeegee information J2 with the planned specification information J661 included in the printing plan information J6. The management unit PM1 then outputs setup information J7 including the storage location information J72 indicating the storage location of the squeegee 6aX to be used. In this case, for example, when a worker or a work robot performs setup work according to the setup information J7, the worker or the work robot can check the storage location of the squeegee 6aX to be used from the storage location information J72, thereby enabling the setup work to be performed efficiently.

[0047] The management unit PM1 also extracts specification information J21 for each of the multiple squeegees 6a included in the squeegee information J2 that matches the planned specification information J661 included in the printing plan information J6. The management unit PM1 then identifies cleaning time information J24 associated with the extracted specification information J21 in the squeegee information J2 as information indicating the cleaning time of the used squeegee 6aX. The management unit PM1 then determines whether to clean or replace the used squeegee 6aX in the setup work of the printing unit PU based on the identified cleaning time information J24 and the setup time information J63 included in the printing plan information J6, and outputs setup information J7 including setup determination information J73 indicating the determination result. In this case, the management unit PM1 can identify the cleaning time required to clean the used squeegee 6aX from the cleaning time information J24 included in the squeegee information J2 by ​​comparing the specification information J21 included in the squeegee information J2 with the planned specification information J661 included in the printing plan information J6. Then, the management unit PM1 can determine whether to clean or replace the squeegee 6aX in use during the setup work of the printing unit PU by comparing the cleaning time information J24 of the identified squeegee 6aX in use with the setup time information J63 included in the printing plan information J6.

[0048] The management unit PM1 determines that the used squeegee 6aX should be cleaned in the setup work of the printing unit PU if the setup time indicated by the setup time information J63 is longer than or equal to the cleaning time indicated by the cleaning time information J24. Furthermore, the management unit PM1 determines that the used squeegee 6aX should be replaced in the setup work of the printing unit PU if the setup time indicated by the setup time information J63 is shorter than the cleaning time indicated by the cleaning time information J24.

[0049] If the setup determination information J73 included in the setup information J7 indicates that the used squeegee 6aX should be cleaned, then, for example, a worker or a work robot can clean the used squeegee 6aX when performing setup work in accordance with the setup information J7. On the other hand, if the setup determination information J73 included in the setup information J7 indicates that the used squeegee 6aX should be replaced, then, for example, a worker or a work robot can replace the used squeegee 6aX when performing setup work in accordance with the setup information J7.

[0050] [Processing of Management Unit] The processing flow of the management unit PM1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0051] The management unit PM1 receives input of squeegee identification information J1 read by the reading unit REA from the recording unit REC attached to the squeegee 6a (step S1). The management unit PM1 identifies the squeegee 6aX in use for the printing unit PU based on the squeegee identification information J1 (step S2). The management unit PM1 manages the in-use squeegee 6aX by monitoring the squeegee information J2 and printing history information J3 associated with the squeegee identification information J1 of the in-use squeegee 6aX in the squeegee information J2 and printing history information J3 for each of the multiple squeegees 6a stored in the storage unit PM2 (step S3).

[0052] The management unit PM1 determines whether the number of printing defects indicated in the inspection history information J32 included in the printing history information J3 exceeds a predetermined threshold TH (step S4). If the number of printing defects exceeds the predetermined threshold TH (YES in step S4), the management unit PM1 outputs changed printing condition information J4 (step S5). When the changed printing condition information J4 output from the management unit PM1 is input to the printing press 1, the printing conditions of the squeegee 6aX used in the printing unit PU are changed to the changed printing conditions indicated in the changed printing condition information J4.

[0053] After outputting the changed printing condition information J4, the management unit PM1 determines whether the number of printing defects indicated in the inspection history information J32 is equal to or greater than zero (step S6). If the number of printing defects is not equal to zero (YES in step S6), the management unit PM1 outputs squeegee replacement guide information J5 (step S7). When the squeegee replacement guide information J5 output from the management unit PM1 is input to the setup management device AM, a worker or a work robot, for example, can replace the squeegee 6aX in use in accordance with the squeegee replacement guide information J5.

[0054] Next, the management unit PM1 determines whether or not the printing unit PU has finished printing the solder paste on the board PB (step S8). If the printing process by the printing unit PU has not finished (NO in step S8), the management unit PM1 repeats the processes from step S3 to step S7.

[0055] When the printing process by the printing unit PU is completed (YES in step S8), the management unit PM1 determines whether new printing plan information J6 has been input (step S9). If new printing plan information J6 has not been input (NO in step S9), the management unit PM1 ends management of the used squeegee 6aX.

[0056] If new printing plan information J6 has been input (YES in step S9), the management unit PM1 outputs setup information J7 for preparing a squeegee 6aX to be used that matches the new printing plan information J6 (step S10), and then returns the process to step S1. When the setup information J7 output from the management unit PM1 is input to the setup management device AM, for example, a worker or a work robot can perform setup work to prepare a squeegee 6aX to be used in accordance with the setup information J7.

[0057] [Modified Embodiments] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these, and the following modified embodiments are possible, for example.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the printing system PS is described as being configured such that the management unit PM1 and the storage unit PM2 are provided in the printing management device PM, but this configuration is not limiting. The management unit PM1 and the storage unit PM2 may also be provided in the printing press 1. In this case, the installation of the printing management device PM is omitted. The printing press 1 prints solder paste on the board PB, acquires and stores the squeegee identification information J1, squeegee information J2, printing history information J3, and printing plan information J6, and outputs changed printing condition information J4, squeegee replacement guide information J5, and setup information J7 to manage the squeegee 6a used in the printing unit PU.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the management unit PM1 of the printing management device PM acquires the squeegee information J2 and the printing plan information J6 from an external computer device in the printing system PS has been described, but the configuration is not limited to this. The management unit PM1 of the printing management device PM may create the squeegee information J2 and the printing plan information J6 and store the created information in the storage unit PM2.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the printing system PS is configured such that the identification unit AM1 is provided in the setup management device AM. However, the configuration is not limited to this. The identification unit AM1 may be provided in the print management device PM. In this case, the setup management device AM is not required. The print management device PM manages the squeegees 6a used in the printing units PU and also manages the squeegee identification information J1 read by the reading unit REA from the recording unit REC attached to the squeegee 6a.

[0061] [Inventions Included in the Above-Described Embodiments] The above-described embodiments include inventions having the following configurations.

[0062] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system for printing solder paste on a substrate, the printing system including: a printing unit including a mask disposed above the substrate and a squeegee that slides over the mask to which the solder paste is supplied to print the solder paste at multiple printing positions set on the substrate; a print inspection unit that inspects the printed state of the solder paste at each of the printing positions on the substrate; an identification unit attached to the squeegee and including a recording unit that records squeegee identification information for identifying the squeegee and a reading unit that reads the squeegee identification information from the recording unit; a memory unit that stores squeegee information including specification information for each of the multiple squeegees, printing condition history information regarding a history of printing conditions corresponding to the number of prints performed for each of the multiple squeegees, and inspection history information regarding a history of inspection results by the print inspection unit; and a management unit that manages the squeegees used by the printing unit. The management unit identifies the used squeegee based on the squeegee identification information read by the reading unit in the identification unit, and manages the used squeegee based on the squeegee information and printing history information associated with the squeegee identification information of the used squeegee.

[0063] According to this printing system, a squeegee in a printing unit prints solder paste at multiple printing positions set on a substrate, and a print inspection unit inspects the printed state of the solder paste at each printing position on the substrate. The management unit then identifies the squeegee used by the printing unit based on squeegee identification information read by a reading unit from a recording unit attached to the squeegee, and manages the used squeegee based on the squeegee information and printing history information stored in the storage unit. In this case, the management unit can confirm whether the squeegee used is appropriate for the printing unit based on the specification information included in the squeegee information. Furthermore, the management unit can confirm the history of printing conditions corresponding to the number of prints made by the squeegee used and the history of inspection results by the print inspection unit, by comparing them with each other, based on the printing condition history information and inspection history information included in the printing history information. This allows the management unit to accurately manage the squeegees used by the printing unit.

[0064] In the above printing system, the squeegee information includes, as the specification information, information on the length and material specifications of the squeegee, and the printing history information includes, as the printing condition history information, information on the history of printing conditions such as the contact angle of the squeegee with respect to the mask, the pressing force, and the movement speed, and includes, as the inspection history information, information on the history of inspection results of the printing state of the solder paste at each of the printing positions on the board. In this case, in the squeegee information and the printing history information associated with the squeegee identification information of the used squeegee, when the number of printing defective locations indicating inspection results of printing defects among the printing states of each of the printing positions on the board indicated in the inspection history information exceeds a predetermined threshold, the management unit may change each of the printing conditions of the used squeegee indicated in the printing condition history information to changed printing conditions that are preset in accordance with the specifications indicated in the specification information for the number of printings of the used squeegee.

[0065] In this aspect, if the number of defective printing locations, which indicate the results of inspections of defective printing, among the printing conditions at each printing position on the substrate indicated by the inspection history information included in the printing history information exceeds a predetermined threshold, the squeegee may be suffering from wear or deformation that could cause defective printing. Therefore, when the number of defective printing locations indicated by the inspection history information exceeds a predetermined threshold, the management unit changes the printing conditions of the squeegee in use indicated by the printing condition history information to modified printing conditions that are preset in accordance with the specifications indicated in the specification information for the number of prints made by the squeegee in use. In this case, by changing the printing conditions of the squeegee in use, the management unit can prevent defective printing caused by wear or deformation of the squeegee in use.

[0066] In the above printing system, the management unit may output squeegee replacement guidance information indicating a guide to replace the used squeegee if the number of defective printing areas indicated in the inspection history information does not become zero after changing each printing condition of the used squeegee to the changed printing conditions.

[0067] In this aspect, if the number of printing defects indicated in the inspection history information does not become zero even after changing the printing conditions of the squeegee in use, there is a possibility that the squeegee is experiencing excessive wear or deformation that causes printing defects. Therefore, if the number of printing defects indicated in the inspection history information does not become zero, the management unit outputs squeegee replacement guidance information that provides guidance for replacing the squeegee in use. In this case, for example, a worker or a work robot can replace the squeegee in use in accordance with the squeegee replacement guidance information output from the management unit.

[0068] In the above printing system, the management unit may change each printing condition of the used squeegee to the changed printing conditions, and then calculate a limited number of printing times indicating the number of printing times for the used squeegee at which the number of defective printing areas indicated in the inspection history information is predicted to exceed the threshold value, and output squeegee replacement guidance information indicating a guide to replacing the used squeegee based on the limited number of printing times.

[0069] In this aspect, the management unit outputs squeegee replacement guidance information that provides guidance for replacing the squeegee in use based on the limited number of prints for the squeegee in use that is predicted to cause the number of printing defects indicated in the inspection history information to exceed a predetermined threshold. In this case, for example, a worker or a work robot can replace the squeegee in use in accordance with the squeegee replacement guidance information output from the management unit.

[0070] In the above printing system, the management unit may acquire printing plan information indicating a plan for printing the solder paste on the board by the printing unit, and output setup information regarding the setup for preparing the squeegee to be used based on the squeegee information and the printing plan information.

[0071] In this aspect, the management unit outputs setup information based on the squeegee information and the printing plan information. In this case, for example, a worker or a work robot can perform setup work to prepare a squeegee to be used in accordance with the setup information output from the management unit.

[0072] In the above printing system, the squeegee information includes, in addition to the specification information, storage location information regarding a storage location for each of the multiple squeegees, and the printing plan information includes planned specification information regarding the specifications of the squeegee to be used. In this case, the management unit may extract specification information that matches the planned specification information from the specification information for each of the multiple squeegees included in the squeegee information, identify the storage location information associated with the extracted specification information as information indicating the storage location of the squeegee to be used, and output the setup information including the identified storage location information.

[0073] In this aspect, the management unit can identify the storage location of the used squeegee from the storage location information included in the squeegee information by comparing the specification information included in the squeegee information with the plan specification information included in the printing plan information.The management unit then outputs setup information including the storage location information indicating the storage location of the used squeegee.In this case, for example, when performing setup work in accordance with the setup information output from the management unit, a worker or a work robot can confirm the storage location of the used squeegee from the storage location information, thereby enabling the setup work to be performed efficiently.

[0074] In the above printing system, the squeegee information includes, in addition to the specification information, information on the number of possible prints regarding the number of times that each of the plurality of squeegees can be printed, and the printing plan information includes information on the number of printed boards regarding the number of boards to be printed by the printing unit, and planned specification information on the specifications of the squeegee to be used. In this case, the management unit may extract specification information that matches the planned specification information from the specification information for each of the plurality of squeegees included in the squeegee information, select the squeegee to be used from the plurality of squeegees based on the information on the number of possible prints and the information on the number of printed boards associated with the extracted specification information, and output the setup information including the selection result.

[0075] In this aspect, the management unit compares the specification information contained in the squeegee information with the planned specification information contained in the printing plan information, and compares the number of prints possible information contained in the squeegee information with the number of printed boards information contained in the printing plan information, thereby selecting an appropriate squeegee to use for the printing unit.

[0076] In the above printing system, the squeegee information includes, in addition to the specification information, cleaning time information related to the cleaning time required to clean each of the multiple squeegees, and the printing plan information includes setup time information related to the setup time required for setup work to prepare the printing unit including the used squeegee, and planned specification information related to the specifications of the used squeegee. In this case, the management unit may extract specification information that matches the planned specification information from the specification information for each of the multiple squeegees included in the squeegee information, identify the cleaning time information associated with the extracted specification information as information indicating the cleaning time of the used squeegee, and determine whether the used squeegee should be cleaned or replaced in the setup work of the printing unit based on the identified cleaning time information and the setup time information, and output the setup information including the determination result.

[0077] In the above printing system, the management unit determines that the used squeegee should be cleaned in the setup work of the printing unit if the setup time indicated by the setup time information is longer than the cleaning time indicated by the cleaning time information, and determines that the used squeegee should be replaced in the setup work of the printing unit if the setup time indicated by the setup time information is shorter than the cleaning time indicated by the cleaning time information.

[0078] In this aspect, the management unit can identify the cleaning time required to clean the squeegee in use from the cleaning time information included in the squeegee information by comparing the specification information included in the squeegee information with the planned specification information included in the printing plan information.The management unit can then compare the identified cleaning time information for the squeegee in use with the setup time information included in the printing plan information to determine whether to clean or replace the squeegee in use in the setup work of the printing unit.

[0079] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printing system that is capable of accurately managing squeegees used to print solder paste on a substrate.

Claims

1. A printing system for printing solder paste on a substrate, comprising: a printing unit including: a mask disposed above the substrate; and a squeegee that slides over the mask to which the solder paste is supplied, thereby printing the solder paste at a plurality of printing positions set on the substrate; a print inspection unit that inspects the printing state of the solder paste at each of the printing positions on the substrate; an identification unit that is attached to the squeegee and includes: a recording unit that records squeegee identification information for identifying the squeegee; and a reading unit that reads the squeegee identification information from the recording unit; a memory unit that stores squeegee information including specification information regarding the specifications of each of the plurality of squeegees, and print history information including printing condition history information regarding the history of printing conditions according to the number of times printing has been performed for each of the plurality of squeegees, and inspection history information regarding the history of inspection results of the print inspection unit; and a management unit that manages the squeegees used, which indicate the squeegees used by the printing unit. A printing system in which the management unit identifies the used squeegee based on the squeegee identification information read by the reading unit in the identification unit, and manages the used squeegee based on the squeegee information and printing history information associated with the squeegee identification information of the used squeegee.

2. The printing system described in claim 1, wherein the squeegee information includes, as the specification information, information on the length and material specifications of the squeegee; the printing history information includes, as the printing condition history information, information on the history of printing conditions such as the contact angle of the squeegee with respect to the mask, the pressing force, and the movement speed, and also includes, as the inspection history information, information on the history of inspection results of the printing state of the solder paste at each of the printing positions on the board; and the management unit changes each of the printing conditions of the used squeegee indicated in the printing condition history information to modified printing conditions that are preset in accordance with the specifications indicated in the specification information for the number of printings of the used squeegee when the number of defective printing locations indicating inspection results of defective printing exceeds a predetermined threshold in the squeegee information and the printing history information associated with the squeegee identification information of the used squeegee.

3. A printing system as described in claim 2, wherein the management unit outputs squeegee replacement guidance information indicating a recommendation to replace the squeegee in use if the number of defective printing areas indicated in the inspection history information does not become zero after changing each printing condition of the squeegee in use to the changed printing conditions.

4. The printing system described in claim 2, wherein the management unit, after changing each printing condition of the used squeegee to the changed printing condition, calculates a limit number of printing times indicating the number of printing times of the used squeegee at which the number of printing defects indicated in the inspection history information is predicted to exceed the threshold value, and outputs squeegee replacement guidance information indicating a guide to replacing the used squeegee based on the limit number of printing times.

5. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the management unit acquires printing plan information indicating a plan for printing the solder paste on the board by the printing unit, and outputs setup information regarding the setup for preparing the squeegee to be used based on the squeegee information and the printing plan information.

6. The printing system described in claim 5, wherein the squeegee information includes, in addition to the specification information, storage location information regarding the storage location of each of the multiple squeegees, the printing plan information includes planned specification information regarding the specifications of the squeegee to be used, and the management unit extracts specification information that matches the planned specification information from the specification information for each of the multiple squeegees included in the squeegee information, identifies the storage location information associated with the extracted specification information as information indicating the storage location of the squeegee to be used, and outputs the setup information including the identified storage location information.

7. The printing system described in claim 5, wherein the squeegee information includes, in addition to the specification information, information on the number of possible prints regarding the number of possible prints for each of the plurality of squeegees, the printing plan information includes information on the number of printed boards regarding the number of boards to be printed by the printing unit, and planned specification information regarding the specifications of the squeegee to be used, and the management unit extracts specification information that matches the planned specification information from the specification information for the plurality of squeegees included in the squeegee information, selects the squeegee to be used from the plurality of squeegees based on the information on the number of possible prints and the information on the number of printed boards associated with the extracted specification information, and outputs the setup information including the selection result.

8. The printing system described in claim 5, wherein the squeegee information includes, in addition to the specification information, cleaning time information regarding the cleaning time required to clean each of the multiple squeegees, and the printing plan information includes setup time information regarding the setup time required for setup work to prepare the printing unit including the used squeegee, and planned specification information regarding the specifications of the used squeegee, and the management unit extracts specification information that matches the planned specification information from the specification information for each of the multiple squeegees included in the squeegee information, identifies the cleaning time information associated with the extracted specification information as information indicating the cleaning time of the used squeegee, and determines whether the used squeegee should be cleaned or replaced in the setup work of the printing unit based on the identified cleaning time information and the setup time information, and outputs the setup information including the determination result.

9. The printing system described in claim 8, wherein the management unit determines that the used squeegee should be cleaned in the setup work of the printing unit if the setup time indicated by the setup time information is longer than the cleaning time indicated by the cleaning time information, and determines that the used squeegee should be replaced in the setup work of the printing unit if the setup time indicated by the setup time information is shorter than the cleaning time indicated by the cleaning time information.

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