Production management system and control program

Abstract

The technology disclosed in the present specification comprises: a production line in which an electronic component is mounted on a substrate flowing along a substrate conveyance path, and which has a plurality of processing devices that process the substrate; and a management device that communicates with the plurality of processing devices and that wirelessly communicates with an external mobile terminal. The management device displays, on the mobile terminal, member preparation information relating to preparation of members used in the plurality of processing devices and maintenance information of the plurality of processing devices, on the basis of data obtained by communication with the plurality of processing devices.

Description

Production management system and control program

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a production management system and a control program.

[0002] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-61312 discloses a manufacturing system for mounting electronic components on a substrate. The manufacturing system has multiple processing devices that apply solder to the substrate and mount electronic components on it. In this manufacturing system, workers replenish materials to each processing device. The manufacturing system also has a management computer that communicates with each processing device. The management computer displays material replenishment information that instructs the worker to replenish materials according to the operating status of each processing device. Based on the material replenishment information, the worker retrieves materials from a material storage facility and replenishes the materials to each processing device.

[0003] This specification provides a technique for improving the work efficiency of a worker.

[0004] The production management system disclosed in this specification is a production line in which electronic components are mounted on boards flowing along a board transport path, and includes a production line having a plurality of processing devices that perform processing on the boards, and a management device that communicates with the plurality of processing devices and also communicates wirelessly with an external mobile terminal, and the management device displays, on the mobile terminal, material preparation information regarding the preparation of materials to be used in the plurality of processing devices and maintenance information for the plurality of processing devices based on data obtained through communication with the plurality of processing devices.

[0005] In the above-described production management system, the management device displays on a mobile terminal component preparation information related to the preparation of components to be used in multiple processing equipment and maintenance information for the multiple processing equipment, thereby enabling workers to efficiently perform not only component preparation work but also maintenance work.

[0006] It is a schematic diagram of a production management system. It is an explanatory diagram of a component mounter. It is a cross-sectional view taken along III-III in FIG. 2. It is a schematic diagram of a mobile terminal. It is a schematic diagram of a mobile terminal. It is a schematic diagram of a mobile terminal. It is a schematic diagram of a mobile terminal. It is a schematic diagram of a mobile terminal.

[0007] The main features of the embodiments described below are listed below. Note that the technical elements described below are independent technical elements that exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing.

[0008] (Feature 1) In the above-described production management system, the plurality of processing devices may include a board printing machine and a component mounting machine.

[0009] (Feature 2) In the above-described production management system, the component preparation information displayed on the mobile terminal may include a work start time when the preparation work for the component is to begin and a work completion deadline that is a deadline for completing the preparation work for the component.

[0010] With this configuration, the worker can complete the preparation work for the component by the work completion deadline.

[0011] (Feature 3) In the production management system described above, the management device may cause the mobile terminal to display a list of a plurality of pieces of material preparation information, each of which includes the work start time and the work completion deadline.

[0012] This configuration makes it easier for the worker to check the component preparation information.

[0013] (Feature 4) In the above-described production management system, the maintenance information displayed on the mobile terminal may include a maintenance start time for starting maintenance of the processing equipment and a maintenance completion deadline for completing the maintenance of the processing equipment.

[0014] With this configuration, the worker can complete the maintenance work by the work completion deadline.

[0015] (Feature 5) In the production management system described above, the management device may cause the mobile terminal to display a list of a plurality of pieces of the maintenance information, each of which includes the maintenance start time and the maintenance completion deadline.

[0016] With this configuration, the operator can easily check the maintenance status of the processing device.

[0017] (Feature 6) A program for controlling a production management system may include a production line in which electronic components are mounted on boards transported along a board transport path, the production line having a plurality of processing devices that perform processing on the boards, and a management device that communicates with the plurality of processing devices and wirelessly communicates with an external mobile terminal, and the program may cause the management device to execute a process that displays, on the mobile terminal, component preparation information regarding the preparation of components to be used in the plurality of processing devices and maintenance information for the plurality of processing devices, based on data obtained through communication with the plurality of processing devices.

[0018] 1 includes a production line 10 and a management device 50. The production line 10 includes a board transport path 12, a board printer 14, a component mounter 16, and a reflow machine 18. The production line 10 mounts electronic components 23 on boards 11 flowing along the board transport path 12, producing boards on which components have been mounted (hereinafter referred to as "mounted boards"). The production line 10 may further include an inspection machine that inspects the mounted boards.

[0019] A magazine 13 is provided at the upstream end of the board transport path 12. A plurality of boards 11 are stored in the magazine 13. The board transport path 12 transports the boards 11 from the magazine 13 and carries the transported boards 11 downstream of the production line 10. The board transport path 12 connects a board printing machine 14, a component mounting machine 16, and a reflow machine 18.

[0020] The board printer 14 is arranged along the board transport path 12. The board printer 14 has a mask 20. The mask 20 has openings that correspond to the solder pattern to be printed on the board 11. The board printer 14 prints solder paste onto the board 11 on the board transport path 12 through the openings in the mask 20. The board 11 on which the solder paste has been printed flows downstream of the board printer 14 along the board transport path 12.

[0021] A plurality of component mounters 16 are arranged along the board transport path 12 downstream of the board printer 14. Although a plurality of component mounters 16 are shown in FIG. 1 , it is sufficient that at least one component mounter 16 is arranged along the board transport path 12. The component mounters 16 perform a component mounting process in which electronic components 23 are mounted on the board 11 on which solder paste has been printed. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the component mounter 16 has a component feeder device 22, a moving device 24, a nozzle 26, and an adhesive supply device 30.

[0022] The component feeder device 22 stores a plurality of electronic components 23 packed on a reel-shaped tape. The component feeder device 22 supplies the electronic components 23 on the tape to the component mounter 16. The electronic components 23 supplied by the component feeder device 22 are mounted on the board 11 on the board transport path 12 by a nozzle 26 from the tape. The tape from which the electronic components 23 have been removed is discharged from the component feeder device 22 into a waste box as waste tape.

[0023] The moving device 24 has a head 28. The moving device 24 moves the head 28 between the component feeder device 22 and the board 11. The head 28 is detachably attached to the moving device 24. A nozzle 26 is provided below the head 28. The nozzle 26 picks up the electronic component 23 supplied by the component feeder device 22. After the nozzle 26 picks up the electronic component 23, the moving device 24 moves from the component feeder device 22 to above the board 11. The nozzle 26 that has moved above the board 11 mounts the electronic component 23 on the board 11.

[0024] The adhesive supply device 30 is detachably attached to the component feeder device 22. The adhesive supply device 30 has an adhesive tool 32. The adhesive tool 32 is provided on the upper part of the adhesive supply device 30. The adhesive tool 32 contains an adhesive (e.g., glue). After being attached to the head 28, the adhesive tool 32 is moved by the moving device 24 to the upper side of the substrate 11. After being moved to the upper side of the substrate 11, the adhesive tool 32 applies adhesive to the substrate 11. In the component mounting process, the component mounter 16 mounts electronic components 23 on the substrate 11 and applies adhesive to the substrate 11. After the component mounting process, the substrate 11 flows downstream of the component mounter 16 via the board transport path 12.

[0025] The reflow machine 18 is disposed downstream of the component mounter 16 and along the board transport path 12. The reflow machine 18 heats the board 11 on which the component mounting process has been performed, and melts the solder printed on the board 11, thereby performing a heat treatment to fix the electronic components 23 to the board 11. The board 11 that has been subjected to the heat treatment is carried out of the production line 10 by the board transport path 12.

[0026] 1, a storage facility 70 for storing various materials is provided near the production line 10. The production management system 100 has a material management device 72 (e.g., a computer) that manages the locations and quantities of materials in the storage facility 70.

[0027] Workers performing work on the production line 10 carry mobile terminals 60 (e.g., smart devices). The management device 50 communicates wirelessly with each mobile terminal 60. The management device 50 displays work instructions on each mobile terminal 60 according to the status of the production line 10. The workers prepare and maintain components for the production line 10 based on the work instructions displayed on the mobile terminal 60.

[0028] A user inputs data such as a production plan into the management device 50. The management device 50 communicates with the production line 10 via a LAN. The production line 10 transmits the produced quantity of boards 11 on which electronic components 23 are mounted (hereinafter referred to as mounted boards) to the management device 50. The board printer 14 transmits the remaining amount of solder and the number of times the mask 20 has been used to the management device 50. The component mounter 16 transmits the remaining number of electronic components 23 in the component feeder device 22, the remaining amount of adhesive, and the amount of waste tape in the waste box to the management device 50. The component mounter 16 also transmits the number of times the nozzle 26 and head 28 have been used to the management device 50. The component management device 72 also transmits the location and quantity of components in the storage 70 to the management device 50.

[0029] The management device 50 performs the following component preparation information processing and maintenance information processing based on data transmitted from the production line 10 and each device. The management device 50 stores programs and executes the programs to perform the component preparation information processing and maintenance information processing.

[0030] In the component preparation information processing, component preparation information (hereinafter referred to as component preparation information) is displayed on the mobile terminal 60. The component preparation information includes component preparation information for changeover of the production line 10 and component preparation information for supplying components during production.

[0031] The management device 50 executes the following process to calculate material preparation information for retooling. The management device 50 calculates the remaining number of mounted boards to be produced (hereinafter referred to as the "remaining production number") based on the production number of mounted boards transmitted from the production line 10 and the planned production number input by the user. When the remaining production number falls below a reference value, the management device 50 calculates the deadline for retooling the production line 10 for the production of the next mounted board (hereinafter referred to as the "retooling deadline") based on the remaining production number and the production plan. The management device 50 also identifies the materials (e.g., the board 11, the mask 20, the electronic components 23 to be mounted, etc.) required to produce the next mounted board. Next, the management device 50 identifies the necessary preparation work for each material. The preparation work includes the work of transporting materials from the storage facility 70 to a materials storage area located near the production line 10 and the work of setting the materials stored in the materials storage area on the production line 10. As shown in FIG. 4 , the management device 50 sets tasks for each component and each preparatory work, and sets a work completion deadline and a work start time for each task. The work completion deadline is the deadline for completing the preparatory work corresponding to each task. The work start time is the time when the preparatory work corresponding to each task is to start. The work start time is set so that when the preparatory work for the component starts at the work start time, the work will be completed by the work completion deadline. The management device 50 stores the time required for each preparatory work, and calculates the work completion deadline and work start time based on the setup change deadline and the time required for each preparatory work.

[0032] The management device 50 creates a task list, as shown in FIG. 4 , for each mobile terminal 60 (i.e., for each worker), and transmits the created task list to the mobile terminal 60 for display. Each worker performs preparation work for each component according to the task list displayed on the mobile terminal 60. For example, based on task T1, the worker can transport the board 11 from the storage 70 to the component storage area. Based on task T2, the worker can place the board 11 in the magazine 13 and set the magazine 13 on the production line 10. Based on task T3, the worker can replace the mask 20. Based on task T4, the worker can place the electronic component 23 on the component mounter 16. In this way, by having the workers perform preparation work according to the tasks, the changeover can be reliably completed by the changeover deadline.

[0033] The management device 50 periodically performs the following process during the production of mounted boards to calculate component preparation information for component replenishment during production. The management device 50 calculates the remaining number of mounted boards to be produced based on the production number of mounted boards transmitted from the production line 10 and the planned production number input by the user. Based on the remaining production number, the management device 50 calculates the amount (i.e., required amount) of each component (e.g., solder, electronic components 23 to be mounted, adhesive, etc.) required for the remaining production. The management device 50 receives the remaining amount of each component set in the board printer 14 and component mounter 16 from these devices and identifies the components that need to be replenished for each device based on the remaining amount and required amount. The management device 50 calculates the component expiration date for each component that needs to be replenished. The component expiration date is calculated as the time when the component will run out if the mounted boards are produced according to the production schedule. Next, the management device 50 identifies the preparation work required for each component. The preparatory work includes the work of transporting materials to be replenished from the storage facility 70 to a materials storage area located near the production line 10, and the work of replenishing each device with the materials stored in the materials storage area. As shown in FIG. 5 , the management device 50 sets tasks for each material and each preparatory work, and sets a work completion deadline and a work start time for each task. The work completion deadline is the deadline for completing the work corresponding to each task. The work start time is the time when the preparatory work corresponding to each task begins. The work start time is set so that when the preparatory work for materials starts at the work start time, the work will be completed by the work completion deadline. The management device 50 stores the time required for each preparatory work, and calculates the work completion deadline and work start time based on the material expiration deadline for each material and the time required for each preparatory work.

[0034] The management device 50 creates a task list (shown in FIG. 5 ) for each mobile device 60 (i.e., for each worker), and transmits it to the mobile device 60 for display. Each worker performs preparation work for each component according to the task list displayed on the mobile device 60. For example, based on task T5, the worker can confirm the start time of the work and transport solder from the storage 70 to the component storage area. Based on task T6, the worker can replenish solder to the board printer 14. Based on task T7, the worker can replenish electronic components 23 to the component mounter 16. Based on task T8, the worker can replenish adhesive to the component mounter 16. In this way, by having the workers perform preparation work according to the tasks, the component replenishment work can be reliably completed by the work completion deadline. Therefore, mounted boards can be manufactured efficiently without running out of components.

[0035] 4 and 5, a plurality of work tasks are displayed on the mobile terminal 60. This allows the worker to easily check the work and improve work efficiency.

[0036] In the maintenance information processing, the management device 50 causes the mobile terminal 60 to display information on the maintenance of each device on the production line 10 (hereinafter referred to as maintenance information).

[0037] As a maintenance information calculation process, the management device 50 periodically performs the following process during the production of mounted boards. The management device 50 calculates a maintenance deadline (hereinafter referred to as a maintenance deadline) based on preset management rules and the status of equipment (e.g., the mask 20, nozzle 26, head 28, waste tape, etc.). For example, the management device 50 receives the number of uses of the mask 20 from the board printing machine 14 and calculates the cleaning deadline for the mask 20 based on that number of uses and a preset upper limit of the number of uses. The management device 50 also receives the number of uses of the nozzle 26 and head 28 from each mounter 16 and calculates the replacement deadline for the nozzle 26 and head 28 based on that number of uses and a preset upper limit of the number of uses. The management device 50 also receives information on the amount of waste tape accumulated in the waste box from each mounter 16 and calculates the waste tape collection deadline based on that amount. As shown in FIG. 6 , the management device 50 sets tasks for each equipment and maintenance task, and sets a maintenance completion deadline and a maintenance start time for each task. The maintenance completion deadline is the deadline for completing the maintenance work corresponding to each task. The maintenance start time is the time to start the maintenance work corresponding to each task. The maintenance start time is set so that when the maintenance work starts at the maintenance start time, the work will be completed by the maintenance completion deadline. The management device 50 stores the time required for each maintenance work, and calculates the maintenance completion deadline and maintenance start time based on the maintenance deadline and the time required for each maintenance work.

[0038] The management device 50 creates a task list shown in FIG. 6 for each mobile terminal 60 (i.e., for each worker), and transmits the task list to the mobile terminal 60 for display. Each worker performs each maintenance task according to the task list displayed on the mobile terminal 60. For example, a worker can replace the head 28 based on task T9. Also, a worker can replace the nozzle 26 based on task T10. Furthermore, a worker can collect waste tape from the waste box in task T12. Furthermore, a worker can clean the mask 20 in task T13. In this way, by having the worker perform maintenance tasks according to the tasks, maintenance can be reliably completed by the maintenance deadline.

[0039] 6, a plurality of maintenance work tasks are displayed on the mobile terminal 60. This makes it easier for the worker to check the maintenance status, thereby improving the efficiency of the maintenance work.

[0040] In an actual production site, component preparation work and maintenance work may occur randomly. In this case, the management device 50 simultaneously displays component preparation work task Tb and maintenance work task Tm on the mobile terminal 60, as shown in FIG. 7. This allows the worker to properly complete the component preparation work and maintenance work without delaying the deadline.

[0041] In the above-described embodiment, the management device 50 creates maintenance information based on the status of the equipment. However, the management device 50 may also create maintenance information periodically. Furthermore, the management device 50 may also create maintenance information when an error occurs in each device.

[0042] Furthermore, the substrate printing machine 14 may have a cleaning machine that automatically cleans the mask 20 with cleaning paper. In a substrate printing machine 14 that has this type of cleaning machine, the task of replenishing cleaning paper may be displayed on the mobile terminal 60.

[0043] The board printer 14 is an example of a processing device. The component mounter 16 is an example of a processing device.

[0044] Although specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. Furthermore, the technical elements described in this specification or drawings exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technology exemplified in this specification or drawings simultaneously achieves multiple objectives, and achieving one of those objectives itself has technical utility.

Claims

1. A production management system comprising: a production line in which electronic components are mounted on boards transported along a board transport path, the production line having a plurality of processing devices that perform processing on the boards; and a management device that communicates with the plurality of processing devices and wirelessly communicates with an external mobile terminal, wherein the management device displays, on the mobile terminal, component preparation information regarding the preparation of components to be used in the plurality of processing devices and maintenance information for the plurality of processing devices, based on data obtained through communication with the plurality of processing devices.

2. The production management system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of processing devices include a board printing machine and a component mounting machine.

3. A production management system as described in claim 1, wherein the component preparation information displayed on the mobile terminal includes a work start time for starting the component preparation work and a work completion deadline for completing the component preparation work.

4. The production management system according to claim 3, wherein the management device causes the mobile terminal to display a list of a plurality of pieces of material preparation information, each of which includes the work start time and the work completion deadline.

5. A production management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the maintenance information displayed on the mobile terminal includes a maintenance start time for starting maintenance of the processing equipment and a maintenance completion deadline for completing the maintenance of the processing equipment.

6. The production management system according to claim 5, wherein the management device causes the mobile terminal to display a list of a plurality of pieces of maintenance information, each of which includes the maintenance start time and the maintenance completion deadline.

7. A program for controlling a production management system, the production management system comprising: a production line in which electronic components are mounted on boards transported along a board transport path, the production line having a plurality of processing devices that perform processing on the boards; and a management device that communicates with the plurality of processing devices and wirelessly communicates with an external mobile terminal, the program causing the management device to execute a process that displays, on the mobile terminal, component preparation information regarding the preparation of components to be used in the plurality of processing devices and maintenance information for the plurality of processing devices, based on data obtained through communication with the plurality of processing devices.

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