Tray feeder

Abstract

This tray feeder comprises: a holding unit that stacks and holds a plurality of trays each accommodating a plurality of components and having identification information attached thereto, and that can remove the lowermost tray in the stacking direction; a conveyance unit that conveys the removed lowermost tray to a predetermined component supply position in a component mounting machine; and a reading unit that reads the identification information attached to the lowermost tray before conveyance.

Description

Tray feeder

[0001] This specification relates to a tray feeder that supplies components while stacking and holding a plurality of trays for accommodating the components.

[0002] Technologies for mass-producing product substrates by performing substrate work on substrates on which circuit patterns are formed have become widespread. As a typical example of a substrate working machine, there is a component mounting machine that performs a mounting operation of mounting components on a substrate. Some component mounting machines include a tray feeder that supplies components using a plurality of trays for accommodating the components. The tray feeder has a stacking configuration in which a plurality of trays are stacked and used in order from the lower tray, and a storage shelf configuration in which a plurality of trays are respectively stored in storage shelves and an arbitrary tray is pulled out and used. Technical examples related to this type of tray feeder are disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a tray-type component supply device including an exchange table that transfers a tray at a delivery position, a tray holding unit that stacks and holds a plurality of trays, and an upper claw member that releases the lowermost tray by the ascending operation of the exchange table, and a transport unit that receives the tray from the exchange table and transports it to a supply position.

[0004] Further, Patent Document 2 discloses an electronic component supply device including a main body provided beside a component mounting machine, a storage means for stacking and holding a large number of pallets (trays) on which a large number of electronic components are placed in the height direction inside the main body, a drawing means for taking in and out the pallets with respect to the storage means, and a detection means for identifying the pallets. Further, it is described that the detection means attached to the drawing means may identify the label (identification information) of the pallet in the storage means, and the detection means may be fixed and detect the label even when the carrier in the storage means moves up and down.

[0005] International Publication No. 2019 / 146093, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-28496

[0006] Incidentally, the technical example in Patent Document 2 has a storage shelf configuration in which multiple receiving shelves for storing pallets are provided on a portable body within the storage means, and a pallet to be pulled out can be selected by raising and lowering a pull-out means relative to the portable body. In this configuration, there are gaps between multiple pallets arranged in the height direction, so there is no risk of the detection means mistaking a pallet when identifying a sign. However, if this detection means is to be applied to the stacking configuration of Patent Document 1, there are no gaps between multiple stacked trays, so there is a risk that the detection means may identify multiple signs that are placed close together at the same time, or that it may mistake a tray when identifying them.

[0007] Furthermore, in tray feeders with a general stacking configuration, not limited to Patent Document 1, an operator stacks multiple trays according to a predetermined usage order. At this time, there is a non-zero possibility that the actual stacking order of the multiple trays may differ from the predetermined usage order due to human error or other reasons. Therefore, in tray feeders with a stacking configuration, there is a need for a technology to acquire identification information of the bottom tray to be used next and to determine whether the tray is suitable.

[0008] Therefore, the problem to be solved in this specification is to provide a tray feeder that can read identification information attached to the bottom tray to be used next in a configuration in which multiple trays are stacked.

[0009] This specification discloses a tray feeder comprising: a holding unit capable of stacking and holding multiple trays containing multiple parts and bearing identification information, and capable of detaching the bottom tray in the stacking direction; a transport unit that transports the detached bottom tray to a predetermined parts supply position in a parts mounting machine; and a reading unit that reads the identification information attached to the bottom tray before it is transported.

[0010] Furthermore, this specification discloses the technical idea of ​​changing "the tray feeder described in any one of claims 1-5" to "the tray feeder described in any one of claims 1-7" in claim 8 of the original application, and the technical idea of ​​changing "the tray feeder described in any one of claims 1-5" to "the tray feeder described in any one of claims 1-7" in claim 9 of the original application.

[0011] In the disclosed tray feeder, the holding unit holds multiple trays stacked on top of each other, the transport unit transports the detached bottom tray to the parts supply position in the parts mounting machine, and the reading unit can read the identification information attached to the bottom tray to be used next.

[0012] This is a schematic perspective view showing the overall configuration of the tray feeder of the embodiment. This is a perspective cross-sectional view showing approximately the left half of the tray feeder. This is a partial perspective view showing the stacked trays and the reading unit. This is a schematic side view showing the stacked trays, the reading unit, and the optical shielding material. This is a view looking down from diagonally above at the stacked state of the deformed tray configuration. This is a diagram illustrating the operation flow of the tray feeder of the embodiment. This is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the state in which multiple trays have been loaded into the holding unit of the tray feeder. This is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the state in which the holding unit of the tray feeder has detached the bottom tray. This is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the state in which the transport unit of the tray feeder has transported the tray to the parts supply position. This is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the state in which the tray feeder is in the process of collecting used trays. This is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the state in which the collection unit of the tray feeder has collected the trays. This is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the reading area of ​​the deformed reading unit is divided. This is a diagram illustrating the operation flow of the tray feeder's deformation operation.

[0013] 1. Overall Configuration of the Tray Feeder 1 in the Embodiment The overall configuration of the tray feeder 1 in the embodiment will be explained mainly with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The tray feeder 1 supplies components to the component mounting machine 9 by sequentially using multiple stacked trays TY from the bottom. The component mounting machine 9 picks up components from the trays TY at the component supply position 91 and performs mounting work to mount those components onto the substrate. As shown by the arrows in the upper left of Figures 1 and 2, the front, back, left, and right directions common to the tray feeder 1 and the component mounting machine 9 are defined.

[0014] The tray feeder 1 and tray TY are configured to be generally symmetrical, and Figure 2 shows approximately the left half of the tray feeder 1. The tray feeder 1 is composed of a holding unit 2, a transfer unit 3, a transport unit 4, a collection unit 5, a reading unit 6, and a control unit 7, which are assembled to the main body 11. The tray feeder 1 is mounted on the front side of the component mounting machine 9 such that the transport unit 4 is located inside the component mounting machine 9. The tray feeder 1 may also be configured as a mobile type that can be attached to and detached from the component mounting machine 9 by being equipped with casters for movement.

[0015] The holding section 2 is positioned on the upper part of the main body 11. The holding section 2 is configured to hold multiple trays TY in a stacked manner and to detach the bottom tray TY in the stacking direction. The holding section 2 consists of a rear holding guide 21, a pair of left and right side holding guides 22, and a pair of front and rear detachment mechanisms 23. The rear holding guide 21 is a generally rectangular plate-shaped member and is positioned upright on the rear side of the holding section 2. The pair of left and right side holding guides 22 are generally triangular plate-shaped members with a narrow upper part and are positioned upright on the left and right sides of the holding section 2. The rear holding guide 21 and the pair of left and right side holding guides 22 define the holding space for holding multiple trays TY.

[0016] The front and rear pair of detachment mechanisms 23 are positioned at the front and rear lower parts of the holding section 2. The front and rear pair of detachment mechanisms 23 have claw members (not shown) that engage between the bottom tray TY and the second-to-last tray TY. The front and rear pair of detachment mechanisms 23 can detach the bottom tray TY by supporting the trays TY other than the bottom tray TY using the claw members. The detachment mechanisms 23 are driven by the raising of the transfer section 3, which will be described next, but a dedicated drive source may be provided.

[0017] The transfer unit 3 is positioned below the holding unit 2. The transfer unit 3 transfers the tray TY between the holding unit 2 and the transport unit 4, and further transfers the tray TY between the transport unit 4 and the collection unit 5. The transfer unit 3 is composed of, for example, a transfer body, an upper engaging part, a lower engaging part, and a lifting drive mechanism. The transfer body is formed using a plate material of roughly the same size as the tray TY. The upper engaging part is provided on the upper surface of the transfer body and engages with the tray TY located above the transfer body. The lower engaging part is provided on the lower surface of the transfer body and engages with the tray TY located below the transfer body. The lifting drive mechanism drives the transfer body up and down.

[0018] The transfer unit 3, when the transfer body is raised, uses its upper engaging portion to support the tray TY detached by the detachment mechanism 23. Furthermore, when the transfer body is lowered, the height of the tray TY supported by the upper engaging portion of the transfer unit 3 matches the height of the transport unit 4. This allows the transport unit 4 to receive the tray TY from the transfer unit 3 and transport it backward. Also, when the transfer body is raised, the height of the lower engaging portion of the transfer unit 3 matches the height of the transport unit 4. This allows the lower engaging portion to receive and support the tray TY from the transport unit 4. Finally, when the transfer body is lowered, the transfer unit 3 can release the tray TY supported by the lower engaging portion, allowing it to be collected by the recovery unit 5.

[0019] The transport unit 4 is located behind the transfer unit 3. The transport unit 4 receives the tray TY from the transfer unit 3 and transports it to a predetermined parts supply position 91 in the parts mounting machine 9. The transport unit 4 is composed of, for example, a pair of left and right guide rails, a locking member, and a reciprocating drive unit. The pair of left and right guide rails extend in the front-rear direction and guide the tray TY in the front-rear direction between the transfer unit 3 and the parts supply position 91. The locking member detachably locks the tray TY to be transported. The reciprocating drive unit drives the locking member and the locked tray TY in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the transport unit 4 can transport used trays TY that have finished supplying parts at the parts supply position 91 back to the transfer unit 3. In other words, the transport unit 4 reciprocates the tray TY.

[0020] The collection unit 5 is located below the transfer unit 3. The collection unit 5 receives and collects used trays TY from the transfer unit 3. The collection unit 5 consists of, for example, a collection table 51 and a lifting drive mechanism. The collection table 51 is formed using a plate material of roughly the same size as the trays TY. The collection table 51 is configured to hold multiple trays TY in a stacked state on its upper surface.

[0021] The lifting drive mechanism drives the collection table 51 up and down, adjusting its height to match the transfer unit 3 when the collection table 51 receives the tray TY. For example, a ball screw feed mechanism or a linear motor mechanism can be used for the lifting drive mechanism. As the collection table 51 approaches the tray TY, the receiving and stacking operations of the tray TY by the collection unit 5 are made smoother. The multiple trays TY collected by the collection unit 5 are removed from the device by an operator. For reference, the applicant of this application has disclosed in Patent Document 1 a tray-type parts supply device in which the configuration of the holding unit 2, transfer unit 3, transport unit 4, and collection unit 5 differs slightly.

[0022] The reading unit 6 is positioned in front of the holding unit 2 of the main body 11. The reading unit 6 reads the identification information ID (see Figure 3) attached to the bottom tray TY before it is transported by the transport unit 4. The detailed configuration of the reading unit 6 and tray TY will be described later.

[0023] The control unit 7 is not particularly limited in its position on the main body 11. The control unit 7 is configured using a computer that includes a CPU, an input / output unit, a communication unit, and a storage unit. The control unit 7 receives a parts supply command from the mounting control unit of the parts mounting machine 9, which is connected to the control unit via communication, according to the progress of the mounting work. This parts supply command specifies the type of parts required for the mounting work, or the individual tray TY. Based on the received parts supply command, the control unit 7 controls the holding unit 2, the transfer unit 3, the transport unit 4, and the retrieval unit 5 to advance the parts supply operation. Furthermore, the control unit 7 performs control based on the identification information ID read by the reading unit 6 (details will be described later).

[0024] 2. Detailed Configuration of Reading Unit 6 and Tray TY Next, the detailed configuration of the reading unit 6 and tray TY will be explained with reference to Figures 3-5. As shown in Figure 3, a detachment mechanism 23 is positioned in front of the lowest tray TY held by the holding unit 2. For this reason, the reading unit 6 is positioned to avoid the detachment mechanism 23 and is positioned above the detachment mechanism 23.

[0025] The reading unit 6 is positioned so that its reading direction for reading the identification information ID is tilted downward from the horizontal. In other words, the reading direction of the reading unit 6 is directed diagonally downward and towards the rear. Also, the reading direction of the reading unit 6 spreads out in a fan shape when viewed from the side, as shown in the reading area AR in Figure 4. The timing of when the reading unit 6 reads the identification information ID attached to the bottom tray TY can be either before or after the bottom tray TY is detached by the detachment mechanism 23. The reading unit 6 is connected to the control unit 7 and outputs the read identification information ID to the control unit 7.

[0026] On the other hand, the tray TY is formed using a rectangular plate-shaped member, and multiple storage compartments (not shown) for accommodating multiple parts are provided on its upper surface. The tray TY also has a pair of front and rear lower protrusions J1, a pair of front and rear upper protrusions J2, and an overhang HA as shown in Figure 4. The pair of front and rear lower protrusions J1 extend in the left-right direction while protruding downward from the front and rear edges of the tray TY. The pair of front and rear upper protrusions J2 extend in the left-right direction while protruding upward from a position slightly closer to the center than the front and rear edges of the tray TY. When two trays TY are stacked, the upper protrusions J2 of the lower tray TY fit inside the lower protrusions J1 of the upper tray TY. As a result, the relative movement of the two trays TY in the front-rear direction is restricted, and the stacked state is stabilized.

[0027] The protruding portion HA is formed to extend outward from the side of the tray TY. More specifically, the protruding portion HA is formed to extend forward from the upper part of the front lower projection J1. Identification information ID is attached to the upper surface of this protruding portion HA in a horizontal position. Furthermore, the identification information ID of the trays TY stacked in the holding portion 2 is positioned in the reading direction of the reading portion 6. In addition, the height h1 of the protruding portion HA is smaller than the actual height h2 of the tray TY (height at the position of the lower projection J1). Therefore, a gap corresponding to the height difference (= h2 - h1) is created, allowing the reading portion 6 to read the identification information ID.

[0028] In this embodiment, the reading unit 6 is capable of optically reading the identification information ID. Specifically, a barcode is used for the identification information ID, and a barcode reader is used for the reading unit 6. However, it is not limited to this, and a QR code (registered trademark), string of characters, symbols, etc., may be used for the identification information ID, and a QR code (registered trademark) reader or an optical camera may be used for the reading unit 6. The identification information ID identifies at least the individual tray TY or the type of component it contains, and may also identify other incidental information.

[0029] The reading unit 6 of a barcode reader has a reading area AR in which identification information IDs can be read. Strictly speaking, the reading area AR is related not only to the reading angle that spreads out in a fan shape from the reading unit 6 as shown in Figure 4, but also to the distance between the reading unit 6 and the identification information IDs. When multiple identification information IDs exist within the reading area AR, the reading unit 6 can read multiple identification information IDs. However, the reading unit 6 does not have the function to read each of the multiple identification information IDs and simultaneously detect their corresponding locations.

[0030] If only the identification information ID of the bottom tray TY is present within the reading area AR, the reading unit 6 can reliably read that identification information ID. However, in this embodiment, due to the constraints of the arrangement of the reading unit 6, as shown in Figure 4, the identification information IDs of each of the four trays TY from the bottom are present within the reading area AR of the reading unit 6. Therefore, even if the reading unit 6 can read all four identification information IDs, it cannot determine which identification information ID belongs to the bottom tray TY.

[0031] As a countermeasure, an optical shielding material 61, as shown in Figure 4, can be provided. The optical shielding material 61 is required to block visible light and is formed using colored resin or metal. The optical shielding material 61 is positioned so as to overlap a part of the reading area AR, so that only the lowest identification information ID among the multiple identification information IDs arranged in the stacking direction is visible to the reading unit 6. As a result, the reading unit 6 can reliably read only the identification information ID of the lowest tray TY. The optical shielding material 61 may have a frame shape that overlaps the periphery of the reading area AR but does not overlap the center of the reading area AR.

[0032] The tray TY may be modified to the form shown in Figure 5. The protruding portion HB of the modified tray TY shown in Figure 5 has identification information ID on its upper surface, similar to the protruding portion HA described above. The difference between the protruding portion HB and the protruding portion HA is that the protruding dimension is larger, and it also serves as a handle. In other words, the worker can grasp the protruding portion HB, and stacking, separating, and moving multiple trays TY can be performed easily and efficiently.

[0033] 3. Control Function of Control Unit 7 Based on Identification Information ID Next, the control function of the control unit 7 based on the identification information ID will be explained. As described above, the control unit 7 receives a parts supply command from the parts mounting machine 9. The control unit 7 also receives the identification information ID of the bottom tray TY from the reading unit 6. The control unit 7 compares the parts supply command with the identification information ID to determine whether the tray TY is suitable. If the tray TY is suitable for the parts supply command, the control unit 7 controls the transfer unit 3 and the transport unit 4 to transport the tray TY to the parts supply position 91. After this, the tray feeder 1 supplies parts from the tray TY at the parts supply position 91, and the parts mounting machine 9 performs the mounting work.

[0034] On the other hand, if tray TY does not conform to the parts supply command, the control unit 7 executes one of two non-conformity controls that does not use that tray TY. Specifically, in the first non-conformity control, the control unit 7 guides the system to replace the non-conformity tray TY. After the guidance is complete, the tray feeder 1 and the parts mounting machine 9 are temporarily stopped. In the second non-conformity control, the control unit 7 controls the transfer unit 3, the transport unit 4, and the recovery unit 5 to recover the non-conformity tray TY without using it. After the recovery is complete, the tray feeder 1 supplies parts using the next tray TY (the tray TY that was initially located second from the bottom), so the parts mounting machine 9 can continue the mounting work.

[0035] The control unit 7 can use either the first or second non-conformity control by referring to the types of components contained in the stacked trays TY. More specifically, the component mounting machine 9 can perform multi-product, small-batch production or small-product, large-batch production with respect to the types and quantities of circuit board products. The control unit 7 preferably uses the first non-conformity control for multi-product, small-batch production and the second non-conformity control for small-product, large-batch production. The control unit 7 can decide whether to use the first or second non-conformity control based on the production plan for the circuit board products, or it can be decided and input by the operator.

[0036] To elaborate, in high-mix, low-volume production, each of the multiple trays TY stacked on top of each other contains different types of parts. Therefore, the operator needs to arrange the stacking order of the multiple trays TY to correspond to the production sequence of the various circuit board products. However, there is a non-zero possibility of non-conformity occurring due to human error, such as surplus trays being mixed into the stack, necessary trays TY being missing from the stack, or the stacking order of multiple trays TY being reversed. When such a non-conformity occurs, it is necessary to temporarily stop the tray feeder 1 and correct the stacking order by correcting any surplus or shortage of trays TY or by rearranging the order of the trays TY. Therefore, the control unit 7 should use first non-conformity control.

[0037] On the other hand, in high-volume production of a limited number of product types, the types of parts contained in each of the stacked trays TY are common types (same type) corresponding to a specific type of substrate product. However, there is a non-zero possibility that a tray TY containing a different type of part may get mixed in somewhere in the stack due to human error or other reasons, resulting in a non-conformity. When this non-conformity occurs, the tray feeder 1 can retrieve the non-conformity tray TY and use the next tray TY, thereby avoiding a temporary stop of the component mounting machine 9. Therefore, the control unit 7 should use second non-conformity control.

[0038] 4. Operation of Tray Feeder 1 Next, the operation of Tray Feeder 1 will be explained with reference to Figures 6-11. The operation flow shown in Figure 6 is mainly controlled by the control unit 7, with some involvement from the operator. This operation flow shows the case where the parts mounting machine 9 performs high-mix low-volume production and the control unit 7 uses first non-conformance control. Note that Figures 7-11, like Figure 2, are perspective cross-sectional views showing approximately the left half of Tray Feeder 1, and the reading unit 6 and parts mounting machine 9 are omitted from the illustration.

[0039] In step S1 of Figure 6, the worker places multiple trays TY into the holding unit 2 as shown in Figure 7. More specifically, the worker arranges the stacking order of multiple trays TY containing different types of parts and places them all into the holding unit 2 at once. At this time, the worker can use a binding jig to stabilize the stacked state of the multiple trays TY, and a cover to prevent parts from scattering from the top tray TY. Alternatively, the worker may place the multiple trays TY into the holding unit 2 one by one in the correct order.

[0040] In the next step S2, the control unit 7 receives a parts supply command from the parts mounting machine 9. In the next step S3, the reading unit 6 reads the identification information ID of the bottom tray TY and outputs the read identification information ID to the control unit 7. In the next step S4, the control unit 7 compares the parts supply command with the identification information ID and determines whether the bottom tray TY (hereinafter referred to as the tray of interest TY) is suitable. Furthermore, the control unit 7 branches the operation flow based on the determination result.

[0041] In step S5, if the tray of interest TY conforms to the parts supply command, the control unit 7 controls the detachment mechanism 23 and the transfer unit 3 of the holding unit 2 to detach the tray of interest TY. As shown in Figure 8, the tray of interest TY is separated from the other trays TY and supported by the upper engaging part of the transfer unit 3. In the next step S6, the control unit 7 controls the transport unit 4 to transport the tray of interest TY to the parts supply position 91 as shown in Figure 9. In the holding unit 2, all remaining trays TY descend. As a result, the tray TY that was initially in the second position from the bottom descends and becomes the lowest tray TY.

[0042] In the next step S7, the component mounting machine 9 picks up components at the component supply position 91 and performs the mounting operation. Viewed in another way, the tray feeder 1 supplies components from the target tray TY at the component supply position 91. When the components in the target tray TY are exhausted, or when the mounting operation of the first type of substrate product is completed and the process shifts to the second type of substrate product even if there are still components in the target tray TY, step S7 ends.

[0043] In the next step S8, the control unit 7 controls the conveyance unit 4 and the delivery unit 3 to support the used target tray TY as shown in FIG. 10 on the lower engaging portion of the delivery unit 3. Further, the control unit 7 controls the recovery unit 5 to raise the recovery table 51 to the vicinity of the delivery unit 3 as shown in FIG. 10 and move the target tray TY from the delivery unit 3 to the recovery table 51 for recovery. After that, the recovery unit 5 lowers the recovery table 51 holding the target tray TY as shown in FIG. 11 to prepare for the next recovery operation. By executing step S8, the use of the lowermost tray TY (target tray TY) is completed, and the operation flow returns to step S2.

[0044] Also, in step S4, when the target tray TY does not conform to the component supply command, the operation flow branches to step S9. The branching of the operation flow due to non - conformity may occur in any of the plurality of stacked trays TY. In step S9, the control unit 7 uses the first non - conformity control to guide the replacement of the non - conforming tray TY. After that, the tray feeder 1 and the component mounting machine 9 are temporarily stopped.

[0045] In the next step S10, the operator performs the tray replacement operation. More specifically, the operator temporarily removes the stacked trays TY from the holding unit 2. At this time, the tray TY of interest is not yet detached, so removal is easy. The operator further corrects any shortages or excesses of trays TY, or corrects the stacking order by rearranging the order of the trays TY. After correcting the stacking order, the operation flow returns to step S1. In the second step S1, the operator reinserts the trays TY with the corrected stacking order into the holding unit 2. In the case of reinsertion, the second step S2 may be omitted. After this, the tray feeder 1 and the parts mounting machine 9 resume operation.

[0046] In the tray feeder 1 of this embodiment, the holding unit 2 holds multiple trays TY stacked in layers, the transport unit 4 transports the detached bottom tray TY (target tray TY) to the parts supply position 91 in the parts mounting machine 9, and the reading unit 6 can read the identification information ID attached to the next bottom tray TY (target tray TY) to be used. As a result, the control unit 7 can determine whether the tray TY is suitable and perform appropriate control.

[0047] 5. Modified Reading Unit 6 Next, the modified reading unit 6 will be described with reference to Figure 12. The modified reading unit 6 is positioned in the same location as the embodiment and has the same reading area AR as the embodiment. The modified reading unit 6 is not provided with an optical shielding material 61, and instead has a function to partition the reading area AR. In other words, as a countermeasure when multiple identification information IDs exist within the reading area AR, the reading area AR of the modified reading unit 6 is partitioned so that it reads only the identification information ID of the bottom tray TY.

[0048] The reading area AR is specifically divided into a reading execution area AE and a mask area AX. In the example shown in FIG. 12, slightly more than the upper half and about one-fifth of the lower side of the rectangular reading area AR are set as the mask area AX, and the remaining central part is set as the reading execution area AE. The mask area AX is shown by the slanted hatching in FIG. 12. Naturally, the reading execution area AE is set to include the identification information ID of the lowermost tray TY.

[0049] The reading unit 6 in the modified form reads the identification information ID located in the reading execution area AE and outputs it to the control unit 7. Also, the reading unit 6 in the modified form does not search for the identification information ID within the mask area AX (illustrated by a dashed line in FIG. 12), or even if it temporarily reads the identification information ID located within the mask area AX, it does not output it to the control unit 7. The operations, actions, and effects of the tray feeder 1 other than those in the modified form are the same as those described in the embodiment.

[0050] 6. Modified Operation of Tray Feeder 1 Next, the modified operation of the tray feeder 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 13. The operation flow shown in FIG. 13 is mainly advanced by the control from the control unit 7, and partly involves the operator. This operation flow shows the case where the component mounting machine 9 performs small-lot high-volume production and the control unit 7 uses the second non-conformance control.

[0051] In step S21 of FIG. 13, the operator collectively inserts a plurality of trays TY whose types of components to be accommodated are common into the holding unit 2. In the next step S22, the control unit 7 receives a component supply command from the component mounting machine 9. In the next step S23, the control unit 7 controls the separation mechanism 23 and the delivery unit 3 of the holding unit 2 to separate the lowermost tray TY (hereinafter referred to as the target tray TY). In the next step S24, the reading unit 6 reads the identification information ID of the target tray TY and outputs the read identification information ID to the control unit 7. At this time, since the target tray TY is already separated from other trays TY, the need for the optical shielding material 61 and the function of separating the reading area AR decreases.

[0052] In the next step S25, the control unit 7 compares the parts supply command with the identification information ID to determine whether the tray TY of interest is suitable. Furthermore, the control unit 7 branches the operation flow based on the determination result. In step S26, if the tray TY of interest is suitable for the parts supply command, the control unit 7 controls the transfer unit 3 and the transport unit 4 to transport the tray TY of interest to the parts supply position 91. In the holding unit 2, all remaining trays TY descend, and the tray TY that was initially in the second position from the bottom descends and becomes the lowest tray TY.

[0053] In the next step S27, the tray feeder 1 supplies parts from the target tray TY at the parts supply position 91, and the parts mounting machine 9 performs the mounting work. Step S27 ends when the parts in the target tray TY are gone. In the next step S28, the control unit 7 controls the transport unit 4, the transfer unit 3, and the recovery unit 5 to recover the used target tray TY onto the recovery table 51.

[0054] Furthermore, if the tray of interest TY does not conform to the parts supply command in step S25, the operation flow branches to step S29. In step S29, the control unit 7 starts the second non-conformity control. At this point, it is structurally impossible to directly retrieve the non-conformity tray of interest TY from the holding unit 2 to the retrieval unit 5. Therefore, the control unit 7 controls the transport unit 4 to transport the tray of interest TY toward the parts supply position 91. At this time, since the tray of interest TY has already been detached, the transport unit 4 can start transporting immediately. Moreover, since the transport unit 4 only needs to transport the tray of interest TY to a position away from the handover unit 3 (a position before the parts supply position 91), transport can be done in a shorter time compared to transporting it all the way to the parts supply position 91.

[0055] In the next step S30, the control unit 7 controls the transport unit 4, the transfer unit 3, and the recovery unit 5 to recover the unsuitable tray TY from the transport unit 4 via the transfer unit 3 to the recovery table 51. After this, the operation flow returns to step S23. From the second step S23 onward, the operation of using the second tray TY, which has descended to the lowest position, continues. If the second tray TY does not conform to the parts supply command, the second tray TY is recovered by the recovery unit, and the operation of using the third tray TY continues. This allows the parts mounting machine 9 to continue the mounting work. In the modified operation, the control unit 7 can determine the suitability of the tray TY and perform appropriate control, similar to the operation in the embodiment.

[0056] 7. Application and Modification of the Embodiment A modified form can be adopted in which the position of the detachment mechanism 23 shown in Figure 3 is changed and the reading unit 6 is placed in the original position of the detachment mechanism 23. In this modified form, the identification information ID for the upright position can be attached to the front of the tray TY, and the reading direction of the reading unit 6 can be positioned so that it is facing backward horizontally. In addition, although the identification information ID in the embodiment is optically readable, it is not limited to this. For example, it is possible to apply radio frequency identification (RFID) which is read by radio waves or electromagnetic fields. In this case, an electromagnetic shielding material can be used instead of the optical shielding material 61, or a function that controls the detection directivity of electromagnetic waves to be narrowed can be used instead of the function of the reading unit 6 to demarcate the reading area AR. The embodiment can be applied and modified in various other ways.

[0057] 1: Tray feeder 2: Holding unit 23: Detachment mechanism 3: Transfer unit 4: Conveying unit 5: Collection unit 51: Collection table 6: Reading unit 61: Optical shielding material 7: Control unit 9: Component mounting machine 91: Component supply position TY: Tray HA, HB: Protruding part ID: Identification information AR: Reading area AE: Reading execution area AX: Mask area

Claims

1. A tray feeder comprising: a holding unit that stacks and holds multiple trays containing multiple parts and bearing identification information, and that can detach the bottom tray in the stacking direction; a transport unit that transports the detached bottom tray to a predetermined parts supply position in a parts mounting machine; and a reading unit that reads the identification information attached to the bottom tray before it is transported.

2. The tray feeder according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit is capable of optically reading the identification information.

3. The tray feeder according to claim 2, wherein the identification information is attached to the upper surface of a protruding portion that extends outward from the side of the tray, and the reading unit is positioned such that the reading direction for reading the identification information is tilted downward from the horizontal direction.

4. The tray feeder according to claim 2, further comprising an optical shielding material disposed between a plurality of trays and the reading unit, such that only the lowest level of the plurality of identification information arranged in the stacking direction is visible to the reading unit.

5. The tray feeder according to claim 2, wherein the reading unit has a reading area capable of reading the identification information, and the reading area is partitioned so as to read only the identification information of the lowest tray.

6. The tray feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the reading unit reads the identification information attached to the bottom tray before it is detached.

7. The tray feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the reading unit reads the identification information attached to the lowest tray after it has been detached.

8. A tray feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a control unit that compares a parts supply command received from the parts mounting machine with the identification information read by the reading unit to determine whether the tray is suitable, controls the transport unit to transport the tray that conforms to the parts supply command to the parts supply position, and guides the unsuitable tray to be replaced.

9. A tray feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising: a collection unit for collecting and holding used trays; a control unit for determining the suitability of a tray by comparing a parts supply command received from a parts mounting machine with the identification information read by a reading unit, controlling the transport unit to transport trays that conform to the parts supply command to the parts supply position, and controlling the collection unit to collect trays that do not conform.

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