Member conveyance system

Abstract

This member conveyance system comprises: a plurality of holding devices that detachably hold a plurality of member supply units and are arranged in a direction intersecting an attachment / detachment direction; and a replacement robot that moves along the arrangement direction and is capable of replenishing and collecting the member supply units for the plurality of holding devices. The plurality of holding devices are provided on a replacement robot side so as to be arranged in the arrangement direction, and each have a plurality of slots into and from which a member supply unit is attachable and detachable. The replacement robot performs at least one of replenishment and collection of a member supply unit with respect to at least a slot located at an end portion in the arrangement direction among the plurality of slots of a holding device to be worked on, while protruding from the holding device to be worked on in the arrangement direction.

Description

Component conveyance system

[0001] The present specification discloses a component conveyance system.

[0002] Conventionally, as a component conveyance system, there has been proposed one comprising: a component mounting line including a plurality of component mounting apparatuses arranged in a substrate conveyance direction and a feeder storage; and an exchange robot that moves along the component mounting line and exchanges feeders for the plurality of component mounting apparatuses and the feeder storage (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Each of the component mounting apparatuses and the feeder storage is provided with a plurality of slots arranged in the substrate conveyance direction toward the exchange robot. The exchange robot exchanges feeders with respect to a front slot at a position facing the component mounting apparatus or the feeder storage.

[0003] International Publication No. 2017 / 33268 Specification

[0004] In the component conveyance system described above, feeder exchange by the exchange robot requires a certain amount of time. Therefore, it is desirable to enable more feeders to be mounted in each module without increasing the size of the module, so that production is not interrupted due to component shortage or the like. This problem can similarly occur when other member supply units are attached to and detached from a holding device.

[0005] The main object of the present disclosure is to provide a component conveyance system that allows more component supply units to be mounted on arranged holding devices without increasing the size of the holding devices.

[0006] The present disclosure adopts the following means to achieve the above main object.

[0007] The present disclosure provides a component transport system comprising: a plurality of holding devices arranged in a direction intersecting the attachment / detachment direction, which detachably hold a plurality of component supply units; and a replacement robot that moves along the arrangement direction and is capable of supplying and retrieving component supply units to the plurality of holding devices, wherein the plurality of holding devices are provided on the replacement robot side so as to be aligned in the arrangement direction and each has a plurality of slots to which component supply units can be attached and detached, and the replacement robot performs at least one of the operations of supplying and retrieving component supply units to at least the slots located at the end of the arrangement direction of the plurality of slots of the holding device to be worked on, while extending from the holding device to be worked on in the arrangement direction.

[0008] In the component transport system of this disclosure, the replacement robot performs at least one of the operations of supplying and retrieving component supply units to slots located at least at the end in the alignment direction of the multiple slots of the workpiece holding device, while extending out in the alignment direction from within the holding area of ​​the workpiece. This makes it possible to provide slots up to the very edge of the width of each holding device, resulting in a component transport system that can accommodate more component supply units without increasing the size of the holding device.

[0009] This is a schematic diagram of the assembly line including the component transport system of this embodiment. This is a schematic diagram of the component mounting device and feeder. This is a schematic diagram of the feeder. This is a schematic diagram of the feeder magazine. This is a schematic diagram of the loader. This is an external perspective view of the upper rail member as seen from the front side. This is an external perspective view of the upper rail member as seen from the back side. This is an external perspective view of the lower rail member as seen from the front side. This is an external perspective view of the lower rail member as seen from the back side. This is an explanatory diagram showing how the loader replaces the feeder. This is an explanatory diagram showing how the loader replaces the feeder. This is an explanatory diagram showing the component mounting device in a pulled-out state. This is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which some functions of the component mounting device are restricted.

[0010] Next, the forms for implementing this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the mounting line 10 including the component transport system of this embodiment. The mounting line 10 produces substrates S with components mounted on them, and as shown in Figure 1, it comprises a printing device 12, a printing inspection device 14, component mounting devices 20 (20A to 20E), a mounting inspection device (not shown), a loader 50, storage units 60 (60A, 60B), and a management device (not shown) for managing the entire system.

[0012] The printing device 12 prints solder onto the surface of the substrate S. The printing inspection device 14 inspects the condition of the solder printed by the printing device 12. The component mounting device 20 picks up components supplied from the feeder 30 with a suction nozzle (sampling member) and mounts them onto the substrate S. The mounting inspection device inspects the mounting condition of the components mounted by the component mounting device 20. The printing device 12, the printing inspection device 14, the multiple component mounting devices 20, and the mounting inspection device are arranged in this order from upstream along the transport direction of the substrate S to form a mounting line (production line) 10.

[0013] As shown in Figure 2, the component mounting apparatus 20 includes a mounting section 21 including a feeder set stand 40 on which a feeder 30 is mounted, a substrate transport device 22 for transporting a substrate S in the X-axis direction, a head 26 for picking up components from the feeder 30 and mounting them on the substrate S, a head moving device 24 for moving the head 26 horizontally (in the XY axis direction), and a mounting control device (not shown). The head 26, although not shown, includes a suction nozzle for picking up components and a lifting device for raising and lowering the suction nozzle. The head moving device 24 has a slider 25 to which the head 26 is attached, and moves the slider 25 horizontally (in the XY direction) by means of, for example, a linear motor or an electric ball screw mechanism. The component mounting apparatus 20 also includes a mark camera 27 for capturing positioning marks on the substrate S, a parts camera 28 for capturing images of picked-up components, and a nozzle station 29 for housing replacement suction nozzles.

[0014] The mounting control device of the component mounting device 20, as well as the control devices of the printing device 12, the printing inspection device 14, and the mounting inspection device, exchange information with the management device via wireless or wired communication, and the loader control device of the loader 50 exchanges information with the management device via wireless communication.

[0015] The feeder 30 is a cassette-type tape feeder, and as shown in Figure 3, it has a tape reel 31 around which a tape containing multiple components is wound, and a thin, box-shaped feeder body 32 that detachably houses the tape reel 31. On the tape reel 31, each of the multiple components is protected by a film covering the surface of the tape, and this film is peeled off before the components reach the component supply position in the component mounting device 10. As a result, the components are exposed at the component supply position and picked up by the head 26 (suction nozzle). The housing section 32e inside the feeder body 32 houses, although not shown, a tape feeding mechanism that pulls the tape from the tape reel 31 and sends it to the component supply position, and a feeder control device that controls the tape feeding mechanism.

[0016] Furthermore, first and second positioning pins 33a and 33b are provided on the upper part 32u of the front end surface 32f of the feeder body 32. The first positioning pin 33a protrudes to the right in Figure 2 from the upper part 32u of the front end surface 32f near the upper end surface of the feeder body 32, and the second positioning pin 33b protrudes to the right in Figure 2 from the upper part 32u of the front end surface 32f below the first positioning pin 33a. In addition, a feeder connector 34 is provided on the upper part 32u of the front end surface 32f. The feeder connector 34 protrudes to the right in Figure 2 from between the first and second positioning pins 33a and 33b, which are spaced apart in the vertical direction. When the feeder 30 is attached to the component mounting device 20 and the feeder connector 34 is connected to a connector (not shown) provided on the component mounting device 20, power is supplied from the component mounting device 20 to electrical components such as the tape feeding mechanism and the feeder control device, and various information is exchanged between the mounting control device and the feeder control device of the component mounting device 20.

[0017] Furthermore, a long guide rail 35 having a T-shaped cross-section is fixed to the upper end surface of the feeder body 32. Also, a long rail member 37 forming the lower end surface of the feeder 30 is fixed to the lower end of the feeder body 32. The front end 37t of the rail member 37 is located on the rear end surface 32r side of the first and second positioning pins 33a, 33b and the upper part 32u of the front end surface 32f. In addition, a projection 37p is formed on the lower end of the feeder body 32, which protrudes downward from the lower end surface of the rail member 37 (feeder 30) on the rear end surface 32r side of the rail member 37.

[0018] Multiple storage units 60 (60A, 60B) are all incorporated into the mounting line 10 and temporarily store multiple feeders 30. In this embodiment, one storage unit 60A mainly stores feeders 30 intended for use in each component mounting device 20, while the other storage unit 60B mainly stores used feeders 30 that have been used in each component mounting device 20. In this embodiment, replenishment of feeders 30 intended for use and retrieval of used feeders 30 from the storage units 60 are performed by an automated guided vehicle (AGV). The transfer of feeders 30 between the storage units 60 and the AGV is performed using a feeder magazine 100 capable of accommodating multiple feeders 30. However, replenishment of feeders 30 from the storage units 60 and retrieval may also be performed manually by an operator.

[0019] As shown in Figure 4, the feeder magazine 100 has a top section 110, a bottom section 120, a pair (two) of side sections 130, and a back section 140. The feeder magazine 100 also has an opening 150 on its front. The top section 110 has a plurality of slots 111 (support grooves) into which the guide rails 35 (upper ends) of the feeder 30 are inserted and removed. Each of the plurality of slots 111 has a T-shaped cross-section, opens on the bottom section 120 side (lower side), and extends parallel to each other from the opening 150 toward the back section 140. As a result, when the guide rails 35 of the feeder 30 are inserted into the slots 111, the feeder 30 is supported in a suspended state by the top section 110 via the guide rails 35 inserted into the slots 111.

[0020] As shown in Figure 4, the bottom portion 120 of the feeder magazine 100 includes a flat surface 12s without irregularities (grooves), a plurality of first positioning portions 121 that can engage with projections 37p (engaging portions) formed at the lower end of the feeder 30, and a plurality of second positioning portions 122 that can engage with the front end 37t of the rail member 37 provided at the lower end of the feeder 30. The flat surface 12s is a smooth, flat surface formed on the surface (upper surface) of the bottom portion 120 so as to extend parallel to the ceiling portion 110 and face the plurality of slots 111.

[0021] Each of the multiple first positioning portions 121 is positioned on the bottom portion 120 so as to correspond to each of the multiple slots 111 of the ceiling portion 110 on the side of the opening 150 of the plane 12s, as shown in Figure 4. More specifically, each of the multiple first positioning portions 121 is a recessed area from the plane 12s that opens on the side of the opening 150, and is positioned vertically opposite to the corresponding slot 111 when viewed from the side of the opening 150. In this embodiment, the multiple first positioning portions 121 are formed at intervals (equally spaced) along the longitudinal direction on the thin-walled edge of a plate member 123 having a substantially wedge-shaped cross-section that becomes thinner from one edge extending in the longitudinal direction to the other edge. The plate member 123 is fixed to the bottom portion 120 such that the surface on the thick-walled back portion 140 is flush with the plane 12s.

[0022] As shown in Figure 4, the multiple second positioning sections 122 are composed of multiple projections 125 formed on a narrow plate member 124. In this embodiment, the multiple projections 125 are formed along the longitudinal direction of the plate member 124 at intervals (equal intervals) corresponding to the groove width of the slot 111 and the width of the rail member 37 (front end 37t), and each projection protrudes upward from the surface of the plate member 124. The plate member 124 is fixed to the bottom 120 such that each projection 125 extends parallel to the slot 111 of the ceiling section 110, and the surfaces between adjacent projections 125 are flush with the plane 12s on the back side 140 of the plane 12s. Once the plate member 124 is fixed to the bottom 120, the multiple projections 125 are arranged on the bottom 120 so as to correspond to each of the multiple slots 111 of the ceiling section 110 on the back side 140 of the plane 12s. In other words, the space between two adjacent protrusions 125, when viewed from the opening 150 side, faces the corresponding slot 111 in the vertical direction and forms a second positioning portion 122 that can engage with the front end 37t of the rail member 37.

[0023] As shown in Figure 4, the back portion 140 of the feeder magazine 100 includes a plurality of first positioning holes 143a into which the first positioning pins 33a of the feeder 30 are inserted, and a plurality of second positioning holes 143b into which the second positioning pins 33b of the feeder 30 are inserted. The plurality of first positioning holes 143a are formed in the back portion 140 at equal intervals along the upper edge of the back portion 140 so as to correspond to each of the plurality of slots 111 of the ceiling portion 110. The plurality of second positioning holes 143b are formed in the back portion 140 at intervals below each of the first positioning holes 143a so as to correspond to each of the plurality of slots 111 of the ceiling portion 110. The back portion 140 also includes a plurality of connectors 144, each of which can be connected to the feeder connectors 34 of the feeder 30. Multiple connectors 144 are fixed to the back portion 140 so as to face the opening 150 side between the corresponding first and second positioning holes 143a and 143b in the vertical direction. Each of the multiple connectors 144 is connected to an external connector (not shown) fixed to the back portion 140, and this external connector can be connected to a connector (not shown) provided in the storage unit 60. As a result, each feeder 30 can be connected to the power supply of the management device and the storage unit 60 (not shown) via the feeder connector 34, connectors 144, external connector, etc., and feeder information from each feeder 30 can be acquired by the management device.

[0024] The mounting section 21 of the component mounting device 20 is located on the front side and has two areas, upper and lower, where a feeder 30 can be set. The upper area is a supply area 21A where the feeder 30 can supply components to a position (component supply position) where the head 26 can pick up components, and the lower area is a buffer area 21B for temporarily storing the feeder 30. Each area 21A and 21B is equipped with a feeder set stand 40. The feeder set stand 40 in the supply area 21A is fitted with a feeder 30 containing components to be used in the currently running job. On the other hand, the feeder set stand 40 in the buffer area 21B is used to temporarily store feeders 30 containing components to be used in jobs to be executed in the next or later, or to temporarily store used feeders 30. Note that the feeder set stand 40 has the same configuration as the feeder magazine 100, except that it cannot be attached to or detached from the component mounting device 20, so its explanation is omitted. The component mounting device 20 may also be equipped with feeder magazines 100 in the supply area 21A and the buffer area 21B.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1, the loader 50 moves along a pair of upper and lower rail members 70 and 80 installed in front of the component mounting devices 20 and storage machine 60 that constitute the mounting line 10, to retrieve feeders 30 to be used from the storage machine 60 and replenish them to each component mounting device 20, or to collect used feeders 30 from each component mounting device 20 and transport them to the storage machine 60.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1, 6, 7, and 8, the upper rail member 70 has a running surface 70s that extends from one end to the other in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the rail member 70 is composed of a plurality of base rails 71 connected in series and extension rails 75 connected to the ends of the base rails 71 located at both ends of the plurality of base rails 71. The base rails 71 are installed for each storage unit 60A, 60B and have a length corresponding to the housing width in the direction in which the storage units 60A, 60B are arranged. The base rails 71 are also installed for each component mounting device 20A to 20E and have a length corresponding to the housing width in the direction in which the component mounting devices 20A to 20E are arranged. The base rails 71 are connected in series so that they are in a straight line when the storage units 60A, 60B and component mounting devices 20A to 20E are arranged to form a mounting line 10. The extension rail 75 is connected via mounting members 76 to the end of the base rail 71 installed in the uppermost storage unit 60A among the multiple storage units 60A, 60B and multiple component mounting devices 20A to 20E, that is not connected to an adjacent base rail 71, and to the end of the base rail 71 installed in the lowermost component mounting device 20E that is not connected to an adjacent base rail 71. The extension rail 75 also has at least the maximum dimension that extends beyond the housing width of the component mounting device 20 or storage unit 60 that the loader 50 is working on.

[0027] Multiple (two) precision holes for inserting positioning pins P are formed on the back surfaces of the base rail 71 and the extension rail 76, respectively, and a corresponding number of precision holes are formed at corresponding positions on the mounting member 76. The mounting member 76 is attached to the base rail 71 and the extension rail 76 by inserting the positioning pins P into the precision holes of the base rail 71 and the extension rail 76, and the corresponding precision holes of the mounting member 76, and then fastening the mounting member 76 with bolts B. As a result, the base rail 71 and the extension rail 75 can be connected in a straight line with good precision simply by inserting the positioning pins P in advance.

[0028] The lower rail member 80 has a rolling surface 80s that extends from one end to the other in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1, 9, and 10, the rail member 80 is composed of a plurality of base rails 81 connected in series and extension rails 85 connected to the ends of the base rails 81 located at both ends of the plurality of base rails 81. The base rails 81 are installed below the base rail 71 for each storage unit 60A, 60B and have a length corresponding to the width in the arrangement direction of the storage units 60A, 60B. The base rails 81 are also installed below the base rail 71 for each component mounting device 20A to 20E and have a length corresponding to the width in the arrangement direction of the component mounting devices 20A to 20E. The base rails 81 are connected in series so that they are in a straight line when the storage units 60A, 60B and component mounting devices 20A to 20E are arranged to form a mounting line 10. The extension rail 85 is connected via mounting members 86 to the end of the base rail 81 installed in the uppermost storage unit 60A among the multiple storage units 60A, 60B and multiple component mounting devices 20A to 20E, that is not connected to an adjacent base rail 81, and to the end of the base rail 81 installed in the lowermost component mounting device 20E that is not connected to an adjacent base rail 81.

[0029] Multiple (two) precision holes for inserting positioning pins P are formed on the back surfaces of the base rail 81 and the extension rail 86, respectively, and a corresponding number of precision holes are formed at corresponding positions on the mounting member 86. The mounting member 86 is attached to the base rail 81 and the extension rail 86 by inserting the positioning pins P into the precision holes of the base rail 81 and the extension rail 86, and the corresponding precision holes of the mounting member 86, and then fastening the mounting member 86 with bolts B. As a result, the base rail 81 and the extension rail 85 can be connected in a straight line with good precision simply by inserting the positioning pins P in advance.

[0030] As shown in Figure 5, the loader 50 comprises a box-shaped loader body 51, a loader moving device 52, and a feeder transfer device 54. The loader body 51 has a support arm 511 that extends toward the rail member 70 in a direction intersecting the rail member 70. A guide rail 512 is laid on the rail member 70 so as to extend from one end to the other, and a slide block 512 is fixed to the tip of the support arm 511 so as to be slidable on the guide rail 512. As a result, the loader body 51 is supported so as to be movable along the rail member 70.

[0031] As shown in Figure 5, the loader moving device 52 includes a drive roller 521 that travels on the running surface 70s of the upper rail member 70, a drive motor 522 that rotates the drive roller 521 via a belt (not shown), and a guide roller 523 that rolls on the rolling surface 80s of the lower rail member 80. In this embodiment, the running surface 70s of the upper rail member 70 is a vertical plane in front of the mounting line 10, and the drive roller 521 has a rotation axis in the vertical direction so as to rotate on the running surface 70s. The rolling surface 80s of the lower rail member 80 is a vertical plane in front of the mounting line 10, and the guide roller 523 has a rotation axis in the vertical direction so as to roll on the rolling surface 80s.

[0032] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the loader moving device 52 has a position detection unit 53 that detects the position of the loader body 51. In this embodiment, the position detection unit 53 includes a rack 531 that extends from one end to the other of the upper rail member 70 and has parallel teeth arranged at equal intervals along its longitudinal direction on its surface, a pinion gear 532 that is rotatably supported by the support arm 511 and meshes with the rack 531, and a detector 533 that optically or magnetically detects the amount of rotation of the pinion gear 532. The position detection unit 53 detects the position of the loader body 51 by calculating the amount of movement of the loader body 51 from a predetermined origin based on the amount of rotation of the pinion gear 532 detected by the detector 533.

[0033] As shown in Figure 5, the loader transfer device 54 includes a feeder holding section 55 housed within the loader body 51 and capable of holding a plurality of feeders 30, a lifting section 56 for raising and lowering the feeder holding section 55, and a moving section 57 capable of sending out the feeders 30 from the feeder holding section 55 and pulling the feeders 30 into the feeder holding section 55. The feeder holding section 55 has a plurality of slots (grooves) into which the rail members 37 (lower end portions) of the feeders 30 are inserted. In this embodiment, the lifting section 56 is composed of an electric ball screw mechanism including a ball screw shaft that extends vertically and is screwed into a ball screw nut fixed to the feeder holding section 55, and a motor that rotates the ball screw shaft. The moving section 57 has an engaging section (hook member) that can engage with and disengage from an engaging section (not shown) formed on the rear end surface 32r of the feeder 30, and includes a clamp section 58 that can grip the feeder 30 in a cantilevered manner. Furthermore, in this embodiment, multiple clamp sections 58 are provided, corresponding to each slot of the feeder holding section 55. In addition, in this embodiment, the moving section 57 is composed of a belt-type drive device that moves the clamp sections 58 back and forth by belt drive.

[0034] The loader 50 moves along the mounting line 10 using the loader moving device 52 and raises the feeder holding unit 55 using the lifting unit 56 to align the feeder 30 housed in one of the slots of the feeder holding unit 55 with an empty slot in the supply area 21A of the component mounting device 20 or the storage unit 60. After that, the loader 50 clamps the feeder 30 with the corresponding clamping unit 58 and sends it out, thereby setting the feeder 30 in the supply area 21A of the component mounting device 20 or the storage unit 60. The loader 50 also aligns an empty slot of the feeder holding unit 55 with a feeder 30 housed in one of the slots in the supply area 21A of the component mounting device 20 or the storage unit 60, and after that, clamps the feeder 30 with the corresponding clamping unit 58 and pulls it in, thereby retrieving the feeder 30 from the supply area 21A of the component mounting device 20 or the storage unit 60 to the loader body 51.

[0035] Furthermore, the loader 50 moves along the mounting line 10 using the loader moving device 52 and lowers the feeder holding unit 55 using the lifting unit 56 to align the feeder 30 housed in one of the slots of the feeder holding unit 55 with an empty slot in the buffer area 21B of the component mounting device 20. Then, the loader 50 clamps the feeder 30 with the corresponding clamping unit 58 and sends it out, thereby setting the feeder 30 in the buffer area 21B of the component mounting device 20. The loader 50 also aligns an empty slot of the feeder holding unit 55 with a feeder 30 housed in one of the slots of the buffer area 21B of the component mounting device 20, clamps the feeder 30 with the corresponding clamping unit 58 and pulls it in, thereby retrieving the feeder 30 from the buffer area 21B of the component mounting device 20 to the loader body 51.

[0036] In this embodiment, slots are arranged across the full width of the front of the component mounting device 20 and the storage unit 60. The loader 50 replenishes and retrieves feeders 30 from the slots located at the ends of the component mounting devices 20A to 20E and the storage units 60A and 60B in the width direction, as shown in Figure 11, while extending a predetermined amount δ in the width direction from the target component mounting device 20 or storage unit 60. The predetermined amount (extension) δ is more than half the housing width D of the loader body 51. Alternatively, the predetermined amount δ is less than half the housing width of the component mounting device 20 or the housing width of the storage unit 60. By doing so, the component mounting device 20 and the storage unit 60 can make full use of their housing width to provide slots for mounting feeders 30, and the loader 50 can perform insertion and removal operations of feeders 30 in each slot while maintaining a compact structure.

[0037] Furthermore, for slots located at the downstream end of component mounting device 20E, which is the furthest downstream of the component mounting devices 20A to 20E and storage units 60A and 60B, the loader 50 is supported by extension rails 75 and 85, as shown in Figure 12, and replenishes and retrieves feeders 30 while extending a predetermined amount δ in the width direction from the component mounting device 20E. Similarly, for slots located at the upstream end of storage unit 60A, which is the furthest upstream, the loader 50 is supported by extension rails 75 and 85, and replenishes and retrieves feeders 30 while extending a predetermined amount δ in the width direction from the storage unit 60A. This allows for the provision of numerous slots in the component mounting devices 20 and storage units 60, making it possible to pre-set feeders 30 loaded with parts to be used in the next production run or feeders 30 loaded with parts expected to run out in the component mounting devices 20, thereby improving production efficiency.

[0038] Here, the correspondence between the main elements of this embodiment and the main elements described in the claims section will be explained. Specifically, the feeder set stand 40 provided in the component mounting device 20 of this embodiment, the feeder magazine 100 provided in the storage unit 60, and the loader 50 are examples of the component transport system of this disclosure, the feeder 30 is an example of a component supply unit, the component mounting device 20 and the storage unit 60 are examples of holding devices, and the loader 50 is an example of a replacement robot. Rail members 70 and 80 are examples of rails. Extension rails 75 and 85 are examples of extension rails. Positioning pin P is an example of a positioning pin. Component mounting device 20 is an example of a component mounting device, and storage unit 60 is an example of a component storage device.

[0039] It goes without saying that this disclosure is not limited in any way to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms as long as they fall within the technical scope of this disclosure.

[0040] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the component mounting device 20 and the storage unit 60 were arranged in the substrate transport direction to form the mounting line 10. However, as shown in Figure 11, the mounting device body may be configured to be pullable out from the mounting device base in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the mounting line 10 (substrate transport direction) based on user operation for maintenance, etc. In this case, the component mounting device 20 is pulled out onto the travel path of the loader 50 and interferes with the loader 50. Therefore, as shown in Figure 12, if it is determined that the loader 50 is close to the component mounting device 20 based on the position of the loader 50, the pull-out of the component mounting device 20 may be prohibited regardless of user operation. In other words, when the loader 50 is close to the component mounting device 20, some functions of the component mounting device 20 may be restricted. The component mounting machine 20 can continue production (mounting components) even if some functions are restricted. The storage unit 60 may also be configured to be pullable in a similar manner.

[0041] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the feeder magazine 100 and the feeder set stand 40 each have a plurality of slots 111 in the ceiling portion 110 into which the guide rails 35 (upper end portion) of the feeder 30 are inserted and removed, and the feeder 30 is supported in a suspended state by the ceiling portion 110 by the insertion of the guide rails 35 of the feeder 30 into the slots 111. However, a plurality of slots may also be formed in the bottom portion 120 of the feeder magazine 100 and the feeder set stand 40 so as to be inserted and removed into the lower end portion (guide rail) of the feeder 30.

[0042] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment described the component transport system of this disclosure applied to a mounting line 10 in which a component mounting device 20 and a storage unit 60 are arranged, the invention is not limited to this, and may be applied, for example, to an automated warehouse system in which a plurality of storage units are arranged.

[0043] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the loader 50 is used to convey the feeder 30 as a member supply unit, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the loader 50 may be used to convey a nozzle supply unit that supplies replacement suction nozzles to the component mounting apparatus 20, a reel supply unit that supplies tape reels, or a flux supply unit that dips bumps of packaged components into a flux film to transfer flux to the bumps.

[0044] As described above, in the member conveying system of the present disclosure, the replacement robot performs at least one of the work of supplying and recovering the member supply unit to and from a slot located at an end in the arrangement direction among the plurality of slots of the holding device to be worked, in a state where the member supply unit protrudes in the arrangement direction from the inside of the holding device for the work target. This allows each holding device to be provided with as many slots as possible up to its full width, thereby providing a member conveying system that can be equipped with more member supply units without increasing the size of the holding device.

[0045] In such a member conveying system of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of holding devices may have a rail that connects adjacent holding devices to each other, and the replacement robot may be movable along the rail in the arrangement direction. With this configuration, regardless of the number of installed holding devices, the replacement robot can be moved between the plurality of holding devices to supply and recover the member supply unit.

[0046] Furthermore, in the member conveying system of the present disclosure, the rail includes a support region that supports the replacement robot, a traveling surface on which the replacement robot travels, and a position detection unit that detects the position of the replacement robot, and the replacement robot is supported by the support region and can move on the traveling surface, and may be supported in a region including at least the width of the replacement robot in the movement direction.

[0047] Furthermore, in the member conveying system of the present disclosure, an extension rail may be attached to a terminal rail that is a rail included in the holding device disposed at an end portion in the arrangement direction. With this configuration, the replacement robot can supply and collect the member supply unit even for the holding device disposed at the end portion in the arrangement direction in a state where the replacement robot protrudes in the width direction. In this case, an attachment member for attaching the extension rail to the terminal rail may be provided. Furthermore, in this case, the attachment member may have a positioning pin, the positioning pin is inserted into the terminal rail and the extension rail, and is fastened to the terminal rail and the extension rail by a fastening member, thereby positioning and fixing the extension rail to the terminal rail. With this configuration, the extension rail can be easily attached to the terminal rail with good accuracy.

[0048] Furthermore, in the member conveying system of the present disclosure, the plurality of holding devices are component mounting apparatuses or component storage apparatuses adjacent to the component mounting apparatuses, and when the replacement robot performs at least one of supply and collection of the member supply unit in a state where the replacement robot protrudes relative to the target work apparatus, part of the functions of the component mounting apparatus or the component storage apparatus may be restricted. With this configuration, interference between the work of the replacement robot and the functions of the component mounting apparatus and the component storage apparatus can be avoided.

[0049] Furthermore, the component transport system of this disclosure comprises a plurality of holding devices arranged in a direction intersecting the attachment / detachment direction, each holding a plurality of component supply units in a manner that is detachable, and the holding devices are arranged in a manner that is detachable, a rail member laid on the front surface of the holding devices along the direction of substrate transport, and an exchange robot that moves along the rail member and performs at least one of supplying and retrieving component supply units to the holding devices, wherein the rail member may have an extension rail at the end of the arranged holding devices. In this way, in a component mounting device or component storage device located at the end in the direction of arrangement, it becomes possible to mount component supply units to the maximum width of the holding devices, and a component transport system can be made that can mount more component supply units without increasing the size of the component mounting device or component storage device.

[0050] Furthermore, in the component transport system of this disclosure, when the replacement robot performs work on the holding device to be worked on, the amount by which it moves to an adjacent holding device may be more than half of the unit width of the replacement robot, or the amount by which the replacement robot moves to an adjacent holding device may be less than half of the device width of the adjacent holding device. In this way, a compact replacement robot can be used to replenish and retrieve component supply units to the holding devices.

[0051] Furthermore, this specification also discloses the technical idea of ​​changing "the member transport system described in claim 1" to "the member transport system described in any one of claims 1 to 6" in claim 7 of the original application, the technical idea of ​​changing "the member transport system described in claim 1 or 8" to "the member transport system described in any one of claims 1 to 8" in claim 9 of the original application, and the technical idea of ​​changing "the member transport system described in claim 1 or 8" to "the member transport system described in any one of claims 1 to 8" in claim 10 of the original application.

[0052] This disclosure is applicable to manufacturing industries such as component handling systems.

[0053] 10 Mounting line, 12 Printing device, 14 Printing inspection device, 20, 20A-20E Component mounting device, 21 Mounting section, 21A Supply area, 21B Buffer area, 22 Substrate transport device, 24 Head moving device, 25 Slider, 26 Head, 27 Mark camera, 28 Parts camera, 29 Nozzle station, 30 Feeder, 31 Tape reel, 32 Feeder body, 32f Front end face, 32u Top, 32r Rear end face, 32e Housing section, 33a, 33b Positioning pins, 34 Feeder connector, 35 Guide rail, 37 Rail member, 37t Front end, 37p Projection, 40 Feeder set stand, 50 Loader, 51 Loader body, 52 Loader moving device, 53 Position detection unit, 54 Feeder transfer device, 55 Feeder holding unit, 56 Lifting section, 57 Moving section, 58 Clamp section, 60, 60A, 60B Storage section, 70, 80 Rail member, 70s Running surface, 71, 81 Base rail, 75, 85 Extension rail, 76, 86 Mounting member, 80s Rolling surface, 100 Feeder magazine, 110 Ceiling section, 111 Slot, 12s Flat surface, 120 Bottom section, 121 First positioning section, 122 Second positioning section, 123, 124 Plate member, 125 Projection, 130 Side section, 140 Back section, 143a First positioning hole, 143b Second positioning hole, 144 Connector, 145 Recess, 150 Opening, 511 Support arm, 512 Guide rail, 513 Slide block, 521 Drive roller, 522 Drive motor, 523 Guide roller, 531 Rack, 532 pinion gear, 533 detector, P positioning pin, B bolt, S circuit board.

Claims

1. A material transport system comprising: a plurality of holding devices arranged in a direction intersecting the attachment / detachment direction, which detachably hold a plurality of material supply units; and a replacement robot that moves along the arrangement direction and is capable of supplying and retrieving material supply units to the plurality of holding devices, wherein the plurality of holding devices are provided on the replacement robot side so as to be aligned in the arrangement direction and each has a plurality of slots to which material supply units can be attached and detached; and the replacement robot performs at least one of supplying and retrieving material supply units to slots located at least at the end of the plurality of slots of the holding device to be worked on in the arrangement direction, while extending from the holding device to be worked on in the arrangement direction.

2. A component transport system according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of holding devices has a rail connecting adjacent holding devices to each other, and the replacement robot is movable along the rail in the direction of the arrangement.

3. A member transport system according to claim 2, wherein the rail has a support region for supporting the replacement robot, a running surface for the replacement robot to travel on, and a position detection unit for detecting the position of the replacement robot, and the replacement robot is supported in the support region and movable on the running surface, and is supported in a region that includes at least the width of the replacement robot in the direction of movement.

4. A member transport system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein an extension rail is attached to the terminal rail, which is a rail of the holding device located at the end in the arrangement direction.

5. A component transport system according to claim 4, comprising a mounting member for attaching the extension rail to the end rail.

6. A component transport system according to claim 5, wherein the mounting member has a positioning pin, the positioning pin is inserted into the end rail and the extension rail, and the extension rail is positioned and fixed to the end rail by a fastening member.

7. A component transport system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of holding devices are component mounting devices or component storage devices adjacent to the component mounting device, and the component mounting device or the component storage device has some limitations when the replacement robot is performing at least one of the operations of supplying and retrieving the component supply unit while the replacement robot is protruding from the device being worked on.

8. A material transport system comprising: a plurality of holding devices arranged in the direction of substrate transport and capable of detachably holding a plurality of material supply units, and arranged in a direction intersecting the direction of attachment and detachment; rail members laid along the direction of substrate transport on the front of the holding devices; and a replacement robot that moves along the rail members and performs at least one of supplying and retrieving material supply units to the holding devices, wherein the rail members have extension rails at the ends of the arranged holding devices.

9. A component transport system according to claim 1 or 8, wherein when the replacement robot performs work on the holding device to be worked on, the amount of transfer to an adjacent holding device is half or more of the unit width of the replacement robot.

10. A component transport system according to claim 1 or 8, wherein when the replacement robot performs work on the holding device of the work object, the amount of transfer to an adjacent holding device is half or less of the device width of the adjacent holding device.

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