Board Work Machine Simulation for Feeder Supply Coordination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing component mounting lines struggle to accurately grasp the temporal changes in the operating status of component mounters and article moving devices, which affects the efficiency and reliability of feeder supply operations.

Innovation Solution

A simulation device and method that simulate the operating status of board work machines and article moving devices, outputting temporal changes through a simulation section, output section, and display section to visualize and analyze the operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the component mounting line operates with automated feeder supply, then productivity is improved, but the complexity of coordinating temporal operations between component mounter and article moving device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeeder supply efficiencyVSAvoidoperational coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a simulation system that copies the actual component mounting line operations into a virtual environment. The simulation device replicates the temporal operations of the component mounter and article moving device, allowing operators to observe and analyze coordinated movements without interfering with the actual production line. This virtual copy enables complex coordination analysis without adding physical complexity to the real system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The simulation device acts as an intermediary between the actual component mounting line operations and the operators. It receives operational data from the article moving device and component mounter, processes this information to visualize temporal changes, and presents the results to operators for analysis. This intermediary layer simplifies the complexity by providing processed, visualized information rather than requiring operators to directly manage the complex coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If real-time monitoring of operational status is implemented, then reliability is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring temporal changes increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational status monitoring accuracyVSAvoidtemporal change detection difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical monitoring systems with a simulation-based detection approach. Instead of using additional sensors and mechanical measurement devices to track temporal changes in real-time, the system uses software simulation to model and detect these changes. The simulation device processes operational data and visually represents temporal changes, making them easier to detect and measure without adding physical complexity to the monitoring system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The simulation device provides feedback to operators about the temporal changes in operational status. By continuously simulating the operations of the component mounter and article moving device, the system generates real-time information about status changes, coordination issues, and potential problems. This feedback mechanism makes temporal changes visible and measurable, improving reliability without increasing detection difficulty.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4037448B1Simulation device and simulation method
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 FUJI CORP
  • EP4037448B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4037448B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4037448B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The simulation device includes a simulation section and an output section. The simulation section is configured to simulate an operating status of a board work machine configured to perform predetermined board work on a board and produce a board product, and an operating status of an article moving device configured to supply an article needed for production of the board product to the board work machine based on a production plan of the board product. The output section is configured to output time series information indicating a temporal change of the operating status of the board work machine and a temporal change of the operating status of the article moving device, which are results of simulation by the simulation section.