Board Work Machine Software Version Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing management systems for board work machines reduce production efficiency due to the need for firmware updates, which require the machines to stop operating, and there is a lack of appropriate software version management.

Innovation Solution

A management device that includes a storage device for version information and a version designation section to manage and update software versions based on production process types, allowing for seamless software version management and updates without interrupting operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If firmware update processing is executed to upgrade the version of firmware in constitutive devices, then the software version is improved and new functions are added, but the component mounter must stop operating which reduces production efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoftware versionVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The management device designates the appropriate firmware version in advance based on the production process type before the update is executed. This preliminary designation ensures that the correct version is ready to be applied, minimizing downtime and avoiding repeated update attempts that would further reduce productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A management device is introduced as an intermediary between the constitutive devices and the firmware update process. This management device stores version information, designates appropriate versions based on production process types, and coordinates the update timing, thereby optimizing both software version management and production efficiency without requiring direct intervention in the mounting process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If firmware update processing is executed, then the software functionality is improved, but the constitutive device must stop operating which causes downtime

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoftware functionalityVSAvoiddowntime
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The management device designates the appropriate firmware version in advance based on the production process type before the update is executed. This preliminary designation ensures that the correct version is ready to be applied, minimizing downtime and avoiding repeated update attempts that would further reduce productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically selects and designates firmware versions based on the production process type. The management device adapts the software version selection to match the specific production requirements, enabling flexible and efficient updates that minimize operational disruption while maintaining appropriate functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If manual management of firmware versions is performed, then software updates can be controlled, but the complexity of version management increases and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoftware version controlVSAvoidversion management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The management device combines multiple functions into a single system: storing version information, designating appropriate versions based on production process types, and coordinating firmware updates. This consolidation simplifies version management by centralizing control and automating the selection process, reducing the complexity that would otherwise arise from manual management of multiple constitutive devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The management device automatically designates firmware versions based on production process types without requiring manual intervention for each update. The system self-manages the version selection and coordination process, reducing the operational complexity and human effort required for firmware version control across multiple devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3780926B1Device for managing substrate processing machine
Publication Date: 2023.05.31 FUJI CORP
  • EP3780926B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3780926B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3780926B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A management device for a board work machine includes a storage device storing version information in which a current version of software executed by a constitutive device of a board work machine in a production process is associated individually with the multiple constitutive devices and a version designation section configured to designate a version of the software which is to be applied to the production process based on a type of the production process and the version information.