Exchangeable Mounting Error Measurement Unit for SMT Feeders

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing component mounting positional deviation amount measurement units are costly to install in multiple machines, have limited size due to narrow spaces, and require cumbersome nozzle exchanges, which increases manufacturing costs and operational complexity.

Innovation Solution

A component mounting positional deviation amount measurement unit is designed to be exchangeable with a feeder setting section, allowing reuse across multiple machines, featuring a measurement nozzle placement section, measurement component placement section, and a measurement mounting table, with a shutter mechanism to prevent components from dropping, and an automatic exchanging system to streamline operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a component mounting positional deviation amount measurement unit is installed in each component mounting machine, then measurement capability is provided for each machine, but manufacturing cost increases and the unit size is limited by narrow vacant space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent mounting positional deviation amount measurement capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and unit size
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement unit is designed to be universally applicable across multiple component mounting machines. Instead of installing dedicated measurement units in each machine, a single measurement unit can be moved and used in different machines, reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement unit is made movable rather than fixed to specific machines. It can be dynamically relocated between different component mounting machines as needed, allowing flexible utilization of the measurement resource across the production line without being constrained by the narrow vacant spaces within individual machines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If a measurement nozzle is exchanged in the nozzle station for each component mounting machine, then measurement accuracy is improved, but operational complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidoperational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement nozzle is combined with the measurement unit as an integrated assembly. When the measurement unit is moved between machines, the measurement nozzle moves with it, eliminating the need for separate nozzle exchange operations at each machine's nozzle station. This merging of functions reduces operational complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement nozzle is pre-installed on the measurement unit before it is moved to different machines. This preliminary preparation of the measurement assembly eliminates the need for repeated nozzle installation operations at each measurement location, reducing operational complexity and time consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3344030B1Component mounting position error amount measurement unit, automatic interchange system, and component mounting device
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 FUJI CORP
  • EP3344030B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3344030B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3344030B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A component mounting positional deviation amount measurement unit (25) is set in a feeder setting section (24) of a component mounting machine (12) so as to be exchangeable with a cassette-type feeder (14). A component mounting positional deviation amount measurement unit includes measurement nozzle placement sections (56a to 56c) in which measurement nozzles (55a to 55c) exchangeably held in a mounting head (15) of the component mounting machine are placed; measurement component placement sections (58a and 58b) in which measurement components (57) are placed; and a measurement mounting table (60) on which a measurement fiducial mark (59) is provided. When a component mounting positional deviation amount of the component mounting machine is measured, the measurement component is sucked by the measurement nozzle by holding the measurement nozzle in the mounting head, the measurement component is mounted on the measurement mounting table, and a deviation amount of a mounting position of the measurement component with respect to the measurement fiducial mark is measured as a component mounting positional deviation amount of the component mounting machine.