Feeder Management Device Optimizes Tape Feeder Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In component-mounting devices, the inefficiency in selecting the appropriate tape feeder for component supply leads to delays and reduced production efficiency due to the presence of various tape feeders with different supply methods, impacting the smoothness of operator work and overall production.
Innovation Solution
A feeder management device that stores list information on the use of special tape feeders and manages their selection based on efficiency, using a feeder selection management unit to choose the appropriate tape feeder for each component, prioritizing autoloading tape supply methods for easier component storage tape management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If various tape feeders with different supply methods are used together, then the adaptability of the system is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the complexity of selecting the appropriate feeder for each component
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary classification of tape feeders into ordinary feeders and special feeders (autoloading feeders) in advance. The feeder management device stores list information identifying which components should use special feeders, allowing the operator to simply follow the predetermined selection guidance rather than making complex decisions during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The feeder management device acts as an intermediary between the diverse tape feeder types and the operator. It stores and manages list information that maps components to appropriate feeder types, translating the complexity of feeder selection into simple, guided instructions for the operator.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the operator manually selects tape feeders for each component, then the adaptability to different component types is improved, but the productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming selection and setup processes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the complex feeder selection process in advance by storing list information that pre-determines which feeder type should be used for each component. During actual operation, the operator simply follows the predetermined assignments, eliminating time-consuming manual selection and setup processes while maintaining adaptability to different component types.
3Device complexity
If splicing tape supply method is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome tape charging and splicing work
Solution Approach 1:
The special feeder (autoloading feeder) performs self-service by automatically loading and splicing tapes without operator intervention. The system identifies components that benefit from this automated functionality and assigns them to special feeders, allowing the feeder to handle its own tape supply operations and eliminate cumbersome manual splicing work.
4Ease of operation
If autoloading tape supply method is used, then the ease of operation is improved by eliminating manual splicing work, but the device complexity increases due to the automated loading mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making all feeders complex autoloading feeders, the system applies the autoloading function locally only to specific feeders that handle components where manual splicing would be problematic. The feeder management device stores list information that identifies which components should use special feeders, allowing the automated functionality to be applied precisely where it provides the most benefit while keeping other feeders simpler.
Data Source
AI summary
The feeder management device is a device that manages selection of a tape feeder to be set at each set position defined for each component in a component feeding unit of a component-mounting device. The feeder management device includes a memory unit and a feeder selection management unit. The memory unit stores list information indicating, for each component, whether or not to use a tape feeder of a special type among a plurality of tape feeders different in method of supplying the component storage tape, the tape feeder of the special type supplying the component storage tape easily. The feeder selection management unit refers to the list information stored in the memory unit, and manages selection of the tape feeder for each component, the selection corresponding to each set position in the component feeding unit of the component-mounting device.