Feeder Storage Layout for Faster Component Mounting Changeovers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing component mounting systems face inefficiencies in feeder management, where used and unused feeders are stored together, leading to longer movement distances and operation times during detachment and attachment, and separate storage of used and unused feeders within the component mounting machine does not provide clear separation for non-production feeders.

Innovation Solution

A component mounting system with a divided storage area, featuring a collection area for unused feeders and a supply area for used feeders, utilizing indicators to differentiate between the two, allowing for efficient separation and management by the loader and operator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If feeders are stored in the storage container without considering their applications, then the storage container can accommodate all feeders, but the movement distance and operation time increase during detaching and attaching operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidoperation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The storage container is divided into a first storage area for feeders to be mounted and a second storage area for feeders not to be mounted. This segmentation allows the loader to efficiently retrieve feeders based on their intended use, reducing unnecessary movement and operation time while maintaining overall storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If feeders are stored in the storage container without considering their applications, then the storage container can accommodate all feeders, but the movement distance increases during detaching and attaching operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidmovement distance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Quantity of substance

If used and unused feeders are stored together, then the storage container can hold all feeders, but the operator cannot quickly identify and retrieve the correct feeders

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of feedersVSAvoidfeeder identification

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Indicators are provided to visually distinguish between the first storage area and the second storage area. This visual differentiation enables operators to quickly identify which area contains feeders to be mounted and which contains feeders not to be mounted, improving retrieval efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

4Ease of operation

If separate storage areas are introduced for different feeder types, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeeder managementVSAvoidstorage structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP3927132B1Component mounting system

Publication Date: 2024.09.04 FUJI CORP

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AI summary

A component mounting system includes a component mounting machine group, a storage container, and a loader. The storage container is provided at an upstream side or a downstream side of the component mounting machine group and has a storage area configured to support detachably multiple component supply devices that are arranged in an aligned fashion. The loader automatically detach and/or attach the component supply devices from and/or to the component mounting machines and the storage container. The storage area is divided by a boundary into a collection area configured to detachably support the component supply device for collection that is not used for production and a supply area configured to detachably support the component supply device for supply that is used for production.