Component Mounting Line Management System for Automatic Device Replacement Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing component mounting line management systems face difficulties in automatically updating management data when internal devices such as CPU boxes or communication devices are replaced, requiring manual operator intervention which is error-prone and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A management system that uses unique identification information stored on non-volatile storage media to automatically detect and update management data for replaced devices, including CPU boxes and communication devices, by comparing stored and obtained identification information, and retrieving updated data from a management computer if a mismatch is found.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If manual input of node numbers is used to generate equipment arrangement information, then the system can be operated with simple hardware, but human error occurs and operator intervention is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem implementation simplicityVSAvoiddata input accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically generates equipment arrangement information by having each device report its own node number to the management computer, eliminating the need for manual operator input and thereby preventing human errors while maintaining system simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of operators writing or inputting node numbers is replaced with an automated electronic communication system where devices automatically transmit their identification information to the management computer

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

2Reliability

If automatic generation of equipment arrangement information is implemented, then data input accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional communication functions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata input accuracyVSAvoidcommunication system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The management computer performs multiple functions including receiving node number information, generating equipment arrangement information, storing management data, and detecting device replacements, thereby avoiding the need for separate specialized systems for each function

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

Solution Approach 2:

The management computer acts as an intermediary that centralizes the processing of device identification information and coordination of communication between devices, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining high reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If operator manual updates of management data are required when devices are replaced, then data accuracy can be maintained through human verification, but productivity decreases due to additional manual operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accuracyVSAvoiddevice replacement efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The management computer automatically receives feedback from devices about their node numbers and communication device identification information, continuously updating management data without requiring manual operator verification while maintaining data accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

When a device is replaced, the new device automatically reports its identification information to the management computer, which then automatically updates the management data, eliminating the need for manual operator intervention and significantly improving replacement efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Productivity

If automatic detection of device replacement is implemented, then productivity is improved by eliminating manual operations, but device complexity increases due to automatic detection functions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice replacement efficiencyVSAvoidautomatic detection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The manual mechanical process of operators checking and updating device information is replaced with automated electronic detection where the management computer automatically compares communication device identification information to detect replacements, improving productivity while the complexity is managed through software rather than hardware

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

Solution Approach 2:

The management computer's communication management function is extended to include automatic detection of device replacements by comparing stored identification information with current device reports, thereby achieving multiple functions (data management and replacement detection) with a single system

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

Data Source

PatentEP3258761B1Management system and management method for component mounting line
Publication Date: 2020.11.18 FUJI CORP
  • EP3258761B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3258761B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3258761B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A CPU box 14 of each mounting machine module 12 obtains MAC addresses of communication devices 16 and 17 of both an internal device 15 and a base 13 by communicating with the communication devices 16 and 17 of both the internal device 15 and the base 13 after the power is turned on, compares the obtained MAC address of an internal device 16 side and the obtained MAC address of a base 13 side, with storage data of the MAC addresses of both the internal device 16 side and the base 13 side read from a non-volatile storage medium of the CPU box 14, obtains management data of the mounting machine module 12 stored in association with the MAC address of an internal device 15 side from a non-volatile storage medium 22 of a management computer 21 in a case where the MAC address of the internal device 16 side does not match the storage data, and obtains the management data of the mounting machine module 12 stored in association with the MAC address of the base 13 side from the non-volatile storage medium 22 of a management computer 21 in a case where the MAC address of the base 13 side does not match the storage data.