Component Mounting System Feeder Position Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional component mounting devices require manual operator intervention to correctly position feeders, leading to potential misplacement and inefficiencies in the mounting process.

Innovation Solution

A component mounting system that automatically detects and corrects the positioning of feeders using a feeder exchanging robot, ensuring they are set at predetermined appropriate positions, thereby preventing operational failures and improving efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual operator intervention is used to position feeders, then the system structure remains simple, but feeder placement accuracy deteriorates and operational reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeeder placement accuracyVSAvoidsystem structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic self-correction by having the mounting head perform both the mounting operation and the feeder repositioning operation. The control unit automatically detects misplaced feeders and directs the mounting head to retrieve and reposition them, allowing the system to service itself without external intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit continuously monitors feeder positions and compares them against the required mounting program specifications. When a discrepancy is detected, the system provides feedback by automatically initiating corrective actions to reposition feeders, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If manual operator intervention is used to position feeders, then device complexity remains low, but productivity and operational continuity deteriorate due to potential errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting efficiencyVSAvoidsystem structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic feeder management and self-correction during operation. The mounting head autonomously identifies misplaced feeders, retrieves them from incorrect positions, and repositions them according to the mounting program, enabling continuous operation without manual intervention or production stoppage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit pre-establishes the correct feeder positions based on the mounting program before execution. This preliminary configuration allows the system to quickly detect and correct any deviations from the planned arrangement, ensuring continuous optimal productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If automatic feeder detection and repositioning is implemented, then operational reliability improves, but the complexity of the control system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational continuityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit implements continuous monitoring of feeder positions against the mounting program specifications. When mismatches are detected, the system automatically generates corrective commands to reposition feeders, creating a reliable closed-loop control mechanism that ensures operational continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting head is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the component mounting device and as the feeder repositioning mechanism. This universal design reduces the need for separate dedicated repositioning equipment, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3687266B1Component mounting system
Publication Date: 2023.03.22 FUJI CORP
  • EP3687266B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3687266B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3687266B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A component mounting system including: multiple component mounting devices configured to collect components from feeders set at multiple feeder holding sections and mount the components on a board, the multiple feeder holding sections being provided on each of the multiple component mounting devices and configured to removably hold the feeders; and a feeder exchanging device configured to move along a line along which the multiple component mounting devices are arranged and exchange feeders with respect to each of the component mounting devices. The component mounting system is configured to acquire a type and arrangement of each of the feeders set on the multiple component mounting devices, determine whether each of the feeders is set at a predetermined appropriate position, and upon determining that there is a feeder that is not set at the appropriate position, use the feeder exchanging device to reset the feeder that is not set at the appropriate position to the appropriate position for that feeder.