NG Substrate Routing in Circuit Board Work Systems

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In substrate work systems, the delayed movement of non-conforming substrates (NG substrates) to a retracted position leads to inefficiencies in work timing and productivity, as they are not moved to the retracted position promptly, causing delays in starting work on these substrates.

Innovation Solution

The system conveys NG substrates to the downstream working machine earlier than OK substrates, allowing for rapid movement to the retracted position and enabling immediate work on the NG substrates, with notification to operators before conveyance to prepare for work, thus enhancing work efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If circuit substrates are conveyed through two paths with each working machine including a pair of conveyance devices, then productivity is improved, but the timing of discharging NG substrates to the retracted position is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidtiming of discharging NG substrates
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between two conveyance paths based on substrate inspection results. OK substrates follow the normal path through both conveyance devices, while NG substrates are dynamically routed to the retracted position via the second conveyance device, optimizing both productivity and response time for defect handling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The conveyance system is segmented into multiple independent paths: a normal conveyance path for OK substrates and a separate retracted position path for NG substrates. This segmentation allows simultaneous handling of different substrate types without mutual interference, resolving the timing delay problem while maintaining high productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If NG substrates are moved to the retracted position, then work on NG substrates can be performed, but work efficiency degrades when the timing is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework on NG substratesVSAvoidwork efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary identification and routing of NG substrates to the retracted position immediately after inspection, before they enter the main production flow. This preliminary action ensures that NG substrates are prepared for rework without delaying the overall production process, maintaining both ease of operation and high work efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2876990B1Work system and work machines for substrates
Publication Date: 2018.10.24 FUJI CORP
  • EP2876990B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2876990B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2876990B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a work system for substrates 10 which includes plural working machines 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 conveying circuit substrates through two paths and in which the circuit substrates are conveyed through the two paths from the working machine disposed upstream out of the plural working machines to the working machine disposed downstream, a circuit substrate of which the work result is not good is conveyed to the downstream working machine earlier than the circuit substrate of which the work result is good in a state in which the circuit substrate of which the work result is good and the circuit substrate of which the work result is not good are able to be conveyed to the downstream working machine 20 by the upstream working machine 18. Accordingly, it is possible to perform work on the circuit substrate of which the work result is not good earlier and thus to enhance work efficiency of the work system and the working machine.