Segmented Tray Storage for Pick-and-Place Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional component placement apparatuses have low output due to time-consuming carriage movements and safety challenges during tray insertion and removal, which restrict simultaneous operations.
Innovation Solution
A component placement apparatus with a divided tray storing device, including a first part near the pickup area for short-term needs and a second part further away, controlled by a controller to optimize tray placement and safety measures to prevent simultaneous tray insertion or removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the carriage is moved vertically to align slots with the tray transporting device, then trays can be transported to the pickup area, but the movement time becomes relatively long when successively accessing upper, lower, and upper trays
Solution Approach 1:
The tray storing device is divided into a first part (upper section) and a second part (lower section). The first part stores trays needed in the short term close to the pickup area, while the second part stores trays not needed immediately. This segmentation allows the system to quickly access frequently needed trays without time-consuming vertical carriage movements, thereby improving productivity while reducing time loss.
2Ease of operation
If the carriage is stopped to remove empty trays or insert new trays, then tray management operations can be performed, but no other tray can be placed in the pickup area during this time
Solution Approach 1:
The tray storing device is segmented into a first part accessible during operation and a second part for bulk storage. The tray transporting device can simultaneously operate with the first part while the second part is being refilled, allowing tray management operations without stopping the carriage and maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that coordinates between the tray transporting device and the refill operation. It manages the simultaneous operation by controlling access to different parts of the tray storing device, enabling ease of operation while maintaining productivity through coordinated concurrent actions.
3Reliability
If safety measures are implemented to prevent new tray insertion when a tray is in the pickup area, then collision prevention is achieved, but the operation becomes more restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The tray storing device is divided into a first part and a second part with different access rules. The first part allows simultaneous access by the tray transporting device during operation, while the second part is restricted to refill operations only. This segmentation provides safety by preventing collisions while maintaining operational flexibility through differentiated access control.
Solution Approach 2:
The access control system dynamically adjusts which part of the tray storing device can be accessed based on the operational state. When the pickup area is occupied, the controller dynamically prevents insertion into the first part while allowing refill operations in the second part, achieving safety without overly restricting operational flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A component placement apparatus includes: a tray storing device having slots for storing trays, a tray transporting device for transporting a tray from the tray storing device to a pickup area, a controller for controlling the transport of the trays into and out of the tray storing device, and at least one component pickup and placement device for picking-up a component in a tray located in the pickup area and placing the component on a substrate. The tray storing device includes first and second parts located proximal and distal the pickup area, respectively. The first part stores trays (i) from which at least one component may be removed and/or (ii) that are expected to be needed at the pickup area in the short term. The second part stores trays, which are empty, full, or are not expected to be needed in the pickup area in the short term.