Shared Measurement Device Switching for Mounting Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic component mounting systems require multiple measurement devices, leading to increased installation costs due to lower usage frequency, as they need to be installed in each machine despite infrequent use.

Innovation Solution

A mounting system with multiple machines sharing a single measurement device, connected via a switching device controlled by a central unit, which switches the measurement device between machines based on request, and includes a storage device for correction values to ensure accurate measurements across varying measurement paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a measurement device is installed in each electronic component mounting machine, then measurement reliability is improved, but installation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement device is designed to serve multiple mounting machines simultaneously through the switching device, allowing one measurement device to perform measurement functions for several machines rather than requiring dedicated measurement devices for each machine

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

Solution Approach 2:

A switching device is introduced as an intermediary component that enables the measurement device to connect to and serve multiple mounting machines, acting as a mediator between the single measurement device and multiple machines

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If multiple measurement devices are installed, then measurement availability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement availabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The switching device enables a single measurement device to serve multiple mounting machines, providing measurement availability for all machines while avoiding the complexity of multiple independent measurement devices

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

3Productivity

If measurement frequency is reduced, then production efficiency is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidelectrical characteristic measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs measurement at predetermined intervals or when components are replaced, conducting measurements in advance at strategic points rather than continuously, ensuring component quality while maintaining production efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement operation is executed periodically at set intervals or triggered by specific events such as component replacement, providing regular quality checks without requiring continuous measurement that would reduce production efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3313163B1Mounting system
Publication Date: 2020.04.01 FUJI CORP
  • EP3313163B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3313163B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3313163B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a mounting system including multiple mounting machines, there is provided a mounting system that is capable of reducing the number of measurement devices that measure electrical characteristics of an electronic component. A control device 13 controls a switching device 12 in order to connect a measurement device 14 and a mounting machine 16 that transmitted request information for measuring the electrical characteristics of the electronic component. When transmitting an instruction for starting measurement to the measurement device 14 and receiving a characteristic measurement value from the measurement device 14, the control device 13 transfers the received characteristic measurement value to the mounting machine 16 that transmitted request information.