Substrate Production Line File Sharing for Type Changeover

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional substrate production lines require costly cameras and significant space for each machine to read substrate types, and lack a communication function for data transfer between machines, limiting their ability to efficiently changeover between substrate types.

Innovation Solution

A substrate production line configuration using an external memory device with a shared folder allows each machine to create, recognize, and delete substrate type information files, eliminating the need for direct communication between machines by using file creation, recognition, and deletion sections on each machine to share substrate type information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a camera for reading substrate type is provided for each substrate production machine, then substrate type identification is achieved, but costs increase and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubstrate type identification accuracyVSAvoidnumber of cameras required

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple substrate production machines share a single camera by connecting their control devices in a network. The camera is installed on one machine (upstream side) and its substrate type reading capability is shared across all machines through data communication, eliminating the need for separate cameras on each machine.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single camera serves multiple functions by being shared among multiple substrate production machines. It reads substrate types for all machines in the production line, and the read data is distributed to each machine's control device, making the camera a universal resource for the entire system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If a camera for reading substrate type is provided for each substrate production machine, then substrate type identification is achieved, but space for attaching cameras increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubstrate type identification accuracyVSAvoidspace for attaching cameras

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of information

If communication function is added to enable data transfer between machines, then substrate type data sharing is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubstrate type data transfer efficiencyVSAvoidcommunication function requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A file serving as an intermediary stores substrate type information on the storage device of the upstream machine. Downstream machines read this file to obtain substrate type data, eliminating the need for direct communication functions between machines while still achieving efficient data sharing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If substrate type data is transferred via communication function, then productivity is improved, but requirement for communication function increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubstrate type detection speedVSAvoidcompatibility with machines without communication function

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3557348B1Substrate production line

Publication Date: 2024.09.04 FUJI CORP

Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7

AI summary

A substrate production line (1) including: multiple substrate production machines (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) arranged in a line; a shared folder (3) in which an electronic file from each of the substrate production machines can be created and recognized; a substrate type grasping section (4) provided on the substrate production machine furthest upstream in the line (11) and configured to grasp the type of the substrate (K); a file creating section (81, 83) provided on the substrate production machine other than the substrate production machine furthest downstream in the line (11, 12, 13, 14) and configured to create in the shared folder a substrate type information file (FL1, FL2, FL3) including substrate type information (IK) indicating the type of the substrate in accordance with unloading of the substrate; and a file recognizing section (93, 95) provided on the substrate production machine other than the substrate production machine furthest upstream in the line (12, 13, 14, 15) and configured to recognize the substrate type information file (FL1, FL2, FL3) created by the substrate production machine directly adjacent at the upstream side before the substrate is loaded.