Tape Feeder Set-Up System Automates Reel Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

In component mounting systems, manual operation is required to reverse the tape feeder's driving mechanism, leading to potential errors in removing unnecessary reels and inefficiencies in selecting reels based on usage schedules.

Innovation Solution

A tape feeder set-up system with a scheduled use determination section and control section that automatically reverses the carrier tape when a component is not scheduled for use, allowing for reliable and labor-efficient removal of unscheduled reels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual operation is used to reverse the driving mechanism for removing reels, then the operator can remove reels, but errors occur in removing unnecessary reels and time is spent selecting tape feeders based on usage schedule

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of reel removalVSAvoidease of reel removal operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically determining which reels need removal based on usage schedules and autonomously reversing the driving mechanism to release carrier tapes, eliminating the need for operator intervention in the reel removal process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from usage schedule data to automatically identify reels that need removal and controls the driving mechanism accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that prevents errors by base

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If manual operation is required to select and remove reels based on usage schedule, then reels can be removed, but a large amount of time is spent on selecting tape feeders and manual operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproductivity of reel removalVSAvoidtime for selecting and removing reels

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-determining which reels need removal based on usage schedules before the actual removal process, and automatically executing the reversal operation, thereby eliminating time-consuming manual selection and operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the manual mechanical operation of selecting and reversing tape feeders with an automated control system that uses usage schedule data to automatically control the driving mechanism, significantly reducing operation time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11116118B2Tape feeder set-up system

Publication Date: 2021.09.07 FUJI CORP

AI summary

The tape feeder set-up system has a tape feeder, having an electric motor, for feeding a carrier tape wound on a reel and accommodating multiple components in a predetermined feed direction; a loading table on which the tape feeder can be loaded; a scheduled use determination section for determining whether a component in the tape feeder loaded on the loading table is scheduled to be used based on a component usage schedule, and a control section for reversing the carrier tape in a direction opposite to the predetermined feed direction by controlling the electric motor of the tape feeder when the scheduled use determination section determines that the component is not scheduled to be used.