Automatic Tape Route Switching in Component Feeders
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing component supply devices for surface-mounting machines, workers face burdensome tasks when replacing tapes, as they need to manually change the carrier route of the supply tape, which requires waiting for the loading to complete and increases workload, especially when multiple tape feeders are involved.
Innovation Solution
A component supply device with a main carrier route, a first carrier route, and a second carrier route, along with automatic tape route change mechanisms, allows for automatic switching of the carrier route after the supply tape is detected, enabling efficient tape replacement without worker intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the carrier route of the supply tape is manually changed by a worker after loading completion, then the tape replacement can be performed, but the worker's workload increases and tape replacement efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic carrier route change without worker intervention. The control unit automatically controls the carrier means to change the carrier route of the supply tape from the first carrier route to the second carrier route after loading completion, enabling the system to serve itself and eliminate manual labor for this repetitive task.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical operation of changing carrier routes by workers is replaced with an automated control system. The control unit sends commands to the carrier means (first and second carrier means) to automatically switch between carrier routes, substituting human mechanical actions with automated mechanical control.
2Reliability
If the worker waits for loading completion before changing the carrier route, then the tape can be properly switched, but the overall tape replacement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier route change is performed automatically after loading completion is detected, preparing the system for the next tape insertion without requiring worker waiting. The control unit monitors loading status and automatically initiates the carrier route change sequence, ensuring proper switching timing while minimizing idle time.
3Productivity
If multiple tape feeders are used, then component supply capacity increases, but the complexity of manual tape replacement work increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic carrier route change mechanism is designed to work across multiple tape feeders uniformly. The control unit can manage carrier routes for multiple feeders using the same automated logic, allowing the system to handle multiple tapes simultaneously without increasing operational complexity for each additional feeder.
Data Source
AI summary
A component supply device is a feeder which uses a supply tape to supply an electronic component, and includes a main carrier route for carrying the supply tape to a component suction position, a first carrier route for carrying the supply tape from a tape insertion position to a rear end part of the main carrier route, a second carrier route provided so as to be aligned below the first carrier route, a second sprocket which carries the supply tape to the component suction position, a third sprocket which carries the supply tape from the tape insertion position to the second sprocket, and a route switching device provided to a loading unit which automatically changes a carrier route of the supply tape from the first carrier route to the second carrier route when the supply tape is carried to the component suction position.