JP4816641B2 - Electrode forming system and electrode forming method for chip type electronic component - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electrode forming system and an electrode forming method used for forming an external electrode of a chip-type electronic component.

External electrodes are formed on both end faces of the chip-type electronic component, and the formation is performed as follows. That is, a large number of chip-type electronic components are held by a holding jig so that one end face thereof is exposed, and an electrode paste is applied to one end face and then dried. After that, the holding posture by the holding jig was changed so that the exposed end surface of the chip-type electronic component was reversed, and the electrode paste was similarly applied to the other end surface, followed by drying. Finally, external electrodes were formed on both end surfaces. The chip-type electronic component is taken out from the holding jig.

As shown in Patent Document 1, when forming electrodes on both end faces of a chip-type electronic component, an electrode forming system is proposed that improves the productivity by automating the entire process from transfer to removal of the chip-type electronic component. Has been. This electrode forming system assumes the case where external electrodes are formed on chip-type electronic components of the same type, but in recent years, electronic components are also in the trend of high-mix low-volume production, and it is possible to handle multiple types with the same equipment. It has come to be required. Different types of products have different sizes, so it is necessary to prepare different holding jigs for holding electronic components.

In Patent Document 2, as a management system for transporting a pallet loaded with workpieces on a conveyor in a production facility or the like, a communication unit is mounted on each pallet, and the position of the workpiece is real-time between the communication unit and the control device. The one that can communicate information has been proposed.

In Patent Document 3, in a production system that performs mixed flow production (multi-product small-quantity production) on a single line, an ID card or barcode is added to a product or a pallet on which the product is placed, and a line terminal and a line host terminal. A product has been proposed in which product manufacturing data can be read and written during transportation.

However, in Patent Documents 2 and 3, it is necessary to add a communication unit or an ID card to the pallet in order to manage the product to be conveyed, and further, a main communication device, a read / write device, a line for communicating with this A terminal system is required. Therefore, there is a problem that the system configuration becomes complicated and the cost increases. In addition, if a heat treatment such as a drying process is included in the middle of conveyance, such as external electrode formation, or a process such as paste coating that stains the pallet is included, a communication unit or ID card is placed on the pallet. It cannot be installed directly. As a result, when switching the type to be produced in the middle, the only way is to wait until the previous type has passed through all the processes, then switch each processing condition, and then throw in the next type. Then there was a problem that it could not flow on the line.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-177692 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 7-3937 JP-A-6-139251

Accordingly, an object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide an electrode forming system for chip-type electronic components that can easily manage products without requiring a complicated system configuration and can flow a variety of products on a line. And an electrode forming method.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of chip-type electronic components are held in a conveyance jig for each lot so that one end surface thereof is exposed, and the chip-type electronic components are respectively transferred to both end surfaces while conveying the conveyance jig. In an electrode forming system for chip-type electronic components to which external electrode paste is applied, there are a plurality of types of chip-type electronic components, and different types of chip-type electronic components are processed by being held in different conveying jigs. A take-in device that takes in the transfer jig that holds the previous chip-type electronic component so that one end face thereof is exposed, and an external electrode paste is applied to the exposed end face of the chip-type electronic component held by the transfer jig. Applicator apparatus, a coating apparatus having a function of changing the coating thickness of the external electrode paste according to the type of chip-type electronic component, the chip-type the exposed end of the electronic component A drying device for drying the applied external electrode paste, and change the holding position by the conveying jig as the exposed end faces of the chip-type electronic component is reversed, it moved to hold the electronic component after the posture change by conveying jig An exchange device, a take-out device for taking out a chip-type electronic component coated and dried with external electrode paste on both end faces from the carrying jig, and the carrying jig from the take-in device via the coating device and the drying device A first transport route that sequentially transports to the take-out device; and a second transport route that returns the transport jig discharged from the drying device to the coating device via the transfer device, A transport unit provided with a transport route switching unit at a branching portion with the second transport route, and a management unit that controls the processing device and the transport unit including the intake device, the coating device, the drying device, the transfer device, and the extraction device. So And a management database for storing processing information corresponding to each management number, and a process management memory having a memory area corresponding to each processing device. Provided with a management means having a function of moving a management number to a memory area corresponding to a processing apparatus that has received the transport jig in synchronization with transport of the transport jig, and the processing apparatus that has received the transport jig, Processing information is acquired from the management database of the management means based on the management number associated with the transport jig, and predetermined processing is performed. The processing information includes each processing device for each lot of chip-type electronic components. And the processing history in which the execution result of each processing apparatus is written, and the management means selects one of the first transport route and the second transport route based on the processing information. The transfer route switching means is controlled so as to select , and the coating device changes the coating thickness in response to a command signal from the management means based on processing information corresponding to the management number. It is an electrode forming system for a chip-type electronic component .

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of chip-type electronic components are held in a transport jig for each lot so that one end face thereof is exposed, and both end surfaces of the chip-type electronic component are transported while transporting the transport jig. In the electrode forming method in which the external electrode paste is applied to each of the chip-type electronic components, there are a plurality of types of chip-type electronic components, and the different types of chip-type electronic components are processed by being held in different conveyance jigs. and inserting apparatus preparative incorporating the transfer jig holding as its one end face type electronic component are exposed, in a coating apparatus for applying an external electrode paste to the exposed end face of the chip-type electronic component held on the conveying jig there are a coating apparatus having a function of changing the coating thickness of the external electrode paste according to the type of the chip-type electronic component, the external applied to the exposed end faces of the chip-type electronic component A drying device that dries the polar paste, a transfer device that changes the holding posture of the transfer jig so that the exposed end face of the chip-type electronic component is reversed, and a holding device that holds the electronic component after the posture change by the transfer jig, and both ends A take-out device for taking out the chip-type electronic component having the external electrode paste applied and dried on the surface from the transfer jig, and the transfer jig from the take-in device to the take-out device via the application device and the drying device. Including a first transport route for sequentially transporting, and a second transport route for returning the transport jig discharged from the drying device to the coating device via the transfer device, the first transport route and the second transport route, Including a transfer means provided with a transfer route switching means at the branching portion, and a step of assigning an individual management number associated with each transfer jig corresponding to each lot, and the transfer jig from the previous processing apparatus. Next processing equipment Simultaneously with the transfer, the process of moving the management number from the memory area corresponding to the previous processing device to the memory area corresponding to the next processing device, and the memory area corresponding to the processing device receiving the transfer jig are received. Based on the management number, a process for acquiring processing information to be processed by the processing apparatus from the management database, and on the basis of the acquired processing information, the processing apparatus that has received the transfer jig instructs the execution of a predetermined process. A transfer route switching means for selecting one of a first transfer route and a second transfer route based on the process information, a step of writing an execution result of each of the processing apparatuses into the processing information as a processing history, and the processing information; see containing and a step of controlling the above coating apparatus, in accordance with the instruction signal based on the processing information corresponding to the management number, change the coating thickness A chip-type electronic component of the electrode forming method characterized by that.

FIG. 1 shows the principle of a processing system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
The processing devices S1 and S2 that perform each processing step are connected by a transfer device CV, and the lot N of the object to be processed is held and transferred to the transfer jig HP. The processing devices S1, S2 and the management means COM are connected by a signal line L, respectively. The management means COM is provided with a management database DB that assigns a management number associated with each lot (here, a management number n for the lot N) and stores processing information for each lot. The processing information includes, for example, processing conditions and processing history. Further, the management means COM has process management memories M1 and M2 corresponding to each processing apparatus, and manages from the memory of the immediately preceding processing apparatus to the memory of the processing apparatus that has received the transport jig in synchronization with the transport of the transport jig HP. The number n is moved.

As shown in FIG. 1A, while processing is performed by the processing device S1, a management number n is stored in the corresponding memory M1, and processing information is acquired from the management database DB based on the management number n. The processing apparatus S1 is instructed to perform processing suitable for the lot N. A processing history is written in the management database DB as necessary.

When the processing in the processing device S1 is completed, the lot N (conveying jig HP) is transported to the next processing device S2 by the transport means CV as shown in FIG. The number n is also sent to the memory M2 corresponding to the next processing device S2. On the other hand, the memory M1 corresponding to the previous processing device S1 is reset to zero.

As shown in FIG. 1C, the lot N (conveying jig HP) is conveyed to the next processing apparatus S2, and the processing information is received from the management database DB based on the management number n sent to the memory M2. It is acquired and from this processing information, it is grasped what kind of processing is necessary for what kind of received lot N. Based on this processing information, a predetermined process is commanded to the processing device S2.
By managing using the management number as described above, even if a plurality of types of lots are mixed, each of the processing devices S1 and S2 can perform appropriate processing for each lot.

By writing the processing history executed in each process into the management database DB as needed, it is possible to cope with the case where it is necessary to refer to the processing history to determine the processing conditions. For example, in external electrode formation, the lot (jig) sent from the drying process proceeds to the transfer process depending on whether the external electrode paste is applied only to one end face or to both end faces. It is necessary to switch the transport route to send to the take-out process. In that case, the route can be accurately switched by referring to the processing history of the management database DB.

In the present invention, the management number may be a number or may be a symbol or a code. Furthermore, a combination of symbols and numbers such as A1 to A10 and B1 to B10 may be used. In this case, the preceding symbol can represent the product type, and the subsequent number can represent the order or number.

There are a plurality of types of objects to be processed according to the present invention, and different types of objects to be processed are preferably held in different conveying jigs for processing.
In this case, at least one processing apparatus has a function of changing the processing condition according to the type of the object to be processed, and this processing apparatus uses a command signal from the management means based on the processing information corresponding to the management number. Accordingly, it is preferable that the processing conditions can be changed. Thereby, multi-product small-quantity production can be implemented.

Each processing device is provided with a sensor for confirming the presence or absence of the transfer jig, and based on the signal of this sensor, the management number is moved from the memory area corresponding to the previous processing device to the memory area corresponding to the next processing device. It may be.
The management number is moved from the previous memory area to the next memory area in synchronization with the conveyance of the conveyance jig. Use the conveyance jig presence / absence confirmation sensor provided in each processing device as the trigger signal. Thus, it can be reliably synchronized with the conveyance of the conveyance jig.

The processing system of the present invention can be applied to external electrode formation of chip-type electronic components. In this case, the chip-type electronic component is transported while being held by the transport jig so that one end face thereof is exposed. The processing apparatus includes a coating device for applying an external electrode paste to one end face of a chip-type electronic component held by a conveying jig, a drying device for drying the applied external electrode paste, and an exposed end face of the chip-type electronic component. A transfer device that changes the holding posture of the conveying jig so as to invert, a take-out device that takes out the chip-type electronic component coated and dried with the external electrode paste on both end faces, and an external electrode only on one end face The transfer jig holding the chip-type electronic component with the paste applied and dried is sent to the transfer device, and the transfer jig holding the chip-type electronic component with the external electrode paste applied and dried on both end faces And a transfer route switching device to be sent to. The conveying jig sent to the transfer device is sent again to the coating device. An external electrode can be automatically formed when a conveyance jig passes through each of such processing devices in order.

As described above, according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a lot (conveying jig) is managed using a management number, so that a plurality of types of lots are mixed in a series of processing steps. Even in this case, each processing apparatus can select and carry out an appropriate process for each lot. Therefore, it is not necessary to mount a communication unit or ID card on the transfer jig, the structure of the transfer jig can be simplified, communication equipment and read / write devices are not required, the system configuration can be simplified, and the cost can be reduced. Can be reduced. Furthermore, even when a heat treatment such as a drying step is included in the processing step, or a step of contaminating a conveying jig such as paste application is included, it can be used without any problem.

It is explanatory drawing explaining the principle of the processing system concerning this invention. It is a system diagram of an example of a processing system concerning the present invention. It is a figure of an example of a management database. It is a figure of an example of process management memory. It is explanatory drawing explaining an example of operation | movement of the processing system concerning this invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to examples.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment in which the processing system according to the present invention is applied to the formation of external electrodes of electronic components.
In this system, a holding plate that holds a large number of chip-type electronic components so that one end surface thereof protrudes is used as a conveying jig. This holding plate has a number of holding holes whose peripheral walls are made of elastic rubber, as known in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 58-90719 and 60-109204. One holding each electronic component may be used, or a holding plate of the type that holds the electronic component on the surface as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-74665 may be used. The same type of electronic component is held for each lot by the same type of conveying jig.

The processing system of this embodiment includes a plurality of processing devices 1 to 6. That is, an intake device 1 for taking in a jig holding an electronic component, a coating device 2 for applying an electrode paste to one end face of the electronic component held by the jig, a drying device 3 for drying the applied external electrode paste, A transfer device 4 that changes the holding posture by the jig so that the protruding end surface of the electronic component is reversed, a take-out device 5 that takes out the chip-type electronic component having the external electrode paste applied and dried on both end surfaces from the jig, only one end surface The jig holding the chip-type electronic component coated and dried with the external electrode paste is sent to the transfer device 4 and the jig holding the chip-type electronic component coated with the external electrode paste and dried on both end faces. A transfer route switching device 6 to be sent to the take-out device 5 is included. Each processing apparatus 1-6 is provided with sensors 1a-6a inside, and can detect whether a jig exists in each processing apparatus 1-6 by these sensors 1a-6a. The processing units 1 to 6 are connected by conveying means 7a to 7g. Each conveying means 7a-7g conveys a jig only in one direction as indicated by an arrow, and a known conveying means such as a belt conveyor can be used. In the middle of the conveying means 7 a and 7 b connecting the intake device 1 and the coating device 2, a junction 8 that joins the conveying means 7 f from the transfer device 4 is provided.

Among the processing devices 1 to 6, at least one processing device has a function of changing the processing condition according to the type of the object to be processed. For example, the coating device 2 has a function of changing the coating thickness in accordance with the size of the electronic component.

Each processing apparatus 1-6 and the conveyance means 7a-7g are connected to the controller 9 by signal line L1-L6. These signal lines include lines for sending signals from the sensors 1a to 6a provided in the processing devices 1 to 6, respectively. In addition, the signal line which connects the conveying means 7a-7g and the controller 9 is abbreviate | omitted. The controller 9 has a function of assigning an individual management number associated with each lot (jig), a management database DB storing therein processing information corresponding to each management number, and each processing device 1 And a process management memory SM corresponding to .about.6.

As shown in FIG. 3, the management database DB stores a large number of data for each management number. An arbitrary number can be used as the management number, but here, combinations of symbols and numbers are used, such as A1 to A10 and B1 to B10. Here, A1 represents the first jig of the type A, and B1 represents the first jig of the type B. Each data includes, for example, processing conditions of the processing device, processing history, work information, and the like. For example, as the processing conditions of the coating apparatus, the coating thickness of the electrode paste is set according to the size of the electronic component. The processing history is data indicating to what stage processing of the workpiece has been completed. In forming the external electrode, whether the electrode is formed only on one end surface of the electronic component or formed on both end surfaces. Data indicating whether or not the data has been written is included, and these data are written as needed. The work information includes data such as the type and size of electronic parts, for example. Although the card type database DB is described as an example in FIG. 3, it is needless to say that it may be a table type database.

As shown in FIG. 4, the process management memory SM includes memory areas M1 to M6 corresponding to the processing devices 1 to 6, and the memory of the processing device that receives the jig in synchronization with the conveyance of the jig. The management number corresponding to the jig is moved to the areas M1 to M6. The memory area of the processing apparatus that has ejected the jig is reset to an initial value (for example, 0). The movement of the management number between the memory areas M1 to M6 is performed based on signals from the sensors 1a to 6a provided in the processing devices 1 to 6. When the management number moves to a predetermined memory area, the controller 9 accesses the database DB based on the management number, acquires processing information from the database DB, and corresponds to the memory area based on the processing information. Commands the processor. The processing device performs processing based on the command, and the processing result is written in the processing history of the database DB.

Since the processing time of the intake device 1, the coating device 2, the transfer device 4, the take-out device 5, and the route switching device 6 is relatively short, it is only necessary to accommodate one jig inside, and the memory area is also 1 However, since the drying apparatus 3 takes a long processing time, there are cases where a plurality of jigs are accommodated and processed continuously while being conveyed inside. In that case, it is preferable to configure the memory area M3 of the drying device 3 with a plurality of memory areas.

Here, the operation of the processing system configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. Here, an example using two types of jigs A and B is shown.
FIG. 5A shows a state in which the jig of the type A taken in from the intake device 1 is sequentially fed into the coating device 2. When the jig A1 is sent to the coating apparatus 2, the management number A1 moves to the memory area M2 corresponding to the coating apparatus 2, and the controller 9 acquires processing information corresponding to the management number A1 from the database DB, and the product type A The coating apparatus 2 is instructed to perform processing according to the above.
FIG. 5B shows a state in which the jig of the type B is started to flow after the jig of the kind A is finished. When the first jig A1 reaches the route switching device 6, the management number A1 moves to the memory area M6 corresponding to the route switching device 6. The controller 9 processes the processing history from the database DB corresponding to the management number A1. Since it can be confirmed that the electrode formation is only on one end face, the route switching device 6 is instructed to send the jig A1 to the transfer device 4.
(C) of FIG. 5 shows a state where the introduction of a new jig is temporarily stopped when the jig that has completed the first round of processing returns to the junction 8. Here, two kinds of jigs of the kind A and the kind B are mixed in the conveyance path of the first round.
FIG. 5D shows a state in which the jig that has finished the first round of processing at the junction is preferentially flowed and the second round of processing is performed. Subsequent jigs of B5 and below will stand by before the junction 8.
FIG. 5 (e) shows that after all the jigs have completed the first round of processing, that is, after the last jig B4 in the first round has passed the junction 8, the subsequent jigs B5, B6,. .. Shown to start flowing. The jig that has completed the second round is taken out to the take-out device 5 via the route switching device 6.

In FIG. 5, when the jig A that has completed the first round of processing returns to the junction 8, the introduction of a new jig is temporarily stopped and all the jigs finish the first round of processing. After that, the following jigs are made to flow, but it is arbitrary as to which jig is to be given priority for conveyance. However, since the jig flowing in the path of the first round may overflow, a device that can store a plurality of jigs such as a buffer device may be provided in the middle of the conveying means. In this case, it is possible to continuously insert the jig without stopping it.

The processing system according to the present invention is not only applied to the formation of external electrodes of electronic parts, but also holds a plurality of objects to be processed in a jig for each lot and conveys the jig to the objects to be processed. The present invention can be applied to a processing system that performs a series of processing. The conveying jig is not limited to a holding plate that elastically holds an object to be processed, but may be a jig such as a pallet or a basket, and can be arbitrarily selected according to the object to be processed.

Claims (4)

Holding a plurality of chip-type electronic component conveying jig for each lot as its one end face is exposed, chip type for applying a respective external electrode paste to the end surfaces of the chip-type electronic component while conveying the transfer jig In the electronic component electrode forming system,
There are multiple types of chip-type electronic components,
Different types of chip-type electronic components are held and processed by different transport jigs,
An intake device for taking in the conveying jig that holds the chip-type electronic component before application of the external electrode paste so that one end face thereof is exposed ;
A coating apparatus for applying an external electrode paste to the exposed end surface of a chip-type electronic component held by the conveying jig, the application having a function of changing the application thickness of the external electrode paste according to the type of the chip-type electronic component Equipment ,
A drying device for drying the external electrode paste applied to the exposed end face of the chip-type electronic component ;
A transfer device that changes the holding posture of the conveying jig so that the exposed end surface of the chip-type electronic component is reversed, and holds the electronic component after the posture change by the conveying jig;
A take-out device for taking out a chip-type electronic component having an external electrode paste applied and dried on both end faces thereof from a conveying jig;
A first transport route for sequentially transporting the transport jig from the take-in device to the take-out device via the coating device and the drying device; and a transfer device for discharging the transport jig discharged from the dry device. A second conveying route that returns to the coating apparatus via the conveying unit, and a conveying unit provided with a conveying route switching unit at a branch portion between the first conveying route and the second conveying route;
Management means for controlling each processing apparatus and transport means including the above-described intake device, coating device, drying device, transfer device, and take-out device, and assigning individual management numbers associated with each transport jig In addition, a management database for storing processing information corresponding to each management number and a process management memory having a memory area corresponding to each processing apparatus are provided, and the transfer jig is received in synchronization with the transfer of the transfer jig. A management means having a function of moving the management number to a memory area corresponding to the processing device;
The processing apparatus that has received the transport jig obtains processing information from the management database of the management means based on a management number associated with the transport jig, and performs a predetermined process.
The processing information includes processing conditions of each processing device for each lot of chip-type electronic components, and a processing history in which an execution result of each processing device is written,
The management means controls the transport route switching means so as to select one of the first transport route and the second transport route based on the processing information ,
The electrode forming system for a chip-type electronic component , wherein the coating device changes the coating thickness in response to a command signal from the management unit based on processing information corresponding to the management number . Each of the above processing devices includes a sensor for checking the presence / absence of a conveying jig, and the management number is moved from the memory area corresponding to the previous processing device to the memory area corresponding to the next processing device based on the signal of the sensor. The electrode forming system for a chip-type electronic component according to claim 1 , wherein: Electrode formation in which a plurality of chip-type electronic components are held on a transfer jig for each lot so that one end face is exposed, and an external electrode paste is applied to each end face of the chip-type electronic component while transferring this transfer jig In the method
There are multiple types of chip-type electronic components,
Different types of chip-type electronic components are held and processed by different transport jigs,
An intake device for taking in the conveying jig that holds the chip-type electronic component before application of the external electrode paste so that one end face thereof is exposed ;
A coating apparatus for applying an external electrode paste to the exposed end surface of a chip-type electronic component held by the conveying jig, the application having a function of changing the application thickness of the external electrode paste according to the type of the chip-type electronic component Equipment ,
A drying device for drying the external electrode paste applied to the exposed end face of the chip-type electronic component ;
A transfer device that changes the holding posture of the conveying jig so that the exposed end surface of the chip-type electronic component is reversed, and holds the electronic component after the posture change by the conveying jig;
A take-out device for taking out a chip-type electronic component having an external electrode paste applied and dried on both end faces thereof from a conveying jig;
A first transport route for sequentially transporting the transport jig from the take-in device to the take-out device via the coating device and the drying device; and a transfer device for discharging the transport jig discharged from the dry device. Including a second transport route that returns to the coating device, and a transport unit provided with a transport route switching unit at a branch portion between the first transport route and the second transport route,
A process of assigning an individual management number associated with each conveyance jig corresponding to each lot;
Transferring the transfer jig from the previous processing device to the next processing device, and simultaneously moving the management number from the memory area corresponding to the previous processing device to the memory area corresponding to the next processing device;
Based on the management number received by the memory area corresponding to the processing device that has received the transfer jig, a process of acquiring processing information to be processed by the processing device from the management database;
Based on the acquired processing information, a step of instructing the processing device that has received the transport jig to perform a predetermined processing;
A step of writing the execution result of each of the above processing devices into the processing information as a processing history;
Based on the processing information, see containing and controlling the conveying route switching means to select one of the first transport route and a second conveying route, a,
The electrode forming method for a chip-type electronic component, wherein the coating device changes the coating thickness in accordance with a command signal based on processing information corresponding to the management number . Each of the above processing devices includes a sensor for checking the presence / absence of a conveying jig, and the management number is moved from the memory area corresponding to the previous processing device to the memory area corresponding to the next processing device based on the signal of the sensor. The method for forming an electrode of a chip-type electronic component according to claim 3 , wherein:

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