JP7588549B2 - PCB production machines and PCB production lines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a board production machine that produces boards on which electronic components (hereinafter referred to as "components") are mounted, and a board production line that includes multiple board production machines that share the production of boards.

Board production machines that produce boards on which many components are mounted include solder printing machines, component mounting machines, reflow machines, and board inspection machines. It has become common to link these board production machines to build a board production line. In addition, a line management device that manages the progress of production is often attached. Generally, when switching the type of board (board type) produced on the board production line, it is necessary to change the production job data in each board production machine. The production job data describes the detailed specifications of the production operation of the board production machine. The production job data differs for each type of board production machine and each board type. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a technique for managing production job data when switching board types.

The production management device in Patent Document 1 includes a means for editing an NC program (production job data), a means for transmitting the NC program to a component mounting machine, and a means for notifying an operator and asking whether or not to transmit the data if it is determined that there is no production history based on a production history flag provided in the NC program. This can prevent defective products from being produced unintentionally by the operator due to changes to the NC program data.

JP 2014-165440 A

The order of board types to be produced is planned by a production manager and distributed to the relevant departments in the form of a production plan. Alternatively, the order of board types to be produced is communicated to the relevant departments online in the form of production plan data. The worker refers to the production plan or production plan data to set the types of boards to be produced from next onwards (next and subsequent board types). At this time, the worker performs a manual selection operation, or an automatic selection function is used. When using manual selection, the worker refers to the production plan or production plan data and selects data corresponding to the next and subsequent board types from multiple production job data.

Here, the names of multiple production job data are often similar to each other, and there is a risk that the worker will make the wrong selection. Also, when separate production jobs are defined for the front and back sides of a single board, there is a possibility that the worker will confuse the front and back sides. Furthermore, even for production job data for the same board type, there may be multiple pieces of data with change histories. In this case, there is a risk that production job data other than the latest revision will be mistakenly selected. Also, if the latest revision is prohibited for some reason, the worker may not be able to select the older revision of production job data that he or she should use.

On the other hand, production plans are subject to change. For example, a board type for which an express production request has been received will be inserted into the initial production plan. Or, for example, if there is a delay in the procurement of a part, the production order for the board type on which that part is mounted will be postponed. Such changes to the production plan are notified to workers by a notification of changes to the production plan or an update to the production plan data. However, workers may not be aware of the changes to the production plan due to a time delay in notification, and may set the wrong board type for subsequent periods.

Considering the above-mentioned human setting errors and changes in production plans, the technology of Patent Document 1 cannot determine whether the setting of the next and subsequent board types is correct. Furthermore, even if the set next and subsequent board types are correct, actual production will not start unless the production conditions are met. In this case, there is room for changes to the production plan. For example, if temporary maintenance is required on a certain board production line, the set next and subsequent board types may end up being diverted to another board production line.

If production is started with the wrong board type setting, it will result in errors and delays in the completion of production, resulting in significant losses. Even if the problem is discovered before production begins, the work to change the setup to accommodate the wrong board type will be wasted.

The problem to be solved by this specification is to provide a board production machine and a board production line that can handle human setting errors and changes to the production plan, and can start production after confirming that the board type is correct from the next time it is set.

This specification discloses a board production machine that includes a board type setting unit that sets the next or subsequent board type to be produced after the current board type currently being produced, a board type confirmation unit that confirms whether the set next or subsequent board type is correct, a production condition investigation unit that investigates whether the production conditions for producing boards of the next or subsequent board type are satisfied, and a production permission unit that permits the production of the boards of the next or subsequent board type when the next or subsequent board type is correct and the production conditions are satisfied.

In this specification, "subsequent or subsequent board types to be produced" refers to both the case where only the "next board type to be produced next" is included, and the case where two or more board types are included, including the "next-next board type to be produced after that."

This specification also discloses a board production line that includes multiple board production machines that share the production of boards, and a line management device, the line management device including a board type setting unit that sets the next or subsequent board type to be produced after the current board type currently being produced, a board type confirmation unit that confirms whether the set next or subsequent board type is correct, a production condition investigation unit that investigates whether the production conditions for producing the boards of the next or subsequent board type are satisfied, and a production permission unit that permits the production of the boards of the next or subsequent board type when the next or subsequent board type is correct in all of the board production machines and the production conditions are satisfied.

According to the board production machine disclosed in this specification, it is confirmed whether the set subsequent board type is correct, and it is investigated whether the production conditions are met, and if the set subsequent board type is correct and the production conditions are met, production of the board is permitted. Therefore, if the set subsequent board type is incorrect, production of the board is not permitted. Furthermore, even if the set subsequent board type is correct, if the production conditions are not met, production of the board is not permitted because there is a possibility of changing the production plan, in other words, there is room for changing the subsequent board type. Therefore, it is possible to deal with human setting errors and changes to the production plan, and production can be started after confirming that the set subsequent board type is correct.

In the board production line disclosed in this specification, permission or denial of board production is determined in the same manner as in the board production machine described above. Therefore, it is possible to deal with human setting errors and changes to the production plan, and from the next time onwards, production can be started only after confirming that the type of board that has been set is correct.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a board production line including a board production machine according to a first embodiment. 2 is a diagram for explaining the functional configuration of a control unit of a component mounting machine which is a board production machine according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a process flow diagram illustrating the operation of a control unit of a component mounting machine which is a board production machine according to the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a board production line including a board production machine according to a second embodiment. 13 is a diagram for explaining the functional configuration of a control unit of a solder printer which is a board production machine according to a second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a process flow diagram illustrating the operation of a control unit of a solder printer, which is a board production machine of the second embodiment. FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a board production line according to an embodiment.

(1. Configuration of Board Production Line 1 and Board Production Machine of First Embodiment)
The board production machine of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a board production line 1 including the board production machine of the first embodiment. The board production line 1 is made up of five board production machines which share the production of boards. In detail, the board production line 1 is made up of a solder printer 12, a print inspection machine 13, a component mounting machine 14, a board visual inspection machine 15, and a reflow machine 16 arranged in a row.

The five board production machines are communicatively connected to each other using communication lines 29. Furthermore, the five board production machines are communicatively connected to the manager terminal 6 using communication lines 29. Two-way communication is possible between the board production machines and between the board production machines and the manager terminal 6. The manager terminal 6 is used by the production manager. The production manager creates and modifies production plans for the multiple board types to be produced on board production line 1. The production manager also notifies the relevant departments of the production plans and promotes the execution of the production plans.

The solder printer 12 prints solder paste on the board in a specified pattern shape. The solder printer 12 and the print inspection machine 13 are connected by a board transport device 22. The print inspection machine 13 inspects the solder printing condition of the transported board. The print inspection machine 13 and the component mounting machine 14 are connected by a board transport device 23. The component mounting machine 14 mounts components on the solder on the transported board. The component mounting machine 14 and the board visual inspection machine 15 are connected by a board transport device 24.

The board visual inspection machine 15 inspects the visual condition of the components mounted on the transported board. The board visual inspection machine 15 and the reflow machine 16 are connected by a board transport device 25. The reflow machine 16 remelts the solder of the boards determined to be normal by the board visual inspection machine 15 and then solidifies it to stabilize the connection state. This completes the production of the board. The configuration of the board production line shown in FIG. 1 is one example, and various known forms of line configurations may be used, such as a line configuration equipped with multiple component mounting machines.

The solder printer 12, print inspection machine 13, component mounting machine 14, and board visual inspection machine 15 can all be board production machines of the first embodiment. In the following, an example will be described in which the component mounting machine 14 is the board production machine of the first embodiment. The component mounting machine 14 has a control unit 4 that controls the component mounting operation. The control unit 4 also operates when switching the type of board to be produced. Figure 2 is a diagram explaining the functional configuration of the control unit 4 of the component mounting machine 14, which is a board production machine of the first embodiment.

As shown in the figure, the control unit 4 has a display unit 48 and an input unit 49. The control unit 4 also has four functional units: a board type setting unit 41, a board type confirmation unit 42, a production condition investigation unit 43, and a production permission unit 44. The board type setting unit 41 holds multiple production job data (JOB1, JOB2) in a memory device 45. The memory device 45 may be a device inside the component mounting machine 14, or may be an external device shared by multiple board production machines. The board type confirmation unit 42 communicates bidirectionally with the administrator terminal 6. The detailed functions of the four functional units will be described in detail later in the explanation of the operation and action.

The production job data (JOB1, JOB2) is data that describes detailed specifications regarding component mounting operations. The production job data (JOB1, JOB2) is different data for each board type. The production job data (JOB1, JOB2) is assigned a data name and update history information. Examples of update history information include the revision number, which indicates the number of updates, and the update date. Multiple production job data with the same data name but different update history information are considered to be different data.

For example, the data name can be "JOB1", the revision numbers can be "R0", "R1", "R2", and "X3", and the two can be linked with "_". In this case, the production job data will be four: "JOB1_R0", "JOB1_R1", "JOB1_R2", and "JOB1_X3". Here, the first letter R of the revision number indicates that it can be used, and the first letter X indicates that it is prohibited to use. The second number of the revision number indicates the number of updates. It is determined that the revision number with the greatest number of updates is used preferentially. Therefore, in this example, only "JOB1_R2" can be used as production job data, and the others cannot be used.

The three unusable production job data, namely "JOB1_R0", "JOB1_R1", and "JOB1_X3", are stored in memory device 45 for the purpose of checking changes made during updates and for the possibility of future use. Therefore, memory device 45 contains a mixture of usable production job data and prohibited production job data. This creates the risk that an operator may select the wrong production job data.

(2. Operation and Function of Board Production Machine of First Embodiment)
Next, the operation and function of the component mounting machine 14 will be described, focusing on the operation of the control unit 4. Fig. 3 is a process flow diagram explaining the operation of the control unit 4 of the component mounting machine 14, which is a board production machine of the first embodiment. In step S1 of Fig. 3, the board type setting unit 41 of the control unit 4 operates to set subsequent board types to be produced after the current board type currently being produced.

More specifically, the board type setting unit 41 displays a list of data names and update history information for multiple production job data (JOB1, JOB2) on the display unit 48, and requests the worker to perform a manual selection operation. After checking not only the data name but also the update history information, the worker selects the production job data corresponding to the next or subsequent board type from the input unit 49. The board type setting unit 41 selects the production job data in accordance with the selection operation. This completes the setting of the next or subsequent board type.

In step S2, the board type confirmation unit 42 operates following the board type setting unit 41. After production of the current board type is completed, the board type confirmation unit 42 inquires of the production manager about the next and subsequent board types set by the board type setting unit 41 to confirm whether they are correct. Since production plans often change while the current board type is in the middle of production, the board type confirmation unit 42 does not operate.

Specifically, the board type confirmation unit 42 notifies the manager terminal 6 of the data name and update history information of the production job data corresponding to the next or subsequent board type, for example by email. Alternatively, the board type confirmation unit 42 displays the data name and update history information of the production job data on the display unit 48. The production manager compares the data name and update history information with the latest production plan, and determines that there is an error if even one character differs, and determines that there is a perfect match if there is a perfect match. The production manager responds with the inquiry result, i.e., whether the next or subsequent board type is correct, by replying to the email or by inputting information from the input unit 49.

In the next step S3, the board type confirmation unit 42 checks the inquiry result, and if the subsequent board type is incorrect, proceeds to execution of the process flow at step S4. In step S4, the board type confirmation unit 42 displays a request to change the subsequent board type on the display unit 48, and returns execution of the process flow to step S1. The worker who recognizes the change request checks whether there has been a change to the production plan, and also checks for any errors in his or her own settings. Then, in the second step S1, the worker again selects and operates the production job data based on the investigation results.

The production manager may respond with the correct subsequent board type if the queried subsequent board type is incorrect. In this case, in the second step S1, the board type setting unit 41 can set the correct subsequent board type based on the production manager's response.

If the next or subsequent board type is correct in step S3, the board type confirmation unit 42 advances the execution of the processing flow to step S5. In step S5, the production condition investigation unit 43 operates following the board type confirmation unit 42. The production condition investigation unit 43 investigates whether the equipment conditions for starting production of boards of the next or subsequent board types are met. The production condition investigation unit 43 investigates the internal machine conditions and collects information on the equipment conditions.

In the next step S6, the production condition investigation unit 43 determines the equipment conditions, and if the equipment conditions are not satisfied, the execution of the process flow proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the production condition investigation unit 43 displays a warning display on the display unit 48, and the execution of the process flow proceeds to step S8. The worker who recognizes the warning display performs a recovery procedure on the component mounting machine 14. Then, after the equipment conditions are satisfied, the worker inputs a restart command from the input unit 49.

In step S8, the production condition investigation unit 43 waits for a restart command to be input. When a restart command is input, the production condition investigation unit 43 returns the execution of the processing flow to step S1. If the worker's return procedure is short, the production plan is rarely changed. However, if the return procedure is long, the production plan is often changed. Therefore, upon returning to step S1, the worker investigates whether the production plan has been changed, and then selects and operates the production job data again.

If the equipment conditions are met in step S6, the production condition investigation unit 43 advances the execution of the processing flow to step S9. In step S9, the production permission unit 44 operates following the production condition investigation unit 43. The production permission unit 44 permits the production of boards of the next or subsequent board types. This ends the processing flow of the control unit 4. Next, a changeover operation corresponding to the next or subsequent board types is performed, and production preparation is completed. Next, the component mounting machine 14 starts production of boards of the next or subsequent board types.

(3. Aspects and Effects of the Board Production Machine of the First Embodiment)
Component mounting machine 14, which is a board production machine of the first embodiment, comprises a board type setting unit 41 which sets the next or subsequent board type to be produced after the current board type currently being produced, a board type confirmation unit 42 which confirms whether the set next or subsequent board type is correct, a production condition investigation unit 43 which investigates whether the production conditions for producing boards of the next or subsequent board type are satisfied, and a production permission unit 44 which permits the production of boards of the next or subsequent board type when the next or subsequent board type is correct and the production conditions are satisfied.

According to this, if the set subsequent board type is incorrect, production of the board is not permitted. Furthermore, even if the set subsequent board type is correct, if the production conditions are not met, production of the board is not permitted because there is a possibility that the production plan will be changed, in other words, that the subsequent board type may be changed. Therefore, it is possible to deal with human setting errors and changes to the production plan, and production can be started only after confirming that the set subsequent board type is correct. As a result, errors caused by an incorrect subsequent board type and delays in the completion of production are prevented. Furthermore, no unnecessary changeover work is required due to an incorrect subsequent board type.

Furthermore, the board type setting unit 41 holds multiple production job data (JOB1, JOB2) used when producing boards of the next or subsequent board types, where multiple production job data (JOB1, JOB2) differ for each board type, and selects production job data corresponding to the next or subsequent board type according to a manual selection operation. This allows the next or subsequent board type to be set or confirmed using production job data that differs for each board type.

Furthermore, the board type confirmation unit 42 checks whether the board type is correct from the next time onwards based on the data name of the production job data and the update history information added to the production job data. This makes it possible to reliably detect that the board type is incorrect from the next time onwards, even if the worker makes a mistake in the settings due to slight differences in the data name of the production job data or the update history information.

Furthermore, the board type confirmation unit 42 inquires with the production manager about the set subsequent board types to confirm whether they are correct. In this way, since the inquiry is made directly to the production manager in charge of planning and modifying the production plan, no errors will occur due to changes to the production plan.

Furthermore, the production condition investigation unit 43 investigates the equipment conditions, which are the in-machine conditions that allow production of boards of the board type to begin from the next onwards. According to this, production is not permitted if the equipment conditions are not met. Therefore, if the production plan is subsequently changed, the board type can be re-set from the next onwards.

(4. Configuration, Operation, and Function of Board Production Machine of Second Embodiment)
Next, the board production machine of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 6, focusing mainly on the differences from the first embodiment. Figure 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a board production line 1A including a board production machine of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the line configuration of the board production line 1A itself is the same as in the first embodiment. However, the solder printer 12A at the head of the line is the board production machine of the second embodiment. The solder printer 12A is equipped with a camera 27 for reading board type.

The board type reading camera 27 is positioned facing the board entrance 21 and captures an image of the upper surface of the board K placed at the board entrance 21. Code information including information on the board type is attached to the upper surface of the board K. Therefore, the board type reading camera 27 can obtain the code information by processing the captured image. Note that the solder printing machine 12A may be equipped with a code scanner operated by an operator that can read code information instead of the board type reading camera 27.

In addition, in the second embodiment, the manager terminal 6 is not used. Instead, the solder printing machine 12A is connected to the schedule management server 71 by using the communication line 29. The schedule management server 71 includes a production sequence management unit 72 and a manpower planning management unit 73. The production sequence management unit 72 manages the production sequence of the current board type currently being produced and the next and subsequent board types scheduled for production. In other words, the production sequence management unit 72 holds the execution sequence of the production job data of the current board type and the next and subsequent board types. The production manager accesses the production sequence management unit 72 and rewrites the execution sequence of the production job data to change the production plan. The manpower planning management unit 73 manages the manpower planning of the workers in charge of the board production line 1A.

Furthermore, the solder printer 12A is connected to a material management server 75 via a communication line 29. The material management server 75 procures and manages inventory of materials used in the board production line 1A. The solder printer 12A is equipped with a control unit 4A that controls the solder printing operation. The control unit 4A also operates when switching the type of board being produced. Figure 5 is a diagram explaining the functional configuration of the control unit 4A of the solder printer 12A, which is a board production machine of the second embodiment.

As shown in the figure, the control unit 4A has a display unit 48 and an input unit 49. The control unit 4A also has four functional units, a board type setting unit 41A, a board type confirmation unit 42A, a production condition investigation unit 43A, and a production permission unit 44. The board type setting unit 41A holds multiple production job data (JOB1, JOB2) in a memory device 45. The board type setting unit 41A also controls the board type reading camera 27. The board type confirmation unit 42A communicates bidirectionally with the production sequence management unit 72. The production condition investigation unit 43A communicates bidirectionally with the manpower planning management unit 73 and the material management server 75. The detailed functions of the four functional units will be described in detail in the explanation of the operation and action.

Next, the operation and function of the solder printer 12A will be described, focusing on the operation of the control unit 4A. FIG. 6 is a process flow diagram explaining the operation of the control unit 4A of the solder printer 12A, which is a board production machine of the second embodiment. In step S1A of FIG. 6, the board type setting unit 41A operates to set the next and subsequent board types to be produced after the current board type currently being produced.

In more detail, the board type setting unit 41A first sends an image capture command to the board type reading camera 27. When the worker places the first board K of the board type to be produced next at the board entrance 21, the board type reading camera 27 operates. The board type reading camera 27 captures an image of the board K, processes the image to obtain code information, and sends it to the board type setting unit 41A. The board type setting unit 41A can recognize the board type of the board K based on the received code information. Furthermore, the board type setting unit 41 can automatically select production job data corresponding to the board type of the board K. This completes the setting of the next board type. In the second embodiment, the board type setting unit 41A sequentially sets the next board type, and does not set the next board type to be produced after that.

In step S2A, the board type confirmation unit 42A operates following the board type setting unit 41A. After production of boards of the current board type is completed, the board type confirmation unit 42A confirms whether the next board type set by the board type setting unit 41A is correct. Specifically, the board type confirmation unit 42A queries the production job data automatically selected by the board type setting unit 41A to the production sequence management unit 72 via communication to confirm whether it is correct. The production sequence management unit 72 determines whether the queried production job data is correct or not based on whether the data name and update history information of the queried production job data and the production job data it holds are completely consistent. The production sequence management unit 72 responds by communication with the query result, i.e., whether the next board type is correct or not. Note that the production sequence management unit 72 may respond with the correct production job data if the queried production job data is incorrect.

In the next step S3, the board type confirmation unit 42A checks the inquiry result, and if the next board type is incorrect, proceeds to step S4 in the execution of the process flow. In step S4, the board type confirmation unit 42A displays a request to change the next board type on the display unit 48, and returns the execution of the process flow to step S1A. The worker who recognizes the change request checks whether there has been a change to the production plan, and also checks for any errors in his or her own settings. Then, in the second step S1A, the worker places a board of a different board type from the previous time in the board entrance 21 based on the investigation results.

If the next board type is correct in step S3, the board type confirmation unit 42A advances the execution of the processing flow to step S5. In step S5, the production condition investigation unit 43A operates following the board type confirmation unit 42A. The production condition investigation unit 43 investigates the internal machine condition and collects information on the equipment conditions. In the next step S6, the production condition investigation unit 43A determines whether the equipment conditions are met.

In the second embodiment, the production condition investigation unit 43A investigates whether material conditions and personnel conditions are met in addition to equipment conditions. Specifically, in step S6A when the equipment conditions are met, the production condition investigation unit 43A queries the material management server 75 about the material condition of whether there are enough materials required to produce the next board type of board. In step S6B when the material condition is met, the production condition investigation unit 43A queries the manpower planning management unit 73 about the personnel condition of whether there are enough workers required to produce the next board type of board. If any one of the equipment conditions, material conditions, and personnel conditions is not met, the production condition investigation unit 43A advances the execution of the processing flow to step S7.

In step S7, the production condition investigation unit 43A displays a warning message on the display unit 48, and the execution of the processing flow proceeds to step S8. The worker who recognizes the warning message investigates the unsatisfied conditions, consults with the production manager as necessary, and takes measures to satisfy the three conditions described above. Then, after the three conditions are satisfied, the worker inputs a restart command from the input unit 49.

In step S8, the production condition investigation unit 43A waits for a restart command to be input. When the restart command is input, the production condition investigation unit 43A returns the execution of the process flow to step S1A. If the worker's action is short, the production plan is rarely changed. However, if the action takes a long time, the production plan is often changed. Therefore, upon returning to step S1A, the worker investigates whether the production plan has been changed and then places the board K or another board in the board entrance 21.

If the three conditions are met, the production condition investigation unit 43A advances the execution of the processing flow to step S9. In step S9, the production permission unit 44 operates following the production condition investigation unit 43A. The production permission unit 44 permits the production of the next board type. This ends the processing flow of the control unit 4A. Next, a changeover operation corresponding to the next board type is performed and production preparation is completed. Next, the solder printing machine 12A starts production of the next board type.

(5. Aspects and Effects of the Board Production Machine of the Second Embodiment)
In the solder printer 12A, which is a board production machine of the second embodiment, the board type setting unit 41A holds a plurality of production job data (JOB1, JOB2) used when producing boards of the next or subsequent board types, where the plurality of production job data (JOB1, JOB2) differ for each board type, and selects the production job data corresponding to the next board type according to an automatic selection function. This allows the next or subsequent board types to be set and confirmed using different production job data for each board type. In addition, since the worker does not set the next board type, there is no risk of the worker making a setting error due to slight differences in the data name or update history information of the production job data.

Furthermore, the board type confirmation unit 42A queries the production sequence management unit 72, which manages the production sequence of multiple board types, about the set next board type to confirm whether it is correct or not. In this way, no errors occur because the query is made directly to the production sequence management unit 72, which is the basis of the production plan.

Furthermore, the production condition investigation unit 43A investigates the material condition, which indicates that there are sufficient materials necessary for the production of boards of the next or subsequent board type, the personnel condition, which indicates that there are sufficient workers necessary for the production of boards of the next or subsequent board type, and the equipment condition, which indicates the in-machine state in which production of boards of the next or subsequent board type can be started. According to this, if any of the three conditions are not met, production is not permitted. Therefore, if the production plan is changed after this, the next or subsequent board type can be re-set.

(6. Board production line 1B of the embodiment)
Next, the board production line 1B of the embodiment will be described, focusing mainly on the differences from the board production machines of the first and second embodiments. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the board production line 1B of the embodiment. The board production line 1B includes five board production machines (12, 13, 14, 15, 16) that share the production of boards, and a line management device 3. However, each of the board production machines (12, 13, 14, 15, 16) does not hold production job data, and does not include the four functional units (41, 41A, 42, 42A, 43, 43A, 44).

The line management device 3 is configured using a computer device. The line management device 3 has a display unit 31 and an input unit 32. The line management device 3 is communicatively connected to each board production machine (solder printer 12, print inspection machine 13, component mounting machine 14, board visual inspection machine 15, and reflow machine 16) using a communication line 29. The line management device 3 is also communicatively connected to the manager terminal 6. Furthermore, the line management device 3 can also access the production database 5 using the communication line 29.

The production database 5 stores multiple production job data (JOB3, JOB4). The production job data (JOB3, JOB4) is different data for each type of board to be produced. The production job data (JOB3, JOB4) includes data for the five board production machines (12, 13, 14, 15, 16) that make up the board production line 1B.

The line management device 3 has four functional units that operate when switching the type of board to be produced: a board type setting unit, a board type confirmation unit, a production condition investigation unit, and a production permission unit. The four functional units operate in sequence, as in the first embodiment. The board type setting unit holds the data names and update history information of multiple production job data (JOB3, JOB4). Therefore, the board type setting unit can set the next and subsequent board types by selecting the data name and update history information. The board type setting unit sets the next and subsequent board types in accordance with the selection operation of the worker, similar to the board type setting unit 41 in the first embodiment.

The operation of the board type confirmation unit is also substantially the same as that of the board type confirmation unit 42 in the first embodiment. The production condition investigation unit investigates whether the equipment condition that the line state is such that production of boards of the next or subsequent board types can be started is satisfied in all board production machines (12, 13, 14, 15, 16). The production condition investigation unit uses communication to collect information on the internal state of each board production machine (12, 13, 14, 15, 16) and judges the equipment conditions. The production permission unit transmits production job data corresponding to the next or subsequent board types from the production database 5 to each board production machine (12, 13, 14, 15, 16) to permit the production of boards of the next or subsequent board types.

The board production line 1B of the embodiment includes a plurality of board production machines (12, 13, 14, 15, 16) that share the production of boards, and a line management device 3. The line management device 3 includes a board type setting unit that sets the next and subsequent board types to be produced after the current board type currently being produced, a board type confirmation unit that confirms whether the set next and subsequent board types are correct, a production condition investigation unit that investigates whether the production conditions for producing boards of the next and subsequent board types are satisfied, and a production permission unit that permits the production of boards of the next and subsequent board types when the next and subsequent board types are correct and the production conditions are satisfied in all of the board production machines (12, 13, 14, 15, 16).

Accordingly, in the same way as the board production machine of the first embodiment, permission or denial of board production is determined. Therefore, it is possible to deal with human setting errors and changes to the production plan, and production can be started after confirming that the set board type is correct from the next time onwards. Furthermore, in the board production line 1B of this embodiment, each of the effects described in the first embodiment is similarly achieved.

In addition, in board production line 1B of the embodiment, the production permission unit transmits production job data corresponding to the next or subsequent board type to the multiple board production machines (12, 13, 14, 15, 16) to permit the production of boards of the next or subsequent board type. In this way, the type of board to be produced is switched simultaneously in all board production machines (12, 13, 14, 15, 16). Therefore, compared to the first embodiment in which switching is performed for each board production machine, the labor of the workers is reduced. Also, the irrationality of the next or subsequent board types being different between the multiple board production machines (12, 13, 14, 15, 16) cannot occur.

(7. Applications and Modifications of the Embodiments)
In the board production machines of the first and second embodiments, the board type confirmation unit (42, 42A) operates before the start of the changeover work, but is not limited to this. In other words, even after the start of the changeover work, if the board type confirmation unit (42, 42A) operates before the start of production of the next board type, an error is prevented. In addition, in the board production line 1B of the embodiment, the board type confirmation unit may operate after the production job data is transmitted from the production database 5 to each board production machine, and an error is prevented. Furthermore, in the process flows of Figures 3 and 6, the process when the inquiry result is incorrect and when the production conditions are not satisfied can be modified in various ways. The board production machines and board production line 1B of the embodiment can be applied and modified in various other ways.

1, 1A, 1B: Board production line 12, 12A: Solder printer 14: Component mounting machine 27: Camera for reading board type 3: Line management device 4, 4A: Control unit 41, 41A: Board type setting unit 42, 42A: Board type confirmation unit 43, 43A: Production condition investigation unit 44: Production permission unit 5: Production database 72: Production sequence management unit 7
3: Personnel planning management department 75: Material management server K: Board JOB1, JOB2, J
OB3, JOB4: Production job data

Claims (5)

The system includes a plurality of board production machines including at least one component mounting machine that shares the production of boards, and a line management device;
The line management device includes:
a substrate type setting unit that sets a substrate type to be produced next or later;
a board type confirmation unit that inquires through communication whether the set subsequent board types are correct or not and confirms them based on the production sequence;
a production condition investigation unit that collects information on an in-machine state including the component mounting machine capable of starting production of the next or subsequent board types and judges equipment conditions;
a production permission unit that permits production of the board of the next or subsequent board type when the next or subsequent board type is correct and the equipment conditions are satisfied in all of the board production machines;
A substrate production line comprising:
the board type setting unit sets production job data relating to a mounting operation of components corresponding to the board type from next onwards;
The board production line, wherein the board type confirmation unit confirms whether the set next or subsequent board type is correct by checking whether the data name and revision number of the production job data inquired and the production job data of the latest production plan match. The board production line according to claim 1, wherein the production condition investigation unit uses communication to collect information regarding the internal state of at least one of the multiple board production machines and determine the equipment conditions. The board production line is configured to include at least one of a print inspection machine, a board appearance inspection machine, and a reflow machine as the board production machine,
Each of the board production machines is communicatively connected to the line management device.
The substrate production line according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The board production line according to claim 1, further comprising a material management section that performs inventory management of materials required for the production of a next type of board. 5. A board production line according to claim 1 , wherein the production condition investigation unit queries a material management server about material conditions, such as whether or not there are enough materials required for producing a next board type.

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