JP7615164B2 - Item management device and item management method - Google Patents

Description

This specification discloses technology relating to an item management device and an item management method.

The method of determining part layout described in Patent Document 1 includes a part layout creation process. The part layout creation process creates a part layout such that at least one part supply means used by both the first group and another group produced before the first group using a part supply cart used in the production of the first group are positioned in the same position on the part supply cart between the first group and the other group.

JP 2018-116989 A

When the type of board product being produced changes, the type and number of items required by the substrate-related operation machine to produce the board product also change. Therefore, a changeover operation is performed to change the items supplied to the substrate-related operation machine according to the type of board product being produced. When items are supplied using a cart as in the invention described in Patent Document 1, it is desirable to reduce as much as possible the replacement operation of the cart, which is the item supply medium that supplies the items.

In consideration of these circumstances, this specification discloses an item management device and an item management method that can reduce the work of replacing item supply media that supply items to a substrate-related work machine in multiple carts that supply items required for the substrate-related work machine in the production of substrate products.

This specification discloses an item management device that allocates item supply media to a plurality of carriages that supply items required for the production of a substrate-related product by a substrate-related operation machine that performs a predetermined substrate-related operation on a substrate to produce the substrate product. The item management device includes a classification setting unit and an allocation unit. The classification setting unit classifies a plurality of unit productions included in a production plan in which an order of unit productions is specified in which the production of the same type of substrate product using the substrate-related operation machine is specified, into production groups that are at least one set of unit productions that use the items supplied to the substrate-related operation machine by the item supply medium loaded on one of the carriages at one time. The allocation unit allocates the item supply medium to the carriages such that when the same type of items supplied from the same carriage are used in different production groups, the item supply medium that supplies the items is the same.

This specification also discloses an item management method for allocating item supply media for supplying items to a plurality of carriages that supply items required for the production of a substrate product by a substrate-related operation machine that performs a predetermined substrate-related operation on a substrate to the substrate-related operation machine. The item management method includes a classification process and an allocation process. The classification process divides a plurality of unit productions included in a production plan in which the order of unit productions in which the production of the same type of substrate product using the substrate-related operation machine is specified, into production groups that are at least one set of unit productions that use the items supplied to the substrate-related operation machine by the item supply media loaded on one of the carriages at one time. The allocation process allocates the item supply media to the carriages such that when the same type of items supplied from the same carriage are used in different production groups, the item supply media that supply the items are the same.

The above-mentioned item management device includes a classification setting unit and an allocation unit. In particular, when the same type of item supplied from the same cart is used in different production groups, the allocation unit allocates item supply media to the carts such that the item supply media that supplies the items are the same. This enables the item management device to reduce the work of replacing item supply media. What has been described above about the item management device can also be said about the item management method.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a substrate-related work line; FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a configuration example of a component mounting machine. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a dolly. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a control block of an article management device. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control procedure performed by the item management device. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the relationship between a production plan, unit production, and a production group.

1. Embodiment 1-1. Configuration Example of Substrate-related Work Line WL0 The substrate-related work line WL0 includes at least one substrate-related work machine WM0. The substrate-related work machine WM0 performs a predetermined substrate-related work on a substrate 90 to produce a substrate product 900. The type and number of substrate-related work machines WM0 are not limited. As shown in FIG. 1, the substrate-related work line WL0 of this embodiment includes a plurality (five) of substrate-related work machines WM0, including a printer WM1, a print inspection machine WM2, a component mounting machine WM3, a reflow oven WM4, and a visual inspection machine WM5, and the substrate 90 is transported in this order by a substrate transport device.

The printer WM1 prints solder at the mounting positions of multiple components 81 on the board 90. The print inspection machine WM2 inspects the printing condition of the solder printed by the printer WM1. As shown in Figure 2, the component mounting machine WM3 mounts multiple components 81 on the board 90 on which the solder has been printed by the printer WM1. There may be one component mounting machine WM3 or multiple component mounting machines WM3. When multiple component mounting machines WM3 are provided, the multiple component mounting machines WM3 can share the task of mounting multiple components 81.

The reflow furnace WM4 heats the board 90 on which multiple components 81 have been mounted by the component mounting machine WM3, melting the solder and performing soldering. The appearance inspection machine WM5 inspects the mounting state of the multiple components 81 mounted by the component mounting machine WM3. In this way, the board-to-board work line WL0 can use multiple (five) board-to-board work machines WM0 to transport the boards 90 in sequence and perform production processes including inspection processes to produce the board products 900. The board-to-board work line WL0 can also be equipped with board-to-board work machines WM0 such as function inspection machines, buffer devices, board supply devices, board reversing devices, shield mounting devices, adhesive application devices, and ultraviolet ray irradiation devices as necessary.

The board production equipment, which includes at least one substrate-related work line WL0, is equipped with a plurality of carts 30, 30 (two in this embodiment). Each of the plurality (two) carts 30, 30 supplies items 80 to the substrate-related work machine WM0 that are required for the substrate-related work machine WM0 to produce the substrate product 900. The items 80 are supplied to the substrate-related work machine WM0 while being contained in an item supply medium 70 that supplies the items 80. The board production equipment may also be equipped with a storage facility FS0. The storage facility FS0 stores the items 80 and the item supply medium 70.

The item 80 is not limited as long as it is an item required by the substrate-related operating machine WM0 in the production of the substrate product 900. Similarly, the item supply medium 70 can take various forms to match the item 80. The storage facility FS0 can store various items 80 and item supply media 70. In this embodiment, the item 80 is a component 81 that is attached to the substrate 90. The item supply medium 70 is at least one of a reel 121 and a feeder 122 that supplies the component 81. The storage facility FS0 includes a reel storage facility that stores the reel 121 and a feeder storage facility that stores the feeder 122. The storage facility FS0 can also store the feeder 122 equipped with the reel 121.

The multiple (five) substrate-related work machines WM0 and line management device LC0 that make up the substrate-related work line WL0 are communicatively connected by a communication unit. The line management device LC0, management device HC0, and storage FS0 are communicatively connected by a communication unit. The communication unit can communicatively connect these via a wired or wireless connection, and various communication methods can be used.

In this embodiment, a local area network (LAN) is made up of multiple (five) substrate-related work machines WM0, line management device LC0, management device HC0, and storage FS0. Thus, the multiple (five) substrate-related work machines WM0 can communicate with each other via the communication unit. In addition, the multiple (five) substrate-related work machines WM0 can communicate with the line management device LC0 via the communication unit. Furthermore, the line management device LC0, management device HC0, and storage FS0 can communicate with each other via the communication unit.

The line management device LC0 controls the multiple (five) substrate-related work machines WM0 that make up the substrate-related work line WL0, and monitors the operating status of the substrate-related work line WL0. The line management device LC0 stores various control data for controlling the multiple (five) substrate-related work machines WM0. The line management device LC0 transmits control data to each of the multiple (five) substrate-related work machines WM0. In addition, each of the multiple (five) substrate-related work machines WM0 transmits its operating status and production status to the line management device LC0.

The management device HC0 manages at least one line management device LC0 and storage facility FS0. For example, the operating status and production status of the substrate-related work machine WM0 acquired by the line management device LC0 are transmitted to the management device HC0. In addition, item information regarding the items 80 stored in storage facility FS0 (for example, the type, number, storage location, date and time of entry and exit, and storage conditions such as humidity of the items 80) is transmitted to the management device HC0.

The management device HC0 is provided with a memory device DS0. The memory device DS0 can store various acquired data acquired by the substrate-related operation machine WM0. For example, various image data captured by the substrate-related operation machine WM0 is included in the acquired data. A record (log data) of the operating status acquired by the substrate-related operation machine WM0 is included in the acquired data. The memory device DS0 can also store various production information related to the production of the substrate product 900. Furthermore, the memory device DS0 can store item information related to the items 80 stored in the storage facility FS0.

1-2. Example of configuration of component mounting machine WM3 The component mounting machine WM3 mounts a plurality of components 81 on a board 90. As shown in Fig. 2, the component mounting machine WM3 includes a board transport device 11, a component supply device 12, a component transfer device 13, a component camera 14, a board camera 15, and a control device 16.

The board transport device 11 is, for example, configured with a belt conveyor, and transports the board 90 in a transport direction (X-axis direction). The board 90 is a circuit board on which electronic circuits, electric circuits, magnetic circuits, etc. are formed. The board transport device 11 transports the board 90 into the component mounting machine WM3 and positions the board 90 at a predetermined position within the machine. After the mounting process of multiple components 81 by the component mounting machine WM3 is completed, the board transport device 11 transports the board 90 out of the component mounting machine WM3.

The component supply device 12 supplies a plurality of components 81 to be mounted on the board 90. A plurality of feeders 122 are removably mounted on the component supply device 12 and arranged along the transport direction (X-axis direction) of the board 90. A reel 121 is removably equipped on each of the plurality of feeders 122. A carrier tape that supplies the plurality of components 81 is wound on the reel 121. The feeder 122 feeds the carrier tape by a pitch to supply the components 81 at a supply position located at the tip side of the feeder 122 so that the components 81 can be picked up.

The multiple (two) carts 30, 30 are arranged so that they can be alternately connected to the component supply device 12. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, each of the multiple (two) carts 30, 30 includes a vehicle body 31, a pair of arm members 32, 32, and a pallet member 33. In the figure, one cart 30 is shown for convenience of illustration. Also, one feeder 122 is mounted on the cart 30 for convenience of illustration. In reality, when the cart 30 is connected to the component supply device 12, the multiple feeders 122 are mounted along the conveying direction (X-axis direction) of the board 90.

The vehicle body 31 is provided with a plurality of casters 311 for movement, a pair of height adjustment parts 312, 312, and a pair of handle parts 313, 313. The plurality of casters 311 for movement are provided on the lower part of the vehicle body 31, and enable the dolly 30 to move. A pair of height adjustment parts 312, 312 is provided on both sides of the vehicle body 31 in the X-axis direction. The pair of height adjustment parts 312, 312 adjust the height (position in the Z-axis direction) of the pallet member 33 provided via the pair of arm members 32, 32. The vehicle body 31 is also provided with a pair of handle parts 313, 313 extending upward from the pair of height adjustment parts 312, 312. An operator can move the dolly 30 by gripping the pair of handle parts 313, 313.

A pallet member 33 is provided on the upper part of the pair of arm members 32, 32. A plurality of slots 332 are formed on the upper surface of the pallet member 33 in the transport direction (X-axis direction) of the substrate 90. Each of the plurality of slots 332 is formed to extend along the Y-axis direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction in a horizontal plane. The feeder 122 is inserted along the slot 332 and mounted on the cart 30.

A connecting portion 331 is provided on the side of the pallet member 33 facing the component mounting machine WM3. A positioning portion and a connector are provided at positions corresponding to each slot 332 of the connecting portion 331. The positioning portion positions the feeder 122 on the pallet member 33. The feeder 122 can receive driving power from the component mounting machine WM3 via the connector. The feeder 122 can also communicate with the control device 16 of the component mounting machine WM3 via the connector.

The component supply device 12 can also supply electronic components (e.g., lead components) that are relatively large compared to chip components and the like, arranged on a tray. In this case, the trolley 30 is provided with a tray unit that houses the tray, instead of the pallet member 33. The tray corresponds to the item supply medium 70.

The component transfer device 13 includes a head drive device 131 and a movable table 132. The head drive device 131 is configured to be able to move the movable table 132 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction by a linear motion mechanism. The mounting head 20 is detachably (replaceably) attached to the movable table 132 by a clamp member. The mounting head 20 uses at least one holding member 21 to pick up and hold the component 81 supplied by the component supply device 12, and mounts the component 81 on the board 90 positioned by the board transport device 11. The holding member 21 can be, for example, a suction nozzle, a chuck, or the like.

The component camera 14 and the board camera 15 may use known imaging devices. The component camera 14 is fixed to the base of the component mounting machine WM3 so that the optical axis faces upward in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The component camera 14 can image the component 81 held by the holding member 21 from below. The board camera 15 is provided on the moving table 132 of the component transfer device 13 so that the optical axis faces downward in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The board camera 15 can image the board 90 from above. The component camera 14 and the board camera 15 capture images based on control signals sent from the control device 16. Image data of the captured images captured by the component camera 14 and the board camera 15 are transmitted to the control device 16.

The control device 16 is equipped with a known arithmetic device and a memory device, and a control circuit is configured. Information and image data output from various sensors provided in the component mounting machine WM3 are input to the control device 16. The control device 16 sends control signals to each device based on a control program and predetermined mounting conditions that have been set in advance.

For example, the control device 16 causes the board camera 15 to capture an image of the board 90 positioned by the board transport device 11. The control device 16 processes the image captured by the board camera 15 to recognize the positioning state of the board 90. The control device 16 also causes the holding member 21 to pick up and hold the component 81 supplied by the component supply device 12, and causes the component camera 14 to capture an image of the component 81 held by the holding member 21. The control device 16 processes the image captured by the component camera 14 to recognize the holding posture of the component 81.

The control device 16 moves the holding member 21 above the intended mounting position that is set in advance by a control program or the like. The control device 16 also corrects the intended mounting position based on the positioning state of the board 90, the holding posture of the component 81, and the like, and sets the mounting position where the component 81 will actually be mounted. The intended mounting position and mounting position include a rotation angle in addition to the position (X-axis coordinate and Y-axis coordinate).

The control device 16 corrects the target position (X-axis coordinate and Y-axis coordinate) and rotation angle of the holding member 21 to match the mounting position. The control device 16 lowers the holding member 21 at the corrected rotation angle in the corrected target position to mount the component 81 on the board 90. The control device 16 repeats the above pick-and-place cycle to perform the mounting process of mounting multiple components 81 on the board 90.

1-3. Example of configuration of item management device 50 When the type of board product 900 to be produced is changed, the type and number of items 80 required by substrate-related operation machine WM0 to produce board product 900 change. Therefore, a changeover operation is performed to change the items 80 to be supplied in accordance with the type of board product 900 to be produced.

In this embodiment, the changeover work is performed using a plurality (two) of carts 30, 30 that can collectively replace (interchange) a plurality of feeders 122 each having a reel 121 that supplies components 81, which are items 80. In this way, when using the cart 30 to supply items 80 to the substrate-related operation machine WM0 (in this embodiment, the component mounting machine WM3), it is desirable to reduce as much as possible the replacement work on the cart 30 of the item supply medium 70 that supplies the items 80. Therefore, the board production facility of this embodiment is provided with an item management device 50.

The item management device 50 allocates item supply media 70 that supply items 80 to a plurality of carts 30 that supply items 80 required by the substrate-related operation machine WM0 in the production of the substrate product 900 to the substrate-related operation machine WM0. When considered as a control block, the item management device 50 includes a classification setting unit 51 and an allocation unit 52. The item management device 50 can also include a collation unit 53. The item management device 50 can also include a production order change unit 54. As shown in FIG. 4, the item management device 50 of this embodiment includes a classification setting unit 51, an allocation unit 52, a collation unit 53, and a production order change unit 54.

The item management device 50 can be provided in various computing devices and control devices. For example, the item management device 50 can be provided in the line management device LC0, management device HC0, etc. shown in FIG. 1. The item management device 50 can also be formed on the cloud. As shown in FIG. 4, the item management device 50 of this embodiment is provided in the management device HC0.

Furthermore, the item management device 50 of this embodiment executes control according to the flowchart shown in Figure 5. The classification setting unit 51 performs the process shown in step S12. The allocation unit 52 performs the process shown in step S13. The collation unit 53 performs the process shown in step S14. The production sequence change unit 54 performs the process shown in step S11.

1-3-1. Category setting section 51
6 shows an example of the relationship between the production plan L0, the unit production W0, and the production group G0. The production plan L0 specifies the production of the same type of board products 900 using the board-related processing machine WM0. For example, the production plan L0 shown in FIG. 6 defines the order of unit production W0 (indicated as unit production W01 in the figure) to the tenth unit production W100 for producing the first type of board product 900. 10. The figure shows that ten types of board products 900 are produced in sequence, starting with unit production W0 (indicated as unit production W10 in the figure) which produces ten types of board products 900.

In addition, the production quantity of each type of board product 900, the production start date and time, the planned production end date and time, the delivery date, the type of equipment to be used, the number of equipment to be used, the type of items 80 required in the production of the board product 900, the number of items 80, etc. are specified in the production plan L0. Furthermore, if there are multiple substrate-related work lines WL0 capable of producing the board product 900, the substrate-related work line WL0 to be used is specified in the production plan L0. The production plan L0 is stored in the storage device DS0 shown in FIG. 1.

The classification setting unit 51 classifies the multiple unit productions W0 included in the production plan L0 into production groups G0 (step S12 shown in FIG. 5). A production group G0 is a collection of at least one unit production W0 that uses an item 80 supplied to a substrate-related operating machine WM0 by an item supply medium 70 loaded onto one cart 30 at a time. The classification setting unit 51 can classify the production groups G0 from various perspectives.

For example, the classification setting unit 51 can classify the production groups G0 according to the maximum number of item supply media 70 that can be loaded onto one trolley 30 at one time. The classification setting unit 51 can also classify the production groups G0 so that the number of item supply media 70 loaded onto one trolley 30 at one time is roughly equal for each trolley 30. Furthermore, the classification setting unit 51 can also classify the production groups G0 so that the number of unit productions W0 included in the production groups G0, the production time, etc. are roughly equal for each production group G0.

For example, the first production group G0 shown in FIG. 6 (shown as production group G1 in the figure) includes unit production W01 and unit production W02. To simplify the explanation, the items 80 used in unit production W01 and unit production W02 are two types of parts 81: a first type of part 81 (shown as part 81a in the figure) and a second type of part 81 (shown as part 81b in the figure). Furthermore, part 81a is stored in reel 121a. Reel 121a is mounted on feeder 122a. Part 81b is stored in reel 121b. Reel 121b is mounted on feeder 122b.

At this time, one cart 30 (shown as cart 30a in the figure) is loaded with feeder 122a equipped with reel 121a that supplies component 81a, and feeder 122b equipped with reel 121b that supplies component 81b at the same time. When cart 30a is connected to component supply device 12, component mounting machine WM3, which is substrate-related operation machine WM0, can start unit production W01 and unit production W02 that use components 81a and 81b. What has been described above about production group G1 also applies to the other production groups G0 (shown as production groups G2, G3, and G4 in the figure).

In this embodiment, two carts 30, 30 (shown as carts 30a and 30b in FIG. 6) alternately supply item supply media 70 to the substrate-related work machine WM0. In this embodiment, the division setting unit 51 can divide the production group G0 so that a production group G0 that uses item supply media 70 supplied from one cart 30 and a production group G0 that uses item supply media 70 supplied from another cart 30 are alternately repeated.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the production groups G0 that use the item supply medium 70 supplied from cart 30a are production groups G1 and G3. The production groups G0 that use the item supply medium 70 supplied from cart 30b are production groups G2 and G4. The board products 900 are produced in the order of production group G1 involving cart 30a, production group G2 involving cart 30b, production group G3 involving cart 30a, and production group G4 involving cart 30b.

In this way, the production group G0 involving the cart 30a (production group G1 and production group G3) and the production group G0 involving the cart 30b (production group G2 and production group G4) are alternately repeated. Therefore, when the production of the board product 900 of the production group G0 involving the cart 30a is completed, the worker can detach the cart 30a from the component supply device 12 and connect the previously prepared cart 30b to the component supply device 12. This makes it possible to reduce the production wait time for the board product 900 of the production group G0 involving the cart 30b.

1-3-2. Allocation unit 52
6, for example, assume that the same type of parts 81a supplied from the same cart 30a are used in different production groups G0 (production group G1 and production group G3). In this case, if the item supply medium 70 that supplies the parts 81a used in the production group G1 is different from the item supply medium 70 that supplies the parts 81a used in the production group G3, it will be necessary to replace the item supply medium 70 in the cart 30a.

Therefore, when the same type of item 80 supplied from the same cart 30 is used in different production groups G0, the allocation unit 52 allocates the item supply medium 70 to the cart 30 so that the item supply medium 70 supplying the item 80 is the same (step S13 shown in Figure 5).

In the above example, the allocation unit 52 allocates the same item supply medium 70 that supplies the part 81a to the part 81a used in the production group G1 and the production group G3. This allows the item management device 50 to reduce the replacement work of the item supply medium 70 that supplies the part 81a. The same can be said about the part 81c supplied from the trolley 30b. The part 81c is stored on the reel 121c. The reel 121c is mounted on the feeder 122c.

Part 81b shown in FIG. 6 is supplied from both trolley 30a and trolley 30b. Part 81b supplied from trolley 30a is used in production group G1 and production group G3. Part 81b supplied from trolley 30b is used in production group G2 and production group G4. In this way, assume that the same type of part 81b supplied from different trolleys 30 (trolley 30a and trolley 30b) is used in different production groups G0. In this case, if the same item supply medium 70 that supplies part 81b is shared by trolley 30a and trolley 30b, replacement work of item supply medium 70 will be required in trolley 30a and trolley 30b.

Therefore, when the same type of items 80 supplied from different carts 30 are used in different production groups G0, the allocation unit 52 may allocate item supply media 70 to each cart 30 such that the item supply medium 70 supplying the items 80 differs for each cart 30.

In the above example, the allocation unit 52 allocates the item supply medium 70 (reel 121b and feeder 122b) that supplies part 81b to the trolley 30a, and allocates the item supply medium 70 (reel 121d and feeder 122d) that supplies a different part 81b from the item supply medium 70 to the trolley 30b. This enables the item management device 50 to reduce the replacement work of the item supply medium 70 that supplies part 81b.

In addition, in this embodiment, since the same item supply medium 70 is used in multiple production groups G0, a situation where the items 80 contained in the item supply medium 70 are insufficient can easily occur. Therefore, when the remaining number of items 80 contained in the item supply medium 70 assigned to the trolley 30 is equal to or less than a predetermined number, the allocation unit 52 can preliminarily allocate another item supply medium 70 that supplies the same type of items 80 as the item 80. This allows the item management device 50 to reduce a situation where the items 80 are insufficient (e.g., parts are out of stock).

For example, if the substrate-related work performed by the substrate-related work machine WM0 is defective, the item 80 used in the substrate-related work may be discarded. In addition, the substrate-related work machine WM0 may perform the substrate-related work again if the substrate-related work is defective. The spare number is set assuming such a case. If the remaining number of items 80 stored in the item supply medium 70 is equal to or greater than the planned number of items 80 to be supplied from the item supply medium 70, but is equal to or less than the sum of the planned number of items to be used plus the spare number, a situation in which there is a shortage of items 80 (for example, a shortage of parts) may occur. Therefore, the threshold value (the above-mentioned predetermined number) for determining the remaining number of items 80 can be set to, for example, the sum of the planned number of items 80 to be supplied from the item supply medium 70 plus the spare number.

In any of the cases described above, the arrangement of the same item supply medium 70 (the arrangement of the reels 121 and the feeders 122 on the pallet member 33) in the production group G0 (production group G1 and production group G3) in which the trolley 30a is involved can be made common. Similarly, the arrangement of the same item supply medium 70 (the arrangement of the reels 121 and the feeders 122 on the pallet member 33) in the production group G0 (production group G2 and production group G4) in which the trolley 30b is involved can be made common.

1-3-3. Collation unit 53
When the item supply medium 70 is loaded onto the trolley 30, the collation unit 53 verifies whether the item supply medium 70 loaded onto the trolley 30 is the item supply medium 70 that should be loaded onto the trolley 30 (step S14 shown in FIG. 5). This allows the item management device 50 to confirm whether the item supply medium 70 loaded onto the trolley 30 is correct or not.

For example, the worker transports the trolley 30 that is not connected to the component supply device 12 to the storage facility FS0 shown in FIG. 1 to prepare for production of the board product 900 of the next production group G0. Specifically, the worker equips the trolley 30 with the item supply medium 70 stored in the storage facility FS0. For example, the worker uses a reading device to read the identification code that identifies the trolley 30 attached to the trolley 30. The worker also uses a reading device to read the identification code that identifies the item supply medium 70 attached to the item supply medium 70, and equips the trolley 30. After the worker equips the item supply medium 70 to the trolley 30, the worker can also use a reading device to read the identification code that identifies the item supply medium 70 attached to the item supply medium 70.

The collation unit 53 acquires information read by the reading device (identification information of the trolley 30 and identification information of the item supply medium 70). When the collation unit 53 assigns the item supply medium 70 to the trolley 30, the collation unit 53 associates the identification information of the item supply medium 70 to be equipped and assigned to the trolley 30 with the identification information of the trolley 30, and stores them in the memory device DS0 shown in FIG. 1. When the identification information of the item supply medium 70 read by the reading device matches the identification information of the item supply medium 70 stored in the memory device DS0, the collation unit 53 determines that the item supply medium 70 to be equipped on the trolley 30 is the item supply medium 70 to be equipped and assigned to the trolley 30.

Furthermore, when the identification information of the item supply medium 70 read by the reading device does not match the identification information of the item supply medium 70 stored in the memory device DS0, the collation unit 53 determines that the item supply medium 70 installed on the trolley 30 is not the item supply medium 70 that should be assigned to the trolley 30. In this case, the collation unit 53 displays the above-mentioned determination result to the worker and guides the worker to redo the work regarding the erroneously installed item supply medium 70.

6 is supplied from both the cart 30a and the cart 30b. The part 81b supplied from the cart 30a is used in the production groups G1 and G3. The part 81b supplied from the cart 30b is used in the production groups G2 and G4.

In this case, by changing the division of production group G0, it may be possible to supply part 81b from the same trolley 30 (trolley 30a or trolley 30b). For example, in production group G2, if part 81b is only used in unit production W05, unit production W05 included in production group G2 is moved to production group G3. This allows part 81b used in unit production W05 to be supplied from trolley 30a. Also, unit productions W0 in which part 81b is used can be consolidated, increasing the commonality of goods 80 (including goods supply media 70) used in unit production W0.

In this way, the classification setting unit 51 can also move at least one unit production W0 that uses the item 80 included in the production group G0 to another production group G0 so that the commonality of the items 80 used in the unit production W0 is increased (step S12 shown in FIG. 5). This allows the item management device 50 to reduce the work of replacing the item supply medium 70 that supplies the items 80.

1-3-5. Production sequence change unit 54
In the above-mentioned example, the production sequence of the unit production W0 defined in the production plan L0 (the order of unit production W01, unit production W02, unit production W03, ..., unit production W09, unit production W10) is not changed. However, by changing the production sequence of the unit production W0, it may be possible to increase the commonality of the items 80 used in the unit production W0.

For example, in the above example, by switching unit production W05 included in production group G2 with unit production W06 included in production group G3, part 81b used in unit production W05 can be supplied from trolley 30a. In this case as well, unit productions W0 in which part 81b is used can be consolidated, increasing the commonality of goods 80 (including goods supply media 70) used in unit production W0.

In this way, the production sequence changing unit 54 can also change the production sequence of at least one unit production W0 that uses the item 80 so as to increase the commonality of the item 80 used in the unit production W0 (step S11 shown in FIG. 5). This allows the item management device 50 to reduce the work of replacing the item supply medium 70 that supplies the item 80. It is also possible for the production sequence changing unit 54 to change the production sequence of the unit production W0, and for the classification setting unit 51 to move the unit production W0 to another production group G0.

1-3-6. Others In the above-mentioned example, the substrate-related operation machine WM0 is a component mounting machine WM3 that mounts components 81, which are articles 80, on a substrate 90. The article supply medium 70 is a feeder 122 equipped with a reel 121 that supplies the components 81 (the reel 121 and the feeder 122 that supply the components 81).

The item supply medium 70 may be only the reel 121 or only the feeder 122. That is, the item supply medium 70 is at least one of the reel 121 and the feeder 122 that supply the components 81. However, the substrate-related operation machine WM0 is not limited to the component mounting machine WM3. Similarly, the item 80 is not limited to any item that is necessary for the substrate-related operation machine WM0 in producing the board product 900. The item supply medium 70 may take various forms to suit the item 80.

In the example described above, two carts 30 alternately supply item supply media 70 to the substrate-related work machine WM0. However, three or more carts 30 can also supply item supply media 70 to the substrate-related work machine WM0 in any order. For example, in the production of a wide variety of small-lot substrate products 900, the production time per unit production W0 tends to be short, and the number of unit productions W0 tends to increase. The maximum number of item supply media 70 that can be mounted on one cart 30 is determined by the cart 30, so there is also an upper limit to the number of unit productions W0 that can be included in one production group G0.

Therefore, in the production of a wide variety of small quantities of board products 900, the production time per production group G0 tends to be short. In this case, even if production of the board products 900 of one production group G0 is completed, there is a possibility that preparation for production of the board products 900 of the next production group G0 will not be completed. Therefore, it is a good idea to increase the number of carts 30 to be used and equip the carts 30 with the necessary item supply media 70 in advance.

For example, when three trolleys 30 are used, the three trolleys 30 can be used in a fixed order, such as the first trolley 30, the second trolley 30, the third trolley 30, the first trolley 30, the second trolley 30, and the third trolley 30. The order of use of the multiple trolleys 30 can also be changed so that the commonality of the items 80 used in the unit production W0 is increased. For example, when three trolleys 30 are used, they can also be used in the order of the first trolley 30, the second trolley 30, the third trolley 30, the first trolley 30, the third trolley 30, and the second trolley 30.

In the example described above, the trolley 30 is transported by a worker. However, the trolley 30 may also be an unmanned guided vehicle. Also, the worker may retrieve the item supply medium 70 stored in storage FS0, or the item supply medium 70 stored by storage FS0 may be retrieved. In the latter case, storage FS0 retrieves the item supply medium 70 allocated to the trolley 30 by the allocation unit 52.

The cart 30, which is an unmanned transport vehicle, can also move to the storage facility FS0 and be coupled to the storage facility FS0. The storage facility FS0 equips the cart 30 with the item supply medium 70 allocated by the allocation unit 52. Once the item supply medium 70 has been loaded, the cart 30 leaves the storage facility FS0 and moves to the substrate-related work machine WM0. The cart 30 couples to the substrate-related work machine WM0 (e.g., the component supply device 12 of the component mounting machine WM3). When production of the board products 900 of a given production group G0 is completed, the cart 30 leaves the substrate-related work machine WM0 and the above-mentioned process is repeated.

2. Item Management Method What has already been described about the item management device 50 also applies to the item management method. Specifically, the item management method includes a category setting process and an allocation process. The category setting process corresponds to the control performed by the category setting unit 51. The allocation process corresponds to the control performed by the allocation unit 52. The item management method may also include a collation process. The item management method may also include a production order change process. The collation process corresponds to the control performed by the collation unit 53. The production order change process corresponds to the control performed by the production order change unit 54.

3. Example of Effects of the Embodiment According to the item management device 50, a classification setting unit 51 and an allocation unit 52 are provided. In particular, when the same type of items 80 supplied from the same cart 30 are used in different production groups G0, the allocation unit 52 allocates item supply media 70 to the cart 30 such that the item supply media 70 supplying the items 80 are the same. This allows the item management device 50 to reduce the work of replacing the item supply media 70. What has been described above about the item management device 50 also applies to the item management method.

30: cart, 50: item management device, 51: classification setting unit, 52: allocation unit,
53: Collation unit, 54: Production sequence change unit, 70: Product supply medium, 80: Product,
81: component, 90: board, 121: reel, 122: feeder,
900: PCB product, L0: Production plan, W0: Unit production,
G0: production group, WM0: board-related work machine, WM3: component mounting machine.

Claims (7)

An item management device for allocating item supply media for supplying items to a plurality of carriages, the carriages supplying items to a substrate-related operation machine that performs a predetermined substrate-related operation on a substrate to produce a substrate product, the item management device comprising:
a classification setting unit that classifies a plurality of unit productions included in a production plan in which an order of unit productions is specified for production of the same type of substrate products using the substrate-related performing machine into a production group that is a set of at least one of the unit productions that uses the article supplied to the substrate-related performing machine by the article supply medium that is loaded on one of the carriages at one time;
an allocation unit that allocates the item supply medium to the cart so that the item supply medium that supplies the items is the same when the items of the same type supplied from the same cart are used in different production groups;
a verification unit that, when allocating the product supply medium to the trolley, stores identification information of the product supply medium to be installed that has been assigned to the trolley in association with identification information of the trolley, and, when the product supply medium is installed on the trolley, verifies, using the associated and stored identification information, whether the product supply medium to be installed on the trolley is the product supply medium to be installed that has been assigned to the trolley;
Equipped with
The classification setting unit is an item management device that moves at least one of the unit productions that uses an item included in the production group to another of the production groups so as to increase the commonality of the items used in the unit productions . The item management device according to claim 1, wherein the allocation unit allocates the item supply medium to each of the carts such that, when the same type of items supplied from different carts are used in different production groups, the item supply medium that supplies the items differs for each cart. 3. The article management device according to claim 1 , further comprising a production sequence change unit that changes a production sequence of at least one of the unit productions that uses the article so as to increase a commonality of the article used in the unit production. An item management device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the allocation unit pre-allocates another item supply medium that supplies the same type of item as the item in question when the remaining number of items contained in the item supply medium assigned to the cart is below a predetermined number. The two carriages alternately supply the article supply medium to the substrate-related operation machine,
An item management device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the division setting unit divides the production groups so that the production group that uses the item supply medium supplied from one of the trolleys and the production group that uses the item supply medium supplied from another of the trolleys are alternately repeated. the substrate-related operation machine is a component mounting machine that mounts a component, which is the object, on the substrate,
6. The article management device according to claim 1 , wherein the article supply medium is at least one of a reel and a feeder that supplies the parts. 1. An item management method for allocating item supply media for supplying items required for a substrate-related operation machine that performs a predetermined substrate-related operation on a substrate to produce a substrate product to a plurality of carriages that supply the items to the substrate-related operation machine, the method comprising:
a classification setting process for classifying a plurality of unit productions included in a production plan in which an order of unit productions is specified for production of the same type of substrate products using the substrate-related performing machine into at least one production group, which is a set of the unit productions using the article supplied to the substrate-related performing machine by the article supply medium loaded on one of the carriages at one time;
an allocation step of allocating the item supply medium to the cart so that the item supply medium for supplying the item is the same when the item of the same type supplied from the same cart is used in different production groups;
a verification process for, when allocating the item supply medium to the trolley, storing identification information of the item supply medium to be installed and assigned to the trolley in association with identification information of the trolley, and, when the item supply medium is installed on the trolley, verifying whether the item supply medium to be installed on the trolley is the item supply medium to be installed and assigned to the trolley using the associated and stored identification information;
Equipped with
The classification setting step is an item management method in which at least one unit production that uses an item included in the production group is moved to another production group so as to increase the commonality of the items used in the unit production .

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