JP7804030B2 - Placement machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a placement machine that includes an inspection device that measures the electrical characteristics of components placed on a circuit board.

Patent documents 2 and 3 describe inspection devices equipped with probes that measure the electrical characteristics of components through contact with the probes. Patent document 1 describes an inspection device that measures the electrical characteristics of a component placed on a holder by clamping it from both ends. In this inspection device, air is supplied from the air outlet 28 along the V-groove of the holder, and the measured component on the V-groove is sent to the inlet 7'. Defective components are then discarded, and non-defective components are used for mounting on a circuit board.

Special Publication No. 52-30703 Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open Publication No. 1-76100 International Publication No. 2014/155657

The objective of this invention is to make it possible to measure the electrical characteristics of components as needed.

Means for solving the problem, actions and effects

The placement machine of the present invention includes a component supply device that supplies components, an inspection device that measures the electrical characteristics of components when a new component supply device is installed or replaced, and a waste bin that stores components whose electrical characteristics have been measured. The electrical characteristics of components are measured when a new component supply device is installed or replaced. It is possible to measure the electrical characteristics of components as needed.

1 is a perspective view of a placement machine including an inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the inspection device. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the inspection device. FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the inspection device. FIG. 2 is a diagram of an air circuit included in the inspection device. FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a control device of the placement machine. 1A is a flowchart showing an LCR measurement program stored in the storage unit of the control device, and FIG. 1B is a time chart showing how LCR is measured in the inspection device. 4 is a flowchart showing a part suitability determination program stored in a storage unit of the control device. 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the inspection device, in which (a) is a diagram illustrating an initial state, (b) is a diagram illustrating a clamped state, (c) is a diagram illustrating a measurement state, and (d) is a diagram illustrating a disposal state. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the inspection device as seen from an angle different from that of FIG. 2.

Embodiments of the invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A mounting machine including an inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The placement machine shown in FIG. 1 is for placing components on a circuit board, and includes a main body 2, a circuit board transport and holding device 4, a component supply device 6, a head moving device 8, and the like.
The circuit board transport and holding device 4 transports and holds a circuit board P (hereinafter referred to as board P) in a horizontal position. In FIG. 1 , the transport direction of the board P is the x-direction, the width direction of the board P is the y-direction, and the thickness direction of the board P is the z-direction. The y-direction and z-direction are the front-to-back and up-to-down directions of the mounting machine, respectively. The x-direction, y-direction, and z-direction are perpendicular to each other. The component supply device 6 supplies electronic components (hereinafter referred to as components) s to be mounted on the board P, and includes multiple tape feeders 14, etc. The head moving device 8 holds a mounting head 16 and moves it in the x-, y-, and z-directions. The mounting head 16 has a suction nozzle 18 that suctions and holds the components s.

Further, reference numeral 20 denotes a camera. The camera 20 takes an image of the component s held by the suction nozzle 18, and based on the image taken by the camera 20, it is determined whether or not the component s is to be mounted on the circuit board P. Reference numeral 22 denotes an inspection device. The inspection device 22 measures and inspects the electrical characteristics of the component s. The electrical characteristics of the component s are measured, and the measured electrical characteristics are used as information about the component s included in the JOB information (
It is determined whether the electrical characteristics of the component s match those of the component s to be used in the next job.
The electrical characteristics of the component s include L (inductance), C (capacitance), R (resistance), Z′ (impedance), etc., and the inspection device 22 measures one or more of these.

The inspection device 22 is mounted on the main body of the circuit board transporting and holding device 4 via a trash can 26. The trash can 26 and the inspection device 22 are connected by a disposal passage 28, and components s whose electrical characteristics have been measured are stored in the trash can 26 via the disposal passage 28. The inspection device 22 is mounted on the trash can 26 so that its height can be adjusted. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 10 , a base 30 is engaged with the trash can 26 so that it can be raised and lowered. A main body 29 is fixed to the base 30 by fastening parts 31 (see FIGS. 3, 4, and 10 ) including bolts and nuts, so that the base 30 and the main body 29 are held together so that they can be raised and lowered. The main body 29 and the base 30 are provided with openings 29 a, 30 a, respectively, that can communicate with the disposal passage 28 (see FIGS. 3 and 4 ).
2 to 4 and 10, the inspection device 22 includes: (i) the main body 29 and base 30; (ii) a holder 32 capable of holding the component s; (iii) a pair of probes 37 consisting of a stator 34 and a mover 36; (iv) a holder moving device 40 that moves the holder 32; (v) a mover moving device 41 that moves the mover 36 toward and away from the stator 34; and (vi) an LCR detection unit 42 that serves as an electrical characteristic detection unit. In this embodiment, the component s has electrodes on both ends and can be held by the pair of probes 37. An example of the component s is what is called a square chip.

The holding table 32 includes a component placement section 44 and a placement section holder 46 that holds the component placement section 44. A V-shaped groove 44c is formed on the upper surface of the component placement section 44, and the component s is placed in the V-shaped groove. Because of the V-shape, the position of the component s can be determined with high precision.
The component placement portion 44 may be made of a material that is conductive, wear-resistant, and resistant to oxidation. The component placement portion 44 is electrically connected to the base portion 30 via multiple conductive members, and the component placement portion 44 is also grounded when the base portion 30 is grounded. In this embodiment, the component placement portion 44 abuts against the placement portion holder 46 and is fixed by the fastening portion 47, and the placement portion holder 46 abuts against the main body 29 via a stopper 80 (see FIG. 3 ), and the main body 29 is fixed to the base portion 30 by the fastening portion 31. The placement portion holder 46, the stopper 80, the main body 29, the base portion 30, the fastening portions 31, 47, etc. are all conductive. Therefore, the component placement portion 44 is grounded.
In this way, by making the component placement portion 44 from a conductive material and grounding it, static electricity can be removed from the component s placed on the component placement portion 44. Furthermore, by making the component placement portion 44 from a wear-resistant material, wear on the component placement portion 44 can be suppressed and durability can be improved. Furthermore, by making the component placement portion 44 from a material that is resistant to oxidation, i.e., a material that can form a passivation film, which is a metal oxide film, the component placement portion 44 can be made less susceptible to rust. This can make it difficult for rust to adhere to the component s, and can suppress a decrease in the accuracy of measuring the electrical characteristics of the component s. For example, the component placement portion 44 can be made from an aluminum alloy, stainless steel, or the like.

The stator 34 and the mover 36 have opposing surfaces 34f and 36f, respectively, that face each other, and a component s is gripped by these pairs of opposing surfaces 34f and 36f. The stator 34 is fixed to the main body 29 via a stator holder 55. The mover 36 is held movably integrally by the mover holder 56 and can move toward and away from the stator 34. In this embodiment, the opposing surface 36f has a triangular cross section and is movable along the V-groove 44c. In other words, the shape of the opposing surface 36f of the mover 36 corresponds substantially to the V-groove 44c, and the opposing surfaces 36f of the mover 36, the opposing surfaces 34f of the stator 34, and the V-groove 44c of the holder 32 are positioned at substantially the same height. Therefore, regardless of where the component s is located within the V-groove 44c, the component s can be gripped by the pair of opposing surfaces 34f and 36f.
In this embodiment, the mover 36 is a longitudinal member extending in the y direction (movement direction) and is held at its retracted end by the mover holder 56. Furthermore, the rear portion of the mover 36, including the facing surface 36f, is shaped so that no portion protrudes beyond the front end in the x direction. As a result, the holder 32 and the mover 36 are movable relative to each other, and the holder 32 can move forward or backward along the facing surface 36f with the bottom of the V-groove 44 positioned below the mover 36.
Furthermore, an electric circuit 58 is formed, which includes a pair of probes 37 consisting of the mover 36 and the stator 34, an LCR detector 42, a power supply device (not shown), and the like. Current is supplied between the stator 34 and the mover 36, and the current that flows is detected. Based on this relationship, the electrical characteristics of the component s are measured by the LCR detector 42. The LCR detector 42 is not limited to a detector that detects L, C, and R, but can also be one that detects one or more physical quantities that represent electrical characteristics such as L, C, R, and Z'. Note that reference numerals 58a and b in Figures 2 to 4 indicate connections of the pair of probes 37 to the electric circuit 58.

A cover portion 50 is attached to the holder 32. The cover portion 50 includes a pair of cover plates 52, 54 spaced apart in the x direction and provided on both sides of the V-groove 44c. The cover plates 52, 54 are provided on the stator 34 side of the holder 32 and extend in the y direction and z direction, i.e., the movement direction of the holder 32 and the mover 36 and the up-down direction, and are formed as curved plate-like members. The cover plate 52 has a groove shape in a plan view and includes a bottom plate 52a and side plates 52b, 52c provided on both sides of the bottom plate 52a and spaced apart in the x direction. The bottom plate 52a has a curved lower portion and is L-shaped in a side view, and its upper portion is attached to the side surface of the component mounting portion 44 on the stator 34 side. Furthermore, at the forward end position of the holder 32, the lower part of the bottom plate 52 is located above the stator holder 55, the side plate 52b is located outside the stator 34 and above the stator holder 55, and the side plate 52c is located outside the side plate 52b and outside the stator holder 55. The side plate 52c has a larger vertical dimension than the side plate 52b, and its lower end extends to near the opening 29a of the main body 29. The cover plate 54 is attached to the placement portion holder 46 on the opposite side of the V-groove 44c from the cover plate 52. At the forward end position of the holder 32, the cover plate 54 is located outside the stator holder 55. The cover plate 54 is bent in the vertical direction, and its lower end extends to near the opening 29a of the main body 29.
In addition, the y-direction dimensions of the side plate portion 52c and the cover plate portion 54 are large enough to cover almost the entire space between the pair of opposing surfaces 34f, 36f from the x-direction at least for a period of time when the stator 34 and the movable member 36 are separated from each other.
As will be described later, the cover portion 50 functions to prevent the diffusion of air and also to prevent the components s that have been dropped by the ejection of air from scattering.

An opening 60a of an air passage 60 facing the facing surface 36f of the mover 36 is formed in a stator-side member (e.g., an upper portion of the stator 34, a portion of the stator holder 55 above the stator 34, or the main body 29). As shown in FIG. 3 , the air passage 60 includes an air ejection passage 60s extending generally in the y direction and an internal passage 60h formed in the main body 29. The air ejection passage 60s extends at an angle downward as it approaches the mover 36. When the mover 36 is spaced apart from the stator 34, an extension line k extends above or within the portion R of the facing surface 36f of the mover 36. The portion R is a portion of the facing surface 36f of the mover 36 that frequently grips a component s and can be referred to as the gripping portion. Air impinges from above at an angle at the intersection of the extension lines k of the facing surface 36f.
Air cylinders 64 and 70 are connected to the air passage 60. An ionizer 62 is provided in the air passage 60 downstream of the air cylinders 64 and 70. The ionizer 62 ionizes air by generating a corona discharge, and the ionized air can be supplied to the opposing surface 36f.

The support platform moving device 40 includes an air cylinder 64 as a drive source fixedly mounted on the main body 29 or base 30. The mounting portion holder 46 is connected to the piston rod 66 (see Figure 5) of the air cylinder 64. The air cylinder 64 includes two air chambers 64a, 64b separated by a piston inside the cylinder housing. A solenoid valve device 69 is provided between the two air chambers 64a, 64b and the air source 68, air passage 60, and filter (atmosphere). The solenoid valve device 69 can include one or more solenoid valves, such as a directional control valve and a variable throttle, as shown in Figure 5. The directional control valve controls the direction of movement of the mounting portion holder 46, and the variable throttle controls the movement and stopping of the mounting portion holder 46. The solenoid valve device 69 connects the air chamber 64b to the air source 68 and the air chamber 64a to the air passage 60, causing the holder 32 to move forward (movement in the direction of arrow F in Figure 3), and the air chamber 64b is opened to the atmosphere and the air chamber 64a is connected to the air source 68, causing the holder 32 to move backward (movement in the direction of arrow B in Figure 3).

The mover moving device 41 includes an air cylinder 70 fixed to the main body 29 as a drive source. A mover holder 56, which is movable integrally with the mover, is connected to a piston rod 71 of the air cylinder 70. Two air chambers 70a, 70b separated by a piston inside the housing of the air cylinder 70 are connected to an air source 68, an air passage 60, and a filter (atmosphere) via an electromagnetic valve device 72. The electromagnetic valve device 72 includes one or more electromagnetic valves, and may include, for example, a directional control valve, a variable throttle, etc. The electromagnetic valve device 72 connects the air chamber 70b to the air passage 60 and the air chamber 70a to the air source 68, thereby moving the mover 36 backward. The electromagnetic valve device 72 opens the air chamber 70a to the atmosphere and connects the air chamber 70b to the air source 68, thereby moving the mover 36 forward.
In this embodiment, the air cylinders 64, 70, the air passage 60 (including the air ejection passage 60s), the opening 60a, the cover 50, the ionizer 62, etc. constitute an air supply device 73. The air supply device 73 also functions as a mover supply unit and a drive source-linked supply unit. The opposing surface 36f corresponds to the supply target surface.
The structure of the solenoid valve devices 69, 72 is not limited to that of this embodiment. For example, they may include one three-position valve or multiple on-off valves. Furthermore, the provision of the ionizer 62 is not essential.

A pair of guide rods 74, 75 extending in the y direction are provided between the mover holder 56 and the main body 29, and a pair of guide rods 76, 77 extending in the y direction are provided between the holder 32 and the mover holder 56. One end of the guide rods 74, 75 is connected to the mover holder 56, and the other end is slidably engaged with the main body 29. One end of the guide rods 76, 77 is connected to the mounting section holder 46, and is slidably engaged with the mover holder 56. These guide rods 74, 75 and 76, 77 allow the holder 32 and the mover 36 to move relative to each other in the y direction with respect to the main body 29, and also allow the holder 32 and the mover 36 to move relative to each other in the y direction.
3, a stopper 82 is provided on the stator side of the mover holder 56, and a stopper 80 is provided on the portion of the main body 29 that holds the stator holder 55. The stopper 82 defines the approach limit between the mover holder 56 and the holder base 32 (mounting portion holder 46), and the stopper 80 defines the approach limit between the stator 34 (main body 29) and the holder base 32 (mounting portion holder 46).
In this embodiment, the guide rods 74 to 77 are shared by the holder moving device 40 and the mover moving device 41, and the stoppers 80 and 82 can be considered to be components of the holder moving device 40.
As shown in Figure 3, the gap Ld between the front end of the stopper 82 when the movable member 36 is in the retracted end position and the placement portion holder 46 when the holder 32 is in the advanced end position is the distance over which relative movement between the movable member 36 and the holder 32 is permitted.

The placement machine includes a control device 100. As shown in FIG. 6, the control device 100 includes a controller 102, which is mainly a computer, and multiple drive circuits 104. The controller 102 includes an execution unit 110, a memory unit 112, an input/output unit 114, etc. The board transport and holding device 4, the component supply device 6, and the head moving device 8 are connected to the input/output unit 114 via the drive circuits 104, as well as the mover moving device 41 and the solenoid valve devices 69 and 72 of the holder moving device 40. Also connected to the input/output unit 114 are an LCR detection unit 42, a display 116, a mover position sensor 118, a holder position sensor 120, a nozzle height sensor 122 that detects the height of the nozzle 18, etc. The memory unit 112 stores multiple programs and tables, such as an LCR detection program shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7(a). Time is measured by a timer 124 provided in the controller 102.
In this embodiment, the case where the entire mounting machine is controlled by the control device 100 has been described, but it is also possible to configure the board transport and holding device 4, component supply device 6, head moving device 8, etc. to be controlled by individual control devices.

The operation of the placement machine will now be described.
When a setup change is performed, a new tape feeder 14 is set, or a tape feeder 14 is replaced, the electrical characteristics of the component s held in that tape feeder 14 are measured to check whether the tape feeder 14 (or the component s) is suitable. The test results are displayed on the display 116. If the tape feeder 14 is not suitable, the tape feeder 14 is replaced.

The electrical characteristics of component s are measured by executing the LCR measurement program shown in the flowchart of Fig. 7(a). The movements of the holder 32 and the mover 36, and the states of the holder position sensor 120 and the mover position sensor 118 are shown in Fig. 7(b).
The inspection device 22 is always in the initial state shown in Figure 9(a). The mover 36 is at the retracted end position, and the holder 32 is at the advanced end position, i.e., in contact with the stopper 80. In this state, the holder 32 is grounded by internal conduction or the like. The mover 36 is not present above the V-groove 44c of the holder 32, and a component s can be placed on it. In addition, the cover parts 50 are located on both sides of the stator 34 (spaced apart in the x direction). The mover position sensor 118 and the holder position sensor 120 are both in the ON state.
In step 1 (hereinafter abbreviated as S1, the same applies to the other steps), it is determined whether a command to measure the electrical characteristics of component s has been issued. A command to measure the electrical characteristics is issued when a changeover is being performed, etc. When a measurement command is issued, in S2, the mounting head 16 is moved, and, for example, component s held by the newly attached tape feeder 14 is picked up by the suction nozzle 18 and placed on the V-groove 44c of the holding table 32. The suction nozzle 18 is lowered, and the component s is released, indicating that the component s has been placed on the V-groove 44c.

When the nozzle height sensor 122 detects that the suction nozzle 18 has placed the component s on the V-groove 44c and reached its upper limit, the solenoid valve device 72 controls the mover 36 to advance in S3, and the mover position sensor 118 switches from ON to OFF. The facing surface 36f at the tip of the mover 36 advances along the V-groove 44c of the component placement section 44, and the component s is clamped between the facing surface 36f and the facing surface 34f of the stator 34 (FIG. 9B). In this embodiment, the stroke _L1 of the mover 36 (see FIG. 3) from the retracted end position to clamping the component s is determined in advance based on factors such as the size of the component s to be clamped. After a forward movement time, which is the time required for the mover 36 to advance by the stroke _L1 from the start of forward movement of the mover 36, has elapsed, the forward movement of the mover 36 is stopped by control of the variable throttle or the like. The forward movement time is measured by the timer 124. The clamped state is when the holder 32 is at the forward end position, the mover 36 is advanced, and the part s is clamped by the pair of opposing surfaces 34f, 36f.

In S4, the holder 32 is moved backward by the control of the electromagnetic valve device 69, and the holder position sensor 120 is switched from ON to OFF. The holder 32 is moved backward until it abuts against the stopper 82 (FIG. 9(c)), and is held in that position. The stroke of the holder 32 during this period is _L2 (see FIG. 3).
L ₂ = Ld - L ₁
In this embodiment, the stroke _L2 is set to be equal to or greater than the set value Lx ( _L2 ≥ Lx), and the component placement unit 44 is spaced apart from the component s by at least the set value Lx. If a conductive member (the component placement unit 44) is positioned near the component s during electrical characteristic measurement, electrostatic induction or eddy currents may occur, making it difficult to accurately measure the electrical characteristics. On the other hand, by spacing the component placement unit 44 away from the component s by at least the set value Lx (i.e., by setting the shortest distance between the component placement unit 44 and the component s to at least the set value Lx), measurement errors in the electrical characteristics caused by the component placement unit 44 being positioned near the component s can be reduced. Thus, the set value Lx is a distance at which the component placement unit 44 is unlikely to affect the measurement of the electrical characteristics of the component s, and is a value previously obtained through experiments, etc. This state is the measurement state.
After a retraction time Ta, which is the time required for the holder 32 to retract by the stroke _L2 from the start of retraction of the holder 32, has elapsed, the position of the holder 32 is maintained by control of the electromagnetic valve device 69. The retraction time Ta is measured by a timer 124.

In S5, the component s is released by the suction nozzle 18 and placed on the V-groove 44c, and a set discharge time is awaited. Each component s held by the tape feeder 14 is charged with static electricity due to vibrations during transport of the tape feeder 14, contact with other objects, and other factors. Charged components s are discharged by being placed on the grounded component placement unit 44, which is made of a conductive material, or by discharging into the air. The discharge time is the time required to remove the estimated amount of static electricity possessed by the component s, and can be determined in advance by experiment or theoretically based on the size, characteristics, and other factors of the component s. When the elapsed time since the component s was placed on the component holder 44 reaches the discharge time, the determination in S5 is YES, and the electrical characteristics of the component s are measured in S6.
Then, when the measurement time, which is the time required to measure the electrical characteristics, has elapsed, S7 is executed, but the measurement time may be a time determined depending on the type of component s, etc., or may be a fixed time. In either case, the measurement time is acquired and stored in advance.

After the measurement time has elapsed and measurement of the electrical characteristics of component s is completed, in S7, the solenoid valve device 72 controls the mover 36 to retract. When the mover 36 reaches the retraction end, the mover position sensor 118 turns ON. In S8, the solenoid valve device 69 controls the holder 32 to retract (FIG. 9(d)). The stroke from the measurement state until the mover 32 abuts against the stopper 82 of the mover 36 at the retraction end position is _L1 . Therefore, it can be determined that the holder 32 abuts against the stopper 82 after the retraction time Tb, which is the time required for the holder 32 to retract by the stroke _L1, has elapsed. As shown in FIG. 9(d), the holder 32 is located behind the opposing surface 36f of the mover 36 and is not below the pair of opposing surfaces 34f, 36f. This state is the disposal state.
When the holder 32 is moved backward until it abuts against the stopper 82, in S9, the solenoid valve device 69 controls the air chamber 64b in the air cylinder 64 to communicate with the air source 68, and the air chamber 64a to communicate with the air passage 60. When the holder 32 is moved forward and abuts against the stopper 80, the holder position sensor 120 turns ON. The holder 32 is positioned between the pair of opposing surfaces 34f, 36f (the V-groove 44 is positioned below the opposing surfaces 34f, 36f), and there is space above the V-groove 44c. Therefore, the component s can be placed. This state is the initial state.

As the opposing surface 36f of the mover 36 moves away from the opposing surface 34f of the stator 34, the component s that was held therebetween is released. Furthermore, when the mover 36 retracts, the air chamber 70a of the air cylinder 70 is connected to the air passage 60, and the cover plates 52, 54 are positioned on both sides of the space between the pair of opposing surfaces 34f, 36f in the x direction. Furthermore, as the holder 32 is moved rearward of the opposing surface 36f of the mover 36, it is no longer located below the space between the pair of opposing surfaces 34f, 36f, and the space between the pair of opposing surfaces 34f, 36f is connected to the openings 29a, 30a and the disposal passage 28.
As the mover 36 retracts, air is forced out of the air chamber 70a and supplied from the opening 60a to the opposing surface 36f of the mover 36 from diagonally above. The space into which the air is supplied, in other words, the space between the pair of opposing surfaces 34f, 36f, is covered by the cover portion 50 from the x direction. The air mainly hits the opposing surface 36f and then flows downward along the opposing surface 36f. Therefore, even if a component s does not fall off the opposing surface 36f and is attached to the portion R, it can be easily removed. Furthermore, because the air flows in a vortex inside the cover portion 50, even if a component s is attached to the opposing surface 34f of the stator 34, it can be removed. Furthermore, the component s that has fallen from the opposing surfaces 34f, 36f and landed on the holder 32 can also be dropped by the air, but even if the component s is placed on the V-groove 44 and does not fall by the air, it can be reliably dropped by the advancement of the opposing surface 36f of the mover 36 as the holder 32 retracts. Thus, in this embodiment, the discarded state can be considered to be a state in which the component s has been successfully dropped.
The parts s that fall from the pair of opposing surfaces 34f, 36f are properly collected in the trash box 26 via the openings 29a, 30a and the disposal passage 28.

Furthermore, the provision of the cover 50 can prevent the dropped component s from scattering. Since the side plate 52c of the cover plate 52 and the lower end of the cover plate 54 extend close to the opening 29a of the main body 29, the component s can be easily collected from the opening 29a through the disposal path 28 and into the trash can 26. On the other hand, when ionized air is supplied, it is possible to electrically neutralize the opposing surfaces 36f, 34f of the mover 36 and the stator 34, improving the accuracy of measuring the electrical characteristics of the next component s.
Furthermore, in the air cylinder 64, the air chamber 64a is connected to the air ejection passage 60s when the holder 32 moves forward (S9). Even when transitioning from the disposal state to the initial state, air can be supplied to the opposing surface 36f of the movable member 36, and static electricity can be effectively removed from the opposing surface 36f of the movable member 36.

Meanwhile, the measured electrical characteristics are compared with the electrical characteristics included in the JOB information to determine whether the component s should be used in the upcoming job (JOB), and the determination result is displayed on the display 116.
In S21, the measured values of the electrical characteristics of the component s are acquired, and in S22, the corresponding information is read from the job information of the next job. In S23, these are compared to determine whether they match. Whether they match or not, the determination result is displayed on the display 116. If they do not match, an appropriate tape feeder may be replaced, or other appropriate action may be taken.

As described above, in this embodiment, the component placement section 44 is made of a conductive material and is grounded. As a result, it is possible to effectively remove static electricity from the component s placed on the component placement section 44 before measuring its electrical characteristics. However, if the component s is charged, it is difficult to measure the impedance of the component s. In contrast, in this embodiment, static electricity is effectively removed from the component s, making it possible to effectively measure the impedance of the component s.
Furthermore, the component s can be dropped into the disposal path 28 in parallel with the retraction of the movable element 36, which shortens the time required to measure the electrical characteristics compared to when the retraction of the movable element and the delivery of the component s are performed in separate processes.

As described above, in this embodiment, the movement control device and relative movement control device are constituted by the part that stores and executes S4, S7, and S8 of the LCR measurement program in controller 102, the timer 124, the mover position sensor 118, the holder position sensor 120, etc. Of these, the part that stores and executes S4 constitutes the measurement control unit, the part that stores and executes S8 constitutes the disposal control unit, and the part that stores and executes S9 constitutes the preparation control unit. The movement control device also functions as the holder movement control unit and the relative movement control unit.
Furthermore, the air cylinder 70 corresponds to the mover cylinder, and the air cylinder 64 corresponds to the holder cylinder. The air supply device 73 also functions as a mover supply unit and a drive-source-linked supply unit. Furthermore, the pair of probes 37, the electric circuit 58 including the LCR detection unit 42, the part of the controller 102 that stores S6, the part that executes it, etc., constitute an electrical characteristic acquisition device.
Furthermore, S3 corresponds to the clamping step, S4 and S6 correspond to the measuring step, S7 and S8 correspond to the discarding step, and S9 corresponds to the preparation step.

It is also possible to make both of the pair of probes movable and to fix the holder to the main body. Even in this case, the pair of probes can grip the component s placed on the holder and move the pair of probes to separate the holder from the component s by a set distance or more.
The holding table can also be made movable in the vertical direction. Even in this case, the holding table can be moved away from the component s by a set distance or more while the component s is clamped by the pair of probes.
Furthermore, the air ejection passage can be provided on the side of the main body 29 of the inspection device 22, with an opening that opens generally in the x direction. In other words, one of the cover plates 52, 54 can be eliminated (for example, the cover plate 54 can be eliminated), and an air ejection passage having an opening in the x direction can be provided on the side where the cover plate 54 is eliminated. As a result, air is supplied toward the cover plate 52 along the opposing surfaces 34f, 36f (surfaces extending in the xz directions), making it possible to remove components (s) adhering to the pair of opposing surfaces 34f, 36f.
Furthermore, after measuring the electrical characteristics of the component s, the holder 32 can be retracted together with the retraction of the mover 36 (for example, retracted simultaneously). This state in which the holder 32 and the mover 36 are retracted can also be regarded as a disposal state.
Furthermore, the armature position sensor 118 and the holder position sensor 120 are not essential. For example, the solenoid valve devices 69 and 72 can be controlled by measurements using a timer 124. Furthermore, the air supply device is not essential. In addition to the aspects described in the above embodiment, the present invention can be embodied in various forms with various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

22: Inspection device 26: Trash can 28: Disposal passage 29: Main body 29a: Opening 30: Base 30a: Opening 31: Fastening section 32: Holder 34: Stator 36: Mover 34f, 36f: Opposing surfaces 40: Holder moving device 41: Mover moving device 42: LCR detector 44: Component placement section 44c: V-groove 50: Cover 72: Air supply device 100: Control device 118: Mover position sensor 118: Holder position sensor 124: Timer

Patentable inventions

(1) An inspection device included in a placement machine that picks up components supplied by a component supply device and places them on a circuit board,
a holding table capable of holding a component;
a pair of probes that can approach and move away from each other and sandwich the component to measure the electrical characteristics of the component;
a holder moving device that moves the holder;
and a holder table movement control device that controls the holder table movement device, and the holder table movement control device includes a measurement control section that moves the holder table away from the component by a set amount or more from a clamped state in which the pair of probes grip the component held on the holder table, to a measurement state in which the electrical characteristics of the component can be measured.
The holder may be movable in a direction parallel to the direction in which the pair of probes approach and separate, or in a direction intersecting the direction. For example, if the holder is conductive, the set value can be a distance at which the influence of the holder is unlikely to affect the measurement of the electrical characteristics of the component.
(2) The inspection device according to (1), wherein the support base is electrically conductive.
(3) The pair of probes includes a pair of opposing surfaces that face each other and are capable of coming into contact with the component, and the pair of opposing surfaces is brought close to each other to hold the component, and is moved away from each other to release the component,
The inspection device according to item (1) or (2) includes a disposal control unit that moves the holder moving device from the measurement state to a disposal state in which the holder is not present below the pair of opposing surfaces that are spaced apart from each other, by moving the holder moving device.
(4) An inspection device as described in (3), wherein the holding table movement control device includes a preparation control unit that moves the holding table from the disposal state downward between the pair of opposing surfaces that are spaced apart from each other, thereby bringing the holding table into an initial state in which it can hold the part.
(5) An inspection device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the placement machine includes a waste passage connected to the inspection device, and the main body of the inspection device has an opening that can communicate with the waste passage.
The position and size of the opening can be determined so that it is open downward between the pair of opposing surfaces at least in the disposal state.
(6) An inspection device according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the inspection device includes an electrical characteristic acquisition device that supplies a current between the pair of probes and detects the current flowing between the pair of probes to acquire the electrical characteristics of the component, and the electrical characteristic acquisition device includes a delay-type measurement unit that starts measuring the electrical characteristics of the component when a set time or more has elapsed since the component was placed on the holding table.
The set time may be, for example, a static elimination time, which is the time required to eliminate static electricity from a component. The static elimination time may be a time determined depending on the component, or may be a time that is predetermined regardless of the component.
The time during which the component is placed on the support table can also be the charge removal time.
(7) The pair of probes includes a stator fixed to the main body and a movable element movable relative to the stator,
The inspection device according to any one of items (1) to (6), including a mover moving device that moves the mover relative to the stator, and a mover movement control unit that controls the mover moving device to move the pair of measuring probes toward or away from each other.
(8) The inspection device according to (7), further comprising a connecting mechanism that connects the mover and the holder so that they can move relative to each other.
For example, the mover may have a longitudinal shape extending parallel to the direction of movement of the mover, and the holder may be located in front of the tip of the mover or behind it.
(9) An inspection device according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the holding base has a V-groove, which is a groove having a V-shaped cross section, and the cross section of the tip of at least one of the pair of probes has a triangular shape corresponding to the V-groove.

(10) An inspection device included in a placement machine that picks up components supplied by a component supply device and places them on a circuit board,
a holding table capable of holding a component;
a pair of probes that can approach and move away from each other and sandwich the component to measure the electrical characteristics of the component;
a relative movement device that moves the pair of probes and the support table relative to each other;
and a relative movement control device that controls the relative movement device, and the relative movement control device includes a measurement control section that moves the component and the holder away from each other by a set amount or more from a clamped state in which the pair of probes grip the component held on the holder, thereby bringing the component into a measurement state in which the electrical characteristics of the component can be measured.
The inspection device described in this section can employ any of the technical features described in sections (1) to (9).
The relative movement device can be (a) a device that fixes the holder and moves the pair of probes, or (b) a device that fixes one of the pair of probes and moves the other probe and the holder. In the case of (a), for example, a part held on the holder is clamped by the pair of probes, and the pair of probes are moved relative to the holder, so that the part and the holder are spaced apart by a set value or more.

(11) A mounting machine is provided that picks up components supplied by a component supply device and mounts them on a circuit board, and includes: (i) a holding table that can hold components; and (ii) a mounting table that can move toward and away from each other.
An inspection method for inspecting electrical characteristics of a component using an inspection device including a pair of probes that sandwich the component and are capable of measuring electrical characteristics of the component,
a clamping step in which the part held on the holder is gripped by a pair of probes;
and measuring the electrical characteristics of the component by separating the holding table from the component held by the pair of probes by a distance equal to or greater than a set value.
The inspection method described in this section can be performed by the inspection device described in any one of sections (1) to (10).
(12) a disposal step of separating the pair of probes from each other and retracting the holder from below between the opposing surfaces of the pair of probes after the measurement step is performed;
and a preparation step of inserting the holder below between the opposing surfaces of the pair of probes to bring the holder into an initial state in which it can hold the component.
In the disposal step, the separation of the pair of probes and the retraction of the support base may be performed in this order or in parallel.

(13) An inspection device included in a placement machine that picks up components supplied by a component supply device and places them on a circuit board,
a holder that is conductive and holds a component;
an electrical characteristic acquisition device that grasps the component held on the holding table and acquires the electrical characteristics of the component while the component is separated from the holding table.
The inspection device described in this section can employ the technical features described in any one of sections (1) to (12).

(14) The pair of probes are brought close to each other, so that the pair of opposing surfaces sandwich the component and measure the electrical characteristics of the component, and the pair of probes are moved away from each other, so that the component is released from the pair of opposing surfaces,
The inspection device according to any one of items (1) to (13), further comprising an air supply device that supplies air to a supply target surface, which is at least one of the pair of opposing surfaces, when the pair of probes are separated from each other.
The cases where the pair of probes are separated include the time while they are separated from each other, a part or all of the time while they are separated, when they start to separate, when they finish to separate, etc.
(15) The inspection device according to (14), wherein the air supply device includes an ionizer that ionizes the air and supplies the ionized air to the target surface.
(16) The inspection device according to (14) or (15), wherein the air supply device includes an air passage having an opening facing the target surface.
When the surface to be supplied is one of a pair of opposing surfaces, one opening is provided facing that one surface to be supplied, and when the surface to be supplied is both of the pair of opposing surfaces, two openings are provided facing each of them.
(17) The inspection device according to (16), wherein the air passage includes an air ejection passage that is inclined downward as it approaches the target surface.
(18) The inspection device according to (17), wherein the angle of inclination of the air ejection passage is set to an angle at which the air impinges on the supply target surface above the portion that grips the component.
(19) The pair of probes includes a stator fixed to the main body and a movable element that can approach and move away from the stator,
An inspection device according to any one of items (14) to (18), wherein the air supply device includes a mover supply unit that supplies air to the opposing surface of the mover, which is the supply target surface, when the mover is separated from the stator.
(20) The inspection device includes a mover moving device that has a mover cylinder and moves the mover toward or away from the stator by operating the mover cylinder,
The inspection device according to item (19), wherein the air supply device includes a drive source-linked supply unit that supplies air, which is forced out of the mover cylinder as the mover moves away from the stator, to the opposing surface of the mover.
(21) An inspection device according to any one of (1) to (20), which includes a cover portion that covers the space between the pair of opposing surfaces when the surfaces are spaced apart.
The cover portion covers most of the space between the pair of opposing surfaces, but does not necessarily have to cover the entire space between the pair of opposing surfaces, and may cover the space with a small gap. It is desirable that the cover portion covers the entire space between the pair of opposing surfaces from both sides at least for a period when the pair of opposing surfaces are separated from each other.
(22) An inspection device as described in (21), wherein the cover portion is attached to the holding base and covers most of the area between the pair of opposing surfaces from the side when the holding base is in the retracted end position.

Claims (1)

a component supply device that supplies components to be mounted on a circuit board;
an inspection device that measures electrical characteristics of the components when the component supply device is newly installed or replaced;
a wastebasket for storing the components whose electrical characteristics have been measured;
Equipped with
The inspection device is a mounting machine that is mounted on the trash can in a height-adjustable manner .