JP7809129B2 - Component Mounting System - Google Patents

Description

The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a component mounting system.

The component mounting system disclosed in International Publication WO2017/033268A1 includes a feeder storage cabinet, a magazine, a loader, and a component mounter. The feeder storage cabinet has multiple feeder storage sections. The magazine has multiple feeder slots. Each feeder storage section and each feeder slot accommodates a feeder. The loader transports the feeder between the feeder storage sections and the feeder slots. When the loader transports the feeder to the feeder slot, the feeder's connector connects to the feeder slot's connector, enabling the feeder to perform a component supply operation. The component mounter performs a mounting process to mount components supplied by the feeders accommodated in the feeder slots onto a circuit board.

In a component mounting system with multiple feeder slots, the loader replaces the feeders in each feeder slot each time the type of circuit board is changed. That is, for each feeder slot, a feeder replacement process is performed in which the feeder's connector is disconnected from the feeder slot's connector and the connector of another feeder is connected to the feeder slot's connector. During the feeder replacement process, foreign matter (e.g., dust, particles, etc.) may adhere to the feeder slot's connector. For this reason, repeated feeder replacement processes can cause dirt to accumulate on the feeder slot's connector, making it more likely that poor contact will occur in the feeder slot's connector. This specification proposes a technology that can effectively remove dirt from the feeder slot's connector.

The component mounting system disclosed in this specification comprises a feeder storage cabinet with multiple feeder storage sections, a magazine with multiple feeder slots, multiple feeders each housed in one of the multiple feeder storage sections or the multiple feeder slots, a loader that transports the feeders between the multiple feeder storage sections and the multiple feeder slots, a component mounter, a cleaning unit, and a control unit. Each feeder houses multiple components. The component mounter performs a mounting process to mount components supplied from the feeders housed in each feeder slot onto a circuit board. Each feeder slot has a first connector. Each feeder has a second connector that engages with the corresponding first connector when housed in one of the multiple feeder slots. If there is an empty slot among the multiple feeder slots that does not house a feeder, the control unit causes the loader to transport the cleaning unit to a position corresponding to the empty slot, and executes a cleaning process to clean the first connector of the empty slot with the cleaning unit.

This component mounting system performs a cleaning process using a cleaning unit to clean the first connector of the empty slot (i.e., the connector of the feeder slot) when an empty slot is present in the magazine. In this way, by performing a cleaning process on an unused empty slot, dirt on the first connector of the empty slot can be removed. This component mounting system also transports the cleaning unit to a position corresponding to the empty slot using a loader. Because the loader has the function of transporting the feeder to the feeder slot, the cleaning unit can be transported to a position corresponding to the empty slot by using the loader. With this configuration, the cleaning unit can be transported using the loader without the need for a separate device to transport the cleaning unit, preventing the component mounting system from becoming too complex and large.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a component mounting system. FIG. FIG. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cleaning unit of the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a cleaning unit according to a second embodiment.

The main features of the embodiments described below are listed below. Note that the technical elements described below are independent technical elements that demonstrate technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing.

In one embodiment of the present technology, the control unit may perform the cleaning process while the mounting process is being performed.

Normally, the loader does not transport the feeder while the mounting process is being performed. Therefore, the loader can transport the cleaning unit while the mounting process is being performed. This allows the cleaning process to be performed appropriately while the mounting process is being performed. Furthermore, by performing the cleaning process while the mounting process is being performed, the cleaning process can be performed without reducing the operating efficiency of the component mounter.

In one embodiment of the present technology, the loader may have a holding mechanism that holds the feeder when transporting the feeder. The cleaning unit may be stored outside the loader when the control unit is not performing the cleaning process. When the control unit is performing the cleaning process, the loader may hold the cleaning unit using the holding mechanism and transport the cleaning unit to the empty slot.

With this configuration, the cleaning unit can be transported using the loader's holding mechanism (i.e., the holding mechanism for transporting the feeder).

In one embodiment of the present technology, the cleaning unit may clean the first connector by blowing air. In another embodiment of the present technology, the cleaning unit may clean the first connector by wiping the first connector with a cleaning member.

Example 1
FIG. 1 shows an outline of the configuration of a component mounting system 10. The component mounting system 10 includes a printer 12, a print inspection machine 14, and multiple component mounters 20. The printer 12, the print inspection machine 14, and the multiple component mounters 20 are arranged in a line. The printer 12, the print inspection machine 14, and the multiple component mounters 20 are connected by a circuit board transport path 16. The circuit board transport path 16 includes a conveyor 16a and transports circuit boards from the printer 12 to the component mounters 20. The printer 12 prints solder on the circuit board. The circuit board with solder printed by the printer 12 is transported to the print inspection machine 14 via the circuit board transport path 16. The print inspection machine 14 inspects the condition of the solder printed on the circuit board. The circuit board inspected by the print inspection machine 14 is transported to the multiple component mounters 20 via the circuit board transport path 16. Each component mounter 20 mounts components on the circuit board. The circuit boards on which components have been mounted by each mounter 20 are transported to a reflow furnace (not shown) along the circuit board transport path 16. When the circuit board is heated in the reflow furnace, the solder hardens and the components are fixed to the circuit board. In the following description, the direction in which the circuit board transport path 16 transports the circuit board may be referred to as the x-direction, the direction from the front to the back in FIG. 1 may be referred to as the y-direction, and the upward direction may be referred to as the z-direction.

The component mounting system 10 has a control unit 80. The control unit 80 is composed of a CPU, memory, etc., and controls each part of the component mounting system 10.

The component mounting system 10 has multiple feeder storage cabinets 30 and multiple magazines 40. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the magazines 40 are located adjacent to the circuit board transport path 16. The magazines 40 are located on the front side of the circuit board transport path 16 in the y direction. A feeder storage cabinet 30 is located below each magazine 40. As shown in Figure 1, a feeder storage cabinet 30 is also located between the print inspection machine 14 and the most upstream component mounter 20. Below, the feeder storage cabinet 30 between the print inspection machine 14 and the component mounter 20 may be referred to as feeder storage cabinet 30a. The magazines 40 and feeder storage cabinet 30 house multiple feeders 60. As will be described in detail later, during the mounting process (i.e., the process of mounting components on a circuit board), components supplied from each feeder 60 housed in the magazine 40 are mounted on the circuit board. The feeder storage cabinet 30 is a storage cabinet for feeders 60 that are not used in the mounting process.

As shown in FIG. 2, each feeder storage cabinet 30 and each magazine 40 has a feeder table 42. The feeder table 42 is an L-shaped table in a side view and has a floor 42a and a wall 42b. The wall 42b extends upward from the y-direction end face of the floor 42a. A plurality of slot grooves 44 are provided on the upper surface of the floor 42a. Each slot groove 44 extends in the y direction. The plurality of slot grooves 44 are arranged in the x direction. A plurality of connectors 45 are provided on the front surface of the wall 42b. Each connector 45 is arranged within the range obtained by extending the corresponding slot groove 44 in the y direction. The plurality of connectors 45 are arranged in the x direction. The feeder table 42 can accommodate a plurality of feeders 60.

Figure 3 shows a feeder 60. The feeder 60 is a device that supplies components to the component mounter 20. The feeder 60 has a card-shaped case 61. Rails 61a are provided at the bottom end of the case 61. The rails 61a are shaped so that they can be inserted into the slot grooves 44 of the feeder table 42 shown in Figure 2. By inserting the rails 61a of the feeder 60 into the slot grooves 44 of the feeder table 42, the feeder 60 is accommodated in the feeder table 42 as shown in Figure 2. The feeder 60 can be accommodated in either the feeder table 42 of the feeder storage 30 or the feeder table 42 of the magazine 40. Hereinafter, the space in the feeder table 42 that accommodates each feeder 60 is referred to as a slot 43. As shown in Figure 3, a connector 65 is provided on the back of the case 61 of the feeder 60. When the feeder 60 is inserted into the slot 43, the connector 65 of the feeder 60 connects to the connector 45 of the feeder table 42.

As shown in FIG. 3, the feeder 60 has a tape reel 62, a tape feeding mechanism 64, and a control unit 66. The tape reel 62, tape feeding mechanism 64, and control unit 66 are provided in the case 61. When the connector 65 of the feeder 60 is connected to the connector 45 of the feeder table 42, power is supplied to the tape feeding mechanism 64 and the control unit 66. When the connector 65 of the feeder 60 is connected to the connector 45 of the feeder table 42, the control unit 66 can communicate with the control unit 80. The tape reel 62 is a reel around which a component supply tape 62a is wound. The component supply tape 62a contains multiple components. The tape feeding mechanism 64 has a motor (not shown). The tape feeding mechanism 64 pulls out the component supply tape 62a from the tape reel 62 and sets the components in the component supply tape 62a at the component supply position 62b provided on the top surface of the case 61. The control unit 66 is configured with a CPU, a memory, etc., and controls the tape feeding mechanism 64 in response to commands from the control unit 80 .

As shown in FIG. 1, an x-axis rail 18 extending parallel to the x-direction is provided on the front of the feeder storage 30 and the magazine 40. Note that the x-axis rail 18 is not shown in FIG. 2. Also as shown in FIG. 1, the component mounting system 10 has a loader 50. The loader 50 moves along the x-axis rail 18. FIG. 4 shows the internal structure of the loader 50. The loader 50 has an x-axis slider 52. The x-axis slider 52 has an x-axis motor 52a and a guide roller 52b. The guide roller 52b guides the movement of the loader 50 along the x-axis rail 18. When the x-axis motor 52a is driven, the loader 50 moves along the x-axis rail 18.

As shown in FIG. 4, the loader 50 has an upper transfer area 50A and a lower transfer area 50B. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper transfer area 50A is an area located at the same height as the magazine 40, and the lower transfer area 50B is an area located at the same height as the feeder storage cabinet 30 below the magazine 40. The loader 50 also has a feeder transport mechanism that transports the feeder 60. As shown in FIG. 4, the feeder transport mechanism has a clamp unit 54, a y-axis slider 56, and a z-axis slider 58. The clamp unit 54 clamps the feeder 60. The y-axis slider 56 has a y-axis motor 56a and a y-axis guide rail 56b. The y-axis guide rail 56b extends parallel to the y-axis. As shown by arrow 200, the y-axis motor 56a moves the clamp unit 54 along the y-axis guide rail 56b. The z-axis slider 58 has a z-axis motor 58a and a z-axis guide rail 58b. The z-axis guide rail 58b extends parallel to the z-axis. As indicated by arrow 202, the z-axis motor 58a moves the clamp unit 54 and the y-axis slider 56 along the z-axis guide rail 58b. The z-axis slider 58 moves the clamp unit 54 and the y-axis slider 56 between the upper transfer area 50A and the lower transfer area 50B. The loader 50 also has a control unit (not shown). The control unit of the loader 50 is composed of a CPU, memory, etc., and controls each unit of the loader 50 in response to commands from the control unit 80.

The loader 50 moves the feeder 60 between the feeder storage 30 and the magazine 40. For example, when moving a feeder 60 from the feeder storage 30 to the magazine 40, the loader 50 moves the clamp unit 54 to the position of the target feeder 60 stored in the feeder storage 30 and clamps the target feeder 60 with the clamp unit 54. Next, the loader 50 moves the feeder 60 together with the clamp unit 54 toward the front in the y direction using the y-axis slider 56. This removes the feeder 60 from the slot 43 in the feeder storage 30. Next, the loader 50 operates the x-axis slider 52 and the z-axis slider 58 to move the feeder 60 to the front of the target slot 43 in the target magazine 40. Next, the loader 50 moves the feeder 60 toward the back in the y direction using the y-axis slider 56. This inserts the feeder 60 into the target slot 43. At this time, the connector 65 (see FIG. 3) of the feeder 60 is connected to the connector 45 (see FIG. 2) of the feeder table 42. When the feeder 60 is moved from the magazine 40 to the feeder storage cabinet 30, the loader 50 transports the feeder 60 in the same manner.

As shown in FIG. 2, the mounter 20 has multiple conveyors 16a, mounting heads 22, a head movement mechanism 24, and a control unit (not shown). The control unit of the mounter 20 is composed of a CPU, memory, etc., and controls the conveyors 16a, mounting heads 22, and head movement mechanism 24 in response to commands from the control unit 80. Each conveyor 16a constitutes a circuit board transport path 16 and transports circuit boards in the x direction. The head movement mechanism 24 moves the mounting head 22 above the conveyor 16a and magazine 40. The head movement mechanism 24 can move the mounting head 22 along the x, y, and z directions. The mounting head 22 picks up components supplied from the feeder 60 in the magazine 40 and mounts them on the circuit board on the conveyor 16a. More specifically, the feeder 60 housed in the magazine 40 sets the components at the component supply position 62b (see FIG. 3), as described above. The head moving mechanism 24 moves the mounting head 22 so that the bottom surface of the mounting head 22 comes into contact with the component set at the component supply position 62b. The mounting head 22 picks up the component set at the component supply position 62b. After the mounting head 22 picks up the component, the head moving mechanism 24 moves the mounting head 22 so that the component picked up by the mounting head 22 comes into contact with the mounting position of the circuit board on the conveyor 16a. The mounting head 22 then releases the component from suction. This mounts the component at the mounting position on the circuit board. In this way, the mounting head 22 mounts components supplied by each feeder 60 contained in the magazine 40 at the appropriate mounting position on the circuit board. The circuit board on which components have been mounted by the component mounter 20 is transported to a reflow oven (not shown) via the circuit board transport path 16.

As shown in FIG. 1, a cleaning unit 90 is housed in a specific slot 43 of the feeder storage cabinet 30a instead of a feeder 60. FIG. 5 shows the cleaning unit 90. As shown in FIG. 5, the cleaning unit 90 has a card-shaped case 91. The shape of the case 91 of the cleaning unit 90 is substantially the same as the shape of the case 61 of the feeder 60. A rail 91a is provided at the lower end of the case 91. The rail 91a has a shape that allows it to be inserted into each slot groove 44 of the feeder base 42 in FIG. 2. In other words, the cleaning unit 90 has a shape that allows it to be housed in each slot 43. The cleaning unit 90 has cleaning paper 92, a paper feed mechanism 94, and a wiping portion 96. The wiping portion 96 protrudes in the y direction from the back of the case 91. The wiping portion 96 is positioned at a position corresponding to the connector 65 of the feeder 60 (see FIG. 3). The cleaning paper 92 is wound around the wiping portion 96 and the paper feed mechanism 94. The paper feed mechanism 94 has a motor and feeds out the cleaning paper 92 in one direction. As the paper feed mechanism 94 feeds out the cleaning paper 92, the cleaning paper 92 circulates around the wiping section 96 and the paper feed mechanism 94. The cleaning unit 90 is connected to the control unit 80 by wiring (not shown). The paper feed mechanism 94 is controlled by the control unit 80. In the wiping section 96, the cleaning paper 92 is exposed to the outside. As described above, the cleaning unit 90 has substantially the same shape as the feeder 60. Therefore, the loader 50 can transport the cleaning unit 90 to the magazine 40 and each slot 43 of the feeder storage 30. As will be described in detail later, the cleaning unit 90 cleans the connectors 45 of each slot 43.

Next, the processing executed by the control unit 80 will be described. The control unit 80 stores a circuit board production program. The circuit board production program is a program that determines which components are to be mounted at which positions on the circuit board. The control unit 80 communicates with the control units of each component mounter 20 and the loader 50 and sends commands to these control units. The control units of each component mounter 20 and the loader 50 control each component mounter 20 and loader 50 in accordance with the commands from the control unit 80. The control unit 80 is also connected to the magazine 40 and each feeder 60 housed in the feeder storage 30 via connectors 45, 65. The control unit 80 communicates with the control unit 66 of each feeder 60 via connectors 45, 65, thereby controlling each feeder 60.

Before starting the mounting process, the control unit 80 executes a feeder setting process. In the feeder setting process, the control unit 80 uses the loader 50 to transport each feeder 60 to the appropriate slot 43. More specifically, the control unit 80 stores the slot 43 in which each feeder 60 in the component mounting system 10 is currently housed. The control unit 80 also stores the type of component contained in each feeder 60. Based on the production program, the control unit 80 identifies the feeder 60 that contains the component to be mounted on the circuit board. The control unit 80 then controls the loader 50 to transport each feeder 60 so that the feeder 60 containing the component to be mounted is housed in the slot 43 of the magazine 40, and the feeder 60 not containing the component to be mounted is housed in the slot 43 of the feeder storage 30. Once all feeders 60 have been housed in the appropriate slots 43, the control unit 80 executes the mounting process.

In the mounting process, the control unit 80 controls each feeder 60 housed in the magazine 40 to cause each feeder 60 to set components at the component supply position 62b. The control unit 80 also controls each component mounter 20 to mount each component set at the component supply position 62b onto a circuit board on the conveyor 16a. Once all the required components have been mounted on the circuit board by each component mounter 20, the conveyor 16a sends the circuit board to the reflow oven. The solder hardens in the reflow oven, completing the circuit board with the components connected.

During the mounting process, some slots 43 in each magazine 40 may not contain feeders 60. Hereinafter, slots 43 in a magazine 40 that do not contain feeders 60 are referred to as empty slots. During the mounting process, the control unit 80 performs a cleaning process to clean the connectors 45 of the empty slots.

During the cleaning process, the control unit 80 controls the loader 50 to transport the cleaning unit 90 to an empty slot. Specifically, the loader 50 clamps the cleaning unit 90 stored in the feeder storage 30a with the clamp unit 54 and pulls it out of the slot 43. Next, the loader 50 uses the x-axis slider 52 and z-axis slider 58 to move the cleaning unit 90 to a position facing the empty slot. Next, the loader 50 uses the y-axis slider 56 to move the cleaning unit 90 toward the rear in the y direction, inserting the cleaning unit 90 into the empty slot. The cleaning paper 92 of the wiping unit 96 then comes into contact with the connector 45 of the empty slot. Next, the control unit 80 activates the paper feed mechanism 94 of the cleaning unit 90 to circulate the cleaning paper 92. As a result, the cleaning paper 92 slides against the connector 45 in the wiping unit 96, wiping off any dirt adhering to the connector 45. This cleans the connectors 45 in the empty slots. The control unit 80 executes the cleaning process for each empty slot during the mounting process.

As described above, the component mounting system of Example 1 allows the connectors 45 in empty slots to be cleaned. This prevents dirt from accumulating on the connectors 45 and causing poor contact.

Furthermore, in the component mounting system 10 of Example 1, the loader 50 carries out the cleaning process by transporting the cleaning unit 90. Because the loader 50 has the function of transporting the feeder 60 to each slot 43, the cleaning unit 90 can be transported to an empty slot by using the loader 50. With this configuration, the cleaning unit 90 can be transported using the loader 50 without the need for a separate device for transporting the cleaning unit 90. This prevents the component mounting system from becoming too complicated and large.

Furthermore, the component mounting system 10 of Example 1 performs a cleaning process during the mounting process. Because the loader 50 does not transport the feeder 60 during the mounting process, the loader 50 can transport the cleaning unit 90 during the mounting process. Furthermore, by performing the cleaning process during the mounting process, the cleaning process can be performed without reducing the operating efficiency of the component mounter 20. Note that in other embodiments, the cleaning process may be performed at a timing different from the mounting process. For example, the cleaning process may be performed during preliminary operation or inspection of the component mounter 20.

Furthermore, in the component mounting system 10 of Example 1, the cleaning unit 90 is stored in one of the slots 43 of the feeder storage cabinet 30a. Furthermore, the cleaning unit 90 has approximately the same shape as the feeder 60. Therefore, the loader 50 can remove the cleaning unit 90 from the feeder storage cabinet 30a using the clamp section 54 and transport it to an empty slot.

The cleaning unit 90 of Example 1 may further include a mechanism for supplying a cleaning liquid such as alcohol to the cleaning paper 92. This configuration further improves the cleaning ability of the cleaning unit 90.

Example 2
The component mounting system of the second embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in the configuration of the cleaning unit. The other configurations of the component mounting system of the second embodiment are the same as those of the component mounting system 10 of the first embodiment.

Figure 6 shows the cleaning unit 100 of Example 2. The cleaning unit 100 has a card-shaped case 101. The shape of the case 101 of the cleaning unit 100 is approximately the same as the shape of the case 61 of the feeder 60. A rail 101a is provided at the lower end of the case 101. The rail 101a has a shape that allows it to be inserted into each slot groove 44 of the feeder base 42 in Figure 2. In other words, the cleaning unit 100 has a shape that allows it to be accommodated in each slot 43. The cleaning unit 100 has a nozzle 105. The nozzle 105 protrudes in the y direction from the back of the case 101. Also, although not shown, the cleaning unit 100 has a built-in blower. Also, although not shown, wiring, not shown, is connected to the cleaning unit 100. The blower is controlled by the control unit 80. When the blower is activated, air is ejected from the nozzle 105 in the y direction, as shown by arrow 300. The loader 50 can transport the cleaning units 100 to the magazines 40 and to each slot 43 in the feeder storage 30 .

In the cleaning process of Example 2, the loader 50 moves the cleaning unit 100 from the feeder storage 30a to an empty slot. When the loader 50 inserts the cleaning unit 100 into the empty slot, the nozzle 105 is positioned opposite the connector 45. The control unit 80 then activates the blower. This causes air to be emitted from the nozzle 105 toward the connector 45. As a result, foreign matter (e.g., dust, particles, etc.) adhering to the connector 45 is removed. In this way, the cleaning unit 100 of Example 2 cleans the connector 45 by blowing air.

In Example 2, foreign matter blown away by the air blow may scatter. To prevent foreign matter from scattering, the cleaning unit 100 may further include a mechanism for sucking in air around the nozzle 105.

In the above-described first and second embodiments, the cleaning unit was stored in the feeder storage 30a outside the loader 50, and the loader 50 transported the cleaning unit to an empty slot during the cleaning process. However, the cleaning unit may be fixed to a predetermined position on the loader 50 (e.g., a location that allows movement in the y and z directions). For example, the y-axis guide rail 56b may be configured to be movable in the y direction, and the cleaning unit may be fixed to the tip of the y-axis guide rail 56b. In this case, the cleaning unit is positioned so that it does not interfere with the feeder 60. Even with this configuration, the loader 50 can transport the cleaning unit to an empty slot and perform the cleaning process.

Furthermore, in the above-described Examples 1 and 2, the cleaning unit cleaned the connectors 45 of the empty slots of the magazine 40. However, the cleaning unit may also clean the connectors 45 of the empty slots of the feeder storage cabinet 30 in addition to the connectors 45 of the empty slots of the magazine 40.

The slot 43 of the feeder storage cabinet 30 in the above-described embodiment is an example of a feeder storage section. Also, the slot 43 of the magazine 40 in the above-described embodiment is an example of a feeder slot.

The technical elements described in this specification or drawings may exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings simultaneously achieve multiple objectives, and achieving any one of those objectives is itself technically useful.

Claims (5)

A component mounting system,
a feeder storage cabinet having a plurality of feeder storage compartments;
a magazine having a plurality of feeder slots;
a plurality of feeders, each of which is accommodated in one of the plurality of feeder accommodating sections and the plurality of feeder slots;
a loader that transports the feeders between the plurality of feeder accommodating sections and the plurality of feeder slots;
A component mounter;
A cleaning unit,
A control unit;
and
Each feeder contains multiple parts,
the component mounter executes a mounting process to mount components supplied from the feeders accommodated in each feeder slot onto a circuit board;
each said feeder slot having a first connector;
each of the feeders has a second connector that engages with the corresponding first connector when the feeder is accommodated in any of the plurality of feeder slots;
when an empty slot not accommodating the feeder is present among the plurality of feeder slots, the control unit carries the cleaning unit by the loader to a position corresponding to the empty slot, and executes a cleaning process by the cleaning unit to clean the first connector of the empty slot.
Component mounting system. The component mounting system of claim 1, wherein the control unit executes the cleaning process while the mounting process is being executed. the loader has a holding mechanism that holds the feeder when transporting the feeder,
the cleaning unit is stored outside the loader when the control unit is not executing the cleaning process;
When the control unit executes the cleaning process, the loader holds the cleaning unit using the holding mechanism and transports the cleaning unit to the empty slot.
The component mounting system according to claim 1 or 2. The component mounting system described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cleaning unit cleans the first connector by blowing air. The component mounting system described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cleaning unit cleans the first connector by wiping the first connector with a cleaning member.