JP2015039666A - Liquid discharge apparatus, liquid discharge method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a liquid sag onto an electronic circuit board from a nozzle tip for a coating liquid before or after spraying with a coating agent.SOLUTION: An apparatus comprises: a coating gun on which a nozzle to spray a coating liquid out of the tip is mounted; a coating gun holding part to move the coating gun so that the nozzle may move in a plane direction with respect to a coating treatment object arrangement surface and in a direction to contact and separate the coating treatment object arrangement surface; a liquid sag prevention part that has a liquid receiving part to make a transition of a receiving state that the liquid receiving part receives the coating liquid out of the tip and a stand-by state that the liquid receiving part does not receive the coating liquid out of the tip; and a control part that controls the liquid receiving part to make the receiving state when the tip is positioned at least immediately above the coating treatment object to discharge no coating liquid out of the tip and controls the liquid receiving part to make the stand-by state when discharging the coating liquid out of the tip.

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejection apparatus for coating a processing target such as an electronic circuit board with a thin film such as a protective film.

JP 2013-4878 A JP2013-706

An electronic circuit board or the like is coated with a thin film serving as a protective film for the purpose of moisture proofing and rust prevention.
For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose an apparatus for discharging a coating liquid. Usually, in a liquid coating apparatus, a thin film coating is formed by discharging a coating agent from the nozzle tip to the surface of an electronic circuit board or the like.

By the way, when coating an electronic circuit board or the like, it is necessary to form a coating film with a uniform thickness on the surface of the electronic circuit board. At this time, before or after spraying the coating agent, the coating liquid drips from the tip of the nozzle onto the electronic circuit board or the like, and the coating film may not have a uniform thickness. There is also a concern that the dripping will contaminate an electronic circuit board or the like as a product.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to prevent dripping of a coating agent dripped from the nozzle tip onto an electronic circuit board or the like in a liquid ejection apparatus.

1stly, the liquid coating device which concerns on this invention is equipped with the coating gun with which the nozzle which discharges coating liquid from a front-end | tip part was mounted | worn, and the said nozzle in the plane direction with respect to a coating process target object arrangement surface, and a coating process target object arrangement surface An application gun holding unit that moves the application gun so as to move in the contacting / separating direction; a liquid receiving unit; the liquid receiving unit receiving a coating liquid from the tip; A liquid sag preventing part that transitions to a standby state in which the part does not receive the coating liquid from the tip part, and when the tip part is at least directly above the object to be coated, and from the tip part to the coating liquid A control unit that controls the liquid receiving unit to be in the receiving state when the liquid receiving unit is not discharged, and controls the liquid receiving unit to be in the standby state when the coating liquid is discharged from the tip portion; , With.
By doing in this way, the coating liquid dripped from the tip part of the nozzle is received by the liquid receiving part.

Secondly, in the liquid coating apparatus according to the present invention described above, a plurality of the coating guns are provided, and a plurality of the liquid dripping prevention portions are provided corresponding to the plurality of coating guns. Is controlled by the control unit so that each of the liquid dripping prevention units corresponding to the other application guns is in the receiving state when the is in the discharge operation state.
By doing in this way, the coating liquid dripped from the nozzle which is not in the discharge operation state is received by the liquid receiving portion.

Third, in the liquid application apparatus according to the present invention described above, the liquid dripping prevention portion is located immediately below the distal end portion in the receiving state, and in the standby state. The liquid receiver is moved on a predetermined axis that is defined relative to the coating gun so that the liquid receiver is positioned other than directly below the tip.
By moving on one axis in this way, a general mechanism such as an air cylinder can be used.

Fourthly, in the liquid coating apparatus according to the present invention described above, the liquid dripping prevention part follows the movement of the coating gun holding part.
By doing so, it is not necessary to use a dedicated algorithm or control unit for controlling the dripping prevention unit in the X, Y, and Z directions.

Fifthly, in the liquid coating apparatus according to the present invention described above, a wall portion protruding upward is provided at the edge portion of the liquid receiving portion.
By doing in this way, the coating liquid dripped from the front-end | tip part of a nozzle is hard to flow out outside from a liquid receiving part.

The liquid ejection method according to the present invention includes a coating gun equipped with a nozzle that ejects a coating liquid from the tip, a direction in which the nozzle is in contact with and away from the coating processing object placement surface, and a planar direction with respect to the coating treatment object placement surface An application gun holding part that moves the application gun so as to move to the liquid receiving part, a liquid receiving part, the liquid receiving part receiving a coating liquid from the tip part, and the liquid receiving part is the tip In a liquid ejection apparatus comprising a liquid sag prevention unit that transitions to a standby state in which the coating liquid from the unit is not received, and a control unit that controls the liquid sag prevention unit, the tip portion is at least the coating process target The liquid receiving portion is set in the receiving state when the coating liquid is not discharged from the tip portion when it is positioned directly above, and the liquid receiving portion is set in the standby state when the coating liquid is discharged from the tip portion. Liquid It is out method.
As a result, the coating liquid dripped from the tip of the nozzle is executed so as to be received by the liquid receiving part.

Further, the program of the present invention to be executed by the control unit of the liquid ejection device provided with the above-described coating gun, coating gun holding unit, and liquid dripping prevention unit is a program when the tip is positioned at least immediately above the coating object. A receiving process for controlling the liquid receiving part to be in the receiving state when the coating liquid is not discharged from the tip part, and the liquid receiving part when the coating liquid is discharged from the tip part. Is a program for executing a standby process for controlling to enter the standby state.
With this program, the above-described liquid ejection apparatus and liquid ejection method are realized using the control unit.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it can prevent that the coating agent dripped from the nozzle tip in a liquid discharge apparatus dripping on an electronic circuit board etc.

1 is an overall perspective view of a coating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a part of side view and top view explaining a mode that the liquid dripping prevention part by the side of a nozzle was made into the acceptance state. It is a part of side view and top view explaining a mode that the liquid dripping prevention part by the side of a nozzle was made into the standby state. It is a side view and a part of top view explaining a mode that the liquid dripping prevention part by the side of a needle was made into the acceptance state. It is a part of the side view and top view explaining a mode that the liquid dripping prevention part by the side of a needle was made into the standby state. It is a block diagram of the control structure of a coating apparatus. It is a flowchart of the application | coating process by a nozzle and a needle. It is a side view which shows the modification of a liquid receiving part. It is a side view which shows another example of a liquid receiving part. It is a side view which shows another example of a liquid receiving part.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. As an embodiment of the liquid ejecting apparatus, an example of a coating apparatus that ejects a coating agent for forming a thin film on a circuit board that is a processing target is given.
The description will be given in the following order.
<1. Configuration of Coating Apparatus of Embodiment>
<2. Control configuration of coating equipment>
<3. Operation of coating equipment>
<4. Summary>
<5. Modification>

<1. Configuration of Coating Apparatus of Embodiment>
First, the configuration of a coating apparatus 1 which is an embodiment of the liquid ejection apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The coating apparatus 1 discharges and sprays a coating agent from a nozzle 3a or a needle 4a onto a circuit board 100 placed on the work table unit 2 to protect the circuit board 100 from moisture and rust. Is a device for forming
The nozzle 3a is a nozzle that discharges a coating liquid (coating agent) in a fan shape or a conical shape. On the other hand, the needle 4a is a “nozzle” whose tip is formed into, for example, a needle shape (elongated cylinder) and discharges the coating liquid in a thin line shape.
The nozzle 3a and the needle 4a both function as “nozzles”. However, in order to distinguish each nozzle, the nozzle that discharges a thin line of liquid is referred to as a “needle” in the description.

As shown in FIG. 1, a substrate mounting table 10 is provided on the work table unit 2, and a circuit substrate 100 that is a coating processing object is mounted on the substrate mounting table 10.
For example, the coating apparatus 1 can be used as part of a production line for electronic circuit boards and the like, and the circuit board 100 is set on the substrate mounting table 10 by a transport mechanism (not shown). Then, a coating process is performed in the coating apparatus 1, and then the circuit board 100 is taken out by a transport mechanism (not shown) and transferred to the next process. Thereby, the coating process as a continuous operation is executed on the line.
Of course, the coating apparatus 1 may not only configure the line as described above, but also may be an apparatus that individually coats a processing target such as the circuit board 100.

The gun units 3 and 4 are movable in the space above the work table portion 2.
The gun unit 3 is provided with an application gun 305 equipped with a nozzle 3a for discharging the coating agent in a fan shape. An upper mechanism of the application gun 305 is disposed in a unit case 301 as an application gun holding unit.
The gun unit 4 is provided with an application gun 405 to which a needle 4a for discharging the coating agent in a thin line shape is attached. An upper mechanism of the coating gun 405 is disposed in a unit case 401 as a coating gun holding unit.

The application guns 305 and 405 (the gun units 3 and 4) to which the nozzle 3a and the needle 4a are attached are movable in the X space, the Y direction, and the Z direction above the work table portion 2.
The unit case 301 is attached to the Z direction guide 3z so as to be slidable in the Z direction. The Z-direction guide 3z is provided with a nozzle Z motor 5 (described later in FIG. 5) and a drive shaft rotated by the nozzle Z motor 5, and the gun unit 3 is rotated in the Z direction by rotation of the drive shaft. That is, it can be moved in a direction in which it is in contact with or separated from the substrate mounting table 10 that is the application processing object placement surface.
Similarly, the unit case 401 is attached to the Z direction guide 4z so as to be slidable in the Z direction. The Z-direction guide 4z is also provided with a needle Z motor 15 (not shown in FIG. 5) and a drive shaft that is rotated by the needle Z motor 15, and the gun unit 4 is rotated in the Z direction ( It is possible to move in a direction in which the substrate mounting table 10 is in contact with or separated from the substrate mounting table 10.
By this movement in the Z direction, the nozzle 3a and the needle 4a can be lowered to a predetermined height with respect to the surface of the circuit board 100 at the time of application.

The Z direction guides 3z and 4z are attached to the X direction guide 11.
The X direction guide 11 is provided with an X motor 7 and a drive shaft 11a rotated by the X motor 7. The gun units 3 and 4 are rotated along the X direction guide 11 in the X direction by the rotation of the drive shaft 11a. It is possible to move to. For this reason, a connection mechanism is adopted between the drive shaft 11a and the Z-direction guides 3z and 4z, such as a gear configuration that converts the rotation of the drive shaft 11a into the slide movement direction.

  The X direction guide 11 is fixed to a guide holder 13. The guide holder 13 is attached to the Y-direction guide 12 so as to be slidable in the Y direction. The Y-direction guide 12 is provided with a Y motor 8 and a drive shaft 12a rotated by the Y motor 8, and the guide holder 13 (that is, the entire X-direction guide 11) is rotated by the drive shaft 12a. 12 is movable in the Y direction. For this reason, a connection mechanism is employed between the drive shaft 12a and the guide holder 13 such as a gear configuration in which the rotation of the drive shaft 12a is converted into the slide movement direction.

With the above configuration, the positions of the nozzle 3a and the needle 4a are moved in the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction in the upper space of the work table 2 by the X motor 7, the Y motor 8, the nozzle Z motor 5, and the needle Z motor 15. It becomes possible to move.
By moving in the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction, spraying the coating agent while moving each place on the mounted circuit board 100, waiting in a predetermined standby position when not applied, etc. Can be executed.
The mechanism as the moving means in the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction is merely an example. The moving mechanism is not limited to the structure described above.

  Various electronic components 110 and 111 such as resistors, capacitors, and IC chips are mounted on the circuit board 100, and the height of the various electronic components 110 and 111, the size of the gap between the electronic components, and the like are various. In the present embodiment, for example, the circuit board 100 is sprayed while moving the nozzle 3a and the needle 4a in the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction. It is possible to form an appropriate thin film according to the conditions.

  Regarding the movement control in the X direction and the Y direction, for example, the corner (corner) of the substrate platform 10 is the origin a on the coordinates, and the movement distance in the XY direction of the nozzle 3a and the needle 4a is centered on the origin a. Is set. Note that the substrate platform 10 is provided with pins at two locations, for example, and has holes for inserting the pins at two locations on the circuit board 100. By arranging these holes so as to be inserted into the pins, the circuit board 100 is positioned and arranged so that the corner (corner) of the circuit board 100 becomes the origin a.

  Furthermore, the gun units 3 and 4 are provided with turning mechanisms for turning the application guns 305 and 405, respectively.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2A, the coating apparatus 1 is provided with a liquid sag preventing part 60A for receiving the coating agent dripped from the nozzle 3a. The liquid dripping prevention part 60 </ b> A includes a cylinder part 62, a cylinder driving part 61 that drives the cylinder part 62, and a liquid receiving part 63 attached to the tip of the cylinder part 62. FIG. 2B shows the cylinder portion 62 and the liquid receiving portion 63 as a plan view.
The cylinder driving part 61 is attached below the Z-direction guide 3z, and a cylinder part 62 is attached below the cylinder driving part 61. Accordingly, the liquid dripping prevention unit 60A can move in the X direction and the Y direction following the movement of the coating gun 305.

The cylinder part 62 includes a fixed part 64 fixed relative to the Z-direction guide 3z, a moving part 65 moved relative to the fixed part 64 in the Y direction, a fixed part 64, and a moving part 65. And the tip of the moving part 65 is connected to one end of the liquid receiving part 63. The liquid receiving portion 63 is provided with a wall portion 63a that protrudes upward from the edges of the four sides so that the coating agent dropped from the nozzle 3a does not flow outside. Here, the shape of the liquid receiving portion 63 viewed from above is a square, but other shapes such as a circle, an ellipse, and a polygon may be used, and the wall protrudes upward from the edge of each shape. It suffices if a section is provided.
One end of a supply / exhaust cable 66 for supplying and discharging compressed air is connected to the cylinder driving unit 61, and the other end of the supply / exhaust cable 66 is connected to the fixed portion 64 of the cylinder unit 62.
Further, predetermined portions (not shown) for functioning as a so-called air cylinder are arranged inside the cylinder portion 62.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the liquid dripping prevention unit 60 includes a receiving state in which the liquid receiving unit 63 is positioned directly below the nozzle 3a by the extension of the cylinder unit 62, and FIGS. 3A and 3B. As shown in 3B, when the cylinder part 62 contracts, the liquid receiving part 63 transitions from a standby state in which the liquid receiving part 63 is moved in the Y direction from directly below the nozzle 3a.
In the case of this structural example, the nozzle 3a can be lowered in the Z direction when the liquid receiving portion 63 is in the standby state.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A, and 5B, the coating apparatus 1 receives a coating agent dripping from the tip 4b of the needle 4a also below the needle 4a. A sagging prevention portion 60B is attached. The needle 4a can also be lowered in the Z direction when the liquid receiving portion 63 is in a standby state.

Although not shown, the coating apparatus 1 is provided with a supply mechanism for supplying a coating agent and air in order to discharge the coating agent as a pressurized liquid from the nozzle 3a and the needle 4a. FIG. 1 shows tube bundles 26 and 27 each having three tubes connected to application guns 305 and 405. Three tubes are used for the forward and backward paths of the coating agent and air injection.
In the application guns 305 and 405, the discharge amount of the coating agent is adjusted by adjusting the pressure by an internal discharge mechanism.
The coating agent is, for example, a polyolefin-based, acrylic-based, or polyurethane-based insulating coating agent. When diluted with thinner and applied to the circuit board 100 in a liquid state, a thin film as a substrate shielding layer is formed on the circuit board 100 by drying for about 10 minutes.

Further, the coating apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a light emitting unit 21, a light receiving unit 22, a discarding unit 23, and soaking units 24 </ b> A and 24 </ b> B constituting an optical sensor on the work table unit 2.
The light emitting unit 21 and the light receiving unit 22 constituting the optical sensor are arranged to face each other in the X direction. The light emitting unit 21 is constituted by a semiconductor laser, for example, and outputs laser light having a diameter of about 1.5 mm, for example. This laser beam is received by the light receiving unit 22. The light receiving unit 22 outputs a detection signal according to the amount of received light.
In this case, the light beam of the laser light has a linear shape extending in the X direction. For example, when the nozzle 3 a is moved in the Y direction and crosses the light beam of the laser light, the light beam is blocked by the nozzle 3 a and does not reach the light receiving unit 22. As a result, the light receiving unit 22 decreases the amount of received light, and outputs a detection signal indicating a light amount reduction state.
In order to perform application with an appropriate application width, the width of the fan-shaped spray pattern from the nozzle 3a is adjusted. For this purpose, while discharging the spray pattern from the nozzle 3a, the nozzle 3a is moved in the direction across the light beam of the sensor, and the width of the spray pattern is measured. Depending on the measurement result, the spray pattern width can be adjusted to a desired width by adjusting the spray pressure of the coating agent.

The discarding unit 23 is used when a coating agent is discharged as so-called discarding.
The soaking parts 24A and 24B are provided to soak the tip of the nozzle 3a and the needle 4a in the diluent.
In this example, a coating agent diluted with a highly volatile solvent is used, which dries and hardens at the tip discharge hole of the nozzle 3a or the needle 4a, thereby changing the spray pattern to be discharged or causing clogging. May end up.
Therefore, the soaking parts 24A and 24B are provided as standby positions when not in use, and when not in use, the tips of the nozzle 3a and the needle 4a are soaked in the soaking parts 24A and 24B containing the diluent. For example, a thinner solvent is put in the soaking parts 24A and 24B to prevent clogging of the nozzle 3a and the needle 4a.
Further, before use, in the state where the nozzle 3a and the needle 4a are positioned above the discarding portion 23, discharge as discarding is performed to blow off the cured portion.
With these techniques, a stable spray pattern can be obtained during actual coating operations.

In this example, the width of the spray pattern is measured by moving the nozzle 3a in the direction across the light beam of the sensor while discharging the spray pattern from the nozzle 3a.
At this time, since the above-mentioned immersion and discarding are performed, a stable spray pattern width can be measured even during measurement.
Further, the position above the thrown-out portion 23 is the position of the laser beam from the light emitting portion 21. Therefore, the operation of moving the nozzle 3a while discharging a spray pattern as a measurement process to be described later can be performed above the discarding portion 23. That is, the throwing-out portion 23 also functions as a receiving portion for the spray pattern discharged during the measurement process.
In addition, a slope is formed in the dumping portion 23 as shown in the figure, and the coating agent thrown away by the slope is directed in a certain direction, and the coating agent scatters on the work table portion 2 unnecessarily. There is no such thing.

In addition, the coating apparatus 1 is provided with a display unit 9 constituted by, for example, a liquid crystal panel. The display unit 9 is equipped with a touch panel, and an operator can perform an input operation.
On the display unit 9, operation icons for operating the coating apparatus 1, message display, and other various images for a user interface are displayed.

<2. Control configuration of coating equipment>
FIG. 6 shows a control configuration of the coating apparatus 1. Here, an electric system is particularly shown here, and description of a fluid control system such as coating agent supply and pressurization control is omitted.

The main control unit 30 is an arithmetic processing unit formed by, for example, a microcomputer (CPU: Central Processing Unit), and controls the operation of each unit.
The memory unit 34 has a storage area such as a non-volatile memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an EEP-ROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) used by the main control unit 30 for various controls. It is shown generally.
The memory unit 34 includes both a storage area (register, RAM, ROM, EEP-ROM, etc.) formed inside the microcomputer and a memory chip area external to the chip as the microcomputer. Shown together. That is, since any storage area may be used, it is shown without distinction.

The ROM area in the memory unit 34 stores a program executed by the CPU as the main control unit 30.
The RAM area in the memory unit 34 is used by the CPU as the main control unit 30 as a work memory for various arithmetic processes, or for temporary storage of image data.
The nonvolatile memory area in the memory unit 34 stores necessary information such as coefficients and constants for arithmetic control processing.
The main control unit 30 performs necessary arithmetic processing and control processing based on a program stored in the memory unit 34, an operator's operation input from the input unit 31, or based on an instruction from a line control computer (not shown). I do.

The input unit 31 is a part where an operator inputs an operation. For example, when a touch panel is formed on the display unit 9 as described above, the touch panel becomes the input unit 31. Moreover, the input part 31 by an operation key, a remote controller, etc. may be provided.
Input information from the input unit 31 is supplied to the main control unit 30, and the main control unit 30 performs processing according to the input information.

The main control unit 30 supplies display data to the display driving unit 33 and causes the display unit 9 to execute display. The display driving unit 33 generates an image signal based on the supplied display data and drives the display unit 9.
For example, the main control unit 30 instructs the display drive unit 33 to display an operation menu screen, an operation icon, an operation state display image, a message image, and the like, and causes the display unit 9 to display the operation menu screen.

The external interface 46 performs communication with external devices and network communication. The main control unit 30 can input and transmit various information via the external interface 46 by communication. For example, when each device on the line is networked, communication can be performed with the host device and other devices.
Through this communication, it is possible to receive captured image data of the circuit board 100 from an external device, load an upgrade program, and accept change settings for various processing coefficients and constants. The main control unit 30 can also send an error message, a warning, etc. to the host device.

The main control unit 30 transmits a nozzle movement command to the motor controller 35. The contents of the command are contents for instructing the moving direction (X, Y, Z direction), moving amount, moving speed, turning direction, turning amount, turning speed of the coating guns 305 and 405, and the like.
For example, before starting the coating process, the main control unit 30 sets the movement path and movement speed of the nozzle 3a, nozzle path data, which is information defining the height position at each time point, and the movement path and movement speed of the needle 4a. The needle path data, which is information defining the height position at each time point, is received by the external interface 46 and stored in the memory unit 34.
After starting the actual coating process, the main control unit 30 instructs the motor controller 35 to move the nozzle according to the nozzle path, and instructs the motor controller 35 to move the needle according to the needle path. It will be.
In response to these commands, the motor controller 35 controls driving of each motor driver (36, 37, 38, 39, 45, 46).

The X motor driver 36 gives a driving current for forward rotation or reverse rotation to the X motor 7. As a result, the X motor 7 is driven, and the entire gun units 3 and 4 are slid in the forward or reverse direction of the X direction.
The Y motor driver 38 gives a driving current for forward rotation or reverse rotation to the Y motor 8. As a result, the Y motor 7 is driven, and the entire gun units 3 and 4 (the entire X direction guide 11) are slid in the forward or reverse direction of the Y direction.
The nozzle Z motor driver 39 gives a drive current for forward rotation or reverse rotation to the nozzle Z motor 5. Thereby, the nozzle Z motor 5 is driven, and the coating gun 305 equipped with the nozzle 3a is moved so as to be drawn out or pulled up.
The nozzle rotation motor driver 37 gives a drive current for forward rotation or reverse rotation to the nozzle rotation motor 6. As a result, a turning operation is performed to change the turning angle position of the coating gun 305 to which the nozzle 3a is attached.
The needle Z motor driver 45 gives a drive current for forward rotation or reverse rotation to the needle Z motor 15. Thereby, the needle Z motor 15 is driven, and the application gun 405 equipped with the needle 4a is moved so as to be drawn out or pulled up.
The needle rotation motor driver 46 supplies the needle rotation motor 16 with a drive current for forward rotation or reverse rotation. As a result, a turning operation is performed to change the turning angle position of the application gun 405 with the needle 4a attached thereto.
The motor controller 35 instructs each motor driver 36, 37, 38, 39, 45, 46 in accordance with a command from the main control unit 30, and executes current application so that each motor cooperates. The movement of the application gun 305 (nozzle 3a) and the application gun 405 (needle 4a) on the work table 2 is executed.

The position detector 51 detects the position in the X direction of the application guns 305 and 405 moved by the X motor 7. For example, it is assumed that the information space of the workbench unit 2 is managed as a three-dimensional coordinate space as an X coordinate, a Y coordinate, and a Z coordinate. The position detection unit 51 detects the position in the X direction as an X coordinate value and notifies the main control unit 30 of the current X coordinate value.
The position detection unit 52 detects the turning angle position of the coating gun 305 (nozzle 3a) that is rotationally driven by the nozzle rotation motor 6. Then, the turning angle position is notified to the main control unit 30.
The position detection unit 53 detects the position in the Y direction of the application guns 305 and 405 moved by the Y motor 8 as a Y coordinate value, and notifies the main control unit 30 of the detected value.
The position detection unit 54 detects the position in the Z direction of the application gun 305 (nozzle 3 a) moved up and down by the nozzle Z motor 5 as a Z coordinate value and notifies the main control unit 30 of the detected value.
The position detection unit 55 detects the position in the Z direction of the application gun 405 (needle 4a) moved up and down by the needle Z motor 15 as a Z coordinate value and notifies the main control unit 30 of the detected value.
The position detector 56 detects the turning angle position of the application gun 405 (needle 4a) that is rotationally driven by the needle rotation motor 16. Then, the turning angle position is notified to the main control unit 30.

The position detectors 51, 53, 54, and 55 may detect positions by providing mechanical or optical sensors in the X direction guide 11, the Y direction guide 12, and the Z direction guides 3z and 4z, respectively. Alternatively, when the X motor 7, the Y motor 8, the nozzle Z motor 5, and the needle Z motor 15 are stepping motors, the position detection units 51, 53, 54, and 55 count the number of drive steps in the forward and reverse directions. It is also possible to use the counter as a detection position.
Alternatively, the current position may be measured using signals from an FG (Frequency Generator) or a rotary encoder attached to the X motor 7, the Y motor 8, the nozzle Z motor 5, and the needle Z motor 15. In any case, the position detectors 51, 53, 54, and 55 may be configured to detect the X coordinate value, the Y coordinate value, and the Z coordinate value as the current positions of the nozzle 3a and the needle 4a. I will not.
The position detectors 52 and 56 are sensors that mechanically or optically detect the rotational angle positions of the application guns 305 and 405 by the nozzle rotation motor 6 and the needle rotation motor 16, for example. Or you may make it produce | generate turning angle position information by detecting the output of FG of a nozzle rotation motor 6 or the needle rotation motor 16, or a rotary encoder.

Therefore, the position detectors 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56 may be configured by an internal counter or the like of the motor controller 35, or the motor controller 35 takes in information of a mechanical or optical external sensor. You may comprise.
The motor controller 35 executes the driving obtained from the main control unit 30 while monitoring the position information from the position detection units 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, and 56.
Further, the main control unit 30 can receive the position information from the position detection units 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, and 56 via the motor controller 35 so that the current position of the nozzle 3a and the needle 4a can be grasped. Further, it is possible to execute nozzle movement control and needle movement control without waste.
In this case, the X and Y coordinate values as the position of the nozzle 3a and the position of the needle 4a are only detected as the position of the gun unit 3 on the nozzle 3a side. Accordingly, the main control unit 30 may obtain the X and Y coordinate values as the application position of the nozzle 3a and the application position of the needle 4a by calculation so as to be offset from the position of the gun unit 3 by a predetermined amount.

The discharge control unit 40 controls execution / stop of discharge of the coating agent from the nozzle 3a and the needle 4a in accordance with an instruction from the main control unit 30. In this figure, the discharge mechanism 41 is conceptually shown as a mechanism portion that supplies, pressurizes, and discharges the coating agent to the nozzle 3a and the needle 4a.
Further, the discharge control unit 40 can adjust the spray pattern width and the discharge amount of the coating agent by adjusting the pressure at the time of discharge in accordance with an instruction from the main control unit 30.

The sensor driving unit 42 executes laser light emission driving from the light emitting unit 21, detects a light reception signal of the light receiving unit 22, and generates a detection signal.
The sensor driving unit 42 performs laser emission driving in accordance with an instruction from the main control unit 30 and supplies a detection signal to the main control unit 30 at that time.

As described above, the liquid dripping prevention part 60A is arranged below the nozzle 3a, the liquid dripping prevention part 60B is arranged below the needle 4a, and the cylinder driving parts 61 respectively included in the liquid dripping prevention parts 60A and 60B are as follows. The instructions of the main control unit 30 are received independently.
The cylinder drive unit 61 that receives the instruction of the main control unit 30 independently drives the cylinder unit 62 by sucking and exhausting compressed air to and from the cylinder unit 62 via the supply / discharge cable 66. . Thereby, the liquid receiving part 63 is moved in the Y direction following the moving part 65 of the cylinder part 62.
That is, according to an instruction from the main control unit 30, the liquid receiving part 63 disposed below the nozzle 3a and the liquid receiving part 63 disposed below the needle 4a are independently controlled in a receiving state or a standby state. .

<3. Operation of coating equipment>
The operation of the coating apparatus 1 of the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.
In the following processing, in each of the following processing, the motor controller 35 confirms the position information from the position detection unit (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56) in accordance with an instruction from the main control unit 30. Meanwhile, drive control of the motor drivers (36, 37, 38, 39, 45, 46) is performed. Furthermore, the motor drivers (36, 37, 38, 39, 45, 46) provide each motor with a drive current for driving the motor (7, 6, 8, 5, 15, 16). Drive.

  In the initial state of the coating operation in the coating apparatus 1, the coating guns 3 and 4 stand by above the soaking units 24A and 24B, and the nozzles 3a and the tip portions 3b and 4b of the needle 4a are placed in the soaking units 24A and 24B. Soaked in a diluent.

When the coating process is started from this state, first, the main control unit 30 instructs the motor controller 35 to raise the nozzle 3a and the needle 4a in the Z direction in step S101.
Upon receiving an instruction from the main control unit 30, the motor controller 35 drives the nozzle Z motor 5 and the needle Z motor 15 via the nozzle Z motor driver 39 and the needle Z motor driver 45.
By driving the nozzle Z motor 5 and the needle Z motor 15, the nozzle 3 a and the needle 4 a are raised together with the application guns 305 and 405 in the Z direction.
At this time, the tip portions 3b and 4b of the nozzle 3a and the needle 4a exceed the height of the liquid receiving portion 63 due to the rise in the Z direction. Thus, the movement efficiency can be ensured.

Next, in step S102, the main control unit 30 moves the cylinder receiving unit 63 of the liquid dripping prevention unit 60A and the cylinder driving unit 61 of the liquid dripping prevention unit 60B so that the liquid receiving unit 63 is moved to the receiving state. Give instructions.
The cylinder drive units 61 and 61 that have received an instruction from the main control unit 30 drive the cylinder units 62 and 62 by supplying compressed air to the cylinder units 62 and 62 via the supply / discharge cables 66 and 66. Do.
The moving parts 65, 65 of the cylinder parts 62, 62 are moved in the Y direction, the cylinder parts 62, 62 are extended, and the liquid receiving parts 63, 63 are moved immediately below the nozzle 3a and the needle 4a.
Thereby, the coating agent can prevent unnecessary dripping to the circuit board 100, the workbench part 2, etc. from the front-end | tip parts 3b and 4b of the nozzle 3a and the needle 4a. In other words, in the coating apparatus 1, it is possible to prevent the coating agent from dripping from the nozzle 3a and the tip portions 3b and 4b of the needle 4a.

Next, in step S103, the main control unit 30 instructs the motor controller 35 so that the gun units 3 and 4 are moved directly above the throwing-out unit 23.
Upon receiving an instruction from the main control unit 30, the motor controller 35 receives the X motor 7 and the X motor 7 through the X motor driver 36 and the Y motor driver 38 so that the gun units 3 and 4 move in the X direction and the Y direction. The Y motor 8 is driven.
When the X motor 7 and the Y motor 8 are driven, the gun units 3 and 4 are moved directly above the throwing-out portion 23.

Next, in step S104, the main control unit 30 instructs the cylinder drive unit 61 so that the liquid receiving unit 63 is moved to the standby position.
The cylinder drive unit 61 that has received an instruction from the main control unit 30 drives the cylinder unit 62 by discharging compressed air from the cylinder unit 62 via the supply / discharge cable 66.
Thereby, the moving part 65 of the cylinder part 62 is moved in the Y direction, the cylinder part 62 contracts, and the liquid receiving part 63 is moved in the Y direction from directly below the nozzle 3a and the needle 4a.

Next, in step S105, the main control unit 30 instructs the motor controller 35 so that the nozzle 3a and the needle 4a are lowered in the Z direction.
Upon receiving an instruction from the main control unit 30, the motor controller 35 receives the nozzle Z motor 5 and the needle Z via the nozzle Z motor driver 39 and the needle Z motor driver 45 so that the nozzle 3a and the needle 4a descend in the Z direction. The motor 15 is driven.
By driving the nozzle Z motor 5 and the needle Z motor 15, the nozzle 3 a and the needle 4 a are lowered together with the application guns 305 and 405 in the Z direction.

Next, in step S106, the main control unit 30 instructs the discharge control unit 40 to execute / stop the discharge of the coating agent for discarding from the nozzle 3a and the needle 4a. At this time, it is possible to instruct the discharge control unit 40 of the pressure at the time of discharge for discarding, the width of the spray pattern, and the like.
Upon receiving an instruction from the main control unit 30, the discharge control unit 40 drives the discharge mechanism 41 so as to execute / stop the coating agent discharge.
By driving the discharge mechanism 41, execution / stop of discharge of the coating agent for throwing away from the nozzle 3a and the needle 4a is performed.

Next, in step S107, the main control unit 30 instructs the sensor driving unit 42, the discharge control unit 40, and the motor controller 35 to measure and adjust the width of the spray pattern described above.
Upon receiving an instruction from the main control unit 30, the sensor driving unit 42 executes laser light emission driving from the light emitting unit 21, detects a light reception signal of the light receiving unit 22, and generates a detection signal.
In addition, the discharge control unit 40 that has received an instruction from the main control unit 30 drives the discharge mechanism 41 in order to discharge the coating agent from the nozzle 3a. Further, when the measurement of the width of the spray pattern is completed, the driving of the discharge mechanism 41 is stopped in order to stop the discharge of the coating agent from the nozzle 3a. Furthermore, in order to adjust the width of the spray pattern discharged from the nozzle 3a, the pressure at the time of discharge is adjusted by adjusting the drive of the discharge mechanism 41.
Further, the motor controller 35 that has received an instruction from the main control unit 30 supplies a drive current to the Y motor driver 38 so that the spray pattern discharged from the nozzle 3 a crosses the laser emitted from the light emitting unit 21. Depending on the direction of the laser emitted from the light emitting unit 21, a drive current may be given to the X motor driver 36.
The main control unit 30 calculates the width of the spray pattern from the position information from the position detection unit 53 and the detection signal generated by the sensor driving unit 42, and accordingly sets the application width when applying the coating agent. To do.

  Next, in step S108, the main control unit 30 instructs the motor controller 35 so that the nozzle 3a and the needle 4a are raised in the Z direction. Thereby, the Z direction raising operation is performed as in step S101.

  Next, in step S109, the main control unit 30 instructs the cylinder driving unit 61 so that the liquid receiving unit 63 is moved to the receiving position. Thereby, the liquid receiving parts 63 and 63 are moved just below the nozzle 3a and the needle 4a similarly to step S102.

  Next, in step S110, the main controller 30 instructs the motor controller 35 so that the nozzle 3a is moved immediately above the application start position. Based on the control of the main control unit 30, the X motor 7 and the Y motor 8 are driven, and the nozzle 3a is moved immediately above the application start position.

Next, in step S111, the main control unit 30 instructs the cylinder driving unit 61 of the liquid sag preventing unit 60A so that the liquid receiving unit 63 located immediately below the nozzle 3a is moved to the standby state. Here, since the application is performed using only the nozzle 3a, the liquid receiving portion 63 positioned immediately below the needle 4a remains in the receiving position, and only the liquid receiving portion 63 positioned directly below the nozzle 3a is in a standby state. Give instructions to do so.
The cylinder driving unit 61 of the liquid dripping prevention unit 60 </ b> A that has received an instruction from the main control unit 30 drives the cylinder unit 62 by discharging compressed air from the cylinder unit 62 via the supply / discharge cable 66.
Thereby, the moving part 65 of the cylinder part 62 is moved in the Y direction, the cylinder part 62 contracts, and the liquid receiving part 63 of the liquid dripping prevention part 60A is moved in the Y direction from directly below the nozzle 3a.

Next, in step S112, the main control unit 30 instructs the motor controller 35 so that only the nozzle 3a is lowered in the Z direction.
Upon receiving an instruction from the main control unit 30, the motor controller 35 drives the nozzle Z motor 5 via the nozzle Z motor driver 39. As a result, the nozzle 3 a is lowered in the Z direction together with the application gun 305.

Next, in step S113, the main controller 30 instructs the motor controller 35 and the discharge controller 40 so that only the nozzle 3a applies the coating agent to the circuit board 100.
Upon receiving an instruction from the main control unit 30, the motor controller 35 moves the X motor driver 36 and the Y motor driver 38 so that the gun unit 3 moves in the X direction and the Y direction so as to follow a predetermined application path. And the X motor 7 and the Y motor 8 are driven.
Further, the discharge control unit 40 that has received an instruction from the main control unit 30 drives or stops driving the discharge mechanism 41 in accordance with the instruction.

  When the application by the nozzle 3a in step S113 is completed, the main control unit 30 then instructs the motor controller 35 in step S114 so that the nozzle 3a that has been lowered for executing the application is raised in the Z direction. As a result, the nozzle Z motor 5 is driven, and the nozzle 3a rises in the Z direction together with the coating gun 305.

Next, in step S115, the main control unit 30 issues an instruction to the cylinder driving unit 61 so that the liquid receiving unit 63 of the liquid sag preventing unit 60A located below the nozzle 3a is moved to the receiving state. .
The cylinder drive unit 61 that has received an instruction from the main control unit 30 drives the cylinder unit 62 by supplying compressed air to the cylinder unit 62 via the supply / discharge cable 66.
As a result, the moving part 65 of the cylinder part 62 is moved in the Y direction, the cylinder part 62 is extended, and the liquid receiving part 63 is moved immediately below the nozzle 3a.
Thereby, the liquid receiving part 63 of liquid dripping prevention part 60A, 60B returns to a receiving state in both the nozzle 3a side and the needle 4a side.

Next, in step S116, the main control unit 30 determines whether or not the application work to the circuit board 100 with the needle 4a is performed.
When application by the needle 4a is not performed, the process proceeds to step S123.

  When performing the application | coating operation | work to the circuit board 100 by the needle 4a, the main control part 30 will instruct | indicate the motor controller 35 so that the needle 4a may be moved just above an application | coating start position in step S117. Based on the control of the main control unit 30, the X motor 7 and the Y motor 8 are driven, and the needle 4a is moved immediately above the application start position.

Next, in step S118, the main control unit 30 instructs the cylinder driving unit 61 of the liquid sag preventing unit 60B so that the liquid receiving unit 63 located immediately below the needle 4a is moved to the standby state.
The cylinder drive unit 61 of the liquid dripping prevention unit 60 </ b> B that has received an instruction from the main control unit 30 drives the cylinder unit 62 by discharging the compressed air from the cylinder unit 62 via the supply / discharge cable 66.
Thereby, the moving part 65 of the cylinder part 62 is moved in the Y direction, the cylinder part 62 contracts, and the liquid receiving part 63 of the liquid dripping prevention part 60B is moved in the Y direction from directly below the needle 4a.

Next, in step S119, the main control unit 30 instructs the motor controller 35 so that the needle 4a is lowered in the Z direction.
Upon receiving an instruction from the main control unit 30, the motor controller 35 drives the needle Z motor 15 via the needle Z motor driver 45.
When the needle Z motor 15 is driven, the needle 4 a is lowered together with the application gun 405 in the Z direction.

Next, in step S120, the main control unit 30 instructs the motor controller 35 and the discharge control unit 40 so that only the needle 4a applies the coating agent to the circuit board 100.
Upon receiving an instruction from the main control unit 30, the motor controller 35 drives the X motor 7 and the Y motor 8 via the X motor driver 36 and the Y motor driver 38 so that the gun unit 4 follows a predetermined application path.
Further, the discharge control unit 40 that has received an instruction from the main control unit 30 drives or stops driving the discharge mechanism 41 in accordance with the instruction.

  When the application by the needle 4a in step S120 is completed, the main control unit 30 next instructs the motor controller 35 in step S121 so that the needle 4a that has been lowered for executing the application is raised in the Z direction. As a result, the needle Z motor 15 is driven, and the needle 4a rises in the Z direction together with the application gun 405.

Next, in step S122, the main control unit 30 instructs the cylinder driving unit 61 of the liquid dripping prevention unit 60B so that the liquid receiving unit 63 of the liquid dripping prevention unit 60B is moved to the received state.
Receiving the instruction from the main control unit 30, the cylinder drive unit 61 of the liquid dripping prevention unit 60 </ b> B drives the cylinder unit 62 by supplying compressed air to the cylinder unit 62 via the supply / discharge cable 66.
Thereby, the moving part 65 of the cylinder part 62 of the liquid dripping prevention part 60B is moved in the Y direction, the cylinder part 62 is extended, and the liquid receiving part 63 is moved to follow the needle 4a.
Thereby, the liquid receiving part 63 of liquid dripping prevention part 60A, 60B returns to a receiving state in both the nozzle 3a side and the needle 4a side.

  Next, in step S123, the main control unit 30 instructs the motor controller 35 so that the gun units 3 and 4 are moved immediately above the soaking units 24A and 24B. Based on the control of the main control unit 30, the X motor 7 and the Y motor 8 are driven, and the gun units 3 and 4 are moved directly above the soaking units 24A and 24B.

  Next, in step S124, the main control unit 30 instructs the cylinder driving units 61 and 61 so that the liquid receiving units 63 and 63 of the liquid dripping prevention units 60A and 60B are moved to the standby state. Thereby, the liquid receiving parts 63 and 63 are moved to the standby state as in step S104.

  Next, in step S125, the main control unit 30 instructs the motor controller 35 so that the nozzle 3a and the needle 4a are lowered in the Z direction. As a result, the nozzle 3a and the tip portions 3b and 4b of the needle 4a are lowered in the Z direction as in step S105. As a result, the tip portions 3b and 4b of the nozzle 3a and the needle 4a are immersed in the diluent placed in the immersion portions 24A and 24B.

With the above control, application of the coating agent on the circuit board 100 is completed.
Note that the above example shows a case where a single circuit board 100 is coated. When a plurality of circuit boards 100, 100,... What is necessary is just to repeat S122.

<4. Summary>
As described above, the coating apparatus 1 that is a liquid ejection device includes the application guns 305 and 405, the unit cases 301 and 401 as the application gun holding unit, the liquid dripping prevention units 60A and 60B, and the main control as the control unit. By providing the portion 30, the coating agent dripped from the nozzle 3a and the tip portions 3b and 4b of the needle 4a in the coating apparatus 1 can be prevented from dripping onto the circuit board 100, the work table portion 2 and the like.
In addition, the coating apparatus 1 has a plurality of application guns 305 and 405, and accordingly, a plurality of liquid dripping prevention units 60A and 60B are provided, and one application gun 305 (405) is in a discharge operation state. Since each liquid dripping prevention part 60B (60A) corresponding to the other coating gun 405 (305) is controlled to be in a receiving state, the tip part 4b of the needle 4a not in the discharge operation state (the tip of the nozzle 3a) The coating agent dripped from the part 3b) can be prevented from dripping onto the circuit board 100, the workbench part 2 or the like.
Furthermore, in the liquid dripping prevention part 60A (60B), the liquid receiving part 63 is positioned immediately below the tip part 3b (4b) in the receiving state, and the liquid receiving part 63 is in the tip part 3b in the standby state. A general mechanism such as an air cylinder is used by moving the liquid receiving portion 63 on a predetermined axis defined relative to the coating gun 305 (405) so as to be positioned other than directly below (4b). Thus, in the coating apparatus 1, it is possible to prevent the coating agent dripped from the nozzle 3a and the tip portions 3b and 4b of the needle 4a from dripping onto the circuit board 100, the work table portion 2 and the like.
Furthermore, the liquid dripping prevention parts 60A and 60B are moved following the movement of the unit cases 301 and 401. Thereby, it is not necessary to use a dedicated algorithm or a dedicated control unit for controlling the liquid sag prevention units 60A and 60B in the X, Y, and Z directions, and the liquid receiving unit 63 is connected to the nozzle 3a or the needle 4a. Since it only needs to be moved relatively, the control can be simplified.
Further, by providing wall portions 63a protruding upward from the four side edges of the liquid receiving portion 63, the coating liquid dripped from the tip portions 3b and 4b of the nozzle 3a and the needle 4a is exposed from the liquid receiving portion 63 to the outside. Difficult to be leaked.

<5. Modification>
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be considered.
A configuration example in which the gun units 3 and 4 are individually moved in the X and Y directions is also conceivable.
Further, as shown in FIG. 8A, the liquid receiving portion 63 has a surface that receives the liquid dripping from the tip portions 3b and 4b of the nozzle 3a and the needle 4a as an inclined surface, and the liquid dripping repelled by the inclined surface is the liquid receiving portion. You may make it hit the inner wall of 63 and collect in the liquid storage part 63b provided below. Thereby, it is possible to more effectively prevent the liquid dripping from the nozzle 3 a and the needle 4 a and being repelled from the inclined surface from coming out of the liquid receiving portion 63. In particular, when the liquid receiving part 63 is in a standby state, it is possible to prevent the coating liquid from dripping out of the liquid receiving part 63 when an unnecessarily strong injection is performed.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the liquid receiving portion 63 moves immediately below the nozzle 3a and the needle 4a when transitioning between the receiving state and the standby state has been described. However, the nozzle 3a and the needle 4a are in the liquid receiving portion. You may make it move to 63 right above.
Furthermore, for example, as shown in FIG. 9A, the tips of the nozzle 3 a and the needle 4 a in the receiving state may be positioned inside the liquid receiving portion 63. Thereby, it is possible to further prevent the liquid dripping from the nozzle 3 a and the needle 4 a from flowing out of the liquid receiving portion 63. In this case, in the Z direction of the nozzle 3a or the needle 4a, the liquid receiving part 63 moves so as to be immediately below the nozzle 3a or the needle 4a and then approaches the nozzle 3a or the needle 4a and the bottom of the liquid receiving part 63 as much as possible. Must be lowered or the liquid receiving portion 63 must be raised in the Z direction.
The liquid receiving portion 63 is filled with a diluent such as a thinner solvent, and when the nozzle 3a or the needle 4a is not used, the tip portion 3b or tip portion 4b that is not used becomes a diluent. You may make it soak. In this case, clogging of the tip discharge holes of the nozzle 3a and the needle 4a can be prevented.

  8B and 8C, the liquid receiving portion 63 in the standby state is 90 ° from the liquid receiving portion 63 in the receiving state with the contact point between the liquid receiving portion 63 and the end of the moving portion 65 as the rotation center. You may be made into the state rotated below. In this case, it is necessary to prevent the coating liquid once dropped on the liquid receiving portion 63 from flowing out to the outside again. For example, the liquid receiving portion 63 may be shaped as shown in FIG. 8B. It should be noted that the state in which the liquid receiving portion 63 in the standby state is rotated downward by 90 ° or more may be set as the standby state. For example, the liquid receiving portion 63 is rotated 180 ° and is positioned below the moving unit 65. May be. Also in this case, it is necessary to prevent the coating liquid once dropped on the liquid receiving portion 63 from flowing out to the outside again.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 9B and 9C, the liquid receiving portion 63 in the standby state is 90 ° from the liquid receiving portion 63 in the receiving state with the contact point between the liquid receiving portion 63 and the end of the moving portion 65 as the rotation center. You may be in the state rotated 90 degrees to the side.
Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the bottom surface portion 63c of the liquid receiving portion 63 formed in a bowl shape can be opened and closed, and in the receiving state, the bottom surface portion 63c is closed to become a bowl shape, and in the standby state, the bottom surface portion 63c. The portion 63c may be opened and the tip portions 3b and 4b may be inserted.

In the embodiment, a two-gun type coating apparatus having two coating guns 305 and 405 has been described. However, the number of coating guns is not limited, such as one gun type and three gun types.
In the case of the 1-gun type, it is not necessary for the liquid receiving part 63 to transition to the receiving state on the circuit board 100 when the application is performed, but the liquid receiving part 63 is in the receiving state when moved other than during the application. By making the transition, it is possible to prevent the coating liquid from dripping onto the circuit board 100 or the workbench unit 2 or the like.
A configuration example in which the gun units 3 and 4 are individually moved in the X and Y directions is also conceivable.

The coating apparatus according to the embodiment is not limited to a coating apparatus that forms a thin film on a circuit board, but can be applied to a coating apparatus that forms a thin film or the like on various objects to be processed. The thin film can be applied to coating various films such as a moisture-proof film, a rust-proof film, a paint film, and a colored film.
In addition, the liquid ejection apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the coating apparatus as in the embodiment, but a liquid ejection apparatus, a liquid ejection method, or the like for ejecting pressurized liquid for various purposes such as film formation, cleaning, and painting. Widely applicable as a program.
Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to a substrate bonding apparatus and a laser processing apparatus.

301, 401 ... Unit case 305, 405 ... Application gun 3a ... Nozzle 4a ... Needle 3b, 4b ... Tip portion 60A, 60B ... Liquid dripping prevention part 63 ... Liquid receiving part 63a ... Wall part 30 ... Main control part 100 ... Circuit board

Claims (7)

An application gun equipped with a nozzle for discharging the application liquid from the tip,
An application gun holding unit that moves the application gun so that the nozzle moves in a plane direction with respect to the application processing object arrangement surface and in a direction in contact with and away from the application processing object arrangement surface;
Liquid drip prevention that has a liquid receiving part, and that transitions between a receiving state in which the liquid receiving part receives coating liquid from the tip part and a standby state in which the liquid receiving part does not receive coating liquid from the tip part And
Controlling the liquid receiving portion to be in the receiving state when the tip portion is positioned at least immediately above the object to be coated and when the coating liquid is not discharged from the tip portion; And a control unit that controls the liquid receiving unit to be in the standby state when the coating liquid is discharged from the liquid discharging device. While having a plurality of coating guns,
A plurality of the liquid dripping prevention portions are provided corresponding to the plurality of application guns,
2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when one of the coating guns is in a discharge operation state, each of the liquid dripping prevention units corresponding to the other coating guns is controlled to be in the receiving state. Liquid ejection device. The liquid dripping prevention part is
The liquid receiving part is positioned so that the liquid receiving part is located immediately below the tip part in the receiving state, and the liquid receiving part is located other than directly below the tip part in the standby state. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejecting apparatus is moved on a predetermined axis that is defined relative to the coating gun. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid dripping prevention unit follows the movement of the application gun holding unit. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein a wall portion protruding upward is provided at an edge of the liquid receiving portion. An application gun equipped with a nozzle for discharging a coating liquid from the tip, and the nozzle so that the nozzle moves in a plane direction with respect to the application processing object arrangement surface and in a direction in contact with and away from the application processing object arrangement surface. A receiving gun holding portion that moves, a liquid receiving portion, a receiving state in which the liquid receiving portion receives the coating liquid from the tip portion, and a standby in which the liquid receiving portion does not receive the coating liquid from the tip portion In a liquid ejection apparatus comprising a liquid sag prevention unit that transitions between states, and a control unit that controls the liquid sag prevention unit,
When the tip portion is located at least immediately above the object to be coated and when the coating liquid is not discharged from the tip portion, the liquid receiving portion is set to the receiving state, and the coating liquid is discharged from the tip portion. A liquid discharge method for bringing the liquid receiving portion into the standby state when discharging. An application gun equipped with a nozzle for discharging a coating liquid from the tip, and the nozzle so that the nozzle moves in a plane direction with respect to the application processing object arrangement surface and in a direction in contact with and away from the application processing object arrangement surface. A receiving gun holding portion that moves, a liquid receiving portion, a receiving state in which the liquid receiving portion receives the coating liquid from the tip portion, and a standby in which the liquid receiving portion does not receive the coating liquid from the tip portion As a program to be executed by the control unit in the liquid ejection device including the liquid sag prevention unit that transitions between the states,
A receiving process for controlling the liquid receiving part to be in the receiving state when the tip part is positioned at least immediately above the object to be coated and when the coating liquid is not discharged from the tip part; ,
A program that causes the control unit to execute standby processing for controlling the liquid receiving unit to be in the standby state when the coating liquid is discharged from the tip portion.

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