JP3245811B2 - Flux supply device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention mainly relates to a BGA
Ru der an improvement in flux supply device utilized in (ball grid array) ball mounter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when supplying a flux to a flux table, an operator visually checks the remaining amount of the flux, and supplies the flux manually with a spoon when the remaining amount becomes low. It was always. However, since the supply is frequently required manually, an apparatus for automatically supplying the flux has been developed to streamline the work.

[0003] In one prior art, the flux is transferred from a flux supply bottle to a flux syringe, and the flux is automatically supplied by moving the flux syringe on a flux table.
With this means, there is a problem that the transfer operation is troublesome, the flux is reduced at the time of the transfer, and the surroundings are soiled, and the automation is incomplete.

Therefore, as a technique for directly supplying a flux from a flux supply container such as an upper flux supply bottle, a means disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-261892 has been disclosed. However, the control of the flux supply container moving above the flux layer not only hinders but also cuts off the flux (the operation of stopping the flux supply) is complicated.

Further, when the flux supply bottle becomes empty, it does not have a means for simply detecting this, but supplies the flux directly from the flux supply bottle, so that the flux of the flux supply bottle becomes empty. , And there was a danger that the supply operation would be continued even if it became empty.

[0006]

Also the present invention [0008], is a novel flux supply apparatus of a system supplying more direct flux flux supply bottle, the remaining quantity sensor, Flack
When the remaining amount of flux is not detected,
In addition to output, a function to detect the empty state of the flux supply bottle is also provided to prevent unnecessary flux supply operation.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a flux supply apparatus employing the following means. First, there is provided a means for automatically supplying a flux from a flux supply container to a flux discharge section provided in the flux layer forming section. Second, it has a squeegee forming a flux layer. Third, Flack
A remaining amount sensor for detecting the remaining amount of flux in the layer forming part is provided. Fourth, the remaining amount sensor does not detect the remaining amount of flux.
Output a flux supply command when Fifth, there is provided a means for issuing an alarm message indicating that the flux supply container is empty when the remaining amount sensor does not sense the remaining amount of flux after the flux supply operation.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. One example of the present invention is used for a BGA ball mounter 21. The operation of the ball mounter 21 will be described with reference to FIG. 9. When the operation of the ball mounter 21 is described, after the work 2 is positioned, flux is transferred, and solder balls are mounted. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a frame.

According to the example shown in FIG. 9, a ball mount head 24 and a transfer unit 25 are slidably mounted on a guide rail 23 provided above the ball mounter 21. In the flux supply device 26 that supplies the flux to the transfer unit 25, the flux table 4
And a squeegee 7 forms a flux layer.

The transfer unit 25 attaches the flux from the flux table 4, moves above the work 2, descends, and transfers the flux to the work 2. When mounting the solder balls, the ball mount head 24 sucks the solder balls from the solder ball supply unit 27 and moves above the work 2, then descends and mounts the solder balls on the work 2.

The present invention relates to a portion of the flux supply device 26 of the ball mounter 21. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a front view of a state in which a flux supply bottle 3 serving as a flux supply container is separated from the flux supply device, and FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view illustrating a main part of the flux supply device. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the flux supply device includes a flux table 4, a squeegee 7, a flux supply bottle 3, a remaining amount sensor 6, and the like.

As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, the flux table 4 has a flux layer forming portion 8 which is formed one step lower, and is formed on the upper surface of the flux table 4. The flux layer forming portion 8 needs to be smooth to form a uniform flux layer, and must not have scratches or the like. A flux discharge port 9 is opened near one end of the flux layer forming section 8 and near the center line in the squeegee moving direction.

An opening of the flux supply container is opened on the upper surface of the flux table 4 outside the flux layer forming section 8, and a bottle mounting screw portion 10 is formed in the opening. A flux supply path 11 is formed in the flux table 4 from the receptacle of the bottle mounting screw portion 10 to the flux discharge port 9.

The flux passes through a flux supply path 11 in the flux table 4 and is supplied to a flux discharge port 9. The screw-in port 1 of the flux supply bottle 3
Since 8 is a female screw portion, the bottle mounting screw portion 10 is a male screw portion. Although the mounting direction of the flux supply bottle 3 in the illustrated embodiment is vertical, the present invention is not limited to this.

The flux supply bottle 3 does not need to be a special one for the invention, and has a connection portion (supply air intake 12 in the embodiment) with a means for extruding the flux and a screw-in opening 18 serving as an attachment. Just do
Commercially available ones can be used. In the screw hole 18,
The bottle mounting screw portion 10 is mounted. Note that the flux supply bottle 3 is not limited as long as it has a screw-in port 18 because it can be adapted to a predetermined bottle mounting screw portion 10 by exchanging an adapter. Further, since the means for fixing the screw opening 18 of the flux supply bottle 3 to the bottle mounting screw portion 10 is intended to be detachably fixed, the means is not limited to a screw structure, but may be replaced by a fitting or fitting method. Such a structure may be used.

A supply air inlet 12 is formed in the flux supply bottle 3 and is connected to an air supply device (not shown) by an adapter tube. The supply of the flux is performed by sending air at a constant pressure to the flux supply bottle 3 for a fixed time. The constant pressure and the constant time differ depending on the type of the flux.

In the present embodiment, air pressure is used for supplying the flux, but a method of mechanically extruding with a piston may be employed. In any case, by applying pressure from the upper part of the flux supply bottle 3, the flux passes through the flux supply path 11 from the receptacle of the bottle mounting screw part 10, and a substantially constant amount of flux is placed on the flux table 4 from the flux discharge port 9. Ooze out.

The flux table 4 is provided with a squeegee 7 for forming a flux layer and a remaining amount sensor 6 for checking the remaining amount of the flux 5. The squeegee 7 is attached to the mounting arm 13 as shown in FIG.
It is screwed into a ball screw 15 rotated by a motor 14, and performs forward and backward operations by rotation of the ball screw 15. The position of the forward end of the squeegee 7 is determined in relation to the remaining amount sensor 6 described later. However, squeegee 7
Must be present within the range of movement.

Next, the reciprocating operation of the squeegee will be described with reference to FIG. First, the outward route will be described.
Are waiting just before the peak of the residual flux (not shown). When an operation command is issued to the squeegee 7, the squeegee 7 descends, and then the squeegee 7 moves forward. In this process, a flux layer is formed using the residual flux. Subsequently, the squeegee 7 removes the flux 5 at this point.
The squeegee 7 moves forward to cross the remaining mountain of the flux 5.

Next, on the return trip, the same operation as in the forward trip is performed only by retreating. However, for the moment, the squeegee 7 descends, and then the squeegee 7 retreats. By the retreating operation of the squeegee 7, the residual flux 5 or the supplied flux 5 is supplied to the rear of the flux layer forming section 8 (to the left in FIG. 1). Thereafter, the squeegee 7 rises to cross the mountain of the remaining flux 5, and
Retreats to go over the remaining amount of flux 5 and returns to the start position.

In the explanatory view showing the reciprocating operation of the squeegee in FIG. 4, the arrow ends of the forward operation and the backward operation are the squeegee standby positions. While the squeegee 7 is on standby, the transfer unit 25 moves by attaching flux from the flux layer. In the embodiment, the squeegee 7 has been described in terms of up-down movement and forward / backward movement. However, movement of the squeegee 7 means relative movement with respect to the flux table 4, for example, the squeegee 7 performs only forward movement and backward movement. It is also possible to adopt a method in which the flux table 4 moves up and down.

A remaining amount sensor 6 is provided at a position and a height at which a peak of the remaining amount flux 5 formed near the flux discharge port 9 to which the flux 5 is supplied can be detected. The remaining amount sensor 6 in the embodiment is a photoelectric sensor, but may be a laser sensor as a matter of course. In FIG. 1, instead of directly attaching to the flux table 4, it is attached to a base 16 located below the flux table 4 with an attachment plate 17, and is installed so as to sandwich the detection position of the flux table 4 from both sides.

The remaining amount sensor 6 looks at the peak of the flux 5 scratched by the squeegee 7. The optical axis indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2 indicates this, and the squeegee 7 continues to advance further than the state of FIG.
When the flux reaches the position of the flux discharge port 9, that is, the position of the optical axis of the remaining amount sensor 6, the advance for forming the flux layer (the advance in FIG. 4A) is stopped.

Means for checking the normal flux remaining amount by the remaining amount sensor 6 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
After the squeegee descends and the squeegee advances, the remaining amount sensor 6 detects the presence or absence of the remaining amount flux. If it detects that there is no residual flux, it issues a flux supply command, raises the squeegee, advances the squeegee, and waits for the next operation. When it is detected that the residual flux is present, the squeegee rises without issuing a flux supply command, the squeegee advances, and waits for the next operation.

FIG. 5A is an explanatory view showing the state of the remaining flux amount detection position, and FIG. 5B shows a state where there is no remaining flux amount. That is, when the height of the peak of the residual flux exceeds the set height, the residual sensor 6 reacts and detects the presence of the residual flux 5. Then, the remaining amount sensor 6
When the state of (B) is detected is the flux discharge timing, a flux supply command is issued. The flux discharge timing is determined by the remaining amount sensor 6. The numbers in the circle correspond to the operation of the squeegee 7 shown in FIGS. 4 (A) and 4 (B).

Next, a method for issuing an alarm message indicating that the flux supply bottle is empty using the remaining amount sensor 6 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the remaining amount sensor 6
When it is detected that there is no remaining flux layer by the signal from the squeegee, since the flux supply operation is completed, the flux supply operation is completed after a predetermined time after the squeegee starts lowering, and the squeegee is reciprocated one and a half times. After going down, the squeegee moves forward. Thereafter, the presence or absence of the remaining amount of flux is detected, and when the absence of the remaining amount of flux is detected, a command to output a flux empty alarm message is sent to a separate alarm device. In the case of this embodiment, a buzzer sounds along with the alarm message. Then, the operator recognizes that the flux supply bottle is empty, and replaces the flux supply bottle with a new one. Then the squeegee rises,
Further, the squeegee moves forward and waits for the next operation.

When the remaining flux is detected, the squeegee rises after passing the flux empty alarm, and then the squeegee moves forward and waits for the next operation. Also in this case, the yen numbers are shown in FIG.
(A) and (B) are matched with the operation of the squeegee 7.

As another method for issuing an alarm message indicating that the flux supply bottle is empty, as shown in FIG. 8, after the flux supply command is output, the squeegee does not rise and the flux supply operation is stopped at the position where the forward movement is completed. After the completion of the predetermined time, the presence or absence of the remaining flux is detected. Alternatively, the presence or absence of the remaining flux may be detected immediately or after a predetermined time from receiving the signal indicating that the flux supply operation has been completed. When it is detected that there is no remaining flux, a flux empty alarm message is issued, the squeegee rises, the squeegee moves forward, and a method of waiting for the next operation is conceivable.

When the presence of flux is detected, the squeegee rises after passing the flux empty alarm, the squeegee further advances, and waits for the next operation. In this method, it is necessary to install the residual quantity sensor 6 at the flux supply point so that the flux residual quantity sensor 6 is provided at the flux discharge port 9 as shown in the embodiment of FIG.

[0030]

According to the present invention, as described above, the remaining amount sensor detects the remaining amount of the flux in association with the flux supply operation, so that the empty space of the flux supply container is prepared without preparing another sensor. This makes it possible to automatically detect the replacement timing of the flux supply container and prevent the operation of the flux supply device when the flux is not supplied.

Although the effect of the embodiment is provided, the provision of the residual flux sensor at the flux discharge port can reliably detect the emptying of the flux supply container by simple means.

Although the effect of the embodiment is the same, the receiving port such as a bottle mounting screw portion for receiving the flux supplying container is provided, and the flux supplying path from the receiving port to the flux discharge port is formed. The flux can be supplied by means of the flux, and the labor of transferring the flux from the flux supply container to the flux discharge port by hand is eliminated.

Further, as in the embodiment, by directly attaching the flux supply bottle to the receiving port of the flux table, not only the flux is not spilled out, but also the maintenance such as cleaning is easy because the liquid contact portion is small. Become.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a state where a flux supply bottle is separated.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing a main part of the flux supply device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory sectional view of a flux table.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a reciprocating operation of a squeegee.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of a flux remaining amount detection position.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing checking of the remaining amount of flux.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of one embodiment showing the detection of the emptying of the flux supply bottle.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing a ball mounting device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1. . . Frame 2. . . Work 3. . . Flux supply bottle . . Flux table 5. . . Flux 6. . . Remaining amount sensor 7. . . Squeegee 8. . . Flux layer forming section 9. . . Discharge port 10. . . Bottle mounting screw section 11. . . Flux supply path 12. . . 12. Supply air intake . . Mounting arm 14. . . Motor 15. . . Ball screw 16. . . Base 17. . . Mounting plate 18. . . Screw hole 21. . . Ball mounter 23. . . Guide rail 24. . . Mount head 25. . . Transfer unit 26. . . Flux supply device 27. . . Solder ball supply device

Continued on the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B05C 3/09, 3/20 B05C 9/02 B05C 11/10-11/115 H05K 3/34 503 B23K 35/36

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A means for automatically supplying a flux from a flux supply container to a flux discharge section provided in a flux layer forming section, a squeegee for forming a flux layer, and a balance for detecting a residual amount of flux in the flux forming section. in flux supply device provided with a quantity sensor, remaining Sen
If the sensor does not detect the remaining flux,
A flux supply device comprising: a means for outputting a supply command and outputting an alarm message indicating that the flux supply container is empty when the remaining amount sensor does not detect the remaining amount of flux after the flux supply operation.