JP4767834B2 - Component mounting system and method for changing arrangement of component mounting units - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a component mounting unit that produces products by cooperating with other devices, and more particularly, to a component mounting unit that can change the mounting position with another device that can be detachably mounted at a plurality of mounting positions on a stand.

  On a substrate that moves in a plurality of mounting apparatuses constituting the component mounting system, components are mounted through a number of processes while the substrate moves. Hereinafter, a substrate on which components are mounted in this manner is referred to as a “mounting substrate”.

  The mounting board is used in various devices such as audio devices, mobile phones, and personal computers. The type and quantity of components to be mounted on the board vary depending on the type of equipment in which the mounting board is used. Therefore, in order to enable efficient production, it is necessary to change the arrangement of the component mounting devices constituting the electronic component mounting system of the production line according to the type of mounting board to be produced (hereinafter referred to as “model”). is there.

  When the arrangement is changed, the production on the production line is stopped until the production of the next model is started after the production of the model before the change is finished. In order to improve the production efficiency, it is desirable that the time required for changing the arrangement is as small as possible.

  Therefore, conventionally, a technique has been proposed in which parts other than the mount of each component mounting apparatus are unitized, and the mounting position of each component mounting unit on a common mount is changed according to the model (for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of changing the arrangement of component mounting units attached to a common mount. 8A, FIG. 8B, and FIG. 8C are all combinations of the screen printing machine 1, the component mounting machine A2, the component mounting machine B3, and the conveyor 5. And the gantry 4. The component mounter A2 and the component mounter B3 are both devices for mounting components on a board. For example, the sizes of components to be mounted are different. The screen printer 1 is a device that prints a circuit on a substrate with a conductive material such as solder. The conveyor 5 is an apparatus that conveys the mounting substrate. The screen printing machine 1, the component mounting machine A2, the component mounting machine B3, and the transfer machine 5 are examples of a component mounting unit.

  FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the component mounting system A when the number of components to be mounted on the board is small. In the mount 4 of the component mounting system shown in the figure, one screen printing machine 1, component mounter A2, component mounter B3, component mounter A2, and component mounter B3 are arranged in order. Yes. Electronic components are mounted on the board conveyed from the screen printing machine 1 by one of the first set of the component mounter A2 and the component mounter B3 and the subsequent set of the component mounter A2 and the component mounter B3. The

  FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the component mounting system B in which the number of components to be mounted on the board is medium. On the mount 4 of the component mounting system shown in the figure, one screen printing apparatus 1, two component mounters A2, one component mounter B3, and one transport device 5 are arranged in this order. Has been. Electronic components are sequentially mounted on the substrate conveyed from the screen printing machine 1 by two continuous component mounting machines A2 and one component mounting machine B3.

  FIG. 8C is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the component mounting system C when the number of components to be mounted on the board is large. One screen printing machine 1, three component mounting machines A2, and one component mounting machine B3 are arranged in this order on the mount 4 of the component mounting system shown in FIG. Electronic components are sequentially mounted on the substrate conveyed from the screen printing machine 1 by three consecutive component mounting machines A2 and one component mounting machine B3.

As described above, when changing the model to be produced by unitizing the component mounters, a smaller component mounter is moved compared to the component mounter including the gantry, so that the arrangement change operation is facilitated. For example, when the arrangement is changed from the component mounting system A to the component mounting system B, the third component mounting machine B3 and the fourth component mounting machine A2 from the left of the component mounting system A are switched. When the arrangement is changed from the component mounting system B to the component mounting system C, the carrier 5 of the component mounting system C is removed, the component mounting machine B3 of the component mounting system B is moved to the right end, and the component mounting machine A2 is moved there. Install.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-172500

  However, the conventional component mounting system has a problem that when changing the production model, it takes a long time to change the arrangement from the stop of the production of the previous model to the start of the production of the next model. In the conventional component mounting system, there is room for shortening the time required for changing the arrangement by simplifying the procedure for changing the arrangement and making each process parallel.

  The present invention was made to solve the above problems, and by shortening the time required to change the arrangement, the time for stopping the production line for changing the arrangement is shortened, and the production efficiency is improved. An object of the present invention is to provide a component mounting system that can be used.

  In order to achieve the above object, a component mounting unit according to the present invention is a component mounting unit that is detachable from a gantry, a wireless communication device that wirelessly communicates mounting information related to component mounting with another device, and the wireless A battery for supplying power to the communication device.

  Thus, since the component mounting unit includes the wireless communication device and the battery that supplies power to the wireless communication device, even when the component mounting unit is removed from the mount for changing the arrangement, Wireless communication is possible. For example, by wirelessly communicating with the server, the component mounting unit can upload and download the mounting information in parallel with the array changing operation, so that the time required for the array changing is shortened. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time for stopping the production line due to the arrangement change, and it is possible to improve the production efficiency.

  Preferably, when the component mounting unit is attached to the predetermined position, the position guiding means for guiding the component mounting unit to a predetermined position of the gantry, and the first connection port provided in the gantry. And a second connection port that fits into the first connection port.

  As described above, since the position guiding means is provided, it is easy to attach to a predetermined position on the gantry, and the time required for changing the arrangement is shortened.

  Moreover, it has a 2nd connection port in the position facing the 1st connection port with which a mount frame is provided. For example, when the first connection port and the second connection port are both communication connectors, when they are outlets and electrical plugs, when they are sockets and plugs for supplying air, etc., they are connected for the production of mounting boards. The necessary path is formed simultaneously with the mounting of the component mounting unit. For this reason, connection work for forming these paths is not required, attachment to a predetermined position on the gantry is facilitated, and time required for changing the arrangement is shortened.

  As described above, since the time required for the arrangement change is shortened, the time for stopping the production line for the arrangement change can be shortened, and the production efficiency can be improved.

  The present invention can be realized not only as a component mounting unit including such means, but also as a component mounting unit changing method and a component mounting system including a component mounting unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to shorten the time required to change the arrangement of the component mounting units, and it is possible to reduce the time to stop production by the component mounting system for changing the arrangement. Therefore, it becomes possible to improve the production efficiency in the production line.

  Embodiments of a component mounting system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment, an example in which an electronic component is mounted on a substrate will be described.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a component mounting system according to the present embodiment.
The component mounting system shown in the figure includes a server 7, a gantry 10, a component mounter C20, and a component mounter D30.

  The server 7 manages information related to component mounting (hereinafter referred to as “mounting information”). The server 7 according to the present embodiment is connected to the gantry 10 via a wired communication line 8. An antenna 9 is connected to the server 7.

  The antenna 9 is an antenna for wirelessly communicating with the component mounter C20 and the component mounter D30. The antenna 9 may be built in the server 7.

  The gantry 10 is a pedestal on which componentized component mounting machines are arranged at predetermined positions. Four mounters can be arranged on the gantry 10 shown in the figure. The widths at which the component mounters are mounted (hereinafter referred to as “predetermined positions”) are equal, and the widths of the component mounters are standardized within a certain range that fits within the predetermined positions. Further, this standard includes that the depth of the component mounting machine is within a certain range within a predetermined position of the gantry 10 and that the weight is within a range that can be supported by the gantry. By unitizing according to such a standard, the component mounting machine can be arranged at an arbitrary position on the gantry, so that the operation of changing the arrangement becomes easy.

  The gantry 10 includes positioning holes 12a and 12b, an outlet 14, an air connector 16, a communication connector 17, and grooves 18a and 18b.

  The positioning holes 12a and 12b and the grooves 18a and 18b are holes and grooves, respectively, for guiding the component mounter to a predetermined position when the component mounter is attached.

  The positioning holes 12a and 12b are tapered holes having a wide entrance. For example, when the component mounter is provided with a pin at a position corresponding to this, when mounting the component mounter on the gantry 10, the operator who changes the arrangement is accurate enough to fit the pin at the entrance of the positioning holes 12 a and 12 b. By placing the component mounter and pushing the component mounter further, the pin is pushed into the gradually narrowing hole. Therefore, it becomes possible for the operator to easily attach the component mounting machine to the correct position.

  The grooves 18a and 18b are an example of grooves on the surface where the component mounter is disposed. For example, when the component mounter has a convex shape corresponding to the component mounter, it is possible to prevent the component mounter from shifting from side to side when the component mounter is attached. Note that only one of the positioning hole and the groove may be provided.

The outlet 14 is an outlet for supplying electric power to the arranged component mounters.
The air socket 16 is an insertion port provided with a path for supplying air to the component mounters arranged.

  The communication connector 17 is a connector that is connected to a line for communicating mounting information between the component mounter C20 and the component mounter D30 and the server 7 that are arranged in a wired manner.

  Such outlet 14, air socket 16, and communication connector 17 are examples of the first connection port.

  The component mounter C20 and the component mounter D30 are units that are attached to the gantry 10, and are devices that mount electronic components on a substrate. The component mounter C20 and the component mounter D30 of this embodiment are an example of a component mounting unit that is attached to a gantry. The component mounting unit also includes a screen printer and a conveyor.

The component mounter C20 and the component mounter D30 include a battery 22 and an antenna 24.
The battery 22 is removed from the outlet 14 while changing the arrangement of the component mounting machines, and supplies power to the antenna 24 whose power supply has been interrupted. For example, when the battery 22 is chargeable / dischargeable, the battery 22 is charged when the component mounter C20 and the component mounter D30 are connected to the outlet 14.

  In the antenna 24, the component mounter C20, the component mounter D30, and the server 7 communicate mounting information wirelessly. The antenna 24 according to the present embodiment communicates mounting information with the server 7 when, for example, the component mounter 30 is removed from the gantry 10 to change the arrangement, so that wired communication cannot be performed.

  The component mounter C20 and the component mounter D30 include a storage medium (not shown) such as a hard disk drive that stores the mounting information received by the antenna 24. Furthermore, the component mounter C20 and the component mounter D30 include a control unit (not shown) that controls wireless communication and a storage medium by the antenna 24 and controls information communication between the antenna 24 and the storage medium. Furthermore, a battery for supplying power to the storage medium and the control unit is provided.

  Thus, by providing the battery 22 and the antenna 24, the component mounter can communicate the mounting information with the server during the array change. The mounting information here includes, for example, information necessary for subsequent manufacturing of the mounting substrate. When each of the component mounter C20 and the component mounter D30 can communicate with the server 7 only by wire, it is necessary to communicate the mounting information after the component mounter C20 and the component mounter D30 are arranged. . In the present embodiment, as described above, the mounting information can be communicated during the change of the arrangement of the component mounters. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate or shorten the time for communicating the mount information after the component mounters are arranged. Therefore, the time required for the arrangement change can be shortened, and the production efficiency can be improved.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the back surface of the component mounting machine D30. As shown in the figure, the component mounting machine D30 includes positioning pins 32a and 32b, a power plug 34, an air plug 36, and a communication connector 37 on the back surface thereof. The same applies to the back surface of the component mounting machine C20.

  The positioning pins 32a and 32b are pins that fit into the positioning holes 12a and 12b. For example, the positioning pins 32a and 32b are tapered pins that fit into the positioning holes 12a and 12b.

  The shapes of the positioning pins 32a and 32b and the positioning holes 12a and 12b are not limited to this. For example, only one of the positioning pin and the positioning hole may be tapered. Also in this case, as in the case of the embodiment, the component mounter is arranged at the correct position by arranging the component mounter with an accuracy that allows the pin to fit in the entrance of the positioning hole. The component mounter can be easily arranged at the position.

  The power plug 34 is a plug for receiving supply of power provided at a position corresponding to the outlet 14.

  The air plug 36 is a plug having an air path used in a mounting process of electronic components provided at a position corresponding to the air socket 16.

  The communication connector 37 is a connector that fits with the communication connector 17 of the gantry 10. The component mounter D30 communicates mounting information with the server 7 via a wired line connected by the communication connector 37 while being mounted on the gantry 10.

  Such a power plug 34, air plug 36, and communication connector 37 are respectively connected to the outlet 14, the air connector 16, and the communication connector 17 when the component mounter D 30 is attached to a predetermined position of the mount 10. In the opposite position.

  Note that the component mounter D30 and the gantry 10 may have a fitting connection port. That is, for example, the component mounter D30 may have an outlet and the gantry 10 may have a power plug.

  The power plug 34, the air plug 36, and the communication connector 37 are specific examples of the second connection port, respectively.

  In this way, by arranging the component mounter having a plug or the like at a position facing when mounted at a predetermined position as a unit, the arrangement can be easily changed.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a specific component mounter D30. The board moves inside the component mounting machine D30 by a conveyor or the like. A plurality of reels for holding electronic components are attached to the component mounter D30 together with a feeder. Then, the component mounting machine D30 takes out the component to be mounted from the reel and mounts it on the board based on the mounting information received from the server 7.

  Here, the mounting information is information downloaded from the server 7 to the component mounter D30, for example, the width of the rail on which the conveyor that transports the substrate moves, the component held by each reel to be attached to the component mounter D30 Including type and quantity, mounting position and order of each component on the board.

  Further, the mounting information includes, for example, the position of each reel attached to the component mounter D30 and the type of component to be held as information uploaded to the server 7 from the component mounter D30. By communicating such mounting information between the server 7 and the component mounter D30, the server 7 can verify whether the reel is correctly attached to the component mounter D30, and the component mounter D30. Can mount parts.

  Furthermore, the uploaded mounting information may include, for example, information related to production until the change of the array, such as the production amount of the model that was produced before the change of the array.

  The characteristic appearance of the component mounting system according to the present embodiment has been described above. Next, functional features of the component mounting system will be described with reference to the drawings. A procedure for changing the arrangement of the component mounting units will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 4 is an example of a time chart relating to the change of arrangement when the model to be produced is switched from the product A to the product B. This figure shows an example in which the mounting positions of the component mounter C20 and the component mounter D30 for mounting components for the production of the product A are switched for the production of the product B.

  The component mounting system produces product A (S10). At this time, it is assumed that the component mounter C20 and the component mounter D30 are attached to the gantry 10 side by side in any given position.

  Since the component mounting system switches to the production of the product B, the production of the product A is finished (S12). Here, when the production of the scheduled quantity is completed, the server 7 automatically ends under control. The production of the product A may be terminated by a human operation.

  The arrangement of the component mounting machines is changed by the work of the worker and the processing in each unit constituting the component mounting system (S14). Here, the mounting positions of the component mounter C20 and the component mounter D30 are changed. A detailed procedure for changing the mounting position will be described later.

  The mounting of the component mounter C20 and the component mounter D30 is completed (S16). At this time, the component mounter D30 and the component mounter C20 are attached side by side in order. In addition, the connection of the wiring for receiving the power supply, the path for receiving the supply of air, and the wiring for communicating the mounting information is also completed for the component mounting machine D30 and the component mounting machine C20.

  The component mounting system starts production of the product B (S18) and continues the production (S20).

From here, the details of the array change (S14) will be described.
First, the component mounter C20 is removed from the gantry 10 by an operator (S30). At this time, the removed component mounting machine C20 is placed on the carriage 80 shown in FIG.

  Since the component mounter C20 has been removed, the component mounter C20 determines that the component mounter C20 is not attached at a predetermined position, and automatically switches the communication method from wired to wireless.

  Here, whether or not the component mounter C20 has been removed is determined by a signal from a dedicated sensor that detects the removal of the component mounter C20. Note that the determination may be made by detecting the presence or absence of electrical decoration supply to the power plug 34, the presence or absence of air supply from the air plug 36, or the presence or absence of a signal from the communication connector 37.

  The antenna 24 of the component mounter C20 wirelessly communicates mounting information with the antenna 9 of the server 7 (S32). The mounting information is stored in a storage medium included in the component mounting machine C20. At this time, the battery 24 of the component mounting machine C <b> 20 supplies power to the antenna 24. The storage medium included in the component mounter C20, the wireless communication and storage medium by the antenna 24, and the control unit that controls the information communication between the antenna 24 and the storage medium include different batteries of the component mounter C20. Power is supplied.

  In parallel with the removal of the component mounting machine C20 (S30) and the wireless communication of the mounting information (S32), the component mounting machine D30 starts from the end of production (S12) and the component mounting machine D30 passes through the communication connector 37. The server 7 communicates with the mounting information (S40). The mounting information is stored in a storage medium included in the component mounting machine D30.

  The component mounter D30 is removed by the operator (S42). At this time, the removed component mounter D30 is placed on the carriage 80 in the same manner as when the component mounter C20 is removed (S30).

  Further, since the component mounter D30 is removed from the gantry 10, it is determined that the component mounter D30 is not attached to a predetermined position, and the communication method is automatically switched from wired to wireless. This determination method is the same as that of the component mounting apparatus C20.

  The antenna 24 wirelessly communicates mounting information with the antenna 9 of the server 7 of the component mounter D30 (S44). The mounting information is further stored in a storage medium included in the component mounting machine D30. The power supply at this time is the same as the wireless communication process (S32) of the mounting information of the component mounting machine C20. Therefore, the description here regarding electric power supply is abbreviate | omitted.

  The component mounter C20 is attached to a predetermined position where the component mounter D30 is attached (S34). Here, the communication of the mounting information necessary for the component mounting machine C20 to produce the product B has been completed. Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the component mounter C20 slides on the mount with the grooves 18a and 18b of the mount 10 and the projections 26a and 26b of the mounter C20 fitted together. And attached to the gantry 10.

  If the communication of the mounting information necessary for the subsequent production is not completed, the component mounter C20 is connected to the communication connector 17 and the communication connector at the position where the component mounter C20 is attached until the communication is completed. The communication of the mounting information may be continued by wired communication via 37. Here, the wireless communication to the wired communication is automatically switched by the component mounter C20 based on the signal from the sensor, similar to the determination of removal.

  The component mounter D30 is attached at a predetermined position where the component mounter C20 was attached (S46). Here, this figure shows that the communication of the mounting information required for the production of the product B by the component mounting machine D30 is completed before the mounting. Similarly to the mounting of the component mounting machine C20 (S34), the component mounter D30 slides on the mount with the grooves 18a and 18b of the mount 10 and the protrusions 26a and 26b of the component mounter D30 fitted together. By attaching, it is attached to the mount frame 10.

  In this way, the mounting information is communicated between each component mounter and the server in parallel with the operation of changing the arrangement of removing and attaching the component mounter by the operator. By providing the component mounter with an antenna, it is possible to communicate mounting information while being detached from such a mount. Accordingly, it is possible to save time for each component mounter to communicate the mounting information after the mounting is completed.

  In addition, when the communication speed of wired communication is faster than wireless communication, after the production of the model before the change is finished, the component mounter that has not yet been removed communicates the mounting information by wired communication, Furthermore, component information can be efficiently communicated. Furthermore, since wireless communication and wired communication are automatically switched, the worker does not need to be particularly conscious and does not increase the work load.

  Furthermore, since the component mounter is guided to a predetermined position by fitting the groove and the protrusion, the operator can easily attach the correct position to the position. The same effect can be obtained by fitting the positioning hole with the positioning pin.

  Furthermore, when attached at an accurate predetermined position, the power and air supply ports and the communication connector with the server are in positions facing each other between the gantry and the component mounting machine. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time required to change the arrangement of the component mounting apparatuses without having to connect each plug after mounting the component mounting machine. In addition, since such a component mounting machine has only a connection port, that is, an electric wire, a pipe serving as an air path, and a communication cable are not required, it is not necessary to consider the work at the time. Can be reduced.

  As described above, parallel processing and reduction of the burden on the operator make the array changing work more efficient, and the time required to change the component mounting unit array can be shortened. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time for stopping production by the component mounting system due to the change of the arrangement. Therefore, it becomes possible to improve the production efficiency in the production line.

  The component mounting machine and the component mounting system according to the embodiment of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

  For example, the gantry and the component mounting machine may include a mechanism for locking the component mounting machine attached to the gantry.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mechanism for locking the component mounter D30 attached to a predetermined position to the gantry 10. As illustrated in FIG. FIG. 6A is a diagram showing an overview of a lock mechanism 90a attached to the gantry 10 and a lock mechanism 90b attached to the component mounter 30. FIG. FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of the lock mechanism 90.

  The locking mechanism 90a attached to the gantry 10 and the locking mechanism 90b attached to the component mounting machine 30 are locked to prevent the component mounting machine from being displaced due to vibrations during production of the product. As a result, reliable production can be continued and safety can be improved.

  Further, for example, in the embodiment, a description has been given of a gantry on which four component mounters can be attached, but the number of component mounters that can be attached to the gantry is not limited thereto. Any number of component mounters can be attached to the gantry.

  For example, FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a component mounting system according to a modification. This figure shows an example of a gantry 100 to which two component mounters can be attached. The positioning holes 12a and 12b, the outlet 14, the air socket 16 and the communication connector 17 included in the gantry 100 are the same as in the embodiment. Therefore, for example, the mounter C20 and the mounter D30 can be shared by the mount 10 according to the embodiment and the mount 100 according to this modification.

  Further, for example, the power connector 14 may be provided at the back of the tapered hole similarly to the positioning holes 12a and 12b. Moreover, the air connector 16 may be provided in the back part of a taper-shaped hole similarly to the positioning holes 12a and 12b.

  As a result, when the component mounter is attached, the power plug 34 is guided to the outlet 14, and the air connector 16 is guided to the air plug 36. Therefore, these connections can be made more reliable.

  In the embodiment, the battery 22 included in the component mounter C20 or D30 supplies power to the antenna 24 while the component mounter C20 or D30 is detached from the gantry 10, and stores mounting information. The storage medium and the control unit that controls wireless communication and the storage medium by the antenna 24 and controls information communication between the antenna 24 and the storage medium are supplied with power by different batteries. These batteries may be shared by one battery. This also provides the same effect.

  The present invention can be applied to a component mounting unit that mounts components, and in particular, can be applied to a component mounting unit that produces a mounting board in cooperation with other component mounting units mounted on a common mount.

It is a figure which shows typically an example of the component mounting system of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows typically the back surface of a component mounting machine. It is a perspective view which shows an example of a specific component mounting machine. It is an example of the time chart regarding the change of arrangement | sequence when changing the model to produce from the product A to the product B. (A) It is the perspective view of the removed component mounting machine and its trolley | bogie. (B) It is a front view of the component mounting machine attached to a predetermined position. It is a figure which shows an example of the mechanism which locks the component mounting machine D30 attached to the predetermined position to the mount frame. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the component mounting system which concerns on one modification. It is a figure which shows the example of a change of the arrangement | sequence of the component mounting apparatus attached to a common mount frame.

Explanation of symbols

7 Server 8 Communication line 9 Antenna 10 Base 12a, 12b Positioning hole 14 Outlet 16 Air socket 17 Communication connector 18a, 18b Groove 20, 30 Component mounter 22 Battery 24 Antenna 32a, 32b Positioning pin 34 Power plug 36 Air plug 37 Communication connector

Claims (3)

A method of changing the arrangement of a plurality of component mounting units for mounting components on a board according to a production model,
A change step of changing the arrangement of the component mounting units;
A method for changing the arrangement of component mounting units , including a communication step for wirelessly communicating mounting information related to component mounting with another device in parallel with the changing step. A component mounting system comprising a gantry, a plurality of component mounting units detachably attached to the gantry, and a server for managing mounting information related to mounting of components by the plurality of component mounting units,
The server
A first wireless communication device that wirelessly communicates the mounting information with the plurality of component mounting units;
The mount is
A plurality of first guiding means for guiding the component mounting units to a plurality of predetermined positions where the component mounting units are arranged;
Each of the component mounting units is
A second wireless communication device for wirelessly communicating the server and the mounting information;
A battery for supplying power to the second wireless communication device;
Second guiding means having a shape adapted to the first guiding means;
The mount is in the first connection port and a position facing with the parts characterized in that it comprises a predetermined position in the component mounting unit and the second connection ports mate with the first connection port when the attached Implementation system.   When the gantry and the component mounting unit are attached, the battery is charged by the power supplied to the gantry.
  The component mounting system according to claim 2.

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