JP7478964B2 - Nozzle Management Device - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a nozzle management device that manages nozzles for holding components used in a mounting device that mounts components on a circuit board.

Conventionally, a mounting device that mounts components on a circuit board uses a nozzle to hold the supplied components on the circuit board while suctioning them. A number of different nozzles are prepared according to the types of components to be mounted on the circuit board. There is a nozzle management device that manages these nozzles for suctioning components. In the mounting device, the nozzles are stored in a portable changer, and the required nozzle is removed from the changer.

For example, in Patent Document 1, the suction nozzle intended by the operator is transferred to a nozzle mount based on the operator's input and work plan information, and the suction nozzle determined by the nozzle mount information is transferred to the nozzle mount.

JP 2017-191887 A

In conventional nozzle management devices, the nozzle storage device that stores the pallets that house the nozzles in the nozzle management device had to move all the pallets to select one pallet, making the nozzle storage device complicated.

Therefore, the objective of this disclosure is to provide a nozzle management device that is simple in configuration and easy to use in order to solve the above-mentioned problems.

The nozzle management device of the present disclosure is a nozzle management device that manages nozzles for holding components used in a mounting device that mounts components on a board,
a work stage that can be detachably set on the mounting device, that detachably supports a changer that stores a plurality of the nozzles, and that enables the nozzles to be attached and detached from the supported changer;
a nozzle storage container that stores a plurality of the nozzles;
a transfer unit that moves the nozzle between the changer supported by the work stage and the nozzle storage container;
a nozzle magazine that stores a plurality of the nozzle storage containers;
a nozzle storage container transport mechanism that transports the nozzle storage container into and out of the nozzle magazine;
Equipped with.

This disclosure provides a nozzle management device that is simple in configuration and easy to use.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a main part of a mounting device in which the nozzle is used; Perspective view of the nozzle FIG. 1 is a plan view of a main part of a nozzle management device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. A block diagram showing the configuration of a control system for a nozzle management device and related devices. Front view of the main part of the transfer head A side view of a main part of a nozzle management device as viewed from a cross section. Plan view of the work stage and surrounding area Plan view of the work stage and surrounding area Front view of the work stage and surrounding area Side view of the work stage supporting the changer Front view of the changer lifted from the work stage A plan view of the changer 9 with the shutter 9b closed. 1 is a side view of the changer 9 with the shutter 9b in a closed state. A plan view of the changer 9 with the shutter 9b open.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a nozzle management device that manages nozzles for holding components used in a mounting device that mounts components on a substrate, the nozzle management device comprising: a work stage that can be detachably set on the mounting device, that detachably supports a changer that stores a plurality of the nozzles and enables the nozzles to be attached and detached from the supported changer; a nozzle storage container that stores the plurality of nozzles; a transfer unit that moves the nozzles between the changer supported on the work stage and the nozzle storage container; a nozzle magazine that stores the plurality of nozzle storage containers; and a nozzle storage container transport mechanism that loads and unloads the nozzle storage container into and out of the nozzle magazine.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, the nozzle management device according to the first aspect is provided, in which the nozzle magazine has a box-like shape that is open at the front and rear, and stores a plurality of the nozzle storage containers therein in a horizontal position with vertical spacing therebetween so that they can slide forward and backward, and the nozzle storage container transport mechanism moves up and down in front of the magazine to insert and remove the desired nozzle storage container forward.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a nozzle management device as described in the second aspect, in which the nozzle magazine is open at the rear, allowing an operator to insert and remove the nozzle storage container.

According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a nozzle management device according to either the second or third aspect, in which the nozzle has an individual identifier, the identifier is associated with nozzle management information relating to frequency of use, and the device includes a transfer control unit that instructs the transfer unit to the destination of the nozzle in the nozzle storage container based on the nozzle management information.

According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a nozzle management device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, in which the nozzle management information includes nozzle status information having at least one of information regarding whether maintenance is required, information regarding whether inspection is required, and information regarding whether the nozzle can be used, and the transfer control unit causes the transfer unit to store the nozzle in a nozzle storage location in the nozzle storage container that is specified by the content of the nozzle status information.

Below, exemplary embodiments of the nozzle management device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the specific configurations of the following embodiments, and configurations based on similar technical ideas are included in the present disclosure.

(Embodiment 1)
First, a nozzle managed by a nozzle management device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure and a mounting device 1 that uses the nozzle will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Fig. 1 is a plan view of a main part of the mounting device 1 in which the nozzle is used. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the nozzle. Fig. 1 shows the mounting device 1, which mounts a component 4 on a board 3.

On the base 1A of the mounting device 1, two rows of board transport conveyors, each consisting of a pair of belt conveyors 1B extending in the X-axis direction, are arranged. The board transport conveyors transport the board 3 in the X direction (the direction from left to right on the paper in FIG. 1) and stop the board 3 at two work positions 1C. The mounting device 1 of this embodiment has a total of four work positions 1C on the base 1A. Carriages 21 with component feeders 25 arranged on their upper surfaces are attached to positions on the base 1A adjacent to the four work positions 1C.

These trolleys 21 are removably connected to a connecting portion 15 provided on the base 1A. The connecting portion 15 includes a guide 15a for guiding the trolleys 21, a mechanism (not shown) for mechanically connecting the trolleys 21, and a connector (not shown) for electrical connection. The mounting device 1 has a mounting head 5 for mounting the components 4.

The mounting head 5 is supported by a beam 8 (X-axis table) extending in the X-axis direction so that it can move in the X-axis direction, and is moved in the X-axis direction by driving the beam 8. The beam 8 is also attached to a Y-axis table 7 extending in the Y-axis direction so that it can move in the Y direction, and is moved in the Y direction by driving the Y-axis table 7. Therefore, the beam 8 and Y-axis table 7 constitute a mounting head moving mechanism 5A that moves the mounting head in the X and Y directions, and when the mounting head moving mechanism 5A is driven, the mounting head 5 moves in the X and Y directions above the board 3 and component feeder 25.

The mounting head 5 is equipped with multiple nozzles 6 that can move in the Z-axis direction. The nozzles 6 use negative pressure to suck and hold the components supplied by the component feeder 25, and transport them to the mounting position on the board 3 for mounting. The mounting head 5 holds the nozzles 6 in a detachable manner, and performs the task of mounting the components 4 on the board 3 while replacing the nozzles 6 with ones that match the components. The mounting device 1 also includes a camera 11 that takes pictures of the components picked up by the nozzles 6, and a control unit 13.

In FIG. 5, the control unit 13 is communicatively connected to the mounting head 5, the mounting head moving mechanism 5A, the camera 11, and the feeder 25, controls their operation according to a predetermined program, and acquires data if there is any.

The control unit 13 includes an image recognition unit 13a, a shot number count unit 13b, and a memory unit 13d. The image recognition unit 13a recognizes the position of the component 4 held by the nozzle 6 from the image acquired by the camera 11 (component recognition). The control unit 13 uses the result of the component recognition to control the mounting head moving mechanism 5A to position the component 4 held by the nozzle 6 at the mounting position on the board 3. Furthermore, if the image recognition unit 13a determines as a result of the component recognition that the component 4 held by the nozzle 6 cannot be mounted on the board 3 due to a suction error, poor posture, or the like, the control unit 13 controls the mounting head moving mechanism 5A to dump the component 4 held by the nozzle 6 into a trash can 27 that collects the component as a discarded part.

The memory unit 13d stores the programs and data necessary for the operation of the mounting device 1, and also stores nozzle management information for the nozzles 6 stored in the changer 9 set in the mounting device 1. The control unit 13 downloads the nozzle management information for the nozzles 6 used in the mounting device 1 from the host computer 19 and stores it in the memory unit 13d.

The nozzles 6 are stored in a changer 9 for each type (model) of the substrate 3 to be mounted. The changer 9 is detachably supported on a support stage 23 of a cart 21 that can be connected to the mounting device 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the nozzle 6 comprises a cylindrical portion 6a, a suction tube 6b extending downward from the cylindrical portion 6a, and a flange 6c extending around the cylindrical portion 6a. Each nozzle 6 also has an identifier 6d indicating an individual nozzle ID number. The identifier 6d is attached to the flange 6c as, for example, a two-dimensional barcode, a QR code (registered trademark), or an RFID tag. The cylindrical portion 6a is held by the mounting head 5 by being held by a nozzle holder provided at the lower end of the lifting shaft (not shown) of the mounting head 5.

Refer to Figure 1. The cart 21 is equipped with multiple types of component feeders 25 for supplying components to the mounting device 1, and a trash can 27 for collecting discarded parts that are determined to be unmountable by component recognition.

Below, the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 3 to 5. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the main parts of the nozzle management device 31. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the nozzle management device 31 and related devices. Hereinafter, in the nozzle management device 31, the conveying direction of the changer 9 is defined as the Y-axis direction (front-back direction), the X-axis direction (left-right direction), and the up-down direction is defined as the Z-axis direction. The Y-axis direction, the X-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction are each perpendicular to one another.

The nozzle management device 31 includes a main body 31a, a work stage 37, a transfer unit 41, a nozzle storage unit 54 having a nozzle pallet 39 as a nozzle storage container, and a control unit 42.

The main body 31a has a work stage 37 on its front. The work stage 37 is an area used for removing or storing the nozzle 6 from the supported changer 9. The work stage 37 supports the changer 9 in a detachable manner, allowing the nozzle 6 to be attached and detached from the supported changer 9. The work stage 37 also functions as an entry/exit stage for receiving the changer 9 containing used nozzles 6 and for ejecting the changer 9 containing usable nozzles 6 from the trolley 21. The changer 9 is transported to the work stage 37 by a worker or a transfer robot.

The nozzle pallet 39 is a storage container for the nozzles 6 that stores multiple nozzles 6. The nozzle pallet 39 is, for example, a pallet made of metal or resin. Nozzle pallets 39 are prepared according to the size of the nozzle 6, but one nozzle pallet 39 may be capable of storing nozzles 6 of multiple sizes. Each nozzle pallet 39 is assigned an identifier 39a that includes an individual nozzle pallet ID number. The identifier 39a is assigned, for example, as a two-dimensional barcode, a QR code (registered trademark), or an RFID tag.

The transfer unit 41 moves the changer 9 between the work stage 37 and the nozzle pallet 39. The transfer unit 41 includes a transfer head 43 and a transfer head drive mechanism 44 that drives the transfer head 43. The transfer head drive mechanism 44 includes a pair of rails 44a extending parallel to the Y-axis direction, a movable beam 44b that moves along the rails 44a, and drive motors (not shown) that drive the movable beam 44b and the transfer head 43 that moves along the movable beam 44b.

The transfer head 43 is equipped with chuck devices 45, 46 for two types of nozzles, and a camera 48 for photographing the nozzle 6.

The chuck devices 45 and 46 are devices for gripping the nozzle 6, and each grips nozzles 6 of different sizes. The chuck device 45 includes a chuck 45a and a cylinder 45b that raises and lowers the chuck 45a in the vertical direction. The chuck 45a has, for example, two chuck jaws 45c. The chuck jaws 45c grip the nozzle 6. The chuck device 46 similarly includes a chuck 45a and a cylinder 45b, and the chuck 45a has three chuck jaws 45c. Of these, the chuck 45a is replaceable with the cylinder 45b in order to accommodate the transfer of more types of nozzles 6.

The nozzle management device 31 also includes a nozzle holding changer 59 and a chuck exchanger 65. The nozzle holding changer 59 stores a replacement chuck 45a. The cylinder 45b of the chuck device 45 is raised and lowered above the nozzle holding changer 59 to remove the chuck 45a from the cylinder 45b and to attach the replacement chuck 45a to the cylinder 45b.

The nozzle storage 54 further includes a nozzle magazine 55 and a nozzle pallet transport mechanism 57.

The nozzle magazine 55 is a storage shelf that stores multiple nozzle pallets 39. The nozzle pallets 39 are stored in the nozzle magazine 55 in a vertically aligned manner. The nozzle magazine 55 is fixed in position inside the nozzle management device 31 and does not move in the vertical direction. The nozzle magazine 55 has a box shape that is open at the front and back (the direction in which the nozzle pallets 39 are transported), and stores multiple nozzle pallets 39 inside it in a horizontal position with vertical spacing between them, so that they can slide in the front and back directions. A nozzle pallet transport mechanism 57 is located at the open front of the nozzle magazine 55. In addition, the nozzle pallets 39 stored therein can be accessed by an operator from the rear. Since the nozzle magazine 55 does not move, an operator can safely insert and remove the nozzle pallets 39 from the nozzle magazine 55 manually.

The nozzle pallet transport mechanism 57 transports the nozzle pallet 39 into and out of the nozzle magazine 55. The nozzle pallet transport mechanism 57 includes a gripper 62 that grips the nozzle pallet 39 and an elevator 64 that moves up and down (Z-axis direction). The gripper 62 has two arms 62a that can move up and down, and the two arms 62a grip the front edge of the nozzle pallet 39 by sandwiching it between them in the vertical direction. The gripper 62 can move in the Y-axis direction on the elevator 64, and the elevator 64 has a drive device (not shown) therein that moves the gripper 62 in the Y-axis direction. The elevator 64 moves up and down, so that the height of the elevator 64 is positioned at a height at which the gripper 62 can grip the desired nozzle pallet 39 in the nozzle magazine 55. Then, the drive device moves the gripper 62 close to the nozzle pallet 39 to a position where the gripper 62 can grip the nozzle pallet 39. When the gripper 62 grips the nozzle pallet 39, the drive unit in the elevator 64 is driven to move the gripper 62 in a direction away from the nozzle magazine 55. This allows the nozzle pallet 39 to be pulled out of the nozzle magazine 55 and carried out onto the elevator 64. By performing the reverse operation, the nozzle pallet 39 on the elevator 64 can be carried into the nozzle magazine 55.

Figure 4 is a block diagram of a mounting system including the mounting device 1. The mounting device 1, the host computer 19, and the nozzle management device 31 are connected to a wired or wireless communication network 100 and are capable of communicating with each other.

The host computer 19 includes an information processing unit 19a and a memory unit 19b. The information processing unit 19a determines whether each nozzle 6 requires maintenance based on the usage information of each nozzle 6. It also instructs the nozzle management device 31 to collect the nozzles required in the production process in the changer 9.

The host computer 19 includes, for example, an arithmetic device such as a processor or FPGA as the information processing unit 19a. It also includes, as the storage unit 19b, a storage device consisting of at least one of a memory, a hard disk, an SSD, etc., in which the processing program of the information processing unit 19a is stored.

If the nozzle 6 has the identifier 6d as an RFID tag, the transfer head 43 is equipped with an RFID tag reader in addition to the camera 48. The memory unit 19d of the host computer 19 stores nozzle management information associated with each nozzle ID number.

The identifier 6d of the nozzle 6 is associated with nozzle management information. The information processing unit 19a of the host computer 19 updates the nozzle management information based on the nozzle usage information from the mounting device 1, and stores the nozzle management information for each nozzle 6 in the memory unit 19b.

The nozzle management information includes basic nozzle information, nozzle status information, and nozzle location information. The basic nozzle information includes information such as the nozzle ID (identification information), nozzle type, name, and the date of first use. By reading the identifier 6d, the mounting device 1 and the nozzle management device 31 can obtain from the host computer 19 the nozzle management information associated with the nozzle ID obtained from the identifier 6d.

The nozzle status information includes the number of shots in which components have been picked up by the mounting device 1, information on whether maintenance is required, information on whether inspection is required, information on whether the nozzle can be used, and information on the maintenance date and time (date and time when inspection or cleaning was performed). The number of shots includes the total number of shots picked up over the lifetime from when the nozzle was new, and the number of shots after maintenance. The nozzle status information is updated by an associated maintenance device (not shown), and the information on the update results is sent to the host computer 19.

The maintenance necessity information is information obtained by the information processing unit 19a determining whether or not each nozzle 6 requires maintenance based on predetermined criteria such as the number of shots and the time of use. Here, maintenance includes at least cleaning of the nozzle 6. The inspection necessity information is information obtained by the information processing unit 19a determining whether or not each nozzle 6 requires inspection based on predetermined criteria such as the number of shots and the time of use. Here, the inspection of the nozzle is, for example, an inspection of the air flow rate flowing through the nozzle and the shape of the nozzle tip. The usability information is the judgment result of usability at the time of the completion inspection after maintenance and the inspection of the nozzle. The maintenance necessity information and the inspection necessity information are recorded based on the judgment result of the information processing unit 19a as described above, but regardless of the number of shots and the time of use, the maintenance necessity information of the nozzle 6 stored in the changer 9 removed from the mounting device 1 and returned to the nozzle management device 31 may be set to "required" and the inspection necessity information to "required". In other words, the nozzle 6 stored in the changer 9 returned to the nozzle management device 31 may be operated in such a way that maintenance and inspection are always performed.

The nozzle location information is information that can identify the storage location of the nozzle 6. When the nozzle 6 is stored in the nozzle pallet 39, it includes the ID information of the nozzle pallet 39 in which it is stored and information about the storage location. The location in the nozzle pallet 39 where the nozzle 6 is stored can be managed from the amount of movement of the transfer head 43, and even the storage location within the nozzle pallet 39 can be identified.

The information processing unit 19a of the host computer 19 also links the nozzle ID to changer management information and stores it in the memory unit 19b. The changer management information includes a changer ID and changer location information. The changer ID is attached to each changer 9 as an identifier 9e. The identifier 9e is attached as, for example, a two-dimensional barcode, a QR code (registered trademark), or an RFID tag. The changer location information is managed so that the position of the changer 9 can be identified not only within the nozzle management device 31, but also in the mounting device 1 and the cart 21 during external setup.

The control unit 42 of the nozzle management device 31 has an image recognition unit 42a, a mechanism control unit 42b, a transfer control unit 42c, and a memory unit 42d. The control unit 42 includes, for example, a processor, an FPGA, or other arithmetic device as the image recognition unit 42a, the mechanism control unit 42b, and the transfer control unit 42c. It also includes, as the memory unit 42d, a storage device consisting of at least one of a memory, a hard disk, an SSD, etc., in which the processing programs of the image recognition unit 42a, the mechanism control unit 42b, and the transfer control unit 42c are stored. The control unit 42 is connected to the host computer 19 for communication via wire or wirelessly.

The nozzle management device 31 acquires nozzle management information about the nozzles 6 stored in storage from the host computer 19 and stores it in the storage unit 42d. The transfer control unit 42c instructs the transfer unit 41 on the destination of the nozzles 6 in the nozzle pallet 39 based on this nozzle management information.

For example, the transfer control unit 42c instructs the transfer unit 41 to store a certain type of nozzle 6 near or adjacent to another nozzle 6 of the same type in the nozzle pallet 39. As a result, the same type of nozzles 6 are collected together in a location close to or adjacent to each other in the nozzle pallet 39, so that the time required to transport the nozzles 6 of the same type to the work stage 37 can be shortened. For example, a nozzle pallet 39 dedicated to a specific nozzle may be provided, and the nozzles 6 may be stored in the nozzle pallet 39 by type. Also, one nozzle pallet may be divided into multiple sections, and the nozzles 6 may be stored in the corresponding sections according to their types. For example, a large nozzle 6 may be stored in the area Na on the work stage 37 side of the nozzle pallet 39, and a small nozzle 6 may be stored in the area Nf on the nozzle pallet 39 on the nozzle magazine 55 side.

The nozzle pallets 39 may also be separated or the storage compartments of the nozzle pallets 39 may be separated according to the state of the nozzles 6. For example, a nozzle pallet 39 may be prepared exclusively for unusable nozzles, or some compartments of the nozzle pallet 39 may be set as storage compartments for unusable nozzles 6. For example, unusable nozzles 6 may be stored in an area Nf of the nozzle pallet 39 on the nozzle magazine 55 side away from the work stage.

For example, the transfer control unit 42c may instruct the transfer unit 41 to store the nozzle 6 that needs to be cleaned in the nozzle pallet 39. By storing another nozzle 6 that needs to be cleaned near the nozzle 6 that needs to be cleaned, the nozzles 6 that need to be cleaned are collected in a location close to each other. This makes it possible to reduce the transport time when dispensing the nozzle 6 that needs to be cleaned to the changer 9 of the work stage 37. For example, by storing the nozzle 6 that needs to be cleaned in the nozzle pallet 39 in the area Na on the work stage 37 side, the transport time can be further reduced.

The changer 9 has individual changer ID information, and multiple types of changers 9 are prepared according to the size of the nozzle 6 and the type of the mounting device 1. This improves the efficiency of storing the nozzles 6. Also, a cleaning changer may be prepared to store the nozzles 6 that need to be cleaned. By storing the nozzles 6 that need to be cleaned in the cleaning changer, the nozzles that need to be cleaned can be transported all at once.

The transfer control unit 42c can also send instructions to the transfer unit 41 to transfer the nozzles 6 that need to be cleaned during standby time to the cleaning changer, thereby improving work efficiency.

Next, the structure of the work stage 37 will be described with reference to Figures 7A to 9. Figure 7A is a plan view of the area around the work stage, and Figure 7B is a plan view of the area around the work stage. Figure 8 is a front view of the area around the work stage, and Figure 9 is a side view of the work stage that supports the changer.

The work stage 37 includes a stage base 37a on which the changer 9 is placed, a slide mechanism 37b that slides the shutter 9b (see FIG. 11A) of the changer 9, a release unit 37c that releases the fixation between the stage base 37a and the changer 9, a changer attachment/detachment mechanism 37f that detachably fixes the changer 9 to the stage base 37a, and a base unit 37g connected to the nozzle management device 31. A positioning pin 37h for regulating the position of the changer 9 is disposed on the stage base 37a. The positioning pin 37h abuts against the changer 9 to regulate the position of the changer 9 on the stage base 37a.

The slide mechanism 37b includes an arm 37ba that fits into the recess 9d (see FIG. 11A) of the changer 9 and an actuator 37bb that moves the arm 37ba back and forth in the sliding direction of the shutter 9b.

Next, we will explain the attachment/detachment mechanism of the changer 9 held on the work stage 23 and the operation of transferring the nozzle 6 to the nozzle pallet 39.

The changer attachment/detachment mechanism 37f has an arm 37fa, a pressing portion 37fb, and a spring 37fc. The arm 37fa extends in the vertical direction and can rotate around a fulcrum 37fd attached to the stage base 37a in the center. A pressing portion 37fb that presses a protrusion 9c formed on the side of the changer 9 is attached to the upper end of the arm 37fa.

One end of spring 37fc is connected to protrusion 37k that protrudes downward from the underside of stage base 37a of work stage 37, and the other end of spring 37fc is connected to the center of arm 37fa. As a result, pressing portion 37fb of arm 37fa is biased toward changer 9 held on stage base 37a, and changer 9 is fixed to work stage 37 by sandwiching protrusion 9c between pressing portion 37fc and stage base 37a.

For example, when setting the changer 9 on the work stage 37, the operator issues an instruction to replace the changer 9 to the nozzle management device 1 from the operation panel (not shown), and the mechanism control unit 42b activates the release unit 37c, for example by pushing out the tip of the cylinder, thereby pushing the lower end of the arm 37fa toward the work stage 37. This causes the arm 37fa to rotate around the fulcrum 37fd, and the holding unit 37fb moves outward, making it possible to set the changer 9 on the stage base 37a of the work stage 37. Also, when removing the set changer 9 from the work stage 37, the operator issues an instruction from the operation panel, which activates the release unit 37, and the fixation by the holding unit 37fb is released.

After the changer 9 is set on the work stage 37, when the operator issues a command to replace the nozzle from the operation panel, the mechanism control unit 42b controls the operation to release the nozzle fixation in the changer 9.

The operation of releasing the nozzle 6 of the changer 9 held on the work stage 37 will be described with reference to Figures 11A to 11C. Figure 11A is a plan view of the changer 9 with the shutter 9b closed. Figure 11B is a side view of the changer 9 with the shutter 9b closed. Figure 11C is a plan view of the changer 9 with the shutter 9b open. The changer 9 has a base 9a, a shutter 9b that can slide in the longitudinal direction on the surface of the base 9a, a slide mechanism 37b (see Figure 7A) that slides the shutter 9b, and a recess 9d for connection.

A gap is provided between the base portion 9a and the shutter 9b in the vertical direction. The flange 6c of the nozzle 6 placed on the base portion 9a is located in this gap. In the shutter 9b, large hole portions 9ba with a diameter larger than the flange 6c of the nozzle 6 and slit portions 9bb with a diameter narrower than the diameter of the flange 6c and wider than the diameter of the tube portion 6a are alternately formed along the arrangement direction of the nozzle 6.

When the shutter 9b is in a closed state with the slit portion 9bb positioned on the flange 6c of the nozzle 6, the nozzle 6 is fixed to the changer 9. When the shutter 9b is in an open state with the large hole portion 9ba positioned on the flange 6c of the nozzle 6, the nozzle 6 can be removed from the changer 9.

When the changer 9 is set on the work stage 37, the arm 37ba is inserted into the recess 9d. When the nozzle 6 is to be transferred, the mechanism control unit 42b instructs the slide mechanism 37b to move the arm 37ba from the closed position to the open position. This causes the shutter 9b to slide from the closed position to the open position, making the nozzle 6 removable. In this state, the transfer control unit 42c drives and controls the transfer head 43 to take out the necessary nozzle 6 from the changer 9 on the work stage 37 and move it to the nozzle pallet 39. Conversely, the transfer head 43 moves the nozzle 6 from the nozzle pallet 39 to the changer 9 on the work stage 37. When the nozzle transfer is completed, the mechanism control unit 42b instructs the slide mechanism 37b to move the arm 37ba from the open position to the closed position. This causes the shutter 9b to slide from the open position to the closed position, making the nozzle 6 removable.

According to the nozzle management device 31 of this embodiment, the nozzle management device 31 manages the nozzles 6 for holding components used in the mounting device 1 that mounts components on the board 3, and includes a work stage 37 that can be detachably set on the mounting device 1, detachably supports a changer 9 that stores multiple nozzles 6, and enables the nozzles 6 to be attached and detached from the supported changer 9, a nozzle pallet 39 that stores multiple nozzles 6, a transfer unit 41 that moves the nozzles 6 between the changer 9 supported on the work stage 37 and the nozzle pallet 39, a nozzle magazine 55 that stores multiple nozzle pallets, and a nozzle pallet transport mechanism 57 that transports the nozzle pallet into the nozzle magazine 55 and out of the nozzle magazine 55. This makes it possible to realize a nozzle management device that is easy to use with a simple configuration.

The nozzle magazine 55 has a box shape that is open at the front and rear, and stores a plurality of the nozzle storage containers therein in a horizontal position with a gap between them in the vertical direction so that the nozzle storage containers can slide in the front and rear direction.
The nozzle container transport mechanism may be raised and lowered in front of the magazine to insert and remove a desired nozzle container forward.

The nozzle magazine 55 may be open at the rear, allowing an operator to insert and remove the nozzle storage container.

The nozzle 6 has an individual identifier 6d, and the identifier 6d is associated with nozzle management information. The system may include a camera 48 and an image recognition unit that read the information of the identifier 6d, and a transfer control unit 42c that instructs the transfer unit 41 to the destination of the nozzle 6 in the nozzle pallet 39 based on the nozzle management information.

The nozzle management information includes nozzle status information having at least one of information regarding whether maintenance is required, information regarding whether inspection is required, and information regarding whether the nozzle can be used, and the transfer control unit 42c may store the nozzle 6 in a nozzle storage location in the nozzle pallet 39 that is specified by the contents of the nozzle status information.

When a changer 9 for storing nozzles 6 requiring maintenance or inspection is supported on the work stage 37, the transfer control unit 42c may cause the transfer unit 41 to remove the nozzles 6 requiring maintenance or inspection based on the nozzle status information from the nozzle pallet 39 and transfer them to the changer 9.

Although the present disclosure has been fully described in connection with the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, various modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such modifications and variations are to be understood as being included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims, unless they deviate therefrom. In addition, changes in the combination and order of elements in each embodiment may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

In addition, any of the various embodiments and modifications described above can be appropriately combined to achieve the effects of each.

The nozzle management device according to the present disclosure can be applied to a nozzle management device that manages nozzles for holding components used in a mounting device that mounts components on a circuit board.

LIST OF SYMBOLS 1 Placement device 3 Substrate 4 Component 5 Placement head 6 Nozzle 6a Tube 6b Suction tube 6c Flange 6d Identifier 7 Rail 8 Movable beam 9 Changer 9a Base 9b Shutter 9c Protrusion 9d Recess 9e Identifier 11 Camera 13 Control section 13a Image recognition section 13b Shot number count section 13d Memory section 15 Connection section 19 Host computer 19a Information processing section 19b Memory section 21 Cart 21a Main body 23 Support stage 25 Component feeder 27 Waste bin 31 Nozzle management device 31a Main body 37 Working stage 37a Stage base 37b Slide mechanism 37ba Arm 37bb Actuator 37c Release section 37f Changer attachment/detachment mechanism 37g Base section 37h Pin 37k Protrusion 39 Nozzle pallet 39a Identifier 41 Transfer unit 42 Control unit 42a Image recognition unit 42b Mechanism control unit 42c Transfer control unit 42d Memory unit 43 Transfer head 44 Transfer head drive mechanism 44a Rail 44b Movable beam 45 Chuck device 45a Chuck 45b Cylinder 45c Chuck jaw 46 Chuck device 46a Cylinder 46b Chuck 46c Chuck jaw 48 Camera 54 Nozzle storage 55 Nozzle magazine 57 Nozzle pallet transport mechanism 59 Nozzle holding changer 62 Grip unit 61a Arm 64 Elevator

Claims (4)

A nozzle management device that manages nozzles for holding components used in a mounting device that mounts components on a board, comprising:
a work stage that can be detachably set on the mounting device, detachably supports a changer that stores a plurality of the nozzles, and enables the nozzles to be attached and detached from the supported changer;
a nozzle storage container that stores a plurality of the nozzles;
a transfer unit that moves the nozzle between the changer supported by the work stage and the nozzle storage container;
a nozzle magazine that stores a plurality of the nozzle storage containers;
a nozzle storage container transport mechanism that transports the nozzle storage container into and out of the nozzle magazine;
Equipped with
the nozzle having an individual identifier;
the identifier is associated with nozzle management information regarding frequency of use;
a transfer control unit that instructs the transfer unit on a storage position of the nozzle in the nozzle storage container based on the frequency of use of the nozzle management information,
Nozzle management device. the nozzle magazine has a box shape that is open at the front and rear, and stores therein a plurality of the nozzle storage containers in a horizontal position with intervals in the up-down direction so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction;
the nozzle storage container transport mechanism moves up and down in front of the nozzle magazine to insert and remove a desired nozzle storage container forward;
The nozzle management device of claim 1 . The nozzle magazine is configured so that an operator can insert and remove the nozzle storage container from the open rear side.
The nozzle management device of claim 2 . the nozzle management information includes nozzle status information having at least one of information regarding whether maintenance is required, information regarding whether inspection is required, and information regarding whether the nozzle is usable;
the transfer control unit causes the transfer unit to store the nozzle in a nozzle storage location in the nozzle storage container that is designated by the content of the nozzle state information.
The nozzle management device of claim 1 .

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