KR20210121405A - PCB location tracking system in SMT Line - Google Patents

Abstract

A PCB location tracking system in an SMT line according to the present invention is a PCB location tracking system in an SMT line including a preliminary process of moving a PCB on a conveyor in one direction and applying lead to the PCB, a main process of mounting a part on the PCB having lead applied thereto, and post-process of inspecting a product discharged through the main process. The present invention comprises: a database part for storing product information including the serial number of a PCB mounted on the SMT line; a product information recognizing part installed before and after the facility of the main process to check the entry and discharge of the PCB into and from the main process by checking the product information of the PCB; a sensor part arranged inside the each facility of the main process to recognize the point of time of the entry and discharge of the PCB into and from the facility; and a product data setting part including a current product data part for assigning the product information of a PCB entering the facility or placed in the facility based on the point of time of entry or discharge recognized in a continuous process by the sensor part in the facility of the main process, or a temporary product data part for assigning the product information of a PCB being discharged out of the facility or moving to the next facility after discharge.

Description

PCB location tracking system in SMT facility line {PCB location tracking system in SMT Line}

The present invention relates to a PCB location tracking system in an SMT facility line, and more specifically, based on the entry and discharge time of the PCB through a barcode reader and a sensor in an SMT facility line where various process facilities are installed and work is performed, It relates to a system that can track the location of a PCB in real time using product data that is created and allocated in real time.

In general, Surface Mounting Technology (SMT) refers to a technology for attaching a component that can be directly mounted on the surface of a printed circuit board (PCB, hereinafter defined as "PCB") to an electronic circuit.

A Surface Mounting Technology Line (SMT Line) is a production in which work is performed by installing equipment of several processes on one conveyor (actually, conveyors of equipment of several processes are arranged in a line to form one conveyor). Looking at the line, specifically, a loader that supplies the PCB to the line, a screen printer that applies solder paste on the pattern before mounting the component, and a surface mount component on the board. A chip mounter for mounting, a reflow machine that melts the solder paste applied after the surface mounter mounts all parts on the board to connect the parts and patterns, and inspection of the mounting state It is configured to include a solder inspection (Solder Inspection), a sorter (Sorter) for sorting the PCB on which the surface mounting is completed, and an unloader (Unloader) for removing the sorted board from the line.

Due to the nature of the surface mount line, a production management system has been introduced that enables the operator or manager to grasp the status of each facility constituting the line, the work progress status, and the location of the PCB in real time.

To this end, the production management system of the surface mount line, which has been applied recently, is mainly for the operation and production status of each process and facility, as well as various production-related statistics and follow-up management of the finished product. It is necessary to classify the PCB that is put into it, and for this purpose, a barcode is usually printed on the PCB and used.

In order to track the position of the PCB, a barcode reader for recognizing a barcode is provided in each facility, and a method for tracking the PCB through barcode recognition has been prepared, but in reality, the facilities used in the surface mount line recognize the barcode It is a reality that a reader is an optional device or a number of facilities without a reader exist, and even if all facilities are equipped with a reader, the reader is an expensive device, and there is a problem in that a lot of cost occurs.

In order to solve this problem, in Korean Patent Registration No. 10-15598136, in an actual surface mount line in which a facility equipped with a barcode reader and a facility without a barcode reader are complexly mixed, each facility is generated in real time. We tried to solve this problem by using the transmitted production data.

However, when the PCB is being moved from the current facility to the next facility, that is, when the PCB spans two facilities, a problem was found in tracking the location of the PCB. Duplicate product display problem (a product with one barcode information is located on two facilities) is displayed on the two facilities on the control program (Dash Board) that displays to the user is displayed) has occurred.

As the size of the PCB increases, the time spanning the two facilities becomes longer, and there is a problem in that it is impossible to track the location of the PCB in real time.

Republic of Korea Patent Registration No. 10-1559813 (2015.10.06.)

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems, based on the entry and exit time of the PCB through the barcode reader and sensor in the SMT facility line, the PCB in real time using product data that is generated and allocated in real time It is to provide a PCB location tracking system in the SMT facility line that can track the location of

Objects of the present invention are not limited to the objects mentioned above, and other objects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from the following description.

In order to achieve the above object, the PCB position tracking system in the SMT facility line according to the present invention is a pre-process including performing lead coating on the PCB while moving the PCB on a conveyor in one direction, and A PCB location tracking system in an SMT facility line including a main process of mounting a component and a post process including inspecting a product discharged through the main process, including a serial number of a PCB mounted on the SMT facility line A database unit in which product information is stored, a product information recognition unit installed before and after the equipment of the main process to confirm the entry and discharge of the PCB into the main process through product information confirmation of the PCB, and each facility of the main process Product information of the PCB based on the sensor unit provided inside and recognizing the entry and discharge time of the PCB into the facility and the entry or discharge time recognized according to a continuous process through the sensor unit in the facility of the main process A current product data part to which product information of a PCB that is entering a facility or located inside a facility is allocated, or a temporary product data part to which product information of a PCB that is being discharged or discharged outside the facility and is being moved to the next facility is allocated Includes product data setting unit.

In addition, the product data setting unit allocates product information based on the entry or discharge time recognized through the sensor unit as the equipment of the continuous main process moves, and the product of the temporary product data unit of the immediately preceding facility at the entry point. A current product data allocating unit for allocating the product information to the current product data unit of the equipment entering by checking information and initializing the temporary product data unit, and allocating the product information of the current product data unit to the temporary product data unit at the time of discharge and a temporary product data allocator for initializing the current product data unit.

In addition, the present invention further includes a product location estimator for estimating the current location of the PCB by identifying the product information allocated through the current product data setting section.

In addition, it further includes a display unit for displaying the current position information of the PCB estimated by the product position estimating unit.

In addition, the database unit includes a cycle time, which is the process time required for each facility in the main process, and a work time, which is a work time required for work including parts adsorption, part recognition, and parts mounting in each facility. characterized in that it is stored.

In addition, the sensor unit further includes a work sensor for detecting that the PCB is seated in the work space in the main process equipment in order to calculate the work time, the time the PCB is seated through the work sensor It is characterized in that the work time is calculated using

The PCB location tracking system in the SMT facility line according to the present invention is generated and allocated in real time based on the entry and exit time of the PCB through the barcode reader and the sensor in the SMT facility line where the facilities of various processes are installed and work is performed. As it is possible to accurately grasp the location of the PCB in real time using the product data, it is possible to secure reliability in PCB production management and to improve the PCB productivity of the SMT facility line.

In addition, by providing the minimum number of barcode readers, there is an effect of reducing the initial installation cost burden of expensive barcode readers corresponding to at least several tens to as many as several hundred units.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a PCB location tracking system in an SMT facility line according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a product information recognition unit in an SMT facility line according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is an enlarged view showing the configuration of the sensor unit in the SMT facility line according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an aggregation server according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a schematic block diagram of a PCB location tracking system in an SMT facility line according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating a method for tracking a location of a PCB in an SMT facility line according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Advantages and features of the present invention, and methods of achieving them, will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but will be implemented in a variety of different forms, and only these embodiments allow the disclosure of the present invention to be complete, and common knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs It is provided to fully inform the possessor of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

Detailed contents for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings below. Irrespective of the drawings, like reference numbers refer to like elements, and "and/or" includes each and every combination of one or more of the recited items.

Although the first, second, etc. are used to describe various elements, these elements are not limited by these terms, of course. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. Accordingly, it goes without saying that the first component mentioned below may be the second component within the spirit of the present invention.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing the embodiments, and is not intended to limit the present invention. As used herein, the singular also includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise in the phrase. As used herein, “comprises” and/or “comprising” does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components in addition to the stated components.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein may be used with the meaning commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. In addition, terms defined in a commonly used dictionary are not to be interpreted ideally or excessively unless clearly defined in particular.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a PCB location tracking system in an SMT facility line according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, looking at FIG. 1, the PCB location tracking system in the SMT facility line is largely, a pre-process (P1) facility, It includes a main process (P2) facility, a post process (P3) facility, an aggregation server (S), and a display unit 600 .

The pre-process (P1) is a loader that supplies the PCB to the SMT facility line, a screen printer that applies solder paste on the pattern of the PCB before mounting the parts, and the PCB It includes an inspector that inspects the printing state whether the solder paste is applied correctly on the pattern.

The pre-process (P1) is a facility that temporarily stores the PCB produced according to the production product before sending it to the next facility. It may be configured to further include a shuttle conveyor and the like.

The main process P2 includes a standard component mounter (Chip mounter) for mounting a standard component on a PCB coated with solder paste or a different type component mounter (Multi mounter) for mounting a different type component on the PCB.

The main process (P2) is provided with a plurality of standard parts mounters or variant parts mounters, and may consist of at most tens of units.

The post process (P3) is a high-speed camera for reflow, in which all components are mounted on the PCB and then the applied solder paste is melted to connect the components and patterns, the mounting status of components on the PCB, and the soldering status after reflow. It consists of an AOI (Automatic Optiacal Inspector), a facility that automatically inspects defects after comparing it with the optimal board appearance, and an unloader that loads and stores the finished PCB.

The equipment of each process is interconnected with the aggregation server (S) to display the operating state of the SMT equipment line on the display unit 600 .

The display unit 600 is generally a manager terminal, may be configured as a PC, may be a monitoring system or a production management system, and may be a dashboard that is an intuitive monitoring device.

The display unit 600 is an integrated management means for managing the SMT facility line, and can be variously changed and applied.

First, the product information including the serial number of the PCB mounted on the SMT facility line is stored in the database unit 100 in the aggregation server (S). That is, the product information of the PCB mounted on the loader is stored, and the loader recognizes the product information of the PCB and transmits it to the aggregation server S to be stored in the database unit 100 .

Figure 2 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the product information recognition unit in the SMT equipment line according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is shown to form one equipment line by connecting the conveyors of each equipment corresponding to Figure 1 . Referring to FIG. 2 , the product information recognition unit 200 will be described.

The product information recognition unit 200 is installed before and after the facility of the main process P2, generally means a barcode reader, and recognizes product information by recognizing barcodes.

The meaning of being installed before and after the equipment of the main process (P2) means that it is installed in one of the equipment of the pre-process (P1) and one of the equipment of the post-fixing (P3), preferably It is preferable to be installed in the equipment just before the entry of the main process (P2) and the next equipment after the main process.

For example, it means that it is installed in the buffer (Buffer), which is the last facility of the pre-process (P1), and is installed in the reflow, which is the first start-up facility of the post-process (P3).

Thereafter, in the following, the product information recognition unit 200 installed in the facility immediately before the entry of the main process P2 (the last facility of the pre-process P1) is the first product information recognition unit, the main process P2. Thereafter, the product information recognition unit 200 installed in the next facility (the first facility of the post-process P3) is defined as the second product information recognition unit.

Accordingly, the first product information recognition unit recognizes the product information of the PCB entering the main process P2 and compares the product information with the product information of the database unit 100 to confirm the PCB entering the main process P2.

In addition, the second product information recognition unit recognizes the product information of the PCB discharged from the main process (P2) and compares it with the product information of the database unit 100 to confirm the PCB discharged from the main process (P2) do

The aggregation server (S) is connected to the product information recognition unit 200, checks the entry and exit of the PCB into the main process (P2), and transmits product information on entry or exit time and entry and exit time received and stored in the database unit 100 .

Next, FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing the configuration of a sensor unit in an SMT facility line according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the sensor unit 300 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 .

The sensor unit 300 is provided on a conveyor inside each facility of the main process P2 and serves to recognize the entry and discharge time of the PCB into the facility.

The sensor unit 300 includes entry sensors 300a provided on both sides of the conveyor in the entry direction and discharge sensors 300b provided on both sides of the conveyor in the exit direction.

Here, when the traveling direction of the conveyor proceeds from left to right, it means that one side of the left side of the conveyor becomes the entry direction and the other side becomes the discharge direction.

The sensor unit 300 is composed of a pair of the entry sensor 300a and the emission sensor 300b, and transmits a detection light beam from one sensor and receives the detection light beam transmitted from the other sensor. As an object is detected by the light beam, the entry and exit of the PCB are recognized.

Next, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an aggregation server according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the aggregation server S will be described with reference to FIG. 4 .

The aggregation server S generally includes a database unit 100 , a product data setting unit 400 , and a product location estimation unit 500 .

1, the aggregation server (S) is configured to be able to communicate with each facility in the SMT facility line, and the data (signal) detected by the product information recognition unit 200 and the sensor unit 300 . ), and as a role of collecting the data, all determinations of the PCB location tracking system in the SMT facility line according to the present invention are made in the aggregation server (S).

Communication with the facilities is basically wired communication, and a configuration in which wireless communication is possible by providing a wireless communication module including Wi-Fi or Bluetooth in each of the facilities is not excluded.

Next, FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a PCB location tracking system in an SMT facility line according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, a PCB location tracking system in an SMT facility line according to the present invention will be described. .

The PCB position tracking system in the SMT facility line is, as a whole, a database unit 100, a product information recognition unit 200, a sensor unit 300, a product data setting unit 400, a product position estimation unit 500, a display part 600 .

First, product information including the serial number of the PCB mounted on the SMT facility line is stored in the database unit 100 .

Next, the product information recognition unit 200 is installed before and after the equipment of the main process P2 to recognize the product information of the PCB to confirm the entry and discharge of the PCB into the main process P2.

Next, the sensor unit 300 is provided inside each facility of the main process P2, and recognizes the entry and discharge time of the PCB into each facility.

Next, the data product setting unit 400 is the product information recognition unit ( 200) plays a role in allocating the product information of the PCB recognized in the current product data part or the temporary product data part.

Here, the current product data part means a virtual space to which product information of the PCB is allocated, which means a PCB that is entering the facility or located inside the facility. In addition, the temporary product data part is a virtual space to which product information of the PCB, which means a PCB that is being discharged to the outside of the facility or is being discharged and moving to the next facility, is allocated.

The product data setting unit 400 allocates product information based on the time of entry or discharge recognized through the sensor unit 300 as the equipment of the continuous main process P2 is moved, and current product data It includes an allocator 410 and a temporary product data allocator 420 .

The current product data allocating unit 410 checks the product information of the product data unit of the immediately preceding facility at the entry point, assigns the product information to the current product data unit of the entering facility, and initializes the temporary product data unit do.

The temporary product data allocating unit 420 allocates the product information of the current product data unit to the temporary product data unit at the time of discharge, and initializes the current product data unit.

Next, the product position estimating unit 500 analyzes the product information allocated through the current product data setting unit 400 to estimate the current position of the PCB. (hereinafter, to estimate the current position of the PCB) The process is explained in detail.)

Next, the display unit 600 displays the current position information of the PCB estimated by the product position estimator 500 .

In addition, the PCB location estimation system in the SMT facility line according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cycle time, which is a process time required for each facility in the main process P2, and component adsorption, component recognition and component mounting in each facility. It is characterized in that the work time (Work time) is calculated for the work including the

The cycle time is calculated using a time difference between the discharge completion time of the PCB of the discharge sensor 300b and the entry time of the PCB of the entry sensor 300a.

In addition, the sensor unit 300 may further include a work sensor (not shown) for detecting that the PCB is seated in the work space in the main process (P2) facility in order to calculate the work time.

The work sensor is installed in the facility, and for the process, part of both sides are fixed (seated) to the facility and may be configured as a non-contact sensor that detects a PCB spaced apart from the floor. In addition, one or more work sensors may be installed to detect the PCB seated in the facility.

Accordingly, the work time is calculated using the time when the PCB is seated through the work sensor, and the cycle time and work time are stored in the database unit 100 .

Next, FIG. 6 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating a method for tracking a location of a PCB in an SMT facility line according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6 , a method for tracking a location of a PCB in an SMT facility line will be described.

First, the entry product information recognition step (S10) is a step of recognizing the PCB entering into the main process (P2), and the product information recognition unit 200 detects the barcode of the PCB to recognize the product information.

More specifically, in the first product information recognition unit, which is the product information recognition unit 200 installed in the equipment before entering the main process (P2), that is, the last equipment of the pre-process (P1), along the progress direction Product information is recognized by detecting the moving PCB barcode, and the product information is allocated to the temporary product data unit.

Next, the PCB entry point detection step (S20) is a step of detecting the entry point for the PCB entering each facility in the main process P2, and the first product information recognition unit recognized through the entry sensor 300a. Detects the entry point of the PCB.

When the entry sensor 300a detects the PCB, the product information allocated to the temporary product data part allocated in the entry product information recognition step S10 is allocated to the current product data part, and the temporary product data part is initialized. carry out

Here, the assignment to the current product data part means that the PCB is entering the facility or has been entered and the PCB is located inside the facility.

Next, the current product process proceeding step (S30) is a step of performing the process of mounting the components on the PCB, which has completed the entry into the facility.

The method of confirming the time when the PCB has completely entered into the facility can be confirmed through the entry start time and entry completion time through the entry sensor 300a. Another method is to check the seating of the PCB through the work sensor. It can be checked through the point in time.

Next, the PCB discharge point detection step (S40) is a step in which the PCB is detected by the discharge sensor 300b while the PCB that has passed through the current product process progress step (S30) moves along the progress direction.

When the emission sensor 300b detects the PCB, the product information allocated to the current product data unit is allocated to the temporary product data unit, and the current product data unit is initialized.

Here, the assignment to the temporary product data part means that the PCB is being discharged to the outside from the facility where the PCB is located, or is being discharged and moved to the next facility.

Next, the emission product information recognition step (S50) is a step of detecting the emission from the product information recognition unit 200. To be more specific, the first step of the post-process (P3) after passing the main process (P2) This means that the product information recognition unit 200 installed in the facility is detected, that is, the second product information recognition unit.

If the second product information recognition unit is not detected, that is, it means that the PCB is still located in the main process P2. After the PCB moves to the next facility in the main process P2, the PCB enters. It repeats from the time point detection step (S20) to the PCB discharge point detection step (S40) and repeats the process n times as many as the number of n facilities installed in the main process P2.

On the other hand, when it is detected by the second product information recognition unit, the PCB recognizes that the process for all facilities in the main process P2 has been completed, and the entry product information recognition step (S10) for the next product PCB ), the above steps are performed again. That is, it means that the PCB in the main process P2 is transferred to the post process P3.

Accordingly, when the second product information recognition unit is not detected, it can be estimated that the PCB of the nth facility is moved to the next facility (n+1) in the main process P2.

In addition, the product information of the PCB assigned to the current product data unit indicating that the PCB is entering the n-th facility or the entry is completed and the PCB is located inside the n-th facility and the n-th where the PCB is located Analyzes the product information of the PCB, which means that it is being discharged from the facility or being discharged and moving to the next facility (n+1), and at the same time, using the detection time information of the sensor unit 300, the There is an effect that the accurate position tracking of the PCB is possible within each facility of the main process P2 or between each facility of the main process P2.

The PCB location tracking system in the SMT facility line according to the present invention having the configuration as described above includes the product information recognition unit 200 installed before and after the main process P2 and each facility in the main process P2. By enabling the location tracking of the PCB in the SMT facility line through the sensor unit 300, the problem of having to install an expensive barcode reader in all facilities, or a facility equipped with a barcode reader and a facility without a barcode reader It can solve the problem of PCB location tracking in the SMT facility line where the In other words, it means that it is possible to track the location of the PCB in the SMT facility line using two product information recognition units (bar code readers) and low-cost sensors.

In addition, by using the product information of the current product data unit and the temporary product data unit, it is possible to solve the problem of displaying duplicate products in a monitoring system including a dashboard. That is, based on the entry and exit time of the PCB using the sensor unit 300, the position of the PCB for the product information of the current product data unit is displayed on the monitoring system, thereby solving the duplicate product display problem. have.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the above and the accompanying drawings, those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can practice the present invention in other specific forms without changing its technical spirit or essential features. You will understand that there is Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive.

P1: Pre-process
P2: main process
P3: Post process
S: aggregation server
100: database unit
200: product information recognition unit
300: sensor unit
400: product data setting unit
410: current product data allocation unit
420: temporary product data allocation unit
500: product location estimation unit
600: display unit

Claims (6)

A pre-process including moving the PCB on the conveyor in one direction and applying lead on the PCB, a main process of mounting components on the lead-coated PCB, and inspecting the product discharged through the main process In the PCB position tracking system in the SMT facility line including the post process,
a database unit for storing product information including a serial number of a PCB mounted on the SMT facility line;
a product information recognition unit installed before and after the equipment of the main process to confirm the entry and discharge of the PCB into the main process through the confirmation of the product information of the PCB;
a sensor unit provided inside each facility of the main process to recognize the entry and discharge time of the PCB into the facility; and
Based on the time of entry or discharge recognized according to a continuous process through the sensor unit in the facility of the main process, the product information of the PCB is entering the facility or the current product to which the product information of the PCB located inside the facility is allocated A product data setting unit including a data unit or a temporary product data unit to which product information of a PCB that is being discharged or discharged to the next facility is allocated to a data unit; .
According to claim 1,
The product data setting unit,
Allocating product information based on the time of entry or discharge recognized through the sensor unit as the equipment of the main process is continuously moved,
a current product data allocator for checking product information of the temporary product data unit of the immediately preceding equipment at the entry point, allocating the product information to the current product data unit of the entering facility, and initializing the temporary product data unit; and
and a temporary product data allocating unit for allocating product information of the current product data unit to the temporary product data unit at the time of discharging and initializing the current product data unit.
According to claim 1,
The PCB location tracking system in the SMT facility line further comprising; a product location estimator for estimating the current location of the PCB by identifying the product information assigned through the current product data setting section.
4. The method of claim 3,
PCB position tracking system in the SMT facility line, characterized in that it further comprises a display unit for displaying the current position information of the PCB estimated by the product position estimation unit.
According to claim 1,
The database unit stores the cycle time, which is the process time required for each equipment in the main process, and the work time, which is the required time for work including parts adsorption, part recognition, and parts mounting in each equipment. PCB location tracking system in the SMT facility line, characterized in that.
6. The method of claim 5,
The sensor unit, in order to calculate the work time (Work Time), further comprises a work sensor for detecting that the PCB is seated in the work space in the main process equipment, the time the PCB is seated through the work sensor PCB location tracking system in the SMT facility line, characterized in that calculating the work time using

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