TWI631068B - Stacking apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A stacking device includes: a conveying unit, a stacking unit, and a separation member supply unit; the transportation unit conveys a sheet for a circuit board; the stacking unit stacks the sheet; and the separation member supply unit supplies a separation member To separate the stacked sheets at any position; the separation member supply unit places the separation member on the conveyed sheet.

Description

Stacking device

The invention relates to a stacking device.

Conventional devices need to be handled with care when transporting and stacking sheets for circuit boards due to, for example, fragility, flexibility, and flammability. For example, prepreg material is used as a sheet material for a circuit board in the disclosed technology. A known device is capable of marking a boundary between each specific number of prepreg sheets by changing the stacking position of each specific number of prepreg sheets.

For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2002-241013 discloses a technique of clamping a prepreg with a clamping jaw and releasing the clamping jaw after moving to a stacking table. According to the published patent, the boundary between a specific number of prepregs per stack can be marked by changing the position where the jaws are released.

Furthermore, the Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application discloses a technique of moving a guide member provided on a stacking table each time a prepreg sheet is stacked to a specific number. In addition, as a method of marking a boundary between each specific number of sheets for a circuit board, another technique of providing a separate member as a boundary is known.

However, in some cases, the conventional technique enables the sheets for a circuit board to be subjected to unnecessary external forces during the process of marking a boundary between a specific number of sheets for the circuit board. Scratched or deformed. Therefore, it has traditionally been difficult to mark boundaries between a specific number of sheets for a circuit board without scratching and deforming the sheets.

An object of the present invention is to provide a stacking device that can not scratch and deform the sheet when marking a boundary between a specific number of sheets for a circuit board per stack.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a stacking device includes: a conveying unit, a stacking unit, and a separation member supply unit; the conveying unit conveys a sheet for a circuit board; the stacking unit stacks the sheet; the The separation member supply unit supplies a separation member to separate the stacked sheets at any position; the separation member supply unit places the separation member on the conveyed sheet.

According to the present invention, it is possible to not scratch and deform the sheets when marking a boundary between each stack of a specific number of sheets for a circuit board.

1‧‧‧stacking device

10‧‧‧ Supply Unit

12‧‧‧ Conveying Unit

14‧‧‧ Emission Unit

16‧‧‧ Separate component supply unit

18‧‧‧Control unit

20‧‧‧Conveyor roller

21‧‧‧ conveyor belt

22‧‧‧Sensor

24‧‧‧ support member

26‧‧‧stacking unit

27A‧‧‧Guide member

27B‧‧‧ abutment stop member

28‧‧‧Sensor

30, 30 ₁ , 30 ₂ , 30 ₃ , 30 ₄ , 30 ₅ ‧‧‧

30A‧‧‧Crease

31‧‧‧ support plate

32, 32A, 32B, 32C‧‧‧‧Separation member supply department

33, 33A, 33B, 33C‧‧‧Formation Department

34, 34A, 34B, 34C‧‧‧Driver

35, 35A, 35B, 35B ', 35C‧‧‧shaft members

36, 38, 39‧‧‧ Wheel

39A‧‧‧The first roller

39B‧‧‧Second Roller

40‧‧‧prepreg

300‧‧‧ Central Processing Unit (CPU)

302‧‧‧Read Only Memory (ROM)

304‧‧‧ Random Access Memory (RAM)

306‧‧‧Interface (I / F)

308‧‧‧Bus

L‧‧‧ transport path

XA‧‧‧ Conveying direction

XB, XB1, XB2‧‧‧ Supply direction

102, 104, 106, 108‧‧‧ steps

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a structural example of a stacking device; Fig. 2 is a plan view of an example of a stacking unit; Fig. 3 is an enlarged schematic view of an inserting machine; Figs. 4A to 4C are schematic views of an example of a separating member supply section; FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of forming a crease on the separating member; FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of supplying the separating member; FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example procedure of the stacking process; and FIG. 8 is a hardware structure diagram of the control unit.

The drawings are intended to describe exemplary embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope thereof. In the drawings, the same or similar element symbols represent the same or similar components.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of illustrating particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention.

Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well.

In describing the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, special terminology may be used for the purpose of clarity; however, those disclosed in this specification are not intended to be limited to the particular terminology selected; and it should be understood that each A particular element includes all equivalent technologies that have the same function, operate in a similar manner, and achieve similar results.

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

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a structural example of a stacking device 1 that transports and stacks sheets for a circuit board. The stacking device 1 in this embodiment uses the separation member 30 placed between each stack of a specific number of sheets for circuit boards to stack the sheets for circuit boards.

In this embodiment, the sheet for a circuit board is a prepreg 40; the prepreg 40 is an example of a sheet for a circuit board; the sheet for the circuit board stacked by the stacking device 1 is not Limited to prepreg 40.

Specifically, a sheet for a circuit board can be conveyed and stacked by the stacking device 1. The sheet for a circuit board is not limited to a specific shape, and the sheet for a circuit board may have any shape such as a sheet shape or a three-dimensional shape; in this embodiment, the sheet for a circuit board has The plate shape is an example.

The stacking device 1 in this embodiment is particularly useful for stacking sheets for circuit boards having the following characteristics. Specifically, the sheet for a circuit board needs to be handled with care when being transported and stacked because of its fragility, flammability, and flexibility, for example. The sheet for a circuit board preferably has the following characteristics, such as: abrasion resistance is lower than the separation member 30, flammability is higher than the separation member 30, and flexibility is higher than the separation member 30.

The prepreg sheet 40 is a semi-hardened member having a plate shape; such prepreg sheet 40 is known to have low abrasion resistance (easy to be scratched), high flammability, and high flexibility. When a prepreg sheet 40 is used as a sheet for a circuit board, a circuit board manufactured using a scratched sheet may deteriorate electronic performance (impedance value); therefore, when a prepreg sheet is used as a circuit board In the case of a sheet, the prepreg member must be transported and stacked without deteriorating the electronic characteristics (impedance value).

The prepreg 40 is a member having a plate shape, and it needs to be carefully conveyed and stacked from the viewpoint of, for example, preventing scratches, preventing ignition, preventing folding or bending, and preventing deterioration of electronic characteristics.

In this embodiment, the prepreg sheet 40 is cut or formed into a specific size having a rectangular sheet shape.

The separation member 30 will be described below. The separating member 30 is a member for separating the stacked prepregs 40 at any position. The role of the separation member 30 is to be inserted between the prepreg sheets 40 to separate each specific number of prepreg sheets 40.

From the viewpoint of visually or tactilely distinguishing the prepreg sheet 40, the separation member 30 is preferably different from the prepreg sheet 40 in at least one of thickness, size, color, and material.

Specifically, it is preferable that the separation member 30 and the prepreg sheet 40 have different colors from the viewpoint of being easy and visually different from each other.

The separation member 30 is preferably made of the same material as the prepreg sheet 40; in this case, the separation member 30 may be different from the prepreg sheet 40 in at least one of thickness, size, or color. When the separation member 30 and the prepreg sheet 40 overlap each other in the stack, the quality deterioration of the prepreg sheet 40 caused by the separation member 30 is avoided because the separation member 30 and the prepreg sheet 40 have the same material.

In this embodiment, the separation member 30 is a member having a rectangular plate shape; in this case, at least one width of the separation member 30 is preferably equal to at least one width of the prepreg 40. In each of the prepreg sheet 40 and the separation member 30, the width is each length of the prepreg sheet 40 in the conveying direction (conveying direction XA in FIG. 1), and the direction of the length is perpendicular to the conveying direction XA.

When at least one width of the separation member 30 is equal to at least one width of the prepreg sheet 40, at least one of the conveying step or the stacking step in the stacking device 1 may be simplified.

When one width of the separation member 30 is different from one width of the prepreg sheet 40, the length (width) of the separation member 30 stacked in the stacking device in the conveying direction XA is the same as that of the prepreg sheet 40 stacked in the stacking device 1. The lengths (widths) in the conveying direction XA may be different from each other. In this case, the length (width) of the separation member 30 in the conveying direction XA is preferably larger than the length (width) of the prepreg 40 in the conveying direction XA. In this case, the position of the separation members 30 in the stack can be easily known in the stacked separation members 30 and the prepreg 40.

The thickness of the separation member 30 is not limited to any particular thickness; the thickness of the separation member 30 is preferably smaller than the thickness of the prepreg sheet 40.

The separation member 30 is not limited to any particular type, and any type may be used to satisfy the aforementioned characteristics. From the standpoint of preventing the prepreg sheet 40 from adhering to an attachment such as dust, it is preferable to use a dustproof paper for the separation member 30.

The structure of the stacking device 1 will be described below. The stacking device 1 includes a conveying unit 12, a separation member supply unit 16, and a control unit 18.

The prepreg 40 is supplied from a supply unit 10 to the transport unit 12, and the supply unit 10 sequentially supplies the prepreg 40 to the transport unit 12. The supply unit 10 is not limited to any specific mechanism, as long as the supply unit 10 can supply The prepreg sheet 40 is sufficient. The supply unit 10 may be a mechanism for automatically supplying the sheet-shaped prepreg 40 or a mechanism for cutting a roll-shaped prepreg and supplying the cut prepreg. for The feeding unit 10 may be a mechanism that supplies the prepreg 40 by manual feeding. The feeding unit 10 may be a combination of at least two or more (automatic feeding, feeding after cutting, and feeding by manual feeding).

The transport unit 12 transports the prepreg sheet 40 supplied from the supply unit 10 and discharges the prepreg sheet 40 to a discharge unit 14. For example, the transportation unit 12 includes a plurality of transportation rollers 20, a transportation belt 21, and a sensor 22. The conveyer belt 21 is provided along the conveyance path L of the prepreg sheet 40; the conveyer belt 21 is a belt member that conveys the prepreg sheet 40 while the prepreg sheet 40 is held on the outer surface; the conveyer belt 21 is not limited to the belt member. The conveyance belt 21 is conveyed by the roller 20 in the conveyance direction XA. The held prepreg sheet 40 is conveyed along with the conveyance of the conveyance belt 21 in the conveyance direction XA, and is discharged to the discharge unit 14.

The sensor 22 senses the prepreg 40 discharged from the conveying unit 12 to the discharging unit 14; a conventional sensor can be used as the sensor. For each new sensing of the prepreg sheet 40, the sensor 22 transmits a sensing signal of the prepreg sheet 40 (hereinafter, referred to as a prepreg sheet sensing signal in some cases) to the control unit 18.

The discharge unit 14 stacks the prepregs 40 discharged from the transport unit 12; the separation member 30 is supplied from the separation member supply unit 16 to the discharge unit 14.

The discharge unit 14 includes a stacking unit 26; the stacking unit 26 is a platform for supporting the prepregs 40 discharged from the conveying unit 12; the stacking unit 26 stacks the prepregs 40 discharged from the conveying unit 12; The prepregs 40 delivered from the unit 12 are stacked on the stacking unit 26.

The stacking unit 26 is supported by a support member 24; the support member 24 makes the stacking unit 26 in the vertical direction according to the total weight of the prepreg 40 and the separation member 30 stacked on the stacking unit 26 (refer to the direction Z shown by the arrow) ) Support the stacking unit 26 by moving downward.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an example of a stacking unit; the stacking unit 26 is provided with a guide member 27A and a pair of abutting stop members 27B; One end of the downstream stacking unit 26. The downstream end of the guide member 27A at the downstream end in the conveyance direction XA (and the supply direction XB2) is aligned with the position of each prepreg sheet 40 stacked on the stacking unit 26 and the separation member 30.

The abutting stopper member 27B is aligned in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction XA (feeding direction XB2) (refer to the Y direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2). Each of the prepregs 40 stacked on the stacking unit 26 and the separation member 30 position. The abutment stop member 27B is referred to as an ejector pin in some cases.

The prepreg sheet 40 discharged from the conveying unit 12 contacts the guide member 27A at the end of the prepreg sheet 40 on the downstream side in the conveying direction XA of the stacking unit 26; The end positions of the prepregs 40 are aligned downstream of the conveyance direction XA. In the same manner as the prepreg sheet 40, the end positions of the respective separation members 30 discharged to the stacking unit 26 are aligned downstream of the conveyance direction XA.

With the pair of abutting stopper members 27B, the positions of the respective prepregs 40 and the separation member 30 stacked on the stacking unit 26 are in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction XA (feeding direction XB2) (refer to the arrow shown in FIG. 2). Y direction). The discharge unit 14 is not limited to any particular mechanism, as long as the discharge unit 14 can stack the prepregs 40 discharged from the transport unit 12.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the separation member supply unit 16 will be described below. The separation member supply unit 16 is a mechanism that inserts the separation member 30 between the prepreg sheets 40. When each specific number of prepregs 40 are discharged from the conveying unit 12 to the stacking unit 26, the separation member supply unit 16 discharges the separation member 30 to the discharge unit 14.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic view of a part including the separation member supply unit 16 in the stacking device 1. In this embodiment, the separation member supply unit 16 includes a support plate 31, a separation member supply portion 32, and a sensor 28; the support plate 31 holds the separation member 30; the sensor 28 senses whether the separation member 30 is placed On the support plate 31, a sensor 28 is a conventional sensor. Once the separation member 30 is sensed, the sensor 28 transmits a sensing signal of the separation member 30 (referred to as a separation member sensing signal in some cases below) to the control unit 18.

The separation member supply section 32 supplies the separation member 30 to the stacked prepreg sheet 40.

In this embodiment, the separation member supply section 32 supplies the separation member 30 to the prepreg sheet 40; in this embodiment, the separation member supply section 32 is provided in the transport direction XA of the prepreg sheet 40 and is included in the discharge unit 14 The middle side of the stacking unit 26. Therefore in the configuration of this embodiment, the separation member supply section 32 supplies the separation member 30 to the prepreg 40 of the stacking unit 26 stacked in the discharge unit 14.

The separation member 30 supplied by the separation member supply section 32 is supplied from the separation member supply unit 16 to the top of the prepreg 40 stacked on the stacking unit 26 in the supply direction XB.

The conveyance direction XA of the prepreg 40 and the supply direction XB of the separation member 30 are preferably the same as each other. The separation member 30 supplied by the separation member supply unit 32 is supplied when it is dropped downward by the action of gravity (refer to the supply direction XB1). The separation member 30 moves substantially horizontally above the top of the prepreg sheet 40 (refer to the supply direction XB2), and is then placed on the prepreg sheet 40 such that the lower surface of the separation member 30 and the upper surface of the prepreg sheet 40 are in contact with each other.

The fact that the conveyance direction XA and the supply direction XB coincide with each other specifically means that the conveyance direction XA of the prepreg sheet 40 when the prepreg sheet 40 is discharged above the stacking unit 26 and when the separation member 30 is above the prepreg sheet 40 The supply directions XB2 of the separation members 30 during the substantially horizontal movement coincide with each other.

Therefore, the conveyance direction XA of the prepreg sheet 40 and the conveyance direction XB of the separation member 30 coincide with each other, and the lower surface of the separation member 30 and the upper surface of the prepreg sheet 40 are prevented from rubbing against each other during the conveyance of the prepreg sheet 40. This structure makes it possible to mark the boundary between each specific number of prepregs 40 without scratching and deforming the prepregs 40.

The conveying speed of the prepreg 40 in the conveying direction XA is preferably equal to the supply speed of the separating member 30 above the prepreg 40; this speed can be adjusted by the conveying speed of the conveying roller 20 to convey the prepreg 40 and the separating member supply portion 32. The determined supply speed of the separation member 30 is adjusted to be the same.

Therefore, the conveyance speed of the prepreg sheet 40 and the supply speed of the separation member 30 are the same as each other, and the conveyance of the prepreg sheet 40 prevents the lower surface of the separation member 30 and the upper surface of the prepreg sheet 40 from rubbing against each other. This structure makes it possible to mark the boundary between each specific number of prepregs 40 without scratching and deforming the prepregs 40.

The separation member supply section 32 may be a mechanism that places the separation members 30 on the support plate 31 one by one, and supplies the separation members 30 toward the top of the prepreg 40 stacked on the stacking unit 26.

In this embodiment, the separation member supply portion 32 includes a driving portion 34 and a forming portion 33.

4A to 4C are schematic views showing an example of the separation member supply section 32. Specifically, FIG. 4A shows the separation member supply section 32A; FIG. 4B shows the separation member supply section 32B; and FIG. 4C shows the separation member supply section 32C.

FIG. 4A is a schematic view of a separation member supply portion 32A. The separation member supply section 32A includes a forming section 33A and a driving section 34A; when the driving section 34A is an example of the driving section 34, the forming section 33A is an example of the forming section 33.

The forming portion 33A forms a crease on the separation member 30; examples of the crease may include a fold line generated by fully folding the separation member 30, an elongated area corresponding to the bottom of the recess, and a separation area corresponding to the separation member by bending. 30 The long area on top of the resulting ridge.

5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams of forming a crease on the separation member 30; for example, the forming portion 33A forms a crease 30A on the separation member 30 without creases shown in FIG. 5A (refer to FIG. 5B). The direction of the crease 30A coincides with the supply direction XB of the supply separation member 30 to the prepreg sheet 40. Direction of crease 30A It is the longitudinal direction of the crease 30A. In other words, when a fold line is formed by a fold, the direction of the fold 30A is the length direction of the fold line.

The forming portion 33A may form a single crease 30A or a plurality of creases 30A on the separation member 30. When the forming portion 33A forms a plurality of creases 30A on the separation member 30, the creases 30A are preferably formed in parallel with each other. In this case, each direction of the plurality of creases (the longitudinal direction of the creases) preferably coincides with the supply direction XB.

Referring back to FIG. 4A, the forming portion 33A includes a pair of shaft members 35, which are composed of a shaft member 35A and a shaft member 35B; the shaft member 35 (the shaft member 35A and the shaft member 35B) is perpendicular to the supply direction XB1 A rod-shaped member extending in the direction (the Y direction shown by the arrow); the shaft member 35A and the shaft member 35B are supported at a certain distance and are parallel to each other.

Each of the shaft members 35 (the shaft members 35A and 35B) is provided with a plurality of rollers 36, and the rollers 36 have a certain distance along the length direction (the Y direction shown by the arrow) of the corresponding shaft member 35. The roller 36 is a member having a ring-like shape; in the example shown in FIG. 4A, the roller 36 provided on the shaft member 35A and the roller 36 provided on the shaft member 35B are in the length direction of the shaft member 35 (Y shown by an arrow Direction) at the same position in a one-to-one correspondence with each other.

The separation member 30 passes through the space between the shaft member 35A and the shaft member 35B; the distance between the shaft member 35A and the shaft member 35B can be adjusted in advance to allow the crease 30A to be formed on the separation member 30 by the roller 36 and to have The distance in which the separation member 30 of the crease 30A is supplied in the supply direction XB1.

One end of each of the shaft member 35A and the shaft member 35B in the length direction (the Y direction shown by the arrow) is supported by the driving portion 34A, which drives the shaft member 35A and the shaft member 35B to rotate in opposite directions to each other; The rotation axis extends in the length direction of the shaft member 35A (Y direction indicated by the arrow), while the rotation axis of the shaft member 35B extends in the length direction of the shaft member 35B (Y direction indicated by the arrow). As the shaft member 35A and the shaft member 35B rotate, the separation member 30 is conveyed in the space between the shaft member 35A and the shaft member 35B while being clamped. As a result, the crease 30A is formed on the separation member by the roller 36. 30 on.

However, the separation member supply portion 32A is not limited to the structure shown in FIG. 4A. For example, the separation member supply portion 32 may have another structure, such as the separation member supply portion 32B shown in FIG. 4B or the separation member supply portion 32C shown in FIG. 4C.

4B is a schematic diagram of the separation member supply section 32B; the separation member supply section 32B includes a forming section 33B and a driving section 34B; the forming section 33B is an example of the forming section 33, and the driving section 34B is an example of the driving section 34.

The forming portion 33B includes a shaft member 35A and a shaft member 35B ′ as the pair of shaft members 35, and the shaft member 35B ′ is a rod-shaped member extending in a direction (Y direction indicated by an arrow) perpendicular to the supply direction XB1. The shaft member 35A and the shaft member 35B ′ are supported parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other.

The forming portion 33B has the same structure as the forming portion 33A, except that the forming portion 33B includes a shaft member 35B ′ instead of the shaft member 35B. The shaft member 35B ′ is provided with a plurality of rollers 38 spaced at a certain distance along the length direction of the corresponding shaft member 35; the roller 38 has the same structure as the roller 36. In the forming portion 33B, the roller 36 provided on the shaft member 35A and the roller 38 provided on the shaft member 35B ′ are disposed such that the rollers 36 and 38 are positioned in the length direction (the Y direction indicated by the arrow) of the shaft member 35 with each other. Not the same. Except for this configuration, the formation portion 33B has the same structure as the formation portion 33A.

The driving portion 34B supports one end of each of the shaft member 35A and the shaft member 35B ′ in the length direction (the Y direction indicated by the arrow); the driving portion 34B drives the shaft member 35A and the shaft member 35B to rotate in directions opposite to each other. The rotation axis of the shaft member 35A extends in the length direction of the shaft member 35A (the Y direction shown by the arrow), while the rotation axis of the shaft member 35B 'extends in the length direction of the shaft member 35B' (the Y direction shown by the arrow). As the shaft member 35A and the shaft member 35B ′ are rotated, the separation member 30 is conveyed in the space between the shaft member 35A and the shaft member 35B ′ while being clamped, and as a result, the crease 30A is passed through the rollers 36 and 38 It is formed on the separation member 30.

FIG. 4C is a schematic diagram of the separation member supply portion 32C; the separation member supply portion 32C includes a forming portion 33C and a driving portion 34C; the forming portion 33C is an example of the forming portion 33, and the driving portion 34C is an example of the driving portion 34.

The forming portion 33C includes a shaft member 35C and a shaft member 35B as the pair of shaft members 35, and the shaft member 35C is a rod-shaped member extending in a direction (Y direction indicated by an arrow) perpendicular to the supply direction XB1. The shaft member 35C and the shaft member 35B are supported parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other.

The forming portion 33C has the same structure as the forming portion 33A except that the forming portion 33C includes a shaft member 35C instead of the shaft member 35A. The shaft member 35C is provided with a plurality of rollers 39 spaced at a certain distance along the length direction of the corresponding shaft member 35; the roller 39 includes a first roller 39A having a ring-like shape and a second roller 39B having an outer diameter larger than the first roller 39A; The width of the periphery of the second roller 39B (the length in the Y direction indicated by the arrow) is preferably smaller than the width of the first roller 39A. The second roller 39B has a similar ring shape And is provided along the outer circumference of one end of the first roller 39A in the length direction (the Y direction shown by the arrow) of the corresponding shaft member 35. The first roller 39A and the second roller 39B may be integrated.

In the forming portion 33C, the roller 39A provided on the shaft member 35C and the roller 36 provided on the shaft member 35B are arranged to correspond to each other at the same position in the longitudinal direction (the Y direction indicated by the arrow) of the shaft member 35.

The driving portion 34C supports one end of each of the shaft member 35C and the shaft member 35B in the length direction (the Y direction indicated by the arrow); the driving portion 34C drives the shaft member 35C and the shaft member 35B to rotate in directions opposite to each other. The rotation axis of the shaft member 35C extends in the length direction of the shaft member 35C (Y direction indicated by the arrow), and the rotation axis of the shaft member 35B extends in the length direction of the shaft member 35B (Y direction indicated by the arrow). With the rotation of the shaft member 35C and the shaft member 35B, the separation member 30 is conveyed in the space between the shaft member 35C and the shaft member 35B while being clamped. As a result, the crease 30A is formed on the rollers 39 and 36 by Detaching member 30.

The number of creases 30A formed on the separation member 30 can be adjusted by adjusting the number of rollers 36 (or the number of rollers 38 or the number of rollers 39) provided in the forming portion 33. The position of the crease 30A formed on the separation member 30 can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the roller 36 (or the roller 38 or the roller 39) provided on the forming portion 33.

The formation portion 33 having the aforementioned structure and included in the separation member supply portion 32 forms a crease 30A on the separation member 30. 5A and 5B, as described above, a single or a plurality of creases 30A are formed on the separation member 30 along the supply direction XB (feed direction XB1).

As the shaft member 35 driven by the driving portion 34 (the driving portion 34A, the driving portion 34B, or the driving portion 34C) rotates, the separation member 30 having the crease 30A formed by the formation portion 33 is released from the separation member supply portion 32 Then, it is supplied above the prepreg sheet 40.

The supply speed of the separation member 30 can be adjusted by one or a combination of the following items: the form (material, thickness, size, weight, and shape) of the separation member 30, and the crease 30A formed on the separation member 30 The number, the distance between the creases 30A when the plural creases 30A are formed, and the rotation speed of the shaft member 35.

In this embodiment, the supply speed is preferably adjusted by the separation member supply portion 32 so that the separation member 30 is placed on top of the prepreg sheet 40 stacked on the stacking unit 26 to contact the surface of the prepreg sheet 40.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the supply separation member 30.

The separation member 30 supplied from the separation member supply unit 16 through the separation member supply section 32 is supplied when it falls down by the action of gravity (refer to the separation member 30 ₁ , the separation member 30 ₂ , the separation member 30 ₃ , and the supply direction XB1 ). The separation member 30 is supplied in a substantially horizontal direction above the top of the prepreg 40 due to air resistance (refer to the separation member 30 ₄ and the supply direction XB2 of the separation member 30), and then, the lower surface of the separation member 30 and The upper surfaces of the prepreg sheets 40 stacked on the uppermost part of the stacked prepreg sheets 40 are placed on the prepreg sheets 40 in a surface-contact manner with each other (refer to the separation member 30 ₅ ).

Therefore, the stacking device 1 in the embodiment can cause the separation member 30 to be stacked on the prepreg sheet 40 in contact with the surface without scratching the surface of the prepreg sheet 40.

When the prepreg sheet 40 is used as a sheet for a circuit board, a circuit board manufactured using a scratched sheet as the circuit board causes deterioration in characteristics such as impedance value. The stacking device 1 in this embodiment can provide a sheet separating device that makes it possible to easily separate a sheet for a circuit board without deteriorating the quality of the sheet for the circuit board (the sheet for the circuit board is not scratched) material). Therefore, the sheet separating device can prevent such a failure from occurring on the circuit board. Such an effect solves a technical problem specific to a sheet for a circuit board.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the control unit 18 will be described below; the control unit 18 controls each unit of the stacking device 1.

In the embodiment, the control unit 18 controls the transport roller 20 to control the conveyance of the prepreg 40; the control unit 18 receives the prepreg sensing signal from the sensor 22; the control unit 18 calculates the prepreg sensing signal to calculate the pre-preg The number of the dipping sheets 40 discharged to the discharge unit 14.

The control unit 18 controls the separation member supply portion 32 of the separation member supply unit 16 so that the separation member supply portion 32 supplies the separation member 30 to the top of each stack of a specific number of stacked prepregs 40 on the stacking unit 26. The described control causes the separation members 30 to be stacked on each stack of prepregs 40 of a specific number of prepregs 40. The control unit 18 may store the specific number in advance; for example, the specific number may be appropriately changed by a user's operation instruction.

In the stacking device 1, the position and angle of the separation member supply portion 32 with respect to the placement position are adjusted in advance according to the shape of the separation member 30 and the distance between the number of creases 30A on the separation member 30 and the creases 30A; The separation member 30 supplied from the separation member supply portion 32 is caused to be placed on the prepreg sheet 40 at a target position (above the stacking unit 26 in the embodiment) to contact the surface of the prepreg sheet 40. The control unit 18 controls the driving section 34 to adjust the supply speed so that it is supplied from the separation member supply section 32 The separating member 30 is placed on the prepreg sheet 40 in a target position (above the stacking unit 26 in the embodiment) to come into contact with the surface of the prepreg sheet 40.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example procedure of the stacking process performed by the control unit 18. The control unit 18 controls the transport unit 12 so that the transport unit 12 starts the transport of the prepreg 40 (step S100). The control unit 18 controls the transportation roller 20 of the transportation unit 12 so that the transportation roller 20 starts the transportation of the prepreg 40. In the routine of step S100, the conveyance roller 20 starts the conveyance of the prepreg 40 supplied from the supply unit 10.

The control unit 18 determines whether the prepreg sheet 40 is stacked to a specific number (step S102). In step S102, after the last supply of the separation member 30, the control unit 18 calculates the prepreg sensing signal received from the sensor 22; therefore, the control unit 18 calculates the stacking time after the last supply of the separation member 30. The number of prepregs 40 on the separation member 30; the control unit 18 executes the determination in step S102 by determining whether the calculated value is a specific number.

If a negative determination is made in step S102 (NO in step S102), the routine returns to step S102. If an affirmative determination is made in step S102 (YES in step S102), the routine proceeds to step S104.

In step S104, the control unit 18 controls the separation member supply section 32 of the separation member supply unit 16 so that the separation member supply section 32 supplies the separation member 30 (step S104). Specifically, the control unit 18 controls the driving section 34 of the separation member supply section 32 so that a single separation member 30 is supplied onto the prepreg sheet 40.

The control unit 18 determines whether the separation member 30 is stacked on the prepreg sheet 40 (step S106). For example, the control unit 18 executes the determination in step S106 by determining whether a preset time has passed after the control in step S104. For example, the time required for supplying the separation member 30 from the separation member supply section 32 to the prepreg sheet 40 may be measured in advance, and the measured time may be set as a set time. Alternatively, a sensor may be provided in the discharge unit 14 to sense that the separation member 30 is stacked on the prepreg sheet 40; in this case, when the sensor senses the stack of the separation member 30, the control unit 18 may judge separation The member 30 is stacked on the prepreg sheet 40.

The control unit 18 repeats this negative judgment (NO in step S106) until a positive judgment is made in step S106 (YES in step S106). If an affirmative determination is made in step S106 (YES in step S106), the routine proceeds to step S108.

In step S108, the control unit 18 determines whether the stacking process needs to be ended (step S108). For example, when the period after the last prepreg sensing signal is received is equal to or greater than When no new prepreg sensing signal is received at a specific time, the control unit 18 determines that the stacking process needs to be ended. The example cases in which the prepreg sensing signal is not received for a period of time equal to or greater than a specific time include the case where an abnormality occurs in the conveyance of the conveyance unit 12 and the supply is terminated from the supply unit 10.

If a negative judgment is made in step S108 (NO in step S108), the routine returns to step S102. If an affirmative determination is made in step S108 (YES in step S108), this routine is ended.

As a result of performing the stacking procedure from step S100 to step S108, the separation member 30 is stacked on each stack of a specific number of prepreg sheets 40, and therefore, the separation member 30 can be marked between each stack of a specific number of prepreg sheets 40 boundary.

As described above, the stacking device 1 in the embodiment includes the conveying unit 12 and the separating member supply portion 32; the conveying unit 12 stacks the prepreg 40 (a sheet for a circuit board) on the stacking unit 26; the separating member The supply section 32 supplies the separation member 30 to the prepreg sheet 40 (a sheet for a circuit board).

The stacking device 1 in the embodiment stacks the separation member 30 on the prepreg 40 by supplying the separation member 30 as described above. Therefore, in the stacking device 1 in the embodiment, it is possible to mark the boundary between each stack of a specific number of prepregs 40 (sheets for a circuit board) by the separation member 30 without scratching or making the prepreg The sheet 40 is deformed.

The separation member 30 is different from a prepreg (a sheet for a circuit board) in at least one of thickness, size, color, or material.

The separation member 30 may have a color different from that of the prepreg sheet 40 (a sheet for a circuit board). The separation member 30 may have the same material as that of the prepreg 40 (a sheet for a circuit board). At least one width of the separation member 30 is preferably equal to at least one width of the prepreg sheet 40 (a sheet for a circuit board). The separation member 30 may have a thickness smaller than that of the prepreg sheet 40 (a sheet for a circuit board). The separation member 30 may be dustproof paper.

The separation member supply portion 32 may include a formation portion 33 that forms a crease 30A on the separation member 30. The direction of the crease 30A is preferably the same as the supply direction XB in which the separation member 30 is supplied to the prepreg sheet 40 (a sheet for a circuit board). The forming portion 33A may form a plurality of folds 30A on the separation member 30 in parallel with each other.

The conveyance direction XA of the prepreg 40 (a sheet for a circuit board) preferably coincides with the supply direction XB2 of the separation member 30. The separation member supply section 32 is preferably provided on the upstream side of the stacking unit 26 in the transport direction XA of the prepreg 40 (a sheet for a circuit board).

For example, the prepreg 40 (a sheet for a circuit board) has a plate shape. The prepreg 40 (a sheet for a circuit board) preferably has a lower abrasion resistance than the separation member 30; the prepreg 40 (a sheet for a circuit board) preferably has a higher flammability than the separation member 30 Sex. The prepreg sheet 40 is an example of a sheet for a circuit board.

In the embodiment, the separation member supply portion 32 is provided on the upstream side of the stacking unit 26 of the discharge unit 14 included in the transport direction XA of the prepreg sheet 40. The separation member supply section 32 may be provided above the stacking unit 26 (upper position in the vertical direction). In this case, the separation member supply unit 32 may be supplied to the prepreg sheet 40 using the gravity dropped onto the prepreg sheet 40 by the separation member 30.

In the embodiment, the separation member supply portion 32 stacks the separation member 30 on the prepreg sheet 40 by supplying the separation member 30 to the top of the prepreg sheet 40 stacked on the stacking unit 26 included in the discharge unit 14. The position where the separation member 30 is stacked on the prepreg sheet 40 is not limited to the position of the stacking unit 26 included in the discharge unit 14.

For example, the separation member supply section 32 places the separation member 30 on the prepreg sheet 40 being transported by the transport unit 12. Specifically, the separation member supply unit 32 may supply the separation member 30 to the prepreg 40 held by the conveyance belt 21 of the conveyance unit 12. In this case, the separation member supply portion 32 may be provided above the conveyance path L of the conveyance unit 12.

The separation member supply unit 32 places the separation member 30 on the prepreg 40 being conveyed from the same direction as the direction in which the prepreg 40 is conveyed by the conveyance unit 12 (the XA direction indicated by the arrow).

Therefore, the separation member supply section 32 can supply the separation member 30 to the prepreg sheet 40 in the conveyance before the prepreg sheet 40 is stacked on the stacking unit 26.

In this case, the separation member 30 placed on the prepreg sheet 40 is conveyed together with the prepreg sheet 40, and therefore, the lower surface of the separation member 30 and the upper surface of the prepreg sheet 40 are prevented from being conveyed when the prepreg sheet 40 is conveyed. Friction between each other. This structure can mark a boundary between each specific number of prepregs 40 without scratching or deforming the prepregs 40.

In this case, the separation member supply section 32 preferably supplies the separation member 30 to the prepreg sheet 40 at the same speed as the conveyance unit 12 conveys the prepreg sheet 40, and places the separation member 30 on the prepreg sheet 40.

The prepreg 40 with the separation member 30 placed thereon by the conveyance belt 21 is conveyed in the conveyance direction XA by the conveyance belt 21 and is discharged to the discharge unit 14. In this case, the laminate in which the separation member 30 is placed on the prepreg sheet 40 is discharged from the conveyance unit 12 to the discharge unit 14.

When the separation member supply section 32 is provided above the conveyance path L of the conveyance unit 12, the position where the separation member 30 is supplied by the separation member supply section 32 and stacked on the prepreg 40 is preferably as close as possible to the downstream side in the transportation direction XA. End of the transport unit 12; the optimal position is the end of the transport unit 12 on the downstream side. Since the position of the separation member 30 stacked on the prepreg sheet 40 is close to the end of the conveyance unit 12 on the downstream side in the conveyance direction XA, the length of the conveyance path L for conveying only the prepreg sheet 40 can be kept long.

An example of the hardware structure of the control unit 18 of the stacking device 1 is described below. FIG. 8 is a hardware configuration diagram of the control unit 18. The control unit 18 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 300, a read-only memory (ROM) 302, a random access memory (RAM) 304, and an interface (I / F) 306; the CPU 300, ROM 302, The RAM 304 and the I / F 306 are connected to each other by a bus 308. The hardware is implemented using a typical computer.

For example, in the embodiment, a program for implementing a stacking program by the control unit 18 of the stacking device 1 is embedded and provided in the ROM 302.

In the embodiment, the program for implementing the stacking program by the control unit 18 of the stacking device 1 may be recorded and provided on a computer-readable recording medium, such as a read-only memory disc as an installable or executable file ( CD-ROM), flexible disk (FD), recordable disc (CD-R), and digital versatile video disc (DVD).

In the embodiment, the program for implementing the stacking program by the control unit 18 of the stacking device 1 may be stored in a computer connected to a network (such as the Internet), and may be obtained by downloading through the network. In the embodiment, the program for implementing the stacking procedure by the control unit 18 of the stacking device 1 may be obtained or transmitted through a network such as the Internet.

In the embodiment, the program for implementing the stacking program by the control unit 18 of the stacking device 1 has a module structure including the foregoing units. In actual hardware, the CPU 300 is downloaded from, for example, ROM The storage medium of 302 reads out the program and executes the program so that each unit is stacked into a main storage unit, and each unit is formed in the main storage unit.

According to the present invention, a boundary can be marked between each stack of a specific number of sheets for a circuit board without scratching and deforming the sheets.

The above embodiments are illustrative and do not limit the present invention. Therefore, given the foregoing teachings, many other modifications and variations are possible. For example, within the scope of this application and the accompanying patent application, at least one element of the different illustrative and exemplary embodiments herein may be combined with each other or replaced with each other. In addition, the features of the components of the embodiment, such as the number, position, and shape are not limited to the embodiment, and they may be preferably set. Therefore, it should be understood that within the scope of the attached application patent, the content disclosed in the present invention may be implemented in a manner different from that specifically described herein.

Claims (13)

A stacking device includes: a conveying unit that conveys a sheet for a circuit board; a stacking unit that stacks the sheet for a circuit board; and a separation member supply unit that supplies a separation member to The stacked sheets are separated in position, wherein the separation member supply unit places the separation member on the sheet in conveyance, and the separation member is different from the sheet in at least one of thickness, size, color, or material material. The stacking device according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the separation member supply unit supplies the separation member from the same conveying direction as the sheet, and places the separation member on the sheet. The stacking device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the separation member supply unit supplies the separation member before the sheet is stacked on the stacking unit. The stacking device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the separating member supply unit supplies the separating member at the same conveying speed as the sheet, and places the separating member on the circuit board. On the sheet. The stacking device as described in claim 1, wherein at least one width of the separation member is equal to at least one width of the sheet. The stacking device according to item 1 of the patent application scope, wherein a thickness of the separation member is smaller than a thickness of the sheet. The stacking device according to item 1 of the patent application scope, wherein the separation member is dustproof paper. The stacking device according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the separation member supply unit includes a forming portion that forms a crease on the separation member. The stacking device according to item 8 of the scope of patent application, wherein the direction of the crease coincides with the direction in which the separation member is supplied onto the sheet. The stacking device according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the forming portion forms a plurality of folds parallel to each other on the separation member. The stacking device according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the separation member supply unit is disposed on an upstream side of the stacking unit in a conveyance direction of the sheet. The stacking device according to item 1 of the patent application scope, wherein the sheet has a lower abrasion resistance than the separation member. The stacking device according to item 1 of the patent application scope, wherein the sheet is a prepreg sheet.