JP2024095057A - Component mounting system, component stock device, and component mounting method - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To improve the efficiency of the setup of parts used in production. [Solution] A component mounting system includes a component mounting unit that produces boards on which components are mounted, a component supply unit that has a component carrier placement unit that stores component supply carriers capable of storing components and supplies components to the component mounting unit, a stock unit that can store multiple component supply carriers, a component carrier transport unit that moves the component supply carrier between the component carrier placement unit and the stock unit, and a control unit that controls the component carrier transport unit, and causes the component carrier transport unit to move the component supply carrier used in production between the stock unit and the component carrier placement unit based on rack information including information on pallets stored in each slot of the component carrier placement unit and stock information including information on pallets stored in each slot of the stock unit. [Selected Figure] Figure 15

Description

This disclosure relates to a component mounting system, a component stock device, and a component mounting method.

Patent Document 1 discloses a tray component supply device that replaces a tray that has run out of parts in a tray component magazine with a new tray in a supply magazine. The tray component supply device includes a tray fixed to a plate-shaped tray jig, a tray component magazine composed of multiple shelves, which stores trays on each shelf via the tray jig and supplies electronic components in the tray to an electronic component mounting machine, a means for moving the tray component magazine up and down to position the tray on a specified shelf at a pull-out position for component supply, a supply magazine that stores multiple trays in the same configuration as the tray component magazine and is installed close to the tray component magazine, and a robot that replaces a tray that has run out of parts with a new tray.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-57533

However, when using a tray component supplying device, a new tray is prepared by the operator. Therefore, if the tray component supplying device frequently runs out of components, the operator may not be able to supply new trays in time, and the tray that ran out of components may not be able to be replaced with a new tray. In such cases, the electronic component mounter stops operating (production) until a new tray is supplied by the tray component supplying device, resulting in reduced productivity.

The present disclosure was devised in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional situation, and aims to provide a component mounting system, a component stock device, and a component mounting method that improve the efficiency of the setup of components used in production.

The present disclosure provides a component mounting system that includes a component mounting unit that produces boards on which components are mounted, a component supply unit that has a component carrier placement unit that stores component supply carriers capable of storing the components and supplies the components to the component mounting unit, a stock unit that can store multiple component supply carriers, a component carrier transport unit that moves the component supply carrier between the component carrier placement unit and the stock unit, and a control unit that controls the component carrier transport unit, in which the component carrier placement unit has multiple slots that can store the component supply carriers, the stock unit has multiple slots that can store the component supply carriers, and the control unit provides a component mounting system that causes the component carrier transport unit to move the component supply carriers used in the production between the stock unit and the component carrier placement unit based on rack information that includes information on pallets stored in each of the slots of the component carrier placement unit and stock information that includes information on pallets stored in each of the slots of the stock unit.

The present disclosure also provides a component stock device attached to a component mounting device that includes a component mounting unit that produces boards on which components are mounted, a component supply unit that has a component carrier placement unit that stores component supply carriers capable of storing the components and supplies the components to the component mounting unit, a stock unit that can store multiple component supply carriers, a component carrier transport unit that moves the component supply carrier between the component carrier placement unit and the stock unit, and a control unit that controls the component carrier transport unit, in which the component carrier placement unit has multiple slots that can store the component supply carriers, the stock unit has multiple slots that can store the component supply carriers, and the control unit provides a component stock device that causes the component carrier transport unit to move the component supply carriers used in the production between the stock unit and the component carrier placement unit based on rack information that includes information on pallets stored in each of the slots of the component carrier placement unit and stock information that includes information on pallets stored in each of the slots of the stock unit.

The present disclosure also provides a component mounting method performed by a component mounting system that includes a component mounting unit that produces boards on which components are mounted, a component carrier placement unit that has a plurality of slots for storing component supply carriers capable of storing the components and that supplies the components to the component mounting unit, a stock unit that has a plurality of slots for storing the component supply carriers, the component carrier placement unit, and a component carrier transport unit that moves the component supply carrier between the stock unit, and a control unit that controls the component carrier transport unit, and the component mounting system provides a component mounting method that causes the component carrier transport unit to move the component supply carrier used in the production between the stock unit and the component carrier placement unit based on rack information that includes information on pallets stored in each of the slots of the component carrier placement unit and stock information that includes information on pallets stored in each of the slots of the stock unit.

This disclosure makes it possible to streamline the setup of parts used in production.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a component mounting system according to an embodiment; A diagram showing the main parts of the component mounting system. Transparent perspective view of the parts stock device and parts supply unit Diagram showing an example of a magazine and pallets A diagram showing an example of wireless tag scanning operation Component mounting system schematic Block diagram of component mounting system FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of tray part arrangement data. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of first feeder rack information and second feeder rack information; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of first stock information and second stock information; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of third stock information. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of pallet arrangement data. Flowchart showing the tray feeder component supply operation in the component mounting system 1 is a flowchart showing a process (main routine) performed by a component stock device control unit in a component mounting system. Flowchart showing a supply process in a component mounting system Flowchart showing pallet movement processing in a component mounting system Flowchart showing setup processing in a component mounting system Flowchart showing setup processing in a component mounting system Flowchart showing unnecessary pallet removal processing Flowchart showing spare pallet and other movement processing An explanatory diagram of the setup operation using the parts stock device An explanatory diagram of the setup operation using the parts stock device An explanatory diagram of the setup operation using the parts stock device An explanatory diagram of the supply operation by the parts stock device An explanatory diagram of the supply operation by the parts stock device An explanatory diagram of the supply operation by the parts stock device An explanatory diagram of the supply operation by the parts stock device An explanatory diagram of the advance setup operation using the parts stock device An explanatory diagram of the advance setup operation using the parts stock device An explanatory diagram of the advance setup operation using the parts stock device An explanatory diagram of the advance setup operation using the parts stock device FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a modified example of the component mounting system.

Below, with reference to the drawings as appropriate, a detailed description will be given of an embodiment that specifically discloses a component mounting system, a component stock device, and a component mounting method according to the present disclosure. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of already well-known matters and duplicate descriptions of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following description becoming unnecessarily redundant and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Note that the attached drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

First, an example of the overall configuration of the component mounting system 100 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the component mounting system 100 according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the main parts of the component mounting system 100. The main parts of the component mounting system 100 referred to here are the component stock device 200, the first component supply unit TF1, the second component supply unit TF2, and the component mounting unit CM1.

The component mounting system 100 is a system for manufacturing a mounting board on which components are mounted, and includes at least a component mounting device CM that mounts the components on the board W.

The component mounting system 100 includes a host system PC, an access point AP, a communication line CL, a component stock device 200, a component mounting device CM, a mobile terminal MT, etc. Note that the arrangement and number of devices constituting the component mounting system 100 shown in FIG. 1 are merely examples and are not limited to these.

The upper system PC is, for example, a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation, and manages various data and programs related to the production of mounted boards executed by at least one component mounting system 100.

The access point AP is capable of wireless and wired communication, and is connected to the communication line CL so that data can be transmitted and received. The access point AP transmits and receives data between a mobile terminal MT having a wireless communication function and a higher-level system PC connected to the communication line CL so that data can be transmitted and received.

The communication line CL connects the upper system PC, the access point AP, and the component mounting system 100 so that data can be transmitted and received between these devices.

The mobile terminal MT is a portable terminal capable of wireless communication with the component mounting device CM or the upper system PC via the access point AP. In addition to operation switches that accept operator operations and a monitor that displays information, the mobile terminal MT is equipped with a code label reader that recognizes various code labels and a reader/writer for wireless communication with wireless tags such as RFID.

[Component mounting equipment]
Next, the details of the component mounting device CM will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The component mounting device CM performs the task of mounting components on a substrate W. The component mounting device CM includes a component mounting unit CM1 that mounts components on the substrate W, a first component supply unit TF1 and a second component supply unit TF2 that supply components to the component mounting unit CM1, and a control unit 11 that controls these.

The component mounting unit CM1, which is an example of a component mounting unit, includes a board transport unit 42 that transports the board W, and a mounting head 41 that picks up the components supplied by the first component supply unit TF1 and the second component supply unit TF2 and mounts them on the board W brought in by the board transport unit 42. The board transport unit 42 is equipped with a conveyor mechanism, and transports the board W received from an upstream process device in a horizontal direction and positions it at a predetermined work position. In this specification, for the sake of simplicity, the transport direction of the board W by the board transport unit 42 is the X direction, and the up-down direction is the Z direction. Also, the direction perpendicular to both the X direction and the Z direction is the Y direction. The mounting head 41 has a component holder such as a suction nozzle, and picks up the components supplied by the first component supply unit TF1 and the second component supply unit TF2. The component mounting unit CM1 transports the components picked up by the mounting head 41 to a predetermined component mounting position on the board W and mounts them. The component mounting unit CM1 transports the board W (mounted board) after components are mounted using the board transport unit 42.

[Second component supply device (tape feeder)]
The second component supply unit TF2 supplies components packed in a carrier tape 83. Specifically, the second component supply unit TF2 has a tape feeder 80 that pulls out the carrier tape 83 from a reel 81 that stores the carrier tape 83 and transports it to a component pick-up position (not shown), and a feeder mounting unit 82 to which the tape feeder 80 is attached, and supplies the components. A plurality of tape feeders 80 are set in line in the feeder mounting unit 82. The mounting head 41 picks up components from the component pick-up positions of the respective tape feeders 80 and mounts them on the board W.

[First component supply device (tray feeder)]
The first component supply unit TF1, which is an example of a component supply unit, is a tray feeder that supplies components stored in a tray 73 (see FIG. 4). In the first component supply unit TF1, the tray 73 is handled in a state where it is attached to a pallet 74.

In FIG. 3, the first component supply unit TF1 includes a housing 50, a first pallet moving unit 51, and a feeder rack unit 54. The first pallet moving unit 51 includes a first pallet pulling unit 52 and a lifting table 53. The feeder rack unit 54 includes a first feeder rack unit 54A and a second feeder rack unit 54B. The first feeder rack unit 54A and the second feeder rack unit 54B have the same structure and are arranged vertically side by side. The first feeder rack unit 54A and the second feeder rack unit 54B are box-shaped cylindrical bodies having an internal space that opens in the Y direction. On the inside of the side walls that sandwich this internal space, a plurality of slots 54S formed by rails protruding toward the internal space are provided at intervals in the vertical direction. The first feeder rack section 54A and the second feeder rack section 54B store (stock) the pallets 74 placed in the slots 54S.

The first pallet moving unit 51 is disposed on the Y-direction rear side (component mounting unit CM1 side) of the first feeder rack unit 54A and the second feeder rack unit 54B. The first pallet moving unit 51 is raised and lowered (arrow D7) by a lifting device not shown. The first pallet moving unit 51 also has a built-in drive device that moves the first pallet pulling unit 52 in the Y-direction (arrow D8). The first pallet pulling unit 52 engages with the pallet 74 when pulling the pallet 74, and disengages when there is no need to pull the pallet 74. Therefore, the first pallet moving unit 51 uses the first pallet pulling unit 52 to pull the pallet 74 stored in the first feeder rack unit 54A or the second feeder rack unit 54B onto the first pallet moving unit 51, or returns the pallet 74 on the first pallet moving unit 51 to the first feeder rack unit 54A or the second feeder rack unit 54B. In addition, the first pallet moving unit 51 moves the pallet 74 pulled out from the feeder rack unit 54 to the pick-up position 55 where the mounting head 41 picks up the components. That is, the first pallet moving unit 51 moves the pallet 74 between the pick-up position 55 and the feeder rack unit 54.

[Parts stock device]
Next, the component stock device 200 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 3 is a transparent perspective view of the component stock device 200 and the first component supply unit TF1. The component stock device 200 stocks pallets 74 on which trays 73 to be used in the first component supply unit TF1 are set, and supplies the necessary pallets 74 to the feeder rack unit 54 while collecting unnecessary pallets 74 from the feeder rack unit 54. This makes it possible to prevent the first component supply unit TF1 from stopping due to a shortage of tray components (components supplied on a tray), etc., and to increase the productivity of mounting boards by the component mounting device CM.

In Figures 2 and 3, the parts stock device 200 is covered with a box-shaped housing 60 and is located in close proximity to the feeder rack section 54 of the first parts supply section TF1. Inside the housing 60, there is provided a stock section STK that stocks multiple pallets 74, and a second pallet moving section 61 that transports the pallets 74 between the stock section STK and the feeder rack section 54.

The housing 60 of the parts stock device 200 is provided with a first door DR1 and a second door DR2 for inserting and removing the magazine MG. The parts stock device 200 is provided with a locking section 62 for locking the first door DR1 and an operation button 62A arranged near the first door DR1. The operation button 62A has a built-in lamp 62B. A supply position code label LB1 indicating the supply (insertion) position of the magazine MG is arranged near the first door DR1 of the housing 60. The parts stock device 200 is provided with a locking section 63 for locking the second door DR2 and an operation button 63A arranged near the second door DR2. The operation button 63A has a built-in lamp 63B. A supply position code label LB2 indicating the supply (insertion) position of the magazine MG is arranged near the second door DR2 of the housing 60.

The configuration of the component stock device 200 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 3 to 6. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of a magazine MG and a pallet 74. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of a scanning operation of a wireless tag 75. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a component mounting system, showing a planar development of the arrangement of the first component supply unit TF1 and the component stock device 200.

The stock section STK has a plurality of slots 72 for storing pallets 74, spaced apart in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the stock section STK is composed of two magazines MG and a large magazine 69 arranged vertically. The magazine MG and the large magazine 69 are box-shaped cylindrical bodies having an internal space that opens in the X direction. A plurality of slots 72, each formed by a rail protruding into the internal space, are provided at intervals in the vertical direction on two side walls sandwiching the internal space in the Y direction. One slot 72 stores one pallet 74. Therefore, the magazine MG and the large magazine 69 are structured to be able to store a plurality of pallets 74. The magazine MG can be removed from the parts stock device 200 and replaced with another magazine MG. This allows the pallet 74 to be refilled and collected on a magazine basis by removing a magazine MG that stores an unnecessary pallet 74 and inserting a magazine MG that stores a new pallet 74. The magazine MG replacement work (replenishment work and collection work) is performed by opening the first door DR1 and the second door DR2.

In this embodiment, the magazine MG inserted through the first door DR1 is the first stock section STK1, the magazine MG inserted through the second door DR2 is the second stock section STK2, and the large magazine 69 is the third stock section STK3, and the stock section STK is made up of the first stock section STK1, the second stock section STK2, and the third stock section STK3.

The magazine MG has a magazine code 71 on the surface of the housing. The magazine code 71 is information for individually identifying the magazine.

Pallet 74, an example of a parts supply carrier, includes tray 73 and wireless tag 75. Tray 73 has a number of pockets 73A arranged in a lattice pattern. Tray 73 stores one part in each pocket 73A. Note that in the tray 73 shown in Figure 4, only one pocket 73A is labeled with a reference number, and the other pockets are not labeled with reference numbers.

The magazine MG inserted into the parts stock device 200 through the first door DR1 constitutes part of the stock section STK capable of stocking pallets 74, and the magazine MG inserted into the parts stock device 200 through the second door DR2 also constitutes part of the stock section STK. The number of slots 72 in the magazine MG is the same as the number of slots 54S in the first feeder rack section 54A and the second feeder rack section 54B.

The large magazine 69 is fixed inside the housing 60. The large magazine 69 has a greater number of slots 72 than the magazine MG, and can store a greater number of pallets 74. Note that, in this embodiment, the large magazine 69 is fixed inside the housing 60 as an example, but may be removable outside the parts stock device 200.

The second pallet moving unit 61 is disposed at a position where the extension direction (X direction) of the slot 72 of the stock unit STK and the extension direction (Y direction) of the slot 54S of the feeder rack unit 54 intersect. The second pallet moving unit 61 includes a swivel/lift table 66 and a second pallet towing unit 67. The swivel/lift table 66 is raised and lowered (arrow D3) and rotated (arrow D4) by a moving device (not shown). This allows the second pallet moving unit 61 to be positioned in the height direction (Z direction) and to change the direction of the second pallet moving unit 61. Furthermore, the swivel/lift table 66 incorporates a drive device that moves the second pallet towing unit 67 in the longitudinal direction. The second pallet towing unit 67 has two engagement units 67A (see FIG. 5). When the second pallet towing unit 67 is towing the pallet 74, the engagement unit 67A engages with the pallet 74, and when it is not necessary to tow the pallet 74, the engagement unit 67A is released. When the swivel/lift table 66 pulls out a pallet 74 from the slot 72 of the stock unit STK and holds it there, or when the held pallet 74 is to be stored in the slot 72, the swivel/lift table 66 rotates to orient its longitudinal direction in the X direction and moves the second pallet pulling unit 67 in the X direction (arrow D3). When the swivel/lift table 66 pulls out a pallet 74 from the slot 54S of the feeder rack unit 54 and holds it there, or when the held pallet 74 is to be stored in the slot 54S, the swivel/lift table 66 rotates to orient its longitudinal direction in the Y direction and moves the second pallet pulling unit 67 in the Y direction (arrow D5).

The second pallet towing unit 67 is equipped with a wireless tag reader 64 and a pallet detection sensor 65. The wireless tag reader 64 reads the pallet information of the pallet 74 to be moved from the wireless tag 75 attached to the pallet 74, and transmits it to the host system PC. The pallet detection sensor 65 detects whether or not a pallet 74 is stored in the slot 54S, 72.

Here, we will explain the definitions of the terms "spare pallet," "supply pallet," "unnecessary pallet," "recovery pallet," and "replenishment pallet" that will be used in the following explanation.

A spare pallet is a pallet 74 stored in the stock section STK for use in production. In addition to regular pallets that store parts to be used in production, spare pallets also include pallets used to collect NG parts determined to be defective by the component mounting section CM1. A supply pallet is a spare pallet 74 that is moved (supplied) to the stock section STK. An unnecessary pallet is a pallet stored in the stock section STK that is no longer needed, such as a pallet 74 with no parts remaining (current quantity = 0 (zero)), a pallet 74 that is full of NG parts determined to be defective, or a pallet 74 that stores parts that are no longer planned to be used. A recovery pallet is a pallet 74 designated as a pallet to be recovered. A replenishment pallet is a pallet 74 that is replenished (supplied) to one of the first stock unit STK1 to the third stock unit STK3 by a magazine that is newly inserted into the parts stock device 200, and is a pallet 74 that is stored in one of the first stock unit STK1 to the third stock unit STK3 after insertion and becomes a spare pallet.

Next, the configuration of the control system of the component mounting system 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

[Host system]
The host system PC includes a work support unit 31, a pallet arrangement data storage unit 32, and a production data storage unit 33. Although not shown in FIG. 7, the host system PC includes at least a communication unit, a processor, and a memory. The communication unit in the host system PC transmits and receives data to and from the access point AP or the component mounting device CM. The processor cooperates with the memory to enable the function of the work support unit 31 to be realized. Furthermore, the memory realizes the functions of the pallet arrangement data storage unit 32 and the production data storage unit 33.

The work support unit 31 instructs the worker to insert and remove magazines MG from the parts stock device 200 via the mobile terminal MT.

The pallet arrangement data storage unit 32 stores pallet arrangement data. The pallet arrangement data is information that manages arrangement data in magazine code units that associates, on a one-to-one basis, slot numbers indicating the storage positions of pallets in the magazine MG with information on the pallets stored in the slots indicated by those slot numbers. The pallet arrangement data will be described later.

The production data storage unit 33 stores production data used in the production of mounted boards. The production data includes a production program used by the component mounting device CM to manufacture mounted boards and tray component arrangement data that specifies the arrangement positions of components in the feeder rack unit 54 of the second component supply unit TF2. Note that the type of board (mounted board) that can be produced using one piece of production data is not limited to one type. The upper system PC downloads the production data stored in the production data storage unit 33 and the pallet arrangement data stored in the pallet arrangement data storage unit 32 to the control unit 11 at the required timing.

[Control unit]
The control unit 11 transmits and receives data to and from the host system PC through the communication unit 10 connected to the communication line CL. The control unit 11 receives various data, programs, and control commands transmitted from the host system PC. The control unit 11 also transmits various data to the host system PC.

The control unit 11 is a so-called processor, and is configured using, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The control unit 11 performs various processes and controls. Specifically, the control unit 11 references the programs and data stored in the memory unit 21 and executes the programs to realize the functions of each unit, such as the mounting control unit 12, the second component supply unit control unit 13, the first component supply unit control unit 14, the component stock device control unit 15, the advance setup setting unit 16, the normal setup setting unit 17, the recovery pallet designation unit 18, the magazine full determination unit 19, and the information update unit 20.

The storage unit 21 has, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) as a work memory used when executing each process of the control unit 11, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and data that define the operation of the control unit 11. The RAM temporarily stores data or information generated or acquired by the control unit 11. The ROM has programs that define the operation of the control unit 11 written into it. The storage unit 21 has a production information storage unit 22, a reservation information storage unit 23, a feeder rack information storage unit 24, a stock information storage unit 25, and a magazine information storage unit 26.

The production information storage unit 22 stores production data 221 used in the production of mounted boards. The production data 221 includes mounting data (component mounting position information) referenced by the mounting control unit 12 for the manufacture of mounted boards, as well as tray component arrangement data 222 that indicates the arrangement position of components in the feeder rack unit 54 of the first component supply unit TF1. The production data 221 stored in the production information storage unit 22 is obtained by copying production data stored in the reservation information storage unit 23 described below, or by downloading production data stored in the production data storage unit 33 of the upper system PC.

The reservation information storage unit 23 stores production data 231 to be used in the next production. That is, the production data 231 is used after the production of the mounting board based on the production data 221 is completed. The production data 231 also includes tray component arrangement data 232. The production data stored in the production data storage unit 33 of the host system PC is downloaded from the host system PC and stored in the production information storage unit 22 and reservation information storage unit 23.

The feeder rack information storage unit 24 stores rack information indicating the current state of the feeder rack section 54. In this embodiment, the feeder rack information storage unit 24 stores first feeder rack information 241 corresponding to the first feeder rack section 54A and second feeder rack information 242 corresponding to the second feeder rack section 54B.

The stock information storage unit 25 stores information indicating the current state of the stock unit STK. In this embodiment, the stock information storage unit 25 stores first stock information 251 corresponding to the first stock unit STK1, second stock information 252 corresponding to the second stock unit STK2, and third stock information 253 corresponding to the third stock unit STK3.

The magazine information storage unit 26 stores the magazine information of the magazines MG inserted into the first stock unit STK1 and the second stock unit STK2 based on the magazine information transmitted from the upper system PC.

The mounting control unit 12 controls the component mounting unit CM1 based on the production data stored in the production information storage unit 22, and realizes the processes of loading and unloading the board W and mounting components on the board W, which are executed by the component mounting unit CM1. In addition, when components are required, the mounting control unit 12 sends a command to the first component supply unit control unit 14 to request the components.

The second component supply unit control unit 13 controls the tape feeder attached to the second component supply unit TF2. Based on instructions from the mounting control unit 12, the second component supply unit control unit 13 controls the tape feeder to supply components stored on the carrier tape 83 to the component supply position.

The first part supply unit control unit 14 controls the first part supply unit TF1. The first part supply unit control unit 14 has a first pallet movement control unit 141 that controls the first pallet movement unit 51 of the first part supply unit TF1.

The first pallet movement control unit 141 controls the first pallet movement unit 51 based on commands from the mounting control unit 12 and various data stored in the feeder rack information storage unit 24. Specifically, the first pallet movement control unit 141 refers to the feeder rack information storage unit 24 to determine the position in the feeder rack unit 54 of the component requested by the mounting control unit 12, removes the corresponding pallet from the feeder rack unit 54, and transports it to the removal position 55. As a result, the first pallet movement control unit 141 moves the pallet 74 stored in the feeder rack unit 54 to the component removal position 55, and supplies the component to the component mounting unit CM1.

The part stock device control unit 15 controls the operation of the part stock device 200. The part stock device control unit 15 has a second pallet movement control unit 151.

The second pallet movement control unit 151 controls the second pallet movement unit 61 based on various data (information) stored in the reservation information storage unit 23, the feeder rack information storage unit 24, and the stock information storage unit 25. As a result, the second pallet movement control unit 151 moves the pallet 74 between the stock unit STK of the parts stock device 200 and the feeder rack unit 54 of the first parts supply unit TF1, or moves the pallet 74 between the slots 72 of the stock unit STK.

The advance setup setting unit 16 performs various settings related to the setup (advance setup) for the production of the next mounted board for the first component supply unit TF1. Advance setup is a setup operation to prepare for the production of mounted boards using the production data 231 to be used in the next production. Advance setup is performed while the production of mounted boards is being carried out using the production data 221. The advance setup setting unit 16 has functions such as an advance setup slot determination unit 161 and an advance setup flag setting unit 162.

The advance setup slot determination unit 161 determines a slot 54S in the feeder rack unit 54 where advance setup is possible based on the production data 221 in the production information storage unit 22 and the production data 231 in the reservation information storage unit 23.

The advance setup flag setting unit 162 sets a setup flag indicating that advance setup is incomplete for the slot 54S determined as the advance setup target by the advance setup slot determination unit 161.

The normal setup setting unit 17 performs setup-related settings. Normal setup is setup work performed before the production of mounted boards using the production data 221 stored in the production information storage unit 22. Based on the tray component arrangement data 222 of the production data 221 stored in the production information storage unit 22, the normal setup setting unit 17 sets a setup flag indicating that setup is incomplete for the slot 54S of the feeder rack unit 54 that is scheduled to be used in production.

The recovery pallet designation unit 18 executes a process to recover the pallet 74 designated for recovery (recovery pallet) into a recovery magazine set in the first stock unit STK1 or the second stock unit STK2. The recovery pallet designation unit 18 searches for the slot 54S, 72 in which the pallet designated by the worker from the mobile terminal MT or the display/input panel MN is stored based on the first feeder rack information 241, the second feeder rack information 242, and the first to third stock information 251 to 253, and controls the second pallet movement unit 61 to move the pallet 74 in the corresponding slot 54S, 72 to the magazine inserted in the first stock unit STK1 or the second stock unit STK2.

The magazine fullness determination unit 19 determines whether the magazines inserted into the first stock unit STK1 or the second stock unit STK2 are full of unnecessary pallets or recycled pallets based on the first stock information 251 and the second stock information 252, respectively.

When the magazine full determination unit 19 determines that the magazine is full, it outputs to the display/input panel MN of the component mounting unit CM1 and controls the lighting of lamps 62B, 63B provided on the corresponding door of the component stock device 200, thereby executing control to request removal (replacement) of the magazine. Note that a notification requesting removal (replacement) of the magazine may be sent to a mobile terminal MT carried by the worker.

The information update unit 20 updates the pallet information included in the first feeder rack information 241, the second feeder rack information 242, the first stock information 251, the second stock information 252, and the third stock information 253 based on the number of components removed from the pallet 74 by the mounting head 41 or the number of NG components determined to be defective. For example, the information update unit 20 updates the current quantity (remaining components) included in each piece of pallet information, and sets an empty/full flag based on the initial quantity and the current quantity (remaining components) after the update.

Next, the tray part arrangement data 222 included in the production data 221 will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 shows an example of the tray part arrangement data 222A and 222B.

[Tray parts distribution data]
The tray part arrangement data 222 is information that specifies the storage position of the parts in the feeder rack unit 54. A slot number indicating the storage position is assigned to each slot 54S of the first feeder rack unit 54A. The tray part arrangement data 222A is data that associates the slot number of each slot 54S of the first feeder rack unit 54A with information (part name) of the parts supplied from the slot. Note that the information linked to the slot number need only be information that can identify the part, and is not limited to the part name.

For example, the tray part arrangement data 222A shown in FIG. 8 indicates that the tray 73 (pallet 74) storing the part name "ABC3" is arranged (arranged) in slot number "A1" of the first feeder rack section 54A, the part name "ABC3" in slot number "A2", the part name "AFA9" in slot number "A3", the part name "AFA9" in slot number "A4", the part name "ABC1" in slot number "A6", the part name "ABC1" in slot number "A8", and the part name "NG parts TR" in slot number "A10". Note that although "NG parts TR" is not a part name, in the present embodiment, when it is necessary to arrange a pallet to be used to collect NG parts, "NG parts TR" is used as the part name.

The tray part arrangement data 222B is data that associates the slot number assigned to each slot 54S of the second feeder rack section 54B with information (part name) of the part supplied from the slot.

For example, the tray part arrangement data 222B shown in FIG. 8 has a similar structure to the tray part arrangement data 222A, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[Feeder rack information]
Next, the first feeder rack information 241 and the second feeder rack information 242 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the first feeder rack information 241 and the second feeder rack information 242. The feeder rack information is information indicating the state of the feeder rack section 54, and includes information on the storage positions of the pallets 74 in the feeder rack section 54, information on the pallets 74 stored in each slot 54S, and information on the state of the slots 54S.

The first feeder rack information 241 is data that links the slot number assigned to each slot 54S of the first feeder rack section 54A with the pallet information and slot information stored in each slot 54S.

The second feeder rack information 242 is data that links the slot numbers "B1" to "B10" assigned to each slot 54S of the second feeder rack section 54B with the pallet information and slot information stored in each slot 54S.

The pallet information includes, for example, information about the parts stored on the pallet 74 (e.g., part information including part name, initial quantity, number of slots required to store the pallet 74, etc.), current quantity, insertion time, empty/full flag, etc. The information included in the pallet information does not need to be limited to the above-mentioned examples, but it is sufficient if it includes at least information that can identify the part (e.g., part name).

The initial quantity is the number of parts stored on the pallet 74 when it was inserted into the parts stock device 200. In addition, in the case of a defective part TR in slot number A10, the initial quantity is the number of defective parts that can be stored (recovered).

The number of required slots indicates the number of slots (height) occupied by one pallet 74, and is set based on the pitch (spacing) of slots 72 or slots 54S, the thickness of the tray mounted on the pallet 74, and the dimensions (thickness) of the parts stored therein. In addition, in the case of NG parts TR, it is set based on the pitch of slots 72 or slots 54S, the thickness of the tray used for storage (recovery), and the expected maximum dimensions (maximum thickness) of the parts. For example, if the number of required slots for a pallet 74 is "2", this indicates that the space of two slots is required to store this pallet 74.

The current quantity is the number of parts currently stored on the pallet 74, that is, the remaining number of parts. The current quantity is updated (subtracted) by the information update unit 20 each time a part is removed from the pallet 74 by the part mounting unit CM1. The initial value of the current quantity is set to the initial quantity. In the case of NG parts TR, the current quantity indicates the number of NG parts that have been stored (recovered), and is updated (added) by the information update unit 20 each time NG parts are stored on the pallet 74 by the part mounting unit CM1. In the case of NG parts TR, the initial value of the current quantity is set to 0 (zero).

The input time indicates the time information when the pallet 74 was input into the parts stock device 200.

The empty/full flag indicates that there are no tray parts stored in the tray 73 set on the pallet 74, and is set when it is determined that the current quantity is 0 (zero). In addition, in the case of NG parts TR, the empty/full flag indicates that the tray for collecting NG parts set on the pallet 74 is full, and is set when it is determined that the current quantity is the same as the initial quantity (i.e., the number of parts that can be stored).

Slot information is information that indicates the status of a slot, and includes, for example, a use prohibition flag, an access prohibition flag, and a setup flag. Note that slot information does not have to be limited to the flags mentioned above.

The use prohibition flag is a flag that is set to prohibit the use of a slot 54S. When a use prohibition flag is set on an empty slot 54S that does not store a pallet 74, storing a pallet 74 in that slot 54S is prohibited. When a use prohibition flag is set on a slot 54S that stores a pallet 74, use of that pallet 74 is prohibited. For example, a use prohibition flag is set on a slot 54S that stores a pallet 74 to be used in the next production by advanced setup, to prevent the pallet from being mistakenly used in the current manufacturing of mounted boards. In addition, a use prohibition flag is set to ensure storage space for the pallet 74 that occupies multiple slots 54S. For example, if there is a slot 54S that stores a pallet 74 with a required number of slots of "2", a use prohibition flag is set on the slot 54S above it.

The access prohibition flag is a flag that is set to prevent the first pallet moving unit 51 and the second pallet moving unit 61 from performing competing tasks in the same slot 54S. The access prohibition flag is set and reset by the first parts supply unit control unit 14 or the parts stock device control unit 15. The first parts supply unit control unit 14 cannot allow the first pallet moving unit 51 to access a slot 54S for which the access prohibition flag has been set by the parts stock device control unit 15. Conversely, the parts stock device control unit 15 cannot allow the second pallet moving unit 61 to access a slot 54S for which the access prohibition flag has been set by the first parts supply unit control unit 14. In this way, the access prohibition flag is used to exclusively control the first pallet moving unit 51 and the second pallet moving unit 61.

The setup flag is a flag that indicates the slot 54S to be setup. For example, if the setup is for the current production, the setup flag is set for each feeder rack unit 54 (i.e., the first feeder rack unit 54A and the second feeder rack unit 54B) by the normal setup setting unit 17, and if the setup is for the advance setup for the next production, the setup flag is set for each slot 54S by the advance setup setting unit 16.

A specific example of feeder rack information will be explained using the first feeder rack information 241 shown in Figure 9 as an example. The first feeder rack section 54A has ten slots 54S, each of which is assigned a slot number "A1" to "A10". In the first feeder rack section 54A, pallets 74 are stored in each of the slot numbers "A1" to "A4", "A6", "A8", and "A10".

For example, the pallet 74 stored in slot number "A1" has part information of "ABC3", the initial number of parts is "100", the number of slots required is "1", the current number of parts loaded is "100", and the input time is "h:m:s". In addition, the use prohibition flag, access prohibition flag, and setup flag for slot 54S are all "0".

The pallet 74 stored in slot number "A6" has part information of "ABC1", an initial quantity of parts loaded of "48", a required number of slots of "2", a current quantity of "48", an insertion time of "h:m:s", and an empty/full flag of "0". Note that slot 54S, which is assigned slot number "A5", has a use prohibition flag set because the number of slots required for the pallet 74 stored in slot number "A6" is "2", and use of slot 54S (for example, storing a pallet 74 in slot number "A5") is prohibited.

The pallet 74 stored in slot number "A10" has part information of "NG parts", the initial number of parts loaded is "20", the number of slots required is "2", the current number is "0", and the insertion time is "h:m:s". Slot number "A10" has part information of "NG parts" and is a slot 54S for storing (collecting) NG parts. The slot 54S to which slot number "A9" is assigned has a required number of slots of "2" for the pallet 74 stored in slot number "A10", so a use prohibition flag is set and use of the slot 54S (for example, storing a pallet 74 in slot number "A9") is prohibited.

[Stock information]
Next, the first stock information 251, the second stock information 252, and the third stock information 253 will be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11. Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of the first stock information 251 and the second stock information 252. Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of the third stock information 253. The stock information is information relating to the storage position of the pallet 74 in the stock section STK, and is data in which the slot number and the pallet information are linked. The pallet information is the same as the pallet information included in the feeder rack information.

The first stock information 251 is data linking the slot numbers assigned to each slot 72 in the first stock unit STK1 with the pallet information stored in each slot 72. For example, the first stock information 251 shown in FIG. 11 links the slot numbers "S1" to "S10" of the first stock unit STK1 (magazine MG) with the pallet information of the pallets 74 stored therein.

The second stock information 252 is data linking the slot numbers assigned to each slot 72 in the second stock unit STK2 with the pallet information stored in each slot 72. For example, the second stock information 252 shown in FIG. 11 indicates the slot numbers "S11" to "S20" of the second stock unit STK2 (magazine MG) and the pallet information of the pallets 74 stored therein, with slot numbers "S11" to "S20" assigned to each of the ten slots 72 in this magazine.

The third stock information 253 is data linking the slot numbers assigned to each slot 72 in the third stock unit STK3 with the pallet information stored in each slot 72. For example, the third stock information 253 shown in FIG. 11 indicates pallet information for a pallet 74 stored in a magazine functioning as the third stock unit STK3, and slot number "S21" to slot number "S50" are assigned to each of the 30 slots 72 in this magazine.

[Pallet arrangement data]
Next, an example of the palette arrangement data 300 will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the palette arrangement data 300.

The pallet arrangement data 300 is information that stores arrangement data on a magazine code basis that associates one-to-one the slot number indicating the storage position of the pallet 74 in the magazine MG with the information on the pallet stored in the slot indicated by that slot number. In other words, the pallet arrangement data is information that manages the arrangement information of the pallet 74 in the magazine MG on a magazine basis. The pallet arrangement data is created in association with the preparatory work of setting the pallet in the magazine before the setup work (setup processing) is performed, and is stored in the memory unit. Note that the "pallet information" used in the pallet arrangement data includes at least information (e.g. part name) that identifies the tray parts stored in the tray 73 set on that pallet 74.

The pallet arrangement data 300 includes a "magazine code," a "supply position," and "pallet information." The "magazine code" is information about the magazine code 71 provided on the magazine MG, and is identification information for individually identifying the magazine. The "supply position" is information about the position of the magazine MG when it is inserted into the parts stock device 200, and is set with information from either the supply position code label LB1 or LB2. The "pallet information" is the same as the pallet information included in the feeder rack information and stock information.

The pallet arrangement data 300 is created before the magazine MG is inserted into the parts stock device 200, and is registered in the pallet arrangement data storage unit 32 of the upper system PC. When the pallet arrangement data 300 is created, the initial quantity is set as the initial value for the current quantity in the pallet information. If the pallet 74 is a pallet 74 for recovering defective parts, the current quantity is set to 0 (zero) as the initial value, the "insertion time" is set to no value (blank), and the "empty/full flag" is set to a reset state. If there is a slot 72 that does not contain a pallet 74, the "pallet information" for the slot number corresponding to that slot 72 is created with no value, and in the case of an empty magazine MG that does not contain a pallet 74, the "pallet information" for all slot numbers is created with no value.

[Tray feeder part supply operation]
Next, the tray feeder component supply operation will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing the tray feeder component supply operation in the component mounting system 100. The tray feeder component supply operation is executed by the first component supply unit control unit 14, and executes component supply based on a component request (command) from the mounting control unit 12.

The first component supply control unit 14 determines whether or not there is a component request from the mounting control unit 12 (S101).

If the first component supply control unit 14 determines in the process of step S101 that there is no component request from the mounting control unit 12 (S101, NO), it executes the process of step S101 again.

When the first component supply unit control unit 14 determines in the processing of step S101 that there is a request for a component from the mounting control unit 12 (S101, YES), it refers to the feeder rack information storage unit 24 to confirm the slot 54S in which the requested component is stored and the remaining amount of this component (i.e., the current quantity) (S102), and determines whether the requested component can be supplied (S103).

If the first component supply unit control unit 14 determines in the processing of step S103 that the requested component is stored in the feeder rack unit 54 and that there is a component remaining (current quantity ≠ 0 (zero)), it determines that the requested component can be supplied (S103, YES) and determines the slot 54S to be accessed (S104). Note that the slot 54S to be accessed here is the slot 54S that contains the component (pallet 74) that has been determined to be supplyable.

In addition, when there are multiple pallets 74 containing the same parts, the first component supply unit control unit 14 determines the slot 54S containing the pallet 74 with the smallest current quantity (remaining amount of parts) as the slot 54S to be accessed. When the remaining amounts of parts (current quantities) are the same, the first component supply unit control unit 14 determines the slot 54S containing the pallet 74 with the oldest insertion time (i.e., the longest elapsed time since insertion) as the slot 54S to be accessed. When the insertion times are the same, the first component supply unit control unit 14 determines the slot 54S containing the pallet 74 that will take the shortest time for the part supply process by the first pallet movement unit 51 as the slot 54S to be accessed.

It goes without saying that the above-mentioned priority order for determining the slot 54S to be accessed is merely an example and is not limiting. Furthermore, the priority order may be set by the operator.

On the other hand, if the first component supply unit control unit 14 determines in the process of step S103 that the requested part is not stored in the feeder rack unit 54 or that there is no part remaining (current quantity = 0 (zero)), it determines that the requested part cannot be supplied (S103, NO) and returns to the process of step S102 again, waiting until the pallet 74 containing the requested part is replenished in the feeder rack unit 54 (repeating steps S102 and S103). The first component supply unit control unit 14 may notify the worker of the out-of-stock of the requested part by generating a notification to that effect and displaying it on the display/input panel MN or sending it to the mobile terminal MT (S111).

The first component supply unit control unit 14 refers to the feeder rack information storage unit 24 to determine whether the slot 54S determined as the access destination is accessible (S105).

If, in the process of step S105, the first component supply unit control unit 14 determines that the slot 54S determined as the access destination has an access prohibition flag set and is not accessible (S105, NO), the first component supply unit control unit 14 returns to the process of step S105 again and prohibits the second pallet movement unit 61 from accessing the slot 54S determined as the access destination until the access prohibition flag of the slot 54S determined as the access destination is reset.

When the first component supply unit control unit 14 determines in the process of step S105 that the slot 54S determined as the access destination has not been set with an access prohibition flag and is accessible (S105, YES), it sets an access prohibition flag to the slot 54S determined as the access destination (S106). As a result, the first component supply unit control unit 14 prohibits the second pallet moving unit 61 from accessing that slot. This prevents the first pallet moving unit 51 and the second pallet moving unit 61 from competing for the same slot 54S. In other words, this prevents a pallet transport competition in which, while the first pallet moving unit 51 is positioning a pallet 74 at the component removal position 55, the second pallet moving unit 61 carries in another pallet 74 into the slot 54S that has been emptied after the pallet 74 was removed.

The first component supply unit control unit 14 controls the first pallet movement unit 51 to pull out the pallet 74 stored in the slot 54S determined as the access destination and move it to the component removal position 55 (S107).

The first component supply unit control unit 14 determines whether or not there is a pallet return command (S108). Note that the pallet return command here is a command sent from the mounting control unit 12, and is sent to the first component supply unit control unit 14 when the component supplied to the component removal position 55 by the mounting head 41 is removed.

In the processing of step S108, the first component supply unit control unit 14 waits until a pallet return command is received (S108, NO).

If the first component supply unit control unit 14 determines in the processing of step S108 that there is a pallet return command (S108, YES), it controls the first pallet moving unit 51 to move the pallet 74 at the component removal position 55 to the original slot 54S (S109).

After the first pallet moving unit 51 stores the pallet 74 in the original slot 54S, the first component supply unit control unit 14 resets the access prohibition flag set for this slot 54S (S110). The first component supply unit control unit 14 returns to the process of step S101 again and waits until it receives the next component request from the mounting control unit 12.

[Processing by Parts Stock Device Control Unit (Main Routine)]
Next, the process (main routine) performed by the parts stock device control unit 15 will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a flow chart showing the process (main routine) performed by the parts stock device control unit 15.

The parts stock device control unit 15 determines whether or not a priority process has been entered by the operator (S201).

When the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in the process of step S201 that there is priority processing (S201, YES), it executes the processing instructed (input) as priority processing (S300). Examples of priority processing include processing to recover a specific pallet 74 and processing to be executed urgently. The contents of the priority processing instruction are stored in the memory unit 21 by the control unit 11, and the parts stock device control unit 15 refers to the memory unit 21 to confirm the presence or absence of priority processing.

On the other hand, when the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in the processing of step S201 that there is no priority processing (S201, NO), it determines whether there is a pallet 74 that needs to be replenished in the feeder rack unit 54 (S202, S203). The parts stock device control unit 15 searches for parts that are completely out of stock in the feeder rack unit 54 among the parts requested in the tray parts arrangement data 222 of the production data 221 (S202), and determines whether there is a pallet 74 (parts) that needs to be replenished in the feeder rack unit 54 (S203). The search by the parts stock device control unit 15 is performed by referring to the production data 221 and the first feeder rack information 241 and the second feeder rack information 242 of the feeder rack information storage unit 24. Then, if a part is found by the search that meets either of the following patterns: (1) there is no pallet 74 storing the part requested in the tray part arrangement data 222 in the slot 54S of the feeder rack section 54 specified in the tray part arrangement data 222, or (2) all pallets 74 stored in the feeder rack section 54 to supply the part have a "current quantity" of 0 (zero) or an "empty/full flag" set, then the pallet 74 identified from the part information of that part is determined to be a pallet 74 that needs to be replenished. In addition, with regard to a pallet 74 for collecting defective parts, (3) if all pallets 74 for collecting defective parts stored in the feeder rack section 54 have an "empty/full flag" set, then that pallet 74 for collecting defective parts is determined to be a pallet that needs to be replenished.

If the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in the processing of step S203 that there is a pallet 74 (parts) in the feeder rack unit 54 that needs to be replenished (S203, YES), it executes the replenishment processing of the pallet 74 (parts) (S400).

On the other hand, when the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in the processing of step S203 that there is no pallet 74 (parts) in need of replenishment in the feeder rack unit 54 (S203, NO), it determines whether there is a setup operation in the feeder rack unit 54 (S204, S205). The parts stock device control unit 15 refers to the first feeder rack information 241 and the second feeder rack information 242 in the feeder rack information storage unit 24 to search for a setup-available slot 54S (S204), and determines whether there is a setup-available slot 54S (S205). The search for a setup-available slot 54S refers to the slot information included in the first feeder rack information 241 and the second feeder rack information 242. Then, it searches for a slot 54S for which the "setup flag" in the slot information is set.

If the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in the processing of step S205 that there is a slot 54S that can be set up (S205, YES), it executes the set-up process for this slot 54S (S500).

On the other hand, when the part stock device control unit 15 determines in the process of step S205 that there is no slot 54S that can be set up (S205, NO), it determines whether there is an unnecessary pallet that can be removed from the feeder rack unit 54 (S206, S207). The part stock device control unit 15 refers to the first feeder rack information 241 and the second feeder rack information 242 in the feeder rack information storage unit 24 to search for unnecessary pallets that can be removed (moved) among the pallets 74 stored in the feeder rack unit 54 (S206), and determines whether there is an unnecessary pallet that can be removed (S207). The part stock device control unit 15 performs a search by referring to the "current quantity" or "empty/full flag" contained in the first feeder rack information 241 or the second feeder rack information 242, and determines that a pallet 74 whose "current quantity" is 0 (zero) or whose "empty/full flag" is set is an unnecessary pallet that can be removed.

If the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in the processing of step S207 that there is an unnecessary pallet that can be removed in the feeder rack unit 54 (S207, YES), it executes an unnecessary pallet removal process to remove (move) the unnecessary pallet from the feeder rack unit 54 to the parts stock device 200 (S600).

On the other hand, if the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in the processing of step S207 that there are no unnecessary pallets that can be removed in the feeder rack unit 54 (S207, NO), it determines whether there are any movable pallets in the stock unit STK (S208, S209). The parts stock device control unit 15 searches for movable spare pallets or unnecessary pallets in the first stock unit STK1 to the third stock unit STK3 based on the first feeder rack information 241 and the second feeder rack information 242 in the feeder rack information storage unit 24 and the first stock information 251 to the third stock information 253 in the stock information storage unit 25 (S208). Based on the search results, the parts stock device control unit 15 determines whether there are spare pallets or unnecessary pallets that should be moved if there is a corresponding pallet (S209).

If the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in the processing of step S209 that there is a spare pallet that needs to be moved (S209, YES), it executes a spare pallet etc. movement process to move this spare pallet (S700).

On the other hand, if the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in the processing of step S209 that there is no spare pallet to be moved (S209, NO), it returns to the processing of step S201 again.

[Replenishment process (step S400)]
Next, the supply process (step S400) of the pallets 74 will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing the supply process in the component mounting system 100.

The parts stock device control unit 15 determines, from the search results of step S202, the part name of the part to be supplied to the feeder rack unit 54 and the slot 54S into which this part will be supplied (stored) (S401).

The parts stock device control unit 15 refers to the first stock information 251 to the third stock information 253 (stock information) stored in the stock information storage unit 25 to search for a spare pallet that stores a part with the same part name as the part name determined to be the part to be replenished in step S401 (S402). Specifically, it searches for a pallet 74 that has part information including the part name contained in the part information. Based on the search results, the parts stock device control unit 15 determines whether there is a spare pallet that stores a part with the same part name as the part to be replenished (S403).

If the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in the processing of step S403 that there is a spare pallet that contains a part with the same part name as the part to be replenished (S403, YES), it sets one of the spare pallets as the replenishment pallet (S404).

If the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in the processing of step S403 that there are multiple spare pallets, it may set the spare pallet with the least remaining parts (current quantity) as the supply pallet, or it may set the spare pallet with the oldest insertion time (i.e., the longest elapsed time since insertion) as the supply pallet, or it may set the spare pallet requiring the shortest time for the supply process as the supply pallet.

On the other hand, if the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in the processing of step S403 that there is no spare pallet containing a part with the same part name as the part to be replenished (S403, NO), it generates a notification to notify the worker that the part to be replenished is out of stock, displays the notification on the display/input panel MN or sends it to the mobile terminal MT, thereby notifying the worker that the part is out of stock (S405), and ends the replenishment processing shown in step S400.

The parts stock device control unit 15 determines whether the destination slot 54S is empty (S406). Note that the "destination slot" here refers to the slot 54S of the feeder rack unit 54, which is the slot 54S that stores the "pallet that needs to be replenished" determined in steps S202 and S203. Also, "empty" refers to the fact that no pallet 74 is stored in the destination slot 54S.

If the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in the process of step S406 that the supply destination slot 54S is empty (S406, YES), it sets the slot 54S in which the supply pallet is stored as the departure slot and sets the supply destination slot 54S as the arrival slot (S407). The parts stock device control unit 15 executes a pallet movement process to move the spare pallet set as the supply pallet from the departure slot to the arrival slot (S800).

On the other hand, if the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in the processing of step S406 that the supply destination slot 54S is not empty (S406, NO), it refers to the first stock information 251 to the third stock information 253 to search for an empty slot in the stock unit STK (S408) and determines whether or not there is an empty slot (S409).

When the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in the processing of step S409 that there is an empty slot in the parts stock device 200 (S409, YES), it determines one of the empty slots 72 as the slot 54S to which the unnecessary pallet stored in the slot 54S to which the supply pallet is to be moved (collected) (S410).

The parts stock device control unit 15 sets the slot 54S, which is the destination of the supply pallet and in which the unnecessary pallet is stored, as the departure slot, and sets the empty slot as the arrival slot (S411). The parts stock device control unit 15 executes a pallet movement process to move the unnecessary pallet from the departure slot to the arrival slot (S800).

When the parts stock device control unit 15 determines that there are multiple empty slots in the parts stock device 200, it may preferentially determine an empty slot in a magazine (the first stock unit STK1 or the second stock unit STK2) that can be removed by an operator as the slot 72 to which the resupply pallet is to be moved. This allows the parts stock device control unit 15 to more efficiently remove unnecessary pallets from the parts stock device 200.

On the other hand, if the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in the processing of step S409 that there are no free slots in the parts stock device 200 (S409, NO), it ends the supply processing shown in step S400.

[Palette Movement Process (Step S800)]
Next, the movement process (step S800) of the pallet 74 will be described with reference to Fig. 16. Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing the pallet movement process in the component mounting system 100.

The parts stock device control unit 15 references the pallet information of the pallet 74 to be moved, and the departure slot and arrival slot information (S801). The departure slot information is the slot number of the slot in which the pallet 74 to be moved is stored, and the arrival slot information is the slot number of the destination slot of the pallet 74 to be moved. Furthermore, if the departure slot or arrival slot is slot 54S of the feeder rack unit 54, the slot information of the first feeder rack information 241 and the second feeder rack information 242 are also referenced.

The parts stock device control unit 15 determines whether the pallet 74 to be moved can be stored in the arrival slot (S802). The parts stock device control unit 15 determines whether the pallet 74 can be moved based on the "number of required slots" included in the pallet information referenced in step S801 and whether there are "required number of slots" of free slots above the arrival slot. If the "number of required slots" is "1", it is determined that the pallet can be moved, but if the "number of required slots" is "n" (n is an integer of 2 or more), the pallet can be moved if there are "n-1" consecutive free slots above the arrival slot, but if there are not that many free slots, it is determined that the pallet cannot be moved. The parts stock device control unit 15 references the first feeder rack information 241 and the second feeder rack information 242 to check whether there is pallet information for the slot number of the relevant slot. Then, the slot without pallet information is treated as a free slot and the determination of step S802 is performed.

If the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in step S802 that the pallet 74 to be moved can be stored in the arrival slot (S802, YES), it determines whether the departure slot or the arrival slot is slot 54S of the feeder rack unit 54 (S803).

On the other hand, if the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in step S802 that the pallet 74 to be moved cannot be stored in the arrival slot (S802, NO), it ends the pallet movement process shown in step S800.

In step S803, the parts stock device control unit 15 determines whether the departure slot or arrival slot is slot 54S of the feeder rack unit 54. If the departure slot or arrival slot is slot 54S of the feeder rack unit 54, it is necessary to determine whether there is a conflict with the first pallet moving unit 51 at the departure slot or arrival slot, but there is no conflict when moving pallets between slots 72 of the stock unit STK. Therefore, if the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in step S803 that the departure slot or arrival slot is not slot 54S of the feeder rack unit 54 (S803, NO), it moves the pallet 74 stored in the departure slot to the arrival slot by the second pallet moving unit 61 (S805).

On the other hand, if the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in step S803 that the slot is a slot 54S of the feeder rack unit 54 (S803, YES), it determines whether or not the slot 54S of the feeder rack unit 54 that is set as the departure slot or arrival slot is accessible (S804). To determine whether or not the slot is accessible, the access prohibition flag of the slot information referenced in step S801 is checked, and if the access prohibition flag is set, it is determined that access is prohibited, and if not, it is determined that access is permitted.

If the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in step S804 that the slot 54S of the feeder rack unit 54 set as the departure slot or arrival slot is accessible (S804, YES), it sets an access prohibition flag for this slot 54S (S806). This prohibits the second pallet moving unit 61 from accessing the arrival slot.

On the other hand, if the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in step S804 that the slot 54S of the feeder rack unit 54 set as the departure slot or arrival slot is not accessible (S804, NO), the process returns to step S804 and waits until the access prohibition flag is reset by the first parts supply unit control unit 14.

The parts stock device control unit 15 controls the second pallet moving unit 61 to move the pallet 74 stored in the departure slot to the arrival slot (S807). After the second pallet moving unit 61 has stored the pallet 74 in the arrival slot, the parts stock device control unit 15 resets the access prohibition flag (S808). This allows the second pallet moving unit 61 to access the arrival slot.

Based on the movement of the pallet 74 (parts), the parts stock device control unit 15 updates various information (pallet information, slot information, etc.) corresponding to the slots 54S, 72 set as the departure slot and arrival slot among the first stock information 251 to the third stock information 253 or the first feeder rack information 241 to the second feeder rack information 242 (S809). Specifically, a process is performed to associate the pallet information linked to the pallet from the slot number of the departure slot to the slot number of the arrival slot. As a result, the first stock information 251 to the third stock information 253 and the first feeder rack information 241 to the second feeder rack information 242 are updated, and the pallet information also moves virtually in accordance with the physical movement of the pallet 74.

[Setup process (step S500)]
Next, the setup process (step S500) will be described with reference to Figs. 17 and 18. Figs. 17 and 18 are flowcharts showing the setup process in the component mounting system 100. The setup process (step S500) is a process performed on the slots 54S for which the setup flag has been set in steps S203 and S204. The setup flag is set by the normal setup setting unit 17 or the advanced setup setting unit 16 before the normal setup or advanced setup. The component stock device control unit 15 refers to the tray component arrangement data 232 stored in the reservation information storage unit 23 to perform advanced setup (movement of the pallet 74), or refers to the tray component arrangement data 222 stored in the production information storage unit 22 to perform normal setup (movement of the pallet 74).

The component stock device control unit 15 sets one of the slots 54S for which the setup flag is set by the advance setup setting unit 16 or the normal setup setting unit 17 as the target slot based on the first feeder rack information 241 and the second feeder rack information 242 (S501). The component stock device control unit 15 judges whether the setup to be executed is an advance setup or not (S502). If the production of the mounting board has not yet started and the production information storage unit 22 stores the production data 221 (tray component arrangement data 222), the component stock device control unit 15 judges that the setup is for a normal setup. If the mounting board is being produced and the reservation information storage unit 23 stores the production data 231 (tray component arrangement data 232), the component stock device control unit 15 judges that the setup is for an advance setup. Note that this judgment method is one example, and the judgment may be made using information such as a flag.

When the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in the processing of step S502 that it is an advance setup (S502, YES), it acquires the tray parts arrangement data 232 stored in the reservation information storage unit 23 and indicating the arrangement of parts in the feeder rack unit 54 at the time of advance setup (S503). The parts stock device control unit 15 acquires the part name of the part to be arranged in the slot 54S that is assigned the same slot number as the focused slot at the time of advance setup, and sets this as the "reference part name" (S503). Note that if there is no part name for the same slot number as the focused slot in the tray parts arrangement data 232, the "reference part name" is left blank (empty). The absence of a part name in the tray parts arrangement data 232 is a setup instruction to make the slot with that slot number an empty slot.

On the other hand, if the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in the processing of step S502 that the setup is not advanced setup but normal setup (S502, NO), it acquires the tray parts arrangement data 222 stored in the production information storage unit 22 and indicating the arrangement of parts in the feeder rack unit 54 at the time of setup (S504). The parts stock device control unit 15 acquires the part name of the part to be arranged in the slot 54S that is assigned the same slot number as the focused slot at the time of setup, and sets this as the "reference part name" (S504). Note that if there is no part name for the same slot number as the focused slot in the tray parts arrangement data 222, the "reference part name" is left blank (empty). The absence of a part name in the tray parts arrangement data 222 is a setup instruction to make the slot with that slot number an empty slot.

The parts stock device control unit 15 acquires the parts information of the pallet information linked to the same slot number as the focused slot, and sets the part name included in the parts information to the "part name for setup determination" (S505). If there is no pallet information linked to the same slot number as the focused slot, the part name for setup determination is left blank. A blank part name for setup determination means that no pallet is stored in the feeder rack unit 54 in the slot number that is the same as the focused slot.

The parts stock device control unit 15 executes a setup operation determination process (steps S506 to S509). In the setup operation determination process, the setup instruction for the target slot of the feeder rack unit 54 is compared with the actual state of the target slot to determine the pallet movement operation to be performed by the second pallet movement unit 61. If the current state of the target slot is the same as the setup instruction, the parts stock device control unit 15 determines that setup is complete and does not instruct the second pallet movement unit 61 to move the pallet (branching to balloon C in FIG. 17). If the target slot is an empty slot and a reference part name is specified in the setup instruction, the parts stock device control unit 15 causes the second pallet movement unit 61 to perform a pallet movement operation to take out the pallet 74 specified by the reference part name from the stock unit STK and transport it to the target slot (branching to balloon A in FIG. 17). If the target slot is capable of holding a pallet 74 with a part name different from the reference part name specified in the setup instruction, the part stock device control unit 15 causes the second pallet movement unit 61 to perform a pallet movement operation to remove the pallet 74 with the different part name from the target slot of the feeder rack unit 54 and transport it to an empty slot in the stock unit STK (branching to balloon B in Figure 17).

The parts stock device control unit 15 checks the reference part name set in step S503 or step S504 (S506). If the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in the processing of step S506 that a reference part name exists (S506, YES), it further determines whether there is a part name for setup judgment (S507).

If the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in the process of step S507 that there is no part name for setup determination (S507, YES), it determines that the target slot is an empty slot in the feeder rack unit 54 that does not contain a part (pallet 74) (branching to balloon A), and proceeds to a process of moving a spare pallet (parts) that holds a part with the same part name as the part name for setup determination to this empty slot.

On the other hand, if the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in the processing of step S507 that a part name for setup judgment is present (S507, NO), it further determines whether the part name for judgment matches the reference part name (S508).

When the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in the processing of step S508 that the judgment part name and the reference part name match (S508, YES), it determines that the setup of this target slot is complete (branching to balloon C). The parts stock device control unit 15 registers the slot 54S corresponding to the target slot as a setup-completed or setup-completed slot 54S, and resets the setup flag and sets the use prohibition flag in the slot information of this slot 54S (S513). Note that the use prohibition flag is reset after setup and before production starts.

On the other hand, if the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in the processing of step S508 that the judgment part name and the reference part name do not match (S508, YES), it determines that the part (pallet 74) stored in the target slot is an unnecessary pallet (branching to balloon B). The parts stock device control unit 15 proceeds to a process of moving the unnecessary pallet stored in the target slot of the feeder rack unit 54 to an empty slot of the parts stock device 200.

If the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in the processing of step S506 that there is no reference part name (S506, NO), it further determines whether there is a part name for setup judgment (S509).

When the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in the processing of step S509 that there is a part name for setup judgment (S509, YES), it determines that the part (pallet 74) stored in the target slot is an unnecessary pallet (branching to balloon B). The parts stock device control unit 15 proceeds to a process of moving the unnecessary pallet stored in the target slot of the feeder rack unit 54 to an empty slot of the parts stock device 200.

On the other hand, if the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in the processing of step S509 that there is no part name for setup judgment (S509, NO), it determines that the target slot is an empty slot (branching to balloon C). In other words, it determines that the state of the target slot is the same as the contents of the setup instruction. The parts stock device control unit 15 registers the slot 54S corresponding to the target slot as a pre-setup completed or setup completed slot 54S, and resets the setup flag and sets the use prohibition flag in the slot information of this slot 54S (S513).

Next, we will explain the process of moving a spare pallet (part) to a target slot that is an empty slot (steps S510 to S513, step S800).

The parts stock device control unit 15 searches for a pallet 74 (i.e., a spare pallet) that contains a part having the same part name as the reference part name based on each of the first stock information 251 to third stock information 253 (S511).

If the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in step S511 that there is a spare pallet in the parts stock device 200 (S511, YES), it sets the slot 72 in which the spare pallet is stored as the departure slot, and the slot 54S set as the target slot as the arrival slot (S512), and proceeds to the pallet movement process (step S800).

If the search in step S510 matches multiple spare pallets, the parts stock device control unit 15 selects the pallet 74 in the following order of priority: the pallet 74 with the smallest current quantity (remaining number of parts); if there are multiple pallets with the same current quantity, the pallet 74 with the oldest insertion time (i.e., the longest time since insertion); if both the current quantity and insertion time are the same, the pallet 74 with the shortest time required for the pallet movement process or the shortest distance traveled by the pallet, and sets the slot 72 that stores that pallet 74 as the starting slot.

After executing the pallet movement process (step S800), the parts stock device control unit 15 registers the slot 54S corresponding to the target slot as a pre-prepared or pre-prepared slot 54S, and resets the pre-preparation flag and sets the prohibition flag in the slot information for this slot 54S (S513).

On the other hand, if the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in the processing of step S511 that there is no spare pallet in the parts stock device 200 (S511, NO), it ends the setup processing (step S500) shown in FIG. 18.

Next, we will explain the process of moving an unnecessary pallet stored in a target slot of the feeder rack section 54 to an empty slot of the parts stock device 200 (steps S514 to S517, step S800).

The parts stock device control unit 15 searches for an empty slot in the parts stock device 200 that does not contain a pallet 74 (parts) based on each of the first stock information 251 to the third stock information 253 (examples of stock information) (S514). The parts stock device control unit 15 determines whether there is an empty slot in the parts stock device 200 (S515).

If the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in the processing of step S515 that there is an empty slot in the parts stock device 200 (S515, YES), it determines which slot 72 should be the destination for the pallet 74 stored in the target slot among the empty slots (S516).

Here, the parts stock device control unit 15 determines with priority an empty slot in the magazine MG of the first stock unit STK1 or the second stock unit STK2 as the destination for the pallet 74 stored in the target slot. This allows the parts stock device control unit 15 to arrange the pallet 74 stored in the target slot and determined to be an unnecessary pallet so that it is preferentially removed from the parts stock device 200.

On the other hand, if the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in the processing of step S515 that there is no free slot in the parts stock device 200 (S515, NO), it ends the setup process (step S500) shown in FIG. 18.

The parts stock device control unit 15 sets the slot 54S set as the target slot as the departure slot, and the empty slot determined as the destination of the unnecessary pallet as the arrival slot (S517), and proceeds to the pallet movement process (step S800). After completing the pallet movement process (step S800), the parts stock device control unit 15 ends the setup process (step S500) shown in FIG. 18.

[Unnecessary palette removal process (step S600)]
Next, the unnecessary pallet removal process (step S600) will be described with reference to Fig. 19. Fig. 19 is a flowchart showing the unnecessary pallet removal process. The unnecessary pallet removal process in step S600 targets unnecessary pallets that remain without being moved from the feeder rack section 54 during the supply process (step S400) or the setup process (step S500).

The parts stock device control unit 15 sets one of the slots 54S in the feeder rack unit 54 in which unnecessary pallets are stored as the target slot (S601).

The parts stock device control unit 15 searches for an empty slot 72 that does not contain a pallet 74 (parts) within the parts stock device 200 based on each of the first stock information 251 to third stock information 253 (examples of stock information) (S602), and determines whether or not there is an empty slot (S603).

When the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in the process of step S603 that there is an empty slot in the parts stock device 200 (S603, YES), it determines the slot 72 to which the pallet 74 stored in the target slot among the empty slots should be moved (S604). Here, the parts stock device control unit 15 preferentially determines the empty slot of the magazine MG of the first stock unit STK1 or the second stock unit STK2 as the target slot. In this embodiment, the slot 72 of the magazine MG of the first stock unit STK1 or the magazine MG of the second stock unit STK2, whichever contains the fewer spare pallets, is determined as the destination. This makes it possible to collect unnecessary pallets in a single magazine MG and increase the efficiency of the removal work from the parts stock device 200.

On the other hand, if the parts stock device control unit 15 determines in the processing of step S603 that there are no free slots in the parts stock device 200 (S603, NO), it ends the unnecessary pallet removal processing (step S600) shown in FIG. 19.

The parts stock device control unit 15 sets the slot 54S set as the target slot as the departure slot, and the empty slot determined as the destination of the unnecessary pallet as the arrival slot (S605), and proceeds to the pallet movement process (step S800) shown in FIG. 16. After completing the pallet movement process (step S800), the parts stock device control unit 15 ends the unnecessary pallet removal process (step S600).

[Spare pallet, etc. movement process (step S700)]
Next, the spare pallet moving process (step S700) will be described with reference to Fig. 20. Fig. 20 is a flow chart showing the spare pallet moving process. The spare pallet etc. moving process in step S700 targets spare pallets that were not targeted for movement in the stock section replenishment process (step S400) or the setup process (step S500), and unnecessary pallets stored in the third stock section.

The parts stock device control unit 15 selects spare pallets and unnecessary pallets with a high priority for movement and the slot to which they should be moved based on the first feeder rack information 241 and the second feeder rack information 242 (examples of feeder rack information) and each of the first stock unit STK1 to the third stock unit STK3 (examples of stock information) (S701).

Here, the priority of the pallets 74 will be explained. The pallet 74 with the highest priority is a spare pallet that can be moved to an empty slot 54S of the feeder rack section 54. If multiple spare pallets are applicable, the pallet with the largest current quantity and the pallet with the next oldest input time are selected. The pallet 74 with the second highest priority is an unnecessary pallet stored in the third stock section STK3 that can be moved to an empty slot 72 of the first stock section STK1 (magazine MG) or the second stock section STK2 (magazine MG). The pallet 74 with the third highest priority is a spare pallet stored in the first stock section STK1 (magazine MG) or the second stock section STK2 (magazine MG) that can be moved to an empty slot 72 of the third stock section STK3. Note that the above-mentioned priorities are merely examples and are not limited to these.

The parts stock device control unit 15 sets the slot 72 in which the spare pallet or unnecessary pallet selected according to the above-mentioned priority is stored as the departure slot, and sets the slot 54S or slot 72 selected as the destination of the pallet as the arrival slot (S702).

The parts stock device control unit 15 proceeds to the pallet movement process (step S800) shown in FIG. 16. After completing the pallet movement process (step S800), the parts stock device control unit 15 ends the spare pallet, etc. movement process (step S700).

The following describes in detail the series of operations of normal setup, production, and advanced setup executed by the parts stock device 200 and the first parts supply unit TF1 with reference to Figures 21 to 31. Note that the following explanation will be given as an example in which "production A" is performed first, and then "production B" is performed after "production A" is completed.

[Normal setup]
First, the operation of the component stock device 200 during normal setup will be described with reference to Figures 21 to 23. Figure 21 is a diagram for explaining setup procedure example 1 of the component stock device 200. Figure 22 is a diagram for explaining setup procedure example 2 of the component stock device 200. Figure 23 is a diagram for explaining setup procedure example 3 of the component stock device 200.

The parts stock device 200 shown in FIG. 21 is before production of "Production A" and before setup, with no parts (pallets 74) stored in the third stock unit STK3 and no magazines stored in the first stock unit STK1 and second stock unit STK2. Similarly, the first parts supply unit TF1 is before production of "Production A" and before setup, with no parts (pallets 74) stored in the feeder rack unit 54.

The host system PC stores "production data A" used in "production A" in the production data storage unit 33. The host system PC also stores pallet arrangement data 300 (Figure 12) for magazines MG1 and MG2 that are normally inserted for setup in the pallet arrangement data storage unit 32.

The control unit 11 of the component mounting device CM stores the "production data A" downloaded (transmitted) from the upper system PC in the production information storage unit 22. The normal setup setting unit 17 refers to the "tray component arrangement data A" included in the "production data A" and sets setup flags in the slot information of the first feeder rack information 241 and the second feeder rack information 242 used in "production A" based on the component arrangement arranged in each slot 54S of the feeder rack unit 54 of the first component supply unit TF1.

Following instructions from the work support section of the host system PC, the worker inserts magazines MG1 and MG2, which contain parts (pallets 74) to be used in "production A," into the parts stock device 200 according to a prescribed magazine insertion procedure (Figure 21). The worker has the portable terminal MT read the magazine code 71 of magazine MG1 and the supply position code label LB1 of the first door DR1 through which magazine MG1 is inserted. The portable terminal MT transmits the read magazine code 71 and supply position code label LB1 to the host system PC. The worker then operates operation button 62A to unlock the first door DR1, opens the first door DR1, and inserts magazine MG1. Magazine MG2 is also inserted using a similar procedure.

When magazines MG1 and MG2 are inserted according to the magazine insertion procedure described above, the upper system PC acquires the magazine codes 71 of magazines MG1 and MG2 sent from the mobile terminal MT via the access point AP, and updates the pallet arrangement data of magazines MG1 and MG2 by adding the supply position. The updated pallet arrangement data of magazines MG1 and MG2 is then sent to the component mounting device CM. The component mounting device CM stores the pallet arrangement data of magazine MG1, whose supply position is the supply position code label LB1, in the stock information storage unit 25 as first stock information 251, and stores the pallet arrangement data of magazine MG2, whose supply position is the supply position code label LB2, in the stock information storage unit 25 as second stock information 252.

The parts stock device control unit 15 moves the pallets 74A stored in the first stock unit STK1 and the second stock unit STK2 to the slots 54SA of the first feeder rack unit 54A or the second feeder rack unit 54B of the feeder rack unit 54 based on the first stock information 251, the second stock information 252, and the "tray parts arrangement data A" (broken line arrow (a)). As a result, the pallets 74A are stored in the slots 54SA specified by the tray parts arrangement data A. The pallet information of the first stock information 251 and the second stock information 252 stored in the stock information storage unit 25 is moved to the feeder rack information storage unit 24 along with the movement of the pallets. When the mounting control unit 12 receives a production start command with all the setup flags of the first feeder rack information 241 and the second feeder rack information 242 reset, it starts "production A" based on the production program A.

When the tray parts arrangement data 222 is stored in the production information storage unit 22, the first feeder rack information 241 and the second feeder rack information 242 are stored in the feeder rack information storage unit 24, and the loading of magazines MG1 and MG2 is completed, normal setup by the parts stock device 200 begins. Figure 22 shows how the parts stock device 200 moves and stores a pallet 74 containing parts to be used in "production A" to the first parts supply unit TF1 based on "tray parts arrangement data A". The parts stock device control unit 15 repeats the setup process of steps S204 → step S205 → step S500 of the main routine shown in Figure 14, causing the second pallet movement unit 61 to perform setup work.

[Production and parts supply during production]
Next, the transport operation of the pallet 74 during production executed by the parts stock device 200 and the first parts supply unit TF1 will be described with reference to Figures 23 to 27. Figure 23 is a diagram showing the parts stock device 200 immediately after the start of production of "production A", and Figures 24 and 25 are diagrams explaining the operation of replenishing parts to the first parts supply unit TF1 by the parts stock device 200. Figures 26 and 27 are diagrams explaining the transport operation of unnecessary pallets in the parts stock device 200.

The first component supply unit control unit 14 moves the pallets 74 stored in each of the first feeder rack unit 54A and the second feeder rack unit 54B to the component removal position 55 and supplies the components (pallets 74) to the component mounting unit CM1. When the component mounting unit CM1 starts producing mounted boards, some pallets 74 will be out of stock as the components in the first component supply unit TF1 have been consumed, so an operator will replenish the component stock device 200 with spare pallets for replenishing magazines. The magazines MG2 are left in the second stock unit STK2 to collect unnecessary pallets that have been generated.

The worker replaces the empty magazine MG1 with magazine MG3, which contains the parts (refill pallet 74B) to be used in "production A," to replenish the pallet. When doing so, the worker uses the portable terminal MT to read the magazine code 71 and refill position code label LB1 of magazine MG3 according to a predetermined magazine insertion procedure, and sends them to the upper system PC.

The upper system PC acquires the supply position code label LB1, which is the insertion position of the magazine MG3, updates the pallet arrangement data of the magazine MG3, and transmits it to the component mounting device CM. The component mounting device CM stores the pallet arrangement data of the magazine MG3 in the first feeder rack information 241 of the feeder rack information storage unit 24.

The parts stock device control unit 15 refers to the first stock information 251, the second stock information 252, the third stock information 253, the first feeder rack information 241, and the second feeder rack information 242, and when the parts on the pallet 7 of the feeder rack unit 54 are not out of stock, the parts stock device control unit 15 moves the refill pallet 74B refilled by the magazine MG3 in the first stock unit STK1 to the third stock unit STK3 as a spare pallet (dashed arrow (b) in FIG. 24). The parts stock device control unit 15 repeats the spare pallet etc. movement process of steps S208 → S209 → S500 of the main routine shown in FIG. 14, and moves the spare pallet (refill pallet 74B) by the second pallet movement unit 61.

The first component supply unit TF1 shown in FIG. 25 shows the state in which an unnecessary pallet 74C that has been used by the component mounting unit CM1 for "production A" and has a remaining quantity of components of 0 (zero) is being collected (stored) in the second feeder rack unit 54B.

Based on the first feeder rack information 241 and the second feeder rack information 242, the parts stock device control unit 15 removes (collects) the unnecessary pallet 74C from the second feeder rack unit 54B and moves it to the second stock unit STK2 for storage (dashed arrow (c) in FIG. 25). The parts stock device control unit 15 then selects a pallet that contains the same parts as the parts to be replenished from the spare pallet (replenishment pallet 74B) of the third stock unit STK3 as the replenishment pallet 74B2, and moves the replenishment pallet 74B2 to the slot 54SC after the unnecessary pallet 74C was removed. This supplies parts (replenishment pallet 74B2) to the first parts supply unit TF1.

When the number of times parts are replenished to the first parts supply unit TF1 increases, the magazine MG2 becomes full with the collected unnecessary pallets 74C. The magazine full determination unit 19 refers to the second stock information 252 to determine that the magazine MG2 is full, and notifies the worker via a mobile terminal MT or the like.

The worker who recognizes the notification removes magazine MG2 from the part stock device 200. The worker reads the magazine code 71 and supply position code label LB2 of magazine MG5, and inserts magazine MG5 through the second door DR2. As a result, the pallet arrangement data of magazine MG5 is sent from the upper system PC to the part mounting unit CM1, and is saved as the second stock information 252 in the stock information storage unit 25. Note that unnecessary pallets 74D that are generated after magazine MG2 becomes full are temporarily stored in the third stock unit STK3 (Figure 26).

Figure 27 shows the operation of moving unnecessary pallets 74D and 74E. The parts stock device 200 executes a recovery operation to move unnecessary pallets 74D that have not been moved (recovered) to magazine MG2 because magazine MG2 is full, and unnecessary pallets 74E on which the current number of parts has become zero to magazine MG5. Unnecessary pallets 74E are not subject to the supply process because another pallet containing the same parts as those supplied on unnecessary pallets 74E is stored in the stock section STK. Therefore, unnecessary pallets are recovered to magazine MG5 by the unnecessary pallet moving process of steps S206 → S207 → S600 of the main routine shown in Figure 14 (see dashed arrow (e)). On the other hand, unnecessary pallets 74D stored in the third stock section STK3 are recovered to magazine MG5 by the spare pallet, etc. moving process of steps S208 → S209 → S700 of the main routine (see dashed arrow (f)).

[Pre-planning]
Next, the advance setup executed by the parts stock device 200 will be described with reference to Figures 28 to 30. Figures 28 to 30 are explanatory diagrams of the advance setup operation by the parts stock device.

In FIG. 28, as the component mounting device CM nears the end of "Production A," the host system PC starts advance preparations for "Production B," which will be produced after "Production A."

The upper system PC transmits the "production data B" stored in the production data storage unit 33 and used in the next "production B" to the component mounting device CM.

The control unit 11 of the component mounting device CM stores the "production data B" transmitted from the upper system PC in the reservation information storage unit 23. The advance setup setting unit 16 refers to the "tray component arrangement data B" included in the "production data B" and the "tray component arrangement data A" included in the "production data A" currently being used in the "production A" to set (prepare) the advance setup. The advance setup is set first by the advance setup slot determination unit 161. The advance setup slot determination unit 161 determines the slot 54SB to be used in "production B" from the slots 54S of the feeder rack unit 54 to the extent that "production A" can be continued. Specifically, among the slots 54S scheduled for use in "production B", the slots not used in "production A" and the slots in which there is another slot 54S that is used in "production A" but contains a pallet 74 containing the same parts as the parts of the pallet 74 to be stored in that slot are determined as the slot 54SB for advance setup. The advance setup flag setting unit 162 sets a setup flag in the slot of the first feeder rack information 241 or the second feeder rack information 242 for the slot 54SB determined by the advance setup slot determination unit 161.

Following instructions given via a mobile terminal MT or the like, the worker prepares a magazine MG6 containing parts (pallet 74G) to be used in "production B" and sets it in the parts stock device 200 using a prescribed magazine insertion procedure (Figure 28). In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the magazine MG6 is set in the supply position of the supply position code label LB1.

When the magazine insertion procedure is completed, the pallet arrangement data of magazine MG6 is finally stored in the stock information storage unit 25 as the first stock information 251, and advance preparation by the part stock device 200 begins.

Figure 29 shows an example of pallet movement performed in advance setup. Unnecessary pallet 74F stored in slot 54SB of feeder rack section 54 is moved to second stock section STK2 (magazine MG5) (dashed arrow (g)). Then, pallet 74G inserted by magazine MG6 is transported to slot 54SB from which unnecessary pallet 74F has been removed (dashed arrow (h)). The parts stock device control section 15 repeats the setup process of steps S204 → step S205 → step S500 of the main routine shown in Figure 14, causing the second pallet movement section 61 to perform advance setup work.

Figure 30 shows a state in which the advance setup for "production B" has been completed and "production A" is continuing. The parts stock device 200 stores the pallets 74G supplied by the magazine MG6 that could not be stored in the feeder rack section 54 as spare pallets in the third stock section STK3. When a pallet 74G is replenished by the following magazine MG7, the parts stock device 200 moves it to an empty slot 72 in the third stock section STK3 (dashed arrow (k)). When an unnecessary pallet 74F with a current quantity of parts that has become zero occurs while "production A" is continuing, the parts stock device 200 moves the unnecessary pallet 74F to the magazine MG5 (dashed arrow (m)) and supplies a spare pallet (replenishment pallet 74B) (dashed arrow (n)).

[Normal setup after advanced setup]
When "production A" is completed, the control unit 11 deletes the "production data A" stored in the production information storage unit 22, and stores the "production data B" stored in the reservation information storage unit 23 in the production information storage unit 22. The "production data B" in the reservation information storage unit 23 is deleted.

The normal setup setting unit 17 refers to the "tray parts arrangement data B" in "production data B" and sets a setup flag for slots 54S to be used in "production A" and for which at least the preceding setup has not been completed. The subsequent operation of the parts stock device 200 generates a notification requesting the removal of magazine MG6 and a notification requesting the preparation of parts (pallet 74G) to be used in "production B".

The parts stock device control unit 15 moves the refill pallet (pallet 74G) stored in the first stock unit STK1 (magazine MG6) to the third stock unit STK3 as a spare pallet. The pallet 74G stored in the third stock unit STK3 becomes a spare pallet for replenishment.

The normal setup setting unit 17 determines the slot 54S to be used in "production B" based on "production program B" and sets a setup flag for this slot 54S. When the setup flag is set, the parts stock device 200 starts normal setup. The parts stock device control unit 15 repeats the setup process of steps S204 → S205 → S500 of the main routine shown in FIG. 14, causing the second pallet movement unit 61 to perform setup work.

Figure 31 shows the state before "production B" is started after the normal setup in preparation for "production B" is completed. In the normal setup, the parts stock device 200 stores the unnecessary pallets 74F used in "production A" from the feeder rack unit 54 to the first stock unit STK1 (magazine MG7) or the second stock unit STK2 (magazine MG5), and removes the pallets 74G to be used in "production B" from the stock unit STK and stores them in the feeder rack unit 54. When the magazine fullness determination unit 19 notifies the operator that the unnecessary pallets (pallets 74G) are full, the operator removes the magazines MG5 and MG7 from the parts stock device 200 and sets new magazines containing refill pallets to be used in "production B" or empty magazines for collecting unnecessary pallets. When the setup of the first parts supply unit TF1 is completed, the control unit 11 starts "production B".

As a result, the component mounting system 100 can efficiently execute production, the setup used for production, and the advance setup used for the next production. In addition, the component mounting system 100 can perform the preparation of components (pallets 74) by workers on a magazine basis, which prevents the frequency of component (pallet 74) preparation from increasing, and makes the preparation of components (pallets 74) by workers more efficient.

In the component mounting system 100 of the embodiment described so far, the control unit 11 of the component mounting device CM has the functions necessary for controlling the component stock device 200, but a control unit dedicated to the component stock device 200 may be provided separately from the control unit 11 of the component mounting device CM, and these control units may be connected. Figure 32 is a block diagram showing a component mounting system 100A relating to this modified example. Note that in the following description, components having the same functions as the first internal configuration example shown in Figure 7 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The control unit 11A is a control unit that controls the component mounting device CM, the first component supply unit TF1, and the second component supply unit TF2. The control unit 11A works in cooperation with the memory unit 21 to perform various processes and controls. Specifically, the control unit 11A references the programs and data stored in the memory unit 21 and executes the programs to realize the functions of each unit, such as the mounting control unit 12, the second component supply unit control unit 13, and the first component supply unit control unit 14. The memory unit 21 stores production data used in the production of mounting boards.

The parts stock device control unit 15A is a control unit that controls the parts stock device 200. The parts stock device control unit 15A cooperates with the memory unit 27 to perform various processes and controls. Specifically, the parts stock device control unit 15A references the programs and data stored in the memory unit 27 and executes the programs to realize the functions of each unit, such as the second pallet movement control unit 151, advance setup setting unit 16, normal setup setting unit 17, recovery pallet designation unit 18, and magazine full determination unit 19. The memory unit 27 has a reservation information storage unit 23, a feeder rack information storage unit 24, a stock information storage unit 25, and a magazine information storage unit 26.

The parts stock device control unit 15A is connected to the control unit 11A by a cable 28, and commands and information are sent and received between the two control units. In addition, the parts stock device control unit 15A can access the memory unit 21 of the control unit 11A, and the control unit 11A can also access the memory unit 27 of the parts stock device control unit 15A. Furthermore, the parts stock device control unit 15A can communicate with the upper system PC via the control unit 11.

As described above, the component mounting system 100, 100A of the embodiment removes components stored on a pallet 74 (an example of a component supply carrier) at the component removal position 55 and mounts them on a substrate W. The component mounting system 100, 100A includes a feeder rack section 54 (an example of a component carrier placement section) having a plurality of slots 54S capable of holding a pallet 74, a first pallet movement section 51 (an example of a first component carrier transport section) that moves the pallet 74 between the plurality of slots 54S of the feeder rack section 54 and a component removal position 55, a component stock device 200 that is configured separately from the feeder rack section 54 and can hold the pallet 74, a second pallet movement section 61 (an example of a second component carrier transport section) that moves the pallet 74 between the feeder rack section 54 and the component stock device 200, and a control section 11 and a component stock device control section 15A (an example of a control section) that prohibit the other of the first pallet movement section 51 and the second pallet movement section 61 from performing work (e.g., storing, removing, moving the pallet 74) on a specific slot among the plurality of slots 54S while performing work on the specific slot by the other.

As a result, the component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment prevents the first pallet moving unit 51 and the second pallet moving unit 61 from competing for the same slot.

The control unit 11 and the component stock device control unit 15A in the component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment prohibit the second pallet moving unit 61 from working on a specified slot until the first pallet moving unit 51 moves the pallet 74 stored in the specified slot to the component removal position 55 and stores the pallet 74 from the component removal position 55 in the specified slot. This allows the component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment to more reliably prevent the first pallet moving unit 51 and the second pallet moving unit 61 from competing for the same slot.

The component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment further includes a feeder rack information storage unit 24 (an example of a storage unit) that stores slot information (an example of information) for each of the multiple slots 54S in the feeder rack unit 54, and associates an access prohibition flag (an example of a flag) that prohibits the other from performing work on a specific slot. This allows the component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment to efficiently manage whether the work of the first pallet moving unit 51 or the second pallet moving unit 61 is to be prioritized by using the flag.

In addition, the control unit 11 and the component stock device control unit 15A in the component mounting systems 100 and 100A according to the embodiment set an access prohibition flag in the slot information corresponding to the specific slot where the work is to be performed before either one of them performs the work, and reset the access prohibition flag after the work is completed. This makes it possible to efficiently manage the flags to avoid conflict between the first pallet movement unit 51 and the second pallet movement unit 61.

The component stock device 200 according to the embodiment is provided with a component mounting device CM having a component mounting unit CM1 having a mounting head 41 that holds components and mounts them on a board W, and a first component supply unit TF1 (an example of a component supply unit) that has a feeder rack unit 54 (an example of a component carrier placement unit) that can store multiple pallets 74 (an example of a component supply carrier) containing components and supplies components to the mounting head 41. The first component supply unit TF1 has a feeder rack unit 54 and a first pallet movement unit 51 (an example of a first component carrier transport unit) that moves the pallet 74 between the component pick-up position 55 where the mounting head 41 picks up components from the pallet 74. The feeder rack unit 54 has multiple slots 54S that can hold the pallets 74. The part stock device 200 includes a first stock unit STK1 to a third stock unit STK3 (an example of a stock unit) capable of holding a plurality of pallets 74, a feeder rack unit 54, a second pallet moving unit 61 (an example of a second part carrier transport unit) that moves the pallets 74 between the first stock unit STK1 to the third stock unit STK3, a part stock device control unit 15 (an example of an acquisition unit) that acquires information on a first slot among a plurality of slots 54S on which the first pallet moving unit 51 performs work, and a part stock device control unit 15 (an example of a control unit) that prohibits one of the first pallet moving unit 51 and the second pallet moving unit 61 from performing work on a specific slot 54S while the other is performing work on the specific slot 54S based on the information on the first slot and the information on the second slot on which the second pallet moving unit 61 performs work.

In this way, the part stock device 200 according to the embodiment prevents the first pallet moving unit 51 and the second pallet moving unit 61 from competing for the same slot.

In addition, the component stock device control unit 15A in the component stock device 200 according to the embodiment prohibits the second pallet moving unit 61 from performing work on the specified slot 54S until the first pallet moving unit 51 moves the pallet 74 stored in the specified slot 54S to the component removal position 55 and stores the pallet 74 from the component removal position 55 in the specified slot 54S. This allows the component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment to more reliably prevent the first pallet moving unit 51 and the second pallet moving unit 61 from competing for the same slot.

The component stock device 200 according to the embodiment further includes a feeder rack information storage unit 24 (an example of a storage unit) that stores information on each of the multiple slots 54S of the feeder rack unit 54 (associated with an access prohibition flag (an example of a flag) that prohibits the other from performing work on a specific slot. This allows the component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment to efficiently manage whether the work of the first pallet movement unit 51 or the second pallet movement unit 61 is to be prioritized by using the flag.

In addition, the parts stock device control unit 15A in the parts stock device 200 according to the embodiment sets a flag in the slot information corresponding to the specific slot where the work is to be performed before either one of them performs the work, and resets the flag after the work is completed. This makes it possible to efficiently manage flags to avoid conflict between the first pallet movement unit 51 and the second pallet movement unit 61.

As described above, the component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment includes a component mounting unit CM1 (an example of a component mounting unit) that produces a board on which components are mounted, a feeder rack unit 54 (an example of a component carrier placement unit) that can store multiple pallets 74 (an example of a component supply carrier) that can store components, a first component supply unit TF1 (an example of a component supply unit) that supplies components to the component mounting unit CM1, a component stock device 200 (an example of a stock unit) that can store multiple pallets 74, a second pallet movement unit 61 (an example of a component carrier transport unit) that moves the pallet 74 between the feeder rack unit 54 and the component stock device 200, and a control unit 11 and a component stock device control unit 15A (an example of a control unit) that control the second pallet movement unit 61. The feeder rack unit 54 has multiple slots 54S that can store the pallets 74. The component stock device 200 has multiple slots 54S that can store the pallets 74. The control unit 11 and the parts stock device control unit 15 cause the second pallet moving unit 61 to move the pallet 74 used in production between the parts stock device 200 and the feeder rack unit 54 based on the first feeder rack information 241 and the second feeder rack information 242 (an example of rack information) including pallet information (an example of pallet information) stored in each slot 54S of the feeder rack unit 54, and the first stock information 251 to the third stock information 253 (an example of stock information) including pallet information stored in each slot 54S, 72 of the parts stock device 200.

As a result, the component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment can autonomously determine the movement of components (pallets 74) by referencing stock information and feeder rack information, and transport the pallets efficiently.

The control unit 11 and the component stock device control unit 15A in the component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment update the first feeder rack information 241, the second feeder rack information 242, or the first stock information 251 to the third stock information 253 based on the movement of the pallet 74 by the second pallet movement unit 61. This allows the component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment to always update the stock information and feeder rack information to the latest state in accordance with the movement of the components (pallet 74).

The first feeder rack information 241 and the second feeder rack information 242 in the component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment also include information about the remaining number of components stored in the second pallet moving unit 61 (e.g., the remaining number of components). This allows the component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment to transport components (pallets 74) based on the remaining number of components.

In addition, when the control unit 11 and the component stock device control unit 15A in the component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment determine based on the first feeder rack information 241 and the second feeder rack information 242 that the feeder rack section 54 contains a pallet 74 (unnecessary pallet) with zero remaining parts (i.e., component remaining amount), they move the pallet 74 (unnecessary pallet) with zero remaining parts to a slot 72 (i.e., an empty slot) among the multiple slots 72 in the component stock device 200 that does not contain a pallet 74, and move another pallet (spare pallet) that contains a part with the same part name as the part with zero remaining parts from the component stock device 200 to a slot 54S (empty slot) among the multiple slots 54S in the feeder rack section 54 that does not contain a pallet 74. This allows the component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment to determine that the feeder rack section is out of stock of parts and replenish the parts (pallet 74).

The first feeder rack information 241 and the second feeder rack information 242 in the component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment include information on the number of slots required to store the pallet 74 (i.e., the number of required slots). Based on the first feeder rack information 241 and the second feeder rack information 242, the control unit 11 and the component stock device control unit 15A determine a slot 72 (empty slot) among the multiple slots 72 possessed by the component stock device 200 that can store a pallet 74 (unnecessary pallet) with zero remaining components. As a result, the component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment can store a pallet occupying multiple slots in the slot 72 without causing interference with other pallets.

The component stock device 200 according to the embodiment has a component mounting unit CM1 (an example of a component mounting unit) that produces boards on which components are mounted, a feeder rack unit 54 (an example of a component carrier placement unit) that can store multiple pallets 74 (an example of a component supply carrier) that can store components, a first component supply unit TF1 (an example of a component supply unit) that supplies components to the component mounting unit CM1, a first stock unit STK1 to a third stock unit STK3 (an example of a stock unit) that can store multiple pallets 74, a second pallet movement unit 61 (an example of a component carrier transport unit) that moves the pallet 74 between the feeder rack unit 54 and the first stock unit STK1 to the third stock unit STK3, and a component stock device control unit 15A (an example of a control unit) that controls the second pallet movement unit 61. The feeder rack unit 54 has multiple slots 54S that can store pallets 74. The first stock unit STK1 to the third stock unit STK3 each have a plurality of slots 72 capable of storing pallets 74. The part stock device control unit 15A controls the part carrier transport unit to move the pallets 74 used in production between the first stock unit STK1 to the third stock unit STK3 and the feeder rack unit 54 based on the first feeder rack information 241 and the second feeder rack information 242 (an example of rack information) including pallet information (an example of pallet information) stored in each slot 54S of the feeder rack unit 54, and the stock information including pallet information stored in each slot 72 of the first stock unit STK1 to the third stock unit STK3.

As a result, the component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment can autonomously determine the movement of components (pallets 74) by referencing stock information and feeder rack information, and transport the pallets efficiently.

The component stock device control unit 15A in the component stock device 200 according to the embodiment updates the first feeder rack information 241, the second feeder rack information 242, or the stock information based on the movement of the pallet 74 by the second pallet moving unit 61. This allows the component mounting systems 100 and 100A according to the embodiment to always update the stock information and feeder rack information to the latest state in accordance with the movement of the components (pallet 74).

The first feeder rack information 241 and the second feeder rack information 242 in the component stock device 200 according to the embodiment include information on the remaining number of components stored in the second pallet moving unit 61 (e.g., the remaining number of components). This allows the component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment to transport components (pallets 74) based on the remaining number of components.

In addition, when the parts stock device control unit 15A in the parts stock device 200 according to the embodiment determines based on the first feeder rack information 241 and the second feeder rack information 242 that a pallet 74 (unnecessary pallet) with zero remaining parts (i.e., remaining part amount) is stored in the feeder rack unit 54, it moves the pallet 74 (unnecessary pallet) with zero remaining parts to a slot 72 (i.e., an empty slot) among the multiple slots 72 in the first stock unit STK1 to the third stock unit STK3 that does not store a pallet 74, and moves another pallet (spare pallet) that stores parts having the same part name as the part with zero remaining parts from the first stock unit STK1 to the third stock unit STK3 to a slot 54S (empty slot) among the multiple slots 54S in the feeder rack unit 54 that does not store a pallet 74. This allows the component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment to determine when components are out of stock in the feeder rack section and replenish components (pallets 74).

The first feeder rack information 241 and the second feeder rack information 242 in the component stock device 200 according to the embodiment include information on the number of slots required to store the pallet 74 (i.e., the number of required slots). The component stock device control unit 15A determines, based on the first feeder rack information 241 and the second feeder rack information 242, the slots 72 (empty slots) that can store the pallet 74 (unnecessary pallet) with zero remaining parts among the multiple slots 72 possessed by the first stock unit STK1 to the third stock unit STK3. This allows the component stock device 200 according to the embodiment to prevent interference between the pallet 74 and other pallets, or between the parts stored on the pallet 74 and other pallets, when storing the pallet 74. This allows the component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment to store a pallet occupying multiple slots in the slot 72 without causing interference with other pallets.

As described above, the component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment includes a component mounting unit CM1 (an example of a component mounting unit) that produces a board on which components are mounted, a feeder rack unit 54 (an example of a component carrier placement unit) that can store multiple pallets 74 (an example of a component supply carrier) containing components, a first component supply unit TF1 (an example of a component supply unit) that supplies components to the component mounting unit CM1, a component stock device 200 (an example of a stock unit) that can store multiple pallets 74, a second pallet movement unit 61 (an example of a component carrier transport unit) that moves the pallet 74 between the feeder rack unit 54 and the component stock device 200, and a control unit 11 and a component stock device control unit 15A (an example of a control unit) that control the second pallet movement unit 61. The feeder rack unit 54 has multiple slots 54S that can store the pallets 74. The component stock device 200 has multiple slots 72 that can store the pallets 74. At any timing when the component mounting unit CM1 is performing the first production based on the first production program, the control unit 11 and the component stock device control unit 15A cause the second pallet moving unit 61 (an example of a component carrier transport unit) to perform advance setup to move the pallet 74 containing the parts to be used in the second production based on a second production program different from the first production program, which is scheduled to be produced after the first production program, from the component stock device 200 to the feeder rack unit 54, based on the first feeder rack information 241 and the second feeder rack information 242 (an example of rack information) containing pallet information (an example of pallet information) stored in each slot 54S of the feeder rack unit 54, and the first stock information 251 to the third stock information 253 (an example of stock information) containing pallet information stored in each slot 72 of the component stock device 200.

This allows the component mounting systems 100 and 100A according to the embodiment to perform advance setup of the components (pallet 74) to be used in the next production. Therefore, the component mounting systems 100 and 100A can complete some or all of the setup for the next production during the current production. This allows the time that the component mounting unit CM1 is stopped for setup to be reduced or eliminated, thereby improving production efficiency.

The component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment also determines, based on the first feeder rack information 241 and the second feeder rack information 242, the advance setup slot 54S that stores the pallet 74 that stores the components to be used in the second production, among the multiple slots 54S that the feeder rack section 54 has. This allows the component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment to perform advance setup of the components (pallet 74) to be used in the next production while continuing the current production.

The component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment also determines the advance setup slot 54SB from multiple slots other than the slots required to continue the current production. This allows the component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment to perform advance setup of the parts (pallet 74) to be used in the next production while continuing the current production.

The first and second production programs of the component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment include arrangement data (i.e., tray component arrangement data) of the components stored in each of the multiple slots 54S of the feeder rack unit 54. The control unit 11 and the component stock device control unit 15A determine the advance setup slot 54SB based on a comparison between the component arrangement data (tray component arrangement data 222) corresponding to the first production program and the component arrangement data (tray component arrangement data 232) corresponding to the second production program. As a result, the component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment determines the appropriate slot 54S as the advance setup slot 534SB, so that the advance setup of the components (pallet 74) to be used in the next production can be performed while continuing the current production.

In addition, the control unit 11 and the component stock device control unit 15A in the component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment cause the second pallet moving unit 61 to start advance setup when it is determined that the setup for moving all pallets 74 containing the parts to be used in the first production from the component stock device 200 to the feeder rack unit 54 has been completed. As a result, the component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment can execute the advance setup of the parts (pallets 74) to be used in the next production after the component mounting unit CM1 supplies the parts required for the current production, thereby executing the next production at the timing when the current production is finished. In addition, the component stock device 200 can execute the advance setup efficiently without stopping the current production in the advance setup.

In addition, in the component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment, when the first production ends after the preceding setup is completed, the control unit 11 and the component stock device control unit 15A cause the second pallet moving unit 61 to execute the setup to move the pallet 74 storing the parts to be used in the second production from the component stock device 200 to the feeder rack unit 54. This allows the component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment to quickly move from the completed production (first production) to the setup for the next production (second production), thereby realizing efficient setup.

The component stock device 200 according to the embodiment is provided with a component mounting device CM having a component mounting unit CM1 (an example of a component mounting unit) that produces boards on which components are mounted, and a feeder rack unit 54 (an example of a component carrier placement unit) having a plurality of slots 54S that can store pallets 74 (an example of a component supply carrier) that can store components, and a first component supply unit TF1 (an example of a component supply unit) that supplies components to the component mounting unit CM1. The component stock device 200 is provided with a first stock unit STK1 to a third stock unit STK3 (an example of a stock unit) that can store a plurality of pallets 74, the feeder rack unit 54, a second pallet movement unit 61 (an example of a component carrier transport unit) that moves the pallets 74 between the first stock unit STK1 to the third stock unit STK3, and a component stock device control unit 15A (an example of a control unit) that controls the pallets 74. The first stock unit STK1 to the third stock unit STK3 each have a plurality of slots 72 capable of storing a pallet 74. At any timing when the component mounting unit CM1 is executing the first production based on the first production program, the component stock device control unit 15A causes the second pallet moving unit 61 to execute advance preparation to move the pallet 74 storing the parts to be produced next to the first production and to be used in the second production based on the second production program different from the first production program from the first stock unit STK1 to the third stock unit STK3 to the feeder rack unit 54 based on the first feeder rack information 241 and the second feeder rack information 242 (an example of rack information) including pallet information (an example of pallet information) stored in each slot 54S of the feeder rack unit 54, and the first stock information 251 to the third stock information 253 (an example of stock information) including pallet information stored in each slot 72 of the first stock unit STK1 to the third stock unit STK3.

This allows the component mounting systems 100 and 100A according to the embodiment to perform advance setup of the components (pallet 74) to be used in the next production. Therefore, the component mounting systems 100 and 100A can complete some or all of the setup for the next production during the current production. This allows the time that the component mounting unit CM1 is stopped for setup to be reduced or eliminated, thereby improving production efficiency.

In addition, in the component stock device 200 according to the embodiment, the component stock device control unit 15A determines the advance setup slot 54SB that stores the pallet 74 that stores the components to be used in the second production among the multiple slots 54S of the feeder rack unit 54 based on the first feeder rack information 241 and the second feeder rack information 242. This allows the component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment to perform advance setup of the components (pallet 74) to be used in the next production while continuing the current production.

The component stock device control unit 15A in the component stock device 200 according to the embodiment excludes, from the targets of the advance setup slots 54SB, the slots 54S that house the pallets 74 housing the components to be used in the first production among the multiple slots 54S of the feeder rack unit 54, based on the first feeder rack information 241 and the second feeder rack information 242. This allows the component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment to perform advance setup of the components (pallets 74) to be used in the next production while continuing the current production.

The first and second production programs in the component stock device 200 according to the embodiment include arrangement data (i.e., tray component arrangement data) of the components stored in each of the multiple slots 54S of the feeder rack unit 54. The component stock device control unit 15A determines the advance setup slot 54SB based on a comparison between the component arrangement data (tray component arrangement data 222) corresponding to the first production program and the component arrangement data (tray component arrangement data 232) corresponding to the second production program. As a result, the component mounting system 100, 100A according to the embodiment determines the appropriate slot 54S as the advance setup slot 534SB, so that the advance setup of the components (pallets 74) to be used in the next production can be performed while continuing the current production.

Furthermore, the parts stock device control unit 15A in the parts stock device 200 according to the embodiment causes the second pallet moving unit 61 to start advance setup when it is determined that the setup for moving all of the pallets 74 containing the parts to be used in the first production from the first stock unit STK1 to the third stock unit STK3 to the feeder rack unit 54 has been completed. As a result, the parts stock device 200 according to the embodiment can execute advance setup of the parts (pallets 74) to be used in the next production after the parts required for the current production are supplied by the parts mounting unit CM1, thereby executing the next production at the timing when the current production is finished. Furthermore, the parts stock device 200 can execute advance setup efficiently without stopping the current production.

In addition, in the parts stock device 200 according to the embodiment, when the first production ends after the preceding setup is completed, the parts stock device control unit 15A causes the second pallet moving unit 61 to execute the setup to move the pallets 74 containing the parts to be used in the second production from the first stock unit STK1 to the third stock unit STK3 to the feeder rack unit 54. This allows the parts stock device 200 according to the embodiment to quickly move from the completed production (first production) to the setup for the next production (second production), thereby realizing efficient setup.

Although various embodiments have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications, corrections, substitutions, additions, deletions, and equivalents within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the components in the various embodiments described above may be combined in any manner as long as it does not deviate from the spirit of the invention.

The present disclosure is useful as a component mounting system, a component stock device, and a component mounting method that improve the efficiency of the supply of trays containing components used in production.

11, 11A Control unit 15, 15A Component stock device control unit 24 Feeder rack information storage unit 25 Stock information storage unit 41 Mounting head 51 First pallet moving unit 54 Feeder rack unit 54S Slot 61 Second pallet moving unit 72 Slot 74 Pallet 100, 100A Component mounting system 241 First feeder rack information 242 Second feeder rack information 251 First stock information 252 Second stock information 253 Third stock information CL Communication line CM Component mounting device CM1 Component mounting unit MT Portable terminal PC Upper system 200 Component stock device STK1 First stock unit STK2 Second stock unit STK3 Third stock unit TF1 First component supply unit TF2 Second component supply unit

Claims (11)

a component mounting department that produces boards on which components are mounted;
a component supply unit having a component carrier placement unit for storing a component supply carrier capable of storing the components, and for supplying the components to the component mounting unit;
A stock unit capable of storing a plurality of the component supply carriers;
a component carrier transport section for transporting the component supply carrier between the component carrier placement section and the stock section;
A component mounting system including a control unit that controls the component carrier transport unit,
The component carrier placement unit includes:
each of the component supply carriers has a plurality of slots capable of receiving the component supply carriers;
The stock unit includes:
each of the component supply carriers has a plurality of slots capable of receiving the component supply carriers;
The control unit is
based on rack information including information on pallets stored in each of the slots of the component carrier placement unit and stock information including information on pallets stored in each of the slots of the stock unit, the component carrier transport unit moves a component supply carrier used in the production between the stock unit and the component carrier placement unit;
Component mounting system. The control unit is
updating the rack information or the stock information based on the movement of the component supply carrier by the component carrier transport unit;
The component mounting system according to claim 1 . The rack information includes
information regarding the remaining number of components stored in the component carrier transport section;
The component mounting system according to claim 1 . The control unit is
when it is determined based on the rack information that a component supply carrier with a remaining number of zero components is stored in the component carrier placement section, the component supply carrier with a remaining number of zero components is moved to a slot among the plurality of slots of the stock section that does not store the component supply carrier, and another component supply carrier that stores a component having the same component name as the part with a remaining number of zero is moved from the stock section to a slot among the plurality of slots of the component carrier placement section that does not store the component supply carrier.
The component mounting system according to claim 3 . The rack information includes
The information includes the number of slots required to accommodate the component supply carrier,
The control unit is
determining, based on the rack information, a slot capable of storing a component supply carrier having zero remaining components among the plurality of slots of the stock unit;
The component mounting system according to claim 4 . a component mounting department that produces boards on which components are mounted;
a component supply unit having a component carrier placement unit for storing a component supply carrier capable of storing the components, and for supplying the components to the component mounting unit;
A stock unit capable of storing a plurality of the component supply carriers;
a component carrier transport section for transporting the component supply carrier between the component carrier placement section and the stock section;
A component stock device provided in a component mounting apparatus including a control unit for controlling the component carrier transport unit,
The component carrier placement unit includes:
each of the component supply carriers has a plurality of slots capable of receiving the component supply carriers;
The stock unit includes:
each of the component supply carriers has a plurality of slots capable of receiving the component supply carriers;
The control unit is
based on rack information including information on pallets stored in each of the slots of the component carrier placement unit and stock information including information on pallets stored in each of the slots of the stock unit, the component carrier transport unit moves a component supply carrier used in the production between the stock unit and the component carrier placement unit;
Parts stock device. The control unit is
updating the rack information or the stock information based on the movement of the component supply carrier by the component carrier transport unit;
7. The parts storage device according to claim 6. The rack information includes
information regarding the remaining number of components stored in the component carrier transport section;
7. The parts storage device according to claim 6. The control unit is
when it is determined based on the rack information that a component supply carrier with a remaining number of zero components is stored in the component carrier placement section, the component supply carrier with a remaining number of zero components is moved to a slot among the plurality of slots of the stock section that does not store the component supply carrier, and another component supply carrier that stores a component having the same component name as the part with a remaining number of zero is moved from the stock section to a slot among the plurality of slots of the component carrier placement section that does not store the component supply carrier.
The parts storage device according to claim 8. The rack information includes
The information includes the number of slots required to accommodate the component supply carrier,
The control unit is
determining, based on the rack information, a slot capable of storing a component supply carrier having zero remaining components among the plurality of slots of the stock unit;
The parts storage device according to claim 9. a component mounting department that produces boards on which components are mounted;
a component supply unit including a component carrier placement unit having a plurality of slots for accommodating component carriers capable of accommodating the components, the component supply unit supplying the components to the component mounting unit;
a stock section having a plurality of slots for respectively accommodating the component supply carriers;
a component carrier transport section for transporting the component supply carrier between the component carrier placement section and the stock section;
A component mounting method performed by a component mounting system including a control unit that controls the component carrier transport unit,
based on rack information including information on pallets stored in each of the slots of the component carrier placement unit and stock information including information on pallets stored in each of the slots of the stock unit, the component carrier transport unit moves a component supply carrier used in the production between the stock unit and the component carrier placement unit;
Component mounting method.

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