JPH0318360B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a printed circuit board processing apparatus, and in particular, to a setup change accompanying a change in the type of printed circuit board.

PRIOR ART Printed circuit boards are subjected to processes such as applying adhesive and mounting electronic components to assemble electronic circuits, and after assembly, they are inspected for defective parts and repaired. processing is performed. There are several types of printed circuit boards that differ in size, mounting position of electronic components, etc., but when the above-mentioned processing is performed, each type is transported successively,
Normally, they are processed one after the other.

In this case, it is necessary to change the processing machine every time the type of printed circuit board changes. That is, it is necessary to change the width of the printed circuit board transport device, the positioning position of the printed circuit board positioning device, and the processing program of the computer that controls the processing. Therefore, in the past, a computer counted the number of printed circuit boards and changed the setup when a predetermined number of boards for each type was reached, or a recognition mark such as a bar code was attached to each printed circuit board and the recognition was performed. The mark was read by a reading device attached to the processing machine to determine the type of board and change the board.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, workers may remove or add printed circuit boards during processing, and printed circuit boards may fall off, so it is difficult to count the number of printed circuit boards. However, the type of printed circuit board does not necessarily change for each scheduled number of printed circuit boards, and the printed circuit board may be processed for a different type of printed circuit board.

If a recognition mark such as a bar code is provided on the printed circuit board, this problem will not occur, but it is necessary to provide a recognition mark on each printed circuit board and a reading device on the processing machine, which increases costs. It cannot be avoided.

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and as shown in FIG. (b) a processing machine that performs predetermined processing on printed circuit boards and that requires changing the processing setup as the type of printed circuit board changes; (c) If the printed circuit boards that are carried in by the printed circuit board loading device are of different types, the printed circuit boards before and after the printed circuit boards that are different in type. (d) a dummy board that is inserted in between and has physical characteristics different from any of the plurality of types of printed circuit boards and does not need to be processed by the processing machine; and (d) provided near the printed circuit board loading device. dummy board detection means for detecting that a dummy board is carried in by the printed board carrying device by detecting physical characteristics of the dummy board;
(e) setup change instruction means for instructing setup change of the processing machine based on the detection of the dummy substrate by the dummy substrate detection means;

Actions and Effects In the printed circuit board physical device configured as described above, a setup change instruction is given based on the detection of a dummy board. If the processing machine does not have the function of automatically performing setup changes, the operator must perform the setup change work based on the setup change instructions, and the processing machine has the function of automatically performing setup changes. In some cases, a setup change instruction is supplied to the processing machine, and the processing machine performs the setup change in accordance with the instruction. In any case, when the type of printed circuit board is changed, the setup is reliably changed. Therefore, even if a printed circuit board is removed, added, or dropped during processing, different types of processing are not performed on the printed circuit board, unlike when counting the number of printed circuit boards. Unlike the case where a recognition mark is provided on a machine, the cost does not increase.

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 2, the processing apparatus of this embodiment includes first to fourth processing machines 10, 12, 14,
16, and is designed to perform four types of processing on printed circuit boards. The processing machines 10 to 16 are arranged in series in the order of processing, and the printed circuit boards are transported and processed in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure. As shown in FIG. 3, each of the processing machines 10 to 16 includes a printed circuit board loading device 18, a printed circuit board positioning device 20, and a printed circuit board unloading device 22.

The printed circuit board positioning device 20 is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1986-
This is the same positioning device as described in Japanese Patent No. 168299, and will be briefly explained. This positioning device 20 includes a table plate 26. This table plate 26 positions and supports the printed circuit board 28, and is also moved by an NC table (not shown) in the X-axis direction parallel to the conveyance direction of the printed circuit board 28 and in the Y-axis direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction. Furthermore, it is raised and lowered in the Z-axis direction perpendicular to both the X and Y axes by a lifting device (not shown).
A fixed guide 32 is attached to one side of the inner side of the table plate 26 parallel to the X-axis direction, and a movable guide 34 is attached to the other side and moves in the Y-axis direction via a pair of sliders 36. It is mounted so that the printed circuit board 28 can be roughly positioned and serves to guide its movement in the X-axis direction. The slider 36 is always engaged with the table plate 26 by an engaging member (not shown), and the movable guide 34 is immovable.
When adjusting the width between the guides 32 and 34, the engagement of the slider 36 is released by a release member (not shown),
The movable guide 34 is made movable. Also, on the fixed guide 32, a main positioning device 38 is provided.
is provided in a fixed position, and a sub-positioning device 40 is attached so as to be movable in the X-axis direction. These positioning devices 38 and 40 each include positioning pins 42 and 44, which fit into positioning holes provided in the printed circuit board 28 to accurately position the printed circuit board 28. The sub-positioning device 40 is normally engaged with the fixed guide 32 and cannot be moved, but when the positioning position is changed due to a change in the type of printed circuit board, the engagement is released. There is. The printed circuit board positioning device 20 is provided with a printed circuit board detection switch 46 (see FIG. 11) that detects whether the printed circuit board 28 is positioned.

The printed circuit board loading device 18 is connected to the positioning device 2
0 in the X-axis direction, and as shown in FIG. 4, a pair of fixed frames 4
It is equipped with 8.50. These fixed frames 48, 50
are arranged parallel to the X-axis direction and fixedly spaced apart from each other by a certain distance in the Y-axis direction.
A movable frame 52 is disposed between the fixed frames 48 and 50 so as to be movable in the Y-axis direction by a pair of screw shafts 54 and 56. The screw shafts 54, 56 are rotatably supported by fixed frames 48, 50 at both ends thereof, and the movable frame 52 is screwed onto the screw shafts 54, 56 at nuts 58, as shown in FIG. A linear guide 62 is slidably fitted into a guide block 60 fixed to the lower end thereof. Further, the threaded shafts 54 and 56 are connected to the chain 6 on the sprockets 64 and 66 attached respectively.
8 is wound around and connected to another sprocket 70 attached to one screw shaft 54.
is connected to a sprocket 74 fixed to the output shaft of a drive motor 72 by a chain 76, and as the drive motor 72 rotates, the screw shafts 54 and 56 are rotated, and the movable frame 52 is moved in the Y-axis direction. ,
The distance from the fixed frame 48 (conveyor width) is changed.

Note that an engagement groove 78 formed in the slider 36 is provided at the end of the movable frame 52 on the positioning device 20 side.
(See FIG. 3) is formed with an engaging protrusion 79 that fits into the table plate 26 when it is raised. The distance between the movable frame 52 and the fixed frame 48 can be changed using the engagement groove 7.
This is done with the engaging protrusion 79 fitted into the fixed guide 32 at the same time as changing the conveyor width.
and the movable guide 34 are changed by the same amount.

Conveyor belts 80 and 82 are provided on opposing inner surfaces of the fixed frame 48 and the movable frame 52, respectively.
is installed. This conveyor belt 8
Reference numerals 0 and 82 refer to a pulley 86 that is non-rotatably fitted to a rotating shaft 84 provided between the screw shafts 54 and 56 with a key 85, and four pulleys that are attached to the fixed frame 48 and the movable frame 52, respectively. It is wound around a pulley 88, and the rotating shaft 84 is connected to the sprocket 9.
0,92, drive motor 96 via chain 94
By rotating the conveyor belts 80 and 82, the printed circuit board 28 placed thereon is conveyed.

The loading device 18 is also provided with a stopper 100 for stopping the movement of the printed circuit board, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. This stopper 1
00 is a rising end that is disposed between the fixed frame 48 and the movable frame 52, is slidably fitted into the guide rod 102, and is fixed to the piston rod 106 of the hydraulic cylinder 104 to prevent movement of the printed circuit board. position and a lowered end position that allows movement of the printed circuit board.

The carry-in device 18 is further provided with a printed circuit board confirmation sensor 110 that confirms that the printed circuit board 28 is carried in. This sensor 110 is a photoelectric switch having a detector 112 including a light-emitting fiber and a light-receiving fiber.
It is provided so as to be located below the corner of the printed circuit board 28 that is stopped by the screws 0. Carrying device 1
8 also includes a printed circuit board 28 that has been carried in.
However, the dummy substrate 120 shown in FIG.
A dummy board sensor 122 is attached as a detection means for detecting whether the The dummy board 120 may be inserted at the end of a row of one type of printed circuit board 28 or at the beginning, but in either case, it has the same width as the printed circuit board 28 of the row in which it is inserted. One through hole 124 is provided at the front end in the transport direction. Dummy board sensor 122 is block 1
It is a photoelectric switch in which a light emitting part 126 and a light receiving part 128 are provided at 25, and it is attached at a position corresponding to the through hole 124 of the dummy board 122 stopped by the stopper 100. Printed circuit board 2
8 is not provided with a through hole 124, and the sensor 1
A case where the light receiving section 128 of 22 receives the reflected light is the printed circuit board 28, and a case where the light receiving section 128 of 22 does not receive the reflected light is the dummy board 120.

Note that the printed circuit board carried in by the carry-in device 18 is slid on the fixed guide 32 and the movable guide 34 by a loader device (not shown) equipped with a pushing member that is reciprocated by a cylinder or a feed screw. and pushed into the printed circuit board positioning device.

The carrying-in device 18 has been described above, but the carrying-out device 22 is configured in the same manner as the carrying-in device 18, and the explanation thereof will be omitted. However, the unloading device 22 includes a stopper 100 and a printed circuit board confirmation sensor 11.
0, the dummy board sensor 122 is not provided, and the printed board 28 is connected to the conveyor belts 80, 8.
A printed circuit board detection switch 130 (see FIG. 11) is provided for detecting that the printed circuit board has been conveyed to a predetermined position by the upper surface of the printed circuit board 2. Furthermore, the widths of the carrying-in device 18 and the carrying-out device 22 of one processing machine can always be changed together. The printed circuit board 28 supported by the printed circuit board positioning device 20 is moved by an unloader device (not shown) equipped with a drawer member that engages with the rear end of the printed circuit board and is reciprocated by a cylinder or a feed screw. ,
It is adapted to be pulled out onto conveyor belts 80, 82 of the conveying device 22.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a first conveyor width sensor 1 is installed on the outer surface of the end of the movable frame 52 of the carry-in device 18 near the carry-out device 22 of the adjacent treatment machine.
32, a second conveyor width sensor 134 is attached. These sensors 132 and 134 are photoelectric switches equipped with a light emitting part and a light receiving part, and are mounted by a bracket 136 at a short distance apart in the Y-axis direction. On the other hand, a shielding plate 136 is fixed to the outer surface of the end of the movable frame 52 of the unloading device 22 near the loading device 18 of the adjacent processing machine.
This shielding plate 138 has a width equal to the distance between the sensors 132 and 134, and the shielding plate 138 fits between the light emitting part and the light receiving part of both the sensors 132 and 134 at the same time, and prevents both light receiving parts from receiving light. By this,
It is detected that the conveyor width of the carrying-in device 18 and the conveyor width of the carrying-out device 22 of the processing machine in the previous process are equal. Furthermore, when at least one of the light receiving sections of the sensors 132 and 134 does not receive light, it is detected that the conveyor widths of the carry-in device 18 and the carry-out device 22 are different.

The conveyor width is changed in order from the processing machine on the upstream side in the printed circuit board conveyance direction, and when changing, the conveyor width change direction memory 139 (11th (see figure) is provided for each processing machine. When the conveyor width is widened, the movable frame 52 is first moved in a direction that increases the distance from the fixed frame 48, so the shielding plate 138 first comes off from the first conveyor width sensor 132, which is stored in the memory. The information is stored in the storage device 139. Further, when the conveyor width is narrowed, the shielding plate 138 is first removed from the second conveyor width sensor 134, and this is stored in the conveyor width change direction storage 139.

The processing machines 10 to 16 configured as described above have computers 140 that control their respective processes, and these computers 140 are managed by a separately provided management computer 142 (see FIG. 2). It's summery. As shown in FIG. 11, the computer 140 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 144 and a ROM (read only memory).
146, RAM (Random Access Memory) 14
8 and a bus 150 connecting them. A communication interface 151 is connected to the bus 150, and a management computer 14 is connected to the communication interface 151 via a communication line 152.
2 are connected. An input interface 154 is also connected to the bus 150, and the input interface 154 includes a printed board confirmation sensor 110, a dummy board sensor 122, a board detection switch 46 provided in the printed board positioning device 20, and a printed board detection switch 46 provided in the printed board positioning device 20. A substrate detection switch 130 provided in the unloading device 22, first and second conveyor width sensors 132, 134, a conveyor width change direction memory 139, etc. are connected. bus 150
Further, an output interface 156 is connected to the drive motors 72 and 96, a hydraulic cylinder 104, a processing mechanism drive motor 158 of the processing machine, and a display 159.
etc. are connected.

In addition, the input interface 154 and the output interface 156 include various types of printed circuit boards 28.
A storage device 160 in which a plurality of processing programs specific to the above are stored is connected by buses 162 and 164, and is adapted to be transferred to a predetermined processing program RAM 148 in response to an instruction from the computer 140. Note that processing programs specific to various printed circuit boards may be supplied from the management computer 142. The RAM 148 includes an execution program memory 166 that stores the transferred processing program, and a reservation data memory 16 that stores reservation data that specifies the next processing program.
8. Conveyor width memory 170 for storing the conveyor width stored in the execution program memory 166
is provided. The ROM 148 also contains a processing control routine and a first
The CPU 144 performs control according to the stored setup change routine for the processing machine setup shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3. Hereinafter, the printed circuit board 28 will be explained based on the flowchart shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.
We will explain the process of processing and changing the setup of the processing machine when changing the type of printed circuit board. Processing machine 1
Although the processing in 0 to 16 is performed in parallel, the processing in the processor 12 will be representatively explained here. Note that the conveyor width, processing program, etc. of the loading device 18 and unloading device 22 of each of the processing machines 10 to 16 are set in accordance with the type of printed circuit board 28 to be processed first prior to the start of processing. shall be taken as a thing. Further, it is assumed that parts are mounted on the printed circuit board 28 in the processing machine 12.

Initial settings are performed in a main routine (not shown) at the same time as the computer 140 is powered on.
After completion of preparations such as adjustment of the conveyor width, processing is started and a processing control routine shown in FIG. 12 is executed. First, in step S1 (hereinafter abbreviated as S1; the same applies to other steps), the conveyor width of the carry-in device 18 is set to the conveyor width of the carry-in device 22 of the processing machine 10 (in the processing machine 10, the conveyor width of the carry-in device 18 is The judgment as to whether the conveyor width of the supply device that supplies the printed circuit board 28 is different from
First and second conveyor width sensors 132, 13
This is performed based on the detection signal of No. 4. In the processing apparatus of this embodiment, different types of printed circuit boards 28 are continuously conveyed and processed one after another, but when the types of printed circuit boards 28 change, the width of the printed circuit boards 28 changes. There are cases in which the cases are the same and cases in which they are different, and the processing performed by either one is different, so the determination in S1 is performed. In addition, a dummy board 120 is placed between different types of printed circuit boards.
is inserted, but the dummy board 120 is 1
There are cases where it is placed at the end of the type of printed circuit board 28 and cases where it is placed at the beginning, and the processing performed differs depending on the case. Hereinafter, first, a case will be described where the width of the printed circuit board 28 is changed (assumed to be increased) due to a change in type, and the dummy board 120 is placed at the end of one type of printed circuit board 28.

When the processing machine 12 processes the first type of printed circuit board 28, the conveyor width has already been adjusted, so the determination result in S1 is NO. This is because the conveyor width of the loading device 18 and unloading device 22 of the processing machine 10 should be suitable for the size of the printed circuit board 28 processed by the processing machine 12, and the judgment result of S1 is NO. S2 to S5 are bypassed and S6 is executed. In S6, the computer 140 of the processor 10
A signal is issued to cause the unloading device 22 to unload the printed circuit board 28. Next, after one printed circuit board 28 is loaded into the loading device 18 in S7, it is determined whether the loaded board is the printed circuit board 28 or the dummy circuit board 120 in S8. The printed circuit board 28 is transferred to the loading device 18
When the printed circuit board 28 is carried in, the stopper 100 is at the upper end position and stops moving the printed circuit board 28, and in this state, the dummy board sensor 122 detects whether or not the printed circuit board 28 is carried in. If the printed circuit board 28 is the first one, the determination result is NO, and components are mounted on the printed circuit board 28 in S9.
After the stopper 100 is moved to the lower end position and the printed circuit board 28 is pushed onto the positioning device 20, the device determining device 20 is moved to a predetermined processing position and the printed circuit board 28 is moved by the component mounting device.
8, parts are attached. After completing the mounting of components onto one printed circuit board 28, the program execution returns to the main routine.

If there is one printed circuit board 28 for each type, the next one to be transported is the dummy circuit board 12.
0, the determination result of S8 becomes YES, and S1
At 0, setup change processing is performed. Furthermore, if there are multiple printed circuit boards 28 for each type, steps S1, S6 to S9 are repeatedly executed, and as shown in FIGS. 14a and 14b, parts are mounted on the printed circuit boards 28 of that type. Next process processing machine 1
Sent out on 4th. The last one of one type of printed circuit board 28 is positioned by the positioning device 20 as shown in FIG.
If 0 is taken into the carry-in device 18, the determination result in S8 becomes YES and the setup change process is performed.

The setup change process will be explained based on the flowchart of FIG. 13. Here, first, S10
1, the computer 140 reports to the management computer 142 that the dummy board 120 has arrived. Based on the report, the management computer 142 sends data specifying a processing program for the printed circuit board 28 to be processed next to the computer 140.
supply to.

If the reservation data is supplied and stored in the reservation data memory 168 of the RAM 148, the determination result in S102 becomes YES, and in S103, a signal is sent to the unloading device 22 of the processing machine 10 to instruct it to send the printed circuit board 28. can be stopped. Subsequently, a second dispensing operation is performed in S104. The second unloading operation is a state in which the dummy substrate 120 is stopped on the carry-in device 18 from the stopper 100, and the processing machine 1 in which the dummy substrate 120 is stopped is
This means that parts are mounted on all of the printed circuit boards 28 in the board 2 and then sent to the processing machine 14 for the next process. When the printed circuit board 28 is removed from the processing machine 12 as shown in FIG. Since no signal for detecting the printed circuit board 28 can be obtained from , it can be seen that the dispensing operation is completed, and the determination result in S105 is YES, and S1
06, the dummy substrate 120 is passed through. In this case, the dummy substrate 120 is sent to the loading device 18 of the processing machine 14, as shown in FIG. 14e. Next, in S107, the conveyor width stored in the execution program memory 166 is stored in the conveyor width memory 170, and the process to be executed next is stored from the storage device 160 based on the reservation data stored in the reservation data memory 168. The program is transferred and stored in the execution program memory 166 (note that if multiple processing programs are stored in the RAM 148,
(The contents of the counter that specifies the memory of the processing program to be executed are rewritten). In addition, in the printed circuit board positioning device 20, the position of the sub-positioning device 40 is changed, and the position of the backup pin that supports the printed circuit board 28 from below is changed by the operator. At this time, the display 159 provides guidance on the position of the backup pin and guidance on device check (inspection of parts necessary for the next process). The operator operates the process restart button after confirming that all necessary changes, checks, etc. have been completed. S108 is executed accordingly, and the conveyor width in the processing program stored in the execution program memory 168 is compared with the conveyor width stored in the conveyor width memory 170.

Next, in S109, it is determined whether the conveyor width is different from the previous process, but since it is assumed here that the width of the printed circuit board 28 changes due to a change in type, the determination result is YES, and S110 In this step, the widths of the carrying-in device 18, the positioning device 20, and the carrying-out device 22 are changed. In this case, the drive motors 72 of the carry-in device 18 and the carry-out device 22 are activated simultaneously, and the movable frames 52 of each device 18, 22 are moved by the same amount, and the movable guide 36 is also moved. The movable frame 52 is
Based on the information stored in the conveyor width change direction storage 139, the conveyor width is moved in the same direction as the conveyor width of the processing machine 10. Here, it is assumed that the width of the printed circuit board 28 becomes large and the conveyor width of the processing machine 10 is widened, so the drive motor 72 is rotated forward and the movable frame 52 is moved to the fixed frame 4.
It is moved away from 8. Movable frame 52
is moved a short distance past the movable frame 52 of the unloading device 22 of the processing machine 10, and then,
By rotating the drive motor 72 in the reverse direction, it is moved in a direction approaching the fixed frame 48. The shielding plate 138 connects the first and second conveyor width sensors 13
When a state occurs that prevents light reception by both light receiving sections No. 2 and 134, the drive motor 72 is stopped and the fourteenth light receiving section
As shown in FIG. f, the conveyor width of the processing machine 12 is the same as the conveyor width of the processing machine 10. Note that moving the movable frame 52 to a position past the movable frame 52 of the processing machine 10 is performed by using a timer or by counting the rotations of the screw shafts 54 and 56.

When narrowing the conveyor width, the movable frame 52 is
is moved in the direction in which the conveyor width becomes narrower, and the shielding plate 138 connects the first and second conveyor width sensors 13.
2, 134 is stopped in a state where the conveyor width is the same. When widening the conveyor width, the movable frame 52 is first moved in the direction in which the conveyor width becomes wider, and then moved in the opposite direction, taking into consideration the influence of backlash of the screw shafts 54 and 56, and expanding and contracting the conveyor width. This is to improve positioning accuracy by moving the movable frame 52 in the conveyor width reduction direction in both cases.

After changing the conveyor width, S111 is executed, and the printed circuit board 2 is transferred to the unloading device 22 of the processing machine 10.
The transmission of the signal instructing the transmission of 8 is permitted, and the program execution returns to the main routine. When S1 is executed next, the determination result is NO, and components are mounted on the next type of printed circuit board 28.

Next, a case will be described in which the width of the printed circuit board 28 does not change even if the type of the printed circuit board 28 changes, and the dummy circuit board 120 is placed at the end of one type of printed circuit board 28. In this case, S1, S6~
S9, S101 to S109 are performed in the same way as in the above case, but the determination result in S109 is NO,
S110 is bypassed and S111 is executed without changing the conveyor width.

Next, the axis of the printed circuit board 28 changes due to the change in the type of the printed circuit board 28, and the dummy circuit board 120
A case will be described in which the following is inserted at the beginning of one type of printed circuit board 28. In this case, the first type of printed circuit board 28 is processed in S1, S6 to S
9 and after the last printed circuit board 28 of that type has been loaded into the loading device 18 of the processor 12 as shown in FIG.
The conveyor width is changed at . As a result, after the last printed circuit board 28 is taken in, when S1 is executed, the determination result becomes YES, and in S2, the printed circuit board 28 is transferred to the unloading device 22 of the processing machine 10.
The transmission of the signal instructing to send out the 8 is blocked. Then, in S3, a first payout operation is performed. The first payout operation refers to the dummy board 120
The processing machine 1 is stopped in the unloading device 22 of the previous process.
After processing all the printed circuit boards 28 in 2,
This means sending the printed circuit board 28 to the next process, and in S4, it is determined whether or not there is no more printed circuit board 28 in the processing machine 12 in the same manner as in S105. As shown in FIG. 15c, if all the printed circuit boards 28 are gone and the determination result in S4 becomes YES,
At S5, the conveyor width is changed, and the 15th conveyor width is changed.
As shown in FIG. d, the width is large enough to accommodate the next printed circuit board 28.

After changing the conveyor width, S6 is executed, and the blocking of the transmission of a signal instructing the processing machine 10 to send out the printed circuit board 28 by the unloading device 22 is released, and S6 is executed.
One substrate is taken in at step 7, and this is a dummy substrate 120 as shown in FIG. 15e. Therefore, the determination result of S8 is YES,
A setup change process is performed.

In the setup change processing routine, S101 to S1
03 is performed in the same manner as in the above case, but since the printed circuit board 28 in the processing machine has already been sent to the next process, and it is detected in S104 that there is no printed circuit board 28 in the processing machine 12, S104
Substantially nothing is done in , the determination result in S105 is YES, and S106 is executed.
A dummy substrate 120 is passed through as shown in FIG. 15f. In this case, the dummy substrate 120 is moved to the unloading device 22 of the processing machine 12.
Next, S107 and S108 are executed, and the determination result in S109 is YES, but since the conveyor width has already been changed, nothing is actually done.
After executing S111, program execution returns to the main routine.

Next, a case will be described in which the width is the same even if the type of printed circuit board 28 changes, and the dummy circuit board 120 is inserted at the beginning of one type of printed circuit board 28.

In this case, the determination result of S1 is NO, and S
Steps 2 to S5 are not executed, the dummy board 120 is taken in, the determination result in S8 becomes YES, and the setup change process is performed. In the setup change processing routine, all printed circuit boards 28 in the processing machine 12 are processed and sent out in S104, and the dummy boards 120 are sent to the loading device 18 of the processing machine 14 in S106. And S1
07, After executing S108, the determination result of S109 is
Since the answer is NO, the program execution returns to the main routine after execution of S111.

As described above, according to the processing apparatus of this embodiment, the dummy substrate 12 is placed between different types of printed circuit boards.
0 is inserted, and setup change processing such as program switching is performed by detecting the dummy board 120, so even if the printed circuit board 28 is removed, added, or dropped during processing, setup change can be performed reliably. It can be performed.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the program shown in FIG. 13 can process both cases in which the dummy board 120 is inserted at the beginning and end of one type of printed circuit board 28. As a result, a highly versatile processing device can be obtained.

As is clear from the above explanation, ROM146
The area for storing S8 and the part of the CPU 144 that executes S8 constitute a setup instruction means for instructing a setup change based on the detection result of the dummy board detection means.

In the above embodiment, a processing apparatus including a plurality of processing machines has been described, but the present invention can also be applied to a processing apparatus including only one processing machine.

Furthermore, although one dummy substrate 122 is used in the above embodiment, a plurality of dummy substrates 122 may be used.

Furthermore, the number of through holes 124 provided in the dummy board is 1.
The number is not limited to one, but a plurality may be provided.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, whether the conveyor width of the carry-in device or the carry-out device has widened or narrowed is stored in the memory 139, but it may be stored in the computer 140. . The ROM 146 is provided with a control program that detects the change in conveyor width and the change direction in the previous process, and based on the detection, the direction in which the conveyor width is changed is stored in the RAM 148 and read out when the conveyor width is changed.

Further, the printed circuit board positioning device 20 of the above embodiment is provided so as to be movable separately from the printed circuit board loading device 18 and the printed circuit board unloading device 22, and is positioned at a predetermined processing position while positioning and supporting the printed circuit board 28. It moves in the X-axis and Y-axis directions to mount components on the printed circuit board 28, but the printed circuit board is positioned and fixed on the printed circuit board loading device, and the processing mechanism such as the component mounting device moves along the X axis. The present invention can also be applied to a processing apparatus equipped with a processing machine that performs processing by moving in the axial and Y-axis directions.

Although not illustrated in detail, the present invention can be implemented in various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram conceptually showing the configuration of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a processing device that is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a printed circuit board positioning device provided in a processing machine constituting the processing apparatus together with a part of a printed circuit board loading device and a printed circuit board unloading device. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the printed circuit board loading device, and FIG. 5 is a side sectional view. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a stopper provided in the printed circuit board loading device, and FIG. 7 is a side view. 8th
The figure is a plan view showing the first and second conveyor width sensors provided in the carry-in device and the shield plate provided in the carry-out device, and FIG. 9 is a side view. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the dummy substrate. FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a control device that controls the processing machine. FIGS. 12 and 13 are flowcharts showing selected parts of the program stored in the ROM of the computer that constitutes the main body of the control device, which are closely related to the present invention. FIGS. 14 and 15 are explanatory diagrams for explaining setup changes of the processing machine. 10, 12, 14, 16: processing machine, 18: printed circuit board loading device, 20: printed circuit board positioning device, 22: printed circuit board unloading device, 28: printed circuit board, 120: dummy circuit board, 140: computer.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A processing machine that performs predetermined processing on a plurality of types of printed circuit boards and that requires changing the processing setup as the types of printed circuit boards change; If there is a printed circuit board carrying device that sequentially carries in multiple types of printed circuit boards, and if the types of printed circuit boards before and after the printed circuit boards carried in by the printed circuit board carrying device are different, a dummy board that is placed between printed circuit boards and has physical characteristics different from any of the plurality of types of printed circuit boards and does not need to be processed by the processing machine; and a dummy board that is provided near the printed board loading device. ,
dummy board detection means for detecting that a dummy board is carried in by the printed circuit board loading device by detecting physical characteristics of the dummy board; and dummy board detection means based on the detection of the dummy board by the dummy board detection means. A printed circuit board processing apparatus comprising: a setup change instruction means for instructing a setup change of the processing machine.