WO2000001212A1

WO2000001212A1 - Method for setting an option for automatic insertion path generation of a component inserter

Info

Publication number: WO2000001212A1
Application number: PCT/KR1998/000466
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chae Won Yun
Original assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 1998-06-27
Filing date: 1998-12-24
Publication date: 2000-01-06
Also published as: KR20000003364A; KR100287822B1; TW407443B

Abstract

In a programmed computer system having a display device for preparing a working plan of inserting a plurality of components into a printed circuit board, a method for setting an option for automatic insertion path generation of a component inserter is disclosed. When an operator selects an automatic insertion path generation mode among menus displayed on a screen of display device, the computer system displays a machine selection window on the screen in response to the operator's selection. When the operator selects a machine (156) for generating the insertion path through the machine selection window and sets a loading direction (158) of the printed circuit board, an array printed circuit board (160), a component cartridge option (162), an insertion path generation option (166) and an insertion path generation level (174), the computer system automatically generates the insertion path for the selected machine. Since the operator can set the various options (168, 170, 172, 174) for automatically generating the insertion path, the efficiency and convenience in preparing component insertion work increase. Also, since the operator can efficiently set the optimal option for generating the insertion path corresponding to the characteristics of the respective component insertion machines, the time for preparing the operation is reduced.

Description

METHOD FOR SETTING AN OPTION FOR AUTOMATIC INSERTION PATH GENERATION OF A COMPONENT INSERTER

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a method for automatically inserting components into a printed circuit board (hereinafter, referred to as PCB), and more particularly, to a method for setting an option for automatic insertion path generation of a component inserter, which uses a computer system for generating a component insertion path of the component inserter for automatically inserting components into the PCB. Background Art

Generally, in assembling an electronic circuit board, electric or electronic components such as resistors, capacitors, inductors, transistors, integrated circuits and the like are automatically inserted by the component inserter into a PCB. The component inserter brings the components from a component cartridge or a reel and sequentially inserts the brought components into the PCB according to a predetermined insertion order.

Accordingly, in order to insert the components into the PCB, an operator has to prepare a numerical control data in advance. Since an assembly line for the PCB usually employs a plurality of component inserters, the operator has to prepare suitable operation commands for the respective component inserters.

There are various kinds for the components which are inserted into the PCB, and even an identical kind of component may have different electric and physical characteristics. Besides, the components to be inserted may be from a few tens to a few hundreds per PCB, thus it is very important to intelligently plan work for assigning the components to respective insertion machines and for determining insertion order.

However, characteristics of automatic insertion machines such as a head size and a moving mechanism of the head vary according to manufacturers and models.

For a correct and fast insertion, these various characteristics of the automatic insertion machines involved in an assembly line should be reflected upon preparing a plan of the insertion work for the PCB. Currently, a computer system has been introduced to prepare the working plan.

However, in view of a trend of small quantities and large species in manufacturing electric and electronic equipments, a PCB manufacturer needs to have a capability of speedily and flexibly coping with various and frequent changes of PCB models.

Disclosure of Invention

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for setting an option in generating an automatic insertion path for a component inserter, which is capable of increasing efficiency and convenience in preparing component insertion work and is capable of efficiently setting an optimal option for generating an insertion path being suitable for characteristics of respective component inserters.

In order to achieve the above object, in a programmed computer system having a display device for preparing a working plan of inserting a plurality of components into a printed circuit board, a method for setting an option for automatic insertion path generation of a component inserter, which comprises the steps of:

(a) selecting an automatic insertion path generation mode among menus displayed on the display device;

(b) displaying an inserter selecting window on the display device in response to the selection of the automatic insertion path generation mode; (c) selecting an inserter for an insertion path generation through the inserter selecting window;

(d) setting a loading direction of the printed circuit board, an array printed circuit board and a component cartridge option, sequentially;

(e) setting an insertion path generation option; and (f) selecting an insertion path generation level.

In the method for setting the option for automatic insertion path generation of the component inserter according to the present invention, since the operator can set the various option for automatically generating the insertion path, efficiency and convenience in preparing component insertion work increase. Also, since the operator can efficiently set the optimal option for generating the insertion path corresponding to the characteristics of the respective component insertion machines, the time for preparing the operation is reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The above objects and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail a preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a system configuration for preparing component insertion work for PCB according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows constitution of a set of programs to prepare the component insertion work according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a flowchart for illustrating a method for setting an option for automatic insertion path generation of a component inserter according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIGs. 4 to 15 depicts monitor screen states for illustrating a method for setting an option for automatic insertion path generation of a component inserter according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIGs. 16 and 17 are a flowchart for illustrating an insertion path generation program according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a data structure for an insertion path generation;

FIG. 19 is a data structure of a generated insertion path file; and FIG. 20 is a screen showing a generated insertion path according to the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

A description will be given below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings to a configuration and an operation of a method for setting an option for automatic insertion path generation of a component inserter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 depicts a configuration of a computer system, programmed with several programs for preparing a material insertion work plan, with some input/output devices. The computer system has a main body 10 which includes a central processor unit (CPU), a random access memory, a read only memory, a hard disc, a floppy disc driver, and a graphic user interface, a monitor 12, a key board 14, a mouse 16, a printer 18, and a scanner 20, and each of which is connected to main body 10. A processor having higher performance than the 100 Mhz Pentium Processor of Intel Co., Ltd. could be recommended for the CPU, and at least 16 M or more could be recommended for the size of the random access memory.

The programs for preparation of a component insertion work according to the embodiment of the present invention, whose product name is "PATH OPTIMIZER", is resident in the hard disc. Windows 95 of MICROSOFT CO., Ltd. could be recommended as an operating system for the computer system, and Excel and Access programs of MICROSOFT Co. , Ltd. could be recommended as auxiliary programs for the programs of the present invention.

The programs for the preparation of the component insertion work have several functional modules as follows: a model registration 102, a model open 104, a component distribution 106, an insertion possibility inspection 108, an insertion machine selection 110, a path open 112, a path generation 114, an engineering change application 116, a path modification 118, a path confirmation 120, and a numerical control program load 122. An option setting function for automatically generating an insertion path is included in path generation 114. The present invention relates to path open 112. FIG. 2 illustrates a directory structure of the programs for the computer system of the present invention. Three basic directories are provided for a Windows 95 operating system 130, auxiliary programs 132, and programs for preparation of component insertion work 134. The program for preparing the component insertion operation plan consists of a component list file 136, computer aided design (CAD) files 138, configuration files 140, multiple model files 142, and component library database files 144. Each model files 142 have plural PCB files 146, and each of which is matched with a particular model. Each of PCB files 146 have numerical control program files 148, work map sheet files 150, and path data files 152.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for illustrating a method for setting an option for automatic insertion path generation of a component inserter according to an embodiment of the present invention. An automatic insertion path generation option consists of a machine selection 156, a PCB loading direction setting 158, an array PCB option 160, a reel option 162, a model selection 164, a path generation option 166, a path flow setting 168, a start/end component input 170, a start/end block setting 172, and a path generation level setting 174. In a case where a PCB is not an array PCB, an operator can set a flow for setting the automatic insertion path generation option to be directly proceeded from PCB loading direction setting 158 to either reel option 162 or path generation option 166 without passing array PCB option 160. In a case where the PCB is the array PCB, the operator can set the flow for setting the automatic insertion path generation option to be proceeded from array PCB option 160 to either reel option 162 or path generation option 166. In a case of a previously-used model reference mode, the flow for setting the automatic insertion path generation option proceeds to model selection 164. In a case of a rearrangement mode, the flow for setting the automatic insertion path generation option directly proceeds to path generation option 166 without passing model selection 164.

In path generation option 166, the flow for setting the automatic insertion path generation option proceeds to path flow setting 168, start/end component input 170 or start/end block setting 172. After path flow setting 168, start/end component input 170 or start/end block setting 172 is executed, the flow for setting the automatic insertion path generation option has to pass path generation option 166 in order to enter other modes. The operator can set the flow for setting the automatic insertion path generation option to be directly proceeded from path generation option 166, path flow setting 168, start/end component input 170 or start/end block setting 172 to path generation level setting 174.

FIGs. 4 to 15 shows monitor screen states for illustrating a method for setting an option for automatic insertion path generation of a component inserter according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the operator clicks with mouse 16 a <path> menu 176 of a main menu bar displayed on the display device of the computer system, a pull down menu is displayed. When the operator selects an < automatic insertion path generation > menu 178 of the pull down menu, a machine selection window 180 is displayed on the screen of the display device as shown in FIG. 5. When the operator inputs a machine name into a text box 182 or selects the machine name among previously-registered machine names in a list box 184, the machine for inserting components into the PCB is selected.

In a case where the operator clicks a check box 186 of a < previously-used option use > for using an insertion path option of a previously selected machine, icons 188, 190, 192, 194 and 196 of machine selection window 180 are displayed as shown in FIG. 6. Icon 188 represents PCB loading direction setting 158. In this case, PCB guide holes displayed on a lower portion of icon 188 represent that the PCB loading direction is an operator direction. Icon 190 represents an array PCB setting and that the PCB is not the array PCB. Icon 192 represents path flow setting 168 in an X axis direction. Two icons 198 and 200 placed on the lower portion of icon 192 represent start and end blocks respectively. However, in FIG. 6, since the start and end blocks are not set, icons 198 and 200 represent a status which is not being activated. Icon 194 represents path flow setting 168 in a Y axis direction. Machines named such as UIC-JV, AXL, SV, DynaPERT AXL and Panasert JV, etc. , have to distinguish the axis directions of the insertion path flow. Machines, which is distinguished to firstly insert the components, arranged on the PCB, of which leads are faced toward the X axis direction and then insert the components of which the leads are faced toward the Y axis direction, have to generate respective insertion paths with respect to the X and Y axis directions. That is, a head of the machines distinguished the X and Y axis directions transfers to only one direction and is impossible to rotate at an angle of 90 degrees. On the contrary, machines, named such as TDK, UIC-RDL, etc. , of which the head is able to rotate at an angle of 90 degrees, select the insertion path flow only one time without distinguishing the X and Y axis directions.

Icon 196 represents path generation level setting 174, and a number of the inside icon 196 represents a generation level of the insertion path. A <next> button 187 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed as a < complete > button 204 in FIG. 6. In a case where the operator generates the insertion path with the previously-used option, the operator can generate the insertion path by clicking < complete > button 204 after selecting the machine. On the contrary, in a case where the operator generates the insertion path after resetting the insertion path generation option, the operator can generate the insertion path by clicking <next> button 187 shown in FIG. 5 without checking the check box 186 of < previously-used option use > . When <next> button 187 of machine selection window 180 is selected, a PCB loading direction window 206 is displayed on the screen of the display device as shown in FIG. 7. PCB loading direction window 206 has front and rear boxes 208 and 210 of the PCB loading direction. Front box 208 shows a status of which the PCB guide holes are placed toward the operator, and rear box 210 shows a status of which the PCB guide holes are placed toward the machine.

When the operator selects front box 208 with mouse 16, a color of the guide holes of the inside front box 208 is converted to represent the loading direction of the PCB. When the operator clicks a <next> button 212 after setting the loading direction through PCB loading direction setting window 206, an array PCB setting window 214 is displayed as shown in FIG. 8. Array PCB setting window 214 has a box 216 which represents an individual insertion path generation of the array PCB and a box 218 which represents a whole insertion path generation of the array PCB. When the operator selects a < next > button 220 of array PCB setting window

214 with mouse 16, a reel arrangement option setting window 222 is displayed on the screen of the display device as shown in FIG. 9. Reel arrangement option setting window 222 has a previously-used reel arrangement reference field 224 and a rearrangement field 226. Respective fields have a selection button. The operator sets a reel arrangement option with reel arrangement option setting window 222 according to whether or not a reel arrangement is generated with the reel arrangement of a previously generated insertion path or whether or not the reel arrangement is newly generated. In reel arrangement option setting window 222, when the operator clicks the selection button of previously-used reel arrangement reference field 224 with mouse 16, a model selection window 228 is displayed on the screen of the display device as shown in FIG. 10. When the operator inputs a model name for reference into a text box 229, the computer system arranges the reel according to the set reel arrangement option. At this time, in the case of referring the previously-used model, priority order for arranging the reel proceeds in sequential order of a previously-used model reel arrangement status, a fixation reel data and a reel arrangement scope. In the case of rearranging the reel arrangement, the priority order for arranging the reel proceeds in sequential order of the fixation reel data and the reel arrangement scope. When the operator selects the <next> button in FIG. 9 or 10, a path generation option setting window 230 is displayed on the screen of the display device as shown in FIG. 11. Path generation option setting window 230 has a path flow setting check box 232, a start/end block setting check box 234 and a start/end component number input check box 236. Accordingly, the operator can set six options with three check boxes 232, 234, and 236 as follows.

(1) A path flow setting : The operator can set a start/end position and an intermediate course of the insertion path with this option.

(2) A start/end block setting : The operator can designate a position with respect to the start/end component with this option respectively.

(3) A start/end component input : The operator can input a component number of the start/end component with this option.

(4) The path flow setting + The start/end component input

(5) The start/end block setting + The start/end component input (6) In a case where the operator clicks the <next> button without checking any option, discretionary components are selected as the start/end component to generate the insertion path.

When the operator selects path flow setting check box 232 of path generation option setting window 230 with mouse 16, a path flow setting window 238 is displayed on the screen of the display device as shown in FIG. 12. Path flow setting window 238 has eight icons 240, 242, 244, 246, 248, 250, 252 and 254 for the insertion path flow as described below.

(1) Icon 240 is a first C shape insertion path flow which proceeds from a right upper portion of the PCB to a right lower portion thereof in a counterclockwise direction.

(2) Icon 242 is a second reversed C shape insertion path flow which proceeds from a left upper portion of the PCB to a left lower portion thereof in a clockwise direction.

(3) Icon 244 is a third C shape insertion path flow which proceeds from the right lower portion of the PCB to the right upper portion thereof in the clockwise direction. (4) Icon 246 is a fourth reversed C shape insertion path flow which proceeds from the left lower portion of the PCB to the left upper portion thereof in the counterclockwise direction.

(5) Icon 248 is a first S shape insertion path flow which proceeds from the left upper portion of the PCB to the right lower portion thereof in a S direction.

(6) Icon 250 is a second reversed S shape insertion path flow which proceeds from the right upper portion of the PCB to the left lower portion thereof in a reversed S direction.

(7) Icon 252 is a third reversed S shape insertion path flow which proceeds from the left lower portion of the PCB to the right upper portion thereof in the reversed S direction.

(8) Icon 254 is a fourth S shape insertion path flow which proceeds from the right lower portion of the PCB to the left upper portion thereof in the S direction.

The operator can select an insertion path flow corresponding to a characteristic of a machine among eight icons 240, 242, 244, 246, 248, 250, 252 and 254 for the insertion path flow with mouse 16. At this time, in the case of a front operation of which the PCB guide holes are placed toward the operator, an icon 110 shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on a selected icon. That is, the operator has to select the insertion path flow after coinciding the PCB picture with a coordinate axis shown inside icon 110. In the case of a rear operation of which PCB guide holes are placed toward the machine, an icon 120 shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the selected icon.

When the operator clicks a <next> button 256 of path flow setting window

238, path flow setting window 238 disappears from the screen, and path generation option setting window 230 is redisplayed on the screen. When the operator clicks start/end block setting check box 234 of path generation option setting window 230 with mouse 16, a start/end block setting window 258 is displayed on the screen of the display device as shown in FIG. 13. Start/end block setting window 258 has a left upper block 260, an upper middle block 262, a right upper block 264, a left middle block 266, a center block 268, a right middle block 270, a left lower block 272, a lower middle block 274 and a right lower block 276, generated by dividing the PCB in nine units. When the operator selects start and end blocks 260 and 272 as shown in FIG. 13, a mark 'START' is marked on selected start block 260 and a mark 'END' is marked on selected end block 272. At this time, in the case of a front operation of which the PCB guide holes are placed toward the operator, icon 110 shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on a dialogue box. That is, the operator has to select the start/end block after coinciding the PCB picture with the coordinate axis shown inside icon 110. In the case of a rear operation of which PCB guide holes are placed toward the machine, icon 120 shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the dialogue box.

When the operator clicks a <next> button 278 of start/end block setting window 258, start/end setting window 258 disappears from the screen, and path generation option setting window 230 is redisplayed on the screen.

When the operator selects start/end component input setting check box 236 of path generation option setting window 230 with mouse 16, a start/end component inputting window 280 is displayed on the screen of the display device as shown in FIG. 14. Start/end component inputting window 280 has a text box 282 for inputting a start component number and a text box 284 for inputting an end component number.

When any one option is selected among six insertion path generation options by the operator, a path generation level selection window 286 is displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. 15. Path generation level selection window 286 has a basic path generation field 288 and first and second path improvement fields 290 and 292. Respective fields have an option button.

(1) Basic insertion path generation : In this level, since the insertion path is generated with Nearest Neighborhood Algorithm, time required for generating the insertion path is short. However, efficiency for generating the insertion path decreases. (2) First insertion path improvement : This level is algorithm for improving the basic insertion path generated by the Nearest Neighborhood Algorithm. However, since this level improves the insertion path with two optimal algorithm, time required for improving the insertion path is long.

(3) Second insertion path improvement : This level is algorithm for improving the firstly improved insertion path. In this case, since this level improves the insertion path with three optimal algorithm, time required for improving the firstly improved insertion path is long. However, efficiency for generating the insertion path is the highest of all.

When the operator clicks a < complete > button 294 of path generation level selection window 286 after selecting the level, the computer system executes an insertion path generation program shown in FIG. 16 according to the set option to automatically generate a component insertion path of the selected machine.

Referring to FIG. 16, the computer system brings address of a parameter of the machine of which the insertion path is generated (step S300). The computer system refers to the set insertion path generation option data and checks whether or not a PCB is an array PCB and a mode is a mode for generating the insertion path with respect to only one array (step S302). In the case of the array PCB and the insertion path generation mode with respect to one array, the computer system assigns a temporary memory field for recording components belonged to the array and stores a component information into the temporary memory field (step S304). A data structure for generating the insertion path has fields such as a component number, component code, a CX, a CY, a pitch, an angle, a key name, a length, a width, a height and a reel number, etc. At this time, the CX represents a coordinates of the X axis of components and the CY represents a coordinates of the Y axis of components.

If the PCB is not the array PCB, the computer system checks whether or not a selection mode of the start/end component is a manual mode (step S306). When the selection mode of the start/end component is the manual mode, the computer system assigns an index of the start/end component of the temporary memory field to start and end nodes, respectively (step S308). The computer system checks whether or not the start and end nodes is normal (step S310). When the start and end nodes are normal, the computer system makes a cost matrix such as an adjacent distance matrix (step S312).

If the selection mode of the start/end component is not the manual mode or if the start and end nodes are not normal, the computer system considers the characteristic of the respective machines and automatically selects the start/end components. Then the computer system respectively assigns the index of the start/end component of the temporary memory field to the start and end nodes (step S314) and proceeds to step S312. Then, the computer system generates the basic insertion path with the nearest neighborhood algorithm (step S316). That is, the computer system sets a discretionary node into a start point of the insertion path, obtains the adjacent distance matrix with respect to the discretionary node in a previously-used node and sets a node having a minimum value into a next insertion path following the discretionary node. The computer system executes the process described above with respect to all nodes until the insertion path is connected from the start node to the end node.

After generating the basic insertion path, the computer system applies either the 2-optimal algorithm or the 3-optimal algorithms to improve the basic insertion path according to the number of components in response to the set level (step S318).

The computer system records the generated insertion path on the parameter.

Accordingly, the index of the component information memory are sequentially stored into the memory field designated as the parameter according to the generated order of the insertion path (step S328). The computer system checks whether or not the individual insertion path generation option of the array PCB is set (step S322). When the individual insertion path generation option of the array PCB is set, the computer system copies insertion path order of other array PCBs into the parameter according to an array path connection method and regenerates the parameter (step S324). The computer system generates an insertion path file as shown in FIG. 19 in accordance with an index arrangement information designated as the parameter. The insertion path file consists of a machine code, a component number, a component code, a reel number, a distinction code for a path color, a component angle, an X coordinates, a Y coordinates, a lead pitch, a component name and a standard. When the insertion path is generated by means of the method described above, the insertion path components distributed to the selected machine is displayed on the screen of the display device as shown in FIG. 20. Industrial Applicability

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a particular embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be effected therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. In a programmed computer system having a display device for preparing a working plan of inserting a plurality of components into a printed circuit board, a method for setting an option for automatic insertion path generation of a component inserter, said method comprising the steps of:

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step for setting the loading direction comprises the substeps of:

(d-1) displaying a loading direction setting window of the printer circuit board on the display device; and (d-2) selecting the loading direction of the printed circuit board in the loading direction setting window.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said step for setting the array printed circuit board comprises the substeps of:

(d-3) displaying a path generation setting window of the array printed circuit board on the display device after step (d-2); and

(d-4) selecting one between an individual insertion path generation and a whole insertion path generation in the path generation setting window of the array printed circuit board.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein said step for setting the component cartridge option comprises the substeps of:

(d-5) displaying a component cartridge option setting window on the display device after step (d-4); (d-6) selecting one between a previously-used model reference and a rearrangement menus in the component cartridge option setting window;

(d-7) displaying a model selecting window on the display device when the previously-used model reference menu is selected in step (d-6); and (d-8) inputting a model name in the model selecting window.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the insertion path generation option includes a path flow setting, a start/end block setting and a start/end component setting.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the path flow setting is selected among a plurality of insertion path flows including a first C shape insertion path flow which proceeds from a right upper portion of the printed circuit board to a right lower portion thereof in a counterclockwise direction, a second reversed C shape insertion path flow which proceeds from a left upper portion of the printed circuit board to a left lower portion thereof in a clockwise direction, a third C shape insertion path flow which proceeds from the right lower portion of the printed circuit board to the right upper portion thereof in the clockwise direction, a reversed fourth C shape insertion path flow which proceeds from the left lower portion of the printed circuit board to the left upper portion thereof in the counterclockwise direction, a first S shape insertion path flow which proceeds from the left upper portion of the printed circuit board to the right lower portion thereof in a S direction, a reversed second S shape insertion path flow which proceeds from the right upper portion of the printed circuit board to the left lower portion thereof in a reversed S direction, a reversed third S shape insertion path flow which proceeds from the left lower portion of the printed circuit board to the right upper portion thereof in the reversed S direction, and a fourth S shape insertion path flow which proceeds from the right lower portion of the printed circuit board to the left upper portion thereof in the S direction, through the path flow setting window.

7. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the start/end block setting comprises the substeps of:

(A) selecting a start/end block setting mode in the insertion path generation option setting window;

(B) displaying a start/end block setting window in response to the selecting of the start/end block setting mode; and

(C) selecting a start block and an end block between a plurality of blocks displayed on the start/end block setting window.

8 The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the plurality of blocks consist of nine blocks generated by means of respectively trisecting length and width of the printed circuit board.

9. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the start/end component setting comprises the substeps of: (D) selecting a start/end component setting mode in the insertion path generation option setting window;

(E) displaying a start/end component inputting window in response to the selecting of the start/end component setting mode; and

(F) inputting component numbers of start and end components in the start/end component inputting window.