Component feeder exchange cart, and mechanism and method for positioning component feeder

A positioning mechanism for positioning a component supply unit (2) capable of holding a plurality of supplying devices (7) onto a fixing device (4) provided to the component mounting apparatus (1) when the component supply unit (2) is to be installed on a component mounting apparatus (1), comprising:

• a first positioning means for positioning the component supply unit (2) onto a first plane in substantially horizontal direction, and
• a second positioning means for positioning the component supply unit (2) onto a second plane which is substantially perpendicular to the first plane,
• wherein the second positioning means further comprises a third positioning means for restricting movement of the component supply unit (2) in a direction parallel to a line defined by intersection of the first and the second planes.

A method of positioning a component supply unit for installing the component supply unit (2) onto a fixing device (4) of a component mounting apparatus (1), comprising:

• a first positioning step for positioning the component supply unit (2) onto a substantially horizontal first plane, including moving forward the component supply unit (2) toward the fixing device (4), once blocking said forward movement at a predetermined position, and lowering and placing the component supply unit (2) onto the fixing device (4), and
• a second positioning step for positioning the component supply unit (2) on a substantially vertical second plane perpendicular to the first plane, including further moving forward the component supply unit (2) placed and positioned on the first plane, and blocking the forward movement at a predetermined position,
• wherein at said second positioning step, the component supply unit (2) is simultaneously positioned in a direction parallel to a line defined by intersection of the first and the second planes.