Method for optimization of an order of component mounting, apparatus using the same, and mounter

The optimizing method according to Clam 4,

• wherein the task number calculation step includes:
• a first calculation step of:
• calculating a task number for a case in which the plurality of components are mounted on a board, using a mounting head on which L components are picked up as many as possible, as a minimal task number;
• judging whether or not it is possible to mount all the plurality of components for each task number by incrementing the calculated minimum task number by 1;
• and obtaining a minimum task number judged as possible as the task number for mounting the plurality of components using “n” kinds of nozzle sets;
• a second calculation step of:
• extracting the possible combinations for the task numbers calculated by using the respective “n” kinds of nozzle sets;
• judging sequentially whether or not it is possible to mount all the plurality of components for all the extracted combinations;
• and obtaining a minimum task number judged as possible as the task number calculated using the “n” kinds of nozzle sets;
• and
• a selection step of executing selectively either the first calculation step or the second calculation step.

An optimizing apparatus that optimizes, using a computer, a component mounting order in which a mounter equipped with a mounting head picks up, at maximum, L components, L being no less than 2, from an array of component feeders that hold components, and mounts the components on a board,

• wherein the mounting head has, at maximum, L pickup nozzles for picking up the components, L being no less than 2, and
• a plurality of components to be optimized include plural types of components which are picked up using no less than 2 pickup nozzles of different types, and
• the optimizing apparatus comprising:
• a nozzle set determination unit operable to determine a nozzle set for mounting all the plurality of components with a smallest task number, where a nozzle set is a combination of the pickup nozzles to be attached to the mounting head and a task is a group of components to be mounted by one iteration of the repeated series of processes where the mounting head picks up, transports, and mounts components;
• and
• a mounting order determination unit operable to determine the array order of component feeders and the component mounting order, while maintaining the determined nozzle set.