JP2005164309A - Visual inspection device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem wherein dust falls down onto an inspection sample because a movable part exists on the inspection sample, and wherein a cable duct is required to store a movable cable for supplying electric power to a laser beam source because the laser beam source is movable, in a conventional art, and a problem of the possibility of generating cable disconnection during use over a long period. <P>SOLUTION: This visual inspection device of the present invention comprises an inspection object positioning part capable of varying an inclination of the inspection object (sample); an illumination part for illuminating the inspection object; a light source for generating a light spot indicating a defective position of the inspection object; a light spot positioning part for controlling the light beam from the light source to illuminate the defective position of the inspection object; and a processing part for calculating the defective position on the inspection object on the basis of positional information from the light spot positioning part. The light spot positioning part includes a linear moving mechanism part; and a reflecting mirror mounted on the linear moving mechanism part, the light source is arranged in a peripheral part of the inspection object, and the light beam from the light source is reflected by the reflecting mirror to illuminate the defective position of the inspection object with the light beam. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a visual inspection apparatus, and more particularly to a visual inspection apparatus that can register position coordinates such as defects found by visual inspection of an inspection object or can easily visually recognize previously registered defect position coordinates. is there.

  Conventionally, when inspecting inspection objects such as defects in wiring patterns formed on glass substrates such as LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and PDP (Plasma Display Panel), such as foreign matter, scratches, and uneven film formation, Inspection equipment by is used. This visual inspection apparatus is, for example, an apparatus that irradiates an inspection object (hereinafter referred to as an inspection sample) with illumination light and visually inspects the inspection sample for defects such as foreign matter, scratches, and film formation unevenness. is there. When visually inspecting a defect, the defect on the inspection sample is appropriately inspected while changing the irradiation angle of the illumination light to the inspection sample and the visual angle of the inspection sample. After the inspection, the inspection result is reviewed or inspected. The results need to be recorded. For this purpose, it is necessary to register the type and position of the defect found by visual inspection in a recording apparatus such as a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as PC). In some cases, the inspection sample is inspected by another apparatus, and the detected defect or the like is reviewed by a visual inspection apparatus. Therefore, registration of defect position coordinates, equipped with the pointer device for pointing to the above-mentioned PC, register the defect position using the pointer device, or shine a light spot on the defect position registered by another device, It is common practice to visually review and review defects.

  A conventional visual inspection apparatus (see, for example, Patent Document 1) will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, 401 is an inspection sample positioning unit, 402 is a laser beam positioning unit, 403 is an illumination unit that illuminates the inspection sample, and 404 is a PC unit. The inspection sample positioning unit 401 includes an X-axis positioning unit 405 that moves a stage on which the inspection sample is mounted, a Y-axis positioning unit 406, a θ-axis positioning unit 407, an X-axis rotary encoder 408 that detects the rotation amount of each axis, and a Y-axis. A rotary encoder 409 and a θ-axis rotary encoder 410 are included. The laser beam positioning unit 402 includes a laser beam illumination unit 411, for example, a semiconductor laser, an X-axis positioning unit 412 that moves the laser beam 420, a Y-axis positioning unit 413, an X-axis rotary encoder 414 that calculates a movement amount, and Y The shaft rotary encoder 415 is configured. The inspection sample positioning unit 401 and the laser beam positioning unit 402 are connected to a PC unit 404 that calculates position coordinates from the amount of movement of each axis. The PC unit 404 is connected to a position determining unit 417 such as a joy stake that operates the inspection sample positioning unit 401 and the laser beam positioning unit 402 via the A / D converter 416.

  Next, the operation of this visual inspection apparatus will be described. For example, after the LCD glass substrate 418 is placed and fixed on the inspection sample positioning unit 401, the X-axis positioning unit 405, the Y-axis positioning unit 406, and the θ-axis positioning unit 407 are operated using the position determining unit 417. . Then, the inspection sample positioning unit 401 is tilted and rotated at various angles, and the glass substrate 418 is irradiated with illumination light from the illumination unit 403 to visually inspect the defect position. At this time, the center position of the inspection sample is always directly below the laser beam illumination unit 411. When a defect position is found during the visual inspection, the position determining unit 417 is used to operate the X-axis positioning unit 412 and the Y-axis positioning unit 413 to tilt the laser beam 420 at an arbitrary angle so that the defect position can be detected with the laser beam. Instruct.

  At this time, the amount of rotation of the test sample positioning unit 401 is detected by the X-axis rotary encoder 408, the Y-axis rotary encoder 409, and the θ-axis rotary encoder 410, and this signal is sent to the PC unit 404. The PC unit 404 calculates the change angle of each axis. Similarly, the laser beam positioning unit 402 calculates the movement amount of each axis by the X-axis rotary encoder 414 and the Y-axis rotary encoder 415. At this time, the PC unit 404 calculates the change angle of each axis. Using the above inspection and calculation results, the position indicated by the laser beam 420 is calculated as a plane coordinate (XY coordinate) by a trigonometric function, and the calculated coordinate data is stored in a memory unit (not shown) of the PC unit 404. And is displayed by the display unit 419 as necessary. When transferring the XY coordinate data detected by another apparatus, the data is transferred to the PC unit 404 via the interface unit (not shown), stored in the memory of the PC unit 404, and the defect position is detected. An instruction can be given by the laser beam 420, or it can be displayed on the display portion 419.

  The visual inspection apparatus shown in FIG. 4 is a method in which the laser beam 420 is rotated on the inspection sample. As another method, as shown in FIG. 5, the light source for generating the laser beam is arranged in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. There is a visual inspection device that drives. In FIG. 5, a light source 501 that generates a laser beam is a visual inspection device that is mounted on an X-axis direction movement actuator 502 and a Y-axis direction movement actuator 503 and moves the light source 501 in the horizontal direction. The cable duct 505 is for introducing a power supply line for supplying power to the light source 501. In FIG. 6, the inspection sample 418, the light source 501, the X axis, and the Y axis direction moving actuators 502 and 503 are shown, and the inspection sample positioning unit 401, the light source 403, the PC 404, and the like shown in FIG. 4 are omitted.

  Thus, the laser beam emitted from the light source 501 forms an image on the inspection sample 418 as a laser spot 504, and the X axis and Y axis direction moving actuators 502 and 503 are operated by the position determining unit 417 such as a joy stake. A laser spot 504 can be applied to a position such as a defect on the sample 418, and the position can be confirmed or registered. In this case, it is necessary to pass a cable for turning on the light source 501, and a cable duct 505 is required to make this cable movable in the X-axis and Y-axis directions.

  FIG. 6 shows another example of a conventional visual inspection apparatus, in which an LED array light source 601 in which LEDs are arranged on an array instead of the light source 501 is mounted on the LED lighting circuit board 602. In addition, there is one in which the LED lighting circuit board 602 is mounted on the X-direction linear movement actuator 603 and moved in the X-axis direction by the position determining unit 417. The LED lighting position of the LED array light source 601 can be appropriately changed according to a signal input to the LED lighting circuit board 602, and thereby the LED array light source 601 can be moved in the Y direction. As in the conventional example, the inspection sample positioning unit 401, the light source 403, the PC 404, and the like shown in FIG. 4 are omitted. Accordingly, the defect position can be confirmed or registered by operating the position determining unit 417. In this case also, the cable duct 604 is necessary to move the cable for lighting the LED.

  Furthermore, a technique for improving the accuracy of reading position coordinates is described in a macro inspection apparatus (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2002-267620 A

JP-A-8-261945

  In the above-described prior art, there is a movable part on the inspection sample, so that dust falls on the inspection sample or the laser light source moves, so that the cable duct that houses a movable cable that supplies power to the laser light source. There is a problem of dust generation and cable breakage during long-term use.

  Further, the visual inspection apparatus using the rotary actuator has a problem that the relational expression between the rotational momentum and the horizontal movement amount of the laser spot on the inspection sample becomes complicated, and the calculation load on the PC section increases. Further, since the amount of movement of the laser spot on the inspection sample becomes large even with a slight rotation of the rotary actuator, there is a problem that it is difficult to obtain the position accuracy of the laser spot.

  Furthermore, in order to irradiate a laser spot light to a site such as a defect on an inspection sample, a visual inspection apparatus using an LED array light source needs the light emitting part of the LED to be near the site such as a defect. There is a problem that the structural parts of the optical system hinder the visibility of defects and the like.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a visual inspection apparatus with high spotlight positioning accuracy.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a visual inspection apparatus that is easy to visually check and that does not drop dust or the like and can withstand long-term use.

  The visual inspection apparatus according to the present invention includes an inspection object positioning unit that can vary the inclination of the inspection object, an illumination unit that illuminates the inspection object, and a light source that generates a light spot that indicates a defect position of the inspection object. And a defect position on the inspection object based on the position information from the light spot positioning unit and the light spot positioning unit that controls to illuminate the defect position of the inspection object with the light beam from the light source. The light spot positioning unit includes a linear movement mechanism unit and a reflecting mirror mounted on the linear movement mechanism unit, and the light source is disposed in a peripheral part of the inspection object, and is from the light source. The light beam is reflected by the reflecting mirror, and the light spot is irradiated to the defect position of the inspection object.

  In the visual inspection device of the present invention, the light spot positioning unit includes an X-axis direction moving mechanism unit and a Y-direction moving mechanism unit, and the X-axis direction moving mechanism unit and the Y-direction moving mechanism unit are A reflection mirror for reflecting the light beam is provided, the light beam from the light source is reflected by the respective reflection mirrors, and the defect spot of the inspection object is irradiated with the light spot.

  Further, in the visual inspection apparatus of the present invention, the reflecting mirror mounted on the X-axis direction moving mechanism unit is constituted by a reflecting mirror having a length corresponding to the moving range of the reflecting mirror mounted on the Y-direction moving mechanism unit. Is done.

  In the visual inspection apparatus of the present invention, when the light beam from the light source is reflected by the reflecting mirror and the light spot is irradiated to the defect position of the inspection object, the angle of the reflecting mirror and the irradiation position are It is configured to adjust the distance appropriately.

  In the visual inspection apparatus of the present invention, the light source is a light source that generates substantially parallel light.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the laser beam moving mechanism of the visual inspection apparatus has a simple structure, and control and positioning accuracy are improved. Moreover, there is no problem of dust falling on the inspection sample by arranging the movable part around the inspection sample. In addition, the configuration using a mirror eliminates the need for a spot light optical system, improves the visibility of defects, etc., and further, since the light source is fixed, there is no problem of cable disconnection during long-term use, etc. There is an advantage that an excellent visual inspection apparatus for registering and indicating coordinate positions such as defect positions can be realized.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, showing an inspection sample 418 and a spot light moving mechanism that irradiates the inspection sample 418, and an inspection sample positioning portion 401 as shown in FIG. Although the light source 403 and the PC 404 are omitted, they are necessary devices as a visual inspection apparatus. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an optical path of the apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows a control device for the spot light moving mechanism shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a light source that generates a light spot 102. The light source 101 has an emission divergence angle such that the light spot size on the surface of the inspection sample 418 hardly changes visually with respect to the change in the optical path length until the surface on the inspection sample 418 is irradiated. The light source may be any light source that generates parallel light, such as a semiconductor laser light source or an LED light source, and is not limited to a semiconductor laser light source or an LED light source. The light source 101 is fixed to a peripheral portion of the inspection sample 418 and to a fixing base (not shown) of the visual inspection apparatus. Reference numeral 103 denotes a Y-axis direction moving actuator for moving the light spot 102 in the Y-axis direction, and is arranged at the periphery of the inspection sample 418. Reference numeral 104 denotes an X-axis direction moving actuator for moving the light spot 102 in the X-axis direction, which is also disposed in the periphery of the inspection sample 418. Reference numeral 105 denotes a reflecting mirror that bends the direction of the laser beam 106 emitted from the light source 101 by 90 degrees, and is mounted on the moving table 108 of the Y-axis direction moving actuator 103. Reference numerals 110 and 111 denote X-axis and Y-axis direction driving motors, which will be described later.

  The X-axis direction movement actuator 104 operates in a direction orthogonal to the operation direction of the Y-axis direction movement actuator 103. A reflecting mirror 107 for irradiating the inspection sample 418 with the laser beam 106 reflected by the reflecting mirror 105 is mounted on the moving table 109 of the X-axis direction moving actuator 104. The reflecting mirror 107 has a length equal to or longer than the moving distance of the reflecting mirror 105 in the Y-axis direction. In other words, it is configured by a reflecting mirror that is at least as long as the width of the inspection sample 418 or longer. The installation angle of the reflection mirror 107 is set at an angle such that the laser beam 106 reflected by the reflection mirror 107 can form the light spot 102 at a position sufficiently away from the moving table 109 of the X-axis direction movement actuator 104. The moving table 109 is configured not to obstruct the visual recognition of the defect or the like due to the above. The angle and the distance from the reflecting mirror 107 to the light spot 102 can be appropriately adjusted.

  Next, this operation will be described based on the optical path explanatory diagram of FIG. 2A is an optical path diagram of the plan view of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is an optical path diagram of its side. In addition, the code | symbol of each part respond | corresponds to the code | symbol of each part of FIG. The laser beam 106 emitted from the light source 101 is changed in direction by 90 degrees by the reflecting mirror 105 and enters the reflecting mirror 109. The reflecting mirror 109 is installed in parallel with the Y-axis direction moving actuator 103. The laser beam 102 reflected by the reflecting mirror 109 is irradiated as a laser spot 102 on the surface on the inspection sample 418. As the irradiation angle θS, for example, an angle such as 30 degrees or 45 degrees is selected as necessary.

  The position of the reflecting mirror 105 is driven in the Y direction by the Y-axis direction moving actuator 103, and accordingly, the position of the laser spot 102 moves in the Y direction. On the other hand, the position of the reflecting mirror 109 is moved in the X direction by the X-axis direction moving actuator 104, and accordingly, the position of the laser spot 102 is moved in the X direction.

  Next, a method for controlling the laser spot 102 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, reference numerals 301 and 302 denote driving units for the X-axis and Y-axis direction driving motors 110 and 111, respectively. Note that the X-axis and Y-axis direction driving motors 110 and 111 can be constituted by, for example, step motors that can easily calculate the movement distance. A light source control unit 303 performs on / off control of the light source 101, brightness control, and the like. Reference numeral 304 denotes a control unit, which corresponds to the PC unit 404 shown in FIG. Note that the control unit 304 includes an arithmetic processing unit 307 and a storage unit 308. Reference numeral 305 denotes a display unit, and 306 denotes an operation unit. The operation unit 306 corresponds to the position determination unit 417 shown in FIG.

  Thus, after the inspection sample 418 to be measured is placed and fixed on the inspection sample positioning unit 401, the visual inspection operator operates the operation unit 306 such as a joystick, for example, the X direction motor driving unit 301, the Y direction. The motor driving unit 302 is driven to align the laser spot 102 with a position such as a defect on the inspection sample 418. At this time, the inspection sample positioning unit 401 is tilted and rotated at various angles so that defects such as foreign matter, scratches, film formation unevenness, etc. on the inspection sample 418 are well visible to the visual inspection operator. Of course, the light is irradiated on the inspection sample 418. The arithmetic processing unit 307 reads the position at which the laser spot 102 is positioned at the defective part from the X direction motor driving unit 301 and the Y direction motor driving unit 302, calculates the XY coordinate position, and stores it in the storage unit 308. Moreover, it displays on the display part 305 as needed. When the XY coordinate position of the laser spot 102 is calculated by the arithmetic processing unit 307, for example, the reference position 112 shown in FIG. 2A is set in advance on the inspection sample 418, and the laser spot 102 is aligned with this position. Needless to say, a reference position is registered.

  As described above, the visual inspection operator can operate the operation unit 306 to align the position of the laser spot 102 with a defect or the like found on the inspection sample 418 and sequentially register the defect position coordinates in the storage unit 308. Become. When reviewing the position of a registered defect or the like, the registered defect position coordinates are read from the storage unit 308 of the control unit 304, and the X-direction motor driving unit 301 and the Y-direction motor driving unit 302 are controlled to perform the X-axis direction. The moving actuator 104 and the Y-axis direction moving actuator 103 are driven so that the laser spot 102 is aligned with the defect portion, and the visual inspection operator can review the state of the defect at the position of the laser spot 102. Further, data in which a defect or the like is visually recognized by another apparatus is read into the storage unit 308 of the control unit 304, and XY coordinate data is read out from the storage unit 308 in the same manner as described above, and the laser spot 102 is positioned from these coordinate data. Thus, it goes without saying that the visual inspection operator can also review the state of defects and the like at the position of the laser spot 102.

  In the present invention, the size of the laser spot light 102 is about 1 mm in diameter, and has a laser emission divergence angle that is almost the same size (for example, about ± 20%) at any position on the inspection sample 418. Since the laser pot light is used, it is possible to easily inspect defects of several tens of μ to several mm. The inspection sample 418 is a glass substrate such as an LCD or a PDP. The size varies depending on the type of inspection object, but in the case of an LCD substrate, for example, if it is 1300 × 1100 mm, the optical path length changes from several hundred mm to several m, so a light source such as a semiconductor laser or LED is desirable. .

  In this embodiment, a linear movement actuator using a step motor, a toothed belt, and a linear guide mechanism is described as the laser pot light movement mechanism. However, the linear movement actuators 103 and 104 are reflective mirrors 105 and 107, respectively. However, the mechanism is not limited to this as long as the mechanism can be moved linearly. Further, since the visual inspection device for registering and indicating the defect position coordinates is used for visual inspection by a person, the positioning accuracy may be about several tens μm to several hundreds μm.

  In addition, when registering a defect position, if more accurate coordinate registration is required, the linear movement actuator may be provided with a linear position detection device or the like so that a more accurate position can be recorded.

  Further, the distance between the reflecting mirror 107 and the laser spot 102 depends on the object and the target defect size, but in the case of an LCD substrate, about several tens mm to 100 mm is appropriate.

  In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the two reflecting mirrors 105 and 107 are used. However, the light source 101 can also be mounted on the moving base 108 of the Y-axis direction moving actuator 103. In this case, it is possible to configure with a single reflecting mirror 107.

  As described above, the present invention has been described in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the visual inspection apparatus described here, and it is needless to say that the present invention can be widely applied to other visual inspection apparatuses. No.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of one Example of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the optical path of one Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the control circuit of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of the conventional visual inspection apparatus. It is a schematic block diagram which shows another example of the conventional visual inspection apparatus. It is a schematic block diagram which shows another example of the conventional visual inspection apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

  101: Light source, 102: Spot light, 103: Y axis direction moving actuator, 104: X axis direction moving actuator, 105, 107: Reflecting mirror, 106: Laser light, 108, 109: Moving table, 110: X axis direction driving Motor: 111: Y-axis direction drive motor, 301: X-direction motor drive unit, 302: Y-direction motor drive unit, 303: light source control unit, 304: arithmetic processing unit, 305: control unit, 306: display unit, 307: Operation unit, 401: Inspection sample positioning unit, 402: Laser beam positioning unit, 403: Illumination unit, 404: PC unit.

Claims (1)

  An inspection object positioning unit capable of varying the inclination of the inspection object, an illumination unit that illuminates the inspection object, a light source that generates a light spot that indicates a defect position of the inspection object, and a light beam from the light source A light spot positioning unit that controls to illuminate the defect position of the inspection object and a calculation processing unit that calculates a defect position on the inspection object based on position information from the light spot positioning unit, and the light The spot positioning unit includes a linear movement mechanism unit and a reflecting mirror mounted on the linear movement mechanism unit, and the light source is disposed in a peripheral portion of the inspection object, and a light beam from the light source is transmitted by the reflection mirror. A visual inspection apparatus that reflects and irradiates the light spot on a defect position of the inspection object.

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