JP2005345832A - Aligner for belt-like work - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an aligner for a belt-like work, in which a plurality of lines of belt-like works can be efficiently exposed in shorter tact time, without having to increase the scale of the apparatus as a whole. <P>SOLUTION: The aligner for a belt-like wok comprises a work releasing machine 10, first and second tension devices 20, 60, first and second conveying and fixing devices 30, 50, an exposure unit 40, and a work winding machine 70, and it also has a work stage 46 having a work suction table 45 in the upper side, with the stage fixed on the system mount 2 below the exposure unit 40. The first and second conveying and fixing devices 30, 50, the work suction table 45 and so on are attached integrally to a moving unit 80. A plurality of lines of belt-like works are exposed, by repeatedly moving the unit 80 in the width direction of the belt-like work 1 and conveying in the longitudinal direction of the belt-like work. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an exposure apparatus for a strip-shaped workpiece that exposes a pattern formed on a reticle in a plurality of rows on a continuous strip-shaped workpiece such as a TAB or COF (Chip On Film) film.

  Conventionally, when exposing a pattern formed on a reticle (mask) to a plurality of rows of a strip-shaped workpiece in exposure of the strip-shaped workpiece, the first row is applied to the workpiece unwound from the unwinding reel of the workpiece unwinding unit. The exposure reel is wound on the take-up reel of the work take-up portion, and then the second reel is exposed to the take-up reel. The second row exposure was carried out by replacing each with a winding part. This method requires artificial replacement of the reels and is very inefficient.

  Therefore, as an exposure apparatus that does not need to replace the reel, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a work transfer mechanism and a work moving mechanism that moves a work on a work stage in the width direction of the work. An exposure apparatus is disclosed in which a plurality of rows of exposure are performed by repeatedly moving and moving the feed roll unit and the winding roll unit in the width direction of the workpiece before starting the workpiece conveyance.

  However, in this case, since the inertial force is large when moving the feed roll unit and the take-up roll unit, and a large amount of power is required at the time of movement, the movement mechanism becomes large and the movement time becomes long. There are problems such as an increase in the overall size and an increase in tact time.

  In addition, as a method of exposing a plurality of rows to a workpiece, at least two exposure units are arranged on a workpiece conveyance path as described in Patent Document 2, and these workpieces are exposed to these workpieces. There are exposure machines that perform at least two rows of exposure.

  However, the provision of a plurality of exposure units requires the same number of expensive exposure units, and the exposure units themselves are very expensive, which is a problem against the cost competition of exposure machines.

JP 2000-214595 A JP 2004-94142 A

  Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for exposing a strip-shaped workpiece that does not increase the size of the entire apparatus and that can reduce the tact time and can efficiently expose a plurality of rows of strip-shaped workpieces. is there.

  According to the present invention, the first and second transport and fixing devices that transport and fix the belt-shaped workpiece at least in the longitudinal direction of the belt-shaped workpiece, and the workpiece suction table on which the belt-shaped workpiece is placed during exposure to the belt-shaped workpiece It is integrally attached to a moving unit that moves in the width direction, and repeats the transfer and movement of the belt-like work by the first and second transfer fixing devices and the moving unit, the upstream side of the moving unit in the transfer direction of the belt-like work, While absorbing the twist of the belt-like work between the moving unit and the work unwinding machine and the work winder during the transportation and movement of the belt-like work by the first and second tensioning devices respectively provided on the downstream side, It is characterized by exposing a plurality of rows of patterns to a strip-shaped workpiece.

  In the present invention, the first and second conveying and fixing devices for conveying and fixing the belt-like workpiece in the longitudinal direction of the belt-like workpiece are integrally attached to a moving unit that moves in the width direction of the belt-like workpiece, and the first The belt-like work is repeatedly transported and moved by the second transport fixing device and the moving unit, and the belt-like work is provided by the first and second tensioning devices respectively provided on the upstream side and the downstream side of the moving unit in the belt-working direction. It is also possible to expose a plurality of rows of patterns on the belt-like workpiece while absorbing the twist of the belt-like workpiece between the workpiece unwinder and workpiece winder and the moving unit during the transfer and movement of the workpiece.

  The first and second tensioning devices are configured such that an exhaust duct provided with a blower is connected to a suction box so that the atmosphere of the suction box is sucked, and the suction box atmosphere is sucked by suction of the atmosphere in the suction box. The belt-like work that runs on the belt hangs down, and the twist of the belt-like work is absorbed by the slackness of the belt-like work caused by the sag.

  According to the present invention, only the workpiece fixing table for transporting and fixing the belt-like workpiece and the workpiece suction table on which the belt-like workpiece is placed are moved in the width direction of the belt-like workpiece, and the workpiece from the workpiece unwinder and the workpiece winder is used. Since the twisting of the workpiece is absorbed by a tensioning device that gives the workpiece slack and exposure is performed on multiple rows of workpieces, it is not necessary to move the workpiece unwinder and workpiece winder in the workpiece width direction. In addition, since the space and the movement mechanism associated with the movement of the work winder are not required, the exposure apparatus is not significantly increased in size and the tact time is reduced, so that multiple rows of exposure can be performed efficiently.

  In addition, since it is not necessary to provide a plurality of exposure units, the required number of expensive exposure units can be minimized, so that the cost can be reduced.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the strip-shaped workpiece exposure apparatus of the present invention includes a workpiece unwinding machine 10, a first tensioning device 20, a first transport fixing device 30, an exposure unit 40, and a second transport fixing device 50. The second tensioning device 60 and the work winding machine 70 are included.

  The work unwinding machine 10 is configured so as to be able to attach an unwinding reel 11 for unwinding the belt-like work 1 to be exposed, and the work winder 70 is attached with a winding reel 71 for winding the exposed belt-like work 1. Configured to get.

  The first tensioning device 20 includes a suction box 22 having an exhaust duct 21 connected to a lower portion thereof, and guide rollers 23 and 24 disposed at an inlet portion and an outlet portion of the suction box 22. A blower 25 is provided so that the atmosphere in the suction box 22 is sucked and exhausted to the outside. The belt-shaped workpiece travels in the suction box 22 and hangs down in a U-shape when the atmosphere is sucked and exhausted, resulting in slack.

  Although not shown, at least two positions are provided on the side of the suction box 22 in order to detect the lower end position of the hanging portion of the strip-shaped workpiece 1 and to control the lower end of the hanging portion within a certain range. A reference sensor is provided.

  The first transport fixing device 30 includes a fixed grip 31 and a moving grip 32, and the moving grip 32 moves up and down by a feed screw 34 connected to a drive motor 33.

  The exposure unit 40 includes a light irradiation means 41, a reticle base 49 with an alignment mechanism, a reticle 42 placed on the top surface thereof, and a projection lens 44. The exposure position of the reticle 42 and the belt-like workpiece 1 is exposed. When the alignment is performed, a light-shielding plate 43 for blocking exposure light exposure to the belt-like workpiece 1 is inserted between the light irradiation means 41 and the reticle 42. Below the exposure unit 40, a work stage 46 having a work suction table 45 at the top is fixed on the apparatus base 2. In addition, elevating rollers 47 and 48 are disposed before and after the work suction table 45.

    The second transport fixing device 50 includes a fixed grip 51 and a moving grip 52, and the moving grip 52 moves up and down by a feed screw 54 connected to a drive motor 53.

  The second tensioning device 60 includes a suction box 62 having an exhaust duct 61 connected to a lower portion thereof, and guide rollers 63 and 64 disposed at an inlet portion and an outlet portion of the suction box 62. A blower 65 is provided so that the atmosphere in the suction box 62 is sucked and exhausted to the outside. The belt-like workpiece travels in the suction box 62, and the atmosphere is sucked and exhausted to hang down in a U shape, thereby causing slack.

  Although not shown, at least two positions are provided on the side portion of the suction box 62 in order to detect the lower end position of the hanging portion of the strip-shaped workpiece 1 and to control the lower end of the hanging portion within a certain range. A reference sensor is provided.

  Further, the above-described first conveyance fixing device 30, the second conveyance fixing device 50, the work suction table 45, the guide rollers 24, 63, and the lifting rollers 47, 48 are within the frame of the moving unit 80 framed in a U-shape. It is integrally attached so that it can be stored.

  The moving unit 80 is configured to move in the width direction of the belt-like workpiece on a pair of known slide rails 81 laid at a plurality of positions in the width direction of the belt-like workpiece 1. That is, the first conveyance fixing device 30, the second conveyance fixing device 50, the workpiece suction table 45, the guide rollers 24 and 63, and the lifting rollers 47 and 48 that are integrally attached to the moving unit 80 are simultaneously formed in the width of the belt-shaped workpiece 1. It is designed to move in the direction.

  During this movement, the work suction table 45 is configured to be able to move on the work stage 46. In this case, the above-described sliding rail 81 may be laid between the work suction table 45 and the work stage 46.

  The moving unit 80 may be driven by an air cylinder (not shown) or by a feed screw connected to a drive motor.

  According to the above-described exposure apparatus, when a plurality of rows of exposure patterns are exposed on the belt-like workpiece 1, when the first row of the belt-like workpiece 1 is exposed, the exposure position of the first row of the belt-like workpiece 1 is the exposure unit 40. The moving unit 80 is moved in the width direction of the belt-like workpiece so as to be positioned below the projection lens 44, and when exposing the second row, the exposure position of the second row of the belt-like workpiece 1 is the projection lens of the exposure unit 40. The moving unit 80 is moved in the width direction of the belt-like workpiece so as to be positioned below the upper portion 44. And according to a predetermined exposure pattern, the strip | belt-shaped workpiece | work 1 is conveyed in the longitudinal direction.

  When the strip-shaped workpiece 1 is exposed in three or more rows, the movement unit 80 is moved to the exposure row location by the number of rows.

  In the moving unit 80 described so far, the work suction table 45 can be fixed on the work table 46 without attaching the work suction table 45 to the movement unit 80.

  In this case, multiple rows of exposure to the strip-shaped workpiece 1 are performed as follows. First, when the moving unit 80 moves in the width direction of the belt-like workpiece 1, the workpiece suction of the workpiece suction table 45 is stopped, and the lifting rollers 47 and 48 are raised to move the belt-like workpiece 1. After the movement, the elevating rollers 47 and 48 are lowered, the work is sucked by the work suction table 45, and the first row exposure is performed. The exposure of the second row is performed by moving the moving unit 80 to the exposure position of the second row as described above, and the belt-like workpiece 1 is conveyed in the longitudinal direction according to a predetermined exposure pattern.

  As described above, when the workpiece suction table 45 is not moved integrally with the moving unit 80, the inertia of the moving portion is reduced, so that high speed movement is possible.

  When the workpiece suction table 45 is fixed and the moving unit moves, the workpiece suction direction of the workpiece suction table 45 is the same as that of the belt-like workpiece 1 in the width direction. It is sufficiently large so as not to protrude from the table 45, and the workpiece suction portion is provided at a position corresponding to the movement of the belt-like workpiece 1, and the timing of suction and suction stop needs to correspond to the movement of the belt-like workpiece 1. .

  Next, a plurality of rows of exposure processing steps for the belt-like workpiece by the belt-like workpiece exposure apparatus of the present invention will be described.

  The belt-like work 1 unwound from the work unwinding machine 10 enters the suction box 22 of the first tensioning device 20 through the guide roller 23 and is blown by the blower 25 provided in the exhaust duct 21 connected to the suction box 22. When the atmosphere in the suction box 22 is sucked and exhausted to the outside, it hangs down in a U shape.

  The belt-like workpiece 1 is conveyed by the moving grips 32 and 52 of the first and second conveying and fixing devices 30 and 50 via the guide rollers 24 and 63 and the elevating rollers 47 and 48 and sucked by the second tensioning device 60. The atmosphere in the suction box 62 enters the box 62 and is sucked out by the blower 65 provided in the exhaust duct 61 connected to the suction box 62 and exhausted to the outside. Is wound around the work winder 70.

  Next, for example, in the exposure process of the exposure pattern shown in FIG. 2, first, the moving unit 80 is moved under the projection lens 44 of the exposure unit 40 where the exposure pattern portion (no.1) in the first row of the strip-like workpiece 1 is positioned. The belt-like workpiece 1 is sucked and fixed on the workpiece suction table 45 by the suction action of the workpiece suction table 45 by moving the lift rollers 47 and 48 down to the position located at the position.

  Then, the belt-like workpiece 1 is fixed by the fixing grips 31 and 51 of the first and second transport fixing devices 30 and 50, the position of the reticle 42 is aligned with the exposure pattern portion (no. 1), and the light of the exposure portion 40 is obtained. The irradiation unit 41 performs predetermined exposure.

  Next, the moving unit 80 is moved from that state to a position where the exposure pattern portion (no. 2) in the second row of the belt-like workpiece 1 is positioned below the projection lens 44 of the exposure portion 40. Then, the position of the reticle 42 is aligned with the exposure pattern portion (no. 2), predetermined exposure is performed by the light irradiation portion 41 of the exposure portion 40, and the exposure pattern portion (no) of the first row of the belt-like workpiece 1 is again formed. .1) move the moving unit 80 to a position below the projection lens 44 of the exposure unit 40.

  Next, the suction of the belt-like workpiece 1 on the workpiece suction table 45 is stopped, the lifting rollers 47 and 48 are raised, and the belt-like workpiece 1 is fixed by the fixing grips 31 and 51 of the first and second transport fixing devices 30 and 50. Is released.

  The belt-like workpiece 1 is exposed by one pitch by the moving grips 32 and 52 of the first and second transport fixing devices 30 and 50, that is, the next exposure pattern portion (no. 3) in the first row of the belt-like workpiece 1 is exposed. The belt 40 is conveyed to a position below the projection lens 44 of the unit 40, and the elevating rollers 47 and 48 are lowered to fix the belt-like workpiece 1 on the workpiece suction table 45 by the suction action of the workpiece suction table 45.

  Then, the belt-like workpiece 1 is fixed by the fixing grips 31 and 51 of the first and second transport fixing devices 30 and 50, the position of the reticle 42 is aligned with the exposure pattern portion (no. 3), and the light of the exposure portion 40 is obtained. The irradiation unit 41 performs predetermined exposure.

  When the belt-like workpiece 1 is conveyed during exposure, the work winder 70 winds the belt-like workpiece 1 by a necessary amount by causing the belt-like workpiece 1 to have an appropriate slack due to the hanging of the belt-like workpiece 1 by the second tensioning device 60.

  In this way, the exposure pattern portion no. 4, no. 5 --- also in the subsequent exposure, no. 1-no. Similar to the exposure process 3, a plurality of rows of exposure patterns are exposed on the strip-shaped workpiece 1 by repeating movement, exposure, movement, conveyance, exposure, and movement.

  The movement of the strip-shaped workpiece 1 between the exposure pattern rows, that is, the twist of the strip-shaped workpiece 1 between the workpiece unwinding machine 10 and the workpiece winder 70 and the moving unit 80 when the moving unit 80 is moved is described above. The first and second tensioning devices 20 and 60 are absorbed by the slack in the hanging portion of the belt-like workpiece 1 due to the suction action.

  At this time, in order to smoothly convey the belt-like workpiece 1 by the first and second conveyance fixing devices 30 and 50, the hanging height of the belt-like workpiece 1 at the first and second tensioning devices 20 and 60, that is, a guide The distance from the rollers 23, 24, 63, 64 to the lowest lower end of the belt-shaped workpiece 1 is 2.5 times or more the width of the belt-shaped workpiece 1, and the belt-shaped workpiece in the first and second tensioning devices 20, 60 1, that is, the distance between the guide rollers 23 and 24 and the distance between the guide rollers 63 and 64 is preferably at least twice the width of the belt-like workpiece 1.

  Further, by controlling the amount of suction by the first and second tensioning devices 20 and 60 according to the state of conveyance, movement, etc., the conveyance and movement state of the belt-like workpiece 1 can be further stabilized.

It is the schematic which shows the whole structure of the strip | belt-shaped workpiece | work of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the exposure pattern of several rows.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Strip | belt-shaped workpiece | work 20 1st tension device 22, 62 Suction box 23, 24, 63, 64 Guide roller 30 1st conveyance fixing device 31, 51 Fixed grip 32, 52 Moving grip 40 Exposure part 45 Work suction table 47, 48 Lift roller 50 Second transport fixing device 60 Second tension device 80 Moving unit

Claims (3)

In a strip-shaped workpiece exposure apparatus in which a plurality of rows of patterns formed on a reticle (mask) are exposed to a strip-shaped workpiece unwound from a workpiece unwinder and wound on a workpiece winder, at least in the longitudinal direction of the strip-shaped workpiece The first and second conveying and fixing devices that convey and fix the belt-like workpiece and the workpiece suction table on which the belt-like workpiece is placed during exposure to the belt-like workpiece are integrated with the moving unit that moves in the width direction of the belt-like workpiece. The first and second transport fixing devices and the moving unit are repeatedly transported and moved by the first and second transport fixing devices, and the first and second transport units are respectively provided on the upstream side and the downstream side of the moving unit in the transporting direction of the strip-shaped workpiece. 2 The tension device must not absorb the twist of the strip work between the moving unit and the work unwinder and the work winder during the transport and movement of the strip work. Et al., The exposure apparatus of the belt-like work, characterized by exposing a pattern of a plurality of rows in the strip-shaped workpiece. In a strip-shaped workpiece exposure apparatus in which a plurality of rows of patterns formed on a reticle (mask) are exposed to a strip-shaped workpiece unwound from a workpiece unwinder and wound on a workpiece winder, the strip-shaped workpiece is stripped in the longitudinal direction of the strip-shaped workpiece. First and second transport and fixing devices for transporting and fixing the workpiece are integrally attached to a moving unit that moves in the width direction of the strip-shaped workpiece, and the first and second transport and fixing devices and the movable unit The work unwinding machine and the work at the time of transporting and moving the belt-shaped workpiece by the first and second tensioning devices respectively provided on the upstream side and the downstream side of the moving unit in the transport direction of the belt-shaped workpiece by repeating the transport and movement. Exposing the strip-shaped workpiece to the strip-shaped workpiece while absorbing the twist of the strip-shaped workpiece between the winder and the moving unit. Location. In the first and second tensioning devices, an exhaust duct provided with a blower is connected to a suction box so that the atmosphere in the suction box is sucked, and the suction box is sucked by suction of the atmosphere in the suction box. The belt-shaped workpiece exposure apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the belt-shaped workpiece traveling inside is drooped and the twist of the belt-shaped workpiece is absorbed by the slack of the belt-shaped workpiece due to the drooping.

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