JP2022178891A - Auxiliary device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an auxiliary device which is capable of automatically exchanging a cutting blade and which can be retrofit to a cutting device already delivered to a user.SOLUTION: An auxiliary device 2 to be connected to a cutting device includes, at least: cutting blade storage means 4 for storing a plurality of cutting blades 36; carrying means 6 for carrying in and out the cutting blade 36 from the cutting blade storage means 4 by holding a front face thereof; Y-axis direction positioning means 8 for positioning carrying-out/in means 6 at an action position and a retreat position in Y-axis direction with respect to the cutting blade storage means 4; Z-axis movement means 10 for moving the carrying means 6 in Z-axis direction; X-axis movement means 12 for moving the carrying means 6 in the X-axis direction and acting on the cutting blade 36 installed on a spindle of the cutting means of the cutting device; and cleaning means 13 for cleaning a back face of the cutting blade 36 held by the carrying means 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an auxiliary device coupled to a cutting device.

A wafer in which a plurality of devices such as ICs and LSIs are partitioned by division lines and formed on the surface is divided into individual device chips by a cutting machine, and each of the divided device chips is applied to electrical equipment such as mobile phones and personal computers. used.

The cutting device includes a chuck table having a holding surface for holding a wafer, a cutting means having a cutting blade for cutting the wafer held by the chuck table mounted with a fixed nut, and an X for processing and feeding the chuck table in the X-axis direction. Axial feeding means, Y-axis feeding means for indexing and feeding the cutting means in the Y-axis direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction, and Z-axis feeding means for cutting and feeding the cutting means in the Z-axis direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. means, the holding surface is defined in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and the wafer can be divided into individual device chips with high accuracy.

The applicant of the present invention also proposed an automatic changer capable of automatically changing the cutting blades attached to the cutting means (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-98536 A

However, there is a problem that it is difficult to attach an automatic changer to a cutting device that has already been delivered to a user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention, which has been made in view of the above facts, is to provide an auxiliary device that can automatically replace a cutting blade, and that can be attached later to a cutting device that has already been delivered to a user. .

According to the present invention, the following auxiliary device for solving the above problems is provided. That is, a chuck table having a holding surface for holding a workpiece, a cutting means having a cutting blade for cutting the workpiece held by the chuck table mounted with a fixed nut, and the chuck table arranged in the X-axis direction. X-axis feed means for processing feed, Y-axis feed means for indexing and feeding the cutting means in the Y-axis direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction, and Z-axis direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. Z-axis feeding means for cutting and feeding the cutting means, the holding surface being an auxiliary device connected to the cutting device defined by the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and storing a plurality of cutting blades. cutting blade storage means; loading/unloading means for holding the front surface of the cutting blade from the cutting blade storage means and loading/unloading the cutting blade; Z-axis moving means for moving the loading/unloading means in the Z-axis direction; and a cutting blade mounted on the spindle of the cutting means by moving the loading/unloading means in the X-axis direction. and cleaning means for cleaning the back surface of the cutting blade held by the loading/unloading means.

Preferably, the cutting blade storage means includes a drive gear having a rotation axis extending in the Y-axis direction, a driven gear having a rotation axis extending in the Y-axis direction and spaced apart from the drive gear in the Z-axis direction, and the drive gear. an endless track wound around the driven gear; and a support shaft disposed on the endless track at a predetermined interval and inserted into the central opening of the cutting blade to support the cutting blade and extending in the Y-axis direction; The cleaning means is provided adjacent to the cutting blade storage means and has an air nozzle for blowing air onto the back surface of the cutting blade held by the loading/unloading means for cleaning.
The air nozzle is disposed on the back of the support shaft of the cutting blade storage means, and blows air onto the back of the cutting blade supported by the support shaft to move the cutting blade to the tip of the support shaft. It is preferred to locate the front face of the cutting blade on the loading/unloading means.
The loading/unloading means includes a Z rotating shaft extending in the Z-axis direction, a blade holding portion radially connected to the Z rotating shaft and holding the cutting blade by suction, and a male screw formed at the tip of the spindle with the fixing nut. and a fixed nut holding portion which is screwed into and unscrewed from, and two blade holding portions are provided for one fixed nut holding portion.
The loading/unloading means is arranged in a frame, the frame is slidably supported by guide rails arranged in the elevating table and extending in the Y-axis direction, and the cutting blade storage means is moved by the Y-axis direction positioning means. is preferably located at the operative position and the retracted position in the Y-axis direction.
The loading/unloading means is disposed on a first moving body disposed inside the frame, and the first moving body extends in the X-axis direction disposed below the second moving body. Suspended and slidably supported by a first guide rail, the second moving body is suspended by a second guide rail extending in the X-axis direction provided on the ceiling of the frame. It is preferable that the loading/unloading means is slidably supported in a state in which it is held, and that the loading/unloading means is configured to be freely advanced in the X-axis direction by the first moving body and the second moving body.

The auxiliary device of the present invention comprises a chuck table having a holding surface for holding a workpiece, cutting means having a cutting blade for cutting the workpiece held by the chuck table mounted with a fixed nut, and the chuck table. in the X-axis direction, Y-axis feed means for indexing and feeding the cutting means in the Y-axis direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction, and perpendicular to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction Z-axis feeding means for cutting and feeding the cutting means in the Z-axis direction, the holding surface being connected to the cutting device defined by the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, cutting blade storage means for storing a cutting blade; loading/unloading means for holding the front surface of the cutting blade from the cutting blade storage means and loading/unloading the cutting blade; Y-axis positioning means for positioning at the operating position and the retracted position, Z-axis moving means for moving the loading/unloading means in the Z-axis direction, and moving the loading/unloading means in the X-axis direction to the spindle of the cutting means. Since it has at least X-axis movement means for acting on the mounted cutting blade and cleaning means for cleaning the back surface of the cutting blade held by the loading/unloading means, the cutting machine already delivered to the user can be used later. Can be worn.

1 is a perspective view of an auxiliary device constructed in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the cutting blade storage means shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the support shaft shown in FIG. 2 and the cutting blade seen from the front side; FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the support shaft shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the loading/unloading means shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the frame, lifting table, and base rack shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the frame shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cutting blade is being cleaned by the cleaning means shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cutting device to which the auxiliary device shown in FIG. 1 is connected; FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the chuck table shown in FIG. 9; FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the cutting means shown in FIG. 9; FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the cutting means with the blade cover shown in FIG. 11 opened; FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the cutting means shown in FIG. 9; FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the auxiliary device shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the cutting device shown in FIG. 9; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cutting blade storage means and loading/unloading means of the auxiliary device shown in FIG. 1 face each other; Fig. 16 is a perspective view showing a state in which the frame has advanced toward the cutting blade storage means from the state shown in Fig. 15; FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a state in which the frame is retracted from the state shown in FIG. 16 and the elevation table is raised; FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a state in which the first moving body has advanced toward the cutting device from the state shown in FIG. 17; FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a state in which the second moving body has advanced toward the cutting device from the state shown in FIG. 18;

A preferred embodiment of an auxiliary device constructed according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, an auxiliary device generally indicated by reference numeral 2 includes cutting blade storage means 4 for storing a plurality of cutting blades, and cutting blade holding means 4 for holding front faces of the cutting blades and carrying them in and out. A loading/unloading means 6, a Y-axis direction positioning means 8 for positioning the loading/unloading means 6 in the working position and the retracted position in the Y-axis direction with respect to the cutting blade storage means 4, and moving the loading/unloading means 6 in the Z-axis direction. Z-axis movement means 10 and X-axis movement means 12 for moving the loading/unloading means 6 in the X-axis direction to act on the cutting blade mounted on the spindle of the cutting means of the cutting device, and the loading/unloading means 6 and a cleaning means 13 for cleaning the back surface of the cutting blade.

The X-axis direction is the direction indicated by the arrow X in FIG. 1, the Y-axis direction is the direction indicated by the arrow Y in FIG. It is the direction indicated by Z and is the vertical direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. Also, the plane defined by the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is substantially horizontal.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cutting blade storage means 4 includes a drive gear 16 having a rotation axis 14 extending in the Y-axis direction, and a driven gear having a rotation axis 18 spaced apart from the drive gear 16 in the Z-axis direction and extending in the Y-axis direction. 20, an endless track 22 wound around the drive gear 16 and the driven gear 20, and a Y-axis direction that is disposed at predetermined intervals on the endless track 22 and inserted into the central opening of the cutting blade to support the cutting blade. and an extending support shaft 24 .

1 and 2, the cutting blade storage means 4 of the illustrated embodiment includes a base plate 26 (see FIG. 1), a support wall 28 extending upward from the upper surface of the base plate 26, a support and a motor 30 fixed to one side of the wall 28 . As shown in FIG. 2, the motor 30 is connected to the rotating shaft 14 of the driving gear 16, and the motor 30 rotates the driving gear 16 about the Y-axis direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the driven gear 20 is arranged above the driving gear 16, and the rotary shaft 18 of the driven gear 20 is supported by a support wall 28 so as to be rotatable about the Y-axis direction and vertically up and down in the Z-axis direction. It is The support wall 28 is provided with elevating means (not shown) for elevating the driven gear 20 in the Z-axis direction. The lifting means may have a ball screw connected to the rotation shaft 18 of the driven gear 20 and extending in the Z-axis direction, and a motor for rotating the ball screw.

The endless track 22 is composed of a large number of mutually connected link pieces (reference numerals omitted) and is wound around the driving gear 16 and the driven gear 20 . Track 22 is adapted to rotate as drive gear 16 is rotated by motor 30 . Although the illustrated endless track 22 is depicted as if the link pieces are arranged without gaps, there are gaps between the link pieces, and air blown from an air nozzle 142, which will be described later, blows air onto the link pieces. It is possible to pass between

In the cutting blade storage means 4 of the illustrated embodiment, the distance between the drive gear 16 and the driven gear 20 in the Z-axis direction can be adjusted by changing the position of the driven gear 20 in the Z-axis direction with the elevating means. ing. Further, in the cutting blade storage means 4, the length of the endless track 22 can be adjusted by appropriately increasing or decreasing the number of link pieces of the endless track 22. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of support shafts 24 are arranged on the endless track 22 at predetermined intervals. 3 together with FIG. 2, the support shaft 24 includes a cylindrical base 32 connected to the endless track 22 and a cylindrical shaft extending from the end surface of the base 32 in the Y-axis direction. 34. The diameter of shank 34 is smaller than the diameter of base 32 .

Also shown in FIG. 3 is a cutting blade 36 supported on the support shaft 24 . The cutting blade 36 shown in FIG. 3 is viewed from the front side of the cutting blade 36 . The cutting blade 36 has an annular base 38 and an annular cutting edge 40 fixed to the outer periphery of the base 38 . The base 38 can be formed from a suitable metal material such as an aluminum alloy. A circular central opening 38 a is provided in the central portion of the base 38 . The cutting edge 40 is formed with a predetermined thickness (for example, about 10 to 30 μm) from abrasive grains such as diamond and a binding material such as metal or resin, and protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral edge of the base 38. there is

In the support shaft 24 , the shaft portion 34 is inserted into the central opening 38 a of the cutting blade 36 and supports a plurality of (for example, five) cutting blades 36 with the shaft portion 34 . In the illustrated embodiment, the cutting blade 36 is supported by half of the plurality of support shafts 24, as understood by referring to FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of ball plungers 42 are mounted at intervals in the circumferential direction on the tip side of the shaft portion 34 to prevent the cutting blades 36 supported by the shaft portion 34 from jumping out. there is

As shown in FIG. 4, a flow path 32a is formed inside each base portion 32 of the support shaft 24, and a plurality of flow paths 22a are formed in the endless track 22 so as to communicate with one end of each flow path 32a. . The other end of each flow path 32a is open at the end face of the base 32 radially outside the shaft 34, as shown in FIG.

The loading/unloading means 6 will be described with reference to FIG. The loading/unloading means 6 includes a Z rotating shaft 46 extending in the Z-axis direction, a blade holding portion 48 that is radially connected to the Z rotating shaft 46 and holds the cutting blade 36 by suction, and a fixing nut formed at the tip of the spindle of the cutting device. and a fixing nut holding portion 50 that is screwed onto and unscrewed from the male screw.

As shown in FIG. 5, the loading/unloading means 6 of the illustrated embodiment further includes a casing 52. The casing 52 includes a regular hexagonal top plate 54 and six rectangular plate-like plates hanging down from the periphery of the top plate 54. side walls 56; The Z rotation shaft 46 protrudes from the upper surface of the top plate 54 . A motor (not shown) connected to the Z rotating shaft 46 is housed inside the casing 52 .

In the illustrated embodiment, of the six sidewalls 56 of the casing 52, four sidewalls 56 are fitted with blade retainers 48, two sidewalls 56 are fitted with fixed nut retainers 50, Two fixing nut holding portions 50 are provided on a pair of opposing side walls 56 . In this manner, the loading/unloading means 6 has two blade holding portions 48 for one fixing nut holding portion 50 .

The blade holding portion 48 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the end face 58 of the blade holding portion 48 has a circular central opening 60 capable of receiving the shaft portion 34 of the support shaft 24 and the tip portion of the spindle of the cutting device. , and a plurality of suction holes 62 circumferentially arranged at regular intervals around the central opening 60 . Each suction hole 62 is connected to suction means (not shown).

In the blade holding portion 48, in a state where the end face 58 of the blade holding portion 48 is in contact with the base 38 of the cutting blade 36 stored in the cutting blade storage means 4, each suction hole 62 is opened by the suction means. The cutting blade 36 is held by suction by generating a suction force on the .

Continuing the description with reference to FIG. 5, the fixed nut holding part 50 includes a cylindrical housing 64 fixed to the side wall 56 of the casing 52 and an annular rotating body 66 rotatably accommodated inside the housing 64 . and a motor (not shown) that rotates the rotor 66 .

The rotating body 66 is formed with a central opening 68 capable of receiving the tip of the spindle of the cutting device. A plurality of suction holes 70 and a plurality of pins 72 are alternately provided in the end face 66a of the rotor 66 at intervals in the circumferential direction. Each suction hole 70 is connected to suction means (not shown). The pin 72 is positioned at a position (position shown in FIG. 5) protruding from the end surface 66a of the rotating body 66 by a spring (not shown) built in the rotating body 66, and is positioned inside the rotating body 66. When pushed toward, the spring contracts and is housed inside the rotor 66 . Also, the pins 72 are arranged corresponding to the positions of the pin holes formed in the fixing nut.

In the fixed nut holding part 50, the suction means generates a suction force in each suction hole 70 to suck and hold the fixed nut. By rotating the body 66, a fixing nut for fixing the cutting blade 36 to the spindle of the cutting device can be screwed onto and unscrewed from the male thread formed at the tip of the spindle.

When the fixing nut is unscrewed (removed) from the spindle, even if the position of the pin 72 of the fixing nut holding portion 50 and the position of the pin hole of the fixing nut are misaligned, After positioning the end surface 66a of the rotating body 66 on the end surface of the nut and housing the pin 72 inside the rotating body 66, when the motor is rotated by the rotating body 66, the position of the pin 72 is aligned with the position of the pin hole. Then, the pin 72 is pushed out by the spring, and the pin 72 is inserted into the pin hole.

In the illustrated embodiment, the loading/unloading means 6 configured as described above is disposed inside the frame 74 as shown in FIG. The frame body 74 is supported by a lifting table 76 so as to be movable in the Y-axis direction, and the lifting table 76 is supported by a base frame 78 so as to be vertically movable in the Z-axis direction.

Referring to FIG. 6 together with FIG. 1, the frame 74 includes a rectangular plate-shaped bottom 80, four posts 82 extending upward from the four corners of the top surface of the bottom 80, and fixed to the upper ends of the posts 82. and a plate-shaped ceiling portion 84 (see FIG. 1). A pair of guided members 86 having grooves 86a extending in the Y-axis direction are provided on the lower surface of the bottom portion 80 at intervals in the X-axis direction.

The lift table 76 includes a rectangular top plate 88 and four columnar legs 90 extending downward from the four corners of the bottom surface of the top plate 88 . A pair of guide rails 92 extending in the Y-axis direction are provided on the top surface of the top plate 88 at intervals in the X-axis direction. It is slidably fitted in the groove 86a.

Y-axis direction positioning means 8 is provided on the upper surface of the top plate 88 of the lifting table 76 . The Y-axis direction positioning means 8 has a ball screw 94 extending in the Y-axis direction between a pair of guide rails 92 and a motor 96 for rotating the ball screw 94 . A nut portion (not shown) of the ball screw 94 is fixed to the lower surface of the bottom portion 80 of the frame 74 .

In the Y-axis direction positioning means 8, the rotary motion of the motor 96 is converted into linear motion by the ball screw 94 and transmitted to the frame 74, thereby moving the frame 74 along the pair of guide rails 92 in the Y-axis direction. . In this way, the frame 74 on which the loading/unloading means 6 is disposed is slidably supported by the guide rails 92 extending in the Y-axis direction disposed on the elevating table 76, and the Y-axis direction positioning means 8 cuts the material. It is positioned at an active position and a retracted position in the Y-axis direction with respect to the blade storage means 4 .

The operating position is a position where the blade holding portion 48 of the loading/unloading means 6 is close to the cutting blade storage means 4, and the cutting blade 36 supported by the cutting blade storage means 4 can be suction-held by the blade holding portion 48. position. The retracted position is a position where the blade holding portion 48 of the carrying-in/out means 6 is separated from the cutting blade storage means 4 more than the operating position.

As shown in FIG. 6, the base mount 78 includes a frame 98 and a rectangular base plate 100 fixed to the upper portion of the frame 98. As shown in FIG. Four circular holes 102 into which the legs 90 of the lifting table 76 are slidably inserted are formed in the four corners of the base plate 100 . A female thread 104 is formed in the central portion of the base plate 100 .

Continuing the description with reference to FIG. Z-axis moving means 10 includes a ball screw 106 extending in the Z-axis direction, a motor 108 for rotating ball screw 106 , and a connecting plate 110 fixed to the upper end of motor 108 . Ball screw 106 is screwed into female screw 104 of base plate 100 . The connecting plate 110 is fixed to the lower surface of the top plate 88 of the lifting table 76 by appropriate connecting means such as bolts (not shown).

In the Z-axis moving means 10, the ball screw 106 converts the rotary motion of the motor 108 into linear motion, and the lifting table 76 is moved up and down with respect to the base frame 78, thereby moving the frame on which the loading/unloading means 6 is arranged. 74 is moved in the Z-axis direction.

Referring to FIG. 7, the carrying-in/out means 6 is arranged on a first moving body 112 arranged inside the frame 74, and the first moving body 112 is attached to the second moving body 114. The second moving body 114 is slidably supported in a suspended state by a first guide rail 116 extending in the X-axis direction provided at the bottom, and the second moving body 114 is provided on the ceiling part 84 of the frame 74. It is slidably supported while suspended from a second guide rail 118 extending in the X-axis direction.

The first moving body 112 has a rectangular plate-shaped main body 120 . A circular hole 122 is formed in the central portion of the main body 120 . The Z rotating shaft 46 of the loading/unloading means 6 is inserted into the circular hole 122 , and the Z rotating shaft 46 is non-rotatably fixed to the main body 120 . When the motor of the loading/unloading means 6 connected to the Z rotating shaft 46 is driven, the casing 52 of the loading/unloading means 6 rotates with respect to the first moving body 112, and the blade holding portion 48 and the fixed nut holding portion 50 are moved. Can be positioned in any orientation.

A pair of guided members 124 formed with grooves 124a extending in the X-axis direction are provided on the upper surface of the main body 120 of the first moving body 112 and are spaced apart in the Y-axis direction, and extend in the X-axis direction. A block 126 having a through hole 126a is fixed.

The second moving body 114 has a rectangular plate-shaped main body 128, and a pair of first guide rails 116 are provided on the lower surface of the main body 128 at intervals in the Y-axis direction. The first guide rail 116 is slidably fitted into the grooves 124a of the pair of guided members 124 of the first moving body 112, and the first moving body 112 is connected to the second moving body 114. It is slidably supported in a suspended state by the first guide rail 116 provided.

Below the main body 128 of the second moving body 114 is provided first X-axis moving means for moving the first moving body 112 in the X-axis direction with respect to the second moving body 114 . The first X-axis moving means in the illustrated embodiment is composed of an air cylinder 130 . A cylinder tube 130 a of the air cylinder 130 is fixed to the lower surface of the main body 128 and extends in the X-axis direction between the pair of first guide rails 116 . The tip of the piston rod 130b of the air cylinder 130 is connected to the through hole 126a of the block 126 of the first moving body 112 by fitting.

The air cylinder 130 as the first X-axis moving means moves the first moving body 112 along the first guide rail 116 with respect to the second moving body 114 by moving the piston rod 130b back and forth. move in the direction

A pair of guided members 132 formed with grooves 132a extending in the X-axis direction are provided on the upper surface of the main body 128 of the second moving body 114 at intervals in the Y-axis direction and extend in the X-axis direction. A block 134 having a female screw 134a is fixed.

A pair of second guide rails 118 are provided on the lower surface of the ceiling portion 84 of the frame 74 with a gap in the Y-axis direction. The second guide rail 118 is slidably fitted into the grooves 132a of the pair of guided members 132 of the second moving body 114, and the second moving body 114 is attached to the second moving body 114. It is slidably supported in a suspended state by the first guide rail 116 provided.

Below the ceiling portion 84 of the frame 74 is provided a second X-axis moving means 136 for moving the second moving body 114 in the X-axis direction with respect to the ceiling portion 84 . The second X-axis moving means 136 of the illustrated embodiment has a ball screw 138 extending in the X-axis direction between the pair of second guide rails 118 and a motor 140 for rotating the ball screw 138 . The ball screw 138 is screwed into the female screw 134 a of the block 134 of the second moving body 114 , and the motor 140 is fixed to the lower surface of the ceiling portion 84 .

The second X-axis moving means 136 converts the rotary motion of the motor 140 into linear motion by the ball screw 138 and transmits it to the second moving body 114, thereby moving the second moving body 114 to the ceiling part 84. It is moved along the second guide rail 118 in the X-axis direction.

The X-axis moving means 12 of the illustrated embodiment includes an air cylinder 130 as a first X-axis moving means and a second X-axis moving means 136 having a ball screw 138 and a motor 140 . In the illustrated embodiment, by moving the first moving body 112 with an air cylinder 130 as the first X-axis moving means, the loading/unloading means 6 can be rapidly advanced in the X-axis direction, By moving the second moving body 114 with the two X-axis moving means 136, the X-axis direction position of the loading/unloading means 6 can be easily finely adjusted. In this manner, the loading/unloading means 6 is configured to be able to advance in the X-axis direction by the first moving body 112 and the second moving body 114 .

1, 2 and 8, the cleaning means 13 is disposed adjacent to the cutting blade storage means 4 and blows air onto the back surface of the cutting blades 36 held by the loading/unloading means 6. An air nozzle 142 for soaking and washing is provided. The air nozzle 142 is connected to high pressure air supply means (not shown).

The air nozzle 142 of the illustrated embodiment is arranged behind the support shaft 24 of the cutting blade storage means 4 . Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the air nozzle 142 protrudes from the support wall 28 in the Y-axis direction below the drive gear 16 of the cutting blade storage means 4 . Also, the tip of the air nozzle 142 is positioned to face the support shaft 24 located at the lowest end in the track of the support shaft 24 accompanying the rotation of the endless track 22 .

Then, in the cleaning means 13, as shown in FIG. The back of the is designed to be washed.

When air is blown from the air nozzle 142 to the cutting blade 36 , the endless track 22 is operated so that the support shaft 24 is not positioned at the tip of the air nozzle 142 . Accordingly, the air blown from the air nozzle 142 is not blocked by the support shaft 24. - 特許庁Further, as described above, the illustrated endless track 22 is depicted as if the link pieces are arranged without gaps, but there are gaps between the link pieces, and the air blown from the air nozzle 142 does not flow. Since it can pass between the link pieces, the cleaning of the cutting blade 36 with air is not hindered by the link pieces of the endless track 22. - 特許庁

Further, in the air nozzle 142 of the cleaning means 13 , air is blown to the back of the cutting blade 36 supported by the support shaft 24 to move the cutting blade 36 to the tip of the support shaft 24 to move the cutting blade 36 toward the loading/unloading means 6 . can also be used to position the front face of the cutting blade 36.

4, when the cutting blade 36 positioned on the tip side of the shaft portion 34 of the support shaft 24 is carried out by the carry-in/out means 6, the air nozzle 142 passes through the flow path 22a of the endless track 22. By supplying air to the flow path 32a of the base portion 32 of the support shaft 24, the cutting blade 36 left on the shaft portion 34 can be pushed out to the tip side of the shaft portion 34. As shown in FIG. However, the action of the ball plunger 42 does not cause the cutting blade 36 to drop from the shaft portion 34 . In this case, the channel 22a of the endless track 22 is positioned to face the air nozzle 142. As shown in FIG.

Next, a cutting device 170 to which the aforementioned auxiliary device 2 is connected will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 14. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9, the cutting device 170 includes a chuck table 172 having a holding surface for holding a workpiece, and a cutting means having a cutting blade for cutting the workpiece held by the chuck table 172 attached with a fixed nut. 174, X-axis feeding means 176 for processing and feeding the chuck table 172 in the X-axis direction, Y-axis feeding means 178 for indexing and feeding the cutting means 174 in the Y-axis direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction, X-axis direction and Y-axis direction. Z-axis feeding means 180 for cutting and feeding the cutting means 174 in the Z-axis direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

9 and 10, the cutting device 170 includes an X-axis movable plate 184 provided on the upper surface of a base 182 (see FIG. 9) so as to be movable in the X-axis direction; A support 186 fixed to the upper surface of 184 and a cover plate 188 fixed to the upper end of the support 186 are provided. A circular opening 188a is formed in the cover plate 188 . The chuck table 172 is rotatably mounted on the upper end of the column 186 and extends upward through the circular opening 188a of the cover plate 188. As shown in FIG. The chuck table 172 is rotated around the Z-axis direction by a motor (not shown) built in the column 186 .

As shown in FIG. 10, a porous circular suction chuck 190 connected to suction means (not shown) is arranged on the upper end portion of the chuck table 172 . In the chuck table 172, a suction means generates a suction force on the upper surface of the suction chuck 190, thereby sucking and holding the workpiece placed on the upper surface of the suction chuck 190. FIG. As described above, in the chuck table 172, the upper surface of the suction chuck 190 serves as a holding surface for holding the workpiece, and the holding surface is positioned on the XY plane defined by the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. . In addition, a plurality of clamps 192 are arranged along the periphery of the chuck table 172 at intervals in the circumferential direction.

As shown in FIG. 10, the X-axis feeding means 176 has a ball screw 198 connected to the X-axis movable plate 184 and extending in the X-axis direction, and a motor 200 for rotating the ball screw 198 . The X-axis feed means 176 converts the rotary motion of the motor 200 into linear motion by the ball screw 198 and transmits it to the X-axis movable plate 184 to move the X-axis movable plate 184 along the guide rail 182a of the base 182. At the same time, the chuck table 172 is processed and fed in the X-axis direction.

As shown in FIG. 9 , the cutting device 170 includes a gate-shaped frame 202 arranged across the chuck table 172 . The frame 202 has a pair of pillars 204 extending upward from the upper surface of the base 182 at intervals in the Y-axis direction, and a beam 206 spanning the upper ends of the pair of pillars 204 and extending in the Y-axis direction.

A pair of the cutting means 174 are provided on one side surface of the beam 206 (the side surface on the back side in FIG. 9) at intervals in the Y-axis direction. In the cutting device 170 of the illustrated embodiment, a pair of cutting means 174 are provided so that the cutting blades 36 face each other, and the workpiece held on the chuck table 172 is cut by the pair of cutting blades 36 simultaneously. can be applied. In addition, the number of the cutting means 174 may be one.

As shown in FIG. 11, each cutting means 174 has a rectangular Y-axis movable member 208 supported on one side of the beam 206 so as to be movable in the Y-axis direction, and a Y-axis movable member 208 that moves up and down in the Z-axis direction. A freely supported Z-axis movable member 210 having an L-shaped cross section and a spindle housing 212 fixed to the lower end of the Z-axis movable member 210 are provided.

A pair of guided grooves 208a extending in the Y-axis direction at intervals in the Z-axis direction are formed on one side surface of the Y-axis movable member 208 (the side surface on the near side in FIG. 11). One side surface of the beam 206 is slidably connected to a pair of guide rails (not shown) extending in the Y-axis direction with an interval in the vertical direction.

The Y-axis feeding means 178 has a ball screw 214 extending in the Y-axis direction on one side surface of the beam 206 and a motor 216 for rotating the ball screw 214 . Ball screw 214 is connected to Y-axis movable member 208 . The Y-axis feed means 178 converts the rotary motion of the motor 216 into linear motion by means of the ball screw 214 and transmits it to the Y-axis movable member 208, which moves the Y-axis along a guide rail attached to one side surface of the beam 206. The member 208 is indexed in the Y-axis direction.

A pair of guide rails (not shown) extending in the Z-axis direction at intervals in the Y-axis direction are formed on the other side surface of the Y-axis movable member 208 (the side surface on the rear side in FIG. 11). The Z-axis movable member 210 has a pair of guided grooves (not shown) slidably connected to the pair of guide rails of the Y-axis movable member 208 .

The Z-axis feeding means 180 has a ball screw (not shown) connected to the Z-axis movable member 210 and extending in the Z-axis direction, and a motor 218 for rotating the ball screw. The Z-axis feed means 180 converts the rotary motion of the motor 218 into linear motion by means of a ball screw, transmits the motion to the Z-axis movable member 210, and moves the Z-axis movable member 210 along the guide rail of the Y-axis movable member 208. Cut and feed in the direction.

Referring to FIG. 12, the spindle housing 212 supports a cylindrical spindle 220 rotatably about the Y-axis direction, and a motor (not shown) for rotating the spindle 220. is accommodated. A cutting blade 36 for cutting a workpiece is detachably fixed to the tip of the spindle 220 by a fixing nut 222 .

A blade cover 224 that covers the cutting blade 36 is attached to the tip of the spindle housing 212 . The blade cover 224 has a first cover member 224a fixed to the tip of the spindle housing 212 and a second cover member 224b movably attached to the tip of the first cover member 224a. The second cover member 224b is moved in the X-axis direction by an appropriate actuator (not shown) such as an air cylinder, and positioned at the open position shown in FIG. 12 when the cutting blade 36 is replaced. 11 and positioned at the closed position shown in FIG. 11 during cutting.

As shown in FIG. 13, an annular mount flange 226 protruding radially outward is provided on the distal end side outer peripheral surface of the spindle 220 . An annular recess 226a is formed in the radially inner portion of the front end surface of the mount flange 226, and an annular receiving portion 226b protruding in the axial direction is formed in the outer peripheral portion of the front end surface of the mount flange 226. . Further, a male screw 228 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the spindle 220 on the tip side of the mount flange 226 .

Then, the central opening 38a of the cutting blade 36 is fitted to the tip of the spindle 220, and the male screw 228 of the spindle 220 and the fixing nut 222 are screwed (fastened) to form the receiving portion 226b of the mount flange 226. The cutting blade 36 is sandwiched between and a fixed nut 222 and is detachably fixed to the tip of the spindle 220 . A plurality of pin holes 222a into which the pins 72 of the fixed nut holding portion 50 of the loading/unloading means 6 are inserted are formed in the side surface of the nut 222 at regular intervals in the circumferential direction.

As shown in FIG. 9, a pair of imaging means 230 for imaging the workpiece held by the chuck table 172 is mounted on the other side surface (front side surface in FIG. 9) of the beam 206 of the frame 202 in the Y-axis direction. and a pair of moving means 232 for moving the imaging means 230 in the Y-axis direction. The moving means 232 has a ball screw 234 extending in the Y-axis direction on the other side surface of the beam 206 and a motor 236 that rotates the ball screw 234 . A ball screw 234 is connected to the imaging means 230 . Then, the moving means 232 converts the rotational motion of the motor 236 into linear motion and transmits it to the imaging means 230, and moves the imaging means 230 along the guide rail 206a attached to the other side surface of the beam 206 in the Y-axis direction. move to In addition, the number of imaging means 230 may be one.

When cutting a workpiece such as a wafer using the cutting device 170 , first, the chuck table 172 is caused to absorb the workpiece. Next, the chuck table 172 is moved below the imaging means 230 by the X-axis feeding means 176 , and the position of the imaging means 230 in the Y-axis direction is adjusted by the moving means 232 . Next, the image pickup means 230 picks up an image of the workpiece from above to detect the cutting area of the workpiece.

Next, based on the cutting area of the workpiece detected by the imaging means 230, the chuck table 172 is rotated to adjust the direction of the cutting area of the workpiece with respect to the cutting blade 36 of the cutting means 174. FIG. Next, the chuck table 172 is moved in the X-axis direction by the X-axis feeding means 176, and the spindle housing 212 is moved in the Y-axis direction by the Y-axis feeding means 178, so that the pair of cutting blades are moved above the cutting area of the workpiece. Locate 36.

Next, the spindle housing 212 is lowered by the Z-axis feeding means 180, and the cutting edge 40 of the cutting blade 36 rotated at high speed is caused to cut into the cutting area of the workpiece, and the cutting edge 40 of the cutting blade 36 is caused to cut. By feeding the chuck table 172 in the X-axis direction while cutting water is supplied to the cut portion, a predetermined cutting process is performed on the cutting area of the workpiece. Further, while the spindle housing 212 is being indexed and fed in the Y-axis direction by the Y-axis feeding means 178, the above-described cutting process is repeated as appropriate, and the entire cutting area of the workpiece is subjected to the cutting process. After finishing the cutting process, the machined workpiece is conveyed to the next process.

When the cutting process is repeated, the cutting blade 36 wears out, and when the cutting blade 36 wears down to a predetermined amount, the cutting accuracy is no longer maintained. There is a need to. Also, even if the wear of the cutting blade 36 attached to the spindle 220 has not reached a predetermined amount, when cutting a workpiece made of a different material from the previously cut workpiece, In some cases, it may be necessary to replace the cutting blade 36 with one suitable for the material of the workpiece.

In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, an auxiliary device 2 that can automatically replace the cutting blade 36 of the cutting device 170 is connected to the cutting device 170. Hereinafter, the cutting blade 36 can be replaced using the auxiliary device 2. how to do this.

As shown in FIG. 14, the auxiliary device 2 is arranged on the back side of the cutting device 170 in the X-axis direction so that it can be attached later to the cutting device 170 already delivered to the user. When replacing the cutting blade 36 attached to the cutting device 170 using the auxiliary device 2, first, the endless track 22 of the cutting blade storage means 4 is rotated to select a new cutting blade to be carried into the cutting device 170. The support shaft 24 supporting 36 is positioned at a predetermined position (for example, the lowest position in the track of the support shaft 24).

Next, as shown in FIG. 15, the casing 52 is rotated by the motor connected to the Z rotating shaft 46 of the loading/unloading means 6, so that the side wall 56 of the casing 52 to which the blade holding portion 48 is mounted is moved in the X-axis direction. , and the blade holding portion 48 faces the cutting blade storage means 4 . Also, the X-axis moving means 12 and the Z-axis moving means 10 can be operated to insert the shaft portion 34 of the support shaft 24 at the predetermined position into the central opening 60 (see FIG. 5) of the blade holding portion 48. The X-axis direction position and Z-axis direction position of the blade holding portion 48 are adjusted as follows.

Next, as shown in FIG. 16, the frame body 74 is moved in the Y-axis direction by the Y-axis direction positioning means 8, and the cutting blade 36 supported by the support shaft 24 is carried out to the operating position where it can be held by the blade holding portion 48. Position the entry means 6 . As a result, the shaft portion 34 of the support shaft 24 at the predetermined position is inserted into the central opening 60 of the blade holding portion 48, and the end surface of the blade holding portion 48 is inserted into the end surface of the cutting blade 36 located on the tip side of the shaft portion 34. 58 are brought into contact. Next, a suction force is generated in each suction hole 62 of the blade holding portion 48 , and the blade holding portion 48 sucks and holds the cutting blade 36 located on the tip side of the shaft portion 34 .

After the cutting blade 36 is sucked and held by the blade holding portion 48, the Y-axis direction positioning means 8 is operated to separate the loading/unloading means 6 from the cutting blade storage means 4 in the Y-axis direction, and the cutting blade 36 is moved to the shaft portion. Pull out from 34. Next, air is supplied from the air nozzle 142 to the flow path 32a of the base 32 of the support shaft 24 through the flow path 22a of the endless track 22. As shown in FIG. Thereby, air can be blown to the back of the remaining cutting blades 36 supported by the support shaft 24 to move the cutting blades 36 left on the support shaft 24 to the tip of the support shaft 24.例文帳に追加

After moving the cutting blade 36 left on the shaft portion 34 to the tip of the support shaft 24, the endless track 22 of the cutting blade storage means 4 is rotated, and the cutting blade 36 sucked and held by the blade holding portion 48 and the air nozzle The support shaft 24 is moved from between the tip of 142 . Next, air is blown from the air nozzle 142 toward the rear surface of the cutting blade 36 sucked and held by the blade holding portion 48 (see FIG. 8). This allows the back surface of the cutting blade 36 to be cleaned. When air is blown onto the cutting blade 36 , the X-axis moving means 12 and the Z-axis moving means 10 are operated to blow air onto the entire back surface of the cutting blade 36 .

After cleaning the cutting blade 36, the Y-axis positioning means 8 is operated to separate the loading/unloading means 6 from the cutting blade storage means 4 in the Y-axis direction. Next, the casing 52 of the loading/unloading means 6 is rotated by 180° so that the blade holding portion 48 on the opposite side of the blade holding portion 48 holding the cutting blade 36 by suction faces the cutting blade storage means 4 . Also, the endless track 22 of the cutting blade storage means 4 is rotated to position the support shaft 24 supporting the new cutting blade 36 to be carried into the cutting device 170 in front of the blade holding portion 48 .

Next, the Y-axis direction positioning means 8 is operated to position the loading/unloading means 6 at the operating position where the cutting blade 36 of the support shaft 24 can be held by the blade holding portion 48 on the opposite side. Next, a suction force is generated in each suction hole 62 of the blade holding portion 48 on the opposite side, and the blade holding portion 48 sucks and holds the cutting blade 36 located on the tip side of the shaft portion 34 . As a result, a new cutting blade 36 is sucked and held by a pair of opposing blade holding portions 48 out of the four blade holding portions 48 . Then, in the same manner as described above, air was blown to the back of the cutting blade 36 left on the support shaft 24 to move the cutting blade 36 to the tip of the support shaft 24 and hold it by suction with the blade holding portion 48 on the opposite side. Air is blown from an air nozzle 142 to the cutting blade 36 to clean the back surface of the cutting blade 36 .

Next, as shown in FIG. 17, the Y-axis positioning means 8 moves the frame 74 in the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis moving means 10 moves the elevation table 76 in the Z-axis direction. As a result, the loading/unloading means 6 is separated from the cutting blade storage means 4 and positioned at the retracted position, and the Y-axis and Z-axis positions of the loading/unloading means 6 with respect to the cutting device 170 are adjusted. The position in the Y-axis direction of the loading/unloading means 6 after position adjustment is between the pair of cutting means 174 of the cutting device 170, and the position in the Z-axis direction of the loading/unloading means 6 after position adjustment is on the holding surface of the chuck table 172. is higher than

Next, as shown in FIG. 18, the first moving body 112 is moved in the X-axis direction by the air cylinder 130 as the first X-axis moving means, and the loading/unloading means 6 is moved to the pair of cutting means 174 of the cutting device 170. advance in between. Next, as shown in FIG. 19, the second moving body 114 is moved in the X-axis direction by the second X-axis moving means 136 to adjust the X-axis position of the loading/unloading means 6 with respect to the pair of cutting means 174 .

Specifically, the X-axis direction position of the center of a new pair of cutting blades 36 sucked and held by the pair of blade holding portions 48 of the carry-in/out means 6 and the position of the pair of cutting blades 174 attached to the pair of cutting means 174 Align the center of the cutting blade 36 with the X-axis position. Also, the Z-axis moving means 10 of the auxiliary device 2 or the Z-axis feeding means 180 of the cutting device 170 is operated, and the Z-axis direction position of the center of the cutting blade 36 of the blade holding part 48 and the cutting blade 36 of the cutting means 174 Align with the Z-axis direction position of the center.

Next, the casing 52 of the loading/unloading means 6 is rotated by 60° so that the pair of fixed nut holding portions 50 face the cutting blades 36 of the pair of cutting means 174 . Note that the casing 52 may be rotated by 60° before moving the first and second moving bodies 112 and 114 forward.

Next, the second cover member 224b of each blade cover 224 of the pair of cutting means 174 is positioned at the open position (see FIG. 12). Next, the cutting means 174 is moved in the Y-axis direction by the Y-axis feeding means 178 of the cutting device 170, and the fixed nut 222 fixing the cutting blade 36 to the spindle 220 is moved to the end surface 66a of the rotating body 66 of the fixed nut holding portion 50. come into contact with Then, the pin 72 of the fixed nut holding portion 50 is pushed by the fixed nut 222 and accommodated inside the rotating body 66 , and the tip of the spindle 220 is accommodated in the central opening 68 of the rotating body 66 .

Next, when the rotating body 66 is rotated by the motor of the fixed nut holding portion 50 , when each pin 72 matches the pin hole 222 a of the fixed nut 222 , each pin 72 fits into the pin hole 222 a and the rotating body 66 is transmitted through each pin 72 to the fixing nut 222, causing the fixing nut 222 to loosen. This allows the fixing nut 222 to be unscrewed (removed) from the external thread 228 of the spindle 220 of the cutting means 174 . In addition, a suction force is generated in each suction hole 70 of the fixed nut holding portion 50, and the removed fixed nut 222 is held by the fixed nut holding portion 50 by suction.

Next, the cutting means 174 is separated from the loading/unloading means 6 by the Y-axis feeding means 178, the casing 52 of the loading/unloading means 6 is rotated by 60°, and the empty blade holding portion 48 which does not hold the cutting blade 36 by suction is moved. It faces the cutting blade 36 of the cutting means 174 .

Next, the cutting means 174 is brought close to the loading/unloading means 6 by the Y-axis feeding means 178, the spindle 220 of the cutting means 174 is inserted into the central opening 60 of the blade holding portion 48, and the end face of the cutting blade 36 of the cutting means 174 is moved. , the end surface 58 of the empty blade holding portion 48 is brought into contact. Next, a suction force is generated in each suction hole 62 of the blade holding portion 48 to hold the cutting blade 36 of the cutting means 174 by suction with the blade holding portion 48 .

Next, the cutting means 174 is separated from the loading/unloading means 6 by the Y-axis feeding means 178, the casing 52 of the loading/unloading means 6 is rotated by 60°, and the blade holding portion 48 holding the new cutting blade 36 by suction is moved. It faces the spindle 220 of the cutting means 174 .

Next, the cutting means 174 is brought closer to the loading/unloading means 6 by the Y-axis feeding means 178, the spindle 220 is inserted into the central opening 38a of the new cutting blade 36, and the receiving portion 226b of the mount flange 226 of the spindle 220 is cut. The end faces of the blades 36 are brought into contact. Next, the suction force of the blade holding portion 48 is released, and a new cutting blade 36 is transferred from the blade holding portion 48 to the spindle 220 .

Next, the cutting means 174 is separated from the loading/unloading means 6 by the Y-axis feeding means 178, the casing 52 of the loading/unloading means 6 is rotated by 60°, and the fixed nut holding portion 50 sucks and holds the removed fixed nut 222. faces spindle 220 of cutting means 174 .

Next, the cutting means 174 is moved closer to the loading/unloading means 6 by the Y-axis feeding means 178 , and the fixed nut 222 sucked and held by the fixed nut holding portion 50 is fitted to the tip of the spindle 220 . Next, the motor of the fixing nut holding portion 50 is operated in the direction opposite to the direction in which the fixing nut 222 was removed to rotate the fixing nut 222 , and the fixing nut 222 is screwed (fastened) onto the male screw 228 of the spindle 220 . As a result, a new cutting blade 36 to be attached to the cutting means 174 can be fixed to the spindle 220 by being sandwiched between the receiving portion 226b of the mounting flange 226 of the spindle 220 and the fixing nut 222. FIG.

Next, after releasing the suction force of the fixed nut holding portion 50, the second cover member 224b of the blade cover 224 of the cutting means 174 is positioned at the closed position. The fixing nut 222 and the cutting blade 36 as described above may be removed and attached to the pair of cutting means 174 at the same time or separately.

Next, the first and second moving bodies 112 and 114 are retracted, the casing 52 of the loading/unloading means 6 is rotated by 60°, and one of the removed pair of cutting blades 36 faces the air nozzle 142 of the cleaning means 13. Let At this time, the endless track 22 of the cutting blade storage means 4 is rotated so that the support shaft 24 is not positioned between one of the removed cutting blades 36 and the tip of the air nozzle 142 . Then, while operating the X-axis moving means 12 and the Z-axis moving means 10, air is blown from the air nozzle 142 toward the entire back surface of one of the removed cutting blades 36 to wash the back surface of the one cutting blade 36. .

Next, the endless track 22 of the cutting blade storage means 4 is rotated to position the empty support shaft 24 not supporting the cutting blade 36 at a predetermined position (for example, the lowest position in the track of the support shaft 24). Next, the X-axis moving means 12 and the Z-axis moving means 10 are operated, and the shaft portion 34 of the support shaft 24 at the predetermined position is inserted into the central opening 38a of one of the cutting blades 36 held by suction by the blade holding portion 48. The X-axis and Z-axis positions of the blade holder 48 are adjusted so that it can be inserted.

Next, the frame body 74 is moved in the Y-axis direction by the Y-axis direction positioning means 8, and the axis of the support shaft 24 at the predetermined position is inserted into the central opening 38a of one of the cutting blades 36 held by the blade holding portion 48 by suction. While inserting the portion 34 , the end surface of one cutting blade 36 is brought into contact with the end surface of the base portion 32 of the support shaft 24 . Next, the suction force of the blade holding portion 48 is released, and one of the removed pair of cutting blades 36 is transferred to the support shaft 24 .

Further, the loading/unloading means 6 is separated from the cutting blade storage means 4 by the Y-axis direction positioning means 8, the casing 52 of the loading/unloading means 6 is rotated 180°, and the other of the removed pair of cutting blades 36 is held by suction. The blade holding portion 48 on the opposite side to the cutting blade storage means 4 faces the cutting blade storage means 4 .

Next, the endless track 22 of the cutting blade storage means 4 is rotated so that the support shaft 24 is not positioned between the other of the removed cutting blades 36 and the tip of the air nozzle 142 . Then, while operating the X-axis moving means 12 and the Z-axis moving means 10, air is blown from the air nozzle 142 toward the entire back surface of the other cutting blade 36 that has been removed, and the back surface of the other cutting blade 36 is cleaned. .

Next, the endless track 22 of the cutting blade storage means 4 is rotated to position the support shaft 24 capable of supporting (having room to support) the cutting blade 36 at a predetermined position. Next, the frame 74 is moved in the Y-axis direction by the Y-axis direction positioning means 8, and the support shaft at the predetermined position is inserted into the central opening 38a of the other cutting blade 36 which is suction-held by the blade holding portion 48 on the opposite side. 24 is inserted, and the end face of the other cutting blade 36 is brought into contact with the end face of the cutting blade 36 supported by the support shaft 24 . Next, the suction force of the blade holding portion 48 is released, and the other of the removed pair of cutting blades 36 is transferred to the support shaft 24 .

As described above, in the auxiliary device 2 of the illustrated embodiment, the cutting blade 36 attached to the cutting means 174 of the cutting device 170 can be replaced after being attached to the cutting device 170 already delivered to the user. is now possible.

Furthermore, in the auxiliary device 2 of the illustrated embodiment, the new cutting blade 36 for replacement stored in the cutting blade storage means 4 and the cutting blade 36 removed from the cutting device 170 are cleaned with the air of the cleaning means 13. By blowing air from the nozzle 142 , the back surface of the cutting blade 36 can be cleaned to remove foreign matter such as shavings from the cutting blade 36 . Therefore, when the cutting blade 36 is attached to the cutting device 170, no foreign matter is caught between the cutting blade 36 and the mount flange 226, the cutting blade 36 is positioned at an appropriate position, and the cutting blade 36 and Uneven wear of the mount flange 226 is prevented.

2: Auxiliary device 4: Cutting blade storage means 6: Loading/unloading means 8: Y-axis direction positioning means 10: Z-axis moving means 12: X-axis moving means 13: Cleaning means 14: Rotating shaft 16: Drive gear 18: Rotating shaft 20: Driven gear 22: Endless track 24: Support shaft 36: Cutting blade 38a: Central opening 46: Z rotation axis 48: Blade holding part 50: Fixed nut holding part 74: Frame body 76: Elevating table 80: Bottom part (frame body)
84: Ceiling (frame)
92: Guide rail (elevating table)
112: First moving body 114: Second moving body 116: First guide rail 118: Second guide rail 142: Air nozzle

Claims (6)

A chuck table having a holding surface for holding a workpiece, a cutting means having a fixed nut for cutting a cutting blade for cutting the workpiece held by the chuck table, and a machining feed of the chuck table in the X-axis direction. Y-axis feeding means for indexing and feeding the cutting means in the Y-axis direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction, and the cutting means in the Z-axis direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction Z-axis feeding means for cutting and feeding the holding surface is an auxiliary device connected to a cutting device defined by the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction,
cutting blade storage means for storing a plurality of cutting blades; loading/unloading means for holding the front surfaces of the cutting blades from the cutting blade storage means and loading/unloading the cutting blades; Y-axis direction positioning means for positioning at the working position and retracted position of the direction, Z-axis moving means for moving the loading/unloading means in the Z-axis direction, and moving the loading/unloading means in the X-axis direction to move the cutting means. An auxiliary device comprising at least X-axis movement means for acting on a cutting blade mounted on a spindle and cleaning means for cleaning the back surface of the cutting blade held by said loading/unloading means. The cutting blade storage means includes a driving gear having a rotating shaft extending in the Y-axis direction, a driven gear having a rotating shaft extending in the Y-axis direction and separated from the driving gear in the Z-axis direction, the driving gear and the driven gear. and a support shaft disposed on the endless track at a predetermined interval and inserted into the central opening of the cutting blade to support the cutting blade and extending in the Y-axis direction,
2. The auxiliary device according to claim 1, wherein said cleaning means is provided adjacent to said cutting blade storage means and comprises an air nozzle for blowing air onto the back surface of the cutting blade held by said loading/unloading means for cleaning. The air nozzle is disposed on the back of the support shaft of the cutting blade storage means, and blows air onto the back of the cutting blade supported by the support shaft to move the cutting blade to the tip of the support shaft. 3. An auxiliary device according to claim 2, wherein the front face of the cutting blade is positioned on said loading/unloading means. The loading/unloading means includes a Z rotating shaft extending in the Z-axis direction, a blade holding portion radially connected to the Z rotating shaft and holding the cutting blade by suction, and a male screw formed at the tip of the spindle with the fixing nut. and a fixed nut holding portion that is screwed into and unscrewed from,
2. The auxiliary device according to claim 1, wherein two blade holders are provided for one fixed nut holder. The loading/unloading means is arranged in a frame, the frame is slidably supported by guide rails arranged in the elevating table and extending in the Y-axis direction, and the cutting blade storage means is moved by the Y-axis direction positioning means. 5. The auxiliary device according to claim 4, wherein the auxiliary device is positioned at the operative position and the retracted position in the Y-axis direction with respect to the . The loading/unloading means is disposed on a first moving body disposed inside the frame, and the first moving body extends in the X-axis direction disposed below the second moving body. Suspended and slidably supported by a first guide rail, the second moving body is suspended by a second guide rail that extends in the X-axis direction and is provided on the ceiling of the frame. 6. The auxiliary device according to claim 5, wherein the auxiliary device is slidably supported in a fixed state, and the loading/unloading means is configured to be freely advanced in the X-axis direction by the first moving body and the second moving body.

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