JP5155096B2 - Belt-shaped workpiece transport method and belt-shaped workpiece transport device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a belt-shaped workpiece transport method and a belt-shaped workpiece transport device, and in particular, transports a strip-shaped film (band-shaped workpiece) forming a flexible circuit board (FPC) between a plurality of rolls by a conveyor system. The present invention relates to a belt-shaped workpiece conveyance method and a belt-shaped workpiece conveyance device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a process in which printing is performed on one side or both sides of a strip sheet-like workpiece and dried in a heating furnace such as a far-infrared furnace. For example, a method is known in which drying is performed by passing the FPC through a heating furnace while printing a solder resist with insulating ink on a predetermined portion of one or both sides of the FPC in which an electronic circuit is formed on a strip-shaped workpiece. When printing on both sides, the technique of printing on both sides simultaneously is disclosed (for example, patent documents 1). However, it is difficult to simultaneously print the solder resist on both surfaces of a flexible workpiece such as FPC. In other words, if the surface opposite to the printing surface in the FPC is not supported by a flat base, the accuracy of the printing position cannot be ensured because the work is bent, or the squeegee is pressed to push the insulating ink onto the surface of the FPC For this reason, a dimensional change may occur in the moving direction of the FPC. Therefore, first, after printing on the first surface, dry until the tackiness (stickiness) of the resist ink disappears at room temperature, and then print on the second surface and then pass through the heating furnace. The procedure is to dry and cure. In addition, when printing on FPC, printing / drying is carried out while carrying the belt-like work in a conveyor system (hereinafter referred to as “roll-to-roll conveyance”) rather than being cut into strips. Workability is better. Therefore, when printing is performed only on one side of the FPC belt-like workpiece, the belt-like workpiece forming the FPC is transferred between a plurality of rolls, and printing and heat drying are continuously performed while being conveyed in a roll-to-roll manner.

  However, when the printing / drying process is carried out while carrying the roll to roll on the both sides of the FPC, a problem occurs in the drying process. Therefore, a process and a problem assuming a case where a belt-like FPC (band-like work) is conveyed on a roll to roll and printing / drying processing on both sides will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 is a process diagram showing a conventional process for printing on the first surface of the FPC by roll-to-roll conveyance. FIG. 5 is a process diagram in which the first surface is turned over and the second surface is printed after the process shown in FIG. 4 is completed. First, as shown in FIG. 4, the FPC 22 performs printing in the process of rotating the unwinding roller 21 clockwise (in the direction of the arrow in the figure) and unwinding the FPC (band-shaped workpiece) 22 from the unwinding roller 21. When the upper surface of the gantry 23 is reached, the resist ink 26 a is printed on the first surface of the FPC 22 by the printing plate 24 and the squeegee 25.

  Thereafter, the FPC 22 on which the resist ink 26a is printed on the first surface is subjected to a drying process in the process of passing through the heating furnace 27 until tackiness disappears at room temperature. At this time, since the resist ink is not yet printed on the opposite surface (second surface) of the printed first surface, the second surface is placed on the conveyor 27a in the heating furnace 27 and conveyed by the conveyor 27a. Is possible. In this way, the FPC 22 that has been subjected to the printing drying process through the heating furnace 27 is wound around a winding roller 29 that rotates counterclockwise (arrow direction in the figure) while passing through the cooling chamber 28. . At this time, the FPC 22 is wound up while the first surface on which the resist ink 26a is printed is in contact with the winding roller 29 side, but the resist ink 26a is already dried until the tackiness disappears. There is no possibility that the resist ink 26a adheres to the take-up roller 29 or other portions. Note that the cooling chamber 28 is not necessary if the FPC 22 is sufficiently cooled before being taken up by the take-up roller 29.

Next, when the second surface of the FPC 22 is printed, the first surface is turned over as shown in FIG. That is, in the state where the first surface printing and winding process shown in FIG. 4 is completed, the winding roller 29 in FIG. 4 is replaced with the winding roller 21 side in FIG. 5, and the winding roller 21 in FIG. If it is replaced with the take-up roller 29 side, the first surface of the FPC 22 can be turned over to make the second surface the print surface side as shown in FIG.

  With the first surface of the FPC 22 turned upside down, when the FPC 22 comes to the upper surface of the printing stand 23 by the same process as in FIG. The resist ink 26b is printed on the two sides. At this time, the first surface of the FPC 22 comes into contact with the upper surface of the unwinding roller 21 and the printing stand 23. However, the resist ink 26a printed on the first surface is not tacky at room temperature, so it reaches the entrance of the heating furnace 27. In this step, there is no possibility that the resist ink 26a adheres to the unwinding roller 21, the printing stand 23, or the like. In this way, when the resist ink 26b is printed on the second surface of the FPC 22, it is heated and dried in the heating furnace 27 until the resist ink 26b is dried and cured. When the resist ink 26b printed on the second surface of the FPC 22 is heated in the heating furnace 27, the resist ink 26a on the first surface is tacky, and the printing of the resist ink 26a is cooled in the cooling chamber 28. Nothing can be brought into contact with the print area until

  That is, it is possible to print on both sides of the FPC 22 itself, but after printing the first side of the FPC 22, there is a problem in the transport process when the printing on the second side is dried and cured in the heating furnace 27. More specifically, when both the first and second surfaces of the FPC 22 are printed and then dried and cured in the heating furnace 27, the resist ink 26a on the first surface is also temporarily tacky by heating. The FPC 22 must be transported so that nothing comes into contact with the printing area of the resist ink 26a. In other words, since the first surface on which the resist ink 26a has been printed is heated in the heating furnace 27, the resist ink 26a is tacky, so that the FPC 22 is wound from the process of passing through the heating furnace 27. The first surface must be kept in a non-contact state until the step of being wound around the roller 29. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the FPC 22 cannot be transported by the conveyor 27 a in the heating furnace 27.

  Further, when printing is performed in the state of a work obtained by cutting the FPC into a strip sheet, it can be easily processed by transporting the periphery of the work to a heating furnace or a drying furnace with the support frame fixed. However, it is extremely difficult to attach the support frame to the belt-shaped FPC when carrying the roll-to-rail. In addition, after printing the first surface, if drying is performed to such an extent that tackiness disappears during subsequent heating, it can also be conveyed by a conveyor in the drying and curing after printing the second surface. . However, when developing with a photolithography method using a photosensitive resist ink, the development speed varies with the thermal history, so the difference in the maturation history between the front and back resist inks must be made as small as possible. For this reason, when printing the second surface at room temperature, it is possible to perform only the minimum heat drying that eliminates the tackiness of the resist ink on the first surface. Furthermore, in order to suppress the flow of resist ink, in addition to having to transport the FPC horizontally, in order to keep the heat distribution as constant as possible, while keeping the horizontal state in the heating furnace while suppressing the deflection as much as possible It must be transported while keeping the distance from the heat source of the heating furnace constant.

  In addition, a technique of a sheet transfer device that conveys the belt-like workpiece while holding both ends of the belt-like workpiece with a clamping means is disclosed (Patent Document 2). For example, when the belt-like workpiece is an FPC, the fixed range of the both ends of the belt-like workpiece (FPC) is usually outside the product portion and there is no printing area, so it is possible to transport while sandwiching both ends with the clamping means. It is. However, the center part of the belt-like workpiece is bent only by clamping the both ends in the width direction of the belt-like workpiece with the clamping means.

  FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a state where both ends in the width direction of the belt-like workpiece are clamped by the clamping means. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the inside of the heating furnace. The front and back direction of the paper is the traveling direction of the belt-like workpiece, and the left and right sides of the drawing are the width direction of the belt-like workpiece. As shown in FIG. 6, when the belt-like workpiece (FPC) 22 passes through a heating furnace (not shown) while holding both ends in the width direction of the belt-like workpiece (FPC) 22 by the clamping means 31a and 31b, Large deflection occurs near the center of (FPC) 22. As a result, for example, at a position close to the sandwiching means 31a, a distance a1 between the strip-shaped workpiece (FPC) 22 and the upper heat source 32a of the heating furnace, and a distance a2 between the strip-shaped workpiece (FPC) 22 and the lower heat source 32b of the heating furnace Are substantially the same (a1≈a2). However, the distance b1 between the belt-like workpiece (FPC) 22 and the upper heat source 32a of the heating furnace is long near the center of the belt-like workpiece (FPC) 22, and the distance between the belt-like workpiece (FPC) 22 and the lower heat source 32b of the heating furnace. b2 is short (b1> b2).

  As described above, when the distance between the heat sources 32 a and 32 b of the heating furnace and the strip-shaped workpiece (FPC) 22 varies, the thermal history changes depending on the position of the strip-shaped workpiece (FPC) 22 in the width direction. If the thermal history is different, the developing speed is also different, so that a state of insufficient development or over development occurs depending on the position in the width direction of the belt-like workpiece (FPC) 22. Furthermore, since b1> b2 near the central portion in the width direction of the band-shaped workpiece (FPC) 22, the drying temperature differs between the printing on the first surface and the printing on the second surface of the band-shaped workpiece (FPC) 22, so that the drying is performed. There may be unevenness. In addition, it is not preferable to apply tension to the band-shaped workpiece (FPC) 22 by the clamping means 31a and 31b because a thin FPC may be distorted or a crack may be generated in the band-shaped workpiece.

  Moreover, the technique of the non-contact conveyance apparatus which floats a strip | belt-shaped workpiece | work by a gas ejection means and conveys this strip | belt-shaped workpiece in a non-contact state is also disclosed (refer patent document 3). However, when the belt-like workpiece is an FPC, there are a large number of through holes such as through holes in the belt-like workpiece, so that the ejected gas may pass through the workpiece and the FPC may not be lifted. Even if the gas permeates through the through hole of the FPC, even if it is possible to maintain the amount of gas blown to the extent that the FPC floats, in the case of FPC, the location of the through hole differs for each product. If the belt-like workpiece is unevenly distributed, the belt-like workpiece may be conveyed in a meandering manner, or the belt-like workpiece may be lifted locally. In such a case, the distance between the heat source of the heating furnace and the belt-like work will vary, and as a result, uneven drying will occur in the printed portion.

  In addition, a technique of a drying apparatus is also disclosed in which the holding means is moved along with the conveyance movement while the belt-like work is held and fixed from the upper and lower surfaces (see Patent Document 4). Although this technique does not specify which position of the belt-like workpiece is sandwiched, it is intended to convey the belt-like workpiece while preventing the belt-like workpiece from hanging or shaking. Even when the belt-like workpiece is an FPC, a non-printing area (for example, between product sheet rows) exists in the belt-like workpiece, so that the non-printing area can be conveyed and moved while being clamped and fixed from the top and bottom surfaces. Here, in order to efficiently prevent the belt-like workpiece from drooping or shaking, a plurality of rows of mechanisms for moving the clamping means along with the transport movement are required, and at least one of the rows holds the vicinity of the central portion of the belt-like workpiece. There is a need to. However, if a thin FPC is nipped and fixed from above and below, wrinkles and dents may occur. Therefore, in order to prevent at least wrinkles and dents from reaching the product part, it is necessary to pinch the scrap part between the product sheet rows, but the moving speed of the clamping means and the conveying speed of the belt-like work are set. If not strictly controlled, it is difficult to pinch the scrap part between the product sheet rows.

Moreover, in patent document 4, the clamping means can be attached or detached to an endless body (metal belt), and the interval at which the clamping means is attached to the endless body is controlled by the non-coated portion detector. However, the length of the endless body needs to be a dimension that can be divided by the interval of the clamping means. In this technique, the endless body is replaced and the length is changed, or the tension of the endless body is adjusted. However, in the case of FPC, when the product type is different, the pitch between the products of the belt-like workpieces is different, so the interval of the clamping means must be adjusted for each item flowing on the production site. Furthermore, if even an endless body is replaced or the tension is adjusted, the setup work becomes complicated. In addition, when the electrode mixture is applied to the electrode base material, the tension of the endless body may be adjusted if the “non-coated portion is several tens of mm”. However, in the case of the FPC, if the circuit configuration is integrated, there may be a case where the distance between the product sheet rows is 10 mm or less, so it is not possible to cope with the endless tension adjustment.
JP-A-1-140794 JP-A-56-61252 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-284751 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-138084

  Therefore, when the belt-like workpiece is transported by roll-to-roll, the belt-like workpiece can be transported while maintaining the horizontal state as much as possible without bringing anything into contact with the non-contactable areas on the front and back surfaces of the belt-like workpiece. Therefore, a technical problem to be solved arises, and the present invention aims to solve this problem.

  The present invention has been proposed in order to achieve the above object, and the invention according to claim 1 is a method for transporting a belt-shaped workpiece in which the belt-shaped workpiece is transported across a plurality of rolls. A first step in which one or more rows of endless wires in which a plurality of protrusions are movably arranged in the same direction as the conveying direction are opposed to each other and the belt-like workpieces are moved in the same direction at the same speed; During the movement, the second step of detecting the mark recorded at a predetermined position of the belt-like workpiece and the protrusion feeding mechanism installed on the endless wire are driven in accordance with the detection timing of the mark, so that one protrusion A third step of sending the projection to the lower surface of the moving belt-like workpiece, and a fourth step of abutting the projection sent out in the third step on the projection arrangement possible region of the belt-like workpiece Provides a method of transporting the strip-shaped workpiece, characterized in that it comprises a fifth step of moving the protrusions at the same moving speed as the moving speed of the strip-shaped workpiece.

  According to this method, when the strip workpiece and the endless wire are moving in the same direction at the same speed, the projection feeding mechanism feeds the projection to the lower surface of the strip workpiece at the detection timing of the mark recorded on the strip workpiece. ing. At this time, the distance from the position of the mark recorded on the band-shaped workpiece to the position of the protrusion arrangement possible area where the circuit pattern is not formed, and the position from the protrusion feeding mechanism to the lower surface of the band-shaped workpiece are the same, And since the strip | belt-shaped workpiece | work and the endless wire are moving at the same speed, the projection sent out from the projection delivery mechanism will necessarily contact | abut to the protrusion arrangement | positioning area | region of a strip | belt-shaped workpiece. Moreover, since the belt-like workpiece and the projection are moving at the same speed, for example, while the belt-like workpiece is moving in the heating furnace, the projection is in contact with the appropriate position of the belt-like workpiece. There is no fear that the belt-like workpiece will be bent in the furnace.

  The invention according to claim 2 is a method of transporting a belt-shaped workpiece in which the belt-shaped workpiece is transported across a plurality of rolls, and a plurality of protrusions are movably disposed in the same direction as the transport direction of the belt-shaped workpiece. In addition, the first step of causing the linear motor of one or more rows and the belt-shaped workpiece to face each other and moving them in the same direction at the same speed, and the protrusion feeding mechanism installed in the linear motor during the movement of the belt-shaped workpiece, The second step of detecting the position of the projection sent to the front of the slope portion formed in the linear motor, and the position of the projection sent out in the second step are the projection placement area of the belt-like workpiece. A third step for correcting the position so as to match the position, and the protrusion whose position has been corrected in the third step is passed through the slope portion, and the protrusion is moved to the protrusion disposition area of the belt-like workpiece. Providing a fourth step of contacting, a transfer method for the strip-shaped workpiece, characterized in that it comprises a fifth step of moving the protrusions at the same moving speed as the moving speed of the strip-shaped workpiece.

  According to this method, when the belt-like workpiece and the linear motor are moving in the same direction at the same speed, the projection is sent out from the projection feeding mechanism installed in the linear motor to the front of the slope portion. Further, the position of the projection that has been sent out is detected, and position correction is performed so that the position coincides with the position of the protrusion arrangementable area of the belt-like workpiece. Then, when the position correction of the projection is completed, the slope is passed, and the projection is brought into contact with the lower surface of the belt-like workpiece. Therefore, the projections sent out from the projection delivery mechanism are surely brought into contact with the projection arrangement area of the belt-like workpiece. Moreover, since the belt-like workpiece and the projection are moving at the same speed, for example, while the belt-like workpiece is moving in the heating furnace, the projection is in contact with the appropriate position of the belt-like workpiece. There is no fear that the belt-like workpiece will be bent in the furnace. Before the protrusion is fed out from the protrusion feeding mechanism and before the position of the protrusion is corrected, the distance between the linear motor and the belt-like workpiece is separated by the slope portion. There is no possibility of coming into contact with an appropriate position (that is, a position other than the protrusion arrangement area).

  Further, in the invention according to claim 3, when the protrusion arrangementable area is formed in a spot shape, a protrusion having a pointed tip is used as the protrusion, and the protrusion arrangementable area is formed in a band shape. If there is a protrusion, a protrusion having a linear tip is used as the protrusion. The method for transporting a belt-like workpiece according to claim 1 or 2 is provided.

  According to this method, if the projecting object arrangeable region formed on the belt-like workpiece is spot-like, a tip-like projection is used, and the projecting object arranging region formed on the belt-like workpiece is formed on the belt-like workpiece. A linear protrusion can be used if it is linear, such as an insulating portion between arranged circuit pattern (product sheet) rows. As described above, since the projection having the optimum tip shape according to the shape of the projection arrangeable area can be used, the belt-like workpiece can be supported in the optimum state.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a belt-shaped workpiece transfer device for transferring a belt-shaped workpiece between a plurality of rolls, wherein the plurality of protrusions are movably disposed, and the protrusions are moved one by one. One or more endless wires which have a projection feeding mechanism for feeding to the lower surface of the belt and which are opposed to the belt-like workpiece and move in the same direction as the belt-like workpiece, and a predetermined position of the belt-like workpiece during the movement of the belt-like workpiece A sensor for detecting the mark recorded on the projection, and the projection delivery mechanism feeds one projection installed on the endless wire to the lower surface of the moving belt-like workpiece in accordance with the detection timing of the sensor. There is provided a belt-shaped workpiece transporting apparatus characterized in that a workpiece is brought into contact with a projection-placeable region of the belt-shaped workpiece and the projection is moved at the same movement speed as the belt-shaped workpiece.

  According to this configuration, when the belt-like workpiece and one or more rows of endless wires are moving in the same direction at the same speed, the projection feeding mechanism removes the projection at the detection timing of the mark recorded on the belt-like workpiece. To the bottom of the Therefore, the protrusions sent out from the protrusion delivery mechanism inevitably abut on the protrusion arrangement area of the belt-like workpiece, and the projections are in an appropriate position of the belt-like workpiece even during movement of the belt-like workpiece. Since there is no contact, the belt-like workpiece is not likely to be bent during movement.

  Further, the invention according to claim 5 is a belt-shaped workpiece transporting device for transporting the belt-shaped workpiece across a plurality of rolls, wherein a slope portion is formed and a plurality of protrusions are movably disposed, One line or more of linear motors that move in the same direction at the same speed as the belt-shaped workpiece, with a projection-feeding mechanism that feeds objects one by one to the front of the slope, and the slope from the projection feeding mechanism Based on the position information detected by the sensor that detects the position of the protrusion sent out before the position of the protrusion, position correction is performed so that the position of the protrusion matches the position of the protrusion disposition area of the belt-like workpiece. A belt having a controller, wherein the protrusion is moved at the same moving speed as the belt-like workpiece while the projection whose position has been corrected is brought into contact with the projection-placeable region of the belt-like workpiece. Providing transport device of a work.

  According to this configuration, when the belt-like workpiece and one or more rows of linear motors are moving in the same direction at the same speed, the projections are provided from the projection feeding mechanism installed in the one or more rows of linear motors to the front of the slope portion. Is sent out. Further, after correcting the position so that the position of the fed projection is coincident with the position of the projection arrangement possible area of the strip-shaped workpiece, the projection is made to contact the lower surface of the strip-shaped workpiece by passing through the slope portion. Yes. Therefore, the projections fed from the projection feeding mechanism are surely brought into contact with the projection arrangement area of the belt-like workpiece, and the abutting position is maintained even during the movement of the belt-like workpiece. Therefore, there is no possibility that the belt-like workpiece will be bent during the movement of the belt-like workpiece.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the projection feeding mechanism installed on one or more rows of endless wires that move at the same speed as the strip-shaped workpiece feeds the projection to the lower surface of the strip-shaped workpiece at an appropriate timing. Therefore, while the strip-shaped workpiece is moving in the heating furnace, the projections are in contact with the appropriate position of the strip-shaped workpiece (projection arrangement area), so there is a risk that the strip-shaped workpiece will bend in the heating furnace. Absent.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the projection feeding mechanism installed in one or more rows of linear motors moving in the same direction at the same speed as the belt-like workpiece sends the projection to the front of the slope portion. In this case, the position correction is performed so that the position of the projection that is fed out coincides with the position of the protrusion arrangementable area of the belt-like workpiece. Therefore, when the protrusion passes through the slope portion, the protrusion reliably comes into contact with the protrusion disposition area of the belt-like workpiece. Accordingly, while the belt-like workpiece is moving in the heating furnace, the projections are in contact with the appropriate position of the belt-like workpiece, so there is no possibility that the belt-like workpiece is bent in the heating furnace.

  Further, according to the invention described in claim 3, since the protrusion having the optimum tip shape according to the shape of the protrusion disposition area is used, in addition to the effect of claim 1 or 2, the belt-like work Can be supported in an optimal state.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, while the belt-like workpiece is moving in the heating furnace, the projection is in contact with an appropriate position (projection arrangement possible region) of the belt-like workpiece. There is no fear that the belt-like workpiece will be bent in the furnace.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the projection sent out from the projection delivery mechanism is corrected so as to abut on the projection arrangement possible region, the belt-like workpiece is moved in the heating furnace. In the meantime, since the protrusion is in contact with the appropriate position of the strip-shaped workpiece, there is no possibility that the strip-shaped workpiece is bent in the heating furnace.

  In the present invention, when a belt-like workpiece is conveyed by roll-to-roll, the belt-like workpiece can be conveyed while maintaining the horizontal state as much as possible without bringing anything into contact with the non-contactable areas on the front and back surfaces of the belt-like workpiece. In order to achieve the purpose of making a belt-like work, the belt-like work is transported across a plurality of rolls, and a plurality of protrusions are movably arranged in the same direction as the direction of the belt-like work. A first step in which the endless wires in one or more rows and the strip-shaped workpiece are opposed to each other and moved in the same direction at the same speed, and a mark recorded at a predetermined position of the strip-shaped workpiece during the movement of the strip-shaped workpiece. In accordance with the second step of detection and the detection timing of the mark, the projection feeding mechanism installed on one or more rows of endless wires is driven. A third step of sending one protrusion to the lower surface of the moving belt-like workpiece, and a fourth step of hitting the protrusion sent out in the third step to the protrusion arrangement area of the belt-like workpiece; And a fifth step of moving the protrusion at the same movement speed as the movement speed of the belt-like work.

  Hereinafter, some preferred embodiments of the belt-shaped workpiece conveyance method and the belt-shaped workpiece conveyance device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a partial plan view when an FPC is formed with a strip-shaped workpiece according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, an FPC product sheet row is formed on the belt-like workpiece 1. This figure shows a state in which a product sheet 2 and a product sheet 3 of FPC are continuously arranged on a part of the belt-like workpiece 1, but in reality, a large number of product sheets are continuously arranged respectively. Yes. A circuit pattern 2 a is formed on the product sheet 2, and resist ink printing areas 2 b and 2 c are formed on a part of the circuit pattern 2 a. Further, a circuit pattern 3a is also formed on the product sheet 3, and resist ink printing areas 3b and 3c are formed on a part of the circuit pattern 3a. In general, the circuit pattern 2a and print areas 2b and 2c of the product sheet 2 and the circuit pattern 3a and print areas 3b and 3c of the product sheet 3 are the same pattern.

  Here, the printing areas 2b and 2c of the product sheet 2 are insulating ink so that when a predetermined portion of the circuit pattern 2a is soldered, solder is not attached to patterns other than lands necessary for soldering. This is an area to be printed (or masked) with resist ink. The same applies to the print areas 3b and 3c of the product sheet 3.

  Further, the inter-product sheet row 4 between the product sheet 2 and the product sheet 3 in the belt-like workpiece 1 is an insulating area where the circuit patterns 2a and 3a are not formed, and is used as the protrusion arrangementable area A. Furthermore, since the circuit print region gaps 2d and 2e in the circuit pattern 2a are also insulating regions where the circuit pattern is not formed, they are used as the protrusion arrangementable region B. Further, since the circuit print region gaps 3d and 3e in the circuit pattern 3a are also insulating regions where the circuit pattern is not formed, they are used as the protrusion arrangement possible region B. Furthermore, since all the circuit patterns are not formed at the end portions 5a and 5b of the end portions in the width direction of the strip-shaped workpiece 1, the strip-shaped workpiece ends 5a and 5b are used as the holding object arrangement region C.

  When the belt-like workpiece 1 configured as shown in FIG. 1 is transported and moved, the protrusions can be arranged between the product sheet rows 4 on which at least one circuit pattern is not formed (printed) on the front surface or the back surface of the belt-like workpiece 1. By supporting all or a part of the protrusion arrangement possible area B of A and the circuit printing area gaps 2d and 2e of the circuit pattern 2a and the circuit printing area gaps 3d and 3e of the circuit pattern 3a with protrusions (not shown). The bending of the belt-like workpiece 1 is corrected, and the protrusion is moved at the same speed as the belt-like workpiece 1 is transported. At this time, the number of projections arranged and the arrangement pattern are arranged at a desired interval in accordance with the arrangement pattern of the projection arrangement possible areas A and B so that the amount of bending of the belt-like workpiece 1 is minimized. It is desirable.

  Further, if the protrusions can be arranged in the region A 4 between the product sheet rows, the protrusions supported by “lines” are used, and the circuit print region gaps 2d and 2e of the circuit pattern 2a and the circuit print region gap 3d of the circuit pattern 3a are used. If the projection arrangement area B of 3e is used, the projection is supported using the projections supported by “points”. And while supporting the other end of these protrusions with one or more rows of endless wires or rails, the protrusions are moved at the same speed as the belt-shaped workpiece 1 is moved.

  In addition, in order to arrange the protrusions at a desired interval using the protrusion arrangement possible areas A and B, the mark recorded at a predetermined position of the FPC board formed on the belt-like workpiece 1 is read and the protrusions are arranged. Set the space between objects. Alternatively, the feed amount of the belt-like workpiece 1 is calculated using an encoder, and an arrangement means is provided so that the projections are arranged at predetermined intervals using the projection arrangement areas A and B. Note that it is desirable that the protrusion transport mechanism is driven by arranging one or more endless wires or linear motors.

  Further, when the belt-like workpiece 1 cannot be supported only by the protrusions, the sandwiched object arrangement area C of the belt-like workpiece ends 5a and 5b which are both ends of the belt-like workpiece 1 is sandwiched, and the front or back surface of the belt-like workpiece 1 is further sandwiched. A region other than the circuit print region gaps 2d, 2e, 3d, and 3e on which at least one surface of the circuit pattern is not printed is used, and the protrusions support the bending of the regions, and the protrusions are the strip-shaped workpiece 1. It moves so as to move at the same speed as the transfer movement. As the support means at this time, a clip, a double belt, a suction unit, or the like can be used.

  Here, a specific embodiment in the case where the protrusion is moved at the same speed as the belt-like workpiece while supporting a predetermined portion of the belt-like workpiece conveyed by the roll-to-roll with the projection will be described. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the embodiment 1 of the belt-like workpiece transfer device according to the present invention. In the figure, it is assumed that the belt-like workpiece 11 is roll-to-roll conveyed between an unillustrated unwinding roller and a winding roller. Note that the roll-to-roll conveyance of the belt-like workpiece 11 is the same as that of the prior art described with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 2, a controller (not shown) detects the moving speed of the belt-like work 11 and controls the rotation speed of a motor (not shown) so that the moving speed of the endless wire 13 is the same as the moving speed of the belt-like work 11. doing. Therefore, in the process in which the belt-like workpiece 11 is conveyed inside the heating furnace 12, the endless wire 13 is controlled between the spans of the roller 14a and the roller 14b, which are respectively rotated by two motors (not shown), under the control of the controller. Will move at the same speed. In FIG. 2, it is assumed that the opposing surfaces of the strip-shaped workpiece 11 and the endless wire 13 are moving from the left to the right in the figure at the same speed.

  The endless wire 13 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 15, and these protrusions 15 are configured so that the position of the endless wire 13 can be freely moved. Further, the endless wire 13 is provided with a projection feeding mechanism 16, and the projections 15 are fed one by one to the lower surface side of the belt-like workpiece 11 by the operation of the projection feeding mechanism 16.

  On the other hand, a sensor 17a is installed in the vicinity of the strip-shaped workpiece 11 moving near the entrance of the heating furnace 12, and the sensor 17a detects a mark (not shown) recorded at a predetermined position of the strip-shaped workpiece 11. It is configured. This mark is recorded, for example, by etching or the like at a predetermined location on each product sheet (see product sheets 2a and 3a in FIG. 1) formed on the belt-like workpiece 11. Accordingly, when the belt-like workpiece 11 is transported and moved, the sensor 17a detects a mark for each product sheet and transmits the detection signal to the projection delivery mechanism 16. Thereby, the projection delivery mechanism 16 can send the projection 15 to the lower surface side of the belt-like workpiece 11 at the reception timing of the mark detection signal.

  Further, the distance between the mark position for each product sheet of the belt-like workpiece 11 and the position of the protrusion arrangementable area A or B (see FIG. 1) of the product sheet is stored in the controller in advance. On the other hand, the controller controls the moving speed of the belt-like workpiece 11 and the moving speed of the endless wire 13 to be the same, so that the protrusion 15 moves from the position (point a) of the protrusion feeding mechanism 16 to the band-like workpiece 11. If the distance to the position (point b) reaching the lower surface is the same as the distance from the mark position for each product sheet of the strip-shaped workpiece 11 to the position of the projection arrangement area A or B of the product sheet, the sensor If the projection delivery mechanism 16 sends out the projection 15 at the timing when the mark is detected by 17a, the projection 15 always comes into contact with the position of the projection arrangement area A or B of the product sheet.

  Next, the operation of the belt-shaped workpiece transfer device according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 will be described. When the belt-like workpiece 11 is conveyed to the vicinity of the entrance of the heating furnace 12 by roll-to-roll conveyance, the sensor 17a detects the mark recorded for each product sheet of the belt-like workpiece 11, and the detection signal of the endless wire 13 is detected. It transmits to the protrusion delivery mechanism 16. Then, the projection delivery mechanism 16 sends out one projection 15 to the lower surface of the strip-shaped workpiece 11 at the reception timing of the detection signal.

  At this time, the strip-shaped workpiece 11 and the endless wire 13 are moving in the same direction at the same speed, and the distance by which the projection 15 has moved from the projection feed mechanism 16 (a) point to the lower surface (b) point of the strip-shaped workpiece 11. Is the same as the distance from the sensor 17a to the protrusion arrangementable area A or B of the product sheet. Accordingly, the projection 15 delivered from the projection delivery mechanism 16 reliably abuts the position of the projection arrangement area A or B of the product sheet and moves at the same speed as the belt-like workpiece 11. Moreover, since the sensor 17a periodically detects the marks recorded for each product sheet of the belt-like workpiece 11 to which the sensor 17a moves, and the projection delivery mechanism 16 periodically sends out the projection 15, the projection 15 is desired. The product sheet formed on the strip-shaped workpiece 11 can be moved in a state of being in contact with the desired projection arrangement areas A and B, while maintaining the interval.

  Therefore, in the belt-shaped workpiece conveyance device according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the projection-arranged areas A and B where the FPC circuit pattern is not printed on the front surface or the back surface of the belt-shaped workpiece 11 are supported by the projection 15. While correcting the bending of the strip-shaped workpiece 11, the projection 15 is moved at the same speed as the strip-shaped workpiece 11 is conveyed, and the projection 15 is arranged at a desired interval, so that the surface of the strip-shaped workpiece 11 and The belt-like workpiece 11 can be transported while keeping nothing in contact with the non-contactable area on the back surface and maintaining the horizontal state as much as possible.

  Further, a sandwiched object disposition possible region C (see FIG. 1) where the circuit pattern is not printed at both ends in the width direction of the belt-like workpiece 11 is sandwiched, and further, a projection where no circuit pattern is printed on the surface of the belt-like workpiece 11 The regions other than the object arrangement possible regions A and B are also supported by the protrusions 15 to correct the deflection of the belt-like workpiece 11 and move the projections 15 at the same speed as the belt-like workpiece 11 is transported. Thus, it is possible to transport the belt-like workpiece 11 while keeping nothing in contact with the non-contactable areas on the front and back surfaces of the belt-like workpiece 11 and maintaining the horizontal state as much as possible.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a second embodiment of the belt-shaped workpiece transfer device according to the present invention. In the first embodiment, the projection 15 is transported by the endless wire 13, whereas in the second embodiment, the projection 15 is transported by the linear motor 18. Therefore, a controller (not shown) controls the speed of the linear motor 18 so that the linear motor 18 moves at the same speed as the belt-like workpiece 11.

  More specifically, a controller (not shown) detects the moving speed of the belt-like workpiece 11 in the process in which the belt-like workpiece 11 is transported inside the heating furnace 12, and the moving speed of the linear motor 18 is the moving speed of the belt-like workpiece 11. The speed of the linear motor 18 is controlled so as to be the same. In FIG. 3, it is assumed that the opposed surfaces of the belt-like workpiece 11 and the linear motor 18 are moving from the left to the right in the drawing at the same speed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the belt-shaped workpiece transfer device according to the second embodiment, a plurality of protrusions 15 are movably installed on a linear motor 18. Furthermore, a slope portion 18 a is provided in the linear motor 18 immediately before the linear motor 18 enters the heating furnace 12. Therefore, the protrusion 15 and the strip-shaped workpiece 11 are in a non-contact state before the traveling direction of the slope portion 18a, and the position where the projection passes through the slope portion 18a (that is, the linear motor 18 enters the inside of the heating furnace 12). Thereafter, the protrusion 15 and the strip-shaped work 11 are configured to come into contact with each other. The sensor 17b is configured not to detect the mark of the belt-like workpiece 1 as in the first embodiment, but to detect the position of the projection 15 sent out by the projection feeding mechanism 16. In other words, the sensor 17b has a function of confirming the position of the projection 15 fed from the projection feeding mechanism and correcting the positional deviation.

  Next, the operation of the belt-shaped workpiece transfer device according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 3 will be described. When the belt-like workpiece 11 is conveyed to the vicinity of the entrance of the heating furnace 12 by roll-to-roll conveyance, the sensor 17b detects the position of the projection 15 sent out from the projection delivery mechanism 16. That is, the sensor 17b detects the position of the protrusion 15 in front of the slope portion 18a of the linear motor 18. At this position, the distance between the lower surface of the belt-like workpiece 11 and the upper surface of the linear motor 18 is detected by the slope portion 18a. Since they are separated from each other, the protrusion 15 installed on the linear motor 18 does not come into contact with the belt-like workpiece 11.

  On the other hand, a controller (not shown) stores the position information of the protrusion arrangement possible areas A and B (see FIG. 1) for each product sheet formed on the belt-like workpiece 11, and the controller projects at the timing of this position information. Since the object delivery mechanism 16 is driven, the projection 15 delivered from the projection delivery mechanism 16 should be in contact with the projection arrangement possible areas A and B for each product sheet. However, the projection 15 delivered from the projection delivery mechanism 16 does not necessarily abut on the projection arrangement possible areas A and B for each product sheet due to deviations in the operation timing of the various drive mechanisms and clearances of the mechanism components. Absent. A slope portion 18a is provided so that the protrusion 15 does not contact the belt-like workpiece 11 in such a misalignment state.

  Accordingly, the position of the projection 15 sent out from the projection delivery mechanism 16 is first confirmed by the sensor 17b in front of the slope portion 18a, and there is a positional deviation with respect to the positions of the projection arrangement areas A and B. The position correction is performed by a position correction mechanism of a controller (not shown) so that the position of the protrusion 15 coincides with the positions of the protrusion arrangementable areas A and B. This position correction is completed before the protrusion 15 finishes passing through the slope portion 18a. Therefore, when the projection 15 passes through the slope portion 18a, the projection 15 is surely in contact with the projection arrangement possible areas A and B for each product sheet.

  In this way, in the heating furnace 12, the projection 15 supports the position of the projection arrangement possible areas A and B for each product sheet of the strip-shaped work 11, and at the same speed as the strip-shaped work 11. 12 is moved inside. In addition, since the protrusions 15 are sent out at regular intervals by the protrusion sending mechanism 16, the positions and intervals at which the protrusions 15 support the belt-like workpiece 11 are unchanged. Therefore, there is no possibility that the belt-like workpiece 11 is bent while the belt-like workpiece 11 moves in the heating furnace 12.

  Although the embodiments of the belt-shaped workpiece conveyance method and the belt-shaped workpiece conveyance device according to the present invention have been described above, the present invention can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It goes without saying that this also extends to the modified version.

The partial top view when forming FPC with the strip | belt-shaped workpiece | work which concerns on this invention. The conceptual diagram which shows the structure of Example 1 of the conveying apparatus of the strip | belt-shaped workpiece | work concerning this invention. The conceptual diagram which shows the structure of Example 2 of the conveying apparatus of the strip | belt-shaped workpiece | work concerning this invention. Process drawing which shows the conventional process of printing on the 1st surface of FPC by roll-to-roll conveyance. FIG. 5 is a process diagram in which the first surface is turned over and the second surface is printed after the process shown in FIG. 4 is completed. The conceptual diagram which shows the state which clamped the both ends of the width direction of the strip | belt-shaped workpiece | work with the clamping means.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Band-shaped workpiece 2, 3 Product sheet 2a, 3a Circuit pattern 2b, 2c, 3b, 3c Print area 2d, 2e, 3d, 3e Print area gap 4 Between product sheet rows 5a, 5b Band-shaped work edge part A, B Protrusion arrangement Possible area C Area where pinching object can be placed 11 Strip work 12 Heating furnace 13 Endless wire 14a, 14b Roller 15 Protrusion 16 Protrusion feed mechanism 17a, 17b Sensor 18 Linear motor 18a Slope part 21 Rolling roller 22 Strip work (FPC)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 23 Printing stand 24 Printing plate 25 Squeegee 26a, 26b Resist ink 27 Heating furnace 27a Conveyor 28 Cooling chamber 29 Winding roller 31a, 31b Clamping means 32a, 32b Heat source

Claims (5)

A method for transporting a belt-shaped workpiece by transporting the belt-shaped workpiece between a plurality of rolls,
A first step in which one or more endless wires in which a plurality of protrusions are movably arranged in the same direction as the direction of conveyance of the belt-shaped workpiece are opposed to the belt-shaped workpiece, and both are moved in the same direction at the same speed; ,
A second step of detecting a mark recorded at a predetermined position of the belt-like workpiece during the movement of the belt-like workpiece;
In accordance with the detection timing of the mark, a third step of driving a projection feeding mechanism installed on the endless wire and feeding one projection to the lower surface of the moving belt-like workpiece;
A fourth step of abutting the projection sent out in the third step against a projection arrangement possible region of the belt-like workpiece;
And a fifth step of moving the projection at the same moving speed as the moving speed of the belt-like workpiece. A method for transporting a belt-shaped workpiece by transporting the belt-shaped workpiece between a plurality of rolls,
A first step in which one or more linear motors in which a plurality of protrusions are movably arranged in the same direction as the direction of conveyance of the belt-shaped workpiece are opposed to the belt-shaped workpiece and moved in the same direction at the same speed; ,
A second step of detecting the position of the projection sent out from the projection feeding mechanism installed in the linear motor to the front side of the slope portion formed in the linear motor during the movement of the belt-like workpiece;
A third step of correcting the position so that the position of the protrusion sent out in the second step matches the position of the protrusion disposition area of the belt-like workpiece;
A fourth step of causing the protrusion whose position has been corrected in the third step to pass through the slope portion and bringing the protrusion into contact with the protrusion arrangementable region of the belt-like workpiece;
And a fifth step of moving the projection at the same moving speed as the moving speed of the belt-like workpiece.   When the protrusion arrangeable area is formed in a spot shape, a dot-like protrusion is used as the protrusion, and when the protrusion arrangeable area is formed in a band shape, the protrusion A method for conveying a belt-like workpiece according to claim 1, wherein a projection having a linear tip is used. A belt-shaped workpiece transfer device that transfers a belt-shaped workpiece between a plurality of rolls,
A plurality of protrusions are movably arranged, and have a protrusion feeding mechanism for feeding the protrusions one by one to the lower surface of the belt-like workpiece, facing the belt-like workpiece in the same direction at the same speed as the belt-like workpiece. One or more endless wires to move;
A sensor for detecting a mark recorded at a predetermined position of the belt-like workpiece during the movement of the belt-like workpiece, and the projection feeding mechanism is installed on the endless wire in accordance with the detection timing of the sensor. Sending out one of the protrusions to the lower surface of the moving belt-like workpiece, bringing the protrusion into contact with the protrusion-arrangeable region of the belt-like workpiece,
In addition, the belt-like workpiece transfer apparatus is characterized in that the protrusion is moved at the same moving speed as the belt-like workpiece. A belt-shaped workpiece transfer device that transfers a belt-shaped workpiece between a plurality of rolls,
A slope portion is formed and a plurality of protrusions are movably disposed, and has a protrusion feeding mechanism for feeding the protrusions one by one to the front of the slope, and facing the belt-like work, One or more linear motors moving in the same direction at the same speed;
A sensor for detecting the position of the projection sent out from the projection feeding mechanism to the front of the slope portion;
A controller that performs position correction based on position information detected by the sensor so as to match the position of the protrusion with the position of the protrusion disposition area of the belt-like workpiece;
An apparatus for transporting a belt-like workpiece, wherein the projection is moved at the same movement speed as that of the belt-like workpiece while the projection whose position has been corrected is brought into contact with the projection-arrangeable region of the belt-like workpiece.

Images