JP7530809B2 - Cutting device and method for manufacturing cut products - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cutting device and a method for manufacturing cut products.

As shown in, for example, Patent Document 1, a conventional cutting device for cutting workpieces such as chip-scale package (CSP) substrates has a cutting table having a plurality of first suction ports for sucking the package and a plurality of second suction ports for sucking edge fragments (waste areas) adjacent to the package. In this cutting device, the plurality of first suction ports are arranged in an array corresponding to the arrangement of the package to be cut, and the plurality of second suction ports are arranged in the vicinity of the periphery of the plurality of first suction ports that coincide with the positions of the edge fragments.

JP 2003-234310 A

On the other hand, in recent years, in order to manufacture more packages using lead frames of the same size for semiconductor packages such as SOT (Small Outline Transistor) and SOIC (Small Outline Integrated Circuit), resin molded substrates are being manufactured using lead frames with staggered leads, as shown in Figure 10.

However, in the case of resin molded boards using lead frames with staggered leads, the cutting lines of the packages are not aligned in a straight line, making cutting difficult using conventional cutting equipment that uses blades.

The present invention was made to solve the above problems, and its main objective is to make it possible to easily cut with a blade an object in which the cutting lines in adjacent dividing elements are set on different straight lines.

In other words, the cutting device according to the present invention is a cutting device in which a plurality of dividing elements are connected by connecting parts, and cutting objects along cutting lines in adjacent dividing elements, the cutting lines being set on different straight lines, and is equipped with a cutting table that adsorbs and holds the objects, and a cutting mechanism that cuts the objects held on the cutting table with a blade, and the cutting table is characterized in that it has a first table adsorption part that adsorbs one of the dividing elements between adjacent dividing elements, and a second table adsorption part that is independent of the first table adsorption part and adsorbs the other dividing element.

The present invention, configured in this way, makes it possible to easily cut an object with a blade, in which the cutting lines in adjacent dividing elements are set on different straight lines.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a schematic view of an object to be cut. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged plan view showing a cutting line of the object to be cut. 1 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a cutting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3A and 3B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a cutting table of the embodiment. 2A and 2B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a transport mechanism (loader) of the embodiment. 3A and 3B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a discharge mechanism (unloader) of the embodiment. 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views showing various states of the cutting operation of the embodiment. 5A to 5C are plan views showing various states of an object to be cut in a cutting operation according to the embodiment. 13A and 13B are plan views showing an object to be cut and a cutting method thereof according to a modified embodiment. 1 is a plan view showing a resin molded substrate using a lead frame in which leads are formed in a staggered arrangement;

Next, the present invention will be described in more detail using examples. However, the present invention is not limited to the following description.

As described above, the cutting device of the present invention is a cutting device that cuts a cutting object along cutting lines, in which a plurality of dividing elements are connected by connecting parts and the cutting lines in adjacent dividing elements are set on different straight lines, and is equipped with a cutting table that adsorbs and holds the cutting object, and a cutting mechanism that cuts the cutting object held on the cutting table with a blade, and is characterized in that the cutting table has a first table suction portion that adsorbs one of the dividing elements adjacent to each other, and a second table suction portion that is independent of the first table suction portion and adsorbs the other dividing element.
In this cutting device, the cutting table has a first table suction portion that suctions one of the adjacent divided elements and a second table suction portion that suctions the other of the adjacent divided elements, so that it is possible to release the suction of only one or the other of the adjacent divided elements and reposition them on the cutting table or remove them from the cutting table. This makes it possible to easily cut an object in which the cutting lines in the adjacent divided elements are set on different straight lines with a blade.

As a specific embodiment for suctioning only one or the other of adjacent dividing elements and repositioning them on the cutting table or removing them from the cutting table, the cutting device of the present invention may further include a conveying mechanism for conveying the workpiece to the cutting table, and the conveying mechanism may have a conveying and suction section for suctioning only one or the other of the adjacent dividing elements.

When the connecting portion is cut by the cutting mechanism and adjacent divided elements are separated from each other, it is desirable that the cutting table releases the suction of the divided elements by either the first table suction portion or the second table suction portion, and after the conveying mechanism adsorbs the divided elements whose suction has been released on the cutting table, it aligns the cutting lines of the adjacent divided elements so that they are in the same straight line.
With this configuration, since the adjacent cutting lines are aligned so as to be on the same straight line, the cutting lines of the adjacent divided elements can be cut at the same time.

A specific embodiment of the cutting object is one in which the multiple dividing elements are arranged along the cutting direction by the blade, and their arrangement is divided into at least two groups, with the cutting lines of the dividing elements in one set positioned on the same straight line, and the cutting lines of the dividing elements in the other set positioned on the same straight line.
In a cutting object having this configuration, it is desirable that the first table suction portion suctions the divided elements of one set, and the second table suction portion suctions the divided elements of the other set.

In this case, it is desirable to configure the transport mechanism in accordance with the adsorption mode of the cutting table, and the transport mechanism may have a first transport adsorption section that adsorbs the dividing elements of one set, and a second transport adsorption section that adsorbs the dividing elements of the other set.

The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing cut products using the above-mentioned cutting device.

<One embodiment of the present invention>
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a cutting device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that in all of the drawings shown below, for ease of understanding, some parts are omitted or exaggerated as appropriate. The same components are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

<Overall configuration of cutting device>
The cutting device 100 of this embodiment cuts a workpiece W along cutting lines CL0 to CL2 set on the workpiece W, thereby dividing the workpiece W into a plurality of cut products P (products P).

Here, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the cutting object W is a structure in which a plurality of divided elements W1, W2 are connected by a connecting portion W3, and the cutting lines CL1, CL2 in the adjacent divided elements W1, W2 are set on different straight lines. Each divided element W1, W2 has a plurality of chips sealed by resin molding, and here, the plurality of chips are arranged in a line. Also, leads are provided corresponding to each chip. The plurality of divided elements W1, W2 are arranged along the cutting direction (left and right direction in FIG. 1) by the blade 31 (see FIG. 3), and both ends of the divided elements are connected by a connecting portion W3. Specifically, the divided elements W1 in the odd-numbered row, which is one set, and the divided elements W2 in the even-numbered row, which is the other set, are configured so that their leads are staggered. As a result, the cutting lines CL1 of the divided elements W1 in the odd-numbered row, which is one set, are located on the same straight line, and the cutting lines CL2 of the divided elements W2 in the even-numbered row, which is the other set, are located on the same straight line. Also, the cutting line CL1 of the odd-numbered divided element W1 and the cutting line CL2 of the even-numbered divided element W2 are located on different straight lines (see FIG. 2). Note that the reference symbol CL0 in FIG. 2 is a cutting line for cutting the connecting portion W3 to separate it into the multiple divided elements W1 and W2. Also, the cutting lines CL0 to CL2 shown in each figure are imaginary lines that are intended to be cut by the blade 31, and are not shown on the actual object W to be cut.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the cutting device 100 includes a cutting table 2 that adsorbs and holds the workpiece W, a cutting mechanism 3 that cuts the workpiece W held on the cutting table 2 with a blade 31, a transport mechanism 4 (hereinafter also referred to as a loader 4) that transports the workpiece W to the cutting table 2, and an unloading mechanism 5 (hereinafter also referred to as an unloader 5) that unloads the cut product P cut on the cutting table 2 from the cutting table 2.

The cutting table 2 adsorbs and holds the workpiece W, and as shown in FIG. 4, has a first table adsorption portion 21 that adsorbs one of the adjacent dividing elements W1 and W2, and a second table adsorption portion 22 that adsorbs the other dividing element W2. The cutting table 2 is configured to be movable at least in the Y direction by a moving mechanism (not shown). The cutting table 2 may also be configured to rotate in the θ direction by a rotating mechanism (not shown).

The first table suction unit 21 and the second table suction unit 22 are independent of each other and are configured so that they can independently switch between suction and non-suction.

Specifically, the first table suction unit 21 collectively suctions the dividing elements W1 in the odd-numbered rows (row 1, row 3, row 5, ...) of the cutting workpiece W, and the second table suction unit 22 collectively suctions the dividing elements W2 in the even-numbered rows (row 2, row 4, row 6, ...) of the cutting workpiece W. In other words, the cutting table 2 is configured to be able to independently switch between suction or stopping of suction of the dividing elements W1 in the odd-numbered rows and suction or stopping of suction of the dividing elements W2 in the even-numbered rows.

The first table suction unit 21 has a first suction hole 21a opening on the upper surface of the cutting table 2, a first internal flow path 21b connected to the first suction hole 21a and formed inside the cutting table 2, and a first suction pump 21c connected to the first internal flow path 21b. The second table suction unit 22 has a second suction hole 22a opening on the upper surface of the cutting table 2, a second internal flow path 22b connected to the second suction hole 22a and formed inside the cutting table 2, and a second suction pump 22c connected to the second internal flow path 22b. The first suction pump 21c and the second suction pump 22c may be shared, and the internal flow path connected to the suction pump may be switched using a switching valve (not shown), for example. An ejector may be used instead of the suction pump.

The cutting mechanism 3 cuts the workpiece W in a straight line, and as shown in FIG. 3, includes a blade 31, a spindle unit 32 that rotates the blade 31, and a movement mechanism (not shown) that moves the spindle unit 32 at least in the X and Z directions. The rotation axis direction of the blade 31 is parallel to the upper surface of the cutting table 2, which is a direction along the horizontal direction in this example. The cutting table 2 and the cutting mechanism 3 are moved relative to each other, so that the workpiece W is cut by the blade 31.

The loader 4 transports the workpiece W from the workpiece storage section 6 (see FIG. 3) that stores the workpiece W to the cutting table 2. As described below, the loader 4 also moves one of the adjacent dividing elements W1 and W2 on the cutting table 2 so that the cutting lines CL1 and CL2 of the adjacent dividing elements W1 and W2 coincide with each other.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the loader 4 includes an adsorption block 41 having transport adsorption sections 411, 412 for adsorbing the workpiece W, and a movement mechanism (not shown) for moving the adsorption block 41.

The suction block 41 is provided with a first conveying suction section 411 that suctions one of the adjacent dividing elements W1 and W2, and a second conveying suction section 412 that suctions the other dividing element W2. In other words, the suction block 41 of the loader 4 has conveying suction sections 411 and 412 that correspond to the table suction sections 21 and 22 of the cutting table 2.

Specifically, the first transport suction section 411 is adapted to suction the dividing elements W1 in odd-numbered rows (row 1, row 3, row 5, ...) of the cutting object W, and the second transport suction section 412 is adapted to suction the dividing elements W2 in even-numbered rows (row 2, row 4, row 6, ...) of the cutting object W. In other words, the loader 4 is configured to be able to independently switch between suction or stopping of suction of the dividing elements W1 in odd-numbered rows and suction or stopping of suction of the dividing elements W2 in even-numbered rows.

The first conveying suction section 411 has a first suction hole 411a that opens on the lower surface of the suction block 41, a first internal flow path 411b that is continuous with the first suction hole 411a and formed inside the suction block 41, and a first suction pump 411c that is connected to the first internal flow path 411b. The first suction hole 411a is provided with a suction pad 411d made of resin, for example. The second conveying suction section 412 has a second suction hole 412a that opens on the lower surface of the suction block 41, a second internal flow path 412b that is continuous with the second suction hole 412a and formed inside the suction block 41, and a second suction pump 412c that is connected to the second internal flow path 412b. The second suction hole 412a is provided with a suction pad 412d. Alternatively, the first suction pump 411c and the second suction pump 412c may be shared, and the internal flow path connected to the suction pump may be switched using, for example, a switching valve (not shown).

The unloader 5 picks up the cut products P and transports them from the cutting table 2 to the cut product storage section 7 (see FIG. 3). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the unloader 5 includes a suction block 51 provided with a transport suction section 511 for suctioning the cut products P, and a movement mechanism (not shown) for moving the suction block 51.

The transport suction section 511 of the suction block 51 has a suction hole 511a that opens to the bottom surface of the suction block 51, an internal flow path 511b that is continuous with the suction hole 511a and formed inside the suction block 51, and a suction pump 511c that is connected to the internal flow path 511b. The suction hole 511a is provided with a suction pad 511d made of resin, for example. In this way, unlike the loader 4, the unloader 5 does not have two independent transport suction sections, but has a transport suction section 511 that absorbs multiple cut products P without distinction. In FIG. 6, the suction holes 511a in the odd-numbered rows and the suction holes 511a in the even-numbered rows are aligned in a straight line in the Y direction, but they may be offset from each other.

<Cutting Operation of Cutting Device 100>
The operation of the cutting device 100 will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. The following cutting operation is performed by controlling each part by the control unit CTL (see Figure 3).

(1) Carrying in of the workpiece W The loader 4 adsorbs and holds the workpiece W accommodated in the workpiece accommodation unit 6, and transports it to the cutting table 2. The workpiece W transported to the cutting table 2 is adsorbed and held by the first table adsorption unit 21 and the second table adsorption unit 22 of the cutting table 2 (<Adsorption and holding of workpiece> in FIG. 7). Here, the workpiece W is positioned relative to the cutting table 2, for example, by fitting a positioning hole formed in the workpiece W to a positioning pin provided on the cutting table 2. Alternatively, the workpiece W can be positioned by fitting a positioning hole formed in the workpiece W to a positioning pin provided on the loader 4.

(2) Cutting of Connecting Portions W3 The connecting portions W3 of the workpiece W suction-held on the cutting table 2 are cut by the cutting mechanism 3 (<Cutting of Connecting Portions> in Figs. 7 and 8). In this embodiment, the connecting portions W3 connecting both ends of the divided elements W1, W2 are cut. As a result, the divided elements W1, W2 of the workpiece W are separated from each other. In this state, the cutting lines CL1, CL2 of the divided elements W1 in the odd-numbered rows and the divided elements W2 in the even-numbered rows are staggered (zigzag) and are not on the same straight line but are on different straight lines.

(3) Stopping Adsorption of Even-Numbered Row Divided Elements W2 When the connecting portion W3 is cut and the adjacent divided elements W1 and W2 are separated from each other, the cutting table 2 stops adsorption of the even-numbered row divided elements W2 by the second table adsorption portion 22 (<Stopping Adsorption of Even-Numbered Rows and Lifting Up> in FIGS. 7 and 8). Note that, on the cutting table 2, adsorption of the odd-numbered row divided elements W1 by the first table adsorption portion 21 is maintained. Here, before adsorption by the second table adsorption portion 22 is stopped, the adsorption pad of the loader 4 (specifically, the adsorption pad 412d of the second conveying adsorption portion 412) is pressed against the even-numbered row divided elements W2. This prevents the positional deviation of the even-numbered row divided elements W2 caused by stopping adsorption by the second table adsorption portion 22 of the cutting table 2.

(4) Rearrangement of divided elements W2 in even-numbered rows After the loader 4 picks up the divided elements W2 in the even-numbered rows whose suction has been stopped on the cutting table 2, the loader 4 lifts the divided elements W2 in the even-numbered rows from the cutting table 2 (<Stopping suction of even-numbered rows and lifting> in Figs. 7 and 8). The loader 4 then rearranges the divided elements W2 in the even-numbered rows so that the cutting lines CL2 of the divided elements W2 in the even-numbered rows are aligned in the same line as the cutting lines CL1 of the divided elements W1 in the odd-numbered rows (<Rearrangement of even-numbered rows> in Figs. 7 and 8). The rearranged divided elements W2 in the even-numbered rows are suctioned and held on the cutting table 2 by the second table suction unit 22.

Here, the positioning of the even-row dividing element W2 in the rearrangement can be performed by (i) image-recognizing the arrangement of the odd-row dividing element W1 and the even-row dividing element W2 (e.g., characteristic parts such as edges and leads) with a camera before moving the even-row dividing element W2, calculating the amount of movement for the positioning of the even-row dividing element W2 through the image recognition, and controlling the loader 4 based on the calculated amount of movement. In addition, the positioning of the even-row dividing element W2 in the rearrangement can be performed by (ii) fitting a positioning hole provided in the even-row dividing element W2 with a positioning pin provided on the cutting table 2, or (iii) setting the amount of position adjustment of the even-row dividing element W2 in advance and controlling the movement mechanism of the loader 4 based on the amount of position adjustment.

(5) Cutting of odd-numbered and even-numbered row divided elements W1, W2 After the even-numbered row divided elements W2 are rearranged, the cutting mechanism 3 cuts the cutting lines CL1 of the odd-numbered row divided elements W1 and the cutting lines CL2 of the even-numbered row divided elements W2, which are on the same straight line (<Cutting of odd-numbered and even-numbered rows> in FIG. 8). Note that, before cutting the divided elements W1, W2, a camera may be used to recognize the image to confirm that the cutting lines CL1 of the odd-numbered row divided elements W1 and the cutting lines CL2 of the even-numbered row divided elements W2 are on the same straight line.

(6) Transporting the Cut Products P The unloader 5 suctions and holds the multiple cut products P that are suction-held on the cutting table 2, and transports them to the cut product storage section 7. Before releasing the suction from the cutting table 2, the suction pads 511d of the unloader 5 may be pressed against the multiple cut products P to prevent misalignment or suction errors of the multiple cut products P.

<Effects of this embodiment>
According to the cutting device 100 of this embodiment, the cutting table 2 has a first table suction portion 21 that suctions one of the adjacent divided elements W1, W2 and a second table suction portion 22 that is independent of the first table suction portion 21 and suctions the other of the adjacent divided elements W1, W2, so that suction of only one or the other of the adjacent divided elements W1, W2 can be released and the adjacent divided elements can be rearranged on the cutting table 2 or removed from the cutting table 2. This makes it possible to easily cut the workpiece W, in which the cutting lines CL1, CL2 in the adjacent divided elements W1, W2 are set on different straight lines, with the blade 31.

<Other Modified Embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

For example, in the above embodiment, the dividing element W2 in the even-numbered row is rearranged, but the dividing element W1 in the odd-numbered row may be rearranged to align the cutting line CL1 of the dividing element W1 in the odd-numbered row with the cutting line CL2 of the dividing element W2 in the even-numbered row.

In the above embodiment, the loader 4 has the first transport suction portion 411 and the second transport suction portion 412, but it may have only one of them. For example, if the loader 4 has only the first transport suction portion 411, when the workpiece W is transported to the cutting table 2, the loader 4 transports the workpiece W by suctioning and holding the odd-numbered divided elements W1. After the connecting portion W3 is cut, the first table suction portion 21 of the cutting table 2 stops suctioning the odd-numbered divided elements W1, and the loader 4 rearranges the odd-numbered divided elements W1 for which suction has stopped.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the loader 4 is used to rearrange the odd-numbered or even-numbered row dividing elements W1 and W2, but the unloader 5 may be used to rearrange the odd-numbered or even-numbered row dividing elements W1 and W2. In this case, the unloader 5 is configured to have a first conveying and suction portion that adsorbs the odd-numbered row dividing elements W1 and a second conveying and suction portion that adsorbs the even-numbered row dividing elements W2, similar to the loader 4 in the above embodiment.

In addition, in the above embodiment, only one of the odd-numbered or even-numbered row dividing elements W1, W2 is rearranged, but depending on the arrangement of the cutting lines CL1, CL2 set on the cutting object W, for example, both the odd-numbered and even-numbered row dividing elements W1, W2 may be rearranged.

In the above embodiment, the cutting lines CL1 of the odd-numbered divided elements W1 and the cutting lines CL2 of the even-numbered divided elements W2 are aligned and cut at once, but the following may also be used. For example, after cutting the connecting portions W3, the even-numbered divided elements W2 are removed from the cutting table 2 and the odd-numbered divided elements W1 are cut along the cutting lines CL1 to be singulated. Then, after the singulated cut products P are removed from the cutting table 2, the even-numbered divided elements W2 are adsorbed and held on the cutting table 2 and the even-numbered divided elements W2 are cut along the cutting lines CL2 to be singulated. Then, the singulated cut products P are removed from the cutting table 2.

The cutting object W to be cut by the cutting device 100 of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be a substrate such as a printed circuit board (PCB substrate) that is not molded from resin. In this case, the cutting object W is a substrate in which a cut K is made by, for example, router processing, as shown in FIG. 9, and the substrate has a plurality of divided elements W1 and W2 that are roughly L-shaped in plan view connected by a connecting portion W3, and the cutting lines CL1 and CL2 in the adjacent divided elements W1 and W2 are set on different straight lines. In such a cutting object W, as in the above embodiment, after cutting the connecting portion W3, the cutting lines CL1 of the odd-numbered divided elements W1 and the cutting lines CL2 of the even-numbered divided elements W2 can be aligned and then cut at once (<Cutting with the cutting lines of the odd-numbered and even-numbered rows aligned> in FIG. 9). Also, after cutting the connecting portion W3, the odd-numbered row dividing element W1 and the even-numbered row dividing element W2 can be cut separately (<Cutting odd-numbered and even-numbered rows separately> in Figure 9).

In the above embodiment, the object W to be cut has the arrangement of the multiple dividing elements divided into two groups (odd rows and even rows), and the cutting lines CL1, CL2 are different for the odd row dividing element W1 and the even row dividing element W2. However, this is not limited to odd row dividing elements and even row dividing elements, and can also be applied to an object having multiple dividing elements whose cutting lines are not on the same line. For example, the arrangement of the multiple dividing elements of the object W to be cut may be grouped such that the two rows on the left and right are the same. In addition, the object W to be cut may have the arrangement of the multiple dividing elements divided into three or more groups.

It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

100: Cutting device W: Cutting object W1: Odd-numbered row of dividing elements (plural dividing elements)
W2: Even-numbered column division elements (multiple division elements)
W3: connecting portions CL1 and CL2: cutting line P: cut product 2: cutting table 21: first table suction portion 22: second table suction portion 3: cutting mechanism 31: blade 4: loader (transport mechanism)
411: First conveying and suction portion 412: Second conveying and suction portion

Claims (5)

A cutting device for cutting an object along cutting lines, the cutting lines being set on different straight lines within adjacent divided elements, the cutting device comprising:
a cutting table that adsorbs and holds the workpiece;
a cutting mechanism that cuts the object held on the cutting table with a blade ;
a conveying mechanism for conveying the workpiece to the cutting table ,
the cutting table includes a first table suction portion that suctions one of the adjacent divided elements, and a second table suction portion that is independent of the first table suction portion and that suctions the other divided element,
The conveying mechanism has a conveying and suction portion that suctions only one or the other of the adjacent dividing elements . When the connecting portion is cut by the cutting mechanism and the adjacent divided elements are separated from each other, the cutting table stops adsorbing the divided elements by one of the first table adsorption portion and the second table adsorption portion,
2. The cutting device according to claim 1 , wherein the transport mechanism aligns the cutting lines of adjacent divided elements so as to be in the same straight line after sucking the divided elements whose suction has been stopped on the cutting table. The transport mechanism includes:
a first conveying and suction unit that suctions the one of the divided elements;
3. The cutting device according to claim 1, further comprising a second conveying and suction portion for suctioning the other dividing element. A cutting device for cutting an object along cutting lines, the cutting lines being set on different straight lines within adjacent divided elements, the cutting device comprising:
a cutting table that adsorbs and holds the workpiece;
a cutting mechanism for cutting the object held on the cutting table with a blade,
the cutting table includes a first table suction portion that suctions one of the adjacent divided elements, and a second table suction portion that is independent of the first table suction portion and that suctions the other divided element,
the plurality of dividing elements are arranged along a cutting direction by the blade, and their arrangement is divided into at least two sets, the cutting lines of the dividing elements of one set being aligned on the same straight line, and the cutting lines of the dividing elements of the other set being aligned on the same straight line;
the first table suction portion suctions the divided elements of the one set,
The second table suction portion suctions the other set of dividing elements . A method for producing a cut product using the cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 .