KR20080044517A - Grinding/inspecting machine for flat panel disply panel - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for polishing/inspecting a flat panel display is provided to shorten the tact time of an entire procedure by allowing long and short sides of a panel to be polished/inspected by a loading unit and a unloading unit, respectively. A system for polishing/inspecting a flat panel display comprises an loading/unloading unit(10) that supports a panel(P). A polishing/inspecting device(30) polishes/inspects the panel. A picker(20) absorbs the panel supported by the loading/unloading unit to transfer the panel to the polishing/inspecting device, and sends the polished or inspected panel to the loading/unloading unit. The polishing/inspecting device is located below the loading/unloading unit and the picker is located above the loading/unloading unit. The polishing/inspecting device includes a stage, a polishing part and an inspecting part.

Description

Grinding / Inspecting Machine For Flat Panel Disply Panel}

1 is a side view of a first embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the system shown in FIG. 1.

3a and 3b show grinding / inspection means of the system shown in FIG.

4 and 5 are plan views showing a second embodiment according to the present invention.

6A to 6I show an operating state of the second embodiment according to the present invention.

** Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings **

1: Polishing / Inspection System 10: Loading / Unloading Part

20: picker 21: adsorption part

22: alignment unit 30: polishing / inspection unit

31: variable table 32: guide

33: grinding part 34: inspection part

35: rotating part

100: polishing / inspection system 110: loading part

120: first picker 121: adsorption unit

122: alignment unit 130: polishing / inspection unit

131: variable table 132: guide

133: polishing unit 134: inspection unit

135: rotating part 140: unloading part

150: second picker 151: adsorption unit

The present invention relates to a polishing / inspection system of a flat panel display panel, and more particularly, a panel that can reduce the total area of the equipment and shorten the tactile time by eliminating a separate space for loading or unloading the panel. To a polishing / inspection system.

In general, a flat panel display panel is cut to the required size from the original glass. Since the cut panel has sharp edges, four sides are polished using abrasive grinds, and the polished panel undergoes a process of inspecting the polished surface, the cut surface, and the pattern surface.

The polishing process and the inspection process have been performed in separate stages, but recently, a technique of sequentially performing these processes in one stage has been introduced.

However, the conventional polishing / inspection system includes a loading unit for loading a panel delivered in the previous process, a polishing / inspection stage provided at a side of the loading unit to receive and fix the panel from the loading unit, and to fix or inspect the panel; It is composed of an unloading unit provided on the side of the inspection stage to receive and unload the polished or inspected panel.

In other words, the loading part, the polishing / inspection stage, and the unloading part were sequentially provided on the left and right sides.

Therefore, the total area occupied by the system is larger than necessary, and thus there is a problem in that the process tack time is long because the time for loading and unloading the panel is long.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a space for loading or unloading the panel is provided in the upper layer of the polishing / inspection means to reduce the area of the entire equipment, and tack time The present invention provides a polishing / inspection system for a panel which can shorten the time required.

In order to achieve the above object, a polishing / inspection system of a flat panel display panel according to the present invention includes a loading / unloading unit supporting a panel; Polishing / inspection means for polishing or inspecting the panel; And a picker capable of absorbing the panel supported by the loading / unloading unit to transfer the polishing / inspection means to the polishing / inspecting unit and transferring the polished or inspected panel to the loading / unloading unit. The inspection means is located below the loading / unloading part and the picker is arranged to be above the loading / unloading part.

The polishing / inspection means inspects a stage capable of adsorbing the panel and rotating the panel, a polishing portion for polishing the long side or the short side of the panel fixed to the table, and the long side or the short side of the polished panel. By including an inspection section, the inspection can be performed continuously as well as the polishing of the panel.

In particular, the stage comprises a pair of variable tables capable of supporting both end portions of the long side or the short side of the panel, and a rotating unit capable of rotating the panel while supporting the center of the panel. After polishing and inspecting both long sides of the panel, the panel can be rotated to polish and inspect both short sides.

It is also preferred that the loading / unloading portion is a pair of conveyors that support both ends of the panel and are driven to approach or move away from each other.

In addition, the picker is provided with an alignment unit as well as an adsorption unit for vacuum adsorption of the panel, the alignment unit is installed vertically to align the force applied to two or more sides of the panel supported on the loading / unloading unit the panel The linear bar exerts a force on the sides of the bar, and consists of a hook formed inward at the lower end of the bar to support the end of the panel from the bottom.

Another panel polishing / inspection system according to the present invention includes a loading unit for loading and supporting a panel; A first picker capable of absorbing and lifting the panel supported by the loading unit; Polishing / inspecting means for polishing or inspecting the panel received from the first picker; A second picker capable of adsorbing and elevating the polished or inspected panel; And an unloading part for discharging the panel received from the second picker, wherein the first picker is positioned above the loading part and the second picker is positioned above the unloading part. The inspection means are configured to be able to move to the lower part of the loading part and the lower part of the unloading part, respectively.

Due to this configuration, after the long side or the short side of the panel is polished / inspected at the lower part of the loading part and the first picker, the polishing / inspection means is moved to the other side (short side) at the bottom of the unloading part and the second picker. Or long side). As described above, in polishing / inspecting four sides of the panel, a long side and a short side are distinguished, and one of them is performed at the bottom of the loading part and the other is performed at the bottom of the unloading part to shorten the tack time of the entire process. will be.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail the configuration and operation of the present invention.

1 to 3b show a first embodiment according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the polishing / inspection system 1 according to the present invention includes a loading / unloading unit 10, a picker 20, and polishing / inspection means 30. 20), the loading / unloading portion 10 and the polishing / inspection means 30 are sequentially arranged at the top.

The picker 20 includes an adsorption part 21 capable of vacuum adsorption of the panel P, and an alignment part 22 for aligning the panel supported by the loading / unloading part 10. The alignment unit 22 is provided with a plurality of vertically installed bars to align the force to push the center of two or more sides of the panel. In addition, the end of the bar is provided with a hook inward to support the end of the panel from the bottom.

Referring to FIG. 2, the loading / unloading unit 10 is provided with a pair of conveyors 11 and 12 so as to support both ends of the panel, and the pair of conveyors 11 and 12 are respectively panels. It consists of the feed rollers 11a and 12a which convey (P).

The pair of conveyors 11 and 12 are driven to approach or move away from each other.

In addition, the alignment unit 22 of the picker 20 is provided on each side of the panel is provided with two to align the panel in position by pushing toward the center.

3A and 3B, the polishing / inspection means 30 according to the present invention are provided to face each other to support the stages P, and stages 31 and 35 to support the panel P, and the polishing unit 33 to polish the panel. And an inspection unit 34 for continuously inspecting the polished surface of the polished panel.

In particular, the stages 31 and 35 are positioned between a pair of variable tables 31a and 31b capable of vacuum-suctioning both ends of the panel and the variable tables 31a and 31b. It consists of a rotating part 35 which can rotate a panel in the support state.

In addition, a horizontal moving unit (not shown) including a guide 32 for driving the variable table 31 to approach or move away from each other is provided.

1, the operation of the first embodiment 1 according to the present invention will be described.

As shown, when the panel is loaded in the loading / unloading unit 10, the picker 20 is lowered to push the plurality of alignment units 22 inward.

Next, the aligned panel P is vacuum-adsorbed by the adsorption part 21, and it raises, supporting the lower part of a panel with a hook.

Next, the pair of conveyors, which are loaded / unloaded 10, are driven away from each other, and then the picker 20 is lowered through the loaded / unloaded 10 so that the variable table 31 and the rotating part are moved. The panel is seated at (35).

Next, the inspection is continuously performed while grinding the long side (or short side) of the panel seated on the stages 31 and 35.

Next, the panel is rotated by 90 ° to perform the inspection continuously while polishing the short side (or long side).

Next, the picker 20 is lowered and the panel is sucked by the adsorption part 21, and the panel is lifted while supporting the lower part by the hook of the w alignment part 22.

Next, the pair of conveyors, the loading / unloading unit 10, are driven to approach each other, and then the picker 20 is lowered to seat the panel on the loading / unloading unit 10 to unload it. .

4 and 5 show a second embodiment 100 according to the present invention.

Referring to this, the loading unit 110, the unloading unit 140, the first picker 120 positioned on the loading unit 110, and the first loading unit 140 located on the upper portion of the unloading unit 140. 2 picker 150 and the grinding / inspection means 130 located at the bottom.

The loading unit 110 and the unloading unit 140 are each composed of a pair of conveyors 111, 112, 141, 142 so as to support both ends of the panel P, and the pair of conveyors 11, 12. 41 and 42 are driven to approach or move away from each other (see arrows in FIG. 4). This is to ensure compatibility with panels having different areas and to support both long and short sides of the same panel. In addition, the first and second pickers 120 and 150 positioned at the upper side are also a reason for adsorbing the panel P to descend or rise through the pair of conveyors 11 and 12 and 41 and 42.

The pair of conveyors 111, 112, 141, and 142 constituting the loading unit 110 or the unloading unit 140 are composed of feed rollers 111a, 112a, 141a, 142a for conveying the panel P, respectively. .

Referring to FIG. 5, in the polishing / inspection system 100 according to the present invention, the pickers 120 and 150, the (un) loading portions 110 and 150, and the polishing / inspection means 130 are sequentially disposed from the top.

The first picker 120 and the second picker 150 have the same configuration, except that the positions thereof are different as described above. That is, the first picker 120 and the second picker 150 are provided with adsorption parts 121 and 151 capable of vacuum sucking the panel P. In particular, the first picker 120 is provided with an alignment unit 122 for aligning the panel supported by the loading unit 110. The alignment unit 122 has the same configuration and function as the first embodiment.

The polishing / inspection means 130 in this embodiment is also the same as the polishing / inspection means 30 in the first embodiment shown in Figs. 3A and 3B. However, in this embodiment, in order to polish and inspect the long side (or short side) of the panel at the lower portion of the loading unit 110, and to polish and inspect the short side (or long side) at the lower portion of the unloading unit 140. There is a difference that a driving part (not shown) for reciprocating the polishing / inspecting means 130 to the lower part of the loading part 110 and the lower part of the unloading part 140 is further provided.

Hereinafter, the operation of the second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A to 6I.

First, the panel P transferred in the previous process is supported by a pair of conveyors 111 and 112 of the loading unit 110, and the panel is loaded by driving the transfer roller (see FIG. 6A).

Next, the first picker 120 is lowered, and the alignment unit 122 is moved inward to push the panel P toward the center to align it in the right position (see FIG. 6B).

Next, the panel P is adsorbed by the adsorption part 121, the lower part of the panel P is supported by the hook of the alignment part 122, and ascends, the pair of conveyors 111 and 112 of the loading part 110 are raised. Synchronous driving is performed to move away from each other (see Fig. 6C).

Next, the first picker 120 is lowered to pass the panel P to the stages 131a and 135 of the polishing / inspecting means 130 through the pair of conveyors 111 and 112 (see FIG. 6D). .

Next, both sides of the long side edges of the panel P are polished while the panel P mounted on the stages 131a, 131b and 135 is adsorbed and fixed. Subsequently, the polished portion of the panel P is continuously measured and inspected for polishing (see FIG. 6E).

Next, the panel P is rotated by 90 ° using the rotating part 135 while synchronously driving the pair of variable tables 131a and 131b to be separated from each other. Thereby, the short side of the panel P is prepared for polishing and inspection. Meanwhile, at the same time, the polishing / inspecting means 130 positioned below the loading unit 110 is moved below the unloading unit 140. That is, grinding and inspection of the long side (or short side) at the lower portion of the loading unit 110, and polishing and inspection of the short side (or long side) at the lower portion of the unloading unit 140. This completes the polishing / inspection of the long side and the short side of the panel P (see FIG. 6F).

Next, the second picker 150 positioned above the unloading unit 140 descends through the unloading unit 140, and the adsorption unit 151 adsorbs the panel P ( 6g).

Next, the second picker 150 is raised through the unloading unit 140, which is the pair of conveyors 141 and 142 (see FIG. 6H).

Finally, after the pair of conveyors 141 and 142 are synchronously driven to approach each other, the second picker 150 is lowered to seat the panel P on the unloading part 140. The second picker 150 raises and lowers the panel P immediately, and transfers and unloads the panel P by the unloading unit 140.

According to the present invention, since the separate space for loading or unloading the panel is not necessary, the area of the entire equipment is significantly reduced.

Therefore, the tack time for polishing / inspecting the panel can be shortened.

Claims (19)

A loading / unloading portion supporting the panel; Polishing / inspection means for polishing or inspecting the panel; And And a picker capable of absorbing the panel supported by the loading / unloading unit and transferring the panel to the polishing / inspection means and lifting and lowering the polished or inspected panel to the loading / unloading unit. Polishing / inspection system. The method of claim 1, Said polishing / inspection means being located under the loading / unloading portion and said picker being located above the loading / unloading portion. The method of claim 1, The polishing / inspection means, A stage capable of absorbing the panel and rotating the panel; A polishing part for polishing a long side or a short side of a panel fixed to the table; And an inspection unit for inspecting the long side or the short side of the polished panel. The method of claim 3, wherein The stage, A pair of variable tables capable of supporting both end portions of the long side or the short side of the panel;  And a rotating part capable of rotating the panel while supporting the center of the panel. The method of claim 1, And said loading / unloading portion is a pair of conveyors supporting both ends of said panel. The method of claim 5, wherein And said pair of conveyors are driven to approach or move away from each other. The method of claim 1, The picker further comprises an alignment portion for aligning the panel supported on the loading / unloading portion. The method of claim 7, wherein And the alignment unit aligns by force against two or more sides of the panel. The method of claim 8, The alignment unit, A linear bar installed vertically to exert a force on the sides of the panel, And a hook formed inwardly from the lower end of the bar to support the end of the panel from below. A loading unit for loading and supporting the panel; A first picker capable of absorbing and lifting the panel supported by the loading unit; Polishing / inspection means for polishing or inspecting the panel received from the first picker; A second picker capable of adsorbing and elevating the polished or inspected panel; And And an unloading part for discharging the panel received from the second picker. The method of claim 10, And the first picker is positioned above the loading portion and the second picker is positioned above the unloading portion. The method of claim 11, And said polishing / inspecting means is configured to be moved to the lower part of said loading part and the lower part of said unloading part, respectively. The method of claim 12, The polishing / inspection means, A stage capable of vacuum sucking the panel and rotating the panel; Polishing unit for polishing the long side or short side of the panel fixed to the table; An inspection unit inspecting a long side or a short side of the polished panel; And And a driving unit for moving the stage, the polishing unit, and the inspection unit to the lower part of the loading unit and the lower part of the unloading unit, respectively. The method of claim 13, The stage, A pair of variable tables capable of supporting both end portions of the long side or the short side of the panel;  And a rotating part capable of rotating the panel while supporting the center of the panel. The method of claim 10, Said loading or unloading part being a pair of conveyors supporting both ends of said panel. The method of claim 15, And said pair of conveyors are driven to approach or move away from each other. The method of claim 1, And the first picker further comprises an alignment portion for aligning the panel supported on the loading portion. The method of claim 17, And the alignment unit aligns by force against two or more sides of the panel. The method of claim 18, The alignment unit, A linear bar installed vertically to exert a force on the sides of the panel, And a hook formed inwardly from the lower end of the bar to support the end of the panel.

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