TWI792809B - System for changing reels and its method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention herein generally relate to a workpiece handling and transport control in semiconductor manufacturing line. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system (1) for changing reels and its method (100) thereof.

Description

System and method for changing reels

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to how to control loading, unloading and conveying of workpieces on a semiconductor production line. Specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method for automatically changing reels.

Tape-and-reel is a widely accepted standard for packaging electronic components, the purpose of which is to safely ship electronic components to the customer for final assembly. The tape and reel packaging operation is mostly the last step of the semiconductor packaging operation, so as to store the semiconductor components with good quality and passed the required inspection in the packaging container. The general method is as follows. First, the semiconductor elements are accommodated in a plurality of holes on the carrier tape, and when the semiconductor elements have been stored in the holes respectively, the holes on the carrier tape are sealed with a cover tape, and then the carrier tape is wound on the carrier tape by a winder. on the reel. After the winder finishes winding the carrier tape with semiconductor components, it must replace the full reel with an empty reel, and move the full reel to the storage area for collection. At this time, if the reel is replaced manually, and the full reel is collected and transported manually, the operator must feel tired and the work efficiency will be low. How to convey the fully wound reel after the tape and reel packaging operation is completed has a great impact on the processing efficiency of semiconductor components. Additionally, conventional reel handling systems and methods require additional cassettes or incidental material for the machine to handle, which not only increases downtime, but also impacts output. Although the conventional system can exert the required performance at a lower speed, if the output per unit time is increased, its stability, reliability, cost and efficiency will all decrease accordingly.

In addition, as the output of semiconductor components continues to grow driven by global demand, reel loading and unloading performance is increasingly important to the manufacturing bottom line (or bottom line) in order to meet the requirements of high-volume manufacturing operations. In order to meet the above-mentioned demands, it is necessary to innovate in technology. Although KR20210025142A has disclosed an automatic changing system for reels, which can replace full reels with empty reels in an adequate manner, but this invention still requires operators to manually load empty reels into the reel stack feeder and manually collects the fully loaded reel.

Therefore, in order to overcome the above-mentioned shortcoming, the content disclosed below is really what we need.

Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for automatic reel change.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for changing reels using an automated conveying system.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for changing reels that reduces downtime and increases output.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for changing reels without additional cassettes or accompanying materials.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for reel replacement with high productivity, high reel insertion rate and low maintenance cost.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a one-stop automatic system and method for reel replacement, covering operations such as reel transfer, reel loading, tape packaging, and reel unloading.

Other objects of the present invention can be clearly understood by understanding the following detailed description of the present invention or practical application of the present invention.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide: A system for changing reels comprising: at least one loading port for at least one reel; and at least one tape winding unit for packaging semiconductor packages onto the reel; It is characterized by: The system further includes at least one overhead conveyor for loading at least one empty reel into the loading port and unloading at least one full reel from the loading port.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides: A method for changing a reel comprising the steps of: loading at least one reel in a substantially horizontal position at the loading port; and Tape winding operation; It is characterized by: the step of loading at least one empty reel in a substantially horizontal state at the loading port is performed by an overhead conveyor; and The method further includes the following steps: after the strip winding operation, loading the fully wound reel at the loading port; and The full reel is picked up from the loading port by the overhead conveyor.

In the following detailed description, many specific details will be described to facilitate readers to fully understand the content of the present invention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that such specific details are not necessarily required to practice the present invention. In other cases, well-known methods, procedures and/or components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the content of the present invention for readers.

A clearer understanding of the present invention can be obtained by reading the following descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and the figures are not drawn to scale.

In this disclosure and the appended patent claims, unless the context clearly indicates or explains otherwise, the singular forms of "a" and "the" also include plural references.

In the disclosure of this patent specification and the appended claims, the word "comprise" and its variants (such as comprising and comprises) mean "including but not limited to", and do not exclude such as other elements, integers or steps etc. "Illustrating" means "serving as an example of" and does not imply a preferred or ideal embodiment. The word "for example" is not intended to be limiting, but is provided for illustrative purposes.

Fig. 1 shows the system (1) for changing the reel according to the present invention, wherein the system (1) comprises: at least one loading port (10) for placing at least one reel (5); at least one for turning over the reel The turning unit (12) of; At least one tape body winding unit (14) or winder, it is used for packaging semiconductor package on the reel (5); At least one reel transfer unit (16), its It is used to transfer the reel (5) between the turning unit (12) and the tape winding unit (14); and at least one electric disc unit (18), which includes an electrical module or component, an electrical module Or elements configured to provide, supply, control or regulate power to various parts of the system (1), whereby the electrical panel unit (18) can serve as a power supply system for the system 1 for changing reels. The system (1) further comprises at least one overhead hoist transport (Overhead Hoist Transport, OHT) (20), which is used to load at least one empty reel (5) into the loading port (10), and at least one The fully wound reel (5) is unloaded from the loading port (10).

Figure 2 shows an exemplary example of an overhead overhead conveyor (OHT) of the system (1). As the name suggests, the overhead hanging conveyor (20) is an automated conveying system that can move on the elevated track (22) and can directly use the loading port (10) of the system (1). The overhead hanging conveyor (20) includes at least one hanging mechanism (24) that can raise and lower the reel (5), and at least one hanging mechanism (24) that is connected to the hanging mechanism (24) and can clamp, grab and/or Release the clamping mechanism (26) of the reel (5).

3-A and 3-B, the system (1) further includes at least one holder (28) for holding the reel (5), and the holder (28) includes at least one holder adapter (30 ), at least one mounting member (32), at least one lock (34), at least one holder handle (36) and at least one orientation changer (38). The gripper joint (30) is engaged with the clamping mechanism (26), wherein the gripper joint (30) is clamped by the clamping mechanism (26) of the overhead hanging conveyor (20), as shown in Figure 2 shown. The mounting part (32) of the holder (28) can mount the holder 28 on the loading port (10), wherein the holder (28) is positioned on the loading port (10) first, and then the reel (5) is released for subsequent use. The locker (34) of the holder (28) is used to lock and hold the reel (5) in the holder (28), and provide a support for the reel (5) during the transmission and removal of the reel (5). ) provides protection. The retainer handle (36) is designed to be held by the operator/user. The orientation changer (38) of the holder (28) allows changing the orientation of the reel (5) when the orientation of the reel (5) is different from that required by the reel holder (28), the loading port (10) or the system (1) (5) Orientation. Preferably, the orientation of the reel (5) can be changed to 0ﾟ, 60ﾟ or 120ﾟ.

4-A to 4-H illustrate the exemplary operation flow of the system (1) for changing reels, and the steps in the operation flow are indicated by arrows and serial numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 , 8 to be divided. Referring to Fig. 4-A, when the overhead suspension conveyor (20) transfers or carries the reel holder (28) containing at least one empty reel (5) over the loading port (10), the overhead suspension The hanging mechanism (24) that is responsible for carrying the reel (5) in the hanging conveyor (20) will descend to the loading port (10), and then the holder (28) will be moved by the erection part (32) of the holder (28). ) is erected or positioned on the loading port (10). When the holder (28) is erected or positioned on the loading port (10), the lock (34) of the holder (28) will unlock the reel (5) and release it to the loading port (10). )superior. Optionally, it is conceivable for the system (1) to further include an unlocker for unlocking the lock (34) of the holder (28) and retaining the lock (34) in the unlocker. It is worth mentioning that the reel is loaded on the loading port (10) in a substantially horizontal state by the overhead hanging conveyor (20). Then, as shown in Figure 4-B, the overturning unit (12) of the system (1) picks up the empty reel (5) from the loading port (10), and lifts the empty reel (5) from a substantially horizontal The state flipped to a substantially vertical state. Subsequently, as shown in Figures 4-C and 4-D, the reel transfer unit (16) transfers the empty reel (5) from the reversing unit (12) to the tape body winding unit (14) in a substantially vertical state. or winder for tape-winding or tape-and-reel operations. According to the invention, it takes about 2 seconds to load the empty reel (5) from the first reel transfer unit (16a) to the tape winding unit (14). It should be understood that in a tape-and-reel operation, carrier tape containing semiconductor packages, devices or components will be supplied or inserted into the empty reel (5), which also becomes wound at this stage. Full reel. Then, as shown in Figures 4-E and 4-F, the reel transfer unit (16) transfers the full reel (5) from the tape winding unit (14) to the turning unit ( 12), so that the fully wound reel (5) is turned over from a substantially vertical state to a substantially horizontal state by the reversing unit (12), and the fully wound reel (5) is transferred to the loading port ( 10) above, as shown in Figure 4-G. The fully wound reel (5) is then locked in the holder (28). Finally, as shown in Figure 4-H, the overhead hanging conveyor (20) picks up the reel (5) or reel holder (28) and unloads it from the loading port (10) to the next station or subsequent Operation. The system (1) is provided with at least one barcode scanner and at least one sensor so as to constantly detect the status of the reel, the orientation of the reel, and the position of the reel.

The system (1) further comprises at least one control unit (not shown) capable of manipulating or operating the system (1). The control unit is electrically connected to the system (1) or operationally coupled to the system (1) to perform its functions. The control unit can coordinate the action of the overhead conveyor (20) to transfer the coil (5) from the coil storage station (or another station/another operation) to the loading port (10), and can coordinate the turning unit ( 12) The action of turning over the empty reel (5) can coordinate the action of the reel transfer unit (16) to transfer the reel (5) from the reversing unit (12) to the belt winding unit (14), and can coordinate the action of the belt body The tape winding operation or tape packaging operation of the winding unit (14) can coordinate the action of transferring the fully wound reel (5) from the tape winding unit (14) to the turning unit (12). Coordinate the action of the overturning unit (12) to overturn the fully wound reel (5), coordinate the action of loading the fully wound and overturned reel (5) on the loading port (10), and coordinate the overhead hanging transportation The device (20) unloads the fully wound reel (5) from the loading port (10), and can coordinate the action of transferring the fully wound reel (5) to the next station/next operation.

In another embodiment of the invention multiple overhead conveyors (20) and reel transfer units (16) may be used. In this embodiment, after an overhead hanging conveyor (20) loads the first reel holder (28) or reel (5) at the loading port (10), the overhead hanging conveyor (20) ) or another overhead conveyor (20b) can transfer the second empty reel (5b) or reel holder (28b) to the loading port (10). When the first reel (5) completes the tape wrapping operation, the first reel delivery unit (16) can pick up the first full reel (5) and move away from the tape winding unit (14) . Then the second empty reel (5b) is picked up by the turning unit (12), and then the second empty reel (5b) is transferred to the tape winding unit (14) by the second reel transfer unit (16b). When the second empty reel (5b) is loaded on the tape body winding unit (14), the first reel transfer unit (16) will transfer the first full reel (5) to the turning unit (12 ) is turned over, and then the first full reel (5) is loaded on the loading port (10) by the same overhead hanging conveyor (20) or another overhead hanging conveyor (20b). It should be understood that the above operation is a continuous operation, and subsequent reels can be processed in the same way. It should also be understood that the loading port (10) may include multiple mounting areas for empty reels as well as full reels.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides an exemplary method (100) for changing a reel. Referring to Fig. 5, the method (100) for changing the reel comprises: the step (120) of loading at least one empty reel (5) on the loading port (10) in a substantially horizontal state, this step (120) is Carried out by the overhead hanging conveyor (20); the step (140) of carrying out the tape body winding operation or tape wrapping operation on the empty reel (5); after the tape body winding operation, the full reel The step (160) of loading the reel (5) on the loading port (10); and the step of picking up the full reel (5) from the loading port (10) by using an overhead hanging conveyor (20) (180).

Please refer to Fig. 6-A, the above step (120) of loading at least one empty reel (5) on the loading port (10) in a substantially horizontal state includes the following sub-steps: Or carry at least one empty reel (5) (121); Elevated hanging conveyor (20) is moved to loading port (10) top (123); Make elevated hanging conveyor (20) and loading port (10) ) engagement (125); set up the reel (5) on the loading port (10) (127); and if the reel (5) is set up on the loading port (10), release the reel (5) )(129).

Please refer to FIG. 6-B, the above-mentioned step (120) of loading at least one empty reel (5) on the loading port in a substantially horizontal state further includes a sub-step of sensing the state of the reel (5) on the loading port (128), the sub-step (128) is released after the above-mentioned sub-step (127) of setting up the reel (5) on the loading port and when the above-mentioned reel (5) is set up on the loading port The sub-step (129) of the reel (5) is performed before.

Please refer to FIG. 7-A, the method (100) further includes a step (130) of turning over the reel (5), and this step (130) is performed by the turning unit (12). The step (130) is performed after the step (120) of loading at least one empty reel (5) in the loading port (10) and before the step (140) of performing a tape winding operation on the empty reel (5) , so as to turn the empty reel (5) from a substantially horizontal state to a substantially vertical state. Please refer to Fig. 7-B, the step (130) of turning over the reel (5) can also be carried out after the tape body winding operation in step (140) and the full reel (5) is loaded on the loading port. Executed before step (160), whereby the fully wound reel (5) is turned over from a substantially vertical state to a substantially horizontal state.

Referring to Fig. 8, the step (180) of picking up the full reel (5) from the loading port (10) by the overhead conveyor (20) comprises the following sub-steps: (20) engaging (181) with the loading port (10); clamping or picking up the reel (5) if the reel (5) is mounted on the loading port (10) (183); and The full reel (5) is delivered to the next station (185). Referring to Fig. 9, the step (180) of picking up the full reel (5) from the loading port (10) by the overhead conveyor (20) further includes sensing the reel on the loading port The sub-step (182) of the state of (5) is to determine whether the reel is a full reel or whether it has been set up on the loading port. This sub-step (182) is performed before the sub-step (183) of clamping or picking up the reel (5).

It can be inferred from the above description that the present invention discloses a system (1) and method (100) for automatically moving and replacing reels. A single station can automatically complete the loading of the reel (5), the tape body winding operation and the unloading of the reel (5). Compared with the manual reel moving method of the prior art, the system and method of the present invention have significant advantages. advantage. As can be seen from the above description, the present invention has a shared loading port (10) that can be used for loading and unloading reels. Preferably, the present invention is applicable to reels with sizes of 7 inches and 13 inches, and carrier tapes with widths of 8 mm, 12 mm and 16 mm. It is conceivable that the invention is also applicable to other sizes of reels and tapes. The overhead hanging conveyor (20) of the present invention can load an empty reel and unload a full reel approximately every 8 minutes. In other words, if the present invention is used, it takes about 8 minutes to replace a single reel (including tape insertion).

Although this patent specification has provided drawings and descriptions of preferred embodiments of the present invention, and demonstrated the effect of the present invention and its advantages over the prior art, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments. Accordingly, the invention in the form shown and described in this specification is illustrative only. Other embodiments may also be chosen without departing from the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the appended claims. The scope of the present invention encompasses various alternatives, modifications and equivalents. There are necessarily many alternative configurations and implementations of the present invention to meet specific installation and environmental requirements, and to provide the biological outcomes exhibited by different designs.

1: system

5: reel

10: Loading port

12: Flip unit

14: Belt winding unit

16: Reel transfer unit

18: electric panel unit

20: Elevated hanging conveyor

22: Elevated track

24: Hanging mechanism

26: clamping mechanism

28: Holder

30: Gripper joint

32: Erecting parts

34: Locker

36: Retainer handle

38: Azimuth converter

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention can be learned by reading the following detailed description with accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 shows an exemplary layout of a system for changing reels in a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 depicts an exemplary front view of an overhead conveyor of the system for changing reels of the present invention; 3-A and 3-B illustrate an exemplary front view and top view, respectively, of a reel holder of the system for changing reels of the present invention; 4-A to 4-H illustrate an exemplary operation flow of the system for changing reels of the present invention; Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary method of the present invention for changing a reel; 6-A and 6-B illustrate another exemplary method of the present invention for changing reels; 7-A and 7-B illustrate another exemplary method of the present invention for changing reels; FIG. 8 illustrates another exemplary method of the present invention for replacing a reel; FIG. 9 illustrates another exemplary method for changing a reel according to the present invention.

1: system

10: Loading port

12: Flip unit

14: Belt winding unit

16: Reel transfer unit

18: electric panel unit

20: Elevated hanging conveyor

22: Elevated track

Claims (13)

A system (1) for changing reels, comprising: at least one loading port (10) for placing at least one reel (5); and at least one tape winding unit (14) for packaging semiconductor packages It is characterized in that: the system (1) further comprises at least one overhead hanging conveyor (20), which is used to load at least one empty reel (5) on the loading port (10), and at least one full reel (5) is unloaded from the loading port (10); and the system (1) further comprises at least one overturning unit for overturning the reel (5) ( 12) and at least one control unit, the at least one control unit is electrically connected to the at least one belt winding unit (14) and the at least one overhead hanging conveyor (20), to coordinate the at least one belt winding unit (14) and operation of the at least one overhead conveyor (20). The system (1) for changing reels as claimed in claim 1, wherein the overhead conveyor (10) comprises at least one clamping mechanism (26). The system (1) for changing reels according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the system (1) further comprises at least one holder (28) for holding the reel (5). A system (1) for changing reels as claimed in claim 3, wherein the holder (28) comprises at least one holder engagement member (30), at least one mounting member (32), at least one locker (34) and at least one orientation transducer (38). The system (1) for changing a reel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reel (5) is loaded on the loading port (10) in a substantially horizontal state. The system (1) for reel replacement as described in claim 1, wherein after the reel (12) reverts the empty reel (5) from the loading port (10) to a substantially vertical state, the reel The empty reel (5) is just delivered to the tape winding unit (14), and the turning unit (12) turns over the full reel (5) from the tape winding unit (14) After being in a substantially horizontal state, the overhead hanging conveyor (20) unloads the fully wound reel (5) from the loading port (10). The system (1) for changing the reel as described in claim 1, wherein the system (1) further comprises at least one reel transfer unit (16), which is used to transfer the reel between the turning unit (12) and the belt The reel (5) is transported between body winding units (14). A method (100) for changing a reel, comprising the steps of: loading at least one empty reel (5) in a substantially horizontal state at a loading port (120); and a strip winding operation (140); characterized in In that: the step (120) of loading at least one empty reel (5) into the loading port in a substantially horizontal state is performed by an overhead conveyor (20); and the method (100) further comprises the steps of: After the belt winding operation, the full reel (5) is loaded on the loading port (160); picking up (180); and the step (130) of turning over the reel (5) using at least one turning unit (12), wherein the step (130) is performed while loading at least one empty reel (5) at the loading port (10) after the step (120) and before the strip winding operation (140); or, the step (130) It is performed after the tape winding operation (140) and before the step (160) of loading the fully wound reel (5) on the loading port (10). The method (100) for changing a reel as claimed in claim 8, wherein if the step (130) of turning over the reel (5) is at the time of loading at least one empty reel (5) at the loading port After the step (120) and before the strip winding operation (140), the reel (5) is reversed from a substantially horizontal state to a substantially vertical state. The method (100) for changing a reel as claimed in claim 8, wherein if the execution timing of the step (130) of turning over the reel (5) is after the strip winding operation (140) and Before the step (160) of loading the fully wound reel (5) in the loading port (10), the reel (5) is turned from a substantially vertical state to a substantially horizontal state. The method (100) for changing reels as recited in claim 8, wherein the step (120) of loading at least one empty reel in a substantially horizontal state at a loading port comprises the following sub-steps: i. the hanging conveyor is engaged with the loading port (125); ii. erecting the reel on the loading port (127); and iii. after the reel is erected on the loading port, unwinding the reel ( 129). The method (100) for changing a reel as recited in claim 11, wherein the step (120) of loading at least one empty reel in a substantially horizontal state at a loading port further comprises: sensing the loading port (10 ), the sub-step (128) of the state of the reel (5) on the reel (5) after the sub-step (127) of erecting the reel (5) on the loading port (10) and after the reel (5) ) before the sub-step (129) of unwinding the reel (5) after being set up on the loading port (10). The method (100) for changing reels as claimed in claim 8, wherein the full reel (5) is picked up from the loading port (10) by the overhead hanging conveyor (20) The step (180) comprises the following sub-steps: a. engaging (181) the overhead conveyor (20) with the loading port (10); b. sensing the reel on the loading port (10) (5) state (182); and c. if the reel (5) is set up at the loading port (10), pick up the reel (5) (183).

Images