WO2019233769A1

WO2019233769A1 - Method for producing a metal-ceramic substrate, and metal-ceramic substrate

Info

Publication number: WO2019233769A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/063274
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin REGER; Markus Goetz
Original assignee: Rogers Germany Gmbh
Priority date: 2018-06-07
Filing date: 2019-05-23
Publication date: 2019-12-12
Also published as: DE102018113571A1; EP3804476A1; DE102018113571B4

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing metal-ceramic substrates (1), having the steps of: - providing a metal-ceramic base substrate (10), - providing the metal-ceramic base substrate (10) with a first individual identifying mark (21); - cutting (40) the metal-ceramic base substrate (10) into individual metal-ceramic substrates (1); and - providing at least one of the metal-ceramic substrates (1) with a second individual identifying mark (22).

Description

Method for producing a metal-ceramic substrate and metal-ceramic substrate

The present invention relates to a method for producing a metal-ceramic substrate and a metal-ceramic substrate.

Metal-ceramic substrates are well known, for example, as printed circuit boards or boards of the prior art. Typically, connection surfaces for electrical or electronic components and interconnects are arranged on a component side of the metal-ceramic substrate, wherein the electrical components and interconnects can be interconnected to form electrical circuits. Essential components of the metal-ceramic substrates are an insulating layer, which is made of a ceramic, and a metal layer attached to the insulating layer. Because of their comparatively high insulating strengths, insulation layers made of ceramic have proven to be particularly advantageous. By structuring the metal layer, conductor tracks and / or connection surfaces for the electrical or electronic components can be realized. A method is known from EP 3 185 655 A1, in which an unstructured metal-ceramic substrate is provided and the metal-ceramic substrate is provided with an individualized coding. By means of the coding can be assigned to the metal-ceramic substrate information that can be used when reading the coding. Examples of information are those about defects in the metal-ceramic substrate, a date of manufacture or a lot number. Starting from this prior art, the present invention has the task to further improve the production of metal-ceramic substrates, in particular with regard to their traceability or the quality of the manufactured metal-ceramic substrates ,

This object is achieved by a method for forming a metal-ceramic substrate according to claim 1 and a metal-ceramic substrate according to claim 10. Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the description and the accompanying figures.

According to the invention, a method for the production of metal-ceramic substrates is provided, comprising

Providing an unstructured metal-ceramic base substrate,

Providing the metal-ceramic base substrate with a first individual identification,

- dividing the metal-ceramic base substrate into individual metal-ceramic substrates and

Provide at least one of the metal-ceramic substrates with a second individual marking.

Compared with the prior art, it is provided according to the invention that the first marking is provided on the metal-ceramic base substrate and the second marking is provided on the individual metal-ceramic substrates emerging from the common metal-ceramic base substrate. The individual second marking of the divided metal-ceramic substrates allows them to be traced individually. In particular, the use of the first and second markings allows the second mark to be used to trace the individual metal-ceramic substrate, while the first mark can be used as an information source in the manufacturing process. Accordingly, not all information must be assigned to a single identifier, but they can be either demand-dependent assign the first mark on the metal-ceramic base substrate or the second mark on the metal-ceramic substrate. In addition, it is sufficient that the entire metal-ceramic substrate is provided with a single, individualized first marking. Preferably, the number of the first markings is at least less than the number of the second markings. As a result, it is advantageously possible to reduce the number of identifications carried out, without having to do without a second identification with which the individual metal-ceramic substrates can be traced. In particular, it is provided that the metal-ceramic base substrate is unstructured and is preferably patterned prior to dicing to form the metal-ceramic substrates.

As a first and / or second markings are in particular mechanical or optically readable encodings to understand, such. As a hole or bar code or a QR code. The use of visible or non-visible light, such as infrared light, is conceivable. However, it is also conceivable that the first and / or second identification is realized as a sticker, wherein the first identification and / or second identification is printed on the sticker. Even electronically readable markings, such as RFID codes, are conceivable.

Basically, a metal-ceramic base substrate is to be understood as meaning a large-area metal-ceramic layer structure, from which several metal-ceramic substrates emerge during production, in particular at the end of the production process. Such metal-ceramic base substrates are also referred to as master cards. It is preferably provided that all metal-ceramic substrates are each provided with an individual second identifier. However, it is also conceivable that only such metal-ceramic substrates receive a second marking, which have a minimum quality. This advantageously dispenses with a (second) marking of such metal-ceramic substrates, which would be sorted out anyway. It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the individualized second markings of different Metal-ceramic substrates of the same metal-ceramic base substrates differ from each other. As a result, the metal-ceramic substrates can be individually traced, since each individual metal-ceramic substrate has its own individual second marking.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that a first information is assigned to the first individual identification and a second information is assigned to the second individual identification, wherein in particular the first information differs from the second information. Preferably, the first information is stored on a database and the second information is stored on another database or the first and second information are stored on a common database. For example, at least the further database is accessible on a server of a network or a cloud, so that a user of the fabricated metal-ceramic substrate receives access to the second information using the second identifier or after reading the second identifier. In this case, further information regarding the metal-ceramic substrate can be added or supplemented with advantage. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that during the production of the metal-ceramic substrate, in particular during the division of the metal-ceramic base substrate, the second information is automatically stored on the further database. For this purpose, the device for forming the second identifier is connected to the further database. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the database on which the association between the first identifier and the first information is stored, in contrast to the other database is not accessible, but used exclusively for the use in the production of the metal-ceramic substrate becomes.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the first information relates to defects in the metal-ceramic base substrate. In particular, so specifications on the defect location, such. As their position on the metal-ceramic base card, the type of defect and / or the Define the size or shape of the defect, which can be taken into account in the later production process. For example, the defects or defects are gas inclusions between the metal layer and the ceramic layer or material defects in the metal layer or the ceramic layer. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the metal-ceramic base substrate after its production in a DCB oven, by means of a corresponding scanner or a corresponding camera is examined for errors and deposit the identified errors by means of the scanner as the first information in the database , The scanner is also connected to the database for exchanging data. It is also conceivable that the errors are identified manually and documented via a human-machine interface and stored as first information.

Preferably, it is provided that the second information

- An arrangement or placement of the metal-ceramic substrate in the metal-ceramic base substrate and / or

a material specification of a metal used for the production and / or a used ceramic and / or

- A quality of the metal-ceramic substrate concerns. For example, a batch number, a date of manufacture and / or a production time are also conceivable as second information. By means of this second information, the isolated metal-ceramic substrate can be individually traced back. In particular, the placement or arrangement of the metal-ceramic substrate in the metal-ceramic base substrate is helpful insofar as, for example, a later-detected defect in the finished metal-ceramic substrate indicates an error in an adjacent metal-ceramic Substrate that can. Particularly preferably, it is provided that the second information is free from first information, ie the first information is not a subset of the second information. As a result, information which is used exclusively for the production of the metal-ceramic substrate can be separated from those which exclusively for tracing the isolated metal-ceramic substrate NEN.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the first individual marking is removed. For example, the first marking is removed when structuring the metal layer. As a result, the first marking, which is required essentially exclusively for the production method, does not take up any part of the metal layer on the produced metal-ceramic substrate. Accordingly, no space on the metal layer for the first marking on the finished metal-ceramic substrate must be kept free.

In particular, it is provided that a third individual identification on the starting material for the formation of the metal-ceramic base substrate is read out. The third individual identifier is advantageously assigned to a third item of information which further specifies the starting material, for example with regard to the material composition, purity or comparable. Preferably, the third information is used to form the second information, i. H. the third information is a subset of the second information. This makes it possible to trace back to the starting materials by means of the finished metal-ceramic substrate.

It is expediently provided that the first information is taken into account when structuring the metallization layer. In particular, the placement of the structuring on the metal-ceramic base substrate can be displaced, twisted or certain sections can be modified in order to prevent the defect in the subsequently produced metal-ceramic substrate from impairing its functionality. It is also conceivable that structuring is dispensed with if the error does not permit meaningful structuring. As a result, energy can be saved in an advantageous manner, which otherwise has to be applied for realizing a structuring which later proves to be useless. In a further embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the first individual identification and / or the second individual identification takes place by direct exposure and / or the second individual identification is formed during the formation of the structured metallization layer. By means of the direct exposure, it is possible in particular to quickly make an individualized label. The realization of the second identification during structuring advantageously saves time.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the first marking is placed on or in the vicinity of a defect on the metal-ceramic base substrate. Such a placement proves to be advantageous in particular because, when the metal layer is removed in the area of the defective or defective areas, the first marking can automatically be carried along. Preferably, the first identifier is on and / or in the vicinity of the largest, i. H. the largest area, defect is placed on the metal-ceramic base substrate. In particular, the second identifier can then also be used for orientation on the metal-ceramic base substrate.

Another object of the present invention is a metal-ceramic substrate, prepared by a method according to the invention. All the features and advantages described for the method according to the invention can also be transferred analogously to the metal-ceramic substrate according to the invention and vice versa.

It shows:

1 shows a schematic representation of a block diagram illustrating an exemplary method according to the present invention. 1 shows schematically a block diagram illustrating an exemplary method according to the present invention, with which metal-ceramic substrates 1 are produced. FIG. 1 shows the metal-ceramic substrates or metal-ceramic base substrates partly in a plan view and partly in a side view. Such metal-ceramic substrates 1 are preferably used as carriers of electronic or electrical components which can be connected to the metal-ceramic substrate 1. Essential components of such a metal-ceramic substrate 1 are a ceramic layer 11 extending along a main plane HSE and a metal layer 12 attached to the ceramic layer 11. The ceramic layer 11 is made of at least one material comprising a ceramic. The metal layer 12 and the ceramic layer 11 are arranged one above the other along a stacking direction S extending perpendicularly to the main extension plane HSE and connected to one another in a material-locking manner via an attachment surface. In the finished state, the metal layer 12 is structured to form conductor tracks or connection points for the electrical components.

To form the metal-ceramic substrate 1, it is provided that initially the metal for the metal layer 12 and the ceramic for the ceramic layer 12 are provided as starting materials. By means of a DCB process 20, metal layer 12 and ceramic layer 11 are subsequently bonded to one another in an oven 14 in an oven, and a metal-ceramic base substrate 10 is provided. As a result of material defects or for other reasons 11 errors or defect points, such as in the metal-ceramic base substrate 11 such. B voids or comparable, occur. For example, these errors 7 are identified by means of a suitable camera 4. Means of a first marking 21, with which in particular the metal layer 11 of the metal-ceramic base substrate 10 is provided, allow first information about the registered defects 7 to be identified individually. By way of example, the first identification 21 is a bar code or a QR code and the first identification 21 contains the registered errors in a database. This way can become one later, the first identification 21 can be read by means of a reading device and the corresponding information about the error 7 can be used in the further process for the production of the metal-ceramic substrate 1. For example, the error-related first information includes an arrangement of the defect on the metal-ceramic base substrate 11, for example given in base substrate-specific coordinates, a classification (type, shape, etc.) of the defect 7, and / or a Size of the error 7. This first information can advantageously be used, for example, in structuring 30 the metal-ceramic substrate, since in this way it is possible in particular to prevent the error 7 from occurring in a region in which the manufactured metal-ceramic Substrate 1 is a metallization, for example, as a conductor or as a connection region for an electronic component, is provided lies. In other words, based on the first information, the structuring of the metal layer 12, in particular of the metal layer 12 of the metal-ceramic base substrate 10, can be designed such that the metal-ceramic substrate 1 is defective Error 7 is not part of a relevant structure of the metal layer 12. It is also conceivable that the placement of the metal-ceramic substrates 1 is selected such that the defect lies exclusively on one of the metal-ceramic substrates 1, so that the number of metal-ceramic substrates 1 to be excluded is reduced can. For example, it is conceivable that the planned placement of the structuring with respect to the metal-ceramic base substrate 10 is shifted, exchanged and / or twisted, in order to remove the region of the metal layer 12 with the defect in the structuring 30. This can advantageously be a committee of unusable metal-ceramic substrates 1 reduce in an advantageous manner. For example, the individual first identification 21 takes place by means of direct illumination.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the metal-ceramic base substrate 10 carries a single first marking 21, which is assigned as first information all defects on the entire metal-ceramic base substrate 10. After providing the metal-ceramic base substrate 10 with the first tag 21, it is provided that the metal-ceramic base substrate 10 in the individual Metal-ceramic substrates 1 is severed. For example, a division 40 of the individual metal-ceramic substrates 1 takes place along a predetermined breaking point 18 by breaking and / or with the assistance of laser light. In the illustrated example, the metal-ceramic base substrate 10 is subdivided into nine metal-ceramic substrates 1. It is provided that each of the separated metal-ceramic substrates 1 is provided with a second marking 22. In this case, the second identifier 22 is associated in particular with second information. Preferably, it is provided that the second information differs from the first information and does not inform about errors or defects. Instead, it is preferably provided that the second information is, for example, a placement of the metal-ceramic substrate 1 in the metal-ceramic base substrate, material specifications of the starting material, ie material specifications for the metal used and / or the ceramic used Production date, a batch number and / or a quality label. This makes it possible to identify the corresponding second information by means of the second marking on the finished metal-ceramic substrate 1. The second identification 22 preferably serves for tracing back the metal-ceramic substrate 1.

Preferably, it is provided that the association between the second identifier 22 and the second information is stored in a further database. In this case, it is provided in particular that the further database is accessible to third parties and is stored, for example, on a server of a network or a cloud. As a result, future users of the fabricated metal-ceramic substrate 1 can obtain the second information in a simple manner. Moreover, it is possible to supplement the second information at a later point in time, for example if, after the production, there is still another relevant knowledge about the fabricated metal-ceramic substrate 1.

The second identifier 22 can be realized as an optically recognizable identifier, for example in the form of a bar code or a QR code. In principle, however, all other forms of second markings 22 conceivable that are, for example, optically, with visible or non-visible light, readable. It is also conceivable for the second marking 22 to be realized during patterning 30 of the metal layer 12, for example by direct exposure, or for the second marking 12 to be adhesively bonded to the individual metal-ceramic substrates 1.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the starting material, that is, the metal of the metal layer 11 and the ceramic of the ceramic layer 12, is provided with a th third identifier 23. The third identifier 23 is preferably assigned a third piece of information. The third information includes in particular material specifications, such. B. a detailed material composition and / or a batch number that allows a clear traceability. Preferably, the third information is part of the second information or is automatically transmitted to the second information. For example, the third characteristic drawing 23 is read out on the starting material and integrated into the second information, deposited on the further database. As a result, all manufacturing information on the finished metal-ceramic substrate 1 can be detected and traced in an advantageous manner.

REFERENCE CHARACTERS:

I metal-ceramic substrate

4 camera

7 errors

10 metal-ceramic base substrate

I I ceramic layer

12 metal layer

14 oven

18 predetermined breaking point

20 DCB procedures

21 first individual identification

22 second individual identification

23 third individual identification 30 structuring

40 parts

Claims

claims

A process for producing metal-ceramic substrates (1) comprising

Providing a metal-ceramic base substrate (10),

- Providing the metal-ceramic base substrate (10) with a first individuel len marking (21);

- dividing (40) of the metal-ceramic base substrate (10) into individual metal-ceramic substrates (1) and

- Providing at least one of the metal-ceramic substrates (1) with a second individual marking (22).

2. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first individual identifier (21) is associated with a first information and the second individual identifier (22) is associated with a second information, wherein in particular the first information is different from the second information.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the first information relates to defects in the metal-ceramic base substrate (1).

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second information

a placement of the metal-ceramic substrate (1) in the metal-ceramic base substrate (10) and / or

a quality of the metal-ceramic substrate (1)

concerns.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first indi viduelle label (21) is removed.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a third individual marking (23) on the starting material (11, 12) for forming the metal-ceramic base substrate (10) is read out.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first information in the structuring (30) of the metallization layer (12) are taken into account.

8. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the first individual identification (21) and / or the second individual identification (22) takes place by direct exposure and / or the second individual identification (22) forms the structured metallization layer (22). 12) is trained.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first

Marking (21) is placed on or near a defect on the metal-ceramic base substrate (10).

10. A metal-ceramic substrate, having a metal-ceramic base substrate (10), which has at least two metal-ceramic substrates (1),

characterized,

the metal-ceramic base substrate (10) has a first individual identification (21) and at least one of the at least two metal-ceramic substrates (1) has a second individual identification (22).