JP2012169557A - Dicing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To correctly recognize a wear state of a blade by precisely performing position detection of the blade, and achieve a compact apparatus.SOLUTION: A dicing apparatus includes a rotary blade subjected to index feed in Y direction relative to a workpiece and cut feed in Z direction; and a workpiece machining table on which the workpiece is placed and cutting feed in X direction relative to the rotary blade is carried out. Cutting of the workpiece is carried out by the rotary blade. The dicing apparatus includes a blade position detector for detecting a front end position of the rotary blade, attached to the same support member as a spindle holding the rotary blade so that a detection section thereof is located at a position not interfering with the workpiece machining table even when it is driven, on the side opposite the rotary blade on the workpiece machining table.

Description

  The present invention relates to a dicing apparatus, and more particularly to a dicing apparatus that detects wear at the tip of a rotating blade of a dicing apparatus that performs grooving or cutting on a workpiece such as a semiconductor or electronic component material.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a dicing apparatus that performs grooving or cutting on a workpiece such as a semiconductor or electronic component material, the workpiece is processed while applying cutting water with a thin grindstone called a blade that rotates at high speed. In this dicing apparatus, it is important to precisely match the uncut amount of the workpiece with a preset set value. To that end, positioning of the blade in the cutting direction (Z-axis direction) is performed with high accuracy, and high repeatability is required.

  Also, it is necessary to constantly monitor and correct the blade wear amount. For this reason, after machining the set number of workpieces, the blade position detector that detects the blade tip position (blade edge position) detects the blade tip position and keeps the blade edge always at the same height. Control in the Z-axis direction is performed.

  As this blade position detector, an optical non-contact detector is used. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a blade detection unit including a blade receiving unit that receives an outer peripheral portion of a blade between a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, and a chuck table that supports a chuck table that holds a workpiece (workpiece). It is disposed within the rotation range of the work holding part of the chuck table on the upper surface of the corner of the support table constituting the support means, and the height of the blade detecting means is between the upper surface of the support table and the lower surface of the work holding part. In addition, a cutting apparatus is disclosed in which a large interval is set so that the workpiece holding portion and the blade detecting means do not interfere even when the chuck table is rotated.

  In addition, glass is used at the tip of the optical blade position detector, and if the blade position detector is placed in the immediate vicinity of the cutting table on which the blade processes, dirt in the cutting atmosphere, There is a risk that the end material will scatter during processing and collide with the glass at the tip of the blade position detector to break the blade position detector. In order to protect the blade position detector from these, a shutter mechanism is known.

JP 2007-81101 A

  However, if the blade detection means is attached to the X axis on which the cutting table is placed like a support table as described in Patent Document 1, the cutting table moves in the X axis direction during processing. There are various movements such as pitching and yawing, and as a result, there is a problem that detection accuracy deteriorates because it is affected by scanning accuracy. In addition, when the blade detecting means is installed on a member different from the spindle to which the blade is attached, the thermal expansion due to the heat generated during the processing is different for each member, so that the detection accuracy deteriorates due to the influence of the thermal expansion. There is also.

  Further, when the blade detection means is attached to the X axis on which the cutting table is placed as described in Patent Document 1, when performing blade position detection, the blade position detection means is moved in the X axis direction. There is also a problem that the blade position cannot be detected unless the blade position detecting means is at a specific position on the X axis.

  In addition, when a shutter mechanism for protecting the blade position detector is provided, there is a problem that the detection unit becomes larger correspondingly, resulting in an increase in size of the apparatus. Normally, the shutter mechanism is driven by an air cylinder. However, if the end material scatters in the vicinity of the drive unit, there is a problem that the shutter cannot be driven.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and provides a dicing apparatus capable of accurately detecting the position of the blade to correctly grasp the wear state of the blade and reducing the size of the apparatus. With the goal.

  In order to achieve the above object, the dicing apparatus of the present invention includes a rotating blade that is index-feeded in the Y direction and cut-feeded in the Z direction relative to the workpiece, and the workpiece is placed on the rotating blade. In a dicing apparatus that has a workpiece processing table that is cut and fed in the X direction relative to the blade, and performs cutting of the workpiece by the rotating blade, on the opposite side of the rotating blade with respect to the workpiece processing table, Blade position detection for detecting the tip position of the rotating blade attached to the same support member as the spindle that holds the rotating blade so that the detecting portion is located at a position where it does not interfere even when the work processing table is driven. It is characterized by having a vessel.

  As a result, when the blade position detector is attached to the same support member as the spindle, it is not affected by the scanning accuracy of the X-axis as in the case of attaching to the X-axis as in the conventional case, and is a separate member. As a result, the influence of the thermal expansion of the support member can be reduced, the position of the blade can be detected with high accuracy, and the wear state of the blade can be accurately grasped and the apparatus can be miniaturized.

  Moreover, as one embodiment, it is preferable that the support member is a portal-shaped cast member.

  Thus, the detection accuracy can be improved by attaching the blade position detector to a member such as a casting having high rigidity.

  Moreover, as one embodiment, it is preferable that the blade position detector is disposed within a rotation radius of the work processing table.

  Thus, by providing the blade position detector within the rotation radius of the workpiece processing table, the blade position detector is shielded from the rotating blade by the workpiece placed on the workpiece processing table, so that the end materials and the like are scattered during processing. Not affected.

  Moreover, as one embodiment, it is preferable that the blade position detector is disposed at a position facing the rotating blade.

  Thereby, when performing blade position detection, position detection can be performed simply by moving the rotating blade only in one axial direction in the Z direction.

  In one embodiment, the spindle preferably has a larger driving range in the Z direction than during normal cutting.

  As a result, even if the blade position detector is provided within the rotation radius of the workpiece processing table, the rotary blade can be moved to the detection position of the blade position detector, and reliable position detection is possible.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since the blade position detector is attached to the same support member as the spindle, it is affected by the scanning accuracy of the X axis as in the conventional case. Compared to the case where a separate member is used, the influence of thermal expansion of the support member can be reduced, the blade position can be detected accurately, the blade wear state can be accurately grasped, and the device can be downsized. It becomes possible to plan.

It is a schematic perspective view which shows the external appearance of 1st Embodiment of the dicing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the process part (cutting part) of a dicing apparatus. It is an enlarged view which expands and shows further the process part of FIG. It is a side view which expands and shows the braid | blade position detector vicinity. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of a blade position detector. It is a perspective view which shows the shutter mechanism attached so that the prism part of a blade position detector might be covered, (a) shows the state which closed the shutter, (b) shows the state which opened the shutter. It is a side view which shows the other example of a blade position detector.

  Hereinafter, a dicing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an external appearance of a first embodiment of a dicing apparatus according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the dicing apparatus 10 stores a processing unit (cutting unit) 30 for processing a workpiece, a cleaning unit 40 for spin-cleaning a processed workpiece, a conveying means 50 for conveying the workpiece, and a large number of workpieces. And a load port 60 on which the cassette is placed.

  The processing unit 30 includes high-frequency motor built-in spindles 12 and 12 each having a blade 11 that rotates at the tip, and a workpiece processing table 14 that holds the workpiece by suction. As will be described in detail later, the spindle 12 is attached to a portal member 13 formed of a casting so that it can be driven in the Y direction and the Z direction.

  The work processing table 14 is a table that places a work thereon and rotates in the θ direction, and is set on the X carriage 15A. The X carriage 15A is guided by an X guide provided on an X base (not shown), and is driven in the X direction in the figure by a linear motor.

  As a result, in the machining unit 30, the blade 11 attached to the tip of the spindle 12 is index fed in the Y direction and cut and fed in the Z direction, while the workpiece machining table 14 is cut and fed in the X direction.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the processing unit 30 of the dicing apparatus 10. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing the processing unit 30 of FIG. 2 in an enlarged manner.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the processing unit 30 is guided by a Y guide 16B provided on a side surface of a Y base 16C fixed to the portal member 13, and is shown by an arrow Y in the figure by a stepping motor and a ball screw (not shown). Two Y carriages 16A, 16A driven in the Y direction shown are provided.

  The Y carriages 16A and 16A are each provided with a Z carriage 17A that is also guided by 17B and is driven in the Z direction indicated by an arrow Z in the figure by a stepping motor and a ball screw (not shown).

  A high-frequency motor built-in type spindle 12 is fixed to each of the two Z carriages 17A and 17A, and is arranged so as to face each other. As described above, the rotating blade 11 (see FIG. 1) is attached to the tip of the spindle 12, but the illustration of the blade 11 is omitted here for easy understanding of the drawing.

  Similarly, the workpiece processing table 14 displayed in FIG. 1 is also indicated by a one-dot chain line so that other portions can be clearly understood. As shown in FIG. 2, a θ table 18 for rotating the workpiece machining table 14 in the θ direction is disposed below the workpiece machining table 14.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, a blade position detector for monitoring the wear of the blade tip on the lower side in the radius of rotation of the workpiece processing table 14 between the tip of the spindle 12 and the θ table 18. 20 is installed.

  The blade position detector 20 is attached to the portal member 13. An L-shaped attachment block is pulled out from the portal member 13, and a prism of the detection unit body made of glass of the blade position detector 20 is attached to the tip of the attachment block.

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view showing the vicinity of the blade position detector 20. In FIG. 4, the illustration of the blade 11 (see FIG. 1) attached to the tip of the spindle 12 is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the blade position detector 20, a vertical block 20b extending vertically upward is attached to the tip of a horizontal block 20a extending horizontally from the gate-shaped member 13, and glass tip is attached to the tip of the vertical block 20b. The prism part 20c is attached and comprised.

  The prism portion 20c is arranged within the rotation radius of the workpiece machining table 14, but the upper surface of the prism portion 20c is arranged to be located below the lower surface of the workpiece machining table 14, and the workpiece machining table 14 is Even if it rotates, it does not interfere.

  Since the prism portion 20c, which is the detection portion of the blade position detector 20, is disposed below the normal workpiece cutting position in this way, the spindle 12 is used for detecting the blade position when the blade position is detected. It is necessary to configure the stroke in the Z direction to be lower than the cutting position.

  FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration of the blade position detector 20.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the blade position detector 20 includes a light source 21, a glass fiber 22, lens groups 23 and 23A, prisms 24 and 24A, a light receiving unit 26, a data processing unit 27, a blade displacement calculation unit 28, and the like. ing.

  The light beam projected from the light source 21 passes through the glass fiber 22, is collected by the lens group 23, is reflected in the Y direction by the prism 24, forms a sampling area 25 on the way, and then diffuses. The diffused light beam is reflected by the prism 24A, condensed by the lens group 23A, and reaches the light receiving unit 26.

  On the other hand, the blade 11 held by the spindle 12 is gradually lowered from right above the blade position detector 20 by the Y carriage 16A and the Z carriage 17A (see FIG. 2), and the tip of the blade 11 has two prisms 24. , 24A blocks the light flux in the sampling area 25 formed between the two. The light receiving unit 26 converts the change in the amount of received light caused by the blade 11 blocking the light flux in the sampling area 25 into an electric signal and sends it to the data processing unit 27.

  The data processing means 27 processes the received light amount change curve data, and the blade displacement calculation means 28 compares the reference received light amount change curve with the measured received light amount change curve to determine the displacement of the tip of the blade 11. calculate. Thereby, the wear state of the blade tip can be detected. For example, if such blade position detection is performed every time the workpiece is replaced, the wear of the blade 11 can be detected quickly, and it is possible to contribute to the improvement of product quality.

  As described above, in this embodiment, since the blade position detector 20 is disposed directly below the blade 11 at a position that does not interfere with the lower side of the rotation radius of the work processing table 14, the blade position detector 20 and other drives are arranged. There is no interference with components, the footprint of the apparatus can be minimized, and the blade position can be detected only by moving the blade 11 in one axial direction in the Z-axis direction when executing blade position detection.

  Further, by attaching the blade position detector 20 to the lower side in the radius of rotation of the work processing table 14, it is possible to avoid an increase in size of the apparatus by effectively utilizing the empty space in the apparatus. In particular, by attaching the blade position detector 20 to the lower side within the rotation radius of the work processing table 14, the width in the Y direction of the apparatus can be reduced.

  The blade position detector 20 is attached to the portal member 13, but the portal member 13 is formed of a casting and has high rigidity, so that the accuracy of blade position detection can be improved. In particular, the portal member 13 is also a support member for attaching the spindle 12 on which the blade 11 is installed. Thus, by attaching the blade position detector 20 and the spindle 12 to the same cast portal member 13, respectively. It is possible to suppress the influence due to thermal expansion in the Y direction, compared to the case where is attached to another member, and it is possible to further improve the blade position detection accuracy.

  Further, by attaching the blade position detector 20 to the lower side in the rotation radius of the work processing table 14 in this way, the blade 11 is arranged on the upper side of the work and the blade position is set on the lower side of the work. Since the detector 20 is disposed, the blade position detector 20 is shielded from the blade 11 by the workpiece.

  As a result, the blade position detector 20 is embedded in the lower side of the work processing table 14, so that it is possible to prevent moisture and cutting material generated by cutting from being applied to the blade position detector 20 during work cutting. Can do.

  However, if the end material collides with the prisms 24 and 24A of the blade position detector 20, there is a risk of breakage. In such a case, detection becomes impossible, and in order to prevent this more reliably, detection by the blade position detector 20 You may make it provide the shutter mechanism which can cover the prism part 20c which is a part.

  FIG. 6 shows a shutter mechanism attached so as to cover the prism portion 20 c of the blade position detector 20.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, the shutter mechanism includes a shutter support member 70 and a shutter 72 that is slidably mounted on the shutter support member 70.

  FIG. 6A shows a state in which the shutter 72 is slid to the front side so as to cover the upper side of the prism portion 20c of the blade position detector 20, as indicated by an arrow in the figure.

  FIG. 6B shows a state in which the blade position can be detected by sliding the shutter 72 to the other side to expose the prism portion 20c of the blade position detector 20 as indicated by an arrow in the figure. Is shown.

  In the present embodiment, since the blade position detector 20 is mounted within the rotation radius of the work processing table 14 below the work processing table 14, even if such a shutter mechanism is provided, the size of the apparatus is increased. There is no.

  Further, as described above, since the blade position detector 20 is embedded in the lower side of the work processing table 14, the end material generated by cutting during processing is not scattered, and the shutter mechanism of the shutter mechanism The drive is stable.

  In the example described above, the blade position detector 20 is disposed below the workpiece machining table 14 and within the rotation radius of the workpiece machining table 14. However, the blade position detector is disposed below the workpiece machining table 14. If it is on the side, it may be arranged outside the rotation radius of the workpiece processing table 14.

  FIG. 7 shows an example in which the blade position detector is arranged on the lower side of the workpiece machining table 14 and outside the rotation radius of the workpiece machining table 14.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the blade position detector 120, a vertical block 120b extending vertically upward is attached to the tip of a horizontal block 120a extending horizontally from the portal member 13 in the same manner as in the previous example. A glass prism portion 120c is attached to the tip of the block 120b.

  In this example, the length of the horizontal block 120a is shorter than that of the previous example, and the prism portion 120c serving as a detection unit is located below the workpiece machining table 14, but is disposed outside the rotation radius of the workpiece machining table 14. Yes. Also in this example, since the blade position detector 20 (the upper surface of the prism portion 120c) is disposed below the workpiece processing table 14, the blade position detector 20 interferes even when the workpiece processing table 14 rotates. There is no such thing.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, when the blade position detector 20 is arranged outside the rotation radius of the work processing table 14, the spindle 12 is moved only in the Z direction when performing blade position detection depending on the position. In addition, although it is necessary to move in the Y direction to some extent, the width of the apparatus in the Y direction is not particularly increased.

  In all of the examples described above, in a dicing apparatus in which a workpiece is placed on a workpiece processing table and cut with a blade from the upper side, the blade position detector is placed below the workpiece processing table. In this way, the blades are disposed within the radius of rotation, but in this way, the positional relationship that the blade is on the upper side and the blade position detector is on the lower side of the work processing table may be reversed. That is, when the workpiece machining table is above the blade and the workpiece chucked downward on the workpiece machining table (the lower surface thereof) is cut with the blade from below, the workpiece machining table rotates on the upper side of the workpiece machining table. A blade position detector may be arranged just above the blade in the radius.

  Furthermore, these may be arranged in the left-right direction. In other words, when a workpiece is chucked vertically by a workpiece processing table arranged in the vertical direction and cut from the side with a blade arranged horizontally, the side opposite to the blade across the workpiece processing table What is necessary is just to arrange | position a blade position detector within the rotation radius of this work processing table.

  Although the dicing apparatus of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above examples, and various improvements and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Dicing apparatus, 11 ... Blade, 12 ... Spindle, 13 ... Portal member, 14 ... Work processing table, 15A ... X carriage, 16A ... Y carriage, 16B ... Y guide, 16C ... Y base, 17A ... Z carriage, 17B ... Z guide, 18 ... θ table, 20 ... blade position detector, 21 ... light source, 22 ... glass fiber, 23, 23A ... lens group, 24, 24A ... prism, 26 ... light receiving section, 27 ... data processing means, 28 ... Blade displacement calculating means, 30 ... Working part (cutting part), 40 ... Cleaning part, 50 ... Conveying means, 60 ... Load port

Claims (5)

A rotary blade that is index-feeded in the Y direction and cut-feeded in the Z direction relative to the work, and a work that is placed on the work and is cut in the X direction relative to the rotary blade In a dicing apparatus that has a processing table and performs cutting of the workpiece by the rotating blade,
The work processing table is attached to the same support member as the spindle that holds the rotary blade so that the detection unit is positioned on the opposite side of the rotary blade with respect to the rotary blade so as not to interfere even when the work processing table is driven. A dicing apparatus comprising a blade position detector for detecting a tip position of the rotating blade.   The dicing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support member is a gate-shaped casting member.   The dicing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the blade position detector is disposed within a rotation radius of the work processing table.   The dicing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the blade position detector is disposed at a position facing the rotating blade.   The dicing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the spindle has a larger driving range in the Z direction than during normal cutting.

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