TW202224839A - Auxiliary device can be subsequently disposed to a cutting device already delivered to a user - Google Patents

Abstract

The subject of this invention is to provide an auxiliary device capable of automatically replacing a cutting blade and capable of being mounted to a cutting device already delivered to a user subsequently. An auxiliary device connected to a cutting device comprises a cutting blade storage unit for storing a plurality of cutting blades; a conveying out/in unit for conveying in and conveying out the cutting blade from the cutting blade storage unit; a Y-axis direction positioning unit for positioning the conveying out/in unit relative to the cutting blade storage unit at an acting position and a retracting position in the Y-axis direction; a Z-axis moving mechanism for moving the conveying out/in unit in the Z-axis direction; and a X-axis moving mechanism for moving the conveying out/in unit in the X-axis direction and acting on the cutting blade mounted to the spindle of the cutting unit of the cutting device.

Description

assisting equipments

The present invention relates to an auxiliary device connected to a cutting device.

A wafer in which a plurality of components such as ICs and LSIs divided by a plurality of intersecting lines to be divided is formed on the front surface is divided into individual element wafers by a dicing device, and each divided element wafer is used for Electronic devices such as mobile phones and personal computers.

The dicing device includes: a chuck table, which has a holding surface for holding the wafer; a dicing unit, which is equipped with a fixed nut with a dicing blade for cutting the wafer held on the chuck table; The table is processed and fed in the X-axis direction; the Y-axis feeding means, which makes the cutting unit index feed in the Y-axis direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction; and the Z-axis feeding means, which moves the cutting unit in the Y-axis direction. The Z-axis direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is cut and fed, and the holding surface is defined by the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and the wafer can be divided into individual element wafers with high accuracy.

Furthermore, the applicant of the present application proposes an automatic exchange device capable of automatically exchanging the cutting blade attached to the cutting unit (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). [Previously known technical literature] [Patent Literature]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-98536

[The problem to be solved by the invention] However, there is a problem that it is difficult to install an automatic exchange device for the cutting device delivered to the user later.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an auxiliary device which can automatically replace the cutting blade and which can be subsequently installed in the cutting device that has been delivered to the user.

[Technical means to solve the problem] According to the present invention, there is provided an auxiliary device connected to a cutting device, the cutting device including: a chuck table having a holding surface for holding a workpiece; The cutting blade of the workpiece of the chuck table; the X-axis feeding means, which performs processing and feeding of the chuck table in the X-axis direction; the Y-axis feeding means, which is the cutting unit in the X-axis direction. Indexing feed is performed in the Y-axis direction of the intersection; and Z-axis feeding means, which perform plunging feed of the cutting unit in the Z-axis direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and the holding surface Defined by the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, the auxiliary device includes: a dicing blade storage unit that stores a plurality of dicing blades; a carry-in unit that carries out and carries the cutting blades from the dicing blade storage unit; Y an axis-direction positioning unit for positioning the carry-out unit relative to the cutting blade storage unit at an action position and an evacuation position in the Y-axis direction; a Z-axis movement mechanism for moving the carry-out and carry-in unit in the Z-axis direction; and an X-axis movement A mechanism that moves the unloading and carrying unit in the X-axis direction and acts on the cutting blade installed on the main shaft of the cutting unit.

Preferably, the cutting blade storage unit includes: a driving gear having a first rotating shaft extending in the Y-axis direction; a driven gear separated from the driving gear in the Z-axis direction and having a first rotating shaft extending in the Y-axis direction. A second rotating shaft; a crawler belt wound around the drive gear and the driven gear; and a support shaft extending in the Y-axis direction, arranged on the crawler belt at predetermined intervals, and inserted into the central opening of the cutting blade to Support the cutting blade. Preferably, the interval between the driving gear and the driven gear in the Z-axis direction can be adjusted, and the length of the crawler track can also be adjusted. Preferably, the carry-out unit includes: a Z-rotating shaft extending in the Z-axis direction; a blade holding part that is radially connected to the Z-rotating shaft to attract and hold the cutting blade; and a fixed nut holding part. The fixing nut is screwed and loosened by a male thread formed at the front end of the main shaft, and two of the insert holding parts are provided for one fixing nut holding part. Preferably, the carrying-out unit is arranged on a frame body, and the frame system is slidably supported on a guide rail extending in the Y-axis direction arranged on the lifting platform, and is opposed by the Y-axis direction positioning unit. The dicing blade storage unit is positioned at the acting position and the withdrawing position in the Y-axis direction. Preferably, the unloading and carrying unit is arranged on a first moving body, the first moving body is arranged inside the frame, and the first moving system is suspended from the lower part of the second moving body. The second moving system is slidably supported in the state of the first guide rail extending in the X-axis direction, and the second moving system is suspended from the second guide rail extending in the X-axis direction provided on the ceiling portion of the frame. The bottom is slidably supported, and the carrying-in unit is configured to be freely movable in and out in the X-axis direction by the first movable body and the second movable body. Preferably, a trimming plate accommodating portion is arranged at the bottom of the frame, the trimming plate accommodating portion accommodates a trimming plate for trimming the cutting blade, and a holding means is arranged on the first moving body, and the holding means is kept and accommodated in the first moving body. The trimming plate of the trimming plate accommodating part. Preferably, the bottom of the frame body is provided with an end face correction jig accommodating part for accommodating an end face correction jig, and the end face correction jig is used for arranging the front end of the main shaft formed on the cutting unit and supporting the installation of the back of the cutting blade. The outer peripheral end face of the flange holds the end face correction jig by the holding means arranged on the first movable body.

[Inventive effect] The auxiliary device of the present invention can be subsequently installed on the cutting device that has been delivered to the user.

Hereinafter, an auxiliary device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1, the auxiliary device indicated by the symbol 2 as a whole includes at least: a cutting blade storage unit 4, which stores a plurality of cutting blades; Y-axis direction positioning unit 8, which positions the carry-out and carry-in unit 6 relative to the cutting blade storage unit 4 at the action position and evacuation position in the Y-axis direction; Z-axis moving mechanism 10, which moves the carry-out and carry-in unit 6 in the Z-axis direction; And the X-axis moving mechanism 12, which moves the unloading/carrying unit 6 in the X-axis direction, and acts on the cutting blade of the main shaft of the cutting unit installed in the cutting device. In addition, the X-axis direction is the direction indicated by the arrow X in FIG. 1 , the Y-axis direction is the direction indicated by the arrow Y in FIG. 1 and is a direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction is indicated in FIG. 1 . The direction indicated by the arrow Z is the vertical direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. In addition, the plane defined by the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is substantially horizontal.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the cutting blade storage unit 4 includes: a drive gear 16 having a rotating shaft 14 extending in the Y-axis direction; a driven gear 20 separated from the drive gear 16 in the Z-axis direction and having a Y-axis The rotating shaft 18 extending in the direction; the crawler belt 22, which is wound around the driving gear 16 and the driven gear 20; The central opening part supports the cutting blade.

1 and 2 , the dicing blade storage unit 4 of the present embodiment includes: a base plate 26 (see FIG. 1 ); a support wall 28 extending upward from the upper surface of the base plate 26 ; and a motor 30 , which is fixed to one side of the support wall 28 . As shown in FIG. 2 , the rotating shaft 14 of the drive gear 16 is connected to the motor 30 , and the motor 30 rotates the drive gear 16 with the Y-axis direction as the axis.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the driven gear 20 is arranged above the driving gear 16 , and the rotating shaft 18 of the driven gear 20 is supported so as to be rotatable about the Y-axis direction as the axis and to be able to move up and down in the Z-axis direction. Wall 28 supports. Lifting means (not shown) for raising and lowering the driven gear 20 in the Z-axis direction is provided on the support wall 28 . The elevating means may be constituted by a ball screw connected to the rotation shaft 18 of the driven gear 20 and extending in the Z-axis direction, and a motor for rotating the ball screw.

The crawler belt 22 is composed of a plurality of link pieces (symbols omitted) connected to each other, and is wound around the driving gear 16 and the driven gear 20 . The track 22 is rotated in response to the rotation of the drive gear 16 by the motor 30 .

In the cutting blade storage unit 4 of the present embodiment, the interval in the Z-axis direction of the drive gear 16 and the driven gear 20 can be adjusted by changing the position of the driven gear 20 in the Z-axis direction by raising and lowering means. In addition, in the cutting blade storage unit 4 , the length of the crawler belt 22 can be adjusted by appropriately increasing or decreasing the number of the connecting pieces of the crawler belt 22 .

As shown in FIG. 2 , a plurality of support shafts 24 are arranged on the crawler belt 22 at predetermined intervals. Also, as understood by referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 , the support shaft 24 has a cylindrical base portion 32 that is connected to the crawler belt 22 , and a cylindrical shaft portion 34 that extends from the end face of the base portion 32 in the Y-axis direction. . The diameter of the shaft portion 34 is smaller than the diameter of the base portion 32 .

Also shown in FIG. 3 is the cutting blade 36 supported by the support shaft 24 . The cutting blade 36 has an annular base 38 and an annular cutting edge 40 fixed to the outer peripheral portion of the base 38 . The base 38 can be formed of a suitable metal material such as aluminum alloy. A circular central opening 38a is provided in the central portion of the base 38 . The cutting edge 40 is formed to a predetermined thickness (for example, about 10 to 30 μm) by abrasive grains such as diamond and a bonding material such as metal or resin, and protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral edge of the base 38 .

In the support shaft 24 , the shaft portion 34 is inserted into the central opening portion 38 a of the cutting blade 36 , and a plurality of (for example, five) cutting blades 36 are supported by the shaft portion 34 . In the present embodiment, as understood by referring to FIG. 2 , the cutting blade 36 is supported by half of the support shafts 24 of the plurality of support shafts 24 . Further, as shown in FIG. 3 , on the front end side of the shaft portion 34 , a plurality of spherical plungers 42 for preventing cutting supported by the shaft portion 34 are installed at intervals in the circumferential direction. The ejection of the blade 36.

As shown in FIG. 4 , a flow passage 32 a is formed inside each base portion 32 of the support shaft 24 , and a plurality of flow passages 22 a communicating with one end of each flow passage 32 a are formed in the crawler belt 22 . As shown in FIG. 3 , the other end portion of each flow passage 32 a is opened at the end surface of the base portion 32 located radially outward of the shaft portion 34 . 2 , in the support wall 28, an air nozzle 44 protruding in the Y-axis direction is provided below the drive gear 16, and the air nozzle 44 is connected to a high-pressure air supply means (not shown). In the present embodiment, the support shaft 24 located at the lowest end in the track of the support shaft 24 with the rotation of the crawler belt 22 faces the front end of the air nozzle 44 .

Then, when the cutting blade 36 located on the front end side of the shaft portion 34 is carried out, high-pressure air is supplied from the air nozzle 44 through the flow path 22a of the crawler belt 22 to the flow path of the base portion 32 of the support shaft 24 located at the lowermost end 32a, the cutting blade 36 remaining on the shaft portion 34 can be pushed out to the front end side of the shaft portion 34 by this. However, due to the action of the spherical plunger 42 , the cutting blade 36 does not drop from the shaft portion 34 .

The carry-out and carry-in unit 6 will be described with reference to FIG. 5 . The carry-out and carry-in unit 6 includes at least: a Z-rotating shaft 46 extending in the Z-axis direction; a blade holding part 48 radially connected to the Z-rotating shaft 46 and sucking and holding the cutting blade 36; and a fixed nut holding part 50, The male thread is formed on the front end of the main shaft of the cutting device to screw and loosen the fixed nut.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the carrying-out unit 6 of the present embodiment further includes a casing 52 having a regular hexagonal top plate 54 and six rectangular plate-shaped side walls 56 hanging from the periphery of the top plate 54 . The above-mentioned Z rotation shaft 46 protrudes from the upper surface of the top plate 54 . A motor (not shown) coupled to the Z rotating shaft 46 is accommodated in the casing 52 .

In this embodiment, among the six side walls 56 of the housing 52 , four side walls 56 are provided with the blade holding parts 48 , two side walls 56 are provided with the fixing nut holding parts 50 , and two fixing nuts The holding portion 50 is provided on a pair of opposite side walls 56 . In this way, the carry-out and carry-in unit 6 is provided with two blade holding parts 48 for one set nut holding part 50 .

The blade holding portion 48 is formed into a cylindrical shape, and the end face 58 of the blade holding portion 48 is provided with: a circular central opening 60 that can receive the shaft portion 34 of the support shaft 24 and the front end portion of the main shaft of the cutting device; And a plurality of suction holes 62 are arranged in the circumferential direction at equal intervals around the central opening 60 . Each suction hole 62 is connected to a suction means (not shown).

In the blade holding portion 48, in a state where the end face 58 of the blade holding portion 48 is positioned in contact with the base 38 of the dicing blade 36 stored in the dicing blade storage unit 4, each suction hole 62 is sucked by suction means. An attractive force is generated, whereby the cutting blade 36 is attracted and held.

Continuing the description with reference to FIG. 5 , the fixing nut holding part 50 includes: a cylindrical casing 64 fixed to the side wall 56 of the casing 52; and an annular rotating body 66 rotatably accommodated in the casing 64; and a motor (not shown) that rotates the rotating body 66.

The rotary body 66 is formed with a central opening 68 that can receive the front end of the main shaft of the cutting device. A plurality of suction holes 70 and a plurality of pins 72 are alternately provided at intervals in the circumferential direction on the end surface 66 a of the rotating body 66 . Each suction hole 70 is connected to a suction means (not shown). The pin 72 is positioned at a position (position shown in FIG. 5 ) protruding from the end face 66 a of the rotary body 66 by a spring (not shown) built in the rotary body 66 , and when pushed into the rotary body 66 , the pin 72 will The spring contracts and is accommodated inside the rotating body 66 . In addition, the pins 72 are arranged so as to correspond to the positions of the pin holes formed in the fixing nut.

In the fixing nut holding portion 50, the fixing nut is sucked and held by generating a suction force in each suction hole 70 by the suction means, and the pin 72 is inserted into the pin hole formed in the fixing nut, and is rotated by the motor. The body 66 rotates, whereby the male thread formed in the front end of the spindle can screw and unscrew the fixing nut for fixing the cutting blade 36 to the spindle of the cutting device.

In addition, when the fixing nut is loosened (removed) from the main shaft, even if the position of the pin 72 of the fixing nut holding portion 50 and the position of the pin hole of the fixing nut are shifted, if the end face of the rotating body 66 is 66a is positioned on the end face of the fixed nut installed on the main shaft, and the rotating body 66 is rotated by the motor after the pin 72 is accommodated in the interior of the rotating body 66, when the position of the pin 72 is aligned with the position of the pin hole The pin 72 is also pushed out by the spring and inserted into the pin hole.

The carrying-out and carrying-in unit 6 which can be configured as described above is arranged inside the casing 74 as shown in FIG. 1 in the present embodiment. The frame body 74 is supported by the lift table 76 so as to be movable in the Y-axis direction, and the lift table 76 is supported by the base frame 78 so as to be freely liftable in the Z-axis direction.

1 and 6, the frame body 74 includes: a rectangular plate-shaped bottom 80; four pillars 82 extending upward from the four corners of the upper surface of the bottom 80; and a plate-shaped ceiling portion 84, It is fixed to the upper end of each support|pillar 82 (refer FIG. 1). On the lower surface of the bottom portion 80, a pair of guided members 86 are provided at intervals in the X-axis direction, and the guided members 86 are formed with grooves 86a extending in the Y-axis direction.

The lift table 76 includes: a rectangular plate-shaped top plate 88; On the upper surface of the top plate 88, a pair of guide rails 92 extending in the Y-axis direction are provided at intervals in the X-axis direction. The pair of guide rails 92 are slidably connected to the pair of guided members 86 of the frame 74. The groove 86a is fitted.

In addition, the Y-axis direction positioning unit 8 is provided on the upper surface of the top plate 88 of the lift table 76 . The Y-axis direction positioning unit 8 includes a ball screw 94 that extends in the Y-axis direction between the pair of guide rails 92 , and a motor 96 that rotates the ball screw 94 . A nut portion (not shown) of the ball screw 94 is fixed to the lower surface of the bottom portion 80 of the frame body 74 .

In the Y-axis direction positioning unit 8 , the rotational motion of the motor 96 is converted into linear motion by the ball screw 94 and transmitted to the frame body 74 to move the frame body 74 in the Y-axis direction along the pair of guide rails 92 . In this way, the frame body 74 provided with the carry-out unit 6 is slidably supported on the guide rail 92 provided on the lift table 76 extending in the Y-axis direction, and can be opposed to each other by the Y-axis direction positioning unit 8 The cutting blade storage unit 4 is positioned at the acting position and the withdrawing position in the Y-axis direction.

The above-mentioned action position is a position where the blade holder 48 of the carry-out unit 6 approaches the dicing blade storage unit 4 , and is a position where the dicing blade 36 supported by the dicing blade storage unit 4 can be sucked and held by the blade holder 48 . In addition, the said evacuation position is a position which the blade holding|maintenance part 48 of the carry-out unit 6 is farther away from the cutting blade storage unit 4 than the said action position.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the base stand 78 includes a frame 98 and a rectangular base plate 100 fixed to an upper portion of the frame 98 . Four circular holes 102 are formed at the four corners of the base plate 100 , and the legs 90 of the lift table 76 are inserted into the four circular holes 102 in a slidable manner. In addition, a female screw 104 is formed in the center portion of the base plate 100 .

Continuing the description with reference to FIG. 6 , the Z-axis moving mechanism 10 is connected to the elevating table 76 and the base frame 78 . The Z-axis moving mechanism 10 includes: a ball screw 106 extending in the Z-axis direction; a motor 108 for rotating the ball screw 106 ; The ball screw 106 is screwed with the female thread 104 of the base plate 100 . The connecting plate 110 is fixed to the lower surface of the top plate 88 of the lift table 76 by appropriate connecting means such as bolts (not shown).

In the Z-axis moving mechanism 10 , the rotary motion of the motor 108 is converted into linear motion by the ball screw 106 , the lifting table 76 is moved up and down relative to the base frame 78 , and the frame body 74 in which the carry-out and carry-in unit 6 is disposed is thereby moved. Move in the Z-axis direction.

Referring to FIG. 7 , the carry-out and carry-in unit 6 is arranged on the first movable body 112 which is arranged inside the frame body 74 , and the first movable body 112 is suspended from the The lower part of the second movable body 114 is slidably supported in the state of the first guide rail 116 extending in the X-axis direction, and the second movable body 114 is suspended from the ceiling part 84 provided in the frame body 74 It is slidably supported in the state of the second guide rail 118 extending in the X-axis direction.

The first moving body 112 has a rectangular plate-shaped body 120 . A circular hole 122 is formed in the central portion of the main body 120 . The Z rotating shaft 46 of the carry-out unit 6 is inserted into the circular hole 122 , and the Z rotating shaft 46 is fixed to the main body 120 in a non-rotatable manner. When the motor of the carry-out unit 6 connected to the Z rotating shaft 46 is driven, the housing 52 of the carry-out unit 6 is rotated relative to the first moving body 112, and the blade holding part 48 and the fixed nut holding part 50 are positioned at arbitrary positions. orientation.

On the upper surface of the main body 120 of the first moving body 112, a pair of guided members 124 are provided at intervals in the Y-axis direction, and a block 126 is fixed, and the guided members 124 are formed extending in the X-axis direction. In addition to the groove 124a, the block 126 is formed with a through hole 126a extending in the X-axis direction.

The second moving body 114 has a rectangular plate-shaped main body 128 , and a pair of first guide rails 116 are provided on the lower surface of the main body 128 at intervals in the Y-axis direction. The first guide rail 116 is slidably fitted into the grooves 124 a of the pair of guided members 124 of the first movable body 112 . A guide rail 116 is supported in a slidable manner.

A first X-axis moving mechanism is provided below the main body 128 of the second moving body 114 , and the first X-axis moving mechanism moves the first moving body 112 relative to the second moving body 114 in the X-axis direction. The first X-axis moving mechanism of the present embodiment is constituted by an air cylinder 130 . The cylinder 130 a of the air cylinder 130 is fixed to the lower surface of the main body 128 and extends in the X-axis direction between the pair of first guide rails 116 . The front end of the piston rod 130b of the air cylinder 130 is fitted and connected to the through hole 126a of the block body 126 of the first movable body 112 .

The air cylinder 130 as the first X-axis moving mechanism moves the first moving body 112 relative to the second moving body 114 in the X-axis direction along the first guide rail 116 by advancing and retreating the piston rod 130b.

On the upper surface of the main body 128 of the second movable body 114, a pair of guided members 132 are provided at intervals in the Y-axis direction, and a block 134 is fixed, and the guided members 132 are formed extending in the X-axis direction. In addition to the groove 132a, the block 134 is formed with a female thread 134a extending in the X-axis direction.

A pair of second guide rails 118 are provided at intervals in the Y-axis direction on the lower surface of the ceiling portion 84 of the frame body 74 . The second guide rail 118 is slidably fitted into the grooves 132 a of the pair of guided members 132 of the second movable body 114 , and the second movable body 114 is suspended from the ceiling portion 84 provided in the frame body 74 . The second guide rail 118 is slidably supported.

A second X-axis moving mechanism 136 is provided below the ceiling portion 84 of the frame body 74 , and the second X-axis moving mechanism 136 moves the second movable body 114 relative to the ceiling portion 84 in the X-axis direction. The second X-axis moving mechanism 136 of the present embodiment includes a ball screw 138 extending in the X-axis direction between the pair of second guide rails 118 , and a motor 140 that rotates the ball screw 138 . The ball screw 138 is screwed with the female thread 134 a of the block body 134 of the second movable body 114 , and the motor 140 is fixed to the lower surface of the ceiling portion 84 .

The second X-axis moving mechanism 136 converts the rotational motion of the motor 140 into a linear motion through the ball screw 138 and transmits it to the second moving body 114 , so that the second moving body 114 follows the second guide rail 118 relative to the ceiling portion 84 . Move in the X-axis direction.

The X-axis moving mechanism 12 of the present embodiment includes: an air cylinder 130 as a first X-axis moving mechanism; and a second X-axis moving mechanism 136 having a ball screw 138 and a motor 140 . In the present embodiment, by moving the first movable body 112 with the air cylinder 130 as the first X-axis moving mechanism, the carry-out and carry-in unit 6 can be rapidly advanced in the X-axis direction, and by the second X-axis The moving mechanism 136 moves the second moving body 114 to easily finely adjust the position in the X-axis direction of the carry-out and carry-in unit 6 . In this way, the carry-out and carry-in unit 6 is configured to be freely movable in and out in the X-axis direction by the first movable body 112 and the second movable body 114 .

In addition, the auxiliary device 2 is not limited to the above-mentioned form, and the form further provided with the structure shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 may be sufficient. In the form shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , the bottom 80 of the frame body 74 is provided with a trimming plate accommodating portion 144 (see FIG. 9 ), and the trimming plate accommodating portion 114 accommodates a trimming plate for trimming the cutting blade 36 142. The first movable body 112 is provided with holding means 146 (see FIG. 8 ) that hold the trimming plate 142 accommodated in the trimming plate accommodating portion 144 .

The dressing plate 142 may be formed into a rectangular plate shape using a bonding material such as a resin bond or the like by forming green carbide or diamond-based abrasive grains. One side of the trimming plate 142 is, for example, about 5 cm. As shown in FIG. 9 , the trimming plate accommodating portion 144 of the present embodiment is constituted by three rectangular recesses provided on each of the ends on both sides of the upper surface of the rectangular tray 148 in the Y-axis direction, and the tray 148 is arranged in the frame body 74 . the upper surface of the bottom 80 .

As shown in FIG. 8 , a pair of holding means 146 of the present embodiment is provided at both end portions in the Y-axis direction of the first movable body 112 . The holding means 146 includes: a fixing piece 150 fixed to the Y-axis direction end portion of the main body 120 of the first moving body 112; ; Lifting means (not shown), which makes the lifting piece 152 up and down; The elevating means can be constituted by an appropriate actuator such as an air cylinder, for example. Each suction pad 154 is connected to the suction means.

In the holding means 146, the lifting piece 152 is lowered by the lifting means, and the suction pads 154 are brought into contact with the trimming plate 142 accommodated in the trimming plate accommodating portion 144. 154 attracts and retains trim plate 142 .

Further, an end surface correction jig accommodating portion 158 (refer to FIG. 9 ) is arranged on the bottom 80 of the frame body 74 for accommodating an end surface correction jig 156 that aligns the front end of the main shaft of the cutting unit and supports cutting The outer peripheral end face of the mounting flange on the back of the blade 36 . The end face correction jig 156 has a rectangular base plate 160 and a grindstone 162 fixed on the upper surface of the base plate 160 . As shown in FIG. 9 , the end face correction jig accommodating portion 158 of the present embodiment is constituted by a pair of rectangular recesses provided on both ends of the upper surface of the tray 148 in the Y-axis direction.

The end surface correction jig 156 accommodated in the end surface correction jig accommodating portion 158 is sucked and held by the suction pad 154 provided in the holding means 146 of the first movable body 112 .

Next, with reference to FIGS. 10 to 15 , the cutting device 170 to which the above-mentioned auxiliary device 2 is connected will be described.

As shown in FIG. 10 , the cutting device 170 includes: a chuck table 172 having a holding surface for holding the workpiece; a cutting unit 174 equipped with a fixed nut for cutting the workpiece held on the chuck table 172 Cutting blade; X-axis feeding means 176, which feeds the chuck table 172 in the X-axis direction; Y-axis feeding means 178, which divides the cutting unit 174 in the Y-axis direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction degree feed; and Z-axis feed means 180, which feeds the cutting unit 174 in the Z-axis direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

10 and 11 , the cutting device 170 includes: an X-axis movable plate 184 provided on the upper surface of the base 182 (see FIG. 10 ) so as to be movable in the X-axis direction; It is fixed on the upper surface of the X-axis movable plate 184 ; A circular opening 188a is formed in the cover plate 188 . The chuck table 172 is rotatably mounted on the upper end of the column 186 and extends upward through the circular opening 188 a of the cover plate 188 . The chuck table 172 is rotated about the Z-axis direction as an axis by a motor (not shown) built in the support column 186 .

As shown in FIG. 11 , on the upper end portion of the chuck table 172, a porous circular suction chuck 190 connected to suction means (not shown) is arranged. In the chuck table 172 , an attractive force is generated on the upper surface of the suction chuck 190 by the suction means, whereby the workpiece placed on the upper surface of the suction chuck 190 is sucked and held. In this way, in the chuck table 172, the upper surface of the suction chuck 190 becomes the holding surface for holding the workpiece, and the holding surface is positioned on the XY plane defined by the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. In addition, on the peripheral edge of the chuck table 172, a plurality of jigs 192 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction.

Continuing the description with reference to FIG. 11 , on the upper surface of the cover plate 188 , a pair of rectangular sub-tables 194 are arranged at intervals in the Y-axis direction. A plurality of suction holes 196 connected to suction means (not shown) are formed on the upper surface of each sub-table 194 . In the sub-table 194 , suction means are used to generate suction in each suction hole 196 , thereby attracting and holding the trimming plate 142 or the end surface carried in by suction and holding the suction pads 154 provided in the holding means 146 of the first movable body 112 . Fix Fixture 156.

As shown in FIG. 11 , the X-axis feeding means 176 includes a ball screw 198 that is coupled to the X-axis movable plate 184 and extends in the X-axis direction, and a motor 200 that rotates the ball screw 198 . The X-axis feeding means 176 converts the rotational motion of the motor 200 into linear motion through the ball screw 198 and transmits it to the X-axis movable plate 184, so that the X-axis movable plate 184 moves along the guide rail 182a of the base 182, and The chuck table 172 performs machining feed in the X-axis direction.

As shown in FIG. 10 , the cutting device 170 includes a gate-shaped frame 202 disposed across the chuck table 172 . The frame 202 includes a pair of pillars 204 extending upward from the upper surface of the base 182 with a gap in the Y-axis direction, and a beam 206 spanning between the upper ends of the pair of pillars 204 and extending in the Y-axis direction extend. On one side surface of the beam 206 (the side surface on the back side in FIG. 10 ), a pair of cutting units 174 are provided at intervals in the Y-axis direction. In the cutting device 170 of the present embodiment, a pair of cutting units 174 are provided so that the cutting blades 36 face each other, and the pair of cutting blades 36 can simultaneously perform cutting processing on the workpiece held on the chuck table 172 . In addition, the number of cutting units 174 may also be one.

As shown in FIG. 12 , each cutting unit 174 includes: a rectangular Y-axis movable member 208 that is supported on one side of the beam 206 so as to be movable in the Y-axis direction; and a Z-axis movable member having an L-shaped cross section. A member 210 is supported on the Y-axis movable member 208 in a manner that can be lifted and lowered in the Z-axis direction; and a spindle housing 212 is fixed to the lower end of the Z-axis movable member 210 .

A pair of guided grooves 208a extending in the Y-axis direction with an interval in the Z-axis direction are formed on one side (front side in FIG. 12 ) of the Y-axis movable member 208, and the guided grooves 208a are tied to the beam. One side surface of 206 is slidably connected to a pair of guide rails (not shown) extending in the Y-axis direction with an interval in the vertical direction.

The Y-axis feeding means 178 includes a ball screw 214 that extends in the Y-axis direction on one side surface of the beam 206 , and a motor 216 that rotates the ball screw 214 . The ball screw 214 is connected to the Y-axis movable member 208 . The Y-axis feeding means 178 converts the rotational motion of the motor 216 into linear motion by the ball screw 214 and transmits it to the Y-axis movable member 208 . The guide rail performs indexing feed in the Y-axis direction.

On the other side surface of the Y-axis movable member 208 (the side surface on the back side in FIG. 12 ), a pair of guide rails (not shown) extending in the Z-axis direction with an interval in the Y-axis direction are formed. The movable member 210 has a pair of guided grooves (not shown) that are slidably connected to the pair of guide rails of the Y-axis movable member 208 .

The Z-axis feeding means 180 includes a ball screw (not shown) that is coupled to the Z-axis movable member 210 and extends in the Z-axis direction, and a motor 218 that rotates the ball screw. The Z-axis feeding means 180 converts the rotational motion of the motor 218 into linear motion by means of a ball screw and transmits it to the Z-axis movable member 210 , and moves the Z-axis movable member 210 along the guide rail of the Y-axis movable member 208 in the Z-axis direction. Perform plunging feed.

13 , a cylindrical spindle 220 is supported in the spindle housing 212 so as to be rotatable about the Y-axis direction, and a motor (not shown) for rotating the spindle 220 is accommodated. A cutting blade 36 for cutting a workpiece is fixed to the front end of the main shaft 220 so as to be detachable by the fixing nut 222 .

A blade cover 224 covering the cutting blade 36 is installed at the front end of the spindle housing 212 . The blade cover 224 includes: a first cover member 224a fixed to the front end of the spindle housing 212; and a second cover member 224b movably mounted on the front end of the first cover member 224a. The second cover member 224b is moved in the X-axis direction by an appropriate actuator (not shown) such as an air cylinder, is positioned at the open position shown in FIG. 13 when the cutting blade 36 is replaced, and is positioned at the cutting process in the closed position shown in Figure 12.

As shown in FIG. 14 , an annular mounting flange 226 protruding radially outward is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the front end side of the main shaft 220 . An annular recess 226a is formed in the radially inner portion of the distal end surface of the attachment flange 226, and the outer peripheral portion of the distal end surface of the attachment flange 226 becomes an annular support portion 226b protruding in the axial direction. In addition, a male thread 228 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the main shaft 220 on the distal end side of the mounting flange 226 .

Then, the central opening 38 a of the cutting blade 36 is fitted into the front end of the main shaft 220 , and the male thread 228 of the main shaft 220 is screwed (locked) to the fixing nut 222 , thereby sandwiching the cutting blade 36 into the mounting flange 226 The supporting portion 226b and the fixing nut 222 are fixed to the front end of the main shaft 220 in a freely attachable and detachable manner. Further, on the side surface of the fixing nut 222, a plurality of pin holes 222a into which the pins 72 of the fixing nut holding portion 50 of the carry-out unit 6 are inserted are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

As shown in FIG. 10 , on the other side (the front side in FIG. 10 ) of the beam 206 of the frame 202 , a workpiece to be photographed and held by the chuck table 172 is mounted so as to be movable in the Y-axis direction. One pair of imaging means 230 is provided, and one pair of moving means 232 is provided for moving the imaging means 230 in the Y-axis direction. The moving means 232 has a ball screw 234 that extends in the Y-axis direction in the other side surface of the beam 206 , and a motor 236 that rotates the ball screw 234 . The ball screw 234 is connected to the imaging means 230 . Then, the moving means 232 converts the rotational motion of the motor 236 into linear motion and transmits it to the imaging means 230 to move the imaging means 230 in the Y-axis direction along the guide rail 206a attached to the other side of the beam 206 . In addition, the number of imaging means 230 may also be one.

When dicing a workpiece such as a wafer using the dicing device 170 , first, the workpiece is attracted to the chuck table 172 . Next, the chuck table 172 is moved below the imaging means 230 by the X-axis feeding means 176 , and the Y-axis direction position of the imaging means 230 is adjusted by the moving means 232 . Next, the object to be processed is photographed from above by the imaging means 230, and the cut area of the object to be processed is detected.

Next, according to the cutting area of the workpiece detected by the imaging means 230 , the chuck table 172 is rotated to adjust the orientation of the cutting area of the workpiece with respect to the cutting blade 36 of the cutting unit 174 . Next, the chuck table 172 is moved in the X-axis direction by the X-axis feeding means 176 , the spindle housing 212 is moved in the Y-axis direction by the Y-axis feeding means 178 , and the pair of cutting blades 36 are positioned on the workpiece. above the cutting area.

Next, the spindle housing 212 is lowered by the Z-axis feeding means 180 to cut the cutting edge 40 of the high-speed rotating cutting blade 36 into the cutting area of the workpiece, and the cutting edge 40 of the cutting blade 36 has been cut while supplying cutting water to the cutting edge 40 of the cutting blade 36. A predetermined cutting process is performed on the cutting area of the workpiece by feeding the chuck table 172 in the X-axis direction at the part of the workpiece. While the spindle housing 212 is indexed in the Y-axis direction by the Y-axis feeding means 178, the above-described cutting process is appropriately repeated, and the cutting process is performed on the entire cutting region of the workpiece. The workpiece that has been cut and processed at the end of the cutting step is conveyed to the next step.

If the cutting step is repeated, the cutting blade 36 will be worn out. If the wear of the cutting blade 36 reaches a predetermined amount, the cutting accuracy cannot be maintained. Furthermore, even if the wear of the cutting blade 36 mounted on the main shaft 220 does not reach a predetermined amount, when cutting is to be performed on a workpiece that is different from the material of the workpiece to which the previous cutting was performed, Sometimes it is necessary to replace the cutting blade 36 with the material of the workpiece.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15 , the auxiliary device 2 capable of automatically replacing the cutting blade 36 of the cutting device 170 is connected to the cutting device 170 .

As shown in FIG. 15 , the auxiliary device 2 is disposed on the inner side of the cutting device 170 in the X-axis direction, and can be subsequently installed on the cutting device 170 that has been delivered to the user. When using the auxiliary device 2 to replace the cutting blade 36 installed in the cutting device 170, first, the crawler 22 of the cutting blade storage unit 4 is rotated, and the support shaft 24 supporting the new cutting blade 36 to be carried into the cutting device 170 is positioned on the supporting shaft 24. A predetermined position (eg, the position of the lowermost end in the track of the support shaft 24 ).

Next, as shown in FIG. 16, the casing 52 is rotated by the motor connected to the Z rotating shaft 46 of the carry-out unit 6, whereby the side wall 56 of the casing 52 on which the blade holding portion 48 is mounted is moved along the X The blade holding portion 48 faces the cutting blade storage unit 4 in the axial direction. Then, the X-axis moving mechanism 12 and the Z-axis moving mechanism 10 are actuated to adjust the blade so that the shaft portion 34 of the support shaft 24 at the predetermined position can be inserted into the central opening 60 (see FIG. 5 ) of the blade holding portion 48 The position in the X-axis direction and the position in the Z-axis direction of the holding portion 48 .

Next, as shown in FIG. 17 , the frame body 74 is moved in the Y-axis direction by the Y-axis direction positioning unit 8 , and the carry-out and carry-in unit 6 is positioned to the cutting blade supported by the support shaft 24 that can be held by the blade holding portion 48 . The role of 36. Thereby, the shaft portion 34 of the support shaft 24 at the predetermined position is inserted into the central opening 60 of the blade holder 48 , and the end face 58 of the blade holder 48 is brought into contact with the end face of the cutting blade 36 on the front end side of the shaft portion 34 . Next, suction is generated in each suction hole 62 of the blade holding portion 48 , and the cutting blade 36 located on the distal end side of the shaft portion 34 is sucked and held by the blade holding portion 48 .

Next, the Y-axis direction positioning unit 8 is actuated, and the carry-out and carry-in unit 6 is separated from the dicing blade storage unit 4 in the Y-axis direction and positioned at the evacuated position. Next, the casing 52 of the carry-out unit 6 is rotated by 180°, and the blade holding part 48 on the opposite side of the blade holding part 48 which attracts and holds the cutting blade 36 faces the cutting blade storage unit 4 . Next, the Y-axis direction positioning unit 8 is actuated, and the carry-out and carry-in unit 6 is positioned at a position where the cutting blade 36 of the support shaft 24 can be held by the blade holding portion 48 on the opposite side. Next, suction is generated in each suction hole 62 of the blade holding portion 48 on the opposite side, and the cutting blade 36 located on the distal end side of the shaft portion 34 is sucked and held by the blade holding portion 48 . As a result, the new cutting blade 36 is sucked and held by a pair of the blade holding parts 48 facing each other among the four blade holding parts 48 .

Next, as shown in FIG. 18 , the frame body 74 is moved in the Y-axis direction by the Y-axis direction positioning unit 8 , and the lift table 76 is moved in the Z-axis direction by the Z-axis moving mechanism 10 . Thereby, the carry-out unit 6 is separated from the dicing blade storage unit 4 and positioned at the evacuation position, and the Y-axis direction position and the Z-axis direction position of the carry-out and carry-in unit 6 with respect to the dicing device 170 are adjusted. The position in the Y-axis direction of the carry-out unit 6 after the position adjustment is between the pair of cutting units 174 of the cutting device 170 , and the position in the Z-axis direction of the carry-out unit 6 after the position adjustment is higher than the holding surface of the chuck table 172 . .

Next, as shown in FIG. 19 , the first moving body 112 is moved in the X-axis direction by the air cylinder 130 as the first X-axis moving mechanism, so that the carry-out and carry-in unit 6 is directed between the pair of cutting units 174 of the cutting device 170 . go ahead. Next, as shown in FIG. 20 , the second movable body 114 is moved in the X-axis direction by the second X-axis moving mechanism 136 to adjust the X-axis direction position of the carry-out unit 6 with respect to the pair of cutting units 174 . Specifically, the position in the X-axis direction of the center of the new pair of dicing blades 36 sucked and held by the pair of blade holding parts 48 of the carry-out unit 6 and the position of the pair of dicing blades 36 mounted on one of the pair of dicing units 174 are set. The X-axis position of the center is aligned. Then, the Z-axis moving mechanism 10 of the auxiliary device 2 or the Z-axis feeding means 180 of the cutting device 170 is actuated, so that the Z-axis direction position of the center of the cutting blade 36 of the blade holder 48 and the Z-axis direction position of the cutting blade 36 of the cutting unit 174 are adjusted. The Z-axis position of the center is aligned.

Next, the housing 52 of the carry-out and carry-in unit 6 is rotated by 60°, so that the pair of fixed nut holding parts 50 face the cutting blades 36 of the pair of cutting units 174 . In addition, the casing 52 may be rotated by 60° before the first/second movable bodies 112 and 114 are advanced.

Next, the second cover member 224b of each blade cover 224 of the pair of cutting units 174 is positioned at the open position (refer to FIG. 13 ). Next, the cutting unit 174 is moved in the Y-axis direction by the Y-axis feeding means 178 of the cutting device 170 , so that the fixed nut 222 for fixing the cutting blade 36 to the spindle 220 contacts the rotating body 66 of the fixed nut holding part 50 end face 66a. In this way, the pin 72 of the fixed nut holding portion 50 is pressed by the fixed nut 222 to be accommodated inside the rotating body 66 , and the front end of the main shaft 220 is accommodated in the central opening 68 of the rotating body 66 .

Next, when the rotating body 66 is rotated by the motor of the fixed nut holding portion 50, when the pins 72 are matched with the pin holes 222a of the fixed nut 222, the respective pins 72 are fitted into the pin holes 222a, and the rotating body 66 is rotated. The movement is transmitted to the retaining nut 222 through each pin 72, and the retaining nut 222 is loosened. Thereby, the fixing nut 222 can be unscrewed (removed) from the male thread 228 of the main shaft 220 of the cutting unit 174 . Then, suction is generated in each suction hole 70 of the fixed nut holding portion 50 , and the fixed nut 222 that has been removed is sucked and held by the fixed nut holding portion 50 .

Next, the cutting unit 174 is separated from the carrying-out unit 6 by the Y-axis feeding means 178 , and the housing 52 of the carrying-out and carrying unit 6 is rotated by 60°, so that the blade holding part 48 that does not attract and hold the empty blade holding part 48 of the cutting blade 36 is rotated. The cutting blade 36 faces the cutting unit 174 .

Next, the cutting unit 174 is brought close to the carrying-in/out unit 6 by the Y-axis feeding means 178 , the main shaft 220 of the cutting unit 174 is inserted into the central opening 60 of the blade holding part 48 , and the end face 58 of the blade holding part 48 is emptied. The end face of the cutting blade 36 that contacts the cutting unit 174 . Next, suction is generated in each suction hole 62 of the blade holding portion 48 , and the cutting blade 36 of the cutting unit 174 is sucked and held by the blade holding portion 48 .

Next, the cutting unit 174 is separated from the carrying-out unit 6 by the Y-axis feeding means 178 , and the housing 52 of the carrying-out unit 6 is rotated by 60° to suck and hold the surface of the blade holding portion 48 of the new cutting blade 36 . To the spindle 220 of the cutting unit 174 .

Next, the cutting unit 174 is brought close to the carrying-in/out unit 6 by the Y-axis feeding means 178 , the main shaft 220 is inserted into the central opening 38 a of the new cutting blade 36 , and the end surface of the cutting blade 36 is brought into contact with the mounting flange 226 of the main shaft 220 . the support portion 226b. Next, the suction force of the blade holding portion 48 is released, and the new cutting blade 36 is transferred from the blade holding portion 48 to the spindle 220 .

Next, the cutting unit 174 is separated from the carry-out unit 6 by the Y-axis feeding means 178, and the housing 52 of the carry-out unit 6 is rotated by 60° to attract and hold the fixing nut of the fixing nut 222 that has been removed. The cap holder 50 faces the main shaft 220 of the cutting unit 174 .

Next, the cutting unit 174 is brought close to the carrying-in unit 6 by the Y-axis feeding means 178 , and the fixed nut 222 sucked and held by the fixed nut holding part 50 is fitted to the front end of the spindle 220 . Next, the motor of the fixing nut holding part 50 is operated in the opposite direction when the fixing nut 222 is removed, the fixing nut 222 is rotated, and the fixing nut 222 is screwed (locked) to the male thread 228 of the main shaft 220 . Thereby, the new cutting blade 36 to be installed in the cutting unit 174 can be clamped into the support portion 226 b of the mounting flange 226 of the main shaft 220 and the fixing nut 222 and fixed to the main shaft 220 . Next, after releasing the attractive force of the fixing nut holding part 50, the second cover member 224b of the blade cover 224 of the cutting unit 174 is positioned at the closed position. In addition, as for the pair of cutting units 174, the removal and installation of the fixing nut 222 and the cutting blade 36 as described above may be performed at the same time, or may be performed separately.

Next, the first/second moving bodies 112 and 114 are moved backward, the casing 52 of the carry-out unit 6 is rotated by 60°, and one of the removed pair of dicing blades 36 is paired with the dicing blade storage unit 4 . Then, the crawler belt 22 of the cutting blade storage unit 4 is rotated, and the empty support shaft 24 not supporting the cutting blade 36 is positioned at a predetermined position (for example, the position of the lowermost end of the track of the support shaft 24).

Next, the X-axis moving mechanism 12 and the Z-axis moving mechanism 10 are actuated so that the shaft portion 34 of the support shaft 24 at the predetermined position can be inserted into the central opening 38a of one of the cutting blades 36 sucked and held by the blade holding portion 48 In this way, the position in the X-axis direction and the position in the Z-axis direction of the blade holding portion 48 are adjusted.

Next, the frame body 74 is moved in the Y-axis direction by the Y-axis direction positioning unit 8 , and the shaft portion 34 of the support shaft 24 at the predetermined position is inserted into the central opening of one of the cutting blades 36 attracted and held by the blade holding portion 48 . 38 a, and the end face of one of the cutting blades 36 is brought into contact with the end face of the base portion 32 of the support shaft 24 . Next, the suction force of the blade holding portion 48 is released, and one of the removed pair of cutting blades 36 is handed over to the support shaft 24 .

Then, the carrying-out unit 6 is separated from the dicing blade storage unit 4 by the positioning unit 8 in the Y-axis direction, and the casing 52 of the carrying-out unit 6 is rotated by 180° to attract and hold the pair of dicing blades 36 that have been removed. The other opposite blade holding portion 48 faces the cutting blade storage unit 4 . Next, the frame body 74 is moved in the Y-axis direction by the Y-axis direction positioning unit 8, and the shaft portion 34 of the support shaft 24 at the predetermined position is inserted into the other cutting blade 36 attracted and held by the blade holding portion 48 on the opposite side. The central opening portion 38 a of the other cutting blade 36 is brought into contact with the end face of the cutting blade 36 supported by the support shaft 24 . Next, the suction force of the blade holding portion 48 is released, and the other of the pair of dicing blades 36 that have been removed is handed over to the support shaft 24 .

As above, the auxiliary device 2 of the present embodiment can be subsequently installed in the cutting device 170 delivered to the user, and the cutting blade 36 installed in the cutting unit 174 of the cutting device 170 can be replaced.

Next, a method of carrying the trimming plate 142 or the end face trimming jig 156 into the cutting device 170 when the auxiliary device 2 has the configuration shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 will be described.

When using the auxiliary device 2 to carry the trimming plate 142 into the cutting device 170 , first, the pair of lifting pieces 152 is lowered by the lifting and lowering means of the holding means 146 , so that each suction pad 154 is brought into contact with the trimming plate 142 accommodated in the trimming plate accommodating portion 144 . Two trim plates 142 in the . Next, suction is generated on the suction pads 154 by the suction means, and the trimming plate 142 is sucked and held by the suction pads 154 . Next, the lifter piece 152 that has attracted and held the trimming plate 142 is raised.

Next, after adjusting the Y-axis direction position and the Z-axis direction position of the carry-out unit 6 relative to the cutting device 170 by the Y-axis direction positioning unit 8 and the Z-axis moving mechanism 10, as shown in FIG. 21, the X-axis movement is performed. The mechanism 12 (the air cylinder 130 as the first X-axis moving mechanism and the second X-axis moving mechanism 136 ) advances the unloading/carrying unit 6 toward the cutting device 170 , and positions the trimming plate 142 sucked and held by the lifter 152 on the sub-table 194 above.

Next, the lifter piece 152 is lowered, and the lower surface of the trimming plate 142 is brought into contact with the upper surface of the sub-table 194 . Next, suction is generated in each suction hole 196 of the sub-table 194 , the trimming plate 142 is sucked and held by the sub-table 194 , and the suction of the holding means 146 is released. In this way, the auxiliary device 2 can be subsequently installed on the cutting device 170 that has been delivered to the user, and the trimming plate 142 can be carried into the cutting device 170 .

Then, the spindle housing 212 is moved in the Y-axis direction by the Y-axis feeding means 178 , and the cutting blade 36 installed in the cutting unit 174 is positioned above the trimming plate 142 , and then the Z-axis feeding means 180 is used to move the spindle housing 212 in the Y-axis direction. The spindle housing 212 is lowered, and the trimming plate 142 is cut with the cutting edge 40 of the cutting blade 36 rotating at a high speed. Thereby, trimming (sharpening) of the cutting edge 40 of the correction cutting blade 36 can be performed.

When the end face correction jig 156 is loaded into the cutting device 170 by using the auxiliary device 2, first, the pair of lifting pieces 152 is lowered by the lifting means of the holding means 146, and the suction pads 154 are contacted and accommodated in the end face correction jig accommodating part. One of 158 pairs the upper surface of the substrate 160 of the end face correction jig 156 . Next, suction is generated on the suction pads 154 by the suction means, and the end face correction jig 156 is sucked and held by the suction pads 154 . Next, the lift piece 152 that has been sucked and held by the end face correction jig 156 is raised.

Next, after adjusting the position in the Y-axis direction and the position in the Z-axis direction of the carrying unit 6 relative to the cutting device 170 by the Y-axis direction positioning unit 8 and the Z-axis moving mechanism 10, as shown in FIG. The mechanism 12 advances the unloading/carrying unit 6 toward the cutting device 170 , and positions the end face correction jig 156 sucked and held by the lifting piece 152 above the sub-table 194 .

Next, the lift piece 152 is lowered, and the lower surface of the substrate 160 of the end face correction jig 156 is brought into contact with the upper surface of the sub-table 194 . Next, suction is generated in each suction hole 196 of the sub-table 194 , the end-face correction jig 156 is sucked and held by the sub-table 194 , and the suction of the holding means 146 is released. In this way, the auxiliary device 2 can be subsequently installed on the cutting device 170 that has been delivered to the user, and the end face correction jig 156 can be carried into the cutting device 170 .

Then, the fixed nut 222 and the cutting blade 36 are removed from the main shaft 220 of the cutting unit 174 by removing the blade holding part 48 and the fixed nut holding part 50 of the carry-in unit 6, and then the Z-axis feeding means 180 is actuated, The support portion 226b of the attachment flange 226 of the spindle 220 is made to face the grindstone 162 of the end face correction jig 156 . Next, the spindle housing 212 is moved in the Y-axis direction by the Y-axis feeding means 178 , and the support portion 226 b of the mounting flange 226 of the rotating spindle 220 is brought into contact with the grindstone 162 of the end face correction jig 156 . Thereby, the support part 226b (outer peripheral end surface) of the attachment flange 226 can be ground by the grindstone 162 and made flat.

In addition, in the present embodiment, an example in which a pair of cutting units 174 are provided in the cutting device 170 and the carrying-in/out unit 6 of the auxiliary device 2 is provided with four blade holding parts 48 and two fixing nut holding parts 50 has been described. However, when the dicing device 170 is provided with a single dicing unit 174 , the carry-out and carry-in unit 6 only needs to include two blade holding parts 48 and one fixed nut holding part 50 . In addition, in the case where the cutting device 170 is provided with a single cutting unit 174, the number of holding means 146 for holding the trimming plate 142 and the end face trimming jig 156 may be one.

2: Auxiliary device 4: Cutting blade storage unit 6: Moving in and out of the unit 8: Y-axis direction positioning unit 10: Z-axis moving mechanism 12: X-axis moving mechanism 14: Rotary axis 16: Drive gear 18: Rotary axis 20: driven gear 22: Track 24: Support shaft 36: Cutting Blade 38a: Central opening 46: Z rotation axis 48: Blade Holder 50: Fixing nut holding part 74: Frame 76: Lifting table 80: Bottom (frame) 84: Ceiling part (frame body) 92: Guide rail (lifting table) 112: The first moving body 114: Second moving body 116: The first rail 118: Second rail 142: Trim Plate 144: Trimming plate holder 146: Keep Means 156: End face correction fixture 158: End face correction jig receiving part

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assist device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the cutting blade storage unit shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the support shaft shown in FIG. 2 . FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the support shaft shown in FIG. 2 . FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the carry-out and carry-in unit shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the frame body, the lifting platform and the base frame shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the frame shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the frame body provided with the holding means. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the trimming plate and the end face trimming jig shown in FIG. 8 . FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a cutting device connected to the auxiliary device shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the chuck table shown in FIG. 10 . FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the cutting unit shown in FIG. 10 . Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the cutting unit in a state where the blade cover shown in Fig. 12 is opened. FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the cutting unit shown in FIG. 10 . Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing a state in which the auxiliary device shown in Fig. 1 and the cutting device shown in Fig. 10 are connected. 16 is a perspective view showing a state in which the dicing blade storage unit of the auxiliary device shown in FIG. 1 and the carry-out and carry-in unit face each other. FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a state in which the frame body is advanced toward the cutting blade storage unit after the state shown in FIG. 16 . Fig. 18 is a perspective view showing a state in which the frame body is retracted and the lift table is raised after the state shown in Fig. 17 . FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a state in which the first moving body advances toward the cutting device after the state shown in FIG. 18 . FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a state in which the second moving body advances toward the cutting device after the state shown in FIG. 19 . FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a state in which the trimming plate is carried in by the carrying in and out unit shown in FIG. 8 . FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a state in which the end face correction jig is carried in by the carrying in and out unit shown in FIG. 8 .

2: Auxiliary device

4: Cutting blade storage unit

6: Moving in and out of the unit

8: Y-axis direction positioning unit

10: Z-axis moving mechanism

12: X-axis moving mechanism

16: Drive gear

18: Rotary axis

20: driven gear

22: Track

24: Support shaft

26: base plate

28: Support Wall

30: Motor

36: Cutting Blade

44: Air Nozzle

74: Frame

76: Lifting table

78: Pedestal stand

80: Bottom (frame)

82: Pillar

84: Ceiling part (frame body)

86: Guided components

88: top plate

90: Feet

92: Guide rail (lifting table)

96: Motor

98: Frame

100: base plate

102: round hole

112: The first moving body

114: Second moving body

Claims (8)

An auxiliary device connected to a cutting device, the cutting device comprising: a chuck table having a holding surface for holding a workpiece; and a cutting unit equipped with a fixed nut to cut and hold the workpiece to be processed on the chuck table The cutting blade of the object; the X-axis feeding means, which feeds the chuck table in the X-axis direction; the Y-axis feeding means, which performs the cutting unit in the Y-axis direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction Indexing feed; and Z-axis feeding means for cutting and feeding the cutting unit in the Z-axis direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and the holding surface is based on the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The Y-axis direction is specified, The auxiliary device has: a cutting blade storage unit, which stores a plurality of cutting blades; a carry-out and carry-in unit that carries out and carries in the cutting blade from the cutting blade storage unit; Y-axis direction positioning unit, which positions the unloading and carrying unit relative to the cutting blade storage unit at the action position and the evacuation position in the Y-axis direction; A Z-axis moving mechanism that moves the carry-out and carry-in unit in the Z-axis direction; and The X-axis moving mechanism moves the unloading and carrying unit in the X-axis direction, and acts on the cutting blade mounted on the main shaft of the cutting unit. The auxiliary device of claim 1, wherein the cutting blade storage unit comprises: a drive gear having a first rotation shaft extending in the Y-axis direction; A driven gear that is separated from the driving gear in the Z-axis direction and has a second rotation shaft extending in the Y-axis direction; a crawler belt wound around the drive gear and the driven gear; and The support shaft extends in the Y-axis direction, is disposed on the crawler belt at predetermined intervals, and is inserted into the central opening of the cutting blade to support the cutting blade. According to the auxiliary device of claim 2, the distance between the driving gear and the driven gear in the Z-axis direction can be adjusted, and the length of the crawler belt can also be adjusted. The auxiliary device of claim 1, wherein the carry-out and carry-in unit comprises: Z axis of rotation, which extends in the direction of the Z axis; a blade holding portion, which is radially connected to the Z axis of rotation and attracts and holds the cutting blade; and a fixing nut holding part, which is used for screwing and loosening the fixing nut on the male thread formed at the front end of the main shaft, In addition, two of the blade holding parts are provided for one of the fixed nut holding parts. The auxiliary device of claim 4, wherein the unloading and carrying unit is arranged on a frame body, and the frame system is slidably supported on a guide rail extending in the Y-axis direction arranged on the lift table, and through the Y-axis The axial direction positioning unit is positioned at the acting position and the withdrawing position in the Y-axis direction with respect to the cutting blade storage unit. The auxiliary device according to claim 5, wherein the unloading and carrying unit is arranged on a first moving body, the first moving body is arranged inside the frame, and the first moving system is suspended from a second moving body. The lower portion of the movable body is slidably supported in the state of the first guide rail extending in the X-axis direction, and the second movable system is suspended from the ceiling portion provided in the frame and extends in the X-axis direction. The second guide rail is slidably supported in a state, and the carry-in unit is configured to be freely movable in and out in the X-axis direction by the first movable body and the second movable body. The auxiliary device according to claim 6, wherein a trimming plate accommodating portion is provided at the bottom of the frame body, the trimming plate accommodating portion accommodates a trimming plate for trimming a cutting blade, a holding means is provided on the first movable body, and the The holding means holds the trim plate accommodated in the trim plate accommodating portion. The auxiliary device according to claim 7, wherein an end face correction jig accommodating portion for accommodating an end face correction jig is arranged at the bottom of the frame body, and the end face correction jig is used for arranging the front end of the main shaft formed on the cutting unit and supporting The outer peripheral end face of the mounting flange on the back of the cutting blade holds the end face correction jig by the holding means arranged on the first movable body.

Images