JP7614803B2 - Cutting device and method for manufacturing cut products - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cutting device and a method for manufacturing cut products.

Conventionally, as shown in, for example, Patent Document 1, a cutting device has been considered that is equipped with a transfer pad that suction-holds some of the chips on a package substrate. In this cutting device, a number of areas are set on the chuck table that correspond to the external size of the storage tray, and the transfer pad is configured to divide the chips into each set area and suck up and transport them all at once.

JP 2003-234310 A

On the other hand, in recent years, in order to manufacture more packages using lead frames of the same size for semiconductor packages such as SOT (Small Outline Transistor) and SOIC (Small Outline Integrated Circuit), resin molded substrates are manufactured using lead frames with staggered leads, as shown in Figure 14.

However, in the case of resin molded boards using lead frames with staggered leads, the cutting lines of the package are not aligned in a straight line, making cutting difficult using conventional cutting equipment that uses blades.

The present invention was made to solve the above problems, and its main objective is to make it possible to easily cut with a blade an object in which the cutting lines in adjacent dividing elements are set on different straight lines.

That is, the cutting device according to the present invention is a cutting device that cuts an object to be cut along a cutting line in which a plurality of dividing elements are connected by connecting parts and in which the cutting lines in adjacent dividing elements are set on different straight lines, and is characterized by comprising a cutting table that adsorbs and holds the object to be cut, a cutting mechanism that cuts the object to be cut with a blade, and a dividing element transport unit that transports one of the adjacent dividing elements from the cutting table when the connecting parts are cut by the cutting mechanism and the dividing elements are separated from each other.

The present invention, configured in this way, makes it possible to easily cut an object with a blade, in which the cutting lines in adjacent dividing elements are set on different straight lines.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a schematic view of an object to be cut. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged plan view showing a cutting line of the object to be cut. 1 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of a cutting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 3A and 3B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a cutting table of the embodiment. 2A and 2B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a transport mechanism (loader) of the embodiment. 3A and 3B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a discharge mechanism (unloader) of the embodiment. 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views showing various states of the cutting operation of the embodiment. 5A to 5C are plan views showing various states of an object to be cut in a cutting operation according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a cutting device according to a second embodiment. 10A to 10C are cross-sectional views showing various states of a cutting operation in a second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a cutting device according to a third embodiment. 13A to 13C are cross-sectional views showing various states of a cutting operation in the third embodiment. 13A and 13B are plan views showing an object to be cut and a cutting method thereof according to a modified embodiment. 1 is a plan view showing a resin molded substrate using a lead frame in which leads are formed in a staggered arrangement;

Next, the present invention will be described in more detail using examples. However, the present invention is not limited to the following description.

As described above, the cutting device of the present invention is a cutting device that cuts a cutting object along cutting lines, in which a plurality of dividing elements are connected by connecting parts and the cutting lines within adjacent dividing elements are set on different straight lines, and is characterized in that it comprises a cutting table that adsorbs and holds the cutting object, a cutting mechanism that cuts the cutting object with a blade, and a dividing element transport unit that transports one of the adjacent dividing elements from the cutting table when the connecting parts are cut by the cutting mechanism and the dividing elements are separated from each other.
With this cutting device, since the dividing element conveying section conveys one of the adjacent dividing elements from the cutting table when the dividing elements are separated from each other, it is possible to remove one of the adjacent dividing elements from the cutting table. This makes it possible to easily cut an object in which the cutting lines in the adjacent dividing elements are set on different straight lines with a blade.

As a specific embodiment of the division element transport section, it is considered that one of the division elements adjacent to each other is transported from the cutting table to another cutting table.
In this configuration, adjacent divided elements are cut by separate cutting tables, which may be cut by a common blade or by different blades.

As a specific embodiment of the divided element transport section, one of the adjacent divided elements may be transported from the cutting table to a temporary placement table.
In this configuration, the cutting mechanism cuts adjacent divided elements in order. Specifically, after the divided element transport unit transports one of the adjacent divided elements to the temporary placement table, the cutting mechanism cuts the other of the adjacent divided elements on the cutting table. Then, after the cut product is removed from the cutting table, the divided element transport unit transports one of the adjacent divided elements from the temporary placement table to the cutting table, and the cutting mechanism cuts one of the adjacent divided elements on the cutting table.

Furthermore, as a specific embodiment of the division element transport unit, it is considered that one of the adjacent division elements is transported from the cutting table and held.
In this configuration, the cutting mechanism cuts adjacent divided elements in order, similarly to the case of transporting the divided elements to the temporary placement table. Specifically, the divided element transport unit transports and holds one of the adjacent divided elements from the cutting table, while the cutting mechanism cuts the other of the adjacent divided elements on the cutting table. After the cut product is removed from the cutting table, the divided element transport unit transports one of the adjacent divided elements to the cutting table, and the cutting mechanism cuts one of the adjacent divided elements on the cutting table.

In order for the dividing elements to be transported by the dividing element transporting unit, it is desirable for the cutting table to have a first table suction portion that adsorbs one of the dividing elements adjacent to each other, and a second table suction portion that is independent of the first table suction portion and that adsorbs the other dividing element.
With this configuration, it is possible to stop the adsorption of only the divided elements being transported by the divided element transporting section, and the transportation of the divided elements by the divided element transporting section can be performed reliably.

As a specific embodiment for transporting the divided elements by the divided element transport unit, when the connecting portion is cut by the cutting mechanism and the divided elements are separated from each other, the cutting table stops adsorption of the divided elements by either the first table adsorption portion or the second table adsorption portion, and the divided element transport unit transports the divided elements from the cutting table, whose adsorption has been stopped on the cutting table.

A specific embodiment of the cutting object is one in which the multiple dividing elements are arranged along the cutting direction by the blade, and their arrangement is divided into at least two groups, with the cutting lines of the dividing elements in one set positioned on the same straight line, and the cutting lines of the dividing elements in the other set positioned on the same straight line.
In the cutting object having this configuration, it is preferable that the dividing element transport section transports either the dividing elements of the one set or the dividing elements of the other set.

In addition, it is desirable that the cutting device of the present invention is equipped with a conveying mechanism that conveys the object to be cut to the cutting table, and an unloading mechanism that unloads the cut product cut on the cutting table, and that the conveying mechanism or the unloading mechanism function as the dividing element conveying section.
With this configuration, the division element transport section can be constituted by the transport mechanism or the discharge mechanism, so that the device configuration can be simplified compared to when the division element transport section is provided separately from the transport mechanism and the discharge mechanism.

As a specific embodiment for the conveying mechanism or the discharge mechanism to function as the dividing element conveying section, the conveying mechanism or the discharge mechanism has a first conveying and adsorption section that adsorbs the dividing elements of one set, and a second conveying and adsorption section that is independent of the first conveying and adsorption section and adsorbs the dividing elements of the other set, and the conveying mechanism or the discharge mechanism can function as the dividing element conveying section using the first conveying and adsorption section or the second conveying and adsorption section.

The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing cut products using the above-mentioned cutting device.

First Embodiment of the Present Invention
A first embodiment of a cutting device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that in all of the drawings shown below, for ease of understanding, some parts are omitted or exaggerated as appropriate. The same components are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

<Overall configuration of cutting device>
The cutting device 100 of this embodiment cuts a workpiece W along cutting lines CL0 to CL2 set on the workpiece W, thereby dividing the workpiece W into a plurality of cut products P (products P).

Here, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the cutting object W is a structure in which a plurality of divided elements W1, W2 are connected by a connecting portion W3, and the cutting lines CL1, CL2 in the adjacent divided elements W1, W2 are set on different straight lines. Each divided element W1, W2 has a plurality of chips sealed by resin molding, and here, the plurality of chips are arranged in a line. Also, leads are provided corresponding to each chip. The plurality of divided elements W1, W2 are arranged along the cutting direction (left and right direction in FIG. 1) by the blade 31 (see FIG. 3), and both ends of the divided elements are connected by a connecting portion W3. Specifically, the divided elements W1 in the odd-numbered row, which is one set, and the divided elements W2 in the even-numbered row, which is the other set, are configured so that their leads are staggered. As a result, the cutting lines CL1 of the divided elements W1 in the odd-numbered row, which is one set, are located on the same straight line, and the cutting lines CL2 of the divided elements W2 in the even-numbered row, which is the other set, are located on the same straight line. Also, the cutting line CL1 of the odd-numbered divided element W1 and the cutting line CL2 of the even-numbered divided element W2 are located on different straight lines (see FIG. 2). Note that the reference symbol CL0 in FIG. 2 is a cutting line for cutting the connecting portion W3 to separate it into the multiple divided elements W1 and W2. Also, the cutting lines CL0 to CL2 shown in each figure are imaginary lines that are intended to be cut by the blade 31, and are not shown on the actual object W to be cut.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the cutting device 100 includes a cutting table 2 that adsorbs and holds the workpiece W, a cutting mechanism 3 that cuts the workpiece W held on the cutting table 2 with a blade 31, a transport mechanism 4 (hereinafter also referred to as a loader 4) that transports the workpiece W to the cutting table 2, and an unloading mechanism 5 (hereinafter also referred to as an unloader 5) that unloads the cut product P cut on the cutting table 2 from the cutting table 2.

The cutting table 2 adsorbs and holds the workpiece W, and as shown in FIG. 4, has a first table adsorption portion 21 that adsorbs one of the adjacent dividing elements W1 and W2, and a second table adsorption portion 22 that adsorbs the other dividing element W2. The cutting table 2 is configured to be movable at least in the Y direction by a moving mechanism (not shown). The cutting table 2 may also be configured to rotate in the θ direction by a rotating mechanism (not shown).

The first table suction unit 21 and the second table suction unit 22 are independent of each other and are configured so that they can independently switch between suction and non-suction.

Specifically, the first table suction unit 21 collectively suctions the dividing elements W1 in the odd-numbered rows (row 1, row 3, row 5, ...) of the cutting workpiece W, and the second table suction unit 22 collectively suctions the dividing elements W2 in the even-numbered rows (row 2, row 4, row 6, ...) of the cutting workpiece W. In other words, the cutting table 2 is configured to be able to independently switch between suction or stopping of suction of the dividing elements W1 in the odd-numbered rows and suction or stopping of suction of the dividing elements W2 in the even-numbered rows.

The first table suction unit 21 has a first suction hole 21a opening on the upper surface of the cutting table 2, a first internal flow path 21b connected to the first suction hole 21a and formed inside the cutting table 2, and a first suction pump 21c connected to the first internal flow path 21b. The second table suction unit 22 has a second suction hole 22a opening on the upper surface of the cutting table 2, a second internal flow path 22b connected to the second suction hole 22a and formed inside the cutting table 2, and a second suction pump 22c connected to the second internal flow path 22b. The first suction pump 21c and the second suction pump 22c may be configured to be common, and the internal flow path connected to the suction pump may be switched using a switching valve (not shown), for example. An ejector may be used in addition to the suction pump.

The cutting mechanism 3 cuts the workpiece W in a straight line, and as shown in FIG. 3, includes a blade 31, a spindle unit 32 that rotates the blade 31, and a movement mechanism (not shown) that moves the spindle unit 32 at least in the X and Z directions. The rotation axis direction of the blade 31 is parallel to the upper surface of the cutting table 2, which is a direction along the horizontal direction in this example. The cutting table 2 and the cutting mechanism 3 are moved relative to each other, so that the workpiece W is cut by the blade 31.

The loader 4 transports the workpiece W from the workpiece storage section 6 (see FIG. 3) that stores the workpiece W to the cutting table 2. As described below, the loader 4 also moves one of the adjacent dividing elements W1 and W2 on the cutting table 2 so that the cutting lines CL1 and CL2 of the adjacent dividing elements W1 and W2 coincide with each other.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the loader 4 includes an adsorption block 41 having transport adsorption sections 411, 412 for adsorbing the workpiece W, and a movement mechanism (not shown) for moving the adsorption block 41.

The suction block 41 is provided with a first conveying suction section 411 that suctions one of the adjacent dividing elements W1 and W2, and a second conveying suction section 412 that suctions the other dividing element W2. In other words, the suction block 41 of the loader 4 has conveying suction sections 411 and 412 that correspond to the table suction sections 21 and 22 of the cutting table 2.

Specifically, the first transport suction section 411 is adapted to suction the dividing elements W1 in odd-numbered rows (row 1, row 3, row 5, ...) of the cutting object W, and the second transport suction section 412 is adapted to suction the dividing elements W2 in even-numbered rows (row 2, row 4, row 6, ...) of the cutting object W. In other words, the loader 4 is configured to be able to independently switch between suction or stopping of suction of the dividing elements W1 in odd-numbered rows and suction or stopping of suction of the dividing elements W2 in even-numbered rows.

The first conveying suction section 411 has a first suction hole 411a that opens on the lower surface of the suction block 41, a first internal flow path 411b that is continuous with the first suction hole 411a and formed inside the suction block 41, and a first suction pump 411c that is connected to the first internal flow path 411b. The first suction hole 411a is provided with a suction pad 411d made of resin, for example. The second conveying suction section 412 has a second suction hole 412a that opens on the lower surface of the suction block 41, a second internal flow path 412b that is continuous with the second suction hole 412a and formed inside the suction block 41, and a second suction pump 412c that is connected to the second internal flow path 412b. The second suction hole 412a is provided with a suction pad 412d. Alternatively, the first suction pump 411c and the second suction pump 412c may be shared, and the internal flow path connected to the suction pump may be switched using, for example, a switching valve (not shown).

The loader 4 configured in this manner functions as a divided element transport unit 10 that transports one of the adjacent divided elements W1, W2 from the cutting table 2 to another cutting table 11 (see FIG. 3) when the connecting portion W3 is cut by the cutting mechanism 3 and the divided elements W1, W2 are separated from each other. The divided element transport unit 10 of this embodiment is configured using the second transport suction unit 412 of the loader 4. In other words, the divided element transport unit 10 transports the divided elements W2 in the even-numbered rows from the cutting table 2 to the other cutting table 11.

The unloader 5 picks up the cut products P and transports them from the cutting table 2 to the cut product storage section 7 (see FIG. 3). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the unloader 5 includes a suction block 51 provided with transport suction sections 511, 512 for suctioning the cut products P, and a movement mechanism (not shown) for moving the suction block 51.

Specifically, the first conveying and suction section 511 is adapted to adsorb the cut pieces P of the dividing elements W1 in the odd-numbered rows (row 1, row 3, row 5, ...) of the cutting workpiece W, and the second conveying and suction section 512 is adapted to adsorb the cut pieces P of the dividing elements W2 in the even-numbered rows (row 2, row 4, row 6, ...) of the cutting workpiece W. In other words, the unloader 5 is adapted to be able to independently switch between adsorbing or stopping the adsorption of the cut pieces P of the dividing elements W1 in the odd-numbered rows and adsorbing or stopping the adsorption of the cut pieces P of the dividing elements W2 in the even-numbered rows.

The first conveying suction unit 511 has a first suction hole 511a opening on the lower surface of the suction block 51, a first internal flow path 511b connected to the first suction hole 511a and formed inside the suction block 51, and a first suction pump 511c connected to the first internal flow path 511b. The first suction hole 511a is provided with, for example, a resin suction pad 511d. The second conveying suction unit 512 has a second suction hole 512a opening on the lower surface of the suction block 51, a second internal flow path 512b connected to the second suction hole 512a and formed inside the suction block 51, and a second suction pump 512c connected to the second internal flow path 512b. The second suction hole 512a is provided with a suction pad 512d. Alternatively, the first suction pump 511c and the second suction pump 512c may be shared, and the internal flow path connected to the suction pump may be switched using, for example, a switching valve not shown. In FIG. 6, the suction holes 512a in the odd-numbered rows and the suction holes 513a in the even-numbered rows are aligned in a straight line in the Y direction, but they may be offset from each other.

<Cutting Operation of Cutting Device 100>
The operation of the cutting device 100 will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. The following cutting operation is performed by controlling each part by the control unit CTL (see Figure 3).

(1) Transportation of the workpiece W The loader 4 adsorbs and holds the workpiece W accommodated in the workpiece accommodation unit 6, and transports it to the cutting table 2. The workpiece W transported to the cutting table 2 is adsorbed and held by the first table adsorption unit 21 and the second table adsorption unit 22 of the cutting table 2 (<Adsorption and holding of workpiece> in FIG. 7). Here, the workpiece W is positioned relative to the cutting table 2, for example, by fitting a positioning hole formed in the workpiece W with a positioning pin provided on the cutting table 2. Alternatively, the workpiece W can be positioned by fitting a positioning hole formed in the workpiece W with a positioning pin provided on the loader 4.

(2) Cutting of Connecting Portions W3 The connecting portions W3 of the workpiece W suction-held on the cutting table 2 are cut by the cutting mechanism 3 (<Cutting of Connecting Portions> in FIG. 8). In this embodiment, the connecting portions W3 connecting both ends of the divided elements W1, W2 are each cut. As a result, the divided elements W1, W2 of the workpiece W are separated from each other. In this state, the cutting lines CL1, CL2 of the divided elements W1 in the odd-numbered rows and the divided elements W2 in the even-numbered rows are staggered (zigzag) and are not on the same straight line but are on different straight lines.

(3) Transporting the even-numbered divided elements W2 to another cutting table 11 When the connecting portion W3 is cut and the adjacent divided elements W1 and W2 are separated from each other, the cutting table 2 stops suction of the even-numbered divided elements W2 by the second table suction portion 22. Note that, in the cutting table 2, suction of the odd-numbered divided elements W1 by the first table suction portion 21 is maintained. Here, before suction by the second table suction portion 22 is stopped, the suction pad (specifically, the suction pad 412d of the second conveying suction portion 412) of the loader 4, which serves as the divided element transport portion 10, is pressed against the even-numbered divided elements W2. This prevents the even-numbered divided elements W2 from being displaced due to the stop of suction by the second table suction portion 22 of the cutting table 2. Then, the second conveying and suction unit 412 of the loader 4, which becomes the divided element conveying unit 10, conveys the divided elements W2 of the even rows to another cutting table 11 (<Conveying even rows to another cutting table> in Figs. 7 and 8). The divided elements W2 of the even rows conveyed to the other cutting table 11 are adsorbed and held by the suction unit 111 of the other cutting table 11. Here, the positioning of the divided elements W2 of the even rows relative to the other cutting table 11 may be performed, for example, by image recognition using a camera of the arrangement of the divided elements W2 of the even rows (e.g., characteristic parts such as edge parts and lead parts).

(4) Cutting of odd-numbered and even-numbered divided elements W1, W2 After the even-numbered divided elements W2 are transported to another cutting table 11, the cutting mechanism 3 cuts the cutting line CL1 of the odd-numbered divided elements W1 on the same straight line on the cutting table 2. In addition, on the other cutting table 11, the cutting line CL2 of the even-numbered divided elements W2 on the same straight line is cut by another cutting mechanism or the cutting mechanism 3 (<Cutting of odd-numbered and even-numbered rows> in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8). Note that in this embodiment, a double spindle system (see FIG. 3) in which the cutting mechanism 3 is provided corresponding to each cutting table 2, 11 is used, but a single spindle system in which a common cutting mechanism 3 is provided to each cutting table 2, 11 may also be used.

(5) Discharge of Cut Products P The unloader 5 adsorbs and holds the multiple cut products P adsorbed and held on the cutting table 2 using the first suction and conveying unit 511, and conveys them to the cut product storage unit 7. The unloader 5 also adsorbs and holds the multiple cut products P adsorbed and held on another cutting table 11 using the second suction and conveying unit 512, and conveys them to the cut product storage unit 7. Before releasing the suction of the cutting table 2 and the other cutting table 11, the suction pads 511d, 512d of the unloader 5 may be pressed against the multiple cut products P to prevent misalignment or suction errors of the multiple cut products P.

Effects of the First Embodiment
According to the cutting device 100 of the first embodiment, since it has a divided element transport unit 10 that transports one of the adjacent divided elements W1, W2 from the cutting table 2 to another cutting table 11 while the divided elements W1, W2 are separated from each other, it is possible to take one of the adjacent divided elements W1, W2 out of the cutting table 2 and hold it on the separate cutting table 2, 11. This makes it possible to easily cut the cutting object W, in which the cutting lines CL1, CL2 in the adjacent divided elements W1, W2 are set on different straight lines, with the blade 31.

Second Embodiment of the Present Invention
Next, a second embodiment of the cutting device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The cutting device 100 of the second embodiment is different in configuration from the first embodiment in that it does not have a separate cutting table 11. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the cutting device 100 of the second embodiment is configured to transport adjacent divided elements W1, W2 to a temporary placement table 12 on which they are simply placed temporarily, rather than a cutting table. Here, the temporary placement table 12 can be configured to have an adsorption section that adsorbs and holds the transported divided elements. By using this temporary placement table 12, the cutting mechanism 3 cuts the odd-numbered row divided elements W1 and the even-numbered row divided elements W2 on the cutting table 2 in order.

In the cutting operation of the cutting device 100 with this configuration, (1) the transportation of the workpiece W to be cut and (2) the cutting of the connecting portion W3 are the same as in the above embodiment. The operation after the connecting portion W3 is cut is described below.

(3) Transporting the even-numbered divided elements W2 to the temporary placement table 12 When the connecting portion W3 is cut and the adjacent divided elements W1 and W2 are separated from each other, the cutting table 2 stops the adsorption of the even-numbered divided elements W2 by the second table adsorption portion 22. Note that the adsorption of the odd-numbered divided elements W1 by the first table adsorption portion 21 is maintained on the cutting table 2. Here, before the adsorption by the second table adsorption portion 22 is stopped, the adsorption pad (specifically, the adsorption pad 412d of the second conveying adsorption portion 412) of the loader 4 which becomes the divided element transporting portion 10 is pressed against the even-numbered divided elements W2. This prevents the positional deviation of the even-numbered divided elements W2 caused by stopping the adsorption of the second table adsorption portion 22 of the cutting table 2. Then, the second conveying adsorption portion 412 of the loader 4 which becomes the divided element transporting portion 10 transports the even-numbered divided elements W2 to the temporary placement table 12 (<Transporting the even-numbered rows to the temporary placement table> in FIG. 20). Here, when it is necessary to position the dividing elements W2 in the even rows relative to the temporary placement table 12, it is possible to consider, for example, performing image recognition using a camera to position the dividing elements W2 in the even rows (e.g., characteristic parts such as edge portions and lead portions).

(4) Cutting of odd-numbered row divided elements W1 After the even-numbered row divided elements W2 are transported to the temporary placement table 12, the cutting mechanism 3 cuts the odd-numbered row divided elements W1 that are aligned in the same straight line on the cutting table 2 along the cutting line CL1 (<Cutting of odd-numbered row> in Figure 10).

(5) Transporting the cut products P obtained by cutting the odd-numbered rows of divided elements W1 The unloader 5 suctions and holds the multiple cut products P that are suction-held on the cutting table 2, and transports them to the cut product storage section 7. Before releasing the suction of the cutting table 2, the suction pads 511d of the unloader 5 may be pressed against the multiple cut products P to prevent misalignment or suction errors of the multiple cut products P.

(6) Transportation of even-numbered row divided elements W2 The second transport suction unit 412 (divided element transport unit 10) of the loader 4, which serves as the divided element transport unit 10, adsorbs and holds the even-numbered row divided elements W2 on the temporary placement table 12, and transports them to the cutting table 2 (<Transporting even-numbered row to cutting table> in FIG. 10). The even-numbered row divided elements W2 transported to the cutting table 2 are adsorbed and held by the second table adsorption unit 22 of the cutting table 2. Here, the positioning of the even-numbered row divided elements W2 relative to the cutting table 2 may be performed, for example, by image recognition using a camera of the arrangement of the even-numbered row divided elements W2 (e.g., characteristic parts such as edge parts and lead parts).

(7) Cutting of even-numbered row divided elements W2 After the even-numbered row divided elements W2 are transported to the cutting table 2, the cutting mechanism 3 cuts the even-numbered row divided elements W2 along the cutting lines CL2 that are aligned in the same straight line on the cutting table 2 (<Cutting of even-numbered row> in FIG. 10).

(8) Transporting the cut products P obtained by cutting the even-numbered rows of divided elements W2 The unloader 5 suctions and holds the multiple cut products P that are suction-held on the cutting table 2, and transports them to the cut product storage section 7. Before releasing the suction of the cutting table 2, the suction pads 511d of the unloader 5 may be pressed against the multiple cut products P to prevent misalignment or suction errors of the multiple cut products P.

In the above, the divided elements W2 in the even rows are transported to the temporary placement table 12 by the divided element transport unit 10, but the divided elements W1 in the odd rows may be transported to the temporary placement table 12 by the divided element transport unit 10.

Effects of the Second Embodiment
According to the cutting device 100 of the second embodiment, since it has a divided element transport unit 10 that transports one of the adjacent divided elements W1, W2 from the cutting table 2 to the temporary placement table 12 when the divided elements W1, W2 are separated from each other, it is possible to take out one of the adjacent divided elements W1, W2 from the cutting table 2. This makes it possible to easily cut the cutting object W, in which the cutting lines CL1, CL2 in the adjacent divided elements W1, W2 are set on different straight lines, with the blade 31.

Third embodiment of the present invention
Next, a third embodiment of the cutting device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The cutting device 100 of the third embodiment is different in configuration from the above-mentioned embodiments in that it does not have a separate cutting table 11 and temporary placement table 12. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

Specifically, the cutting device 100 of the third embodiment is configured to transport and hold one of the adjacent divided elements W1, W2 from the cutting table 2, as shown in FIG. 11, without transporting the other of the adjacent divided elements W1, W2 to another cutting table 11 or temporary placement table 12.

In the cutting operation of the cutting device 100 with this configuration, (1) the transportation of the workpiece W to be cut and (2) the cutting of the connecting portion W3 are the same as in the above embodiment. The operation after the connecting portion W3 is cut is described below.

(3) Transporting and holding the divided elements W2 in the even rows When the connecting portion W3 is cut and the adjacent divided elements W1 and W2 are separated from each other, the cutting table 2 stops suction of the divided elements W2 in the even rows by the second table suction portion 22. Note that, in the cutting table 2, suction of the divided elements W1 in the odd rows by the first table suction portion 21 is maintained. Here, before suction by the second table suction portion 22 is stopped, the suction pad of the loader 4 that serves as the divided element transport portion 10 (specifically, the suction pad 412d of the second transport suction portion 412) is pressed against the divided elements W2 in the even rows. This prevents the divided elements W2 in the even rows from being displaced due to stopping suction by the second table suction portion 22 of the cutting table 2. Then, the second conveying and suctioning portion 412 of the loader 4, which serves as the divided element conveying portion 10, conveys the divided elements W2 of the even-numbered rows and holds them outside the cutting table 2 (<Removal of even-numbered rows and cutting of odd-numbered rows> in FIG. 12).

(4) Cutting of odd-numbered row divided elements W1 After the even-numbered row divided elements W2 are transported from the cutting table 2, the cutting mechanism 3 cuts the odd-numbered row divided elements W1 along the cutting line CL1 on the cutting table 2, which are aligned in the same straight line (<Removal of even-numbered row/Cutting of odd-numbered row> in FIG. 12).

(5) Transporting the cut products P obtained by cutting the odd-numbered rows of divided elements W1 The unloader 5 suctions and holds the multiple cut products P that are suction-held on the cutting table 2, and transports them to the cut product storage section 7. Before releasing the suction of the cutting table 2, the suction pads 511d of the unloader 5 may be pressed against the multiple cut products P to prevent misalignment or suction errors of the multiple cut products P.

(6) Transportation of even-numbered row divided elements W2 The second transport suction unit 412 of the loader 4, which serves as the divided element transport unit 10, transports the even-numbered row divided elements W2 it holds to the cutting table 2 (<Transporting even-numbered row to cutting table> in FIG. 12). The even-numbered row divided elements W2 transported to the cutting table 2 are adsorbed and held by the second table suction unit 22 of the cutting table 2. Here, the positioning of the even-numbered row divided elements W2 relative to the cutting table 2 may be performed, for example, by image recognition using a camera of the arrangement of the even-numbered row divided elements W2 (e.g., characteristic parts such as edge parts and lead parts).

(7) Cutting of even-numbered row divided elements W2 After the even-numbered row divided elements W2 are transported to the cutting table 2, the cutting mechanism 3 cuts the even-numbered row divided elements W2 along the cutting lines CL2 that are aligned in the same straight line on the cutting table 2 (<Cutting of even-numbered row> in FIG. 12 ).

(8) Transporting the cut products P obtained by cutting the even-numbered rows of divided elements W2 The unloader 5 suctions and holds the multiple cut products P that are suction-held on the cutting table 2, and transports them to the cut product storage section 7. Before releasing the suction of the cutting table 2, the suction pads 511d of the unloader 5 may be pressed against the multiple cut products P to prevent misalignment or suction errors of the multiple cut products P.

<Effects of the Third Embodiment>
According to the cutting device 100 of the third embodiment, since it has a divided element transport unit 10 that transports and holds one of the adjacent divided elements W1, W2 from the cutting table 2 when the divided elements W1, W2 are separated from each other, it is possible to remove one of the adjacent divided elements W1, W2 from the cutting table 2. This makes it possible to easily cut, by the blade 31, the cutting object W in which the cutting lines CL1, CL2 in the adjacent divided elements W1, W2 are set on different straight lines.

<Other Modified Embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

For example, in the first embodiment, the divided elements W2 in the even rows are transported to a separate cutting table 11, but the divided elements W1 in the odd rows may be transported to a separate cutting table 11 by the divided element transport unit 10. Also, after the connecting portion W3 is cut by the cutting table 2, the divided elements W1 in the odd rows and the divided elements W2 in the even rows may be transported to separate cutting tables by the divided element transport unit 10. Also, in the second embodiment, the divided elements W1 in the odd rows may be transported to the temporary placement table 12 by the divided element transport unit 10, and in the third embodiment, the divided elements W1 in the odd rows may be transported and held by the divided element transport unit 10.

In each of the above embodiments, the loader 4 has the first transport suction portion 411 and the second transport suction portion 412, but it may have only one of them. For example, if the loader 4 has only the first transport suction portion 411, when transporting the cutting object W to the cutting table 2, the loader 4 will transport the odd-numbered divided elements W1 by suction and holding them. After cutting the connecting portion W3, the first table suction portion 21 of the cutting table 2 will stop suctioning the odd-numbered divided elements W1, and the first transport suction portion 411 of the loader 4 will transport the odd-numbered divided elements W1 whose suction has been stopped to another cutting table 11.

In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the loader 4 functions as the divided element transport unit 10, but the unloader 5 may function as the divided element transport unit 10. In this case, the unloader 5 is configured to have a transport suction unit that adsorbs only one of the odd-numbered row divided elements W1 or the even-numbered row divided elements W2.

In each of the above embodiments, the unloader 5 is configured to transport the cut products P of the odd-numbered dividing elements W1 and the even-numbered dividing elements W2 to the cut product storage section 7 separately, but the unloader 5 may also be configured to adsorb both the cut products P of the odd-numbered dividing elements W1 and the even-numbered dividing elements W2 and then transport them to the cut product storage section 7.

The cutting object W to be cut by the cutting device 100 of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be a substrate such as a printed circuit board (PCB substrate) that is not resin molded. In this case, the cutting object W is a substrate on which a cut K is made by router processing, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, and the substrate has a plurality of divided elements W1 and W2 that are roughly L-shaped in plan view connected by a connecting portion W3, and the cutting lines CL1 and CL2 in the adjacent divided elements W1 and W2 are set on different straight lines. In such a cutting object W, as in the above embodiment, after cutting the connecting portion W3, one of the adjacent divided elements can be transported to another cutting table 11 and cut, or cut in order using the temporary placement table 12, or cut in order by holding them in the divided element transport unit 10.

In the above embodiments, the object W to be cut has the arrangement of the multiple dividing elements divided into two groups (odd rows and even rows), and the cutting lines CL1, CL2 are different for the odd row dividing element W1 and the even row dividing element W2. However, this is not limited to odd row dividing elements and even row dividing elements, and can also be applied to an object having multiple dividing elements whose cutting lines are not on the same line. For example, the arrangement of the multiple dividing elements of the object W to be cut may be grouped such that the two rows on the left and right are the same. In addition, the object W to be cut may have the arrangement of the multiple dividing elements divided into three or more groups.

It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

100: Cutting device W: Cutting object W1: Odd-numbered row of dividing elements (plural dividing elements)
W2: Even-numbered column division elements (multiple division elements)
W3: connecting portions CL1 and CL2: cutting line P: cut product 2: cutting table 21: first table suction portion 22: second table suction portion 3: cutting mechanism 31: blade 4: loader (transport mechanism)
411: First conveying and suction section 412: Second conveying and suction section 10: Divided element conveying section 11: Cutting table 12: Temporary placement table

Claims (9)

A cutting device for cutting an object along cutting lines, the cutting lines being set on different straight lines within adjacent divided elements, the cutting device comprising:
a cutting table that adsorbs and holds the workpiece;
a cutting mechanism for cutting the object to be cut by a blade;
a divided element transport unit that transports one of the divided elements adjacent to each other from the cutting table in a state in which the connecting portion is cut by the cutting mechanism and the divided elements are separated from each other,
The dividing element transport unit transports one of the dividing elements adjacent to each other from the cutting table to another cutting table. a conveying mechanism that conveys the workpiece to the cutting table;
a discharge mechanism for discharging the cut product cut by the cutting table,
The cutting device according to claim 1 , wherein the transport mechanism or the discharge mechanism functions as the dividing element transport section. A cutting device for cutting an object along cutting lines, the cutting lines being set on different straight lines within adjacent divided elements, the cutting device comprising:
a cutting table that adsorbs and holds the workpiece;
a cutting mechanism for cutting the object to be cut by a blade;
a divided element transport unit that transports one of the divided elements adjacent to each other from the cutting table in a state in which the connecting portion is cut by the cutting mechanism and the divided elements are separated from each other ;
a conveying mechanism that conveys the workpiece to the cutting table;
a discharge mechanism for discharging the cut product cut by the cutting table ,
the cutting table includes a first table suction portion that suctions one of the adjacent divided elements, and a second table suction portion that is independent of the first table suction portion and that suctions the other divided element ,
The cutting device , wherein the conveying mechanism or the discharge mechanism functions as the dividing element conveying section . When the connecting portion is cut by the cutting mechanism and the divided elements are separated from each other, the cutting table stops adsorbing the divided elements by one of the first table adsorption portion and the second table adsorption portion,
The cutting device according to claim 3 , wherein the division element transport unit transports the division element from the cutting table after the division element has stopped being attracted to the cutting table. A cutting device for cutting an object along cutting lines, the cutting lines being set on different straight lines within adjacent divided elements, the cutting device comprising:
a cutting table that adsorbs and holds the workpiece;
a cutting mechanism for cutting the object to be cut by a blade;
a divided element transport unit that transports one of the divided elements adjacent to each other from the cutting table in a state in which the connecting portion is cut by the cutting mechanism and the divided elements are separated from each other ;
a conveying mechanism that conveys the workpiece to the cutting table;
a discharge mechanism for discharging the cut product cut by the cutting table ,
the plurality of dividing elements are arranged along a cutting direction by the blade, and their arrangement is divided into at least two sets, the cutting lines of the dividing elements of one set being aligned on the same straight line, and the cutting lines of the dividing elements of the other set being aligned on the same straight line;
the dividing element transport unit transports one of the dividing elements of the one set or the dividing elements of the other set ,
The cutting device , wherein the conveying mechanism or the discharge mechanism functions as the dividing element conveying section . The cutting device according to claim 3 , wherein the division element transport unit transports one of the division elements adjacent to each other from the cutting table to a temporary placement table. The cutting device according to claim 3 , wherein the dividing element transport unit transports and holds one of the dividing elements adjacent to each other from the cutting table. The transport mechanism or the discharge mechanism is
a first conveying and suction unit that suctions the divided elements of the one set;
a second conveying and suction portion that is independent of the first conveying and suction portion and that suctions the other set of divided elements;
The cutting device according to claim 5 , wherein the conveying mechanism or the discharge mechanism functions as the division element conveying section by using the first conveying and suction section or the second conveying and suction section. A method for manufacturing cut products using the cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.