Cutting device for laminate

Abstract

To identify a portion to be cut in a laminate, with high accuracy.SOLUTION: A cutting device 10 for a laminate comprises: a movable stage 22 that can reciprocate along a first shaft that is parallel to a placement surface 22A and a second shaft that is parallel to the placement surface 22A and is orthogonal to the first shaft; and a cut blade 33 that can reciprocate along a third shaft that is orthogonal to the placement surface 22A. Further the cutting device 10 comprises a main surface camera 43 that detects a position of a reference portion on a main surface of a laminate placed on the placement surface 22A, and a side camera 41 that photographs an end face of the laminate. A control device of the cutting device 10 determines a relative position of the movable stage 22 in a direction along the second shaft, with respect to the side camera 41, so that a focus of the side camera 41 is set on the end face of the laminate placed on the placement surface 22A, on the basis of a detected result by the main surface camera 43.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cutting device for a laminate. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a working device for cutting laminated electronic components. The working device includes a mounting table, a blade cutter, a video camera, and a control device. The mounting table has a mounting surface on which a laminate can be placed. The mounting table reciprocates in a direction parallel to the mounting surface by power from a motor. The blade cutter reciprocates in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface of the mounting table. The reciprocating motion of the blade cutter cuts the laminate placed on the mounting table. The video camera is positioned near the end of the blade cutter. The video camera captures an image of the end face of the laminate placed on the mounting table. The control device adjusts the positional relationship between the blade cutter and the mounting table based on image data captured by the video camera. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-357628 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, electronic components have become increasingly miniaturized. Therefore, it has become difficult to identify the location of a laminate to be cut without using a high-resolution video camera. However, when using a high-resolution video camera, even a slight error in the position of the object to be imaged can cause the video camera to lose focus on the object.

[0005] In the technology of Patent Document 1, the position of the laminate on the installation table may shift due to the force acting on the laminate when cutting with a blade cutter. In this case, the relative position of the laminate with respect to the video camera may shift, and the focus of the video camera may not be aligned with the edge face of the laminate. As a result, it may not be possible to accurately identify the location in the laminate to be cut. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the laminate cutting device of the present invention comprises a movable stage having a mounting surface on which a laminate to be cut can be placed, and capable of reciprocating along a first axis parallel to the mounting surface and a second axis parallel to the mounting surface and perpendicular to the first axis; a cutting blade having a cutting edge extending along the second axis and capable of reciprocating along a third axis perpendicular to the mounting surface; a main surface sensor located within the range in which the movable stage exists in the direction along the second axis, and detecting the position of a predetermined reference point on the main surface of the laminate placed on the mounting surface; an end surface camera located on one side of the movable stage in the direction along the second axis, and capturing an image of the end surface of the laminate placed on the mounting surface; and a control device that determines the relative position of the movable stage in the direction along the second axis with respect to the end surface camera based on the detection result of the main surface sensor so that the focus of the end surface camera is aligned with the end surface of the laminate placed on the mounting surface.

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the laminate cutting device of the present invention comprises a movable stage having a mounting surface on which a laminate to be cut can be placed, and capable of reciprocating along a first axis parallel to the mounting surface; a cutting blade having a cutting edge extending along a second axis parallel to the mounting surface and perpendicular to the first axis, and capable of reciprocating along a third axis perpendicular to the mounting surface; a main surface sensor located within the range in which the movable stage exists in the direction along the second axis, and detecting the position of a predetermined reference point on the main surface of the laminate placed on the mounting surface; an end surface camera located on one side of the movable stage in the direction along the second axis, and capturing an image of the end surface of the laminate placed on the mounting surface; and a control device that determines the focal length of the end surface camera based on the detection result of the main surface sensor so that the focus of the end surface camera is aligned with the end surface of the laminate placed on the mounting surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the location to be cut in the laminate can be identified with higher accuracy. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a partial plan view showing an end face of a laminate. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a front view of the cutting device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the positional relationship between the movable stage and the end face camera. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the positional relationship between the movable stage and the end face camera. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An embodiment of a laminate cutting device will be described below. The drawings may show components enlarged for ease of understanding. The dimensional ratios of the components may differ from those in the actual device or from those in other drawings.

[0011] <Laminate structure> First, the laminate 100 to be cut by the cutting device 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the laminate 100 is generally rectangular plate-shaped. Therefore, the laminate 100 has a main surface 100A and an end surface 100B. The "main surface" refers to the plane with the largest area among the planes constituting the outer surface of a plate-shaped object. The length of one side of the laminate 100 is, for example, 10 centimeters or more. The thickness of the laminate 100 is, for example, about several millimeters.

[0012] The laminate 100 includes a dielectric 101, a plurality of first internal electrodes 111, and a plurality of second internal electrodes 112. The dielectric 101 contains ceramic particles such as barium, titanium, calcium, and zinc, a binder, and a base resin. The binder is, for example, an acrylic resin or a vinyl resin. The base resin is, for example, an epoxy resin. The dielectric 101 is generally in the shape of a rectangular plate.

[0013] Each first internal electrode 111 is located inside the dielectric 101. Each first internal electrode 111 is plate-shaped. As shown in FIG. 2, each first internal electrode 111 has a rectangular shape in plan view, with one side longer than the adjacent side. When viewed in a direction perpendicular to the main surface 100A of the laminate 100, the multiple first internal electrodes 111 are arranged in a matrix in the directions along the short sides and long sides of the first internal electrodes 111. Here, among the multiple first internal electrodes 111, the first internal electrode 111 closest to the end of the dielectric 101 in the direction along the long sides of the first internal electrodes 111 is referred to as a specific first internal electrode 111S. In this case, as shown in FIG. 1, the edge of the short side of each specific first internal electrode 111S is exposed at the end face of the dielectric 101. Therefore, when the end face 100B of the laminate 100 is observed, not only the dielectric 101 but also the specific first inner electrode 111S can be observed.

[0014] 1, the first internal electrodes 111 are present in two regions in a direction perpendicular to the main surface 100A of the laminate 100. Specifically, two layers each consisting of a plurality of first internal electrodes 111 arranged in a matrix are present at an interval in a direction perpendicular to the main surface 100A of the laminate 100. When viewed in a direction perpendicular to the main surface 100A of the laminate 100, the first internal electrodes 111 of one layer almost completely overlap the first internal electrodes 111 of the other layer. In other words, the first internal electrodes 111 of different layers face each other.

[0015] Each second internal electrode 112 is located inside the dielectric 101. In Figures 1 and 2, the position of the second internal electrode 112 located inside the dielectric 101 is shown imaginarily by a dashed line.

[0016] Each second internal electrode 112 is plate-shaped. As shown in FIG. 2 , in a plan view, each second internal electrode 112 has a rectangular shape in which the length of one side is longer than the length of the side adjacent to that side. The length and width of the second internal electrode 112 are the same as those of the first internal electrode 111. When viewed in a direction perpendicular to the main surface 100A of the laminate 100, the multiple second internal electrodes 112 are arranged in a matrix in directions along the short sides and long sides of the second internal electrodes 112. In the direction along the short sides of the second internal electrodes 112, the position of each second internal electrode 112 is aligned with the position of each first internal electrode 111. On the other hand, in the direction along the long sides of the second internal electrodes 112, the position of each second internal electrode 112 is shifted from the position of each first internal electrode 111.

[0017] Although not shown in the figure, at the end face of the dielectric 101 opposite to the end face where the specific first internal electrode 111S is exposed, the edge of the short side of the second internal electrode 112 closest to that end face is exposed.

[0018] 1, the second internal electrodes 112 are present in two regions in a direction perpendicular to the main surface 100A of the laminate 100. Specifically, two layers each consisting of a plurality of second internal electrodes 112 arranged in a matrix are present at an interval in a direction perpendicular to the main surface 100A of the laminate 100. When viewed in a direction perpendicular to the main surface 100A of the laminate 100, the second internal electrodes 112 of one layer almost completely overlap with the second internal electrodes 112 of the other layer. In other words, the second internal electrodes 112 of different layers face each other.

[0019] Furthermore, one of the two layers of the second internal electrode 112 is located between two layers of the first internal electrode 111. And one of the two layers of the first internal electrode 111 is located between two layers of the second internal electrode 112. That is, in the direction perpendicular to the main surface 100A of the laminate 100, the layers of the first internal electrode 111 and the layers of the second internal electrode 112 are alternately and repeatedly arranged.

[0020] 2, in the laminate 100 having the above configuration, a region where only the first internal electrode 111 exists, a region where both the first internal electrode 111 and the second internal electrode 112 exist, and a region where only the second internal electrode 112 exist are repeatedly arranged in this order in the direction along the long side of the first internal electrode 111. Of these regions, the region where only the first internal electrode 111 exists and the region where only the second internal electrode 112 exists are cut position C in the direction along the long side of the first internal electrode 111.

[0021] Furthermore, in the laminate 100 having the above configuration, regions where both the first internal electrode 111 and the second internal electrode 112 are present and regions where neither internal electrode is present are alternately arranged in a direction along the short side of the first internal electrode 111. Of these regions, the region where neither internal electrode is present is the cutting position C in the direction along the short side of the first internal electrode 111.

[0022] The laminate 100 can be manufactured, for example, by alternately laminating and pressing ceramic green sheets containing ceramic particles, binder, base resin, solvent, etc. and conductive paste, and then heating and curing them. According to this manufacturing method, the ceramic green sheets become the dielectric 101, and the conductive paste becomes the first internal electrode 111 and the second internal electrode 112. Note that pressing the laminate 100 during the manufacturing process may cause distortion in the first internal electrode 111 and the second internal electrode 112, or cause misalignment of these internal electrodes.

[0023] The laminate 100 is cut into individual pieces at cutting positions C using a cutting device 10 described below. Each individual piece becomes a capacitor element. For example, a capacitor component can be manufactured by forming a protective film, external electrodes, etc. on the outer surface of this capacitor element.

[0024] <Cutting device configuration> Next, the cutting device 10 will be described. As shown in Fig. 3, the cutting device 10 includes a base 11, a first movable mechanism 21, a movable stage 22, and an electric heater 23. As shown in Fig. 4, the cutting device 10 also includes a second movable mechanism 121. Note that the second movable mechanism 121 is not shown in Fig. 3.

[0025] 3 and 4, the base 11 has a rectangular plate shape and is fixed to, for example, a factory floor or a table. The movable stage 22 is connected to the main surface of the base 11 via the first movable mechanism 21. The movable stage 22 is in the shape of a rectangular plate. The length and width of the movable stage 22 are smaller than the length and width of the base 11. Of the outer surfaces of the movable stage 22, the surface facing away from the base 11 is a flat mounting surface 22A. That is, the movable stage 22 has the mounting surface 22A on which the laminate 100 to be cut can be placed. The movable stage 22 is made of metal. When placing the laminate 100 on the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22, it may be placed directly on the mounting surface 22A, or it may be placed via another sheet or the like. An example of the other sheet is a foam adhesive sheet that foams when heated and loses its adhesive strength.

[0026] As indicated by arrow NX in Fig. 4, first movable mechanism 21 supports movable stage 22 so that it can reciprocate in a direction parallel to its mounting surface 22A. Although not shown in detail, first movable mechanism 21 is composed of a slide base, a ball screw that moves movable stage 22 on the slide base, an electric motor that rotates the ball screw, and the like. As this type of first movable mechanism 21, for example, the mechanism described in Patent Document 1 can be used.

[0027] In the following, as shown in FIG. 4, an axis parallel to the direction in which the first movable mechanism 21 reciprocates the movable stage 22 is referred to as the first axis X. An axis parallel to the mounting surface 22A and perpendicular to the first axis X is referred to as the second axis Y. As shown in FIG. 3, an axis perpendicular to the mounting surface 22A is referred to as the third axis Z. Furthermore, among the directions along the third axis Z, the direction in which the mounting surface 22A faces is referred to as the upward direction UD, and the opposite direction is referred to as the downward direction DD. Note that the terms "up" and "down" used here are for convenience's sake. Therefore, the upward direction UD and the downward direction DD do not necessarily have to coincide with the upward and downward directions based on the direction of gravity.

[0028] As indicated by the arrow NY in FIG. 4 , the second movable mechanism 121 supports the slide base of the first movable mechanism 21 so that it can reciprocate in a direction parallel to the second axis Y. Although detailed illustration is omitted, the second movable mechanism 121 is composed of a bracket fixed integrally with the slide base of the first movable mechanism 21, a ball screw for moving the bracket, and an electric motor for rotating the ball screw. As this type of second movable mechanism 121, for example, the mechanism described in Patent Document 1 can be adopted. Note that, as a result of both the first movable mechanism 21 and the second movable mechanism 121 being provided in the cutting device 10, the movable stage 22 can reciprocate in both the direction along the first axis X and the direction along the second axis Y.

[0029] 3, the electric heater 23 generates heat when power is applied. The electric heater 23 is embedded in the movable stage 22. The heat generated by the electric heater 23 heats the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22, and ultimately the laminate 100 mounted on the mounting surface 22A. The temperature of the mounting surface 22A that the electric heater 23 can heat is, for example, several tens of degrees to several hundred degrees.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, the cutting device 10 includes a pair of support columns 12 and a suspension unit 13. Each support column 12 is rectangular prism-shaped. Each support column 12 extends in the upward direction UD from the surface of the base 11 facing the upward direction UD. The support columns 12 are spaced apart along the second axis Y. The movable stage 22 described above is located midway between the two support columns 12. The support columns 12 have the same length. The suspension unit 13 is rectangular prism-shaped. The suspension unit 13 spans between the upper end of one support column 12 and the upper end of the other support column 12. Therefore, the suspension unit 13 and the two support columns 12 form an arch shape as a whole.

[0031] The cutting device 10 includes a vertical movement mechanism 31, a cutting block 32, and a cutting blade 33. The cutting block 32 is connected to the suspension unit 13 via the vertical movement mechanism 31. The cutting block 32 is located within a range in which the movable stage 22 exists in the direction along the second axis Y. In other words, the cutting block 32 is located within a range from an end of the movable stage 22 on one side to an end of the movable stage 22 on the other side in the direction along the second axis Y. In this embodiment, the cutting block 32 is located at a midpoint between the two support columns 12 in the direction along the second axis Y. The cutting block 32 holds the cutting blade 33. In other words, the suspension unit 13 supports the cutting blade 33 via the vertical movement mechanism 31 and the cutting block 32.

[0032] As shown by arrows NZ in Fig. 3, the vertical movement mechanism 31 supports the cutting block 32 so that it can reciprocate in the direction along the third axis Z. Therefore, the cutting blade 33 can also reciprocate in the direction along the third axis Z together with the cutting block 32. Although not shown in the figures, the vertical movement mechanism 31 is made up of an eccentric cam, an electric motor that rotates the eccentric cam, and the like. As this type of vertical movement mechanism 31, for example, the mechanism described in Patent Document 1 can be used.

[0033] The cutting blade 33 is in the shape of a rectangular plate. The cutting blade 33 has a cutting edge 33A. The cutting edge 33A faces downward in the direction DD. The cutting edge 33A extends in a direction along the second axis Y. The cutting blade 33 moves downward together with the cutting block 32, thereby cutting the laminate 100 placed on the placement surface 22A of the movable stage 22. In FIG. 4, the area in which the cutting blade 33 exists is shown imaginarily by a dashed line.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, the cutting device 10 is equipped with two side cameras 41 and two upper cameras 42 as end cameras. Each side camera 41 is a full-color video camera. One of the two side cameras 41 is fixed to one of the support columns 12 via a bracket B. The remaining one of the two side cameras 41 is fixed to the other support column 12 via a bracket B. The height positions of the two side cameras 41 are aligned in the direction along the third axis Z.

[0035] Each side camera 41 is located outside the range in which the movable stage 22 exists in the direction along the second axis Y. In other words, each side camera 41 is located outside the end of the movable stage 22 in the direction along the second axis Y. The optical axis of each side camera 41 is parallel to the second axis Y. That is, the optical axis of each side camera 41 is parallel to the mounting surface 22A. Furthermore, the optical axis of each side camera 41 is located slightly upward (UD) with respect to the mounting surface 22A. Therefore, each side camera 41 has an imaging range of the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22. In this embodiment, each side camera 41 has an imaging range of substantially the entire area of ​​the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22. Each side camera 41 then images the end surface 100B of the laminate 100 mounted on the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22. At the same time, each side camera 41 detects the state of the end surface 100B of the laminate 100 placed on the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22 in the form of color image data. Note that the "optical axis of the camera" is an imaginary line connecting the center of the lens of the camera closest to the subject to the focal point of the lens. In Figure 3, the optical axis of each camera is shown imaginarily by a dashed line.

[0036] Each upper camera 42 is a full-color video camera. One of the two upper cameras 42 is fixed to one of the support columns 12 via a bracket B. The remaining one of the two upper cameras 42 is fixed to the other support column 12 via a bracket B.

[0037] Each upper camera 42 is located outside the range in which the movable stage 22 exists in the direction along the second axis Y. In other words, each upper camera 42 is located outside the end of the movable stage 22 in the direction along the second axis Y. Furthermore, each upper camera 42 is located on the upward UD side relative to each lateral camera 41. In the direction along the third axis Z, the height positions of the two upper cameras 42 are the same. The optical axis of each upper camera 42 intersects with the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22. Therefore, each upper camera 42 has the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22 as its imaging range. In this embodiment, each upper camera 42 has the imaging range of substantially the entire area of ​​the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22. Each upper camera 42 then images the end surface 100B of the laminate 100 mounted on the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22. At the same time, each upper camera 42 detects the state of the end surface 100B of the laminate 100 placed on the placement surface 22A of the movable stage 22 in the form of color image data.

[0038] In this embodiment, the composite focal length of each end face camera is always fixed. The composite focal length is the distance from the principal point position to the focal point when multiple lenses are combined. The image sensor is located at the focal point. The composite focal length may be the same for all end face cameras, may be different for each end face camera, or may be different for only some end face cameras from the other end face cameras.

[0039] 3, the cutting device 10 is provided with a principal surface camera 43 as a principal surface sensor. The principal surface camera 43 is a full-color video camera. The principal surface camera 43 is fixed to the suspension part 13 via a bracket B.

[0040] The principal surface camera 43 is located within a range in which the movable stage 22 exists in the direction along the second axis Y. In other words, the principal surface camera 43 is located within a range from one end of the movable stage 22 to the other end of the movable stage 22 in the direction along the second axis Y. In this embodiment, the principal surface camera 43 is located at the midpoint between the two support columns 12 in the direction along the second axis Y. The principal surface camera 43 is also located on the upward UD side relative to each of the side cameras 41. The optical axis of the principal surface camera 43 intersects with the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22. Therefore, the imaging range of the principal surface camera 43 is the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22. In this embodiment, the imaging range of the principal surface camera 43 is substantially the entire area of ​​the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22. The principal surface camera 43 images the entire principal surface 100A of the laminate 100 mounted on the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22. At the same time, the principal surface camera 43 detects the state of the entire principal surface 100A of the laminate 100 placed on the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22 in the form of color image data. As described above, the principal surface camera 43 targets the entire principal surface 100A of the laminate 100 as an image capture target. Therefore, the information detected by the principal surface camera 43 includes information on the position of a predetermined reference point on the principal surface 100A of the laminate 100. In this embodiment, the reference point is the outer edge of the principal surface 100A.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 4, the cutting device 10 includes a control device 50 for controlling the reciprocating motion of the cutting blade 33 and the movable stage 22. The control device 50 includes a memory unit 51, a processing circuit 52, and other peripheral circuits. The peripheral circuits are not shown in FIG. 4. The memory unit 51 includes a nonvolatile readable / writable storage, a nonvolatile read-only ROM, and a volatile RAM. The memory unit 51 stores programs and related data for controlling the reciprocating motion of the cutting blade 33 and the movable stage 22. The processing circuit 52 executes the programs stored in the memory unit 51. Examples of the other peripheral circuits include a clock circuit and a power supply circuit. The control device 50 also controls the on / off switching of the electric heater 23. The control device 50 turns on the electric heater 23 when cutting the laminate 100.

[0042] <Cutting position adjustment operation> The control device 50 controls the reciprocating movement of the cutting blade 33 by controlling the electric motor of the vertical movement mechanism 31. The control device 50 also controls the reciprocating movement of the movable stage 22 in the direction along the first axis X by controlling the electric motor of the first movable mechanism 21. The control device 50 controls the reciprocating movement of the cutting blade 33 and the reciprocating movement of the movable stage 22 in the direction along the first axis X so that they are linked. Specifically, the control device 50 moves the cutting blade 33 downward and upward. The stack 100 is cut by this up and down movement of the cutting blade 33. Thereafter, the control device 50 moves the movable stage 22 a fixed distance in the direction along the first axis X. The control device 50 repeats these operations to continuously cut the stack 100. When cutting the laminate 100 with the cutting device 10, the laminate 100 is placed on the placement surface 22A of the movable stage 22 so that the end surface 100B of the laminate 100 faces in the direction along the second axis Y.

[0043] The control device 50 acquires image data captured by each end face camera and image data captured by the principal face camera 43 to determine the relative position of the movable stage 22 with respect to the cutting blade 33 in the direction along the first axis X. The control device 50 then analyzes this image data to identify various pieces of information. For example, the control device 50 identifies the positions of the first internal electrode 111 and the second internal electrode 112 on the end face 100B of the laminate 100 based on the image data captured by the end face camera. The control device 50 also identifies the irregularities of the principal face 100A of the laminate 100 and the outer edge shape of the principal face 100A based on the image data captured by the principal face camera 43. The control device 50 identifies a cutting position C, where the laminate 100 should be cut, based on this identified information. After identifying the cutting position C, the control device 50 adjusts the position of the movable stage 22 in the direction along the first axis X so that the cutting edge 33A of the cutting blade 33 is located above the cutting position C in the upward direction UD.

[0044] <Adjustment operation for focusing the end face camera> The outer edge of the main surface 100A of the laminate 100 placed on the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22 does not necessarily align with the first axis X. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the outer edge of the main surface 100A of the laminate 100 may be curved. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the main surface 100A of the laminate 100 widens toward the end of the movable stage 22 as it approaches the center of the laminate 100 in the direction along the first axis X. In other words, when the distance from the end of the movable stage 22 to the outer edge of the main surface 100A of the laminate 100 in the direction along the second axis Y is defined as the separation distance, separation distance L1 at the end of the laminate 100 in the direction along the first axis X is longer than separation distance L2 at the center of the laminate 100 in the direction along the first axis X. Such an outer edge shape of the laminate 100 is caused by, for example, distortion of each product at the time of manufacturing the laminate 100, distortion of the laminate 100 caused by heating by the electric heater 23, distortion of the laminate 100 caused by cutting by the cutting blade 33, etc.

[0045] As described above, the composite focal length of the end face camera in this embodiment is fixed. Assuming that such settings are used, the following problem may arise if the outer edge of the main surface 100A of the laminate 100 is curved. Suppose that the movable stage 22 is moved in the direction along the first axis X while maintaining the position of the movable stage 22 constant in the direction along the second axis Y. In this case, depending on the shape of the outer edge of the laminate 100, the distance between the end face 100B of the laminate 100 and the end face camera in the direction along the second axis Y gradually changes. Consequently, the end face camera may not be able to focus on the end face 100B of the laminate 100.

[0046] Taking these points into consideration, the control device 50 adjusts the position of the movable stage 22 in the direction along the second axis Y in order to focus each end face camera. As a process for this adjustment, the control device 50 can execute an adjustment process. The control device 50 performs the adjustment process once every time the movable stage 22 is moved a certain distance in the direction along the first axis X.

[0047] The adjustment process will be described in detail. Assume that the movable stage 22 is currently at a specific position along the first axis X. In this state, the control device 50 first acquires the latest image data captured by the principal surface camera 43. The control device 50 then analyzes this image data to identify the entire outer edge of the principal surface 100A of the laminate 100 within the image data. The control device 50 then performs the following for each end face camera. One end face camera is referred to as the target end face camera. The control device 50 identifies the point on the outer edge of the principal surface 100A of the laminate 100 that is the shortest distance from the target end face camera as a reference point. The shortest distance here refers to the direction along the optical axis of the target end face camera. After identifying the reference point, the control device 50 provisionally determines the relative position of the movable stage 22 with respect to the target end face camera so that the distance between this reference point and the target end face camera is within a set range. The set range is predetermined for each end face camera as an allowable range of distance at which the target end face camera is in focus. The control device 50 stores the set distance for each end face camera in advance. For each of the four end face cameras, the control device 50 provisionally determines the relative position of the movable stage 22 with respect to each end face camera in the direction along the second axis Y so that the focus of each end face camera is aligned with the end face 100B of the stack 100. After provisionally determining the relative position of the movable stage 22 with respect to each end face camera, the control device 50 comprehensively analyzes these and finally determines the position of the movable stage 22 in the direction along the second axis Y. In this case, the control device 50 ensures that at least one of the side camera 41 and the upper camera 42, which are located on one side of the movable stage 22 in the direction along the second axis Y, is aligned with the end face 100B of the stack 100. That is, the control device 50 adjusts the focus of at least one end face camera on each side of the movable stage 22 in the direction along the second axis Y to match the end face 100B of the laminate 100. Once the control device 50 has finally determined the position of the movable stage 22 in the direction along the second axis Y, it adjusts the position of the movable stage 22 in the direction along the second axis Y through control of the electric motor of the second movable mechanism 121. This completes the adjustment process.As described above, in this embodiment, the point on the outer edge of the main surface 100A of the laminate 100 that is closest to the end face camera is predetermined as the reference point for focusing the end face camera.

[0048] As described above, in the adjustment process, the control device 50 moves the movable stage 22 in the direction along the second axis Y to match the outer edge shape of the main surface 100A of the laminate 100. That is, as shown by arrow E1 in FIG. 5 , when the side camera 41 is located in front of the end of the laminate 100 in the direction along the first axis X, the control device 50 moves the movable stage 22 closer to the side camera 41 in the direction along the second axis Y. On the other hand, as shown by arrow E2 in FIG. 6 , when the side camera 41 is located in front of the center of the laminate 100 in the direction along the first axis X, the control device 50 moves the movable stage 22 away from the side camera 41 in the direction along the second axis Y. Note that the dashed-dotted line Q in FIG. 6 indicates the position of the movable stage 22 in FIG. 5 . By adjusting the position in this way, the control device 50 focuses the side camera 41 on the end surface 100B of the laminate 100. Although the side camera 41 is used as an example here, the same applies to the other end face cameras. Note that in Figures 5 and 6, the difference in the position of the movable stage 22 in the direction along the second axis Y is exaggerated.

[0049] <Effects of the embodiment> (1) In the above embodiment, the control device 50 moves the movable stage 22 to a position where the edge face camera focuses on the edge face 100B of the laminate 100, based on the detection results of the principal face camera 43 that detects the position of the reference point of the laminate 100. This allows the edge face camera to acquire a clear image of the edge face 100B of the laminate 100. By analyzing this image, the control device 50 can identify the cutting position C of the laminate 100 with high accuracy.

[0050] (2) In the above embodiment, the principal surface camera 43 is used as a principal surface sensor that detects the position of a reference location on the laminate 100. By using the principal surface camera 43 as the principal surface sensor, the control device 50 can obtain information about the spatial extent of the principal surface 100A of the laminate 100. By knowing the spatial extent of the principal surface 100A, the control device 50 can accurately identify the position of the outer edge of the principal surface 100A.

[0051] (3) In the above embodiment, the outer edge of the main surface 100A is used as the reference point of the laminate 100. Here, in a direction parallel to the main surface 100A, the end surface 100B of the laminate 100 is located at approximately the same position as the outer edge of the main surface 100A. Therefore, when the outer edge of the main surface 100A is used as the reference point, the positional relationship between this reference point and the end surface camera is directly reflected in the focus of the end surface camera on the end surface 100B of the laminate 100. Here, consider a comparative example in which the reference point is set to a portion inside the outer edge of the main surface 100A of the laminate 100. In this comparative example, dimensional errors from the reference point to the outer edge of the main surface 100A, associated with distortion of the laminate 100, etc., as described in the section on the operation of the above embodiment, also affect the focus of the end surface camera on the end surface 100B of the laminate 100. Because such errors vary depending on the location, it becomes difficult to accurately focus the end face camera on the end face 100B of the stack 100 in the configuration of the comparative example. In this regard, in the configuration of the above embodiment, the positional relationship between the reference point and the end face camera is directly reflected in the focus of the end face camera on the end face 100B of the stack 100, so there is no need to consider such errors. Therefore, the control device 50 can accurately focus the end face camera on the end face 100B of the stack 100.

[0052] <Example of change> The above-described embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs.

[0053] The reference location is not limited to the example of the above embodiment. The reference location may be any location that serves as a reference for focusing the end face camera on the end face 100B of the laminate 100. For example, some kind of mark may be printed on the main surface 100A of the laminate 100. Such a mark may then be used as the predetermined reference location. Furthermore, the main surface 100A of the laminate 100 may be provided with a special uneven shape that allows it to be distinguished from other locations. Such an uneven shape may then be used as the predetermined reference location. If the reference location is changed from the example of the above embodiment, the processing content of the adjustment process may be changed so that the end face camera can be focused based on the adopted reference location.

[0054] The adjustment process is not limited to the above embodiment. The adjustment process simply involves determining the relative position of the movable stage 22 in the direction along the second axis Y with respect to at least one edge face camera based on the detection results of the principal surface sensor so that the edge face 100B of the laminate 100 is focused on the edge face 100B. The position of the movable stage 22 is then adjusted to achieve the determined relative position. To focus the edge face camera, the edge face camera may be moved instead of moving the movable stage 22. In this case, the configuration for supporting the edge face camera may be modified from that of the above embodiment so that the edge face camera can be moved. To focus the edge face camera, both the movable stage 22 and the edge face camera may be moved. Furthermore, as will be described in a modified example below, if the edge face camera can be focused without moving components of the cutting device 10, such as the movable stage 22 and the edge face camera, there is no need to move them. In the adjustment process, it is only necessary to adjust the focus of the end face camera to the end face 100B of the laminate 100.

[0055] The end face camera may be configured to change its composite focal length. When using such an end face camera, the adjustment process can be configured to determine the composite focal length of the end face camera instead of determining the relative position of the movable stage 22 with respect to the end face camera. For example, similar to the above embodiment, the control device 50 identifies the position of the outer edge of the main surface 100A, which is the shortest distance from the target end face camera, as a reference point. Then, the control device 50 determines the composite focal length of the target end face camera based on the distance between this reference point and the target end face camera so that the target end face camera focuses on the end face 100B of the laminate 100. To determine the composite focal length, the control device 50 may store in advance for each end face camera the correspondence between the distance from the end face camera to the end face 100B of the laminate 100 and the composite focal length at which the end face camera focuses on the end face 100B of the laminate 100. Once the control device 50 determines the composite focal length of the target end face cameras, it controls the target end face cameras to achieve this composite focal length. The control device 50 adjusts the composite focal length for each of the multiple end face cameras. By employing this adjustment process, the control device 50 can focus all of the end face cameras on the end face 100B of the laminate 100. Therefore, all of the end face cameras can capture clear images of the end face 100B of the laminate 100. By analyzing this image, the control device 50 can identify the cutting position C of the laminate 100 with high accuracy. Note that this is not limited to the example described here, and the control device 50 may determine the composite focal length of the end face cameras based on the detection results of the main surface sensor so that the focus of one or more end face cameras is aligned with the end face 100B of the laminate 100 placed on the placement surface 22A.

[0056] As in the above modified example, when the composite focal length of the end face camera is changed to focus the end face camera, if there is no other use for moving the relative position of the movable stage 22 in the direction along the second axis Y, the second movable mechanism 121 may be eliminated from the cutting device 10.

[0057] The edge camera does not necessarily have to have multiple lenses. That is, the focal length of the edge camera is not limited to the composite focal length, but may be the focal length connecting the principal point and focal point of one lens.

[0058] The edge camera is not limited to a full-color video camera. For example, the edge camera may be a black-and-white video camera or a camera that captures still images. Furthermore, the edge camera does not have to detect visible light. An appropriate optical camera may be selected according to the configuration of the dielectric 101 of the laminate 100 and each internal electrode. The multiple edge cameras may use different types of cameras.

[0059] The number of end face cameras is not limited to that of the above embodiment. The number of side cameras 41 may be increased or decreased from that of the above embodiment, and the number of upper cameras 42 may be increased or decreased from that of the above embodiment. It is sufficient that the cutting device 10 is provided with one or more cameras that capture images of the end face 100B of the laminate 100.

[0060] As in the above-described modification regarding the edge face camera, the main face camera 43 is not limited to a full-color video camera. The main face camera 43 may be any camera that can detect the position of a reference point on the main face 100A of the laminate 100.

[0061] The principal surface sensor is not limited to the principal surface camera 43. The principal surface sensor may be capable of detecting the position of a reference point on the principal surface 100A of the laminate 100. For example, a laser displacement meter may be used as the principal surface sensor. In this case, the laser displacement meter may be capable of detecting the surface shape of the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22 and the principal surface 100A of the laminate 100 mounted on the mounting surface 22A. The surface shape of the principal surface 100A of the laminate 100 may vary depending on whether or not internal electrodes are present inside the dielectric 101, how many internal electrodes are overlapping, and other factors. By detecting such differences in the surface shape of the principal surface 100A with the laser displacement meter as the principal surface sensor, the cutting position C can be accurately determined. Furthermore, when a laser displacement meter is used as the principal surface sensor, the position of the outer edge of the principal surface 100A of the laminate 100 can be accurately detected by detecting the displacement of the boundary between the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22 and the principal surface 100A of the laminate 100. Therefore, for example, when the outer edge of the main surface 100A is used as the reference location, it is also effective to use a laser displacement meter as the main surface sensor. Additionally, even when a location on the main surface 100A of the laminate 100 where irregularities exist is set as the reference location, the laser displacement meter functions effectively as a main surface sensor.

[0062] The number of main surface sensors provided in the cutting device 10 is not limited to one. Multiple main surface sensors of the same type may be provided, or different types of main surface sensors may be provided as appropriate. The edge surface camera may then be focused on the edge surface 100B of the laminate 100 based on the detection results of these multiple main surface sensors. When multiple main surface sensors are provided, the areas on the main surface 100A of the laminate 100 detected by each sensor may be different areas, or may overlap partially or entirely.

[0063] The movable stage 22 may have a suction function for the laminate 100. For example, the movable stage 22 may have a plurality of suction holes that open on the mounting surface 22A, and may be configured to suck and hold the laminate 100 by sucking gas through the suction holes. Alternatively, the movable stage 22 may be configured to suck and hold the laminate 100 by so-called electrostatic suction.

[0064] The movable stage 22 may have a stopper or the like for positioning the laminate 100 in addition to the suction function described above. The movable stage 22 may be rotatable about a rotation axis that passes through the center of the movable stage 22 when viewed from above.

[0065] The movable stage 22 may be movable in a direction along the third axis Z. In other words, the height position of the movable stage 22 may be adjustable. The first movable mechanism 21 for operating the movable stage 22 is not limited to the mechanism exemplified in the above embodiment. Furthermore, the power source of the first movable mechanism 21 is not limited to an electric motor. This also applies to the second movable mechanism 121 and the vertical movement mechanism 31.

[0066] There is no limitation on the configuration of the base 11, the support columns 12, and the suspension portion 13. As long as they are configured to support the movable stage 22 and the cutting blade 33, they may have any shape. The configuration of the cutting block 32 is not critical as long as it can hold the cutting blade 33. For example, the cutting device 10 may also include a guide rail that extends along the direction in which the cutting block 32 moves. The cutting block 32 moves back and forth while sliding along the guide rail, thereby preventing the cutting block 32 and, in turn, the cutting blade 33 from vibrating.

[0067] The object to be cut by the cutting device 10 is not limited to the laminate 100 exemplified in the above embodiment. For example, it may be a laminate in which inductor elements, thermistor elements, etc. are arranged in a matrix. In addition to these, any structure in which a base layer and a conductor layer or the like are stacked over multiple layers may be adopted as the object to be cut by the cutting device 10 of the above embodiment.

[0068] <Additional Notes> The technical ideas that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described. [Appendix 1] a movable stage having a placement surface on which a laminate to be cut can be placed, the movable stage being reciprocally movable along a first axis parallel to the placement surface and a second axis parallel to the placement surface and perpendicular to the first axis; a cutting blade having a cutting edge extending along the second axis and capable of reciprocating along a third axis perpendicular to the placement surface; a main surface sensor that is located within a range in which the movable stage exists in a direction along the second axis and that detects a position of a predetermined reference point on a main surface of the laminate placed on the placement surface; an end face camera positioned on one side of the movable stage in a direction along the second axis, the end face camera capturing an image of an end face of the stack placed on the placement surface; a control device that determines the relative position of the movable stage in a direction along the second axis with respect to the edge face camera so that the edge face camera is focused on the edge face of the stack placed on the placement surface based on the detection result of the principal face sensor; Equipped with Laminate cutting device.

[0069] [Appendix 2] a movable stage having a placement surface on which a laminate to be cut can be placed and capable of reciprocating along a first axis parallel to the placement surface; a cutting blade having a cutting edge extending along a second axis parallel to the placement surface and perpendicular to the first axis, and capable of reciprocating along a third axis perpendicular to the placement surface; a main surface sensor that is located within a range in which the movable stage exists in a direction along the second axis and that detects a position of a predetermined reference point on a main surface of the laminate placed on the placement surface; an end face camera positioned on one side of the movable stage in a direction along the second axis, the end face camera capturing an image of an end face of the stack placed on the placement surface; a control device that determines a focal length of the edge face camera based on a detection result of the main face sensor so that the focus of the edge face camera is aligned with the edge face of the stack placed on the placement surface; Equipped with Laminate cutting device.

[0070] [Appendix 3] The principal surface sensor is a camera having an imaging range that covers at least a part of the principal surface of the laminate. 3. A cutting device for a laminate according to claim 1 or 2.

[0071] [Appendix 4] The main surface sensor is a laser displacement meter that detects the surface shape of the placement surface and the main surface of the laminate placed on the placement surface. 3. A cutting device for a laminate according to claim 1 or 2.

[0072] [Appendix 5] The reference point is the outer edge of the main surface of the laminate. 5. A laminate cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 22... Movable stage 33...Cutting blade 33A...Cutting edge 41...Side camera 42...Upward camera 43...Main camera 50...Control device 100...Laminate 100A…Main surface 100B…End face X…1st axis Y...second axis Z…3rd axis

Claims

1. a movable stage having a placement surface on which a laminate to be cut can be placed, the movable stage being reciprocally movable along a first axis parallel to the placement surface and a second axis parallel to the placement surface and perpendicular to the first axis; a cutting blade having a cutting edge extending along the second axis and capable of reciprocating along a third axis perpendicular to the placement surface; a main surface sensor located within a range in which the movable stage exists in a direction along the second axis, the main surface sensor detecting a position of a predetermined reference point on the main surface of the stack placed on the placement surface; an end face camera positioned on one side of the movable stage in a direction along the second axis, the end face camera capturing an image of an end face of the stack placed on the placement surface; a control device that determines a relative position of the movable stage in a direction along the second axis with respect to the edge face camera based on a detection result of the principal face sensor so that the focus of the edge face camera is aligned with the edge face of the laminate placed on the placement surface; and Equipped with Laminate cutting device.

2. a movable stage having a placement surface on which a laminate to be cut can be placed, the movable stage being capable of reciprocating along a first axis parallel to the placement surface; a cutting blade having a cutting edge extending along a second axis parallel to the placement surface and perpendicular to the first axis, and capable of reciprocating along a third axis perpendicular to the placement surface; a main surface sensor located within a range in which the movable stage exists in a direction along the second axis, the main surface sensor detecting a position of a predetermined reference point on the main surface of the stack placed on the placement surface; an end face camera positioned on one side of the movable stage in a direction along the second axis, the end face camera capturing an image of an end face of the stack placed on the placement surface; a control device that determines a focal length of the edge face camera based on a detection result of the main face sensor so that the focus of the edge face camera is aligned with the edge face of the stack placed on the placement surface; Equipped with Laminate cutting device.

3. The principal surface sensor is a camera having an imaging range that covers at least a part of the principal surface of the laminate. The laminate cutting device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The main surface sensor is a laser displacement meter that detects the surface shape of the placement surface and the main surface of the laminate placed on the placement surface. The laminate cutting device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The reference point is the outer edge of the main surface of the laminate. The laminate cutting device according to claim 1 or 2.

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