Jig for electronic component manufacturing and method for manufacturing electronic component

Abstract

A fixture is provided that can easily and appropriately accommodate a workpiece in a sheet receiving section. The workpiece to be processed and stored in the sheet receiving section (8) is defined as a cuboid with length L1, width W1, and thickness T1 (L1>W1≥T1). When an imaginary cuboid with length L2, width W2, and thickness T2 (W2≥T2) is inserted into the sheet receiving section (8), the cuboid that can abut against the bottom and whose width W2×thickness T2 is the largest is defined as the maximum cross-sectional cuboid (MR). The end face of the maximum cross-sectional cuboid (MR) that abuts against the bottom of the sheet receiving section (8) is defined as the maximum imaginary bottom face (MS) of the sheet receiving section (8). The maximum imaginary bottom face (MS) has a long side d1 and a short side d2, where d1 can be equal to d2. The maximum depth of the sheet receiving section (8) is defined as Zmax, and the minimum depth is defined as Zmin. At this time, all the multiple chip storage units (8) that satisfy equations (1) and (2) satisfy equations (3) to (7), W1 < d1…(1)T1 < d2…(2)d1 < 2W1…(3)d2 < 2T1…(4)1 / 2×L1 < Zmin…(5)Zmax < 3 / 2×L1…(6)d1 < L1…(7).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a fixture for manufacturing electronic components. Furthermore, this invention relates to a method for manufacturing electronic components using the fixture of this invention. Background Technology

[0002] Conventional fixtures for manufacturing electronic components are disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-177188 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent No. 6259943 (Patent Document 2).

[0003] The fixture described in Patent Document 1 is a fixture comprising a support member and a receiving member for processing sheet-shaped electronic components. The support member is made of metallic material. The support member is generally planar and has a plurality of through-holes for inserting sheet components within its surface. The receiving member is a mesh woven with metallic warp and weft threads. The receiving member engages with one surface of the support member, and at least one intersection exists within the opening surface of the sheet insertion hole.

[0004] Patent Document 2 describes a clamping device that is a ceramic lattice body, having multiple first line portions and multiple second line portions. The multiple first line portions are each made of ceramic and extend in one direction. The multiple second line portions are each made of ceramic and extend in a direction intersecting with the first line portions. Regarding the intersections of the first and second line portions, regardless of the intersection location, the second line portions are arranged on top of the first line portions. In the intersection, the cross-section of the first line portion has a shape consisting of a straight section and convex curved sections extending from both ends of the straight section. In the intersection, the cross-section of the second line portion has a circular or elliptical shape. In a longitudinal cross-section of the intersection, the first and second line portions are only in contact with the top of the convex curved section of the first line portion and the downwardly protruding top of the circular or elliptical section of the second line portion.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-177188

[0008] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent No. 6259943 Summary of the Invention

[0009] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0010] In conventional fixtures, multiple workpieces (items stored in the multiple sheet-receiving sections; for example, sheet-like electronic components, unfinished items in the middle of their manufacturing process, etc.) are thrown onto the fixture from the openings of multiple sheet-receiving sections, and then the fixture is shaken. This inserts workpieces into the multiple sheet-receiving sections respectively. Any excess workpieces that do not enter the sheet-receiving sections and remain on the fixture are shaken off by tilting the fixture.

[0011] Therefore, in multiple sheet receiving sections, the size (depth, opening area, bottom area, etc.) of each section needs to be appropriately set in order to insert a workpiece into it. For example, if the opening area of ​​the workpiece is too small, it will take longer to insert the workpiece into the sheet receiving section. Conversely, if the opening area of ​​the workpiece is too large, two workpieces may enter one sheet receiving section. This can lead to uneven firing during the firing of workpieces using workpiece fixtures. Furthermore, if the depth of the sheet receiving section is too small, the workpiece stored in the sheet receiving section may be shaken off when excess workpieces are removed. Additionally, if the depth of the sheet receiving section is too large, when two workpieces are inserted in a line along the depth direction, it may not be possible to shake off only the upper workpiece.

[0012] The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a fixture for manufacturing electronic components that allows a workpiece to be easily inserted into a sheet receiving portion.

[0013] Solution for solving the problem

[0014] This invention addresses the aforementioned problems. As a solution, one embodiment of the present invention provides a fixture for manufacturing electronic components, having a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and a height direction orthogonal to both the longitudinal and transverse directions. The fixture includes multiple sheet-receiving portions with openings at the top in the height direction. It is assumed that after a cuboid-shaped pre-processing workpiece with length L1, width W1, and thickness T1 is received into each of the multiple sheet-receiving portions, the pre-processing workpiece is processed to become a post-processing workpiece, wherein L1 > W1 ≥ T1. The fixture has... Multiple linear component groups are stacked along the height direction. Each linear component group includes multiple linear components arranged parallel to each other. When viewed along the height direction, the linear components of a linear component group stacked in one layer intersect with the linear components of other linear component groups stacked in adjacent layers. The sheet receiving portion has a bottom that supports the workpiece before processing from below in the height direction and a sidewall portion that separates adjacent sheet receiving portions. The bottom is composed of one or more linear components belonging to a linear component group, and the sidewall portion is composed of one linear component belonging to a linear component group. The component is composed of two or more linear components belonging to two or more linear component groups. When an imaginary cuboid with length L2, width W2, and thickness T2 is inserted along the length direction of the sheet receiving part, the cuboid that can abut the bottom and whose width W2 × thickness T2 is the largest is defined as the largest cross-sectional cuboid, where W2 ≥ T2. When the largest cross-sectional cuboid abuts the bottom of the sheet receiving part, the end face of the largest cross-sectional cuboid that abuts the bottom is defined as the largest imaginary bottom surface of the sheet receiving part. The largest imaginary bottom surface has a long side d1 and a short side d2, where d1 can be... Equal to d2, the maximum depth Zmax of the sheet receiving part is defined as the dimension between the maximum imaginary bottom surface extending along the normal direction and the top surface of the linear member belonging to the first stacked linear member group from the top. The minimum depth Zmin of the sheet receiving part is defined as the dimension between the maximum imaginary bottom surface extending along the normal direction and the top surface of the linear member belonging to the second stacked linear member group from the top. At this time, all sheet receiving parts that satisfy equations (1) and (2) among the multiple sheet receiving parts satisfy equations (3) to (7).

[0015] W1 <d1…(1)

[0016] T1 <d2…(2)

[0017] d1<2W1…(3)

[0018] d2<2T1…(4)

[0019] 1 / 2×L1 <Zmin…(5)

[0020] Zmax < 3 / 2 × L1…(6)

[0021] d1 <L1…(7)。

[0022] Invention Effects

[0023] The fixture for manufacturing electronic components according to the present invention can easily and appropriately accommodate a workpiece in a sheet receiving section. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a top view of fixture 100.

[0025] Figure 2 (A) to (D) are sectional views of fixture 100.

[0026] Figure 3 (A) is a top view of the main part of the fixture 100. Figure 3 (B) and (C) are sectional views of the main parts of the fixture 100.

[0027] Figure 4 (A) is a perspective view showing the workpiece AW before machining. Figure 4 (B) is a three-dimensional view showing the largest cross-sectional cuboid MR. Figure 4 (C) is a perspective view showing the machined workpiece BW.

[0028] Figure 5 (A) to (C) are explanatory diagrams showing the maximum imaginary base MS.

[0029] Figure 6 (A) and (B) are explanatory diagrams showing the maximum imaginary base MS.

[0030] Figure 7 This is an explanatory diagram used to illustrate the conditions under which the workpiece before processing can be easily accommodated in the sheet receiving section.

[0031] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of a 1000-layer ceramic capacitor.

[0032] Figure 9 (A) and (B) are illustration diagrams showing one step in an example of the manufacturing method of a multilayer ceramic capacitor 1000.

[0033] Figure 10 (C) to (F) are Figure 9 The continuation of (B) is an illustration of a step in an example of a method for manufacturing a multilayer ceramic capacitor 1000, or an explanatory diagram of a multilayer ceramic capacitor in the process of manufacturing.

[0034] Figure 11 (G) and (H) are Figure 10The following (F) are explanatory diagrams illustrating one step in an example of a method for manufacturing a multilayer ceramic capacitor 1000.

[0035] Figure 12 (I) and (J) are Figure 11 The continuation of (H) is an explanatory diagram of a multilayer ceramic capacitor in the process of manufacturing, which shows an example of a method for manufacturing a multilayer ceramic capacitor 1000.

[0036] Figure 13 (A) and (B) are cross-sectional views of the fixture 200.

[0037] Figure 14 (A) and (B) are explanatory diagrams showing the fixture 400.

[0038] Figure 15 This is a cross-sectional view showing the fixture 500. Detailed Implementation

[0039] The following is related to the appendix. Figure 1 The following describes the methods used to implement the present invention.

[0040] It should be noted that the various embodiments illustratively illustrate how the present invention is implemented, and the present invention is not limited to the content of the embodiments. Furthermore, the contents described in different embodiments can also be implemented in combination, and such implementations are also included in the present invention. Additionally, the accompanying drawings are used to aid in understanding the specification and are sometimes depicted schematically; the dimensions of the depicted components or the ratios between components may sometimes differ from the ratios of their dimensions described in the specification. Furthermore, there are cases where components described in the specification are omitted in the accompanying drawings, or where the number of components is omitted.

[0041] [First Implementation Method]

[0042] (Jig 100 for electronic component manufacturing)

[0043] exist Figure 1 , Figure 2 (A)~(D) Figure 3 (A) to (C) show a fixture 100 for manufacturing electronic components. However, Figure 1 This is a top view of fixture 100. Figure 2 (A) to (D) are sectional views of fixture 100. Figure 2 (A) shows Figure 1 The single-dot dashed arrow SS part. Figure 2 (B) shows Figure 1 The single-dot dashed arrow TT part. Figure 2 (C) shows Figure 1 The single-dot dashed arrow UU part. Figure 2 (D) shows Figure 1 The single-dot dashed arrow VV part. Figure 3 (A) is a top view of the main part of the fixture 100. Figure 3 (B) and (C) are sectional views of the main parts of fixture 100, respectively. It should be noted that... Figure 3 (A) shows Figure 1 The upper right part of the clamp 100 in the middle. Figure 3 (B) shows Figure 1 The single-dot dashed arrow SS part. Figure 3 (C) shows Figure 1 The single-dot dashed arrow UU part.

[0044] It should be noted that the fixture 100 has a longitudinal direction X, a transverse direction Y orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X, and a height direction Z orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y. These directions will sometimes be mentioned in the following description. In addition, the plane including the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y is sometimes referred to as the reference plane. The reference plane will sometimes be mentioned in the following description.

[0045] The fixture 100 has a first linear component group 1G, a second linear component group 2G, a third linear component group 3G, a fourth linear component group 4G, a fifth linear component group 5G, a sixth linear component group 6G, and a seventh linear component group 7G stacked sequentially along the height direction Z. It should be noted that, for illustrative purposes, the side in the height direction Z where the first linear component group 1G is located is referred to as the "bottom," and the side where the seventh linear component group 7G is located is referred to as the "top." However, the number of linear component groups is not limited to seven and can be increased or decreased from seven.

[0046] In this embodiment, the first linear member group 1G includes seven straight linear members 1 extending along the longitudinal direction X. The seven linear members 1 are arranged parallel to each other at a configuration spacing D. It should be noted that the configuration spacing refers to the distance between the centers of two adjacent linear members that are arranged separately.

[0047] The second linear member group 2G includes seven straight linear members 2 extending along the transverse direction Y. The seven linear members 2 are arranged parallel to each other at a configuration spacing E. It should be noted that the configuration spacing E can be the same size as the configuration spacing D, or it can be a different size than the configuration spacing D.

[0048] The third linear member group 3G includes eight straight linear members 3 extending along the longitudinal direction X. The eight linear members 3 are arranged parallel to each other at a spacing D. The linear members 3 of the third linear member group 3G are arranged relative to the linear members 1 of the first linear member group 1G such that, when viewed along the height direction Z, the spacing between the linear members 1 and 3 is equal throughout. It should be noted that... Figure 1In the top view, the linear member 3 of the third linear member group 3G is positioned directly below the linear member 7 of the seventh linear member group 7G, which will be described later, and is therefore not visible.

[0049] The fourth linear member group 4G includes eight straight linear members 4 extending laterally along the Y direction. The eight linear members 4 are arranged parallel to each other at a spacing E. The linear members 4 of the fourth linear member group 4G are arranged relative to the linear members 2 of the second linear member group 2G such that, when viewed along the height direction Z, the spacing between the linear members 2 and 4 is equal throughout. It should be noted that... Figure 1 In the top view, the linear member 4 of the fourth linear member group 4G is positioned directly below the linear member 6 of the sixth linear member group 6G, which will be described later, and is therefore not visible.

[0050] The fifth linear member group 5G includes eight straight linear members 5 extending along the longitudinal direction X. The eight linear members 5 are arranged parallel to each other at a spacing D. The linear members 5 of the fifth linear member group 5G are respectively positioned directly above the linear members 3 of the third linear member group 3G. It should be noted that... Figure 1 In the top view, the linear member 5 of the fifth linear member group 5G is positioned directly below the linear member 7 of the seventh linear member group 7G, which will be described later, and is therefore not visible.

[0051] The sixth linear member group 6G includes eight straight linear members 6 extending in the transverse direction Y. The eight linear members 6 are arranged parallel to each other at a spacing E. The linear members 6 of the sixth linear member group 6G are respectively arranged directly above the linear members 4 of the fourth linear member group 4G.

[0052] The seventh linear member group 7G includes eight straight linear members 7 extending along the longitudinal direction X. The eight linear members 7 are arranged parallel to each other at a spacing D. The linear members 7 of the seventh linear member group 7G are respectively arranged directly above the linear members 5 of the fifth linear member group 5G.

[0053] The number of linear components 1 to 7 is arbitrary and can be increased or decreased.

[0054] In this embodiment, linear members 1, 3, 5, and 7 are orthogonal to linear members 2, 4, and 6, that is, they intersect at an angle of 90°. However, the angle at which linear members 1, 3, 5, and 7 intersect with linear members 2, 4, and 6 is not limited to 90°, and can be increased or decreased from 90°.

[0055] In this embodiment, for linear members 1 to 7, members with circular cross-sectional shapes and the same area and diameter are used. However, the shape, area, diameter, etc. of the cross-section of linear members 1 to 7 are arbitrary and can be freely selected. In addition, the shape, area, diameter, etc. of the cross-section of linear members 1 to 7 can also be different for each linear member.

[0056] In this embodiment, ceramic is used as the material (raw material) for the linear components 1 to 7. Examples of ceramics that can be used include SiC, zirconium oxide, yttrium-stabilized zirconium oxide, bauxite, and mullite. However, the material of the linear components 1 to 7 is arbitrary. Instead of ceramic, other materials that can be used include metals such as nickel, aluminum, Inconel (registered trademark), and SUS; polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE); polypropylene (PP); acrylic resin; ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) resins; other heat-resistant resins; carbon; and composite materials including metals and ceramics.

[0057] Alternatively, SiC, zirconium oxide, yttrium oxide stabilized zirconium oxide, bauxite, mullite and other ceramics, nickel and other metals can be used to further coat the surfaces of linear components 1 to 7.

[0058] For example, the structure described above can be made by using a linear component including a ceramic precursor, and the structure can be heated (fired) to synthesize ceramic from the ceramic precursor, thereby manufacturing the fixture 100.

[0059] The fixture 100, including the structure described above, has multiple sheet storage sections 8. Each sheet storage section 8 has an opening 8a. The sheet storage section 8 is used to store workpieces before processing.

[0060] Multiple sheet storage sections 8 are regularly formed on the fixture 100. In this embodiment, the multiple sheet storage sections 8 are formed in a matrix (checkerboard) pattern on the main surface of the fixture 100. However, the arrangement of the sheet storage sections 8 is not limited to a matrix pattern.

[0061] Each sheet receiving section 8 has a bottom 8b that supports the workpiece before processing from below, and a side wall portion 8c that opens from above through an opening 8a and is spaced apart from other adjacent sheet receiving sections 8. In this embodiment, one sheet receiving section 8 has one bottom 8b and four side wall portions 8c. However, the number of side wall portions 8c is not limited to four and can be increased or decreased from four.

[0062] The sheet storage section 8 can store pre-processed workpieces without constraints.

[0063] like Figure 3As shown in (A), the bottom 8b of the sheet receiving portion 8 is formed by the top surface (ridge) of the linear member 2. The bottom 8b has a bottom through hole 8d, which is formed by the gap between two adjacent linear members 2 and communicates with the back side of the bottom 8b.

[0064] like Figure 3 As shown in (B) and (C), the sidewall portion 8c of the sheet receiving portion 8 is formed by linear members 4 and 6 or linear members 3, 5 and 7. The sidewall portion 8c has sidewall through holes 8e that communicate with other adjacent sheet receiving portions 8, such as the gap between linear members 4 and 6, the gap between linear members 3 and 5, and the gap between linear members 5 and 7.

[0065] (Regarding the dimensions of the sheet storage section 8 in the fixture 100 for manufacturing electronic components)

[0066] The fixture 100 for manufacturing electronic components is designed to house a workpiece in a sheet receiving section 8. More specifically, it is assumed that a cuboid workpiece is housed in an upright position in a sheet receiving section 8. Housed in an upright position means that the length direction of the workpiece is aligned with the depth direction of the sheet receiving section 8 (the length direction of the largest cross-sectional cuboid MR, described later, is ideally aligned with the height direction Z).

[0067] The workpiece can be stored in the sheet storage section 8 by, for example, placing multiple workpieces on the fixture 100 in an irregular manner in terms of position and orientation, and then applying vibration to the fixture 100 or tilting the fixture 100 to cause the workpieces placed on the fixture 100 to fall into the sheet storage section 8.

[0068] Furthermore, after the workpiece is stored in the sheet storage section 8, for example, by applying vibration to the clamp 100 or tilting the clamp 100, excess workpieces and improperly stored workpieces (such as two workpieces stored in one sheet storage section 8) are removed.

[0069] Under the condition that the following conditions (a) to (e) are met, the workpiece is properly stored in the sheet storage section 8.

[0070] (a) It can hold a workpiece in an upright position in the sheet storage section 8.

[0071] (b) Do not store two or more workpieces in the sheet storage section 8 in an upright position.

[0072] (c) The workpiece properly stored in the sheet storage section 8 will not fly out easily by applying vibration or the like.

[0073] (d) When two or more workpieces are stacked vertically in the sheet storage section 8, the upper workpiece can be easily removed by applying vibration or the like.

[0074] (e) Do not store a workpiece in the sheet storage section 8 in a folded-down state.

[0075] First, the workpiece stored in the sheet receiving section 8 is defined. The purpose of the fixture 100 is to receive the workpiece in the sheet receiving section 8 and to perform machining on the workpiece. Therefore, the workpiece stored in the sheet receiving section 8 is referred to here as the pre-machining workpiece AW.

[0076] The workpiece AW before machining is a cuboid shape, a shape widely used in electronic components. The workpiece AW before machining has dimensions of length L1, width W1, and thickness T1. Among these dimensions, L1 > W1 ≥ T1. That is, the length L1 is larger than the width W1 and the thickness T1, but the width W1 can also be larger than the thickness T1, or they can be the same. Figure 4 (A) shows the workpiece AW before processing.

[0077] Before specifying the dimensions of the sheet storage section 8, the maximum cross-sectional cuboid MR that can be stored in the sheet storage section 8, the maximum imaginary bottom surface MS of the sheet storage section 8, the maximum depth Zmax of the sheet storage section 8, and the minimum depth Zmin of the sheet storage section 8 are specified.

[0078] The maximum cross-sectional cuboid MR is an imaginary cuboid with dimensions L2, W2, and T2, satisfying W2 ≥ T2. Here, the length L2 of the maximum cross-sectional cuboid MR is not a problem (it need not be considered). The width W2 can be larger than or equal to the thickness T2.

[0079] The maximum cross-sectional cuboid MR refers to a cuboid that can abut against the bottom of the sheet storage section 8 and whose width W2 × thickness T2 is the largest possible. Figure 4 (B) shows the largest cross-section cuboid MR.

[0080] The end face that abuts the bottom of the cuboid MR, which is housed in the sheet housing portion 8 and abuts against the bottom of the sheet housing portion 8, is defined as the maximum imaginary bottom surface MS of the sheet housing portion 8. It should be noted that it is called an imaginary bottom surface because, in reality, there is a bottom through hole 8d, so sometimes there is no bottom surface.

[0081] The largest imaginary base MS has a long side d1 and a short side d2. It should be noted that d1 can also be equal to d2. Furthermore, the long side d1 and the short side d2 can be along the longitudinal direction (X) of the clamp 100, the transverse direction (Y), or any other direction. Figure 5The largest imaginary base MS is shown in (A) to (C). It should be noted that, as... Figure 6 As shown in (A) and (B), when the sheet storage section 8 is tilted relative to the height direction Z, the maximum imaginary bottom surface MS is also tilted (not parallel to the reference plane, which includes the longitudinal X and transverse Y directions). Furthermore, the depth direction of the sheet storage section 8 refers to the length direction of the maximum cross-sectional cuboid MR; therefore, in this case, it is tilted relative to the height direction Z.

[0082] When the width W1 and thickness T1 of the workpiece AW before processing are in conflict with the size of the maximum imaginary bottom surface MS of the sheet storage section 8, the workpiece AW before processing is stored in the sheet storage section 8 with the width W1 side of the workpiece AW before processing as the long side d1 side of the maximum imaginary bottom surface MS and the thickness T1 side of the workpiece AW before processing as the short side d2 side of the maximum imaginary bottom surface MS.

[0083] The depth of the sheet storage section 8 is not uniform. That is, since the sheet storage section 8 is formed by linear members 1 to 7 belonging to multiple stacked first linear member groups 1G to seventh linear member groups 7G, ​​the sheet storage section 8 has a maximum depth Zmax and a minimum depth Zmin.

[0084] The maximum depth Zmax of the sheet storage section 8 is the dimension between the maximum imaginary bottom surface MS, extending along the normal direction, and the top surface of the linear member 7 belonging to the seventh linear member group 7G, which is the first layer from the top. Figure 5 (B) shows the maximum depth Zmax of the sheet storage section 8.

[0085] The minimum depth Zmin of the sheet storage section 8 is the dimension between the maximum imaginary bottom surface MS, extending along the normal direction, and the top surface of the linear member 6 belonging to the sixth linear member group 6G, which is the second layer from the top. Figure 5 In (C), the minimum depth Zmin of the sheet storage section 8 is shown.

[0086] In order to accommodate a pre-processed workpiece AW in an upright state in the sheet storage section 8, the width W1 and thickness T1 (W1≥T1) of the pre-processed workpiece AW and the long side d1 and short side d2 (or d1=d2) of the maximum imaginary bottom surface MS need to satisfy the following formulas (1) and (2).

[0087] W1 <d1…(1)

[0088] T1 <d2…(2)

[0089] In order to avoid arranging two or more pre-processed workpieces AW in an upright position in the sheet storage section 8, the width W1 and thickness T1 (W1≥T1) of the pre-processed workpiece AW and the long side d1 and short side d2 (or d1=d2) of the largest imaginary bottom surface MS need to satisfy the following formulas (3) and (4).

[0090] d1<2W1…(3)

[0091] d2<2T1…(4)

[0092] In order to prevent the pre-processing workpiece AW, which is properly housed in the sheet housing 8, from simply flying outwards due to vibration or the like, the length L1 and minimum depth Zmin of the pre-processing workpiece AW must satisfy the following formula (5). That is, if half the length L1 of the pre-processing workpiece AW is smaller than the minimum depth Zmin, then even if vibration is applied, the properly housed pre-processing workpiece AW will not simply fly outwards.

[0093] 1 / 2×L1 <Zmin…(5)

[0094] When two or more pre-processing workpieces AW are stacked vertically in the sheet receiving part 8, if the length L1 and maximum depth Zmax of the pre-processing workpiece AW satisfy the following formula (6), the upper pre-processing workpiece AW can be easily removed by applying vibration or the like. That is, if the maximum depth Zmax is less than 1.5 times the length L1 of the pre-processing workpiece AW, the upper pre-processing workpiece AW can be easily removed by applying vibration or the like.

[0095] Zmax < 3 / 2 × L1…(6)

[0096] In order to prevent a workpiece from being stored in the sheet storage section 8 in a folded state, the length L1 of the workpiece AW before processing and the long side d1 of the maximum imaginary bottom surface MS need to satisfy the following formula (7).

[0097] d1 <L1…(7)

[0098] Based on the above, in the fixture 100, the dimensions of the sheet storage section 8 are designed such that all sheet storage sections that satisfy equations (1) and (2) satisfy equations (3) to (7).

[0099] W1 <d1…(1)

[0100] T1 <d2…(2)

[0101] d1<2W1…(3)

[0102] d2<2T1…(4)

[0103] 1 / 2×L1 <Zmin…(5)

[0104] Zmax < 3 / 2 × L1…(6)

[0105] d1 <L1…(7)

[0106] The fixture 100 satisfies all equations (1) to (7), making it suitable and efficient for use not only when the workpiece is stored in the sheet storage section 8, but also from the process of storing the workpiece before processing to the process of taking out the workpiece after processing.

[0107] Furthermore, in order to facilitate the entry of the workpiece AW into the sheet receiving section 8 before processing, the dimensions of the sheet receiving section 8 of the fixture 100, among all sheet receiving sections 8 that satisfy equations (1) and (2), preferably satisfy the following equation (8): the length L1, width W1 (L1 > W1), long side d1 of the largest imaginary bottom surface MS of the workpiece AW before processing, and the minimum diameter R1min of the linear member (linear member 7) that belongs to the first stacked linear member group (seventh linear member group 7G) ​​from the top and constitutes the side wall section 8c. The reason will be explained below.

[0108] (W1 2 +(1 / 4)×L1 2 ) 1 / 2 -R1min <d1…(8)

[0109] It should be noted that here, we re-examine the diameter of the linear member (linear member 7) that belongs to the first stacked linear member group from the top (seventh linear member group 7G) ​​and constitutes the sidewall portion 8c. The cross-section of the linear member is circular. In addition, the diameter of the cross-section of the linear member is usually uniform, but considering that the diameter may sometimes vary due to deviation or intentional means, we observe the smallest diameter, i.e., the minimum diameter R1min, here.

[0110] Figure 7 The image shows the state before the workpiece AW enters the sheet receiving section 8, and the direction of the length L1 of the workpiece AW is tilted at 45° relative to the vertical direction (height direction Z of the fixture 100) (hereinafter, it is sometimes referred to as "tilted at 45°").

[0111] To facilitate the entry of the pre-processing workpiece AW into the sheet receiving section 8, it is important that the pre-processing workpiece AW does not hook onto the linear member 7 belonging to the first stacked linear member group from the top when tilted at 45°. If the pre-processing workpiece AW hooks onto the linear member 7 when tilted at 45°, it will be difficult for the pre-processing workpiece AW to enter the sheet receiving section 8. On the other hand, if the pre-processing workpiece AW does not hook onto the linear member 7 when tilted at 45°, it will be easier for the pre-processing workpiece AW to enter the sheet receiving section 8.

[0112] like Figure 7 As shown, the horizontal length of the pre - processing workpiece AW tilted at 45° including a ridge line P on the lower side is set as L4. When expressing L4 in terms of the length L1 and width W1 of the pre - processing workpiece AW, the following formula is obtained according to the Pythagorean theorem.

[0113] L4 = (W1 2 +(1 / 4)L1 2 ) 1 / 2

[0114] The distance between the centers of two adjacent linear members 7 is set as L5. L5 is obtained by adding the long side d1 of the maximum imaginary bottom surface MS, the minimum radius 1 / 2R1min of one linear member 7, and the minimum radius 1 / 2R1min of the other linear member 7. Therefore, the following formula holds.

[0115] L5 = d1 + 1 / 2R1min + 1 / 2R1min = d1 + R1min

[0116] If the horizontal length L4 of the pre - processing workpiece AW tilted at 45° is smaller than the distance L5 between the centers of the two linear members 7, the pre - processing workpiece AW tilted at 45° is difficult to hook on the linear member 7 and is likely to enter the sheet storage part 8. That is, if L4 < L5, the pre - processing workpiece AW is likely to enter the sheet storage part 8. By substituting the above L4 formula and L5 formula into L4 < L5, formula (8) holds.

[0117] (W1 2 +(1 / 4)×L1 2 ) 1 / 2 -R1min < d1…(8)

[0118] In order to make the pre - processing workpiece AW easily enter the sheet storage part 8, the jig 100 preferably satisfies formula (8) in all the sheet storage parts 8 that satisfy formula (1) and formula (2).

[0119] It should be noted that if the following formula is satisfied, the pre - processing workpiece AW is even more likely to enter the sheet storage part 8.

[0120] (W1 2 +(1 / 4)×L1 2 ) 1 / 2 < d1

[0121] Next, the requirements for easily taking out the post - processing workpiece BW that has completed processing in the sheet storage part 8 of the jig 100 are described. It should be noted that the post - processing workpiece BW is described instead of the pre - processing workpiece AW because, through the completion of processing, the size of the post - processing workpiece BW sometimes changes (for example, becomes smaller) from the pre - processing workpiece AW.

[0122] After processing, the workpiece BW is a cuboid shape with length L3, width W3, and thickness T3 (L3>W3≥T3). Figure 4 (C) shows the machined workpiece BW.

[0123] In order to facilitate the removal of the processed workpiece BW from the sheet storage section 8, the length L3 of the processed workpiece BW, the maximum depth Zmax of the sheet storage section 8, and the minimum diameter R1min of the linear member (linear member 7) belonging to the first stacked linear member group (seventh linear member group 7G) ​​from the top are preferably satisfied by the following formula (9) among all sheet storage sections 8 that satisfy formulas (1) and (2).

[0124] (Zmax-L3)<1 / 2×R1min…(9)

[0125] This is because, if equation (9) is satisfied, when the processed workpiece BW is taken out from the sheet receiving section 8, the upper edge of the processed workpiece BW is located above the center of the diameter of the linear member belonging to the first stacked linear member group from the top, and the upper edge of the processed workpiece BW will not hook onto the linear member belonging to the first stacked linear member group from the top.

[0126] (Features of clamp 100)

[0127] Since the dimensions of the sheet storage section 8 all satisfy equations (1) to (7) shown above, the clamp 100 has the following characteristics: First, it can accommodate a single workpiece in an upright position within the sheet storage section 8. Furthermore, it will not accommodate two or more workpieces in an upright position within the sheet storage section 8. Workpieces properly stored in the sheet storage section 8 will not easily fly outwards by applying vibration or the like. When two or more workpieces are accommodated in an upright, overlapping position within the sheet storage section 8, the upper workpiece can be easily removed by applying vibration or the like. It will not accommodate a single workpiece in a laid-down position within the sheet storage section 8.

[0128] Therefore, if the fixture 100 is used in the machining process of electronic component manufacturing, machining can be performed with each workpiece individually stored in the sheet storage section 8 before machining, thus reducing deviations in the machining conditions of each workpiece. Therefore, deviations in the quality (characteristics, shape, etc.) of electronic components manufactured using the fixture 100 are suppressed.

[0129] Furthermore, if fixture 100 is used, the workpieces do not come into contact with each other during the machining process. Therefore, even in processes involving heat, such as assembly or firing, the workpieces are unlikely to adhere to each other after machining. Additionally, even if the workpieces are fragile, they are less likely to collide and break. Therefore, using fixture 100 can reduce the defect rate of electronic components.

[0130] Furthermore, if the fixture 100 is used, the workpiece before processing can be easily stored in the sheet storage section 8 in a short time, thus enabling the production of electronic components with high productivity.

[0131] Furthermore, since the fixture 100 is made of ceramic, it has high heat resistance compared to other materials. Even in processes involving heating, such as firing or synthesis, the fixture 100 is less susceptible to breakage or deformation. Additionally, the ceramic material of the fixture 100 reduces concerns about firing and synthesis atmospheres. For example, if the fixture 100 were made of nickel, it might absorb oxygen from the atmosphere, causing changes in the atmosphere; however, if the fixture 100 were made of ceramic, such a problem is less likely to occur. Moreover, the ceramic material of the fixture 100 reduces concerns about reactions with the workpiece. For example, if the fixture 100 were made of iron, it might react with the workpiece; however, if the fixture 100 were made of ceramic, such a problem is less likely to occur.

[0132] Furthermore, since the linear components 1 to 7 of the clamp 100 are approximately straight and have no bends, they are resistant to physical impact. Additionally, they are difficult to break even when pressure is applied due to temperature changes. Therefore, the clamp 100 is difficult to break even when made of a low-impact material such as ceramic.

[0133] To manufacture ceramic electronic components with high productivity, multiple jigs containing the workpieces are sometimes stacked in multiple layers during processing steps such as synthesis and firing. However, in conventional jigs, stacking multiple layers can lead to poor ventilation in the storage area.

[0134] In contrast, in addition to the opening 8a located above the sheet receiving portion 8, the fixture 100 has a side wall through hole 8e formed in the side wall portion 8c and a bottom through hole 8d formed in the bottom portion 8b. Because the fixture 100 has the side wall through hole 8e and the bottom through hole 8d that allow gas to pass through, it has good ventilation. Therefore, using the fixture 100 can suppress machining defects caused by poor ventilation.

[0135] (An example of a manufacturing method for an electronic component using fixture 100)

[0136] In the first embodiment, a jig 100 is used to manufacture a multilayer ceramic capacitor 1000 (electronic component). However, the manufactured electronic component is not limited to a multilayer ceramic capacitor, but may also be other multilayer electronic components such as multilayer ceramic inductors, multilayer ceramic thermistors, multilayer ceramic LC components, multilayer ceramic substrates, ceramic resonators, ceramic filters, ceramic resistors, ceramic thermistors, ceramic substrates, etc., and non-multilayer electronic components such as ceramic resonators, ceramic filters, ceramic resistors, ceramic thermistors, ceramic substrates, etc.

[0137] Figure 8 A multilayer ceramic capacitor 1000 manufactured in the first embodiment is shown. However... Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of a 1000-layer ceramic capacitor.

[0138] The multilayer ceramic capacitor 1000 includes a multilayer ceramic body 11 formed in a cuboid shape. The multilayer ceramic body 11 includes a structure in which multiple non-conductive layers 11a, multiple first internal electrode layers 12 and multiple second internal electrode layers 13 are stacked.

[0139] The laminated ceramic body 11 has dimensions of length L3, width W3, and thickness T3 (L3>W3≥T3).

[0140] The material of the laminated ceramic body 11 (non-conductive layer 11a) is arbitrary, but for example, a dielectric ceramic with BaTiO3 as the main component can be used. However, instead of BaTiO3, dielectric ceramics with other materials as the main component such as CaTiO3, SrTiO3, and CaZrO3 can also be used.

[0141] The thickness of the non-conductive layer 11a is arbitrary, but it can be, for example, 0.3 μm to 2.0 μm in the effective region of the capacitor formed by the first internal electrode layer 12 and the second internal electrode layer 13.

[0142] The number of non-conductive layers 11a is arbitrary, but for example, it can be from 1 to 6000 layers in the effective region of the capacitor formed by the first internal electrode layer 12 and the second internal electrode layer 13.

[0143] At both ends of the stacking direction of the laminated ceramic body 11, an outer layer (protective layer) is provided, consisting only of a non-conductive layer 11a without the first internal electrode layer 12 and the second internal electrode layer 13. The thickness of the non-conductive layer 11a in the outer layer region may also be different from the thickness of the non-conductive layer 11a in the effective region where the first internal electrode layer 12 and the second internal electrode layer 13 are formed. In addition, the material of the non-conductive layer 11a in the outer layer region may also be different from the material of the non-conductive layer 11a in the effective region.

[0144] The first internal electrode layer 12 is led out to one end face of the stacked ceramic body 11 (an arbitrary outer surface orthogonal to the stacking direction). The second internal electrode layer 13 is led out to the other end face of the stacked ceramic body 11 (an outer surface back-to-back with one end face). It should be noted that the first internal electrode layer 12 and the second internal electrode layer 13 are stacked alternately in principle.

[0145] The main components (metallic components) of the first internal electrode layer 12 and the second internal electrode layer 13 can be made of any material, such as Ni, Cu, Ag, Pd, Au, etc. Alternatively, they can be alloys of Ni, Cu, Ag, Pd, Au, etc., with other metals. In addition to metallic components, the first internal electrode layer 12 and the second internal electrode layer 13 may also contain other components such as ceramics.

[0146] The thickness of the first internal electrode layer 12 and the second internal electrode layer 13 is arbitrary, but can be, for example, 0.3 μm to 1.5 μm.

[0147] A first external electrode 14 is formed on one end face of the stacked ceramic body 11. A second external electrode 15 is formed on the other end face of the stacked ceramic body 11. A first internal electrode layer 12 is electrically connected to the first external electrode 14. A second internal electrode layer 13 is electrically connected to the second external electrode 15.

[0148] The construction of the first external electrode 14 and the second external electrode 15 is arbitrary. It is also preferable to form one or more electrode layers on the outer surfaces of the first external electrode 14 and the second external electrode 15. However, in... Figure 8 The diagram of the plated electrode layer is omitted.

[0149] The main component (metallic component) of the base electrode layer can be any material, such as Ni, Cu, Ag, Pd, Au, etc. Alternatively, it can be an alloy of Ni, Cu, Ag, Pd, Au, etc., with other metals. Besides metallic components, the base electrode layer can also contain other components such as ceramics.

[0150] The type and number of electrode layers can be arbitrary; for example, Cu-plated electrode layers, Ni-plated electrode layers, Sn-plated electrode layers, etc., can be formed.

[0151] The following is for reference Figure 9 (A) Figure 12 The manufacturing method of the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1000 of this embodiment will be described in (J).

[0152] (1) Preparation of ceramic slurry (one of the workpiece preparation steps before processing)

[0153] Prepare dielectric ceramic powder, binder resin, solvent, etc., and wet mix them to make ceramic slurry (illustration omitted).

[0154] (2) Production of ceramic green slabs (one of the workpiece preparation steps before processing)

[0155] Production Figure 9(A) shows a ceramic green sheet 21a used to fabricate the non-conductive layer 11a. To manufacture multiple ceramic electronic components simultaneously, it is preferable to prepare the ceramic green sheet 21a as a master ceramic green sheet. It should be noted that the master ceramic green sheet is shown in the figure, while the ceramic green sheet 21a, which becomes a ceramic electronic component, is shown separated by a single-dotted line.

[0156] First, a carrier film (not shown) is prepared. Next, the ceramic slurry is applied in flake form onto the carrier film using, for example, a die-casting machine, gravure coating machine, or microgravure coating machine, and then dried to produce a ceramic green sheet 21a. The produced ceramic green sheet 21a is then appropriately peeled off from the carrier film in a subsequent process.

[0157] It should be noted that ceramic green sheet 21a includes ceramic precursor.

[0158] (3) Preparation of paste for internal electrodes (one of the workpiece preparation steps before machining) / Preparation of paste for external electrodes

[0159] Prepare metal powder, binder resin, solvent, etc., and wet mix them to make pastes for the internal and external electrodes (illustrations omitted). The materials, material ratios, viscosity, etc., of the internal and external electrode pastes can also be different.

[0160] (4) Application of paste for internal electrodes (one of the workpiece preparation steps before machining)

[0161] like Figure 9 As shown in (B), internal electrode paste 22 for forming the first internal electrode layer 12 and internal electrode paste 23 for forming the second internal electrode layer 13 are applied to the main surface of the specified ceramic green sheet 21a in desired pattern shapes. It should be noted that the internal electrode paste is not applied to the ceramic green sheet 21a, which forms the outer layer. The application of the internal electrode paste can be performed, for example, by screen printing, inkjet printing, gravure printing, letterpress printing, etc. After applying the internal electrode pastes 22 and 23, a drying process is performed.

[0162] (5) Fabrication of the mother ceramic green sheet laminate (one of the workpiece preparation steps before processing)

[0163] First, stack them in the prescribed order. Figure 9 The parent ceramic green sheet 31a is shown in (B). The parent ceramic green sheet 31a includes a ceramic green sheet 21a coated with internal electrode paste 22, a ceramic green sheet 21a coated with internal electrode paste 23, and a ceramic green sheet 21a without internal electrode paste. It should be noted that, in this case, the ceramic green sheet 21a is peeled off from the carrier film.

[0164] Next, as Figure 10As shown in (C), multiple stacked mother ceramic green sheets 31a are pressed together to form a single unit, thereby creating a mother ceramic green sheet stack 31. The mother ceramic green sheet stack 31 includes multiple unfired stacked ceramic bodies 21.

[0165] (6) Cutting of the mother ceramic green sheet laminate (one of the workpiece preparation steps before processing)

[0166] like Figure 10 As shown in (D), for example, the mother ceramic green sheet laminate 31 is cut by a cutting blade 50, such as... Figure 10 As shown in (E), multiple unfired stacked ceramic bodies 21 were obtained.

[0167] (7) Drum grinding (one of the workpiece preparation processes before machining)

[0168] As needed, the unfired laminated ceramic body 21 is subjected to tumbling, such as... Figure 10 As shown in (F), rounded corners R are formed at the corners and edges of the unfired laminated ceramic body 21. The ground unfired laminated ceramic body 21 also corresponds to the workpiece before processing.

[0169] (8) Fixture preparation process

[0170] Prepare the aforementioned fixture 100.

[0171] (9) Pre-processing workpiece storage process

[0172] Next, as Figure 11 As shown in (G), multiple unfired laminated ceramic bodies 21, serving as workpieces before processing, are placed on the upper surface of the fixture 100 in an irregular manner in terms of position and orientation. Then, vibration is applied to the fixture 100, as... Figure 11 As shown in (H), the unfired laminated ceramic bodies 21 are individually stored in a piece storage section 8 of the clamp 100.

[0173] After the storage is completed, the remaining unfired laminated ceramic body 21 is removed from the clamp 100 by applying vibration or tilting the clamp 100.

[0174] In this embodiment, since the above-described fixture 100 is used, the unfired laminated ceramic body 21, which is a workpiece before processing, can be properly stored in the sheet storage section 8 of the fixture 100.

[0175] (10) Workpiece machining process (firing process)

[0176] like Figure 11As shown in (H), the unfired laminated ceramic bodies 21, which are the workpieces before processing, are individually housed in a sheet housing section 8 of the fixture 100 and then heated and fired together with the fixture 100. It should be noted that if the ceramic green sheet 21a contains resin components, a degreasing process can be performed before the firing process to reduce or remove the resin components by heating or the like.

[0177] The ceramic green sheet 21a is fired at the desired temperature profile. At this time, the ceramic green sheet 21a becomes the non-conductive layer 11a, the internal electrode paste 22 becomes the first internal electrode layer 12, and the internal electrode paste 23 becomes the second internal electrode layer 13. Moreover, the unfired laminated ceramic body 21 becomes the fired laminated ceramic body 11, which serves as the finished product after processing.

[0178] (11) Processing of removing the workpiece after machining

[0179] like Figure 12 As shown in (I), the laminated ceramic body 11, which is a processed workpiece, is taken out from the sheet storage section 8 of the fixture 100.

[0180] In this embodiment, the above-described fixture 100 is used, so the laminated ceramic body 11, which is the workpiece after processing, can be easily removed from the sheet storage section 8 of the fixture 100.

[0181] (12) Formation of external electrodes (subsequent process)

[0182] like Figure 13 As shown in (J), a first external electrode 14 is formed at one end of the laminated ceramic body 11, which serves as the processed workpiece, and a second external electrode 15 is formed at the other end.

[0183] First, an external electrode paste is applied to both ends of the laminated ceramic body 11. Next, the laminated ceramic body 11 coated with the external electrode paste is heated to fuse the external electrode paste onto the surface of the laminated ceramic body 11, forming a base electrode layer for the first external electrode 14 and the second external electrode 15. Then, the surface of the base electrode layer is subjected to electroplating, for example, to form a plating layer comprising one or more layers, thus forming the first external electrode 14 and the second external electrode 15.

[0184] (13) Plating (post-processing)

[0185] Next, electroplating is performed on the outer surfaces of the first external electrode 14 and the second external electrode 15, for example, to form a plating layer comprising one or more layers.

[0186] Thus, the 1000 multilayer ceramic capacitor is completed.

[0187] In the above-described method for manufacturing the multilayer ceramic capacitor 1000, after firing the unfired multilayer ceramic body 21 to obtain a fired multilayer ceramic body 11, an external electrode paste is applied to both ends of the multilayer ceramic body 11 and then fired to form a first external electrode 14 and a second external electrode 15. This method can also be modified.

[0188] Specifically, for example, firstly, as a workpiece preparation step before processing, an external electrode paste is applied to both ends of the unfired laminated ceramic body 21. Then, in the processing step, the external electrode paste is fired to form a first external electrode 14 and a second external electrode 15 at both ends of the laminated ceramic body 11, respectively.

[0189] In this way, the method of forming the first external electrode 14 and the second external electrode 15 can also be changed.

[0190] [Second Implementation]

[0191] Figure 13 (A) and (B) show the fixture 200 for manufacturing electronic components according to the second embodiment. However, Figure 13 (A) and (B) are cross-sectional views of fixture 200.

[0192] The clamp 200 of the second embodiment is obtained by modifying a part of the structure of the clamp 100 of the first embodiment. Specifically, in the clamp 100, a plurality of linear members 3 extending along the longitudinal direction X are arranged parallel to each other in the transverse direction Y at a spacing D. A plurality of linear members 4 extending along the transverse direction Y are arranged parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction X at a spacing E. A plurality of linear members 5 extending along the longitudinal direction X are arranged parallel to each other in the transverse direction Y at a spacing D. A plurality of linear members 6 extending along the transverse direction Y are arranged parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction X at a spacing E. A plurality of linear members 7 extending along the longitudinal direction X are arranged parallel to each other in the transverse direction Y at a spacing D. Furthermore, a sheet-receiving portion 8 is formed in a matrix pattern on the entire main surface of the clamp 100.

[0193] In fixture 200, fixture 100 was modified so that the distance between the centers of two adjacent linear members separately arranged in linear members 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, i.e., the arrangement spacing, is partially different. Specifically, for linear members 3, 5, and 7, a larger arrangement spacing DB and a smaller arrangement spacing DS are alternately repeated. Furthermore, for linear members 4 and 6, a larger arrangement spacing EB and a smaller arrangement spacing ES are alternately repeated. It should be noted that, in order to improve the air permeability described below, the size of the larger arrangement spacing DB is preferably 120% or more of the smaller arrangement spacing DS. Additionally, the size of the larger arrangement spacing EB is preferably 120% or more of the smaller arrangement spacing ES.

[0194] As a result, a sheet-receiving portion 8 capable of receiving workpieces and a non-sheet-receiving portion 28 unable to receive workpieces are formed on the main surface of the fixture 200.

[0195] When the sheet-receiving portion 8 is formed on the entire surface of the main surface of the fixture, the ventilation may sometimes decrease due to the workpiece being housed. In contrast, in the fixture 200 of the second embodiment, a non-sheet-receiving portion 28 that cannot house the workpiece is provided, thus improving ventilation.

[0196] [Third Implementation Method]

[0197] The clamp 300 in the third embodiment is also obtained by modifying a part of the structure of the clamp 100 in the first embodiment. It should be noted that the drawings are not used in the description of the third embodiment.

[0198] In factories that manufacture multiple types of electronic components, or factories that manufacture multiple products that are the same type of electronic components but different in size, for example, it is sometimes necessary to use multiple types of jigs with different sizes and shapes of the sheet storage unit 8.

[0199] In this situation, it is important to be able to easily identify the type of fixture. This is because the productivity of electronic components decreases when fixture identification (sorting) takes time. Furthermore, if the wrong type of fixture is used, the characteristics and shape of the manufactured electronic components may be compromised. For example, using a fixture with a larger sheet-receiving section 8 to process a smaller workpiece, or using a fixture with a smaller sheet-receiving section 8 to process a larger workpiece.

[0200] Therefore, in order to easily identify the type of clamp, in the clamp 300 (not shown) of the third embodiment, a portion is given a distinctive feature that differs from the other portions. This distinctive feature is, for example, color. Giving a portion of the clamp 300 a different color from the other portions is considered suitable as it does not reduce the clamp 300's air permeability, heat resistance, or resistance to physical impact. However, the distinctive feature is not limited to color; the shape of the clamp 300 may also be changed, or additional marking components may be added.

[0201] The aforementioned clamp 100 is composed of linear components 1 to 7. However, in the clamp 300, one of the linear components may be set to a different color than the other linear components. For example, the color of linear component 1 may be set to a color selected from colors in the red family, blue family, green family, etc., while the colors of the other linear components 2 to 7 may be set to gray or other colors.

[0202] By adopting such a structure, the clamp 300 of this embodiment can have features that allow identification according to the type of each clamp 300, such as setting the color of the linear member 1 of the clamp 300 with a larger sheet storage portion 8 to a red color, setting the color of the linear member 1 of the clamp 300 with a medium-sized sheet storage portion 8 to a blue color, and setting the color of the linear member 1 of the clamp 300 with a smaller sheet storage portion 8 to a green color.

[0203] It should be noted that methods for changing the color of the linear component include, for example, adding heat-resistant ink, colored zirconium oxide, etc., to the material of the linear component 1. According to this method, the heat resistance of the clamp 300 is not reduced, especially when the raw material of the clamp 300 contains ceramic.

[0204] It should be noted that, in the method of changing the color of the linear member, it is more preferable to color the linear member 1 belonging to the first linear member group 1G. This is because the linear member 1 belonging to the first linear member group 1G does not come into contact with the workpiece housed in the sheet receiving portion 8, therefore, it is believed that the effect of coloring on the workpiece can be eliminated or that such effect can be minimized.

[0205] The clamp 300 of the third embodiment makes it easy to identify the type of clamp.

[0206] [Fourth Implementation Method]

[0207] Figure 14 (A) and (B) show the clamp 400 of the fourth embodiment. However, Figure 14 (A) and (B) are explanatory diagrams of fixture 400.

[0208] The clamp 400 of the fourth embodiment is also obtained by modifying a part of the structure of the clamp 100 of the first embodiment. Specifically, in the clamp 400, the clamp is composed of a lower part 400A and an upper part 400B, which can separate the two in the height direction Z.

[0209] The lower part 400A is formed by linear members 1 to 5. The upper part 400B is formed by linear members 6 and 7.

[0210] The lower portion 400A has a lower sheet storage portion 8f with a lower sidewall portion 8ca. The upper portion 400B has an upper sheet storage portion 8g with an upper sidewall portion 8cb. When the lower portion 400A and the upper portion 400B are combined, the sheet storage portion 8g is composed of the lower sheet storage portion 8f and the upper sheet storage portion 8g. Furthermore, the sidewall portion 8c is composed of the lower sidewall portion 8ca and the upper sidewall portion 8cb. The reason for this configuration will be explained below.

[0211] The fixture has a case in which the head of the workpiece W, which is housed in the sheet receiving portion 8, preferably extends out of the opening 8a to the outside of the sheet receiving portion 8, and a case in which it does not extend out.

[0212] For example, when removing workpiece W from the sheet receiving section 8, it is generally best to have the head of workpiece W protrude outward from the sheet receiving section 8. This is because the shallower the sheet receiving section 8 is, the easier it is to remove workpiece W.

[0213] On the other hand, when storing workpiece W in sheet storage section 8, it is generally best that the head of workpiece W does not protrude outside of sheet storage section 8. This is because when the head of workpiece W protrudes outside of sheet storage section 8, workpiece W stored in sheet storage section 8 first may prevent other workpieces W that have not yet been stored from being stored in other sheet storage sections 8.

[0214] The clamp 400 of the fourth embodiment can, for example, be used to store the workpiece W in the sheet storage section 8, so that the lower part 400A and the upper part 400B are combined, and when the workpiece W is taken out from the sheet storage section 8, the lower part 400A and the upper part 400B are separated, and only the lower part 400A is used.

[0215] It should be noted that, regarding the fixture 400, it is sufficient that at least one of the fixture 400 and the lower part 400A, which are combined with the upper part 400B, satisfies the above equations (1) to (7). Alternatively, it is also possible that the fixture 400 and the lower part 400A, which are combined with the upper part 400B, complementaryly satisfy the above equations (1) to (7).

[0216] [Fifth Implementation]

[0217] Figure 15 The clamp 500 of the fifth embodiment is shown. However, Figure 15 This is a sectional view of fixture 500.

[0218] The clamp 500 of the fifth embodiment is also obtained by modifying a part of the structure of the clamp 100 of the first embodiment. Specifically, in the clamp 100, the size of the opening of the sheet receiving portion 8 is uniform from the bottom (bottom 8b side) to the top (opening 8a side). In the clamp 500, the clamp 100 is modified so that the size of the opening of the sheet receiving portion 8 increases from the bottom (bottom 8b side) to the top (opening 8a side).

[0219] Specifically, the clamp 500 is configured such that the diameter of the linear member 1 = the diameter of the linear member 2 = the diameter of the linear member 3 > the diameter of the linear member 4 = the diameter of the linear member 5 > the diameter of the linear member 6 = the diameter of the linear member 7, so that the size of the opening of the sheet receiving part 8 increases from the bottom to the top.

[0220] In the fixture 500, since the size of the opening of the piece storage section 8 increases from the bottom side (bottom 8b side) to the top side (opening 8a side), it is easier to store and retrieve the workpiece.

[0221] The fixtures 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 for manufacturing electronic components according to the first to fifth embodiments have been described above. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing an electronic component (multilayer ceramic capacitor) using fixture 100 according to the first embodiment has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above description, and various modifications can be made according to the spirit of the invention.

[0222] For example, in the above embodiments, a multilayer ceramic capacitor is manufactured as an electronic component. However, the manufactured ceramic electronic component is not limited to a multilayer ceramic capacitor. Instead, it can be a multilayer type electronic component such as a multilayer ceramic inductor, a multilayer ceramic thermistor, a multilayer ceramic LC component, or a multilayer ceramic substrate, or a non-multilayer type electronic component such as a ceramic resonator, a ceramic filter, a ceramic resistor, a ceramic thermistor, or a ceramic substrate.

[0223] Furthermore, in the method for manufacturing electronic components according to the embodiment, the workpiece processing step is a firing step, but the workpiece processing step is not limited to a firing step. The workpiece processing step may also include, for example, a synthesis step, a degreasing step, a firing step, a cleaning step, a drying step, an external electrode formation step (paste application, plating, sputtering, vapor deposition, vacuum film formation, etc.), an outline processing step (edge ​​rounding, exposure of the ends of internal electrodes, machining, mechanical grinding, sandblasting, liquid-phase or gas-phase based chemical etching, laser-based, plasma-based processing, etc.), an annealing step, an aging step, a polarization step, a characteristic sorting step, an appearance sorting step, an environmental testing step (which may also include pressure application), etc. Especially in processes involving heating, it is suitable when using a fixture with ceramic as the raw material due to its high heat resistance. Furthermore, in processes exposing the workpiece to gases or liquids, it is suitable when using a fixture with through holes in at least one of the bottom and sidewall portions of the sheet receiving portion, resulting in high air and liquid permeability.

[0224] The fixture for manufacturing electronic components according to one embodiment of the present invention is described in the section "Solution to the problem".

[0225] In this fixture, when the cross section of at least a portion of the linear member constituting the sidewall portion, which belongs to the first stacked linear member group from the top, is circular, and the minimum diameter of the cross section is set to the minimum diameter R1min, the following formula (8) is preferably satisfied in all the sheet storage portions that satisfy formulas (1) and (2).

[0226] (W1 2 +(1 / 4)×L12 ) 1 / 2 -R1min <d1…(8)

[0227] This is because, in this case, the workpiece before processing can be easily stored in the fixture's storage section.

[0228] In addition, the processed workpiece stored in the sheet storage section is a cuboid with length L3, width W3, and thickness T3 (L3>W3≥T3). Among all sheet storage sections that satisfy formulas (1) and (2), it is also preferable to satisfy the following formula (9).

[0229] (Zmax-L3)<1 / 2×R1min…(9)

[0230] This is because, in this case, the machined workpiece can be easily removed from the fixture's plate storage section.

[0231] In at least one of the said linear member groups, the distance between the centers of two adjacent linear members arranged separately, i.e., the arrangement spacing, is preferably partially different. This is because, in this case, in addition to the sheet-receiving portion, a non-sheet-receiving portion that cannot accommodate the workpiece can also be provided, improving the air permeability of the fixture. In this case, the size of the maximum arrangement spacing is also preferably more than 120% of the minimum arrangement spacing. This is because, in this case, the air permeability of the fixture is further improved.

[0232] It is also preferable that the device can be separated into multiple parts (e.g., a lower part and an upper part) in the height direction, each part comprising linear members belonging to two or more groups of linear members. This is because, in this case, it is possible to use the device in the following way: when storing the workpiece in the sheet storage section, the lower part and the upper part are used together; when removing the workpiece from the sheet storage section, the lower part and the upper part are separated, and only the lower part is used. Furthermore, this makes it easier to both store the workpiece in the sheet storage section and remove the workpiece from the sheet storage section.

[0233] A portion of the linear member preferably possesses specific characteristics that are distinct from the other portions or all of them. These distinct characteristics could be, for example, color. This is because, in this case, the identification (sorting) of the type of clamp becomes easier.

[0234] A method for manufacturing an electronic component according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a pre-processing workpiece preparation step of preparing a plurality of pre-processing workpieces; a pre-processing workpiece storage step of storing the pre-processing workpieces in a piece storage section of a fixture for manufacturing electronic components according to the present invention; a workpiece processing step of processing the pre-processing workpieces stored in the piece storage section of the fixture to form processed workpieces; and a processed workpiece removal step of removing the processed workpieces from the piece storage section of the fixture. In this case, deviations in the characteristics and shape of the manufactured electronic component can be suppressed.

[0235] In this case, it is also preferable that the pre-processing workpiece storage process places multiple pre-processing workpieces on the fixture in an irregular manner in terms of position and orientation, and stores the multiple pre-processing workpieces placed on the fixture in the sheet storage section by applying vibration to the fixture and / or tilting the fixture. This is because, in this case, the pre-processing workpieces can be easily stored in the sheet storage section.

[0236] The workpiece processing step is preferably a firing step in which the workpiece is fired before processing. This is because, in this case, it is possible to prevent the workpieces from sticking together after processing.

[0237] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0238] Linear components 1-7…

[0239] 1G…First linear component group;

[0240] 2G…Second linear component group;

[0241] 3G…Third linear component group;

[0242] 4G…Fourth linear component group;

[0243] 5G…the fifth linear component group;

[0244] 6G…Sixth linear component group;

[0245] 7G…Seventh linear component group;

[0246] 8…piece storage section;

[0247] 8a…opening;

[0248] 8b…bottom;

[0249] 8c…side wall portion;

[0250] 8d…bottom through hole;

[0251] 8e… through hole in the side wall;

[0252] 11…Layered ceramic body;

[0253] 11a…Non-conductive layer;

[0254] 12…First internal electrode layer;

[0255] 13…Second internal electrode layer;

[0256] 14…First external electrode;

[0257] 15…Second external electrode;

[0258] 21…unfired, layered ceramic body;

[0259] 21a… Ceramic raw shards;

[0260] 22, 23… Internal electrode paste;

[0261] 100…Layered ceramic capacitors (ceramic electronic components).

Claims

1. A fixture for manufacturing electronic components. The clamp has a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and a height direction orthogonal to both the longitudinal and transverse directions. The clamp has multiple sheet storage sections with openings on the top in the height direction. Assuming that after a cuboid-shaped pre-processing workpiece with length L1, width W1, and thickness T1 is respectively housed in the plurality of receiving portions, the pre-processing workpiece is processed to become a post-processing workpiece, wherein, L1>W1≥T1, in, The clamp has multiple linear component groups stacked along the height direction. The linear component groups each include multiple linear components arranged separately and in parallel with each other. When viewed along the height direction, the linear members of the linear member group stacked in one layer intersect with the linear members of other linear member groups stacked in adjacent layers. Each of the sheet receiving portions has a bottom that supports the workpiece before processing from below in the height direction and a sidewall portion that separates adjacent other sheet receiving portions. The bottom is composed of one or more linear members belonging to one of the linear member groups. The sidewall portion is composed of one linear member belonging to one of the linear member groups, or two or more linear members belonging to two or more of the linear member groups respectively. When an imaginary cuboid with length L2, width W2, and thickness T2 is inserted into the storage section along its length, the cuboid that can abut against the bottom and whose width W2 × thickness T2 is the largest is defined as the cuboid with the largest cross-section, where W2 ≥ T2. When the cuboid with the largest cross-section abuts against the bottom of the sheet receiving part, and the end face of the cuboid abutting against the bottom is defined as the largest imaginary bottom surface of the sheet receiving part, the largest imaginary bottom surface has a long side d1 and a short side d2, where d1 ≥ d2. The maximum depth Zmax of the sheet receiving portion is defined as the dimension between the maximum imaginary bottom surface extending along the normal direction and the top surface of the linear member belonging to the first stacked linear member group from above. The minimum depth Zmin of the sheet receiving portion is defined as the dimension between the maximum imaginary bottom surface extending along the normal direction and the top surface of the linear member belonging to the second stacked linear member group from the top. At this time, at least a portion of the multiple sheet storage sections satisfy equations (1) and (2), and all the sheet storage sections that satisfy equations (1) and (2) satisfy equations (3) to (7). W1<d1 …(1) T1<d2 …(2) d1<2W1 …(3) d2<2T1 …(4) 1 / 2×L1<Zmin …(5) Zmax<3 / 2×L1 …(6) d1 < L1 … (7).

2. The fixture for manufacturing electronic components according to claim 1, wherein, When the cross-section of at least a portion of the linear member constituting the sidewall portion, which belongs to the first stacked linear member group from the top, is circular, and the minimum diameter of the cross-section is set as the minimum diameter R1min, In all the sheet storage parts that satisfy equations (1) and (2), the following equation (8) is satisfied. (W1) 2 +(1 / 4)×L1 2 ) 1 / 2 -R1min<d1…(8).

3. The fixture for manufacturing electronic components according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The processed workpiece housed in the receiving section is a cuboid with length L3, width W3, and thickness T3, wherein L3 > W3 ≥ T3. In all the sheet storage parts that satisfy equations (1) and (2), the following equation (9) is satisfied. (Zmax-L3)<1 / 2×R1min…(9).

4. The fixture for manufacturing electronic components according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, In at least one of the linear member groups, the distance between the centers of two adjacent linear members that are separately arranged, i.e., the arrangement spacing, is partially different.

5. The fixture for manufacturing electronic components according to claim 4, wherein, The largest configuration spacing is more than 120% of the smallest configuration spacing.

6. The fixture for manufacturing electronic components according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, It can be separated into multiple parts in the height direction. The portions are each configured to include linear members belonging to two or more of the linear member groups.

7. The fixture for manufacturing electronic components according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, A portion of the linear member possesses specific characteristics that are distinct from other portions or all others.

8. The fixture for manufacturing electronic components according to claim 7, wherein, The distinct characteristic mentioned is color.

9. A method for manufacturing an electronic component, comprising: The pre-processing workpiece preparation process involves preparing multiple pre-processing workpieces as described in claim 1. The pre-processing workpiece storage process involves storing the pre-processing workpiece in the sheet storage portion of the fixture for manufacturing electronic components according to any one of claims 1 to 8; The workpiece processing step involves processing the pre-processing workpieces housed in the sheet receiving portion of the fixture to form processed workpieces; and The workpiece removal process involves taking the processed workpiece out from the piece receiving section of the fixture.

10. The method for manufacturing an electronic component according to claim 9, wherein, In the pre-processing workpiece storage process, Multiple workpieces are placed on the fixture in a manner that does not restrict their position or orientation. By applying vibration to the fixture and / or tilting the fixture, a plurality of pre-processing workpieces placed on the fixture are housed in the sheet receiving portion.

11. The method for manufacturing an electronic component according to claim 9 or 10, wherein, The workpiece processing step is a firing step, in which the workpiece before processing is heated together with the fixture to fire the workpiece before processing.

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