Cutting device for laminate

Abstract

To solve the problem that a main surface at the opposite side of a stage of an outer surface of a laminate may not be sufficiently heated.SOLUTION: A cutting device 10 for a laminate comprises: a movable stage 22 having a placement surface 22A on which a laminate can be placed; an electrothermal heater 23 that heats the movable stage; a cut blade 33 that can reciprocate along a shaft that is orthogonal to the placement surface 22A; and a thermography 43 that detects a temperature of a main surface of the laminate placed on the placement surface 22A. Further a control device of the cutting device 10 makes the cut blade 33 reciprocate when the temperature of the main surface of the laminate detected by the thermography 43 is above a specified temperature.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] The laminate cutting device described in Patent Document 1 includes a stage on which the laminate can be placed and a cutter for cutting the laminate placed on the stage. The stage is heatable. When cutting the laminate, the laminate is placed on the heated stage and cut with the cutter in that state. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 61-144810 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When a laminate is heated on a heated stage as in the cutting device described in Patent Document 1, the laminate, which contains a resin component that softens when heated, is heated from the surface that comes into contact with the stage. Therefore, with the cutting device described in Patent Document 1, the main surface of the outer surface of the laminate opposite the stage may not be heated sufficiently, meaning that the entire laminate may not be softened. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] 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 the laminate to be cut can be placed, a heater for heating the movable stage, a cutting blade that can move back and forth along an axis perpendicular to the mounting surface, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the main surface of the laminate placed on the mounting surface, and a control device that causes the cutting blade to move back and forth when the temperature of the main surface detected by the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined specified temperature. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, the laminate can be cut in a state where the outer surface of the laminate is sufficiently heated. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [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. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] 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.

[0009] <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.

[0010] 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.

[0011] 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.

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] The laminate 100 can be produced, 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 production 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] <Cutting device configuration> Next, the cutting device 10 will be described. 3, the cutting device 10 includes a base 11, a movable mechanism 21, and a movable stage 22. The base 11 is a rectangular plate-like member. The base 11 is fixed to, for example, a factory floor or a table.

[0023] The movable stage 22 is connected to the main surface of the base 11 via the 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 or 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.

[0024] 4, the movable mechanism 21 supports the movable stage 22 so that the movable stage 22 can reciprocate in a direction parallel to its mounting surface 22A. Although not shown, the movable mechanism 21 is composed of a ball screw, an electric motor for rotating the ball screw, and the like. As this type of movable mechanism 21, for example, the mechanism described in Patent Document 1 can be used.

[0025] In the following, as shown in FIG. 4, an axis parallel to the direction in which the movable stage 22 reciprocates 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.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, the cutting device 10 includes a plurality of electric heaters 23 as first heaters. In this embodiment, the cutting device 10 includes four electric heaters 23. Each electric heater 23 generates heat when powered on. Each electric heater 23 is embedded in the movable stage 22. As shown in FIG. 4, the electric heaters 23 are arranged parallel to the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22. Specifically, the four electric heaters 23 are arranged in a matrix, with two electric heaters 23 arranged along the first axis X and two electric heaters 23 arranged along the second axis Y. Therefore, each electric heater 23 heats a region obtained by dividing the mounting surface 22A into four equal regions in a two-row, two-column matrix. Each electric heater 23 can be individually turned on and off. Note that in FIG. 4, the position of each electric heater 23 is shown imaginarily by dashed lines.

[0027] The heat generated by each electric heater 23 heats the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22, and ultimately the laminate 100 placed on the mounting surface 22A. The temperature of the mounting surface 22A that can be heated by the four electric heaters 23 is, for example, several tens of degrees to several hundred degrees.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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. When the cutting blade 33 moves downward together with the cutting block 32, the laminate 100 placed on the placement surface 22A of the movable stage 22 is cut.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 3, the cutting device 10 is equipped with two side cameras 41 and two upper cameras 42. 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.

[0033] Each side camera 41 is located outside the range in which the movable stage 22 is located 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 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. The "optical axis of a camera" is an imaginary line connecting the center of the lens closest to the subject and the focal point of that lens. In Figure 3, the optical axis of each camera is shown as an imaginary dashed line.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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 detects the state of the end surface 100B of the laminate 100 mounted on the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22 in the form of color image data.

[0036] More specifically, the cross section is taken along a plane that includes the optical axis of upper camera 42 and is perpendicular to mounting surface 22A of movable stage 22. In this case, the acute angle θ1 formed between the optical axis of upper camera 42 and mounting surface 22A of movable stage 22 is 60 degrees or less. In this embodiment, the acute angle θ1 is approximately 45 degrees.

[0037] 3, the cutting device 10 is equipped with a thermograph 43 as a temperature sensor. The thermograph 43 is a camera capable of detecting the temperature distribution on the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22 and the main surface 100A of the laminate 100 mounted on the mounting surface 22A. The thermograph 43 is fixed to the suspension part 13 via a bracket B.

[0038] The thermograph 43 is located within the range in which the movable stage 22 is located in the direction along the second axis Y. In other words, the thermograph 43 is located within the 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 thermograph 43 is located midway between the two support columns 12 in the direction along the second axis Y. The thermograph 43 is also located on the upward UD side relative to each of the lateral cameras 41. The optical axis of the thermograph 43 intersects with the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22. Therefore, the imaging range of the thermograph 43 is the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22. In this embodiment, the imaging range of the thermograph 43 is substantially the entire area of ​​the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22. The thermography 43 detects the state of the main surface 100A of the laminate 100 placed on the placement surface 22A of the movable stage 22 in the form of color image data.

[0039] More specifically, assume that the cross section is taken along a plane that includes the optical axis of the thermograph 43 and is perpendicular to the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22. In this case, the acute angle θ2 formed between the optical axis of the thermograph 43 and the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22 is 80 degrees or greater, or the angle θ2 formed between the optical axis of the thermograph 43 and the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22 is 90 degrees. In this embodiment, the angle θ2 is approximately 90 degrees.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3 , the cutting device 10 includes a far-infrared heater 44 as a second heater for heating the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22. In this embodiment, the far-infrared heater 44 is a halogen heater that reflects far-infrared rays emitted by a halogen lamp with a reflector and irradiates the mounting surface 22A with the reflected far-infrared rays. The far-infrared heater 44 may also be called a converging heater, spot heater, line heater, or the like, depending on the shape of the lamp and the shape of the reflector. The far-infrared heater 44 is fixed to the suspension unit 13 via a bracket B. Therefore, the far-infrared heater 44 is provided outside the movable stage 22. The far-infrared heater 44 is positioned in the upward direction UD with respect to the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22. Therefore, the far-infrared heater 44 irradiates far-infrared rays downward in the downward direction DD.

[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. Note that the peripheral circuits are not shown in FIG. 4. The memory unit 51 is composed of a non-volatile writable / readable storage, a non-volatile read-only ROM, a volatile RAM, and the like. The memory unit 51 stores in advance programs for controlling the reciprocating motion of the cutting blade 33 and the movable stage 22, as well as related data. The processing circuit 52 executes the programs stored in the memory unit 51. The other peripheral circuits include, for example, a clock circuit and a power supply circuit.

[0042] The control device 50 individually controls the on / off switching of each of the four electric heaters 23. The control device 50 also controls the on / off switching of the far-infrared heater 44. The control of each heater by the control device 50 will be described later.

[0043] <Cutting position adjustment by the control device> The control device 50 controls the reciprocating motion of the cutting blade 33 by controlling the electric motor of the vertical movement mechanism 31. The control device 50 also controls the reciprocating motion of the movable stage 22 by controlling the electric motor of the movable mechanism 21. The control device 50 controls the reciprocating motion of the cutting blade 33 and the reciprocating motion of the movable stage 22 so that they are linked. Specifically, the control device 50 moves the cutting blade 33 downward and upward. This up and down movement of the cutting blade 33 cuts the laminate 100. Then, the control device 50 moves the movable stage 22 a fixed distance in a direction along the first axis X. The control device 50 repeats these operations to continuously cut the laminate 100.

[0044] The control device 50 acquires image data captured by each side camera 41 and each upper camera 42 when determining the relative position of the movable stage 22 with respect to the cutting blade 33 in the direction along the first axis X. As a premise, 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 the direction along the second axis Y. Then, the control device 50 specifies the positions of the first internal electrode 111 and the second internal electrode 112 on the end surface 100B of the laminate 100 based on the image data captured by each side camera 41 and the image data captured by each upper camera 42. Thereafter, the control device 50 determines a cutting position C of the laminate 100 in the direction along the short side of the first internal electrode 111. Thereafter, the control device 50 adjusts the position of the movable stage 22 so that the cutting edge 33A of the cutting blade 33 is positioned above the cutting position C in the upward direction UD.

[0045] <Heater control by a control device> When the cutting device 10 starts the cutting operation of the laminate 100, the control device 50 first turns on all four electric heaters 23. This causes the temperature of the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22 to rise.

[0046] Next, the control device 50 acquires the detection results of the thermographer 43. As described above, the thermographer 43 has an imaging range that covers substantially the entire area of ​​the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22. Therefore, the thermographer 43 can also detect the temperature distribution of the exposed area of ​​the mounting surface 22A that is not covered by the laminate 100, i.e., the temperature distribution of the mounting surface 22A itself.

[0047] Based on the detection results of the thermograph 43, the control device 50 calculates the average temperature of each of the four regions of the mounting surface 22A, which are divided into two rows and two columns, where the laminate 100 is not placed. The control device 50 then determines whether the average temperature of each region is equal to or higher than a preset temperature stored in the memory unit 51 of the control device 50. If the average temperature of each region is equal to or higher than the preset temperature, the control device 50 switches off the electric heater 23 corresponding to that region. On the other hand, if the average temperature of each region is lower than the preset temperature, the control device 50 switches on the electric heater 23 corresponding to that region. This maintains the temperature of the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22 at approximately the preset temperature throughout. The preset temperature is determined taking into account the material, thickness, etc. of the laminate 100 to be cut. For example, the specified temperature is set within a range of several tens of degrees to several hundred degrees.

[0048] Next, the control device 50 acquires the detection results of the thermographer 43. Then, the control device 50 calculates the average temperature of the main surface 100A of the laminate 100 based on the detection results of the thermographer 43. Note that the main surface 100A of the laminate 100 here refers to the surface from which the temperature distribution can be acquired by the thermographer 43, i.e., the surface facing the upward direction UD.

[0049] Then, the control device 50 determines whether the temperature difference ΔT obtained by subtracting the average temperature of the main surface 100A from the set temperature of the movable stage 22 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. This threshold can be set, for example, within a range from a few degrees to a dozen degrees. The threshold here is preferably a positive value equal to or less than 14.2 degrees, and more preferably equal to or less than 5.1 degrees.

[0050] The stack 100 is basically heated from the surface that is in contact with the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22. Therefore, the temperature of the stack 100 decreases toward the upper UD side. Here, the specified temperature is the value obtained by subtracting the threshold value from the set temperature. In this case, if the temperature difference ΔT obtained by subtracting the average temperature of the main surface 100A from the set temperature of the movable stage 22 is equal to or less than the threshold value, it means that the average temperature of the main surface 100A is equal to or higher than the set temperature.

[0051] If the above determination is negative, the control device 50 turns on the far-infrared heater 44. This increases the temperature of the main surface 100A of the laminate 100, thereby reducing the temperature difference ΔT. On the other hand, if the above determination is positive, the control device 50 adjusts the position of the movable stage 22 as described above, and then starts the reciprocating movement of the cutting blade 33.

[0052] The control device 50 then repeatedly executes the series of determinations described above. As a result, if the determination remains positive, the control device 50 continues the cutting operation of the stack 100, and if the determination becomes negative, the control device 50 stops the cutting operation of the stack 100 at that point.

[0053] <Cutting test> The following describes test results when cutting a laminate 100 using the cutting device 10 of the above embodiment. First, a laminate 100 with a thickness of approximately 3.0 mm, composed of multiple ceramic green sheets and multiple conductor layers, was prepared as a cutting target for the test. When cutting this laminate 100 with the cutting device 10, the average temperature of the main surface 100A of the laminate 100 was calculated. The average temperature was determined by dividing the main surface 100A into nine equal regions with three rows and three columns, and averaging the average temperatures of each region across the nine regions. A temperature difference ΔT was then calculated by subtracting the average temperature of the main surface 100A of the laminate 100 from the set temperature of the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22. The maximum deviation in the direction along the first axis X between the cutting position on the main surface 100A of the laminate 100 and the cutting position on the bottom surface of the laminate 100 on the mounting surface 22A side was then measured. When the maximum deviation was less than 10 μm, it was determined that the cutting was performed as designed. On the other hand, when the maximum deviation was 10 μm or more, it was determined that the cutting was not performed as designed, that is, that the cutting was performed poorly. The cutting of the laminate 100 was repeated 100 times under different conditions of temperature difference ΔT, and the rate of poor cutting under each condition was calculated.

[0054] Note that a large temperature difference ΔT indicates a low temperature of the main surface 100A of the laminate 100. The dielectric 101 of the laminate 100 contains a synthetic resin that becomes softer as the temperature increases. Therefore, when the temperature of the main surface 100A is low, the laminate 100 is expected to be harder than expected near the main surface 100A. Furthermore, the hardness of the laminate 100 is expected to change toward the movable stage 22. Since the laminate 100 is hard near the main surface 100A and the hardness is not constant, the cutting blade 33 may tilt when the cutting edge 33A of the cutting blade 33 enters the laminate 100. It is presumed that the above-mentioned deviation in the cutting position occurs when the cutting is performed with the cutting blade 33 tilted in this manner.

[0055] [Table 1]

[0056] As shown in Table 1, when the temperature difference ΔT was 25.1 degrees, the defective cutting rate was 24%. When the temperature difference ΔT was 15.2 degrees, the defective cutting rate was 21%. When the temperature difference ΔT was 14.2 degrees, the defective cutting rate was 6%. When the temperature difference ΔT was 11.2 degrees, the defective cutting rate was 3%. When the temperature difference ΔT was 8.4 degrees, the defective cutting rate was 2%. When the temperature difference ΔT was 5.1 degrees, the defective cutting rate was 0%.

[0057] The above results show that the smaller the temperature difference ΔT, the smaller the defective cutting rate tends to be. In particular, it was found that if the temperature difference ΔT is 14.2 degrees or less, the defective cutting rate can be kept at least below 10%. Furthermore, it was found that if the temperature difference ΔT is 5.1 degrees or less, the defective cutting rate can be kept at least to around 0%.

[0058] <Effects of the embodiment> (1) In the above embodiment, the cutting device 10 includes a thermographer 43 that detects the temperature of the main surface 100A of the laminate 100. When the average temperature of the main surface 100A detected by the thermographer 43 is equal to or higher than a specified temperature, the control device 50 causes the cutting blade 33 to reciprocate to cut the laminate 100. This series of operations allows the laminate 100 to be cut with the main surface of the laminate 100 being sufficiently heated.

[0059] (2) The cutting device 10 includes a plurality of electric heaters 23 embedded in the movable stage 22. The electric heaters 23 are arranged in a direction parallel to the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22. Therefore, the entire mounting surface 22A can be heated uniformly, and as a result, the laminate 100 can also be heated uniformly.

[0060] (3) In the above embodiment, the cutting device 10 includes a plurality of electric heaters 23 embedded in the movable stage 22, as well as a far-infrared heater 44 provided outside the movable stage 22. This far-infrared heater 44 can directly heat the main surface 100A of the laminate 100. Therefore, even if, for example, the laminate 100 is thick and it takes time for the heat from the movable stage 22 to be transmitted to the main surface 100A, the main surface 100A of the laminate 100 can be quickly heated by the far-infrared heater 44.

[0061] (4) In the above embodiment, the far-infrared heater 44 is used as the second heater. With the far-infrared heater 44, the range that can be heated can be changed relatively easily by changing the irradiation angle of the far-infrared rays, the presence or absence and shape of a reflector, etc. Therefore, the design can be appropriately changed depending on the type of laminate 100.

[0062] (5) In the above embodiment, the control device 50 causes the cutting blade 33 to reciprocate to cut the laminate 100 when the temperature difference ΔT, which is the set temperature minus the average temperature of the main surface 100A of the laminate 100, is equal to or less than a threshold value. When the temperature difference ΔT is small, the change in hardness of the laminate 100 in the direction along the third axis Z is small. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cutting blade 33 from tilting while cutting the laminate 100.

[0063] <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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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 capable of reciprocating not only in the direction along the first axis X but also in the direction along the second axis Y. Furthermore, the movable stage 22 may be rotatable about a rotation axis that passes through the center of the movable stage 22 when viewed in a plan view.

[0067] 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 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 movable mechanism 21 is not limited to an electric motor. The same applies to the vertical movement mechanism 31.

[0068] The number of electric heaters 23 is not limited. For example, the electric heaters 23 may be arranged in a matrix of 3 rows and 3 columns, for a total of 9 electric heaters 23. Furthermore, the number of electric heaters 23 may be only one.

[0069] A heater other than the electric heater 23 may be used as the first heater. Any heater may be used as long as it can heat the movable stage 22. There is no limitation on the configuration of the base 11, the support columns 12, and the suspension portion 13. Any configuration may be used as long as it can support the movable stage 22 and the cutting blade 33.

[0070] 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.

[0071] The side camera 41 and the upper camera 42 do not have to be full-color video cameras. For example, these cameras may be black-and-white video cameras or cameras that take still images. Furthermore, these cameras do 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.

[0072] Instead of the side camera 41, a sensor other than a camera may be used as the edge sensor. For example, a laser displacement meter may be used as the edge sensor. In this case, the laser displacement meter may be capable of detecting the shape of the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22 and the edge surface 100B of the laminate 100 mounted on the mounting surface 22A. By detecting the minute uneven shape of the edge surface 100B of the laminate 100 with the laser displacement meter, the position of each internal electrode on the edge surface 100B can be detected. Similarly, instead of the upper camera 42, a sensor other than a camera may be used as the edge sensor.

[0073] One of the two side cameras 41 may be omitted, or three or more side cameras 41 may be provided. Similarly, one of the two upper cameras 42 may be omitted, or three or more upper cameras 42 may be provided. Furthermore, only one of the side camera 41 and the upper camera 42 may be provided.

[0074] Furthermore, the side camera 41 and the upper camera 42 may be omitted altogether. If there is a mechanism that can accurately position the position of the laminate 100 on the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22, the laminate 100 can be cut at an accurate position even without these cameras.

[0075] The temperature sensor may be a sensor capable of measuring temperature other than the thermography 43. Note that the temperature sensor is preferably one that can measure temperature without contact, such as a digital radiation temperature sensor.

[0076] Two or more temperature sensors may be provided. In this case, the temperature sensors may be the same type or different types. When multiple temperature 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.

[0077] Instead of calculating the average temperature of the main surface 100A of the laminate 100, the temperature of a specific location on the main surface 100A may be detected. Other heaters may be used instead of the far-infrared heater 44. Any type of heater may be used as long as it can be provided outside the movable stage 22 and can heat the laminate 100 placed on the placement surface 22A of the movable stage 22.

[0078] The far-infrared heater 44 may be omitted. Even when the far-infrared heater 44 is omitted, the temperature difference ΔT obtained by subtracting the temperature of the main surface 100A of the laminate 100 from the set temperature decreases over time.

[0079] The threshold value of the temperature difference ΔT in the above embodiment can be changed as appropriate. The threshold value may be changed depending on the shape, material, etc. of the laminate 100 to be cut. For example, the laminate 100 to be cut may be prepared, and tests or simulations may be performed to find a threshold value that brings the rate of cutting failure within an acceptable range.

[0080] The temperature of the mounting surface 22A of the movable stage 22 is not necessarily heated to a constant set temperature, as in the above embodiment. In this case, the control device 50 separately determines the condition that the average temperature of the main surface 100A of the laminate 100 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, and the condition that the temperature difference ΔT obtained by subtracting the temperature of the main surface 100A from the temperature of the mounting surface 22A is equal to or lower than a threshold. Then, it is preferable that the control unit controls the cutting blade 33 to reciprocate when both of these conditions are met.

[0081] Instead of making a judgment based on the temperature difference ΔT as in the above embodiment, the cutting blade 33 may be caused to reciprocate when the average temperature of the main surface 100A of the laminate 100 is equal to or higher than a predetermined specified temperature.

[0082] <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 mounting surface on which a laminate to be cut can be placed; a heater for heating the movable stage; a cutting blade that is reciprocally movable along an axis perpendicular to the mounting surface; a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of a main surface of the stack placed on the placement surface; a control device that causes the cutting blade to reciprocate when the temperature of the main surface detected by the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature; Equipped with Laminate cutting device.

[0083] [Appendix 2] a plurality of the heaters embedded in the movable stage; The heaters are arranged in a direction parallel to the mounting surface. A laminate cutting device according to claim 1.

[0084] [Appendix 3] When the heater is a first heater, a second heater provided outside the movable stage for heating the mounting surface; 3. A cutting device for a laminate according to claim 1 or 2.

[0085] [Appendix 4] The second heater is a far-infrared heater. 4. A laminate cutting device according to claim 3.

[0086] [Appendix 5] The control device controlling the heater so that the temperature of the mounting surface becomes a set temperature; When a temperature difference obtained by subtracting the temperature of the main surface detected by the temperature sensor from the set temperature is equal to or less than a threshold value defined as a positive value of 14.2 degrees or less, the cutting blade is reciprocated. 5. A laminate cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

[0087] [Appendix 6] The control device controlling the heater so that the temperature of the mounting surface becomes a set temperature; When a temperature difference obtained by subtracting the temperature of the main surface detected by the temperature sensor from the set temperature is equal to or less than a threshold value defined as a positive value of 5.1 degrees, the cutting blade is reciprocated. 5. A laminate cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 22... Movable stage 23...Electric heater 33...Cutting blade 43...Thermography 50...Control device 100...Laminate 100A…Main surface

Claims

1. a movable stage having a mounting surface on which a laminate to be cut can be placed; a heater for heating the movable stage; a cutting blade that is reciprocally movable along an axis perpendicular to the mounting surface; a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of a main surface of the stack placed on the placement surface; a control device that causes the cutting blade to reciprocate when the temperature of the main surface detected by the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature; Equipped with Laminate cutting device.

2. a plurality of the heaters embedded in the movable stage; The heaters are arranged in a direction parallel to the mounting surface. The laminate cutting device according to claim 1 .

3. When the heater is a first heater, a second heater provided outside the movable stage for heating the mounting surface; The laminate cutting device according to claim 1 .

4. The second heater is a far-infrared heater. The laminate cutting device according to claim 3 .

5. The control device controlling the heater so that the temperature of the mounting surface becomes a set temperature; When a temperature difference obtained by subtracting the temperature of the main surface detected by the temperature sensor from the set temperature is equal to or less than a threshold value defined as a positive value of 14.2 degrees, the cutting blade is reciprocated. The laminate cutting device according to claim 1 .

6. The control device controlling the heater so that the temperature of the mounting surface becomes a set temperature; When a temperature difference obtained by subtracting the temperature of the main surface detected by the temperature sensor from the set temperature is equal to or less than a threshold value defined as a positive value of 5.1 degrees or less, the cutting blade is reciprocated. The laminate cutting device according to claim 1 .

Images