Die Supply Magazine Rack ID Control for Wafer Expander Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing die supply apparatuses face productivity issues due to the time-consuming process of installing a wafer expander in a magazine rack, which varies in specifications, leading to inefficiencies in accommodating different types of magazine racks.
Innovation Solution
A die supply apparatus with a magazine rack that can accommodate variously specified magazine racks by using a control device to read identification information and specification data stored on the racks, allowing for automatic adjustment of the lifting and lowering mechanism to handle different configurations, including commercially available racks without the need for manual adaptation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wafer expander is installed in a magazine rack by using a screw, then the wafer expander can be securely accommodated, but the installation process takes time and decreases productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The magazine rack is divided into multiple slots, each capable of independently accommodating a wafer expander. This segmentation allows for quick insertion and removal of wafer expanders without requiring complex installation procedures, thereby improving productivity while maintaining secure accommodation through the slot structure.
Solution Approach 2:
An adapter is introduced as an intermediary component between the wafer expander and the magazine rack. The adapter simplifies the connection mechanism, allowing the wafer expander to be quickly attached to the magazine rack slot without time-consuming screw installation, thus resolving the contradiction between secure accommodation and installation speed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a commercially available magazine rack with different specifications is used, then versatility is improved, but the control system becomes more complex due to varying slot configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The magazine rack slots are designed with universal compatibility to accommodate wafer expanders of different specifications. The standardized slot design allows a single magazine rack structure to work with various wafer expander types, improving versatility without requiring complex control systems to manage different configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows for parameter changes in magazine rack specifications (such as slot pitch and number of slots) while maintaining a consistent control approach. The control device can adapt to different parameters through programmable settings, thereby supporting various magazine rack specifications without significantly increasing control system complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual installation of dicing frame in wafer pallet is required, then precise positioning can be achieved, but the operation time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The wafer expander is pre-positioned and pre-assembled with the dicing frame before being placed into the magazine rack slot. This preliminary preparation ensures precise positioning is achieved during manufacturing, while the pre-assembled unit can be quickly inserted into the magazine rack without time-consuming manual installation during operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A magazine lifting and lowering section 34 of a die supply apparatus 12 is configured to be able to house a replaced magazine rack having different specifications. A code display portion 57 marked with identification information (hereinafter, referred to as "a magazine rack ID") for each magazine rack is provided in each magazine rack, and a magazine rack ID and specification data related to each magazine rack are associated with each other and are registered in a database of a host computer 62. When the magazine rack accommodating a wafer expander 35 is housed in the magazine lifting and lowering section 34, the magazine rack ID is read from the code display portion 57 of the magazine rack by using a reader 58 so as to be transmitted to the host computer 62, the database of the host computer 62 is searched for, and the specification data related to the magazine rack corresponding to the magazine rack ID is acquired so as to be transmitted to the die supply apparatus 12, thereby controlling a lifting and lowering operation of the magazine rack performed by a lifting and lowering mechanism 49.