Transparent Chuck Table with Frame Suction for Infrared Observation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Chuck tables made of transparent materials, such as glass, pose difficulties in observing the face side of workpieces due to air trapped between the holding surface and the tape, which obstructs infrared camera views, especially when vacuum grooves are present.
Innovation Solution
A chuck table design featuring a holder made of transparent material with a frame body having suction holes on its inner circumferential surface, allowing air to be discharged between the tape and the holding surface, ensuring intimate contact and clear observation of the workpiece.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vacuum grooves are formed in the holding surface of the holder, then the workpiece can be held under suction, but the vacuum grooves prevent the infrared camera from focusing clearly on the face side of the workpiece
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is divided into two functional parts: a transparent holder body for observation and a separate frame body with suction holes for vacuum application. This segmentation allows the holding function to be achieved without compromising the transparency and observation quality of the holder surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame body acts as an intermediary structure that provides the vacuum function without interfering with the transparent holder's observation surface. The suction holes are positioned in the frame body rather than the holder, using the frame as a mediator to separate the vacuum function from the observation surface.
2Measurement precision
If the holder is covered entirely with tape and vacuum is applied through suction holes around the holder, then vacuum grooves are eliminated, but air may remain trapped between the holding surface and the tape
Solution Approach 1:
The frame body is designed with suction holes at specific locations around its circumference, creating localized vacuum application points. This local quality approach allows air to be discharged from specific areas between the tape and holding surface, ensuring complete contact without requiring the entire holder surface to have vacuum features.
3Measurement precision
If a transparent holder is used for observation, then the face side of the workpiece can be observed, but air trapped between the holding surface and tape obstructs the infrared camera view
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum application function is extracted from the transparent holder and placed in the separate frame body. This extraction eliminates the conflict between needing a transparent observation surface and needing vacuum grooves or suction holes in the holder itself, as the vacuum function is now performed by the frame's suction holes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy observation of the workpiece by eliminating air pockets and preventing focus issues for infrared cameras, even when using transparent holders.
Implementation Method 1
a suction force is transmitted through the suction holes into the frame body, discharging air from between the tape and the holding surface
Data Source
AI summary
A chuck table holding a frame unit including a workpiece is securely placed in an opening of an annular frame by a tape. A transparent holder having a holding surface holds the workpiece with the tape interposed therebetween. A frame body is erected around and surrounding the holder, the frame body having a plurality of suction holes that are open in an inner circumferential surface of the frame body. The frame body has an inside diameter equal to or smaller than an inside diameter of the annular frame. While an opening of the frame body is being covered by the tape, a suction force is transmitted through the suction holes into the frame body, discharging air from between the tape and the holding surface to bring the tape into intimate contact with the holding surface thereby securing the workpiece of the frame unit to the holding surface.