Wire Gripper Twisting Mechanism for Narrow Groove Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current semiconductor fabrication processes require manual handling and setup of wire grippers, which are inefficient and prone to errors, especially when pressing wires into narrow gaps within substrate processing apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
A wire gripper system comprising a gripper body, a rotatable wire supply, a pressure roller, a twister, and a reloader, controlled by a manipulator and controller, that automatically cuts, guides, and twists wires to press them into substrate processing apparatuses, enabling automated and precise wire insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual handling and setup of wire gripper is used, then operation simplicity is maintained, but productivity is low and human error increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wire gripper system is divided into distinct functional modules: wire supply unit, wire cutting section, pressure roller, twister, and reloader. Each module performs a specific function in the wire insertion process, enabling automated operation while maintaining manageable system complexity through functional segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically preparing the wire before insertion: the wire is supplied from the wire supply, cut to length by the wire cutting section, guided by the pressure roller, and twisted by the twister to reduce diameter. This preliminary preparation eliminates manual intervention and ensures consistent wire quality before insertion into the substrate processing apparatus.
2Manufacturing precision
If wire is not twisted, then wire integrity is maintained, but wire cannot be pressed into narrow gaps effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The twister applies localized twisting only to the end portion of the wire that needs to be inserted into the narrow gap, while the rest of the wire maintains its original structural integrity. This local modification allows the wire end to conform to narrow spaces without compromising the overall wire strength and continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The twister changes the physical parameter of the wire by reducing the diameter of the wire end through twisting. This parameter change enables the wire to be pressed into narrow gaps that would otherwise be inaccessible, while the twisted structure maintains sufficient mechanical strength for the application.
3Productivity
If automated wire press-in is implemented, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple wire preparation functions (supply, cutting, guiding, twisting, and reloading) are merged into a single integrated wire gripper unit. This consolidation enables automated wire insertion operations to be performed by one cohesive system rather than multiple separate devices, improving productivity while managing system complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire gripper system is designed to perform wire preparation and insertion operations autonomously without continuous manual intervention. The reloader automatically prepares the next wire after insertion, and the system can operate continuously with minimal human input, achieving high productivity through self-service automation.
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
The system allows for automated and precise insertion of wires into narrow grooves, improving efficiency and reducing human error by enabling automatic wire press-in, preparation for next processes, and maintaining wire integrity with reduced diameter for effective filling.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure roller that pressurizes the wire toward the substrate processing apparatus
Implementation Method 2
a twister that twists an end of the wire guided by the pressure roller
Implementation Method 3
a pressure roller below the wire supply and providing a guide groove to guide the wire supplied from the wire supply, the pressure roller rotating about a first axis
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to wire grippers, wire processing apparatuses, and wire processing methods. An example wire gripper comprises a gripper body, a wire supply in the gripper body and supplying a wire, a wire cutting section including a cutter that cuts the wire supplied from the wire supply, a pressure roller below the wire supply and providing a guide groove to guide the wire supplied from the wire supply, a twister on a side of the pressure roller, and a reloader that drives an end of the wire to move from the wire supply to the twister. The twister holds and twists the end of the wire guided by the pressure roller.