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CN117832114A - Packaging apparatus and method, and component carrier package and system - Google Patents

Packaging apparatus and method, and component carrier package and system Download PDF

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Publication number
CN117832114A
CN117832114A CN202211190516.8A CN202211190516A CN117832114A CN 117832114 A CN117832114 A CN 117832114A CN 202211190516 A CN202211190516 A CN 202211190516A CN 117832114 A CN117832114 A CN 117832114A
Authority
CN
China
Prior art keywords
component carrier
tray
gating
packaging
component
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
CN202211190516.8A
Other languages
Chinese (zh)
Inventor
顾红星
王正国
张毅
朱晓晴
唐跃中
黄建明
华瑞德
齐成宝
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
AT&S Austria Technologie und Systemtechnik AG
Original Assignee
AT&S Austria Technologie und Systemtechnik AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by AT&S Austria Technologie und Systemtechnik AG filed Critical AT&S Austria Technologie und Systemtechnik AG
Priority to CN202211190516.8A priority Critical patent/CN117832114A/en
Priority to PCT/EP2023/074344 priority patent/WO2024068200A1/en
Publication of CN117832114A publication Critical patent/CN117832114A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
    • G05B19/00—Programme-control systems
    • G05B19/02—Programme-control systems electric
    • G05B19/418—Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible manufacturing systems [FMS], integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] or computer integrated manufacturing [CIM]
    • G05B19/41875—Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible manufacturing systems [FMS], integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] or computer integrated manufacturing [CIM] characterised by quality surveillance of production
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L21/00—Processes or apparatus adapted for the manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or solid state devices or of parts thereof
    • H01L21/67—Apparatus specially adapted for handling semiconductor or electric solid state devices during manufacture or treatment thereof; Apparatus specially adapted for handling wafers during manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or electric solid state devices or components ; Apparatus not specifically provided for elsewhere
    • H01L21/67005—Apparatus not specifically provided for elsewhere
    • H01L21/67011—Apparatus for manufacture or treatment
    • H01L21/67121—Apparatus for making assemblies not otherwise provided for, e.g. package constructions
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L21/00—Processes or apparatus adapted for the manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or solid state devices or of parts thereof
    • H01L21/67—Apparatus specially adapted for handling semiconductor or electric solid state devices during manufacture or treatment thereof; Apparatus specially adapted for handling wafers during manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or electric solid state devices or components ; Apparatus not specifically provided for elsewhere
    • H01L21/67005—Apparatus not specifically provided for elsewhere
    • H01L21/67242—Apparatus for monitoring, sorting or marking
    • H01L21/67276—Production flow monitoring, e.g. for increasing throughput
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L21/00—Processes or apparatus adapted for the manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or solid state devices or of parts thereof
    • H01L21/67—Apparatus specially adapted for handling semiconductor or electric solid state devices during manufacture or treatment thereof; Apparatus specially adapted for handling wafers during manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or electric solid state devices or components ; Apparatus not specifically provided for elsewhere
    • H01L21/67005—Apparatus not specifically provided for elsewhere
    • H01L21/67242—Apparatus for monitoring, sorting or marking
    • H01L21/67294—Apparatus for monitoring, sorting or marking using identification means, e.g. labels on substrates or labels on containers

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Condensed Matter Physics & Semiconductors (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Quality & Reliability (AREA)
  • Packaging Frangible Articles (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a packaging device (100), a method of automatically packaging a component carrier (201) in a packaging device (100), a component carrier package, and a system. The packaging apparatus (100) comprises gating means (110) configured for allowing only the component carriers (201) meeting at least one predetermined gating criterion to continue packaging; a tracking device (120), the tracking device (120) being configured for tracking the component carrier (201) during processing by the encapsulation apparatus (100); and a packaging unit (130), the packaging unit (130) being configured to package the tracked component carrier (201) meeting at least one predetermined gating criterion into a component carrier package (102).

Description

Packaging apparatus and method, and component carrier package and system
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a packaging apparatus for automatically packaging component carriers. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for automatically encapsulating a component carrier.
Background
A component carrier such as a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) or substrate mechanically supports and electrically connects the active and passive electronic components. The electronic components are mounted on the component carrier and interconnected to form a working circuit or electronic assembly. During the manufacturing of the component carrier, the component carrier is formed in a common component carrier structure. Thus, the component carrier structure comprises a plurality of component carrier sections. The component carrier may form a plate-like element. After checking the function and quality of each component carrier, the component carriers are stacked into bundles of component carriers, and the bundles of component carriers are packaged together for further transport to customers. The steps of quality control and packaging of the component carrier are performed in separate work processes and are mainly performed by human inspectors or packaging workers.
Thus, there may be a need for improved component carrier testing and packaging procedures.
Disclosure of Invention
This need may be met by a packaging apparatus and method for automatically packaging component carriers.
According to a first aspect, a packaging apparatus for automatically packaging a component carrier is proposed. The packaging apparatus comprises gating means configured to allow only component carriers meeting at least one predetermined gating criterion to continue packaging.
Further, the packaging apparatus includes: a tracking device configured to track the component carrier during processing by the encapsulation apparatus; and a packaging unit for packaging the tracked component carrier, which meets at least one predetermined gating criterion, preferably all predetermined gating criteria, into a component carrier package. This will increase the likelihood that (only) component carriers meeting the gating criteria will be further packaged and transported to the packaging unit and ultimately to the consumer.
According to a further aspect, a method of automatically packaging a component carrier in a packaging apparatus is presented. The method includes allowing only the component carriers that meet the at least one predetermined gating criteria to be encapsulated, tracking the component carriers during processing by the encapsulation device, and encapsulating the tracked component carriers that meet the at least one predetermined gating criteria.
In the context of the present application, the term "component carrier" may particularly denote any support structure capable of accommodating one or more components on and/or in the component carrier to provide mechanical support and/or electrical connection. In other words, the component carrier may be configured as a mechanical and/or electrical carrier for the component. In particular, the component carrier may be one of a printed circuit board, an organic interposer, and an IC (integrated circuit) substrate. The component carrier may also be a hybrid board incorporating the different types of component carriers described above. The component carrier includes a plurality of through holes therein, which may be drilled by laser or mechanical drilling. These vias may then be filled (e.g., by plating) with a conductive material to provide electrical connection of the component carrier. The component carrier includes a plurality of component carrier sections that are secured together during the manufacturing process. The component carrier includes one of a panel, a quarter panel, and an array of component carrier sections. On the manufacturer side or on the customer side, the component carrier sections of the component carrier structure may be singulated to incorporate the individual component carrier sections into the respective products.
The gating device comprises, for example, several sensors, such as optical sensors, for example, cameras, which analyze whether the component carrier and/or the respective bundle of component carriers or the respective tray carrying the component carriers comply with certain gating criteria, such as warpage of the component carrier or tray as described below. Furthermore, a laser sensor may also be applied. Thus, the laser beam of the laser sensor may be used to measure a specific height and warpage of the component carrier or the corresponding tray carrying the component carrier, respectively, to check whether the warpage exceeds a predetermined specification.
The tray material may include metals, alloys, polymers (composites), glass, ceramics, wood, and/or mixtures thereof. The tray may include at least one accommodation space (e.g., a recess) for accommodating the corresponding component carrier. The accommodation spaces (recesses) may include different sizes for accommodating component carriers having different sizes on the tray.
If the respective component carrier or the respective tray meets the respective gating criteria, the gating device releases the respective component carrier to continue packaging of component carriers that meet the at least one predetermined gating criteria. During the whole packaging process, the gating device gates among a plurality of packaging steps so that: throughout the packaging process, the quality and thus the gating criteria can be verified. In the event that a particular gating criteria is not met, the component carrier will be considered as not available for further processing (scrapped parts) and will be sorted out by the packaging equipment or any other manipulator configured for grabbing and sorting the corresponding component carrier or tray.
In order to track the component carriers during the packaging process, the packaging apparatus comprises a tracking device configured for tracking the component carriers and/or the trays carrying the respective component carriers during processing by the packaging apparatus. Thus, the respective component carrier and/or tray may comprise respective identifiers which may be recorded by the tracking device, so that the tracking device may verify the component carrier and/or tray. The tracking means may comprise a plurality of tracking sensors, such as cameras, which may be arranged at several stations of the entire packaging device, so that the respective component carriers to be packaged may be tracked throughout the packaging process.
If the component carrier meets the gating criteria, a certain stack of component carriers may finally be packaged accordingly into a bundle and carrier package for transportation.
According to the invention, the quality (gating) control and the encapsulation process for the component carriers are summarized in the same encapsulation device. Thus, for example, robotic devices such as robots or conveyor belts transport component carriers between stages of the encapsulation device. No human interaction in normal operation may be required. Thus, a more efficient packaging process for the component carrier may be provided.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the gating device is configured for allowing only the component carriers meeting the following gating criteria to continue to be encapsulated: the gating criteria is that the warpage of the tray containing the component carriers is below a predetermined warpage threshold. Thus, the method includes allowing only component carriers meeting the following gating criteria to continue to be packaged: the gating criteria is that the warpage of the tray containing the component carriers is below a predetermined warpage threshold. Furthermore, in further exemplary embodiments, the gating device may be further configured for allowing only the component carriers meeting the following gating criteria to continue to be encapsulated: the gating criteria is that no surface damage of the tray containing the component carrier or surface damage of the component carrier itself is detected. Thus, a higher quality can be achieved in the component carrier package, since it is checked whether the respective component carrier meets the respective gating criteria. In particular, the amount of packaging and providing defective component carriers to customers may be reduced.
Typically, the component carriers are arranged for transport in pallets that form a flat stable structure for carrying the carriers. The tray forms a load-bearing frame that forms a support surface to which the component carrier may be attached. When the component carrier is transported on the pallet, the risk of damage during transport is reduced. For transportation, a plurality of trays each carrying one or more component carriers may be stacked on top of each other to form a carrier package (i.e., a bundle of component carriers secured by a package structure). However, if the tray is deformed and thus includes some warpage, the supporting surface of the tray is liable to be warped, and the component carrier arranged to the supporting surface is also liable to be warped.
Thus, after some degree of warpage has occurred, the tray can be used to carry the component carriers. However, if the warpage of the tray exceeds a certain warpage threshold, the corresponding tray is removed from the packaging process. For example, the gating device includes a first warpage detection section in which warpage of each tray is inspected before the tray enters the packaging process. Furthermore, after several stations of the packaging process, such as after cleaning, flipping and stacking of the trays, a further second warp detection portion is arranged, wherein the second warp detection portion is configured for detecting warp of several trays stacked together and requiring inspection. Since the tray 101 may be deformed during a single packaging step, there is a need for further detecting warpage.
In particular, after each processing step, a gating unit of the gating device (e.g. a sensor for detecting warpage) may be provided to check the corresponding gating criteria. Thus, a single processing step may be documented for tracking the entire manufacturing process. For example, at each process step, warpage of the tray and/or component carrier may be measured. It is therefore evident that if a critical warpage is reached as a gating criterion, the corresponding tray or component carrier can be removed from the production line.
Gating criteria for warpage may be determined by an optical sensor, for example by a camera. For example, the camera may detect whether corner regions of the respective trays have different heights. If the heights of the corner portions are different from each other, this may be an indication of deformation of the tray. The warpage criteria may define, for example, a height difference between corner portions of the tray. If the difference between the heights of the corner portions of the trays exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the corresponding tray is taken out from the packaging process.
Gating criteria for warpage may also be determined by detecting the height of the tray and/or component carrier. For example, the allowable standard tray height may be 12.19mm. However, if a portion of the tray, such as a corner portion of the tray, is warped such that the height between the bottom of the tray and the highest point (i.e., corner portion) of the tray exceeds the entire height, such as 12.95mm or more (as a gating standard), the tray may be taken out of the production line. The value of the warp gating criteria may also be defined in percent. If a conventional flat pallet without any warpage includes a certain height between the top surface and the bottom surface, a difference of 5% or more or 10% or more from the height may be set as a predetermined threshold for warpage. Accordingly, if the thickness or distance between the uppermost portion of the tray and the lowermost portion of the tray exceeds 105% or 110% or more of the thickness of the tray without any warpage, the corresponding tray can be taken out from the production line.
Furthermore, a laser sensor may also be used as a warp sensor, wherein the light beam is directed relative to the surface of the component carrier or tray to be measured, in particular at an angle of 90 ° relative to the surface of the component carrier or tray to be measured (perpendicular). The surfaces of the respective trays and/or component carriers reflect the light beams. If the reflected beam does not strike the laser sensor again, there must be some warping. Further, as the warp sensor, a physical clamp strobe method may be used. If the position of the tray and/or component carrier meets the criteria that the position is below the clamp position, then the gating criteria for warpage are met.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the gating device is configured to allow only the component carriers meeting the following gating criteria to continue to be packaged: the gating criteria is that the position of the component carrier accommodated in the tray meets predetermined position criteria. Thus, the method may include allowing only component carriers meeting the following gating criteria to continue to be packaged: the gating criteria is that the position of the component carrier accommodated in the tray meets predetermined position criteria.
The position of the component carriers on the respective trays must be determined such that: for example, misaligned component carriers and trays are not damaged after stacking the trays. The predetermined positional criteria may define an allowable offset of the component carrier relative to an ideal component carrier position in the tray. For example, if the component carrier on the tray has an offset relative to the ideal component carrier position, the tray is allowed to proceed with additional packaging, wherein component carriers and trays having an offset exceeding the allowed threshold must be sorted out of the additional packaging. For example, the distance between the component carrier edge and the tray edge may be predetermined (e.g., 100%). The allowable offset of the deviation may be set as a position gating criterion. If the offset is greater than + -10%, particularly greater than + -5%, more particularly greater than + -2%, the incorrect position of the component carrier on the tray is detected and the component carrier or the entire tray is sorted out before packaging the component carrier or the entire tray. For example, if the distance between the component carrier edge and the tray edge is fixed, for example, 100mm, and the deviation can be set to ±2mm as a position gating criterion, an erroneous position of the component carrier is detected if the distance is outside 98mm to 102 mm.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the gating device comprises a camera means for taking a picture of the component carrier in the tray for evaluating whether the position of the component carrier complies with a predetermined position criterion. Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, the method includes taking a photograph of the component carrier in the tray for evaluating whether the position of the component carrier complies with a predetermined position criterion. The gating means determine the position of, for example, a corner of the component carrier and/or an edge of the component carrier on the tray. Further, the tray may include identification marks. The gating means may determine the distance between the respective edge or corner of the component carrier and the identification mark, so that the position of the component carrier on the tray may be determined from the respective photograph. In addition, the gating device may determine the distance between adjacent component carriers on the tray. If the distances are, for example, different or nearly equal, the gating device may recognize that the component carriers must be misaligned. In particular, the gating device comprises a plurality of camera devices throughout the packaging process for determining the position of the component carriers on the tray at a plurality of stations of the packaging process. For example, as described in further detail below, the component carrier and tray may be flipped in a flipping station. It may therefore be necessary to check whether the component carriers on the tray still comply with the predetermined position criteria after the tray has been flipped over. Thus, by checking the position criterion and meeting the position criterion, a correct alignment of the component carrier in, for example, a receiving recess of the tray can be provided, which results in an improved quality.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the gating device is configured for allowing only the component carriers meeting the following gating criteria to continue to be encapsulated: the gating criteria is that the overlap of component carriers accommodated in the tray beyond the tray meets predetermined overlap criteria. Thus, the method may include allowing only component carriers meeting the following gating criteria to continue to be packaged: the gating criteria is that the overlap of component carriers accommodated in the tray beyond the tray meets predetermined overlap criteria.
Thus, after the component carriers and the corresponding trays are stacked on top of each other, it must be confirmed that there is no lateral misalignment between the trays of the component carriers. Thus, the position criteria determine that the threshold value of the corresponding offset between the trays carrying the component carriers is met. Can provide higher stability for the stacked trays.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the gating device comprises a camera device for: a photograph of the component carrier in the tray is taken for evaluating whether the position of the component carrier complies with a predetermined position standard, and the amount of component carriers of the bundle of component carriers that are stacked one on top of the other and form the component carrier is checked. The camera device is configured to take a top photograph of the top of the bundle and a bottom photograph of the bundle, wherein the gating device is configured to compare the top photograph and the bottom photograph to check a predetermined location criterion. Thus, the method comprises: a photograph of the component carriers in the tray is taken for evaluating whether the positions of the component carriers comply with a predetermined position standard, and the amount of component carriers that are stacked on top of each other and form the bundle of component carriers is checked. The step of taking a photograph includes taking a photograph of the top of the bundle and taking a photograph of the bottom of the bundle, and comparing the top photograph and the bottom photograph for checking a predetermined location criterion. In particular, this step may be performed when additional trays or layers are added to the tray stack. Further, based on the photographs taken by the camera device, the number of trays may be determined. If the threshold for the number of trays is reached, the stack of trays may continue into the encapsulation unit.
For example, the camera device comprises a camera element arranged above the stack of component carriers and a further camera element arranged below the stack of component carriers. Thus, a corresponding top photograph and bottom photograph may be taken. In particular, two steps for checking the overlap criterion may be implemented. First, at the first station, it is checked whether the height of the tray, for example, has more component carriers positioned in one carrier of the tray. Next, the top photo and the bottom photo are compared, which means that the two trays are stacked in the correct overlapping manner if they show the same tray profile. Thus, misalignment of the trays in the stack can be prevented, thereby enabling the stack to provide higher reliability.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the gating device is configured for allowing only the component carriers meeting the following gating criteria to continue to be encapsulated: the gating criteria is that the quality characteristics of the packages of the tray containing the component carriers meet predetermined package quality criteria. Thus, the method may include allowing only component carriers meeting the following gating criteria to continue to be packaged: the gating criteria is that the quality characteristics of the packages of the tray containing the component carriers meet predetermined package quality criteria. For example, the gating device may determine: whether the trays and component carriers in the bundle are exposed to stresses or loads that may damage the respective component carriers. Thus, a higher quality of the component carriers in the bundle can be achieved.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the gating device is configured for allowing only the component carriers meeting the following gating criteria to continue to be encapsulated: the gating criteria is that the electronic discharge measurement of the tray containing the component carrier meets a predetermined electronic discharge threshold. Thus, during the packaging stage, the electrostatic charge may be measured as a gating criterion. During the packaging phase, the tray and/or component carrier may be grounded through an electrical path to ground. If the electronic discharge measurement measures that the current in the electrical path to ground, for example, exceeds a threshold value, the gating criteria are not met. Corresponding tracking information of the tray or component carrier is captured by the tracking device. Trays and/or component carriers that do not pass the electronic discharge as a gating criteria may be sorted out by a sorting unit, as described below. Accordingly, the risk of defective component carriers in the component carrier package caused by an electron discharge (ESD) can be reduced.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the gating device comprises a sorting unit configured for sorting out component carriers that do not meet at least one predetermined gating criterion. For example, the tray may include a plurality of receiving portions for receiving the respective component carriers. For example, if the gating criteria of the component carrier, such as surface damage, warpage or functional damage, are not met, the respective manipulator, such as a robotic arm, may remove the defective component carrier from the receiving portion of the tray. Thus, the amount of defective component carriers in the tray can be minimized.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the sorting unit is configured for sorting component carriers from a tray containing component carriers. The sorting unit is in particular also configured to fill the tray with component carriers meeting at least one predetermined gating criterion at positions for carrying the component carriers. Thus, the above-described manipulator can pick up the component carriers that meet the predetermined gating criteria from the corresponding storage pieces and place the corresponding component carriers in the accommodating portions. Thus, all the receiving portions and trays for the component carriers can be filled with the respective component carriers complying with the gating standard. Alternatively, the position in the tray may remain empty.
The tracking device is configured for tracking the step of removing the component carrier from the tray, in particular the tracking device is configured for tracking the step of filling the empty containing portion with the component carrier meeting the gating criteria. Thus, the tracking device comprises information about component carriers arranged in the respective trays, and furthermore, the tracking device may comprise a pattern of accommodation portions of the trays occupied by component carriers meeting the gating criteria, a pattern of accommodation portions of the trays occupied by component carriers not meeting the gating criteria, and/or a corresponding pattern of accommodation portions of the trays not occupied by any component carrier. Thus, by means of the tracking device, exact information about the component carriers arranged on the pallet can be retrieved.
The receiving portion may comprise a receiving recess in which a respective component carrier may be placed. Preferably, a component carrier is placed in a receiving recess of the tray. Alternatively, a plurality of component carriers may be placed in the same accommodation recess of the tray.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the gating device comprises a force sensor configured for detecting a force load of the strapping of the pallet, wherein the force load of the strapping of the pallet is indicative of a mass characteristic of the strapping of the pallet. Accordingly, the method may include detecting a force load of the strapping of the pallet, wherein the force load of the strapping of the pallet is indicative of a quality characteristic of the strapping of the pallet. In particular, the force sensor is configured to detect a force of the strapped bundle. For example, the force may be a pressure or gravity acting between two adjacent stacked trays. For example, if too much gravity is applied to the lowermost tray in the bundle, damage may occur. If the corresponding gravity exceeds a predetermined threshold, the quality characteristic criteria are not met and the package will not proceed to the next packaging step. Therefore, the tray warpage caused by too large strapping force can also be prevented.
Further, the force sensor may measure the force applied to the strapping of the tray by the packaging structure, e.g., by a strap wrapped around the strapping of the tray. If the tension of the strap is too great, damage may be caused to the tray and the component carrier, respectively.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the gating device is configured for allowing only the component carriers meeting the following gating criteria to continue to be encapsulated: the gating criteria is that the height of the bundle of trays containing component carriers meets a predetermined height criteria. Thus, the method may include allowing only component carriers meeting the following gating criteria to continue to be packaged: the gating criteria is that the height of the bundle of trays containing component carriers meets a predetermined height criteria. For example, the height may be measured by a position sensor and a camera, respectively. If the height of the bundle of trays exceeds a predetermined height limit as a height standard, the corresponding bundle is sorted out and the additional packaging process is stopped. If the strapping of the trays is higher than the predetermined height limit, this may be an indication of misalignment or damage to the respective tray.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the tracking device is configured to: for tracking component carriers by detecting component carrier identifier structures on the component carriers, and for storing corresponding component carrier tracking information.
Each component carrier may include a specific identifier structure such as a serial number or a specific laser marking (e.g., an RFID tag or a 2d.id (i.e., QR code, etc.)) to give each component carrier a unique identification (unique ID) and store the unique identification in a database. Thus, the tracking device may comprise tracking elements, such as cameras, at several positions in the packaging process, so that after detection of the identification, it can be verified which component carrier is at which position in the packaging process. If defective portions of component carriers are determined, the defective component carriers may be registered in a database storing unique identification tags for each component carrier. Furthermore, the determined defective component carrier may cause an action for emphasizing the defective component carrier. For example, visual indicia may be provided, caused by, for example, scrapping of the component carrier, or may emphasize: on the marked receiving portion of the tray in some trays, the final bundle of stacked component carrier trays includes a defective component carrier. The tracking device provides location and information of the defective component carrier. Thus, a fast and accurate tracking may be provided to minimize the cost of finding a defective component carrier.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the tracking device is configured to: for tracking the component carrier by detecting a tray identifier structure on a tray containing the component carrier, and for storing corresponding tray tracking information.
Similar to the component carrier, each tray may also include a specific identifier structure such as a serial number or a specific laser marking (e.g., an RFID tag or a 2d.id (i.e., QR code, etc.)) to give each tray a unique identification (unique ID) and store the unique identification in a database. Thus, the tracking means may comprise tracking elements such as cameras at several positions in the packaging process, so that after detecting the identity of the tray and/or the identity of the component carrier on the tray, it can be verified which tray/component carrier is at which position in the packaging process. If defective portions of the trays are determined, the defective trays may be registered in a database storing unique identification tags for each tray. The tracking device provides the position and information of the component carrier. As described above, the determined defective tray may cause an action for emphasizing the defective tray. For example, visual indicia may be provided, caused by, for example, scrapping of the tray, or may emphasize: on the marked receiving portion of the tray in some trays, the final bundle of stacked parts carrier trays includes defective parts carriers.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the tracking device is configured to: for tracking the component carrier by detecting a package identifier structure on a package structure enclosing the component carrier, and for storing corresponding package structure tracking information.
The packaging structure may be a carton or (plastic) foil that encloses the binder of the component carrier. The package structure may also be a pallet with the bundle arranged. Like the component carrier, each package structure may also include a specific package identifier structure such as a serial number or a specific laser marking (e.g., an RFID tag or a 2d.id (i.e., QR code, etc.)) to provide each package structure with a unique identification (unique ID) and store the unique identification in a database.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the encapsulation device comprises a cleaning means configured for cleaning the component carrier before encapsulation of the component carrier. The cleaning device may comprise, for example, a high-pressure nozzle, whereby residues or other particles may be blown off the component carrier by high pressure for cleaning purposes. Alternatively, the cleaning device may comprise suction means (such as a vacuum cleaner) to collect dust on the component carrier and tray respectively. Throughout the packaging process, a plurality of cleaning devices of the cleaning apparatus, in particular high-pressure cleaning devices, are provided. Thus, after some or all of the process steps of the encapsulation process, the component carrier may be intermediately cleaned by applying, for example, high pressure. Thus, the amount of foreign matter on the surface of the component carrier or tray is reduced.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the encapsulation device comprises a flipping means configured for flipping the component carrier after cleaning the front side and before cleaning the back side, for example by the above-described cleaning means. The front and back sides are opposite surfaces of the component carrier. The front and back sides form the main surfaces of the component carrier that provide, for example, functional interfaces or are attached with electronic components or separate tracks etc. Thus, the flipping means may be interposed between the gating means and the cleaning means. For example, the gating device measures a gating criterion for one surface of the component carrier. Next, the component carrier may be flipped upside down and the surface cleaned by a cleaning device before transporting the flipped component carrier back to the gating device to measure the gating criteria of the other surface of the component carrier.
The flipping unit may comprise, for example, a flipping table to which the component carrier may be fixed. The flipping unit may comprise, for example, a clamping element for clamping the component carrier to the flipping table. Alternatively, the flipping table may comprise vacuum holes for sucking air, so that the component carrier structure may be fixed under pressure. The flipping table may be flipped about 180 ° and thus the component carrier structure is flipped after releasing the component carrier structure.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the tracking device is an optical tracking device configured for optically detecting tracking information of the component carrier. The optical tracking device comprises, for example, a camera for capturing the respective geometries of the component carrier and the tray, respectively, or for determining the above-mentioned identification marks. Thus, detecting the trace information of the component carrier may improve the detection of the defective component carrier, resulting in a higher quality of the overall process.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the packaging apparatus comprises a stacking device configured for stacking trays, each tray accommodating a component carrier. The stacking means comprise, for example, a support table on which a first bottom tray comprising the component carriers can be arranged. On top of the respective lower tray, further trays may be placed to form bundles of trays. For example, the trays may be handled by a manipulator. The precise traceability results in an improved process quality, since the positions of all component carriers and trays are known and traceable, respectively. Each tray may comprise, for example, a protrusion (comprising at least one protrusion, preferably a plurality of protrusions) protruding from the front side (top) surface in the thickness direction of the stack. In addition, the tray includes cavities opposite the protrusions on the top and bottom sides such that the protrusions on the tray positioned below fit into the cavities positioned above. Such geometric features may improve stacking stability of the trays.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the encapsulation device comprises a strapping device configured for strapping stacked trays containing component carriers. The strapping device receives stacked trays from the stacking device. The strapping device is formed for securing stacked trays together to form a transportable stacked tray strapping. For example, the strapping device may comprise a foil device that encapsulates stacked trays with foil. Additionally, the strapping device may include strap means for tying the strapping strap around the stacked pallet bundle.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the strapping device is configured for arranging stacked trays between a bottom side reinforcement plate and a top side reinforcement plate. The respective reinforcement plate comprises reinforcement for the stacked trays and component carriers, respectively. The reinforcement plate protects the stacked trays from the load acting on the respective stacked trays from the top or bottom.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the encapsulation device comprises a strapping device configured for strapping stacked trays containing component carriers. The strapping device receives stacked trays from the stacking device. The strapping device is formed for securing stacked trays together to form a transportable stacked tray strapping. For example, the strapping means may comprise a foil device which is enveloped by a foil to be stacked trays. In addition, the strapping device may include strap means for tying the strapping strap around the stacked pallet bundles. Alternatively, the strapping means may tie together a plurality of stacked trays adjacent to each other (together sharing a common surface).
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the encapsulation unit is configured for performing pre-encapsulation followed by vacuum encapsulation. For example, the strapping device is pre-packaged by wrapping the stacked trays with plastic foil. The plastic foil may form an airtight enclosure for the bundles of stacked trays. Next, in a vacuum apparatus including a vacuum pump, air is sucked from the housing to provide vacuum. Thus, space can be saved and the interaction of the component carrier with air/gas, which may cause corrosion/oxidation, can be prevented.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the encapsulation unit is configured to add an encapsulation identifier structure to the encapsulation of the tray of the component carrier. The packaging identifier structure may be a detectable structure, such as a sticker or an RFID tag, comprising corresponding information about the stacked component carriers, such as a product number, transportation information or test certificate of the corresponding component carrier.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the packaging apparatus comprises a loader unit for automatically loading the component carriers into the packaging apparatus. For example, the packaged component carriers to be encapsulated may be transferred to an encapsulation device. The loader unit loads the respective component carriers one by one from the stack of component carriers. For example, the loader unit may comprise a respective manipulator that grips the component carrier at the top of the stack and feeds the component carrier structure to the gating device for further processing. The manipulator may mechanically grip the component carrier and/or, for example, in case the manipulator comprises a suction cup for securing the component carrier structure, the manipulator may carry the component carrier by suction.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the packaging device comprises an unloader unit for automatically unloading the component carrier packages out of the packaging device. The unloader unit may be formed like the loader unit, wherein the unloader unit may comprise a respective manipulator which grips a component carrier package located in a respective, e.g. vacuum packaging station. The manipulator transfers the gripped package to a desired location outside the packaging apparatus for further processing.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the encapsulation device comprises at least one air filter mechanism for filtering air inside the encapsulation device, thereby removing foreign particles. The filter mechanism may comprise a blower for blowing air out of the encapsulation device. Thus, a clean environment is provided in the machine and the amount of foreign matter in the package is reduced.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a component carrier package is presented. The component carrier package includes a plurality of component carriers including component carrier identifier structures that are detectable for retrieving tracking information assigned to the respective component carrier. In addition, the component carrier package further includes a package structure enclosing the component carrier and including a package identifier structure that is detectable for retrieving tracking information assigned to the component carrier package. The packaging unit according to the present invention includes a packaging structure that encloses a component carrier package constituted by a plurality of trays each accommodating at least one component carrier.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the component carrier identifier structure comprises a QR code. According to further exemplary embodiments, the component carrier package identifier structure comprises a QR code. Thus, a faster traceability may be provided, so that information about the component carriers in the stack may be retrieved quickly.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the component carrier package comprises a plurality of trays, each tray accommodating a plurality of component carriers, and each tray comprising a tray identifier structure, in particular a QR code, and the tray identifier structure being detectable for retrieving tracking information assigned to the respective tray.
According to further exemplary embodiments, the trays are stacked and bundled by the packaging structure.
According to a further aspect, a system is proposed, comprising a plurality of the above-mentioned component carrier packages and a database comprising a plurality of data sets, each data set being assigned to a respective one of the component carrier packages by a respective component carrier identifier structure and/or package identifier structure.
The aspects defined above and further aspects of the invention are apparent from the examples of embodiment to be described hereinafter and are explained with reference to these examples of embodiment.
Drawings
Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a packaging device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a gating device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of a strapping device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of a bundle of trays according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 5 shows a schematic view of a package structure enclosing a component carrier package according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 6 shows a schematic view of a strapping of a pallet with corresponding pallet identifiers and component carrier identifiers according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
Detailed Description
The illustrations in the figures are schematic. It should be noted that in different figures, similar or identical elements or features are provided with the same reference numerals, which differ from the corresponding reference numerals only in the first digit. Elements or features that have been elucidated with respect to the previously described embodiments are not elucidated in the following description in order to avoid unnecessary repetition.
Furthermore, spatially relative terms such as "front" and "rear," "upper" and "lower," "left" and "right" and the like are used to describe relationship of an element to another element(s) as illustrated in the figures. Thus, spatially relative terms may be applied to orientations that differ from the orientation depicted in the figures in use. It is clear that all of these spatially relative terms refer to the orientations shown in the figures, which are only for convenience of description and are not necessarily limiting, as the device according to embodiments of the present invention may take on different orientations than shown in the figures when in use.
Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a packaging apparatus 100 for automatically packaging a component carrier 201 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The packaging apparatus 100 includes: a gating device 110, the gating device 110 being configured to allow only component carriers 201 meeting at least one predetermined gating criterion to continue packaging; a tracking device 120, the tracking device 120 being configured for tracking the component carrier 201 during processing by the packaging apparatus 100; and a packaging unit 130, the packaging unit 130 being configured to package the tracked component carrier 201 meeting at least one predetermined gating criterion into a component carrier package 106.
The loader unit 151 is provided for automatically loading the component carrier 201 into the packaging apparatus 100. For example, a package of component carriers 201 to be encapsulated may be transferred to the encapsulation device 100. The loader unit 151 loads the respective component carriers 201 from the stack of component carriers 201 to the packaging apparatus 100 one by one. The loader unit 151 comprises a respective manipulator which grabs the component carrier 201 on top of the stack and feeds the component carrier 201 to the gating device 110 for further processing. The conveyor lines (belts) may form a first input line 104 and a second input line 105, on which the respective component carriers 201 may be transported to the gating device 110.
The gating device 110 comprises, for example, several sensors, such as optical sensors, for example, cameras, which analyze whether the component carrier 201 and/or the respective bundle 102 of component carriers 201 or the respective pallet 101 carrying the component carrier 201 comply with certain gating criteria, such as warpage of the component carrier 201 or pallet 101 as described below.
If the respective component carrier 201 or the respective tray 101 meets the respective gating criteria, the gating device 110 releases the respective component carrier 201 to continue packaging component carriers that meet at least one predetermined gating criteria. During the entire packaging process, the gating of gating device 110 may be set between several packaging steps such that quality control and thus the corresponding gating criteria may be verified during the entire packaging process.
In order to track the component carrier 201 during the packaging process, the packaging apparatus comprises a tracking device 120, which tracking device 120 is configured for tracking the component carrier 201 during processing by the packaging apparatus. Accordingly, the respective component carrier 201 and/or tray 101 may include a respective identifier 401, which identifier 401 may be recorded by the tracking device 120, such that the tracking device 120 may verify the component carrier 201 and/or tray 101. The tracking means 120 comprises a plurality of tracking sensors, such as cameras, which may be arranged at several stations of the entire packaging apparatus, so that the respective component carriers 201 to be packaged may be tracked throughout the packaging process.
If the component carrier 201 meets the gating criteria, finally, a certain stack of component carriers 201 may be packaged accordingly into a bundle 102, and in addition, the bundle 102, after being secured together by the packaging structure 103, is packaged into a carrier package 106 for transportation.
An automatic manipulator device such as a robot or conveyor transports the component carrier 201 between stages of the encapsulation apparatus 100.
The gating device 110 receives a component carrier 201 disposed within the carrier tray 101. The gating device 110 is configured to allow only the component carrier 201 meeting the following gating criteria to continue to be packaged: the gating criteria is that the warpage of the tray 101 containing the component carrier 201 is below a predetermined warpage threshold.
Typically, the component carriers 201 are arranged for transport in trays 101 that form a flat stable structure to carry the carriers. The tray 101 forms a load-bearing frame that forms a support surface to which the component carrier 201 may be attached. For transport, a plurality of trays 101 each carrying one or more component carriers 201 may be stacked on top of each other and secured by a packaging structure 103 for forming carrier packages 106. However, if the tray 101 is deformed and thus includes some warpage, the supporting surface of the tray 101 is liable to be warped, and thus, the component carrier 201 arranged on the supporting surface is also liable to be warped.
Thus, if some amount of warpage is detected, the tray 101 can still be used to carry the component carrier 201. However, if the warpage of the tray 101 exceeds a certain warpage threshold, the corresponding tray 101 is removed from the packaging process. The gating device includes a first warpage detecting section in which warpage of each tray 101 is inspected before the tray 101 enters the packaging process. Further, after several stations of the packaging process, such as after cleaning, flipping and stacking the trays 101, a second warp detection portion is arranged, wherein the second warp detection portion is configured for detecting warp of several trays 101 stacked together and needing to be inspected. There is a need for further detection of warpage, possibly because the tray 101 may deform during a single packaging step.
Gating criteria for warpage may be determined by an optical sensor, for example by a camera. For example, the camera detects whether corner regions of the respective trays 101 have different heights. If the heights of the corner portions are different from each other, this may be an indication of deformation of the tray 101. The warpage criteria may define, for example, a height difference between corner portions of the tray 101. If the difference between the heights of the corner portions of the trays 101 exceeds a predetermined threshold, the corresponding tray 101 is taken out from the packaging process.
The gating device 110 is configured to allow only the component carrier 201 meeting the following gating criteria to continue to be packaged: the gating criteria is that the position of the component carrier 201 accommodated in the tray 101 meets predetermined position criteria. The position of the component carrier 201 on the respective tray 101 must be determined such that: for example, after stacking the trays 101, the misaligned component carriers 201 and trays 101 are not damaged. The predetermined positional criteria may define an allowable offset of the component carrier 201 relative to a desired component carrier position in the tray 101.
The gating device 110 comprises camera means for taking a picture of the component carrier 201 in the tray 101 for evaluating whether the position of the component carrier complies with a predetermined position criterion. The gating device 110 determines the position of the corner of the component carrier 201 and/or the edge of the component carrier 201 on the tray 101. Further, the tray 101 may include an identification mark. The gating device 110 may determine the distance between the respective edge or corner portion of the component carrier 201 and the identification mark, such that the position of the component carrier 201 on the tray 101 may be determined from the respective photograph. Specifically, the gating device 110 includes a plurality of camera devices throughout the packaging process for determining the position of the component carrier 201 on the tray 101 at a plurality of stations of the packaging process.
The tracking device 120 comprises an identification unit 121, such as an optical tracking device 120, the optical tracking device 120 being configured for optically detecting tracking information of the component carrier 201. The optical tracking device 120 comprises, for example, a camera for capturing the respective geometries of the component carrier 201 and the tray 101, respectively, or for determining the above-mentioned identification marks. The tracking device 120 is configured to: for tracking the component carrier 201 by detecting the component carrier identifier structure 402 on the component carrier 201 and for storing corresponding component carrier tracking information.
Each component carrier 201 may include a specific identifier structure such as a serial number or a specific laser marking (e.g., an RFID tag or a 2d.id (i.e., QR code, etc.)) such that each component carrier 201 is given a unique identification (unique ID) and the unique identification is stored in a database. Thus, the tracking device 120 may include tracking elements such as cameras at several locations during the packaging process, such that: after the identification is detected, it can be verified which component carrier 201 is in which position during the packaging process. If a defective portion of the component carrier 201 is determined, the defective component carrier 201 may be registered in a database storing unique identification tags for each component carrier. The tracking device 120 provides the position and information of the component carrier 201.
The tracking device 120 is further configured to: for tracking the component carrier 201 by detecting a tray identifier structure 401 on the tray 101 containing the component carrier 201 and for storing corresponding tray 101 tracking information. Similar to the component carrier 201, each tray 101 may also include a specific identifier structure such as a serial number or a specific laser marking (e.g., an RFID tag or a 2d.id (i.e., QR code, etc.)) such that each tray 101 is given a unique identification (unique ID) and the unique identification is stored in a database. Thus, the tracking device 120 may include tracking elements such as cameras at several locations during the packaging process, such that: after detecting the identity of the tray 101, it is possible to verify which tray 101 is in which position during the packaging process. If defective portions of the trays 101 are determined, the defective trays 101 may be registered in a database storing unique identification tags for each tray 101. The tracking device 120 provides the position and information of the component carrier 201.
After the first gating device 110, a cleaning device 140 is provided, which cleaning device 140 is configured for cleaning the component carrier 201 before the component carrier 201 is encapsulated. The cleaning device 140 comprises, for example, a high-pressure nozzle, so that residues or other particles can be blown off the component carrier 201 by means of high pressure for cleaning purposes. Throughout the packaging process, a plurality of cleaning devices, particularly high pressure cleaning devices, of the cleaning apparatus 140 are provided.
After the first gating device 110, the component carrier 201 and the tray 101 may be flipped in a flipping station 141. It may be necessary to check whether the component carrier 201 on the tray 101 still complies with the predetermined position standard after the tray 101 is flipped over. The flipping means 141 is configured for flipping the component carrier 201 after cleaning the front side, e.g. by the cleaning means 140, and before cleaning the back side. Accordingly, the flipping means 141 may be interposed between the gating means 110 and the cleaning means 140. For example, the gating device 110 measures gating criteria for one surface of the component carrier. Next, the component carrier 201 may be flipped upside down and the surface cleaned by the cleaning device 140 before transporting the flipped component carrier 201 back to the gating device 110 to measure the gating criteria of the other surface of the component carrier.
Thus, after flipping, the component carrier 201 on the tray 101 is transported back to the gating device 110 for checking the position of the component carrier on the tray 101. Further, for example, after additionally passing through the cleaning device 140, the component carrier 201 located on the tray 101 continues to move to the stacking device 131.
The stacking means 131 are configured for stacking trays 101 each containing at least one component carrier 201. The stacking means 131 comprise, for example, a support table on which the first bottom tray 101 comprising the component carriers 201 can be arranged. On top of the respective lower tray 101, further trays 101 may be placed for forming the bundles of trays 101. For example, the tray 101 may be handled by a manipulator, for example.
After the trays 101 with the component carriers 201 are stacked, the stacked trays 101 continue to move to the strapping device 132. Here, the stacked trays 101 are disposed between the bottom-side reinforcing plate 134 and the top-side reinforcing plate 133. The corresponding stiffening plates 133, 134 provide stiffening for the tray 101 and the component carrier 201, respectively. The reinforcement plates 133, 134 protect the stack from loads and/or other sources of damage acting on the respective stacked trays 101 from the top or bottom.
The gating device 110 may include a binder gating unit 136, the binder gating unit 136 configured to allow only component carriers 201 meeting the following gating criteria to continue to be packaged: the gating criteria is that the overlapping portion of the component carrier 201 accommodated in the tray 101 beyond the tray 101 meets predetermined overlapping criteria. Therefore, after the component carrier 201 and the corresponding tray 101 are stacked on top of each other, it must be confirmed that there is no lateral misalignment between the trays 101 of the component carrier 201. Thus, the position criterion determines that the threshold value of the corresponding offset between the trays 101 carrying the component carriers 201 is met. The gating device 110 comprises a camera means for: a photograph of the component carrier 201 in the tray 101 is taken for evaluating whether the position of the component carrier complies with a predetermined position standard, and the amount of the component carriers 201 that are stacked one on top of the other and form the bundle of the component carriers 201 is checked. The camera device is configured to take a top photograph of the top of the bundle and a bottom photograph of the bundle, wherein the gating device 110 is configured to compare the top photograph and the bottom photograph to check a predetermined location criterion. For example, the camera device comprises a camera element arranged above the stack of component carriers 201 and a further camera element arranged below the stack of component carriers 201. Thus, a corresponding top photograph and bottom photograph may be taken. In particular, two steps for checking the overlap criterion may be completed. First, at the first station, the height of the tray 101 is checked, for example, whether more component carriers 201 are positioned in one carrier of the tray 101. Next, the top photo and the bottom photo are compared, and if they show the same outline of the tray 101, this means that the two trays 101 are stacked in the correct overlapping manner. Further, gating device 110 may determine that: whether the tray 101 and component carrier 201 in the bundle are exposed to stresses or loads that may damage the respective component carrier 201. The gating device 110 includes a force sensor configured to detect a force load of the strapping of the tray 101, wherein the force load of the strapping of the tray 101 is indicative of a mass characteristic of the strapping of the tray 101. For example, the force may be a pressure or gravity acting between two adjacent stacked trays 101. For example, if too much weight is applied to the lowermost tray 101 in the bundle, damage may occur. If the corresponding gravity exceeds a predetermined threshold, the quality performance criteria are not met and the bundle 102 will not be continued for the next packaging step.
Further, the gating device 120 checks whether the height of the bundle 102 of the tray 101 accommodating the component carrier 201 meets a predetermined height standard. For example, the height may be measured by a position sensor and a camera, respectively. If the height of the bundle 102 of the tray 101 exceeds a predetermined height limit as a height standard, the corresponding bundle 102 is sorted out and the further encapsulation process is stopped. If the bundle 102 of trays 101 is above a predetermined height limit, this may be an indication of misalignment or damage to the respective tray 101. The position sensor also checks whether the misalignment of the side walls of the bundle of trays 101 meets a predetermined position criterion.
In the further encapsulation unit 137, the stacked trays 101 are pre-encapsulated by encapsulating the bundles 102 of trays 101 with plastic foil. The plastic foil may be an airtight enclosure formed by the bundles of stacked trays 101. Next, at a vacuum encapsulation station 135, which includes a vacuum pump, air is drawn from the housing to provide a vacuum, forming an encapsulation structure 103 around the bundle 102. After the encapsulation structure 103 rigidly encapsulates the bundle 102, the bundle 102 forms an encapsulated unit 106. The packaged unit 106 includes stacked trays 101, such as a top-side stiffener plate 133, such as a bottom-side stiffener plate 134, and a housing (i.e., package structure 103), with at least one component carrier provided in each tray 101.
Finally, the encapsulation device comprises an unloader unit 152 for automatically unloading the encapsulated units 106 out of the encapsulation device 100. The unloader unit 152 may be formed similar to the loader unit 151, wherein the unloader unit 152 may include a respective manipulator that grips the component carrier packages 106 located in a respective vacuum packaging station 135, for example. The manipulator transfers the gripped encapsulated unit 106 from the unloader unit 152 to a desired location outside the encapsulation apparatus 100 for further processing.
The enclosure 100 includes at least one air filter mechanism 150 for filtering air inside the enclosure to remove foreign particles.
Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a gating device 110 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The tray 101 comprises, for example, two component carriers 201. The optical sensor 203 of the gating device 110 checks, for example, the position of the component carrier 201 in the respective tray 101. The identification means 120 comprise, for example, a sensor 202, such as an RFID sensor, for detecting the tray identifier 401 or the component carrier identification structure 402, thereby identifying the component carrier 201 and the tray 101, respectively.
Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of a strapping device 132 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The tray 101 is stacked in the component carrier package 102 and secured by a strapping tape that is wrapped around the package 102 in the strapping device 132. At the upper and lower sides are disposed respective top and bottom side reinforcement plates 133 and 134. The strapping gate unit 136, such as an optical sensor or load cell, checks that: before the component carrier continues to move to the encapsulation unit 137 and the vacuum encapsulation station 135, whether the component carrier meets the respective gating criteria.
Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of a component carrier binder 102 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Each tray 101 comprises at least one component carrier 201 comprising a component carrier identifier structure 402 that is detectable for retrieving tracking information assigned to the respective component carrier 201. The component carrier identifier structure 402 includes a QR code. The component carrier binder 102 is made up of a plurality of trays 101, each tray 101 accommodating at least one component carrier 201, and each tray 101 comprising a tray identifier structure 401, in particular a QR code, and the tray identifier structures 401 being detectable for retrieving tracking information assigned to the respective tray 101.
The tracking device 120 is configured to: for tracking the component carrier 201 by detecting a tray identifier structure 402 on the tray 101 containing the component carrier 201, and for storing corresponding tray tracking information.
As can be seen from fig. 4, the tray 101 comprises a receiving cavity, for example, in which the component carrier 201 is received. The top surface of the component carrier 201 may not be in direct contact with the tray 101 so that, for example, the component carrier identifier structure 402 may be detected. Thus, good protection of the component carrier 201 is ensured. As can be seen in fig. 4, the surface of the tray 101 may be located at a higher position in the stack thickness direction, so that the component carrier 201 does not protrude beyond the tray 101. Alternatively, the top surface of the component carrier 201 and the tray 101 may be flush.
The pallet 101 may further comprise a stacking element 403, which stacking element 403 may be formed by a protrusion, such as a stacking pin, wherein the stacking element 403 is formed as a corresponding recess for engaging a subsequent pallet 101 in the stack of pallets 101. The tray 101 may include stacking elements 403 protruding from the top surface and corresponding recesses formed in the respective bottom sides. Thus, the stacking elements 403 of the lower tray 101 may be engaged by the corresponding recesses of the upper tray 101.
Fig. 5 shows a schematic view of an encapsulated unit 106 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the encapsulated unit 106 comprising an encapsulation structure 103, the encapsulation structure 103 enclosing a component carrier bundle 102 consisting of a plurality of trays 101, each containing at least one component carrier 201. According to further exemplary embodiments, the tray 101 is stacked and enclosed by the encapsulation structure 103. The encapsulation unit 137 is configured to add an encapsulation identifier structure 501 to the encapsulation structure 103 of the encapsulated unit 106. The package identifier structure 501 may be a detectable structure such as a QR code sticker or an RFID tag that includes corresponding information about the stacked component carriers 201, such as a product number, shipping information, or test certificate of the corresponding component carrier 201. The tracking device 120 is configured to: for tracking the component carrier 201 by detecting the package identifier structure 501 on the package structure 103 enclosing the component carrier 201, and for storing corresponding package structure tracking information.
The packaging structure 103 may be a carton or (plastic) foil that encloses the binder 102 of the tray 101 containing the component carriers 201. The package structure 103 may also be a pallet on which the bundle 102 is arranged. Similar to the component carrier 201, each package structure 103 may also include a specific package identifier structure 501 such as a serial number or a specific laser marking (e.g., an RFID tag or a 2d.id (i.e., QR code, etc.)) such that a unique identification (unique ID) is provided for the packaged unit 106 and stored in a database.
Fig. 6 shows a schematic view of a component carrier bundle 102 comprising a tray 101 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, which tray 101 accommodates a component carrier 201 and has a corresponding tray identifier 401 and component carrier identifier 402.
The corresponding system includes all of the information of the plurality of component carrier packages 102 described above, and a database including a plurality of data sets, each data set being assigned to a corresponding one of the component carrier packages 106 by a corresponding tray identifier 401, component carrier identifier structure 402, and/or package identifier structure 501.
It should be noted that the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps and the "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. In addition, elements described in association with different embodiments may be combined. It should also be noted that reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the preferred embodiments shown in the drawings and described above. On the contrary, many variations using the solutions and principles according to the present invention are possible, even in the case of radically different embodiments.
Reference numerals
100. Packaging equipment
101. Tray for holding food
102. Component carrier binder
103. Packaging structure
104. A first input line
105. A second input line
106. Packaged unit/component carrier package
110. Gating device
120. Tracking device
121. Identification unit
130. Packaging unit
131. Stacking device
132. Strapping device
133. Top side reinforcing plate
134. Bottom reinforcing plate
135. Vacuum packaging station
136. Strapping gate unit
137. Packaging unit
140. Cleaning device
141. Turning device/turning station
150. Filter mechanism
151. Loader unit
152. Unloader unit
201. Component carrier
202. Sensor for detecting a position of a body
203. Optical sensor
301. Strapping tape
401. Pallet identifier
402. Component carrier identifier structure
403. Stacked element
501. And encapsulating the identifier structure.

Claims (25)

1. A packaging apparatus (100) for automatically packaging a component carrier (201), wherein the packaging apparatus (100) comprises:
-a gating device (110), the gating device (110) being configured for allowing only a component carrier (201) meeting at least one predetermined gating criterion to continue to be packaged;
-a tracking device (120), the tracking device (120) being configured for tracking the component carrier (201) during processing by the encapsulation apparatus (100); and
-a packaging unit (130), the packaging unit (130) being configured to package the tracked component carrier (201) meeting the at least one predetermined gating criterion into a component carrier package (106).
2. The packaging device (100) according to claim 1,
wherein the gating device (110) is configured for allowing only a component carrier (201) meeting the following gating criteria to continue to be packaged: the gating criteria is that the warpage of the tray (101) containing the component carriers (201) is below a predetermined warpage threshold.
3. The packaging device (100) according to claim 1,
wherein the gating device (110) is configured for allowing only a component carrier (201) meeting the following gating criteria to continue to be packaged: the gating criteria is that the electronic discharge measurement of the tray (101) containing the component carrier (201) meets a predetermined electronic discharge threshold.
4. The packaging device (100) according to claim 1,
wherein the gating device (110) comprises a sorting unit configured for sorting out component carriers (201) that do not meet the at least one predetermined gating criterion.
5. The packaging device (100) according to claim 1,
Wherein the gating device (110) comprises a force sensor configured for detecting a force load of the strapping of the tray (101),
wherein a force load of the strapping of the pallet (101) is indicative of a mass characteristic of the strapping of the pallet (101).
6. The packaging device (100) according to claim 1,
wherein the tracking device (120) is configured to: for tracking the component carrier (201) by detecting a tray identifier structure (401) located on a tray (101) containing the component carrier (201), and for storing corresponding tray tracking information.
7. The packaging device (100) according to claim 1,
wherein the tracking device (120) is configured to: for tracking the component carrier (201) by detecting a package structure identifier structure located on a package structure (103) enclosing the component carrier (201), and for storing corresponding package structure tracking information.
8. The packaging device (100) according to claim 1,
wherein the encapsulation apparatus (100) comprises a cleaning device (140), the cleaning device (140) being configured for cleaning the component carrier (201) before encapsulating the component carrier (201).
9. The packaging device (100) according to claim 1,
wherein the tracking device (120) is an optical tracking device configured for optically detecting tracking information of the component carrier (201).
10. The packaging device (100) according to claim 1,
wherein the packaging apparatus (100) comprises stacking means (131), the stacking means (131) being configured for stacking trays (101), each tray (101) accommodating a component carrier (201).
11. The packaging device (100) according to claim 1,
wherein the encapsulation unit (130) is configured for adding an encapsulation identifier structure (501) to the component carrier encapsulation (106) of a tray (101) of component carriers (201).
12. The packaging device (100) according to claim 1,
wherein the encapsulation device (100) comprises a loader unit (151), the loader unit (151) being used for automatically loading the component carrier (201) into the encapsulation device (100).
13. The packaging device (100) according to claim 1,
wherein the encapsulation device (100) comprises an unloader unit (152), the unloader unit (152) being for automatically unloading a component carrier package (106) out of the encapsulation device (100).
14. A method of automatically packaging a component carrier (201) in a packaging apparatus (100), wherein the method comprises:
only component carriers (201) meeting at least one predetermined gating criterion are allowed to continue to be packaged;
tracking the component carrier (201) during processing by the encapsulation device (100); and
-encapsulating said tracked component carrier (201) meeting said at least one predetermined gating criterion.
15. The method according to claim 14,
only component carriers (201) meeting the following gating criteria are allowed to continue to be packaged: the gating criteria is that the warpage of the tray (101) containing the component carriers (201) is below a predetermined warpage threshold.
16. The method according to claim 14,
only component carriers (201) meeting the following gating criteria are allowed to continue to be packaged: the gating criteria is that the position of the component carrier (201) accommodated in the tray (101) meets predetermined position criteria.
17. The method according to claim 14,
only component carriers (201) meeting the following gating criteria are allowed to continue to be packaged: the gating criteria are that an overlap of component carriers (201) accommodated in a tray (101) beyond the tray (101) meets a predetermined overlap criteria.
18. The method according to claim 17,
taking a picture of the component carrier (201) in the tray (101) for evaluating whether the position of the component carrier complies with a predetermined position criterion and checking the amount of component carriers (201) of the bundle of component carriers (201) lying on top of each other and forming the component carrier (201),
wherein the step of taking a picture of the component carrier (201) in the tray (101) comprises:
taking a top photograph of the top of the bundle, and taking a bottom photograph of the bundle, and
the top photo and the bottom photo are compared for checking the predetermined location criteria.
19. The method according to claim 14,
only component carriers (201) meeting the following gating criteria are allowed to continue to be packaged: the gating criteria is that the quality characteristics of the bundle of trays (101) containing component carriers (201) meet predetermined bundle quality criteria.
20. The method according to claim 19,
detecting the force load of the strapping of the pallet (101),
wherein a force load of the strapping of the pallet (101) is indicative of a mass characteristic of the strapping of the pallet (101).
21. The method according to claim 14,
only component carriers (201) meeting the following gating criteria are allowed to continue to be packaged: the gating criteria is that the height of the bundle of trays (101) containing component carriers (201) meets predetermined height criteria.
22. A component carrier package (106), wherein the component carrier package (106) comprises:
-a plurality of component carriers (201), the component carriers (201) comprising component carrier identifier structures (402), the component carrier identifier structures (402) being detectable for retrieving tracking information assigned to the respective component carrier; and
-a packaging structure (103), the packaging structure (103) enclosing the component carrier (201), and the packaging structure (103) comprising a packaging identifier structure (501), the packaging identifier structure (501) being detectable for retrieving tracking information assigned to the component carrier package (106).
23. The component carrier package (106) according to claim 22,
wherein the component carrier identifier structure (402) comprises a QR code and/or wherein the package identifier structure (501) comprises a QR code.
24. The component carrier package (106) according to claim 22,
wherein the component carrier package (106) comprises a plurality of trays (101), each tray accommodating a plurality of the component carriers (201), and each tray comprises a tray identifier structure (401), the tray identifier structure (401) being in particular a QR code, and the tray identifier structure being detectable for retrieving tracking information assigned to the respective tray.
25. A system, the system comprising:
the plurality of component carrier packages (106) of claim 22;
a database comprising a plurality of data sets, each data set being assigned to a respective one of the component carrier packages (106) by a respective component carrier identifier structure (402) and/or package identifier structure (501).
CN202211190516.8A 2022-09-28 2022-09-28 Packaging apparatus and method, and component carrier package and system Pending CN117832114A (en)

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PCT/EP2023/074344 WO2024068200A1 (en) 2022-09-28 2023-09-05 Packing apparatus and method and component carrier pack and system

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US7089132B2 (en) * 2004-05-28 2006-08-08 International Business Machines Corporation Method and system for providing quality control on wafers running on a manufacturing line
US9129715B2 (en) * 2012-09-05 2015-09-08 SVXR, Inc. High speed x-ray inspection microscope
US8987010B1 (en) * 2013-08-29 2015-03-24 International Business Machines Corporation Microprocessor image correction and method for the detection of potential defects
CN113466261B (en) * 2021-07-26 2023-04-07 鸿安（福建）机械有限公司 PCB board automatic checkout device

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