Integrated circuit package separators

• US 7,513,182 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2005
• Issued: 04/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Tripard, Jason E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Choi; Stephen
• Application Number:
  US11/215,664
• Publication Number:
  US 20050284274A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,316 Days
• Field of Search: 834/51, 834/671, 834/685, 834/686, 83/56, 836/14, 839/291, 839/39, 839/53, 269/54.5, 269/54.1, 269/295, 269/265, 269/266, 269/309, 269/311, 269/310, 269/900, 269/903
• US Class Current: 83/467.1
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 1/14 with a circular cutting member, e.g. disc cutter
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 7/01 Means for holding or positioning work
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 7/18 Means for removing cut-out material or waste
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/481 Insulating layers on insulating parts, with or without metallisation
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/09063 Holes or slots in insulating substrate not used for electrical connections
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2203/0165 Holder for holding a Printed Circuit Board [PCB] during processing, e.g. during screen printing
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2203/0228 Cutting, sawing, milling or shearing
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2203/167 Using mechanical means for positioning, alignment or registration, e.g. using rod-in-hole alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/0052 Depaneling, i.e. dividing a panel into circuit boards; Working of the edges of circuit boards
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 83/953 with work support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5313 Means to assemble electrical device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53274 Means to disassemble electrical device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53309 Disassembly means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7593 Work-stop abutment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7633 Collapsible

Abstract

Integrated circuit package separator for separating integrated circuit packages from a board. A base having a plurality of pins extending upwardly therefrom is provided. A support is provided over the base. The support has an upper surface and a plurality of holes extending therethrough. The pins extend through the holes and upwardly beyond the upper surface of the support. An actuator is provided beneath the support. A board having a plurality of integrated circuits bonded thereto is provided. The integrated circuits form a repeating pattern of integrated circuit packages across the board, and the board has a plurality of holes extending through it. The board is placed over the support upper surface with the pins extending into the holes in the board and cut to separate the integrated circuit packages from one another. After the cutting, the support is vertically displaced by the actuator to lift the support off the pins.

Claims

1. An integrated circuit package separator for separating a plurality of integrated circuit packages from one another, the integrated circuit packages being provided as integrated circuit chip components joined to a board, the separating including cutting the board, the separator comprising:

a plurality of panels, each panel comprising an elongated structure fastened to a support, the support comprising a planar upper surface;

a plurality of blocks over the panels, each block comprising an elongated structure extending parallel with each other block and each panel, each panel having two spaced blocks wherein the spacing is configured to support and maintain a stationary position of each integrated circuit package after being separated from the board, the blocks having curved upper surfaces and being configured to support the board while leaving the integrated circuit chip components extending between the block upper surfaces and the panel between the block upper surfaces;

a cutting mechanism configured to cut the board while the board is supported on the blocks and to thereby separate the integrated circuit packages from one another;

wherein the plurality of the blocks are one piece with the panel; and

a pair of actuators, each actuator configured for driving a plate positioned beneath the support, the plates being moveable to vertically displace the support, each actuator comprising release values configured to equilibrate a back-pressure of the actuator to ambient prior to and during movement of the support.

2. The separator of claim 1 wherein each planar upper surface is positioned in a coplanar relationship to collectively establish a single and planar uppermost surface which is devoid of openings.

3. The separator of claim 1 wherein each panel physically contacts the support.

4. The separator of claim 1 wherein each panel is fastened to the support by being molded as part of the support.

5. The separator of claim 1 wherein the support comprises static-reduced plastic.

6. The separator of claim 1 wherein each panel comprises aluminum.

7. The separator of claim 1 wherein the plurality of the blocks are discrete pieces from the panels, and wherein the plurality of the blocks are fastened to the panels.

8. The separator of claim 1 wherein the plurality of the blocks are one piece with the panels.

9. An integrated circuit package separator for separating a plurality of integrated circuit packages from one another, the integrated circuit packages being provided as integrated circuit chip components joined to a board, the separating including cutting the board, the separator comprising:

a plurality of panels fastened to and a support with each panel elevationally above the support, each panel comprising a planar upper surface wherein each planar upper surface is positioned in a coplanar relationship to collectively establish a single and planar uppermost surface that extends as a single, continuous planar surface from one outer peripheral edge of the plane to all other outer peripheral edges of the plane of the planar uppermost surface which is devoid of inner peripheral edges and openings;

a plurality of blocks extending upward and over the uppermost surface collectively established by the plurality of the panels, each block comprising an elongated structure extending parallel with each other block, the blocks having curved upper surfaces and being configured to support the board while leaving the integrated circuit chip components extending between the curved upper surfaces and the panels; and

a cutting mechanism configured to cut the board while the board is supported on the blocks and to thereby separate the integrated circuit packages from one another; and

a pair of actuators, each actuator configured for driving a plate positioned beneath the support, the plates being moveable to vertically displace the support, each actuator comprising release values configured to equilibrate a back-pressure of the actuator to ambient prior to and during movement of the support.

10. An integrated circuit package separator for separating a plurality of integrated circuit packages from one another, the integrated circuit packages being provided as integrated circuit chip components joined to a board, the separating including cutting the board, the separator comprising:

a panel fastened to a support, the panel comprising a pair of lengthwise edges connected by a pair of widthwise edges, the panel is removably secured to the support;

a pair of blocks over and extending upwardly from the lengthwise edges of the panel, the blocks having curved upper surfaces and being configured to support the board while leaving the integrated circuit chip components extending between the upper surfaces of the blocks and the panel;

a cutting mechanism configured to cut the board while the board is supported on the blocks and to thereby separate the integrated circuit packages from one another; and

a pair of actuators, each actuator configured for driving a plate positioned beneath the support, the plates being moveable to vertically displace the support, each actuator comprising release values configured to equilibrate a back-pressure of the actuator to ambient prior to and during movement of the support.

11. The separator of claim 10 wherein the panel comprises an uppermost planar surface that extends continuously between the lengthwise and widthwise edges leaving no openings between the lengthwise and widthwise edges.

12. The separator of claim 10 wherein the pair of blocks extends at a height from the lengthwise edges of the panel, and wherein the height is approximately equal to a thickness of the integrated circuit chip components.

13. The separator of claim 10 wherein the panel comprises an uppermost planar surface that extends continuously between the lengthwise and widthwise edges leaving no openings between the lengthwise and widthwise edges, and wherein the pair of blocks extends at a height from the lengthwise edges of the panel, and wherein the height is approximately equal to a thickness of the integrated circuit chip components.

14. The separator of claim 10 wherein the pair of blocks extends at a height from the lengthwise edges of the panel, and wherein the height is approximately 0.040 inches ±

0.005 inches.

15. The separator of claim 10 wherein the pair of blocks extends at a height from the lengthwise edges of the panel, and wherein the height is approximately 0.140 inches ±

0.005 inches.

16. The separator of claim 10 wherein the panel comprises an uppermost planar surface that extends continuously between the lengthwise and widthwise edges leaving no openings between the lengthwise and widthwise edges, and wherein the pair of blocks extends at a height from the lengthwise edges of the panel, and wherein the height is approximately equal to a thickness of the integrated circuit chip components, and wherein the panel is removably secured to the support with screws.

17. The separator of claim 10 wherein the panel comprises an uppermost planar surface that extends continuously between the lengthwise and widthwise edges leaving no openings between the lengthwise and widthwise edges, and wherein the pair of blocks extends at a height from the lengthwise edges of the panel, and wherein the height is approximately 0.140 inches ±

0.005 inches., and wherein the panel is removably secured to the support with screws.

18. The separator of claim 10 wherein the panel is removably secured to the support with screws.

19. The separator of claim 10 wherein the panel is removably secured to the support with rivets.