초록 ▼

A laser marking apparatus and method for marking the surface of a singulated article such as a semiconductor chip are described herein. Semiconductor chips are fed along inclined, parallel tracks to a laser marking field where they are subsequently marked by a laser beam. As the laser beam is markin

A laser marking apparatus and method for marking the surface of a singulated article such as a semiconductor chip are described herein. Semiconductor chips are fed along inclined, parallel tracks to a laser marking field where they are subsequently marked by a laser beam. As the laser beam is marking chips associated with one track, chips associated with other tracks that have already been marked are replaced by unmarked chips. In this manner, the laser is continually being used to mark semiconductor chips without having to wait for unmarked chips to move to the marking location.

대표청구항 ▼

A laser marking apparatus and method for marking the surface of a singulated article such as a semiconductor chip are described herein. Semiconductor chips are fed along inclined, parallel tracks to a laser marking field where they are subsequently marked by a laser beam. As the laser beam is markin

A laser marking apparatus and method for marking the surface of a singulated article such as a semiconductor chip are described herein. Semiconductor chips are fed along inclined, parallel tracks to a laser marking field where they are subsequently marked by a laser beam. As the laser beam is marking chips associated with one track, chips associated with other tracks that have already been marked are replaced by unmarked chips. In this manner, the laser is continually being used to mark semiconductor chips without having to wait for unmarked chips to move to the marking location. eference position; said pusher sensor being detachable and replaceable such that, when said pusher sensor is mounted on said pusher plate, said mounted pusher sensor is located at said known location relative to said pusher reference position; whereby the location of both said mounted pusher sensor and said mounted positioner sensor relative to said gauge fixture reference position is known. 6. The positioning system of claim 4, wherein: said gauge fixture includes a gauge fixture reference position; said positioner assembly further includes a positioner base plate having a positioner base plate reference position, and a positioner upper plate having a positioner upper plate reference position; said pusher assembly further includes a pusher base plate having a pusher base plate reference position, and a pusher upper plate having a pusher upper plate reference position; said positioner base plate being mounted on said gauge fixture at a first known location relative to said gauge fixture reference position; said positioner upper plate being detachably mounted to said positioner base plate at a known location relative to said positioner base plate reference position; said positioner upper plate being detachable and replaceable such that, when said positioner upper plate is mounted on said positioner base plate, said mounted positioner upper plate is located at said known location relative to said positioner base plate reference position; and said positioner sensor being detachably mounted to said positioner upper plate at a known location relative to said positioner upper plate reference position; said positioner sensor being detachable and replaceable such that, when said positioner sensor is mounted on said positioner upper plate, said mounted positioner sensor is located at said known location relative to said positioner upper plate reference position; and said pusher base plate being mounted on said gauge fixture at a second known location relative to said gauge fixture reference position; said pusher upper plate being detachably mounted to said pusher base plate at a known location relative to said pusher base plate reference position; said pusher upper plate being detachable and replaceable such that, when said pusher upper plate is mounted on said pusher base plate, said mounted pusher upper plate is located at said known location relative to said pusher base plate reference position; and said pusher sensor being detachably mounted to said pusher upper plate at a known location relative to said pusher upper plate reference position; said pusher sensor being detachable and replaceable such that, when said pusher sensor is mounted on said pusher upper plate, said mounted pusher sensor is located at said known location relative to said pusher upper plate reference position; whereby the location of both said mounted pusher sensor and said mounted positioner sensor relative to said gauge fixture reference position is known. 7. The positioning system of claim 6, wherein said positioner base plate and said pusher base plate are each permanently attached to said gauge fixture. 8. The positioning system of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of dowels, at least one of said plurality of dowels being used to attach said positioner upper plate to said positioner base plate, and at least one other of said plurality of dowels being used to attach said pusher upper plate to said pusher base plate. 9. The positioning system of claim 6, wherein said stop member and said crank are mounted on said positioner upper plate. 10. The positioning system of claim 6, wherein said pusher member is mounted on said pusher upper plate. 11. The positioning system of claim 4, wherein said positioner assembly further includes a motor connected to said crank, whereby said controller actuates said crank using said motor. 12. The positioning system of claim 4, wherein said crank includes a roller bearing, said roller bearing providin