Automated chamfering apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for loading, chamfering and unloading a ceramic or ceramic/polymer substrate for electronic components. An automatic part loader moves substrates in a row as a unit, using a frangible pin to push the parts. The part loader separates the first of the substrates from the rest, and a load pedestal pushes the first substrate up into a loading/unloading nest. The load pedestal is mounted on rods so that the substrate may move laterally to center itself in the nest. The nest then rotates to load the substrate onto a movable process pedestal. The chamfering apparatus includes a pair of spaced, rotatable cutting spindles for chamfering edges and corners on the substrate. The cutting spindles include: i) separate top and bottom edge cutters for simultaneously chamfering top and bottom of edges of a substrate secured on the carrier as the substrate passes between the spindles and ii) corner cutters for simultaneously chamfering corners of a substrate secured on the carrier as the substrate contacts the spindles. The pedestal rotates the substrate about an axis normal to the plane of the substrate and moves the substrate in a direction normal to the plane of the substrate to present unchamfered edges and corners to the cutting spindles. A disc brake on the process pedestal may be actuated to prevent rotation of the substrate during chamfering. An enclosure surrounds the substrate, chamfering cutters and process pedestal during chamfering and utilizes the air flow supplied by the rotating cutters to propel chips into a particle collector.