JP2006110687A - High-pressure liquid jet type cutter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a high-pressure liquid jet type cutter, replenishing an abrasive material mixed liquid storing tank with recovered abrasive material while cutting is continuously performed without stopping a high-pressure liquid supply means. <P>SOLUTION: This high-pressure liquid jet type cutter includes: a plurality of abrasive material mixed liquid storing tanks 22; a high-pressure liquid supply means 10 for delivering high-pressure abrasive material mixed liquid to a jet nozzle 30 by supplying high-pressure liquid to the abrasive material mixed liquid storing tanks 22; a catch tank 50 for receiving a jet of abrasive material mixed liquid injected from the jet nozzle 30; an abrasive material collecting means for recovering the abrasive material from the abrasive material mixed liquid from the catch tank 50 and transferring the same to the abrasive material mixed liquid storing tank 22; and a pressure regulating means 70 for supplying and discharging the liquid to and from the abrasive material mixed liquid storing tank 22 to pressurize or decompress the abrasive material mixed liquid storing tank 22 in order to switch the abrasive material mixed liquid storing tanks 22. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a high-pressure liquid jet cutting device that cuts a workpiece by jetting a high-pressure liquid containing an abrasive, and more particularly to a high-pressure liquid jet cutting device that can reuse an abrasive.

  The water jet is a jet of high-pressure water formed by applying energy to water by an ultra-high pressure pump or the like, and has a flow velocity of 2 to 3 times the speed of sound, for example. In recent years, methods and apparatuses for cutting various workpieces (workpieces) using this water jet have been developed. In particular, in order to improve cutting efficiency, attention has been focused on abrasive jets in which high-pressure water is mixed with a solid abrasive. This abrasive material is made of a material with high hardness such as garnet, alumina oxide, silicon carbide, etc., and is a granular material having a particle size of, for example, several tens to several hundreds μm. These abrasive materials are processed together with high-pressure water. Collides with an object at high speed, destroys a part of the workpiece and cuts it.

  Such water jet cutting has the advantage that it can be cut without affecting the workpiece, and the occurrence of burrs on the cut surface can be reduced by the abrasive. Furthermore, in addition to being able to cut without problems even if the cutting line is a curve, there is an advantage that it is suitable for cutting composite materials and difficult-to-work materials. For this reason, in recent years, in order to dice a semiconductor substrate, particularly a packaged substrate, a cutting process using a water jet instead of a conventional cutting blade has been studied.

  By the way, in a water jet cutting apparatus using an abrasive jet, (1) a type in which only high-pressure water is supplied to the injection nozzle and the high-pressure water is mixed with the abrasive in the injection nozzle, and (2) the abrasive is mixed in advance. There is a type that supplies high pressure water (abrasive mixed water) to the injection nozzle.

  The type (1) has an advantage that there is no problem that the inside of the pipe is worn away by the abrasive because there is no abrasive in the pipe leading to the injection nozzle. On the other hand, the type (2) has an advantage that the cutting quality is excellent because the speed of the water sprayed from the spray nozzle and the speed of the abrasive material substantially coincide.

  In the water jet cutting apparatus that reuses abrasives, the type (1) is not suitable for reuse of abrasives because the abrasive and water must be completely separated. This type is considered more suitable. For this reason, the realization of the water jet cutting device of the type (2) as a device for reusing the abrasive is being studied. As this type of water jet cutting device, for example, in Patent Document 1, the inside of a cylinder is divided into two chambers by a piston, and high pressure water from a high pressure pump is supplied to the upper chamber, and the piston is lowered by the pressure. A water jet cutting device is described in which an abrasive mixed liquid which is pushed to the side and stored in a lower chamber is ejected from an ejection nozzle.

  However, the water jet cutting device described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the abrasive is clogged between the cylinder and the piston, and the cylinder is quickly broken.

  For this reason, as described in Patent Document 2, the inventor of the present application sends a high-pressure pump through a pipe to the vicinity of the bottom of one abrasive-mixed liquid storage tank (high-pressure tank) that stores abrasive-mixed water. The supplied high-pressure water is supplied, and the abrasive mixture water stored in the tank is sent to the injection nozzle from a pipe provided with an inlet near the bottom of the abrasive mixture storage tank. Then, a water jet cutting device having a configuration in which the workpiece is cut by spraying the abrasive mixed liquid water was studied.

JP 2004-136427 A JP 2000-24928 A

  In the water jet cutting apparatus described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 2, in order to collect and reuse the abrasive, an abrasive collecting means connected to a catch tank for receiving the abrasive mixed water sprayed from the spray nozzle is provided. Thus, it is conceivable that the abrasive collected by the abrasive collecting means is returned to the abrasive mixture storage tank and the abrasive is reused.

  However, when replenishing the abrasive collected in this way to one abrasive mixture storage tank, if the inside of the abrasive mixture storage tank is in a high pressure state due to the supply of high pressure water from a high pressure pump, The recovered abrasive cannot be replenished. For this reason, in order to replenish the abrasive in one abrasive mixed liquid storage tank, the operation of the high-pressure pump usually has to be stopped once. However, once the high-pressure pump is stopped, it takes time to restart it, and the cutting process must be interrupted during that time. For this reason, in consideration of productivity, it is preferable that the abrasive can be replenished to the abrasive mixture storage tank without stopping the high-pressure pump.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, two abrasive mixed liquid storage tanks 122a and 122b (hereinafter collectively referred to as “abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 122”) are installed. For the abrasive mixture liquid storage tank 122 to which high-pressure water is not supplied via (that is, the abrasive mixture liquid storage tank that is not supplying the abrasive mixture liquid to the injection nozzle 130 via the pipe 113) 122 Thus, it has been studied to prevent the high-pressure pump 115 from being stopped by replenishing the abrasive from the abrasive recovery means 160.

  However, even if an attempt is made to replenish the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 122 to which the high pressure water is not supplied from the high pressure pump 115 out of the two abrasive mixed liquid storage tanks 122, the cutting process is once performed. Since the abrasive mixture storage tank 122 used in the above is in a high pressure state, there is a problem that the abrasive cannot be replenished unless the pressure is reduced by some means.

  However, with the apparatus configuration as shown in FIG. 5, the inside of the abrasive mixture storage tank 122 cannot be depressurized. That is, even when a plurality of abrasive mixture liquid storage tanks 122 are installed, a path for sending the abrasive mixture water from one abrasive mixture liquid storage tank 122 to the injection nozzle 130 is used for cutting. Therefore, the pressure of the other abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 122 could not be reduced. As a result, it was not possible to replenish the other abrasive mixture storage tank 122 with the abrasive while continuously performing cutting with an abrasive jet using one abrasive mixture storage tank 122.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and in a high-pressure liquid injection type cutting apparatus that collects and reuses abrasives, cutting without stopping high-pressure liquid supply means such as a high-pressure pump. It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved high-pressure liquid injection type cutting apparatus capable of replenishing a recovered abrasive material in an abrasive liquid mixture storage tank while continuously performing processing.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of abrasive mixture storage tanks for storing an abrasive mixture in which an abrasive and a liquid are mixed; and at least one abrasive By supplying high pressure liquid to the mixed liquid storage tank via the high pressure liquid supply pipe, the abrasive liquid mixture stored in the abrasive liquid storage tank is sent at high pressure via the abrasive liquid supply pipe. A high-pressure liquid supply means for injecting a high-pressure abrasive mixture liquid sent from the abrasive liquid mixture storage tank to the workpiece; and a jet of the abrasive liquid mixture injected from the injection nozzle A catch tank to be received; recovering abrasive particles having a predetermined range of particle diameter from the abrasive mixture transferred from the catch tank, and collecting the abrasive mixture containing the recovered abrasives into a plurality of abrasives Mixed liquid storage tank High-pressure liquid from the high pressure fluid supply means and abrasive recovery means for transferring at least one abrasive mixture liquid storage tank not supplied Chi; high-pressure liquid jet cutting device having a are provided. In order to switch the abrasive mixture storage tank, this high-pressure liquid injection type cutting device supplies liquid to the abrasive mixture storage tank separately from the high pressure liquid supply pipe and the abrasive mixture delivery pipe. A pressure adjusting means for pressurizing / depressurizing the inside of the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank by discharging is provided for each abrasive mixed liquid storage tank.

  With such a configuration, in the high-pressure liquid injection type cutting device that automatically circulates the abrasive and reuses it, pressure adjusting means that can pressurize and depressurize the pressure in the abrasive-mixture storage tank is provided. Without stopping the operation of the means, the abrasive mixture storage tank can be depressurized to replenish the abrasive. For this reason, by switching and using a plurality of abrasive mixed liquid storage tanks, while continuing cutting using one abrasive mixed liquid storage tank, the other abrasive mixed liquid storage tanks are replenished with the abrasive. be able to.

  The pressure adjusting means includes a pressurization pipe for supplying the high pressure liquid from the high pressure liquid supply means to the abrasive mixture storage tank; a pressurization valve provided in the middle of the pressurization pipe; A decompression pipe for discharging the liquid in the liquid storage tank to the outside; a decompression valve provided in the middle of the decompression pipe; and a connecting portion for connecting one end of the pressurization pipe and one end of the decompression pipe And a common pipe communicating with the connecting portion and the abrasive mixture storage tank; provided in the middle of the common pipe and when the pressurization valve is opened, the abrasive mixture storage tank via the pressurization pipe and the common pipe A flow rate adjusting means for restricting the flow rate of the high-pressure liquid supplied to the tank and limiting the flow rate of the liquid discharged from the abrasive mixture storage tank through the common pipe and the pressure-reducing pipe when the pressure-reducing valve is opened; You may make it prepare.

  With this configuration, the flow rate adjusting means controls the flow rate of the high-pressure liquid supplied to the abrasive mixture storage tank and the flow rate of the liquid discharged from the abrasive mixture storage tank, so that the abrasive mixture storage tank is The rate of pressurization or depressurization can be adjusted. Accordingly, the load of the high pressure liquid on the pressurizing valve and the pressure reducing valve can be reduced, so that damage to the pressurizing valve and the pressure reducing valve can be prevented.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the pressure adjusting means can pressurize / depressurize the pressure in each abrasive liquid storage tank, so that the cutting process is continuously performed without stopping the high pressure liquid supply means. Meanwhile, the abrasive can be replenished to the abrasive mixture storage tank.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

(First embodiment)
The high pressure liquid injection cutting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The high-pressure liquid jet cutting device according to the present embodiment is, for example, a water jet cutting device that cuts a workpiece with a jet of high-pressure water (abrasive jet) mixed with an abrasive as described below. Although configured, the present invention is not limited to such an example.

  First, based on FIG. 1, the whole structure of the water jet cutting device 100 concerning this embodiment is demonstrated roughly. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the water jet cutting apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the water jet cutting device 100 according to the present embodiment jets high-pressure water containing an abrasive to the workpiece 35, thereby cutting the workpiece 35 into a relatively free cutting line. The cutting device is capable of cutting with high accuracy (that is, water jet processing). The workpiece 35 to be cut by the water jet cutting apparatus 100 is, for example, various semiconductor substrates such as a silicon wafer and a packaged semiconductor substrate (for example, a CSP substrate), but is not limited thereto.

  The water jet cutting device 100 includes, for example, a high-pressure liquid supply unit 10, an abrasive mixing unit 20, an injection nozzle 30, a holding table 40, a table moving unit 42, a catch tank 50, and an abrasive collection unit 60. And mainly.

The high-pressure liquid supply means 10 is composed of, for example, a high-pressure pump and a motor, which will be described later, and pressurizes water supplied from the outside, for example, 600 to 700 bar (1 bar = about 1.02 kgf / cm ² ). The high pressure water can be generated and supplied. The water supplied from the outside is, for example, tap water, but is not limited to this example, and may be pure water or the like. The high-pressure water generated by the high-pressure liquid supply means 10 is supplied to the abrasive material mixing means 20 via the high-pressure pipe 11 that is a pipe for carrying the high-pressure fluid.

  The abrasive material mixing means 20 is composed of a plurality of abrasive material mixture storage tanks and pressure adjusting means, which will be described later, and stores abrasive material mixed water in which abrasive material (abrasive grains) and water are mixed. The abrasive mixing means 20 mixes the abrasive at a predetermined ratio with the high-pressure water supplied from the high-pressure liquid supply means 10, and sends the high-pressure water mixed with the abrasive to the injection nozzle 30. This abrasive is made of a material with high hardness such as garnet, alumina oxide, silicon carbide, diamond, etc., and is a granular material having a particle size of, for example, about several tens to several hundreds μm, and has a function of increasing the cutting efficiency of high-pressure water. Have In this embodiment, for example, alumina oxide having a particle size of 40 to 100 μm is used as the abrasive. High-pressure water mixed with such an abrasive (hereinafter also referred to as “high-pressure abrasive mixed water”) is supplied from the abrasive mixing means 20 to the injection nozzle 30 via the high-pressure pipe 21.

  The injection nozzle 30 is configured as an example of a high-pressure liquid injection unit that injects high-pressure liquid, and includes, for example, a nozzle pipe 31 and an orifice 32. The spray nozzle 30 is supplied with high-pressure abrasive mixed water from the abrasive mixing means 20 via the high-pressure pipe 21. The injection nozzle 30, for example, injects the high-pressure abrasive mixed water from above to the workpiece 35 held on the holding table 40 at a high speed.

  The spray nozzle 30 is stably fixed to the main body of the water jet cutting device 100 by, for example, a nozzle fixing member (not shown). The injection nozzle 30 is configured to be movable up and down in the Z-axis direction (vertical direction) by, for example, an elevating mechanism (not shown). Thereby, the distance between the tip of the injection nozzle 30 and the workpiece 35 can be adjusted in accordance with the type, thickness, surface irregularities, and the like of the workpiece 35.

  Further, as shown in a partially enlarged view in FIG. 1, an orifice 32 for reducing the ejection diameter of the high-pressure water is attached to the tip of the nozzle tube 31 of the injection nozzle 30. The orifice 32 includes, for example, an orifice body 322 having a predetermined fine diameter jet outlet 321 formed at the tip thereof, and an orifice cover provided so as to cover the orifice body 322 and screwed to the tip portion of the nozzle tube 31. 323. The orifice body 322 is fixed to the tip of the injection nozzle 30 by screwing the orifice cover 323.

  The flow rate of the high-pressure water jet (i.e., water jet) J jetted from the jet nozzle 30 is about 2 to 3 times the speed of sound, for example. Further, the distance between the tip of the injection nozzle 30 and the surface of the workpiece 35 is, for example, 50 μm to 1 mm, and is adjusted so that both are as close as possible. Thus, by bringing the injection nozzle 30 and the workpiece 35 close to each other, diffusion of the injected high-pressure water jet J can be suppressed as much as possible, and the cutting width of the workpiece 35 can be prevented from becoming wide. Further, the diameter of the injection nozzle 30 (the diameter of the discharge outlet 321) is about 250 μm, for example, and in this case, the cutting width of the workpiece 35 is about 300 μm, for example.

  In this way, the workpiece 35 can be cut by the energy of the high-pressure water by jetting the water jet J, which is a jet of the abrasive mixed water, onto the workpiece 35 by the jet nozzle 30. . At this time, the abrasive material collides with the workpiece 35 together with the high-pressure water and destroys and cuts a part of the workpiece 35, so that the cutting efficiency can be improved. Thus, the water jet J according to the present embodiment is configured as an abrasive jet.

  The holding table 40 is configured as an example of a workpiece holding unit that holds a workpiece. The holding table 40 is a plate-like member formed of, for example, a hard metal such as stainless steel, and holds and fixes the workpiece 35 that is a workpiece. The holding table 40 is formed with a table window 401 serving as an opening for allowing the water jet J to pass through at a portion to which the workpiece 35 is fixed. The table window 401 has, for example, a shape (for example, a substantially rectangular shape) corresponding to the workpiece 35, and the size thereof is slightly smaller than the outer shape of the workpiece 35. The work piece 35 is disposed on the upper portion of the table window 401, and the work piece 35 is fixed to the holding table 40 by fixing the outer periphery of the work piece 35 with a cover or a locking claw (not shown). 35 is fixed. Further, since the water jet J ejected by the ejection nozzle 30 passes through the portion of the table window 401, the holding table 40 itself is not cut by the water jet J.

  For example, a plate-like support member (jig) that supports the workpiece 35 from below may be attached to the table window 401 of the holding table 40. By providing this support member, deformation of the workpiece 35 due to the pressure of high-pressure water at the time of cutting can be prevented, and machining accuracy can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the workpiece 35 is held and fixed by the holding table 40 having the table window 401. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, various mounting tables, jigs, holding tools, etc. The workpiece 35 may be held and fixed by the workpiece holding means configured as described above.

  The table moving means 42 is composed of, for example, a drive mechanism such as an electric motor or gear, and moves the holding table 40 in the horizontal direction (X-axis and Y-axis directions). By moving the holding table 40 in the X-axis and Y-axis directions by such table moving means 42, the workpiece 35 held by the holding table 40 is moved in the X-axis and Y-axis directions with respect to the injection nozzle 30. It can be moved relative. Thereby, the injection position (cutting part) of the water jet J with respect to the workpiece 35 can be changed, and the workpiece 35 can be cut | disconnected by a continuous line. The feed rate of the workpiece 35 at the time of cutting is, for example, 20 mm / second, although it varies depending on the thickness and material of the workpiece 35 to be cut. The configuration of the table moving means 42 is not limited to the above example, and various design changes can be made as long as the workpiece 35 can be moved in the horizontal direction.

  The catch tank 50 is, for example, a vertically long water tank whose upper surface is open. For example, the catch tank 50 is provided below the holding table 40 and directly below the injection nozzle 30. The catch tank 50 stores therein water containing abrasives up to a predetermined height, and supply and discharge of water to the catch tank 50 are controlled in order to keep the water surface constant. .

  The catch tank 50 functions as a water receiving tank for the water jet J. In other words, the catch tank 50 can receive the water jet J that has been cut through the workpiece 35 as described above by using the stored water as a buffer material with reduced power. At the bottom of the catch tank 50, the abrasive contained in the abrasive mixture water received as described above settles and accumulates. Further, a pipe 51 is connected to, for example, the side bottom of the catch tank 50, and the abrasive and water in the catch tank 50 are discharged through this pipe 51 and transferred to the abrasive collecting means 60. .

  The abrasive recovery means 60 recovers an abrasive having a reusable predetermined particle size (for example, 30 to 100 μm) from the abrasive mixed water transferred from the catch tank 50 via the pipe 51, Transfer to abrasive mixing means 20. The abrasive material recovery means 60 includes an abrasive material recovery filter (not shown; details will be described later) that allow the reusable particle size abrasive material to pass therethrough, and polishing that passes through the abrasive material recovery filter. The material is collected and stored, and the abrasive mixed water containing the recovered abrasive is transferred to the abrasive mixing means 20 via the pipe 61. Further, the abrasive mixed water including the abrasive not recovered through the abrasive recovery filter is discharged to the outside through the drain pipe 62, for example.

  The water jet cutting device 100 configured as described above is configured to move the holding table 40 relative to the injection nozzle 30 in the X-axis and Y-axis directions while spraying the water jet J from the injection nozzle 30. The workpiece 35 can be cut by causing the water jet J containing an abrasive to act along the planned cutting line of the workpiece 35.

  As described above, the water jet cutting apparatus according to the present embodiment employs a cutting method in which the injection nozzle 30 is fixed and the workpiece 35 is moved by the holding table 40 during the cutting process. By adopting such a cutting method, since the position of the injection nozzle 30 is fixed, there is an advantage that the catch tank 50 can be downsized, the installation area can be reduced, and the configuration of the moving mechanism can be simplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the holding table 40 may be fixed and the injection nozzle 30 may be moved for cutting.

  Further, the water jet cutting apparatus 100 automatically circulates an abrasive having a particle size suitable for the cutting process in the apparatus using the abrasive mixing means 20, the catch tank 50, the abrasive recovery means 60, and the like. Can be reused. As a result, the abrasive can be reused without manpower to increase the utilization efficiency, and continuous cutting can be performed without stopping the high-pressure liquid supply means 10, thereby improving productivity.

  Next, the circulation structure for automatically reusing the abrasive in the water jet cutting apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a circulation structure for automatically reusing the abrasive in the water jet cutting apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the water jet cutting apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the abrasive is basically (1) abrasive mixed liquid storage tanks 22a, 22b → (2) injection nozzle 30 → (3 ) Catch tank 50 → (4) Abrasive recovery means 60 → (5) Abrasive mixed liquid storage tanks 22a and 22b are circulated and reused. Below, each part which comprises the circulation path | route for reuse of this abrasive | polishing material is explained in full detail.

  First, the high pressure pump 15 will be described. The high-pressure pump 15 is an example of the configuration of the high-pressure liquid supply means 10 described above, and generates high-pressure water from external water supply, and this high-pressure water is supplied to the high-pressure pipe 11, the high-pressure manifold pipe 1, and the high-pressure liquid supply pipes 12a and 12b. To the abrasive mixture liquid storage tanks 22a and 22b (hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as “abrasive mixture liquid storage tank 22”).

  Next, the abrasive mixing means 20 will be described. The abrasive mixing means 20 includes, for example, two abrasive mixed liquid storage tanks 22a and 22b, a merging portion 23, and various pipes (high pressure manifold pipes) provided corresponding to the respective abrasive mixed liquid storage tanks 22a and 22b. 1, high pressure liquid supply pipes 12a and 12b, abrasive mixed liquid delivery pipes 13a and 13b, high pressure pipes 14a and 14b, etc.), valves 3a, 4a, 5a, 7a, 8a, 3b, 4b for opening and closing these pipes, 5b, 7b, 8b and orifices 17a, 18a, 17b, 18b, and first and second pressure adjusting means 70a, 70b (hereinafter referred to as "pressure adjusting means 70") corresponding to the respective abrasive mixed liquid storage tanks 22a, 22b. Are sometimes collectively referred to as “.”.

  The abrasive mixed liquid storage tanks 22a and 22b are configured by a high pressure resistant container sealed from the outside, and store water mixed with the abrasive (abrasive mixed water). The abrasive mixture storage tanks 22a and 22b are supplied with high-pressure water from the high-pressure pump 15 via the high-pressure liquid supply pipes 12a and 12b, and from the abrasive collection means 60 to the pipes 61a and 61b. Through this, the abrasive mixed water containing the recovered abrasive is supplied. At the bottom of the abrasive mixture storage tank 22, an abrasive having a specific gravity greater than that of water settles and accumulates.

  The junction 23 is connected to the two abrasive mixture storage tanks 22 a and 22 b via the abrasive mixture delivery pipes 13 a and 13 b, and is connected to the injection nozzle 30 via the high pressure pipe 21. The junction 23 supplies the abrasive mixture water sent from the two abrasive mixture storage tanks 22 a and 22 b to the injection nozzle 30 via the high-pressure pipe 21.

  The high-pressure manifold pipe 1 branches the high-pressure water supplied from the high-pressure pump 15 via the high-pressure pipe 11 to add high-pressure liquid supply pipes 12a and 12b, high-pressure pipes 14a and 14b, and pressure adjusting means 70a and 70b. Supply to pressure piping 71a, 71b.

  The high-pressure liquid supply pipes 12a and 12b are high-pressure pipes for connecting the high-pressure pump 15 and the abrasive mixture storage tanks 22a and 22b to supply high-pressure water to the abrasive mixture storage tanks 22a and 22b. . Specifically, the high pressure liquid supply pipes 12a and 12b are connected at the inlet end to the high pressure manifold pipe 1 and at the outlet end of the abrasive mixture storage tanks 22a and 22b. Located at the bottom. In the middle of the high pressure liquid supply pipes 12a and 12b, there are valves 3a and 3b for opening and closing the high pressure liquid supply pipes 12a and 12b, and an orifice for regulating the flow rate of the high pressure water flowing in the high pressure liquid supply pipes 12a and 12b. 18a and 18b are provided. When the valves 3a and 3b are opened, high-pressure water from the high-pressure pump 15 is supplied to the bottoms of the abrasive mixture storage tanks 22a and 22b via the high-pressure liquid supply pipes 12a and 12b. As a result, the abrasive mixture water at the bottom of the abrasive mixture storage tanks 22a and 22b is agitated, and the accumulated abrasive is suspended in the water.

  The abrasive mixed liquid delivery pipes 13a and 13b communicate with the abrasive mixed liquid storage tanks 22a and 22b and the injection nozzle 30, and inject the abrasive mixed water stored in the abrasive mixed liquid storage tanks 22a and 22b. This is a high-pressure pipe for supplying to the nozzle 30. Specifically, the ends of the abrasive mixed solution delivery pipes 13a and 13b on the inlet side are adjacent to the outlets of the high pressure liquid supply pipes 12a and 12b at the bottom of the abrasive mixed solution storage tanks 22a and 22b. The end on the outlet side is connected to the junction 23. Valves 5a and 5b for opening and closing the abrasive mixed liquid delivery pipes 13a and 13b are provided in the middle of the abrasive mixed liquid delivery pipes 13a and 13b. When the valves 5a and 5b are opened, the abrasive mixture storage tanks 22a and 22b are supplied by the pressure of the high-pressure water supplied into the abrasive mixture storage tanks 22a and 22b via the high-pressure liquid supply pipes 12a and 12b. The abrasive mixture water inside flows into the abrasive mixture liquid delivery pipes 13 a and 13 b and is delivered to the injection nozzle 30. At this time, since the outlets of the high pressure liquid supply pipes 12a and 12b and the inlets of the abrasive mixed liquid delivery pipes 13a and 13b are disposed adjacent to the bottoms of the abrasive mixed liquid storage tanks 22a and 22b, the polishing is performed. The abrasive mixture in a state where the materials are mixed at an even mixing density is continuously sent out.

  The high pressure pipes 14a and 14b are connected to the high pressure manifold pipe 1 at the end on the inflow side, and connected to the middle of the abrasive mixed liquid delivery pipes 13a and 13b at the end on the outflow side. In the middle of the high-pressure pipes 14a and 14b, valves 4a and 4b for opening and closing the high-pressure pipes 14a and 14b and orifices 17a and 17b for regulating the flow rate of the high-pressure water flowing in the high-pressure pipes 14a and 14b are provided. . By providing such high-pressure pipes 14a, 14b and valves 4a, 4b, etc., high-pressure water is allowed to flow through the abrasive mixture liquid delivery pipes 13a, 13b as necessary, and after processing, the abrasive mixture liquid delivery pipes 13a, 13b. It is possible to clean and remove the abrasive that has dried and adhered inside.

  The pipe 61 and the pipes 61 a and 61 b branched from the pipe 61 are pipes that connect the abrasive mixture storage tanks 22 a and 22 b and the abrasive collection means 60. A positive pressure pump 69 is provided in the middle of the pipe 61, and valves 7a and 7b are provided in the middle of the pipes 61a and 61b, respectively. Further, the pipe 612 and the pipes 612 a and 612 b branched from the pipe 612 are pipes that connect the respective abrasive mixed liquid storage tanks 22 a and 22 b and the abrasive collecting means 60. Valves 8a and 8b are provided in the middle of the pipes 612a and 612b, respectively.

  Thus, when the valves 7a and 8a or the valves 7b and 8b are opened, the abrasive mixture containing the recovered abrasive is supplied from the abrasive recovery means 60 by the power of the positive pressure pump 69 to the pipes 61, 61a, The abrasive can be replenished by being transferred to the abrasive mixture storage tank 22a or 22b to which high-pressure water from the high-pressure pump 15 is not supplied via 61b. Furthermore, the water in the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22a or 22b can be returned to the abrasive recovery means 60 via the pipes 612a, 612b, 612.

  With the abrasive mixing means 20 having the above-described configuration, the abrasive mixed water stored in one of the abrasive mixed liquid storage tanks 22 is extruded at a high pressure by the pressure of the high-pressure water supplied from the high-pressure pump 15. Thus, it can be sent to the injection nozzle 30 via the abrasive mixture liquid delivery pipes 13a and 13b and the high pressure pipe 21 and used for cutting. At this time, the other abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22 is supplemented with the abrasive recovered by the abrasive recovery means 60 and can store the abrasive.

  Then, when the amount of abrasive material stored in one abrasive material mixture storage tank 22 used for the cutting process decreases below a predetermined level, the abrasive material mixture water is sent out for the cutting process. By switching between the liquid storage tank 22 and the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22 replenished with the abrasive, the supply of the abrasive mixed water to the spray nozzle 30 and the polishing from the abrasive recovery means 60 are performed in the same manner as described above. The replenishment of materials is performed in parallel. Thereby, the high-pressure abrasive mixed water can be stably and continuously supplied to the spray nozzle 30. Note that three or more abrasive mixture liquid storage tanks 22 may be provided and used by switching them.

  In order to suitably switch the abrasive mixture liquid storage tank 22 as described above, first and second pressure adjusting means 70a and 70b for increasing / decreasing the water pressure in the respective abrasive mixture liquid storage tanks 22a and 22b. Are provided corresponding to the respective abrasive mixed liquid storage tanks 22a and 22b. The first and second pressure adjusting means 70a and 70b are characteristic components according to this embodiment, and will be described in detail later.

  Next, the catch tank 50 will be described. As described above, the catch tank 50 receives the jet of high-pressure abrasive mixed water (water jet J), which is injected from the injection nozzle 30 and cuts through the workpiece 35, as a buffer material. The abrasive deposited on the bottom of the catch tank 50 is transferred to the abrasive recovery means 60 by the first transfer means. The first transfer means includes a pipe 51 that communicates the bottom of the catch tank 50 and the abrasive recovery means 60, and is provided in the middle of the pipe 51, and serves as a power source for transferring the abrasive mixed water. And a positive pressure pump 59.

  Next, the abrasive recovery means 60 will be described. The abrasive recovery means 60 is an apparatus for recovering and reusing the abrasive from the abrasive mixed water transferred from the catch tank 50. As shown in FIG. 2, the abrasive material recovery means 60 generally includes an abrasive material recovery container 64, an abrasive material storage container 66, a bottom part of the abrasive material recovery container 64, and an upper part of the abrasive material storage container 66. It is comprised from the connection part 65 which connects.

  The abrasive recovery container 64 is a hermetically sealed container for recovering a reusable abrasive, and an abrasive recovery filter 67 is provided substantially horizontally inside. The abrasive recovery filter 67 is made of, for example, a stainless steel wire net having a plurality of fine holes, and has an opening size that allows an abrasive having a predetermined particle size (for example, 100 μm) or less to pass therethrough. Have. In addition, on the upper part of the abrasive recovery container 64, for example, a vibration motor 63 is installed as a vibration generating means for improving the clogging of the abrasive recovery filter 67 by vibrating the abrasive recovery container 64.

  The upper space of this abrasive material recovery container 64 (the space above the abrasive material recovery filter 67) constitutes a flow path for recovering the abrasive material, and communicates with the catch tank 50 at one end. A pipe 51 is connected, and a drain pipe 62 for draining unnecessary abrasive mixed water to the outside is connected to the other end. For this reason, the abrasive mixture liquid transferred from the catch tank 50 flows into the upper space of the abrasive collection container 64 from the pipe 51 and passes over the abrasive collection filter 67 at a predetermined flow rate (for example, 8 liters / minute). It flows and is discharged from the drain pipe 62.

  With this configuration, only the abrasive having a particle size within a predetermined reusable range (for example, 30 to 100 μm) contained in the abrasive mixed water transferred from the catch tank 50 passes through the abrasive recovery filter 67, It falls down and is collected. Specifically, due to the flow rate of the abrasive mixture water flowing in the upper part of the abrasive collection container 64, an excessively small abrasive (particle size is less than 30 μm, for example) rides on the water flow without passing through the abrasive collection filter 67. And discharged from the drain pipe 62. Further, an excessively large abrasive (particle size is larger than 100 μm, for example) cannot be passed through the abrasive recovery filter 67 and is discharged from the drain pipe 62. For this reason, only the abrasive having a size within a predetermined range suitable for cutting (for example, 30 to 100 μm) is recovered through the abrasive recovery filter 67. On the other hand, the abrasive mixed water containing the abrasive having a particle size outside the predetermined range is discharged through the drain pipe 62. This is because an excessively small abrasive cannot contribute to polishing even if it is reused, and an excessively large abrasive should cause the injection nozzle 30 to be clogged and should not be reused.

  The lower space of the abrasive material collection container 64 (the space below the abrasive material collection filter 67) has, for example, a funnel shape that collects the abrasive material collected through the abrasive material collection filter 67. ing. The recovered abrasive passes through the tubular connecting portion 65 from this lower space and falls into the abrasive storage container 66.

  The abrasive material storage container 66 is a sealed container that stores the abrasive mixed water containing the abrasive material recovered from the abrasive material recovery filter 67 as described above. The abrasive mixture water containing the abrasive deposited on the bottom of the abrasive reservoir 66 is not supplied with high pressure water from the high pressure pump in the two abrasive mixture storage tanks 22 by the second transfer means. The one (not used for cutting) is transferred to the abrasive mixture storage tank 22. This second transfer means is provided in the middle of the pipe 61, 61a, 61b communicating with the bottom of the abrasive material storage container 66 and the abrasive material mixed solution storage tank 22, and the abrasive material mixed water. A second positive pressure pump 69 serving as a transfer power source; pipes 612, 612a, 612b for returning water from the abrasive mixture storage tank 22 to the abrasive storage container 66; valves 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b; Consists of.

  In addition, a measurement sensor, for example, an ultrasonic sensor 68 for measuring the accumulation amount (retention amount) of the abrasive in the abrasive material storage container 66 is attached to the upper part of the abrasive material storage container 66. When it is determined from the measurement result by the ultrasonic sensor 68 that the abrasive material is sufficiently accumulated in the abrasive material storage container 66, the abrasive material mixed water is supplied from the abrasive material storage container 66 to the abrasive material mixture storage tank 22. Be transported. As a result, an excessive amount of abrasive material is accumulated in the abrasive material storage container 66 and, conversely, a transfer operation is prevented even though the abrasive material is not sufficiently accumulated. it can.

  As described above, the abrasive material recovery means 60 recovers only the abrasive material having a predetermined range of particle size (for example, a range of 30 to 100 μm) suitable for cutting from the abrasive material mixed water transferred from the catch tank 50. Then, the abrasive material is stored in the abrasive material storage container 66, and then the recovered abrasive material is transferred to the abrasive material mixture storage tank 22 and replenished.

  As described above, the water jet cutting apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment collects the abrasive material that has been used once, and recirculates the abrasive material so that the collected abrasive material is replenished to the abrasive material mixture storage tank 22 again. Can be reused. This makes it possible to improve the production efficiency and reduce the production cost by effectively using the abrasive.

  By the way, in order to replenish the abrasive in the high-pressure abrasive mixture storage tank 22 after being used for cutting, it is necessary to reduce the pressure in the abrasive mixture storage tank 22. In order to start supplying high-pressure water to the low-pressure (for example, atmospheric pressure) abrasive mixture storage tank 22 after the abrasive is replenished, the valves 3a, 3b, It is necessary to gradually increase the pressure in the abrasive mixture storage tank 22 so that 5a, 5b, etc. are not damaged.

  For this reason, in the water jet cutting device 100 according to the present embodiment, the use of the abrasive mixed liquid storage tanks 22a and 22b is switched without stopping the high-pressure pump 15 while cutting is continued. There is provided a pressure adjusting means 70 capable of gradually reducing and pressurizing the inside of the material mixture storage tank 22. The pressure adjusting means 70 is provided with high-pressure liquid supply pipes 12a and 12b that act to pressurize / depressurize the inside of the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22 in accordance with the supply of high-pressure water and the supply of abrasive mixed water during cutting. Separately from the abrasive mixed liquid delivery pipes 13a and 13b, the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22 is additionally installed to gradually pressurize / depressurize the interior of the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22.

  The pressure adjusting means 70 will be described in detail below. In the following, the first pressure adjusting means 70a provided corresponding to the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22a will be described in detail, and the second pressure adjusting means 70a provided corresponding to the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22b will be described. Since the pressure adjusting means 70b has substantially the same function and configuration as the first pressure adjusting means 70a, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first pressure adjusting means 70a (hereinafter referred to as “pressure adjusting means 70a”) adjusts the flow rate of high-pressure water from the high-pressure pump 15 into the abrasive mixture storage tank 22a. By supplying the abrasive mixture liquid storage tank 22a with a function of gradually increasing the pressure and the high-pressure abrasive mixture water in the abrasive mixture storage tank 22a, the flow rate of the abrasive mixture storage tank 22a is adjusted. The function of gradually depressurizing the inside of the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22a is provided.

  The pressure adjusting means 70a includes a pressurizing pipe 71a, a pressurizing valve 2a, a pressure reducing pipe 72a, a pressure reducing valve 6a, a connecting portion 77a, common pipes 73a and 74a, a flow rate adjusting means 80a, a pressure adjusting means 70a, It comprises a sensor 75a and an abrasive outflow prevention filter 76a.

  In addition to the high-pressure liquid supply pipe 12a described above, the pressurization pipe 71a allows the high-pressure pump 15 and the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22a to communicate with each other, and the high-pressure water from the high-pressure pump 15 is supplied to the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22a. It is a water supply pipe for supplying to. Specifically, the pressurizing pipe 71a has an end on the inlet side connected to the high-pressure manifold pipe 1 and an end on the outlet side connected to a connecting portion 77a described later. A valve 2a for opening and closing the pressurizing pipe 71a is provided in the middle of the pressurizing pipe 71a. When the valve 2a is opened, high-pressure water from the high-pressure pump 15 is supplied to the abrasive mixture storage tank 22a via the pressurizing pipe 71a and the like.

  The decompression pipe 72a communicates the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22a with the outside separately from the above-described abrasive mixed liquid delivery pipe 13a, and allows the relatively high pressure water in the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22a to flow. It is a drain pipe for discharging to the outside. Specifically, the pressure reducing pipe 72a has an end on the inlet side connected to a connecting portion 77a described later, and an end on the outlet side connected to an external waste water treatment device (not shown) or the like. It is connected. A valve 6a for opening and closing the decompression pipe 72a is provided in the middle of the decompression pipe 72a. When the valve 6a is opened, the water in the abrasive mixture storage tank 22a is discharged to the outside through the decompression pipe 72a and the like.

  The connecting portion 77a includes one end on the abrasive mixture storage tank 22a side of the pressurizing pipe 71a, one end on the abrasive mixture storage tank 22a side of the decompression pipe 72a, and an abrasive mixture storage of the common pipe 73a. It is a T-shaped connecting member that connects one end opposite to the tank 22a. When the pressurizing valve 2a is opened and the depressurizing valve 6a is closed, the high-pressure water supplied from the high-pressure pump 15 and flowing through the pressurizing pipe 71a flows into the common pipe 73a through the connecting portion 77a. . On the other hand, when the pressurizing valve 2a is closed and the depressurizing valve 6a is opened, the water discharged from the abrasive mixture storage tank 22a and flowing through the common pipe 73a passes through the connecting portion 77a. It flows into the pipe 72a.

  The common pipes 73a and 74a are pipes that connect the connecting portion 77a and the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22a. The common pipes 73a and 74a function as both a water supply pipe for supplying high-pressure water to the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22a and a drain pipe for discharging water from the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22a. In the middle of the common pipes 73a and 74a (between the common pipes 73a and 74a in the example of FIG. 2), a flow rate adjusting means 80a is provided.

  When the pressurizing valve 2a is opened and the pressure reducing valve 6a is closed, the flow rate adjusting means 80a is supplied from the high pressure pump 15 to the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22a through the pressurizing pipe 71a and the common pipes 73a and 74a. Limit the flow of high-pressure water supplied. Further, the flow rate adjusting means 80a discharges from the abrasive mixture storage tank 22a to the outside through the common pipes 73a and 74a and the pressure reducing pipe 72a when the pressure increasing valve 2a is closed and the pressure reducing valve 6a is opened. Limit the flow of water produced.

  If the pressure adjusting means 70a is not provided with the flow rate adjusting means 80a, and the pressure in the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22a is adjusted only by opening / closing the pressurizing valve 2a and the pressure reducing valve 6a. Since the high pressure is suddenly applied to the valves 2a and 6a, the valves 2a and 6a may be damaged. However, as in the present embodiment, by providing the flow rate adjusting means 80a, the pressure in the abrasive mixture storage tank 22a can be gradually increased / decreased over time, so that the valves 2a and 6a are not damaged. Can be prevented.

  Here, the configuration of the flow rate adjusting means 80a will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the flow rate adjusting means 80a according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the flow rate adjusting means 80a includes a flow rate adjusting orifice 85a, a first damper 81a to which the end of the common pipe 74a is connected, and a first end to which the end of the common pipe 73a is connected. 2 dampers 82a.

  The flow rate adjusting orifice 85a is provided so as to reduce the diameter of the central portion of the pipe 86a connecting the insides of the first damper 81a and the second damper 82a. The flow rate adjusting orifice 85a regulates the flow rate of water flowing in the pipe 86a.

  The first damper 81a receives a high-speed water flow that flows into the second damper 82a from the common pipe 73a and passes through the flow rate adjusting orifice 85a when the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22a is pressurized. It is discharged from the pipe 74a. On the other hand, the second damper 82a receives a high-speed water flow that flows into the first damper 81a from the common pipe 74a and passes through the flow rate adjusting orifice 85a when the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22a is depressurized. Eject from 73a.

  The flow rate adjusting means 80a having such a configuration is an appropriate flow rate so that the flow rate of the high-pressure water supplied to the abrasive mixture storage tank 22a and the flow rate of water discharged from the abrasive mixture storage tank 22a do not become excessive. Can be adjusted. Therefore, the pressure adjusting means 70a provided with the flow rate adjusting means 80a can gradually increase / decrease the water pressure in the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22a.

  The water pressure increasing speed and the water pressure decreasing speed in the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22a by the pressure adjusting means 70a can be adjusted by the orifice diameter of the flow adjusting orifice 85. The orifice diameter of the flow rate adjusting orifice 85 is preferably, for example, about φ0.1 to 0.15 mm.

  However, when the pressure difference between the pressure of the high-pressure water and the water pressure in the abrasive mixture storage tank 22a is as large as, for example, about 70 MPa (the interior of the abrasive mixture storage tank 22a can be pressurized to, for example, 70 MPa) The flow rate of the high-pressure water passing through the flow rate adjusting orifice 85 reaches 500 m / s. For this reason, the flow rate adjusting orifice 85 is formed of a material having excellent wear resistance such as sapphire. Furthermore, since the high-speed water flow that has passed through the flow rate adjusting orifice 85 has cutting ability, high-pressure water is supplied by dampers 81a and 82a having conical holes with an open angle θ (for example, 8 °) for immediately decelerating the water flow. Take it. The flow rate adjusting orifice 85 is configured to be replaceable when worn.

  The flow rate adjusting means 80a provided in the first pressure adjusting means 70a corresponding to the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22a has been described above. The flow rate adjusting means 80b provided in the second pressure adjusting means 70b corresponding to the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22b has substantially the same functional configuration as the flow rate adjusting means 80a.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a pressure sensor 75a for measuring the pressure in the abrasive mixture storage tank 22a is provided in the middle of the common pipe 74a.

  Further, an abrasive outflow prevention filter 76a is provided at a connection point between the common pipe 74a and the abrasive mixture storage tank 22a (a discharge port of the abrasive mixture storage tank 22a). The abrasive material outflow prevention filter 76a is, for example, a stainless steel filter having an opening size of about 1/3 of the orifice diameter of the flow rate adjusting orifice 85 of the flow rate adjusting means 80a. By installing such an abrasive outflow prevention filter 76a, when the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22a is depressurized, the abrasive mixed liquid storage tanks 22a and 22b are prevented from flowing out with a large particle size abrasive together with water. Thus, it is possible to prevent the flow rate adjusting orifice 85 from being clogged with the abrasive.

  The pressure adjusting means 70 according to this embodiment has been described in detail above. By providing such a pressure adjusting means 70, it is possible to gradually depressurize the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22 in a high pressure state after being used for cutting without stopping the high pressure pump 15. Further, since the low-pressure abrasive mixture storage tank 22 after replenishing the abrasive can be gradually pressurized, it is possible to prevent damage to the valves 2, 6 and the like due to a rapid action of the high-pressure water load of the high-pressure pump 15. .

  Next, based on FIG. 4, the operation of continuously performing the cutting process while switching the abrasive mixed liquid storage tanks 22a and 22b in the water jet cutting device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing temporal changes in the water pressure and the abrasive material storage amount in the two abrasive material mixture storage tanks 22a and 22b during the cutting process by the water jet cutting device 100 according to the present embodiment. .

  As shown in FIG. 4, first, in the period (1), the abrasive mixture storage tank 22a is used for cutting. That is, high-pressure water is supplied from the high-pressure pump 15 to the abrasive mixture storage tank 22a, and the abrasive mixture is sent to the injection nozzle 30 by the water pressure of the high-pressure water. At this time, the water pressure in the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22a is maintained at a predetermined high pressure, and the amount of abrasive stored in the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22a decreases with time.

  On the other hand, during this period (1), the abrasive material mixture storage tank 22b is replenished with the abrasive material from the abrasive material recovery means 60. For this reason, the water pressure in the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22b is maintained at a predetermined low pressure (for example, atmospheric pressure), and the amount of abrasive stored in the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22b increases with time. Yes.

  Next, when the amount of abrasive material stored in the abrasive mixture storage tank 22a decreases, the abrasive mixture storage tank used for cutting is switched from 22a to 22b (periods (2) to (3)). The abrasive mixed water is sent from the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22b to the spray nozzle 30 so that the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22a is replenished with the abrasive from the abrasive collecting means 60.

  When switching between the abrasive mixed liquid storage tanks 22a and 22b in this way, first, the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22b is pressurized by the pressure adjusting means 70b (period (2)), and then the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22a. Not only the abrasive mixture liquid storage tank 22b but also the abrasive mixture liquid is sent to the injection nozzle 30 and then the valve 3a is closed to mix the abrasive mixture from the abrasive mixture storage tank 22a to the injection nozzle 30. Stop water supply. This is to prevent the valve 3a from being damaged by not applying a sudden load to the valve 3a when the valve 3a is closed.

  The operation of supplying the abrasive mixture water from the abrasive mixture storage tank 22b to the spray nozzle 30 and the operation of stopping the supply of the abrasive mixture water from the abrasive mixture storage tank 22a and replenishing the abrasive are: More specifically, the procedure is as follows.

  First, when the valves 2b to 8b are closed, the pressurizing valve 2b of the pressure adjusting means 70b is opened. Thereby, the high pressure water from the high pressure pump 15 is supplied to the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22b by the pressure adjusting means 70b, and the water pressure in the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22b gradually increases (period (2)).

  Next, when the pressure sensor 75b indicates a predetermined water pressure, the pressurizing valve 2b is closed and pressurization by the pressure adjusting means 70b is stopped. Even if the pressurizing valve 2b is left open, it is possible to perform cutting using the abrasive mixture storage tank 22b. Next, the valve 4b is opened, and further the valve 5b is opened. As a result, water flows toward the injection nozzle 30 along the path of the high pressure pump 15 → the valve 4b → the valve 5b. The valves 4b and 5b may be opened at the same time.

  The reason why the pressure is applied in this manner is that when the valves 3b and 5b are suddenly opened, a high pressure load is suddenly applied, and the valves 3b and 5b are damaged. The reason why water is first flowed is that the abrasive material that has dried and accumulated in the vicinity of the valve 5b during the previous cutting process is washed away by water.

  After that, when the valve 3b is opened, high-pressure water is supplied from the high-pressure liquid supply pipe 12b into the abrasive mixture storage tank 22b, and this pressure causes the injection nozzle 30 to be polished via the abrasive mixture supply pipe 13b. The material mixture is delivered.

  On the other hand, on the side of the abrasive mixture storage tank 22a to which the abrasive is replenished, the abrasive mixture water is sent from the abrasive mixture storage tank 22b to the injection nozzle 30 as described above, and then the valve 3a. Close.

  However, since the valve 4a is open, water flows toward the injection nozzle 30 through the path of the high-pressure pump 15 → the valve 4a → the valve 5a, and after flowing water through this path for a predetermined time (for example, several seconds), Close the valve 4a. This is because the abrasive deposited in the vicinity of the valve 5a is washed away with water.

  Thereafter, the valve 5a is closed, and then the pressure reducing valve 6a is opened. Thereby, the water in the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22a is discharged to the outside by the pressure adjusting means 70a, and the water pressure in the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22a gradually decreases (period (3)).

  Further, in the abrasive mixture storage tank 22a that is depressurized in this way, when the pressure sensor 75a indicates a predetermined low pressure (for example, atmospheric pressure), the valve 6a is closed to reduce the pressure by the pressure adjusting means 70a. Cancel.

  Thereafter, the abrasive material mixture storage tank 22a is replenished with the abrasive material from the abrasive material recovery means 60 (period (4)). Specifically, the valve 7a is opened to transfer the abrasive mixture water from the abrasive collection means 60 to the abrasive mixture storage tank 22a, and the valve 8a is opened to store the water in the abrasive mixture storage tank 22a. Is transferred to the abrasive recovery means 60. As a result, the abrasive can be replenished to the abrasive mixture storage tank 22a without applying a negative pressure to the abrasive reservoir 66 of the abrasive recovery means 60. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the abrasive recovery filter 67 from being clogged with the abrasive due to the negative pressure applied to the abrasive storage container 66.

  In this way, in the period (4), by replenishing the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22a with the abrasive, the amount of the abrasive stored in the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22a increases as time passes. When the storage amount is obtained, the valves 7a and 8a are closed to complete the replenishment operation.

  On the other hand, in this period (4), the abrasive mixture water is sent from the abrasive mixture storage tank 22b to the spray nozzle 30 and the cutting process is continued. By sending out the abrasive mixed water, the amount of abrasive stored in the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22b decreases with time.

  Thereafter, when the amount of abrasive material stored in the abrasive material mixture storage tank 22b decreases below a predetermined level, the abrasive material mixture solution storage tank used for the cutting process is switched again from 22b to 22a (period (5)). And (6)), the abrasive mixture water is sent out from the abrasive mixture storage tank 22a, and the abrasive mixture is stored in the abrasive mixture storage tank 22b. The operations in the periods (5) and (6) are the same as the operations in the periods (2) and (3) described above except that the abrasive mixture storage tanks 22a and 22b are reversed. Detailed description is omitted.

  By repeating the operations in the periods (1) to (6) as described above, the abrasive mixture water is continuously supplied to the spray nozzle 30 while switching between the two abrasive mixture storage tanks 22a and 22b, and then cut. Processing can be performed continuously.

  When the high-pressure pump 15 is started, the high-pressure pump 15 is started after opening the valves 2a, 4a, 5a or 2b, 4b, 5b of any abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22a or 22b. To do.

  When the high-pressure pump 15 is stopped, the high-pressure pump 15 is stopped after the valves 3a and 3b of both abrasive mixture storage tanks 22a and 22b are closed, and both abrasive mixture storage tanks 22a. And 22b are depressurized in the same procedure as described above using the pressure adjusting means 70a and 70b. At this time, if one of the abrasive mixed liquid storage tanks 22a has already been depressurized, it is only necessary to depressurize the other abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22b.

  The configuration and operation of the water jet cutting device 100 according to the present embodiment have been described in detail above. In the water jet cutting apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, each abrasive mixture liquid is provided separately from the high pressure liquid supply pipe 12 and the abrasive mixture feed pipe 13 for supplying the abrasive mixture to the injection nozzle 30. Pressure adjusting means 70 capable of increasing and decreasing the water pressure in the storage tank 22 is provided. For this reason, when the use of the jet abrasive mixture liquid storage tank 22 (use for cutting processing or use for replenishing abrasive) is switched, the abrasive is replenished without stopping the high-pressure pump 15. The inside of the abrasive mixture storage tank 22 to be used can be gradually depressurized, and the inside of the abrasive mixture storage tank 22 to be used for cutting can be gradually increased. Therefore, it is possible to replenish the abrasive in the other abrasive mixture storage tank 22 while continuously performing cutting using the one abrasive mixture storage tank 22.

  Further, by providing the pressure adjusting means 70 with the flow rate adjusting means 80, the flow rate of the high pressure water for controlling the flow rate of water supplied / discharged to the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22 to pressurize / depressurize it. Can be adjusted. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the load of high-pressure water acting on the pressurizing valve 2 and the pressure reducing valve 6 of the pressure adjusting means 80 and prevent the pressurizing valve 2 and the pressure reducing valve 6 from being damaged.

  The preferred embodiments and examples of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to such examples. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. It is understood that it belongs.

  For example, the workpiece 35 may be various semiconductor wafers, CSP substrates, GPS substrates, semiconductor substrates such as package substrates such as BGA substrates, and the like. Further, the workpiece may be a sapphire substrate, a glass material, a ceramic material, a metal material, a synthetic resin material such as plastic, or an electronic material substrate for forming a magnetic head, a laser diode head, or the like. . Further, the shape of the workpiece 35 may be an arbitrary shape such as a substantially rectangular plate shape or a substantially disk shape.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the example which employ | adopted the water jet cutting device 100 as a high pressure liquid injection type cutting device, this invention is not limited to this example. The high-pressure liquid injection type cutting device can be variously modified as long as it has high-pressure liquid injection means for injecting high-pressure liquid and can cut and process a workpiece by high-pressure liquid injection. For example, the liquid to be jetted and stored is not limited to the above water example, and may be any liquid such as alcohol or oil, or a liquid in which various chemical substances are dissolved in various solvents. There may be. Also, the abrasive mixture liquid is not limited to the above example of the abrasive mixture water.

  Further, by providing a plurality of sets of high-pressure liquid injection means (injection nozzles 30 and the like) and catch tanks 50 in one high-pressure liquid injection type cutting device, a plurality of locations in a single workpiece 35 or a plurality of You may comprise so that the to-be-processed object 35 of this can be cut simultaneously. This configuration can be applied, for example, when cutting a package substrate in which a plurality of package portions are formed on one metal frame.

  Moreover, although the pressure adjustment means 70 concerning the said embodiment pressurized by supplying the high pressure water from the high pressure pump 15 used for a cutting process to the abrasive-mixture liquid storage tank 22, this invention is such an example. It is not limited. For example, the pressure adjusting unit 70 supplies high-pressure liquid from a high-pressure liquid supply unit (for example, another high-pressure pump) provided separately from the high-pressure pump 15 used for cutting to the abrasive mixture storage tank 22. May be pressurized.

  Further, the flow rate adjusting means 80 according to the above embodiment is configured by the orifice 85 and the dampers 81 and 82, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. The flow rate adjusting means 80 can be variously modified as long as the flow rate of the liquid supplied / discharged to / from the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22 can be controlled.

  Further, the configurations of various pipes and valves that connect the high-pressure pump 15, the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank 22, the injection nozzle 30, and the abrasive recovery means 60 are not limited to the example of FIG.

  The present invention can be applied to a high-pressure liquid jet cutting device that cuts a workpiece by jetting a high-pressure liquid mixed with an abrasive, and in particular, to a high-pressure liquid jet cutting device that can reuse an abrasive. Applicable.

It is the schematic which shows the whole structure of the water jet cutting device concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the circulation structure for automatically recycle | reusing an abrasive | polishing material in the water jet cutting device concerning the embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the flow volume adjustment means concerning the embodiment. 6 is a timing chart showing temporal changes in water pressure and abrasive material storage amount in two abrasive material mixture storage tanks during cutting by the water jet cutting device according to the same embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the circulation structure for reusing an abrasives in the conventional water jet cutting device.

Explanation of symbols

2: Valve for pressurization 6: Valve for pressure reduction 10: High-pressure liquid supply means 12: Pipe for high-pressure liquid supply 13: Pipe for sending abrasive mixture 15: High-pressure pump 20: Abrasive mix means 22: Abrasive-mixture storage tank 30: Injection nozzle 35: Work piece 50: Catch tank 60: Abrasive recovery means 70: Pressure adjusting means 71: Pressure pipe 72: Pressure reduction pipe 73, 74: Common pipe 75: Pressure sensor 76: Abrasion material outflow prevention Filter 77: connecting portion 80: flow rate adjusting means 81a: first damper 82a: second damper 85a: flow rate adjusting orifice 100: water jet cutting device J: water jet

Claims (2)

A plurality of abrasive mixture storage tanks for storing an abrasive mixture in which an abrasive and a liquid are mixed;
By supplying high-pressure liquid to at least one of the abrasive-mixed liquid storage tanks via a high-pressure liquid supply pipe, the abrasive-mixed liquid stored in the abrasive-mixed liquid storage tank is used for sending the abrasive-mixed liquid High-pressure liquid supply means for sending out at high pressure through the pipe;
An injection nozzle that injects a high-pressure abrasive mixture sent from the abrasive mixture storage tank to the workpiece;
A catch tank for receiving a jet of abrasive liquid mixture sprayed from the spray nozzle;
From the abrasive liquid mixture transferred from the catch tank, an abrasive having a particle size within a predetermined range that can be reused is recovered, and the abrasive liquid mixture containing the recovered abrasive is used as the plurality of abrasive liquid mixtures. Abrasive recovery means for transferring to at least one abrasive mixture storage tank to which no high-pressure liquid is supplied from the high-pressure liquid supply means in the storage tank;
In the high-pressure liquid-jet cutting device with:
In order to switch the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank, the high pressure liquid supply pipe and the abrasive mixed liquid delivery pipe are separately supplied to and discharged from the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank. A high-pressure liquid-jet cutting device comprising pressure adjusting means for pressurizing / depressurizing the inside of the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank for each of the abrasive mixed liquid storage tanks. The pressure adjusting means includes
A pressurizing pipe for supplying the high-pressure liquid from the high-pressure liquid supply means to the abrasive mixture storage tank;
A pressurizing valve provided in the middle of the pressurizing pipe;
A decompression pipe for discharging the liquid in the abrasive liquid mixture storage tank to the outside;
A pressure reducing valve provided in the middle of the pressure reducing piping;
A connecting portion for connecting one end of the pressurizing pipe and one end of the depressurizing pipe;
A common pipe that communicates the connecting part and the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank;
Provided in the middle of the common pipe, and when the pressurization valve is opened, restricts the flow rate of the high-pressure liquid supplied to the abrasive mixture storage tank via the pressurization pipe and the common pipe, Flow rate adjusting means for restricting the flow rate of the liquid discharged from the abrasive mixed liquid storage tank through the common pipe and the pressure reducing pipe when the valve is opened;
The high-pressure liquid-jet cutting device according to claim 1, comprising:

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