Patent ID: 6135102
Filing Date: 2000-10-24
Classification: B28D,H01L

Abstract:
A wafer collecting apparatus which collects a number of wafers, having been sliced from an ingot at the same time by a slicing machine, from a slice base holding the wafers, said wafer collecting apparatus comprising:holding means for holding a slice base with the wafers at the lower side thereof;a carriage which runs along said slice base held by said holding means;cutting means provided at said carriage to cut said slice base as said carriage runs, and to cut off the wafers one by one from said slice base;transport means provided below said holding means for receiving the wafer, which is cut off from said slice base and falls onto said transport means, and transporting the received wafer;imaging means for imaging the shape of the wafer transported by said transport means;distinguishing means for distinguishing between normal wafers and inferior wafers in accordance with the imaging results of said imaging means; andcollecting part for collecting the wafers transported by said transport means.