IC transportation mechanism provided with a plurality of suction

An IC transportation mechanism is provided with a transportation mechanism having a first and a second groups of suction units. When the first group of suction units retain ICs on a first supply stage by suction or release ICs on a first storage stage, a second group of suction units press ICs on IC sockets concurrently. When the second group of suction units retain ICs on a second supply stage by suction or release ICs onto a second storage stage, the first group of suction units press ICs on the IC sockets concurrently. As a result, it is possible to provide a high-speed IC transportation mechanism which concurrently takes in and out ICs during a reciprocation cycle of the transportation mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to an IC transportation mechanism provided 
with a plurality of suction units. The suction units transport ICs from a 
supply stage to a measuring portion and from the measuring portion to a 
storage stage. A device which employs such an IC transportation mechanism 
is, for example, an autohandler. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
A construction of an IC transportation mechanism of prior art will be 
described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 14. In FIG. 14, denoted at 5 
is a measuring portion, 5A and 5B are IC sockets, 10 are ICs, 11 is a 
supply stage, 12 is a storage stage, 16 is a transportation mechanism, 16A 
and 16B are suction units and 16C and 16D are suction pads. 
In FIG. 14, the supply stage 11 is arranged on a first column Y1 and shifts 
in the direction of the y-axis. The supply stage 11 comprises recesses 11A 
and 11B which are arranged on different rows. The ICs 10 are corrected in 
posture when they are placed on the recesses 11A and 11B. The storage 
stage 12 is arranged on a second column Y2 and shifts in the direction of 
the y-axis. The storage stage 12 comprises recesses 12A and 12B which are 
arranged on different rows. The ICs 10 are corrected in posture when they 
are placed on the recesses 12A and 12B. 
In FIG. 14, the recesses 11A and 11B are the same in shape as the recesses 
12A and 12B, each being a rectangular recess slightly larger than the 
external form of each IC 10. Since each recess is inclined at the entrance 
portion thereof, each IC 10 is guided by the inclined walls of each recess 
to be corrected in posture. The accurate positioning of the ICs 10 
facilitates positioning the same relative to IC sockets 5A and 5B, 
described later, when the ICs 10 are transported to the IC sockets 5A and 
5B from the supply stage 11, or facilitates transporting the ICs 10 from 
the storage stage 12 to next process. 
The measuring portion 5 comprises the IC sockets 5A and 5B which are 
arranged on a column YM equidistant from the first column Y1 and the 
second column Y2. The row interval between the IC sockets 5A and 5B are 
the same as that between the recesses 12A and 12B. 
The transportation mechanism 16 comprises the suction units 16A and 16B and 
the suction pads 16C and 16D. Each of the suction units 16A and 16B 
comprises therein a suction pad for retaining the upper surface of each IC 
10 by negative pressure and a presser member to be brought into contact 
with the leads of the IC 10 is attached to each suction pad around the 
same. When the suction units 16A and 16B with the ICs 10 retained thereby 
by suction are pressed on the IC sockets 5A and 5B, the aforementioned 
presser bodies press the leads of the ICs 10 on the contacts of the IC 
sockets 5A and 5B. The suction pads 16C and 16D are the same as those 
provided inside the suction units 16A and 16B. 
In FIG. 14, The suction units 16A and 16B and the suction pads 16C and 16D 
move vertically in the direction of the z-axis. The column interval 
between the suction pads 16C and 16D and the suction pads 16C and 16D is 
the same as that between the first column Y1 and column YM and the row 
interval between the suction units 16A and 16B or that between the suction 
pads 16C and 16D is the same as that between the IC sockets 5A and 5B. The 
transportation mechanism 16 moves the suction units 16A and 16B and the 
suction pads 16C and 16D together as one body in the direction of the 
x-axis. 
The operation of the transportation mechanism illustrated in FIG. 14 will 
be described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 15 to 17 showing the 
varying states thereof. FIGS. 15 to 17 are front views of the 
transportation mechanism in FIG. 14. In FIG. 14, denoted at 60 is a moving 
block, to which cylinders 16E and 16F are fixed. When the cylinder 16E is 
actuated, the suction units 16A and 16B move vertically being guided by a 
linear guide mounted on a side wall of the moving block 60. When the 
cylinder 16F is actuated, the suction pads 16C and 16D move vertically 
being guided by the other linear guide mounted on the other side wall of 
the moving block 60. A motor 60A is connected to a ball screw, which 
engages with a ball nut fixed to the moving block 60. When the motor 60A 
rotates, it moves the moving block 60 in the direction of the x-axis. 
In a state illustrated in FIG. 15 (a), ICs 10 have been transported to the 
IC sockets 5A and 5B by the suction units 16A and 16B and next ICs 10 
stand by on the supply stage 11. Incidentally, the measurement of the ICs 
10 on the IC sockets 5A and 5B has been completed. 
From the state in FIG. 15 (a), the moving block 60 moves to the side of the 
supply stage 11 to be in a state illustrated in FIG. 15 (b), wherein the 
suction units 16A and 16B are located above the supply stage 11 and the 
suction pads 16C and 16D are located above the IC sockets 5A and 5B. 
From the state in FIG. 15 (b), the suction units 16A and 16B and the 
suction pads 16C and 16D descend so as to be in a state illustrated in 
FIG. 16 (a), wherein the suction units 16A and 16B retain ICs 10 on the IC 
sockets 5A and 5B by suction while the suction pads 16C and 16D retain ICs 
10 on the IC sockets 5A and 5B by suction. From the state in FIG. 16 (a), 
the suction units 16A and 16B and the suction pads 16C and 16D ascend each 
with an IC 10 retained thereby so as to be in a state illustrated in FIG. 
16 (b). 
From the state in FIG. 16 (b), the moving block 60 moves to the side of the 
storage stage 12 so as to be in a state illustrated in FIG. 17 (a), 
wherein the suction units 16A and 16B are located above the IC sockets 5A 
and 5B, while the suction pads 16C and 16D are located above the storage 
stage 12. 
From the state in FIG. 17 (a), the suction units 16A and 16B and the 
suction pads 16C and 16D descend so as to be in a state illustrated in 
FIG. 17 (b), wherein the suction units 16A and 16B press ICs 10 on the IC 
sockets 5A and 5B while the suction pads 16C and 16D release ICs 10 onto 
the recesses 12A and 12B on the storage stage 12. 
From the state in FIG. 17 (b), when the ICs 10 on the storage stage 12 are 
transported to next process and next ICs 10 are supplied to the supply 
stage 11 upon completion of measuring the ICs 10 on the IC sockets 5A and 
5B, the IC transportation mechanism returns to the state in FIG. 15 (a) so 
as to complete a series of transportation cycle. 
It is difficult for the IC transportation mechanism having construction 
illustrated in FIG. 14 to shorten in time the series of transportation 
cycle since it requires time between the state in FIG. 15 (a) and that in 
FIG. 15 (b) and between that in FIG. 16 (b) and that in FIG. 17 (a). That 
is, the moving block 60 reciprocates between the supply stage 11 and the 
measuring portion 5 to supply the ICs 10 onto the IC sockets 5A and 5B and 
between the measuring portion 5 and the storage stage 12 as well to take 
out the ICs 10 from the IC sockets 5A and 5B, including wasteful 
processes. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is the object of the present invention to provide an IC transportation 
mechanism provided with a first and a second groups of suction units for 
reducing process time, wherein the second group of suction units press ICs 
on IC sockets concurrently when the first group of suction units retain 
ICs on the supply stage by suction, the first group of the suction units 
press ICs on the IC sockets concurrently when the second group of suction 
units retain ICs on the supply stage by suction, the second group of 
suction units press ICs on the IC sockets concurrently when the first 
group of suction units release ICs onto the storage stage and the first 
group of suction units press ICs on the IC sockets concurrently when the 
second group of suction units release ICs onto the storage stage. 
An IC transportation mechanism provided with a plurality of suction units 
according to a first aspect of the invention comprises a supply stage 1 
which is arranged in the lower stage of a column Y1 to shift in the 
direction of the y-axis and is provided with recesses 1A and 1B disposed 
in a column for correcting ICs 10 in posture when the same are placed 
thereon, a storage stage 2 which is arranged in the upper stage of the 
column Y1 to shift in the direction of the y-axis and is provided with 
recesses 2A and 2B disposed in a column for correcting ICs 10 in posture 
when the same are placed thereon, a supply stage 3 which is arranged in 
the lower stage of a column Y2 to shift in the direction of the y-axis and 
is provided with recesses 3A and 3B disposed in a column for correcting 
ICs 10 in posture when the same are placed thereon, a storage stage 4 
which is arranged in the upper stage of the column Y2 to shift in the 
direction of the y-axis and is provided with recesses 4A and 4B disposed 
in a column for correcting ICs 10 in posture when the same are placed 
thereon and a measuring portion 5 having IC sockets 5A and 5B disposed in 
a column and on a column YM equidistant from the column Y1 and column Y2, 
wherein a transportation mechanism 6 moves a first group of suction units 
6A and 6B disposed in a column and a second group of suction units 6C and 
6D disposed in a column together as one body in the direction of the 
x-axis, the second group of suction units 6C and 6D press ICs 10 on the IC 
sockets 5A and 5B concurrently when the first group of suction units 6A 
and 6B retain ICs 10 on the recesses 1A and 1B of the supply stage 1 by 
suction, the first group of the suction units 6A and 6B press ICs 10 on 
the IC sockets 5A and 5B concurrently when the second group of suction 
units 6C and 6D retain ICs 10 on the recesses 3A and 3B of the supply 
stage 3 by suction, the second group of suction units 6C and 6D press ICs 
10 on the IC sockets 5A and 5B concurrently when the first group of 
suction units 6A and 6B release ICs 10 that have been measured onto the 
recesses 2A and 2B of the storage stage 2 and the first group of suction 
units 6A and 6B press ICs 10 on the IC sockets 5A and 5B concurrently when 
the second group of suction units 6C and 6D release ICs 10 that have been 
measured onto the recesses 4A and 4B of the storage stage 4. 
An IC transportation mechanism provided with a plurality of suction units 
according to a second aspect of the invention comprises a moving stage 7 
which shifts in the direction of the y-axis and is provided with recesses 
7A and 7B disposed in a row group X1 for receiving ICs 10 therein and 
recesses 7C and 7D disposed in a row group X2 for storing ICs 10 therein, 
the recesses 7A and 7B and the recesses 7C and 7D being arranged on a 
column Y1, a moving stage 8 which shifts in the direction of the y-axis 
and is provided with recesses 8A and 8B disposed in a row group X3 for 
receiving ICs 10 therein and recesses 8C and 8D disposed in a row group X4 
for storing ICs 10 therein, the recesses 8A and 8B and the recesses 8C and 
8D being arranged on a column Y2, and a measuring portion 5 having IC 
sockets 5A and 5B disposed in a column and on a column YM equidistant from 
the columns Y1 and Y2, wherein a transportation mechanism 6 moves a first 
group of suction units 6A and 6B disposed in a column and a second group 
of suction units 6C and 6D disposed in a column together as one body in 
the direction of the x-axis, the second group of suction units 6C and 6D 
press ICs 10 on the IC sockets 5A and 5B concurrently when the first group 
of suction units 6A and 6B retain ICs 10 on the recesses 7A and 7B of the 
moving stage 7 by suction, the second group of the suction units 6C and 6D 
press ICs 10 on the IC sockets 5A and 5B concurrently when the first group 
of suction units 6A and 6B release ICs 10 that have been measured onto the 
recesses 7C and 7D of the moving stage 7 by suction, the first group of 
suction units 6A and 6B press ICs 10 on the IC sockets 5A and 5B 
concurrently when the second group of suction units 6C and 6D retain ICs 
10 on the recesses 8A and 8B of the moving stage 8 by suction, the first 
group of suction units 6A and 6B press ICs 10 on the IC sockets 5A and 5B 
concurrently when the second group of suction units 6C and 6D release ICs 
10 that have been measured onto the recesses 8C and 8D of the moving stage 
8, the moving stage 7 shifts to the side opposite to the measuring portion 
5 when ICs 10 are supplied to the moving stage 7 or those stored in the 
moving stage 7 after measurement are transported to next process and the 
moving stage 8 shifts to the side opposite to the measuring portion 5 when 
ICs 10 are supplied to the moving stage 8 or those stored in the moving 
stage 8 after measurement are transported to next process. 
According to the first aspect of the invention, when the supply stage 1 is 
placed side by side with the IC sockets 5A and 5B on the same row, the 
storage stage 4 is also placed side by side therewith, and when the 
storage stage 2 is placed side by side with the IC sockets 5A and 5B on 
the same row, the supply stage 3 is also placed side by side therewith. 
When the suction units 6A and 6B retain ICs 10 on the supply stage 1 by 
suction or release the same onto the storage stage 2, the suction units 6C 
and 6D press ICs 10 on the IC sockets 5A and 5B concurrently. 
When the suction units 6C and 6D retain ICs 10 on the supply stage 3 by 
suction or release ICs 10 onto the storage stage 4, the suction units 6A 
and 6B press ICs 10 on the IC sockets 5A and 5B concurrently. 
According to the second aspect of the invention, when the recesses 7A and 
7B in the supply row group X1 on the moving stage 7 are placed side by 
side with the IC sockets 5A and 5B on the same rows, the recesses 8C and 
8D in the storage row group X4 on the moving stage 8 are also placed side 
by side with the IC sockets 5A and 5B on the same rows, and when the 
recesses 7C and 7D in the supply row group X2 on the moving stage 7 are 
placed side by side with the IC sockets 5A and 5B on the same rows, the 
recesses 8A and 8B in the storage row group X3 on the moving stage 8 are 
also placed side by side with the IC sockets 5A and 5B on the same rows. 
When the suction units 6A and 6B retain ICs 10 on the recesses 7A and 7B in 
the supply row group X1 by suction or release ICs 10 onto the recesses 7C 
and 7D in the storage row group X2, the suction units 6C and 6D press ICs 
10 on the IC sockets 5A and 5B concurrently. 
When the suction units 6C and 6D retain ICs 10 on the recesses 8A and 8B in 
the supply row group X3 by suction or release ICs 10 onto the recesses 8C 
and 8D in the storage row group X4, the suction units 6A and 6B press ICs 
10 on the IC sockets 5A and 5B concurrently. 
That is, according to the first and second aspects of the invention, it is 
possible to reduce process time about to half compared with prior art 
since the ICs 10 are taken in and out concurrently during a reciprocation 
cycle of the transportation mechanism 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
The structure of an IC transportation mechanism according to a first 
embodiment of the present invention will be described hereinafter with 
reference to FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, denoted at 1 and 3 are supply stages, 2 
and 4 are storage stages, 6 is a transportation mechanism, 6A to 6D are 
suction units and other components are denoted at the same numerals as 
those in FIG. 14. 
In FIG. 1, The supply stage 1 is arranged in the lower stage of a first 
column Y1 and shifts in the direction of the y-axis. The supply stage 1 
comprises recesses 1A and 1B disposed on different rows. When ICs 10 are 
placed on the recesses 1A and 1B, the ICs 10 are corrected in posture. The 
storage stage 2 is arranged in the upper stage of the first column Y1 and 
shifts in the direction of the y-axis. The storage stage 2 comprises 
recesses 2A and 2B disposed on different rows. When ICs 10 are placed on 
the recesses 2A and 2B, the ICs 10 are corrected in posture. 
The supply stage 3 is arranged in the lower stage of a second column Y2 and 
shifts in the direction of the y-axis. The supply stage 3 comprises 
recesses 3A and 3B disposed on different rows. When ICs 10 are placed on 
the recesses 3A and 3B, the ICs 10 are corrected in posture. The storage 
stage 4 is arranged in the upper stage of the second column Y2 and shifts 
in the direction of the y-axis. The storage stage 4 comprises recesses 4A 
and 4B disposed on different rows. When ICs 10 are placed on the recesses 
4A and 4B, the ICs 10 are corrected in posture. 
Each of the recesses 1A and 1B, recesses 2A and 2B, recesses 3A and 3B and 
recesses 4A and 4B in FIG. 1 is the same in shape as each of the recesses 
11A and 11B and recesses 12A and 12B in FIG. 13 and facilitates the 
positioning of the ICs 10. The recesses 1A and 1B, the recesses 2A and 2B, 
the recesses 3A and 3B and the recesses 4A and 4B are the same in row 
interval as the IC sockets 5A and 5B. Moreover, the centers of the 
recesses 1A and 1B and the recesses 2A and 2B are disposed on the column 
Y1 while those of the recesses 3A and 3B and the recesses 4A and 4B are 
disposed on the column Y2. 
In FIG. 1, ICs 10 are supplied to the recesses of the supply stages 1 and 3 
when the same are at the side opposite to the measuring portion, or test 
station 5. Whereas ICs 10 are taken out from the recesses of the storage 
stages 2 and 4 when the same are at the side opposite to the test station 
5 so as to be transported to next process. 
The transportation mechanism 6 comprises a first group of suction units 6A 
and 6B and a second group of suction units 6C and 6D. The suction units 6A 
to 6D are the same as the suction units 16A and 16B in FIG. 13. That is, 
the suction pads 16C and 16D in the transportation mechanism in FIG. 14 
are replaced with the suction units 6C and 6D in the transportation 
mechanism 6 in FIG. 1. 
The operation of the IC transportation mechanism in FIG. 1 will be 
described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 showing the varying 
states thereof. FIGS. 2 to 4 are front views of the IC transportation 
mechanism in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, denoted at 61 is a moving block, to which 
a cylinder 6E and a cylinder 6F are attached. When the cylinder 6E is 
actuated, the suction units 6A and 6B move vertically being guided by a 
linear guide mounted on a side wall of the moving block 61. When the 
cylinder 6F is actuated, the suction units 6C and 6D move vertically being 
guided by the other linear guide mounted on the other side wall of the 
moving block 61. A motor 61A is connected to a ball screw, which engages 
with a ball nut mounted on the moving block 61. When the motor 61A 
rotates, it moves the moving block 61 in the direction of the x-axis. 
In a state illustrated in FIG. 2 (a), the supply stage 1 on the first 
column Y1 and the storage stage 4 on the second column Y2 have shifted to 
the side of the measuring portion 5 to stand by. The suction units 6C and 
6D have descended to press ICs 10 while the suction units 6A and 6B have 
ascended with ICs 10 retained thereby by suction to stand by until the 
completion of measurement. 
From the state illustrated in FIG. 2 (a), the supply stage 1 on the first 
column Y1 shifts to the side opposite to the test station 5 and the 
storage stage 2 on the first column Y1 shifts to the side of the measuring 
portion 5 to stand by. Upon completion of measurement in the state in FIG. 
2 (a), the suction units 6C and 6D ascend with ICs 10 retained thereby by 
suction, the ICs 10 having been on the measuring portion 5, so as to be in 
a state illustrated in FIG. 2 (b). 
From the state in FIG. 2 (b), the moving block 61 moves to the side of the 
second column Y2 so as to be in a state illustrated in FIG. 3 (a), in 
which the suction units 6A and 6B are located above the IC sockets 5A and 
5B while the suction units 6C and 6D are located above the storage stage 4 
on the second column Y2. 
From the state in FIG. 3 (a), the suction units 6A and 6B descend to press 
ICs 10 on the IC sockets 5A and 5B while the suction units 6C and 6D 
release ICs 10 onto the storage stage 4 on the second column Y2 so as to 
be in a state illustrated in FIG. 3 (b). 
From the state in FIG. 3 (b), the storage portion 4 on the second column Y2 
shifts to the other side opposite to the measuring portion 5 and the 
supply stage 3 on the second column Y2 shifts to the side of the test 
station 5 with ICs 10 held thereon to be measured next so as to be in a 
state illustrated in FIG. 4 (a). In FIG. 4 (a), the suction units 6A and 
6B press ICs 10 since the measurement of the same has not been completed 
yet. 
From the state in FIG. 4 (a), the suction units 6C and 6D descend to retain 
ICs 10 on the supply stage 3 on the second column Y2 by suction so as to 
be in a state illustrated in FIG. 4 (b). 
From the state in FIG. 4 (b), the suction units 6C and 6D ascend with ICs 
10 retained thereby by suction. Upon completion of testing of ICs 10, the 
suction units 6A and 6B ascend with the ICs 10 retained thereby by suction 
from the IC sockets 5A and 5B. 
Then the moving block 61 moves to the side of the first column Y1 and the 
suction units 6A and 6B release ICs 10 that have been measured onto the 
storage stage 2 on the first column Y1. At the same time, the suction 
units 6C and 6D press ICs 10 on the IC sockets 5A and 5B. Thereafter the 
storage stage 2 on the first column Y1 shifts to the other side opposite 
to the measuring portion 5, the supply stage 1 on the first column Y1 
shifts to the side of the measuring portion 5 with ICs 10 held thereon to 
be measured next and the suction units 6A and 6B descend to retain ICs 10 
on the supply stage 1 on the first column Y1 by suction and ascend 
therewith so as to return to the state in FIG. 2 (a). 
The structure of the IC transportation mechanism according to a second 
aspect of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5. In 
FIG. 5, denoted at 7 is a first moving stage, 8 is a second moving stage 
and other components are the same as those illustrated in FIG. 1. That is, 
the moving stage 7 is a combination of the supply stage 1 and the storage 
stage 2 in FIG. 1 arranged as one body, while the moving stage 8 is a 
combination of the supply stage 3 and the storage stage 4 in FIG. 1 
arranged as one body. 
In FIG. 5, the moving stage 7 is arranged on the first column Y1 and shifts 
in the direction of the y-axis. The moving stage 7 comprises recesses 7A 
and 7B disposed in a row group X1 for receiving ICs 10 thereon and 
recesses 7C and 7D disposed in a row group X2 for storing ICs 10 thereon. 
When ICs 10 are placed on the recesses 7A to 7D, the ICs 10 are corrected 
in posture. 
The moving stage 8 is arranged on the second column Y2 and shifts in the 
direction of the y-axis. The moving stage 8 comprises recesses 8A and 8B 
disposed in a row group X3 for receiving ICs 10 thereon and recesses 8C 
and 8D disposed in a row group X4 for storing ICs 10 thereon. When ICs 10 
are placed on the recesses 8A to 8D, the ICs 10 are corrected in posture. 
The recesses 7A to 7D and the recesses 8A to 8D are the same as those in 
FIG. 1. Each row interval among the recesses 7A and 7B, the recesses 7C 
and 7D, the recesses 8A and 8B and the recesses 8C and 8D is the same as 
that between the IC socket 5A and the IC socket 5B. Moreover, the centers 
of the recesses 7A to 7D are arranged on the column Y1 and those of the 
recesses 8A to 8D are arranged on the column Y2. The upper surface of the 
moving stage 7 and that of the moving stage 8 are disposed on the same 
surface. 
The operation of the IC transportation mechanism in FIG. 1 will be 
described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 6 to 13 which show the 
varying states of the IC transportation mechanism. FIGS. 6 to 13 (a) are 
plan views of the IC transportation mechanism illustrated in FIG. 5 and 
FIG. 13 (b) is a front view thereof. The transportation mechanism 6 is the 
same as that illustrated in FIG. 14. 
In the state illustrated in FIG. 6, the recesses 7A and 7B in the row group 
X1 of the moving stage 7 are placed side by side with the IC sockets 5A 
and 5B of the measuring portion 5 and the recesses 8C and 8D in the row 
group X4 of the moving stage 8 are placed side by side with the IC sockets 
5A and 5B of the measuring portion 5. The suction units 6C and 6D have 
descended to press ICs 10A and 10B, while the suction units 6A and 6B have 
ascended with ICs 10C and 10D retained thereby by suction from the 
recesses 7A and 7B in the row group X1 to stand by there until the 
completion of measurement. 
Upon completion of measurement in the state in FIG. 6, the suction units 6C 
and 6D ascend with the ICs 10A and 10B retained thereby by suction from 
the measuring portion 5 so as to be in a state as illustrated in FIG. 7. 
From the state in FIG. 7, the moving block 61 moves to the side of the 
moving stage 7 so as to be in a state illustrated in FIG. 8. In the state 
in FIG. 8, the suction units 6A and 6B are located above the IC sockets 5A 
and 5B and the suction units 6C and 6D are located above the recesses 8C 
and 8D in the row group X4 of the moving stage 8. 
From the state in FIG. 8, the suction units 6A and 6B descend to press the 
ICs 10C and 10D on the IC sockets 5A and 5B and at the same time the 
suction units 6C and 6D release the ICs 10A and 10B onto the recesses 8C 
and 8D in the row group X4 of the moving stage 8 so as to be in a state 
illustrated in FIG. 9. 
From the state in FIG. 9, the moving stage 8 shifts to the other side 
opposite to the test station 5 to receive ICs 10E and 10F to be measured 
next on the recesses 8A and 8B in the row group X3 of the moving stage 8 
and returns to the side of the test station 5 therewith so as to be in a 
state illustrated in FIG. 10. In FIG. 10, the suction units 6A and 6B 
press the ICs 10C and 10D since the measurement thereof is not completed 
yet. 
From the state in FIG. 10, the suction units 6C and 6D descend to retain 
the ICs 10E and 10F on the recesses 8A and 8B in the row group X3 of the 
moving stage 8 by suction so as to be in a state illustrated in FIG. 11. 
From the state in FIG. 11, the suction units 6C and 6D ascend with the ICs 
10E and 10F retained thereby by suction so as to be in a state illustrated 
in FIG. 12. Upon completion of measurement of the ICs 10C and 10D, the 
suction units 6A and 6B ascend with the ICs 10C and 10D retained thereby 
by suction. Then the moving block 61 moves to the side of the moving stage 
7 and the suction units 6A and 6B release the ICs 10C and 10D that have 
been measured onto the recesses 7C and 7D in the row group X2 of the 
moving stage 7. At the same time, the suction units 6C and 6D press the 
ICs 10E and 10F on the IC sockets 5A and 5B so as to be in a state 
illustrated in FIG. 13. 
Thereafter the moving stage 7 shifts to the other side opposite to the 
measuring portion 5 to receive ICs 10G and 10H to be measured next thereon 
and returns therewith to the side of the measuring portion 5 and the 
suction units 6A and 6B descend to retain the ICs 10G and 10H on the 
recesses 7A and 7B in the row group X1 of the moving stage 7 by suction 
and ascend therewith so as to return to the state in FIG. 6. 
According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce process time 
by providing a first group of suction units and a second group of suction 
units, wherein when the first group of suction units retain ICs on the 
supply stage by suction, the second group of suction units concurrently 
press ICs on IC sockets, when the second group of suction units retain ICs 
on the supply stage by suction, the first group of suction units 
concurrently press ICs on the IC sockets, when the first group of suction 
units release ICs onto the storage stage, the second group of suction 
units concurrently press ICs on the IC sockets and when the second group 
of suction units release ICs onto the storage stage, the first group of 
suction units concurrently press ICs on the IC sockets.