Abstract:
A novel jig device useful for transporting and testing an IC chip is disclosed. The jig device comprises a main jig body, having a holding part onto which the IC chip to be tested is attracted and held and at least one suction path is formed, and at least one contact probe arranged in the suction path of the main jig body. The main jig body comprises preferably a base part and front head part. The contact probe connects electronically between a terminal of said the IC chip held at the holding part and an electrode of circuit board of tester.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES  
       [0001]     This application is based on Japanese patent application Ser. No. 2004-2150, filed on Jan. 7, 2004, contents of which are incorporated hereinto by reference.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to a jig device for transporting and testing a semiconductor integrated circuit chip, simply called as ‘IC chip’ hereinafter. Particularly, the present invention relates to a novel jig device useful for transporting and testing a small and lightweight IC chip having test areas on both of front and back surfaces thereof and to a novel method for transporting and testing the same using the jig device.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Up until now, there have been proposed a wide variety of conventional means for transporting an IC chip at its stage. According to the conventional means, an IC chip to be tested is picked-up from a tray or packet by a transporting device having handler and is conveyed to a predetermined test place, where the IC chip is put in a socket for testing electrical conductivities and other properties thereof.  
         [0006]     A transporting device having a handler for conveying IC chips from one place to another place during their test stage is disclosed in Japanese published patent application (kokai) H07-294600. The transporting device has a handler equipped with a vacuum pad for sucking one surface of the IC chip. The vacuum pad attracts to pick-up the IC chip from a tray to convey it to a socket for testing, where electric terminals on front surface of the IC chip contact with measurement electrodes of the test socket.  
         [0007]     The handler of the conventional transporting device has a vacuum pad for sucking to attract and adsorb almost whole area of front surface of the IC chip.  
         [0008]     However, such transporting device is not useful for handling some kinds of IC chips, such as IC chips of BGA (ball grid array package), PGA (pin grid array package) or LGA (land grid array package). As electric terminals and/or optical image pick-up elements of these IC chips are arranged on almost whole surfaces of their front and back surfaces, they can hardly have sufficient area on any surface for contacting with the vacuum pad. Therefore, it is difficult to handle such IC chips using the conventional devise.  
         [0009]     If the handler has a mechanism for pinching an IC chip from transverse directions, the IC chip may be pinched to pick-up at side surfaces of the chip, other than front and back surfaces. However, two or more arms are necessary in order to pinch the IC chip and construction and mechanism of the handler may be complicated. Furthermore, such handler will be inapplicable to handle small IC chips, since small IC chips generally have no suitable portion to be pinched securely by the arms.  
         [0010]     Moreover, conventional transforming devices have a function only to convey an IC chip and therefore it is necessary another means to set up the IC chip in test equipments after the conveyance. This results in that lead-time for test stage is still large.  
         [0011]     As mentioned above, any conventional transporting device can hardly handle small IC chips having a lot of terminals or optical imaging elements on their front and back surfaces and it is applicable only for conveying IC chips. Therefore, a practical jig device useful for both of transporting and testing small IC chips is not known yet, for the time being.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel jig device useful for both of transporting and testing an IC chip without drawbacks mentioned above. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for transporting and testing an IC chip using the novel jig device.  
         [0013]     According to the present invention, there is provided that a novel jig device useful for transporting and testing an IC chip comprising: 
        (i) a main jig body composed essentially of a non-conductive material having a holding part formed thereon, onto which said IC chip to be tested is adsorbed and held and having at least one internal suction path for adsorbing said IC chip to said holding part, and     (ii) at least one contact probe equipped in said main jig body, whereby terminals of said IC chip are connected electrically with a circuit board for test.        
 
         [0016]     The main jig body is made of a non-conductive material, such as non-conductive metal, plastics or ceramics. In a preferable embodiment, the main jig body comprises a base part and a front head part. The base part has at least one suction path therein leading to a sucking instrument such as vacuum pump. The front head part also has at least one suction path therein, which communicated with the suction path of the base part. The main jig body may be joined to a robot arm.  
         [0017]     The jig device is preferably equipped with an electric circuit for test, such as a printed circuit board communicated with a tester. The electric circuit may be arranged between the base part and the front head part of the main jig body. In this embodiment, the base part, the electric circuit and the front head part are assembled into a jig device.  
         [0018]     The front head part of the main jig body has a holding part which may be a concavity formed on top or bottom of the front head part. One end of the suction path opens at inside of the concavity so that the IC chip to be tested is attracted by suction and is fitted into the holding part. Size and shape of the concavity should be adjusted according to size and type of the IC chip to be tested. Preferably, entrance of the concavity is broadened gradually toward its opening to form a cone-shaped space at the entrance for introducing smoothly the IC chip into the concavity, and a terrace, or a step, is formed on surrounding wall of the concavity. In such preferable embodiment, only a peripheral area of front surface of the IC chip contacts to the terrace when the IC chip attracted into the holding part. This means that the IC chip touches the jig device at only a peripheral area of its front surface other than main area where many terminals are prepared.  
         [0019]     In another embodiment of the jig device, the concavity of the holding part may have a vertical surrounding wall and the IC chip contacts at side surface thereof with the vertical surrounding wall. In this case, only side surfaces of the IC chip contact with the main jig boy and front and back surfaces thereof do not contact with the main jig body.  
         [0020]     The jig device may be equipped with an electric circuit for testing, such as a printed circuit board, which is communicated electrically with a tester. The electric circuit is preferably arranged between the base part and the front head part of the main jig body. The base part, the printed circuit board and the front head part are assembled into a jig device. The base part of the main jig body joins preferably to a robot arm.  
         [0021]     The main jig body, however, may be constructed as a single part. In such embodiment, the printed circuit board is arranged between the main jig body and the robot arm.  
         [0022]     The jig device of present invention is equipped with at least one contact probe made of a conductive material such as conductive metal. In most case, each of the contact probes is accommodated respectively in each of the suction paths formed in the main jig body, more specifically, in the front head part of the main jig body. Each contact probe is extending in each suction path along with its length direction and is arranged in each suction path one by one, so that there is a space between each contact probe and inner wall of each suction path. One end of the contact probe contacts with an electrode of the printed circuit board and another end thereof contacts with a terminal of the IC chip at test stage.  
         [0023]     The contact probe is generally spring-loaded probe, which is flexible in length direction thereof. For more detail, the contact probe comprises an intermediate tubular holder and two contact pins, i.e., first contact pin and second contact pin. Upper end of the first contact pin and lower end of the second contact pin project out of the tubular holder respectively and, further, lower end of the first contact pin and upper end of the second contact pin are inside of the tubular holder. The first and second contact pins may have respective flanges at their end and they are linked with each other by a compressed spiral spring equipped in the tubular holder to give a load the both contact pins toward reverse directions. As each of the contact probes is flexible in length, the contact probe can touches with a terminal of the IC chip under sufficient pressure, while the IC chip to be tested is held at the holding part of the main jig body. As the result, reliable tests or inspections can be conducted. However, contact probes other than the described above can be also applicable.  
         [0024]     Electrical tests of the IC chip can be performed by contacting the contact probes with terminals on front surface of the IC, while it is held at the holding part of the main jig body. If the IC chip has optical image pick-up element on back surface, optical tests can be also conducted simultaneously by exposing the back surface to a light.  
         [0025]     The jig device according to this invention can be used for both of transportation and test or inspection of an IC chip while it is held at only a peripheral area of the front surface of the IC chip.  
         [0026]     Moreover, size of the jig device is small in spite of including many contact probes therein, because each contact probe is built-in in each suction path and, therefore, the miniaturization of the whole test appliance can be attained.  
         [0027]     Furthermore, the jig device is able to electrical and optical performances at same time. These will result in that lead-time for test procedures including preparing stage of the testing can be shortened substantially.  
         [0028]     In accordance with the jig device of this invention described above, conveyance and test of an IC chip having terminals and optical elements on almost whole surfaces can be conducted by same jig device, even if the IC chip is small one or a chip of BGA, PGA or LGA.  
         [0029]     According to the present invention, there is also provided a novel method for transporting an IC chip to predetermined place and testing the same at said predetermined place using the above-mentioned jig device.  
         [0030]     The method comprises; 
    (a) a step for preparing a jig device comprising: 
        (i) a main jig body composed essentially of a non-conductive material having a holding part formed on top or bottom thereof, onto which the IC chip to be tested is attracted and held and having at least one internal suction path for attracting the IC chip to the holding part, and     (ii) at least one contact probe equipped in the main jig body, whereby terminals of the IC chip can be connected electrically with a circuit board for testing.    
        (b) a step for attracting the IC chip by suction so that the IC chip contacts with the holding part of the jig device,     (c) a step for transporting the IC chip to predetermined test place while the jig device is adsorbing the IC chip to the holding part,     (d) a step for testing the IC chip at the predetermined test place, under a state that the IC chip is held by the jig device, wherein an electrical test is performed by contacting upper and lower ends of the contact probe are connected with the terminal on the IC chip and the electrode of the circuit board, respectively, and     (e) a step for transporting the IC chip which has been tested to a tray for carrying to next processing stage while the IC chip is held by the jig device.    
 
         [0038]     In accordance with the method of the invention, conveyance and property tests of the IC chip can be conducted within short period and therefore lead-time for test procedures can be reduced. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0039]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a jig device, which is first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0040]      FIG. 2A  is a plain view of front surface of an IC chip to be tested.  FIG. 2B  is a side view of the same.  FIG. 2C  is a plain view of back surface of the IC chip.  
         [0041]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are cross sectional views of a contact probe, which is a part of the jig device, respectively.  
         [0042]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a jig device, which is second embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0043]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a jig device, which is third embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0044]      FIG. 6  is a cross-section of a jig device, which is forth embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0045]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a jig device, which is fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0046]     The present invention will be described in details hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
         [0047]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the jig device  1 , an embodiment of the present invention, comprises a main jig body including a base part  2 A and a front head part  2 B made of a non-conductive material, and contact probes  15  made of a conductive material which are accommodated in the main jig body. The base part  2 A of the main jig body is joined detachably to a head of a robot arm  50 . The front head part  2 B of the main jig body has a holding part  3  which is a concavity  31  formed at bottom of the front head part  2 B, into which an IC chip  20  to be tested will fit. A printed circuit board  4  is laid between the base part  2 A and the front head part  2 B. The printed circuit board  4  is connected electrically to the control part of tester, which is not illustrated in the drawing, through the robot arm  50 . An annular air seals  5 ,  6  and  7  are prepared appropriately between these parts.  
         [0048]     Suction paths  9  and  8  are formed in the robot arm  50  and the base part  2 A of the main jig body, respectively. Suction paths  4 A are also formed in the printed circuit board  4 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , these suction paths  9 ,  8  and  4 A communicate with each other. The suction path  9  is led to a vacuum pump, not illustrated in the drawing. There are also plural suction paths  10  in the front head part  2 B of the main jig body. Numbers of suction paths  10  in the front head part  2 B corresponds to numbers of terminals of the IC chip  20  to be tested. Each of the suction paths  10  communicates with the suction paths  4 A in printed circuit board  4 .  
         [0049]     Electric terminals  21  are arranged on almost whole area of front surface of the IC chip and an optical image pick-up element  22  is prepared in back surface thereof, as shown in  FIGS. 2A, 2B  and  2 C.  
         [0050]     The vacuum pump, not illustrated in the drawing, is equipped in the robot arm  50 . Sucking through the suction paths  4 A,  8 ,  9  and  10  by the vacuum pump, the IC chip  20  is attracted and adsorbed to the holding part  3 , which is formed on the bottom of the front head part  2 B. Due to the air seals  5 ,  6  and  7 , spaces inside of the base part  2 A and front head part  2 B are decompressed by the suction in order to attract the IC chip  20  to the holding part  3  during transportation and test procedures.  
         [0051]     The front head part  2 B of the main jig body has a concavity  31  on its bottom. The concavity  31  functions practically as the holding part  3 . One end of each internal suction path  10  opens inside of the concavity  31 , so that the IC chip  20  to be tested is attracted there by the suction. Surrounding wall of entrance  32  of the concavity  31  is inclined to broaden inside diameter of the entrance  32  of the concavity  31  toward its opening and thus a cone-shaped introducing space is formed around the entrance  32 . There is a terrace  33  at the surrounding wall of the concavity  31 . In this embodiment, as the IC chip  20  contacts with the terrace  33  of the concavity  31  and is held there, the terrace  33  functions as a holding surface of the holding part  3 . In other words, only a peripheral area of the front surface of the IC chip  20  touches with terrace  33  of the holding part  3 . This means that a specific surface area alone contacts directly with the holding part  3  and remaining main area of the front surface of the IC chip  20  does not contact with the holding part  3 .  
         [0052]     A plurality of resilient contact probes  15  are equipped in front head part  2 B of the main jig body. Each of the contact probes  15  extends in each of the suction paths  10 , respectively, so that it leaves an appropriate space from inner wall of the suction path  10 .  
         [0053]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the contact probe  15  is comprises a couple of contact pins, first contact pin  12  and second contact pin  13 , and an intermediate tubular holder  11  having an inner hollow space extending to length direction thereof. Upper end of the first contact pin  12  contacts a printed circuit board  4  and lower end thereof are inside of the tubular holder  11 . Lower end of the second contact pin  13  contacts a terminal  21  of the IC chip  20  and upper end thereof are inside of the tubular holder  11 . Lower end of the first contact pin  12  and the upper end of second contact pin  13  have flanges  12 A and  13 A, respectively. Each of these flanges  12 A and  13 A can slide in the tubular holder  11 .  
         [0054]     A spiral spring  14  is equipped between the flanges  12 A and  13 A. The spring  14  usually gives a load to the contact pins  12  and  13  towards reverse directions. When the IC chip  20  is not yet held by the jig device  1 , the second contact pin  13  is pushed down by the spiral spring  14  and the contact pin  13  projects out significantly from bottom end of the tubular holder  11 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3A . When the IC chip  20  is held at the holding part  3  and the terminals of IC chip  20  contacts with the second contact pin  13 , the pin  13  is pushed up towards the first contact pin  12 , so that whole length of the contact probe  15  becomes shorter, as shown indicted  FIG. 3B .  
         [0055]     A method of the present invention for transporting and testing an IC chip  20  using the above-mentioned jig device  1  will be described, hereinafter.  
         [0056]     At First, the robot arm  50  is operated to move the jig device  1  towards a packet, not illustrated, in which the IC chip  20  to be tested are contained, and then move the jig device  1  so that the holding part  3  thereof approaches the front surface of the IC chip  20 .  
         [0057]     Subsequently, the jig device  1  is moved down to bring the holding part  3  close to the front surface of the IC chip  20  and then suction is started to attract and adsorb the IC chip  20  onto the holding part  3 , as indicated by arrows in  FIG. 1 . After second contact pins  13  of the contact probes  15  are connected with the corresponding terminals  21  of the IC chip  20 , electrical tests of the IC chip  20  are performed by applying electrical current to contact probes  15  from the printed circuit board  4 . Simultaneously, optical tests are also conducted by outputting a signal to the optical image pick-up element  22  from the printed circuit board  4  while a light is irradiated from beneath.  
         [0058]     When a series of tests are completed, the jig device  1  moves by the robot arm  50  onto a tray for taking out. Suspending operation of the vacuum pump, the IC chip  20  is detached from the holding part  3  of the jig device  1  to put down into the tray, and then preparation of next test procedure as to the following IC chip will be started.  
         [0059]     According to the above-mentioned embodiment of the present invention, the IC chip  20  is held securely on the holding part  3  of the jig device  1  by sucking during transportation and test procedures, even if the IC chip  20  has terminals  21  and an optical imaging element  22  on almost whole surfaces thereof. Furthermore, as the contact probes  15  can contact surely with terminals  21  on front surface of the IC chip  20 , stable electric tests as to the terminals  21  can be conducted. Optical properties of the image pick-up element  22  on the opposite surface of the IC chip  20  can also be inspected simultaneously. Therefore, even if the IC chip  20  to be tested is a small-sized one having electric terminals and optical elements are prepared on front and back surfaces, efficient transportation and electric and optical tests of such IC chip can be conducted.  
         [0060]     In addition to the above, the jig device  1  can be small-sized, since each contact probes  15  are built-in suction paths  10  of the front head part  2 B, and thus the downsizing of the whole jig device  1  can be attained.  
         [0061]     Moreover, since each of the contact probes  15  is constituted elastically in the length direction, it securely connected with a corresponding terminal  21  of the IC chip  20  and, therefore, stable and reliable test can be performed during the IC chip  20  is contacted and adsorbed onto the holding part  3 .  
         [0062]     Another jig device for conveyance and test of IC chip, which is the second embodiment of the present invention, is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . In this drawing, the same numerical references are given to same parts of the jig device as the first embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , for avoiding repetition of similar explanations.  
         [0063]     The jig device illustrated in  FIG. 4  has main jig body comprising a base part  2 A positioned just below a robot arm  50  and a front head part  2 B attached beneath of the base part  2 A. A printed circuit board  4  is fitted in a room between the base part  2 A and the front head part  2 B. Electric wires  51  from tester are led to the printed circuit board  4  through the robot arm  50  and the base part  2 A of the main jig body.  
         [0064]     Suction paths  9 ,  8  and  4 A are formed in the robot arm  50 , the base part  2 A of the main jig body and the printed board  4 , respectively. The suction path  9  in the robot arm  50  is led to a vacuum pump  60  and the suction path  4 A in the print circuit board  4  is communicated to plural suction paths  10  formed in the front head part  2 B. Air seals  5 ,  6  and  7  are provided in appropriate positions between these parts.  
         [0065]     The structure and construction of the front head part  2 B is similar to the jig device  1  shown in  FIG. 1 . A method for transporting and testing an IC chip  20  using this jig device  1  is also substantially same as the first embodiment explained hereinbefore.  
         [0066]      FIG. 5  illustrates a jig device which is the third embodiment of the present invention. The same numerical references are given to parts same as the first embodiment in this drawing, too.  
         [0067]     In  FIG. 5 , a positioning platform  40  is additionally provided in the wearing part  43  formed in bottom of a front head part  2 B of the main jig body. The positioning platform  40 , which is also a part of the jig device  1  of the present invention, is mounted in a wearing part  43  of the front head part  2 B by springs  42 . A concavity is formed in bottom part of the positioning platform as a holding part  3  into which the IC chip  20  fits. In this embodiment, side surfaces of the IC chip  20  may contact with the surrounding wall  44  of the concavity to be held there.  
         [0068]     Suction paths  41  are prepared also in the positioning platform  40 . Each of the suction paths  41  communicated to each of the corresponding suction paths  10  and  10 A of the front head part  2 B and the suction paths  41  open at inside of the concavity of the positioning platform  40 . These suction paths  41  are communicated to a vacuum pump, not illustrated, via suction paths  4 A,  8 ,  9 ,  10  and  10 A. Contact probes  15  are equipped in the suction paths  10 , and, lower ends of second contact pins  13  of contact probes  15  are extending below through the suction paths  41  in the positioning platform  40 .  
         [0069]     For conducting tests, the jig device  1  is moved by robot arm  50  to a packet in which the IC chips  20  to be tested are contained and then adjust its position so that the holding part  3  in the positioning platform  40  faces to the front surface of the IC  20  chip.  
         [0070]     Subsequently, the jig device  1  is moved by operating robot arm  50  so that the holding part  3  of the positioning platform  40  approaches closely to the front surface of the IC chip  20  to be tested. Sucking the IC chip  20  through the suction paths  9 ,  8 ,  4 A,  10 ,  10 A and  41 , the front surface of the IC chip  20  is absorbed to stick into the holding part  3  in the positioning platform  40 , as shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0071]     A pressing stand  45  may be there bellow the jig device  1 . When the jig device  1  absorbing the IC chip  20  gets down over the pressing stand  45  by the robot arm  50 , the back surface of the IC chip  20  touches to the pressing stand  45  and the pressing stand  45  supports the IC chip  20  from bellow. In this state, the IC chip  20  is put between the holding part  3  of the positioning platform  40  and the pressing stand  45 . Upon moving down of the jig device  1 , the IC chip  20  is pushed upward by pressing stand  45  and the contact probes  15  become shorter in their length direction. Thus, contact pins  12  and  13  of the contact probe  15  can contact certainly with the printed circuit board  4  and the terminal  21  of the IC chip  20 , respectively, whereby a more stable electrical connection between them is ensured.  
         [0072]     Electrical tests of terminals  21  are conducted by giving currents from a printed circuit board  4  to the contact probes  15 . Optical tests of an optical image pick-up element  22  can be undertaken by signals outputted from the printed circuit board  4  at same time. A light may be introduced from lower potion to the optical element  22  through an opening  46  of the pressing stand  45 .  
         [0073]     As same as the first embodiment, when electrical and optical tests of the IC chip  20  are completed, the jig device  1  is moved by the robot arm  50  to a position of a tray for conveying to next stage. On stopping the suction, the IC chip  20  is released from the jig device  1  into the tray, and then preparation for tests of the following IC chip will be conducted.  
         [0074]     Thus, the jig device of the third embodiment has an advantageous effect, in addition to same effects as the first and second embodiments, that suction power for attracting the IC chip can be reduced, as the IC chip  20  is supported up by the pressing stand  45  during the test stage.  
         [0075]      FIG. 6  shows a jig device other than above jig devices, which is the forth embodiment of the present invention. As to this drawing, same numerical references are given to same parts as the first and second embodiments for a concise description.  
         [0076]     The jig device  1  of  FIG. 6  is not attached to a robot arm, since it can be moved by an appropriate means other than the robot arm. The jig device  1 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , has a main jig part comprises a base part  2 A and a front head part  2 B. The front head part  2 B has a holding part  3  which is a cavity formed in top of the front head part  2 B. The cavity as a holding part  3  has vertical surrounding wall  35 . An IC chip  20  falls into the holding part  3  and it is held there.  
         [0077]     A suction paths  10  and  10 A are there passing through the front head part  2 B and these suction paths  10  and  10 A are is led to a vacuum pump, not illustrated, via suction paths  4 A and  8  formed respectively in the printed circuit board  4  and in the base part  2 A. Annular air seals  5  and  6  are provided between the parts. Contact probes  15  with contact pins  12 ,  13  and tubular holders  11  are also arranged in suction paths  10 .  
         [0078]     How to test or inspect performances of the IC chip  20  using such jig device  1  of the drawing will be explained bellow.  
         [0079]     The IC chip  20  to be test is attracted into the holding part  3  of the front head part  2 B of main jig body by adsorbing it through suction paths  4 A  8  and  10 . At this time, inside atmosphere in these suction paths sucked by the vacuum pump and the IC chip  20  is attracted by the suction to the holding part  3 .  
         [0080]     Since upper contact pins  13  of contact probes  15  contact with corresponding terminals  21  of IC chip  20  by the sucking force, electrical properties of terminals  21  are tested by electrical current given to the contact probe  15  from the printed circuit board  4  in this state. An optical imaging element  21  takes an image according to a signal outputted from a printed circuit board  4  to this element. After such electrical and optical test are completed, the jig device  1  is moved to a take-out tray for by an appropriate conveying means and then the operation of a vacuum pump is suspended to discharge the IC chip  20 . Thereafter, it moves to next steps to test the following IC chip.  
         [0081]     In the forth embodiment described above, the substantially same advantageous effects as the first and second embodiments is acquired. In addition to them, contact pins  13  can be contacted with terminals  21  without any pressing means to push down the IC chip  20 , since the holding part  3  for the IC chip  20  faces up and suction paths  10  and  10 A opens in the cavity as the holding part  3 . As the result, the structure of the jig device  1  can be more simplified and, further, sucking force during test procedures of the IC chip  20  can be minimized.  
         [0082]      FIG. 7  shows an alternative jig device, which is fifth embodiment of this invention. Same numerical references are given to same parts as the first and second embodiments also in this drawing.  
         [0083]     In the jig device  1  of the  FIG. 7 , a main jig body  2  is constituted as a single part and a printed circuit board  4  is arranged just under the robot arm  50 . As indicated in the drawing, the main jig body  2  is attached to the bottom of the printed circuit board  4 . Suction paths  10  are communicated to a vacuum pump through suction paths  4 A and  9 . The IC chip  20  is attracted by suction to stick onto a holding part  3  of the main jig device  2 , as same as the first and second embodiments described above. Contact probes  15  comprising first and second contact pins  12  and  13  are prepared in the suction paths  10  of the main jig body  2 . The jig device  1  can be used in same way as above-mentioned jig devices  1  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 4 .  
         [0084]     The jig device  1  of the fifth embodiment has a simple structure and therefore the jig device  1  is easy to be prepared and cost for manufacturing it can be reduced.  
         [0085]     As understood from the above, any jig devise according to the present invention not only can transport IC chips, even if they have terminals and optical elements to be tested on almost whole surface or they are small and light chips, but also can conduct electric and optical tests of such IC chips, simultaneously. That is, both of conveying and testing of small lightweight IC chips can be conducted by same jig device.  
         [0086]     The present invention has been described in detail with respect to various embodiments. It will now be apparent from the foregoing to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention, and, therefore, the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications so far as fall within the concept of the present invention. For example, although the contact probe is elastic and accommodated in a suction path in the above embodiments, non-elastic one can be used in the jig device of this invention and it may be arranged in the main jig body at other than the suction path. Furthermore, although tests as to electrical and optical performances of the IC chip are conducted in the above embodiments, another properties such thermal or mechanical properties can be examined.