Patent Publication Number: US-2021162608-A1

Title: Processing apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a processing apparatus. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     There are known processing apparatuses, exemplified by a cutting apparatus, for holding a workpiece on a chuck table and processing, i.e., cutting, the workpiece held on the chuck table with a processing unit. Usually, workpieces are fixed to respective annular frames by respective adhesive tapes, and placed on and removed from the chuck table, one by one, each time it is processed by the processing unit. However, the cost of processing workpieces is high as the adhesive tapes are thrown away after being used. One solution is to use a jig dicer in which a workpiece is directly fixed to a chuck table and processed. 
     The jig dicer loads a workpiece onto and unloads a workpiece from the chuck table. In a case where workpieces are of a small size or a special shape, they are difficult to deliver to and from the chuck table. In view of the difficulty, there has been devised a method of delivering a jig table with a workpiece preset thereon as a chuck table to a table base. While the workpiece is being delivered by a delivery mechanism, there is concern over possible dislodgment of the workpiece from the jig table. To prevent the workpiece from being dislodged from the jig table, the jig table is combined with a suction mechanism for keeping a negative pressure in the jig table for attracting the workpiece under suction to a holding surface of the jig table (see, for example, JP2001-24050A). 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     However, according to the method disclosed in JP2001-24050A, air tends to enter through a gap between the workpiece and the holding surface of the jig table, lowering suction forces applied to the workpiece under the negative pressure and possibly dislodging the workpiece in delivery. Consequently, there has been a demand for a mechanism for applying the negative pressure to the workpiece during delivery. Furthermore, the delivery mechanism includes a clamp mechanism for fixing the jig table in position. The processing apparatus requires actuators for positioning the suction mechanism and the clamp mechanism in respective operational positions and respective retracted positions. As a result, the processing apparatus is relatively complex in structure and large in size and weight. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a processing apparatus that is capable of preventing a workpiece from being dislodged in delivery and that is restrained from being complex in structure. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a processing apparatus for processing a workpiece, including a jig table including a holding area for holding a workpiece thereon, a first suction channel having an end connected to the holding area and another end open at a lower surface of the jig table, and a second suction channel having an end connected to the holding area and another end open at an upper surface of the jig table, a table base to which the jig table is removably secured, for applying a negative pressure from the first suction channel to the holding area, a processing unit for processing the workpiece held on the jig table secured to the table base, a moving assembly for moving the table base between a processing area where the workpiece is processed by the processing unit and a mounting/dismounting area where the jig table is mounted on and dismounted from the table base, a temporary rest area for temporarily placing thereon the jig table on which the workpiece is supported before the workpiece is processed, and a delivery assembly for delivering the jig table from the temporary rest area onto the table base while applying a negative pressure to the second suction channel of the jig table, in which the delivery assembly includes a pair of grippers for gripping both sides of the jig table from above, a suction pipe connected from above to an opening of the second suction channel of the jig table that is gripped by the grippers, for applying a suction force under the negative pressure in the second suction channel to the holding area to hold the workpiece under suction thereon, and a lifting and lowering unit for lifting and lowering the suction pipe to position the suction pipe selectively in an operative position where the suction pipe is connected to the opening of the second suction channel and a lifted position where the suction pipe is spaced from the opening of the second suction channel, and in which the grippers are operatively connected to the lifting and lowering unit by a link mechanism and are openable and closable in response to lifting and lowering movement of the lifting and lowering unit for thereby selectively releasing and gripping the jig table. 
     The processing apparatus may further include a check valve disposed in each of the other ends of the first suction channel and the second suction channel. 
     The processing apparatus according to the present invention is advantageous in that it prevents the workpiece from being dislodged while it is being delivered and the processing apparatus itself is restrained from being complex in structure. 
     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention and the manner of realizing them will become more apparent, and the invention itself will best be understood from a study of the following description and appended claims with reference to the attached drawings showing a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view schematically illustrating a jig table of the processing apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the jig table illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevational view, partly in cross section, of a table base of the processing apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational view, partly in cross section, of a delivery assembly of the processing apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevational view, partly in cross section, illustrating the manner in which the delivery assembly illustrated in  FIG. 5  grips the jig table. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A preferred embodiment of the present invention will hereinafter be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the details of the embodiment described below. The components described below cover those which could easily be envisaged by those skilled in the art and those which are essentially identical to those described above. Furthermore, the arrangements described below can be used in appropriate combinations. Various omissions, replacements, or changes of the arrangements may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     A processing apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below.  FIG. 1  illustrates in perspective the processing apparatus according to the preferred embodiment.  FIG. 2  schematically illustrates in perspective a jig table of the processing apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  illustrates the jig table in cross section.  FIG. 4  illustrates in side elevation, partly in cross section, a table base of the processing apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 5  illustrates, in side elevation, partly in cross section, of a delivery assembly of the processing apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 6  illustrates, in side elevation, partly in cross section, the manner in which the delivery assembly illustrated in  FIG. 5  grips the jig table. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the processing apparatus, denoted by  1  in  FIG. 1 , is a cutting apparatus for cutting, i.e., processing, a workpiece  200 . According to the embodiment, the workpiece  200  is in the form of a flat plate that is rectangular in shape as viewed in plan, and includes a ceramic substrate, a ferrite substrate, a substrate including at least one of nickel, resin, and iron, or a glass substrate. 
     The processing apparatus  1  cuts or processes the workpiece  200  with a cutting blade  31  while the workpiece  200  is being held on a jig table  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the processing apparatus  1  includes the jig table  10  that holds the workpiece  200  under suction on a holding area  121  thereof, a table base  20  to which the jig table  10  is removably fixed, a cutting unit  30  as a processing unit that cuts the workpiece  200  held on the jig table  10  with the cutting blade  31 , an image capturing unit, not illustrated, that captures an image of the workpiece  200  held on the jig table  10 , and a control unit  100 . 
     Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the processing apparatus  1  includes a moving assembly  40  for moving the table base  20  and the cutting unit  30  relatively to each other. The moving assembly  40  includes an X-axis moving unit  41  as a processing feed unit that processing-feeds the table base  20  in X-axis directions parallel to horizontal directions, a Y-axis moving unit  42  as an indexing feed unit that indexing-feeds the cutting unit  30  in Y-axis directions parallel to horizontal directions and perpendicular to the X-axis directions, a Z-axis moving unit  43  as an incising feed unit that incising-feeds the cutting unit  30  in Z-axis directions parallel to vertical directions and perpendicular to both the X-axis directions and the Y-axis directions, and a rotating unit  44  that rotates the table base  20  about a central axis parallel to the Z-axis directions and perpendicular to both the X-axis directions and the Y-axis directions. 
     The X-axis moving unit  41  moves the table base  20  in the X-axis directions as processing feed directions between a processing area  2  where the workpiece  200  is processed and a mounting/dismounting area  3  where the jig table  10  is mounted on and dismounted from the table base  20 , thereby processing-feeding the table base  20  and the cutting unit  30  relatively to each other in the X-axis directions. The Y-axis moving unit  42  moves the cutting unit  30  in the Y-axis directions as indexing feed directions, thereby indexing-feeding the table base  20  and the cutting unit  30  relatively to each other in the Y-axis directions. The Z-axis moving unit  43  moves the cutting unit  30  in the Z-axis directions as incising feed directions, thereby incising-feeding the table base  20  and the cutting unit  30  relatively to each other in the Z-axis directions. The rotating unit  44  supports the table base  20  thereon and is moved in unison with the table base  20  in the X-axis directions by the X-axis moving unit  41 . 
     Each of the X-axis moving unit  41 , the Y-axis moving unit  42 , and the Z-axis moving unit  43  includes a known ball screw rotatable about a central axis thereof, a known motor for rotating the ball screw about its central axis, and a pair of known guide rails supporting the table base  20  or the cutting unit  30  thereon for movement in the X-axis directions, the Y-axis directions, or the Z-axis directions. 
     The jig table  10  as it is fixedly mounted on the table base  20  is movable in the X-axis directions by the X-axis moving unit  41  between the processing area  2  below the cutting unit  30  and the mounting/dismounting area  3  horizontally spaced from the processing area  2 , and is also rotatable about the central axis parallel to the Z-axis directions by the rotating unit  44 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 , the jig table  10  includes a base  11 , a holder  12 , and a block  13 . The base  11  is in the form of a thick flat plate that is of a rectangular planar shape, and is fixedly mounted on the table base  20 . 
     The holder  12  is disposed on an upper surface  112  of the base  11 . According to the present embodiment, the holder  12  is in the form of an elongate flat plate having a longitudinal axis parallel to the Z-axis directions and includes a plurality of holding areas  121  for holding respective workpieces  200  thereon. The holding areas  121  are disposed at spaced intervals along the X-axis directions. The holding areas  121  are defined as respective suction holes in an upper surface  122  of the holder  12  for holding respective workpieces  200  under suction on the holding areas  121 . The block  13  is disposed on the upper surface  112  of the base  11  next in the Y-axis directions to a central portion in the X-axis directions of the holder  12 . The block  13  has an upper surface  131  that lies flush with the upper surface  122  of the holder  12 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the jig table  10  includes a first suction channel  14  and a second suction channel  15 . The first suction channel  14  is defined as a space in the holder  12  and the base  11 . The first suction channel  14  includes a plurality of holding area joint portions  141  having respective ends open into the centers of the holding areas  121  and hence joined to the holding areas  121 , extending through the holder  12  in the Z-axis directions, and having other ends open at a lower surface of the holder  12 , an in-the-base through portion  142  having an end joined to all of the holding area joint portions  141  and another end open at a lower surface  111  of the base  11 , and a second suction channel joint portion  143  having an end joined to the in-the-base through portion  142  and another end open at a position where the upper surface  112  of the base  11  lies beneath a lower surface of the block  13 . According to the present embodiment, the in-the-base through portion  142  and the holding area joint portions  141  are connected to the second suction channel  15  through the second suction channel joint portion  143 , as described later. 
     The second suction channel  15  is defined as a space in the block  13 . The second suction channel  15  extends in the Z-axis directions through a central region of the block  13  and has an end connected to the second suction channel joint portion  143  of the first suction channel  14  and connected to the holding areas  121  through the first suction channel  14 . The second suction channel  15  has another end open in a central region of the upper surface  131  of the block  13 . The hole of the other end of the second suction channel  15  that is open in the upper surface  131  will hereinafter be referred to as an opening  151 . 
     The jig table  10  includes a first check valve  16  disposed in the other end of the in-the-base through portion  142  of the first suction channel  14 , and a second check valve  17  disposed in the other end of the second suction channel  15 . Therefore, the first check valve  16  and the second check valve  17  are disposed respectively in the other ends of the first suction channel  14  and the second suction channel  15 . 
     When a gas flows from the holding areas  121  toward the lower surface  111  of the base  11 , i.e., from the holding area joint portions  141  into the in-the-base through portion  142  of the first suction channel  14 , the first check valve  16  is opened, allowing the gas to flow from the holding areas  121  therethrough to the lower surface  111  of the base  11 , i.e., from the holding area joint portions  141  of the first suction channel  14  into the in-the-base through portion  142  and through the first check valve  16 . Conversely, when a gas flows from the lower surface  111  of the base  11 , i.e., the in-the-base through portion  142  of the first suction channel  14  toward the holding areas  121  through the holding area joint portions  141 , and when a gas does not flow in the first suction channel  14 , the first check valve  16  is closed to prevent a gas from flowing therethrough. 
     When a gas flows from the other end of the second suction channel  15  toward the upper surface  131  of the block  13 , the second check valve  17  is opened to allow a gas to flow from the holding areas  121  through the holding area joint portions  141  into the in-the-base through portion  142  of the first suction channel  14 . Conversely, when a gas flows from the upper surface  131  of the block  13  toward the other end of the second suction channel  15 , and when a gas does not flow in the second suction channel  15 , the second check valve  17  is closed. 
     The base  11  of the jig table  10  has a fitting recess  113  defined in the lower surface  111  of the base  11  around the other end of the in-the-base through portion  142  of the first suction channel  14 . The fitting recess  113  is defined by a recess surface extending into the base  11  from the lower surface  111  thereof. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the table base  20  that is supported on the rotating unit  44  is movable in the X-axis directions between the processing area  2  and the mounting/dismounting area  3  where the jig table  10  is mounted and dismounted, by the X-axis moving unit  41 , and is also rotatable about the central axis parallel to the Z-axis directions by the rotating unit  44 . The table base  20  is in the form of a thick flat plate that is of a rectangular planar shape, and the jig table  10  is placed on an upper surface  21  of the table base  20 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the table base  20  includes a fitting land  211  disposed centrally in the upper surface  21  for entering the fitting recess  113  in the base  11  of the jig table  10  for fitting engagement therein, a third suction channel  22  defined centrally in the fitting land  211  and the table base  20  and extending therethrough in the Z-axis directions, and a plurality of fourth suction channels  23  defined in the fitting land  211  and the table base  20  and having upper ends open at the upper surface  21  of the table base  20  around the fitting land  211 . The fitting land  211  has a protrusion surface protruding from the upper surface  21  of the table base  20 . 
     The third suction channel  22  and the fourth suction channels  23  are defined as spaces in the table base  20 . When the jig table  10  is placed on the upper surface  21  of the table base  20  and the fitting land  211  is fitted in the fitting recess  113 , the third suction channel  22  and the in-the-base through portion  142  of the first suction channel  14  are connected to each other through respective on-off valves, not illustrated. The third suction channel  22  and the fourth suction channels  23  are connected to a suction source  24  that may be an ejector or the like. 
     When the jig table  10  is placed on the upper surface  21  of the table base  20 , the fitting land  211  is fitted in the fitting recess  113 , the third suction channel  22  is connected to the in-the-base through portion  142  of the first suction channel  14 , and the upper ends of the fourth suction channels  23  that are open at the upper surface  21  face the lower surface  111  of the base  11  of the jig table  10 . When the suction source  24  is actuated, it evacuates the fourth suction channels  23 , attracting the jig table  10  to the upper surface  21  under a negative pressure, so that the jig table  10  is securely held on the upper surface  21 . The suction source  24  also evacuates the third suction channel  22 , opening the first check valve  16  and closing the second check valve  17  thereby to apply a negative pressure from the first suction channel  14  to the holding areas  121  of the jig table  10 , so that workpieces  200  are securely held under suction on the respective holding areas  121 . Therefore, the jig table  10  according to the present embodiment holds the workpieces  200  under suction directly on the holding areas  121  without the need for holding members such as adhesive tapes on the workpieces  200 . 
     The cutting unit  30  is a processing unit on which the cutting blade  31  for cutting workpieces  200  held on the jig table  10  secured to the table base  20  are removably mounted. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the cutting unit  30  is movable in the Y-axis directions by the Y-axis moving unit  42  and in the Z-axis directions by the Z-axis moving unit  43  with respect to the workpieces  200  held on the jig table  10 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the cutting unit  30  is mounted on a support frame  5  erected on an apparatus body  4  by the Y-axis moving unit  42  and the Z-axis moving unit  43 . The cutting unit  30  is moved by the Y-axis moving unit  42  and the Z-axis moving unit  43  to position the cutting blade  31  at any desired position on the holding areas  121  of the jig table  10  secured to the table base  20 . 
     The cutting unit  30  includes the cutting blade  31 , a spindle housing  32  movable in the Y-axis directions by the Y-axis moving unit  42  and in the Z-axis directions by the Z-axis moving unit  43 , and a spindle  33  rotatably mounted in the spindle housing  32  for rotation about its central axis and rotatable by an electric motor, not illustrated. The cutting blade  31  is mounted on the tip end of the spindle  33 . The spindle housing  32  is supported on a moving member  34  of the Z-axis moving unit  43 . 
     The cutting blade  31  is in the form of an ultrathin cutting grindstone that is substantially ring-shaped. According to the present embodiment, the cutting blade  31  is what is called a hub blade including a circular base and an annular cutting edge disposed on an outer circumferential edge of the circular base for cutting workpieces  200 . The cutting edge is made of abrasive grains of diamond, cubic boron nitride (CBN), or the like that are bound by a bonding material or binder of metal, resin, or the like, and has a predetermined thickness. According to the present invention, the cutting blade  31  may be what is called a washer blade having only a cutting edge  212 . The cutting blade  31  is rotated about its central axis when the spindle  33  is rotated about its central axis by the electric motor. The central axes of the cutting blade  31  and the spindle  33  of the cutting unit  30  extend parallel to the Y-axis directions. 
     The image capturing unit includes an image capturing device for capturing an image of an area to be divided of a workpiece  200  held on the jig table  10  secured to the table base  20  before the workpiece  200  is cut by the cutting unit  30 . The image capturing device may be a charge-coupled device (CCD) image capturing device or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image capturing device, for example. The image capturing unit captures an image of the workpiece  200  held on the jig table  10  secured to the table base  20 , to be used for an alignment process for positioning the workpiece  200  and the cutting blade  31  with respect to each other, and outputs the captured image to the control unit  100 . 
     The processing apparatus  1  further includes an X-axis position detecting unit, not illustrated, for detecting a position of the jig table  10  in the X-axis directions, a Y-axis position detecting unit, not illustrated, for detecting a position of the cutting unit  30  in the Y-axis directions, and a Z-axis position detecting unit, not illustrated, for detecting a position of the cutting unit  30  in the Z-axis directions. Each of the X-axis position detecting unit and the Y-axis position detecting unit may include a linear scale parallel to the X-axis directions or the Y-axis directions and a reading head. The Z-axis position detecting unit detects a position of the cutting unit  30  in the Z-axis directions with pulses from the electric motor. The X-axis position detecting unit, the Y-axis position detecting unit, and the Z-axis position detecting unit output detected positions of the jig table  10  in the X-axis directions and the cutting unit  30  in the Y-axis directions and the Z-axis directions to the control unit  100 . According to the present embodiment, positions of various operative components of the processing apparatus  1  in the X-axis directions, the Y-axis directions, and the Z-axis directions are defined with respect to predetermined reference positions, not illustrated. 
     The control unit  100  controls the operative components of the processing apparatus  1  to enable the processing apparatus  1  to perform a processing operation on a workpiece  200 . The control unit  100  is a computer including an arithmetic processing device having a microprocessor such as a central processing unit (CPU), a storage device having a memory such as a read only memory (ROM) or a random access memory (RAM), and an input/output interface. The arithmetic processing device of the control unit  100  performs arithmetic operations according to computer programs stored in the storage device and generates and outputs control signals for controlling the processing apparatus  1  via the input/output interface to the operative components of the processing apparatus  1 . 
     The control unit  100  is electrically connected to a display unit, not illustrated, such as a liquid crystal display device, for displaying states and images of processing operations and an input unit, not illustrated, to be used by the operator to register processing content information, etc. The input unit may be at least one of a touch panel incorporated in the display unit and an external input device such as a keyboard or the like. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the processing apparatus  1  also includes a temporary rest area  50 , a delivery assembly  60 , and an unloading table  70 . 
     The temporary rest area  50  is an area where the jig table  10  supporting workpieces  200  to be cut is temporarily placed. The temporary rest area  50  is disposed next in the Y-axis directions to the table base  20  that is positioned in the mounting/dismounting area  3  on an upper surface of the apparatus body  4 . The jig table  10  with the workpieces  200  put on the respective holding areas  121  of the holder  12  is temporarily placed on the temporary rest area  50 . 
     The unloading table  70  is used to place thereon the jig table  10  on which workpieces  200  that have been cut are supported. The unloading table  70  is disposed in a position juxtaposed in the X-axis directions with the table base  20  on the upper surface of the apparatus body  4 . The unloading table  70  is movable by a moving mechanism  71  between the position illustrated in  FIG. 1  that is juxtaposed in the X-axis directions with the table base  20  positioned in the mounting/dismounting area  3  and a position on the table base  20  positioned in the mounting/dismounting area  3 . 
     The delivery assembly  60  delivers the jig table  10  placed on the temporary rest area  50  onto the table base  20  while applying a negative pressure to the second suction channel  15  in the jig table  10  and also delivers the jig table  10  from the table base  20  onto the unloading table  70 . The delivery assembly  60  includes a gripping unit  61  for gripping both sides in the Y-axis directions of the jig table  10 , a Z-axis moving unit  62  for supporting the gripping unit  61  and vertically moving the gripping unit  61  in the Z-axis directions, and a Y-axis moving unit  63  for moving the Z-axis moving unit  62  and the gripping unit  61  in the Y-axis directions. 
     The Z-axis moving unit  62  is constructed as an air cylinder having a longitudinal axis extending parallel to the Z-axis directions and including a cylinder  621  and a rod  622  movable into and out of the cylinder  621 . The rod  622  that is telescopically disposed in the cylinder  621  has a lower distal end directed downwardly, and the gripping unit  61  is mounted on the lower distal end of the rod  622 . The Z-axis moving unit  62  vertically moves, i.e., lifts and lowers, the gripping unit  61  when the rod  622  is moved into and out of the cylinder  621 . 
     The Y-axis moving unit  63  is supported on a second support frame  6  erected on an apparatus body  4 , and moves the cylinder  621  of the Z-axis moving unit  62  in the Y-axis directions. The Y-axis moving unit  63  moves the gripping unit  61  in the Y-axis directions by moving the cylinder  621  of the Z-axis moving unit  62  in the Y-axis directions. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the gripping unit  61  has a unit body  64 , a pair of grippers  65 , a suction pipe  66 , a link mechanism  67 , and a lifting and lowering unit  68 . The unit body  64  is mounted on the lower distal end of the rod  622  of the Z-axis moving unit  62 . According to the present embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the unit body  64  includes a pair of upper and lower horizontal plates  641  that are spaced apart from each other in the Z-axis directions and a joint rod  642  interconnecting the upper and lower horizontal plates  641 . 
     The grippers  65  grip both sides in the Y-axis directions of the jig table  10  from above. The grippers  65  are rotatably supported on respective both ends in the Y-axis directions of the lower horizontal plate  641  for rotation about respective shafts  651  parallel to the X-axis directions. Each of the grippers  65  includes a rotational support  652  supported on the end of the lower horizontal plate  641  for rotation about the shaft  651 , and a first extension  653  and a second extension  654  that extend from the rotational support  652  in respective directions that are perpendicular to each other. The first extension  653  includes a finger  655  that supports and grips an end in the Y-axis directions of the lower surface  111  of the jig table  10  when the first extension  653  lies parallel to the Z-axis directions. Each of the grippers  65  is rotatably supported on the horizontal plate  641  for rotation about the shaft  651  between an open position illustrated in  FIG. 5  in which the first extension  653  lies parallel to the Y-axis directions and the second extension  654  is oriented upwardly from the rotational support  652  along the Z-axis directions and a gripping position illustrated in  FIG. 6  in which the first extension  653  is oriented downwardly from the rotational support  652  along the Z-axis directions and the second extension  654  lies parallel to the Y-axis directions. 
     When the jig table  10  is gripped by the grippers  65 , the suction pipe  66  is connected from above to the opening  151  of the second suction channel  15  in the jig table  10 . The suction pipe  66  applies therethrough a suction force through the second suction channel  15  to the holding areas  121  of the jig table  10  gripped by the grippers  65  to hold workpieces  200  under suction on the holding areas  121 . The suction pipe  66  is in the form of a straight pipe having a longitudinal axis parallel to the Z-axis directions, and is movably supported on a slide support member  643  mounted on the lower horizontal plate  641  for movement by the lifting and lowering unit  68  in the Z-axis directions. The suction pipe  66  has an upper end connected to a suction source  69  that may be an ejector or the like. When the suction pipe  66  is lifted along the Z-axis directions by the lifting and lowering unit  68  until a lower end  661  of the suction pipe  66  reaches a lifted position illustrated in  FIG. 5  where the lower end  661  is retracted through a through hole  644  defined in the lower horizontal plate  641 , the lower end  661  is spaced from the opening  151  of the second suction channel  15  in the jig table  10  gripped by the grippers  65 . 
     Conversely, when the suction pipe  66  is lowered along the Z-axis directions by the lifting and lowering unit  68  until the lower end  661  reaches an operative position illustrated in  FIG. 6  where the lower end  661  protrudes through the through hole  644  below the lower surface of the lower horizontal plate  641 , the lower end  661  is connected to the opening  151  of the second suction channel  15  in the jig table  10 . When the lower end  661  is connected to the opening  151  of the second suction channel  15  in the jig table  10 , the suction pipe  66  is evacuated by the suction source  69 . The second check valve  17  is opened, allowing the suction source  69  to evacuate the second suction channel  15  and the first suction channel  14 , and the first check valve  16  is closed, applying the suction force to the holding areas  121  to hold the workpieces  200  under suction on the holding areas  121 . 
     The link mechanism  67  interlinks the movement of the suction pipe  66  in the Z-axis directions and the movement of the grippers  65  between the open position and the gripping position. The link mechanism  67  includes a pair of link arms  671  and a link member  672 . The link arms  671  are in the form of straight bars having lower ends rotatably coupled to the respective second extensions  654  of the grippers  65  for rotation about respective shafts  673  parallel to the X-axis directions. The link arms  671  have respective upper ends rotatably coupled to each other for rotation about a shaft  674  parallel to the X-axis directions. The link member  672  couples the shaft  674  and the suction pipe  66  to each other. The suction pipe  66  has an upper end fixed to the link member  672 . 
     When the suction pipe  66  is lifted along the Z-axis directions until the lower end  661  thereof is retracted through the through hole  644  in the lower horizontal plate  641  and reaches the lifted position, the link arms  671  pull up the second extensions  654  through the shafts  673 , bringing the grippers  65  into the open position. Conversely, when the suction pipe  66  is lowered along the Z-axis directions until the lower end  661  thereof protrudes the through hole  644  below the lower surface of the lower horizontal plate  641  and reaches the operative position, the link mechanism  67  pushes down the second extensions  654  through the shafts  673 , bringing the grippers  65  into the gripping position. 
     The lifting and lowering unit  68  is disposed on the lower horizontal plate  641 , and lifts and lowers the suction pipe  66  along the Z-axis directions. The lifting and lowering unit  68  includes an extensible/contractible rod  681  that can be extended upwardly and contracted downwardly. The extensible/contractible rod  681  has an upper end connected to the link member  672 . The lifting and lowering unit  68  extends and contracts the extensible/contractible rod  681  to lift and lower the link member  672  in the Z-axis directions. When the lifting and lowering unit  68  lifts and lowers the link member  672  in the Z-axis directions, the suction pipe  66  whose upper end is connected to the link member  672  is lifted and lowered along the Z-axis directions between the lifted position and the operative position. The lifting and lowering unit  68  thus lifts and lowers the suction pipe  66 , positioning the lower end  661  thereof selectively in the operative position where the lower end  661  is connected to the opening  151  of the second suction channel  15  and the lifted position where the lower end  661  is spaced from the opening  151  of the second suction channel  15 . Furthermore, as the lifting and lowering unit  68  lifts and lowers the link member  672 , the lower ends of the link arms  671  are lifted and lowered, angularly moving the grippers  65  between the open position and the gripping position. 
     According to the present embodiment, therefore, the grippers  65  of the gripping unit  61  are angularly movable between the open position and the gripping position in ganged relation to lifting and lowering movement of the lifting and lowering unit  68  through the link mechanism  67 . When the grippers  65  are in the open position, the fingers  655  are opened as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . When the grippers  65  are in the gripping position, the fingers  655  are closed, gripping the jig table  10 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
     Before the processing apparatus  1  starts a processing operation, the operator places the jig table  10  with the workpieces  200  placed on the respective holding areas  121  on the temporary rest area  50 , and registered processing content information in the control unit  100 . Thereafter, the processing apparatus  1  starts the processing operation in response to a command from the operator to start the processing operation. 
     When the processing apparatus  1  starts the processing operation, the control unit  100  controls the lifting and lowering unit  68  to position the suction pipe  66  in the lifted position and to position the grippers  65  in the open position, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The control unit  100  also controls the X-axis moving unit  41  to position the table base  20  on the mounting/dismounting area  3 . The control unit  100  controls the moving mechanism  71  to position the unloading table  70  in the position juxtaposed in the X-axis directions with the table base  20  that is positioned on the mounting/dismounting area  3 . 
     The control unit  100  controls the Y-axis moving unit  63  of the delivery assembly  60  to position the gripping unit  61  above the jig table  10  placed on the temporary rest area  50 . The control unit  100  controls the Z-axis moving unit  62  of the delivery assembly  60 , etc. to lower the gripping unit  61  to position the lower horizontal plate  641  immediately above the jig table  10  placed on the temporary rest area  50 , and then controls the lifting and lowering unit  68  to position the suction pipe  66  in the operative position and to position the grippers  65  in the gripping position, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
     The fingers  655  of the grippers  65  enter below the jig table  10  on the temporary rest area  50 , support the lower surface  111  of the base  11  of the jig table  10 , and grip both ends in the Y-axis directions of the jig table  10  on the temporary rest area  50 , and the lower end  661  of the suction pipe  66  is connected to the opening  151  of the second suction channel  15  in the jig table  10 . Then, the control unit  100  controls the suction source  69  to evacuate the suction pipe  66 . The second check valve  17  is opened and the first check valve  16  is closed, allowing the suction force from the suction source  69  to act through the second suction channel joint portion  143 , the in-the-base through portion  142 , and the holding area joint portions  141  of the first suction channel  14  on the holding areas  121  of the jig table  10 , holding the workpieces  200  under suction on the holding areas  121 . 
     The control unit  100  controls the Z-axis moving unit  62  of the delivery assembly  60  to lift the gripping unit  61  that is gripping the jig table  10  and also controls the Y-axis moving unit  63  to move the gripping unit  61  that is gripping the jig table  10  in one of the Y-axis directions for thereby positioning the gripping unit  61  above the table base  20  positioned on the temporary rest area  50 . The control unit  100  then controls the Z-axis moving unit  62  to lower the gripping unit  61  to place the jig table  10  gripped by the gripping unit  61  onto the upper surface  21  of the table base  20 , fitting the fitting land  211  into the fitting recess  113 . As the jig table  10  is thus delivered, the second check valve  17  is opened and the first check valve  16  is closed. 
     The control unit  100  controls the suction sources  24  and  69  to cause the suction source  24  to evacuate the third suction channel  22  and the fourth suction channels  23  and to cause the suction source  69  to stop evacuating the suction pipe  66 . The jig table  10  is now held under suction on the table base  20  and secured to the table base  20  under the suction force from the suction source  24 . The first check valve  16  is opened and the second check valve  17  is closed, holding the workpieces  200  under suction on the holding areas  121  of the jig table  10  secured to the table base  20  due to the suction force from the suction source  24 . 
     The control unit  100  controls the lifting and lowering unit  68  to position the suction pipe  66  in the lifted position and to position the grippers  65  in the open position, releasing the jig table  10  from the grippers  65 . The control unit  100  controls the Z-axis moving unit  62  and the Y-axis moving unit  63  of the delivery assembly  60  to lift the gripping unit  61  and to retract the gripping unit  61  from above the jig table  10  secured to the table base  20 . 
     The control unit  100  controls the X-axis moving unit  41  to move the jig table  10  secured to the table base  20  toward the processing area  2 , controls the image capturing unit to capture an image of one of the workpieces  200 , and performs the alignment process on the basis of the captured image. 
     The control unit  100  controls the moving assembly  40  to move the workpieces  200  and the cutting unit  30  while at the same time controlling the cutting unit  30  to cut the workpieces  200  held on the holding areas  121  of the jig table  10  with the cutting blade  31 . When all the workpieces  200  held on the holding areas  121  have been cut by the cutting unit  30 , the control unit  100  controls the X-axis moving unit  41  to move the jig table  10  toward the mounting/dismounting area  3  and then stop moving the jig table  10  over the mounting/dismounting area  3 . As the workpieces  200  are thus cut, the first check valve  16  is opened and the second check valve  17  is closed. 
     After the control unit  100  has controlled the suction source  24  to stop evacuating the third suction channel  22  and the fourth suction channels  23 , releasing the jig table  10  from the table base  20 , the control unit  100  controls the lifting and lowering unit  68  to cause the gripping unit  61  to grip the jig table  10  on the table base  20 , and then to lift the gripping unit  61  that is gripping the jig table  10 , in the same manner as when the jig table  10  is delivered from the temporary rest area  50  onto the table base  20 . The control unit  100  then controls the moving mechanism  71  to position the unloading table  70  above the table base  20  over the mounting/dismounting area  3 , and controls the lifting and lowering unit  68  to place the jig table  10  gripped by the gripping unit  61  onto the unloading table  70 . After the gripping unit  61  has stopped gripping the jig table  10  and has been retracted from above the unloading table  70 , the unloading table  70  is moved to the position juxtaposed in the X-axis directions with the table base  20  positioned on the mounting/dismounting area  3 . The processing apparatus  1  now finishes the processing operation. 
     As described above, in the processing apparatus  1  according to the present embodiment, the jig table  10  includes the second suction channel  15  that is open at the upper surface  131  of the block  13  and that is connected through the first suction channel  14  to the holding areas  121 , and the delivery assembly  60  includes the suction pipe  66  for applying the suction force to the holding areas  121 , the suction pipe  66  being connected to the opening  151  of the second suction channel  15  in the jig table  10  that is gripped by the grippers  65 . Therefore, the workpieces  200  can be held under suction on the holding areas  121  of the jig table  10  while the delivery assembly  60  is delivering the jig table  10 . 
     Furthermore, the processing apparatus  1  according to the present embodiment includes the link mechanism  67  that interlinks the movement of the suction pipe  66  between the operative position and the lifted position and the movement of the grippers  65  between the open position and the gripping position. Consequently, the processing apparatus  1  according to the present embodiment can move the suction pipe  66  between the operative position and the lifted position and move the grippers  65  between the open position and the gripping position with the single lifting and lowering unit  68 , so that the number of parts used is restrained from increasing. As a result, the processing apparatus  1  according to the present embodiment is advantageous in that it prevents the workpieces  200  from being dislodged while they are being delivered, and the processing apparatus  1  itself is restrained from being complex in structure. 
     Moreover, the processing apparatus  1  according to the present embodiment includes the first check valve  16  disposed in the other end of the in-the-base through portion  142  of the first suction channel  14  and the second check valve  17  disposed in the other end of the second suction channel  15 . While the jig table  10  is being delivered, the second check valve  17  is opened and the first check valve  16  is closed, and while the workpieces  200  are being cut, the first check valve  16  is opened and the second check valve  17  is closed. As a consequence, the processing apparatus  1  according to the present embodiment can hold the workpieces  200  under suction on the holding areas  121  and secure the jig table  10  to the table base  20  while the jig table  10  is being delivered and the workpieces  200  are being cut. 
     The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Various changes and modifications may be made in the embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention. According to the above embodiment, the Y-axis moving unit  63  and the Z-axis moving unit  62  of the delivery assembly  60  move the gripping unit  61  in the Y-axis directions and the Z-axis directions, respectively. According to the present invention, the processing apparatus  1  may include a mounting/dismounting mechanism disposed on the moving member  34  (see  FIG. 1 ) for mounting and dismounting the unit body  64  of the gripping unit  61 . When the jig table  10  is to be delivered, the unit body  64  may be mounted on the moving member  34  by the mounting/dismounting mechanism and the gripping unit  61  may be moved in the Y-axis directions and the Z-axis directions respectively by the Y-axis moving unit  42  and the Z-axis moving unit  43 . When the workpieces  200  are to be cut, the unit body  64  may be dismounted from the moving member  34  and the gripping unit  61  may be placed in a retracted position, not illustrated, away from the jig table  10 . According to the above embodiment, the processing apparatus  1  is a cutting apparatus for cutting workpiece  200 . According to the present invention, however, the processing apparatus  1  is not limited to a cutting apparatus. 
     The present invention is not limited to the details of the above described preferred embodiment. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and all changes and modifications as fall within the equivalence of the scope of the claims are therefore to be embraced by the invention.