Patent Publication Number: US-2009237089-A1

Title: Apparatus for transferring packaged chips, test handler and method for manufacturing packaged chips

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     Embodiments of the present invention may relate to a test handler for connecting packaged chips to be tested to a tester and classifying packaged chips tested by the tester by grades based on the test result. 
     2. Background 
     A test handler may perform electrical tests on packaged chips at a conclusion of a packaging process. 
     The test handler may be connected to a particular tester for testing packaged chips. The tester may include a hi-fix board having a plurality of test sockets to connect to the packaged chips. The hi-fix board may be coupled to the test handler. 
     The test handler may perform a loading process, an unloading process and a testing process by use of a test tray including a plurality of containing units that contain the packaged chips. 
     The packaged chips to be tested in a user tray may be transferred from the user tray to a test tray in the loading process. The transferring of the packaged chips to be tested in the loading process may be carried out by an apparatus for transferring packaged chips. 
     The apparatus for transferring packaged chips may pick up the packaged chips to be tested from the user tray and provide the picked-up packaged chips to a test tray. The apparatus for transferring packaged chips may include a picker that can suck and attach (or fix) to the packaged chips. 
     The packaged chips contained in the test tray in the loading process may be connected to test sockets in the testing process. The tester may test the packaged chips to determine electrical characteristics of the packaged chips connected to the hi-fix board. 
     The test handler may include a plurality of chambers that are capable of heating or cooling the packaged chips so the tester may determine whether the packaged chips operate normally under environments of high temperature, low temperature and normal temperature. 
     The packaged chips tested in the testing process may be transferred from the test tray to the user tray in the unloading process. The transferring of the tested packaged chips in the unloading process may be carried out by the apparatus for transferring packaged chips. 
     The apparatus for transferring packaged chips may pick up the tested packaged chips from the test tray and provide the picked-up packaged chips to the corresponding user trays by grades based on the test result. 
     The packaged chips may be provided in the user tray and the test tray and having different gaps. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Arrangements and embodiments may be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements and wherein: 
         FIGS. 1 and 2  are front views illustrating a state where an apparatus for transferring packaged chips adjusts gaps between packaged chips; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating an apparatus for transferring packaged chips according to an example embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view illustrating an apparatus for transferring packaged chips according to an example embodiment of the present invention as viewed in a direction arrow H in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view illustrating an apparatus for transferring packaged chips according to an example embodiment of the present invention as viewed in a direction arrow I in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating a second picker of an apparatus for transferring packaged chips according to an example embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating a state where a first picker and a second picker of an apparatus for transferring packaged chips according to an example embodiment of the present invention are coupled to a supporting member; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a first picker, a second picker, and a supporting member as viewed in a direction of arrow j in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a plan view schematically illustrating a test handler according to an example embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram schematically illustrating a path through which a test tray is transferred between a loading unit, an unloading unit and an exchanging unit in a test handler according to an example embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 11  is a front view schematically illustrating a loading unit, an unloading unit and an exchanging unit in a test handler according to an example embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  are front views illustrating states where an apparatus for transferring packaged chips adjusts gaps of packaged chips. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an apparatus for transferring packaged chips  100  according to an example arrangement may include a base plate  101 , an ascending/descending plate  102 , a guide plate  103  and a picker  104 . 
     The base plate  101  may support the ascending/descending plate  102 , the guide plate  103  and the picker  104 . The base plate  101  may move in a horizontal direction. As the base plate  101  moves, the apparatus for transferring packaged chips  100  may transfer the packaged chips in the loading process and the unloading process. 
     The ascending/descending plate  102  may be coupled to the base plate  101  to be movable in a vertical direction (i.e., a direction of arrow A). As the ascending/descending plate  102  moves, the apparatus for transferring packaged chips  100  may pick up the packaged chips from the user tray or the test tray and provide the picked-up packaged chips to the user tray or the test tray in the loading process and the unloading process. 
     The guide plate  103  may be coupled to the ascending/descending plate  102  to be movable in the vertical direction (i.e., the direction of arrow A). A plurality of guide holes  1031  may be formed in the guide plate  103  and may be tilted with different slopes and the pickers  104  may be movably coupled to the guide holes  1031 , respectively. 
     The pickers  104  may be coupled to the ascending/descending plate  102  to be movable in a horizontal direction (i.e., a direction of arrow B). The pickers  104  may include nozzles  1041  that can suck and attach (or fix) the packaged chips. The apparatus for transferring packaged chips  100  may include a plurality of pickers  104  as much as a number of packaged chips that can be transferred at a same time. 
     The pickers  104  may be movably coupled to the guide holes  1031 , respectively. When the guide plate  103  moves in the vertical direction (i.e., direction of arrow A), the pickers  104  may move in the horizontal direction (i.e., direction of arrow B) along slopes of the guide holes  1031  to adjust the gaps. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , when the guide plate  103  is located at a first position C, the gaps of the pickers  104  may be a minimum. As shown in  FIG. 2 , when the guide plate  103  is located at a second position D, the gaps of the pickers  104  may be a maximum. Accordingly, the apparatus for transferring packaged chips  100  can adjust the gaps of the packaged chips in the loading process and the unloading process. 
     The pickers  104  may be move in the horizontal direction (i.e., direction of arrow B) along guide rails  1042  disposed in the ascending/descending plate  102 . Guide blocks (not shown) movable coupled to the guide rails  1042  may be disposed in the pickers  104 . The movement in the horizontal direction (i.e., the direction of arrow B) of the pickers  104  may be guided by the guide rails  1042 , thereby to adjust the gaps. 
     The test handlers classify packaged chips by grades for a short amount of time. For this purpose, more packaged chips may be connected to the test sockets at a same time to provide the more packaged chips to the test tray. 
     As the number of packaged chips to be provided in the test tray increases, the time for the loading process and the unloading process may increase. To minimize an increase in time, the apparatus for transferring packaged chips  100  may transfer more packaged chips at a same time. That is, a greater number of pickers  104  may be coupled to the ascending/descending plate  102 . 
     However, when the number of pickers increases, the apparatus for transferring packaged chips  100  may have the following problems and/or disadvantages. 
     As the number of pickers increases, a size of the ascending/descending plate  102  may also increase and thus a size of the apparatus for transferring packaged chips  100  may increase accordingly. The increase in size of the apparatus for transferring packaged chips  100  may mean an increase in weight, which may affect speed at which the packaged chips are transferred in the loading process and the unloading process. As a result, a goal of classifying more packaged chips for a short amount of time may not be accomplished. 
     To minimize the increase in size of the ascending/descending plate  102  while increasing the number of pickers  104 , a width  104 L ( FIG. 2 ) of the pickers  104  may be reduced. When the width  104 L ( FIG. 2 ) of the pickers  104  is reduced, the width of the guide blocks movably coupled to the guide rails  1042  may also be reduced. 
     Accordingly, a coupling force between the pickers  104  and the guide rails  1042  may be weakened and a function of the guide rails  1042  guiding movement of the pickers  104  may deteriorate. Therefore, the pickers  104  may not move while maintaining the accurate gaps, thereby deteriorating a function of the apparatus for transferring packaged chips  100  of accurately adjusting gaps of packaged chips. 
     Embodiments may provide an apparatus for transferring packaged chips that is capable of transferring more packaged chips at a same time and that accurately adjusts gaps of the packaged chips. 
     A test handler may be provided that is capable of performing a loading process, a testing process and an unloading process on more packaged chips for a short amount of time. 
     A method for manufacturing packaged chips may be provided that is capable of manufacturing more packaged chips for a short amount of time, thereby strengthening competitive power of products such as cost reduction. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating an apparatus for transferring packaged chips according to an example embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view illustrating an apparatus for transferring packaged chips according to an example embodiment of the present invention as viewed in a direction arrow H in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view illustrating an apparatus for transferring packaged chips according to an example embodiment of the present invention as viewed in a direction arrow I in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating a second picker of an apparatus for transferring packaged chips according to an example embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating a state where a first picker and a second picker of an apparatus for transferring packaged chips according to an example embodiment of the present invention are coupled to a supporting member.  FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a first picker, a second picker and a supporting member as viewed in a direction of arrow j in  FIG. 7 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , an apparatus for transferring packaged chips  1  according to an example embodiment of the present invention may include a main frame  2 , a first picker  3 , a second picker  4  and a control unit  5 . 
     The main frame  2  may include a coupling member  21  and a supporting member  22 . 
     The coupling member  21  may be coupled to a base plate (not shown) to be movable in a vertical direction (i.e., a direction of arrow E). 
     The main frame  2  may move in the vertical direction (i.e., direction of arrow E) as the coupling member  21  moves in the vertical direction (i.e., the direction of arrow E). Accordingly, the apparatus for transferring packaged chips  1  may pick up packaged chips from a user tray or a test tray and provide the packaged chips to the user tray or the test tray, at a time of performing a loading process or an unloading process. 
     The base plate (not shown) to which the coupling member  21  is coupled may move in or along an X axis direction and a Y axis direction ( FIG. 9 ). As the base plate (not shown) moves, the apparatus for transferring packaged chips  1  may transfer the packaged chips at the time of performing the loading process and the unloading process. 
     The supporting member  22  may be coupled to the coupling member  21 . Accordingly, when the coupling member  21  moves in the vertical direction (i.e., the direction of arrow E), the supporting member  22  can move in the vertical direction (i.e., the direction of arrow E). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 to 5 , the coupling member  21  may include a coupling guide block  211  and a vertical guide rail  212 . 
     The coupling guide block  211  may be coupled to an ascending/descending guide rail (not shown) disposed in the base plate (not shown) to be movable in the vertical direction (i.e., the direction of arrow E). The coupling member  21  may include a plurality of coupling guide blocks  211 . The ascending/descending guide rail may guide movement in the vertical direction (i.e., the direction of arrow E) of the coupling member  21 . 
     Accordingly, the apparatus for transferring packaged chips  1  may accurately pick up the packaged chips from the user tray or the test tray and can accurately contain the packaged chips in the user tray and the test tray at a time of performing the loading process and the unloading process. 
     The control unit  5  may be coupled to the vertical guide rail  212  to be movable in the vertical direction (i.e., the direction of arrow E). The coupling member  21  may include a plurality of vertical guide rails  212 . The vertical guide rails  212  may guide movement in the vertical direction (i.e., the direction of arrow E) of the control unit  5 . 
     The coupling member  21  may be provided with an operating unit  6  to supply power for allowing the control unit  5  to move in the vertical direction (i.e., the direction of arrow E). The operating unit  6  can include a motor  61  and a ball screw  62 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 to 5 , the supporting member  22  may be coupled to the coupling member  21 . The first picker  3  and the second picker  4  may be coupled to the supporting member  22  to be movable in a horizontal direction (i.e., a direction of arrow F). 
     A plurality of first pickers  3  may be coupled to one side  22   a  of the supporting member  22  to be movable in the horizontal direction (i.e., the direction of arrow F) and a plurality of second pickers  4  may be coupled to the other side  22   b  of the supporting member  22  to be movable in the horizontal direction (i.e., the direction of arrow F). Accordingly, the area of the supporting member  22  to which the first pickers  3  and the second pickers  4  are movably coupled may be distributed to one side  22   a  and the other side  22   b.    
     Accordingly, even when a number of pickers increases for the apparatus for transferring packaged chips  1  to transfer more packaged chips at a same time, an increase in size and weight of the apparatus for transferring packaged chips  1  may be minimized. In addition, since the coupling force of the first pickers  3  and the second pickers  4  to the supporting member  22  may be prevented from being weakened, the apparatus for transferring packaged chips  1  may be provided that is capable of accurately adjusting gaps between the packaged chips. 
     The supporting member  22  may include a first guide rail  221  and a second guide rail  222 . 
     The first guide rail  221  may be provided on one side  22   a  of the supporting member  22  and the first pickers  3  may be coupled thereto to be movable in the horizontal direction (i.e., the direction of arrow F). The first guide rail  221  may guide movement of the first pickers  3 . The supporting member  22  may be provided with at least one first guide rail  221 . 
     The second guide rail  222  may be provided on the other side  22   b  of the supporting member  22  and the second pickers  4  may be coupled thereto to be movable in the horizontal direction (i.e., the direction of arrow F). The second guide rail  222  may guide movement of the second pickers  4 . The supporting member  22  may be provided with at least one second guide rail  222 . 
     The second guide rail  222  can be provided on the other side  22   b  of the supporting member  22  opposite the one side  22   a  on which the first guide rail  221  is provided. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 to 5 , the first pickers  3  may be coupled to one side  22   a  of the supporting member  22  to be movable in the horizontal direction (i.e., the direction of arrow F). A plurality of first pickers  3  may be coupled to the one side  22   a  of the supporting member  22 . The first pickers  3  may be coupled to a surface of the supporting member  22  that is opposite the surface to which the second pickers  4  are coupled. 
     Accordingly, the first pickers  3  can be coupled to the supporting member  22  with a greater area. As a result, even when the number of pickers increases for the apparatus for transferring packaged chips  1  to transfer more packaged chips at a same time, the first pickers  3  may be coupled to the supporting member  22  with sufficient coupling power and thus can move with an accurate gap maintained therebetween. 
     The first picker  3  may include a first nozzle frame  31 , a first coupling frame  32 , a first guide block  33  and a first moving member  34 . 
     The first nozzle frame  31  may be provided with at least one first nozzle  311  that comes into contact with the packaged chip. The first nozzle  311  can suck and attach (or fix) to the packaged chip. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the first picker  3  can be coupled to the supporting member  22  in such a manner that the second picker  4  is arranged aside the first nozzle frame  31 . That is, the first pickers  3  may be coupled to the supporting member  22  so that the gap  311   a  in the horizontal direction (i.e., the direction of arrow F) of the first nozzle  311  is greater than the gap of the packaged chips provided in the user tray or the test tray. 
     Accordingly, a large area can be assigned to each first picker  3  at a time of coupling the first picker  3  to the one side  22   a  of the supporting member  22 . 
     The first coupling frame  32  may be movably coupled to the one side  22   a  of the supporting member  22 . The first coupling frame  32  and the first nozzle frame  31  may be monolithically formed. The first coupling frame  32  may be provided with the first guide block  33 . 
     A plurality of first pickers  32  may be coupled to the one side  22   a  of the supporting member  22  so that the first coupling frame  32  of one first picker  3  is arranged aside another first coupling frame  32  of another first picker  3 . That is, the first coupling frame  32  of one first picker  3  can be arranged aside the first coupling frame  32  of another first picker  3  and the second picker  4  can be arranged aside the first nozzle frame  31 . 
     Accordingly, since the first coupling frame  32  can be made to have a sufficient size, the first pickers  3  can be coupled to the supporting member  22  with sufficient coupling power. As a result, the first pickers  3  and the second pickers  4  can be accurately adjusted with a gap corresponding to the gaps of the packaged chips contained in the user tray or the test tray. 
     The first guide block  33  may be coupled to the first coupling frame  32  and may be movably coupled to the first guide rail  221 . Accordingly, the first pickers  3  may be guided to move in the horizontal direction (i.e., the direction of arrow F) by the first guide rail  221 . A plurality of first guide blocks  33  may be coupled to the first coupling frame  32 . 
     Since the first guide block  33  can be manufactured to have a sufficient size similarly to the first coupling frame  32 , a plurality of coupling grooves (not shown) may be formed in the first guide block  33  and a plurality of first coupling holes  321  can be provided in the first coupling frame  32 . 
     Accordingly, since the first guide block  33  and the first coupling frame  32  can be strongly coupled to each other with coupling means (such as bolts), the first pickers  3  can move with accurate gaps maintained even when the gaps are repeatedly adjusted for a long amount of time. 
     The first moving member  34  may be movably coupled to the control unit  5 . The first moving member  34  may move based on the control unit  5  and thus the gap of the first pickers  3  can be adjusted in the horizontal direction (i.e., the direction of arrow F). 
     The first moving member  34  may be formed to protrude from the first coupling frame  32  toward the control unit  5 . The first moving member  34  may include a first rotating member  341 . 
     The first rotating member  341  may be rotatably coupled to a portion of the first moving member  34  that comes into contact with the control unit  5 . The first rotating member  341  can rotate with movement of the first moving member  34  and thus prevent (or reduce) the first moving member  34  and the control unit  5  from being abraded or damaged due to friction. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 to 8 , the second picker  4  may be coupled to the other side  22   b  of the supporting member  22  in the horizontal direction (i.e., the direction of arrow F). A plurality of second pickers  4  may be coupled to the other side  22   b  of the supporting member  22 . The second pickers  4  can be coupled to a surface of the supporting member  22  that is opposite the surface to which the first pickers  3  are coupled. 
     Accordingly, the second pickers  4  can be coupled to the supporting member  22  with large areas. As a result, even when the number of pickers increases, the second pickers  4  can be coupled to the supporting member  22  with sufficient coupling power and can move with an accurate gap maintained therebetween. 
     The second picker  4  may include a second nozzle frame  41 , a second coupling frame  42 , a second guide block  43  and a second moving member  44 . 
     The second nozzle frame  41  may be provided with at least one second nozzle  411  that comes into contact with the packaged chip. The second nozzle  411  can suck and attach (or fix) to the packaged chip. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , a plurality of second pickers  4  can be coupled to the supporting member  22  so that the first nozzle frame  31  is arranged aside the second nozzle frame  41 . That is, the second pickers  4  can be coupled to the supporting member  22  so that the gap  411   a  in the horizontal direction (i.e., the direction of arrow F) of the second nozzles  411  is greater than the gap of the packaged chips provided in the user tray or the test tray. 
     Accordingly, when the second pickers  4  are coupled to the other side  22   b  of the supporting member  22 , larger areas can be assigned to the second pickers  4 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 to 8 , the second nozzles  411  and the first nozzles  311  can be in the form of a matrix having a predetermined gap. The gap between the second nozzles  411  and the first nozzles  311  may be substantially equal to the gap between the packaged chips contained in the user tray or the test tray. The matrix formed by the second nozzles  411  and the first nozzles  311  can correspond to the number of packaged chips that can be picked up at a same time by the apparatus for transferring packaged chips  1 . 
     The second coupling frame  42  may be movably coupled to the other side  22   b  of the supporting member  22 . The second coupling frame  42  and the second nozzle frame  41  may be monolithically manufactured. The second coupling frame  42  may be provided with the second guide block  43 . 
     A plurality of second pickers  42  can be coupled to the other side  22   b  of the supporting member  22  so that the second coupling frame  42  of one second picker  4  may be arranged aside the second coupling frame  42  of another second picker  4 . That is, the second coupling frame  42  of one second picker  4  may be arranged aside the second coupling frame  42  of another second picker  4  and the first nozzle frame  31  may be arranged aside the second nozzle frame  41 . 
     Accordingly, since the second coupling frame  42  can be manufactured with a sufficient size, the second pickers  4  can be coupled to the supporting member  22  with sufficient coupling power. As a result, the second pickers  4  and the first pickers  3  can be controlled to have a gap corresponding to the gap of the packaged chips provided in the user tray or the test tray. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 6  to  8 , the second guide block  43  may be coupled to the second coupling frame  42  and may be movably coupled to the second guide rail  222 . Accordingly, the second pickers  4  may be guided to move in the horizontal direction (i.e., direction of arrow F) by the second guide rail  222 . The plurality of second guide blocks  43  can be coupled to the second coupling frame  42 . 
     Since the second guide block  43  can be manufactured to have a sufficient size similarly to the second coupling frame  42 , a plurality of second coupling grooves (not shown) can be formed in the second guide block  43  and a plurality of second coupling holes  421  ( FIG. 5 ) can be formed in the second coupling frame  42 . 
     Accordingly, the second guide block  43  and the second coupling frame  42  may be strongly coupled to each other by coupling means, such as bolts. As a result, even when the gap of the second pickers  4  is repeatedly adjusted for a long time, the second pickers  4  may move with an accurate gap maintained therebetween. 
     The second moving member  44  may be movably coupled to the control unit  5 . The second moving member  44  may move based on the control unit  5  and thus the gap of the second pickers  4  may be adjusted in the horizontal direction (i.e., the direction of arrow F). 
     The second moving member  44  can be formed to protrude from the second coupling frame  42  toward the control unit  5 . The second moving member  44  can be formed to protrude with a length enough to be coupled to the control unit  5 . A hole  22   c  through which the second moving member  44  passes may be formed in the supporting member  22 . 
     When the second pickers  4  and the first pickers  3  are coupled to the supporting member  22  as shown in  FIG. 7 , the second moving members  44  and the first moving member  34  can protrude toward the control unit  5  ( FIG. 4 ) with substantially a same length. 
     Accordingly, the gaps of the first pickers  3  and the second pickers  4  may be adjusted at a same time by use of one control unit  5 . As a result, a simple structure may be provided to easily and accurately adjust the gaps of the first pickers  3  and the second pickers  4 . 
     The second moving member  44  may include a second rotating member  441 . The second rotating member  441  can be rotatably coupled to a portion of the second moving member  44  that comes into contact with the control unit  5 . The second rotating member  441  can rotate with movement of the second moving member  44  and thus may prevent (or reduce) the second moving member  44  and the control unit  5  from being abraded and damaged due to friction. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 to 5 , the control unit  5  may determine the distances by which the first pickers  3  and the second pickers  4  move in the horizontal direction (i.e., the direction of arrow F), respectively. That is, the first pickers  3  and the second pickers  4  may move by a predetermined distance to adjust the gaps therebetween based on the control unit  5 . Accordingly, the apparatus for transferring packaged chips can adjust the gap of the packaged chips at the time of performing the loading process and the unloading process. 
     Although not shown, the control unit  5  may include a plurality of linkage members. The linkage members may interlock with each other to determine distances by which the first pickers  3  and the second pickers  4  move in the horizontal direction (i.e., the direction of arrow F). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 to 5 , the control unit  5  may include a guide plate  51  coupled to the coupling member  21  to be movable in the vertical direction (i.e., the direction of arrow E). 
     A plurality of first guide holes  511  to which the first pickers  3  are movably coupled and a plurality of second guide holes  512  to which the second pickers  4  are movably coupled may be formed in the guide plate  51 . 
     The first guide holes  511  and the second guide holes  512  may be formed in the guide plate  51  so that the second guide hole  512  may be arranged aside the first guide hole  511 . The first guide holes  511  and the second guide holes  512  may be tilted with different slopes. 
     The first moving members  34  can be movably coupled to the first guide holes  511 . With movement of the first moving members  34  along the first guide holes  511 , the gap of the first pickers  3  can be adjusted. 
     The second moving members  44  can be movably coupled to the second guide holes  512 . With movement of the second moving members  44  along the second guide holes  512 , the gap of the second pickers  4  can be adjusted. 
     When the guide plate  51  moves in the vertical direction (i.e., the direction of arrow E) by the operating unit  6 , the first moving members  34  and the second moving members  44  move along the first guide holes  511  and the second guide holes  512 , respectively, and thus the gap of the first pickers  3  and the gap of the second pickers  4  can be adjusted. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , when the guide plate  51  moves down, the first moving members  34  and the second moving members  44  move upward in the first guide holes  511  and the second guide holes  512  and thus the gaps of the first pickers  3  and the second pickers  4  can be narrowed. When the guide plate  51  moves to the lowermost position, the gaps of the first pickers  3  and the second pickers  4  can be adjusted to a minimum. 
     When the guide plate  51  moves upward, the first moving members  34  and the second moving members  44  move downward in the first guide holes  511  and the second guide holes  512  and thus the gaps of the first pickers  3  and the second pickers  4  may be widened. When the guide plate  51  moves to the uppermost position, the gaps of the first pickers  3  and the second pickers  4  may be adjusted to a maximum. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , this may be because the first guide holes  511  and the second guide holes  512  are tilted downward to increase the gap therebetween. When the first guide holes  511  and the second guide holes  512  are obliquely formed to decrease the gap downward, the opposite of the above description may be true. 
     A test handler according to an example embodiment may now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 9  is a plan view schematically illustrating a test handler according to an example embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 10  is a diagram schematically illustrating a path through which a test tray is transferred between a loading unit, an unloading unit and an exchanging unit in a test handler according to an example embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 11  is a front view schematically illustrating a loading unit, an unloading unit and an exchanging unit in a test handler according to an example embodiment of the present invention. Reference numerals denoting the test trays in  FIG. 10  may indicate elements of the test handler in which the test trays are located. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the test handler  10  according to an example embodiment may include a loading unit  11 , an unloading unit  12 , a passage site  13 , a chamber unit  14  and a transferring unit  15 . 
     The loading unit  11  may perform a loading process of containing packaged chips to be tested in a test tray T. The loading unit  11  may be provided with the above-described apparatus for transferring packaged chips  1 . 
     The loading unit  11  may include a loading stacker  111 , a loading picker  112 , a loading buffer  113  and a loading transferring unit. 
     The loading stacker  111  may store a plurality of user trays containing the packaged chips to be tested. 
     The loading picker  112  may perform the loading process on the test tray T located at a loading position  11   a . At a time of containing the packaged chips to be tested in the test tray T, the test tray T may be located at the loading position  11   a . The loading unit  11  may include a plurality of loading pickers  112 . 
     The loading picker  112  may include an X axis frame  112   a  and a Y axis frame  112   b . The Y axis frame  112   b  may be coupled to the X axis frame  112   a  to be movable in the X axis direction. The Y axis frame  112   b  may be provided with the apparatus for transferring packaged chips  1 . The base plate (not shown) may be coupled to the Y axis frame  112   b  to be movable in the Y axis direction. 
     Accordingly, the apparatus for transferring packaged chips  1  may move in the X axis direction and the Y axis direction and can ascend and descend. Accordingly, the loading picker  112  may pick up the packaged chips to be tested from the user tray located in the loading stacker  11  and provide the picked-up packaged chips to the test tray T located at the loading position  11   a.    
     The packaged chips are contained in the user tray located in the loading stacker  111  and the test tray in the form of matrixes having different gaps. The gaps in the X axis direction and the Y axis direction of the packaged chips contained in the test tray T may be greater than the gaps in the X axis direction and the Y axis direction of the packaged chips in the user tray. This may connect the packaged chips contained in the test tray T to a hi-fix board H in the chamber system  14 . 
     Accordingly, the apparatus for transferring packaged chips  1  may adjust the gaps of the packaged chips to be tested by adjusting the gaps of the first pickers  3  ( FIG. 3 ) and the second pickers  4  (see  FIG. 3 ) by use of the control unit  5  ( FIG. 3 ). 
     As described above, since the test handler  10  may transfer more packaged chips at a same time and may employ the apparatus for transferring packaged chips  1  capable of accurately adjusting the gaps of the packaged chips, the loading process, the testing process and the unloading process may be performed on a greater number of packaged chips for a short amount of time. 
     The loading buffer  113  may temporarily contain the packaged chips to be tested. The loading unit  11  may include a plurality of loading buffers  113 . 
     Based on the loading buffers  113 , the loading picker  112  may perform the loading process even when there is no test tray T at the loading position  11   a.    
     The loading picker  112  may pick up the packaged chips to be tested from the user tray located in the loading stacker  111 , provide the picked-up packaged chips to the loading buffer  113 , then pick up the packaged chips from the loading buffer  113  when a test tray T is located at the loading position  11   a , and may provide the picked-up packaged chips to the test tray T located at the loading position  11   a.    
     Accordingly, even when no test tray T is temporarily located at the loading position  11   a , the loading process may be continuously performed, thereby preventing loss of process time. 
     The loading buffer  113  may move in the Y axis direction. Although not shown, the loading buffer  113  may be coupled to a belt that connects a plurality of pulleys to move when a motor rotates at least one pulley. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 to 11 , the loading transferring unit may transfer the test tray T containing the packaged chips to be tested from the loading position  11   a  to the passage site  13 . 
     The loading transferring unit may include a loading ascending/descending unit  114  and a loading transferring assembly  115 . 
     The loading ascending/descending unit  114  may allow the test tray T located at the loading position  11   a  to descend from the loading position  11   a  to a departing position  11   b  below the loading position  11   a . The loading ascending/descending unit  114  may include a loading ascending/descending member  1141  that supports the test tray T and a cylinder  1142  that moves the loading ascending/descending member  1141  up and down. 
     The loading transferring assembly  115  may transfer the test tray T located at the departing position  11   b  from the departing position  11   b  to the passage site  13  located aside the departing position  11   b . The loading transferring assembly  115  may include a plurality of pulleys, a belt that connects the pulleys, and a moving member coupled to the belt to transfer the test tray T by pushing or pulling the test tray T. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the unloading unit  12  may perform an unloading process of separating tested packaged chips from the test tray T and classifying the separated packaged chips by grades based on the test result. The unloading unit  12  may be provided with the above-described apparatus for transferring packaged chips  1 . 
     The unloading unit  12  may include an unloading stacker  121 , an unloading picker  122 , an unloading buffer  123  and an unloading transferring unit. 
     The unloading stacker  121  may store a plurality of user trays containing the tested packaged chips. The tested packaged chips may be contained in the user trays corresponding to the test result from among the user trays located at different positions by grades in the unloading stacker  121 . 
     The unloading picker  122  may perform the unloading process on the test tray T located at an unloading position  12   a . At the time of separating the tested packaged chips from the test tray T, the test tray T may be located at the unloading position  12   a . The unloading unit  12  may include a plurality of unloading pickers  122 . 
     The unloading picker  122  may include a first unloading picker  1221  and a second unloading picker  1222 . 
     The first unloading picker  1221  may include a Y axis frame  1221   a  coupled to an X axis frame  112   a  to be movable along the X axis direction and the apparatus for transferring packaged chips  1  provided in the Y axis frame  1221   a . The base plate (not shown) may be coupled to the Y axis frame  1221   a  to be movable along the Y axis direction. 
     Accordingly, the apparatus for transferring packaged chips  1  may move in the X axis direction and the Y axis direction and can ascend and descend. As a result, the first unloading picker  1221  can pick up the tested packaged chips from the unloading buffer  123  and provide the picked-up packaged chips to the user tray located in the unloading stacker  121 . 
     The second unloading picker  1222  may include an X axis frame  1222   a  and the apparatus for transferring packaged chips  1  disposed in the X axis frame  1222   a . The base plate (not shown) may be coupled to the X axis frame  1222   a  to be movable in or along the X axis direction. 
     Accordingly, the apparatus for transferring packaged chips  1  can move in or along the X axis direction and can ascend and descend. As a result, the second unloading picker  1222  can pick up the tested packaged chips from the test tray T located at the unloading position  12   a  and provide the picked-up packaged chips to the unloading buffer  123 . 
     The apparatuses for transferring packaged chips  1  disposed in the second unloading picker  1222  and the first unloading picker  1221  can adjust the gaps of the tested packaged chips by adjusting the gaps of the first pickers  3  ( FIG. 3 ) and the second pickers  4  ( FIG. 3 ) by use of the control unit  5  ( FIG. 3 ). 
     Since the test handler  10  may employ the apparatus for transferring packaged chips  1  that is capable of transferring more packaged chips at a same time and accurately adjusting the gaps of the packaged chips, the loading process, the testing process, and the unloading process may be performed on a greater number of packaged chips for a short amount of time. 
     The unloading buffer  123  may temporarily contain the tested packaged chips. The unloading unit  12  may include a plurality of unloading buffers  123 . 
     The unloading buffer  123  can move in the or along Y axis direction. Although not shown, the unloading buffer  123  can be coupled to a belt that connects a plurality of pulleys and can move by allowing a motor to rotate at least one pulley. 
     The distance by which the first unloading picker  1221  and the second unloading picker  1222  move at the time of performing the unloading process can be reduced by the unloading buffer  123  and thus the test handler  10  can perform the unloading process at a higher speed. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 to 11 , the unloading transferring unit may transfer the test tray T containing the tested packaged chips from the passage site  13  to the unloading position  12   a.    
     The unloading transferring unit may include an unloading ascending/descending unit  124  and an unloading transferring assembly  125 . 
     The unloading ascending/descending unit  124  may allow the test tray T containing the tested packaged chips to ascend from an arriving position  12   b  (below the unloading position  12   a ) to the unloading position  12   a . The unloading ascending/descending unit  124  may include an unloading ascending/descending member  1241  that supports the test tray T and a cylinder  1242  that allows the unloading ascending/descending member  1241  to ascend and descend. 
     The unloading transferring assembly  125  may transfer the test tray T containing the tested packaged chips from the passage site  13  to the departing position  12   b . Although not shown, the unloading transferring unit  125  may include a plurality of pulleys, a belt that connects the pulleys, and a moving member coupled to the belt to transfer the test tray T by pushing or pulling the test tray T. The departing position  12   b  may be located below the unloading position  12   a  and aside the passage site  13 . 
     The unloading unit  12  may further include a waiting buffer  126 . The waiting buffer  126  may temporarily contain the tested packaged chips. The first unloading picker  1221  may temporarily contain the tested packaged chips picked up from the unloading buffer  123  in the waiting buffer  126  when no user tray is located in the unloading stacker  121 . Accordingly, even when no user tray is located in the unloading stacker  121 , the unloading process may be continuously performed, thereby preventing (or reducing) loss of process time. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 to 11 , the passage site  13  may connect the loading unit  11  and the unloading unit  12  to the chamber system  14 . Accordingly, the test tray T containing the packaged chips to be tested can be transferred from the loading unit  11  to the chamber system  14  and the test tray T containing the tested packaged chips can be transferred from the chamber system  14  to the unloading unit  12 . The passage site  13  may be provided between the departing position  11   b  and the arriving position  12   b    
     The passage site  13  may include a rotating unit  131  that rotates the test tray T. 
     The rotating unit  131  may rotate the test tray T containing the packaged chips to be tested from a horizontal posture (or horizontal position) to a vertical posture (or vertical position). The rotating unit  131  may rotate the test tray T containing the tested packaged chips from the vertical posture to the horizontal posture. 
     Accordingly, the test handler  10  can perform the loading process and the unloading process on the test tray T with the horizontal posture and can perform the testing process on the test tray T with the vertical posture. 
     Although not shown, the passage site  13  may be provided with a plurality of pulleys, a belt that connects the pulleys, and transferring means coupled to the belt to transfer the test tray T by pulling or pushing the test tray T. The transferring means may be provided in the chamber system  14 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 to 11 , the chamber system  14  may include a first chamber  141 , a second chamber  142  and a third chamber  143  for the tester to test packaged chips under environments of high temperature, low temperature and normal temperature. 
     The first chamber  141  may adjust the packaged chips not-yet tested and contained in the test tray T to a first temperature. The first temperature may be in a temperature range of the packaged chips to be tested when the packaged chips to be tested are connected and tested to the hi-fix board H provided in the tester. The test tray T containing the packaged chips to be tested may be a test tray T transferred from the passage site  13 . 
     The first chamber  141  may include at least one of an electric heater and a liquefied nitrogen injecting apparatus to adjust the packaged chips to be tested to a first temperature. The first chamber  141  can allow the test tray T having the vertical posture to move therein. 
     When the packaged chips to be tested are adjusted to the testing temperature, the test tray T may be transferred from the first chamber  141  to the second chamber  142 . 
     The second chamber  142  may connect the packaged chips adjusted to the first temperature and contained in the test tray T to the hi-fix board H. The second chamber  142  may include a contact unit  1421  that connects the packaged chips adjusted to the first temperature to the hi-fix board H, where a part or all of the hi-fix board H may be inserted into the contact unit  1421 . The tester may test the packaged chips to determine electrical characteristics of the packaged chips connected to the hi-fix board H. 
     The second chamber  142  may include at least one of an electric heater and a liquefied nitrogen injecting apparatus to maintain the packaged chips to be tested at the first temperature. The test handler  1  may include a plurality of second chambers  142  and the hi-fix board H may be separately provided in each of the second chambers  142 . 
     When the packaged chips are completely tested, the test tray T may be transferred from the second chamber  142  to the third chamber  143 . 
     The third chamber  143  may adjust the tested packaged chips contained in the test tray T to a second temperature. The second temperature may be in a temperature range including the normal temperature or a temperature close to the normal temperature. The third chamber  143  may include at least one of an electric heater and a liquefied nitrogen injecting apparatus to restore the tested packaged chips to the second temperature. The third chamber  143  can allow the test tray T having the vertical posture to move therein. 
     When the tested packaged chips are adjusted to the second temperature, the test tray T may be transferred from the third chamber  143  to the passage site  13 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the first chamber  141 , the second chamber  142  and the third chamber  143  may be arranged in the horizontal direction. A plurality of second chambers  2  may be vertically stacked. 
     Although not shown, the first chamber  141 , the second chamber  142 , and the third chamber  143  may be vertically stacked. In this case, the first chamber  141  may be disposed above the second chamber  142  and the third chamber  143  may be disposed below the second chamber  142 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the transferring unit  15  can transfer the test tray T that is getting empty in the unloading process from the unloading unit  12  to the loading unit  11 . The transferring unit  15  can transfer the test tray T getting empty in the unloading process from the unloading position  12   a  to the loading position  11   a . In this case, the unloading buffer  123  can move toward the unloading stacker  121  without interference from the movement of the test tray T. 
     Although not shown, the transferring unit  15  may include a plurality of pulleys, a belt that connects the pulleys, and a moving member coupled to the belt to transfer the test tray T by pushing or pulling the test tray T. 
     A method for manufacturing packaged chips may now be described with reference to  FIGS. 3-11 . 
     The packaged chips to be tested may be prepared. This may be performed by storing a user tray containing the packaged chips to be tested in the loading stacker  111 . The packaged chips to be tested may include memory or non-memory packaged chips. 
     The loading unit  11  including the apparatus for transferring packaged chips  1  may perform the loading process of containing the prepared packaged chips in the test tray T. This may be performed by allowing the loading picker  112  to pick up the packaged chips to be tested from the user tray located in the loading stacker  111  and to provide the picked-up packaged chips to the test tray T located at the loading position  11   a . The apparatus for transferring packaged chips  1  disposed in the loading picker  112  may adjust the gaps of the packaged chips to be tested by adjusting the gaps of the first pickers  3  and the second pickers  4  by use of the control unit  5 . 
     As described above, since the apparatus for transferring packaged chips  1  that is capable of transferring more packaged chips at a same time and that accurately adjusts gaps of the packaged chips is employed, a greater number of packaged chips may be manufactured for a short amount of time, thereby strengthening competitive power of products such as cost reduction. 
     When the loading unit  11  includes the loading buffer  113 , the loading picker  112  can pick up the packaged chips to be tested from the user tray located in the loading stacker  111  and contain the picked-up packaged chips in the loading buffer  113 , and can then pick up the packaged chips to be tested from the loading buffer  113  when the test tray T is located at the loading position  11   a  and contain the picked-up packaged chips in the test tray T located at the loading position  11   a.    
     The test tray T containing the packaged chips to be tested may be transferred from the loading position  11   a  where the test tray is located at a time of performing the loading process to the passage site  13 . This may be performed by allowing the loading transferring unit to transfer the test tray T containing the packaged chips in the loading process from the loading position  11   a  to the passage site  13 . 
     Then, the test tray T may be transferred from the passage site  13  to the chamber system  14 . This may be performed by allowing the transferring means (not shown) disposed in the passage site  13  or the chamber system  14  to transfer the test tray T, which is transferred from the loading position  11   a , from the passage site  13  to the first chamber  141 . 
     In the chamber system  14 , the packaged chips contained in the test tray T may be adjusted to the first temperature, the packaged chips adjusted to the first temperature may be connected and tested to the hi-fix board H, and the tested packaged chips may be adjusted to the second temperature. This may be performed by allowing the first chamber  141  to adjust the packaged chips in the test tray T to the first temperature, allowing the second chamber  142  to connect and test the packaged chips adjusted to the first temperature to the hi-fix board H, and allowing the third chamber  143  to adjust the tested packaged chips to the second temperature. 
     The test tray T containing the tested packaged chips may be transferred from the chamber system  14  to the passage site  13 . This may be performed by allowing the transferring means (not shown) disposed in the passage site  13  or the chamber system  14  to transfer the test tray T containing the tested packaged chips from the third chamber  143  to the passage site  13 . 
     The test tray T located in the passage site  13  to the unloading position  11   a  where the test tray T is located at the time of separating the tested packaged chip from the test tray T. This may be performed by allowing the unloading transferring unit to transfer the test tray T containing the tested packaged chips tested in the chamber system  14  from the passage site  13  to the unloading position  12 . 
     The unloading unit  12  including the apparatus for transferring packaged chips  1  may perform the unloading process of separating the tested packaged chips from the test tray T located at the unloading position  12   a  and classify the separated packaged chips by grades based on the test result. This may be performed by allowing the second unloading picker  1222  to pick up the tested packaged chips from the test tray T located at the unloading position  12   a  and to contain the picked-up packaged chips in the unloading buffer  123  and allow the first unloading picker  1221  to pick up the tested packaged chips from the unloading buffer  123  and to contain the picked-up packaged chips in the user tray located in the unloading stacker  121 . 
     The first unloading picker  1221  can contain the tested packaged chips in the user tray corresponding to the test result from among the user trays located at different positions by grades in the unloading stacker  121 . 
     The apparatuses for transferring packaged chips  1  disposed in the first unloading picker  1221  and the second unloading picker  1222  can adjust the gaps of the tested packaged chips by adjusting the gaps of the first pickers  3  and the second pickers  4  by use of the control unit  5 . 
     As described above, since the apparatus for transferring packaged chips  1  that is capable of transferring more packaged chips at a same time and that accurately adjusts the gaps of the packaged chips is employed, more packaged chips may be manufactured for a short amount of time, thereby strengthening competitive power of products such as cost reduction. 
     The test tray T getting empty in the unloading process may be transferred from the unloading position  12   a  to the loading position  11   a . This may be performed by allowing the transferring unit  15  to transfer the test tray T getting empty in the unloading process from the unloading position  12   a  to the loading position  11   a.    
     In the method for manufacturing packaged chips, transferring the test tray T containing the packaged chips to be tested from the loading position  11   a  (where the test tray T is located at the time of performing the loading process) to the passage site  13  may further include the following. 
     The test tray T containing the packaged chips to be tested may descend from the loading position  11   a  to the departing position  11   b  below the loading position  11   a . This may be performed by allowing the loading ascending/descending unit  114  to move the test tray T (having been subjected to the loading process) down from the loading position  11   a  to the departing position  11   b.    
     The test tray T may be transferred from the departing position  11   b  to the passage site  13 . This may be performed by allowing the loading transferring assembly  115  to transfer the test tray T from the departing position  11   b  to the passage site  13 . 
     In the method for manufacturing packaged chips, transferring the test tray T located in the passage site  13  to the unloading position where the test tray T is located at the time of separating the tested packaged chips from the test tray T may include the following. 
     The test tray T containing the tested packaged chips may be transferred from the passage site  13  to the arriving position  12   b  below the unloading position  12   a . This may be performed by allowing the unloading transferring assembly  125  to transfer the test tray T containing the tested packaged chips tested in the chamber system  14  from the passage site  13  to the arriving position  12   b.    
     The test tray T located at the arriving position  12   b  may ascend to the unloading position  12   a . This may be performed by allowing the unloading ascending/descending unit  124  to move the test tray T up from the arriving position  12   b  to the unloading position  12   a.    
     By repeatedly performing the above-described processes, manufacturing of the packaged chips may be completed. 
     An apparatus for transferring packaged chips may be provided that includes a main frame having a coupling member coupled to a base plate and a supporting member coupled to the coupling member, a plurality of first pickers coupled to one side of the supporting member so as to be movable in a horizontal direction, a plurality of second pickers coupled to the other side of the supporting member so as to be movable in the horizontal direction, and a control unit determining distances by which the first pickers and the second pickers move in the horizontal direction. 
     A test handler may be provided that includes a loading unit performing a loading process of containing packaged chips to be tested in a test tray, an unloading unit performing an unloading process of separating tested packaged chips from the test tray and classifying the separated packaged chips by grades based on the test result, and a chamber system in which the packaged chips contained in the test tray are connected to a hi-fix board and tested. The test handler may also include a passage site connecting the loading unit and the unloading unit to the chamber system so as to transfer the test tray containing the packaged chips to be tested from the loading unit to the chamber system and to transfer the test tray containing the tested packaged chips from the chamber system to the unloading unit. Still further, the test handler may include a transferring unit transferring the test tray getting empty in the unloading process from the unloading unit to the loading unit, and an apparatus for transferring packaged chips disposed in each of the loading unit and the unloading unit. 
     A method for manufacturing packaged chips may include preparing packaged chips to be tested, allowing a loading unit having an apparatus for transferring packaged chips to perform a loading process of containing the packaged chips to be tested in a test tray, transferring the test tray containing the packaged chips to be tested from a loading position (where the test tray is located at the time of performing the loading process) to a passage site, and transferring the test tray located in the passage site to a chamber system. The method may also include allowing the chamber system to adjust the packaged chips contained in the test tray to a first temperature, to connect and test the packaged chips adjusted to the first temperature to a hi-fix board, and to adjust the tested packaged chips to a second temperature. Still further, the method may include transferring the test tray containing the tested packaged chips from the chamber system to the passage site, transferring the test tray from the passage site to an unloading position where the test tray is located at the time of separating the tested packaged chips from the test tray, allowing an unloading unit having the apparatus for transferring packaged chips to perform an unloading process of separating the tested packaged chips from the test tray and classifying the separated packaged chips by grades based on the test result, and transferring the test tray getting empty in the unloading process from the unloading position to the loading position. 
     Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments. 
     Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.