Patent ID: 8642920

Claim:
A wafer dividing apparatus for dividing a wafer along a plurality of crossing streets in the condition where said wafer is attached to the upper surface of a dicing tape supported to an annular frame and the strength of said wafer is reduced along said streets, said wafer dividing apparatus, comprising: frame holding means for holding said annular frame; a wafer holding table having a holding surface for holding said wafer through said dicing tape supported to said annular frame held by said frame holding means; tape expanding means for relatively moving said frame holding means and said wafer holding table in a direction perpendicular to said holding surface of said wafer holding table to thereby expand said dicing tape; a vibration generating mechanism that includes a vibrator sandwiched between a pair of electrode plates, wherein said vibration generating mechanism applies vibration to said holding surface of said wafer holding table when electric current is applied between said electrode plates; and a suction means for producing a vacuum for maintaining the wafer upon said holding surface of said wafer holding table; wherein said electrode plates each include a plurality of aligned through holes for allowing suction from said suction means to pass through said vibration generating mechanism.