WO2024194995A1 - Workpiece rotating device, pvd treatment device, and method for manufacturing coated tool - Google Patents

Abstract

The workpiece rotating device according to one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure comprises: a revolution table that revolves a workpiece about a revolution axis; and a rotation table that rotates, on the revolution table, the workpiece about a rotation axis parallel to the revolution axis. The rotation table is rotatable about the central axis of the rotation table. The rotation axis is positioned closer to the outer peripheral side of the rotation table than the center axis. The rotation table has a support rod capable of holding the workpiece. The support rod extends along the rotation axis and is rotatable about the rotation axis.

Description

Workpiece rotation device, PVD processing device, and method for manufacturing coated tool

The present disclosure relates to a workpiece rotation device, a PVD processing device, and a method for manufacturing a coated tool.

A workpiece rotation device is known that includes an orbital table that revolves the workpiece (substrate) and a rotation table that rotates the workpiece on the orbital table. Also known is a PVD processing device that uses the PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) method to form a film on the surface of the substrate.

For example, WO 2014/147979 (Patent Document 1) describes a PVD processing apparatus that includes a vacuum chamber that houses multiple substrates, a revolution table that is provided within the vacuum chamber and supports the multiple substrates while revolving the substrates around an axis of revolution, multiple rotation tables that support each of the multiple substrates and rotate the substrates on the revolution table around an axis of rotation that is parallel to the axis of revolution, multiple targets formed from different types of film formation materials, and a table rotation mechanism that rotates each rotation table around its axis of rotation as the revolution table rotates.

A non-limiting aspect of the workpiece rotation device disclosed herein includes a revolution table that revolves a workpiece around a revolution axis, and a rotation table that rotates the workpiece on the revolution table around a rotation axis parallel to the revolution axis. The rotation table is rotatable around a central axis of the rotation table. The rotation axis is located on the outer periphery side of the rotation table relative to the central axis. The rotation table has a support that can hold the workpiece. The support extends along the rotation axis and is rotatable around the rotation axis.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing one non-limiting surface of a workpiece rotating device (PVD processing device) of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a side view of the workpiece rotating device shown in FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the periphery of a base in the workpiece rotating device shown in FIG. 2 . FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the periphery of a base in a non-limiting aspect of a workpiece rotating device of the present disclosure, and corresponds to FIG. 3 . FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the periphery of a base in a non-limiting aspect of a workpiece rotating device of the present disclosure, and corresponds to FIG. 3 .

<Work rotation device>
Hereinafter, a non-limiting aspect of the workpiece rotating device 1 of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, in each of the drawings referred to below, for convenience of explanation, only the main members necessary for explaining the embodiment are shown in a simplified manner. Therefore, the workpiece rotating device 1 may include any component member not shown in each of the drawings referred to. In addition, the dimensions of the components in each drawing do not faithfully represent the dimensions of the actual components and the dimensional ratios of each component. In addition, in order to facilitate visual understanding, the rotating table and the like that overlap with the revolution axis when viewed from the side are omitted in FIG. 2.

The workpiece rotating device 1 may be a device that rotates the workpiece 201 around a revolution axis O1 while rotating the workpiece 201 around a rotation axis O2 parallel to the revolution axis O1, as in a non-limiting example shown in Figures 1 and 2. The workpiece rotating device 1 may also be a device that rotates multiple workpieces 201.

The workpiece 201 may also be referred to as a substrate. The workpiece 201 may be plate-shaped. For example, the workpiece 201 may be in the shape of a rectangular plate. Note that the shape of the workpiece 201 is not limited to a rectangular plate. For example, the top surface of the workpiece 201 may be triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, or circular.

The workpiece 201 may be for a coated tool used in a cutting tool or the like. The workpiece 201 may also have a through hole. When the workpiece 201 is for a coated tool, the through hole can function as a portion to which a fixing screw or a clamp member or the like is attached when the coated tool is held in a holder.

The workpiece 201 is not limited to a specific size. For example, the length of one side of the top surface may be set to approximately 3 to 20 mm. The height from the top surface to the bottom surface may be set to approximately 5 to 20 mm. The workpiece 201 is not limited to being plate-shaped. The workpiece 201 may be rod-shaped, etc.

The material of the workpiece 201 may be, for example, a cemented carbide or a cermet. The composition of the cemented carbide may be, for example, WC-Co, WC-TiC-Co, and WC-TiC-TaC-Co. WC, TiC, and TaC may be hard particles, and Co may be a binder phase. The cermet may be a sintered composite material in which a ceramic component is combined with a metal. An example of a cermet is a titanium compound whose main component is TiC or TiN.

The number of workpieces 201 to be rotated may be, for example, about 5 to 80. The number of workpieces 201 shown in the example may be the number per support pillar, which will be described later.

The workpiece rotating device 1 can be used, for example, in a PVD processing device that forms a film on the surface of the workpiece 201 using the PVD method. Below, each component of the workpiece rotating device 1 will be explained in order, taking as an example the case where the workpiece rotating device 1 is used for a PVD processing device.

The workpiece rotating device 1 may include a revolving table 3 and a rotating table 5, as shown in a non-limiting example in Figures 1 and 2.

The revolution table 3 may be a member that revolves the workpiece 201 around the revolution axis O1. In addition, the central axis of the revolution table 3 may coincide with the revolution axis O1. The revolution table 3 is rotatable around the revolution axis O1. The arrow Y1 in FIG. 1 etc. may indicate the direction of rotation of the revolution table 3. The revolution table 3 may rotate in the opposite direction to the arrow Y1.

A motor and gears may be used to rotate the revolution table 3. In other words, the driving force of the motor may be transmitted to the revolution table 3 via gears to rotate the revolution table 3. This is the same for other rotatable members such as the rotation table 5 described below.

The revolution table 3 may be disk-shaped. The outer diameter of the revolution table 3 may be set to, for example, about 300 to 600 mm.

The rotating table 5 may be a member that rotates the workpiece 201 on the revolution table 3 around a rotation axis O2 that is parallel to the revolution axis O1. The rotating table 5 is also rotatable around a central axis O3 of the rotating table 5. The central axis O3 of the rotating table 5 may be parallel to the revolution axis O1. The arrow Y2 in FIG. 1 etc. may indicate the rotation direction of the rotating table 5. The rotating table 5 may rotate in the opposite direction to the arrow Y2.

The rotating table 5 may have a plate-shaped main body 7 and a top plate 9 facing the main body 7 at a distance in the direction along the central axis O3, as shown in a non-limiting example in FIG. 2. The main body 7 and the top plate 9 may be disk-shaped with an outer diameter smaller than that of the revolution table 3. The outer diameter of the main body 7 and the top plate 9 may be set to, for example, about 100 to 150 mm.

There may be multiple rotation tables 5. The multiple rotation tables 5 may be located on the outer periphery of the revolution axis O1 on the upper surface 11 of the revolution table 3, as in the non-limiting example shown in FIG. 1. The multiple rotation tables 5 may be located at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the revolution axis O1. When there are multiple rotation tables 5, the number of rotation tables 5 may be, for example, about 2 to 10.

Here, the rotating table 5 may have a support 13, as in the non-limiting example shown in FIG. 2. The support 13 is capable of holding the workpiece 201. If the workpiece 201 has the above-mentioned through hole, the support 13 may be inserted into the through hole to hold the workpiece 201 on the support 13. Also, if the workpiece 201 is rod-shaped, the workpiece 201 may be held on the support 13 using a jig or the like.

The support pillar 13 may be located between the main body 7 and the top plate 9. The support pillar 13 may also be cylindrical. For example, the diameter of the support pillar 13 may be set to about 1 to 10 mm. The length of the support pillar 13 may be set to about 200 to 700 mm.

There may be multiple pillars 13. The multiple pillars 13 may be positioned at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the central axis O3. When there are multiple pillars 13, the number of pillars 13 on one rotating table 5 may be, for example, about 2 to 20.

As a non-limiting example shown in FIG. 2, the rotation axis O2 may be located on the outer periphery side of the rotation table 5 relative to the central axis O3. Furthermore, the support pillar 13 may extend along the rotation axis O2. The support pillar 13 is rotatable around the rotation axis O2. The arrow Y3 in FIG. 2 etc. may indicate the rotation direction of the support pillar 13. The support pillar 13 may rotate in the opposite direction to the arrow Y3.

When the above-mentioned workpiece rotation device 1 is used in a PVD processing device, uniform film formation becomes possible.

The rotating table 5 may further have a pedestal 15, as shown in a non-limiting example in FIG. 3. The pedestal 15 may be a columnar member extending from the upper surface 17 of the rotating table 5 along the rotation axis O2. The support 13 may have a recess 19. The recess 19 may open at the lower end 21 of the support 13. The recess 19 may be a portion into which the pedestal 15 is inserted.

When the base 15 is inserted into the recess 19, the support 13 can rotate around the rotation axis O2. Therefore, when the rotating table 5 has the base 15 and the support 13 has the recess 19, it is possible to rotate the support 13 around the rotation axis O2 with a simple mechanism, making it easy to simplify the work rotation device 1.

If the rotating table 5 has a main body 7, the upper surface 17 of the rotating table 5 may be the upper surface of the main body 7. If the rotating table 5 has a top plate 9, the top plate 9 may have a through hole into which the tip of the support 13 can be inserted, or a recess into which the tip of the support 13 can be inserted. The driving force of the motor may be transmitted to the support 13 via a gear to rotate the support 13.

The upper portion 23 of the base 15 may have a dome-like shape (convex curved shape) that is convex upward, as shown in the non-limiting example in FIG. 3. In this case, the contact area between the base 15 and the recess 19 tends to be small. Therefore, the movable parts are less likely to stick inside the recess 19. Also, seizure is less likely to occur.

The side portion 25 of the base 15 may have a wavy shape, as shown in a non-limiting example in FIG. 3. More specifically, in a cross section parallel to the rotation axis O2, the side portion 25 of the base 15 may have a wavy shape. In this case, the contact area between the base 15 and the recess 19 tends to be small. Therefore, the movable part is less likely to stick inside the recess 19. Also, seizure is less likely to occur.

The base 15 may have a groove that extends spirally toward the upper portion 23. In this case, the side portion 25 of the base 15 is likely to have a wavy shape. The base 15 may also have multiple grooves that extend circumferentially about the rotation axis O2. In this case, the side portion 25 of the base 15 is likely to have a wavy shape.

The bottom 27 of the recess 19 can come into contact with the upper portion 23 of the base 15, as in the non-limiting example shown in FIG. 3. The bottom 27 of the recess 19 may also be flat. In these cases, it is possible to combine a simple mechanism for rotating the support 13 with smooth rotation of the support 13. In addition, movable parts are less likely to become stuck inside the recess 19.

Next, workpiece rotating device 1A, another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, will be described with reference to FIG. 4. Below, the differences between workpiece rotating device 1A and workpiece rotating device 1 will be mainly described, and detailed descriptions of the same configuration as workpiece rotating device 1 may be omitted. Therefore, the description of workpiece rotating device 1 may be used to understand the configuration of workpiece rotating device 1A. This also applies to workpiece rotating device 1B, which will be described later.

The bottom 27 of the recess 19 in the workpiece rotating device 1A can come into contact with the upper portion 23 of the pedestal 15, as in the non-limiting example shown in FIG. 4. The bottom 27 of the recess 19 may also have a dome-like shape that is convex downward (convex curved shape). In these cases, it is possible to combine a simple mechanism for rotating the support 13 with smooth rotation of the support 13. In addition, movable parts are less likely to become stuck inside the recess 19.

The upper part 23 of the base 15 may have a dome-like shape that is convex upward, and the bottom part 27 of the recess 19 may have a dome-like shape that is convex downward. In this case, the bottom part 27 of the recess 19 is likely to come into point contact with the upper part 23 of the base 15. This tends to reduce resistance when the support 13 rotates, making it easier for the support 13 to rotate smoothly.

Next, another non-limiting aspect of the workpiece rotation device 1B of this disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

In the workpiece rotating device 1B, as shown in a non-limiting example in FIG. 5, the bottom 27 of the recess 19 can come into contact with the upper portion 23 of the pedestal 15. The bottom 27 of the recess 19 may also have a dome-like shape (concave curved shape) that is concave toward the top. In these cases, it is possible to combine a simple mechanism for rotating the support 13 with smooth rotation of the support 13. In addition, the movable parts are less likely to become stuck inside the recess 19.

The upper part 23 of the base 15 may have a dome-shaped shape that is convex toward the top, and the bottom part 27 of the recess 19 may have a dome-shaped shape that is concave toward the top. In this case, the bottom part 27 of the recess 19 is likely to come into point contact with the upper part 23 of the base 15. This makes it easier for the resistance when the support 13 rotates to be small, and the support 13 is likely to rotate smoothly. In addition, when the bottom part 27 of the recess 19 is concave toward the top, the bottom part 27 may have a concave shape that is a larger arc than the dome-shaped shape of the upper part 23 of the base 15. More specifically, in a cross section parallel to the rotation axis O2, the bottom part 27 and the upper part 23 may be arc-shaped, and the radius of curvature of the bottom part 27 may be larger than the radius of curvature of the upper part 23.

<PVD Processing Apparatus>
Next, a non-limiting example of the PVD processing apparatus 101 of the present disclosure will be described using the case where the above-mentioned workpiece rotating apparatus 1 is provided.

The PVD processing apparatus 101 may include a workpiece rotation device 1, a target 103, and a vacuum chamber 105, as shown in a non-limiting example in FIG. 1. When the PVD processing apparatus 101 includes a workpiece rotation device 1, uniform film formation is possible.

The PVD processing device 101 may be a device that uses a PVD method to form a coating layer on the surface of the workpiece 201 housed inside the vacuum chamber 105. Examples of the PVD method include an ion plating method and a sputtering method.

The target 103 may be located outside the revolution table 3. The target 103 may also be located radially outside the revolution table 3. The target 103 may be located on the inner wall surface of the vacuum chamber 105.

The target 103 may be formed from a film-forming material that is the raw material for the coating layer. The target 103 may also be called an evaporation source or a deposition source. The target 103 may be in the form of a plate.

There may be multiple targets 103. The multiple targets 103 may be formed from different types of deposition materials, or may be formed from the same type of deposition material. The multiple targets 103 may be positioned at intervals in the direction along the revolution axis O1.

Furthermore, the multiple targets 103 may be positioned at intervals along the circumferential direction of the revolution table 3. For example, when there are two targets 103, the two targets 103 may be positioned so as to face each other with the revolution table 3 in between. When there are multiple targets 103, the number of targets 103 may be, for example, about 2 to 16.

The vacuum chamber 105 may house the workpiece rotating device 1 and the target 103 inside. The vacuum chamber 105 is also capable of reducing the pressure inside. For example, an exhaust pipe may be connected to the vacuum chamber 105, and a vacuum pump or the like may be connected to the exhaust pipe, and the inside may be evacuated to a vacuum or extremely low pressure. A gas supply pipe may be connected to the vacuum chamber 105, and an inert gas or reactive gas or the like may be supplied to the inside of the vacuum chamber 105.

<Method of manufacturing coated tools>
Next, a non-limiting method for manufacturing a one-sided coated tool according to the present disclosure will be described using the above-mentioned PVD processing apparatus 101 as an example.

The method for producing a coated tool may be a method in which a coating layer is formed on the surface of a workpiece 201 using a PVD processing device 101 to obtain a coated tool. When a PVD processing device 101 is used in the method for producing a coated tool, uniform film formation is possible, so that the quality of the obtained coated tool is less likely to vary.

The coating layer formed on the surface of the workpiece 201 may have a composition such as titanium carbide (TiC), titanium nitride (TiN), titanium carbonitride (TiCN), and alumina (Al ₂ O ₃ ).

The coating layer is not limited to a specific thickness. For example, the average thickness of the coating layer may be set to about 0.1 to 10 μm. The thickness of the coating layer may be measured by cross-sectional observation using an electron microscope. For example, the thickness may be measured at 10 or more measurement points at any position on the coating layer, and the average value may be calculated. Examples of electron microscopes include a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a transmission electron microscope (TEM).

The obtained coated tool can be used as a cutting tool, etc. The coated tool can also be used for purposes other than cutting tools. Examples of other uses include wear-resistant parts such as sliding parts or dies, tools such as drilling tools and blades, and impact-resistant parts.

The above provides examples of the workpiece rotation devices 1, 1A, 1B, PVD processing device 101, and coated tool manufacturing method in one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, but it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and may be any as long as it does not deviate from the gist of the present disclosure.

For example, the above-mentioned PVD processing apparatus 101 is equipped with a workpiece rotating device 1, but is not limited to this form. For example, the PVD processing apparatus 101 may be equipped with a workpiece rotating device 1A or a workpiece rotating device 1B instead of the workpiece rotating device 1.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1: Workpiece rotating device 3: Orbital table 5: Rotation table 7: Main body 9: Top plate 11: Top surface 13: Support 15: Base 17: Top surface 19: Recess 21: Bottom end 23: Upper part 25: Side part 27: Bottom part 101: PVD processing device 103: Target 105: Vacuum chamber 201: Workpiece (substrate)
O1: revolution axis O2: rotation axis O3: central axis

Claims (9)

A revolution table that revolves the workpiece around a revolution axis;
a rotation table that rotates the work on the revolution table about a rotation axis parallel to the revolution axis,
The rotating table is rotatable around a central axis of the rotating table,
the rotation axis is located on the outer periphery side of the rotation table relative to the central axis,
The rotating table has a support capable of holding the workpiece,
A workpiece rotating device, wherein the support extends along the rotation axis and is rotatable around the rotation axis. the rotating table further includes a columnar base extending from an upper surface of the rotating table along the rotation axis,
The workpiece rotating device according to claim 1 , wherein the support has a recess that opens at a lower end and into which the pedestal is inserted. The workpiece rotating device according to claim 2, wherein the upper part of the base has a dome-like shape that is convex upward. The workpiece rotating device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the side portion of the base has a wavy shape. The workpiece rotating device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the bottom of the recess is flat and can come into contact with the top of the pedestal. The workpiece rotating device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the bottom of the recess is capable of contacting the top of the pedestal and has a dome-like shape that is convex downward. The workpiece rotating device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the bottom of the recess is capable of contacting the top of the pedestal and has a dome-like shape that is concave upward. A workpiece rotating device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A target located outside the revolution table;
a vacuum chamber that accommodates the workpiece rotating device and the target therein. A method for producing a coated tool, comprising forming a coating layer on the surface of the workpiece using the PVD processing apparatus described in claim 8 to obtain a coated tool.

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