Abstract: A die bonder comprises a bond head having a load shaft which passes through the bond head and a collet located at one end of the load shaft for holding a die to be bonded. A bond force motor is operative to drive the load shaft along a travel axis in directions towards and away from a die bonding position. A rotary motor is operative to rotate the load shaft about a rotational axis parallel to the travel axis. A coupler which comprises a bearing couples the load shaft to the bond force motor to allow the load shaft to rotate about the rotational axis relative to the bond force motor.

Abstract: A driving mechanism comprises a fixed housing, a movable housing on which an object to be driven is mounted and a driving motor which is operative to drive the movable housing to move linearly as well as to rotate relative to the fixed housing. An inductance-type encoder determines both linear and rotary displacement of the movable housing relative to the fixed housing, whereby to provide closed-loop control of the position of the object in both linear and rotary directions.

Abstract: A driving mechanism comprises a fixed housing, a movable housing on which an object to be driven is mounted and a driving motor which is operative to drive the movable housing to move linearly as well as to rotate relative to the fixed housing. An inductance-type encoder determines both linear and rotary displacement of the movable housing relative to the fixed housing, whereby to provide closed-loop control of the position of the object in both linear and rotary directions.

Abstract: A die bonder comprises a bond head having a load shaft which passes through the bond head and a collet located at one end of the load shaft for holding a die to be bonded. A bond force motor is operative to drive the load shaft along a travel axis in directions towards and away from a die bonding position. A rotary motor is operative to rotate the load shaft about a rotational axis parallel to the travel axis. A coupler which comprises a bearing couples the load shaft to the bond force motor to allow the load shaft to rotate about the rotational axis relative to the bond force motor.

Abstract: A direct current motor comprises a magnet assembly having a pair of magnets for generating a magnetic field and a coil assembly located between the pair of magnets, the coil assembly and the magnet assembly being movable relative to each other. The coil assembly further comprises a first coil section and a second coil section which are electrically connected to each other. A current generator is electrically connected to the coil assembly and is operative to provide first, second and third currents that are out of phase with respect to one another. The first current is electrically connected directly to the first coil section and the second current is electrically connected directly to the second coil section whereas the third current is electrically connected to the first and second coil sections at a position connecting the first and second coil sections.

Abstract: A motor is provided comprising a magnet assembly having two rows of magnets arranged along a first axis, which are separated by a gap for generating magnetic flux lines between the rows of magnets. The motor further comprises a coil bracket which is located within the gap between the two rows of magnets. The coil bracket includes a first set of coils arranged along the first axis that are operative to drive movement of the coil bracket relative to the magnet assembly along the first axis. A second set of coils arranged along the first axis are operative to drive movement of the coil bracket relative to the magnet assembly along a second axis which is orthogonal to the first axis between a first end position and a second end position along the second axis.

Abstract: A motor is provided comprising a magnet assembly having two rows of magnets arranged along a first axis, which are separated by a gap for generating magnetic flux lines between the rows of magnets. The motor further comprises a coil bracket which is located within the gap between the two rows of magnets. The coil bracket includes a first set of coils arranged along the first axis that are operative to drive movement of the coil bracket relative to the magnet assembly along the first axis. A second set of coils arranged along the first axis are operative to drive movement of the coil bracket relative to the magnet assembly along a second axis which is orthogonal to the first axis between a first end position and a second end position along the second axis.

Abstract: A system for maintaining thermal stability of a motion stage driven by a motor comprises a motion current generator operative to produce a motion current to drive the motion stage to move and a thermal current generator operative to produce a thermal current to dissipate heat in the motion stage for controlling a temperature of the motion stage without producing corresponding movement of the motion stage. A summation controller is operative to combine the motion current with the thermal current, and to produce a combined current output to the motor.

Abstract: A driving mechanism comprises a fixed housing, a movable housing on which an object to be driven is mounted and a driving motor which is operative to drive the movable housing to move linearly as well as to rotate relative to the fixed housing. An inductance-type encoder determines both linear and rotary displacement of the movable housing relative to the fixed housing, whereby to provide closed-loop control of the position of the object in both linear and rotary directions.

Abstract: A driving mechanism comprises a fixed housing, a movable housing on which an object to be driven is mounted and a driving motor which is operative to drive the movable housing to move linearly as well as to rotate relative to the fixed housing. An inductance-type encoder determines both linear and rotary displacement of the movable housing relative to the fixed housing, whereby to provide closed-loop control of the position of the object in both linear and rotary directions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for detaching a die from an adhesive film, the apparatus comprising a vacuum platform having a surface configured to support a part of the adhesive film on which the die is attached. A plurality of pre-peeling columns having substantially flat contact surfaces are projectable relative to the surface of the vacuum platform to push against the adhesive film at the position of the die to generate initial peeling between the die and the adhesive film. Thereafter, a plurality of ejector pins that are positionable relative to the pre-peeling columns are operative to push against the adhesive film at the position of the die to generate further peeling between the die and the adhesive film. The die is then removed from the adhesive film.

Abstract: A collet mounting assembly for a die bonder comprises a collet mount having a first end attached to the die bonder and a second end opposite the first end with a cavity defined in the second end for receiving a shaft of the collet. The collet mounting assembly further comprises a fastener for securing the collet inside the cavity of the collet mount. A compression force is generated around the shaft of the collet received in the collet mount by the flexing of the fastener when it is attached to the collet mount, for securing the collet within the cavity of the collet mount.

Abstract: A linear motor is provided that includes a magnetic assembly, a movable element and a coil assembly that is operative to interact with the magnetic assembly to drive the movable element along a direction. The coil assembly further includes a first coil section having a first motor force constant and a second coil section having a second motor force constant that is lower than that of the first coil section for driving the movable element along the said direction.

Abstract: A direct drive robotic manipulator is provided which includes a plurality of segments that are rotatably coupled with respect to one another. A plurality of spindles connects the segments for relative rotation therebetween, and a plurality of direct drive assemblies is further coupled to the plurality of spindles. Each direct drive assembly encloses an end of a spindle and comprises a rotor assembly to which the spindle is attached for manipulating the spindle. A positional measurement apparatus may also be included at each direct drive assembly to ascertain an angular disposition of a segment relative to an adjoining segment.

Abstract: A linear motor is provided that comprises a magnetic assembly, a movable element and a coil assembly that is operative to interact with the magnetic assembly to drive the movable element along a direction. The coil assembly further comprises a first coil section having a first motor force constant and a second coil section having a second motor force constant that is lower than that of the first coil section for driving the movable element along the said direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for detaching a die from an adhesive film, the apparatus comprising a vacuum platform having a surface configured to support a part of the adhesive film on which the die is attached. A plurality of pre-peeling columns having substantially flat contact surfaces are projectable relative to the surface of the vacuum platform to push against the adhesive film at the position of the die to generate initial peeling between the die and the adhesive film. Thereafter, a plurality of ejector pins that are positionable relative to the pre-peeling columns are operative to push against the adhesive film at the position of the die to generate further peeling between the die and the adhesive film. The die is then removed from the adhesive film.

Abstract: A direct drive robotic manipulator is provided which includes a plurality of segments that are rotatably coupled with respect to one another. A plurality of spindles connects the segments for relative rotation therebetween, and a plurality of direct drive assemblies is further coupled to the plurality of spindles. Each direct drive assembly encloses an end of a spindle and comprises a rotor assembly to which the spindle is attached for manipulating the spindle. A positional measurement apparatus may also be included at each direct drive assembly to ascertain an angular disposition of a segment relative to an adjoining segment.

Abstract: An optical zoom mechanism is provided that comprises a first zoom lens movable along a linear axis and a second zoom lens movable along the same linear axis as the first zoom lens, both zoom lenses being connected to a support structure. First and second direct drive linear motors are coupled to the first and second zoom lenses respectively, and they are operative to independently move the zoom lenses along the linear axis. First and second encoders coupled to the first and second direct drive linear motors respectively are operative to independently measure the positions of the first and second zoom lenses.

Abstract: A linear actuator for a motion system is provided with a velocity sensor for monitoring a velocity of an actuation arm that it is driving. The linear actuator comprises a magnetic field, a first coil that is controllably movable within the magnetic field by adjusting a current flowing through the first coil whereby to drive the actuation arm and a second coil that is movable with the first coil and configured such that a voltage is inducible in the second coil that is proportional to its velocity. A controller device is connected to the second coil for receiving feedback indicating the voltage induced in the second coil whereby a velocity of the actuation arm is determinable, wherein the controller device is further connected to the first coil and is operative to adjust the current flowing in the first coil based upon said feedback for controllably driving the actuation arm.

Abstract: A die ejector system and method for removing a die from an adhesive surface. The system includes an ejector tool that is operative to move relative to the die whereby to push the die. The ejector tool may consist of a collet holder and an ejector pin array. A shaft holds the ejector tool and is in turn coupled to a forcer of a linear motor. The forcer is movable relative to a stator of the linear motor flexure bearings coupled to the shaft guide movement of the ejector tool relative to the die. After the die is pushed by the ejector tool, a die pick-up device removes the die from the adhesive surface.