Abstract: A method for mounting a film, used to fabricate a mask for use in screening an electronic device, to a common carrier frame. The common carrier frame has an outer edge along an outer periphery and an opening in a central portion of the frame. The method includes applying external pressure to the frame outer edge to compress the frame inward and reduce the opening, securing a film to the frame, the film covering the frame opening, and releasing the pressure on the frame to expand the opening and place the film in tension.

Abstract: A method for mounting a film, used to fabricate a mask for use in screening an electronic device, to a common carrier frame. The common carrier frame has an outer edge along an outer periphery and an opening in a central portion of the frame. The method includes applying external pressure to the frame outer edge to compress the frame inward and reduce the opening, securing a film to the frame, the film covering the frame opening, and releasing the pressure on the frame to expand the opening and place the film in tension.

Abstract: A method for mounting a film, used to fabricate a mask for use in screening an electronic device, to a common carrier frame. The common carrier frame has an outer edge along an outer periphery and an opening in a central portion of the frame. The method includes applying external pressure to the frame outer edge to compress the frame inward and reduce the opening, securing a film to the frame, the film covering the frame opening, and releasing the pressure on the frame to expand the opening and place the film in tension.

Abstract: A detailing tool for processing electronic component substrate includes a supporting frame, a substrate carrier movable on the supporting frame to receive and secure the substrate during processing by the tool, and a pair of cutter assembly attached to said supporting frame for removing tails on said substrate. The cutter assemblies self-align “to” the substrate during initial substrate loading in a processing area of the tool. Each cutter assembly includes a pair of spaced, translatable and opposed cutters that simultaneously move towards each another while removing the tails from the corners of the substrate that remains stationary. The pair of cutter assemblies are symmetrically attached to the supporting frame with respect to an axis for indexing the substrate. Thus, the invention provides a tool for cutting tails from opposite corners on the substrate edge automatically and simultaneously during processing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flexible sheet handling apparatus including a frame having a vacuum passage located around the periphery of the frame. There is also a porous, polymeric plug which covers the vacuum passage. When a vacuum is applied to the vacuum passage and the porous, polymeric plug, a flexible sheet in contact with the porous, polymeric plug is uniformly held only around the periphery of the flexible sheet by the applied vacuum.

Abstract: A green sheet holding apparatus includes a first member secured to a first edge of the green sheet and a second member moveable relative to the first member, the second member being secured to a second edge of the green sheet. A forcing mechanism, connected to the second member and to the first member, forces the second member away from the first member such that the first edge and the second edge of the green sheet are forced away from each other and the green sheet is flattened. The holding apparatus may be included in a green sheet inspection system, wherein the inspection system further includes a light source directing a light onto the green sheet and a camera detecting light from the green sheet. The invention also includes a method of holding a green sheet, which includes securing the first edge of the green sheet to a first member, securing the second edge of the green sheet to a second member, and forcing the second member away from the first member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reducing screening defects on ceramic greensheets which includes placing additional vias in the kerf that will be eventually discarded during the sizing operation. Also disclosed is a ceramic substrate laminate article with reduced screening defects.

Abstract: A method for serializing ceramic substrates in which a laser is used to remove unfired paste material from an unfired ceramic substrate. The paste material is removed by exposing the unwanted paste material to laser radiation in a programmed sequence of x and y coordinate moves. The laser radiation removes the unwanted paste material, leaving the identifying characters intact. The identifying characters can be used for part identification and traceability.

Abstract: An article handler having a plurality of compartments in a frame with each compartment having a plurality of ribs extending across the compartments. The ribs in adjacent compartments extend perpendicularly to each other to provide resistance against warping of the frame in both directions, thereby maintaining the frame flat. The compartments are covered by filters. Suction is distributed throughout each compartment. When the filters are positioned in proximity to articles, the suction in the compartments is effective to lift the articles.