Abstract: An apparatus and method of the soldering or bonding of conductive leads to corresponding conductive pads of an integrated circuit chip includes a fixed soldering tool having a soleplate shaped to match the configuration of the pads, and a bench for supporting the chip. The bench is supported by a plurality of vertically moveable rods located with respect to the bench such that the longitudinal axes of the rods intersect the surface of the chip at predetermined fixed points which are located within a surface area of the chip bonded by a rectangular or square line long which the conductive pads are positioned. The movement of each of the rods is controlled by a corresponding actuator mechanism which enables each rod to be independently controlled. By appropriately controlling the movement of each rod, the bench can be made to tilt or oscillate with respect to its central point. In operation, the rods are controlled so as to move a chip carried on the bench into engagement with the fixed soleplate.