Abstract: A bonding device (100) bonds at least one component (C) to a substrate (B) using a metal material (M). The bonding device (100) includes a wall section (20), at least one pressing section (40), and a rotational shaft (30). The rotational shaft (30) is fixed to the wall section (20). Each pressing section (40) has an arm (42) and a presser (43) or a substrate supporting member (90). The arm (42) extends from the rotational shaft (30). The arm (42) pivots about the rotational shaft (30). The presser (43) presses the component (C). The substrate supporting member (90) is disposed on a reference surface (142). The substrate supporting member (90) supports the substrate (B). The component (C) is bonded to the substrate (B) through point contact of the presser (43) with the component (C) or point contact of the substrate supporting member (90) with the reference surface (142).

Abstract: A soldering fixture for coupling surface-mount leads of an edge connector to corresponding pads on a PCB includes a base for positioning over the edge connector. A threaded mounting shaft is connected to the base and rotatable relative thereto. An alignment shaft is threadably engaged with the threaded mounting shaft and connected to the base such that rotation of the threaded mounting shaft causes longitudinal movement of the alignment shaft relative to the threaded mounting shaft and the base. An adjustment device is connected to the threaded mounting shaft for rotating the threaded mounting shaft to move threads on the alignment shaft into engagement with the leads to move the leads into alignment with the pads.

Abstract: A flux spray machine for spraying flux to printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) is provided, which comprising: a PCBA transfer track to transferring the PCBA for spraying flux, comprising an active beam and a fixed beam; a spray mechanism, a X-Y table of vertical spray mechanism comprising a longitudinal beam, a crossbeam movable on and perpendicular to the longitudinal beam, and a flux nozzle for spraying flux movably provided on the crossbeam; and a flow-controlling mechanism, comprising origin sensors and limit sensors for two different flows in two longitudinal directions of the PCBA transfer track.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a welding target position measuring device comprises: a groove wall welding part detection means for detecting a groove wall welding part based on a result of the calculation performed by a groove shape change amount calculation means; a weld bead end detection means for detecting a weld bead end based on a result of the calculation performed by a groove shape difference amount calculation means; and a welding target position selection means for obtaining a welding pass number of a subsequent pass in a welding information stored in a welding information recording means and selecting a welding target position of the subsequent pass which differs depending on welding positions based on results of the detection of the groove wall welding part and the weld bead end.

Abstract: A system for joining articles includes a joining unit; a positioning unit coupled to the joining unit, the positioning unit positioning the joining unit; a vision system obtaining an image of an item to be joined on a workpiece; a controller for processing the image and controlling a position of the joining unit relative to the item to be joined in response to the image; and a temperature probe for monitoring a temperature; wherein the controller adjusts the position of the joining unit in response to the temperature.

Abstract: A welding system for automatically welding a welding seam includes a welding arm, a sensor and a controller. The controller includes a welding seam contour detection component, a welding seam contour calculation component, a welding trajectory point calculation component, and a welding parameter setting component. The welding seam contour detection component is used for detecting an initial welding seam contour and detecting remaining welding seam contours after welding each layer of the welding seam. The welding seam contour calculation component is used for calculating the detected welding seam contours. The welding trajectory point calculation component is used for calculating welding trajectory points based on the calculated welding seam contours. The welding parameter setting component is used for setting welding parameters based on the calculated welding seam contours and the calculated welding trajectory points.

Abstract: To provide a bonding apparatus capable of bonding at a high speed without performing a height measurement of a bonding point before a searching operation and the bonding. A confocal optical system mounted on a bonding arm pivotable upward and downward and configured to perform detection of a focus of a bonding point located on a surface of a bonded part, a bonding tool configured to be movable integrally with the bonding arm and perform bonding, and position detecting means configured to detect the position of the bonding tool, wherein the bonding tool is configured to move downward by a predetermined distance from a position of the bonding tool detected by the position detecting means by focus detection by the confocal optical system to a preset bonding point (amount of downward movement from a focus) during the downward movement of the bonding tool to the bonding point and stop on the bonding point.

Abstract: In a reflow soldering apparatus, when changing the operation mode from a production mode to a temperature profile mode, a warning-issue-time is set to a point of time (for example, several seconds) before the circuit board reaches an exit of the main body of the soldering apparatus to issue an alarm at this set time. A control unit thereof calculates a period of time when the alarm issues based on the set warning-issue-time before circuit-board-discharge and the like. After a sensor of entrance side has detected that the circuit board enters into main body of the reflow soldering apparatus, the control unit determines whether or not the starting time of the alarm sound has been elapsed. The control unit controls the information unit to sound the alarm when the control unit determines that the starting time of the warning issue has elapsed.

Abstract: A conductive ball mounting method of the present invention, includes a step of, arranging a mask in which an opening portion is provided, on a substrate including a connection pad, arranging a conductive ball on the connection pad through the opening portion of the mask by supplying the conductive ball onto the mask, separating the substrate and the mask, in the step, an extra conductive ball left on the mask drops through the opening portion of the mask, thereby a surplus ball is mounted on the substrate, and removing the surplus ball on the substrate by making the surplus ball adhere onto an adhering head.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for the correction of defective solder bump arrays arranged in a plurality of cavities in a mold. In the method, a faulty solder bump is searched, identified and located (i.e., its position is determined) in an arrangement of solder bumps disposed in cavities of a mold and the faulty solder bump is subsequently replaced by a prefabricated solder bump. The apparatus for carrying out the method comprises a mold holder, a scanning and locating device for finding and locating faulty solder bumps and a repair device for replacing the faulty solder bump by a prefabricated solder bump.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a selective wave solder machine. In particular, it relates to a system for calibrating and adjusting process points to account for variations in machines and circuit boards. Vision systems are used to locate fiducials on the processing modules and the circuit boards. Differences between stored locations for fiducials relating to the circuit board and the processing modules are used to adjust the positions of stored process points to achieve improved performance.

Abstract: The machine is adapted to supply, manipulate and position steel strip, fed from a coil, so as to bring it into gapped relationship beneath the side wall of a partly constructed, elevated tank. This is done so that the strip can be welded to the side wall to add a course. It is the objective to ensure that the tank wall is plumb (vertical) and in radius (both as to curvature and relative to the center of the tank) and that the width of the gap is optimized, at the weld point. The machine comprises a ‘floating’ main frame or platform suspended on a mobile undercarriage by four pivotally mounted cylinders. The cylinders are independently responsive to instruments monitoring the elevation, levelness and plumbness of the tank wall and the width of the gap. The main frame carries the coil and carries the strip and the tank wall in the vicinity of the weld point.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for aligning a substrate. The apparatus comprises a ball pick head for picking up a plurality of solder balls in a ball pick-up process and depositing them onto the substrate, and a vision system adapted to view and obtain positional information of the substrate. Furthermore, a carrier is provided to which the vision system is mountable, such that operation of the vision system is decoupled from movement of the ball pick head. Drivers responsive to said positional information viewed by the vision system are operative to align at least the substrate and the ball pick head for depositing solder balls onto the substrate.

Abstract: A machine for determining the location of junction tubes along a header and automatically brazing them to the header. A chassis is employed to hold the junction tubes and header in the proper orientation. A carriage then travels along a line which is parallel to the central axis of the header. The carriage includes a sensor which is able to determine the exact position of the junction tubes. This positional information is stored in a controller. The carriage also includes a reciprocating pair of burners for heating the joint to be brazed. A pair of brazing wire feeders are included for feeding the brazing alloy alloy to the joint. A pyrometer is also included for measuring the temperature of the joint during the brazing process. In operation, the carriage slides along with the sensor measuring the position of each joint to be brazed. The burners and brazing alloy feeders are located in such a position on the carriage that the sensor precedes them in coming to each joint location.

Abstract: A system and method for aligning optical fibers that takes into account variations due to temperature changes and other nonrandom systemic effects. The system includes an alignment tool having a plurality of internal reflection surfaces and located below a vision plane of the first one of the pair of optical fibers, and an optical detector to receive an indirect image of a bottom surface of the first optical fiber through the alignment tool, such an offset between the first optical fiber and the optical detector is determined based on the indirect image received by the optical detector. The method comprises the steps of providing a cornercube offset tool having a plurality of total internal reflection surfaces below a vision plane of the first optical fiber, and receiving an indirect image of the first optical fiber through the cornercube offset tool.

Abstract: This method controls a copper density in a dip solder bath holding a molten solder alloy containing at least copper as an essential composition thereof during a dip soldering step of one of a printed circuit board with a surfaced copper foil and a component part having a copper lead attached thereto. The method includes a step of introducing a replenished solder containing no copper at all or a copper content having a density lower than that of the molten solder in the bath prior to the supply of the replenished solder to the bath so that the copper density in the bath is controlled to a predetermined constant density or lower. The molten solder alloy in the bath contains tin, copper and nickel as the major compositions thereof, and the replenished solder contains nickel and balanced tin, for example. Alternatively, the molten solder alloy in the bath contains tin, copper, and silver as the major components thereof, and the replenished solder contains silver and balanced tin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new and improved device adapted for mounting semiconductor components to substrates. More particularly, the device includes a housing and a first member rotatably mounted to the housing. A first interface is formed between the first member and the housing. The device also has a second member mounted in the first member and movable in an axial direction relative to the first member between a first position and a second position. The second member has an engaging mechanism at an end thereof for engaging a semiconductor component. A second interface is formed between the first and second members. The device is also provided with a supplying mechanism for supplying pressurized air to the first and second interfaces so as to form a first air bearing at the first interface and a second air bearing at the second interface.

Abstract: A machine for determining the location of junction tubes along a header and automatically brazing them to the header. A chassis is employed to hold the junction tubes and header in the proper orientation. A carriage then travels along a line which is parallel to the central axis of the header. The carriage includes a sensor which is able to determine the exact position of the junction tubes. This positional information is stored in a controller. The carriage also includes a reciprocating pair of burners for heating the joint to be brazed. A pair of brazing wire feeders are included for feeding the brazing alloy alloy to the joint. A pyrometer is also included for measuring the temperature of the joint during the brazing process. In operation, the carriage slides along with the sensor measuring the position of each joint to be brazed. The burners and brazing alloy feeders are located in such a position on the carriage that the sensor precedes them in coming to each joint location.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for operating reflow soldering in a mounting field whereby an abnormality in transfer of circuit boards can be detected with high reliability. Whether or not a circuit board is transferred by a transfer conveyor is judged. A discharge conveyor is started when a control device judges occurrence of transfer abnormality. After the discharge conveyor starts, the transfer abnormality is determined to be a drop of the circuit board if a discharge completion detector detects that a dropped circuit board is discharged. And then the control device continues the reflow soldering. The transfer abnormality in the reflow soldering apparatus can be detected with high reliability because it can be detected whether the transfer abnormality is either the drop or a clog of the circuit board.

Abstract: A solder ball attachment system for manufacturing an integrated circuit or the like is disclosed. The solder ball attachment system includes a flux station adapted to apply flux onto a substrate and a solder ball placement station adapted to place solder balls onto the flux. A conveyor assembly is included to move the substrate between the flux station and the solder ball placement station.

Abstract: In heat bonding method and device, first and second marks (MA, MB) formed on the film carrier (52) are measured before performing heat bonding of outer leads (54) formed on a film carrier (52) to electrodes (58) formed on a transparent plate (56), where an expansion amount of the film carrier (52) is changed according to a condition of the heat bonding. A distance between the measured marks (MA, MB) is then obtained. The condition for the heat bonding is determined based on this distance. The heat bonding is performed under this condition determined.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for operating reflow soldering in a mounting field whereby an abnormality in transfer of circuit boards can be detected with high reliability. Whether or not a circuit board is transferred by a transfer conveyor is judged. A discharge conveyor is started when a control device judges occurrence of transfer abnormality. After the discharge conveyor starts, the transfer abnormality is determined to be a drop of the circuit board if a discharge completion detector detects that a dropped circuit board is discharged. And then the control device continues the reflow soldering. The transfer abnormality in the reflow soldering apparatus can be detected with high reliability because it can be detected whether the transfer abnormality is either the drop or a clog of the circuit board.

Abstract: A tension mechanism that applies a back tension to a wire in a bonding apparatus including: a first nozzle which has a through-hole through which the wire passes, second and third nozzles which have diameters that are larger than the diameter of the through-hole of the first nozzle and which are disposed above and below the first nozzle, a first air passage formed in the joining surfaces of the first nozzle and second nozzle, and a second air passage formed in the joining surfaces of the second nozzle and third nozzle. A compressed air supply device is connected to the tension mechanism and supplies compressed air to the first air passage from an air supply source, and a vacuum suction device is also connected to the tension mechanism and applies vacuum suction to the second air passage from a vacuum supply source.

Abstract: A computerized system and method for identifying and correcting bond placement errors in a bonder pre-programmed to attach connecting bonds onto bond pads of an integrated circuit by first providing a sacrificial bond pad for a sacrificial bond, then using a vision system associated with the bonder to determine the actual center of the pad as the intended bond location, and instructing the bonder to place a bond in the pre-programmed center of the pad. Second, the vision system is used to determine the actual location of the bond. Next, the error between the intended location and the actual location is determined by computing distances and directions between the pre-programmed and actual centers and the actual bond location. Finally, a new command of the bonder is computed such that a repetition of the initial error would cause the bond to be located in the actual center of another pad. This new command is input to the bonder.

Abstract: Wafers are previously positioned so that the wafer orientation flat is oriented in a particular direction. A transporting means then moves and places the previously positioned wafer on a bonding stage where bumps are formed on the wafer by means of a bonding head. The transporting means has a sensor for detecting the position of the orientation flat of a wafer on the bonding stage from a position above the bonding stage, thereby avoiding the adverse effects of heat from the bonding stage during orientation flat detection.

Abstract: Wafers are previously positioned so that the wafer orientation flat is oriented in a particular direction. A transporting means then moves and places the previously positioned wafer on a bonding stage where bumps are formed on the wafer by means of a bonding head. The transporting means has a sensor for detecting the position of the orientation flat of a wafer on the bonding stage from a position above the bonding stage, thereby avoiding the adverse effects of heat from the bonding stage during orientation flat detection.

Abstract: In a method of soldering a work-piece in a state where the work-piece contacts a wave molten solder, a soldering process is performed while controlling an immersion depth of the work-piece into the wave molten solder to be constant. The immersion depth control is performed by changing one of a height position of the work-piece and a wave height of the wave molten solder based on a displacement amount of the work-piece in a height direction thereof. Accordingly, the soldering process can be performed with high quality even when the work-piece is thermally warped.

Abstract: A wire bonding apparatus and method in which an axial center of a bonding tool is moved to the vicinity of a near reference member, laser diodes are sequentially lit, images of the reference member and bonding tool in the horizontal directions are acquired by a position detection camera, and amounts of deviation between the tool and the reference member are measured. Then, the position detection camera is caused to approach the reference member, and amounts of deviation between the optical axis of the position detection camera and the reference member are measured by the position detection camera. The accurate offset amounts are determined from the measured values and amounts of movement. Image light of the tool and reference member is conducted to the position detection camera by prisms and half-mirror, without a camera for detecting the amount of deviation between the tool and reference member.

Abstract: A wire bonding apparatus comprising: a spool motor rotates a spool around which a wire is wound, a tension-applying device that is disposed beneath the spool, a wire pay-out sensor disposed away from a gas-jet-out side of the tension-applying device so as to sense that the supply of the wire is insufficient, a wire-end detection sensor disposed on the gas-jet-out side of the tension-applying device so as to sense that the supply of the wire from the spool has stopped, and a control device controls so that the spool motor is rotated by a predetermined fixed amount when the wire is sensed by the wire pay-out sensor.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for detecting a double bonding error that a wire ball is in contact with a wire loop previously formed between a pad and a lead, by using the position of the wire ball and comparing a reference voltage with the voltage on a wire when the wire ball is in contact with either the pad or the wire loop.

Abstract: An air-operated soldering device includes a pair of air cylinders which are operable to clamp a workpiece between the cylinders and a base. A clip holder is then advanced against the workpiece by a clip holder air cylinder. A pair of electrodes are then advanced against the workpiece by a pair of electrode air cylinders, and the electrodes are used to solder electrical contacts to the workpiece. An air operated position sensor is used as a limit switch to determine when the workpiece is properly positioned in the soldering device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding steel frames, which can be subsequently assembled together to form storage racks for holding and supporting inventory stored on pallets, in boxes, or in other bulk form in warehouses. A method according to the present invention, generally, includes the steps of placing a plurality of overlapping frame members in spaced relation to one another on a jig which holds the frame members in place thereon; moving the jig along a conveyor to a welding station which comprises a trigger switch and a welding tip, the trigger switch being operable to switch the welding tip on when the trigger switch is activated; and moving a first interconnecting frame member past the trigger switch, thereby switching the welding tip on to perform a welding operation connecting at least two of the frame members together, and moving the first interconnecting frame member beyond the trigger switch, thereby switching off the welding tip.

Abstract: There is provided a reflow soldering apparatus for soldering electronic parts to a circuit substrate by blowing various inert hot gases of a desired density and temperature. A device for detecting whether or not a processing object is being conveyed into the apparatus is provided, so that the amount of inert gas to be supplied and the gas blowing speed are decreased when no processing object is present inside the apparatus. As a result, the amount of gas which flows out is made small, and a decrease in the temperature of the apparatus can be prevented. When the processing object is conveyed into the apparatus, the amount of supplied gas is increased so as to obtain a sufficient gas density. Thus, it is possible to prevent solder from being oxidized, and satisfactory solderability can be obtained.

Abstract: In an automated final weld apparatus, a transporter conveys nuclear fuel-loaded cladding tubes successively to a check station to verify the presence of a plenum spring in the open end of each cladding tube, a reader station where a unique first end plug serial number is read, an evacuation/backfill station where the cladding tube is backfilled with helium, a seam welding station where a final end plug is welded to the cladding tube open end, and a seal weld station where the tube is pressurized with helium through a pressurization hole in the final end plug, whereupon the pressurization hole is welded closed. After checking for helium leakage, the seam weld is inspected in a succession of inspection stations, and, depending on inspection results, the finished nuclear fuel rods are sorted into accepted and rejected lots.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for a system and process for applying a flux coating to a circuit board by pulsing an airless spray gun on and off to achieve excellent circuit board through-hole penetration and uniform film thickness. An overspray collection system is provided which reduces overspray and increases material utilization and transfer efficiency. A gun positioning mechanism, which can be automated, accurately locates the gun relative to the circuit board.

Abstract: A contact-making system for wire connections on electronic components in semiconductor connection technology, which includes a contact-making device having a capillary tube arranged thereon for guiding a bonding wire, and at least one electrode, which is allocated to the head piece of the capillary tube, for producing a spark transfer, by which spark transfer a bonding-wire endpiece which projects from the head piece is melted to form a bonding-wire sphere, the bonding-wire sphere being uniformly shaped and arranged concentrically with respect to the bonding wire or with respect to the bonding-wire endpiece by providing at least two or more electrodes which are distributed uniformly on the circumference with respect to the head piece or to the bonding-wire endpiece and are in each case effectively connected to an independent power unit, which is constructed as a current source, it being possible to activate the power units from a single control unit.

Abstract: In a bonding method and apparatus, a vertical movement of a bonding arm holder that has a capillary at the tip end is detected by a linear sensor and data based upon such a detection is outputted by the sensor. The output date in a predetermined range is checked if it is within a permissible range. If the output data is within the permissible range, it is determined that the capillary has come into contact with a bonding surface, and such a determination can be made without being affected by noises that often occur in bonding apparatus caused by vibrations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for assembling the parts intervening on a face-plate corresponding to an espagnolette or bolt lock for a swinging and tilting leaf. As a matter of fact, this face-plate receives, on its rear face intended for applying against the front edge of said leaf, at least one casing capable of accomodating a control mechanism for locking organs such as operating rods or the like and, on its front face oriented towards the sash-frame, at least one safety shoulder with a view to impeding the leaf from moving upwards when it is in tilting position.

Abstract: A splicing machine for carrier strip is automated to lower the pathway of terminal strip over the splicing jaws and to sense the engagement of the strip by the movement of a guide bar within the jaws that is being pulled forward by the strip.

Abstract: A wire bonding device is disclosed. The device has a capillary which causes a wire to make press-contact to a bonding face, a driving motor for raising and lowering the capillary, a storage, means for storing data on a capillary height when making contact to the bonding face or a capillary height with respect to a reference height when making contact to the bonding face, and a control unit for effecting control so that the capillary is lowered at a predetermined velocity down to a height corresponding to the data stored therein and is further lowered at a lower velocity than the predetermined velocity till impinging on the bonding face, the control means further functioning such that the storage means stores the data on the capillary height when impinging on the bonding face at a first bonding cycle.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for excising and forming tape mounted electronic devices in an automated fashion so that as the tape bearing the components is fed past a punch and die set, each frame bearing an electronic component is precisely aligned and the electronic component has its leads simultaneously excised from the tape and formed in a predetermined configuration, in a self aligning zero clearance punch and die set, the device so excised being then transferred to a presentation area for pickup for subsequent assembly operations.

Abstract: A die bonding apparatus comprising a paste supply section having a needle for supplying paste onto a package to secure a semiconductor pellet, a driving section for moving the paste supply section in the directions of X, Y and Z, respectively, a follow-up mechanism movable up and down for causing the tip of the needle to follow the contour of the paste application surface of the package and a support mechanism for supporting the paste supply section through the follow-up mechanism.

Abstract: The method for bonding a wire of this invention comprises the steps of: positioning a metal ball or a wire on a material (to be bonded); applying a pressing force on the metal ball or the wire against the material (to be bonded) and deforming it; inducing eddy currents in the wire to generate heat energy, whereby elements of the wire and the material (to be bonded) are mutually diffused by means of the heat energy and the pressing force, and bonding is completed. The wire bonding apparatus of this invention comprises: a capillary tip having a through-hole which opens onto a end thereof and through which a wire is passed, the capillary tip pressing the wire against a material to be bonded by the end of the tip (flat face); an electromagnetic coil provided around the end of the capillary tip to surround the through-hole; and a power source for supplying a high-frequency current to the electromagnetic coil.

Abstract: To match the soldering of an assembled printed-circuit board (13) to its assembly configuration, the circuit board (13) is brought in contact with a soldering wave (21) for a first time along a predetermined path (57, 58), and thereupon the circuit board is rotated about a vertical axis and is brought into contact, preferably with the same soldering save (21), a second time, along predetermined paths from the same direction during its motion along the paths (57, 58). The printed circuit board (13) may be rotated by an angle (.alpha.) depending on the assembly configuration relative to the direction of flow (56) of the soldering wave (21).

Abstract: The absence of a wire (40) in proper position under the bonding tool (32) of an ultrasonic wire bonder is detected by energizing the bonder transducer (14) while the wire is pulled to break it after the second bond (B) has been made. The pulling of the wire to break it changes the transducer impedance, which is monitored to signal presence or absence of a wire in its proper location.

Abstract: A novel and improved monitoring and detecting circuit is provided for an automatic wedge wire bonder. The detecting circuit is initiated at the second wire bond while the bonding tool is pressing the bonding wire on the pad or electrode. If the fine wire is missing under the working face of the bonding tool, the sensing circuit initiates a signal which is detected by control means so as to initiate an interrupt signal stopping the operation of the wire bonder. Sensing of the presence or absence of a wire under the bonding wedge at a bond may take place at a first or a second wire bond. At the second wire bond, the novel sensing and detecting circuit is actuated to determine the amount of longation that takes place in the bonding wire between the bonding wedge and the wire clamps so as to correct the movement of the wire clamps when supplying a tail under the working face of the bonding tool and to ensure that a uniform tail length is supplied unaffected by the elongation of the bonding wire.

Abstract: Reflow bonding of electronic parts such as large scale integrated circuits onto a printed circuit board, especially on multi-layer printed circuit board, requires that bonding tips press down the part leads with a uniform pressure and in a precise position on the printed circuit board for repeated operations. According to the present invention, the bonding tips providing a protrusion having an acute angle toward part leads, a first driving means for vertical movement of the bonding tips following a predetermined sequence, and a second driving means for opening and closing a gap between two bonding tips are provided in a reflow bonding apparatus.

Abstract: A flexural pivot structure useful in a wire bonding machine bonding head (10) is disclosed and includes first and second leaf spring assemblies (39,41) which provide a pivot axis (PA) displaced from the pivoting structure. Each leaf spring assembly includes leaf spring arms (39a,39b,41a,41b) extending outwardly from a central mounting position (39c,41c) so that each assembly forms a truncated vee. The center portions of the leaf springs are secured to a transducer bridge (25) in which a transducer (59) is mounted. The ends of the leaf springs are secured in a bracket (11) with respect to which the transducer (59) pivots about an axis located at the intersection of converging lines along the leaf springs (39a,39b,41a,41b) of each leaf spring assembly (39,41).

Abstract: Printed circuit boards 10 having connector terminals 14 and 16 overlaying contact pads 17 and 18 are loaded into fixtures 22 which are conveyor 31 advanced through a pair of solder applying stations 33 and 34 whereat solder is laid and melted at the junctures of the terminals and contact pads. As a fixture approaches a solder applying station, the conveyor is slowed down and a programmed controller 170 is enabled for operation. If a circuit board is sensed by a photodetector 172, a second photodetector is rendered effective to sense elements 176 projecting from a side of the fixture. The sensed elements 176 effectuate the generation of count pulses and output signals to control the movements of solder applying devices 36 to soldering sites where solder feed devices 136 lay discontinuous stripes of solder at the junctures of the contact pads and terminals.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for monitoring the bond condition of a fine aluminum wire being ultrasonically bonded to an electrode pad. The apparatus comprises a counter for generating a start and stop signal indicative of a predetermined plurality of cycles from the ultrasonic generator of the ultrasonic bonder. A stable source of pulses is applied to a second counter which is started and stopped by the start and stop signal. The count stored in the second counter is read out to a microprocessor and is indicative of the frequency of the ultrasonic generator during the bonding operation. A plurality of frequency readings are taken and measured during the formation of an ultrasonic wedge bond and this information is employed to calculate a bond quality rating which accurately predicts whether a good bond has been made or some condition exists indicating that a good bond has not been made.