Abstract: A wire bonding machine is provided. The wire bonding machine includes a bonding tool and an electrode for forming a free air ball on an end of a wire extending through the bonding tool where the free air ball is formed at a free air ball formation area of the wire bonding machine. The wire bonding machine also includes a bond site area for holding a semiconductor device during a wire bonding operation. The wire bonding machine also includes a gas delivery mechanism configured to provide a cover gas to: (1) the bond site area whereby the cover gas is ejected through at least one aperture of the gas delivery mechanism to the bond site area, and (2) the free air ball formation area.

Abstract: An ultrasonic solar substrate bonding system is provided. The system includes a bond head assembly including a bonding tool for bonding a ribbon material to a plurality of solar substrates. The system also includes a ribbon feeding system successively supplying portions of a continuous length of the ribbon material to the bonding tool such that the bonding tool forms ultrasonic bonds between the portions of the continuous length of the ribbon material and a plurality of solar substrates.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a wire payout related to predetermined looping motions used during formation of a wire loop is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) determining a first wire payout length related to predetermined wire looping motions used in the formation of a first of the wire loop, the predetermined looping motions being performed on a first wire bonding system; (b) determining a second wire payout length related to the predetermined wire looping motions used in the formation of a second of the wire loop; and (c) adjusting at least one wire bonding process variable, and repeating step (b) with the at least one adjusted wire bonding process variable such that the second wire payout length determined in the repeated step (b) is closer to the first wire payout length than the second wire payout length determined in the initial step (b).

Abstract: A method of applying bonding energy to form a bond between a portion of a wire and a contact of a bonding location using a wire bonding machine is provided. The method includes: (1) moving a bonding tool towards the contact; (2) detecting when a portion of the contact (100a) is pressed against a device supporting surface (112) of the wire bonding machine; and (3) applying bonding energy to the portion of the contact such that a bond is formed between the contact and the portion of wire.

Abstract: An ultrasonic solar substrate bonding system is provided. The system includes a first ribbon bonder including a first bonding tool, and a first ribbon feeding system configured to continuously supply a first ribbon material to the first bonding tool during bonding of the first ribbon material to a backside of each of a plurality of solar substrates. The system also includes a mechanism configured to manipulate each of the plurality of solar substrates after bonding by the first ribbon bonder to expose an opposite, frontside of each of the plurality of solar substrates for bonding. The system also includes a second ribbon bonder including a second bonding tool, and a second ribbon feeding system configured to continuously supply a second ribbon material to the second bonding tool during bonding of the second ribbon material to the frontside of each of the plurality of solar substrates.

Abstract: A method of forming a wire bond using a bonding tool coupled to a transducer is provided. The method includes the steps of: (1) applying electrical energy to a driver of the transducer at a first frequency; and (2) applying electrical energy to the driver at a second frequency concurrently with the application of the electrical energy at the first frequency, the first frequency and the second frequency being different from one another.

Abstract: An ultrasonic solar substrate bonding system is provided. The system includes a bond head assembly including a bonding tool for bonding a ribbon material to a plurality of solar substrates. The system also includes a ribbon feeding system successively supplying portions of a continuous length of the ribbon material to the bonding tool such that the bonding tool forms ultrasonic bonds between the portions of the continuous length of the ribbon material and a plurality of solar substrates.

Abstract: An ultrasonic solar substrate bonding system is provided. The system includes a first ribbon bonder including a first bonding tool, and a first ribbon feeding system configured to continuously supply a first ribbon material to the first bonding tool during bonding of the first ribbon material to a backside of each of a plurality of solar substrates. The system also includes a mechanism configured to manipulate each of the plurality of solar substrates after bonding by the first ribbon bonder to expose an opposite, frontside of each of the plurality of solar substrates for bonding. The system also includes a second ribbon bonder including a second bonding tool, and a second ribbon feeding system configured to continuously supply a second ribbon material to the second bonding tool during bonding of the second ribbon material to the frontside of each of the plurality of solar substrates.

Abstract: A method of forming a conductive bump is provided. The method includes the steps of: (1) bonding a free air ball to a bonding location using a bonding tool to form a bonded ball; (2) raising the bonding tool to a desired height, with a wire clamp open, while paying out wire continuous with the bonded ball; (3) closing the wire clamp; (4) lowering the bonding tool to a smoothing height with the wire clamp still closed; (5) smoothing an upper surface of the bonded ball, with the wire clamp still closed, using the bonding tool; and (6) raising the bonding tool, with the wire clamp still closed, to separate the bonded ball from wire engaged with the bonding tool.

Abstract: A cutting blade for a wire bonding system is provided. The cutting blade comprises a body portion having an end portion. The end portion includes a blade tip configured to penetrate into a conductive material The end portion further includes a stepped portion proximate the blade tip that is configured to limit penetration of the blade tip during use thereof.

Abstract: A method of teaching an eyepoint for a wire bonding operation is provided. The method includes (1) selecting a group of shapes from a region of a semiconductor device for use as an eyepoint, and (2) teaching the eyepoint to a wire bonding machine using at least one of (a) a sample semiconductor device, or (b) predetermined data related to the semiconductor device. The teaching step includes defining locations of each of the shapes with respect to one another.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for fixing a planar object, in particular a substrate (2), on a working area (4) by means of vacuum is provided with an at least partly transparent bearing plate (5), one side of which forms the working area and which has a rear side arranged at a distance from the working area with a radiation-reflecting structure (7). The bearing plate additionally has vacuum channels which can be connected to a vacuum line and which open into the working area. In order to illuminate the substrate as homogeneously as possible by means of transmitted light, at least one light source (10) is provided, the radiation of which can be fed into the bearing plate. In addition, the working area is preferably operatively connected to a heating apparatus (11), so that the substrate (2) can be heated.

Abstract: A wire bonding machine is provided. The wire bonding machine includes a bonding tool and an electrode for forming a free air ball on an end of a wire extending through the bonding tool where the free air ball is formed at a free air ball formation area of the wire bonding machine. The wire bonding machine also includes a bond site area for holding a semiconductor device during a wire bonding operation. The wire bonding machine also includes a gas delivery mechanism configured to provide a cover gas to: (1) the bond site area whereby the cover gas is ejected through at least one aperture of the gas delivery mechanism to the bond site area, and (2) the free air ball formation area.

Abstract: A method of forming a bend in a wire loop is provided. The method includes the steps of: (1) forming a first bend in the wire loop at a predetermined portion of the wire loop; (2) paying out a length of wire after step (1); and (3) forming a second bend in the wire loop at the predetermined portion after step (2).

Abstract: A transducer configured for use with a manual wire bonding machine includes a body portion including an end portion, the end portion defining a bonding tool aperture configured to receive at least a portion of a bonding tool. The transducer also includes a first tightening mechanism for securing a ball bonding tool in the bonding tool aperture, and a second tightening mechanism for securing a wedge bonding tool in the bonding tool aperture. The first tightening mechanism is distinct from the second tightening mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a film (2) which comprises a component (1) to be detached therefrom. Said film is placed in the area of the component on a detaching tool (5) that is provided with at least one supporting element (6) for the film, which extends in a plane of support (11). The film is sucked against the support element (6) and partially under the plane of support by exerting negative pressure. The area of the supporting element is provided with at least one surface section (8) which extends in the plane of support when the detaching process begins, and which can be displaced, once the component (1) is grasped by a suction tool (4), plane-parallel to the plane of support while the negative pressure is maintained. The invention allows to control the detaching process of the film in a controlled movement without damaging or displacing the component.

Abstract: A linear motor is provided including a magnet track including a plurality of permanent magnets, and a coil assembly including a plurality of laminations. The coil assembly defines a plurality of teeth having slots therebetween. The plurality of teeth include (1) two end teeth and (2) at least one non-end tooth arranged between the two end teeth. Each of the two end teeth defines an end profile including a first surface and a second surface. The first surface and the second surface are separated by a step which is substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by the plurality of magnets. The linear motor also includes a plurality of coils at least partially disposed in at least a portion of the slots defined by the plurality of teeth.

Abstract: An electrode for a wire bonding apparatus is provided. The electrode includes a body portion and a tip portion adjacent the body portion. The tip portion has a substantially spherical configuration.

Abstract: A method of determining a trajectory of an arc motion of a wire used in the formation of a wire loop is provided. The arc motion is between a first point and a second point of the trajectory. The method includes: (1) defining a pivot point with respect to the first point and the second point; (2) determining a plurality of data points for generating the trajectory, each of the data points including a radius value and an angle value as a function of time, each of the angle values being between (a) a first angle defined by the pivot point and the first point, and (b) a second angle defined by the pivot point and the second point; and (3) converting the plurality of data points into trajectory data that may be used by a wire bonding machine.

Abstract: A bond head assembly for use with a bonding machine includes a wire bonding tool and a link mechanism coupled between the wire bonding tool and the wire bonding machine. The link mechanism includes a frame, a plurality of arm links pivotably connected to the frame, and a tool support member supporting the wire bonding tool and pivotably connected to each of the arm links.