Abstract: A method and apparatus for placing and attaching solder balls to a substrate having conductive pads in a predetermined pattern is disclosed. The substrate is placed on a carrier plate. An alignment plate having holes corresponding to the predetermined pattern is mated to the carrier plate with its holes aligned with the predetermine pattern on the substrate. Solder balls are loaded into each hole of the alignment plate. The solder balls may be loaded with a vacuum plate which uses vacuum to pick up solder balls in the predetermined pattern and place them over the holes on the alignment plate. The vacuum is released for dropping the balls in the holes of the alignment plate. Alternatively a shutter plate having holes corresponding to the holes on the alignment plate is fitted on the alignment plate and afforded slidable movement between an offset position and an aligned position. A ball is loaded in each hole in the shutter plate when it is in its offset position.