Abstract: The invention provides for a method of attaching printhead integrated circuitry to a carrier. The method includes scanning a wafer having a number of circuitry dies formed thereon to demarcate respective dies, aligning a die picker with a dice on the wafer according to a wafer substrate mapping scheme, and removing the dice from the wafer with the die picker. The method further includes the steps of transporting the dice to a placement station operatively positioning the carrier, aligning the dice with the carrier; and heat bonding the dice to the carrier.

Abstract: The invention provides for a transfer apparatus for transferring a component of integrated circuitry from a receiving location to a delivery location within an integrated circuitry assembly machine. The transfer apparatus includes a support structure that defines a transfer path between said locations, and a component carrier that defines a receiving zone configured to receive the component of integrated circuitry. The transfer apparatus also includes a retaining mechanism arranged on the component carrier to retain the component of integrated circuitry in position in the receiving zone, the retaining mechanism being operable to release the component at the delivery location, as well as a displacement mechanism engaged with the component carrier to displace the component carrier along said transfer path.

Abstract: This invention provides for a test stage for a printhead integrated circuit tester for testing operation of printhead integrated circuits mounted on a carrier. The test stage includes a support structure. A fixture is arranged on the support structure and is configured to receive and locate the carrier. A clamping mechanism is arranged on the fixture. The clamping mechanism has at least one clamp assembly for clamping the carrier to the test stage. A controller controls operation of the clamping mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laminating apparatus for laminating a printhead integrated circuit (IC) carrier sub-assembly and a lamination film. The apparatus includes a lamination support for receiving the carrier, a lamina supply for supplying a lamina defining said lamination film, and an alignment mechanism configured to align the lamination film with the IC carrier sub-assembly. Also included is a bonding apparatus configured to bond the lamination film to the IC carrier sub-assembly, and a control system to control operation of the lamina supply, alignment mechanism and bonding apparatus to facilitate automatic bonding of the lamination film to the surface of the carrier.

Abstract: The invention provides for a transfer apparatus for transferring a component of integrated circuitry from a receiving location to a delivery location within an integrated circuitry assembly machine. The transfer apparatus includes a support structure that defines a transfer path between said locations, and a component carrier that defines a receiving zone configured to receive the component of integrated circuitry. The transfer apparatus also includes a retaining mechanism arranged on the component carrier to retain the component of integrated circuitry in position in the receiving zone, the retaining mechanism being operable to release the component at the delivery location, as well as a displacement mechanism engaged with the component carrier to displace the component carrier along said transfer path.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembler for assembling printhead integrated circuitry on a carrier. The assembler includes a support assembly, a wafer positioning assembly arranged on the support assembly and configured to retain and position a wafer defining a plurality of die to be picked from the wafer; and a die picking assembly arranged on the support assembly and configured to pick a pre-selected dice from the wafer. The assembler also includes a die placement assembly arranged on the support assembly and configured to receive the pre-selected dice and to place the dice on the carrier, and a die conveyance mechanism arranged on the support assembly and configured to convey the dice from the die picking assembly to the die placement assembly. Further included is a control system operatively engaged with the wafer positioning, die picking, die placement and die conveyance assemblies to control operation thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides for a placement head for a die placing assembly of an assembler for assembling dice on a carrier. The assembler has an enclosure with a support assembly for operatively supporting a wafer with dies thereon, a die picking assembly for picking dice from said wafer, a die placement assembly for placing the dies onto the carrier, a die conveyance mechanism operatively conveying the dies from the die picking and placement assemblies, and a control system controlling the assembler. The placement head includes a first translation stage mounted on the die placement assembly, said first stage operatively displaceable along a first axis relative to the die placement assembly. The placement head also includes a second translation stage mounted on the first stage, the second stage displaceable perpendicular to the first stage.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dice placement assembly for placing dice on a carrier. The assembly includes a support platform with a clamp mechanism configured to clamp the carrier onto said platform, and at least one camera operatively directed at the platform to detect alignment fiducials on the carrier. The assembly also includes a placement device having a vacuum mechanism to retrieve the dice from a supply mechanism, said placement device having actuators to align the dice with the carrier and to place the dice thereon once aligned, and a heater to heat the dice prior to placement on the test bed. Further included is a controller operatively controlling the clamp mechanism, the camera and the placement device, to facilitate accurate placement of the dice on the carrier.

Abstract: The invention provides for a clamp assembly for an assembler for assembling printhead integrated circuits on a carrier. The assembler has an enclosure with a support assembly for operatively supporting a wafer with dies thereon, a die picking assembly for picking dice from said wafer, a die placement assembly for placing the dies onto the carrier, a die conveyance mechanism operatively conveying the dies from the die picking and placement assemblies, and a control system controlling the assembler. The clamp assembly includes an elongate clamp body, the body shaped and configured to be received by the die placement assembly, and a pair of elongate retaining plates mounted on top of the body. The clamp also includes an insert shaped and dimensioned to be received in the body below the plates, the insert operatively receiving said carrier, as well as a diaphragm positioned in the body, the diaphragm pneumatically displaceable to operatively urge the insert against the retaining plates.

Abstract: Provided is an alignment mechanism for aligning a lamination film with a carrier substructure prior to laminating the film to the substructure to form a carrier for integrated circuits. The substructure and the lamination film define complementary perforations and a plurality of respective fiducials. The alignment mechanism includes a sensor arrangement configured to detect the fiducials in the lamination film and substructure and a displacement mechanism configured to displace the lamination film with respect to the substructure to align the perforations of the film and substructure respectively according to alignment of their fiducials so that a printing fluid can pass through the perforations in the film and the substructure of the carrier. The mechanism also includes a controller configured to control operation of the sensor arrangement and the displacement mechanism.

Abstract: The invention provides for a method of attaching printhead integrated circuitry to a carrier. The method includes scanning a wafer having a number of circuitry dies formed thereon to demarcate respective dies, aligning a die picker with a dice on the wafer according to a wafer substrate mapping scheme, and removing the dice from the wafer with the die picker. The method further includes the steps of transporting the dice to a placement station operatively positioning the carrier, aligning the dice with the carrier; and heat bonding the dice to the carrier.

Abstract: The invention provides for a die picker for picking printhead integrated circuitry from a wafer. The picker includes a wafer platform having a displacement actuator to displace said platform which operatively receives the wafer, and a picker head having a vacuum mechanism to lift a dice of the circuitry from said wafer. The picker also includes an alignment sensor configured to detect a position of the dice on the wafer, and a controller arranged in control signal communication with the displacement actuator, the picker head and the sensor to facilitate aligning the wafer with the picker head, and to pick the dice from the wafer with the head for transport to a transfer apparatus.

Abstract: The invention provides for a dice pick and lift head for an assembler for assembling printhead integrated circuitry on a carrier. The assembler includes an enclosure with a support assembly for operatively supporting a wafer with dies thereon, a die picking assembly for picking dice from said wafer, a die placement assembly for placing the dies onto the carrier, a die conveyance mechanism operatively conveying the dies from the die picking and placement assemblies, and a control system controlling the assembler. The dice pick and lift head includes a first translation stage mounted to the die picking assembly, said first translation stage operatively displaceable along a vertical axis relative to the support assembly. The dice pick and lift head also includes a second translation stage mounted to the first translation stage, said second translation stage operatively displaceable along a horizontal axis relative to the support assembly.

Abstract: This invention provides for a test stage for a printhead integrated circuit tester for testing operation of printhead integrated circuits mounted on a carrier. The test stage includes a support structure. A fixture is arranged on the support structure and is configured to receive and locate the carrier. A clamping mechanism is arranged on the fixture. The clamping mechanism has at least one clamp assembly for clamping the carrier to the test stage. A controller controls operation of the clamping mechanism.

Abstract: Provided is a method for laminating a carrier for printhead integrated circuits. The carrier includes a plurality of fiducials. The method includes the steps of receiving the carrier in a cradle platform, aligning each said fiducial with respective fiducials in a lamina having a series of such holes therein, and bonding the aligned lamina to the carrier, so that a printing fluid is able to pass through the laminated apertures after such bonding.

Abstract: The invention provides for a wafer positioning assembly for an assembler for assembling printhead integrated circuits on a carrier. The assembler includes an enclosure with a support assembly for operatively supporting a wafer with dies thereon, a die picking assembly for picking dice from said wafer, a die placement assembly for placing the dies onto the carrier, a die conveyance mechanism operatively conveying the dies from the die picking and placement assemblies, and a control system controlling the assembler. The wafer positioning assembly, in turn, includes a displacement assembly having a base plate with first and second stages mounted thereon, and a wafer support plate assembly rotatably mounted on the second stage. The support plate assembly is configured to receive the wafer and has a motor under control of the control system to rotate the support plate assembly underneath the die picking assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bonding apparatus for bonding a carrier sheet used for carrying printhead integrated circuits to a carrier base. The apparatus includes a support assembly configured to receive and support the carrier base, and a lamination head arranged on the support assembly and configured to bond the carrier sheet to the carrier base. Further included are a conformal material supply mechanism arranged on the support assembly and configured to interpose a conformal material between the surface and the head prior to bonding, and a controller to control operation of the lamination head and the supply mechanism to facilitate bonding of the carrier sheet to the carrier base.