Abstract: Apparatus for automatically applying a decorative element to a workpiece comprises an element applicator configured to apply the decorative element in an application direction at an application location, a moveable support for supporting the workpiece, the support being moveable by translation and/or rotation along and/or about an axis transverse to the application direction, and a control arrangement. The control arrangement is configured to determine, or receive information relating to, an element location at which the decorative element is to be applied to the workpiece, cause relative translation and/or rotation between the support and the decorative element applicator along and/or about an axis transverse to the application direction to align and/or orient the application location with the element location, and cause the decorative element applicator to apply the decorative element at the element location of the workpiece.

Abstract: A kinematic holding system for a placement head of a placement apparatus comprises a placement head alignment device which comprises at least one length-variable holding member arranged at a distance from a joint between a placement head support and the placement head. This holding member determines the pivoting position of the placement head relative to the placement head support. The length of the holding member is changeable during the placement operation depending on a deformation of the placement head guide device caused by the pressing force of the placement head against the substrate in such a way that an axis error (tilt) of the placement head caused by the deformation of the placement head guide device is compensated.

Abstract: A kinematic holding system for a placement head of a placement apparatus comprises a placement head alignment device which comprises at least one length-variable holding member arranged at a distance from a joint between a placement head support and the placement head. This holding member determines the pivoting position of the placement head relative to the placement head support. The length of the holding member is changeable during the placement operation depending on a deformation of the placement head guide device caused by the pressing force of the placement head against the substrate in such a way that an axis error (tilt) of the placement head caused by the deformation of the placement head guide device is compensated.

Abstract: A kinematic holding system for a placement head of a placement apparatus comprises a placement head alignment device which comprises at least one length-variable holding member arranged at a distance from a joint between a placement head support and the placement head. This holding member determines the pivoting position of the placement head relative to the placement head support. The length of the holding member is changeable during the placement operation depending on a deformation of the placement head guide device caused by the pressing force of the placement head against the substrate in such a way that an axis error (tilt) of the placement head caused by the deformation of the placement head guide device is compensated.

Abstract: A method for mounting components on a substrate includes receiving a component with a suction member which is mounted on a bonding head, displacing the bonding head relative to the substrate by means of a first movement axis and a second movement axis in order to position the component in a target position above the substrate, lowering the suction member by means of a third movement axis until the component touches the substrate, producing a predetermined bonding force with which the suction member presses the component against the substrate, and displacing at least one of the bonding head and the substrate by means of at least one of the first movement axis by a corrective value W1 and the second movement axis by a corrective value W2 in order to correct an inclined position of the suction member produced during the build-up of the bonding force.

Abstract: A thermocompression bonding method for mounting semiconductor chips on a substrate comprises: picking up the semiconductor chip with a chip gripper displaceably mounted on a TC bonding head; positioning of the chip gripper above the assigned substrate location; lowering the TC bonding head up to a position in which the chip gripper is deflected by a predetermined distance relative to the TC bonding head; heating of the semiconductor chip to a temperature above the melting point of the solder, so that the deflection of the chip gripper becomes zero again; waiting until the temperature of the semiconductor chip has fallen to a value beneath the melting temperature of the solder, and lifting of the TC bonding head.

Abstract: A kinematic holding system for a placement head of a placement apparatus comprises a placement head alignment device which comprises at least one length-variable holding member arranged at a distance from a joint between a placement head support and the placement head. This holding member determines the pivoting position of the placement head relative to the placement head support. The length of the holding member is changeable during the placement operation depending on a deformation of the placement head guide device caused by the pressing force of the placement head against the substrate in such a way that an axis error (tilt) of the placement head caused by the deformation of the placement head guide device is compensated.