Abstract: A method and device for depositing a solder mass within a plated opening that is formed in a side edge of an electronic device includes the steps of carrying the solder mass in a carrier device and orienting the carrier device with respect to the side edge such that the solder mass is aligned with the plated opening. The method further includes reflowing the solder mass to cause the solder mass to be deposited and securely held within the plated opening and then removing the carrier device leaving the solder mass behind within the plated opening and along the side edge of the electronic device.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electrical connector for electrical connection to a second electronic device having at least one second contact includes a substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface, with a recess being formed in the first surface. The connect also has a first contact securely coupled to the substrate and having a first portion extending at least partially into the recess and a mass of solder material retainingly held in the recess such that the first portion of the first contact is in contact with the solder material. The first surface is for placement against the second electronic device such that the first and second contacts are aligned and whereupon heating of the mass of solder material, the first and second contacts are securely attached to one another and form an electrical pathway therebetween.

Abstract: In one aspect, a surface mount contact is provided for attachment to a circuit board or the like. The contact includes an elongated electrically conductive pin that has a first end and an opposing second end. A pre-formed heat re-flowable material is attached to one end of the pin and a conductive locator member surrounds the pin at a location between the first and second ends thereof and adjacent the conductive locator member. In one embodiment, the locator member is in the form of a cylindrical collar that extends around the pin.

Abstract: In one aspect, a surface mount contact is provided for attachment to a circuit board or the like. The contact includes an elongated electrically conductive pin that has a first end and an opposing second end. A pre-formed heat re-flowable material is attached to one end of the pin and a conductive locator member surrounds the pin at a location between the first and second ends thereof and adjacent the conductive locator member. In one embodiment, the locator member is in the form of a cylindrical collar that extends around the pin.

Abstract: In one aspect, a surface mount contact is provided for attachment to a circuit board or the like. The contact includes an elongated electrically conductive pin that has a first end and an opposing second end. A pre-formed heat re-flowable material is attached to one end of the pin and a conductive locator member surrounds the pin at a location between the first and second ends thereof and adjacent the conductive locator member. In one embodiment, the locator member is in the form of a cylindrical collar that extends around the pin.

Abstract: A solder-bearing wafer is provided for use in a soldering operation. The solder-bearing wafer is designed to provide a solder material which is used in a soldering operation for electrically connecting a first electronic device to a second electronic device. According to a first embodiment, the wafer comprises a substrate body having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The first surface has at least one groove formed therein and the wafer also includes at least one length of solder material securely disposed within the at least one groove. Upon heating of the at least length of solder material and placement of the substrate body between the first and second electronic devices, at least one first contact of the first electronic device is securely and electrically connected to at least one second contact of the second electronic device. The first and second electronic devices may be of a through hole type, surface mount type, or ball grid array type.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electrical connector for electrical connection to a second electronic device having at least one second contact includes a substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface, with a recess being formed in the first surface. The connect also has a first contact securely coupled to the substrate and having a first portion extending at least partially into the recess and a mass of solder material retainingly held in the recess such that the first portion of the first contact is in contact with the solder material. The first surface is for placement against the second electronic device such that the first and second contacts are aligned and whereupon heating of the mass of solder material, the first and second contacts are securely attached to one another and form an electrical pathway therebetween.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of reflowing a metal plated target area of a conductive contact is provided and includes the steps of: (1) providing a localized heat source, such as a laser; (2) positioning the contact relative to the localized heat source such that energy emitted by the localized heat source is focused on the plated target area of the conductive contact; and (3) operating the localized heat source and focusing the concentrated energy on the target area such that the metal plating in the target area is heated to a reflow temperature which is greater than a melting temperature of the metal plating so as to cause reflow of the metal plating. The use of the localized heat source (e.g., a laser) permits the reflow to be confined to the target area, while one or more adjacent areas are shielded from being heated to the reflow temperature.

Abstract: A solder-bearing wafer is provided for use in a soldering operation. The solder-bearing wafer is designed to provide a solder material which is used in a soldering operation for electrically connecting a first electronic device to a second electronic device. According to a first embodiment, the wafer comprises a substrate body having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The first surface has at least one groove formed therein and the wafer also includes at least one length of solder material securely disposed within the at least one groove. Upon heating of the at least length of solder material and placement of the substrate body between the first and second electronic devices, at least one first contact of the first electronic device is securely and electrically connected to at least one second contact of the second electronic device. The first and second electronic devices may be of a through hole type, surface mount type, or ball grid array type.

Abstract: In one aspect, a surface mount contact is provided for attachment to a circuit board or the like. The contact includes an elongated electrically conductive pin that has a first end and an opposing second end. A pre-formed heat re-flowable material is attached to one end of the pin and a conductive locator member surrounds the pin at a location between the first and second ends thereof and adjacent the conductive locator member. In one embodiment, the locator member is in the form of a cylindrical collar that extends around the pin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a solder ball on a portion, e.g., one end, of a contact. In one exemplary embodiment, the contact is a terminal pin which is intended for use in an electrical connector and more particularly, for use in a solder ball grid array (SBGA) connector. Generally and according to one embodiment, the method includes providing the contact along with a solder-holding clip having a body with an opening. The body has a solder-holding conformation adjacent the opening and a solder mass is held by the conformation. The contact is then positioned proximate to the body opening and heat is applied to the solder mass causing the solder to reflow so that the solder flows into a spherical shape. This results in a solder ball being formed on the portion of the contact. Subsequent to forming the solder ball, the solder-holding clip is separated from the contact leaving a contact with a solder ball affixed thereto.

Abstract: An array and method of forming an array of solder-holding clips is provided, suitable for fabrication by automatic progressive stamping techniques, and for ganged application to a corresponding array of terminal pins of an electrical device, for soldering such pins directly to the conductive pads or internally plated holes of a substrate, or to provide a lead connecting such pins to a substrate.

Abstract: An array and method of forming an array of solder-holding clips is provided, suitable for fabrication by automatic progressive stamping techniques, and for ganged application to a corresponding array of terminal pins of an electrical device, for soldering such pins directly to the conductive pads or internally plated holes of a substrate, or to provide a lead connecting such pins to a substrate.

Abstract: An array and method of forming an array of solder-holding clips is provided, suitable for fabrication by automatic progressive stamping techniques, and for ganged application to a corresponding array of terminal pins of an electrical device, for soldering such pins directly to the conductive pads or internally plated holes of a substrate, or to provide a lead connecting such pins to a substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a forming a solder ball on a portion, e.g., one end, of a contact. In one exemplary embodiment, the contact is a terminal pin which is intended for use in an electrical connector and more particularly, for use in a solder ball grid array (SBGA) connector. Generally and according to one embodiment, the method includes providing the contact along with a solder-holding clip having a body with an opening. The body has a solder-holding conformation adjacent the opening and a solder mass is held by the conformation. The contact is then positioned proximate to the body opening and heat is applied to the solder mass causing the solder to reflow so that the solder flows into a spherical shape. This results in a solder ball being formed on the portion of the contact. Subsequent to forming the solder ball, the solder-holding clip is separated from the contact leaving a contact with a solder ball affixed thereto.

Abstract: An array and method of forming an array of solder-holding clips is provided, suitable for fabrication by automatic progressive stamping techniques, and for ganged application to a corresponding array of terminal pins of an electrical device, for soldering such pins directly to the conductive pads or internally plated holes of a substrate, or to provide a lead connecting such pins to a substrate.

Abstract: An array and method of forming an array of solder-holding clips is provided, suitable for fabrication by automatic progressive stamping techniques, and for ganged application to a corresponding array of terminal pins of an electrical device, for soldering such pins directly to the conductive pads or internally plated holes of a substrate, or to provide a lead connecting such pins to a substrate.

Abstract: An array and method of forming an array of solder-holding clips is provided, suitable for fabrication by automatic progressive stamping techniques, and for ganged application to a corresponding array of terminal pins of an electrical device, for soldering such pins directly to the conductive pads or internally plated holes of a substrate, or to provide a lead connecting such pins to a substrate.