Abstract: Solder bumps are formed on a substrate, such as a semiconductor die (28) or wafer, using a screen printing and reflow operation. Solder paste (18) is screened into openings (14) of a stencil (10). The paste is reflowed within the stencil to produce a solder preform (22). The stencil and solder preforms are then aligned over the substrate to be bumped so that the preform aligns with a metal pad (30) on the substrate. The solder preforms are again reflowed, and the solder within the openings of the stencil is drawn onto the metal pad. To facilitate the transfer of the solder from the stencil to the metal pad, a second stencil (12) can be used to form a protrusion (27) on the solder preform. The protrusion contacts the metal pad during the transfer reflow operation to facilitate removing the solder from the stencil.

Abstract: High melting temperature Pb/Sn 95/5 solder balls are connected to copper pads on the bottom of a ceramic chip carrier substrate by low melting temperature eutectic Pb/Sn solder. The connection is made by quick reflow to prevent dissolving Pb into the eutectic solder and raising its melting temperature. Then the module is placed on a fiberglass-epoxy circuit board with the solder balls on eutectic Pb/Sn solder bumps on copper pads of the board. The structure is reflowed to simultaneously melt the solder on both sides of the balls to allow each ball to center between the carrier pad and circuit board pad to form a more symmetric joint. This process results in structure that are more reliable under high temperature cycling.

Abstract: A method, and product created thereby, by which low melting point solder suitable for reflow connection of components is formed on select contacts of a printed circuit board. The method is particularly suited to the fabrication of populated printed circuit board having fine pitch devices including flip-chip devices, connected on a board including conventional coarse pitch surface mounted components. The fine pitch contacts of the board are exposed through holes in a stencil characterized in its ability to withstand solder reflow temperatures, not be wettable by solder, and have a coefficient of thermal expansion relatively matching the printed circuit board. Low temperature solder paste is screen deposited into the stencil openings. With the stencil fixedly positioned on the board, the solder paste retained by the stencil pattern is reflowed to selectively form on the underlying contacts of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: Disclosed is a connector structure on a substrate which includes at least one first solder portion on the surface of the substrate; at least one second solder portion connected to each of the at least one first solder portions; and an epoxy layer disposed about the at least one first and second solder portions in such a manner as to cover the first solder portion and contact, but not cover, the second solder portion. Also disclosed is a connector structure on a substrate which includes at least one first solder portion on the surface of said substrate; at least one second solder ball portion connected to the at least one first solder portions; wherein the melting point of the second solder ball portion is relatively higher than that of the first solder portion. Finally, disclosed is a method of testing the solderability of the above structures.

Abstract: Disclosed is a connector structure on a substrate which includes at least one first solder portion on the surface of the substrate; at least one second solder portion connected to each of the at least one first solder portions; and an epoxy layer disposed about the at least one first and second solder portions in such a manner as to cover the first solder portion and contact, but not cover, the second solder portion.Also disclosed is a connector structure on a substrate which includes at least one first solder portion on the surface of said substrate; at least one second solder ball portion connected to the at least one first solder portions; wherein the melting point of the second solder ball portion is relatively higher than that of the first solder portion.Finally, disclosed is a method of testing the solderability of the above structures.

Abstract: An improved method for double sided attachment of components to a printed circuit board is described wherein surface mount components soldered to a first surface of the circuit board (backside) are, once the board is inverted during reflow, retained in place only by force of molten solder surface tension.

Abstract: A technique for one step solder application through a mask to a printed circuit board (PCB) having pads for surface mountable components and through holes for a leaded components is disclosed wherein the amount of solder deposited on the pads and in the holes is simultaneously, independently controlled as a function of mask thickness, blade hardness and blade to mask angle.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for attaching a variety of device types to the same side of a printed circuit board including a single solder application step for both surface mountable and leaded components, placement of the devices, drying of the solder and solder reflow.