Abstract: Improperly mounted wafer saw blades can damage wafers cut or diced with the blades. Embodiments of this invention employ sensors to measure a distance to the blade to help indicate if the blade is improperly mounted. In one method of the invention, a the distance to the blade face is measured as the blade is rotated and a variance in this measured distance is determined. If the variance is no greater than a predetermined maximum, the blade may be used to cut the wafer. In one apparatus of the invention, a wafer saw include a blade and a sensor. The sensor is adapted to monitor a distance to a face of the rotating blade. A processor coupled to the sensor may indicate if the distance to the face of the blade as it rotates deviates too far from a baseline position of the blade face.

Abstract: The present disclosure suggests various microelectronic component assembly designs and methods for manufacturing microelectronic component assemblies. In one particular implementation, a microelectronic component assembly includes a microelectronic component, at least two leads, and at least two bond wires. Each of the leads may have a reduced-thickness inner length adjacent terminals of the microelectronic component and a body having an outer surface spaced farther from the microelectronic component than a bond surface of the inner length. Each of the bond wires couples the microelectronic component to one of the leads and has a maximum height outwardly from the microelectronic component that is no greater than the height of the outer surface of the lead.