Abstract: A stainless steel plate establishes a mask plate for a laser trimming tray. The plate has several openings through which laser light can be directed onto semiconductor chips borne by the tray. The plate is supported on pneumatic pistons which can raise the plate to allow a tray to be disposed underneath, and then the plate is lowered and pressed against the tray, with the weight of the plate flattening and straightening the tray to promote precise laser cuts of the chips on the tray.

Abstract: A tube holder assembly is provided for use with an output track assembly of an IC test handler so as to eliminate the need of transferring tested SOIC packages loaded in plastic tubes to metal tubes for a “burn-in” process. The tube holder assembly is comprised of an output tube guide member, a tube holder member, a tube holder guide member, and a holder screw. The tube holder member is vertically slidable relative to the tube holder guide member between a lower position and an upper position. The tube holder member is pushed downwardly into the lower position so as to load directly SOIC packages into plastic tubes and is raised to the upper position so as to load directly the SOIC packages into metal tubes.

Abstract: An apparatus for unloading tubes containing IC devices is disclosed, providing a quiet, low-wear device for separating and ejecting empty tubes from the bottom of a stack. The apparatus consists of a conventional input tube unloading system with novel tube pusher plate, rotary disk, and guide rod elements that reduce wear on both the apparatus and the tubes themselves. The potential risk of damage to the devices in the tubes is also reduced. The apparatus operates quietly because of low friction contact points with the tubes, thus reducing operator fatigue associated with noise.

Abstract: An improved input tube unloader assembly is provided for use with an IC handler structure so as to eliminate damage to IC packages and/or jamming of tubes. The input tube unloader assembly is comprised of a frame member and a pair of opposed main side plate members being supported on opposite ends of the frame member. Each of the pair of opposed main side plate members includes an upright section, a pair of transverse bracket portions joined to opposed sides of the upright section, and a tube guide portion mounted on an interior surface of the upright section. The tube guide portion is formed of an inverted T-shaped configuration and includes a longer vertical leg and a shorter horizontal leg joined integrally to a lower end of the longer vertical leg in its middle area.