Abstract: A bonding tool for use with an ultrasonic horn comprising an orifice at a first end of the ultrasonic horn and a capillary having a first tapered end coupled, the first tapered end to the orifice of the ultrasonic horn.

Abstract: In a bonding method and apparatus, a bonding arm having a bonding tool at one end thereof is controlled to stop at a constant height position by a computer that incudes a memory containing positional deviation correction values which correct deviations at stopping positions of the bonding arm so that a bonding arm position controller is controlled by the positional deviation correction values.

Abstract: A bonding device equipped with a heating block for heating, for instance, a lead frame upon which bonding is performed including vacuum suction nozzles, which are installed above the heating block so as to lift the lead frame, and an air-cylinder, which raises and lowers the vacuum suction nozzles. The lead frame is lifted from the heating block by the vacuum suction nozzles, thus being prevented from being overly heated by the heating block.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting a first area array component to a substrate with a joining material. The apparatus has a nozzle directing heat toward both the first area array component and the portion of the substrate beneath the first area array component to melt the joining material. An elastic seal contacts the substrate and prevents the heat from affecting other components adjacent the first area array component. The nozzle is pressed against the substrate to restrain warping of the substrate, which might be caused by the heating of the first area array component, and to prevent damage to the substrate. The nozzle can tilt so that it conforms to the surface of the substrate. The first area array component is allowed to move freely in the direction of a plane of the substrate under the surface tension of the molten joining material during heating to center the first area array component.

Abstract: A wire-bonding machine includes a heat block for supporting a lead frame during wire-bonding. A clamp mechanism in the machine clamps leads of the lead frame during wire-bonding by fixedly holding sets of the leads against the heat block one set at a time. A wire-bonding tool wire-bonds leads clamped by the clamp mechanism to bond pads on an integrated circuit die. By clamping leads of the lead frame in separate sets, the machine provides improved clamping for lead frames with leads requiring clamping in different planes.

Abstract: A system (270, 370) for connecting a semiconductor chip (22, 322) to a leadframe (12), the system (270, 370) includes a three-dimensional leadframe (12) and a bonding support mechanism (202, 302, 402). The leadframe (12) may include a first lead (32, 132, 332, 432) having a first base portion (144), a first lead tip (42, 142, 342, 442), and a first longitudinal axis (305); a second lead (30, 130, 330, 430) having a second base portion (140, 321), a second lead tip (36, 136, 336, 436), and a second longitudinal axis. The first lead (32, 132, 332, 432) and second lead (30, 130, 330, 430) formed substantially adjacent to each other, and the second lead (30, 130, 330, 430) having a stepped portion (38, 138, 338, 438) such that the lead tips (42, 142, 342, 442, 36, 136, 336, 436) of the first lead (132, 332, 432) and second lead (130, 330, 430) are separated in a Z-direction (52) and in a Y-direction (52).

Abstract: An alignment apparatus is provided for ensuring proper positioning of a wire bonding capillary during installation of the wire bonding capillary onto the horn of a wire bonding machine. The apparatus ensures that the capillary is in a correct position relative to its longitudinal axis and is also in a desired rotational position with respect to the horn. The apparatus includes a first arm and a second arm which are movable toward each other to engage an outer surface of the horn thereby gripping the horn between the first and second arms. The apparatus also includes a support for holding the capillary. When the apparatus is properly positioned on the horn the support holds the capillary in a predetermined position in which the capillary is properly aligned with respect to the horn. A locking mechanism of the horn may then,be used to lock the capillary onto the horn.

Abstract: A capillary for use in wire bonding has a wire feed bore extending from a top end of the capillary toward a capillary tip. A cavity in the capillary tip is adjacent to and contiguous with a chamfer in the wire feed bore. The cavity defines cavity walls and a recessed tip surface. The cavity can be substantially cylindrical. The recessed tip surface can be tapered relative to a horizontal axis. The portion of the capillary tip outside of the cavity defines a wedge surface which is used for wedge bonding. The cavity allows for precision small ball bonds which are strong and which have an even bonding surface distribution. The cavity molds the ball bond into a shape substantially similar to the shape of the cavity. Although there is some flash of wire metal out from the cavity, the flash is minimized and the ball bond diameter is held to a minimum by the molding effects of the cavity. The size of the ball bond is dependent only on the size of the free air ball.

Abstract: A wire bond clamp for holding lead frame fingers of a plurality of lead frames against a heater block so that electrical connections may be made between the lead frames and IC components. The wire bond clamp includes a baseplate having a plurality of openings. Each of the openings are provided for receiving a clamping insert, which insert has a central aperture therethrough and jaws surrounding the central aperture on a bottom surface of the insert. The central apertures on each clamping insert are sized and positioned so that during a wire bond process, the wire bond clamp may be lowered over a plurality of lead frames and IC components, and tips of the lead frame fingers and the IC components will be located within the central apertures. The jaws of each clamping insert are provided to engage each of the lead frame fingers, and to hold each of the fingers against the heater block.

Abstract: A spot welding system employing parallel link robots arranged densely with one another. When an arrival of a workpiece W being conveyed is detected by a camera CM, a frame moves along guides to start tracking of the workpiece, and a plurality of robots RB1-RB4, each having a parallel link with a plurality of expandable/retractable arms and a wrist mounted on a distal end of the parallel link, start operation. A plurality of points on the workpiece are welded by spot welding guns G1-G4 attached to the wrists of the respective robots. Proximal end portions of the expandable/retractable arms are swingably supported by an upright wall of the frame, and the respective robots are disposed so as to project from the frame. The parallel link robots may be suspended from the frame to be arranged densely.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wire bonding apparatus for performing a wire bonding operation on a workpiece having a planar upper surface. The wire bonding apparatus includes a capillary for performing wire bonding and a drive unit for positioning the capillary. The wire bonding apparatus also includes a controller that controls the drive unit and the capillary. This controller generates an equation that defines the plane of the workpiece. Further, the controller determines the difference in height between the home position of the capillary and a selected bonding position on the workpiece based on the equation of the plane. The controller also determines a speed profile for moving the wire bonding apparatus toward the selected bonding position. This speed profile divides the difference in height into first and second sections. Preferably, the second section associated with each bonding position has the same heights.

Abstract: A wire feed unit system including a base having a lower support surface positionable upon a recipient surface and an upper support surface. A housing is located on the upper support surface with a door mounted on one side face thereof supported by a hinge to allow access to an interior chamber therein. A plurality of wire feed wheels in rotatable driving contact with each other and an associated motor for effecting the rotation of one of the wheels with the filler wire therebetween to thereby feed the filler wire from the pulley to exterior of the housing. A whip hold down tube extends through the housing at the downstream end thereof with an intermediate tubular wire guide between the wheels and the whip hold down. A flexible cylindrical line extends from the whip hold down to the area to be welded with a cylindrical whip body at the end of the line.

Abstract: A pair of soldering irons are fixed to a sliding plate at a predetermined interval. The soldering irons are integrally moved so as to reciprocate in a rectangular direction relative to a conveyor belt. One of the soldering irons is conveyed to a working position of the conveyor belt and the other of them is separated from the conveyor belt. While one of the soldering irons solders a circuit board, the other is cleaned. The circuit board has a slit into which a metal plate is inserted and soldered. For the slit, a soldering land constituted of a main-land and a sub-land is provided. The main-land is formed along one of longer sides of the slit. The sub-land is elongated from the main-land along a shorter side of the slit. The soldering land is not formed all around the slit so that the slit is not closed by solder when the circuit board is dip-soldered.

Abstract: In a wire bonding method, particularly a method for forming a ball at an end of a bonding wire that has an intended ball size, a tail length of the bonding wire extending from the lower end of a capillary is determined according to the size of the intended ball and the internal shape of the lower end portion of the capillary, and the wire end having such a tail length is melted up to the lower end surface of the capillary by a discharge produced by an electric torch so as to form a ball on the wire end.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively heating a structure (20) capable of absorbing heat radiations in the 0.5 to 2 micron range relative to an adjacent structure (24) wherein a first structure capable of absorbing heat radiations in the 0.5 to 2 micron range is disposed adjacent a second structure much less capable of absorbing heat radiations in the 0.5 to 2 micron range. An unfocused heat source (28) which provides a major portion of its heat energy in the range of from about 0.5.mu. to about 2.mu. relative to heat energy above 2.mu. and below 0.5 micron directs heat concurrently to the first and second structures to heat the first structure to a temperature sufficiently high and much higher then the second structure to permit a predetermined function to be performed in conjunction with the first structure while maintaining the second structure below a predetermined temperature. The function is then performed. The heat source preferably comprises an unfocused tungsten halogen lamp.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the presence of a bonding wire in a wire bonding machine. The apparatus generates an AC signal which is coupled to the bonding tool. A sensor senses a current of the AC signal flowing to the bonding tool and a current of the AC signal returned from the bonding tool. The current flows are compared to one another to determine the presence or absence of the bonding wire in the bonding tool.

Abstract: A wire bonding method for bonding a first bonding point and then a second bonding point by bonding wire that passes through a capillary including a reverse operation that moves the capillary in a direction opposite from a second bonding point after the bonding is done to the first bonding point, a damper is closed temporarily during the reverse operation so as to apply tension to the wire, thus forming a strong kink at an uppermost point of the neck height portion of a resulting wire loop between the first and second bonding points.

Abstract: A wire of predetermined cross section is provided and fed through a capillary having a bore of predetermined shape and sufficiently larger dimensions so that the wire can be fed through the bore without impediment and without being rotatable within the bore. The capillary is applied to the surface to which the bond is to be made with the smallest cross sectional dimension of the wire disposed between the surface to be bonded and any adjacent wires or bonds in order to minimize the possibility of contact with the adjacent wires or bonds. By utilizing a shaped wire having one narrow dimension and one wide dimension, the space between bond locations required to accommodate the wire can be decreased whereas the total current carrying capacity can be the same as in the case of round wires by having the same cross sectional area as the round wire since the wide dimension is directed away from any adjacent bond locations or the like. In other words, the wire to wire clearance is improved by using the shaped wire.

Abstract: In a wire bonding apparatus that includes an air-blower connected to a compressor via an electromagnetic valve so as to provide a bonding wire with back tension by blowing air to the bonding wire, a preparatory tank which can store air is installed between the air-blower and the electromagnetic valve so as to avoid abrupt fluctuations or periodic fluctuations of the air supplied to the air-blower.

Abstract: An extended travel wire bonding machine that includes a first positioning table movable along an X axis in a first horizontal plane, a second positioning table movable along X and Y axes in a second horizontal plane, the second positioning table being supported on the first positioning table, and a bond head supported on the second positioning table. The wire bonding machine may also include a bonding tool attached to the bond head and a carrier for supporting the leadframe strip under the bonding tool. The first positioning table is moveable for substantially the entire length of the leadframe strip to allow the bonding tool to be successively moved over each semiconductor die on the leadframe strip.

Abstract: Process and device is available for forming a raised contact metallization 18) on a connection surface (11) of a substrate (10) with the use of a wire bonding device with a bonding tool (26). First of all, a wire end section of a contact material wire (13), drawn from a nose-piece (27), is connected to the connection surface (11) with the application of pressure and temperature, and subsequently a separation of the wire end section (29), connected to the connection surface (11), from the remaining contact material wire (13) takes place.

Abstract: In wire bonding a semiconductor chip to the lead frame or other substrate, increase of productivity is achieved by letting the capillary which guides the wire between the wiring points (4, 5) move faster along its trajectory in the two travel stages (s1, s2). The capillary's drives in the horizontal (x, y) and vertical (z) directions are programmed by presetting the speed (vH) of the horizontal component of the movement and then calculating the vertical speed (vV) as a dependent variable based on the given trajectory. In determining said horizontal speed (vH) to be preset, the maximum horizontal and/or vertical acceleration values (aH*, aV*) associated with the drive mechanism are taken into account. Further time can be saved by letting the horizontal travel begin during the first travel stage (s1) and, by simultaneous vertical and horizontal travel, producing a steady transition (point k') from the first stage (s1) to the second (s2).

Abstract: An alignment system is provided for aligning a wire bonding capillary. The system includes at least one indicator coupled to the capillary. The system can include a plurality of indicators on the capillary and one or more detectors spaced from the capillary. An indicator and detector cooperate to produce a signal having a strength. The strength of the signal is based on the distance between the indicator and the detector. The signal strength corresponds to a rotational alignment of the capillary. The system further includes a display for displaying the strength of the signal. The at least one indicator or the at least one detector may be coupled to a computer which controls rotation of the capillary. The various system components can be incorporated into a wire bonding machine upon which the capillary is mounted.

Abstract: A system (30) is provided for interconnecting a first component (10) having multiple first bonding sites (16) and a second component (12) having multiple second bonding sites (18). The system (30) includes a leadframe (40) coupled to the first component (10) and the second component (12) that advances from a first position (50) to a second position (52). A film tape carrier (32) advances a wirefilm (20) removably coupled to the film tape carrier (32) into the first position (50). The wirefilm (20) includes a substantially planar film (22) and multiple wire strands (14), each wire strand (14) having a first end (24) that contacts a first bonding site (16) and a second end (26) that contacts a second bonding site (18). A film attach tool (62) contacts the first component (10) and the second component (12) with the wirefilm (20) at the first position (50) to interconnect the first component (10) and the second component (12).

Abstract: A method of forming ball bumps on a pad of a semiconductor die using aluminum wire is provided. The method includes providing an aluminum wire and a thermosonic ball bonding apparatus. The aluminum wire is held in a capillary tool of the ball bonding apparatus and a molten ball is formed on the wire using an electronic flame off (EFO). A forming gas comprising hydrogen and an inert gas, prevents the molten ball from oxidation hardening during formation thereof. Following formation, the molten ball is shaped into a ball bump by the capillary tool and then pressed against the pad while the capillary tool is vibrated. The completed die can be bonded to a substrate pad on a supporting substrate by using a bonding technique such as flip chip bonding, chip on glass bonding, chip on flex bonding, TAB bonding, and z-axis adhesive bonding.

Abstract: A rotation device (100) provides precise, stepwise rotation of a wire bonding capillary (10) about the longitudinal axis of the capillary. This enables the capillary (10) to be rotated to different angular alignments to perform wire bonding in different directions. The rotation device (100) can be a click ring-type device, a cam-type device or any other device to provide stepwise rotation. At least a part of the rotation device (100) is coupled to the capillary (10). Another part of the rotation device is separate from the capillary but engageable with the first part to provide rotation. Indicators may be positioned on the capillary to provide signals to detectors. The signals can be used to initially align the capillary and to realign the capillary during wire bonding. A computer may be used to provide automated control of the indicators and detectors, and automated rotation of the rotation device.

Abstract: A method for welding horizontal pipe along the inner diameter of the pipe and outer diameter of the pipe to prevent weld root defects on the bottom half of the pipe.

Abstract: An electronic element producing apparatus comprises a bonding tool 1 which has a first supply hole 2 for passing a bonding wire 3 used to bond a bonding pad 6 of a semiconductor device 5 and an external conductor which is to be connected electrically with the bonding pad 6, and contacts a leading end 3b of the bonding wire 3 protruded outside from the first supply hole 2 to the bonding pad 6, and which also has a second supply hole 12 to supply a bonding material to bond the bonding pad 6 and the leading end 3b of the bonding wire 3, the second supply hole 12 being formed to supply the conductive material to a contact point between the bonding wire 3 and the bonding pad 6. Therefore, the bonding pad 6 and the bonding wire 3 can be bonded without applying a dynamic or thermal load to the semiconductor device 5.

Abstract: A bonding head is provided for a wire bonding machine which comprises a capillary connected to a transducer for applying pressure and ultrasonic energy to a wire guided into contact with a surface to which a wire bond is to be formed. The transducer is biased by a spring mounted at one end to a linear motor for adjustment of the urging force of the spring. The actual force applied to the wire is measured by detecting means. Control means are provided which are connected to the linear motor for adjusting the urging force of the spring, to thereby obtain a desired pressure to be applied to the wire.

Abstract: An apparatus for bonding semiconductor dies to lead frame strips, each of the lead frame strips having a plurality of adjacently spaced lead frame units. The apparatus includes at least two bond units, each attaching the dies to one of the lead frame strips at a time and one die supply unit supplying the dies alternately to the bond units. The apparatus also includes at least two lead frame strip supply units, each supplying the lead frame strips to respective ones of the bond units.

Abstract: A method of using a single-headed bonder (80) to form bonds to bond pads (16) is provided. A single-headed bonder (80) includes a capillary (22) having a capillary face (40) with a long dimension along a first axis (BB) and a short dimension along a second axis (CC). The long dimension of the capillary face (40) is aligned in a first orientation such that the bond pads (16) are bonded in a first direction associated with the first orientation. The capillary (22) is then rotated to place the long dimension in a second orientation such that all the bond pads (16) are bonded in a second direction associated with the second orientation. In place of rotating the capillary (22), a second single-headed bonder (90) having a capillary (22) rotated to the second orientation can be used to bond bond pads (16) in the second direction. Transportation between bonders can be done manually, by a transport mechanism (60), by a robotic arm (70), or other suitable means.

Abstract: A device for ultrasonic treatment of a workpiece which at least two treatment spots has at least two resonant units which are adapted to be associated with corresponding ones of said treatment spots, each of the resonant units having a convertor and a sonotrode connected with the convertor, a joint mounting body arranged so that the resonant units are mounted on the joint mounting body in an arrangement which is dependent on a position of the treatment spots on the workpiece, and a displacement unit which is common for the resonant units and is coupled with the mounting body.

Abstract: The invention includes an XYZ stage 100 for positioning an object 140 in an X direction, a Y direction orthogonal to said X direction, and a Z direction orthogonal to both said X and Y directions. The stage 100 comprises a generally horizontal movable stage 104, a stationary X motor connected to said movable stage 104 for moving said stage in an X direction, a stationary Y motor 106 movably connected to said movable stage 104 for moving the stage 102 in a Y direction independently of the X direction, wherein the stage 100 has an L shaped bell crank 132 having an outside corner pivotally mounted on the stage 104 so that the bell crank 132 is rotatable in a vertical plane through the stage about an axis in the X direction, and a stationary Z axis motor connected to one end of the bell crank for movement of this one end in a Y direction. The other end of the bell crank thus moves in a Z direction.

Abstract: A rotation device (100) provides steady, non-stepwise rotation of a wire bonding capillary (10) about the longitudinal axis of the capillary (10). This enables the capillary (10) to be rotated to different angular alignments to perform wire bonding in different directions. The rotation device can include gears (111, 122) or friction pads (211, 222). At least a part (110) of the rotation device (120) is coupled to the capillary (10). Another part (120) of the rotation device (100) is separate from the capillary (10) but is engageable with the first part to provide rotation. Sensing devices (610, 620) may be used to provide precise initial alignment of the capillary (10) and to assist in providing and confirming precise alignment and realignment of the capillary to various bonding directions during wire bonding. A computer may be used to provide automated control and rotation of the sensing devices and the rotation device.

Abstract: A method for moving a capillary so as to connect wire to a first bonding point and then to a second bonding point in manufacturing, for instance, semiconductor devices, including the steps of moving the capillary in a opposite direction from the second bonding point after moving the capillary away from the first bonding point, and then moving the capillary slightly towards the first bonding point so as to form a firm kink in the wire, and after which the capillary is further moved away from the first bonding point delivering the wire, and then the capillary is moved towards the second bonding point to connect the wire to the second bonding point.

Abstract: In a wedge tool having a heating device, a metal rod having a heating line, a conductive wire or a thin film-type heating plate is disposed at a predetermined portion of the wedge tool, to which power is supplied through a power supply unit, respectively, in order to provide heat to the wedge tool in wire bonding process. By having such a construction, the wedge tool has the heating system for generating heat, so that a substantially preferable and remarkable bonding force can be obtained.

Abstract: In a fixed type discharge electrode system employed for forming a ball on a bonding wire, a magnet is provided on, for instance, the discharge electrode so as to apply a magnetic field that causes the portion of an electric spark facing the bonding wire to be bent and positioned beneath the bonding wire.

Abstract: A capillary for bonding a wire between two bonding locations which comprises a capillary (1) having a body having an exterior surface, a bore (23) therethrough and a wall disposed between and defined by the bore and the exterior surface, the bore terminating at an end portion (9) of said body. The wall has at one end portion thereof first (21) and second opposing sectors spaced from each other by third and fourth opposing sectors (31), the first sector having a thickness greater than the rest of the sectors and the second sector having a thickness intermediate the first sector and the third and fourth sectors. A first bond, generally a ball bond (3), is formed at a first bonding location with the capillary. The capillary is moved to a second bonding location and a stitch bond is formed at the second location while the portion of the capillary of greater thickness is downstream of the path of travel of the capillary while making the stitch bond.

Abstract: This invention concerns a containment box disposed around a welding head (1) and including a fixed frame carrying a fairing (16) modeled to the shape of the element (3) to be welded, a cover (9) sliding on the frame (10), and a bell with spherical boss (7) integral with the welding head (1) which slides and rotates in a vertical sleeve (8) traversing the cover (9). All the movements of the welding head (1) are therefore permitted which makes it possible to have complicated welding trajectories. Gaskets (15, 17) are provided.

Abstract: A bonding head is provided for a wire bonding machine which includes a wedge (2) connected to a transducer (3) for applying pressure and ultrasonic energy to a wire (1) guided into contact with a substrate to which a bond is to be formed. A support system (7, 8, 9) is provided for simultaneously securing the transducer (3) to the bonding head frame (12) and variably adjusting the contacting pressure of the wire to the substrate. Springs (9a, 9b), preferably leaf springs, urge the transducer (3), while a linear actuator (8) is arranged to variably tension the springs (9a, 9b) to adjust the bond force.

Abstract: An ultrasonic welding apparatus includes an exciter unit for generating ultrasonic vibration; a horn having a forward end and rotatable about a horizontal axis passing through the center of the horn; and a plurality of welding tips projecting from an outer circumferential surface of the forward end of the horn. The welding tips have different sizes and are rotated about the horizontal axis.

Abstract: A capillary (22) for use in wire bonding is provided. The capillary (22) includes a tubular body (24) having a longitudinal axis (AA). At least one notch (42, 62, 64) is formed in the tubular body. The angular alignment of the capillary (22) and capillary face (42) correspond to the angular position of each notch (42, 62, 64), thus allowing the position of the capillary face (42) to be controlled by inserting the capillary (22) into a capillary channel (44) having a wedge (32) that mates with the notch (42, 62, 64).

Abstract: An apparatus for processing curved surfaces, in particular a pipe surface, using processing means which are guided over that surface at a distance thereabove by means of a guide to be pre-arranged on that surface, wherein the guide consists of a flexible body provided with two parallel edges witch extend some distance above the surface for processing, and a carrier for the processing means is provided with a follower system consisting of at least three follower members which are ordered in a triangle and which co-act with the edges, this such that the carrier follows the curved surface at a fixed distance during movement along the guide, whereby processing of the surface can be performed under uniform conditions which enhances precision and therefore quality.

Abstract: An improved capillary construction that includes a cavity suitable for at least partially molding a ball bond during a ball bonding operation as well as methods for wire bonding utilizing such a capillary are described. More specifically, a distal end of a bonding wire that passes through the capillary is ultrasonically welded to a bonding surface in a manner such that the cavity molds a significant portion of the ball bond during the ball bonding operation. The described arrangement permits the bonding force applied by the bonding machine that drives the capillary to be significantly reduced or eliminated. In some embodiments, the capillary is positioned at a predetermined standoff height relative to the bonding surface. The described arrangements have numerous advantages and permits bonding to bonding surfaces that are heated to a temperatures of less than approximately 150 degrees centigrade during the ultrasonic welding step.

Abstract: A capillary (10) is provided for use in wire bonding and may be incorporated into a wire bonding machine. The capillary (10) incorporates one or more indicators (100, 105, 110, 113) which may be positioned about the capillary. For example, the indicators may be affixed to an outer surface of the capillary. Sensing of a indicator may be achieved by a detector (160) to determine the angular position of the indicator. This may be used to determine and/or establish the angular alignment of the capillary. The angular alignment may correspond to a desired axis of a wire bonding machine table or lead frame, or to a longitudinal axis of a lead on a lead frame, in order to achieve optimum effectiveness in wire bonding between an integrated circuit chip and the leads of the lead frame. The capillary may be any of a number of differing types including those having circular and non-circular faces.

Abstract: An ultrasonic bonding method and apparatus utilizes a locking mechanism which limits motion of an ultrasonic bonding tool tip during formation of a bond. In a basic embodiment of tie invention, motion of the tool tip in the up/down, z-axis direction is inhibited during bond formation. Preferably motion in the longitudinal, in/out y-axis direction is also inhibited, and motion in the lateral, x-direction may optionally be limited. A separate locking mechanism or brake is provided for each orthogonal direction in which it is desired to inhibit motion during bond formation. Each brake is actuated in response to a bond initiation command signal, locking the tool tip against motion in particular coordinate directions prior to application of ultrasonic energy to a bond site, and maintaining the tip in that position for a period sufficient to melt wire insulation, weld the stripped wire to a bond site such as the microcircuit pad or lead, and allow the weld to cool and solidify.

Abstract: The present invention relates to post manufacturing operations for improving the working life of known bonding tools such as capillaries, wedges and single point TAB tools of the type used in the semiconductor industry to make fine wire or TAB finger interconnections. After the desired bonding tool is manufactured to predetermined specifications, dimensions and tolerances, it is placed in a sputtering chamber with hard target material with an ionizing gas. A controlled volume of sputtered hard material is generated at high temperature by plasma ion bombardment and deposited onto the working face of the bonding tool while the tool is held at a temperature that prevents distortion. A very thin amorphous hard layer is bonded onto the working face of the bonding tool which increases the working life of most tools by an order of magnitude and there is no requirement for additional processing.

Abstract: A capillary holder is provided for holding a wire bonding capillary. The holder has a base and an extension extending therefrom to hold the capillary by contacting the capillary at at least two points. The extension can hold the capillary by frictional contact with either an inner or outer surface of the capillary. The base can either constitute a drive element or be coupled to a drive element which can be rotated by a rotation element. This imparts rotation to a capillary held by the capillary holder.

Abstract: A modular robotic welding station comprises a base skid to which is mounted robotic welding equipment. The base skid defines one or more docking stations. Satellite modules can have either stationary tables or turn tables that hold the workpieces to be welded. The satellite modules are detachably and interchangeably docked to selected base skid docking stations to thereby create customized workstations for the workpieces. The docking stations, satellite modules, and tables are designed to accurately locate the workpieces relative to the welding equipment. By detaching the satellite modules from the skid base, the satellite modules and skid base are easily transported individually from one location to another. A safety fence secured to the skid base can be arranged in different configurations to suit whether or not a satellite module is docked at a docking station.

Abstract: A capillary for a wire bonding apparatus having a wire threading hole and a chamfer, in which the wire threading hole is formed in two stages as first and second wire threading holes, the diameter of the first wire threading hole which is located above the second wire threading hole exceeds the diameter of a bonding wire by no more than 3 to 8 microns, the diameter of the second wire threading hole is 5 to 10 microns greater than the first hole diameter, and the depth of the second wire threading hole is 10 to 50 microns.