Kulicke and Soffa Investments, Inc.

Eugene W Frasch

Richard Deward Sadler

Frederick W Kulicke, Jr

James M Weaver

A multi-level fine wire tensioning apparatus is provided for use in high speed automatic wire bonders. The tensioning apparatus which surrounds the fine wire is mounted close to the bonding capillary and is adapted to apply one of a plurality of tension forces on the wire depending on the phase of the bonding cycle. The tensioning apparatus comprises a housing containing an aspirating tube which applies tension to the fine wire that is threaded through the tube. A controller is coupled to a high speed selector which connects one of a plurality of different level vacuum or pressure sources to the tensioning apparatus which in turn applies different tension forces to the fine wire in the capillary.

Adjustable wire tensioning apparatus

A low mass self-aligning wire clamp jaw assembly is provided which may be employed as a replaceable wire clamp jaw assembly or as a complete integrated wire clamp assembly with an actuator. The novel self-aligning wire clamp jaw assembly comprises a wire clamp jaw mounting arm which is adapted to be connected to a bonding head support. The wire clamp jaw mounting arm serves as a fixed lever to which is attached a first fixed flat surface clamping jaw and also serves as a mount to which a second and pivotal jaw is positioned juxtaposed the first jaw. A force mounting spring is also mounted on the mounting arm for applying a unidirectional force to one end of the second pivotal jaw to bias the pivotal jaw in a normally open or normally closed position. A force adjusting screw is further mounted on the mounting jaw which cooperates with the force spring for setting a predetermined bias jaw force on the second jaw which is mounted for effecting a rocking motion along an edge of the first jaw so that when the second jaw pivots along the line edge of the first jaw, it forms a plane defining a wedge parallel to the first jaw which is self-aligning.

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Perkasie, PA, United States of America

Eugene W Frasch