International Business Machines Corporation

John P Simpson

James M Larnerd

Alan J Emerick

Gary L Newman

A method and apparatus for producing flush solder fill over recessed pins and over passage holes in circuitized substrates. A substrate carrying rack is immersed in a vessel of molten solder after it has been similarly immersed in a flux bath. While in the molten solder, the rack is vigorously agitated. The rack is then withdrawn from the molten solder and is pivoted upwardly while positioned over the molten solder. Simultaneously, an anvil is rotated from a home position to an impact position at precisely the correct moment. With the solder still molten on the substrate surfaces, the rack is then permitted to descend and is positively biased to strike the anvil thereby dislodging any excess molten solder. A unique supporting arrangement for the rack insures that only a minimum of mass acutally impacts against the anvil while insuring the effectiveness of the operation. Each cantilevered arm from which a rack is suspended is temporarily supported during the impacting operation after which the support member is withdrawn. Also, a solder pot of unique design and operation is provided to assure rapid, complete heating of substrates while eliminating contamination thereof by dross and oxides.

Solder leveling method and apparatus

A method and apparatus for producing flush solder fill over recessed pins and over passage holes in circuitized substrates. A substrate carrying rack is immersed in a vessel of molten solder after it has been similarly immersed in a flux bath. While in the molten solder, the rack is vigorously agitated. The rack is then withdrawn from the molten solder and is pivoted upwardly while positioned over the molten solder. Simultaneously, an anvil is rotated from a home position to an impact position at precisely the correct moment. With the solder still molten on the substrate surfaces, the rack is then permitted to descend and is positively biased to strike the anvil thereby dislodging any excess molten solder. A unique supporting arrangement for the rack insures that only a minimum of mass actually impacts against the anvil while insuring the effectiveness of the operation. Each cantilevered arm from which a rack is suspended is temporarily supported during the impacting operation after which the support member is withdrawn. Also, a solder pot of unique design and operation is provided to assure rapid, complete heating of substrates while eliminating contamination thereof by dross and oxides.

An electrical assembly having an integrated circuit package which has a plurality of electrical conductors fixed thereto. The electrical conductors form mechanical and electrical connections. Each of the electrical conductors has a root at one end and a tip at the other end. The root of each conductor is attached to the integrated circuit package to form a fixed electrical and mechanical connection. The tip of each conductor is adapted to be connected to a surface at a predetermined location. Each of the electrical conductors has at least two bends between the root and the tip for providing strain relief when the tip is connected to a surface.

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Apalachin, NY, United States of America

John P Simpson