International Business Machines Corporation

Robert A Holloway

David P Watson

Joel R Anstrom

Robert D Hrehor, Jr

The method and apparatus of the present invention may be utilized to support a selected mounting point on a circuit board during the mounting an electronic component. An integrated circuit device is selected and positioned adjacent a first side of a circuit board at a desired mounting point utilizing a robotic manipulator and a placement head. A support fixture is then urged into temporary contact with a second side of the circuit board utilizing a flexible mounting system such that minor variations or misalignments between the plane of the support fixture, the circuit board and the placement head are eliminated. In one embodiment of the present invention a flexible fluid filled bag is utilized in conjunction with the support fixture so that the presence of components on the second side of the circuit board may be accommodated while supporting the circuit board during component mounting. Finally, the requirement for providing a robotic manipulator and placement head capable of generating the substantial downward forces necesary to create a bond between a circuit board and an electronic component is eliminated by positioning the placement head and heated bonding tool proximate to the conductive leads of an electronic component and then forcefully urging the support fixture upward toward the heated bonding tool while maintaining the heated bonding tool in a fixed position.

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Round Rock, TX, United States of America

Robert A Holloway