Abstract:
Disclosed is a method of populating printed circuit boards with surface mount technology devices in a multi-board work board holder. The method includes the steps placing the printed circuit boards into a multi-board work board holder having a plurality of apertures corresponding to the individual printed circuit boards. The multi-board work board holder is placed onto a surface mount technology production line, and solder paste is selectively applied onto contact pads on surfaces of the printed circuit boards. Integrated circuit chips are next placed onto the solder paste bearing surface of the printed circuit boards, with the contact leads of the integrated circuit chips bearing on deposited solder paste. The printed circuit boards and the work board holder are heated to the reflow temperature of the solder. The x-y plane and z axis coefficients of thermal expansion of the multi-board work board holder are matched to the x-y plane and z-axis coefficients of thermal expansion of the printed circuit boards to avoid warpage and misalignment of the printed circuit boards.
Abstract:
In manufacturing packaged modules for computer systems, many modules require sealing a lid to a lower substrate by using solder around the outer edges of the lower substrate. When the solder is heated, it often flows inward towards the chips on the substrates (solder intrusions) and may cause shorts. This invention solves the problem of solder intrusions by using a graphite lid seal fixture during lid seal. The fixture is comprised of lower and upper parts. The substrate, which has a sealband area, rests on and is held in place by the lower part of the fixture. The upper part of the fixture rests on the lower part. The lid, which has solder on its lower surface which is slightly smaller but otherwise generally matches the sealband area of the substrate, fits in a hole in the upper part and rests on the substrate. Thus, graphite substantially surrounds the edges where the lid and substrate meet and the fixture evenly distributes the heat around the sealband during reflow so that the solder can flow out towards the edge of the sealband. By this means, areas where solder flows back into the interior of the module are reduced and hermeticity yields are improved.
Abstract:
An outer lead bonding apparatus which includes a device supply section on which devices are arranged at predetermined positions, a transfer head assembly for picking up the devices from the device supply section, means for driving the transfer head assembly in a predetermined direction, a first monitoring camera for checking the devices picked up by the transfer head assembly for its positional exactness, a substrate driving means for moving the substrate in a predetermined direction, and a second monitoring camera for checking the electrodes of the substrate for their positional exactness.
Abstract:
A fixture for welding a grounding connector to a structural steel member is disclosed. Such fixture is formed of a magnetic material so that the fixture is attracted to, and retained upon, the steel member. A chamber is defined within the rectangular body of the fixture, and an inlet passage in the front of the fixture receives one end of the grounding connector. Thermite powder is introduced into the chamber, and an igniter cap delivers a spark to the powder, to ignite same, thereby producing a molten mass of metal. The metal flows the fixture and bonds the grounding connector and the fixture to the structural steel member. The method of utilizing such single-use fixture is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A roughened surface of a conductive substrate, such as copper, provides uniform Sn-Pb solder coatings and improved solder retention at printed wiring board (PWB) plated through-hole rims (knees) and surface pads during solder dipping or reflow. A high density of copper surface features of moderate average roughness provides the most favorable solder coating thickness distribution. Various chemical or electrochemical etching processes may be used to produce the desired copper surface topography. Reflowed solder thickness distribution in a PWB knee region attained with a ferric chloride copper etching process peaks at 4 .mu.m, which provides a good margin of safety for preventing exposure/oxidation of the underlying Cu-Sn intermetallics. The ferric chloride copper etching process yields only 1% of solder thickness measurements in the undesirable 0-1.5 .mu.m range for plated through-hole rims. Copper surface roughening is expected to greatly reduce solderability loss in mass produced PWBs. In addition, solder bearing on PWB surface pads is avoided with copper surface roughening so that alignment of surface mount component leads prior to soldering is greatly facilitated.
Abstract:
Apparatus for automatically tinning leads of components mounted on tapes to carry the components through solder wave stations have adjustments incorporated to permit tinning components of different sizes. Foam generators with independent foam rate adjustments are also provided to permit the adjusting foam height separately for each component lead. Guards are used with the foam generators to select specific segments of each lead for fluxing. A vacuum port with a vertical heated connection leading to a vertically oriented heated collector insures that excess solder will not clog the collection systrem. A shield between the vacuum port and the solder wave prevents solder being ingested by the port.
Abstract:
COVERS AN IMPROVED THIN LAYER ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT ASSEMBLY FOR RECEIVING ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WHICH INCLUDES A NON-CONDUCTIVE FLEXIBLE PLASTIC FOIL SUPPORT HAVING A THINLAYER CIRCUIT ADHERENT TO SAID SUPPORT, WHICH CIRCUIT INCLUDES CONDUCTOR TRACKS FOR RECEIVING SAID ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AND CONTACT SURFACES FOR CONNECTION WITH OTHER
CIRCUITS. IT ALSO COVERS A METHOD OF PREPARING A PLURALITY OF SAID ASSEMBLIES IN A CONTINUOUS MANNER BY PREPARING A TAPE OF SAID SUPPORT AND FIXING THEREON A PLURALTIY OF SAID THIN LAYER CIRCUITS IN A CONTINUOUS MANNER. THE TAPE THEN IS TRIMMED TO PROVIDE THE DESIRED GROUP OF CIRCUITS.
Abstract:
Apparatus for preparing the conductors projecting from a flatpack for soldering comprises an anvil supporting the conductors and a soldering wire transversely of the conductors, a reciprocable plunger mounted above the anvil for exerting a predetermined pressure against a soldering wire placed transversely over the conductors, and cooperating side walls of the plunger and the anvil forming a scissors for severing the soldering wire upon downward movement of the plunger.