Pneumatic wire threading device and method

A wire threading device for automatically threading wire in a wire bonding apparatus, the wire threading device comprising:

• a first wire guiding block configured to form a first guiding channel for directing a bonding wire during a threading process and a first slot connected to the first guiding channel to release the bonding wire from the first guiding channel after the threading process, the first wire guiding block being positioned between the air tensioner and a first wire clamp in use,
• a second wire guiding block configured to form a second guiding channel for directing the bonding wire during the threading process and a second slot connected to the second guiding channel to release the bonding wire from the second guiding channel after the threading process, the second wire guiding block being positioned between the first wire clamp and a second wire clamp in use,
• a third wire guiding block configured to form a third guiding channel for directing the bonding wire during the threading process and a third slot connected to the third guiding channel to release the bonding wire from the third guiding channel after the threading process, the third wire guiding block being positioned between the second wire clamp and the bonding tool of the wire bonding apparatus in use, and
• a pneumatic wire pulling mechanism comprising first and second air channels arranged along directions perpendicular to an axial direction of the first guiding channel in the first wire guiding block and/or third and fourth air channels arranged along directions perpendicular to an axial direction of the second guiding channel in the second wire guiding block, the pneumatic wire pulling mechanism being configured to apply a plurality of pulling forces on the bonding wire via the first and second, and/or third and fourth air channels, enabling the bonding wire to be pulled into and through the first and/or second guiding channel during the threading process.

A method for automatically threading wire in a wire bonding apparatus, the method comprising:

• providing a wire threading device that comprises a wire guiding block forming a guiding channel and a slot connected to the guiding channel and a pneumatic wire pulling mechanism comprising a plurality of air channels arranged along directions perpendicular to an axial direction of the guiding channel in the wire guiding block,
• positioning the wire guiding block at an operation position between an air tensioner and a bonding tool of the wire bonding apparatus to guide a bonding wire through the guiding channel from the air tensioner to the bonding tool during a threading process,
• applying a plurality of pulling forces on the bonding wire with the pneumatic wire pulling mechanism via the plurality of air channels to pull the bonding wire into and through the guiding channel during the threading process, and
• moving the wire guiding block away from the operation position and releasing the bonding wire via the slot.