Methods and assemblies for removing a die from a foil

An assembly comprising:

• a vibration unit comprising a vibration member and operable to vibrate the vibration member at a predefined frequency, wherein the vibration member has a free end with a surface configured to contact a foil having one or more dies attached thereto;
• a positioning unit operable to move the vibration unit with respect to the foil;
• and
• a controller configured to operate the positioning unit so that the positioning unit moves the vibration unit to a position in which the vibration member is aligned with a die to be removed from the foil, and so that, while maintaining said alignment, the positioning unit moves the vibration unit to bring the vibration member into contact with a second surface of the foil, and so that the positioning unit moves the vibration unit so that the vibration member is moved, from a start position, a predefined distance in a direction towards the foil,
• wherein the controller is further operably connected to the vibration unit and is configured to initiate the vibration unit to vibrate the vibration member to generate vibrations in the foil to loosen the die from a first surface of the foil, after the vibration member has been moved from the start position, the predefined distance in the direction towards the foil.

An assembly comprising:

• a vibration unit comprising a vibration member and is operable to vibrate the vibration member at a predefined frequency, wherein the vibration member has a free end with a surface configured to contact a foil having one or more dies attached thereto;
• a force sensor which is operably connected to the vibration unit so that the force sensor is configured to sense the force which the vibration member applies to the foil;
• and
• a controller which is operably connected to the force sensor so that the controller is configured to receive a measurement of the force which the vibration member applies to the foil, and wherein the controller is further operably connected to a positioning unit which is selectively operable to move the vibration unit in a direction which is towards the foil or in a direction which is away from the foil,
• wherein the controller is configured to operate the positioning unit to move the vibration unit in the direction towards the foil, prior to the vibration unit being operated to vibrate the vibration member, until the vibration member applies a force to the foil which is within a predefined initial force range.