Apparatus for preforming wire leads and alignment for bonding
AssigneeNorthern Telecom Limited
InventorJean Marcel Dupuis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In an apparatus for preforming the ends of wire leads of lead frames, prior to bonding, the lead frames are fed successively through a preforming position. A positioning and alignment device is provided correctly positioning the lead frames prior to preforming, the device using as datum surfaces, surfaces used to position the lead frames during manufacture. Typically the lead frames are produced on perforated strip film and the perforations act as positioning datum surfaces during manufacture and during preforming. After preforming the lead frames are fed to a bonding position for automatic bonding, as by an ultrasonic wobble bonding tool.
Claims23
Apparatus for preforming unsupported inner ends of cantilever wire leads of lead frames, for bonding said inner ends of said leads to contacts, said lead frames being in a continuous strip and including perforations along each side of said strip and in a predetermined positional relationship with said lead frames, comprising:
- means for successively feeding lead frames to a preforming position;
- positioning means for positioning each lead frame in a predetermined position at said preforming position, said inner ends of said leads extending over a recessed die;
- preforming means at said preforming position and including a support member and a support table extending under said support member, said recessed die supported on said support table;
- said positioning means including locating plungers axially slidable in said support member, one on either side of said die and having lower ends for passing through said perforations;
- said preforming means including a further plunger axially slidable in said support member and having a lower end for bending said inner ends of said leads out of the plane of the lead frame, said further plunger positioned over said die;
- actuating means extending over the upper ends of said locating plungers and said further plunger and moveable towards said support member, initial movement of said actuating means sliding said locating plungers to engage their lower ends in said perforations and continued movement sliding said further plunger to preform said inner ends of said leads, each end preformed to include an inclined intermediate portion and a substantially flat end portion extending substantially parallel to the plane of said lead frame.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.