Forming metal preforms and metal balls

Apparatus for transferring metal solidified in blind cavities comprising:

• a first flexible tape having an upper surface having said blind cavities;
• first and second spaced apart rollers for directing a lower surface of said first flexible tape there over;
• a third roller positioned between said first and second rollers for supporting said lower surface of said first flexible tape;
• a second flexible tape;
• fourth and fifth spaced apart rollers for directing a lower surface of said second flexible tape there over, said second flexible tape having an upper surface having adhesive regions thereon;
• said fourth and fifth rollers positioned with respect to said first and second rollers to position said second flexible tape adjacent said first flexible tape;
• a sixth roller positioned between said fourth and fifth rollers to press against said lower surface of said second flexible tape to press said adhesive regions on said upper surface of said second flexible tape against said upper surface of said first flexible tape;
• said first flexible tape adapted for coupling to a conveying means for moving said first flexible tape in a first direction and at a first speed whereby said first flexible tape moves over said first through third rollers in said first direction and at said first speed;
• and
• said second flexible tape adapted from coupling to a means for moving said second flexible tape in said first direction and at said first speed whereby said second flexible tape moves over said fourth through sixth rollers in said first direction and at said first speed whereby said adhesive regions on said second flexible tape adhere to said metal solidified in said blind cavities in said first flexible tape and wherein said second flexible tape with said metal passes over said fifth roller and separates from said respective blind cavities in said first flexible tape which passes over said second roller.