Patent ID: 7275676
Filing Date: 2007-10-02
Classification: H01L,H05K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for positioning conductive spheres having a mean diameter on a substrate, the apparatus comprising: a stencil plate with a first pattern of a plurality of through-holes, each through-hole of the plurality having a diameter, the stencil plate configured to position a plurality of conductive spheres in the first pattern on a surface of a substrate; a shuttle plate parallel to the stencil plate and proximate thereto, the shuttle plate having a second pattern of a plurality of through-holes corresponding to the first pattern, each through-hole of the second pattern of a plurality of through-holes having a diameter; apparatus for moving the shuttle plate from a first position wherein the first and second patterns are substantially aligned to a second position wherein the first and second patterns are non-aligned; and conductive sphere supply apparatus for positioning the conductive spheres in the first pattern of a plurality of through-holes, the conductive sphere supply apparatus including a container having a bottom end disposed proximate the shuttle plate, an opening extending through the bottom end having a cross-sectional dimension greater than about twice the mean diameter of the conductive spheres, and having a third pattern of through-holes essentially corresponding to the second pattern, the container having no bottom and sidewalls extending downwardly to proximate the shuttle plate, the conductive spheres dropping into the plurality of through-holes of the second pattern as the shuttle plate is moved, the sidewalls encompassing a major portion of the first pattern.