Abstract:
A transducer configured for use with a manual wire bonding machine includes a body portion including an end portion, the end portion defining a bonding tool aperture configured to receive at least a portion of a bonding tool. The transducer also includes a first tightening mechanism for securing a ball bonding tool in the bonding tool aperture, and a second tightening mechanism for securing a wedge bonding tool in the bonding tool aperture. The first tightening mechanism is distinct from the second tightening mechanism.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/828,676, filed Oct. 9, 2006, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to manual wire bonding machines, and more particularly, to a transducer for manual wire bonding machines configured for ball bonding and wedge bonding. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the processing and packaging of semiconductor devices, wire bonding continues to be the primary method of providing electrical interconnection between two locations within a package (e.g., between a die pad of a semiconductor die and a lead of a leadframe). More specifically, using a wire bonder (also known as a wire bonding machine) wire loops are formed between respective locations to be electrically interconnected. 
     Manual wire bonding machines (in contrast to automatic wire bonding machines) are often purchased by low volume users, for example: universities, research and development teams, product development teams, etc. Therefore, it is often desirable that each such wire bonding machine be adaptable for as many variables as possible. 
     In particular, it is desirable that certain manual wire bonding machines be adaptable for use as a ball bonding machine or as a wedge bonding machine. In order for this to occur, a transducer (e.g., an ultrasonic transducer) configured to hold both a ball bonding tool (i.e., a capillary tool) and a wedge bonding tool (e.g., a wedge tool) would be desirably provided. 
     As is known to those skilled in the art, when a bonding tool is connected to a transducer for bonding it is tightened, for example, using a screw mechanism or the like. More specifically, the tool is partially inserted into an aperture defined by the transducer, and a screw mechanism or the like is tightened to properly secure the tool. Unfortunately, the tightening mechanism (e.g., the screw mechanism) is more properly configured to secure only one type of tool. For example, in a transducer configured for ball bonding, one conventional design is to use a split clamp aperture to receive the bonding tool, wherein a screw is provided on a side of the transducer adjacent the bonding tool aperture, whereby the screw tightens the split clamp aperture around the bonding tool; however, such an arrangement is not desired for wedge bonding because, for example, the wedge bonding tool is not automatically aligned by such an arrangement (amongst other reasons). Likewise, in a transducer configured for wedge bonding, one conventional design is to use a screw provided on a front tip portion of the transducer, whereby the screw tightens against a flat surface of the wedge bonding tool; however, such an arrangement is not desired for ball bonding because, for example, the screw may damage (and even break) the curved surface of the ball bonding tool. 
     Thus, it would be desirable to provide an improved transducer that accommodates both ball bonding and wedge bonding. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a transducer configured for use with a manual wire bonding machine is provided. The transducer includes a body portion including an end portion, the end portion defining a bonding tool aperture configured to receive at least a portion of a bonding tool. The transducer also includes a first tightening mechanism for securing a ball bonding tool in the bonding tool aperture, and a second tightening mechanism for securing a wedge bonding tool in the bonding tool aperture. The first tightening mechanism is distinct from the second tightening mechanism. 
     According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a transducer configured for use with a manual wire bonding machine is provided. The transducer includes a body portion including an end portion, the end portion defining a bonding tool aperture configured to receive at least a portion of a bonding tool. The end portion also defines a second aperture on a side of the end portion, the second aperture configured to receive a first tightening mechanism for securing a ball bonding tool in the bonding tool aperture. The end portion also defines a third aperture on a front tip of the end portion, the third aperture configured to receive a second tightening mechanism for securing a wedge bonding tool in the bonding tool aperture. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawing are not to scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. Included in the drawing are the following figures: 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a transducer holding a ball bonding capillary tool in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1B  is a detailed view of a portion of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2A  is a side view of a transducer holding a ball bonding capillary tool in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2B  is a detailed view of a portion of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a top view of a transducer holding a ball bonding capillary tool in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3B  is a detailed view of a portion of  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a transducer holding a wedge bonding tool in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4B  is a detailed view of a portion of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5A  is a side view of a transducer holding a wedge bonding tool in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5B  is a detailed view of a portion of  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 6A  is a top view of a transducer holding a wedge bonding tool in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6B  is a detailed view of a portion of  FIG. 6A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     According to certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a transducer is provided (e.g., a transducer for 60 kHz or other frequency wire bonding). The transducer is designed to provide correct mounting for ball bonding (capillary tools) and wedge bonding (wedge bond tools). The transducer assembly includes mounting features for both ball bonding tools and wedge bonding tools. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1A-1B ,  2 A- 2 B, and  3 A- 3 B, various views are provided of transducer  100  holding ball bonding capillary tool  110 . In contrast, referring to  FIGS. 4A-4B ,  5 A- 5 B, and  6 A- 6 B, various views are provided of transducer  100  holding wedge bonding tool  120 . 
     Referring specifically to the perspective views provided in  FIGS. 1A-1B , transducer  100  includes an end portion that is shown in the detailed view of  FIG. 1B . As shown in  FIG. 1B , first tightening mechanism  106   a  (e.g., a threaded screw member or the like) is used secure ball bonding capillary tool  110  within bonding tool aperture  102  defined by the end portion of transducer  100 . Top surface  110   a  of ball bonding capillary tool  110  is visible in  FIG. 1B . As is clear from  FIG. 1B  (and also  FIG. 2B ), surface  108  of the end portion is shaped (e.g., is relatively flat) such that a head portion of first tightening mechanism  106   a  can bear against surface  108  when securely inserted therein. Also shown in the end portion of transducer  100  is third aperture  104  configured to receive second tightening mechanism  104   a  (shown in  FIGS. 4A-4B ,  5 A- 5 B, and  6 A- 6 B). 
       FIGS. 2A-2B  are side views of transducer  100 , and the end portion of transducer  100 , respectively, engaged with ball bonding capillary tool  110 .  FIGS. 3A-3B  are top views of transducer  100 , and the end portion of transducer  100 , respectively (with first tightening mechanism  106   a  removed from second aperture  106 ). As is shown more clearly in  FIG. 3B , aperture  102  is “a key-hole aperture” (also known as a “split clamp aperture” or a “C clamp aperture”) and includes linear portion  102   a . When first tightening mechanism  106   a  is securely inserted into second aperture  106  (e.g., where second aperture  106  may be threaded), bonding tool aperture  102  tightens around ball bonding capillary tool  110  to secure ball bonding capillary tool  110  in position. 
     Referring now to the perspective views provided in  FIGS. 4A-4B , second tightening mechanism  104   a  (e.g., a threaded screw member or the like) is used to secure wedge bonding tool  120  within bonding tool aperture  102 . Top surface  120   a  of wedge bonding tool  120  is visible in  FIG. 4B . As is clear from  FIG. 4B  (and also  FIG. 5B ), surface  120   b  of wedge bonding tool  120  is shaped (e.g., is relatively flat) such that when second tightening mechanism  104   a  is securely inserted into third aperture  104  (e.g., where third aperture  104  may be threaded), a tip of second tightening mechanism can bear against surface  120   b . Also shown in the end portion of transducer  100  in  FIG. 4B  is second aperture  106  configured to receive first tightening mechanism  106   a  when ball bonding tool  110  is selected (as in  FIGS. 1A-1B ,  2 A- 2 B, and  3 A- 3 B). 
       FIGS. 5A-5B  are side views of transducer  100 , and the end portion of transducer  100 , respectively, engaged with wedge bonding tool  120 .  FIGS. 6A-6B  are top views of transducer  100 , and the end portion of transducer  100 , respectively (with second tightening mechanism  104   a  removed from third aperture  104 ). 
     Thus, according to the illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention, third aperture  104  (and second tightening mechanism  104   a ) is provided at the front tip of the end portion of transducer  100 , while second aperture  106  (and first tightening mechanism  106   a ) is provided at the side of the end portion of transducer  100 . As such, transducer  100  is configured to properly support and secure both ball bonding capillary tools and wedge bonding tools, providing a significant benefit over conventional transducers. This is especially beneficial because when energy is supplied to the respective bonding tool via the transducer (e.g., ultrasonic energy), a secure fit between the selected bonding tool and the bonding tool aperture is very desirable. 
     Although the present invention has been illustrated and described with respect to a third aperture on a front tip of the end portion, and a second aperture on a side of the end portion, it is not limited thereto. Any of a number of alternative locations and shapes may be selected for the apertures. Further, the apertures are not limited to the types of apertures described herein (i.e., a split clamp bonding tool aperture, threaded second and third apertures, etc.). Likewise, alternative tightening mechanisms (i.e., other than threaded screw members) may also be provided. 
     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to specific embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the invention.