Wire bonding method in circuit device

A wire bonding method in a circuit device mounted on a lead frame, the wire bonding method including: counting a stop time if an operation of a capillary stops; removing a contaminated free air ball (FAB) formed on an end of the capillary if the stop time exceeds a reference time; forming a new FAB; and restarting a wire bonding process.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-0009206, filed on Jan. 30, 2012, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

Apparatuses and methods consistent with inventive concept relate to wire bonding in circuit devices.

2. Description of the Related Art

Circuit devices, as for example, light emitting diodes (LEDs) are semiconductor devices that may emit light of various colors by configuring a light emitting source through PN junction of a compound semiconductor. LEDs have long life spans, small sizes and light weight and may be driven with low voltages due to strong directivity of light. In addition, LEDs can withhold shock and vibration, do not require a warm-up time and complex driving and may be packaged in various shapes and thus may be applied in various applications.

A circuit device, such as an LED, is manufactured as a light emitting device package after undergoing a packaging process in which the circuit device is mounted on a metal lead frame and a mold frame. In this procedure, an electrode pad and a lead frame of the circuit device are electrically connected to each other by performing a wire bonding process.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments may address at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and other disadvantages not described above. Also, exemplary embodiments are not required to overcome the disadvantages described above, and an exemplary embodiment may not overcome any of the problems described above.

One or more exemplary embodiments provide wire bonding methods and apparatuses that may obtain durability of bonding wires.

According to an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, there is provided a wire bonding method in a circuit device mounted on a lead frame, the wire bonding method including: counting a stop time if an operation of a capillary stops; removing a contaminated free air ball (FAB) formed on an end of the capillary if the stop time exceeds a reference time; and forming a new FAB and restarting a wire bonding process.

The removing of the contaminated FAB may include moving the capillary to a dummy area of the lead frame other than an area on which the circuit device is mounted and bonding the contaminated FAB to the dummy area.

The wire bonding method may further include releasing a fixing unit for fixing the lead frame on a support block if the stop time exceeds the reference time. The wire bonding method may further include fixing the lead frame on the support block by driving the fixing unit after the contaminated FAB is removed.

The reference time may include about three minutes.

According to another aspect of an exemplary embodiment, there is provided a wire bonding method in a circuit device mounted on a lead frame, the wire bonding method including: releasing a fixing unit for fixing the lead frame on a support block if an operation of a wire bonding apparatus stops due to an error; counting a stop time and standing by until the error is removed; performing dummy bonding in a dummy area of the lead frame if the stop time exceeds a reference time when the error has been removed; and restarting a wire bonding process.

The wire bonding method may further include fixing the lead frame on the support block by driving the fixing unit before the restarting of the wire bonding process is performed.

The performing of the dummy bonding may include bonding a FAB to the dummy area if the operation of the wire bonding apparatus stops in a state where the FAB is formed on an end of the capillary.

The performing of the dummy bonding may include bonding a FAB to the dummy area after the FAB is formed on the end of the capillary if the operation of the wire bonding apparatus stops in a state where the FAB is not formed on the end of the capillary.

The reference time may include about three minutes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, like drawing reference numerals are used for the like elements, even in different drawings. The matters defined in the description, such as detailed construction and elements, are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments. However, exemplary embodiments can be practiced without those specifically defined matters. Also, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the application with unnecessary detail.

FIG. 1is a cross-sectional view of a light emitting device package1that is manufactured by a wire bonding method according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring toFIG. 1, the light emitting device package1may include a package main body2having a cavity3in which a light emitting device chip30is mounted.

The light emitting device chip30may be a light emitting diode chip. The light emitting diode chip may emit blue, green, or red light depending on material used in forming a compound semiconductor that constitutes the light emitting diode chip. For example, a blue light emitting diode chip may have a quantum well layer structured active layer in which a gallium nitride (GaN) layer and an indium gallium nitride (InGaN) layer are alternately formed. A P-type clad layer and an N-type clad layer formed of an AlXGaYNZcompound semiconductor may be formed in upper and lower portions of the active layer. As another example, the light emitting diode chip may emit colorless ultraviolet (UV) rays. In the present exemplary embodiment, the light emitting device chip30is the light emitting diode chip. However, this is not limited thereto. For example, the light emitting device chip30may be a UV light diode chip, a laser diode chip, an organic light emitting diode chip, or the like.

The package main body2may include a conductive lead frame20and a mold frame10. The lead frame20may include a mounting portion21on which the light emitting device chip30is mounted, and first and second terminal portions22and23that are electrically connected to the light emitting device chip30. The lead frame20may be manufactured by performing a press process, an etching process, or the like on a conductive metal plate such as aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), etc. A cleaning process of removing a foreign substance attached to the lead frame20may be performed prior to an injection molding process that will be described below. In addition, a plating process may be performed to perform surface processing of the lead frame20.

The mold frame10may be assembled with the lead frame20by performing a process, for example, an insert injection molding, or the like. The mold frame10may be formed of electric insulation polymer, for example. The mold frame10may be formed by injection molding of a polymer, such as polyphthal amide (PPA), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), or the like, on the lead frame20by performing an insert injection molding, or the like. The mold frame10is formed in a concave shape in which the mounting portion21and the first and second terminal portions22and23are exposed to the outside.

The cavity3is formed in the package main body2. The mounting portion21and the first and second terminal portions22and23constitute a lower structure of the cavity3. An inside surface11of the cavity3may be a reflective surface which reflects the light emitted from the light emitting device chip30is reflected and which is further emitted from the light emitting device package1. A material having high light reflectivity, such as silver (Ag), platinum (Pt), titanium (Ti), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), or the like, may be coated or deposited on the inside surface11, or a plate formed of one or more of the above-mentioned materials may be bonded to the inside surface11. At least a part of the inside surface11may be formed by the lead frame20.

When the light emitting device chip30is mounted on the lead frame20and the mold frame10is assembled with the lead frame20, a wire bonding process for electrically connecting a cathode and an anode of the light emitting device chip30and the first and second terminal portions22and23is performed. The first and second terminal portions22and23may be connected to the cathode and the anode of the light emitting device chip30, respectively. A first electrode pad31and a second electrode pad32may be disposed on the light emitting device chip30and may be electrically connected to the cathode and the anode, respectively. Each of the first and second electrode pads31and32may be connected to each of the first and second terminal portions22and23by using first and second bonding wires41and42, respectively. Parts of the first and second terminal portions22and23are exposed to an outside of the mold frame10and serve as terminals for supplying electric current to the light emitting device chip30.

Thus, the light emitting device package1has a construction in which the light emitting device chip30is disposed on a surface forming a bottom of the cavity3, and the inside surface11of the package main body2serves as a reflective portion for reflecting light and emitting light to an outside of the light emitting device package1. The mounting portion21and the first and second terminal portions22and23of the lead frame20are exposed to a lower portion of the mold frame10and may serve as heat dissipation surfaces.

An encapsulation layer50formed of a light-transmitting resin, such as silicon, or the like, may be formed in the cavity3to protect the light emitting device chip30and the first and second bonding wires41and42from an external environment after wire bonding is completed. The encapsulation layer50may include a fluorescent substance that changes light emitted from the light emitting device chip30into a light of desired color. The fluorescent substance may be a single species or a plurality of species mixed in a predetermined proportion.

FIG. 2is a perspective view of an exemplary structure of a wire bonding apparatus100. Referring toFIG. 2, a plurality of mold frames52are assembled with the lead frame20, for example, by injection molding, thus forming a plurality of package main bodies54. The light emitting device chip30is mounted in the cavity3of each package main body54. The lead frame20is transferred by a transfer unit110. For example, one of the package main bodies54is transferred by the transfer unit110to a support block120. A heater121for warming up the lead frame20may be disposed on the support block120. A temperature of the heater121may be increased to about 170 to 200° C.

A fixing unit130may be moved by a driver140between a fixing position58(indicated by solid line ofFIG. 2), in which the lead frame20is fixed on the support block120, for example, and a release position59(indicated by dotted line ofFIG. 2), in which the lead frame20is released from the support block120. The driver140may move the fixing unit130to the fixing position58and the release position59by moving the fixing unit130in upward and downward directions, for example. An opening131is formed in the fixing unit130for a capillary200to access the package main body54for wire bonding. An open state detector150detects a position of the fixing unit130. The open state detector150may be implemented as a sensor using an optical detection method, an electrical detection method, a mechanical detection method, or a combination thereof, for example.

A wire201is supplied via the capillary200. A clamp210may be switched between a clamping state in which the wire201is clamped, and a release state in which the wire201is released. The capillary200may be moved in upward and downward directions and in a transverse direction512with respect to a movement in the upward and downward directions by using a driving unit (not shown). The transverse direction512may be substantially parallel to a movement direction56and may be coincidental or opposing the movement direction56. The wire201may be a conductive wire formed of gold, copper, silver, or the like, for example. A vibrator for inducing vibration, as for example, an ultrasonic vibrator (not shown) may be embedded in the capillary200. A heating unit may be implemented to form a FAB in the wire201exposed at an end portion of the capillary200. The heating unit may be a discharge electrode230, for example. The discharge electrode230causes an instantaneous discharge phenomenon between the discharge electrode230and the wire201and melts the wire201by a high voltage supplied from a high voltage unit240. Thus, a first FAB260of substantially spherical shape may be formed on an end portion of the wire201. A FAB detector250detects whether the first FAB260is normally formed, i.e., without an error. For example, the FAB detector250may be a current sensor that detects a current flowing between the discharge electrode230and the wire201connected to each other.

A controller300controls the wire bonding process and may include a central processing unit (CPU)310. A control program for controlling the wire bonding process may be stored in a storage medium320. The storage medium320may be a read only memory (ROM), an erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a universal serial bus (USB) memory, a hard disk, or the like. The controller300may control the wire bonding process by reading the control program from the storage medium320and by driving the control program. The control program may be upgraded by exchanging the storage medium320or storing a new control program in the storage medium320.

Hereinafter, an example of a wire bonding method will be described.

The wire bonding process may start when the controller300reads the control program stored in the storage medium320and executes the control program. The controller300may control elements of the wire bonding apparatus to perform the wire bonding process based on the control program.

The package main body54is aligned on the support block120by transferring the lead frame20by the transfer unit110. Then, the fixing unit130is lowered into the fixing position58by the driver140, and the lead frame20becomes fixed on the support block120.

FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view of a first connection portion61formed by bonding the wire201to a first electrode pad31of the light emitting device chip30. As indicated by dotted line ofFIG. 3, the capillary200is disposed in a position502above the package main body54. When the discharge electrode230contacts the end of the wire201supplied via the capillary200and a high voltage is supplied by the high voltage unit240to the discharge electrode230, discharge occurs between the end of the wire201and the discharge electrode230. Thus, the end of the wire201is melted, and the first FAB260is formed. The clamp210is maintained in the clamping state, and the capillary200is lowered. As the capillary200being lowered to a lowered position504, the wire201is withdrawn from a wire supply unit220. The first FAB260contacts the first electrode pad31of the light emitting device chip30, and the capillary200applies an appropriate load to the first FAB260to bond the first FAB260to the first electrode pad31. The capillary200may induce ultrasonic vibration while applying the load to the first FAB260. Thus, the first FAB260is bonded to the first electrode pad31so that the first connection portion61is formed. Such a bonding method is referred to as a ball bonding method.

Next, a process of elevating the capillary200is performed to form a loop-shaped bonding wire.FIG. 4is a cross-sectional view of the capillary200which is elevated to a position506above the package main body54, from the lowered position504, to form a shape of the first bonding wire41. With reference toFIG. 4, while the capillary200is elevated, the clamp210is maintained in the release state. The position506of the elevation of the capillary200may be properly determined in consideration of a distance between the first electrode pad31and the first terminal portion22and a wire loop height. The position506may be the same as the position502or may be a different position. The path of the capillary200in the elevated state above the package main body54may be determined according to a desired or predetermined shape of a wire loop. The capillary200may be elevated in a vertical direction510, with respect to a movement direction56, and may be moved in a transverse direction512while being elevated.

When the capillary200reaches an elevation position506, the elevation operation is terminated, and the capillary200is lowered to the first terminal portion22along a curve-shaped trajectory indicated by arrow A ofFIG. 4. While the capillary200is lowered, the clamp210is maintained in the clamping state.FIG. 5is a cross-sectional view of a second connection portion62formed by bonding the wire201to the first terminal portion22of the lead frame20. When the wire201contacts the first terminal portion22, the shape of the first bonding wire41is formed as a loop, as illustrated inFIG. 5. In this state, the wire201is bonded to the first terminal portion22by applying an appropriate load and ultrasonic vibration to the wire201so that the second connection portion62is formed.

FIG. 6shows the wire201that is cut after the second connection portion62is formed. In detail, while the clamp210is maintained in the clamping state, the capillary200is elevated, the wire201is cut, and the wire bonding process is completed. Such a bonding method is referred to as a stitch bonding method.

After the wire201is cut, the clamp210is changed into the release state and the capillary200is further elevated to a position520, to form a tail202extending beyond the end portion212of the capillary200. The tail202serves to form the second FAB262that is used in the subsequent process described below.

In order to improve a bonding strength of the second connection portion62, a ball bonding may be performed, further to the stitch bonding. For example, as indicated by dotted line ofFIG. 3, the capillary200may be disposed in the position502elevated from the package main body54. The discharge electrode230may contact the tail202of the wire201extending from the capillary200. The tail202of the wire201may be melted and the second FAB262may be formed. Then, while the clamp210is maintained in the clamping state, the capillary200is lowered, so that the second FAB262contacts the second connection portion62. The capillary200may apply an appropriate load to the second FAB262and may induce ultrasonic vibration on the second FAB262to bond the second FAB262to the second connection portion62. The tail202may be formed prior to forming the first FAB260similarly to what is described above with reference to the second FAB262.

FIG. 7shows a ball bonding added to the second connection portion62to increase a bonding force. As illustrated inFIG. 7, the second FAB262is bonded to the second connection portion62. If the clamp210is maintained in the clamping state, the capillary200is raised, the wire201is cut, and the wire bonding process is completed. After the wire201is cut, the clamp210is changed into the release state and is further elevated, and the tail202is formed on the end portion212of the capillary200.

The second bonding wire42that connects the second electrode pad32and the second terminal portion23of the light emitting device chip30may be formed by the same or similar process to the process described above.

If an error occurs during the above described wire bonding process, the wire bonding process may be stopped. An error may occur when the first FAB260or the second FAB262having an inappropriate size is formed, when the wire201is being cut, when the capillary200is erroneously moved, and the like.

Referring toFIGS. 6 and 7, the size of the first FAB260or the second FAB262depends on the length of the tail202. When the capillary200is elevated after the first connection portion61or the second connection portion62is formed, the clamp210may be changed into the clamping state from the release state slower or faster than a predetermined time. As a result, the tail202may be formed of an inappropriate length. In this case, when discharge occurs using the discharge electrode230, the first FAB260or the second FAB262may be too small or may be far away from the end of the capillary200. Such a defect in formation of the first FAB260or the second FAB262may be detected by the FAB detector250. If a distance between the discharge electrode230and the tail202varies according to the length of the tail202, a value of a current that flows through the wire201at a time of discharge varies. The FAB detector250detects the value of the current that flows through the wire201and transfers the detected current value to the controller300. The controller300may determine whether a defect occurs in forming the first FAB260or the second FAB262, based on the current value transferred from the FAB detector250.

In addition, when the wire201is being cut, the controller300may stop the operation of the wire bonding apparatus if, for example, an erroneous wire tension is detected by a tension detector (not shown) that detects the tension of the wire201indicative of whether the wire201is cut.

Accordingly, when a process error occurs, as described above, the controller300may stop the operation of the wire bonding apparatus. The controller300may turn on a warning light or generate a warning sound to inform a process manager or a user of an occurrence of an error. The controller300may also report an error on a process management screen (not shown). The controller300may facilitate the release position59by lifting the fixing unit130, which fixes the lead frame20on the support block120, in order to communicate the error in a visible manner. The position of the fixing unit130may be communicated to the controller300by the open state detector150.

As described above, when an error occurs, the wire bonding apparatus is maintained in a standby state until an action for removing the error is completed by the process manager or a user. In the standby state, the first FAB260or the second FAB may be exposed to the air. In this case, a foreign substance may attach onto the surface of the first FAB260or the second FAB262. The lead frame20is warmed up by the heater121while being supported on the support block120, and a foreign substance, such as silicon contained in gas discharged from the mold frame52, and the like may get attached to the first FAB260or the second FAB262.

The process of removing the contaminated FAB is described in detail below. Although the reference is made to the first FAB260, the following is also applicable to the second FAB262.

FIG. 8shows an interface270formed by a foreign substance that may be interposed between the first FAB260and the first electrode pad31or the second electrode pad32when the FAB contaminated by the foreign substance is bonded. The interface270may lower a bonding force between the first electrode pad31or the second electrode pad32and the first FAB260. Lowered bonding force is not manifested in an electrical test, an optical test, or in a bonding strength test which are carried out during or after the wire bonding process is completed, but may cause a progressive defect which may occur when the first and second connection portions61and62become separated from the first electrode pad31or the second electrode pad32or from the first or second terminal portion22and23while a product is produced and is being used and, thus, this may greatly lower the reliability of the product. That is, when the wire bonding process is performed in the state where the foreign substance is attached to the first FAB260, an electrical or optical defect does not occur, and the bonding strength of the product may also not be defective.

Whether the foreign substance is attached to the first FAB260may be determined based on a stop time duration. When the process is stopped due to an error during the process, if the stop time exceeds a predetermined reference time, the wire bonding process may be resumed by removing the first FAB260and making a new FAB so the defects caused by the lowered bonding force may be prevented. Lowering of the bonding force caused by the foreign substance may be checked by carrying out a residue test. For example, the amount of a residue of a wire that remains on an electrode pad after a ball shear test (BST) is carried out is investigated by varying the stop time duration. As the stop time duration increases, the residue of the wire on the electrode pad decreases. The lower the residue of the wire on the electrode pad, the higher is a possibility that the first FAB260may become detached from the electrode pad while the product is being used.

Table 1 shows experimental results of a residue test on a cathode electrode pad according to a stop time duration when the ball bonding is performed, and Table 2 shows experimental results of a residue test on an anode electrode pad according to a stop time duration when the ball bonding is performed. In Tables 1 and 2, B/II is the height of a bonded ball, B/S is a width of the bonded ball, and WPT is a bonding resistant force when a wire loop is pulled out in an upward direction.

As seen from the above results of Tables 1 and 2, if the stop time duration exceeds about 5 minutes, the amount of residue reduces. By reflecting the above-mentioned experimental results, the predetermined reference time may be determined as about three minutes in consideration of a safety rate. When the wire bonding process is stopped for about three minutes or more due to an error, a process of removing the first FAB260contaminated before the wire bonding process restarts is performed.

FIG. 9is a cross-sectional view of a dummy area410of the lead frame20. Referring toFIG. 9, the lead frame20including the mounting portion21and the first and second terminal portions22and23is formed by pressing a metal plate400, for example. The lead frame20is maintained connected to the metal plate400via trimming portions24a,24b,24c, and24d. The mold frame10,52is molded on the lead frame20by injection molding. After the wire bonding process is completed, the package main body54including the lead frame20and the mold frame10,52is detached from the metal plate400by performing a singulation process. Thus, an area indicated by hatching inFIG. 9represents the dummy area410to be discarded after the singulation process is performed.

The process of removing the first FAB260may be performed by a dummy bonding process in which the first FAB260is bonded to the dummy area410of the lead frame20and is removed. For example, if a process restart command is input after the error of a corresponding process stop has been removed by the process manager or a user, the controller300controls the wire bonding apparatus100to lower the fixing unit130and to fix the lead frame20on the support block120. In addition, the controller300controls the wire bonding apparatus100to move the capillary200to the dummy area410.

FIG. 10is a cross-sectional view illustrating the dummy bonding performed in the dummy area410of the lead frame20to remove the contaminated first FAB260. The capillary200is lowered in a state where the clamp210is maintained in the clamping state, and the first FAB260to which the foreign substance is attached contacts the dummy area410and is bonded to the dummy area410in a state where a load is applied to the first FAB260and ultrasonic vibration is induced on the first FAB260. When the process of bonding the first FAB260to the dummy area410is completed, the clamp210is maintained in the clamping state and the capillary200is elevated. The wire201is cut, and the first FAB260is thereby removed from the capillary200. After the wire201is cut, the clamp210is changed into the release state, is further elevated, and the tail202is formed on the end portion of the capillary200similarly to what is described with reference toFIG. 6.

After the first FAB260contaminated by the foreign substance is removed, the wire bonding process of connecting the first and second electrode pads31and32to respective first and second terminal portions22and23with the first and second bonding wires41and42is performed by the processes described above with reference toFIGS. 3 through 7.

The wire bonding process may stop in a state where the first FAB260is not formed on the end of the capillary200as occasion demands. In this case, the tail202exposed to the air may be contaminated by the foreign substance. Thus, when the stop time exceeds the predetermined reference time, the wire bonding process may restart after the contaminated tail202is removed. The contaminated tail202may be removed by performing dummy bonding in the dummy area410of the lead frame20. The first FAB260may be formed using the contaminated tail202and bonded to the dummy area410.

As described above, according to one or more of the exemplary embodiments when a time duration of the stopped wire bonding process and/or the standby state exceeds the predetermined reference time, the first FAB260or the tail202exposed to the air is removed before the wire bonding is restarted, so that the lowering of a bonding force of the wire201may be prevented.

Although the wire bonding method of the light emitting device package1including the package main body2or54having the cavity3formed therein has been described, an exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the light emitting device package1may lack the cavity3or the mold frame10,52. Further, the described-above wire bonding methods may be applied in another type of a circuit device, for example, in a memory chip, or the like.

FIG. 11illustrates a bonding method according to an exemplary embodiment. In operation550, the package main body54is aligned on the support block120. In operation552, the fixing unit130is lowered into the fixing position58and the lead frame20becomes fixed on the support block120. In operation554, the discharge electrode230contacts the end portion of the wire201and the first FAB260is formed. In operation556, the capillary200is lowered to the lowered position504and the first FAB260is bonded to the first electrode pad31.

In operation558, the capillary200is moved to form a loop-shaped bonding wire. In operation560, the capillary200is lowered and the wire201is bonded to the first terminal portion22. In operation562, the capillary200is elevated and the wire201is cut. In operation564, the capillary200is further elevated to the position520, to form a tail202. In operation566, the discharge electrode230contacts the tail202and the second FAB262is formed. In operation568, the capillary200is lowered and the second FAB262is bonded to the second connection portion62.

In operation570, it is determined whether a process error is detected. If no process error is detected, the bonding process is repeated with a subsequent package main body aligned on the support block. If a process error is detected, the controller300stops the bonding apparatus, in operation580. The controller300may further lift the fixing unit130, in operation582, so that the user can remove the error.

FIG. 12illustrates a bonding method when an error is detected, according to an exemplary embodiment. In operation600, the bonding method is performed. In operation602, an error is detected, as described above. In operation604, the controller300stops the bonding process so that the user can remove the error. In operation606, a timer is started, to measure the stop time duration while the bonding process is stopped. In operation607, it is determined whether the error is removed. If the error is removed, it is determined whether a value of the timer exceeds the reference time value, in operation608. If a value of the timer does not exceed the reference time value, the bonding process is restarted. If a value of the timer exceeds the reference time value, a contaminated wire portion, such as a contaminated FAB, is removed, in operation610, and, in operation612, the bonding process is restarted.

FIG. 13illustrates a process of removing the contaminated wire portion, such as contaminated FAB, in more detail. In operation620, it is determined whether the fixing unit has been lifted by the controller into a release position59. If it is determined that the fixing unit is in the release position, the controller300controls the fixing unit130to be lowered to fix the lead frame20with the mounted package main body54on the support block120, in operation632. In operation634, the controller300controls the capillary200to be moved to the dummy area410, to remove the contaminated FAB. In operation636, the capillary200is lowered and the FAB, to which the foreign substance is attached, is thereby brought into contact with the dummy area410. In operation638, the contaminated FAB bonded to the dummy area410. In operation640, the capillary200is lifted and the wire201is cut, thereby removing the contaminated FAB or the contaminated wire portion from the end portion of the capillary200. In operation612, the bonding process is restarted and is performed according to the processes described above.

The described-above exemplary embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. The description of exemplary embodiments is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims, and many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Descriptions of features or aspects within each embodiment should typically be considered as available for other similar features or aspects in other embodiments.