Abstract:
An apparatus and method of forming improved wire bonds between the contact pads on semiconductor devices and individual lead frame fingers of a lead frame. The apparatus and method includes the use of a penetrating individual independent lead finger clamp during the wire bonding process to provide increased stability of the individual lead finger for improved bonding by the clamp penetrating a portion of the lead finger being bonded. If desired, the apparatus and method also provides for the use of either a penetrating or non-penetrating fixed clamp for the lead fingers during the wire bonding process in addition to the penetrating individual independent lead finger clamp during the wire bonding process to provide increased stability of the individual lead finger for improved bonding. The apparatus and method contemplates the replacement of the penetrating fixed clamp with another, or second, penetrating independent clamp in addition to the first individual independent lead finger clamp during the wire bonding process.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 08/909,230, filed Aug. 11, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,047,877 which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/631,143, filed Jun. 17, 1996, now U.S. Pat. 5,673,845, issued Oct. 7, 1997. 
     This application is related to U.S. Ser. No. 08/597,616, filed Feb. 6, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,528, issued Jul. 15, 1997, entitled “BONDHEAD LEAD CLAMP APPARATUS AND METHOD” and assigned to Micron Technology, Inc. and is also related to U.S. Ser. No. 08/592,058, filed Jan. 26, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,842, issued Sep. 21, 1999, entitled “LEADFINGER CLAMP ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF STABILIZING LEAD FRAME ELEMENTS” and assigned to Micron Technology, Inc. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is related to forming wire bonds between the contact pads on semiconductor devices and individual lead frame fingers of a lead frame. 
     More specifically, the present invention is related to the apparatus and method of forming improved wire bonds between the contact pads on semiconductor devices and individual lead fingers of a lead frame using one or more independently actuated lead penetrating bond head lead clamps or a fixed bond head clamp which may be either penetrating or not during the wire bonding process. 
     2. State of the Art 
     Well known types of semiconductor chip devices are connected to a component known as lead frames and subsequently encapsulated in plastic for use in a wide variety of applications. The lead frame is typically formed from a single continuous sheet of metal, typically by metal stamping operations. The lead frame includes an outer supporting frame, and may include a central semiconductor chip supporting pad and a plurality of lead fingers, each lead finger having, in turn, a terminal bonding portion near the central chip supporting pad. Ultimately, the outer supporting frame of the lead frame is removed after the wire bonds between the contact pads of the semiconductor chip device and the lead fingers have been made and after the encapsulation of the semiconductor chip and portion of the lead fingers. 
     Since the lead frames are formed continuously using stamping operations, they are typically continuously rolled on a suitable reel and provided for use. Such reeling operations of the lead frames cause the lead frames to have induced stresses and deformations therein leading to lead frames exhibiting longitudinal curvature and transverse curvature as well as deformation of the individual leads of the lead frame. Such lead frame curvature and any attendant deformation of the leads and lead frame cause problems in the formation of reliable wire bonds with the contact pads of semiconductor devices and the individual lead fingers of the lead frame. Particularly, problems arise when the size of the semiconductor is decreased, the number of contacts pads on the semiconductor device is increased, and the number of lead fingers on the lead frame is increased. In order to form the desired connections between the bond pads of a semiconductor device and a lead frame during the wire bonding process, the lead fingers of the lead frame must be immobilized in a known, predetermined location with respect to the semiconductor device. 
     Typical apparatus and methods for forming the wire bonds between the contact pads on semiconductor devices and the lead fingers of lead frames are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,361,261, 4,527,730, 4,600,138, 4,653,681, 4,765,531, and 5,465,899. However, such apparatus and methods do not address the problem of deformed lead frames and their effect on the wire bonds. 
     Typically, the deformation of the lead frames and its effect on the quality of wire bonds have been dealt with through the use of clamps on portions of the lead frames during the wire bonding operation. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,434,347 a circular fixed clamp is used to retain the lead fingers of the lead frame during the wire bonding operation. A spring loaded electrode is used to heat the end of the lead finger to help improve bonding of the wire. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,207 a fixed clamp is used to retain the lead frame during the automated wire bonding process for connecting the bond pads of a semiconductor device to lead fingers of a lead frame. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,978 a fixed clamp is illustrated for use in an apparatus and method for orienting bonding sites of a lead frame at a bonding station of an automatic wire bonder. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,034 a hold-down clamp having a multi-fingered interchangeable insert for wire bonding semiconductor lead frames is illustrated. The circular clamp insert  21  includes a plurality of individual fingers  22  used to bias a lead finger of a lead frame in the wire bonding process to provide a better wire bond by attempting to immobilize the lead frame during bonding operations. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 3,685,137 jaws  26  and  28  of a lead frame clamp are used to force the lead fingers of a lead frame into a fixed position during the wire bonding process. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,945 a method and apparatus for the single lead automated clamping and bonding of lead fingers of lead frames are illustrated. However, such apparatus and method are used to replace the fixed clamp during such wire bonding. Additionally, the individual clamp is concentrically located with respect to the wire bonding apparatus and must rotate therearound during wire bonding operations. 
     While such prior art apparatus and methods have been directed in attempting to solve the problems of forming reliable wire bonds between the contact pads of semiconductor devices and lead fingers of lead frames, they have not been as successful because none of the prior art clamps effectively immobilizes a lead finger during wire bonding operations as the clamps merely engage the surface of a lead finger, if properly positioned thereon. 
     The present invention is directed to an improved wire bonding apparatus and method for forming wire bonds between semiconductor devices and lead frames by immobilizing the lead finger during the wire bonding process. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is related to the apparatus and method of forming improved wire bonds between the contact pads on semiconductor devices and individual lead frame fingers of a lead frame. In one instance, the present invention includes the use of a penetrating individual independent lead finger clamp during the wire bonding process to provide increased stability of the individual lead finger for improved bonding by the clamp penetrating a portion of the lead finger being bonded. In another instance, the present invention also provides for the use of either a penetrating or non-penetrating fixed clamp for the lead fingers during the wire bonding process in addition to the penetrating individual independent lead finger clamp during the wire bonding process to provide increased stability of the individual lead finger for improved bonding. The present invention also contemplates the replacement of the penetrating fixed clamp with another, or second, penetrating independent clamp in addition to the first individual independent lead finger clamp during the wire bonding process. With the improved clamping of the lead finger by the clamp penetrating a portion of the lead finger the present invention allows improved wire bond impressions and improved bond strength. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will be better understood when the description of the invention is taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an independent individual clamp and a fixed clamp used in a wire bonding process. 
     FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a penetrating independent individual clamp and a fixed clamp of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lead-over-chip semiconductor device having the bond pads thereof connected to the lead fingers of a lead frame using penetrating independent individual clamps of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the individual independent clamps used in the wire bonding of a semiconductor chip arrangement. 
     FIG. 3A is a side view of penetrating individual independent clamps of the present invention used in the wire bonding of a semiconductor chip arrangement. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second alternative type of individual independent lead clamp used in the wire bonding of a lead of a lead frame of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a penetrating individual independent clamp of the type illustrated in drawing FIG. 4 of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4B are cross-sectional views of penetrating individual independent clamps of the type illustrated in drawing FIG. 4 of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third alternative type of independent individual lead clamp used in the wire bonding of a lead of a lead frame of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5A is a front view of the penetrating independent individual lead clamp shown in FIG. 5 of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5B is a side view of the penetrating independent individual lead clamp shown in FIG. 5 of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5C is a front view of another type of penetrating independent individual lead clamp shown in FIG. 5 of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5D is a side view of the penetrating independent individual lead clamp shown in FIG. 5 of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the use of two independent individual lead clamps used in the wire bonding of a lead of a lead frame of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of penetrating independent individual lead clamps of the present invention as shown in FIG. 6 of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6B is a front view of one of the penetrating independent individual lead clamps as shown in FIG. 6A of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6C is a front view of the other penetrating independent individual lead clamps as shown in FIG. 6A of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another penetrating independent individual lead clamp used in the wire bonding of a lead of a lead frame of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7A is a side view of the penetrating independent individual lead clamp of FIG. 7 of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a side view of the penetrating independent individual lead clamp of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to drawing FIG. 1, a semiconductor device (chip or die)  10  is shown being supported by the paddle  12  of a lead frame. A heat block  20  is used to heat the paddle  12 , die  10 , and lead fingers  14  during the wire bonding process. As shown, a suitable wire  16  has one end thereof  17  bonded to a bond pad of the die  10 . The wire  16  may be of any suitable type for connection and bonding purposes, such as gold, gold alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, etc. The other end  18  of the wire  16  is shown being bonded to the end  15  of a lead finger  14  of the lead frame by a suitable bonding apparatus  26 . The bonding apparatus  26  may be of any suitable type well known in the bonding area, such as a tailless thermosonic or ultrasonic capillary type bonding apparatus which dispenses wire during the bonding process. As previously stated, the lead finger  14  is in contact with the heat block  20  to heat the lead finger  14  to a suitable temperature for the bonding operation to help insure a satisfactory wire bond. If desired, in the wire bonding operation, further shown in contact with lead finger  14  is a portion of a conventional clamp  22  used to clamp portions of the lead frame during such bonding operations. The clamp  22  may be of any well known suitable type, such as those described hereinbefore, and is generic in shape. During the wire bonding process it is desirable for the heat block to be heated to substantially 230 degrees Centigrade. Although the heat block may be any suitable temperature during the bonding operation, the heat block  20  temperature should not exceed 300 degrees Centigrade to prevent thermal damage to the die  10 . It is further preferred that the bond of the other end  18  of the wire  16  made to the end  15  of the lead finger  14  be made at a temperature of substantially 190 degrees Centigrade for bonding effectiveness. It is also preferred that the bonding apparatus typically exert a bonding force of substantially 50 to 100 grams when bonding the other end  18  of the wire  16  to the end  15  of lead finger  14  for effective bond formation of the wire  16  to lead finger  14 . 
     The independent clamp  24  (FIG. 1A) may be of any suitable shape for use in independently clamping the lead finger  14 , in place of the use of conventional fixed clamp  22 , such as square, semicircular, rectangular, arcuate, etc. Also, as shown, the independent clamp  24  may be resiliently mounted through the use of a shoulder  50  thereon abutting a spring  52  to control the amount of the force exerted on any lead finger  14  during the wire bonding operation. If desired, the independent clamp  24  may include insulation or cushioning on the end thereof. The independent clamp  24  is actuated independently of bonding apparatus  26  and has the capability of independent movement along the x-axis, y-axis and z-axis with respect to the bonding apparatus  26 . The independent clamp  24  is also free to move about the bonding apparatus  26  and the central axis of the die  10  so that any lead finger  14  that is to be connected to a bond pad on the die  10 , regardless of location, may be accommodated. The independent clamp  24  does not need to be, and preferably is not, concentrically centered about the bonding apparatus  26  so that it will not interfere with the operation thereof. Any desired number of independent clamps  24  may be used about the bonding apparatus to minimize the amount of movement of the independent clamp  24  between wire bonding operations. The lead finger  14  may be located in quadrants about the die  10 , or in any manner as desired. 
     Referring to drawing FIG. 1A, a semiconductor device (chip or die)  10  is shown being supported by the paddle  12  of a lead frame in the manner as described in drawing FIG. 1 hereinbefore. Further shown in drawing FIG. 1A is an independently actuated lead clamp of the present invention having a lead finger penetrating portion  25  on the bottom thereof used in place of or in addition to the conventional (fixed) clamp  22  to maintain the lead finger  14  in position during the bonding process. The independent clamp  24  helps insure that the lead finger  14  is in contact with the heat block  20  during the bonding process, immobilizes the lead finger  14  during the wire bonding process, and helps minimize any deflection of the end  15  of the lead finger  14  so that the bonding apparatus  26  accurately, precisely contacts the end  15  to provide the desired wire bond. The action of independent clamp  24 , and, if desired the additional use of fixed clamp  22 , provides improved clamping and immobilization of a lead finger  14  during the wire bonding process as well as insures that the lead finger  14  is in intimate contact with the heat block  20  for effectiveness. 
     During the wire bonding process it is desirable for the heat block to be heated as described hereinbefore. Similarly, the bonding apparatus should exert substantially the same amount of force as described hereinbefore. 
     The independent clamp  24  (FIG. 1A) may be of any suitable overall exterior shape for use in independently clamping the lead finger  14 , in place of the use of conventional fixed clamp  22 , such as square, semicircular, rectangular, arcuate, etc. Also, as shown, the independent clamp  24  may be resiliently mounted through the use of a shoulder  49  thereon abutting a spring  52  to control the amount of the force exerted on any lead finger  14  during the wire bonding operation. The independent clamp  24  is actuated independently of bonding apparatus  26  and has the capability of independent movement along the x-axis, y-axis and z-axis with respect to the bonding apparatus  26 . The independent clamp  24  is also free to move about the bonding apparatus  26  and the central axis of the die  10  so that any lead finger  14  that is to be connected to a bond pad on the die  10 , regardless of location, may be accommodated. The independent clamp  24  does not need to be, and preferably is not, concentrically centered about the bonding apparatus  26  so that it will not interfere with the operation thereof. Any desired number of independent clamps  24  may be used about the bonding apparatus to minimize the amount of movement of the independent clamp  24  between wire bonding operations. The independent clamps  24  may be located in quadrants about the die  10 , or in any manner as desired. 
     Referring to drawing FIG. 2, a lead-over-chip configuration using the present invention is shown. The lead fingers  14  are located over the chip or die  10  for wire bonding thereto. In such a configuration, the lead fingers  14  are secured to the die  10  by insulating adhesive strips  30 . During the bond operation, one or more of the independent clamps  24  having a lead finger penetrating portion  25  located on the end thereof clamps the end  15  of lead finger  14  prior to the bonding of a wire  16  thereto by one or more of the bonding apparatus  26 . The independent clamp  24  applies sufficient pressure to the end  15  of the lead finger  14  to compress the insulating adhesive strips  30  to insure a satisfactory bond between the end of any wire  16  and the end  15  of the lead finger  14 . 
     Referring to drawing FIG. 3, a chip or die  10  is shown having a plurality of wires  16  bonded thereto. As shown, one or more of the fixed clamps  22  contacts the end  15  of lead finger  14  aft of the area of the bond of the other end  18  to the lead finger  14 . The bonds of the other end  18  to the end  15  of the lead finger  14  are typically a wedge type wire bond, although a ball bond may be made if desired. As shown, the heat block  20  is in contact with the paddle  12  of the lead frame and the lead fingers  14 . 
     Referring to drawing FIG. 3A, a chip or die  10  is shown having a plurality of wires  16  bonded thereto using the present invention. As shown, one or more of the independent clamps  24  having lead finger penetrating portions  25  located thereon contacts and penetrates the end  15  of lead finger  14  aft of the area of the bond of the other end  18  to the lead finger  14 . As also shown, the fixed clamps  22  are formed to have penetrating portions  22 ′ thereon which penetrate the end  15  of lead finger  14 . In this manner, the end  15  of the lead finger  14  provides improved clamping and immobilization of a lead finger  14  during the wire bonding process as well as insures that the lead finger  14  is in intimate contact with the heat block  20  for effectiveness. The bonds of the other end  18  to the end  15  of the lead finger  14  are typically a wedge type wire bond, although a ball bond may be made if desired. As shown, the clamps  22  and  24  having lead finger penetrating portions thereon which cause the lead finger  14  to engage heat block  20  as well as heat block  20  being in contact with the paddle  12  of the lead frame. However, care should be taken to prevent the lead finger penetrating portion  25  of the clamp  24  from either damaging the lead finger  14 , affecting its electrical characteristics, or severing the lead finger  14 . 
     Referring to drawing FIG. 4, a portion of a lead finger  14  is shown in conjunction with a bonding apparatus  26  and modified independent penetrating lead clamp  22 ″. The independent lead clamp  22 ″ is formed having a modified end or foot  23  thereon to provide a larger clamping area of the clamp  22 ″ on the end  15  of the lead finger  14  during bonding operations. The modified end or foot  23  is substantially the same width as the lead finger  14  and may be mounted to have articulated movement about the end of the independent clamp  22 ″, such as using a pin extending through suitable apertures in a pair of ears  27  attached to the foot  23  and the end of the modified independent clamp  22 ″ for illustration purposes. Located on the bottom of the modified end or foot  23  of the clamp  22 ″ are suitable lead finger  14  penetrating members (not shown) which penetrate the lead finger  14  to immobilized it during wire bonding operations as described hereinbefore. 
     Referring to drawing FIG. 4A, the lead finger penetrating portion  23 ″ of the foot  23  is shown in relation to the bonding apparatus  26  and lead finger  14 . The lead finger penetrating portion  23 ″ partially penetrates the lead finger  14  to immobilize the end  15  thereof during wire bonding operations by the bonding apparatus  26 . The lead finger penetrating portion  23 ″ may penetrate the lead finger  14  to any desired depth depending upon the thickness thereof. However, care should be taken to prevent the lead finger penetrating portion  23 ″ from either damaging the lead finger  14 , affecting its electrical characteristics, or severing the lead finger  14 . 
     Referring to drawing FIG. 4B, various embodiments of the lead finger penetrating portion  23 ″ of foot  23  are shown. As shown the lead finger penetrating portion  23 ″ may comprise a plurality of round shaped members located to either extend along the axis of a lead finger  14  or extend transversely thereof or may comprise a knife edge shape extending transversely across the axis of a lead finger  14 . The shapes are to be merely illustrative of a variety of shapes for the lead finger penetrating portion  23 ″ which may be used. 
     Referring to drawing FIG. 5, an independent clamp  22  is shown having a modified end or foot  23 ′ located on the end thereof. The end or foot  23 ′ may be integrally attached to the clamp  22  or may have an articulated mounting arrangement, such as shown in drawing FIG.  4 . In this instance, the modified end or foot  23 ′ is generally semicircular, or arcuate, in configuration so as to engage a large portion of the end  15  of the lead finger  14  surrounding the bonding apparatus  26  during the wire bonding operation to hold the end  15  in position. 
     Referring to drawing FIGS. 5A through 5D, the foot  23 ′ is shown having various lead penetrating portions  23 ″ thereon. As illustrated, the various lead penetrating portions  23 ″ include either a knife edge shape, as illustrated in drawing FIGS. 5A and 5B, or a blunted edge (rounded edge) shape, as illustrated in drawing FIGS. 5C and 5D. Such shapes of the lead penetrating portion  23 ″ are to be considered merely as illustrations as other shapes for the penetrating portions may be used. As previously described, the lead penetrating portion  23 ″ may penetrate the lead finger  14  to any desired depth depending upon the thickness thereof. However, care should be taken to prevent the lead penetrating portion  23 ″ from either damaging the lead finger  14 , affecting its electrical characteristics, or severing the lead finger  14 . 
     Referring to drawing FIG. 6, the independent clamp  24  is shown in relation to the bonding apparatus  26  on the end  15  of a lead finger  14  as well as further being shown in relation to a second independently actuated clamp  50  located thereon during wire bonding operations, both clamps  24  and  50  having portions on the bottom thereof (not shown) for penetrating the lead finger  14  to immobilize the same during wire bonding operations. The second independently actuated clamp  50  may be of any suitable type and structure such as described and illustrated hereinbefore. The clamp  24  and second clamp  50  may be actuated independently of each other and independently of the bonding apparatus  26  as described and illustrated hereinbefore. Also shown is a soft metal coating  14 ′ located on the lead finger  14  which is penetrated by either the clamp  24  or the second clamp  50 . The soft metal coating  14 ′ applied to the lead finger  14  may be of any suitable type, such as gold, silver, aluminum, etc., which will allow for the easy penetration of the coating  14 ′ by a portion of either the clamp  24  or the second clamp  50 . 
     Referring to drawing FIG. 6A, the independent clamp  24  is shown having a lead penetrating portion  24 ′ on the end thereof and clamp  50  is shown having a lead penetrating portion  50 ′ on the end thereof penetrating the soft metal coating  14 ′ on the lead finger  14 , both portions  24 ′ and  50 ′ penetrating either the lead finger  14  or the soft metal coating  14 ′ on the lead finger  14  being wire bonded by bonding apparatus  26 . As previously described, the lead penetrating portions  24 ′ and  50 ′ may penetrate the lead finger  14  or any soft metal coating thereon to any desired depth depending upon the thickness thereof. However, care should be taken to prevent the lead penetrating portions  24 ′ and  50 ′ from either damaging the lead finger  14 , affecting its electrical characteristics, or severing the lead finger  14 . 
     Referring to drawing FIG. 6B, the clamp  24  is illustrated having a knife edge type penetrating portion  24 ′ thereon which extends transversely across the axis of a lead finger  14  (not shown). It should be understood that any suitable shape penetrating portion  24 ′ may be used on clamp  24 . 
     Referring to drawing FIG. 6C, the clamp  50  is illustrated having a knife edge type penetrating portion  50 ′ thereon which extends transversely across the axis of a lead finger  14  (not shown). It should be understood that any suitable shape penetrating portion  50 ′ may be used on clamp  50 . 
     Referring to drawing FIG. 7, a portion of a lead finger  14  is illustrated in relation to a bonding apparatus  26  and independent individual clamp  100  having a penetrating point  100 ′ thereon. The clamp  100  is generally circular in shape having a frustoconical penetrating point  100 ′ thereon for penetrating a lead finger  14 . 
     Referring to drawing FIG. 7A, the clamp  100  having penetrating point  100 ′ thereon and the bonding apparatus  26  are shown is cross-section in relation to the penetrating and clamping of a lead finger  14  during wire bonding thereof. The penetrating point  100 ′ penetrates the lead finger  14  to immobilize the lead finger  14  during the wire bonding operation. As previously stated, care should be taken to prevent the lead penetrating portion  100 ′ from either damaging the lead finger  14 , affecting its electrical characteristics, or severing the lead finger  14 . 
     Referring to drawing FIG. 8, a bonding apparatus  26  is illustrated in relation to a lead finger  14  with the penetrating independent individual clamp  100  having a penetrating point  100 ′ thereon. As illustrated, the clamp  100  is acting on the opposite side of the lead finger  14  from the bonding apparatus  26 . It should be understood that any of the penetrating clamps hereinbefore described may act on the opposite side of the lead clamp  26  during the wire bonding operations regarding a lead finger  14 . It is not necessary that the penetrating clamp be positioned on the same side of the lead finger  14  as the bonding apparatus  26 . As stated previously, care should be taken to prevent the lead penetrating portion  100 ′, or the penetrating portion of any penetrating clamp hereinbefore described, from either damaging the lead finger  14 , affecting its electrical characteristics, or severing the lead finger  14 . 
     METHOD OF BONDING 
     Referring to drawing FIGS. 1 through 3, in the method of the present invention, a chip or die  10  is positioned within the bonding area of the bonding apparatus  26 . If desired for use in addition to a penetrating individual independent clamp  24 , a conventional or penetrating clamp  22  serves to help straighten the lead frame and position the lead fingers  14  during subsequent bonding operations. Next, the chip or die  10  and the lead finger  14  are heated to the desired temperature before bonding operations by the heat block  20 . At this time, the penetrating individual independent clamp  24  is engaged, moved to the appropriate lead finger  14  which is to have a wire bonded thereto, and actuated to clamp and immobilize the end  15  of the lead finger  14  against the heat block  20  or the adhesive strip  30 . The wire bonding apparatus  26  is then actuated to form a wire bond on end  17  of wire  16  to an appropriate bond pad on chip or die  10 . After the formation of the bond of end  17  of wire  16  to the bond pad of die  10 , the bonding apparatus is moved to appropriate end  15  of lead finger  14  for the formation of a suitable wire bond thereto by other end  18  of wire  16 . After the formation of the bond of the other end  18  of wire  16  to the end  15  of lead finger  14 , the penetrating individual independent clamp  24  and the bonding apparatus are actuated to remove the clamp  24  and the bonding apparatus  26  from the end  15  of the lead finger  14 . Alternately, the bonding apparatus  26  is actuated to remove the apparatus from the bond location at the end  15  of the lead finger  14  prior to or after the removal of the penetrating individual independent clamp  24  from a lead finger  14 . During the removal of the bonding apparatus  26  from the end  15  of the lead finger  14  the conventional or penetrating clamp  22 , if in contact with the end  15  of a lead finger  14 , supplies the necessary force to retain the finger  14  in position relative to other lead fingers located around chip or die  10 , both bonded and unbonded. As previously stated, it is not necessary for the penetrating individual independent clamp  24  to remain in contact with the end  15  of lead finger  14  during the removal of the bonding apparatus  26  therefrom. After the wire  16  has been bonded to the desired bond pad of die  10  and end  15  of lead finger  14 , the process is repeated until all desired wire bonds between lead fingers  14  and the bond pads of chip or die  10  are completed. 
     If desired to have additional clamping of the lead finger  14 , either a fixed conventional or penetrating clamp  22  and/or a second penetrating individual independent clamp  24  may be used with the bonding apparatus  26 . The second penetrating individual independent clamp  24  may be actuated and moved from the lead finger  14  with, before or after the removal of the bonding apparatus  26  from the lead finger  14 . 
     It will be understood that the present invention may have changes, additions, deletions, modifications, and sequence of operation which fall within the scope of the invention. For instance, the fixed clamp may be eliminated and a second independent clamp used in its place.