Patent ID: 7360675

Claim:
A microchip wire bonder for bonding insulated bond wire to a surface, said microchip wire bonder comprising: a bond head to position said insulated bond wire adjacent to said surface; a rotatable wire spool configured to hold said insulated bond wire and to advance said insulated bond wire to said bond head as needed; a motor configured to rotate said wire spool via a shaft; and an electrical contact device comprising: an electrical connector fixed to said wire spool and configured to receive an electrical connection with an uninsulated end-portion of said insulated bond wire; a stationary electrical contact for connecting to a ground, said stationary electrical contact configured about said shaft; and a conductive bearing configured about said shaft and between said electrical connector and said electrical contact, said conductive bearing further configured to electrically couple said electrical connector to said stationary electrical contact, thereby providing said ground to said uninsulated end-portion of said insulated bond wire.