Patent ID: 7637411

Claim:
A wire bonding machine comprising: a support structure for supporting a work piece, the support structure extending along a path of work pieces of the wire bonding machine; a pre-heat station including a pre-heat structure for supporting and heating the work piece during a pre-heat operation, the pre-heat structure being moveable with respect to the support structure such that the pre-heat structure is configured to be moved away from the path; and a wire bonding station including a surface for supporting the work piece during a wire bonding operation following the pre-heat operation, the bonding station being distinct from the pre-heat station, wherein the pre-heat structure is configured to be raised above the support structure such that another work piece, already wire bonded, may be returned, along the support structure, from (1) the wire bonding station of the wire bonding machine to (2) a magazine handler of the wire bonding machine by passing underneath the pre-heat structure while the pre-heat structure supports and heats the work piece during the pre-heat operation.