Patent ID: 8302836

Claim:
A ball array mask supporting apparatus that supports a ball array mask at a position above an object to be mounted, wherein the ball array mask comprises: a metal mask, which is formed in a substantially square shape, which comprises through holes into which minute balls are inserted, and which is positioned at a location above an object to be mounted; a hollow frame; a stretchable sheet, which affixes edges of the metal mask to the hollow frame, and which imparts tensile force to the metal mask in directions each of which is orthogonal to respective one of four sides of the metal mask; and projection members that are attached to the metal mask on substantially diagonal directions of respective corners of the metal mask, and wherein the ball array mask supporting apparatus comprises tensile force imparting units, which engage with the projection members that are provided to the metal mask being imparted the tensile force in directions orthogonal to respective four sides of the metal mask, and which pull the metal mask in a diagonal direction which is oriented slightly downward toward the object to be mounted and in externally oblique directions wherein the diagonal direction is diagonal relative to the four sides of the metal mask.