Patent ID: 8881967

Claim:
An apparatus for interconnecting two connection pads in a head-gimbal assembly, comprising: a conveyer for conveying a metallic slug; a nozzle for ejecting said metallic slug toward said two connection pads, said nozzle comprising: a receiving portion for receiving said metallic slug from said conveyer; a gas release opening through a sidewall of said nozzle for enabling gas to escape said nozzle; and a straight guide, said straight guide disposed downstream of said receiving portion, and said straight guide having a maximum inner diameter such that said maximum inner diameter is smaller than a minimum inner diameter of said receiving portion, wherein without requiring an inner diameter of said straight guide to be greater than an outer diameter of said metal slug; and a laser for applying a laser beam from an inlet side of said nozzle to said metallic slug as said metallic slug passes along a path that comprises a first portion through said straight guide and a second portion between said straight guide and said two connection pads, said laser configured to melt said metallic slug for attaching said molten metallic slug to said two connection pads.