Patent ID: 8329509

Claim:
A method for making a recessed wettable lead end during package assembly, comprising: providing a selectively plated lead frame strip having opposing first and second sides, the selectively plated lead frame strip comprising a die pad for receiving an integrated circuit die and a plurality of contact leads extending toward the die pad from an attached frame, where each contact lead has a first plating coating formed on the second side in a first region but not on an second peripheral region; forming a package body over the first side of the selectively plated lead frame strip to encapsulate an integrated circuit die attached to the die pad while leaving exposed the plurality of contact leads on the second side of the selectively plated lead frame strip; partially etching the second peripheral regions on the second surface of the plurality of contact leads that are not protected by the first plating coating to form a recessed lead end at the second peripheral region of each contact lead; and forming a second plating coating on at least the recessed lead end of each contact lead to form a wettable recessed lead end at the second peripheral region of each contact lead.