Patent ID: 7458499

Claim:
A solder ball filling apparatus comprising: a base plate provided with a ball grid array template on one end having a plurality of locating holes extending therethrough for receiving solder balls, the base plate having pivotal movement about a pivot between a first pivot direction to move solder balls toward the ball grid array template and a second, opposite pivot direction to move solder balls away from the ball grid array template; a solder ball supply bin provided on the base plate for holding solder balls therein and for depositing solder balls in one or more of the locating holes when the bin is located above the ball grid array template; and a motor capable of moving the solder ball supply bin along the base plate toward and away from the ball grid array template; wherein the solder ball supply bin comprises two oppositely disposed side walls respectively connected by a rear side wall at one end and a pivoted ball gate at an opposite end, wherein during pivoting of the base plate in the second direction, the ball gate pivots upon contact with solder balls that have not moved away from the ball grid array template.