West·Bond’s new "E" Version starts the twentieth year of the Model 4500 tradition. This machine was revolutionary at its inception as the first to make a wire bond connection fully under programmable software control executed digitally by motors, thus making possible the manufacture of high frequency, high power semiconductor devices where connections must be identical. The original design, with digiswitches for input and with LED’s to display individual data lines by binary value, remained unchanged by customer insistence until finally supplanted by the current 4500 Model of the "B" Series. Now, Model 4~00E brings forward the new advances of the "E" Series, notably the placement of all machine mechanism above the work plane to allow unlimited access, and the setting of axis brakes to lock on target. In this model the tool, rather than the work, is moved, both for alignment and for bonding, with the work pre-rotated. There is choice of alignment by either microscope or video. Bond heads are built around a 63 kHz ultrasonic transducer and provide full three-way convertibility.

Machines of this series bond aluminum or gold wires from 0.0007 in. to 0.002 in. diameter, primarily to stitch bond a succession of parallel multi-arch wires, but useful for bonding any program of shaped connections. Three bond methods are available by tool head conversion; angled-feed wedge bonding, vertical-feed wedge bonding, and Negative EFO ball bonding. Both wedge bond methods require front-to-back wire progress, hence pre-rotation of the work piece. Wherever possible, angled feed wedge bonding is recommended because clamps very near the bond foot can have the best effect to work the wire into arches. Ball bond connections can be similarly shaped, even by complex motions, if rotation is pre-set. This machine is also uniquely capable of making a succession of spaced single-ball bonds. Further, a machine of this series can be assembled without feed mechanism to Tab Bond a pattern of connections, such as on the flex circuits of computer disk read heads.

Bonding mechanism is constructed of four axes, straight-line and orthogonal, stacked in an array. Two axes, X and Y, are driven by micromanipulator for positioning, then held by pneumatic brakes for bonding. Two axes, W (in Y direction) and Z, are driven by programmed motors to create and arch the connection. The vertical view video camera is mounted atop the X-Y axes so that the manipulator moves its target crosshairs. When video method is chosen, the tool is withdrawn along the W axis during alignment. When aligning by microscope, target is judged by an angled view of the tool at a search elevation just above the work. Approach to search and then down to contact can be controlled by a separate manual encoder that generates clocks to drive the Z Motor directly, or can be controlled at the keypad or by a push-button on the right-hand control. These different methods can be used interchangeably in any sequence. Similarly, alignment by microscope or video is optional. Video alignment allows bonding of the entire connection after a single input accepting the targeting of the critical bond, though requiring extra runs on the W axis to hide the tool. Microscope alignment allows direct view of and placement of all bonds with minimum movements. The work piece is aligned front-to-back on a large fixed platform. Optional rotating and adjustable height platforms are available. Alignment can be checked before bonding by scanning methods.

Rigid bearing mounts, rather than taper loading, fix the strut bar of this assembly so that any required bond force can be applied. The standard set of force springs generates 15 to 250 grams, and together with the work-sensing firing switch, is built into the four-bar linkage. A dual force mechanism, operated pneumatically, acts to change between two pre-set force values, and either high or low force may be programmed for any bond. Radiant tool heat with panel mounted, constant current control is included.

The mechanism of this series was designed to mount above a customer's work handling system, to be confined entirely above the work plane, and so not to have any base or work platform. In this configuration, a model of this series is designated as "4~~~EX". For use as a stand-alone complete bonding machine, the mechanism will be completed with a plain base having a bolted-on, adjustable height, rotating, work platform, and will be designated as "4~~~E". In either the "E" or the "EX" configurations, optional control arms are included to move both the manipulator control point and the Z axis encoder control point five inches vertically from their normal positions near the machine base to new locations above the work plane. When the high control arrangement is used, the customer must provide suitable operator's forearm rests. This is essential both for the operator's safety and comfort, and to provide a stable platform from which to direct control motions with the accuracy required for wire bonding. The manual Z Encoder method of controlling tool descent is optional.

Mounting points for the "EX" version of this mechanism are provided at two foot locations at the work plane elevation 5.000 in. above table surface, approximately 22.312 in. apart, and 8.734 in. to the rear left, and 13.093 in. rear right, of the work point.

A keypad is provided for direct entry and editing of both configuration and user data and for selection of operation options. Entry and execution is prompted at the machine panel by a series of "screens" displayed on a 4-line 40-character LCD. All programmed values are displayed during bonding. At "home", various options are enabled including a patented self-threading routine for the angled feed method.

Protection against Electrostatic Discharge is implemented by finishing exposed tool assemblies and other moving parts by Electro less Nickel plating, which is conductive; and all exposed painted parts with a powder-coated paint that is dissipative.

• Model No. 4546E. This machine with single wedge bond tool head, Assy No. 9305, with angled clamp Assy No 9048 and overhead clamp Assy No 9049, for bonding by either wedge method.
• Model No. 4546EX. This machine, specified as Model 4546E, except without base.
• Model No. 454647E. This machine with two bond tool heads, Assy No 9305 with the two clamp assemblies for wedge bonding as above, and with tool head Assy No 9220 for Negative EFO ball bonding, all convertible.
• Model No. 454647EX. This machine specified as Model 454647E, except without base.
• Model No. 4700E. This machine with one bond tool head, Assy No 9220 for Negative EFO ball bonding.

• Feature No. 70. Adjustable height workstation with a rotary platform to rotate work about the center of tool X-Y range. Assembly No. 8965. Recommended to pre-align bonds front to back. Not for "EX models.
• Feature No. 79. Adjustable height work platform. Assembly No. 8965. Not for "EX" models.

The ESD protected microscope recommended for this series is Nikon SMZ660 with the new LED illuminator "Luxuray". Neither microscope nor illuminator is included. One recommended bonding tool is included.

All work holders are priced separately, and should be ordered separately. A universal unheated work holder, capable of holding most common substrate devices between a pivoted clamp lever and adjustable backstops, is maintained in stock and is available for delivery in the same time span as the machine. Quite a large number of previously designed special work holders, both heated and unheated, are available but are not stocked, and cannot be promised for delivery with the machine. These should preferably be on an order separate from the machine order, but if not, the machine order must state that partial deliveries are allowed. Work holders for new work pieces requiring custom design and fabrication will be quoted upon receipt of drawings and samples: These must be ordered on separate purchase orders.

Compressed air, regulated to 50 psig, is required. Connection is via 1/4-inch tubing.

Electrical service required is 50-60 Hz, single phase, either 115 VAC or 230 VAC; however, input must be configured at the factory for 230 VAC. A fuse and three-prong power cord connector are provided for 115 VAC: For 230 VAC, these must be changed to conform to local requirements.

"E" Series machine size is 24.218" wide x 22.297" deep x 11.000" high, exclusive of microscope, or 15.000" in height to scope eyepieces. Weight is 75 lb. uncrated, or 110 lb. crated.

"EX" Series machine size is 22.312" wide x 16.500" deep x 6.000" high above work plane, exclusive of microscope, or 10.0" high from work plane to scope eyepieces. Weight is 55 lb. uncrated, or 90 lb. crated.