Safety Operation Principles
Wire bonding equipment requires strict adherence to operational protocols. Before operating any wire bonder, operators must be fully familiar with equipment structure, component functions, usage methods, and operational characteristics. All personnel should undergo professional training and maintain continuous learning to ensure stable production quality and efficiency.
Pre-Operation Safety Checklist
- Verify all safety guards are in place and functional.
- Confirm emergency stop button is accessible and operational.
- Check that work area is free of loose tools, wires, or debris.
- Ensure adequate lighting for precision alignment tasks.
- Verify ESD protection measures are in place.
Daily Maintenance: After Each Use
Daily maintenance is non-negotiable and must follow every bonding session:
Work Area Cleaning
Wipe the heating table, work surface, and vacuum chuck using dust-free paper dipped in absolute ethanol. This removes gold wire debris, welding slag, dust, and other contaminants that accumulate during normal operation.
Consumable Component Cleaning
- Clean ceramic nozzle outer wall and tip — never insert hard objects into the inner hole as this causes permanent damage.
- Wipe igniter rod tip to remove oxide layers and metal carbon deposits that degrade ball formation quality.
- Clean residual gold wire debris from wire clamp and wire guide mechanisms.
Air Circuit and Power Check
Close air source after operation. Inspect all air tubing for leaks, cracks, or aging. Organize power cords carefully to prevent crushing, pinching, or abrasion damage.
Equipment Reset and Dust Protection
Return welding head to safe home position. Install dust cover over entire machine to prevent airborne particles entering guide rail systems and optical components.
Weekly Maintenance Procedures
Pneumatic System Care
Drain water and accumulated impurities from oil-water separator. Verify air source pressure stability within 0.4–0.6 MPa range. Inconsistent pressure directly affects bond strength uniformity and ultrasonic energy transfer efficiency.
Tension and Wire Feeding Inspection
Clean tension wheel and tension arm thoroughly — ensure rotation is smooth without binding or jamming. Verify wire clamp opens and closes normally with no deformation of clamping surfaces. Deformed clamps cause wire feed inconsistencies leading to loop height variation.
EFO Ignition Calibration
Re-calibrate igniter rod gap and height settings. Perform test burns to verify free ball formation is round and stable. Address any ball eccentricity or ball explosion issues immediately before they affect production yield.
Vision System Maintenance
Clean microscope lenses with dedicated lens paper only — never use regular tissues or cloths that can scratch optical coatings. Remove fingerprints and oil stains that obscure pad visibility during alignment operations.
Vacuum Adsorption System Check
Clear any blockages in suction cup micro-holes using compressed air or fine cleaning probes. Test adsorption force on sample devices to confirm firm holding without displacement during bonding cycles. Weak vacuum causes device shifting that leads to misaligned bonds or cratering damage.
