People new the die bonder and wire bonder world often do not know where to begin looking for a bonding machine. And when they find a few bonders that seem "right", what does one need look for in a bonder? This is a very important question and one that must be throughly researched and understood. High-end, high quality bonders can cost as much as a single family home in California. Just the same, the lower-end, lower quality bonders will cost signifcantly less.
Choosing the right bonder (could) depend on the following:
- application
- precision and accuracy requirements
- yield requirements
- factory size (floor space)
- reliabilty requirements
- support and training needs
- budget and price requirements
- timeline or time to market needs
The Basics of Bonding Purchasing
BUY RIGHT - get it right the first time; spend time comparing bonder manufacturing firm data sheets, speak directly with knowledgable sales people who can clearly explain the benefits, features and the invetible "give and take" that comes with any advanced packaging system. For example, if you are looking for speed, you will sacrafice precision and accuracy. The qualified salesperson will be able to help you gain a clear scope of your requirements. Using our example, if precision and accuracy is neccesary for your application, you have just narrowed down your selection to a few bonder providers.
REDUCE RISK - looking at specs on a data sheet is not enough. Following the lead of your sales point person, you must spend time engaging with each company's scientists, engineers and program managers. These people live and breath wire bonding and die attach challenges and solutions. During this process you will get a feel for each company's work ethic, quality of support and technical expertise.
PROVING BEFORE BUYING - the best wire and die attach manufacturers will often do a sample application to prove that the work can be done. You can choose to visit the companies in person or have the sample application mailed to you. The benefit of this is two-fold: 1) if your application is very specific, it will give each company a chance to see if they "can acutally do it" (good companies won't make a claim they can't provide) and 2) you can take the sample application directly to your boss and colleagues; under a microscope, everyone can see what they are getting.
KNOW YOUR OPTIONS - wire bonder and die attach machines come in three general categories:
New: much like a new car, the bonder includes a full factory warranty and has been driven only a few gentle miles during acceptance testing aka Applications Test Procedure (ATP). It has the new car smell, you will park it up front where everyone can see it - you especially can show it off to customers and senior staff. You will feel like a King (or Queen) - the entire capital equipment manufacturing team, of whom you bought the bonder from, is at your disposal for it is their primary objective to satisfy you!
Although bonder manufacturers do their best to make lead times as short as possible, lead times for new machines can be longer if a) there is signifcant process development, and b) if customized material handling or tooling is required (and this can be said for all the choices).
Demo: demostration or "demo" equipment is used at the manufacturer's site to demostrate capability and perform application for customers who are interested in purchasing equipment for their own facility. Demo systems can be a good option for customers looking for "new" equipment at a slightly reduced price; the demo system also benefits from having been "hardened" at the factory under the close supervision of the technical staff who built them. Although demo bonders have not changed title, they have seen a few application miles and been trotted around on the dog and pony show more than once. Typically, bonder manufacturing firms rotate demo machines in order to keep them fresh, and in doing so will usually only sell a few a year. Manufacturers don't rush to sell demo systems as they must backfill that demo system with a shiny new one. Because of this, demo equipment's discounts are usually modest. With this said, if you are interested in a demo system, it is best to contact the bonder manufacturer as early as possible - like anything, it is first come, first serve. Depending on your applicaiton, a demo system may require you to be flexible in your timing, accesories, tooling and material handling. These additional items are sold at "new" prices, as they were not originally part of the demo bonder.
*6500 die bonder demo system - looking top down
Refurbished: a good microelectronics packaging system manufacturer will offer refurbished systems to its customers. A refurbished wire or die bonder is a good option for those seeking performance at a bargain price. Generally speaking, refurbished systems come from buy-backs from good customers - good meaning these customers have taken great care of the machine and have kept it in good working condition. Also, these machines are almost always covered by the manufacturers service contract and warranty. Refurbished means to return the system to its near-original-condition. If neccesary, it is cosmetically repaired. During refurbishment, the computer systems and software are updated and/or replaced and the machine is mechnically repaired and brought up to pass "acceptance test procedure" (ATP) - the same test procedure that is done with all new machines. A warranty is included as well. Unlike the demo and new system, refurbished machines are not scheduled and like the demo, are on a first come, first serve basis.
below: a wedge bonder in the Palomar warehouse being refurbished
Used: reputable bonder manufacturers NEVER sell used equipment...I repeat...reputable bonder manufactuers NEVER sell used equipment! Wire bonder, die bonder, and microelctronic packaging machines are highly complex products that require significant expertise to run effectively. A good bonder, will in effect "print money" for you. It's safe to say that a used bonder won't do anything for you except take up floor space and collect dust. Those who go down the road of buying a used bonder will find themselves searching for manuals and picking through spare parts. In short, buying used is not worth it. Buying a used bonder will likely cost you much more over time.
In Conclusion
Maximize your investment by doing your homework. If you have any questions about the bonder buying process or need help in determining what your application requires, please feel free to contact us. If our capabilities don't fit your requirements, we are happy to help steer you in the direction to find a solution that meets your needs.
-Steve Buerki