Wire Bonding Capillary Machining With Tangential Laser Ablation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for machining wire bonding capillaries from sintered ceramic materials are inefficient and result in relatively rough surfaces due to the absorption of entire laser pulses by individual grains, leading to slow processing times and poor surface finish.

Innovation Solution

A method involving tangential laser machining of sintered ceramic blanks, combined with continuous rotation and controlled laser beam orientation, allows for rapid and precise creation of small-scale structures on the capillary surfaces, including smooth transitions between different sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the laser beam is oriented at a right angle to the surface being machined, then the entire energy of a laser pulse is absorbed by individual grains, but this results in a relatively rough overall structure of the material surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelaser energy absorptionVSAvoidsurface roughness
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the orientation parameter of the laser beam from perpendicular (90 degrees to surface) to tangential (parallel to surface). This parameter change transforms the energy absorption pattern from complete grain evaporation to partial grain evaporation, thereby reducing surface roughness while maintaining effective material removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of directing the laser beam perpendicular to the surface as conventionally done, the patent inverts the approach by directing it tangentially along the surface. This inversion changes the interaction mechanism from volumetric heating and complete grain removal to surface-level ablation with finer control, producing smoother surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Manufacturing precision

If the laser beam is oriented tangentially to the surface, then only a part of the energy of a pulse is absorbed by each grain, but this requires a more complex laser beam orientation mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface finish qualityVSAvoidlaser beam orientation system
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces rotational motion of the capillary blank as an additional dimension to achieve tangential beam orientation. Instead of complexly adjusting the laser beam angle directly, the system rotates the workpiece so that the surface moves tangentially under a relatively fixed beam, achieving the desired orientation through workpiece motion rather than beam manipulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating capillary blank itself serves to create the tangential orientation condition. The rotation of the workpiece generates the relative tangential motion between the laser beam and surface, eliminating the need for complex beam steering mechanisms. The workpiece's own motion is utilized to achieve the optimal beam-surface interaction geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If traditional grinding and polishing methods are used to form the basic shape of capillaries, then the process is time-consuming, but this results in slower production rates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapillary shape accuracyVSAvoidmachining speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical grinding and polishing systems with a laser-based ablation system. The laser beam directly removes material through vaporization and sublimation processes, eliminating the need for mechanical contact between grinding tools and the capillary surface. This substitution dramatically reduces machining time while maintaining or improving surface quality and dimensional accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The laser machining process utilizes phase transitions (vaporization and sublimation) of the ceramic material to remove material. Instead of mechanically grinding away material through friction and wear, the laser energy directly transforms solid material into vapor or sublimated gas, enabling much faster material removal rates while producing cleaner surfaces without mechanical contact marks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables faster and more precise machining of wire bonding capillaries with finer surface finishes, reducing processing time and improving structural integrity by minimizing grain evaporation or sublimation, thus enhancing the overall quality of the capillary.

Implementation Method 1

the grain will only evaporate or sublimate in part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

the grain will only evaporate or sublimate in part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSublimation: Sublimation

Implementation Method 3

laser machining the blank with a laser beam oriented to impinge tangentially on the surface of the blank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentEP4588602A1Method and apparatus for machining a blank, and wire bonding capillary
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 SPT ROTH AG
  • EP4588602A1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP4588602A1 patent drawingFigure 5~11
  • EP4588602A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for machining a blank comprises the steps of • providing a blank made of a sintered ceramic material; • laser machining the blank with a laser beam (22) oriented to impinge tangentially on the surface of the blank, • while continuously rotating the blank (1) around an axis of rotation, corresponding to a longitudinal axis of the blank (1), • thereby machining at least two surface sections of the blank, o the at least two surface sections being rotationally symmetric with regard to the longitudinal axis (19), and o the at least two surface sections being separated by a boundary curve, where a curve on the surface crossing the boundary curve has a stepwise change in curvature, and a smooth change in the direction of a surface normal, o in particular wherein the boundary curve lies in a plane that is normal to the longitudinal axis (19).