MXPA98008065A - Ipc (chip) termination machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A machine for terminating a computer chip with one or more stripes of a solderable paste, comprising a feed plate wheel (13) defined by an outer marginal edge (15) and having an upper exposed plate surface inclined to the horizontal (19) against which an inventory of 3-dimensional chips is placed for loading (37), at least one narrow groove (39) formed in the exposed plate surface directed outwardly toward the marginal edge wall and arranged to pass through the inventory and receive therein at least one of the chips in restricted orientation, a transfer cavity (61) defined by enclosed side walls (63a) and a floor (67) depending from the groove inboard the outer marginal edge for receipt therein of a chip from the groove in fixed orientation, the outer marginal edge wall (35) having an aperture formed therethrough for transferring the chip from the cavity, and a transport device (95) for urging the chip (1) in a specific fixed orientation from the cavity outward through the aperture in a direction different than the direction from which the chip entered the cavity.

Description

IPC TERMINATION MACHINE (MICROCIRCUIT) DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This is a continuation in part of the patent application filed previously, entitled "IPC (CHIP) MACHINE TERMINATION", filed on 11/07/96 and with the serial number 08 / 680,714. This invention relates to the field of computer hardware. More particularly, it refers to a machine that applies tiny amounts of solder paste, in strips and other precisely controlled geometries, to very small electronic components called integrated passive components (IPC) or "disposition microcircuits" used in circuits of computers, and a feeding mechanism that handles the microcircuits in novel ways to load them to a folding mask housed in a transfer belt or carrier band for introduction to the paste application process. Computers and computer-controlled devices are becoming more powerful and can perform and perform a wider range of tasks. In this way, designers and manufacturers of computer components are accepting more and more components in them. And, in order to keep the size of computers and devices within a comfortable scale for the user, the components become smaller and are stacked more closely in the computer circuits. The solid-state capacitor has been reduced in size from the old-fashioned cylindrical device, to about the size of a cigarette filter, with wires extending outward from each end to a small rectangular "microcircuit" that is less than a grain of rice Instead of cables, one or more of the walls of the microcircuit are made into strips with solder paste that is dried and then burned to produce surfaces that can subsequently be soldered directly to a circuit board. The previously issued U.S. Patent No. 5,226,382 describes and claims a machine for placing a strip or trace of solder paste on the surface of a microcircuit and for drying the dough so that the microcircuit can later be treated with fire. This machine uses a band or metal carrier tape with rubber masks formed therein that has slots in the masks in which the microcircuits are placed for processing. This machine can handle extremely small microcircuits where the opposite ends of them are going to be covered with the dough. Recently, a novel computer circuit component has arisen which, while not necessarily smaller in overall size of the microcircuit, fills a plurality of circuit components in a single array microcircuit that is simultaneously solderable to a number of different electronic circuits. This device is called an integrated passive component or IPC, but is still referred to in the industry as a "microcircuit" and comprises a plurality or arrangement, such as four or five separate capacitors that lie between walls together in an individual microcircuit having dimensions such as the top and bottom surfaces of 0.32 centimeters (.1250 inches) in length and 0.153 centimeters (.0600 inches) in width, with opposite extreme walls of 0.153 centimeters (0.60 inches) in width and 0.10 centimeters (0.40 inches) in height and opposite side walls of 0.10 centimeters (0.40 inches) in height and 0.32 centimeters (.1250 inches) in length. In Figure 1 a typical layout or IPC microcircuit with its wall surfaces marked as shown is shown. To incorporate such a microcircuit into a computer circuit, separate solder paste strips placed along opposing surfaces such as side surfaces or end surfaces and welded onto traces of copper formed on a circuit board as shown in FIG. Figure IB. The width of the strips is usually set at 0.381 ± 0.018 centimeters (.015 ± .007 inches) with a folded edge of 0.03 ± 0.018 centimeters (.012 ± .007 inches) at the end of each strip along the wall adjacent as shown in Figure la. As with the other microcircuit components, after the paste is applied, it is subjected to a heat drying cycle to fix the paste, and subsequently to a cycle with fire to melt the paste on the microcircuit. With such a small microcircuit and the small differences between the width and the height of the microcircuit, the handling and insertion into the mask of the carrier tape has become extremely important. It is imperative that the multiple strips are placed only on the appropriate surfaces and that their placement is made with extreme precision. Any spatter of the paste on other surfaces of the microcircuit would provide a site for circuit shortening and significant degradation of computer actions. Consequently, the feeding means are not only required to place the microcircuit on the carrier belt in a correct location position, but the microcircuit must also be correctly manipulated so that the appropriate surface is exposed in the proper orientation for receive the pasta strips with the necessary precision.

As for the speed in the loaded it has become very important recently. The objective in the industry is to achieve faster and faster processing speeds in order to decrease the unit price of each microcircuit. The main reason for this higher speed is such that more microcircuits are made per unit of time in order to provide a larger base - to amortize the very expensive dewatering machines. Unlike the aforementioned US patent, the primary means of terminating the microcircuits comprises the use of large rubber and metal plates where workers spread the microcircuits over the holes in the plate manually, then use another plate to exercise pressure against the microcircuits to force them partially by passing them through the holes formed in the plate to expose the ends of the microcircuits, after which the plate is placed in an apparatus and manually immersed in a tank filled with liquid paste. All this handling is very expensive and the speed of loading, submerging, and unloading is very limited. In addition, it appears that certain limitations in the prior art are being achieved at the stage of immersing the ends of the microcircuits in the tank of the finished paste. Although the methods of the prior art are operable to immerse a complete end of a microcircuit in the paste, making the strips of the paste on a small individual surface, with accurate spacing between the strips of the order of 0.038 centimeters (.015 inches) ) or less, is exceeding the capacity of the prior art. The present invention is an automatic microcircuit dewatering or finishing machine that incorporates a unique loader and positioner device and a novel dewatering device that allows very high speed operation. The machine feeding mechanism places the microcircuits alone or in pairs in the mask of the carrier tape in a controlled orientation and at speeds therefore unknown in this industry. The placement of the strips is effected by the use of a single wheel containing circumferential grooves that are filled with pulp, where the pulp is compressed into a unique shape to force it to then rise above the inner walls of the grooves for the grooves. fast and very precise transfer to the surfaces of the microcircuits. The invention includes a feed plate of finite thickness defined by a curved outer marginal edge having a surface of the exposed plate inclined to the vertical against which a microcircuit inventory is placed. The feed plate is rotated around a central axis at an angle to the horizontal so that in. at any given moment a part of the plate is at a different height than that of an adjacent part of the plate. A plurality of narrow notches are formed on the surface of the exposed plate and are directed radially outward on the surface passing through the microcircuit inventory, as the plate rotates, to collect some of the microcircuits in the notches in restricted orientation. An edge guide covers that part of the plate located below the horizontal to retain the microcircuits in the notches; that portion of the rotating plate above the horizontal retains the microcircuits in the notches by gravity. The notches have a particularly flat shape to receive the microcircuits in the restricted orientation. The term "restricted" is used herein to indicate that at least one of the dimensions of the microcircuit, whether in length, width or height, is limited or, in other words, the microcircuit can only be placed in the notch in two. of the three possible orientations, on its back, on the side or on its end. A transfer cavity is formed at the farthest or most distant end of each notch that descends or hangs from the end of the groove down towards the feed plate inwardly from the marginal edge.

Optionally, the wheel is subjected to vibration as it rotates to assist the microcircuits to enter the notches and move outwardly lengthwise to fall last, one at a time or, optionally, two at a time, into the cavity transfer in the specific fixed orientation. The term "specific" is used herein to indicate that the three dimensions of the microcircuit are controlled so that each microcircuit in the cavity has the same orientation as any other microcircuit in other cavities. The term "fixed" is also used with "specific" to indicate that the microcircuit can not change its orientation once it enters the transfer cavity. Another wide notch is formed under the feed plate, below the exposed surface, inwardly from the transfer cavity and one or more narrow grooves in the wall are formed through the cavity. As the microcircuits in the cavity move in juxtaposed relationship with the opening of each mask in the carrier tape, one or more narrow wheels or other elements pass into the slot or narrow slots to advance or push the microcircuits specifically oriented from each cavity outwardly through a transfer slot formed in the outer marginal edge in the groove formed in the rubber mask carried on the metal carrier tape or band. The metallic carrier tape is indexed to a position adjacent the outer marginal edge of the feed plate to receive the microcircuits in the masks. The carrier tape transports the microcircuits, mounted in a fixed manner therein, through alignment means to orient them and place them precisely in the masks. The microcircuits are then transported to an unguarded area where they are passed in tangential contact with a pulp wheel carrying the required amount of solderable paste in small concentric notches around the circumference of the wheel. The paste is piled up slightly in the notches so that it makes contact with the side surfaces of the microcircuit at the appropriate places to transfer the paste in proper alignment and place the strips across the surface of the microcircuit and down a few thousandths of a centimeter at a time. along the adjacent surface of the microcircuit. The freshly coated microcircuit is then stopped through an oven where the pulp is dried. The microcircuits are then reattached in the slots in the rubber masks to expose the opposite side surface. The operation is then repeated on another exposed side surface and the passage with heat is repeated. The result is a dual-surface unguarded microcircuit precisely that has been processed at very high speeds, such as in the order of 60,000 to 75,000 microcircuits per hour. In another embodiment of the invention, an off-center device, such as an individual wheel placed on one side of the center of gravity in the microcircuit is used not only to move the specifically oriented microcircuits fixed from each transfer cavity outward through the transfer grooves formed in the outer marginal edge to the slots formed in the rubber masks carried on the metallic carrier tape, but causes the microcircuits to rotate during such movement so that they are placed in the masks in an angled orientation or inclined or at least in an orientation different from that orientation while in the cavity. Another wheel or wheels, located outside the transfer area of the microcircuits from the wheel loader to the carrier tape, are operable to rotate the microcircuit in one direction or the other in the mask to place the microcircuit in the mask on the end or on its side. In this way the invention can be used to load the microcircuits on the carrier tape in a "half-way" orientation so that one of two possible orientations can be obtained without the user having to change any positioning of the machine except the position of the second wheel in order to change the orientation of the microcircuit on the carrier tape. This mode reduces the period of work stoppage of the machine when it is desired to change the unguarded activity of a microcircuit surface to an adjacent surface. Still in another embodiment of the invention, two microcircuits, fixed specifically in the side-by-side orientation, are loaded at once into a cavity and simultaneously move from the cavity to the mask where they are held in a side-by-side orientation. Optionally, later in the process, a wheel or other means makes contact with the microcircuits and simultaneously moves them in different directions to a new orientation for unguarded on a surface that was not present when the microcircuits were loaded first on the masks. This loading and unclamping operation of two microcircuits doubles the performance of a machine without any significant increase in the cost of unpacking. Another concern in the prior art is the fact that when the microcircuit, which has sharp marginal edges, enters between the lips forming the edges of the slot in the mask, the rubber of the maseara or other collapsible material undergoes slight abrasion and, over time, it degrades so that the lips of the mask no longer hold the microcircuit sufficiently strong to withstand the rigors of subsequent processing. This requires that the band or carrier tape be replaced, thus increasing the cost of operation. In another embodiment of this invention, means are provided for contacting the edges of the lips surrounding the opening in the mask, on the opposite side from where the microcircuit will enter, and for pre-opening or spreading the lips slightly so that the Microcircuit that enters does not cut or degrade the rubber. This innovation extends the useful life of the carrier tape and reduces the period of work stoppage, operating costs and other maintenance delays. In addition, a problem has been encountered where the microcircuits, which become misaligned in the masks, break or crumble when they collide with other elements of the machinery as they go through the processing steps. In addition, misaligned microcircuits are often emptied from the mask and lost in processing when other elements of the machinery hit. The broken pieces of the microcircuits, as well as the loss, of complete microcircuits, often cause excessive wear of the carrier band and possibly even cause safety problems if not removed from the machinery. It has been found that if a highly polished curved surface is disposed at an acute angle adjacent to the carrier tape on the drive pulley and in contact with the microcircuits as they rotate out of the adjacent position with the transfer means, any microcircuit will Being out of position can be moved carefully to the proper position in the masks thereby saving the loss of numerous microcircuits, increasing the charge density, and reducing operating costs. In the placement of the solder paste strips on the surfaces of the microcircuit, a rubber wheel comprising a wheel of slightly flexible material having a plurality of thin notches formed in the concentric surface around it has been used. The wheel is dipped into the paste and a scraper, which is against the concentric surface, scrapes the excess paste from the rotating wheel leaving the notches full of paste. The wheel is passed over the microcircuit surface and the paste is transferred from the notches on the surface of the microcircuit leaving the strips of a desired thickness and width in the final product. The microcircuit is subsequently dried and the opposite surface is unguarded in the same way. A problem has arisen in that the scraper must have its edge resting very firmly against the concentric surface of the wheel in order to scrape off all the unwanted paste, however, this firmness in certain cases, condices abrasion of the surface concentric and the loss of clarity in the transferred paste. It has been discovered that by using a non-compressible wheel, such as that made of metal, and resting on the edge of the scraper against the surface thereof provides "compression" of the solder paste so that, after the grooves exit from below the edge of the scraper, the paste actually It accumulates in the notches and stays on a round top surface. The subsequent transfer of the pulp from these round notches of the pulp produces a sharper strip, with better tolerances and much less wear on the wheel. Furthermore, in another discovery, it has been found that if the notches were left empty and the walls of the notch were loaded with paste on their upper surfaces, the transferred paste would make an acceptable strip, with clarity, good tolerances and thicknesses. Accordingly, the main objective of this invention is a machine for processing microcircuits and applying multiple or individual strips of solder paste very accurately on various surfaces thereof while incorporating a very high speed feed mechanism to achieve this task . Other objects of the invention include a process for feeding large quantities of microcircuits in a short time with respect to the belts or bands carrying microcircuits for "• processing with solderable paste.; and, means for applying a plurality of solder paste strips using a roller application wheel in a precise manner. Further additional objectives of the invention include a method of positioning the microcircuit in an inclined orientation in the mask so that it can be subsequently rotated in one way or the other to place the side or end surface in a position to be unguarded; means for providing a choice of orientation with respect to the microcircuit so that one of two possible surfaces can be unguarded without requiring upward changes in the handling characteristics of the microcircuit of the invention; means for reducing abrasion of the collapsible lips of the mask by pre-opening the lips prior to the entry of the microcircuits into the slots in the mask; a means for duplicating the performance of the invention by placing two microcircuits in the same mask, in side by side juxtaposition and passing them through the debonding process simultaneously; and a means for making lighter strips of solder paste with much more precision between the strips than hitherto possible. These and other objects will be very apparent after reading the following description of the preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the drawings appended hereto. The scope of protection sought by the inventors can be gathered from a brief reading of the claims that conclude this specification. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure la is a trimetric view of a typical integrated passive component (microcircuit) that is coated with solder paste strips in accordance with the teachings of this invention; Figure Ib is an illustrative view of the microcircuit shown in Figure 1 mounted on the surface of a circuit board; Figure 2a is an illustrative plan view of the carrier band and the masks with respect to the novel plate-feed means of this invention; Figure 2B is a partial view with its parts detached from a section of the novel feed plate showing the microcircuits in position for further movement; Figure 3 is a side elevation view, partially in cross section, of the feed plate means of this invention in a position against the carrier tape for charging the microcircuits in the masks; Fig. 4 is a general arrangement, in front elevation showing the various components in their respective operative positions, Fig. 5 is another illustrative view of the loading means and inventory monitoring means of the microcircuits in the device. Loading of this invention: Figure 6 is a side view in partial cross-section of the notch and the transfer cavity with respect to the opening through which the microcircuit is passed to the mask, Figure 7 is another sectional view partial cross section of the transfer cavity and the opening through which the microcircuit passes, Figure 8a is a partial cross-sectional view of the transfer means used to move the microcircuit from the cavity to the mask; an illustrative enlargement of • the sprocket and the groove / fastening tape of the microcircuit only, for clarity; Figure 9 is an elevation view in partial cross-section of the major groove under the wheel and means for moving the microcircuit from the cavity to the mask; Figure 10a is a sectional plan view of other means of transporting the microcircuit from the wheel to the mask; Figure 10b is an enlargement of a portion shown in Figure 10a; FIGURE IA is yet another sectional plan view of other means of transporting the microcircuit from the wheel to the mask; Figure 11b is an enlargement of a portion shown in Figure Ia; Figure 12 is another partial cross-sectional view of the manner in which the microcircuit moves from the cavity to the mask in an angled orientation; Figure 13 is a partial illustrative sectional view of the wheels that move the microcircuit vertically and horizontally in the mask; Figure 14 is an illustrative view of the wheels used to rotate the microcircuit in the mask from its initial orientation; Figure 15a is an illustrative view of a plurality of microcircuits oriented in place in the notches and of the device for moving the non-aligned microcircuits to the proper alignment the bandwheel is removed for clarity; Figure 15b is an enlarged view of the alignment ramp shown in Figure 15a; Figure 16 is a basic front elevational view of the deburring stage of the machine of this invention; Figures 17a, c & c are illustrative side views in section and end, respectively, showing the paste filling the notches; Figures 18a and b are, respectively, a side view and an end view of the paste stripping wheel showing the paste to be placed on top of the walls between the notches instead of the notches; Figures 18c and d are, respectively, a side view and an end view of the comb that is used with the pulp deburring wheel of Figures 18a and 18b to scrape off all the dough except the debris on top of the walls between the dies; notches; Figure 19 is an illustrative partial cross-sectional view of the micro-circuit ejection means from the carrier / mask tape; Figure 20 is another cross-sectional view of the wheels that move two. microcircuits at a time from the cavity to the mask; and Figure 21 is an illustrative view of the wheels that rotate two microcircuits in a mask from one orientation to another. Turning now to the drawings in which like elements are identified with similar numbers throughout the figures, the reader will refer to U.S. Patent No. 5,226,382 for a general description of the finishing machine at which the feeder plate means of this invention are to be joined and is hereby incorporated by reference. Usually, this patent discloses a means for charging the computer microcircuits (individual capacitors) to an endless metallic carrier tape containing first openings for receiving the teeth of the cogwheel from the driving means of the tape and second openings around which it fixes a collapsible mask having an opening formed therein to receive the microcircuits therein in a suitable orientation. The belt or conveyor carries the microcircuits through a finishing area where a surface of the microcircuits is covered with solder paste, then through a drying cycle, then to a fixing area where the microcircuit moves slightly in the mask to expose the opposite surface thereof for back coating, then again through the drying cycle, and finally it is expelled to a product depot. The integrated passive component or microcircuit 1 of The arrangement treated in this machine is shown in Figure 1 with its dimensions exposed for its upper and lower walls or surfaces A, the opposite side walls B and the opposite extreme walls C and showing a typical plurality of solder paste strips 3 located. through the side walls B of such a microcircuit. Note that the strips 3 need to extend slightly over the adjacent upper and lower walls A of the microcircuit 1. The typical dimensions of the strips 3 are 0.038 ± 0.013 centimeters (.015 ± .007 inches) and the descending extension of the strips 3 is of approximately 0.030 ± 0.018 centimeters (.012 ± .007 inches). The microcircuit with the strips is shown welded to the copper traces 5 formed on the upper surface 7 of a circuit board 9 shown in Figure Ib. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a part of this invention includes a feed plate means 13 which is defined by an outer marginal edge 15 which is preferably circular in its overall shape. The means 13 is shown mounted on the spindle 17, along a central axis xx, the spindle is supported on typical bearings (not shown) and arranged to rotate at speeds controlled by a motor pulse (not shown), as it is known in the prior art. The medium 13 can adopt a wide variety of "'sizes and shapes provided that you define the outer marginal edge 15 and further contain a surface or face 19 of exposed or superior plate, preferably flat or smooth, which is inclined with respect to the horizontal at an angle" a "varying from 20 ° at 70 ° and preferably around 45 ° The feed plate means 13 preferably is a flat-faced wheel 23 which maintains the inclination angle "ce" through its rotation and is driven at a speed controlled by a motor DC can be added to the wheel 23 via the DC motor or by a coil or armature as is known in the prior art, a microcircuit distributor ring 25 is centrally placed on the upper plate surface 19 and attached thereto by means of a threaded central knob 27. The ring 25 contains a plurality of arms 29 extending radially outwards from the knob 27 towards, but in close proximity of the outer marginal edge 15 which preferably are angled backwards from the direction of rotation of the wheel 23, such direction of rotation shown by the arrows. An edge guide 31 is provided which preferably comprises a band or wall 35 which conforms to the curvature of the outer marginal edge 15 of the wheel 23 and is mounted adjacent thereto along the lower elevation of the wheel '23 and also projecting slightly above the top plate surface 19. The guide 31 provides for the lower elevation of the upper plate surface 19 of the wheel wherein an inventory 37 comprising a plurality of microcircuits 1 can be placed and prevented from spilling out of the upper plate surface 19. As shown in Figures 2, 6 and 7, at least one, but preferably a plurality of narrow notches 39, each defined by an inner proximal end 41 and an outer distant end 43, are formed in a side disposition to side on the surface 19 of the upper plate of the wheel, starting from the inside, close to the knob 27 and continuing outwards, preferably radially outwards, towards the wall 15 of the outer marginal edge. Although the total length of the notches 39 does not appear to be critical to the operation of this invention, it is preferred that they be approximately 2.54 centimeters (1 inch) long so that they can hold a minimum of 3 or more microcircuits each. The arms 29 of the microcircuit distribution ring 25 form a plurality of pockets 47 around it on the surface 19 of the top plate and retain the microcircuits 1 therein for entry into "the notches 39 to prevent" microcircuits. 1 fall from a higher level on the surface 19 of the plate down to the inventory 37 located at a lower level on the surface 19 of the plate. The reason for this is that the pockets 47 retain the microcircuits 1 near the notches 39, so that the charge density is maintained at a relatively high speed, and, in addition, prevent the microcircuits 1 from falling through the upper plate surface 19 where such drop can scratch, chip or otherwise damage the surface of a microcircuit. Figure 2a shows a clearer view of the microcircuit distribution ring 25 and shows the pockets 47 positioned near the notches 39 to prevent the microcircuits 1 from falling through the inclined load of the upper plate surface 19. As shown in Figure 4, one option is to provide a vibrating feeder / feeder assembly 49 with, or as part of, the feeder plate means 1-3, to transfer a very continuous amount of microcircuits 1 a or over the top of the upper plate surface 19 as a function of the inventory 37. The inventory size 37 is monitored by an optical monitoring device 51, as shown in Figures 4 and 5 and, when the inventory 37 operates at low speed, the assembly 49 is automatically turned on to feed more microcircuits to the upper part of surface 19 of the upper plate. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the notches 39 have the upper side walls 53 inclined or sloping outwards and the vertical lower side walls 55 as well as a flat bottom wall or floor 59 where the distance "d" between The upper lateral walls of the notches are inclined outwards some thousandths of a centimeter more than the thickness of the microcircuit that is being processed. Although the microcircuit can be completely placed in the notch that it already makes on its side wall B or the end wall C, it is at least partly oriented since it can not be adjusted in the notch 39 that it already makes on its bottom wall A or higher. As shown in Figure 2a, the feeder plate means 13 rotates the notches 39 by passing through the microcircuit inventory 37 and some of the microcircuits from the inventory fall or pass into the notches 39 with the help of the walls 53 upper laterals inclined. Gravity retains inventory 37 of microcircuits in the pockets 47 and in the lower part of the wheel face 19 or upwards along the downward side of the surface 19 of the top plate as the wheel 23 rotates. The movement of the microcircuits 1 in the notches 39 can also be aided by the vibration imparted to the supply plate means 13 as is known in the prior art. In addition, as shown in Figure 6 as an alternate embodiment, the flat bottom wall 59 of the sample may remain constant from the inner proximal end 41 to the outer distal end 43 as shown by the solid line. Optionally, the flat bottom wall 59 can be tilted down from the end 41 proximate the distal end 43 as shown by dotted lines in Figure 6. The flat bottom wall or floor 59, in its inclined configuration, adds a gravity vector - to assist movement of the microcircuits along the notch 39. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, a transfer cavity 61, preferably open at the top, is formed inward of the end edge 15 of the wheel and at the distant end '43 of each notch 39. The cavity 61 depends on or descends from the bottom of the notch 39, at the distal end 43, in a downward direction, preferably parallel to the central axis xx, and is defined by a pair of opposed side cavity walls 63a and 63b (not shown), which are extensions of the walls 55, laterals of the bottom notch, an inner end wall 65 of the cavity and a floor 6 7 of the cavity, the side walls, the inner outer wall and the floor are joined together along their respective marginal edges. As shown in Figure 7, the width of the transfer cavity 61 is fixed so that the microcircuit 1 can only fix therein in specific orientation, that is, if it is oriented resting on its side wall B or its end wall C. The choice of having the The side wall or the wall end-adjacent to the floor 59 of the notch is important for the posterior orientation of the microcircuit 1 in the cavity. In the preferred embodiment of the invention and as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the floor '59 or bottom wall of the groove undergoes a 90 ° change in the direction of flexion 71, around a fixed radius "r" to become the inner wall 65 of the cavity. As shown in Figures 6 and 15a, the outer marginal edge 15 of the feed plate means 13 has an opening 73 formed therein, arranged in vertical alignment with the cavity 61, and is of a height and width such that it allows at least one microcircuit 1 to pass in specific fixed orientation radially outwardly therethrough from the cavity 61. As shown in Figure 7, the opening 73 is of a size and shape such that a microcircuit 1 pass through it. As shown in Figure 20, the opening 73 is of a size and configuration such that it allows two microcircles 1, in a juxtaposed position, side by side to pass through it. The belt or conveyor belt 75 of the finishing machine is passed over a driving pulley 77, as shown in Figures 2a, 3, 4 and 8a and is arranged to enter the aligned position adjacent to the outer marginal edge 15 of the wheel 23. As shown in Figures 8a and 8b, a microcircuit-holding groove 79 is formed in the mask 83, carried on the carrier tape 75, and which is aligned with the opening 73. During the operation, the turning movement of the wheel 23 and the movement of the carrier band 75 are controlled so that the alignment between each successive slot 79 is made with each successive opening 73. A second wide groove 85 is formed under the surface 19 of the exposed upper wheel, as shown in Figures 6, 7, 9, 12 and 2"0 inwardly of the cavity 61, 'bounded by a wall 87 of the notch. internal and a wall 89 of the outer groove, at least one, but preferably 2 or four grooves 91 extend from the outer wall 89 into the transfer cavity 61 as shown. microcircuit 1 from its location in the cavity 61 radially outwardly to the microcircuit-holding slot 79 located in the mask 83 fastened on the carrier band 75 placed adjacent thereto.The movement of the microcircuit 1 by the transport means 95 is in a new direction, or in other words, the means moves the microcircuit 1 in one direction from the cavity 61 different from the direction from which the microcircuit 1 enters the cavity 61. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9, 12 and 20, the means 95 is shown to comprise at least one, but often a pair or more of very small diameter small diameter wheels 97 placed alone or in close parallel proximity separate from one another, which are mounted on a common arrow 99 to rotate and enter the slots 91. The slots 91 are at least one, but often a pair or more pass through to the cavity 61. The circumferential speed of the wheel 23 and the speeds The circumference of the wheels 97 are controlled and coordinated so that there is little or no difference in the perimeter speed between them. As the cavity 61 reaches the slot 79 of the opposite mask, the wheel or wheels 97 have already entered the cavity 61 through the slots 101 and driven the microcircuit 1 (or both microcircuits as shown in Figure 20). ) from the cavity 61 radially outwardly through the opening 73 in the mask 83. The cavity 61 is thus emptied from the microcircuit or microcircuits 1 and advanced on the wheel 23 again around and down in the inventory 37 of microcircuits to be filled again in the next revolution from the microcircuits that remain in the connector notch 39. The transport means 95 can adopt a shape different from that of the wheels 97 and the small slots 91. As shown in Figures 10a and 10b, the means 95 may include an oscillating head 103 which is driven by a lever 105 to move in a reciprocal path outwardly of and to an opening 109 formed in the wall 89 of the outer notch to urge the microcircuit 1 out of the cavity 61 and slot 79 of the mask. As shown in Figures 11 and 11b, the transport means 95 can take the form of a spring loaded scraper 111 inclined with respect to the external wall 89 of the second wide notch 85 extending to a single slot 113 for pushing the microcircuit 1 outside the cavity 61 and to the mask slot 79 as the wheel 23 rotates. All of these alternative embodiments are included in this invention.

In another embodiment of this invention, as shown in Figure 12, the microcircuit 1 can be moved out of the cavity 61, through the opening 73, and into the slot 79 in the mask 83 by such means as a wheel 97. individual and be rotated during movement, as shown, so that microcircuit 1 is placed in slot 79 in A partially rotated or angled orientation. As shown in Figure 13, such a partially inserted microcircuit subsequently allows the secondary positioning means 115 including the wheel 117 mounted on the arrow 121 and the smooth edge wheel 119 mounted on another arrow 121 to move the microcircuit upwards, towards below, or sideways in the slots 79 to present the upper and lower walls or the side walls for unguarded. The arrows 121 are mounted on the arms 123 which are mounted on a chassis 125. Another embodiment for carrying out the rotation of the microcircuit 1 in the grooves 79 of the mask is shown in Figure 14 where a pair of gear wheels 129 is mounts pivotally on the arrows 131 which, in turn, are mounted on the arms 133 loaded by spring. The sprockets contact the microcircuit 1, outward from its center of gravity (usually the geometrical center of the microcircuit) and rotate the microcircuit in the slot 79. Any number of wheels 129 can be used and the microcircuit 1 can be made rotate in any desired orientation in slot 79 of the mask. In yet another embodiment of this invention, a unique placement is shown in Figures 15a and 15b and the microcircuit saving device is provided in the form of an alignment plate 135, rigidly mounted by pin 137 to a band 35, which contains a highly polished surface 141 which is brought into contact, at an acute cavity 61 transfer angle. The microcircuits suitably placed in the cavity 61 slide across the surface 141 without contacting it while the misaligned microcircuits are brought into gradual contact with the polished surface 141 and rotated carefully or moved in proper alignment in the cavities 61. It is believed that the combination of the highly polished surface 141 and the gradual contact made between the microcircuit and the surface 141, due to its acute angle of introduction, is responsible for the alignment of misaligned microcircuits and the saving of many microcircuits. that would otherwise be lost in the process. As further shown in Figure 8b, a wheel 143 is rotatably mounted on an arrow 145 on an arm 147 which places the wheel 143 on the opposite side of the masks 83 (and the carrier tape 75) from the insertion point of the arms. microcircuits 1 from their respective transfer cavities 61 in the microcircuit-holding slots 79. A series of blunt peg teeth 149 are formed around the perimetric edge of the wheel 143 and are of a size in a shape that makes contact with the mask 83 above and outside the microcircuit-holding groove 79. The depth of penetration of the sprockets 149 is carefully adjusted to extend the lips of the microcircuit-holding slot 79 or the slot 79 previously opened into the transfer cavity 61 during the transfer phase of the microcircuit 1 from the transfer cavity 61 to the transfer cavity 61. the slot 79 holding microcircuits. This momentary and partial penetration of the sprockets 149 against the microcircuit clamping grooves 79, on the opposite side where the transfer of the microcircuit 1 takes place, significantly reduces the contact between the sharp edges of the microcircuit 1 with the collapsible lips of the slot 79 thereby reducing the abrasion, previously described herein, that has caused the thinning of the rubber elastomeric mass in the area of the groove 79. The carrier band 75 is maintained in a taut condition throughout the load cavity of the belt. microcircuits of this machine of the invention through the use of a guide wheel 153, as shown in Figure 4. The guide wheel 153 is moved by a cable (not shown) connected to an air cylinder (not shown) that is connected to the wheel 153. The guide wheel 153 slides upwardly. and down on two bearings (not shown) and bars (not shown). As shown in Figures 2a, 5, 13 and 14, the carrier tape or band 75 transports the microcircuits 1 in their respective masks 83 from the charging station through one or more sets of alignment wheels 155, the wheels 117. setters and sprockets 129, for aligning the microcircuits in the masks, and then to a paste application step generally indicated at 157. As shown in Figures 16, and 17a, 17b and 17c, a first roll 159 is provided. of paste including one (Figure 17) or more (Figure 17c) circumferential grooves 161 formed concentrically in a ferrule 165 formed around an elliptical center 167. Each notch 161 is separated from an adjacent notch by an internal sample wall 169 that is of a width and depth to convey sufficient solder paste in a passage to the suitable surface of the microcircuit 1. An external surface 171 is provided to define the upper edges of notches 161.

The roller 159 is preferably made of metal, hard rubber or a combination of the two The roller 159 is arranged to rotate at a circumferential speed wherein the upper part of the walls of the inner notch or the outer surface 171 is the same circumferential speed as the carrier band 75, and is slightly submerged in a liquid solder paste deposit 175. The action of rotating the first roller 159 in the hard paste helps the paste to be collected in the notches 161. provides a scraper 179 containing a scraper edge 131 resting against the outer surface 171 rotating at an angle "ß". 'By placing the scraper 179 in the "ß" angle, the excess paste is scraped into a tank 175 and, simultaneously, the remaining dough in the notches 161 is hydraulically compressed so that it accumulates after passing out from the bottom of the scraper rim 181 to accumulate slightly above the p superior art of the external surface 171. As the notch or notches 16 filled with paste come into contact with the suitable surface on the microcircuit 1, the paste is transferred from the notches 161 to the surface of the microcircuit and overlaps the adjacent upper and lower surfaces as required. . By adjusting the pressure of the scraper 179 against the first roller 159, the desired amount of paste is closely controlled. This paste application also involves the use of a toothed wheel 163 on the rear that rotates against the inner surface of the microcircuit 1 to hold them firmly against the de-wiring wheel 159. As shown in Figure 18a, b, c and d, a different method of applying paste to the microcircuit 1 is shown. In this case, "a different type of de-etching wheel 183 is shown where the paste application surface is not notches, but circumferential wheels 185, each with a circumferential paste application surface 187 on which a layer of paste is applied as shown in Figure 16. After the wheels 185 are immersed in the tank 175, a comb-shaped scraper 189 is applied to the surface of the wheels 185 to scrape the dough from between the surfaces and to scrape the dough layer remaining on the top of the application surface 187 to a finite, controlled depth. of touching the application surfaces 187 with respect to the microcircuit 1, the paste is transferred from the surface 187 to the suitable microcircuit surface In another embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. FIGS. 20 and 21, the transfer cavity 61 is submerged to accept two microcircuits 1 in a fixed position specific side-by-side position and the microcircuits are then transferred out through the opening 73 by the wheels 97 in the slot 79 of mask. As shown in Figure 21, a first gearwheel wheel 191, which bears a single row 193 of semipuntiacute teeth 195, is placed on one side of the belt 75 and is arranged to make contact with the dividing line between the surfaces. end c of the microcircuits 1 to rotate each of them outward around its center of gravity to initiate the rotation of each of them in the mask 83. After passing through this operation, a second wheel 197 shaped of cogwheel, which bears a double row of teeth at an angle 201 and arranged to contact the microcircuits 1 and rotate them outward to rotate the rest of the 90 degrees so that they present their suitable surfaces for unguarded. These sprocket-shaped wheels and their rows of semipuntiacute teeth, and slight modifications thereof, may be chosen to rotate the microcircuits in one direction or the other. The charge of two microcircuits in side arrangement, as described and shown in the present, it clearly duplicates the machine production rate. A freshly dewatered microcircuit is then transported via the web 75 to a drying oven, as shown in Figure 4, where the microcircuit and the pulp are subjected to a heating cycle to dry the cakes. After leaving the heating cycle, as shown in Figure 4, the microcircuit is transported by the band 75 and inverted near the wheel 153 and the paste application process is repeated on the new non-unguarded end of the microcircuit. 1. After "this second or repeated unguarded, the microcircuit 1 is transported again through the drying oven and finally ejected from the belt by a sprocket 81 to a manifold 84. Alternatively, the recently unsecured microcircuit can be rotated. in the mask 83 using the wheels 129 shown in Figure 14. In this case, the outer teeth around the end perimeter of the wheels 129 contact the microcircuit 1 in the mask 83 and cause them to rotate as the mask 83 It is desirable to use two wheels to achieve a full 180 ° rotation of the microcircuit 1. After this rotation, the microcircuit 1 is ready to to repeat the stripping process and the drying process by heating before being ejected from the strip 75 to the manifold 84. As shown in Figure 19, the dry and unguarded microcircuit is transported to a drop wheel 205 then ejected from the carrier tape 75 by contacting a row of blunt teeth 80 mounted on a wheel 81 to push them out of the masks 83 on the channel 82 to transport them to the product box 84. Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment thereof, those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications to the disclosed embodiment of the invention without departing from the true spirit and scope thereof. It is intended that all combinations of elements and steps that substantially perform the same function substantially in the same manner to achieve substantially the same result are within the scope of this invention.

Claims (41)

1. CLAIMS 1. A machine, which includes a carrier band for charging it with computer microcircuits and applying at least one strip of pulp on one or more microcircuit surfaces, characterized in that it comprises: a) means of feeder plates of thickness - finite defined by an external marginal edge, having an upper exposed plate surface inclined with respect to the horizontal against which an inventory of three-dimensional microcircuits for loading is placed; b) at least one narrow notch formed in such a plate surface exposed directly out towards the marginal edge and arranged to pass through the inventory and receive therein at least one of the microcircuits in restricted orientation; c) a transfer cavity defined by the enclosed side walls and a notch-dependent floor inward of the outer marginal edge to receive therein a microcircuit from the notch in specific fixed orientation; d) the outer marginal edge forms an opening therethrough to transfer the microcircuit from such cavity; and e) transport means for pushing the microcircuit in a specific fixed orientation from the cavity outwardly through the opening in the carrier band in a direction different from the direction from which the microcircuit entered the cavity.
2. 2. The microcircuit finishing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the transfer cavity is of a size and shape to receive two microcircuits therefrom from the notch in the fixed orientation side by side.
3. 3. The microcircuit finishing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the means. of supply plate include a wheel mounted on a central arrow, inclined with respect to the horizontal, and arranged to rotate around it.
4. 4. The microcircuit finishing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper exposed plate surface is flat.
5. 5. The microcircuit finishing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the exposed plate surface is flat and inclined about 20 ° to about 70 ° from the horizontal. The microcircuit finishing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper exposed plate surface is flat and is inclined approximately 45 ° from the horizontal. 7. The microcircuit finishing machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the microcircuit inventory is located at the lower elevation of the upper exposed plate surface. 8. The microcircuit finishing machine according to claim 3, characterized in that it includes a distributor ring "of microcircuits placed centrally on the upper plate surface 9. The microcircuit finishing machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the microcircuit distributor ring forms a plurality of pockets around it on the upper plate surface to retain the microcircuits therein for entry to the notches and to prevent microcircuits from falling from the highest level of the plate surface towards down in the inventory 10. The microcircuit finishing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the narrow notch is straight 11. The microcircuit finishing machine according to claim 10, characterized in that the narrow notch is defined also by the upper side walls with slope outside. 12. The microcircuit finishing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper exposed plate surface is flat and wherein the narrow notch is directed radially outwardly from the center of the plate means and is elongated. 13. The microcircuit finishing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the transfer cavity is dimensioned and configured to hold an individual microcircuit in a specific orientation. 14. The microcircuit finishing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the transfer cavity is open in the upper part. The microcircuit finishing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening in the outer marginal edge comprises a vertical slot of a width and a height to allow the microcircuit to pass through in a fixed and specific orientation. 16. The microcircuit finishing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the means. of transport include at least two rotating wheels mounted on a common arrow, the wheels are adapted to enter the narrow slots formed in the plate means inwards of the transfer cavity, and pass in contact with the microcircuit in a location around 'of the feeder plate means for pushing the microcircuit out through the opening. 17. The microcircuit finishing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport means includes a rotating wheel arranged to enter a narrow slot formed in the plate means, inwards of the transfer cavity, and passes in contacting the microcircuit at a point separated from the center of gravity of the microcircuit to push the microcircuit out through the aperture and simultaneously rotate the microcircuit to an angled orientation. 18. The microcircuit finishing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport means include at least four rotating wheels mounted on a common arrow in a closely spaced arrangement, the wheels are adapted to enter the narrow slots formed in the plate means inwards of the transfer cavity and pass in contact with the two microcircuits located therein in specific fixed orientation side to push the microcircuits outward, in side-by-side arrangement through such opening. 19. The microcircuit finishing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport means include a head mounted pivotally on an arm inwardly of the transfer cavity, the head is arranged to pass into the transfer cavity in a movement of the head. reciprocal with respect to the force of the microcircuit outwardly through the opening in a location around the feed plate means 20. The microcircuit finishing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the means of transport include a spring loaded cam arm deflected in contact with the microcircuit in the transport cavity and arranged to move the microcircuit outwardly through the opening in the url location around the feed plate means. microcircuit according to claim 1, characterized in that it also includes at least one wheel rotatably mounted for contacting the microcircuit on the carrier band to rotate the microcircuit around its center of gravity in such a band in one direction or another to expose a side surface or an end surface for de-etching. 22. The microcircuit finishing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it further includes a curved edge guide formed around the wall of the outer marginal edge and in close juxtaposition with the same to move the microcircuits from a position that hangs out from the end of the notch to the notch to prevent microcircuits from falling from the surface of the upper exposed plate. 23. The microcircuit finishing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it further includes means for vibrating the feed plate means during their rotary movement to assist the movement of the microcircuits from the inventory lengthwise and to the notches. * 24. The microcircuit finishing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it also includes means for feeding the loose microcircuits on the upper exposed plate surface and means for cooperating therewith to monitor the inventory size of the developed microcircuits. by the plate feeding means. 25. The microcircuit finishing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the cavity and the opening are dimensioned so that two or three dimensions of the microcircuit allow the passage of the microcircuit through the opening only in one orientation. 26. The microcircuit finishing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the groove is narrower than one of the three dimensions of the microcircuit to allow insertion of the microcircuit therein, in only the three possible orientations. 27. The microcircuit finishing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the notch is further defined by an inner proximal end and an outer distal end and a floor of the notch that starts at the proximal end and progressively deepens As the notch extends outward toward the distal end and terminates in the cavity in a smooth curved directional change to form an internal external wall defining such a cavity. The microcircuit finishing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the notch is further defined by an inner proximal end and an outer distal end and a notch floor that starts at the proximal end of the notch and remains at the same depth along the entire length of the indentation and ending in the cavity in a smooth curved directional change to form an internal external wall defining said cavity. 29. A machine that includes a carrier band for terminating a computer chip with one or more strips of a solderable paste, characterized in that it comprises: a) a feeder plate wheel defined by a circumferential marginal edge and having an upper exposed plate surface flat inclined to the horizontal against which an inventory of three-dimensional microcircuits is placed for loaded, such a wheel is arranged to rotate about a central point; b) a plurality of narrow notches, each notch terminating at an inner proximal end and an outer distal end, formed on the upper exposed plate surface directed radially outward towards the circumferential marginal edge and arranged to pass through the inventory of microcircuits when the wheel is rotated about the center point the grooves receiving therein a plurality of the microcircuits in restricted orientation; c) a transfer cavity defined by the side walls and a floor formed in such a wheel, and which depends on the distal end of said notch inward of the outer marginal edge to receive therein a microcircuit from the sample in specific fixed orientation; d) the outer marginal edge forms an opening therethrough to transfer the microcircuit from the cavity; and e) transport means for pushing the microcircuit in a specific fixed orientation from the cavity outwardly through the opening in a direction different from the direction from which the microcircuit enters the cavity. 30. The microcircuit finishing machine according to claim 29, characterized in that it includes a conveyor belt having a plurality of flexible masks thereon, each mask having formed therethrough a slot for receiving a microcircuit therein. for further processing, and wherein the transport means pushes the microcircuit outwardly through the opening and into the slot in the mask in an orientation at an angle different from the orientation of the microcircuit in the cavity. 31. The microcircuit finishing machine according to claim 29, characterized in that the transport means includes a single wheel arranged to penetrate the transfer cavity and make contact with the microcircuit in a location separated from its center of gravity so that The microcircuit rotates as it moves from the cavity outward into the mask. 32. The microcircuit finishing machine according to claim 29, characterized in that it further includes separate control means arranged to contact the microcircuit after being transferred to rotate the microcircuit in the mask to an orientation different from the orientation of the microcircuit. when it enters the mask first. 33. The microcircuit finishing machine according to claim 32, characterized in that the separate control means comprise a rotating wheel for contacting the microcircuit in the mask. 34. The microcircuit finishing machine according to claim 32, characterized in that the separate control means comprise at least two rotating wheels, each rotating wheel is arranged to make contact with the microcircuit at different times during its travel in such band. transfer to turn the microcircuit in the mask at least 90 ° around its center of gravity. 35. The microcircuit finishing machine according to claim 32, characterized in that it includes a roller having a surface adapted to rotate in contact with a surface on the microcircuit, the roller includes: a) a plurality of notches formed concentrically in the surface of such roller separated by internal notch walls; b) a solder paste reservoir having a surface in contact with the surface of the roller for transferring a paste charge from such reservoir onto the surface of the roller; and c). a scraper, including a scraper edge, in contact with the surface of the roll to scrape the excess of solder paste from the surface of the roll and 'disposed at an angle with respect to the surface of the roll to compress the paste lightly in the notches in a manner that the paste subsequently accumulates slightly in the notches, above the upper parts of the walls of the notches, then the surface of the roller leaves from below the scraper edge, to direct the application to the microcircuit. 36. The microcircuit finishing machine according to claim 27, characterized in that it includes an alignment plate fixed in a rigid manner adjacent to the mask containing a highly polished area disposed at an acute angle to the path of the microcircuits in such a manner. masks, to make gradual contact with the microcircuits in the masks, to align them in specific order and alignment after they have been inserted into the masks. 37. A mask for finishing a computer circuit with one or more solder paste strips, characterized in that it comprises: a) a feeder plate wheel defined by a circumferential marginal edge and having an exposed plate surface inclined with respect to the horizontal to support an inventory of three-dimensional microcircuits for charging, the wheel is arranged to rotate around a central point; b) a microcircuit distributor ring positioned centrally on the surface of the exposed plate and fixed rigidly thereto and including a plurality of outwardly extending arms having a series of pockets formed therebetween to compute the microcircuits loose to prevent it from falling through the upper exposed plate surface; c) a plurality-of narrow notches, terminated by an inner proximal end and an outer distal end, formed on the surface of the upper exposed plate directed radially outward toward the marginal edge and arranged to pass through the microcircuit inventory when the the wheel rotates and receives therein at least one of the microcircuits in restricted orientation; d) a transfer cavity open in the upper part, outward of each distal end of each notch, defined by the enclosed side walls and a floor, formed in the wheel, and which depends on the slot inward of the edge wall marginal-external to receive therein a microcircuit from the notch in a specific fixed orientation; e) the outer marginal edge wall has an opening formed therethrough to transfer the microcircuit from the cavity; f) transport means for pushing the microcircuit in a specific fixed orientation from the cavity outwardly through the opening in a direction different from the direction from which the microcircuit enters the cavity; g) a conveyor belt that has. a plurality of flexible masks therein, each mask has formed therethrough a slot for receiving a microcircuit thereon for further processing, and wherein the transport means pushes the microcircuit outwardly through the opening and into the slot in such mask; And, h) means for tracing a strip of pulp on a surface of the microcircuit. 38. The machine according to claim 37, characterized in that the means for tracing a strip of pulp on a surface of the microcircuit comprises: a) a roller having a surface adapted to rotate in contact "with a surface on the microcircuit, the roller includes a plurality of notches formed concentrically on the surface of the roller separated by internal notch walls, b) a solder paste deposit having a surface in contact with the surface of the roller to transfer a load of paste from the deposit onto the surface of the roller, and c) a scraper, which includes a scraper edge, in contact with the surface of the roller to scrape the excess solderable paste from the surface of the roller and arranged at an angle with respect to the surface of the roller to compress the paste slightly the notches so that the paste accumulates slightly in the notches, above the tops of the walls of the notch, then the surface of the roller leaves from below the scraper edge to draw a strip of pulp on a surface of the microcircuit. 39. The machine according to claim 37 characterized in that the means for tracing a strip of pulp on a surface of the microcircuit comprises: a) a circumferential wheel having a circumferential pasta application surface on which a layer of pulp is applied; b) a comb-shaped scraper for application to the surface of the wheel to scrape the paste from between the surfaces and to scrape the layer of paste remaining on top of the application surfaces at a finite and controlled depth to touching the application surface with respect to the microcircuit so that the paste is transferred from that surface to the surface of the appropriate microcircuit. - 40. The machine according to claim 37, characterized in that it also includes means for previously opening the slot in the mask to allow the microcircuit to be inserted therein without the mask undergoing ablation. 41. The machine in accordance with the claim 40, characterized in that the means for pre-opening the slot in the mask include a blunt tooth, mounted on a wheel, the wheel is arranged to bring the tooth into contact with the slot in the mask, on the opposite side of the mask from where the microcircuit will be inserted in such mask, and to push the mask lightly and separate such slot in such mask in the direction from which the microcircuit is going to be inserted in the slot.