Probe card changer system and method
First Claim
1. A prober to test head interface, comprising:
- a stiffener for holding a probe card, the stiffener having an upper surface, a perimeter, an underside, a plurality of recesses in the underside around the perimeter, and first and second alignment holes;
a theta ring for holding the stiffener, the theta ring having first alignment pins for engaging the first alignment holes, a plurality of lock cylinders for engaging the recesses, and a machined lip against which the upper surface of the stiffener is forced by the lock cylinders;
a loader coupled to the prober for loading the stiffener in and unloading the stiffener from the theta ring, the loader having second alignment pins for engaging the second alignment holes; and
a theta drive assembly coupled to the theta ring for rotating the theta ring to align the probe card with the test head.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A prober tester interface system and a method for loading a probe card into a prober. The interface system includes a stiffener for holding a probe card, the stiffener having an upper surface, a perimeter, an underside, a plurality of recesses in the underside around the perimeter, and first and second alignment holes. A theta ring for holds the stiffener in the prober, the theta ring having first alignment pins for engaging the first alignment holes, a plurality of lock cylinders for engaging the recesses, and a machined lip against which the upper surface of the stiffener is forced by the lock cylinders. A loader is coupled to the prober for loading the stiffener in and unloading the stiffener from the theta ring, the loader having second alignment pins for engaging the second alignment holes. A theta drive assembly is coupled to the theta ring for rotating the theta ring to align the probe card with the test head. In a specific embodiment, the test head includes a contactor, and the theta ring includes a plurality of clamp cylinders for locking the contactor in theta and Z while a probe card is being loaded or unloaded.
137 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A prober to test head interface, comprising:
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a stiffener for holding a probe card, the stiffener having an upper surface, a perimeter, an underside, a plurality of recesses in the underside around the perimeter, and first and second alignment holes; a theta ring for holding the stiffener, the theta ring having first alignment pins for engaging the first alignment holes, a plurality of lock cylinders for engaging the recesses, and a machined lip against which the upper surface of the stiffener is forced by the lock cylinders; a loader coupled to the prober for loading the stiffener in and unloading the stiffener from the theta ring, the loader having second alignment pins for engaging the second alignment holes; and a theta drive assembly coupled to the theta ring for rotating the theta ring to align the probe card with the test head. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A prober to test head interface, comprising:
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a stiffener for holding a probe card, the stiffener having an upper surface, a perimeter, an underside, a plurality of recesses in the underside around the perimeter, and first and second alignment holes; a theta ring for holding the stiffener, the theta ring having first alignment pins for engaging the first alignment holes, a plurality of lock cylinders for engaging the recesses, and a machined lip against which the upper surface of the stiffener is forced by the lock cylinders; a loader coupled to the prober for loading the stiffener in and unloading the stiffener from the theta ring, the loader having second alignment pins for engaging the second alignment holes, the loader comprising; an articulated arm coupled to the prober comprising a plurality of segments; a hand coupled to the arm for holding the stiffener, the second alignment pins being located on the hand; and a handle coupled to the arm facilitating manual manipulation of the arm assembly, and thereby positioning of the stiffener in the prober; and a theta drive assembly coupled to the theta ring for rotating the theta ring to align the probe card with the test head. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for loading a stiffener into a prober and aligning a probe card with a test head, the stiffener holding the probe card and having an upper surface, a perimeter, an underside, a plurality of recesses in the underside around the perimeter, and first and second alignment holes, the method comprising the steps of:
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engaging the first alignment holes in the stiffener with first alignment pins on a theta ring, thereby positioning the stiffener in the theta ring; engaging the recesses with a plurality of lock cylinders, thereby forcing the upper surface of the stiffener against a machined lip in the theta ring; and rotating the theta ring to align the probe card with the test head. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification