US Patent 7506792 Solder sphere placement apparatus

A method and apparatus are disclosed for placing solder spheres on electronic receiving pads of a ball grid array (BGA) component package, such as by a BGA solder sphere placement apparatus. The solder spheres are held to a pattern of solder sphere apertures in a foil and against a solder sphere backing rib of a second layer by a vacuum holding force. After locating the solder spheres to receiving pads of a BGA component package, the system removes the holding force and the solder spheres are then released and placed on the receiving pads. Optionally, the apparatus can ensure release of the solder spheres as well as seating the solder spheres onto the receiving pads by applying a tapping or vibrational force.