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  Universal plating fixtureUSPTO Application #: 20070187233Title: Universal plating fixture Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a universal electroplating rack and method of using the rack. The universal electroplating rack comprises a main body adapted to accommodate and electrically connect to one or more customized inserts. Each customized insert is adapted to accommodate and electrically connect to a single workpiece. Additionally, both the main body and the customized insert(s) can comprise thief plates configured to improve plating uniformity across the plating surface area of the workpiece(s). Such a universal plating rack ensures a constant plating surface area regardless of workpiece size by varying the dimensions of the customized insert(s) so that universal processing parameters can be used for all workpieces. Consequently, for each new product developed, the universal electroplating racks of the invention will effectively reduce introduction costs, will avoid the need to qualify new electroplating process parameters (e.g., cycle time), and will effectively reduce lead time required. (end of abstract) Agent: Frederick W. Gibb, Iii Gibb & Rahman, LLC - Annapolis, MD, US Inventors: Robert L. Baan, Walter J. Debrosky, Stephen G. Dutka, Erica P. Ficaro, John E. Paulus, Nicholas M. Usuriello USPTO Applicaton #: 20070187233 - Class: 204297010 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Chemistry: Electrical And Wave Energy, Apparatus, Electrolytic, Elements, Electrode Support Or Work Holder The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070187233. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The invention relates to electroplating and, more particularly, to an electroplating rack. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Current electroplating processes require customized electroplating racks be built in order to hold workpieces (e.g., wafers or substrates for a printed circuit board) during the electroplating process. Such racks are customized based on the size of the workpieces, including the length, width and depth, and/or the shape of the workpieces. Additionally, with workpieces having different sizes or shapes a new thief plate must also be built for each workpiece as must new contact devices. Customizing such electroplating racks can be time-consuming and costly. Therefore, there is a need in the art for an electroplating rack that can be repeatedly used to hold workpieces with different sizes and/or shapes. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] In view of the foregoing, embodiments of a universal electroplating rack and method of using the universal electroplating rack for repeatedly holding different workpieces with varying sizes and shapes during electroplating processes are disclosed. [0006] Embodiments of the invention avoid building numerous customized plating racks to accommodate workpieces with different sizes and/or shapes by providing a universal electroplating rack that comprises a main body adapted to accommodate and electrically connect to one or more customized inserts. Each customized insert is adapted to accommodate and electrically connect to a single workpiece. Additionally, both the main body and the customized insert(s) comprise thief plates configured to improve plating uniformity across the plating surface area of the workpiece(s). Such a universal plating ensures a constant plating surface area regardless of workpiece size by varying the dimensions of the customized insert(s) so that universal processing parameters can be used for all workpieces. [0007] More particularly, in one embodiment of the invention (i.e., a single workpiece embodiment), the universal plating rack comprises a main body and a single customized insert. The main body is adapted to hold and electrically connect to the customized insert. Specifically, the main body comprises a first aperture that extends through the main body from the first side to the second side of the rack, a metal surface (i.e., a first metal surface or thief plate) that surrounds the first aperture on the first side of the rack and a plurality of first conductors (i.e., contacts) that protrude into the first aperture at or near the second side of the rack. [0008] The customized insert is adapted to hold and electrically connect to a single workpiece and to be inserted into the first aperture of the main body. The size and shape of the insert (i.e., the first size and the first shape) are customized to conform to the size and shape of the first aperture such when the insert is placed in the first aperture, the insert fits tightly, it contacts the first conductors and the top surface of the insert is on essentially the same plane as the top surface of the main body. The customized insert also comprises a second aperture that extends through the insert and a metal surface (i.e., a second metal surface or thief plate) that surrounds the second aperture on the first side of the rack. The insert further comprises a plurality of second conductors (i.e., contacts) that protrude into the second aperture at or near the second side of the rack. The size and shape of the second aperture (i.e., the second size and the second shape) are customized to conform to the size and shape of the single workpiece such that when the workpiece is placed in the second aperture, the workpiece fits tightly, it contacts the second conductors and the top surface of the workpiece is on essentially the same plane as the top surface of the insert. Thus, the combined top surfaces of the main body, the insert and the workpiece on the first side of the rack provide a constant and approximately level surface area to be electroplated so that universal electroplating processing parameters can be used. [0009] In another embodiment of the invention (i.e., a multiple workpieces embodiment), the universal plating rack comprises a main body and multiple customized inserts. [0010] The main body is adapted to hold and electrically connect to each of the customized inserts. Thus, in this embodiment the main body comprises not one but a plurality of first apertures that extend through the main body from the first side to the second side of the rack and a metal surface (i.e., a first metal surface or thief plate) that surrounds each of the first apertures on the first side of the rack. The main body further comprises a plurality of first conductors (i.e., contacts) that protrude into each of the first apertures at or near the second side of the rack. [0011] The customized inserts are each adapted to hold and electrically connect to a corresponding workpiece and to be inserted into one of the first apertures of the main body. The outer dimensions of the inserts (i.e., the first sizes and first shapes) are customized to conform to the first apertures such that when the inserts are placed in the first apertures, the inserts fit tightly, the inserts contact the first conductors and the top surfaces of the inserts are on essentially the same plane as the top surface of the main body. Additionally, the first apertures can all be equal in size and shape such that all of the customized inserts will have the same outer dimensions. Each of these customized inserts also comprises a second aperture that extends through the insert and a metal surface (i.e., a second metal surface or thief plate) that surrounds the second aperture on the first side of the rack. The customized inserts can each further comprise a plurality of second conductors (i.e., contacts) that protrude into the second aperture at or near the second side of the rack. The size and shape of the second aperture (i.e., the second size and the second shape) for each of the inserts are customized to conform to specific corresponding workpieces such that when the corresponding workpieces are placed in the second apertures, the workpieces fit tightly, they contact the second conductors and the top surfaces of the workpieces are on essentially the same plane as the top surfaces of the inserts. Thus, the combined top surfaces of the main body, the inserts and the workpieces on the first side of the rack provide a constant and approximately level surface area to be electroplated so that universal electroplating processing parameters can be used. [0012] An embodiment of the method of electroplating a single workpiece using a universal electroplating rack comprises first providing a main body for the universal electroplating rack. The main body comprises a first aperture, a plurality of first conductors that protrude into the first aperture and a metal surface (i.e., a first metal surface or first thief plate) surrounding the first aperture on the first side of the rack. Then, an insert is customized, as needed, for each specific workpiece that is to be electroplated using the universal electroplating rack. Specifically, an insert is formed with a size and shape that conforms to a size and a shape of the first aperture so that the insert can fit within the first aperture and can contact the first conductors. The insert is also formed with a second aperture that has a customized size and shape (i.e., a second size and a second shape), a plurality of second conductors that protrude into the second aperture (e.g., at or near the second side of the rack) and a metal surface (i.e., a second metal surface or thief plate) surrounding the second aperture. Specifically, this thief plate of the insert surrounds the second aperture on the first side of the rack when the insert is positioned within the first aperture. The size and shape of the second aperture are customized to conform to the size and shape of the specific workpiece to be electroplated so that the workpiece can fit within the second aperture and contact the second conductors. Additionally, the insert is customized so that when the specific workpiece is inserted into second aperture of the insert and the insert is inserted into the first aperture of the main body, the combined surfaces of the main body, the insert and the workpiece on the first side of the rack provide a constant and approximately level surface area to be electroplated. Due to this constant surface area, workpieces with different sizes and shapes that are electroplated using the same main body with a customized insert can be electroplated by applying universal plating parameters (i.e., by applying the same plating parameters). [0013] An embodiment of the method of simultaneously electroplating multiple workpieces using a universal electroplating rack, as described above, comprises first providing a main body for the universal electroplating rack. The main body can comprise multiple first apertures. These multiple first apertures can each have the same size and shape. The main body can also comprise a plurality of first conductors that protrude into each of the first apertures and a metal surface (i.e., a first metal surface or first thief plate) on a first side of the rack surrounding the first apertures. Then, inserts are customized, as needed, for each of the workpieces that are to be simultaneously electroplated using the universal electroplating rack. Specifically, each insert is formed with a size and shape (i.e., first size and a first shape) that conforms to the size and shape of a first aperture so that each insert can fit within a first aperture and can contact the first conductors. Note that, as mentioned above, the first apertures can each have the same size and shape such that the multiple inserts are each formed with the same size and shape (i.e., the same first size and same first shape) and can fit within any of the first apertures. Each insert is also formed with a second aperture that has a customized size and shape (i.e., a second size and a second shape), a plurality of second conductors that protrude into the second aperture (e.g., at or near the second side of the rack), and a metal surface (i.e., a second metal surface or thief plate) that surrounds the second aperture. Specifically, the thief plate of each insert surrounds the second aperture on the first side of the rack when the insert is positioned within a first aperture. For each of the customized inserts, the size and shape of the second aperture are customized to conform to the size and shape of a corresponding specific workpiece so that the corresponding workpiece can fit within the second aperture and contact the second conductors. Additionally, each insert is customized so that when a each corresponding workpiece is inserted into the second aperture of its insert and the inserts are inserted into the first apertures of the main body, the combined surfaces of the main body, the inserts and the workpieces on the first side of the rack provide a constant and approximately level surface area to be electroplated. Due to this constant surface area, these workpieces with different sizes and shapes that are simultaneously electroplated using the same main body with a customized inserts can be electroplated by applying universal plating parameters (i.e., by applying the same plating parameters). [0014] These, and other, aspects and objects of the present invention will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following description, while indicating embodiments of the present invention and numerous specific details thereof, is given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] The invention will be better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which: [0016] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the universal plating rack of the invention; [0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a bottom view of the rack of FIG. 1; [0018] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a top view of an exemplary customized insert; [0019] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a bottom view of the insert of FIG. 5; [0020] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a top view of another exemplary embodiment of the universal plating rack of the invention; [0021] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a bottom view of the rack of FIG. 3; Continue reading... Full patent description for Universal plating fixture Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Universal plating fixture patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Universal plating fixture or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Non-carbon anodes with active coatings Next Patent Application: Facing-targets type sputtering apparatus Industry Class: Chemistry: electrical and wave energy ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Universal plating fixture patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.58326 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Computers: Graphics , I/O , Processors , Dyn. 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