Chip carriers protect the delicate elements of integrated circuits or transistors when inserted or soldered onto a circuit board. They come in different types, sizes, and materials, and are attached to the board through various methods. As technology advances, chip holders have become smaller and more complex to install. The installation process is part of the integrated circuit packaging process, which includes attaching the die, IC, and encapsulating the IC.
A chip carrier houses the elements of an integrated circuit or transistor. It is also commonly known as a chip pack or chip container. This packaging allows chips to be inserted or soldered onto a circuit board without damaging their delicate elements. The process of installing chip carriers has become increasingly complex as they have decreased in size to accommodate new forms of technology.
Depending on the design of a chip carrier, it is typically attached to a circuit board, held in springs, or soldered. Plug mounts, also known as socket mounts, have pins or wires that can be inserted directly into the board. When a mount is soldered directly to the board, it is called surface mount. The spring-loaded mounting method is used when the force of the weld or pins damages fragile components. A spring mechanism is installed in the area where the component is to be installed; then the springs are carefully pushed aside so that the piece can be locked into place.
There are dozens of different types of chip holders, made from a variety of materials. They can be composed of a mix of elements including ceramic, silicone, metal and plastic. The chips inside also come in different sizes and thicknesses, though they all tend to be square or rectangular in shape. Chip carriers come in a number of sizes standardized by the electronics industry. They are classified according to the number of terminals in the carrier.
New smaller technology designs such as cell phones and computers made it necessary to produce the typical chip holder in ever smaller and smaller sizes. Some have become so tiny that they can no longer be installed by human hands. Instead, it’s now an intricate process, done mechanically. A chip holder with plugs tends to be larger and better suited to human handling, while surface mount holders are often installed via machine.
Installing chip holders on a circuit board is part of a larger assembly process known as integrated circuit packaging. It is also known by various other terms in the electronics industry, including packaging, assembly, and semiconductor device assembly. Other activities during this process include attaching the die, attaching the IC, and encapsulating the IC. These processes work to connect and thus provide protection for all elements on the circuit.
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