Nordson DAGE 4000Plus Bond and Shear Strength Tester
| Brand | Nordson DAGE |
|---|---|
| Origin | United Kingdom |
| Model | DAGE 4000Plus |
| Force Range (Tensile) | 0–100 kgf |
| Force Range (Shear/Thrust) | 0–50 kgf |
| XY Stage Travel | 160 mm × 160 mm |
| Image Capture System | Integrated coaxial high-resolution camera mounted near test head |
| Dimensions (L×W×H) | 730 mm × 425 mm × 670 mm |
| Weight | 45 kg |
| Power Supply | 100–240 V AC, 50/60 Hz |
Overview
The Nordson DAGE 4000Plus Bond and Shear Strength Tester is a precision-engineered mechanical test platform designed specifically for quantitative evaluation of interconnect integrity in semiconductor packaging and microelectronic assembly. Based on calibrated force transduction and high-accuracy motion control, the system performs destructive and semi-destructive bond strength assessments—including wire pull, ball shear, die shear, bump pull, vector pull, tweezer peel, and fatigue cycling—under controlled load application and real-time displacement monitoring. Its architecture complies with industry-standard test methodologies defined in JEDEC JESD22-B116 (ball shear), JESD22-B117 (wire pull), IPC-9701 (solder joint reliability), and MIL-STD-883 Method 2011. The instrument supports both manual operation and programmable automated sequences, enabling repeatable, traceable, and auditable test execution required for qualification, process validation, and failure analysis laboratories.
Key Features
- High-capacity dual-axis force measurement: up to 100 kgf tensile and 50 kgf shear/thrust, with selectable load cells (e.g., 100 g, 1 kg, 10 kg, 50 kg, 100 kg) to optimize resolution across applications.
- Integrated coaxial imaging system: 5-megapixel camera mounted adjacent to the test head enables rapid sample alignment, real-time visual feedback during test execution, and post-test failure mode documentation with sub-pixel registration.
- Motorized XYZ stage with standard 160 mm × 160 mm travel range; optional extended travel or custom stage configurations available for large substrates or multi-die packages.
- Modular tooling interface: interchangeable test heads and fixtures—including wire pull hooks, shear blades, tweezer jaws, vector pull arms, and BGA ball lift tools—support standardized and application-specific test protocols.
- Thermal compatibility: compatible with optional hot-stage integration (up to 200 °C) for elevated-temperature bond testing per JEDEC JESD22-A104 and A121 standards.
- Robust mechanical frame with vibration-damped granite base ensures long-term stability and measurement repeatability (< ±0.5% full scale under GLP-compliant conditions).
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The DAGE 4000Plus accommodates a broad spectrum of semiconductor package types—including QFN, SOIC, BGA, CSP, WLCSP, fan-out wafer-level packages (FOWLP), and advanced heterogeneous integration assemblies. It supports testing of gold, copper, and aluminum bond wires (15–500 µm diameter), solder bumps (25–200 µm pitch), copper pillars, and micro-bumps used in 2.5D/3D IC stacking. All test methods align with internationally recognized standards: JEDEC, IPC, ASTM F1269 (microelectronics shear testing), ISO/IEC 17025 calibration traceability, and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when paired with validated software configuration and audit trail logging.
Software & Data Management
The system operates under DAGE’s proprietary Bond Test Software (BTS), a Windows-based application supporting method-driven test definition, real-time force–displacement curve acquisition, pass/fail threshold logic, statistical process control (SPC) charting, and automated report generation (PDF/CSV/XLSX). Software features include electronic signature capability, user role-based access control, full audit trail with timestamped operator actions, and secure data export compliant with ISO 13485 and IATF 16949 quality management systems. Optional integration with LIMS or MES platforms is supported via OPC UA or RESTful API interfaces.
Applications
- Wire bond pull testing per JEDEC JESD22-B117: evaluation of heel, mid-span, and ball bond strength in power devices, RF modules, and automotive-grade ICs.
- Ball shear and bump shear testing: quantification of solder joint mechanical integrity in flip-chip and wafer-level CSP packages.
- Die shear testing: assessment of adhesive strength between die attach material and substrate or leadframe.
- Tweezer peel and vector pull: characterization of edge adhesion and interfacial fracture toughness in stacked-die and embedded die configurations.
- Fatigue testing: cyclic loading protocols (tensile/shear) to generate S–N curves for reliability modeling and accelerated life testing.
- Passivation layer shear: specialized blade geometry and software-controlled dwell time enable controlled delamination without substrate damage.
FAQ
What standards does the DAGE 4000Plus support for wire bond pull testing?
It conforms to JEDEC JESD22-B117, IPC-9708, and MIL-STD-883 Method 2011, with configurable test profiles for heel, mid-span, and ball pull modes.
Can the system perform elevated-temperature bond testing?
Yes—when integrated with an optional heated chuck or environmental chamber, it supports thermal testing up to 200 °C in accordance with JEDEC JESD22-A104 and A121.
Is the software compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11?
Yes, when deployed with validated BTS configuration, electronic signatures, audit trail logging, and role-based permissions enabled.
What is the typical calibration interval for the force sensors?
Annual calibration is recommended per ISO/IEC 17025 guidelines; certificate of calibration traceable to NPL or NIST is provided with each service.
Does the system support automated batch testing for production environments?
Yes—via programmable test sequences, barcode-triggered job loading, and integration-ready communication protocols (RS-232, Ethernet TCP/IP, Modbus).





