Probe Card Cleaning 101 – Protecting Your Probe Card Investment

To protect your probe card investment, prevent probing errors and avoid device damage, we’ve outlined the following cleaning regimen for the off-line cleaning of your Pyramid Probe® Card.

STEP 1: INSPECTING THE CORE

• Inspect the core under the microscope. Look for any damage and/or loose particles.
• If loose particles are found, follow the next steps. If no loose particles are found, go directly to step 2.
• Use an acceptable air nozzle with a maximum of 40 psi (275 kPa) air-nozzle pressure on Pyramid Probe cores (see Fig. 4).
• Hold it perpendicular to the probe card face, 3 inches (75 mm) from the probe tips (see Fig. 4).
• Before approaching the core with the air nozzle, activate the air stream (air nozzle will tend to move forward even at low pressure).

STEP 2: PREPARING THE CLEANING BRUSH

• Aim the air nozzle away from the microscope and work area.
• Blow out any debris in the brush bristles (see Fig. 1).
• Using a squeeze bottle of IPA or methanol, wet brush (see Fig. 2), then blow off brush bristles again (see Fig. 1).

STEP 3: CLEANING WITH BRUSH

• Wet the brush again with IPA or methanol.
• Hold the brush perpendicular to the probe card face (see Fig. 3).
• Start cleaning from either the left or right side of the probe card face (see Fig. 3).
• Using circular motion, clean across the face and back again. Use enough force with brush to feel the probe tips. (if IPA/methanol begins to dry, apply more to brush only. Do not allow brush to dry out during this step).
• Clean the brush again, according to Step 2, and wet the brush again with alcohol.
• Using smooth brushstrokes, wipe the probe face from edge to edge. DO NOT use a back and forth motion. Repeat from top to bottom, to wipe particles from entire face.

STEP 4: BLOW AWAY PARTICLES AND SOLVENT

• Use an acceptable air nozzle (see Fig. 4).
• Hold air nozzle vertical to the probe face, 3 inches (75 mm) from the core (see Fig. 4).
• Before approaching the core to use the air nozzle, activate the air stream (this is because the air nozzle will tend to move forward even at low pressure).
• Continue blowing until the face is visibly dry, approximately 30-60 seconds.
• Inspect and repeat steps 1 through 4, until clean.

If you need assistance, please contact a probe card expert, who can help guide you through the process. For a more detailed explanation, refer to the Quick Reference Guide [PDF] available on our website. We’ll be blogging soon about online probe card cleaning methods so stay tuned.