contacts the end 15 to provide the desired wire bond the action of independent clamp 70 and if desired the additional use of fixed clamp 22 provides improved clamping of a lead finger 14 during the wire bonding process as well as insures that the lead finger 14 of a conventional lead frame is in intimate contact with the movable arm 24 for effectiveness independent clamp 70 may be of any suitable shape for use in independently clamping the lead finger 14 in place of the use of conventional fixed clamp 22 such as square semicircular rectangular arcuate etc also the independent clamp 70 may be resiliently mounted through the use of a shoulder 72 thereon abutting a spring 74 to control the amount of the force exerted on any lead finger 14 during the wire bonding operation if desired the independent clamp 70 may include insulation or cushioning 76 on the end thereof the independent clamp 70 is actuated independently of bonding apparatus 26 and has the capability of independent movement along the x axis y axis and z axis with respect to the bonding apparatus 26 the independent clamp 70 is also free to move about the bonding apparatus 26 and the central axis of the die.