Methods and apparatus for detecting the welding state in each bonding
section and the application of ultrasonic vibration and pressing force is
stopped promptly when completion of welding is determined. This permits
bonding to be finished, corresponding to each wire bonding section at all
times, in a shortest time without need of application of unnecessary
ultrasonic vibration and pressing force after completion of welding in
spite of dispersion of the welding characteristic of the individual
bonding pads.