Patent US3674004A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3674004A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Precision cutting apparatus and method of operation therefor
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1969-12-30
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Granted: 1972-07-04
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Expires: 1989-12-30
Abstract
Abstract A precision cutting apparatus including a cutting tool which consists of at least a single flexible cutting element and means coacting with said cutting element for holding it in a rigid, unstressed condition is disclosed. The flexible cutting element is ordinary spring steel while the means for holding the cutting element in a rigid, unstressed condition is a block of dimensionally-stable pyrolytic graphite containing a groove in which the spring steel cutting element is receivable. Also disclosed, is translation means for applying rectilinear motion to the cutting tool, and a means for aligning the work piece relative to the cutting tool. The grooved graphite block, in addition to providing a dimensionally stable holder, also provides a porous material into which an adhesive may be introduced to retain the cutting element within the grooves. Heating the graphite block liquefies an appropriate adhesive and permits the removal of an old cutting element and its replacement with a new cutting element. A method of operating the cutting apparatus is also shown including an alignment step which permits extremely precise cutting. The apparatus and method taught have particular utility in the semiconductor area where the ability to dice with great precision, for example, greatly enhances the yield of usable semiconductor chips.
Inventors
- 👤 Johannes Grandia
- 👤 Robert Lewis Rohr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:08
CPC Classifications
B; B28; B28D; B28D5/00; B28D5/04; B28D5/042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
Cutting apparatus for grooving a workpiece with high precision comprising means for holding a plurality of flexible cutting elements in a rigid, unstressed condition in parallel spaced relationship, means for aligning said holding means in overlying cutting relationship with said workpiece, and means for translating said holding means relative to said workpiece to form a plurality of parallel grooves therein, said means for translating said holding means includes a moveable carriage constrained to move in a rectilinear manner containing an aperture into which said holding means is slidably receivable, and means for applying rectilinear motion to said moveable carriage and wherein said alignment means includes an alignment fixture disposed in removeable engaging relationship about the underside of said aperture, a reference crosshair disposed in fixed relationship with said alignment fixture and, means for adjusting said alignment fixture to align said reference crosshair in registry with a cutting element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
Cutting apparatus for grooving a workpiece with high precision comprising means for holding a plurality of flexible cutting elements in a rigid, unstressed condition in parallel spaced relationship, means for aligning said holding means in overlying cutting relationship with said workpiece, and means for translating said holding means relative to said workpiece to form a plurality of parallel grooves therein, said means for translating said holding means includes a moveable carriage constrained to move in a rectilinear manner containing an aperture into which said holding means is slidably receivable, and means for applying rectilinear motion to said moveable carriage and wherein said alignment means includes an alignment fixture disposed in removeable engaging relationship about the underside of said aperture, a reference crosshair disposed in fixed relationship with said alignment fixture and, means for adjusting said alignment fixture to align said reference crosshair in registry with a cutting element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
Cutting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said alignment means further includes a translation stage and a rotating stage, the latter being disposed in rotating relationship atop the former and, means coupled to each of said stages for applying translatory motion and rotary motion to said translation stage and said rotating stage, respectively, to align a reference on said workpiece with said reference crosshair.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
123 words
In a method for cutting precision grooves in a workpiece with a plurality of rigid, unstressed cutting elements disposed in spaced, parallel relationship in a holder the step of: inverting said holder such that said cutting elements face up and opposite said wOrkpiece, aligning a reference crosshair means over the edge of one of said cutting elements the position of which is fixed and parallel to the cutting direction, removing said holder while maintaining said crosshair in its position, adjusting said workpiece to align said reference crosshair means with a reference on said workpiece, removing said crosshair means, and placing said holder in cutting relationship with said workpiece, said one of said cutting elements being accurately aligned with said reference on said workpiece.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
123 words
In a method for cutting precision grooves in a workpiece with a plurality of rigid, unstressed cutting elements disposed in spaced, parallel relationship in a holder the step of: inverting said holder such that said cutting elements face up and opposite said wOrkpiece, aligning a reference crosshair means over the edge of one of said cutting elements the position of which is fixed and parallel to the cutting direction, removing said holder while maintaining said crosshair in its position, adjusting said workpiece to align said reference crosshair means with a reference on said workpiece, removing said crosshair means, and placing said holder in cutting relationship with said workpiece, said one of said cutting elements being accurately aligned with said reference on said workpiece.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
In a method according to claim 3 wherein the step of adjusting said workpiece includes the step of applying both a rotary component of motion to said workpiece and a rectilinear component of motion thereto the latter motion being in a direction perpendicular to the cutting direction.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-04 | 1976-01-03 | 1976-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-04 | 1980-01-03 | 1980-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-04 | 1984-01-03 | 1984-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |