Method and apparatus for substrate and spacer separation

An apparatus comprising:

• a bath configured to submerge a laminate of disk-shaped substrates interleaved with disk-shaped spacers;
• a pusher bar configured to push against a first end of the laminate to push a second end of the laminate against a roller;
• wherein the roller is configured to rotate while pressing against a flat surface of a substrate at the second end of the laminate to remove the substrate from the second end of the laminate to expose a spacer of the laminate and to then rotate while pressing against a flat surface of the spacer to remove the spacer from the laminate to expose another substrate of the laminate;
• and
• a controller configured to control the roller and the pusher bar to sequentially remove the substrate, the spacer, and additional substrates and spacers from the laminate.

A method for separating components of a laminate of disk-shaped substrates and disk-shaped spacers, the method comprising:

• pressing a pusher arm against a first end of the laminate to push a second end of the laminate against a roller;
• rotating the roller against a flat surface of a substrate at the second end of the laminate to remove the substrate from the second end of the laminate to expose a spacer of the laminate;
• and
• rotating the roller against a flat surface of the spacer to remove the spacer away the second end of the laminate to expose another substrate of the laminate.