Singulator method and apparatus

An apparatus for singulating hybrid circuits comprising:

• a. a platen for supporting and holding a plate containing hybrid circuits separated by scribed lines and having a top surface divided into sections angled in relation to one another and alignable with said scribed lines, air passages within the platen connectible to one another, and conducting ports that communicate with said air passages and which extend outside said platen;
• b. a vacuum system for holding said plate on said platen by creating a vacuum in said air passages;
• c. a cover for covering said platen and creating a pressurizable space between the cover and said platen and its air passages and conducting ports;
• and
• d. a pressure system for pressurizing said pressurizable space,
• wherein the plate is initially held in place by said vacuum system on a first section of said platen, and wherein the angles between said sections and the configuration of said air passages and conducting ports provide for the creation by the pressure system of a pressure differential between a space above the plate and a space below the plate thereby resulting in the sequential breaking of said plate along said scribe lines against said angled sections.

A method of singulating pre-scribed brittle materials, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. providing a platen having a top surface for the support of a plate made of brittle materials with regions of the plate separated by scribed lines, wherein said top surface is divided into sections angled in relation to one another and alignable with said scribed lines;
• b. using vacuum pressure to hold the plate on the platen so that the scribe lines align with the angled sections;
• and
• c. creating a pressure differential between a space above the plate and a space below the plate and applying the pressure differential to sequentially break the plate along the scribe lines by forcing the plate against the angled sections.

An apparatus for singulating pre-scribed brittle materials, the apparatus comprising:

• a. a platen for supporting and holding a plate made of a brittle material having regions separated by scribed lines and having a top surface divided into sections angled in relation to one another and alignable with said scribed lines, air passages within the platen connectible to one another, and conducting ports that communicate with said air passages and which extend outside said platen;
• b. a vacuum system for holding said plate on said platen by creating a vacuum in said air passages;
• c. a cover for covering said platen and creating a pressurizable space between the cover and said platen and its air passages and conducting ports;
• and
• d. a pressure system for pressurizing said pressurizable space,
• wherein the plate is initially held in place by said vacuum system on a first section of said platen, and wherein the angles between said sections and the configuration of said air passages and conducting ports provide for the creation by the pressure system of a pressure differential between a space above the plate and a space below the plate thereby resulting in the sequential breaking of said plate along said scribe lines against said angled sections.