Patent ID: 7025665
Filing Date: 2006-04-11
Classification: B28D

Abstract:
1. A wire saw for cutting a plurality of wafers from an ingot or block of silicon comprising: a wire web comprising a plurality of cutting surfaces spaced apart for defining corresponding wafer sections cut through the ingot; a slurry material comprising a high lubricity fluid for lubricating the cutting surfaces; and a stabilizing means, applied to edges of wafer sections after initial cutting by the wire web defines the wafer sections, for supportably holding each wafer section substantially immovably against vibration and contact between wafers during cutting, and optionally for enabling lateral translation of the wire web for releasing wafers from the ingot, the stabilizing means comprising a plastic strip provided with a series of grooves, each groove sized for supportably holding a corresponding wafer section such that the wafer section is stabilized against vibration during cutting and held for placement into a cassette for further processing.