Patent ID: 8906782

Claim:
A method for separating semiconductor die, comprising: forming a sacrificial region on a semiconductor wafer; and separating the die at the sacrificial region, wherein separating the die comprises providing a punch beneath the semiconductor wafer, providing a barrier above the semiconductor wafer, the barrier including a concave surface facing the semiconductor wafer and an apex of the concave surface aligned with the punch; moving the semiconductor wafer to a first position relative to the punch, urging the punch towards the semiconductor wafer to fracture the sacrificial region at the first position, moving of the semiconductor wafer to a second position relative to the punch, and urging the punch towards the semiconductor wafer to fracture the sacrificial region at the second position wherein the urging of the punch causes the semiconductor wafer to arc upwards and contact the concave surface of the barrier and wherein the urging of the punch stops when the semiconductor wafer contacts the barrier.