Patent ID: 8156990

Claim:
An apparatus for providing uniform axial load distribution for laminate layers of multilayer ceramic chip carriers, comprising: a base plate configured to support a plurality of green sheet layers on top of the base plate, the base plate having at least one resiliently mounted load support bar disposed adjacent an outer edge of the base plate; the at least one load support bar mounted on one or more biasing members such that the top surface of the at least one load support bar extends above the top surface of the base plate by a selected distance, and wherein the top surface of at least one load support bar supports a non-functional region of the green sheet layers directly thereupon; and the at least one load support bar comprising a C-shaped member disposed within at least one channel formed in the base plate, the C-shaped member comprising opposing sides received into corresponding outer grooves of the at least one channel, with each biasing member disposed within a central groove of the at least one channel, the central groove located between the outer grooves of the at least one channel.