Patent ID: 7367252

Claim:
An integrated circuit package separator for separating a plurality of integrated circuit packages from one another, the integrated circuit packages being provided as integrated circuit chip components joined to a board, the separating including cutting the board, the separator comprising: a panel; a plurality of blocks over the panel, the plurality of the blocks comprising separate and discrete structures relative a structure of the panel, the plurality of the blocks having curved upper surfaces and being configured to support the board while leaving the integrated circuit chip components extending between the block upper surfaces and the panel; a cutting mechanism configured to cut the board while the board is supported on the blocks and to thereby separate the integrated circuit packages from one another; a pair of actuators, each actuator configured for driving a plate positioned beneath the panel, the plates being moveable to vertically displace the panel, each actuator comprising release valves configured to equilibrate a back-pressure of the actuator to ambient prior to and during movement of the panel.