Patent ID: 8348252

Claim:
A method for aligning a first workpiece to a second work piece that comprises: placing the first workpiece on an alignment apparatus comprising: (a) two or more fluid chambers disposed in fixed relation to each other, the chambers having a movable wall and one or more apertures for admitting or releasing fluid; (b) fluid channels coupled to the one or more apertures that enable fluid to flow between at least two of the fluid chambers; and (c) one or more valves disposed to enable or to stop the flow of fluid through one or more of the one or more fluid channels; pumping incompressible fluid into the fluid chambers; opening the one or more valves; bringing the first and second workpieces into contact; waiting a predetermined time for fluid flow in the fluid channels; determining whether the first and second workpieces are aligned; if they are aligned, shutting the valves; and if they are not aligned, moving the second workpiece a predetermined amount in a predetermined direction, and returning to waiting.