Patent ID: 7513182

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 plurality of panels, each panel comprising an elongated structure fastened to a support, the support comprising a planar upper surface; a plurality of blocks over the panels, each block comprising an elongated structure extending parallel with each other block and each panel, each panel having two spaced blocks wherein the spacing is configured to support and maintain a stationary position of each integrated circuit package after being separated from the board, 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 between the block upper surfaces; 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; wherein the plurality of the blocks are one piece with the panel; and a pair of actuators, each actuator configured for driving a plate positioned beneath the support, the plates being moveable to vertically displace the support, each actuator comprising release values configured to equilibrate a back-pressure of the actuator to ambient prior to and during movement of the support.