Abstract: An embodiment of the invention generally relates to a method of converting a commercial off-the-shelf electrical lead to a rugged off-the-shelf electrical lead by laser machining a portion of the electrical lead. The method includes ablating material from the electrical lead of the commercial off-the-shelf component to reduce the moment of inertia or increase the flexibility of the electrical lead.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention generally relates to a method of converting a commercial off-the-shelf electrical lead to a rugged off-the-shelf electrical lead by laser machining a portion of the electrical lead. The method includes ablating material from the electrical lead of the commercial off-the-shelf component to reduce the moment of inertia or increase the flexibility of the electrical lead.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a connector system for resiliently attaching and electrically connecting an integrated circuit chip to a circuit board using a plurality of leads. Each of the plurality of leads are sized and arranged to form a curved body having a first leg and a second leg with a curved portion between the first leg and the second leg. The curved body of the leads may be C-shaped in accordance with the present invention. The plurality of leads may be formed from strips of copper foil or copper mesh folded to form the curved body. The plurality of leads may also be sized and arranged to support the integrated circuit chip in a generally flat arrangement relative to the circuit board with a maximum separation of about 0.016 inches or less between the integrated circuit chip and the circuit board.