Roller-type Cutter Patents (Class 125/23.02)
-
Patent number: 11174649Abstract: A reveal edge tile cutting apparatus may have a tray with a top surface and a bottom surface, as well as a first set of tracks and a second set of tracks. Attached to these tracks is a vertical cutter featuring two cutting wheels, a horizontal cutter featuring a separate cutting wheel. A measuring device may be located on the top surface of the tray.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2016Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Inventor: Philip Agoglia
-
Patent number: 11148324Abstract: A manual cutting machine includes a base plate. A front support and a rear support are fixedly arranged at two ends of the base plate. Sliding rods are mounted between the front support and the rear support. A slider is disposed around the sliding rods. A connecting block is hinged to the slider. A blade and a presser foot are connected to the bottom of the connecting rod. A push rod is connected to the top of the connecting block. The tail of the push rod is angled relative to the push rod. When the manual cutting machine is used for cutting and fracturing a board, motions of arms are reduced, and the motion range of an operator is narrowed, so that the operator can use the machine more easily and effortlessly. Meanwhile, oil can be added into an oil can to lubricate the slider in the using process.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2019Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: ROMWAY (ZJ) MACHINERY MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Xiaoyu Xu, Runze Zhu
-
Patent number: 8783240Abstract: A saw system in one embodiment includes a base, a work support surface member supported by the base and including a work piece support surface defining a horizontal work piece support plane, and a plurality of wheels, each of the plurality of wheels engaged with at least one of the base and the work support surface member, wherein none of the plurality of wheels is attached to either the base or the work support surface member.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2011Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Michael J. Lawlor
-
Publication number: 20140165989Abstract: Blade (1) for a cutting tool (2) of a ceramic cutting machine (3) comprising a disc-shaped geometry with a specific cutting diameter (H); with at least one conical surface (13) at each side of the cutting perimeter (12), the conical surfaces (13) closest to the symmetry axis (11) being truncated by two truncation planes perpendicular to the symmetry axis (11) of the blade (1), such that if the conical surfaces (13) closest to the symmetry axis (11) of the blade (1) are imaginarily extended towards its vertex, both define two tangency conical surfaces (15) with an imaginary sphere (16) the center of which is located on the symmetry axis (11) of the blade (1), where the ratio between the cutting diameter (H) of the blade (1) and the diameter (D) of said imaginary sphere (16) is equal to a number with a value comprised between 1.5 and 1.7.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2013Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: Bellota Herramientas, S.A.Inventor: Josep BARO CABRERO
-
Patent number: 8578923Abstract: The invention relates to a base (2) for restingly receiving tiles to be cut, comprising: a surface (13) for restingly receiving a tile; and a blade (4) for encountering a lower surface of the tile during a stage of scoring the tile. The rest surface (13) is provided with a depression or slit (12) of such dimensions as to contain a portion of a rotary cutting disc (14) of the tile when the tile is resting on the rest surface (13). The invention also relates to a tile-cutting machine (1), comprising the base (2). The invention further relates to a kit and a method for adapting a manual tile-cutting machine to use with a group comprising a rotary cutting disc (14).Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2011Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Ghelfi S.r.l.Inventor: Stefano Ghelfi
-
Patent number: 8375932Abstract: The invention relates to a cutter including: a base (1) with an upper surface for supporting the ceramic part (9a, 9b, 9c) to be cut, a longitudinal rail (2) positioned above the longitudinal mid-zone of the base (1) parallel thereto, and a moveable handle (3) bearing the cutting disc (4) and having a longitudinal passage for guiding same. The handle (3) includes a cam (5) disposed vertically facing the lower end of the rail (2) and associated with a positioning knob (7) which determines the position of cam (5) sectors of different heights in relation to the lower end of the rail (2), in order to position the handle (3) at different heights but at a similar angle during the cutting of parts of different thicknesses.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2007Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Germans Boada, S.A.Inventor: Josep Torrents I Comas
-
Patent number: 8376335Abstract: A jig (1) for cutting a brick or bricks, comprises a base (3) and alignment means (7, 9, 11, 13) arranged such that the brick or bricks can be laid out on the base (3) with part of the or each brick in contact with the alignment means (7, 9, 11, 13). The jig (1) further comprises guide means (35) operative to define a line to be cut along the brick or bricks, the brick or bricks being at least partially restrained and aligned by the alignment means (7, 9, 11, 13) in use such that a cutter can be guided by the guide means (35) to cut the brick or bricks along the defined line to be cut. The guide means (35) comprises an elongate guide element (43) mounted on a chassis, the chassis being adjustably mounted on the jig (1), the chassis comprising a plurality of spaced apart slots, the chassis being adjustably mounted on at least one finger (37) upstanding from the base (3) to enable the position of the chassis relative to the base (3) to be adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2007Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Inventor: George Gary Hiser
-
Publication number: 20110197870Abstract: The invention relates to a base (2) for restingly receiving tiles to be cut, comprising: a surface (13) for restingly receiving a tile; and a blade (4) for encountering a lower surface of the tile during a stage of scoring the tile. The rest surface (13) is provided with a depression or slit (12) of such dimensions as to contain a portion of a rotary cutting disc (14) of the tile when the tile is resting on the rest surface (13). The invention also relates to a tile-cutting machine (1), comprising the base (2). The invention further relates to a kit and a method for adapting a manual tile-cutting machine to use with a group comprising a rotary cutting disc (14).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2011Publication date: August 18, 2011Applicant: Ghelfi S.r.I.Inventor: Stefano GHELFI
-
Publication number: 20110023859Abstract: The invention relates to a cutter including: a base (1) with an upper surface for supporting the ceramic part (9a, 9b, 9c) to be cut, a longitudinal rail (2) positioned above the longitudinal mid-zone of the base (1) parallel thereto, and a moveable handle (3) bearing the cutting disc (4) and having a longitudinal passage for guiding same. The handle (3) includes a cam (5) disposed vertically facing the lower end of the rail (2) and associated with a positioning knob (7) which determines the position of cam (5) sectors of different heights in relation to the lower end of the rail (2), in order to position the handle (3) at different heights but at a similar angle during the cutting of parts of different thicknesses.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2007Publication date: February 3, 2011Applicant: GERMANS BOADA S.A.Inventor: Josep Torrents I Comas
-
Patent number: 7823575Abstract: A saw includes a base, a table supported above the base and configured to support a workpiece, an arm coupled to and extending above the base, and a saw unit supported by the arm so that the saw unit is disposed above the table. A first rail is fixedly coupled to the base and extends in a longitudinal direction, and a first bearing member is coupled to the table. The first bearing member moves along the first rail so that the table is moveable relative to the base in the longitudinal direction between a cantilevered position and an uncantilevered position, without any movement of the table relative to the first bearing member. The first bearing member is directly in contact with the first rail in both the cantilevered and uncantilevered positions.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2008Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Michael L. O'Banion, Daniel Puzio, Jason D. Hardebeck
-
Patent number: 7748372Abstract: This invention is related to an adaptable tile-cutter apparatus for scoring and breaking disparately-sized tiles. The apparatus broadly includes: a pair of end castings removably; a rigid crossbeam and a travel rail spanning the pair of end castings; vertical-adjustment mechanisms mounted to the travel rail; one or more platform assemblies each coupled to the rigid crossbeam; and a cutting mechanism slidably engaged to the travel rail. The vertical-adjustment mechanisms individually adjust a height of the travel rail with respect to the pair of end castings. In addition, the rigid crossbeam and the travel rail comprise a first matched set, and are each removably coupled to the pair of end castings. Accordingly, a second matched set that includes another rigid crossbeam and another travel rail possessing lengths at variance with the rigid crossbeam and the travel rail of the first matched set may be interchanged therewith.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2008Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Marshalltown CompanyInventors: Andrew Chase Harding, Troy Thurber
-
Publication number: 20090145416Abstract: This invention is related to an adaptable tile-cutter apparatus for scoring and breaking disparately-sized tiles. The apparatus broadly includes: a pair of end castings removably; a rigid crossbeam and a travel rail spanning the pair of end castings; vertical-adjustment mechanisms mounted to the travel rail; one or more platform assemblies each coupled to the rigid crossbeam; and a cutting mechanism slidably engaged to the travel rail. The vertical-adjustment mechanisms individually adjust a height of the travel rail with respect to the pair of end castings. In addition, the rigid crossbeam and the travel rail comprise a first matched set, and are each removably coupled to the pair of end castings. Accordingly, a second matched set that includes another rigid crossbeam and another travel rail possessing lengths at variance with the rigid crossbeam and the travel rail of the first matched set may be interchanged therewith.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2008Publication date: June 11, 2009Applicant: MARSHALLTOWN COMPANYInventors: ANDREW CHASE HARDING, TROY THURBER
-
Patent number: 7434576Abstract: A cutting apparatus for cutting tiles has a base, a rail device, a cutting device, a positioning ruler and a clamping apparatus. The base has an elongated slot defined near the distal end of the base and having a setscrew hole. The rail device is connected to the base. The cutting device is connected to the base and has a mounting bracket, an operating shaft and a cutter. The mounting bracket is connected movably to the rail device. The operating shaft is connected pivotally to the mounting bracket. The cutter is connected to the operating shaft. The positioning ruler is mounted movably on the base. The clamping apparatus is connected securely to the base and has two connecting brackets, a handle and two pressing elements.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2006Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Inventor: Horng-Jann Hwang
-
Patent number: 7387120Abstract: A saw includes a base and a pair of substantially parallel stationary rails coupled to the base and extending in a longitudinal direction. A saw supporting assembly is coupled to the base and includes an arm extending from the base and a cutting blade coupled to the arm. A table for supporting a workpiece has a pair of substantially parallel sliding rails fixedly coupled to the table. The sliding rails slide relative to the stationary rails so that the table is moveable between a cantilevered position where at least a portion of the sliding rails are not in contact with the stationary rails, and a non-cantilevered position where substantially the entire length of the sliding rails are in contact with the stationary rails.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2004Date of Patent: June 17, 2008Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Michael L. O'Banion, Daniel Puzio, Jason D. Hardebeck
-
Patent number: 7013785Abstract: A ceramic cutting device having a base, longitudinal guides mounted to the base, and a support movably mounted on the longitudinal guides. A cutting-wheel handle holder is pivotably mounted to the support. A cutting-wheel handle is mounted to the handle holder and the cutting wheel is mounted to the handle. An actuating lever is mounted in a threaded hole in the handle holder so as to immobilize the handle so that the handle can apply pressure on a ceramic piece to be cut via the cutting wheel. The cutting wheel handle has an outer periphery with at least three longitudinally extended rebates which have a geometry that reduces the frequency of vibration during scoring of the ceramic piece by the cutting-wheel. The handle further has at least one longitudinally extending planar surface for engaging with the actuating lever.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2001Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Germans Boada, S.A.Inventor: Josep Torrents I Comas
-
Patent number: 7011085Abstract: A clamp suitable for masonry work can securely and simultaneously accommodate a plurality of bricks, blocks, stones or other masonry materials during cutting operations. The clamp may be readily set up at a construction site and provides for rapid and consistent measuring, marking and clamping of bricks allowing more precise cuts of multiple bricks in a single cutting action. The clamp comprises a first fence defining a first workpiece bearing surface, a second fence defining a second workpiece bearing surface positioned in a laterally spaced relation to the first fence, and optionally, a third fence defining a third workpiece bearing surface positioned in spaced relation from the first and second fences. A clamp operating device is provided to selectively clamp and release a workpiece between the first and second fences.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2003Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Inventor: Matthew Lochotzki
-
Patent number: 6953036Abstract: A tile cutter including a base stand, a protruding rib disposed on the base stand, bridge-like guide rails installed above the protruding rib, an operating lever sliding on the guide rails while being guided by the guide rails, and a rotary blade and a pressing member installed on the base portion of the operating lever, wherein the pressing member is comprised of a pair of pressing plates with a hollow space in between, the pressing plates are connected to each other by a C-shaped connecting element, the pressing member is supported on the base portion of the operating lever near a blade supporting shaft for the rotary blade so that the pressing member is free to swing upward and downward, and part of the base portion of the operating lever and the rotary blade enter the hollow space when the pressing member takes a hanging attitude.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2004Date of Patent: October 11, 2005Assignee: Ishii Chokokogu Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventor: Akinori Ishii
-
Patent number: 6935544Abstract: The invention relates to a manual tile cutter comprising a support base (1), the short sides of which are provided with diverging walls (2) that extend upwards. Both ends of the longitudinal guides (3) for the cutting head are fixed inside said walls. The longer sides of the support base (1) are provided with flat flanges (8) which are mounted so that they can be pulled down during use, around horizontal rotation axes, into a horizontal position which is coplanar with the base (1), or pushed up into a vertical transport position which is perpendicular to the base (1).Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2002Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Germans Boada, S.A.Inventor: Josep Torrents I Comas
-
Patent number: 6845768Abstract: A saw includes a base having a first length extending generally along a first direction, a table disposed on the base, a saw unit disposed on the base, wherein one of the table and the saw unit is movable relative to the base along the first direction over a range which exceeds the first length. The saw may also include a first stationary rail connected to the base and extending generally along the first direction and a first movable rail engaging the first stationary rail and extending generally parallel to the first stationary rail, the first movable rail being connected to the one of the table and saw unit. Preferably, the first movable rail is slidingly received over the first stationary rail. The saw may also include a first rack disposed on the first movable rail, and a first pinion disposed on the base, wherein the first pinion meshes with the first rack so that the first movable rail moves along the first direction upon rotation of the first pinion.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2002Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Michael L. O'Banion, Daniel Puzio, Jason D. Hardebeck
-
Patent number: 6827075Abstract: An automated stone burning apparatus, which precisely adjusts the burning operation and improves the throughput. The apparatus consists of a torch assembly that is mounted in proximity to a stone slab lying upon a roller bed. The torch assembly is movable both transversely and laterally (i.e., in orthogonal directions with respect to the stone slab). An electrical control system adjusts the speed and location of the torch during the burn process.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2002Date of Patent: December 7, 2004Inventor: Robert Bellospirito
-
Publication number: 20040231485Abstract: A tile cutting machine comprising a supporting plate (1) for a tile to be cut, comprising a tool guide (2), running over the supporting plate (1), for a cutting tool and comprising a swivel head (9), which can be moved by defined angular amounts, has on the swivel head (9) a ruler (4) with a straight guide. Into the latter one of two laterally reversed try squares (5, 6) can be inserted selectively from the right or left side.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: Fliesen Eckstein GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Joachim Eckstein
-
Patent number: 6708686Abstract: A tile cutter includes a base having a support surface upon which tiles to be cut may be supported, a pair of guide rails mounted upon the base, the guide rails being parallel to one another and being spaced from the support surface to enable a tile to be located between the guide rails and the support surface. A cutter assembly is provided, mounted on a carriage, which, in turn, is movably mounted on the pair of rails so as to guide the cutter assembly along a rectilinear path across the support surface. The carriage includes a first rotary bearing assembly in rotary contact with one rail and a second rotary bearing assembly in rotary contact with the other rail.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2002Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Turner Intellectual Property LimitedInventor: Paul S. Hepworth
-
Patent number: 6561066Abstract: Disclosed is a cutting apparatus equipped with a device for alignment of its rotary blade relative to a selected street on a semiconductor wafer.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2001Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Disco CorporationInventor: Kazuma Sekiya
-
Publication number: 20030029433Abstract: A tile cutter comprising a base having a support surface upon which tiles to be cut may be supported, a pair of guide rails mounted upon the base, the guide rails being parallel to one another and being spaced from said support surface to enable a tile to be located between the guide rails and said support surface, a cutter assembly mounted on a carriage, the carriage being movably mounted on said pair of rails so as to guide said cutter assembly along a rectilinear path across said support surface, and said carriage including a first rotary bearing assembly in rotary contact with one rail and a second rotary bearing assembly in rotary contact with the other rail, each rotary bearing assembly including at least one bearing in the form of a roller having a shaft on which is mounted at least one wheel which projects radially beyond said shaft and is axially fixed relation to the shaft, the wheel having an axial face, a circumferential face and a transition face extending between said axial and circumferential fType: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2002Publication date: February 13, 2003Applicant: Turner Intellectual Property LimitedInventor: Paul S. Hepworth
-
Patent number: 6488021Abstract: A method for producing a semiconductor element comprises the steps of: forming a plurality of grooves on a first surface of a semiconductor multi-layer structure along a first direction: forming a plurality of multi-element bars by cleaving the semiconductor multi-layer structure along a second direction; placing at least one of the plurality of multi-element bars on a support stage; and cleaving the at least one of the plurality of multi-element bars along the plurality of grooves by moving a pressure member in a longitudinal direction of the at least one of the plurality of multi-element bars while a constant load is applied by the pressure member to a second surface of the at least one of the plurality of multi-element bars, the second surface being opposite a third surface corresponding to the first surface of the at least one of the plurality of multi-element bars.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2000Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Assignee: Matsushita Electronics CorporationInventors: Keiji Yamane, Hideto Adachi, Akira Takamori
-
Patent number: 6457469Abstract: The invention relates to a device for cutting slabs or tiles, comprising a frame which has a support surface for the slabs or tiles and a cutting mechanism which is displaceably mounted on the frame, above the support surface, in order to produce a point of break in the surface of the slab or tile. According to the invention, guiding elements are provided for guiding the cutting mechanism along a curved path while it is displaced on the frame.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2001Date of Patent: October 1, 2002Inventors: Erich Mueller, Daniel Schmid
-
Publication number: 20020124841Abstract: A saw includes a base having a first length extending generally along a first direction, a table disposed on the base, a saw unit disposed on the base, wherein one of the table and the saw unit is movable relative to the base along the first direction over a range which exceeds the first length. The saw may also include a first stationary rail connected to the base and extending generally along the first direction and a first movable rail engaging the first stationary rail and extending generally parallel to the first stationary rail, the first movable rail being connected to the one of the table and saw unit. Preferably, the first movable rail is slidingly received over the first stationary rail. The saw may also include a first rack disposed on the first movable rail, and a first pinion disposed on the base, wherein the first pinion meshes with the first rack so that the first movable rail moves along the first direction upon rotation of the first pinion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2002Publication date: September 12, 2002Inventors: Michael L. O'Banion, Daniel Puzio, Jason D. Hardebeck
-
Patent number: 6427677Abstract: A saw includes a base having a first length extending generally along a first direction, a table disposed on the base, a saw unit disposed on the base, wherein one of the table and the saw unit is movable relative to the base along the first direction over a range which exceeds the first length. The saw may also include a first stationary rail connected to the base and extending generally along the first direction and a first movable rail engaging the first stationary rail and extending generally parallel to the first stationary rail, the first movable rail being connected to the one of the table and saw unit. Preferably, the first movable rail is slidingly received over the first stationary rail. The saw may also include a first rack disposed on the first movable rail, and a first pinion disposed on the base, wherein the first pinion meshes with the first rack so that the first movable rail moves along the first direction upon rotation of the first pinion.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1999Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Michael L. O'Banion, Daniel Puzio, Jason D. Hardebeck
-
Patent number: 6374820Abstract: A manufacturing method for a monolithic ceramic part permitting a ceramic laminate to be cut stably and speedily, even if the thickness of the ceramic laminate is large. In order to divide a mother ceramic laminate into individual laminates of monolithic ceramic part units, the ceramic laminate is cut with a cutting blade, using a pair of guides disposed on opposite sides of the cutting blade in the vicinity of one principal plane of the ceramic laminate to control the cutting direction, and then individual ceramic laminates thus obtained by cutting are fired.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2000Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., LTDInventors: Yoshinori Sakamoto, Shizuma Tazuke, Haruhiko Mori
-
Patent number: 6364751Abstract: Semiconductor components, which each include at least one semiconductor chip mounted on a common carrier substrate, are singled. The separation is effected by severing of the carrier substrate. The carrier substrate is thereby bent at least in that area of the carrier substrate which is to be severed. The severing takes place beginning from the convexly curved surface of the carrier substrate. In addition, the invention describes a singling device for separating semiconductor components.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2000Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Jens Pohl, Oliver Wutz, Johann Winderl
-
Patent number: 6269994Abstract: A manual tile cutter includes a base adapted to support a tile, a rail connected to the base above the tile and a carriage slidably mounted on the rail. A manually operated lever and a cutting toolholder are independently pivotally mounted to the carriage at a common pivot point. A shaft has one end mechanically coupled to the cutting toolholder and an opposite end extending through the carriage and connected to a manually adjustable knob. A biasing element applies a force on the cutting toolholder toward the tile. A height adjusting device in mechanical communication with the knob and the cutting toolholder adjusts the height of the cutting tool with respect to the tile but independent of the lever to accommodate different tile thicknesses.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1999Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: North American Tile Tool CompanyInventor: Patrick Harrington
-
Patent number: 6240914Abstract: A tile cutter provided with a supporting rail of which cross section is inverted T having a straight supporting ridge portion in a longitudinal direction, a front fixation post having a tile contact portion in a direction at right angles with the supporting rail and attached to an end of the supporting rail, a rear fixation post attached to the other end of the supporting rail, a guide rail arranged on upper ends of the front and rear fixation posts and parallel to the supporting rail, a scale for measuring tile cutting dimension having a tile receiving plate of which upper face corresponds to a top portion of the supporting ridge portion and attached onto the supporting rail as to freely slide along the supporting rail, and a tile cutting operation unit attached to the guide rail as to freely slide along the guide rail.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1999Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: Sankei Butusan, Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masaki Yasuga
-
Patent number: 6223736Abstract: A tile cutter provided with a supporting rail of which cross section is inverted T having a straight supporting ridge portion in a longitudinal direction, a front fixation post having a tile contact portion in a direction at right angles with the supporting rail and attached to an end of the supporting rail, a rear fixation post attached to the other end of the supporting rail, a guide rail arranged on upper ends of the front and rear fixation posts and parallel to the supporting rail, a scale for measuring tile cutting dimension having a tile receiving plate of which upper face corresponds to a top portion of the supporting ridge portion and attached onto the supporting rail as to freely slide along the supporting rail, and a tile cutting operation unit, which has an operation lever on an upper portion and a tile pressing leg and a circular cutting blade on a lower portion, attached to the guide rail as to freely slide along the guide rail.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2000Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Assignee: Sankei Butusan Co., LTDInventor: Masaki Yasuga
-
Patent number: 6205993Abstract: A method for fabricating elongate structural members from a unitary blank of crystalline material is provided. The blank has a predetermined length, width, and depth. A first substantially planar cut is made in the blank, the cut extending substantially along the entire length of the blank and substantially less than the entire width of the blank. At east one additional cut is made in the blank, the at least one additional cut extending in the same plane as the first cut, to cut the blank into two pieces. The step of making at least one additional cut can include making a plurality of additional cuts, in one embodiment at least three additional cuts. The cuts can be made using a rotary saw with a blade having diamond-coated cutting surfaces. The saw can be operated with the blade rotating at between 50 rpm and 50,000 rpm, preferably at approximately 4,000 rpm. The blank of crystalline material can be provided as a unitary blank of silicon material.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1999Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: Integrated Materials, Inc.Inventors: Raanan Zehavi, Robert Davis