The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 01, 2001
Filed:
Aug. 03, 1998
Mark J. LaPlante, Walden, NY (US);
James G. Balz, Walden, NY (US);
Ferdinand D. DiMaria, Wappingers Falls, NY (US);
John U. Knickerbocker, Hopewell Junction, NY (US);
David C. Long, Wappingers Falls, NY (US);
Thomas Weiss, Poughquag, NY (US);
Robert P. Westerfield, Jr., Montgomery, NY (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
A gang-punch pin apparatus for punching selected hole patterns in thin sheet materials such as greensheets is provided. The gang-punch pin apparatus uses program plates in the punch apparatus which plates are positioned intermediate the non-punching end of the punch pins and a clearance plate wherein punch pins not used for punching a particular layer of the MLC are retracted into during punching. At the other punch pin locations, the punch pins, upon activation of the punch apparatus by compressing an expandable chamber, usually by application of a force on the punch apparatus, are extended through the lower portion of the punch apparatus to form vias in a greensheet. A die apparatus is also provided for use with the punch assembly to form the vias and to remove the punched material (slugs) from the die apparatus. The gang punch-pin may be shorter than conventional pins and be made at a low cost because of the thin sheet metal plates preferably used to make the component parts of the punch and die apparatus.