US Patent 7126132 Apparatus for preparing a TEM sample holder

The preferred embodiment further includes a press for cutting a TEM sample holder from a TEM coupon and joining a probe-tip point with an attached sample to the TEM sample holder. The press includes: an outer die; an inner die situated inside the outer die; a former rod opposing the inner and outer dies; and, a shear punch situated coaxially with the former rod. A hold-down spring biases the former rod toward the inner die. A trigger or other mechanism responsive to the contact of the former rod and the inner die, and an actuator responsive to the trigger, drive the shear punch toward the inner and outer dies. This press can be located either inside or outside the vacuum chamber of the FIB or other analytical instrument.