Methods for aligning an ingot with mounting block

1. A method of aligning an ingot of semiconductor or solar-grade material with a mounting block, the method comprising:

supporting the ingot using adjustable supports;

aligning a predetermined centerline of the ingot with a reference line using a laser, wherein aligning the predetermined centerline includes moving the adjustable supports independently of one another in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the reference line such that the predetermined centerline is aligned with the reference line, and moving the adjustable supports in a second direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the ingot;

rotating the mounting block about a pivot from a horizontal position to a vertical position; and

attaching the mounting block to the ingot such that the predetermined centerline remains aligned with the reference line.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the adjustable supports include inclined planes.

3. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of aligning a predetermined centerline of the ingot includes using at least one laser to emit a laser beam to indicate the reference line.

4. A method as set forth in claim 3 wherein the predetermined centerline is indicated by two marks disposed on opposing faces of the ingot.

5. A method as set forth in claim 4 wherein the step of aligning a predetermined centerline of the ingot includes moving at least one of the adjustable supports in a direction substantially perpendicular to or substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ingot such that the two marks become aligned with the laser beam emitted from the at least one laser.

6. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of attaching includes applying an adhesive to the mounting block while the mounting block is positioned horizontally.

7. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of attaching includes contacting one face of the ingot with the mounting block while the mounting block is positioned vertically.

8. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the predetermined centerline is based upon a predetermined cross-sectional shape to be cut from the ingot.

9. A method of aligning an ingot of semiconductor or solar-grade material with a mounting block, the method comprising:

supporting the ingot using adjustable supports;

providing a reference line for aligning a predetermined centerline of the ingot;

aligning the predetermined centerline of the ingot with the reference line, wherein the predetermined centerline is based upon a predetermined cross-sectional shape to be cut from the ingot and is indicated by a first mark and a second mark disposed on opposing faces of the ingot;

rotating the mounting block from a generally horizontal position to a generally vertical position; and

attaching the mounting block to the ingot such that the predetermined centerline remains aligned with the reference line.

10. A method as set forth in claim 9 wherein the step of aligning the predetermined centerline of the ingot includes moving the adjustable supports independently of one another in a direction substantially perpendicular to the reference line.

11. A method as set forth in claim 9 wherein the step of aligning the predetermined centerline of the ingot includes moving at least one of the adjustable supports in a direction substantially perpendicular to or substantially parallel to the reference line such that the predetermined centerline becomes aligned with the reference line.

12. A method as set forth in claim 9 wherein the step of providing a reference line includes emitting a laser beam from at least one laser.

13. A method as set forth in claim 12 wherein the step of aligning the predetermined centerline of the ingot includes moving at least one of the adjustable supports in a direction substantially perpendicular to or substantially parallel to the reference line such that the two marks become aligned with the laser beam.

14. A method as set forth in claim 12 wherein the step of emitting a laser beam from at least one laser further includes emitting a second laser beam from a second laser along the same axis as the first laser beam.

15. A method as set forth in claim 14 wherein the step of aligning the predetermined centerline of the ingot includes aligning the first mark with the first laser beam, and aligning the second mark with the second laser beam.