In an apparatus for extracting chips from slots cut into a substrate, a cutter having a cutting implement is mounted thereon and is adapted to cut slots into the substrate. At least one injector is positioned proximate to the cutting implement, and includes a nozzle having a nozzle tip directed at the slots such that during operation a current of gas is directed into the slots to loosen any substrate chips therefrom which were generated during the cutting operation. A vacuum apparatus is positioned proximate to the cutting apparatus for capturing and removing the substrate chips loosened by the injector.