Abstract: A tool (1) has a distal operative portion and a proximal shank (2) with a mounting portion (3), for mounting the tool in a holder (10). A substantial portion of the mounting portion has a cross-sectional shape with at least one and fewer than six 60-degree segments thereof having segment ends joined by a flat surface (5). The holder has a distal axial aperture or mounting hole (12) for receiving the tool (1), the aperture having a cross-sectional shape which has 60-degree segments thereof having segment ends joined by a flat surface (13), but no more such flat surface segments than those corresponding to flat surface segments of the tool. The holder further has a ball-detent (21) mechanism or other locking mechanism for engaging the mounting portion (3) of the tool (1).

Abstract: Join patterns may be compiled using software transactional memories (STM's) without the use of locks or other low level constructs. In particular, any number of STM threads may each perform a corresponding change set on a corresponding channel set. Each such STM thread may perform its corresponding change set by acquiring non-exclusive access to its corresponding channel set. Once each of the STM threads has performed its corresponding change set, a comparison is made to determine whether any two or more of the change sets are inconsistent with one another. The consistent change sets may be committed to memory. The inconsistent change sets may be either committed or rolled back.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for reducing etch sequencing induced downstream dielectric defects produced in a SOG planarization process used in high volume semiconductor manufacturing. Three factors have been identified as causes of the defects. The three factors are: (1) phosphorus-doping in the base dielectric, and (2) using for SOG etchback an etch tool that was last used for a bond pad etch process, and (3) residual metal contaminants in the etch chamber used for the SOG etchback. Elimination of any one of these three factors eliminates the defects.

Abstract: There is provided a hole saw system comprising a hole saw including a bottom portion and a body portion; a mandrel, including apparatus for receiving the hole saw; wherein the hole saw includes a plurality of slot pairs, the slot pairs being offset from each other on the body portion allowing a tool to be inserted into one of the slot pairs for removal of a slug.

Abstract: The invention is directed at a quick connect mechanism for mounting a hole saw to a tool comprising a hole saw; a mandrel having a first end for mounting to the hole saw and a second end for mounting to the tool; and a drill bit, assembled within the mandrel such that when the mandrel is connected to the hole saw, the drill bit being concentrically centred within the hole saw; a holder, mounted to the tool, for receiving the second end of the mandrel; wherein the second end of the mandrel includes quick connect means for easily mounting the mandrel to and releasing the mandrel from the holder.

Abstract: A chuck is provided for retaining the shank of a tool bit or accessory, having a fixed diameter, inserted in a central channel at a distal end of the chuck. At least one torsion spring is mounted axially within a housing and has an inner dimension and shape comparable to the shank's outer dimension and shape. A mechanism winds and unwinds the torsion spring to respectively grip or release said shank, the winding being in a rotational direction consistent with a normal operating rotational direction of said chuck such that said shank tends to further wind the torsion spring for further self-tightening in normal operation.

Abstract: Join patterns may be compiled using software transactional memories (STM's) without the use of locks or other low level constructs. In particular, any number of STM threads may each perform a corresponding change set on a corresponding channel set. Each such STM thread may perform its corresponding change set by acquiring non-exclusive access to its corresponding channel set. Once each of the STM threads has performed its corresponding change set, a comparison is made to determine whether any two or more of the change sets are inconsistent with one another. The consistent change sets may be committed to memory. The inconsistent change sets may be either committed or rolled back.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at a hole saw mandrel which is used to connect a drill with a hole saw. The mandrel includes a tool end for connecting the hole mandrel with the drill; a hole cutting end including a hole saw receiving means and a drill bit receiving means; and a central portion connecting the tool end to the hole cutting end; wherein the hole saw receiving means comprising a collar which is independent of the central portion so that no play is experienced between a hole saw and the hole saw mandrel when the hole saw is in use. The hole saw mandrel may also include an ejector to eject a slug from the hole saw after a hole has been cut.

Abstract: A processor designed to directly execute machine code that is based on the asynchronous pi-calculus is disclosed. Such a processor may be an element of a multi-processor system that aims to provide a scalable, loosely-coupled architecture for executing programs based on the pi-calculus.