Abstract: A sanding apparatus includes a plurality of posts each having an upper end and a lower end. The plurality of posts is four posts. A first horizontal support extends between two of the posts and a second horizontal support extends between another two of the posts. The first and second horizontal supports are vertically adjustable with respect to the posts. A table is mounted to and extends between the first and second horizontal supports. A belt sander is amounted to the posts. The table is positioned between the lower end of the posts and the belt sander. The table is selectively movable upwardly towards or downwardly from the belt sander.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of polishing a minimum spangle aluminum-zinc alloy hot-dip coating applied to sheet steel to provide a polished hot-dip coating having a continuous, consistent surface appearance suitable for use in an unpainted condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of cutting wafers by wire sawing is disclosed. In one embodiment, a wire sawing apparatus includes a horizontal ingot feeding wire slicing apparatus which includes a vertical wire web, in which sawing wires of the vertical wire web are located substantially in a vertical plane and move in a substantially vertical direction, a top outlet located in top position with respect to a work piece for applying fluid during sawing, and a chute located substantially below the work piece for receiving the fluid, wherein the work piece is impelled against the vertical wire web by horizontal movement and the fluid moves in a vertical direction against and into the work piece. The wire sawing apparatus further includes a frame for holding the horizontal ingot feeding wire slicing apparatus, and a control panel for operating the wire sawing apparatus.

Abstract: A dust collection device for a sanding machine includes a casing located at the lower end of the upright sanding belt and the casing includes a bottom hole which communicates with the open top of the dust collection part. The dust collection part communicates with an exterior collection area defined within an outer cover. A fan unit an a separation plate are located within the outer cover, so that dust during operation of the sanding belt can be collected into the exterior collection area and brought out via an escape pipe connected to the outer cover. A sanding wheel is located beside the separation plate and a housing is mounted to the sanding wheel. The housing includes a restriction plate so as to guide dust during operation of the sanding wheel into the escape pipe. The sanding belt, the fan unit and the sanding wheel share a common axle.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of and an apparatus for abrading outer peripheral parts of a semiconductor wafer having a protective sheet adhesively attached to its surface where semiconductor elements are formed. The semiconductor wafer is held horizontally and an abrading tape held inside an abrading head is run and pressed against the outer peripheral part of the semiconductor wafer. The abrading tape has abrading particles attached to a base sheet by electrostatic spraying.

Abstract: A plating layer 18 of Ni or the like is formed around the outer peripheral face 14 of a wire tool 10, and super abrasive grains 16 are electrodeposited so as to be embedded in the plating layer 18. A coating layer 20 is formed on the surface of the super abrasive grains 16 to increase efficiency during electrodeposition. The thickness of the coating layer 20 formed on the super abrasive grains 16 is less than 0.1 ?m, and preferably not more than 0.05 ?m. The coating layer 20 is thin enough that its mass is less than 10% of the mass of the super abrasive grain 16. Accordingly, the super abrasive grains 16 are electrodeposited in a single layer around the outer peripheral face 14 of the core wire 12. As a result, the super abrasive grains 16 do not readily come off the core wire 12, which means that the wire tool will have a longer life. Also, since there is no need to remove any excess super abrasive grains after their electrodeposition, manufacturing costs can be cut and less work is entailed.

Abstract: A belt sander includes a housing and an endless sanding belt supported by the housing. A first shaft is connected to the housing, and the housing is pivotable about the first shaft. A second shaft is connected to the housing and offset from the first shaft. The sander is mounted to the rotating portion of a rotary machining clam shell trackway and revolved around a pipe surface to be sanded while biasing the sander against the surface. The sander may also be pivotable to sand a tapered surface.

Abstract: A superfinish machine and a method for operating a superfinish machine are proposed, wherein monitoring an endless polishing band of the superfinish machine is possible.

Abstract: A polishing pad includes at least a polishing layer and a cushion layer and is characterized in that the difference in hardness in Shore D hardness between the polishing layer and the cushion layer is 3 or more.

Abstract: A burnishing apparatus is presented. The burnishing apparatus includes a tape dispensing assembly. The tape dispensing assembly includes a tape supply module for dispensing a tape. A plurality of tape guide rollers is provided for guiding the tape. The burnishing apparatus includes a contact roller mount unit which has a plurality of contact guide rollers and a contact roller. The contact roller contacts the tape against a surface of a media during burnishing. The tape guide rollers and the contact guide rollers are arranged to provide a zero contact force against the media to be burnished.

Abstract: A sanding apparatus for finishing an exterior surface of an elongated work piece includes a support structure, a belt-sander, and a mounting bracket to movably mount the belt-sander to the support structure. The bracket is attached to the belt-sander and includes a guide mechanism movably mounted to one or more guide rails of the support structure. The bracket also includes a hinge mechanism that permits the belt-sander to pivot between a first position where an abrasive surface of the belt-sander does not contact the exterior surface of the work piece, and a second position where the abrasive surface contacts the exterior surface of the work piece. In operation, a user moves the belt-sander along the guide rails while the abrasive surface contacts the exterior surface of the work piece to smooth the exterior surface of the work piece.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing magnetic recording tape includes applying a front coat including a magnetic component to a substrate to provide a coated substrate. The coated substrate defines a first face and an opposing, second face, the first face extending between a first corner and an opposing, second corner, and the second face extending between a third corner and an opposing, fourth corner. An abrasive surface is moved against the first corner of the coated substrate to abrasively remove a volume of material from the first corner. In particular, the abrasive surface is angularly offset at a substantially non-orthogonal angle from the first face of the coated substrate.

Abstract: An improved pneumatic tool design includes pneumatic motor chamber that houses a turbine. An air path directs compressed air into the pneumatic motor chamber. The air path includes an air inlet chamber that at least partially surrounds the pneumatic motor chamber. The air path also includes a motor inlet disposed in one side wall (e.g., the top wall) of the pneumatic motor chamber forward of the rear end plate thereof. The air path further includes at least one exhaust port disposed in an opposite side wall (e.g., the bottom wall) of the pneumatic motor chamber. A high-pressure seal, such as an o-ring, surrounds the pneumatic motor chamber and isolates the motor inlet, which is thus at a rear outer portion of the pneumatic motor chamber, from a forward outer portion of the pneumatic motor chamber.

Abstract: A system for performing a polishing operation on a component is disclosed, the system comprising a robot, a fixture, a mount system for attaching the fixture to a robotic arm and a drive system mounted on the fixture for driving a polishing tool such that the location of the point of contact of the polishing tool with respect to the component is maintained constant during the polishing operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for machining a strip or plate-shaped metal workpiece, which comprises at least one conveying device which is provided with machining elements. The conveying device guides the machining elements at an angle and/or in a transversal manner in relation to the direction of advancement of the workpiece in the region of the workpiece which is to be machined in an at least approximately linear manner. The machining elements are embodied as abrasive paper and support elements are arranged between said abrasive paper.

Abstract: A polishing article includes an elongated substantially rectangular central portion and a substantially rectangular edge portion. The central portion includes a polishing layer with a polishing surface. The central portion has a width, a length greater than the width and defining a longitudinal axis, and an edge. The edge portion extends from the edge of the central portion, the edge portion is thinner than the central portion, and the polishing layer does not extend onto the edge portion.

Abstract: A method of processing an article with a coated abrasive product, including a repeat of a single marking, comprises detecting at least two characteristics of the repeat of a single marking. The repeat is placed along the length of the abrasive product at a first major surface, wherein each of the detected characteristics conveys independent information regarding the abrasive product. The method further includes comparing the information to a database. A method of acquiring information of the coated abrasive product includes detection and comparing steps.

Abstract: A detachable electrostatic chuck can be attached to a pedestal in a process chamber. The electrostatic chuck has an electrostatic puck comprising a dielectric covering at least one electrode and a frontside surface to receive a substrate. A backside surface of the chuck has a central protrusion that can be a D-shaped mesa to facilitate alignment with a mating cavity in the pedestal. The protrusion can also have asymmetrically offset apertures, which further assist alignment, and also serve to receive electrode terminal posts and a gas tube. A heat transfer plate having an embedded heat transfer fluid channel is spring loaded on the pedestal to press against the chuck for good heat transfer.

Abstract: A robotic machining tool, employing an endless machining belt (10), comprising a front pulley (12) and a rear pulley (14) for guiding a machining belt, the rear pulley being turned by drive means (22), and the front pulley being free to rotate about a spindle (26) and being flanked by two wheels (60) mounted idly on the spindle of the front pulley, these two wheels having an outside diameter greater than that of the front pulley in order to roll over a surface to be machined and in order to define a machining distance between the machining belt guided around the front pulley and the surface to be machined.

Abstract: A polishing apparatus according to the present invention is suitable for use in polishing a periphery of a substrate such as a semiconductor wafer. The polishing apparatus includes a holding section configured to hold the workpiece, a polishing head configured to bring the polishing tape into contact with the workpiece, a supply reel configured to supply the polishing tape to the polishing head, a rewind reel configured to rewind the polishing tape that has contacted the workpiece, and a swinging mechanism configured to cause the polishing head to perform a swinging motion with its pivot lying on a predetermined point.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to polish an edge of a substrate. The invention includes a polishing head, adapted to contact an edge of a substrate, wherein the polishing head includes one pair of front guide rollers and two pairs of back clamping rollers. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods adapted to polish an edge of a substrate include (1) a polishing tape having a polishing surface and a second surface and (2) a polishing arm having a longitudinal axis and adapted to force the polishing surface of the polishing tape into contact with an edge of a substrate. The polishing arm includes i) a polishing head adapted to contact the second surface of the polishing tape, ii) a rocker arm coupled to the polishing head and adapted to rotate the polishing head around the longitudinal axis of the polishing arm and iii) a load arm extending adjacent to the rocker arm and adapted to move the polishing head in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the polishing arm. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning machine (MA) comprising a vessel (VE) having a stirring member (BA) mounted therein, the stirring member carrying a load of utensils of a first type. The stirring member also carries a load of utensils of a second type. The invention also provides a method of cleaning using such a machine, containing a cleaning liquid (WA). The method has a first cleaning stage during which the level of the liquid (WA) is lower than or equal to the level of the content of the stirring member (BA). It optionally includes a second cleaning stage during which the level of the liquid (WA) is higher than the level of the content of the stirring member (BA).

Abstract: A hair-line processing, and more particularly a sheet metal finished by continuous hair-line on its plane and curved surface, and apparatus and method for finishing by continuous hair-line on the same are disclosed, wherein the sandpaper curvaceously advances to form hairlines relative to curved surface of the sheet metal, and operation of a pressure unit can vary the curvaceous degree of the sandpaper to form a continuous hairline relative a sheet metal including curved surfaces each having a different curvature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a blade sharpening device designed for sharpening a blade for a uniform sharpening of the edge thereof. The blade sharpening device contains a base having a guide slidably movable relative to the base. The guide includes a material that receives an impression of a blade defining a blade contour. A blade holder is attached to the base for securing the blade while being sharpened. A carriage contains an elongated structure for interacting with the material of the guide which has received an impression of the blade defining a blade contour. The guide defines a sharpening path substantially aligning with the blade contour. The carriage also has an abrasive surface for sharpening the blade. In operation, the guide and carriage direct the movement of the abrasive surface along the contour of the blade for a uniform sharpening of the edge thereof.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward a system for driving a wire loop cutting element. More particularly, the disclosed invention employs a frame and pulleys to drive a wire loop cutting element.

Abstract: An elongated work is attached to an elongated holding surface opposed to a flat abrasive surface in a grinding device. The holding member is supported on a spherical receiving body so that the holding member changes its attitude around the spherical receiving body. The change of the attitude of the holding member reliably enables the work to uniformly contact with the flat abrasive surface. When relative movement is induced between the work and the flat abrasive surface, a chamfer is formed on the work with a high accuracy. The work is prevented from suffering from generation of microcracks and chipping. In addition, if the work moves on the flat abrasive surface only in one direction, the probability of generation of microcracks and chipping is considerably reduced.

Abstract: A polishing apparatus that employs a polishing media retention arrangement to prevent slippage or wrinkles in the polishing media during polishing. The polishing media is drawn against a support surface by a vacuum applied between the polishing media and the support surface. Also, a porous layer may be placed between the polishing media and the support surface to form dimples in the polishing media upon the application of vacuum. An alternative arrangement draws the polishing media against a carrier and the substrate to be polished.

Abstract: A multi-head centerless belt grinder for removing material from a workpiece includes a common base and a plurality of grinding heads spaced apart from one another and mounted to the common base. Each grinding head includes a moveable work rest blade, a moveable regulating wheel and a moveable grinding belt positioned by servomotors to centerless grind the workpiece along a common axis of rotation. The grinder is programmable for rapid machine changeover and set-up typically within 2-5 minutes to accommodate a large range of workpiece diameters. This feature results in improved productivity and output as well as greater flexibility for scheduling numerous workpiece diameters within a normal eight-hour work shift. A trough may extend beneath and between each of the grinding heads to more efficiently collect and transfer grinding swarf generated during the grinding process to a filter operable to separate solids within the swarf from coolant.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of polishing a minimum spangle aluminum-zinc alloy hot-dip coating applied to sheet steel to provide a polished hot-dip coating having a continuous, consistent surface appearance suitable for use in an unpainted condition.

Abstract: A belt grinding finishing tool incorporates a pair of mounting arms projecting forwardly from a drive housing to support a single abrasive belt entrained around drive and idler pulleys. The first mounting arm is positionally fixed relative to the drive housing, but the second mounting arm is pivotally mounted to permit relative pivotal movement thereof. The dual mounting arm configuration enables a tubular member to be placed between the mounting arms to effect a finishing of opposing sides of the outer surface of the tubular member simultaneously. A support housing detachably mounted on the drive housing includes a support handle that can be selectively connected to alternative attachments mounts formed on the support housing. An actuation lever extending outwardly from the second mounting arm permits the operator to cause pivotal movement of the pivoted second mounting arm to accept the tubular member to be finished between the mounting arms.

Abstract: In manufacturing a semiconductor device, a part of an element is formed on the surface of a substrate, and at least a periphery of the substrate is polished using a polishing member stretched around the periphery of the substrate so that a polishing face of the polishing member is slid on a polishing target surface of the periphery.

Abstract: An improved method of manufacturing automotive accessory drive belts or other workpieces of pliant material which have a grooved operative face, a tool having an abrasive ramp configuration for performing said improved method and a method of manufacturing said tool with the abrasive ramp configuration.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing apparatus has a movable platen, a drive mechanism and a chucking mechanism. The drive mechanism is attached to the platen, is configured to support a generally linear polishing sheet with a portion of the polishing sheet extending over the platen, and is configured to incrementally advance the polishing sheet in a linear direction relative to the platen. The chucking mechanism is configured to intermittently secure the portion of the polishing sheet to the platen.

Abstract: A sander device includes a housing pivotally attached to a supporting base and rotatable between a horizontal position and a vertical position, a driven roller and an idle roller rotatably disposed in the housing, and an endless driving belt engaged over the driven roller and the idle roller and also rotatable between the horizontal position and the vertical position together with the housing, a table is used for supporting the work piece, and a moving device may support and move the table and the work piece to the sanding belt when the driving belt is located at either the horizontal position or the vertical position. An actuating device is attached the housing for selectively forcing the driving belt to sand the work piece.

Abstract: A method of processing a substrate is disclosed, wherein a sidewall surface of a notch portion formed in a circumferential portion of a substrate to be processed is polished by using a cylindrical polishing head rotatable with an axis as a rotational center.

Abstract: Planarizing machines, planarizing pads, and methods for planarizing or endpointing mechanical and/or chemical-mechanical planarization of microelectronic substrates. One particular embodiment is a planarizing machine that controls the movement of a planarizing pad along a pad travel path to provide optical analysis of a substrate assembly during a planarizing cycle. The planarizing machine can include a table having an optical opening at an illumination site in a planarizing zone and a light source aligned with the illumination site to direct a light beam through the optical opening in the table. The planarizing machine can further include a planarizing pad and a pad advancing mechanism. The planarizing pad has a planarizing medium and at least one optically transmissive window along the pad travel path. The pad advancing mechanism has an actuator system coupled to the pad and a position monitor coupled to the actuator system.

Abstract: A belt sander (2) comprising a housing (4) and having a lower sanding surface (40) and an upper sanding surface (42) opposite the first sanding is disclosed. The sander has a larger rear roller (32) driven by a motor (22), a front roller (34) of smaller diameter than the rear roller, and an endless sanding belt (38). A guard (48) is pivotable between a lowered position preventing access to the upper sanding surface and a raised position allowing access to the upper sanding surface. A handle (12) on the housing is pivotable between a first handle position adjacent the upper sanding surface and at least one second handle position further from the upper sanding surface than the first handle position.

Abstract: A system for rapid replacement of abrasive in machinery which uses the abrasive to finish the surfaces of workpieces that pass through the machinery on a belt, such as so-called widebelt sanders. One preferred embodiment of the system employs an abrasive material that is frictionally held on each edge to mounts. The position of the mounts may be varied to increase or decrease the tension of abrasive material against the working surface of the platen, that the assembly may be removed from the apparatus. In another embodiment, the abrasive material is formed with integral, permanent mounts on the edges of the abrasive material, so that the entire combination may be supplied or replaced as a unit. A variety of configurations of mounts may be used.

Abstract: Provided are encapsulated belts and encapsulated pads for use in a variety of polishing application, including the chemical-mechanical polishing and planarization of semiconductor wafers and other workpieces. The encapsulated belts and pads are characterized by a robust seal between a polishing layer of the pad or belt and the edges of the subpad layer of the pad or belt. The robust seal is accomplished by casting a polymer directly over the subpad layer. The edges of the subpad layer may include one or more functional features that promote the formation of a watertight and slurry-resistant seal when the subpad layer is covered with a cast polymer. Also provided is a method of producing a robust seal between the polishing layer and the edge region of the subpad by encapsulating a subpad layer with a polymeric material.

Abstract: A support stand (2) for a sanding apparatus having a housing, a motor, and a sanding belt of abrasive material adapted to be driven around a plurality of rollers by means of the motor is disclosed. The support stand (2) comprises a body portion (6) having recesses (10, 14, 18, 22) for engaging corresponding parts of the sanding apparatus to expose the sanding belt of the sanding apparatus, and a control knob (26) mounted to the body portion (6) to be accessible by a user's hand when the sanding apparatus is supported on the support stand (2). The support stand also has a wheel (36) having a friction belt (38) for engaging a belt speed adjustment knob of the sanding apparatus to enable adjustment of the speed of the sanding belt of the sanding apparatus in response to rotation of the control knob (26) in order to control the rate of removal of material by the sander.

Abstract: A web-format polishing pad for mechanical and/or chemical-mechanical planarization of microelectronic substrate assemblies, and methods for making and using such a web-format pad. In one aspect of the invention, a web-format polishing pad for planarizing a microelectronic substrate is made by slicing a cylindrical body of pad material along a cutting line that is at least substantially parallel to a longitudinal centerline of the body and at a radial depth inward from an exterior surface of the body. For example, a web of pad material can be sliced from the body by rotating the cylindrical body about the longitudinal centerline and pressing a cutting element against the rotating cylindrical body along the cutting line. The cutting element can be a knife with a sharp edge positioned at the cutting line and a face extending along a tangent of the cylindrical body.

Abstract: An automatic razor blade sharpener simultaneously sharpens and sanitizes multiple edges of a spring-loaded disposable razor blade cartridge without edge overheating by lubricated gentle contact of the blade edges with a moving rubber or polymeric compliant belt that is motor driven. The disposable razor blade handle is set in a cradle aperture, which is spring loaded against the moving belt. A sanitizing and lubricating liquid is dispersed from a container between the razor blade edges and the moving belt forms a thin liquid layer on the belt surface. The liquid layer is illuminated by transversely located light illuminator and the reflected light is received by a transversely located sensor. Deep grooves in the blade cutting edge reduce this reflection, indicating an overly worn blade. The absence of reflection actuates an LED, informing the user that the thin liquid film has evaporated or spilled out, or that the container lacks a sufficient quantity of sanitizing and lubricating liquid.

Abstract: A grinding machine includes an abrasive element rotatably mounted on a support frame and coupled to a drive, a blower casing including a surrounding wall which confines a blower chamber and which extends beyond and which is spaced apart radially from a rim of the abrasive element to define a surrounding intake passage therebetween, a dust discharge port disposed downstream of the intake passage, communicated with the blower chamber and, and offset from an axis of the abrasive element, and an impeller disposed in the blower chamber and coaxial with the abrasive element such that dust generated as a result of a grinding operation of the abrasive element is entrained in an air stream drawn into the blower chamber through the surrounding intake passage and subsequently out of the discharge port by virtue of rotation of the impeller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing conductive material from a microelectronic substrate. In one embodiment, the method can include engaging a microelectronic substrate with a polishing surface of a polishing pad, electrically coupling a conductive material of the microelectronic substrate to a source of electrical potential, and oxidizing at least a portion of the conductive material by passing an electrical current through the conductive material from the source of electrical potential. For example, the method can include positioning first and second electrodes apart from a face surface of the microelectronic substrate and disposing an electrolytic fluid between the face surface and the electrodes with the electrodes in fluid communication with the electrolytic fluid. The method can further include removing the portion of conductive material from the microelectronic substrate by moving at least one of the microelectronic and the polishing pad relative to the other.

Abstract: A polishing machine uses a polishing head having a movable pad to press a polishing tape for polishing beveled and edge parts of a disk-shaped object. A rotary shaft is connected to the polishing head in a direction of contact surface between the polishing tape and the object. A rotary-and-reciprocating motion device rotates the polishing head around the axial line of the rotary shaft and moves it reciprocatingly along its axial line. A moving device undergoes a reciprocating motion perpendicularly to the object surface while supporting the object. When in use, the polishing head is rotated while the pad causes the polishing tape to protrude from it while the object is rotated.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing apparatus has a rotatable platen, a polishing sheet that is wider than the substrate extending between two reels, a drive mechanism to advance the polishing sheet, and a chucking mechanism to intermittently secure the polishing sheet to the platen. The platen can have a platen base that is adaptable to receive either a circular platen top or a rectangular platen top.

Abstract: The methods and systems described provide for an in-situ endpoint detection for material removal processes such as chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) performed on a workpiece. In a preferred embodiment, an optical detection system is used to detect endpoint during the removal of planar conductive layers using CMP. An optically transparent polishing belt provides endpoint detection through any spot on the polishing belt. Once endpoint is detected, a signal can be used to terminate or alter a CMP process that has been previously initiated.

Abstract: The invention provides for a powered hand held apparatus for sharpening ice skate blades having an elongated frame with a drive pulley located at one and, and a driven pulley located at the other end. An abrasive grinding belt loops over the pulleys and passes over a convex grinding surface aligned with the pulleys. The pulleys, frame, drive belt, grinding belt and electric motor are contained in a housing having a skate guidance slot such that when a skate is inserted into the slot, the bottom edge of the skate is directed to the abrasive belt at the convex grinding surface.

Abstract: A belt sander includes a base, a sanding device, a worktable, a tipping drive device, and a swinging device. The swinging device includes a cylindrical roller, a central shaft, a toothed ring, a drive gear, a cam, and a fixing rod. The swinging device drives the sanding device to produce a slightly reciprocally swinging action during operation of the sanding device. Thus, the grinding path and area of the sand belt are increased largely by the reciprocally and successively swinging action of the swinging device and the sanding device, so that the sand belt can be used to grind the wooden material exactly and efficiently, thereby greatly enhancing the grinding and finishing effect of the belt sander.