Abstract: A device and method of breaking in a chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) polishing pad using multiple pad conditioners to break-in and maintain a condition of the polishing pad.

Abstract: A compression molding apparatus and method for the manufacture of abrasive layers for abrasive tooling which provides a compression mold space defined between an inflexible wall surface and a flexible wall surface. The apparatus and method of the present invention is particularly well suited to making annular or hollow cylindrical shaped abrasive layers of novel configurations during a single mold cycle useful for grinding wheel and the like, as well as other shapes such as laps, wherein the flexible wall expanded with fluid pressure provides a highly uniform distribution of pressure against the surface of the mold composition being formed. In an annular configuration, the flexible wall is used to radially direct pressure against a molding composition disposed in an annular configuration wherein the axial length of the annular mold shape formed may be many times greater than priorly obtained by the prior art means.

Abstract: A compression molding apparatus and method for the manufacture of abrasive layers for abrasive tooling which provides a compression mold space defined between an inflexible wall surface and a flexible wall surface. The apparatus and method of the present invention is particularly well suited to making annular or hollow cylindrical shaped abrasive layers of novel configurations during a single mold cycle useful for grinding wheel and the like, as well as other shapes such as laps, wherein the flexible wall expanded with fluid pressure provides a highly uniform distribution of pressure against the surface of the mold composition being formed. In an annular configuration, the flexible wall is used to radially direct pressure against a molding composition disposed in an annular configuration wherein the axial length of the annular mold shape formed may be many times greater than priorly obtained by the prior art means.

Abstract: A compression molding apparatus and method for the manufacture of abrasive layers for abrasive tooling which provides a compression mold space defined between an inflexible wall surface and a flexible wall surface. The apparatus and method of the present invention is particularly well suited to making annular or hollow cylindrical shaped abrasive layers of novel configurations during a single mold cycle useful for grinding wheel and the like, as well as other shapes such as laps, wherein the flexible wall expanded with fluid pressure provides a highly uniform distribution of pressure against the surface of the mold composition being formed. In an annular configuration, the flexible wall is used to radially direct pressure against a molding composition disposed in an annular configuration wherein the axial length of the annular mold shape formed may be many times greater than priorly obtained by the prior art means.

Abstract: A conditioning tool for restoring a used CMP polishing pad to an operable condition. The tool includes a base that attaches to a driven machine and has a surface from which a shoulder protrudes that receives a peripheral edge of a disk. The disk has two opposing surfaces, each of which is substantially planar and has abrasive mounted thereon. The disk's peripheral edge is held in place between the base shoulder and a ring that has a shoulder that is complementary to the disk's peripheral edge. The ring is fastened to the base with the abrasive of the first disk surface protruding through an aperture in the ring, and the opposing disk surface spaced from the base's surface. After the disk's first surface is worn, the disk can be turned around to expose the opposite surface's abrasive to a CMP pad.

Abstract: A compression molding apparatus and method for the manufacture of abrasive layers for abrasive tooling which provides a compression mold space defined between an inflexible wall surface and a flexible wall surface. The apparatus and method of the present invention is particularly well suited to making annular or hollow cylindrical shaped abrasive layers of novel configurations during a single mold cycle useful for grinding wheel and the like, as well as other shapes such as laps, wherein the flexible wall expanded with fluid pressure provides a highly uniform distribution of pressure against the surface of the mold composition being formed. In an annular configuration, the flexible wall is used to radially direct pressure against a molding composition disposed in an annular configuration wherein the axial length of the annular mold shape formed may be many times greater than priorly obtained by the prior art means.

Abstract: A compression molding apparatus and method for the manufacture of abrasive layers for abrasive tooling which provides a compression mold space defined between an inflexible wall surface and a flexible wall surface. The apparatus and method of the present invention is particularly well suited to making annular or hollow cylindrical shaped abrasive layers of novel configurations during a single mold cycle useful for grinding wheel and the like, as well as other shapes such as laps, wherein the flexible wall expanded with fluid pressure provides a highly uniform distribution of pressure against the surface of the mold composition being formed. In an annular configuration, the flexible wall is used to radially direct pressure against a molding composition disposed in an annular configuration wherein the axial length of the annular mold shape formed may be many times greater than priorly obtained by the prior art means.

Abstract: A compression molding apparatus and method for the manufacture of abrasive layers for abrasive tooling which provides a compression mold space defined between an inflexible wall surface and a flexible wall surface. The apparatus and method of the present invention is particularly well suited to making annular or hollow cylindrical shaped abrasive layers of novel configurations during a single mold cycle useful for grinding wheel and the like, as well as other shapes such as laps, wherein the flexible wall expanded with fluid pressure provides a highly uniform distribution of pressure against the surface of the mold composition being formed. In an annular configuration, the flexible wall is used to radially direct pressure against a molding composition disposed in an annular configuration wherein the axial length of the annular mold shape formed may be many times greater than priorly obtained by the prior art means.

Abstract: A method of making and the resulting non-metallic CMP conditioning pad comprising a non-metallic substrate and a single layer of abrasive particles bonded to the substrate by a non-metallic bonding medium. Preferred substrates include aluminum oxide and graphite. A bonding system employing finely powdered aluminum oxide particles mixed with a suitable adhesive is employed to bond the abrasive layer to the aluminum oxide substrate. Silicon carbide particles mixed into a compatible adhesive carrier including a polymer composition is preferred for bonding the abrasive particle layer to a graphite or carbide substrate.

Abstract: A compression molding apparatus and method for the manufacture of abrasive layers for abrasive tooling which provides a compression mold space defined between an inflexible wall surface and a flexible wall surface. The apparatus and method of the present invention is particularly well suited to making annular or hollow cylindrical shaped abrasive layers of novel configurations during a single mold cycle useful for grinding wheel and the like, as well as other shapes such as laps, wherein the flexible wall expanded with fluid pressure provides a highly uniform distribution of pressure against the surface of the mold composition being formed. In an annular configuration, the flexible wall is used to radially direct pressure against a molding composition disposed in an annular configuration wherein the axial length of the annular mold shape formed may be many times greater than priorly obtained by the prior art means.

Abstract: A method of magnetic-abrasive machining of parts has the steps of supporting a part, generating a magnetic field by magnetic means located at one side of the part, placing a magnetic-abrasive powder on a surface located at another, opposite side of the part, so that the magnetic-abrasive powder is attracted by the magnetic means and pressed to the surface of the part, and providing a relative movement of the parts and the magnetic abrasive powder retained by the magnetic means relative to one another so as to machine the surface of the part which is therefore open for observation and supply of the magnetic abrasive powder; and an apparatus is proposed as well.

Abstract: A conditioning element for trueing and dressing a polishing pad used in a chemical mechanical polishing process (CMP) in connection with the manufacture of semi-conductors is provided with a relatively thin protective coating comprising a material resistant to corrosive attack by CMP slurry compositions, including those particularly well-suited to resist the harsher highly acidic slurry compositions. The CMP conditioning disk comprises a substrate having a surface carrying a monolayer of superabrasive particles braze bonded to the disk and a relatively thin liquid impermeable protective coating which is applied over the surface of the braze bond material and abrasive particles.

Abstract: A process of making brazed monolayer abrasive tools wherein the braze alloy and abrasive particles are applied to the tool form and the weight of each material is monitored after each application step to determine the weight of each of these materials which is applied to the tool form to more precisely control the bond height and diamond concentration in the finished tool product. The weight of each material applied to the tool is compared to a predetermined target weight after the individual steps of applying the material. If the amount of either material applied to the tool falls outside selected limits of the weight target, the tool assembly may be rejected at that stage of the process. Only tools which successfully pass the comparison step are further processed and introduced to the fusion for step braze bonding the alloy and abrasive particles to the tool. This permits the tool components from rejected tools to be recovered and recycled if desired.

Abstract: An improved method of making a monolayer abrasive tool using a relatively low melting point, soft filler metal alloy braze which possesses sufficiently high yield strength combined with a relatively high ductility and low elastic modulus to produce an exceptional bond between a monolayer of superabrasive particles and the tool substrate. The steps of the brazing process include applying a layer of the filler metal alloy including a an active metal in either pre-alloyed or as a mixture with the metal alloy and a monolayer of superabrasive crystals over the filler metal layer. This assembly is heated in a mon-oxidizing atmosphere such as a vacuum to melt the alloy and braze bond the superabrasive particles to the tool substrate. The alloy bond formed possess the properties of a ductility of at least 20 percent elongation, an elastic modulus of less than 15.times.10.sup.6 or less, and a yield strength preferably at least about 45,000 to 50,000 psi.

Abstract: A dental polishing applicator for use with a rotary dental handpiece and method of using the same which is characterized by a collet portion and a removably mounted, disposable single use tip portion. The cylindrical collet is adapted to be removably mounted to conventional dental handpieces and includes an opposing end adapted to removably receive a shaft portion of the applicator tip portion. Preferably the tip portion comprises a relatively very small cylindrical shaft provided with a conical polishing end which is designed to permit access to the more difficult to reach areas of tooth anatomy.

Abstract: A polishing composition carrying abrasive particles having a carrier vehicle comprising an organic liquid vehicle, such as glycerine, a mixture of gelling agents comprising an edible gum and a seaweed extract, and water in a ratio which forms a relatively viscous semi-gel or sol. The preferred gelling agent mixture is gum tragacanth and agar which provides the carrier vehicle with physical properties improving its ability to cling to the rotary applicators and the work surface during use as a polishing agent. The preferred compositions include greater than about 85 percent by weight of glycerine and less than about 10 percent by weight of water and exhibit Newtonian or near Newtonian flow characteristics and resists apparent melting at temperatures generated during use.

Abstract: A hand held abrasive dental instrument for use in cutting the proximal aspect of a tooth's surface to create an interproximal space between abutting tooth surfaces. The instrument features a thin circular disc shaped abrasive cutting member provided with a coating of abrasive material over one of the circular surfaces of the disc which is rotatably mounted between abutting handle portions. The handle portions serve to provide means for convenient grasping of the instrument by the user in a manner which permits facile manipulation of the cutting disc between abutting teeth. The handle portions are constructed to automatically lock the disc against rotation when grasped in the normal operational mode so that effective cutting can be accomplished. However, upon releasing the grasping pressure, the disc may be rotated to position an unused portion of the abrasive coating for operative use.

Abstract: A diamond hone for re-working and correcting lead and involute profile of hardened gears which is characterized by a monolayer of diamond abrasive bonded to a gear hone which is provided with a unique geometry wherein the tip and pitch diameter portions are specifically formed to obtain a predetermined deviation from the true involute form conventionally employed. This new diamond hone and unique geometry imparts the desirable final geometry in the re-worked gear.

Abstract: An improved diamond abrasive tool and method of manufacture characterized by a direct brazing technique of diamond crystals to a substrate surface which requires no pre-conditioning of the surface of the diamond in order to obtain the necessary wetting thereof. The method employed utilizes readily available, very hard and durable brazing alloys which have been discovered to readily wet the diamond surface to obtain a final product wherein the minimum depth of the alloy bond tends to occur intermediate adjacent diamond crystals with outstanding retention of the crystals and greatly extended tool life.