Abstract: A ratchet wrench, the ratchet wrench having a head portion defining a substantially cylindrical inner engaging surface and a plurality of ribs extending radially inward therefrom. The socket includes a first portion defining a plurality of depressions axially aligned with the longitudinal axis in an outer surface thereof, the first portion being releasably received by the substantially cylindrical inner engaging surface, and a second portion including a cylindrical outer surface and defining a hexagonal recess therein. A grip ring includes a knurled outer surface and is disposed on the second portion outer surface. A magnetic insert is received in the hexagonal recess.

Abstract: Multi-disk processing system and method of continuous finishing of memory media disks for digital data storage systems in preparation for magnetic memory coating, comprising four main sub-systems: 1) multiple driven spindles mounted on a chassis, at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock positions; 2) finishing tape head units mounted on a base; 3) a robotic handler for loading and unloading disks onto/off at least one of the spindles; and 4) a programmable system controller that controls the sub-system operations and loading/unloading. The tape head sub-system includes its own programmable controller and sensors for control of the finishing tape advance. The multiple spindles and handler rotate relative to each other. In a preferred embodiment, the spindles are mounted on a rotating turntable that also oscillates. Alternately, the spindles are fixed in position and a rotating handler with multiple grippers for simultaneously loading/unloading disks from all spindles at once is used.

Abstract: A method for processing a rotationally symmetric workpiece, preferably having optically effective surfaces, whose symmetry axis is aligned parallel with the z-axis and which is moveable parallel with the z-axis, using a rotating, rotationally symmetric grinding or polishing tool whose rotation axis is aligned parallel with the y-axis and which is thereby touching the surface of the workpiece by means of a processing surface, the workpiece rotating around its symmetry axis and to a tool for performing said method as well as a method for tactile measuring of such a workpiece. The invention may be used for processing aspheric workpieces having optically effective surfaces, in particular lenses or mirrors that have a non-processable zone, for example a conical bump in the middle of the workpiece.

Abstract: A substrate delivery mechanism comprises a top ring, a substrate loader for loading a substrate, and a pusher mechanism, wherein the substrate loader comprises a top ring guide and the pusher mechanism comprises a top ring guide lifting table, in which the top ring guide and the top ring guide lifting table together form a sealed space below the substrate held by the top ring in a condition where the substrate loader is moved up by the pusher mechanism, wherein the substrate is detached from the top ring by exhausting the sealed space while at the same time injecting a fluid from through-holes provided in a substrate holding surface of the top ring.

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 method of using finishing aids for advanced finishing control is described. A finishing surface is used generally to induce frictional wear. The finishing aids with preferred in situ control can improve control of the coefficient of friction, the tangential force of friction, a finishing rate, a regional finishing rate(s), a differential finishing rate, and help reduce unwanted defects. A finishing aid can reduce friction. A lubricant is an illustrative finishing aid. The method uses finishing control subsystem having a multiplicity of operative process sensors along with tracked information to improve in situ control of finishing. Differential finishing rate methods are described to differentially finish semiconductor wafers. Differential lubricating film methods are described to differentially finish semiconductor wafers. Planarization and localized finishing can be improved using differential lubricating boundary layer methods of finishing with improved real time control.

Abstract: A wrench for use in connection with a lock nut including outwardly extending protrusions. The wrench includes a base portion and a finger and an engagement tab extending from the base portion. The finger is spaced from the engagement portion with a recess provided between the finger and the engagement portion. To rotate the nut, the finger is positioned over the top surface of the nut. The engagement tab is angled downwardly relative to the finger to engage the outwardly extending protrusions of the nut.

Abstract: An adjustable wrench for gripping and rotation of a generally cylindrical canister, such as an oil filter canister, includes handles which are pivotally connected to each other for rotation about a first axis. Each handle is also connected by an articulatable joint to a gripping jaw that may be positioned about the canister or body, to thereby alter the angle of the handles with respect to the jaws in order to enable use of the tool in confined spaces.

Abstract: A tire demounting tool for demounting a second bead of a tire from a rim having a flange, the tire demounting tool including a handle; a head extending radially outward as it extends axially outward from the handle; a bill extending axially outward from the head, wherein the bill includes a tip insertable between the second bead and the rim and wherein the head extends radially outward relative to the bill to capture the second bead when the bill is inserted between the rim and the second bead.

Abstract: A fixture for slider lapping includes a holding portion for holding the object with its surface to be lapped toward the lapping surface of the lapping device; a main body for mounting the lapping fixture to the lapping device; a plurality of load-applied portions which are arranged along said longitudinal direction and independent from said main body, said load-applied portions receiving a load which presses the surface to be lapped to the lapping surface tightly from at least the lapping device; a plurality of connection members connecting said holding portion and said main body along said longitudinal direction at intervals; and a plurality of wrist portions connecting said connection members and said holding portion; wherein at least one wrist portion is disposed between said adjacent connection members; at least one wrist portion is disposed at each outer side of the connection members which are located at both ends of the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A screw (10) has a threaded shank (12) and a head (14). The head has a recess (18) that comprises three lobes (18a,b,c). Each lobe is separated by a curved drive flange (20a,b,c,). A driver (100) has a drive tip (114) that fits the recess of the screw.

Abstract: Carrier assemblies, planarizing machines with carrier assemblies, and methods for mechanical and/or chemical-mechanical planarization of micro-device workpieces are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the carrier assembly includes a head having a chamber, a magnetic field source carried by the head, and a fluid with magnetic elements in the chamber. The magnetic field source has a first member that induces a magnetic field in the head. The fluid and/or the magnetic elements move within the chamber under the influence of the magnetic field source to exert a force against a portion of the micro-device workpiece. In a further aspect of this embodiment, the carrier assembly includes a flexible member in the chamber. The magnetic field source can be any device that induces a magnetic field, such as a permanent magnet, an electromagnet, or an electrically conductive coil.

Abstract: An open end wrench for use with a fastener having a polygonal gripping portion has an elongated body, a first jaw having a first bite surface and a second jaw having a second bite surface. The jaws form a throat therebetween having a closed end and an open end. The bite surfaces are disposed with engaging surfaces so that majority components of force vectors applied normal to the first and second bite surfaces are directed parallel to the wrench handle axis.

Abstract: A grinding and cutting head adapted to be mounted with a rotating disk of a grinding and cutting machine. The head includes a plate having a first surface which mounts at least one carrier. The carrier includes a vertical slot along one side which extends upwardly from the first surface of the plate. A generally rectangular shaped diamond cutting element is secured in the slot with first and second edges thereof exposed outwardly of the carrier. The structure provides that the one of the first and second edges are exposed in the direction of rotation of the disk.

Abstract: A surface of the gas turbine blade is smoothed by way of a drag finish process. A first ring-shaped container is filled with a liquid abrasive medium. A second container which is arranged next to the first container is filled with a second liquid abrasive medium. A pivoting arm is arranged between and above the containers and can be pivoted along a pivoting direction. A drag device is arranged on the pivoting arm. The drag device leads a gas turbine blade on a carrier arm through the abrasive medium.

Abstract: A hand-held, manually-operated sanding tool for use with a replaceable sheet of abrasive material includes a base member and a clamping mechanism. The base member defines first and second ends, a bottom surface extending between the first and second ends, a contact surface formed opposite the bottom surface and extending from the first end, and at least one tooth extending from the contact surface. The clamping mechanism is pivotally connected to the base member at a pivot point, defines a front section opposite the pivot point, and is movable about the pivot point between an open position, in which the front section is spaced from the contact surface for receiving an end portion of a sheet of abrasive material, and a closed position, in which the clamping mechanism is more proximate the contact surface and the front section is more proximate the at least one tooth.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating edge surfaces of panels, comprises conveyor tables to displace panels in sequence, two of the conveyor tables being configured such that panels are sequentially displaced in longitudinal alignment between the two conveyor tables with a longitudinal edge first. Two other of the conveyor tables are configured such that panels are sequentially displaced in lateral alignment between the two other conveyor tables with a lateral edge first. A first tool is positioned between the two conveyor tables. A second tool is positioned between the two other conveyor tables.

Abstract: A manufacturing cell for the treatment of grinding of gear wheel flanks, in particular by bevel pinions, and suggested for the wheel set testing, which includes a grinding machine (1), an unreeling test equipment (2), a laser inscription unit (3) with a time band (5) and a robot-supported load system (4), which are concatenated with one another and controllable that the process of pinion loops/wheel set examining/marking and the correction of the grinding machine attitude as a function of the results of the unreeling examination is feasible.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a substrate with a cryogenic impingement fluid includes a protective enclosure defining an internal cavity, a cryogenic fluid applicator positioned within the internal cavity and a snow generation system connected to the cryogenic fluid applicator. The snow generation system includes a condensing subsystem and a diluent or propellant gas subsystem. Each subsystem is connectable to a common gas source. The condensing subsystem includes a condenser for condensing liquid carbon dioxide into solid carbon dioxide particles, or dry ice snow. The condenser includes at least two segments of differing diameter connected to one another. Liquid carbon dioxide is introduced into the smaller diameter first segment and upon entering the larger diameter second segment, solidifies into dry ice particles. The dry ice particles, along with diluent or propellant gas produced from the diluent subsystem, are delivered to the cryogenic fluid applicator via a coaxial delivery tube.

Abstract: Conditioning devices, systems and methods for conditioning a contact surface of a processing pad used in processing microelectronic workpieces. One embodiment of a conditioning device comprises an end-effector having a conditioning surface configured to engage the contact surface of the processing pad and a plurality of microstructures on the conditioning surface. The microstructures can be arranged in a pattern corresponding to a desired pattern of microfeatures on the contact surface of the processing pad. In several embodiments, the microstructures are raised elements projecting from the conditioning surface and/or depressions in the conditioning surface. The condition surface can also be smooth. The conditioning device can also include a heater coupled to the end-effector for heating the processing pad.