Abstract: The invention relates to a superabrasive grinding wheel comprising very hard abrasive particles and a binder with a metallic matrix, which also contains "pore-forming" adjuvants, notably hollow beads made of ceramic.This grinding wheel may be used notably for the machining or grinding of glass articles, especially for the grinding of the edges of glass sheets.

Abstract: A vertically stacked planarization machine includes two or more vertically stacked individual platens on which wafers are polished. The wafers are held by wafer holders which may rotate the wafers. The individual platens are also orbited in order to polish the wafers. The platens may have a top and bottom polishing pad for polishing multiple wafers. A single wafer holder, using hydraulic or pneumatic means, between two platens will hold and exert pressure on both a downward wafer and an upward wafer. The pressure exerted onto the top and bottom wafers by the dual wafer holder is designed to be equal to prevent any bowing of the platen. The platens are supported by three vertical members positioned at 120 degree intervals around the circumference of the platens to form a platen stack. Transport elevators are used to carry the wafers to and from the wafer holders and the platens.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for selectively reconditioning a polishing pad used in chemical-mechanical planarization of semiconductor wafers. A desired polishing rate is selected based upon a set of operating parameters for a specific wafer. The set of operating parameters may be different from those of previously planarized wafers. A desired change in the thickness of the pad material is estimated for reconditioning the pad to achieve a desired polishing rate. The estimate of the desired change in pad thickness is based upon the desired polishing rate and a predetermined correlation between wafer polishing rates and changes in pad thickness per conditioning cycle. A layer of material having a thickness substantially equal to the desired change in thickness is then removed from the planarizing surface to create a new planarizing surface.

Abstract: A method for the precision working of the tooth flanks of gear-shaped workpieces with an abrasive internally toothed tool wherein the tool, after each workpiece or after several workpieces, is dressed in the same mounting with a dressing wheel, the tooth system of which corresponds with the one of the gear-shaped workpiece and the tooth flanks of which are covered with extremely hard grinding granules. To improve the tool geometry the dressing of the internally toothed tool is done with a one-flank or a two-flank contact between the dressing wheel and the internally toothed tool and with an electronic forced guiding of the rolling and relative movements between the dressing wheel and the internally toothed tool, and, the precision working in the free or in the torque guided two-flank engagement between the internally toothed tool and the workpiece.

Abstract: A new Countouring Sanding System for sanding various shapes of surfaces while providing the user an ergonomic sanding block decreasing wear on the user's hands. The inventive device includes an ergonomic sanding block, a template securing means attached to the ergonomic sanding block, and a molding template removably secured within the ergonomic sanding block by the template securing means.

Abstract: A block for coupling an ophthalmic lens to at least two machine chucks is molded, preferably using adhesive material in a liquid or gel state, as a unitary member of diameter less than a diameter of the lens with concentric inner and outer portions separated by a narrow intermediate portion. The inner, outer and intermediate portions have a front face molded to conform to a face of the lens. The outer portion has a rear face molded to conform to a first chuck and the inner portion has a rear face molded to conform to a second chuck. The intermediate portion is thinner than the inner and outer portions so that the outer portion is separable from the unitary member and the lens by lifting the outer portion away from the lens and tearing the member along the intermediate portion. Preferably, the outer portion rear face has means such as a tab or a pair of diametrically aligned tabs on its outer edge for facilitating lifting of the outer portion from the lens.

Abstract: A laminated abrasive wheel comprises a central carrying member having two holding flanges between which abrasive laminae assembled to form stacks of abrasive laminae are arranged. On the holding flanges there are fastened respectively alternating studs which are pushed between the stacks of abrasive laminae and which serve to hold them under friction. At the same time, the holding flanges are also connected to the stacks of abrasive laminae to form a unit.

Abstract: A honing process for a long knife blade such as that used in chipping wood products comprises two honing bodies each formed by a shaft carrying three honing discs with the shafts spaced by a distance less than the radius of the discs so the discs interleave and are spaced along each shaft by a distance substantially equal to the width of the discs so that the side edges of the discs lie immediately adjacent. The discs are rotated in directions so they move into the cusp formed between the discs. The long knife blade is inserted into the line of the cusp which lies parallel to the axes of rotation of the honing bodies and is moved back and forth along that line in a honing action. The length of the knife blade is greater than the width of the discs and generally significantly greater than at least two of the discs so that the knife blade remains bridged across the discs during the movement.

Abstract: A polishing pad having a polishing surface with radially extending tapered channels is disclosed. The polishing surface includes an inner radius within an outer radius, and the channels extend from the inner radius to the outer radius. Preferably, the outer radius is spaced from an outer circumferential edge of the polishing surface, the inner radius is an inner circumferential edge of the polishing surface, and the channels taper laterally and vertically at the outer radius. The channels are dimensioned and configured to direct slurry from the inner radius to the outer radius. The channels can be shaped with opposing sidewalls that are parallel in a first portion and diagonally converge in a second portion to form a sunburst pattern, or alternatively, with opposing sidewalls that continuously curve in a first rotational direction to form a starfish pattern.

Abstract: In a method for minimizing the roundness error in an workpiece having a generally circular periphery during centerless grinding of the workpiece, the workpiece is rotatably supported on the upper surface of a first workpiece support between the grinding wheel and the second workpiece support, with the first support rotatably supporting the workpiece in contact with said grinding wheel and said second support. The .alpha.-setup angle and .beta.-setup angle cooperate with a cutting ratio to define the transfer function of a lobing loop system in the complex u-plane, and the lobing stability of the lobing loop system is thereby determined. The workpiece is rotated against the rotating grinding surface of the grinding wheel, and the magnitude and frequency of grinding disturbances causing the roundness error in the workpiece are detected. The .beta.

Abstract: A common way of shaping a metal workpiece by the removal of material therefrom involves rubbing contact, as experienced in a conventional wedge-shaped metal or ceramic cutting tool or in abrasive rubbing using grinding wheels. In conventional cutting and abrading it is commonplace to introduce at the cutter/workpiece interface a material that principally acts as a coolant and as a chip remover but which normally has lubricating properties to minimized rubbing friction. The method of the present invention, in contrast, depends for its function on deliberately causing very high levels of friction between the tool and workpiece; it proposes a method of shaping metal in which the surface of the work piece is "rubbed" by a tool in a friction-inducing manner and in the presence of an anti-lubrication (friction enhancing) agent in a quantity and in a form such that actual friction enhancement occurs.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing scratches and/or stains from a vehicle windshield includes a cylindrical sponge having a radial opening which is dimensioned to fit snugly over a windshield wiper blade with the windshield wiper arm connected to the blade through the radial opening in the cylindrical sponge. The methods of the invention include moistening the cylindrical sponge and applying a polishing abrasive to either the sponge, the windshield, or both, and activating the vehicle windshield wiper to wipe the abrasive on the windshield with the sponge. Other methods of the invention include impregnating the sponge with a polishing abrasive, and/or moistening the sponge with windshield washer fluid.

Abstract: A silicon wafer grinding apparatus for grinding a backside surface of a semiconductor wafer that includes integrated circuit chips patterned on a frontside surface of the wafer. The apparatus includes a plurality of chuck tables that secure a plurality of wafers to be ground. Each chuck table includes a cushioned rubber pad secured to the table and an interface with the frontside surface of the wafer. An organic acid cooling fluid is utilized during the grinding procedure to prevent silicon particles and residue from being adhered to the metal bond pads of the integrated circuit chips.

Abstract: Tool grinding machine with a, from the machine stand (2) carried and horizontally oriented work platform (10), a work piece (200) receiving and upon the work platform (10) seated work piece carrier (20), as well as a grinder tool (300) receiving grinder head (30), which is mounted on a grinder upright support (32), which is oriented vertically and which is rotatable about a vertically extending axis via a rotating disk (36), wherein the rotating disk (36) is provided below the work platform (10) and integrated in the machine stand (2), and a carrier arm (34) is provided for the grinder upright support (32), which at one end is rigidly attached to the rotating disk (36) and at the other end extends sideways beyond the work platform (10), in such a manner that the thereupon provided grinder upright support (32) is rotatable around the work platform (10).

Abstract: A shaft sanding device including a main housing. A motor is secured within the main housing. The motor is coupled with a power source. A drive roller is secured within the main housing. The drive roller has a drive arm extending outwardly therefrom to couple with the motor. A first idle roller is secured within the main housing opposed from the drive roller. In association with the first idle roller is a second idle roller having a resilient arm rotatably coupled therewith. The resilient arm is pivotally coupled to the main housing adjacent to the motor secured therein. The resilient arm biases the second idle roller away from the main housing. A sand paper belt is disposed around the drive roller, the first idle roller, and the second idle roller.

Abstract: A trueing wheel for trueing an abrasive belt or wheel having cubic boron nitride abrasive particles. The trueing wheel has a radially outer peripheral surface which slopes at an acute angle with respect to its axis of rotation. Diamond particles, preferably about 0.150 mm in diameter, are bonded to the sloping radially outer peripheral surface in a single layer.

Abstract: A multi-purpose water-driven rotary tool having improved torque that has a housing with first and second cavities, one of the cavities housing an impeller, the other housing a main drive shaft connected to a rotatable mounting pad or backing pad that contains a disk with a grinding or sanding surface that is removably attached thereto. The high pressure water inlet conduit includes a changeable nozzle to allow using the tool with different water sources. Water is strategically diverted through a bearing mounting plate having holes by a shroud having an angular periphery or angular flange that allows the expended water from the impeller to be efficiently expelled peripherally around the outside of the main cavity of the housing. The device also includes a manually-actuated trigger for the inlet water valve which can be held at the same time with a saddle handle that is pivotal that allows the user to effectively move the device comfortably to a desired working position.

Abstract: An apparatus to remove adhering material from the surfaces of sand to recycle the sand is disclosed. The apparatus includes a container (13) to hold sand (S) to be processed, the container having a bottom opening; pressing means (17-20) to press the sand in the container downwards; a rotor (10) disposed under the bottom opening of the container (13), the rotor (10) having a surface (11) that contacts the sand in the container; means (2) for driving the rotor (10); and a gap (G) disposed near a place between the container and the rotor. The sand contacts and is abraded by the rotary surface (11 ) of the rotor (10), and the processed sand is discharged by the centrifugal force of the rotor (10) from the gap (G) onto a chute (21).

Abstract: Method and apparatus using magnetorheological fluid for finishing a non-image-forming edge of an optical element to a very high degree of smoothness and for removing microscopic fissures from such edges, the method comprising positioning an optical element near a continuous carrier surface such that a converging gap is defined between an edge of the optical element and the carrier surface, the element being disposed such that image-forming refractive and reflective surfaces thereof do not create a gap with the carrier surface; applying a magnetic field substantially at the gap; introducing a magnetorheological fluid onto the carrier surface; driving the magnetorheological fluid through the gap to cause a flow of magnetic field-stiffened magnetorheological fluid through this gap to create a work zone and to form a transient finishing tool for removing material from the edge of the optical element; and moving the optical element relative to the work zone to expose different portions of the edge to the fluid for

Abstract: A simple and effective means is provided to control sand blast or like particulate media flow in the cleaning and scouring of workpieces to insure substantially uniform cleaning. To this end, microwave energy is directed at the particle flow, and energy reflection therefrom effects desired opening, closing, and intermediate control of sand blast flow means, as a valve interposed in the blast conduit.