Abstract: A polishing apparatus includes a plurality of stations supported on a platform, the plurality of stations including at least two polishing stations and a transfer station, each polishing station including a platen to support a polishing pad, a plurality of carrier heads suspended from and movable along a track such that each polishing station is selectively positionable at the stations, and a controller configured to control motion of the carrier heads along the track such that during polishing at each polishing station only a single carrier head is positioned in the polishing station.

Abstract: A honing apparatus includes a sharpening stone that has a sharpening surface configured to sharpen the edge of the blade upon engaging contact with the edge of the blade. A frame is operatively coupled to the sharpening stone, and a weight element is supported by the frame and positioned so as to urge the sharpening stone toward the edge of the blade. The frame may be pivotally coupled to a fixed element at a pivoting location, and the weight element may be positioned so as to create a moment about the pivoting location, with the moment urging the sharpening stone toward the edge of the blade.

Abstract: Polishing pads with concentric or approximately concentric polygon groove patterns are described. Methods of fabricating polishing pads with concentric or approximately concentric polygon groove patterns are also described.

Abstract: A method of chemical mechanical polishing a substrate includes polishing a layer on the substrate at a polishing station, monitoring the layer during polishing at the polishing station with an in-situ monitoring system, the in-situ monitoring system monitoring an elongated region and generating a measured signal, computing an angle between a primary axis of the elongated region and a tangent to an edge of the substrate, modifying the measured signal based on the angle to generate a modified signal, and at least one of detecting a polishing endpoint or modifying a polishing parameter based on the modified signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a turbine for a machine for projecting abrasive for the surface treatment of objects. The turbine includes a first flange and a second flange, at least one blade element provided with a guide surface for receiving, guiding and projecting the abrasive, and a mounting system for releasable mounting of the blade element on the flanges. The mounting system includes a support element arranged between the blade element and the flanges and configured for a releasable mounting on the flanges and for supporting the blade element.

Abstract: Superabrasive tools and methods for the making thereof are disclosed and described. In one aspect, superabrasive particles are chemically bonded to a matrix support material according to a predetermined pattern by a braze alloy. The brazing alloy may be provided as a powder, thin sheet, or sheet of amorphous alloy. A template having a plurality of apertures arranged in a predetermined pattern may be used to place the superabrasive particles on a given substrate or matrix support material.

Abstract: A polishing apparatus polishes a top edge portion and/or a bottom edge portion of a substrate accurately and uniformly. The polishing apparatus includes a rotary holding mechanism configured to hold the substrate horizontally and to rotate the substrate and at least one polishing head disposed near the peripheral portion of the substrate. The polishing head has at least one protrusion extending along a circumferential direction of the substrate, and the polishing head is configured to press a polishing surface of a polishing tape by the protrusion against the peripheral portion of the substrate from above or below.

Abstract: A bench grinder has a tool rest mounted on a bracket and disposed adjacent a grinding wheel of the grinder. The tool rest has a tool rest platform that is connected to the bracket by a pivot connection and that may be secured in different angular positions by a bolt, such as a hand bolt. The bracket end to which the platform is affixed is provided with a cylindrical surface portion marked with angle marks. An opening is provided in the tool rest platform through which the angle marked surface is visible. An indicator line on the tool rest platform aligns to the angle mark to indicate the angle of the platform.

Abstract: A method for improving the bond between a PEEK joint component and bone cement comprising roughening a surface of the PEEK component by air-blasting abrasive water-soluble particles against the component until an average surface roughness of 4 to 6 micrometers is attained and subsequently submerging the component in water to dissolve any residual particles.

Abstract: A knife jig assembly (1, 3) for use in sharpening a knife (8) in a grinding machine (16) comprises a conventional knife jig (1) with a clamp (2) for clamping and holding an object. It also comprises a knife holder (3) with means (5, 10) for holding the knife (8) and with a flat rod (4) to be clamped by the clamp (2) of the knife jig (1).

Abstract: CMP pads having novel groove configurations are described. For example, described herein are CMP pads comprising primary grooves, secondary grooves, a groove pattern center, and an optional terminal groove. The CMP pads may be made from polyurethane or poly (urethane-urea), and the grooves produced therein may be made by a method from the group consisting of molding, laser writing, water jet cutting, 3-D printing, thermoforming, vacuum forming, micro-contact printing, hot stamping, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A device has a work piece spindle for accommodating a bevel gear work piece, a tool spindle for accommodating a grinding wheel having an abrasive surface, and a plurality of drives for machining the bevel gear work piece. During machining of the bevel gear work piece, the grinding wheel rotates about the rotational axis of the tool spindle and engages the bevel gear work piece to remove material. The rotation is superimposed with an eccentric movement such that the grinding wheel only engages the bevel gear work piece at n contact regions of the abrasive surface. The device is configured to allow adjustment of the eccentric movement after a first machining phase and to specify m contact regions of the abrasive surface in a further machining pase, wherein the m contact regions do not overlap with the n contact regions.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously slicing a multiplicity of wafers from a substantially circular-cylindrical workpiece that is connected to a sawing strip includes executing a relative movement between the workpiece and a wire gang of a wire saw with the aid of a forward feed device with a defined forward feed rate so as to slice the wafers. The forward feed rate is varied through the course of the method and includes being set to a value v1 at a cutting depth of 50% of the workpiece diameter. Subsequently, the forward feed rate is to a value v2>1.15×v1 as the forward feed rate passes through a local maximum. The forward feed rate is set to a value v3<v1 when the wire gang first comes into contact with the sawing strip. The forward feed rate is increased to a value v5>v3.

Abstract: A retaining ring includes an annular lower portion and an annular upper portion. The annular lower portion has a main body with a bottom surface for contacting a polishing pad during polishing, an inner rim projecting upward from the main body, an outer rim projecting upward from the main body and separated from the inner rim by a gap, and a plurality of azimuthally separated interlock features positioned between the inner rim and the outer rim, each interlock feature projecting upwardly from the main body. The annular upper portion has a top surface and a bottom surface and a plurality of azimuthally separated recesses in the bottom surface, the recesses defining thin portions of the upper portion, the plurality of interlock features fitting into the plurality of recesses. The lower portion is a plastic and the upper portion is a material that is more rigid than the plastic.

Abstract: Polishing pads containing a phase-separated polymer blend, and methods of making and using such pads in a polishing process. In one exemplary embodiment, the polishing pads include a multiplicity of polishing elements integrally formed in a sheet. In another exemplary embodiment, the polishing elements are bonded to a support layer, for example by thermal bonding. In certain embodiments, the polishing pad may additionally include a compliant layer affixed to the support layer, and optionally, a polishing composition distribution layer.

Abstract: Enhanced methods are disclosed for performing operations such as cleaning, inspection or data acquisition on an external surface of a hollow cylindrical tubular. Preferred embodiments include providing a fluid dispenser and an abrasion assembly on a buggy that travels up and down the length of the tubular as the tubular rotates. The fluid dispenser includes nozzles that dispense cleaning fluids onto the tubular's external surface. The abrasion assembly includes a swivel brush and a brush train providing different styles of abrasion cleaning of the tubular's external surface. Preferred embodiments of the buggy also carry a range finding laser and an optical camera generating samples that may be processed in real time into data regarding the surface contours and the diameter variations on the tubular's external surface. Cleaning and inspection variables such as tubular rotational speed, or buggy speed, may be adjusted responsive to measured surface contour data.

Abstract: A flexible sanding apparatus includes a thin, relatively flat spring member and a plurality of disc-shaped members attached to a first side of the flat spring member along a length of the flat spring member. The disc-shaped members may be horizontally stacked along the length of the flat spring member with at least one disc-shaped member at least partially contacting its adjacent disc-shaped members when the flat spring member lies flat. The disc-shaped members may be individually attached to the first side of the flat spring member along at least portions of outer edges of the disc-shaped members. A sanding surface may be coupled to a second side of the flat spring member.

Abstract: A novel cutting method and apparatus includes a cutting blade adapted to consistently and easily form a desirable kerf in a concrete substrate while capturing substantially all resulting concrete dust.

Abstract: A portable sharpening apparatus is described. The sharpening apparatus includes a body portion and a cavity formed in the body portion for receiving an object to be sharpened. A rotatable abrasive drum capable of sharpening and having an axis of rotation is provided and the abrasive drum is located in the body portion. The apparatus further comprises a motor arranged to drive the abrasive drum and a mouth communicating with the abrasive drum and arranged in the body portion so as to direct an object to be sharpened towards the abrasive drum, wherein the mouth has a supporting means for locating an object to be sharpened at the abrasive drum, the supporting means being such that, when in use, an object to be sharpened is orientated along an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the abrasive drum.

Abstract: A drywall sander includes a replaceable sanding pad having a layer of resilient material, and an abrasive surface. The sanding pad includes one or more edge portions that project beyond the edges of a sander head. The edges of the sanding pad can be deformed during use when the sander is used in a corner or the like to thereby prevent scuffing or other damage to adjacent orthogonal surfaces.