Abstract: A three-dimensional printing system includes a build platform comprising a build surface. The printing system also includes an enclosure system having a side portion extending entirely around the build surface, a top plate portion that abuts the side portion, and a bottom portion. The side portion, the top plate portion and the bottom portion form an enclosed space surrounding the build surface. The top plate portion is moveable so as to adjust a volume of the enclosed space. A 3D printer printhead is disposed adjacent to the enclosure system for depositing a print material onto the build surface. The printing system also includes a heating system for heating the enclosed space.

Abstract: Provided is a casting sliding gate including a plurality of plates, and at least a portion of the plates includes carbon fibers and carbide and is capable of suppressing damage due to a thermal shock.

Abstract: A metal powder in which a coating made of one or more types of elements selected from Gd, Ho, Lu, Mo, Nb, Os, Re, Ru, Tb, Tc, Th, Tm, U, V, W, Y, Zr, Cr, Rh, Hf, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm and Ti is formed on a surface of a copper or copper alloy powder, wherein a thickness of the coating is 5 nm or more and 500 nm or less. A metal powder for metal additive manufacturing based on the laser method which can be efficiently melted with a laser while maintaining the high conductivity of copper or copper alloy, and a molded object produced by using such metal powder are provided.

Abstract: A method for producing nickel nanopowder is introduced. For this, the present invention relates to a method for producing nickel nanopowder, including: (a) a step of preparing nickel oxide configured in the form of an oxide; (b) a nickel oxide nanopowder production step of pulverizing the nickel oxide so as to produce nano-sized nickel oxide nanopowder; (c) a step of drying the nickel oxide nanopowder; (d) a step of heat-treating the nickel oxide nanopowder so as to produce natural metal nickel nanopowder; and (e) a step of crushing the heat-treated nickel oxide nanopowder.

Abstract: A method for additive production of a component, which includes the additive construction of the component on a component platform having an opening, wherein, during the first part of the additive construction of the component an auxiliary structure is produced additively around the opening of the component platform. The method further includes the introduction of a device through the opening into a cavity defined by the auxiliary structure, wherein, during a second part of the additive construction, following the first part of the additive construction, properties of the component to be produced are influenced and/or measured by the device. A component is produced by the method and an apparatus for the additive production of the component, includes the component platform having the opening and the closure.

Abstract: A system and a corresponding method of correcting temperature data from a non-imaging optical sensor involve collecting temperature data generated using the optical sensor. The temperature data describes temperature changes across a surface of a material during an additive manufacturing operation in which the material is heated by a heat source. The method includes estimating a size of a hot spot corresponding to a hottest region formed on the surface by the heat source; and estimating a size of a heated region corresponding to a locus of points within the field of view that contribute to the temperature data. The method further includes correcting the temperature data based on the estimated sizes of the hot spot and the heated region.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating an energy density map of an object to be built in an additive manufacturing environment are provided. Certain embodiments provide a method for building an object utilizing additive manufacturing, the method including: receiving a job file for building the object, wherein the job file includes a plurality of slices of the object, and wherein a first slice of the object indicates scanning lines for applying an energy source to build material to build the first slice of the object; determining operation parameters of the energy source; and generating a first energy density map of the first slice of the object based on the job file and the operation parameters of the energy source, wherein the first energy density map indicates an amount of energy from the energy source per area of build material applied to the build material for the first slice of the object.

Abstract: This disclosure describes an additive manufacturing system that includes a build plane having a first region and a second region. Multiple energy source can be positioned above the build plane and configured to direct energy into the first and second regions of the build plane. The system includes optical sensors configured to monitor an intensity of light emitted from the energy sources. A processor associated with the additive manufacturing system is configured to adjust the sensor outputs in response to the energy sources coming into close proximity.

Abstract: An insert may include a main body. The main body may include a first surface, a second surface, a side surface, a first cutting edge and a through hole. The side surface may be located between the first surface and the second surface. The first cutting edge may be located on at least a part of a ridge line where a first side surface of the side surface intersects with a second side surface adjacent to the first side surface. The through hole may open into the first surface. The main body may further include a first concave part located from the first surface to the side surface. The first concave part may be located away from an imaginary straight line connecting the first cutting edge and a center of the through hole in a front view of the first surface.

Abstract: Tools and methods for creating a plurality of aligned holes from a plurality of near full-sized holes. The tool includes a cutting member having a first diameter and a pilot member connected to and coaxial with the cutting member. A first section of the pilot member includes a centering member and is positioned between the cutting member and the second section having a second diameter. The centering member may include a cutting surface. The second diameter corresponds to a positional tolerance of misalignment of a plurality of near full-sized holes of the same diameter and a full-size hole diameter. The centering member may have a third diameter between the first and second diameters. The centering member may be tapered. The pilot member may be inserted into a plurality of near-full sized holes and the cutting member may cut through the holes to form a plurality of aligned full sized holes.

Abstract: A stop for a rotating drilling, milling or countersinking tool comprising a stop sleeve coupled to a radial rolling bearing in such a way that it freely rotates about the tool, an outer bearing bush of the radial rolling bearing being attached to the stop sleeve and an inner bearing bush of the radial rolling bearing being attached to a shaft sleeve that can be attached to a tool shaft of the tool. An axial rolling bearing is also provided, a housing washer of the axial rolling bearing being supported on the stop sleeve and a shaft washer of the axial rolling bearing being supported on the shaft sleeve. In a secondary aspect, the invention relates to a drilling, milling or countersinking tool provided with such a stop.

Abstract: A cutting insert of the present invention comprises: an upper surface and a lower surface; first and second lateral surfaces; first and second cutting edge parts; and corner cutting edges, wherein the first cutting edge part includes: a first main cutting edge for forming one end at a portion spaced farthest away from the corner cutting edge; a first sub-cutting edge connected to the corner cutting edge; and a first auxiliary cutting edge for connecting the first main cutting edge and the first sub-cutting edge so as to form a step between the same, and the first sub-cutting edge and the corner cutting edge form one straight line when viewed toward the first lateral surface, and are inclined upward in the direction opposite to the direction toward the lower surface while gradually going in the direction toward the second cutting edge part.

Abstract: A dust collector in one aspect of the present invention comprises a dust collection portion, a communication portion, and an interlock operation control portion. When the communication portion receives an interlock command transmitted from an electric working machine, the interlock operation control portion makes the dust collection portion operate interlocking with the electric working machine. The interlock operation control portion includes a storage portion, in which identification information specific to the electric working machine with which the dust collection portion is to be made to perform the interlock operation is stored.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated tapping and drill attachment which includes a predetermined tapping configuration or mode which provides the desired flexibility for tapping, and also a predetermined drilling configuration or mode which provides the desired concentric and axial guidance as well as the desired rigidity for drilling operations.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a deburring device and method for a metal workpiece. The deburring device for the metal workpiece includes a power source, an insulating tube, a tank and an electrolyte contained in the tank. A first end of the insulating tube communicates with the electrolyte, and a second end thereof projects into a hole with burrs to be removed in the workpiece. A first pole of the power source is conductive with the workpiece, and a second pole thereof is configured to be conductive with the electrolyte. A gas layer can be formed when the power source is turned on and the electrolyte is introduced into the burr location in the hole through the insulating tube, and the gas layer is broken down under the action of a voltage to remove the burrs.

Abstract: A multi-process welding machine provides an intuitive user interface to enable a user to select among different welding processes, and to select parameters for a given selected welding process. The multi-process welding machine also provides an arrangement by which a switching module, or DC to AC converter, of an AC TIG unit can be controlled to alternatively supply AC or DC welding voltages or current. Further, a configuration of switches can be leveraged to automatically (or manually) control the polarity of welding cables for different processes and to engage or disengage a wire feeder when, e.g., a MIG welding process is selected, or not selected, respectively. Finally, in an embodiment, the ferrite or magnetic materials used for a main output inductor and an high frequency starting inductor of the welding machine can be combined.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and/or methods for welding systems that provide independent control of a contact tip of a welding torch are disclosed. The welding system can include, for example, a welding torch that includes, for example, a contact tip and a pivot in which the contact tip is coupled to the pivot and is configured to provide wire that is fed through the welding torch during a welding operation. The contact tip and the pivot are configured to independently move the contact tip of the welding torch around the pivot during the welding operation.

Abstract: A method of forming a canister by means of a mechanical bonding of respective layers of a first metal material (tantalum) and a second metal material (niobium) to form a sheet stock, thereby forming the sheet stock into a canister form, wherein the first metal material comprises tantalum and the second metal material comprises at least one of niobium, molybdenum, or steel. The completed canister comprises a first metal material comprising tantalum, and a second metal material mechanically bonded to the first metal material by subjecting the first and second metal materials to at least 1,000,000 psi, to thereby form a canister having an inner diameter of 13-19 millimeters (mm), the second metal material comprising at least one of niobium, molybdenum, or steel.

Abstract: A friction stir welding tool comprises a cylindrical shank, a shoulder portion disposed at a distal end of the shank, a pin extending from the shoulder, a cutting insert mounted within a concave portion at the distal end of the shank, and a scribe cutter mounted at a distal end of the cutting insert. The cutting insert extends distally through a channel in the pine, and the scribe cutter extends from a distal end surface of the pin in an offset position. The distal end surface of the pin is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the shank.

Abstract: The presently disclosed technology includes a friction stir welding apparatus comprising a frame, a moving platform and a parallel mechanism composed of three branch mechanisms, wherein a first branch mechanism comprises a first sliding pair, a first revolute pair, a telescopic rod and a first spherical pair connected in sequence. A second branch mechanism and a third branch mechanism both comprise a third sliding pair, a second revolute pair, a third linkage and a second spherical pair connected in sequence. The friction stir welding apparatus has high stiffness, low inertia, high dynamic performance and high accuracy, which can achieve precision welding with high requirements on processing quality and accuracy for jointing annular seams of large-scale rocket fuel storage tank barrels in the aviation field, for example. The presently disclosed technology also includes a corresponding friction stir welding system.

Abstract: A laser machining device which condenses a laser light inside a wafer and forms modified regions in a plurality of layers in the wafer, includes an infrared imaging optical system configured to face one surface of the wafer. In a case where a modified region positioned on a side of another surface opposite to the one surface of the wafer is defined as a first modified region and another modified region is defined as a second modified region, among the modified regions in the plurality of layers, the infrared imaging optical system has a focusing range that includes the first modified region and the another surface, and simultaneously images the first modified region and the another surface, and the second modified region is positioned outside the focusing range.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a joining seam, in particular during joining by a laser beam, wherein in the processing direction before a processing point a joining site is measured in order to detect the position and geometry thereof, at least one position of a joining seam is determined from the position of the joining point, and in the processing direction after the processing point the joining seam is measured in order to detect the geometry thereof at the determined position. A device is also provided for carrying out said method and to a laser processing head equipped with such a device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for extending the lifetime of optical components are disclosed. A beam of laser energy directed along a beam path that intersects a scan lens, through which it can be transmitted. The beam path can be deflected within a scan region of the scan lens to process a workpiece with the laser energy transmitted by the scan lens. The scan region can be shifted to a different location within the scan lens, e.g., to delay or avoid accumulation of laser-induced damage within the scan lens, while processing a workpiece.

Abstract: Reliable coupling of a high-power laser beam into a liquid-jet in a liquid-jet guided laser system can be achieved with high lifetime performance of the nozzle and the protection window, through setting the parameters of the liquid-jet guided laser system according to an optimum relationship that links the focus point of the laser, the focus cone angle, the laser beam energy distribution profile and the nozzle geometry.

Abstract: A manufacturing machine is capable of subtractive manufacturing and additive manufacturing for a workpiece. The manufacturing machine includes: a first headstock and a second headstock disposed in a machining area and configured to hold a workpiece; a tool spindle and a lower tool rest disposed in the machining area and configured to hold a tool to be used for subtractive manufacturing for the workpiece; an additive manufacturing head configured to discharge a material during additive manufacturing for the workpiece; a workpiece gripper configured to grip the workpiece during transportation of the workpiece into and out of the machining area; and a robot arm on which the additive manufacturing head and the workpiece gripper are mountable. Accordingly, the manufacturing machine improving the productivity in the simple and easy manner is provided.

Abstract: A method of forming a crack-free aluminum alloy structure using additive manufacturing is presented. A powder bed of precursor aluminum alloy powder is heated. The crack-free aluminum alloy structure is formed within a laser powder bed fusion system encompassing the powder bed during heating.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy includes: a core material made of an aluminum alloy including Si, Cu, and Mn, with the balance being Al and unavoidable impurities; a brazing material cladded onto one side surface of the core material, and made of an aluminum alloy including Si, with the balance being Al and unavoidable impurities; and a sacrificial anode material cladded onto the other side surface of the core material, and made of an aluminum alloy including Zn and Si, with the balance being Al and unavoidable impurities, wherein a total number density of single phase pure Si and a intermetallic compound existing in the sacrificial anode material and having a grain size of 0.1 ?m or more and 1.0 ?m or less is 1×103/mm2 or more and 1×106/mm2 or less.

Abstract: A guide system for repairing turbomachinery includes a housing; a guide tube have a hollow interior for accepting a working tool module; an axial motor for moving the guide tube axially with respect to the housing; a rotational motor for rotating the guide tube with respect to the housing; and an attachment for securing the housing with respect to a turbomachinery casing. A repair kit and method are also provided.

Abstract: Various valves capable of preventing distortion are disclosed. The valve comprises a metal member configured to have at least two sub metal members and a main body. Here, the sub metal members are included in the main body, and the main body is formed of plastic.

Abstract: An insertion station of a component (2), for example a clevis, in a component seat (12) formed in an assembly (3) to be assembled, for example a hinge assembly for doors, includes a component ordering device (14) to order the loose components coming from a component feed hopper. A component support seat (16) receives the component and is configured in such a way as to guide the component in the horizontal insertion direction. A manipulator (20) picks a component (2) from the component ordering device (14) and deposit the component in the component support seat (16). An insertion actuator (30) has a pusher member (32) operable to push the component (2) in the component seat (12), and a positioning unit (40), including an abutment (42) operable to block the assembly (3) in a component insertion position.

Abstract: A fastening apparatus includes a fastening device (1, 3) that heats in a non-contacting state, and then applies pressure to, a shaft part (11b) or shaft body (111) while it is inserted through the through holes (W10, W20) of workpieces (W1, W2), thereby forming at least a second head part (11c) of a fastener (11). The fastening device (1, 3) includes: a fastening die (15) that forms the second head part (11c); and a shaft-part pressure-applying device (9) that applies the pressure to the fastening die (15). A determining device (5) determines whether the fastener (11) is defective or not by calculating a load curve defined by the time and the load during which the pressure was applied and then determining whether an amount of change per unit of time in the load curve after a reference load has been exceeded is within a range of a predetermined reference value.

Abstract: A screw fastening process can be performed by reliably positioning a screw in a screw hole while suppressing a decrease in the degree of freedom of movement of a screw fastening device. Provided is a screw guide device that guides a screw to a screw hole. The screw is fastened by a screw fastening device to the screw hole formed in a workpiece to be fastened to be fastened. The screw guide device includes a guide device body provided at a support that supports the workpiece to be fastened, and also includes a guide member that is provided in the guide device body and that is openable and closable in a radial direction orthogonal to a central axis of a shaft section of the screw. The guide member forms a screw insert through which the shaft section is inserted when the guide member is in a closed state.

Abstract: The flexible ring fitting device includes a flexible ring disposition mechanism 10 for disposing a flexible ring R relative to an annular groove G of a workpiece W and flexible ring assembly mechanisms 421 and 422 including an arm portion 424 rotating while pushing the flexible ring R along the outer periphery of the workpiece W. The flexible ring assembly mechanisms 421 and 422 are movable with respect to the workpiece W and include an elastic body 51 urging the arm portion 424 of the flexible ring assembly mechanisms 421 and 422 so as to press the arm portion 424 with respect to the workpiece W.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting at least one component includes a supporting device having a first and at least one second support element, which are mounted movably relative to each other, and a shape-defining device with a surface contour which fits, at least in some regions, a contour of a supporting section of the component. The supporting device can be placed against the shape-defining device, and, by contact of the at least two support elements with the surface contour of the shape-defining device, the first support element can be moved into a defined position relative to the at least second support element, in which position the at least two support elements reproduce the contour of the supporting section, at least in some regions.

Abstract: A tool drive with spindle shaft for a chip-forming machining includes at least one electromagnetic axial actuator and a control and/or regulation apparatus for the operation of the axial actuator for changing the position of the spindle shaft along the longitudinal axis, wherein the control and/or regulation apparatus is designed to drive the axial actuator for the generation of microvibration movement of the spindle shaft, independently of and superimposable on a feed movement, in order to affect the chip size and chip shape of the removed material, wherein at least one axial magnetic bearing and/or one linear motor is provided as at least part of the axial actuator, wherein the regulation and/or control apparatus includes a memory unit and/or a function generation unit, and is configured to specify setpoint values of the oscillation curve of the microvibration movement depending on geometrical and or physical data of the workpiece and/or process variables that are measured or determined indirectly and/or co

Abstract: A sealing strip holder for manipulating and transporting a sealing strip preform in an at least partially automated production process, the sealing strip preform preferably having limp properties. To make the manufacturing process faster and less expensive the sealing strip holder comprises at least one clamping jaw which interlockingly and/or frictionally engages at least one surface portion of the sealing strip preform.

Abstract: In a clamping fixture 1, in particular a vice, with a housing (2) in which a guide track (10) is provided and with at least one base jaw (3, 4) to each of which a clamping jaw (6, 7) can be attached, the cavities or air gaps (21) between the inner wall of the guide grooves (10) and the base jaws (3, 4) should be completely covered. This is achieved in that a seal (11) is inserted into each of the air gaps (21) existing in the housing 2 between the base jaw (3, 4) and the inner wall of the guide track (10) as well as in the parting plane between the base jaws (6, 4) and at the face ends (16) in the area of the guide track (10) running there, and that the particular seal (11) is held in a specified position by means of a support strip (12).

Abstract: A sealing member for machine tools is capable of keeping sealing performance. The sealing member includes a support member and an elastic member formed in a flat plate shape. The elastic member includes an edge portion to slide on a sliding surface of a machine tool. The support member has a support surface facing a part of a front surface of the elastic member. The sealing member is mounted to the machine tool such that the elastic member is sandwiched between a mount portion of the machine tool and the support surface of the support member. The elastic member has a fixed portion sandwiched between the mount portion and the support member. A lip portion not sandwiched between the mount portion and the support member when the sealing member is mounted to the machine tool, the lip portion including the edge portion and configured to be curved.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a diamond knife for an ultra-microtome, including determining a shape and size of a knife, performing a multiphase flow analysis on movement of a droplet at a fore-end of the knife with the determined shape and size, processing a fine pattern to ensure hydrophobic property according to a result of the flow analysis, and grinding a blade of the knife after the processing of the fine pattern to minimize an interval between the pattern and the blade and, thus, a knife blade is always maintained in a wet state due to a droplet movement between a hydrophobic fine pattern and a hydrophilic surface to continuously generate ultrathin slices.

Abstract: An electronic device may have a glass housing structures. The glass housing structures may be used to cover a display and other internal electronic device components. The glass housing structure may have multiple glass pieces that are joined using a glass fusing process. A peripheral glass member may be fused along the edge of a planar glass member to enhance the thickness of the edge. A rounded edge feature may be formed by machining the thickened edge. Raised fused glass features may surround openings in the planar glass member. Multiple planar glass members may be fused together to form a five-sided box in which electronic components may be mounted. Raised support structure ribs may be formed by fusing glass structures to a planar glass member. Opaque masking material and colored glass may be used to create portions of the glass housing structures that hide internal device components from view.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an edge processing method for a display panel and a display panel having a device for processing an edge. The method includes: determining an irregular edge of the display panel and determining all edge pixels the irregular edge passes through; dividing all the edge pixels into n sets of edge pixels, where n?2; and inputting frame image information to the display panel, wherein at least one set of the n sets of edge pixels is configured to display a frame image in at least one display frame, and is configured not to display the frame image in at least another display frame.

Abstract: When a tip of a blade cascade is ground with a grindstone, a jig is inserted between blade cascades of a blisk and a jig is inserted between blade cascades. A blade locking section of the jig locks with a side section in the width direction of a corresponding rotor blade via a damping member made from rubber or the like. A disk locking section of the jig locks with a disk of the blade cascade which the blade locking section locks with.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for machining a workpiece (12) comprises at least two machining elements (14a, 14b) and a rotating belt (16) for moving the machining elements (14a, 14b) relative to a workpiece (12) to be machined. The machining elements (14a, 14b) each comprise a main body (20a, 20b) and a first connecting element (22a, 22b) connected to the main body (20a, 20b), which first connecting element is connectable to a second connecting element (24a, 24b) complementary to the first connecting element (22a, 22b) and connected to the belt (16). The first connecting element (22a, 22b) comprises a rotary body (26a, 26b). The second connecting element (24a, 24b) has a connection area (28a, 28b) for connection with the rotary body (26a, 26b). When the rotary body (26a, 26b) is rotated in a first rotary direction (R1) the rotary body (26a, 26b) is connected to the connection area (28a, 28b).

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus which causes a processing tape to abut against a processing object, including: a tape supply reel configured to supply the processing tape; a tape recovery reel configured to recover the processing tape; a recovery motor configured to apply a torque to the tape recovery reel; a tape feed motor configured to feed the processing tape between the tape supply reel and the tape recovery reel; and a control unit configured to control the tape feed motor, wherein the control unit controls the torque of the recovery motor depending on a change in an outer diameter of a roll of the processing tape wound by the tape recovery reel such that tension applied to the processing tape is constant, using a feed length of the tape fed by the tape feed motor and a thickness of the processing tape.

Abstract: A device for surface finishing of parts may include: an annular container configured to receive working media and at least one part, the container having a central axis and bottom surface; vibratory means associated with the container for causing the container to oscillate, wherein the vibratory means is configured to cause the at least one part to circulate in the container along a path; and at least one projection on the bottom surface and having a crest extending along a respective radial direction, an ascending lateral surface from the bottom surface to the crest, and a descending lateral surface from the crest to the bottom surface. The device may further include a plurality of the projections. The projections may change a spatial orientation of the at least one part as it moves on the projections. The crest may be inclined with respect to the radial direction downwards toward the axis.

Abstract: A polishing pad for CMP is provided. The polishing pad includes a layer of material having a surface, a plurality of grooves indented into the surface in the layer of material, and a fluorescent indicator in the layer of material. Each of the plurality of grooves has a first depth, the fluorescent indicator has a second depth, and the second depth is equal to or less than the first depth.

Abstract: A polishing method which can acquire an actual position of a film-thickness measurement point, and can therefore apply an optimum polishing pressure to a substrate such as a wafer is disclosed. The method includes: causing a substrate detection sensor to generate substrate detection signals in a preset cycle and causing a film-thickness sensor to generate a film-thickness signal at a predetermined measurement point during polishing of the substrate while the substrate detection sensor and the film-thickness sensor are moving across the surface of the substrate; calculating an angle of eccentricity of a center of the substrate relative to a center of the polishing head from the number of substrate detection signals; correcting a position of the predetermined measurement point based on the angle of eccentricity; and controlling polishing pressure at which the polishing head presses the substrate based on the film-thickness signal and the corrected position of the predetermined measurement point.

Abstract: A polishing apparatus includes a holder holding a target. A polisher polishes the target. An irradiator irradiates the target with an irradiation light from below the polisher. A photoreceiver receives a reflection light reflected from the polishing target to detect a relation between a wavelength and a light quantity of the reflection light. A first reflector bends the irradiation light from the irradiator in a direction tilted to the polishing target. A second reflector bends the reflection light from the polishing target to the photoreceiver. The first reflector irradiates the polishing target with the irradiation light in a direction tilted to the polishing target.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a polishing ring assembly suitable for polishing an electrostatic chuck and method of using the same. In one embodiment, the polishing ring assembly has a retaining ring assembly and an electrostatic chuck fixture. The retaining ring assembly includes an inner diameter and a top surface, a plurality of outer drive rings wherein the plurality of outer drive rings are placed on the top surface of the ceramic retaining ring. The electrostatic chuck fixture includes an electrostatic chuck drive plate adjacent to the inner diameter of in the ceramic retaining ring. The electrostatic chuck drive plate has a lock to secure retaining ring assembly with the electrostatic chuck fixture without transferring the weight from one assembly over to the other through the locking mechanism.

Abstract: A polishing apparatus 100 includes a first electric motor 14 that rotationally drives a polishing table 12, and a second electric motor 22 that rotationally drives a top ring 20 that holds a semiconductor wafer 18. The polishing apparatus 100 includes: a current detection portion 24; an accumulation portion 110 that accumulates, for a prescribed interval, current values of three phases that are detected by the current detection portion 24; a difference portion 112 that determines a difference between a detected current value in an interval that is different to the prescribed interval and the accumulated current value; and an endpoint detection portion 29 that detects a polishing endpoint that indicates the end of polishing of the surface of the semiconductor wafer 18, based on a change in the difference that the difference portion 112 outputs.