Abstract: Provided is a nozzle or a stopper having a gas blowing function, which is capable of preventing irregular breaking to be triggered by a gas outlet or a gas passage path communicated with the gas outlet, or, even in the event of breaking, preventing expansion of the breaking, and a combination of the nozzle and the stopper. The nozzle comprises: a fitting engagement region refractory material layer composed of a fitting engagement region refractory material; a nozzle body composed of a different refractory material from the fitting engagement region refractory material (main body refractory material); and a gas outlet provided in at least one boundary area between the fitting engagement region refractory material layer and the main body refractory material in a surface of the nozzle contactable with molten steel.

Abstract: A method for preparing a nano spherical oxide dispersion strengthening phase using a micron oxide is proposed for the first time. First, a micron oxide is used as a raw material to prepare a nano oxide with a completely amorphous structure/matrix alloy composite powder by mechanical ball milling in stages. In the first stage, ball milling is performed, causing the oxide to break and transform in structure, and achieving nano-sizing and completely amorphization, to prepare a composite powder with a completely amorphous structure nano oxide uniformly distributed in the matrix alloy powder; and in the second stage, the composite powder obtained in the first stage and the remaining matrix alloy powder are uniformly mixed by ball milling. Then, the uniformly mixed powder is sequentially subjected to hot forming, hot rolling, and heat treatment, to obtain a nano spherical oxide dispersion strengthened alloy.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a blended powder comprising a first ferroalloy powder and at least one iron powder or second ferroalloy powder. The present disclosure also provides a method for dry metal alloying, comprising combining powder comprising a first ferroalloy powder and at least one iron powder or second ferroalloy powder, and mixing the combined powders to form a blended powder.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an optical mirror including disposing a build plate for three-dimensional (3D) printing. The build plate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The method also including integrally forming a support structure via the 3D printing on the first side of the build plate, and processing the second side of the build plate to obtain a reflective surface of the optical mirror.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides downhole tools, methods for three dimensional printing hardfacing on such downhole tools, and systems for implementing such methods.

Abstract: A field of additive manufacturing and more particularly to a method of additive manufacturing through the addition of a metallic material, the melting of runs of the metallic material through the application of energy, and solidification of the runs. In this method, the intensity, per unit length of run, of the energy supplied for melting one or more initial runs of the metallic material applied to a first part of a component is appreciably lower than that of the energy supplied for melting one or more subsequent runs of the metallic material added to the initial runs.

Abstract: A method for additive manufacturing three-dimensional objects from metals and their alloys in the process of melting subsequent layers of the alloying material in the form of a powder with a laser beam or an electron beam with the manufacturing of the object itself and support structures which are subsequently removed from the object itself through chemical etching of the material, characterized in that the support structures have a permeability higher than 10-12 m2, measured in the direction parallel to the plane defined by the layer of the deposited powder, with the thickness of the support structure wall is no larger than 1 mm, and the etching liquid contains at least one component which on its own causes a passive layer to form on the surface of the processed material and the etching liquid is subject to ultrasounds with an intensity larger than the cavitation threshold in the medium.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system for producing a three-dimensional article includes a print engine, a post-fabrication powder removal apparatus, a transport mechanism, and a controller. The post fabrication removal apparatus includes a rotary frame defining an internal receptacle cavity, a plurality of clamps coupled to a corresponding plurality of actuators, a clamping plate coupled to a lift apparatus, and an agitation device mounted to the clamping plate. The controller is configured to perform the following steps: (1) Operate the transport mechanism to transport the build box to the internal receptacle cavity. (2) Operate the plurality of actuators to engage the build box with the plurality of clamps to secure the build box to the rotary frame. (3) Operate the rotary frame to rotate the build box until unfused powder begins to exit the build box. (4) Operate the agitation device to facilitate pouring of the unfused powder from the build box.

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: A three-dimensional deposition device includes a deposition head provided with a powder jetting port from which powder is jetted, a light beam irradiation port from which a light beam is emitted, and a fiber connection port connected to a fiber guiding the light beam; a head moving part that moves the deposition head along a vertical direction; a base part to which the powder is jetted and the light beam is emitted from the deposition head; a base moving part that moves the base part along a first direction orthogonal to the vertical direction and a second direction orthogonal to the vertical direction and the first direction; and a rotation mechanism that is connected to the deposition head and rotates the deposition head about a rotation axis crossing the vertical direction to switch, by rotating the deposition head, between a first state and a second state.

Abstract: A surface-coated cutting tool includes a tool body and a hard coating layer, where one TiAlCN layer ? (1) containing 70 area % or more of a wurtzite type hexagonal structure on a tool surface side (S) and one TiAlCN layer ? (2) containing 70 area % or more of a NaCl type face-centered cubic structure on the tool body side (B), when a composition of the TiAlCN layer ? (1) is represented by (Ti(1-x?)Alx?)(Cy?N(1-y?)) satisfying 0.70?x??0.95 and 0.000?y??0.010, when a composition of the TiAlCN layer ? (2) is represented by (Ti(1-x?)Alx?)(Cy?N(1-y?)) satisfying 0.65?x??0.95 and 0.000?y??0.010, and when average layer thicknesses of the TiAlCN layer ? (1) and the TiAlCN layer ? (2) are defined as L? and L? satisfying 0.5 ?m?L??10.0 ?m and 1.0 ?m?L??20.0 ?m.

Abstract: A cutting tool includes a cutting insert resiliently clamped in an insert holder. The insert holder includes a forwardly located insert mounting portion that includes an insert receiving recess which extends along a recess axis. The insert holder includes a fastening member through hole opening out to the insert receiving recess. The insert receiving recess includes an insert orientation projection. The fastening member through hole has a through hole angular extent about the recess axis. The insert orientation projection has an insert orientation projection angular extent about the recess axis. The insert orientation projection angular extent at least partially angularly overlaps the through hole angular extent about the recess axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tool (1) for machining a workpiece (3), said tool having a longitudinal axis (L), wherein the tool (1) comprises a first machining region (5) and a second machining region (7), wherein the first machining region (5) is spaced apart from the second machining region (7) along the longitudinal axis (L), and wherein a chip protection barrier (9) is located between the first machining region (5) and the second machining region (7), said chip protection barrier being designed to prevent chips removed from a workpiece (3) from passing from one machining region (5, 7) selected from the first machining region (5) and the second machining region (7) into the other machining region (7, 5) selected from the second machining region (7) and the first machining region (5).

Abstract: A quick grip pocket hole jig system is presented having a support section having a clamp support, an end stop and a back stop. A clamping assembly is connected to the support section having a clamping rod that extends through the clamp support. A drill guide carrier having a drill guide assembly is connected to the clamping rod on a forward side of the clamp support. A clamp body having a trigger and a release mechanism is connected to the clamping rod on a rearward side of the clamp support. The clamp body is a quick grip clamp body that facilitates quick gripping of a workpiece positioned within the support section. The clamping assembly includes a return spring and a release mechanism such that when the release mechanism is actuated the drill guide carrier and the drill guide assembly are automatically moved to a non-clamping position.

Abstract: In a rotating tool with a coolant hole, a coolant hole extending to a front side in the direction of an axis opening to a tip flank face of a drill main body that is rotated around the axis. In a cross section orthogonal to the axis, the coolant hole is provided with a first concavely curved portion located on an inner peripheral side of the drill main body and formed in a concavely curved shape recessed to the inner peripheral side, a second concavely curved portion located on an outer peripheral side of the drill main body and formed in a concavely curved shape recessed to the outer peripheral side with a larger curvature radius than the first concavely curved portion, two third concavely curved portions having a center of a curvature radius located inside the coolant hole with a smaller curvature radius than the second concavely curved portion.

Abstract: A machining center for machining a center groove on a pulley and a flange formed at opposite ends of a crankshaft of a vehicle includes a measurement unit configured to measure a moment of the crankshaft when the crankshaft is loaded and actuated, a control unit configured to calculate an imbalance amount of the crankshaft and to derive center drill coordinates for removing the imbalance amount, a compensation unit mounted in a base frame and configured to compensate a position of the crankshaft by rotating first and second rotating elements based on the center drill coordinates inputted from the control unit when the crankshaft is transported and clamped by a clamping system, and a machining unit configured to machine the center groove in the pulley and the flange of the crankshaft.

Abstract: Hand tools which have an ergonomic using a palm handle and finger handle designs which achieve mechanical efficiency and ease of use. The ergonomic handle is compatible with the muscle movements of an operator using a hand tool reducing muscle strain and pain. Optionally, the palm and finger handles can have ergonomically designed cushions. In an embodiment, the finger handle can have a finger set which has a forward finger flange, a tail finger flange and a pinky grip. The ergonomic handle can also use a relief washer system to achieve a smooth low frictional resistance cutting stroke.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a cutting system including a movable blade operably coupled to a motor is disclosed, wherein the cutting system comprises a diverting feature. In some embodiments, a diverter proximity relative to the movable blade is selected to facilitate diversion of a material during cutting. In at least one embodiment, the movable blade may be a circular blade or a reciprocating blade with a thickness of less than 3/32 of an inch. A cutting system according to the present invention may be coupled to a container, for example, a residential trash container or a residential recycling container.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a reciprocating saw blade includes forming a body with a shank end configured to secure the blade with a reciprocating saw, a plunging end configured to enter a workpiece, and a cutting edge and opposite back edge extending between the shank end and the plunging end. The cutting edge is formed to include a plurality of teeth arranged in a repeating pattern that includes left set teeth and right set teeth, the plurality of additional teeth being substantially the same size as each other and as the third tooth, wherein the plurality of additional gullets are substantially the same size as each other, and wherein the enlarged first gullet is longer in an axial direction than each of the plurality of additional gullets.

Abstract: A change device, a fine hole electric discharge machine, and an electrode change method that enable automatic and continuous machining of a large number of holes using electrodes of different diameters. A fine hole electric discharge machine including automatic electrode supply devices and a first change device is provided. The automatic electrode supply device includes an electrode cartridge storing a plurality of electrodes of a predetermined diameter and an electrode feeder device supplying the electrodes one by one from the electrode cartridge. The first change device includes a first magazine accommodating the automatic electrode supply devices in a detachable manner and a first transfer device transferring the automatic electrode supply device between the first magazine and a first chuck on a machining main spindle. The first magazine accommodates a plurality of automatic electrode supply devices storing the electrodes of different diameters.

Abstract: An electrical discharge machine includes a critical angle detection device that detects a critical angle of a machining fluid in which a corrosion inhibitor is added. The critical angle detection device includes a prism, a light source, an image sensor, an electrical circuit, and a slit. The prism has an incident surface, a boundary surface, a reflection surface, and an emission surface. The light source irradiates an incident light from the incident surface to the boundary surface. The image sensor includes a plurality of photodetectors that detect a reflection light. The electrical circuit calculates the critical angle by arithmetically processing output signals output from the plurality of photodetectors. The slit is arranged on an optical axis of the reflection light between the prism and the image sensor to block a scattered light.

Abstract: An apparatus for a BGA package includes a pad mounted on a substrate. The apparatus also includes a solder resist layer disposed over the substrate and a buffer layer disposed over the solder resist layer. The solder resist layer can have a first aperture and the buffer layer can have a second aperture. The first and second apertures are aligned such that at least a portion of the pad is exposed to create a solder-mask-defined mounting pad. A diameter of the second aperture is larger than a diameter of the first aperture.

Abstract: A method for joining a plated steel sheet includes forming a plurality of protrusions, overlapping a first steel sheet, and performing arc welding, by which first and second steel sheets, at least one of which is a plated steel sheet, are arc welded. In the forming, the plurality of protrusions that is substantially perpendicular to an edge portion of the first steel sheet and is positioned along the edge portion is formed in an overlapping surface of the first steel sheet. In the overlapping, the first and second steel sheets are overlapped such that the protrusions protrude in a direction toward an overlapping surface of the second steel sheet. In the performing the arc welding, an arc welding is performed linearly in the edge portion of the first steel sheet or second steel sheet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing metals and metal-like substances in two and three dimensional form without a substrate in a safe, rapid and economical fashion using gas shielded arc welding equipment and programmable robotic motion. The method and apparatus includes the use and application of robotic controls, temperature and position feedback, single and multiple material feeds, and semi liquid deposition thereby creating near net shape parts particularly well suited to rapid prototyping and lower volume production.

Abstract: A method for automatic welding of a structural steel assembly includes workpieces such as profiles and/or a sheet material. The method includs using an automated process to receive information from a CAD-CAM program about welds for welding the structural steel assembly, and to post-process the information received from the CAD-CAM program. The information of each single weld received from the CAD-CAM program includes data about e.g a type of a workpiece or of workpieces of the structural steel assembly which bound the weld, a weld type, a position of the respective weld relative to the workpieces of the structural steel assembly that bound the weld, a shape of the weld, a length of the weld, a path of the weld and a width of the weld. The post-processing includes splitting each weld in sections of which the individual welding parameters are predefined.

Abstract: Systems and methods for setting the polarity of welding-type power provided by a welding-type power supply. The output polarity may be automatically selected based on one or more selectable welding parameters. The automatically selected polarity may be overridden based on operator input.

Abstract: In an arc-tracking welding method and a welding device of the present invention, a deviation amount between a weaving center and a welding line is obtained based on a first relationship and a second relationship. The first relationship is a relationship between a weaving position and any one element of three electrical first to third elements related to Ohm's law, the relationship being obtained based on a physical model of an arc welding phenomenon and being associated with the deviation amount. The second relationship is a relationship between the weaving position and the element, the relationship being obtained based on the element in welding power.

Abstract: An end assembly for use with a welding device having a chamber between the diffuser sleeve and the insert which allows for cooling the insert and for controlling the flow of gas through the end assembly. Some of the components of the end assembly such as the contact tip, insert and gooseneck are constructed of a conductive material which are securely held together in contact by a diffuser sleeve constructed of a dissimilar material. The end assembly provides better conductivity of the current through the end assembly for use of less energy during welding.

Abstract: A novel spot welding method for steel sheets and an aluminum alloy sheet, includes stacked sheet materials from a pair of opposing electrodes to join the sheet materials by resistance heating. The pair of opposing electrodes are in pressure contact with both outer surfaces of the sheet sets. The sheet sets include at least a first and second steel sheet, and an aluminum alloy sheet stacked in this order. A first energization step forms a molten pool between facing surfaces of the first and second steel sheets without melting the aluminum alloy sheet. A second energization step causes a melting reaction between facing surfaces of the second steel sheet and the aluminum alloy sheet. The first and second steel sheets are joined via a first nugget. The second steel sheet and the aluminum alloy sheet are joined via a second nugget including an intermetallic compound generated by the melting reaction.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a joining method by which metal members can be suitably joined to each other. The present invention is characterized by including a friction stirring process in which the first metal member, the second metal member, and the auxiliary member are joined to one another by moving the rotary tool along the inner corner portion in a state where the tip side pin which is being rotated is inserted into the inner corner portion, is in contact with the first metal member, the second metal member, and the auxiliary member, and an outer circumferential face of the base side pin is pressed against the auxiliary member.

Abstract: A method for scaled-up synthesis of medium-entropy and high-entropy nanoparticles (NPs) including alloys and ceramics on various substrates such as carbon, metal and glass. The method requires only two steps to synthesize these NPs, including loading metal salt precursors with equal molar ratio onto a support and irradiating the support by highly intense laser pulses in liquid at ambient atmosphere. The method ensures multiple (3˜9) atoms to combine without segregation regardless of their mutual solubility. The method can easily tailor the particle size from nanometer to micrometer by controlling the parameters.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method of forming one or more holes in a substrate for use as a process chamber component are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of forming one or more holes in a substrate for use as a process chamber component include forming the one or more holes in the substrate with one or more laser drills using at least one of a percussion drilling, a trepanning, or an ablation process, wherein each of the one or more holes have an aspect ratio of about 1:1 to about 50:1, and wherein the substrate is a component for gas delivery or fluid delivery.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method of forming one or more holes in a substrate for use as a process chamber component are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of forming one or more holes in a substrate for use as a process chamber component include forming the one or more holes in the substrate with one or more laser drills using at least one of a percussion drilling, a trepanning, or an ablation process, wherein each of the one or more holes have an aspect ratio of about 1:1 to about 50:1, and wherein the substrate is a component for gas delivery or fluid delivery.

Abstract: A laser system for modification of a sample to form a modified region at a target location within the sample, the target location being disposed below a surface of the sample, the laser system comprising: a laser light source configured to provide laser light; a sample holder for supporting the sample; one or more optical elements configured to direct the laser light from the laser light source into the sample when the sample is supported by the sample holder, wherein the one or more optical elements are configured to focus the laser light into the sample, and wherein the one or more optical elements includes a component configured to correct for spherical aberration caused by mismatch in refractive index at the surface of the sample through which the laser light enters the sample such that the laser light is focused at the target location within the sample, a tilt measurement device configured to measure a tilt angle of the surface of the sample relative to an optical axis of the laser light entering through

Abstract: A method of fabricating an optical element comprises: providing a substrate of a transparent material; applying a plurality of circularly polarised focused femtosecond laser pulses to a volume within the substrate to create substantially spherical nanopores in the volume; and applying at least one and not more than ten non-circularly polarised focused femtosecond laser pulses to the volume to transform the spherical nanopores into oblate spheroidal nanopores.

Abstract: Aspects of the technology employ real-time monitoring and feedback for a printed circuit board fabrication system. An x-ray simulator can be used to aid in understanding metallurgical phase transformations in real time to ensure acceptable and reliable solder connections. This includes real-time data gathering and evaluation of solder-related printed circuit board data, including peak temperature, time above liquidus (TAL), ramp up and ramp down rates. Such information is used to identify the exact melting point and view specific soldering behavior in order to achieve an optimized soldering solution. This approach can provide effective solder joint analysis, which can reduce the likelihood of failure of a circuit board intended to operate in extreme environments for an extended period of time, such as the stratosphere.

Abstract: Exothermic welding molds, weld-metal containing cartridges for such molds, and methods of use are provided. The mold, cartridges, and methods can provide interaction between the cartridge's disk member with the mold, which allows the housing member to be withdrawn from the mold while leaving the disk member and weld-metal in place. The interaction can be a rotational restraint alone, a vertical restraint alone, or combinations thereof. Alternately, the interaction can be an outward pressure on the housing member and/or disk member, a shear force on the housing member and/or disk member, or combinations thereof. The outward pressure on the housing member and/or disk member can alternately be provided without interaction between the disk member and the mold, but rather by the simple application of an internal pressure to the cartridge. The internal pressure can be applied by squeezing the walls of the cartridge and/or by depressing a pusher member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nut welding automation system configured to automatically weld different types of nuts to holes formed in a metal-processed product using a robot. The system may reduce an error rate with respect to products by preventing omission of a nut or welding of a wrong type nut so that reliability in administration of the welding process may be secured and overall productivity may be improved.

Abstract: An assembling system of a belt buckle is provided, which belongs to a field of belt buckle manufacturing. The assembling system of the belt buckle includes a main conveyor belt and a positioner mounted on the main conveyor belt, and the positioner is provided with a groove which can be matched with a lower cover of the belt buckle. The assembling system further includes a lower cover loading device, an upper cover loading and pressing device, a key loading plug-in device and a buckle loading plug-in device sequentially arranged along a conveying direction of the main conveyor belt. It provides high assembly efficiency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering workpieces to and from a machine table. This invention also relates to an apparatus for receiving at the machine table workpieces which are delivered to and retrieved by the delivery system. Carts move with respect to a surface, such as a floor surface. The carts move and deliver pallets to a loading station that uses a loading arm to deliver pallets with workpieces to and from a machine table.

Abstract: A dust collector for use with a power tool comprises a housing, a telescoping suction pipe coupled to the housing, a suction fan positioned in the housing and operable to generate a vacuum in the suction pipe, a dust container coupled to the housing and positioned upstream of the fan, a filter at least partially arranged in the dust container, and a filter cleaning mechanism. The filter cleaning mechanism includes an anvil, a striker moveable between a first striker position, in which the striker is spaced from the anvil, and a second striker position, in which the striker is in contact with the anvil. The filter cleaning mechanism further includes an actuator moveable between a first actuator position and a second actuator position, in which the actuator is moved closer to the anvil than in the first position, and a first spring biasing the striker toward the anvil.

Abstract: There are provided a sludge treatment device 100 and a sludge treatment system 400 comprising: a primary tank 110 into which a liquid flows from a machine tool 300 side; a secondary tank 120 from which a liquid inside flows out to the machine tool 300 side; a first flow path 130 that supplies the liquid in the primary tank 110 to the secondary tank 120; a filter 134 disposed on the first flow path 130; a second flow path 140 different from the first flow path 130 connecting the primary tank 110 and the secondary tank 120; and a liquid inflow amount adjustment means 142 configured to adjust an inflow amount of liquid flowing from the secondary tank 120 into the primary tank 110 through the second flow path 140, wherein a second flow path liquid supply path 150 is provided to cause the liquid in the primary tank 110 to flow from the secondary tank 120 side toward the primary tank 110 side from a middle of the second flow path 140.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an electric tool (e.g., a power tool) that includes an output driver for receiving an accessory, and an accessory-type detector. A motor of the electric tool is coupled to the output driver for driving the accessory. The power tool also includes an operation trigger for activating the motor and a motor controller. The motor controller includes an electronic processor that is coupled to the accessory-type detector, the motor, the operation trigger, and a memory. The memory stores instructions that when executed by the electronic processor cause the motor controller to detect a characteristic of the accessory from output of the accessory-type detector. The motor controller determines an operational characteristic for the accessory based on the detected characteristic, and controls operation of the motor to drive the accessory according to the operational characteristic when the operation trigger is activated.

Abstract: There is described a system for manufacturing a part. The system generally has a receiving area receiving said part, a first reference gauge and a second reference gauge which are subjected to common environmental conditions, said first reference gauge having a first nominal dimension and said second reference gauge having a second nominal dimension different from said first nominal dimension; a measurement device measuring dimensions of said first and second reference gauges, and measuring dimensions of said part; and a controller communicatively coupled to said measurement device, said controller determining a calibration curve by performing a mathematical fit based on said first and second nominal dimensions and said measured dimensions of said first and second reference gauges; and constructing a machine-readable dataset representative of said part, including modifying said measured dimensions of said part based on said calibration curve.

Abstract: An accumulated wear amount calculation section calculates a wear amount of a blade edge of a punch and a wear amount of a blade edge of a die when a tool set of the punch and the die has processed a sheet metal once. The accumulated wear amount calculation section calculates an accumulated wear amount of the blade edge of the punch and an accumulated wear amount of the blade edge of the die by accumulating wear amounts of respective times when the tool set has processed the sheet metal multiple times. A tool management information managing section manages a state of the blade edge of each punch and each die by causing a tool management information storage section to store tool management information associating a tool identification code given to each punch and each die with the accumulated wear amounts calculated by the accumulated wear amount calculation section.

Abstract: Compositions that impart surfaces with glossy finishes include a silicate and an organic component (e.g., a siliconate, etc.) and may also include a surfactant, a leveling agent, a silane coupling agent, and/or an acrylic latex. The silicate may be a lithium silicate and/or a colloidal silica. When the composition is applied to a flooring surface, gravity may enable it to spread substantially evenly across the surface. The composition imparts the surface with a glossy finish. A glossiness of the surface may be at least 80, as measured by a gloss meter set to a 60° angle of incidence.

Abstract: An apparatus for chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) of a substrate is described herein. The apparatus includes an extension disposed between a retaining ring and a chucking membrane. The extension is disposed radially outward from the edge of the substrate and is configured to contact the retaining ring during substrate processing. The extension provides a repeatable and controlled point of contact between the retaining ring and the chucking membrane. The extension may have multiple configurations, such that the contact point between the retaining ring and the chucking membrane is set at a pre-determined location or such that the contact point is moveable by an adjustable stop.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) systems used in the manufacturing of semiconductor devices. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a polishing module, a retaining ring, wherein the retaining ring includes a protrusion on a radially outward edge, and a plurality of load pins disposed through the retaining ring.

Abstract: Embodiments herein generally relate to chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) systems used in the manufacturing of electronic devices. In one embodiment, a substrate carrier for polishing a surface of a substrate includes a retaining ring configured to surround a substrate during a polishing process. The retaining ring includes a first surface that is configured to contact a surface of a polishing pad during the polishing process, a second surface that is on a side of the retaining ring that is opposite to the first surface, and an array of recesses formed in the second surface.

Abstract: A substrate processing system includes a front-end module, a first processing line including a first polishing line and a first cleaning line, a second processing line including a second polishing line and a second cleaning line and disposed in parallel to the first processing line, a first stage disposed between the first processing line and the second processing line, and a first retransfer robot configured to transfer a substrate from the front-end module to the first stage.