Abstract: A seaming station and method of seaming utilizing two robot arms with seaming heads coupled thereto to seam a large lite by working in conjunction with one another or simultaneously seaming two lites independently of one another.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conveying device including a transfer mechanism including: a belt portion configured to support a non-pattern surface of a glass plate and transfer the glass plate in a conveying direction; and a pattern surface supporting water guide arranged at a position opposed to the belt portion and configured to apply predetermined water pressure to a pattern surface of the glass plate, wherein the transfer mechanism is configured such that: the glass plate is pressed against the belt portion by water pressure of the pattern surface supporting water guide; and the glass plate is sandwiched between the pattern surface supporting water guide and the belt portion in a state where the pattern surface of the glass plate is in a non-contact state, the conveying device being capable of stably transferring the glass plate without making scratches on the pattern surface of the glass plate.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for polishing a substrate with a polishing tape. The polishing tape includes a first surface adapted to contact a substrate; and a second surface, wherein at least one of the first and second surfaces include a feature adapted to indicate an end condition. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for machining a strip- or plate-shaped metallic workpiece is proposed, in particular for the deburring of cut edges and/or for the grinding of surfaces of the workpiece, having at least one machining unit which has a revolving drive device which directs a machining element at least approximately linearly past the region of the workpiece to be machined obliquely or transversely to the feed direction of the workpiece. According to the invention, the machining element is designed as a grinding belt, the grinding belt, in the region of the workpiece to be machined, being in operative connection with the drive device in such a way that the drive device drives the grinding belt, and the grinding belt and the drive device are separate from one another at least in a region remote from the workpiece.

Abstract: A method of processing a substrate is disclosed, wherein a sidewall surface of a notch portion formed in a circumferential portion of a substrate to be processed is polished by using a cylindrical polishing head rotatable with an axis as a rotational center.

Abstract: A belt sander includes a sand belt unit including an upper roller, a lower roller located under the upper roller and rotated by a propeller shaft of a drive motor, and two auxiliary rollers located at two sides of the lower roller. Each of the two auxiliary rollers and the lower roller are rotated synchronously in the opposite direction. Thus, the workpiece is pressed by the two auxiliary rollers so that the workpiece is moved forward at a constant speed without acceleration during the grinding process of the sand belt, thereby enhancing the grinding effect of the sand belt on the workpiece.

Abstract: Systems and methods control abrading operations of an abrading machine by sensing characteristics of an abrading article installed on the abrading machine. When a problem is discovered by sensing the article, appropriate actions may be taken. As one example, the abrading article may be sensed to determine whether the abrading article has been installed with an abrasive side facing the wrong direction. An alert allows an operator to reinstall the article. As another example, the abrading article may be sensed to determine whether splicing tape is present to hold two pieces of abrading tape together. The article may be advanced until the splicing tape is beyond an abrading zone. As another example, the abrading article may be sensed to determine whether the abrading article has stopped moving while the article drive is advancing because the article has broken. An alert allows an operator to repair the break.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning a web-based chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) system. Specifically, a fluid spray bar is coupled to a frame assembly which may be mounted on a CMP system. The fluid spray bar will move along the frame assembly. As the fluid spray bar traverses the length of the frame assembly, a cleaning fluid is sprayed onto the web in order to clean the web between planarization cycles.

Abstract: Polishing pads, planarizing machines and methods for mechanical and/or chemical-mechanical planarization of microelectronic-device substrate assemblies. The polishing pads, for example, can be web-format pads, and the planarizing machines can be web-format machines. In a typical application, the web-format machines have a pad advancing mechanism and stationary table with a first dimension extending along a pad travel path, a second dimension transverse to the first dimension, and an illumination site from which a laser beam can emanate from the table. The pad advancing mechanism moves the pad along the pad travel path to replace worn portions of the pad with fresh portions. In one embodiment of the invention, a web-format polishing pad includes a planarizing medium and an optical pass-through system having a plurality of view sites through which a light beam can pass through the pad.

Abstract: An abrasive tape is supplied to a tape head by a tape supply unit and taken up from the tape head by a tape take-up unit. The tape head presses the abrasive tape against a surface of an object under polish, which is rotated by a rotating unit. A tape head pressuring unit utilizes a voice coil motor, for example. Since the tape head pressuring unit generates a pressuring force for pressuring the tape head using the electromagnetic force, it is able to set a minute pressuring force by controlling a drive signal, and to obtain the fine adjustment of the pressuring force easily by controlling the electric signal. Therefore, it becomes possible to press the abrasive tape against the surface of the object under polish with a desired low pressure.

Abstract: A single-sided finishing apparatus is provided having a plurality of finishing stations with rotating transfer stations positioned therebetween. A hold down system presents the edge of the workpiece to the finishing head. The rotating transfer station includes a clamp for grasping a leading corner of a workpiece while rollers continue to drive the workpiece forward, thereby rotating the workpiece 90°.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for planarizing a microelectronic substrate. In one embodiment, the apparatus can include an elongated, non-continuous polishing pad oriented at an angle relative to the horizontal to allow planarizing liquids and materials removed from the microelectronic substrate to flow off the polishing pad under the force of gravity. Two such polishing pads can be positioned opposite each other in a vertical orientation and can share either a common platen or a common substrate carrier. The polishing pads can be pre-attached to both a supply roll and a take-up roll to form a cartridge which can be easily removed from the apparatus and replaced with another cartridge.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic stamper/imprinter for use in patterning of magnetic recording media by means of a contact printing process, comprising sequential steps of: (a) providing a stamper/imprinter comprising a body of a magnetic material having an imprinting surface including a topographical pattern corresponding to a pattern to be formed in the surface of a magnetic or magneto-optical (MO) recording medium and comprising a patterned plurality of spaced-apart recesses with a plurality of non-recessed areas therebetween, said imprinting surface including a plurality of defects comprising surface blemishes and stains, magnetic particles, and non-magnetic particles; (b) initially removing the surface blemishes, stains, and magnetic particles; and (c) then removing or rendering the non-magnetic particles benign to the contact printing process.

Abstract: An adjusting device for the sanding drum of a double-drum sander is installed between the opposite ends of the rear grinding drum and the machine frame of a sander for adjusting a rear sanding drum to a most suitable height to match with the size number of the emery of the front sanding drum of the sander so as to carry out abrading with excellent effect.

Abstract: A surface finishing apparatus for in-line outer surface polishing of elongate cylindrical metal stock to apply a long scratch finish, including a stock feeder for feeding a length of stock through the finishing apparatus from an infeed downstream to an outfeed position while rotating the stock about its longitudinal axis and a polishing assembly for finish-treating the outer surface of the stock as the stock is fed through the apparatus to apply a long scratch finish thereto. The polishing assembly includes a rotatable finishing wheel having a finish-treating peripheral surface for being applied in an in-line orientation against the outer surface of the stock as the stock is simultaneously fed and rotated through the finishing apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved centering of a workpiece in a surfacing machine includes centering assembly having a plurality of individually movable biasing element sets, comprising an upper element and a lower element. Each element set is operatively connected to a closed circuit, double rod end hydraulic cylinder assembly which selectively and independently positions the element set responsive to the surface to the workpiece. The hydraulic cylinder assembly includes a valve. A pressure device is also operatively connected to each element set to provide a centering force. In use, as the upper or lower element of an element set is forced away from the centerline of the workpiece, the opposing element would automatically move the same amount when the valve is closed. When the valve is open, the upper and lower elements are free to move independently, allowing the centerline to be easily positioned as desired.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting, cleaning and/or drying a polishing pad used for planarizing a microelectronic substrate. In one embodiment, the apparatus can include a cleaning head positioned adjacent a post-operative portion of the polishing pad to clean and/or dry the rear surface of the polishing pad. The cleaning head can include a heat source, a mechanical contact element, and/or orifices that direct fluid and/or gas toward the rear surface. The apparatus can further include a vessel through which the rear surface of the polishing pad passes to clean the rear surface. The apparatus can also include a flow passage in fluid communication with a region between the polishing pad and a support pad upon which the polishing pad rests during planarization. Gas moves through the flow passage toward or away from an interface region between the polishing pad and the support pad to draw the polishing pad toward or away from the support pad.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved centering of a workpiece in a planer machine includes centering sectional shoe assembly positioned in close proximity to opposed cutting heads, between the cutting heads and a centering feed assembly. The shoe assembly includes a plurality of individually movable pressure shoe sets, comprising an upper shoe and a lower shoe. Each shoe set is operatively connected to a closed circuit, double rod end hydraulic cylinder assembly which selectively and independently positions the shoe set responsive to the surface to the workpiece. A pressure device is also operatively connected to each shoe set to provide a centering force. In use, as the upper or lower shoe of a shoe set is forced away from the centerline of the workpiece, the opposing shoe would automatically move the same amount. The shoe assembly thus centers each and every workpiece independent of the amount of stock removal required.

Abstract: An edge grinding device for rounding off edges of members which are passed through the grinding device. The device includes a main frame for supporting the structural member, and a grinding aggregate which is pivotably mounted on the frame about an axis running substantially parallel to the directional motion of the member, the grinding aggregate having a grinding element which has a convex grinding surface, wherein the grinding aggregate pivots the convex grinding surface about the edge which is to be round while the member is moving through the device.

Abstract: The invention is to a jig that may be either temporarily or permanently mounted for use on a simple, low cost, belt or drum sander. On a belt sander, the jig is placed over the fence on the sander and secured thereto by thumb screws, or may be bolted to the sides of some sanders. The jig is mounted adjacent to a drum sander. The jig is an adjustable guide under which a work piece is placed. When the work piece is sanded to the desired thickness, the attachment is stopped from further downward movement by set screws, and the work piece is not further sanded.