Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) apparatus includes a polishing pad located on a top surface of a platen configured to rotate around a vertical axis passing through the platen, a wafer carrier configured to hold a substrate on a bottom surface thereof and to press the substrate on a top surface of the polishing pad, a slurry dispenser configured to dispense slurry over the top surface of the polishing pad, and a pad conditioning unit comprising a pad conditioning disk and a conditioning head configured to hold the pad conditioning disk. The conditioning head includes an electromagnet and the pad conditioning disk comprises a first ferromagnetic material portion configured to be attracted to the electromagnet when the electromagnet is energized.

Abstract: An abrasive article and method of making same wherein the abrasive article comprises a mounting assembly and an abrasive attachment assembly wherein the first interlock member of the mounting assembly and the second interlock member of the abrasive attachment assembly are configured to align the central axis of the abrasive attachment assembly and the central axis of the mounting assembly, and the first interlock member releasably engages the second interlock member. The abrasive article is adapted to clean a work surface area around studs using a rotary tool, including, for example, a drills or die grinder.

Abstract: A sanding apparatus for removing runs and drips in paint includes a base member, an oscillating member, and a connector bolt. The oscillating member is positioned within the base member where the base member and the oscillating member are movably connected to each other by the connector bolt. A sanding paper can be securely positioned with the oscillating member in order to sand down the runs and drips. The connector bolt allows users of the sanding apparatus to move the oscillating member up and down so that different size runs and drips can be removed from the paint without damaging the surrounding areas of the paint.

Abstract: An improved abrasive disc for use with an angle grinder is disclosed. The grinder is of the type having a threaded spindle. The disc is of the type having: a central portion defining a threaded bore for receiving said spindle; and abrasive material surrounding the central portion. The improvement comprises: a hub defining the threaded bore; an annular element providing the abrasive material, the annular element having a central primary aperture aligned with the threaded bore in the hub to provide access to the bore by said spindle in use; and elements mechanically securing the hub to the annular element, for co-rotation. Apparatus and methods for producing discs are also disclosed.

Abstract: An abrading device features a flexible abrading membrane supported by two supports. The device may be used in either linear or rotary configurations. The device can be used in conjunction with devices that impart continuous or vibratory linear or rotary motion.

Abstract: An abrading device features a flexible abrading membrane supported by two supports. The device may be used in either linear or rotary configurations. The device can be used in conjunction with devices that impart continuous or vibratory linear or rotary motion.

Abstract: A height adjustment mechanism for varying the positioning of a rotating tool on a haft of a machine tool, such as a portable power tool, is in the form of a coupler between the blade and tool arbor. A head of the coupler accepts the tool and connects with a tool drive, the depth of the connection defining the working height or position of the tool. A pair of inter-engaged flanges are mounted upon the shaft of the coupler head, and apply forces to the coupler head and tool drive to maintain the connection depth therebetween and to retain the tool in position. A jam nut further maintains the relative orientation of the flanges.

Abstract: An abrasive sandpaper system having a backing plate (16) with a canted outer periphery (28) and an off-centered aperture (26) for interlocking with lugs (18) of a power driver (12). The sandpaper (30) has a canted outer periphery (38) for riding over raised edges (45) of an uneven wood deck. The backing plate may have a pocket (50) with a side wall (60) to receive the substrate layer (58) of sandpaper (54).

Abstract: A flap disc includes a backing disc having an inner radial portion and abrasive flaps secured to an outer radial portion of the backing disc in an overlapping manner. First and second metal reinforcement rings include a body contacting one of front and rear surfaces of the backing disc adjacent a central opening. A threaded nut includes a body having an outer surface defining a shoulder and a retainer connected to the body. The shoulder contacts the second ring adjacent the central opening of the backing disc. The retainer is rolled outwardly to contact the first ring such that the nut and the rings are secured to the backing disc.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring characteristics of a polishing pad used in polishing a micro-device workpiece are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for monitoring a characteristic of a polishing pad includes applying ultrasonic energy to the polishing pad and determining a status of the characteristic based on a measurement of the ultrasonic energy applied to the polishing pad. In one aspect of this embodiment, applying ultrasonic energy includes applying ultrasonic energy from a transducer. The transducer can be carried by a conditioner, a fluid arm, a micro-device workpiece carrier, or a table. In another aspect of this embodiment, determining the status of the characteristic includes determining a thickness, density, surface contour, roughness, or texture of the polishing pad.

Abstract: A reusable mounting device which includes a support member having a support pad (32) secured to a hollow cylindrical body (42) by way of a compression ring (46). The hollow body defines a recess which receives a nut (18) that is adapted to protrude through a central aperture in an abrasive disc (1) and includes an irregular surface (22) providing an interference fit between the nut and the aperture in the disc. The nut extends into the hollow cylindrical member and includes an internal threaded bore adapted for threadable engagement with a drive member (30) which forms a part of or is attached to a portable power tool.

Abstract: A tool for resurfacing the area surrounding a protruding stud, without removing the stud from the member to which it is attached, includes a quick connect/disconnect coupler at one end thereof for attachment to and removal from a conventional rotary power tool. A central longitudinal aperture in the tool opens to a distal end thereof, and an abrasive surface preparation disc having a corresponding central aperture is adapted for removable attachment to the distal end of the tool. The tool is positioned over the stud such that the stud extends into the central aperture of the tool and the surface preparation disc is in contact with the surface area surrounding the stud. Controlled rotation of the tool in place over the stud results in a desired degree of uniform abrasion of the surface area surrounding the stud.

Abstract: A hand sanding tool that has a strip of material secured to a frame and spanning across an open gap of the frame. The strip of material has an abrasive surface for sanding objects and a spring force applies tension to the strip. The spring force maybe a resiliently flexible frame or a separate spring element anchoring the strip to the frame. Quick connect-quick release connectors connect the strip to the frame.

Abstract: An abrasive disk mounting system and a grinding system are provided. The mounting system permits both primary abrasive disks (typically having a diameter greater than about 5 inches) and secondary abrasive disks (typically having a diameter from about 1.5 inches to about 3 inches) to be mounted to the same backup pad and hub. Additionally, the mounting system permits abrasive disks to be secured with either male or female threaded mounting members, or with head caps or clips, to be mounted to the same backup pad and hub. The grinding system permits an abrasive disk or a backup pad extension to be quickly and easily secured to a hub.

Abstract: An improved sanding block for sanding high and extended surfaces configured for use in combination with an attached pole. The sanding block is round in shape and is rotationally mounted on a pole mount that interfaces between the sanding block and the pole which attaches to a rotatable hub of the pole mount. This allows the sanding block to rotate during use and the pole to be rotated to different angles in relation to the flat working surface of the sanding block. Adjacent surface marring is prevented by the rotation of the sanding block upon contact of a side edge with such an adjacent surface. Optionally the pole mount can be locked to prevent rotation if desired and a barrel can provide an interface between the pole and the pole mount. This barrel can be straight, angled, or adjustable for angle, in the different preferred embodiments.

Abstract: A tool adaptable for use with a power drill for the duel purpose of sanding and cutting a work piece without changing tools. The tool includes two components, one for cutting and one for abrading, which are reduced in diameter as required in order to provide suitable cutting and abrading surfaces for future use.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved abrasive pad (15). In the preferred embodiment, the abrasive pad is comprised of an inner core (16) having an outer surface (19), a strip of abrasive material (18), the strip of abrasive material wrapped around the outer surface of the inner core, and a central throughbore (20) extending through the material and the inner core and adapted for engagement with a torque-producing device. The outer surface of the abrasive pad may comprise a top surface (21), a bottom surface (22), a front surface (23), a rear surface (24), a right surface (25), and a left surface (26), and the abrasive strip may be wrapped over the right surface, the bottom surface, the left surface, and the top surface to form a first layer (28) of abrasive material. The abrasive strip may be wrapped around the inner core at least twice to form at least a second layer (29) of abrasive material. The abrasive material may be sandpaper and the throughbore may be threaded (35) for engagement with a mandrel.

Abstract: A grinding tool to be driven by a rotating machine drive comprises a carrier body in the form of a disk. The disk can be attached to the machine drive by means of a connecting element located at approximately the area of the center of rotation. The carrier body has at least one working side equipped with a grinding element. The grinding element takes the form of a disk leaf, i.e. a thin or leaf-like disk disposed radially in relation to the axis of rotation. The periphery of the disk protrudes by a predetermined amount beyond the outer edge of the working side of the carrier body. The grinding element disk comprises at least two disk layers attached to one another. A first layer of the disk is an elastic cushioning layer, and a second layer of the disk is a highly flexible grinding linen.

Abstract: The invention provides a wire brush disc shaped grinder accessory that has segments removed from the circumference of the disc to provide visibility of the work surface while in use and with the bristles of the wire brush arranged in groups around the disc. It also provides a cup shaped wire brush tool wherein the bristles are arranged in groups. In this way both provide a cooler cutting action.

Abstract: A sanding apparatus (1) has a sanding platen (2) to which motion is applied. The platen (2) has a flat surface (9) to which an abrasive sheet (22) is applied. The peripheral edge (3) of the platen (2) has a point (4) which can be used for detailed sanding. The surface (9) has a detachable portion (14) adjacent the point (4). The detachable portion (14) can be removed from the remainder of the platen (2) and rotated through 180.degree.. The abrasive sheet (22) can have an area corresponding to the detachable portion (14) of the surface (9) which is removable from the remainder of the abrasive sheet (22) by means of a perforated line (24).

Abstract: A clamping device for axially clamping a disk-shaped tool member on a shaft of a working tool has a pressure member for force-lockingly clamping the tool member between a radial surface of the shaft and the pressure member. A ring mount for force-loading the clamping member is provided for clamping and releasing the tool. An engaging device acting between the shaft and the pressure member is provided for positive-lockingly engaging the shaft upon actuation of the ring mount in a clamping direction of the clamping device.

Abstract: A drum sander attachment used with a rotary-driven power new or recycled container (50) as a dram secured to a shaft (54) with a drive means attached. The securing means having capability of sealing for purposes of producing a desired and/or firmness to the recycled container (50) drum. The vast assortment of recycled containers (50) available produce a variety of shapes and sizes for drum use allowing for abrading of both curved and flat surfaces. The design allows for repositioning of recycled container (50) on shaft (54) for a variety of configurations. The unit is constructed to be selectively portable or mounted in a stationary manner.