A method and system for observing and monitoring thermal characteristics of a machining operation, such as a surface finishing operation, performed on a workpiece is disclosed. The surface finishing operation can be performed on the workpiece in order to remove a surface defect, e.g. a parting line, on a surface of the workpiece and/or to provide a mirror-like finish to the workpiece. In one embodiment, an emissive layer is applied to the workpiece to increase a thermal emissivity of the workpiece. In some embodiments, a finishing surface, such as a polishing or buffing wheel, and/or a lubricant used in a finishing operation is monitored. A thermal profile of the surface of the workpiece, finishing surface and/or lubricant can be obtained. The finishing operation can be modified in response to the monitored thermal characteristics to prevent the occurrence of defects and improve the efficacy of the finishing operation.

A grinding tool includes a substrate having a surface provided with a plurality of openings, and a plurality of grinding studs. Each of the grinding studs includes a stud portion and an abrasive particle attached to each other, the stud portions being respectively attached into the openings, and the abrasive particles protruding outward from the surface, each of the abrasive particles having a pattern cut across a tip thereof to define multiple apexes adjacent to one another. In some embodiments, methods of fabricating a grinding tool are also described.

A tool fixture can include a plate, a first bolt, a first aperture, and a pin actuator assembly. The first bolt can extend away from a top surface of the plate and have threads of a first thread configuration. The first aperture can be disposed on an opposite side of the plate relative to the first bolt and can extend through the plate and be at least partially threaded with threads of the first thread configuration. The pin actuator assembly can include a base and a pin. The base can extend away from the top surface and can be engaged with the plate for rotation. The pin can be mounted in the base for movement between a retracted position and an extended position. The base can be disposed on an opposite side of the plate relative to the first aperture.

A sanding machine, with a machine bed, two vertical supports arranged laterally at the machine bed, with a bridge displaceable on the vertical supports in a horizontal, linear Y-axis, with an X-sled displaceable at the bridge in a horizontal, linear X-axis, with a Z-sled displaceable at the X-sled in a vertical, linear Z-axis, with an operating spindle supported at the Z-sled, particularly a sanding spindle, with a machine table and a magazine wheel comprising tool holders for sanding disks, and which is rotational about an axis parallel in reference to the Z-axis, with the operating spindle being able to remove a tool from a tool holder and place it there when this tool holder is rotated into an exchange position, with the tool magazine being arranged underneath the machine table and in the area of the exchange position.

The present invention in one or more embodiments provides a roller tool for roughening a friction ring of a brake disk, the roller tool including a roller body including inner and outer ends and a casing surface positioned there-between, the inner end differing in cross-section dimension than the outer end, the casing surface including thereupon one or more protrusions for contacting the friction ring. The roller tool may further include a support frame supporting the roller body. The support frame may include a short leg connected to the outer end of the roller body and a long leg connected to the inner end of the roller body.

A cleaning device for removing impurities from a bar-shaped structure includes a drive unit, and two roughing discs capable of being driven to rotate about a common axis of rotation. At least one roughing disc of the two roughing discs is capable of being driven by the drive unit. The two roughing discs form, along the common axis of rotation, a receiving region for the bar-shaped structure. Each roughing disc has, on a side facing the receiving region, a plurality of roughing projections. The two roughing discs are formed along the axis of rotation in a movably sprung manner in order to cause, in a state in which the two roughing discs are arranged on the bar-shaped structure, the roughing discs to be pushed onto both sides of the bar-shaped structure.

A cleaning device for removing impurities from a bar-shaped structure includes a drive unit, and two roughing discs capable of being driven to rotate about a common axis of rotation. At least one roughing disc of the two roughing discs is capable of being driven by the drive unit. The two roughing discs form, along the common axis of rotation, a receiving region for the bar-shaped structure. Each roughing disc has, on a side facing the receiving region, a plurality of roughing projections. The two roughing discs are formed along the axis of rotation in a movably sprung manner in order to cause, in a state in which the two roughing discs are arranged on the bar-shaped structure, the roughing discs to be pushed onto both sides of the bar-shaped structure.

A substrate processing apparatus includes a rotary table configured to move each of multiple substrate chucks to, in sequence, a carry-in position where a carry-in of a substrate is performed, a processing position where thinning of the substrate is performed, and a carry-out position where a carry-out of the substrate is performed; a tilt angle adjusting device configured to adjust a tilt angle of the substrate chuck with respect to the rotary table at the processing position; and a tilt angle controller configured to control the tilt angle adjusting device based on a measurement result of aa plate thickness measuring device. The plate thickness measuring device measures a plate thickness of the substrate at the carry-out position.

A carrier for use in a polishing machine and a method for using the carrier during the polishing of glass substrate disks intended for use in the hard disk media of a hard disk drive. Grooves are provided in top and bottom surfaces of the carrier to, e.g., increase the flow of polishing slurry between the carrier and a pair of upper and lower polishing pads of the polishing machine during a polishing operation. Opposing grooves within the top and bottom surfaces of the carrier may be staggered or offset relative to one another. Slurry passage holes may be provided in the carrier that intersect with the grooves to allow for the passage of slurry into the grooves during polishing. Method and apparatus examples are described.

A carrier for use in a polishing machine and a method for using the carrier during the polishing of glass substrate disks intended for use in the hard disk media of a hard disk drive. Grooves are provided in top and bottom surfaces of the carrier to, e.g., increase the flow of polishing slurry between the carrier and a pair of upper and lower polishing pads of the polishing machine during a polishing operation. Opposing grooves within the top and bottom surfaces of the carrier may be staggered or offset relative to one another. Slurry passage holes may be provided in the carrier that intersect with the grooves to allow for the passage of slurry into the grooves during polishing. Method and apparatus examples are described.