A polishing pad including a polishing layer and at least one detection window is provided. The polishing layer includes a polishing surface and a back surface having at least one protrusion. The at least one detection window is disposed at a location corresponding to the at least one protrusion in the polishing layer, and the at least one protrusion surrounds the at least one detection window. A manufacturing method and a polishing method of the polishing pad are also provided.

A polishing pad including a polishing layer and at least one detection window is provided. The polishing layer includes a polishing surface and a back surface having at least one protrusion. The at least one detection window is disposed at a location corresponding to the at least one protrusion in the polishing layer, and the at least one protrusion surrounds the at least one detection window. A manufacturing method and a polishing method of the polishing pad are also provided.

A suction holding table for holding a holdable object under suction includes a base seat rotatable about a rotational axis, and a plurality of holders erected from the base seat and angularly spaced at equal angular intervals along a circle around the rotational axis, in which each of the holders has an upper surface functioning as a holding surface with a suction port defined therein, and attract the holdable object to the holder under a negative pressure applied via the suction port.

An automated painting system that includes a robotic arm and a painting end effector coupled at a distal end of the robotic arm, with the painting end effector configured to apply paint to a target surface. The painting system can also include a computing device executing a computational planner that: generates instructions for driving the painting end effector and robotic arm to perform at least one painting task that includes applying paint, via the painting the end effector, to a plurality of drywall pieces, the generating based at least in part on obtained target surface data; and drives the end effector and robotic arm to perform the at least one painting task.

An automated painting system that includes a robotic arm and a painting end effector coupled at a distal end of the robotic arm, with the painting end effector configured to apply paint to a target surface. The painting system can also include a computing device executing a computational planner that: generates instructions for driving the painting end effector and robotic arm to perform at least one painting task that includes applying paint, via the painting the end effector, to a plurality of drywall pieces, the generating based at least in part on obtained target surface data; and drives the end effector and robotic arm to perform the at least one painting task.

A tool sharpener has first and second guide surfaces to respectively support a cutting tool adjacent first and second abrasive surfaces. A drive assembly moves the first and second abrasive surfaces with respect to the first and second guide surfaces. A control circuit directs a user to place the cutting tool against the first abrasive surface using the first guide surface to sharpen a cutting edge of the tool during a first sharpening operation. The control circuit activates an indicator mechanism at a conclusion of the first sharpening operation to direct the user to perform a second sharpening operation in which the user presents the cutting tool against the second abrasive surface using the second guide surface to sharpen the cutting edge.

A tool sharpener has first and second guide surfaces to respectively support a cutting tool adjacent first and second abrasive surfaces. A drive assembly moves the first and second abrasive surfaces with respect to the first and second guide surfaces. A control circuit directs a user to place the cutting tool against the first abrasive surface using the first guide surface to sharpen a cutting edge of the tool during a first sharpening operation. The control circuit activates an indicator mechanism at a conclusion of the first sharpening operation to direct the user to perform a second sharpening operation in which the user presents the cutting tool against the second abrasive surface using the second guide surface to sharpen the cutting edge.

A processing apparatus used in processing a workpiece having a device in each of a plurality of regions that includes a chuck table holding the workpiece, positioning means positioning the workpiece before grinding, resin coating means including a rotatable spinner table for coating the workpiece with a resin, cleaning means, a grinding unit, and a transfer unit. The transfer unit includes a first transfer unit transferring the workpiece from the positioning means to the spinner table and from the spinner table to the chuck table, a second transfer unit transferring the workpiece from the chuck table to the cleaning means, and a front/back surface inversion transfer unit taking over the workpiece from the cleaning means to the second transfer unit.

A processing apparatus used in processing a workpiece having a device in each of a plurality of regions that includes a chuck table holding the workpiece, positioning means positioning the workpiece before grinding, resin coating means including a rotatable spinner table for coating the workpiece with a resin, cleaning means, a grinding unit, and a transfer unit. The transfer unit includes a first transfer unit transferring the workpiece from the positioning means to the spinner table and from the spinner table to the chuck table, a second transfer unit transferring the workpiece from the chuck table to the cleaning means, and a front/back surface inversion transfer unit taking over the workpiece from the cleaning means to the second transfer unit.

A polishing apparatus includes a polishing station to hold a polishing pad, a carrier head to hold a substrate in contact with a polishing pad at the polishing station, a camera positioned to capture an image of a lower surface of a consumable part when the consumable part moves away from the polishing pad, and a controller configured to perform an image processing algorithm on the image to determine whether the consumable part is damaged. The consumable part can be a retaining ring on a carrier head, or a conditioner disk on a conditioner head.