An extender for a buffing pad assembly having a first portion configured to be rotated, thereby transferring power from a power tool to a buffing pad, and a second portion that can be held by a user to support, direct, and/or control the buffing pad during operation of the power tool. The extender preferably includes a shaft, a sleeve, and at least one retainer for fixing the sleeve onto the shaft. The shaft preferably includes a first portion near a first end, a second portion near a second end, and a third circular portion located therebetween. In one embodiment, the shaft includes first and second grooves, thereby allowing a first retainer (e.g., C-clip) to be snapped into the first groove, the sleeve slid over the open end of the shaft, and a second retainer (e.g., C-clip) snapped into the second groove, resulting in a fully assembled extender.

A method for smoothing and/or polishing slabs of stone or stone-like material suitable for being implemented with a machine comprising: a support bench (16) for a slab to be machined; and at least one machining station (14). The machining station comprises two bridge support structures (20, 22) arranged transversely astride the support bench (16). A spindle-carrying beam (24), in suitable for being moved above the bridge structures in a transverse direction, is provided on the bridge support structures (20, 22). At least one spindle-carrying structure (34), suitable for being rotated about its own vertical axis (32), is provided on the spindle-carrying beam (24). Each spindle-carrying structure (34) is provided with two motorized spindles (38A, 38B), the ends of which are provided with machining heads (42A, 42B) arranged spaced apart and opposite each other with respect to the vertical axis (32) of the spindle-carrying structure (34) and comprising machining tools (44A, 44B). The machine comprises a programmable computerized unit for controlling the position, movement and speed of the moving members. The method is characterized in that:—the beam and the spindle-carrying structures move coordinated and synchronized with each other;—for each stroke of the beam (24) in the transverse direction, each spindle-carrying structure performs a rotation of 180° about its axis of rotation (32);—when the beam (24) is located at the centre line of the bench (16), the axis (60) connecting the rotation axes of the spindles (38A, 38B) is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the machine; and—when the beam (24) is located at the maximum distance from the centre line of the bench (16), the axis (60) is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the machine.

A method for smoothing and/or polishing slabs of stone or stone-like material suitable for being implemented with a machine comprising: a support bench (16) for a slab to be machined; and at least one machining station (14). The machining station comprises two bridge support structures (20, 22) arranged transversely astride the support bench (16). A spindle-carrying beam (24), in suitable for being moved above the bridge structures in a transverse direction, is provided on the bridge support structures (20, 22). At least one spindle-carrying structure (34), suitable for being rotated about its own vertical axis (32), is provided on the spindle-carrying beam (24). Each spindle-carrying structure (34) is provided with two motorized spindles (38A, 38B), the ends of which are provided with machining heads (42A, 42B) arranged spaced apart and opposite each other with respect to the vertical axis (32) of the spindle-carrying structure (34) and comprising machining tools (44A, 44B). The machine comprises a programmable computerized unit for controlling the position, movement and speed of the moving members. The method is characterized in that:—the beam and the spindle-carrying structures move coordinated and synchronized with each other;—for each stroke of the beam (24) in the transverse direction, each spindle-carrying structure performs a rotation of 180° about its axis of rotation (32);—when the beam (24) is located at the centre line of the bench (16), the axis (60) connecting the rotation axes of the spindles (38A, 38B) is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the machine; and—when the beam (24) is located at the maximum distance from the centre line of the bench (16), the axis (60) is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the machine.

A grinding apparatus for grinding a floor, the apparatus comprising a body having a travelling mechanism which enables the body to travel across a floor while the apparatus is grinding; a first grinding head incorporating at least one grinding tool and having an operable configuration in which the first grinding head is able to grind a first floor portion; and a second grinding head incorporating at least one grinding tool and having an operable configuration in which the second grinding head is able to grind a second floor portion; wherein the first and second grinding heads are mountable to the body whereby their positions relative to the body are able to be varied.

A grinding apparatus for grinding a floor, the apparatus comprising a body having a travelling mechanism which enables the body to travel across a floor while the apparatus is grinding; a first grinding head incorporating at least one grinding tool and having an operable configuration in which the first grinding head is able to grind a first floor portion; and a second grinding head incorporating at least one grinding tool and having an operable configuration in which the second grinding head is able to grind a second floor portion; wherein the first and second grinding heads are mountable to the body whereby their positions relative to the body are able to be varied.

A chemical mechanical polishing apparatus includes a rotatable platen to hold a polishing pad, a carrier to hold a substrate against a polishing surface of the polishing pad during a polishing process, and a temperature control system including a source of heated or coolant fluid and a plenum having a plurality of openings positioned over the platen and separated from the polishing pad for delivering the fluid onto the polishing pad, wherein at least some of the openings are each configured to deliver a different amount of the fluid onto the polishing pad.

A support plate for a flexible tool that is to be rotated for surface fine machining by grinding or polishing has a plate body with a bottom side that is provided with a circumferentially extending circular contact surface for the flexible tool. A fixation device is arranged at the bottom side and detachably fixes the flexible tool to the contact surface. The plate body has a top side with a drive connector that is axially oriented in a direction of an axis of rotation of the support plate and frictionally connects the support plate to a drive. One or more fatigue markings are provided on or in the top side of the support plate.

A support plate for a flexible tool that is to be rotated for surface fine machining by grinding or polishing has a plate body with a bottom side that is provided with a circumferentially extending circular contact surface for the flexible tool. A fixation device is arranged at the bottom side and detachably fixes the flexible tool to the contact surface. The plate body has a top side with a drive connector that is axially oriented in a direction of an axis of rotation of the support plate and frictionally connects the support plate to a drive. One or more fatigue markings are provided on or in the top side of the support plate.

A cooling device for a rotating machine has a fan assembly coupled with a backing plate. A hub, on the backing plate, secures the cooling device with a shaft. The backing plate includes one or more vents to enable air to exit the cooling device. The fan includes an opening to enable air to enter the cooling device. A chamber is formed between the fan assembly and the backing plate. During rotation, air is drawn into the opening. The air is passed into the chamber and exits through the vents to cool a work surface or working pad attached to the backing plate.

A cooling device for a rotating machine has a fan assembly coupled with a backing plate. A hub, on the backing plate, secures the cooling device with a shaft. The backing plate includes one or more vents to enable air to exit the cooling device. The fan includes an opening to enable air to enter the cooling device. A chamber is formed between the fan assembly and the backing plate. During rotation, air is drawn into the opening. The air is passed into the chamber and exits through the vents to cool a work surface or working pad attached to the backing plate.