Patent ID: 6428397
Filing Date: 2002-08-06
Classification: B24B

Abstract:
A method of edge grinding and polishing semi-conductor wafers which are transported in turn to a grinding station in which the edge of the wafer is ground, and the wafer is then transferred to a buffer store whilst the next wafer is conveyed to and located in the grinding station for grinding, which further comprises the steps of rotating the wafer in the buffer store and engaging the edge thereof with a polishing wheel, to polish its periphery whilst the next wafer is being ground, and after polishing, the polished wafer is removed and the next wafer is transferred from the grinding station to the buffer store for polishing to allow a further wafer to be located in the grinding station, wherein the polishing step is effected by a rocking movement between the polishing wheel and the wafer edge by rocking either the wheel or the wafer about an axis, coincident with or parallel to a tangent which intersects the point of contact between the wafer and the polishing wheel.