Patent ID: 7989348
Filing Date: 2011-08-02
Classification: B24B

Abstract:
1. A polishing method for polishing workpieces, the polishing method comprising: removing a first workpiece from a cassette in which a plurality of workpieces are stored; performing a first polishing process on the first workpiece, the first polishing process comprising (i) measuring a surface of the first workpiece before polishing, (ii) polishing the surface of the first workpiece multiple times under preset conditions, and measuring the surface of the first workpiece between each polishing, and (iii) measuring the surface of the first workpiece after polishing the surface of the first workpiece multiple times; removing a second or later workpiece from the cassette; performing a second polishing process on the second or later workpiece, the second polishing process comprising (iv) measuring a surface of the second or later workpiece before polishing, (v) polishing the surface of the second or later workpiece multiple times successively under polishing conditions, and (vi) measuring the surface of the second or later workpiece after polishing, wherein the polishing conditions for at least one polishing of the multiple polishings of the surface of the second or later workpiece are modified based on the results of the measuring in steps (i), (ii) and (iii) of the performing a first polishing process on the first workpiece, and wherein the polishing conditions for at least one other polishing of the multiple polishings of the surface of the second or later workpiece are modified based on the results of the measuring in steps (iv) and (vi) of the performing a second polishing process on the second or later workpiece, the method further comprising removing a third workpiece from the cassette; performing the first polishing process or the second polishing process on the third workpiece; and returning the first workpiece, the second or later workpiece, and the third workpiece to the cassette.