Patent ID: 6575818
Filing Date: 2003-06-10
Classification: B24B

Abstract:
An apparatus for polishing surfaces of objects comprising:an object transfer station that is configured to sequentially receive said objects; a polishing pad having a polishing surface to polish said objects; and means for sequentially transferring said objects between said object transfer station and said polishing pad to exclusively polish said objects on said polishing pad, said sequentially transferring means being configured to transfer at least two current objects of said objects from said object transfer station to different locations on said polishing pad such that said two current objects can be simultaneously polished on said polishing surface of said polishing pad, said sequentially transferring means including a first object carrier and a second object carrier, each of said first and second object carriers being configured to secure one of said objects to be polished, said sequentially transferring means further including a first mechanical arm that is connected to said first object carrier and a second mechanical arm that is connected to said second object carrier, said first mechanical arm being configured to transfer said first object carrier between said object transfer station and said polishing pad, said second mechanical arm being configured to transfer said second object carrier between said object transfer station and said polishing pad, said first and second mechanical arms being configured to independently pivot about fixed axes to transfer said first and second object carriers between said object transfer station and said polishing pad.