Patent ID: 6402601
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: B24B

Abstract:
A web-format planarizing machine for mechanical and/or chemical-mechanical planarization of microelectronic substrate assemblies, comprising:a table having a support surface with a planarizing zone; an elongated polishing pad including an elongated first edge, an elongated second edge opposite the first edge, an elongated first side region extending along the first edge, an elongated second side region extending along the second edge, and an elongated medial region having a width between the first and second side regions; a pad advancing mechanism coupled to the pad, the pad advancing mechanism including a first roller about which an unused portion of the pad is wrapped, the support surface of the table having a first end at one side of the planarizing zone under the unused portion of the pad and a second end at an opposing side of the planarizing zone under the used portion of the pad, and the pad advancing mechanism further including a second roller about which a used portion of the pad is wrapped, the second roller being below the support surface and the used portion of the pad extends downwardly from the second end of the support surface to the second roller; a carrier assembly having a head configured to hold a microelectronic substrate assembly and a drive system to move the head and translate the substrate assembly across an active section of the polishing pad in the planarizing zone; the table further comprising a tensioning site between the second end of the support surface and the second roller, the tensioning site being aligned with the medial region of the pad; and a pad tensioning system between the planarizing zone of the table and either the first roller or the second roller, the tensioning system including an engagement member aligned with the medial region of the pad and an actuator connected to engagement member, the engagement member extending transverse to the edges of the pad and having a length approximately equal to the width of the medial region, and the actuator moving the engagement member transverse to the pad to press the engagement member against the medial region of the pad.