Patent ID: 6241578
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: B24B,B24D

Abstract:
A carrier device adapated for use in a polishing apparatus with a turntable having a polishing surface, said carrier device comprising:a carrier for carrying an article to be polished; anda control device operatively associated with said carrier and including:an actuator operable to cause said carrier to urge the article against the polishing surface of the turntable to polish the article;a sensor operatively associated with said actuator and operable to sense a pressure applied to the article when the article is urged against the polishing surface of the turntable by said actuator; anda control unit operatively associated with said actuator and said sensor to monitor the pressure during a polishing operation, said control unit being operableto control operation of said actuator in response to the pressure as monitored so as to keep the presurre at a target level and to halt the polishing operation when the pressure deviates from a predetermined range over a predetermined period of time.