Patent ID: 7854644

Claim:
An apparatus for processing microfeature workpieces, comprising: a first station having a buffing medium with a first hardness; a second station having a polishing pad with a second hardness greater than the first hardness; an automated transfer device positioned to move a microfeature workpiece between the first and second stations, the microfeature workpiece having a first exposed surface and particulates resting on or at least partially embedded in the first exposed surface; and a controller operatively coupled to the automated transfer device, the controller containing a computer-readable medium having instructions that cause the controller to perform a method comprising— directing the first exposed surface of the microfeature workpiece to contact the buffing medium at the first station to remove the particulates from the first exposed surface of the microfeature workpiece; directing the automated transfer device to transfer the microfeature workpiece from the first station to the second station after the particulates are at least partially removed from the first exposed surface; and thereafter, directing the first exposed surface of the microfeature workpiece to engage the polishing pad at the second station to remove material from the first exposed surface to create a second exposed surface different than the first exposed surface.