Abstract: A ceramic center for a machine tool, having at its one end a bearing portion for supporting a workpiece at its one end on the axis of rotation. The ceramic center is formed of a sintered ceramic mass having a rupture toughness of at least 3.5 MN/m.sup.3/2 at a room temperature, and a density of at least 90% of the theoretical value.

Abstract: A modular device for loading cartridges on board aircraft is provided equipped with pyrotechnique cartridges with electric detonator, formed from a combination of elements of small volume and low weight comprising a case means enclosing cartridges whose bases carry firing detonators and are fixed to a support plate with interposition, between the support plate and an insulating plate, a printed circuit comprising resilient zones on which are fixed the studs for firing said detonators.

Abstract: For locating steel reinforcing members in construction materials, a galvanic cell is formed between an electrode and the reinforcing members by placing the electrode in electrically conducting contact with the construction material. When drilling an opening into the construction material using a hand-held drilling device and the drilling bit in the device contacts a reinforcing member, the potential difference between the electrode and the drill bit can be utilized as a signal for controlling the operation of the drilling device.

Abstract: A magazine for automatic weapons exhibits an endless chain for storing cartridges. Provided in the vicinity of a delivery opening of the magazine is an additional storage chamber from which further cartridges can be fed simply and quickly into the chain.

Abstract: A stone cutting device including a continuous flexible cutting belt for cutting a slot in stone which is in the round. The device includes a main frame, a jib pivotally mounted to the main frame, aligned sheaves rotatably mounted to the main frame and jib, a continuous flexible cutting belt extending around and in driven engagement by the sheaves, and a means to rotate at least one of the sheaves. The continuous flexible cutting belt includes a plurality of spaced apart abrasive cutting elements extending across the top and sides of the belt. The cutting elements are flush with the remainder of the top and side surfaces of the belt which includes a molded-in-place resilient material. Belt strength is provided by a flexible cable extending through the length of the belt.

Abstract: A grinding apparatus is provided with an automatic adjustment device. After each grinding operation, the grinding wheel position is adjusted to a light beam position by the activation of a carriage movement device. This assures that the grinding wheel will grind each object to the same depth irregardless of wheel wear, which is compensated for in the position adjustment operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for finishing a workpiece comprising a resilient abrasive finishing element arranged for motion relative to a workpiece surface and in pressure engagement therewith. Methods of finishing a workpiece employing this apparatus are also disclosed. Both grinding and high surface quality polishing may thus be provided using the same machine tool, such as a lathe or milling machine, and appropriate finishing elements.

Abstract: A gearlike tool for dressing abrasive, gearlike, tools used for precision machining gear workpieces has tooth flanks which are coated with diamond grains. The gaps between teeth of the base member which has the diamond coating are enlarged, for example by removing teeth, in order to make the application of the coating easier. In order to assure a fully meshing engagement, the dressing tool can be combined with uncoated guide wheels which have teeth which meshingly engage the teeth of the precision machining tool.

Abstract: A land rescue vehicle equipped to safely recover wounded or injured personnel or valuable equipment while under hostile fire is disclosed. A self-propelled vehicle is equipped with an armored body shell which extends downwardly to near ground level and substantially encloses the vehicle wheels to form a shielded space beneath the vehicle. An entry panel forming a portion of the vehicle shell at the front of the vehicle is selectively opened and closed to permit positioning the vehicle over an injured person and within the shielded space. Trap doors in the floor of the vehicle body provide passage from the shielded space to the safety of the interior of the vehicle for transport of the rescued person.

Abstract: An improved annular cutting disc of the type having an inner annular edge as the cutting edge. The disc is comprised of a thin, metallic core member and a first coating of nickel is plated on the inner annular edge of the core member. A second coating, of a slurry of nickel and diamond particles is on the first coating and extends radially inwardly toward the axis of the annular cutting disc, to provide the cutting surface.

Abstract: A force transducer and circuit are used to detect the edge of a rotating grinding wheel. The force transducer produces an output signal indicative of a force applied thereto. The output signal is filtered by a high pass filter coupled to the output of the transducer. The amplitude of the filtered transducer output signal is compared to a reference value. An output pulse is produced if the amplitude reaches a predetermined level with respect to the reference value. A timer responsive to a first output pulse establishes a fixed interval during which the number of subsequent output pulses is counted. If the number of pulses counted during the fixed interval reaches a predetermined quantity, a control signal indicative of edge contact of the grinding tool with the force transducer is produced.

Abstract: A geological core sample is slabbed by advancing the sample against a horizontally oriented bandsaw blade. A receiving tray positioned immediately adjacent and to the rear of the bandsaw blade provides continuous support to the upper portion of the slab as it is cut from the sample and maintains the integrity of friable and unconsolidated materials.

Abstract: In an abrasive tool for grinding or polishing, a grippable shaft is connected to an abrasive disc by means of a cylindrical elastic pad of plastic or rubber. A surrounding cap, preferably a screw cap, is provided, which for stiffening the assembly is adapted to be secured at one end to the abrasive disc and is engageable at its other end by means of an annular shoulder to an annular shoulder of the grippable shaft. Alternatively, the grippable shaft may extend through a cylindrical elastic ring of plastic or rubber, which ring is surrounded to a metal sleeve, which is connected to the abrasive disc and adapted to be tightened by a nut so as to stiffen the tool.

Abstract: A wire saw for cutting of stone is disclosed. Abrasive cutter elements are borne on slidable rotatable carriers encompassing a single filament metallic wire. The longitudinal motion of the slidable carrier elements is limited by helical spring restraining elements which are joined to the wire by a non-embrittling process leaving the rear end of the helical spring restraining element fixed to the wire but letting the front portion compress along the axis of the wire thereby absorbing shock imparted to the abrasive cutter elements upon impact with the stone.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing radial force variations of pneumatic tires by removing rubber in selected areas of the shoulders wherein the current generated by each grinder motor is detected, converted into DC voltages of opposite polarities which are summed with a resultant voltage shown on a meter. When the resultant voltage differs from a predetermined level, usually zero, the grinding wheels can be adjusted thereby balancing the amount of grinding performed on the shoulders of the tire.

Abstract: The present invention concerns improvements in wire saws for the shaping of stone, granite and the like and more particularly the wire saw described in the U.S. patent application 604,520 of the same applicant.The wire saw that is the object of the improvements comprises a vertical fixed frame (1) in which is displaced in translation a movable chassis (2) and a block-carrying carriage (4) movable in horizontal translation beneath the fixed frame (1) and comprising a guide panel (18) in which is displaced a guide arm (14) fixed to the movable chassis (2). The improvements according to the present invention are characterized in that the block-carrying carriage (4) is provided, for its displacement, with mechanical means actuated by a counterweight (21) and a variable speed mechanical automatic advance system coupled to the said mechanical means so as to impart to the displacement of the said carriage a maximum speed.

Abstract: For the purpose of driving a body (8) that, in order to perform a tumbling and rotating movement, is suspended by means of pivot pins (9) on two fork-shaped gimbals (5, 7) which are each connected by means of a pivot bearing (4, 6) to the end of one of two parallel drive shafts (2, 3), each of the drive shafts (2, 3) is driven by a hydraulic motor (12, 13). The two hydraulic motors (12, 13) are connected to a common hydraulic pump (14) by means of a branched line (15, 16, 17).

Abstract: A self-dressing mounting beam for slicing wafers from ingots of various materials, especially semiconductors, is described. The mounting beam is a composite material comprising an organic polymer, particles of abrasive and hollow microspheres. The ingot is mounted on the beam and sliced using an inside diameter saw. The saw penetrates the mounting beam as well as the ingot, so that the self-dressing feature is realized with each pass of the blade.

Abstract: A proposed diamond cutter is provided with man-made diamond grains on the circumference of a disc base plate, and is formed with slits from the outer circumference to the central part thereof. The slit is angled about 30.degree. with respect to a radial direction of said plate, so that the heat caused during cutting is prevented from running toward the central part, thereby to save the base plate from crackings. Minor cutting edges are also provided in addition to said angled cutting edge, and the cutting effect is increased.

Abstract: In the centrifugal barrel finishing machine of the type having X barrel assemblies, in which X is an integer, a method finishing workpieces whereby during a given total finishing time Y of the workpieces, each succeeding assembly containing finished workpieces is to be replaced with another assembly containing unfinished workpieces at the end of each time interval of Y/X. The workpieces in each succeeding assembly are finished X number of times each of which is for a duration of time equal to Y/X. In this way, the workpieces in each succeeding assembly can be replaced with workpieces to be finished as the finishing in the preceding unit has been completed, thereby permitting a continuous finishing process and barrel assembly replacement for each succeeding assembly without the need for exchanging the mass in all the barrel assemblies at the same time.