Abstract: A method of fastening a rivet element to a workpiece, which has a preshaped hole provided for a reception of a rivet section of the rivet element and which is made planar at least in the region around the preshaped hole. Prior to the fastening process, the workpiece is positioned at a well-defined spacing from a contact surface of a die by at least one movably and/or elastically configured spacer of the die for a reshaping of the rivet section, so that a gap is formed between a wall of the hole and a punch of the die, which is provided for the reshaping of the rivet section. The rivet section is introduced into the gap in a course of the fastening process and is reshaped by the punch in order to engage behind the workpiece in the region of the hole.

Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatuses for performing maintenance on a gas turbine (GT) nozzle, along with related methods. One apparatus can include: a nozzle engagement sled for releasably engaging the nozzle, the nozzle engagement sled including: a sled body; a locking member coupled with the sled body, the locking member sized to complement a slot in the nozzle; a sled slot within a side of the sled body, the sled slot for engaging a rail within the GT; and at least one wheel for transporting the sled body within the GT.

Abstract: An automated lumber handling system laser-scans the top profile of multiple stacks of lumber, each of which contain boards of a unique size. Based on the scanned profiles, the system determines the order in which individual boards from a chosen stack should be transferred to a saw. The saw cuts the boards to size and in proper sequence to facilitate orderly assembly of roof trusses or prefabricated walls. Some example systems lift individual boards by driving two screws, or some other piercing tool, down into the upward facing surface of the board. A track mounted cantilever, holding the screws and a laser unit, translates over the lumber stacks to retrieve and deliver individual boards and, while doing so, the laser repeatedly scans the stacked lumber profiles on-the-fly to continuously update the profiles. The open cantilever design facilitates replenishing the stacks of lumber.

Abstract: A nut retention arrangement may comprise a first nut comprising a first threaded aperture and a first retention aperture, a second nut comprising a second threaded aperture and a second retention aperture, and a tensile member having a first end extending through the first retention aperture and a second end extending through the second retention aperture such that rotation in a direction toward loosening of either the first nut or the second nut causes rotation in a direction toward tightening of the other of the first nut or the second nut.

Abstract: There is provided a method for processing a raceway groove configured to circumferentially form a to-be-processed side raceway groove on a surface to be processed of a workpiece, the to-be-processed side raceway groove is configured to be brought into rolling contact with a rolling element, and the surface to be processed is a cylindrical circumferential surface. The method for processing a raceway groove includes: arranging a processing rolling element rotatably between the to-be-processed side raceway groove and a tool side circumferential surface which is opposed to the surface to be processed and which is a cylindrical circumferential surface of a machining tool; rotating the machining tool relatively with respect to the workpiece; and performing a burnishing process on the to-be-processed side raceway groove.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for verifying the alignment of a door with a door opening defined by a vehicle body sub-assembly. Sets of two-way sensors and a four-way sensors are used to locate feature, or hole, locations including a master hole location on the body/side. Other two-way sensors and four-way sensors are used to locate door hanging fixture pin locations on the doors before the doors are assembled to the body/side. After the doors are assembled to the body/side, two-way sensors and four-way sensors locate feature, or hole, locations on the installed doors and compare them to the previously measured master location.

Abstract: Methods, system, devices, processes and techniques are disclosed for manufacturing orthopedic implants utilizing blanks and/or fixtures.

Abstract: The present invention is directed roof edge seal and barrier devices and their method of manufacture. A method of manufacturing a comb-like sealing strip for use as a roof edge seal or barrier comprises stamping or cutting an elongate strip of material along a sinuous path located between the edges of the strip and then separating the strip into two portions, each of which consists of a fixing edge corresponding to the edge of the original strip from which project a series of teeth or prongs forming a comb structure.

Abstract: A nail plater apparatus includes a board magazine configured to hold stacked boards, and a pair of spaced apart nail plate magazines, with each nail plate magazine configured to hold stacked nail plates. The nail plater apparatus includes a pair of spaced apart nail plate extractor assemblies, with each nail plate extractor assembly associated with a respective nail plate magazine and configured to position a nail plate therefrom to a respective nail plate pressing area. A board feeder is configured to position a board from the board magazine to a board receiving area, with ends of the board being aligned with the nail plates positioned in the respective nail plate pressing areas. A pair of spaced apart nail plate presser assemblies overlie ends of the board receiving area and is aligned with the respective nail plate pressing areas to press the nail plates into the ends of the board.

Abstract: A blade support cradle is described, which can be used to support a section of a wind turbine blade using an array of vacuum clamps. The cradle provides a secure and reliable system for the support of a blade section during and after blade manufacture, allowing for various operations to be easily carried out on the surface of the blade section. A method for receiving a blade section in the cradle is further described. In addition, the cradle may be used as part of a blade post-moulding station in a method of manufacturing a wind turbine blade.

Abstract: A lumber retrieval method renders a lumber handling system readily adaptable to compensate for irregular floors, an irregular overhead track, and variable station locations. In some examples, the method involves laser scanning the top profile of multiple stacks of lumber, each of which contain boards of a unique size. Based on the scanned profiles and the size of the boards, the method determines and displays the number of boards at each station. In some examples, the system provides a calibration mode that automatically determines the discrete locations of multiple stacks of lumber and compensates for a nonparallel relationship between the track and the floor. In some examples, the scanning and calibration process help determine the quantity of boards at each station.

Abstract: A mounting device (11) for the counterforce-free mounting of a pressure plate assembly (1) on a counterpressure plate, the mounting plate having at least one release element (12) which can be displaced in an axial direction (A) relative to the pressure plate assembly and which is designed to exert an axial force on spring washer tongues (10) of the pressure plate assembly (1) in order to release the pressure plate assembly (1), which is normally engaged, and having at least one hook element (18) that is designed to engage behind a coupling lid (2) of the pressure plate assembly (1) in order to hold the mounting device (11) in place relative to the pressure plate assembly (1) at least in an axial direction when the release element (12) exerts axial force on the spring washer tongues (10) of the pressure plate assembly (1).

Abstract: A fastening method for fastening a tube (50) to a connector (101, 102), the method comprising the following steps: a) providing a connection kit comprising a sleeve, and a coupling for connecting together at least one pair of tubes, of generally tubular shape; b) placing the coupling in a first position in which the first end of the coupling projects outside the sleeve through a first end (10A) thereof; c) then fastening the first tube in leaktight manner to the first orifice; d) moving the coupling relative to the sleeve into a second position in which the first orifice lies inside the sleeve; and e) with the coupling in the second position, fastening the sleeve (10) at a sufficient distance from the coupling (20). A connection kit for performing the method.

Abstract: Vise jaws are provided with base plates having bolt receiving holes or slots passing therethrough near top edges thereof. Soft jaws formed of a readily machinable material are provided with threaded bores which can receive bolts passing through the holes or slots in the base plates, the bolts also pass into the threaded bores to hold the soft jaws to the base plates. The soft jaws can be provided with a modified contour to match a geometry of a workpiece to be held. A locating pin can cooperate with alignment holes and alignment bores in the base plates and soft jaws for precise alignment of the base plates and soft jaws together. Adapters are also provided which can attach to surfaces of base plates and be rotated to present edges at a variety of different angles for supporting of workpieces in various angled orientations.

Abstract: A tool assembly includes a support frame including support beams and support mounts supporting the support beams. The support frame is rigid and used to transport the tool assembly. A support tool is supported by the support frame and includes a faceplate and a supporting grid structure formed with the faceplate as a monolithic structure defined by a series of AM layers. The faceplate has a supporting surface at a top of the support tool for supporting a working component. The supporting grid structure engages the support beams such that loads are transferred between the support tool and the support frame through the support beams. The support frame maintains dimensional stability of the support tool during transport and when resting within an allowable tolerance of the support tool.

Abstract: A pre-expanded breakout boot assembly includes a breakout boot assembly including an elastomeric breakout boot and plurality of finger sealant layers of a flowable conformable medium. The breakout boot includes a tubular main section and a plurality of tubular fingers extending from an end of the main section. Each of the finger sealant layers is pre-mounted on an interior surface of a respective one of the fingers. Each of the finger holdouts is removably mounted in the finger passage of a respective one of the fingers. When the pre-expanded breakout boot assembly is positioned on the cable joint with a cable extending through each finger passage, the finger holdouts are removed from the breakout boot assembly, and each finger elastically radially contracts about a respective one of the cables, each finger sealant layer is radially interposed between each of the interior surface of the finger and the cable in the finger.

Abstract: An interconnect drive system for an aircraft has a driveline and clutch control system. The driveline comprises a shaft for each propulsion assembly, each shaft for transferring torque to and from the associated propulsion assembly, and a clutch operably coupling the shafts and configured for selective engagement. The clutch is capable of transferring a first amount of torque between the shafts while engaged and a second amount of torque between the shafts while disengaged. The system also has a clutch control system, comprising a computer operably connected to the clutch for controlling operation of the clutch and sensors for sensing torque applied to the driveline, output from the sensors being communicated to the computer. The computer commands operation of the clutch in response to the output from the sensors, the clutch being commanded to disengage to relieve a transient torque imbalance in the driveline.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for forming a spacer frame assembly used in the construction of insulating glass unit windows. The apparatus comprises a head arrangement having a body with first and second ends, the first end for coupling to a cylinder that advances and retracts the head arrangement in a reciprocating motion during operation. The second end includes an annular wedge-shaped ridge for coupling to a second annular wedge-shaped ridge of a die support, collectively the wedge-shaped ridge and second wedge-shaped ridge form a contact region to form a torus surface. The die support has at least one die for engaging a spacer frame assembly during operation. The apparatus further comprises a collar having a torus-shaped recess corresponding with the torus surface to nest and couple the body to the die support.

Abstract: A method able to easily fit a movable shaft part in the corresponding hole. The method includes grasping the base part by the robot and arranging the base part at vertically upward of the top face of the female component so that the plurality of shaft parts are suspended from the base part, moving the base part downward by the robot, and, if a tip end (106c) of at least one shaft part is not inserted into the hole so as to butt against the top face of the female component when moving the base part vertically downward by the robot, moving each of portions of the base part, from which the shaft parts are suspended, in a horizontal direction.

Abstract: A process is provided for making bulk textured material sheeting. As a continuous supply of flat material sheeting is fed, the sheeting is repeatedly impacted with toothed knives, each knife creating a row of raised and generally pointed structures on the sheeting to texture the sheeting.