Abstract: The present invention relates to particle reinforced noble metal matrix composites and a method of making the same. The composites include a noble metal such as silver, gold, and alloys thereof, as a base or matrix, and a particle reinforced filler material, such as a carbide. A pressureless infrared heating, or superheating, process is used to produce the particle reinforced noble metal matrix composites thereby providing a composite with at least sufficient hardness, i.e. wear resistance, and/or low resistivity. The composites may be used in the jewelry industry, such as for making watches, rings, and other jewelry, and/or in the power, automobile, and aircraft industries, such as for making electrical contact materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to particle reinforced noble metal matrix composites and a method of making the same. The composites include a noble metal such as silver, gold, and alloys thereof, as a base or matrix, and a particle reinforced filler material, such as a carbide. A pressureless infrared heating, or superheating, process is used to produce the particle reinforced noble metal matrix composites thereby providing a composite with at least sufficient hardness, i.e. wear resistance, and/or low resistivity. The composites may be used in the jewelry industry, such as for making watches, rings, and other jewelry, and/or in the power, automobile, and aircraft industries, such as for making electrical contact materials.

Abstract: A blind rivet feeding attachment for an automatic riveting machine having a riveting head and a drill mounted on a reciprocating shuttle comprises a rotating transfer arm for picking up a rivet from a supply tube and inserting it in the riveting head of the automatic riveting machine. While the riveting head is drilling a hole in the workpiece at a "work" position, a rivet clamp extracts a new rivet from the supply tube and retains it at the "pickup" position. After the drill has formed the hole, the shuttle moves the riveting head to the work position and installs a rivet in the hole. Rack and pinion gearing rotates the transfer arm towards the rivet clamp in response to the shuttle motion and engages the new rivet tangentially. After the riveting head has installed the rivet, the shuttle moves the riveting head to a "delivery" position, where the transfer arm inserts the new rivet into the riveting head.

Abstract: A device for aligning and supporting a nutplate against the workpiece to ch it is to be fastened during the entire fastening cycle of an automatic riveting machine. The device has a base that may be mounted on the lower ram of an automatic riveting machine. A nutplate elevator moves vertically within a sleeve extending upwardly from the base. The end of the sleeve supports the workpiece lower surface. A driver anvil has pins that may be forced against the rivet tails in response to motion of the lower ram driving pin.In operation, the lower ram rises, clamping the workpiece between the end of the sleeve and the upper pressure foot. The nutplate elevator is lowered by applying air pressure to the top of a piston, which is contained within the anvil. A nutplate is placed on the elevator. The nutplate is raised by applying air pressure to the bottom of the piston, forcing the nutplate against the workpiece.