Abstract: A wax pattern welding system and method for producing a pool of molten wax on an area of a surface of a wax component is provided. The wax pattern welding system includes a bar of heat conducting material and a heating element. The bar has a raised heating surface, which has a recessed area for retaining molten wax when the raised heating surface contacts the wax component, and a vent structure. The vent structure facilitates confining the pool of molten wax on an area of a surface of the wax component. In another embodiment, the pattern welding system includes an attachable plate of heat conducting material, which has a raised heating surface with a recessed area, and a vent structure. The attachable plate is configured to be fastened to the bar of heat conducting material.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for monitoring the operation of an injection molding machine, for example, a wax injection molding machine, are disclosed. The devices, systems, and methods may be used for injection molding machines having an injection die, a molding medium injection cylinder, and a control cylinder coupled to the injection cylinder, the control cylinder having a fluid supply conduit. Monitoring and/or control are practiced by monitoring the fluid pressure and the flow rate of the fluid in the conduit. This flow rate and pressure are used to calculate the fluid pressure and flow rate of the molding medium injected into the injection die. A data acquisition system may be used to calculate and output the calculated data. The system can be portable and adaptable for use with any type of injection molding machine and for any injection molding medium.

Abstract: A furnace for the heat treating of glass, has a housing defining an elongated furnace chamber having opposite longitudinal sides and having an inlet end and an outlet end. A roller conveyor extends between the inlet end and the outlet end. The roller conveyor has a respective row of stub rollers spaced apart along each longitudinal side of the chamber, and respective conveyor rollers spanning the rows of stub rollers and cradled thereby. A respective idler pulley is disposed between each two successive stub rollers along one of the longitudinal sides of the chamber, the idler pulleys lying in a further row below the row of stub rollers. An endless drive element overshoots two successive stub rollers of the section in a respective single loop and undershoots each of the pulleys in a respective single loop between each of the two successive stub rollers to reduce the required driving power.