Abstract: New cross-linked polymeric foam compositions, and methods for making the same, are provided. The new compositions utilize novel cross-linked polyolefin copolymers and show improvements in strength, toughness, flexibility, heat resistance and heat-sealing temperature ranges as compared to conventional low density polyethylene compositions. The new compositions also show processing improvements over linear low density polyethylene. The novel polyolefins, which are essentially linear, comprise ethylene polymerized with at least one alpha-unsaturated C3 to C20 olefinic comonomer, and optionally at least one C3 to C20 polyene, and exhibit, in an uncross-linked sense, a resin density in the range of about 0.86 g/cm3 to about 0.96 g/cm3, a melt index in the range of about 0.5 dg/min to about 100 dg/min, a molecular weight distribution in the range of from about 1.5 to about 3.5, and a composition distribution breadth index greater than about 45 percent.

Abstract: A multi-coordinate touch probe including a deflectable stylus, a stylus support, and a sensor arrangement for sensing the deflection of the stylus and for generating a deflection signal, with the deformation parameters of the assembly stylus/support, which include a geometrical layout of the support, a geometrical shape of the stylus, and properties of a stylus material, being so selected that a noticeable scanning direction-dependent characteristic is eliminated.

Abstract: An angular encoder for determining an angular position between a stationary element and an element rotatable relative to the stationary element and including a coupling for connecting a scanning unit with a stationary element and formed of a spring material, with the coupling having at least two plates which extend transverse to each other and one of which extends parallel to a rotational axis of the rotatable element, and with each of the two plates having a plurality of leaf spring arms which are so formed and aligned that the leaf spring arms extend in directions of their respective application lines in which directions forces are applied to the coupling during rotation of the rotatable element relative to the stationary element.

Abstract: A stator of an angular-position measuring device is connected by means-of a coupling with the stationary portion of a drive device. A mounting element is screwed to the coupling, in which a coupling element is provided for radial clamping between the coupling and the stator.

Abstract: A calibration method of determining and compensating differences of measuring forces in different coordinate directions in a measuring scanning system for use in a numerically controlled multi-coordinate measuring machine, which method includes the steps of inputting parameters of the scanning system and of a calibration gauge into a control unit of the multi-coordinate measuring machine, scanning calibrating surfaces of the calibrating gauge with the scanning system, with a scanning displacement being effected in a direction defined by two coordinate directions, superimposing on the initial scanning displacement another scanning displacement, which deviates from the initial displacement, and determining deviation displacement paths of the scanning system for determining differences of the measuring force in different coordinate directions and respective correction coefficients, which are inputted into the control unit of the coordinate measuring machine.

Abstract: An improved process for manufacturing a molded prosthetic device from a synthetic bioabsorbable polymer is disclosed. The process includes placing a solid amount of the polymer in a molding machine; melting the polymer by subjecting it to a temperature of from about 240.degree. to 255.degree. C. for about 2 to 5 minutes; transporting the polymer melt to an orifice; injecting the polymer melt from the orifice into a closed mold cavity at a pressure of from about 8000 to 9000 lbs per square inch (562 to 633 kg per sq. cm.); holding the polymer in the mold cavity for less than about one minute at a temperature of about 70.degree. to 90.degree. C.; removing a molded prosthetic device from the mold cavity; and posttreating the molded prosthetic device. The posttreating can be, e.g., annealing and then/or sterilizing.

Abstract: A multi-coordinate probe with a stylus is disclosed wherein the stylus has a mounting or seating location defining its zero position. The stylus is deflectable from the zero position in several coordinate directions and is urged by a restoring force back into its zero position. The mounting location of the stylus is formed by the cooperation of surface areas of a plurality of balls with associated surface areas of support members. The balls and the support members are centrally arranged about the axis of the probe. The balls are fixedly mounted on a mounting member while the support members, which preferably are in the form of cylinder bodies with a V-shaped groove in the surface facing the balls, are, during assembly of the probe, rotatable about their own axis and axially movable to accomplish the desired precision seating of the ball surfaces in the grooves. After the positioning is accomplished, the cylindrical bodies are immovably fixed within the probe casing.

Abstract: A position measuring instrument comprising a graduation unit and a scanning unit. The graduation unit comprises a centering flange, a graduation carrier and a measuring graduation located on the graduation carrier. The scanning unit comprises a scanning component which comprises a scanning graduation and a stop. During assembly, the scanning unit is positioned radially with respect to the graduation carrier by positioning the stop against the centering flange. The scanning component may then be moved along a guide towards the measuring graduation. As the scanning component is moved towards the measuring graduation the stop no longer contacts the centering flange. A spacing foil removably sandwiched between the measuring graduation and the scanning graduation is used to position the scanning graduation at a predetermined distance from the measuring graduation. A locking means is then used to prevent further movement of the scanning component along the guide.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and process for sensing a test object by means of a switching sensor which is movable relative to the test object, in which the relative position between the test object and the switching sensor is measured by a measuring instrument. The switching sensor generates a switching signal at the moment of contact with the test object in order to cause the instantaneously prevailing measuring value of the measuring instrument to be retained. Such measuring values commonly are characterized by sensing errors as a function of the sensing speed and/or the material pairing between the switching sensor and the test object.

Abstract: A light-weight, high-strength contourable core for inclusion in a contoured structural laminate in which the core is sandwiched between facing skins. The core is constituted by a planar array of block-like modules preferably made of end-grain balsa wood held together in edge-to-edge relation by a scrim formed by elastomeric filaments which extend through the body of the modules in an intermediate plane parallel to the opposing faces of the core. When the planar core is pressed against a wet-coated contoured skin surface for lamination thereto, the filaments bridging adjacent modules elongate to an extent permitting these modules to separate and conform to this surface. The filaments have an elastic recovery force low enough to prevent the modules from overcoming the surface tension created by the wet-coated surface and pulling away therefrom. However, the holding power of the filaments is sufficient to preclude disassembly of the core modules during normal core handling procedures.

Abstract: A multicoordinate sensing head is disclosed which incorporates a particularly simple mechanical structure to mount the sensing pin in a casing such that the pin is movable in a plurality of directions. Each deflection of the free end of the sensing pin is converted by appropriately shaped components on the sensing pin and the casing into an axial movement of a radially constrained upper end of the sensing pin. The slight axial movements of the upper end of the sensing pin brought about by deflections of the free end of the sensing pin are registered by a photoelectric arrangement arranged in the region of the upper end of the sensing pin. This photoelectric arrangement generates a signal when the free end of the sensing pin is deflected.

Abstract: A multicoordinate sensing head is disclosed which includes a sensing pin and a tappet. Both the sensing pin and the tappet define respective 90.degree. conical recesses which serve to capture a ball therebetween. This arrangement converts both axial and radial movement of the pin into axial movement of the tappet at a constant 1:1 ratio. A position measuring system is used to measure the axial position of the tappet. This position measuring system therefore can be used to measure both axial and radial deflection of the sensing pin. The sensing pin is mounted in the sensing head by means of an axial guide and a two-dimensional guide such that the axis of the sensing pin is maintained parallel to the axis of the tappet. This arrangement allows simultaneous radial and axial deflections of the sensing pin.

Abstract: A sensing head is disclosed which includes an overload protection arrangement against excessive deflection of a sensing pin of the sensing head. This overload protection system includes a recess defined in the sensing head casing and an end piece carried by a receiving mandrel, which end piece is sized to fit within the recess and is shaped as a truncated cone. The spatial centering of the sensing head casing with respect to the machine spindle, which is defined by the axis of the receiving mandrel, is accomplished by precision bearings. A spring washer is provided which establishes a closed linkage connection between the receiving mandrel and the sensing head casing.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus includes a measuring rod with a contact surface for contacting a workpiece. One or more proximity sensors is mounted on the measuring rod adjacent the contact surface. A brake shoe, responsive to the output of the proximity sensor, is provided to automatically clamp the rod in place when the sensor detects a surface interruption in the workpiece in order to prevent the rod from dipping into the interruption. The apparatus also includes a pair of leaf springs arranged to lift the rod and to separate the contact surface from the workpiece when the rod is clamped by the brake shoe.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus for measuring or adjusting the relative position of two objects, including a measuring scale, and a reading unit for the measuring scale connected in a hinge-like manner by means of a coupling to an object whose relative position is to be measured and to auxiliary guide means. The coupling includes a lever pivotally attached to the measured object, and an arcuate coupling surface is attached to the reading unit, and a spring member which is preferably a pre-tensioned resilient wire bow embraces the lever and the reading unit in the area of the coupling surfaces in a bracket-like manner.