Abstract: Extrusion dies and methods of manufacturing extrusions dies, the extrusion die including a first plate and a second plate. The first plate has first upstream and downstream surfaces. A first material of the first plate has a first elastic modulus. The first plate includes pins formed between a plurality of slots. The pins and slots define a discharge face for the extrusion die at the first downstream surface of the first plate. The second plate has second upstream and downstream surfaces. The second plate is joined at the second downstream surface to the first upstream surface of the first plate. A second material of the second plate has a second elastic modulus. The second elastic modulus is greater than the first elastic modulus. A plurality of feed holes extend from the second upstream surface of the second plate through the extrusion die into communication with the slots.

Abstract: Methods for forming an electrode for use in forming a honeycomb extrusion die. The method includes forming, by means of an additive manufacturing process, an electrode includes a base having a web extending from the base. The web defines a matrix of cellular openings. The method further includes forming a secondary electrode having a plurality of pins. The plurality of pins are shaped and arranged so as to mate with the matrix of cellular openings defined by the web of the electrode. The method further includes machining the electrode using the secondary electrode to smooth surfaces of the electrode formed by the additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: Extrusion dies and methods of manufacturing extrusions dies, the extrusion die including a first plate and a second plate. The first plate has first upstream and downstream surfaces. A first material of the first plate has a first elastic modulus. The first plate includes pins formed between a plurality of slots. The pins and slots define a discharge face for the extrusion die at the first downstream surface of the first plate. The second plate has second upstream and downstream surfaces. The second plate is joined at the second downstream surface to the first upstream surface of the first plate. A second material of the second plate has a second elastic modulus. The second elastic modulus is greater than the first elastic modulus. A plurality of feed holes extend from the second upstream surface of the second plate through the extrusion die into communication with the slots.

Abstract: Embodiments of a delivery apparatus for implanting a prosthetic valve are disclosed. The delivery apparatus can include a handle, a first shaft extending from a distal end of the handle, a second shaft extending through a lumen of the first shaft and the handle, and a gripper located proximal to a proximal end of the handle. A proximal end of the second shaft can be connected to the gripper, and the gripper can be axially moveable relative to the handle such that axial movement of the gripper causes corresponding axial movement of the second shaft relative to the first shaft. The gripper can have a bottom surface that is substantially coplanar with a bottom surface of the handle.

Abstract: Methods for forming an electrode for use in forming a honeycomb extrusion die. The method includes forming, by means of an additive manufacturing process, an electrode includes a base having a web extending from the base. The web defines a matrix of cellular openings. The method further includes forming a secondary electrode having a plurality of pins. The plurality of pins are shaped and arranged so as to mate with the matrix of cellular openings defined by the web of the electrode. The method further includes machining the electrode using the secondary electrode to smooth surfaces of the electrode formed by the additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: A steerable medical apparatus includes a shaft, a steering mechanism, and an actuation mechanism. The shaft has a proximal portion, a distal portion, a first pull wire, and a second pull wire. The distal ends of the first and second pull wires are coupled to the distal portion of the shaft. The steering mechanism has a first wheel and a second wheel coupled by a differential mechanism. The proximal ends of the first and second pull wires are respectively coupled to the first and second wheels. The actuation mechanism is coupled to the steering mechanism. Actuating the actuation mechanism in a first operational mode causes the distal portion of the shaft to curve in a first plane. Actuating the actuation mechanism in a second operational mode causes the distal portion of the shaft to curve away from the first plane.

Abstract: A steerable medical apparatus includes a shaft, a steering mechanism, and an actuation mechanism. The shaft has a proximal portion, a distal portion, a first pull wire, and a second pull wire. The distal ends of the first and second pull wires are coupled to the distal portion of the shaft. The steering mechanism has a first wheel and a second wheel coupled by a differential mechanism. The proximal ends of the first and second pull wires are respectively coupled to the first and second wheels. The actuation mechanism is coupled to the steering mechanism. Actuating the actuation mechanism in a first operational mode causes the distal portion of the shaft to curve in a first plane. Actuating the actuation mechanism in a second operational mode causes the distal portion of the shaft to curve away from the first plane.

Abstract: Extrusion dies and methods of manufacturing extrusions dies, the extrusion die including a first plate and a second plate. The first plate has first upstream and downstream surfaces. A first material of the first plate has a first elastic modulus. The first plate includes pins formed between a plurality of slots. The pins and slots define a discharge face for the extrusion die at the first downstream surface of the first plate. The second plate has second upstream and downstream surfaces. The second plate is joined at the second downstream surface to the first upstream surface of the first plate. A second material of the second plate has a second elastic modulus. The second elastic modulus is greater than the first elastic modulus. A plurality of feed holes extend from the second upstream surface of the second plate through the extrusion die into communication with the slots.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to machine cavities in die blanks having little to no taper. The apparatus includes an electrode tool (200) including intersecting walls coated with electrically insulating coating (258), an erosion face (204) comprising a cross section of the walls exposed through the electrically insulating coating, and a channel formed by the walls to supply electrolyte to the erosion face, the channels defined by interior surfaces of the walls and having an opening formed by edges of the erosion face. The method includes pulsed electrochemical machining a work piece with the electrode tool.

Abstract: A method of shaping a laminated glass structure comprising a flexible glass sheet having a thickness of no greater than about 0.3 mm laminated to a non-glass substrate by an adhesive layer is provided. The method includes cutting the laminated glass structure with an abrasive cutting jet including a pressurized cutting fluid and abrasive particles thereby forming a shaped laminated glass structure. A glass edge strength of a cut edge of the shaped laminated glass structure is at least about 20 MPa.

Abstract: A steerable medical apparatus includes a shaft, a steering mechanism, and an actuation mechanism. The shaft has a proximal portion, a distal portion, a first pull wire, and a second pull wire. The distal ends of the first and second pull wires are coupled to the distal portion of the shaft. The steering mechanism has a first wheel and a second wheel coupled by a differential mechanism. The proximal ends of the first and second pull wires are respectively coupled to the first and second wheels. The actuation mechanism is coupled to the steering mechanism. Actuating the actuation mechanism in a first operational mode causes the distal portion of the shaft to curve in a first plane. Actuating the actuation mechanism in a second operational mode causes the distal portion of the shaft to curve away from the first plane.

Abstract: A method of finishing a laminated glass structure (102) comprising a flexible glass sheet (130) having a thickness of no greater than about 0.3 mm laminated to a non-glass substrate (116) by an adhesive layer (135) is provided. The method includes applying a compressive force against a cut edge (106) of the flexible glass sheet (130) using an abrasive surface (108) of a hand-held finishing tool (105). Material of the laminated glass structure (102) is removed at the cut edge (106) such that a glass edge strength of the flexible glass sheet (130) is at least about 50 MPa.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to machine cavities in die blanks having little to no taper. The apparatus includes an elec trode tool (200) including intersecting walls coated with electrically insulating coating (258), an erosion face (204) comprising a cross section of the walls exposed through the electrically insulating coating, and a channel formed by the walls to supply electrolyte to the erosion face, the channels defined by interior surfaces of the walls and having an opening formed by edges of the erosion face. The method includes pulsed electrochemical machining a work piece with the electrode tool.

Abstract: Electrodes, components, apparatuses, and methods for electrochemical machining (ECM) are disclosed. ECM may be employed to provide burr-free or substantially burr-free ECM of electrically-conductive workpieces (e.g. shrouds). As one non-limiting example, the electrically-conductive workpiece may be a shroud that is used as an electrical component in electronics boards. While the ECM components, apparatuses, and methods disclosed herein reduce burrs, ECM can provide imprecise machining and cause stray erosions to occur in the machined electrically-conductive workpiece. In this regard, the electrodes, components, apparatuses, and methods for ECM disclosed herein provide features that allow for precise machining of the machined electrically-conductive workpiece and also allow avoidance of stray erosions in the machined electrically-conductive workpiece.

Abstract: A method of shaping a laminated glass structure comprising a flexible glass sheet having a thickness of no greater than about 0.3 mm laminated to a non-glass substrate by an adhesive layer is provided. The method includes cutting the laminated glass structure with an abrasive cutting jet including a pressurized cutting fluid and abrasive particles thereby forming a shaped laminated glass structure. A glass edge strength of a cut edge of the shaped laminated glass structure is at least about 20 MPa.

Abstract: An electrode for machining a pattern in a workpiece has a conductive body with a lattice of closed cells and a plurality of open cells. The open cells are positioned at an edge of the lattice of closed cells. The closed cells are defined by interconnected webs, and the open cells are defined by fins extending from the interconnected webs. A thickness of the fins is less than a thickness of the webs. In use, the electrode is positioned at a plurality of locations on the workpiece, such that a position of the fins of the electrode at each location overlaps a position of the fins of the electrode at an adjacent location. The pattern is formed at each of the plurality of locations by passing electrical charges repeatedly between the electrode and the workpiece and advancing the electrode into the workpiece.

Abstract: Electrodes, components, apparatuses, and methods for electrochemical machining (ECM) are disclosed. ECM may be employed to provide burr-free or substantially burr-free ECM of electrically-conductive workpieces (e.g. shrouds). As one non-limiting example, the electrically-conductive workpiece may be a shroud that is used as an electrical component in electronics boards. While the ECM components, apparatuses, and methods disclosed herein reduce burrs, ECM can provide imprecise machining and cause stray erosions to occur in the machined electrically-conductive workpiece. In this regard, the electrodes, components, apparatuses, and methods for ECM disclosed herein provide features that allow for precise machining of the machined electrically-conductive workpiece and also allow avoidance of stray erosions in the machined electrically-conductive workpiece.

Abstract: Methods are provided for solving a process function for modification of a non-test die for use in extrusion of a honeycomb body. The process function is solved by comparing measured widths of a plurality of slots between pins of a test die in the post-removal state and measured widths of a plurality of slots between pins of the test die in the pre-removal state. Methods are also provided for modifying a non-test die for use in extrusion of a honeycomb body. Such methods remove non-test-die material from a plurality of pins of the non-test die based on application of the process function.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a honeycomb extrusion die comprise the steps of coating at least a portion of a die body with a layer of conductive material and modifying the die body with an electrical discharge machining technique. The method then further includes the step of chemically removing the layer of conductive material, wherein the residual material from the electrical discharge machining technique is released from the die body.

Abstract: A method of machining a pattern at a plurality of locations in a workpiece includes positioning a shaped electrode including the pattern at the plurality of locations in a sequence. In some embodiments, the sequence is random. The method further includes forming the pattern at each of the plurality of locations by passing electrical charges repeatedly between the shaped electrode and the workpiece and advancing the shaped electrode into the workpiece for a fraction of a full depth of the pattern. The method further includes repeating the positioning and forming steps a plurality of times until the full depth of the pattern has been formed at each of the plurality of locations.