Abstract: A system for the online sorting of ore samples based on mineralogy analysis includes a conveyor moving a stream of the ore samples along a conveying path, a LIBS module, a height measuring device, a focus controller and an airflow system. The LIBS module projects a LIBS laser beam along an optical path focused on an analysis spot of dimensions of the order of one or a few mineral components of the ore samples, and collects a returning LIBS light signal. The height measuring device and focus controller collaborate to adjust in real-time the focus of the LIBS laser beam to move the analysis spot perpendicularly to the conveyor according to a height of the ore samples crossing the optical path. The air flow system moves particles away from the optical path. A processing unit performs the mineralogy analysis of the ore sample based on the LIBS light signal.

Abstract: A method for producing a printed publication may comprise selecting an object associated with a topic of the printed publication, refining the object, and incorporating the refined object as a physical part of the printed publication. By incorporating the object as a physical part of the printed publication, a reader of the printed publication may form a stronger connection to the topic or subject matter of the printed publication, thereby strengthening retention of and interest in the subject matter of the printed publication.

Abstract: A wafer processing spin station includes a movable jaw chuck which is adjustable in position at the clamping position to accommodate offset of the center of the wafer with respect to the axis of rotation. A balancing apparatus and method are used with the movable jaw chuck to maintain the gripping force exerted on the wafer by the movable jaw chuck substantially unaffected by the centrifugal forces developed by the movable jaw chuck at all speeds of rotation produced during the spinning operation and within the range of the clamping positions of the movable jaw chuck.

Abstract: A glass bead separating apparatus and method are disclosed, for use with a slurry blast cabinet. The system is capable of continuous operation, so that glass beads which are broken and undersized can be separated out of the slurry along with debris from the blasting operation, on a continuous basis while blasting takes place, and the slurry can be continuously returned to the blasting cabinet in the purified condition. Used slurry is withdrawn from a hopper at the bottom of the blasting cabinet, pumped up to the top of the separator apparatus and delivered through a nozzle over an inclined screen sized to pass everything but reuseable, whole glass beads. The reuseable beads are collected in a bin, while the remainder passes down onto another, much finer screen which retains nearly everything but the liquid slurry medium, which is preferably water. The relatively clean water drops into a holding tank at the bottom of the separator apparatus, with an overflow weir provided to maintain a preselected water level.