Abstract: A method for inserting a multilead component (30) into a printed wiring board (31) (PWB), wherein the component has its leads (32, 33) arranged in two or more rows and the PWB (31) has two or more rows of apertures (36, 37) arranged in a pattern corresponding to that of the leads of the component. The method comprises spreading the lead rows of the component (30) further apart than the aperture rows of the PWB (31); placing the component on the PWB (31) and applying a downward insertion force (41) thereon; vibrating the component (30) and the PWB (31) relative to each other; and moving the lead rows toward the aperture rows thereby inserting each lead in its corresponding aperture in the PWB.

Abstract: An apparatus (24) for gripping a multilead article (18) and inserting the leads (20--20) thereof into corresponding apertures (22) in a printed circuit board (12) comprises a plate (26) underlying a block (30) spring biased thereagainst. The block (30) has a pair of parallel, spaced-apart jaws (38, 40) mounted to opposite sides thereof so as to depend below the plate. At least one jaw (40) is movable towards or away from the other to capture the article (18) therebetween. The jaws (38, 40) each have one of a pair of opposing combs (50) thereon, each comb having spaced-apart slots (52) therein for seating each of the leads of the article captured between the jaws. To insert the article (18), the gripping apparatus (24) is moved by a robot arm (29) to a predetermined location above the circuit board (12) so that each slot (52) in each comb (50) is aligned with a corresponding aperture (22).

Abstract: A hand (10) capable of simultaneously handling a plurality of articles (11) comprising a pickup head (15) having a plurality of vacuum pickup cavities (18), each cavity substantially matching the size and shape of the article to be handled. In one embodiment, the pickup head comprises a seal (26) positioned around an article-matching cavity (18) thereof and an opening (19) therethrough for communicating the cavity (18) with a vacuum chamber (20). In another embodiment, the pickup head comprises, positioned within its opening, a bellows (48) having a cylindrical sleeve (51) at one end and a planar flange (49) coupled to the vacuum chamber (20) by means of a seal (52) at its other end.

Abstract: A semiconductor crystal ingot (14) is supportively engaged by an ingot handling apparatus (22) which contacts a base (38) of the ingot (14) with a base support (36) and opposite sides of a lateral surface of the ingot (14) with at least one pair of jaws (37). The jaws (37) are retained adjacent to but out of firm contact with the lateral surface of the ingot until after the support (36) firmly supports the weight of the ingot. The support and the at least one pair of jaws are retracted from a furnace (10) simultaneously in a lateral direction with no relative movement to withdraw the ingot from the furnace.

Abstract: Panoramic dental X-ray machine wherein the camera assembly is physically detached from the tubehead assembly to prevent their rotation as an integral unit around the patient's head. Essentially, the detached camera assembly, modified in accordance with one aspect of the invention, is positioned above the head of the patient and its semi-cylindrical film carrier carries X-ray film therewith. The film carrier is cupped about the patient's face with an inner drum or mask configured similarly to the film carrier interposed between the film carrier and patient's face. The film carrier and film are then rotated at slow non-linear speeds by the film drive mechanism of the camera assembly in accordance with the type radiograph desired, i.e., continuous or discontinuous. The many advantages of the disclosed panoramic X-ray machine are cited.

Abstract: Panoramic dental X-ray machine includes a tubehead-camera assembly employing a suitable type image intensifier having a radiation input face of substantially similar shape and dimensions as a slot in a front panel of the camera assembly, the input face being secured against the slot and aligned therewith such that radiations passing through the slot must then pass through the image intensifier. A fast light-sensitive film constantly delicately presses against an output face of a fiber optic plate associated with the image intensifier as the film travels across the output face at a rate of speed dictated by the type radiographic image desired, i.e., continuous, discontinuous, or by the shape of the curved plane in focus. The image intensifier eliminates the need for conventional intensifying screens associated with panoramic dental radiographic systems. Resultant radiographs possess good contrast and resolution and are produced full size without the need of any peripheral electronic components.

Abstract: Panoramic dental x-ray machine wherein an x-ray source-camera assembly orbits a patient seated thereinbetween. A slot in the camera assembly collimates the x-rays which are continuously generated by the x-ray source, which x-rays are converted to light images of the patient's dental arch structure by only a single intensifying screen which remains stationary. This screen comprises about 1/40 the area of conventional intensifying screens and is made thicker for providing improved detection efficiency. A fiber optic minifying lens reduces the size of the image from the screen while proportionately increasing the light intensity of the image, thus making it possible to provide useable film images at reduced x-ray exposures due to non-linear film exposure versus optical density characteristics. The resultant minified, light-intensified image may now be recorded on 35 mm roll film, for example, as opposed to standard radiographic film of 5".times.12" size, or 12.70 cm.times.30.48 cm.

Abstract: Panoramic dental X-ray machine possessing mechanical and electronic simplicity for providing both continuous and discontinuous radiographs of a dental arch area. The machine includes an excursion mechanism which causes a tubehead-camera assembly to uninterruptedly circularly orbit the patient's head at a constant speed. A drive mechanism is employed which controls the shifting or transport of the patient along an X-axis only, when either continuous or discontinuous images are desired. The kVp and milliamperes remain constant during the entire exposure of the patient to the X-rays as well as the rotational speed of the tubehead-camera assembly, and no attenuating members are required in the X-ray path for varying intensity of the X-ray beam.

Abstract: Only a single panoramic exposure to an X-ray source is needed to simultaneously provide a plurality of different real time and/or permanently recorded tomographic images of a focal trough of a patient's dental arch area. Contrast, intensity and magnification properties relating to tissue, bone, teeth, cheeks, and the like, may readily be varied by the dentist, physician or medical technician by merely turning or adjusting appropriate knobs of electronic components associated with the invention, a task impossible to achieve by present direct film screen X-ray cameras.

Abstract: Panoramic dental X-ray machine includes a tubehead-camera assembly which employs, in its simplest embodiment, three vertically stacked image intensifiers, the totality of their radiation input faces being substantially similar in shape and dimensions to a slot in a front panel of the camera assembly, the input faces being secured against the slot and aligned therewith such that radiations passing therethrough must then pass through the image intensifiers. Means for selectively controllably varying the potential across each of the individual image intensifiers varies the electron gain of that image intensifier to thus provide optimal contrast between multi-density structures of the dental arch and surrounding areas on a full size radiograph.

Abstract: Handling rate of patients being processed for panoramic dental radiographing when tubehead-camera assembly of a low silhouette panoramic dental X-ray machine is rotated for a scan in one direction only is substantially equalized with the conventional bi-directional scan, thus minimizing disadvantages concomitant with the latter. Structure is described which effects fast return of the tubehead-camera assembly with its simultaneous elevation for facilitating the radiographed patient's exit from the machine and the entrance of another patient.

Abstract: Two different areas of a focal trough of a dental arch structure are simultaneously displayed on a radiograph when tubehead-camera assembly of an X-ray machine panoramically scans the dental arch structure. The different areas of the focal trough are obtained when a pair of parallel disposed film holding devices within the camera are caused to travel in proximate relationship to each other at different speeds. The X-rays activate and pass through one film before activating the other immediately therebehind.

Abstract: Radiation from an intraoral source which travels arcuately within the patient's oral cavity is collimated with camera slot of a panoramic dental X-ray machine to thus obviate the need for the X-ray tube head and shifting of the patient.

Abstract: Panoramic dental X-ray machine having an improved X-ray film drive mechanism for coordinating the speed of travel of the X-ray film with non-constant speeds of lateral chair shift to provide continuous radiographs of typical dental arch areas. The film drive mechanism employs a non-rotating cam slidably mounted about a motor shaft which rotates an assembly comprising a tubehead and a cassette holder assembly. The non-rotating cam is provided with adjacent opposing slope areas for programming decreased film travel speed when the incisors of the dental arch are being X-rayed. The film is traveling at its slowest rate of speed when the midline of the incisors is being X-rayed while the chair is traveling at its fastest rate of speed thereat. The chair shifts during the X-raying of the anterior region only. A cam follower is mounted to a plate which is pivotally mounted to the tubehead-cassette holder assembly for rotation with assembly.

Abstract: Excursion mechanism for rotating a large rotating disc member having a column upstanding therefrom at an outer portion thereof, the column being permanently affixed thereto. The column supports an X-ray source and camera for radiographing a patient's dental arch area. The column circularly orbits about the patient seated in a patient chair which rests on a stationary platform disposed above the large rotating disc member. A sprocket is rotatably mounted on the rotating disc member. A belt articulates between the sprocket and the stationary patient platform such that rotation of the sprocket through external motor means causes the large rotating disc member and column to orbit the patient.