Abstract: A tool configured to tension an elongate cable tie around a wire cable bundle and sever a portion of a tie tail from the cable tie. This tool includes a pistol-shaped housing having a handle portion and a barrel portion. A slide mechanism disposed within the barrel portion comprises a gripper mechanism configured to grip a tail of the cable tie and a slide configured to move the gripper mechanism in a direction toward an end of the barrel portion and pull the tail of the cable tie through the tie head, thereby tightening the cable tie around the wire cable bundle. The tool also includes a tensioning mechanism that is configured to halt application of the tension to the cable tie when the tension applied by the slide mechanism reaches a predetermined tension threshold and a cutoff mechanism configured to sever the tie tail from the cable tie.

Abstract: A non-contact method of cleaning a surface comprising forming a thin gas film (10) of high velocity gas between a surface (14) to be cleaned and a cleaning device (16). The gas film (10), being also a gas bearing, supports the cleaning device (16) and thus forms a self-regulating gap (G) between the surface (14) and the cleaning device (16) so that the cleaning device (16) never contacts the surface (14). The cleaning device (16) comprises a plurality of bores (22) for directing gas onto the surface (14) and an opening (24) for vacuum. In the preferred embodiment, the bores (22) are arranged in a circle and the opening (24) is located centrally of the circle. The thickness of the gas film (10) is determined by the pressure of the incoming gas and vacuum. The creation of turbulence and eddy currents and the use of an ionized gas are enhancements to the cleaning ability of the gas film (10). The method includes moving the cleaning device (16) relative to the surface (14) and vice versa.

Abstract: Disclosed are passive electrostatic particle collectors (10 & 12) for use in vacuum chambers (24 & 32) especially for a particle beam machine system (30 & 36) to collect particulates, such as dust and debris, generated by moving parts (16) within such chambers (24 & 32). These electrostatic particle collectors (10 & 12) comprise Tourmaline crystals (12) mounted on a bracket plate (10) and strategically located where dust and debris are generated. Also disclosed is a method of removing particulate material in vacuum chambers generated by moving parts by passive electrostatic particle collectors.