Abstract: A blank etching apparatus is provided that positions an etching screen relative to a blank. The blank etching apparatus includes a worktable having a table top and a base. The table top has a pair of lateral sides and a pair of longitudinal sides. A first jig is movable with respect to the table top along an x-axis. The first jig includes a first pair of lateral segments and a first pair of longitudinal segments. A screen frame is received between the first pair of longitudinal segments and the first pair of lateral segments of the first jig. The screen frame is moveable relative to the first jig and the table top along a y-axis. The screen frame receives and carries the etching screen and cooperates with the first jig to accurately and repeatably position the etching screen relative to the blank.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a workpiece includes a master template, a locking assembly and a plurality of substantially planar gauge slice templates. The master template includes a plurality of positioning features. The locking assembly is connected to the master template and is movable with respect to the master template between a locked position and an unlocked position. The gauge slice templates are each associated with a workpiece engaging structure that is engageable with the workpiece for supporting the workpiece. Each gauge slice template releasably engages at least one positioning feature of the master template. Each gauge slice template engages the locking assembly, wherein the gauge slice templates are not moveable with respect to the master template when the locking assembly is in the locked position, and the gauge slice templates are moveable with respect to the master template when the locking assembly is in the unlocked position.

Abstract: A method for accurately assembling and positioning a modular tooling structure for manipulating a workpiece includes receiving, at one or more computers, three-dimensional model information describing the workpiece; generating, at the one or more computers, three dimensional design information representing a configuration for the modular tooling structure, wherein the three dimensional design information includes position data describing a position for at least one engaging member of the modular tooling structure with respect to the workpiece; positioning a multi-dimensional gauge with respect to a base structure based on the position data; and assembling the modular tooling structure using the design information such that a first end of the modular tooling structure is connected to the base structure and the at least one engagement member is positioned at a second end of the modular tooling structure and is in engagement with the multi-dimensional gauge.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically drying wet floors includes a controller, a moisture detector that is operable to detect the presence of moisture at a first location and transmit a moisture detection signal to the controller in response to detecting the presence of moisture at the first location, and a blower. The blower is operative to turn on and off for drying the wet floors by directing moving air toward the first location in response to an operating signal from the controller. The controller outputs the operating signal to the blower based on the moisture detection signal.

Abstract: A blank etching apparatus is provided that positions an etching screen relative to a blank. The blank etching apparatus includes a worktable having a table top and a base. The table top has a pair of lateral sides and a pair of longitudinal sides. A first jig is movable with respect to the table top along an x-axis. The first jig includes a first pair of lateral segments and a first pair of longitudinal segments. A screen frame is received between the first pair of longitudinal segments and the first pair of lateral segments of the first jig. The screen frame is moveable relative to the first jig and the table top along a y-axis. The screen frame receives and carries the etching screen and cooperates with the first jig to accurately and repeatably position the etching screen relative to the blank.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically drying wet floors includes a floor mat; a controller; a detector mat that is positioned adjacent to the floor mat, the detector mat having at least one moisture sensing element that is operable to detect moisture and transmit a moisture detection signal to the controller in response to detecting the presence of moisture at the first location, and a floor dryer that is operative to turn on and off for drying the floor mat by directing moving air toward the floor mat in response to an operating signal from the controller, wherein the controller outputs the operating signal to the blower based on the moisture detection signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a workpiece includes a master template, a locking assembly and a plurality of substantially planar gauge slice templates. The master template that includes a plurality of positioning features. The locking assembly is connected to the master template and is movable with respect to the master template between a locked position and an unlocked position. The gauge slice templates are each associated with a workpiece engaging structure that is engageable with the workpiece for supporting the workpiece. Each gauge slice template releasably engages at least one positioning feature of the master template. Each gauge slice template engages the locking assembly, wherein the gauge slice templates are not moveable with respect to the master template when the locking assembly is in the locked position, and the gauge slice templates are moveable with respect to the master template when the locking assembly is in the unlocked position.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically drying wet floors includes a controller, a moisture detector that is operable to detect the presence of moisture at a first location and transmit a moisture detection signal to the controller in response to detecting the presence of moisture at the first location, and a blower. The blower is operative to turn on and off for drying the wet floors by directing moving air toward the first location in response to an operating signal from the controller. The controller outputs the operating signal to the blower based on the moisture detection signal.