Abstract: The low profile of the flexible tooling system disclosed allows for flexible tooling to be added to nearly all CNC machines with an accommodating z-axis height and allows easier relocation of the system from one CNC machine to another. The system includes one or more pods, each of the pods of the system replacing the function of four independent actuators of earlier systems but operating with a shared mechanical frame. Arranging the mechanism into groups of four allows for greater density of part support spacing, minimizes cable requirements, and allows for air, vacuum, and vacuum sensor requirements be localized on each pod. The pods allow for part supports to be spaced as close as 6? in the x and y axis. An increased variable position assembly density allows for greater flexibility to hold complicated parts.

Abstract: The low profile of the flexible tooling system disclosed allows for flexible tooling to be added to nearly all CNC machines with an accommodating z-axis height and allows easier relocation of the system from one CNC machine to another. The system includes one or more pods, each of the pods of the system replacing the function of four independent actuators of earlier systems but operating with a shared mechanical frame. Arranging the mechanism into groups of four allows for greater density of part support spacing, minimizes cable requirements, and allows for air, vacuum, and vacuum sensor requirements be localized on each pod. The pods allow for part supports to be spaced as close as 6? in the x and y axis. An increased variable position assembly density allows for greater flexibility to hold complicated parts.

Abstract: The low profile of the flexible tooling system disclosed allows for flexible tooling to be added to nearly all CNC machines with an accommodating z-axis height and allows easier relocation of the system from one CNC machine to another. The system includes one or more pods, each of the pods of the system replacing the function of four independent actuators of earlier systems but operating with a shared mechanical frame. Arranging the mechanism into groups of four allows for greater density of part support spacing, minimizes cable requirements, and allows for air, vacuum, and vacuum sensor requirements be localized on each pod. The pods allow for part supports to be spaced as close as 6? in the x and y axis. An increased variable position assembly density allows for greater flexibility to hold complicated parts.

Abstract: The low profile of the flexible tooling system disclosed allows for flexible tooling to be added to nearly all CNC machines with an accommodating z-axis height and allows easier relocation of the system from one CNC machine to another. The system includes one or more pods, each of the pods of the system replacing the function of four independent actuators of earlier systems but operating with a shared mechanical frame. Arranging the mechanism into groups of four allows for greater density of part support spacing, minimizes cable requirements, and allows for air, vacuum, and vacuum sensor requirements be localized on each pod. The pods allow for part supports to be spaced as close as 6? in the x and y axis. An increased variable position assembly density allows for greater flexibility to hold complicated parts.

Abstract: A range of motion (ROM) prosthetic foot and passive dampening ankle joint have limited dorsiflexion-plantarflexion (up and down) pivoting to accommodate different environments, and a spring to provide resilient resistance to plantarflexion (or lowering of the toe), and to bias the foot in dorsiflexion (or raising the toe). The ankle joint has a rear pivot rearward of a hydraulic link for a smooth feel. The ankle joint has an internal bumper in a hydraulic cylinder for a smooth feel. The ankle joint has an internal hydraulic compensator disposed in the cylinder and carried by the piston to equalize volume.

Abstract: A Smart Card has an electronic circuit connected to a source of potential capable of destroying at least a portion of the electronic circuit. The potential is normally short circuited, but the path of the short circuit traverses a frangible portion of the card. When the portion is broken, so potential from the source is applied to destroy the portion of the electronic circuit.

Abstract: A method for determining the resonant frequency of vibration of a rotating blade comprises determining the approximate resonance frequency and rotating a blade at a plurality of frequencies in a range above and below the approximate frequency. At each frequency two measurements are taken representative of synchronous amplitudes at each measurement point (P.sub.1 and P.sub.2) wherein the two points are separated by an angle .beta. and there are an unknown number x of complete synchronous vibrations between the two points. A set of data is provided and a plot of P.sub.1 and P.sub.2 produced, the data being analysed to determine a likely value of x and hence the resonant frequency.