Abstract: Riveted assemblies are provided that can include a substrate extending between two ends to define opposing substrate surfaces having a first opening extending between the opposing substrate surfaces; a metal-comprising substrate extending between two ends to define opposing metal-comprising substrate surfaces having a second opening extending between the opposing metal-comprising substrate surfaces. The riveted assemblies can further provide that the first and second openings complement one another when the substrate and metal-comprising substrate are engaged; and a rivet shaft extends through the openings and engages the substrate with the rivet head and the metal-comprising substrate with the rivet stop head, at least a portion of the stop head being mixed with, and forming a metallurgical bond with the metal-comprising substrate. Assemblies are provided that can include a rivet stop head mixed with, and metallurgically bonded with a metal-comprising substrate.

Abstract: A connector for use in association with a lighting assembly that allows for components to be quickly assembled in an easily aligned configuration, including: a body having a first end, a second end, an interior sidewall, and an exterior sidewall; wherein the first end of the body and the second end of the body define a length therebetween; wherein a portion of the exterior sidewall of the body is threaded proximate the first end; wherein a portion of the exterior sidewall of the body is non-threaded proximate the second end; a first aperture associated with the first end of the body; a second aperture associated with the second end of the body; and a conduit positioned between the first aperture and the second aperture, wherein the conduit is adapted for containing an electrical cord from an associated lighting assembly.

Abstract: The connector system is configured for use in a power distribution system of a motor vehicle, and wherein the connector system includes a female housing, female terminal assembly, and a female interlock (FIL) assembly. The female housing having an arrangement of side walls that define a receptacle that is configured to receive the female terminal assembly. The female interlock (FIL) assembly positioned within the female terminal assembly that resides within the receptacle of the female housing to define a fully assembled female state SFAF, whereby the FIL assembly is configured to be coupled to an interlock circuit that prevents electrical current from flowing through the female terminal assembly prior to connection of the female terminal assembly to a male terminal assembly.

Abstract: Provided are a battery, a power consumption device, a method for producing a battery, and a device. The battery includes: a plurality of battery cells arranged along a first direction and a thermal management component extending along the first direction and being connected to a first wall of each battery cell among the plurality of battery cells, the thermal management component including a pair of heat conducting plates that are oppositely arranged along a second direction and a flow passage located between the pair of heat conducting plates, the flow passage being configured to accommodate a fluid to adjust temperatures of the battery cell, and the second direction being vertical to the first wall, where in the second direction, a thickness D of the heat conducting plate and a size H of the flow passage satisfy: 0.01?D/H?25. Technical solutions of embodiments of the present application could enhance performance of batteries.

Abstract: in a method for producing a solder deposit in a metal sheet, a depression is made in a topside of the metal sheet through deep drawing, thereby causing material to protrude on a bottom side of the metal sheet. The metal sheet is then subjected to a material forming process to produce a collar such that the collar projects in relation to the topside. The collar is then at least partially pressed in a direction of the depression to reduce a cross-sectional area of a mouth of the depression, and the protruding material on the bottom side is completely pushed back so that the bottom side in a region of the depression is in one plane with neighboring regions of the bottom side.

Abstract: Provided are a battery, a power consumption device, a method for producing a battery, and a device. The battery includes: a plurality of battery cells arranged along a first direction and a thermal management component extending along the first direction and being connected to a first wall of each battery cell among the plurality of battery cells, the thermal management component including a pair of heat conducting plates that are oppositely arranged along a second direction and a flow passage located between the pair of heat conducting plates, the flow passage being configured to accommodate a fluid to adjust temperatures of the battery cell, and the second direction being vertical to the first wall, where in the second direction, a thickness D of the heat conducting plate and a size H of the flow passage satisfy: 0.01?D/H?25. Technical solutions of embodiments of the present application could enhance performance of batteries.

Abstract: The present invention provides a battery module, which includes a plurality of battery cells with stacked each other which include a cell body configured to house an electrode assembly and electrode tabs drawn out from the cell body, respectively; and a housing unit configured to enclose at least a portion of an outer surface of the plurality of stacked battery cells to house the plurality of stacked battery cells, wherein the housing unit includes a heat sink unit having a refrigerant flow passage formed therein.

Abstract: An airfoil includes an airfoil section that has an airfoil wall that defines leading and trailing ends and first and second sides that join the leading and trailing ends. The first and second sides span in a longitudinal direction between first and second ends. The airfoil wall circumscribes an internal core cavity. A platform is attached with the first end of the airfoil wall. The platform includes an opening that opens into the internal core cavity and a land region that circumscribes the opening. A baffle is formed of a tube and an attachment portion. The tube extends in the internal core cavity and the attachment portion has a flange ring that is affixed to the platform at the land region.

Abstract: A header for a heat exchanger includes a first and a second cylindrical fluid manifold extending in parallel. Each of the first and second manifolds have tube slots that extend through an arcuate wall section of the manifold. A thickened wall section of the header having a generally triangular wall section is bounded by the first and second fluid manifolds and by a planar outer surface of the header. An aperture extends through the thickened wall section to provide a fluid communication pathway between the first and second cylindrical fluid manifolds.

Abstract: A fastener for thin panels has a shank with a deformable collar which works in conjunction with a configured mating panel to produce enhanced attachment forces, especially in the case of very thin panels. The mating panel is prepared with a round mounting hole with cross-cut openings or slots. The panel is stamped into a conical section in a preparatory step before installation to provide the fastener with snap-in engagement prior to final pressing. The fastener shank has an undercut located immediately below the collar which is snapped into the prepared hole. Once snapped in, a punch and flat anvil are used to press the deformable band of the fastener tightly against the prepared panel, capturing the panel rigidly between the deformable band and a base of the fastener. During pressing, the material of the fastener collar will also flow into the slots of the panel to prevent rotation.

Abstract: A spring-actuated electrical connector assembly for electrically and mechanically connecting a device to a power source in high-power, high-voltage applications is disclosed. The connector assembly includes a first connector with an internal receiver, a plurality of side walls, and at least one contact beam. The contact beam integrally extends to an outer surface of the side wall and includes a free end that extends inward of the outer surface of the side wall. An internal spring member is dimensioned to reside within the receiver of the first connector. This assembly also includes a second electrically conductive connector with a receptacle dimensioned to receive both the first connector and the spring member to define a connected position during operation of the device. In the connected position, at least one spring arm of the spring member exerts an outwardly directed force on the contact beam of the first connector to outwardly displace the contact beam into engagement with the second connector.

Abstract: In an Injection Molded Soldering system, a single, one-layer decal has one or more through hole patterns where each through hole pattern has a plurality of through holes through the decal. A drum with a drum circumference turns while the decal is forced to be adjacent to the drum circumference. The decal passes by a tangent point on the drum circumference where one or more solder-filled through hole patterns align with recessed openings on a substrate at the tangent point of the drum circumference. Applied heat causes the solder structures to melt and flow into the recessed openings.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a flexible printed wiring board includes an insulating layer, a plurality of connection pads provided on one side of the insulating layer and constituting a group, and a pad provided on another surface side of the insulating layer and having heat conductivity, wherein the pad overlaps one or more connection pads positioned at an outer edge of the group of connection pads via the insulating layer and comprises a portion extending on the outside of the connection pad on the outer edge, and a connection member includes a plurality of connection terminals connected to the connection pads via a solder.

Abstract: A covered electrical wire including a conductor and an insulating coating layer covering the outer periphery of the conductor, in which the conductor is a twisted wire obtained by twisting together a plurality of elemental wires constituted by copper or a copper alloy, and the covered electrical wire includes a metallically bonded portion where the elemental wires that are adjacent to each other are metallically bonded to each other.

Abstract: A brake system component axle mount for a vehicle axle/suspension system includes an axle having at least one depression formed therein. A sleeve is formed with at least one depression and disposed about the axle so that the axle depression and the sleeve depression matingly engage one another to form a mated pair of depressions. A brake mount assembly is rigidly attached to the sleeve. A method of forming the brake system component axle mount includes providing an axle and disposing a sleeve about the axle. At least one mated pair of depressions is simultaneously formed in the axle and the sleeve. A brake mount assembly is rigidly attached to the sleeve.

Abstract: Mechanical oscillator for a horological movement, comprising: a central fixed part being configured to be fixed to a frame of the horological movement; an inertial rim coaxial with a pivoting axis of the mechanical oscillator; at least two rigid links extending radially between the central fixed part and the inertial rim and supporting the inertial rim; and at least two flexible links extending radially from the central fixed part; each flexible link comprising a first flexible element and a second flexible element substantially coplanar to the first element, the first flexible element and the second flexible element being rigidly connected at their distal extremity; the proximal extremity of the first flexible element being fixed to the fixed part and the proximal extremity of the second flexible element being fixed to one of said at least two rigid links, such that the inertial rim can oscillate around the pivoting axis.

Abstract: A casing for a battery assembly may include a first casing portion having a first base portion and a pair of first leg portions extending generally perpendicularly to the first base portion. At least one of the first leg portions may have a flared end. The casing may further include a second casing portion with a second base portion and a pair of second leg portions extending generally perpendicularly to the second base portion. At least one of the second leg portions may have a flat end. The casing portions are attached at a joint including the flat end attached to the flared end. In some embodiments, a battery assembly may include at least one power cell and a casing including a first casing portion and a second casing portion attached together at a joint. The joint may be under tension. The casing applies pressure to the power cell.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for use in a turbofan engine is provided. The rotor assembly includes an annular spool including a blade opening defined therein, and a rotor blade radially insertable through the blade opening. The rotor blade includes a rotor blade radially insertable through the blade opening. The rotor blade includes a root portion having a dovetail shape, and the root portion is undersized relative to the blade opening. At least one secondary dovetail member is positioned within the blade opening and configured to couple the root portion within the blade opening with an interference fit.

Abstract: A method and system for improving the vibration damping properties in a metal product are disclosed. The product incorporates a dry friction, layered metallic damping material having embedded therein one or more woven mesh layers comprised of wire ropes of bundled wires. The ropes may be sheathed with a thin layer of metal. The individual ropes are woven to form the mesh layer with some ropes being positioned in a first or Y direction and the other ropes being positioned in a second or X direction. One or more mesh layers are attached to a metal substrate by rolling, forming or extrusion. The parameters of the rolling, forming or extruding process can be optimized to achieve the proper embedding of the ropes into the metal plate where the ropes are locked into the metal plate with the metal material flowing over the cable outer surfaces without infiltrating between the wires.

Abstract: The invention provides devices, systems and methods for tissue approximation and repair at treatment sites. The devices, systems and methods of the invention will find use in a variety of therapeutic procedures, including endovascular, minimally-invasive, and open surgical procedures, and can be used in various anatomical regions, including the abdomen, thorax, cardiovascular system, heart, intestinal tract, stomach, urinary tract, bladder, lung, and other organs, vessels, and tissues. The invention is particularly useful in those procedures requiring minimally-invasive or endovascular access to remote tissue locations, where the instruments utilized must negotiate long, narrow, and tortuous pathways to the treatment site. In addition, many of the devices and systems of the invention are adapted to be reversible and removable from the patient at any point without interference with or trauma to internal tissues.

Abstract: The invention relates to the design of rotor blades of an axial turbomachine compressor, especially the method of attaching the blades to the rotor. The blades comprise an aerofoil portion and a platform for attaching them to the rotor. The platform comprises, along the main axis of the blade, a first layer forming a surface bounding the fluid stream and skirting the aerodynamic surfaces and a second layer, underneath the first layer with respect to the aerodynamic surfaces, designed to be able to mate with the inner face of a wall of the rotor around an aperture in the rotor for the purpose of attaching it.

Abstract: A structural component is provided comprising a base member comprising at least two sidewalls and a space therebetween, the base member having a predetermined curvilinear configuration formed using hot stretch forming. The structural component comprises at least one reinforcing member linear friction welded to the at least two sidewalls so that the reinforcing member is positioned at least partially within the space between the at least two sidewalls.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a tubular structural part by means of hydroforming. An assigned end of a supporting tube (1) is inserted into an opening in an end piece (2) and then widened by a pressurized fluid being applied to it and is connected to the end piece (2) with a press fit. The opening (9) has a first portion (10a) with a first inner cross section, which is greater than the outer cross section of the assigned end of the supporting tube (1). According to the invention, the first portion (10a) is adjoined by a second portion (10b), in a step-shaped manner so as to form an edge (11). The inner cross section of the second portion (10b) is smaller than the outer cross section of the assigned end of the supporting tube (1). In the method according to the invention, the supporting tube (1) is first inserted with its corresponding end into the first portion (10a), before the edge (11) cuts into the material of the supporting tube (1) in a further pushing-in movement.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of heat conductive device for an LED has steps of forming a heat sink and an engagement recess in the heat sink by cold forge, punching a heat-conducting disc to form an LED carrier having a mounting portion and a heat-conducting wall formed around the mounting portion, soldering multiple LEDs on the LED carrier, and heating the heat sink to thermally expand the heat sink and assembling the LED carrier and the heat sink so that the heat-conducting wall is assembled with the engagement recess and further chilling the heat sink to thermally retract and tightly hold the LED carrier. The manufacturing method increases contact area and reduces air gaps between the LED carrier and the heat sink to effectively enhance the heat-conducting efficiency of the LED carrier so that the LEDs are operated at a suitable operating temperature to secure a prolonged life duration.

Abstract: Two components necessary to make up a heat exchanger assembly generally need to be brazed. Two components may be secured which do not contain a cladded alloy. Staking or crimping is used to hold the two components together while securing a braze ring captured between the two components which acts as a brazing mechanism.

Abstract: A TEM micro-grid is provided. The TEM micro-grid includes a carrier, a carbon nanotube structure, and a protector. The carrier defines a first through opening. The provided defines a second through opening. The carbon nanotube structure is located between a surface of the carrier and a surface of the protector. The carbon nanotube structure covers at least part of the first through opening.

Abstract: A method of creating a positive substance joint between components (1,2) involves the provisioning of the components (1, 2) and placing them at a joining position in relation to one another such that they contact at least one joining point or are kept apart by a narrow joining gap. The components (1, 2) feature a locating device that forces the components (1, 2) to fit and interlock in their relative position at the joining point. The components (1, 2) are then joined by a positive substance joint.

Abstract: Arc welding simulations that provide simulation of virtual destructive and non-destructive testing and inspection of virtual weldments for training purposes. The virtual testing simulations may be performed on virtual weldments created using a virtual reality welding simulator system (e.g., a virtual reality arc welding (VRAW) system). The virtual inspection simulations may be performed on “pre-canned” (i.e. pre-defined) virtual weldments or using virtual weldments created using a virtual reality welding simulator system. In general, virtual testing may be performed using a virtual reality welding simulator system (e.g., a virtual reality arc welding (VRAW) system), and virtual inspection may be performed using a standalone virtual weldment inspection (VWI) system or using a virtual reality welding simulator system (e.g., a virtual reality arc welding (VRAW) system).

Abstract: A fastening device for fastening a tube to a bearing structure, particularly a horizontal mesh frame tube of a mesh cage attached to a transport pallet used to hold a liquid container. To form the fastening device the tube has a fastening section with a zone flattened by compression and provided with a fastening hole to accommodate a fastening bolt connecting the fastening section to the bearing structure. The fastening hole has a perimeter shaped such that the perimeter defines a force application plane between a bolt head and the fastening section that is inclined at an angle ? relative to a fastening plane in which the fastening section is connected to the bearing structure. The perimeter has a hole embrasure formed by an annular collar extending in the direction of a fastening axis, and which defines a bearing surface for the bolt head disposed in the force application plane.

Abstract: A method of repairing and a repaired friction stir welded assembly is disclosed. The friction stir welded assembly repair may include the steps of: drilling a hole through a discrepant portion of the friction stir welded assembly; sliding a mandrel head and a tubular rivet body of a rivet assembly through the hole; seating a rivet head and an adhesive/sealer washer against one of the first workpiece and the second workpiece, with the adhesive/sealer washer located between portions of the rivet head and body and the friction stir welded assembly; pulling a mandrel to cause the mandrel head to create an upset portion of the rivet body engaging the friction stir welded assembly; and curing the adhesive/sealer washer.

Abstract: Fabricating a turbine component (50) by casting a core structure (30), forming an array of pits (24) in an outer surface (32) of the core structure, depositing a transient liquid phase (TLP) material (40) on the outer surface of the core structure, the TLP containing a melting-point depressant, depositing a skin (42) on the outer surface of the core structure over the TLP material, and heating the assembly, thus forming both a diffusion bond and a mechanical interlock between the skin and the core structure. The heating diffuses the melting-point depressant away from the interface. Subsurface cooling channels (35) may be formed by forming grooves (34) in the outer surface of the core structure, filling the grooves with a fugitive filler (36), depositing and bonding the skin (42), then removing the fugitive material.

Abstract: A stator for an electric motor includes a stator coil including a wire pair with respective ends that are joined with a ring. The ring is positioned around the wire pair and joined to the wire pair by a metal joining process.

Abstract: A device (1) is provided for connecting a metal sheet (23, 33?) at the edges, particularly body sheet metal in automobiles. The device (1) includes at least one folding bed (2) for receiving at least two metal sheets, folding jaws (3) which are functionally connected to associated folding jaw supports (4), at least one thermal jointing tool (5), and at least one mass electrode (9, 9?). At least the joining tool is not attached to the folding jaws, and the joining tool contains a lever oriented away from the folding bed as a linear feed device. The lever (6) has a center of rotation (10) outside the folding bed, wherein the joining tool can swivel in the manner of a knee lever into an operating and/or non-operating position.

Abstract: A battery cell cooler containing a pair of complementary plates. The pair of complementary plates together forms a tubular flow passage and one or more tubular sections. The flow passage has an inlet end, an outlet end and dimples or ribs along the length of the flow passage. The one or more tubular sections have an inlet duct and an outlet duct, the inlet duct being coupled to an expanded receptacle at the inlet end and in fluid communication with the inlet end of the flow passage and the outlet duct being coupled to an expanded receptacle, at the outlet end and in fluid communication with the outlet end of the flow passage. Also, disclosed is a device containing a battery cell sandwiched between a pair of battery cell coolers, as described herein. Further disclosed is a method for forming the battery cell cooler, as described herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method are provided for joining an aluminum wire to a secondary wire, as are embodiments of an aluminum wire splice connector and embodiments of an electromagnetic coil assembly including an aluminum wire splice connector. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps providing a splice connector having a first blind bore and a second blind bore, inserting a segment of a coiled aluminum magnet wire into the first blind bore, and inserting a segment of the secondary wire into the second blind bore. The splice connector is soldered to the segments of the aluminum wire and the secondary wire inserted into the first and second blind bores, respectively, to electrically couple the coiled aluminum magnet wire and the secondary wire through the splice connector.

Abstract: A method for making a TEM micro-grid is provided. The method includes the following steps. A carrier, a carbon nanotube structure, and a protector are provided. The carrier defines a first through opening. The protector defines a second through opening. The protector, the carbon nanotube structure and the carrier are stacked such that the carbon nanotube structure is located between the carrier and the protector. The second through opening at least partly overlaps with the first through opening. The carrier and the protector are welded with each other.

Abstract: Drum for a washer and a dryer including a cylindrical metal body part, reduced parts at opposite end parts of the body part, each having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the body part, and bent parts each having a folded edge of the reduced part, thereby providing a drum that can prevent occurrence of vibration and noise.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a closed structure part has a closed section using a blank made from a metal plate by pressing the blank using a press forming die and fixing a pair of joint ends of the blank to each other, the method including a pre-forming step of processing the blank into an interim part having a closed section corresponding to the closed structure part, a closing step of, after the pre-forming step is completed, moving the joint ends of the interim part toward each other and urging, against one of the joint ends, a concave flange processing portion formed on one of a pair of press forming surfaces of the press forming die at the edge end adjacent to the other press forming surface, and a press joining step of, after the closing step is completed, further moving the press forming die in a pressing direction, bending the one of the joint ends using a pressing force applied from the flange processing portion so that the joint end overlaps the outer surface of the other join end and a latch flange

Abstract: After bringing a conductor of an electric wire into press contact to connect with a wire caulking portion of a connection terminal, the conductor and the wire caulking portion are welded to connect by irradiating laser beam to a bottom wall of the wire caulking portion. Laser irradiation is carried out intermittently by three times and the laser irradiation at the second time and thereafter which is carried out later is carried out such that during a time period in which a laser welded portion immediately previously is brought into a predetermined state of elevating temperature, portions or welded regions overlap welded regions in laser irradiation irradiated previously.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for joining adjacent members, wherein the members are placed in an overlapping layered relationship. The members are clamped between a die and a blank holder. Once clamped, a clinching operation is performed on the members to create at least a partial bond between them. In addition to the clinching operation, a level of vibrational energy is imparted to at least one of the members to reduce clamping force requirements, promote material flow and deformation and provide increased joint strength.

Abstract: A filter element (1) wound from a plurality of filter layers in which the circumferential contour (5, 5?) of a cross-sectional area (4) of the filter element (1) has at least one circumferential contour section (5?) undercutting the envelope contour (6, 6?) of the cross-sectional filter element area (4).

Abstract: A glass pane having at least one electrical functional element is provided. The functional element comprises at least one electrical conductor and at least one terminal area located at an end of the electrical conductor, wherein the electrical conductor and the terminal area are formed from an electrically conductive layer deposited on a surface of the glass pane. A terminal wire is connected to the at least one terminal area by a soldered joint by way of a metal block having a flat contact area, and the flat contact area is soldered on a corresponding terminal area. A method for forming such a connection is also disclosed.

Abstract: An expandable tubular liner includes a first tube, a second tube, a mechanical coupling for coupling the first and second tubes, and an insert coupled to the mechanical coupling. The insert is capable of forming a metallurgical bond with at least one of the tubes when energy is injected into the insert.

Abstract: A method of connecting a metallic bolt to a plastic work piece is shown and described. The object to provide a method which makes possible a reliable connection between metal workpieces on the one hand and plastic workpieces on the other hand is achieved in that a first plastic work piece and a metallic bolt are provided, and in that the bolt is pressed into a surface of the first plastic workpiece, the bolt being rotated during the pressing-in, and the rotational speed of the bolt being selected in such a way that the first plastic workpiece is plasticized, so that the bolt is anchored in the first plastic workpiece in a positive-locking manner after the rotation is stopped.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a hollow blade (1) for a turbomachine in which the blade (1) is made from a preform (14) obtained from external primary parts (28, 30). In order to reduce costs, the root part (2) of the blade is formed from spare material (34) entirely located on only one of the two external primary parts of the preform (14).

Abstract: A method of forming a sputtering target assembly and the sputtering target assembly made therefrom are described. The method includes bonding a sputtering target to a backing plate at a low temperature. Also described is a method of forming a sputtering target assembly such that a gap is formed between the sputtering target and the backing plate. Also described is a method of forming a sputtering target assembly providing a mechanism to prevent unintended sputtering into the backing plate.

Abstract: The application relates to light emitting devices. In order to provide good heat dissipation and easy adjustment of the lighting devices, there is provided to fix a light-emitting diode (12) having a metallic base (10) to a metallic heat-radiating element (18), which fixing comprises substance-to-substance bonding the base of the diode to a metallic sleeve (14), positioning the sleeve on the heat-radiating element such that the sleeve mantles the heat-radiating element, and connecting the sleeve with the heat-radiating element.

Abstract: A method for providing an electric connection between a wire (12) and a metal surface (10) by pressing a curved and stripped section (11) of the wire towards the metal surface and arranging a brazing pin (14) in close proximity to a concave side of the curved section. Electric power is supplied to the brazing pin in a pinbrazing process until a fluxing agent and a solder material carried by the brazing pin has been released and melted. A brazing gun (18) is electrically connected to a power supply (19), the brazing gun having an opening for holding a brazing pin, and the brazing pin having a circular cross section. A bending tool is used for bending a stripped section of an electric wire to a circular shape, wherein the diameter of the bent wire is adapted to the diameter of the brazing pin, and means are provide for pressing the bent wire against the metal surface while generating an arc between the brazing pin and the metal surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering well fluids and method of manufacture is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an inner support, a filter spirally wrapped around the inner support, and an outer support wrapped around the filter enclosing the filter between the inner and outer supports. The filter has longitudinal edges which overlap and the filter is held in place by friction with the inner and outer supports. The method of manufacturing the apparatus comprises continuously and simultaneously wrapping a filter and outer support around an inner support and disposing the filter between the outer and inner supports.

Abstract: A method of providing thermal vias in a printed circuit board that includes one or more layers of board material is disclosed. The vias provide for conducting heat from components mounted on the board. One or more holes (4) are provided in a printed circuit board that may include several metal layers. A metal ball (6) is inserted into each hole and subjected to pressure such as to deform said ball, and tightly fixating the resultant slug against the wall (5) of said hole. The deformed ball or slug fixed in the hole, which may have a metallised inner surface, functions to conduct heat and/or electricity between a metallised topside (2) and bottom side (3) of the printed circuit board and also between intermediate metallised layers in the case of a multi-layer board.