Abstract: A laser-engravable patternable element can be used to provide a relief image for various types of printing including flexographic printing. This laser-engraveable patternable element has a one laser-engravable layer that comprises a thermoplastic elastomeric interpolymer alloy that comprises a non-crosslinked halogenated polymer, a partially crosslinked polyolefin, and a polyester. A relief image can be obtained by directly laser-engraving the noted element under suitable conditions.

Abstract: The present invention involves laser machining polymer substrates to form a stent with laser parameters that minimize damage to the substrate in a surface region adjacent to the machined edge surface. The wavelength and pulse width are selected for this unique application and they can be controlled to minimize the surface modifications (such as voids, cracks which are induced by the laser-material interaction) which contribute to the variation in mechanical properties with distance from the edge surface, bulk mechanical properties, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a printing stencil, for example, for applying a contacting (contact finger, busbar(s)) to a substrate of a solar cell and to a method for producing such a printing stencil. The printing stencil can include a carrier layer and a structure layer located below the carrier layer, the structure layer having at least one printed image opening which corresponds to at least a portion of the printed image of the contacting (contact finger, busbar(s)), the carrier layer having one or more carrier layer openings and the one or more carrier layer openings overlapping when the printing stencil is viewed from above, with respect to the printed image opening in such a manner that the printing stencil has an opening which is formed from the at least one printed image opening and the one or more carrier layer openings, and is suitable for applying contacting material to the substrate through the opening.

Abstract: Stents and methods of manufacturing a stents with enhanced fracture toughness are disclosed.

Abstract: Stents and methods of manufacturing a stents with enhanced fracture toughness are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided to generate markings on the side of a substrate. The markings represent information. In an embodiment, the information provided in the markings may be used to collect information during an assembly process.

Abstract: A method for production of safety/rupture discs comprises the steps providing a foil element, selecting a wavelength for a laser beam of a pulse laser within a range of between 800 nanometers and 1800 nanometers, selecting a pulse repetition rate for the laser beam within a range of between 15 KHz and 800 KHz, selecting a pulse duration for the laser beam less than 10 nanosecond and ablating at least one non-through cut in the foil element by directly applying said laser beam to the foil element to remove material from the foil element thereby obtaining a safety/rupture disc.

Abstract: An in-mold-decoration method for plastic articles is provided. An uninterrupted film is provided and transported into a mold. A predetermined area of the film attaches to an inner surface of a cavity of a female mold of the mold. The predetermined area of the film is cut from the uninterrupted film during closing the mold.

Abstract: Methods of forming a pattern on a substrate are provided. The methods include providing a substrate and radiating a laser beam through a transmitting phase mask on the substrate. The transmitting phase mask includes a pattern and radiating the laser beam through the transmitting phase mask forms the pattern on a first surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An interior paneling component for motor vehicles is disclosed which includes a structural part with a deployment channel for a covering for an airbag, which upon deployment is expelled in a deployment direction through the deployment channel from the interior paneling component. The airbag covering is at least in part reinforced with an insert made from a thermoplastic material. The insert and the structural part are at least partially made from thermoplastic material in the same family plastics. The invention also refers to a method of producing such an interior paneling component.

Abstract: Stents and methods of manufacturing a stents with enhanced fracture toughness are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing substrate edges is disclosed that overcomes the limitations of conventional edge processing methods and systems used in semiconductor manufacturing. The edge processing method and apparatus of this invention includes a laser and optical system to direct a beam of radiation onto a rotating substrate supported by a chuck, in atmosphere. The optical system accurately and precisely directs the beam to remove or transform organic or inorganic films, film stacks, residues, or particles from the top edge, top bevel, apex, bottom bevel, and bottom edge of the substrate. An optional gas injector system directs gas onto the substrate edge to aid in the reaction. Process by-products are removed via an exhaust tube enveloping the reaction site. This invention permits precise control of an edge exclusion zone, resulting in an increase in the number of usable die on a wafer.

Abstract: A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material molded to provide details to accept audio devices and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips.

Abstract: A composition comprises a fluoropolymer such as an elastomeric fluoropolymer and at least 1 weight % of a fluoro-functionalized near-infrared radiation absorber. This composition can be formed into laser-engraveable layers for various elements that can be laser-engraved to provide relief images. The resulting laser-engraved elements can take various forms including flexographic printing members, and can be used to apply various inks to receiver materials in an imagewise fashion.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of prostheses for surgical applications, to methods of their manufacturing and to methods of treating a patient by implanting them into a patient. More particularly, the present invention relates to prostheses having a multi-layered sheet structure and their use in hernia repair, the repair of anatomical defects of the abdominal wall, diaphragm, and chest wall, correction of defects in the genitourinary system, and repair of traumatically damaged organs such as the spleen, liver or kidney.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is directed generally to a polymeric film that comprises at least one laser imageable marking layer. The marking layer comprises a non-polyolefin component (such as polyamide, polyester, and/or polystyrene) and a photochromatic pigment. It has been discovered that a non-polyolefin film comprising a marking layer formulated with a photochromatic pigment offers a substantial advantage over prior art methods of laser imaging non-polyolefin films.

Abstract: A method for producing an encoder element having a base body and a magnetic plastics element includes providing the base body and mixing a plastics base material with a magnetic or magnetizable filler to form an injection-molding material. The method also includes spraying the injection-molding material onto the base body so that a material-bonding, direct connection is produced between the base body and the sprayed-on plastics element. The method also includes magnetizing the sprayed-on plastics element.

Abstract: Methods for creating sapphire windows are provided herein. In particular, one embodiment may take the form of a method of manufacturing sapphire windows. The method includes obtaining a polished sapphire wafer and applying decoration to the sapphire wafer. The method also includes cutting the sapphire wafer into discrete windows. In some embodiments, the cutting step comprises laser ablation of the sapphire.

Abstract: The method of and device for cutting brittle materials with tailored edge shape and roughness are disclosed. The methods can include directing one or more tools to a portion of brittle material causing separation of the material into two or more portions, where the as-cut edge has a predetermined and controllable geometric shape and/or surface morphology. The one or more tools can comprise energy (e.g., a femtosecond laser beam or acoustic beam) delivered to the material without making a physical contact.

Abstract: A method to ascertain measured friction torque to a bearing and a method to reduce preload variation of a hearing pair or set. Friction torque of a bearing is measured at a known load and speed. The value of the measured friction torque is then printed in a data matrix that is then applied to the bearing that was measured. Prior to assembling the bearings on a shaft system, the data matrix is read. The targeted friction torque is calculated for the shaft system based on the desired assembly preload. The bearing preload is then set and verified by measuring the friction torque of the pair of bearings assembled on the shaft. As a result of the method, bearing friction torque variation is substantially mitigated.

Abstract: A method of fabricating electrical feedthroughs selectively removes substrate material from a first side of an electrically conductive substrate (e.g. a bio-compatible metal) to form an array :of electrically conductive posts in a substrate cavity. An electrically insulating material (e.g. a bio-compatible sealing glass) is then flowed to fill the substrate cavity and surround each post, and solidified. The solidified insulating material is then exposed from an opposite second side of the substrate so that each post is electrically isolated from each other as well as the bulk substrate. In this manner a hermetic electrically conductive feedthrough construction is formed having an array of electrical feedthroughs extending between the first and second sides of the substrate from which it was formed.

Abstract: A biodegradable component for a package for storing and dispensing a cosmetic product or a beauty care product is made by mechanically working a body of compressed fibrous biomass bound by a cosmetically compatible and compostable binder.

Abstract: Numerous embodiments of methods and apparatus for marking articles are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of marking an article includes providing an article having a preliminary visual appearance; modifying a region of the article; and directing a plurality of optical pulses into the modified region of the article. The plurality of optical pulses can be configured to produce a visible mark on the article. Generally, the mark can be characterized as having a modified visual appearance different from the preliminary visual appearance.

Abstract: This present invention provides a masking method for locally treating surface of a workpiece by masking the workpiece. The workpiece has a targeting treatment area and a non-targeting treatment area. The masking method includes: covering a fixture on the non-targeting treatment area of the workpiece to expose the targeting treatment area of the workpiece; by using an adsorbing force existing between the fixture and the workpiece, getting the fixture to closely contact with the non-targeting treatment area of the workpiece and to make an end edge of the fixture correspond to the edge of the targeting treatment area of the workpiece, wherein the adsorbing force is a vacuum adsorbing force or a static electric adsorbing force. Thereby the surface treatment only effects in an area within the range of the targeting treatment area of the workpiece so as to reduce the treatment defect.

Abstract: An identification mark formation method for forming an identification mark on a refractory material single crystal substrate that is made of one selected from the group consisting of sapphire, gallium nitride, aluminum nitride, diamond, boron nitride, zinc oxide, gallium oxide, and titanium dioxide is disclosed. The method includes: (a) scanning a principal surface of the refractory material single crystal substrate with a laser beam at a first energy density such that a groove is formed in the principal surface of the refractory material single crystal substrate, thereby forming an identification mark in the principal surface of the refractory material single crystal substrate; and (b) scanning an inside of the groove of the refractory material single crystal substrate with a laser beam at a second energy density that is lower than the first energy density.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laser processing method and the like which use no wavelength conversion technique by nonlinear optical crystals when selectively removing an insulating layer of a printed board, while employing only one wavelength throughout the entire removal processing. A laser processing apparatus (1), preferably used in the laser processing method, has a MOPA structure and comprises a seed light source (100), a YbDF (110), a bandpass filter (120), a YbDF (130), a bandpass filter (140), a YbDF (150), a YbDF (160), and so forth.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel medical instruments and methods for fabricating them by using nano-technology processes.

Abstract: A method of forming extremely small pores in a substrate that is used, for example, in patch clamp applications is provided that employs an energy absorbing material beyond a back side of the substrate to allow a laser to be focused adjacent the exit side of the substrate so as to generate a pore through the substrate and can also form a crater in the back side of the substrate and in which the pore may propagate from the crater in a drilling direction that can oppose a laser transmission direction.

Abstract: A planar object to be processed 1 comprising a hexagonal SiC substrate 12 having a front face 12a forming an angle corresponding to an off-angle with a c-plane is prepared. Subsequently, the object 1 is irradiated with pulse-oscillated laser light L along lines to cut 5a, 5m such that a pulse pitch becomes 10 ?m to 18 ?m while locating a converging point P of the laser light L within the SiC substrate 12. Thereby, modified regions 7a, 7m to become cutting start points are formed within the SiC substrate 12 along the lines 5a, 5m.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for permanently engraving a marking on a sealing surface of an O-ring seal constructed from an elastomeric material. The method comprises laser engraving the marking on the sealing surface of the O-ring seal to a depth of less than 0.08 millimeters.

Abstract: Disclosed are a resin composition for laser engraving, including an acrylic block copolymer; a relief printing plate precursor for laser engraving comprising a relief-forming layer formed from the resin composition on a support; a process for producing the relief printing plate precursor; a process of making a relief printing plate using the relief printing plate precursor; and a relief printing plate having a relief layer which is manufactured by the process.

Abstract: Discussed is a method for manufacturing a mask for a solar cell according to an embodiment, the method including preparing a plate formed of a nonmetallic material, and irradiating the plate with a laser and forming a plurality of slits.

Abstract: A method for processing a housing for devices such as electronic devices. A hairline is formed on an inner surface of an inmold mold. In addition, a hairline is formed on an inmold film. The inmold film is positioned inside the inmold mold and a housing representing the hairline of the inmold mold and the hairline of the inmold film together is formed using inmold injection molding.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of loading and unloading of plates to and from an imager. The apparatus includes a loading area holding one single or a plurality of plates and an unloading area holding a single plate, the areas arranged vertically. The plate includes ultraviolet curable material. The apparatus includes a control system configured when in operation to control the automated loading and unloading and the apparatus elements therefor. One fully automatic version includes automatic loading from a stack or set of plate magazines and in the case that the plate includes a protective sheet thereon, includes removing the protective sheet from the plate. Some versions also include one or more ultraviolet sources to irradiate the flexographic plates with ultraviolet radiation during the automated loading and/or unloading. The ultraviolet sources are controlled by the same control system.

Abstract: In a laser reflective mask and a fabricating method thereof, reflective layers with different reflectances are sequentially and repeatedly laminated on top of a base substrate which has a reflective layer filling groove having a predetermined depth in a reflection region for a laser beam and then the remaining reflective layer laminated on the other region except for the portion filled in the reflective layer filling groove are removed through a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process, or a lift-off process using irradiation with the laser beam or an etchant, so that a reflective layer pattern configured to be filled in the reflective layer filling groove may be formed, thereby capable of not only facilitating a fabricating process of the laser reflective mask but also forming a more precise reflective layer pattern.

Abstract: A laser processing system includes a metal platform having a metal surface wherein at least a portion of the platform surface is substantially planar with a substantially smooth topography. A laser source is configured to generate a laser beam having a focal point that is directed toward a substantially planar portion of the platform surface. A motion mechanism is configured to move at least one of the metal platform and the focal point along at least one axis. A restraining mechanism restrains a film against the platform surface such that an adjoining surface of the restrained film remains in intimate contact with the surface. A controller is configured to operate the laser source, the motion mechanism or both to cut the restrained film in a predetermined pattern with a generated laser beam such that the cut does not extend through the adjoining surface of the restrained film.

Abstract: A method for forming a wire construct includes forming a groove in a polymer having a mouth that is narrower than a width of a deeper portion of the groove and placing a substantial length of wire in the groove, the wire having a larger cross-sectional dimension than the mouth of the groove. Encapsulant is placed over the polymer. The wire construct is to be used for implantable stimulation leads, such as a cochlear stimulation lead or a neurostimulation lead. Two wire constructs can be assembled to form a multilayer wire construct.

Abstract: A method for forming micro-structures on a molded particle, comprises: providing a mold with a male mold and a female mold defining a mold cavity, providing an attachment film with micro-structures; transporting the attachment film into the mold, and providing a predetermined section of the attachment film closely to the mold cavity; closing the mold, wherein a parting surface of the male mold and the parting surface of the female mold do not contact each other; closing the mold again, and enabling the parting surface of the male mold and the parting surface of the female mold to contact each other, and cutting the predetermined section from the attachment film; stopping injecting plastic material; opening the mold and pushing out a molded article with micro-structures. A molded article formed by the foregoing method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A coating removal apparatus utilizing a common optics path to provide laser pulses to a coated surface and to direct a light illumination reflected from the coated surface to a photosensitive detector and analyzer. The apparatus is an integrated device including a laser source, a beam splitter, scanning optics, a waste removal apparatus, one or more light illuminators, a photosensitive detector, a comparator, and a control logic circuit. Alternatively, the laser source is external to the integrated device and a fiber optic cable is used to connect the laser source to the integrated device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cutting a cover from a portion of a housing of an electronic device, and positioning the cover within the housing are provided. An electronic device can include an interface having an actuator over which a cover is placed. The cover can by cutting away a portion of a housing of the electronic device. To improve the aesthetic appeal of the device, the orientation of the cover can be maintained while and after it is cut away from the housing by a fixture used for the cutting process. An adhesive sheet can be placed over the housing and the cover to ensure that the cover remains stationary relative to the housing once it is separated from the housing.

Abstract: A Solid Freeform Fabrication system, apparatus and method is provided, that includes a movable fabrication tray adapted to hold an object being fabricated; a depositing surface to hold deposited materials, and ink jet printing heads to selectively deposit a plurality of building materials on the depositing surface; wherein the deposited materials are merged to the object being fabricated, when said fabrication tray moves said object being fabricated to be in contact with said deposited materials.

Abstract: A system for creating a substantially planar face in a substrate, the system including directing one or more beams at a first surface of a substrate to remove material from a first location, the beam being offset from a normal to the first surface by a curtaining angle; sweeping the one or more beams in a plane that is perpendicular to the first surface to mill one or more initial cuts, the initial cuts exposing a second surface that is substantially perpendicular to the first surface; rotating the substrate about an axis other than an axis normal to the first beam or parallel to the first beam; directing the first beam at the second surface to remove additional material from the substrate without changing the curtaining angle; and scanning the one or more beams in across the second surface to mill one or more finishing cuts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid phase laser ablation apparatus comprising: a vessel for storing liquid in which a component to be atomized is arranged; a laser oscillating device for oscillating a laser light irradiated to the component through the liquid; a reflecting mirror configured to freely change an angle of incidence of the laser light with respect to a surface of the liquid; a focusing lens for focusing the laser light oscillated from the laser oscillating device; a cover body for covering an upper surface of the vessel; and a laser light introduction port provided on the cover body or a side surface of the vessel above the surface of the liquid. Due to the above structure, the liquid would not adhere to the optical components constituting the apparatus, there is little contamination and damage to the optical components, the operation of the laser ablation can be continued in continuous and stable manner for a long period of time.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a biopolymer sensor including providing a biopolymer, processing the biopolymer to yield a biopolymer matrix solution, adding a biological material in the biopolymer matrix, providing a substrate, casting the matrix solution on the substrate, and drying the biopolymer matrix solution to form a solidified biopolymer sensor on the substrate. A biopolymer sensor is also provided that includes a solidified biopolymer film with an embedded biological material.

Abstract: Tailored laser pulse shapes are used for processing workpieces. Laser dicing of semiconductor device wafers on die-attach film (DAF), for example, may use different tailored laser pulse shapes for scribing device layers down to a semiconductor substrate, dicing the semiconductor substrate, cutting the underlying DAF, and/or post processing of the upper die edges to increase die break strength. Different mono-shape laser pulse trains may be used for respective recipe steps or passes of a laser beam over a scribe line. In another embodiment, scribing a semiconductor device wafer includes only a single pass of a laser beam along a scribe line using a mixed-shape laser pulse train that includes at least two laser pulses that are different than one another. In addition, or in other embodiments, one or more tailored pulse shapes may be selected and provided to the workpiece on-the-fly. The selection may be based on sensor feedback.

Abstract: A method for making a carbon nanotube composite preform includes following steps. A substrate is provided. Carbon nanotubes are formed on the substrate. The carbon nanotubes and the substrate are placed in a solvent for a predetermined time. The carbon nanotubes and the substrate are drawn from the solvent. The carbon nanotubes and the substrate are dried.

Abstract: A design panel is provided having a plate-like panel main body made of a synthetic resin, the panel main body including a light-transmitting portion having a light-transmitting property, the light-transmitting portion being adapted to be illuminated by a light for illumination from a backside of the light-transmitting portion, and a light-shielding portion adapted to prevent diffusion of a light that passes through the light-transmitting portion or a light-suppressing portion adapted to prevent incident light from entering the synthetic resin at the light-suppressing portion. A method for producing the design panel is also provided, the method including the steps of: forming the panel main body from the synthetic resin having a light-transmitting property; and forming the light-shielding portion or light-suppressing portion by radiating a laser beam onto a given part of the synthetic resin.

Abstract: An electrostatic clamp for use in a lithographic apparatus includes burls and an electrode surrounded by an insulator and/or a dielectric material between adjacent burls. In an embodiment, two or more layers of dielectric material are provided between adjacent burls and surround an electrode provided between adjacent burls. The electrostatic clamp may be used to clamp an object to an object support in a lithographic apparatus.

Abstract: A touch panel includes a strengthen cover lens and a touch electrode layer. The strengthen cover lens includes a first non-planar sulfate, and is planned with a display region and a peripheral region surrounding the display region. The touch electrode layer is formed, on the first non-planar surface and overlaid on the display region and at least part of the peripheral region for manufacturing a non-planar touch panel.

Abstract: A method of laser marking a work piece involves reproducing a pattern having a surface marked portion and a depth engraved portion from a digital image of the pattern. The grayscale shades of pixels in one portion of the image are adjusted while maintaining grayscale shades of pixels in the other portions of the image constant, wherein the adjusted grayscale shades of pixels corresponding to a surface marked portion are within a first range and the adjusted grayscale shades of pixels corresponding to a depth engraved portion are within a second range separate from the first range. The modified image is converted to a computer readable code, such that the first and second ranges of grayscale shades are associated with surface marking and depth engraving ranges of laser power settings. A laser marking apparatus is then operated in accordance with the computer readable code to laser mark the work piece.