Abstract: A device for manipulating at least a first row of wafers and a second row of wafers, includes: a first holder configured to hold the first row of wafers, the first holder having a first rod and a second rod, the first rod and the second rod of the first holder defining a space therebetween for accommodating the first row of wafers, wherein a distance between the first rod and the second rod of the first holder is variable; and a second holder configured to hold the second row of wafers, the second holder having a first rod and a second rod, the first rod and the second rod of the second holder defining a space therebetween for accommodating the second row of wafers, wherein a distance between the first rod and the second rod of the second holder is variable.

Abstract: A packaging system and associated method for use with a pharmaceutical dispenser provides a turnkey solution for packaging pharmaceutical products such as solid medications and nutritional supplements to be taken orally in health care settings, including but not limited to long term care (LTC) and assisted living settings. An overall pharmacy system and methodology begins with bulk medications and supplements introduced into the work flow, individually packaged and assembled into medpass orders per patient and delivered to the LTC facility or other institution for patient consumption. The process begins by converting bulk medications and supplements to packaged unit doses and ultimately individually packaged medpass bags for each patient on a 24-hour schedule. The design of the overall system and its individual components allows for physical control of each unit dose package from start to finish without any unit dose package “free fall” in the system.

Abstract: A rigging system comprising a plurality of members including: a first hexagonal support piece comprising six side members, a plurality of rod holes, a plurality of side holes, and a plurality of set screw holes, a first rod piece that has a diameter of size configured to fit closely within to the diameter of the rod holes, a first set screw that has a diameter of size configured to fit closely within the diameter of the set screw hole, a first connection bolt that that has a diameter of size configured to fit closely within the diameter of the side hole and the plurality of members having a plurality of configurations providing structural support.

Abstract: An oven suitable for roasting chickens is provided. The oven includes an oven chamber having side walls, a floor, at least one door, and a ceiling, and a plurality of heating levels. A method of roasting items in an oven is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a transportable vessel for use in a factory for processing molten metal. The vessel is not connected to a reverbatory furnace and can be moved to different locations in the factory. The vessel includes a transfer conduit in communication with a cavity of the vessel. A molten metal pump can be positioned in the transfer conduit to move molten metal out of an outlet in communication with the transfer conduit and into another vessel without the need to tip or tilt the transportable vessel.

Abstract: A refractory bottom lining for lining the bottom of a metallurgical vessel. The refractory bottom includes a stepped portion and an impact portion. The impact portion is formed of a first refractory material. The stepped portion is formed of a second refractory material and is disposed around the impact portion. The stepped portion includes an upper surface that has a plurality of discrete surface sections. The plurality of discrete surface sections includes an uppermost surface section, at least two intermediate surface sections and a lowermost surface section. Each surface section has a different elevation such that the uppermost surface section has a highest elevation and the lowermost surface section has a lowest elevation. The uppermost surface section, the at least two intermediate surface sections and the lowermost surface section define a continuously downward stepped path from the uppermost surface section to the lowermost surface section.

Abstract: A heat-resistant member comprising a molybdenum alloy that comprises a first phase containing Mo as a main component and a second phase comprising a Mo—Si—B-based intermetallic compound particle phase, wherein the balance is an inevitable impurity and wherein the Si content is 0.05 mass % or more and 0.80 mass % or less and the B content is 0.04 mass % or more and 0.60 mass % or less. The member may be coated.

Abstract: An integrated adjustable die fixture to be used to hold and stabilize large parts from dimensional fluctuation during the heat treating quenching process. The die fixture provides for a pair of interlocking dies each with a plurality of radially positioned interchangeable and configurable part engagement blades to conform and hold the part during quenching. A die fixture support and transport lifting frame selectively engages integrated die fixture and part for transport, positioning and select access to quenching furnace.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heat treatment jig. A metal wire as a heat treatment target is to be wound around the jig. The jig comprises a cylindrical tubular body whose outer wall surface has a helical groove formed along a circumferential direction to wind the metal wire. A depth of the groove is larger than a length at which the metal wire will isolate from the groove when the metal wire wound along the groove at room temperature is thermally expanded by being heated to a predetermined heat treatment temperature.

Abstract: Device and method for separating metals and metal oxides thereof, in particular in non-ferrous alloys, such as zinc. To this end, zinc residues (dross) is placed in a rotary drum and heated. After a certain treatment time, pure metal located in the bottom part of the drum is poured out. The invention proposes that the drum be held rotatably on a drive mechanism arranged in the cover of the furnace. This facilitates handling of the drum, more particularly when placing it on its drive mandrel. As a result, it is possible to use larger drums, resulting in a larger capacity and a more efficient process.

Abstract: A tool is provided that is capable of friction stir processing, friction stir mixing, and friction stir welding of high melting temperature and low melting temperature materials, wherein the collar is now divided into at least an inner and an outer collar coupled to the shank and the FSW tip, wherein new thermal barriers enable expansion of the inner collar to be directed inward to thereby create compression on the FSW tip instead of allowing the FSW tip to become loose in the tool at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for bracing of sheet-metal joints (1) in a high-temperature annealing furnace having at least one carrier (2), which frontally receives a sheet-metal joint (1) and has a central axial passage opening (6), on which a support pipe (5), which axially penetrates the sheet-metal joint (1), having a carrier (2) for receiving a further sheet-metal joint (1) can optionally be placed in a load-bearing manner. In order to provide advantageous heating conditions, it is proposed that the carrier (2) has a ring body (7) forming the passage opening (6), having radially protruding carrier arms (8) distributed around the circumference.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing sputtering target assemblies and assemblies thereof are provided, particularly targets made of powders. Powders are adhered to a backing plate by use of a vacuum hot press, the powder preferably contacted by non-planar surfaces, and is compressed with at least about 95% density and substantially simultaneously diffusion-bonded to the backing plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for heating steel components in a continuous furnace, wherein a first transport device having an external drive receives the components in a precise position and transports them through the furnace in order to heat them, and a second transport device receives the parts, after the heating, from the first transport device at a predetermined transfer point or transfer region and conveys them out of the furnace at an increased speed and places them in a precise position at a further receiving point ready for further processing. The components are mounted on a support having engagement means for the different transport devices.

Abstract: Furnace furniture (10) comprising a modular assembly of cast link parts (20) arrayed in rows and cast connector parts (30) mechanically connecting the cast link parts (20) together. The metal for the cast parts can be formulated to accommodate particular thermal-treatment circumstances. And the modular assembly method allows the fabrication of many furnace-furniture designs from a standard inventory of cast metal parts.

Abstract: The molten metal-transferring ladle including a ladle body having a storage space for melted metal, and an opening on the top; a large lid having an inlet in the middle, and covering an upper opening of the ladle body; an openable small lid covering the inlet; a tapping portion communicating the interior with the exterior of the storage space; and a pressurizing gas supplying means supplying a pressurizing gas to the storage space; the large lid having a supplying means installing hole communicating the interior with the exterior of the storage space; and the pressurizing gas supplying means being detachably mounted to the supplying means installing hole.

Abstract: The present invention discovers a new structural design technique which provides clearances between refractories 13 and fills the clearances with various types of refractories or refractory materials like in the past and, furthermore, uses another method to secure the heat expansion absorption function and provides a hearth structure of a rotary furnace hearth 1 able to prevent contact between the hearth structure and furnace side walls 3 and 4 caused by heat expansion of the refractories 13 and realize safe and smooth operation, that is, a hearth structure of a rotary furnace hearth laying two or more layers of refractories between side blocks 9 and 10 built at the inner circumferential end and outer circumferential end of a hearth refractory bed 7 of a rotary furnace hearth 1 and laying a powder or pellet hearth material 16 on its top surface, the hearth structure of a rotary furnace hearth 1 characterized by using refractories having a compressive strength of 0.1 to 5 MPa at 800 to 1500° C.

Abstract: A hearth roll apparatus for feeding a strip sheet in an annealing furnace is disclosed. The hearth roll apparatus includes a ceramic tube which is provided inside the annealing furnace to contactingly feed a strip sheet, a roll shaft which is coupled to a first end of the ceramic tube and extends across the annealing furnace through the ceramic tube, a tube fixing sleeve which is coupled to a second end of the ceramic tube and through which a portion of the roll shaft is inserted, and a tension generating unit which interlocks with the roll shaft and the tube fixing sleeve and supplies a tensile force for stretching the roll shaft in a longitudinal direction. Accordingly, thermal deformation like creep buy which the roll shaft is bent down is minimized, and a line speed of the strip sheet can be increased by high-speed rotation of the hearth roll.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for bracing of sheet-metal joints (1) in a high-temperature annealing furnace having at least one carrier (2), which frontally receives a sheet-metal joint (1) and has a central axial passage opening (6), on which a support pipe (5), which axially penetrates the sheet-metal joint (1), having a carrier (2) for receiving a further sheet-metal joint (1) can optionally be placed in a load-bearing manner. In order to provide advantageous heating conditions, it is proposed that the carrier (2) has a ring body (7) forming the passage opening (6), having radially protruding carrier arms (8) distributed around the circumference.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide a movable sweat hearth for use with a metal melting furnace having a wall provided with a metal-loading entrance. The sweat hearth includes a hearth body movable relative to the furnace into and out of contact with the wall of the furnace at the entrance. The body has exterior walls enclosing a hollow interior except at a furnace-engagable side wall of the hearth body provided with an opening communicating with the interior. The interior has a floor adapted to support a charge of scrap metal, and the opening is positioned relative to the floor to allow molten metal to drain from the interior through the opening. The floor is arranged at an angle to horizontal to slope in a downward direction towards the opening when the container is moved into sealing engagement with the wall of the furnace with the opening aligned with the furnace entrance.

Abstract: Systems and methods for use in processing raw material (e.g., iron bearing material) include a linear furnace apparatus extending along a longitudinal axis between a charging end and a discharging end (e.g., the linear furnace apparatus includes at least a furnace zone positioned along the longitudinal axis). Raw material is provided into one or more separate or separable containers (e.g., trays) at the charging end of the linear furnace apparatus. The separate or separable containers are moved through at least the furnace zone and to the discharging end where the processed material is discharged resulting in one or more empty containers. One or more of the empty containers are returned to the charging end of the linear furnace apparatus to receive further raw material.

Abstract: Disclosed is an annealing frame, especially for conveying molded aluminum parts during a heat treatment process. The invention is characterized in that said annealing frame comprises at least one annealing frame element (1) that is provided with at least one annealing basket (13) which can be placed therein and can be adapted to the annealing material. Annealing material having the most different shapes can be accommodated in a non-tipping and slip-proof manner in said annealing basket (13) while being conveyed during the thermal treatment process.

Abstract: A method for preventing distortion in a flange of a metal part during heat treatment is provided. A method of preventing distortion includes engaging a bottom surface of the flange with a first boltless ring, engaging a top surface of the flange with a second boltless ring, locking the first and second boltless rings into a fixed position relative to each other and relative to the flange, heat treating the part, unlocking the first and second boltless rings from each other, and removing the first and second boltless rings from engagement with the flange.

Abstract: A modular air fluidized sand bed for the heat treatment of metal products is disclosed. This technology provides for the heat-treatment of steels, particularly long products, and other alloys and shapes using fluidized-sand heat transfer media. The technology directs gas burners into U-tube assemblies suspended in the media. The fluidizing agent is hot exhaust gas recovered from the U-tubes. Blended exhaust gases and cool air can maintain fluidizing gas, plenum and retort temperatures at nearly the same temperature as the sand. Constant volume and pressure of fluidizing gas maximizes heat transfer between sand and product. For extreme heating applications, a thermally insulated cover held in direct contact with the hot fluidized sand improves energy efficiency. A sand return system returns sand lost from the bed exit to entrance. The modular air fluidized sand bed includes a fluidization pressure and volume that are altered independent of a fluidization media temperature.

Abstract: A laser forming system includes a motion system. A mounting fixture is affixed to the motion system for supporting a workpiece. A plenum is affixed to the fixture for surrounding the workpiece. A gas supply is joined in flow communication with the plenum for channeling thereto an inert gas under pressure to fill the plenum. A laser is aligned with the plenum for projecting a laser beam at the workpiece for laser forming thereof inside the plenum.

Abstract: In a heat mold device 1 for a guide wire 9, the metallic mold body 2 is made from the material, the thermal expansional coefficient of which is the same of a metallic coiled wire 91 to stabilize a shape-forming configuration 94. A plurality of the mold bodies 2 are arranged in a mold frame 6A to make the reverse side 22 of one mold body 2 tightly contact with the obverse side 21 of other mold body 2 among the neighboring mold bodies 2. A jig arm 7A sandwiches an array of metallic mold bodies 2 and the side plate 63 to serve as a securement member 7. Upon manufacturing the guide wire 9 well-suited to the medical field, the heat mold device 1 renders it possible to make a high quality guide wire with a high productivity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a molten metal transporting container having a long-reach-pouring spout connected to a pouring outlet of a pouring spout, and projects toward the outside of the container body, the molten metal transporting container further having a spout operating member for separating the long-reach-pouring spout from the pouring spout by raising the long-reach-pouring spout while it is projected from the container body, and a spout drawing member for drawing the long-reach-pouring spout that was separated from the pouring spout toward the container body.

Abstract: A fixture for preventing distortion in a flange of a part during heat treatment. The fixture includes a first support for engaging a bottom surface of the flange, and a second support for engaging a top surface of the flange. A boltless locking ring locks the first and second supports into a fixed position relative to each other and to the flange during the heat treatment. In a method of preventing distortion, the steps include engaging a bottom surface of the flange with a first boltless ring, engaging a top surface of the flange with a second boltless ring, locking the first and second boltless rings into a fixed position relative to each other and to the flange, heat treating the part, unlocking the first and second rings from each other, and removing the first and second rings from engagement with the flange.

Abstract: A hearth roll apparatus for feeding a strip sheet in an annealing furnace is disclosed. The hearth roll apparatus includes a ceramic tube which is provided inside the annealing furnace to contactingly feed a strip sheet, a roll shaft which is coupled to a first end of the ceramic tube and extends across the annealing furnace through the ceramic tube, a tube fixing sleeve which is coupled to a second end of the ceramic tube and through which a portion of the roll shaft is inserted, and a tension generating unit which interlocks with the roll shaft and the tube fixing sleeve and supplies a tensile force for stretching the roll shaft in a longitudinal direction. Accordingly, thermal deformation like creep buy which the roll shaft is bent down is minimized, and a line speed of the strip sheet can be increased by high-speed rotation of the hearth roll.

Abstract: Support assembly for supporting heat regeneration checker work in a hot blast stove for a blast furnace. The assembly includes a supporting grid for supporting the checker work, and supporting columns for supporting the supporting grid. The assembly includes a cast iron material. The cast iron material includes a ferritic matrix and a dispersion of graphite particles wherein the shape of the graphite particles is substantially vermicular or nodular.

Abstract: Method for forming a unitary component from a plurality of powder metallurgy compacts. The method in some embodiments includes fluidizing first and second surfaces, wherein a first powder metallurgy compact defines the first surface and a second powder metallurgy compact defines the second surface. The method also includes joining the fluidizing first and second surfaces to form a bonded structure and thermally treating the bonded structure to fuse the first and second compacts into a unitary component.

Abstract: Tools and methods are provided for use in a process for sintering a metal injection molded body where the body comprises a material and having a first end, a second end, and a flowpath extending therebetween, the flowpath having a diameter. The tool assembly comprises an insert and an endcap. The insert is configured to be disposed in the body flowpath and has an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end, a second end, a channel, a slot having a width, an inner diameter and an outer diameter. The endcap is configured to be inserted at least partially into the channel at the insert first end when the slot width is increased, and at least a portion of the endcap has an outer diameter that is substantially equal to or larger than the insert inner diameter.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing sputtering target assemblies and assemblies thereof are provided, particularly targets made of powders. Powders are adhered to a backing plate by use of a vacuum hot press, the powder preferably contacted by non-planar surfaces, and is compressed with at least about 95% density and substantially simultaneously diffusion-bonded to the backing plate.

Abstract: A heat treatment operation can be executed, suppressing a wave-shaped deformation at a non heat-treatment region of an article to be heat treated. To an elongated-shaped article to be heat treated to which a raised portion extending in the longitudinal direction is formed, a hardening region, as a heat-treated region defined to extend in a longitudinal direction at a part of the raised portion, and a non-hardening region, as a non-heat-treated region defined to extend in the longitudinal direction at flange portion, and other parts of the raised portion are arranged side by side in a width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The flange portion is clamped by a first and a second clamp, arranged in the longitudinal direction, and one first clamp is a tight clamp for holding fixedly the flange portion and a plurality of second clamps are loose clamps for clamping loosely the flange portion, allowing the article to be heat treated to be convex on the side of the heated hardening region.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for cooling workpieces. A cooling gas is directed toward a surface of a workpiece. The cooling gas includes at least a first component that is gaseous at a reference ambient condition and a second component that is a liquid at the ambient condition. The second component may be delivered as a gas or as droplets.

Abstract: Hardening fixture for simultaneous hardening of a multitude of sawblades, comprising a bottom plate against which the lower ends of the sawblades are supported, vertical pillars and side plates with lateral openings, where guiding strips and distance elements keep the sawblades parallel close to each other without compressive force, where the structural parts are made from graphite with a surface coating not containing carbon.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pusher furnace (1) for the annealing treatment of aluminum bars for instance. Rails (7) with plate-shaped sliding supports (8) are provided. Said supports cover the entire width of the rails (7) and are produced with grooves (12) on the upper sides thereof. The grooves extend in the longitudinal direction of the rails (7) in an arrow-shaped manner and serve for receiving driven material. Several sliding supports (8) are juxtaposed and thereby form arrow-shaped expansion joints. The rails (7) and the sliding supports (8) can be easier produced and assembled by virtue of the inventive embodiment of said rails (7) and sliding supports (8). Furthermore, the material (10) can be transported without jolts in as far as possible, whereby said material is mounted on sliding shoes (9).

Abstract: The invention is a device that is used to securely hold a crucible for lifting by a lifting device. It has a circular frame with a top bracing leg that ensures straight vertical lifting and proper alignment of the rigging. The frame diameter is slightly larger than the crucible. Vertical pieces extend downward from the top of the frame. At the bottom end of each of these vertical pieces, a hinged piece is attached. On the hinged pieces, a bottom rigging retainer is attached. The bottom rigging retainer allows the rigging to freely pass through it. The bottom rigging retainer with the hinged piece forms a loop through which the rigging is thread. The rigging securely holds the bottom of the crucible. A lifting device is attached to the riggings to lift the crucible. The frame can be made adjustable to fit many sizes of crucibles.

Abstract: A case according to the present invention is used in a sintering process to produce a rare-earth magnet. The case includes: a body with an opening; a door for opening or closing the opening of the body; and supporting rods for horizontally sliding a sintering plate, on which green compacts of rare-earth magnetic alloy powder are placed. The supporting rods are secured inside the body. At least the body and the door are made of molybdenum.

Abstract: Hardening fixture for simultaneous hardening of a multitude of sawblades, comprising a bottom plate (13) against which the lower ends (12) of the sawblades are supported, vertical pillars (14) and side plates (15) with lateral openings, where guiding strips (16, 17) and distance elements (19) keep the sawblades parallel close to each other without compressive force, where the structural pans are made from graphite with a surface coating not containing carbon.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for supporting material to be treated in continuously operated thermal treatment furnaces, wherein the support of the material is carried out by means of support elements external to the furnace, and where the material is made to proceed at a high velocity, said apparatus comprising at least two elements for supporting the material and a member for supporting the support element, as well as means for cooling the support element. According to the invention, the support element comprises at least one rotation support member provided with a turnably installed tightening element, and at least one actuator arrangement for making the support element rotate essentially at an equal circumferential velocity as the proceeding direction of the material.

Abstract: A method of treating a surface of a stacked aluminum alloy ingot during a heating process. Spacer blocks are positioned adjacent aluminum alloy ingots to form a stack, wherein the spacer block has a support surface contacting a contact surface of the aluminum alloy ingot, and at least one of the support surface and the contact surface include a fluorine containing material. The stack is heated to at least a temperature at which the fluorine containing material decomposes or vaporizes such that a layer of a fluorinated oxide compound is formed at the interfaces between the ingots and the spacer blocks.

Abstract: A spacer member in a furnace including an aluminum tube containing a ceramic material. The ceramic material provides high compressive strength and the composite product resists high temperature creep.

Abstract: An annealing basket made of steel, receiving mass-produced aluminium parts (20) for the degreasing and softening thereof, comprising a bottom and side by a frame. At least one side wall (16) is joined to the walls that protrude from said bottom and are defined frame (12) by means of at least one aluminium element (26) that can be plastically deformed when heated to an annealing temperature as a result of the pressure that is exerted on the side walls (16) and occurs in the annealing basket (10) due to thermal expansion of said aluminium parts (20), whereby the side wall (16) moves outwards to a certain degree under the effect of the increase in the volume of said basket in at least one area that is adjacent to the frame.

Abstract: A spacer member in a furnace including an aluminum tube containing a ceramic material. The ceramic material provides high compressive strength and the composite product resists high temperature creep.

Abstract: A pressure pad array is used to float glass sheets from a glass heating furnace to a ring mold in a press bending station. The pressure pads have transversely spaced, longitudinally-extending slotted nozzles angled towards one another to provide a static pressure area for floating the glass sheet. The slotted nozzles are aligned with the direction of glass sheet travel and the space between adjacent pressure pads is covered by a spacer baffle to generate additional static pressure flotation areas. The static pressure areas formed by the slotted nozzles generally produce uniform pressure profiles extending longitudinally and transversely against the sheet's underside to stably float the glass sheets on a heated gas cushion.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for suppressing growth of an oxide film on a coil which is a spirally wound, rolled strip are disclosed. A rolled strip subjected to rolling by hot rolling equipment is wound spirally by a down-coiler to make a coil. Covers are disposed on the opposite sides of the coil such that heat resistant materials intimately contact the opposite sides of the coil. The covers are fixed by L-bolts and nuts to cover the opposite sides of the coil with the covers. In this state, the coil is naturally cooled for a predetermined time to suppress growth of an oxide film and increase productivity.

Abstract: A heat treat fixture is provided for supporting thin sheet-like work pieces, such as metal gasket layers, during heat treatment to achieve uniform hardness and properties of the work piece while preventing warpage. The fixture has porous, planar support walls that engage the opposite sides of the work piece. The walls include a coarse porous exoskeleton of expanded metal and an inner liner of wire mesh panels that are considerably finer than the coarse exoskeleton. The porous walls permit liquid heating and cooling media during heat treatment to flow freely through the walls for intimate contact with the work piece to achieve rapid uniform heating and cooling. The work piece is supported by the porous walls against movement out of its plane while being permitted to expand and contract within its plane to minimize warpage.

Abstract: A method of treating a surface of a stacked aluminum alloy ingot during a heating process. Spacer blocks are positioned adjacent aluminum alloy ingots to form a stack, wherein the spacer block has a support surface contacting a contact surface of the aluminum alloy ingot, and at least one of the support surface and the contact surface include a fluorine containing material. The stack is heated to at least a temperature at which the fluorine containing material decomposes or vaporizes such that a layer of a fluorinated oxide compound is formed at the interfaces between the ingots and the spacer blocks.

Abstract: Apparatus for the rolling and heat treatment of elongated metal product of relatively small cross section, such as rods and bars, is described in which the elements required for the conduct of a variety of heat treatments are arranged in in-line disposition whereby any of several heat treatment procedures can be performed on the product without need for transferring the product to remotely located heat treatment facilities. The methods of performing various heat treatments through use of the disclosed apparatus are also described.