Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved screen printing squeegee blades, which include a first end, a second end, a top portion for receipt by a blade holder, a bottom portion adapted for contacting the screen of a screen printing press along at least one printing edge, a front face, a back surface, and a buckle control channel formed in either the front face or the back surface.

Abstract: An apparatus (20, 21) and method (80) operable to: feed (82) a granulated feedstock (26) into a chamber (22); apply (84) a melting or sintering energy (28) in programmable scans (30) producing a material deposit (32) overlaid with slag (34) in the chamber (22); position (86) a slag removal device (40, 52) such that its cutting surface (35) is coincident with a top surface (33) of the material deposit; cut or break the slag free (88) from the material deposit with the slag removal device; separate (92) the removed slag from a reusable portion of the granulated feedstock in a separator (42); and feed (94) the reusable portion of the granulated feedstock to the top surface of the material deposit for repeating (96) the above operations.

Abstract: A plating apparatus and method to perform plating in non-through-hole openings or through-hole openings of a printed wiring board having at least either non-through holes or through-holes to form via-hole conductors or through-hole conductors. The plating method contacts a printed wiring board having the non-through holes or through-holes with a plating solution including plating ingredients, and plates metal on a surface of the printed wiring board while making contact with at least a portion of a pliable contact body.

Abstract: A method for coating a moving steel strip with a metal or metal alloy coating, wherein the steel strip runs through a bath of molten metal or metal alloy to coat the steel strip, and the coated steel strip is wiped to control the thickness of the coating using foils or sheets. The bath of molten metal has a volume at most 10,000 times the volume V of the coating on the steel strip per second, volume V in m3 being given by the formula V=2×d×w×s, wherein d=the thickness of the coating in meters, w=the width of the strip in meters, and s=the velocity of the strip in meters per second.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a direct metal deposition (DMD) structure having substantially fully forged structural qualities is provided. In various embodiments, the method includes depositing a layer of metallic material onto an existing metallic structure having a microstructure that provides the existing metallic structure with substantially fully forged structural qualities. The DMD layer has a microstructure that provides the DMD layer with non-forged structural qualities.

Abstract: A test component coated with a coating system is provided. In at least one defined region of the test component, there is a delamination having defined properties deliberately introduced into the coating system. The test component may be employed in a method for testing a thermography apparatus that is designed for carrying out a thermography method, for its correct operation with a view to the detection of delaminations. In order to test the thermography apparatus, the at least one defined delamination of the coating system is detected on the test component by using the thermography method employed in the thermography apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reaction product UA of at least one cyclic urea U and at least one multifunctional aldehyde A which reaction product has as substituents on the carbonyl carbon atoms of the aldehyde A at least one kind of functional groups selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl groups —OH and alkoxy groups —OR characterised in that the groups —OR comprise at least two kinds of alkoxy groups —OR1 and —OR2, where R1 and R2 are both selected from the group consisting of linear, branched or cyclic alkyl groups having from one to twelve carbon atoms, where R1 and R2 may be the same or may be different from each other, to a process of making these, and to a method of use as crosslinker in coating compositions.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing hairlines in an apparatus case frame is provided. The method includes forming the case frame having primary hairlines being expressed throughout a relevant mold, coating the primary hairlines with a predetermined paint material, coating the primary hairlines to form a coated surface and scratching the coated surface to form secondary hairlines, the scratching being one of at regular and irregular lines.

Abstract: A production method of an ink composition for organic EL devices comprises preparing a composition containing a polymer organic EL material and an organic solvent; and applying an electric field to the composition. Preferably, a composition containing a polymer organic EL material prepared by a coupling reaction between a halogenated aromatic compound and an aromatic boron compound in the presence of palladium catalyst or nickel catalyst, an organic solvent, and an aromatic carboxylic acid contained in an amount of 0.01-1 wt % based on the total amount of the organic solvent and aromatic carboxylic acid is prepared.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for silver plating onto metal surfaces such as PWBs in electronics manufacture to produce a silver plating which is greater than 80 atomic % silver, tarnish resistant, and has good solderability.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising: forming a recess in an interlayer insulating film formed on a substrate surface, the recess being configured to be embedded with an upper conductive channel mainly made of copper to be electrically connected to a lower conductive channel; supplying a gas containing an organic compound of manganese, and forming a barrier layer made of a compound of manganese for preventing diffusion of copper to the interlayer insulating film, such that the barrier layer covers an exposed surface of the interlayer insulating film; after the formation of the barrier layer, supplying organic acid to the barrier layer in order to increase a ratio of manganese in the compound of manganese forming the barrier layer; after the supply of the organic acid, forming a seed layer mainly made of copper on a surface of the barrier layer; after the formation of the seed-layer, heating the substrate in order to separate out manganese from on the surface of

Abstract: A brass-plated steel wire for reinforcing rubber articles capable of surely improving adhesiveness between brass-plated steel wire and rubber and a method for manufacturing the same.

Abstract: A method for forming an electrode for a battery includes the step of rotating a gravure roll while allowing the gravure roll to abut against the surface of an electrode, thereby applying a coating fluid serving as a precursor of a porous layer on the surface of the electrode. In this step, part of the coating fluid applied to the surface of the electrode is continuously removed by allowing a scraper to abut against the surface of the electrode, and the width of a part of the scraper abutting against the surface of the electrode is adjusted according to variations in the width of each of linear portions of the porous layer left after the removal of the part of the coating fluid.

Abstract: A method of controlling edge definition of viscous material applied to an application area on a substrate comprises dispensing a row of droplets of the viscous material onto the application area with a dispensing apparatus. While moving relative to the substrate along a path proximate the row of droplets, the dispensing apparatus dispenses a fan spray pattern of the viscous material. At least some of the viscous material dispensed in the fan spray pattern impinges and mixes with the row of droplets to define an edge of the fan spray pattern.

Abstract: Disclosed is a coated substrate including a substrate coating applied to at least one substantially flat surface of the substrate, the coating including at least one of an axial concavity and a circumferential curvature, the substrate being configured for disposal parametrically about a moving component.

Abstract: A method for surface treating a titanium gas turbine engine component. The method includes providing a gas turbine engine component having a titanium-containing surface. The component is heated to a temperature sufficient to diffuse carbon into the titanium and below 1000° F. The surface is contacted with a carbon-containing gas to diffuse carbon into the surface to form carbides. Thereafter, the carbide-containing surface is coated with a lubricant comprising a binder and a friction modifier. The binder preferably including titanium oxide and the friction modifier preferably including tungsten disulfide. The coefficient of friction between the surface and another titanium-containing surface is less than about 0.6 in high altitude atmospheres.

Abstract: A wire for external exposure, i.e. without chemical binding with a polymer or rubber matrix. The wire has a steel core, a nickel sub-coating and a zinc or zinc alloy top coating above the nickel sub-coating. The steel core has a carbon content exceeding 0.20%. The wire is in a work-hardened state by drawing or rolling. The wire has an excellent corrosion resistance and provides an excellent barrier against hydrogen. Preferable uses are wires in off-shore applications.

Abstract: A doctor blade for removing water from a mating member, such as a grooved elastic belt in the press part of a papermaking machine, comprises a resin-impregnated fibrous laminate, in which at least a part of the warp of a base material in the laminate, which comes into contact with the mating member, is brush-shaped, so that the warp enters the insides of the grooves to remove water therefrom.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a toilet training article in the form of a toilet training pad containing an astringent agent or source thereof is disclosed. The toilet training pad, which may be an insertable pad or integrated directly into an undergarment, contains an astringent agent or source thereof which does not contact the wearer's skin until urination occurs at which time a tingling or other sensation is felt on the skin. To prevent contact of the astringent agent with the wearer's skin until urination, the astringent agent may be microencapsulated into a dissolvable shell or may be inserted into a microsponge.

Abstract: A process for improving the knot tensile strength of a braided suture while maintaining its first throw holding characteristics includes the steps of applying a biocompatible co-polymer to the braided suture and then heating the suture to a temperature above the flow point of the co-polymer. An outer coat is applied to the suture after the heating step. The suture may be scoured with a solvent before the co-polymer is applied or the co-polymer may be applied simultaneously with the scouring step. The co-polymer preferably comprises one or more lactones, more preferably, ?-caprolactone and glycolide. This process may be used with bioabsorbable sutures, such as those comprising filaments made of polyglycolide and polylactide.

Abstract: An embossable film for creating holograms and diffraction gratings and methods of producing the embossable films are provided. The embossable film is coated with a transparent high refractive index (HRI) coating prior to embossing.

Abstract: In a process for manufacturing a conductive wire that is suitable for use in semiconductor packages, a core wire of an extensible metal other than gold is first prepared to have a diameter ranging from 300 &mgr;m to 500 &mgr;m. Thereafter, a gold-containing outer layer having a thickness ranging from 2.5 &mgr;m to 25 &mgr;m is plated onto an outer surface of the core wire so as to form a gold-plated core wire. Subsequently, the gold-plated core wire is drawn to result in the conductive wire having a diameter ranging from 1 &mgr;m to 50 &mgr;m.

Abstract: Precursor compositions having a low conversion temperature and methods for the fabrication of recessed electrical features from the precursor compositions. The electrical features can be conductors, resistors and dielectric features. The precursor compositions are deposited into recessed features, such as trenches, formed in a substrate and are reacted at a low temperature to form electrical features having good electrical and mechanical properties. The substrate can be a low temperature substrate, such as an organic substrate.

Abstract: A method for producing coated strands of metal includes guiding a metal strand through the bottom of a vessel filled with a molten mass of the same or different composition as the metal strip, wherein the residence time of the metal strand is selected as a function of at least one of the molten bath level, the casting speed, the metal strand thickness, and the preheating temperature of the metal strand such that the deposited molten mass on the metal strand has a desired thickness of several times the initial thickness of the metal strand. After exiting from the molten bath, the metal strand with a layer crystallized thereon is subjected to a smoothing path carried out when the surface temperature of the strand crystallized thereon is smaller than the solidus temperature of the molten bath, so that at least the surface of the layer crystallized thereon is solidified. The crystallized layer is applied with a thickness which exceeds the desired final thickness of the coated strand.

Abstract: A method for surface working a tribological coating of a supereutectic aluminum-silicon alloy or an aluminum-silicon composite material with a coating structure includes machining the surface dry, without lubricant, in a one-step process, with a cutting tool having a cutting material containing diamond. The surface treating may be followed by a one-step finish honing or one-step texturing process.

Abstract: A filling squeegee and a scraping squeegee are provided in a printing apparatus. The filling squeegee is moved without contacting a surface of a mask in order to fill a solder paste into openings of the mask. Unnecessary solder paste on the surface of the mask is scraped by the scraping squeegee. The solder paste is prevented from being improperly filled in or scraped from the openings even if a speed of the squeegee is increased, so that the solder paste can be printed stably on circuit board.

Abstract: When bearing layers are producing by thermal coating the coating flame causes oxidation of a part of the coating material. To reduce this oxide formation and especially to lower the formation of oxide clusters in the layer a gas stream is projected next to the burner flame with an oxygen content lower than that of air. Preferably a gas with nitrogen ≧99% is used for the gas stream and as cooling gas for the burner. The method disclosed provides a bearing layer for a connecting rod eye. The large connecting rod eye is subjected to pre-spindle trimming, cracking and further spindle trimming to the coating tolerance, sandblasted and plasma coated with an aluminum bronze to produce a microporous layer. At the start of plasma spraying the plasma layer is deposited at a high temperature, which results in good adhesion of the plasma layer to the material of the connecting rod eye and low porosity of the plasma layer.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing unsupported thin film particles are provided. The apparatus includes: (a) a vacuum chamber; (b) a rotatable drum disposed within the vacuum chamber; (c) means within the vacuum chamber for depositing a surface coating onto the drum when the drum is rotating; (d) means for depositing at least one thin film layer onto the surface coating to provide a thin film structure disposed atop the surface coating; and (e) a knife blade disposed proximate to the surface of the drum, such that a thin film structure deposited onto the drum can be scraped away from the drum by the rotation of the drum. In the method, a surface coating, such as a wax, is applied directly to the moving surface. Thereafter, one or more thin film layers is deposited upon the surface coating. The thin film layer or layers are thereafter scraped away from the surface coating using the knife blade.

Abstract: A filling squeegee and a scraping squeegee are provided. The filling squeegee is moved in a state without contact with a surface of a mask thereby to fill a solder paste in openings of the mask, then the unnecessary solder paste on the surface of the mask is scraped by the scraping squeegee. The solder paste is prevented from being filled in the openings improperly or scraped improperly even if a speed of the squeegee is increased, so that the solder paste is printed stably on circuit boards.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a porous electrode wire for use in electrical discharge machining and the method of manufacturing the same. The wire improves the machining speed at least 15% compared with a conventional zinc coated wire, which results from an increased cooling ability of the wire with a cooling liquid because of the increase in the surface area of the wire having porous surface morphology. Since the surface of the porous wire presents uniform profile of outer periphery rather than surface protrusions, it does not affect machining accuracy. Further, the porous nature of the wire is expected to improve flushability during the electrical discharge machining, providing spaces to eliminate particles of the machining. Therefore, in accordance with the method of the present invention, a zinc coated wire having improved performance of machining speed and flushability compared with a conventional coated wire can be provided without additional processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the surface working of a tribological coating of a supereutectic aluminum-silicon alloy or an aluminum-silicon composite material with a coating structure, wherein the surface is reworked after the production of the coating. Provision is made according to the invention that the surface is machined dry, without lubricant, in a one-step process, a cutting tool with a cutting material containing diamond being used. This can be followed by an additional working process. Preferably a combination process of dry machining and one-step finish honing or one-step texturing by radiation is provided.

Abstract: A method of attaching a substantially uniform distribution of particulates to individual exposed surfaces of a matrix of fibrous material. The method includes the following steps: 1) electrically charging a matrix of fibrous material having individual exposed surfaces to create a substantially uniform distribution of charged sites at the exposed surfaces; 2) applying particulates to the charged matrix of fibrous material so that at least some particulates adhere at the charged sites; and 3) attaching particulates adhering to the fibrous material at charged sites by substantially non-transient bonding.

Abstract: A method of producing a nozzle plate for use in an ink jet head includes the steps of (a) stretching a predetermined number of resin lines, each having a cross section corresponding in shape to each nozzle hole to be formed in an ink jet head, in the same arrangement as that of nozzle holes to be formed in the ink jet head, (b) plating the peripheral surface of each of the resin lines with a metal, while maintaining the arrangement of the resin lines, (c) forming a nozzle substrate so as to include the resin lines therein with the metal used in the plating of the resin lines, (d) slicing the nozzle substrate, and (e) removing the resin lines from the sliced nozzle substrate, thereby forming the nozzle plate. In the above method, the resin lines can be removed from the nozzle substrate, and then the nozzle substrate can be sliced so as to form the nozzle plate.

Abstract: A flat metal sealing gasket is made as follows: on an unhardened spring steel plate having an aperture and a bead surrounding the aperture, a sinterable powder is deposited along the bead in a desired shape and thickness. Thereafter a sufficiently high temperature is applied to the deposited sinterable powder to effect sintering or melting of the powder to provide a pressure-resistant overlay on the plate and to simultaneously effect a hardening of the plate.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for immobilizing molecules, particularly biomolecules such as DNA, RNA, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, or hormones onto a substrate such as glass or silica; patterns of immobilization can be made resulting in addressable, discrete arrays of molecules on a substrate, having applications in bioelectronics, DNA hybridization assays, drug assays, etc.

Abstract: A method for making a circuit device having at least one peripheral interconnect for electrically connecting the device to another circuit device on a motherboard, includes forming at least one opening in a substrate, the opening having an inner surface extending between first and second major surfaces of the substrate. The inner surface of the opening and portions of the major surfaces adjacent the opening are coated with electrically conductive material. Electrically conductive material is removed from opposing regions of the inner surface of the opening prior to plating and then, after plating, the substrate is cut in a line extending across opposing regions to expose the coated and plated inner surface as the peripheral electrical interconnect. The method produces interconnects with reduced contamination by conductive particulates.

Abstract: Molten aluminum and a ceramic substrate are held in direct contact with each other and thereafter cooled to have the aluminum joined directly to the ceramic substrate. This method is capable of consistent and easy production of aluminum-ceramics composite substrates having satisfactory joint strength, thermal conductivity and heat resistance characteristics. A ceramic member is fed successively into and through molten metal to directly bond the metal on the ceramic to produce a metal-bonded-ceramic (MBC) material at a low cost. An electronic circuit substrate made of an aluminum ceramic composite material wherein an electronic circuit is formed on an aluminum surface of the aluminum-ceramic composite material. The aluminum-ceramic composite material is made by directly solidifying molten aluminum or an aluminum alloy on at least a portion of a ceramic substrate.

Abstract: An absorber head picks up a plurality of soldering balls from a container, and is shifted horizontally toward a substrate. In the midway of this shift movement, the absorber head is stopped just above a flux storage and then lowered to soak the soldering ball in the flux stored in the flux storage, thereby applying each soldering ball with an adequate amount of flux. Thereafter, the absorber head is again shifted horizontally until it reaches the substrate. Then, the absorber head lowers the soldering ball applied with flux, so that each soldering ball is mounted on a corresponding electrode provided on the substrate. If any soldering balls are left in the flux storage due to failure of the pickup operation by the absorber head, such soldering balls are surely collected in a groove by wiping movement of a squeegee which is associated with the flux storage.

Abstract: A process for selective metalization for electrically isolating areas of a substrate is disclosed. The process employs placing microridges onto a surface, the microridge protruding from the plane formed by the surface. The surface, including the microridge, is then metalized and a portion of the metalized microridge, beyond the surface plane is removed. This removal process creates electrically isolated areas without affecting the integrity of the substrate.

Abstract: A method for making a drive line slip joint assembly of the type having a slip yoke and a yoke shaft, the yoke shaft telescopically engaging an internal bore through one end of the slip yoke, the yoke shaft having an externally splined portion with splines extending radially outwardly from a central axis, and the slip yoke having an internally splined portion with splines extending radially inwardly toward the central axis, with the splines of the yoke shaft intermeshing with the splines of the slip yoke to form a driving connection between the yoke shaft and the slip yoke, includes coating the splines of either the yoke shaft or the slip yoke with a low friction coating, heating the yoke shaft and the slip yoke to a temperature sufficient to soften the low friction coating, centering the yoke shaft with respect to the slip yoke, inserting the yoke shaft into the internal bore of the slip yoke, and cooling the yoke shaft and slip yoke.

Abstract: The method for metallizing the surface of dielectric materials according to the invention comprises a first step wherein a metal powder, the size of the grains of which is comprised between 10 and 5000 nm, is deposited and then incorporated into the surface of the dielectric material. In a second step of the method, the dielectric material which is so impregnated with metal, is immersed into an autocatalytic bath to coat the impregnated zones of the material with a layer of the metal contained in the bath in a thickness which is proportional to the immersion time. This method enables to metallize materials such as oxides, polymers and composites containing these oxides and/or these polymers. The characteristics of the metal deposits are controlled, on the one hand, by the type of metal, and the size and the geometry of the metal powder grains and, on the other hand, by the type and the structure of the dielectric materials coated with these deposits.

Abstract: A self-cleaning chemical vapor deposition (CVD) apparatus and method allow CVD reactors to operate long periods of time without manual removal of extraneous materials such as soot and fuzz. The apparatus is made self-cleaning by superposing a scraping member having a surface, such as a glass rod, over an inner surface of a reactor, and effecting relative movement between the inner surface and scraping member surface. Preferably the reactor is tilted at an angle to horizontal to enhance removal of extraneous material.

Abstract: A method of covering a substrate surface with a sintered layer comprises the step of loading a powdery raw material in a region of forming a sintered layer on the surface of a substrate, and the step of sintering the loaded powdery raw material so as to form a sintered layer on the surface of the substrate. The powdery raw material contains at least two elements and has a temperature region in which a solid phase and a liquid phase are present together. The liquid phase is wettable with the substrate. The sintering step is performed within a temperature region in which the solid phase and the liquid phase of the powdery raw material are present together.

Abstract: A method of infiltrating a porous ceramic compact with a molten metal to form a cermet is disclosed. A solid-phase metal is disposed on a surface of a porous ceramic compact. The surface of the porous ceramic compact is at an angle to the horizontal which is sufficient to allow molten metal formed from the solid-phase metal to rupture an oxide layer at least partially supporting the molten metal. The solid-phase metal is heated to a temperature sufficient to melt the solid-phase metal and to allow the molten metal formed to rupture the oxide layer. The molten metal flows through an opening in the metal oxide layer formed by the rupture and infiltrates the porous ceramic compact. The porous ceramic compact, containing the molten metal, is then cooled to a temperature whereby the molten metal solidifies, thereby forming a cermet.

Abstract: This invention concerns a mechanical plating process comprising: shaving metal off from a pure metal or alloy block and plating an object to be plated with the shaved off metal by the use of at least a single metal brush, wherein the metal block and the metal brush are in frictional contact with each other, and the object to be plated and the metal brush are concurrently in frictional contact with each other.

Abstract: A method for replenishing depleted portions of an ink sheet including a conductive ink layer on a dielectric layer wherein portions of ink have been transferred to a transfer medium. Conductive replacement ink material is supplied to the ink sheet and an electric charge is induced in the replacement ink and opposite charges are induced at an electrode on the opposite side of the dielectric layer. Replacement ink contacting the dielectric layer at the voids will adhere to the ink sheet, but charges in the replacement ink contacting the non-transcribed ink regions will flow to the conductive ink layer and will not adhere to the ink sheet.

Abstract: A process for hermetically sealing defects in a porous ceramic substrate comprising the steps of evaporating or sputtering a malleable metal layer onto the defective porous ceramic surface, swaging or smearing the malleable metal layer over the defects and depositing a second metal film over the swaged first film to provide a smooth defect free surface.

Abstract: A method of coating a metal article comprising the steps of mixing a slurry of carbides or borides of metals selected from the group consisting of metals belonging to groups IVB and VIB of the periodic table, an organic binder and an organic solvent and then spray coating the slurry on the surface of the article, then machining the coating on the article, and heating the article under pressure so that the organic binder in the coating is heated and eliminated, and placing a metallic binder and the coated article in a furnace whereupon the metallic binder is dissolved and combined with the article.

Abstract: Method of making copper clad conductor by impinging of copper particles upon a heated steel wire to cause adhesion of the particles to the wire, by coalescence, building up the particles to form a coating and then drawing the coated wire to the required diameter. The coated wire may be heat treated to cause flow of copper to improve the surface finish before the drawing process. The copper particles may be directed at the wire by a spraying technique. Alternatively, the wire is passed over a fluidized bed of the particles and through a cloud of particles thrown up by the bed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an armature winding conductor including fusing brazing alloy onto the surface of the conductor, and, ensuring that the dimensions of the conductor, in the region carrying the alloy, are such that the conductor can pass through the slots of the armature core with which the windings are to be associated in use. The conductor is cut to length and bent to fit the armature either before or after the fusion step.