Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for catching tie wrap debris. The apparatus includes a catcher arranged to attach to a tie wrap gun. The catcher is arranged to capture tie wrap tails exiting from the tie wrap gun after tie wraps are tensioned and clipped. The apparatus also includes a collector arranged to attach to the catcher. The collector is arranged to hold captured tie wrap tails. The catcher may be removably attachable to a barrel of the tie wrap gun, and the collector may include a trap arranged to hold tie wrap tails in the collector.

Abstract: A method for forming composite materials is presented, including providing a composite charge wider than a first surface of a mandrel, and positioning the composite charge across the first surface of the mandrel. The portion of the composite charge overhanging the first surface of the mandrel is supported and urged against the mandrel while supporting the unbent portion of the composite charge substantially parallel to the first surface of the mandrel. The invention also provides a system, using a compression mold of forming bladders and heater plates, to form a composite charge over a mandrel, while supporting the unbent portions of the composite charge during forming substantially parallel to the upper surface of the mandrel. The present invention minimizes the shear zone where plies in the composite laminate charge slide past one another during the forming process reducing or eliminating out-of-plane fiber buckling.

Abstract: A method and a gauge for measuring the sharpness of the tip of an object is provided. The method includes receiving the tip of the measured object in the end of a tube. The object deflects a plunger inside the tube a finite distance proportional to the sharpness of the object inserted in the tube. A measurement of sharpness of the tip of the object is derived by measuring the deflection distance of the plunger. The measuring method may be used to measure the sharpness of a number of objects in sequence by displaying the sharpness of the object, such as where the objects being measured are pins arranged in a matrix pattern.

Abstract: A nondestructive method is provided for efficiently determining thickness of a sol-gel coating formed upon a metallic substrate. A value of infrared energy reflected from the metallic substrate without the sol-gel coating is determined. A value of infrared energy reflected from the metallic substrate with the sol-gel coating is determined. A value of infrared energy absorbed in the sol-gel coating is determined, and a value of the infrared energy absorbed in the sol-gel coating is correlated to a thickness of the sol-gel coating.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for marking equipment parts. The system consists of electronic parts marking instruction cards, databases, and, in many applications, remote parts marking equipment. The system also includes analysis and monitoring components for monitoring parts marking programs, including opportunistic parts marking programs. The computer product described utilizes electronic parts marking instruction cards, and allows multiple users at multiple locations to mark parts for complex equipment as they are being operated and maintained.

Abstract: A non-destructive method is provided for determining the amount of a chromated conversion coating on a metallic substrate. A value of infrared energy reflected from the metallic substrate without the chromated conversion coating is determined. A value of infrared energy reflected from the metallic substrate with the chromated conversion coating is determined. A value of infrared energy absorbed in the chromated conversion coating is determined, and the value of the infrared energy absorbed in the chromated conversion coating is correlated to an amount of the chromated conversion coating.

Abstract: The present invention provides a substance for lubricating cutting tools, the substance preferably comprising grease and tapping fluid. The grease may include lithium and the tapping fluid may include molybdenum. The substance made from two to six parts of grease per one part tapping fluid.

Abstract: A non-destructive method is provided for determining the amount of an anodize coating on a metallic substrate. A value of infrared energy reflected from the metallic substrate without the anodize coating is determined. A value of infrared energy reflected from the metallic substrate with the anodize coating is determined. A value of infrared energy absorbed in the anodize coating is determined, and the value of the infrared energy absorbed in the anodize coating is correlated to an amount of the anodize coating.