Abstract: An improved cutting apparatus and method used in a wire scribing device, said cutting apparatus having a cutter blade attached to a wiring head, and having a z-axis actuator for precisely controlling the movement of the cutter blade in the z-direction. A gauge height finder, attached to the wiring head determines a distance between the wiring head and the substrate, wherein the determined distance is used to control the z-axis actuator for lowering the cutter blade so as to precisely cut the conductor on the surface of the substrate. Furthermore, the cutting apparatus may include a cutter bracket attached to the wiring head, having a preloaded spring fixed thereto. Wherein this spring is preloaded to a preset force and wherein the spring is positioned above the cutter blade so that an upward force on the cutter blade is transmitted to the spring.

Abstract: A non-tacky, solid, adhesive composition comprising: (a) at least one film forming polymeric resin of number average molecular weight (Mn) of at least about 10,000 and having a hydroxyl, epoxide or unsaturated functionality greater than about 7, the polymeric resin being selected from the group of polyols consisting of polyesters, polyurethanes, phenoxies, epoxies and mixtures thereof; a plasticizer present in an amount which permits the activation without C-staging of the polymeric resin; (b) a curing agent which is capable of crosslinking and curing the polymeric resin to a C-stage, the curing agent being present in an amount sufficient to C-stage the polymeric resin. The adhesive composition can be activated without C-staging the polymeric resin, upon application of sufficient heat or ultrasonic energy for a time period less than one second.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting breaks in wire while the wire is being scribed wherein the apparatus measures changes, in real time, in the scribing system's electrical characteristics. These characteristics can be changes in phase shift and capacitance variations caused by breaks in the wire as the wire is scribed onto a workpiece.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing straw tube drift chambers in an array configuration is provided. The process of manufacturing the straw tubes includes the construction of an array of tube sections, followed by the positioning of a conductive wire, and then closing the tubes. The completed straw tube array, when filled with ionizable gases, are configured about a particle accelerator collision point to provide a means for detecting the products of the collision (secondary particles) as they pass through the straw tube chambers.