Abstract: A panel member consisting of inner and outer interconnected panels, and reinforcement members placed therebetween to increase the strength of said panel in localized areas. The reinforcements consist of a structure made up of a base material of plastic or aluminum and an insert material of a hard metal. Loads are transferred to the panel through the metal insert material and dissipated to the panel members through the base structure. In the illustrated arrangements, the reinforcement members are used, for example, in the latch and hinge areas of car hoods.

Abstract: A center star assembly for use with a capping machine where the center star assembly can be quickly removed from the capping machine and replaced with another center star assembly for handling different size bottles or containers without having to remove and reinstall any fasteners or other mounting components.

Abstract: A method of cleaning an aluminum surface includes treating the surface by cold plasma process employing a mixture of about 30 to 70 percent oxygen by volume and about 30 to 70 percent freon by volume and preferably about 40 to 60 percent by volume of each constituent gas. Performance is enhanced by employing particular wattage and flow rates. The process also produces a water wettable surface and a hydration resistant surface. The process will effect such conversions without substantial etching of the aluminum surface.

Abstract: A novel polymer-coated reflector aluminum is coated with an aromatic polysiloxane liquid coating solution polymerized to have non-linear, ladder silicon to oxygen bonding. A metal layer or substrate coated with the aromatic polysiloxane liquid polymer provides enhanced planarization and total reflectivity. The novel aromatic polysiloxane liquid polymer-coated metal preferably includes a non-linear, ladder aromatic polysiloxane polymer-coated aluminum metal sheet such as provided by polyphenylsiloxane polymer having the general formula R.sub.n SiO.sub.(4-n)/2, wherein R comprises phenyl radical, and n has an average value of about 0.95 to 1.05.

Abstract: An improved elongate aluminum alloy product, and a method of producing such a product, ideally suited for use as a component in a vehicle frame or subassembly, i.e., body-in-white. The alloy consists of essentially 0.45 to 0.7% magnesium, and about 0.35 to 0.6%, silicon, and about 0.1 to 0.35%, vanadium, and, 0.1-0.4% iron, preferably 0.15 to 0.3%, the balance substantially aluminum and incidental elements and impurities.

Abstract: A process for fabricating an aluminum alloy rolled sheet particularly suitable for use for an automotive body, the process comprising: (a) providing a body of an alloy comprising: about 0.8 to about 1.5 wt. % silicon, about 0.2 to about 0.65 wt. % magnesium, about 0.02 to about 0.1 wt. % copper, about 0.01 to about 0.1 wt. % manganese, about 0.05 to about 0.2 wt. % iron; and the balance being substantially aluminum and incidental elements and impurities; (b) working the body to produce a the sheet; (c) solution heat treating the sheet; and (d) rapidly quenching the sheet. In a preferred embodiment, the solution heat treat is preformed at a temperature greater than 860.degree. F. and the sheet is quenched by a water spray. The resulting sheet has an improved combination of formability, strength and corrosion resistance.

Abstract: A method of forming a drawn metal cup for a container body which includes drawing a cup having a circular boss in its base wall, redrawing the cup and forming a pressure resistant profile in its base wall.

Abstract: Apparatus for casting a metal article includes a mold having a mold insert provided by cooperating shell and insert core which defines a coolant flow passageway. The insert has a portion disposed adjacent to the mold cavity and, in a preferred embodiment, defines a portion of the mold cavity. The passageway portion disposed adjacent to the mold defining surface of the insert has turbulence inducing elements which establish turbulence of the coolant as it flows therethrough. In a preferred embodiment, the turbulence inducing elements consist of a plurality of generally parallel elongated ribs oriented generally perpendicular to the axial extent of the turbulence inducing portion of the coolant passageway. The apparatus is particularly advantageous for a die casting having thin wall portions disposed upstream in respect of the direction of metal flow from thick wall portions. A corresponding method is provided.

Abstract: An A-rated aluminum alloy suitable for machining, said alloy consisting essentially of: about 0.15-1.0 wt. % copper, about 1.01-1.5 wt. % tin, about 0.65-1.35 wt. % magnesium, about 0.4-1.1 wt. % silicon, about 0.00 2-0.35 wt. % manganese, up to about 0.5 wt. % iron, up to about 0.15 wt. % chromium and up to about 0.15 wt. % titanium, the remainder substantially aluminum. On a preferred basis, this alloy contains about 0.51-0.75 wt. % copper, about 1.1-1.3 wt. % tin, about 0.7-0.9 wt. % magnesium and about 0.45-0.75 wt. % silicon. The alloy is substantially free of lead, bismuth, nickel, zirconium and cadmium. There is further disclosed an improved method for making screw machine stock or wire, rod and bar product from this alloy by casting, preheating, extruding, solution heat treating, cold finishing and thermally processing the aforementioned alloy composition.

Abstract: A method for determining a bending die radius of a bending machine for bending a part and an associated apparatus. The method involves entering into a computer data concerning the part to be bent and an initial estimate of the radius of the bending die. Based on the data related to the part and the initial estimate, a final value for the die radius is determined. An improved bending machine and an associated method are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved method for making synthetic meixnerite having reduced carbonate contamination levels and a x-ray diffraction pattern resembling that shown in FIG. 1, the meixnerite is made by combining magnesium oxide and transition alumina, preferably an activated alumina powder having a BET surface area of about 100 m.sup.2 /g or greater, in a substantially carbonate-free environment.

Abstract: A method of making a strip product having a surface that is both bright and clean after being rolled by work rolls in a roll stand. The work rolls are polished to remove grind lines from the roll surfaces, and the roll surfaces are provided with minute, ovoid depressions having relatively shallow slopes extending in the direction of rolling, followed by steeper slopes at the opposite ends of the depressions. The depressions are created by a laser beam directed against the roll surfaces at oblique incidence to the roll surface normal during relative movement of the beam and roll surfaces. The roll surfaces are then polished to remove any roll material that is raised above the nominal surface of the rolls, the raised material being the result of melting of the roll surfaces and the deposition of roll material vaporized by the laser beam.

Abstract: A method for determining a bending die radius of a bending machine for bending a part and an associated apparatus. The method involves entering into a computer data concerning the part to be bent and an initial estimate of the radius of the bending die. Based on the data related to the part and the initial estimate, a final value for the die radius is determined. An improved bending machine and an associated method are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for electric arc graining the surface of a traveling electrically conductive workpiece, the surface having a substantial area. The graining is effected by a continuous loop electrode having an elongated main body portion and an elongated continuous loop tip edge projecting laterally from a general plane of the main body portion for establishing an arc between the tip edge and the workpiece surface. The arc is moved about the continuous electrode tip by elongated magnetic means located in close proximity to the electrode, the magnetic means including a continuous loop pole member spaced outwardly of and concentric with the continuous loop tip edge. A second pole member of a polarity opposite the outer pole member is located in the general center of the closed loop tip edge.

Abstract: Methods for making an aluminum alloy bicycle frame and for making tubes for such frames including use of an aluminum alloy containing about 0.5 to 1.3% magnesium, about 0.4 to 1.2% silicon, and about 0.6 to 1.2% copper and preferred practices for making extruded and drawn tubing of the alloy and making bicycle frames from the tubing. The preferred practices include extrusion temperature control and other aspects of extrusion and drawing.

Abstract: In a can body maker apparatus including ram means for the forming of a can body mounted for reciprocal motion within a can body maker frame, an improved pressurized air delivery system is incorporated into the ram system to accomplish the air strip of the formed can body.

Abstract: Cathode plate aluminum sheet product for use in electrowinning of zinc in sulfuric acid containing electrolyte bath comprises an alloy (a) consisting essentially of about 0.2 to 0.5% magnesium, 0.15% maximum silicon, 0.1% maximum iron, 0.05% maximum copper, and 0.05% maximum zinc, the balance substantially aluminum and incidental elements and impurities, the aluminum amounting to at least 99% of aluminum alloy, or (b) consisting essentially of about 0.08 to 0.23% silicon, 0.1% maximum iron, 0.05% maximum copper, 0.05% maximum magnesium, 0.05% maximum zinc, the balance substantially aluminum and incidental elements and impurities, the aluminum being at least 99.4% of said alloy. The sheet products are work hardened by cold rolling and have a minimum yield strength of at least 14 ksi, preferably at least 15 or 16 ksi, and an electrical conductivity of preferably 58% I.A.C.S. or more together with good corrosion resistance.

Abstract: An improved high strength aluminum alloy product having good combinations of strength, toughness, corrosion resistance and the ability to be subjected in sheet or strip form to roll forming or shaping operations to produce elongate stringer or other aerospace structural reinforcing members. The alloy consists essentially of about 7.6 to 8.4% zinc, about 1.8 to 2.2% magnesium, about 2 to 2.6% copper and at least one element selected from zirconium, vanadium and hafnium present in a total amount not exceeding about 0.5%, preferably about 0.05 to 0.25% zirconium, the balance aluminum and incidental elements and impurities. The improved strip is preferably produced by homogenizing, hot rolling and thermally treating or annealing at about 750.degree. to 850.degree. F., preferably around 800.degree. F.

Abstract: A novel polymer-coated carbon, metal, or ceramic substrate is coated with an aromatic polysiloxane liquid coating solution polymerized to have non-linear, ladder silicon to oxygen bonding. A carbon, metal, or ceramic layer or substrate coated with the aromatic polysiloxane liquid polymer provides enhanced thermal protection and oxidative stability. The novel aromatic polysiloxane liquid polymer-coated carbon, metal, or ceramic substrate preferably includes a non-linear, ladder aromatic polysiloxane polymer-coated carbon, metal, or ceramic substrate such as provided by polyphenylsiloxane polymer having the general formula R.sub.n SiO.sub.(4-n)/2, wherein R comprises phenyl radical, and n has an average value of about 0.95 to 1.05.

Abstract: The shot sleeve of the invention is used in a die casting machine and defines a bore for containing molten metal to be injected into a die. At least one passageway disposed generally parallel to the bore for containing a first fluid having a fluid temperature and a fluid flow rate is provided, whereby substantially uniform temperatures can be maintained across the width of the shot sleeve by controlling the fluid temperature of the fluid flow rate or both the fluid temperature and the fluid flow rate. A die casting machine and an associated method are also disclosed.