Abstract: An article comprised of a body having a conductor pattern on at least one non-planar and non-flexible surface thereof. The article is prepared by using a three-dimensional mask having an interior surface which is a mirror image replica of the surface of the body on which the conductors are to be formed. The surface of the body is provided with material which is capable of initiating conductor formation. The interior surface of the mask then is placed over the body and in substantial registry therewith. The mask and the body then are exposed to radiation or moving material to delineate the conductor pattern. Subsequently, the mask is removed and conductors are formed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for treating waste solutions and rinse waters, especially those from electroless plating processes to remove organometallic complexes and complexing agents, particularly copper and copper-EDTA complexes by eluting the waste solutions through anionic exchange resins.

Abstract: In a system having a plurality of electric motors which are rated at different voltages, a voltage control circuit enables the electric motors to be connected to a common power supply. The voltage control circuit determines a first voltage appearing between the positive bus of the power supply and the motor and a second voltage appearing between the negative bus and the motor. One voltage is inverted and then summed with the non-inverted voltage to provide an average voltage. The average voltage is compared to a reference voltage and when the average voltage exceeds the reference voltage, a limit signal is generated. The limit signal is used to prevent higher voltages from being applied across the motor.

Abstract: A high speed optical inspection system for determining the conformity of a sample printed circuit pattern with a master circuit pattern by digitized template matching techniques including illuminating the sample pattern by high intensity lamps and filtering the incident light and reflected light, such as by cross polarization of such light, for contrasting. The contrasted pattern is viewed by an electronic video camera including a charge coupled multi-element pixel array which senses reflected points of light on the illuminated sample pattern for sending electrical signals to a micro-engine for forming a digitized image of the sample pattern.

Abstract: In a positioning guide for an ultrasonic stylus disposed in a scribing head, a hub surrounds the stylus and is secured to the stylus near its working tip. A surrounding retainer is secured to the housing of the moveable scribing head. Radial spokes secure the hub to the surrounding retainer, thereby providing a high degree of lateral rigidity and longitudinal compliance for the working tip of the stylus.

Abstract: A system for determining range and orientation of distant objects such as a ship. By utilizing split imaging the observed height on a video monitor can be accurately determined despite movements of the image on the monitor. The observed ship can be visually identified and the true height determined from reference sources. A better comparison of data indicating the true height compared to observed height permits calculation of the range to the target ship. Split imaging can also be utilized to determine the observed length of the ship so that observed height and length data can be compared to the true height and length of the target ship to determine orientation of the target ship relative to the observer.

Abstract: A photodetector system for generating a series of digital value signals indicative of light intensity and particularly adapted for use in computer enhancement of photography and spectroradiometry. Circuitry is provided for controlling both the integration time of the light as well as the amplification factor applied to the analog signal generated. Logic control circuits are provided to adjust the integration time and amplifier gain to maintain the analog-to-digital converter within its optimal range.

Abstract: A method of winding brushless motors is disclosed. According to the method one turn of the winding is applied to each phase of a multi-phase motor, then, a second turn is applied to each of the phases, etc., until the required number of turns are wound. The method results in a layered winding having a minimum of end turned build-up and excellent inductance balance between phases of the winding. Because the winding for each phase is continuous, a high reliability winding is produced.

Abstract: Removing some of the insulating material between commutator bars of flat or cylindrical commutators, hereinafter referred to as "undercutting, " by exposing the commutator surface to one or more energy beams of a frequency and an energy level and for a time which are sufficient for removing the dielectric material to the desired degree without or substantially without removal of commutator bar material. The energy beam or beams may be arranged under an angle with respect to the perpendicular direction so that a certain amount of dielectric material is also removed from a zone underneath the edges of the commutator bars. A preferred high energy source is the CO.sub.2 laser. Preferably, the high energy beam is guided over the commutator surface to sequentially illuminate, e.g., by a scanning motion, at least all exposed dielectric surfaces.

Abstract: There is provided a method for increasing the useful effective plating rate of an electroless copper deposition solution which comprises copper ion, a complexing agent for copper ion, a reducing agent and a pH adjustor and which is characterized by a plating rate which first increases and passes through a peak plating rate and then decreases as a function of a pH above 10. In accordance with this invention, the plating rate of such a solution may be significantly increased by operation thereof in the presence of an accelerating or depolarizing agent at a pH to achieve a plating rate above the plating rate of the solution without such an agent at the same pH. The accelerating or depolarizing agents for use herein include compounds containing a delocalized pi-bond, such as heterocyclic aromatic nitrogen and sulfur compounds, non-aromatic nitrogen compounds having at least one delocalized pi-bond, and aromatic amines.

Abstract: Sensitizing solutions for rendering surfaces receptive to the deposition of adherent electroless metal comprising a precious metal and a stoichiometric excess of a Group IV metal which is capable of two valence states are stabilized against precious metal separation by adding a Lewis Base, e.g., hydroquinone or hydroxylamine. Processes for rendering surfaces receptive to the deposition of an electroless metal are also provided in which there are employed the stabilized sensitizing solutions.