Abstract: A precision trimming device (18), which is provided for removing metal areas (12a) between contact pads (12) of a printed circuit board (10), includes a rotary drive motor (20) mounted for lateral and pivotal movement on a frame (22). The drive motor (20) supports a circular saw blade (24) which normally rests in a non-trimming position adjacent to the surface of the board (10). The saw blade (24) pivots into metal removing engagement with the board (10) by the action of a cam follower (50) on a camming bar (34). The frame (22) includes locator brackets (80, 82, 84 and 92) having pins (88) which are extendable into apertures (14) of the board (10) to facilitate locating the saw blade (24) for subsequent metal trimming.

Abstract: A holder (55) for supporting in alignment a plurality of spaced electrodes (18) and (19) to be sealed into a corresponding plurality of envelopes (14) includes a metal base (82) which supports a stripper plate (87). A plurality of posts (36) extend from the base (82) through a plurality of seats (86) in the stripper plate. In preparation for a mass sealing operation the envelopes (14) are placed onto the seats (86) and a pair of the electrodes (18) and (19) are attached to the end of each of the posts (36). A graphite heater plate (61) having a plurality of apertures (72) is joined with the base plate (82) such that the apertures rest in concentric alignment about upper ends of the envelopes (14). An upper weight plate (92) rests on the heater plate (61) to bring weighted guide caps (46) into contact with the electrodes (18) and (19).

Abstract: A plurality of pins (21) supported by a backplane (22) are initially processed through a straightening operation within a pin straightening apparatus (23) while using a preselected straightening amplitude. The centroids of a statistical sample of the pins (21) are then measured to obtain a measure of pin deviation from nominal. The measured data is then processed by a computer (48) to determine statistical values for mean deviation from nominal and standard deviation. Using the statistical values, a determination is made as to whether another straightening operation is required. If another operation is required, a modified straightening amplitude is determined by using the statistical values and is established within the pin straightening apparatus (23). The pins are then processed through the second straightening operation using the modified straightening amplitude.

Abstract: An axially leaded diode (12), travelling at a high rate of speed in a longitudinal direction, is terminated within a bin assembly (18). The bin (18) has first and second ends (43 and 44) and first and second sidewalls (21 and 22) including magnets (33-41) therein to orient a diode (12) transversely to such sidewalls. A tube (48) guides the diode (12) on a path forming a given angle "A" with the sidewalls (21 and 22). A discharge end (49) of tube (48) is located at the first sidewall (21) such that the diode (12) is discharged toward the second sidewall (22). A deceleration apparatus (54) is provided at discharge end (49) of tube (48) and spaced therefrom. Apparatus (54) includes a vertical bar (65) with a row of deceleration elements (66) extending therefrom toward the first end (43) of the bin (18). The row of elements (66) provides a penetrable restraint (64) such that a first lead (14) of a diode (12) discharged from tube (48) penetrates between the elements (66).

Abstract: A plurality of pins (21) supported by a backplane (22) are initially processed through a straightening operation within a pin straightening apparatus (23) while using a preselected straightening amplitude. The centroids of a statistical sample of the pins (21) are then measured to obtain a measure of pin deviation from nominal. The measured data is then processed by a computer (48) to determine statistical values for mean deviation from nominal and standard deviation. Using the statistical values, a determination is made as to whether another straightening operation is required. If another operation is required, a modified straightening amplitude is determined by using the statistical values and is established within the pin straightening apparatus (23). The pins are then processed through the second straightening operation using the modified straightening amplitude.

Abstract: A backplane (32) supporting a plurality of pins (31) is clamped to a fixture (86) which is mounted on a movable platform (48). A pin straightening assembly (85) is attached to a movable holding bar (73) above the backplane-supported pins (31). By selective vertical movement of the straightening assembly (85), tips of the pins (31) are captured therein. The assembly (85) is then reciprocated horizontally in the plane of the assembly to straighten the pins (31) in a first plane. The tips of the pins (31) are then captured by other portions of the assembly (85). The platform (48) is reciprocated horizontally in the plane thereof to straighten the pins (31) in a second plane.

Abstract: A strip 20 has a drive margin 36 and a latent image of a pattern in a light sensitive coating 73 of a pattern portion 22 thereon. To avoid disturbing the pattern, the strip 20 is gripped by the drive margin 36 using a set 43 of pinch-drive rollers which drive the strip without disturbing the latent image. The strip 20 is driven through pattern development, cleaning and etching solution spray chambers 64, 66 and 108, respectively. One or more adjustable shields 78 are used to vary the time interval during which the strip 20 is sprayed by these solutions. By adjusting one or more shields 78 to suit changes in solution condition the time intervals for proper developing, cleaning and etching are coordinated for a speed at which the strip 20 is driven.

Abstract: A plurality of retroreflector devices (22-23) are fixedly mounted in spaced relation on a microwave tower (10) are raster scanned with a laser beam (46). The direction of the beam (46) is monitored as it impinges on each device to determine the position of each device. The twist and sway of the tower is then determined using the positional information of the devices.

Abstract: In the process of aligning an image sensor (33) with a datum mark (23) on an artmaster (21), each of a plurality of elements of the sensor accumulate a charge based on the level of light sensed. The elements of the sensor (33) are repetitively scanned to obtain data pulses relating to the charges on the elements as an indication of the level of sensed light. Data pulses from selected elements of the sensor (33) are counted and compared to develop a signal representative of, and to facilitate visual indication of, the alignment or misalignment of the sensor (33) and the datum mark (23). If the sensor (33) and the datum mark (23) are misaligned, the developed signal facilitate control of servo motors (28 and 29) to move the sensor (33) into alignment with the datum mark (23). Data pulses derived from all elements of the sensor (33) are used to facilitate an electronic reproduction on a display board (40) of the position of the datum mark (23 ) relative to the sensor.

Abstract: Techniques for terminating one or more flat flexible cables (38A,38B) are disclosed. A floor plate (21) used in such terminating is adapted to receive one or more insulation-piercing connectors (28) in one or more recesses (27) in an upstanding wall (26) along an edge of the floor plate. Each connector may alternatively receive, in independent manner and in electrical isolation from one another, either one or two flat flexible cables at the option of a user. Suitable, temporary protective cover (61) and final housing (71) facilities are also disclosed.

Abstract: A chromate conversion coating formed on an article in an acidic chromating bath in reaction with a metal surface on the article, such as cadmium or zinc, is stabilized by subjecting the coating to an alkaline bath having a pH in a range between 11 and 12, immediately upon removing the article from the chromating bath and without first rinsing the article in water. The stabilized coating exhibits resistance to damage during rinsing and drying operations.

Abstract: Articles 12 are mounted in a holder 24 and the holder is floatingly supported on a liquid 16 such that only portions 53 of the articles 12 to be treated in the liquid 16 become immersed to a predetermined depth therein. The relative position of the holder 24 with respect to the surface 14 of the liquid remains constant, even though the level of the liquid may change with respect to a tank which holds the liquid. A substantially self-supporting electrical conductor 45 mounted to fixed external structures and tied to the floating holder couples the articles 12 into an electrolytic treating circuit 56 without noticeably changing the immersion depth of the articles. The floating support frame 11 of the holder 24 also includes buoyant blocks 41 which are adjustably mounted with respect to a rigid support structure 17. A lateral shifting of the blocks 41 with respect to the structure adjusts the orientation of the frame 11 and the holder 24 with respect to the surface of the liquid.

Abstract: The operation of a first motor and a second motor generates first and second frequency signals, respectively, which are fed to a phase lock loop (59) for phase comparison. A tri-level detection circuit (61) develops an output signal in response to the phase relationship between the first and second frequency signals. The first frequency signal is converted to a voltage signal by a converter (63) which is fed to an amplifier (64). A feedback circuit (66) is connected across the amplifier and includes several selectable levels of impedance. A switching network (62) responds to the output signal of the detection circuit (61), and thereby in response to the phase relationship between the first and second frequency signals, to connect one of the impedance levels of the feedback circuit (66) across the amplifier circuit (64).

Abstract: Elongated magnetic articles 12 are introduced into vacant positions 31 on a carrier wheel 18 for a given operation. A magnetic bin 40 has a feed end in communication with wheel 18 and includes spaced sidewalls 41-44, with arm sections 43-44 thereof extending substantially beyond the periphery of wheel 18 and along the sides thereof. There is established between said sidewalls 41-44 a first, magnetic field and a second, stronger field to orient and suspend the articles 12 in bin 40. However, the field between arm sections 43-44 is established substantially within the periphery of wheel 18 and such field includes the stronger second field located in a specific region of arm sections 43-44.For loading articles 12 into continuously occurring vacant positions 31 which are advanced in an ascendent path, the stronger second field is located in a lower region of arm sections 43-44.

Abstract: A method of selectively depositing a metal on a surface is disclosed. The method comprises selectively coating a surface with a surface active agent, having a first surface energy, to form a coated surface having a coated portion capable of burying a higher surface energy material applied thereto and an uncoated surface pattern not so capable. The selectively coated surface is then treated with a solution, having a second surface energy higher than the first, comprising a species selected from the group comprising (1) a species capable of reducing an activating metal ion to an activating metal and (2) an activating metal species capable of participating in an electroless metal deposition, to form a surface having the species deposited atop the uncoated pattern.

Abstract: A method of forming a colloidal wetting sensitizer is disclosed. The method comprises combining a stannous species and a cupric species in an aqueous medium maintained at a pH of between 0.4 and 1.5.

Abstract: A lead frame for mounting semiconductor chips includes laminated chip-mounting portions. These portions are comprised of a high thermal conductivity lead-frame material laminated with upper and lower surfaces of a material which matches the expansivity of the semiconductor. These upper and lower surfaces prevent warping of the mounting portions and this, coupled with the matching of the expansivity of the chip, greatly reduces the likelihood of chip damage.

Abstract: A strip 20 has a drive margin 36 and a latent image of a pattern in a light sensitive coating 73 of a pattern portion 22 thereon. To avoid disturbing the pattern, the strip 20 is gripped by the drive margin 36 using a set 43 of pinch-drive rollers which drive the strip without disturbing the latent image. The strip 20 is driven through pattern development, cleaning and etching solution spray chambers 64, 66 and 108, respectively. One or more adjustable shields 78 are used to vary the time interval during which the strip 20 is sprayed by these solutions. By adjusting one or more shields 78 to suit changes in solution condition the time intervals for proper developing, cleaning and etching are coordinated for a speed at which the strip 20 is driven.

Abstract: A method of recovering gold and palladium from a spent aqueous potassium iodide-iodine etching solution, and regenerating the etching solution for reuse, involves adjusting the spent solution to a strongly basic pH (e.g., 12.5) by the addition of an alkaline compound (e.g., potassium hydroxide) to precipitate metallic gold from the solution. Metallic palladium is precipitated from the resulting alkaline solution by the addition of a borohydride, (e.g., potassium borohydride). Following removal of the precipitated gold and palladium, the spent alkaline solution is made acidic-to-neutral in pH to change potassium hypoiodite and some potassium iodide in the solution to iodine. The solution then is adjusted back upward to a slightly alkaline pH value (e.g., 9.0), and precipitate is removed at room temperature. Potassium iodide and iodine crystals then are added to the solution, as necessary, to regenerate the solution to substantially its original composition and strength for reuse.

Abstract: A lightguide starting tube or rod (12) passes through opposed lateral openings (51--51) in a chamber (31) which contains an oxy-hydrogen torch (14) used to deposit particulate glass on the rod. Frusto-conical, laminar flow, gas shields (71 and 72) are formed about the rod (12) on both sides of said openings (51--51) to permit the rod to pass therethrough in spaced relation to the openings while sealing said openings to prevent gas or undeposited particulate from passing therethrough and preventing contaminants from entering the chamber (31).