Abstract: A wafer bonding apparatus includes a first bonding chuck to fix a first wafer on a first surface thereof, a second bonding chuck to fix a second wafer on a second surface thereof facing the first surface, a bonding initiation member at a center of the first bonding chuck to push the first wafer towards the second surface, and a membrane member including a protrusion protruding from a center portion of the second surface towards the first surface, and a planar portion defining the protrusion on an outer region surrounding the center portion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of repairing surface damage in an exterior surface of a hollow bladder, made of a cured elastomer. The method comprises placing first strips, made of an uncured elastomer, at least partially within the surface damage in the exterior surface of the hollow bladder in a side-by-side arrangement. The method also comprises sealing the surface damage, the first strips, and a portion of the exterior surface surrounding the surface damage in a vacuum bag. The method further comprises reducing pressure within the vacuum bag relative to outside the vacuum bag. The method additionally comprises while the pressure within the vacuum bag is reduced, heating the first strips from within the vacuum bag to cure the first strips.

Abstract: Provided is a laminate having a gel layer on a substrate able to protect the substrate during various types of processing used in industrial production steps prior to curing. The gel layer has excellent heat resistance, softness and flexibility, a low modulus of elasticity, low stress, excellent stress buffering properties, and electronic component retention properties. The gel layer has higher shape retention before curing but changing after curing into a hard layer having excellent release properties. The laminate is easily and readily releasable from the substrate even when the cured layer is localized. Applications thereof are also provided (such as an electronic component manufacturing method). The laminate comprises a laminated reaction-curable silicone gel and a sheet-like member laminated via an adhesive layer on top of the reaction-curable silicone gel.

Abstract: A method forms a butt joint between ends of first and second plies and splices the first and second plies together. The method includes the steps of: positioning a first splice edge of a first ply at a first location; positioning a second splice edge of a second ply at a second location, the second splice edge being left bare; wrapping a gum strip around the first splice edge such that the first gum strip forms a U-shaped structure in section that allows the first gum strip to extend from a first planar side of the first ply over the first splice edge to a second opposite planar side of the first ply; not wrapping a gum strip around the second splice edge; placing the first splice edge in abutting relationship to the second splice edge; and stitching the first splice edge to the second splice edge such that stitches each extend from the first planar side of the first ply, through the gum strip, to the first planar side of the second ply.

Abstract: Methods for modifying contours of substrate surfaces are disclosed. Methods include depositing filler material on a critical mating surface of a substrate so as to render the mating surface more mateable with a matching substrate. The filler material can be deposited within or around features or defects on the mating surface such that a final desired surface contour is achieved. In some cases, the final surface contour of the mating surface is planar. This can prevent gaps associated with the features or defects from forming between the substrate and the matching substrate when they are joined together. The final surface contour of the mating surface can be determined by comparing dimensions of the mating surface to dimensions of a reference surface. In some cases, ink jet printing techniques are used to deposit the filler material accurately in prescribed locations and with precise thickness control.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes removing an adhesive layer from a lower housing of a monitoring device; aligning the monitoring device with an opening of an adhesive applicator; coupling an uppermost adhesive layer that is positioned within the adhesive applicator with the lower housing; and removing the monitoring device from the opening of the adhesive applicator. A shape of the lower housing of the monitor corresponds to the shape of the opening of the adhesive applicator; and aligning the monitoring device with the opening of the adhesive applicator comprises matching the orientation of the lower housing to the orientation of the opening in the adhesive applicator. The method also includes the monitoring device selectively entering a battery preservation mode.

Abstract: A portable glass repair kit system and method, more particularly, for windshield repair for laminated glass and the like to provide an easy to use, highly portable, and economical glass repair kit. The glass repair kit does not require specialized equipment such as an injector, plugger device, suction cups, or require any additional tools or specialized knowledge of how to use the repair kit. The glass repair kit contains a resin which may be urged by a user through slight pressure after the glass repair kit is adhered over an impact point and any cracks thereby repairing a windshield in a more cost effective, time efficient, and user friendly way.

Abstract: Dressings for tissue treatment with negative pressure and methods of assembling the dressings for tissue treatment with negative pressure are disclosed. A method of assembling a dressing, which may comprise at least three layers assembled in a stacked relationship, may comprise providing an assembly station having at least one retaining pin, placing a first layer on the assembly station, placing a second layer on the assembly station, and bonding the second layer to the first layer. The first layer may comprise a plurality of apertures, at least some of which may be engaged by the retaining pins, and the second layer may comprise fluid restrictions and alignment areas for engaging with the retaining pins so that the fluid restrictions may be aligned with the apertures of the third layer.

Abstract: A method for producing a composite pane, includes arranging a functional element in a recess of a thermoplastic frame film, arranging the thermoplastic frame film along with the functional element between a first glass pane and a second glass pane to form a layer stack, and subsequent joining of the layer stack by lamination to form a composite pane. The thermoplastic frame film and the functional element have a different thickness and the different thickness is at least partially compensated by at least one thermoplastic compensating film, whose thickness is less than twice as large as the difference between the thicknesses of the thermoplastic frame film and the functional element such that the maximum offset in the layer stack is less than the difference between the thicknesses of the thermoplastic frame film and the functional element.

Abstract: Disclosed are grips and methods of making grips for use with the handle of an article, and in particular for use with fishing poles and golf clubs. Grips preferably include a multi-layered gripping member and an inner sleeve or mounting body. The gripping member can include an outer layer with a fabric layer coated and preferably saturated by polyurethane. The outer layer can be bonded to an inner layer to form the gripping member which is then attached to the sleeve. The sleeve can be ground from a starting block of material or may be injection molded. Also disclosed are handles including a connector configured to couple to a portion of a fishing pole. Such handles may include a multiple layers and can be selectively removed from the article. Methods are also provided for selectively coupling exchangeable handles to articles including fishing poles.

Abstract: An addition to additive manufacturing sews a number of printed substrate sheets together using industrial sewing machine technology. Portions of the final 3D object that will be solid are sewn together into bundles of the object with a needle protruding through the top of the bundle via a sewing machine with a looping mechanism connecting the thread loops under each bundle of printed substrate sheet layers. This will result in many well connected stack bundles that are then stacked in alignment to form the final stack. During heat and compression, the stitch thread may bunch together and become entangled with the cooled plastic of the final solid 3D object. Removal of the excess substrate may proceed as usual, since the sewing is applied only in the solid portions of the final object. The end result will be a part with much higher strength in the Z axis.

Abstract: A method for forming a solar panel can include attaching one or more tacking pads to one or both of a first surface of a first solar panel subassembly and a second surface of a second solar panel subassembly. The method further includes dispensing an adhesive onto at least one of the first and second surfaces. The first and second surfaces are placed in contact with the one or more tacking pads, thereby tacking the first and second solar panel subassemblies together, during which the first and second surfaces contact the adhesive, thereby decreasing a thickness and increasing a surface area of the adhesive. Subsequently, the adhesive is cured. The tacking pad(s) maintain fixed alignment of the solar panel subassemblies during curing of the adhesive, and establish a bond line of the adhesive.

Abstract: There is provided a crack repairing method for suppressing a crack growth in a wall portion. The crack repairing method includes an injection step in which working fluid is injected into a crack formed into a surface of the wall portion of a target object and a vibration step in which vibration is applied to the working fluid in a direction from an crack initiation portion of the crack on the surface to an inner end portion of the crack. The crack repairing method further includes a deformation step in which a cavity is generated in the working fluid by the applied vibration and compressive residual stress is generated at the inner end portion of the crack.

Abstract: A multi-material joint and a method of making thereof. The multi-material joint includes a first member comprising a first metal or metal alloy that is secured to a second member comprising a second metal or metal alloy that is different than the first metal or metal alloy. A sealant is positioned between the first member and the second member that galvanically insulates the first member from the second member. The sealant comprises a liquid elastomer and a foaming agent.

Abstract: Systems for positioning and bonding a nutplate to a substrate having an aperture include a nutplate engagement fixture and a temperature sensor retention fixture. The nutplate engagement fixture includes a rigid tube and an elastomeric tube engaged with the rigid tube, the elastomeric tube having an elongated tube sized to provide a friction fit with the aperture and retain the elastomeric tube within the aperture. The rigid tube is operable to engage the nutplate at one end and the elastomeric tube is configured to anchor the nutplate engagement fixture at the aperture and secure the nutplate in contact with the substrate. The temperature sensor retention fixture includes a fixture body sized and configured to engage with the nutplate and at least one passageway within the fixture body sized and configured to allow a temperature sensor to be inserted or embedded therein with an end proximal a surface of the nutplate.

Abstract: Process for encapsulation of a microelectronic device comprising the following steps in sequence: supply a support substrate comprising a first principal face on which a microelectronic device is placed, a second principal face, and a lateral face, deposit a bonding layer on the first principal face of the substrate, position an encapsulation cover comprising a first principal face, a second principal face, and a lateral face, on the bonding layer, deposit a lateral protection layer on: the lateral face and the periphery of the second principal face of the support substrate, the lateral face and the periphery of the second principal face of the encapsulation cover, the lateral protection layer delimiting a protected zone, thinning of the second principal face of the support substrate and/or the second principal face of the encapsulation cover outside the protected zone.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing components from fiber-reinforced thermoplastic. The method involves manufacturing a multitude of semifinished products, each of which includes a plurality of impregnated fabric layers that are joined to one another only locally, as well as a frame structure having at least one cutout. The semifinished products are consolidated using a consolidation device, an inlay element being placed in each cutout before the semifinished products are consolidated.

Abstract: A method for improving the heat sealability of a packaging material and a method for manufacturing a heat-sealed container or package are described. The material can be polymer-coated packaging paper or cardboard, or a polymeric packaging film. The material includes a polymer layer that contains polyester, particularly polylactide, the heat sealability of which is improved by ultraviolet radiation. Polylactide is useful as such or when blended, for example, with other biodegradable polyester. The containers and packages thus manufactured include disposable drinking cups and cardboard carton and box packages.

Abstract: A method of repairing or reinforcing, or attaching an accessory part to a wind turbine blade includes: determining a criterion to be satisfied by a repair member including a reinforcing fiber and a UV curable resin, the criterion being an adhesion strength of the repair member relative to a base member of the wind turbine blade; determining a work condition including: dimensions of the repair member, the number of the layers of the reinforcing fiber in the repair member, and/or a fiber extension direction of the reinforcing fiber, based on a damage condition of a repair target portion of the wind turbine blade; placing the reinforcing fiber and UV curable resin on the repair target portion based on the determined work condition; and obtaining the repair member by curing the UV curable resin so that the adhesion strength of the repair member relative to the base member satisfies the criterion.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method to manufacture a textile product comprising a first sheet having a width and a length, and polymer yarns fastened to this sheet to form a pile thereon, the method comprising providing the sheet, stitching the polymer yarns through the sheet to form the pile on a first surface of the sheet and loops of the yarns at a second surface of the sheet, transporting the sheet in a direction parallel to its length along a heating element, the heating element being directed to the second surface of the sheet, heating the second surface with the heating element to at least partly melt the loops of the yarns to fasten the yarns to the sheet, wherein the method comprises transporting the sheet in contact with the heating element, wherein the heating element is a stationary rigid plate-like element having a width corresponding to the width of the sheet, and a length that extends parallel to the length of the sheet, the plate being curved in its length direction, wherein the outer c