Abstract: A spoke reinforcing method includes straightening and cutting a drawn spoke; stamping one end of the spoke using a first stamping unit to form an initial head and an initial neck; clamping the initial head, the initial neck, and a main body of the spoke in a clamping die to forge a reinforced part; stamping the spoke while retained in the clamping die using a second stamping unit to form a final head, a final neck, and a final reinforced part; and hobbing an opposite end to form a threaded portion. In embodiments, the reinforced part has a polygonal cross-section, including a hexagonal or rectangular cross-section.

Abstract: A connector for use in an ultra-high vacuum system is disclosed herein. The connector has a metal conduit section with a first hardness, a metal fitting with a second hardness greater than the first hardness, and a metallic reaction-inhibiting barrier positioned between the conduit section and the fitting to sealingly attach the fitting to the conduit section. In some embodiments, application of a mechanical stressor such as stretching or treatment with a mechanical oxide disruptor removes oxide from and prevents oxide re-formation on the faying surface of the conduit section. In alternate embodiments, oxide is removed from the faying surface of the conduit section and oxide re-formation is subsequently prevented by applying an oxide inhibitor. The reaction-inhibiting barrier substantially inhibits metallic and chemical interaction between the conduit section and the fitting under ultra-high vacuum, temperature cycling, mechanical stress, and reactive chemical conditions, as are present during manufacturing.

Abstract: A fastener structure includes a rotating fastener body and a main body, the main body and the rotating fastener body are linked with each other by an anti-rotation portion. Through the structural design of the anti-rotation portion, the fastening stability can be greatly improved. Further, each component may also vary the structural configuration. A method of using the fastener structure is also introduced.

Abstract: A method of assembling a refuse vehicle includes coupling body sub-assemblies to one another on a chassis after the sub-assemblies are painted. The body sub-assemblies are assembled from refuse vehicle body components. Each body sub-assembly is painted independent of other body sub-assemblies. After the body sub-assemblies are painted, the painted body sub-assemblies are assembled to one another on the chassis to provide a painted body of the refuse vehicle.

Abstract: A controller for a lifting platform and a lifting platform are provided. The lifting platform includes a lateral beam and actuators, two actuators being provided and respectively disposed at two ends of the lateral beam. The controller includes a control box and a circuit board provided in the control box. The circuit board is connected with the actuators via wires, and a backside of the control box is connected to the lateral beam. Openings facilitating connection between the wire and the circuit board are arranged on the control box, and at least one of the openings is provided at a frontside of the control box.

Abstract: A cutting assembly includes a receiver, a mounting shaft, a tooth and a biasing spring. The components are configured such that the tooth may be removed and replaced by manual operation without the use of any tools. The mounting shaft carries a key that is received in a J-slot formed in the tooth. In an installed position the biasing spring holds the key in a blind passage of the J-slot to hold the tooth in place on the receiver. Manual manipulation of the mounting shaft allows the tooth to be released and removed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for installing a cable tie about a bundle. The cable tie has a ratcheting head and a strap with a ratcheting pattern configured to engage the ratcheting head to encircle and secure a bundle. A finger engagement structure includes a ratcheting element configured to ratchetingly engage the cable tie, and a contact member configured to facilitate tightening of the cable tie and securement of the bundle to a substrate. The ratcheting element may comprise a second ratcheting head configured to engage the ratcheting pattern of the cable tie, and the contact member may comprise a selected one of a ring, a plate or a third ratcheting head. Alternatively, the ratcheting element may comprise a second strap having a second ratcheting pattern configured to engage a second ratcheting head of the cable tie, and the contact member may comprise a plate from which the second strap extends.

Abstract: Plug removal and installation tools and methods of operating such to remove suction port plugs and discharge port plugs from a fluid end on a pump (e.g., hydraulic fracturing positive displacement pump) and to insert new plugs are disclosed. The plug removal tool includes a reaction bar assembly, a drive assembly, and a threaded rod assembly. The plug removal tool may be operated by rotating the drive assembly using a high torque, powered impact tool to reduce the time, labor, and fatigue associated with manually removing plugs from a pump using a traditional manually operated plug removal tool. The drive assembly is rotatable independently of the threaded rod assembly and reaction bar assembly. Rotation of the drive assembly results in linear movement of the threaded rod assembly to extend and retract the threaded rod assembly relative to the drive assembly and reaction bar assembly.

Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for refining a ball joint stud. The method includes receiving and releasably securing the ball joint stud in a holder between a first die and a second die. The method further includes translating one or more of the first die and the second die towards the remaining die to apply a compression pressure to the ball joint stud. The compression pressure causes a plastic radial compression of the ball joint stud to a stroke length. The stroke length may be to induce a residual stress in the ball joint stud or increase a surface hardness of the ball joint stud. The first die and second die each include a contact surface configured to interface with the ball joint stud. The method may further include rotating one or more of the first die and the second die during the application of the compression pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a substrate includes a table, a lifting and lowering mechanism configured to mount a substrate on the table, and at least one pressing member configured to press the substrate to the table from the peripheral side of the substrate, in which the pressing member is movable upward and downward. The apparatus further includes at least one detector configured to detect a warp of the substrate mounted on the table from a peripheral side of the substrate, and a controller configured to control a movement of the pressing member in accordance to the detected warp.

Abstract: A mounting base that couples a mechanical component to a mechanical asset includes an outer housing, a permanent magnet, a compression insert, and a retention lock. The outer housing has wall(s) coupled to an endcap to define an inner volume. The endcap includes an outer surface to attach the mounting base to the mechanical asset. The permanent magnet is within the inner volume and generates a magnetic force to hold the mounting base against the mechanical asset. The compression insert is fitted within the outer housing such that the permanent magnet is constrained within the inner volume and includes a threaded inner opening that accepts insertion of the mechanical component. Full insertion of the mechanical component encapsulates the permanent magnet within the mounting base. The retention lock is within the inner volume between and contacting both the compression insert and the permanent magnet and prevents movement of the permanent magnet.

Abstract: A fastener cap system can include a rigid cap and a sealing member which forms a liquid barrier so moisture is impaired from entering a space under the rigid cap and/or around a fastener installed through it. The sealing member can include a central seal disposed on an upper surface of the cap, the seal extending beyond a head of a fastener, which extends through the cap and sealing member, so that moisture is impaired from entering the cap under the head. The sealing member can be above and below respective lowermost and uppermost cap surfaces so the cap system can be fed cleanly and efficiently through a cap feeder during installation via a tool. The sealing member, which can have a higher coefficient of friction than the rigid cap, thereby does not drag along a cap feeder and cause feeding issues. Related methods are provided.

Abstract: Provided is an automotive glass setting apparatus and a method for setting a vehicle glass. The method includes loading a glass having a plurality of edges onto a setting base, scanning, by a scanning unit, the plurality of edges of the loaded glass, and calculating a center of the glass based on data scanned by the scanning unit. The method further includes adjusting, by a plurality of alignment units and a plurality of moving mechanisms, a position of the glass to align the calculated center of the glass with a center of the setting base.

Abstract: A uniquely designed torque wrench having a torque body, the torque body attached to a frictional squeezing clamp, and a lug socket which is rotationally connected to the frictional squeezing clamp. The frictional squeezing clamp entering a contracted stated during extension of a rod of a hydraulic cylinder, and entering an expanded state during the retraction of the rod of a hydraulic cylinder, the lug socket turning the wing nut of a hammer union.

Abstract: A crimping tool is for crimping at least two members together and confirming that the crimp is acceptable. The tool includes a first handle element and a second handle element, a first jaw pivotably coupled to the first handle element and a second jaw pivotably coupled to the second handle element such that the first and second jaws move between open and closed positions responsive to movement of the first and second handle elements, an insert assembly comprising a number of mounting members coupled to at least one of the first and second jaws, and at least one gauge removably coupled to at least one of the number of mounting members.

Abstract: A split hinge made of a first hinge portion having a first cover that is operatively coupled to two first leaves, and a second hinge portion having a second cover that is operatively coupled to two second leaves. The first leaves, the second leaves, the first cover, and/or the second cover may have the same or different lengths. The first leaves may have first leaf lengths that are greater than or less than the first cover, while the second leaves may have second leaf lengths that are greater than or less than the second cover. The first cover may extend over the first leaves, the second cover may extend over the second leaves, and a portion of the first cover may extend over a portion of the second leaves or a portion of the second cover may extend over a portion of the first leaves to form the split hinge.

Abstract: A screw fastening system includes: an electric motor; a holding device for holding the electric motor; a support member mounted to a drive shaft of the electric motor; a screw fastening machine supported by the support member, and capable of executing a screw fastening operation with pulsed fastening control; and a motor control unit for controlling the electric motor to reduce a fastening-torque reaction force, caused by the screw fastening operation with pulsed fastening control executed by the screw fastening machine, with respect to the holding device.

Abstract: Methods for installing a flat wall panel on a non-flat inner wall of a vehicle can include coupling spacers to the inner wall of the vehicle such that a length of the spacers is equal to a Z-distance that is measured as the distance between a surface where the spacer is mounted and a plane where the flat wall panel is to be placed in the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a retention device and method of use thereof for fitting wheel rims. In one form, there is provided a retention device including: a body having a mounting end and an opposed outer end and defining a receiving opening extending from the mounting end at least partially towards the outer end, said receiving opening configured to at least partially receive the wheel stud therein; a plurality of wedge elements aligned and arranged within the body to engage with the wheel stud; and a magnetic member positioned at the mounting end of the body, said magnetic member configured to magnetically mount the retention device to a nave plate of a wheel rim.

Abstract: A clinch-in fastener with a cylindrical body having a top, a bottom, sides and an axial internal bore. The fastener has a single shank at the bottom end of the body having a top surface orthogonal to the bore and a chamfer tapering to the bottom of the body. The top surface of the shank is adapted for receiving the cold flow of material surrounding a receiving hole of a workpiece. The shank may have a plurality of notches in its outermost edge that extend through both the top surface of the shank and the chamfer. The bore of the fastener extends completely through the fastener body from top to bottom and may be threaded. A fastener installation system having a tool with means for affixation to a rotary and vertically reciprocal element of an industrial machine. The tip of the tool has a distal end face with at least one arcuate displacer adapted for deforming a workpiece as the tool rotates and is pressed against the workpiece. A bore within the tip holds a fastener installed by the tool.