Abstract: A web processing system for laser welding at least two continuous webs includes a supply station for supplying the webs and a lamination station for laser welding the webs together in a pre-determined pattern. The lamination station includes a platen having a platen surface between leading and trailing ends thereof across which the webs are conveyed and a laser welding apparatus offset from the platen surface and configured to direct a laser beam to said platen surface to laser weld the webs in the pre-determined pattern. In one aspect, the platen surface is arcuate so that the webs are maintained in intimate contact across the platen surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for manufacturing a label including providing a release sheet having an adhesive layer on a releasable surface thereof, forming the film-like label portion by electrophotography which includes developing a latent image using the label forming composition to form a solid image of a label shape on a photoconductor, transferring the developed image on the adhesive layer of the release sheet, and fixing the transferred image by applying heat and pressure thereto, and irradiating the film-like label portion and an exposed portion of the adhesive layer other than the film-like label portion with rays to cure the exposed portion.

Abstract: A method of forming a mesh by a molding a link element around other link elements to form a mesh in which the interlinking link elements are formed as continuous unjoined loops by a molding process. An apparatus for forming a mesh including a plurality of first cavities for accommodating first link elements and a plurality of second cavities for forming interlinking link elements. The method and apparatus allow the continuous production of mesh formed of a range of materials including plastics materials.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a friction disk including preparing a mixture including a carbide-forming element having an average particle size ?2,000 ?m, a resin, optionally a binder, and optionally fine carbon, and/or short carbon fibers; forming the mixture at ? to 280° C. to produce a molded body; heating the molded body to approximately 750° C. to approximately 1300° C. to form a porous carbon body including a carbon residue; heating the porous carbon body to a temperature above the melting point of the carbide-forming element thereby reacting the carbide-forming element with at least a portion of the carbon residue to yield an alveolar structure; infiltrating the alveolar structure with silicon at a temperature above the melting point of silicon thereby filling at least one pore of the alveolar structure with silicon and reacting the silicon with an amount of unreacted carbon residue to form silicon carbide; and obtaining a friction disk.

Abstract: Draw a polymer composition by providing a polymer composition containing an orientable polymer having a softening temperature and a filler; conditioning the temperature of the polymer composition at or below its softening temperature; and drawing the polymer composition at a draw rate of at least 127 centimeters per minute in order to achieve an oriented filled polymer composition demonstrating a stable extent of cavitation with draw rate.

Abstract: A method of making a data carrier medium comprising a first carrier layer and a graphical inscription on said first carrier layer and constituted, for example, by a text, by a photograph, or by digital data. The method comprises the steps consisting in performing the graphical inscription by depositing at least one metal lithographic deposition of metal on the first carrier layer, in supplying the first carrier layer made of a transparent material, and further in placing a second carrier layer made of a transparent material in superposition on the first carrier layer so as to protect the graphical inscription.

Abstract: An imprint apparatus for performing alignment between a mold and a substrate and imprinting a pattern of the mold to a layer of the substrate. A holder holds the mold. A stage holds the substrate opposite to the mold held by the holder. A microscope, including an image pickup device, detects a first alignment mark formed in the mold, via a first image pickup area of the image pickup device, and detects a second alignment mark formed in the substrate, via a second image pickup area of the image pickup device. The first and second image pickup areas do not overlap with each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing composite components. A tool is present for use in manufacturing composite components. The tool comprises an encapsulation layer having a shape, an insulation layer on the encapsulation layer, and an isolation layer on the insulation layer. The isolation layer has an outer surface capable of contacting a composite material laid up on the outer surface. The insulation layer is capable of insulating the encapsulation layer from heat applied to the composite material. The encapsulation layer is capable of maintaining a shape with the composite material laid up on the isolation layer during a curing process to form a composite component from the composite material.

Abstract: A microporous membrane is made by a dry-stretch process and has substantially round shaped pores and a ratio of machine direction tensile strength to transverse direction tensile strength in the range of 0.5 to 5.0. The method of making the foregoing microporous membrane includes the steps of: extruding a polymer into a nonporous precursor, and biaxially stretching the nonporous precursor, the biaxial stretching including a machine direction stretching and a transverse direction stretching, the transverse direction including a simultaneous controlled machine direction relax.

Abstract: A method of assembling optoelectronic and/or photonic components, said method comprising: (i) providing at least two optoelectronic and/or photonic components; (ii) aligning and situating these components relative to one another and in close proximity with one another so as to: (a) provide optical coupling between these components; and (b) maintain the distance d between the adjacent parts of these components, where d is 0 to 100 ?m; (iii) adhering these components to one another with while maintaining optical coupling therebetween; and (iv) laser welding these components together while maintaining optical coupling therebetween.

Abstract: Provided is a laminated body comprising a substrate to be ground and a support, where the substrate is ground to a very small thickness and can then be separated from the support without damaging the substrate. One embodiment of the present invention is a laminated body comprising a substrate to be ground, a joining layer in contact with the substrate to be ground, a photothermal conversion layer comprising a light absorbing agent and a heat decomposable resin, and a light transmitting support. After grinding the substrate surface which is opposite that in contact with the joining layer, the laminated body is irradiated through the light transmitting layer and the photothermal conversion layer decomposes to separate the substrate and the light transmitting support.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for welding tube segments to a tubular shaped body, and to a laser welding method for connecting a tube segment to a tubular shaped body, in which the tube wall of the tube segment is constructed from at least two material layers that differ from each other, and one of these layers contains, at least portionally, an absorber for laser radiation, comprising the steps of provision of a PVC-free tube segment and a tubular shaped body, positive insertion of tube segment and tubular shaped body into one another with the result that surface regions of the tube segment and of the tubular shaped body overlap, irradiation of the overlapping surface regions with laser radiation of defined wavelength, wherein it is unnecessary, in the case of the laser welding method, to move either the joint partners or parts of the apparatus.

Abstract: Methods for processing substrate surfaces comprising metallic nanoparticles are disclosed. The methods involve providing a substrate surface comprising metallic nanoparticles, and exposing the substrate surface to a plasma.

Abstract: An imaging optic comprising a first combination element comprised of at least two individual lens elements, aligned with each other along an optical axis and adhered to each other, a second combination element comprised of at least one individual lens element and an aperture disposed between the first and second combination elements, the surfaces of the imaging optic having less than about 3 minutes tilt relative to the optical axis and less than about 0.005 mm de-center relative to the optical axis. A method of making the imaging optic and an endoscope comprising the imaging optic.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for bonding wafers by use of microwave energy. Various components that facilitate relatively quick and efficient bonding provided by microwave energy are disclosed. In certain embodiments, devices and methods for applying desirable compression to the wafers can be implemented. In certain embodiments, devices and methods for providing a controlled gas environment such as vacuum can be implemented. In certain embodiments, devices and methods for maintaining the integrity of microwave mode of operation during the bonding process can be implemented. In certain embodiments, devices and methods for increasing throughput of the bonding process can be implemented.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling radial runout between stacked disk portions (14, 18) and providing a cylindrical pin (20) having at least two diameters (22, 24). The pin is dimensioned and configured to permit the disk portions, which have different center hole dimensions, to be indexed such that a center hole of each disk portion is received by a separate diameter of the pin. The disk portions are maintained in spatial relationship as provided by the pin by spot curing a portion of the adhesive.

Abstract: An installation system for mounting stationary objects, such as towel holders, shelves, lights, or similar furnishing items, on an installation surface, such as a wall or a ceiling, in particular in rooms equipped with tiles, marble slabs, or similar wall coverings, includes one or more fastening elements, a lighting device, and/or an adhering and connecting agent, wherein the adhering and connecting agent is a light-curing adhesive. The one or more fastening elements can be fastened by introducing an adhering and connecting agent into an adhesive space formed by the installation surface and components of the fastening element. The fastening element has at least one at least partially transparent component for irradiating the adhering and connecting agent.

Abstract: A manufacturing method provides an airtight container having a first plate structure, a second plate structure having a wiring formed on a surface facing the first plate structure, a frame arranged between the first plate structure and the second plate structure, a first bonding material arranged between the first plate structure and the frame, and a second bonding material arranged between the second plate structure and the frame. The method includes the steps of bonding the first plate structure and the frame by irradiating a first energy beam to the first bonding material by transmitting the first energy beam through the first plate structure, and bonding the second plate structure and the frame by irradiating a second energy beam to the second bonding material by transmitting the second energy beam through the first plate structure and the frame. The first energy beam and the second energy beam are scanned in close proximity to each other and at the same speed.

Abstract: A laminate prepared by pretreating at least one side of a substrate of a plastic film by plasma treatment and then directly laminating a thermoplastic resin on a surface treated by pretreatment.

Abstract: A system is provided for joining fabrics by lines or arrays of dots of adhesive, the system comprising: a blue light source; a dispenser, disposed proximally with the blue light source, the dispensing system being configured to deposit at least one drop of a monomer on first and second proximate fabric surfaces; a conveyance whereby the light source and the dispensing system change position relative to the first and second fabric surfaces.