Abstract: A liquid-jet-guided laser system can be used to generate functional slots having different depth and sidewall profiles by applying active control of laser beam parameters. Blinds slots can be processed onto a workpiece, such as a tire mold or a turbine vane, for an insertion of a sipe or a sealing element, respectively. Through slots can also be processed onto a workpiece, such as a turbine element for cooling during operation or a semiconductor wafer for singulation purpose. The processing of the workpiece can include a two-step procedure, wherein the first step comprises a pre-cut. The pre-cut cuts a contour outline of a slot onto a workpiece corresponding to an element that is to be inserted into the slot. The second step comprises a removal cut to remove excess workpiece material in between the contour outline. The liquid-jet-guided laser system can employ multiple-wavelength processing of a multiple-material workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of automatically and safely removing a needle from a syringe assembly while retaining a syringe hub as part of the syringe assembly is generally described. A needle containment device is provided, which may include a needle handling apparatus and a shutter mechanism assembly. The needle handling apparatus is configured for receiving at least a portion of a syringe assembly including at least a needle and a syringe hub, wherein a first clamping mechanism is configured to clamp the syringe hub and a second clamping mechanism is configured to clamp the needle, so that the needle is safely and automatically removed from the syringe hub.

Abstract: A method of forming a component of an ultrasonic surgical instrument includes accessing a file including a digital model representing the component. The component includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion includes a contact portion. The distal portion includes an ultrasonic blade. The contact portion is configured to transmit ultrasonic vibrations to the ultrasonic blade when the component is acoustically coupled to a complementary portion of an acoustic waveguide of the ultrasonic surgical instrument. The file is used to fabricate the component via an additive manufacturing process. Once the component has been fabricated, the distal portion is secured to a distal end of the complementary portion of the acoustic waveguide.

Abstract: An automated assembly apparatus comprises an assembly robot that includes a Y-axis movement unit, a first X-axis movement unit movable in a Y-axis direction along the Y-axis movement unit, and a grip unit movable in an X-axis direction along the X-axis movement unit, and a workbench unit including a Z-axis movement unit arranged below the assembly robot with respect to an Z-axis and a workbench movable in the Z-axis direction along the Z-axis movement unit, wherein an assembly operation for a first assembly component gripped by the grip unit and a second assembly component mounted on the workbench unit is performed through movement in the Z-axis direction by the workbench unit.

Abstract: A method of making a superelastic medical device with a radiopaque marker includes threading a radiopaque marker having an elongated shape over a wire comprising a shape memory alloy. After the threading, the wire is secured in a predetermined configuration to a mandrel. While secured to the mandrel, the wire is heat set in an environment comprising an inert gas so as to impart a memory of the predetermined configuration to the wire and superelastic properties to the shape memory alloy. A superelastic medical device including the radiopaque marker is thus formed.

Abstract: A method of producing fastening assembly (10) including a series of layers (12, 14, 16) and a screw (18), the screw (18) having a screw head (20), a shaft (24), a thread (26) extending into a displacement tip (22) and an unthreaded shaft portion (28). The method includes screwing the screw (18) into the series of layers (12, 14, 16), the layer (14) in the series of layers (12, 14, 16) that is furthest from the screw head (20) being deformed in the screw-in direction, so that a thickness Dp of the series of layers (12, 14, 16) is increased in a region around the screw (18), and continuing to screw in the screw (18) until the screw head (20) strikes the series of layers, a maximum thickness Dp, max of the series of layers being reached at this moment and the length LF of the unthreaded shaft portion (28) being up to 10% less than and up to 30% greater than the maximum thickness Dp, max of the series of layers.

Abstract: A cap for use in covering a portion of a fastener protruding from a surface is provided. The portion includes threads. The cap includes an interior, a base that at least partially delimits the interior, a threaded receptacle on the interior configured to threadably engage the portion of the fastener, and a seal coupled to the base to engage the surface.

Abstract: A method of making a gasket track for a gasket is provided. A first section of a c-shaped channel comprising from 50% to 75% of the c-shaped channel of a first plastic material is formed. A second section of a c-shaped channel comprising from 25% to 50% of the c-shaped channel of a second plastic material is formed. The first section is joined together with the second section to form all of the c-shaped channel. The c-shaped channel has a circular cross section that forms at least 65% of an ellipse.

Abstract: A medical device includes a polymer scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. A sheath pair is placed over the crimped scaffold after crimping to reduce recoil of the crimped polymer scaffold and maintain scaffold-balloon engagement relied on to hold the scaffold to the balloon when the scaffold is being delivered to a target in a body. The sheath pair is removed by a health professional before placing the scaffold within the body.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a post position adjustment device, a cassette adjustment device and a substrate conveyance system. The post position adjustment device includes: a post-picking-and-placing unit configured to pick a post out from current positioning hole and install the post into a target positioning hole; a movement mechanism configured to move the post-picking-and-placing unit; and a movement control unit configured to control the movement mechanism to move the post-picking-and-placing unit to a source position where the post is currently located, and after the post has been picked out from the current positioning hole by the post-picking-and-placing unit, control the movement mechanism to move the post-picking-and-placing unit to a target position.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is provided an apparatus for retaining and moving an automobile tire, and which includes a pair of tire engagement roller assemblies and a lever actuator assembly coupled to the roller assemblies. The roller assembly includes a movable base frame and a tire engaging roller rotatably coupled to the base frame, and the lever actuator assembly includes a lever arm, a link arm pivotally coupled to the lever arm along a length thereof, and a retention bar for selectively holding the lever and link arms in a fixed position relative to each other. Longitudinal end portions of the lever and link arms are rotatably coupled to associated said roller assemblies. Rotational movement of the lever arm towards a generally upright position effects inward movement of the roller assemblies towards each other to mount the tire disposed therebetween.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for dressing centering a bearing compartment in a gas turbine engine. A nut may be inserted through an outer case of a gas turbine engine. The nut may be coupled to a strut which centers a bearing compartment. The nut may be rotated to achieve a desired tension on the strut to center the bearing compartment. A retaining plate comprising a collar may be positioned over the nut. A swaging tool comprising a swaging ramp may be positioned over the nut. The swaging tool may be forced against the retaining plate using a draw-in bolt. The swaging ramp may contact the collar and form indentations in the collar to lock the nut in place.

Abstract: Embodiments described in this specification are generally directed to a bolted hinge assembly for a waterbox cover (a “waterbox hinge assembly”). The waterbox hinge assembly generally does not require welding on the waterbox cover or the heat exchanger in an HVAC system (“HVAC unit” hereinafter). Further, the waterbox hinge assembly may be installable to the HVAC unit without removing the heat exchange fluids (e.g., water, refrigerant, etc.) from the HVAC unit. In some embodiments, the waterbox hinge assembly can be installed on an HVAC unit without removing any bolts from the waterbox cover. Once installed, the waterbox hinge assembly can be left in place so that it can be reused anytime the HVAC unit is serviced.

Abstract: In some examples, a material may be subject to shot peening of a relatively long duration to improve cavitation erosion resistance of the material. For example, the material surface may be shot peened to cause grain reduction and an increase in hardness to a depth of 60 ?m or more, while the surface remains relatively smooth. As one example, the method may include treating a surface of austenitic stainless steel by impacting the surface with shot media for a treatment duration of 15 to 40 minutes at a shot peening intensity corresponding to an Almen strip type A intensity of 5A to 10A.

Abstract: Manufacturing methods that combine molding processes and shaping processes are described. The systems and methods described can be used to form composite parts using a single manufacturing process. In some embodiments, the methods involve positioning a workpiece within a mold cavity, then injecting a moldable material within the cavity at pressures sufficient to deform the workpiece such that features, such as protrusions or cavities, are formed within the workpiece. The resultant composite part includes the workpiece molded to a molded material. In some embodiments, the workpiece is a layer of metal material and the molded material is a structurally rigid plastic material, such that the composite part is a structurally rigid plastic with a metal coating. In some embodiments, multiple workpieces are molded within a composite part.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a step drive mechanism to be attached into the hollow body of a tool, making it possible to produce a thrust movement that can be easily carried out. To this end, the mechanism includes: a rack (2) that has a first (3) and a second (4) cog having back-slanted teeth (3a, 4a) arranged on an upper (2a) and a lower (2b) edge, respectively; a front end (2c); a pivotable lever (5) that comprises a hollow top end (5a) receiving a torsion spring (8), bearing against said hollow top end (5a) of the lever and against a thrust pawl (7) pivoting in the hollow body (1) in front of the hollow top end (5a) of the lever, and has a crosspiece (7a) inserted between the teeth (3a) of the first cog (3); and a pivotable locking pawl (8) provided with a crosspiece (8a) inserted between the teeth (4a) of the second cog (4). A compression spring (9) is arranged such as to bear against the locking pawl (8) and against an abutment (2d) located at a rear end (2e) of the rack (2).

Abstract: A portable programmable machine enhances efficiency and ergonomics associated with conducting otherwise manual operations within confined spaces. A main body supports a programmable telescoping arm configured to extend through an access port to reach a confined space. The arm includes an articulating wrist for holding and manipulating tools for autonomously processing work parts. The machine can also act semi-autonomously to accommodate interventions of an operator for overriding and fine-tuning interaction of a tool with a work part for proper processing of the part. The arm communicates with a computer in the main body for processing numerical data, and the operator may use a reference camera to fine tune any particular process. The machine incorporates multiple processing functions, for example collar swaging, nut running, cleaning, and/or application of sealants, all through an aircraft wing access port. The main body has lockable wheels for securing the main body near the access port.

Abstract: A system for out of autoclave bonded repairs which including a fixing structure (1) to the composite area to be repaired, including a frame (4) and fixing parts (5, 19) attached to the frame (4), a movable structure (2) able to be attached either to the fixing structure (1) or to the patch manufacturing table (3), which includes three shafts (6, 6?, 6?) and three engines (7, 7?, 7?) configured to be able to move the tooling support in the three axes X, Y and Z, and a tooling support of either scanning tool (9), milling tool (10), patch cutting tool (11) or composite patch handle tool (11), and a patch manufacturing structure (3).

Abstract: A method includes forming at least one fragment wrap of a fragmentation structure by providing at least one flexible fragment strand that includes a plurality of discrete fragments held together in a pattern by a flexible media, and applying the at least one flexible fragment strand around a core piece to form the at least one fragment wrap.

Abstract: A method of shipping automobiles, railcars for shipping automobiles, and methods of manufacturing railcars for shipping automobiles to enable more efficient shipping of automobiles by facilitating conversion of autorack cars between unilevel, bi-level and tri-level configurations, and/or by providing increased load factors.