Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating shell-fruits (3), in particular for producing shell-fruits (3) with improved shelling properties in comparison to untreated shell-fruits (3). The invention further relates to a device (1) for treating shell-fruits (3), in particular for producing shell-fruits (3) with improved shelling properties in comparison to untreated shell-fruits (3), comprising a hermetically sealable treatment chamber (2) for conditioning the shell-fruits (3). In order to provide a method and a device for treating shell-fruits which do not damage the contents of the kernel and simultaneously permit improved shelling of the shell-fruits and the opened shell to be better separated from the kernel, the method according to the invention comprises softening the shell of the shell-fruits (3) by applying an electric field, and the device according to the invention comprises at least one capacitor (4) for generating an electric field in the treatment chamber (2).

Abstract: A laser welding device includes: an irradiator configured to overlap laser light and measurement light coaxially with each other and apply the laser light and the measurement light to a weld part, a wavelength of the measurement light being different from a wavelength of the laser light; a measuring instrument configured to repeatedly measure a weld penetration depth of the weld part based on the measurement light that is emitted from the irradiator and reflected on the weld part so as to generate measured values; and a determiner configured to determine the weld penetration depth of the weld part based on (i) one or more measured values; or (ii) an average value of the one or more measured values, the one or more measured values being included within a predetermined range with reference to a greatest side measured value of the plurality of measured values.

Abstract: A laser system for creating patterns on clothing includes a laser source; a phased array acousto-optic deflector (AOD) configured to control the direction and intensity of the laser beam; a computer comprising software for reading input files containing pattern designs and controlling the AOD to direct the laser beam according to the pattern designs; a fabric preparation station for washing and preparing fabric before laser treatment; a post-laser wash station for removing debris from the fabric after laser treatment; and a clothing finishing station for applying finishing touches to the fabric. The AOD includes an optical element having a surface with one or more steps formed thereon; a conductive layer formed on the surface with the steps; one or more crystals secured to each step; and electrodes positioned on each surface of each crystal.

Abstract: A described method includes engraving, marking and/or inscribing a workpiece using a laser plotter. In a housing of the laser plotter, one, preferably more, in particular two laser sources in the form of lasers have an effect preferably alternating on the workpiece to be processed. The workpiece is laid in a defined manner on a processing table and a laser beam emitted from the beam source is transmitted to at least one focusing unit via deflection elements and the laser beam is diverted toward the workpiece and focused for processing. A sequence control adapted to the quality of the engraving is determined and/or carried out by a control unit and the focusing unit on the carriage is controlled corresponding to the defined parameters of the sequence control.

Abstract: The laser welding device includes a laser transmission window and a gas injection nozzle. The gas injection nozzle includes an optical path hole and an injection unit that injects an inert gas for shielding metal vapor into the optical path hole toward an irradiation direction side and an optical axis side of a laser beam.

Abstract: A hob comprises a hob plate, heating devices therebelow and a flat, two-dimensional carrier plate for the heating devices which runs parallel to the hob plate and has an upper face, said carrier plate bearing the heating devices on said upper face and fixedly holding said heating devices in position. Holding means are provided on the upper face of the carrier plate for each heating device. Each heating device has at least one laterally protruding holding tab, wherein each holding tab has latching means and the holding means have counter latching means for a latching connection with these latching means. The latching connection has clearance in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the carrier plate.

Abstract: A welding system includes a power supply configured to generate a welding waveform. A wire feeder conducts the welding waveform to a wire electrode, and includes a drive motor that drives the wire electrode bidirectionally, a motor current sensor that senses a current level of the motor, and a controller that receives a current level signal from the motor current sensor and controls operations of the motor. A welding current sensor senses welding current level, and a welding voltage sensor senses welding voltage level, and the sensors are located with the power supply or the wire feeder. The controller is configured to determine a contact event between the wire electrode and a non-workpiece object based on the current level signal from the motor current sensor and one or both of the welding current level and the welding voltage level, and automatically retract the wire electrode upon determining the contact event.

Abstract: In various embodiments, wire composed at least partially of arc-melted refractory metal material is utilized to fabricate three-dimensional parts by additive manufacturing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cutting a sheet metal blank from a sheet metal strip (1) continuously conveyed in a transport direction (T), by means of at least one laser cutting device (3), having the following steps: providing a laser cutting device (3) with at least one laser cutting head (5) which has a cutting nozzle (7) and which can be moved along a cutting path (S1, S2, S1?, S2?) specified so as to correspond to the geometry of the sheet metal blank by means of a controller (6), incrementally measuring the distance between the cutting nozzle (7) and the surface of the sheet metal strip (1) at at least one radially outer position (P1, P2) relative to the cutting nozzle (7) by means of a first distance measuring device (8), controlling the movement of the laser cutting head such that the first distance measuring device (8, 9) constantly remains overlapping the sheet metal strip (1), into a second position, in which the cutting nozzle is overlapping the sheet metal strip (1), wherein the height

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for preparing a food article (300) such as a corn dog. The apparatus includes a frame (10) mounting a loading station (50), a dipping station (162), a frying station (190) and an unloading station (220). The loading station (50) inserts one end (306) of a stick (302) into the food article (300) and the other end (304) into an aperture (40) in a stick bar (38). The stick (302) and food article (300) are held in the aperture (40) by a spring loaded plunger (310) extending into the aperture (40). The spring loaded plunger (310) holds the stick (302) and food article (300) on the stick bar (38) while the food article (300) is dipped in batter at the dipping station (162) and fried at the frying station (190). The cooked food article (300) and stick (302) are removed from the stick bar (38) at the unloading station (220) for shipment to the customer.

Abstract: A pillar delivery method is a method for delivering a plurality of pillars onto a substrate, including a glass panel, to manufacture a glass panel unit. The pillar delivery method includes an irradiation step, a holding step, and a mounting step. The irradiation step includes setting, over a holder, a sheet for use to form pillars and irradiating the sheet with a laser beam to punch out the plurality of pillars. The holding step includes having the plurality of pillars, which have been punched out of the sheet, held by the holder. The mounting step includes picking up some or all of the plurality of pillars from the holder and mounting the pillars onto the substrate.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a component is provided. The method includes depositing particles onto a build platform. The method also includes distributing the particles to form a build layer. The method further includes operating a consolidation device to consolidate a first plurality of particles along a scan path to form a component. The component includes a top surface spaced apart from the build platform and an outer surface. The outer surface extends between the build platform and the top surface, and at least a portion of the outer surface faces a substantially particle-free region of the build platform.

Abstract: An edible decoration is laser kiss cut from an edible decorating sheet by optically sensing at least one printed edible design on the edible decorating sheet relative to a laser cutting tool coordinate system and driving a laser along a circuit of cutting locations defined in the laser cutting tool coordinate system. The laser beam forms a separation channel by laser ablation of at least a portion of the edible decorating sheet at the cutting locations while leaving intact the non-adhesive releasable backing upon which the edible decorating sheet rests.

Abstract: A roasting and glazing apparatus includes a roaster, an agitator mounted within the roaster bowl for mixing a mixture of nuts and sugar during a roasting or glazing operation, a heater controlled to heat the roaster bowl during the roasting or glazing operation, and a cover removably mounted to the roaster bowl. The cover includes a reservoir for receiving water from a user and restricting water flow from the reservoir into the mixture of nuts and sugar in the roaster bowl. The cover and the roaster bowl together define a vent on a side of the cover opposite the reservoir. The vent is configured to direct steam out of the roaster bowl in a direction away from the reservoir.

Abstract: A computerized method is provided for automatically determining at least one characteristic of a workpiece for processing by a plasma arc processing system. The method includes electrically connecting the workpiece to the plasma arc processing system that includes a plasma arc torch. A distal tip of the plasma arc torch is configurable to be positioned proximate to the workpiece. The method includes supplying, by the plasma arc processing system, an electrical current with a low amperage to the workpiece, the low amperage current insufficient to cut the workpiece, and monitoring, by the plasma arc processing system, a path of the electrical current relative to the workpiece. The method further includes determining, by the plasma arc processing system, the at least one characteristic of the workpiece based on the electrical current path monitored.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a waterproof strapped accessory and a waterproof strapped accessory formed according to the disclosed method are provided. Using a thermal laser cutter, a raw thermal polyurethane-coated nylon webbing material is cut, obtaining a desired shape of a strapped accessory. Holes may be cut through the strapped accessory using the thermal laser cutter. The thermal laser cutter seals the cut edges of the strapped accessory as well as any hole cut by the thermal laser cutter, rendering all or most edges waterproof. The strapped accessory is then inspected, and any unsealed edges sealed with a thermal rod. The strapped accessory is then cleaned of any residue and allow to cure under predetermined environmental conditions for a predetermined amount of time. Keepers and/or any desired hardware may be affixed to the strapped accessory. Indicia may also be imparted onto the strapped accessory by the thermal laser cutter.

Abstract: Recognizing interchangeable torch components, such as consumables, for welding and cutting torches includes determining that one or more interchangeable torch components installed in an operative end of a torch are genuine. Operational parameters for the one or more interchangeable torch components can also be determined. When the one or more interchangeable torch components are determined to be genuine, an indicator assembly can be activated to provide a first indication. When the operational parameters are implemented at a power supply connected to the torch, the indicator assembly can be activated to provide a second indication.

Abstract: A ring support is attached to an inner wall surface of a chamber that houses a semiconductor wafer to support a susceptor. When the semiconductor wafer is placed on the susceptor, an inner space of the chamber is separated into an upper space and a lower space. Particles are likely to accumulate on a lower chamber window as a floor part of the chamber. However, since the upper space and the lower space are separated, the semiconductor wafer can be prevented from being contaminated by the particles flowing into the upper space and adhering to a surface of the semiconductor wafer even when the particles on the lower chamber window are blown up by irradiation with flash light.

Abstract: A cooking accessory insert for a cooking grill includes a heat distribution duct that, installed, extends from a burner proximate to the bottom of the grill's fire box generally to a cooking level near the top of the fire box. The heat distribution duct is defined by a plurality of side walls extending from a top end of the heat distribution duct to a bottom end, tapering inward, or narrowing, from top to bottom. A top surface substantially covers the top end of the heat distribution duct, while the bottom is open. A cover is provided to cover the top surface, defining a baking chamber between the cover and the top surface. A cooking surface element such as a pizza stone is removably disposed on the top surface, spaced apart from the top surface by a plurality of spacers.

Abstract: A laser welding device includes a chamber which has an internal space in which a workpiece is disposed, a laser beam irradiation unit which irradiates the workpiece with a laser beam to weld the workpiece, a vacuum pump which suctions air in the chamber to decrease a pressure in the chamber, a laser transmission window through which the laser beam emitted from the laser beam irradiation unit is transmitted, and a shutter which is disposed on the chamber side with respect to the laser transmission window and closed when the pressure in the chamber is returned to the atmospheric pressure after laser welding.