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: 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: 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 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: 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: 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 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 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 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.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus and its use for laser welding. A laser welding apparatus comprise at least one first laser device, each providing at least one first optical feed fiber with a first laser beam; at least one second laser device, each providing at least one second optical feed fiber with a second laser beam; means for generating a composite laser beam comprising a first output laser beam and a second output laser beam for welding a workpiece; wherein the first output laser beam has a circular cross-section and the second output laser beam has an annular shape concentric to the first output laser beam. The second laser device is a fiber laser device or a fiber-coupled laser device.

Abstract: A capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a potable beverage. The capsule comprises an aluminum capsule body having a side wall and an outwardly extending flange and a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a fluid sealing contact with an enclosing member of a beverage preparation device. The beverage preparation device comprises an annular element having a free contact end. The sealing member is integral with the outwardly extending flange and comprises at least one projection projecting from the outwardly extending flange. The projection comprising a projection top and is configured such that its projection top exerts a radial force on the free contact end of the annular element if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is closed using a closing member of the beverage preparation device.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is provided having an active circuit. A heating element is adjacent to the active circuit and configured to heat the active circuit. A temperature sensor is also adjacent to the active circuit and configured to measure a temperature of the active circuit. A temperature controller is coupled to the active circuit and configured to receive a temperature signal from the temperature sensor. The temperature controller operates the heating element to heat the active circuit to maintain the temperature of the active circuit in a selected temperature range.

Abstract: Disclosed is method and device for forming an electrode plate. The method includes: performing tab cutting on a substrate so that the substrate forms a body portion, an edge portion connecting to the body portion, and a plurality of tabs that connect to the body portion but are separated from the edge portion; and performing edge portion cutting on the substrate to separate the edge portion from the body portion. The electrode plate is formed in two steps. First, the tab and the edge portion are separated, so that in the process of cutting, impact of vibration of the edge portion on the tab is small, greatly reducing the risk of deformation of the tab caused by vibration of the edge portion and damage to the tab caused by being pulled by the edge portion. Second, edge portion cutting separates the edge portion from the body portion.

Abstract: An intraoral scanning device comprises housing comprising a head configured for insertion into a patient oral cavity, the head comprising a sloped surface and an aperture for transmission of optical signals, a transparent element positioned within the aperture, wherein the transparent element is at an acute angle with respect to the sloped surface, and a defogging unit comprising a heating unit. The intraoral scanning device further comprises a protective sleeve configured to cover at least a part of the head when the protective sleeve is coupled to the housing. The protective sleeve comprises an additional aperture that aligns with the aperture and an additional transparent element in the additional aperture.

Abstract: A substance processing system includes a pressurizer configured to pressurize air and a processing chamber configured to process a substance. The system also includes a heat exchanger coupled between the pressurizer and the processing chamber. A nozzle is coupled to the processing chamber such that output from the nozzle comprises a substantially even pressure distribution.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a heating rotating member having a conductive layer and an exposed portion in which the conductive layer is partially exposed, and a roller including a metal core and an elastic portion, the roller forming a nip portion with the heating rotating member, the elastic portion being elastically deformed in a region where the nip portion is formed, wherein an annular conductive member provided in a longitudinal end portion of the metal core is in contact with the exposed portion of the heating rotating member while elastically deformed, and wherein in a state where the roller is not mounted to the fixing device, an outer diameter of the conductive member is smaller than an outer diameter of the elastic portion.

Abstract: A laser beam irradiation unit of a laser processing apparatus includes a first pulsed laser oscillator that oscillates a pulsed laser having a wavelength of 9 to 11 ?m and a pulse width of 5 ns or less, a CO2 amplifier that amplifies a pulsed laser beam emitted from the first pulsed laser oscillator, and a condenser that focuses the pulsed laser beam amplified by the CO2 amplifier on a workpiece held on the chuck table.