Abstract: Low voltage varistors having one or more recesses or dimples which reduces the thickness of the varistor in the recessed areas are provided by an improved process which comprises fitting a pressing surface on a die punch with a resilient material, preferably an abhesive material such as polydimethylsiloxane, having one or more nipples whereby during pressing of a metal oxide varistor powder contained in the die cavity the nipple imparts a depression thereby reducing the thickness of the varistor body in said depression. In addition, the resilient material aids in the distribution of the powder during pressing and with the preferred abhesive material aids also in the release of the pressed body from the die.

Abstract: An apparatus for the preparation of a sample for X-ray spectrometry comprises a crucible for fusible material, a vessel covering the crucible in a first position and serving to receive cast material from the crucible in a second position, an induction coil wherein the crucible is disposed for simultaneously heating the crucible until the material therein is fused and preheating the vessel covering the crucible, a mobile support mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis extending perpendicularly to the axis of the induction coil, the induction coil being affixed to the support and rotation of the support being capable of agitating the crucible during fusion of the material and for turning the crucible from an upright position wherein the material is fused to a casting position wherein the fused material is cast from the crucible, a casting table below the induction coil, and a sliding ramp connecting the casting table to the mobile support for slidingly guiding the vessel from the first to the second positi