Abstract: Tire mold maintenance and repair systems and related methods are disclosed. According to an aspect, a mold maintenance and repair system includes a mold holder. The mold holder is configured to releasably attach to a support structure and to hold a mold. The mold comprises contoured upper portion for molding an item and an attachment lower portion for attaching to the mold holder.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for installing seals on support frames. The system comprises, generally, a seal supply system, a guiding mechanism and a sealing mechanism. The supply system comprises two bobbins around which are disposed the sealing elements. The guiding mechanism comprises a plurality of guiding drive wheels adapted to guide the support frames towards the sealing mechanism which is adapted to seal the sealing element to the support frame. The sealing mechanism is adapted to exert continuously a constant pressure on the sealing element allowing it to fit to the correspondent support frame once being introduced to the sealing mechanism.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, embodiments of fluid pumps, pump cases, valve bodies, and volutes are disclosed herein. Embodiments of methods for manufacturing fluid pumps, pump cases, valve bodies, and volutes are also disclosed herein. Embodiments can include additive manufacturing, for example. Certain embodiments can include additively manufacturing a pump case in a tilted orientation, utilizing only coincidental support structure having a unique shape, and with teardrop shaped volute and/or valve body.

Abstract: A sensor system, including: a dielectric material on a part body; and a sensor on the dielectric material, the sensor configured to provide impedance, capacitance, and resistance values and to alter one or more of the impedance, capacitance and resistance values responsive to a stress applied to the part body. Also disclosed is a method of making and a method of using the sensor system.

Abstract: A handling system for handling ground-engaging wear parts used on earth working equipment includes handling tools to remove and handle wear parts from equipment and/or to install new wear parts. The tools can include a torque or other tool to engage and/or disengage a lock retained by the wear member. The handling system allows an operator maintain a distance from heavy parts being removed or installed, reducing the risk of injury.

Abstract: A tangible structure includes a set of removable and parallel rods, each rod including a head; a set of drive devices, each drive device including a motor element generating a rotational motion to a transverse shaft to transmit a translational motion to a rod, the drive device being piloted in order to transmit a motion to the rod at a given speed and in a given direction; a holding system for the drive devices making the drive devices integral with each other, and a calculator determining a set of pilot set points, each pilot set point being transmitted to a drive device on the basis of a first digital set point.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a dental prosthesis from a one-piece or multi-piece prosthesis blank which is constructed from a gum-colored material and a tooth-colored material (32), in particular in each case on a plastic base. It is characterized by being connected to each other at connecting surfaces, having an interface between the gum-colored and tooth-colored materials. This interface, when viewed along the connecting surfaces has an undulating shape and viewed in the vestibular direction has a radial shape. In order to finish the dental prosthesis, a CAD/CAM device determines the exact course of a gingival line, based on patient-specific data, and produces the prosthesis.

Abstract: The instant invention includes a multiple-Venturi nozzle. The instant multiple-Venturi nozzle has a generally cylindrical body with a generally flat bottom surface and a generally flat distal outer surface and a generally arcuate vertical surface parallel to the bottom and outer surfaces. The instant multiple-Venturi nozzle further includes a plurality of chokes generally perpendicular to the bottom and outer surfaces, each of said chokes extending through the body and having a choke inlet and a choke outlet. The instant multiple-Venturi nozzle further includes a manifold extending from the outer surface partially into the body and a plurality of manifold channels connecting the manifold to each choke, each of said manifold channels being generally perpendicular to a corresponding choke, having a manifold outlet and a distal manifold inlet and being offset in a helical distribution from other manifold outlets corresponding to the same choke.

Abstract: A flow control element includes an element body formed as a unitary structure and disposed about a body axis. The element body includes a first surface, a second surface in spaced relation to the first surface, and an inner peripheral surface extending between the first and second surfaces and defining a central bore extending along the body axis. The element body additionally includes an outer peripheral surface extending between the first and second surfaces in spaced relation to the inner peripheral surface. A plurality of passageways extend between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface, with each passageway having a pair of side surfaces extending in generally opposed relation to each other and a pair of beveled surfaces extending toward each other from respective ones of the pair of side surfaces.

Abstract: A tie rod forming apparatus includes a frame for supporting a material holding unit that releasably holds tie rod stock material, and a feed bed in structural communication with the material holding unit. The feed bed selectively accepts and manipulates the tie rod stock material. A cutting assembly is provided in operative communication with the feed bed, and an operator interface module is in communication with the material holding unit and the cutting assembly. The material holding unit selectively dispenses the tie rod stock material to the feed bed, and the cutting assembly manipulates a portion of the dispensed tie rod stock material, in dependence upon parameters communicated by the operator interface module.

Abstract: An engine component is configured with a component fluid passage and a receptacle. The component fluid passage extends within the engine component to the receptacle. The receptacle extends through the engine component between a receptacle first end and a receptacle second end. A fluid diverter is configured with a diverter fluid passage and a port. The fluid diverter extends between a diverter first end and a diverter second end. The diverter fluid passage extends partially into the fluid diverter from the diverter first end. The fluid diverter is mated with the receptacle. The diverter first end is disposed at the receptacle first end. The diverter plugs a portion of the receptacle at the diverter second end. The port fluidly couples the component fluid passage to the diverter fluid passage. Fluid is directed through the component fluid passage into the diverter fluid passage to remove debris from the engine component.

Abstract: A system for assembling roofing at ground level has an adjustable-length center frame separating a first assembly side from a second assembly side; a first cantilevered gantry on the first assembly side and a second cantilevered gantry on a second side, each cantilevered gantry moveable along the length of the center frame; a plurality of outrigger beams coupled to opposing ends of the center beam, each outrigger beam having a catwalk thereon; a first joist railing and a second joist railing on each assembly side, each joist railing configured to receive an end of an open web joist; and a base frame comprising a plurality of wheels. Once the roofing section has been assembled, hoisting the assembled roofing section to the top of a structure.

Abstract: A method for making a cold plate includes the steps of positioning a finstock structure in a cavity of a substrate; and applying a cover to the finstock structure and substrate, wherein the applying step comprises ultrasonically additive manufacturing the cover to the substrate and the finstock structure, whereby the cover joins with the substrate and the finstock structure. The resulting cold plate assembly includes a substrate having a cavity, a finstock structure within the cavity, and a cover closing the finstock structure within the cavity, the cover being integrally joined to the substrate and to the finstock structure.

Abstract: A control system for controlling the quantities of items of a product includes: a) a weighing scale; b) a memory storage device storing data of a target associated to the weight of at least one item; and c) a processor in communication with the weighing scale and the memory storage device. The processor is configured to output a sensory indicator corresponding to the weight of at least one of the items placed on the weighing scale. The sensory indicator provides a different sensory indication when the weight of at least one of item placed on the weighing scale is above, below or between the target.

Abstract: A connecting assembly for releasably connecting first and second parts includes a first connector including a frame part that has a receiving opening, at least one first snap fit structure integrally formed with the frame part and extending in the receiving opening, and a first coupling interface for coupling the first connector to the first part, and a second connector including a plug-in part that has an outer shape corresponding to the receiving opening of the frame part so that the plug-in part can be introduced into the receiving opening, at least one second snap fit structure integrally formed with the plug-in part on an inner surface of the plug-in part, the second snap fit structure being configured to releasably engage with the first snap fit structure, and a second coupling interface for coupling the second connector to the second part.

Abstract: A movable object includes: a steering part including a wheel provided to rotate along a ground, a wheel rod connected to the wheel and extending in a direction away from the wheel, and a steering motor connected to the wheel rod to rotate the wheel rod and steer the wheel; and a cover part disposed on top of the steering part, and including a receiving member in which a portion of the steering part is received. When the steering motor rotates the wheel rod in one direction, the steering part is engaged with the receiving member so that the steering part and the cover part may be joined, and when the steering motor rotates the wheel rod in an opposite direction, the steering part is separated from the receiving member so that the steering part and the cover part may be disengaged.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hydraulic valve component using additive manufacturing includes laying successive layers to form a flow aperture for a hydraulic valve component, and creating a lattice or mesh structure that at least partially defines the flow aperture of the hydraulic valve component, or a feature that forms an undercut along a direction that is parallel to a flow direction of the flow aperture, or a flow aperture having a size varying along a circumferential direction of the valve component.

Abstract: A workpiece referencing system, the system having a workpiece support assembly for supporting a plurality of workpieces, wherein the support assembly includes a support platform and a plurality of support members which are disposed to the support platform, each support member being configured to support an individual workpiece; and a workpiece referencing assembly for referencing the workpieces, as supported by the support assembly, to predetermined positions; wherein the support members each includes a body which includes a support surface which supports a workpiece and a resilient coupling which resiliently couples at least an upper part of the body relative to the support platform, such that the at least part of the body is displaceable relative to the support platform from a first, unbiased position to a second, biased reference position by operation of the referencing assembly, and, when released, the at least part of the body returns to the first, unbiased position.

Abstract: A one-piece piston blank of near-net shape wherein the piston blank has a flange disposed opposite a skirt, the flange being spin-bendable to form a cooling channel with reduced preliminary removal of material relative to conventional forged piston blanks.

Abstract: A compound dowel for positioning a first component defining a first aperture relative to a second component defining a second aperture in a motor vehicle body structure in response to a determined misalignment between the first and second components includes a compensation pin. The compensation pin is selected in response to the determined misalignment and configured to be inserted into the second aperture. The compensation pin has a center axis and an indexing feature configured to orient and fix the compensation pin to the first component. The compound dowel also includes a nominal pin arranged parallel to the center axis and offset therefrom by a distance. The nominal pin is configured to be inserted through the first aperture, such that position of the first component is set relative to the second component. A method of positioning components in a vehicle body structure using a compound dowel is also considered.