Abstract: A method provides for welding a conductor to a conductive film which is suited for connection to a circuit board support in order to produce a printed circuit board. The depth or diameter of the conductor is preferably greater than the thickness of the conductive film. At least during the welding process, the conductive film is maintained in contact with a thermal isolation plate having a thermal conductivity less than that of the conductive film. After being placed on the circuit board support, the conductive film is partly etched away to electrically isolate electrical contact points.

Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring and controlling the process consistency of an arc welding process. The weld voltage signal is monitored and analyzed to determine the occurrence of the detachment of a weld droplet. The weld droplet detachment is determined via statistical techniques as having occurred at a normal interval following a prior detachment indicating consistent weld process or as a sporadic detachment having occurred at an irregular interval with respect to the prior detachment and indicating inconsistent weld process. The weld process is adjusted by controlling the weld process variables to maximize the predominance of droplet detachment at normal intervals and minimize the occurrence of the sporadic detachments.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bonding method for dissimilar materials made from metals and its resulting structures. The materials to be bonded are formed by layering three or more sheets such that a dissimilar material interface and a same material interface are formed. A first current is conducted between a three-sheet layered plate material wherein an aluminum alloy plate, a zinc plated steel plate and a bare steel plate, for example, are layered in order. A nugget is formed in an interface between the zinc plated steel plate and the bare steel plate, which are the same materials. Then, a second current greater than the first current is conducted, and a nugget is formed in an interface between the aluminum alloy plate and the zinc plated steel plate.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the presence of an adhesive between two metal workpieces includes measuring the depth of indentation made by electric resistance weld electrodes by measuring the advance of the weld electrodes, and comparing the measured depth of indentation with the depth of indentation that is known to occur when the presence of the adhesive between the metal workpieces minimizes the shunting of weld current and thereby affects the depth of indentation. If the adhesive is absent, a supplemental electric resistance weld is made to compensate for the absent adhesive. The invention is applicable to both adhesive bonding, where only adhesive is used to attach the workpieces, and weldbonding, where an electric resistance weld is made atop a layer of adhesive.

Abstract: A molybdenum silicide type-heating element and a method of manufacturing a heating element of the molybdenum silicide type. The heating element contains substantially Mo(Si1-x Alx)2 and Al2O3 and is prepared by mixing a molybdenum aluminum silicide-type material Mo(Si1-yAly)2 with SiO2, wherein the SiO2 has a purity of at least 98%.

Abstract: A variable arc gap plasma igniter element includes electrodes moveable relative to each other. The electrodes are preferably set to define a smaller air gap to initiate a plasma arc and later extended to obtain longer plasma arc.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling and/or adjusting a welding process, using a melting welding wire (13) wherein after ignition of an electric arc, a welding process is carried out, the welding process being adjusted on the basis of several different welding parameters and being controlled or adjusted by a control device and/or welding current source. In order to determine the position of distance between the end of the welding wire (13) and the workpiece (16), which is to be processed, in a manner which is as accurate as possible, at least one mechanical adjustment process (41) is carried out during the welding process, enabling the position of said welding wire (13) being used as a sensor.

Abstract: A pair of soldering tweezers having a first arm having a distal end that is adjustably positionable in a direction parallel to its central longitudinal axis and a second arm having a distal end that is adjustably positionable in a direction perpendicular to its central longitudinal axis. The tweezers also include a biasing mechanism configured to urge the distal ends of the first and second arms apart.

Abstract: A method of AC welding that includes the step of supplying AC current with a given waveform from a power source to an advancing electrode and workpiece. The AC current is used to melt the electrode and to thereby deposit metal from the electrode onto the workpiece. The electrode includes a particulate arc stabilizing compound. The particulate arc stabilizing compound includes sodium and titanium dioxide. The particulate arc stabilizing compound constitutes over 20% by weight of the core of the electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for forming bag edges in a layered plastic film. The apparatus includes a heated seal bar and a seal bar anvil. The seal bar anvil has a resilient tube configured to deform as the seal bar is driven into the tube to seal and sever a bag edge therebetween. According to one construction, the resilient tube is pressurized pneumatically from the inside so as to impart a specific, desired resilience to the tube as the tube and seal bar co-act on either side of the layered plastic film.

Abstract: A soldering iron with a removable tip, including: a soldering iron, including: a shaft; a ferrite bobbin disposed on the shaft; a magnetic coil wrapped around the ferrite bobbin; and a removable tip with a heater element disposed thereon, wherein the heater element is dimensioned to be received around the magnetic coil when the removable tip is placed onto the soldering iron.