Abstract: Concave portions and convex portion are formed on a peripheral surface of a thin metal sheet by applying a pressing force thereto while the metal sheet is being embossed; pores are each formed on an apex of each of the concave portions and convex portions and burrs each projecting outward from a peripheral edge of each of the pores are generated by the pressing force, the metal sheets having the concave portions and convex portions formed thereon are layered on each other; the burr at the apex of each convex portion of a lower-layer metal sheet is interlocked with the burr at the apex of each concave portion of a upper-layer metal sheet adjacent to the lower-layer metal sheet to integrate the metal sheets with each other; and an active substance is charged into spaces between the upper-layer sheet and the lower-layer metal sheet through and aperture at the apex of each of the concave portions and convex portions.

Abstract: A probe for friction stir welding MMCs, ferrous alloys, non-ferrous alloys, and superalloys, as well as non-ferrous alloys, the probe including a shank, a shoulder, and a pin disposed through the shoulder and into the shank, wherein the pin and the shoulder at least include a coating comprised of a superabrasive material, the pin and shoulder being designed to reduce stress risers, disposing a collar around a portion of the shoulder and the shank to thereby prevent movement of the shoulder relative to the shank, and incorporating thermal management by providing a thermal flow barrier between the shoulder and the shank, and between the collar and the tool.

Abstract: The present invention relates to water soluble fluxes which comprise at least one wax carrier, at least one surfactant and at least one activator. The present water soluble fluxes are easily applicable with a brush. They have excellent pull through of solder in the joint. The water soluble flux avoids turning copper green and does not burst into flame on heating with a torch.

Abstract: Concave portions and convex portions are formed on a peripheral surface of a thin metal sheet by applying a pressing force thereto while the metal sheet is being embossed; pores are each formed on an apex of each of the concave portions and convex portions and burrs each projecting outward from a peripheral edge of each of the pores are generated by the pressing force; the metal sheets having the concave portions and convex portions formed thereon are layered on each other; the burr at the apex of each convex portion of a lower-layer metal sheet is interlocked with the burr at the apex of each concave portion of an upper-layer metal sheet adjacent to the lower-layer metal sheet to integrate the metal sheets with each other; and an active substance is charged into spaces between the upper-layer metal sheet and the lower-layer metal sheet through an aperture at the apex of each of the concave portions and convex portions.

Abstract: A method for forming a miniaturized shaped component. Bulk superplastic material is contacted with a flat rotating surface of a rotating tool to frictionally heat the bulk superplastic material with the bulk superplastic material positioned between the flat rotating surface of the tool and a microfabricated tool die. The bulk superplastic material is forced into the microfabricated die once the bulk superplastic material is heated to a temperature between a glass transition temperature and a crystallization temperature.

Abstract: A retaining device for holding at a place a workpiece such as a lead frame including a pair of first slits formed so as to surround the bonding window opened in the retainer. Furthermore, second slits are formed so as to extend to the outside from the end portions of the first slits, thus forming first connecting areas; and third slits are formed on the outside of the second slits so as to be perpendicular to the first connecting areas, thus forming second connecting areas.

Abstract: The present invention is a disassembly apparatus and method for disassembling a workpiece having at least two layers joined together by welding or other bonding processes at bonding points. The method includes the steps of securing the workpiece into a fixture to prevent movement of one of the layers. The apparatus includes a sonotrode and a holding device. The method further includes moving the sonotrode to contact the workpiece to apply a predetermined amount of contact pressure to the workpiece. The sonotrode in contact with the layer on a side opposite the anvil is then vibrated at a predetermined frequency until the layers become disassembled. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A probe for friction stir welding MMCs, ferrous alloys, non-ferrous alloys, and superalloys, as well as non-ferrous alloys, the probe including a shank, a shoulder, and a pin disposed through the shoulder and into the shank, wherein the pin and the shoulder at least include a coating comprised of a superabrasive material, the pin and shoulder being designed to reduce stress risers, disposing a collar around a portion of the shoulder and the shank to thereby prevent movement of the shoulder relative to the shank, and incorporating thermal management by providing a thermal flow barrier between the shoulder and the shank, and between the collar and the tool.

Abstract: With the mounting of a semiconductor chip onto a substrate having a portion of adhesive the bondhead is lowered to a predetermined height H above a support holding the substrate. At the same time, the pick-up tool is fixed in an upper limit position on the bondhead. As soon as the bondhead has reached the height H, the fixing of the pick-up tool is released so that the pick-up tool moves downwards from the upper limit position and presses the semiconductor chip onto the adhesive. After a predetermined time after releasing the fixing of the pick-up tool, the bondhead is raised and moved away. With a bondhead particularly suited for the method, the pick-up tool and the bondhead are connected by means of a chamber to which compressed air and/or vacuum can be applied so that, to a large extent, the movement of the pick-up tool can be controlled.

Abstract: A tube clamping assembly comprising a first portion having a base and a clamping device carried on the base, and a second portion having a base and a clamping device carried on the base. The first and second portions are coupled to each other such that the portions may be adjusted relative each other. In another embodiment, the invention is a tube clamping assembly comprising a base, and a first movable clamp arm and a first stationary clamp arm coupled to the base for gripping a cylindrical workpiece therebetween. The tube clamping assembly further comprises a second movable clamp arm and a second stationary clamp arm coupled to the base for gripping a cylindrical workpiece therebetween, wherein at least one of the stationary clamp arms is removably coupled to the base.

Abstract: A material system (60) contains close packed hollow shapes (50, 70) having a dense wall structure (52, 66), which are bonded together and which may contain a matrix binder material (56) between the shapes, where the system has a stable porosity, and is abradable and thermally stable at temperatures up to possibly 1700° C., where such systems are useful in turbine apparatus.

Abstract: A pipe welding tool for delivering inert gas to the interior of pipes being welded. The tool has a center tube and a pair of clamps extending around the tube that support a number of extendible hinged arms. The arms are collapsible, thus allowing the entire tool to adjust to fit within a pipe. Once in the pipe, the arms are released and tensioned against the walls of the pipe. A nozzle is positioned on top of the tube. A quick connect coupling is located at the bottom of the tube and connects with a gas source providing an inert gas. A hose connects the quick connect coupling with the nozzle. A gas lens, connected to the nozzle, has a plurality of holes around its side wall. When the gas is fed into the gas lens, the gas lens releases the gas through the holes in the lens in a 360 degree planar pattern. When positioned within a pair of pipes adjacent to a seam, the tool can serve to provide inert gas to the interior of the pipes and prevent the pipes from burning.

Abstract: A method for applying a brazing medium to a configuration, which is formed of a honeycomb body and a jacket pipe is described. First, the honeycomb body is configured by stacking and/or winding of sheet metal layers, at least some of which are structured sheet metals layers such that the honeycomb body has channels for conducting a fluid flow. The honeycomb body is partially placed in the jacket pipe. A section of the honeycomb body that projects out from the jacket pipe is brought by its end face into contact with an adhesive medium. The honeycomb body is further introduced into the jacket pipe. Subsequently, a brazing medium is introduced into the honeycomb body.

Abstract: For the manufacture of miter-welded profile rod frames by friction welding, a welding apparatus with friction welding units is used with which permits the welding of all miter joints of a frame to be made concurrently within a very short period and with very little displacement of welding material.

Abstract: At least two materials are superposed and a rotary tool 1 is pressed on a first material W1 at an outermost surface, whereby metal texture between the superposed first and second materials W1, W2 is agitated by frictional heat in a melting condition to join the materials.

Abstract: A junction between the portion of wiring of an FPC, which is not covered with a cover layer, is directly connected to a connection plate tip incorporated in a terminal attachment by one of resistance welding, ultrasonic welding and laser welding.

Abstract: An array of solder balls is formed on a first substrate for interconnecting with conductive sites on another substrate. A ball pickup tool picks up balls with a vacuum suction from a fluidized ball reservoir and utilizes a puff of gas to release the solder ball(s) carried thereon to conductive sites of a substrate for bonding thereto. In another embodiment, the bond pads of a substrate are coated with a flux or adhesive and lowered into a fluidized ball reservoir for direct attachment of solder balls.

Abstract: An automatic dross removal apparatus, which can be used with a solder wave apparatus, is provided, that generally includes a reservoir having a cavity for containing liquid solder, dross removal apparatus having a first end extending within the cavity of the reservoir for removing dross on the surface of the liquid solder, and a motor engaged with the dross removal apparatus. In one embodiment of the invention, the dross is automatically removed by a conveyor driven by a motor. In another embodiment of the invention, the dross is automatically removed by a motor driven receptacle. Means for moving the dross from one part of the solder reservoir to another, such as a pump, can be included. Preferably, a computer is used to control the automatic dross removal. The dross can be placed in a dross separation device which can include apparatus for processing the dross to remove any remaining solder.

Abstract: An energy controller is described for a vibration welder wherein the energy imparted into work-pieces being vibration welded is derived and compared with an energy set point to control the vibration welding operation. After a vibration welding operation has encountered the energy set point the welding operation is stopped and the quality of a weld derived from a comparison with another parameter associated with the vibration welding. The other parameter can be the amount of movement of one of the work-pieces during vibration welding or the time involved to inject the energy into the work-pieces to achieve the vibration weld.

Abstract: A method for producing microporous objects with fiber, wire or foil core with periodic welding of nodes by movement of the substrate and the making of a porous mat. Microporous objects are created by deposition of small dimension of solid from liquid streams undergoing solidification with the simultaneous welding of the streams at various nodal locations concurrently during the deposition process. Bulk porous material objects are created containing open spaces within the microstructure. Inserts can be added to create internal geometries. Variations in pore density from near-zero to about 95% with gradient densities can be created. Screens can be used for forming column-like supports within the microporous object. Holes can be punched in the fiber core to create desired properties of denser regions and to limit the thermal expansion of the mat in a single direction.