Abstract: In a marking system a pattern of marks present in a mask (30) is transferred to the surface (51) of an object (50) by causing radiation to act on the surface (51) via a mask (30). By adapting the shape and the area of the cross-section of the radiation beam to the pattern to be shown, the pattern is irradiated at a high intensity while the amount of radiation falling outside the pattern is reduced. This is achieved by adapting the cross-section of the beam by means of an exchangeable optical guide and/or cylindrical lenses (21, 22) and/or by stepwise scanning the mask (30) in one or two directions by means of a scanning system (23, 24) while the irradiated parts (I.sub.1, . . . , I.sub.n) overlap each other to a considerable extent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of electrically and mechanically connected to a hook-shaped element of an electrically conductive supporting body. The conductor wire, which comprises an electrically conductive core and a sheath of an insulating material, is introduced into the open hook-shaped element after which a radiation beam is aimed at the conductor wire, for example, to ablate the insulating sheath by heating. After this the conductive core of the conductor wire is clamped in the hook-shaped element by cold deformation of the hook-shaped element.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the manufacture of wire-drawing dies. The disclosure provides a method for securing a core in a metal housing. The method begins with the clamping of an annulus, consisting of a hardenable metal alloy, around a cylindrical core consisting of a material such as polycrystalline diamond or boron nitride. The core is clamped so as to produce a permanent, radially compressive stress therein. The core-annulus combination is secured in a metal housing of a conventional shape.