Abstract: A method for cutting a multiplicity of disks from a hard brittle workpiece is by moving the workpiece at a defined feed rate through a wire web of a wire saw. In the method, the wire web is formed by a sawing wire which moves in a reciprocating manner and is covered with bonded abrasive grain. A cooling liquid is provided beneath the wire web, in which cooling liquid the sawing wire of the wire web is immersed when cutting off the disks. Also provided is a wire saw which is suitable for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A wafer holder chuck has support for fixing a semiconductor wafer during nding. There is a method of producing a semiconductor wafer which has two flat-ground sides and a rounded edge. The wafer holder has a support which is composed of a soft material. The method has the semiconductor wafer fixed on a wafer holder having a soft support during grinding of the first side and has the wafer fixed on a wafer holder having a hard support during grinding of the second side.

Abstract: A music playing system includes a number of music playback units with playback changer devices, coding units, and ISDN cards. Each of the music playback units is provided with playable pieces of music. There is at least one input unit by means of which the pieces of music to be played on a playback unit are selected. In addition, there is a central computer with a memory in at least one playback unit, with the memory storing data about the pieces of music available in the playback units. The playback units can be connected between themselves and to the central computer via remote data transmission lines.

Abstract: A workpiece holder for rotary grinding machines for grinding semiconductor afers has a rotatable work surface which points toward a rotating grinding tool and on which the semiconductor wafer to be machined is laid, and has piezoelectric elements on which the workpiece holder is axially supported. The piezoelectric elements can be operated independently of one another and, when operated, undergo a change in their linear dimension, an operated piezoelectric element axially raising or lowering the workpiece holder at the point at which it supports the workpiece holder. There is also a method for positioning the workpiece holder.

Abstract: A circuit configuration for a passenger protection device, such as an airbag, includes at least first and second collision sensors having triggering thresholds individually assigned thereto, for triggering a passenger protection device if the collision sensors exceed the triggering thresholds. The first sensor supplies an output signal exceeding the triggering threshold assigned to it before the second sensor issues an output signal exceeding the triggering threshold assigned to it, in the event of a collision. One of the sensors is a clock-generating sensor setting a beginning of a time period when its output signal exceeds a threshold value assigned to it, during the collision. One of the sensors mechanically actuates a switch and supplies an essentially binary output signal, in the event of a collision. Both of the sensors are required to exceed their triggering thresholds no later than a point in time within the time period, for the protection system to be finally triggered.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing semiconductor wafers having deformation ground in a defined way.

Abstract: A firing control device (G) for triggering a passenger restraint system of a vehicle by electrically firing one or more firing pellets (Z1, Z2), having a processor (P) which, during operation, criteria for the necessity of triggering derives from the output signals of one or more crash sensors (S1, S2), having at least one measuring unit (R/DR, DZ1, DZ2) which, during a crash, measures at least the firing current (I1, I2) flowing through the respective firing pellets (Z1, Z2) and/or values (for example voltages) which depend on said firing current (I1, I2), having a PROM memory (M), and having a measuring unit (R/DR) which (R/DR) contains a measuring resistor (R) which is inserted into the firing circuit (I1, I2) of the firing pellet (Z1, Z2) so as not to be usually directly accessible from the outside via external terminals (A0 to A5) of the housing (G) of the firing control device in order to determine data relating to the variation of the firing current (I1, I2) flowing across the resistor (R) during trigg

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quality control of molded articles manufactured by injection molding machines or die casting machines. The method includes weighing individual molded articles after they have been ejected from the mold. The actual weight of the molded article is compared to a desired weight and the resulting difference signal is used for influencing the injection molding machine or the die casting machine in order to correct the weight of the molded articles. The molded articles are each guided as exactly as possible onto the center of a weighing zone of the test balance and the entire weighing zone is protected at least during each weighing procedure against ambient influences. The apparatus for carrying out the method includes an electronic test balance arranged after a discharge hopper for the molded articles. The electronic test balance is used for providing an output signal for influencing the injection molding machine or the die casting machine.

Abstract: In an electrical function group, a useful circuit having electrical module units is electrically connected via a plug-type connector. The plug-type connector is equipped with a longer and with a shorter contact pin, so that the shorter contact pin separates first when the plug-type connector comes apart. The longer contact pin is a useful contact that closes the useful circuit and the shorter contact pin is a signal contact that closes a signal circuit. The signal circuit contains a monitoring arrangement that generates an alarm when the signal circuit is parted by the signal contact. As a result thereof, an incipient parting event of the plug-type connector is recognized before the useful circuit is separated.

Abstract: An arrangement for the protection of a transistor, particularly a MOS-switching transistor including a zener diode connected between the gate and source terminals for limiting the gate potential and a switch-off transistor connected to the control circuit of the MOS-transistor for grounding the gate thereof and switching it off. First and second monitoring circuits are coupled between the MOS-transistor and the switch-off transistor for producing a signal switching on the switch-off transistor in response to a drop in the load current and an increase in the output voltage of the MOS-transistor. First and second timing circuits block the signals of the monitoring circuits for predetermined intervals.