Abstract: An abrasive saw having an associated cutting wheel is used for cutting objects. The saw includes a base, a cutting assembly operably mounted to the base and a controller. The cutting assembly includes a pivot shaft, a drive shaft operably mounted to the pivot shaft, a drive, and a drive wheel. A flexible drive element operably connects the drive shaft and a drive wheel. The distance between the drive wheel axis of rotation and the drive shaft axis of rotation is variable to increase or decrease a tension in the flexible drive element. A feed table is operably mounted to the base and is movable forward and rearward in a direction of rotation of the associated cutting wheel. The cutting wheel is lockable in the cutting position and the feed table, with the object secured thereto, is moved, by the controller toward the associated cutting wheel to cut the object.

Abstract: A modular fluid-dispensing system includes a master control dispenser and/or one or more satellite dispensers that communicate bi-directionally with the master control dispenser. The master control dispenser is programmable and may dispense one or more solutions. Each satellite may dispense fluid in either a stand-alone mode or under control of another fluid-dispensing-system component, such as a master control dispenser, or a grinder/polisher. A master control dispenser may store various multi-step dispensing methods and may advance a dispensing method to a next step automatically or based on a control signal received from a grinder/polisher. A master control dispenser may perform a fluid-dispensing method that is synchronized with a corresponding grinder/polisher method performed by a grinder/polisher that is coupled to the master control dispenser.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for steering saw blades which includes an arbor rotatable about a rotation axis. Saw blades are mounted on the arbor in such a manner that the saw blades rotate with the arbor and are angularly adjustable in relation to the rotation axis of the arbor. A rigid guide assembly is provided having a plurality of guides each of which accommodate one the saw blades, such that movement of the guide assembly angularly adjusts the saw blades in unison. A leading edge of each of the saw blades is positioned along a common alignment plane. A support is provided for the guide assembly. The support has an underlying pivot axis spaced from and substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the arbor. This pivot axis is on the alignment plane such that the leading edge of each of the saw blades remain positioned along the alignment plane as the guide assembly is pivoted to move the guide assembly to alter the angular positioning of the saw blades.

Abstract: A modular fluid-dispensing system includes a master control dispenser and/or one or more satellite dispensers that communicate bi-directionally with the master control dispenser. The master control dispenser is programmable and may dispense one or more solutions. Each satellite may dispense fluid in either a stand-alone mode or under control of another fluid-dispensing-system component, such as a master control dispenser, or a grinder/polisher. A master control dispenser may store various multi-step dispensing methods and may advance a dispensing method to a next step automatically or based on a control signal received from a grinder/polisher. A master control dispenser may perform a fluid-dispensing method that is synchronized with a corresponding grinder/polisher method performed by a grinder/polisher that is coupled to the master control dispenser.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for steering saw blades which includes an arbor rotatable about a rotation axis. Saw blades are mounted on the arbor in such a manner that the saw blades rotate with the arbor and are angularly adjustable in relation to the rotation axis of the arbor. A rigid guide assembly is provided having a plurality of guides each of which accommodate one the saw blades, such that movement of the guide assembly angularly adjusts the saw blades in unison. A leading edge of each of the saw blades is positioned along a common alignment plane. A support is provided for the guide assembly. The support has an underlying pivot axis spaced from and substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the arbor. This pivot axis is on the alignment plane such that the leading edge of each of the saw blades remain positioned along the alignment plane as the guide assembly is pivoted to move the guide assembly to alter the angular positioning of the saw blades.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for steering saw blades which includes an arbor rotatable about a rotation axis. Saw blades are mounted on the arbor in such a manner that the saw blades rotate with the arbor and are angularly adjustable in relation to the rotation axis of the arbor. A rigid guide assembly is provided having a plurality of guides each of which accommodate one the saw blades, such that movement of the guide assembly angularly adjusts the saw blades in unison. A leading edge of each of the saw blades is positioned along a common alignment plane. A support is provided for the guide assembly. The support has an underlying pivot axis spaced from and substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the arbor. This pivot axis is on the alignment plane such that the leading edge of each of the saw blades remain positioned along the alignment plane as the guide assembly is pivoted to move the guide assembly to alter the angular positioning of the saw blades.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for steering saw blades which includes an arbor rotatable about a rotation axis. Saw blades are mounted on the arbor in such a manner that the saw blades rotate with the arbor and are angularly adjustable in relation to the rotation axis of the arbor. A rigid guide assembly is provided having a plurality of guides each of which accommodate one the saw blades, such that movement of the guide assembly angularly adjusts the saw blades in unison. A leading edge of each of the saw blades is positioned along a common alignment plane. A support is provided for the guide assembly. The support has an underlying pivot axis spaced from and substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the arbor. This pivot axis is on the alignment plane such that the leading edge of each of the saw blades remain positioned along the alignment plane as the guide assembly is pivoted to move the guide assembly to alter the angular positioning of the saw blades.

Abstract: A fluid flow detection monitor (80), particularly useful in monitoring pressure differentials between a controlled environment and its surroundings, includes a heat source (1) situated between an upstream and downstream thermal sensor (2,3) within a channel (5). The electrical resistance of the downstream sensor varies as the downstream sensor is heated from fluid carried past the heat source. Circuitry is used to detect the electrical resistance differential between the thermal sensors, thereby detecting the presence of fluid flow.