Abstract: The invention provides a graphical user interface implemented on a computer including an information area for displaying to a user at the computer inspection status information in connection with one or more components of a linear asset infrastructure. The graphical user interface also includes a control component operable by the user at the computer to cause the graphical user interface to display additional information on the one or more components of the linear asset infrastructure.

Abstract: The invention provides a graphical user interface implemented on a computer including an information area for displaying to a user at the computer inspection status information in connection with one or more components of a linear asset infrastructure. The graphical user interface also includes a control component operable by the user at the computer to cause the graphical user interface to display additional information on the one or more components of the linear asset infrastructure.

Abstract: The invention provides a graphical user interface implemented on a computer including an information area for displaying to a user at the computer inspection status information in connection with one or more components of a linear asset infrastructure. The graphical user interface also includes a control component operable by the user at the computer to cause the graphical user interface to display additional information on the one or more components of the linear asset infrastructure.

Abstract: The invention provides a graphical user interface implemented on a computer including an information area for displaying to a user at the computer inspection status information in connection with one or more components of a linear asset infrastructure. The graphical user interface also includes a control component operable by the user at the computer to cause the graphical user interface to display additional information on the one or more components of the linear asset infrastructure.

Abstract: The invention provides a graphical user interface implemented on a computer including an information area for displaying to a user at the computer inspection status information in connection with one or more components of a linear asset infrastructure. The graphical user interface also includes a control component operable by the user at the computer to cause the graphical user interface to display additional information on the one or more components of the linear asset infrastructure.

Abstract: The present invention is a trowel having a blade with a rounded side edge, a straight side edge, and a notched edge between the rounded side edge and the straight side edge. The trowel may include a handle disposed opposite the notched edge and substantially parallel to the straight side edge, aligned with the plane of the blade. The blade may be made of a thin or flexible material, allowing the blade to be slightly deformed during use to create a consistent layer of adhesive. The rounded edge may be of a relatively smaller radius, allowing for a wider, shorter blade. In other embodiments, the rounded edge may be of a relatively bigger radius, allowing for a narrower, taller blade. The notched edge may be square notches, v-notches, u-notches, or other notch shapes according to user preference.

Abstract: The present invention is a trowel having a blade with a rounded side edge, a straight side edge, and a notched edge between the rounded side edge and the straight side edge. The trowel may include a handle disposed opposite the notched edge and substantially parallel to the straight side edge, aligned with the plane of the blade. The blade may be made of a thin or flexible material, allowing the blade to be slightly deformed during use to create a consistent layer of adhesive. The rounded edge may be of a relatively smaller radius, allowing for a wider, shorter blade. In other embodiments, the rounded edge may be of a relatively bigger radius, allowing for a narrower, taller blade. The notched edge may be square notches, v-notches, u-notches, or other notch shapes according to user preference.

Abstract: The invention provides a graphical user interface implemented on a computer including an information area for displaying to a user at the computer inspection status information in connection with one or more components of a linear asset infrastructure. The graphical user interface also includes a control component operable by the user at the computer to cause the graphical user interface to display additional information on the one or more components of the linear asset infrastructure.

Abstract: The invention provides a graphical user interface implemented on a computer including an information area for displaying to a user at the computer inspection status information in connection with one or more components of a linear asset infrastructure. The graphical user interface also includes a control component operable by the user at the computer to cause the graphical user interface to display additional information on the one or more components of the linear asset infrastructure.

Abstract: The invention provides a graphical user interface implemented on a computer including an information area for displaying to a user at the computer inspection status information in connection with one or more components of a linear asset infrastructure. The graphical user interface also includes a control component operable by the user at the computer to cause the graphical user interface to display additional information on the one or more components of the linear asset infrastructure.

Abstract: A testing apparatus for testing the strength of a material connection to a substrate. A drive mechanism couples a test tool mount to a main body and allows for relative movement between the test tool mount and the main body in an axial direction. A biasing element is coupled between the main body and the test tool mount, that, in operation, biases the test tool mount relative to the main body in an axial direction. The biasing element is switchable between a first state in which the test tool mount is biased either toward or away from the substrate and another state in which the biasing element provides one of: no biasing force to the test tool mount toward or away from the substrate, or a biasing force in a direction opposite to the direction of bias applied in the first state.

Abstract: The invention provides a graphical user interface implemented on a computer including an information area for displaying to a user at the computer inspection status information in connection with one or more components of a linear asset infrastructure. The graphical user interface also includes a control component operable by the user at the computer to cause the graphical user interface to display additional information on the one or more components of the linear asset infrastructure.

Abstract: The invention provides a graphical user interface implemented on a computer including an information area for displaying to a user at the computer inspection status information in connection with one or more components of a linear asset infrastructure. The graphical user interface also includes a control component operable by the user at the computer to cause the graphical user interface to display additional information on the one or more components of the linear asset infrastructure.

Abstract: A testing apparatus for testing the strength of a material connection to a substrate. A drive mechanism couples a test tool mount to a main body and allows for relative movement between the test tool mount and the main body in an axial direction. A biasing element is coupled between the main body and the test tool mount, that, in operation, biases the test tool mount relative to the main body in an axial direction. The biasing element is switchable between a first state in which the test tool mount is biased either toward or away from the substrate and another state in which the biasing element provides one of: no biasing force to the test tool mount toward or away from the substrate, or a biasing force in a direction opposite to the direction of bias applied in the first state.

Abstract: A bond strength testing apparatus comprising a main body, a test tool mount for holding a test tool, and an axial drive mechanism including a screw and nut assembly. The drive mechanism couples the test tool mount to the main body and allows for relative movement between the test tool mount and the main body in an axial direction. A backlash control element is coupled to the main body and the test tool mount, and, in operation, biases the test tool mount relative to the main body in an axial direction. The backlash control element is switchable between a first state in which the test tool mount is biased in a first axial direction by the backlash control element, and a second state in which either the test tool mount is biased in a second axial direction by backlash control element, or the backlash control element applies no biasing force to test tool mount. The apparatus can be automated to apply the appropriate backlash control for a particular, selected test type.

Abstract: A shear test device for testing the strength of attachment between a bond and an electronic substrate. The device incorporates a clamping mechanism and a shear test tool that are mounted on a baseplate. During a set-up procedure, the shear test tool is movable relative to the baseplate. During a test procedure, the shear test tool is clamped by the clamping mechanism in a fixed position relative to the baseplate. At least one abutment is provided that is fixed in position relative to the baseplate. During the test procedure, a drive mechanism provides relative movement between the shear test tool and the bond to cause the shear test tool to shear the bond off the substrate. The at least one abutment provides an additional clamping force on the test tool while the test tool is shearing the bond off of the substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides a graphical user interface implemented on a computer including an information area for displaying to a user at the computer inspection status information in connection with one or more components of a linear asset infrastructure. The graphical user interface also includes a control component operable by the user at the computer to cause the graphical user interface to display additional information on the one or more components of the linear asset infrastructure.

Abstract: A shear test device for testing the strength of attachment between a bond and an electronic substrate. The device incorporates a clamping mechanism and a shear test tool that are mounted on a baseplate. During a set-up procedure, the shear test tool is movable relative to the baseplate. During a test procedure, the shear test tool is clamped by the clamping mechanism in a fixed position relative to the baseplate. At least one abutment is provided that is fixed in position relative to the baseplate. During the test procedure, a drive mechanism provides relative movement between the shear test tool and the bond to cause the shear test tool to shear the bond off the substrate. The at least one abutment provides an additional clamping force on the test tool while the test tool is shearing the bond off of the substrate. Strain gauges associated with the shear test tool provide signals to an electric circuit indicating the strength of attachment between the bond and the substrate.

Abstract: A shear test device for testing the strength of attachment between a bond and an electronic substrate. The device incorporates a clamping mechanism and a shear test tool that are mounted on a baseplate. During a set-up procedure, the shear test tool is movable relative to the baseplate. During a test procedure, the shear test tool is clamped by the clamping mechanism in a fixed position relative to the baseplate. At least one abutment is provided that is fixed in position relative to the baseplate. During the test procedure, a drive mechanism provides relative movement between the shear test tool and the bond to cause the shear test tool to shear the bond off the substrate. The at least one abutment provides an additional clamping force on the test tool while the test tool is shearing the bond off of the substrate. Strain gauges associated with the shear test tool provide signals to an electric circuit indicating the strength of attachment between the bond and the substrate.

Abstract: A bond strength testing apparatus comprising a main body, a test tool mount for holding a test tool, and an axial drive mechanism including a screw and nut assembly. The drive mechanism couples the test tool mount to the main body and allows for relative movement between the test tool mount and the main body in an axial direction. A backlash control element is coupled to the main body and the test tool mount, and, in operation, biases the test tool mount relative to the main body in an axial direction. The backlash control element is switchable between a first state in which the test tool mount is biased in a first axial direction by the backlash control element, and a second state in which either the test tool mount is biased in a second axial direction by backlash control element, or the backlash control element applies no biasing force to test tool mount. The apparatus can be automated to apply the appropriate backlash control for a particular, selected test type.