Abstract: A system including an array of functional units connected via a two-dimensional mesh network is described. A first functional unit in the array of function units includes a memory device and a processing device, operatively coupled with the memory device, to perform operations including generating a node identifier identifying a second functional unit in the array of functional units, and transmitting, over the two-dimensional mesh network, the node identifier identifying the second functional unit in the array of functional units. The node identifier may include a mesh interface component and a port identifier, and one or more information elements selected from the group consisting of a payload, a target node identifier, a target type identifier, an information type identifier, a linear identifier, and a protocol identifier.

Abstract: A virtual wire system includes a source device, a target device, and a mesh interface connecting the source device and the target device. One or more mesh messages are transmitted over the mesh interface from the source device to the target device, and the one or more mesh messages indicate a change in a value of a signal level at the source device. The source device may include a plurality of virtual wire sources, a virtual wire encoder, and a virtual wire arbiter operatively coupled to the plurality of virtual wire sources and the virtual wire encoder. The virtual wire arbiter is configured to determine whether information from a virtual wire source should be transmitted to the virtual wire encoder. The virtual wire encoder is configured to receive information from the virtual wire arbiter, combine the information into a single virtual wire message, and transmit the single virtual wire message to a first mesh interface component in the source device.

Abstract: A coating composition includes: (a) a carboxylic acid functional polyol polymer; (b) a melamine-formaldehyde crosslinker reactive with the carboxylic acid functional polyol polymer; (c) an acid catalyst; and (d) a non-aqueous liquid medium. The carboxylic acid functional polyol polymer has an acid value within a range of from 30 to 120 mg KOH/g and a hydroxyl value within a range of from 60 to 150 mg KOH/g. The melamine-formaldehyde crosslinker includes imino and methylol groups that together make up 35 mole % or less of the total functionality of the melamine-formaldehyde crosslinker, and butyl groups and isobutyl groups that together make up 5 mole % or greater of the total functionality of the melamine-formaldehyde crosslinker. The coating composition cures at a temperature of 90° C. or less.

Abstract: A rotary fill slide assembly for a sheet metal forming die that has a working element that performs an operation on a portion of a sheet metal blank. The rotary fill slide assembly has a motor that is controlled based upon a press cycle timing mechanism. The rotary fill slide is assembled to the die to fill a space adjacent to a portion of the blank when the blank is in position for the working element to perform the operation on the blank. A linkage connects the motor to the rotary fill slide. The motor drives the linkage in synchronization with the press cycle to fill the space during the period of time that the working element performs the operation on the blank.

Abstract: A rotary fill slide assembly for a sheet metal forming die that has a working element that performs an operation on a portion of a sheet metal blank. The rotary fill slide assembly has a motor that is controlled based upon a press cycle timing mechanism. The rotary fill slide is assembled to the die to fill a space adjacent to a portion of the blank when the blank is in position for the working element to perform the operation on the blank. A linkage connects the motor to the rotary fill slide. The motor drives the linkage in synchronization with the press cycle to fill the space during the period of time that the working element performs the operation on the blank.

Abstract: A sensing system for sensing the presence of a blank or part in the sheet metal forming tool. A blank holder assembly has a fixed bracket that is fixed to a lower die of the tool and a movable bracket that is moved with the upper die of the tool. A proximity sensor is attached to the movable bracket and senses the presence or absence of an edge of a blank or part during the course of a sheet metal forming operation.

Abstract: A sensing system for sensing the presence of a blank or part in the sheet metal forming tool. A blank holder assembly has a fixed bracket that is fixed to a lower die of the tool and a movable bracket that is moved with the upper die of the tool. A proximity sensor is attached to the movable bracket and senses the presence or absence of an edge of a blank or part during the course of a sheet metal forming operation.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that adjusts motion path parameters of a programmable part transfer device having part engaging tooling; the device is used to transfer parts between workstations of one or more cyclical stroking devices dependent on a rotary drive clock. The method comprises: setting up a non-linear analytical regression math model of the motion path of the part engaging tooling coordinated with the motions of the cyclically stroking device, the math model having motion path parameters at least for path speed, angular duration of path segments as a function of the drive clock, part stability, and dynamic freedom for said tooling within the stroking machine; initializing the math model with a first selected set of motion parameters; iteratively solving the math model to determine an optimum combination of at least path speed and part stability when transferring parts during each rotation of the drive clock, such transfer being devoid of any physical interference with the cyclically stroking device.