Abstract: A stringed musical instrument has a head assembly, a tail, and an elongate neck extending from the head assembly to the tail. The neck defines a fingerboard having a surface layer and a substrate. The surface layer includes an exposed surface formed of sheet metal deformed to unitarily define a plurality of frets thereon. A plurality of strings extends from the head assembly along the neck and adjacent to the fingerboard. In another variation, the surface layer has an exposed surface unitarily defining frets thereon. Each fret forms a peak, and the surface layer defines a plurality of troughs separated by the peaks. Each trough has a single arcuate shape extending between each peak. A method of forming the stringed musical instrument is also disclosed.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument has a head assembly, a tail, and an elongate neck extending from the head assembly to the tail. The neck defines a fingerboard having a surface layer and a substrate. The surface layer includes an exposed surface formed of sheet metal deformed to unitarily define a plurality of frets thereon. A plurality of strings extends from the head assembly along the neck and adjacent to the fingerboard. In another variation, the surface layer has an exposed surface unitarily defining frets thereon. Each fret forms a peak, and the surface layer defines a plurality of troughs separated by the peaks. Each trough has a single arcuate shape extending between each peak. A method of forming the stringed musical instrument is also disclosed.

Abstract: The detrimental effects of fluctuating humidity are neutralized by adjusting the viscosity of a waterborne coating as it is being conducted to the spraying device. A predetermined amount of water or other viscosity modifying additive is mixed continuously with the coating in the coating supply line immediately upstream from the spray device. The amount of water or other additive to be added may be determined by monitoring the humidity in the spray zone. Preferably, an automated feedback control system is employed to adjust the amount of water or other viscosity altering additive being mixed into the coating stream.

Abstract: The detrimental effects of fluctuating humidity are neutralized by adjusting the viscosity of a waterborne coating as it is being conducted to the spraying device. A predetermined amount of water or other viscosity modifying additive is mixed continuously with the coating in the coating supply line immediately upstream from the spray device. The amount of water or other additive to be added may be determined by monitoring the humidity in the spray zone. Preferably, an automated feedback control system is employed to adjust the amount of water or other viscosity altering additive being mixed into the coating stream.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for controlling the spray of positively-charged coating particles towards a grounded or negatively-charged dielectric material having a dielectric constant less than 4.0 and in the form of a hollow container.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for electrostatically applying a coating composition onto dielectric materials which have a dielectric constant less than 4.0. In this process, a positive charge is induced onto a coating composition. The dielectric material is electrically isolated, negatively charge, or both. The positively-charged coating composition is sprayed onto the dielectric material. If the dielectric material is charged negatively, the process of the present invention further includes the step of maintaining at least a portion of the negative charge on the dielectric material while positively-charged coating particles are being sprayed thereon.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing in space and a spacecraft assembly to accomplish such manufacture. The spacecraft assembly includes a spacecraft including a plurality of canister compartments circumferentially spaced about the central axis of the spacecraft and opening in a docking face of the spacecraft, a plurality of canisters respectively positioned in the compartments, and a passive docking mechanism proximate the docking face and proximate the central axis, and a service vehicle comprising a plurality of canister compartments spaced circumferentially about the central axis of the service vehicle, a plurality of canisters respectively positioned in the compartments, and a manipulator assembly including an active docking structure, including a boom extending forwardly from the docking face, and a canister handling assembly mounted on the boom.

Abstract: This invention is an automatic capture and docking mechanism for a pair of spacecraft. A largely passive capture mechanism disposed on a first spacecraft includes a concave cone section with the narrower interior end to admit a ball of a predetermined diameter. When tripped, a capture device restricts the diameter of passage for capture of the ball. In the release position passage for the ball is unrestricted. The capture device is preferably reset by the other spacecraft to release the ball. A docking mechanism disposed on the second spacecraft includes a convex cone section constructed to mate with the concave cone section, ball at the end of a cable and a boom. The cable may be extended from or retracted to the apex of the convex cone section. A rotary drive coupled to the convex cone section permits relative rotation of the spacecraft. The boom may be extended from or retracted into the second spacecraft. The spacecraft dock by directing the extended ball into the cylinder, where it is captured.

Abstract: A robotic substrate manipulator constructed for substrate handling during thin film deposition in the vacuum of outer space. The robotic substrate manipulator includes a cassette holding a plurality of substrates preferably including six cassettes in a carousel. A circular cylinder encloses the carousel with an access door at a location accessible by a manipulator arm assembly. Substrates are retained within the cassette via a passive retention system. This manipulator arm assembly includes an arm with a gripper at one end. The gripper includes a pair of opposed fingers normally urged closed by at least one finger spring that may be opened by a solenoid. The manipulator arm assembly includes a vertical driver and a horizontal rotary driver permitting motion of substrates from the cassette to a processing station. Position gauges on both the vertical motion driver and the horizontal rotary motion driver permit feedback regarding the manipulator arm assembly position.

Abstract: A method of embossing wood composition board is disclosed. This method employs a water-borne base-coat composition which facilitates fine line embossing of the filled surface of wood composition board in imitation of fine grain woods, such as, for example, pecan and prima vera.