Abstract: A process and apparatus for separating a carbon filament tow into a set of reduced filament count bundles. The process includes feeding a tow of carbon filaments into a guide array, mechanically splitting the tow within the guide array into filament bundles, removing a coating from the filament bundles, feeding the filament bundles into a guide pin assembly to separate the filament bundles with a reduced filament count from one another, applying a false twist to the filament bundles to loosen individual filaments then recombining the individual filaments of each filament bundle into a re-bundled ribbon. Coatings may be applied to each re-bundled ribbon prior to winding each re-bundled ribbon onto a take-up.

Abstract: A splice tube includes a body, first and second wedge assemblies, first and second plugs, and a securing member that secures at least one of the first and second plugs to the body. The body defines first and second passageways that extend through the body. Each passageway of the body has a first end and a second end. The first and second wedge assemblies each have a passageway. At least a portion of the first and second wedge assemblies are positioned within the first and second passageways, respectively. The first and second plugs are at least partially positioned within the passageway of the first and second wedge assemblies, respectively.

Abstract: A splice tube includes a body, first and second wedge assemblies, first and second plugs, and a securing member that secures at least one of the first and second plugs to the body. The body defines first and second passageways that extend through the body. Each passageway of the body has a first end and a second end. The first and second wedge assemblies each have a passageway. At least a portion of the first and second wedge assemblies are positioned within the first and second passageways, respectively. The first and second plugs are at least partially positioned within the passageway of the first and second wedge assemblies, respectively.

Abstract: A mixed size product end of arm tooling is used in conjunction with a robot to pick mixed size product and place the product onto a pallet or layers resting on top of a pallet. The end of arm tooling includes two center rails/forks mounted to a base. Two outer rails/forks are mounted to linear bearings that guide the outer rails/forks when moving inwardly or outwardly from the center rails for pre-sizing to the product. Pusher arms are formed of two outer pusher arms and one center pusher arm. These pusher arms are attached to linear bushings that guide the pusher arms forward and backward. The pusher arms push off the product simultaneously as the robot is withdrawing the rails.

Abstract: Finite element analysis or thermocouple probes are used to determine the state of cure for each zone of a non-uniform, thick rubber article, such as a large tire or a tread for a tire. From this knowledge of those cure-limiting zones, heat transfer elements are added to the mold to enhance the transfer of heat into these cure-limiting zones and to provide a more optimum cure. The use of heat transfer pins and/or mini-sipes are an efficient and practical means of reducing total cure time in the press and optimizing cure state without substantially affecting the performance of the article such as the tire. Reductions in cure time of 10% or more are demonstrated.

Abstract: A mixed size product end of arm tooling is used in conjunction with a robot to pick mixed size product and place the product onto a pallet or layers resting on top of a pallet. The end of arm tooling includes two center rails/forks mounted to a base. Two outer rails/forks are mounted to linear bearings that guide the outer rails/forks when moving inwardly or outwardly from the center rails for pre-sizing to the product. Pusher arms are formed of two outer pusher arms and one center pusher arm. These pusher arms are attached to linear bushings that guide the pusher arms forward and backward. The pusher arms push off the product simultaneously as the robot is withdrawing the rails.

Abstract: A highly flexible component, for example a medical instrument, device, or implant, is treated with a carbon thin film. The thin film acts as a biocompatible corrosion and wear resistant layer over the base material of the component.

Abstract: Finite element analysis or thermocouple probes are used to determine the state of cure for each zone of a non-uniform, thick rubber article, such as a large tire or a tread for a tire. From this knowledge of those cure-limiting zones, heat transfer elements are added to the mold to enhance the transfer of heat into these cure-limiting zones and to provide a more optimum cure. The use of heat transfer pins and/or mini-sipes are an efficient and practical means of reducing total cure time in the press and optimizing cure state without substantially affecting the performance of the article such as the tire. Reductions in cure time of 10% or more are demonstrated.

Abstract: An ultrahigh pressure pump includes a frame including at least one radially-extending member having an outer frame pivot disposed at outer end thereof; a crank rotatably mounted in the frame and adapted to be driven by a power source and a crank pin offset from a rotational axis of the crank; and at least one radially-extending telescoping pump subassembly having inner and outer ends. The outer end of each pump subassembly is attached to the outer frame pivot for pivotal swinging movement thereabout, and the inner end is pivotally attached to the crank pin. The pump subassembly operates substantially free from side loads on the piston rod and has a long component life.

Abstract: A process for improving the uniformity of yarn finish application on the individual filaments of a rapidly advancing synthetic continuous monofilament, bonded multi-filament, multi-filament hosiery, textile, technical and industrial yarns includes imparting a pneumatic false twist to the advancing yarn having a wet finish thereon while the yarn is under a tension allowing the rapid opening and closing of the multi-filament yarn but preventing texturing or coherency from increasing by commingling of the yarn filaments in the false twister. A nozzle has a reduced friction and can either be used as a stand-alone air bearing or to apply finish within the nozzle. A plurality of finish delivery orifices open into the chamber in a low pressure zone inside the nozzle, and wherein the exact same or slightly greater pressure that is used for the compressed air supplied to the air delivery orifices is used to actuate the finish supplied to the plurality of the finish delivery orifices.

Abstract: A process for improving the uniformity of yarn finish application on the individual filaments of a rapidly advancing synthetic continuous monofilament, bonded multi-filament, multi-filament hosiery, textile, technical and industrial yarns includes imparting a pneumatic false twist to the advancing yarn having a wet finish thereon while the yarn is under a tension allowing the rapid opening and closing of the multi-filament yarn but preventing texturing or coherency from increasing by commingling of the yarn filaments in the false twister. A nozzle has a reduced friction and can either be used as a stand-alone air bearing or to apply finish within the nozzle. A plurality of finish delivery orifices open into the chamber in a low pressure zone inside the nozzle, and wherein the exact same or slightly greater pressure that is used for the compressed air supplied to the air delivery orifices is used to actuate the finish supplied to the plurality of the finish delivery orifices.

Abstract: A process for improving the uniformity of yarn finish application on the individual filaments of a rapidly advancing synthetic continuous monofilament, bonded multi-filament, multi-filament hosiery, textile, technical and industrial yarns includes imparting a pneumatic false twist to the advancing yarn having a wet finish thereon while the yarn is under a tension allowing the rapid opening and closing of the multi-filament yarn but preventing texturing or coherency from increasing by commingling of the yarn filaments in the false twister. A nozzle has a reduced friction and can either be used as a stand-alone air bearing or to apply finish within the nozzle. A plurality of finish delivery orifices open into the chamber in a low pressure zone inside the nozzle, and wherein the exact same or slightly greater pressure that is used for the compressed air supplied to the air delivery orifices is used to actuate the finish supplied to the plurality of the finish delivery orifices.