Abstract: An ellipsometer is used to analyze each of a plurality of sample portions that each include a substrate portion with a coating portion thereon, the substrate portions corresponding to respective spaced portions of a part with a curved surface. For each sample portion, the analysis includes: directing onto the coating portion a beam of radiation that includes first and second components with different polarizations; detecting energy of each of the first and second components reflected by the sample portion; and generating data that includes, for each of a plurality of different wavelengths, information regarding a change caused by the sample portion to a relationship between the first and second components.

Abstract: A path of travel for radiation extends to one optical element, then to another optical element, and then away from the latter. One of the optical elements is respectively reflective and non-reflective to radiation above and below a first wavelength, and the other is respectively reflective and non-reflective to radiation below and above a second wavelength. According to a different aspect, a path of travel for radiation extends to one of first and second optical elements, then to the other optical element, and then away from the latter. The first optical element is reflective and non-reflective to radiation on respective sides of a first wavelength, and the second optical element is reflective and non-reflective to radiation on respective sides of a second wavelength. The first optical element can tilt in relation to the path of travel to change the first wavelength.

Abstract: A method and apparatus involve an optical element having a passband with a center wavelength, and filtering radiation having first and second portions that arrive along a path of travel extending to the optical element. The first portion includes radiation inside the passband, and the second portion includes radiation above and below the passband. The optical element transmits one of the first and second portions of the radiation therethrough, and reflects the other of the first and second portions of the radiation therefrom. The optical element is supported for a range of movement relative to the path of travel. As the optical element moves through the range of movement, the center wavelength changes.

Abstract: A method involves: determining a percentage by which a thickness of a layer of material, if applied by a selected coating apparatus to a curved surface on a selected optical component having an operating wavelength, would decrease from a central region of the curved surface to an edge region of the curved surface; formulating a multi-layer optical coating that will provide, in the central region of the curved surface, a specified optical performance characteristic for all radiation within a waveband extending from the operating wavelength to a further wavelength, where the further wavelength decreased by the percentage equals the operating wavelength; and using the selected coating apparatus to form the multi-layer optical coating on the curved surface.

Abstract: An ellipsometer is used to analyze each of a plurality of sample portions that each include a substrate portion with a coating portion thereon, the substrate portions corresponding to respective spaced portions of a part with a curved surface. For each sample portion, the analysis includes: directing onto the coating portion a beam of radiation that includes first and second components with different polarizations; detecting energy of each of the first and second components reflected by the sample portion; and generating data that includes, for each of a plurality of different wavelengths, information regarding a change caused by the sample portion to a relationship between the first and second components.

Abstract: A path of travel for radiation extends to one optical element, then to another optical element, and then away from the latter. One of the optical elements is respectively reflective and non-reflective to radiation above and below a first wavelength, and the other is respectively reflective and non-reflective to radiation below and above a second wavelength. According to a different aspect, a path of travel for radiation extends to one of first and second optical elements, then to the other optical element, and then away from the latter. The first optical element is reflective and non-reflective to radiation on respective sides of a first wavelength, and the second optical element is reflective and non-reflective to radiation on respective sides of a second wavelength. The first optical element can tilt in relation to the path of travel to change the first wavelength.

Abstract: A workpiece support member can rotate about an axis relative to a source, and the source can emit a plume of coating material that flows toward the workpiece support member approximately parallel to the axis. A plume-influencing shield can rotate with the workpiece support member, and has a plurality of openings extending therethrough approximately parallel to the general direction of flow of the plume. According to a different aspect, a method involves: rotating a workpiece support member about an axis relative to a source; emitting from the source a plume of coating material that flows toward the workpiece support member approximately parallel to the axis; and influencing the plume with structure that includes a shield rotating with the workpiece support member, the shield having a plurality of openings extending therethrough approximately parallel to the general direction of flow of the plume.

Abstract: A detector calibration reference is disposed along a path of travel for radiation that extends from a radiation source to a radiation detector. The detector calibration reference has mutually exclusive first and second portions that are offset in a direction transverse to the path of travel, the first portion being substantially opaque to radiation from the source, and the second portion being substantially transmissive to radiation from the source. The detector calibration reference is moved relative to the path of travel in a manner so that the first and second portions become successively aligned with the path of travel.

Abstract: A method includes: providing an element having mutually exclusive first and second portions with an initial index of refraction; and applying energy to the first portion in a manner causing the index of refraction thereof to change by at least 0.05 in relation to the index of refraction of the second portion. According to one specific approach, the applied energy is laser energy.

Abstract: A detector calibration reference is disposed along a path of travel for radiation that extends from a radiation source to a radiation detector. The detector calibration reference has mutually exclusive first and second portions that are offset in a direction transverse to the path of travel, the first portion being substantially opaque to radiation from the source, and the second portion being substantially transmissive to radiation from the source. The detector calibration reference is moved relative to the path of travel in a manner so that the first and second portions become successively aligned with the path of travel.

Abstract: One aspect involves: supporting a workpiece with workpiece support structure that includes spaced support parts, a support section supporting the support parts, and a workpiece holding adhesive on each support part, where the adhesives engage respective regions of a surface portion on the workpiece; and supplying a coating material toward a different surface portion of the workpiece. A different aspect involves: supporting a workpiece with workpiece support structure that includes a workpiece support member with a surface portion extending approximately parallel to a direction, and a workpiece support part having two adhesive portions that respectively engage the surface portion on the support member and a surface portion on the workpiece; and supplying a coating material in the direction, toward a different surface portion of the workpiece.

Abstract: A coating apparatus includes support structure supporting a workpiece support member for rotation about an axis, and a drive structure for rotating the support member. A source is spaced along an imaginary line from the support structure, and emits a plume of coating material that flows away from the source toward the support structure. The axis extends at an angle with respect to an imaginary plane perpendicular to the imaginary line. According to a different aspect, a coating method includes rotating a workpiece support member about an axis, and emitting a plume of coating material from a source that is spaced along an imaginary line from the support structure, the plume flowing away from the source toward the support structure. The axis extends at an angle to an imaginary plane that is perpendicular to the imaginary line.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a workpiece support, a source for emitting a plume of coating material that flows toward the workpiece support, and plume influencing structure between the source and the workpiece support. The plume influencing structure includes a shield with plural openings extending therethrough approximately parallel to a general direction of flow of the plume away from the source. According to a different aspect, a method includes emitting from a source a plume of coating material that flows toward a workpiece support, and adjusting the flow of the plume with a shield between the source and the workpiece support, the shield having plural openings extending therethrough approximately parallel to a general direction of flow of the plume.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a workpiece support, a source that is spaced from the workpiece support and can emit a plume of coating material toward the workpiece support, and plume adjusting structure that, between the source and workpiece support, can influence a plume of material flowing from the source. A different aspect involves a method that includes emitting from a source a plume of coating material that flows toward a workpiece support, and adjusting, between the source and the workpiece support, a plume of material flowing from the source.

Abstract: A vehicle lift has an electronic control which is functional to control the raising and lowering of the lift and to enable the display of a variety of information regarding the operation of the lift. The electronic control includes control logic which generates an operation fault indication signal based on the application of predetermined criteria to operation conditions, with concomitant display of data indicative of the operation fault indication signal accompanied by inhibiting or altering raising or lowering of the lift. The electronic control also includes maintenance control logic which generates a maintenance condition indication signal to enable generation of maintenance notice data. A vehicle service system includes a network placing controls of such vehicle lifts in communication with each other or a central computer processor.

Abstract: A vehicle lift has an electronic control which is functional to control the raising and lowering of the lift and to enable the display of a variety of information regarding the operation of the lift. The electronic control includes control logic which generates an operation fault indication signal based on the application of predetermined criteria to operation conditions, with concomitant display of data indicative of the operation fault indication signal accompanied by inhibiting or altering raising or lowering of the lift. The electronic control also includes maintenance control logic which generates a maintenance condition indication signal to enable generation of maintenance notice data. A vehicle service system includes a network placing controls of such vehicle lifts in communication with each other or a central computer processor.

Abstract: An ergonomic computer workstation comprises a base, a first vertical shaft supported by the base and a second vertical shaft for supporting a computer monitor thereon, connected to the first vertical shaft by means of a connection which permits vertical adjustment of the second vertical shaft relative to the first vertical shaft. The workstation further includes a keyboard arm for supporting a keyboard thereon. The keyboard arm is pivotally connected to the first or the second vertical shaft, preferably the first vertical shaft, and extends transversely therefrom. The keyboard arm comprises a first arm member which is connected to the vertical shaft at one end and a second arm member pivotally connected to the free end of the first arm. In one particular embodiment the workstation further comprises a monitor arm for supporting a computer monitor thereon pivotally connected to the second vertical shaft and extending transversely therefrom.

Abstract: A lug loader for loading individual boards of lumber from a feed transfer to a lugged transfer in a lumber mill. A plurality of saw-toothed wheels engaged each board in turn and propels it onto the lugged transfer. A plurality of parallel stop members receive boards individually from the feed transfer, each stop member having a board-receiving portion to receive and support a board lying transversely across the stop members and a stop portion preventing further travel of the board when resting upon the stop members. The stop members are movable between raised and lowered positions and are located relative to the saw wheels such that a board lying across the stop members is maintained out of engagement with the saw wheels in their raised positions and may be lowered into engagement with the saw wheels. The presence or absence of a board on the stop members is detected and a control signal is generated in accordance with the condition detected.