Abstract: A connector is disclosed for electrically coupling groups of contact points formed on a first and second electronic circuit chip. The connector is constructed by applying a layer of dielectric material to a planar electrically conductive base, lithographically printing a pattern onto the dielectric material, etching the pattern and creating a plurality of wells extending through the dielectric material and a matching plurality of cavities in the surface of the base, and electroplating the pattern and filling the wells with an electrically conductive electroplate material. The electroplate thereby forms a plurality of conductive members, each extending through the dielectric material. The base is then removed from the dielectric material, thereby forming a connector board having the conductive members extending therethrough for electrically coupling the first and second groups of contact points on the circuit chips.

Abstract: An electrical interconnect and a method of fabricating an electrical interconnect are provided. A first transparent dielectric layer is disposed on top of a support structure. A conductive circuit layer is plated above the first dielectric layer. Separate conductive layers are plated on top of the conductive circuit layer to produce conductive vias. A second transparent dielectric layer is disposed around the conductive layers. Contact tips are electrically connected to the top surface of the separate conductive layers. The interconnect may be visually aligned so that the contact tips brought into contact with target connections. In addition, the support structure may be partially removed to allow a flexible interconnect.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for trimming edge scrap from continuously cast metal strip includes an edge trimming device in combination with a drag casting apparatus for producing aluminum or aluminum alloy cast strip. The edge trimming device includes a tool which marks the casting surface of the casting wheel to disruption the solidification rate during casting of the molten aluminum. Disruption of the solidification rate forms a longitudinal split in the strip being cast resulting in formation of a high quality cast strip product acceptable for further processing and edge trim scrap. The edge trim scrap may be recovered and recycled for further use. The edge trimming device includes adjustable features to permit varying the location of the longitudinal split along the width of the strip being cast in response to casting parameters such as excess gauge variation, surface defects or changing of the cast strip width prior to or during the continuous casting operation.

Abstract: A start-up method and apparatus for continuous casting of molten metal into a cast strip product includes initially casting a start-up alloy having sufficient strength, flexibility and casting surface release properties to achieve steady state casting conditions. A target alloy follows the start-up alloy being cast to produce a cast strip product of the target alloy composition. A start-up alloying vessel is disposed between the source of the target alloy and the casting apparatus to facilitate introduction of a start-up alloy into the casting process or formulation of a particular start-up alloy for initiation of the continuous casting operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously casting metal includes a tundish having edge seals and risers positioned at an outlet portion thereof . The edge seals and risers are configured to reduce the depth of molten metal adjacent the tundish sidewalls such that a lesser volume of molten metal contacts a driven casting surface to permit rapid solidification of edge portions of a cast strip. The edge seals and risers also are configured to form a meniscus between the seals and casting surface to effectively seal a gap between the tundish sidewall and continuous casting surface to prevent molten metal leakage therethrough. Preventing molten metal flow through the gap between the casting surface and sidewalls eliminates the requirement for a mechanical seal during continuous casting of molten metals.

Abstract: Disclosed are process and apparatus for use in the direct casting of metal strip from molten metal deposited on a moving chill surface from a tundish having a floor, opposed upwardly extending sidewalls, an end wall, an open outlet opposite the end wall with the open outlet extending substantially the full width of the tundish between the sidewalls, and an inlet for providing a flow of molten metal into the tundish from a source of molten metal. Flow distribution and diffusers within the tundish control and diffuse the flow of molten metal to provide molten metal of substantially uniform temperature across the width of the tundish at the outlet.

Abstract: An improved method of and apparatus is disclosed for direct casting of molten metal to form a strip by solidification of the molten metal on a moving chill surface using the vessel having a floor, spaced sidewalls, an inlet and an outlet extending between the sidewalls for supplying the molten metal to the chill surface in which the transverse dimension of the outlet may be adjusted during casting to change the width of the strip and preferably adjustable baffles or flow diverters are provided to control the flow pattern to provide a substantially uniform flow of metal to the outlet.

Abstract: A method of direct casting molten metal into strip by providing a melt of the metal to be cast, providing a continuously driven metal chill surface, flowing a layer of the melt onto the moving chill surface and extracting heat from the layer of melt to solidify and temporarily bond the layer of melt to the chill surface and to shrink the solidified layer and cause it to be released from the chill surface, withdrawing the released solidified layer as a continuous metal strip, establishing a natural oxide layer on said chill surface to provide an interface between said layer of melt and said chill surface, and maintaining said natural oxide in a smooth layer of substantially uniform thickness.

Abstract: Disclosed are process and apparatus for use in the direct casting of metal strip from molten metal deposited on a moving chill surface from a tundish having a floor, opposed upwardly extending sidewalls, an end wall, an open outlet opposite the end wall with the open outlet extending substantially the full width of the tundish between the sidewalls, and an inlet for providing a flow of molten metal into the tundish from a source of molten metal. Flow diverters within the tundish divide the flow of molten metal into a plurality of separate streams and divert one of the streams in the direction of each sidewall and for recombining the diverted streams into a composite stream flowing toward the outlet. Flow diffusers diffuse the molten metal flowing through the tundish to provide molten metal of substantially uniform temperature across the width of the tundish at the outlet.