Abstract: A method of repitching workpieces in an automated mass production system includes: (a) unloading a set of workpieces from a plurality of first retainers arranged at a first pitch, the unloading step including gripping of the workpieces by corresponding grippers of a repitch robot; (b) adjusting the workpieces from the first pitch to a second pitch different from the first pitch, the adjusting step including translating the grippers relative to each other from a first spacing corresponding to the first pitch to a second spacing corresponding to the second pitch; and (c) loading the workpieces into a plurality of corresponding second retainers arranged at the second pitch, the loading step including positioning and releasing the workpieces in the second retainers via the grippers.

Abstract: Processing O-rings in an automated mass production system includes advancing an O-ring retainer toward a loading position in alignment with an output end of a feed device, discharging a leading O-ring from the output end in electronic synchronization with advancement of the O-ring retainer to the loading position to initiate loading of the O-ring into the retainer prior to the retainer arriving at the loading position, after loading the O-ring into the retainer, advancing the retainer away from the loading position toward an unloading position, and moving an end effector in electronic synchronization with advancement of the retainer to the unloading position to synchronize arrival of the retainer at the unloading position with arrival of the end effector at a pick-up position in alignment with the O-ring at the unloading position for pick up of the O-ring by the end effector.

Abstract: A method of inverting workpieces in a mass production process includes: advancing an end effector in electronic synchronization with advancement of a carrier to synchronize arrival of the carrier at a stop position with arrival of the end effector at an unloading position, in which the end effector is in alignment with a workpiece held by the carrier for engaging the workpiece; while the end effector is in engagement with the workpiece, retracting the end effector away from the carrier to unload the workpiece from the carrier and advancing the end effector back toward the carrier to load the workpiece back into the carrier; and rotating the end effector relative to the carrier to invert the workpiece in electronic synchronization with the retracting and advancing of the end effector for loading the workpiece back into the carrier when inverted.

Abstract: A method of inverting workpieces in a mass production process includes: advancing an end effector in electronic synchronization with advancement of a carrier to synchronize arrival of the carrier at a stop position with arrival of the end effector at an unloading position, in which the end effector is in alignment with a workpiece held by the carrier for engaging the workpiece; while the end effector is in engagement with the workpiece, retracting the end effector away from the carrier to unload the workpiece from the carrier and advancing the end effector back toward the carrier to load the workpiece back into the carrier; and rotating the end effector relative to the carrier to invert the workpiece in electronic synchronization with the retracting and advancing of the end effector for loading the workpiece back into the carrier when inverted.

Abstract: A method of repitching workpieces in an automated mass production system includes: (a) unloading a set of workpieces from a plurality of first retainers arranged at a first pitch, the unloading step including gripping of the workpieces by corresponding grippers of a repitch robot; (b) adjusting the workpieces from the first pitch to a second pitch different from the first pitch, the adjusting step including translating the grippers relative to each other from a first spacing corresponding to the first pitch to a second spacing corresponding to the second pitch; and (c) loading the workpieces into a plurality of corresponding second retainers arranged at the second pitch, the loading step including positioning and releasing the workpieces in the second retainers via the grippers.

Abstract: A method of processing O-rings in an automated mass production system includes: (a) advancing an O-ring retainer toward a loading position in alignment with an output end of a feed device; (b) discharging a leading O-ring from the output end in electronic synchronization with advancement of the O-ring retainer to the loading position to initiate loading of the O-ring into the retainer prior to the retainer arriving at the loading position; (c) after loading the O-ring into the retainer, advancing the retainer away from the loading position toward an unloading position; and (d) moving an end effector in electronic synchronization with advancement of the retainer to the unloading position to synchronize arrival of the retainer at the unloading position with arrival of the end effector at a pick-up position in alignment with the O-ring at the unloading position for pick up of the O-ring by the end effector.

Abstract: A method of inverting workpieces in a mass production process includes: advancing an end effector in electronic synchronization with advancement of a carrier to synchronize arrival of the carrier at a stop position with arrival of the end effector at an unloading position, in which the end effector is in alignment with a workpiece held by the carrier for engaging the workpiece; while the end effector is in engagement with the workpiece, retracting the end effector away from the carrier to unload the workpiece from the carrier and advancing the end effector back toward the carrier to load the workpiece back into the carrier; and rotating the end effector relative to the carrier to invert the workpiece in electronic synchronization with the retracting and advancing of the end effector for loading the workpiece back into the carrier when inverted.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for mass producing different products in an automated production station having a plurality of part-processing devices. An example method includes identifying a workpiece received in the production station; selecting control parameters associated with the identified workpiece; electronically synchronizing the part-processing devices based on the selected control parameters to perform coordinated operations on the workpiece for producing one of the different products; and automatically repeating the identifying, selecting, and synchronizing steps for different workpieces received in the production station to produce a plurality of different products in a continuous mass production process.

Abstract: A safety data sheet management system comprises a computer, storage media and a database, the database containing data on component substances and information related to reactions between the component substance. From these component substances, a set of physical masters is created and a set of health masters is created. For example, these masters are combined together and combined with component masters to automatically generate safety data sheets.

Abstract: A method of allocating a plurality of traffic demands on a network having a plurality of stations connected by a bi-directional ring is disclosed. The method comprises selecting a first traffic demand from the plurality of traffic demands. The method then acquires a first existing traffic volume for a first direction of the bi-directional ring and a second existing traffic volume for a second direction of the bi-directional ring. Either the first or second direction is selected for transmitting the first traffic demand based on the smallest incremental increase in the load of the bi-directional ring.

Abstract: A process for producing energy from sulphur containing carbonaceous fuels comprises partially oxidizing the carbonaceous fuel to produce off gasses including carbon monoxide, hydrogen and hydrogen sulphide; removing hydrogen sulphide from the off gasses and combusting the off gasses from which the hydrogen sulphide has been removed to produce energy.

Abstract: A fully absorbable prosthesis (1) for the repair of damaged ligaments and/or tendons in the form of a multilayer spiral roll comprising the following spiral layers: a foraminous layer (2) of a synthetic bioabsorbable material; a bioabsorbable film (3); and a layer (4) of a bioabsorbable biopolymer sponge. The invention also provides a method of making such a prosthesis, comprising the steps of: providing a laminate of a foraminous layer of bioabsorbable material and a bioabsorbable film; coating the laminate with a layer of an aqueous gel comprising a bioabsorbable polymer; rolling up the laminate and the gel layer into a spiral roll, followed by drying the gel to form a layer of bioabsorbable sponge. The foraminous layer (2) preferably comprises a synthetic bioabsorbable polymer having high tensile strength. The bioabsorbable film (3) and sponge layer (4) preferably comprise a chemotactic biopolymer such as collagen.

Abstract: A valve stem actuator for a slurry valve or the like includes a support frame extending from the valve body to a linear operator having a cylinder and piston. Means are provided for connecting the piston rod to the valve stem and means reciprocally mounted on the support frame rotate the valve stem with respect to the valve body independently of the linear movement of the valve stem to dislodge accumulated crust to permit the valve disc to properly seat to prevent fluid flow through the valve. The linear operator is preferably pneumatically or hydraulically actuated and the rotary actuator preferably comprises an air or hydraulically actuated rack engageable with the valve stem. The valve stem actuator is useful for new valves or for retrofit of present slurry valves or the like.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in the well known "Bayer" process. In particular, the invention describes a process for the recovery of gallium and alumina from bauxite including the steps of:A. dissolving the ore in caustic soda solution under pressure;B. precipitation of pure alumina from the remaining caustic soda solution by reduction of temperature and pressure;C. subjecting the resulting mother liquor from (b) to an elevated temperature of 60.degree. to 450.degree. C and a pressure of 2 to 100 atmos. in the presence of an oxygen-containing atmosphere; andD. cementation of the gallium remaining in solution by contact with metallic aluminium.Step (a) is preferably carried out at a pressure of 5 atmospheres and step (c) is carried out in the presence of an atmosphere consisting substantially of oxygen at a pressure within the range 20 to 50 atmospheres and a temperature within the range 150.degree. to 350.degree. C.

Abstract: This invention relates to the separation and purification of platinum group metals and, in particular to the separation of mixtures of rhodium, platinum and irridium. According to one specific form of the invention, the platinum, rhodium and iridium are present as salts in aqueous solution and the separation and purification is accomplished byA. adjusting the pH, as necessary, to provide an acidic solution;B. contacting the acidic solution with an oxidizing agent sufficient to effect the oxidation of all irridium to Ir(IV);c. contacting the oxidized solution with a nitrogen-containing organic compound selected from the group consisting of secondary amines, tertiary amines and quaternary ammonium compounds; andD. removing from contact with the oxidized solution an organic phase containing substantially all of the platinum and iridium present in association with the nitrogen-containing organic compound used in step (c).

Abstract: This invention relates to the recovery of gallium from scrubber dust containing aluminum and fluoride. In carrying out the process of the invention gallium is recovered from a particulate solid of the basic material by means of a process comprising the following steps:A. preparing a mixture of the solid with an excess of an alkali;B. sintering the said mixture;C. leaching the sintered product obtained with an aqueous solution;D. cementation of the gallium present in the resulting squeous solution with a metal more electropositive than gallium; andE. collecting the solid gallium precipitate obtained by cementation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the separation and purification of platinum group metals and particularly platinum, rhodium and iridium. Essentially the platinum group metals are present as salts dissolved in an aqueous solution and the process for separating and purifying the platinum group metals comprises, according to one embodiment of the invention, the following steps:A. adjusting the pH, as necessary, to provide an acidic solution;B. contacting the acidic solution with a reducing agent to effect the reduction of iridium, that is, Ir(IV) to Ir(III);c. contacting the reduced solution with a nitrogen containing or organic compound selected from the group consisting of secondary amines, tertiary amines, and quaternary ammonium compounds;D. removing from contact with the solution an organic phase containing substantially all of the platinum present in association with the nitrogen-containing organic compound used in step (c);E.