Abstract: A forming tool has an upper portion composed of an upper forming die arranged between a first clamping element and a second clamping element, and a lower portion composed of a lower forming die arranged between a third clamping element and a fourth clamping element. The first clamping element and the third clamping element cooperate to exert a first clamping force on a workpiece; and the second clamping element and the fourth clamping element cooperate to exert a second clamping force on the workpiece. The upper forming die cooperates with the first and second clamping elements and the lower forming die cooperates with the third and fourth clamping elements to exert a lateral force on the workpiece when the first and second clamping forces are being exerted on the workpiece and when a vertical compressive force is being exerted upon the upper forming die and the lower forming die.

Abstract: Luminescent imaging films (100) for fluorescent enhancement and methods of making and using the same are provided. The films (100) include a flexible carrier layer (1109, and a pattern of photonic structure (120) disposed on the flexible carrier layer, which is interspersed with an anti-biofouling material (130) to provide a pattern of analyte sites (132). The pattern of photonic structure includes a patterned high-refractive-index dielectric material surface (123) so as to provide resonance at the excitation or emission wavelength to enhance a fluorescence signal from labeled analytes.

Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, methods and systems are provided for providing electrical power for a manufacturing facility for manufacturing of a vehicle, the vehicle having a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) and a processor, including: positioning the vehicle at the manufacturing facility, the manufacturing facility having an electrical component; and providing electrical power from the RESS of the vehicle to the electrical component of the manufacturing facility, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor.

Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, methods and systems are provided for providing electrical power for a manufacturing facility for manufacturing of a vehicle, the vehicle having a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) and a processor, including: positioning the vehicle at the manufacturing facility, the manufacturing facility having an electrical component; and providing electrical power from the RESS of the vehicle to the electrical component of the manufacturing facility, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor.

Abstract: The concepts described herein provide a method, system, and apparatus for joining, via welding, first and second members fabricated from an aluminum alloy including aluminum, zinc, and manganese, such as 7000-series aluminum alloys, and a resultant workpiece. A junction is formed by a first member being disposed contiguously to a second member. A welding machine generates a weld pool at the junction that includes liquified aluminum alloy. An ultrasonic transducer directs ultrasonic energy in proximity to the weld pool. In some embodiments, an electro-magnetic transducer directs electro-magnetic energy in proximity to the weld pool. The first member is fused to the second member at the junction upon solidification of the weld pool.

Abstract: A laser welded assembly and method of making. The laser welded assembly includes a first work piece having a thickness (T1) defined between an external surface and a faying surface; a second work piece having a thickness (T2) defined between an external surface and a faying surface of the second work piece; a weld seam having a core fusion zone extending from the external surface of the first work piece through the faying interface and at least partially into the thickness (T2) of the second work piece; and a protruding fusion zone extending laterally from the core fusion zone adjacent to the external surface of the first work piece. The protruding fusion zone may be formed by post-heating or concurrently with the core fusion zone.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a foam in a conduit comprises extruding a metal conduit. A metal foam powder is injected into a cavity of the metal conduit. The metal foam powder is activated to form a metal foam in the cavity of the metal conduit. A device for producing a foamed metal comprises an extruder that comprises one or more screws for extruding a metal through a die to form a conduit. The die comprises a plurality of ports for injecting a metal foam powder into a central hollow cavity or a wall cavity of the conduit. The device comprises a pressurizing section for increasing pressure on the metal foam powder and a thermal section for increasing the temperature of the metal foam powder to facilitate its expansion into a metal foam.

Abstract: The concepts described herein provide a method, system, and apparatus for joining, via welding, first and second members fabricated from an aluminum alloy including aluminum, zinc, and manganese, such as 7000-series aluminum alloys, and a resultant workpiece. A junction is formed by a first member being disposed contiguously to a second member. A welding machine generates a weld pool at the junction that includes liquified aluminum alloy. An ultrasonic transducer directs ultrasonic energy in proximity to the weld pool. In some embodiments, an electro-magnetic transducer directs electro-magnetic energy in proximity to the weld pool. The first member is fused to the second member at the junction upon solidification of the weld pool.

Abstract: A flexible shelving unit includes a support frame having at least one vertical guide rack, the guide rack including an elongated slot. The shelf unit is supported by the guide rack. The shelf unit includes a shelf plate framed by a front reinforcement portion and by at least one side reinforcement portion. The shelf unit when in a release position is moved to selected upward and downward locations by vertical displacement of at least one locating pin connected to and extending from the at least one side reinforcement portion which is positioned and sliding within the elongated slot. A flat end face of the at least one side reinforcement portion directly contacts a plate face of the at least one vertical guide rack with the at least one side reinforcement portion and the shelf plate in a horizontal position to frictionally retain the shelf unit in the horizontal position.

Abstract: A flexible shelving unit includes a support frame having at least one vertical guide rack, the guide rack including an elongated slot. The shelf unit is supported by the guide rack. The shelf unit includes a shelf plate framed by a front reinforcement portion and by at least one side reinforcement portion. The shelf unit when in a release position is moved to selected upward and downward locations by vertical displacement of at least one locating pin connected to and extending from the at least one side reinforcement portion which is positioned and sliding within the elongated slot. A flat end face of the at least one side reinforcement portion directly contacts a plate face of the at least one vertical guide rack with the at least one side reinforcement portion and the shelf plate in a horizontal position to frictionally retain the shelf unit in the horizontal position.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a foam in a conduit comprises extruding a metal conduit. A metal foam powder is injected into a cavity of the metal conduit. The metal foam powder is activated to form a metal foam in the cavity of the metal conduit. A device for producing a foamed metal comprises an extruder that comprises one or more screws for extruding a metal through a die to form a conduit. The die comprises a plurality of ports for injecting a metal foam powder into a central hollow cavity or a wall cavity of the conduit. The device comprises a pressurizing section for increasing pressure on the metal foam powder and a thermal section for increasing the temperature of the metal foam powder to facilitate its expansion into a metal foam.

Abstract: A laser welded assembly and method of making. The laser welded assembly includes a first work piece having a thickness (T1) defined between an external surface and a faying surface; a second work piece having a thickness (T2) defined between an external surface and a faying surface of the second work piece; a weld seam having a core fusion zone extending from the external surface of the first work piece through the faying interface and at least partially into the thickness (T2) of the second work piece; and a protruding fusion zone extending laterally from the core fusion zone adjacent to the external surface of the first work piece. The protruding fusion zone may be formed by post-heating or concurrently with the core fusion zone.

Abstract: A method of laser welding a workpiece stack-up (10) of overlapping steel workpieces (12, 14) involves heat-treating a region (64) of the stack-up (10) followed by forming a laser weld joint (66) that is located at least partially within the heat-treated region (64). During heat-treating, one or more pre-welding laser beams (68) are sequentially directed at a top surface (20) of the workpiece stack-up (10) and advanced along a pre-welding beam travel pattern (70) so as to reduce an amount of vaporizable zinc within the stack-up (10). Thereafter, the laser weld joint (66) is formed by directing a welding laser beam (82) at the top surface (20) of the workpiece stack-up (10) and advancing the welding laser beam (82) along a welding beam travel pattern (84) that at least partially overlaps with a coverage area of a pre-welding beam travel pattern (70) or a shared coverage area portion of multiple pre-welding beam travel patterns (70).

Abstract: A method of laser welding a workpiece stack-up (10) of overlapping steel workpieces (12, 14) involves heat-treating a region (64) of the stack-up (10) followed by forming a laser weld joint (66) that is located at least partially within the heat-treated region (64). During heat-treating, one or more pre-welding laser beams (68) are sequentially directed at a top surface (20) of the workpiece stack-up (10) and advanced along a pre-welding beam travel pattern (70) so as to reduce an amount of vaporizable zinc within the stack-up (10). Thereafter, the laser weld joint (66) is formed by directing a welding laser beam (82) at the top surface (20) of the workpiece stack-up (10) and advancing the welding laser beam (82) along a welding beam travel pattern (84) that at least partially overlaps with a coverage area of a pre-welding beam travel pattern (70) or a shared coverage area portion of multiple pre-welding beam travel patterns (70).

Abstract: A method of laser welding a first component to a second component includes moving at least one of a laser beam and the components via a controller along a weld path at least a portion of which is a spiral having a first order of continuity thereby welding the first component to the second component. In one embodiment, the spiral is an Archimedean spiral.

Abstract: A method of laser welding a first component to a second component includes moving at least one of a laser beam and the components via a controller along a weld path at least a portion of which is a spiral having a first order of continuity thereby welding the first component to the second component. In one embodiment, the spiral is an Archimedean spiral.