Abstract: The invention relates to a method for forming a separator plate for a fuel cell, which separator plate has a number of projecting sections. According to the invention, the projecting sections in the separator plate are formed by a metal plate being pressed onto a die having a number of recessed sections with the aid of a pressurized fluid or by the die being pressed onto the metal plate supported by pressurized fluid, the recessed sections in the die corresponding to the projecting sections which are to be formed in the metal plate, in order to obtain the separator plate having the projecting sections. The invention also relates to a separator plate produced using the method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a metal tubular blank suitable for forming into a product comprising the steps of: providing an essentially planar blank, said planar blank having a first surface and a second surface; and producing the tubular blank from the planar blank whereby the second surface of the planar blank becomes the outside of the tubular blank; wherein a first layer with a first friction influencing function is applied to at least part of the first side of the planar blank and/or a second layer with a second friction influencing function is applied to at least part of the second side of the planar blank prior to forming the planar blank into a tubular blank, so as to influence the friction between the tubular blank and forming tools which can be used to form the tubular blank into the product, and wherein the first and/or second layer are applied in the form of a foil, a dry lubricant, a wax or an oil. Also disclosed is a tubular blank and a product produced from such a tubular blank.

Abstract: A collating conveyor is provided for sausage links. The conveyor includes a frame with opposite ends and chains trained about the opposite ends of the frame. A motor drives the chains in a vertically oriented loop. A plurality of brackets are mounted on the chains in longitudinally spaced positions so as to move with the chains. Each bracket includes a basket pivotally mounted thereon. A cam arm with a cam follower is provided on each bracket and connected to the basket. The cam follower tracks in a cam groove on the frame so as to pivot the baskets from a longitudinal position at the mid point of the conveyor to a lateral position at each end of the conveyor. Sausage links from an encasing machine are deposited into each longitudinally oriented basket, which carries the sausage links around the end of the conveyor for discharge onto a tray in collated, parallel rows.