Abstract: Systems and methods determine alignment between a wire and a laser beam in laser joining. A system for checking alignment of a wire relative to a beam of a laser includes a controller configured to align, by tooling, the beam with a sensor system. A laser generates the beam across the wire, with the beam directed to the sensor system. The sensor system measures light intensity of the beam. A processor computes a feature parameter representative of an alignment between the wire and the beam. The processor determines whether the feature parameter is within the process specifications.

Abstract: A laser brazing and welding system is disclosed and includes: a laser; a first cutting tool including a first cutting tip; and a control module. The control module is configured to control the laser to laser braze or laser weld two parts; and control ultrasonic vibration of the first cutting tip to remove one or more layers from at least one of the two parts prior to or subsequent to the laser brazing or laser welding of the two parts.

Abstract: A method, forming panel and system provide for monolithic pouring of concrete columns, beams and elevated decks. The forming panel may be variously sized and dimensioned to serve as a beam forming member or a column forming member, and includes a frame having at least one reinforcing member having a plurality of penetration indicators which are not in registry, at least initially, with any opening in a face plate of the form. The penetration indicators serve as markers and preferably guide templates for drilling openings at preselected locations in the face plate at corresponding to the indicators. The openings so drilled are part of coupler-receiving passages, whereby forms may be variously configured in different dimensions or arrangements. The forms may be configured to provide column form assemblies, beam form assemblies, or receive floor forms in a variety of configurations, and may be readily reconfigured and reused by plugging openings which are in currently undesired locations.

Abstract: A penetratable stiffback useful as a building form is provided and is useful as an integrated member of a forming system in conjunction with a pair of forming panels. The stiffback includes a face panel and a pair of rearwardly projecting support walls, each support wall including a lug projecting outwardly therefrom intermediate the rear margin and the rear of the face panel. The face panel includes a front face for location coplanar with a pair of adjacent forming panels to present a forming system for receiving hardenable material thereagainst, the lugs serving to reinforce the panels on either side. The system includes a connecting member for penetrating the face panel and connection to an opposing forming wall to inhibit separation of the forming walls caused by the weight of the hardenable material poured between the forming walls.

Abstract: A penetratable stiffback useful as a building form is provided and is useful as an integrated member of a forming system in conjunction with a pair of forming panels. The stiffback includes a face panel and a pair of rearwardly projecting support walls, each support wall including a lug projecting outwardly therefrom intermediate the rear margin and the rear of the face panel. The face panel includes a front face for location coplanar with a pair of adjacent forming panels to present a forming system for receiving hardenable material thereagainst, the lugs serving to reinforce the panels on either side. The system includes a connecting member for penetrating the face panel and connection to an opposing forming wall to inhibit separation of the forming walls caused by the weight of the hardenable material poured between the forming walls.

Abstract: A concrete form panel construction for adjoining adjacent form panel sections includes flanges or portions having opposing longitudinal grooves or apertures. Connectors extend between pairs of adjacent extension sections and have an opposed finger portion extensible into the grooves or apertures and clamp the paired extension sections together. The finger portions locate the pairs of extension sections against transverse movement and permit only, upon loosening and tightening, longitudinal movement. The advantage gained by the disclosed form panel construction is that it provides increased flexibility for concrete form construction without holes to admit concrete flashings, is adaptable to common configurations of pin lock devices and provides for a forming surface for a vertical section and a wood strip for easy nailing of a plywood floor section, as for a ceiling corner form.

Abstract: An adjustable corner strip for joining adjacent concrete form panels into a column mold includes spaced diverging wings with slots to retain adjustment screws for adjusting the divergence of the wings, and thus the panels. The corner strip permits easy and rigid squaring of forms. A chamfer strip includes a chamfer face and an integrally formed tail section extending outwardly of the strip and adapted to fit into the channel formed along the mold side rail. The adjustable corner strips bring the chamfer strips into tight mating engagement with the interior surfaces of the mold panels, preventing leakage of cement between the chamfer strips and the mold panels.

Abstract: An adjustable corner strip for joining adjacent concrete form panels into a column mold includes spaced diverging wings with slots to retain adjustment screws for adjusting the divergence of the wings, and thus the panels. The corner strip permits easy and rigid squaring of forms. A chamfer strip includes a chamfer face and an integrally formed tail section extending outwardly of the strip and adapted to fit into the channel formed along the mold side rail. The adjustable corner strips bring the chamfer strips into tight mating engagement with the interior surfaces of the mold panels, preventing leakage of cement between the chamfer strips and the mold panels.

Abstract: A locking hinge mechanism for concrete forms includes parallel hinge strips connected together by hinges positioned at intervals along the length of the strips. Each hinge includes provision for a wedge lock which, when fully inserted, positions the hinge strips at a secure 90.degree. angle. The hinge strips are spaced apart from the juncture of the strips, when arranged at the 90.degree. angle, so that concrete flashings do not clog the hinge. The hinge strips are in turn affixed to the side rails of the joining concrete forms to form a 90.degree. angle, such as for a column form arrangement.

Abstract: Multipurpose concrete form panels are constructed using cross stiffener members for resistance to deflection under load. Each of the cross stiffener members is formed of a base strip of metal with a pair of parallel ribs of hat section extending therefrom and joined to opposite side rails of the form panel. Bores for connecting pins extend through the side rails to join the panels side by side to form a wall or, using a corner form, to form a column. Bores through the side rails are positioned between the cross stiffener members and between the ribs in each pair of ribs for joining the side rails together with continuity of the cross stiffener members for maximum dispersal of stress. Holes for wall ties extend through the face of the form panel and between the ribs in each pair of ribs. Fasteners for the ends of the wall ties engage the pairs of ribs to disperse localized stress.

Abstract: Multipurpose concrete form panels are constructed using cross stiffener members for resistance to deflection under load. Each of the cross stiffener members is formed of a base strip of metal with a pair of parallel ribs of hat section extending therefrom and joined to opposite side rails of the form panel. Rail stiffener strips are fastened to the side rails on alternate sides of the rail for added rigidity. Bores for connecting pins extend through the side rails to join the panels side by side to form a wall or, using a corner form, to form a column. Bores through the side rails are positioned between the cross stiffener members and between the ribs in each pair of ribs for joining the side rails together with continuity of the cross stiffener members for maximum dispersal of stress. Holes for wall ties extend through the face of the form panel and between the ribs in each pair of ribs. Fasteners for the ends of the wall ties engage the pairs of ribs to disperse localized stress.