Abstract: A toothed workpiece chamfering device having a chamfering head (2) which includes a first axis of rotation (B) for rotation of a first chamfering tool (6) and a second axis of rotation (T) for rotation of a second chamfering tool (8) wherein the first and second chamfering tools are of different types and their respective material removal methods are also different from one another. Preferably, the first and second axes of rotation are not coincident with one another and in a more preferred arrangement, the first tool axis and the second tool axis are arranged perpendicularly to one another.

Abstract: “Lost” cores for use high pressure die casting, the cores preferably having a water-soluble synthetic ceramic aggregate having an appropriate strength and tolerance for various casting pressures and temperatures, an inorganic binder having sodium silicate, an additive having particulate amorphous silicon dioxide, and a refractory coating, wherein the cores have the capacity to be removed from a casting by dissolution with water.

Abstract: A toothed workpiece chamfering device having a chamfering head (2) which includes a first axis of rotation (B) for rotation of a first chamfering tool (6) and a second axis of rotation (T) for rotation of a second chamfering tool (8) wherein the first and second chamfering tools are of different types and their respective material removal methods are also different from one another. Preferably, the first and second axes of rotation are not coincident with one another and in a more preferred arrangement, the first tool axis and the second tool axis are arranged perpendicularly to one another.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an aluminum alloy cylinder head includes providing a precision sand core and mold assembly, a liquid aluminum alloy delivery system, and a mold manipulator system. The precision sand core and mold assembly is disposed in the mold manipulator system and the liquid aluminum alloy delivery system includes an in-furnace ultrasonic actuator and a launder tube having at least an ultrasonic actuator. The liquid aluminum alloy delivery system is sealed to the precision sand core and mold assembly and provides liquid aluminum alloy into a gating system of the precision sand core and mold assembly. The precision sand core and mold assembly is rotated approximately 180°. The precision sand core and mold assembly is vibrated.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an aluminum alloy cylinder head includes providing a precision sand core and mold assembly, a liquid aluminum alloy delivery system, and a mold manipulator system. The precision sand core and mold assembly is disposed in the mold manipulator system and the liquid aluminum alloy delivery system includes an in-furnace ultrasonic actuator and a launder tube having at least an ultrasonic actuator. The liquid aluminum alloy delivery system is sealed to the precision sand core and mold assembly and provides liquid aluminum alloy into a gating system of the precision sand core and mold assembly. The precision sand core and mold assembly is rotated approximately 180°. The precision sand core and mold assembly is vibrated.

Abstract: An occupant support structure and a method of customizing an occupant support structure. The occupant support structure may comprise a base and a reconfigurable cushion carried by the base. The reconfigurable cushion may include an occupant support surface and a bladder. The bladder may include an outer wall that defines an inner cavity underlying the occupant support surface and two or more overlapping material layers disposed within the cavity. The overlapping material layers may be adapted to selectively transition from a compliant state to a rigid state and vice versa by selective control of a pressure condition across the outer wall of the bladder to reconfigure or conform the occupant support surface of the cushion to a contour of a portion of an occupant supported by the cushion.

Abstract: A method of making an aluminum alloy containing zirconium includes heating a first composition including aluminum to a first temperature. The first temperature is greater than or equal to a liquidus temperature of the first composition. The method further includes adding a second composition including a copper-zirconium compound to the first composition. The method further includes decomposing at least a portion of the copper-zirconium compound into copper and zirconium. The method further includes forming a third composition by dissolving at least some of the copper from the decomposing in the aluminum of the first composition. The method further includes cooling the third composition to a second temperature to form a first solid material. The second temperature is less than or equal to a solidus temperature of the third composition. The method further includes heat treating the first solid material to form the aluminum alloy containing zirconium.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a highly insulating three-dimensional (3D) structure is provided. The method includes depositing a first layer of hollow microspheres onto a base. The hollow microspheres have a metallic coating formed thereon. A laser beam is scanned over the hollow microspheres so as to sinter the metallic coating of the hollow microspheres at predetermined locations. At least one layer of the hollow microspheres is deposited onto the first layer. Scanning by the laser beam is repeated for each successive layer until a predetermined 3D structure is constructed. The 3D structure includes a composite thermal barrier coating (TBC), which may be applied to a surface of components within an internal combustion engine, and the like. The composite TBC is bonded to the components of the engine to provide low thermal conductivity and low heat capacity insulation that is sealed against combustion gasses.

Abstract: A method for applying a thermal barrier coating (TBC) to a surface of a cast component includes providing a core, applying the TBC to the core to form a coated core, disposing the coated core within a casting mold, casting metal around at least a portion of the coated core to form a casting intermediary, and removing the core from the casting intermediary to form a cast component. The TBC includes hollow microspheres comprising metal, glass, and/or ceramic materials. The hollow microspheres can have an average diameter of about 10 ?m to about 100 ?m. The component can be an automotive component, such as an engine intake assembly, an engine exhaust manifold, an engine block, and/or an engine cylinder head. The surface of the cast component can be one or more surfaces which define an engine intake passage, an engine exhaust passage, and an engine combustion chamber.

Abstract: A stretchable adjustable-stiffness assembly includes a casing and first and second friction layers. The casing can be fluidly sealed and includes an interior compartment containing a fluid. The fluid can shift between a first interior pressure and a second interior pressure less than the first interior pressure and an exterior pressure. The first and second friction layers are disposed within the interior compartment. The assembly can shift between relaxed and fixed configurations. In the relaxed configuration, the fluid has the first interior pressure, the casing is stretchable between a first dimension and a second dimension greater than the first dimension, and the assembly has a first stiffness. In the fixed configuration, the first fluid has the second interior pressure, the casing length is fixed, the first and second friction layers are engaged, and the assembly has a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness.

Abstract: A composite thermal barrier coating (TBC) may be applied to a surface of components within an internal combustion engine. The composite TBC provides low thermal conductivity and low heat capacity insulation that is sealed against combustion gasses. The composite TBC includes three layers, bonded to one another, i.e., a first (bonding) layer, a second (insulating) layer, and a third (sealing) layer. The insulating layer is disposed between the bonding layer and the sealing layer. The bonding layer is bonded to the component and to the insulating layer. The insulating layer includes hollow microspheres that are sintered together to form insulation that provides a low effective thermal conductivity and low effective heat capacity. The sealing layer is a thin film that is configured to resist the high temperatures, present within the engine. The sealing layer is impermeable to gasses and presents a smooth surface.

Abstract: A method of making an aluminum alloy containing titanium includes heating a first composition to a first temperature. The first composition includes aluminum. The first temperature is greater than or equal to a liquidus temperature of the first composition. The method further includes adding a second composition to the first composition to form a third composition. The second composition includes a copper-titanium compound. The method further includes decomposing at least a portion of the copper-titanium compound into copper and titanium. The method further includes cooling the third composition to a second temperature to form a first solid material. The second temperature is less than or equal to a solidus temperature of the third composition. The method further includes heat treating the first solid material to form the aluminum alloy containing titanium.

Abstract: A brake rotor comprising a brake pad wear surface; a hat surface; and a decorative insert comprising an insert material, the decorative insert disposed on the brake pad wear surface, the hat surface, or both; wherein at least one of a friction coefficient between the decorative insert and a brake pad is substantially the same as a friction coefficient between the brake pad wear surface and the brake pad, a wear rate of the decorative insert is substantially the same as or greater than a wear rate of the brake pad wear surface, or a wear rate of the decorative insert is substantially the same as or greater than a wear rate of the hat surface; and at least a portion of the decorative insert is visible on the brake pad wear surface, the hat surface, or both.

Abstract: A method of making an aluminum alloy containing zirconium includes heating a first composition comprising aluminum to a first temperature of greater than or equal to about 580° C. to less than or equal to about 800° C. The method further includes adding a second composition including a copper-zirconium compound to the first composition to form a third composition. The copper-zirconium compound of the second composition has a molar composition of greater than or equal to about 41% zirconium to less than or equal to about 67% zirconium and a balance of copper. The method also includes solidifying the third composition at a cooling rate of greater than or equal to about 0.1° C./second to less than or equal to about 100° C./second to a second temperature less than or equal to a solidus temperature and decomposing the copper-zirconium compound at a third temperature of less than or equal to about 715° C.

Abstract: A multi-layer thermal barrier coating is provided that includes an insulating layer having an outer surface defining a plurality of crevices therein and a sealing layer bonded to the outer surface of the insulating layer. The sealing layer is substantially non-permeable and is configured to seal against the insulating layer. The sealing layer fills in at least a portion of the crevices. A method of forming a thermal barrier coating is also provided, which includes a step of providing a plurality of hollow round microstructures bonded together, each having a diameter in the range of 10 to 100 microns to create an insulating layer. The method further includes depositing a plurality of metal particles onto the insulating layer and heating the plurality of metal particles to form a substantially non-permeable sealing layer over the insulating layer.

Abstract: Aluminum alloys having improved high temperature mechanical properties are provided. An aluminum alloy suitable for sand casting, permanent mold casting, or semi-permanent mold casting includes about 3 to about 12 weight percent silicon; about 0.5 to about 2.0 weight percent copper; about 0.2 to about 0.6 weight percent magnesium; about 0 to about 0.5 weight percent chromium; about 0 to about 0.3 weight percent each of zirconium, vanadium, cobalt, and barium; about 0 to about 0.3 weight percent each of strontium, sodium, and titanium; about 0 to about 0.5 weight percent each of iron manganese, and zinc; and about 0.0.1 weight percent of other trace elements. Also disclosed is a semi permanent mold cast article, such as an engine cylinder head.

Abstract: A mold assembly for manufacturing a metal alloy casting includes a cope and drag mold, a plurality of sand cores and a pressure core. The cope mold includes an upper portion of a mold cavity. The drag mold includes a gating system, a lower portion of the mold cavity, and an upper portion of a plurality of riser cavities. The gating system is in communication with the riser cavities to provide pressurized liquid metal alloy to the riser cavities. The pressure core has a plurality of protrusions that are disposed in each of the upper portion of the plurality of riser cavities.

Abstract: A stretchable adjustable-stiffness assembly includes a casing and first and second friction layers. The casing can be fluidly sealed and includes an interior compartment containing a fluid. The fluid can shift between a first interior pressure and a second interior pressure less than the first interior pressure and an exterior pressure. The first and second friction layers are disposed within the interior compartment. The assembly can shift between relaxed and fixed configurations. In the relaxed configuration, the fluid has the first interior pressure, the casing is stretchable between a first dimension and a second dimension greater than the first dimension, and the assembly has a first stiffness. In the fixed configuration, the first fluid has the second interior pressure, the casing length is fixed, the first and second friction layers are engaged, and the assembly has a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness.

Abstract: An occupant support structure and a method of customizing an occupant support structure. The occupant support structure may comprise a base and a reconfigurable cushion carried by the base. The reconfigurable cushion may include an occupant support surface and a bladder. The bladder may include an outer wall that defines an inner cavity underlying the occupant support surface and two or more overlapping material layers disposed within the cavity. The overlapping material layers may be adapted to selectively transition from a compliant state to a rigid state and vice versa by selective control of a pressure condition across the outer wall of the bladder to reconfigure or conform the occupant support surface of the cushion to a contour of a portion of an occupant supported by the cushion.

Abstract: A method of forming a thermal barrier coating onto a surface of a ferrous alloy or nickel alloy component part involves depositing a layer of hollow microspheres to a surface of the component part or to a previously deposited layer of hollow microspheres through heating and cooling of a metallic precursor setting layer composed of copper, a copper alloy, or a nickel alloy. Once deposited in place, the layer(s) of hollow microspheres are heated to sinter the hollow microspheres to each other and to the surface of the ferrous alloy or nickel alloy component part to form an insulating layer.