Abstract: A machine and a method for treating cakes from additive manufacturing processes, wherein the cake contains residual powders and sintered pieces is disclosed. The machine includes a cylindrical vibrating body which is placed in a position above a vibratory finishing or tumbling or vibro-blasting machine and is separated from the vibratory finishing or tumbling or vibro-blasting machine by a remotely operable door and the cylindrical vibrating body obtains its vibration from the machine below. The machine includes means for destructuring the cake in order to obtain the separation of the non-sintered powder from the sintered pieces present in the cake and means for recovering the powder resulting from the destructuring of the cake.

Abstract: A novel threaded fastener is provided having an elongated shank portion with a first end and a second end opposed to the first end, and a helical thread in the form of a continuous helical ridge that is arranged on an external surface of the shank portion. The helical thread includes an asymmetrical threaded portion that has a progressively increasing axial displacement of a pressure flank of the helical thread between the first end and the second end of the shank portion, and a progressively decreasing axial displacement of a non-pressure flank of the helical thread between the first end and the second end of the shank portion. When assembled, the novel threaded fastener has a clamping force distribution that is evenly distributed on the helical threads along its axis in the direction of force transmission reducing the risk of self-loosening and increasing fatigue resistance.

Abstract: A fastener and a system, apparatus, and method for monitoring a fastener are described. The fastener includes a head portion, a shank portion, a transponder, and a compression spring, wherein the head portion includes a mounting portion, and wherein the transponder is disposed in the mounting portion of the head portion. The transponder is arranged to monitor the shank portion, and includes an ultrasonic sensor and a signal processing circuit. The ultrasonic sensor is affixed to a transducer hosting surface, and is urged against the transducer hosting surface by placement of the printed circuit board in the head portion with the compression spring intervening therebetween. The ultrasonic sensor communicates with the signal processing circuit via the compression spring. The signal processing circuit captures a signal from the ultrasonic sensor and transforms the signal into a parameter corresponding to a tensile force being exerted by the fastener.

Abstract: A machine and a method for treating cakes from additive manufacturing processes, wherein the cake contains residual powders and sintered pieces is disclosed. The machine includes a cylindrical vibrating body which is placed in a position above a vibratory finishing or tumbling or vibro-blasting machine and is separated from the vibratory finishing or tumbling or vibro-blasting machine by a remotely operable door and the cylindrical vibrating body obtains its vibration from the machine below. The machine includes means for destructuring the cake in order to obtain the separation of the non-sintered powder from the sintered pieces present in the cake and means for recovering the powder resulting from the destructuring of the cake.

Abstract: A method for vibroblasting surfaces using a vibroblasting machine, said vibroblasting machine being equipped with at least one toroidal shaped process vat (50) which is set in a rotary motion and is suitable for containing workpieces whose surfaces are subjected to a vibroblasting processing, said method including a phase of inputting fine particles belonging to a sandblasting media into said process vat (50) to proceed with a sandblasting action of the surfaces of the workpieces being processed, and a phase of evacuation of said fine particles, characterized in that the phase of inputting fine particles belonging to the sandblasting media into said process vat (50) occurs from top to bottom or tangentially to the circumference of said process vat (50) and to the surface of the vibrating mass (75) of the workpieces and of the media.

Abstract: Screw elements are provided which include a shank having a thread and a head connected to the shank, the head having a tool engagement portion which comprises six corner domes arranged evenly distributed in the peripheral direction of the head and comprising respective flanks, by which the head can be brought into positive cooperation with a hexagon socket of a tool for tightening of the screw element, wherein respective recesses are arranged peripherally between the corner domes, and wherein the flanks of the corner domes are respectively provided at least partially with a radius.

Abstract: Screw elements are provided which include a shank having a thread and a head connected to the shank, the head having a tool engagement portion which comprises six corner domes arranged evenly distributed in the peripheral direction of the head and comprising respective flanks, by which the head can be brought into positive cooperation with a hexagon socket of a tool for tightening of the screw element, wherein respective recesses are arranged peripherally between the corner domes, and wherein the flanks of the corner domes are respectively provided at least partially with a radius.

Abstract: A machine for the flow finishing of mechanical pieces is described. The machine has a rotary vat for containing finishing media and a unit for moving pieces having at least one mechanical arm for moving the pieces being machined, said mechanical arm being associated to means for rotating the pieces within the rotary vat, the rotary vat has at least two separate sections formed by concentric circular crowns.

Abstract: A machine for the flow finishing of mechanical pieces is described. The machine has a rotary vat for containing finishing media and a unit for moving pieces having at least one mechanical arm for moving the pieces being machined, said mechanical arm being associated to means for rotating the pieces within the rotary vat, the rotary vat has at least two separate sections formed by concentric circular crowns.