Abstract: Described herein are a method and an apparatus for removing metal oxides and/or forming solder joints on at least a portion of a substrate surface within a target area. In one particular embodiment, the method and apparatus form a solder joint within a substrate comprising a layer having a plurality of solder bumps by providing one or more energizing electrodes and exposing at least a portion of the layer and solder bumps to the energizing electrode.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus and method for providing an inerting gas during the application of soldering to a work piece. In one aspect, there is provided an enclosure for providing an inerting gas into an atmosphere above a solder reservoir during soldering of a work piece comprising: a tube in fluid communication with an inerting gas source wherein the tube comprises one or more openings for the flow of the inerting gas therethrough, a base wherein the tube resides in therein and comprises an interior volume, a neck comprising an opening and an interior volume in fluid communication with the interior volume of the base, and a cap proximal to the opening wherein the inerting gas source travels through the tube into the interior volume and into the atmosphere through the opening defined by the neck and cap.

Abstract: Described herein are a method and an apparatus for removing metal oxides from a substrate surface within a target area. In one particular embodiment, the method and apparatus has an energizing electrode which has an array of protruding conductive tips that are electrically connected by a conductive wire and separated into a first electrically connected group and a second electrically connected group wherein at least a portion of the conductive tips are activated by a DC voltage source that is negatively biased to generate electrons within the target area that attach to at least a portion of a reducing gas that is present in the target area to form a negatively charged reducing gas that contacts the treating surface to reduce the metal oxides on the treating surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus and method for providing an inerting gas during the application of soldering to a work piece. In one aspect, there is provided an apparatus that is placed atop of a solder reservoir and comprises a plurality of porous tubes that are in fluid communication with an inerting gas. In another aspect, there is provided a method for providing an inerting gas to a wave soldering apparatus comprising the steps of, among other things, placing an apparatus atop at least one edge of the solder reservoir wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of tubes comprising one or more openings in fluid communication with an inerting gas source. In a further aspect, at least one of the tubes comprises a non-stick coating or is comprised of a porous non-stick material such as a sleeve.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are disclosed for reducing a thickness of a thermomechanically-affected layer on an as-machined surface of a hard metal workpiece being machined by a hard cutting tool exerting a thermomechanical load on a surface of the workpiece. The method involves reducing the thermomechanical load on the surface of the workpiece, and the apparatus includes a means for reducing the thermomechanical load on the surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: Described herein are a method, an apparatus, and a system for metal processing that improves one or more properties of a sintered metal part by controlling the process conditions of the cooling zone of a continuous furnace using one or more cryogenic fluids. In one aspect, there is provided a method comprising: providing a furnace wherein the metal part is passed therethough on a conveyor belt and comprises a hot zone and a cooling zone wherein the cooling zone has a first temperature; and introducing a cryogenic fluid into the cooling zone where the cryogenic fluid reduces the temperature of the cooling zone to a second temperature, wherein at least a portion of the cryogenic fluid provides a vapor within the cooling zone and cools the metal parts passing therethrough at an accelerated cooling rate.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus and method for providing an inerting gas during the application of soldering to a work piece. In one aspect, there is provided an apparatus that is placed atop of a solder reservoir and comprises a plurality of porous tubes that are in fluid communication with an inerting gas. In another aspect, there is provided a method for providing an inerting gas to a wave soldering apparatus comprising the steps of, among other things, placing an apparatus atop at least one edge of the solder reservoir wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of tubes comprising one or more openings in fluid communication with an inerting gas source. In a further aspect, at least one of the tubes comprises a non-stick coating or is comprised of a porous non-stick material such as a sleeve.

Abstract: Described herein are a method and an apparatus for removing metal oxides and/or forming solder joints on at least a portion of a substrate surface within a target area. In one particular embodiment, the method and apparatus form a solder joint within a substrate comprising a layer having a plurality of solder bumps by providing one or more energizing electrodes and exposing at least a portion of the layer and solder bumps to the energizing electrode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for discharging a temperature-controlled flow of a resultant fluid (32) containing a throttling gas and cryogenic fluid onto a material (14) for the purpose of maintaining the temperature of the material within a desired temperature range and below the glass transition temperature of the material during machining. Also disclosed is an apparatus and method for deburring or deflashing a machined material by discharging a temperature-controlled flow of a resultant fluid (132) onto a machined material (114) to harden the burrs (134a), then brushing the material (114) to remove the hardened burrs (143a).

Abstract: This invention is a method and apparatus for cutting a workpiece which may have interruptions, with a cutting insert having a cutting edge, where the cutting insert is held in a tool holder and is optionally supported by a shim. Coolant, which may contain liquid nitrogen, is introduced through a passageway to a cooling passage located near the cutting edge. The cooling passage may be located either under, behind, or under and behind the cutting edge. Coolant impacts the wall surfaces of the cooling passage near the cutting edge where it is partly evaporated thereby cooling the cutting insert.

Abstract: Described herein are a method and an apparatus for removing metal oxides from a substrate surface within a target area. In one particular embodiment, the method and apparatus has an energizing electrode which has an array of protruding conductive tips that are electrically connected by a conductive wire and separated into a first electrically connected group and a second electrically connected group wherein at least a portion of the conductive tips are activated by a DC voltage source that is negatively biased to generate electrons within the target area that attach to at least a portion of a reducing gas that is present in the target area to form a negatively charged reducing gas that contacts the treating surface to reduce the metal oxides on the treating surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the surface finish and/or surface integrity of a workpiece formed or shaped with a tool increase the surface hardness of the workpiece during forming or shaping of the workpiece. A method and apparatus for forming or shaping a workpiece also increase the surface hardness of the workpiece during forming or shaping of the workpiece with a tool, as do a method and apparatus for manufacturing a finished part or product from a workpiece. In some embodiments, an expanding jet of cryogen may be jetted to a surface of a workpiece and a tool from a nozzle, wherein the cryogen is at least partially separated into a condensed phase portion and a vapor portion within a downstream portion of the nozzle.

Abstract: A machining method and an article manufactured therefrom, the method improving mechanical properties in a work surface by performing a very shallow machining pass using a cutting tool, in combination with application of a cryogenic fluid to the work surface and the cutting tool, the combination compressive force and cryogenic cooling increasing hardness, increasing compressive residual stress, and reducing surface roughness in the manufactured article.

Abstract: Method of processing a workpiece comprising (a) providing a tool and a workpiece, wherein the workpiece has an initial shape; (b) placing the workpiece and the tool in contact to form an interface, applying force to the tool and/or the workpiece, and moving the tool and/or the workpiece to effect a change in the initial shape of the workpiece; (c) applying a lubricant to any area on a surface of the tool and/or to any area on a surface of the workpiece while the workpiece and the tool are in contact; and (d) applying a cryogenic fluid to any area on the surface of the tool and/or to any area on the surface of the workpiece while the workpiece and the tool are in contact.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus or machining a workpiece include the use of a cryogenically cooled oxide containing ceramic cutting tool. The method involves cryogenic cooling of the cutting tool during a cutting operation, which cooling results in enhanced wear resistance and fracture resistance of the cutting tool. A preferred embodiment involves jetting a cryogenic fluid directly at the cutting tool.

Abstract: Method of processing a workpiece comprising (a) providing a tool and a workpiece, wherein the workpiece has an initial shape; (b) placing the workpiece and the tool in contact to form an interface, applying force to the tool and/or the workpiece, and moving the tool and/or the workpiece to effect a change in the initial shape of the workpiece; (c) applying a lubricant to any area on a surface of the tool and/or to any area on a surface of the workpiece while the workpiece and the tool are in contact; and (d) applying a cryogenic fluid to any area on the surface of the tool and/or to any area on the surface of the workpiece while the workpiece and the tool are in contact.

Abstract: This invention is a method and apparatus for cutting a workpiece which may have interruptions, with a cutting insert having a cutting edge, where the cutting insert is held in a tool holder and is optionally supported by a shim. Coolant, which may contain liquid nitrogen, is introduced through a passageway to a cooling passage located near the cutting edge. The cooling passage may be located either under, behind, or under and behind the cutting edge. Coolant impacts the wall surfaces of the cooling passage near the cutting edge where it is partly evaporated thereby cooling the cutting insert.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a tribological apparatus and method incorporating a ball, a support, and means for maintaining a substantially constant force between the ball and a test surface. The ball rolls against the rotating test surface producing a wear track. Analysis relating to wear and fatigue can be performed on the test surface subsequent to producing the wear track.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the surface finish and/or surface integrity of a workpiece formed or shaped with a tool increase the surface hardness of the workpiece during forming or shaping of the workpiece. A method and apparatus for forming or shaping a workpiece also increase the surface hardness of the workpiece during forming or shaping of the workpiece with a tool, as do a method and apparatus for manufacturing a finished part or product from a workpiece. In some embodiments, an expanding jet of cryogen may be jetted to a surface of a workpiece and a tool from a nozzle, wherein the cryogen is at least partially separated into a condensed phase portion and a vapor portion within a downstream portion of the nozzle.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are disclosed for reducing a thickness of a thermomechanically-affected layer on an as-machined surface of a hard metal workpiece being machined by a hard cutting tool exerting a thermomechanical load on a surface of the workpiece. The method involves reducing the thermomechanical load on the surface of the workpiece, and the apparatus includes a means for reducing the thermomechanical load on the surface of the workpiece.