Abstract: A sputter coating apparatus for depositing a thin uniform material coating onto exposed surfaces of objects. The apparatus includes a vacuum chamber having one or more sealably closable doors through which objects treated by sputter coating are loaded into and removed therefrom and a support positionable within the chamber for supporting the objects to be sputter coated. A vacuum source establishes a vacuum in the chamber when the door is closed and the objects are held by the support within the chamber. A sputtering target formed of a material to be sputter coated onto the objects is operably connected within the chamber and spaced apart from the objects. A process gas inlet is operably connected to introduce a process gas such as argon or nitrous oxide into said chamber after a vacuum is established.

Abstract: An improved electrode contact system for metal vaporization electrodes or rods which are electrically and supportively connected to a movable carriage which also receives and supports objects such as parts and components in a vacuum chamber during metal vapor deposition. A metal such as aluminum, chromium, or nickel-chromium, etc. is vaporized centrally in the chamber by contact with electrically energized electrodes or elongated rods in a well known fashion after the chamber has been substantially evacuated of air molecules for uniform vapor deposition of the vaporized metal atop exposed surfaces of the objects. The electrode contact system provides an automatic, self-aligning plug-in assembly for each electrode rod so that, as the carriage, loaded with parts and components to be metal vapor coated is rolled into position within the vacuum chamber, each two-part contact system automatically fully engages.

Abstract: An apparatus for initial ion cleaning, vapor metal deposition and protective coating of objects by vacuum deposition. The apparatus includes a vacuum chamber for receiving the objects which are held on a movable rack or support. A metal such as aluminum is vaporized centrally in the chamber in a well known fashion after the chamber has been substantially evacuated of air molecules for uniform vapor deposition of the metal atop exposed surfaces of the objects. An improved polymerization gun includes an elongated housing having an arcuate or concaved surface which is connected to an external surface of the chamber over an elongated opening formed through a chamber side wall. The polymerization gun also includes an elongated conductive preferably aluminum rod disposed along the opening tangentially to the chamber surface and two apertured delivery tubes or members positioned within the housing. The conductive rod is electrically isolated from the housing and chamber and connected to a d.c. or a.c.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for continuous metallizing of components includes a first vacuum chamber having two ends capped by valves and a pair of rails running the length thereof. A shuttle rides on the rails and supports a carrier for holding a plurality of components. The first chamber may be opened to a housing having a plurality of boats for receiving strands of metal wire. The boats are connected to electrodes which heat the wire to vaporization temperature thereby providing a cloud of metal vapor to the first chamber. A chain travels through a channel provided in one of the rails for pulling the shuttle through the chamber until the shuttle contacts a pawl. The pawl prevents advancement of the shuttle. However, the carrier is provided with a clutch and bevel gear arrangement such that when the pawl engages the shuttle the clutch slips allowing the gears to rotate the carrier. The components held on the carrier are thereby exposed completely to the vapor cloud within the chamber.

Abstract: A system for controlling registration in a Printing press between the moving web having repetitive print patterns and a work station operated cyclically in synchronization with the press. The system includes a photoelectric scanner having a variable sensitivity, a position pulse generator with a backup accumulating device, a motorized compensator for controlling the longitudinal position of the web relative to the work station and a digital control circuit for driving the compensator to correct misregistration. The control system counts position pulses during each cycle of the work station, defines a monitoring period during which marks and repetitive print patterns are scanned and signals differences between the cycles of the print markings and the work station by sampling at the occurrence of each mark, a digital number which corresponds to the instantaneous position of the work station and its cycle.

Abstract: A system for detecting breaks in a web moving through a predetermined area including a scanner head assembly having an infrared emitter, optical filtering and an adjustable receiver for detecting the presence or absence of reflecting infrared radiation from an object within the scanner path. The scanner control system provides a power source for the emitter which pulsates at a predetermined frequency and low duty cycle, a receiver circuit incorporating selective filtering, and a phase-locked detector loop tuned to the emitter frequency for optimum selectivity and performance in the face of varying ambient light conditions. A scanner head having a linearly adjustable operating range is employed for tailoring the system to a wide range of web locations and conditions.

Abstract: A system for positioning a web of material as it enters and passes through a course for treating the web, as in a printing press, is disclosed. The edges of the web are scanned by infrared sensing devices which are connected by various electrical circuits to a tilt mechanism contacting the web, and both the scanning devices and the tilt mechanism may be synchronized, or manually controlled, to direct the web through the press. A broad diameter channel of infrared radiation is utilized in the scanners. The relationship of the web to its desired path and the correcting actions of the system may be continuously read in terms of actual deviation changes on a display panel. The tilt rollers and the scanners may be automatically centered on a fixed reference point in preparing the web for its course through the press. The system includes correlation of the tramming of the tilt rollers to continued position sensing of the web by the infrared scanners.