Abstract: A method for spot-welding aluminum workpieces with copper electrodes that comprises the steps of: (a) dissolving copper and one or more alloying elements X to yield an alloy that increases the liquidus of Al when dissolved in molten Al, super heating the alloy of copper and one or more elements X that normally have little or nor solubility in copper at room temperature, such super heating being a temperature at which X is soluble in copper, X being selected from the group of Mo, Ta, V, and W, elements that form monotectic or peritectic phases with copper and aluminum devoid of an eutectic, X being present in an amount of 4-15% by weight of the copper; (b) rapidly cooling the alloy to room temperature to retain such elements in solid solution; (c) either concurrently or subsequent to step (b), forming the alloy as an electrode shape; and (d) passing current through the electrode shape to effect spot-welding of the aluminum workpieces when pressed thereagainst while extending the welding life of the electrode.

Abstract: Method of aligning a metallic solderable object to a glass plate comprising loading a solderable object onto an end effector of a robotically supported spindle of a spindle assembly, handing a support from the spindle assembly that extends beneath the axis of the spindle and has camming surfaces precisely aligned with the spindle axis, resiliently cradling a backing member on the support by use of a cam member adapted to fit against the support camming surface when the resiliency is overcome, positioning a glass plate on the backing member to overcome the resiliency of the backing member and cause the cam to engage the camming surfaces of the support and automatically obtain normality of the spindle axis with respect to the glass plate.

Abstract: Method of surface finishing covalent-ionic ceramics comprising: (a) repeatedly rubbing a finishing medium against an exposed surface of the ceramic, the medium being constituted of an ionic bonded oxide having grains harder than the grains of the covalent-ionic bonded ceramic; (b) interrupting the rubbing at frequent intervals to dress the medium by a single point diamond tool; and (c) continuing the repeated rubbing and dressing interruptions of steps (a) and (b) until a surface roughness of about 0.04 micrometer Ra has been achieved on the ceramic and the exposed surface of the ceramic retains an ionic residue of the finishing medium. Also, a method of effecting reduced friction between lubricated rubbing surfaces, comprising: (a) forming one of the rubbing surfaces of silicon nitride based ceramics having a polished surface roughness about 0.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a method for attaching a terminal to a metallic mating surface on a workpiece by friction joining, comprising the steps of: (1) providing the terminal and the workpiece, wherein the terminal comprises an electrically conductive body having a top end to which an electrical connector may be attached, a bottom end having a bottom surface generally conforming to the mating surface of the workpiece, a rotational axis substantially orthogonal to the bottom surface about which the terminal may be rotated, and a layer of solder attached to the bottom surface wherein the layer has an outer perimeter and defines a central solder-free region about the axis; (2) rotating the terminal about its rotational axis at a predetermined rotational speed while holding the workpiece stationary; (3) pressing together the rotating terminal and the stationary workpiece using a predetermined forging force for a predetermined length of time, so as to promote a galling bond between the mating surfaces; and (4) a

Abstract: An automotive body glass product, comprising: (a) a laminated glass having its perimeter painted to obscure the presence of applied adhesives; (b) conductive leads on or in the glass and having one or more conductive lead terminals; (c) an ultra thin pad of noble metal deposited onto a small zone of the glass in connection with at least one terminal; and (d) a conductive metal clip connected to the end of each lead path, said clip having a dimple thereof bonded to the pad by inertial welding of the dimple and noble metal pad material.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a terminal connector 20 attachable to a metallic mating surface 52 on a workpiece 50 by friction joining. One embodiment of the connector 20 comprises an electrically conductive body 22 having a top end 24 to which an electrical connector 70 may be attached, a bottom end 26 having a bottom surface 28 generally conforming to the mating surface 52 of the workpiece 50, and an axis R substantially orthogonal to the bottom surface 28 about which the terminal 20 may be rotated. Attached to the bottom surface 28 is a layer of solder 30 having an outer perimeter 32 and defining a central solder-free region 34 about the axis R. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom surface 28 of the terminal 20 is substantially circular in shape, and the layer of solder 30 is substantially annular in shape with the central solder-free region 34 being substantially circular and generally centered about the rotational axis R.

Abstract: A method for providing a diamond film on a scribing wheel useful for scribing glassy materials in order to increase its wear resistance. The method comprises sequential steps which include pre-treating the surface of the scribing wheel and thereafter depositing the diamond film on the pretreated scribing wheel by a chemical vapor deposition process.

Abstract: An aluminum clip useful for being bonded to glass and serving as a terminal for an electrical lead circuit in or on such glass, comprising: an aluminum-based body having a cup shape. The cup shape having a substantially flat surface; an ultra thin pad of noble metal adhered to the substantially flat surface, the pad presenting a surface roughness in the range of 1-5 microns.

Abstract: A method of inertial bonding of a conductive metallic member to a fragile non-conductive member, comprising: (a) depositing a thin adherent conductive pad onto the fragile member to present a first friction creating surface: (b) forming the conductive metallic member with a second friction mating surface conforming essentially to the first friction creating surface; (c) bringing the first and second friction surfaces together with high relative movement transverse to the surfaces and with a gradually increasing forging force along an axis perpendicular to the surfaces to generate sufficient frictional heat therebetween to effect at least a galling or smearing of melted particles of said surfaces; and (d) abruptly ceasing the relative rotation and increasing forging force upon the attainment of such melted particles at the engaging interface between the surfaces.