Abstract: A plurality of small segments stowed in a compact stack are assembled, essentially automatically, into a large construction surface, such as a flat or parabolic reflector.

Abstract: A metallic mesh, and a method for its manufacture, for use in making antenna dishes to operate in space at frequencies above 10 GHz. The mesh is formed by making a mesh pattern, photolithographically transferring the pattern onto a sheet of photo-resist coated metal foil, exposing the photo-resist, and then etching the foil. The strands of the mesh have a periodically repeating curved shape to provide a low spring constant resistant to the effects of large temperature changes.

Abstract: A reciprocal ram at commencement of a forward strokes engages a cup-shaped article carrying it through metal working dies and against a doming die at reversal into a rearward stroke immediately followed by stripping of the article from the ram. The ram has an internal chamber constantly fed pressurized air through a rearward restricted orifice, the chamber opening freely of the ram forward end portion and internally of the article when thereon. By preselecting orifice size, chamber and article volumes matched with air pressure, a predetermined volume of air at predetermined pressure is confined in the ram forwardly against the article immediately prior to stripping and preferably engagement of the article by an external stripper results in an internal stripping assist by the confined pressurized air, the increasing exposed volume of the article increasing the air confinement volume reducing the air pressure progressively to substantially atmospheric at completion of article stripping.

Abstract: A reciprocal ram at commencement of a forward stroke engages a cup-shaped article carrying it through metal working dies and against a doming die at reversal into a rearward stroke immediately followed by stripping of the article from the ram. The ram has an internal chamber constantly fed pressurized air through a rearward restricted orifice, the chamber opening freely of the ram forward end portion and internally of the article when thereon. By preselecting orifice size, chamber and article volumes matched with air pressure, a predetermined volume of air at predetermined pressure is confined in the ram forwardly against the article immediately prior to stripping and preferably engagement of the article by an external stripper results in an internal stripping assist by the confined pressurized air, the increasing exposed volume of the article increasing the air confinement volume reducing the air pressure progressively to substantially atmospheric at completion of article stripping.