Abstract: A flex circuit apparatus for a disc drive is provided and is configured to limit a collapse of a chip during a reflow attachment of the chip to a flex circuit substrate. The apparatus includes a connection pad and a trace operably disposed on an operating surface of the flex circuit substrate. The trace is adjacently and operably connected to the connection pad. A barrier crosses the trace and is configured to limit a flow of material down the trace. In another embodiment, a method for limiting a collapse of a chip during reflow attachment of the chip to a flex circuit substrate is provided.

Abstract: An optical inspection machine has a discharge chute provided for receiving fragile articles thrown from a high speed belt in the course of ejecting such articles. The chute has an "S"-shaped bottom with the top of the "S" under the trajectory of the ejected articles, the mid portion of the "S" positioned to receive the falling articles at a minimum impact angle, and the bottom of the "S" discharging the sliding articles after being significantly decelerated due to the variable slope of the "S"-shaped chute bottom. The inspection machine has another "S"-shaped chute for receiving articles from an infeed conveyor and transferring them to the high speed belt while minimizing deceleration.

Abstract: An automated system for processing whole potatoes maintains a substantially constant mass flow of potatoes into an adjustable potato peeler that is capable or removing from the potatoes varying amounts of potato peel. Peeled potatoes are conveyed downstream of the peeler, while being electromagnetically inspected to determined the uniformity of peel removal, the presence of unacceptable material, and to identify oversized potatoes that exceed a predetermined size limitation. A diverter gate separates oversized potatoes and foreign materials from potatoes that have been identified as satisfactory.