Abstract: A centerline adjustable conveyor system and method may include a plurality of conveyor beams for conveying product within the system and an adjustor for controlling the outer width of the plurality of beams. The system and method may include a second adjustor that operates in conjunction with the adjustor for controlling the outer width of the plurality of beams. The system and method may also include an adjustor belt coupling the adjustor and the second adjustor that transfers activation of one of the adjustor and second adjustor to the other of the adjustors. The system and method may use an adjustor that is a trapezoidal lead screw. The adjustor may be a 5 mm per rev. pitched screw having opposite direction pitches emanating from the center of the screw and each opposite pitch of the adjustor may adjust one of the plurality of conveyor beams.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for attaching filamentary members to a substrate are disclosed. The substrate includes a plastic layer and the apparatus includes an anvil, a needle and a swaging tool movable relatively to the anvil. The method includes the steps of penetrating the substrate with the needle to create an opening, positioning the filamentary member in the opening, and compressing the substrate between the swaging tool and the anvil so as to deform the plastic layer and swage the filamentary member to the substrate. The needle is heated to melt the plastic layer so that it fuses with the filamentary member upon swaging. Motion of the needle and swaging tool is controlled by cams under the command of a microprocessor control unit. A substrate to which filamentary members are swaged is also disclosed.

Abstract: A substrate having attached filamentary members is disclosed. The substrate includes a plastic layer and the apparatus for attaching the filamentary member includes an anvil, a needle and a swaging tool movable relatively to the anvil. The method of attachment includes the steps of penetrating the substrate with the needle to create an opening, positioning the filamentary member in the opening, and compressing the substrate between the swaging tool and the anvil so as to deform the plastic layer and swage the filamentary member to the substrate. The needle is heated to melt the plastic layer so that it fuses with the filamentary member upon swaging.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for attaching filamentary members to a substrate are disclosed. The substrate includes a plastic layer and the apparatus includes an anvil, a needle and a swaging tool movable relatively to the anvil. The method includes the steps of penetrating the substrate with the needle to create an opening, positioning the filamentary member in the opening, and compressing the substrate between the swaging tool and the anvil so as to deform the plastic layer and swage the filamentary member to the substrate. The needle is heated to melt the plastic layer so that it fuses with the filamentary member upon swaging. Motion of the needle and swaging tool is controlled by cams under the command of a microprocessor control unit. A substrate to which filamentary members are swaged is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for implanting one or more optical fibers in a panel having a uniform planar surface is comprised of a frame for supporting a fiber inserter above a fiber insertion table above a bath containing ultra-violet light activated liquid adhesive for adhering the optical fiber to the panel and a source of ultra-violet light, the fiber inserter carries the optical fiber downward to the fiber insertion table piercing the interposed panel at a desired point of insertion and carrying the optical fiber to the underside of the panel through an opening in the fiber insertion table for immersion into and removal from the liquid adhesive in the bath and subsequent irradiation by ultra-violet light, exposure to the ultra-violet light causing a change of state of the adhesive from liquid to solid resulting in the permanent adherence of the optical fiber to the panel at the point of insertion.

Abstract: An apparatus for implanting one or more optical fibers in a panel having a uniform planar surface is comprised of a frame for supporting a fiber inserter above a fiber insertion table above a bath containing ultra-violet light activated liquid adhesive for adhering the optical fiber to the panel and a source of ultra-violet light, the fiber inserter carries the optical fiber downward to the fiber insertion table piercing the interposed panel at a desired point of insertion and carrying the optical fiber to the underside of the panel through an opening in the fiber insertion table for immersion into and removal from the liquid adhesive in the bath and subsequent irradiation by ultra-violet light, exposure to the ultra-violet light causing a change of state of the adhesive from liquid to solid resulting in the permanent adherence of the optical fiber to the panel at the point of insertion.