Abstract: A process for the vacuum treatment of workpieces, includes loading the workpieces into a treatment facility, surface treating the workpieces in at least one vacuum station of the facility grouped as a station batch and controlling at least the timing of the process by a freely programmable process controller unit. At least two stations operating each on workpiece batches can be grouped as respective station batches and be different with respect to number of workpieces. The workpieces can be transported to and from the grouped stations. An embodiment of vacuum treatment system for such a process includes at least one vacuum treatment station for workpieces grouped as a station batch. A transport system supplies the vacuum station with workpieces. A process controller unit has an output operationally connected to a drive arrangement for the transport system. The unit controls operating timing of the treatment system and is freely programmable.

Abstract: A catalytic agent for etherifying, hydrogenating and isomerizing crude C.sub.4 -C.sub.8 -- hydrocarbon mixtures having a sulfur content, comprising a macroporous or gel cation exchanger having SO.sub.3 H groups and being charged with a mixture of a metal selected from the group consisting of Pd, Ru, Rh and Pt with a metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Ag and W.

Abstract: An actuating device for a cable line, particularly a cable line of a bicycle or motorcycle brake, comprise a fixed support including an extension defining a guide for a traction cable of the cable line, and a handle. The handle includes an actuating lever pivotally linked to the fixed support for pivoting about a pivot axis extending transversely to the guide, the traction cable being connected to the actuating lever, a hand grip arranged to pivot the actuating lever, a handle lever pivotally linked to the fixed support for pivoting about a pivot axis extending parallel to the pivot axis of the actuating lever, the hand grip being arranged on the handle lever, and the handle lever and the actuating lever constituting cooperating members of a gearing.

Abstract: Vacuum processing plant with a small footprint for the surface treatment of large-area substrates in a virtually upright position, has a vacuum chamber containing a substrate carrier rotatable about a central axis and with at least one processing station mounted on its periphery. A transfer chamber is also mounted on its periphery and connects it to a load-lock chamber. A first transport mechanism moves the substrates from the transfer chamber in a radial direction in and out of the vacuum chamber, a second transport mechanism moves the substrates in a direction perpendicular to that of the first transport mechanism, between the transfer chamber and the load-lock chamber. A third transport mechanism moving in parallel with the second one doubles the transport capacity between the load-lock chamber and the transfer chamber.

Abstract: A tube chamfering device has a support structure with two supporting legs positioned at a first angle to one another for supporting a tube to be chamfered. A holding member is connected to the support structure. At least one chamfering tool, connected to the holding member, for chamfering an exterior surface of the tube is provided. At least the two supporting legs of the support structure consist of a wear-resistant plastic material.

Abstract: For the transmission of heat under vacuum conditions to a workpiece, a carrier is used with gas outlets and gas return openings distributed on its surface. A dynamic gas layer is thus formed between the carrier and the workpiece wherein the gas effects thermal conduction between the carrier and the workpiece. The gas outlets terminate in a distribution space implemented as a groove and has at least on slot shaped aperture extending substantially around most of the carrier periphery.

Abstract: A valve arrangement comprises a stationary tubular wall with a cover plate defining a housing and an opening in the wall. A second coaxial tubular wall or valve element acts as a closure element for closing the opening with seals acting through axial displacement relative to the stationary wall. This allows for a very compact construction with simultaneous good flow conditions. The valve arrangement can also be directly integrated into a pump housing whereby the use of available space is further improved. The low force expenditure for the closing operation as well as the possibility of continuously controlling the flow for the valve are further advantages.

Abstract: In order to treat disk-shaped bodies, specifically semiconductor disks in a vacuum plant, they must be transported and deposited between stations. A given disk is supported at its edge by two supporting arms each having two fingers and supporting surfaces at four edge sections of the disk distributed along the circumference of the disk. In order to grasp or release the disk by decreasing or increasing the distance between the supporting arms, both supporting arms are mounted to a respective piston/cylinder unit. In such units a respective cylinder moves relative to a stationary piston rod. The ends of both piston rods are thereby mounted oppositely of each other to a rotation axle extending perpendicularly to the axes of the cylinders by means of which the two piston/cylinder units can be pivoted together with the supporting arms from one station to the other station within the vacuum plant.

Abstract: A hand-held bending tool for conduits, tubes, rods, and the like is provided. The bending tool includes a bending matrix and a sliding shoe that during a bending process are movable relative to one another and each have a groove-like recess in which the tube that is to be bent is disposed. The recess of the bending matrix extends in a curved manner in conformity with the tube bending radius that is to be produced. The tool includes at least one support for the tube. The tube is embodied as an electric tool having a motor that rotatably drives the bending matrix via a reduction gear arrangement, with the flux of force during a bending process being self-contained.

Abstract: An elevating table has a housing with a workpiece support movably guided in an upward and downward direction by which a disk-shaped workpiece is transportable into a processing chamber of a vacuum installation. To correct the position of the workpiece placed by a machine into the workpiece support, as well as for securing the workpiece during transport, holding elements are disposed on opposite sides of the elevating table. These comprise in each instance a rod at the end of a jib which is disposed on a shaft rotatably supported in the elevating table and which is rotatable by a motor within a pivotal range in order to bring the holding element into one of two different positions. With two holding elements disposed next to each other on one side of the elevating table and one holding element disposed on the opposite side of the elevating table, the position of the workpiece on the workpiece support can be corrected.

Abstract: For the transmission of heat under vacuum conditions to a workpiece, a carrier is used with gas outlets and gas return openings distributed on its surface. A dynamic gas layer is thus formed between the carrier and the workpiece wherein the gas effects thermal conduction between the carrier and the workpiece. The gas outlets terminate in a distribution space implemented as a groove.

Abstract: A tube-bending device that includes a main body on which is pivotably mounted a ratchet lever that via a driving pawl engages a ratchet bar that is displaceably guided in the main body and is provided for an anvil. A detent is also pivotably mounted on the main body and engages the ratchet bar. A holder is provided on the main body, with a first pair of blocks disposed on the one side of the holder, and a second pair of blocks being disposed on the other side of the holder. A respective one of the pairs of blocks is provided for supporting a tube during a bending process.

Abstract: A vacuum apparatus for treating disk-shaped workpieces includes a central distribution chamber into which the workpieces are brought from a lock through a communication opening which can be closed by a closing member. A transporting mechanism, preferably in the form of a robot arm, is located in the distribution chamber which is adjoined by intermediate chambers distributed along its circumference as exchangeable modules whereby the communication between them can be shut off at each point of connection by a closing member. An intermediate chamber communicates with at least one treatment chamber via an allocated communication opening which, in order to allow a separation of the treatment chamber, is accessible from the intermediate chamber. In the intermediate chamber a further transport mechanism is arranged for taking over the workpieces from the first transport mechanism, which further transport mechanism places the workpieces onto an elevating table located under the treatment chamber.

Abstract: An electrical soldering gun for pipe soldering has a plastic case with a pistol grip handle and a single elongated electric heating element extending longitudinally of the case. A first soldering jaw with recesses is disposed on and extends axially of the heating element and has directly hingedly connected in heat exchange relationship therewith with a second jaw provided with complementary recesses for cooperating with the first jaw recesses to receive and grip a pipe to be soldered. The second jaw is connected to a slidable trigger on the casing by a pull rod for manually pivotally moving the second jaw away from the first jaw against the force of a spring associated with the trigger normally biasing the push rod and second jaw toward the first jaw.

Abstract: An installation for the transmission of heat energy between a carrier and a small plate receives a gas between the small plate and the carrier in order to improve the transmission of heat. The same gas serves to press the small plate against the carrier by means of a removable cover. When, for example, in a vacuum process, plate-like objects, such as semiconductors are to be processed, they are frequently heated up to elevated temperatures. Here it is suitable to provide the heat energy in a controlled homogeneous way. In other cases the small plates have to be cooled down in a controlled and steady way. The invention provides an apparatus for both processes.

Abstract: A tubular sleeve for a plant germination substrate consists of a a polymer mass and nonwoven, bonded fiber material treated with fungicides, in which cellulose fibers predominate. The rest of the synthetic fibers have a size of 1.3 to 17 dtex and give the fiber material a porosity of 1000 to 1600 l/s.m.sup.2 (air passage at 1.0 mbar). The fiber material is bonded by a binding agent and additionally contains fertilizer embedded in the polymer mass.

Abstract: Palladium alloys consisting of (a) 65 to 85% palladium, (b) 0 to 10% gold and/or 0 to 5% platinum, (c) 0.1 to 10% tin, (d) 1 to 10% gallium, (e) 1 to 12% copper, (f) 0.05 to 1.5% ruthenium and/or 0.05 to 0.7% rhenium as well as (g) 0.01 to 4% tungsten and/or 0.01 to 4% aluminum and/or 0.01 to 4% zinc are use to produce firmly seated and removable dentures. These alloys do not form oxide films when melted in air.

Abstract: A flaring tool and flaring apparatus for cylindrically flaring the ends of tubes. The flaring tool is provided in the vicinity of one end thereof with flaring elements that are fixedly connected thereto and have an at least approximately spherical shape. The flaring elements are essentially in point-type contact with the tube and generate high specific deformation forces during flaring. When the flaring tool is rotated about its axis, the tube end is continuously flared. The flaring apparatus has an adapter that can be shifted via a thread connection. The adapter fixedly accommodates the flaring tool, and can be connected to a drive unit.

Abstract: The saw blade for an electric compass- or keyhole-saw has a saw part with a tooth arrangement and a clamping part with which the saw blade is clamped between two clamping pieces of a clamping device of the compass- or keyhole-saw with a clamping screw to hold parts together in clamped relationship. The clamping part has a centering opening and a plug or insert opening for the tensioning or clamping screw. The plug or insert opening is delimited or bounded by two clamping tongues laterally thereof. The relationship or ratio of the width of the clamping part measured transverse to the longitudinal axis of the saw blade with respect to the length lies in a range of approximately 1:1.4. The relationship or ratio of the length of the plug or insert opening to the width thereof lies in a range between approximately 1:0.7 to approximately 1:1.1. The clamping tongues are constructed respectively having approximately square or rectangular shape.

Abstract: Bis-hydroxyphenyl-n-alkanes are prepared by contacting dicarboxylic acids or dicarboxylic acid derivatives with fluorine-containing organic sulphonic acids, where appropriate with the addition of a phenolic compound, and converting the alkanediones, which are thus obtainable, into bis-hydroxyphenyl-n-alkanes by hydrogenation and, where appropriate, an additional ether cleavage. The invention also relates to new bis-hydroxyphenyl-n-alkanes and to new alkanediones.