Abstract: A method of processing mixed-material vehicle scrap includes conditioning the mixed-material vehicle scrap and heating the mixed-material vehicle scrap. The mixed-material vehicle scrap comprises a first group of parts and a second group of parts. The first group of parts includes a first alloy and the second group of parts has a substrate of a second alloy and a coating disposed over the substrate. The mixed-material vehicle scrap is conditioned such that an element of the second alloy is diffused into the coating to form a diffused coating. The diffused coating has a melting temperature greater than a melting temperature of the first alloy. The mixed-material vehicle scrap is heated to a temperature above the melting temperature of the first alloy and below the melting temperature of the diffused coating, thereby allowing the second group of parts to separate from the first group of parts.

Abstract: A value stream method of manufacturing a plurality of vehicle structural rails includes feeding a coil of aluminum alloy sheet into a roll forming machine and forming a tubular shape with a seam, bobbin tool-friction stir welding the seam of the tubular shape and forming a welded tubular shape with a welded seam, cutting the welded tubular shape into a plurality of tubular sections, tube bending each of the plurality of tubular sections and forming a plurality of bent tubular sections, and hydroforming each of the plurality of bent tubular sections and forming a plurality of structural rails. The coil of aluminum alloy sheet may or may not be pre-treated and/or lubricated.

Abstract: A method of treating a high pressure die cast (HPDC) material to improve rivetability is provided. The method includes exposing the HPDC material to a temperature between 300° C. and 450° C. for a time period between 10 minutes and 5 hours in a heat treatment step. In this method, the heat treatment results in eutectic silicon spheroidization of the HPDC material such that the HPDC material does not crack after rivet installation. The method further includes the step of exposing the HPDC material to a subsequent heat treatment step at about 180° C. for about 30 minutes after quenching. Moreover, the quenching may be a forced air quench for a period of 6° C./s.

Abstract: A cutter unit for cutting vegetation is raised from and lowered to the ground by a lift arm of a utility vehicle. The cutter unit includes a motor for driving a cutting blade. A mechanism on the cutter unit cooperates with the lift arm to stop the motor when the cutter unit is raised from the ground.

Abstract: A vegetation cutter to be mounted on a support vehicle for transport and deployment, has a housing with a rotating blade therein. The housing has a roller mounted for rotation forming the bottom edge of a side of the housing. The roller supports the cutter, allowing the cutter to slide along the ground when moved in a forward direction. When the support vehicle changes direction, the roller rotates, reducing the required force for turning the vehicle and cutter.

Abstract: A safety apparatus for a tool driven by a motor removes motor power under certain circumstances. The tool includes a housing moveable over a ground surface for mounting the tool, and a ground-engaging member moveable relative to the housing and disposed to follow the ground surface as the housing moves over same. The apparatus further includes a sensor for measuring the relative position of the housing relative to the ground engaging member. Motor control apparatus selectively stops the motor upon the ground-engaging member and the housing reaching a predetermined relative position.