Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing an operation on a work surface of a structure. The apparatus may comprise a motion platform and an overhead support system. The motion platform may be configured to be positioned above the work surface of the structure to perform the operation on the work surface. The overhead support system may be configured to carry the motion platform across a floor of a manufacturing environment from a first location to a second location.

Abstract: A system and method of producing polyethylene, including: polymerizing ethylene in presence of a catalyst system in a reactor to form polyethylene, wherein the catalyst system includes a first catalyst and a second catalyst; and adjusting reactor conditions and an amount of the second catalyst fed to the reactor to control melt index (MI), density, and melt flow ratio (MFR) of the polyethylene.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing an operation on a surface of a structure. An assembly system may comprise a motion platform and a mobile platform. The motion platform may be configured to be positioned below the surface of the structure to perform the operation on the surface. The mobile platform may be configured to carry the motion platform across a floor of a manufacturing environment from a first location to a second location.

Abstract: A method for distributing energy to a group of ground-based machines. The energy is supplied to the group of ground-based machines through a pattern of inductive power transfer lines physically associated with a ground in a work area. Operations are performed with the group of ground-based machines in the work area. The group of ground-based machines moves in the work area without following a path based on the inductive power transfer lines.

Abstract: Polymer compositions that include an ethylene-based polymer and a broad molecular weight distribution propylene-based polymer having a melt strength of 20.0 cN to 200.0 cN; and optionally, a propylene-based elastomer are described. The invention also includes articles, such as films, produced from such compositions and methods of making such compositions and methods of improving melt strength.

Abstract: A low-profile, automated guided vehicle (AGV) performs surface treatments over large areas of a structure having limited access, such as an aircraft underbelly. The AGV includes a movable gantry provided with automated robot. The robot has interchangeable end effectors for carrying out the surface treatments. Travel of the AGV relative to structure is controlled by a ground guidance system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cast film comprising a composition comprising more than 25 wt % (based on the weight of the composition) of one or more linear ethylene polymers having a g?vis of 0.97 or more and an Mw of 20,000 g/mol or more and at least 0.1 wt % of a branched modifier where the modifier has a) a g?vis of 0.90 or less; b) an Mw of 100,000 g/mol or more; c) an Mw/Mn of 3.0 or more; d) an Mz/Mn of 7.0 or more; e) a shear thinning ratio of 40 or more; and f) an I21 of 20 dg/min or less; where the film has at least a 10% reduction in neck-in as compared to the same composition formed into a film under the same conditions, except that the branched modifier is absent.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for oxygen-tailoring polyethylene, particularly polyethylenes suitable for wire and cable applications. One process includes conveying a first polyethylene having a melt index ?5.0 and an MWD ?5.0 through mixing or extrusion apparatus having a feed zone, a melt-mixing zone downstream of the feed zone, and a melt zone downstream of the melt-mixing zone, wherein the temperature of the first polyethylene in the melt zone ranges from about 180° C. to about 300° C.; and contacting the first polyethylene with an amount of an oxygen-containing gas having at least about 20.0 parts by weight oxygen per million per parts by weight of the first polyethylene (ppm (wt) O2). Polyethylene compositions having improved properties, particularly for wire and cable applications are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing an operation on a work surface of a structure. The apparatus may comprise a motion platform and an overhead support system. The motion platform may be configured to be positioned above the work surface of the structure to perform the operation on the work surface. The overhead support system may be configured to carry the motion platform across a floor of a manufacturing environment from a first location to a second location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting a structure. The apparatus may comprise a support, a load-balancing structure associated with the support, and a set of connection devices associated with the load-balancing structure. The set of connection devices may be configured to connect to the structure to form a set of control points. Each of the set of connection devices may be configured to independently control a location of a corresponding control point in the set of control points.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing an operation on a surface of a structure. An assembly system may comprise a motion platform and a mobile platform. The motion platform may be configured to be positioned below the surface of the structure to perform the operation on the surface. The mobile platform may be configured to carry the motion platform across a floor of a manufacturing environment from a first location to a second location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining a selected configuration for a structure during a manufacturing process for forming a product using the structure. Metrology data for a support system is received. The support system holds the structure during the manufacturing process. A determination is made as to whether a current configuration of the structure is within selected tolerances of the selected configuration for the structure based on the metrology data. The support system is reconfigured to move the structure into the selected configuration in response to a determination that the current configuration of the structure is not within the selected tolerances of the selected configuration for the structure.

Abstract: Ethylene-based copolymers having unusual viscosity performance are described, particularly ethylene-based polymers having about 80.0 to 99.0 wt. % of polymer units derived from ethylene and about 1.0 to about 20.0 wt. % of polymer units derived from one or more C3 to C20 ?-olefin comonomers; the ethylene-based polymer having a local maximum loss angle at a complex modulus, G*, of 2.50×104 to 1.00×106 Pa and a local minimum loss angle at a complex modulus, G*, of 1.00×104 to 3.00×104 Pa. The invention also includes articles, such as films, produced from such polymers and methods of making such articles.

Abstract: Polymer compositions that include an ethylene-based polymer and a broad molecular weight distribution propylene-based polymer having a melt strength of 20.0 cN to 200.0 cN; and optionally, a propylene-based elastomer are described. The invention also includes articles, such as films, produced from such compositions and methods of making such compositions and methods of improving melt strength.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for oxygen-tailoring polyethylene, particularly polyethylenes suitable for wire and cable applications. One process includes conveying a first polyethylene having a melt index ?5.0 and an MWD ?5.0 through mixing or extrusion apparatus having a feed zone, a melt-mixing zone downstream of the feed zone, and a melt zone downstream of the melt-mixing zone, wherein the temperature of the first polyethylene in the melt zone ranges from about 180° C. to about 300° C.; and contacting the first polyethylene with an amount of an oxygen-containing gas having at least about 20.0 parts by weight oxygen per million per parts by weight of the first polyethylene (ppm (wt) O2). Polyethylene compositions having improved properties, particularly for wire and cable applications are disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are blends of linear low density polyethylene copolymers with very low density, low density, medium density, high density, and differentiated polyethylenes and other polymers. The invention also includes articles produced from the linear low density polyethylene and polyethylene blends described herein.

Abstract: Provided are blends of linear low density polyethylene copolymers with very low density, low density, medium density, high density, and differentiated polyethylenes and other polymers. The invention also includes articles produced from the linear low density polyethylene and polyethylene blends described herein.

Abstract: Articles fabricated from certain high molecular weight high density polyethylenes (HMW-HDPE) combined with a second component, exhibit superior puncture propagation tear resistance and puncture propagation tear length. The second component may be an elastomer such as styrene-butadiene-styrene, styrene-isoprene-styrene, EPR, EPDM, butyl rubber, metallocene-catalyzed polyethylene, and combinations thereof. The second component or components will be present in a fabricated article from 1 to 15 weight percent. Articles include films, bags made from films, and extrusion blow-molded articles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a homogeneous vanadium catalyst composition prepared by the reaction of an alkylaluminum dihalide with a solid reaction product produced by reacting (A) a silicon alkoxide, (B) a hydrocarbon soluble vanadium compound, and (C) a trialkylaluminum. The solid reaction product may be produced by complexing the (A) silicon alkoxide first with either the (B) vanadium compound or the (C) trialkylaluminum. The intermediate complex (I) of such reaction is then treated with the remaining reageant (either the vandium compound or the trialkylaluminum as the case may be) whereupon the solid reaction product (II) is formed. The solid reaction product (II) of the silicon alkoxide-vanadium compound/trialkylaluminum reaction is then reacted with (D) an alkylaluminum dihalide to produce a homogeneous hydrocarbon soluble product (III) which is highly active for catalyzing the polymerization of olefines to a polyolefin having a narrow molecular weight distribution.

Abstract: Disclosed is a homogeneous vanadium catalyst composition prepared by the reaction of an alkylaluminum dihalide with a solid reaction product produced by reacting (A) a silicon alkoxide, (B) a hydrocarbon soluble vanadium compound, and (C) a trialkylaluminum. The solid reaction product may be produced by complexing the (A) silicon alkoxide first with either the (B) vanadium compound or the (C) trialkylaluminum. The intermediate complex (I) of such reaction is then treated with the remaining reagent (either the vanadium compound or the trialkylaluminum as the case may be) whereupon the solid reaction product (II) is formed. The solid reaction product (II) of the silicon alkoxide-vanadium compound/trialkylaluminum reaction is then reacted with (D) an alkylaluminum dihalide to produce a homogeneous hydrocarbon soluble product (III) which is highly active for catalyzing the polymerization of olefins to a polyolefin having a narrow molecular weight distribution.