Abstract: A multi-material structure includes a refractory portion with a metal or metal alloy of at least one of niobium (Nb), molybdenum (Mo), tantalum (Ta), tungsten (W), rhenium (Re), iridium (Ir), vanadium (V), and ruthenium (Ru). A structural portion is metallurgically joined with the refractory portion. The structural portion includes a titanium (Ti) alloy. At least one of the refractory and structural portions is additively manufactured.

Abstract: A machining apparatus and method of machining a work piece are provided. The method generally includes machining a plurality of independent surfaces of the work piece as the work piece travels along a work path and through a plurality of machining stations in a single pass. The machining apparatus includes a frame and first and second machining stations mounted to the frame. Each machining station is configured to form an independent surface in a work piece passed through the machining apparatus. The machining apparatus also includes a feed arrangement for feeding the work piece through the apparatus along a feed path and relative to the first and second machining stations and the frame while machining is performed on the work piece.

Abstract: A material feeder apparatus for feeding stock material to a machining device is provided. The material feeder apparatus includes a drive motor, a drive wheel, a guide wheel and a positioning mechanism. The drive wheel is operably coupled for rotation to the drive motor. The guide wheel is spaced apart from the at least one drive wheel defining a stock material slot therebetween. The positioning mechanism is to at least on of the drive wheel and the guide wheel for adjusting the stock material slot defined by the spacing between the at least one guide wheel and the at least one drive wheel. The material feeder apparatus may include both a drive and slave stock material feeder that are daisy chained together for being simultaneously driven by a single drive motor.

Abstract: An attachment for the top of a metal fence post that adds utility to the fence post has a device portion and a cylindrical attachment portion with an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end and an opposing second end. The second end is attached to the device portion. There is at least one pair of parallel insertion guides extending from the first end of the attachment portion to substantially the second end along the inner surface. The insertion guides are separated by an insertion slot created by an insertion slot base disposed between the insertion guides and adjacent to the inner surface. The insertion base has a first thickness at the first guide end and a second thickness greater than the first thickness at the second guide end.

Abstract: A system for first setting a blind rivet and then verifying the correctness of the set comprising a rivet setting tool to set the rivet and computer logic to verify the correctness of the set. The setting tool includes a jaw assembly for holding the stem of the rivet's mandrel fitted to an axially movable pulling shaft. Both the pulling force of the setting tool and the displacement of the pulling shaft are measured and the measurements are interpreted by an integrator to determine the total energy of the setting process. The determined total energy is then compared with an ideal total energy to assess whether or not the set of the particular rivet is acceptable. Other quantitative comparisons may be made against other ideal values.

Abstract: A blind rivet set verification system for setting a blind rivet and assessing the acceptability of the rivet set by measuring and comparing the length of the spent mandrel stem. The system includes a rivet setting apparatus and a programmed system control circuit. The apparatus includes a rivet setting tool, a mandrel stem collection box, and a collection tube connecting the tool and the box. The spent mandrel stems pass from the rivet tool to the collection box through the tube. Along the collection tube are provided a pair of sensors. The sensors are positioned in relatively close proximity to each other and to the box and provide the control circuit with information required to identify and compare mandrel stem length.

Abstract: A tool for setting blind rivets. The load of the motor which drives the pulling head between fully forward and retracted positions is monitored. When the pulling head is displaced to set a rivet motor direction will be changed if a moderate load is not sensed in a short period of time or if following such sensing of a moderate load the sensed low drops to a minimum value. When the pulling head is displaced in the opposite direction a stop will be engaged at the fully forward position and the sensing of a moderate load will stop the motor.

Abstract: A rivet pulling head is supported for vertical displacement from an up position to a down riveting position. A rivet delivery device is carried by a movable support and has a delivery arm which can be lowered relative to the pulling head and pivoted underneath it to deliver the next rivet to the pulling head. The delivery device is operated when the head is at the up position and while the head is maintained at that location.