Abstract: A method of manufacturing is used to manufacture a magnet-free Faraday rotator having a square hysteresis loop, the Faraday rotator being formed of a bismuth-substituted rare earth iron garnet single crystal that has a compensation temperature in the range of 10 to 40° C. and is grown on a non-magnetic garnet substrate by a liquid phase epitaxy. The method comprising the steps of placing the bismuth-substituted rare earth iron garnet single crystal film in an environment of a temperature at least 20° C. away from the compensation temperature; and applying an external magnetic field higher than 1000 Oe to the bismuth-substituted rare earth iron garnet single crystal film so that the bismuth-substituted rare earth iron garnet single crystal film is magnetized to have a square hysteresis loop.

Abstract: An improved method of obtaining a wafer exhibiting high resistivity and high gettering effect while preventing the reduction of resistivity due to the generation of oxygen donors provided by: a) using the CZ method to grow a silicon single crystal ingot having a resistivity of 100 &OHgr;·cm or more, preferably 1000 &OHgr;·cm, and an initial interstitial oxygen concentration of 10 to 40 ppma while doping the crystal with an electrically inactive material such as nitrogen, carbon, or tin, b) processing the ingot into a wafer, and c) subjecting the wafer to an oxygen precipitation heat treatment whereby the residual interstitial oxygen content in the wafer is reduced to about 8 ppma or less.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for manufacturing a semiconductor substrate such as web crystals. The apparatus includes a chamber and a growth hardware assembly housed within the chamber. A magnetic field system produces a vertical magnetic field within the chamber.

Abstract: A method for the production of a crack-free epitiaxial film having a thickness greater than that which can be achieved by continuous epitaxial crystal growth. This epitaxial film can be used as is in a device, used as a substrate platform for further epitaxy, or separated from the initial substrate material and used as a free-standing substrate platform. The method utilizes a defect-rich initial layer that absorbs epitaxially derived stresses and another layer, which is not defect-rich, which planarizes the crystal growth front, if necessary and provides high quality epitaxial region near the surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of making UV<200 nm transmitting optical fluoride crystals for excimer laser lithography optics and a multicompartment container for growing optical fluoride crystals, comprising a number of graphite bowls that are placed on top of one another to form a stack and which have a central conical orifice in the bottom of each of them, and also comprising a seeding unit that has a central cylindrical orifice and is arranged under the lowermost bowl, characterized in the each bowl is fitted with a heat-removing device that is made in the form of a graphite cylinder with a central conical orifice, is mounted under the bottom of each bowl, and adjoins, with its other surface, the cover of the next bowl down, in which design the cover of each bowl, apart from the uppermost one, has a central conical orifice.

Abstract: A spin chuck for holding a wafer to the front face of which a resist solution is supplied, a cup for housing the spin chuck and forcibly exhausting an atmosphere around the wafer by exhaust from the bottom thereof, and an air flow control plate, provided in the cup to surround the outer periphery of the wafer, for controlling an air flow in the vicinity of the wafer are provided. Accordingly, a state of special air flow at an outer edge portion of a substrate to be processed can be eliminated, thereby preventing an increase in film thickness at the outer edge portion.

Abstract: A right-angle gluer for applying a transverse bead of an adhesive to a blank being conveyed in a machine direction orthogonal to the transverse direction of glue application. The right-angle gluer includes a coating head operable for applying the transverse adhesive bead and a pivotal mounting assembly that permits adjustment of the positioning and orientation of the coating head relative to the machine direction. The right angle gluer further includes a backup plate positioned upstream of the coating head that reduces or prevents buckling of the conveyed blanks.

Abstract: An installation for painting objects, in particular vehicle bodies, has at least one bath containing a treatment fluid in which the objects are to be immersed. The objects are guided through the installation in a continuous or intermittent translatory movement with the aid of a conveyor device. A plurality of immersion devices is provided, which support the objects with the aid of a supporting structure. The latter is connected to the conveyor device by way of a connecting structure. Each connecting structure has at least one steering linkage which in turn comprises two steering components arranged at a distance from one another. The steering components are each rotatably connected to the conveyor device at one end and rotatably connected to the supporting structure at the other end. At least one device ensures that at least one of the two steering components of the steering linkage can be rotated about the axis produced by its articulated connection to the conveyor device.

Abstract: A stent mounting device and a method of coating a stent using the device are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a coating film comprising, a coating unit for forming a coating film by applying a coating solution onto a substrate, and a curing unit for curing the coating film by applying a heating and a cooling to the substrate, in which, the curing unit comprises a heating chamber having a hot plate for heating substrates having the coating solution applied thereon one by one, a cooling chamber communicated with the heating chamber and having a cooling plate for cooling the substrates processed with heat, an inert gas supply mechanism for supplying an insert gas to the heating chamber and the cooling chamber, and an evacuation mechanism for evacuating each of the heating chamber and the cooling chamber.

Abstract: A novel modular muffle etch injector assembly for use in a gas blanketed down-flow chemical vapor deposition apparatus of the type having a muffle and a modular gas injector assembly for introducing chemical vapors into a deposition chamber, the muffle being adapted for receiving and supporting the gas injector assembly, wherein deposition material residue collects on a lower surface of the muffle. The etch injector assembly of the present invention comprises an etch chamber having vertical sidewalls, a closed top end and an open bottom end, a supply mechanism for introducing a liquid etchant into the etch chamber, and a sealing device disposed along the open end of the etch chamber for providing a seal between the etch chamber and the lower surface of the muffle to confine the etchant to the etch chamber. The etch injector assembly preferably also includes an exhaust means for removing chemical vapors from the etch chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for stripping paint from surfaces, comprising: a) contacting a painted surface with a paint stripping composition, and b) separating at least some of the paint contacted with the paint stripping composition from the painted surface; c) wherein the paint stripping composition comprises: i) from about 60 to about 99% by volume of one or more environmentally acceptable esters selected from the group consisting of t-butyl acetate, a carboxylic acid methyl ester having a caboxylate residue of at least three carbon atoms, an ester of lactic acid, an ester of oxalic acid having two alkoxy residues wherein each alkoxy residue has at least three carbon atoms, diethyl tartrate, triethyl citrate, tributyl citrate, and one or more sugar esters; and ii) dimethyl sulfoxide which is present in an amount from about 1 to about 40% by volume of the composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a web of entangled synthetic fibers, wherein said fibers are eccentric bicomponent fibers. The present invention further provides a method of absorbing oil from foods by contacting a web of entangled, eccentric bicomponent fibers with oil-containing food prior to, during, or subsequent to preparation of such foods, especially but not limited to during or subsequent to cooking such foods wherein said web is exposed to temperatures at above about 120 C.

Abstract: A method and a cleaning brush for removing contaminants from and extending the life of a photoconductor film wherein the cleaning brush has end sections having a reduced coefficient of friction with the end sections of the photoconductor film which are less frequently used.

Abstract: In order that sensitive structures of inkjet printing mechanisms be cleaned without damaging these structures, a cleaning sheet and a process of using the sheet has been created. Debris and dried ink is removed from print cartridges and their carriage using a cleaning sheet having two strips of material spaced with a napped surface disposed longitudinally between the side edges and spaced apart from each other. By controlling the distance the strips are spaced from the sheet feed edge of the cleaning sheet, the print cartridges can be placed adjacent the strips for scrubbing against the strips without resulting in a media jam in the printer due to the increased thickness of the cleaning sheet.

Abstract: A substrate handling end effector is provided. The substrate handling end effector has a vacuum chuck to support a semiconductor substrate thereon. A vacuum passage and a liquid passage are located in the vacuum chuck. The vacuum passage is adapted to be connected to a vacuum source and the liquid passage is adapted to be connected to a liquid source. The liquid passage is connected to the vacuum passage.

Abstract: A glass article comprising a glass body having a surface and a water-soluble surface-protection film formed on the surface. The water-soluble surface-protection film is made of hydroxy acid or salt thereof. The hydroxy acid or the salt thereof is one or more kinds selected from the group consisting of citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, gluconic acid and salts thereof. An example of the glass body is a funnel part having an anode button for a CRT.

Abstract: There is proposed an apparatus and method for cleaning a semiconductor substrate, which make it possible to minimize the adhesion of mist in a cleaning tank at the occasion of cleaning a semiconductor substrate, to realize a-high removal effect of residual polishing particles, and to enable to obtain a clean surface. In view of preventing a mist generated by the jet of high pressure water from re-adhering to the substrate during the cleaning of a semiconductor substrate, a cover member is disposed at a mist-generating region so as-to prevent the splash of the mist. Additionally, a cavity is caused to generate by contacting a high pressure water with a still water, and high-frequency generated by the generation of the cavity is utilized for removing the residual polishing particles. Alternatively, the ejection of high pressure water against the surface of the substrate is performed in a liquid phase such-as ultrapure water, thereby preventing the generation of mist.

Abstract: A method of cold fabricating an intermetallic alloy composition, comprising steps of coating an article of an intermetallic alloy composition with a viscous medium which provides a moisture resistant barrier on the surface of the article, fabricating the coated article into a desired shape, and optionally removing the coating from the shaped article. The coating step can be carried out by applying oil to the surface of the article or immersing the article in oil. The intermetallic article can be an iron aluminide and the fabrication step can include stamping, bending, drawing, forming, cutting, shearing or punching. During the fabrication step a surface oxide film is cracked and metal surfaces exposed by the cracked oxide film are protected from exposure to moisture in the air by the viscous medium.

Abstract: A high-hardness martensitic stainless steel excellent in corrosion resistance, comprising less than 0.15% by weight of C, from 0.10 to 1.0% by weight of Si, from 0.10 to 2.0% by weight of Mn, 0.010% or less of S, from 12.0 to 18.5% by weight of Cr, from 0.40 to 0.80% by weight of N, less than 0.030% by weight of Al, less than 0.020% by weight of O, and substantially the balance of Fe. The martensitic stainless steel of the present invention has cold-workability and hardness after tempering higher than that of SUS420J2 and corrosion resistance equivalent to or higher than that of an austenitic stainless steel SUS316.

Abstract: The newly proposed ferritic stainless steel sheet consists of C up to 0.03 mass %, N up to 0.03 mass %, Si up to 2.0 mass %, Mn up to 2.0 mass %, Ni up to 0.6 mass %, 9-35 mass % Cr, 0.15-0.80 mass % Nb, optionally one or more of Ti up to 0.5 mass %, Mo up to 3.0 mass %, Cu up to 2.0 mass % and Al up to 6.0 mass %, and the balance being Fe except inevitable impurities, comprises metallurgical structure involving precipitates of 2 &mgr;m or less in particle size at a ratio not more than 0.5 mass % and has crystalline orientation on a rolled surface at ¼ depth of thickness with Integrated Density defined by the formula (a) not less than 1.2. The ferritic stainless steel sheet is manufactured by 25 hours or shorter precipitation-treatment at 700-850° C. in prior to 1 minute or shorter finish-annealing at 900-1100° C. Integrated Intensity is made greater than 2.0 by controlling particle size of precipitates not more than 0.5 &mgr;m, so as to realize good workability with less in-plane anisotropy.

Abstract: The power transmission shaft 12 is made by applying induction hardening to carbon steel with hardening ratio in a range from 0.25 to 0.50. For the carbon steel, one containing 0.39 to 0.49% of C, 0.4 to 1.5% of Si, 0.4 to 1.0% of Mn, 0.025% or less S, 0.02% or less P and 0.01 to 0.1% of Al by weight as the basic components, with the rest comprising Fe and inevitable impurities is used. This makes it possible to achieve higher strength and lighter weight of the power transmission shaft.

Abstract: An aluminum-based material for anti-friction bearings composed of an aluminum alloy with 10-25 wt % tin or 5-25 wt % lead, impurity-caused components characterized by 0.75-2.5 wt % iron and an alloy additive capable of forming an intermetallic compound having a spherical phase homogeneously distributed in the aluminum alloy. The alloy additive is one of: a) manganese and silicon, in which the weight percentage fractions of manganese and silicon are at least half the weight percentage fraction of the iron and for manganese, at most 3 wt %, and for silicon, at most 2 wt %; b) 0.1-0.5 wt % cobalt; and c) 0.1-0.5 wt % molybdenum.

Abstract: A method of repairing a metallic component, such as a superalloy turbine blade or turbine nozzle, includes the step of preparing the component by stripping the protective coatings from the component. The component is then pre-conditioned for welding by a first hot isostatic process. Once the conditioning sequence is complete, the component is welded using any of a number of welding techniques and by adding weld fillers to the weld area. After the welding step, the component is sealed by a second hot isostatic process treatment performed at conditions similar to the first hot isostatic process. The component is finally prepared for re-entry into service.

Abstract: Aluminum-killed medium carbon steel sheets, and the steel sheet stock prepared from it, is useful for manufacturing containers for a variety of food and industrial purposes. High mechanical strength is imparted to steel sheeting when the sheeting is processed through a continuous series of operations including cold-rolling and annealing. Annealing at a temperature maintained above the pearlitic transformation (Ac1) and rapid cooling yields steel sheet of high maximum rupture strength. Improved mechanical properties allows the steel sheet to be used in the manufacture of thin wall containers or containers of novel shape.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing medium carbon steel sheet and strip with enhanced uniform elongation for deep drawing applications. In one embodiment, a steel slab containing carbon 0.30/0.70%, manganese 0.75/2.0%, silicon up to 1.0% max., total aluminum 0.020/0.10%, the balance iron and incidental impurities is hot rolled to strip at a finishing temperature within the range of 839° C. (1542° F.) to 773° C. (1424° F.) and spheroidize annealed at a temperature below the A1 temperature. In a second embodiment, a steel slab containing 0.40 minimum/0.70% maximum carbon, 0.50/1.50% manganese, up to 1.0% silicon, 0.020/0.10% total aluminum, the balance iron and incidental impurities is hot rolled, cold rolled and spheroidize annealed, with various combinations of manganese and silicon within the above ranges providing lower yield strength at levels of 60 ksi, 70 ksi, and 80 ksi with minimum 14% uniform elongation.

Abstract: Gas generant compositions exhibit low autoignition temperatures. In preferred forms, the gas generant compositions include azobisformamidine dinitrate (AZODN) and a eutectic mixture (comelt) of silver nitrate and potassium nitrate. The comelt of silver nitrate and potassium nitrate is most preferably present in the formulations of the invention in an amount to achieve a low autoignition temperature of between about 140° C. (284° F.) to about 160° C. (320° F.). The compositions of the invention may include a variety of auxiliary components typically employed in conventional gas generant compositions for their intended purpose. For example, especially preferred formulations of the present invention will include a powdered metal or metal oxide as a combustion catalyst to speed the decomposition reaction and also as a combustion aid to facilitate the ignition of the primary propellant or gas generant.

Abstract: Gas generating compositions containing or including a sufficient quantity of a non-nitrate containing ammonia source whereby, upon reaction of the gas generating composition, NOx products are present in the product gas in a reduced amount as compared to reaction product gas resulting from reaction of the same composition without said quantity of non-nitrate containing ammonia source. Also disclosed are associated methods of reducing NOx products present in an effluent of a gas generating composition that upon combustion forms gas useful for inflating a vehicle occupant safety restraint device.

Abstract: Plastic bonded explosive (PBX) compositions utilizing CL-20 as the oxidizer, and particularly when the CL-20 is blended with particular combinations of binders and/or plasticizers, have been found to yield synergistic chemical combinations which demonstrate higher energy density and increased penetration power and impetus in military weapons and similar applications.

Abstract: A vibration weld fixture assembly provides a three-piece component joined together with two separate welding operations. The vibration weld fixture assembly includes fixed upper and lower tools that support first and second component pieces, respectively. A center tool, movable relative to the upper and lower tools, moves a third component piece into engagement with one of the first or second component pieces for a first vibration weld operation. The center tool then moves the third component piece into engagement with the other of the first or second component pieces for a second vibration weld operation. A linear actuator assembly moves the center tool back and forth between the upper and lower tools.

Abstract: Expandable and collapsible window coverings are disclosed including a web of non-rigid material and a stiffener intermittently applied to the web to provide stiffened regions along the web separated by regions of the non-rigid material. In this manner, the regions of non-rigid material can act as hinges between the stiffened regions. Methods for forming these window coverings are also disclosed.

Abstract: A preglued underlayment assembly comprises a substantially rigid underlayment having an upper and a lower surface, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer disposed on the upper surface, and a release layer disposed on the adhesive layer. Another pressure sensitive adhesive layer and another release layer optionally are provided on the lower surface of the preglued underlayment. One or more performance enhancing layers, such as foam and solid layers, can be disposed between the underlayment and the adhesive layer to modify and/or enhance various properties of the preglued underlayment. Mechanical fasteners, such as staples, penetrate the preglued underlayment assembly and engage a structural support member to attach the preglued underlayment assembly thereto.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the constant maintenance of the mean gap width between a sonotrode of an ultrasonic system and a tool of an ultrasonic cutting device, designed as a counter surface, for cutting and/or welding of various types of materials such as, for example, synthetic foils, textile fabrics containing synthetic substances, by means of a cutting tool, using an adjusting device.

Abstract: A multi scrim non-slip pad has a first scrim which is coated with a first polyvinyl chloride product to encapsulate the first scrim therein to form a first coated scrim. The first coated scrim may then be partially cured in some embodiments. A second scrim is coated to form a second coated scrim. The first and second scrims are applied together and then cured to form a multi scrim non-slip pad having at least a first foam layer adjacent and external to the first scrim, a second foam layer between the first and second scrim, and a third foam layer external and adjacent to the second scrim.

Abstract: A green sheet stack having a cavity is produced, and a shrinkage-reducing sheet containing inorganic powder material, which is not fired in a step of firing the green sheet stack, is prepared. The shrinkage-reducing sheet is placed so as to close an aperture of the cavity and to cover an end face in the sheet-stacking direction of the green sheet stack. The green sheet stack is pressed via an elastic member in the sheet-stacking direction so that the shrinkage-reducing sheet is cut and a shrinkage-reducing sheet piece formed of a cut portion of the shrinkage-reducing sheet is placed on a bottom surface of the cavity. The green sheet stack is fired in such a state in which the shrinkage-reducing sheet piece is placed on the bottom surface of the cavity.

Abstract: A fabrication process for ferrite toroids which utilizes ferrite ceramic tape having an improved elongation characteristic. The process utilizes a set of rigid mandrels which are employed in the final lamination to support the rectangular cross section of the internal cavity of a respective ferrite tube, thereby reducing stress concentration and permitting the highest lamination pressure to be used in the final step. The mandrels are removed prior to panel densification. The tape and mandrels operate together to minimize cracks and pores in the toroids and provide an added advantage of maintaining high tolerances in the internal cavity dimensions as well as the cavity-to-cavity alignment.

Abstract: A green tire holding device (50) including a horizontal turning spindle (52) which supports and turns a green tire (T) so that no set portion of the tire is constantly subjected to the downward pull of the rest of the tire carcass. The spindle (52) can be programmed to automatically continuously turn the green tire (T) or to automatically turn the green tire (T) at spaced intervals corresponding to desired angular movements. In a tire manufacturing method, the holding device (50) is used to turn the green tire (T) during a pre-curing wait cycle to thereby minimize distortion of the green tire (T).

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided improved means for centering of a green vehicle tire carcass on a shaping drum. “Centering” as used herein and unless otherwise stated or obvious from the context of its use, includes positioning of the bead ring-containing. opposite ends of a carcass substantially equidistantly from the centerplane of the drum and substantially radially equidistant from, and substantially concentric about, the rotational axis of the drum.

Abstract: According to the invention, a pneumatic tire and method of manufacturing the pneumatic tire having improved tire uniformity characteristics is disclosed. The carcass reinforcement ply has a plurality of reinforcement cords embedded in a matrix material that can be rendered plastic and non-plastic to, respectively, permit and restricts reorientation of the reinforcement cords after the tire has been at least partially vulcanized. The method includes the steps of rendering the matrix material plastic, reorienting one or more reinforcement cords without their being stretched beyond their elastic limits, and then rendering the matrix material non-plastic. The reorientation can occur while the tire is still in the tire mold or when the tire is still hot from the tire mold and at a temperature of at least the deflection temperature by applying a force for reorienting the reinforcement cords.

Abstract: A process is provided for splicing multiple blocks of multi-lane festooned material. The tail ends of stacks from a first block are spliced to lead ends of stacks from a second block, and the tail ends of the stacks in the second block are spliced with the lead ends of stacks in the first block or another block.

Abstract: A laminated structural body is manufactured by laminating unidirectionally arranged strands and a web such that two layers of the web sandwich the strands therebetween. A cylindrical web is delivered in a direction parallel to a central axis thereof. A polymer liquid is discharged from a spinning head, which is disposed in the cylindrical web and rotated about the central axis of the cylindrical web, toward an inner surface of the cylindrical web to spin strands of the discharged polymer liquid. The spun strands are arranged in a direction substantially parallel to the circumferential direction of the cylindrical web and laminated on the inner surface of the cylindrical web. The cylindrical web with the strands laminated thereon is folded flatwise to sandwich the strands between the two folded layers of the web.

Abstract: An edge wrap machine for applying decorative laminate to an aircraft interior panel, particularly a stowbin door, lifts the edge to be wrapped with an actuator, wraps the edge automatically by drawing a vacuum between two silicone blankets sandwiching the panel, and lowers the actuator to achieve bonding pressure on the wrapped edge. The machine automates a hand operation that is relatively slow and potentially dangerous to the workers.

Abstract: There is disclosed a dust sealing label strip having a plurality of dust sealing labels arranged on a release liner strip for application over a handle opening of a corrugated box to seal the opening. The strip is usable in rapid application of the sealing labels over handle openings of corrugated boxes to provide seal to the corrugated boxes and function as grips for the box. Each of the dust sealing labels has a substrate having an aperture provided corresponding to the handle opening of a corrugated box, a stretchable film laminated to the substrate to cover the aperture, and an adhesive layer. The plurality of dust sealing labels are arranged peelably via the adhesive layer on the release liner strip in at least one line at predetermined intervals.

Abstract: A method for producing a re-releasable bond between two wafers which is stable at high temperatures and mechanically stable is described. The two wafers to be bonded are placed one on top of the other in such a way that a surface of the first wafer is disposed on a surface of the second wafer. Interspaces at least partially connecting the surfaces are created between the wafers. A liquid glass compound is introduced into the interspaces in such a way that a liquid glass film wetting the inner surfaces of the interspaces is formed, in which process voids that are connected to the atmosphere surrounding the wafers remain inside the interspaces wetted with the liquid glass compound. To transform the wetting liquid glass film into a solid silicon dioxide film, the wafers lying one on top of the other are subjected to a temperature treatment.

Abstract: This invention concerns lasable bond-ply materials comprising a nonwoven reinforcing material and at least one resin material. The present invention also includes methods for using the bond-ply of this invention to manufacture high density multilayer printed wiring boards.

Abstract: A card display system of the present invention includes a transparent first shell part and a transparent second shell part. The first shell part has a perimeter that includes a flange that extends outwardly of the inner surface of the first shell part. The second shell part has a perimeter that is sized to matingly engage the flange of the first shell part. The inner surface of the second shell part includes a card holding depression positioned within the perimeter of the second shell part. A transparent card holding sleeve having substantially the same dimensions as the card holding depression is positionable within the card holding depression. The first and second shell parts are sealed together to encase a card.

Abstract: Primers for cyanoacrylate adhesives which are based on compounds having multiple amine groups thereon (“multi-amines”) which have at least three secondary or tertiary amine groups, at least one of which is a tertiary amine group. The multi-amine compounds are characterized by having thereon at least three terminal and/or pendant aliphatic hydrocarbon groups of at least 4 carbon atoms in length. Such primers give substantially improved bond strengths to cyanoacrylate adhesive bonded assemblies comprising a polyolefin substrate such as high density polyethylene, LDPE or polypropylene. The multi-amine may have a cascade, dendrimer, hyperbranched or comb-like structure.

Abstract: Sheets of thermoplastic material for lining structural containers and conduits, and having portions of their surfaces at the edges to be joined to each other treated with urethane, are joined and sealed by a strip of polyvinyl chloride, the interacting surface of which is prepared by hydroxyl modification for sealing with the thermoplastic sheets. The joinder is accomplished by a method that dispenses with any necessity of specially treating the surfaces at any prescribed time prior to accomplishing the joinder, and dispenses with any requirement for heat elevation during joinder. A method of joinder with the thermoplastic sheets alone is also shown.

Abstract: A printed wiring board having a conductor pattern on which a pre-flux film of a stabilized quality is to be formed using a water-soluble pre-flux liquid. To this end, such an apparatus is used which includes an etching unit 12 for etching lands 5b, 6b formed on the printed wiring board 1, a rinsing unit 13 for rinsing the printed wiring board 1, a bubble removing unit 14 for removing air bubbles 58 attached to the printed wiring board 1 on immersing the printed wiring board 1 in a water-soluble pre-flux liquid 9a in a processing vessel 56, a pre-flux forming unit 15 for forming a pre-flux film 9 on the lands 5b, 6b of the printed wiring board 1 in the pre-flux liquid 9a using an in-liquid spraying unit 61, a liquid removing unit 16 for removing the pre-flux liquid 9a from the printed wiring board 1 transported from the processing vessel 56 and a rinsing unit 17 for rinsing the printed wiring board 1.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for etching a plurality of glass panels are disclosed. The apparatus is constructed by mounting a panel holder in an etch tank equipped with a rotating means for rotating the panel holder during the etching process. The panel holder is adapted for receiving a plurality of glass panels and mounting the panels in a vertical position with at least two edges of the panels mounted in a plurality of tracks for protecting conductive elements formed on the edges of the panels and also for holding the panels securely during the rotation of the panel holder. The method for etching the panels can be carried about at a rotational speed between about 5 rpm and about 60 rpm in an etchant solution of a diluted acid such as HF having a concentration of at least 5 vol. %. A suitable immersing time for the plurality of glass panels in the diluted etchant for producing panels of smaller thicknesses is at least 3 min.