Abstract: A high strength titanium copper alloy consists of Ti at 2.0% by mass or more to 3.5% by mass or less; the balance of copper and inevitable impurities; an average grain size of 20 ?m or less; and a 0.2% proof stress expressed by “b” of 800 N/mm2 or more. The alloy further comprises a bending radius ratio (bending radius/sheet thickness) not causing cracking as expressed by “a” by a W-bending test in a transverse direction to a rolling direction, wherein “a” and “b” satisfy a?0.

Abstract: Martensitic stainless steel, characterised in that it comprises, in percentages by weight: 0.22%?C?0.32% 0.05%?N?0.15%, with 0.33%?C+N?0.43% 10%?Cr?12.4% 0.10%?V?0.40% 0.10%?Mo?1.0% trace levels?Ni?1.0% trace levels?Mn?1.0% trace levels?Si?1.0% trace levels?W?1.0% trace levels?Co?1.0% trace levels?Cu?1.0% trace levels?Ti?0.010% trace levels?Nb?0.050% trace levels?Al?0.050% trace levels?S?0.020% trace levels?O?0.0040% trace levels?P?0.03% trace levels?B?0.0050% trace levels?Ca?0.020% trace levels?Se?0.010% trace levels?La?0.040% trace levels?Ce?0.040% the remainder being iron and impurities resulting from the production operation. Method for producing a component from this steel, and component obtained in this manner, such as a mould element for the production of articles of plastics material.

Abstract: Copper alloys, methods for producing copper alloys, and copper tubes are provided. The copper alloys include an alpha solid solution formed from phosphorous deoxidized copper and at least one trace element comprising tin. The content of tin ranges from about 0.1% to about 2.0% by weight of the copper alloy. The trace element can further include zinc in an amount from about 0.05% to about 1.0% by weight of the copper alloy. The copper alloys have an increased tensile strength due to the strengthening effect by the alpha solid solution formed by phosphorous deoxidized copper and tin as the trace element, and accordingly a copper tube made from the copper alloy has a significantly improved pressure resistance.

Abstract: To provide a method of producing a strengthened alloy capable of shortening the time necessary for aging treatment and obtaining a strengthened alloy with enhanced tensile strength. The method of producing a strengthened alloy comprises a solution treatment step S1 of immersing an alloy material into molten lithium held at a solution treatment temperature higher than solution temperature of solute metal of the alloy material, a solution stop step S2 of immersing the alloy material into molten lithium held at a cooling temperature lower than the solution treatment temperature after the solution treatment step S1, an aging treatment step S3 of immersing the alloy material into molten lithium held at an aging treatment temperature lower than the solution temperature after the solution stop step S2, and an aging stop step S4 of immersing the alloy material into molten lithium held at an aging stop temperature lower than the aging treatment temperature after the aging treatment step S3.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of treating a component comprising solution treating the component for a period of about 4 to about 10 hours at a temperature of about 1750 to about 1850° F.; cooling the component to a temperature of about 1490 to about 1520° F. at an average rate of 1° F./min to about 25° F./min; stabilizing the component at about 1450 to about 1520° F. for a period of from about 1 to about 10 hours; cooling the component to room temperature; precipitation aging the component by heating the component to a first precipitation aging temperature of about 1275 to about 1375° F. for about 3 to about 15 hours; cooling the component at an average rate of 50 to about 150° F./hour to a second precipitation aging temperature of about 1100 to about 1200° F. for a time period of about 2 to about 15 hours; and cooling the component.

Abstract: A precursor composition of a reactive material that comprises a metal material and an energetic material, such as at least one oxidizer or at least one class 1.1 explosive. The metal material defines a continuous phase at a processing temperature of the precursor composition and the energetic material is dispersed therein. The metal material may be a fusible metal alloy having a melting point ranging from approximately 46° C. to approximately 250° C. The fusible metal alloy may include at least one metal selected from the group consisting of bismuth, lead, tin, cadmium, indium, mercury, antimony, copper, gold, silver, and zinc. The reactive composition may have a density of greater than approximately 2 g/cm3. The reactive composition may also include a polymer/plasticizer system.

Abstract: An assembly of a tyre and a member fitted to the tyre respectively include complementary connecting portions. The connecting portion of the member is more flexible than that of the connecting portion of the tyre.

Abstract: A method used for determining a profile depth or wear on a tread of a tire of a vehicle, and/or a tire characteristic, a magnetic field being detected by a magnetic field sensor disposed in the interior of the tire, particularly in the area of the tread on the tire interior, or at a distance from the tire, particularly in the area of a wheel housing or a wheel well of the vehicle, the magnetic field being transmitted or changed by at least one indicator element disposed in the tread on the tire exterior. The current wear state of the tread and/or the tire characteristic, particularly a tire type and/or permissible top speed, is determined based on output signals of the magnetic field sensor. The invention further relates to tires.

Abstract: A tire includes a carcass, a tread band having a radially outer tread surface and a plurality of radially extending recesses, and an anti-slip structure disposed in one of the radially extending recesses. The structure includes a cylindrical housing with a cylindrical flange and a central channel and a stud portion with a shaft and a flange. The shaft is slidingly disposed within the central channel such that a radially outer tip of the shaft may selectably extend radially outward from the cylindrical housing and from the radially outer tread surface in order to enhance traction for the tire. The radially outer tip extends from the cylindrical housing and from the radially outer tread surface when a predetermined air pressure is introduced into the radially extending recess thereby forcing the flange of the stud portion radially outward to abut the cylindrical flange of the cylindrical housing.

Abstract: A traction device for a tire having a hub for attachment to the tire's wheel. At least one arm extends outwardly from the hub, with the arm attached to a gripping section that is capable of contacting the tire. A reversible, rotatable cam attached to the arm and the gripping section controls the movement of the device.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment of a wheel rim comprises magnesium. The wheel rim has one or more flange(s) that are constructed and arranged to seat a bead portion of a tire. One exemplary embodiment of a wear resistant coating is located over the flange on at least a part of a section of the flange(s) that opposes the bead portion of the tire.

Abstract: A tyre is described that includes a casing designed to be inflated to a service pressure and equipped to accept a functional object, such as an electronic circuit, for example, by means of a two-part fastener 10, such as a touch-close fastener, for example. A first part of the fastener is attached to a wall of the casing, while the second part can be joined to the first part when placed in contact with the first part to attach and keep the object on the casing when the tyre is in service. The first part of the fastener includes a thin backing fixed to the wall of the casing and possessing a structural elongation capacity greater than or equal to that of the wall to which the thin backing is fixed. The presence of the thin backing does not significantly hinder the elongation of the wall of the casing when subjected to the stresses encountered during use of the tyre and, where relevant, during its manufacture.

Abstract: Provided is a pneumatic tire with noise reducer, which can reduce the cost for manufacturing a noise reducer and which can keep the effect to suppress cavity resonance. The pneumatic tire with noise reducer 1 comprises a pneumatic tire 3 and a noise reducer 7 attached to a tire cavity surface 6 of the tire. The noise reducer 7 is formed into a ring shape by butting both end faces 12e of elongated sponge material 12 disposed along the tire circumferential direction. In the noise reducer 7, moreover, a butt-joint face 8 formed by butting both of the end faces 12e of the sponge material 12 is a substantive plane.

Abstract: A tire includes: a carcass structure including at least one carcass ply, a belt structure, a tread band radially superimposed on the belt structure; two sidewalls; the belt structure including: at least one pair of lateral reinforcing layers incorporating reinforcing elements oriented in a substantially circumferential direction; a first belt layer radially superimposed on the pair of lateral reinforcing layers, provided with reinforcing elements inclined with respect to the equatorial plane of the tire; a second belt layer radially superimposed on the first belt layer, provided with reinforcing elements inclined with respect to the equatorial plane in a direction opposite to those of the first belt layer; an external belt layer applied in a radially external position with respect to the first and the second belt layers. Preferably, the tire is a super single wide base heavy load vehicle tire. The tire is particularly useful for heavy load vehicles such as, for example, trucks, trailers, or buses.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pneumatic tire with an improved driveability and a reduced weight as well as a maintained traveling durability, and particularly a pneumatic tire having a high post cure inflation pressure, and being best suited as a pneumatic tire for a light truck with a high air pressure. In the pneumatic tire, twisted cords formed of a polyketone fiber represented by the following formula (a), and having a thermal shrinkage stress value, at a dry heat temperature of 150° C., of not less than 0.19 cN/dtex are used as cords for forming a carcass layer: —(CH2—CH2—CO)n-(R—CO—)m-??formula (a); where the relationship between n and m is represented by the following formula (b), and R represents an alkylene group having 3 or more carbon atoms: 1.05?(n+m)/n?1.00??formula (b).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite ball-bouncing tyre, comprising a subtyre and an inner tube inside it, wherein the subtyre includes a space between a ring-shaped base and its side walls, and the space includes a plurality of rails and fastening grooves that are arranged at intervals on its inner walls. A slope part that converges against the rolling-forward direction is established atop on both sides of the plurality of the rails, and at the bottom of the fastening grooves, there is a plurality of fixing grooves. One or more resilient balls are established in each rail and the inner tube includes a plurality of fixing parts on top of outer walls of a base component. When the subtyre and inner tube rolls, the resilient balls will be pushed into the rails along the slope part and be pressed to bounce, thus producing supplementary force to drive the tyre to move forward.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a radial tire for an aircraft having a belt structure capable of sufficiently satisfying a demand for recent high pressure resistance without increase in tire weight and more particularly to a radial tire for an aircraft having a carcass serving as a framework and toroidally extending between a pair of bead portions, and a belt disposed on a radially outer side of the carcass and consisting of at least two belt layers consisting of plies having a plurality of organic fiber cords coated with rubber, wherein the belt is configured in such a manner that elongation at break Lout of a radially outermost belt layer is smaller than elongation at break Lin of a radially innermost belt layer, a ratio Lout/Lin satisfies the relationship 0.8<Lout/Lin<0.95, and elongation at break of a radially outer belt layer is not more than elongation at break of a radially inner belt layer between respective radially adjacent belt layers.

Abstract: Process for manufacturing a tyre, includes the following steps: (a) winding at least one metal wire so as to form a plurality of coils, the coils being radially superimposed and axially arranged side-by-side with respect to one another, so as to obtain a bead core; (b) applying at least one layer of a crosslinkable elastomeric material to the bead core obtained in step (a), so as to obtain a coated bead core; (c) partially crosslinking the at least one layer of crosslinkable elastomeric material, so as to obtain an amount of free sulfur of 30% by weight to 70% by weight, preferably of 40% by weight to 65% by weight, more preferably of 50% by weight to 60% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the sulfur present in the crosslinkable elastomeric material; and (d) applying a bead filler to the radial outer surface of the bead core obtained in step (c), so as to obtain a bead structure for a green tyre.

Abstract: Uncured thermosetting resins are loaded with relatively high amounts of solid thermoplastic resin particles to form a resin precursor. The resin precursor is heat treated so as to produce an uncured resin composition wherein the thermoplastic resin particles become substantially dissolved in the thermosetting resin without causing cure of the resin mixture. Heat treatment of highly loaded thermosetting resins in accordance with the present invention provides uncured resin compositions that are well suited for use in fabricating composite structures and particularly prepreg for use in lightning protection surface coatings.

Abstract: A flexible, durable, cushioning and/or resilient adhesive-backed tape for use with a radiation therapy mask for protecting a user from sharp or pointed curved edges defined thereby. The adhesive is capable of securing the tape to the edges of a radiation therapy mask for an extended period of time. The adhesive tape includes a resilient and/or compressive layer that defines an axially-extending, substantially solid central portion and at least one peripheral portion that defines a plurality of segments that extend from said central portion. The segments allow the tape to conformably attach to a curved edge of a mask and substantially cover and cushion the edge. A liner is removably adhered to the compressive layer for selectively exposing the adhesive and readying the tape for use.

Abstract: An ethylene-butene copolymer prepared from ethylene monomer and butene monomer, the ethylene-butene copolymer including at least 78 mole % ethylene and no greater than 22 mole % butene, and a hot melt adhesive composition including from 40% by weight to 90% by weight of the ethylene-butene copolymer, tackifying agent, and wax.

Abstract: A method for creating imagery on a surface by establishing a visual boundary between two surface color regions and applying a dry transfer object proximate the visual boundary such that when the dry transfer object is substantially the same color as one of the surface regions, a negative space effect is created within the second surface color region to define thereby a desired image.

Abstract: A floor covering includes a wear layer including a resin and a photoinitiator in which the composition of the wear layer is curable by radiation having the strongest wavelength in the UVV range of 400 to 450 nm. The gloss of the wear layer can be controlled by controlling the amount of flatting agent in the composition applied to the surface, the amount of power applied to the surface coated with the composition or the temperature of the surface coated with the composition when the coated surface is subjected to the UVV radiation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a flocked article is provided that includes an elastomeric film and a plurality of flock fibers on a flocked surface of the film. The flock fibers are embedded in the film.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the gap between a horn and an anvil in an ultrasonic welding system includes the act of positioning a horn proximal to an anvil, so that a gap is established between the horn and the anvil. A force is applied to the horn, so as to urge the horn toward the anvil. A deformable stop is positioned at a location, such that application of the urging force causes a member operatively connected to the horn to abut the deformable stop, and to deform the stop. The urging force is iteratively adjusted during operation of the horn, so as to adjust the extent of the deformation of the deformable stop, and to maintain the gap between the horn and the anvil substantially constant.

Abstract: A system for forming a looped suture is provided. The system includes a suture supply assembly configured for supplying thread, a flipper gripping assembly configured for forming a loop in the thread, a carriage assembly configured for advancing the thread through the forming process, and a welding assembly configured for securing the loop in the thread.

Abstract: This invention teaches a method to manufacture a mass filter or ion trap especially a quadrupole type with hyperbolic-shaped poles. The method uses at least one outer bracket to hold and align electrodes, poles or rods in place while fixing these rods to holders by adhesive and fastener. Then the bracket(s) can be removed without damaging the critical parts of this newly assembled quadrupole. A method for manufacturing the brackets is also taught to show the main advantage of this manufacturing method.

Abstract: A patch may be used to rework a composite structure in the filed. The patch is bonded to the structure by a layer of adhesive and includes perforations that allow the escape of air from the adhesive as the patch is compressed against the structure. A spacer may be introduced between the patch and the structure to control the thickness of the adhesive layer.

Abstract: A patch is used to rework an area of a structure. The patch is bonded to the structure by a layer of adhesive. A spacer placed between the patch and the structure is used to control the thickness of the adhesive and/or a bondline.

Abstract: The present invention provides the following process for producing a glass resin composite which has sufficient transportability, handling efficiency and fabrication properties even when the glass is extremely thin, without impairing the chemical resistance, the abrasion resistance, the gas barrier properties, etc. of the glass, and the process being capable of continuous operation.

Abstract: A process for building tyres for vehicle wheels includes the steps of: i) building a carcass structure of a green tyre in at least one carcass structure building line, the carcass structure including at least one carcass ply and a pair of annular anchoring structures; ii) building a crown structure of a green tyre in at least one crown structure building line, the crown structure including a belt structure and a tread band; wherein step ii) of building the crown structure includes at least one step iii) of building the belt structure which in turn includes the steps of: a) building on at least one first building drum, an annular assembly including a first radially inner belt layer and at least a second belt layer radially external to the first belt layer; b) transferring the annular assembly on at least one auxiliary drum; c) turning up axially opposite end portions of the fast radially inner belt layer so as to obtain at least a partial overlapping of the end portions of the first belt layer on the at least

Abstract: A process for manufacturing tyres for vehicle wheels includes building on a forming support a carcass structure including at least one carcass ply, and, at at least one end edge of the carcass ply, at least one annular anchoring structure including at least one substantially circumferential annular insert and at least one filling insert associated with the at least one substantially circumferential annular insert. Building the carcass structure includes positioning the annular anchoring structure on the carcass ply by moving the substantially circumferential annular insert into contact with an end edge of the carcass ply by means of a special positioning member, pulling down the filling insert on the end edge of the carcass ply and turning up a free end portion of the end edge of the carcass ply so as to form a turned up end portion of the carcass ply including the annular anchoring structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the production of a tubular structural component. A tubular moulding tool having an inner mould surface which is shaped corresponding to an outer surface of the structural component is provided. A support surface of an expandable support which is formed such that in an unexpanded state, it fills the moulding tool, leaving an expansion spacing of the support surface to the mould surface, is covered with a tubular fibre-woven fabric. After the support has been arranged in the moulding tool, the fibre-woven fabric is pressed against the mould surface by expanding the support and is infiltrated by a curable matrix. From another point of view, a device is provided for the production of a tubular structural component.

Abstract: An absorbent wearing article including an air permeable and liquid-impervious backsheet and a liquid-retentive absorbent structure placed on the backsheet. An outer sheet has having elastic members is placed on and bonded to a surface of the backsheet opposed to its surface bonded to the absorbent structure. The outer sheet has the elastic members intermittently bonded under tension thereto, and is formed in a region thereof facing the absorbent structure with an opening. The elastic members extend laterally under tension from a peripheral edge of the opening beyond the absorbent structure and the first backsheet is exposed through the opening.

Abstract: Two methods to achieve a tandem solar cell are disclosed. The first involves stacking together two or more complete polymer solar cells, each having a polymer blend active layer. The individual solar cells can be connected either in series or in parallel. In the second method, two individual polymer solar cells are first constructed and then laminated together to form a tandem structure. The lamination can be metal-free, thus resulting in translucent polymer solar cells.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube-infused fiber and a method for its production are disclosed. Nanotubes are synthesized directly on a parent fiber by first applying a catalyst to the fiber. The properties of the carbon nanotube-infused fiber will be a combination of those of the parent fiber as well as those of the infused carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a film having a tensile modulus of elasticity of 220 MPa or more is adopted as a surface substrate film for a motor vehicle brake disc antirust film. If needed, the surface substrate film is made to further contain an ultraviolet absorber in a proportion of 0.01 to 20 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the surface substrate film in such a way that the spectral transmittance of the surface substrate film in a wavelength region from 200 to 380 nm falls within a range from 0 to 20%. The present invention can provide a surface substrate film for a motor vehicle brake disc antirust film which surface substrate film is hardly peeled off when adhered onto a motor vehicle wheel.

Abstract: Tapes are attached to a long support film, and the support film is attached to a frame member at positions where the tape to be stuck to an adherent, such as a semiconductor wafer, is included in a frame of a frame member. The support film is pressed to stick the tape to the adherend, and the support film is released from the tape. The support film is transferred and the above operations are repeated to stick the tapes to the respective adherends. In this manner, the tension to the tape is diffused to the support film, and the frame member causes the tension of the support film to reside outside of the frame. Accordingly, the tape stuck to the adherend has reduced residual stress and the adherend such as a thin semiconductor wafer to which the tape has been stuck is free from warpage which would otherwise be caused by a tape applied under tension.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an inner covering part for motor vehicles, the method comprising the steps: collecting raw material layers, inserting said raw material layers together with a glue between said raw material layers into a molding tool (11) such that said raw material layers make up a stack (1) in said molding tool (11) and at least a part of the surface of said stack (1) is adjacent to a cavity (6) of the closed molding tool (11), introducing a molding material into the cavity (6). In said molding tool (11), raw material layers of said stack (1), not yet connected before their introduction, are glued together under heat supply or pressure or both.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preparing a flexible substrate with uniformly spaced images and corresponding physical or virtual registration marks at regular intervals, applying an energy curable coating to the flexible substrate either uniformly or in selected spots, and providing a master web carrying uniformly spaced impressing images and corresponding registration marks at regular intervals, where accurate alignment of the registration marks of the flexible substrate and the master web is achieved by stretching the master web to align the registration marks.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention are directed to formation of mesoscale or microscale devices using electrochemical fabrication techniques where structures are formed from a plurality of layers as opened structures which can be folded over or other otherwise combined to form structures of desired configuration. Each layer is formed from at least one structural material and at least one sacrificial material. The initial formation of open structures may facilitate release of the sacrificial material, ability to form fewer layers to complete a structure, ability to locate additional materials into the structure, ability to perform additional processing operations on regions exposed while the structure is open, and/or the ability to form completely encapsulated and possibly hollow structures.

Abstract: It is provided that a method and a system for manufacturing an optical display device, which make it possible to bond an optical member and an optical display unit together with a certain degree of cleanliness maintained. The method for manufacturing an optical display device including an optical display unit (W) and an optical member (11, 12) bonded to the optical display unit (W), which includes a bonding step for bonding the optical member (11, 12) to the optical display unit (W) in an environment with an airflow.

Abstract: A method of connecting a plastic workpiece to a further workpiece and a device for carrying out the method are shown and described. The object of providing a method with which a positive-locking connection between a plastic workpiece and a further workpiece can be produced in a short time and without considerable outlay in terms of apparatus is achieved by a method comprising the following steps: providing a plastic workpiece and a further workpiece, placing the further workpiece against the plastic workpiece, providing a connecting element on a surface of the plastic workpiece, this surface being opposite the surface against which the further workpiece bears, producing a recess in the further workpiece, this recess being provided on the surface bearing against the plastic workpiece, heating the connecting element, so that the material of the connecting element is plasticized, and pressing plasticized material into the recess.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for quick, flexible and quality laser welding of plastic articles. In the method, a laser beam is directed via scanner mirrors at an object being welded. According to the invention, in the method, the movement of the scanner mirrors is controlled and adjusted; and the moving speed of the laser beam is increased by increasing the focal distance to be more than 200 mm; and the moving speed of the laser beam is arranged to be more than 10 m/s; and the laser beam is moved several times along a predetermined welding track.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of interconnecting electronic components of a first wafer (T1) with electronic components of a second wafer (T2), each wafer having metallized vias (1) which pass through the wafer in the thickness direction. The method includes deposition of a drop (3) of conductive ink containing solvents on each via (1) of the first wafer (T1); stacking of the second wafer (T2) on the first so that the vias (1) of the second wafer (T2) are substantially superposed on the vias (1) of the first wafer (T1); removal of 50 to 90% of the solvents contained in the drops (3) by heating or applying a vacuum, so as to obtain a pasty ink; and laser sintering of the pasty ink drops (3) so as to produce electrical connections (31) between the superposed metallized vias (1).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a fiber-reinforced composite sabot for use in APFSDS (Armor Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot) which has improved strength to weight ratio with low weight and high strength by using one-directional fiber prepreg ply lamination method. In order to prevent delamination of the radially laminated composite sabot, short fibers are deposited on the interfacial plane thereby spreading the expansion force to fiber as well as the resin.

Abstract: An improved semi-automatic Label Stripping Machine for detaching labels from a round container is disclosed. The container is placed between a rotatable idler and a rotatable platform. The container is rotated on its central vertical axis by rotating the platform. A plurality of peeler assemblies are brought in contact with the label and are moved down the outside surface of the container there by spirally striping off the label. The apparatus further comprises a guide that provides provide improved safety and a self-cleaning feature.

Abstract: A gas distribution apparatus for a plasma processing equipment is provided. The gas distribution apparatus includes a support plate (3) and a showerhead electrode (5) that are secured together parallelly to define a chamber for gas distribution. A first gas distribution plate (4) is arranged in the chamber horizontally. On an upper surface of the gas distribution plate (4), at least one circumferential gas-flow groove (41) around its axis and a plurality of radial gas-flow grooves (42) communicating with the at least one circumferential gas-flow groove (41) is arranged. A plurality of axial viahole (43) are formed in the at least one circumferential gas-flow groove (41) and the plurality of radial gas-flow grooves (42). The gas distribution apparatus can achieve a uniform gas distribution in the plasma processing equipment.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automated fiber joint placement machine mandrel configuration where the lap joint is preferably parallel to the mold surface. Accordingly, the user may shim the mandrel segments without otherwise affecting the integrity of the seal. A lap joint is preferably utilized wherein mandrel segments are split at the stringer centerline through the middle of the hat or through the cap of the stringer. The lap joint is preferably designed such that the face sheets of the mandrel segments preferably lie flat on top of one another when placed in contact. The seal plane is thus protected.

Abstract: A system for applying ultrasonic energy to a workpiece, the system including a horn stack; a mounting system upon which the horn stack is mounted; a source of energy coupled to the horn stack; an anvil having a surface for supporting the workpiece; and a controller configured to receive a resonant frequency of the horn stack, and to determine a quantity standing in known relation to a change in gap between the horn stack and the anvil.