Abstract: The present invention provides a needle clean device and a sealant coater having the device. The needle clean device comprises: two opposing guide tracks (52), two stand bars (56) respectively and slidably installed on the two guide tracks (52), two motors (54) respectively fixedly connected to the two stand bars (56) and two opposing catches (57) respectively located on the two stand bars (56), and dents (69) are respectively located at opposing side surfaces of the two catches (57), and the stand bars (56) can be driven by the motors (54) to move back and forth along the guide tracks (52) to drive the two catches (57) close to or depart from each other and to close the two dents (69) to form a hole or to open the two dents (69). According to the needle clean device located by the present invention, the catches are utilized to automatically scrape the sealant accumulated on the needle without manual clean. The work efficiency is raised and the production quality is promoted.

Abstract: Three-wheel, mobile frame adapted to secure one or more nozzles, wand, and spray control power, pressure washer to a main spar with a caster type front wheel assembly connected to the main spar and main wheel assembly comprising two axle mounted, main wheels. The spar includes a support leg attached at a point behind the main wheel assembly and descending downward to prevent inadvertent back-tipping of the three-wheel, mobile frame in response to cleaning fluid discharged against the flat surface to be cleaned under pressure from the nozzle when the unit is not fully controlled by the operator. Multiple nozzles may be attached to a nozzle that is attached to the wand in place of a single nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed toward methods of cleaning and descaling surfaces contaminated with food soils, especially clean-in-place systems. More particularly, the methods according to the present invention also provide for sanitizing of surfaces contaminated with food soils. Thus, there is provided a single cleaning cycle that may clean, sanitize, and descale food-soiled surfaces, and in certain embodiments, without the need for a pre-rinse step, using a non-chlorine detergent composition. The methods comprise a cleaning step and a post-rinsing step. In certain embodiments, a pre-rinse step is utilized, in which the volume of pre-rinse fluid used is less than 50% of the volume of cleaning solution used in the cleaning step.

Abstract: Provided are a washing device and a washing method that can remove burnt body fluid adhered to a medical instrument. The washing device can remove the burned component which adhered to a tip end portion of a surgical instrument by applying a physical force caused by the pressure of cleaning agent-dissolved water ejected from a cleaning nozzle member in addition to a chemical force caused by a cleaning agent contained in the cleaning agent-dissolved water.

Abstract: A washing plant (10) comprises a battery (12) of washing and heat-disinfection machines (14, 16, 18) disposed along an alignment axis (X), able to operate in parallel with respect to each other in order to effect the washing and heat-disinfection, at least a translator slider (20) mobile in an automatic manner parallel to the alignment axis (X) in a front position to said battery (12), which receives the objects to be washed and both transports them in correspondence to the entrance of one of the machines (14, 16, 18) selected on each occasion depending on the washing program set or depending on availability, and moves them inside the desired machine (14, 16, 18) in a direction of feed (F) substantially perpendicular to said alignment axis (X), transport means (24) being provided to direct the objects to be washed toward the translator slider (20) operating in a direction of transport (Y) substantially parallel to said alignment axis (X).

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-cleaning self-regenerating surface structure and/or a self-cleaning self-regenerating coating. For improving the cleaning function, the invention proposes a self-regenerating surface structure, especially coating, comprising biocatalytic and/or anti-icing molecules on an exposed surface of said surface structure, especially coating, and biocatalytic and/or anti-icing molecules embedded or contained in said surface structure, especially coating. Further, the invention relates to an object provided with such surface structure or coating and a method for producing the same.

Abstract: A waste processing system includes a receptacle for waste material, including bags of waste, and a liquid to be mixed with the waste. The receptacle has an inlet, a waste outlet, and at least one nozzle opening with at least one slicing nozzle that sprays a slicing fluid under pressure sufficient to manipulate the waste material. The system includes a pump for chopping the waste material and circulating and mixing the liquid and waste material, a waste inlet conduit, and a waste outlet conduit. The receptacle, pump, waste inlet and waste outlet conduits define a closed, pressurized waste processing circuit for circulating the liquid and waste. The system also includes a heating system to heat the liquid and waste to effect biological neutralization of the liquid and waste material, and all surfaces of the waste processing system with which the waste material being processed comes into contact.

Abstract: A control computer for a rolling train is supplied with prescribed stand parameters of a rolling stand of the rolling train. The control computer sets variables describing a rolling pass of the rolling stand that together with initial data of a flat piece to be rolled and the stand data describe the resultant roll nip and the asymmetry thereof. The initial data may be width, average thickness and average strength of the workpiece to be rolled. Based on the initial data, the stand data and the set variables an expected delivery taper and/or an expected strip sabre for the workpiece is determined. At least one of the set variables is manipulated to bring the determined delivery taper close to a desired delivery taper and/or the strip sabre close to a desired strip sabre. The manipulated variables are used to control rolling the workpiece piece.

Abstract: A progressive forming machine having a frame supporting a plurality of workstations uniformly spaced in a horizontal plane, a transfer mechanism for shifting parts from one station to another and from a last station to a discharge station, a conveyor in the frame for lowering parts from the transfer discharge station, the conveyor having individual part carriers, the conveyor being arranged to present a carrier beneath the discharge station in timed relation to the operating cycle of the machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to an extrusion press or tube press (1), in particular for aluminum or aluminum alloys, comprising a press frame which consists of a cylinder bar and a counter bar (3) connected thereto, and in which a moving bar and a moving block receiver (2) are arranged, the moving block receiver being formed to move a block to be pressed, introduced with a loading device, into a compression position in front of the counter bar (3) having a die, characterized in that a shearing device (4) is provided for separating a butt remaining after the extrusion process, and the shearing device (4) is vertically and horizontally movable on the extrusion frame. The invention further relates to a method for separating a butt during extrusion and tube extrusion using an extrusion press or tube press according to the invention.

Abstract: The system for forming a T-shaped tubular fitting is configured for forming a T-shaped tubular part from an unbranched tubular part. The system includes an upper portion and a lower portion below the upper portion. A pushing block is disposed above the upper portion of the system. Compressible first and second side punches, respectively, extend from opposing sides of the upper portion. The upper portion includes a flat plate with a horizontal channel extending therethrough. The lower portion includes a housing with a vertical channel extending therethrough. The vertical channel extends normal to the horizontal channel. An insert can be disposed in the tubular part in alignment with the vertical channel. The horizontal channel and the vertical channel together define a T-shaped cavity. The T-shaped tubular fitting can be formed upon application of pressure to the pushing block.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding wire to wire-processing machines, in which the wire is drawn off from a pay-off reel holding a wire coil and rotatable about a spindle and fed to a wire feeder upstream of the wire-processing machine, wherein at least one wire-deflecting device, via which the wire drawn off from the pay-off reel is guided and released towards the wire feeder, is connected downstream of the pay-off reel in the wire draw-off direction, and wherein a wire-storage device is provided upstream of the wire feeder, this apparatus presents a guide path, forming a closed circuit, on which the wire runs and the diameter of which can be altered between a smaller value corresponding to an inner radial position of the guide path and a larger value corresponding to an outer radial position of the guide path, wherein the guide path is spring-pretensioned towards the outer radial position.

Abstract: Method for coiling and on-line inspection of a continuously-rolled metal strip, involving continuous coiling on at least one mandrel of a coiling station, preferably of carousel type, wherein: the strip is cut by a shears situated before the coiling station, advances over a certain length on an insertion table so as to at least partially cover this table and is then cut a second time by the shears in order to obtain a specimen; —the coiling performed on the mandrel is terminated and the coil is discharged from the coiling station; at the same time, the insertion table bearing the specimen is moved parallel to the rolling-coiling line until it lies in an inspection line comprising an inspection table; —the specimen is inspected on the inspection table so that faults can be detected; —once the specimen has left the insertion table, the latter is placed back in the rolling-coiling line.

Abstract: A pipe bender, including: a base; a frame including a position switching mechanism, a first position switching assembly, and a bending stand including a second position switching assembly; a calibration device; a feeding device; a cutting device; a feeding path arranged transversely; a bending device; a receiving device arranged longitudinally; and a controller. The calibration device includes two calibration mechanisms including separate processing paths to calibrate two kinds of pipes having different diameters. The feeding device includes two feeding channels for transporting the two kinds of pipes, and the first position switching assembly is used for aligning the two feeding channels with the feeding path in turn. The bending device includes two bending channels for bending the two kinds of pipes, and the second position switching assembly is used for aligning the two bending channels with the feeding path in turn.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating for high-temperature uses with tribological stress. The coating comprises a multi-layer system and a top lubricant layer, the top lubricant layer containing molybdenum as a main component.

Abstract: A method for producing a reducing nipple and a reducing nipple that may be used in place of the conventional pipe nipple/threaded reducer assembly typically used today to connect a branch or run pipe extending horizontally parallel to and positioned above a ceiling or in an open ceiling to a sprinkler head, where the nipple has an outlet end portion with an outlet and a wrenching portion, the method of producing a reducing nipple involving engaging a pipe section with a crimping die under the application of a crimping force.

Abstract: A wire saw which has excellent cutting ability and which is not easily clogged by chips formed by cutting is provided. It has a body 6 having a first metal wire 1 which is made of a cobalt-based alloy, two second metal wires 2a and 2b which are made of a cobalt-based alloy, and three third metal wires 3a-3c which are made of a cobalt-based alloy and are wound on the first metal wire 1. The second metal wires 2a and 2b are helically wound on each of the third metal wires 3a-3c in opposite directions so as to cross each other. Cutting teeth are constituted by projections 8 which are formed by the crossing points of the two second metal wires 2a and 2b.

Abstract: A rolling die for forming a screw thread on a screw blank is disclosed. The rolling die has a plurality of grooves, where the grooves each have two flanks as seen in cross-section. At least a portion of each of the grooves has a forming area in which the size of a profile angle enclosed by the flanks decreases continuously along the grooves.

Abstract: A forging method according to the present invention includes the steps of placing a work having a first shape which is a rectangular hexahedron in a work space of a forging die which has a rectangular opening, which is formed by rectangular plane wall portions, and which is provided with the work space to hold the work in a placement step and applying a plastic strain to the work by deforming the placed work into a second shape which is a rectangular hexahedron in a working step, with the placement step and the working step being performed at least two times.

Abstract: A combination collar feeder and swaging tool for installing lockbolt fasteners. The collar feeder is mounted on the tool to present collars one-by-one from a cartridge. After placing a collar on a lockbolt shank, the feeder moves out of alignment with the nose assembly to allow it to advance onto the collar for swaging purposes.

Abstract: A molding device for vacuum casting a metal ingot is provided. The mold includes a mold cavity defined by an ingot mold, a core and a bottom. The mold is arranged inside a vacuum-cast enclosure and includes a source of introducing molten metal at the upper portion thereof. A distribution device for receiving and distributing molten metal, which is suitable for receiving the molten steel introduced into the vacuum-cast enclosure and for redistributing the molten metal in the mold cavity, is arranged at the upper portion of the mold cavity. The molten metal is introduced into the enclosure so as to form a first jet of molten steel under a vacuum, in order to pour the molten metal over the distribution device and to form at least one second jet of molten steel under a vacuum, which originates with the distribution device and terminates in the mold cavity so as to fill the mold cavity with molten metal.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for loading one or more alloy ingots into a molding machine. The apparatus includes a holder configured to hold a plurality of the alloy ingots and dispense one or more of the alloy ingots into a melt zone of the molding machine through an opening in a mold of the machine. The holder is moved in a perpendicular direction with respect to an axis along a center of the opening in the mold between a first position in line with the opening in the mold to dispense one or more of the alloy ingots and a second position away from the opening in the mold. The apparatus can carry ingots of amorphous alloy material so that when the machine melts and molds the material, it forms a bulk amorphous alloy containing part.

Abstract: A process for producing a casing for a roller press for subjecting particulate matter to be ground to high pressure treatment, the casing having a profiling defined by profile comb, wherein the process includes the steps of casting a cylindrical hollow body and introducing axial longitudinal grooves onto the surface of the cylindrical hollow body. The material for casting is of a particular composition, where that composition includes, among other components, between 0.0012% and 0.0027%, by weight, of phosphorus (P).

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a semi-solidified metal has a heating device which heats a metal material, a vessel, a cooling device which cools the vessel, and a pouring device which pours the metal material into the vessel. The vessel has a hollow member which configures a wall of the vessel and is opened at both of the upper and lower ends and into which the metal material is poured from the upper opening, and a bottom member which closes the lower opening of the hollow member and configures the bottom of the vessel. The cooling speed of the metal material by the bottom member is faster than the cooling speed of the metal material by the hollow member.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of manufacture of metal or alloy powders that uses liquid phase reduction of a metal halide, or a mixture of metal halides, to produce a metal particle coated in salts produced as a reaction byproduct. The reaction conditions can be chosen to select a range of metal particle sizes, and the salt coating prevents oxidation (or reaction with other atmospheric gases) and permits a range of applications hitherto difficult to achieve using metal powders.

Abstract: A tool holder for carrying a cutting insert wherein the cutting insert is useful for the removal of material during a material removal operation. The tool holder includes a tool holder body. The tool holder body includes a pocket adapted to carry the cutting insert, a coolant inlet in communication with a pressurized source of coolant, a coolant chamber having a central region, an upstream coolant passage having a central longitudinal upstream coolant passage axis, and a downstream coolant passage having a central longitudinal downstream coolant passage axis. The upstream coolant passage opens into the coolant chamber. The upstream coolant passage has an orientation relative to the coolant chamber so that the central longitudinal upstream coolant passage axis is offset from the central region of the coolant chamber whereby coolant flows into the coolant chamber in a tangential fashion.

Abstract: A double-sided cutting insert for a drilling tool includes a top side, a bottom side, and at least one side surface interconnecting the top side and the bottom side and forming at least one cutting edge. The top side and the bottom side comprise a different external profile and chip groove geometry and an identical inscribed circle, and each of the top side and the bottom side comprises four indexable cutting edges.

Abstract: A groove insert to be received in a tool holder has, along its top and bottom side and on its rear side, a holding structure which is formed by holding faces which taper toward one another and by way of which the groove insert is fixed in the tool holder in a positive locking manner. The tool holder has corresponding counter faces. The groove insert and the tool holder form a groove cutting tool.

Abstract: A toolholder includes a cutting tool mounted to a head attached to a collar at a first end of the toolholder. A shank is located at a second, opposite end of the toolholder. A central cavity extends inwardly from the first end toward the shank. A passive vibration absorber assembly is disposed within the central cavity. The passive vibration absorber assembly includes an absorber body and an absorber cap attached to the absorber body. The absorber body has a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and one or more cavities formed in the second end. The one or more cavities of the absorber body are partially of wholly filled with metal or ceramic particles or powders to provide particle damping for suppressing vibration of the toolholder.

Abstract: An apparatus for clamping a component on a rotating machine part, in particular a balancing machine, having a basic body, having a clamping mandrel, which is arranged in an axially displaceable manner within the basic body, and having a plurality of clamping devices, which can be moved between a release position and a clamping position by axial displacement of the clamping mandrel. In order to make it possible for components to be clamped centrally with repeated accuracy, the clamping devices are designed as clamping segments which can be displaced radially in relation to the center axis of the basic body above the latter.

Abstract: A collet adaptor (10) including a body (11, 12) having forward and rear ends and an axial bore (17) extending through the forward and rear ends. A drawbar (13) disposed at least partly within the bore (17) for connection to a collet (14). The drawbar (13) is secured within the bore (17) and a biasing arrangement (42) acts on the drawbar (13) in a direction tending to shift the drawbar (13) rearwardly within the bore (17). The drawbar (13) is displaceable within the bore (17) against the biasing influence of the biasing arrangement (42) to shift forwardly within the bore (17).

Abstract: A collet adaptor 20 including a work piece clamp mechanism 29. The collet adaptor 20 is rotatable about a first axis A and the work piece clamp mechanism 29 is mounted within the collet adaptor 20 for rotation with the collect adaptor 20. The clamp mechanism 29 is also mounted for movement laterally to the first axis A during rotation of the collet adaptor 29. The clamp mechanism 29 can also be mounted within the collect adaptor 20 for rotational movement lateral to the first axis A during rotation of the collect adaptor 20.

Abstract: A coated hole cutter including an ink-based colored coating applied only to the external surface of the cylindrical blade body of the hole cutter, but not to the surfaces of a circumferentially-extending cutting edge or to the interior surface of the blade body. The ink-based color coating is an ultraviolet activated ink that cures when the coating is exposed to a specific ultraviolet light intensity and wavelength. At least the surfaces of the cutting edge and the internal surface of the blade body, which do not include the coating, have a steam tempered oxide finish that imparts a color that contrasts with the color imparted by the coating.

Abstract: A drill cutting insert has a cutting edge at a transition between a side surface and a top side which is formed with n identical cutting corners and n identical partial cutting edges —with n?{3, 4} —extending between the cutting corners. Each of the n partial cutting edges has: adjoining a first cutting corner, a main lip which is straight in plan view of the top side; adjoining the other cutting corner, a secondary lip which is straight in plain view of the top side, and a transition section, via which the main lip and the secondary lip merge into one another and which has a convex section adjoining the main lip and a concave section adjoining the secondary lip. The main and secondary lips enclose on the outside an angle a ?<180° in plan view of the top side.

Abstract: Implementations of key blank carriers or key blanks with a standard reference features may include alignment features on a key blank head, key blank tip, a key blank carrier coupled to a key blank sleeve and/or a key blank sleeve, and any feature directly attached to any portion of the key that may be used for referencing in the key duplication system, or any combination of these. The standard reference features may allow any key blank brand model to interface with the machine so as to consistently align each key, regardless of its make and model, for cutting in a universally configured key blank clamp that is clamped to reduce the movement of the key blank during duplication cutting.

Abstract: A universal clamping assembly for a key duplicating machine is described. The clamping assembly comprises a housing having a pair of opposed flat guide rail support surfaces and a sliding tip clamp is guidingly displaceable along each of the guide rail support surfaces and are urged against the tip of the key and key blank blades which are positioned on the guide rails. A pivoting clamp is displaceably engageable on a forward top edge of the respective key blades to apply a downward force on the key blades to ensure that the lower edge of the key blades is firmly resting against the guide rail support surfaces. A pair of cam operated side clamps is actuable to further clamp the blade on their sides at two distinct areas. The universal clamping assembly is capable of accommodating different key and key blank lengths, widths and thicknesses. The method of clamping the key and key blank is also described.

Abstract: Cutting insert with a cuboid body has a substantially square top face and bottom face, said top face and bottom face connected by four peripheral adjoining side surfaces. At least two cutting edges are formed at the transition of the top face to at least two side surfaces, that cutting edges defining a plane of the top face. To provide a cutting insert and a corresponding tool suited to produce valve seat surfaces with high precision but still having a rather simple construction and being precisely mountable with ease and less efforts of adjustment, the plane defined by the top face cutting edges of the cutting insert has maximum dimensions of 7 mm×7 mm, where the bottom face has a supporting surface formed exactly parallel to the plane defined by the top face cutting edges by means of grinding within a tolerance of less than 5 angular minutes.

Abstract: An apparatus for machining a tubular piece, wherein the apparatus includes a frame element, support rollers, which are associated with the frame element, support a workpiece and rotate the same around its longitudinal axis. In addition, the frame element is provided with a machining unit adapted to be movable towards and away from the workpiece. The machining unit includes a tool member, such as for example a cutting tool, as well as support wheels adapted to bear against a workpiece. The machining unit is arranged to link up with the frame element through the use of an auxiliary frame element adapted to clamp itself thereto at not less than two support points, for example through the use of a self wedging assembly implemented with an indentation.

Abstract: An apparatus for transverse cutting of a web has a frame straddling the web path, a side frame on each side of the web path and an upper frame between the two side frames, a circular saw blade suspended in a pendulum arm pivotably connected to the upper frame, a swinging drive for controlling the swinging movement of the saw blade, wherein the pendulum arm is pivotably mounted in a vertically movable sub-frame of the upper frame, and the vertical movement of the sub-frame relative to the upper frame is managed by a lifting drive that is coordinated with the swinging drive. Also disclosed is a method for transverse cutting a web.

Abstract: A flush cut grinder tool bit made of an elongated cylindrical shape with an inwardly facing saw blade within the inner diameter of the elongated cylindrical shape that can be sleeved over a protruding object, such that the cutting saw blade portion of the tool bit is inside the cylindrical tool bit so that when it is sleeved over a protruding object, moving the tool bit back and forth over the protruding object will cut the protruding object off at the surface. The body of the drill bit terminates at its distal end with a flush flange having saw teeth therein, and may include a bit shank suspended in the middle of a drill bit body by spokes or a solid surface radially extending from said bit shank. A method of using such a flush cut grinder tool bit is included.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a bolt having a threaded portion with a longitudinal axis of rotation. The apparatus includes a bolt receiving portion and a cleaning member. The bolt receiving portion has a throughway configured to receive the threaded portion of the bolt when the threaded portion is rotating about the longitudinal axis of rotation. The cleaning member is coupled to the bolt receiving portion and has a plurality of cleaning projections positioned to contact and clean the threaded portion of the bolt as the rotating threaded portion of the bolt passes through the throughway. The projections may be bristles or pins. Optionally, the bolt receiving portion may include a plurality of throughways each configured to receive a threaded portion having a different outer diameter. Optionally, the apparatus may include a handle portion that may be selectively couplable to the bolt receiving portion.

Abstract: A method of polishing a surface of an object disposed within a gas chamber is provided. The method includes filling the gas chamber with a discharging medium to a predefined pressure, applying a voltage between an electrode and the surface, calibrating a height of the electrode relative to the surface so as to establish electrical breakdown threshold criteria, and scanning the electrode with respect to the surface so as to sequentially position the electrode over a plurality of locations on the surface, each location characterized by a surface error. When a respective location in the plurality of locations has a surface error that meets the electrical breakdown threshold criteria, electrical breakdown occurs, whereby the electrical breakdown results in a discharging pulse that polishes the surface.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical module 1 includes: a cladding 12 of one end of the optical fiber is exposed; an arrangement process of arranging the optical fiber 10 such that at least a leading end of a portion on which the cladding 12 is exposed is positioned in a box portion through a pipe portion 35 in which one end is connected to the box portion 31 configured to accommodate an optical element and which extends to an outside of the box portion 31; and a soldering process of soldering an inner wall of the pipe portion 35 and the optical fiber 10 by heating at least a part of a lower region BAR interposed between a heat dissipation portion and the pipe portion 35 in a state where a part of a wall of the box portion 31, in which the optical element is accommodated, is heat-dissipated.

Abstract: Forming a solder joint between metal layers by preparing a structure having solder material placed between two metal layers and heating the structure to grow an intermetallic compound in a space between the two metal layers. Growing the intermetallic compound includes setting a first surface, in contact with the solder material between the two metal layers, to a first temperature, thereby enabling growth of the intermetallic compound; setting a second surface, in contact with the solder material between the two metal layers, to a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is higher than the first temperature; and maintaining a temperature gradient (temperature/unit thickness) between the two metal layers at a predetermined value or higher until the intermetallic compound substantially fills the space between the two metal layers.

Abstract: Methods for welding a joint are disclosed herein. One example of the method involves welding the joint between two workpieces. Energy is focused onto the joint to weld the joint. The focus of the energy moves relative to the joint. A vaporized material is displaced from a keyhole created by the welding. The vaporized material is vaporized by the energy. A pool of molten material is formed adjacent the keyhole during operation of the energy at the joint. The pool of molten material is manipulated by displacing a portion of the molten material from a near end of the pool and from lateral sides of the pool to a far end of the pool. The far end of the pool is distal to the near end.

Abstract: A wire feeder includes a tensioner with a discrete number of compressive force settings for applying a desired compressive force to welding wire fed through the wire feeder is provided. The tensioner includes an adjustment knob with a discrete number of detents disposed along a helical surface adjacent an inner bore of the adjustment knob. The tensioner also includes a pin extending from an end of a tensioning post located in the inner bore, the pin being configured to align with the detents of the adjustment knob. Rotation of the adjustment knob adjusts alignment of the pin among the discrete number of detents, which correspond to the discrete number of compressive force settings.

Abstract: A purge dam assembly confines a volume within an assembly of pipes, including a distal pipe and a proximal pipe together arranged for butt welding at a seam. A distal disk is covered at its periphery with a distal bootie including gasketing material. A proximal disk is covered at its periphery with a proximal bootie including the gasketing material. The each disk is sized such that the bootie contacts but does not completely seal against an inner surface of one of the tubes or pipes permitting a purging flow of gas from the volume and past each disk. A cross-member having a proximal and a distal end, the proximal end is affixed to the proximal disk and the distal end is affixed to the distal disk to preserve the spatial separation between the proximal disk and distal disks and to maintain the proximal and distal disks in coaxial alignment.

Abstract: There is provided a selective laser sintering method capable of reducing the trouble in chipping or breakage of the machining tool and the like. The manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped object by repetition of a powder-layer forming and a solidified-layer forming, the repetition including the steps of (i) forming a solidified layer by irradiating a predetermined portion of a powder layer with a light beam, thereby allowing a sintering of the powder in the predetermined portion or a melting and subsequent solidification thereof, and (ii) forming another solidified layer by newly forming a powder layer on the resulting solidified layer, followed by the irradiation of a predetermined portion of the powder layer with the light beam.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for fabricating a periodic micro-pattern by laser beams. The apparatus includes an ultrafast laser light source configured to generate an output laser beam. A diffraction optical element is configured to divide the output laser beam into a plurality of diffractive laser beams. A confocal system is configured to focus the plurality of diffractive laser beams on a focal point, so that the plurality of diffractive laser beams produces an interference light beam with interference phenomena. The interference light beam ablates a surface of an element to fabricate a periodic micro-pattern on the surface of the element. The confocal system includes a first lens, a second lens and a light shielding mask. The plurality of diffractive laser beams passes through the first lens, the light shielding mask and the second lens in sequence.

Abstract: A method of welding a fuel rod includes the following steps. An end plug and a cladding tube of the fuel rod are brought together to abut each other, and welded by applying a laser beam directed to a welding zone to melt material of the end plug and the cladding tube. The welding is sensed by sensing radiation within a first wavelength range, which includes the wavelength of the laser beam coming from reflections from the welding zone, sensing radiation within a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range, which includes infrared radiation from melted material, and sensing radiation within a third wavelength range different from the first and second wavelength ranges, which includes radiation from plasma. The welding and melting of material is monitored by monitoring the sensed radiations.