Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer element chip includes a substrate defining an opening, an ultrasonic transducer element disposed at a position corresponding to the opening in a thickness direction of the substrate, and a reinforcing member connected to the substrate to cover the opening. The reinforcing member defines a ventilation passage from the opening to an outside of the substrate.

Abstract: A sorting facility for items to be sorted, such as postal items, parcels, packages, baggage, suitcases, etc., includes carrying elements, conveyor paths at which the carrying elements are transported to target positions, to empty the items from a carrying element into a target position, a facility controller controlling movement of the carrying elements along the conveyor paths and emptying at the target positions, and a decentralized functional unit receiving process information regarding the conveyor paths and/or the carrying elements and, by comparison with nominal process information, detecting deviation from the nominal process information and reporting it to the controller. The functional units, which monitor the facility or surroundings, have computer-aided intelligence detecting and reporting deviations to the controller. Faults and/or impending faults, which can only be detected with difficulty or not at all, even in sorting facilities, are detected reliably and be reported timely to the controller.

Abstract: A cleaning device with tail swab having a plurality of soft elongated strips.

Abstract: A method of treating a sensor array including a plurality of sensors and an isolation structure, where a sensor of the plurality of sensors has a sensor pad exposed at a surface of the sensor array and the isolation structure is disposed between the sensor pad and sensor pads of other sensors of the plurality of sensors, comprises exposing the sensor pad and the isolation structure to a non-aqueous organo-silicon solution including an organo-silicon compound and a first non-aqueous carrier; applying an acid solution including an organic acid and a second non-aqueous carrier to the sensor pad; and rinsing the acid solution from the sensor pad and the isolation structure.

Abstract: A substrate processing method using a cleaning liquid containing a foaming agent that foams due to application of foaming energy, and including a foaming energy supplying step of applying the foaming energy to the cleaning liquid in contact with the substrate to clean the substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of cleaning an electrically conductive surface of an optical element in a system for generating extreme ultraviolet radiation in which electrically conductive surface is used as an electrode for generating a plasma which cleans the surface.

Abstract: A washing apparatus has a vacuum unit and a pressure washer unit. The vacuum unit has a mud tank, a first centrifuge, and a second centrifuge, and the pressure washer unit has a first water tank having a bottom, a top and a side, and a second water tank having a bottom, a top and a side. A frame having a top, a base and four corners supports the vacuum unit and pressure washer unit. The first centrifuge and the second centrifuge are fixed in respective first and second corners of the frame, and the first water tank and second water tank are fixed in respective third and fourth corners of the frame.

Abstract: A cleaning device with tail swab having a plurality of soft elongated strips.

Abstract: Material lining the inside surface of a section of pipe is removed by a hydrodemolition nozzle assembly mounted on a working end of an elongated boom. The opposed end of the boom is supported outside the pipe on a movable support for inserting and retracting the boom from the inside of the pipe. The nozzles remove the liner while the working end of the boom is supported by a wheel resting on the liner that has not yet been removed and that rolls along the inside liner as the pipe is made to revolve around the boom. The nozzles are oriented to eject the liner and water downstream and away from the boom.

Abstract: The invention relates to a treatment device for workpieces, having the following: a treatment chamber (1); a shaft (2) which extends through a wall of the treatment chamber (1) into the treatment chamber and which is mounted in a rotatable manner; an electric treatment unit (3) which is secured to the shaft (2); and a power supply arrangement (6) with a first supply line (61), an electric coupling (63, 64), a second supply line (62), and an actuating unit (7). The electric coupling (63, 64) has a first coupling element (63), which is secured to the shaft (2) outside of the treatment chamber (1), and a second coupling element (64). The first supply line (61) connects the electric treatment unit (3) to the first coupling element (63), and the second supply line (62) is connected to the second coupling element (64).

Abstract: A cut-to-length steel coil processing line has an un-coiling reel, a temper mill, a stretcher leveler, a shearer, and a stacking apparatus arranged to sequentially process a continuous length of sheet metal. The line may be configured such that the continuous length of the sheet metal is directed from the uncoiling reel through the temper mill to the stacking apparatus without processing through the stretcher leveler when a determined thickness of the continuous length of sheet metal is at or below a selected measurement criteria. In the alternative, the line may be configured such that the continuous length of the sheet metal is directed from the uncoiling reel through the stretcher leveler to the stacking apparatus without processing through the temper mill when the determined thickness of the continuous length of sheet metal is greater than the selected measurement criteria.

Abstract: An angle-indicating tube bender apparatus, system, and method is disclosed. Namely, the presently disclosed subject matter provides a tube bender comprising an angle indicator device that is used to measure and indicate the angle of the tube during the bending process. The angle indicator device can be, for example, a digital protractor, digital angle gauge, or digital angle locator. Further, the tube bender may comprise laser technology that is used to project guiding lines or markers from the bender head for guiding the user. In one example, the guiding lines or markers are projected in a crosshair beam pattern that can be used to ensure the accuracy of one bend with respect to another bend.

Abstract: A power bender may be provided. The power bender may comprise a cart, a bender mechanism, and a scissor mechanism. The cart may have a zero turn radius. The bender mechanism may be configured to bend conduit. The scissor mechanism may be disposed between the cart and the bender mechanism. The scissor mechanism may be configured adjust a working height of the bender mechanism above the cart. The bender mechanism may be configured to rotate about a pivot point.

Abstract: A shaping tool for shaping a portion of a workpiece. The shaping tool includes a clamping assembly with a clamping device having multiple clamping segments and a compressing head having a depression on one end for forming a portion of the workpiece. The compression head including an attachment feature on the opposing side for connecting to a shaping piston of a shaping assembly. The compression head and the clamping device being structurally connected in a circumferential manner as a single tool unit and are arranged on a common longitudinal axis together with the shaping assembly, which is actuated by fluid pressure and together with the clamping assembly.

Abstract: A container, such as a beverage or food can is provided, which includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall and a bottom portion extending between the first and second sidewalls. The material of the bottom portion is stretched relative to the first sidewall and the second sidewall to form a thinned preselected profile, such as a dome. The material of the container at or about the dome has a substantially uniform thickness. The container is formed from a blank of material, which has a base gauge prior to being formed. After being formed, the blank of material of the container at or about the dome has a thickness less than the base gauge. Tooling having a clamp bead, or a progressive clamp bead, for selectively forming a blank of material into a container, as well as an associated method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A forming system that forms a metal pipe by expansion in a die includes a heater that heats at least an end part of a metal pipe material, a fluid supply unit that supplies a fluid into the metal pipe material to expand the metal pipe material, and a controller that controls the heater and the fluid supply unit, the fluid supply unit has a nozzle that supplies the fluid from the end part of the metal pipe material into the metal pipe material, and the controller controls the heater so as to heat the end part of the metal pipe material at least before the supply of the fluid by the fluid supply unit, and controls the fluid supply unit so as to expand the end part of the metal pipe material.

Abstract: A molding apparatus for molding a metal pipe includes: a gas supply unit which supplies gas into a heated metal pipe material, thereby expanding the metal pipe material; a mold which molds the metal pipe by bringing the expanded metal pipe material into contact therewith; and a drive unit which generates a driving force for moving the mold, in which a replacement unit is replaceably provided with respect to a main body unit having at least the drive unit, and the replacement unit is configured of at least the gas supply unit and the mold.

Abstract: A system and method for hydraulic forming of sheets is provided. A coil is connected to a pulse generator storing electric energy and discharging the electric energy to the coil, creating a first electromagnetic field in the coil. A conductive plate placed on the coil such that the first electromagnetic field causes creating of a second electromagnetic field in the conductive plate, in a direction opposite to the first electromagnetic field, creating a force. A pressure chamber filled with a fluid and placed on the conductive plate. A piston placed inside the pressure chamber to transfer the force to the fluid. A sheet placed on the pressure chamber, the fluid being configured to receive the force from the piston and transfer the force to the sheet. A die placed on the sheet, wherein the force transferred to the sheet from the fluid causes the sheet to take a shape of the die.

Abstract: A holding device of a forming machine includes a base, a rotating set, a clamping set, and a transmission set. The rotating set penetrates through the base. The clamping set is disposed under the base. The transmission set drives a rotation of the rotating set. Further, the clamping set has a link axle and a link unit driven by the link axle in order to render two clamping units able to catch or release blanks. Simultaneously, the transmission set has a driving unit and a transmission unit adapted to drive a rotation of the driving unit whereby the link axle, the rotating base and the clamping unit are concurrently rotatably turned in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction by 180 degrees. Thus, the holding device can clamp blanks at any place between dies of the forming machine according to the need to obtain a quick processing operation.

Abstract: A casting method and cast article are provided. The casting method includes providing a casting furnace, the casting furnace including a withdrawal region in a lower end, positioning a mold within the casting furnace, positioning a molten material in the mold, partially withdrawing the mold a withdrawal distance through the withdrawal region in the casting furnace, the withdrawal distance providing a partially withdrawn portion, then reinserting at least a portion of the partially withdrawn portion into the casting furnace through the withdrawal region, and then completely withdrawing the mold from the casting furnace. The reinserting at least partially re-melts a solidified portion within the partially withdrawn portion to reduce or eliminate freckle grains. The cast article includes a microstructure and occurrence of freckle grains corresponding to being formed by a process comprising partially withdrawing, reinserting, and completely withdrawing of a mold from a casting furnace to form the cast article.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for treating a base materials in a form of metallic powder made of super alloys based on Ni, Co, Fe or combinations thereof, or made of TiAl alloys, which treated powder can be used for additive manufacturing, such as for Selective Laser Melting of three-dimensional articles.

Abstract: There is provided a method for controlling a powder compacting apparatus including: a die having a hollow; an upper punch and a floating lower punch; a first actuator that pushes down the upper punch; a second actuator that controls a floating load of the floating lower punch; and a stopper that defines a pressurization stop position of the floating lower punch. The powder compacting apparatus is configured such that the first actuator is operated to push down the upper punch to pressurize powder charged into the cavity, and the second actuator is controlled to pressurize the powder such that a load acting on the powder during pressurization becomes a prescribed floating load required to compact the powder. The method includes reducing the floating load in a stepwise manner after completion of the pressurization.

Abstract: There is provided a method for controlling a powder compacting apparatus including: a die having a hollow; an upper punch; a floating lower punch; a first actuator that pushes down the upper punch; a second actuator that controls a floating load of the floating lower punch; and a stopper that defines a pressurization stop position of the floating lower punch. The powder compacting apparatus is configured such that the first actuator is operated to push down the upper punch to pressurize powder charged into the cavity, and the second actuator is controlled to pressurize the powder such that a load acting on the powder during pressurization becomes a prescribed floating load required to compact the powder. The method includes causing the first actuator to reduce a descending speed of the upper punch when the floating lower punch reaches a position at a prescribed distance from the stopper.

Abstract: A powdered material preform includes a pressed powdered metal or other powdered material, where the preform is processed and sealed so that a skin or shell is formed at the outer surface of the preform (such as via melting an outer layer or surface of the preform or via adding an outer layer around the preform or via a combination thereof), with an inner portion of the preform comprising pressed powdered material. The skinned preform may comprise a shape that is generally similar to that of a final product or part to be formed, or may simply comprise a puck or shape of approximately the same mass of the shape being formed, and the skinned preform is suitable for use in subsequent densification and/or consolidation processes or combinations thereof to form the final, fully processed part.

Abstract: Provided is nickel powder obtained by adding seed crystals to a nickel ammine complex solution and performing hydrogen reduction reaction under high temperatures and high pressures, wherein the nickel powder does not produce dust during handling, and a container can be efficiently filled with the nickel powder. The method for producing nickel powder includes: adding seed crystals and a surfactant having a nonionic or anionic functional group to a solution containing a nickel ammine complex to forma mixed slurry; and subjecting the mixed slurry to hydrogen reduction under high temperature and high pressure conditions in a pressure vessel to obtain nickel powder from the mixed slurry.

Abstract: A cutting method for an inner circumferential face or an outer circumferential face of a work using a cutting tool projecting from a main shaft which turns around a predetermined position serving as a center and for which a turning radius is adjustable, wherein a table that supports the work is set in a rotating central axis that is coaxial with a turning central axis of the main shaft, and the table is rotated in a direction opposite to a turning direction of the main shaft to summate a cutting velocity. The cutting method allows a summation to the cutting velocity under simple control.

Abstract: A cutting method in which, in cutting an inner circumferential face or an outer circumferential face of a work based on turning of a main shaft around a predetermined position serving as a center, control is enabled to make a cutting velocity constant. To achieve the object, a cutting method is provided for an inner circumferential face or an outer circumferential face of a work, using a cutting tool projecting from a main shaft which turns around a predetermined position serving as a center and for which a turning radius is adjustable, wherein, in the case that a turning angular velocity of the main shaft is represented as ?, a distance from a turning center to a tip of the cutting tool is represented as R, and a cutting velocity of the tip of the cutting tool is set to a constant value C, making the cutting velocity of the cutting tool is made constant by performing control such that ? changes in association with a change in the distance R so that ? = ( C 2 - R .

Abstract: Systems and method relating to machining parts include a CNC system including CNC machining tools, and a computer including a processor and a computer-readable medium, wherein the computer-readable medium encodes instructions of a single NC program that, when run on the processor, causes the computer to control a selected CNC machining tool to perform operations including alternating between (i) moving the selected CNC machining tool along a semi-finishing toolpath segment using a first set of spindle speed and feed rate values to remove a next portion of rough stock material in a next region of a part being manufactured, and (ii) moving the selected CNC machining tool along a finishing toolpath segment to remove a semi-finishing thickness portion of the part in the next region, wherein the first set of spindle speed and feed rate values are different from the second set of spindle speed and feed rate values.

Abstract: An impact cutoff device for a progressive high speed cold former having a low mass rigid cutter carriage, a torsion spring for carriage return, and an articulated, oil lubricated and dampened carriage drive block on a pivoting drive lever serving to reduce impact induced vibration otherwise leading to fatigue failure and wear of the various cutter parts and consequent loss of cutoff accuracy and quality.

Abstract: A workpiece support device for circular saw having a guide shaft axially and slidable inserted with one end thereof into the worktable of the circular saw, a support member affixed to an opposite end of the guide shaft and providing a first support plane co-planar with the work surface of the worktable, and an auxiliary support arm mounted at the support member and movable relative to the support member in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the guide shaft and providing a second support plane co-planar with the first support plane of the support member. Thus, the workpiece support device mates with the worktable to provide sufficient support to a large size workpiece.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a machining head for a gear manufacturing machine having at least one driven motor spindle and at least one counter-spindle, wherein a tool arbor having at least one tool arranged thereon is mounted between the motor spindle and the counter-spindle, and wherein at least one balancing device is integrated within the driven motor spindle and at least one balancing device is integrated within the counter-spindle.

Abstract: A wire electrical discharge machining apparatus includes an NC control device, and the NC control device determines, during taper machining, whether the type of machining is a type (first type) in which an upper die is located on a workpiece side in comparison with a lower die or a type (second type) in which the upper die is located on the side opposite to the workpiece in comparison with the lower die on the basis of a machining program and corrects the positional relationship between the upper die and the lower die in accordance with the determined type of machining.

Abstract: A cap assembly for optical communications comprising a housing that includes a front side perpendicular from a bottom side, opposing parallel first and second sides perpendicular from the bottom side, and a back side disposed perpendicularly between the first side and the second side offset from respective ends of the first side and the second side opposite the front side. The back side includes an opening there-through and a three-sided ledge formed along an interior of the first side leg, an exterior of the back side, and an interior of the second side leg. The cap assembly further includes a window configured to contact the three-sided ledge of the back side, the glass panel covering the opening there-through and attached to the assembly via a solder pre-form.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for attaching an interconnector of a solar cell panel. The method includes forming a first interconnector-jig coupling by fixing a plurality of first interconnectors to a jig, locating the first interconnector-jig coupling over a working table, fixing the first interconnectors and a first solar cell to each other, separating the jig from the first interconnectors, and attaching the first interconnectors to the first solar cell by applying heat to the first interconnectors and the first solar cell, which are thereby fixed to each other.

Abstract: A solderability alignment tool for aligning conductive interface surfaces of an IC with predetermined interface surfaces on a test board. The solderability tool includes a platen having a support surface for supporting a test board and an IC displacement assembly including an elongate tubular member in selective fluid communication with a vacuum source for precisely locating an IC on said test board. The tool may also include a microscope positioned opposite the platen support surface for precisely observing the position and alignment of the IC on said test board.

Abstract: A travel speed sensing system includes an optical sensor configured to be coupled to a welding torch. The optical sensor is configured to sense light incident on the optical sensor, and the travel speed sensing system is configured to determine a travel speed of the welding torch, a direction of the welding torch, or both, based on the sensed light.

Abstract: A welding machine power supply apparatus outputs welding current in accordance with welding conditions set through operation of a display and setting unit (20). When a welding operation is ended while the welding machine power supply apparatus is operating, the welding conditions effective at the time the welding operation is ended are automatically stored in a memory (16). When any ones or more of the welding conditions at the time when the welding operation is resumed by the use of the welding machine power supply apparatus are different from the one or ones which were effective when the welding operation was ended, a load button (70), a rotary encoder (64) and a set button (72) are operated to cause a control unit (14) to read out the welding conditions stored in the memory (16) which were effective when the welding operation was ended, and to set the read-out welding conditions in the welding machine power supply apparatus.

Abstract: A different material welded joint in which a first member made of a first material and a second member made of a second material having a melting point lower than that of the first material are joined to each other by welded parts at a plurality of welding sections, wherein the first member has a plurality of through-holes respectively corresponding to the plurality of welding sections and a filler material made of the second material is filled in the plurality of through-holes, and wherein apexes of welding beads of the welded parts, which are deposited and formed on a surface of the second member facing the through-holes, are formed independently of each other at each of the welding sections.

Abstract: A different material welded joint in which a first member made of a first material and a second member made of a second material having a melting point lower than that of the first material are joined to each other by welded parts, wherein the first member has a plurality of through-holes and a filler material made of the second material is filled in the plurality of through-holes, and wherein an interval between the through-holes is made wider and/or an area of the through-hole is made smaller at a welding end-side than at a welding start-side with respect to progress of welding.

Abstract: In some aspects, methods for preserving a usable life of a plasma arc electrode consumable installed in a plasma arc torch can include measuring a characteristic of an electrical signal being provided to the torch to generate a plasma arc between the torch and a workpiece to be processed; monitoring the characteristic during operation of the torch over a time period; comparing the characteristic to a threshold value; and, responsive to determining that a measured characteristic meets and/or exceeds the threshold value, initiating an arc extinguishing sequence to preserve the life of the electrode.

Abstract: In some aspects, methods for limiting damage to a plasma arc torch body resulting from a consumable failure within the torch can include determining a specified conductivity parameter set point of a current to be provided to the plasma arc torch for a material processing operation; measuring a detected conductivity parameter of plasma arc current being provided to the plasma torch to perform the material processing operation; comparing the specified conductivity parameter set point to the detected conductivity parameter of plasma arc current and calculating an error term signal; and based on a determination that the error term signal exceeds a threshold amount, initiating a plasma arc shut down sequence to extinguish the plasma arc to limit damage to the plasma arc torch body.

Abstract: In some aspects, methods of initiating a plasma arc of a plasma arc torch to pierce a workpiece and detecting plasma piercing through the workpiece to begin a cutting sequence can include calculating a pulse width modulation characteristic of an electrical signal associated with a plasma arc between an electrode of a plasma arc torch and a workpiece to be processed; monitoring the characteristic during operation of the torch over a time period of a workpiece piercing sequence; comparing the characteristic to a threshold value; and responsive to determining that a calculated characteristic meets and/or exceeds the threshold value, ending the workpiece piercing sequence and beginning the cutting sequence and causing the plasma arc torch to move relative to the workpiece to form a cut.

Abstract: A head for a swing arm assembly is provided for a spot welding machine. The head can accommodate a tip dresser or a tip exchanger.

Abstract: A swing arm assembly is provided for a spot welding machine. The swing arm assembly can accommodate a tip dresser or a tip exchanger and can include a shifter that can translate the tip dresser from a first position to a second position along a lateral axis.

Abstract: Methods and systems for manufacturing a three-dimensional product. Fabrication of a three-dimensional part from a powder spread over a work table as a powder bed can be initiated. The fabrication process can be paused to cool down the work table to room temperature to obtain access to the three-dimensional part for post-processing operations such as, for example, embedding external artifacts. Fabrication can continue by preheating the powder rather than the work table until fabrication of the three-dimensional part is complete. A damaged part may be placed within the powder bed, wherein the fabrication process can be directly initiated to achieve part repair. Additionally, a material of the same part's composition can be used or a different material utilized to render the part better than new. Access to the three-dimensional part allows embedding of a foreign object in the three-dimensional part within the powder bed while the three-dimensional part remains non-finished.

Abstract: A bonded metal product constituted by bonding a first metal workpiece and a second metal workpiece. Metal microparticles formed from metal having a value for oxidation-reduction potential positively larger than H2 are scattered in the crystal grain boundaries of either or both of the first metal workpiece and the second metal workpiece. In addition, metal bonding is formed between metal originating in the first metal workpiece and metal originating in the second metal workpiece in the bonding interface for the first metal workpiece and the second metal workpiece. Furthermore, the mental microparticles and oxygen are not present in the bonding interface.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a mill roll including a preheating process for joining end portions 16 to 19 of a roll barrel member 13 and/or shaft materials 14, 15, and a friction pressure welding process strongly pressing and joining the shaft materials 14, 15 to a core material 11 after frictionally heating the joining end portions 16 to 19 by rotating the shaft materials 14, 15 while pressing to the core material 11, and a manufacturing apparatus including first and second holding means 29, 23 for the roll barrel member 13 and the shaft materials 14, 15, a rotating means rotating the shaft materials 14, 15, a pressing means 24 pressing the core material 11 and the shaft materials 14, 15 in an axial direction, and a preheating means 31 preheating the joining end portions 16 to 19 of the roll barrel member 13 and the shaft materials 14, 15.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a laser welding quality determination method for improving a determination accuracy of a welding quality which is strongly affected by an inner defect of a welding bead, and a laser welding apparatus which includes a mechanism for performing the quality determination method. There is provided a laser welding quality determination method of determining a welding quality in laser welding, including: capturing an image of a molten pool formed by emitting a laser beam to a welding target material to acquire image data of the molten pool; measuring a width of the molten pool in a direction orthogonal to a welding direction from the acquired image data of the molten pool; calculating a penetration depth from the measured width of the molten pool; and determining the welding quality from the measured width and the calculated penetration depth of the molten pool.

Abstract: A process for laser-welding pre-coated sheet metal plates comprises loading two pre-coated sheet metal plates at a workstation, such that edges of the plates that are to be welded together are butted against one another. Each plate has a steel substrate and a pre-coat layer, the pre-coat layer including an intermetallic alloy layer and a metallic alloy layer. In a single pass, an area of each plate adjacent to the edges that are butted against one another is irradiated with a defocussed laser beam, thereby melting material of the pre-coat layer within said area of each plate. During the single pass, a stream of a gas is used to blow the melted pre-coat material out of the irradiated areas of the two plates. Absent removing the two plates from the workstation, laser-welding the plates together is performed using a focused laser beam.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing creates, repairs, or upgrades parts. Conventional manufacturing processes are used to prepare a body of the part and additive manufacturing processes are used to prepare intricate geometries of the part. A support structure is used to support the intricate features during the additive manufacturing processes. Particularly, laser sintering is used to create entire parts or to create a repaired or upgraded part by casting the body of the part and integrating the body with a build plate and using laser sintering to develop the intricate features necessary.