Abstract: A method for the connection of components or component regions and a non-releasable connection produced in this manner. Two connection faces are partially welded to each other with an adhesive layer being incorporated between the two connection faces. The method including the following steps: arranging a welding base on a connection face, applying the adhesive layer to a connection face, moving the connection faces toward each other in such a manner that the welding base is applied against the other connection face, introducing welding current in the region of the applied welding base. A spacer is arranged between the connection faces before the connection faces are moved toward each other. The connection faces are spaced apart from each other in the region of the welding base by the extent that the welding base projects above the spacer.

Abstract: Aspects relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for a manufacturing tool. The manufacturing tool is comprised of a vacuum tool and an ultrasonic welder as a unified manufacturing tool. The manufacturing tool may be used to pick and position a manufacturing part that is then welded with the associated ultrasonic welder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasonic vibration system (1) comprising a sonotrode which has two sonotrode end faces (8, 8?) and a circumferential lateral surface that connects said sonotrode end faces (8, 8?) with each other. The sonotrode has an elongate core element (2) and at least one wing element (3, 4), each core element (2) and wing element (3, 4) longitudinally extending from the one sonotrode end face (8) to the other sonotrode end face (8?). The wing element (3, 4) has a sealing surface (7) which is designed to be in contact with a material for the purpose of processing same and which is connected to the core element (2) via a plurality of longitudinally interspaced connecting portions (5, 6). The ultrasonic vibration system further comprises a converter (9) which is optionally connected to the sonotrode via an amplitude transformer (11).

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotatable, plungeable and free path travelable non-consumable tool (5) for production of a channel (2) and a weld joint (1). The tool (5) comprises a shoulder and a probe, the shoulder having a surface facing the material(s) of components (3) to be processed. The shoulder and the probe are arranged to have a simultaneous and synchronized action in the materials of at least two components (3) to be processed. The shoulder facing the at least two components (3) to be processed has a system of scrolls shaped to have an inward action and an outward action on the at least two components (3) to be processed. The probe has a cylindrical or conical surface having a top zone, provided with a profile having a push-up action on the components (3) to be processed in a direction towards the shoulder. The top zone ends at or in the vicinity of a bottom zone provided with a profile having a push-down action on the components (3) to be processed in a direction towards the tip.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for easily producing an engine block for a combustion engine. The method includes: a) providing an engine block with an open water jacket opening; b) placing an insert in the water jacket opening; and c) fixing the insert in the water jacket opening by friction welding. The shape of the insert is adapted to the shape of the water jacket opening such that the insert, when being placed, at least partially closes the water jacket opening and bridges the distance between the outer wall and the cylinder wall, thereby supporting the cylinder wall against the outer wall of the engine block. An engine block produced accordingly shows the advantages of a closed deck engine block.

Abstract: The friction stir welding tool member according to the present invention is made of a ceramic member in which a shoulder portion and a probe portion are integrally formed, wherein a root portion of the probe portion and an end portion of the shoulder portion have a curved surface shape; and the friction stir welding tool member has a ratio (R1/D) of 0.02 or more and 0.20 or less when a curvature radius of the end portion of the shoulder portion is defined as R1 (mm) and an outer diameter of the shoulder portion is defined as D (mm). In addition, the ceramic member is preferably made of a silicon nitride sintered body having a Vickers hardness of 1400 HV1 or more. According to the above-described configuration, a friction stir welding tool member having excellent durability can be provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a cutting assembly. The cutting assembly includes a substrate, a cutting edge, and a welding portion. The substrate includes a first metal portion, and the first metal portion has a first side surface. The cutting edge is formed by overlapping a second metal portion with a third metal portion used for an edge, the second metal portion is of high-strength alloy steel and has a second side surface, and the third metal portion is of high-speed tool steel and has a third side surface. The welding portion connects the first metal portion and the second metal portion. The present invention further provides a method for manufacturing a cutting assembly, including: welding a composite steel strip to a substrate, to form a blank body of the cutting assembly; and then performing low-temperature tempering treatment on a welding portion.

Abstract: A pressurized consolidation assembly for an additive manufacturing system is provided. The pressurized consolidation assembly defines a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction, the three directions orthogonal to each other. The pressurized consolidation assembly includes a build platform configured to hold a plurality of particles and a pressure chamber surrounding the build platform. The pressure chamber is configured to retain a first volume of a gas having a first pressure. The pressure chamber includes an energy beam window. The energy beam window extends through a first section of the pressure chamber and is configured to enable an energy beam to pass through the energy beam window to be incident on the plurality of particles on the build platform.

Abstract: A method for producing a layered object is provided. The method includes a) irradiating a given surface layer of the object with an energy beam to create an interaction zone on the surface layer; b) providing relative motion between the energy beam and the given surface layer so as to control the interaction between the energy beam and the given surface layer; c) introducing feedstock into the interaction zone so that the feedstock melts and forms a hot solidified surface after leaving the interaction zone; d) applying mechanical energy to the hot solidified surface; and e) repeating steps (a) through (d) to form at least part of the layered object.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing, comprising: a process chamber for receiving on a build surface of a build plate a bath of powdered material which can be solidified; a support for positioning said build plate in relation to a surface level of said bath of powdered material in said process chamber; a solidifying device for solidifying a selective part of said material; and a homing device for moving said build surface, by said support, to a home position. Method of producing an object by means of additive manufacturing on a build surface of a build plate.

Abstract: A pulsed laser printing module for a contact lens, comprises a steel mold, a pulsed laser device and a forming case. The steel mold is configured for transferring pigment. The pulsed laser device is configured for transmitting ultrashort laser pulses having pulse time widths less than 10?9 seconds. The ultrashort laser pulses etch the surface of the steel mold to remove a coating of the steel mold to form an etched layer. The forming case has a lower member and an upper member. The lower member is a concavity, and an inner surface of the lower member is provided with a lower curved surface. The upper member is provided with a protrusion corresponding to the lower member, and an outer surface of the protrusion is provided with an upper curved surface corresponding to the lower curved surface. The protrusion is capable of being placed in a concavity of the lower member to form a gap between the lower curved surface and the upper curved surface.

Abstract: A method of creating thin wafers of single crystal silicon, sapphire and similar materials, wherein an ingot of single crystalline material, or a ribbon of single crystalline material is cleaved, in a plane parallel to a surface, with laser light focused to a line in the desired plane of cleavage, near the growing cleavage furrow. The light is of a wavelength that the material is transparent to, but for which the material has strong two- or three-photon absorption. Consequently the light is not appreciably absorbed until it reached the desired focal line. The light is presented in an extremely short pulse, which heats and expands the material at the line focus, before the heat can be dissipated. This expansion creates tangential stresses around the focal line. These stresses are designed to be precisely normal to the growing cleavage furrow.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a work fixture, a device and a method for machining the cutting edge of cutting tools. The work fixture comprising: rotatable beveled base inside the fixture shell, the angle of the beveled base can be adjusted by the angle adjusting device; a feeding plate on the beveled base, on which a plurality of grooves are equispaced on the plate for clamping the cutting tools to be machined and completing the machining of the cutting edge. The device and the method of the present invention comprising: a controller being connected with a laser and a laser galvanometer, respectively; the beam of the laser sequentially passing through the reflection lens and the laser galvanometer to make the incident direction perpendicular to the datum plane and shot on the cutting tool to be machined on the feeding plate, and completing the machining of the cutting edge. Wherein, the laser parameters include a wavelength of 100 nm˜1064 nm, 10.

Abstract: A manufacturing process is provided that includes steps of: providing a panel comprising a core connected to a first skin, wherein. the panel is configured with a plurality of cavities extending through the core to the first skin; partially forming a first perforation in the first skin using a laser beam; operating a sensor to sense optical emissions produced during the partial forming of the first perforation; and determining, based on an output of the sensor, whether to: continue formation of the first perforation in the first skin; or terminate formation of the first perforation in the first skin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a welded section examining device. In order to examine whether welding is good or bad of a welded section joining tip portions of electrical conductors projecting from slots of a stator core, a welded section examining device includes a camera, a discriminating unit, a wavelength-converting sheet, and a masking member. The camera images the welded section. The discriminating unit performs discrimination of whether welding is good or bad based on an outline of the welded section recognized from an image of the welded section imaged by the camera. The wavelength-converting sheet irradiates the welded section with a light, from a rear surface side of an imaging target surface. The masking member is interposed between the wavelength-converting sheet and the rear surface of the welded section, such that the outline of the welded section is imaged in the camera in an emphasized state.

Abstract: To improve quality control of welding, there is included in resistance welding: a magnetic field measuring unit (205) disposed around a welded part and configured to measure a local current at the welded part; a high-speed camera (202) configured to capture an image for measuring local temperature at the welded part from variation of luminance of emission by capturing light emission state of the welded part; a comparison determination unit (106) configured to determine whether or not at least one of current information and temperature information has an abnormal value by comparing the current information calculated based on magnetic field information acquired from the magnetic field measuring unit with past current information and comparing the temperature information measured from an image of the high-speed camera (202) with past temperature information.

Abstract: A system for performing exothermic operations or oxygen delivery uses a rod and handle configuration to create a flowpath of oxygen. The rod includes cables having stainless steel fibers that burn using the oxygen within a hollow center area. While burning, the rod cuts through material. A sheath covers the covers to contain the gases and prevent unraveling of the cables. The handle attaches to the rod and provides control of the flow of oxygen to the rod. A manifold fixing in place bottles of oxygen connects to the handle and can be fixed to provide different mixtures from different bottles. The rod is disconnected when needed to fix a mask thereto for delivering breathable oxygen to a patient.

Abstract: A lead-free solder alloy includes 1 mass % or more and 4 mass % or less of Ag, 0.1 mass % or more and 1 mass % or less of Cu, 1.5 mass % or more and 5 mass % or less of Sb, 1 mass % or more and 6 mass % or less of In, and Sn.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a metal-cored welding wire, and, more specifically, to a metal-cored aluminum welding wire for arc welding, such as Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW). A disclosed metal-cored aluminum welding wire includes a metallic sheath and a granular core disposed within the metallic sheath. The granular core includes a first alloy having a plurality of elements, wherein the first alloy has a solidus that is lower than each of the respective melting points of the plurality of elements of the first alloy. The granular core comprises aluminum metal matrix nano-composites (Al-MMNCs) that comprise an aluminum metal matrix and ceramic nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method of forming an additively manufactured aluminum part includes establishing an arc between a metal-cored aluminum wire and the additively manufactured aluminum part, wherein the metal-cored aluminum wire includes a metallic sheath and a granular core disposed within the metallic sheath. The granular core comprises aluminum metal matrix nano-composites (Al-MMNCs) that comprise an aluminum metal matrix and ceramic nanoparticles. The method includes melting a portion of the metal-cored aluminum wire using the heat of the arc to form molten droplets. The method includes transferring the molten droplets to the additively manufactured aluminum part under an inert gas flow, and solidifying the molten droplets under the inert gas flow to form deposits of the additively manufactured aluminum part.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a flux-cored wire for gas-shielded arc welding containing, based on total mass of the wire: C: from 0.03 to 0.12 mass %; Si in terms of Si in Si alloy and Si compound: from 0.20 to 0.70 mass %; Mn: from 1.0 to 4.0 mass %; Ti in terms of Ti in Ti alloy and Ti compound: from 2.4 to 4.5 mass %; Al: from 0.005 to 0.050 mass %; Ca: from 0.03 to 1.0 mass %; at least one of Ni: from 0.30 to 3.50 mass % and B: from 0.0008 to 0.012 mass %; and Fe: 80 mass % or more, and satisfies: (Ti+Mn+Al+Ca)/Si?12; and Ca/Si: from 0.07 to 0.35.

Abstract: A flux-cored wire for gas-shielded arc welding, contains, based on the total mass of the wire: C: from 0.03 to 0.12 mass %; Si in terms of Si in Si alloy and Si compound: from 0.10 to 0.50 mass %; Mn: from 1.0 to 4.0 mass %; Ti in terms of Ti in Ti alloy and Ti compound: from 2.4 to 4.5 mass %; Al: from 0.005 to 0.050 mass %; at least one of Ni: from 0.30 to 3.50 mass % and B: from 0.0008 to 0.012 mass %; and Fe: 80 mass % or more, and satisfies (Ti+Mn+Al)/Si?15.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electroslag welding wire containing, by mass % based on total mass of the wire: C: more than 0% and 0.07% or less; Si: more than 0% and 0.50% or less; Mn: more than 0% and 1.0% or less; Ni: 6.0 to 15.0%; and Fe: 79% or more. The electroslag welding wire satisfies the following relationship (1): 0.150?C±Si/30+Mn/20+Ni/60?0.300 (1).

Abstract: Provided is a flux that is able to suppress any solder bridges even when it is applied to the narrow pitched electrodes such that the bridge occurs when using the past flux. The flux is characterized by containing 15% by mass or more and 35% by mass or less of polyoxyalkylene ethylenediamine, 2% by mass or more and 15% by mass or less of an organic acid, 10% by mass or more and 30% by mass or less of a base material, 3% by mass or more and 30% by mass or less of an amine and 20% by mass or more and 40% by mass or less of a solvent.

Abstract: An alignment tool for positioning and aligning the adjacent ends of pipes in optimum desired relation for joining the tubular sections by welding. The alignment tool comprises a first and second annularly shaped clamping rings and a plurality of swivel assemblies connecting and circumferentially spaced about the first and second clamping rings, wherein the swivel assemblies adjust the distance between the first and second clamping rings and adjust the first and second clamping rings transversely and axially with respect to each other. Each swivel assembly comprises a first swivel portion connected to the first clamping ring, a second swivel portion connected to the second clamping ring, and a threaded bolt extending through the first swivel portion and the second swivel portion.

Abstract: An insertion station of a component (2), for example a clevis, in a component seat (12) formed in an assembly (3) to be assembled, for example a hinge assembly for doors, includes a component ordering device (14) to order the loose components coming from a component feed hopper. A component support seat (16) receives the component and is configured in such a way as to guide the component in the horizontal insertion direction. A manipulator (20) picks a component (2) from the component ordering device (14) and deposit the component in the component support seat (16). An insertion actuator (30) has a pusher member (32) operable to push the component (2) in the component seat (12), and a positioning unit (40), including an abutment (42) operable to block the assembly (3) in a component insertion position.

Abstract: A machining tool assembly is provided for machining a blank to form a firearm lower receiver. The assembly includes a pair of side plates positionable on opposed sides of the blank to capture the blank therebetween. A template plate having a template aperture is adapted to be removeably attachable to the side plates. The template aperture is aligned with a top surface of the blank and is adapted for machining a cavity within the blank having a peripheral contour complimentary to a peripheral contour of the template aperture. A centering mechanism is adapted to be removeably attachable to the template plate, with the centering mechanism including an opening aligned with a corresponding void formed on the blank to align the blank with the template plate.

Abstract: A hand tool enabling self-aligned placement and post alignment clamping of a surface mounted tooling element and a method for manufacturing such a tool. Using an additive manufacturing process, a tool housing may be manufactured in which one or more internal voids allow insertion and rotational movement along and about a longitudinal axis of the housing, respectively, of a member having a radially extending portion. A handle and a brace may be coupled to the proximal and distal ends of the member to facilitate operation of the tool and placement of the surface mounted tooling element, respectively. Such member may also be spring loaded to enable the tool to clamp itself to a workpiece during the mounting operation, with the radially extending member portion limiting rotational travel of the brace.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric machine tool comprising an electric motor, a motor control unit for operating the electric motor, an input interface for entering a target specification of an operating mode of the electric motor into the motor control unit, and a motor sensor device for detecting the operating mode of the electric motor. A slave control unit is provided, which is independent from the motor control unit and communicatingly connected to the motor sensor device and the input interface and designed to compare the operating mode of the electric motor detected by the motor sensor device with the target specification entered via the input interface, and to influence the operating mode of the electric motor in case of a defined deviation of the operating mode from the target specification by means of a control device.

Abstract: A method enables at least one active operating state of a hand-held power tool with at least one infrastructure unit as a function of whether protective equipment is carried and/or worn by an operator of the hand-held power tool. A mobile functional unit is integrated into the hand-held power tool. The mobile functional unit is configured to control the at least one active operating state of the hand-held power tool by (i) transmitting at least one ID of a first protective equipment element of a first piece of protective equipment to a first infrastructure unit, the first infrastructure unit receiving the at least one ID of the first protective equipment element of the first piece of protective equipment, and (ii) transmitting at least a first signal from the first infrastructure unit to the mobile functional unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a tooling assembly for a machine having an automatic tool changing system. The tooling assembly includes a holder, a tool body, and an internal passage defined within and extending through the holder and the tool body. The holder includes a machine interface configured to engage with a spindle of the machine. The internal passage is operable to have a coolant fluid flow within, and has a stem channel and a curved channel extending from the stem channel.

Abstract: A system for reprofiling a wheel set of a railway vehicle allows the center of rotation of the wheel set to move relative to supporting rollers. A cutting tool used to reprofile the wheel profile on a wheel set is moved relative to the center of rotation of the wheel set to maintain a constant distance between the center of rotation and the cutter. The system avoids mechanically forcing a constant location of the wheel set relative to the center of rotation.

Abstract: An abnormality-detecting device for detecting abnormalities of a tool of a machine tool comprises: an acquiring unit for acquiring multiple measured values relating to the tool as measurement data (vibration information, cutting force information, sound information, main shaft load, motor current, power value); a normal model unit for learning the measurement data acquired during normal machining by one class machine learning and creating a normal model; an abnormality-diagnosing unit for acquiring measurement data during machining after creation of the normal model while diagnosing whether said measurement data is normal or abnormal on the basis of the normal model; and a re-diagnosing unit for re-diagnosing measurement data, which has been diagnosed to be abnormal by the abnormality-diagnosing unit, by a method different from the abnormality-diagnosing unit.

Abstract: An automated hand tool sharpening and cleaning system for sharpening the two opposed cutting edges of domestic, industrial, sport, or hobby hand tool like a knife blade is provided by the invention. The apparatus comprises a six-axis robotic arm, a pneumatic gripper, a vision sensor camera for profiling the blade edges, a robotic controller, and sequentially-arranged grinding, coarse sharpening, fine sharpening, and buffing rotating wheel assemblies used to grind, sharpen, and buff or polish the cutting edges of the knife blade. The blade cutting edges are profiled by the camera image that is processed by associated software to define the blade by multiple points defined along its edge, followed by a set of algorithms that are used to clean up any discrepancies in the profile data.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a processing device for uniformly grinding wafers held by a plurality of chucks, and a method for setting the processing device. [Solution] A processing device 1 includes a coarse grinding means 5 and a fine grinding means 6 that are provided in a column 4 straddling over a holding means 2. The holding means 2 includes: an index table 21; chucks 22 concentrically disposed about a rotation shaft 2a; a first movable support unit 24 disposed on the outer peripheral side of the chuck 22 in the radial direction of the index table; and a first fixed support unit 25 disposed on the inner peripheral side of the chuck 22 in the radial direction of the index table. The first movable support unit 24 is interposed between the index table 21 and the chuck 22, and can be freely expanded and contracted in a vertical direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tool for sanding and buffing an irregularly shaped surface that includes a head having a rounded surface, a first abrasive material adapted for sanding or buffing, the first abrasive material attached to the rounded surface via an adhesive substance or other attaching means and at least partially covering the rounded surface, and a handle attached to the head. The tool may further include a second abrasive material attached to the rounded surface via the adhesive substance or other attaching means that at least partially covers a portion of the rounded surface not covered by the first abrasive material. If the first and second abrasive materials have varying properties such as their coarseness, the user may find each material to be especially efficient for use in separate sanding, buffing, or polishing processes.

Abstract: An assembly for supporting the extended operation of mounted power hand tools is provided. The power tool extension apparatus extends between a baton-style handle and a depth-adjusting single wheel correlated to enable the operator to control the mounted power hand tool in a one-handed walk along manner. The alignment of the power tool extension apparatus, the mounted power tool, and the centrally disposed single wheel facilitates a wide range of selective pivotal motion of the single wheel and thus the mounted power tool about the extension apparatus.

Abstract: A reinforcement ring can be placed in a carrier head to abut an inner surface of a perimeter potion of a flexible membrane. The reinforcement ring has a substantially vertical cylindrical portion, a flange projecting outwardly from the bottom of the cylindrical portion, and a lip projecting outwardly from a top of the cylindrical portion. The flange projects outwardly farther than the lip.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wafer polishing apparatus, including: a surface plate having a polishing pad attached on an upper surface thereof; a slurry injection nozzle configured to inject slurry toward the polishing pad; at least one polishing head configured to accommodate a wafer and rotate at an upper portion of the surface plate; an index configured to support so as to connect the at least one polishing head at an upper portion thereof; and a particle suction part coupled to the index and configured to suck particles generated during polishing of the wafer.

Abstract: Apparatus with a rotationally drivable receptacle for a grinding tool to be tested, wherein the apparatus comprises: an optical testing apparatus arranged such that the grinding tool, while being rotatably driven, is at least partially irradiated by light emanating from an emitter of the testing apparatus, and that at least a portion of the light from the grinding tool is reflectable in the direction towards a sensor of the testing apparatus, wherein the sensor is adapted to provide test information, a computing device which is designed for processing the test information in order to determine a 3-dimensional vector model of the grinding tool from macroscopic basic information, a memory in which a target vector model is stored, a computing device which is designed for comparing the vector model with the target vector model in order to enable the determination of deviations between the vector models.

Abstract: A preparation method of a split-window CMP polishing pad includes engraving a groove and a window in a backing, attaching the backing with a substrate through an adhesive, punching a hole in the substrate corresponding to the window through a substrate punching mold, forming window support blocks, punching an original window material through a punching machine and a window punching mold, obtaining a formed window material, coating another adhesive on the window support blocks, placing the formed window material into the window portion, and attaching the formed window material to the window support blocks. Compared with the sliced integrated-window, for the split-window provided by the present invention, the materials do not affect each other during the manufacturing process, so that the problem of uneven density distribution of the backing after curing can be solved, and the fluctuation of the tensile strength caused by uneven temperature is reduced.

Abstract: A device for covering a tooth profile during machined processing with a tool, including an appliance for applying cooling lubricant to at least one contact area between the tool and the tooth profile during machine processing of the tooth profile by means of the tool. The appliance includes a guiding means by means of which a front face of the tooth profile in an area that is facing towards the contact area and an environment of the tooth profile in front of the area can be at least partially covered. The appliance is formed with at least one conduit which, in the operational state of the guiding means in which the tooth profile is covered, is arranged so as to extend in front of the tooth profile in the area that is shielded by the guiding means, and via which cooling lubricant can be supplied to the contact area through the guiding means.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a slurry supply system including: a slurry mixing unit configured to mix slurry; a slurry supply unit in which the slurry mixed in the slurry mixing unit is stored and configured to supply the slurry to a polishing apparatus; a pipe configured to connect the slurry mixing unit and the slurry supply unit; and a slurry cooling unit installed in at least one of pipes configured to connect the slurry supply unit and the polishing apparatus to cool down the mixed slurry.

Abstract: A polishing liquid is supplied without passing through a rotary joint in a face-up type polishing apparatus. This application discloses a polishing head for the face-up type polishing apparatus used by mounting a polishing pad on a lower surface as one embodiment. The polishing head includes a liquid reservoir portion that receives a liquid and a liquid discharge port that discharges the liquid received by the liquid reservoir portion. The liquid reservoir portion is disposed around a rotation axis of the polishing head. The liquid discharge port is disposed on the lower surface of the polishing head. An annular opening centering on the rotation axis of the polishing head is formed on an upper portion of the polishing head. The liquid reservoir portion is communicated with a space outside the polishing head via the opening.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for water jet cutting including: a water source; a pump communicating with the water source, generating a high pressure water flow; a tank containing an abrasive material in suspension, including a fluid and abrasive particles dispersed homogeneously in the fluid; and a cutting head in fluid communication with the pump and the tank, the cutting head including a mixing chamber. The tank of the abrasive material in suspension is in communication with the cutting head by an abrasive inlet channel and the cutting head is configured to generate a vacuum pressure that draws the abrasive material in suspension through the abrasive inlet channel toward the mixing chamber to mix the abrasive material in suspension and the high pressure water and form a jet of water and abrasive. Also disclosed is a method for generating a water jet cut that can be implemented with the apparatus.

Abstract: A system for blast-cleaning a barge deck, sides, and fittings providing for safety and avoidance of damage to the barge and to persons, where a barge is blast-cleaned with moving blaster units suspended from and traveling along an overhead track beam. In one embodiment, the moving blaster units are each controlled by a person in a moving operator capsule moving in tandem with a moving blaster unit. In another embodiment, the moving blaster units are robotically controlled from a robotic controller which has access to a three-dimensional plan of the barge, communicating with the robotic blaster units via RF antennae, and receiving real-time data from sensors located on each blaster head. Optionally, the system for blast-cleaning a barge can provide blaster-head cameras for real-time remote monitoring of operations and for recording of the operations allowing review of any issue, such as damage, that might arise.

Abstract: A system for blast-cleaning a barge bottom providing for safety and avoidance of damage to the barge and to persons, where a barge is blast-cleaned with a blasting tractor having a transverse track beam along which positioning units move blaster heads. In one embodiment, the blasting tractor is controlled by a person in a cab of the blasting tractor, where the operator can see the blaster heads. In another embodiment, the blasting tractor is robotically controlled from a robotic controller which has access to a three-dimensional plan of the barge, communicating with the robotic blasting tractor via RF antennae, and receiving real-time data from sensors located on each blaster head. Optionally, the system for blast-cleaning a barge can provide blaster-head cameras for real-time remote monitoring of operations and for recording of the operations allowing review of any issue, such as damage, that might arise.

Abstract: An abrasive article includes a body having a bond material extending throughout the body and abrasive particles contained in the bond material. The bond material can include aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and lithium oxide (Li2O). In an embodiment, the bond material can include a ratio (Al2O3/Li2O) of a content of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) relative to a content of lithium oxide (Li2O), based on weight percent, of greater than 11.5 and at most 20. In another embodiment, the abrasive article can have a versatility factor of greater than 1.90.

Abstract: A polishing or grinding pad with a multilayer reinforcement is provided. In one aspect, a floor polishing or grinding pad assembly employs a flexible pad, at least two reinforcement layers or rings with different characteristics, and multiple floor-contacting tools such as abrasive disks. In another aspect, a workpiece polishing or grinding pad assembly includes a flexible and rotatable pad, a polymeric reinforcement layer coupled to the pad and a metallic reinforcement layer to which are coupled abrasive tools. In yet another aspect, a floor-facing reinforcement is more flexible than a pad-facing reinforcement which is more rigid.

Abstract: A sanding plaster sponge including an integrated retractable pencil or pen positioned in a channel formed across opposite faces of the sanding plaster sponge; and a pushbutton for positioning a tip of the pencil or pen between retracted and extended positions.