Abstract: Systems and methods for managing the waste associated with the extraction of rubber from guayule shrubs are. provided. Also provided is a portable local sub-station for reducing the transportation costs associated with the processing of guayule shrubs for the extraction of rubber. Use of the disclosed systems, methods and/or local sub-station can reduce transportation costs, reduce processing costs and reduce the downstream processing complexity associated with the extraction of rubber from guayule shrubs.

Abstract: A logistics sorting system and a logistics sorting method, and the logistics sorting system comprises: the transport module, the sorting module, the identification module, the plurality of storage modules, the central controller connecting electrically with the transport module, the identification module, the sorting module, and the plurality of the storage modules respectively.

Abstract: A vacuum apparatus equipped with an automatic transport mechanism for transporting a specimen and a sensor for detecting a state of the vacuum apparatus includes: a determining unit which determines whether a recoverable error has occurred based on a signal from the sensor; and a display control unit which causes, when it is determined that a recoverable error has occurred, a display unit to display a procedure of a recovery operation in a wizard format. The display control unit determines whether the recovery operation has been performed according to the procedure displayed on the display unit based on a signal from the sensor, and causes the display unit to display a next procedure of the recovery operation when it is determined that the recovery operation has been performed according to the procedure.

Abstract: A method of producing gluten-free oats from a supply of grains incorporating oats and at least one contaminant grain includes hyperspectral imaging and analyzing data of only a particular region of interest of each grain in the supply of grains, particularly excluding tip and peripheral edge regions of the grain. Therefore, the particular regions of interest is limited to a central region of each grain determined by locating a centroid of the grain and collecting data of the grain from only pixels in a predetermined spacing from the centroid. Preferably, the hyperspectral imaging is only performed in wavelengths ranging from 1000 to 2500 nm. The method can be particularly employed in connection with quality control sampling of a pre-sorted supply of gluten-free oats to assure a gluten level well below 20 ppm, preferably a gluten level of no greater than 10 ppm.

Abstract: A sorting device (1) for loading, conveying and discharging objects (9), the sorting device (1) comprising: trays (2) each intended for carrying an object (9) in a conveyance direction (T) from a loading position (L) to a discharge position (D), a drive system (6) for conveying the trays (2) along a path (26), a pusher arm (5) arranged on the tray (2) for by means of pushing away, discharging an object (9) present on the tray (2), wherein pushing away takes place substantially transverse to the conveyance direction (T) of the tray (2), a scanning device (3) arranged along the path (26) at a scanning position (30) downstream the loading position (L), and arranged for scanning the object (9) during conveyance at the scanning position (30), a labelling device (4) arranged along the path (26) at a labelling position (40) downstream the scanning position (30), and arranged to compose a label based on the object (9) scanned by the scanning device (3), and to affix the label during conveyance on the object (9) ba

Abstract: A sanitizing system has a conveyor system, an elevator system, a control system, a plurality of height sensors, and a plurality of modular treatment stations for sanitizing and cleaning support objects infested with at least one contaminant. The plurality of modular treatment stations include an ultraviolet light treatment station, a steam treatment station, a vacuum treatment station, a heat treatment station, and a pair of ozone generators. The sanitizing system sanitizes and cleans support objects infested with at least one contaminant.

Abstract: A washing system that includes a vessel for storing a cleaning solution, an inlet connection point for pressurizing the vessel, and an outlet connection point for dispensing the cleaning solution. In one embodiment, the washing system includes a regulator valve configured to remain open and allow the inside of the vessel to be filled with pressurized gas via the inlet connection point when pressure inside the vessel is below a predetermined value and automatically close when pressure inside the vessel exceeds the predetermined value. In another embodiment, the washing system includes a relief valve (e.g., at the top of the vessel) that is configured to remain closed when pressure inside the vessel is below a predetermined value and automatically open when pressure inside the vessel exceeds the predetermined value.

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 web conveyance apparatus (101) may comprise a first cleaning device (136) with a first exterior suction port (211) laterally positioned outside of a first edge (201a) and facing a footprint (204a) of a first major surface (203a) of a web (103). In further embodiments, a method of manufacturing a web (103) may comprise conveying the web along a direction of a conveyance path and suctioning particles from the first major surface (203a) with a first exterior suction port (211) laterally positioned outside of a first edge (201a) and facing a footprint (204a) of a first major surface (203a) while conveying the web.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for wafer cleaning. The apparatus can include a wafer holder configured to hold a wafer; a cleaning nozzle configured to dispense a cleaning fluid onto a first surface (e.g., front surface) of the wafer; and a cleaning brush configured to clean a second surface (e.g., back surface) of the wafer. Using the cleaning fluid, the cleaning brush can clean the second surface of the wafer with a scrubbing motion and ultrasonic vibration.

Abstract: A method of cleaning wafer-cleaning brushes includes passing a wafer having a first polished main side and an opposing unpolished backside between a pair of substantially cylindrical shaped wafer-cleaning brushes are rotated about an axial direction of the brushes while passing the wafer between the pair of wafer-cleaning brushes. A cleaning solution is applied to the brushes while passing the wafer between the pair of wafer-cleaning brushes. While passing between the pair of brushes, the first polished main side of the wafer faces a first direction, the first direction is an opposite direction to which a polished side of a production wafer faces during a subsequent polished wafer cleaning operation. The substantially cylindrical shaped wafer-cleaning brushes include a plurality of protrusions on an external surface of the brushes, and the brushes contact the wafer at least a portion of time the wafer is passing between the pair of brushes.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for cleaning the air intake valves and surrounding areas of an engine. A gravity-fed cleaning-fluid dispenser may feed cleaning fluid into a hose through a metered device that meters a rate at which the cleaning fluid flows into the hose. A second fluid meter connected to a distal end of the hose further meters the rate at which a mixture of the cleaning fluid and air from is dispersed into the running GDI engine. Cleaning fluid may be distributed to the engine at a gradually decreasing rate as a volume of cleaning fluid in the dispenser decreases as the service progresses.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first support member coupled to a casing and constructed to move along a first axis through the casing and rotate around the first axis, a second support member coupled to the first support member and constructed to move along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and an arm pivotally coupled to the second support member and constructed to rotate around a third axis perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis. The apparatus also includes a cleaning head attached to the arm and constructed to rotate around a longitudinal axis of the arm.

Abstract: A phytotoxicological device is provided comprising: a delivery chamber for insertion into a sample-containing medium, said delivery chamber comprising an upper end, a lower end and one or more apertures to permit moisture to enter the delivery chamber; an exposure chamber in communication with the upper end of the delivery chamber and adapted to receive a cartridge that houses a biological plant material; a locking cap to enclose the exposure chamber; and a base to enclose the lower end of the delivery chamber. This device allows for an investigation of the effects of waterborne contaminants on growth of wetland plants in situ as opposed to currently employed laboratory based methods.

Abstract: A two-axis roll forming apparatus for forming sheet metal includes a first carriage and a second carriage each reciprocally movable parallel to a longitudinal axis. The second carriage is spaced apart from the first carriage and separated therefrom by a gap. A first bending station is carried by the first carriage and reciprocal moveable parallel to a transverse axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A second bending station is carried by the second carriage and reciprocal moveable parallel to the transverse axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A cooling device cooling an undersurface of a hot rolled steel sheet that is being transported on transport rolls after finish rolling of a hot rolling step includes: width divided cooling zones that are a plurality of cooling zones into which a whole cooling zone is divided in a sheet width direction; divided cooling sections that are a plurality of cooling zones into which each of the width divided cooling zones is divided in the rolling direction; a water nozzle spraying cooling water over each of undersurfaces of the divided cooling sections; a switching mechanism switching the cooling water between impinging and not impinging on the divided cooling sections; a width direction thermometer measuring a temperature distribution in the sheet width direction; and a controller controlling operation of the switching mechanism.

Abstract: Method for mitigating stress corrosion cracking at an internal (i.e., wetted-side) weld area in piping of a nuclear power plant includes the steps of actuating a radially movable tool to produce a radial bad against the internal (i.e., normally wetted) surfaces at or near the weld area to create a deep residual compressive stress state at the wetted surface of the weld. The method permits post-process verification by physical measurements of surface distortion.

Abstract: Systems and methods produce or provide a folded connection, sealed by means of an adhesive composition, between a first sheetlike element and a second sheetlike element. The systems and methods bond a second flange of the second sheetlike element with at least one layer of an adhesive composition to a first flange of the first sheetlike element, in such a way that an end of the second flange of the second sheetlike element is indented by a distance relative to an end of the first flange of the first sheetlike element. The systems and methods bead the first flange of the first sheetlike element around the second flange of the second sheetlike element and, after the beading, an adhesive-composition part is placed around an edge of the first flange of the first sheetlike element and bonded to a second surface of the first flange of the first sheetlike element.

Abstract: A welding installation with a calibration tool is provided in a device for producing container shells. The force exerted by the container shells on the calibration tool is measured and evaluated as information for the overlapping width of the respective container shell. This allows adjusting the calibration tool during configuration of the device and allows the removal of container shells welded with too large or too small overlapping during production of container shells.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing boiler tubes includes the steps of removing end caps from a plurality of tubes, the plurality of tubes including at least a first tube and a second tube, cleaning an outer surface of the first tube and the second tube, forming a weld preparation on an upstream end of the first tube, forming a weld preparation on a downstream end of the second tube, welding the upstream end of the first tube to the downstream end of the second tube to form a butt weld, to produce a long tube, and with an automated device, measuring a parameter of at least the first tube and the second tube. The steps of removing the end caps, cleaning the outer surface of the tubes, forming the weld preparations, welding the first tube to the second tube, and measuring the parameter are performed autonomously.

Abstract: A rolling tool (5) has a basic body (6) for fastening the rolling tool (5) in a rolling machine (1) and a profiled part (7) for the shaping treatment of a workpiece (2) to be rolled. The basic body (6) and the profiled part (7) are of multi-piece design. The basic body (6) and the profiled part (7), in their interconnected position, are mounted movably relative to one another in a plane perpendicular to the rolling direction (23). The basic body (6) of the rolling tool (5) can also be part of the rolling machine (1).

Abstract: A transfer station for temporarily storing at least one interchangeable die. The die can be removed by a joining tool to carry out a joining operation and can be returned back into the transfer station after the joining operation. The transfer station including a carriage that is movable between a first position, wherein a first die receptacle is in a standby position, and a second position, wherein a second die receptacle is in the standby position. In the standby position the chosen die receptacle is accessible by the joining tool when in its transfer position.

Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing an aluminium alloy automobile hub, the method comprising the following steps: putting a workpiece in the shape of a shallow hat on a first spinning base, wherein an opening of the workpiece faces upward, and a first upper pressure head extends into the workpiece from above and then fixes the workpiece; and pressing out a rim for spokes on an outer side of a lower portion of the workpiece by means of spinning rollers. In the method, series and improved aluminium alloy sheets are taken as raw materials and are integrally formed by multi-pass powerful spinning machining, such that same are deformed step by step in the whole process according to the properties of aluminium alloy, thereby forming a blank of the hub, and then the hub is formed by finishing.

Abstract: A continuous casting mold including a water-cooled copper mold having a mold copper plate including an inner wall surface, recessed portions disposed partially or entirely in a region of the inner wall surface of the water-cooled copper mold from at least a position located at a meniscus to a position located 20 mm lower than the meniscus, and material-filled layers disposed in the recessed portions with a metal or nonmetal having a thermal conductivity different from that of the mold copper plate of the water-cooled copper mold. A shape of each of the recessed portions at a surface of the mold copper plate includes a curved surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-crushing casting system including mold units for receiving a molten material from a melting furnace and casting the molten material to form a plurality of unit shape materials having a predetermined size; and a conveyor unit for performing infinite looping of mold units to detach the unit shape materials of the cast molten material, and for conveying and discharging the detached unit shape materials. According to the present invention, to manufacture a subsidiary raw material for steel manufacture having a certain unit size, ferromanganese or ferrosilicon is melted, and then cast in molds having a predetermined size.

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene platelets, or other forms of graphene are incorporated into raw materials before products and product components are manufactured from the materials. For example, CNTs may be incorporated into metallic powders, which can be pressed and sintered into metallic products and product components. CNTs or graphene platelets can also be incorporated into plastics, ceramics, metals, or other materials used to construct products and product components by additive manufacturing. When incorporated into the products and product components, the CNTs or graphene platelets can improve various properties of the products and product components, such as thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, or structural properties.

Abstract: It is an object of the present disclosure to provide copper alloy particles or the like, wherein, by sufficiently melting an irradiation region with heat generated through the irradiation of a laser beam during manufacturing in particular, a layer-manufactured product can be obtained, which has low porosity (void fraction), and excellent corrosion resistance and fatigue characteristics. Copper alloy particles 1 of the present disclosure are used as an Additive Manufacturing material by irradiation with a laser beam having a wavelength of 1.2 ?m or less, and have an average particle diameter of 50 ?m or less, wherein a light absorption rate of the material is 6% or more.

Abstract: A manufacturing method includes providing a material that includes a plurality of particles and a binder that is uncured. The method also includes forming a first article from the material including curing the binder to bind a collection of the particles together into the first article. Furthermore, the method includes encasing at least a portion of the first article with an outer member. The outer member defines an internal cavity that corresponds to the first article. Additionally, the method includes heating the outer member and the first article to melt the collection of particles into a molten mass within the internal cavity of the outer member. Moreover, the method includes solidifying the molten mass within the outer member to form a second article. The second article corresponds to at least a portion of the internal cavity of the outer member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a composite material consisting of a metal and ceramic alloy, comprising steps of: producing a mixture of metal powder and ceramic powder, the particle size of the metal powder being micrometric and the particle size of the ceramic powder being nanometric; and exposing said mixture to a focused energy source that selectively fuses part of a bed of said powder mixture.

Abstract: A system includes a controller, a pretreating mahine, and an additive manufacturing machine. The pretreating machine is coupled to the controller. The pretreating machine includes a pretreater structured to form an interface layer on a component. The additive manufacturing machine is coupled to the controller. The additive manufacturing machine includes a material feed and a forming beam. The material feed is configured to selectively provide a first amount of material on the interface layer. The forming beam is configured to substantially melt the first amount of material, thereby forming a first layer of a first material deposit on the interface layer.

Abstract: The present application provides a method for manufacturing a metal foam. The present application can provide a method for manufacturing a metal foam, which is capable of forming in a very short time a metal foam comprising uniformly formed pores and having excellent mechanical properties as well as the desired porosity, and a metal foam produced by the above method. In addition, the present application can provide a method capable of forming a metal foam in which the above-mentioned physical properties are ensured, while being in the form of a thin film or sheet, in a short time, and such a metal foam.

Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing a component. The method comprises creating a preform from a material using additive manufacturing and heat treating the preform at a heating temperature to modify the microstructure of the material. The preform is geometrically unconstrained during the step of heat treating. The method then comprises compressive forming the preform into a predefined arrangement to create the component wherein the step of compressive forming is effective to close pores and diffusively bond the material. The material may then be geometrically constrained as it is cooled, for example within the die used for compressive forming.

Abstract: A method for the additive manufacturing of a component, includes the selective removal, in particular suctioning, of a base material for the component during the additive buildup, wherein the base material is removed from a predetermined region of a production surface during a movement of a coating device for the additive manufacturing.

Abstract: A horizontal lathe machine includes a work spindle unit disposed on a middle portion of a machine base and proximate to a front side of the machine base for holding a workpiece in an X-direction, and two tooling turret units located at two opposite sides of the spindle unit and driven to move in the X-direction by X-direction driving units. Each turret unit has a saddle movable on the machine base in the X-direction, and a turret driven by a turret driving member to rotate about a turret axis in a Y-direction that is perpendicular to the X-direction for facilitating a tool changing operation.

Abstract: A device (1) for clamping a workpiece (2) to be machined, in particular a chuck or vice, the device comprising: (i) a chuck body (3) and a drive (5) fastened thereto, and (ii) at least one clamping jaw (6), which is coupled to the drive (5) in a driveable arrangement either directly or via intermediate elements (7) and which is or are held movably in or on the chuck body (3) in the direction of the workpiece (2). On the one hand, reliable and centric clamping of the workpiece (2) in a predetermined position is achieved and, on the other hand, the mounting of the clamping jaw carrier (9) on the chuck body (3) is free of backlash in the clamped condition in order to prevent any possibility of movement of the workpiece (2) relative to the chuck body (3).

Abstract: A cutting tool comprising: (a) a shank being configured to connect the cutting tool to machine; (b) a body connected to and extending from the shank, the body including: (i) a longitudinal axis; (ii) a plurality of flutes, (iii) one or more pockets located in one or more of the plurality of flutes; (iv) one or more shield substrates located in each of the one or more pockets; and (v) one or more joints connecting the one or more shield substrates to the one or more pockets, the one or more joints including a leading portion; (c) a tip connected to and extending from the body, the tip including a cutting surface that extends radially outward from the longitudinal axis a distance so that a clearance cut by the tip into a substrate is sufficiently large so that the leading portion of the one or more joints extends within the clearance.

Abstract: An element with an insertion groove and a dismantling groove. A method for providing a dismantling groove in an element for a product to be assembled by a plurality of elements locked by a locking arrangement including a flexible tongue. The method includes providing an insertion groove and a dismantling groove in the same element. The dismantling groove extends along the element between a first side and a second side and is configured for receiving the flexible tongue of the locking arrangement for locking the element to another element having a tongue groove. The dismantling groove is provided in the element such that it extends from the first side to the insertion groove and along a portion of the insertion groove, and is configured to receive a dismantling tool for dismantling the element from the other element.

Abstract: Machining ball tracks and guiding webs of an inner part for a constant velocity joint in a clamping arrangement includes mechanical machining of at least one first ball track in a first rotational position; rotating the articulated inner part into a second rotational position for machining at least one further ball track; wherein at least one guiding web is mechanically machined during the rotating of the inner joint part from the first rotational position into the second rotational position. A corresponding device is used for machining ball tracks and guiding webs of an inner joint part.

Abstract: A milling tool for metal cutting machining has a tool holder with a shaft. At least one disc milling cutter having a central through-hole is mounted on the shaft. The disc milling cutter has internal coolant channels extending radially therein and connected to a coolant source through axial through-holes aligned with axial through-holes of one or more spacer rings, which are also mounted on the shaft, so as to provide for feeding of coolant to the disc milling cutter when placed in different positions along the extension of the shaft.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a cutting tool having a tool head that can be rotated about its mid-axis and has a front end face and a circumferential surface, a plurality of cutting elements and associated chip grooves arranged to be distributed in the circumferential direction on the circumferential surface, and a channel system running through the tool head for the coolant supply to the cutting elements. According to this disclosure, the end face of the tool head has coolant grooves, which each lead from an outlet opening of the channel system to an end opening in a chip groove, wherein the longitudinal openings of the coolant grooves are covered by a baffle plate fixed to the front face of the tool head.

Abstract: A cutting head for a power tool. The cutting head comprises a pivot pin, and a first jaw and a second jaw each disposed for rotation about an axis defined by the pivot pin. The first jaw comprises a first blade mounting surface and a first ear having a first ear surface. The second jaw comprises a second blade mounting surface and a second ear having a second ear surface for rotational engagement with the first ear surface. The cutting head further comprises a first blade mounted on the first blade mounting surface and a second blade mounted on the second blade mounting surface. The first blade mounting surface, the second blade mounting surface, the first ear surface, and the second ear surface are substantially co-planar, and during a cutting action, the jaws rotate about the axis.

Abstract: A cutting device main body with a saw blade in a tabletop cutting device, supported so as to be swingable in an up-to-down direction with respect to a table on which material to be cut is placed, aims to improve operability for attaching and detaching the battery. A sliding direction for attaching and detaching the battery is set to be a tilting direction angled with respect to an up-to-down moving direction of the cutting device main body in a surface direction of a cutting blade. Because of this configuration, all of an operation force for attaching and detaching the battery is not applied to the up-to-down moving direction of the cutting device main body. As a result, the cutting main body is not moved in an easy manner and operability for attaching and detaching the battery is improved.

Abstract: A multi-beam soldering system includes a multi-beam scanner, a sensor, and a controller. The multi-beam scanner generates at least a first beam and a second beam, and guides the first beam to a first element of a soldering zone and guides the second beam to a second element of the soldering zone. The sensor detects a first temperature of the first element and a second temperature of the second element simultaneously during soldering process. The controller adjusts the parameters of the first beam and the second beam under the condition that the first temperature is substantially different from the second temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for MIG brazing an Al alloy to a steel sheet so as to manufacture a lap joint member that excels in bonding strength with respect to the Al alloy. With the MIG brazing method, a bonding target sheet, specifically, an Al sheet or an Al alloy sheet is bonded to a hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet (1) whose coating layer contains Al in an amount of 1.0% by mass to 22.0% by mass. A target location of MIG brazing is a region between (i) an intersection (C) of one end of an end surface (6) of the bonding target sheet and the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet and (ii) the other end (U) of the end surface of the bonding target sheet.

Abstract: Provided are a logic switching device and a method of manufacturing the same. The logic switching device may include a domain switching layer adjacent to a gate electrode. The domain switching layer may include a ferroelectric material region and an anti-ferroelectric material region. The domain switching layer may be a non-memory element. The logic switching device may include a channel, a source and a drain both connected to the channel, the gate electrode arranged to face the channel, and the domain switching layer provided between the channel and the gate electrode.

Abstract: To stabilize a growth state of a droplet during an electrode negative polarity peak period in consumable electrode AC pulse arc welding. In an AC pulse arc welding control method for controlling welding which is performed by feeding a welding wire, and applying an electrode negative polarity base current during an electrode negative polarity base period, then applying an electrode negative polarity peak current during an electrode negative polarity peak period, and then applying an electrode positive polarity current during an electrode positive polarity period, to repeatedly apply these welding currents, the electrode negative polarity peak period includes a rising period Tu, a peak period Ta, and a falling period Td, a time ratio of the peak period Ta to the electrode negative polarity peak period is less than 20%, and the falling period Td is a period twice or more longer than the rising period Tu.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include wireless control of a welding power supply via portable electronic devices, such as dedicated original equipment manufacturer (OEM) welding remote devices, cellular radio telephones, satellite radio telephones, laptops computers, tablet computers, and so forth. In particular, operating parameters and statuses of the welding power supply may be modified by the portable electronic device, as well as be displayed on the portable electronic device. A pairing procedure may be used to pair the welding power supply and the portable electronic device in a wireless communication network. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, a method of providing location services for the welding power supply includes utilizing location data for the portable electronic device controlling the welding power supply as an approximation for the location of the welding power supply.

Abstract: A wire guide including a bracket for securing the wire guide to an external support, a housing, a holder for holding a nozzle extension, a main spring and an adjustment mechanism, and wherein the main spring is configured to allow the holder to float within the housing whilst a first end of the holder extends through an aperture formed in the housing and has a position adjustable with reference to the housing by the adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: In some aspects, a replaceable consumable component for performing a cutting or welding operation can include a body and a readable data storage device coupled to the body or integrated within the body, wherein the data storage device contains an operation instruction for a cutting or welding device.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a resistance weld in at least three overlying sheet metal layers includes the steps of: (1) providing a first sheet metal layer having a first thickness; (2) providing a second sheet metal layer having a second thickness; (3) providing a filler material on the second sheet metal layer; (4) providing a third sheet metal layer having a third thickness onto the filler material and the second sheet metal layer wherein the third thickness is less than each of the first and the second thicknesses; (5) pressing a pair of welding electrodes against a pair of opposing outer surfaces with the filler material disposed therebetween; and (6) passing an electric current between the pair of electrodes through the filler material and the first, second, and third sheet metal layers to form a weld nugget which penetrates into at least the first and second sheet metal layers.