Abstract: Machine to work oblong metal products, including a drawing apparatus to feed at least one of said metal products in a direction of feed and a work apparatus aligned in said direction of feed. The drawing apparatus includes a first drawing unit and a second drawing unit opposite each other with respect to said direction of feed. The first drawing unit and the second drawing unit define between them, in said direction of feed, a drawing channel for the at least one metal product. The drawing channel has a lying plane, defined by a plurality of anchoring inserts, for the at least one metal product, a supply apparatus being possibly present upstream of said drawing apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to metallurgical production, and more particularly to preparing a charge ingot which is used for producing bronze ingots by casting. As a starting charge material, a spent inert anode previously used in the electrolytic production of aluminium is utilised, that is covered with alumina, allowing same to react with a bath which flows out of the anode during a thermal treatment performed at a temperature within a range of 950-1200° C., followed by soaking in a furnace for at least 3 days. The invention makes it possible to obtain a charge ingot with a minimal electrolyte content.

Abstract: A casting device capable of manufacturing products in a short cycle time; and a casting method using this casting device. The casting device includes: a pressurized furnace; a mold having a cavity formed therein; a stalk; at least a first hot water tap in a cylindrical shape connecting the cavity and an end of the stalk on the downstream side in the ma ten metal filling direction and guiding the molten metal supplied to the stalk to inside the cavity; and a filter member provided in the first hot water tap. The filter member includes a flange extending along the extension direction of the first hot water tap and abutting an inner wall surface of the first hot water tap. A coolant passage having coolant flowing therethrough is provided in the vicinity of the inner wall surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a plurality of powder particles configured to be joined in an additive manufacturing process to form a part, and wherein each one of the powder particles comprises a three dimensional, non-spherical shape. The non-spherical shape of each one of the plurality of powder particles may be at least one of identical in three dimensional shape, or at least partially complementary in three dimensional shape, to each other. The plurality of powder particles may further be of dimensions enabling fitting individual ones of the plurality of particles in abutting relationship with one another with substantially no voids between them.

Abstract: This application relates to a method of manufacturing a metal-polymer composite material having high thermal conductivity and electrical insulating properties. The method may include preparing a powder mixture comprising polymer powder and metal powder, and spark plasma sintering (SPS) the powder mixture to produce a composite material. This application also relates to a metal-polymer composite material having high thermal conductivity and electrical insulating properties, manufactured by the method.

Abstract: A method is provided for printing a three-dimensional object. The method comprises, depositing a layer of metal powder onto a powder bed of a three-dimensional printer. A liquid is heated to generate a vapor. The liquid is removed from the vapor to dry the vapor by heating the vapor above a condensation temperature of the liquid. The dry vapor is deposited onto the powder bed of the three-dimensional printer.

Abstract: Provided is a forming method of a metal layer suitable for a 3D printing process. The method includes the steps of (1) providing first metal particles on a substrate to form a first layer; (2) performing a first pre-heat treatment on the first layer; (3) applying an oxide-removing agent on selected first metal particles in the first layer to remove metal oxides; (4) providing second metal particles on the first layer to form a second layer; (5) performing a second pre-heat treatment on the second layer; (6) applying the oxide-removing agent on selected second metal particles in the second layer to remove metal oxides; repeating (1) to (6) until a latent part is formed; performing a first heat treatment on the first and second metal particles of the latent part to form a near shape; and performing a second heat treatment on the near shape to form a sintered body.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to systems and methods for using nanocrystalline metal alloy particles or powders to create nanocrystalline and/or microcrystalline metal alloy articles using additive manufacturing. In some embodiments, a manufacturing method for creating articles includes disposing a plurality of nanocrystalline particles and selectively binding the particles together to form the article. In some embodiments, the nanocrystalline particles can be sintered to bind the particles together. In some embodiments, the plurality of nanocrystalline particles can be disposed on a substrate and sintered to form the article. The substrate can be a base or a prior layer of bound particles. In some embodiments, the nanocrystalline particles can be selectively bound together (e.g., sintered) at substantially the same time as they are disposed on the substrate.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing small adaptive engines uses a battlefield repository having cloud services that is configured to enable additive manufacturing (AM) of engine parts and assemblies. The method also uses a compilation of recipes/signatures for building the engine parts and the assemblies using additive manufacturing (AM) processes and machine learning programs. An additive manufacturing system and an alloy powder suitable for performing the additive manufacturing (AM) processes can be provided. In addition, the engine parts can be built using the additive manufacturing (AM) system, the alloy powder, the battlefield repository and the compilation of recipes/signatures. A system for manufacturing small adaptive engines includes the battlefield repository, the compilation of recipes/signatures, a foundry system for providing the alloy powder and an additive manufacturing (AM) system configured to perform the additive manufacturing (AM) processes.

Abstract: An expeditionary additive manufacturing (ExAM) system for manufacturing metal parts includes a mobile foundry system configured to produce an alloy powder from a feedstock, and an additive manufacturing system configured to fabricate a part using the alloy powder. The additive manufacturing system includes a computer system having parts data and machine learning programs in signal communication with a cloud service. The parts data can include material specifications, drawings, process specifications, assembly instructions, and product verification requirements for the part. An expeditionary additive manufacturing (ExAM) method for making metal parts includes the steps of transporting the mobile foundry system and the additive manufacturing system to a desired location; making the alloy powder at the location using the mobile foundry system; and building a part at the location using the additive manufacturing system.

Abstract: Some variations provide a method of making an additively manufactured metal component, comprising: providing a feedstock that includes a high-vapor-pressure metal; exposing a first amount of the feedstock to an energy source for melting; and solidifying the melt layer, thereby generating a solid layer of an additively manufactured metal component. The metal-containing feedstock is enriched with a higher concentration of the high-vapor-pressure metal compared to its concentration in the additively manufactured metal component. The high-vapor-pressure metal may be selected from Mg, Zn, Li, Al, Cd, Hg, K, Na, Rb, Cs, Mn, Be, Ca, Sr, or Ba, for example. Additively manufactured metal components are provided.

Abstract: A method of additive manufacture suitable for large and high resolution structures is disclosed. The method may include sequentially advancing each portion of a continuous part in the longitudinal direction from a first zone to a second zone. In the first zone, selected granules of a granular material may be amalgamated. In the second zone, unamalgamated granules of the granular material may be removed. The method may further include advancing a first portion of the continuous part from the second zone to a third zone while (1) a last portion of the continuous part is formed within the first zone and (2) the first portion is maintained in the same position in the lateral and transverse directions that the first portion occupied within the first zone and the second zone.

Abstract: A method for producing, by additive manufacturing, a part including at least one surface that must be held during the manufacturing, the method including: a step of forming a raw part by additive manufacturing, the raw part including a support including a pillar and a head which is an alveolar element connecting the pillar to the surface to be held; and a step of detaching the support from the rest of the raw part.

Abstract: A molybdenum material having a diameter of 75 mm or more and a length of 250 mm or more, and having a relative density of 99.5% or more.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for calibrating, in particular, sintered pressed parts, wherein a calibration procedure of each individual pressed part is controlled depending on at least one specific pressed part parameter of the respective pressed part measured before calibration and/or depending on at least one production parameter of a preceding pressing and/or sintering step of the respective pressed part.

Abstract: Provided is a blade manufacturing method by which a blade of a stable quality can be manufactured. The present invention involves: a shaping process in which a blade is molded by means of metal injection molding by injecting metal powder toward a mold; a jig attaching process in which a jig serving as a mold, which is divided into at least two parts forming the shape of the blade therebetween, is attached to the blade by sandwiching the blade between the shape-forming surfaces; and a thermal treatment process in which a thermal treatment is applied to the blade to which the jig has been attached.

Abstract: Presented here are nanocomposites and rechargeable batteries. In certain embodiments, nanocomposites a nanocomposite is resistant to thermal runaway, and useful as an electrode material in rechargeable batteries that are safe, reliable, and stable when operated at high temperature and high pressure. The present disclosure also provides methods of preparing rechargeable batteries. For example, rechargeable batteries that include nanocomposites of the present disclosure as an electrode material have, in some embodiments, an enhanced performance and stability over a broad temperature range from room temperature to high temperatures. These batteries fill an important need by providing a safe and reliable power source for devices operated at high temperatures and pressures such as downhole equipment used in the oil industry.

Abstract: There are provided high melting point metal or alloy powder atomization manufacturing processes comprising providing a melt of the high melting point metal or alloy through a feed tube; diverting the melt at a diverting angle with respect to a central axis of the feed tube to obtain a diverted melt; directing the diverted melt to an atomization area; and providing at least one atomization gas stream to the atomization area. The atomization process can be carried out in the presence of water within an atomization chamber used for the atomization process.

Abstract: A machine tool includes a spindle, a spindle X-axis moving mechanism for moving the spindle in an X-axis direction, a tool rest equipped with a cutting tool for machining a workpiece, and a tool rest X-axis moving mechanism for moving the tool rest in the X-axis direction, wherein the tool rest is provided with a swivel mechanism for causing swiveling the cutting tool. The machine tool further includes a calculating means for calculating a moving distance of the cutting tool in the X-axis direction when the cutting tool has swiveled by a desired swivel angle, and a control means for controlling the operation of the spindle X-axis moving mechanism such that the spindle is moved in the X-axis direction to follow the cutting tool in accordance with the moving distance.

Abstract: Provided is a lathe capable of facilitating replacement of a ball screw. A machine tool comprises a base, a moving unit, a ball screw, a cap, and a supporting unit provided on the base to support the cap. The cap has a body and a flange expanded larger than the body on the outer side thereof with respect to the axis direction. The supporting unit comprises a recess part which receives the body. The recess part is provided with an opening allowing the threaded shaft to pass in a direction perpendicular to the axis direction in the state that the supporting unit is provided on the base. The supporting unit further comprises a positioning part on which an inner surface of the flange abuts in the the axis direction in the state that the body is received in the recess part.

Abstract: A handheld wood thread cutting tool with an elongated shank formed with a planar surface and including a first end and a second end with a length substantially longer than its width. The first end has a first wood thread cutting edge aligned substantially in parallel relative to a first vertical plane perpendicular to the planar surface and passing through the length of the elongated shank from the first end to the second end. The second end has a second wood thread cutting edge aligned substantially parallel to a second vertical plane perpendicular to the planar surface and running through the width of the elongated shank from a first side wall to a second side wall. A ball handle is affixed between the first and the second end.

Abstract: A cutting tool includes: a substrate including a rake face; and a coating film that coats the rake face, wherein the coating film includes an ?-Al2O3 layer disposed on the substrate, the ?-Al2O3 layer includes crystal grains of ?-Al2O3, an area ratio of crystal grains oriented in (001) among the crystal grains is 50% to 90% in the ?-Al2O3 layer at the rake face, and a film residual stress AA determined based on a crystal plane interval of a (001) plane of the ?-Al2O3 layer at the rake face is more than 0 MPa and less than or equal to 2000 MPa, and a film residual stress BA determined based on a crystal plane interval of a (110) plane of the ?-Al2O3 layer at the rake face is more than or equal to ?1000 MPa and less than 0 MPa.

Abstract: A cutting tool includes a substrate and a coating that coats a surface of the substrate, the coating including a multilayer structure layer composed of at least one layer A and at least one layer B alternately deposited from a side closer to the substrate toward a side closer to a surface, the layer A having an average composition of AlxCr(1-x)N, the layer B being composed of AlyTi(1-y)N, the layer A being composed of a domain region and a matrix region, the domain region having a composition ratio of Cr larger than that of Cr of the matrix region, wherein x has a range of 0.5?x?0.8 and y has a range of 0.5?y?0.7.

Abstract: A cutting tool for turning includes a coupling portion, an intermediate portion and a cutting portion. The intermediate portion extends along a longitudinal center axis thereof between the coupling portion and the cutting portion. The cutting portion includes a first and a second nose portion. The first nose portion has a first cutting edge, a second cutting edge, and a convex nose cutting edge connecting the first and second cutting edges. The first and second cutting edges form a nose angle less than 90°. A longitudinal center axis of the coupling portion defines a tool rotational axis. The cutting portion includes a top surface, the top surface facing away from the coupling portion and the first and the second nose portions each form free ends of the cutting tool.

Abstract: A cutting tool including a rake face, a flank face, and a cutting edge portion, comprising a substrate and an AlTiN layer, the AlTiN layer including cubic AlxTi1-xN crystal grains, Al having an atomic ratio x of 0.7 or more and less than 0.95, the AlTiN layer including a central portion, the central portion at the rake face being occupied in area by (111) oriented AlxTi1-xN crystal grains at a ratio of 50% or more and less than 80%, the central portion at the cutting edge portion being occupied in area by (111) oriented AlxTi1-xN crystal grains at a ratio of 80% or more.

Abstract: A cutting insert may include a first surface, a second surface, a third surface and a cutting edge. The first surface may include a corner, a first side, a first inclined surface located along the corner, a second inclined surface located further inside than the first inclined surface, a third inclined surface located along the first side, a fourth inclined surface located further inside the first surface than the third inclined surface, and a protruded part located further inside than the second inclined surface and the fourth inclined surface. An inclination angle of the protruded part may be smaller than an inclination angle of the second inclined surface in a cross section along a bisector of the corner. The inclination angle of the protruded part may be larger than a third inclination angle in a cross section orthogonal to the first side.

Abstract: A chuck for use with a power driver having a rotatable drive spindle is provided. The chuck may include a clamping assembly comprising a clamping member that operably couples the sleeve to a nut. The clamping assembly may be configured to transition the chuck between a rapid jaw adjustment mode and a clamping mode. In the rapid jaw adjustment mode, a sleeve may be configured to rotate the clamping member with the nut to cause rotational movement of the nut relative to jaws and a chuck body, which may cause translational movement of the jaws relative to the chuck body. In the clamping mode, the nut may be rotationally fixed with the jaws and the clamping member may rotate relative to the nut to cause the nut to move axially relative to a center axis of the chuck which causes the jaws to translate relative to the body and clamp onto a working bit.

Abstract: Various chucks for use with a power driver having a rotatable drive spindle are provided. One chuck includes a plurality of jaws disposed at a forward end of the chuck, a body, a push plate, a jaw spring, and a nut. The plurality of jaws may be disposed in the body and configured to rotate with the body about a center axis of the chuck. The push plate may be operably coupled to each of the jaws. The jaws may be configured to translate forward to close the jaw opening in response to the push plate translating axially forward. The jaw spring may be configured to apply a forward directed force to urge the push plate forward. The nut may have nut teeth that cause the jaws to translate forward and clamp onto the working bit in response to the nut being rotated in a tightening direction.

Abstract: A collet-type mechanism for releasably gripping either an external or internal target surface of a tubular workpiece includes a collet receiver defining a collet receiver contact surface configured as a curved lateral surface of a truncated right circular cone, and a segmented collet assembly comprising a plurality of collet segments. Each collet segment defines a workpiece engagement surface configured for gripping engagement with a workpiece target surface, and a collet segment contact surface configured for at least partial contacting engagement with the collet receiver contact surface. The collet segment contact surface may comprise two axially-contiguous regions, one of which corresponds to a curved lateral surface of either an oblique circular cylinder or a right circular cylinder, and the other of which corresponds to a curved lateral surface of a truncated right circular cone.

Abstract: Provided is a lathe capable of shortening the spindle. The lathe comprises a spindle, a spindle support which supports the spindle through a bearing on an outer side of the spindle, a collet disposed on a front end of the spindle, an inner ring holder provided on the spindle to hold a front of an inner ring of the bearing, an outer ring holder provided on the spindle support to hold a front of an outer ring of the bearing, a cap screwed into the spindle in front of the inner ring holder, and a cover detachably provided on the spindle support side. The cover has an inner circumferential surface facing an outer circumferential surface of the cap. A first air purging unit is provided between the inner circumferential surface of the cover and the outer circumferential surface of the cap.

Abstract: A collet assembly of improved stability has a collet, an axial limiting assembly, a cutter, a pin, and multiple damping elements. The collet has a containing space, a pin-receiving groove, a connecting groove, and multiple receiving grooves. The containing space is formed through the collet. The pin-receiving groove is formed through the collet. The connecting groove is recessed on the collet. The multiple receiving grooves are recessed in the collet. The axial limiting assembly is mounted to the collet. The cutter has a limiting groove and a mounting end. The limiting groove is recessed on the cutter. The mounting end abuts against the limiting assembly. The pin extends into the pin-receiving groove and abuts against the limiting groove of the cutter. Each one of the multiple damping elements is received in a respective one of the multiple receiving grooves of the collet. A collet of improved stability is also provided.

Abstract: An oscillating tool includes a housing, a motor housed in the housing and a clamp assembly operatively driven by the motor in an oscillating motion. The clamp assembly can hold an accessory such as a blade or sanding attachment, and the clamp assembly includes a first clamp and a second clamp. The oscillating tool also includes a clamp lever and an actuating lever. The clamp lever is operatively coupled to the first clamp to move the first clamp such that clamp assembly is moved from a closed position to an open position. The actuating lever is operatively coupled to the clamp lever to effect movement of the clamp lever, movement of the clamp lever causing the clamp assembly to move from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: A hand for exchanging claws of a chuck is configured to be fitted to a transfer device so as to attach and detach a claw to and from a fitting groove provided in the chuck of a machine tool. The hand for exchanging claws includes: a hand part capable of grasping the claw; and a compliance device that fits the hand part to the transfer device, and allows relative displacement between the transfer device and the hand part.

Abstract: The invention relates to a double-sided drilling fixture for die-forged pistons and a double-sided drilling process thereof. It overcomes the defects of low efficiency and accuracy of the double-sided drilling operation for die-forged pistons in the prior art. The invention comprises a die-forged piston, a fixture base assembly, an upper load-resisting assembly and a lower expansion-resisting assembly. The upper load-resisting assembly is installed on the fixture base assembly and disposed above the die-forged piston. A fixation base, whose upper surface shape is the same as internal surface shape of the die-forged piston, is installed above the fixture base assembly. The die-forged piston is sleeved on the fixation base. The invention achieves simultaneous drilling on both sides of the two rear skirt surfaces of die-forged pistons and delivers quick clamping and automatic fixation, significantly reducing the difficulty in the assembly of drilling plate and workpiece and increasing the alignment accuracy.

Abstract: A method for machining a crankcase includes providing a machining device. The machining device comprises a mechanical machining unit and a cooling/rinsing system, which is configured to cool and/or rinse the mechanical machining unit or a surface which is to be machined. The method also includes creating a structure in a cylinder wall of a crankcase using the mechanical machining unit. The method also includes using a fluid stream of the cooling/rinsing system to reshape at least certain regions of the structure.

Abstract: A core drill includes a housing and a battery pack attachable to the housing for powering the core drill. The core drill is configured to be operated while being carried on a drill stand. The core drill is configured to be operated independently of and detached from the drill stand. The core drill is configured to be carried by an operator's hand while the core drill is not being carried on the drill stand.

Abstract: A novel drill jig includes an edge alignment guide, a hole-spacing assembly, a second guide, a biasing member, and an actuator. The edge alignment guide is configured to abut an edge of a workpiece to facilitate movement of the workpiece along a first straight line. The hole-spacing assembly includes a protrusion disposed to engage a preexisting hole in a workpiece positioned by the edge alignment guide. The second guide is coupled to the hole-spacing assembly and is configured to facilitate movement of the hole-spacing assembly along a second straight line perpendicular to the first straight line. The first biasing member is coupled to the hole-spacing assembly and is operative to exert a force on the hole-spacing assembly in a direction parallel to the second straight line. An actuator moves the hole-spacing assembly along the second straight line via the first biasing member.

Abstract: A hole cutter has a substantially cylindrical blade body defining a blade body circumference, a cutting edge formed on one end of the blade body, and an axially-elongated slot formed through the substantially cylindrical blade body. The axially-elongated slot is configured to receive chips flowing from the cutting edge within the interior of the blade body and (i) into the slot and/or (ii) through the slot, to prevent the collection of such chips within the interior of the blade body and/or at an interface between the blade body and the work piece. The axially-elongated slot defines a first end adjacent to the cutting edge, a second end axially spaced further from the cutting edge, and a slot area. The hole cutter further defines a total slot area to blade body circumference ratio within the range of about 0.1 to about 0.3 depending on the size of the hole cutter.

Abstract: A key duplicating machine is used for duplicating notches of an original key to a key blank. The key duplicating machine includes a base assembly, a first sliding table, a first driving mechanism, a first clamp, a second clamp and a cutting module. The first sliding table is slidably mounted on the base assembly. The first driving mechanism controls a position of the first sliding table. The two clamps are fixed on the base assembly. The original key and key blank are fixed on the two clamps respectively. The cutting module is pivotally mounted on the first sliding table, and has a guiding element, a TO cutting element and a motor. Gravity makes the cutting module rotate, and makes the guiding element and the cutting element press against the keys. The duplicating can be carried out with one hand, which is easier to use and more precise.

Abstract: A gripping surface includes a plurality of projections extending away from the gripping surface and a plurality of voids between and defined by the projections. The gripping surface may be disposed on a support surface, such as a deck of a skateboard or a deck of a balance board. The projections may be formed by cutting the support surface with a router, such as a computer numerical control router. The projections may each comprise three or more angles surfaces, whereby angled surfaces of proximal projections are positioned at mirror angles of one another.

Abstract: A method for machining a toothing with variable pitch on a rack implemented by a machine tool other than a ball nose milling cutter and includes at least five axes allowing positioning the cutting tool relative to the rack, namely a first, a second and a third axis of translation, forming a three dimension space, a first axis of rotation allowing modifying a yaw position, about a yaw axis parallel to the first axis of translation, and a second axis of rotation allowing orienting a roll position about the second axis of translation, and includes at least one cutting phase during which the cutting tool is controlled in «five continuous axes», by simultaneously modifying, during the same iteration, the spatial control component of each of the five axes, whereas the cutting tool rotates and is applied in contact with the surface of the tooth which is being trimmed.

Abstract: A gear machining support device supports machining when a tooth of a gear is machined on a workpiece by relatively moving the workpiece and a machining tool while synchronizing rotations of the workpiece and the machining tool around respective center axis lines thereof. The gear machining support device includes: a target modification amount storage unit configured to store target modification amounts of at least two of modification elements of a tooth surface shape of the tooth of the gear, the modification elements including crowning, bias, a helix angle, a pressure angle, and a tooth profile roundness; and a correction amount determination unit configured to determine a correction amount of a machining control element during a machining operation such that the at least two of modification elements approximate the respective target modification amounts stored in the target modification amount storage unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a forming device (200) for supplying at least one root protection gas to the root side of at least one region (11) of at least one pipe (10) to be connected, comprising at least one root protection gas supply device (220) for supplying the root protection gas and comprising at least one root protection gas conducting device (210) for conducting or deflecting the supplied root protection gas in an axial direction along the inner wall of the pipe (10) along the root side of the region (11) to be connected, wherein the root protection gas conducting device (210) has a cylindrical shape and can be inserted into the pipe (10) in a centered manner, and the root protection gas supply device (220) is arranged within the root protection gas conducting device (210). The invention additionally relates to a method for forming or supplying at least one root protection gas to the root side of at least one region (11) of at least one pipe (10) to be connected.

Abstract: A welding gun includes first and second movable arms, and first and second welding electrodes. The first and second movable arms are movable upward and downward. The first and second welding electrode are disposed respectively on the first and second movable arms. The welding gun is capable of performing a first mode in which the first and second welding electrodes are brought into contact with one side of a workpiece to weld the workpiece, and a second mode in which the workpiece is sandwiched by the first and second welding electrodes to weld the workpiece. The first and second welding electrodes are pivotally supported by the first and second movable arms, respectively. Each of the first and second welding electrodes has a rotatable roller shape. The first movable arm includes a first slide mechanism configured to allow the first welding electrodes to slide to below the second welding electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating electron radiation comprises: an elongated, wire-shaped hot cathode to emit electron radiation having an elongated, line-shaped cross section perpendicular to a direction of propagation of the electron radiation; a cathode electrode; an anode electrode with an opening through which the electron radiation emitted from the hot cathode can pass, wherein a voltage applied between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode accelerates electrons emitted from the hot cathode; and a deflecting unit to deflect the electron radiation downstream of the opening of the anode electrode, wherein a cross section of the electron radiation perpendicular to the direction of propagation is changed by the deflecting unit to decease a longitudinal extent of the electron radiation and to increase a transverse extent of the electron radiation such that longitudinal and transverse extents of the electron radiation perpendicular to the direction of propagation are about the same size.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control the acoustic properties of optical cables used as in-well oil and gas probes for acoustic monitoring, such as distributed acoustic sensing (DAS). One example aspect provides a solid path for the acoustic wave to propagate from an outside armor layer of the cable to the sensing optical waveguide embedded therein. Another example aspect offers ways to spatially dispose the optical sensing elements to create response delays indicative of the propagation speed and/or direction of an acoustic wave. Yet another example aspect provides ways to utilize additional spectral interrogation to increase ultimate spatial resolution. Yet another example aspect provides ways to locally vary the acoustic properties along the length of the cable.

Abstract: A friction stir welding tool comprises a cylindrical shank, a shoulder portion disposed at a distal end of the shank, a pin extending from the shoulder, a cutting insert mounted within a concave portion at the distal end of the shank, and a scribe cutter mounted at a distal end of the cutting insert. The cutting insert extends distally through a channel in the pine, and the scribe cutter extends from a distal end surface of the pin in an offset position. The distal end surface of the pin is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the shank.

Abstract: A method for aligning multiple optical components in an optical system including placing a sphere at a first position that is at a center of curvature of a first optical component, and aligning a focus of a first reference signal with the sphere at the first position. Then, moving the sphere along an axis of optical symmetry to a second position that is at a center of curvature of a second optical component, and aligning a focus of a second reference signal with the sphere at the second position. The first optical component is aligned with the first reference signal and fixing the first optical component, and the second optical component is aligned with the second reference signal and fixing the second optical component.

Abstract: A surface treating method and apparatus include operating a quasi-continuous wave fiber laser and pre-scan shaping the laser beam such that an instantaneous spot beam has predetermined geometrical dimensions, intensity profile, and power; operating a scanner at an optimal angular velocity and angular range to divide the pre-scan beam into a plurality of sub-beams deflected towards the surface being processed; guiding the sub-beams through a post-scan optical assembly to provide the spot beam with predetermined geometrical dimensions, power, and angular velocity and range, which are selected such that the instantaneous spot beam is dragged in a scan direction over a desired length at a desired scan velocity, which allow the treated surface to be exposed for a predetermined exposure duration and have a predetermined fluence distribution providing the treated surface with a quality comparable to that of the surface processed by an excimer laser or a burst-mode fiber laser.

Abstract: A calculating section of a control unit calculates a vertical position Defocus for a condensing lens using a height value H1 of a modified layer in a wafer that is set by a setting section according to the equation (1) below. Defocus=(thickness T1 of wafer?height value H1?b)/a??(1) The calculating section calculates an appropriate vertical position for the condensing lens according to the equation (1) depending on the height value H1 of the modified layer that is set by the setting section. Therefore, the vertical position of the condensing lens in laser processing operation can be determined more easily, and a time-consuming and tedious experiment for fine adjustment of the vertical position of the condensing lens does not need to be conducted.