Abstract: A coating composition for imparting a hydrophobic film on a target surface is provided that includes a quaternary ammonium silane, a polyalkylene glycol, and an optional solid lubricant. A kit is also provided that includes an applicator having the above composition applied and instructions for the composition to a blade of a windshield wiper of a vehicle to impart the hydrophobic film to the vehicle windshield contacted by the blade.

Abstract: Methods and systems for coating metal substrates are provided. The methods and systems include sequential application of low flow and high flow powder coatings followed by a single heating step to provide a cured coating. The methods and systems include a marker that allows coating uniformity to be monitored and assessed during application. The described methods provide coatings with optimal surface smoothness and edge coverage.

Abstract: A highly-sensitive ultrasonic transducer with good yield is provided. The ultrasonic transducer includes a cavity layer, a pair of electrodes positioned above and below the cavity layer, insulating layers disposed above and below each of the pair of electrodes, and a filled hole that penetrates, in a vertical direction, at least a portion of the insulating layers positioned above the cavity layer. When the ultrasonic transducer is viewed from above, each electrode of the pair of electrodes includes, at a position that overlaps the embedded hole, a non-electrode region where the electrodes are not formed.

Abstract: A micromachined ultrasonic transducers with non-coplanar actuation and displacement comprising a plate with a protruding center mass, a substrate with a center depression configured to accept the center mass, a first electrode coupled to a non-horizontal edge surface of the center mass, and a second electrode coupled to a non-horizontal edge surface of the center depression. The plate may be coupled to the substrate at least along an outer perimeter area of the plate and the substrate.

Abstract: A dielectric elastomer transducer according to the present invention includes a dielectric elastomer layer, and a pair of electrode layers sandwiching the dielectric elastomer layer. The electrode layers contain a binder and carbon black. The carbon black has a particle size distribution as measured by dynamic light scattering in which not less than 95% falls in a range of 0.15 to 8.0 ?m. The carbon black has a particle size as measured by laser scattering ranging from 0.4 to 50 ?m. The particle size distribution of the carbon black as measured by dynamic light scattering has a first peak that falls in a first range of 0.15 to 1.0 ?m and a second peak that falls in a second range of 1.0 ?m to 8.0 ?m. This structure achieves both stretchability and electrical conductivity of the electrode layers.

Abstract: A vibrator-mounted holder is attached to a casing of a vibration generator which moves a vibrator to generate a vibration when used. The vibrator-mounted holder includes a vibrator, a vibrator retention unit retaining the vibrator, a fixing unit fixed to a casing, and an arm. The vibrator includes a magnet having a plate shape parallel to a horizontal surface and a yoke arranged on the magnet. The arm connects the fixing unit to the vibrator retention unit, and supports the vibrator retention unit in a manner that the vibrator retention unit is displaceable with respect to the fixing unit. The yoke has a projecting portion which is projected downward and fixed to the vibrator retention unit. The arm is connected to a portion, at which the projecting portion is arranged, within the vibrator retention units.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an acoustic wave transducer and a driving method thereof. The acoustic wave transducer includes cell groups, at least part of which each include acoustic wave transducer cells configured to perform a same operation, each acoustic wave transducer cell being configured to perform at least one of: converting an acoustic wave signal into an electrical signal and converting an electrical signal into an acoustic wave signal; and array element signal terminals, each of which is coupled to at least two adjacent cell groups, and is coupled to different cell groups through different switch devices, each switch device being configured to control connection and disconnection between the array element signal terminal and the cell group coupled to the switch device, and the cell groups coupled to an array element signal terminal and the cell groups coupled to an adjacent array element signal terminal are partly the same.

Abstract: A screen plate for a separating device for classifying bulk material along with separating device having at least one screen plate therein classifying bulk material.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for the analysis and/or sorting of scrap metal, more particularly of scrap aluminium, in which a quantity of scrap metal, more particularly aluminium scrap, in the form of a scrap bundle or a group of scrap bundles is provided, in which method the scrap bundle or the group of scrap bundles is irradiated by at least one neutron source, the gamma radiation emitted by the scrap bundle or by the group of scrap bundles is captured by at least one detector, and composition information relating to the composition of the scrap bundle or the group of scrap bundles is determined on the basis of the gamma radiation captured by the at least one detector. The disclosure further relates to a device for analysing and/or sorting scrap metal.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system for textile items sorting comprising a reception station; a textile items recognition station; a pick-up and transferring device including grippers configured to grab individual pieces of textile items, and moving members configured to convey the gripper from the reception station to the textile items recognition station; and a sorting and separating station. The present invention also discloses a method for automatic sorting of textile items comprising the steps of: accumulating textile items within a reception station; picking up textile items from the reception station and transferring them to a textile items recognition station; identifying the textile items in the textile items recognition station; and conveying identified textile items to a sorting and separating station for textile items including several deposits for receiving different kinds of sorted textile items.

Abstract: A lens and/or a view screen of an electronic device having at least one case can be cleaned by wiping the view screen with a cleaning component wherein the cleaning component is configured to selectively couple to the at least one case or some other substrate using a magnetic attractive force. The cleaning devices may have secondary applications such as securing fly fishing lures, activating or deactivating a device having a magnetic switch, or preventing sunglasses from sinking. They may also be manufactured without a cleaning component for use with the secondary applications.

Abstract: A support arm arrangement for a local gas extractor arrangement and a local gas extractor arrangement including such a support arm arrangement. The support arm arrangement includes a first support arm and at least one second support arm being pivotally coupled to each other by friction joint arrangements. The support arm arrangement receives a tube device coupled to an extractor hood, an exterior pump device and the support arms. The extractor hood is arranged at an outermost second support arm by a linkage arm arrangement including a first link arm pivotally coupled to the outermost second support arm by a first friction joint pivotable about a first pivoting axis, and a second link arm fixedly attached to the extractor hood and pivotally coupled to the first link arm by a second friction joint pivotable about a second pivoting axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the first pivoting axis.

Abstract: A system may include a circulation subsystem and a circuit coupled to the circulation subsystem. The circuit may provide one or more signals to control the circulation subsystem to circulate a treatment solution including one or more of microbubbles or nanobubbles in a selected ratio. In one aspect, the nanobubbles may include a first gas, and the microbubbles may include a second gas. In another aspect, the treatment solution may include a first percentage of nanobubbles and a second percentage of microbubbles. In another aspect, mechanical agitation can be applied to the solution on an object to assist in cleaning.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes an imaging section, a protective cover in a field of view of the imaging section, a vibrator to vibrate the protective cover, a piezoelectric driver to drive the vibrator, a cleaning liquid discharger to discharge a cleaner onto a surface of the protective cover, and a signal processing circuit to control the piezoelectric driver. The signal processing circuit controls the piezoelectric driver such that the protective cover is vibrated at a resonant frequency for a predetermined period after the cleaning liquid is caused to be discharged and controls the piezoelectric driver such that, after the predetermined period, vibration of the protective cover is stopped or the protective cover is vibrated at a frequency other than the resonant frequency.

Abstract: Cleaning arms for cleaning containers are disclosed that can be used for transportation of food, medical, and/or pharmaceutical products. In some embodiments, a container cleaning arm comprises a main body and rotatable head for cleaning a container interior surface. The main body comprises a proximate end configured for engaging with a motorized drive and a distal end rotatably coupled to the rotatable head. The rotatable head comprises a first washing nozzle or group of washing nozzles and a first air knife dryer positioned adjacent to the first group of washing nozzles.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating metal wire by multiple reverse bending and associated methods for using the apparatus are disclosed. The first roller has a first roller diameter, is followed by N?1 intermediate rollers with intermediate roller diameters and ends with an exit roller with an exit roller diameter. The exit roller is larger than the first roller and any one roller in the sequence of rollers has a roller diameter that is not smaller than the preceding roller in the sequence. The progressively larger diameters impose a well-controlled, gradually decreasing curvature to the wire resulting in a cast controlled wire. By folding the wire path together, a compact arrangement is obtained accommodating the increasingly larger rollers. A method to operate the apparatus is also described that allows for an easy adjustment of the apparatus in function of wire thickness.

Abstract: A drawing die made from cemented carbide material is formed of tungsten carbide and a metallic binder. The cemented carbide material includes: tungsten carbide with an average grain size of 0.15-1.3 ?m, 0.5-5.0 wt.-% (Co+Ni), with a ratio Co/(Co+Ni) of 0.6-0.9; 0.1-1.0 wt.-% Cr, with 0.05?Cr/(Co+Ni)?0.22; 0.02-0.2 wt.-% Mo; and 0-0.04 wt.-% V. The cemented carbide material is substantially free from ?-phase.

Abstract: A coiling device that includes a coiler (1) having a coiling mandrel (3) for coiling a metal strip, and a coiling swing arm (4) having front and a rear pressure rollers (5, 6) and a deflection plate (7). A swing arm drive (8) lines up the coiling swing arm (4) with the coiling mandrel (3) and is driven away from the coiling mandrel (3). An upper duct flap (9) upstream of the coiler (1) in the feed direction (x) guides the metal strip (2). A flap drive (10) positions the upper duct flap (9) such that, when the coiling swing arm (4) is lined up with the coiling mandrel (3), the upper duct flap is arranged between the coiling mandrel (3) and the front pressure roller (5) of the coiling swing arm (4) or is arranged upstream of the front pressure roller (5) of the coiling swing arm (4).

Abstract: A side wall of a pipe is clamped by a first die and a second die to thereby clamp the pipe. The first die and the second die are made to approach each other while an end of the pipe is pressed toward the first die by the third die along a longitudinal direction of the pipe, to thereby form a spool between the first die and the second die. In a state where the spool is clamped by the first die and the second die, the third die is separated from the pipe along the longitudinal direction of the pipe so as to separate the second die and the third die from each other. Clamping of the pipe is released such that the first die and the second die separate from the side wall of the pipe, to thereby unclamp the pipe.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the modification of a deep-drawing sheet blank (P) for electric resistance heating. Generally, the modified sheet blank comprises slits (Z) being made in the edges of the blank (P) transversely to the electric current flow and oriented towards the perimeter of the forming zone (T). The distances between the ends of the slits (Z) and the forming zone (T) perimeter may be equal. The ends of the slits (Z) oriented towards the forming zone perimeter (T) may also be rounded.

Abstract: A sheet-shaped blank (10) for press forming is produced by shearing a metal sheet (30). The blank (10) includes a sheared edge (14), which includes a sheared surface (14b) and a fractured surface (14c) in the sheet thickness direction and has a loop shape in plan view. In plan view, an edge of the sheared edge (14) includes concavely curved portions (20). The average of lengths of the fractured surface (14c) in the sheet thickness direction in the curved portions (20) is greater than the average of lengths of the fractured surface (14c) in the sheet thickness direction over the entire perimeter of the sheared edge (14).

Abstract: An elongated securement member for enabling the accurate alignment and securement of a first plate and a second plate together through a configured bore arranged therebetween, the elongated securement member having a first for securement member upper end and a second or securement member lower end. The first or securement member having a longitudinal axis, the upper end of which also having a tapered or wedge inducing non-cylindrical portion, the second or securement member lower end having a threaded portion of a diameter D1 and a middle cylindrical portion of a diameter D2, and an annularly arranged channel formed at a juncture of the tapered or wedge inducing non-cylindrical portion of the securement member upper end and the middle cylindrical portion of diameter D1 of the securement member.

Abstract: An energy-dissipating cover for covering a component sensitive to mechanical impulse includes a sheet of selected ferrous or aluminum alloy, the sheet having a top surface, a bottom surface, an outer perimeter, an overall area within the outer perimeter and a nominal thickness of no more than 2.5 mm. The sheet is configured for connection with one or more external structures at a plurality of connection points within the outer perimeter, wherein the overall area comprises a plurality of supported areas and at least one unsupported area. Embossments are formed within the at least one unsupported area and extend outward from the bottom surface. The embossments are shaped, sized and arranged so as to limit orthogonal deflection of the sheet from a mechanical impulse directed normal to the bottom surface of the sheet at the plurality of embossments.

Abstract: An embossing system designed to mark metal marker plates. The embossing system includes a feeder system that presents a marker plate, a drive sub assembly secured to the feeder system, and a gripper system that grips the marker plate from the feeder system. The feeder system has a fixed side wall secured to a base plate and a moveable side wall positioned a distance from the fixed side wall. Marker plate guides are secured to the side walls for providing support to a stack of marker plates positioned in the feeder system. Adjustable feed gates are secured to the sidewalls to accommodate adjustments for maker plate thickness variations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for securing a tool (2), in particular a bending tool, comprising a receiving. space (4) for receiving an engaging part (5) of the tool and means (9) arranged in or close to the receiving space for locating and/or communicating with the tool. The device is further provided with a first protective layer (11) at least partially separating the locating and/or communication means from the receiving space. The tool can comprise a locating and/or communication element (14) which co-acts with the locating and/or communication means and which is closed off from the surrounding area by a second protective layer (15). The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such a securing device.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to propose a device capable of automatically insetting a tube into a bending die instead of doing so manually, even if the shape of a product exceeds two meters in length, the device comprising a bending die having a tube insetting portion, and a traveling body that includes a guide mechanism guiding a tube to an upper portion of the tube insetting portion, an auxiliary guide mechanism keeping the tube in the upper portion of the tube insetting portion, a insetting roll insetting the tube in the tube insetting portion, a pair of drive wheels rolling along lower rails, and a drive mechanism, wherein the traveling body moves and insets a tube into the bending die while having the auxiliary guide mechanism and the drive wheels grip the bending die.

Abstract: A method for producing helices for a chain-link net, said helices for forming the chain-link net being interconnected, and rotated into one another, wherein the helices are produced from at least one longitudinal element, in particular a single wire, a wire bundle, a wire strand, and/or a wire rope, with at least one wire being partially implemented from a high-tensile steel, and wherein the helices are bent so that they include a plurality of first legs, a plurality of second legs, and a plurality of bending regions that interconnect a first leg and a neighboring second leg, wherein the helices are bent, by a braiding knife assembly comprising at least one braiding knife, in such a manner that at least the center points of the first legs and/or at least the center points of the second legs of a completely bent helix each lie substantially in one plane respectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a gear worm (12) which is located in particular on an armature shaft (14) of an electromotive drive unit (10), wherein firstly a worm gear (20) having screw flanks (22) axially opposite one another on a longitudinal axis (18) is formed by means of a rolling tool, and subsequently a groove structure (24) which is concentric about the longitudinal axis (18) is formed on the screw flanks (22) by means of an additional process step. The invention also relates to a gear worm (12) produced according to the method according to the invention, and to a transmission drive unit (10) containing such a gear worm (12).

Abstract: A compact press apparatus is provided that is capable of assuring the acceptability of a pressing, and in which the pressing location tends not to be restricted. Such a press apparatus includes a frame (1, 77) and a servopress (31, 50, 60, 101). A servomotor (33, 52, 62, 103) is provided within a first frame part (11, 17, 19, 79) or within a connecting-frame part (15, 83). At least a portion of a power-transmission mechanism (40, 56, 66, 90, 110) is provided within the first frame part (15, 83).

Abstract: Provided is construction which is able to downsize an orbital forging device comprising a spherical seat with shaft that swings and rotates with a molding die. The end section on the other side in the axial direction of the swinging shaft 13 is supported with respect to the driving mechanism 17 in a state where the movement toward one side in the axial direction (lower side) is prevented, and a member for preventing the swinging shaft 13 from moving toward the one side in the axial direction with respect to the frame 10 is not assembled in a section which is located between the convex spherical seat 14 and the driving mechanism 17 in the axial direction of the swinging shaft 13.

Abstract: A continuous casting apparatus includes a first belt carried by a first upstream pulley and a first downstream pulley, a second belt carried by a second upstream pulley and a second downstream pulley, and a mold region defined by a first mold support section arranged behind the first belt and a second mold support section arranged behind the second belt. The first mold support section supports the first belt and defines a shape of the first belt in the mold region and the second mold support section supports the second belt and defines a shape of the second belt in the mold region. At least one of the first mold support section and the second mold support section includes a transition portion and a generally planar portion downstream from the transition portion. The transition portion has a variable radius configured to receive molten metal from a metal feeding device.

Abstract: A die casting machine of an embodiment includes: a holding furnace holding molten metal; a sleeve located outside the holding furnace and having a molten metal supply port passing through a mold; a plunger sliding through the sleeve and including a plunger rod and a plunger tip fixed to a tip of the plunger rod; a molten metal supply pipe supplying the molten metal into the sleeve and attachable to and detachable from the molten metal supply port; and a moving mechanism detaching the molten metal supply pipe from the molten metal supply port when the plunger is sliding.

Abstract: Disclosed is a casting ladle for casting aluminum alloy in the present application. The casting ladle includes a liner contact layer, a first thermal insulation layer, a second thermal insulation layer, and a housing layer sequentially from inside to outside. The first thermal insulation layer includes first Al2O3 particles and at least one first oxide particle selected from the group consisting of first SiO2 particles, first CaO particles, and first MgO particles. The second thermal insulation layer includes at least one second oxide particle selected from the group consisting of second Al2O3 particles, second SiO2 particles, second CaO particles, and second MgO particles. The second thermal insulation layer has a porosity of 60-75% and a pore size of 2-5 mm.

Abstract: Piece comprising a first metal part and a second part in organic matrix composite material, wherein the first part has a first connecting portion and the second part has a second connecting portion, the second connecting portion having at least one through-hole, the second connecting portion being totally or partially sandwiched between the first connecting portion and a metal fastening element, the fastening element being fastened on the first part both onto the first connecting portion via the through-hole of the second connecting portion and onto a portion other than the first connecting portion, whereby the first part and the second part are fastened to each other.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) object printer has an ejector head with a single nozzle that is fluidly connected to a plurality of orifices in an orifice plate of the ejector head. An ejection of material through the single nozzle is emitted through the plurality of orifices simultaneously. In one embodiment, some of the orifices are oriented at an angle to a normal to the plane of the orifice plate. A splicer of the printer that generates machine ready instructions for operation of the printer identifies a standoff distance between the orifice plate and a surface onto which drops are being ejected to achieve a target drop spacing for the drops ejected onto the surface. In this manner, a material density for structure within a layer can be achieved without needing to increase the ejection frequency significantly or requiring the printer to incorporate multiple ejector heads.

Abstract: A method of producing a transparent conductive electrode is provided. The method comprises spraying a suspension of electrically conductive nanowires on a polymer substrate to form droplets thereon, wherein each of the droplets has a periphery which is in contact with one or more peripheries of another droplet, wherein the suspension comprises a polar solvent, wherein the polymer substrate and the polar solvent produce a surface tension which directs the electrically conductive nanowires to accumulate at the periphery of each of the droplets to form a network of connected ring structures, and removing the polar solvent from the polymer substrate to form a micromesh comprising the electrically conductive nanowires which are retained in the form of the network of connected ring structures. The transparent conductive electrode and its uses are also provided.

Abstract: This application relates to a method of manufacturing an electrostatic chuck having a high heat dissipation property and high thermal shock resistance and being lightweight, and an electrostatic chuck manufactured by the method. In one aspect, the method includes preparing a composite powder by milling (i) aluminum or aluminum alloy powder and (ii) carbon-based nanomaterial powder through ball milling. The method may also include manufacturing a multilayer billet including a core layer and one or more shell layers surrounding the core layer, in which at least one of the core and shell layers contains the composite powder. The method may further include extruding the multilayer billet to form an electrode layer and forming a dielectric layer on the electrode layer.

Abstract: A method of making an article includes depositing a plurality of layers to form a three-dimensional preform, sintering the preform to form a sintered preform, and infiltrating the preform with at least one metal to form the article. At least one layer of the plurality of layers is formed from a beryllium-containing composition including beryllium powder. The infiltrating metal can be selected from aluminum and magnesium.

Abstract: A ratcheting anti-lock chuck guard for regulating access to a lathe chuck includes a guard assembly having a main body section and an actuation section pivotally coupled to the main body section. The chuck guard includes an access assembly having a mounting shaft coupled to the guard assembly and a ratcheting assembly coupled to the shaft, the ratcheting assembly being rotatably movable to predetermined angular positions when urged by actuation of the guard assembly. The guard assembly is rotated to an open configuration as the mounting shaft and ratcheting assembly is rotated. The ratcheting assembly includes a serrated lock wheel coupled to the mounting shaft that has a plurality of teeth each defining a lock pocket and includes a lock pawl configured to communicate with the lock pockets as the ratcheting assembly is incrementally operated. Operation the lathe is locked until the chuck guard is rotated to a predetermined angle/position.

Abstract: An insert holder has a holder longitudinal axis defining opposite forward to rearward directions, a holder end surface located at a forward end thereof, and a holder peripheral surface extending circumferentially about the holder longitudinal axis. The insert holder has upper and lower jaws which are spaced apart by a clamping recess recessed in the holder end surface. The upper jaw is resiliently movable with respect to the lower jaw upon rotation around an angled pivot axis. The insert holder includes a forwardly located insert mounting portion which includes a forwardly protruding clamping finger and a forwardly protruding support rib. The clamping recess is defined partially by an elongated recess hinge surface formed on an angled hinge portion. The recess hinge surface includes a first hinge end and a second hinge end, longitudinally spaced apart from one another. The second hinge end is located forward of the first hinge end.

Abstract: Power tools such as cutting saws with rotary powered blades are described. Also described are various accessories for tools used with cylindrical workpieces such as pipes are described. The accessories include a clamp and saw joint assembly, various quick connection assemblies between a saw and a clamping system, a plunge guide assembly, a latch plate assembly, an interlock switch, a blade guard system, and a chip management system or chip deflector. Also described are related methods of use.

Abstract: There is a hand-held machine tool, in particular a saber saw, with a housing, a drive motor with an output shaft, a spindle for receiving a tool, in particular a saw blade, and a motion converter for converting a rotational motion of the drive shaft into a reciprocating motion of the spindle. The motion converter comprises an eccentric element driven by the output shaft rotationally about an axis of rotation with a driver part arranged eccentrically to the axis of rotation, and a pendulum element which is mounted pivotably about a bearing point and is connected via a coupling point to the spindle. The pendulum element has a guide element for guiding the driver part. In one embodiment, the guide element is arranged between the bearing point and coupling point.

Abstract: A method wherein a first workpiece (2, 40) is loaded to a spindle (30) of a workpiece processing machine with the first toothed workpiece having a predetermined design and being in a predetermined rotational load position. The first toothed workpiece is stock-divided and a machining position is determined based on the stock-dividing. The first toothed workpiece is rotationally adjusted to the machining position. The teeth (3, 42) of the first toothed workpiece are then machined and the first workpiece is removed from the spindle. A second toothed workpiece is loaded to the spindle of the workpiece processing machine. The second toothed workpiece has the same predetermined design and is in the same predetermined rotational load position as the first toothed workpiece. The second toothed workpiece is rotationally adjusted from the predetermined rotational load position to the machining position by the same adjustment amount as the first toothed workpiece.

Abstract: EDM assemblies mount on a machining surface and discharge rotating sub-electrodes against the surface. The sub-electrodes can also revolve about another shared axis while discharging. Rotation and revolution may be achieved with planetary gears fixed with the sub-electrodes and meshing with a stationary sun gear. Several sub-electrodes can be used in a single assembly. Downward movement of the sub-electrodes from a central shaft on the mount allows several inches of the surface to be machined. Assemblies are usable in a nuclear reactor during a maintenance period to machine a hole for a replacement manway cover underwater in the flooded reactor. The differing rotational movements and vertical movement can be independently controlled with separate motors in the assembly. Power and controls may be provided remotely through an underwater connection.

Abstract: A high-speed reciprocating wire cutting process in which a wire electrode is transported and precisely guided across a machining area by means of a wire traveling circuit, whereas the cutting process is conducted by repeatedly: (a) running the wire electrode in a first direction until a first reciprocation position, (b) stopping and inverting the traveling direction of the wire electrode, (c) running the wire electrode in a second direction until a second reciprocation position, and (d) stopping and inverting the traveling direction of the wire electrode.

Abstract: An online prediction method of tool-electrode consumption adapted for an electrical discharge machining (EDM) apparatus includes an experimental design; extracting electrode consumption variables from machining parameters of the electrical discharge machining (EDM) apparatus; and obtaining a correlation between the machining parameters and the electrode consumption variables through a correlation analysis to obtain a prediction model capable of predicting an effective contact area of a tool-electrode and a workpiece. In addition, a prediction method of machining accuracy is provided.

Abstract: This paper describes an invention involving an electrochemical discharge-enabled micro-grinding process for micro-components of silicon-based materials. The specific machining method is described below. A micro-grinding tool and an auxiliary electrode are respectively connected to the negative and positive electrodes of a pulsed DC power supply. When the current flows through the loop, an electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) occurs at the micro-grinding tool in the grinding fluid, which generate multiple hydrogen bubbles. The bubbles coalesce into an insulating gas film and separate the micro-grinding tool from the grinding fluid; when the critical voltage is reached, the gas film is broken down and an electrochemical discharge occurs accompanied by discharge spark; under the action of the discharge spark, the surface material of the workpiece in the discharge-affected region is directly ablated to generate a heat-affected layer (HAL), namely, physical modification.

Abstract: A practical plasma processing machine is provided, in which attachment mechanism is provided for attaching plasma head to attachment section of a head moving device that moves the plasma head. Since the plasma head can be attached or detached, for example, it is easy to exchange it with a different type of plasma head, remove for maintenance, attaching after maintenance, or the like.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a welding machine adapted for performing a spot welding process on a workpiece, wherein the welding machine is specifically adapted for automatically applying pre-conditioning a welding pulse portion to the workpiece prior to performing the spot welding process. The present disclosure also relates to a corresponding method and computer program product.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a pin, a mechanism and a sensor. The housing is configured to receive a weld head. The pin is configured to move linearly relative to said housing. The mechanism is configured to convert a position of said pin into a displacement. The sensor is configured to generate a value representative of said position of said pin based on said displacement.