Abstract: A method for continuous aeraulic separation of particulate materials consisting of a mixture of particles that is heterogeneous in both particle size and density is provided. The method includes grinding particles of materials, generating a gas stream conveying the ground particles, first aeraulic separation on the gas stream in order to separate the particles it contains into a first fraction consisting of the coarsest particles with variable densities and a second fraction consisting of the finest particles. A second aeraulic separation is performed on the first fraction in order to separate the particles that it contains into a third fraction consisting of the coarsest and/or most dense particles and a fourth fraction consisting of the least coarse and/or the least dense particles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for treatment of a material mixture that includes substitute fuel and impurities, where the device has a vertically aligned central feeder (1), a separating device (2) arranged underneath the central feeder (1), a rotor mill (3), wherein the rotor mill (3) is arranged above the separating device (2) and surrounds the central feeder (1), a flow device (4) for generating an upwardly directed gas flow, wherein the rotor mill (3) has several tools (8a, 8b) arranged offset relative to each other vertically and in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing the unfermentable solids content in a protein portion, via a counter current wash, at the back end of a corn dry milling process for making alcohol is disclosed. The method can include separating the whole stillage byproduct into an insoluble solids portion and a stillage (centrate) portion, which includes protein. Thereafter, the stillage portion can be separated into a water soluble solids portion and a protein portion. The protein portion may be mixed with clean water to wash and dilute the protein portion. The diluted protein portion may be dewatered to form a dewatered protein portion and a centrate. A portion of the centrate may be used as a protein counter current wash when the protein portion is being separated from the stillage portion. The protein counter current wash reduces the amount of unfermentable solids in the protein portion and the centrate.

Abstract: A centrifugal processing unit for directing the movement of substances within a sample processing cartridge having a rotor for receiving the sample processing cartridge, a rotor drive to create a centrifugal force, the centrifugal processing unit having a pivot accommodation and a fix accommodation for receiving the sample processing cartridge that are arranged on the rotor, where each pivot accommodation being adapted to allow a free pivoting motion of the received sample processing cartridge about a respective pivot axis, and each pivot axis being orthogonal to the rotor axis to the respective force vector of the centrifugal force.

Abstract: Provided is a chamber configuration for a reverse flow centrifuge, and a reverse flow centrifuge system configured for low fluid volume and small radius rotation. The compact reverse flow centrifuge system has a reusable subsystem and a single use replaceable subsystem. The replaceable subsystem comprises a separation chamber, fluid delivery manifold and rotational mounting connecting the separation chamber to the fluid manifold. The single use replaceable subsystem provides a closed environment for execution of reverse flow centrifugation processes. The separation chamber has a substantially conical fluid enclosure portion connected to a neck portion, and a dip tube extends centrally through the conical fluid enclosure to provide a fluid path to the tip of the conical fluid enclosure.

Abstract: A showerhead with a massage engine is disclosed. The showerhead may include a housing defining a chamber in fluid communication with a fluid inlet and a massage mode assembly received within the chamber. The massage mode assembly may include a drive gear comprising a plurality of drive teeth, wherein the drive gear rotates due to fluid from the fluid inlet impacting the drive gear, and a driven gear comprising a plurality of driven teeth that mesh with the drive teeth of the drive gear, such that movement of the drive gear causes the driven gear to rotate, wherein the drive gear rotates faster than the driven gear rotates to selectively direct fluid from the fluid inlet to one or more nozzles.

Abstract: A shield device may be secured, without the use of tape, to objects protruding from a surface to be painted in order to mask the objects. One or more magnets are secured around an opening of the shield device for securing to one another or the object. The shield device may also be used to cover parts of vehicles, machines, or other structures for enhancing safety. The shield device may be made of one or more panels of paint-impermeable material define an opening and an interior space extending from the opening toward a distal end of the one or more panels. A slit may extend from the opening partially toward the distal end. The magnets may be spaced apart from one another by a first distance with a second distance between magnets and sides of the slit being smaller.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrostatic coating apparatus including: an atomizing head cleaning flow path which is disposed at a coating machine and through which a cleaning fluid for cleaning a rotary atomizing head and a front end of a feed tube of a cartridge flows; a cleaning fluid flow path connecting a cleaning fluid supply source with the atomizing head cleaning flow path; a cleaning fluid valve disposed in the cleaning fluid flow path and configured to open and close the cleaning fluid flow path; a discharge air flow path connected to the atomizing head cleaning flow path and through which the discharge air flows; a cleaning fluid discharge flow path connected to the cleaning fluid flow path at a connection point located between the atomizing head cleaning flow path and the cleaning fluid valve; a discharge air switching valve disposed in the atomizing head cleaning flow path and configured to open and close the atomizing head cleaning flow path; and a cleaning fluid discharge valve disposed in the cleaning flu

Abstract: A sprinkler assembly with a nutating distribution plate that tilts and/or rotates upon water impinging the distribution plate. A deflector assembly includes the distribution plate and a base. A body of the sprinkler assembly includes a base retainer surface and a flanged bolt which combine to create a portion of a confinement structure. A portion of the deflector assembly is located within the confinement structure to limit a range of movement of the distribution plate. A nozzle subassembly includes a nozzle and retainer supporting a seal. The nozzle alone or in combination with the retainer can be removed from the sprinkler assembly. The sprinkler assembly can be disassembled and reassembled with minimal tools and effort for servicing. The distribution plate and the base can have mass properties optimized to improve sprinkler performance by reducing vibration, improving uniform water distribution, and reducing fine water droplet generation upon water stream impingement on the distribution plate.

Abstract: A mixing device may define a mixing chamber including a vortex mixing portion, a primary gas path along which a first gas stream moves to the vortex mixing portion, and a secondary gas path along which a second gas stream moves to the vortex mixing portion. The mixing device may have a mixer body, an outer gas guide positioned in the mixer body to guide the second gas stream to the vortex mixing portion, and an inner gas guide at least partially positioned in the mixer body to guide the first gas stream to the vortex mixing portion. A portion of the inner gas guide may be positioned in the outer gas guide to form an annular gap between the gas guides to define the secondary gas path about the primary gas path to create a vortex of the first and second gas streams in the vortex mixing portion.

Abstract: An adhesive coating and perforating device for a medical adhesive tape comprises a rack (1), an unwinding roller (2), a winding roller (3), a hot melt adhesive die head (4), an adhesive coating roller (5), a support roller (6) and a perforating roller (7); the unwinding roller (2) is used for placing a cotton cloth to be coated with adhesive, the winding roller (3) is used for winding the adhesive tape coated with adhesive, the hot melt adhesive die head (4) is used for heating a hot melt adhesive and coating the hot melt adhesive on the cotton cloth, the adhesive coating roller (5) is used for pushing the cotton cloth in a direction towards the hot melt adhesive die head (4), and a surface of the perforating roller (7) is provided with protruding points for perforating the hot melt adhesive on a surface of cotton cloth.

Abstract: A method of preventing drippage in a fluid dispensing system. The fluid dispensing system includes a first automatic control valve (ACV), an input of the first ACV connected to fluid-source of fluid, the first ACV having positions ranging from fully closed to fully open, and a second ACV, an input of the second ACV being connected to an output of the first ACV, and an output of the second ACV being connected to a nozzle, the second ACV having positions ranging from fully closed to fully open. The method includes generating a first proxy signal representing at least a first indirect measure of a position of the first ACV. The method includes recognizing, based on at least the first proxy signal that a failure state exists in which the first ACV has failed to close. The method includes causing the second ACV to close when the failure state exists.

Abstract: A disposable roof coating applicator includes a nozzle that is attached to a collar. The nozzle and collar are selectively attachable to a body that has an interior space and is formed by at least one side wall having an exterior wall and an interior wall. The coating applicator also includes a plunger that is movably disposed within the interior space of the body. The coating applicator may include a locking mechanism about the applicator's collar that selectively engages a stud provided on the body's exterior surface, selectively locking and unlocking the nozzle and collar assembly to the body. The disposable roof coating applicator is configured and otherwise designed to take in, store and transport approximately ½ to 2 gallons of viscous material to a roof seam before neatly and uniformly expelling the viscous material to the seam or joint.

Abstract: A process of coating an open-cell foam substrate includes the steps of arranging two rollers separated by a gap; positioning the substrate above the gap; providing a coating material onto the substrate, feeding the substrate through the gap so as to achieve a layer of the coating material on the substrate, wherein the coating material is selected from the group consisting of a polysiloxane derivative, acrylic polymer, butyl rubber, natural rubber, nitriles, styrene block copolymers with ethylene, styrene block copolymers with propylene, styrene block copolymers with isoprene and polyvinyl ether and modifying the coating with tackifiers; plasticizers; crosslinking agents; chain transfer agents; chain extenders; adhesion promoters; aryl or alky copolymers; fluorinated copolymers; hexamethyldisilazane; and silica.

Abstract: To improve the complicated painting process of large three-dimensionally shaped components, preferably aircraft components, the masking step is automated. This is achieved by printing a masking medium onto the component with an inkjet method, the masking medium forming a masking film. The masking film masks the desired surface area and can be pulled off following the end of the painting. Preferably, spray films, functional printing inks or mold release agents are used as the masking medium.

Abstract: Methods of curing a polymer layer on a substrate using variable microwave frequency are provided herein. In some embodiments, methods of curing a polymer layer on a substrate using variable microwave frequency include (a) forming a first thin-film polymer layer on a substrate, the first thin-film polymer layer including at least one first base dielectric material and at least one microwave tunable material, (b) applying a variable frequency microwave energy to the substrate and the first thin-film polymer layer to heat the substrate and the first thin-film polymer layer to a first temperature, and (c) adjusting the variable frequency microwave energy applied to the substrate and the first thin-film polymer layer to tune at least one material property of the first thin-film polymer layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a waste management system comprising a first waste bin having a first camera operatively configured to a controller. Images of waste captured by the first camera are analyzed by the controller to ensure that the waste is a plastic waste. Further, a categorization mechanism executing at the controller classifies the plastic waste in at least one of a plastic category using a machine learning mechanism. The system comprises a motor for shredding the plastic waste and a sieve for collecting the shredded plastic waste. Containers attached at an end of the sieve receive and store the shredded plastic waste. The system comprises a second waste bin having a second camera for capturing images of the general/wet waste and categorizing the images to alert user about potential food waste. Categorized wet waste is collected in the second bin.

Abstract: An unloading arrangement (10) for unloading items of washware (5a, 5b, 5c) which are arranged, in particular, on trays or tray-like objects (6), in particular items of washware (5a, 5b, 5c) from place settings. The unloading arrangement (10) has a feed conveyor belt (11) for feeding the items of washware. The unloading arrangement (10) also has a large number of unloading stations (12, 13, 14) arranged one behind the other—as seen in the conveying direction of the feed conveyor belt (11). For successively unloading the feed conveyor belt (11) or for successively unloading the trays or tray-like objects (6), a predefined or predefinable washware group is preferably associated with each unloading station (12, 13, 14) and each unloading station is designed to unload preferably only items of washware of the associated washware group from the washware which is fed by the feed conveyor belt (11).

Abstract: An automating seed sorting system is provided comprising a tray subsystem, a de-lidding subsystem, an extraction subsystem, and a collection subsystem. The tray subsystem is configured to remove at least one tray from a cart and, subsequently, return the at least one tray to the cart. The de-lidding subsystem is structured and operable to remove a lid from the at least one tray. The extraction subsystem is configured to extract one or more seeds from the at least one tray and release the one or more seeds into a funnel assembly. And, the collection subsystem includes the funnel assembly, wherein the collection subsystem is structured and operable to align at least one receptacle with the funnel assembly and direct the one or more seeds into the at least one receptacle via the funnel assembly.

Abstract: A washing apparatus comprises a tank in which rotatable, bladed shafts are located. The tank has a closable lower outlet located at a first end of the tank, and an upper outlet located at the first end of the tank, the upper outlet being higher than the lower outlet. A further outlet is located at a second end or between the first and second ends. The tank is disposed at an inclined angle such that the first end of the tank is lower than the second end of the tank, and is movable between a first inclined state in which the inclined angle is relatively shallow, and a second inclined state in which the inclined angle is relatively steep. The apparatus is able to perform the tasks of either a log washer or coarse material washer depending on the angle of inclination.

Abstract: Device and method for cleaning board erasers are provided. The device includes a case, one or more cleaning boxes, a flushing mechanism, one or more pressing parts and a rotating mechanism. Each cleaning box is configured for holding and cleaning a board eraser. The flushing mechanism includes a piping and a first power member for pumping water into the cleaning boxes to flush and clean the board erasers placed in the cleaning boxes. The rotating mechanism is configured to drive the cleaning boxes to rotate to set in an initial state or a working state. In the initial state, a user can put a board eraser into a cleaning box. In the working state, the board eraser in the cleaning box can be flushed and cleaned, and can be pressed by the pressing part to squeeze out water in the board eraser.

Abstract: A scraping tip is attached to a blow gun. The scraping tip includes a neck and a head attached to the neck. The neck is hollow cylindrical and centered about a main longitudinal axis. The head has an internal cavity, a first angled face, a second angled face, a first nozzle, and a second nozzle. The internal cavity is in gaseous communication with an interior of the neck. The first angled face is in a first angled plane, while the second angled face is in a second angled plane. The first nozzle is hollow cylindrical, centered about a first longitudinal axis, merges with the internal cavity, and terminates in the first angled face. The second nozzle is hollow cylindrical, centered about a second longitudinal axis, merges with the internal cavity, and terminates in the second angled face. The scraping tip allows focused high velocity air to aid with scraping.

Abstract: An improved refractory removal system may provide a top, bottom, and nozzle assemblies. At least one of the top or bottom assemblies may provide a rotation mechanism that allows a nozzle or the nozzle assembly to be rotated about a central axis or axis of rotation. The system may provide one or more securing mechanism(s) that allow the system to be secured in a desired position of a refractory vessel that refractory material is to be removed from. The nozzle assembly may provide an axial actuation mechanism that allows the nozzle to be moved away or towards the central axis. The nozzle assembly may also provide a linear actuation mechanism that allows the nozzle to be moved up or down along the central axis. It shall be recognized that the system provides at least three degrees of motion to the nozzle, thereby allowing the system to be utilized for a variety of situations.

Abstract: A method of recovering fly ash, including a firing step in which raw fly ash powder containing unburned carbon is fired to remove the unburned carbon by burning; measuring the content of unburned carbon in the raw fly ash powder; and obtaining a fine fly ash powder which is a component under a sieve and has a decreased content of unburned carbon as a result of sieve-classifying the raw fly ash powder. The perforation size of the sieve used in the sieve-classifying step is set depending upon the content of unburned carbon in the raw fly ash powder. The sieve has a small perforation size when the content of unburned carbon is large, and the sieve has a large perforation size when the content of unburned carbon is small. The fine fly ash powder, which is the component under the sieve, is recovered through the firing step.

Abstract: A drawing die system that has least two probes to measure various characteristics of components of the die box or the wire being drawn through the die box. The system includes a smart die that in which the multiple probes send information to a data processing unit. The data processing unit takes the information from the various probes and controls the various parameters of the wire drawing process. One smart die has a probe that collects information directly from a drawing die holder. The smart die also includes a force sensor and is configured to allow a die box to be displaced along an axis that is parallel to the direction in which the wire is drawn. The data processing unit controls various wired drawing parameters such as wire drawing speed, coolant pressure and the rate at which the coolant is pumped through the system.

Abstract: A mobile pipe fusion assembly system includes a fusion machine skid comprising a flat cross-sectional area whereon a pipe fusion machine rests, a forward skid comprising a flat cross-sectional area whereon a first pipe stand rests, and a rear skid comprising a flat cross-sectional area whereon a second pipe stand rests. The fusion machine skid is coupled to the forward skid by a first coupling. The fusion machine skid is coupled to the rear skid by a second coupling. The system is configured such that when the forward skid is pulled along a length of the pipe, the forward skid pulls the fusion machine skid via the first coupling and the fusion machine skid pulls the rear skid via the second coupling.

Abstract: To provide a rod member feeding device that reduces the load on a spindle chuck and a finger chuck when a rod member is positioned, as well as providing a machine tool provided with the rod member feeding device, and a control method for the rod member feeding device. A rod member feeding device includes: a feed rod for supplying a rod member to a spindle; a servomotor for moving the feed rod along the axial direction of the spindle; and a control device (exemplified with a motor control device and a control device) for controlling the driving of the servomotor. The control device calculates a deviation between a command position based on an advance amount of the feed rod and the actual position of the feed rod that has been actually advanced by the driving of the servomotor, and controls the driving of the servomotor based on the magnitude of the deviation.

Abstract: A process for the sand casting of metals and their alloys includes the steps of providing at least a mold equipped with a plurality of cooling nozzles, making a layer of coolant permeable materials covering the nozzles and maintaining the materials at desired temperatures, delivering a molten metal into the mold, supplying predetermined amount of coolant to each nozzles to contact the external surface of the casting at desired rate, time, and duration to achieve an acceptable level of progressive solidification from the distal end of the casting towards the riser until the casting has reached desired temperatures.

Abstract: A process for permanent mold casting of metals and their alloys includes the steps of providing at least a mold equipped with a plurality of cooling nozzles, making a layer of coolant permeable materials covering the nozzles and maintaining the materials at desired temperatures, delivering a molten metal into the mold, supplying predetermined amount of coolant to each nozzles to contact the external surface of the casting at desired rate, time, and duration to achieve an acceptable level of progressive solidification from the distal end of the casting towards the riser until the casting has reached desired temperatures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing semi-solid material castings from its liquid state in a shot chamber of a die casting machine where the liquid material is poured into a shot chamber and rapidly cooled from its liquid state to temperatures below its liquidus. High-intensity ultrasonic vibration is coupled to the plunger, shot plate, or sprue-spreader while the cast material is injected by the plunger to fill the die cavity. The combined action of rapid cooling from the shot chamber, vigorous pushing by the plunger, and radiation of ultrasonic vibration on the cast material in the shot chamber directly turns the initial liquid material directly into a semi-solid slurry by breaking up dendrites and making these dendritic fragments globular. The slurry is then injected into the die cavity to form a casting.

Abstract: An ingot, having a volume between 0.15 m3 and 0.80 m3 and a surface area to volume ratio between 10 m?1 and 18 m?1, made of at least one metal, having longitudinal faces extending between two end faces and including at least one hole extending from one of the longitudinal faces, the maximum distance between any point of the hole periphery, to its closest longitudinal face, noted MaxL, the at least one hole being configured such that said maximum distance MaxL is smaller than the minimal distance, noted MinE, between any point of the hole periphery and its closest end face.

Abstract: In a bonding material of a metal paste containing metal particles, a solvent and a dispersant, the metal particles containing first metal particles having an average primary particle diameter of 1 to 40 nm, second metal particles having an average primary particle diameter of 41 to 110 nm, and third metal particles having an average primary particle diameter of 120 nm to 10 ?m, the weight percentages of the first, second and third metal particles being 1.4 to 49% by weight, 36% by weight or less, and 50 to 95% by weight, respectively, with respect to the total 100% by weight of the metal particles, and the weight ratio of the first metal particles to the second metal particles being 14/36 or more.

Abstract: Provided are a mount system and systems and methods using the mount system for manufacturing objects, especially titanium and titanium alloy objects, by directed energy deposition. The methods include thermally pre-bending the substrate onto which the object is to be manufactured to form a pre-bent substrate, attaching the pre-bent substrate to a jig using the mount system as an underlying support, pre-heating the substrate, and forming the object on the pre-heated, pre-bent substrate using a directed energy deposition technique.

Abstract: An insert of the present disclosure includes a base. The base includes a first surface, a second surface connecting to the first surface, and a cutting edge located on at least a part of a ridgeline of the first surface and the second surface. A region within 2.0 mm from the cutting edge in the first surface is a surface region A. A region within 0.5 mm from the surface region A is a region A1. A region within 1.2 mm from the surface region A and the second surface to 2.0 mm from the surface region A and the second surface is a region A2. An area ratio of vacancies in the region A1 is 0.005-0.04 area %, and an area ratio of vacancies in the region A2 is 0.05-0.2 area %. A cutting tool includes a holder including a pocket and the insert located in the pocket.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to, after a through-hole is formed in a plurality of members between which a sealant is applied, rapidly and easily remove the sealant flowing into the through-hole. This through-hole forming method is provided with: a step (S2) in which a cutting tool rotates about the axis thereof, thereby forming a through-hole in a plurality of members between which a sealant is provided; and a step (S4) in which after the through-hole is formed, the cutting tool continues the rotation about the axis thereof for a predetermined time or a predetermined number of rotations, thereby removing the sealant flowing into the through-hole.

Abstract: A drilling machine and a drilling method including drilling a first bore in a material with a drilling machine by applying a torque to a drilling tool for imparting a rotation at a first rotational speed to the drilling tool, and applying a thrust to the drilling tool for advancing the drilling tool at a first feed speed into the material, wherein a drilling parameter is measured while drilling the first bore, and a second rotational speed and a second feed speed are determined based on the drilling parameter, then drilling a second bore at the second rotational speed and at the second feed speed.

Abstract: An article comprising additively manufactured metal portions is described. The article comprises a first additively manufactured metal portion, and a second additively manufactured metal portion coupled to the first additively manufactured metal portion at a welded joint. The article further comprises a resistive heating material disposed within an interior of the welded joint, the resistive heating material comprising a different material than the first additively manufactured metal portion and the second additively manufactured metal portion.

Abstract: A laser processing apparatus includes a laser oscillator; a processing head; a driver that controls a relative positional relationship between a workpiece and the processing head; control circuitry that controls the laser oscillator and the driver in order for the laser beam to scan a processing path on the workpiece; detection circuitry that observes a state of the workpiece being processed and outputs a result of observation as a time series signal; processed state observation circuitry that obtains evaluation information including a determination result that indicates whether a processed state of the workpiece is satisfactory or defective by evaluating the processed state of the workpiece on the basis of the time series signal for each of a plurality of sections obtained by dividing the processing path; and estimation circuitry that estimates a cause of a defect on the basis of the evaluation information of two or more of the sections.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pretreatment process for a brazing composition that comprises metallic particles with a granulometry in the order of the micrometer or nanometer, one or several binders and one or several solvents, said process comprising: a desolvation step of the brazing composition, so as to obtain a desolvated brazing composition, then a compacting step of the desolvated brazing composition so as to obtain a preform of metallic particles, said preform being able to be used for the sintering of an electronic, photonic, thermal or mechanical component onto a substrate, the brazing composition being represented either by a brazing paste, or by a suspension of metallic or metallic oxalate grains in suspension in a solvent.

Abstract: A method for repairing a test contact arrangement in which a test contact which is disposed on a test contact carrier by means of solder material and is incorrectly positioned is gripped at a body edge by means of a gripping tool in a gripping contact phase, an absorption surface which is realized on an outer surface of the gripping tool is treated with laser radiation during the gripping contact phase, and the gripping tool performs a movement on at least one axis when the temperature is at the softening point of the solder material, in such a manner that the incorrect position is corrected by means of the movement to bring the test contact into a desired position.

Abstract: A system includes a welding torch, a welding power supply unit, a remote device, and control circuitry. The welding power supply unit is configured to supply power to the welding torch. The remote device is coupled between the welding torch and the welding power supply unit. Additionally, the remote device is configured to detect a polarity of a welding operation. The control circuitry is configured to determine if the detected polarity is appropriate based on one or more welding parameters. Further, the control circuitry is configured to adjust the polarity of the welding operation.

Abstract: A sliding table device includes a base unit, a sliding unit and a cover plate. The sliding unit includes two rails, two sliding blocks disposed respectively and slidably on the rails and each having an oil inlet, and a sliding seat mounted co-movably on the sliding blocks. The sliding seat includes a main portion having a flow passage and an insertion hole that interconnects the flow passage and external environment, two fixed portions mounted respectively to the sliding blocks and each having a connecting passage that communicates with the flow passage, and two guiding portions formed respectively on the fixed portions and each having a guiding passage that communicates with the corresponding connecting passage and the corresponding oil inlet. The cover plate covers a portion of the main portion, and the insertion hole is not covered by the cover plate.

Abstract: Various embodiments of power tool and method of operating same are described. The power tool may include a first position sensor, a second position sensor, a third position sensor, and a controller. The first, second, and third position sensors may each generate a signal indicative of a distance between the respective position sensor and a workpiece. The controller may determine one or more angles of the power tool with respect to the workpiece based on the first, second, and third signal and present an indication as to whether the one or more angles are within a predetermined range. The controller may further obtain a depth measurement based on the first signal, the second signal, and the third signal and generate, based on the obtained depth measurement, one or more control signals that control operation of the power tool.

Abstract: An optical tool measurement device for a machine tool is described. The device includes a light source for directing light towards a tool-sensing region and a sensor for detecting light from the tool-sensing region. A shutter assembly for selectively protecting the sensor from contamination is also provided. The shutter assembly is to provide a closed configuration in which the sensor is covered by the shutter assembly thereby preventing contamination of the sensor and an open configuration in which light can pass to the sensor through a first aperture of the shutter assembly. Furthermore, the shutter assembly is configured to additionally provide a constricted configuration in which light can pass to the sensor through a second aperture of the shutter assembly, the second aperture being smaller than the first aperture. In this manner, the device has enhanced resistance to contaminants, such as swarf and coolant, present in the machine tool environment.

Abstract: A robotic tool changer system and a method for performing a tool change with the robotic tool changer system are disclosed. Providing a plurality of second coupling units each connected with a tool, wherein the second coupling units are detachably connected to a respective tool changer grippers; driving a first coupling unit along a second direction with a robot arm end shaft to be coupled with a selected second coupling unit; driving the first coupling unit coupled with the selected second coupling unit away from the corresponding tool changer gripper in a first direction, defining an angle between the first direction and the second direction; wherein when the selected second coupling unit is moved to the corresponding tool changer gripper and before the first coupling unit to separate from the selected second coupling unit, a third acting force is applied to the selected second coupling unit for restricting movement.

Abstract: Apparatus for sharpening a cutting tool. In some embodiments, a tool sharpener includes an abrasive medium having an abrasive surface. A stationary tool support guide provides a guide surface that supports a side of the tool during presentation of a cutting edge of the tool against the abrasive surface. A rotatable edge guide has a roller member with a curvilinearly extending outer surface. The roller member is rotatable about an edge guide roller axis to engage, via rolling contact, the cutting edge during the presentation of the cutting edge against the abrasive surface.

Abstract: An article includes a surface layer and a base layer coupled to at least a portion of the surface layer. The surface layer includes a top major surface defining a plane and a bottom major surface opposite the top major surface. A plurality of projections extends from the plane of the top major surface and a plurality of microstructures extend from the plurality of projections.

Abstract: Some implementations of a retaining ring has an inner surface having a first portion formed of multiple planar facets and a second portion that adjoins the first portion along a boundary and includes a frustoconical surface that is sloped downwardly from outside in. Some implementations of the retaining ring have a crenellated or serpentine inner surface, and/or an inner surface with alternating region of different surface properties or different tilt angles.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a grinding head (1) for a floor grinding machine for grinding floor surfaces of stone or stone-like material. Such a grinding head (1) comprises a lower casing member (3), comprising a lower support (31) and an upwardly extending edge portion (32), and an upper casing member (2), comprising an upper cover (21) and a downwardly extending edge portion (22), wherein the upper casing member (2) is joinable to the lower casing member (3) by causing axially distal portions of the edge portions to bear on each other.

Abstract: A workpiece centering gauge for a grinding machine includes a link having a first pivot configured to couple with the grinding machine; a first encoder that measures an angle of the link at the first pivot; a second pivot included with the link; a measuring fork configured to releasably contact an outer surface of an elongated workpiece; a surface feeler, having a transducer, included with the measuring fork that measures a workpiece diameter a second encoder that measures an angular position of the link relative to the measuring fork; the angular position measured by the first encoder, the angular position measured by the second encoder, and a measured workpiece diameter are used to determine a deviation of the elongated workpiece from a centerline.