Abstract: A laser welding method is constituted of: emitting shield gas in advance through a laser nozzle provided on a laser processing head at a time of moving the laser processing head from a reference position to a starting position for welding the workpiece; and radiating laser light onto the workpiece through the laser nozzle at the starting position for welding when a feeding rate of the shield gas gets stabilized, whereby performing laser welding on the workpiece.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for welding remote power supply are disclosed. An example welding remote power supply includes a housing to house an electronic component. A connector secures an electrical cable to the housing, the electrical cable having at least one conductive wire and a sheathing. A conductive element is connected to the electronic component through the sheath and into contact with the conductive wire to electrically connect the conductive wire with the electronic component.

Abstract: A welding method for integrally welding three or more superposed metal plates includes a spot welding of joining the first vehicle body structure plate and the second vehicle body structure plate by spot welding in a plurality of places along an opening edge of the door opening portion in a state where each of the metal plates is superposed, and a laser welding of joining the surface plate and the first vehicle body structure plate in a plurality of places including a place between welding places of the spot welding after the spot welding. The joining being performed by emitting laser light to the surface plate and by scanning the laser light to stir a molten pool including a molten metal of the surface plate and the first vehicle body structure plate melted by the laser light.

Abstract: A method of welding using a weld filler additive and a weld filler additive are provided. The method includes the step of welding the component with a filler additive comprising a sufficient amount of each of Co, Cr, Al, Ti, Mo, Fe, B, C, Nb, and Ni, the component including a hard-to-weld base alloy. The method further includes the step of forming an easy-to-weld target alloy on a surface of the component from the welding.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a welding apparatus and a plasma welding method capable of obtaining deep penetration while suppressing initial investment in a welding apparatus. The welding apparatus of the present invention includes a torch for plasma welding and a power supply device, wherein the power supply device is composed of a first welding power supply used for a TIG welding apparatus, in which a positive terminal is electrically connected with the insert chip and a negative terminal is electrically connected with the electrode, and a second welding power supply used for a TIG welding apparatus, in which a positive terminal is electrically connected with a material to be welded and a negative terminal is electrically connected with the electrode.

Abstract: An attachment for an electrosurgical hand piece. The attachment comprises a probe assembly having an elongated tube having a proximal end and a distal end, and an electrode. The electrode has at a proximal end a conductive connector, which has a proximal end, a distal end and a channel extending through the conductive connector. The conductive connector may be comprised of a nickel plated brass alloy. The electrode further has a conductive wire extending from said distal end of said conductive connector, said conductive wire being connected to said distal end of said conductive connector adjacent to said channel in said conductive connector. The conductive wire extends substantially along the length of the elongated tube and may or may not extend out of the end of the tube.

Abstract: A method for machine processing, in particular for machine welding processing of workpieces, in particular of plate-like workpieces, tubes and/or profiles, by means of a thermal processing beam, in particular by means of a processing beam is described, wherein the processing of the workpiece is carried out with a relative movement between the processing beam and the workpiece, wherein a process gas is fed to a processing zone in a settable quantity of process gas per unit of time. After a stored stabilization time, in which the processing of a workpiece is continued with a relative movement between the processing beam and the workpiece, a quantity of process gas per unit of time is automatically reduced. Further a control apparatus of a setting device for process gas feed according to such a method is described.

Abstract: A computer program product for proactive heating-based crack preventing in three-dimensional printing is provided. The computer program product includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith. The program instructions are readable and executable by a processing circuit to cause the processing circuit to read a three-dimensional model to be printed, determine if the read three-dimensional model has open-ended or closed-ended layers, for each closed-ended layer, calculate start and end heating times and amount of heat requirement for materials of the closed-end layers and control a heating of the closed-ended layers in accordance with the calculation during a laying down of each of the closed-ended layers.

Abstract: A computer program product for proactive heating-based crack preventing in three-dimensional printing is provided. The computer program product includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith. The program instructions are readable and executable by a processing circuit to cause the processing circuit to read a three-dimensional model to be printed, determine if the read three-dimensional model has open-ended or closed-ended layers, for each closed-ended layer, calculate start and end heating times and amount of heat requirement for materials of the closed-end layers and control a heating of the closed-ended layers in accordance with the calculation during a laying down of each of the closed-ended layers.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an iron-based alloy coating is provided, which includes (a) providing an iron-based alloy powder having a chemical formula of FeaCrbMocSidBeYf, wherein 48?a?50; 21?b?23; 18?c?20; 2?d?3; 2?e?4; and 0<f?2. The method also includes step (b) thermal spraying the iron-based alloy powder to form an amorphous iron-based alloy coating, and step (c) laser re-melting the amorphous iron-based alloy coating, wherein the iron-based alloy coating is densified and remains amorphous.

Abstract: A welding system includes a power source configured to generate power and deliver the power to a welding electrode. The power source comprises a positive stud and a negative stud. The welding system also includes control circuitry configured to determine whether the welding electrode is properly connected to the positive and negative studs of the power source.

Abstract: A moisture removing method disclosed removes moisture contained in a dielectric film provided on one end surface of an optical fiber. This moisture removing method causes near infrared light to enter the optical fiber through the other end surface to heat moisture in the dielectric film with use of the near infrared light.

Abstract: A hybrid laser arc welding assembly including a gas metal arc welding torch and a laser arc welding laser head. The torch and laser head are disposed adjacent one another and aimed at targets of a pair of work pieces spaced from one another such that the melted material produced by the torch overlaps with the melted material produced by the laser head, and therefore, the torch and laser head combine to create a hybrid laser arc weld to join the work pieces. The laser head is adjustable dynamically relative to the work-pieces to optimize the hybrid laser arc weld.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for treating a surface with a at least one gliding arc source comprising at least one gas flow controlling unit (104); and a set of electrodes (102); wherein the at least one gas flow controlling unit (104) and the set of electrodes (102) are controlled to provide a plasma comprising a gas temperature at the set of electrodes (102) above approximately 2000 K. In this way, an optimal or substantially optimal plasma for treating surfaces of samples is achieved.

Abstract: A multi-electrode system includes a fiber holder that holds at least one optical fiber, a plurality of electrodes arranged to generate a heated field to heat the at least one optical fiber, and a vibration mechanism that causes at least one of the electrodes from the plurality of electrodes to vibrate. The electrodes can be disposed in at least a partial vacuum. The system can be used for processing many types of fibers, such processing including, as examples, stripping, splicing, annealing, tapering, and so on. Corresponding fiber processing methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method is described, for treating a superalloy substrate which includes at least one cavity containing adherent metal oxide material on its surface. A short-pulsed, high repetition rate laser beam is directed against the cavity surface for a period of time sufficient to remove substantially all of the adherent metal oxide material. The laser beam is characterized by a peak power density in the range of about 10 megawatts/cm2 to about 10 gigawatts/cm2. In another embodiment, a high-power, short-pulsed, high repetition rate laser beam is directed to a region on the substrate which includes the cavity, under laser operational conditions which are capable of cutting into the superalloy material; so that a boundary region is formed within the substrate, which encloses the cavity. The cavity can be a crack in a turbine blade, and the crack can be repaired after treatment, by welding, or by another suitable technique.

Abstract: Methods for depositing hardfacing material on portions of drill bits comprise providing a vertically oriented plasma transfer arc torch secured to a positioner having controllable movement in a substantially vertical plane. A rolling cutter is secured to a chuck mounted on an articulated arm of a robot. A surface of a tooth of the rolling cutter is positioned in a substantially perpendicular relationship beneath the torch. The torch is oscillated along a substantially horizontal axis. The rolling cutter is moved with the articulated arm of the robot in a plane beneath the oscillating torch. A hardfacing material is deposited on the tooth of the rolling cutter.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for laser-supported plasma cutting or plasma welding of a workpiece. In one aspect, a method includes producing a plasma beam which extends in an expansion direction between an electrode and a processing location on the workpiece, the plasma beam having, with respect to a center axis of the plasma beam that extends in the expansion direction, an inner central region and an outer edge region, and supplying laser radiation to the outer edge region of the plasma beam. The laser radiation supplied to the outer edge region extends parallel with the center axis of the plasma beam.

Abstract: A tailored blank for hot stamping includes a welded portion formed by butt-welding a first aluminum-plated steel sheet and a second aluminum-plated steel sheet, an Average Al concentration of a weld metal in the welded portion is in a range of 0.3 mass % to 1.5 mass %, an Ac3 point of the weld metal is 1250° C. or lower, and furthermore, an aluminum layer formed during the butt-welding is present on a surface of the welded portion.

Abstract: A welding torch having guidance means designed to advance a wire-like welding filler material mechanically along an axis at least in a section of the welding torch, a process gas nozzle that coaxially surrounds at least the guidance means, and a welding current connector that is connected in electrically conductive manner to an element of the welding torch that is configured to conduct electrical current. A hollow electrode is provided that surrounds the axis coaxially and as the element configured for conducting current is connected in electrically conductive manner to the welding current connector, wherein the guidance means are designed to advance the wire-like welding filler material in potential free manner. The welding torch may be used as part of a welding apparatus for a variety of welding methods.

Abstract: Provided is a bimetallic tube for transport of hydrocarbon feedstocks in a petrochemical process unit and/or refinery process unit, including: i) an outer tube layer being formed from a steam cracker alloy including at least 18.0 wt. % Cr and at least 10.0 wt. % Ni; ii) an inner tube layer being formed from an alumina forming bulk alloy including 5.0 to 10.0 wt. % of Al, 18.0 wt. % to 25.0 wt. % Cr, less than 0.5 wt. % Si, and at least 35.0 wt. % Fe with the balance being Ni, wherein the inner tube layer is formed plasma powder welding the alumina forming bulk alloy on the inner surface of the outer tube layer; and iii) an oxide layer formed on the surface of the inner tube layer, wherein the oxide layer is substantially comprised of alumina, chromia, silica, mullite, spinels, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: In a method for controlling pulse arc welding where an arc is created between a wire and a base material, a pulse waveform different from the pulse waveform for steady-state welding is outputted when a predetermined time has passed since short-circuit welding control was started at arc start, and after a sufficiently large melt pool is formed, the pulse waveform for the steady-state welding is outputted. This reduces the generation of spatters after an arc is created and until the arc is stabilized.

Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a socket portion and a nut portion which are integrally molded with resin, a screw portion which is tightly fixed to a side wall of an opening in a concave part of the nut portion by adhesive, and a sense element which is fixed to the screw portion and is disposed in the concave part of the nut portion. The socket portion, the nut portion and the screw portion constitute a package. A through hole introducing the pressure measurement target liquid is formed in the screw portion. An external lead-out terminal is fixed to the sense element. The external lead-out terminal passes through the through hole on a base of the concave part of the nut portion, and is tightly fixed to the socket portion with adhesive. The external lead-out terminal is a connection terminal to be connected with external wiring.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solid-solution strengthened iron-nickel alloy with a high level of ductility and an expansion coefficient <5×10?6/K in the temperature range between room temperature and ?200° C. Said alloy consists of (in wt. %): between 0.005 and 0.05% of C; <0.02% of S; between 1 and 2% of Cr; between 35 and 38% of Ni; between 0.3 and 1.5% of Mn; <0.5% of Si; between 1.0 and 3.5% of ?Mo+W; between 0.2 and 1.0% of Ti; between 0.2 and 1.0% of Nb; <0.02% of P; and between 1.0 and 4.0% of Co; Fe constituting the remainder, in addition to production-related impurities.

Abstract: Provided is a bimetallic tube for transport of hydrocarbon feedstocks in refinery process furnaces, and more particularly in furnace radiant coils, including: i) an outer tube layer being formed from stainless steels including chromium in the range of 15.0 to 26.0 wt. % based on the total weight of the stainless steel; ii) an inner tube layer being formed from an alumina forming bulk alloy including 5.0 to 10.0 wt. % of Al, 20.0 wt. % to 25.0 wt. % Cr, less than 0.4 wt. % Si, and at least 35.0 wt. % Fe with the balance being Ni, wherein the inner tube layer is formed plasma powder welding the alumina forming bulk alloy on the inner surface of the outer tube layer; and iii) an oxide layer formed on the surface of the inner tube layer, wherein the oxide layer is substantially comprised of alumina, chromia, silica, mullite, spinels, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method for metalworking using an adjustable vacuum and support system for evacuating particulate matter, smoke, excess gas, and molten metal from a work area during welding and for providing adjustable support to a welding head. The vacuum system has a vacuum head and a vacuum nozzle. An adjustable mounting bracket has a first portion fixed to the vacuum head and a second portion securable to the welding head. The bracket arrangement establishes pivotal and slidable couplings between the welding head and the vacuum head. The vacuum nozzle has a support surface for being rested on a surface of a workpiece to support the vacuum head and the welding head. The support surface can be a base bevel surface at the tip of the nozzle, and an opposed suction bevel surface can have a nozzle aperture interposed therealong.

Abstract: The method of monitoring keyhole welding with a plasma arc includes the step of measuring output voltages when welding is performed with a constant current, and the step of finding peak frequencies and distributions of welding voltages by analyzing frequencies of the welding voltages which correlate to a molten weld pool (P) vibration among the output voltages measured. The method also includes the step of identifying the peak frequencies that correlate to the molten weld pool (P) vibration, and the step of comparing the identified peak frequencies with a frequency range and determining whether the welding is good or bad. Thus, whether or not good keyhole welding is carried out can be determined with excellent precision by simply comparing the peak frequency that correlates to the molten weld pool (P) vibration with the frequency range.

Abstract: Provided is a plasma arc welding method for continuously welding a welding target part of a welding workpiece while forming a keyhole weld on the welding target part of the welding workpiece using a plasma arc. A pulse current is used for a welding current, and the pulse frequency of the pulse current is controlled so as to be a frequency that is synchronized with a weld pool (P) during the welding. With this approach, vibration of the weld pool during keyhole welding can be controlled so as to synchronize with the pulse frequency of the pulse current. As a result, when the plasma arc keyhole welding is performed, a stable penetration bead having a desired height can be reliably obtained without hanging or irregularity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for welding rotors for power generation such as gas turbines, steam turbines, and generators having a plurality of rotor discs arranged along a rotor axis. The method includes providing said discs with a weld seam preparation. The weld seam preparation includes a root, a first, gap-like welding section adjoining the root in radial direction, and a second, gap-like welding section adjoining the first welding section in radial direction. The method further includes melting the root by means of a first welding process; making a weld in the first welding section by means of a second welding process; and filling up the second welding section by means of a third welding process.

Abstract: A simulator facilitating virtual welding activity. The simulator may include a logic processor based subsystem operable to generate an interactive welding environment in virtual reality space that emulates welding activity by simulating a virtual weld puddle having dynamic, real time molten metal fluidity and heat dissipation characteristics, responsive to performing a simulated welding activity in real time. The simulator may include a foot pedal device in operative communication with the logic processor based subsystem and configured to affect a characteristic of the virtual weld puddle in real time, responsive to user control of the foot pedal device. The simulator may be configured to track the movements of a mock welding tool and a mock filler wire and determine interaction between the virtual weld puddle, a corresponding virtual welding tool, and a corresponding filler wire in virtual reality space that would result in the welding tool becoming contaminated.

Abstract: A downhole tool and method for manufacturing such downhole tool. The downhole tool includes a bit body having a blank and a matrix bonded to and surrounding the blank, a shank having a threaded connection at one end, and a butt joint formed within a gap formed between the blank and the shank and coupling the blank to the shank. The blank includes a first planar surface while the shank includes a second planar surface opposite the one end. The butt joint is formed between the first and second planar surfaces when positioned adjacent to one another, wherein the first planar surface is positioned external to the matrix.

Abstract: A welding process, welding system and welded article are disclosed. The welding process includes directing energy from one or more fusion beams to join a first element to a second element and to join the first element to a third element. The directing of the energy is at a first lateral angle and a second lateral angle with respect to the first element. The welding system includes an energy emitting device, a first fusion beam and a second fusion beam. The first fusion beam and the second fusion beam are oriented to extend diagonally through an article. The laser welded article includes the first element joined to the second element, and the first element joined to the third element. A fillet weld is formed in a first inaccessible portion between the first element and the second element and a second inaccessible portion between the first element and the third element.

Abstract: Gas metal arc welding (GMAW) is a widely used process for joining metals. Its main advantage over its competition gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) is its high productivity in depositing metals. However, to melt metal from the wire to deposit into the work-piece, additional heat is consumed and applied to the work-piece with an uncontrolled fixed proportion to the effective heat that melts the wire. Such additional heat is often in excess of the needed heat input for the work-piece. The side-effects include a waste of the energy, an increased distortion, and possible materials property degradation. This invention is to device a method to transfer this part of heat to melt the wire by adding two wires, which form a pair of arc spots, under a tungsten arc. It also devices a method to assure the arc between the two wires be maintained stable such that the transfer be successfully continuous.

Abstract: Provided is a bimetallic tube for transport of hydrocarbon feedstocks in refinery process furnaces, and more particularly in furnace radiant coils, including: i) an outer tube layer being formed from carbon steels or low chromium steels comprising less than 15.0 wt. % Cr based on the total weight of the steel; ii) an inner tube layer being formed from an alumina forming bulk alloy including 5.0 to 10.0 wt. % of Al, 20.0 wt. % to 25.0 wt. % Cr, less than 0.4 wt. % Si, and at least 35.0 wt. % Fe with the balance being Ni, wherein the inner tube layer is formed plasma powder welding the alumina forming bulk alloy on the inner surface of the outer tube layer; and iii) an oxide layer formed on the surface of the inner tube layer, wherein the oxide layer is substantially comprised of alumina, chromia, silica, mullite, spinels, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A welding line can be rapidly extracted using three-dimensional CAD data constituted of a large number of line sections containing welding line candidates. The method of choosing a welding line includes: a step (S110) of specifying one face (first face constituting a reference face) from two faces of a member where a welding line is to be formed; a step (S120) of specifying the other face (second face constituting a groove face) from the two faces of the number where a welding line is to be formed; a step (S130) of extracting an edge line; a step (S140) of selecting an edge line zone where welding is possible; a step (S150) of creating welding line information by unifying edge lines where welding is possible; and a step (S160) of correcting welding line information in accordance with the groove shape.

Abstract: A method of welding panels overlapping each other includes a one-directional clamping step that performs one-directional clamping by positioning electrodes of a pair of one-directional spot welding guns with respect to an upper panel and a lower panel overlapping each other, a pressure welding step that forms a plurality of pressure welding portions in a zero gap status by pressure-welding the upper panel to the lower panel in a temporary welding status, by pressing and supplying electricity to the upper panel with the electrodes of the one-directional spot welding guns, plasma spot step that forms a molten portion between the pressure welding portions by performing plasma welding on the pressure welding portions with a plasma welding machine, and a cooling step that forms a welded portion by overlapping the pressure welding portions and the molten portion between the upper panel and the lower panel by cooling the molten portion.

Abstract: A method of welding two sheet-like work pieces, such as a web and a belt of a vehicle suspension control arm, is provided. The method includes the step of positioning one of the sheet-like work pieces against and at an angle relative to the other work piece such that the first and second work pieces are in contact with one another by a generally flat contact surface. The method continues with the step of melting with a single welding process material of the first and second work pieces across the entire width of the contact surface.

Abstract: The object is to provide a laser processing apparatus, a laser processing temperature measuring apparatus, a laser processing method, and a laser processing temperature measuring method which can highly accurately detect the processing temperature when carrying out processing such as welding with laser light. A laser processing apparatus 1A for processing members DR, UR to be processed by irradiating the members with laser light LB comprises a laser (semiconductor laser unit 20A) for generating the laser light LB; optical means for converging the laser light LB generated by the laser onto processing areas DA, UA; and a filter 30, disposed between the members DR, UR to be processed and the optical means, for blocking a wavelength of fluorescence generated by the optical means upon pumping with the laser light LB; wherein light having the wavelength blocked by the filter 30 is used for measuring a temperature of the processing areas DA, UA.

Abstract: This invention is to plasma arc weld using a keyhole mode to build a partially-penetrated keyhole and then a melt-in mode to finally reach the full penetration before switching to the base period. The full penetration is thus established during the peak period in two stages: keyhole stage and then melt-in stage. While the keyhole stage helps reduce the heat inputs and weld puddles, the melt-in stage finishes the full penetration at reduced impacts from the plasma jets producing the desired weld bead geometry and regularity. The duration of the melt-in stage is automatically determined using arc signals to assure the full penetration. In comparison with keyhole PAW, bead geometry and regularity are significantly improved with slightly increased net heat inputs. In comparison with melt-in PAW and GTAW, the net heat input is reduced approximately forty percent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dispersion strengthened platinum-base alloys, and more particularly to a method for welding of these alloys and is based on the object of providing an improved process for connecting oxide-dispersed precious metal sheets and a device for carrying out this process.

Abstract: A process of fabricating a shield, a process of preparing a component, and an erosion shield are disclosed. The process of fabricating the shield includes forming a near-net shape shield. The near-net shape shield includes a nickel-based layer and an erosion-resistant alloy layer. The nickel-based layer is configured to facilitate secure attachment of the near-net shaped to a component. The process of preparing the component includes securing a near-net shape shield to a substrate of a component.

Abstract: Provided are strain hardened high strength nickel based alloy welds that yield improved properties and performance in joining high strength metals. The advantageous weldments include two or more segments of ferrous or non-ferrous components, and fusion welds, friction stir welds, electron beam welds, laser beam welds, or a combination thereof bonding adjacent segments of the components together, wherein the welds comprise a strain hardened nickel based alloy weld metal composition including greater than or equal to 10 wt % Mo based on the total weight of the nickel based alloy weld metal composition. Also provided are methods for forming the welds from the nickel based alloy weld compositions. The strain hardened high strength nickel based alloy welds are useful in the oil, gas and petrochemical industry in applications for natural gas transportation and storage, oil and gas well completion and production, and oil and gas refinery and chemical plants.

Abstract: A method of welding alloys having a ductility drop temperature range to limit strain-age cracking. The method involves the use of a welding device to weld a weld area of an article while maintaining temperatures throughout the weld area and a heat affected zone adjacent the weld area within a non-crack sensitive temperature range that is above a ductility drop temperature range of the alloy being welded. During welding, the temperatures of the weld area and the heat affected zone are predominantly controlled with heat input from the welding device. Once the welding has been terminated, the weld area and the heat affected zone are cooled from the non-crack sensitive temperature range through the ductility drop temperature range to a temperature below the ductility drop temperature range of the alloy.

Abstract: A work piece for use in abrasive environments with hardbanding is provided. The work piece has at least a protective layer deposited onto at least a portion to be protected. The deposited layer exhibits a hardness of at least 50 Rc, a wear rate of less than 0.5 grams of mass loss as measured according to ASTM G65-04, Procedure A, a wear rate on a contacting secondary body comprising carbon steel of less than 0.005 grams as measured according to modified ASTM G77 wear test. The deposited alloy forms an iron matrix comprising embedded hard particles in an amount of less than 15 vol. %. The embedded hard particles have an average particle size of ranging from 100 nm to 5 ?m. In one embodiment, the deposition is via welding.

Abstract: A hybrid welding apparatus, and a system and method for welding at least two adjacent components having a large gap of approximately 3.0 millimeters that results in a full-penetration weld is provided. The welding system includes a hybrid welder having a defocused laser beam, an electric arc welder, and at least one bridge piece adjacent to one or more of the at least two adjacent components. The defocused laser beam and the electric arc welder are arranged and disposed to direct energy onto the at least two adjacent components to create a common molten pool operable to provide a full penetration weld to bridge the gap at a high constant weld speed, thereby joining the two adjacent components with a weld.

Abstract: A plasma torch 1 used in plasma-arc welding is provided with a rod-shaped electrode 10, a first cylindrical nozzle 11 which is provided to surround the electrode 10 and which injects a plasma gas and a second cylindrical nozzle 12 which is provided to surround the first nozzle 11 and which injects a shielding gas. A second injection opening 121 of the second nozzle 12 directs in a substantially parallel direction with respect to an axial direction of the electrode 10 or in a direction being away from the electrode 10, and a plurality of groove portions inclining with respect to the axial direction of the electrode 10 are formed in an outer circumferential surface of the first nozzle 11 or an inner circumferential surface of the second nozzle 12.

Abstract: The present invention is a vacuum insulated panel (VIP) for increasing the thermal insulation surrounding a structure or volume, and a novel method for manufacturing the VIP. The VIP comprises at least two pieces of thin metal foil welded together adjacent the edges of said metal foil, said thin metal foil material defining the exterior of a sealed and gas evacuated vacuum enclosure; and a vacuum insulation panel core located between said at least two pieces of welded thin metal foil material, said vacuum insulation panel core located inside said sealed and gas evacuated vacuum enclosure.

Abstract: A plasma welding torch that can be reduced in size more than in conventional cases. When an inert gas G such as argon gas is supplied to an outer circumferential space around a non-consumable electrode 13, a portion of the inert gas G is used as plasma gas GP that forms a plasma arc PA between the non-consumable electrode 13 and a base material 2 via a plasma orifice 51. A plasma welding torch 1 moves, maintaining this state, in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 4. Meanwhile, a portion of the inert gas G supplied to a gas flowing part 21 is not used as the plasma gas GP but is used as shielding gas GS and is ejected onto the base material 2 ahead in the welding direction via a shielding orifice 52. The welding on the base material 2 is performed in a state where the plasma arc PA and the base material 2 are shielded from the air by this shielding gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for joining objects made of metal, plastic, hybrid structures or ceramic by means of heat input such as soldering or welding, wherein materials such as particles, in particular nanoparticles, elements, atoms, molecules or ions are introduced into the joint. It is proposed according to the invention that a gas stream brings gaseous compounds to the joint which decompose at elevated temperature and deposit particles as heat is being applied to the joint.

Abstract: A catheter comprising a steering cable anchor, which is preferably disposed at the distal end of the catheter, and a steering cable. In order to obtain a reliable connection between the steering cable anchor and the steering cable, which is also suitable for use in MRI, a substantially dumbbell-shaped element is disposed between the steering cable anchor and the steering cable and connects the steering cable anchor to the steering cable.