Abstract: A method for assembling a vehicle body wherein, first a floor and a side panel are positioned in the height direction thereof. Thereafter, the floor and the side panel are pressed without deforming the floor and the floor and the side panel are positioned. A roof is subsequently set on the upper section of the side panel and the front section and the rear section of the side panel and the front section and the rear section of the roof are positioned.

Abstract: A secondary battery is disclosed. In one embodiment, the secondary battery includes i) an electrode assembly comprising upper and lower surfaces opposing each other, ii) a container configured to receive the electrode assembly via an opening defined at one end thereof, iii) a cap assembly configured to close the opening of the container, wherein an electrolyte injection hole is defined in the cap assembly, and wherein the electrolyte injection hole is configured to receive electrolyte and iv) an insulation case configured to be received by the container and being interposed between the cap assembly and the electrode assembly, wherein a first electrolyte permeation passage is formed between an outer surface of the insulation case and an inner surface of the container, and wherein the first electrolyte permeation passage is configured to expedite the permeation of the received electrolyte into the lower surface of the electrode assembly.

Abstract: A laser net shape manufactured BLISK, compressor blade, turbine blade or turbine component including a plurality of overlapping predetermined variable bead widths of a material defining a first material layer, a plurality of overlapping predetermined variable bead widths of a material deposited on top of the first material layer, forming a second material layer; and additional material layers deposited on top of the first material layer and the second material layer. The variable bead width of the deposited material is controlled to maintain the approximately constant percent of bead width overlap. A first 2 to 100 deposited powder layers are deposited by a first laser power and the remaining powder layers are deposited by a laser power that is ramped down over the course of depositing the remaining powder layers. In addition, disclosed is A BLISK, compressor blade, turbine blade or turbine component formed by a method.

Abstract: A spark plug includes an insulator having an axial hole extending along an axial line, a center electrode disposed in the axial hole, a tubular metallic shell surrounding the insulator, a ground electrode whose proximal end is fixed to the metallic shell, and a cylindrical noble metal tip fixed to the ground electrode via an intermediate tip so as to form a gap between the noble metal tip and the center electrode. A weld portion is provided between the noble metal tip and the intermediate tip. The weld portion has a diameter larger than that of a portion of the intermediate tip which is adjacent to the weld portion. The noble metal tip is located inside a virtual tapered cylindrical surface which extends from a peripheral edge of a gap-side end of the center electrode so as to contact an outer circumferential edge of the weld portion.

Abstract: Provided is a wiring thin plate capable of securely hold-down the wiring thin plate around a scheduled portion to be a welded spot even if the wiring thin plate is downsized and involves widened wiring traces. The wiring thin plate includes a metal supporting layer, an insulating layer on the supporting layer, a wiring part having a plurality of wiring traces on the insulating layer, a scheduled portion defined on the supporting layer to be welded, and a protrusion formed on the supporting layer for the scheduled portion and having a height that is the same as a height of the wiring part.

Abstract: A process for determining the quality of a laser weld-seam, whereby a welded plate and a geometrically equivalent non-welded plate are subjected to a physical impact to generate a natural vibration frequency. The natural vibration frequency of the welded plate and the non-welded plate is then measured with an accelerometer and compared. The uniformity of the weld is then determined by the similarity between the natural vibration frequency of the welded plate and the geometrically equivalent non-welded plate.

Abstract: A low-profile, automated guided vehicle (AGV) performs surface treatments over large areas of a structure having limited access, such as an aircraft underbelly. The AGV includes a movable gantry provided with automated robot. The robot has interchangeable end effectors for carrying out the surface treatments. Travel of the AGV relative to structure is controlled by a ground guidance system.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a robot, an end-effector assembly disposed at a distal end of a main boom, rotatable parallel frame rails, and tool support branches. Tool modules are connected to a tool support branch and rotatable/translatable with respect to a respective branch axis. A configuration tool has a control block engaged by a wrist of the robot and a work tool. A controller commands the robot to automatically configure the end-effector assembly by adjusting the frame rails and/or tool support branches or tool modules using the work tool, doing so in response to an identified work task. Engagement of the wrist with the tool changer is commanded and the identified work task is executed using the end-effector assembly. A configuration stand may automatically flip the end-effector assembly to a configuration location, command engagement of the wrist with the tool changer, and configure the end-effector assembly.

Abstract: A method and system to manufacture workpieces employing a high intensity energy source to create a puddle and at least one resistively heated wire which is heated to at or near its melting temperature and deposited into the puddle as droplets.

Abstract: Working equipment includes a tool configured to work a structure at a working location thereon, with the structure having an applied marking at a known location with a known relationship with the working location. A computer system is configured to determine placement of the structure, and accordingly position the tool into at least partial alignment with the working location, and which in at least one instance, the tool is aligned with a second, offset location. A camera is configured to capture an image of the structure and including the marking, and further including the second location with which the tool is aligned. And the computer system is configured to process the image to locate the working location, reposition the tool from the second location and into greater alignment with the located working location, and control the repositioned tool to work the structure at the located working location.

Abstract: A method for laser welding first and second components is provided including moving a laser beam across a portion of a surface of the first component at a speed sufficient to generate protuberances on the surface of the first component by means of a humping effect, juxtaposing said first and second components such that opposed surfaces of the first and second components are separated by said protuberances on the surface of the first component, and laser welding said first and second components by scanning the laser beam in a region in which said surfaces are separated by said protuberances. The height of the protuberances can be controlled by controlling a scanning speed of the laser beam.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a disk device includes a rotatable disk-shaped recording medium, an actuator supporting a head to be movable with respect to the recording medium, and an enclosure includes a base accommodating the recording medium and the actuator, and a cover fixed to the base and includes a peripheral edge portion including a welded portion laser-welded to the base. The welded portion includes weld beads arranged along the entire peripheral edge portion of the cover, and the weld beads include at least two circular weld beads in the peripheral edge portion of the cover.

Abstract: The digital 3D/360° camera system is an omnidirectional stereoscopic device for capturing image data that may be used to create a 3-dimensional model for presenting a 3D image, a 3D movie, or 3D animation. The device uses multiple digital cameras, arranged with overlapping fields of view, to capture image data covering an entire 360° scene. The data collected by one, or several, digital 3D/360° camera systems can be used to create a 3D model of a 360° scene by using triangulation of the image data within the overlapping fields of view.

Abstract: A protection cover suitable for being placed between a spray nozzle and a metal part during a process of resurfacing the metal part, the protection cover including a side wall extending along a reference axis, the side wall including an inner surface and an outer surface, the side wall having a lower end and an upper end, the side wall being perforated by at least one lateral gas inlet port, the lower end of the side wall being perforated by a notch into which a portion of the metal part can be inserted, the upper end of the side wall being provided with an opening into which a portion of the spray nozzle can be inserted. The inner surface of the side wall includes at least one frustoconical portion.

Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses for attaching electronic components to interactive textiles. In various implementations, an interactive textile that includes conductive thread woven into the interactive textile is received. The conductive thread includes a conductive wire (e.g., a copper wire) that that is twisted, braided, or wrapped with one or more flexible threads (e.g., polyester or cotton threads). A fabric stripping process is applied to the interactive textile to strip away fabric of the interactive textile and the flexible threads to expose the conductive wire in a window of the interactive textile. After exposing the conductive wires in the window of the interactive textile, an electronic component (e.g., a flexible circuit board) is attached to the exposed conductive wire of the conductive thread in the window of the interactive textile.

Abstract: Light receiving elements of a back connection type including first and second electrodes on their back sides are connected by an inter-element connecting body including a tabular main body section and an inter-element connecting section to form a light receiving element module. The main body section is selectively directly connected to the first electrode and arranged on the second electrode via an insulating layer. The main body section covers substantially the entire back side of each of the light receiving elements excluding a part of the second electrode. The second electrode is connected to the inter-element connecting section of an adjacent light receiving element. The main body section forms a reflecting section between the main body section and the light receiving element to enable reflected light to be made incident on the light receiving element from a gap between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A plate is provided. The plate includes a steel substrate and a precoat having a layer of intermetallic alloy in contact with the substrate, topped by a layer of aluminum alloy. On at least one precoated face of the plate, an area situated at the periphery of the plate has the aluminum alloy layer removed. A part and a welded blank are also provided. Methods are also provided.

Abstract: A steel strip is formed into a cylinder so that opposite ends of the steel strip face each other, while continuously conveying the steel strip. The opposite ends are melted across the entire thickness by irradiating the opposite ends with a high-energy-density beam while applying a pressure with squeeze rolls. A seam is formed by joining the opposite ends, and excess weld metal of the seam on the outer and inner sides of the obtained welded steel pipe is removed by cutting. A repaired seam is then formed by remelting and solidifying a region on the inner side of the welded steel pipe, the region having a depth of 0.5 mm or more from the surface and a width of double or more the width of the seam, and in addition, the center line of the seam is made to coincide with the center line of the repaired seam.

Abstract: A battery module according to aspects of the present invention includes a plurality of battery cells each having a terminal, a reflective portion on the terminal, and a bus-bar coupled to the terminal to electrically connect the plurality of battery cells. The bus-bar may have an opening exposing at least a portion of the reflective portion. The reflective portion may be configured to reflect laser incident thereon through the opening. A method of manufacturing the battery module may include placing a bus-bar electrically connecting terminals of a plurality of battery cells, each of the terminals having a reflective portion on a top surface thereof, and the bus-bar having an opening exposing at least a portion of the reflective portion, and welding the bus-bar and the terminal to each other. The task of welding the bus bar may include irradiating a laser through the opening in the bus-bar.

Abstract: A beam focuser for focusing an entrance bundle of approximately collimated beams around an optical axis in a focus area around a focal point. Along the optical path from the light inlet to the light outlet, a first axicon with an axicon angle, and subsequently a second axicon with the same axicon angle are arranged on the inlet side, and an imaging optical system is arranged on the outlet side. The first and second axicon are disposed mirror-symmetrically along the optical axis. The imaging optical system has a focal point which faces the outlet side of the beam focuser.

Abstract: Methods for joining a first blank and a second blank are disclosed, wherein at least one of the first and second blanks comprising at least a layer of aluminum or of an aluminum alloy. Methods may comprise selecting a first portion of the first blank to be joined to the second blank, and selecting a second portion of the second blank to be joined to the first portion; welding the first portion to the second portion, while supplying a metal powder to a weld zone, wherein the first portion and the second portion of the blanks and the metal powder in the weld zone are melted during welding and the metal powder is mixed with the melted first and second portions, and wherein the metal powder is an iron based powder comprising gammagenic elements. The disclosure further relates to blanks and products obtained using such methods.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of flip-chip assembly between first (1) and second (2) components each comprising connection pads (11, 21) on one of the faces of same, referred to as assembly faces, which involves transferring the components onto each other via the assembly faces of same in such a way as to create electrical interconnections between the pads of the first and second components. The invention involves transforming the copper oxide into copper by UV annealing, very locally, in the gap between the components, at least around the areas adjacent to the connection pads. The method according to the invention can be used for any component that is transparent to UV rays, including for substrates made from a plastic material such as substrates made from PEN or PET. The invention also concerns the assembly of two components obtained by the method.

Abstract: A battery includes an external terminal member and an insulating member on an outer surface of a lid member so that an interval between the insulating member and the lid member is smaller in a long side of the lid member than in a short side. A weld mark is formed over the entire circumference of the lid member to extend across the outer surface of the lid member and an open end face of the case body. The weld mark not only extends across the outer surface of the lid member and the open end face of the case body but also reaches an outer side surface of the case body in a zone of the long side of the lid member facing the insulating member, but does not reach the outer side surface of the case body in a zone except the former zone.

Abstract: A method of laser welding structures having different steel grades together. The method includes providing a first structure made from a first steel grade and composition and providing a second structure made from a second steel grade composition. The first structure is positioned adjacent the second structure to create a weld zone area wherein at least a portion of the first structure overlaps at least a portion of the second structure. A filler material is selected that has a composition that will create a weld joint between the first structure, the second structure and the filler material such that the weld joint has a predetermined microstructure. The filler material is positioned adjacent the weld zone area. A laser beam is directed at the weld zone area to create a weld joint between the first structure, the second structure and the filler material, wherein the weld joint has a predetermined microstructure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for treating a substrate. The substrate is positioned on a support in a thermal treatment chamber. Electromagnetic radiation is directed toward the substrate to anneal a portion of the substrate. Other electromagnetic radiation is directed toward the substrate to preheat a portion of the substrate. The preheating reduces thermal stresses at the boundary between the preheat region and the anneal region. Any number of anneal and preheat regions are contemplated, with varying shapes and temperature profiles, as needed for specific embodiments. Any convenient source of electromagnetic radiation may be used, such as lasers, heat lamps, white light lamps, or flash lamps.

Abstract: A method of applying a laser metal formed build layer on a surface of an article. The surface of the article is melted locally using a light source to form a melt pool. Powdered metal is injected into the melt pool. The melt pool is solidified to form the build layer having a desired microstructure and geometry on the surface of the article.

Abstract: A sheet metal component such as a car door is disclosed. The component includes an outer metal sheet having a groove formed therein, and an inner metal sheet having an edge forming a flange received into the groove. A filling material layer is inserted into the groove between the outer metal sheet and the flange. The outer metal sheet and the flange are welded to one another in holes of the filling material layer.

Abstract: A container includes a metal end applied and sealed to a container body by a crimp-seaming or double-seaming operation. The metal end has an outer curl joined to a chuck wall that extends down from the curl. One or both of the inner surface of the container side wall and the outer surface of the chuck wall has/have a heat-sealable material thereon. The metal end is crimp-seamed or double-seamed to the container body and the heat-sealable material(s) are heated to soften or melt such that the interface between the chuck wall and the side wall is fused. The interface is oriented along a direction relative to internal pressure exerted on the metal end such that stress on the interface caused by the internal pressure is predominantly shear stress.

Abstract: Provided is a port member of a superconducting accelerating cavity, the entire size of which is reduced and which has enhanced working efficiency to achieve a lower manufacturing cost. In a pickup port (23) of a superconducting accelerating cavity, one end is joined by welding to a port portion (27) formed on a higher order mode coupler (13) which is provided at an end of a cavity body, while the other end is joined by flange coupling to a pickup antenna (22). A port body (33) and a flange portion (35) are integrally formed of a niobium material having low purity or a niobium alloy containing a component other than niobium at a percentage lower than a prescribed percentage. The flange coupling is achieved with use of a quick coupling (41).

Abstract: A post-assembly wavelength-tuning method for an optical filter provided along an optical fiber mounted under tension in a packaging assembly is provided. The packaging assembly includes at least one packaging component mechanically coupled to the optical fiber and optically accessible from outside of the packaging assembly. The method includes a step of measuring a post-assembly spectral response of the optical filter and determining therefrom a spectral deviation with respect to a target spectral response. The method also includes a step of forming one or more laser-welded zones on the packaging component so as to cause a permanent deformation thereof. The permanent deformation induces a modification in length of the optical fiber, thereby changing the post-assembly spectral response of the optical filter to compensate for the measured spectral deviation.

Abstract: One aspect is a method of coupling an insulator to a surrounding ferrule in an implantable medical device. An insulator is provided having a plurality of conducting elements extending therethrough. The insulator is placed with conducting elements within a ferrule having a frame-like shape surrounding the insulator along an interface. The insulator is heated with a first laser until raising the temperature of insulator to a first temperature level. The ferrule is welded to the insulator along the interface with a second laser once the insulator has reached the first temperature.

Abstract: A system and method is provided where a coated work piece is welded at high speeds with minimal porosity and spatter. The coating on the work piece is removed or ablated by a high energy heat source prior to being welded in a welding operation, such that high welding speeds are attained. The high energy heat source is positioned upstream of the welding operation to vaporize any surface coatings on a work piece.

Abstract: Pulsed laser beams provided by laser diodes or arrays of laser diodes are applied to substrates such as amorphous silicon. The optical beam is based on a plurality of beams from respective laser diodes and is shaped, homogenized, and directed to a substrate. Duty cycles of the laser diodes are selected to be less than about 0.2. Exposures are applied to Aft an amorphous silicon layer on a rigid or flexible substrate to produce a polysilicon layer with a mobility of at least 50 cm2/Vs.

Abstract: A manufacturing control system comprises a vision system for viewing operations within a manufacturing area and for producing vision data representing the viewed operations. A systems control analyzes the vision data, and controls at least two control functions related to the manufacturing operations based on the analyzed vision data.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a laser welded steel pipe by forming a steel strip into a cylindrical open pipe and performing laser welding on edges that includes: emitting two laser beams along the edges from an upper surface side of the open pipe, the two laser beams being transmitted through different optical fibers with in-focus spot diameters exceeding 0.3 mm; emitting leading and trailing laser beams each inclined toward a direction in which welding proceeds at an incident angle with respect to a direction perpendicular to an upper surface of the open pipe; setting the incident angle of the leading laser beam to be larger than the incident angle of the trailing laser beam; and setting a gap between a center point of the leading laser beam and a center point of the trailing laser beam on a back surface of the open pipe to 1 mm or larger.

Abstract: Methods of additive manufacturing a superalloy component are disclosed. In one method a powder bed of superalloy powder is selectively scanned with a focused laser beam in a line-by-line manner; and the spacing between adjacent scan lines is no more than twice the layer thickness being formed. In another method a compressive stress treatment is applied to the surface of the final component prior to separation of said component from the substrate. In a further method a superalloy component is formed on a substrate and the method includes Hot Isostatic Processing of the component wherein the mass of the substrate is reduced prior to the Hot Isostatic Processing. The methods may be combined in a multi-step process.

Abstract: A laser cladding device for applying a coating to a part comprising a laser which can generate laser light, which is adapted to heat the coating and the part, a main body defining a laser light channel adapted to transmit the laser light to the part, a coating channel adapted to transmit the coating to the part, and a vacuum channel and a nozzle having an exit. The nozzle comprises a delivery port at one end of the laser light channel, a coating port at one end of the coating channel, and a vacuum port at one end of the vacuum channel, wherein the vacuum port is positioned generally adjacent the delivery port In operation the vacuum port draws a vacuum, pulling the coating towards the part.

Abstract: A quantum mechanical synchronization system for a classical distributed computing system. Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen links are established providing entangled photons to provide the quantum synchronization. In one embodiment, the system includes a laser oscillator pump, a spontaneous parametric down-conversion element coupled to the laser oscillator pump, the spontaneous parametric down-conversion element having a first optical output and a second optical output, a first photodetector coupled to the first optical output, a first clock coupled to the first photodetector, a second photodetector coupled to the second optical output by an optical link, and a second clock coupled to the second photodetector.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting two workpiece parts to form a workpiece by through-transmission welding by means of weld seams running in a preselected weld seam pattern in regions of the workpiece parts having different characteristics is provided. The apparatus has a laser beam source with a plurality of individually controllable laser beam emitters of different power which are arranged adjacently in an X direction and a homogenizer arranged downstream. At least two reflection channels are provided in the homogenizer which run parallel to one another in a Y direction and completely penetrate the homogenizer in a Z direction by a channel depth.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a microelectronic device including a first component hybridized with a second component via electric interconnects, involves the steps of: (i) forming the first and second components, the second component being transparent to ultraviolet radiation at least in line with locations provided for the interconnects; (ii) forming interconnection elements including copper oxide on the second component at the locations provided for the interconnects; (iii) placing the first and second components on each other; and (iv) applying the ultraviolet radiation through the second component on the elements including copper oxide to implement an ultraviolet anneal converting copper oxide into copper.

Abstract: A laser lap welding method by irradiating of a laser beam from one side of a plurality of overlapped workpieces (1, 2), the method includes the steps of: scanning (La) the laser beam in the forward direction along a predetermined section of the workpieces; reversing the scanning direction of the laser beam at a terminating end (t) of the predetermined section; scanning (Lb) the laser beam in the backward direction and terminating of the irradiating of the laser beam onto the predetermined section, wherein the scanning of the laser beam in the backward direction is offset from the scanning of the laser beam in the forward direction such that a part of weld bead (12) formed by the laser scanning in the backward direction overlaps the weld bead (11) formed by the laser scan in the forward direction.

Abstract: A method for image based inspection of an object includes receiving an image of an object from an image capture device, wherein the image includes a representation of the object with mil-level precision. The method further includes projecting a measurement feature of the object from the image onto a three-dimensional (3D) model of the object based on a final projection matrix; determining a difference between the projected measurement feature and an existing measurement feature on the 3D model; and sending a notification including the difference between the projected measurement feature and the existing measurement feature.

Abstract: The sealing component 1 of the invention is provided with a metallic housing 19 that comprises a base part 19a, a side wall 19b connected to the base part 19a and an opening portion 19c facing to the base part 19a, and a metallic lid 20 to cover the opening portion 19c, wherein a melted portion 24 is formed around the boundary between the lid 20 and the upper edge 19b1, the melted portion 24 is formed to reach the corner 19b3 of the side wall 19b, and the melted portion 24 has a convexly-curved outward form 24a from the top face of the lid 20 to the corner 19b3 in the longitudinal cross-sectional view of the sealing component 1.

Abstract: A profiled metal strip for a diaphragm bellows is made from a strip material having at least one border which is subjected to reverse bending. Such a metal strip is wound to produce a diaphragm bellows, with abutting borders of neighboring turns being connected with one another by a material joint, such as a welding seam.

Abstract: A wire and electrode combination suitable for use with implanted medical devices, and a method for coupling the wire and electrode to achieve a robust electrical connection suitable for use with such medical devices are disclosed. The apparatus employs a wire that is optimized for strength, an electrode optimized for biocompatibility, and a termination sleeve with a closed distal end for coupling the wire to the electrode, while eliminating the potential for galvanic corrosion, enhancing weld quality, and facilitating manufacture of the apparatus. The method involves compressing the sleeve to engage the wire at two locations, where contact between the sleeve and wire at the first location seals the interior of the sleeve, and contact between the sleeve and wire at the second location electrically couples the wire to the sleeve. The sleeve, which is easier to manipulate than the wire, is then spot welded to the electrode.

Abstract: Superalloy components, such as service-degraded turbine blades and vanes, are clad by laser beam welding. The welding/cladding path, including cladding application profile, is determined by prior, preferably real time, non-contact 3D dimensional scanning of the component and comparison of the acquired dimensional scan data with specification dimensional data for the component. A welding path for cladding the scanned component to conform its dimensions to the specification dimensional data is determined. The laser welding apparatus, preferably in cooperation with a cladding filler material distribution apparatus, executes the welding path to apply the desired cladding profile. In some embodiments a post-weld non-contact 3D dimensional scan of the welded component is performed and the post-weld scan dimensional data are compared with the specification dimensional data.

Abstract: Defibrillator lead designs and methods for manufacturing a lead having a fibrosis-limiting material covering, a shocking coil electrode, and an implantable lead body are disclosed herein. The shocking coil electrode includes at least one laser welded portion.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for crystallizing semiconductor material so that it has large grains of uniform size comprising delivering a first energy exposure of high intensity and short duration, and then delivering at least one second energy exposures of low intensity and long duration. The first energy exposure heats the substrate to a high temperature for a duration less than about 0.1 sec. The second energy exposure heats the substrate to a lower temperature for a duration greater than about 0.1 sec.

Abstract: There are provided a cutting/polishing tool that may be readily manufactured and have an improved cutting performance, and a manufacturing method thereof. The method for manufacturing the cutting/polishing tool including at least one cutting/polishing body may comprise preparing a tool body, and forming a cladding layer including cutting material particles by spraying, onto an outer surface of the tool body, the cutting material particles and a metal powder having a specific gravity greater than a specific gravity of the cutting material particles while heating the outer surface of the tool body using a heating device installed in a lower side of the outer surface of the tool body so that the metal powder is deposited on the outer surface of the tool body, wherein the cladding layer configures the at least one cutting/polishing body.

Abstract: A spark plug is provided with: a central electrode; a ground electrode forming a spark discharge gap with the center electrode; and a chip welded to at least one of the electrodes. The chip has a thermal expansion coefficient smaller than a thermal expansion coefficient of the electrode to which the chip is welded, and the difference between the content A (mass %) of a noble metal component in the chip and the content B (mass %) of a noble metal component in the electrode (A?B) is 50 mass % or more. In an intermediate layer between the chip and the electrode, holes are present. When the length of a boundary between the chip and the intermediate layer is L (mm), and the length of the holes in a direction along the boundary of the chip and the intermediate layer is N (mm), 0.1?N/L?0.4.