Abstract: A locating pin for positioning weld nuts relative to sheet metal pieces. The locating pin includes a heat and wear resistant ceramic base having a central opening. The locating pin also includes a heat and wear resistant elastomeric tip attached to the base by a shaft depending from the tip into the central opening of the base. The ceramic and elastomeric materials provide the locating pin with an electrically non-conducting characteristic.

Abstract: A multipurpose low-thermal-mass radio-frequency chuck for semiconductor device processing equipment (18) and applicable to plasma processing over a wide range of substrate temperatures. The stacked multilayer chuck structure comprises process vacuum base plate (16), heating module (48), cooling module (44) and radio-frequency power plate (50). Vacuum base plate (16) provides mechanical support and necessary feed-throughs (RF power connection, coolant inlet/outlet, heater wires and thermocouple) for main chuck (20). Water-cooled vacuum base plate (16) is thermally insulated from main chuck module (20). Heating element (48) comprises top layer (80) of electrical insulation and passivation, power heating resister (82), bottom layer of electrical insulation (84) and heater substrate (86) made of boron nitride or quartz or SiC-coated graphite.

Abstract: An apparatus for the automated tacking of small wear plates to the active faces of a shoulder or fin of a turboshaft engine blade which includes a manipulator for moving a blade from a station having a calibrating device onto a welding jig having means for supporting and holding the blade in position, a mechanism for removing a small plate from a magazine of such plates and transferring it into position on one of the active faces of the blade shoulder or fin, an earth electrode for contacting the blade, and a welding electrode for tack welding the plate to the face of the blade shouder. The welding jig is rotatable through 180.degree. to move the blade into a second tacking position and a mechanism is provided for turning every other small plate removed from the magazines through 180.degree. so that it is transferred into the second tacking position for being tack welded to the other active face of the blade shoulder. Operation of the apparatus is controlled automatically by a suitable control device.

Abstract: A spot welding fixture for holding worpieces in correct orientation has a water cooled aluminum body processed to have an aluminum oxide coating. The coating electrically insulates the body but provides good thermal conductivity so that a fixed electrode on the fixture body can be cooled by the body but no electrical shorts occur. Locating elements on the fixture are likewise insulated to prevent weld current from straying from intended paths. The coating is formed by immersing the aluminum body in sulfuric acid at 23 degrees Fahrenheit after all features have been machined into the body.

Abstract: In a flexible manufacturing system for assembling various types of vehicle bodies, there is employed a work piece carrier on which a work piece positioning device is mounted. The work piece positioning device has a plurality of position changeable work piece holders which are grouped into a plurality of groups each having its own power input device. When the carrier comes to a type switching state together with the work piece positioning device, a power source installed in the type switching stage is brought into connection with the power input device of one of the groups thereby to change the positions of the corresponding work piece holders. Then, the power source is brought into connection with the other power input device of the other group to change the positions of the corresponding work piece holders.

Abstract: Apparatus for welding motor vehicle bodies which have previously been assembled loosely comprises a station for the forming and welding of the body, a conveyor line for transporting the loosely preassembled bodies to the station, at least two pairs of forming frames situated at the two sides of the station, each pair of forming frames being provided with positioning devices engageable with the body and adapted to the specific geometric shape of particular type of body, forming-frame conveyor means for bringing a pair of forming frames corresponding to the type of body which is in the welding station into correspondence with an operative position in the welding station from time to time, and at least one welding device for welding the body. At least one drum which can rotate about an axis parallel to the length of the welding station and carries on its periphery a plurality of forming frames suitable for various types of body is provided on each side of the conveyor line.

Abstract: A system for assembling a vehicle body has a panel handling device provided with a panel holding tool for holding a body panel and a first welding gun for welding the body panel to a vehicle body. A robot has a connecting mechanism to which the panel handling device or a second welding gun is selectively connected. A panel setting mechanism which is provided with a support portion for supporting the panel handling device delivered by the robot locates the panel handling device so that the body panel on the panel handling device is correctly positioned for incorporation into the vehicle body. The second welding gun is connected to a power source, and said panel handling means is provided with a power receiving portion by way of which the first welding gun receives power supplied by the second welding gun which is held by the robot.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing hemispherical tank heads is disclosed in which a pair of planar lune members having a generally football shape are cut from flat metal stock. The members are each then formed into a three dimensional lune section having a generally orange-peel sectional shape. Each section is placed onto a trim jig and a first edge of the sections are trimmed to leave some excess material beyond a desired trim line. A second edge of each section is then trimmed to a desired trim line. The two trimmed sections are placed on a joining jig with the second edges of the sections juxtaposed and joined to form a hemispherical member. Finally, the hemispherical member is placed onto the trim jig and the excess materials on the first edges is trimmed to form an accurate hemispherical tank head. Preferably, the trim jig is rotated relative to a stationary plasma torch during all trimming operations.

Abstract: A grid assembly fixture for use in assembling grid straps to form a grid comprises a generally flat plate having first and second sets of parallel grooves, with the grooves of the sets at right angles. A retention strap comprises first and second pairs of bars, the bars of each pair hinged together adjacent their ends, and releasable joining elements for joining the pair of bars.A method of assembling the grid straps includes positioning a first set of straps in a grid assembly fixture, positioning a second set of straps at right angles to the first set to form a grid, placing outer straps on the grid, and placing a retention strap on the outer straps.

Abstract: The apparatus is for welding grids, particularly for a nuclear fuel assembly, constituted by two sets of strips at right angles and whose terminal portions are made fast to a belt. It comprises, in an enclosure with a controlled atmosphere provided with a lock, a double cross movement table bearing at least one orientation device and which is capable of bringing each surface and each side of the grid in its turn into an orientation perpendicular to the firing line of a radiation welding member and to move the frame in two directions perpendicular to the firing line, so as to bring each spot to be welded in its turn opposite the firing line. The orientation device and the table are provided with control motors and constitute an automation for presenting all the weld spots to be formed successively opposite the firing line.

Abstract: A wrist portion assembly for a workpiece feeding apparatus of a seam welding machine wherein a workpiece is supported through a chucking device on an operational end of a robot so that a portion of the workpiece to be welded is fed between a pair of upper and lower electrode rolls. The wrist portion includes plural turnable members. At least one of the turnable members which serves to move the chucking device upwardly and downwardly by the turning thereof is formed into an idle turnable member having no driving source.

Abstract: A combination of a seam welding machine having a machine body and a pair of electrode rolls thereon and a workpiece feeding mechanism for feeding a portion of a three dimensionally curved workpiece between the electrode rolls. The mechanism includes a robot which is three-dimensionally movable and which has a wrist portion of three shaft construction supporting a chucking device for holding the workpiece. The robot is mounted on the machine body of the seam welding machine.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a tubular element 24 to be butt joined horizontally at one of its ends to a tubular structure 27, comprises an upwardly acting, vertical hydraulic thrust jack 9 which compensates at least partly for the weight of the tubular element and which is placed towards the other end of the tubular element. The thrust jack is pivoted at its upper end on a slide 11 which is vertically movable and carries support members 23 for supporting the tubular element, and at its lower end on a base 6 mounted on a lower frame 2 provided with wheels 3 adapted to run on rails 4.

Abstract: The cover and case of fusible material forming the enclosure for a semiconductor chip are provided with a hermetically sealed joint in the form of a "stitch" weld along the marginal edge of the cover by multiple impulse, overlapped spot welding, with the heat of the welding current confined to a zone spanning the distance between a pair of pressure-imparting electrodes and transmitted transversely of the side wall of the case, thereby avoiding heat transfer across the case with consequent damage to the circuitry, electrical devices, semiconductor material and other contents of the case. A special carrier provides a mount for the case and, through use of a template on the carrier and a drive associated with the template, the case and cover are advanced or indexed in small increments after each resistance weld cycle, relocating the package in readiness for the next succeeding welding step.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting wiring patterns on a wiring board and leads of a parts to be mounted on the wiring board, via the solder provided between the leads and the patterns. The parts-connecting apparatus enables, especially, circuit elements of a high degree of, to be connected automatically with high reliability and accuracy by using solder through the steps of setting the wiring board in a predetermined position while pressing a surface thereof so as to remove the warp from the wiring board, fastening the leads of the part to the wiring patterns by a magnet provided on the lower surface of the wiring board, and heating the solder provided on the portions of the leads which are fastened to the wiring patterns.

Abstract: A welding fixture for metallurgically bonding a belleville seal to a journal bearing of a rotary cone rock bit segment is disclosed. The fixture includes a rotary table and structure to rotatively secure the journal bearing of the rock bit segment during a welding process wherein a metallurgical bond takes place through part or all of the 360.degree. joint between the seal and the journal bearing.

Abstract: A submerged arc welding machine in which the edges of plates to be butt welded are supported on a channel fixed on a long rigid foundation beam. The plates are otherwise held on inverted caster wheel assemblies. A long rigid bridge spaced above the beam carries a track on which the arc welding apparatus carriage rides. The plate edge portions are held by vertically movable electromagnets, and the channel forms a magnetic shield so that the magnets do not affect the welding arc. Vertically movable rollers allow the plates to be positioned without interference from the channel. A copper backup bar in the channel has a groove that is filled with flux, and the bar is raised to hold the flux under the weld line. A shoe on the carriage lays flux in the groove when the carriage returns after a welding pass, and a vacuum pickup head cleans the groove for the shoe flux delivery. During the welding pass, the pickup head removes flux on opposite sides of the weld.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of welding a diaphragm to the housing sections of a diaphragm-controlled device. The diaphragm and housings are first clamped together to provide a component of force perpendicular to the areas or seat of the housing which hold the diaphragm. An electron beam directed at, above, and below the sandwich edge of the housing and diaphragm causes a weld to be formed in a portion of the seat. The clamping pressure and expansion of the liquified metal forces part of the metal out of the sandwiched area such that, upon cooling, the housings are brought together against the diaphragm in a secure and pressure-tight weld. In order to weld in a vacuum chamber, it is necessary to remove the gases in the chamber. Diaphragm devices are characterized by the housing having a cavity therein and the diaphragm dividing the cavity into two chambers. Gas evacuation and re-introduction must be controlled to avoid unwanted diaphragm distortion.

Abstract: The disclosed method and apparatus are related to the machine for and process of cutting a desired contour in a workpiece with an axially traveling elongate tool by relatively displacing the workpiece and the elongate tool transversely to the traveling axis of the latter along a predetermined cutting path describing the contour whereby the workpiece is progressively divided, along the cutting path, into a first portion held secured with a work support and a second portion tending, by its own gravity, to fall off the first. The fall-off is prevented according to the invention with a plurality of attractable members, e.g. permanent magnets, which are spacedly juxtaposed with the workpiece and releasably retained with respective support holders on a support assembly.

Abstract: A holding fixture for use in the brazing of heat exchangers applying multiple holding pressures, two of which are in senses opposed to one another. Cage members mount a heat exchanger between them and are biased in a separating sense. At the same time they incorporate apparatus to apply a clamping pressure essentially within respective cage members. Fixture mechanism includes a detachable part useful as a reactant member in application of the clamping pressure and as a dynamic retainer in applying a pressure in conjunction with a separating motion of the cage members. The invention has method aspects related to brazing in the presence of multiple applied pressures.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a blade wheel including setting a plurality of blades into a first jig, positioning an annular core member thereover with mating projections on the blades with slits on the core member, welding at the mating points, setting the sub-assembly thus produced onto a shell member held in another jig with claw members of the blades engaging peripherally located slots in the shell member, and securing the two together with an annular retainer member with grooves engaging other claw members on the blades being spot welded to the shell member.

Abstract: To repair conductor path interruptions on printed circuit boards by means of micro-resistance welding, a specifically shaped metallic part is sucked on a central electrode by use of vacuum. The central electrode lowers the part so as to bridge the conductor path interruption to be repaired. On each side of the central electrode an outer electrode is provided which are lowered into contact with ends of the shaped part to provide independent micro-resistance welding at each end thereof by use of separate welding pulses, with the central electrode functioning in common for each welding.

Abstract: First and second optical fiber groups, each composed of optical fibers in layers, are held by alignment mating means, with the optical fibers placed at predetermined positions and end faces of corresponding pairs of them butted with each other. A light beam emitted from a CO.sub.2 laser is focused by a focusing optical system on the joints of the butted optical fibers. When the light beam is focused on one pair of butted optical fibers to fusion-splice them, the diameter of the focused light beam reaching the optical fibers adjacent to the irradiated ones is large so that their heating temperature by the focused light beam may not exceed their melting point. The focusing optical system and the alignment mating means are moved relative to each other to fusion-splice the butted optical fibers in succession.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting and positioning sectional reinforcement members relative to a panel plate in which a boom is pivotally mounted about a vertical axis and carries a plurality of members for gripping a selective reinforcement member, a plurality of magnets for holding a panel plate and a plurality of jacks for holding a sectional reinforcement member against the panel plate while the member is tack welded to the plate.

Abstract: A method for fixturing two or more workpieces in a desired positional relationship with respect to one another by utilizing a moldable and heat resistant work holding material to position and support the workpieces. The work holding material may subsequently be hardened to provide a permanent and reusable fixture.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for mechanically and electrically interconnecting the individual electrochemical cells for a battery. A cell-holding fixture maintains the cells in fixed relationship and includes a conductive electrode disposed adjacent each terminal to be interconnected. Projecting cell terminals are partially bent about the conductive electrodes by pivotal arms and the fixture is then moved toward the ends of the arms Zto complete the bending of the terminals so that they lie in a common plane. A conductive link is placed over the bent terminals and a pair of welding electrodes, one in contact with the conductive link and the other in electrical contact with the conductive electrode of the fixture, passes a welding current through the link and terminal to effect the weld. The fixture is passed over an adhesive strip applicator for taping together the bottom surfaces of the cells prior to their removal from the fixture.

Abstract: A body assemby system for welding multiple component parts of different vehicle bodies into interfixed assembled relation at successive framing and finish welding stations including means for accurately locating preliminary preassembled component parts in required accurate geometric relation at a framing station, with programmable welding means for producing different initial retention welds at the framing station as well as finish welds at successive "respot" welding stations as required for the different bodies. The system includes means for rapidly positioning locating tooling for the multiple component parts at the framing station as required for different bodies as well as means to minimize and facilitate change of special tooling for model changeover.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a tube with surface-enlarging elements attached to the inside thereof, which elements are in the form of radially inwardly directed pins welded on the tube wall. A method and apparatus for forming such a tube are also provided, the apparatus comprising a holder for each pin which is movable both longitudinally and radially of the tube.

Abstract: A method for connecting at least one basin of metal sheet to a basin opening of a frame formed of metal sheet by positioning a metal basin with its rim surrounding a basin opening of the frame so that the edge of the opening projects inwardly beyond the rim of the basin and melting this projecting rim by welding without employing additional work material. According to a preferred embodiment, this method is performed by apparatus having a presser plate displaceably mounted on a machine frame, a plunger on a lower end of the frame for centering the basin and basin opening, presser ring attached to the upper end of the cross-head that forms a gap with respect to an upper edge of a basin holder of the presser plate and the plunger necessary for effectuating welding of the basin to the frame, and at least one welding torch mounted so as to be displaceable along a guide track with its nozzle directed at a constant setting angle toward the gap between the plunger and the presser ring.

Abstract: An apparatus for welding T-frame stiffeners circumferentially to the interior surface of a cylindrical shell at selected axial positions to fabricate reinforced hull sections suitable for boat construction is disclosed. The apparatus is adapted for providing simultaneous two-sided Tee welds of the T-frame to the shell using radiation from a laser source to form quickly the welds which significantly reduces the time and costs of fabricating hull subassemblies.

Abstract: A body assembly system for welding different stamped sheet metal vehicle bodies at successive framing and finish welding stations including means for accurately locating different underbody, side and top components in required accurate geometric relation at a framing station with programmable welding means for producing different initial retention welds at the framing station as well as finishing welds at successive "respot" welding stations as required for the different bodies. The system includes means for rapidly positioning locating tooling for body components at the framing station as required for different bodies as well as means to minimize and facilitate change of special tooling for model changeover.

Abstract: An individual chip joining machine is designed primarily to bond a single chip to a multi-chip substrate. The machine includes an X-Y table for moving a substrate to locate a chip site beneath a probe. The probe serves to pick up a chip and either place it on the substrate or remove it therefrom and further serves to heat the chip to join it to the substrate by solder reflow or to melt the solder and allow the chip to be removed. The probe is mounted on a Z direction placement mechanism that also includes means to allow the probe to be backed off a fixed distance from a chip, once the chip has been placed on the substrate preparatory to joining thereto. A second heater heats the substrate to a bias temperature, this heating being controlled through use of a surrogate substrate having a thermocouple attached thereto.

Abstract: The body of a valve is partially rebuilt by using electrical welding device, first support apparatus, second support apparatus and a driving mechanism. The electrical welding device adds material to the inside of the valve body by using an electrode to provide an arc. The first support apparatus is used to detachably support the valve body aligned with a hole. The second support apparatus rotatably supports the electrode of the welding device in a relatively fixed relationship to the valve body and has an elongated tubular member extending through the hole in the first support apparatus. The driving mechanism rotates the tubular member and electrode about the elongated axis of the tubular member.

Abstract: Workpieces to be joined by welding are held in juxtaposition to provide a joint location to which welding wire is to be fed. The welding wire is fed to the joint location from a passage in a welding wire feeder that is guided for movement relative to the workpieces and the joint location. As the welding wire feeder is moved relative to the joint location, welding wire passes from a groove in the feeder through an arcuate passage directed toward the joint location. During welding the feeder is moved relative to the workpieces along the weld line. The welding wire is melted at the joint location by being heated, such as by connecting a workpiece and the welding wire feeder to an electric circuit for producing a welding arc between the welding wire and the workpieces at the joint location.

Abstract: The device includes an alignment station at which an operator can align a wafer under a microscope. Once the wafer is properly aligned, a transfer chuck is brought into position above the wafer and aligned with alignment pins located in fixed positions at the alignment station. The wafer is then fixed to the transfer chuck and released from the alignment station. The transfer chuck is moved into proper alignment with alignment pins at a remote operation station, such as an automatic scribing station. The invention allows the operator to view the wafer with semiconductor devices facing the operator and provides for flipping the wafer over through the use of the transfer chuck so that the laser scriber can scribe the wafer on the side away from the semiconductor devices.

Abstract: A process for welding the adjacent ends of frame members peripherally surrounding the interleaved straps of a fuel assembly grid which includes placing the assembled grid and its frame members into a fixture made to substantially the same dimensions as the outside dimensions of the grid. The side members of the frame are arranged such that a space appears at each of the four corners and a special tool placed in each of the four corner cells of the grid is designed to have an opening which corresponds to the openings formed on each corner of the fixture. After the tooling is placed in each of the four corner cells, the assembled grid and fixture is then placed in welding apparatus such that a welding tip thereof is placed in the tool located in a corner cell.

Abstract: A water-filled cutting table for a plasma-arc torch cutting arrangement is configured having a plurality of self-extinguishing and combustibly non-supportive slats oriented on edge and transverse to the direction of travel of the torch arrangement. Magnetic grounding elements are also provided for electrically grounding each piece of product to be cut. The use of self-extinguishing and combustibly non-supportive materials for the product support slats drastically reduces the amount of undesirable slag build-up on the slats which had heretofore created problems of proper product support and, consequently, decreased product quality.

Abstract: A method for the consecutive resistance heating of sequentially advanced wire pins by means of electrodes positioned on end faces of the pins includes the following steps:A. connecting in series at least two wire pins to a current source through the electrodes;B. passing heating current through each wire pin for a number of consecutive heating periods which equal the number of the serially-connected wire pins; andC. between each heating period removing that wire pin which has been exposed to all consecutive heating periods and, in its stead, introducing a new wire pin.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed in a system for drilling holes with a laser beam in a plurality of discrete moving workpieces carried by a support which moves each workpiece sequentially along a predetermined path at a predetermined velocity, the apparatus including means for sequentially tracking along a portion of such path each workpiece being drilled seriatim by the laser beam. This tracing apparatus includes means for directing the laser beam generally transversely of the direction of movement of the workpiece on the support and a mirror for folding the transversely directed laser beam toward the workpieces with means for oscillating the folding mirror synchronously with the movement of the workpiece to track the workpiece as it moves.

Abstract: Small and regularly shaped holes are formed in a workpiece by the punch of a punch press while large and irregularly shaped holes are formed by a plasma-arc torch attached to the punch press. Fumes and molten metal resulting from operation of the torch are directed into an upright duct which underlies the workpiece, the upper end of the duct engaging the workpiece to prevent deformation thereof. When the punch is operating, the upper end of the duct is retracted downwardly to provide clearance for movable clamps which grip and position the workpiece.Additional fumes are collected in and sucked from a shroud which encloses the tip of the torch and which carries a collar for establishing the stand-off height of the torch.

Abstract: A base is mounted on a welding machine and has slide rails. Each rail has paired flat top sides angularly converging upwardly toward one another. A table has slide channels also each having paired flat sides angularly converging upwardly toward one another at angles substantially equal to that of the rails. The table channels rest on the rails with their flat sides in sliding relationship to the flat sides of the rails. When welding forces are applied to the table, the flat sides of the rails and channels jam or wedge into substantially solid electrical contact at their interface due to their angulation. A shield is attached to the end of the table and covers the rails in their exposed projection beyond the table. In a table having two welding locations, a shield is attached at both ends of the table. The shields protect the rails against welding spatter, dust, etc., to keep the rails clean to insure maximum electrical contact.

Abstract: Apparatus for joining a first workpiece from a supply station to a second workpiece at a work station which accurately positions the first workpiece in engagement with the second workpiece at a predetermined location spaced from the periphery of the second workpiece. Positioning means are provided for transferring the first workpiece from the supply station to the work station in a manner such that the first workpiece is spaced from the second workpiece during such transfer until it is moved to the predetermined location in engagement with the second workpiece. The positioning means includes a transfer guide and a transfer device for transferring the first workpiece along the transfer guide to the work station.