Abstract: A method and apparatus for resistive heating usable in composite-based additive manufacturing is disclosed. The method includes providing a prepared stack of substrate sheets, placing the stack between electrode assemblies of a compression device, applying a current to thereby heat the stack to a final temperature to liquefy applied powder, compressing the stack to a final height, cooling the stack, and removing the cooled, compressed stack from the compression device. The apparatus comprises at least two plates, a power supply for providing current, a first electrode assembly and a second electrode assembly.

Abstract: A method of resistance spot brazing a workpiece stack-up that includes a first thin-gauge steel workpiece and a second thin-gauge steel workpiece. The method includes several steps. A first step involves applying a filler material to a surface of the first thin-gauge steel workpiece. A second step involves bringing a surface of the second thin-gauge steel workpiece to adjoin the filler material. A third step involves clamping a first welding electrode and a second welding electrode on the first and second thin-gauge steel workpieces and over the filler material. A fourth step involves passing electrical current between the first and second welding electrodes and hence through the filler material. And a fifth step involves terminating passage of the electrical current in order to establish a brazed joint between the first and second thin-gauge steel workpieces.

Abstract: A system and method of braze resistance spot welding of an aluminum component to a galvanized steel component involve providing an aluminum-side electrode having a first tip defining a rounded shape, providing a galvanized steel-side electrode having a second tip defining a flat shape, depositing a braze filler material between the aluminum and galvanized steel components at a desired location for a spot weld, performing a pre-heat including providing a first current across the electrodes for a first period such that the braze filler melts and removes a portion of a zinc coating from the galvanized steel component, and after performing the pre-heat, performing a spot weld between the aluminum and galvanized steel components by providing a second current across the electrodes for a second period such that the aluminum melts and the galvanized steel does not melt, wherein the second current is greater than the first current.

Abstract: In a joining method of an electric wire, an end of a first conductor is held by a holding surface of a first jig electrode from an outer circumference side and an end of a second conductor is held by a holding surface of a second jig electrode from an outer circumference side to butt and join the ends of the first conductor and the second conductor in the axial direction while heating the ends. Then, a melted material is bulged outward from an outer circumferential surface of a joining portion to a bulge molding portion formed to surround a joining portion of the ends of the first conductor and the second conductor.

Abstract: A power transfer assembly for a contact-start plasma arc torch conducts electrical current to an electrode through mating structures provided on two conductive elements. The mating structures are defined by sidewalls that are parallel to an assembly axis, and are configured to translatably engage each other, but are blocked from rotating with respect to each other. A compression and torsion spring serves to bias the conductive elements apart to bias the electrode to a forward position, and to apply a torsional load to the mating structures to maintain their sidewalls in contact. The mating structures can be provided by a shaped recess in one conductive element and a corresponding shaped protrusion extending from the other element. The spring can be secured to the conductive elements to maintain the components of the power transfer assembly together when the torch in which they are employed is disassembled.

Abstract: A system for determining an alignment location associated with a pattern formed on a substrate is disclosed. Electrical measurements are made as the substrate is moved along an advancement direction. An alignment structure is formed on the substrate. The alignment structure has a first member extending along a first direction that is not parallel to the advancement direction and a second member extending along a second direction that is not parallel to either the advancement direction or to the first member. The first member and the second member are electrically conductive and substantially transparent. One or more probes are used to identify portions of the first and second members of the alignment structure and produce signals in response to relative motion between the substrate and the probes. A controller, responsive to signals produced by the probe, determines an alignment location associated with the pattern formed on the substrate.

Abstract: An electrical welding or soldering device (1), including an electrode (2, 3), to which electric current and a pressing force are applied, and including an electrode retainer (5, 6) that transmits the pressing force. An electrical insulating element (13) is arranged between the electrode retainer (5, 6) and the electrode (2, 3). The electrical insulating element is designed as a pressure-resistant and dimensionally stable insulating disk made of a ceramic material. The insulating disk (13) has a contour that can transmit force and is not rotationally symmetric.

Abstract: A wire arc spray system use at least one first wire and second wire that include a composite wire including a first material at a core region thereof and a cladding including a second material surrounding the core region. A controller controls operation to propel heated material created by the arcing of the first wire and the second wire at the arc point to a surface to be coated. A wire arc spray methodology for creating a porous metal coating with all-metal wires is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for using filler wire in hot wire applications, e.g., brazing, cladding, building up, filling, overlaying, welding, and joining applications, is provided. The filler wire has a first section that has a first resistance per unit length. The filler wire has a second section that has a second resistance per unit length, which is higher than the first resistance per unit length. The second section of the filler wire is configured to melt before the first section during hot-wire applications. In some embodiments, a resistivity of the first section and a resistivity of the second section are equal and the second section has a cross-sectional area that is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the first section. In some embodiments, a resistivity of filler material in the first section and a resistivity of filler material in the second section are different.

Abstract: A supply chute 11 has a nut send-in port 14 at its upper end, and is composed of an inclined chute 12 inclined obliquely downward, and a curved chute 13 coupled to the lower end of the inclined chute 12 and curved like an arc obliquely downward. A nut support mechanism 40 is disposed at a nut send-out port 15 provided at a terminal end of the curved chute 13, for supporting the nuts 60 being forwarded so that their bonding side 62 may be in an oblique downward position nearly orthogonal to the axial line of a guide rod 20. The inclined chute 12, the curved chute 13, the guide rod 20, and driving means 25 for moving the guide rod 20 back and forth in an oblique downward direction are mounted on a stand 22 installed rotatably on a support member 33 by way of a horizontal support shaft 35, and the support member 33 is coupled and fixed to a main body arm 2 of the bonding machine 1.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and a method for brazing work pieces together and which eliminates the disadvantages associated with conventional apparatus currently in use for brazing parts together. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the brazing apparatus comprises an electric connector for connecting to an electrical power source; at least two electrodes adapted for attaching to and providing electrical contact with the work pieces to be brazed together; means for converting the electric power being directed from the electrical power source into a low voltage, high current electric flow directed to the work pieces; and a control system for controlling the brazing operation. The brazing apparatus further comprises means for automatically controlling the time duration of the brazing operation and means for monitoring and automatically controlling the brazing temperature being generated along the interface between the work pieces.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and a method for brazing work pieces together and which eliminates the disadvantages associated with conventional apparatus currently in use for brazing parts together. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the brazing apparatus comprises an electric connector for connecting to an electrical power source; at least two electrodes adapted for attaching to and providing electrical contact with the work pieces to be brazed together; means for converting the electric power being directed from the electrical power source into a low voltage, high current electric flow directed to the work pieces; and a control system for controlling the brazing operation. The brazing apparatus further comprises means for automatically controlling the time duration of the brazing operation and means for monitoring and automatically controlling the brazing temperature being generated along the interface between the work pieces.

Abstract: A method of brazing a strob insert to the trailing edge of a slot in a strob circular saw blade, the strob insert having first and second, opposed, substantially parallel surfaces, the first surface of the strob insert to be brazed to the edge, comprises the steps of placing the strob insert on an electrode with the second surface of the strob insert in contact with the electrode in heat transfer relationship therewith; applying brazing paste to the first surface of the insert; positioning the electrode so that the first surface of the insert is in a brazing position relative to the edge; and passing an electrical current through the electrode to resistively heat the electrode to a temperature sufficient to cause brazing of the first surface of the strob insert to the edge.