Abstract: A method of producing a surfacial marking (11) on a surface (1b) of a body (1) of transmissive material, whereby use is made of a laser beam (5) having a wavelength .lambda. to which the material is substantially transparent, which method comprises the following steps:(a) providing a layer (3) of assistant material against the surface (1b), which assistant material is absorptive at the wavelength .lambda.;(b) directing the laser beam (5) through the body (1) onto the layer (3), so as to locally heat and ablate the layer (3).

Abstract: A page-wide, drop-on-demand type ink jet printhead and an associated method of manufacturing an orifice plate. The orifice plate is comprised of a block of material in which a first portion of the block of material has been removed to define an ink reservoir. Also formed in the orifice plate are a series of apertures, each of the apertures includes an ink jet and an ink jet nozzle. A fill channel, which extends between the ink reservoir and each ink jet, is also formed in the orifice plate to provide a supply of ink to the ink jet. An intermediate layer is mounted to the orifice plate. The intermediate layer is formed of an active piezoelectric material and a series of piezoelectric actuators, each acoustically coupled to a corresponding one of the series of apertures, are formed on the intermediate layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a textured zone in a predetermined surface area on a magnetic data recording disc, which is capable of precisely controlling the position and range of the texturing zone. Bumps 4 are formed on a CSS zone on the inner peripheral side of a magnetic recording disc 1 by the use of a spindle means 6 and a laser beam bombarding means 7. The spindle means 6 is provided with a chuck mechanism 13 with opposingly confronting tapered surfaces 18a and 21a to hold a disc 1 in a centered position in alignment with the rotational axis of a spindle shaft 10. On the other hand, the laser beam bombarding means 7 has part of component parts of its optical system, from a laser energy source 34 up to an electromagnetic shutter 39, mounted on its main casing 7a, and has a reflector mirror 40 and an objective lens 41 accommodated in a movable housing 31 which is movable in the direction of its optical axis to displace a laser spot position on the surface of the disc 1 in a radial direction thereof.

Abstract: In the present invention, a laser beam with a prespecified oscillation frequency is divided into the arbitrary number of pulses to be irradiated to all holes in an area, and this step is repeated until the irradiation reaches a desired number of pulses, whereby an interactive time can be decided according to the number of divided pulses and a cooling period of time can be obtained, and also the number of pulses per one division is set to be a plurality of pulses, which allows an etching rate to be increased, so that the number of pulses required for machining can be reduced as compared to a case where a laser is irradiated to all the holes pulse by pulse.

Abstract: The present invention involves a multi-point laser trapping device in which laser light is irradiated on medium that includes micro-particles, and captures and arranges multiple micro-particles within said medium simultaneously; and is characterized by irradiating the aforementioned laser light from a single laser light source, and by arranging in that light route grating which forms on medium a diffraction pattern consisting of multiple point laser spots.

Abstract: A method of using a laser to cut a groove or pocket of predetermined depth of less than about 0.005 inches in a stencil comprising a polyimide sheet having a thickness in the range of 0.005 to 0.012 inches including the steps of mounting the stencil on a movable work table and positioning and maintaining a laser a predefined distance from the polyimide sheet above the work table. A laser beam is directed against the polyimide sheet to cut an indentation into said polyimide sheet. The laser beam has a pulse duration and a power level to make the cut into the polyimide sheet. The method further includes the step of directing a gas against the polymide sheet where the laser beam cuts into said polyimide sheet. The gas is pressurized. The depth of the indentation cut into the polyimide sheet by the laser is determined by choosing the pressure of the gas relative to choosing the pulse duration and the power level of the laser beam.

Abstract: A topographical support member and a method of forming a topographical support member for use in producing nonwoven fabrics with raised portions, especially intaglio and slub type portions. The topographical support member includes a body having a top surface including a first micro-sized topographical pattern and a pattern of apertures extending through the body. At least one macro-sized region recessed below the top surface is provided. The micro-sized pattern produces a background portion of the fabric and the macro-sized recessed regions produce the raised portions of the fabric. Multiple levels may be provided in the macro-sized region to produce multiple level raised portions.

Abstract: The invention relates to an effect paint for objects to be painted, as well as to a process for making the effect paint, wherein the effect paint comprises pigments. The pigments, produced by fragmenting a wiped and cross-linked film, are added to a starting paint of a paint coat of the object and result in a color effect which depends on the viewing angle, and are also provided with a marking used to recognize and characterize the object.

Abstract: An apparatus for exposing an optical master disk includes an exposure section, an exposure control section, a guide groove exposure voltage supplier and a modulator. The exposure section is for exposing a guide groove and pre-pits by different laser beams, and the exposure control section is for controlling an exposure voltage of the laser beams in the exposure section and an exposure timing. The guide groove exposure voltage supplier is for supplying, in accordance with the pre-pit designation signal, to the exposure section a guide groove exposure voltage of a first power level when an inside or an outside guide groove adjacent to the pre-pits is exposed and a guide groove exposure voltage of a second power level when a guide groove not adjacent to the pre-pits is exposed. The modulator modulates a laser beam for exposing the guide groove in accordance with the guide groove exposure voltage.

Abstract: A method is described for producing a line-shaped weakening in a flat material by one-sided local removal of the flat material by controllable pulsed laser radiation. The occurring line-shaped weakening is not visible on the surface of the flat material that is not machined and has a reproducible constant breaking resistance.

Abstract: An apparatus for layerwise production of an object using laser sintering by solidifying a material which is solidifiable by electromagnetic radiation comprises a device (5) for producing an electromagnetic beam (6) and a focusing device (8) for focusing the beam (6) onto the material within a working plane (7), whereby the focusing device (8) comprises a lens (9) and a mount (10) holding the lens (9), a ring nozzle (12) arranged adjacent to the image-side surface (11) of the lens (9) facing the working plane (7), the ring nozzle having its outlet oriented relative to the image-side surface (11) so that a discharged stream strokes tangentially along the image-side surface (11) towards the center, the inlet of the ring nozzle being selectively connected with a source of pressurized gas.

Abstract: Provided is a fast and efficient method of burnishing a brake pad. The brake pad is contacted with a heat source having a power density greater than about 270 Mw/m.sup.2. Also provided is pre-burnished brake pad having an increased coefficient of friction.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for forming nozzles in a nozzle member for a printhead. The apparatus includes a radiation source for forming nozzles of a selected shape in the nozzle member. Also included is a support layer positioned proximate the nozzle member opposite the radiation source. The support layer is formed of a material that is selected to limit energy transfer from the support layer to prevent damage to the nozzle member.

Abstract: A process for performing a laser treatment on discrete sheets of material. The present invention provides for shingling discrete sheets of material and for tracking and contacting a laser beam on the continuously moving shingled sheets.

Abstract: A disk texturing tool is used, for example, to provide textured spots in an annular portion of both sides of a hardfile disk. Disks are moved into and out of the texturing process in cassettes, through two disk-handling stations. Texturing occurs as the annular portions are exposed to a train of pulses from a Q-switched laser. The Q-switch within the laser is driven by a radio-frequency signal form an oscillator, which is in turn driven by a signal from a pulse generator, which can be adjusted to leave the radio-frequency signal on for a variable time between pulses without changing pulse frequency. The laser may be equipped with a shutter and with an electronic gate selectively preventing the production of laser pulses.

Abstract: The method relates to functional absorbent materials that are profiled through cutting and heating to form flow channels, and in one embodiment to form bellows which rise above the flow channels. Additionally, the flow channels which are partially cut into an absorbent material may also function as hinge means for that material as regards bending and conformity of fit. In one embodiment, functional absorbent material is provided with discrete heating and cutting, e.g., by a laser, by which channels and bellows are simultaneously formed. In another embodiment using a discrete heating and cutting means, e.g., a laser, is used to provide channels partially through the surface of a functional absorbent material.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a method for making a disposable element adapted for selective placement in the path of laser beam delivery to the cornea. The element carries a membrane of uniform thickness which is opaque to the laser-beam and which is subject to ablation when exposed to the laser beam. The central area of the uniform thickness membrane is then selectively exposed to the laser-beam so as to cause full depth removal at one locality in the central area and essentially zero depth removal at another area, so as to provide an article which, when interposed the cornea and an ablative laser beam, will, during a given laser-beam course of exposure will require greater or lesser time to locally ablate the membrane and thus permit laser-beam exposure past the membrane and into correspondingly localized ablating impingement with the cornea. Stated in other words, the article so manufactured will provide a varying spot size at the cornea on illumination with a laser-beam of uniform intensity profile.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a replication master tooling article suitable for manufacturing replicated articles by machining a substrate surface with laser energy to produce a plurality of geometric structures in the substrate, the geometric structures having side surfaces extending from the surface of the substrate into the substrate.

Abstract: A system for staking a haptic to an optic to form an intraocular lens using a laser beam operating near the infrared range with a coaxial aiming laser beam operating in the visible range. A portion of the haptic is inserted into the optic through a radial bore and is exposed through an axial bore spanning from the optic upper surface to the radial bore. The coaxial laser beams are collimated and then focused using a microscope objective through the axial bores, onto the exposed haptic. Aiming of the coaxial beams onto the optic and haptic is aided by the use of a magnifying CCD camera positioned with its optical axis at a 45.degree. angle to the optic horizontal plane. The coaxial lasers, which are typically focused to a minor diameter which is greater than or equal to the inner diameter of the axial bore, make contact with the exposed haptic. Consequently, the haptic is melted and is then allowed to cool, coalescing into a bead staking the haptic to the optic.

Abstract: A method of providing a body of material (14), having a thermal conductivity approximately equal to that of glass, with a sub-surface mark. A beam of laser radiation (12) to which the material (14) is substantially opaque is directed to surface of the body, so as to cause beam energy to be aborbed at the surface of the material in an amount sufficient to produce localised stresses within the body (14) at a location spaced from the surface without any detectable change at the surface, the localised stresses thus produced being normally invisible to the naked eye but capable of being rendered visible under polarised light.

Abstract: A method of identifying an air bag module assembly (14) with a motor vehicle (16) and applying coded indicia (10) onto a cover (12) of the air bag module assembly (14) in the motor vehicle (16). The identifying method consists of comparing the coded indicia (10) on the cover (12) of the air bag module assembly (14) with coded indicia (10) in the motor vehicle (16). If the coded indicia (10) on the cover (12) of the air bag module assembly (14) matches up with the coded indicia (10) in the motor vehicle (16), it will establish that the air bag module assembly (14) belong to the motor vehicle (16) and thereby will prevent the theft of the air bag module assembly (14) from the motor vehicle (16). The applying method comprises a procedure for placing coded indicia (10) onto the cover (12) of the air bag module assembly (14).

Abstract: A process is provided for producing an additive-containing PTFE or other fluorocarbon polymer resin which achieves substantially complete and thorough homogeneous distribution of the selected additive within the polymer matrix. The selected additive and polymer are blended and then subjected to an air milling in an air impact pulverizer to achieve particle to particle impact and the homogeneous distribution of the additive in and among the polymer particles. The milled polymer-additive composite is paste extruded and further processed to form additive-containing PTFE products such as dental floss, insulating or conductive materials, laser markable materials, abrasion resistance materials and the like.

Abstract: A process for performing a laser treatment on discrete sheets of material. The present invention provides for shingling discrete sheets of material and for tracking and contacting a laser beam on the continuously moving shingled sheets.

Abstract: Bone implants are made from calcium phosphate powders by selectively fusing layers of calcium powders that have been coated or mixed with polymer binders. The calcium powder mixture may be formed into layers and the polymer fused with a laser. Complex three-dimensional geometrical shapes can be automatically replicated or modified using this approach.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to related methods of producing a three-dimensional object by dispensing sheets of a material, capable of physical transformation upon exposure to synergistic stimulation, onto a substantially flat working surface of a previous cross-section. In one preferred embodiment, sheets of a photoresist are employed which change solubility upon exposure to electromagnetic radiation. In other preferred embodiments, non-photoreactive sheets are employed, which ablate upon exposure to infrared radiation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and an apparatus for producing thin-film EL devices with short annealing treatment times and excellent productivity.A substrate to be subjected to annealing treatment is mounted on the surface of a stage. The substrate to be treated is constructed by forming lower electrodes, a lower insulating layer, an EL layer and an upper insulating layer in that order on a translucent substrate. Light-irradiating means is provided above and opposite the surface of the stage. The light-irradiating means includes a plurality of light sources and a reflecting panel, and the light sources are situated along each of a plurality of concavities provided in the reflecting panel. Light from the light sources irradiates roughly the entire surface of the substrate to be treated. The light from the light sources is selected so as to include the absorption wavelength band of the electrode material of the lower electrodes on the substrate.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a graphic for a backlit component, such as a button for an illuminated graphic display of an automobile instrument panel. The method involves a process by which molded plastic backlit buttons are manufactured without the use of hazardous chemicals or materials, and instead utilizes laser energy to produce substantially opaque regions on the button for forming a graphics image. Backlit buttons are preferably formed from a substantially transparent polymeric material in which is present pigmentation that is reactive to laser energy. A graphic image is then created on the button by selectively exposing a portion of the backlit component to laser energy. As a result, the exposed portion becomes substantially opaque while remaining portions of the backlit component remain substantially transparent. As such, the exposed and unexposed portions of the button cooperate to produce the graphic image when the button is backlit with a suitable light source.

Abstract: Reflection of a generated radiation beam (e.g., laser) from a disk substrate during radiation-induced texturing such that the reflection interferes with the generated radiation beam is eliminated as follows: the beam path of the laser beam is passed through focusing optics to focus the beam to a spot on the substrate surface; the beam path is offset from the center of the focusing optics so that the focusing optics bend the beam path, and further so that the beam is angled from normal to the surface of the disk, for example by between 2 and 5 degrees; and that portion of the beam reflected by the disk surface is blocked by appropriate means prior to its impinging upon the source of the generated radiation beam.

Abstract: An annular culture vessel for growing mammalian cells is constructed in a one piece integral and annular configuration with an open end which is closed by an endcap. The culture vessel is rotatable about a horizontal axis by use of conventional roller systems commonly used in culture laboratories. The end wall of the endcap has tapered access ports to frictionally and sealingly receive the ends of hypodermic syringes. The syringes permit the introduction of fresh nutrient and withdrawal of spent nutrients. The walls are made of conventional polymeric cell culture material and are subjected to neutron bombardment to form minute gas permeable perforations in the walls.

Abstract: A female mold (2, 12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62) having a desirable pattern is formed on a substrate (1, 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61). Next, ceramic material (3, 13, 23, 33, 43, 53, 63) is filled in spaces in the female mold. Thereafter, the female mold is removed by heating the entire substrate, whereby a desirable thick film pattern can be finely and easily formed. The inorganic paste material comprising inorganic liquid vehicle containing water glass as main ingredient and powdery solid dispersed in the inorganic liquid vehicle is used as the ceramic material. The volume change of the inorganic paste material is small during the drying and calcinating processes, thus the inorganic paste material is prevented from being broken.

Abstract: Disclosed are structures comprising a composite of fluorinated particulate carbon dispersed in a polymer, the fluorinated carbon being present in an amount sufficient to reduce the dielectric constant of the composition, the structure also including electrical conductor patterns.The composite can be made conductive by irradiating it with an UV excimer laser.

Abstract: A method for attaching haptics to an optic of an intraocular lens including the steps of providing the peripheral edge of the optic with at least one hole, inserting an end of the haptic into the hole, aiming a laser which emits radiation within the visible spectrum which is matched to the absorption spectrum of the haptic at a portion of the haptic within the hole and firing the laser so that the radiation passes through the optic essentially without absorption and is absorbed by the haptic, thereby causing the haptic to swell an amount sufficient to mechanically anchor the end of the haptic within the optic.

Abstract: A laser markable composite material which when so marked retains good color contrast after heat aging. The material comprises polytetrafluoroethylene resin, photosensitive filler material and an extrusion aid. The photosensitive material is preferably a metal oxide and has a larger mean particle size than typical pigments. Also disclosed is a sequence of milling, mixing and blending steps which forms the desired composite material.

Abstract: A process for detecting fine particles includes the steps of forming a sublimable thin film on an essential surface of a wafer on which fine particles are present, irradiating laser beam at the surface of the wafer, receiving a reflected beam from the surface which is scattered by the presence of the fine particles, and detecting the particles from the received scattered beam. The process may further include the step of accomplishing an etchback against the sublimable film to partially retain the sublimable film adjacent the surface of the fine particles. The film can be prepared from one or a mixture of gases including free sulfur generatable gas under discharge-dissociation conditions. Sulfur compounds or polythiazyl are preferable. Alternatively, the film can be made of a condensed film of organic solvent vapor. The sublimable film is sublimed by heating after the step of detecting the fine particles.

Abstract: Article and method of making same by laser-ablation-machining of (a) aromatic and/or amorphous polyamide material, or (b) polymeric material having repeating in its polymer backbone aromatic rings and aliphatic chains (with the proviso that the aliphatic chains have at least 4 carbon atoms when the material is a polyester, and preferably in all cases U.V. laser radiation is preferred, preferably at wavelengths greater than 248 nm from a KrF or XeCl excimer laser. The preferred polyamides, polyetheresters, and polyimides have superior machining performance and may be useful for making uniaxially electrically conductive articles by machining holes cleanly through laminar sheets of the preferred polymers, which sheets are subsequently metal plated.

Abstract: Method of producing a microstructure in a bioresorbable element comprising a material consisting of a major portion of at least one polymer selected from the group including aliphatic polyesters and aliphatic polycarbonates and copolymers thereof. The microstructure is accomplished by using an excimer laser which is operated at a maximum wavelength of 248 nm.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an ink jet recording head in which at least liquid channels, discharge ports and a ceiling plate for the formation of an ink liquid chamber are laminated on a substrate having ink discharge energy generating elements arranged on its surface, characterized in that said ceiling plate is formed of a high molecular resin having dispersed water-repellent grains composed of fluoro-oligomer, fluoropolymer, or fluorinated graphite.

Abstract: Sheet-like polyethylene terephthalate materials having slight surface roughness consisting of dendritic, plateau-like structures having a fissured, fractal edge, a process for their preparation by exposing the surfaces to UV radiation produced by the decomposition of excimers, and the use of polyethylene terephthalate films treated in this manner as a substrate for ferromagnetic thin metal layers.

Abstract: The method (10) of the present invention includes a first step of designing an image to be reproduced by the stamp pad (12). A pre-inked rubber material (14) derived from an ink and plasticizer premix is then super-cooled to immobilize the ink constituents (28) and harden the pre-inked material (14). A controller (52) then processes the information communicated from the computer (50) in order to control the operation of an engraver (54) such as a laser beam generator or a pantograph. The engraved material (12) is then warmed to room temperature and affixed to an appropriate handle. Alternatively, the selected image (38) is accomplished on the top surface of the stamp pad (12) during the curing procedure. In this procedure, the premix material (22) is heated from the bottom surface (30) to a curing temperature up to a selected height. A heat source (62) is applied to the image surface (18) such as to raise the material directly below to an appropriate curing temperature level to a selected depth.

Abstract: A method of effecting the coloration of a restoration to be mounted on a tooth including the steps of forming a mixture of powdered dental porcelain and a photonucleable silicate glass and shaping the mixture into a dental restoration. The dental restoration is heated in an oven to its fusing temperature and allowed to cool. Selected areas of the restoration are exposed to ultra-violet light. The dental restoration is reexposed to high energy while the color of the selected areas changes.