Abstract: A clamping mechanism is described which includes an end clamp which may include a face plate, a pair of opposing first jaws operably attached to the face plate selectively positionable toward and away from one another, each of the pair of first jaws having a first jaw inner clamp member and a first jaw outer clamp member forming a nest there between, and a pair of opposing second jaws operably attached to the face plate selectively positionable toward and away from one another, each of the pair of second jaws having a second jaw inner clamp member and a second jaw outer clamp member forming a nest there between.

Abstract: A clamping mechanism is described which includes an end clamp which may include a face plate, a pair of opposing first jaws operably attached to the face plate selectively positionable toward and away from one another, each of the pair of first jaws having a first jaw inner clamp member and a first jaw outer clamp member forming a nest there between, and a pair of opposing second jaws operably attached to the face plate selectively positionable toward and away from one another, each of the pair of second jaws having a second jaw inner clamp member and a second jaw outer clamp member forming a nest there between.

Abstract: A clamping device for clamping a workpiece includes a support member, sliding members and a rotating member. The support member is configured for supporting the workpiece. The support member defines cutouts in a periphery thereof. The sliding members each is positioned in one of the cutouts. Each of the sliding members has a cam pin. The rotating member is rotatable relative to the support member. The rotating member defines cam slots on top thereof. The cam pins are received in the cam slots and slidable in the cam slots. Positions of the sliding members are changeable along radial directions of the support member when the rotating member is rotated.

Abstract: A method of making a microelectronic assembly buying restraining a substrate in a fixture at room temperature, placing a flip chip on the substrate so that conductive bumps on the flip chip are aligned with contact pads on the substrate, heating the flip chip, the substrate and the fixture to reflow the conductive bumps on the flip chip, cooling the flip chip, substrate and fixture to solidify the conductive bumps and to mount the flip chip to the substrate, depositing an underfill between the flip chip and the substrate, curing the underfill by heating the flip chip, substrate, underfill and fixture to an elevated temperature, and removing the flip chip mounted substrate from the fixture.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining a bitting pattern of a key comprising a housing used for optically outlining at least the profile of the blade of the key so as to form an image. The image is digitized and information created therefrom, including information about the width of the blade of the key at a plurality of selected longitudinal positions along the length to include the width of the blade at the location of at least one cut of the bitting pattern. The information about the bitting pattern of the key digitized can then be used to cut the bitting patten into a key blank. Alternatively, the information can be compared to stored information and the detected width of the blade adjusted at a location of at least one cut to be one of a plurality of predetermined widths from the manufacturer, thereby creating a regenerated bitting pattern of the key.

Abstract: An adjustable clamp frame for securing a work piece in a thermo-forming machine includes a pair of opposed, transverse cross members, each of which are adjustable along a continuum toward and away from one another. Each transverse cross member includes at least one clamping member for securing a work piece to the frame by clamping the respective edges thereof. The clamp frame also includes a pair of opposed, longitudinal cross members, each of which are adjustable along a continuum toward and away from one another. Each longitudinal cross member includes at least one clamping member for securing a work piece to the frame by clamping the respective edges thereof. The clamping members for each of the respective pair of opposed transverse and longitudinal cross members are adapted to be disposed on a common plane when the workpiece is secured in said frame.

Abstract: The present invention is a universal fixture for holding printed circuit boards with different sizes and shapes during, stencil printing and other manufacturing processes related to printed circuit boards. In one embodiment, a universal fixture for holding a printed circuit board has a platform with a work surface, a first support member attached to the platform to hold a portion of a printed circuit board, and a second moveable support member attached to the first support member to support another portion of the printed circuit board. The platform is preferably adapted to be attached to a workstation of a processing machine, such as a stenciling machine for printing solder or adhesive onto the printed circuit board. The first support member preferably has an elongated sidewall, a first endwall extending transversely from the sidewall, and a second endwall spaced apart from the first endwall along the sidewall and extending transversely from the sidewall.

Abstract: An adjustable clamping frame used in a vacuum forming machine comprising two longitudinal frame members disposed in spaced parallel relation to one another and two transverse frame members disposed in spaced parallel relation to one another. The two longitudinal frame members are perpendicular to the two transverse frame members. The longitudinal frame members have elongated slots for receiving the opposite ends of the two transverse frame members. The elongated slots permit selective sliding movement of the transverse frame members within the longitudinal frame members for varying the spacing between the transverse frame members in order to accommodate varying sizes of plastic sheets to be molded. The elongated slots also permit removal of each transverse frame member by rotation of each transverse frame member out of the elongated slots of the longitudinal frame members.

Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly fixture and method useful for the assembly and fabrication of metal grids such as used to support and position the fissionable fuel rods of a nuclear fuel assembly. The grid assembly fixture uses a grid assembly plate (1) and a plurality of toggle clamp assemblies (9) and clamping pads (12) attached thereto to temporarily hold the four peripheral or border grid straps (7) in proper position and alignment against the four sides of the grid assembly plate (1). A strap retention assembly (13) is then placed around the four peripheral or border grid straps (7) to hold them in proper position and alignment during the further fabrication and welding of the grid straps (7).

Abstract: Apparatus for grinding or polishing flat facets of gemstones comprising a mirror lap wheel base adapted to be mounted to a rotary drive and a lap film adapted to be mounted flushly upon the mirror lap wheel base.

Abstract: An adjustable clamp frame assembly for holding different sizes of plastic sheets in a thermo form machine. The frame assembly has longitudinal and transverse beams carrying clamp units that hold a plastic sheet on the beams. The longitudinal and transverse beams are movable along rails of a rectangular frame to change the lateral distance between both the longitudinal and transverse beams to accommodate different sizes of plastic sheets.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously welding two or more pairs of thermoplastic frame elements is disclosed. The apparatus includes a clamp or jig assembly which maintains the frame elements in alignment with respect to each other and to a heating plate. A driving assembly is provided for moving the frame elements towards the heating plate and/or towards each other for heating and fusion.

Abstract: A multi-element clamp is used in association with a frame corner welding apparatus. The clamp or jig consists of a base element, a floating element and a clamp element. The floating element is bias coupled to the base element and when driven to clamp position serves as a clamp, with respect to the base element and is converted to a base element with respect to the clamp element.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, extending upwardly from an anchoring base, a first upright rod is revolvably mounted in the base and at an upper end of the first upright rod there is swivelly mounted a lower end of a second rod having at its distal end a swivelly mounted holder structure which includes box-like vessel four walls each having mounted therethrough male-threaded screw-like clamps having swivelly-mounted gripping structures on the interior ends of the clamps extending inwardly toward one-another into space within which an object to be held and supported will be gripped by the opposing clamps and gripping structures thereof, the swivelly-mounted rod and holder being each alternately securable to a locked position and state, and released to a movable adjustable state, and the first upright rod being also alternately securable to a locked non-revolvable position and state, and releasable to a freely revolvable and thereby adjustable state, such that the object to be held and supported may be positioned as