Abstract: Workpiece-holding tools and techniques are described. Workpiece-holding tools and techniques are usable to ensure consistent and durable alignment of various workpieces while providing access for performing attachment techniques thereon. In one example, the workpiece-holding tool is configured to allow objects to be held or removably affixed to an alignment surface. Holding objects with the workpiece-holding tool ensures that the alignment of objects with an alignment surface does not change while a user is operating upon a workpiece, e.g., as by joining aligned objects together, without interfering or obstructing access to the objects. The ability to hold objects is enhanced by the inclusion of cutouts that provide increased access to interior surfaces of the workpiece-holding tool, such as to increase the area available for use of clamps or other fastening devices.

Abstract: A workpiece positioner is includes a main positioner body including first and second end plate members. The main positioner body also includes a pair of tubular structural members extending between and interconnecting the end plate members, a number of substantially co-planar panel sections disposed between the first and second end plate members, and a number of spaced-apart reinforcing ribs interspersed between the panel sections, the reinforcing ribs also disposed between and interconnecting the tubular structural members. Each of the reinforcing ribs has two opposite side edges, each formed with an arcuate outline shape. The workpiece positioner may also include two or four workpiece support arms attached to the main positioner body, where each of the support arms may have a workpiece-supporting turntable mounted thereon, and may further include first and second shield members attached to the respective tubular members. A method of operating a workpiece processing machine is also described.

Abstract: A photonic integrated circuit apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a photonic chip and a lens array coupling element. The photonic chip includes a waveguide at a side edge surface of the photonic chip. The lens array coupling element is mounted on a top surface of the photonic chip and on the side edge surface. The coupling element includes a lens array that is configured to modify spot sizes of light traversing to or from the waveguide. The coupling element further includes an overhang on a side of the coupling element that opposes the lens array and that abuts the top surface of the photonic chip. The overhang includes a vertical stop surface that has a depth configured to horizontally align an edge of the waveguide with a focal length of the lens array and that vertically aligns focal points of the lens array with the edge of the waveguide.

Abstract: A roof mount for mounting at least one solar panel to a roof surface including a base. The roof mount includes a clamp connected to the base and a first recess sized to support a first solar panel. The first recess has a first height extending between a first top flange and a first bottom flange. The clamp also includes a second recess sized to support one of a second solar panel and a skirt flange. The second recess has a second height extending between a second top flange and a second bottom flange. The roof mount further includes a fastener connected to the clamp. The second fastener is operable to adjust the first and second heights, such that upon tightening of the second fastener, the first height increases and the second height decreases, and upon loosening of the second fastener, the first height decreases and the second height increases.

Abstract: An incremental forming machine binder is provided that has a blank holding opening that may be subdivided into smaller blank holding openings. The opening is subdivided by one or more clamping modules that are connected by connecting modules to each other and the frame. Clamps are attached to the clamping modules to clamp blanks in the blank holding openings. Multiple blanks may be secured to the binder for incremental forming.

Abstract: An interlocking and removable tool for floral arranging, consisting of two interlocking pieces which form a sturdy grid when assembled. This grid is placed on top of a vase, jar, bowl, or other vessel used for housing arranged flowers. This grid keeps flowers in place while being arranged, without falling over, and allows the user to construct floral arrangements with ease. When the desired arrangement is complete, the interlocking components slide apart and are removed without disrupting the floral arrangement.

Abstract: An assembly device includes a framework resting on a planar support, a support element mounted movably in rotation relative to the framework, immobilizing means, and a positioning assembly mounted in rotation on the support element. A front frame of the fixed structure is positioned on the positioning assembly, and the immobilizing means are arranged to immobilize the front frame on the positioning assembly. In particular, the assembly device allows, in the immobilizing position on the positioning assembly, for the front frame to extend transversely to the planar support.

Abstract: A pipe fitting system to fit a selected one of one or more pipes, one or more flanges and one or more fittings that includes one or more fitting cradles, a fitting rest with a pair of apertures, the fitting rest is removably secured to the bottom fitting bed and a plurality of cinch chains each with a first end, the cinch chains are used to secure one or more fitting cradles to a fitting beam. The system also includes a high tensile steel racquet wrench to loosen and to tighten the bolts of the pipe fitting system.

Abstract: A bonding method for bonding a semiconductor chip to an underlying structure includes aligning an electrical contact of a lower surface of the semiconductor chip with an electrical connection member of an upper surface of the underlying structure, the electrical contact at least partially encased by a support material. The method further includes first heating the semiconductor chip and the underlying structure, deforming the electrical contact, and curing the support material encasing the deformed electrical contact. The method still further includes second heating the semiconductor chip and the underlying structure to bond the electrical contact of the semiconductor chip to the electrical connection member of the underlying structure while maintaining the support material in a cured state.

Abstract: A hand-strung jewelry construction board. A plurality of holes is drilled into the board. One or more pins are inserted into the holes. Also, one or more clamps are inserted into the holes. A jewelry string is looped around the pins and clamped in position by the clamps. In a preferred embodiment, second and third strings are wrapped around the jewelry string adjacent the pins at each end of the jewelry string. The second and third wrapped strings are glued into place. When the jewelry string is removed from the jewelry construction board, permanent loops are formed into the jewelry string.

Abstract: A tool is disclosed for adjusting a seal. The tool includes an engagement block. The engagement block defines a slot configured to capture a portion of the seal. The tool further includes an impact surface connected to the engagement block, and a hammer head movable along a strike axis with respect to the engagement block and configured for striking the impact surface. Striking of the impact surface with the hammer head can cause movement of the seal.

Abstract: An installation tool, for installing four supports in a server rack, includes two first positioning plates and two second positioning plates secured to the two first positioning plates. The four supports form a rectangle frame for stacking a number of servers. The installation tool is secured in the rectangle frame and maintains the four supports when the four supports are screwed to holding plates of the server rack to prevent the rectangle frame from being deformed, and then the installation tool is removed from the server rack reused in another server rack.

Abstract: An assembly jig for a radial roller bearing comprises a retaining structure having a plurality of axially-projecting projections configured to retain a plurality of roller bodies disposed in a ring-shape during a bearing assembly process. The roller bodies are supportable in a first radial direction on a first component and each roller body contacts two adjacent projections in a second radial direction, which is opposite of the first radial direction. The projections are configured to press the roller bodies against the first component and such that a portion of the roller bodies projects past the projections in the second radial direction. The assembly jig is removable from the roller bearing in the axial direction after final assembly of the roller bearing.

Abstract: The present invention is a pipe fitting system to fit a selected one of one or more pipes, one or more flanges and one or more fittings that includes one or more fitting cradles, a fitting rest with a pair of apertures, the fitting rest is removably secured to the bottom fitting bed and a plurality of cinch chains each with a first end, the cinch chains are used to secure one or more fitting cradles to a fitting beam. The system also includes a high tensile steel racquet wrench to loosen and to tighten the bolts of the pipe fitting system.

Abstract: Provided are a substrate supporting unit and a substrate treating apparatus using the substrate supporting unit. The substrate supporting unit comprises a base plate and a supporting portion formed on the base plate. The supporting portion comprises two supporting rods and a plurality of supporting members. The two supporting rods extend in a predetermined direction to be separated from each other. The plurality of supporting members is disposed to be separated from each other in the predetermined direction. Each of the supporting members connects the supporting rods.

Abstract: A fixture to align the inner splines of a plurality of clutch plates within a clutch housing assembly, the fixture including: a central body; a first fixed finger rigidly attached to a first fixed portion of the central body; and a first movable finger rigidly attached to a first movable portion of the central body. The first movable finger oscillates back and forth relative to the first fixed finger, to assist the alignment of the plurality of clutch plates within the clutch housing assembly. The fixture also centers and locks the plurality of clutch plates in the correct alignment position.

Abstract: A tool for replacing rake tines, having inner and outer ends, of a rake wheel which includes a central disc-shaped support plate means and a peripheral rim spaced outwardly of the support plate means with the peripheral rim having a plurality of spaced-apart openings formed therein which receive the rake tines extending therethrough so that the outer ends of the rake tines are positioned outwardly of the peripheral rim, and means removably securing the inner ends of the rake tines to the support plate means. The tool comprises a plurality of spaced-apart body members adapted to be secured to tines not needing replacement and to replacement tines to maintain the replacement tines to be secured to the rake wheel.

Abstract: In a dummy head (a jig for processing a cylinder block) having a dummy head body deforming a cylinder bore by assembling into a mounting surface of the cylinder block by bolt fastening, during the finish processing of the cylinder bore, a boss having a contact surface contacting a peripheral portion of the cylinder bore on the head mounting surface is provided on a mounting surface side for the cylinder block of the dummy head body, and at least the dummy head body has a higher rigidity than the cylinder block.

Abstract: A bladed disk assembly device having a horizontal adjustable arm and a vertical pivot bar that is perpendicularly attached to a first end of the horizontal arm. A roller assembly is attached to a second end of the horizontal arm. A rotary table holds a disk that is circumvented by a blade positioning belt around an outer diameter of the turbine disk. A saddle is attached to the vertical pivot bar that is positioned beneath the disk.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a substrate holder comprises a base supporting a substrate that includes a surface having a peripheral region. A cover may be assembled with the base and includes at least one opening exposing only a portion of the surface therethrough. A seal assembly substantially seals a region between the cover and base and further adjacent to the peripheral region of the substrate. An electrode includes at least one contact portion positioned within the region and extending over at least a portion of the peripheral region of the substrate. A compliant member comprises a polymeric material and may be positioned within the region between the at least one contact portion and either the peripheral region of the substrate or the cover. In other embodiments, an electroplating system is disclosed that may employ such a substrate holder.

Abstract: A structure, method and kit for constructing suspended strut racks wherein jig members are disposed on support members parallel to one another, each of such jig members including channel member receipt areas for receipt of a channel member and receipt slots for receipt of pairs of square washers, lock washers and nuts, the apertures of which are aligned with a threaded rod receipt channels to allow for a threaded rod to be driven through the square washers, lock washers, nuts and through an aperture in a channel member to create a strut rack array to be suspended from a desired location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a unified metal alloying of jet stacks without the use of a bond press, and without the use of a continuous belt driven furnace. The method may include horizontally stacking fusible parts onto a fixture and transporting the fixture into an interior of a reaction chamber of a diffusion furnace. An operator may seal the interior of the reaction chamber and the diffusion furnace may increase a temperature of an atmosphere of the interior of the reaction chamber to a predefined dwell temperature to perform a first level alloying for a predefined dwell time. The diffusion furnace may thereafter increase the temperature of the interior of the reaction chamber to a predefined brazing temperature to perform a second level alloying for a predefined brazing time.

Abstract: In a dummy head (a jig for processing a cylinder block) having a dummy head body deforming a cylinder bore by assembling into a mounting surface of the cylinder block by bolt fastening, during the finish processing of the cylinder bore, a boss having a contact surface contacting a peripheral portion of the cylinder bore on the head mounting surface is provided on a mounting surface side for the cylinder block of the dummy head body, and at least the dummy head body has a higher rigidity than the cylinder block.

Abstract: A rotatable welding frame assembly for aligning and welding a number of workpiece components into a single workpiece may include a first frame for supporting one of the workpiece components. The assembly may further include a second frame for supporting another workpiece component. The assembly may further include a pivot interconnecting the first and second frames whereby the second frame can pivot between an open position in which one of the workpiece components can be loaded onto the first frame and another workpiece component can be loaded onto the second frame, and a closed position in which the components are aligned in a predetermined configuration to be welded. The assembly may further include an attachment mechanism associated with the second frame to secure the workpiece component as the second frame pivots from the open to the closed positions.

Abstract: A fixture to align the inner splines of a plurality of clutch plates within a clutch housing assembly, the fixture including: a central body; a first fixed finger rigidly attached to a first fixed portion of the central body; and a first movable finger rigidly attached to a first movable portion of the central body. The first movable finger oscillates back and forth relative to the first fixed finger, to assist the alignment of the plurality of clutch plates within the clutch housing assembly. The fixture also centers and locks the plurality of clutch plates in the correct alignment position.

Abstract: A copy milling device for the production of in particular dental workpieces, comprising a carrier plate for a model body and a shaping blank, an arm which is arranged pivotably about a horizontal axis extending substantially normal to its longitudinal direction and which has a motor-driven machining tool for cutting shaping of a workpiece from the shaping blank and a tracing device for tracing the model portion, wherein the machining tool and the tracing device are mechanically and synchronously movably connected, wherein the copy milling device comprises a suspension device for the arm.

Abstract: Provided are a substrate supporting unit and a substrate treating apparatus using the substrate supporting unit. The substrate supporting unit comprises a base plate and a supporting portion formed on the base plate. The supporting portion comprises two supporting rods and a plurality of supporting members. The two supporting rods extend in a predetermined direction to be separated from each other. The plurality of supporting members is disposed to be separated from each other in the predetermined direction. Each of the supporting members connects the supporting rods.

Abstract: A carrier for use in processing of a plurality of wafers or other substrates includes a support frame on which the wafers are mounted and in one embodiment at least one auxiliary frame for holding the substrates on the support frame. A plurality of clips extend from the auxiliary frame and engage the substrates in pressure engagement, and fasteners retain the auxiliary frame in position with respect to the support frame. In one embodiment two auxiliary frames can be employed for holding wafers on opposing surfaces of the support frame. The support frame has electrically non-conducting surfaces whereby the processing does not affect the support frame, and the auxiliary frame is made of electrically non-conductive material. The clips are electrically conductive and bridge current from the support frame to the wafers during plating operations. In another embodiment, auxiliary frame are not used and the wafer retention clips are mounted on the support frame.

Abstract: A parts retaining panel, especially useful in assembling the timing drive of an internal combustion engine, retains the timing components in the same arrangement that they are in when mounted on the engine. The parts can be stored and transported on stacked retaining panels, and, after the parts are mounted on the engine, the panel 32 is removed and reused. The parts retaining panel reduces assembly time, and prevents mounting of improper parts and inadvertent omission of parts.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising a lens mounting device in an optical housing. The lens mounting device can prevent the lens mounted on a lens bonding member from being affected by fluctuations in an ambient temperature around the optical housing. The lens is fixed on the lens bonding member through an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer has a thickness of 0.2 mm or above.

Abstract: An engraving holder (15) comprising a tray (16) adapted to be engaged by an engraving machine (18) and comprising at least one recess (19), the recess containing a mold (20), the mold comprising a cavity (21) adapted to hold an engraveable item (22) and having an inner surface (23) conforming to the shape of at least a portion of the outer surface (45) of the engraveable item. The tray may comprise multiple recesses containing multiple molds and the molds may have multiple cavities and the inner surfaces of the cavities may be of different shapes. The tray may have a recess that is defined by a bottom surface (24) and a side surface (32) extending from the bottom surface and may further comprise a notch (37) extending into the tray from the side surface. The notch (38a, 34e) may extend between the side surfaces (32a and 25e) of at least two recesses (19a and 19e) of the tray. The mold may be vulcanized rubber and the device may further comprise a jewelry item positioned in the cavity and an engraving machine.

Abstract: A method for constructing a box spring/foundation frame utilizes a template that is angled relative to and spaced above the ground. A plurality of frame elements are placed on the template, and a fastening machine is manually operated to attach the frame elements together with fasteners to form the frame.

Abstract: A fixture for and method of positioning an edge member on a sheet is provided. The fixture includes a base, an arrangement to locate a sheet to be supported on the fixture at a predetermined position relative to a plurality of datum points; and an arrangement to position an edge member to be secured along a peripheral edge of the sheet at a desired position relative to the datum points. In one particular embodiment of the invention, a plurality of alignment stops are positioned to contact selected peripheral edges of the sheet while the sheet is supported on support posts to position and orient the window at a predetermined position relative to the datum points.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an auxiliary tool for assembling a scrubber which includes a motor, a shaft rotatably coupled to and extending through the motor, a shaft pin detachably connected to the shaft, and a disk coupled to the shaft and having a notch located relative to the shaft pin at a predetermined angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the shaft when properly assembled. In specific embodiments, the auxiliary tool comprises a tool body configured to at least partially receive the motor, the shaft pin, the disk, and the notch of the disk. The tool body includes a first recess configured to at least partially receive the shaft pin and a protrusion configured to be at least partially received into the notch of the disk. The first recess and the protrusion are arranged at the predetermined angle to position the notch of the disk and the shaft pin of the scrubber for proper assembly at the predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fixture for securing hardware to a shaped sheet. The fixture includes supports having sheet supporting surfaces generally corresponding to a desired elevational contour of selected portions of a sheet to be supported and a holder to support hardware to be secured to the supported sheet at a predetermined location and orientation corresponding to a desired location and orientation of the hardware when secured to a sheet shaped to a desired configuration. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the sheet supporting surfaces correspond to selected marginal edge portions of the supported sheet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fixture for and method of positioning an edge member on a sheet. The fixture includes a base, an arrangement to locate a sheet to be supported on the fixture at a predetermined position relative to a plurality of datum points; and an arrangement to position an edge member to be secured along a peripheral edge of the sheet at a desired position relative to the datum points. In one particular embodiment of the invention, a plurality of alignment stops are positioned to contact selected peripheral edges of the sheet while the sheet is supported on support posts to position and orient the window at a predetermined position relative to the datum points.

Abstract: Architectural units having radiused wall corners are constructed with solid surfacing material (SSM) such as Corian. Cove moldings are formed from SSM sheet strips comprising an elongated cove form flanked by elongated rabbet channels. In a table jig, an SSM wall sheet edge is adhesively secured into one of the cove molding rabbet channels. The cove mold and wall sheet unit is secured to the desired architectural wall with the other cove molding rabbet channel mated to an SSM wall sheet edge respective to an adjacent architectural wall. Clamping blocks secured to respective wall sheet and cove mold surfaces by hot melt adhesive are drawn together along the correct vector to adhesively bond each wall sheet edge into a respective rabbet channel.

Abstract: A universal fixture for a pre-assembly of computer components includes a base and a support plate adjustably mounted on the base for movement to various inclined positions. At least one support arm interconnects the base and the support plate for securing the support plate in an inclined position. A fixture is rotatably mounted on the support plate and includes various positioning stops and an adjustable slide for properly positioning various computer components for attaching chassis mounting devices to the components. The adjustment of the support plate and rotation of the fixture provide ergonomic advantages to the assembler performing the pre-assembly operations.

Abstract: A device for installing drywall or other sheet materials on a ceiling where access to the joists is limited by an existing ceiling or vapor barrier. The device aligns with the leading edge of an installed sheet, braces against the floor, and provides a support ledge for the trailing edge of a new sheet as it is installed. A clearance gap in the device allows it to be removed while leaving a flush seam between the two sheets. The same device serves to support the leading edge of the new sheet as it is raised into position.

Abstract: A weld fixture for receiving and aligning the fuel rod contact points of a nuclear fuel bundle spacer grid. Two plates are provided with intersecting unequally spaced slots that define polygons on one side of each plate. Both plates have bores therethrough substantially at the slot intersections and in the slots adjacent the outer edges of the plates. Bores are provided through both plates in polygons that correspond to fuel assembly guide tube and instrument tube locations. These positions receive guide cell pins during use, some of which are hollow and are used to bolt the plates together over the spacer grid strips. Bores in each plate through the defined polygons receive alignment pins. Guide rods receive and align the plates through corner bores in each plate. The slots and pins in the facing plates align the critical fuel rod contact points in the spacer grid during the intersection welding process.

Abstract: A modular grid welding fixture for a spacer grid that facilitates full grid laser welding of a spacer grid in one setup. The modular design allows for partial implementation of each weld type. A base plate is used for mounting to the positioning/rotational plate of the welding system. A removable sub-plate received in the base plate is used to position the grid strips for proper location for welding. A top fixture plate is aligned with the base plate and provides for mounting of a second sub-plate if required. Side plates with spring loaded pressure pads that are hinged to the top fixture plate apply uniform pressure to the outer grid strips during processing. The base plate, top plate, side plate, and pressure pads are provided with a plurality of through holes to allow access of the laser beam for welding. Corner clips are used to insure contact of the overlapping sections of the outer grid strips for proper corner welding.

Abstract: A jointing jig for the assembly of two- and three-dimensional joints is disclosed. The jointing jig includes two rigid bodies which are hingedly interconnected. Each rigid body includes a side having a plurality of channels of uniform size designed to accurately locate parallel-sided members for jointing. Each rigid body includes a channel along the hinged side of the body. A rigid removable connector locks the hinged rigid bodies at 90.degree. to each other. This permits the assembly of accurate three-dimensional corner joints. The advantage is that accurate three-dimensional corner joints may be assembled by persons inexperienced in joint construction.

Abstract: A clamp for fastening plate-form bodies, such as solar panels, onto a support plate comprises two U-shaped portions opening in opposite directions with a common shank portion of the two U-shaped portions. The body, such as the solar panel, has its edge received in one of the U-shaped portions, such as the upper U-shaped portion, while the opposite edge is received in a lower U-shaped portion of an adjacent row of clamps. Preferably, an elastic part having a U-shaped and profiled surfaces is placed between each of the U-shaped portions and edges of the bodies to prevent damage to the plate-shaped bodies.

Abstract: A joined prism assembly having more than two prisms adhered to each other at joining surfaces is disclosed. The joined prism includes stepped portions between the end faces of the prisms adjacent to the joining surfaces for defining exposed positioning reference surfaces for when the prisms are adhered to each other.

Abstract: A placement aid for making straw stars has a locking ring (10), which has an interruption (11) and by shortening said interruption can, in opposition to a restoring force, be fitted into the post ring (3, 4, etc.) of the central disk (14).

Abstract: A reference jig for positioning and fixing a lens or lenses in a predetermined position on a lens support structure, the reference jig including for positioning and fixedly bonding a plural number of lens components on a lens mounting surface of the support structure: a plate-like main body having a predetermined thickness and detachably fixable on the lens mounting surface of the support structure; registration members provided contiguously to the main body and engageable with reference walls of the lens support structure to hold the main body in registered position relative to the lens support structure; and notched positioning wall portions each formed in the main body and abuttingly engageable with at least two transversely opposite corner portions of a lens component to hold same in a predetermined position on the lens support structure.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a turbine nozzle for obtaining a predetermined value of throat area between adjacent ones of nozzle vanes includes providing a first vane, providing a datum for locating the first vane relative to an adjacent vane in the turbine nozzle, and fixturing the first vane relative to the datum for providing a trailing edge nest having six supports for predeterminedly locating the first vane relative to the adjacent vane. The trailing edge nest includes four trailing edge supports for locating the vane trailing edge to define a hinge axis extending along the trailing edge about which the vane is rotatable. A radial support radially locates the vane, and a throat support predeterminedly locates the vane about the hinge axis for obtaining the predetermined value of the throat area.

Abstract: A C-clamp which may be clamped by a second C-clamp, so that large and irregular shaped workpieces may be clamped thereby, and further so that additional strength and stability is provided. The C-clamp includes an internal clamping face that contacts the workpiece during the clamping thereof. The C-clamp further includes a pair of external clamping faces that are contacted and clamped by the second C-clamp. The arm of the C-clamp that has the internal clamping face formed thereon has the external clamping faces substantially aligned therewith, so that vibrations produced by work being done on the workpiece are minimized. The clamp includes clamping heads that automatically pivot and swivel to accommodate the shape and angle of the surface and angle of the surface of the workpiece being clamped therewith.

Abstract: A sheet metal housing for an optical disk storage and handling apparatus which includes reference deformations provided in the sidewall panels of the sheet metal housing for locating mutually registerable components of the optical disk storage and handling system. A method of constructing such a sheet metal housing is also described.

Abstract: A sheet metal housing for an optical disk storage and handling apparatus which includes reference deformations provided in the sidewall panels of the sheet metal housing for locating mutually registerable components of the optical disk storage and handling system. A method of constructing such a sheet metal housing is also described.