Abstract: An apparatus for securing a component, comprising a casing 12 having two portions 12a, 12b between which a portion of the component 38 is positioned. The casing 12 is provided with end walls 34,36 which extend towards the component but terminate just short thereof by a predetermined amount. The position of the component 38 is fixed relative to features 28 provided on the casing 12 prior to injecting a location material into the interior of said casing 12. The material preferably has a high resistance to extrusion and acts to locate the component 38 during machining.

Abstract: A method of cutting out components from aluminum sheets utilizes a routing tool. The sheet is held firmly in position by vacuum on a vacuum table during the cutting operation with the aid of a film of for example plastics material adhered to the back of the sheet, the routing tool being arranged to cut through the sheet but only partially to penetrate the film.

Abstract: An integrated factory system affords precision machining and inspection of aircraft turbine blades, as well as other metal parts having two generally opposite principal surfaces. It uses only two stages of chucking by the meltable matrix method. After embedding one of the surfaces in the first chuck, which positions the blank relative to a plane of reference, the other surface is machined and inspected according to programs relative to that plane. Without release from the first chuck, the part is transferred to a second chuck for embedding the machined principal surface relative to a second parallel plane of reference a precise distance from that of the first chuck. Machining and inspection is now completed relative to this second plane of reference.Improved matrix chucks are provided, as well as new chucking apparatus which establishes the planes of reference.

Abstract: A workholder (6) has a contoured bonding surface (7), which essentially matches a contoured surface (4) of an airfoil (1). A plurality of studs (8) are disposed within a plurality of tapped holes (9) located about the workholder bonding surface. In operation, the studs are extended outwardly from the surface, and both the studs and bonding surface are contacted with a release agent (10). A curable resinous material (11) is applied to the bonding surface and studs, and an airfoil positioned next to the bonding surface, sandwiching the resinous material therebetween. After curing, a plurality of tapped holes (13) are formed in resin layer (11), with the extended studs fixably positioning the airfoil relative to the workholder. Removing the studs provides heatless release of the airfoil from the workholder.

Abstract: A workholder (6) has a contoured bonding surface (7), which essentially matches a contoured surface (4) of an airfoil (1). A plurality of studs (8) are disposed within a plurality of tapped holes (9) located about the workholder bonding surface. In operation, the studs are extended outwardly from the surface, and both the studs and bonding surface are contacted with a release agent (10). A curable resinous material (11) is applied to the bonding surface and studs, and an airfoil positioned next to the bonding surface, sandwiching the resinous material therebetween. After curing, a plurality of tapped holes (13) are formed in resin layer (11), with the extended studs fixedly positioning the airfoil relative to the workholder. Removing the studs provides heatless release of the airfoil from the workholder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for quickly and exactly locating a desired structure in a specimen or the like located on a plate or slide, and then preparing an accurate, embedded specimen block for later use, and particularly for preparing thin sections, e.g., 0.1 microns or less, on a microtome machine, for microscopic examination.

Abstract: A robotic base compartment has an interior locating surface. A plurality of pins extend squarely from the locating surface. The pins are located by pre-assembly machining and the extending pin surfaces are coated with a release agent. A robotic component plate, such as a gear-carrying plate, is assembled in the base compartment, with clearance slots surrounding the locating pins. After adjustably positioning the gear elements with one another by shifting the component plate, the slots are filled, for at least a portion, with a pourable hardenable material such as epoxy which is then allowed to harden. The components may thereafter be disassembled and reassembled without the loss of precision location. The assembly method obviates the need for manual drilling and reaming of pin holes at assembly and the attendant chip contamination that results therefrom.

Abstract: An integrated factory system affords precision machining and inspection of aircraft turbine blades, as well as other metal parts having two generally opposite principal surfaces. It uses only two stages of chucking by the meltable matrix method. After embedding one of the surfaces in the first chuck, which positions the blank relative to a plane of reference, the other surface is machined and inspected according to programs relative to that plane. Without release from the first chuck, the part is transferred to a second chuck for embedding the machined principal surface relative to a second parallel plane of reference a precise distance from that of the first chuck. Machining and inspection is now completed relative to this second plane of reference. Improved matrix chucks are provided, as well as new chucking apparatus which establishes the planes of reference.

Abstract: A method of holding an polishing a workpiece whereby a liquid such as water is applied between the workpiece and a support member and the liquid is frozen to secure the workpiece to the support member. A polishing member is positioned in contact with the workpiece in a grinding liquid and the polishing member and the workpiece are moved relative to each other to polish the workpiece. Grooves or through holes may be provided in a surface of the support member to hold the water or other suitable liquid. The liquid to be frozen further may be impregnated into a liquid absorbing material.

Abstract: A chuck is shown for holding a stylus during manufacturing of the stylus. The invention includes a method of aligning the chuck and apparatus therefor. The chuck comprises a body and a stylus holder both of which are held separately in mutual alignment in the alignment apparatus. Epoxy is injected into a cavity of the body and the stylus holder inserted into the cavity while maintaining this mutual alignment. The epoxy, being somewhat displaced by the stylus holder, flows about the outer surface of the stylus holder completely filling the space between the two parts. When the epoxy cures, the finished chuck is removed from the alignment apparatus.

Abstract: A method of controlling the temperature of an article comprised of predetermined material during treatment of the article in vacuum comprises providing a heat conductive substance having a solid, rigid state at the temperature of the treatment, having a molten state at a higher temperature below the minimum damage temperature of the article, and being chemically nonreactive, nonwetting and nonadhesive at the higher temperature with a first portion of the article. The first portion of the article to be treated is immersed in molten heat conductive substance, a second portion of the article to be treated remaining unimmersed, exposed for treatment, and the substance is caused to solidify about the immersed first portion.

Abstract: A process for creating a support means for a component part of a usually complicated configuration that is to be reworked and/or repaired, by surrounding the surfaces of the component part that are to be supported by a meltable alloy which, in the cooled state, supports said component, and by removal of the meltable alloy after the treatment of the component part by heating is characterized in that, before the pouring, cooling pipes are placed in the support area to be cooled during the treatment of the component part, with said cooling pipes, during the pouring process, being embedded by said meltable alloy. Thus, a support means is created that can be produced in a simple and rapid manner, for a component part having a complicated support surface, which can also be well cooled. A support means of this type is especially suitable as a welding device for a component part to be repaired which is to be repaired, for example, by micro-plasma build-up welding.

Abstract: A metallic crossbar device has mounting means for the end regions of spectacle frame yokes and space for a number of adjacent spectacle frames oriented in about the same direction. The cross-bar device comprises two crossbars which run parallel to each other and are spaced apart at a distance corresponding to the spacing of the end regions of the spectacle frame yokes. The crossbars have cross yokes at their end regions which rigidly connect the crossbars together. Each of the crossbars comprises two adjacent, flexurally stiff partial bars and clamping means for clamping one partial bar like a vice against an adjacent partial bar. The partial bars have a maximum clamping height which corresponds to the unprocessed length of the spectacle frame yoke end regions. Both partial bars have strip-shaped plastic clamping linings on their sides adjacent each other.

Abstract: Apparatus for use during polishing and sectioning operations of a ribbon sample is described. The sample holder includes a cylinder having an axially extending sample cavity terminated in a first funnel-shaped opening and a second slot-like opening. A spring-loaded pressure plunger is located adjacent the second opening of the sample cavity for frictional engagement of the sample prior to introduction of a molding medium in the sample cavity. A heat softenable molding medium is inserted in the funnel-shaped opening, to surround the sample. After polishing, the heater is energized to allow draining of the molding medium from the sample cavity. During manual polishing, the second end of the sample holder is inserted in a support ring which provides mechanical support as well as alignment of the sample holder during polishing. A gauge block for measuring the protrusion of a sample beyond the second wall of the holder is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved method and material for securing a thin-edged deformable structure, such as a honeycomb core, so that the structure may be machined while it is in a generally stabilized condition. The material is a laminate which is bonded to one side of the structure to be machined. The laminate is then secured by vacuum and the structure is then machined in a desired manner. The laminate includes a first stabilizing layer formed from a mesh of fiberglass, nylon or the like and having relative large openings. The mesh is impregnated with a suitable epoxy or phenolic resin which acts as an adhesive to secure the mesh to the structure. A fabric of nylon or the like is applied over the mesh and bonded thereto. A third and final layer includes a non-porous plastic sheet which permits the laminate to adhere by suction to a vacuum chuck. After machining, the fabric and non-porous layers are removed, leaving the open mesh layer fixed to the structure to stabilize it.

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: The invention relates to method and apparatus for finishing a plate having projections extending therefrom comprising reinforcing the projections of the plate with a material which can be removed without damage to the projections, cutting the projections to desired length, and removing the material.

Abstract: A method is provided for point rotation sawing of crystalline rod material at off-orientation angles wherein the crystalline rod is encapsulated in a molding media forming a cylindrical geometric encapsulation containing the rod with its crystallographic axis at an angle to the cylindrical axis of encapsulation, the angle coinciding with the off-orientation requirement. The encapsulation cylinder is rotated about its axis and contacted by sawing means at one or more points tangent to the cylinder surface and perpendicular to the cylinder's axis of rotation resulting in the sawing of a thin wafer from a cylinder which is inclusive of an off-orientation crystalline material wafer.

Abstract: There is provided an improved thermoplastic hot-melt composition for use in holding a workpiece, e.g. a jet engine airfoil or blade. The composition comprises a filled, normally solid resinous material which is a blend of a dimeric fatty acid containing 32 to 40 carbon atoms, a C.sub.5 -C.sub.6 alkylene hydrocarbon polymer, and a nonpolar aromatic hydrocarbon polymer, said blend having dispersed therein a finely divided inorganic filler material, particularly a ceramic oxide. A method of potting a workpiece with such a composition is also disclosed. The organic portion is novel and useful not only in composing the present potting compositions, but also in forming encapsulating compositions.

Abstract: An encapsulating block encasing a projecting workpiece, the block having a plurality of parallel slots in opposed side walls, the slots in each side wall extending alternately from opposed side edges of the side wall and terminating in a bearing face in the region of a plane passing through the workpiece and a frangible cross-sectional area of the block. Apparatus for use with the block consists of a pair of dies each having a plurality of parallel projecting tines receivable longitudinally in the slots to meet the bearing faces whereby on moving the dies together the block will fracture in the frangible cross-sectional area.

Abstract: Sheet glass is held for cutting with multiple rotary blades by freezing to a supporting base plate with a liquid, preferably water. The same liquid at a temperature just above freezing temperature is used to cool the blades during cutting, and forms a frozen scale which protects the glass and prevents chipping. After cutting, the liquid is allowed to thaw and releases the pieces without damage or need of special cleaning.

Abstract: The method of mounting a particle on a support member comprises mounting a mass of material from which the particle is derived on a carrier element and then shaping the mass of material to form an assembly of the particle on the element. The assembly is located in a predetermined attitude relatively to a body of liquid substance which is solidified around the particle. Next, most if not all of the material exterior to the solidified substance is removed and a support member then attached to the remaining part of the assembly. Finally, the solidified liquid substance is removed from the assembly.

Abstract: The method of producing a multi-layer capacitor which has a body of alternate layers of a dielectric and a conductor with each conductor layer being sandwiched between a pair of dielectric layers and with alternate ones of the conductor layers extending to opposite ends of the body. A nickel termination film is provided on each end of the body and contacts the conductor layers which extend to the respective end of the body and a solder film is coated on each termination layer. The capacitor bodies are terminated by mounting a plurality of the bodies on a support sheet and encapsulating the support sheet and capacitor bodies in a plastic block with the ends of the capacitor bodies being exposed at opposed surfaces of the block. The exposed ends of the capacitor bodies are simultaneously coated with the termination film and then the solder film, and the terminated capacitor bodies are removed from the block.

Abstract: A rough-cut blank is machined to provide a spark erosion electrode for use in the manufacture of an extrusion tool by bonding the blank to a base plate, fixing the base plate to a milling machine table and milling the blank. The milled blank is subsequently detached from the base plate by breaking the bond between the blank and the base plate.

Abstract: A mobile element of a tire testing device is immobilized relative to a bath of an eutectic alloy by cooling the eutectic alloy to a temperature below its solidus/liquidus, and the mobile element is released by reheating the eutectic alloy to above its solidus/liquidus. Immobilization and release are effected by means of a jacket passing hot or cold fluid.

Abstract: An expansion joint lock for transmitting forces between structural members that contract as they are cooled down to operating temperatures. A piston member mounted to one structural member is slidingly engaged with a chamber in a reception member which is mounted to a second structural member. The remaining space in the chamber is filled with a liquid which freezes at a temperature somewhat above the operating temperature of the structure, allowing forces to be transmitted between the structural members by the frozen liquid.

Abstract: A quasi-liquid vise is provided for clamping irregularly shaped workpieces which comprises an open-topped vessel into which a workpiece may be inserted, a particulate fluidizable material located within and, substantially filling said vessel, pressure means connected to said vessel for introducing a gas or fluid therein to fluidize said particulate material, and means for applying a vacuum to said vessel and the particulate material to substantially solidify said particulate material when it is desired to clamp a workpiece therein. The solidifying effect of said vacuum applied to said particulate material may be enhanced by utilizing alternate layers of different sized particulate material wherein smaller particles fill voids and enhance the vacuum effect and hence the rigidity of the particulate material when it is desired to solidify same.