Abstract: A method for monitoring a mechanical joining process performed by a joining tool including a frame, a punch that is displaceable on the frame along a joining axis, a die that is mounted on the frame, and a hold-down device, which is mounted in an axially displaceable manner on the punch and biased in a joining direction; and the monitoring method comprises the steps of: starting the joining process; measuring the punch force exerted by the punch; acquiring the relative travel of the punch in relation to the hold-down device; and plotting a joining curve of punch force versus the relative travel.

Abstract: An operation position locating system locates a position on a product where an operation is performed in a manufacturing process of the product including one or more operations to be performed. The system includes an operation completion coordinates detection unit and an operation position locating unit. The operation completion coordinates detection unit processes a plurality of images obtained by capturing from a plurality of viewpoints a range including an operation completion position where an operation is completed when the operation is completed, thereby detecting a set of operation completion coordinates representing the operation completion position.

Abstract: Monolithic metal bodies (e.g., hard aluminum alloys) comprising a continuous microcavity contained within the body are disclosed. The ratio of the cross-sectional area of the metal body to the cross-sectional area of the microcavity may be not greater than 10. The produced metal bodies may be used in structural applications (e.g., aerospace vehicles) to monitor or test the integrity of the metal body.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device comprising a grip (1) matched to the user's hand such that the fingers and thumb are held where the fingers and thumb do not quite meet thus allowing high force of grip whilst having a mobile and yet stable wrist.

Abstract: A contour shape measurement method that can more accurately align an article to be measured to a predetermined position to enable high-precision evaluation even in a state where a probe measurement axis and a table rotation axis do not match with sufficient precision is provided. A spatial position of the table rotation axis relative to the probe measurement axis is obtained as a rotation axis vector. Alignment data obtained in at least two directions is coordinate-transformed around the rotation axis vector, to constitute synthesized alignment data. The article is aligned based on the synthesized alignment data. Since three-dimensional data of a surface to be measured of the article can be calculated, the article can be directly aligned to the probe measurement axis.

Abstract: A method of locally inspecting and repairing a coated component is provided. The method includes determining an area of interest on the coated component, wherein the area of interest has little to no visible damage. The method also includes removing a coating proximate the area of interest to expose a base material of the coated component. The method further includes inspecting the area of interest for damage to the base material.

Abstract: Errors in work in a bolt or nut tightening process are reduced to an extremely low level. Further, the process of the work is accurately recorded and quality of production processes is improved. A production management device receives information on a production instruction from a superordinate device, optically displays, according to the information, a socket to be selected for work to tighten a bolt or a nut, automatically recognizes a nut taken out from a socket holder, and alarms when the recognized socket and the displayed socket do not agree.

Abstract: To abut hollow profiled parts, at least two frames includes actuators distributed in an equivalent manner to one another. Each actuator includes a portion which can be displaced in a plane common to the other actuators of the frame so as to project from the frame; the frames are each positioned in an end region of a respective part. The equivalent actuators are mutually opposed; the mobile portions of the actuators of one frame and of the actuators of the other frame are displaced into respective working positions, in which they exert forces on the wall of their respective part so that the end regions of these parts match one another; the parts are fixed to one another in their respective end regions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of improving the ductility of a structural member, such as a reinforced concrete beam or column, by providing a region of increased compression yielding in the compression zone of the plastic hinge region or nearby. This can be achieved by forming a mechanism provided in the compression zone to provide the ductile compression zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and an apparatuses for loading and unloading objects into/from corresponding cavities in holders at a high count rate. For loading, a plurality of objects are present on an object path which mutually converges with a holder path. For unloading, the object path mutually diverges from the holder path. Integration of this method and apparatus respectively into a method of manufacturing unleaky containers and a corresponding apparatus for leak testing containers is also proposed.

Abstract: A method of separating wires from a wire bundle includes positioning a cable with a wire bundle at a wire separating area, positioning a gas nozzle at the wire separating area, and directing gas flow at the wire bundle to separate the wires from the wire bundle. A wire separating system is used to separate wires and including a cable holder having a fixture holding a cable with a wire bundle extending into a wire separating area. The system includes a gas nozzle at the wire separating area that directs gas flow into the wire separating area at the wire bundle. The gas flow separates individual wires from the wire bundle. A wire gripper is provided at the wire separating area. The wire gripper grasps the separated wire from the wire bundle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the damage level of a battery are provided. An exemplary method includes measuring a terminal voltage of the battery over time while discharging the battery at a predetermined current; calculating a slope of a natural logarithm of a rate of change of a first voltage of the battery over time based on the terminal voltage of the battery; and comparing the calculated slope to a threshold slope that is based on measurements of a plurality of similar batteries with known conditions. The first voltage of the battery may correspond to a voltage across an RC component of an equivalent circuit model for the battery.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a machine component includes a process of estimating post-heat-treatment strength for the intermediate form of a base material after a certain mechanical working process is performed, and a process of comparing the estimated strength with reference strength required for a final form. According to a result of the comparison, heat treatment of the base material is performed after one of the mechanical working processes is performed.

Abstract: In one aspect, a force platform includes indicators at known locations with respect to applied forces used during the calibration of the force platform, the indicators being usable by a spatial measurement system to determine the location of the indicators in a coordinate system external to the force platform.

Abstract: A manually operated metered dose inhaler includes a dose counter chamber including a dose display tape driven by a ratchet wheel which is driven in turn by an actuator pawl actuated by movement of a canister, the tape unwinding from a stock bobbin during use of the inhaler, a rotation regulator being provided for the stock bobbin and including a wavelike engagement surface with concavities which engage against control elements in the form of protrusions on resilient forks of a split pin thereby permitting incremental unwinding of the stock bobbin yet resisting excessive rotation if the inhaler is dropped onto a hard surface.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a method of designing disc brake pads. The method includes the step of developing a finite element model of a precursor brake pad design using dimensional and material property information of its backing plate and friction pad to perform a normal mode analysis of the precursor brake pad design. The method proceeds with the step of performing the normal mode analysis using the finite element model to determine whether there is an area on the friction surface having an excitation amplitude that is greater than a threshold value of amplitude. If an area having an excitation amplitude greater than the threshold value is determined, the precursor brake pad design is modified to provide a brake pad design having a relieved portion in the area.

Abstract: A bone plate manufacturing method includes an image acquisition step, an image reconstruction step, a comparison step, a data retrieval step, a model designing step and a bone plate manufacturing step. The image acquisition step acquires an original 3D craniofacial image. The image reconstruction step uses an image processing system to perform image reconstruction of the original 3D craniofacial image to obtain a reconstructed 3D craniofacial image, and the image processing system comprises a plurality of mechanical data. The comparison step compares the original 3D craniofacial image with the reconstructed 3D craniofacial image and defines the image difference therebetween as a defected portion. The data retrieval step retrieves a portion of the mechanical data and defines a mechanical compensation area on the reconstructed 3D craniofacial image. The model designing step designs a bone plate mold. The bone plate manufacturing step manufactures a bone plate.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an aircraft component according to one embodiment of this disclosure includes providing a machining system including a controller, at least one sensor, and a tool for machining. The method further includes providing an aircraft component, and machining the aircraft component with the tool based on feedback from the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a crimping process is disclosed, which determines whether an actual force stroke progression (Fa)/force time progression is, a) above, or, b) below an ideal force stroke progression (Fi)/force time progression in at least one point. The method shifts an upper border (Bu) and/or the lower border (Bl) of a tolerance band upwards in case a) and downwards in case b). Additionally, there is an absolute upper limit (Lu), at which an upward shifting of the upper border (Bu) is inhibited, and an absolute lower limit (Ll), at which a downward shifting of the lower border (Bl) is inhibited. Moreover, a crimping press and a computer program product for employing the inventive method are disclosed.

Abstract: A distributed ordnance system comprises a plurality of ordnance controllers and a plurality of firing units. Each ordnance controller of the plurality of ordnance controllers may be operably coupled with at least one firing unit of the plurality of firing units. Each ordnance controller may be configured to provide power signals to the at least one firing unit coupled therewith, and communicate with the at least one firing unit for initiation of an ordnance event. A multiple-stage ordnance system may comprise a first stage and a second stage that each include an ordnance controller configured to control operation of an ordnance event, and at least one firing unit to initiate the ordnance event. Related methods for constructing a multiple-stage ordnance control system and controlling initiation of an energetic material are also disclosed.

Abstract: A calibration method and machine for detecting a location mark (12) printed on plate elements (10) within a processing machine (1) having an introducer (20) for positioning the plate elements (10) into a plurality of gripping members (31) of a conveyor (30) which conveys them in rhythmical motion into successive stations (3, 4, 5). The introducer (20) includes a fastening device to the plate elements. The introducer (20) is driven by a control unit (40) that also drives at least one illuminating device and at least one sensor (7). A plate element (10) is selected from a batch of them. The fastening device fixes the plate element (10) to the introducer (20). The introducer (20) is driven to perform a succession of back-and-forth movements with the plate element (10).

Abstract: An apparatus of semiconductor process including a chuck and a vacuum source is provided. The chuck has a plurality of holes for holding a semiconductor substrate, and the vacuum source is used for providing vacuum suction through the holes to make the semiconductor substrate be subjected to varied suction intensities according to a warpage level thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for installing a profiled sealing section, a profiled edge protection section or similar profiled extruded section formed of an extruded material on a component of a motor vehicle, in which the extruded material (10) is wound off a reel, at least one length section having a predefined length of the extruded material is cut off the extruded material as the profiled sealing section, profiled edge protection section or similar profiled extruded section to be installed, and is installed on the component. Prior to being wound onto the reel, the extruded material (10) is prepared such that the extruded material (10) comprises defect-free usage sections (14) having a predefined usage length (16), between which intermediate sections (18) having a predefined intermediate length (20) are arranged. As part of the installation, the intermediate sections (18) are removed from the extruded material (10) and separated as scrap.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a torque transfer system. The torque transfer system can comprise a shaft coupled to a gearbox, and the gearbox can impart torque to the shaft. The torque transfer system can further comprise an adaptor engaged with the shaft and having a hollow center. An output table can also be engaged with the adaptor. A plug can be disposed within the hollow center of the adaptor.

Abstract: In a method of fastening composite material parts, a first smoothness of a first fastener is measured which is arranged to a first countersink through-hole which is formed in a first fastened work as stacked composite material parts. A second countersink depth is determined based on the first smoothness. A second countersink through hole with a second countersink depth is formed in a second fastened work as the composite material parts. The second fastened work is fastened using the second fastener arranged to the second countersink through-hole.

Abstract: A portable windshield installation device capable of removing and installing windshields and/or back glasses by remote control actuators; with the device carrying all the weight and very little manually help from the installer.

Abstract: A golf club head comprises a loft angle no less than 18°, a striking face, a sole portion, and a top portion having an exterior surface. In an imaginary vertical plane spaced from a face center by no more than 10 mm and perpendicular to an imaginary striking face plane, an imaginary line segment has a length of 25 mm, a first endpoint located in the imaginary striking face plane, a second endpoint located above the exterior surface, and forms an angle ? with the striking face plane between 55° and 65°. The line segment is tangent to the exterior surface at a first point. A second point is located on the imaginary line segment and spaced from the first point by no less than 1 mm. The second point is spaced from the exterior surface by a gap distance that is no greater than 0.15 mm.

Abstract: A method for stripping a cable, the cable having a conductor encompassed by an insulation and extending in a longitudinal direction, includes cutting into the insulation with stripping blades, after which the insulation is removed by sliding the stripping blades in the longitudinal direction. During the removal procedure, the longitudinal position of the stripping blades is detected if it has been determined by a detection device that at least one of the stripping blades has come in contact with the conductor. Based on the longitudinal position of one or more contacts with the conductor, a classification of the cable as adequately or poorly stripped is carried out.

Abstract: Provided is a manufacturing method of a label, including configuring a member for a label so as to dispose a magnetic member between a base material and a covering material, cutting the magnetic member along with the base material so as to cut a label from the member for a label, removing an unnecessary portion of the base material from the member for a label, and detecting whether or not the label is present in the unnecessary portion of the base material or whether or not the label is present in the member for a label in which the unnecessary portion of the base material has been removed.

Abstract: Methods of forming a golf club head having improved aerodynamic characteristics are disclosed herein. A preferred method is the largest tangent circle method, which utilizes a Cartesian coordinate system. The method results in identification of the highest point of the crown surface located within a crown apex zone, and this location aids in the design of improved aerodynamic properties of the golf club head.

Abstract: Disclosed in the smart car seat manufacture method, which features in that the smart car seat is manufactured in such a way that the cushion pad assembly supporting the user's hips is assembled with the cushion cover covered on the cushion pad, and the back pad assembly is assembled, which supports the sit passenger's back with the light emitting raw sheet sewed on the back cover so as to form the portion which is exposed to the outside along with the back cover covered on the back pad. The smart car seat comprises the back frame, the cushion frame and the light emitting raw sheet processed along with the head rest by way of the finish process.

Abstract: A composite laminate patch for reworking an inconsistent area in a structure has inner and outer control regions possessing differing interlaminar fracture toughnesses for controlling the advance of a disbond in the patch. One or more separation zones in the patch between the control regions aids in diffusing the fracture energy of the disbond as the disbond advances from the inner region to the outer region.

Abstract: A striker device for a motor vehicle door lock having a striker and an element made of a plastic material and equipped with a plate, which is suitable for being placed against a wall of the motor vehicle and is coupled to the striker in fixed relative position; the element has a plurality of tongues, which protrude from the plate in the opposite direction to the striker and are arranged in positions so as to engage, in use, the edges of two apertures in the wall of the motor vehicle, to keep the plate in a fixed reference position during a first fitting step; the tongues are breakable to enable changing the position of the striker device with respect to the wall of the motor vehicle in a possible second fitting step.

Abstract: A method of making a shim comprises the steps of providing a first structural component, such as a rib foot of an aircraft wing. The rib foot is then scanned or mapped to generate the surface profile of the rib foot. The shim is then formed to include a feature on its surface which complements the surface profile of the assembly surface.

Abstract: An exemplary method for manufactured an impeller assembly of a cooling fan includes following steps: providing an impeller, the impeller comprising a plurality of blades and a hub, the blades formed on an outer periphery of the hub; testing a center of gravity of the impeller; providing a shaft and fixing one end of the shaft in the center of gravity of the impeller.

Abstract: A method for embellishment placement is provided. More specifically, an automated method for determining placement of embellishments for an item, such as a jewelry item, is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises, determining and setting values for parameters, creating offsets along a portion of the item to be embellished, setting points along the offsets, randomizing the points, adding decorative features to the item, and eliminating points based on the parameter values, After points violating the parameter values have been eliminated, the remaining points comprise positions for embellishments.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to optical rotary joints (35) for enabling optical communication between a rotor and a stator, and to improved methods of mounting such optical rotary joints on supporting structures such that the rotor and stator remain properly aligned.

Abstract: A manufacturing process for providing an assembly formed of a first piece and a second piece is described. The manufacturing process is carried out by performing at least the following operations: receiving the first piece characterized in accordance with at least a first attribute, selecting the second piece from a buffer, the selecting based in part upon a matching value of a second attribute in relation to the first attribute, replacing the selected second piece with another second piece such that the number of second pieces in the buffer remains about the same, and forming a kit of the first part and the selected second part.

Abstract: A new and improved electronic monitoring home units and associated installation methods. The present disclosure provides for an electronic monitoring home unit capable of automated confirmation of location and method of automated confirmation of location when a home unit has been installed. The present disclosure provides for a home unit capable of intelligent inclusion zone setting for a home unit and a method of such inclusion zone setting. The present disclosure also provides for a streamlined installation method with automated communication between a home unit and central monitoring system.

Abstract: A bicycle cleat positioning kit includes a foot locating instrument and a foot measuring instrument. The foot locating instrument includes a foot support surface. The foot measuring instrument includes a foot reference indicator indicative of a foot reference location and a cleat attachment indicator indicative of a cleat attachment location relative to the foot reference indicator.

Abstract: A method for designing and manufacturing an acoustic liner for jet aircraft engines employing a spherical wedge-shaped physical model employing conservation of mass and momentum. The model has three dimensions and four empirical parameters: the location of the far-field driving acoustic pressure; the location wherein the acoustic-mean-flow is pumped into and out of the resonator volume; and two parameters that describe the acoustic-mean flow rates pumped into and out of the resonator.

Abstract: According to the present invention, penetrators can be adequately determined as flaws. In particular, a welded zone of a pipe is subjected to ultrasonic flaw detection at least in a pipe axial direction, and the quality of the pipe is evaluated using observed values in units of a predetermined area in a pipe thickness direction and the pipe axial direction. The length of one side of the predetermined area is an ultrasound beam width or more and a pipe thickness or less. The quality of the pipe can be evaluated while shifting the predetermined area in the pipe axial direction by using an average value of the observed values within the predetermined area. The length of one side of the predetermined area can be made an ultrasound beam width or more and a pipe thickness or less.

Abstract: Disclosed is an airbag module comprising a polyester airbag and a gas inflator, where the gas inflator provides a gas temperature that does not exceed the critical gas temperature of the polyester airbag. This design allows for the substitution of polyester airbags for nylon airbags in side curtain airbag modules and other airbag deployment applications, where the gas inflator temperature does not exceed the critical gas temperature. Also disclosed is a method that will facilitate the matching of specific polyester fabrics with gas inflators to create an airbag module that will not suffer catastrophic failure.

Abstract: A continuous variable clutch is provided. The continuous variable clutch includes a first sheave member and a second sheave member. The first sheave member includes a first central hub and a first conical-faced surface extending radially from the first central hub. The second sheave member includes a second central hub and a second conical-faced surface that extends radially from the second central hub. The second central hub of the second sheave member is received in a cavity of the first central hub such that the first conical-faced surface of the first sheave member facing the second conical-faced surface of the second sheave portion. The second central hub moving axially within the first central hub based on an amount of torque on the continuous variable clutch. The first sheave member and the second sheave member further forming a central passage to receive an input shaft of a transmission.

Abstract: An aircraft system component carrier module includes a carrier element which is arc-shaped at least in sections and is configured, when the module is mounted in an aircraft, to extend at least in some sections substantially in the direction of the ribs of an aircraft structure over at least a section of a crown area of an aircraft cabin. The module includes a transverse carrier element which is configured, when the module is mounted in an aircraft, to extend in the crown area of an aircraft cabin substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the cabin. The module further includes a structure holder for fastening the module to the aircraft structure, an aircraft system component holder for fastening at least one of the aircraft system components to the module and an attaching device, connected to the transverse carrier element, for attaching an aircraft luggage compartment to the module.

Abstract: A method of determining axial and/or radial runout due to workholding equipment and compensating for such runout during machining of a gear wherein axial and/or radial runout compensations are executed during the machining of each individual tooth slot.

Abstract: Systems and methods for inspecting turbine components are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes: a base frame adapted to position an inspection device relative a turbine component; and a set of mounts connected to the base frame, the set of mounts adapted to connect the base frame to at least one other point of the turbine component and to pivotally connect the base frame to a pivot point of the turbine component.

Abstract: A method for fitting a vehicle body component to a body shell of a vehicle having at least one side wall includes the steps of gauging an actual position of a partial area of the side wall relative to a first coordinate axis of the vehicle, plotting a first reference point relative to the first coordinate axis on the basis of the gauged actual position, and mounting the vehicle body component at a designated position relative to the first reference point. The partial area may advantageously be a vehicle A-pillar, B-pillar, or C-pillar. The method affords a simpler and more cost-effective fitting of the vehicle body components. The method is also feasible in less mechanized production facilities.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for depositing a metal coil (200) on two support points (110-1; 110-2). In order to avoid risks, in particular instability, while depositing metal coils having high residual stress, according to the invention the risk of an unstable position of equilibrium is checked, if a change in the relative position of the two support points (110-1; 110-2) with respect to one another is foreseeable, it is carried out such that the metal coil (200) comes to rest on both support points at least approximately in a stable position of equilibrium.

Abstract: A landing gear vibration absorber (1) of a helicopter (2) with a landing gear (3) comprising a pair of skids (4, 5) and at least one cross tube (6, 7) for mounting the skids (4, 5) to a helicopter's fuselage (8). At least one spring-mass system (10, 20, 24) is mounted to the landing gear (3). Said at least one spring-mass system (10, 20, 24) is tuned to the helicopter's main excitation frequency and said at least one spring-mass system (10, 20, 24) being located at or near at least one antinode of the landing gear (3). The invention is related as well to a method of operating a landing gear vibration absorber (1) of a helicopter (2).