Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing an orthotic appliance to correct defects in a foot providing the steps of scanning a foot, creating a three-dimensional model of the corrected foot, milling a positive mold of the corrected foot, forming a uniformly thick orthotic material over the positive mold and milling out the bottom of the orthotic appliance. Also provided is a heel bisector for use in preparing an orthotic appliance.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a planar micro-motor particularly well-suited to batch methods of microfabricating multiple planar stepper micro-motors from a single substrate wafer. Such micro-motors, having a planar stator supported by an electrically insulating substrate, a planar rotor body aligned over the stator, and a housing integral with the substrate and forming a rotor chamber therewith in which the rotor is rotatably captured, are formed by microfabricating the stator, rotor, and housing on the substrate with a boundary of release material encapsulating the rotor body. The release material is then removed to free the rotor body for rotation within the rotor chamber. Release materials, such as poly-alpha-methylstyrene, are suitable, being removable to free the rotor by heating to at least 180.degree. C. under vacuum.

Abstract: A piezoelectric acoustic wave device includes a substrate and a piezoelectric plate. The piezoelectric plate includes a resonating part, and has a top electrode at least on the top surface of the resonating part. The substrate and the piezoelectric plate are directly bonded at an area where they are in contact with each other by a chemical bond such as a covalent bond and an ionic bond. A depression is formed in at least one of the substrate and the piezoelectric plate. The method of manufacturing the piezoelectric acoustic wave device includes the steps of forming a depression in at least one of the substrate and the piezoelectric plate, filling the depression with an intermediate support layer, cleaning the surfaces of the substrate and the piezoelectric plate to directly bond to each other by a chemical bond, forming electrodes, and removing the intermediate support layer.

Abstract: A cover for protecting a surface of a motor vehicle component, e.g., an air bag module, includes a body portion and a retention structure. Such structure is fixed with respect to the body portion or the module and retains the cover in a protective relationship to the surface. The module has an edge around the surface and a new method for protecting the module surface includes overlaying the surface with the protective cover having a cover lip at the module edge. An instrument panel member is positioned adjacent to the edge and the protective cover is thereafter removed from the surface and the edge. A new combination is also disclosed.

Abstract: A preplugged nut is attachable to a vehicle panel for fastening a component to the vehicle panel. The nut has a body with an opening for receiving a bolt to fasten the component to the panel and a plug in the body opening sealing the opening to prevent ingress of moisture, dust, fumes and other contaminants to the panel through the body opening. A method for forming a vehicle panel with the preplugged fastener includes forming the vehicle panel, forming a nut having a body opening for receiving a bolt to fasten the bracket to the panel, forming a plug, inserting the plug into the body opening of the nut and plugging the body opening to thereby prevent ingress of contaminants through the panel to the body opening after the nut is installed, and fastening the nut to the vehicle panel with the bolt.

Abstract: An overpressure-protected, differential pressure sensor 37 is formed by depositing diaphragm material 24 over a cavity 23 formed and filled with sacrificial material 22 into a front surface of a substrate. The sacrificial material 22 is then removed to create a free diaphragm. The floor of the cavity 23 defines a first pressure stop to limit the deflection of the diaphragm in response to pressure applied to the top of the diaphragm. A port 33 is created to allow pressure to be applied to the bottom side of the diaphragm 24. An optional second pressure stop, which limits the deflection of the diaphragm in response to pressure applied to the bottom side of the diaphragm, is formed by bonding a cap 35 to standoffs 34 placed around the top of the diaphragm. The standoffs are spaced to allow pressure to be applied to the top of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A perforated sheet is diffusion bonded to a thin solid sheet. Each of the perforations of the perforated sheet is tapered, having a maximum diameter at the surface that is not bonded to the thin sheet and a smaller diameter at the surface that is bonded to the thin sheet. The bonded perforated sheet and thin sheet are included with other solid metallic sheets in a forming pack to be superplastically deformed into a structure. The bonded perforated sheet and thin sheet are placed on the top of the forming pack so that the thin sheet will face outwards after the structure is formed. After the superplastic deformation process is completed, the thin sheet is removed by machining to expose the perforated sheet and provide a structure for controlling laminar flow over the perforated sheet. The exposed surface of the perforated sheet includes the smaller diameter of each tapered perforation, while the inner-facing or blind surface of the sheet includes the maximum diameter.

Abstract: An improved two membered substantially crack-free water jet mixing tube of an abrasive water jet cutting device and a method of its preparation. The method comprises chemically vapor depositing diamond layer on a funnel shaped support member to form an inner member of the mixing tube, separating the inner member from the support member, depositing and then cooling an outer member on the outer side of the inner member to produce a compressive stress on the inner member that substantially prevents formation cracks on the inner member. The inner side of the inner member has a smooth bore having a microcrystalline structure and the outer member has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than diamond. The invention is also directed to a water jet cutting device that incorporates the aforementioned improved substantially crack-free water jet mixing tube.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrical connecting member having a holding member formed of an electrically insulative material, and a plurality of electrically conductive members provided in a mutually insulated state in the holding member, one end of each of the electrically conductive members being exposed on one surface of the holding member and the other end of each of the electrically conductive members being exposed on the other surface of the holding member, includes the steps of providing photosensitive resin which provides the holding member on a base body, applying light to the photosensitive resin through a photomask forming a predetermined pattern to thereby expose the photosensitive resin to the light, developing the photosensitive resin to form a plurality of apertures in the photosensitive resin, thereby exposing the base body, leaving the photosensitive resin through which the base body has been exposed in a heated atmosphere and/or a negative pressure atmosphere for a predetermined time, etc

Abstract: A method for hooping and maintaining in compression a core by a sheath, with the sheath being made of a composite material and having an internal cross section which is less than an external cross section of the core. The core and the sheath are aligned by centering them with respect to each other, and a prior tensile force is exerted over the core to provide a suitable sealing between the portion in contact of each of the ends of the core and of the sheath. A pressurized fluid is injected into the sheath in a direction of the core, to increase the cross section of the sheath by expanding the sheath in a circumferential direction. The core is thereby gradually inserted into the sheath. When the insertion is complete, fluid injection is ceased and an expendable portion of the sheath is cut off.

Abstract: During the manufacturing process for turbine blades and vanes, among other hollow articles, the hollow cavities can become contaminated. Removal of the contaminants is a tedious, time consuming process which commonly results in component rework or rejection. Introducing a foam filler into the hollow cavities, prior to manufacturing, prevents contamination; enhancing manufacturing efficiency and component integrity.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a plastic article having micro-openings defined therein by working a semi-finished plastic structure having microrecesses defined on one side thereof, the method including, in the order recited, providing a semi-finished plastic structure having opposing first and second sides, wherein the first side of the opposing sides has microrecesses defined therein; filling the semi-finished plastic structure to cover the microrecesses with a substance which is hardenable and selectively removable; hardening the substance; machining the surface of the hardened substance to smooth it; clamping the semi-finished plastic structure onto a vacuum tensioning device with the smoothed surface of the hardened substance in contact with the vacuum tensioning device; machining the second side of the opposing sides of the semi-finished plastic structure until the microrecesses of the first side are at least partially exposed thereby defining micro-openings in the structure; and removing the hardened substa

Abstract: A method of manufacturing thin film magnetic heads. One embodiment of the present method features the step of placing a separating layer on a substrate and placing subsequent element layers of one or more thin film magnetic heads on the separating layer. Upon imposition of separating conditions, the thin film magnetic head is released, allowing the substrate to be reused.

Abstract: Microminiature pressure transducers are formed on semiconductor substrates such as silicon and include a membrane which spans a cavity over the substrate, with the membrane being mounted to and sealed to the substrate at the peripheral edges of the membrane. The bottom of the cavity forms an overpressure stop to prevent over deflections of the membrane toward the substrate. An overpressure stop formed as a bridge of a material such as nickel extends above the membrane and is spaced therefrom to allow the membrane to deflect freely under normal pressure situations but prevent over deflections. The thickness of the polysilicon membrane and the spacing between the membrane and the overpressure stops is preferably in the range of 10 micrometers or less, and typically in the range of one micrometer. The overpressure stop bridge is formed utilizing deep X-ray lithography to form a well-defined bridge structure.

Abstract: A double walled pipe elbow with an intermediate space between an inner pipe and an outer pipe is formed by joining the ends of a straight inner pipe and a straight outer pipe. The two pipes are bent into a desired shape and then placed in a shaping recess in a shaping tool. Seal plugs are placed at the opposite ends of the pipe elbow. In the sealed condition, a pressurized medium is supplied through at least one end seal plug into the inner pipe and between the inner and the outer pipe for expanding the outer pipe into surface contact with the shaping recess.

Abstract: A method of integrating a valve system with a to be molded component part, such as a throttle valve assembly and a throttle body or air horn, consisting of: first, assembling or manufacturing the throttle valve assembly; second, coating or completely lining the valve assembly with a meltable core material; third, placing the lined valve assembly in place in a die of the throttle body or air horn to be molded; fourth, removing the molded throttle body with valve assembly integral therewith; and finally, heating the meltable core material between the throttle valve assembly and air horn to melt it and remove it therefrom to provide the desired clearance space between, permitting relative rotation between the two.

Abstract: A method of producing a laminated metal belt with a space corresponding to the thickness of resin between respective ring belts by a step for forming a laminated sheet by bonding the number of metal sheets corresponding to the number of ring belts constituting the laminated metal belts of one unit with resin, a step for forming a seamless cylindrical body having predetermined inside and outside diameters from the laminated sheet, a step for cutting the cylindrical body radially into sections to obtain laminated rings and a step for removing resin from the laminated ring.

Abstract: A method of protecting the finish on a vehicle employs the immersing of a sheet of waste cellulose fiber material in an aqueous bath to render the sheet of cellulose fiber material pliable. A form in the shape of a portion of the vehicle to be protected is provided and the sheet of pliable material is placed over the form. The pliable cellulose material is dried to add rigidity to the same in the form of a shield. The finished shield is then placed on a vehicle to protect the finish characteristics such as exterior paint, trim, glass, and the like.

Abstract: Processes for making metal prototype parts are described. The key steps of the invention include: making a computer aided design (CAD) file of the prototype part; modifying such file a first time to produce a file of a first mandrel upon which the part will be formed; modifying such file a second time to produce a second mandrel upon which a metal anode will be formed, the anode and first mandrel then being used in an electroplating process to form the prototype. Stereolithographic techniques are preferred for making the mandrels out of polymeric materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a two-part, thin-walled tubular element, particularly waveguides, to close tolerances.

Abstract: Meltable matrix chucking is utilized for support of exceptionally slender webs, ribs and flanges, against the forces of machining. The proces is of particular utilization in forming light-weight aircraft parts integrally.

Abstract: A method for making an engine component with a hollow interior includes the steps of: selectively patterning a principal substrate surface; forming a slurry including a selected amount of a binder material, a selected amount of a solvent and a selected amount of a filter material; inserting the slurry into the substrate surface pattern; evaporating the solvent to solidify the slurry; depositing a close-out layer of material over the patterned substrate surface and over the solidifed slurry; and without removing the close-out layer, removing the solidified slurry to provide a structure with a hollow interior.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of fabricating a double pipe capable of attenuating vibration. The pipe can be used in an automobile exhaust system. The method is initiated with forming a coating either on the outer surface of an inner pipe or on the inner surface of the outer pipe. The coating is made from an epoxy resin, an acrylic resin, or other resin. The inner pipe is inserted into the outer pipe, and then they are brought into intimate contact with each other via the coating to couple them together. The coupled pipes are heated beyond 400.degree. C.

Abstract: The process and apparatus concern hot shaping by plastic deformation of metal alloys by means of a pressing tool.The process comprises effecting extrusion of a billet which is covered by at least one external sleeve, by a pushing force applied by means of a pressing tool, through a die. A thin layer of at least one compound comprising oxygen and at least one metal is deposited on one of the facing walls of the sleeve and the billet. The billet is preheated before being put into the container for the extrusion operation. Lubrication is effected by a lubricant such as a glass. The process is applied to the extrusion of solid or hollow billets of refractory alloys and also other alloys which involve difficulties in shaping them.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a method for manufacturing a channel device, especially for recordings of thermal conductivity, viscosity, density, dielectric constants, refractive indices, etc. of materials such as fluids and gases (called samples), where the material under investigation is guided through a measuring channel with at least one sensor and at least one inlet and one outlet orifice for the sample. The invention also concerns the fabrication procedure of the channel device, especially the recording unit for determining the thermal conductivit, viscosity, density, dielectric constant, etc. of samples where the material under investigation is passed through or brought into a measuring channel which is equipped with sensors and actuators.

Abstract: A method for progressively making a model of a sheet metal assembly composed of several connected sheet metal panels, or a model of several interfitting sheet metal assemblies. Each sheet metal panel is represented by a carbon fiber sheet formed between a pair of blocks machined to form a cavity corresponding to the thickness of the sheet metal. The thickness is initially represented by a wax layer corresponding to the thickness of the sheet metal. The wax layer is removed and replaced by a carbon fiber epoxy-based material. One of the blocks is then used to form the replica of a second panel of the sheet metal, adjacent the first panel. The process is repeated until replicas of all panels have been made. The carbon fiber replicas are attached to one another to form the completed model of the sheet metal assembly or a model of several interfitting sheet metal assemblies. The machined foam blocks may be used as tooling aids for forming dies for stamping the sheet metal components.

Abstract: An ultraviolet-hardenable adhesive for bonding a water-swellable, ophthalmic-lens blank to a support member, the adhesive containing at least one photo-hardenable silicone oil, and at least one photoinitiator, the at least one silicone oil being selected from polysiloxanes represented by the following general formula: ##STR1## wherein each of R.sub.1 to R.sub.3 is methyl or ethyl; n.sub.1, n.sub.2 and n.sub.3 are positive integers which satisfy the specified three formulas; X.sub.1 is ##STR2## A.sub.1 is ##STR3## wherein R.sub.4 is hydrogen or methyl; and B.sub.1 is ##STR4## A method of bonding a lens blank to a support member with an adhesive, and a processing of manufacturing a lens using an adhesive, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An ultraviolet-hardenable adhesive for bonding a non-water swellable, ophthalmic-lens blank to a support member, in producing a non-water swellable ophthalmic lens, the adhesive containing at least one photopolymerizing monomer, and at least one photoinitiator, the at least one photopolymerizing monomer being selected from the group consisting of acrylates or methacrylates represented by following general formulas (I) and (II): ##STR1## , wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen or methyl,R.sub.2 is hydrogen or methyl,R.sub.3 is hydrogen or methyl,m is a positive integer from 2 to 10, andn is a positive integer from 1 to 5.A method of bonding a lens blank to a support member with an adhesive, and a processing of manufacturing a lens using an adhesive, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An elongated flexible tube that constitutes an insert part of an endoscope. The flexible tube comprises: a spiral tube made of a precipitation hardening metal and having a groove which is recessed inwardly from the outer surface of the tube, the groove extending in a straight line along the axis of the tube, the spiral tube being subjected to age hardening process after a solid solution treatment; a braided-wire tube formed by weaving fine metal wires into a braid, the braided-wire tube being closely fitted over the outer surface of the spiral tube; and a flexible skin closely and watertightly fitted over the outer surface of the braided-wire tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to wax impregnated filters for use in investment casting applications and a method for forming them. The filters are characterized by a wax impregnated ceramic substrate, wax layers bonded to two opposed surfaces of the substrate, and peripheral edges having exposed ceramic surfaces which can be adhered to the ceramic liner of an investment casting apparatus. The method comprises providing a sheet of ceramic foam filter material, impregnating the sheet with sufficient liquid wax to form a wax layer of desired thickness bonded to each of two opposed surfaces of the sheet, allowing the wax to solidify, and precision cutting the impregnated sheet into filters having a desired set of dimensions. The method further comprises exposing the peripheral edges of each filter to allow the ceramic shell building or liner in the investment casting apparatus to bond directly to the filter.

Abstract: Disclosed is an intraocular lens comprising a lens element and a plurality of haptics extending therefrom, at least one of the haptics having an anchoring filament with an enlarged complete or partial mushroom-shaped end fixedly disposed inside a passage in the lens element. Also disclosed is a method for fixing a haptic having an anchoring filament to a lens element in a soft intraocular lens comprising the steps of (a) forming in the lens element a passage having a width that is less than the greatest width of the anchoring filament, (b) lubricating the anchoring filament of the haptic, the passage in the lens element, or both, (c) inserting the anchoring filament end-first into the passage, and (d) washing the intraocular lens to remove the lubricant.

Abstract: Two cores for circuit boards or cards are simultaneously processed.In particular, two cores are provided wherein each is a dielectric material having conductive planes on both major surfaces thereof. The two cores are temporarily fixed together by sealing the peripheral face planes thereof.The two external conductive planes are then simultaneously processed to thereby form signal patterns.The seal is then removed from the peripheral face planes and the two cores are separated from each other, thereby simultaneously providing the two cores.

Abstract: A composite pipe is proposed which is comprised of an aluminum pipe and a lead pipe formed in the aluminum pipe in direct contact with the inner wall of the aluminum pipe. The composite pipe is produced by supplying a lead pipe to a continuous aluminum extrusion machine which can extrude while enveloping along object, to form an aluminum pipe on the outer periphery of the lead pipe. A heat pipe using the composite pipe is also proposed.

Abstract: In production of a gap spacer for magnetic heads in electric and electronic appliances, accumulation of a non-magnetic material insoluble to acids or alkalis on a thin base soluble to these solvents is employed with use of a proper mask as a substitute for the conventional rolling process. Stable growth in thickness of the non-magnetic material during the accumulation process assures highly precise thickness uniformity of the product via easy time control of the process and absence of the rolling process allows broader freedom in choice of the material.

Abstract: The method of making a heterogeneous, Damascus-type cutting blade, comprising forming an open metal enclosure, placing a stack of metal foils in the enclosure, placing a metal plate in the enclosure on top of the stack of foils, folding in portions of the enclosure on said plate to compress the latter and stack of foils, heating and hammering the enclosure and foils to bond the same together, removing the enclosure from the bonded foils, and finish-griding the bonded foils.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing printed circuit boards.The manufacturing method of printed circuit boards under the present invention is to detach a release paper from a metal board on which holes are provided and to which the adhesive sheet and a release paper are attached. Thereafter, the metal board is glued to a resin board having at least one circuit layer and at least either of through holes or lead wire holes, by means of the adhesive sheet by pressing.An alternative manufacturing method of printed circuit boards under the present invention is to provide lead wire holes at the centers of resin filled holes in a metal board material, and to which an adhesive sheet and a release paper are attached. From the metal board material, a metal board is made by finishing its outer configuration. The release paper is detached from the metal board.

Abstract: Grooves in an article such as a commutator are filled with a soft brittle material before a grooved surface of the article is cut. With the grooves thus filled, the cutting is performed continuously and smoothly without involving formation of burrs projecting into the groove. The soft brittle material includes a water soluble material which can easily be removed from the grooves by merely immersing the article in water. Preferably, the soft brittle material comprises a sublimable material which is self-vanishing or disappearing as it undergoes sublimation to the vapor state when it is left to stand in the atmosphere.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a novel gear fit article that includes metal plating the surface of an annular steel work is disclosed. The plating is made of copper to prevent nitriding of the underlying steel. The plated steel work is gear cut to form internal teeth of exposed steel. The annular gear is nitrided to harden the teeth and, in the process, softens the metal plating. Thereafter, the annular gear is shrinkage fitted into a rotor body to form the novel gear fit article.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of assembling two parts of which one part is a sub-assembly formed of a plurality of relatively movable components.The method comprises the steps of holding the components of the sub-assembly in their desired relative positions for assembly, cooling the sub-assembly sufficiently to prevent relative movement between the components of the sub-assembly, and offering the sub-assembly to the other part while the components of the sub-assembly are locked against one another.It is preferred to coat the sub-assembly prior to cooling with a liquid, the cooling being sufficient to freeze the liquid to cause locking of the components.

Abstract: A pin fin heat exchanger is made by wrapping a thermally conductive wire having a coating thereon around a mandrel thereby forming a multilayer coil. The coating is fused together for holding the wires together. The method includes cutting a section out of the coil providing a plurality of generally parallel wires having first and second ends and placing the cut section between an object and a wall for transferring heat therebetween with the first ends engaging the object and the second ends engaging the wall. Thereafter the coating is removed from the wires such as by solvents. The ends of the wires may be soldered or may be lapped to provide a convex surface to provide good heat transfer.

Abstract: A composite pipe is proposed which is comprised of an aluminum pipe and a lead pipe formed in the aluminum pipe in direct contact with the inner wall of the aluminum pipe. The composite pipe is produced by supplying a lead pipe to a continuous aluminum extrusion machine which can extrude while enveloping a long object, to form an aluminum pipe on the outer periphery of the lead pipe. A heat pipe using the composite pipe is also proposed.This is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 811,164, filed Dec. 19, 1985, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,699, issued Mar. 29, 1988.

Abstract: The pins which are used for the support of a core in a lost wax casing process are provided with caps. The caps provide sufficient surface area for encapsulation by ceramic slurry. Heat loss from the metal melt via the pins is thus obviated along with undesirable grain nucleation.

Abstract: A base board having a plurality of semicircular through-holes filled with solder at side walls produced by filling through-holes with solder can be connected electrically to printed circuit boards with large connecting strength and high reliability.

Abstract: An apparatus suitable for fabricating a substrate suitable for photoconductive members has a cylindrical rotating vessel surrounded by a housing which contains a plurality of rigid spheres therein. A substrate supporting means is placed within the cylindrical rotating vessel so as to be rotatable coaxially therewith. A supplying means for a surface coating liquid, such as polybutene, is placed at an upper position over the external wall face of the cylindrical rotating vessel. A reservoir for the surface coating liquid is placed at a lower position below the external wall face of the cylindrical rotating vessel. A means to circulate the surface coating liquid to the supplying means is employed.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing a hollow metal light conductor in which at least one metal layer is provided on a core of a synthetic resin material, for example, polymethylmethacrylate, after which the core is removed, and a metal tube is formed. The core is preferably removed by slightly elongating the core so that the cross-section is reduced, after which the metal light conductor can be pulled from the core. The reflecting metal layer on the inside surface of the light conductor preferably is of aluminium. The invention provides a hollow metal light conductor, for example, for use in an optical spectrometer, which is also suitable in particular to be used for light having a short wavelength, to less than 200 nm.

Abstract: A slotted retaining plate for use in a tubular reactor within an analytical system. The reactor contains inert packed material which provides for the necessary flow path length for a fluid stream entering the reactor. The retaining plate is extremely thin and has an array of slots which permit the necessary flow of the stream through the reactor, but retain the packing material within the reactor. The design of the slot array in the retaining plates essentially eliminates any possible impediment to the stream flow. The slots are adjustable to provide more flexibility in slot size control to allow use of smaller packing particles within the reactor and improve the instrument resolution in, for example, an amino acid analyzer.

Abstract: For a molten metal stirring lance a steel tubular member is coated interiorly with wax, for instance, and a refractory material plug is cast in the member. The plug extends from one end of the member and leaves a clear space near the other end. Melting the wax out leaves a thin gas passageway gap around the plug. The end having the clear space is capped and connected to a gas feed pipe which is surrounded by a stiffener member. The latter member is convered with a refractory material protective sheath. The refractory material in the tubular member erodes or ablates by a small amount during each use in molten metal to keep the gas discharge gap clear.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a loose screen-stencil-roller showing at its cylindrical outer surface a pattern of indentations, comprising the steps of starting with a smooth-walled support cylinder being either a hollow thick-walled roller or a massive roller, upon which a thin-walled sieve is pushed, after which the sieve is clampingly secured upon said cylinder: the invention also deals with an apparatus for applying this method comprising a support cylinder with fluid passages enabling the mounting and removal of the sieve around its outer periphery.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a linear or annular ultrasonics antenna array for the megahertz range, which consists in providing a laminate of alternating layers of unsintered ceramic and spacing layers, the spacing layers being composed of a filler material which is heat fugitive at the sintering temperature of the ceramic, the spacing material also including refractory grains distributed therein of a size which corresponds to the spacing desired between the ceramic layers, sintering the laminate to thereby liberate the filler material and leave voids between the refractory grains, impregnating the resulting laminate with a polymerizable resin to bond the sintered ceramic layers together, and separating the resulting laminate into individual transducer elements.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rolling metal matrix composite material is disclosed. The material is confined within an aperture in a frame member during the rolling process. The frame member has deformation properties compatible with that of the metal matrix composite material permitting the frame member to be deformed during the rolling process and allowing the surfaces defining the aperture in the frame member to constrain the material during this process, thus eliminating edge cracking of the material. The frame member may be interposed between a top member and a bottom member both having deformation properties compatible with that of the metal matrix composite material so as to "encapsulate" the material during the rolling process.