Abstract: Electronic device support and processing methods are described. One embodiment includes a method of processing an electronic device including solder bumps extending therefrom. The method includes providing at least one fluid selected from the group consisting of electrorheological fluids and magnorheological fluids on a support structure. The solder bumps extending from the electronic device are positioned in the fluid. The fluid is activated by applying a field selected from the group consisting of an electric field and a magnetic field to the fluid. The activated fluid mechanically holds the electronic device in place. A surface of the electronic device is polished while the electronic device is held in place by the activated fluid. The fluid is deactivated by removing the applied field from the fluid, and the electronic device is separated from the deactivated fluid. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A wafer container for supporting semi-conductor wafer disks and for interfacing with processing equipment and methods for constructing the same. Wafer supports are positioned within an enclosure portion, the wafer supports having a plurality of vertically stacked shelves for defining slots. The wafer supports are secured within the enclosure portion rigidly at the bottom margin and resiliently at the top margin. In preferred embodiments resilient plastic spring members extend between the closed top and the wafer supports to substantially constrain lateral or forward-back movement of the wafer supports with respect to the closed top and to permit some vertical movement of the wafer support with respect to the closed top. The spring members may be configured as a leaf spring integral with an extending from the top margin of each wafer support.

Abstract: Jig for adjusting curvature of a substrate permits to measure an amount of sag of the substrate coming from variation of a length of the slot or the support bar by varying the length of the slot or the support bar, thereby permitting easy fabrication of the cassette according to a trend of fabricating thinner substrate.

Abstract: A method of enabling a reliable, motor-to-base merge process is designed for motors that are attached to a base with screws that mount from outside of the base. An assembly fixture receives the motor, which has a tooling hole for circumferentially locating the motor relative to the base. The assembly fixture closely receives the motor and has a tooling pin that engages the tooling hole to prevent rotation of the motor relative to the assembly fixture. During the motor-to-base merge process, the motor is inverted with the tooling pin in the tooling hole. The assembly fixture aligns the threaded screw holes in the motor with the mounting holes on the base.

Abstract: A knuckle (16) for a corner assembly (10, 210, 310) wherein a cylindrical body (18) has an outboard race (39) and an inboard race (45) located therein for correspondingly receiving a first roller assembly (52) and a second roller assembly (94) carried by a wheel hub (56) such that brake engagement surfaces (12a) and (12b) on a rotor (12) are located in a parallel relationship with faces on a friction members (14a) and (14b) associated with caliper (14) and perpendicular with the axis of the wheel hub (56) to obtain a desired lateral run out relationship between the rotor (12) and the axis of the first (52) and second (94) roller assemblies retained in the wheel hub (56).

Abstract: A method of fabricating a spherical cavitation chamber. Depending upon the chamber's composition and wall thickness, chambers fabricated with the disclosed techniques can be used with either low or high pressure systems. During chamber fabrication, initially two spherical half portions are fabricated and then the two half portions are joined together to form the desired cavitation chamber. During the fabrication of each chamber half, the interior spherical surface is completed first and then the outer spherical surface. Prior to joining the two spherical cavitation chamber halves, the surfaces to be mated are finished, preferably to a surface flatness of at least ±0.01 inches. Brazing is used to join the chamber halves together. The brazing material is preferably in the form of a ring-shaped sheet with outside and inside diameters of approximately the same size as the cavitation sphere's outside and inside diameters. Preferably the brazing operation is performed under vacuum conditions.

Abstract: A drill fitted to an adapter is used to drill a hole in a workpiece fixed on a table of a machining center. When the hole drilling is finished, the drill is removed from the adapter, and a workpiece holding jig is fitted to the adapter. Then, the adapter is lowered, and the workpiece holding jig takes the workpiece for which the hole drilling operation has been finished. Following this, the adapter is raised, and the workpiece is temporarily held in the machining center. Then, in this state, the next workpiece is mounted on the table of the machining center. Accordingly, by temporarily holding the workpiece, for which the hole drilling operation has been finished, in the machining center, mounting of the next workpiece is simplified.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide an in situ method for assembling and measuring optical characteristics of an optical component. The method generally includes pressing an optical source or lens into an optical housing while simultaneously measuring the optical output of the device. The measured optical output is used to determine and control when the optical source or lens is pressed to an optical position within optical housing. Once the source or lens is pressed into the optical housing, the method includes measuring the optical offset and/or pointing angle of the assembled component in the same apparatus that assembled the component. The measured optical offset and/or pointing angle information is used to determine how to mechanically alter the optical housing to correct or compensate for the optical offset and pointing angle.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device (10) for closing wedge simulation to set gap dimensions between a movable flap (5; 5a, 5b) of a vehicle and the surrounding body (1) of the vehicle. The flap (5; 5a, 5b) is initially fitted and held in a roughly adjusted installation position in alignment with the body (1). The flap (5; 5a, 5b) is then finely adjusted such that predeterminable gap dimensions can be met with optimum precision. Finally, the flap (5; 5a, 5b) is movably fixed in the finely adjusted installation position on the body (1). To simplify the closing wedge simulation without losing accuracy for fine adjustment of the flap (5; 5a, 5b), the invention proposes to suction the flap (5; 5a, 5b) against a mechanical stop (15) for fine adjustment using a pneumatic suctioning device (16), wherein the mechanical stop (15) is fixed relative to the surrounding body (1) and is freely pivotable about a substantially vertical axis of rotation (13).

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide a fixture for assembling an optical component. The fixture generally includes a substantially rigid base member having a measurement aperture formed therein, a pair of upstanding frame members, each of the upstanding frame members having a pivotal mount and a vertical slot formed therein, and a support press slidably positioned within the vertical slot. The fixture may further include a component support assembly positioned below the support press, and a pivot arm connected to the support press at a first end, pivotally connected to the pivot mount at a middle portion, and a screw actuator at a second end.

Abstract: A portable workbench includes top members, a support structure, a frame, wheels and a toe plate. The top members lie in a common plane and define a working surface with opposing side portions that define clamping surfaces. The support structure supports the top members and permits selectively traversing at least one of the pair of top members toward another to permit a workpiece to be clamped therebetween. The frame includes collapsible legs. The wheels and toe plate are coupled to the frame adjacent to each other. The workbench is positionable in a raised position, a collapsed position and a hand truck position. The toe plate is movable from a retracted position to an extended position to permit the portable workbench to be employed as a hand truck.

Abstract: A sunroof is automatically and precisely positioned to a mounting position by an apparatus including a floating plate movably mounted to a base member. A secondary lift structure is mounted to the floating plate and a centering cylinder unit is disposed between the secondary lift structure and the floating plate such that the centering cylinder unit aligns the floating plate to the sunroof mounting position on the vehicle body.

Abstract: A device for automated composite lay up of a part to be manufactured—such as a large aircraft fuselage—includes a mandrel having a vertical axis and an interior mandrel surface that conforms to an outside mold line of the part. A vertical movement shaft is disposed inside the mandrel. A platform is supported, moved up and down, and rotated on the vertical movement shaft. One or more arm mechanisms are attached to the platform. One or more material delivery heads are supported by the arm mechanisms, and the arm mechanisms moves and positions the material delivery heads relative to the interior mandrel surface so that composite material is delivered directly to the outside mold line on the interior mandrel surface.

Abstract: A method of assembling a grommet, comprising the steps of: providing a grommet assembling jig which has a mounting portion and a guide portion; providing a first division body which has a seal portion; providing a second division body which has a fixing portion, the first division body and the second division body constituting the grommet; mounting the first division body on the grommet assembling jig so that the seal portion is fitted on the mounting portion; arranging a wire harness on the first division body; and assembling the second division body with the first division body by guiding the guide portion to the fixing portion.

Abstract: A jigging device, for example, for positioning parts to facilitate assembly line procedures. The jigging device maintains a first element (10) in a desired spatial relationship with a second element (12). The jigging device has a first fastening means comprising fastener (20) which is connected to the first element (10). The jigging device also has a second fastening means comprising fastener insert (14) together with adjustable capsule (18). Locking pin (22) locks fastener (20) to the adjustable capsule (18).

Abstract: A clamp device including a support frame member, a lower clamp unit and an upper clamp unit supported by the support frame member. The lower clamp unit has a pair of lower jaws and a first actuator for actuating at least one of the lower jaws between clamped and unclamped positions. The upper clamp unit has a first upper jaw and a second upper jaw, and a second actuator for actuating at least one of the upper jaws between clamped and unclamped positions, the first upper jaw being fixed for movement with one of the lower jaws.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a machine whereby a workpiece is held on a worktable of the machine with a suction force. When the work piece has a surface area insufficient to receive a full cut from a tool mounted in a tool head of the machine, the machine automatically adjusts the depth and the cutting speed of the tool to lesson the cut so the workpiece is not moved or ejected from the worktable. The depth and speed of the tool may be adjusted in a single cut pass of the tool or they may be adjusted in successive cut passes.

Abstract: An actuated edge grip chuck includes tabs with raised portions that press against the side of a substrate as opposed clamping on the top or bottom surfaces. The edge grip chuck includes a solid-state actuator to move a moveable tab into an open position. The solid-state actuator may be, e.g., a piezoelectric actuator or a shape memory alloy. The tab may be biased into the closed position such that when a substrate is held by the edge by the moveable tab and one or more fixed tabs. If desired, more than one moveable tab may be used.

Abstract: A method for mounting a radiator module in the vicinity of the back side of a bumper reinforcement and assembling the radiator module to an automobile body while the bumper reinforcement is assembled to connect the front ends of the right and the left front side frames of the automobile body to each other. A jig base member is connected to an arm member of an outside conveyor, and the radiator module is positioned and held by a hand body a holding mechanism, the radiator module and the mounting jig are moved to a mounting position by the conveyor, and the jig base member is positioned to the bumper reinforcement by a positioning member. The bumper reinforcement is effectively utilized to position the jig base member. Then, the elevator, the hand body and the radiator module are moved downwardly to position a pair of right and left positioning members at right and left fender positions, respectively.

Abstract: A clamp device including a support frame member, a lower clamp unit and an upper clamp unit supported by the support frame member. The lower clamp unit has a pair of lower jaws and a first actuator for actuating at least one of the lower jaws between clamped and unclamped positions. The upper clamp unit has a first upper jaw and a second upper jaw, and a second actuator for actuating one or more of the upper jaws between clamped and unclamped positions, the first upper jaw being fixed for movement with one of the lower jaws.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention a method of manufacturing a thin wall isogrid casing by a chip machining process comprises the steps of: positioning a substantially cylindrical casing (10) on a support (20); the support having a substantially continuous cylindrical support surface (22) engaging at least part of the inner or outer surface of the casing; and machining a plurality of recessed pockets in the said inner or outer surface of the casing opposite the surface engaged by the said support; whereby the support reacts loads acting on the casing by the chip machining tool during machining to minimise distortion of the casing and tearing of the pockets being formed. With this method isogrid pockets (14) can be chip machined, by drilling and/or milling etc, with pocket wall thicknesses of less that 1 mm.

Abstract: A mold fixture 20 for safe and efficient extraction, insertion and storage of mold inserts 26, 28 is provided. The mold fixture 20 includes a lower receiving area 24 for fixedly receiving a lower mold insert 28, an upper receiving area 22 for fixedly receiving an upper mold insert 26. The mold fixture 20 facilitates insertion or extraction of the upper and lower mold inserts 26, 28 into/from a molding machine 1 in a safe and secure manner. Furthermore, the upper and lower mold inserts 26, 28 can be securely stored within the mold fixture 20 at a storage location.

Abstract: A spun metal form used to manufacture a dual alloy turbine wheel. The spun metal form prevents braze alloy contamination of the hub/casting interface by relocating the braze joint away from the interface. The spun metal form allows for the re-working of components after failed vacuum brazing and increases the time to failure of dual alloy turbine wheels.

Abstract: A material application system for applying a panel of material to a framework with a shoe for retaining the framework, a nest, opposed mechanisms for retaining opposite portions of the panel of material traversing between the shoe and the nest, an arrangement for selectively moving the shoe and the nest into and out of an engaged position wherein the panel of material is sandwiched between the shoe and the nest and a disengaged position, and an arrangement for inducing an attachment of the panel of material to the framework. The opposed mechanisms can be clamping mechanisms, which can be segmented and individually moveable to enable variable pretensioning. A contoured deflection control member can alternatively produce variable pretensioning. A pressing arrangement with a tooth member can press a locking spline into a groove in the framework to secure the material.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide a fixture for assembling an optical component. The fixture includes a substantially rigid base member having an upper surface and a lower surface with a base aperture connecting the two surfaces and a component mounting plate positioned on the upper surface and having an aperture formed therein corresponding to the base aperture. The fixture further includes at least one pivotally mounted component disengagement member positioned on the upper surface and being configured to disengage a component from the mounting plate and a component securing member slidably positioned on the upper surface and being configured to secure a component to the mounting plate. Additionally, a differential press screw assembly is positioned on the lower surface, wherein the differential press screw assembly is configured to press a lens into a component mounted on the component mounting plate via extension of a press nut through the base aperture.

Abstract: A device and method for optimumly holding a personal watercraft while making repairs or improvements without damaging the watercraft. The device in its preferred form allows a personal watercraft to be held with specialized mounting sections and plates and further mounted between stands which allow the watercraft to be rotated. When mounted with the stands, the watercraft may be locked at a user desired rotational angle to make repairs or maintenance easier and more convenient to the user. The stands preferably have pivoting wheels which allow translational movement for the watercraft and stands combination.

Abstract: A device having a first, a second, a third, and a fourth slidably adjustable element arranged in a rectangular configuration, forming a rectangular pass-through opening approximately the size of a doorway and being slidably adjustable in a height dimension and a width dimension of the rectangle and having clamps for attaching the device to a doorframe so that the doorframe can be placed within a rough opening in a wall of a building while keeping a rectangular shape. The device has telescoping feet for adjusting the height off of the floor and leveling the frame. Once the frame is attached to the rough opening in the wall the clamps are released from the frame and the elements are contracted to allow the device to be removed from the frame, leaving the frame secured and properly aligned within the rough opening.

Abstract: A method for securing a component for manufacture. The method includes fixedly coupling a first clamping member and a biasing mechanism to a tool that includes a fixture. The fixture includes a first clamping member, a second clamping member, and a biasing mechanism. The method further includes coupling the second clamping member to the fixture, using the biasing mechanism to align the component within the tool between the first and second clamping members such that the component is maintained in position relative to the fixture, securing the component between the first and second clamping members such that the first clamping member, the second clamping member, and the component are fixedly secured in position with respect to the fixture, and retaining the component in position with respect to the fixture using the first and second clamping members.

Abstract: The bump ball crimping apparatus of the present invention is characterized in comprising an alignment plate 31 for aligning bump balls; a crimping table 32 on which the wafer to which bump balls are to be crimped is mounted; a crimping plate 42 that crimps the bump balls onto the bonding pads of the wafer; a Y-axis moving mechanism 35 that can move the alignment plate 31 in the Y direction and can fasten it at a predetermined position; an X-axis moving mechanism that can move the alignment plate 31 in the X direction and can fasten it at a predetermined position; and a second Y-axis moving mechanism 37 that can move the crimping table 32 in the Y direction and can fasten it at a predetermined position.

Abstract: A panel-securing system for various vehicle types is provided, in which various clamps and fingers for different panel shapes may be selected for operation by a single cylinder, the amount of space utilized to install the system is minimized, and parts used in the system are simplified. The panel-securing system for use in a production line for various vehicle types comprises a controller having stored therein panel information for various vehicle types, the controller generating and outputting a locator-selection control signal and a panel-securing control signal corresponding to panel information of the correct vehicle type; a first actuator for selecting a locator corresponding to the locator-selection control signal output by the controller; a second actuator for driving a locator corresponding to the panel-securing control signal output by the controller; and a panel-securing assembly including a plurality of locators, which correspond to panels of the various vehicle types.

Abstract: A machine and a method for assembling a vehicle body is disclosed as including a locating pin (26) formed with a seating flange portion (35) having a work seating surface (35a) and a clamp arm (39) contained in the locating pin to be operable in a clamping or unclamping movement responsive to an extrusion and retraction of a clamp cylinder (34). A detection pin (47) is mounted for an extruding and extracting movement from the work seating surface (35a), with the detection pin (47), a shaft (44) ad a proximity switch (48) forming a work seating detection mechanism (49). A mutual engagement between the locating pin (26) and a locating bore (R) allows a panel W3 to be positioned, simultaneously detecting the presence of seating of the panel W3 responsive to a movement of the detection pin (47).

Abstract: A jig assembly for preparing a disk drive for mounting in a computer comprises a bay arranged to receive a disk drive and a pair of side rails to be fixed to opposite edges of the disk drive. Each side rail has captive screws in register with a respective screw-threaded hole in the edge of the disk drive. Two powered screwdrivers on each side of the bay are in register with the screws and are mounted for movement towards and away from the respective side rail. When the disk drive and rails are loaded into the bay, pneumatic cylinders C1 automatically advance the screwdrivers towards the side rail to engage and rotate the screws to screw the side rails tight against the edge of the disk drive, and then retract the screwdrivers.

Abstract: A method for locking the sprockets or gears of a dual overhead camshaft engine in a fixed position includes two spaced bars with studs for engaging against the inside rim of the sprockets and a means for adjusting the spacing of the bars to frictionally maintain the sprockets in a locked position against the inside rims.

Abstract: A positioner includes a cantilever arm that defines a first axis and has a first end and a second end. A support arm defines a second axis and has a first end and a second end. The support arm is attached to the cantilever arm second end. A mounting head engages the workpiece and is attached to the support arm second end. The support arm rotates around the second axis, and the cantilever arm rotates around the first axis. A counterweight is attached to the support arm to balance the workpiece. A first brake assembly engages the cantilever arm to control rotation of the cantilever arm around the first axis. A second brake assembly is disposed between the cantilever arm and the support arm and controls rotation of the support arm around the second axis. A brake actuator assembly communicates with the first and second brake assemblies and causes the first and second brake assemblies to engage or disengage the cantilever and support arms.

Abstract: A wheeled vehicle kingpin bolt-replacement tool is disclosed manufactured from a rigid material, which facilitates bolt removal. The tool allows a baseplate to be inserted along two perpendicular intersection channels. A first channel engages the baseplate to prevent movement upon application of force while the second channel allows sufficient clearance for the kingpin bolt that is bound to the baseplate to be forcefully struck and removed from the base plate. A method is also disclosed for using the tool of the present invention to remove a kingpin bolt from a baseplate upon application of force.

Abstract: A tooling fixture for supporting a workpiece, comprising: a body including a surface over which a workpiece is in use supported and a plurality of bores therein; a plurality of supporting elements (12) for supporting the workpiece, each slideably disposed in a respective one of the bores such as to be extendable from the surface of the body; at least one fluid reservoir (9) operably in fluid communication with the supporting elements such as to cause sliding of ones of the supporting elements on displacement of the fluid in the at least one fluid reservoir, and fluid control means (53) for displacing the fluid in the at least one reservoir such as to cause the supporting elements to be extended to a supporting position in contact with the workpiece and locking the supporting elements in the supporting position.

Abstract: An inflatable bladder comprising at least one aperture and/or at least one baffle within the bladder for supporting a printed circuit board during component placement on a semiconductor substrate such as a printed circuit board is provided. The inflatable bladder is positioned to provide support for the substrate while apertures within the inflatable bladder communicate a suction force to the substrate to inhibit the substrate from bending, bowing, or flexing away from contact with the inflatable bladder during component placement. The inflatable bladder provides support for the substrate while attempting to prevent injury to components by pliably conforming to component irregularities on the back side of the substrate. The inflatable bladder can be selectively inflated or deflated for contacting the substrate and thereafter supporting the back side of the substrate during assembly operations.

Abstract: An apparatus for repairing a liquid cooled compressor stator bar bottle clip having a groove extending around an outer surface of the bottle clip is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the repair apparatus includes a first body portion that includes a plurality of threaded fastener openings in a first end section and a second end section of the first body portion, a second body portion that includes a plurality of threaded fastener openings in a first end section and a second end section of the second body portion, and a plurality of threaded fasteners extending through corresponding fastener openings in the first and second body portions. The fasteners connect the first and second body portions such that an elliptical opening is defined between the first and second body portions. The elliptical opening extends through the repair apparatus.

Abstract: A method of holding a dried honeycomb structure 8, which is a honeycomb structure after a drying process and before a firing process, when a ceramic honeycomb structure in which bulkheads forming a number of cells are disposed in the form of a honeycomb is manufactured with a manufacturing method including a extruding process, the drying process, and the firing process. A chuck 1 having a plurality of claws 10 is used and the plurality of claws 10 are allowed to come into contact with an outer periphery 89 of the dried honeycomb structure 8 so that the direction of the pressure F applied to the dried honeycomb structure 8 by the claws is substantially parallel with the bulkheads 81.

Abstract: The method of the present invention is capable of processing a work piece with higher accuracy and providing highly reliable magnetic heads. The method of processing the magnetic head comprises the steps of: providing adhesive wax on a surface of a supporting jig; pressing a work piece onto the surface of the supporting jig so as to adhere the work piece thereon; heating the work piece supported by the supporting jig until the wax is melted so as to release stress in the work piece; and processing the work piece.

Abstract: A universal manifold holding fixture for holding intake manifolds from v-type engines that establishes and maintains a centerline alignment with respect to the intake manifold and a centering shaft; said centering shaft is configured to be receivable into various machining tools. The fixture is adjustable in three axes and configurable to accommodate intake manifolds from various manufacturers. The fixture also maintains the intake manifold in isometric tension thus simulating actual service conditions. The fixture provides engine machinists with a solution to handling large, heavy, and unwieldy intake manifolds while machining the manifold surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for centering a shaft (for an impeller or other rotating component) in a gas turbine engine, such as that used in aircraft or other vehicles. The apparatus includes a base, at least one arm and an actuator. The arm is connected to the base and the actuator is located on a predetermined axis and aligns the impeller shaft to that axis. The actuator also applies a force to the actuator to simulate actual operational forces in the engine so that proper tolerances can be measured. The method includes steps of coupling the apparatus to a locator surface, impeller shaft with the actuator and moving the actuator such that an axial load is provided on the shaft.

Abstract: A device for installing muntin bars into a frame of a window including a device for accurately positioning the muntin bars within the frame and also for providing an accurate junction between the bars and the frame. The device includes a mounting frame that is inclined with respect to the vertical plane, tie-bars movably supported by the mounting frame for fixing and machining spacer frames of different sizes together with respective muntin bars and an apparatus for arranging and fixing muntin bars within the spacer frame. A method is proposed by which a terminal plug is fixed within one end of a muntin bar. The plug is fixed by screws, clamps of similar type fasteners that are positioned in a program controlled manner using a screwing apparatus or a shooting device that is movably supported relative to the spacer frame.

Abstract: A work chucking/inserting device for chucking and inserting a work into an insertion hole (cylinder bore) in alignment with the hole, including three or more chuck fingers, the chuck fingers being arranged in circumferentially spaced positions and mounted for advancing and retracting radially. Inner surfaces of the chuck fingers serve as chuck surfaces for chucking the work, and outer surfaces of the chuck fingers are tapered at least at tip end portions radially inward toward the tips for contact with an inlet of the insertion hole. The work chucking/inserting device further includes a tracer mechanism which causes the axis of a conical surface defined by the outer surfaces of the chuck fingers to become aligned with the axis of the insertion hole when the outer surfaces of the chuck fingers contact the inlet of the insertion hole. A pushing mechanism is included for pushing the work toward the insertion hole.

Abstract: A method for regulating a device used for fixing aircraft airframe pieces in connection with assembly of airframe parts, where the device consists of a rig comprising a matrix of rails that can slide in such a way that a number of fixing elements attached to the rails can be positioned freely along three co-ordinates x, y, z in space within a given volume, where a manipulator grasps a fixing element after which the fixing element is moved by the manipulator to the given co-ordinate, and where the rails on which a fixing element is arranged is locked in relation to the rig by an automatic locking function initiated by the manipulator, thereby fixing the fixing element's position in space and the setting procedure is repeated for a predetermined number of fixing elements on the rig.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger includes processes of: arranging tubes at a predetermined pitch on a set base; inserting fins into spaces each defined between the tubes; compressing the tubes and the fins in the direction of arrangement thereof; mounting hollow headers to longitudinal ends of the tubes, each header having slits engaged with a corresponding end of the tubes; and attaching end covers to both ends of the headers, each cover closing holes which open at the corresponding end of the headers.

Abstract: A dynamic test fixture has a support frame (3) whose dimensions (31) in the direction of a transverse axis (y) are smaller than a distance between the wheels of a vehicle (8). Via a first unit (71a, 71b, 71c) of a controllable adjusting device (7), the support frame (3) is displaced approximately vertically underneath the vehicle (8) so that the vehicle (8) is moved into a raised testing position. A second unit of the controllable adjusting device (7) acts on the support frame (3) in such a way that the vehicle (8) is moved into at least one position (Nx, Ny) that deviates from the horizontal position. A third unit (73) influences the support frame (3) in such a way that the vehicle (8), which it is situated in the raised testing position, is briefly rotated about a vertical axis (z). The test fixture is advantageously used to test a stabilizing system (ESP device) of the vehicle (8).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing strain-detecting devices is provided. First, plural cylindrical substrates, each of which has one end closed by a diaphragm, are fixedly placed at predetermined positions of a fixing plate. A positioning marker is previously given to the fixing plate. The fixing plate having the substrates is then assembled into a jig. The jig sustains the substrates so that an outer surface of the diaphragm of each substrate is held at the same level. Through positioning the substrates, all the diaphragms are then positioned in place in a plane direction of the fixing plate with reference to the positioning marker. A strain gage portion is simultaneously formed on each of all the diaphragms. The fixing plate is then disassembled from the jig. In this step, the substrates with the strain gage portions, i.e., strain-detecting devices, are separated from the fixing plate.

Abstract: An improved fixture and method for assembling a structure, wherein the improved fixture comprises a frame and a pair of position compliance devices. The compliance devices are attached to a selected one of the ends of the fixture frame for engagement with the arms of a selected one of a headstock and a tailstock used to rotate the fixture and structure to be assembled. The compliance devices each comprise a slidable block having a locating pin rotatably mounted therein, which enables the fixture to be accurately and removably positioned between a headstock and a tailstock, serving to reduce unwanted stress on the fixture and the structure to be assembled during rotation. Removability of the fixture and structure to be assembled facilitates convenient loading/unloading of the structure and 360 degree access to the structure and fixture by an operator.

Abstract: An inflatable bladder comprising at least one aperture and/or at least one baffle within the bladder for supporting a printed circuit board during component placement on a semiconductor substrate such as a printed circuit board is provided. The inflatable bladder is positioned to provide support for the substrate while apertures within the inflatable bladder communicate a suction force to the substrate to inhibit the substrate from bending, bowing, or flexing away from contact with the inflatable bladder during component placement. The inflatable bladder provides support for the substrate while attempting to prevent injury to components by pliably conforming to component irregularities on the back side of the substrate. The inflatable bladder can be selectively inflated or deflated for contacting the substrate and thereafter supporting the back side of the substrate during assembly operations.