Abstract: A workpiece-positioning device includes a workpiece holder of holding a workpiece, a workpiece holder up/down mechanism of moving the workpiece holder up and down, and a free pallet movement mechanism of freely moving a pallet parallel to a reference plane to shift the pallet to a position where the workpiece held by the workpiece holder is lowered so that a positioning pin of the pallet is inserted into a positioning hole made in the workpiece.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for servicing a turbine component is provided where the apparatus includes a bench member configured to receive the turbine component and at least one clamping device extending from the bench member to secure the turbine component. The apparatus further includes a bracket coupled to the bench member, wherein the bracket is configured to be coupled to a stand and to support the bench member and turbine component.

Abstract: A device for gripping a cable includes a device body, one or more gripping elements, and a gripping element housing configured to support the one or more gripping elements. The gripping element housing is rotatably coupled to the device body such that rotation of the gripping element housing relative to the device body about a longitudinal axis causes the one or more gripping elements to move radially relative to the longitudinal axis. The gripping elements may be configured such that they do not rotate relative to the gripping element housing. The gripping elements may also be configured such that they move only in a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis, or alternatively such that they move both radially and longitudinally relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for frame fabrication includes at least one nail gun (15) adapted to fire nails substantially in a selected plane of the frame (2). The nail gun (15) translates vertically and is configured with a control input device (19) activated by an operator which extends substantially across the width of the frame fabrication apparatus.

Abstract: A method supports a tire building assembly. The method comprises the steps of: supporting one end portion of a radially collapsible building drum for assembling a green tire; moving the end portion in a first direction by an actuator acting in the first direction; and moving the end portion in a second direction by the actuator acting in the first direction.

Abstract: A processing apparatus for container blanks, with a machine bed, a feed device for feeding container blanks, a discharge device for removal of container blanks, a rotatably mounted rotary worktable with several locating devices designed for conveyance of container blanks along a circular orbit section shaped conveyance path, wherein the conveyance path determines a first circle segment shaped surface section, several operating devices lying opposite the rotary worktable in the radial direction, and at least one conveyor designed for conveyance of components of container blanks and/or for container blanks along a conveyor section between a component mounting and an assigned operating device. The component mounting of the conveyor is located in a second circle segment shaped surface section, which supplements the first surface section determined by the circular orbit section shaped conveyance path to make a full circle.

Abstract: A clamping attachment for assisting in securing a small tire rim to a tire-mounting machine having a plurality of clamping members is provided. The clamping attaching includes a first portion having a lip and a recess for providing clamping forces to a tire rim. The attachment also includes second and third portions for aiding in attaching the attachment to existing clamping members of a tire-mounting machine. The clamping attachments are used with tires having smaller diameters than what the tire-mounting machines are capable of securing to the tabletop under normal operating conditions. The attachments are configured to be quickly added to the machines to provide for securing the rims to the machine in order to add or remove a tire from the rim.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing an article, a carrier including the apparatus, and a method involving the apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus includes a base having a channel and a pivot post, an engagement member for selectively engaging the article, a rotatable actuation member having a pivot feature corresponding to the pivot post, and a positioning member secured to the base. The engagement member is slidably positionable in the channel of the base, the positioning member establishes travel limits for the rotatable actuation member, and the positioning member urges the engagement member toward the article. Rotation of the rotatable actuation member slides the engagement member along the channel of the base, thereby securing the article by the force provided by the positioning member.

Abstract: A multi-generational carrier platform is configured to carry substrate carriers of different sizes depending on processing needs. Multiple carrier adaptors are provided on one side of a support plate, and substrate carriers can be distributed among the carrier adaptors to mount a maximum number of substrates under the constraint of non-overlap of the substrates and the substrate carriers. The multi-generational carrier platform can be configured to provide rotation to each substrate carrier mounted thereupon, and is compatible with chemical mechanical planarization processes that require rotation of substrates against an abrasive surface. The multi-generational carrier platform facilitates maximum utilization of a processing area provided by a tool configured to process substrates of different sizes.

Abstract: A device for forming a reduced chamber space, which is a process box or a process hood, containing an apparatus, which positions at least two multilayer bodies each including a surface to be processed, wherein the apparatus is designed such that the multilayer bodies are opposite to each other, wherein the surfaces to be processed are facing away from each other such that the multilayer bodies can be processed as a multilayer body arrangement in a processing system. In addition, a method for positioning the two multilayer bodies comprising a surface to be processed, with the two multilayer bodies disposed in such a device such that multilayer bodies are opposite each other, wherein the surfaces to be processed are facing away from each other, such that the multilayer bodies are processable as a multilayer body arrangement in a processing system.

Abstract: A multi-generational carrier platform is configured to carry substrate carriers of different sizes depending on processing needs. Multiple carrier adaptors are provided on one side of a support plate, and substrate carriers can be distributed among the carrier adaptors to mount a maximum number of substrates under the constraint of non-overlap of the substrates and the substrate carriers. The multi-generational carrier platform can be configured to provide rotation to each substrate carrier mounted thereupon, and is compatible with chemical mechanical planarization processes that require rotation of substrates against an abrasive surface. The multi-generational carrier platform facilitates maximum utilization of a processing area provided by a tool configured to process substrates of different sizes.

Abstract: A method of positioning metal plate in preparation for welding. A first metal plate is provided with at least one integrally formed protruding ear positioned along a peripheral edge of the first metal plate. Each ear has a retainer receiving opening. A second metal plate is provided with at least one ear receiving opening extending through the second metal plate from a first face to a second face. The ear of the first metal plate is inserted through the ear receiving opening of the second metal plate. A pressure exerting retainer is then inserted into the retainer receiving opening of the ear to prevent the ear from being withdrawn from the ear receiving opening and to draw the first metal plate and the second metal plate together in preparation for welding.

Abstract: A wet etching apparatus and a wet etching method for etching a glass substrate are disclosed. The wet etching apparatus comprises a driving device, a supporting stage, a vibrating device and a substrate fixing rack. The glass substrate is fixed at the top of the substrate fixing rack and a bottom portion of the substrate fixing rack is connected with the vibrating device; the vibrating device is fixed on the supporting stage to drive the substrate fixing rack to reciprocate; and the supporting stage is disposed on the driving device and moves along with the driving device. According to the present disclosure, by controlling the vibrating device to drive the glass substrate to reciprocate in a direction where it is desired to accelerate the etching speed, the probability that the etched material interacts with the etching solution can be enhanced to increase the side etching rate.

Abstract: The invention relates to an attaching device, an arrangement and a method for attaching an object to be worked to a working base. The attaching device comprises: a first holder in the first end of the attaching device for attaching the attaching device to the working base or to another attaching device or to the object to be worked; a second holder in the second end of the attaching device for attaching the attaching device to the working base or to another attaching device or to the object to be worked; and a controller for controlling the holding forces produced by the first and second holders.

Abstract: A substrate support for supporting a substrate in a processing chamber comprises a frame for carrying the substrate, at least a first fastening means fixedly attached to the frame for aligning the substrate relative to the frame, and at least a second fastening means movably attached to the frame, the second fastening means being movable relative to the frame and/or the substrate. Furthermore, a processing device comprises an edge exclusion projecting over a portion of the surface of the substrate in order to prevent processing of the portion of the surface of the substrate. A part of the edge exclusion may be moved into a gap between the edge(s) of the substrate and the frame element of the substrate support to form a labyrinth seal between the frame element and the edge of the substrate. A method of placing the substrate on the substrate support is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for horizontal assembly of a high-voltage feed-through bushing includes vertically-assembling a field shaper assembly of a high-voltage feed-through bushing on a field shaper fixture. The field shaper assembly is then rotated within the field shaper fixture such that the field shaper assembly is oriented on a horizontal axis. Next, an insulator tube fixture supporting an insulator tube assembly is positioned adjacent to the field shaper fixture. The insulator tube assembly, being oriented on the same horizontal axis as the field shaper assembly, is then affixed to field shaper assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for providing a spray gun (1) in a washing space (2) in a spray gun washing device (3), said spray gun comprising a paint passage (7) with a paint inlet (8). The washing space (2) comprises at least one cleaning nozzle (4) and an attachment surface (10). The cleaning nozzle (4) communicates with a cleaning medium system (5). The attachment surface (10) in the washing space (2) is configured to receive a spray gun (1) with a spray gun holder (9) since the position of the spray gun in the washing space is variable depending on the position of a paint inlet (8) of the spray gun relative to the position of the cleaning nozzle (4) in the washing space. The invention also relates to a spray gun washing device (3) comprising said characterizing features for cleaning the spray gun (1) which during cleaning is provided in said spray gun holder (9).

Abstract: A temporary magnetic affixing device (100) is provided. The temporary affixing device (100) includes a base portion (102) having a first surface (114) and a second surface (112). The first surface (114) of the base portion (102) includes a magnetic device (124) attached thereto. A holding handle (138) is rotatably disposed on the base portion (102).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the fabrication and/or repair of an integrally bladed rotor, specifically of an integrally bladed gas turbine rotor, is disclosed. At least one rotor blade is joined to a main rotor body for fabrication and/or repair. The joining is carried out by diffusion welding.

Abstract: A drawing apparatus which performs a drawing process on a substrate includes a holding plate having a holding surface configured to be opposed a back surface of the substrate, a vacuum suction port formed in the holding surface and configured to attract the substrate to the holding surface by vacuum suction, and a plurality of Bernoulli suction ports formed in the holding surface and configured to attract the substrate to the holding surface by Bernoulli suction. The holding surface includes a circular region disposed concentrically with the center of the holding surface, and an annular region disposed concentrically with the circular region. At least one of the Bernoulli suction ports is disposed in the circular region, and at least one of the Bernoulli suction ports is disposed in the annular region.

Abstract: A holding apparatus for holding at least one tube clamp on a medical tube, the tube clamp including at least one, usually two, clamping section(s) for altering a luminal cross-section of a medical tube during use, includes at least one receiving structure for detachably receiving at least one section of the tube clamp. A medical tube with at least one holding apparatus as well as a method for sterilizing a medical tube are also described.

Abstract: The method includes the steps of positioning a workpiece with a centering surface on a centering clamping member of a chuck, pressing a radial contact surface of the workpiece against a clamping surface of the chuck with a first force, centering the workpiece by clamping the centering clamping member against the centering surface, and pressing the radial contact surface of the workpiece against the clamping surface of the chuck with a second force, the second force being greater than the first force.

Abstract: A support system for a semiconductor device during a wire or ribbon bonding operation is provided. The support system includes a body portion defining an upper surface. The upper surface has an upper surface contact region configured to support at least a portion of a lower surface of a semiconductor device at a lower surface contact region during a wire or ribbon bonding operation. The support system also includes a plurality of protrusions on the upper surface contact region.

Abstract: A clamping insert for cell culture includes: a lower support having: i. a hollow member sized to be engaged in a well of a microplate, the hollow member being open at both its ends and including a support surface at one of its ends, ii. first tightening elements, an inner holder sized to be fitted inside the hollow member, and including second tightening elements arranged to cooperate with the first tightening elements of the hollow member to tighten reversibly between the inner holder and the support surface of the lower support a porous substrate, the inner holder including an opened channel keeping free the porous substrate; retaining elements intended to cooperate with the well of the microplate to allow the clamping insert to be suspended in the well, sealing elements to hermetically seal the contact area between the clamping insert and the porous substrate.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention disclose an exposure apparatus and a method of tuning parameters of a chuck, which may reduce a time taken to level the chuck by previously tuning parameters of the chuck. The method of tuning parameters of a chuck includes detecting a tilt component of the chuck, performing chuck tilt adjustment to minimize the tilt component of the chuck, and tuning the parameters of the chuck if a residual tilt component is present after performing the chuck tilt adjustment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fixture and method for mounting a head window to a frame for use in a submarine periscope system. The fixture supports the head window during the potting of the head window to the frame. A spring-loaded clamping plate is mountable to a baseplate for relative movement therebetween. The clamping assembly has an oval recessed portion. A plurality of spaced apart feet are formed within the oval. The feet support and are bonded to the head window. Shim stock are placed between the feet to define a critical gap.

Abstract: A method of loading an article, such as a self-expanding stent, into a structure, such as a delivery catheter, including the steps of chilling the article to a predetermined temperature, reducing article size a predetermined amount, inserting fluid into the article, whereby the fluid forms a substantially solid plug with respect to the article, and moving the frozen article. Also provided is an apparatus for loading an article into a structure including: an article size reduction element, a chiller connected to the size reduction element, a cold source communicatively connected to the chiller, and a fluid supply communicatively connected to the size reduction element.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and a device for titling, which can achieve automatic correction when deviation occurs between a real titling position of a product to be titled and a preset titling position, so as to avoid an ID shift phenomenon, and thus ensure accuracy of titling positions and improve titling efficiency. The titling method provided in the present disclosure comprises: determining a real titling position of a product to be titled; comparing the real titling position with a preset titling position; and titling the product to be titled in accordance with the comparison result.

Abstract: A method for holding a plastic fastener on a holding device in a position for transfer to an assembly tool, the method comprising the steps of: locating the fastening element in proximity to the holding device and oriented so that a thin wall on the fastener is aligned with the axis of a projecting needle on the holding device; pressing the fastening element and the holding device together; piercing the thin wall with the projecting needle; forming an opening through the thin wall; and frictionally engaging the needle with the thin wall edge that defines the opening to thereby hold the fastener on the holding device in the transfer position.

Abstract: A device for holding a bit for a tool, the bit to be disassembled and/or re-assembled when held, includes a housing to be secured to a stationary base and a clamping mechanism for releasably clamping the bit to the housing so that it may be disassembled and/or re-assembled, the clamping mechanism including a recess provided in the housing, a movable gripping element arranged inside the recess and having a first gripping area for engaging the bit part, and a stationary gripping element, the gripping element having a second gripping area for engaging a bit part, wherein the movable gripping element is configured to be moved between an open position wherein the stationary gripping element and the movable gripping element are spaced to allow to receive or to remove the bit part and a clamping position wherein the bit part is clamped between first and second gripping areas of the gripping elements.

Abstract: Methods and systems, in one embodiment, are described related to a chuck with a plurality of vacuum grooves on a surface. Each single vacuum groove of the plurality of vacuum grooves has a single port connected with a single vacuum line coupled to a vacuum source. The single vacuum line is not shared with another groove and a restriction is applied to the single vacuum line in order to isolate each single vacuum groove.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a substrate frame suction apparatus includes a body having at least one top-side opened chamber, a suction plate to cover a top of the at least one chamber, and a pressure adjustment device connected to the at least one chamber and configured to adjust a pressure in the at least one chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating a workpiece has first and second regions at least partially enclosed by a casing and in communication via a passage, and support means for a carrier holding the workpiece in the first region for treatment. Pressure difference between the regions forces the workpiece toward the carrier and guides a flow of media from the first to the second region through the passage, at least partly, to create said pressure difference. Method for treating at least one workpiece holds the workpiece by forcing it toward the carrier with a created pressure difference between two regions. Holding also guides a flow of media from the first region to the second region through the passage in order to, at least partly, create said pressure difference. The treatment may comprise blasting, rinsing or drying. The workpiece may comprise cutting inserts, electronic components, small sized machined or formed components or parts.

Abstract: A manufacturing system includes a configurable positioning apparatus and machining system for processing a workpiece retained by the positioning apparatus. The positioning apparatus has different configurations for retaining different types of workpieces, such as panels, fuselages, airfoil skins, and engine housings. The positioning apparatus includes a first support rail and a second support rail spaced apart from the first support rail. The first and second support rails support a plurality of stackable headers that cooperate to position the workpiece. The headers have adjustable heights along their lengths in order to accommodate the shape of the workpiece.

Abstract: Inflatable rings for supporting friction welding workpieces, and associated systems and methods. A support assembly for joining multiple workpieces in a representative embodiment includes a carriage and a generally ring-shaped support member that in turn includes a body and at least one inflatable member carried by the body and positioned to expand from a first configuration to a second configuration.

Abstract: The invention is a clamping plate used to stiffen and hold a large, thin workpiece having low inherent stiffness. The clamping plate has a back layer, an intermediate layer and a contact layer. A plurality of grooves, which serve as air channels, is provided in the contact layer and the intermediate layer impart flexibility to the clamping plate. The clamping plate has sufficient flexibility to adapt to the specified contour of the workpiece. The contact layer is placed against the workpiece and vacuum apparatus provides suction through the air channels, which are in flow communication with each other between the two layers, to hold the workpiece against the clamping plate. One or more seals defines a holding area on the contact layer and prevent loss of suction.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes removable faces for jaws in machine vise which are able to grip a work-piece with great stability, accuracy, and reproducibility. Embodiments include multiple gripping features so the gripping surface easily can be renewed by demounting and reversing a worn face to a new face. Embodiments include the ability to of the claw jaws to be mounted on any fixed or moveable vise station to use the entire clamping range of the machine vise. Embodiments are disclosed which are used with round or curved as well as flat work-pieces. Embodiments also include flat surfaced claw jaws which may be used to grip a work-piece for secondary machining to remove indentations from the work-piece.

Abstract: Method for mounting an optical lens (10) to be polished on a spindle (20) of a polishing device, the optical lens (10) comprising a first and a second main surface (101, 102), the method comprising: an optical lens (10) providing step (S1), in which an optical lens (10) whose first main surface (101) is to be polished is provided, a mounting step (S2), in which the optical lens (10) is mounted on the spindle (20), wherein, the mounting step (S2) further comprises a support device positioning step (S3), in which a support device (30) is positioned between the spindle (20) and the second surface (102) of the optical lens (10) so as to be rotated by the spindle (20) and to have a contact surface (31) partly in contact with the second main surface (102) of the optical lens (10) that partly extends beyond the second main surface (102) of the optical lens (10).

Abstract: A method for mounting, on a motor vehicle, underbody elements and a technical front surface designed to be mounted at one end of a front structural element of the vehicle including side-members. The technical front surface is positioned on one of the underbody elements; the technical front surface is pivoted about a transverse axis from a position wherein it extends substantially transversely to a position wherein it is titled forward; the underbody elements and the tilted technical front surface are moved vertically downwards up to the vehicle; and the technical front surface is folded down from its tilted position to its normal position wherein it is opposite the structural element of the vehicle.

Abstract: A clamping system includes a housing, a clamping lever pivotally coupled relative to the housing, a clamping arm pivotally coupled relative to the housing and the clamping lever, and an expandable link coupled to the clamping arm. The clamping lever and the clamping arm are rotatable from an open position to a closed position. A method of mounting a device on a substrate using the clamping system is also provided.

Abstract: A spin chuck and a process of operating the same display improved resistance to backsplash by provision of a media collecting ring mounted on the spin chuck. The media collecting ring surrounds a wafer to be processed and includes a radially-inwardly extending upper portion having an obliquely-angled downwardly-facing surface positioned above an upper surface of a wafer held in the device. The device moreover includes a stationary chamber surrounding the spin chuck equipped with at least two superposed collecting baffles. During treatment, liquid collected by the media collecting ring is preferably discharged radially outwardly through a series of holes formed in the ring, so as to pass between a pair of the superposed collecting baffles of the chamber.

Abstract: A tool for holding a belt of an engine during belt replacement. The tool includes a base and a belt holding portion. A magnet can be included in a magnet receiving portion of the base so that the tool can be coupled to the pulley. The tool may also be clipped to the pulley so that the belt can be held in place during replacement. The belt holding portion may also be curved similar to the curvature of the pulley.

Abstract: A wire saw work piece support device (200) has a support surface (214, 314) adapted for supporting a work piece (100) being sawed by a wire saw (1) during sawing, the support surface (214, 314) defining a support plane. The wire saw work piece support device comprises: a solid support body (210); and at least one wire receiving volume (220, 230) for receiving therein a wire (10) of the wire saw 1 during sawing, the at least one wire receiving volume (220, 230) having a work piece side delimited by the support plane, and a base side delimited by a surface portion (224) of the solid support body (210), wherein the at least one wire receiving volume (220, 230) has a thickness between the work piece side and the base side of at least 60 mm in a direction orthogonal to the support plane.

Abstract: A method for repairing a turbine blade for a gas turbine engine is provided. The method includes securing the blade into a clamping fixture, obtaining a zero reference from a gauging surface on the clamping fixture, coupling the clamping fixture to a grinding machine, and grinding the blade based on the zero reference.

Abstract: This machine generally is an apparatus for preparing rolls of previously wound material for an unwinding machine. More particularly industrial robots are used to improve the apparatus onto which rolls of sheet form material and the like can be loaded in preparation for unwinding and then, when a previously loaded roll has been unwound, disposing of the remaining core. The robots are programmable robots including a means for engaging the transfer plug and placing the plug into the tubular core of a large roll.

Abstract: A semi-automatic loader for needle boards (2) includes a filling device (51)that presents felting needles (17) arranged at a ratio that is consistent with the ratio of holes of a needle board. A machine operator can then grasp the felting 5 needles (17) by use of a multiple collet chuck (45) and set them in groups in the rows of holes of the needle board (2). This provides a loading method featuring extremely high productivity.

Abstract: An assembly fixture allows for the incorporation of a decorative trim piece into an encapsulated window assembly. A method of utilizing the assembly fixture to incorporate the decorative trim piece into the vehicle window assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A keypad assembly, and an associated method, is constructed in a manner to permit application of a finish, such as a decoration or painting, to any desired portion of the keys of the assembly, including at interstitial portions between adjacent keys. The keypad assembly includes a carrier membrane upon which keys forming a keypad array and key membrane pieces are supported. The carrier membrane is wrapped about a cylindrical fixture to position all portions of the keys in orientations to permit application of the finish thereto.

Abstract: A portable electrostatic chuck carrier includes a holder having a dielectric top surface, and bipolar electrodes under the dielectric top surface. The bipolar electrodes includes positive electrodes and negative electrodes electrically insulated from the positive electrodes. The positive electrodes and the negative electrodes are allocated in an alternating pattern in a plane substantially parallel to the dielectric top surface.

Abstract: A case clamp is used to properly align two or more cabinet sides and/or gable ends, such as those of European-style cabinet units. The clamp comprises a frame with an upper jaw, a lower jaw, and an alignment wall connected to the upper and lower jaws. The clamp further includes an upper engagement member associated with the upper jaw for movement in a first direction and a side engagement member associated with the lower jaw for movement in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction. Corners of the workpieces are placed adjacent to each other and the clamp is applied to the corners. The engagement members are advanced to press the corners into alignment with each other. A surface of the clamp frame also provides an alignment function, resulting in three-dimensional alignment of the workpieces.