Abstract: A stone catching instrument for use, for example, as a stone catching basket and a wire filter unit for medical instruments, and method for producing the same, are provided. The stone catching basket instrument has a multiwire basket unit with several wire sections connected with one another as a cohesive wire complex, the wire complex cut in one piece out of a planar material in a rosette-shape and bent to form the wire basket unit. The wire sections extend essentially radially and are cohesive with one another at their inner radial ends at a wire linkage area. The wire basket unit when in a widened condition is arranged to catch particles caught through spaces between the wire sections, and when moved to a drawn-together condition, holds particles in the wire basket unit.

Abstract: A cold worked stainless steel bezel for a portable electronic device is provided. The bezel is secured flush to a housing to form part of the case of the portable electronic device. A brace that includes a slot for receiving a wall extending from the bezel is fixed to the housing. When the bezel engages the housing, the wall of the bezel is inserted in the slot of the brace and releasably held by a spring that engages both the brace and the wall. The bezel can be released by disengaging the spring, (e.g., using a special tool or a magnetic field). Because the bezel is manufactured from cold worked stainless steel, it is hard and resistant to impacts. Cold worked steel also facilitates manufacturing within design constraints and tolerances, and requires very little machining after manufacturing to comply with those constraints. The portable electronic device may include a personal media device, a mobile telephone, or any other suitable device or combination thereof.

Abstract: A sheet of expanded metal produced by slitting a sheet of metal, and stretching along a stretching direction, which sheet of expanded metal forms a grid of openings having a first repetition length in the stretching direction and a second repetition length in the direction perpendicular to the stretching direction, wherein the first and second repetition lengths are substantially equal. A sheet of expanded metal having a stretching angle larger than 90 degrees. Use of a sheet of expanded metal according to the invention for supporting a bundle of parallel tubes. A method of manufacturing expanded metal from pre-expanded metal, wherein expansion force is applied at a plurality of points perpendicular to the stretching direction, wherein the expansion force is applied using a plurality of force transmitters co-operating with the plurality of points, and wherein the force transmitters are arranged so that they can move towards each other in the second direction while applying extension force.

Abstract: A tubing including an overlap portion formed by the first and second circumferential end portions overlapping and joined with each other, and a fluid leakage preventing member for preventing pressurized fluid from leaking from the tubing upon the tubing being subjected to hydrostatic forming. An apparatus and method for hydrostatic forming of a tubing having an overlap portion. The apparatus includes a die and a nozzle having fluid leakage preventing means for preventing the pressurized fluid supplied into the tubing from leaking from a clearance between the first and second circumferential end portions of the overlap portion of the tubing at the longitudinal end portions of the tubing.

Abstract: A continuous manufacturing system for composite aluminum panels comprises a continuous expanding device for expanding a raw material of a core and a main body of a continuous manufacturing system of composite aluminum panels. The continuous expanding device consists of a cramp for holding raw material, a raw material supplier, a number of sliding rods for sliding raw material and the core, a subsidiary cramp that reciprocates from side to side and ascends and descends on racks, a cramp for expanding a raw material and a roller running idle transferring to the main body. The main body consists of a supplying part for providing top and bottom aluminum plates, a supplying part for providing adhering materials, a combination part comprising the upper and lower rollers and a hot pressing part comprising rollers for hot pressing and supporting are provided.

Abstract: A system and method for thermally expanding a product submerged in heating medium located in an internal compartment of a microwave oven. The heating medium is subjected to low doses of micro-radiation in order to become heated and thermally expand the encapsulated product.

Abstract: A three-dimensional ornamental device adapted for rotation about an axis to produce a changing perspective that creates an interesting visual effect can be made by a process including the steps of cutting a sheet of material into a desired geometric shape, making cuts into the sheet material to form a series of disconnected adjacent strips, and bending the strips from a reference plane so that the strips are angularly spaced apart from each other.

Abstract: A system and method for thermally expanding a product submerged in heating medium located in an internal compartment of a microwave oven. The heating medium is subjected to low doses of micro-radiation in order to become heated and thermally expand the encapsulated product.

Abstract: A single step method and apparatus for the production of expanded metal mesh from deformable metal strip such as lead or lead-alloy strip for use in lead-acid battery manufacture. The apparatus comprises a pair of opposed rolls each having a plurality of spaced discs having opposite side walls and circumferential, equally spaced, convexly shaped tool surfaces alternating with substantially flat surfaces, said discs having radial notches formed in the opposite sidewalls of alternate circumferential flat surfaces, whereby peripheral surfaces of opposing rolls are adapted to interact on deformable strip passing therebetween to concurrently slit and form convex wire segments and alternate nodes in said strip by intermeshing of said shaped tool surfaces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously producing pasted positive and negative electrode plates from pasted lead or lead alloy expanded, punched or cast metal mesh strip for use in lead-acid batteries without the use of paper barriers. The heating of cutting devices such as roll-mounted die-cutters to a predetermined temperature range of at least about 150° C., preferably about 160 to 300° C., and more preferably about 180 to 210° C., eliminates sticking of the paste on the pasted metal mesh strip to the cutting devices and obviates the need for the paper barriers.

Abstract: A method of producing lead alloy strip for fabrication of positive and negative electrodes of a lead-acid battery by extruding a lead alloy at elevated temperature to produce a lead alloy strip having a desired profile and rapidly cooling the extruded strip to acquire a desired microstructure. Battery grids produced from the lead alloy strip have reduced vertical growth and enhanced resistance to corrosion.

Abstract: A high-strength steel pipe excellent in formability and burst resistance wherein, when a high-strength steel pipe exceeding 850 N/mm2 in tensile strength is produced by a UOE method, a ratio (R/r) of an average radius of curvature in a range of 120 mm in a circumferential direction including a weld of the steel pipe before pipe expansion in a pipe expansion process (R) to the radius of the steel pipe after pipe expansion (r) is 0.65 to 2.0, and preferably the ratio (R/r) is 0.90 to 2.0. Preferably, Vickers hardness of the base metal Hv, the minimum Vickers hardness at the HAZ Hz, pipe wall thickness t, and a peaking amount at the weld of the steel pipe before pipe expansion in a pipe expansion process &dgr; satisfy the following expression, (1+0.005t|&dgr;|)Hz<0.03584Hv2−25.34Hv+4712.

Abstract: Provided for herein is a method of making an expanded metal grid, comprising: compression rolling a metal strip at a reduction ratio from about 1.25 to 1, to about 25 to 1 to produce a rolled strip, heating the rolled strip at a temperature of at least about 125° C., and at most about 325° C. for at least about 30 seconds, to produce a heat treated metal strip having an equiaxial grain structure within; and expanding the heat treated metal strip to produce the expanded metal grid.

Abstract: A single step method and apparatus for the production of expanded metal mesh from deformable metal strip such as lead or lead-alloy strip for use in lead-acid battery manufacture. The apparatus comprises a pair of opposed rolls each having a plurality of spaced discs having opposite side walls and circumferential, equally spaced, convexly shaped tool surfaces alternating with substantially flat surfaces, said discs having radial notches formed in the opposite sidewalls of alternate circumferential flat surfaces, whereby peripheral surfaces of opposing rolls are adapted to interact on deformable strip passing therebetween to concurrently slit and form convex wire segments and alternate nodes in said strip by intermeshing of said shaped tool surfaces.

Abstract: A method of forming sheets of superplastically formable material into a three dimensional article, the sheets being joined together along diffusion bonds to form discrete cells, at least one gas path being provided through the bond between cells. The sheets are heated to a temperature at which they exhibit superplastic properties and a gas injected between the sheets to expand the cells, the gas paths allowing the injected gas to pass from cell to cell. The edges of the gas paths are locally heated to change the microstructure of the sheets in the edge areas, which reduces the flow resistance of the edges under superplastic forming conditions and thereby reduces the propensity of the diffusion bonds bordering the gas transfer holes to peel apart under the forces of the inert gas exerted on the sheets at the gas transfer paths.

Abstract: A single step method and apparatus for the production of expanded metal mesh from deformable metal strip such as lead or lead-alloy strip for use in lead-acid battery manufacture. The apparatus comprises a pair of opposed rolls each having a plurality of spaced discs having opposite side walls and circumferential, equally spaced, convexly shaped tool surfaces alternating with substantially flat surfaces, said discs having radial notches formed in the opposite sidewalls of alternate circumferential flat surfaces, whereby peripheral surfaces of opposing rolls are adapted to interact on deformable strip passing therebetween to concurrently slit and form convex wire segments and alternate nodes in said strip by intermeshing of said shaped tool surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating expanded and non-expanded regions on a sheet of sheet metal. The apparatus includes a programmable controller, a sheet metal feeder for incrementally advancing the sheet metal, and a cutter/expander for generating rows of expanded metal apertures. The controller selectively controls both the amount of incremental advance provided to the sheet metal by the feeder and the timing and location of the cutting and expanding provided by the cutter/expander; the combination of which creates such regions.

Abstract: A single step method and apparatus for the production of expanded metal mesh from deformable metal strip such as lead or lead-alloy strip for use in lead-acid battery manufacture. The apparatus comprises a pair of opposed rolls each having a plurality of spaced discs having opposite side walls and circumferential, equally spaced, convexly shaped tool surfaces alternating with substantially flat surfaces, said discs having radial notches formed in the opposite sidewalls of alternate circumferential flat surfaces, whereby peripheral surfaces of opposing rolls are adapted to interact on deformable strip passing therebetween to concurrently slit and form convex wire segments and alternate nodes in said strip by intermeshing of said shaped tool surfaces.

Abstract: A filling material includes a web of sheet made of metal, in particular aluminum, or of dimensionally stable flexible material, especially plastic, with the sheet being perforated with evenly spaced slits extending parallel in longitudinal direction of the band and stretched transversely to the longitudinal extension, and with the sheet profiled transversely to the longitudinal extension.

Abstract: To provide a super-high strength line pipe that is excellent in low temperature toughness, can be field welded easily, and has a tensile strength of at least 900 MPa (exceeding ×100 of the API standard), and a production method thereof. The present invention relates to a super-high strength line pipe produced by shaping a steel plate into a pipe shape and arc welding seam portions, the strength of a base steel portion is 900 to 1,100 MPa and the strength of the weld metal is higher than the base steel strength −100 MPa. In the steel pipe, the Ni content of the weld metal is higher by at least 1% than that of the base steel. The combination of the chemical components of the steel plate with those of the weld metal, for accomplishing these steel pipes by a U&O step is shown concretely. A production method of the steel plate and the welding method for achieving the steel pipe are also described.

Abstract: A core metal insert for use in a sealing assembly is disclosed. The core metal insert is manufactured by a process which includes the step of cutting a plurality of left lateral outermost inboard slits and a plurality of right lateral outermost inboard slits in a metal blank so as to create a slitted metal blank.

Abstract: A device for continuous production of foil expanded metal comprising a cutting unit for continuous production of parallel, staggered longitudinal cuts in the foil, and an expansion unit for expanding the foil with the cuts perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the foil, the expansion unit provided with toothed belts which grasp both edges of the foil, in addition to a running body which is arranged therebetween to expand the foil running thereon. The configuration of the device is such that a toothed belt and a toothed wheel interacting therewith at a given angle are assigned to each foil edge, the edge of the foil is grasped between the toothed belt and the toothed wheel within an input and an output point. The toothed wheels are inclined in relation to each other so that their distance perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the foil increases at the contact angle in the longitudinal direction of the foil.

Abstract: A process for producing supporting frameworks for electrodes of galvanic elements, in the form of plates which include expanded metal, including providing a metal strip with incisions in the conveying direction, expanding the metal strip substantially transversely to the incisions, pressing/flattening the expanded metal in a region of the strip selected for cuts to be made transversely to the conveying direction, and dividing the strip by cutting in the region.

Abstract: The method comprises the steps of: moving a strip through an expansion machine having at least one expansion punching tool and an associated complementary tool or matrix, causing the expansion machine to operate in synchronism with the movement of the strip so as to form a grid strip having an non-expanded central portion and two longitudinal grid portions adjacent the central portion, and forming, in the non-expanded central band, a plurality of openings or windows separated by transverse bridges which are to form the connection appendages or lugs of the plates. These openings or windows are formed, in the expansion machine, by punches operated in phase with the operation of the expansion punching tool.

Abstract: A superplastically formed, diffusion bonded sandwich structure having integral metal hardpoints, made by joining two superplastic metal core sheets together into a core pack by welding or diffusion bonding along a pattern of lines which form junction lines between the core sheets when the pack is inflated by gas pressure at superplastic temperatures. Face sheets are laid under and over the core pack and metal inserts are interposed between the face sheets and the core. All of the sheets in the pack are sealed together around an outside peripheral edge to create a gas tight envelope. The pack is heated to superplastic temperatures in a cavity in a die, and the top and bottom face sheets are diffusion bonded to top and bottom surfaces of the metal insert by application of heat and pressure from top and bottom inner surfaces of the die cavity.

Abstract: A core metal insert for use in a sealing assembly is disclosed. The core metal insert is manufactured by a process which includes the step of cutting a plurality of left lateral outermost inboard slits and a plurality of right lateral outermost inboard slits in a metal blank so as to create a slitted metal blank.

Abstract: An expandable metal product for use in extinguishing fires and in the prevention of or protection against explosions. The product is a continuous sheet of material having discontinuous slits in spaced apart lines parallel to each other but transverse to the longitudinal dimension of the sheet. The invention is also directed to the expanded form of the product, either in sheets which may be used for preventing fires or explosion or in the form of shaped ellipsoids for use in a passive inerting system for fuel tanks, as flame arresters, as anti-explosion barriers, and as shields against mechanical impact.

Abstract: Methods and articles for fabricating expansive stents having generally cylindrical configurations with a pattern therein include interconnecting portions from a generally planar sheet of material with a central portion. A pattern is formed in the sheet of material around said central portion corresponding to said pattern having interconnecting portions. The pattern has a generally circular outer margin. The pattern is separated from the sheet of material and causes relative movement between the central portion of the pattern and the outer circular margin in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the central portion. The pattern is transformed from one sheet form into one in cylindrical form to provide an expansible stent having a generally cylindrical configuration.

Abstract: The method comprises the steps of: moving a strip through an expansion machine having at least one expansion punching tool and an associated complementary tool or matrix, causing the expansion machine to operate in synchronism with the movement of the strip so as to form a grid strip having an non-expanded central band or portion and two longitudinal grid portions adjacent the central band or portion, and forming, in the non-expanded central band, a plurality of openings or windows separated by transverse bridges which are to form the connection appendages or lugs of the plates. These openings or windows are formed, in the expansion machine, by punches operated in phase with the operation of the expansion punching tool.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for an expanded grid includes the steps of: (a) supplying a thin plate of band form from the longitudinal direction, (b) forming a plurality of intermittent cuts parallel to the edge in a first region, excluding the central portion, of the thin plate of band form, (c) bending the central portion at a desired angle, and (d) expanding and developing the cuts in the width direction, while moving sequentially in the longitudinal direction the thin plate having the first region forming the plurality of cuts and the central portion not having the cuts, in which the first track distance of the outermost side portion of the first region having the cuts developed and formed is nearly the same distance as the track distance of the central portion. The plane distortion of the grid is eliminated, the width dimension of the grid is stable, and the quality of the electrode plate using such grid is enhanced. Further, local stress concentration of the grid is suppressed.

Abstract: An expandable metal product for use in extinguishing fires and in the prevention of or protection against explosions. The product is a continuous sheet of material having discontinuous slits in spaced apart lines parallel to each other but transverse to the longitudinal dimension of the sheet. The invention is also directed to the expanded form of the product, either in sheets which may be used for preventing fires or explosion or in the form of shaped ellipsoids for use in a passive inerting system for fuel tanks, as flame arresters, as anti-explosion barriers, and as shields against mechanical impact.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a bushing baseplate, and to a bushing baseplate. The bushing baseplate is characterized in that it comprises tips (18) constituted by hollow tubular elements of outside diameter slightly smaller than the inside diameter of holes (16) in the plate (12) forming the bushing baseplate, which tips are subjected to a step of being expanded radially relative to their axes. The method is simpler and less expensive.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a reticulating machine (39) for simultaneously producing in metal sheet (2) of strip form a plurality of slits (67) disposed in a continuous and zigzag arrangement extending in the lengthwise direction thereof, and an expanding machine (40) for expanding in the lateral direction the metal sheet (2) in which slits (67) have been formed in order to produce a lozenge-shaped mesh configuration. The expanding machine (40) comprises two endless conveyor elements (44) disposed at the two lateral edges of the metal sheet (2), chuck members (47), a plurality of which are provided in an equally-spaced arrangement to the endless conveyor elements (44), and a center guide member (91) for conveying the metal sheet (2) while guiding the transverse central portion such that it is deflected to one side in the direction of thickness of the metal sheet (2).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing expanded mesh sheets provides for forming fine slits in a metal sheet at a slit section by plate cutters, but excluding portions in a center and both sides in a widthwise direction of the metal sheet. The areas where the slits have been formed are drawn out at an expanding section thereby opening the slits and obtaining a mesh sheet which has solid portions in the central portion and on both sides. The mesh sheet is flattened at a rolling device to obtain the expanded mesh sheet. An electrode sheet is prepared by applying an active material onto mesh portions of the expanded mesh sheet, and collectors for a battery are cut out from the electrode sheet such that lead connecting portions thereof are located at the solid portion of the mesh sheet where there are no openings.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing interlocking sheet metal floor members for use in a grain storage bin or like application requiring passage of fluid through the floor members without permitting passage of granular material therethrough. The method comprises the steps of forming a first interlocking section on a first side edge of a strip of sheet metal and a second interlocking section on a second side of the strip of sheet metal; shearing, opening and corrugating the strip of sheet metal in one roll forming stand which utilizes a pair of shearing and corrugation rollers, wherein the shearing step includes shearing rows of slits across a width of a central portion of the strip of sheet metal, wherein the opening step includes opening the slits to permit fluid flow therethrough, and wherein the corrugating step includes corrugating the strip of sheet metal along each of the series of the slits; and cutting the strip of sheet metal at selected transverse locations to form the sheet metal floor members.