Abstract: A fugitive pattern of an article to be investment cast wherein the pattern includes a plurality of locator embossments disposed in an array to provide a datum reference system by which the pattern can be held and positioned by a manipulator, such as for example a gripper device to a computer controlled robotic device, for assembly with another component of the pattern assembly. The datum embossments are located on a portion of the pattern that will be removed from the final metallic casting made to replicate the pattern. The casting includes integral cast datum embossments thereon by which the casting can be held and positioned.

Abstract: A joint for joining a first metal sheet (10) to a second metal sheet (30) comprises a plurality of projections (18) on the edge (12) of the first metal sheet (10). The projections (18) are symmetrical about a plane extending perpendicularly to the plane of the first metal sheet (10). The symmetrical projections (18) are rotatable about an axis (X), the axis (X) is arranged in the plane of the first metal sheet (10) and in the plane extending perpendicularly to the first metal sheet (10). A plurality of slots (32) are provided through the second metal sheet (30). The symmetrical projections (18) extend through the slots (32) in the second metal sheet (30) and the symmetrical projections (18) are rotated such that the symmetrical projections (18) are arranged in the plane perpendicular to the plane of the first metal sheet (10) to clamp the second metal sheet (30) between the edge (12) of the first metal sheet (10) and symmetrical projections (18).

Abstract: In a hemming structure of metal plate material with an edge portion (7) of an outer panel (6) hemmed over an edge portion (2) of an inner panel (1), the edge portion (2) of the inner panel (1) has an inside rise portion (3) having a surface plane (3′) down-sloping towards an edge (4) thereof and the edge portion (7) of the outer panel (6) has an outside rise portion (8) telescopically fitted with the inside rise portion (3), a back plane (8′) of the outside rise portion (8) abutting on the surface plane (3′) of the inside rise portion (3).

Abstract: A tailored blank is provided by welding a pair of constituent parts to one another in juxtaposition. The parts are laser welded together to form a unitary blank that is subsequently formed into a shaped finished component.

Abstract: A method of repairing cracks, imperfections, and the like in a cast article. A frusto-conical aperture is created in the article in the location of the crack or imperfection. A mating tapered plug is prepared such that the tapered plug can fit into the aperture so that the sloped side walls of the tapered plug evenly and unilaterally rest on frusto-conical sides of the aperture. The tapered plug is disposed into the aperture, and bonding material is applied between the surfaces of the tapered plug and the aperture, before or after insertion of the tapered plug into the aperture. The article is thereafter heated such that the bonding material joins the surfaces of the tapered plug and the aperture. The outer end of the tapered plug thereafter is polished so that such outer end is approximately level with the article's outer side in a refinement of the invention, the plug member may be pushed into the aperture such that a controlled interference fit is produced.

Abstract: Method of producing a blank for manufacturing a single-headed piston having a head portion and a neck portion formed integrally with the head portion, for engagement with a drive member, the method including: a step of manufacturing a body member including a twin neck section and two cylindrical hollow head sections formed integrally with the twin neck section so as to extend from opposite ends of the twin neck section, the twin neck section consisting of two portions which are mutually integrally formed in series with each other and which correspond to the neck portions of respective two single-headed pistons, each hollow head section being open at at least one of opposite ends thereof which is remote from the twin neck section; a step of manufacturing two closing members each for closing an open end of the corresponding hollow head section; and a step of fixing each closing member to the body member, so as to close the open end of the corresponding hollow head section.

Abstract: A hollow profile having at least one laterally protruding flange and a method for the production thereof. The hollow profile having a hollow profile blank and a sheet metal strip. The hollow profile blank and the sheet metal strip each having a joining element and being adapted to be joined in a locking relationship. Wherein a hydraulic internal high pressure is generated within the hollow-profile blank and the joining element of the hollow-profile blank is shaped, whereby a non-releasable clamping action is formed between the joining elements of the hollow profile blank and the sheet metal strip.

Abstract: A coating aluminized steel sheet suitable for fuel tanks, which comprises (a) a steel sheet, (b) an aluminized-plating layer formed on one or both sides of the steel sheet and based on aluminum or an aluminum alloy containing 2-15 wt% silicon, and (c) a coating layer formed on at least one of the aluminizing layers and selected from the group consisting of i) a resin chromate film having a film thickness of 0.1-2 &mgr;m and containing a resin and a chromic acid compound, with the resin/metal chromium weight ratio in the range of 0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a façade system with a translucent porous insulating material of mineral or organic fibers for passive solar energy utilization, the insulating material having on the outside a colored layer (2) for design purposes and for controlling the light transmittance. The façade system is formed from a multiplicity of preferably factory-prefabricated façade insulating boards (1). The colored layer (2) can, moreover, be designed in such a way that it protrudes beyond the insulating layer along two board edges (3, 4). Consequently, when the façade insulating boards (1) are applied to the building wall, the abutting edges in the region of the joins between neighboring insulating boards are covered by the overlapping protruding colored layer (2).

Abstract: A structure and a method of making a burner box by providing a U-shaped body with end members. The end members each rest on an end of the body and of the U-shape body. The ends are welded to the end members to the U-shaped body by a tungsten arc gas welding process whereby the end members are welded to the U-shape body and the edges are catalyzed in the weld. The end members overlaps the U-shape body by about half the thickness of the body to provide a filler material for the weld. A tab is integrally attached to each side of each of the end members. The tab rests on flanges and are catalyzed in the weld.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the application of a liner material which is corrosion resistant to a strong and tough core aluminum alloy which has been grooved out creating a liner bed resulting in an Alclad structure.

Abstract: Methods for casting thin-walled structural elements made of alloy for automobile bodies using the diecasting, thixocasting, or thixoforming methods, as well as corresponding structural elements are described. In order to produce by these methods in particular body side wall parts including the A, B and C pillars, the castings are cast in several casting slices. The casting slices of a casting are cast, staggered timewise in succession using the same method and from the same alloy but in different casting molds or different parts of a casting mold. At the seams, the casting slices are cast together along a defined shapewise contour. The casting slices can be case together indirectly with interposition of a separate seam strip. However, they can also be cast onto one another, with an already cast first casting slice being placed in a second casting mold and cast together therein with the second casting slice.

Abstract: A message board comprising a bulletin board fixedly mounted on a backing of heavy cardboard or other substrate, and an optional dry-erase laminate fixedly mounted onto the bulletin board. A frame is fixedly secured to the edges of the bulletin board and backing. The frame is provided with a front channel and a rear channel, each adapted to receive and firmly retain a portion of a generally “C”-shaped grip. The grip may be integrally formed with various accessories desired to be attached to the frame of the message board or other similarly shaped fixed member.

Abstract: A composite wire for the manufacture of semifinished products to be subjected to an emptying process in the field of goldsmithery. The wire comprises a support core developing essentially along one of its longitudinal axes in a nonprecious metal that is removable by chemical or electrochemical means as well as a plurality of sections in precious metal having an essentially longitudinal development of which at least a portion of each one is radially engaged in the core.

Abstract: A formed part having a multiple-plate structure of zonal design includes a base plate and a plurality of reinforcing plates fastened to the base plate. The multiple-plate structure is configured so that its strength is largely adapted to the load profile to be applied to the formed part and so that its cost of production is reduced. To this end, the thicknesses of the reinforcing plates vary as a function of the load structure to be applied to the formed part and the reinforcing plates engage each other in a positive locking manner so that the abutting edges are provided essentially with regularly arranged projections which are in mutual engagement.

Abstract: A puncture, pierce, and cut resistant fabric comprised of a plurality of sheets of solid objects arranged in a repeating pattern. The solid objects are connected so that they are slideable relative to one another. Each sheet is in a stacked arrangement with the other sheets and are slideably interconnected to one another. Rivets are placed through apertures formed in or between the solid objects to hold the fabric together and to provide the slideable interconnection between the sheets. An interconnecting material interconnects the sheets of solid objects. An interconnecting material of elastomer returns the sheets from a stretched position to a compressed position. The fabric is formed with a means for limiting the movement of the solid objects relative to one another a predetermined amount, such as an elastomeric material inherently stretchable to a predetermined limit. The fabric is twistable, bendable, and stretchable.

Abstract: A B-channel for use in a damper frame or sleeve is disclosed which is formed from a blank of sheet metal. The blank has a rectangular barrier wall, a pair of side walls formed along two opposing edges and end walls formed along opposing edges of the barrier wall. The side walls and end walls are folded perpendicularly to the barrier wall and tabs are formed on the end walls to be folded into the planes of the side walls. The B-channel is particularly useful in conjunction with a fire damper sleeve.

Abstract: Two metal plates are joined together by curling, where projections are formed in advance at an edge of one of the two metal plates and those projections are forcibly advanced into an edge or the other of the two metal plates so as to interlock the metal plates without any mutual displacement therebetween and not requiring any positioning of projections or cut and raised portions with respect to holes.

Abstract: A sheet metal member with a securing arrangement to securely attach the member to another sheet member. The securing arrangement is an elongate structure with two ends integral with an edge of a body of the sheet metal member. The elongate structure extends between its ends around a spatial area and has a specific width. The elongate structure is flexible to a greater width in which a locking part securely grips the other sheet member between the body and the locking part of the structure.

Abstract: A supply feedstock intended for use in a workpiece finishing machine wherein individual workpieces are successively separated and presented in a predetermined fashion to an automated loading means. The feedstock includes a plurality of individual workpieces arranged in side-by-side order in the form of a continuous belt, or bandolier, of workpieces, each of the workpieces being interconnected at head and tail portions of the workpieces by integral webs, successive workpieces being trimmed from the bandolier and presented to a loading means, while the separated webs are discharged to waste.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hydraulic actuator body such as, for example, a brake wheel cylinder or a clutch or brake master cylinder. The method includes the steps of forming a basic actuator body having at least one spigot projecting externally therefrom, holding the body by gripping the spigot between co-operating jaws and machining the body while it is held by the spigot. If desired the spigot can be removed from the body when all other machining is complete.

Abstract: There is provided a novel terminal bus and retainer for a multicellular converter, particularly a catalytic converter, which converter is characterized by an electrically heatable portion and a light-off portion. The electrically heatable portion includes flat thin metal strips as heater bands and flat thin metal bands not electrically heatable. A terminal bus and retainer is adapted to be connected to a voltage source and to the ends of the heater bands. A portion of the terminal bus and retainer may be used as a connector bus. The terminal bus and retainer also retains the thin metal foil elements in tightly spirally wound condition. These devices are especially useful in catalytic converters for automotive vehicles.

Abstract: A light metal casting for use in combination with a metal holder for mounting heavy subassemblies, such as doors or the like, to a light metal frame member of a light metal vehicle body framework, including a first, vertical leg portion having an outward facing surface to which a metal holder is mounted, and a second, inwardly-extending horizontal leg portion connected at an upper end of the first leg portion. The second leg portion is provided with a vertical through-hole oriented transversely to its surface, and, at the edge of the opening which faces the first leg, an upstanding tongue member is formed integrally on the second leg which points away from the first leg and can be bent over the holder.

Abstract: A supply feedstock intended for use in a workpiece finishing machine wherein individual workpieces are successively separated and presented in a predetermined fashion to an automated loading means. The feedstock includes a plurality of individual workpieces arranged in side-by-side order in the form of a continuous belt, or bandolier, of workpieces, each of the workpieces being interconnected at head and tail portions of the workpieces by integral webs, successive workpieces being trimmed from the bandolier and presented to a loading means, while the separated webs are discharged to waste.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of forming air turning assemblies is disclosed along with a novel vane supporting rail structure for use therewith. The apparatus holds a pair of rails in spaced parallel relation at a clinching station at which the edges of a vane may be engaged in opposed slotted protuberances in the rails. The spacing of the rails may be increased at the station against a yieldable biasing force, the station including a deforming mechanism for deflecting the vane edges to lock the vanes to the rails. The rails include cam surfaces leading to the vane receiving slots and blocking walls at the trailing ends of the slots to facilitate introducing the vane edges into the slots.

Abstract: A assembly of mated molded parts and a method for making same are disclosed in which the assembly has first and second parts with precisely mating surfaces. The first part is formed by molding, casting, or the like such that the mating surface of the first part is formed with at least one protrusion. The second part is formed in place against the first part such precisely mating surfaces are formed with the second part enveloping the protrusion. The two parts thus formed are forced apart from each other. The protrusion may be formed with a head which interlocks with the second part. When the parts are separated, the head breaks from the protrusion. In a particular embodiment, a bearing cap is disclosed having a central opening for the passage of a shaft.

Abstract: A pin type retainer for roller bearings is stamped in one piece from flat metal stock. The flat metal is first drawn into a cup shape having a broad flange around an open first end and a closed second end. The closed end provides solid support and alignment while stamping pins from the broad flange. The pins are then final shaped by swaging or machining into cross sectional forms for a variety of applications. The second end is then opened to form a ring. The pin type retainer can be modified for use with a retaining ring or a seal against contaminants. The pin type retainer can be formed from a variety of materials, including steel. An embodiment using plastic resin is also disclosed.

Abstract: Two sheet metal panels are joined together to form a closed box section structure. The two panels are individually stamped from a blank and each has a flange along one edge and a toothed edge of alternating notches and tabs along the opposite edge. The two panels are assembled in box section forming relationship with the flanges of the two panels abutting with one another and the toothed edges abutting with one another with the tabs of the one panel interdigitating with the tabs of the other panel. Clamps are applied to the panels and urge the interdigitating tabs into tight fitting relationship. Then the panels are welded together at the interdigitating tabs and also at the abutting flanges to form the closed box section structure.

Abstract: A method for machining a part with gear teeth onto an unmachined part to form drive pinion gears is disclosed. A center bore is formed at one end of the part and receives a tool center to mount the part for machining. The center bore includes a plurality of lobes which are in point contact with the lathe center, allowing adjustment between the unmachined part and the lathe center. Drive apertures are formed radially outwardly of this center bore to receive drive pins from the machine tool. Most preferably the drive apertures are slots which provide clearance, facilitating the alignment of the drive pins in the drive apertures.

Abstract: A core strip for a honeycomb core panel is composed of a metal strip shaped into a corrugated configuration and having continuous alternate convex and concave portions of identical shape, each of the convex portions being defined by a plateau portion and a pair of inclined portions, and each of the concave portions being defined by a bottom portion and the pair of inclined portions. The inclined portions interconnect the plateau portion and the bottom portion. At the one side edge of the shaped metal strip, the plateau portion and the inclined portions have respective first flanges disposed perpendicular to the metal strip and directed away from a convex surface of the convex portion. At the other side edge of the shaped metal strip, the bottom portion and the inclined portion have respective second flanges disposed perpendicularly to the metal strip and directed away from a convex surface of the concave portion.

Abstract: A simple cylindrical steel element, having a tapered portion at an insertion end and a plug of a difficult-to-machine material securely attached therein, is forcibly inserted into a previously formed hole, e.g., in a hard inner layer of a multilayer wall of a safe for containing valuables. To facilitate intromission of the tapered end of the device into the hole, all layers except the hard inner layer are machined to slightly enlarge the hole originally formed therethrough. In the preferred embodiment, markings in the form of regularly spaced circumferential grooves are provided along the length of the device and are readily utilizable to determine where the device should be cut so that, by the application of a sharp force as from a hammer, the tapered end of the device, with the hard-to-machine plug embedded therein, is firmly lodged into the hard inner layer. Welding material is provided thereafter to firmly connect an outer end of the device with the material of an outer layer of the wall.

Abstract: An as-continuously cast beam blank comprising a web portion and a plurality of opposed flange precursor portions extending from opposite ends of the web portion, the web portion having an average thickness of no greater than about 3 inches, each of said flange precursor portions having an average thickness of no greater than about 3 inches, wherein the ratio of the average thickness of the flange precursor portions to the average thickness of the web portion preferably is between about 0.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the pack is torsionally flexible. Pack of laminations comprises laminations which are connected one to another by only a single connection. The single connection is provided by a projection which projects into a depression. The projection has a height which is greater than 50% of the thickness of the lamination and the depression has a depth which is greater than 50% of the thickness of the lamination. The depression and projection are produced by a projection punch which cooperates with a die. The die has a lip which is either radiused (r) or conical (C) and the punch causes the metal of the lamination to be extruded past the lip into the die while the depression is being formed. The radiused or conical lip allows the height of the projection and the depth of the depression to be greater than the normal 50% shear stress fracture depth/height.

Abstract: A composite bar structure is composed of at least outer and inner members extending parallelly in the longitudinal direction of the structure and joined mechanically at an interface therebetween in an interlocked. The structure is fabricated by forming a plurality of projections on the inner member over the entire interface, preparing the outer member in a tubular shape to readily encompass the inner member, relatively positioning the members to place the inner member within the outer member in telescoped state, and applying a constrictive compression force on the outer member so that it undergoes plastic deformation and reduction in diameter, whereby the projections bite into the inner surface of the outer member. The members are thus joined tightly to form the integral composite bar structure.

Abstract: A forged piston blank for a forged piston of an internal combustion engine is formed with undercuts between the eye portions and crown side or head portions of the ears so that a larger piston pin may be accommodated by virtue of the fact that the wall thickness at the upper portion of the eye is greater than the wall thickness of the head portion of the ear.

Abstract: There is disclosed a metal plate laminated body. When a portion encircled by inner and outer closed curves is embossed, a projection is protruded from a lower surface of a metal plate. Since a width of protrusion is slightly larger than that of a recess, when press-fitting the projection into the recess of the contiguous metal plate, an outer peripheral surface of the projection which is formed along the outer closed curve is brought into press-contact with an outer peripheral surface of the recess; and an inner peripheral surface of the projection which is formed along the inner closed curve similarly comes in press-contact with an inner peripheral surface of the recess. These inner and outer peripheral surfaces cooperate to become effective contactual surfaces, and the contiguous metal plates are joined to each other.

Abstract: A mould set for injection moulding of plastics material comprises two one-piece components which together define the mould cavity and which are each produced by extrusion of high duty aluminum alloy so as to comprise, also, and integrally with each of them, all the necessary fixtures and fittings for the mould set. In addition, one of the mould components is provided with integrally extruded flanges enabling an ejector plate (also extruded from high duty aluminum alloy) to be supported without the need for complex fixtures. There is thus provided a mould set which performs the same functions as a conventional set even though the latter has three times as many components.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a formed metal blocking, for mounting within wedge-shaped gaps between coils of a toroidal transformer, including butterfly-shaped top and bottom core blockings. The blockings are formed from identical stampings, each stamping having a pair of U-shaped coil-engaging faces joined along their inner legs by a center web. The stampings are joined back to back and have a number of flanges which are bent over for securing the stampings to one another. The stampings have an apertured tab at the end of the center web used to form a lifting eye for the top blocking. With the bottom blocking the tabs are folded over for mounting to a base plate. The outer legs of the U-shaped faces are longer than the inner legs and center web to create a gap in the electric path surrounding the core.

Abstract: A cable shielding system is disclosed wherein corrugated metal shielding has its edges bent to a predetermined configuration prior to being formed about the cable. Upon being formed around the cable, the sheathing with the pre-bent edges forms a closed passage way within the seam for receiving an adhesive. The pre-bent edge configuration reduces the possibility that the edge of the metallic sheathing will damage an externally applied plastic sheath.

Abstract: A bi-metallic screw fastener blank for a self drilling screw of a given root diameter is disclosed. The screw blank comprises a metallic head and shank member made of a first material that is welded to a metallic slug member that is of equal diameter to the head and shank member but is made of a second material which is heat hardenable. The blank is characterized by an annular groove at the weld interface between the head and shank member and the slug member that has a diameter equal to the given root diameter of the screw.

Abstract: A microstructurally toughened ceramic-particle-reinforced metal-matrix composite article is disclosed. The article includes discrete regions of ceramic-particulate-reinforced metal matrix which enclosed within and separated from each other by a network of unreinforced metal. The article exhibits high tensile strength, high elastic modulus and high impact resistance. A process for making the article is also disclosed. The process includes positioning structural elements within a metallic container to define a plurality of discrete void spaces within the container, introducing a quantity of metallic particles or of a particulate mixture of metallic particles and ceramic particles into the void spaces, and consolidating the container, structural elements and particles to form the microstructurally toughened composite article.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of wrapping a reel with a metal strip as well as the strip adapted for implementing this method and the reel thus wrapped.This method is characterized in that before or after bending back, the margins (20) of the metal strip (12) are shaped so that after bending back under the tire (7), their end terminates under the tire in a web (21) parallel to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the reel.

Abstract: A cast metallic fixture for workpieces including twin turbine blades has two spaced-apart walls which surround portions of the exterior of a workpiece and several webs which connect the walls to each other. The fixture is made in a casting mold which has one or more inserts extending into the interior of a workpiece which is placed into the cavity of the mold preparatory to pouring of a molten alloy which is then caused to harden and to thus form the fixture. When the fixture has served its purpose of holding the workpiece in a grinding machine, it is broken up by subjecting its walls to bending and tensional stresses to destroy the webs, whereupon the walls are moved apart to afford access to the workpiece. The webs can be destroyed by melting simultaneously with or in lieu of the application of mechanical stresses to the walls of the fixture.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a novel shell such as used in the manufacture of can ends, and to a method and tools for making such a shell. A non-circular blank having rounded corners is cut from thin metal. The blank is oblong in a direction transverse to the grain of the metal. A first set of tools separates the blanks and forms a substantially flat central panel and an upward-extending chuck wall about the edge of the panel to produce a partially formed shell. The junction area between said panel and said chuck wall has a relatively large radius of curvature at this time. A second set of tools forms in the blank a lip extending outward from the upper end of the chuck wall and generally parallel to said panel; then the panel and the chuck wall are separately gripped, followed by relative movement between the panel and the chuck wall while wrapping the junction area around a forming punch to form a panel wall in said junction area extending upward from the inner part of said chuck wall.

Abstract: A light-weight vehicle frame structure formed by plural tubular structural members which each have a tubular body and a flange integral with the tubular body and extending along the entire length thereof and outwardly of the tubular body, and a plate connected to the flanges of one or more of tubular structural members to reinforce and join them. The tubular body may be round, square or any other shape and the flange may extend radially or tangentially in various embodiments. The plate is bent, cut and formed for the edges to be coplanar with the flanges to which they are attached.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a novel shell such as used in the manufacture of can ends, and to a method and tools for making such a shell. A non-circular blank having rounded corners is cut from thin metal. The blank is oblong in a direction transverse to the grain of the metal. A first set of tools separates the blanks and forms a substantially flat central panel and an upward-extending chuck wall about the edge of the panel to produce a partially formed shell. The junction area between said panel and said chuck wall has a relatively large radius of curvature at this time. A second set of tools forms in the blank a lip extending outward from the upper end of the chuck wall and generally parallel to said panel; then the panel and the chuck wall are separately gripped, followed by relative movement between the panel and the chuck wall while wrapping the junction area around a forming punch to form a panel wall in said junction area extending upward from the inner part of said chuck wall.

Abstract: The invention concerns the construction of a blank with a view to manufacturing a handbrake control lever (34) for a drum brake. The blank defines two fingers situated essentially at the extension of the body of the blank, one of the fingers is to be folded back to form a trough (62) to accept a cable, the other finger is to be positioned relative to the trough (62) so as to prevent the cable from escaping from the latter.

Abstract: A two-part cut sheet metal lamination element wherein one of the two sheet metal parts 1 comprises two outer legs 3 and a middle leg 4, the other sheet metal part 5 comprises a crosslink, the two outer legs of the first sheet metal part and the crosslink of the second sheet metal part are rigidly attached to each other, and the free end of the middle leg 4 interacts with the crosslink of the second sheet metal part by a short projection 10 which prevents movement of the free end of the middle leg with respect to the corresponding crosslink by an engagement produced when the two sheet metal parts are pressed together, said engagement and immobilization resulting from the punched or stamped configurations of the sheet metal parts.

Abstract: A stiff ring useful for such purposes as electric motor housings. The ring is a single piece, usually having a ratio of diameter to wall thickness less than about 40:1. The ring consists of a single piece of steel cut from a continuous strip having a tongue at one end and a recess at the other. These have interfering tapered locking segments to prevent separation, and are interlinked with one another. The process for making the ring comprises forming the strip in a U-shape around a cylindrical mandrel by interaction with a first half cylindrical die part, and then while holding the bent strip with the mandrel and first die part pressing the free ends so that they symmetrically pass along the inside surface of a second semi-cylindrical die part with the interlocking ends of the strip shaped and riding the die in such a manner that the tongue and recess inter-engage one another with a minimum of physical interference.

Abstract: A substrate which serves as an element for building an electronic module for ordnance applications comprising a body portion, for receiving electronic components, and a plurality of tab means extending therefrom for interlocking with complementary tab means on another similar substrate. The tab means may extend from the top, bottom, and/or sides of the substrate, and serve to mechanically and electrically interconnect with complementary tab means or apertures on adjacent substrates to form an electronic module of high mechanical strength and reliability. Such an electronic module may be assembled from at least three substrates. Each substrate has at least two tab means on each side edge thereof.