Abstract: A silicon wafer is sand blasted using a sand blasting abrasive material containing a chelating agent which is selected from the group consisting of, for example, the following compounds (1) to (4) and salts thereof: (1) Nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) (2) Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) (3) Diethylenediamine-N,N,N″,N″-pentaacetic acid (DTPA) (4) Cyclohexanediaminetetraacetic acid (CyDTA).

Abstract: Humidity within the workspace of a cryogenic aerosol spray cleaning system is controlled by circulating the workspace atmosphere through a dehumidifier. Advantageously, the need for purging of the workspace atmosphere prior to each cleaning cycle is eliminated. A system and method are thereby provided for cleaning of large workspaces. The system amd method of the invention are especially well-suited, economical, and practical for cleaning operations in which a dry air or inert gas purge of a large volume cleaning chamber would be impractical.

Abstract: When the glass pane (3) is cut with a water jet which is pointed against the glass pane (3) from a nozzle (7) with high pressure, a water surge is directed at the glass pane (3) on the side opposite the action site of the cutting water jet to a point which is opposite the nozzle (7). The water jet which is cutting the glass pane (3) is captured damped by the water surge without its atomizing and rebounding onto the back-of the glass pane (3).

Abstract: A fluid jet cutting method and apparatus for cutting an object from a sheet. In one embodiment, a fluid jet stream is directed against a glass sheet to cut an annular disk substrate for use in a data storage device. The sheet is supported by first, second and third support members. The support surfaces of the second and third support members are respectively positioned inside central openings in the first and second support members. A vacuum pulls the sheet against the support surface of at least the second support member. Preferably, plural central openings in the first support member accommodate plural second and third support members, whereby plural substrates are cut from the sheet. The sheet preferably includes plural layers removably adhered to one another, whereby plural substrates are simultaneously formed by a single fluid jet stream. A protective layer may cover at least one surface to the sheet.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a semiconductor processing component is provided. The process calls for directing a stream of cleaning media at a surface of the component, the cleaning media including zirconia. After cleaning with the cleaning media, frozen CO2 (dry ice) pellets may be directed at the surface to further clean the component.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to methods for removing adherent materials, for example, paint, flashes, burrs, photoresists, contaminants, and other materials from various external surfaces. In particular, the method employs an improved media comprising core/shell particles. The media can be propelled against or along the surface by a gaseous or liquid carrier medium or a mixture of gas and liquid to remove the unwanted surface material. In one embodiment, suitable blasting equipment propels the media, via a pressurized air stream, against a surface of an object, for example an airplane skin, to dislodge the material to be removed.

Abstract: A method of drilling holes in an component, such as a turbine airfoil or bucket platform, the method including disposing a protective insert including a water jet blocking material adjacent a backside of the structure to be drilled and water jet drilling at least one hole in the structure, through to the backside. In one embodiment, the jet blocking material is comprised of carbide or a similar material that is more resistant to water jet drilling forces than the structure being drilled.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing and metering dry ice pellets and particles selectively from the same apparatus without modification, by appropriate reversal of a production wheel and accompanying selection of dry ice in the form of block or of pellets for a supply to the production wheel.

Abstract: Generally, a method and apparatus for supporting a web of polishing material. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a platen adapted to support the web, a frame assembly, and one or more flexures coupled between the platen and the frame assembly. The flexure allows the frame assembly to be moved in relation to the platen. When the frame assembly is in an extended position relative to the platen, the web is placed in a spaced-apart relation to the platen.

Abstract: The invention relates to abrasive water jet systems comprising an abrasive water jet mixing tube having a longitudinal bore lined with a superhard material, including such systems which use cubic boron carbide (CBN), diamond, or other materials with a hardness greater than that of alumina as the abrasive material. The invention also comprises methods of using an AWJ system having a mixing tube having a longitudinal bore lined with a superhard material. Some embodiments include AWJ mixing tubes comprised of a plurality of connected components. Such connections may be disconnectable.

Abstract: A method of drilling holes in an component, such as a turbine airfoil or bucket platform, the method including disposing a protective insert including a water jet blocking material adjacent a backside of the structure to be drilled and water jet drilling at least one hole in the structure, through to the backside. In one embodiment, the jet blocking material is comprised of carbide or a similar material that is more resistant to water jet drilling forces than the structure being drilled.

Abstract: Cleaning compositions which, as powder or as aqueous formulation based on sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride and/or sugar, comprise a water-soluble polymeric polycarboxylate as dispersant with the exception of those formulations containing only sodium bicarbonate and polyaspartic acids and/or their salts, to the use of these cleaning compositions for the abrasive cleaning of hard surfaces. A method for cleaning surfaces contaminated with deposits using these cleaning compositions.

Abstract: A water jet peening apparatus which can carry out an efficient peening work on a large-diameter cylindrical structure by injecting a jet stream which contains air bubbles caused by cavitation at a low angle of incidence is provided. The apparatus is comprised of a nozzle which introduces a high pressure water and injects a water jet stream containing air bubbles caused by cavitation at the cylindrical structure disposed in water, wherein the angle of injection of the jet stream is smaller than 45 degrees relative to a tangent of the cylindrical structure.

Abstract: A blanked plate-like metal member for use as an element of a belt in a continuously variable transmission has an recess including an undercut therein. A stream of a liquid mixed with particle members is ejected toward an edge to be beveled of the recess thereby to bevel the recess. After the edge is beveled by deburring the edge, the recess is finished by removing a bulge formed on an outer surface of the edge by deburring the edge.

Abstract: An abrasive water treatment method and apparatus includes supporting a metal workpiece on a workpiece support and arranging a nozzle above a target surface of the workpiece so that the nozzle is pointed towards the target surface of the workpiece. A pressurized fluid having entrained abrasive particles is then generated and discharged through the nozzle and toward the target surface of the workpiece. The nozzle is located a texturing standoff distance from the target surface such that the periphery of the pressurized fluid stream discharged from the nozzle expands after being discharged from the nozzle and prior to impinging upon the target surface of the workpiece. As a result, a textured surface is created on the workpiece.

Abstract: A press die for forming a contact of an electrical connector by blanking a metal sheet is disclosed. The die has a die insert for shaving an engaging section of the contact for electrically engaging with a conductive portion of a device mating with the electrical connector so that an electrical connection between the connector and the device is created. A profile of the die insert for the shaving operation is subject to a final finishing process by an ultrasonic machining using a machining agent consisted of diamond particles dispersed in liquid, wherein the diamond particles have a grit size of 8000#. The profile of the die insert has a surface roughness of 0.08 Ra.

Abstract: A water jet peening apparatus which can carry out an efficient peening work on a large-diameter cylindrical structure by injecting a jet stream which contains air bubbles caused by cavitation at a low angle of incidence is provided. The apparatus is comprised of a nozzle which introduces a high pressure water and injects a water jet stream containing air bubbles caused by cavitation at the cylindrical structure disposed in water, wherein the angle of injection of the jet stream is smaller than 45 degrees relative to a tangent of the cylindrical structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to abrasive water jet systems comprising an abrasive water jet mixing tube having a longitudinal bore lined with a superhard material, including such systems which use cubic boron carbide (CBN), diamond, or other materials with a hardness greater than that of alumina as the abrasive material. The invention also comprises methods of using an AWJ system having a mixing tube having a longitudinal bore lined with a superhard material. Some embodiments include AWJ mixing tubes comprised of a plurality of connected components. Such connections may be disconnectable.

Abstract: A process including providing a member having an exposed outer metal surface and propelling irregularly shaped solid carbon dioxide granules against the exposed outer metal surface with sufficient force to alter the texture of the outer metal surface to a predetermined surface roughness.

Abstract: A water pump is connected to a mixer so as to blast high pressure water at a high speed in the mixer. The air and powder are supplied to the blast flow of the high pressure water through an air supply pipe and a powder supply pipe respectively so that a mixture flow composed of the gas, the droplet-like fluid, and powder is formed. The mixture flow is blasted from a nozzle at a high speed so as to be sprayed onto a surface to be treated. Thus, impact actions held by the powder and the droplet-like fluid as cleansing/scraping media are given to the surface to be treated. Thus, a cleansing/scraping operation is achieved. Then, if the fluid, gas or the like supplied to the mixer is heated, the cleansing/scraping operation can be further accelerated.

Abstract: A method of operating a fluid jet cutting machine with abrasive removal system. The fluid-jet cutting machine has a nozzle and a carrier assembly attached to the nozzole to move the nozzle along a cutting path. A high-pressure fluid source and an abrasive particle source are coupled to the nozzle to generate an abrasive fluid-jet having a fluid and a plurality of abrasive particles for cutting a work-piece. The cutting machine also has a particle removal device including a tank aligned with the nozzle, a settling container, and a fluid transport mechanism to transport fluid from the tank to the settling container. The tank includes at least one compartment configured to receive the fluid and the abrasive particles of the fluid-jet along at least a portion of the cutting path.

Abstract: A pressurized delivery system for abrasive particulate material includes a storage container adapted to contain the abrasive particulate material therein, an input pressure line adapted to communicate with a pressurized source, and a fluidizing pressure line communicating with the input pressure line and an inlet opening in the storage container. A back-pressure pressure line communicates with an unoccupied portion of the storage container and an output pressure line. The output pressure line, into which the abrasive particulate material is fed from the storage container, communicates with the input pressure line, the back-pressure pressure line, and an outlet opening of storage container. During operation, pressurized gas is released through the inlet opening and into the storage container such that the abrasive particulate material adjacent the outlet opening is fluidized and maintained flowable so as to achieve consistent flow of the abrasive particulate material through the outlet opening.

Abstract: Plastic abrasives for sandblasting, in particular, those to be used in sandblast processing for forming barrier ribs and priming ribs; a sandblast processing method with the use of the same; and a method for treating sandblasting waste matters. A plastic abrasive for sandblasting characterized by being soluble in organic solvents or water/organic solvent mixtures and comprising plastic particles having an average particle size of 5 to 100 &mgr;m; a method for sandblast processing a plasma display panel substrate by using the plastic abrasive; and a method for treating sandblasting waste matters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning a tire mold with frozen CO2 cleaning material wherein a portable frame is positioned on a bottom mold of a tire press and has a rotatable frame on which a nozzle support is mounted for swivel action to clean the upper mold half and the lower mold half as the nozzle support is moved radially and circumferentially of the tire mold.

Abstract: An enhanced visibility underwater waterjet cutting system is provided wherein the waterjet cutting assembly and the video camera for remotely viewing the operating system is enclosed within an enclosure spacedly set against the workpiece and a stream of clean water is injected into the enclosure to set up a flow of clean water past the camera and to the waterjet cutting tip to exhaust the cuttings away from the enclosure and camera to allow a continuous view of the cutting surface of the workpiece without clouding up the water in the enclosure.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a silicon semiconductor discrete wafer while dressing the grinding wheel is disclosed that assures excellent finishing accuracy and productivity. The dressing of the grinding wheel includes mixing air and grinding water from a surface grinding process including semiconductor chips lapped with abrasive grains having a count of at least #2000 and no more than #6000 and jetting the mixed air and grinding water as minute water drops back onto the surface of the grinding wheel during grinding of a wafer. Both cut surfaces are ground to a predetermined thickness with the dressed grinding wheel (via a surface grinding machine). The processing surface is wet-etched as the final processing.

Abstract: A system for abrasively cleaning small parts, and a container for holding small parts undergoing abrasive cleaning. An abrasive cleaning cabinet has a bottom member and a cover hingedly connected to the bottom member. The cover is pivotable between a closed position in which the cover is closed against the bottom member to define a cleaning chamber therewithin and an open position permitting access into the cleaning chamber. The cover has a viewing window and a pair of arm apertures through it, with a glove attached to each arm aperture and extending into the cleaning chamber to permit insertion of a person's hands through the arm apertures and into the gloves in the cleaning chamber.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and methods for recovering abrasive from an abrasive-laden fluid are shown and described. An abrasive-laden fluid handling device is coupled to a catcher tank to collect abrasive-laden fluid and transport it to a hydro-classifier. Wet recovered abrasive is discharged from the hydro-classifier and transferred to a de-watering device. The de-watering device removes water from the abrasive by decanting fluid and via use of an air eduction system. De-watered abrasive is then ejected from the de-watering device to a dryer unit, to be further dried and processed for reuse.

Abstract: A method for cutting a glass reflector and a glass reflector produced by a cutting process. The method typically includes forming a fluid jet by ejecting a mixture of fluid and abrasive at an initial pressure, creating a pierce hole in the glass reflector with the fluid jet at the initial pressure, and cutting a ventilation hole in the glass reflector by moving the fluid jet from the pierce hole along a cutting path. The method may also include, after cutting the pierce hole and before cutting the ventilation hole, raising the pressure of the fluid jet from the initial pressure to an increased pressure.

Abstract: An abrasive particle removal device for use with a fluid jet cutting machine includes a tank aligned with a nozzle of the cutting machine, a settling container, and a fluid transport mechanism to transport fluid from the tank to the settling container. The tank includes at least one compartment configured to receive the fluid and the abrasive particles of the fluid-jet along at least a portion of the cutting path. Additionally, the compartment is configured to control fluid flow within the compartment so that the fluid-jet suspends, and maintains the suspension, of at least a substantial portion of the abrasive particles in the one compartment without additional agitation. The fluid transport mechanism can include a conduit with a first end in fluid communication with the compartment and a second end outside of the compartment in fluid communication with the settling container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a high-velocity particle stream at low cost through multi-staged acceleration using different media in each stage, the particles are accelerated to a subsonic velocity (with respect to the velocity of sound in air) using one or more jets of gas at low cost, then further accelerated to a higher velocity using jets of water. Additionally, to enhance particle acceleration, a vortex motion is created, and the particles introduced into the fluid having vortex motion, thereby enhancing the delivery of particles to the target.

Abstract: A workpiece surface is treated in a cleaning, polishing or milling or similar surface treatment operation by a waterjet head. The head is located near the workpiece surface with its axis intersecting the workpiece surface and is held so that it dies not rotate about its axis. The waterjet head is driven so that its axis rapidly and repetitively moves in a closed path. The waterjet head is mounted in an eccentric member and the closed path is a surface of revolution. In one arrangement, the closed path described by the axis of the waterjet head is a circular cylinder. In another arrangement, the waterjet head is pivotally mounted and resiliently supported so that the closed path is conical.

Abstract: When the glass pane (3) is cut with a water jet which is pointed against the glass pane (3) from a nozzle (7) with high pressure, a water surge is directed at the glass pane (3) on the side opposite the action site of the cutting water jet to a point which is opposite the nozzle (7). The water jet which is cutting the glass pane (3) is captured damped by the water surge without its atomizing and rebounding onto the back of the glass pane (3).

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a storage vessel (19) for abrasive particles, a source of pressurised carrier fluid and a first conduit (11) to convey at least a major proportion of the incoming carrier fluid to a nozzle (16). A second conduit (9) connects the source of carrier fluid to an inlet of the storage vessel (19) and a third conduit (18) connects its outlet to the nozzle (16). A switching device (6) is selectively operable either to allow a minor proportion of incoming carrier fluid to flow through the second conduit (9) to the storage vessel (19), or to direct all of the carrier fluid through the first conduit (11). When a minor proportion of carrier fluid is directed through the second conduit (9), abrasive particles in carrier fluid are discharged from storage vessel (19) into the third conduit (18). When all of the carrier fluid is directed through the first conduit (11), fluid from the second conduit is entrained, thereby reversing fluid flow in the second (9) and third (18) conduits.

Abstract: A device for removing material from biological organisms by directing an abrasive fluid stream onto a surface of a biological organism. The device operates on a standard household pressure source and includes a converging-diverging nozzle that produces a super-sonic abrasive-laden air stream having a temperature that is harmless to the biological organism. The device operates at such a temperature without the use of external elements, such as additional heaters or coolers. The internal contour of the nozzle bore is variable and determines conditions, such as, for example, velocity, temperature and shape of the particle-laden air stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cleaning compositions which, as powder or as aqueous formulation, comprise sodium bicarbonate and, as dispersants, polyaspartic acids and/or salts thereof, to the use of these cleaning compositions for the abrasive cleaning of hard surfaces, and also to a method of cleaning surfaces contaminated with deposits using these cleaning compositions.

Abstract: A technique for controlling the abrasive jet machining process to drill an ink feed slot through an ink jet printhead substrate. The approach results in a relatively even slot edge adjacent to channels that supply the ink-droplet firing chambers of the printhead. The evenness of the edge reduces the tolerances required for designing the channels and other printhead components, thus permitting the construction of printheads with increased droplet ejection frequency. The printhead size is correspondingly reduced.

Abstract: A method and system for cleaning an object containing a metal surface, includes pre-cleaning the object to prepare the object for a metal plating thereover, and post-cleaning the object after the object has been plated with the metal plating. The pre-cleaning step and the post-cleaning step each include blasting the object with a media.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a workpiece finishing system impinges a grit and fluid slurry onto a workpiece and then recycles the slurry for subsequent reuse. In another aspect of the present invention, a recovery tank is used for generally settling and concentrating the grit in the slurry, and for separating out a portion of the fluid from the grit. A further aspect of the present invention provides a venturi-type nozzle for expelling the grit and fluid onto a workpiece, wherein the nozzle has a selectively movable inlet thereby varying the slurry concentration properties of the nozzle.

Abstract: A scheme for removing foreign material from the surface of a substrate by directing a high velocity aerosol of at least partially frozen particles against the foreign material to be removed. Different schemes are described for accelerating the frozen particles to very high velocities sufficient for particle removal, removal of organic layers (e.g., hard baked photoresist or ion implanted photoresist) and removal of metallic layers. In one embodiment, liquid droplets are entrained in a high velocity gas flow and the resulting gas/liquid mixture is passed through an expansion nozzle to produce a high velocity aerosol of frozen particles. In another embodiment, frozen aerosol particles are entrained in, e.g., a sonic or supersonic gas jet before impacting a surface to be cleaned. The cleaning aerosols may be applied to substrates inside a vacuum chamber or directly from a hand-held device.

Abstract: A method of sandblasting an article, such as in industrial cleaning and polishing, using recycled waste aluminum oxide ceramic particles is disclosed. In the method, a quantity of recycled ceramic aluminum oxide particles having a size ranging from about ¼ inch to about 400 mesh, depending upon the target and application, is obtained. For abrasive applications, the particle size is preferably from ¼ inch to 60 mesh. For polishing applications, the particle size is preferably from 80 to 400 mesh. The recycled ceramic particles are propelled at an article in a carrier stream, such as compressed gas. Known and novel sandblasting equipment can be used according to the present invention. The ceramic particles are preferably obtained by grinding waste aluminum oxide ceramic material, such as waste spark plugs, ceramic switches, liners, and fire bricks.

Abstract: An aerosol assisted chemical cleaning method to remove wall deposition from reaction chambers is provided. The method generates cleaning chemicals in an aerosol state, and then feeds them into the reaction chamber by a carrier gas. The cleaning chemicals interact quickly with unwanted deposits on all internal surfaces of the reaction chamber. By controlling the pressure in the closed reaction chamber, the deposits can be stripped off from the wall and fall into a waste acid collector. The acid collector can then process the waste to prevent contamination.

Abstract: A workpiece includes a surface adjoining an aperture. The aperture is filled with a plug to provide a step adjoining the surface. A stream of pliant shot in a carrier fluid is discharged at a shallow angle of incidence against the plug and directed toward the step for selective abrasion thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a high-velocity particle stream at low cost through multi-staged acceleration using different media in each stage, the particles are accelerated to a subsonic velocity (with respect to the velocity of sound in air) using one or more jets of gas at low cost, then further accelerated to a higher velocity using jets of water. Additionally, to enhance particle acceleration, a vortex motion is created, and the particles introduced into the fluid having vortex motion, thereby enhancing the delivery of particles to the target.

Abstract: Abrasive grains are produced by gluing an abrasive powder to an elastic porous carrier. A number of abrasive grains are mixed with an abrasive liquid, and are then sprayed to the surface of a work at an oblique angle thereto to impact it while allowing the abrasive grains to slide on the surface of a work to finish the surface of the work. Over the distance of travel over which the abrasive grains slide, the surface of the work are ground. The elasticity of the carrier allows the abrasive grains to deform matching the contour of the work. By spraying a number of abrasive grains on the work, grinding action is performed in consideration of the contour even if the work is a complicatedly contoured surface such as a dental prosthesis while a polishing effect is obtained at the same time.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a component in which residual tensile stresses are present in the component surface as a result of the operation by which the surface was produced. The process generally entails removing residual tensile stresses and inducing compressive stresses in the surface of a component by controlled impacting of the surface with two or more jets of fluid. An additional benefit of this invention is that damaged surface regions of the component can be removed simultaneously with residual tensile stresses by abrading the damaged surface region with a jet of abrasive fluid. The fluid jet employed to abrade the component surface is preferably at a pressure of at least 1360 bar, while the fluid jet employed to induce compressive stresses in the component surface is preferably at a pressure of at least 1700 bar. The second fluid jet can be operated to remove any embedded abrasive grit remaining from the first fluid jet operation.

Abstract: A method of removing the binder phase from the surface of a hard material body consisting of hard constituents in a binder phase based on cobalt and/or nickel and with a binder phase enriched surface zone is disclosed. By carrying out a blasting process using particles with a size of 400-1500 mesh, a favorable combination of even removal of the cobalt layer, essentially no damage to the carbide grains and reasonable blasting time is obtained.

Abstract: A centrifugal blasting apparatus is configured to deliver friable media without destroying a large percentage of the delivered media. The centrifugal blasting apparatus includes a compressed air feed system that intermixes and fluidizes blast media with compressed air and delivers the fluidized blast media to a blast wheel. The control cage is formed with rounded interior surfaces to avoid sharp transitions that may otherwise fracture the media. The blades are curved to maximize accelleration of the blast media with the lowest possible rotational rate. The first edges of the blades, adjacent the axis of rotation, are configured to receive the blast media. Specifically, the first edges are rounded to minimize the amount of blast media that is broken by using a sharp leading edge. The channels on the blades themselves are also polished to minimize the amount of blast media that is broken while traveling along the surface of the blades.

Abstract: A method for measuring the machinability of a material which includes piercing a hole through a material to be tested while simultaneously measuring a pierce time duration, T, of the piercing step, and calculating a machinability number from the pierce time duration. Also provided are methods for determining the machining speed of a material and for machining a material which calculate a machining speed for a material based upon the machinability number of the material. The methods used to measure the machinability number and calculate a machining speed for a particular material can include any combination of machining operations, including but not limited to AWJ cutting processes. Also provided is an apparatus which detects the time duration a piercing force takes to create a pierce-through condition through a material. The apparatus includes any of a pressure sensor, an acoustic sensor, an optical sensor, a load cell, a mechanical switch, and combinations thereof to measure the pierce-time duration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for abrasive blasting, in particular for the sand-blasting of relatively small workpieces, for example in the hobby sector (model building). The device comprises a chamber (2), which is closed in an essentially airtight manner on all sides and has at least one, and preferably a plurality of, closable openings (3), it being possible to evacuate the chamber. A blasting pipe unit (5), which can be introduced into the chamber via one of the openings and which has an inlet (12) for the blasting agent, an inlet (13) for air and an outlet opening (14) for the blasting agent, is connected to a blasting-agent container (8) via a feed line (7). Both the method and the device operate using subatmospheric pressure, so that it is possible, for example, to use a commercially available vacuum cleaner for evacuating the chamber.