Abstract: A process of fabricating aerospace parts using selective laser sintering is provided, wherein the process generally comprises the steps of preparing a powder nylon material, loading the powder nylon material into a laser sintering machine, warming up the powder nylon material according to build warm-up parameters, building the part according to build parameters and part parameters, and cooling down the part according to build cool-down parameters. As a result, parts are produced that are directly used in aerospace structures, which meet the stringent performance requirements of aerospace applications, rather than as rapid prototypes as with conventional selective laser sintering processes. Additionally, specific designs for aerospace parts such as ducts, panels, and shrouds are provided that are produced by the selective laser sintering process.

Abstract: A product location display system and method are provided that allow travel related product information, such as the geographic location of hotels, to be displayed on an interactive display. An application server of the product location display system receives user inputted criteria for a travel product search. A location management system determines a location for the travel product being searched based on the inputted criteria. Sub-locations associated with the geographic location being searched are pre-defined as being within the searched geographic location and stored within a location database memory component coupled with the location management system. A display configuration component of the location management system arranges and displays results of the search for the travel product by the sub-locations defined as being within the searched location.

Abstract: A computer-implemented solid modeling system that determines whether a gap exists between components based on internal loops of the components, and then generates a fillet or groove weld bead that fills the gap between the components. The gap is a component hole gap between components where one or more internal loops of a first component fully or partially encircles a second component, and the valid internal loops identify whether the second component passes through the first component through the component hole gap.

Abstract: A processing operation control method controls a processing operation in which a rotary tool 1 is rotated by a rotative drive unit 51, and presses the rotating rotary tool 1 is pressed by a pressing unit 52 to force the rotating rotary tool 1 into workpieces W1 and W2. Load placed on the rotary tool 1 during the processing operation is measured, an optimum rotating speed at which the rotary tool 1 is to be rotated and/or an optimum pressure to be applied to the rotary tool 1 for processing the workpieces W1 and W2 is determined on the basis of the measured load placed on the rotary tool 1. The rotative drive unit 51 and/or the pressing unit 52 are controlled on the basis of the optimum rotating speed at which the rotary tool 1 is to be rotated and/or the optimum pressure to be applied to the rotary tool 1.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a bump is formed on top of a die bond pad by forming a ball bond there. Then, without severing the wire, the capillary undergoes a set of coordinated motions to fold the wire on top of the ball bond. The wire is then bonded on top of the ball bond bump without severing the wire. This is then followed by a further set of coordinated xy motions to from the loop and bring the capillary over the second bond site (e.g., on the lead frame). The wire is then stitch bonded to the second bond site and the tail severed to complete the wire loop interconnect.

Abstract: An automated manufacturing system, intermediate control device for implementation in such a system, and method of performing a manufacturing operation are disclosed. In at least some embodiments, the automated manufacturing system includes a first sensor that provides a first output signal, a first controllable device, and a first process controller capable of issuing a first command to the first controllable device. The system further includes a first intermediate control device coupled between the first sensor and the first process controller. The first intermediate control device receives the first output signal and determines, based at least in part upon the first output signal, whether to send an additional signal to the first process controller indicative of a failure condition.

Abstract: Methods for encoding user data into an audio file, and for decoding of the same, are provided. Embodiments include preparing user data for encoding into the audio file including writing user data in blocks of data including header and other information in addition to the user data. An audio file is read and parsed into words of audio data. In each word of audio data, a least significant bit is replaced with one bit of the prepared user data, and the audio data with the encoded user data is saved to a file. Methods of decoding the encoded audio file include extracting the user data from each least significant bit, verifying header information, and re-constructing the user data to a file.

Abstract: A computing environment is provided with the ability to at least contribute to the persistent naming of the divided sub-paths, including their edges and vertices, of a continuous path of an intermittent fillet weld bead, including the determination of an invariant weld bead generation direction.

Abstract: A computing environment is provided with the ability to at least contribute to generate a representation for a weld bead to be used to weld a number of components of an article of manufacture together at one or more edges of the components in the manufacturing of the article outside the computing environment, including the ability to generate an initial set of one or more data representations of an initial set of one or more wire bodies based on one or more data representations of the one or more edges respectively to synthesize one or more corresponding wire bodies for the one or more edges, and the ability to generate a final data representation of a final wire body based on the initial set of one or more data representations of the initial set of one or more wire bodies of the one or more edges.

Abstract: A system useful in producing a three-dimensional body comprising bone or tissue-compatible material includes a detection and analysis site which identifies and simulates a portion of a body in connection with an implantation situation. A production device produces a model responsive to the simulation information. A flame-spraying apparatus provides the bone-compatible and/or tissue-compatible material in a powder form through a nozzle. Relative movement between the nozzle and a support member supporting the model or die is controlled to apply one or more layers of the bone-compatible material to the model. A method includes using a computer to identify and simulate a body in connection with a given implantation situation, and producing a model or die accordingly. the bone or tissue-compatible material is flame-sprayed in a powder form. Movements of a nozzle and/or a supporting member are controlled so as to effect a desired surface characteristic on the three-dimensional body.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for monitoring and controlling laser cladding process by powder injection in real-time. The invention combines laser cladding technique along with automated direct feedback control to achieve a good quality clad in terms of dimensional and metallurgical characteristics. The system uses optical CCD-based detectors as the feedback system. The optical CCD-based detectors along with a pattern recognition algorithm is used to determine the clad characteristics in real-time. These characteristics are clad's dimensions, solidification rate, and roughness that are fed into a closed loop control system to adjust the laser power and table velocity to produce desired clad quality.

Abstract: A method of protecting data stored in a memory of a welding controller provided with an EEPROM as a storage element capable of storing welding control data in a welding controller, thereby enhancing reliable protection of data stored in the EEPROM. The method of protecting data stored in a memory of a welding controller comprises the steps of providing the EEPROM having write validity control function means in the controller, using the EEPROM as a storage element for storing welding control data therein, writing the welding control data into the EEPROM and storing the same in the EEPROM, reading the welding control data from the EEPROM when the welding controller is used, and rendering the EEPROM transitive from a write disable state to a write enable state by the write validity control function when the welding control data is changed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a welding system and methodology to facilitate communications and control. The system includes a cell controller to control one or more welders over a control network. An interface module associated with the cell controller and the control network communicates with the welders and employs a communications protocol adapted to the interface module to facilitate communications and control between the cell controller and the one or more welders over the control network.

Abstract: A system (100), method (200, 400, 600), or computer program product (300, 500, 700) is used to develop a set of weld procedures for welding first and second parts is provided. A desired weld associated with the first and second parts is established. A set of weld parameters is established as a function of the desired weld and the set of weld procedures are established as a function of the weld parameters.

Abstract: An automated data library system includes a data library housing drive clusters. The drive clusters include drive arrays of disk drives. The drive clusters are statically mounted within the data library and are not powered when not in use. The system includes a robotic librarian operable for moving about the data library to locate, engage, and access a desired drive cluster. The robotic librarian includes its own power source for providing power to the desired drive cluster in order to enable operation of the desired drive cluster. The robotic librarian further includes a cooling device for cooling off desired drive cluster while the drive cluster is operating. The robotic librarian further includes a writer and a reader for writing data to and reading data from the disk drives of the desired drive cluster using the connection while the desired drive cluster is operating.

Abstract: The present invention provides a welding system and methodology to facilitate communications and control. The system includes a cell controller to control one or more welders over a control network. An interface module associated with the cell controller and the control network communicates with the welders and employs a communications protocol adapted to the interface module to facilitate communications and control between the cell controller and the one or more welders over the control network.

Abstract: A system, method, or computer program product is used to develop a set of weld procedures for welding first and second parts is provided. A desired weld associated with the first and second parts is established. A set of weld parameters is established as a function of the desired weld and the set of weld procedures are established as a function of the weld parameters.

Abstract: The present invention provides a welding system and methodology to facilitate communications and control. The system includes a cell controller to control one or more welders over a control network. An interface module associated with the cell controller and the control network communicates with the welders and employs a communications protocol adapted to the interface module to facilitate communications and control between the cell controller and the one or more welders over the control network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a part temperature profile by optimizing response characteristics based on control parameters acquires part temperature response characteristics at selected conditions to form an index value and calculates linear relationships between the index and its corresponding control parameters. The method searches for the minimum index thereby determining its corresponding optimal control parameters for thermal processing of parts in order that the part temperature profile responds within the target specification range with the greatest margin available. The apparatus determines the minimum index value and its corresponding the optimum control parameters.

Abstract: The present invention provides a welding system and methodology to facilitate communications and control. The system includes a cell controller to control one or more welders over a control network. An interface module associated with the cell controller and the control network communicates with the welders and employs a communications protocol adapted to the interface module to facilitate communications and control between the cell controller and the one or more welders over the control network.

Abstract: A stir-friction hot-working or welding arrangement uses a pin tool having a ligament 22 and a shoulder 224. The force required for incremental penetration increases markedly when the shoulder is reached. A control system for maintaining a set penetration depth includes a load cell for measuring force or pressure applied to the pin tool. The control system compares a reference signal representing the desired force with the actual force from the load cell, to produce an error signal which controls the penetration force, thereby tending to maintain a desired penetration depth. In a particular embodiment, the reference signal ramps up from a low or zero value at turn-on, to reduce forces applied upon initial penetration. In another embodiment, position signals are used to control a modulator or multiplier, which changes the error signal applied at certain positions of penetration, or at certain velocities of penetration.

Abstract: An automated computer modeling system generates a welded finite element model of a vehicle body. The modeling system includes a projection module for projecting predefined weld locations onto a finite element mesh representing surface data for the vehicle body such that a modified finite element mesh is generated. A welding module automatically generates assigned weld elements for the modified finite element mesh by determining the nearest node on each part with respect to the predefined weld locations and welding the parts together. The assigned weld elements and the modified finite element mesh therefore define the welded finite element model of the vehicle body. An executable file is used to perform projection functions as well as welding functions. The projection module incorporates a finite element processor to generate the modified FE mesh.

Abstract: A welding system capable of shortening length of connection lines and the of effectively utilizing devices as a whole. The system comprises a welding controller provided with an I/O interface, a controller provided with a programmable logic controller and connected to the I/O interface of the welding controller through a field bus interface serving as communication means, a welding machine and a general-purpose-purpose peripheral equipment, wherein the welding controller controls the welding machine and the general-purpose-purpose peripheral equipment upon receipt of instructions from the programmable logic controller through the field bus interface.

Abstract: A method for maximizing throughput for thermal processing of a part searches for the maximum conveyor speed while calculating a Process Window Index that is less than a required value. The best Process Window Index associated with the maximum conveyor speed corresponds to a maximum throughput control series with which to set the control parameters of the thermal processor.

Abstract: Automatic detection of defects during the fabrication of semiconductor wafers is largely automated, but the classification of those defects is still performed manually by technicians. This invention includes novel digital image analysis techniques that generate unique feature vector descriptions of semiconductor defects as well as classifiers that use these descriptions to automatically categorize the defects into one of a set of pre-defined classes. Feature extraction techniques based on multiple-focus images, multiple-defect mask images, and segmented semiconductor wafer images are used to create unique feature-based descriptions of the semiconductor defects. These feature-based defect descriptions are subsequently classified by a defect classifier into categories that depend on defect characteristics and defect contextual information, that is, the semiconductor process layer(s) with which the defect comes in contact.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the temperature response profile of a part being exposed to heating and/or cooling conditions in a thermal processor incorporates measured data from the part to adjust the thermal processor control settings by closed loop feedback.

Abstract: A stir-friction hot-working or welding arrangement uses a pin tool having a ligament 22 and a shoulder 224. The force required for incremental penetration increases markedly when the shoulder is reached. A control system for maintaining a set penetration depth includes a load cell for measuring force or pressure applied to the pin tool. The control system compares a reference signal representing the desired force with the actual force from the load cell, to produce an error signal which controls the penetration force, thereby tending to maintain a desired penetration depth. In a particular embodiment, the reference signal ramps up from a low or zero value at turn-on, to reduce forces applied upon initial penetration. In another embodiment, position signals are used to control a modulator or multiplier, which changes the error signal applied at certain positions of penetration, or at certain velocities of penetration.

Abstract: Parameters of a robot is displayed on a display device of an operation terminal in a manner that parameters having been changed and parameters having not been changed of all the parameters are displayed in a distinguished manner such that the background color of the parameters having been changed differs from that of other data.

Abstract: So as to achieve accurate detection of the bonding tool position in, for instance, a wire bonding apparatus, the positional relationship between a position detection camera and a reference hole formed in, for instance, a clamper is measured by imaging the reference hole by the position detection camera. The position detection camera and a bonding tool are moved by an XY table, and the tip end of the bonding tool is inserted into the reference hole. Then, the bonding tool is moved in the X and Y directions, and the contact of the bonding tool to an edge of the reference hole is detected based upon changes in the waveform of the ultrasonic vibrations applied to the bonding tool, thus measuring the positional relationship between the tool and the reference hole. The offset amount between the position detection camera and the bonding tool is then determined based upon the measured values and the amounts of movement of the bonding tool between the locations for such measured values.

Abstract: A selective laser sintering apparatus and method is disclosed, in which the laser power is controlled according to the scan velocity. The scanning system, which includes a pair of galvanometer-controlled mirrors for directing the aim of the laser beam, generates signals indicative of either the position or scan velocity of the aim of the beam, in either one or two directions. The signals are gated in the laser power control system so as to pass the signals only during those times at which the laser is to be turned on. A laser power control system receives the signals and, in the case of position signals, differentiates the signals to generate velocity signals. The velocity signals are used to derive a scan velocity, and the scan velocity is multiplied by the desired laser power at full scan velocity to produce a laser power control signal.

Abstract: A resistance welding device having a welding current source, a control and/or regulating device for regulating the welding current, and at least one set of interchangeable welding guns on which welding electrodes are mounted in such fashion that they can be pressed toward one another to hold sheets to be welded between them. The interchangeable welding guns contain a local data storage memory located on the welding guns for storing data specific to the operation of the welding guns, and a data interface which can interact with a second data interface located on the control and/or regulating device. When the set of welding guns in attached to the welding device, the two data interfaces are connected thereby permitting the specific operating data for the welding guns to be transmitted to the program memory of control and/or regulating device.

Abstract: A welding voltage value Vf and a welding current value IF are respectively monitored by a detector during execution of arc welding in accordance with a robot operation program, indexes are calculated which show how far the monitored values Vf and If are deviated from a command welding voltage value Vc and a command welding current value Ic specified in the operation program, and it is decided that there is a possibility of occurrence of a defective weld in arc welding under execution, when the calculated index exceeds a preset threshold value. Then, the data for arc-welding execution conditions and execution results are cumulatively stored in a defective weld history data area provided in a memory in accordance with the line number and the statement of the line in the operation program for each line constituting the program, and the cumulatively-stored data is displayed on a screen.