Abstract: A computer controlled die system which includes a plurality of sub-dies, and an input system. The die system also includes a motion system, and an air driven cam system. Furthermore, the die system includes a clamping system and an airlift system. The entire computer controlled die system is automatic. No manual adjustments have to be made in between different stampings for various parts in a manufacturing setting. Additional subsystems may be added to meet criteria of part.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for evaluating the condition of a machine (100) with a measuring point (90), which method is performed by a movable analysis apparatus (30). The method comprises the steps of producing a condition value, by means of measuring at the measuring point, which condition value is dependent on the actual condition of the machine, and storing the condition value in a writable information carrier (120) which is placed by, or in the vicinity of, the measuring point (90) so that the condition value subsequently can be used as a reference condition value. The invention further relates to an apparatus for performing the method and a device for co-operating with the analysis apparatus and for mounting by a measuring point on the machine (100).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for evaluating the condition of a machine (100) with a measuring point (90), which method is performed by a movable analysis apparatus (30). The method comprises the steps of producing a condition value, by means of measuring at the measuring point, which condition value is dependent on the actual condition of the machine, and storing the condition value in a writable information carrier (120) which is placed by, or in the vicinity of, the measuring point (90) so that the condition value subsequently can be used as a reference condition value. The invention further relates to an apparatus for performing the method and a device for co-operating with the analysis apparatus and for mounting by a measuring point on the machine (100).

Abstract: An unsteady signal analyzer for detecting a defect in a monitored object through the analysis of an unsteady signal generated by the monitored object has a wavelet transform calculating device which produces a wavelet spectrum data through a wavelet transform of the unsteady signal, a state variation function setting device which sets a state variation function representing a variation of a specific state variable of the monitored object with time, and a time coordinate nonlinear transformation device which transforms a time coordinate of the wavelet spectrum data nonlinearly into a coordinate of the specific state variable by using an inverse function of the state variation function.

Abstract: A diagnostic test unit for deterministically measuring one or more parameters, such as dead band, dead time, response time, gain, or overshoot, of a process control device that is connected in a process control loop during operation of a process includes a switch controller, a signal generator, a switch, a response accumulator mechanism, and an analyzer mechanism. The switch controller monitors a process signal during operation of the process to determine whether the process signal is substantially stable. In the event that the process signal is substantially stable, the switch replaces a control signal with a diagnostic test signal generated by the signal generator. The response accumulator is in communication with the process control loop to obtain an indication of the response of the process control device to the diagnostic test signal. The analyzer unit then determines the device parameter from the test signal and the response indication.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for checking a wrapping state of a wrapped roll having end face covers by detecting the force required to press-fit a bushing into a cylindrical core tube and comparing the detected force with a threshold value which is based on the correlation between the force required to press-fit the bushing into the cylindrical core tube and the state of tucking of the end face covers.

Abstract: An indentation measurement apparatus is retrofittable onto any of a variety of load-applying frames and includes a mount for mounting an indenter of any geometry (for example blunt or sharp). The arrangement is very stiff and mechanical values including Young's modulus, strain hardening exponent, yield strength, and hardness can be obtained from a single load/unload versus displacement test. A wide variety of materials can be tested using the apparatus. An optical probe can measure displacement of the indenter head relative to a sample. A new method of calculating strain hardening directly from load/displacement measurement is presented as is a new method of calculating strain hardening exponent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining valves in a water distribution system is the subject matter. A description is prepared of each valve in the system. An individual identifying symbol is assigned to each valve. The identifying symbol and the valve individual description and location, is loaded into a computer database. A group of valves in the system is selected to define an inspection route. A portable computer is loaded with the information regarding each valve along the inspection route. A valve turning machine is positioned adjacent to a selected valve. The valve turning machine includes an identification reader, a timer and the portable computer. A reader identifies a select valve by means of its symbol and the symbol is recorded in the portable computer. The turning machine is connected to the stem of the selected valve to turn the stem in a selected direction. The number of revolutions of the valve stem is counted and recorded in the portable computer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a two component system to obtain uniform density of compacted materials and track the compaction of the materials. The first component provides an automated, real-time compaction density meter and method of use to measure the density of the compacted material. The second component provides a Geographic Information System (GIS) for tracking compaction of a surface at specific locations. The two components of the present invention combined provide a system to measure the density of the compacted material and record the location of each density measurement. The components of the present invention can be utilized for many compaction operations, such as the roller compaction of concrete, pavement, soil, landfills, and asphalt pavements.

Abstract: A material to be cut has a face to be cut with a cutting tool, and a cutout which temporarily brings the cutting tool into a noncontact state. Images of the cutting tool during the period when it attains an exposed state by passing over the cutout are captured with a camera mechanism at an interval of a predetermined delay time .tau.. A plurality of image information items obtained by these capturing operations include temperature change information of each location as the cutting tool gradually passes from the point of instant when it enters the cutout. Therefore, the image information items are arranged in relation to the exposure time from the point of instant, and a two-dimensional temperature distribution of the cutting tool at the point of instance is computed according to the tendency of change in image information.

Abstract: Disclosed is a materials design system for obtaining the structural stability or dynamic behavior of an aperiodic system (S.sup.2), which includes a reference system S.sup.0 processing unit (1-1), an aperiodic system S.sup.2 processing unit (1-2), an interatomic potential processing unit (1-3), a reference system S.sup.0 calculation unit (1-4), an aperiodic system S.sup.2 calculation unit (1-5), an MM calculation unit (1-6) for analyzing the stable structure, and an MD calculation unit (1-7) for analyzing the dynamic behavior. The structure of the aperiodic system (S.sup.2) is described on the basis of a deviation from a reference system (S.sup.0). When the potential energy of the aperiodic system (S.sup.2) and the force acting on each atom or each molecule of the aperiodic system (S.sup.2) are to be calculated, calculation is performed within a unit cell of the reference system (S.sup.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for measuring camber of a web material. As the web material is transported across a conveyance roller, a load cell disposed at each end of the conveyance roller measures the force applied by the web material to the conveyance roller for a particular width location of the web material. An electrical signal corresponding to the applied force is transmitted to a computer and manipulated to a camber measurement.

Abstract: 051545044A method and apparatus for compressing, storing and transmitting measurement data correlative to machine status is disclosed in which the measurement data is continuously sensed, sampled and processed to extract significant spectral elements including magnitude and phase information from each successive period of the originally measured data and to store those spectral elements in a memory means from an initial period of significant spectral elements and each successive period of significant spectral elements which have changed since the previous period for developing a compressed data history correlative to a continuous history of the status of the machine being monitored and from which continuous signals can be regenerated and analyzed for any earlier historical time.

Abstract: A process device couples to a process control loop. The process device receives process signals. A memory in the process device contains a nominal parameter value and a rule. Computing circuitry calculates a statistical parameter of the process signal and operates on the statistical parameter and the stored nominal value based upon the stored rule and responsively provides an event output based upon the operation. Output circuitry provides an output in response to the event output.

Abstract: A portable vibration monitoring probe is provided which comprises a housing, a probe and a transducer is provided. An analog to digital converter is coupled to the transducer output. The vibration monitor comprises an interface configured to transmit digital data comprising vibration parameters derived from the digitized analog signal to processing circuitry external to the housing. In some embodiments of the present invention, vibration monitors may be configured to store information in a memory located near the measuring point.

Abstract: Techniques for the determination of mechanical properties of homogenous or functionally-graded materials from indentation testing are presented. The technique is applicable to indentation on the nano-scale through the macro-scale including the geological scale. The technique involves creating a predictive load/depth relationship for a sample, providing an experimental load/depth relationship, comparing the experimental data to the predictive data, and determining a physical characteristic from the comparison.

Abstract: A method for predicting total bump height reduction from volume wear rate data for a laser textured magnetic disk. In this method, a bump topography function, r(h), is first established by which the bump half-width, r, is expressed as a function of bump depth, h. Then the bump height depth after first revolution, h.sub.1, is calculated according to the following equation: ##EQU1## Based on the observation of constant wear volume per cycle, the bump height depth after each subsequent revolution, h.sub.i, i=2 . . . N, is calculated according to the following equation: ##EQU2## The so-calculated h.sub.N is the total bump height reduction after the Nth revolution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing rails for structural defects, the rails being associated with a railroad track include providing and using a first rail traveling vehicle for movement along a segment of rails followed by a second rail traveling vehicle for disposition behind the first rail traveling vehicle along the rails for testing with the first rail traveling vehicle having a first digital computer and a first analog computer and the second rail traveling vehicle having a second computer for display of data associated with the rails. A first modem assembly is provided in the first vehicle with a second modem assembly being provided in the second vehicle in communication with the first modem whereby data may be exchanged between the rail traveling vehicles. During testing, the first rail traveling vehicle transmits complete digital and analog rail structural and defect location information data to the second computer for analysis and action by the operators of the second vehicle.

Abstract: A brake testing device evaluates the condition of a disk having a disk axis and first and second disk surfaces that are normal to the disk axis. The device has a pair of gauges, each having a sensing element for measuring the position of one of the disk surfaces along a line parallel to the disk axis. The gauges generate position signals corresponding to the measured positions of the disk surfaces. The gauges are secured with respect to each other so as to measure positions along parallel lines, and the device positions the gauges to measure the disk surfaces at points equidistant from the disk axis. The gauges are preferably configured to allow testing a disk surrounded by a wheel and a dust shield. The device may be part of a system which processes the position signals to determine the thickness and the lateral run-out of the disk. The system may additionally compare the thickness and lateral runout to manufacturer-specified standards.

Abstract: A data collection system (20) is described which includes a hand-held data collector (22) for connecting to a computer processing station (PC) (24) which has software which provides a grouping of machines, from which data is to be collected, which are not ordered in a predetermined or measurement sequence. The grouped information is downloaded from the PC (24) to the data collector (22) and, once in the data collector, the user lists or rearranges the grouping as desired using the keys of the data collector to specify a desired sequence in the field. This means that the user is able to create the sequence of measurements"live", that is on tour or during the route.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of monitoring a cyclic system comprising a plurality of cyclic means, comprising measuring a single parameter for the complete cyclic system, and, during a learning mode, cycling the cyclic system a plural number of times, and from the measured value of the parameter, providing a range of acceptable values, and during a subsequent monitoring mode comparing the measured value of said parameter with said range of values, and providing an output signal if the measured value of the parameter is outside said range of values.

Abstract: In an apparatus for detecting an abnormality of a control system, the internal property calculating section thereof calculates an internal property of the control system only on the basis of a command value representing a position or a speed of the control system, and the abnormality judging section judges the existence of abnormalities of the control system on the basis of an internal property calculated by the internal property calculating section and an actual internal property of the control system. Consequently, the apparatus can precisely detect abnormalities without being influenced by an observed noise or an operational error.