Abstract: A manufacturing method forms components having a desired shape. A contoured surface is defined for a forming tool for forming a metal blank into the desired shape, wherein respective portions of the metal blank flow over the contoured surface during forming. An intrinsic material flow pattern resulting from the contoured surface is compared to a desired flow in order to identify regions of the contoured surface having an insufficient flow that creates areas in the formed metal blank receiving less than a desired amount of metal. A surface microtexture is applied onto the contoured surface in a pattern selected to increase metal flow along the identified regions by providing a friction in the identified regions that is reduced relative to adjacent regions of the contoured surface.

Abstract: A metal blank that includes a binder trim component having at least one cut edge with a non-linear section. The creation of the non-linear section simultaneously forms a corresponding section in a binder trim component of an adjacent metal blank so that binder material can be shared therebetween. This reduces the amount of scrap metal, as the binder trim component is subsequently cut off and discarded. Furthermore, the non-linear section can include one or more strategically placed formations, such as projections, recesses, flat sections, etc., that cause it to be non-uniform along its length and to be specifically tailored to the manufacturing requirements of the part being formed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for manufacturing a press-molded product with a preform including a pair of side wall portions and a connecting wall portion are taught. The preform is pressed with a mold until at least one wall portion is bent toward a gap within the mold, and a plate thickness is increased at the at least one wall portion and the connecting wall portion by pressing other wall portions.

Abstract: A metal gasket includes embossments that exhibit essentially full functional recovery and full retained internal stress at temperatures up to about 1000° F. which is made from sheet material that is cold rolled and whose embossments are work hardened without any post embossment heat treating that would act to harden the material. This material may also receive a precipitation hardening heat treatment prior to being embossed. The gasket materials include alloys having greater than about 18% Ni, greater than about 14% Cr, from about 0.1 to 10% of at least one of Mo, Ti, V, Al, Co, Nb, Ta or Cu and the balance Fe with incidental impurities, which are cold rolled without any post embossment heat treating that would act to harden the material.

Abstract: One embodiment includes an annular end plate for a plate assembly of a frictionally operating device, having a friction section, extending in the radial direction, to form a flat front side, which can be turned toward the plate assembly in a first axial direction, and having a rotary driving section, which integrally adjoins the friction section in the first radial direction. The end plate may have a reinforcing section, which integrally adjoins the friction section in the opposite, second, radial direction, the reinforcing section or the first section of the reinforcing section, that adjoining the friction section, being at least partially and preferably completely bent through more than 90° in the opposite, second, axial direction relative to the friction section. The present invention furthermore relates to a frictionally operating device having an end plate of this kind and to a method for the production of an end plate of this kind.

Abstract: A method of reshaping a portion of a plate-like workpiece lying on a workpiece support of a machine tool, with the workpiece being movable with respect to the workpiece support. The method comprises folding the portion of the workpiece such that the folded portion of the workpiece has several sides and it is only folded at a side connected to a residual portion of the workpiece lying on the workpiece support, and the folded workpiece portion is raised at a predetermined angle with respect to the residual portion, and reshaping the folded portion of the workpiece to have a segment directed downwardly with respect to the folded portion of the workpiece.

Abstract: Implantable devices for placement at a cavity or opening such as an aneurysm are disclosed. The implantable devices, in a deployed condition, have a generally inverted U-shaped profile with a curved or angled framework support structure sized and configured for placement in proximity to tissue surrounding the opening and anchoring legs extending proximally from the framework structure sized and configured to contact the wall of a neighboring lumen at opposed locations. Occlusive and semi-occlusive membranes may be associated with the framework support structure and deployed over the opening to provide exclusion of the opening and flow diversion. Proximal anchoring segments providing additional lumen wall surface area contact for the implantable device following deployment may be incorporated.

Abstract: A back plate for use with a backlight module, a backlight module using the same, and the manufacturing method thereof are provided. The back plate includes a plate body and a side wall. The side wall extends out from the edge of the plate body and includes a wall body and a bending part, wherein the thickness of the wall body is less or equal to 0.12 mm. The bending part is formed by bending a plurality of bending sheets outward from the top of the wall body, wherein the thickness of each bending sheet is less or equal to 0.12 mm. The backlight module includes the back plate and a light source module, wherein the light source module is disposed on the plate body and adjacent to the inner side of the side wall.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to deformation machining systems and methods that combine, in a single machine tool setup, the machining of thin structures and single point incremental forming (SPIF), such that novel part geometries and enhanced material properties may be obtained that are not achievable using conventional machining or forming systems and methods, individually or collectively. Important to many applications, lighter weight parts may be produced at lower cost using a conventional 3-axis computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine tool or the like, instead of the conventional 5-axis CNC machine tool or the like that is typically required.

Abstract: Fuel spacers include at least one specialized bathtub on an outer perimeter band. Specialized bathtubs include an elastic resistive extension and a corresponding deflection limiter on a same outer face of the perimeter band. The elastic resistive extension provides flexible resistance to the channel, and the deflection limiter provides rigid movement limitation beyond a particular threshold between channel and spacer. The positioning, spring constant, length, number, and other properties of the specialized bathtub can be chosen based on the desired fuel assembly properties and expected transverse loads in fuel shipping and operation against which specialized bathtubs resiliently protect. The specialized bathtubs can be formed from a simplified stamp operation out of the perimeter band. Bathtubs can be placed on any position(s) on the perimeter band of example embodiment spacers used in nuclear fuel assemblies.

Abstract: A retaining clip for a getter is provided. The retaining clip for a getter includes a curved structure including a first surface, a second surface opposing the first surface, a first-edge surface, and a second-edge surface opposing the first-edge surface, the curved structure curved in a major curve having a major radius-of-curvature and a major axis perpendicular to the major radius-of-curvature; and at least one tab seamlessly extending from at least one of the first-edge surface and the second-edge surface. The curved structure is configured to be operably retained in a getter cavity with the getter that is attached to the at least one tab.

Abstract: A cold storage unit such as a cryogenic dewar includes a tank with an opening, a storage space communicating with the opening, and a pool for liquid nitrogen positioned adjacent the storage space. The storage space receives a plurality of storage racks, each including a rack body with a rear wall and first and second sidewalls extending from the rear wall. The storage rack also includes a plurality of shelves, each shelf defined by a first lip punched from the first sidewall and a second lip punched from the second sidewall, the first and second lips being bent towards one another and spaced from one another. The shelves minimize the material and weight used in manufacturing the storage rack. Additionally, the storage rack is assembled with minimal spot welding required.

Abstract: A method of joining multiple components includes stacking the components vertically. Each component includes two opposite substantially planar surfaces that are arranged in a column when the components are stacked. The method also includes placing the stacked components in a clinch-crimping apparatus having a first punch, a second punch, and a crimping element. The method also includes displacing a section of the substantially planar surfaces of the stacked components by driving the first punch in a first direction that is substantially perpendicular to the surfaces. The method additionally includes retracting the first punch from the displaced section and crimping the displaced section by the crimping element to form a crush initiator. The method additionally includes disengaging the crimping element from the crimped, displaced section. Furthermore, the method includes clinching the crimped, displaced section by driving the second punch in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A clamp for a disk rotation driving device has a centering hole which is fitted to an outer circumference of a centering projection of a hub of the disk rotation driving device. A clamping screw is screwed into an axial center of the hub whereby a fastening head of the clamping screw fastens the clamp to the hub and a contact portion of the clamp comes in contact with an information recordable magnetic disk attached to the hub and presses onto the disk in a rotation axis direction. The clamp includes a centering cylinder bent in an axial direction. The centering cylinder has a circumferential inner surface which defines the centering hole. The rounded section is provided along an edge of the centering hole and has a radius smaller than the thickness of the centering cylinder. The fastening surface is continuous to the rounded section.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a component of an adjustment device for vehicle seats, wherein, in a first step, a work piece is machined such that the work piece is harder in a first region than in a second region, and/or in that the work piece is of a larger geometrical size in a third region than in a fourth region, wherein, in a second step, the work piece is deformed in such a way that a tool is moved onto the work piece at a speed greater than 1 m/s.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for shaping an essentially flat-surfaced blank (10) to form a shell body (34), comprising the following steps: forming at least one flat-surfaced, buckling-stable insert (12) which is adapted to form, dimension and deformation properties of the flat-surfaced blank (10); forming a blank (14) to be deformed and at least one buckling-stable insert (16, 16?, 16?) to be deformed from the flat-surfaced blank (10, 10?) and the at least one flat-surfaced buckling-stable insert (12, 12?); placing and clamping the blank (14) to be deformed and the at least one buckling-stable insert (16, 16?, 16?) relative to one another and deforming the blank (14) together with the at least one buckling-stable insert (16, 16?, 16?) to be deformed in order to form the shell body, using at least one forming tool (32) that acts upon the front or inner side (20) of the blank (14) to be deformed or the at least one insert (16) to be deformed which is provided as a support.

Abstract: Provided is a press product forming method for press-forming a curved press product. The curved press product is formed into a hat-like cross-section including an upper surface portion, side wall portions, and flange portions. The press product forming method includes: a pre-forming step of forming, at a widthwise end portion of a flat plate-like blank, at least one bending portion extending along a longitudinal direction; and a main forming step of forming the upper surface portion and the side wall portions under a state in which the bending portion is left.

Abstract: A load-bearing three-dimensional structure including a skeletal structure formed by a sheet of material having a plurality of bend lines, each bend line including a plurality of folding displacements, wherein the sheet of material is bent along the bend lines into a box-section; and a reinforcing member configured for substantially surrounding a portion of the skeletal structure when bent into a box-section to reinforce the structural integrity of the skeletal structure. A method of manufacturing the three-dimensional structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing hollow profile-members having a longitudinal flange, wherein a plate which is arranged between the stamp and the first die being preshaped by introducing a stamp into a first die to form an U-shaped profile-member having a first member and a second member, and wherein the U-shaped profile-member being shaped with a second die to form an O-shaped profile-member having a longitudinal flange. In one aspect, the plate is preshaped to form the U-shaped profile-member, a longitudinal flange member portion is shaped in at least the first member and the longitudinal flange member portion is constructed during the shaping of the U-shaped profile-member to form an O-shaped profile-member substantially in a shape-retaining manner to form a portion of the longitudinal flange.

Abstract: A clutch assembly for a vehicle transmission includes a housing defined by a wall having an annular configuration circumscribing a clutch axis. The wall extends between an open end and a floor. The floor extends inwardly from the wall toward the clutch axis. A plurality of splines formed in the wall and each is spaced from the open end of the housing. A snap ring retains clutch plates in the housing. The open end of the wall is deformed inwardly toward the clutch axis defining a retainer for retaining the snap ring within the housing.

Abstract: A laser nanoforming system and method for forming three-dimensional nanostructures from a metallic surface. A laser beam is directed to hit and explode an ablative layer to generate a shockwave that exerts a force on the metallic surface to form an inverse nanostructure of an underlying mold. A dry lubricant can be located between the metallic surface and mold to reduce friction. A confinement layer substantially transparent to the laser beam can confine the shockwave. A cushion layer can protect the mold from damage. A flyer layer between the ablative layer and metallic surface can protect the metallic surface from thermal effects of the exploding ablative layer. The mold can have feature sizes less than 500 nm. The metallic surface can be aluminum film. The dry lubricant can be sputtered Au—Cr film, evaporated Au film or a dip-coated PVP film or other dry lubricant materials.

Abstract: It is an objective of the present invention to provide a battery case lid and a manufacturing method for the battery case lid which inhibit work hardening of a metal plate workpiece and which facilitate manufacture of a battery case lid. Provided is a battery case lid (1) formed by working a metal plate, including: a substrate section (2) and an explosion-proof valve (4) formed in the substrate section (2), wherein the explosion-proof valve (4) has a reduced thickness section (41) thinner than the substrate section (2), and the reduced thickness section (41) is formed by extending the metal plate by applying pressure while the metal plate is kept unrestrained.

Abstract: A clutch plate in an annular shape, the clutch plate includes: a plurality of lubricating grooves on one end face and the other end face of the clutch plate in an axial direction; and a plurality of windows passing through the clutch plate in the axial direction. The lubricating grooves are formed with plastic deformation, in a same phase on both the end faces, and extended up to outer peripheral edges and inner peripheral edges of both the end faces. A plurality of intersection points where the lubricating grooves intersect with each other are positioned in other areas than at least one of the outer peripheral edges, radially outer edges of the windows, radially inner edges of the windows, and the inner peripheral edges, of both the end faces.

Abstract: Provided are patterned nanoporous gold (“P-NPG”) films that may act as at least one of an effective and stable surface-enhanced Raman scattering (“SERS”) substrate. Methods of fabricating the P-NPG films using a low-cost stamping technique are also provided. The P-NPG films may provide uniform SERS signal intensity and SERS signal intensity enhancement by a factor of at least about 1×107 relative to the SERS signal intensity from a non-enhancing surface.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a laminar male die of the interchangeable type, for printing Braille characters on yielding supports. The method includes the step of punching the metal foil that forms the body of the male die to obtain a plurality of first points in relief on a first face of the foil. The first points define one or more characters in Braille alphabet. The method further includes punching the metal foil to obtain at least two second points in relief on the other side of the foil; the second points in relief are aligned with corresponding receiving seats of an outer male die-holding support. A male die obtained by the method and the respective manufacturing apparatus are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for protecting control lines used with tool strings in a downhole environment. A control line protector assembly comprises a plurality of components formed into a unitary piece which includes a guard section having a first end section and a second end section, a slot on each of the first end section and the second end section, and a securing mechanism for coupling the guard section having the first end section and the second end section to the coupling. A control line protector assembly is formed using a metal stamping process.

Abstract: A method for fabricating wings of bicycle pedals includes, first, stamping a plate to form a preformed body which includes an opening and a body with a preset working surface. The working surface has a preset force receiving zone. The body has a first expanded portion and a second expanded portion and two arched portions bridging two sides of the first and second expanded portions; then applying a punching force to the force receiving zone to bend the first expanded portion, second expanded portion and arched portions to become a product; finally performing a bending process and a hole forming process on the product to obtain the wings.

Abstract: A rack for an oven includes a sheet of metal having a front edge, a back edge, opposing side edges, a top surface and a bottom surface. A row of punched openings is formed in the metal sheet, with a solid region of metal adjacent to the row of punched openings. A stiffening rib is formed in a surface of the rack in the solid region of metal having a substantially semi-circular, indented cross-section.

Abstract: A method of forming a stamped metal laminate part from a strip stock with a layer of viscoelastic material laminated between two metal layers, and a laminated abutment clip made by the method. Part carriers are disposed on the sides of the stock. A longitudinal axis extends between the part carriers through the stock. The stock is advanced through a progressive die to a first position where a first form is created, a second position, where a second form is created by modifying the first form, and to a third position where a third form is created. Relative sliding of the metal layers in the stock is prevented between the axis and the form being created, and relative sliding of the metal layers is permitted at a section beyond the particular form being created, preventing delamination of the stock while the first, second and third forms are formed.

Abstract: A metal gasket includes embossments that exhibit essentially full functional recovery and full retained internal stress at temperatures up to about 1000° F. which is made from sheet material that is cold rolled and whose embossments are work hardened without any post embossment heat treating that would act to harden the material. This material may also receive a precipitation hardening heat treatment prior to being embossed. The gasket materials include alloys having greater than about 18% Ni, greater than about 14% Cr, from about 0.1 to 10% of at least one of Mo, Ti, V, Al, Co, Nb, Ta or Cu and the balance Fe with incidental impurities, which are cold rolled without any post embossment heat treating that would act to harden the material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermoforming station in which motors are oriented so as to rotate in the same sense on the drive of the upper table (33) and of the lower table (32) of the thermoforming station whilst actuating elements (31) are oriented in counterrotating manner. In addition, a wobbling table mounting (37) is proposed. Further disclosed is a table-guiding system which is separate from the upper yoke supports. Spring assemblies (46) for holding overload supports are also mentioned. The thermoforming station (26) operates as a whole more reliably and is very easily maintained.

Abstract: A machine case for accommodating at least one electronic device is provided. The machine case includes a top plate and a bottom plate. The bottom plate has a smooth arc surface, the smooth arc surface has a vertex, and a distance between the vertex of the smooth arc surface and the top plate is less than a distance between any other part of the smooth arc surface and the top plate. The smooth arc surface protruding towards the top plate is formed on the bottom plate of the machine case in advance, so that when an electronic device is placed on the bottom plate, the smooth arc surface becomes flat. A processing method of a machine case is further provided. The smooth arc surface is formed according to the deformation of the bottom plate when an electronic device is placed on the bottom plate.

Abstract: A method of making an S-shaped bent edge component comprising: placing in order an upper layer of metal base plate and a lower layer of metal base plate as well as a middle layer of heat-isolating materials in between; fixing the metal base plates with the heat-isolating materials; forming J-shaped edges on the base plates by stamping, and the J-shaped edges of the base plates are perpendicular to a horizontal portion of the metal base plates; each of the J-shaped edges of the base plates has an outwardly bent curve with a crown and a curve end; by means of a stamping step performed by an upper mold M1 with a concave surface and a flat surface and a lower mold M2 with a flat surface, the concave surface of the mold M1 exerts lateral force onto the curve ends so that the J-shaped edges of the base plates inwardly bend towards the upper metal base plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a blank, which is composed at least substantially of material that can be embossed, in particular aluminum or an aluminum alloy, for closing a container along the edge thereof, in particular by means of adhesive bonding or sealing, the blank having an embossed surface and being stamped from a continuous material. The invention is characterized in that markings are embossed on the continuous material when the surface of the blank is embossed, said markings being used for the position determination during the stamping process.

Abstract: A method of making metal target blank using circular groove pressing includes pressing a metal or metal alloy target blank in a first circular grooved pressing die set into a first concentric corrugated shape while maintaining an original diameter of the target blank to create concentric rings of shear deformation in the target blank. Forces are then applied to the concentric corrugated target blank sufficient to substantially flatten the target blank with a flat die set while maintaining the original diameter of the target blank to restore the target blank to a substantially flat condition. The target blank is pressed in a second circular grooved die set into a second concentric corrugated shape while maintaining the original diameter of the target blank, wherein the second die set has a groove pattern offset from a groove pattern of the first die set so as to create concentric rings of shear deformation in areas of the target blank which were not previously deformed.

Abstract: There is provided a base for a hard disk drive formed by press processing, the base including: coupling parts corresponding to coupling units to be coupled to components for operating the hard disk drive and formed by depressing a predetermined region of one surface of the base to thereby protrude the predetermined region outward from the other surface thereof, wherein the coupling parts are closed by a cap member.

Abstract: The invention offers a pressed product (F) produced by press-forming a metal plate (1). The pressed product (F) has a peripheral surface that has a corner portion (12) connecting two surfaces in the peripheral surface. The corner portion (12) has an outside corner radius R that is equal to or smaller than the thickness “t” of the metal plate (1). That is, the pressed product (F) has the sharp corner portion (12).

Abstract: A forming system includes first and second tools, moving assemblies, and a control unit. The moving assemblies move the first tool and the second tool relative to the sheet. The control unit is configured to control movement of the first tool and the second tool by the one or more moving assemblies by moving at least one of the first tool or the second tool in a first deformation direction to deform the sheet, then moving the first and second tools laterally relative to the sheet to a subsequent location while engaging the sheet, then moving at least one of the first tool or the second tool in the first deformation direction or an opposite second deformation direction to deform the sheet, and then continue moving the first and second tools to deform the sheet in order to create a three-dimensional component from the sheet.

Abstract: A tool and method of hemming a panel wherein the tool engages a flange to apply a compressive force with a stop initially preventing a distal end of the flange from moving inwardly. The hemming tool bends the intermediate portion of the flange between the flange bend and the distal end toward the panel. The stop is withdrawn to allow the flange to be progressively formed toward the panel until the distal end is aligned with the intermediate portion.

Abstract: The longitudinal direction (rolling direction) and the width direction of a cold processed plate material are indicated. The layout direction of an ingrown nail correction tool material is arranged such that the longitudinal direction of a material of a correction tool body substantially corresponds to the width direction, and the direction in which a material of a nail holder portion is formed substantially corresponds to a direction in which the cold processed plate material is processed. The material of the ingrown nail correction tool is cut out from the cold processed plate material and processed such that the longitudinal direction of the correction tool body of an ingrown nail correction tool is substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the cold processed plate material is processed. The direction in which the nail holder portion is formed substantially corresponds to the direction in which the cold processed plate material is processed.

Abstract: The invention relates, in a first aspect, to a flat semi-finished product made of metal (1), wherein said semi-finished product comprises at least out structured section (2) and at least one non-structured section, wherein said semi-finished product has non-structured edge sections (4) and exhibits a high strength. The semi-finished product made of metal (1) according to the invention is characterized in that it is designed as one piece and predetermined sections (2) are structured and predetermined sections are non-structured, wherein at least one non-structured section (4) is designed as a connecting region for positive or non-positive connection or for connecting by bonding. Furthermore, methods for producing the semi-finished products according to the invention are provided.

Abstract: Provided are a surface-treated metal sheet which includes a nickel layer having improved corrosion resistance and a method of manufacturing a formed article. In a surface-treated metal sheet where a nickel layer is formed on a substrate, the proportion of (200) planes to a total of (111) planes, (200) planes, (220) planes and (311) planes with respect to the crystal plane orientations of the nickel layer is set to 40% or less. In a method of manufacturing a formed article using a surface-treated metal sheet where a nickel layer is formed on a substrate, the surface-treated metal sheet having the nickel layer where the proportion of (200) planes to a total of (111) planes, (200) planes, (220) planes and (311) planes is set to 40% or less with respect to the crystal plane orientations of the nickel layer is worked using a mold.

Abstract: Method of forming depressions (e.g. dimples) in a sheet material to form a textured surface thereon involves pressing one or more tool tips into a metallic or non-metallic sheet material while the sheet material is supported by a support layer that is relatively softer (e.g. having a lower Young's modulus) than the sheet material so as to allow plastic deformation and reduce pile-up of raised displaced material of the sheet material at the edges of the depressions.

Abstract: A mandrel includes a support structure; main sectors carried by the support structure and each having a main forming surface; and intermediate sectors carried by the support structure and each having an intermediate forming surface. The main sectors and intermediate sectors are alternately arranged around the axis. The main sectors are moveable relative to the support structure between a radially inner main retracted position, and a radially outer main forming position. The intermediate sectors are moveable relative to the support structure between a radially inner intermediate retracted position, and a radially outer intermediate forming position. The mandrel further includes drive means for moving the main sectors and intermediate sectors from their respective retracted positions to their respective forming positions. The drive means is configured such that each main sector reaches its main forming position before the adjacent intermediate sectors reach their respective intermediate forming positions.

Abstract: A concentrating solar energy device for use in buildings is configured to share structural elements with a building for cost savings. The device incorporates a shallow cylindrical trough mirror comprising mirrored sheets that are conformed to curved rafters, a receiver that is moveable within the cumulative area of focus of the cylindrical trough mirror, a secondary mirror integrated with the receiver that augments solar energy collection, and parallel linear tracking assemblies that move the receiver and that mount to a building's side walls.

Abstract: A cup-shaped member in which the outer peripheral recesses are formed on the base end portion side of the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder portion, on which the bottom portion is disposed, by denting the outer peripheral surface radially inward of the cylinder portion at positions that correspond to the inner peripheral protrusions. The smooth outer peripheral portion is formed on the opening end side of the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder portion that is opposite to the side on which the bottom portion is disposed. The smooth outer peripheral portion has no corrugation and has generally the same diameter over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface, thereby increasing the strength of the cup-shaped member, and allowing the inner peripheral corrugated portion to be surely formed.

Abstract: A load beam of a head suspension has a rigid part and a resilient part supported with a base to be attached to a carriage arm. The load beam applies a load onto a head supported at a front end of the rigid part. The load beam includes a load bend formed in each of a pair of legs that extend from widthwise sides of a base end of the rigid part and form the resilient part. The load bend is formed by bending the leg along a bend line that is defined on the leg and extends in a width direction of the load beam. The bend lines on the legs are positionally shifted from each other in a length direction of the load beam.

Abstract: An article cut from a metallic sheet, has a first pattern of struts forming a plurality of inner apexes situated substantially within a plane that contains the plurality of the inner apexes. There is a second pattern of struts forming a plurality of outer apexes that are situated substantially within the plane containing the inner apexes. Each outer apex has at least one strut in common with an adjacent inner apex. There is also described a method of forming a non-planar three dimensional structure by patterning a planar sheet of material to form an article having a plurality of inner apexes, a plurality of outer apexes with a common curvilinear strut between an inner apex and an adjacent outer apex. Thereafter, everting the article into a non-planar three dimensional structure with the inner apexes at one end of the structure and the outer apexes at another end of the structure.

Abstract: A gate operator for opening and closing an exterior gate includes an elongate hollow housing for rigid vertical mounting relative to the ground. First and second spaced-apart hinge assemblies for securing to the gate are mounted within the housing for pivoting relative to the housing. A motor is mounted within the housing and is coupled to at least one of the first and second hinge assemblies for causing the at least one of the first and second hinge assemblies to pivot between first and second positions and thus cause the gate to pivot between opened and closed positions. A method for manufacturing the gate operator and a folded gate assembly utilizing the gate operator are provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor package includes a curved body and a plurality of semiconductor die. The curved body includes first and second opposing end regions and an intermediate center region. The curved body has a first inflection point at the center region, a second inflection point at the first end region and a third inflection point at the second end region. The center region has a convex curvature with a minimal extremum at the first inflection point, the first end region has a concave curvature with a maximal extremum at the second inflection point and the second end region has a concave curvature with a maximal extremum at the third inflection point. The plurality of semiconductor die are attached to an upper surface of the curved body between the maximal extrema.