Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for thermally curing polymeric coated substrates by effective drying of solvents used in the production of the coated component. A feedback system coupled to a heating apparatus is comprised of one or more gas sensors internal or external to the heating apparatus to provide monitoring of the quantity of solvent gases being generated. The present invention allows the curing process to be precisely controlled, where, for example, a predetermined concentration of solvent gases input to the gas sensor can trigger the heating process to be stopped or to provide for a controlled cool down period for curing of the photoresist substrate. A controller coupled between the gas sensor and the heating apparatus may also contain temperature and/or time controls for varying the output of the heating apparatus in response to indications from the gas sensor.

Abstract: A method for determining the adhesion of material layers of any composition on sintered ceramic elements, in particular of material layers on sensor elements for determining gas constituents in gas mixtures. The coated ceramic elements are immersed in an immersion bath consisting of a protic acid, and then subjected to a shock-type heat treatment. Adhesion is then assessed.

Abstract: A machine is described for performing a draw-down operation in which a carriage for supporting a scraper is mounted on the base so as to travel along it, an electric motor is coupled to the carriage for moving it and a scraper is pivotally mounted on said carriage with a means for pushing the scraper against the top of the base with a selectable force.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided to characterize local, small-scale variations in tack build-up, e.g., by measuring tack over areas smaller than 20 mm.sup.2, preferably over areas smaller than 1 mm.sup.2. These devices and methods measure the tack properties, e.g., tack build-up, of a coating over a very small area, allowing characterization of such small-scale variations. The invention also provides methods for using such characterization to predict back trap mottle (BTM).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting imperfections in adhesive coatings formed on fingers of beams are disclosed. The present invention relates, in one aspect, to a method for preparing a first work piece for joining with a second work piece. The method involves forming a finger in the first work piece, then applying an adhesive coating on the finger. A determination is made to determine whether the adhesive coating is defective through the used of a sensing mechanism which is arranged to scan across a portion of the finger. In one embodiment, a defect in the adhesive coating on the finger is defined as a void.

Abstract: A testing system provides a quantitative way of measuring the adhesive strength of adhesives, paints, coatings, adhesive tapes, and other test substances to underlying adherends and substrates, such as metals. The test system of the invention consistently produces uniform results. First and second adherends are bonded together over a relatively small area near the centers and are then pulled apart by a force applied at one end of one of the adherends. The force is increased until the second adherend member is debonded from the first throughout the test bonding zone, thus determining the total energy expended in debonding the first and second adherend members plus strain energy expended in displacing the second member from the first. The force is then decreased until there is no longer any displacement of the second member from the first while concurrently measuring the decreasing force and displacement of the second adherend member from the first adherend member as a function of the decreasing force.

Abstract: A method and system (100) for determining and quantifying the resistance to scuff damage of a film (152) adhered to a substrate (150) of a panel (154), is described. The system includes a computer (102), pressure control valves (104) and a test module (10). The test module has an indentor support plate (12) with an indentor (24 or 224), a compression moving plate (14) and an end plate (16). The plates are connected together by rods (18). The indentor support plate and the end plate are mounted at opposite ends of the rods with the compression moving plate mounted therebetween. An actuator (36) having bellows (42) is mounted between the end plate and the compression moving plate. The panel is mounted on a sliding panel support plate (58) which is connected to a load cell (106). In use, the panel support plate and the panel are positioned between the compression moving plate and the indentor support plate so that the indentor is adjacent the film on the substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the sagging conditions of a sealant. The method is conducted by filling up a sealant in a retaining device, bringing the sealant into contact with a contacting device, moving the retaining device and/or the contacting device reciprocally and linearly to apply shear stress on the sealant and then separating the retaining device and the contacting device from each other to observe the shape of the sealant. The apparatus essentially comprises a retaining device for holding a sealant therein and a contacting device brought into contact with the sealant and a controlling device for moving the retaining device and the contacting device reciprocally and linearly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the application of glue onto the back of a book block processed in a book binding machine and bound by gluing, wherein the thickness of glue application is measured. At least the glue layer applied to the book block back travels partially through at least one measuring range formed by a ray bundle and directed transversely of the travel path of the book blocks. The apparatus includes a transmitter and corresponding receiver which together operate as a measurement transducer. The transducer forms a measuring range extending transversely of the travel path of a book block. The transmitter and receiver are arranged in the book binding machine and the book blocks are moved past the measuring range in such a way that at least the glue layer applied to the book block back partially extends into the measuring range.

Abstract: The invention concerns the ageing of material samples in the test enclosure f an apparatus for testing exposure to light and weathering, using visible light, UV light and medium- or long-wavelength IR radiation and with air circulation. In order to ensure reproducible test results, a value representing the surface temperature of the sample is measured by means of a temperature sensor and compared, at the input of a control unit, with a predefined reference temperature. In the event of a temperature difference, a control signal generated by the control unit adjusts the power supply to a separate IR radiant heater for medium- and long-wavelength IR radiation in such a way that the difference disappears in accordance with a predefined indicial response.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing the mechanical durability of a test surface finish of an object, such as a cooking vessel. The apparatus consists principally of a sliding support fixture operated by a gearmotor with an eccentric drive providing alternative forward and rearward movement to the fixture, scrapers for contacting the surface finish in a predetermined path, and individually operated coil springs for applying constant pressure to the scrapers during the test scraping cycle. A cam and lever combination is also supplied to raise the scrapers above the surface finish as they are returned to initial start position during cyclical test operation.

Abstract: A mount apparatus according to this invention has a mount head for pressing a semiconductor chip on a mount substrate through an adhesive layer. A position sensor for discretely detecting the position of the mount head in a pressing process every predetermined time interval is arranged in the mount head. A non-defect/defect determination unit is also arranged, and the non-defect/defect determination unit performs non-defect/defect determination of the adhesive layer on the basis of the position detected by the position sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method uses vacuum restraint, or other pressure differenl, to hold the ends of a sheet specimen to two opposing surfaces, thereby creating a fold in the specimen. As the opposing surfaces cycle along a parallel axis in opposite directions, the fold repeatedly rolls through a specific region of the specimen. The spacing between the opposing surfaces can be adjusted to increase or to decrease the radius of the fold. The velocity of the fold and the number cycles also can be controlled precisely. After repeated movement of the fold, the adhesion of surface treatments, coatings or printing on the specimen substrate begins to break down. Additionally, the integrity of the substrate itself may begin to deteriorate, if it is susceptible to deterioration and to varying degrees depending upon the susceptibility. The extent to which the specimen coating is degraded and substrate integrity reduced is a function of spacing, fold velocity and number of cycles.

Abstract: Disclosed are marking materials containing retroreflective fillers and processes for the use thereof. In one embodiment, images containing retroreflective fillers are generated on paper by any suitable means, such as electrostatic imaging and development with either dry or liquid developers, ink jet printing, strip-out development processes, or the like, and the images thus generated are used to control a document reproduction system. In another embodiment, images containing retroreflective fillers are generated on a movable part in an imaging apparatus, such as an imaging member, an intermediate transfer member, or the like, by any suitable means, and the images thus generated are used to impart information regarding the relative position of the movable part with respect to the copier or printer containing the movable part.

Abstract: An abrasion tester using an abrasive non-conductive strip moved along the first surface of a non-conductive material to be tested at a point of abrasion to abrade the material to be tested. The dielectric strength of the material to be tested and the abrasive strip at the point of abrasion between a first and second electrode is measured. The abrading process is stopped when a predetermined dielectric strength is measured. Determination is then made of acceptable abrasion resistance of the material to be tested as a function of the initiation and termination of abrading.

Abstract: A method of identifying a weakest interface where delamination is most likely to occur in a multi-layer dielectric film stack formed on a semiconductor wafer includes scribing processed layers including the multi-layer dielectric film stack with an applied force of a selected and constant magnitude, measuring the depth of a cavity formed in the processed layers by such scribing, and identifying the weakest interface by comparing the measured depth against the known depths of the interfaces between adjacent layers of the multi-layer dielectric film stack.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for measuring the quality of a coating on a plate. The invention uses a method of measuring the impedance of a coating on a plate, which uses the steps of placing the coating on a plate in a chamber, and then placing a counter electrode in the chamber so that the coating lies between the plate and the counter electrode. A reference electrode is placed in the chamber so that the coating lies between the reference electrode and the plate, and the chamber is filled with a fluid with an ionic substrate. A potentiostat induces a voltage between the plate and the reference electrode, and impedance of the coating is measured to determine the quality of the coating.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measurement of the eccentricity dimension which measures the eccentricity dimension .alpha. between optical fibers and a coating member of a fiber ribbon made up of optical fibers and a coating member having a rigidity relatively lower than the fibers and covering the outer surface of fibers. When taking up the fiber ribbon at a constant speed, the rotational speed .omega..sub.a of a first rotary drum made to contact one surface of the fiber ribbon and the rotational speed .omega..sub.b of a second rotary drum made to contact the other surface of the fiber ribbon are measured and the radii R of the rotary drums, the overall thickness t of the fiber ribbon, and the rotational speeds .omega..sub.a and .omega..sub.b of the rotary drums are substituted in the following equation to compute the eccentricity dimension .alpha.:.alpha.=(.omega..sub.b -.omega..sub.a) (R+t/2) / (.omega..sub.b +.omega..sub.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the quality of a coating on a plate. The invention uses a method of measuring the impedance of a coating on a plate, which uses the steps of placing the coating on a plate in a chamber, and then placing a counter electrode in the chamber so that the coating lies between the plate and the counter electrode. A reference electrode is placed in the chamber so that the coating lies between the reference electrode and the plate, and the chamber is filled with a fluid with an ionic substrate. A potentiostat induces a voltage between the plate and the reference electrode, and the impedance of the coating is measured to determine the quality of the coating.

Abstract: A method for determining the thickness of ferromagnetic material deposited on a nuclear fuel rod. Calibration samples of known thickness and known permeability are placed between the probe of an eddy current sensor and a conductive surface. A plurality of calibration points are plotted to provide a characteristic complex impedance diagram for a probe excited at a predetermined frequency. Then the complex impedance of the probe excited at the selected frequency is measured when in proximity to a fuel rod having a corrosion layer of unknown thickness and unknown magnetic permeability. For each probe position, the two components of the complex impedance, i.e., the inductive reactance and the resistance, are determined and plotted on the characteristic complex impedance diagram. The position of the measured data point relative to the calibration points enables one to determine the lift-off error due to the presence of ferromagnetic material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a material strength measuring apparatus for specimens having a curved surface or an irregular surface with high accuracy.

Abstract: A test strip for measuring film build on a plastic piece includes a desired length of tape having an adhesive coating on an inner surface and a window. A paint strip of sufficient area to cover the window is secured to the tape by the adhesive. A backing formed from material easily peeled from the adhesive is removed when the tape is mounted on a piece prior to painting. After painting, the test strip is peeled away from the piece so that the paint strip can be separated from the tape, analyzed and stored.

Abstract: Described is apparatus and a method for measuring the integrity of coated paper, which apparatus comprises, a reservoir for a test liquid, e.g., water, retaining means for holding a sample of coated paper which is in liquid communication with the test liquid reservoir, means for applying ultrasonic energy to the sample of coated paper, photoelectric means for continuously measuring the turbidity of the test liquid, the photoelectric means being in liquid communication with the test liquid reservoir and the paper sample, recording means electrically connected to the photoelectric means for continuously recording the turbidity measurements, and means, including pumping means, for circulating test liquid between the reservoir, photoelectric means and paper sample retaining device.

Abstract: The invention refers to an apparatus for testing the color separations of a multicolor print, comprising a pair of press rollers being mounted in a frame and constituted by rollers which can be lifted off each other, through the roller gap of which an image-bearing element consisting of a support foil with an exposed, photosensitive layer, with a color foil, consisting of a color-bearing foil with a color layer, being placed on this element, is fed such that portions of the color layer adhere to the tacky areas of the image-bearing element. For the solution of this problem to provide an apparatus of the kind by which the testing of the color separations of a multicolor print can be carried out in a simple and rapid manner, a movable frame is provided in which a plurality of pairs of roll bearings for rolls to be unwound and wound up are mounted.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for determining the integrity of coated fuel particles via acoustic characterization. Particle supply means (4) drops the nuclear fuel particles (2) individually onto the face (6) of a transducer (8). The generated signal which is indicative of the integrity of the coating on the dropped particle is analyzed with analyzing means (26, 28, 30) for discriminating between a flawed and an unflawed particle.

Abstract: An ink transfer roller assembly which is usable to evaluate the smearing behavior of ink on a print carrier utilizes a central disk having a resilient oleophilic periphery and two side disks of smaller radii. The oleophilic surface is pressed against a freshly printed surface and is rolled off the printed area. Ink retained by the resilient roller is transferred to the previously uninked surface and is evaluated for ink smearing.

Abstract: An apparatus, for determining the degree of tackiness of a surface of a body, comprises a closed chamber with inlet and outlet openings; a support for the body within the chamber; a fan for providing an airflow directed toward the surface of the body within the chamber; a powder dispenser for releasing powder into the path of the airflow upstream of the body surface, the powder being adapted to be carried by the airflow thereby to permit the powder to impinge against the body surface; whereby the amount of powder adhering to the body surface after a period provides a measure of tackiness of the surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating the wear resistance of a weatherstripping of the kind applied to a motor vehicle window frame wherein a window can moveably engage the frame via the weatherstripping, the weatherstripping including a lubricating material, such as flocking, adhered to a base material, whereby the moveable engagement can cause wear of the adhered lubricating material. The apparatus includes first structure for holding a test strip of weatherstripping, a wand having a tapered nose portion, and second structure, coupled to the wand and first structure, for imposing a plurality of strokes of the wand nose portion upon the test strip. Third structure, coupled to the second structure, is for adjusting the amount of force with which the wand nose portion is sought to be imposed upon the test strip during the plurality of strokes. The wand is a thin, flat and elongate glass part having a tapered nose portion.

Abstract: A method for determining the elongation before rupture of a syntactic material. The syntactic material consists of hollow microspheres in a polymer matrix material and may be used as insulation for deep water sub-sea flowlines, an application which requires that the material must be able to withstand a large tensile elongation without rupture. Elongation tests are performed in which various factors such as type of matrix and kind, size and bonding of microspheres are varied in order to determine the syntactic material providing maximum elongation without breaking.

Abstract: A sensor comprises a tiny cantilever of a thin film having a detection region at its free end portion, a detector for detecting a displacement of the cantilever caused by material acting on the detecting region, and calculation unit for calculating an amount of the material acting on the detection region, based on the displacement of the cantilever which has been detected by the detector, thereby to measure the intensity of a particle-stream applied to the detection region or the thickness of a film formed on the detection region.

Abstract: A method of evaluating the start/stop lifetime of a thin-film magnetic medium having an overcoat formed by sputtering a carbon-containing overcoat on a magnetic-film substrate. Resistance to erosion of the medium is evaluated by the time required to wear away the overcoat during a high-speed abrasion treatment. Lubricity is measured either in terms of the coefficient of friction of the disc, or in terms or surface hydrophobicity, as gauged by one of a number of measurable surface properties. The method allows for rapid assessment of disc wear properties, and can be used to optimize sputtering conditions required to achieve selected hardness and lubricity properties in a disc overcoat.

Abstract: A method of detecting coated fuel particles having a broken ceramic coated layer in coated fuel particles for high-temperature gas-cooled reactor which comprises permeating a liquid into the interior of the coated fuel particles having a broken ceramic coated layer through a broken portion of the ceramic coated layer, thereafter heating it to expand the liquid by evaporation pyrolysis thereby breaking the ceramic coating layer or the whole body of coated fuel particle by pressure generated.

Abstract: A device for continuously measuring and correcting a tackiness of a sheet of rubber material including a feeding unit for continuously feeding an unvulcanized rubber sheet along a flat support surface and a rotatable roller in contact with the unvulcanized rubber sheet, whereby the roller is rotated by the movement of the unvulcanized rubber sheet, and entrained in the sheet feed direction due to a tackiness of the unvulcanized rubber sheet. A load cell is connected to the roller via a linkage, for measuring a resistance to the rolling of the roller, i.e., a change of a position of the roller entrained in the sheet feed direction.

Abstract: An article such as a drawn optical fiber (21) or an array of optical fibers is provided with a curable coating material. The array of optical fibers may be held together with a curable matrix material (45). Included in the coating material or the matrix material is a fluorescent constituent the fluorescence emission of which changes as a function of the degree of cure of the coating or matrix material. After the in-line curing of the coating material or of the matrix material, the fluorescence emission of the fluorescent constituent is monitored to determine the degree of cure of the curable material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed wherein a plurality of basis weight sensors are interleaved with one or more processing stations used to conjoin or apply one or more layers to a base substrate to form a multilayer product such that a sensor is located on the input and output sides of each processing station. Each of the sensors can be calibrated with a plurality of product calibrations such that multiple output signals corresponding to multiple products can be generated simultaneously by the sensors. Each of the sensors is calibrated with product calibrations corresponding to the product or intermediate stage of the product which it monitors, the layer applied by the processing station preceding it, if any, and the layer applied by the processing station succeeding it, if any.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the speed and impression on a manual ink proofer engaging a substrate wherein the manual ink proofer is detachably connected to a piston rod of a fluid motor. A valve is provided for controlling the speed at which the piston rod and associated ink proofer is retracted toward the cylinder, and an adjustable downward pressure is applied to the ink proofer to obtain the desired impression pressure.

Abstract: A quality assurance test method utilizing a fluorescent compound formed by reacting at least one aminofunctional organosilicon compound with at least one optical brightener having the formula ##STR1## and wherein R denotes anilino, sulfanilic, acid, metanilic acid, or anilin-2,5-disulfonic acid, and R' is methoxy, methylamino, N-methyl-N-hydroxyethylamino, bis(hydroxyethyl)amino, morpholino, anilino, or diethylamino.The organosilicon fluorescent compound is coated on the substrate and the substrate is placed under an ultraviolet light to check the extensiveness of the coating.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly determining the print quality of a porous material which includes contacting a porous surface with a source of ink, and then providing a known relative acceleration between the ink source and the porous surface. In this manner, a predetermined volume of ink is transferred from the ink source to a known area of the porous surface. Then, the amount of ink transferred into the porous surface area per unit of time is measured to thereby determine the time between initial ink contact and the initial ink penetration, referred to as the wetting delay, the penetration rate of ink into the porous surface, and the volumetric roughness of the porous material. All of these latter parameters are closely correlated to print quality.

Abstract: A method of testing coating integrity of containers includes the steps of introducing a probe into an electrolytic solution into the container and applying a constantly-increasing voltage to the probe from a source and taking readings of the voltage when the current flow through the container reaches a predetermined level. The apparatus also includes a gripping mechanism for producing a positive contact between the metal in the container and the remainder of the circuit.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in the adhesion measurement of an adhesive sheet comprising a standard surface to be sticked with a main portion of the adhesive sheet, a take-up roller for pulling and taking up the free end portion of the sheet while peeling the sticked sheet portion from the standard surface by the rotation thereof, a source of driving force for rotating the take-up roller, and a torque meter interposed between the source of driving force and the take-up roller for generating torque signals corresponding to the adhesion of the adhesive sheet. The apparatus further includes: a base table extending in parallel with the standard surface; and track rolling members operatively connected to the take-up roller and mounted to a machine frame supporting the take-up roller, the torque meter and the source of driving force, and the rolling members being adapted to roll on the standard surface at the same speed with the peripheral speeed of the take-up roller.

Abstract: For checking the workmanship of paint coating, light is shed on the portion of the surface of an object where a paint has been applied. The intensity of light reflected by this portion of the surface gives a clue to a judgment on the acceptability of the paint coating. The judgment is passed by checking whether or not the above-mentioned intensity of light falls within a preset level. The level to be preset is variable according to the intensity of light reflected by the surface, the intensity of light in this case being measured prior to the application of the paint. The light reflected by the portion of the surface where the paint has been applied is resolved into three colors. A checkup is carried out on whether or not the sum of the intensities of light representing these three colors corresponds to a level preset for the amount of this sum. A level to be preset is selected from among data stored in a memory.

Abstract: Device for a hardness measuring instrument comprises a bar device having one end portion that supports a test body, a middle portion that is pivotable about a pivot center, and a second end portion. The device has a gently lowerable measuring device which works on the basis of probes for measuring the thickness of thin layers. At the second end portion of the bar device there is a movable first part of an oscillation damping device, the longitudinal extension of which is aligned with the direction of movement of the test body.

Abstract: Sample intended to be examined under the microscope which comprises a board having a performation provided with a covering and embedded in resin. A checking device, of which the cylindrical rod has a diameter just less than that of the perforation, is inserted into the latter.

Abstract: A temperature-controlled accelerated weathering test apparatus concentrates solar radiation upon target samples and controls the flow rate of cooling ambient air circulated across the target samples in order to maintain the target sample temperature substantially constant despite variations in ambient daytime temperature and variations in solar radiation intensity. A temperature sensor is secured to an aluminum panel mounted upon the target board of the test apparatus proximate to the target samples for generating an electrical signal relating to the temperature of the target samples. The temperature sensor and related aluminum panel are coated black to enhance absorbtion of solar radiation. A controller responsive to the electrical signal generated by the temperature sensor controls the application of electrical power to a blower motor used to circulate cooling ambient air across the target samples.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to integrate the steps of (1) distributing test ink to form a film of uniform thickness over the surface of a transfer roll; (2) transferring the ink film in a controlled number of revolutions at a controlled nip pressure onto an applicator roll; and, (3) further transferring the ink film in a controlled time interval to the surface of a test specimen at a controlled print pressure for a controlled number of print impressions.

Abstract: A novel apparatus for determining the relative hardness and abrasion resistance of industrial film coatings and linings is disclosed. In its preferred form, the apparatus comprises a rigid handle incorporating a pre-set angle between its flat lower surface and a flexible spring blade attached at one end to the handle, and a scoring stylus attached at the other end of the spring blade. By placing the bottom of the handle on the surface of the film coating or lining whose relative hardness and abrasion resistance is to be determined, the spring blade is caused to deflect and thereby exert a constant and predetermined force through the scoring stylus onto the film coating or lining. By drawing or pulling the handle across the surface of the film coating or lining while maintaining the lower surface of the handle in complete contact with the film coating or lining, the scoring stylus creates a scratch on the surface of the film coating or lining.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for making porous metal plasma sprayed abradable seals. Radiation transmission techniques are utilized to determine the as-sprayed density of a deposit containing metal and polymer powder particles. Based on the measuring density, a mathematical prediction is made of what the surface hardness of the sprayed deposit will be after it has been machined and then heated to remove the polymer powder particles. If the predicted hardness is outside of the desired range, changes are made in the plasma spray parameters.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for carrying out the process which causes acceleration of photodegradation of polymer substances. The process comprises irradiating a polymer substance with a low wavelength light and then a high wavelength light in an atmosphere with a specified humidity. The apparatus contains an irradiation lamp for irradiating a polymer substance, a rotating mounting plate for supporting the polymer substance, and humidifying means for creating a predetermined humidity for the photodegradation of the polymer substance. The photodegradation process and apparatus are used to precisely determine the useful life of polymer substances.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the removal of rosin soldering flux and adhesive tape residues from printed circuit and/or wiring boards, and for testing the quality of curing of U.V.-cured soldermask on such boards. The compositions of the invention contain terpene compounds, preferably in combination with terpene emulsifying surfactants to facilitate removal by rinsing in water.

Abstract: An instrument for measuring a thickness of a surface processing film on a metal includes a plurality of instruction executing keys, an enclosed recording apparatus, a terminal for connecting a probe to detect an electrical signal corresponding to the film thickness when the probe is pressed onto the metal, a circuit for converting the electrical signal obtained from the probe to a digital value indicative of the film thickness, and a circuit for arithmetically processing the digital value in accordance with instructions by the instruction executing keys. The results of the processing are outputted to the recording apparatus.