摘要:
A process for designing and optimally fabricating a plastic object begins by creating a surface model (215) of the object on a digital computer. The surface model contains information about the exterior of the product. A set of constraints (222) that are based on physical attributes of the product and resources available to make the product is defined, and is used to determine an optimum path (223) through a set of manufacturing processes (230) by selecting certain of those processes. A precedence relationship between the selected processes creates a set of interconnected activities. The surface model is processed (224) to convert the databank supporting the model to information that is usable by the selected processes, and this information is sent to the selected processes. Each process performs an activity in accordance with the defined precedence relationship, so that an output of the last one of the selected processes is the plastic object (235). Techniques such as surface modeling, solids modeling, stereolithography, CNC machining, and RIM molding are linked together and a common database is used to create a process of rapidly realizing a product.
摘要:
A process for molding dimensionally accurate plastic articles using a low pressure injection molding technique. The process utilizes a two-piece silicone rubber mold having a cavity representative of the shape of the article to be molded. The mold is substantially encased on all sides in a rigid mold box to prevent deformation of the cavity during the molding process (10). The mold box and the encased mold are placed in a vacuum chamber, and a vacuum is drawn on the chamber to evacuate the cavity (20). A predetermined amount of a reactive mixture is simultaneously mixed and injected under pressure into the mold to form the plastic article (30). The amount of material injected is sufficient to fill the cavity but not sufficient to distort the cavity. The chamber is vented (40) and the mold is removed from the mold box (50). The mold is flexed in order to remove the plastic article from the mold (60).
摘要:
Solder pastes having vehicles including formic acid-soluble organic acids as fluxing agents are described. Fluxing agents may be compounds of the formula: ##STR1## where R is an electron withdrawing group. In one embodiment, R is selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, sulfur, hydroxyl, nitrile, and benzyl. Other suitable formic-acid fluxing agents include, but are not limited to, adipic acid, acrylic acid, polyacrylic acid, methacrylic acid and polymethacrylic acid. The compounds clean oxides from the printed circuit boards (PCBs) under assembly and then volatilize leaving a residue to be cleaned away. The cleaning step involves rinsing with formic acid. No undesired residue remains indicating that the organic acids of the invention are effective in cleaning boards. Such acid fluxing agents can be used mixed with typical solder components, such as lead/tin solder pastes, or applied topically to solders, such as solder balls; both techniques permit the assembly of PCBs more easily with high quality bonds, and with little or no residue. Malic acid is a preferred organic acid fluxing agent. The formic acid cleaning step may be followed by a water rinse.
摘要:
Solder pastes having vehicles including blends of low boiling point alcohols and relatively high boiling point alcohols are described which leave residues which may be cleaned using only water are described. The low boiling point alcohols have a boiling point range of between about 65.degree. and about 150.degree. C. whereas the high boiling point alcohols have a boiling point in rhe range of about 150.degree. to about 270.degree. C. The solder pastes also use water-soluble organic acids as fluxing agents such as compounds of the formula: ##STR1## where R is an electron withdrawing group such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, sulfur, hydroxyl, nitrile, and benzyl. Other suitable formic-acid fluxing agents include, but are not limited to, adipic acid, polyacrylic acid, methacrylic acid and polymethacrylic acid. The compounds clean oxides from the printed circuit boards (PCBs) under assembly and then volatilze leaving a residue to be cleaned away. The cleaning step involves rinsing with water. No undesired residue remains indicating that the organic acids of the invention are effective in cleaning boards. Malic acid is a preferred organic acid fluxing agent.
摘要:
Rewritable signs (100, 1300) that include bistable cholesteric liquid crystal layers (102, 1402, 1404, 1406) are provided. According to one embodiment a rewritable sign (100) is devoid of circuitry for establishing electric fields in localize regions for writing information to the rewritable sign (100), and is consequently inexpensive. In the latter embodiment, a separate information writer (400) that includes an array of pixel electrodes (404) that is driven by an active matrix (602) is used to write information on the rewritable sign. According to another embodiment a rewritable sign (1300) includes three cholesteric liquid layers (1402, 1404, 1406) each of which reflects a different primary color. The three cholesteric liquid crystal layers (1402, 1404, 1406) are interleaved with sets of conductive lines (1316, 1320, 1322, 1324) that are used to apply signals to the cholesteric liquid crystal layers (1402, 1404, 1406) for the purpose of writing information.
摘要:
A membrane electrode assembly consists of a polymer electrolyte membrane (100) with an electrode on each side. The polymer electrolyte membrane has an integral sensor (115) disposed on the surface. The sensor monitors the physical, thermal, chemical or electrical state of the membrane electrode assembly. Information obtained from the sensor is used to identify a defective membrane electrode assembly, and the operation of the fuel cell is altered based on the identified defective membrane electrode assembly.
摘要:
An antenna (100) includes a radiating element (202) covered with a protective jacket having at least one pocket selectively located therein. The at least one pocket (102) is filled with a material (105) having an absorptive index substantially higher than the index of the protective jacket (102). This material imposes substantial restriction to the free radiation of radio frequency energy. Conversely, the remainder of the jacket (102) with no pockets provides for the unrestricted radiation of the radio frequency energy therethrough. As a result the antenna (100) directionally radiates energy without the use of reflectors or additional radiating elements.
摘要:
A reduced driving voltage polymer dispersed liquid crystal display (10) has a transparent polymer matrix (20) disposed between two substrates (12, 14). Droplets of a nematic liquid crystal fluid (22) are uniformly dispersed throughout the polymer matrix. Particles of an optically transparent material (24) that is a weak conductor are uniformly dispersed throughout the polymer matrix to reduce the electrical potential across the polymer. The enhanced conductivity of the polymer matrix allows the display to be operated at a reduced voltage.
摘要:
A multipoint electrical interconnection (10) provides a plurality of electrical pathways between electrically conductive hooks (15) on a substrate (12) and an electrical component (50). A plurality of electrically conductive hooks generally formed in the shape of a `J` have a head portion (20) affixed to the substrate such that a hook portion (17) protrudes above the substrate. An electrically conductive portion of a component is disposed against the substrate such that it contacts at least three of the electrically conductive hooks and deforms the hooks. The deformed hooks provide a spring force to effect a multipoint electrical connection.
摘要:
An adaptable mold assembly (10) consists of two mold bases (100, 102). One or both of the mold bases has at least one interchangeable portion (104, 105) removably mounted on the mold base, whose function is to actuate in a direction different from the draw direction. The interchangeable portion is typically used to facilitate the removal of the molded part from the mold, and often functions as a mold slide or pull. The ability to interchange and reconfigure the mold base reduces tooling costs and adds design flexibility to the tool. In another embodiment of the invention, the function of the interchangeable portion (106) is to provide process monitoring, process control or process optimization.