The present invention provides a method for evaluating a semiconductor wafer concerning a breaking strength of a notch portion of the semiconductor wafer, comprising: applying a load to a notch portion of the semiconductor wafer to be evaluated toward the center of the wafer such that the notch portion of the semiconductor wafer is broken; and evaluating the breaking strength of the notch portion. The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for evaluating a semiconductor wafer that can evaluate the breaking strength of a notch portion of a semiconductor wafer with higher precision and higher sensitivity.

A seat foam inspection gage including a foam displacement indicator is used for inspecting seat foam on site at a manufacturing plant. The seat foam inspection gage includes a cylindrical body and a ball arranged within the body. The seat foam inspection gage also includes an indicator arranged on a top surface of the body, wherein the indicator measures distance of a foam displacement of the seat foam at a seat manufacturing facility. The seat foam inspection gage may take the distance of foam displacement and convert that number into an IFD number, thus allowing for quick comparison of seat foam hardness across an entire seating surface and across all seats being manufactured in a facility without having to send the seat foam to an offsite quality control lab to measure the IFD with large frame machinery.

A seat foam inspection gage including a foam displacement indicator is used for inspecting seat foam on site at a manufacturing plant. The seat foam inspection gage includes a cylindrical body and a ball arranged within the body. The seat foam inspection gage also includes an indicator arranged on a top surface of the body, wherein the indicator measures distance of a foam displacement of the seat foam at a seat manufacturing facility. The seat foam inspection gage may take the distance of foam displacement and convert that number into an IFD number, thus allowing for quick comparison of seat foam hardness across an entire seating surface and across all seats being manufactured in a facility without having to send the seat foam to an offsite quality control lab to measure the IFD with large frame machinery.

A method for indentation of physical items may include forming, via an indenter, a plurality of first indents in a first surface of a first physical item, and validating a first material of the first physical item based at least in part on the first indents. The first indents may be disposed within a first defined region of the first surface and arranged in a first encoded pattern corresponding to a first item-specific serialization code for the first physical item.

A method for indentation of physical items may include forming, via an indenter, a plurality of first indents in a first surface of a first physical item, and validating a first material of the first physical item based at least in part on the first indents. The first indents may be disposed within a first defined region of the first surface and arranged in a first encoded pattern corresponding to a first item-specific serialization code for the first physical item.

A multiple degree of freedom sample stage or testing assembly including a multiple degree of freedom sample stage. The multiple degree of freedom sample stage includes a plurality of stages including linear, and one or more of rotation or tilt stages configured to position a sample in a plurality of orientations for access or observation by multiple instruments in a clustered volume that confines movement of the multiple degree of freedom sample stage. The multiple degree of freedom sample stage includes one or more clamping assemblies to statically hold the sample in place throughout observation and with the application of force to the sample, for instance by a mechanical testing instrument. Further, the multiple degree of freedom sample stage includes one or more cross roller bearing assemblies that substantially eliminate mechanical tolerance between elements of one or more stages in directions orthogonal to a moving axis of the respective stages.

A multiple degree of freedom sample stage or testing assembly including a multiple degree of freedom sample stage. The multiple degree of freedom sample stage includes a plurality of stages including linear, and one or more of rotation or tilt stages configured to position a sample in a plurality of orientations for access or observation by multiple instruments in a clustered volume that confines movement of the multiple degree of freedom sample stage. The multiple degree of freedom sample stage includes one or more clamping assemblies to statically hold the sample in place throughout observation and with the application of force to the sample, for instance by a mechanical testing instrument. Further, the multiple degree of freedom sample stage includes one or more cross roller bearing assemblies that substantially eliminate mechanical tolerance between elements of one or more stages in directions orthogonal to a moving axis of the respective stages.

A method for measuring indentation resistance includes: obtaining a first curve indicating a yield shear stress in a depth direction of a raceway surface of a material forming a rolling bearing in a state before the raceway surface is subjected to machining, a second curve indicating a static shear stress in the depth direction of the raceway surface in a state in which the raceway surface is subjected to the machining, and a third curve indicating a static shear stress in the depth direction of the raceway surface in a state in which rolling elements are in contact with the raceway surface and a static load is applied to the raceway surface; and obtaining a correlation between an area and an indentation depth of the raceway ring by defining a region surrounded by exceeding the first curve and the second curve and falling below the third curve as the area.

The penetrometer includes a chassis, a mast mounted thereon and positioned substantially vertically during a test, a rod string, including a tip penetrating the ground that is positioned at one end of the rod string, an anvil that bears against the rod string at an end opposite the tip, a hammer striking the anvil, elements for raising the hammer along the mast up to a fall height, at which the hammer is released, and elements for measuring the sinking of the tip into the ground. The penetrometer further includes an electronic control unit for controlling the fall height, and configured to select the fall height adopted for the test based on the sinking of the tip measured by the measuring elements during one or more earlier tests, and mechanical elements controlled by the control unit for triggering the fall of the hammer at the height selected by the control unit.

The penetrometer includes a chassis, a mast mounted thereon and positioned substantially vertically during a test, a rod string, including a tip penetrating the ground that is positioned at one end of the rod string, an anvil that bears against the rod string at an end opposite the tip, a hammer striking the anvil, elements for raising the hammer along the mast up to a fall height, at which the hammer is released, and elements for measuring the sinking of the tip into the ground. The penetrometer further includes an electronic control unit for controlling the fall height, and configured to select the fall height adopted for the test based on the sinking of the tip measured by the measuring elements during one or more earlier tests, and mechanical elements controlled by the control unit for triggering the fall of the hammer at the height selected by the control unit.