Systems and methods for protecting threads of metal pipes while coating the metal pipes with a protective coating are disclosed herein. Innovative metal couplings are used to protect the threads while a protective coating is applied to the metal pipes. The couplings are reusable and result in multiple efficiency improvements over previous methods and systems. Benefits include elimination of plastic caps and reduced waste, improved flowthrough in the powder coating process, more efficient thermo transfer in the thermal chamber, and an increase in the overall capacity of the powder coating operation.

Systems and methods for protecting threads of metal pipes while coating the metal pipes with a protective coating are disclosed herein. Innovative metal couplings are used to protect the threads while a protective coating is applied to the metal pipes. The couplings are reusable and result in multiple efficiency improvements over previous methods and systems. Benefits include elimination of plastic caps and reduced waste, improved flowthrough in the powder coating process, more efficient thermo transfer in the thermal chamber, and an increase in the overall capacity of the powder coating operation.

An apparatus includes a component having an edge feature that has a radius of curvature. The apparatus includes an underlayer arranged over the edge feature and configured to increase the radius of curvature of the edge feature. The apparatus includes a powder coating arranged over the component and over the underlayer to form a continuous layer. The underlayer is configured to remain under the powder coating. The underlayer helps the powder coating achieve a more uniform thickness over the edge feature. The apparatus is formed by applying an underlayer to a first region of the component to form an underlaid component. The first region includes the edge feature. A powder coating is applied to the underlaid component. A masking layer may be applied to a region other than the first region, and after powder coating, the masking may be removed to expose a surface of the component.

A masking member used to coat a pipe inner circumferential surface of a vent stringer, wherein the masking member comprises: a sponge for blocking a pipe internal space of the vent stringer, the sponge having an outer circumferential surface capable of contacting the pipe inner circumferential surface; and a support member for supporting the sponge.

A masking member used to coat a pipe inner circumferential surface of a vent stringer, wherein the masking member comprises: a sponge for blocking a pipe internal space of the vent stringer, the sponge having an outer circumferential surface capable of contacting the pipe inner circumferential surface; and a support member for supporting the sponge.

Coat-in-place assemblies and methods to provide an aesthetically pleasing sprinkler assembly. A coat-in-place assembly includes a sprinkler body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, a thermally responsive trigger disposed adjacent the distal portion; and an escutcheon centered about the distal portion of the sprinkler body to define a void between the sprinkler axis and the escutcheon. A coating-inhibiting-cap encloses and protects the thermally responsive trigger between the sprinkler body and the cap. The cap extends into the void and is radially spaced inward relative to the escutcheon so as expose surfaces of the escutcheon for coating.

Coat-in-place assemblies and methods to provide an aesthetically pleasing sprinkler assembly. A coat-in-place assembly includes a sprinkler body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, a thermally responsive trigger disposed adjacent the distal portion; and an escutcheon centered about the distal portion of the sprinkler body to define a void between the sprinkler axis and the escutcheon. A coating-inhibiting-cap encloses and protects the thermally responsive trigger between the sprinkler body and the cap. The cap extends into the void and is radially spaced inward relative to the escutcheon so as expose surfaces of the escutcheon for coating.

Provided is a method of manufacturing a printed circuit nano-fiber web. A method of manufacturing a printed circuit nano-fiber web according to an embodiment of the present invention includes (1) a step of electrospinning a spinning solution including a fiber-forming ingredient to manufacture a nano-fiber web; and (2) a step of forming a circuit pattern to coat an outer surface of nano-fiber included in a predetermined region on the nano-fiber web using an electroless plating method. According to the present invention, a circuit pattern-printed nano-fiber web having flexibility and resilience suitable for future smart devices may be realized. In addition, a circuit pattern may be densely formed to a uniform thickness on a flexible nano-fiber web using an electroless plating method, and the flexible nano-fiber web may include a plurality of pores. Accordingly, since the printed circuit nano-fiber web may satisfy waterproofness and air permeability characteristics, it can be used in various future industrial fields including medical devices, such as biopatches, and an electronic device, such as smart devices.

Presented are electrochemical devices with copper-free electrodes, methods for making/using such devices, and lithium alloy-based electrode tabs and current collectors for rechargeable lithium-class battery cells. A method of manufacturing copper-free electrodes includes feeding an aluminum workpiece, such as a strip of aluminum sheet metal, into a masking device. The masking device then applies a series of dielectric masks, such as strips of epoxy resin or dielectric tape, onto discrete areas of the workpiece to form a masked aluminum workpiece with masked areas interleaved with unmasked areas. The masked workpiece is then fed into an electrolytic anodizing solution, such as sulfuric acid, to form an anodized aluminum workpiece with anodized surface sections on the unmasked areas interleaved with un-anodized surface sections underneath the dielectric masks of the masked areas. The dielectric masks are removed to reveal the un-anodized surface sections, and the anodized aluminum workpiece is segmented into multiple copper-free electrodes.

A method for selective paint application to a component includes applying a photoresist masking to the component and applying a template mask to the component on top of the photoresist masking. The method includes curing at least a portion of the photoresist masking on the component, removing an uncured portion of the photoresist masking from the component, and applying at least one layer of paint to the component. The method further includes removing the photoresist masking from the component.