Systems, devices, and methods are described for drawing materials. In certain embodiments, the material is metal tubing that is hollow along its length. The drawing system may include a first drawing machine that is fixed or stationary and a second drawing machine that moves relative to the first drawing machine. In certain embodiments, the position of the second drawing machine is determined with respect to a desired position, wherein the second drawing machine is downstream from the first drawing machine, and wherein the material is successively drawn by the first and second drawing machines. The drawing speed of the first drawing machine may be adjusted from a first speed to a second speed based on the determined position of the second drawing machine. A programmable logic controller may be provided to control, at least in part, operations of the drawing system.

Systems, devices, and methods are described for drawing materials. In certain embodiments, the material is metal tubing that is hollow along its length. The drawing system may include a first drawing machine that is fixed or stationary and a second drawing machine that moves relative to the first drawing machine. In certain embodiments, the position of the second drawing machine is determined with respect to a desired position, wherein the second drawing machine is downstream from the first drawing machine, and wherein the material is successively drawn by the first and second drawing machines. The drawing speed of the first drawing machine may be adjusted from a first speed to a second speed based on the determined position of the second drawing machine. A programmable logic controller may be provided to control, at least in part, operations of the drawing system.

Optimization techniques are disclosed for producing sharp and stable tips/nanotips relying on liquid Taylor cones created from electrically conductive materials with high melting points. A wire substrate of such a material with a preform end in the shape of a regular or concave cone, is first melted with a focused laser beam. Under the influence of a high positive potential, a Taylor cone in a liquid/molten state is formed at that end. The cone is then quenched upon cessation of the laser power, thus freezing the Taylor cone. The tip of the frozen Taylor cone is reheated by the laser to allow its precise localized melting and shaping. Tips thus obtained yield desirable end-forms suitable as electron field emission sources for a variety of applications. In-situ regeneration of the tip is readily accomplished. These tips can also be employed as regenerable bright ion sources using field ionization/desorption of introduced chemical species.

Optimization techniques are disclosed for producing sharp and stable tips/nanotips relying on liquid Taylor cones created from electrically conductive materials with high melting points. A wire substrate of such a material with a preform end in the shape of a regular or concave cone, is first melted with a focused laser beam. Under the influence of a high positive potential, a Taylor cone in a liquid/molten state is formed at that end. The cone is then quenched upon cessation of the laser power, thus freezing the Taylor cone. The tip of the frozen Taylor cone is reheated by the laser to allow its precise localized melting and shaping. Tips thus obtained yield desirable end-forms suitable as electron field emission sources for a variety of applications. In-situ regeneration of the tip is readily accomplished. These tips can also be employed as regenerable bright ion sources using field ionization/desorption of introduced chemical species.

Provided is a method for manufacturing a brass-plated steel wire in which improvement in the quality of the brass-plated steel wire and energy saving in the manufacturing process are balanced and a brass-plated steel wire obtained by the method. The method is a method for manufacturing a brass-plated steel wire comprising a plating process in which a steel wire rod is brass plated and a final wire drawing process in which the obtained brass-plated steel wire rod is subjected to a final drawing. The method includes a zinc oxide removing process in which the amount of zinc oxide on the surface of the brass-plated steel wire rod is made smaller than 50 mg/m.sup.2 before the final wire drawing process.

Provided is a method for manufacturing a brass-plated steel wire in which improvement in the quality of the brass-plated steel wire and energy saving in the manufacturing process are balanced and a brass-plated steel wire obtained by the method. The method is a method for manufacturing a brass-plated steel wire comprising a plating process in which a steel wire rod is brass plated and a final wire drawing process in which the obtained brass-plated steel wire rod is subjected to a final drawing. The method includes a zinc oxide removing process in which the amount of zinc oxide on the surface of the brass-plated steel wire rod is made smaller than 50 mg/m.sup.2 before the final wire drawing process.

Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of shielding apparatus or assemblies having a frame with drawn latching features or portions that are configured for removably attaching a cover to the frame. In an exemplary embodiment, there is a shielding apparatus suitable for use in providing electromagnetic interference shielding for one or more electrical components on a substrate. In this example, the shielding apparatus generally includes a cover and a frame. The cover includes one or more openings. The frame includes a top surface and sidewalls configured to be disposed generally about one or more electrical components on a substrate. The frame is partly drawn in construction such that the frame includes one or more drawn latching features or portions configured to be engaged within the one or more openings of the cover to thereby releasably attach the cover to the frame.

Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of shielding apparatus or assemblies having a frame with drawn latching features or portions that are configured for removably attaching a cover to the frame. In an exemplary embodiment, there is a shielding apparatus suitable for use in providing electromagnetic interference shielding for one or more electrical components on a substrate. In this example, the shielding apparatus generally includes a cover and a frame. The cover includes one or more openings. The frame includes a top surface and sidewalls configured to be disposed generally about one or more electrical components on a substrate. The frame is partly drawn in construction such that the frame includes one or more drawn latching features or portions configured to be engaged within the one or more openings of the cover to thereby releasably attach the cover to the frame.

Methods and processes for manufacturing endless rod are presented that can include removing surface defects from an outer surface of rod sections, cutting out defects on the outer surface, welding the rod sections together to form the endless rod, heat treating the endless rod, peening the endless rod; polishing the endless rod, and applying corrosion resistance coating to the endless rod.

Methods and processes for manufacturing endless rod are presented that can include removing surface defects from an outer surface of rod sections, cutting out defects on the outer surface, welding the rod sections together to form the endless rod, heat treating the endless rod, peening the endless rod; polishing the endless rod, and applying corrosion resistance coating to the endless rod.