Exothermic welding molds, weld-metal containing cartridges for such molds, and methods of use are provided. The mold, cartridges, and methods can provide interaction between the cartridge's disk member with the mold, which allows the housing member to be withdrawn from the mold while leaving the disk member and weld-metal in place. The interaction can be a rotational restraint alone, a vertical restraint alone, or combinations thereof. Alternately, the interaction can be an outward pressure on the housing member and/or disk member, a shear force on the housing member and/or disk member, or combinations thereof. The outward pressure on the housing member and/or disk member can alternately be provided without interaction between the disk member and the mold, but rather by the simple application of an internal pressure to the cartridge. The internal pressure can be applied by squeezing the walls of the cartridge and/or by depressing a pusher member.

Exothermic welding molds, weld-metal containing cartridges for such molds, and methods of use are provided. The mold, cartridges, and methods can provide interaction between the cartridge's disk member with the mold, which allows the housing member to be withdrawn from the mold while leaving the disk member and weld-metal in place. The interaction can be a rotational restraint alone, a vertical restraint alone, or combinations thereof. Alternately, the interaction can be an outward pressure on the housing member and/or disk member, a shear force on the housing member and/or disk member, or combinations thereof. The outward pressure on the housing member and/or disk member can alternately be provided without interaction between the disk member and the mold, but rather by the simple application of an internal pressure to the cartridge. The internal pressure can be applied by squeezing the walls of the cartridge and/or by depressing a pusher member.

The present disclosure various apparatuses, and systems for 3D printing. The present disclosure provides three-dimensional (3D) printing methods, apparatuses, software and systems for a step and repeat energy irradiation process; controlling material characteristics and/or deformation of the 3D object; reducing deformation in a printed 3D object; and planarizing a material bed.

The present disclosure various apparatuses, and systems for 3D printing. The present disclosure provides three-dimensional (3D) printing methods, apparatuses, software and systems for a step and repeat energy irradiation process; controlling material characteristics and/or deformation of the 3D object; reducing deformation in a printed 3D object; and planarizing a material bed.

Provided is a welding method enabling enhancement of quality of welding between an upper plate and a lower plate. One aspect of the present disclosure is the welding method including welding the upper plate and the lower plate overlapped with the upper plate by irradiating a surface of the upper plate with a laser beam. The welding includes: forming an auxiliary welding path that is continuous and includes a reciprocating or circling path; and forming a main welding path that intersects a welding advancing direction and that includes turning points, after formation of the auxiliary welding path.

Provided is a welding method enabling enhancement of quality of welding between an upper plate and a lower plate. One aspect of the present disclosure is the welding method including welding the upper plate and the lower plate overlapped with the upper plate by irradiating a surface of the upper plate with a laser beam. The welding includes: forming an auxiliary welding path that is continuous and includes a reciprocating or circling path; and forming a main welding path that intersects a welding advancing direction and that includes turning points, after formation of the auxiliary welding path.

Methods and systems for producing a thermite weld include applying a first vibration and a second vibration to molten thermite material within a mold between a first piece and a second piece to be welded. The first vibration includes a first vibration frequency and a first amplitude, and the second vibration includes a second vibration frequency and a second amplitude. The first vibration and the second vibration are applied simultaneously to the molten thermite material until the molten thermite material cools below a liquid-to-solid transition temperature. Interference patterns and harmonics between the first vibration and the second vibration enhance the elimination of gas voids within the molten thermite material and enhance grain refinement in the molten thermite material of the resulting thermite weld without damaging the mold.

An exothermic reaction mold includes a reaction chamber, a weld chamber communicating with the reaction chamber and at least one user configurable port communicating with the weld chamber for receiving cables to be welded.

An exothermic reaction mold includes a reaction chamber, a weld chamber communicating with the reaction chamber and at least one user configurable port communicating with the weld chamber for receiving cables to be welded.

A tool assembly for performing operations in confined spaces, the tool assembly includes a telescoping pole having a proximal end and a distal end. The telescoping pole is capable of extending between a retracted position and an extended position. A working tool is connected to the distal end of the telescoping pole, and a control unit is connected to the proximal end of the telescoping pole. A flexible cable extending through the telescoping pole electrically connects the working tool to the control unit.