A spatula edge trimming apparatus for re-edging a spatula includes a base housing with the front side having a spatula receptacle slot extending through to the cavity. The bottom side has a drop aperture extending through to the cavity. The spatula receptacle slot is configured to receive a spatula. A cutter is coupled to the base housing within the cavity and is configured to cut an edge of the spatula. A drive is coupled to the top side of the base housing and is in operational communication with the cutter. A plurality of controls is coupled to the base housing and is in operational communication with the drive. A power source is coupled to the housing. The power source is in operational communication with, and provides power to, each of the drive and the plurality of controls.

A method of grinding a plurality of tufting blades of a blade assembly is disclosed. The plurality of tufting blades can be received within a blade block during grinding. The blade assembly can have a first axis, a second axis that is parallel to the first axis, and a third axis that is perpendicular to each of the first and second axes. Each tufting blade of the plurality of tufting blades can have a length that extends along the first axis, a width that extends along the second axis, and a thickness that extends along the third axis. The plurality of tufting blades can be spaced from each other along the third axis. The blade block can include at least one fastener that is configured to retain the plurality of tufting blades in respective fixed positions relative to the blade block.

A method of grinding a plurality of tufting blades of a blade assembly is disclosed. The plurality of tufting blades can be received within a blade block during grinding. The blade assembly can have a first axis, a second axis that is parallel to the first axis, and a third axis that is perpendicular to each of the first and second axes. Each tufting blade of the plurality of tufting blades can have a length that extends along the first axis, a width that extends along the second axis, and a thickness that extends along the third axis. The plurality of tufting blades can be spaced from each other along the third axis. The blade block can include at least one fastener that is configured to retain the plurality of tufting blades in respective fixed positions relative to the blade block.

An automatically opening tool with sliding scale release, including a frame; a tool; a release mechanism attached to the tool; a biasing mechanism for extending the tool; and a scale coupled to the frame and release mechanism. The tool is constructed such that sliding the scale along the longitudinal axis automatically unlocks the tool from the extended or retracted configurations. The tool can open automatically or manually. The tool can swing open or extend out a front opening in the frame.

A method of reducing contamination in a silicon product includes: moving silicon pieces along a conveyance system, wherein the conveyance system comprises a liner having a polished surface finish with a surface roughness of less than or equal to 12 microinches; and moving the silicon pieces across the conveyance system, wherein the silicon pieces contain a reduced number of impurities as compared to silicon pieces in contact with a liner having an unpolished surface. A crushing tool includes: crushing tool elements configured to crush silicon into fragments, wherein the crushing tool elements comprise a surface comprising a polished surface finish with a surface roughness of less than or equal to 12 microinches. A conveyance system includes: a first conveyer discharged onto a second conveyer; wherein the first conveyer comprises a first liner and wherein the second conveyer comprises a second liner.

A medical instrument and method for producing a medical instrument with at least one instrument body part made from an instrument body part blank by forming. The at least one instrument body part has at least one deburring face formed by milling. The at least one deburring face includes one or more portions. Each portion extends perpendicularly to a machining plane. A normal to the machining plane defines a deburring longitudinal axis.

Driver support assemblies to work in concert with a setup assembly are provided. Setup assemblies to work in concert with a driver support assembly and a cutting assembly are provided. Cutting assemblies configured to work in concert with a driver support assembly are provided. Driver tip cutting assemblies are provided. Methods for cutting the tip of a driver shaft are provided.

Driver support assemblies to work in concert with a setup assembly are provided. Setup assemblies to work in concert with a driver support assembly and a cutting assembly are provided. Cutting assemblies configured to work in concert with a driver support assembly are provided. Driver tip cutting assemblies are provided. Methods for cutting the tip of a driver shaft are provided.

A sharpener cover retrofit attachment to retrofit an electrode sharpener cover attachment on an electrode sharpener, the electrode sharpener for sharpening an electrode rod and having a protruding hollow sharpener shaft with a sharpener shaft outer diameter and a rotating sharpener shaft inner diameter for accepting the electrode rod. The attachment includes a first and second annulus, both axially aligned such that they are able to accept and align the electrode rod into the rotating sharpener shaft inner diameter.

A sharpener cover retrofit attachment to retrofit an electrode sharpener cover attachment on an electrode sharpener, the electrode sharpener for sharpening an electrode rod and having a protruding hollow sharpener shaft with a sharpener shaft outer diameter and a rotating sharpener shaft inner diameter for accepting the electrode rod. The attachment includes a first and second annulus, both axially aligned such that they are able to accept and align the electrode rod into the rotating sharpener shaft inner diameter.