Abstract: A method for authenticating a user of a 3D printer to prevent unauthorized use of the 3D printer includes obtaining a user profile from a set of user profiles, each user profile corresponding to a user and including a stored multi-digit number; prompting the user, by a touch screen interface of the 3D printer, to input a personal identification number (PIN); preventing use of the 3D printer if the PIN does not match the stored multi-digit number; and authenticating the user if the PIN does match the stored multi-digit number. The method includes prompting the user to apply a force to the touch screen interface; detecting an applied force; comparing the applied force to a force threshold value; and preventing use of the 3D printer if the applied force is less than the force threshold value.

Abstract: A pneumatic fastener driving tool includes a gas cylinder, and a piston disposed in the cylinder in such a way that a centerline of the piston is coaxial with the cylinder longitudinal axis, and the piston is movable along the cylinder longitudinal axis between ready and driven positions. The tool includes a blade having a blade first end that is connected to the piston, and a blade second end that is configured to contact a fastener during a fastener driving operation. The tool includes a reset mechanism that returns the tool to the ready to fire configuration by translating the piston along the cylinder longitudinal axis to a location in which gas is compressed in the cylinder. The reset mechanism includes a ball screw device that drives the piston toward the ready position via a force that is concentric with the centerline of the piston.

Abstract: A hand-held rotary cleaning tool includes a housing that encloses an electric motor and a gear set that connects the motor to an output shaft. The rotary cleaning tool includes at least one cleaning accessory that is detachably connected to the output shaft, and a flexible splash guard. The splash guard surrounds the output shaft and cleaning accessory so as to prevent liquid splash during tool use. The rotary cleaning tool also includes a reservoir for storing a liquid cleaning solution, and a liquid delivery line that delivers liquid from the reservoir to the space enclosed by the splash guard.

Abstract: A heated garment system in one embodiment includes a jacket, a wiring circuit embedded within the jacket and configured to generate heat, a battery assembly configured to removably couple with the wiring circuit, the battery assembly including a power button for selectively applying power to the wiring circuit, and a battery holder configured to removably receive the battery assembly.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a laser engraving system includes a laser transmitter and a lens assembly configured to focus a transmitted laser beam onto a workpiece supported by a workpiece support surface. A rail system movably supports a base which in turn supports a mirror and a camera. A controller is operably connected to the camera and is configured to execute program instructions stored in a memory to obtain first image data from the camera indicative of a first location of the laser beam on the mirror when the camera and the mirror are at a first rail system location, obtain second image data from the camera indicative of a second location of the laser beam on the mirror when the camera and the mirror are at a second rail system location, and output a mirror adjustment signal for the mirror based upon the first signal and the second signal.

Abstract: An accessory includes a blade, a coupling, and a guide. The blade includes a cutting edge. The coupling includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is attachable to and detachable from the power tool. The second portion is connected to the blade. The guide is structured to guide the blade along a work piece by interacting with a surface of the work piece as the blade moves in an advancing direction. The guide is structured to provide a locked state and an unlocked state. In the locked state, the guide is engaged with the coupling such that the guide is attached to the coupling. In the unlocked state, the guide is disengaged from the coupling such that the guide is detached from the coupling.

Abstract: A hang tag package in one embodiment includes a base portion including an upper mounting portion, a first display portion located beneath the mounting portion and including a first window through which a tip portion of an elongated tool is viewable from the front of the base portion, and a body portion located beneath the display portion, the body portion including at least one integrally formed first welding pad. The hang tag package further includes a bridge strap including at least one integrally formed second welding pad ultrasonically welded to the integrally formed first welding pad whereby the elongated tool is entrapped between the body portion and the bridge strap.

Abstract: An oscillating power tool includes a drive motor (M) producing rotary motion and an oscillating mechanism (30) for converting the motor rotary motion to an oscillatory side-to-side movement. The oscillating mechanism (30) includes a link (32) driven by an eccentric shaft (16) of the motor (M), a drive arm (40) that drives the hub (45) of the working tool (B) in oscillating motion, and a bearing arrangement (37) between the drive arm (40) and the link (32) that isolates relative rotation and translation between the components while still imparting an oscillatory motion to the drive arm (40).

Abstract: An oscillating power tool system in one embodiment includes a motor, an output power shaft extending along an axis and operably connected to the motor, the output power shaft driven in an oscillatory manner by the motor about the axis, a flange supported by the output power shaft and fixedly positioned with respect to the output power shaft so as to oscillate with the output power shaft when driven by the motor, the flange including a lower surface defining a first plane, and a plurality of mounting pins extending from the flange to a location beneath the first plane, the plurality of mounting pins configured such that when an accessory is mounted to the flange, a mounting force is applied directly to the plurality of mounting pins from the accessory.

Abstract: Locking mechanisms are provided for locking the position of a miter gauge assembly to a sliding table of a table saw. The mechanisms are biased to a locking position and this bias can provide a sensible indication that the lock has been engaged. The locking mechanisms are configured to engage the guide bar of the miter gauge assembly at different locations along the length of the guide bar, particularly by engaging a series of spaced apart engagement notches. The locking mechanism thus allows the miter gauge assembly to be locked at several positions along the length of the sliding table, from a fully inboard position to a position in which the miter gauge assembly projects beyond the end of the sliding table. The locking mechanism is provided in different embodiments with manually actuated components that can be push/pull, pivoting, rotating or sliding.

Abstract: A power tool assembly includes an arbor shaft configured to support a shaping device, a belt operably connected to the arbor shaft and configured to rotate the arbor shaft, a motor including a power shaft operably connected to the belt through a motor end pulley, and a positioning device operably connected to the motor, the positioning device configured to rotate the motor about a motor mounting axis of rotation which is offset from an axis of rotation of the motor end pulley, thereby modifying a tension of the belt.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling a 3D printer includes a processor obtaining from a sensor respective sensor values for each of a plurality of distances between a nozzle of the 3D printer and a build plate of the 3D printer, which sensor values each characterizes a characteristic of deposition of filament from the nozzle and onto the build plate at the respective distances to which the sensor values correspond; identifying, based on the obtained sensor values, a maximum and/or minimum value of the characteristic; and setting, based on the identified maximum and/or minimum, an initial gap between the nozzle and the build plate at which to deposit a first layer of an object to be synthesized.

Abstract: A table saw includes a table assembly having a top surface, a cutting assembly, and an adjustment assembly. The cutting assembly is arranged below the table assembly and is movable relative to the top surface. The adjustment assembly includes an input member connected to a first gear and an output member connected to a second gear and to the cutting assembly. The first and second gears include first and second gear bodies and first and second pluralities of pins projecting from the gear bodies. Rotation of the input member causes rotation of the first gear about a first axis, and rotation of the second gear about a second axis causes rotation of the output member which causes the cutting assembly to move. The second pins engage the first pins in such a way that rotation of the first gear causes rotation of the second gear.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a table saw assembly includes a motor assembly, an electrically conductive belt operably connected to the motor assembly, an arbor shaft operably connected to the belt, a drop arm assembly rotatably supporting the arbor shaft, a first pulley rotatably supporting the belt, the first pulley including an inner component defining an inner bore and an outer component defining an outer surface, the first pulley configured to electrically isolate the inner bore from the outer surface, and an alignment adjustment mechanism operably connected to the first pulley, the alignment adjustment mechanism configured to selectably position the first pulley along an axis of rotation of the first pulley.

Abstract: A table saw includes a working surface and a rail system. The rail system includes stationary rails mounted along the working surface, and extension rails. The rails each include matching guide surfaces extending along the longitudinal axis and configured to support and guide a rip fence. The rails have a common connection interface that in each case includes a connecting end and a supporting end, such that the extension rails are mountable with the stationary rails. When mounted, the guide surfaces of the extension rails extend the guide surfaces of the stationary rails. The connecting end in the common connection interface includes a connection mechanism configured to urge the connecting end together with the supporting end to form an internal connection, and to align the guide surfaces of the connected rails to as to be co-planar with each other.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a table saw assembly includes a motor assembly, an electrically conductive belt operably connected to the motor assembly, an arbor shaft operably connected to the belt, a drop arm assembly rotatably supporting the arbor shaft, and a first pulley rotatably supporting the belt, the first pulley including an inner bore and an outer surface, the first pulley configured to electrically isolate the inner bore from the outer surface.

Abstract: A blade attachment, configured to be coupled to a power tool, enables two parallel cuts to be made simultaneously. The blade attachment includes an intermediate portion, configured to be coupled to the power tool, and two blade portions, configured to be coupled to opposite sides of the intermediate portion. The two blade portions are formed to mirror one another and are arranged to be opposite and parallel to one another on the blade attachment. Each of the blade portions includes an interface leg, which is coupled to the intermediate portion, and a blade leg, which extends downwardly from the interface leg at an angle. Each blade leg includes a plurality of teeth configured to make a cut.

Abstract: A method for detection of a fault in a sensing cable within a saw detects potential failures in a sensing cable that is part of an object detection system in the saw. The method includes generating a predetermined excitation signal transmitted through a first conductor and a second conductor in the sensing cable, detecting a return signal from the first conductor and the second conductor in the sensing cable in response to the predetermined excitation signal, identifying a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the return signal, and generating an output indicating a fault in the sensing cable in response to the SNR of the return signal being below a predetermined value.

Abstract: A guide assembly for a saw device includes a pre-load mechanism located at one end and a slide mechanism located at the other end. The slide mechanism establishes two fixed contact points between the guide assembly and a guide rail of the saw device. The pre-load mechanism establishes a third contact point between the guide assembly and another guide rail of the saw device. The guide assembly has an unlocked condition in which the pre-load mechanism continuously generates a first clamping force on the saw device between the third contact point and the two fixed contact points. The first clamping force self-aligns the guide assembly to the saw device and permits slidable adjustment of the guide assembly on the saw device. The guide assembly has a locked condition in which a second clamping force is generated between the contact points and the guide assembly is fixed on the saw device.