Abstract: A cabinet for storing and dispensing an inventory of items, the cabinet comprising: at least one drawer having a plurality of criss-crossing row slats and column slats arranged along its bottom and a plurality of corresponding bins. The row slats have a plurality of flexible appendages and the column slats have a plurality of notches corresponding to the appendages. Slat movement actuators axial move the slats. Each bin has a pivotal lid; a lid lock and release element and a lid lock and release element adapted to hold the lid closed until actuated by one of the appendages, whereby bins of various sizes can be arranged abutting each other in the drawer and the bins are openable by actuating the row slat(s) and column slat(s) related to the bins to be accessed.

Abstract: A cabinet for storing and dispensing an inventory of items, the cabinet comprising: at least one drawer having a plurality of criss-crossing row slats and column slats arranged along its bottom and a plurality of corresponding bins. The row slats have a plurality of flexible appendages and the column slats have a plurality of notches corresponding to the appendages. Slat movement actuators axial move the slats. Each bin has a pivotal lid; a lid lock and release element and a lid lock and release element adapted to hold the lid closed until actuated by one of the appendages, whereby bins of various sizes can be arranged abutting each other in the drawer and the bins are openable by actuating the row slat(s) and column slat(s) related to the bins to be accessed.

Abstract: A method and system for manufacturing blades, such as turbine blades, includes a device that measures the blade surface, a motorized edge cutter and a spacer, which regulates the extent of contact between the edge cutter and the blade.

Abstract: A method of scanning and mapping the outer contour of a three-dimensional object, for example a person's foot, by locating a plurality of radiant-energy sensors in a circular array around the object, rotating a transmitter about the object to transmit radiant energy to the sensors of the circular array except those shadowed by the object, and utilizing detected changes in state of the sensors, and the instantaneous positions of the transmitter when a change in state is detected, for mapping the outer contour of the object.

Abstract: A three-dimensional, non-contact scanning apparatus for scanning an object, particularly a foot, includes a holder for the object to be scanned, a main carriage movable linearly towards and away from the holder and the object when held thereon, a rotatable carriage rotatably mounted on the main carriage and formed with an opening for accommodating the holder and the object when held thereby, and an optical-beam scanner carried by the rotatable carriage to rotate therewith so as to scan the object by an optical beam outputted by the scanner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for exposing a substrate of relatively large surface area to radiation according to a predetermined pattern recorded on a mask, particularly useful in applying a painted border to an automobile windshield, includes the steps of progressively recording the predetermined pattern on a mask in the form of a continuous strip, and moving the radiation source to progressively scan the surface of the substrate with radiation, while at the same time moving the continuous strip mask relative to the radiation source, such that portions of the pattern on the continuous strip mask progressively become aligned with their corresponding portions of the substrate as the substrate is progressively scanned by the radiation source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for concentrating the heat energy of a laser beam by directing the laser beam to an optical device, such as a planar mirror, located at a first focal point of a reflector having a curved surface approximating that of an ellipsoid. The optical device redirects the laser beam to the curved surface of the reflector which reflects and focusses it to a second focal point of the reflector. The optical device is driven to cause the laser beam to successively scan different portions of the curved surface of the reflector while the latter surface reflects the laser beam substantially to the second focal point where the object to be heated is located.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting glass blanks according to a particular contour, comprises a scoring maching for scoring the contour on the glass blank, a breaking machine for severing the scored contour from the glass blank, and a grinding machine for smoothing the edges of the severed blank. A conveyor conveys the glass blank to each of the above machines for performing their respective operations, and a computerized control system controls the three machines according to digital files prepared for each machine.

Abstract: Apparatus for digitizing the contour of a three-dimensional surface of an object includes a handle, a probe carried by the handle and movable along three independent axes to contact sample points on the three-dimensional surface, and a positional sensor for sensing the position of the handle along the three axes and for outputting positional values. The probe includes an arm deflectable during the movement of the probe, which deflections are sensed by a sensor. A digital processor processes the positional values only when one of the deflection sensors senses a deflection in its respective arm above a predetermined threshold value, and modifies the positional values by the deflection values.