Abstract: Disclosed is a method for processing a query related to a plurality of partitions included in a plurality of tables having different partition information, which is performed by a computing device including one or more processors. The method includes acquiring the plurality of partitions for processing the query. The method includes acquiring global partition indexes for encompassing the acquired partitions and acquiring local partition indexes corresponding to the acquired partitions, respectively. The method includes processing the query at least partially based on the global partition indexes and the local partition indexes.

Abstract: Mechanical properties of materials fabricated with additive manufacturing process are determined through optical monitoring in real time. A plasma generated in a zone where a laser interacts with deposited material is monitored using optical emission spectroscopy to generate one or more plasma spectral lines. The emission lines are analyzed to determine the hardness, micro-hardness, yield/residual stress, tensile strength, or other mechanical characteristics of the material. The composition may be an alloy such as an aluminum-magnesium alloy, including 7000 series aluminum alloys. The mechanical property may be derived from a change in a ratio of the plasma spectral lines, including a change in a ratio of ionic and neutral magnesium (Mg) associated with a 7000 series aluminum alloy. The apparatus and methods are extendable to other alloys and compositions.

Abstract: A smart additive manufacturing system uses a spectrometer to collect emission spectra along an optical axis from a laser-generated plasma plume, and wherein the laser beam and the optical axis of the emission spectra are co-axial, at least in the vicinity of the melt pool, thereby minimizing the fluctuation of spectral signals caused by ambient pressure/gas variations. The laser beam passes through a beam splitter prior to reaching the work piece, and the emission spectra from the work piece are redirected by the beam splitter to the spectrometer, and wherein the laser beam and the optical axis of the emission spectra are co-axial between the work piece and the beam splitter. The beam splitter may be a dichroic mirror or other type of beam splitter, including holographic beam splitters, and spectral filtering may be carried out with separate optical elements, as long as the overall goal of on-axis excitation and collection is achieved.

Abstract: Overhang and undercut features, as well as cavities, channels, pipes and three-dimensional voids and other structures are fabricated using a laser-aided direct-metal deposition (DMD) processes. In the preferred embodiment, this is accomplished through the selective deposition of a lower melting point sacrificial material. Following the integrated deposition of both sacrificial and non-sacrificial materials using DMD, the part is soaked in a furnace at a temperature sufficiently high to melt out the sacrificial material. As preferred options, the heating is performed in an inert gas environment to minimize oxidation, with a gas spray also being used to blow out remaining deposits. Using this technique, articles having integral sensors and cooling channels may be used as part of an automated system for controlling the temperature, stress and strain during the shaping or forming of a product using the resultant smart die or mold.