Abstract: An anti-cant indicator assembly, components thereof, and associated methods. The anti-cant indicator assembly indicates the orientation of a weapon with respect to vertical. The anti-cant indicator assembly includes a mount configured to mount to the weapon, a level including a vial containing a bubble and a pivot connection connecting the level to the mount. The pivot connection is configured to permit movement of the level with respect to the mount about the pivot connection between an operational position in which the bubble can be referenced by the user for indicating orientation of the weapon with respect to vertical, and a stowed position different from the operational position. The pivot connection can include a retainer configured to releasably retain the level in at least one of the operational position or the stowed position. The level can be selectively movable with respect to the mount to calibrate the anti-cant indicator.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous electro-thermal poling of glass or glass ceramic material, includes a lower support conveying and contacting electrode structure, an upper contacting electrode structure positioned above the lower support structure, and one or more DC bias voltage sources connected to one or both of the upper contacting structure and the lower support structure. A process for continuous electro-thermal poling of glass or glass ceramic sheets or substrates includes heating the sheet or substrate, feeding the sheet or substrate continuously or continually, while applying a DC voltage bias, and cooling the sheet or substrate to within 0-30° C. of ambient temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous electro-thermal poling of glass or glass ceramic material, includes a lower support conveying and contacting electrode structure, an upper contacting electrode structure positioned above the lower support structure, and one or more DC bias voltage sources connected to one or both of the upper contacting structure and the lower support structure. A process for continuous electro-thermal poling of glass or glass ceramic sheets or substrates includes heating the sheet or substrate, feeding the sheet or substrate continuously or continually, while applying a DC voltage bias, and cooling the sheet or substrate to within 0-30° C. of ambient temperature.

Abstract: A visual prototyping and assembly system includes a work surface configured to hold one or more work-in-progress units during an assembly operation. The visual prototyping and assembly system may receive the one or more images of the work-in-progress units; determine a current assembly state of the work-in-progress units based on the one or more images of the work-in-progress units; generate a current digital twin model of the -in-progress units corresponding to the current assembly state of the work-in-progress units and display the current digital twin model a user interface; determine a subsequent assembly state of the work-in-progress units; and generate a subsequent digital twin model of the work-in-progress units corresponding to the subsequent assembly state of the work-in-progress units and display the subsequent digital twin model on the user interface.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for a cross-linked distributed ledger. The cross-referencing system includes multiple computing devices including a first computing device and a second computing device. A computing device of the multiple computing devices is configured to maintain a first cross-linked distributed ledger. The first cross-linked distributed ledger has a first set of multiple linked records that are associated with a first identifier. The first computing device includes a processor. The processor is configured to link or provide a first record associated with the first identifier to the first cross-linked distributed ledger. The first record has a first reference to a second record. The second record is within a second set of multiple cross-linked records of a second cross-linked distributed ledger.

Abstract: A glass substrate according to one or more embodiments is disclosed. The glass substrate includes an alkali-containing bulk, at least one first alkali-depleted region, and at least one second alkali-depleted region. The alkali-containing bulk has a first surface and a second surfaces with the first and second surfaces opposing one another. The at least one first alkali-depleted region extends into the alkali-containing bulk from the first surface. The at least one second alkali-depleted region extends into the alkali-containing bulk from the second surface. The first alkali-depleted region and the second alkali-depleted region are amorphous and have a substantially homogenous composition. The first alkali-depleted region in some embodiments is a first alkali-depleted surface layer that extends across the alkali-containing bulk. The first alkali-depleted region in some embodiments is plurality of first alkali-depleted regions that are spaced apart from one another.

Abstract: A visual prototyping and assembly system includes a work surface configured to hold one or more work-in-progress units during an assembly operation. The visual prototyping and assembly system may receive the one or more images of the work-in-progress units; determine a current assembly state of the work-in-progress units based on the one or more images of the work-in-progress units; generate a current digital twin model of the -in-progress units corresponding to the current assembly state of the work-in-progress units and display the current digital twin model a user interface; determine a subsequent assembly state of the work-in-progress units; and generate a subsequent digital twin model of the work-in-progress units corresponding to the subsequent assembly state of the work-in-progress units and display the subsequent digital twin model on the user interface.

Abstract: Methods and systems for maintaining telematics data. The system includes a standard vehicle. The standard vehicle includes one or more sensors configured to detect telematics data, a memory configured to store a blockchain associated with the standard vehicle, an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to update the blockchain associated with the standard vehicle with the detected telematics data, and a transceiver configured to communicate the blockchain to one or more other vehicles. The system also includes a collection vehicle. The collection vehicle includes a transceiver configured to receive the blockchain from the standard vehicle, and communicate the blockchain from the standard vehicle to a network to update a distributed record of the blockchain associated with the standard vehicle.

Abstract: A method for forming a structure includes providing a glass or glass ceramic tubular structure (110) having an interior (150) and exterior surface (160) and at least a partially closed end region (140); heating the glass or glass ceramic tubular structure (110) to at least its softening point by: providing a laser beam; directing the laser beam (130) down the interior surface of the glass or glass ceramic tubular structure (110), at least some of the laser beam (130) directed at an angle greater than a predetermined incidence angle; and the laser beam (130) impinging on the closed end region (140) where at least some of the laser beam (130) is absorbed by the closed end region (140) of the glass or glass ceramic tubular structure; and moving at least one of: the glass or glass ceramic tubular structure or the end region relative to each other to form at least a two-dimensional shape from the glass or glass ceramic tubular structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous electro-thermal poling of glass or glass ceramic material, includes a lower support conveying and contacting electrode structure, an upper contacting electrode structure positioned above the lower support structure, and one or more DC bias voltage sources connected to one or both of the upper contacting structure and the lower support structure. A process for continuous electro-thermal poling of glass or glass ceramic sheets or substrates includes heating the sheet or substrate, feeding the sheet or substrate continuously or continually, while applying a DC voltage bias, and cooling the sheet or substrate to within 0-30° C. of ambient temperature.

Abstract: A method of printing a 3D object includes feeding one or more preformed materials from a feed outlet into a build zone in which a hot spot is located and using the hot spot to selectively heat the one or more preformed materials to a viscous state. Object layers are formed by depositing portions of the preformed materials on a build surface, or on another object layer on the build surface, while effecting relative motion between the build surface and the feed outlet.

Abstract: A apparatus for making a three-dimensional object that includes: a gripping fixture having a grip surface or a pedestal having a build surface, the grip or build surface configured to hold an end of a contiguous, preformed material; a feed system having a feed outlet positioned above the grip or build surface, the feed system configured to feed the contiguous, preformed material into a build zone between the feed outlet and the grip or build surface; and a laser delivery system arranged to direct at least one laser beam through the furnace and into the build zone to form a hot spot in the build zone; and a positioning system arranged to effect relative motion between the grip or build surface and the feed outlet. In some implementations, the apparatus for making a 3D object can also include a furnace enclosing the build zone and the feed outlet.

Abstract: A apparatus for making a three-dimensional object (glass, glass ceramic or ceramic) that includes: a gripping fixture 102a having a grip surface or a pedestal 102 having a build surface 130, the grip or build surface configured to hold an end of a contiguous, preformed material 106, such as a fiber or a ribbon; a feed system 100 having a feed outlet 118 positioned above the grip or build surface, the feed system configured to feed the contiguous, preformed material into a build zone between the feed outlet and the grip or build surface; and a laser delivery system 134 arranged to direct at least one laser beam through the furnace 132 and into the build zone to form a hot spot 126 in the build zone; and a positioning system 120 arranged to effect relative motion between the grip or build surface and the feed outlet. In some implementations, the apparatus for making a 3D object can also include a furnace 132 enclosing the build zone and the feed outlet.

Abstract: Methods and systems for maintaining telematics data. The system includes a standard vehicle. The standard vehicle includes one or more sensors configured to detect telematics data, a memory configured to store a blockchain associated with the standard vehicle, an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to update the blockchain associated with the standard vehicle with the detected telematics data, and a transceiver configured to communicate the blockchain to one or more other vehicles. The system also includes a collection vehicle. The collection vehicle includes a transceiver configured to receive the blockchain from the standard vehicle, and communicate the blockchain from the standard vehicle to a network to update a distributed record of the blockchain associated with the standard vehicle.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for a cross-linked distributed ledger. The cross-referencing system includes multiple computing devices including a first computing device and a second computing device. A computing device of the multiple computing devices is configured to maintain a first cross-linked distributed ledger. The first cross-linked distributed ledger has a first set of multiple linked records that are associated with a first identifier. The first computing device includes a processor. The processor is configured to link or provide a first record associated with the first identifier to the first cross-linked distributed ledger. The first record has a first reference to a second record. The second record is within a second set of multiple cross-linked records of a second cross-linked distributed ledger.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming glass tubing is described. The apparatus for forming glass tubing comprises an endless former with an outer surface and an inner passage defining an inner surface. The apparatus for forming glass tubing further comprises two chambers from which molten glass may flow. One chamber flows molten glass to the outer surface of the endless former and another chamber flows molten glass to the inner surface of the endless former. The two flows of molten glass meet at the bottom of the former to form glass tubing.

Abstract: A apparatus for making a three-dimensional object (glass, glass ceramic or ceramic) that includes: a gripping fixture 102a having a grip surface or a pedestal 102 having a build surface 130, the grip or build surface configured to hold an end of a contiguous, preformed material 106, such as a fiber or a ribbon; a feed system 100 having a feed outlet 118 positioned above the grip or build surface, the feed system configured to feed the contiguous, preformed material into a build zone between the feed outlet and the grip or build surface; and a laser delivery system 134 arranged to direct at least one laser beam through the furnace 132 and into the build zone to form a hot spot 126 in the build zone; and a positioning system 120 arranged to effect relative motion between the grip or build surface and the feed outlet. In some implementations, the apparatus for making a 3D object can also include a furnace 132 enclosing the build zone and the feed outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming glass tubing is described. The apparatus for forming glass tubing comprises an endless former with an outer surface and an inner passage defining an inner surface. The apparatus for forming glass tubing further comprises two chambers from which molten glass may flow. One chamber flows molten glass to the outer surface of the endless former and another chamber flows molten glass to the inner surface of the endless former. The two flows of molten glass meet at the bottom of the former to form glass tubing.

Abstract: A method of printing a 3D object includes feeding one or more preformed materials from a feed outlet into a build zone in which a hot spot is located and using the hot spot to selectively heat the one or more preformed materials to a viscous state. Object layers are formed by depositing portions of the preformed materials on a build surface, or on another object layer on the build surface, while effecting relative motion between the build surface and the feed outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming glass tubing is described. The apparatus for forming glass tubing comprises an endless former with an outer surface and an inner passage defining an inner surface. The apparatus for forming glass tubing further comprises two chambers from which molten glass may flow. One chamber flows molten glass to the outer surface of the endless former and another chamber flows molten glass to the inner surface of the endless former. The two flows of molten glass meet at the bottom of the former to form glass tubing.