Abstract: A consolidating device for an additive manufacturing system is provided. The consolidating device includes at least one first energy beam generator, at least one second energy beam generator, at least one first lens, at least one second lens, and at least one reflective element. The first energy beam generator is configured to generate a first energy beam. The second energy beam generator is configured to generate a second energy beam. The first lens has a first entrance pupil and is positioned between the first energy beam generator and the layer of material. The second lens has a second entrance pupil and is positioned between the first lens and the layer of material. The first entrance pupil and the second entrance pupil substantially overlap. The reflective element is positioned between the first lens and the second lens, and is configured to reflect the second energy beam onto the layer of material.

Abstract: A method of creating an article of manufacture is provided, which includes directing multiple laser beams to a single galvanometer; and dynamically repositioning the multiple laser beams in counterpart paths using the single galvanometer to shine the multiple laser beams on and melt a first powder material and, upon solidification of the melted first powder material, forming a first series of duplicate three dimensional structures, where each of the multiple laser beams is used to form at least one of the first series of duplicate three dimensional structures.

Abstract: A powder melting device for an additive manufacturing system is provided. The powder melting device includes at least one laser device configured to generate at least one energy beam for forming at least one melt pool in a layer of powdered material. The powder melting device also includes at least two optical elements configured to dynamically induce beam distortion in the at least one energy beam to modify a beam spot incident on the layer of powdered material. The at least two optical elements are configured to induce at least one of an aspect ratio adjustment of the at least one energy beam, an optical powder redistribution between a periphery and a center of the at least one energy beam, and a rotation of the at least one energy beam.

Abstract: Disclosed is a low-cost, portable photo thermal spectroscopy (PTS) reader for use in detecting the presence of diseases in the bodily fluid of affected patients. The PTS reader is designed to be durable, easy to use and provide readings from the Lateral Flow Assay (LFA) with rapid results. Also provided are methods of use.

Abstract: A control system for use in an additive manufacturing system. A recoating device is configured to distribute powder for forming a component and a recoating motor is configured to move at least one of the powder bed and the recoating device relative to each other. The control system includes at least one vibration sensor configured to collect vibration data, a torque sensor coupled to the recoating motor and configured to collect the torque output data, and an optical sensor configured to collect reflected light data. The control system includes a controller configured to receive the vibration data, receive the torque output data, and receive the reflected light data, the controller further configured to determine at least one powder bed characteristic based on at least one of the data, and control at least one recoating parameter of the recoating device based on the at least one determined powder bed characteristic.

Abstract: A direct metal laser melting (DMLM) system includes a laser device configured to generate a melt pool in a powder bed based on a build parameter. In addition, the DMLM system includes a confocal optical system directed at the melt pool and configured to receive an optical signal emitted by the melt pool. The DMLM system further includes an optical sensor operatively coupled to the confocal optical system that is configured to receive the optical signal and to generate an electrical signal in response to the optical signal. A computing device is configured to receive the electrical signal from the optical sensor and to generate a control signal in response. The control signal is configured to modify the build parameter of the direct metal laser melting system in real-time to adjust at least one of a melt pool size and a melt pool temperature to achieve a desired physical property of the component.

Abstract: A method in one embodiment includes acquiring optical image information with a detection unit configured to be operably coupled to a patient. The optical image information corresponds to microcirculation of the patient. The method also includes generating a microcirculation map of microvasculature of the patient using the optical image information. Further, the method includes generating a quantitative microcirculation index based on the microcirculation map, the quantitative microcirculation index corresponding to a condition of the patient.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system includes a laser array including a plurality of laser devices. Each laser device of the plurality of laser devices generates an energy beam for forming a melt pool in a powder bed. The additive manufacturing system further includes at least one optical element. The optical element receives at least one of the energy beams and induces a predetermined power diffusion in the at least one energy beam.

Abstract: The present approach relates to the synchronization of frame acquisition by a camera with an external event or trigger despite the camera lacking external control or synchronization capabilities. For example, inexpensive and/or consumer grade camera typically lack a control interface to explicitly synchronize with an external trigger event or external device. The present approach allows synchronization of such a camera lacking external synchronization capabilities with an external event or device.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system is configured to manufacture a component. The additive manufacturing system includes a laser device, a build platform, a first scanning device, and an air knife. The laser device is configured to generate a laser beam. The component is disposed on the build platform. The air knife is configured to channel an inert gas across the build platform. The first scanning device is configured to selectively direct the laser beam across the build platform. The laser beam is configured to generate successive layers of a melted powdered build material on the component and the build platform. The build platform is configured to rotate the component relative to the air knife.

Abstract: A component is fabricated in a powder bed by moving a laser array across the powder bed. The laser array includes a plurality of laser devices. The power output of each laser device of the plurality of laser devices is independently controlled. The laser array emits a plurality of energy beams from a plurality of selected laser devices of the plurality of laser devices to generate a melt pool in the powder bed. A non-uniform energy intensity profile is generated by the plurality of selected laser devices. The non-uniform energy intensity profile facilitates generating a melt pool that has a predetermined characteristic.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system includes a laser device, a build plate, a first scanning device, and an alignment system. The laser device is configured to generate a laser beam. The build plate has a position relative to the laser device. The first scanning device is configured to selectively direct the laser beam across the build plate. The laser beam generates a melt pool on the build plate. The alignment system includes a fiducial marks projector configured to project a plurality of fiducial marks across the build plate. Each fiducial mark has a location on the build plate. The alignment system also includes an optical detector configured to detect the location of each of the fiducial marks on the build plate. The alignment system is configured to detect the position of the build plate relative to the laser device.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system includes build plate with a powdered metal material disposed thereon. The additive manufacturing system also includes at least one wall defining an air-locked build chamber, a conveyor system, and a plurality of operation stations. The conveyor system is disposed within the air-locked build chamber. The conveyor system is configured to transport the build plate. The plurality of operation stations are positioned adjacent to the conveyor system and within the air-locked build chamber. Each operation station of the plurality of operation stations is configured to facilitate execution of at least one additive manufacturing operation on the powdered metal material disposed on the build plate. The conveyor system is configured to transfer the build plate from a first operation station of the plurality of operation stations to a second operation station of the plurality of operation stations.

Abstract: A method of forming a build in a powder bed includes emitting a plurality of laser beams from selected vertical-cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) of at least one VCSEL array onto the powder bed, the selected VCSELs of the at least one VCSEL array corresponding to a pattern of a layer of the build; and simultaneously melting powder in the powder bed corresponding to the pattern of the layer of the build.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a surface temperature of a hot gas path component includes directing an excitation beam having an excitation wavelength at a layer of a sensor material composition deposited on a hot gas path component to induce a fluorescent radiation. The method includes measuring fluorescent radiation emitted by the sensor material composition. The fluorescent radiation includes at least a first intensity at a first wavelength and a second intensity at a second wavelength. The surface temperature of the hot gas path component is determined based on a ratio of the first intensity at the first wavelength and the second intensity at the second wavelength of the fluorescent radiation emitted by the sensor material composition.

Abstract: A method for classifying a tissue sample of a biopsy specimen includes receiving a signal from at least one location of the tissue sample including a plurality of chromophores. Further, the method includes verifying whether the received signal comprises a predetermined amount of at least one of an attenuated illumination light and a re-emitted light. Also, the method includes determining that a spectrum of the received signal is within a predetermined range. In addition, the method includes processing the spectrum of the received signal to decompose the signal into a plurality of components. Furthermore, the method includes classifying tissue in the at least one location of the tissue sample into one of a plurality of tissue types based on the plurality of components.

Abstract: The present approach relates to the synchronization of frame acquisition by a camera with an external event or trigger despite the camera lacking external control or synchronization capabilities. For example, inexpensive and/or consumer grade camera typically lack a control interface to explicitly synchronize with an external trigger event or external device. The present approach allows synchronization of such a camera lacking external synchronization capabilities with an external event or device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a low-cost, portable photo thermal spectroscopy (PTS) reader for use in detecting the presence of diseases in the bodily fluid of affected patients. The PTS reader is designed to be durable, easy to use and provide readings from the Lateral Flow Assay (LFA) with rapid results. Also provided are methods of use.

Abstract: A method of creating an article of manufacture is provided, which includes directing multiple laser beams to a single galvanometer; and dynamically repositioning the multiple laser beams in counterpart paths using the single galvanometer to shine the multiple laser beams on and melt a first powder material and, upon solidification of the melted first powder material, forming a first series of duplicate three dimensional structures, where each of the multiple laser beams is used to form at least one of the first series of duplicate three dimensional structures.

Abstract: Optical-based apparatus and method for sensing parameters in connection with an asset, such as a pipeline, are provided. At least two sites in an optical fiber may include a respective fiber grating arranged to have a respective optical response in a wavelength spectrum having a distinguishing feature indicative of a value of a respective local parameter at a respective grating site. The two fiber gratings may be further arranged to form, in combination with a respective portion of the optical fiber which extends between the two sites, respective optical backscatter portions that when combined with one another are effective to sense an optical change in the fiber portion between the sites indicative of a value of a distributed parameter. This is a parameter modality different from a parameter modality of the respective local parameters at the respective grating sites.