Abstract: This application describes a spatial envelope defining interaction of a robot arm and a fixture. The spatial envelope has a “keep-out” envelope defining a volume that the robot arm shall avoid entering, an input location defining a volume where the robot arm is to place a first object, an output location defining a volume from which the robot arm is to remove a second object, and a plurality of target items.

Abstract: An apparatus for analysis of a sample of a material is disclosed. The apparatus has a body configured to accept the sample and a detector with a plurality of points. The detector is configured to provide a signal about the intensities of light received at the points. The apparatus also includes a slit array having a plurality of slits configured to collected light from the accepted sample and a collimating lens array having a plurality of lenses configured to receive the light from the slit array and collimate the collected light. The apparatus also includes a diffraction grating configured to diffract the light received from the collimating lens array and a focusing lens configured to focus the diffracted light of a common frequency on a common point of the detector.

Abstract: A system for connecting a first ship to a second ship, the system having a plurality of target items coupled to the second ship, a camera module coupled to the first ship and configured to provide information comprising positions of images of the target items in a FOV, and a processor coupled to the camera module and a memory and configured to determine a first position and a first orientation of the second ship relative to the first ship.

Abstract: An apparatus for analysis of a sample of a material is disclosed. The apparatus includes a holder configured to accept the sample. The holder includes a sample plate having a first surface configured to contact the accepted sample and a sample lens array that comprises a plurality of focusing elements.

Abstract: A fixture for dispensing a powder is disclosed. The fixture has a base and a beam with a first end, a second end, and a fulcrum disposed between the first and second ends and coupled to the base. The fixture also has a load transfer beam having a first end and a second end that is fixedly coupled to the base. A force sensor is coupled to the load transfer beam. The beam can rotate about the fulcrum with respect to the base and the second end of the beam makes a point contact with the first end of the load transfer beam.

Abstract: A system for determining the position and orientation of a landing area relative to an approaching vehicle is disclosed. The landing area has a plurality of target items disposed proximate to the landing area at known locations. The system includes a sensor on which is formed images of target items that are within a Field of View (FOV) of the sensor, a processor configured to receive the positions of the target items on the sensor, and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores the locations of the target items relative to the landing area and instructions that, when loaded into the processor and executed, cause the processor to determine a position and an orientation of the landing area relative to the vehicle based in part on the information received from the sensor and the locations of the target items.

Abstract: This application describes fixture having a body and a plurality of fiducials with at least one of the fiducials having a first state and a second state and able to move to one of the first state and the second state. The fiducials are arranged such that knowledge of the 3D positions of the fiducials in an observing coordinate system is sufficient to determine a first position and a first orientation of the body in the observing coordinate system.

Abstract: A secure analysis system for analyzing a sample is disclosed. The system includes an analyzer configured to create a measurement of the sample, create a data record of the measurement, encrypt the data record to form an encrypted data file, and provide the encrypted data file. The system also includes a server communicatively coupled to the analyzer and configured to receive the encrypted data file, store the encrypted data file, retrieve at least one of an encrypted algorithm, an encrypted parameter, and a portion of an encrypted library. The server is also configured to retrieve an encryption key, decrypt at least one of the data file, the algorithm, the parameter, and the library portion using the key, analyze the measurement, and provide a result.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a sample is disclosed. The method includes the steps of measuring a spectral response of the sample, selecting a reference material having a Raman peak with a magnitude at a wave number, measuring a peak value in the spectral response at the wave number, and determining an amount of the reference material in the sample based in part on a ratio of the measured peak value to the magnitude of the Raman peak of the reference material.

Abstract: A module for dispensing a powder is disclosed. The module has a channel having an entry port, a hopper coupled to the entry port and configured to receive the powder, and a piston partially disposed within the channel and configured to reciprocate within the channel. The piston has a retracted position configured to allow the powder to move from the hopper through the entry port into the channel.

Abstract: A workcell that is configured to interact with a device having a plurality of target items and a first memory comprising information about 3D positions of the plurality of target items defined in a first coordinate system of the device. The workcell has a camera module and a processor. The camera module is configured to provide information about a first position of a target item on a first sensor and a second position of the same target item on the second sensor. The processor is configured to determine a position and an orientation of the device within the coordinate system of the workcell.

Abstract: A system for connecting a first ship to a second ship, the system having a plurality of target items coupled to the second ship, a camera module coupled to the first ship and configured to provide information comprising positions of images of the target items in a FOV, and a processor coupled to the camera module and a memory and configured to determine a first position and a first orientation of the second ship relative to the first ship.

Abstract: This application describes fixture having a body and a plurality of fiducials with at least one of the fiducials having a first state and a second state and able to move to one of the first state and the second state. The fiducials are arranged such that knowledge of the 3D positions of the fiducials in an observing coordinate system is sufficient to determine a first position and a first orientation of the body in the observing coordinate system.

Abstract: A fixture having a memory containing information about one or more of a plurality of fiducials, a keep-out zone, and an interaction point. The fixture provides this information to a processor of a workcell during set-up.