Abstract: A disconnect fitting adapted for use with a phase changing composition including a fitting base having a first fitting base end, a second fitting base end and a fitting base opening therebetween, a pin capture disposed within the fitting base opening, a displaceable pin secured within the pin capture, a fitting socket having a first fitting socket end, a second fitting socket end, a fitting socket opening therebetween, the second fitting socket end secured to the second fitting base end, and a valve at least partially disposed within the fitting socket opening. When the displaceable pin is in an unloaded condition, the displaceable pin extends in a direction of the second fitting base end, and when the displaceable pin is in a loaded condition, the displaceable pin is compressed in a direction of the first fitting base end. The pin capture permits passage of the phase changing composition through the fitting base opening when the displaceable pin is in the unloaded condition or the loaded condition.

Abstract: A disconnect fitting adapted for use with a phase changing composition including a fitting base having a first fitting base end, a second fitting base end and a fitting base opening therebetween, a pin capture disposed within the fitting base opening, a displaceable pin secured within the pin capture, a fitting socket having a first fitting socket end, a second fitting socket end, a fitting socket opening therebetween, the second fitting socket end secured to the second fitting base end, and a valve at least partially disposed within the fitting socket opening. When the displaceable pin is in an unloaded condition, the displaceable pin extends in a direction of the second fitting base end, and when the displaceable pin is in a loaded condition, the displaceable pin is compressed in a direction of the first fitting base end. The pin capture permits passage of the phase changing composition through the fitting base opening when the displaceable pin is in the unloaded condition or the loaded condition.

Abstract: A printing system includes a housing, a track supported by the housing, and a cart which rides along the track. The printing system also includes print heads which eject material onto the cart. To prevent material from inadvertently accumulating on the track and the housing, the cart also includes a wiper configured to wipe the material from at least a portion of the housing. The printing system also includes at least one collection tray configured to direct and/or collect the material wiped from the housing. The printing system further includes a coating applied to outer surfaces of at least some of the elements of the housing, the track, and the cart to further prevent the material from inadvertently accumulating on the track and the housing. The coating can be a siloxyfluorocarbon coating.

Abstract: A printing system includes a housing, a track supported by the housing, and a cart which rides along the track. The printing system also includes print heads which eject material onto the cart. To prevent material from inadvertently accumulating on the track and the housing, the cart also includes a wiper configured to wipe the material from at least a portion of the housing. The printing system also includes at least one collection tray configured to direct and/or collect the material wiped from the housing. The printing system further includes a coating applied to outer surfaces of at least some of the elements of the housing, the track, and the cart to further prevent the material from inadvertently accumulating on the track and the housing. The coating can be a siloxyfluorocarbon coating.

Abstract: A printing system for forming three-dimensional objects includes two laterally spaced rails, each of the rails have an internal cavity extending through the rail along a longitudinal axis. The printing system further includes two heating devices, one heating device is connected to the internal cavity of one of the two laterally spaced rails and the other heating device is connected to the internal cavity of the other of the two laterally spaced rails to enable each heating device to heat a surface of the rail in which the heating device is positioned. The printing system further includes a platform configured to move along the laterally spaced rails. The printing system also includes at least one of a pair of scrapers, wiper pads, and wiper blades mounted to the cart.

Abstract: A printing system for forming three-dimensional objects includes two laterally spaced rails, each of the rails have an internal cavity extending through the rail along a longitudinal axis. The printing system further includes two heating devices, one heating device is connected to the internal cavity of one of the two laterally spaced rails and the other heating device is connected to the internal cavity of the other of the two laterally spaced rails to enable each heating device to heat a surface of the rail in which the heating device is positioned. The printing system further includes a platform configured to move along the laterally spaced rails. The printing system also includes at least one of a pair of scrapers, wiper pads, and wiper blades mounted to the cart.

Abstract: An apparatus detects inoperative inkjets during printing of three-dimensional objects. The apparatus includes an optical sensor with a predetermined focal plane. The optical sensor is moved to a position that enables the sensor to generate image data of material drops ejected by a group of inkjets in a single row of a printhead. These image data are analyzed to detect inoperative inkjets to enable printhead maintenance at appropriate times to maintain the operational status of the inkjets in the printhead. The optical sensor is moved along a length and width of the printhead to enable the sensor to generate image data of all the inkjets that eject material from the printhead.

Abstract: A scaffold includes a radiopaque marker connected to a strut. The marker is retained within the strut by one or more of a mechanical interference fit, a polymer coating or melt, and/or by friction. The marker can take the form of a bead, rivet or snap-in marker, or a tube deformed when attached to the strut. The strut is made from a tube. The strut has a thickness of about 100 microns.

Abstract: An apparatus detects inoperative inkjets during printing of three-dimensional objects. The apparatus includes an optical sensor that generates measurements of a height, a diameter, and a position for test dots formed on a substrate with material ejected from a printhead. These measurements are analyzed to detect inoperative inkjets to enable printhead maintenance at appropriate times to maintain the operational status of the inkjets in the printhead.

Abstract: There are described methods and apparatus for scrambling digital content, such as video or audio content, by dividing the digital content into blocks set out in an original arrangement, and reordering the blocks from the original arrangement to a scrambled arrangement. Additional manipulation transforms such as rotations and reflections may be applied to individual blocks. A subsequent compression step may then be carried out. Methods and apparatus for carrying out corresponding descrambling of digital content are also described.

Abstract: A maintenance system for maintaining a scalable printhead array comprises: a pair of tracks disposed in parallel and on opposite sides of a printhead array; a shaft extending between the tracks and configured to engage with each track to move along the tracks; a plurality of maintenance modules mounted in series along the shaft between the tracks and configured to move along the tracks with the shaft to perform maintenance operations on a plurality of printheads of the printhead array, the tracks being configured to guide the shaft and the plurality of maintenance modules along a path from a resting position to an operating position the printhead array and from which at least one of the plurality of maintenance modules performs a maintenance operation on at least one printhead of the printhead array; and an actuator configured to move the shaft along the tracks.

Abstract: An apparatus detects inoperative inkjets during printing of three-dimensional objects. The apparatus includes a roll of substrate that extends to a take up roller. A printhead prints a test pattern on a portion of the substrate pulled from the roll and the portion with the test pattern is moved opposite a digital camera. The digital camera generates data of the test pattern on the substrate and these data are analyzed to identify inoperative inkjets in the printhead.

Abstract: An appartus detects inoperative inkjets during printing of three-dimensional objects. The apparatus includes an optical sensor that generates measurements of a height, a diameter, and a position for test dots formed on a substrate with material ejected from a printhead. These measurements are analyzed to detect inoperative inkjets to enable printhead maintenance at appropriate times to maintain the operational status of the inkjets in the printhead.

Abstract: An apparatus detects inoperative inkjets during printing of three-dimensional objects. The apparatus includes a roll of substrate that extends to a take up roller. A printhead prints a test pattern on a portion of the substrate pulled from the roll and the portion with the test pattern is moved opposite a digital camera. The digital camera generates data of the test pattern on the substrate and these data are analyzed to identify inoperative inkjets in the printhead.

Abstract: An apparatus detects inoperative inkjets during printing of three-dimensional objects. The apparatus includes an optical sensor with a predetermined focal plane. The optical sensor is moved to a position that enables the sensor to generate image data of material drops ejected by a group of inkjets in a single row of a printhead. These image data are analyzed to detect inoperative inkjets to enable printhead maintenance at appropriate times to maintain the operational status of the inkjets in the printhead. The optical sensor is moved along a length and width of the printhead to enable the sensor to generate image data of all the inkjets that eject material from the printhead.

Abstract: A computer-implemented incremental algorithm for updating globally optimized linebreaks for a paragraph following a change to that paragraph takes advantage of the fact that in many cases, the effect of a change on a paragraph is of only limited extent in the paragraph. As a result, in many cases, previously evaluated information concerning feasible breakpoints for the original paragraph can be used to obtain the optimal break for the changed paragraph. The computer-implemented incremental algorithm models the paragraph as an acyclic graph and identifies those portions of the graph that are unchanged as a result of the revision. The method then evaluates feasible breakpoints and combined these with feasible breakpoints obtained from the original paragraph. Using these breakpoints, the incremental algorithm uses dynamic programming to obtain the optimal break for the changed paragraph.