Abstract: 3D printers include a feed stepper motor coupled to an extruder, a platen positioned adjacent the extruder, a platen support coupled to a platen lifter, and directional stepper motors, wherein the extruder comprises an air scoop, extruder nozzle and heater, wherein the heater is positioned to heat the extruder nozzle and air to provide heated air and the air scoop is configured and positioned to route the heated air which is emitted adjacent the extruder nozzle directly onto the surface of a workpiece positioned on the platen. A feed stepper motor may include a hollow bore motor shaft. A substrate made of the same material being extruded may be provided. A method of 3D printing employs such a substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for locating a center of gravity of a workpiece and forming a bore in the workpiece, the apparatus including a housing having a base configured to support the apparatus on a surface, a mounting plate, an X-axis plate slidably disposed on a first side of the mounting plate opposite a second, base-facing side of the mounting plate, a Y-axis plate slidably disposed on the X-axis plate, a holder coupled to the side of the Y-axis plate opposite the X-axis plate, wherein the holder is configured and operable to receive and retain the workpiece, a securing device operable to releasably secure the workpiece in the holder, at least two distance sensors positioned adjacent the holder, an elongated tool mounted within the housing axially aligned with central apertures formed in each of the mounting plate, Y-axis plate and X-axis plate, wherein the elongated tool is operable to move reciprocally and rotatably, and motors operable to move each of the Y-axis plate, X-axis plate and elongated tool.

Abstract: A flange for centering an impeller on a motor shaft includes a central bore for receiving a motor shaft, an impeller facing end and a motor bearing facing end formed opposite the impeller facing end, wherein the impeller facing end includes at least one impeller engaging element configured to couple with a flange facing side of the impeller, wherein the flange facing side of the impeller includes at least one flange engaging element complementary to the at least one impeller engaging element of the flange. An assembly including the motor shaft an impeller is disclosed, as well as centering elements for use in repeatably mounting the assembly to an impeller. Methods of determining optimal balance are disclosed.

Abstract: Conductor coils which induce a magnetic field and methods of making same are disclosed, the conductor coil having at least one layer of conductive material formed in a spiral, the spiral having an inner portion forming an air core. Also disclosed are conductor coils and methods of making same having at least two spiral layers of conductive material, wherein the first spiral layer has a configuration in which a first end terminates at an exterior periphery of the first spiral layer and extends spirally inward toward an inner portion of the first spiral layer and terminates at a second end, wherein the second spiral layer has a configuration in which a first end terminates at an interior periphery of the first spiral layer and extends spirally outward toward an exterior periphery of the first spiral layer, wherein the second spiral layer first end is conductively connected to the first spiral layer second end.

Abstract: A method of removing voids from a casting is disclosed including the steps of introducing molten metal into a die, providing an impact surface and dropping the die containing the molten metal at least once from a predetermined height to strike the impact surface. A device for removing voids from a casting includes a base, a drive means operably coupled to at least one cam, and a guide configured to receive a die, wherein the at least one cam is positioned on the base to contact a die placed on the guide, and wherein rotation of the at least one cam is operable to raise and subsequently release the die to strike a surface of the base, and wherein the guide maintains the die in a stable orientation relative to a horizontal axis of the base.

Abstract: A trailer configured to couple to a self-balancing personal transporter, the trailer including a seat, at least one wheel rotatably coupled to the seat and oriented in an axial direction, the seat configured and positioned to support a user in a seated position with the user's feet in contact with a foot rest of the self-balancing personal transporter, and a yoke including a first end coupled to the seat and a second end configured to couple with a central portion of the self-balancing personal transporter, wherein the yoke extends in the same axial direction as the at least one wheel.

Abstract: Inspection apparatus and methods for inspecting parts include a drum including a chamber for receiving parts to be inspected and at least one screen having at least one gauge formed therein, wherein the drum is configured to be rotatably mountable on a support, and wherein rotation of the drum is operable to present parts to be inspected to the at least one gauge.

Abstract: A method of removing voids from a casting is disclosed including the steps of introducing molten metal into a die, providing an impact surface and dropping the die containing the molten metal at least once from a predetermined height to strike the impact surface. A device for removing voids from a casting includes a base, a drive means operably coupled to at least one cam, and a guide configured to receive a die, wherein the at least one cam is positioned on the base to contact a die placed on the guide, and wherein rotation of the at least one cam is operable to raise and subsequently release the die to strike a surface of the base, and wherein the guide maintains the die in a stable orientation relative to a horizontal axis of the base.

Abstract: Electric motors are disclosed with coils which induce a magnetic flux field which by its relationship with ferromagnetic poles provide the motoring force without use of an auxiliary magnetic field. The motors may be employed with fixed or pivotably mounted brushes. Pivotable brushes for electric motor brushes are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed that may include a contact pin; and a plurality of loops of conductive wire, coated with insulation material, disposed in proximity to the contact pin, wherein along at least one portion of the conductive wire, at least one edge of the contact pin extends through the insulation material and thereby forms conductive electrical contact with the conductive wire.

Abstract: Laundry machine leveling devices for a laundry machine are disclosed which employ a screw arrangement having left and right hand threads engaged with a foot arranged such that the machine, the floor, and the foot in contact with the floor does not turn. Using the friction between an elastomeric foot element and the floor permits adjustment of devices disclosed herein.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for mulching material including a floor stand configured to secure a hand-manipulatable blower/vacuum mulching device in a position to receive material to be mulched, and a hopper having an end for receiving material to be mulched and an opposite end configured to be connected to an intake of the mulching device. A floor stand is disclosed which is operable to secure a hand-manipulatable blower/vacuum mulching device in an upright position.

Abstract: Conductor coils which induce a magnetic field and methods of making same are disclosed, the conductor coil having at least one layer of conductive material formed in a spiral, the spiral having an inner portion forming an air core. Also disclosed are conductor coils and methods of making same having at least two spiral layers of conductive material, wherein the first spiral layer has a configuration in which a first end terminates at an exterior periphery of the first spiral layer and extends spirally inward toward an inner portion of the first spiral layer and terminates at a second end, wherein the second spiral layer has a configuration in which a first end terminates at an interior periphery of the first spiral layer and extends spirally outward toward an exterior periphery of the first spiral layer, wherein the second spiral layer first end is conductively connected to the first spiral layer second end.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for mulching material including a floor stand configured to secure a hand-manipulatable blower/vacuum mulching device in a position to receive material to be mulched, and a hopper having an end for receiving material to be mulched and an opposite end configured to be connected to an intake of the mulching device. A floor stand is disclosed which is operable to secure a hand-manipulatable blower/vacuum mulching device in an upright position. A floor stand may include a securing device pivotably engaged thereto, wherein the securing device is operable to removably engage and permit pivotable selective positioning of a hand-manipulatable blower/vacuum mulching device.

Abstract: A screwless terminal block and insulation displacement connector device includes a housing and slide slidably engaged in the housing, the device operable to receive a lead wire having lead wire conductors and an insulation layer, and to further receive a conductive connector. Movement of the slide to a closed position with a lead wire inserted in the device causes the lead wire to contact sharp connector edges, which, with continued downward force, cut the insulation layer. Continued downward force, to full closure of the device, forces lead wire conductors into compressed multiple electrical contact with the connector.

Abstract: Electric motors are disclosed with coils which induce a magnetic flux field which by its relationship with ferromagnetic poles provide the motoring force without use of an auxiliary magnetic field. The motors may be employed with fixed or pivotably mounted brushes. Pivotable brushes for electric motor brushes are disclosed.

Abstract: Electric motors are disclosed with coils which induce a magnetic flux field which by its relationship with ferromagnetic poles provide the motoring force without use of an auxiliary magnetic field. The motors may be employed with fixed or pivotably mounted brushes. Pivotable brushes for electric motor brushes are disclosed.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for mulching material including a floor stand configured to secure a hand-manipulatable blower/vacuum mulching device in a position to receive material to be mulched, and a hopper having an end for receiving material to be mulched and an opposite end configured to be connected to an intake of the mulching device. A floor stand is disclosed which is operable to secure a hand-manipulatable blower/vacuum mulching device in an upright position.

Abstract: A solenoid may include a core having a junction surface; a plunger having a junction surface and located adjacent to the core; a shading ring located proximate to an interface between the core junction surface and the plunger junction surface, the shading ring having an outside diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the core, and operable to produce a concentration of magnetic attraction within an annular range of the interface between a center of the interface and a location of the shading ring; wherein a contact region between the core junction surface and the plunger junction surface is substantially smaller than the respective junction surfaces and located proximate to the annular range of the concentration of magnetic attraction.

Abstract: Filters are disclosed in the form of a helical or spiral element operable to be contained in a pipe fitting, or device to be protected, such as a valve, sprinkler or the like. Filters including devices for adjusting the pitch of the filter and devices for clearing clogs in the filter are disclosed. Plumbing fixtures including a filter element are disclosed as well as devices for adjusting the pitch of the filter and devices for clearing clogs in the filter.