Abstract: The invention features a method of continuous crystalline growth. A granular source material is introduced into a hopper. A volume of the granular source material exiting the hopper is disposed on a translationally moving belt. The volume of the granular source material forms an angle of repose with the moving belt. The granular source material disposed on the moving belt is continuously fed into a crucible comprising a melt of the granular source material at a rate based on the angle of repose, the speed of the belt, and the size of the opening of the hopper. A crystalline ribbon is continuously grown by solidifying the melt.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in producing three dimensional components by bonding together successive layers of a porous material with droplets of a binder material. A powder is dispensed on a support surface in a layer. A vibratory mechanism vibrates the layer of dispensed powder to compact the powder.

Abstract: A process for making a component includes the steps of: depositing a layer of a porous material; positioning a mask near to the deposited layer; applying a bonding material that will cause any contacted portions of the porous material to become bonded together, over and through the mask, such that the bonding material is applied to one or more selected regions of the recently deposited layer of porous material; and repeating the foregoing three steps a selected number of times to produce a selected number of successive layers, said bonding material causing each of said successive layers to become bonded to an adjacent layer. Any unbonded porous material that is not at the selected regions is easily removed. The mask may be an open stencil mask, or a screen mask. If open stencil masks are used, there may be more than one mask for a single layer of porous material. Successive masks may be positioned by a continuous sheet, a rotating disk, or individually, such as by a robot.

Abstract: A technique for removing loose powder from the interior surfaces of ceramic molds made using layer manufacturing processes, such as three dimensional printing processes. The interior of a mold is filled with water which is boiled and the particles are entrained in the flow caused by the boiling liquid. In another technique, the mold is immersed in water charged with CO.sub.2 and the pressure rapidly dropped to cause the CO.sub.2 to come out of solution as bubbles which eject the particles. Alternatively, fine particles are introduced into the mold and the mold is agitated to dislodge the particles and the powder so that they can be poured out of the mold. Such technique tends also to remove the surface finish of the mold. Any of the particles which remain can be dissolved in a liquid and removed in the liquid from the mold.

Abstract: A technique for removing loose powder from the interior surfaces of ceramic molds made using layer manufacturing processes, such as three dimensional printing processes. The interior of a mold can be filled with liquid, such as water, which is boiled by applying microwave energy of a frequency selected to heat the liquid. The particles are entrained in the flow caused by the boiling liquid. Alternatively, fine particles are introduced into the mold and the mold is agitated to dislodge the particles and the powder so that they can be poured out of the mold. Such technique tends also to remove the surface finish of the mold. Any of the particles which remain can be dissolved in a liquid and removed in the liquid from the mold. Further, the surface finish of the mold can be improved by casting a slip of fine particles onto the surface to form a generally level, and preferably non-conformal, coating on the surfaces.

Abstract: A new technique has been developed to measure etching or deposition rate uniformity in situ using a CCD camera which views the wafer during plasma processing. The technique records the temporal modulation of plasma emission or laser illumination reflected from the wafer; this modulation is caused by interferometry as thin films are etched or deposited. The measured etching rates compare very well with those determined by Helium-Neon laser interference. This technique is capable of measuring etching rates across 100-mm or larger wafers. It can resolve etch rate variations across a wafer or within a die. The invention can also be used to make endpoint determinations in etching operations as well as measuring the absolute thickness of thin films.

Abstract: A process for making a component by depositing a first layer of a powder material in a confined region and then depositing a binder material to selected regions of the layer of powder material to produce a layer of bonded powder material at the selected regions. Such steps are repeated a selected number of times to produce successive layers of selected regions of bonded powder material so as to form the desired component. The unbonded powder material is then removed. In some cases the component may be further processed as, for example, by heating it to further strengthen the bonding thereof.

Abstract: A computer system for aiding in the design of an object, comprising a first sensor representing the object and adapted to be moved in three dimensions in a work area by a designer, the first sensor providing signals to the computer system that indicate its position and orientation in the work area, and a second sensor adapted to be moved by the designer in three dimensions in the work area, the second sensor providing signals to the computer system that indicate its position and orientation in the work area; the computer system responds to the signals from the first and second sensors by creating a displayed image corresponding to a three-dimensional model of the object in a virtual work area that corresponds to the designer's work area, the model comprising lines that each have a shape and position that corresponds to movement by the designer of at least one of the sensors, and by controlling the position and orientation of the model in the virtual work area in accordance with the motion of at least one of t

Abstract: A process for making a component by depositing a first layer of a fluent porous material, such as a powder, in a confined region and then depositing a binder material to selected regions of the layer of powder material to produce a layer of bonded powder material at the selected regions. Such steps are repeated a selected number of times to produce successive layers of selected regions of bonded powder material so as to form the desired component. The unbonded powder material is then removed. In some cases the component may be further processed as, for example, by heating it to further strengthen the bonding thereof.

Abstract: This invention is a method of initiating or seeding the growth of a crystalline or polycrystalline ribbon by the String Stabilized Ribbon Growth Method. The method for seeding the crystal growth comprises contacting a melt surface with a seed and two strings used in edge stabilization. The wetted strings attach to the wetted seed as a result of the freezing of the liquid melt. Upon drawing the seed, which is attached to the strings, away from the melt surface a melt liquid meniscus, a seed junction, and a growth interface forms. Further pulling of the attached seed causes a crystal ribbon to grow at the growth interface. The boundaries of the growing ribbon are: at the top the seed junction, at the bottom the freezing boundary of the melt liquid meniscus, and at the edges frozen-in strings.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing the edge positions of a ribbon drawn from a melt includes the use of wettable strings drawn in parallel up through the melt surface, the ribbon being grown between the strings. In one embodiment, the string stabilized edge technique is utilized for pulling of the ribbon at an angle to the melt surface. String introduction techniques are also described including several in which the strings are introduced to the melt through apertures in the bottom of the crucible utilized for containing the melt. Also described is a technique for minimizing the introduction of impurities from the melt into a ribbon by constantly flowing the melt under the growth interface in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the growing ribbon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing the edge positions of a ribbon drawn from a melt includes the use of wettable strings drawn in parallel up through the melt surface, the ribbon being grown between the strings. A furnace and various features of the crucible used therein permit continuous automatic growth of flat ribbons without close temperature control or the need for visual inspection.

Abstract: An automatic film processor is provided with leakage control in the form of a closed loop fluid handling system to provide negative pressure in the processing tanks, a specialized outlet orifice for the processing tanks to maintain fluid level above the film plane, means for providing an inert atmosphere above the chemicals in the system reservoir involving the use of a specialized standpipe, a film drying section which utilizes the cooling fan for the unit, and a specialized multi-negative loading unit.

Abstract: An automatic photographic film processor or like device for treating sheets of materials of the type provided with a plurality of approximately equal-length, annularly arranged parallel rollers positioned in longitudinally contacting relation to form the periphery of a chamber adapted to contain a processing solution, fluid-tight seals being provided between the ends of such rollers and flat side plates. The rollers are each comprised of a rigid shaft having a resilient covering of a thickness at least comparable to that of the roller shaft. The end of the roller and the side plate are contoured so that a portion of the roller adjacent to the outer diameter thereof provides a seal when brought into flush contact with the side plate. This contouring also permits the rollers to be longitudinally compressed to assist in providing the seal, while providing strain relief to the roller end in the vicinity of the shaft.