Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for achieving more accurate 3D printed parts than printed parts achieved by conventional means. The disclosed systems and methods reduce the need for tolerance fitting when designing 3D objects and manufacturing with stereolithographic 3D printers. Embodiments of the present disclosure enable fitted assemblies to be manufactured and produce accurate standoffs where size constraints are critical. Embodiments of the present disclosure realize these solutions without requiring modifications to the printer or the printer software.

Abstract: An apparatus including a controllable fluid-contacting surface is provided. In another aspect, the present apparatus includes a flexible membrane and multiple actuators each having an output shaft or activation member coupled to a water-contacting membrane, with the shafts extending in a direction offset from the nominal outer surface of the membrane. A further aspect of the present apparatus includes an underwater vessel including a propulsion source, a flexible membrane having a water-contacting outer surface and an electronic controller including programmable software for actuating the actuators.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a turnkey modular printed circuit board enclosure that is generated using a template generator. The template generator accepts a user input comprising an enclosure parameter, based on which a manufacturing file may be generated. The manufacturing file may be provided to a fabricator for fabricating the enclosure or the manufacturing file may be modified in a printed circuit board design environment to incorporate a printed circuit board into the enclosure. The printed circuit board may be a separate printed circuit board that is inserted into the enclosure or it may be embedded in a face of the enclosure.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a turnkey modular printed circuit board enclosure that is generated using a template generator. The template generator accepts a user input comprising an enclosure parameter, based on which a manufacturing file may be generated. The manufacturing file may be provided to a fabricator for fabricating the enclosure or the manufacturing file may be modified in a printed circuit board design environment to incorporate a printed circuit board into the enclosure. The printed circuit board may be a separate printed circuit board that is inserted into the enclosure or it may be embedded in a face of the enclosure.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an adaptive retro-reflector device. The adaptive retro-reflector device includes a standard retro-reflector. In operation, the retro-reflector receives an incident optical signal and outputs a returned optical signal. The returned optical signal exhibits a divergence. The adaptive retro-reflector device includes an elastomeric interface. The elastomeric interface is in optical communication with the retro-reflector such that the incident optical signal passes through the elastomeric interface to the retro-reflector and such that the returned optical signal from the retro-reflector passes through the elastomeric interface. The elastomeric interface includes an interface surface. The apparatus includes a standard actuator. The actuator in operation communicates with the elastomeric interface so as to deform the interface surface, thereby controlling the divergence.

Abstract: An apparatus including a controllable fluid-contacting surface is provided. In another aspect, the present apparatus includes a flexible membrane and multiple actuators each having an output shaft or activation member coupled to a water-contacting membrane, with the shafts extending in a direction offset from the nominal outer surface of the membrane. A further aspect of the present apparatus includes an underwater vessel including a propulsion source, a flexible membrane having a water-contacting outer surface and an electronic controller including programmable software for actuating the actuators.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an adaptive retro-reflector device. The adaptive retro-reflector device includes a standard retro-reflector. In operation, the retro-reflector receives an incident optical signal and outputs a returned optical signal. The returned optical signal exhibits a divergence. The adaptive retro-reflector device includes an elastomeric interface. The elastomeric interface is in optical communication with the retro-reflector such that the incident optical signal passes through the elastomeric interface to the retro-reflector and such that the returned optical signal from the retro-reflector passes through the elastomeric interface. The elastomeric interface includes an interface surface. The apparatus includes a standard actuator. The actuator in operation communicates with the elastomeric interface so as to deform the interface surface, thereby controlling the divergence.

Abstract: A lens cover for, and a method of reducing the signature of, an optical imaging system presented. A support structure is provided having a first ring-shaped end, a second ring-shaped end and a mounting portion for attaching one end of the support structure to a lens. A rotatable member is disposed at the second end of the support structure. A pliable membrane tube has a first end attached to the first ring-shaped end of the support structure and a second end attached to the second ring-shaped rotatable member so that the membrane tube forms an aperture. By rotating the rotatable member to twist the membrane tube the size of said aperture may be varied.

Abstract: A method of flattening a deformable mirror (DM) such as a piezoelectric DM to correct for distortion includes inputting an incident light beam into a reference beam optical path while blocking the DM response, recording a flat wavefront (?n, R) as a reference wavefront from a reference mirror, blocking the reference beam to obtain a DM response, activating a close-loop mode of DM Control Software and computing iterations until a difference between the reference wavefront and the DM response is minimized, recording a wavefront created by the DM (?n, DM) and the corresponding voltage vector (Vn) applied to the DM; and applying a voltage vector to the DM to thereby flatten the DM and correct for the distortion. The method is useful in an application such as for ground-to-space links at Short Wave Infrared (SWIR) wavelengths.