Abstract: Disclosed are three-dimensional parts, such as orthotics and prosthetics, having sinusoidal wave pattern infill structures first and second boundary walls. Also disclosed are printers or systems configured to manufacture such parts, as well as methods of manufacturing such parts. The sinusoidal wave pattern infill structures are formed between, and normal to, the first and second boundary walls and are configured to provide locally tunable structural properties in different regions of the part.

Abstract: Disclosed are three-dimensional parts, such as orthotics and prosthetics, having sinusoidal wave pattern infill structures first and second boundary walls. Also disclosed are printers or systems configured to manufacture such parts, as well as methods of manufacturing such parts. The sinusoidal wave pattern infill structures are formed between, and normal to, the first and second boundary walls and are configured to provide locally tunable structural properties in different regions of the part.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing device includes at least one liquefier assembly that receives filament material from at least one feedstock and extrudes the material in a flowable form. A thermal drying system removes water vapor and heats compressed air to a preselected temperature set point to form conditioned air. At least one enclosed filament path houses and guides the filament material from a supply to the at least one liquefier assembly. The enclosed filament path is exposed to the conditioned air from the thermal drying system so as to keep the filament material dry as it is fed to the at least one liquefier assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed are three-dimensional parts, such as orthotics and prosthetics, having sinusoidal wave pattern infill structures first and second boundary walls. Also disclosed are printers or systems configured to manufacture such parts, as well as methods of manufacturing such parts. The sinusoidal wave pattern infill structures are formed between, and normal to, the first and second boundary walls and are configured to provide locally tunable structural properties in different regions of the part.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing device includes at least one liquefier assembly that receives filament material from at least one feedstock and extrudes the material in a flowable form. A thermal drying system removes water vapor and heats compressed air to a preselected temperature set point to form conditioned air. At least one enclosed filament path houses and guides the filament material from a supply to the at least one liquefier assembly. The enclosed filament path is exposed to the conditioned air from the thermal drying system so as to keep the filament material dry as it is fed to the at least one liquefier assembly.

Abstract: A method for printing a three-dimensional part with an additive manufacturing system, the method including printing layers of the three-dimensional part and of a support structure for the three-dimensional part from multiple print heads or deposition lines, and switching the print heads or deposition line between stand-by modes and operating modes in-between the printing of the layers of the three-dimensional part and the support structure. The method also includes performing a purge operation for each print head or deposition line switched to the operating mode, where the purge operation includes printing a layer of at least one purge tower from the print head or deposition line switched to the operating mode.

Abstract: A charge director material for charging a liquid toner, the charge director material comprising (a) nanoparticles of a simple salt and (b) a sulfosuccinate salt of the general formula MAn, wherein M is a metal, n is the valence of M, and A is an ion of the general formula (I) [R1—O—C(O)CH2CH(SO3?)C(O)—O—R2],??(I) wherein each of R1 and R2 is an alkyl group; said charge director material being substantially free of acids of the general formula (I), wherein one or both of R1 and R2 is hydrogen, and if only one of them is hydrogen, the other is an alkyl group.

Abstract: A charge director material for charging a liquid toner, the charge director material comprising (a) nanoparticles of a simple salt and (b) a sulfosuccinate salt of the general formula MAn, wherein M is a metal, n is the valence of M, and A is an ion of the general formula (I) [R1—O—C(O)CH2CH(SO3?)C(O)—O—R2],??(I) wherein each of R1 and R2 is an alkyl group; said charge director material being substantially free of acids of the general formula (I), wherein one or both of R1 and R2 is hydrogen, and if only one of them is hydrogen, the other is an alkyl group,

Abstract: A charge director material for charging a liquid toner, the charge director material comprising (a) nanoparticles of a simple salt and (b) a sulfosuccinate salt of the general formula MAn, wherein M is a metal, n is the valence of M, and A is an ion of the general formula (I) [R1—O—C(O)CH2CH(SO3?)C(O)—O—R2],??(I) wherein each of R1 and R2 is an alkyl group; said charge director material being substantially free of acids of the general formula (I), wherein one or both of R1 and R2 is hydrogen, and if only one of them is hydrogen, the other is an alkyl group.

Abstract: A method for printing a three-dimensional part with an additive manufacturing system, the method including printing layers of the three-dimensional part and of a support structure for the three-dimensional part from multiple print heads or deposition lines, and switching the print heads or deposition line between stand-by modes and operating modes in-between the printing of the layers of the three-dimensional part and the support structure. The method also includes performing a purge operation for each print head or deposition line switched to the operating mode, where the purge operation includes printing a layer of at least one purge tower from the print head or deposition line switched to the operating mode.

Abstract: A charge director material for charging a liquid toner, the charge director material comprising (a) nanoparticles of a simple salt and (b) a sulfosuccinate salt of the general formula MAn, wherein M is a metal, n is the valence of M, and A is an ion of the general formula (I) [R1—O—C(O)CH2CH(SO3?)C(O)—O—R2],??(I) wherein each of R1 and R2 is an alkyl group; said charge director material being substantially free of acids of the general formula (I), wherein one or both of R1 and R2 is hydrogen, and if only one of them is hydrogen, the other is an alkyl group,

Abstract: A brightening system includes a substrate and an amphoteric stilbene composition established on the substrate. The amphoteric stilbene composition includes a predetermined amount of at least one of 4,4?-diamino-2,2?-stilbene disulfonic acid, biarylsulfonate-4,4?-diamino-2,2?-stilbene disulfonic acid, biaryldisulfonate-4,4?-diamino-2,2?-stilbene disulfonic acid, derivatives thereof, salts thereof, and mixtures thereof; and a fixing agent.

Abstract: A charge director material for charging a liquid toner, the charge director material comprising (a) nanoparticles of a simple salt and (b) a sulfosuccinate salt of the general formula MAn, wherein M is a metal, n is the valence of M, and A is an ion of the general formula (I) [R1—O—C(O)CH2CH(SO3?)C(O)—O—R2],??(I) wherein each of R1 and R2 is an alkyl group; said charge director material being substantially free of acids of the general formula (I), wherein one or both of R1 and R2 is hydrogen, and if only one of them is hydrogen, the other is an alkyl group,

Abstract: A brightening system includes a substrate and an amphoteric stilbene composition established on the substrate. The amphoteric stilbene composition includes a predetermined amount of at least one of 4,4?-diamino-2,2?-stilbene disulfonic acid, biarylsulfonate-4,4?-diamino-2,2?-stilbene disulfonic acid, biaryldisulfonate-4,4?-diamino-2,2?-stilbene disulfonic acid, derivatives thereof, salts thereof, and mixtures thereof; and a fixing agent.

Abstract: A system and method for fast detection of specific on-air data rates are disclosed which, in one example embodiment, enable endpoint devices in automatic meter reading (AMR) systems to quickly determine the existence of over-the-air information that is specifically targeted to a unique class of AMR devices. An endpoint device utilizing the digital squelch circuit arrangement and algorithm of the invention can quickly and precisely determine if the AMR system is communicating with its class of AMR device by looking for a specific non-standard data rate present on the air. This method therefore allows for a significant improvement in battery life in two-way RF communication units by avoiding unnecessary data processing and data transmissions. The digital squelch method also enables even faster determination of inappropriate data rates and of no signal present situations, further improving battery life.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved method for metallizing polymer substrates, such as polyimides. The present invention comprises the steps of surface treating the polymer substrate with a plasma jet or corona discharge surface treatment, conditioning and etching the polymer substrate with an etching solution comprising a hydroxide and ionic palladium, activating the polymer substrate with ionic palladium, reducing the palladium on the polymer substrate, plating an electroless nickel layer onto the prepared polymer substrate, and plating an electroless copper layer over the electroless nickel layer. The process of the invention provides an improved method for preparing the polymer substrate for subsequent electrolytic plating thereon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for tagging an ink with a detectable marker and methods for identifying an ink. The tagged ink includes a colorant visible under visible light and a detectable marker capable of fluorescing when subjected to infrared light. A method for identifying an ink includes obtaining a sample of an unidentified ink, subjecting the sample to infrared light such that a detectable marker, if present, fluoresces, and determining whether any fluorescence emitted from the sample corresponds to fluorescence from a tagged ink. A system for identifying an unidentified ink is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of an EDM electrode dressing template comprising a body made of an electrically conductive material. Bonded to the body is a pad with an electrically conductive material with hardness greater than the body. An electrode with an eroded end is positioned proximate the pad and a DC current pulses between the eroded end and the pad. After a period of time, the eroded end is shaped into a dressed tip. Since the pad is less susceptible to spark erosion than the body, the electrode is more consistently dressed and the template is replaced less frequently.

Abstract: The RF communications system of the present invention wirelessly communicates data without encountering undue interference problems with other devices and complies with rules governing unlicensed, spectrum-sharing devices. In an example embodiment, a transmitter device includes a digital subsystem powered by a power supply that processes data from another device and a radio frequency (RF) sub-system that transmits the processed data using a frequency hopping scheme. The RF sub-system includes a microprocessor arrangement that ON-OFF keys a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) and provides a frequency-hopping scheme. The VCO is coupled to a signal frequency spreading arrangement that spreads the signal to a predetermined transmission bandwidth, wherein the frequency spreading occurs during an ON state of the ON-OFF keying and the transmission bandwidth exceeds a reception bandwidth at which the signal will be decoded.

Abstract: One microfluidic device of the present invention includes a substrate having a surface and a depression formed in the surface of the substrate. The microfluidic device further includes a detectable marker in the depression and a coating covering the surface. Methods of producing and using the microfluidic device are further described.