Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to additive manufacturing apparatuses, cleaning stations incorporated therein, and methods of cleaning using the cleaning stations.

Abstract: A build plate-clamping assembly may include a work station having a build plate-receiving surface and a lock-pin extending from the build plate-receiving surface of the work station. The lock-pin may include a hollow pin body, a piston disposed within the hollow pin body, with the piston axially movable from a retracted position to an actuated position, and a plurality of detents, with the plurality of detents radially extensible through respective ones of a plurality of detent-apertures in the hollow pin body responsive to the piston having been axially moved to the actuated position. A methods of working on workpieces may include lockingly engaging a build plate at a first work station, performing a first work-step, releasing the build plate from the first work station, lockingly engaging the build plate at a second work station, and performing a second work-step.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to additive manufacturing apparatuses, cleaning stations incorporated therein, and methods of cleaning using the cleaning stations.

Abstract: A binder jet printing apparatus (10), along with methods of its use, is provided. The binder jet printing apparatus (10) may include: a job box (18) having a actuatable build plate (46) therein; a supply box (54) having a bottom platform (56) that is actuatable within the supply box (54); a print system including at least one print head (32) connected to a binder source (38) and configured to apply a pattern of binder onto an exposed powder layer (42) over the build plate (46) of the job box (18); a recoat system (16) including a recoater configured to move from the supply box (54) to the job box (18) to transfer powder from the supply box (54) to the job box (18) so as to form a new powder layer (48) over the build plate (46) of the job box (18); and a cure system (14) configured to direct electromagnetic radiation onto the job box (18).

Abstract: A system for transporting a carrying plate may include a lifting assembly comprising a carriage, and a carrying assembly. The lifting assembly may include a carriage having one or more lifting arms configured to lift the carrying assembly at least in part by one or more carrying arms of the carrying assembly. A carrying assembly may include a perimeter frame surrounding a perimeter of a carrying plate, one or more carrying arms attached to the perimeter frame, and one or more indexing pins extending or extensible inwardly from the perimeter frame. The one or more indexing pins may detachably secure the carrying plate to the perimeter frame. A method of transporting a carrying plate may include detachably securing a carrying plate to a perimeter frame of a carrying assembly and transporting the carrying assembly with a lifting assembly.

Abstract: A build plate-clamping assembly may include a work station having a build plate-receiving surface and a lock-pin extending from the build plate-receiving surface of the work station. The lock-pin may include a hollow pin body, a piston disposed within the hollow pin body, with the piston axially movable from a retracted position to an actuated position, and a plurality of detents, with the plurality of detents radially extensible through respective ones of a plurality of detent-apertures in the hollow pin body responsive to the piston having been axially moved to the actuated position. A methods of working on workpieces may include lockingly engaging a build plate at a first work station, performing a first work-step, releasing the build plate from the first work station, lockingly engaging the build plate at a second work station, and performing a second work-step.

Abstract: A build plate-clamping assembly may include a work station having a build plate-receiving surface and a lock-pin extending from the build plate-receiving surface of the work station. The lock-pin may include a hollow pin body, a piston disposed within the hollow pin body, with the piston axially movable from a retracted position to an actuated position, and a plurality of detents, with the plurality of detents radially extensible through respective ones of a plurality of detent-apertures in the hollow pin body responsive to the piston having been axially moved to the actuated position. A methods of working on workpieces may include lockingly engaging a build plate at a first work station, performing a first work-step, releasing the build plate from the first work station, lockingly engaging the build plate at a second work station, and performing a second work-step.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to additive manufacturing apparatuses, cleaning stations incorporated therein, and methods of cleaning using the cleaning stations.

Abstract: A system (50) and method (200) for repairing one or more components (70) using an additive manufacturing process includes securing the components (70) in a tooling assembly (52) such that a repair surface (72) of each component (70) is positioned within a single build plane (82), determining a repair toolpath (76) corresponding to the repair surface (72) of each component using a vision system (56), depositing a layer of additive powder (72) over the repair surface (72) of each component (70) using a powder dispensing assembly (112), and selectively irradiating the layer of additive powder (72) along the repair toolpath (76) to fuse the layer of additive powder (72) onto the repair surface (72) of each component (70).

Abstract: A system for transporting a carrying plate may include a lifting assembly comprising a carriage, and a carrying assembly. The lifting assembly may include a carriage having one or more lifting arms configured to lift the carrying assembly at least in part by one or more carrying arms of the carrying assembly. A carrying assembly may include a perimeter frame surrounding a perimeter of a carrying plate, one or more carrying arms attached to the perimeter frame, and one or more indexing pins extending or extensible inwardly from the perimeter frame. The one or more indexing pins may detachably secure the carrying plate to the perimeter frame. A method of transporting a carrying plate may include detachably securing a carrying plate to a perimeter frame of a carrying assembly and transporting the carrying assembly with a lifting assembly.

Abstract: A binder jet printing apparatus (10), along with methods of its use, is provided. The binder jet printing apparatus (10) may include: a job box (18) having a actuatable build plate (46) therein; a supply box (54) having a bottom platform (56) that is actuatable within the supply box (54); a print system including at least one print head (32) connected to a binder source (38) and configured to apply a pattern of binder onto an exposed powder layer (42) over the build plate (46) of the job box (18); a recoat system (16) including a recoater configured to move from the supply box (54) to the job box (18) to transfer powder from the supply box (54) to the job box (18) so as to form a new powder layer (48) over the build plate (46) of the job box (18); and a cure system (14) configured to direct electromagnetic radiation onto the job box (18).

Abstract: A build plate-clamping assembly may include a work station having a build plate-receiving surface and a lock-pin extending from the build plate-receiving surface of the work station. The lock-pin may include a hollow pin body, a piston disposed within the hollow pin body, with the piston axially movable from a retracted position to an actuated position, and a plurality of detents, with the plurality of detents radially extensible through respective ones of a plurality of detent-apertures in the hollow pin body responsive to the piston having been axially moved to the actuated position. A methods of working on workpieces may include lockingly engaging a build plate at a first work station, performing a first work-step, releasing the build plate from the first work station, lockingly engaging the build plate at a second work station, and performing a second work-step.

Abstract: A tampon applicator which has an elongate insertion member having a length extending from an insertion end to a gripper end opposite. The gripper end has a grip region dimensioned to substantially accept a user's grip. The grip region has a plurality of corrugations, a first transition portion, and a second transition portion. Each corrugation has a trough and a ridge. The first transition portion is substantially adjacent the gripper end and a second transition portion is disposed toward the insertion end.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tampon applicator having a corrugated region, the method including the steps of: a) providing a tampon applicator having a first end, a second end, a length and a diameter; and b) forming a plurality of corrugations in the tampon applicator, the corrugations defining the corrugated region, each of the corrugations having a ridge and a trough.

Abstract: The present invention relates an arrangement and a process for making the arrangement that comprises a tampon, an applicator unit, and a uniformly shaped film cap. The tampon has a withdrawal end opposed to an insertion end, the insertion end having a top portion. The applicator unit contains at least a portion of a tampon and has a bottom side opposed to a topside. The film cap is uniformly shaped and covers at least a portion of the top portion of the tampon and attaches to at least a portion of the applicator unit. The arrangement is obtainable by a process comprising the steps of attaching the planar film to the applicator and shaping and or stretching the planar film to create a film cap.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for a printing press. The cleaning apparatus of the present invention allows for effective removal of contaminants from printing press print plates while the printing press is running. Furthermore, the cleaning apparatus of the present invention effectively applies and removes cleaning fluids such as water from the printing plate without resulting in the formation of water drops and streaks on the printed substrate.

Abstract: A tampon applicator including an elongate insertion member having a length extending from an insertion end to a gripper end opposite thereof. The gripper end has a grip region dimensioned to substantially accept a user's grip. The grip region has a plurality of corrugations, a first transition portion, and a second transition portion. Each corrugation has a trough and a ridge. The first transition portion is substantially adjacent the gripper end and a second transition portion is disposed toward the insertion end.

Abstract: A tampon applicator is disclosed which has an insertion tip for facilitating insertion of a tampon into a woman's vagina. The tampon applicator includes a hollow first member capable of housing a tampon. The first member has a central longitudinal axis and first and second ends. An insertion tip is located on the first end of the first member and extends outwardly therefrom. The insertion tip contains an aperture that extends therethrough. The insertion tip contains a plurality of corrugations capable of expanding radially outwardly as the tampon is expelled from the first member. The tampon applicator is also disclosed in combination with a tampon.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tampon applicator having a corrugated region, the method including the steps of:

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for a printing press. The cleaning apparatus of the present invention allows for effective removal of contaminants from printing press print plates while the printing press is running. Furthermore, the cleaning apparatus of the present invention effectively applies and removes cleaning fluids such as water from the printing plate without resulting in the formation of water drops and streaks on the printed substrate.