Abstract: A flexible light assembly includes an elongated light transmissible jacket, the jacket including an internal vacancy. The assembly includes a substrate disposed in the internal vacancy. The substrate supports light emitters on a first surface thereof, and includes a reinforcing layer that is fixed to a surface the substrate opposite the first surface. The jacket may also include reinforcing fibers. The flexible light assembly is sufficiently flexible to permit bending such that the flexible light assembly can assume a radius of curvature in a range of 1.3 centimeters to 10.2 centimeters.

Abstract: A lightbulb socket adapter for a hand-held non-contact voltage tester is disclosed. The adaptor having a first engagement feature configured to at least partially couple with a hand-held non-contact voltage tester and a second engagement feature configured to be at least partially disposed within a lightbulb socket. A first embodiment has an adaptor with a male Edison screw, and a second embodiment has an adaptor with protrusions on elastically deformable limbs configured to snap down into a female Edison screw and unscrew out.

Abstract: A flexible light assembly includes an elongated light transmissible jacket, the jacket including an internal vacancy. The assembly includes a substrate disposed in the internal vacancy. The substrate supports light emitters on a first surface thereof, and includes a reinforcing layer that is fixed to a surface the substrate opposite the first surface. The jacket may also include reinforcing fibers. The flexible light assembly is sufficiently flexible to permit bending such that the flexible light assembly can assume a radius of curvature in a range of 1.3 centimeters to 10.2 centimeters.

Abstract: A lighting device includes a housing that supports a flexible light assembly and can be operated in multiple configurations. The housing includes a cup-shaped opaque stator and light transmissive rotor that rotates relative to the stator. The rotor includes a spool upon which the flexible light assembly can be wound. The light source is configurable between a retracted configuration in which the flexible light assembly resides in the housing and light emitted by the flexible light assembly is transmitted through the rotor, and an extended configuration in which a portion of the flexible light assembly resides outside the housing. In the extended configuration, a portion of light emitted from the flexible light assembly is transmitted through the rotor and another portion of light emitted from the flexible light assembly originates outside the housing.

Abstract: A method for ensuring safety critical functionality for a laser engraver includes obtaining a command from a laser motor controller; obtaining sensor data from a plurality of sensors, the sensor data corresponding to an operating status of various components of the laser engraver; determining a functioning status for each component; and as a result of determining the functioning status for all of the components, enabling supply of power to a laser, where the method is performed by a safety controller that is embodied in hardware completely separate from hardware in which the laser motor controller is embodied. One example required functioning status is that a power button has been selected twice in quick succession.

Abstract: A support bridge for supporting an in-air surface of a three-dimensional (3D) object during a print process includes a first end, a second end, and a horizontal span that spans between the first end and the second end. The first end, second end, and span are situated in an intermediate layer, and the first end and second end of the support bridge contact, respectively, first and second surfaces of an abutment layer of the 3D object. The support bridge is constructed during the print process and is configured to support the in-air surface of the 3D object.

Abstract: A laser cutter and safe power system therefor are disclosed. The power system of the laser cutter includes a resistive device arranged in a return line and configured to prevent anomalous tripping of a GFCI device by significantly minimizing electrical noise transmitted through the GFCI device when the laser cutter is operated in certain modes, such as a pulsing mode. The resistive device includes end caps that form a shroud around the connection between a return wire and the contact at each end of the resistive device. A main control board for a high voltage subsystem of the power system includes two isolated and independent enable signals, which are provided to different controllers on the main control board such that the different controllers can independently and redundantly respond to an unsafe condition.

Abstract: A shock absorbing apparatus includes a flexible membrane defining an accumulator cavity, and a compression assembly defining a compression cavity. The compression assembly is disposed within the flexible membrane such that viscous fluid contained within the cavities may be exchanged therebetween by a damping orifice, fluid conduit and or valve mechanism. The accumulator cavity deforms in response to the application of a transmitted impact load, and is capable of storing and releasing potential energy in response to the application and cessation of the transmitted impact load.

Abstract: A method for ensuring safety critical functionality for a laser engraver includes obtaining a command from a laser motor controller; obtaining sensor data from a plurality of sensors, the sensor data corresponding to an operating status of various components of the laser engraver; determining a functioning status for each component; and as a result of determining the functioning status for all of the components, enabling supply of power to a laser, where the method is performed by a safety controller that is embodied in hardware completely separate from hardware in which the laser motor controller is embodied. One example required functioning status is that a power button has been selected twice in quick succession.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling a 3D printer includes a processor obtaining from a sensor respective sensor values for each of a plurality of distances between a nozzle of the 3D printer and a build plate of the 3D printer, which sensor values each characterizes a characteristic of deposition of filament from the nozzle and onto the build plate at the respective distances to which the sensor values correspond; identifying, based on the obtained sensor values, a maximum and/or minimum value of the characteristic; and setting, based on the identified maximum and/or minimum, an initial gap between the nozzle and the build plate at which to deposit a first layer of an object to be synthesized.

Abstract: A 3D printer for synthesizing objects includes: an extruder configured to extrude layers of filament through a nozzle onto a build surface; a build platform; and a build plate that is structured for being removably clamped to the build platform and that includes the build surface, where the build platform includes a base, a heating layer, at least one compressible biasing element arranged between the base and the heating layer, and a clamp, and where the build platform is configured for receiving the build plate into a clamping position in which the clamp is configured to releasably clamp the build plate onto the build platform above the heating layer, causing the at least one compressible biasing element to compress and bias the heating layer upwards towards the clamped biasing plate for even distribution of heat by the heating layer over the planar extension of the build surface.

Abstract: A shock absorbing apparatus includes a flexible membrane defining an accumulator cavity, and a compression assembly defining a compression cavity. The compression assembly is disposed within the flexible membrane such that viscous fluid contained within the cavities may be exchanged therebetween by a damping orifice, fluid conduit and or valve mechanism. The accumulator cavity deforms in response to the application of a transmitted impact load, and is capable of storing and releasing potential energy in response to the application and cessation of the transmitted impact load.

Abstract: A 3D printer for synthesizing objects includes: an extruder configured to extrude layers of filament through a nozzle onto a build surface; a build platform; and a build plate that is structured for being removably clamped to the build platform and that includes the build surface, where the build platform includes a base, a heating layer, at least one compressible biasing element arranged between the base and the heating layer, and a clamp, and where the build platform is configured for receiving the build plate into a clamping position in which the clamp is configured to releasably clamp the build plate onto the build platform above the heating layer, causing the at least one compressible biasing element to compress and bias the heating layer upwards towards the clamped biasing plate for even distribution of heat by the heating layer over the planar extension of the build surface.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling a 3D printer includes a processor obtaining from a sensor respective sensor values for each of a plurality of distances between a nozzle of the 3D printer and a build plate of the 3D printer, which sensor values each characterizes a characteristic of deposition of filament from the nozzle and onto the build plate at the respective distances to which the sensor values correspond; identifying, based on the obtained sensor values, a maximum and/or minimum value of the characteristic; and setting, based on the identified maximum and/or minimum, an initial gap between the nozzle and the build plate at which to deposit a first layer of an object to be synthesized.

Abstract: A shock absorbing apparatus includes a flexible membrane defining an accumulator cavity, and a compression assembly defining a compression cavity. The compression assembly is disposed within the flexible membrane such that viscous fluid contained within the cavities may be exchanged therebetween by a damping orifice, fluid conduit and or valve mechanism. The accumulator cavity deforms in response to the application of a transmitted impact load, and is capable of storing and releasing potential energy in response to the application and cessation of the transmitted impact load.

Abstract: A support bridge for supporting an in-air surface of a three-dimensional (3D) object during a print process includes a first end, a second end, and a horizontal span that spans between the first end and the second end. The first end, second end, and span are situated in an intermediate layer, and the first end and second end of the support bridge contact, respectively, first and second surfaces of an abutment layer of the 3D object. The support bridge is constructed during the print process and is configured to support the in-air surface of the 3D object.

Abstract: A semiconductor film composition includes an oxide semiconductor material. At least one polyatomic ion is incorporated into the oxide semiconductor material.

Abstract: A sensing assembly (10), including a body (12) and one or more first indicating electrodes disposed on the body (26). The first indicating electrodes include an electrochemically active layer (32) and a layer (38) of an active functioning enzyme of a first enzyme type on top of the electrochemically active layer. Also, one or more second indicating electrodes (24) are disposed on the body and include an electrochemically active layer (32) and a layer (36) of an inactivated enzyme of the first enzyme type on top of the electrochemically active layer. A reference electrode (22) is also disposed on the body. Finally, an electrical and data processing system (18) is adapted to bias the electrodes and measure electrical signals from the electrodes, and uses said signals to determine an analyte concentration and communicates the analyte concentration to a location apart from the first and second indicating electrodes.