Abstract: A method for evaluating a three-dimensional (3D) model of a desired object based on casting system manufacturing constraints, the method may include (i) obtaining the 3D model of the desired object; wherein the 3D model comprises vertexes and angular information regarding angular relationships between the vertexes; (ii) virtually partitioning the 3D model to slices; (iii) generating a 3D model of a casting system-compliant object; wherein the generating comprises determining for each slice, based on casting system manufacturing constraints and on the 3D model of the desired object, (a) one or more mold regions associated with the slice, and (b) one or more object regions defined by the one or more mold regions, to be formed by molten metal processing; and (iv) responding to the generating of the 3D model of the casting system-compliant object

Abstract: A mold construction system is presented for use in additive manufacturing of a metal object. The system comprises: at least one mold provision device controllably operable to form one or more mold regions defining one or more respective metal object regions in a production layer; and a control system operating said at least one mold provision device in accordance with a predetermined building plan. The mold provision device operates, in accordance with said predetermined building plan, to create each mold regions by sequentially forming the following: a metal-facing zone defining a cavity forming the metal object region, and a metal-nonadjacent zone around the metal-facing zone. The metal-facing zone of the mold region is made of a ceramic-based material and is distinct from the metal-nonadjacent zone in at least one of material composition and mold deposition process parameters.

Abstract: Methods and systems for additively casting of a metallic object include constructing a mold region of a current production layer before producing the object region of the current production layer; depositing molten metal at a predetermined temperature in working areas at the object region of the current production layer according to a building plan; and moving one or more heaters over the deposition path and heating the working areas. The heating includes (1) heating the working areas to a pre-deposition target temperature before depositing metal on the working areas to affect a bonding of the molten metal with the working areas, and/or (2) heating the working areas to a post-deposition target temperature after depositing metal on the working areas to affect a thermal cooling profile of the working areas. the heating also includes providing annealing heating to earlier production layers by heat conduction through the current production layer.

Abstract: A system for coupling a mask to a mask holder. The system includes a base, an aperture; mask holder cover supporting elements arranged to move between a first position and a third position while supporting the mask holder cover; mask supporting elements arranged to move between a fourth position and a sixth position while supporting the mask; mask holder base supporting elements arranged to support the mask holder base. When the mask holder cover supporting elements are at the first position and the mask supporting elements are at the third position the mask holder cover, the mask and the base are spaced apart from each other. When the mask holder cover supporting elements are at the third position and the mask supporting elements are at the sixth position the mask holder cover, the mask and the base are connected to each other.

Abstract: A system for coupling a mask to a mask holder. The system includes a base, an aperture; mask holder cover supporting elements arranged to move between a first position and a third position while supporting the mask holder cover; mask supporting elements arranged to move between a fourth position and a sixth position while supporting the mask; mask holder base supporting elements arranged to support the mask holder base. When the mask holder cover supporting elements are at the first position and the mask supporting elements are at the third position the mask holder cover, the mask and the base are spaced apart from each other. When the mask holder cover supporting elements are at the third position and the mask supporting elements are at the sixth position the mask holder cover, the mask and the base are connected to each other.

Abstract: A coupling module may include an upper portion that defines an aperture, mask contact elements, chuck contact elements and an intermediate element that is connected between the mask contact elements and the upper portion. A shape and a size of the aperture may correspond to a shape and size of a pattern transfer area of an extreme ultra violet (EUVL) mask. The coupling module may be shaped and sized so that once the mask contact elements contact the upper portion of the EUVL mask, the chuck contact elements contact a chuck that supports the mask. The coupling module may further provide at least one conductive path between the upper portion of the EUVL mask and the chuck when the EUVL mask is positioned on the chuck.

Abstract: A method for determining the orientation of a pattern on the surface of an object relative to the object. The pattern comprises an array of generally perpendicular grid lines intersecting at grid junctions, and the object comprises a marker located at an edge thereof. The method comprises: determining the directions of the grid lines relative to the direction of the reference coordinate system, determining the direction of object's orientation axis relative to the direction of the reference coordinate system, and determining the orientation of the grid lines relative to the object's orientation axis. The step of determining the direction of object's orientation axis comprises the steps of determining a location of the geometrical center of the object in the reference coordinate system and detecting and determining a location of the marker in the reference coordinate system.

Abstract: A method for determining the orientation of a pattern on the surface of an object relative to the object. The pattern comprises an array of generally perpendicular grid lines intersecting at grid junctions, and the object comprises a marker located at an edge thereof. The method comprises: determining the directions of the grid lines relative to the direction of the reference coordinate system, determining the direction of object's orientation axis relative to the direction of the reference coordinate system, and determining the orientation of the grid lines relative to the object's orientation axis. The step of determining the direction of object's orientation axis comprises the steps of determining a location of the geometrical center of the object in the reference coordinate system and detecting and determining a location of the marker in the reference coordinate system.

Abstract: A system for on-the-fly automatic defect classification (ADC) in a scanned wafer. The system includes a light source illuminating the scanned wafer so as to generate an illuminating spot incident on the wafer. Sensor collecting light scattered from the spot by the at least two spaced apart detectors, and processor analyzing the collected light so as to detect defects in the wafer and classifying the defects into distinct defect types.