Abstract: An additive manufacturing (AM) apparatus is provided, having a build unit including a powder delivery mechanism, a powder recoating mechanism, and an irradiation beam directing mechanism. The AM apparatus further includes a build platform and a fluid flow mechanism that includes an inlet body forming an inlet plenum and a collector body extended from the inlet body. The collector body forms a collector plenum in fluid communication with the inlet plenum. The collector body forms an outlet opening, wherein the outlet opening is positioned proximate to the an inner portion of the build platform. The outlet opening is configured to provide a flow of fluid toward an outer portion of the build platform.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing (AM) apparatus is provided, having a build unit including a powder delivery mechanism, a powder recoating mechanism, and an irradiation beam directing mechanism. The AM apparatus further includes a rotatable build platform having an inner diameter and an outer diameter. A fluid flow mechanism includes an inlet body forming an inlet plenum and a collector body extended from the inlet body. The collector body forms a collector plenum in fluid communication with the inlet plenum. The collector body forms an outlet opening, wherein the outlet opening is positioned proximate to the inner diameter of the rotatable build platform. The outlet opening is configured to provide a flow of fluid toward the outer diameter above the rotatable build platform.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining phenotypic genomic estimated breeding values (pGEBVs), wherein the method comprises the steps of obtaining genetic, phenotypic, and environmental data for a population of organism genotypes; dividing the data into a reference population and a validation population; and analysing the data obtained. The present invention also relates to a method for selecting a genotype for producing an improved organism in a given environment, as well as a method for producing an improved organism.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns methods for estimating the breeding value of plants for the purpose of producing doubled haploid, for example, to identify selection candidates having high breeding values.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system may include a build platform configured to receive a particulate, a particulate dispenser configured to deposit the particulate onto said build platform, a consolidation device configured to consolidate at least a portion of the particulate to form a component, a first actuator assembly configured to rotate said build platform about a rotation axis at a first speed, and a second actuator assembly configured to rotate said shaft about the rotation axis at a second speed different from the first speed.

Abstract: A quick hitch for coupling a tool to an excavation arm of an excavator. The quick hitch comprises a connector comprising a first end coupleable to an excavation arm, and a second end coupleable to a tool; and a latching member releasably engageable with the second end of the connector. In use the second end of the connector receives the tool, and the latching member engages with the connector to releasably couple the tool to the connector.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing (AM) apparatus is provided, having a build unit including a powder delivery mechanism, a powder recoating mechanism, and an irradiation beam directing mechanism. The AM apparatus further includes a rotatable build platform having an inner diameter and an outer diameter. A fluid flow mechanism includes an inlet body forming an inlet plenum and a collector body extended from the inlet body. The collector body forms a collector plenum in fluid communication with the inlet plenum. The collector body forms an outlet opening, wherein the outlet opening is positioned proximate to the inner diameter of the rotatable build platform. The outlet opening is configured to provide a flow of fluid toward the outer diameter above the rotatable build platform.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing a nucleic acid library, which includes providing a one or more nucleic acid samples, and a one or more of samples of solid state capture material; contacting each nucleic acid sample with a sample of capture material to provide captured nucleic acid samples; and pooling the captured nucleic acid samples to provide the nucleic acid library. The method is particularly suitable for preparing nucleic acids for sequencing, especially next generation sequencing and related methods such as genotyping-by-sequencing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new methods of selecting and breeding organisms, in particular organisms which exhibit symbiotic behaviour with symbionts, and to new organisms and symbiota developed thereby, such as plant or grass and endophyte symbiota. Multiple symbionts are deployed in multiple organsims and selected for improved symbiotic compatibility and performance early in the breeding process. Methods include producing improved organisms from germplasm, by inoculating host organism germplasm libraries with symbionts seleced from symbiont libraries and selecting improved host organisms exhibiting desired symbiota characteristics, and selection of organism-symbiont associations with a desired genetic and metabolic profile by metagenomic analysis of nucleic acid libraries from an organism or organism-symbiont.

Abstract: The present invention describes a quick hitch for coupling a tool to an excavation arm of an excavator. The quick hitch comprises a connector comprising a first end coupleable to an excavation arm, and a second end coupleable to a tool; and a latching member releasably engageable with the second end of the connector. In use the second end of the connector receives the tool, and the latching member engages with the connector to releasably couple the tool to the connector.

Abstract: Methods and systems for fabricating a component by consolidating a particulate include a build platform configured to receive the particulate, a particulate dispenser configured to deposit the particulate onto the build platform, and a consolidation device configured to consolidate at least a portion of the particulate to form a component. The methods and systems also include a first actuator assembly configured to induce rotation of the build platform about a rotation axis at a first speed. The rotation axis extends through a center of the build platform. The methods and systems further include a second actuator assembly including an actuator and a shaft extending along the rotation axis. The actuator is configured to cause rotation of the shaft about the rotation axis at a second speed different from the first speed. The shaft is coupled to the build platform and configured to induce linear movement of the build platform along the rotation axis upon rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes at least one build unit with a powder delivery mechanism, a powder recoating mechanism and an irradiation beam directing mechanism. The build platform is a rotating build platform or a non-rotating build platform. A gas inlet nozzle and a gas exhaust nozzle direct gas across the build site. A positioning mechanism is connected to the gas inlet nozzle and the gas exhaust nozzle, and the positioning mechanism is configured to provide independent movement of the gas inlet nozzle and the gas exhaust nozzle.

Abstract: A recoating device for an additive manufacturing system includes a plurality of recoater blades which include a first stage and a second stage. The first stage includes a plurality of rows of the plurality of recoater blades and extends in the transverse dimension. The second stage includes a plurality of recoater blades and is configured substantially similar to the first stage of the plurality of recoater blades. The second stage of recoater blades is displaced from the first stage of recoater blades in the vertical dimension.

Abstract: A device for allowing work to be carried out on or about an object includes at least one gripping arrangement. The at least one gripping arrangement is configured to grip and traverse the object so as to reach a desired location on the object and to anchor the device thereto for allowing the work to be carried out.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns methods for estimating the breeding value of plants for the purpose of producing doubled haploid, for example, to identify selection candidates having high breeding values.

Abstract: A device for allowing work to be carried out on or about an object includes at least one gripping arrangement. The at least one gripping arrangement is configured to grip and traverse the object so as to reach a desired location on the object and to anchor the device thereto for allowing the work to be carried out.

Abstract: A device for allowing work to be carried out on or about an object includes at least one gripping arrangement. The at least one gripping arrangement is configured to grip and traverse the object so as to reach a desired location on the object and to anchor the device thereto for allowing the work to be carried out.

Abstract: A recoating device for an additive manufacturing system includes a plurality of recoater blades which include a first stage and a second stage. The first stage includes a plurality of rows of the plurality of recoater blades and extends in the transverse dimension. The second stage includes a plurality of recoater blades and is configured substantially similar to the first stage of the plurality of recoater blades. The second stage of recoater blades is displaced from the first stage of recoater blades in the vertical dimension.

Abstract: A device for allowing work to be carried out on or about an object includes at least one gripping arrangement. The at least one gripping arrangement is configured to grip and traverse the object so as to reach a desired location on the object and to anchor the device thereto for allowing the work to be carried out.

Abstract: A device for allowing work to be carried out on or about an object includes at least one gripping arrangement. The at least one gripping arrangement is configured to grip and traverse the object so as to reach a desired location on the object and to anchor the device thereto for allowing the work to be carried out.