Abstract: Methods of producing silicon carbide, and other metal carbide materials. The method comprises reacting a carbon material (e.g., fibers, or nanoparticles, such as powder, platelet, foam, nanofiber, nanorod, nanotube, whisker, graphene (e.g., graphite), fullerene, or hydrocarbon) and a metal or metal oxide source material (e.g., in gaseous form) in a reaction chamber at an elevated temperature ranging up to approximately 2400° C. or more, depending on the particular metal or metal oxide, and the desired metal carbide being produced. A partial pressure of oxygen in the reaction chamber is maintained at less than approximately 1.01×102 Pascal, and overall pressure is maintained at approximately 1 atm.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing apparatuses, components of additive manufacturing apparatuses, and methods of using such manufacturing apparatuses and components are disclosed. An additive manufacturing apparatus may include a recoat head for distributing build material in a build area, a print head for depositing material in the build area, one or more actuators for moving the recoat head and the print head relative to the build area, and a cleaning station for cleaning the print head.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing apparatuses, components of additive manufacturing apparatuses, and methods of using such manufacturing apparatuses and components are disclosed. An additive manufacturing apparatus may include a recoat head for distributing build material in a build area, a print head for depositing material in the build area, one or more actuators for moving the recoat head and the print head relative to the build area, and a cleaning station for cleaning the print head.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a clamp cushion for use with a clamp device for mounting and restraining wires. Uncured resilient material is extruded through an extrusion die to form an extrusion having a raised upper surface on one side and, on the other side, a passageway being defined by longitudinal side walls and cover flaps to accommodate the clamp device. A toothed surface is then pressed into the raised surface of the extrusion to form a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse nodes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating a robot and using the results of this calibration to compensate for inaccuracies of the robot and also to diagnose robot deterioration. The method includes moving the robot to a set of nominal positions, commanded by the robot controller or measured by position encoders built into the robot, and determining the associated actual positions by measuring the robot position with an independent accurate measuring means or by aligning the robot end effector with an accurate calibration mask. The calibration results are stored and subsequently used to compensate for robot inaccuracy so that the robot moves to the actual desired positions.

Abstract: A quasi-liquid vise is provided for clamping irregularly shaped workpieces which comprises an open-topped vessel into which a workpiece may be inserted, a particulate fluidizable material located within and, substantially filling said vessel, pressure means connected to said vessel for introducing a gas or fluid therein to fluidize said particulate material, and means for applying a vacuum to said vessel and the particulate material to substantially solidify said particulate material when it is desired to clamp a workpiece therein. The solidifying effect of said vacuum applied to said particulate material may be enhanced by utilizing alternate layers of different sized particulate material wherein smaller particles fill voids and enhance the vacuum effect and hence the rigidity of the particulate material when it is desired to solidify same.