Abstract: Provided is a method of forming a fibrin hydrogel composition, the method including providing a fibrin hydrogel or precursor thereof, comprising fibrin hydrogel forming salt. The fibrin hydrogel forming salt concentration is greater than or equal to the threshold concentration to form a fibrin hydrogel. The method further includes combining the fibrin hydrogel with a carrier material. The concentration of the carrier material typically ranges from 0.1 to about 50 wt.-%. The method further includes reducing the salt concentration below the threshold concentration to form a fibrin hydrogel.

Abstract: A method for repositioning an abrasive disc within a repositionable abrasive disc mounting assembly is presented. The method includes mounting the abrasive disc to a repositionable abrasive disc mounting assembly in a first position. The mounting disc assembly includes the abrasive disc coupled to the back-up pad assembly such that the abrasive disc is in contact with a pressure feature of the back-up pad assembly, a drive shaft of a grinding tool, and a fastener that maintains the position of the abrasive disc and the back-up pad coupled to the drive shaft. The method also includes conducting an abrasive operation by activating the grinding tool. The method also includes re-positioning the abrasive disc, with respect to the repositionable abrasive disc mounting assembly, in a second position. The first position includes the abrasive disc in a first position relative to the pressure feature. The second position includes the abrasive disc in a second position relative to the pressure feature assembly.

Abstract: Various embodiments enable batch inspection of a plurality of workpieces by and inspection instrument such as a coordinate measuring machine. Some embodiments present user interfaces, including graphical user interfaces, to enable an operator to configure a batch inspection system and a batch inspection job, and to monitor and control execution of a batch inspection job.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments provide a method by which artificial intelligence in combination with vision systems or cameras cooperate with a robot to automate a process for inspecting a workpiece. An illustrative method includes providing a set of cameras to image a set of workpieces that are randomly disposed in a storage area. A controller employing a neural network trained to identify workpieces then processes images from the set of cameras to identify each workpiece, and uses workpiece identity to customize the operation of an inspection system.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an adhesive article and a method of forming such article are disclosed. The adhesive article includes an active pharmaceutical ingredient; a substrate having a first surface and a second surface including a first area and a second area; and a first adhesive layer disposed on the first area of the second surface of the substrate. The active pharmaceutical ingredient is present in the first adhesive layer at a first concentration. The adhesive article also includes a second adhesive layer having a first portion that is in contact with the first adhesive layer and a second portion that is disposed in the second area of the substrate. The active pharmaceutical ingredient is present in the second adhesive layer at a second concentration. The second concentration is less than the first concentration.

Abstract: A system for inspecting each workpiece of a plurality of non-identical workpieces, each workpiece having a distinct workholding specification. The system includes a workholder configured to autonomously execute a plurality of workholding operations pursuant to parameters of a specified pre-defined workholding mode specified from a plurality of distinct, pre-defined workholding modes. Each pre-defined workholding mode specifies a plurality of holding parameters corresponding to the holding specification of a corresponding workpiece.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments improve holding of a workpiece in an industrial process by placing the workpiece on or in a workpiece interface of a workholder and, prior to securing the workpiece on or in the workholder, vibrating the workpiece interface to settle the workpiece onto or into the workpiece interface. The act of vibrating the workpiece interface is separate and distinct from an act of securing the workpiece to the workpiece interface, and the vibration from the act of vibrating the workpiece interface is separate and distinct from vibration that may occur incidental to the act of securing the workpiece to the workpiece interface. Some embodiments of a workholder include a vibration actuator distinct from a workpiece interface actuator that opens and closes the workpiece interface. Some embodiments of workpiece interface include a set of one or more tapered guides to guide a workpiece onto the workpiece interface.

Abstract: A workholding apparatus for components having complex geometries or surfaces, which components are difficult constrain for the purpose of inspection, addresses the problem of adequately constraining such components in a convenient and cost-effective manner so that they do not move during inspection, while also making all or most critical features accessible to the inspection instruments being used. A method teaches how to eliminate setup changes between different components through the use of inexpensive modular attachments. These attachments are in the form of a single piece thermoplastic part which is affixed to each component having also reference features that can be interlocked into a common base fixture for more efficient inspection operations.

Abstract: Embodiments provide measurement systems having a coordinate measuring machine, a workpiece storage apparatus, and a robot for delivering workpieces from the workpiece storage apparatus to the coordinate measuring machine, and methods for orienting and operating such systems. Illustrative embodiments employ a reference geometry tool on the robotic arm, and kinematic locators on the coordinate measuring machine and/or on the workpiece storage apparatus to define a coordinate system common to the coordinate measuring machine, the workpiece storage apparatus, and the robot.

Abstract: A workholding apparatus for components having complex geometries or surfaces, which components are difficult constrain for the purpose of inspection, addresses the problem of adequately constraining such components in a convenient and cost-effective manner so that they do not move during inspection, while also making all or most critical features accessible to the inspection instruments being used. A method teaches how to eliminate setup changes between different components through the use of inexpensive modular attachments. These attachments are in the form of a single piece thermoplastic part which is affixed to each component having also reference features that can be interlocked into a common base fixture for more efficient inspection operations.

Abstract: A method of modifying a surface of a workpiece comprises providing a system comprising a sealed mixing vessel having an interior chamber wherein the workpiece and working bodies are contained. The sealed mixing vessel is then uniaxially vibrated at a frequency between 15 hertz and 1 kilohertz, and at a vibrational amplitude between about 0.2 cm and 3 cm such that the working bodies impact the surface of the workpiece. The method is useful for shot peening and abrasive finishing the workpiece.

Abstract: Various embodiments enable batch inspection of a plurality of workpieces by and inspection instrument such as a coordinate measuring machine. Some embodiments present user interfaces, including graphical user interfaces, to enable an operator to configure a batch inspection system and a batch inspection job, and to monitor and control execution of a batch inspection job.

Abstract: Embodiments provide measurement systems having a coordinate measuring machine, a workpiece storage apparatus, and a robot for delivering workpieces from the workpiece storage apparatus to the coordinate measuring machine, and methods for orienting and operating such systems. Illustrative embodiments employ a reference geometry tool on the robotic arm, and kinematic locators on the coordinate measuring machine and/or on the workpiece storage apparatus to define a coordinate system common to the coordinate measuring machine, the workpiece storage apparatus, and the robot.

Abstract: The invention includes a forced-air blanket for providing a profusion of air to a patient, comprising a bottom layer with a plurality of openings configured to allow a profusion of air to pass through the bottom layer and an upper layer bonded to the bottom layer around a periphery, wherein the upper layer is also bonded to bottom layer by a plurality of linear seals and a plurality of staked seals. In an embodiment, at least one of more of the linear seals have one end which is joined to a portion of the periphery. In another embodiment, the forced-air blanket may further include at least one elongated seal that is positioned proximate to the inlet. The arrangement of the plurality of staked seals, elongated seals and linear seals assists in providing a blanket that is of a low-profile with even air distribution.

Abstract: A process for applying a coating material onto a substrate as a non-uniform discontinuous pattern of coating material, the method including the present disclosure describes a method of applying a coating material onto a substrate, including providing a first distribution manifold having a cavity and a multiplicity of first dispensing outlets in fluid communication with the cavity, creating relative motion between a substrate and the dispensing outlets in a first direction; dispensing a first coating material from the dispensing outlets while maintaining the relative motion and translating the multiplicity of dispensing outlets in a second direction non-parallel to the first direction, and varying a rate of dispensing of the first coating material in a predetermined fashion to form a discontinuous pattern of the first coating material on a major surface of the substrate. Useful non-uniformly patterned coated articles can be prepared using the process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fibrinogen composition. The fibrinogen composition comprises denatured fibrinogen hydrogel having a fibrinogen concentration ranging from 0.1 to 15 wt.-% and a fibrinogen hydrogel forming salt at a concentration less than a threshold concentration to form the fibrinogen hydrogel. In some examples, the fibrinogen composition is dehydrated denatured fibrinogen hydrogel, where the fibrinogen composition comprises salt at a concentration no greater than 20 wt.-%.

Abstract: Provided is a method of forming a fibrinogen hydrogel composition, the method including providing a fibrinogen hydrogel or precursor thereof, comprising fibrinogen hydrogel forming salt. The fibrinogen hydrogel forming salt concentration is greater than or equal to the threshold concentration to form a fibrinogen hydrogel. The method further includes denaturing the fibrinogen hydrogel such as by heating. The method optionally further includes combining the fibrinogen hydrogel with a carrier material. When present, the concentration of the carrier material typically ranges from 0.1 to about 50 wt.-%. The method further includes reducing the salt concentration below the threshold concentration to form a fibrinogen hydrogel.

Abstract: Coating apparatuses and methods are provided for dispensing coatings with various shapes. The coating apparatus includes a coating die body including a cavity and an opening on a dispensing side thereof. One or more movable components are disposed on the dispensing side of the die body to define at least a portion of a dispensing slot adjacent the opening of the cavity. The one or more movable components are movable with respect to the opening to allow a width of the dispensing slot along a cross direction to be dynamically adjustable.

Abstract: Coating apparatuses and methods are provided for direct coatings with various shapes. The coating apparatus includes a die body with one or more bores. One or more cams are pivotally mounted within the bores and have one or more recessed areas formed into the respective peripheral surfaces thereof. The one or more cams are rotatable within the die body to dynamically, independently vary the width or shape of the respectively dispensed one or more fluid coatings.

Abstract: Various embodiments enable batch inspection of a plurality of workpieces by and inspection instrument such as a coordinate measuring machine. Some embodiments present user interfaces, including graphical user interfaces, to enable an operator to configure a batch inspection system and a batch inspection job, and to monitor and control execution of a batch inspection job.