Abstract: An assembly configured to modify a surface or feature of a workpiece by hot isostatic pressing. The assembly comprising: a flexible membrane adapted to at least partially form an enclosure around the workpiece; and a former for placement adjacent to the workpiece, the former being configured to modify the surface or feature of the workpiece. A method of modifying a surface or feature of a workpiece, the workpiece having been previously formed by an additive manufacturing technique, by hot isostatic pressing. The method comprising: placing the previously-formed workpiece adjacent to a former adapted to modify the surface or feature of the workpiece; enclosing the workpiece in an enclosure at least partially formed by a membrane; and performing a hot isostatic pressing process on the workpiece.

Abstract: The seal arrangement is arranged between the casing portions and a fluoropolymer O-ring seal is positioned between the casing portions. A first protecting member is positioned between the fluoropolymer O-ring seal and the casing portion and the first protecting member consists of a polymer and hydroxyapatite. The first protecting member consists of 50 to 80 wt % polymer and 20 to 50 wt % hydroxyapatite and incidental impurities. The first protecting member is located in an annular groove and is thus arranged between the casing portion and the fluoropolymer O-ring seal. The first protecting member is substantially U-shaped in cross-section and the fluoropolymer O-ring seal is positioned between the legs of the U-shaped cross-section first protecting member. The first protecting member prevents corrosion of the casing portion by the fluoropolymer O-ring seal.

Abstract: A method of determining the proportions of different powders in a powder comprises obtaining a sample of a powder, adding and mixing the sample into a molten material and freezing the mixture of powder and molten material to form a block. Computed tomography is performed on the block to produce a three-dimensional image of the block, the three-dimensional image of the block comprises a first shade, a second and a third shade corresponding to the material, a first powder particle and a sec and powder particle. The three-dimensional image of the block is analyzed to count the number of regions exhibiting the second shade and the third shade corresponding to the number of first powder particles and second powder particles respectively. The fraction of second particles in the powder is determined by dividing the number of second powder particles by the sum of the number of first powder particles and the number of second powder particles.

Abstract: The seal arrangement (154) is arranged between the casing portions (50,52) and a fluoropolymer O-ring seal (72) is positioned between the casing portions (50,52). A first protecting member (156) is positioned between the fluoropolymer O-ring seal (72) and the casing portion (50) and the first protecting member (156) consists of a polymer and hydroxyapatite. The first protecting member (156) consists of 50 to 80 wt % polymer and 20 to 50 wt % hydroxyapatite and incidental impurities. The first protecting member (156) is located in an annular groove (70) and is thus arranged between the casing portion (50) and the fluoropolymer O-ring seal (72). The first protecting member (156) is substantially U-shaped in cross-section and the fluoropolymer O-ring seal (72) is positioned between the legs of the U-shaped cross-section first protecting member (156). The first protecting member (156) prevents corrosion of the casing portion (50) by the fluoropolymer O-ring seal (72).

Abstract: A method of determining the proportions of different powders in a powder comprises obtaining a sample of a powder, adding and mixing the sample into a molten material and freezing the mixture of powder and molten material to form a block. Computed tomography is performed on the block to produce a three-dimensional image of the block, the three-dimensional image of the block comprises a first shade, a second and a third shade corresponding to the material, a first powder particle and a sec and powder particle. The three-dimensional image of the block is analysed to count the number of regions exhibiting the second shade and the third shade corresponding to the number of first powder particles and second powder particles respectively. The fraction of second particles in the powder is determined by dividing the number of second powder particles by the sum of the number of first powder particles and the number of second powder particles.

Abstract: An assembly (10) for forming an object from a workpiece (40) by hot isostatic pressing, the assembly comprising: a flexible membrane (20) adapted to at least partially form an enclosure around the workpiece; and a former (30) for placement adjacent to the workpiece, the former being configured to form a surface (42) of the object. A method of forming an object from a workpiece (40) by hot isostatic pressing, the method comprising: placing the workpiece adjacent to a former (30) adapted to form a surface (42) of the object; and enclosing the workpiece in an enclosure at least partially formed by a flexible membrane (20).

Abstract: The seal arrangement (154) is arranged between the casing portions (50,52) and a fluoropolymer O-ring seal (72) is positioned between the casing portions (50,52). A first protecting member (156) is positioned between the fluoropolymer O-ring seal (72) and the casing portion (50) and the first protecting member (156) consists of a polymer and hydroxyapatite. The first protecting member (156) consists of 50 to 80 wt % polymer and 20 to 50 wt % hydroxyapatite and incidental impurities. The first protecting member (156) is located in an annular groove (70) and is thus arranged between the casing portion (50) and the fluoropolymer O-ring seal (72). The first protecting member (156) is substantially U-shaped in cross-section and the fluoropolymer O-ring seal (72) is positioned between the legs of the U-shaped cross-section first protecting member (156). The first protecting member (156) prevents corrosion of the casing portion (50) by the fluoropolymer O-ring seal (72).

Abstract: A system including a centralized organizational information system in communication with a centralized organizational information database. The system also includes a federated set of entitlements engines in communication with the centralized organizational information system and a plurality of entitlement databases, wherein each of the entitlements engines is for determining whether a user is entitled to access secured resources requested by the user.