Abstract: An automated seed planter may include at least two vacuum cylinders which simultaneously and/or independently pick up and deliver seeds to a single tray. The vacuum cylinders may have a common rotational axis about which the vacuum cylinders rotate. The automated seed planter may include a plurality of vertical seed chutes which receive seeds therein. The vertical seed chutes have open upper and lower ends. A shutter assembly of the seed planter is associated with the lower ends of the vertical seed chutes. The shutter assembly is selectively opens and closes the lower ends of the seed chutes to plant the seeds on the tray. The automated seed planter may include a seed correction assembly including seed wells which receive seeds therein. The seed correction assembly selectively displaces one or more of the seeds from the seed wells to deliver the one or more seeds toward the tray for planting.

Abstract: A coaxial laser metal deposition head includes a wire guide and a plurality of laser optical units. The wire guide defines a wire guide axis. The laser optical units are distributed around the wire guide axis. Each of the laser optical units is connected to a separate laser and each defines a beam axis. The optical units are fixed relative to the wire guide and in a first condition are positioned to allow each of the beam axes to intersect the wire guide axis at a common point.

Abstract: An additive manufacture apparatus comprising a laser beam and wire supply system, wherein the laser beam and wire supply systems are movable with respect to a surface on which a component is to be built or a preceding weld bead, the laser beam and wire supply system being operable to create a plurality of weld beads and wherein at the end of forming one of said weld beads the weld supply system extends a length of wire and a nozzle forming the end of the wire supply system is simultaneously caused to retract away from the component being formed

Abstract: A coaxial laser metal deposition head includes a wire guide and a plurality of laser optical units. The wire guide defines a wire guide axis. The laser optical units are distributed around the wire guide axis. Each of the laser optical units is connected to a separate laser and each defines a beam axis. The optical units are fixed relative to the wire guide and in a first condition are positioned to allow each of the beam axes to intersect the wire guide axis at a common point.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to nonwoven materials containing a chemical composition capable of generating carbon dioxide when activated. The present invention provides a latent carbon dioxide gas generating material having a first layer containing fiber and a binder, having a basis weight of from about 25 gsm to about 100 gsm and having inner and outer surfaces, a second layer containing a carbon dioxide gas generating composition, having a basis weight of from about 5 gsm to about 300 gsm and having upper and lower surfaces, and a third layer containing fiber and a binder, having a basis weight of from about 25 gsm to about 100 gsm and having inner and outer surfaces. The inner surface of the first layer is in contact with the upper surface of the second layer, and the inner surface of the third layer is in contact with the lower surface of the second layer.