Abstract: A method of using an improved hollow needle tufting machine to make an artificial grass product includes features not present in prior art hollow needle tufting machines. Specifically, some embodiments have at least four inch long needles. Other embodiments have larger diameter feed rolls. Other embodiments have larger diameter guide tubes. Still other embodiments have a lowered backing support to provide an increased distance from the backing support to the needle bar.

Abstract: A method of printing a multi-material part in a layer-wise manner with an extrusion-based 3D printer includes providing a sliced digital model of a multi-material part and determining a number of materials in each of the slices of the digital mode. The method includes utilizing a digital model of a purge tower having N subdivisions having a closed geometry, wherein N is the number of print heads needed to print the part that is greater than or equal to three, each adjacent subdivision contact one another along an interface and assigning each print head to one subdivision and to tool paths forming the one subdivision in each layer. The method includes reassigning the assigned subdivision within the purge tower of an inactive print head in a layer to a print head that is active in the layer of the multi-material part.

Abstract: A drilling machine for angled drilling has a platform having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis. The drilling machine includes a tower for holding a drill string and a tower interface assembly connected to the platform, so that the tower interface assembly moveably supports the tower. The tower interface assembly is selectively moveable to tilt the tower in either a plane parallel with the longitudinal axis of the platform, or to tilt the tower in a plane parallel with the transverse axis of the platform, so that the tilted drill string can perform angled drilling in either position. Further, the tower interface assembly is selectively moveable to simultaneously tilt the tower in the plane parallel with the longitudinal axis of the platform, and the plane parallel with the transverse axis of the platform.

Abstract: A combined RFID tag and label device for attaching an elongate object such as a cable, cable bundle, or pipe. The device comprises a plastic flag having a display surface to carry a visible identification code or label for the device and includes an encapsulated RFID tag configured to provide remote-readable RFID data to an RFID reader. The device includes a device tie and a tie mount which are configured such that, after fastening, the flag has a central longitudinal axis which lies above, and is aligned parallel to, a longitudinal axis of the elongate object where the device is fastened.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an instrument panel, a support structure coupled to the instrument panel, and a retainer. The support structure defines a receiver that extends from a lower end to an upper end that is vehicle-upward of the lower end. The portion of the support structure that defines the receiver includes at least one rib that protrudes into the receiver. The retainer includes a barrel portion having a threaded interior surface that defines a hollow and an exterior surface opposite the interior surface and having at least one wing. The retainer also includes a head portion coupled to the barrel portion. The retainer is operably coupled to the support structure, such that the barrel portion is received within the receiver and the at least one wing of the exterior surface is engaged with the at least one rib to maintain the retainer within the receiver.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enhanced vacuum bags. One embodiment is a method that includes placing a laminate comprising uncured fiber reinforced polymer onto a mandrel, laying up a vacuum bag, which includes integral ultrasonic transducers within a gas-impermeable layer, atop the laminate, and sealing the vacuum bag to the mandrel. The method also includes drawing a vacuum on the laminate via the vacuum bag, removing gas between the integral ultrasonic transducers and the laminate, and interrogating the laminate with the integral ultrasonic transducers.

Abstract: A vial adaptor and needle assembly are disclosed for use with a vial containing a medication, such as insulin. The vial adaptor may include a needle opening configured to receive a needle of a geometrically corresponding needle assembly to withdraw the medication from the vial in a secured manner. The vial adaptor may also include a cleaning passageway configured to receive a cleaning device to clean the vial.

Abstract: Methods for machining a composite material substrate are discloses comprising integrating a predetermined pattern area having a disbond material for the purpose of creating a disbond region into the composite material substrate at a predetermined thickness, detecting the disbond region and forming a plurality of recesses in the composite material substrate by removing a machined plug from the composite material substrate to form recesses positioned at locations corresponding to the predetermined pattern area, and composite components comprising the recesses machined according to such methods.

Abstract: Disclosed is a configuration for determining a genotyping label composition of a target individual using direct acyclic paths. The configuration includes receiving a phased genotype of the target individual, including a first haplotype and a second haplotype. The configuration initiates a full-ethnicity hidden Markov model (HMM) including nodes with a set of ethnicity labels. The first haplotype is input to determine a first subset of ethnicity labels that match the first haplotype. The second haplotype is input to determine a second subset of ethnicity labels that match the second haplotype. The first and second subsets of ethnicity labels are combined to create a candidate subset of ethnicity labels for the target individual. The configuration initiates a simplified HMM with nodes from the candidate subset of ethnicity labels. The phased genotype of the target individual is input to the simplified HMM to determine genotyping label composition of the target individual.

Abstract: There is provided an automated lamination system for embedding printed electronic element(s) in a composite structure. The automated lamination system includes a supply of composite prepreg material, a layup tool assembly, and a modified automated lamination apparatus laying up layer(s) of the composite prepreg material on the layup tool assembly, to form the composite structure. The modified automated lamination apparatus includes a section preparation pre-printing apparatus preparing section(s) on a top surface of a top layer of the layer(s), to obtain prepared section(s), and includes a non-contact direct write printing apparatus mechanically coupled to the section preparation pre-printing apparatus, and includes one or more supplies of electronic element materials, printed with the non-contact direct write printing apparatus, on each of the prepared section(s), to obtain the printed electronic element(s), that are embedded in the composite structure.

Abstract: A vial adaptor and needle assembly are disclosed for use with a vial containing a medication, such as insulin. The vial adaptor may include a needle opening configured to receive a needle of a geometrically corresponding needle assembly to withdraw the medication from the vial in a secured manner. The vial adaptor may also include a cleaning passageway configured to receive a cleaning device to clean the vial.

Abstract: Methods for machining a composite material substrate are discloses comprising integrating a predetermined pattern area having a disbond material for the purpose of creating a disbond region into the composite material substrate at a predetermined thickness, detecting the disbond region and forming a plurality of recesses in the composite material substrate by removing a machined plug from the composite material substrate to form recesses positioned at locations corresponding to the predetermined pattern area, and composite components comprising the recesses machined according to such methods.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for fabrication of enhanced carbon fiber laminates that utilize encapsulated catalyst. One embodiment is a method that includes acquiring a batch of dry fibers, and acquiring a batch of catalyst capsules that each comprise catalyst that accelerates polymerization of monomers of a resin, and a shell that encapsulates the catalyst and liquefies at a curing temperature. The method further includes interspersing the catalyst capsules among the dry fibers, and impregnating the fibers with the resin after interspersing the catalyst capsules with the fibers.

Abstract: An exhaust pipe includes a first end, a second end, and a wall connecting the first end to the second end. The first end has a first opening, and the second end has a second opening that fluidly communicates with the first opening to define a bore. The wall includes an inner curved second and an outer curved section that includes an indentation. The indentation includes a first inwardly extending part and a second inwardly extending part. The second inwardly extending part includes a through hole having an inner opening and an outer opening. The inner opening is located between the outer opening and the second opening. A diameter of the outer opening is less than a diameter of the inner opening. A thickness of the second inwardly extending part is less than the diameter of the outer opening.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a carbon fiber. Pressure is applied to a filament to change a cross-sectional shape of the filament and create a plurality of distinct surfaces on the filament. The filament is converted into a graphitic carbon fiber having the plurality of distinct surfaces. A plurality of sizings is applied to the plurality of distinct surfaces of the graphitic carbon fiber in which the plurality of sizings includes at least two different sizings.

Abstract: A control pod bracket assembly for an operator seat of a work machine adjusts a spacing distance between a right control pod and a left control pod. A right side bracket and a left side bracket having the control pods mounted thereon may be slidably coupled to a center bracket to move between inward and outward positions. Right side bracket and left side bracket locking mechanisms are selectively engageable to lock the side brackets at the inward or outward positions, and to unlock and allow the side brackets to move between the inward and outward positions. Adjustment of the side brackets allows the control pod spacing to be varied between a minimum control pod spacing distance and a maximum control pod spacing distance.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for fabricating composite parts. One embodiment is a method of forming a composite part. The method includes laying up opposing composite facesheets, placing a viscous material between the facesheets, increasing a distance between the facesheets, and solidifying the facesheets and the viscous material into an integral composite part.