Abstract: A substrate processing system includes an upper chamber and a gas delivery system to supply a gas mixture to the upper chamber. An RF generator generates plasma in the upper chamber. A lower chamber includes a substrate support. A dual ion filter is arranged between the upper chamber and the lower chamber. The dual ion filter includes an upper filter including a first plurality of through holes configured to filter ions. A lower filter includes a second plurality of through holes configured to control plasma uniformity.

Abstract: Waveform analysis is performed to identify and characterize power-consuming devices operating on a building electrical circuit. Current waveforms are measured from the building circuit with electrical devices operating thereon. The waveforms are separated into wavelets and analyzed to identify a representative wavelet model which is transmitted to a server for analysis. The server compares the representative wavelet model to a predictive model built from waveform signatures of known electrical devices operating on a circuit. When the predictive model matches the representative wavelet model, the electrical devices contributing to the representative wavelet, their operating mode(s) (e.g., “on”, “off”, “paused”, “hibernating”) and/or their performance state(s) (e.g., normal operation, deterioration, or failure modes) can be identified. This information can be communicated as feedback to the consumer to facilitate more efficient and more cost-effective energy usage.

Abstract: Waveform analysis is performed to identify and characterize power-consuming devices operating on a building electrical circuit. Current waveforms are measured from the building circuit with electrical devices operating thereon. The waveforms are separated into wavelets and analyzed to identify a representative wavelet model which is transmitted to a server for analysis. The server compares the representative wavelet model to a predictive model built from waveform signatures of known electrical devices operating on a circuit. When the predictive model matches the representative wavelet model, the electrical devices contributing to the representative wavelet, their operating mode(s) (e.g., “on”, “off”, “paused”, “hibernating”) and/or their performance state(s) (e.g., normal operation, deterioration, or failure modes) can be identified. This information can be communicated as feedback to the consumer to facilitate more efficient and more cost-effective energy usage.

Abstract: A thermal management system is provided to control the preheating and cool down of a removable build chamber in a laser sintering system. A thermal management station controls preheating of a removable build chamber to heat the chamber to a temperature at or near the operating temperature of the laser sintering system. After insertion into the laser sintering system and completion of a build the thermal management station controls the cool down of the part cake within the removable build chamber after the chamber has been removed from the laser sintering system.

Abstract: The invention is a method for controllably cooling at least a portion of a part-cake from a laser sintering system to minimize cool down time, maximize throughput, and minimize thermal gradients within the part-cake. The method generally comprises forming one or more thermal transfer channels within the part-cake. The thermal transfer channels can include ducts and cooling fins in the part-cake surrounding the formed part. The method can further comprise removing unfused powder from the ducts and introducing cooling media into the ducts. The invention also includes a part-cake having thermal transfer channels formed therein and a laser sintering apparatus comprising a part-cake containing cylinder having permanent fittings therein for receiving terminal portions of thermal transfer channels formed in the part-cake.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for extending one or both of the discharge electrodes in a transverse discharge gas laser chamber in which one or both the electrodes are subject to a dimensional change due to erosion. Electrode extension can be performed to increase the chamber life, increase laser performance over the life of the chamber, or both. Operationally, the inter-electrode spacing may be adjusted to maintain a specific target gap distance between the electrodes or to optimize a specific parameter of the laser output beam such as bandwidth, pulse-to-pulse energy stability, beam size, etc.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of using the apparatus wherein a radiation emitter is positioned adjacent a sensor apparatus within a process chamber in a laser sinter system that emits radiation to the sensor apparatus and a calibration apparatus receives readings from the sensor apparatus to compare temperature sensings received from the sensor apparatus with set emission signals from the radiation emitter to adjust the temperature sensings to calibrate the sensor apparatus during the forming of a three-dimensional article. The calibration is done repeatedly during the build process of the three-dimensional article.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming three dimensional objects by laser sintering that utilizes a broad area thermal vision system such as an infrared camera that can measure multiple temperatures across the target area and use that temperature data as feed back to a control system that both adjusts a zoned radiant heater system and adjusts scan speed and laser power to control temperatures across the target area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming three dimensional objects by laser sintering that utilizes a broad area thermal vision system such as an infrared camera that can measure multiple temperatures across the target area and use that temperature data as feed back to a control system that both adjusts a zoned radiant heater system and adjusts scan speed and laser power to control temperatures across the target area.

Abstract: A printer 20 for imprinting data on a variety of multi-dimensional media 62 has media based registration and can accomplish free edge printing for printing data adjacent edges. The printer 20 includes a transport mechanism 52 for accurately transporting and positioning the media 62 before a print head 102. Further, the printer 20 includes a carriage mounted sensor 144 for media edge detection, registration and media size determination. A media presentation mechanism 96 ensures that the media 62 is appropriately presented and maintained at the optimal distance from and orientation with respect to the print head 102.