Abstract: An investment casting process for a hollow component such as a gas turbine blade utilizing a ceramic core (10) that is cast in a flexible mold (24) using a low pressure, vibration assisted casting process. The flexible mold is cast from a master tool (14) machined from soft metal using a relatively low precision machining process, with relatively higher precision surfaces being defined by a precision formed insert (22) incorporated into the master tool. A plurality of identical flexible molds may be formed from a single master tool in order to permit the production of ceramic cores at a desired rate with a desired degree of part-to-part precision.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a composition, system, machine, device, manufacture, circuit, and/or user interface adapted for, and/or a method and/or machine-readable medium comprising machine-implementable instructions for, activities that can comprise, after removing a cast device from a stack-lamination-derived mold, said cast device formed from a molding composition, applying a desired shape to said cast device to form a shaped cast device, said molding composition comprising: a ceramic composition comprising silica; an cycloaliphatic epoxy binder composition, said cycloaliphatic epoxy binder composition present in said molding composition in an amount up to 30% by weight of said molding composition; a silicone composition comprising a siloxane resin, said silicone composition present in said molding composition in an amount up to 30% by weight of said molding composition; and a solvent composition adapted to dissolve said cycloaliphatic epoxy binder composition and said silicone composition.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a composition, system, machine, device, manufacture, circuit, and/or user interface adapted for, and/or a method and/or machine-readable medium comprising machine-implementable instructions for, activities that can comprise, after removing a cast device from a stack-lamination-derived mold, said cast device formed from a molding composition, applying a desired shape to said cast device to form a shaped cast device, said molding composition comprising: a ceramic composition comprising silica; an cycloaliphatic epoxy binder composition, said cycloaliphatic epoxy binder composition present in said molding composition in an amount up to 30% by weight of said molding composition; a silicone composition comprising a siloxane resin, said silicone composition present in said molding composition in an amount up to 30% by weight of said molding composition; and a solvent composition adapted to dissolve said cycloaliphatic epoxy binder composition and said silicone composition.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, device, manufacture, circuit, and/or composition of matter adapted for and/or resulting from, and/or a method for activities that can comprise and/or relate to, a first form comprising: a plurality of surface artifacts that substantially spatially replicate a surface geometry of a stacked foil mold; and a prong that is adapted to form a hole in a cast product.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, device, manufacture, circuit, and/or composition of matter adapted for and/or resulting from, and/or a method for activities that can comprise and/or relate to, a first form comprising: a plurality of surface artifacts that substantially spatially replicate a surface geometry of a stacked foil mold; and a prong that is adapted to form a hole in a cast product.

Abstract: A method of making a combustion turbine component includes assembling a plurality of metallic combustion turbine subcomponent greenbodies together to form a metallic greenbody assembly and sintering the metallic greenbody assembly to thereby form the combustion turbine component. Each of the plurality of metallic combustion turbine subcomponent greenbodies may be formed by direct metal fabrication (DMF). In addition, each of plurality of metallic combustion turbine subcomponent greenbodies may include an activatable binder and the activatable binder may be activated prior to sintering.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, device, manufacture, circuit, and/or composition of matter adapted for and/or resulting from, and/or a method for activities that can comprise and/or relate to, a first form comprising: a plurality of surface artifacts that substantially spatially replicate a surface geometry of a stacked foil mold; and a prong that is adapted to form a hole in a cast product.

Abstract: In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, three-dimensional micro-mechanical devices and/or micro-structures can be made using a production casting process. As part of this process, an intermediate mold can be made from or derived from a precision stack lamination and used to fabricate the devices and/or structures. Further, the micro-devices and/or micro-structures can be fabricated on planar or nonplanar surfaces through use of a series of production casting processes and intermediate molds. The use of precision stack lamination can allow the fabrication of high aspect ratio structures. Moreover, via certain molding and/or casting materials, molds having cavities with protruding undercuts also can be fabricated.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a composition, system, machine, device, manufacture, circuit, and/or user interface adapted for, and/or a method and/or machine-readable medium comprising machine-implementable instructions for, activities that can comprise, after removing a cast device from a stack-lamination-derived mold, said cast device formed from a molding composition, applying a desired shape to said cast device to form a shaped cast device, said molding composition comprising: a ceramic composition comprising silica; an cycloaliphatic epoxy binder composition, said cycloaliphatic epoxy binder composition present in said molding composition in an amount up to 30% by weight of said molding composition; a silicone composition comprising a siloxane resin, said silicone composition present in said molding composition in an amount up to 30% by weight of said molding composition; and a solvent composition adapted to dissolve said cycloaliphatic epoxy binder composition and said silicone composition.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, device, manufacture, circuit, and/or composition of matter adapted for and/or resulting from, and/or a method for activities that can comprise and/or relate to, a first form comprising: a plurality of surface artifacts that substantially spatially replicate a surface geometry of a stacked foil mold; and a prong that is adapted to form a hole in a cast product.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a composition, system, machine, device, manufacture, circuit, and/or user interface adapted for, and/or a method and/or machine-readable medium comprising machine-implementable instructions for, activities that can comprise, after removing a cast device from a stack-lamination-derived mold, said cast device formed from a molding composition, applying a desired shape to said cast device to form a shaped cast device, said molding composition comprising: a ceramic composition comprising silica; an cycloaliphatic epoxy binder composition, said cycloaliphatic epoxy binder composition present in said molding composition in an amount up to 30% by weight of said molding composition; a silicone composition comprising a siloxane resin, said silicone composition present in said molding composition in an amount up to 30% by weight of said molding composition; and a solvent composition adapted to dissolve said cycloaliphatic epoxy binder composition and said silicone composition.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprise a device comprising a cast computed-tomography collimator descended from a lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold. Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprise a method comprising filling a mold having a stacked plurality of micro-machined metallic foil layers with a first casting material to form a first cast product; demolding the first cast product from the mold; filling the first cast product with a second casting material to form a cast computed-tomography collimator; and demolding the cast computed-tomography collimator from the first cast product. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. This abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprise a cast collimator descended from a stack lamination mold, said mold comprising a plurality of metallic foils. Certain embodiments of the present invention comprise a method comprising filling a mold having a stacked plurality of micro-machined metallic foil layers with a first casting material to form a first cast product; demolding the first cast product from the mold; filling the first cast product with a second casting material to form a cast collimator; and demolding the cast collimator from the first cast product. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. This abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprise a device comprising a cast collimator derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, said collimator defining a feature adapted to contain a plurality of radiation detection elements. In certain embodiments, the collimator can define a feature adapted to contain a plurality of radiation detection elements, such as scintillators. Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprise a device comprising a cast component derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold. In various exemplary embodiments, the cast components can be a mechanical, electrical, electronic, optical, fluidic, biomedical, and/or biotechnological component. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprise a device comprising a cast collimator derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, said collimator defining a feature adapted to contain a plurality of radiation detection elements. In certain embodiments, the collimator can define a feature adapted to contain a plurality of radiation detection elements, such as scintillators. Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprise a device comprising a cast component derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold. In various exemplary embodiments, the cast components can be a mechanical, electrical, electronic, optical, fluidic, biomedical, and/or biotechnological component. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, three-dimensional micro-mechanical devices and/or micro-structures can be made using a production casting process. As part of this process, an intermediate mold can be made from or derived from a precision stack lamination and used to fabricate the devices and/or structures. Further, the micro-devices and/or micro-structures can be fabricated on planar or nonplanar surfaces through use of a series of production casting processes and intermediate molds. The use of precision stack lamination can allow the fabrication of high aspect ratio structures. Moreover, via certain molding and/or casting materials, molds having cavities with protruding undercuts also can be fabricated. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a device comprising a cast collimator derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, said collimaxor defining a feature adapted to contain a plurality of radiation detection elements. In certain embodiments, the collimator can define a feature adapted to contain a plurality of radiation detection elements, such as scintillators. Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a device comprising a cast component derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold. In various exemplary embodiments, the cast components can be a mechanical, electrical, electronic, optical, fluidic, biomedical, and/or biotechnological component.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprise a device comprising a cast collimator derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, said collimator defining a feature adapted to contain a plurality of radiation detection elements. In certain embodiments, the collimator can define a feature adapted to contain a plurality of radiation detection elements, such as scintillators. Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprise a device comprising a cast component derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold. In various exemplary embodiments, the cast components can be a mechanical, electrical, electronic, optical, fluidic, biomedical, and/or biotechnological component. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprise a cast collimator descended from a stack lamination mold, said mold comprising a plurality of metallic foils. Certain embodiments of the present invention comprise a method comprising filling a mold having a stacked plurality of micro-machined metallic foil layers with a first casting material to form a first cast product; demolding the first cast product from the mold; filling the first cast product with a second casting material to form a cast collimator; and demolding the cast collimator from the first cast product. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. This abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprise a device comprising a cast computed-tomography collimator descended from a lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold. Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprise a method comprising filling a mold having a stacked plurality of micro-machined metallic foil layers with a first casting material to form a first cast product; demolding the first cast product from the mold; filling the first cast product with a second casting material to form a cast computed-tomography collimator; and demolding the cast computed-tomography collimator from the first cast product. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. This abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.