Abstract: A 3D printer includes a build plate providing a surface on which an object is printed. Prior to printing, a sheet is fixed to the surface of the build plate. The sheet is composed of a material that adheres to a binder component of the feedstock used to print the object. During printing, the first layer of the printed object forms a bond with the sheet, which secures the location of the first layer and resists movement of the object during printing. Following printing and the object gaining sufficient rigidity, the object and sheet can be removed together from the printer. The sheet may then be peeled from the object, and the object can undergo debinding and/or sintering to create a finished object.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and apparatus for detecting an impending sewer backup by detecting fluid undulations of predetermined magnitude inside a main body of a backwater valve. When at least a predetermined number of fluid undulations of predetermined magnitude are detected within a predetermined time period, an alarm can be triggered. Such undulations can be detected by monitoring a buoyant gate in a normally-open backwater valve to detecting instances of movement of the gate from a lowered position in which fluid flow from an inlet through the backwater valve is unobstructed by the gate toward but stopping short of a raised position in which the gate closes the inlet to obstruct fluid flow through the valve. For example, a sensor can be carried on the gate to detect movement of the gate. Alternatively, fluid levels inside the main body can be monitored directly.

Abstract: Assemblies fabricated by additive manufacturing include an object and a base plate providing support to the object during the manufacturing process. The geometry of the base plate is defined to optimize space and material constraints. During sintering, the base plate is reduced in area in a manner complementing the reduction in the footprint of the object, preserving the fidelity of the finished object.

Abstract: Complexity of a geometry of a desired (i.e., target) three-dimensional (3D) object being produced by an additive manufacturing system, as well as atypical behavior of the processes employed by such a system, pose challenges for producing a final version of the desired 3D object with fidelity relative to the desired object. An example embodiment enables such challenges to be overcome as a function of feedback to enable the final version to be produced with fidelity. The feedback may be at least one value that is associated with at least one characteristic of a printed object following processing of the printed object. Such feedback may be obtained as part of a calibration process of the 3D printing system or as part of an operational process of the 3D printing system.

Abstract: 3D-printed parts may include binding agents to be removed following an additive manufacturing process. A debinding process removes the binding agents by immersing the part in a solvent bath causing chemical dissolution of the binding agents. The time of exposure of the 3D-printed part to the solvent is determined based on the geometry of the part, wherein the geometry is applied to predict the diffusion of the solvent through the 3D-printed part. The 3D-printed part is then immersed in the solvent bath to remove the binding agent, and is removed from the solvent bath after the time of exposure.

Abstract: 3D-printed parts may include binding agents to be removed following an additive manufacturing process. A debinding process removes the binding agents by immersing the part in a solvent bath causing chemical dissolution of the binding agents. The time of exposure of the 3D-printed part to the solvent is determined based on the geometry of the part, wherein the geometry is applied to predict the diffusion of the solvent through the 3D-printed part. The 3D-printed part is then immersed in the solvent bath to remove the binding agent, and is removed from the solvent bath after the time of exposure.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and apparatus for detecting an impending sewer backup by detecting fluid undulations of predetermined magnitude inside a main body of a backwater valve. When at least a predetermined number of fluid undulations of predetermined magnitude are detected within a predetermined time period, an alarm can be triggered. Such undulations can be detected by monitoring a buoyant gate in a normally-open backwater valve to detecting instances of movement of the gate from a lowered position in which fluid flow from an inlet through the backwater valve is unobstructed by the gate toward but stopping short of a raised position in which the gate closes the inlet to obstruct fluid flow through the valve. For example, a sensor can be carried on the gate to detect movement of the gate. Alternatively, fluid levels inside the main body can be monitored directly.

Abstract: A 3D printer includes a build plate providing a surface on which an object is printed. Prior to printing, a sheet is fixed to the surface of the build plate. The sheet is composed of a material that adheres to a binder component of the feedstock used to print the object. During printing, the first layer of the printed object forms a bond with the sheet, which secures the location of the first layer and resists movement of the object during printing. Following printing and the object gaining sufficient rigidity, the object and sheet can be removed together from the printer. The sheet may then be peeled from the object, and the object can undergo debinding and/or sintering to create a finished object.

Abstract: 3D-printed parts may include binding agents to be removed following an additive manufacturing process. A debinding process removes the binding agents by immersing the part in a solvent bath causing chemical dissolution of the binding agents. The time of exposure of the 3D-printed part to the solvent is determined based on the geometry of the part, wherein the geometry is applied to predict the diffusion of the solvent through the 3D-printed part. The 3D-printed part is then immersed in the solvent bath to remove the binding agent, and is removed from the solvent bath after the time of exposure.

Abstract: Support substrates are used in certain additive fabrication processes to permit processing of an object. For additive fabrication processes with materials that are sintered into a final part, a multi-layer support substrate of interleaved support and interface layers is fabricated to support an object while reducing an impact of friction on shrinkage of the part during the sintering process.

Abstract: Complexity of a geometry of a desired (i.e., target) three-dimensional (3D) object being produced by an additive manufacturing system, as well as atypical behavior of the processes employed by such a system, pose challenges for producing a final version of the desired 3D object with fidelity relative to the desired object. An example embodiment enables such challenges to be overcome as a function of feedback to enable the final version to be produced with fidelity. The feedback may be at least one value that is associated with at least one characteristic of a printed object following processing of the printed object. Such feedback may be obtained as part of a calibration process of the 3D printing system or as part of an operational process of the 3D printing system.

Abstract: Complexity of a geometry of a desired (i.e., target) three-dimensional (3D) object being produced by an additive manufacturing system, as well as atypical behavior of the processes employed by such a system, pose challenges for producing a final version of the desired 3D object with fidelity relative to the desired object. An example embodiment enables such challenges to be overcome as a function of feedback to enable the final version to be produced with fidelity. The feedback may be at least one value that is associated with at least one characteristic of a printed object following processing of the printed object. Such feedback may be obtained as part of a calibration process of the 3D printing system or as part of an operational process of the 3D printing system.

Abstract: Complexity of a geometry of a desired (i.e., target) three-dimensional (3D) object being produced by an additive manufacturing system, as well as atypical behavior of the processes employed by such a system, pose challenges for producing a final version of the desired 3D object with fidelity relative to the desired object. An example embodiment enables such challenges to be overcome as a function of feedback to enable the final version to be produced with fidelity. The feedback may be at least one value that is associated with at least one characteristic of a printed object following processing of the printed object. Such feedback may be obtained as part of a calibration process of the 3D printing system or as part of an operational process of the 3D printing system.

Abstract: A hydraulic radial piston device is provided with a mechanism for reducing pressure pulsations and providing a smooth pressure transition throughout different displacement operations. In certain examples, the hydraulic radial piston device is configured to maintain an amount of precompression and an amount of decompression of hydraulic fluid trapped in a cylinder chamber to be consistent, respectively, throughout different displacement operations.

Abstract: 3D-printed parts may include binding agents to be removed following an additive manufacturing process. A debinding process removes the binding agents by immersing the part in a solvent bath causing chemical dissolution of the binding agents. The time of exposure of the 3D-printed part to the solvent is determined based on the geometry of the part, wherein the geometry is applied to predict the diffusion of the solvent through the 3D-printed part. The 3D-printed part is then immersed in the solvent bath to remove the binding agent, and is removed from the solvent bath after the time of exposure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for manipulating the temperature of a surface are provided. Devices of the present disclosure may include a thermal adjustment apparatus, such as a controller in electrical communication with one or more thermoelectric materials, placed adjacent to the surface of skin. The device may generate a series of thermal pulses at the surface, for providing an enhanced thermal sensation for a user. The thermal pulses may be characterized by temperature reversibility, where each pulse includes an initial temperature adjustment, followed by a return temperature adjustment, over a short period of time (e.g., less than 120 seconds). The average rate of temperature change upon initiation and upon return may be between about 0.1° C./sec and about 10.0° C./sec. In some cases, the average rate of the initial temperature adjustment is greater in magnitude than the average rate of the return temperature adjustment.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for manipulating the temperature of a surface are provided. Devices of the present disclosure may include a thermal adjustment apparatus, such as a controller in electrical communication with one or more thermoelectric materials, placed adjacent to the surface of skin. The device may generate a series of thermal pulses at the surface, for providing an enhanced thermal sensation for a user. The thermal pulses may be characterized by temperature reversibility, where each pulse includes an initial temperature adjustment, followed by a return temperature adjustment, over a short period of time (e.g., less than 120 seconds). The average rate of temperature change upon initiation and upon return may be between about 0.1° C./sec and about 10.0° C./sec. In some cases, the average rate of the initial temperature adjustment is greater in magnitude than the average rate of the return temperature adjustment.

Abstract: An exemplary system according to the present disclosure comprises a computing device that in operation, causes the system to receive financial product or financial portfolio data, map the financial product to a risk factor, execute a risk factor simulation process involving the risk factor, generate product profit and loss values for the financial product or portfolio profit and loss values for the financial portfolio based on the risk factor simulation process, and determine an initial margin for the financial product. The risk factor simulation process can be a filtered historical simulation process.

Abstract: A 3D printer includes a build plate providing a surface on which an object is printed. Prior to printing, a sheet is fixed to the surface of the build plate. The sheet is composed of a material that adheres to a binder component of the feedstock used to print the object. During printing, the first layer of the printed object forms a bond with the sheet, which secures the location of the first layer and resists movement of the object during printing. Following printing and the object gaining sufficient rigidity, the object and sheet can be removed together from the printer. The sheet may then be peeled from the object, and the object can undergo debinding and/or sintering to create a finished object.