Abstract: A device for computer aided surgery, including: a body; an optical element coupled to the body; a fiducial coupled to the body; and a calibration element. The calibration element be a pointer tip or a divot, either individually or in combination.

Abstract: A molded article includes a first plateable region spaced apart from a second plateable region the first plateable region by a barrier of electrically insulating material. Each of the plateable regions include an associated plateable layer of electrically conductive material for being electroplated with a different plateable finish. Several different geometries and configurations of the barrier and/or the plateable regions are provided to prevent migration of plating material from one of the plateable regions acting as bipolar electrode while another one of the plateable regions is being electroplated. A non-plateable insert may be disposed between the plateable regions to prevent migration of plating material from one of the plateable regions onto the other one of the plateable regions. A conducive robber in electrical communication with one of the one of the plateable regions, and which may be removable, may also be used to prevent migration of plating material.

Abstract: A decorative component includes a plateable resin body portion that is light-transmissive. A thin intermediate layer of material is electrolessly deposited over the body portion. The intermediate layer is laser ablated to selectively remove the intermediate layer and expose the light transmissive portion. The part is then subjected to electroplating. The ablated areas do not receive the metal layers of the electroplating, thereby defining a pattern defined by the ablation. The laser ablation may define an outline, leaving the thin intermediate layer within the outline that is electrically isolated from areas outside of the outline. The electroplating process will not apply layers to the isolated areas, and the intermediate layer therein will dissolve, exposing the light transmissive body portion. An opposite side of the part is also exposed and transmissive, such that light will pass through the body portion and illuminate the pattern.

Abstract: A decorative work piece or component, such as a decorative automotive trim component, and method for plating a work piece is provided. An electroless layer of material is applied to the work piece using an electroless plating process. A barrier in electrical conductivity is provided on the work piece to divide the work piece into a first segment and a second segment which are substantially electrically insulated from one another, prior to electroplating the work piece. A plurality of methods are disclosed for dividing the work piece into the first and second segments. The component includes different surface finishes on each of the electrically isolated segments, with the finishes having different appearance, gloss level, color, and/or distinction of image as a result of electroplating and without post-electroplating mechanical alteration and assembly.

Abstract: A method for plating a work piece includes forming a work piece, where the work piece includes first and second segments that are electrically isolated. The first segment is connected in a first circuit and the second segment is connected in a second circuit. The first circuit may include a first power source and the second circuit may include a second power source. The work piece and the first and second segments may be disposed in a common solution, and current may be applied in the first circuit and the second circuit to create first and second metal surfaces. The first and second metal surfaces may be made from the same base metal. The first and second metal surfaces may be created simultaneously, with the work piece and the first and second segments disposed in a common solution.

Abstract: A decorative component includes a plurality of metal finish layers deposited over a substrate and a plurality of sub-layers. The outermost metal finish layer is selectively deposited or removed to define one or more recesses to create different appearances of the component. The outer metal layer may undergo laser ablation to remove at least a portion of the outer layer while still exposing the outer layer in the area of removed material. The recess may extend fully through the outer layer to expose the underlying metal finish layer, and/or the recess may have a sloped bottom surface to define a gradient appearance. The outer layer may be applied over a mask that is applied to the underlying layer, such that the outer layer is selectively applied. The outer layer may be removed to expose the underlying finish layer without exposing a nickel sublayer and without requiring a top coat.

Abstract: A method for plating a work piece. An electroless layer of material is applied to the work piece using an electroless plating process. The method includes creating a barrier in electrical conductivity in the work piece to divide the work piece into a first segment and a second segment which are substantially electrically insulated from one another, prior to electroplating the work piece. A plurality of methods are disclosed for dividing the work piece into the first and second segments.

Abstract: A floating metallized element assembly and method of manufacturing thereof are disclosed. The floating metallized element assembly includes a work piece of a plateable resin and a non-plateable resin including a front side and a back side. The work piece includes at least one plated decorative region on the plateable resin at the front side. The work piece also includes at least one network of the plateable resin at the back side. The work piece additionally includes a plurality of discrete current paths of the plateable resin extending from the at least one network to the at least one plated decorative region. The work piece also includes at least one non-plated decorative region of the non-plateable resin adjacent the at least one decorative region. Metal surfaces are adhered to and disposed on the at least one plated decorative region.

Abstract: The present technology relates to a customizable sample preparation device (e.g., liquid sample preparation device, such as a purification, clean-up, or separation device). In particular, the present technology relates to customizable devices formed from modular segments tailored to address one or more of the following: to optimize different sample and elution volumes, to incorporate various connection mechanisms to liquid handlers, to incorporate various liquid dispensing flow conditions, and to fulfill broad applications through the selection of specific resin for sample preparation. Some embodiments are directed to affinity capture devices, such as for example, Protein A affinity capture devices, utilizing a polymethacrylate-based resin. Other resins as well as other materials for processing a liquid sample are described herein.

Abstract: A decorative component includes a plateable resin body portion that is light-transmissive. A thin intermediate layer of material is electrolessly deposited over the body portion. The intermediate layer is laser ablated to selectively remove the intermediate layer and expose the light transmissive portion. The part is then subjected to electroplating. The ablated areas do not receive the metal layers of the electroplating, thereby defining a pattern defined by the ablation. The laser ablation may define an outline, leaving the thin intermediate layer within the outline that is electrically isolated from areas outside of the outline. The electroplating process will not apply layers to the isolated areas, and the intermediate layer therein will dissolve, exposing the light transmissive body portion. An opposite side of the part is also exposed and transmissive, such that light will pass through the body portion and illuminate the pattern.

Abstract: A method for creating multiple current pathways for plating a work piece is provided. An electroless layer of material is applied to the work piece using an electroless plating process. The method includes creating a barrier in electrical conductivity in the work piece to divide the work piece into a first segment and a second segment which are substantially electrically insulated from one another, prior to electroplating the work piece. After depositing the electroless layer of material, laser ablation is performed on at least a portion of the work piece to remove a portion of the electroless layer of material to define at least a portion of the barrier. Prior to electroless plating, a resist material may be applied to at least a portion of the work piece, with the resist material combining with the removed material to define the barrier.

Abstract: A molded article includes a first plateable region spaced apart from a second plateable region the first plateable region by a barrier of electrically insulating material. Each of the plateable regions include an associated plateable layer of electrically conductive material for being electroplated with a different plateable finish. Several different geometries and configurations of the barrier and/or the plateable regions are provided to prevent migration of plating material from one of the plateable regions acting as bipolar electrode while another one of the plateable regions is being electroplated. A non-plateable insert may be disposed between the plateable regions to prevent migration of plating material from one of the plateable regions onto the other one of the plateable regions. A conducive robber in electrical communication with one of the one of the plateable regions, and which may be removable, may also be used to prevent migration of plating material.

Abstract: A method for plating a work piece includes forming a work piece, where the work piece includes first and second segments that are electrically isolated. The first segment is connected in a first circuit and the second segment is connected in a second circuit. The first circuit may include a first power source and the second circuit may include a second power source. The work piece and the first and second segments may be disposed in a common solution, and current may be applied in the first circuit and the second circuit to create first and second metal surfaces. The first and second metal surfaces may be made from the same base metal. The first and second metal surfaces may be created simultaneously, with the work piece and the first and second segments disposed in a common solution.

Abstract: A floating metallized element assembly and method of manufacturing thereof are disclosed. The floating metallized element assembly includes a work piece of a plateable resin and a non-plateable resin including a front side and a back side. The work piece includes at least one plated decorative region on the plateable resin at the front side. The work piece also includes at least one network of the plateable resin at the back side. The work piece additionally includes a plurality of discrete current paths of the plateable resin extending from the at least one network to the at least one plated decorative region. The work piece also includes at least one non-plated decorative region of the non-plateable resin adjacent the at least one decorative region. Metal surfaces are adhered to and disposed on the at least one plated decorative region.

Abstract: A method for making a liquid-chromatography apparatus includes inserting two inner conduits into an intermediate tube, inserting the intermediate tube into an outer tube, forming a proximal seal between the intermediate tube and at least one of the inner conduits, and forming a distal seal between the intermediate tube and at least one of the inner conduits. A liquid-chromatography apparatus includes an outer tube, an intermediate tube disposed in the outer tube, two inner conduits disposed in the intermediate tube, a proximal seal between the intermediate tube and at least one of the inner conduits, and a distal seal between the intermediate tube and at least one of the inner conduits.

Abstract: A method for plating a work piece. An electroless layer of material is applied to the work piece using an electroless plating process. The method includes creating a barrier in electrical conductivity in the work piece to divide the work piece into a first segment and a second segment which are substantially electrically insulated from one another, prior to electroplating the work piece. A plurality of methods are disclosed for dividing the work piece into the first and second segments.

Abstract: A method for plating a work piece. An electroless layer of material is applied to the work piece using an electroless plating process. The method includes creating a barrier in electrical conductivity in the work piece to divide the work piece into a first segment and a second segment which are substantially electrically insulated from one another, prior to electroplating the work piece. A plurality of methods are disclosed for dividing the work piece into the first and second segments.

Abstract: A method for making a liquid-chromatography apparatus includes inserting two inner conduits into an intermediate tube, inserting the intermediate tube into an outer tube, forming a proximal seal between the intermediate tube and at least one of the inner conduits, and forming a distal seal between the intermediate tube and at least one of the inner conduits. A liquid-chromatography apparatus includes an outer tube, an intermediate tube disposed in the outer tube, two inner conduits disposed in the intermediate tube, a proximal seal between the intermediate tube and at least one of the inner conduits, and a distal seal between the intermediate tube and at least one of the inner conduits.

Abstract: A method for making a liquid-chromatography apparatus includes inserting two inner conduits into an intermediate tube, inserting the intermediate tube into an outer tube, forming a proximal seal between the intermediate tube and at least one of the inner conduits, and forming a distal seal between the intermediate tube and at least one of the inner conduits. A liquid-chromatography apparatus includes an outer tube, an intermediate tube disposed in the outer tube, two inner conduits disposed in the intermediate tube, a proximal seal between the intermediate tube and at least one of the inner conduits, and a distal seal between the intermediate tube and at least one of the inner conduits.

Abstract: The invention relates to indentation vise-wrenches; in use, interlocking pushed-out areas (“exdentations”)/pushed-in areas (“indentations”) of a fitting's inner surface/a pipe's outer surface are created by indenting units at indentation vise-wrenches' jaws. Neither pipes nor fittings of interlocked pipe-fitting combinations will move with respect to each other; even after total separation between the indentation vise-wrench and the interlocked combination. Embodiments include a tool comprising an indentation vise wrench; a tool kit comprising a set having at least two indentation vise-wrenches; a process comprising making indentation vise-wrenches; a process of interlocking pipe-fitting combinations; etc.