Abstract: A mobile computing device for providing an indication of process readings of a machine includes a processor configured to receive an image of a process indicator wherein capture of the image is initiated using the mobile computing device proximate the machine. The at least one processor is also configured to determine a template including a template image of the process indicator and template components of the process indicator. The at least one processor is further configured to display the received image and the determined template image such that they overlay each other and align the received image with the determined template image. The at least one processor is also configured to determine a position of a value indicator with respect to a scale of the process indicator, transform the determined position to a process indicator value, and store the process indicator value in the one or more memory devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for laying up laminates. One embodiment is a method that includes laying up a multi-layer laminate of fiber reinforced material onto a surface, by: feeding a tape of fiber reinforced material to tape cutters which cut the tape into pieces, picking up pieces of the fiber reinforced material via pick-and-place devices at each of multiple lamination units that are in sequence in a direction of travel, and placing the pieces of fiber reinforced material via the pick-and-place devices to form a laminate as the surface and the lamination units change position with respect to each other and multiple pieces are laid-up concurrently.

Abstract: An analyzer for measuring a sample includes a display, measurement hardware configured to perform a quality control measurement on a vial containing a quality control (QC) sample, and a controller. The controller is in communication with the display and the measurement hardware and is configured to communicate, via the display, instructions to implement a QC measurement on a first vial containing a first QC sample. If a result of the QC measurement is within a pre-determined range the first vial passes the QC measurement. If the result of the QC measurement is not within the pre-determined range the first vial fails the QC measurement. If the first vial fails the QC measurement and if a number of times the first vial fails the QC measurement is less than a predetermined number, the controller is configured to communicate, via the display, instructions to repeat the QC measurement on the first vial.

Abstract: A mobile computing device for providing an indication of process readings of a machine includes a processor configured to receive an image of a process indicator wherein capture of the image is initiated using the mobile computing device proximate the machine. The at least one processor is also configured to determine a template including a template image of the process indicator and template components of the process indicator. The at least one processor is further configured to display the received image and the determined template image such that they overlay each other and align the received image with the determined template image. The at least one processor is also configured to determine a position of a value indicator with respect to a scale of the process indicator, transform the determined position to a process indicator value, and store the process indicator value in the one or more memory devices.

Abstract: A storage device for a vehicle is disclosed. In one embodiment, the storage device has an exterior housing, an interior container, and a scissor lift mechanism. The scissor lift mechanism is located within the exterior housing and is operatively connected to the interior container. The scissor lift mechanism has a raised position and a lowered position. The interior container is within the exterior housing when the scissor lift mechanism is in the lowered position. The interior container is at least partially located outside the exterior housing when the scissor lift mechanism is in the raised position. The scissor lift mechanism includes crossed bars that pivot about a bolt or pin in scissor-like fashion to raise or lower the interior container. An actuator pivots the cross bars to the raised position and is oriented and connected to the crossed bars to have an upward vertical force component throughout the raising operation.

Abstract: A storage device for a vehicle is disclosed. In one embodiment, the storage device has an exterior housing, an interior container, and a scissor lift mechanism. The scissor lift mechanism is located within the exterior housing and is operatively connected to the interior container. The scissor lift mechanism has a raised position and a lowered position. The interior container is within the exterior housing when the scissor lift mechanism is in the lowered position. The interior container is at least partially located outside the exterior housing when the scissor lift mechanism is in the raised position. The scissor lift mechanism includes crossed bars that pivot about a bolt or pin in scissor-like fashion to raise or lower the interior container. An actuator pivots the cross bars to the raised position and is oriented and connected to the crossed bars to have an upward vertical force component throughout the raising operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for laying up laminates. One embodiment is a method that includes laying up a multi-layer laminate of fiber reinforced material onto a surface, by: feeding a tape of fiber reinforced material to tape cutters which cut the tape into pieces, picking up pieces of the fiber reinforced material via pick-and-place devices at each of multiple lamination units that are in sequence in a direction of travel, and placing the pieces of fiber reinforced material via the pick-and-place devices to form a laminate as the surface and the lamination units change position with respect to each other and multiple pieces are laid-up concurrently.

Abstract: A mobile computing device for providing an indication of process readings of a machine includes a processor configured to receive an image of a process indicator wherein capture of the image is initiated using the mobile computing device proximate the machine. The at least one processor is also configured to determine a template including a template image of the process indicator and template components of the process indicator. The at least one processor is further configured to display the received image and the determined template image such that they overlay each other and align the received image with the determined template image. The at least one processor is also configured to determine a position of a value indicator with respect to a scale of the process indicator, transform the determined position to a process indicator value, and store the process indicator value in the one or more memory devices.

Abstract: A storage device for a vehicle is disclosed. In one embodiment, the storage device has an exterior housing, an interior container, and a scissor lift mechanism. The scissor lift mechanism is located within the exterior housing and is operatively connected to the interior container. The scissor lift mechanism has a raised position and a lowered position. The interior container is within the exterior housing when the scissor lift mechanism is in the lowered position. The interior container is at least partially located outside the exterior housing when the scissor lift mechanism is in the raised position. The scissor lift mechanism includes crossed bars that pivot about a bolt or pin in scissor-like fashion to raise or lower the interior container. An actuator pivots the cross bars to the raised position and is oriented and connected to the crossed bars to have an upward vertical force component throughout the raising operation.

Abstract: A storage device for a vehicle is disclosed. In one embodiment, the storage device has an exterior housing, an interior container, and a scissor lift mechanism. The scissor lift mechanism is located within the exterior housing and is operatively connected to the interior container. The scissor lift mechanism has a raised position and a lowered position. The interior container is within the exterior housing when the scissor lift mechanism is in the lowered position. The interior container is at least partially located outside the exterior housing when the scissor lift mechanism is in the raised position.

Abstract: A mobile computing device for providing an indication of process readings of a machine includes a processor configured to receive an image of a process indicator wherein capture of the image is initiated using the mobile computing device proximate the machine. The at least one processor is also configured to determine a template including a template image of the process indicator and template components of the process indicator. The at least one processor is further configured to display the received image and the determined template image such that they overlay each other and align the received image with the determined template image. The at least one processor is also configured to determine a position of a value indicator with respect to a scale of the process indicator, transform the determined position to a process indicator value, and store the process indicator value in the one or more memory devices.

Abstract: A storage device for a vehicle is disclosed. In one embodiment, the storage device has an exterior housing, an interior container, and a scissor lift mechanism. The scissor lift mechanism is located within the exterior housing and is operatively connected to the interior container. The scissor lift mechanism has a raised position and a lowered position. The interior container is within the exterior housing when the scissor lift mechanism is in the lowered position. The interior container is at least partially located outside the exterior housing when the scissor lift mechanism is in the raised position.

Abstract: An analyzer includes a display, measurement hardware configured to perform a measurement on a sample, and a controller. The controller is in communication with the display and the measurement hardware and is configured to communicate, via the display, a first pre-analytical procedure of the sample prior to measurement of the sample. The controller is also configured to maintain the analyzer in a state associated with the first procedure for an amount of time equal to a time needed for performing the first procedure. After the time needed for performing the first procedure has elapsed, the controller is configured to communicate, via the display, a second pre-analytical procedure of the sample prior to measurement of the sample.

Abstract: An analyzing system includes an analyzer and a server computer in communication with the analyzer via a network. The analyzer includes a first controller that is configured to communicate, via a display, instructions to an operator of the analyzer when a predetermined event occurs in the analyzer. The instructions request confirmation that the operator received training. The first controller is also configured to receive an indication of whether the operator has completed the training, and, when the indication indicates that the operator has completed the training, request, from the server, a confirmation that the operator has completed the training. The server computer is configured to receive the confirmation request from the analyzer, determine a training status of the operator, and communicate the training status to the analyzer. The first controller prevents measurement of a sample if the operator has not completed the training.

Abstract: An analyzer includes a display, measurement hardware configured to perform a measurement on a sample, and a controller. The controller is in communication with the display and the measurement hardware and is configured to communicate, via the display, a first pre-analytical procedure of the sample prior to measurement of the sample. The controller is also configured to maintain the analyzer in a state associated with the first procedure for an amount of time equal to a time needed for performing the first procedure. After the time needed for performing the first procedure has elapsed, the controller is configured to communicate, via the display, a second pre-analytical procedure of the sample prior to measurement of the sample.

Abstract: An analyzing system includes an analyzer and a server computer in communication with the analyzer via a network. The analyzer includes a first controller that is configured to communicate, via a display, instructions to an operator of the analyzer when a predetermined event occurs in the analyzer. The instructions request confirmation that the operator received training. The first controller is also configured to receive an indication of whether the operator has completed the training, and, when the indication indicates that the operator has completed the training, request, from the server, a confirmation that the operator has completed the training. The server computer is configured to receive the confirmation request from the analyzer, determine a training status of the operator, and communicate the training status to the analyzer. The first controller prevents measurement of a sample if the operator has not completed the training.

Abstract: An analyzer for measuring a sample includes a display, measurement hardware configured to perform a quality control measurement on a vial containing a quality control (QC) sample, and a controller. The controller is in communication with the display and the measurement hardware and is configured to communicate, via the display, instructions to implement a QC measurement on a first vial containing a first QC sample. If a result of the QC measurement is within a pre-determined range the first vial passes the QC measurement. If the result of the QC measurement is not within the pre-determined range the first vial fails the QC measurement. If the first vial fails the QC measurement and if a number of times the first vial fails the QC measurement is less than a predetermined number, the controller is configured to communicate, via the display, instructions to repeat the QC measurement on the first vial.

Abstract: A polysesquioxane composition, comprising (i) a polysesquioxane matrix comprising sesquioxane moieties comprising a metallic element; (ii) a hydrophilic component; and (iii) a proton-conducting component, is provided. The metallic element can be silicon, aluminum, titanium, zirconium, germanium, or a mixture of two or more thereof. The hydrophilic component can comprise an imidazole moiety, a pyrazole moiety, a benzimidazole moiety, a silanol moiety, a cyclodextrin, or two or more thereof, and the hydrophilic component can be covalently bonded to the polysesquioxane matrix. The proton-conducting component can comprise an inorganic Brønsted acid moiety. The polysesquioxane composition can be used as a proton exchange membrane in a fuel cell; as a component of a membrane electrode assembly; or as a sensor assembly in a potentiometric sensor.