Abstract: A selective layer melting or other additive layer fabrication method in which powdered material is fused by heating it with a pulsed laser, the pulses being modulated while the laser is traversing the substrate so as to control the thickness and/or width of the layer being formed. Initial layers of the fabrication structure may be formed more thickly than subsequent layers, e.g. by means of a CW laser, to reduce distortion. This aspect of the invention may be employed independently of the use of a pulsed laser to form the subsequent layers.

Abstract: A method of target detection comprising transmitting a continuous wave (CW) waveform and a random step frequency (RSF) waveform from which return signals are to be monitored in a detection period, processing return signals received in the detection period based on the transmitted CW waveform to obtain Doppler shift data indicative of Doppler frequency shifts corresponding to one or more targets, and processing the return signals of the detection period based on the transmitted RSF waveform and the obtained Doppler shift data to obtain range information corresponding to one or more targets.

Abstract: A method of obtaining information about at least one target, includes transmitting a stepped frequency signal, obtaining a return radar signal corresponding to the transmitted stepped frequency signal from at least one target, bandpass filtering the return radar signal based on the frequencies of the transmitted frequency signal, converting the bandpass filtered return radar signal to a digital bandpass filtered return radar signal, and digitally mixing the digital bandpass filtered return radar signal with a digital mixing signal related to the stepped frequency signal to obtain information about the at least one target.

Abstract: A dual-sided two-ply direct thermal image element is provided. In one embodiment, the dual-sided two-ply direct thermal image element comprises a first substrate having a first side and a second side, and a second substrate having a first side and a second side, wherein both the first substrate and the second substrate include a thermally sensitive coating on at least a first side thereof, and wherein the second side of the first substrate is releasably attached to the second side of the second substrate.

Abstract: A selective layer melting or other additive layer fabrication method in which powdered material is fused by heating it with a pulsed laser, the pulses being modulated whilst the laser is traversing the substrate so as to control the thickness and/or width of the layer being formed. Initial layers of the fabrication structure may be formed more thickly than subsequent layers, e.g. by means of a CW laser, to reduce distortion. This aspect of the invention may be employed independently of the use of a pulsed laser to form the subsequent layers.

Abstract: A selective layer melting or other additive layer fabrication method in which powdered material is fused by heating it with a pulsed laser, the pulses being modulated whilst the laser is traversing the substrate so as to control the thickness and/or width of the layer being formed. Initial layers of the fabrication structure may be formed more thickly than subsequent layers, e.g. by means of a CW laser, to reduce distortion. This aspect of the invention may be employed independently of the use of a pulsed laser to form the subsequent layers.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an object is disclosed. A first layer of powder is deposited onto a substrate in a configuration defining a first cross-section of the object, and is consolidated by laser irradiation. To fabricate the object, further layers of powder are deposited onto the sintered first layer of powder to define further cross-sections of the object. The further layers are consolidated. A heat source is applied to the substrate to mitigate distortion of the substrate during fabrication of the object.

Abstract: A dual-sided two-ply direct thermal image element is provided. In one embodiment, the dual-sided two-ply direct thermal image element comprises a first substrate having a first side and a second side, and a second substrate having a first side and a second side, wherein both the first substrate and the second substrate include a thermally sensitive coating on at least a first side thereof, and wherein the second side of the first substrate is releasably attached to the second side of the second substrate.

Abstract: A dual-sided two-ply direct thermal image element is provided. In one embodiment, the dual-sided two-ply direct thermal image element comprises a first substrate having a first side and a second side, and a second substrate having a first side and a second side, wherein both the first substrate and the second substrate include a thermally sensitive coating on at least a first side thereof, and wherein the second side of the first substrate is releasably attached to the second side of the second substrate.

Abstract: A dual-sided two-ply direct thermal image element is provided. In one embodiment, the dual-sided two-ply direct thermal image element comprises a first substrate having a first side and a second side, and a second substrate having a first side and a second side, wherein both the first substrate and the second substrate include a thermally sensitive coating on at least a first side thereof, and wherein the second side of the first substrate is releasably attached to the second side of the second substrate.

Abstract: Variable information printed on both sides of a paper receipt at transaction time saves materials and provides flexibility in providing information to the recipient. Direct thermal printing on both sides of a paper receipt when issued is described. Using opposed print heads, paper receipts are printed on both sides at transaction time in a single pass. With transaction item detail printed on the front side of a double-sided thermal paper receipt, different types of information printed on the reverse side are described, including rebate information, contest information, serialized cartoons, conditions of sale, promotional information, coupon information, security features, ticket information and custom information based on recipient identity or transaction data or detail.