Abstract: A method forms a butt joint between ends of first and second plies and splices the first and second plies together. The method includes the steps of: positioning a first splice edge of a first ply at a first location; positioning a second splice edge of a second ply at a second location, the second splice edge being left bare; wrapping a gum strip around the first splice edge such that the first gum strip forms a U-shaped structure in section that allows the first gum strip to extend from a first planar side of the first ply over the first splice edge to a second opposite planar side of the first ply; not wrapping a gum strip around the second splice edge; placing the first splice edge in abutting relationship to the second splice edge; and stitching the first splice edge to the second splice edge such that stitches each extend from the first planar side of the first ply, through the gum strip, to the first planar side of the second ply.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire with a rubber composition comprises a filler comprising 1 phr to 25 phr of carbon nanotubes having 0.25 wt. % to 15 wt. % oxygen; and a measurable amount but at most 10 phr silica particles.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an escape hole generator creates escapes holes designed to facilitate removal of support and/or unprinted material generated inside enclosed hollows of three-dimensional (3D) digital models during 3D printing. In operation, the escape hole generator identifies a hollow included in the three-dimensional model and then selects optimized locations for escape holes. Notably, the escape hole generator selects the locations to optimize placement heuristics, such as favoring locations closer to the bottom of the 3D model, while satisfying escape hole constraints (e.g., hole size and spacing requirements). The escape hole generator then perforates the hollow at the selected locations with geometries that provide channels from the outer surface of the hollow to the outer surface of the hollow.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for sub-pixel grayscale three-dimensional (3D) printing are described. A technique includes mapping a 3D digital model onto a 3D grid of voxels associated with a 3D printer; assigning a first intensity level to first voxels that are fully contained within the model, the first intensity level being sufficient to cure photoactive resin during a curing time; determining, based on geometric information provided by the model, containment degrees for second voxels that are partially contained within the model; assigning second intensity levels to the second voxels based respectively on the containment degrees, the second intensity levels being greater than a third intensity level and lesser than the first intensity level; assigning the third intensity level to third voxels that are outside of the model; and generating one or more graphic files based on the first, second, third voxels, and respectively assigned intensity levels.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a position-based dynamics (PBD) framework provides realistic modeling and simulation for elastic rods. In particular, the twisting and bending physics of elastic rods is incorporated into the PBD framework. In operation, an elastic rod model generator represents the center line of an elastic rod as a polyline of points connected via edges. For each edge, the elastic rod model generator adds a ghost point to define the orientation of a material frame that encodes the twist of the edge. Subsequently, a PBD simulator solves for positions of both points and ghost points that, together, represent the evolving position and torsion of the elastic rod. Advantageously, the ghost points enable more realistic animation of deformable objects (e.g., curly hair) than conventional PBD frameworks. Further, unlike force based methods, elastic rod simulation in the PBD framework performs acceptably in environments where speed is critical.

Abstract: A flexible sensor unit is embedded in a tire. The flexible sensor unit includes a plurality of individual circuit boards. Each circuit board includes at least one electronic component. The at least one electronic component includes a radio frequency identification integrated circuit, a microcontroller unit, at least one sensor, a power source and a boost converter. Each one of a plurality of electrically conductive flexible connecting ribbons extends between the circuit boards. An end ribbon is electrically connected to at least one of the circuit boards. An antenna is disposed on the end ribbon. The antenna transmits data from the at least one sensor, as processed by the microcontroller unit, and identification data from the radio frequency identification integrated circuit, to an external reader.

Abstract: A flexible sensor unit is embedded in a tire. The flexible sensor unit includes a plurality of individual circuit boards. Each circuit board includes at least one electronic component. The at least one electronic component includes a radio frequency identification integrated circuit, a microcontroller unit, at least one sensor, a power source and a boost converter. Each one of a plurality of electrically conductive flexible connecting ribbons extends between the circuit boards. An end ribbon is electrically connected to at least one of the circuit boards. An antenna is disposed on the end ribbon. The antenna transmits data from the at least one sensor, as processed by the microcontroller unit, and identification data from the radio frequency identification integrated circuit, to an external reader.

Abstract: A method forms a butt joint between ends of first and second plies and splices the first and second plies together. The method includes the steps of: positioning a first splice edge of a first ply at a first location; positioning a second splice edge of a second ply at a second location, the second splice edge being left bare; wrapping a gum strip around the first splice edge such that the first gum strip forms a U-shaped structure in section that allows the first gum strip to extend from a first planar side of the first ply over the first splice edge to a second opposite planar side of the first ply; not wrapping a gum strip around the second splice edge; placing the first splice edge in abutting relationship to the second splice edge; and stitching the first splice edge to the second splice edge such that stitches each extend from the first planar side of the first ply, through the gum strip, to the first planar side of the second ply.

Abstract: A method forms a butt joint between ends of first and second plies and splices the first and second plies together. The method includes the steps of: positioning a first splice edge of a first ply at a first location; positioning a second splice edge of a second ply at a second location, the second splice edge being left bare; wrapping a gum strip around the first splice edge such that the first gum strip forms a U-shaped structure in section that allows the first gum strip to extend from a first planar side of the first ply over the first splice edge to a second opposite planar side of the first ply; not wrapping a gum strip around the second splice edge; placing the first splice edge in abutting relationship to the second splice edge; and stitching the first splice edge to the second splice edge such that stitches each extend from the first planar side of the first ply, through the gum strip, to the first planar side of the second ply.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an escape hole generator creates escapes holes designed to facilitate removal of support and/or unprinted material generated inside enclosed hollows of three-dimensional (3D) digital models during 3D printing. In operation, the escape hole generator identifies a hollow included in the three-dimensional model and then selects optimized locations for escape holes. Notably, the escape hole generator selects the locations to optimize placement heuristics, such as favoring locations closer to the bottom of the 3D model, while satisfying escape hole constraints (e.g., hole size and spacing requirements). The escape hole generator then perforates the hollow at the selected locations with geometries that provide channels from the outer surface of the hollow to the outer surface of the hollow.

Abstract: An encapsulated sensor unit is embedded in a tire. The encapsulated sensor unit includes a sensor portion and an antenna portion. A first encapsulating layer is disposed about the sensor portion, and not about the antenna portion. A second encapsulating layer is disposed about the first encapsulating layer and the antenna portion. A third encapsulating layer is disposed about the second encapsulating layer.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a print orientation tool efficiently determines an orientation of a three-dimensional (3D) model such that, when 3D printed, the structural integrity of the resulting 3D object is optimized. In operation, the print orientation tool configures a stress analysis engine to slice the 3D model into two-dimensional (2D) cross-sections. The stress analysis engine then compute structural stresses associated with the 2D cross-sections. The print orientation tool translates the structural stresses to weakness metrics. Subsequently, the print orientation tool evaluates the orientations of the cross-sections in conjunction with the corresponding weakness metrics to select a printing orientation that minimizes weaknesses in the 3D model. Advantageously, by aligning the 3D model to the print bed based on the optimized printing orientation, the user mitigates weaknesses in the corresponding 3D object attributable to the 3D printing manufacturing process.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an escape hole generator creates escapes holes designed to facilitate removal of support and/or unprinted material generated inside enclosed hollows of three-dimensional (3D) digital models during 3D printing. In operation, the escape hole generator identifies a hollow included in the three-dimensional model and then selects optimized locations for escape holes. Notably, the escape hole generator selects the locations to optimize placement heuristics, such as favoring locations closer to the bottom of the 3D model, while satisfying escape hole constraints (e.g., hole size and spacing requirements). The escape hole generator then perforates the hollow at the selected locations with geometries that provide channels from the outer surface of the hollow to the outer surface of the hollow.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for creating one or more gradients of different materials for a three dimensional (3D) surface model include, in one aspect, a system including: an additive manufacturing machine designed to use different materials in combination with each other when manufacturing objects; and means for creating a discretized gradient for a 3D surface model of an object, to be manufactured using the additive manufacturing machine, by inserting one or more 3D surfaces into the 3D surface model at specified locations, thereby creating a non-manifold version of the 3D surface model having multiple discrete volumetric regions, and assigning a material specification to each of the discrete volumetric regions, each of the material specifications being either a single one of the different materials or a specified combination of the different materials, which are usable by the additive manufacturing machine to manufacture the object.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a motion effect generator enables the creation of tangible representations of the motion of three-dimensional (3D) animated models for 3D printing. In operation, the motion effect generator receives a 3D animated model and animates the model through a configurable interval of time. As the motion effect generator animates the model, the motion effect generator applies a motion depiction technique to one or more selected components included in the model—explicitly portraying the motion of the 3D animated model as static motion effect geometries. Subsequently, based on the motion effect geometries, the motion effect generator creates a 3D motion sculpture model that is amenable to 3D printing.

Abstract: Techniques for improving flexural strength in 3D-printed object. The techniques generally include identifying a portion of a 3D model corresponding to the 3D-printed object to which one or more support posts should be added and adding support post descriptors to the 3D model within such a portion. The support post descriptor defines a position and at least one dimension of a support post cavity and a position and at least one dimension of a support post, both having a height corresponding to at least two layers of 3D-printable material. The model, including the support post descriptors are transmitted to a 3D printer to print the 3D model, which includes a support post cavity and a support post having a height of at least two layers.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for manipulating objects within a virtual environment using a software widget. The software widget includes one or more controls for performing surface constrained manipulation operations. A graphical representation of the software widget is superimposed over the object and enables a user to use simple mouse operations to perform the various manipulation operations. The position operation determines an intersection point between the mouse cursor and a surface of a different object and moves the object to the intersection point. The scale operation adjusts the size of the object. The rotate operation adjusts the rotation of the object around a normal vector on the surface of the different object. The twist operation deforms the object along a local z-axis. The orientation operation adjusts the orientation of the object with respect to the normal vector.

Abstract: A single model engine for receiving and processing a 3D surface model representing the surface of a 3D object, the 3D surface model comprising at least two distinct surface regions associated with at least two different materials. The single model engine automatically produce a set of interior sheets inside the 3D surface model, the set of interior sheets defining interior boundaries and interior volumes of the different materials for the 3D object. The single model engine combines the 3D surface model with the set of interior sheets to produce a single unified model that represents the surface and interior volumes of the 3D object that comprise a single solid object having at least two different materials. At print time, the single model engine performs an export technique to produce an exportable form of the single unified model that can be received and printed by a 3D printer.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a stress analysis engine efficiently computes stresses for an arbitrarily shaped three-dimension (3D) model. In operation, the stress analysis engine slices the 3D model into layers of cross-sections. The stress analysis engine then groups the cross-sections into virtual cross-sections. For each virtual cross-section, the stress analysis engine applies bending moment equilibrium-based equations to determine a corresponding structural stress for the 3D model. The efficiency of this stress analysis process enables real-time feedback of stresses to an interactive design tool that facilitates a trial-and-error design process. Using this trial-and-error process reduces the guesswork and/or over-engineering associated with conventional approaches based on finite element methods that are typically too slow for interactive feedback.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for smoothing boundaries associated with meshes of primitives. The technique involves receiving a mesh of primitives that has a mesh boundary and an initial surface, identifying a first vertex associated with the mesh boundary and having a first location, and identifying a second vertex having a second location and a third vertex having a third location. Both the second vertex and third vertex are proximate to the first vertex. The technique further involves determining a fourth location based on the second location and the third location, projecting the fourth location onto the initial surface to determine a fifth location, and moving the first vertex to the fifth location.