Abstract: An apparatus for shaping an extrudable material comprises a sleeve, comprising a first sleeve end, a sleeve inlet at the first sleeve end, a second sleeve end, opposite the first sleeve end, and a sleeve outlet at the second sleeve end. The extrudable material enters the sleeve through the sleeve inlet and exits the sleeve through the sleeve outlet. The apparatus further comprises an actuation mechanism, selectively operable to change at least one of a size or a shape of the sleeve outlet. The sleeve is sufficiently flexible to enable the actuation mechanism to change at least one of the size or the shape of the sleeve outlet. The sleeve is insufficiently stretchable to enable the actuation mechanism to stretch the sleeve.

Abstract: A stop device for holding a unit load device in place on decking is described. In one example, the stop device includes a cylindrical socket having an outer surface, an inner surface, an open end, and a closed end. The stop device also includes a circular brim extending out from the outer surface, substantially perpendicular to the outer surface of the cylindrical socket, and a handle rod assembly that extends from the closed end of the cylindrical socket. The handle rod assembly can be used to lower the cylindrical socket into an aperture in the decking, such as aperture for a caster wheel in the decking. The handle rod assembly can also be used to rotate the stop device, aligning a circular segment cutout of the circular brim with an edge of the unit load device, to lock the stop device in place below the edge of the unit load device.

Abstract: A method of additively manufacturing an object comprises feeding a feedstock line into a delivery guide. The feedstock line has a length and comprises a continuous flexible line. The continuous flexible line has a peripheral surface. The feedstock line further comprises a covering, releasably coupled to the peripheral surface of the continuous flexible line. The method also comprises removing the covering from the peripheral surface of the continuous flexible line before the continuous flexible line is deposited along a print path and depositing the continuous flexible line along the print path using the delivery guide.

Abstract: Systems for thermal control of additive manufacturing comprise a build volume within which a part is additively manufactured; a heat source positioned relative to the build volume and configured to actively deliver heat to discrete sections of the part as it is being additively manufactured; and a controller operatively coupled to the heat source and configured to direct delivery of heat from the heat source to discrete sections of the part as it is being additively manufactured to impart desired physical properties to the part. Methods of additively manufacturing a part comprise additively building a part from a feedstock material; and actively heating discrete sections of the part as the part is being additively built to impart desired physical properties to the part.

Abstract: A stop device for holding a unit load device in place on decking is described. In one example, the stop device includes a switchable magnet with an actuator to engage or disengage the stop device on decking using a switchable magnetic field of the stop device. The stop device also includes an interface bumper secured over a first surface of the switchable magnet, a foot plate secured over a second surface of the switchable magnet, and a handle rod assembly that extends from the switchable magnet for positioning the switchable magnet on the decking. The handle rod assembly includes a switch linkage, with the switch linkage extending from the actuator of the switchable magnet to a distal end of the handle rod assembly with a handle for a user. An individual can rotate a locking lever of the stop device to engage or disengage the stop device on the decking.

Abstract: A system for additively manufacturing an object comprises a fiber supply that dispenses elongate fibers, a resin supply that applies a resin to the elongate fibers to create a feedstock line with the resin in a first non-rigid uncured state, a rigidizing mechanism that transforms the resin from the first non-rigid uncured state to a rigid uncured state, a delivery guide that deposits the feedstock line along a print path, a feed mechanism that feeds the feedstock line through the delivery guide, a de-rigidizing mechanism that transforms the resin from the rigid uncured state to a second non-rigid uncured state, and a curing mechanism that transforms the resin from the second non-rigid uncured state to an at least partially cured state.

Abstract: Methods of additively manufacturing a part comprise dispensing a multi-part filament in three dimensions. The multi-part filament comprises an elongate filament body comprising a first body part extending longitudinally along the elongate filament body and comprising a first material that is configured to be cured responsive to a first cure condition, and a second body part extending longitudinally along the elongate filament body and comprising a second material that is configured to be cured responsive to a second cure condition that is different from the first cure condition. Methods also comprise concurrently with the dispensing, delivering curing energy corresponding to the first cure condition to impart a desired rigidity characteristic to the first body part to facilitate printing of self-supporting structures from the multi-part filament.

Abstract: A system for additively manufacturing an object comprises a source of a feedstock line, a rigidizing mechanism that receives the feedstock line from the source and transforms the resin from a first at least partially uncured state to a rigid at least partially uncured state, a delivery guide that deposits the feedstock line along a print path, a feed mechanism that feeds the feedstock line through the delivery guide, a de-rigidizing mechanism that transforms the resin from the rigid at least partially uncured state to a second at least partially uncured state, and a curing mechanism that transforms the resin from the second at least partially uncured state to an at least partially cured state.

Abstract: A shim device and system for securing a unit load device (ULD) using the shim device are described. In one example, the system includes a pop-up lock in a deck for transporting a ULD. The system also includes the shim device, which can be placed between the ULD and the pop-up lock. The shim device provides a mechanical interference as a wedge, occupying any limited space that might exist between the bottom edge of the ULD and the pop-up lock. Thus, the shim device can prevent the ULD from moving by occupying the limited space between the ULD and the pop-up lock. In one example, the shim device includes a shim block having top, bottom, and side surfaces, an inner aperture that extends through the shim block, and a handle connected with and extending from the shim block.

Abstract: A tool includes a handle, an extension member extending from the handle, and an anchor assembly coupled to the extension member opposite the handle. The anchor assembly is configured for selective anchoring to a seat track of an air cargo pallet, and the anchor assembly includes at least one locking member that is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position. In particular, when the at least one locking member is in the unlocked position, the at least one locking member is configured to advance into a slot of the seat track. When the at least one tool is in the locked position, the at least one locking member is configured to mechanically interfere with at least a portion of the seat track in a manner retaining the at least one locking member in the slot, thereby anchoring the anchor assembly to the seat track.

Abstract: A system for additively manufacturing an object comprises a source of a feedstock line, a rigidizing mechanism that receives the feedstock line from the source and transforms the resin from a first at least partially uncured state to a rigid at least partially uncured state, a delivery guide that deposits the feedstock line along a print path, a feed mechanism that feeds the feedstock line through the delivery guide, a de-rigidizing mechanism that transforms the resin from the rigid at least partially uncured state to a second at least partially uncured state, and a curing mechanism that transforms the resin from the second at least partially uncured state to an at least partially cured state.

Abstract: A system for additively manufacturing an object comprises a fiber supply that dispenses elongate fibers, a resin supply that applies a resin to the elongate fibers to create a feedstock line with the resin in a first non-rigid uncured state, a rigidizing mechanism that transforms the resin from the first non-rigid uncured state to a rigid uncured state, a delivery guide that deposits the feedstock line along a print path, a feed mechanism that feeds the feedstock line through the delivery guide, a de-rigidizing mechanism that transforms the resin from the rigid uncured state to a second non-rigid uncured state, and a curing mechanism that transforms the resin from the second non-rigid uncured state to an at least partially cured state.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping an extrudable material comprises a sleeve, comprising a first sleeve end, a sleeve inlet at the first sleeve end, a second sleeve end, opposite the first sleeve end, and a sleeve outlet at the second sleeve end. The extrudable material enters the sleeve through the sleeve inlet and exits the sleeve through the sleeve outlet. The apparatus further comprises an actuation mechanism, selectively operable to change at least one of a size or a shape of the sleeve outlet. The sleeve is sufficiently flexible to enable the actuation mechanism to change at least one of the size or the shape of the sleeve outlet. The sleeve is insufficiently stretchable to enable the actuation mechanism to stretch the sleeve.

Abstract: A method of additively manufacturing an obiect comprises transforming the resin of a feedstock line from a first at least partially uncured state to a rigid at least partially uncured state, introducing the feedstock line into a delivery guide with the resin of the feedstock line in the rigid at least partially uncured state, transforming the resin of the feedstock line from the rigid at least partially uncured state to a second at least partially uncured state as the feedstock line passes through the delivery guide or as the feedstock line exits the delivery guide, depositing the feedstock line along a print path using the delivery guide, and transforming the resin of the feedstock line from the second at least partially uncured state to an at least partially cured state after the feedstock line is dispensed from the delivery guide along the print path.

Abstract: A method of additively manufacturing an object comprises applying a resin in a first non-rigid uncured state to elongate fibers to create a feedstock line, transforming the resin of the feedstock line from the first non-rigid uncured state to a rigid uncured state, introducing the feedstock line into a delivery guide with the resin of the feedstock line in the rigid uncured state, transforming the resin of the feedstock line from the rigid uncured state to a second non-rigid uncured state as the feedstock line passes through the delivery guide or as the feedstock line exits the delivery guide, depositing the feedstock line along a print path, and at least partially curing the resin of the feedstock line after the feedstock line is deposited by the delivery guide along the print path.

Abstract: A method of additively manufacturing an object comprises feeding a feedstock line into a delivery guide. The feedstock line has a length and comprises a continuous flexible line. The continuous flexible line has a peripheral surface. The feedstock line further comprises a covering, releasably coupled to the peripheral surface of the continuous flexible line. The method also comprises removing the covering from the peripheral surface of the continuous flexible line before the continuous flexible line is deposited along a print path and depositing the continuous flexible line along the print path using the delivery guide.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping an extrudable material comprises a sleeve, comprising a first sleeve end, a sleeve inlet at the first sleeve end, a second sleeve end, opposite the first sleeve end, and a sleeve outlet at the second sleeve end. The extrudable material enters the sleeve through the sleeve inlet and exits the sleeve through the sleeve outlet. The apparatus further comprises an actuation mechanism, selectively operable to change at least one of a size or a shape of the sleeve outlet. The sleeve is sufficiently flexible to enable the actuation mechanism to change at least one of the size or the shape of the sleeve outlet. The sleeve is insufficiently stretchable to enable the actuation mechanism to stretch the sleeve.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing fiber composites comprise a bundle of elongate fibers and a matrix material that holds or encompasses the elongate fibers of the additive manufacturing fiber tow. The matrix material includes an energy-emissive dopant that emits a curing energy in response to receiving an activating energy. The curing energy effects curing of the solidifiable matrix material so that it solidifies to a rigid or semi-rigid matrix material. Methods of additively manufacturing an article include dispensing an additive manufacturing fiber tow, a solidifiable matrix material, and an energy-emissive dopant to form a solidifiable composite, and applying the activating energy to the energy-emissive dopant to activate the energy-emissive dopant to emit the curing energy. Systems to additively manufacturing an article may be configured to employ such additive manufacturing fiber composites and/or methods.

Abstract: A feedstock line for additively manufacturing an object. The feedstock line has a length and comprises a continuous flexible line. The continuous flexible line has a peripheral surface. The feedstock line also comprises a covering. The covering is releasably coupled to the peripheral surface of the continuous flexible line.

Abstract: An optical waveguide is configured such that when electromagnetic radiation enters a first end face of an optical core, an initial portion of the electromagnetic radiation exits the optical core via a peripheral surface, and a final portion of the electromagnetic radiation, remaining in the optical core after the initial portion of the electromagnetic radiation exits the optical core, exits the optical core via a second end face.