Abstract: A shutterless calibration for correcting an infrared focal plane array includes controlling an infrared calibration light source to output pulsed infrared light to be incident on the infrared focal plane array, comparing an image across the infrared focal plane array while illuminated with the pulsed infrared light with a reference image of the infrared focal plane array previously illuminated with the pulsed infrared light to detect non-uniformities across the infrared focal plane array, and storing detected non-uniformities across the infrared focal plane array to be used to correct the non-uniformities while imaging using the infrared focal plane array.

Abstract: Methods of printing a 3D object comprising depositing a building material, layer by layer, via printing heads comprising one or more nozzle arrays; and activating each of said printing heads to dispense a building material at least once within a specified period of time during printing to form a portion of said bulk region according to data provided by a CAD file, and activating said printing heads to deposit the building material to form another portion of the bulk region without relating to said data.

Abstract: An inspection system for inspecting an interior of high temperature process equipment includes an infrared camera; a first wedge prism and a second wedge prism to be inserted into a port of the high temperature process equipment to view the interior; and an optical relay and relaying light output from the first and second wedge prisms to the infrared camera.

Abstract: An infrared imaging system includes a detector configured to detect a flame in a first infrared wavelength band and to detect a thermal image in a second infrared wavelength band, longer than the first infrared wavelength band; and an imaging circuit configured to output an image including the flame and the thermal image.

Abstract: An infrared imaging system includes a detector configured to detect wavelengths in a first infrared wavelength band and a second infrared wavelength band, shorter than the first infrared wavelength band, a light source configured to output light in the second infrared wavelength band to an object, and an identify circuit configured to identify the object based on spectral characteristics of light returned from the object detected by the detector. The second infrared wavelength band is an extended short wavelength infrared band.

Abstract: An infrared imaging system includes a detector configured to detect wavelengths in a first infrared wavelength band and a second infrared wavelength band, shorter than the first infrared wavelength band, wherein the second infrared wavelength band is an extended short wavelength infrared band; and a light source configured to output light in the second infrared wavelength band to an object radiating the first infrared wavelength.

Abstract: A system for three-dimensional printing comprises: a three-dimensional printing apparatus for printing an object using a building material supplied from a container, and a computer. The computer is configured to receive working hours of personnel operating the apparatus, to calculate, based on three-dimensional printing data describing the object, a supply period during which the container is expected to be emptied, and to transmit to the apparatus a signal to initiate the printing at a delayed time selected to ensure that an end time of the supply period is within the working hours.

Abstract: Methods of printing a 3D object comprising depositing a building material, layer by layer, via printing heads comprising one or more nozzle arrays; and activating each of said printing heads to dispense a building material at least once within a specified period of time during printing to form a portion of said bulk region according to data provided by a CAD file, and activating said printing heads to deposit the building material to form another portion of the bulk region without relating to said data.

Abstract: Methods and systems (100) of printing a 3D object (101) comprising: depositing material, layer by layer, via printing heads (72) comprising one or more nozzle arrays; and activating each of said printing heads (72) to dispense a building material (50) at least once within a specified period of time during printing.

Abstract: A service station system for a three-dimensional printing system comprises: a bath, having a fast-release connector at a front side thereof, and a hinge at a back side thereof for hingebly connecting an open top of the bath to a surface of the three-dimensional printing system; and a wiper assembly, having a wiper device detachably connected to a wiper base mounted on a rotatable axis passing through the bath. The wiper device wipes a dispensing face of the printing head of the three-dimensional printing system while the head reciprocally moves above the bath between the back side and the front side. The service station system can also comprise a motor for rotating the axis.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing de-icing and/or de-fogging of an optical element include providing a resistive layer on an optically transparent material. In one embodiment, an optical system includes an optical device having a moldable optical material having a first surface, a resistive transparent material deposited in a layer on the first surface, and a conductive pad in electrical contact with the resistive transparent material. A method can include providing a moldable optical material having a first surface, a resistive transparent material deposited in a layer on the first surface, and a conductive pad in electrical contact with the resistive transparent material, and providing electrical energy to the conductive pad to heat the resistive transparent material.

Abstract: A method of additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object, comprises: sequentially dispensing and solidifying layers to form on a surface a sacrificial structure. In embodiments the sacrificial structure comprises a bulk volume and heating cells embedded in the bulk volume, where the heating cells release more heat than the bulk volume upon the solidification of the layers. In embodiments, the sacrificial structure comprises pinning structures embedded in the bulk volume. The method also comprises sequentially dispensing and solidifying layers to form the three-dimensional object on a portion of the sacrificial structure.

Abstract: Methods and systems (100) of printing a 3D object (101) comprising: depositing material, layer by layer, via printing heads (72) comprising one or more nozzle arrays; and activating each of said printing heads (72) to dispense a building material (50) at least once within a specified period of time during printing.

Abstract: A method of additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object, comprises: sequentially dispensing and solidifying layers to form on a surface a sacrificial structure. In embodiments the sacrificial structure comprises a bulk volume and heating cells embedded in the bulk volume, where the heating cells release more heat than the bulk volume upon the solidification of the layers. In embodiments, the sacrificial structure comprises pinning structures embedded in the bulk volume. The method also comprises sequentially dispensing and solidifying layers to form the three-dimensional object on a portion of the sacrificial structure.

Abstract: A method for characterizing tunable semiconductor laser diodes in which the laser is stimulated in a way that discloses the optical properties and tuning current dependency of the individual sections of the laser, separately for each section, and independently of the other sections. A section of the laser is current modulated in order to excite a continuum of modes related to the spectral response of other sections. This process is observed by viewing the overall spectral response at an integration time significantly longer than the modulation time. The spectral positions of the modes and their dependence on the tuning current, are used to determine the tuning characteristic of that particular section. This method substantially reduces the time required for characterization of such lasers in comparison with prior art methods.

Abstract: A method for characterizing tunable semiconductor laser diodes in which the laser is stimulated in a way that discloses the optical properties and tuning current dependency of the individual sections of the laser, separately for each section, and independently of the other sections. A section of the laser is current modulated in order to excite a continuum of modes related to the spectral response of other sections. This process is observed by viewing the overall spectral response at an integration time significantly longer than the modulation time. The spectral positions of the modes and their dependence on the tuning current, are used to determine the tuning characteristic of that particular section. This method substantially reduces the time required for characterization of such lasers in comparison with prior art methods.