Abstract: A method of operating an articulatable surgical instrument. The method includes providing a rotary drive motion to a rotary drive member of a surgical end effector and converting the rotary drive motion to an upper axial motion and a lower axial motion at locations that are distal to the articulation joint. The method further includes applying the upper axial motion to an upper portion of a firing member and applying the lower axial motion to a lower portion of the firing member such that the upper axial motion and lower axial motion drives the firing member distally through the surgical end effector from a starting position to an ending position.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a tissue thickness compensator can comprise one or more capsules and/or pockets comprising at least one medicament therein. In at least one embodiment, staples can be fired through the tissue thickness compensator to rupture the capsules. In certain embodiments, a firing member, or knife, can be advanced through the tissue thickness compensator to rupture the capsules.

Abstract: A device for coupling a propulsor to a marine vessel. The device includes a mounting bracket configured for attachment to the marine vessel. A support frame has a carriage and is configured for the propulsor to be coupled thereto, where the carriage is configured to slidably engage with the mounting bracket into a fixed position. A member is manually engageable to prevent the carriage from sliding out of the fixed position. The propulsor is coupled to the marine vessel by sliding the carriage into the fixed position and engaging the member, where the propulsor is operable to propel the marine vessel in water when the carriage is in the fixed position, and where the propulsor is configured for decoupling from the marine vessel by disengaging the member and sliding the carriage out of engagement with the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A system for tracking a personal possession or item tagged with an electronic device using a portable electronic device. The electronic device is wirelessly connected to the portable device via Bluetooth and together these two form a geofence. An alarm is activated in the electronic device and a wireless signal is sent by the GPS signal transmitter to the GPS signal receiver activated by the mobile application running on the portable electronic device as soon as the personal possession moves out of the geofence. The alarm notifies the position and the wireless signal provides the location of the lost or left personal possession or item.

Abstract: A dual track stencil system includes a first set of rails and a second set of rails, each of the rails being independently controlled for allowing for independent movement of circuit boards through the stencil system for processing. A stencil, having two patterns, each aligned with a respective working area of each track is suspended above the dual track system. In one embodiment, the solder dispensing unit includes a squeegee arm with a solder gathering head. During operation using the squeegee arm with the solder gathering head, two circuit boards are fed to the working area, and both of the circuit boards are serially processed, with excess solder being removed from the board after the processing of each of the boards.

Abstract: A dual track stencil system includes a first set of rails and a second set of rails, each of the rails being independently controlled for allowing for independent movement of circuit boards through the stencil system for processing. The stencil system includes a working area, at which the circuit boards are stenciled. A stencil, having two patterns, each aligned with a respective working area of each track is suspended above the dual track system. In one embodiment, a solder dispensing unit including a squeegee arm is suspended above the stencil, parallel to and centered between the two tracks. During operation, a circuit board enters the working area, is raised to engage with the stencil, and the squeegee arm traverses that portion of the stencil pattern currently engaging the board, thereby dispensing solder through the pattern and stenciling the board. The stencil system operates to process two boards on one track before advancing to the second track for processing another pair of boards.

Abstract: A dual track stencil system includes a first set of rails and a second set of rails, each of the rails being independently controlled for allowing for independent movement of circuit boards through the stencil system for processing. The stencil system includes a working area, at which the circuit boards are stenciled. A stencil, having two patterns, each aligned with a respective working area of each track is suspended above the dual track system. In one embodiment, a solder dispensing unit including a squeegee arm is suspended above the stencil, parallel to and centered between the two tracks. During operation, a circuit board enters the working area, is raised to engage with the stencil, and the squeegee arm traverses that portion of the stencil pattern currently engaging the board, thereby dispensing solder through the pattern and stenciling the board. The stencil system operates to process two boards on one track before advancing to the second track for processing another pair of boards.

Abstract: A dual track stencil system includes a plurality of pairs of adjustable conveyor rails, including a first pair of conveyor rails and a second pair of conveyor rails. The first and second pairs of conveyor rails of the dual track system are advantageously adjustable to accommodate variable width circuit boards or operation of the system in single track mode. The first and second pairs of conveyor rails can be independently controlled for allowing for independent movement of circuit boards through the stencil system for processing. The stencil system includes a working area, at which the circuit boards are stenciled. A stencil, having two patterns, each aligned with a respective working area of each track is suspended above the dual track system. A solder dispensing unit including a squeegee arm is suspended above the stencil, parallel to and centered between the two tracks.

Abstract: A dual track stencil system includes a first set of rails and a second set of rails, each of the rails being independently controlled for allowing for independent movement of circuit boards through the stencil system for processing. The stencil system includes a working area, at which the circuit boards are stenciled. A stencil, having two patterns, each aligned with a respective working area of each track is suspended above the dual track system. A solder dispensing unit including a squeegee arm is suspended above the stencil, parallel to and centered between the two tracks. During operation, a circuit board enters the working area, is raised to engage with the stencil, and the squeegee arm traverses that portion of the stencil pattern currently engaging the board, thereby dispensing solder through the pattern and stenciling the board. The stencil system operates to process two boards on one track before advancing to the second track for processing another pair of boards.

Abstract: A dual track stencil system includes a first set of rails and a second set of rails, each of the rails being independently controlled for allowing for independent movement of circuit boards through the stencil system for processing. The stencil system includes a working area at which the circuit boards are stenciled and includes a stencil having two patterns formed thereon. In one embodiment, the stencil system includes a solder dispensing system for dispensing solder paste onto the stencil.

Abstract: A dual track stencil system includes a first set of rails and a second set of rails, each of the rails being independently controlled for allowing for independent movement of circuit boards through the stencil system for processing. The stencil system includes a working area, at which the circuit boards are stenciled. A stencil, having two patterns, each aligned with a respective working area of each track is suspended above the dual track system. A solder dispensing unit including a squeegee arm is suspended above the stencil, parallel to and centered between the two tracks. During operation, a circuit board enters the working area, is raised to engage with the stencil, and the squeegee arm traverses that portion of the stencil pattern currently engaging the board, thereby dispensing solder through the pattern and stenciling the board. The stencil system operates to process two boards on one track before advancing to the second track for processing another pair of boards.

Abstract: Applying adhesive in a desired pattern on a substrate by determining one or more inspection sites for monitoring adhesive deposition, applying adhesive to a substrate with a stencil or screen printer, viewing the inspection sites with a camera that generates image signals, and processing the image signals to determine if adhesive has been properly applied at the inspection sites.