Abstract: The present invention is related to additive manufacturing methods and systems using a recoater with in-situ exchangeable recoater blades. Being able to switch out recoater blades in situ, i.e. without stopping the build and opening up the build chamber, is advantageous, especially for larger, more complicated, and/or longer builds. For instance, if a recoater blade becomes damaged, a new one can be readily swapped in. Or if a different material for the object(s) is used during the build, it may be advantageous to switch in a new recoater blade that is made of the new, different material.

Abstract: In an aspect, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for fabricating an object layer by layer. The apparatus includes a sheet dispenser to stack sheets of bound powder. The apparatus also includes a directed energy source configured to selectively fuse at least a portion of the bound powder to form one or more fused regions.

Abstract: Some aspects of the present disclosure provide a method of detecting defects in a continuous build process. The method includes applying a layer of powder to a build surface. The method includes fusing at least a portion of the powder layer to form a portion of a part. The method includes detecting a particular band of electromagnetic radiation produced by the fusing. In an aspect, the particular band of electromagnetic radiation is ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Abstract: A method of monitoring an additive manufacturing process in which a directed energy source is used to create a weld pool at an exposed build surface of a mass of powdered material, and selectively fuse the powdered material to form a workpiece, the method including measuring acoustic energy generated by the weld pool to generate a measured acoustic profile.

Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming devices. The central server tracks the occurrences of one or more suitable events occurring at or in association with one or more gaming devices in the gaming system. Upon the central server determining that the quantity of occurred events tracked has reached a designated quantity or threshold, (i.e., a triggering event has occurred), the gaming system provides a progressive award to one of the players at one of the gaming devices in the gaming system.

Abstract: This document describes a content caching system for pre-loading digital components, the system including a communication interface configured to communicate with a remote device over a wireless network, a local content cache; and an evaluation system comprising one or more processors. The one or more operations include pre-loading a digital component for rendering in a browser at a time that is subsequent to a time of the pre-loading, registering a scheme of a network reference for the cached digital component, with the scheme comprising a specified portion of the network reference for the cached digital component; retrieving, from the local content cache, the pre-loaded digital component associated with the digital component tag comprising the network reference; and rendering, from the local content cache, the pre-loaded digital component in a graphical user interface rather than requesting the digital component from the remote device.

Abstract: The condensate evaporator has a pan that is pivotally mounted on a fulcrum defined by two posts to depress the plunger of a switch as condensate collects in the pan. The switch and posts form a three point support for the pan on a flat surface. The switch is actuated by the pivoting of the pan to deliver power to a heater pad for heating the condensate.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for inducing hair growth and improving hair quality utilizing extracts of blackberry in an amount effective to induce hair growth when applied topically to an area of the skin on which hair growth is desired.

Abstract: System for assisting in reducing the spread of fire between adjacent rooms in a building proximate to the ceiling thereof includes an elongated header track, at least one elongated filler constructed at least partially of compressible or elastic material and at least one fire-blocker constructed at least partially of fire retarding material.

Abstract: A method of monitoring laser power in an additive manufacturing process in which a build beam generated by a laser source is used to selectively fuse or cure material to form a workpiece. The method includes: splitting off a predetermined percentage of the build beam to define a sample beam, and directing the sample beam to a sensor; using the sensor to generate a signal proportional to the power of the sample beam; and scaling the signal from the sensor to generate a laser power measurement representative of a power level of the build beam.

Abstract: A method for inspecting an additive manufacturing process in which a directed energy source is used to create a weld pool at an exposed build surface of a mass of powdered material, and selectively fuse the powdered material to form a workpiece. The inspection method includes: using a noncontact method to generate an acoustic wave in the build surface; using a noncontact method to measure displacement of the build surface in response to the acoustic wave; and determining at least one sub-surface material property of the workpiece by analyzing the displacement of the build surface.

Abstract: A method of monitoring an additive manufacturing process in which a directed energy source is used to create a weld pool at an exposed build surface of a mass of powdered material, and selectively fuse the powdered material to form a workpiece, the method including measuring acoustic energy generated by the weld pool to generate a measured acoustic profile.

Abstract: Gel-wipes suitable for use in personal care and household cleansing applications are disclosed, which include a substrate having a first surface, a second surface opposing the first surface and a body disposed between and defined by the first and second surfaces, fibers having an outer surface and an inner core, a polymeric gel distributed throughout the substrate such that a substantial portion of the fibers contain the polymeric gel distributed throughout the inner core of the fibers; and a liquid cleansing composition, wherein the inner core of a substantial portion of the fibers and the polymeric gel are substantially free of the liquid cleansing composition; as well as methods of making the gel-wipe.

Abstract: An ankle strengthening and rehabilitation exercise device is disclosed. The device is intuitive and simple to use by a patient even without professional medical supervision since the device indicates a specific movement of a foot by pivoting an ankle of the patient. In particular, the device may have an extension member that can be positioned on a frame of the device. The foot of the patient may engage the device. An elastic member may be secured to the extension member and the foot. The direction of the elastic member indicates the direction the foot of the patient should move by pivoting his or her ankle to specifically work or strengthen and exercise a particular ankle muscle of the patient.

Abstract: A particulate metal oxide includes a cationic portion that includes a zinc portion, a first iron dopant portion and a second dopant portion consisting of manganese and copper, where the zinc portion is about 99% by weight or more of the cationic portion, and the weight percent of the second dopant portion is greater than twice the weight percent of the first iron dopant portion.

Abstract: A particulate metal oxide is provided that includes a cationic portion containing a zinc portion, a first manganese dopant portion and a second dopant portion selected from the group consisting of iron and aluminum, wherein the zinc portion is about 99% by weight or more of the cationic portion and the manganese dopant portion and second dopant portion are present in a weight ratio of from about 5:1 to 1:5.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a central server or controller operable to communicate a plurality of different commands to a plurality of gaming machines to provide non-tournament game play and to provide tournament game play on the same gaming machines.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions for degrading collagen in mammalian skin, thereby improving the appearance and/or reducing the size of a closed wound, which may be a scar or a keloid and cellulite or other conditions wherein excessive collagen is a problem.

Abstract: A particulate metal oxide includes a cationic portion that includes a zinc portion, a first iron dopant portion and a second dopant portion consisting of manganese and copper, where the zinc portion is about 99% by weight or more of the cationic portion, and the weight percent of the second dopant portion is greater than twice the weight percent of the first iron dopant portion.

Abstract: A particulate metal oxide is provided that includes a cationic portion containing a zinc portion, a first manganese dopant portion and a second dopant portion selected from the group consisting of iron and aluminum, wherein the zinc portion is about 99% by weight or more of the cationic portion and the manganese dopant portion and second dopant portion are present in a weight ratio of from about 5:1 to 1:5.