Abstract: A system and method depositing metal to form a three-dimensional (3D) part on a substrate. A wire is moved relative to a location on the substrate while a laser heats a proximal end of the wire at the location using a laser beam. The laser causes the wire and substrate to reach a melting point of the wire to fuse the wire at the location on the substrate. The wire can be preheated by passing a current through the wire.

Abstract: A system includes a first resonator coupled to an energy source and a second resonator located a distance from the first resonator and coupled to the first resonator to provide near-field wireless energy transfer between the first resonator and the second resonator. The first resonator and the second resonator are non-radiative structures having a resonant frequency. The system also includes an artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) having the resonant frequency and arranged within the system to shape the near-field of at least one of the first resonator and the second resonator. The AMC includes a layer of unit cells arranged in a periodic pattern enabling the AMC to reflect the near-field. Each unit cell of the AMC includes a plurality of electronic components.

Abstract: A system and method depositing metal to form a three-dimensional (3D) part on a substrate. A wire is moved relative to a location on the substrate while a laser heats a proximal end of the wire at the location using a laser beam. The laser causes the wire and substrate to reach a melting point of the wire to fuse the wire at the location on the substrate. The wire can be preheated by passing a current through the wire.

Abstract: A method calibrates a laser processing machine by commanding a scan head to direct a laser beam to a desired position, then senses an actual position of the laser beam directly using a position sensitive detector (PSD) after the scan head is positioned. A relative position between the scan head and PSD is altered using one or more linear actuators. A position feedback loop is closed around the linear actuators so that the relative position of the laser beam on the PSD is reduced to zero. The actual position of the laser spot is then measured indirectly by encoders attached to linear axes of the laser processing machine. The actual position is stored in a memory. An error is determined as a difference between the desired position and the actual position. Compensation coefficients are determined from the error and stored for later use during operation of the laser processing machine.

Abstract: In an acoustic apparatus, an acoustic transducer is arranged in a substrate. Multiple acoustic pathways in the substrate have predetermined lengths, wherein a proximal end of each pathway forms an opening in a front surface of the substrate, and a distal end terminates at the acoustic transducer. The predetermined lengths of the acoustic pathways are designed to form an acoustic spatial filter that selectively passes acoustic signals from or to different locations. The transducer can convert electric energy to acoustic energy when the apparatus operates as a speaker, or the the transducer can convert acoustic energy to electric energy and operate as a microphone.

Abstract: In an acoustic apparatus, an acoustic transducer is arranged in a substrate. Multiple acoustic pathways in the substrate have predetermined lengths, wherein a proximal end of each pathway forms an opening in a front surface of the substrate, and a distal end terminates at the acoustic transducer. The predetermined lengths of the acoustic pathways are designed to form an acoustic spatial filter that selectively passes acoustic signals from or to different locations. The transducer can convert electric energy to acoustic energy when the apparatus operates as a speaker, or the the transducer can convert acoustic energy to electric energy and operate as a microphone.

Abstract: A 5D printer, which additively manufactures an object, includes an extruder that can move linearly along three orthogonal axes and rotationally around at least one of the axes with respect to the object while depositing a material. A gantry is movable along X, Y and Z axes, and a trunnion table movable about A and B axes is mounted on the gantry. A platen is mounted on the trunnion table, and the extruder deposits the material on the platen while moving the gantry and trunnion table. A model of the object is analyzed to produce a stress tensor for the object, and the depositing is according to the stress tensor.

Abstract: A method prints a three dimensional (3D) object using a 3D printer depositing a stack of layers of print material. Each layer is bonded to at least a portion of another layer in the stack forming the object. The method provides a support layer of material, covers at least a portion of the support layer with a non-sticking material having a property selected to reduce bonding of the print material to the non-sticking material and to the support layer and deposes a layer of the print material on the support layer including the portion of the support layer covered with the non-sticking material.

Abstract: A system transfers energy wirelessly from a source to a sink as an EM near-field according to parameters. The source includes a receive RF chain, and a receive controller. The sink includes a transmit RF chain, and a receive controller. The receive controller measures the energy received as feedback information, which is transmitted to the sink. Then, the transmit controller dynamically varies the parameters to optimized the energy received at the sink.

Abstract: A system includes a first resonator coupled to an energy source and a second resonator located a distance from the first resonator and coupled to the first resonator to provide near-field wireless energy transfer between the first resonator and the second resonator. The first resonator and the second resonator are non-radiative structures having a resonant frequency. The system also includes an artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) having the resonant frequency and arranged within the system to shape the near-field of at least one of the first resonator and the second resonator. The AMC includes a layer of unit cells arranged in a periodic pattern enabling the AMC to reflect the near-field. Each unit cell of the AMC includes a plurality of electronic components.

Abstract: A 5D printer, which additively manufactures an object, includes an extruder that can move linearly along three orthogonal axes and rotationally around at least one of the axes with respect to the object while depositing a material. A gantry is movable along X, Y and Z axes, and a trunnion table movable about A and B axes is mounted on the gantry. A platen is mounted on the trunnion table, and the extruder deposits the material on the platen while moving the gantry and trunnion table. A model of the object is analyzed to produce a stress tensor for the object, and the depositing is according, to the stress tensor.

Abstract: A 5D printer, which additively manufactures an object, includes an extruder that can move linearly along three orthogonal axes and rotationally around at least one of the axes with respect to the object while depositing a material. A gantry is movable along X, Y and Z axes, and a trunnion table movable about A and B axes is mounted on the gantry. A platen is mounted on the trunnion table, and the extruder deposits the material on the platen while moving the gantry and trunnion table. A model of the object is analyzed to produce a stress tensor for the object, and the depositing is according to the stress tensor.

Abstract: A system for calibrating a laser cutting machine includes a calibration plate arranged to simulate a workpiece; a first quad photodiode (QPD) and a second QPD for converting light including an image of a portion of a surface of the calibration plate into a plurality of electrical signals, wherein the first and the second QPDs are positioned to receive the light propagated from the surface of the calibration plate through the optical path of the laser beam; and a control system for calibrating the laser cutting machine based on the plurality electrical signals.

Abstract: A laser cutting machine includes a platform and a motion system. The motion system includes a first prismatic joint facilitating a first motion of the platform along a first direction and a second prismatic joint facilitating a second motion of the platform along a second direction. A galvano arranged on the platform, such that a motion of the platform causes a motion of the galvano, the galvano including a first mirror, wherein a third motion of the first mirror positions the laser beam along a third direction, and a second mirror, wherein a fourth motion of the second mirror positions the laser beam along a fourth direction. A control module controls concurrently the motion system and the galvano, such that a position of the laser beam on the workpiece is a vector sum of the first motion, the second motion, the third motion, and the fourth motion.

Abstract: A method calibrates a laser processing machine by commanding a scan head to direct a laser beam to a desired position, then senses an actual position of the laser beam directly using a position sensitive detector (PSD) after the scan head is positioned. A relative position between the scan head and PSD is altered using one or more linear actuators. A position feedback loop is closed around the linear actuators so that the relative position of the laser beam on the PSD is reduced to zero. The actual position of the laser spot is then measured indirectly by encoders attached to linear axes of the laser processing machine. The actual position is stored in a memory. An error is determined as a difference between the desired position and the actual position. Compensation coefficients are determined from the error and stored for later use during operation of the laser processing machine.

Abstract: A system for calibrating a laser cutting machine includes a calibration plate arranged to simulate a workpiece; a first quad photodiode (QPD) and a second QPD for converting light including an image of a portion of a surface of the calibration plate into a plurality of electrical signals, wherein the first and the second QPDs are positioned to receive the light propagated from the surface of the calibration plate through the optical path of the laser beam; and a control system for calibrating the laser cutting machine based on the plurality electrical signals.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclose a method for optimizing a simulation of a machining of a workpiece performed by removing a set of swept volumes from a volume of the workpiece, wherein the volume is partitioned into a set of cells, comprising the steps of: associating with each cell a subset of distance fields representing a subset of swept volumes intersecting with the cell, wherein at least part of the subset of swept volumes forms a composite surface of the cell; subjecting the cell with a set of rays incident to the cell from at least one direction; and selecting a distance field of the subset of distance fields into an optimal subset associated with the cell, wherein a boundary of the swept volume represented by the distance field intersects with at least one ray at a point of intersection lying on the composite surface.

Abstract: A system that transfers energy wirelessly includes a transmitter of the energy and a receiver of the energy. A housing made of a material that approximates properties of a perfect magnetic conductor. The housing is arranged to direct a magnetic field from the transmitter to the receiver to improve an efficiency of the energy transfer from the transmitter to the receiver.

Abstract: A laser cutting machine includes a platform and a motion system. The motion system includes a first prismatic joint facilitating a first motion of the platform along a first direction and a second prismatic joint facilitating a second motion of the platform along a second direction. A galvano arranged on the platform, such that a motion of the platform causes a motion of the galvano, the galvano including a first mirror, wherein a third motion of the first mirror positions the laser beam along a third direction, and a second minor, wherein a fourth motion of the second mirror positions the laser beam along a fourth direction. A control module controls concurrently the motion system and the galvano, such that a position of the laser beam on the workpiece is a vector sum of the first motion, the second motion, the third motion, and the fourth motion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclose a method and a system configured to exchange energy wirelessly, comprising a structure configured to exchange the energy wirelessly via a coupling of evanescent waves, wherein the structure is electromagnetic (EM) and non-radiative, and wherein the structure generates an EM near-field in response to receiving the energy; and a controller configured to tune up the structure such that the near-field is generated according a particular energy distribution pattern.