Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes dividing a number of dies along an x axis in a die matrix in each exposure field in an exposure field matrix delineated on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the x axis is parallel to one edge of a smallest rectangle enclosing the exposure field matrix. A number of dies is divided along a y axis in the die matrix, wherein the y axis is perpendicular to the x axis. Sequences SNx0, SNx1, SNx, SNxr, SNy0, SNy1, SNy, and SNyr are formed. p*(Nbx+1)?2 stepping operations are performed in a third direction and first sequence exposure/stepping/exposure operations and second sequence exposure/stepping/exposure operations are performed alternately between any two adjacent stepping operations as well as before a first stepping operation and after a last stepping operation. A distance of each stepping operation in order follows the sequence SNx.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus, including: an objective configured to receive diffracted radiation from a metrology target having positive and negative diffraction order radiation; an optical element configured to separate the diffracted radiation into portions separately corresponding to each of a plurality of different values or types of one or more radiation characteristics and separately corresponding to the positive and negative diffraction orders; and a detector system configured to separately and simultaneously measure the portions.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a lithographic process, and associated lithographic apparatus. The method includes obtaining height variation data relating to a substrate supported by a substrate support and fitting a regression through the height variation data, the regression approximating the shape of the substrate; residual data between the height variation data and the regression is determined; and variation of the residual data is monitored over time. The residual data may be deconvolved based on known features of the substrate support.

Abstract: A component for a projection exposure apparatus includes a printed circuit board arranged in an encapsulated housing and having electronic component parts, and a heat conducting structure for dissipating heat from the electronic component parts to an outer side of the housing.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is described, the apparatus comprising: a projection system configured to project a patterned beam of radiation onto a substrate; the projection system comprising a plurality of optical elements; a sensor frame; a first position measurement system configured to measure a position of the plurality of optical elements relative to the sensor frame; wherein the sensor frame comprises: N sub-frames, N being an integer >1, a coupling system coupling the N sub-frames and a second position measurement system configured to determine a relative position of the N sub-frames.

Abstract: A difficulty of contamination interfering with a grid plate positional measurement system is addressed. In one embodiment contamination is prevented from coming into contact with the grating or the sensor. In an embodiment, surface acoustic waves are used to detach contamination from a surface of the grating or sensor.

Abstract: An alignment system configured to be substantially insensitive to thermal variations in its system during alignment measurements. The alignment system includes a sensor system, a support structure, a sensing element, a position measurement system, and an athermal interface between the sensing element and the support structure. The sensor system is configured to determine a position of an alignment mark on a substrate and the support structure is configured to support the sensor system. The sensing element is configured to detect an unintentional displacement of the support structure and the position measurement system is configured to measure the unintentional displacement relative to a reference element based on the detected unintentional displacement. The athermal interface is configured to prevent detection of temperature induced displacement of the support structure by the sensing element.

Abstract: An electrostatic charge image developing toner includes a polar group-containing olefin resin that is a polymer of a composition containing at least one nonpolar monomer unit (X) selected from the group consisting of ethylene and ?-olefin having 3 to 10 carbon atoms, a polar monomer unit (Y) having at least one of a maleic acid group and a maleic anhydride group, and a monomer unit (Z) having a polymerizability to at least one of the nonpolar monomer unit (X) and the polar monomer unit (Y), in which an acid value of the toner is 10 mgKOH/g to 60 mgKOH/g.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus using a contact charging method includes a control unit capable of executing cleaning in a post-rotation step at the end of a job and in an inter-image step during execution of the job. The cleaning involves moving toner adhering to a charging member from the charging member to an image bearing member. The job is a series of operations started by a predetermined start instruction and involving forming an image on one or more recording materials and outputting the one or more recording materials. When an instruction to start the next job is input during execution of cleaning in the post-rotation step, the control unit stops the cleaning in the middle of the execution, starts the next job, and adjusts timing for executing subsequent cleaning on the basis of information relating to the amount of cleaning executed before being stopped in the middle of the execution.

Abstract: An optical device includes a plurality of light sources each configured to emit light having a different wavelength, and a lens mirror array in which a plurality of optical elements is arrayed, each of the plurality of optical elements including an incident surface through which the light emitted from each light source enters the optical element, a first reflection surface from which the light incident on the incident surface is reflected, a second reflection surface from which the light reflected by the first reflection surface is further reflected, and an emission surface through which the light reflected by the second reflection surface exits the optical element. The plurality of light sources is arranged such that a light source that emits light having a shorter wavelength is disposed farther from the second reflection surface.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes: a plurality of photosensitive drums arranged with an interval; a light scanning device, which includes a plurality of semiconductor lasers corresponding to the plurality of photosensitive drums on a one-to-one basis, and is configured to form a latent image on the photosensitive drum; an exposure control portion configured to generate a drive signal for causing the semiconductor laser to turn on or off the light based on image data; and a CPU configured to output a parameter for generating the drive signal to the exposure control portion, in which the CPU outputs the parameter to the exposure control portion at a transfer speed that is set so that the outputting of the parameter corresponding to the plurality of semiconductor lasers is completed within a time period calculated from the interval and rotation speeds of the photosensitive drums.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developer storing unit that stores a developer before use of the developing device, a developer containing unit that contains, when the developing device is used, the developer stored in the developer storing unit such that the developer is capable of being stirred by the developer containing unit, a developer holding unit that is provided in a portion of the developer containing unit and that holds the developer contained in the developer containing unit and moves the developer in a rotation direction, a sealing unit including a sealing tape portion that seals a slit-shaped opening formed in the developer storing unit along a longitudinal direction of the developer storing unit while the sealing tape portion is capable of being pulled out and that seals the slit-shaped opening of the developer storing unit by being removably fixed onto an edge of the opening and an extended tape portion that is folded at an end of the sealing tape portion in a longitudinal direction of the seal

Abstract: A powder container includes a discharge port configured to discharge powder stored in the powder container, a container shutter configured to open and close the discharge port, a first rotation portion configured to be engageable with an engagement portion of a removable component, an operation device configured to rotate the first rotation portion in conjunction with an operation of the operation device, and a contact portion included in the first rotation portion. The engagement portion opens and closes a cartridge shutter to open and close an inlet port of the removable component. A restriction member of the removable component is configured to restrict the rotation of the engagement portion. The contact portion contacts the restriction member to cancel the restriction member from restricting rotation of the engagement portion in conjunction with attachment of the powder container to the removable component.

Abstract: A process unit has an image carrying unit having an image carrying member configured to be rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction, and a developing agent removing member, a developing unit having a developing agent carrying member configured to be rotatable about a second axis parallel to the first axis, and a waste developing agent collecting unit configured to collect the developing agent removed by the removing member from the image carrying member. The waste developing agent collecting unit is arranged on one side in the first direction with respect to the developing unit such that the waste developing agent collecting unit faces the developing unit, and the developing unit is connected to the waste developing agent collecting unit such that the developing unit being movable in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction with respect to the waste developing agent collecting unit.

Abstract: A unit includes: a conveying member that conveys developer; a frame that stores the developer and includes a first chamber storing the conveying member, a second chamber, a first opening connecting the first chamber and the second chamber, and through which the developer is passed, and a second opening connecting the interior of the second chamber and the exterior of the frame in an orthogonal direction that is orthogonal to a direction of a rotation axis line of the conveying member; and a filter that allows air to pass the second opening and restricts the developer from passing the second opening, and is fixed to the frame, wherein the frame is displaceable with respect to an apparatus main body in a state where the unit is attached to the apparatus main body, and the filter is displaced with respect to the apparatus main body by the displacement of the frame.

Abstract: A developing device includes a latent image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image is formed on a surface of the latent image carrier, a developing agent carrier to carry a developing agent including toner on a surface of the developing agent carrier, the developing agent carrier facing the latent image carrier, and a roll-shaped member facing the developing agent carrier to form a first gap and facing the latent image carrier to form a second gap, to form a suction air flow through the first gap and the second gap, to suction toner particles scattered to the first gap between the roll-shaped member and the developing agent carrier and the second gap between the roll-shaped member and the latent image carrier.

Abstract: A cleaning unit for removing debris from an ink transfer surface includes a cleaning roller having: a microcellular material outer layer; a wetting module to supply cleaning fluid to the microcellular material outer layer of the cleaning roller; and an extractor to remove cleaning fluid and debris from the cleaning roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an optical sensor for detecting an image formed on an intermediate transfer belt. The optical sensor includes first and second light emitting diodes (LEDs) and first and second photodiodes (PDs). The first and second LEDs irradiate an optical-axis center point of an intermediate transfer belt. The first PD is arranged at a position at which an optical axis of specularly reflected light of light emitted from the second LED and an optical axis along which specularly reflected light of light emitted from the first LED is received form a first angle. The second PD is arranged at a position at which the optical axis of the specularly reflected light of the light emitted from the second LED and an optical axis along which diffused reflected light of the light emitted from the second LED is received form a second angle different from the first angle.

Abstract: An electrophotographic belt including an electro-conductive layer having high adhesion to a base layer while maintaining high electro-conductivity. The electrophotographic belt has an endless shape, and includes an endless shaped base layer containing a polyester resin, and an electro-conductive layer covering an inner surface of the base layer, the electro-conductive layer containing an electro-conductive particle and a binder resin, and the binder resin containing a polyester resin having at least two monomer units of phthalic acids selected from the group consisting of terephthalic acid, orthophthalic acid and isophthalic acid.

Abstract: A cooling device includes a sheet conveying roller, and a duct. The sheet conveying roller is configured to convey a sheet in a sheet conveyance direction. The duct is configured to convey air to a sheet conveyance passage. The duct includes a first blowing port configured to blow air toward the sheet conveyance passage, and a second blowing port configured to blow air toward the sheet conveying roller.

Abstract: A fixing device includes: a fixer provided with a heater that sandwiches and heats paper transported with a toner image retained thereon, and a remover that removes toner from the heater; and a controller that executes first control with which the paper on which the toner image is retained is fed to the heater in a state where the temperature of the heater has been increased to a first temperature, and second control with which paper on which a toner image is not retained is fed to the heater in a state where the temperature of the heater has been increased to a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes an electroconductive cylindrical member, an opposing member thereto, a nip forming member cooperating with the opposing member to form a nip configured to nip and feed a recording material, a magnetic field generating device, a converter, a temperature detector for the rotatable member, and a converter controller. The magnetic field generating device includes an excitation coil in an inside space of the rotatable member so that a helicity axis of the excitation coil is in parallel with an axial direction of the rotatable member to produce an induced current in a circumferential direction of the rotatable member. The converter applies a high frequency voltage to the coil. The controller controls the temperature of the rotatable member by controlling at least one of a pulse period, a pulse-on time, a burst period, and a burst-on time.

Abstract: A heater being used in an image heating apparatus includes a glass layer formed on one surface of a substrate of the heater, the heater has a base layer formed so as to extend in a longitudinal direction of the substrate between another surface of the substrate and the glass layer and at a position closer to an end side of the substrate than a center position of a heating element provided on the other surface of the substrate in a transverse direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the substrate, the base layer having a glass content of 10 wt % or lower, and a peak portion with a peak height from the other surface in the glass layer is positioned within 1.0 mm from an end in the transverse direction of the substrate.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a flexible rotatable fixing belt, a pressuring member, a pressing member, a heating part, a belt guide, and a fiber member. The pressuring member forms a pressuring area between the fixing belt and the pressuring member. The pressing member comes into contact with an inner circumference face of the fixing belt via lubricant in the pressuring area to press the fixing belt to the pressuring member. The heating part heats the fixing belt from outside. The belt guide supports the fixing belt from a side of the inner circumference face so that the fixing belt faces to the heating part. The fiber member is arranged between the belt guide and the fixing belt. At least a part of a face of the fiber member at a side of the fixing belt is oil repellent.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a heating portion, and a belt guide member. The heating portion heats the fixing belt. The belt guide member includes a guide portion and an engaging portion. The guide portion guides the fixing belt to move along a moving path. The engaging portion is provided to project from the guide portion outward in a width direction of the fixing belt, wherein the engaging portion is engaged with a connector at an engagement position that intersects with a plane that includes a center, in the width direction, of the connector attached to the heating portion in an attachment direction perpendicular to the width direction.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressure roller, a reserving portion, and a heater. The pressure roller is provided in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the fixing belt. The reserving portion is provided inside the fixing belt and configured to reserve a lubricant. The heater is provided between the reserving portion and the fixing belt in such a way as to be pressed against the fixing belt, wherein a moving path is formed in the heater such that the lubricant moves from the reserving portion toward the pressure roller in the moving path.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a flexible endless fixing belt, a heating part, and a belt guide. The heating part induction-heats the fixing belt from outside. The belt guide supports the fixing belt so that the fixing belt faces to the heating part. The belt guide is made of temperature sensitive magnetic material with magnetic characteristics reversibly changing from ferromagnetism to paramagnetism when predetermined temperature is reached, and includes a plurality of slits arranged in a width direction orthogonal to a circumferential direction of the fixing belt and formed along the circumferential direction. At a side of an inner circumference face of the fixing belt, a protecting part is provided so as to prevent the inner circumference face of the fixing belt from coming into direct contact with portions on the periphery of the plurality of slits.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing cartridge, a drum cartridge, a casing, a connector, and a controller. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a drum cartridge memory, a charger, and a cleaner. The charger is configured to charge the photosensitive drum and including a wire and a grid electrode. The cleaner is configured to clean the wire. The connector is configured to be electrically connected to the drum cartridge memory. Information is writable to the drum memory through the connector. The detection circuit board is configured to detect a state of discharge of the charger. The controller is configured to perform: determining whether or not the state of discharge detected by the detection circuit board is abnormal; and writing, in the drum cartridge memory, information representing occurrence of the abnormal discharge through the connector in a case where occurrence of the abnormal discharge is determined.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing device, a developer container, and a controller. The developing device contains developer including toner and a carrier and includes a stirrer for stirring the developer. The developer container contains the developer to be supplied to the developing device. The controller acquires a deterioration index indicating a degree of deterioration of the developer in the developing device based on stirring cumulative information which is information relating to a cumulative value of time for which the stirrer stirs the developer in the developing device and supply cumulative information indicating information relating to a cumulative value of the developer supplied from the developer container to the developing device, and determines a timing at which the developer needs to be replaced based on information on history of the deterioration index.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing roller configured to develop an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive drum to form a toner image; a belt onto which the toner image is transferred; a detection unit configured to detect a density of an image for detection formed on the belt; and a controller configured to perform hue adjustment based on a detection result of the detection unit. The image forming apparatus performs image formation in a second mode using a color gamut different from a color gamut in a first mode, and the controller obtains a lookup table, which indicates a correlation between image data to be used and input image data in the second mode, based on the detection result in the first mode and a correlation of density between the first mode and the second mode.

Abstract: An emitter emits light such that the light crosses a conveyance path. A reflector reflects the light. A receiver receives reflected light. A determiner determines that a sheet is present on the basis of an amount of reflected light. A controller may increase a light amount of the light-emitting unit from a first light amount to a second light amount on the basis of a temperature of the light-emitting unit and a reflectance of the reflecting member. The controller may increase a receiving gain of the receiver from a first gain to a second gain on the basis of a reflectance of the reflecting member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including a process cartridge and a main body with an opening and a cover, is provided. The process cartridge includes a drum cartridge, a toner cartridge, and a switching member. The switching member switches states in the process cartridge between a first state, wherein the toner cartridge is restricted from being detached, and a second state, wherein the toner cartridge is released from the restriction. The process cartridge is movable between an attached position to be placed entirely inside the main body and a detached position to be entirely outside the main body. The main body includes a restrictor to restrict the process cartridge from moving from an intermediate position toward the detached position. While the process cartridge is restricted by the restrictor, a supportive part in the cover supports the process cartridge with the switching member being at least partly placed outside the main body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main casing, a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge. The drum cartridge may include a first handle positioned at a first end of a frame of the drum cartridge. The developing cartridge may include a second handle positioned at a first end of a developing casing the developing cartridge. The main casing may include a first edge surface in the axial direction and a second edge surface opposite the first edge surface in the axial direction. The second handle may extend farther from the second edge surface than the first handle extends from the second edge surface in the axial direction in a state where the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the main casing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body housing, a drawer, a drum cartridge, an exposure device, developing cartridge, a transfer roller, and a fixing device. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and is attachable to and detachable from a first supporting position on the drawer. The developing cartridge is attachable to and detachable from a second supporting position on the drawer and includes a developing roller. The drawer includes a first guide. The drum cartridge includes a second guide. In a state where the drum cartridge is attached to the first supporting position on the drawer, the first guide of the drawer and the second guide of the drum cartridge forms a developing cartridge guide configured to guide the developing cartridge toward the second supporting position on the drawer.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a casing, a drive gear, a first gear, and a second gear rotatable relative to the first gear. The drive gear includes a small-diameter gear part, and a large-diameter gear part. The first gear includes: a first gear teeth part having a plurality of gear teeth; and a first protrusion movable in accordance with rotation of the first gear teeth part. The second gear includes: a second gear teeth part having at least one gear tooth; and a second protrusion movable in accordance with rotation of the second gear teeth part. The second gear teeth part is configured to meshingly engage with the large-diameter gear part to rotate the second gear after the first gear rotates by a prescribed angle by meshing engagement between the small-diameter gear part and the first gear teeth part.

Abstract: A novel vehicle onboard holographic communication system is configured to generate, manage, and display various three-dimensional holographic objects, holographic digital assistance, and dynamically-updatable holographic contents in automotive infotainment, vehicle control, and occupant communication environments. Preferably, the vehicle onboard holographic communication system includes a vehicle infotainment hardware module, a vehicle infotainment operating system (e.g. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, etc.) and a vehicle onboard holographic communication operating system (e.g. “HoloDash OS”) executed in a CPU and a memory unit of the vehicle infotainment hardware module, and a holographic display pod integrated into a vehicle dashboard or another part of the vehicle interior. The in-vehicle holographic display pod provides lifelike high-resolution 3D holographic objects for vehicle occupant infotainment, vehicle control, and communication applications.

Abstract: One disclosed example provides a computing device comprising a logic subsystem comprising a processor, and memory storing instructions executable by the logic subsystem. The instructions are executable to display via a display system one or more holographic objects, receive depth image data from a depth image sensor, detect a user input setting a trajectory for a selected holographic object, in response to detecting the user input setting the trajectory for the selected holographic object, determine the trajectory for the selected holographic object set by the user input, determine, based upon the depth image data and the trajectory, a surface intersected by the trajectory of the selected holographic object, and display via the display system the selected holographic object as travelling along the trajectory and changing in form upon encountering the surface.

Abstract: A holographic antenna for recording a comprehensive interference pattern beyond the mere minimum and maximum values and reconstructing waveform of a target antenna includes a feed antenna and a holographic structure. The holographic structure includes a substrate and a plurality of spaced metal strips disposed on the substrate. Heights of the metal strips are negatively correlated with intensities of the interference pattern. A method for fabricating such a holographic antenna is also provided.

Abstract: A mechanical timepiece oscillator includes, between a first element and a second inertial element, two distinct flexible strips returning the inertial element to a rest position in an oscillation plane, the projections of these strips crossing each other, in the rest position, at a point, through which passes the pivoting axis of the second solid inertial element, the embedding points of the strips in the first element and the second inertial element defining two directions in which each strip has a free length between its embedding points, and an axial distance between the pivoting axis and the farthest of its embedding points, and, for each strip, the embedding point ratio is comprised between 0 and 1, and the vertex angle at the crossing point of the directions of the strips is less than 70°.

Abstract: Embodiments of a watch can include a watch having an analog watch face, a first watch band portion, a second watch band portion and an analog watch face. The watch can include a digital clasp having a digital display and a circuit board associated with a controller.

Abstract: A device (30, 40) for the transfer of a plurality of watch components (2) arranged on a first support (10) to their arrangement on a second support (20), wherein it comprises an inlet surface (31, 41) comprising inlet orifices (33, 43) so arranged as to correspond to a first arrangement of the watch components (2) on a first support (10), an outlet surface (32, 42) comprising outlet orifices (34, 44) so arranged as to correspond to a second arrangement of the watch components (2) on a second support (20), and guide elements (35, 45) adapted to guide the watch components (2) automatically from the inlet orifices (33, 43) to the outlet orifices (34, 44).

Abstract: A facility providing systems and methods for managing and optimizing energy consumption and/or production is provided. The facility provides techniques for optimizing energy-consuming and energy-producing systems to meet specified demands or goals in accordance with various constraints. The facility relies on models to generate an optimization for an energy system. In order to use generic models to simulate and optimize energy consumption for an energy system, the generic models are calibrated to properly represent or approximate conditions of the energy system during the optimization period. After the appropriate models have been calibrated for a given situation using one or more modeling parameter sets, the facility can simulate inputs and responses for the corresponding system. The facility uses the generated simulations to generate a plan or control schedule to be implemented by the energy system during the optimization period.

Abstract: Selection of fault detection and diagnostic rules in a building automation system and generation of configuration data associated with the selected rules.

Abstract: A monitoring system and associated methodology for response to incidents sensed by at least one sensor of an individual signal unit includes transmission to a central control facility by the individual signal unit, of at least a unique identifying code for that individual signal unit, over a communication network; the response includes a transmission of data from said central control facility to one or more recipients nominated by a registered owner of the individual signal unit wherein registration of the individual signal unit and configuration of sensing and of said response is via a web-based interface.

Abstract: A method for controlling an automation framework in a manufacturing system for containers with food content is disclosed comprising isolating at least first and second control functionalities of a plurality of devices from each other so that the first and second control functionalities are independently accessible to a control unit as respective first and second isolated control functionalities, generating a set of combined control functionalities for the first and/or the second device based on the first and second sets of isolated control functionalities, wherein the set of combined control functionalities are individually accessible to a control unit, and controlling at least the first and/or second device of the plurality of devices based on at least the set of combined control functionalities with an application manager configured to communicate with the control unit. An associated automation framework is also disclosed.

Abstract: A variable air volume controller includes a communications interface and a processing circuit. The communications interface is configured to facilitate communication with an external device and building equipment. The processing circuit is configured to store a plurality of predefined, selectable-applications; receive a selection of one of the plurality of predefined, selectable-applications; and implement the selected application such that the building equipment is controlled according to the selected application.

Abstract: A machine learning device included in a cutting fluid supply timing control device observes operating state data regarding an operating state of a cutting fluid supply device as a state variable representing a current environment state, acquires supply timing data indicating a timing of supplying a cutting fluid as label data, and then learns the operating state data and the supply timing data in association with each other by using these state variable and label data.

Abstract: A machine tool controller includes: a servo control unit that generates a positional error based on a difference between a position command for moving a tool and a present position of the tool and generates a drive command for a motor that moves the tool based on the positional error; and a displacement meter that measures a machining surface displacement amount of the workpiece. The servo control unit includes: a compensation amount calculating unit that calculates a shape error of the workpiece with respect to a desired shape for each rotation angle of the workpiece based on the measured machining surface displacement amount and obtains a compensation amount of the positional error based on the calculated shape error of the workpiece; and a first compensation unit that compensates the positional error for each rotation angle of the workpiece based on the calculated compensation amount.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) object printing process-level simulator including, in an example, a layer module for modeling a plurality of layers of a simulated 3D object to be built and a printing device controller to receive a number of simulated values from the layer module to simulate a 3D object printing process and adjust the 3D object printing process based on physical characteristics of a printing device associated with the printing device controller. A cyber-physical three-dimensional (3D) object printing simulator including, in an example, a printing device including a processor to send instructions describing how a simulated 3D object is to be printed and a layers module to simulate heat transfer from a plurality of layers in the 3D object to be printed based at least a density of the plurality of layers.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a plurality of discrete objects from a body of material created by additive manufacturing using an automated manufacturing device includes an automated manufacturing device, the automated manufacturing device including at least a controller configured to receive at least a graphical model of a plurality of structures, receive at least a graphical representation of at least an interconnecting portion, the at least an interconnecting portion connecting at least a first structure of the plurality of structures to at least a second structure of the plurality of structures, and generate a graphical representation of an additively manufacture body of material, as a function of the graphical model of the plurality of structures, and the graphical representation of the at least an interconnecting portion.