Abstract: The present disclosure describes multi-fluid kits for three-dimensional printing, three-dimensional printing kits, and methods of three-dimensional printing. In one example, a multi-fluid kit for three-dimensional printing can include a binder agent and an adhesion promoter agent. The binder agent can include water and latex particles in an amount from about 5 wt % to about 30 wt % based on the total weight of the binder agent. The adhesion promoter can include water and an adhesion promoter that includes catechol or a non-polymeric catechol derivative.

Abstract: An optimization method based on feature extraction and machine learning is provided. At least one input parameter is received. Multiple first historical mold data are retrieved. A similarity calculation is performed according to the input parameter and the first historical mold data. Multiple candidate mold data are selected according to the similarity calculation. The mold design parameters of the candidate mold data corresponding to each input parameter are replaced by the input parameter, and multiple first representative mold data for performing a first simulation analysis are generated. Multiple key feature parameters are found, and multiple second historical mold data are retrieved according to the multiple key feature parameters. An expected data is found, and the mold design parameters of the expected data are filtered and optimized to find multiple second representative mold data for performing a second simulation analysis. At least one set of mold production parameters is generated.

Abstract: A method for estimating a property of an earth formation includes: conveying a carrier through a borehole penetrating the earth formation; performing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements on a sensitive volume in the formation using an NMR tool disposed at the carrier to provide a distribution of relaxation times; identifying peaks in the distribution of relaxation times; selecting at least one peak based on a characteristic of the at least one peak; and estimating the property using a relaxation time associated with the at least one peak.

Abstract: Three phase power flow analysis of an unbalanced power distribution system decouples voltage changes resulting from nodal admittance matrix into one contribution from a real part, conductance matrix, and other contribution from an imaginary part, and a susceptance matrix. A first voltage change and second voltage change resulting from conductance and susceptance matrices are determined respectively. The voltages of a node of the power distribution system are determined as a combination of first and second voltages.

Abstract: An acoustic emissions testing device includes a testing sample, an acoustic sensor communicably coupled to the testing sample, and a load that is exerted on the sample. The acoustic sensor detects one or more acoustic events occurring within the sample. The acoustic sensor transmits data to a data recorder, which includes a processor and storage medium for executing instructions provided by a software residing within the storage medium. Upon executing the instructions on the transmitted data, the toughness of the sample is objectively determined and can be ranked comparatively to the toughness of other samples. The instructions provide for categorizing the data into possible acoustic event points and background data points, interpolating a background noise curve, determining the actual acoustic event points, and calculating the area under each actual acoustic event point.

Abstract: A method and system for evaluating the sample coverage of ultrasonic or radiography (UT/RT) measurements of pipeline wall thickness for statistical validity. A data library contains distributions of in-line inspection (ILI) measurements for other pipelines, calibrated to correspond to UT/RT measurements as needed. The data library for these ILI-measured pipelines also includes statistics generated from Monte Carlo simulation, by way of which various sample coverage levels sample the ILI measurements, for determining whether a measurement exceeds a given threshold or meets another premise related to determining the extreme wall loss measurement for the pipeline. A pipeline with sampled UT/RT measurements is used to identify one or more ILI-measured pipeline datasets that are most similar, and the statistics from those most similar pipeline datasets determine whether the sample coverage of the UT/RT measurements is sufficient to draw conclusions about the extreme value of wall loss in the sampled pipeline.

Abstract: A method and system for thermal forming an object. A mold is provided, a shape of which corresponds to a desired shape of the object. A material is inserted into a heating area, and the material is heated using a plurality of independently controllable heat sources that heat different areas of the material. The heated material is then disposed over or into at least a portion of the mold so as to deform the material. The deformed material may then be trimmed so as to form the object.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of computing a correction value for the machine tool having two or more translational axes and one or more rotational axes for correcting error in a position and an orientation of the tool with respect to a workpiece due to the geometric error. The method includes a rotational axis correction value computing step (S3) for computing a correction value for the rotational axis by use of a geometric parameter representing the geometric error, and a translational axis correction value computing step (S4) for computing a correction value for the translational axis by use of a command value for each of the rotational axes, a command value for each of the translational axes, and the geometric parameter.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of forming a concrete structure or object. The method comprises detecting the temperature of a quantity of curing concrete and selectively adding heat to the curing concrete, so that the temperature of the curing concrete follows a predetermined temperature profile during at least a portion of the concrete curing process. Apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of forming a concrete structure or object. The method comprises detecting the temperature of a quantity of curing concrete and selectively adding heat to the curing concrete, so that the temperature of the curing concrete follows a predetermined temperature profile during at least a portion of the concrete curing process. Apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of self servicing an appliance includes connecting a service accessory to an appliance, recording diagnostics data associated with the appliance onto the service accessory, removing the service accessory from the appliance, coupling the service accessory to a personal computer, and uploading the diagnostics data to an automated service system. Another embodiment includes coupling a service accessory to a computer having a test script, transferring a test script from the computer to the service accessory, connecting the service accessory to the communication network of the appliance, establishing communications between the service accessory and the appliance using the communication network; and executing the test script over the communication network.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of forming a concrete structure or object. The method comprises detecting the temperature of a quantity of curing concrete and selectively adding heat to the curing concrete, so that the temperature of the curing concrete follows a predetermined temperature profile during at least a portion of the concrete curing process. Apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Surface 27 of molten metal within a mold is constantly monitored by camera 25. Camera 25 records the surface from an obliquely upward position of the mold in an area that does not affect the casting process. Various analyzing frames such as analysis band 35, molten metal pattern 37, and injection monitoring part 43, are set with respect to the information recorded by the camera 25. The analysis band 35 includes the surface (molten metal part 31c), and is set to a predetermined width so that the direction of surface change is in the longitudinal direction. The width of the analysis band 35 is set as wide as possible in a range that does not block the discharge part (molten metal part 31a). Inside the analysis band 35, the rate of change of the binary data is calculated by the analyzing part.

Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, a network of nodes controls and senses the cure of a thermosetting plastic in a component that is made of fiber composite material. The network comprises multiple nodes, which are separated spatially from each other. Each of the nodes, respectively, comprises a heat transfer device for actively transferring thermal energy, a temperature sensor for taking local temperature measurements, and a processor. In each of the nodes, respectively: (a) the processor locally performs closed loop control over the temperature of the heat transfer device, and (b) the closed loop control is based at least in part on the local temperature measurements and on estimated or measured input current to the heat transfer device.

Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, a network of nodes controls and senses the cure of a thermosetting plastic in a component that is made of fiber composite material. The network comprises multiple nodes, which are separated spatially from each other. Each of the nodes, respectively, comprises a heat transfer device for actively transferring thermal energy, a temperature sensor for taking local temperature measurements, and a processor. In each of the nodes, respectively: (a) the processor locally performs closed loop control over the temperature of the heat transfer device, and (b) the closed loop control is based at least in part on the local temperature measurements and on estimated or measured input current to the heat transfer device.

Abstract: A central collector has appliance communication links to communicate with multiple appliances, and removable memory to store operational data retrieved from the appliances. When the memory is removed from the central collector and installed in a device capable of communication, the operational data can be communicated from the removable memory to a remote service center or a portable computing device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of making a three dimensional mold comprising the steps of providing a mold substrate; exposing the substrate with an electromagnetic radiation source for a period of time sufficient to render the portion of the mold substrate susceptible to a developer to produce a modified mold substrate; and developing the modified mold with one or more developing reagents to remove the portion of the mold substrate rendered susceptible to the developer from the mold substrate, to produce the mold having a desired mold shape, wherein the electromagnetic radiation source has a fixed position, and wherein during the exposing step, the mold substrate is manipulated according to a manipulation algorithm in one or more dimensions relative to the electromagnetic radiation source; and wherein the manipulation algorithm is determined using stochastic optimization computations.

Abstract: An appliance network has a service key accessory to facilitate remote diagnosis and service of an appliance.

Abstract: A method for determining the extent of cure of binder in a product comprising heating a sample of the product to vaporize free moisture in the sample and expel vaporized free moisture from the sample, measuring cure moisture content of the product, measuring binder content of the product, calculating a product ratio of cure moisture content to binder content, and comparing the product ratio of cure moisture content to binder content to a predetermined desirable ratio of cure moisture content to binder content.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for controlling a plurality of devices having at least two operating modes comprises a first software operating layer configured to control the operation of at least one of the devices in a first operational mode and a second software operating layer configured to control the operation of at least one of the devices in a second operational mode. In another embodiment, a control system for controlling a plurality of devices connected by a communications network comprises a user interface configured to receive the selection of a cycle of operation; a first system element isolated from the network and configured to implement the selected cycle of operation to define a first control state; and a second system element exposed to the network and configured to implement the selected cycle of operation to define a second control state.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a co-molded insert part for use in composite, plastic, or metal parts is disclosed. The method comprises the step of providing a three-dimensional molding insert produced by a layer additive manufacturing process. The method further comprises the step of applying a layer material in contact with at least a portion of the molding insert. The method further comprises the step of co-molding the layer material and the molding insert simultaneously to produce a co-molded insert part.

Abstract: An actuator (10) includes sensors (12) which are used to detect variables representing the operating state of the actuator (10) and are connected to an evaluation unit (16) associated with the actuator (10). The evaluation unit (16) is connected to sensors (12) and/or control actuating elements (13) by means of a first data bus (15). The sensors (12) are used to detect measurable variables representing the operating state of the actuator (10), and to transmit the same to the evaluation unit (16).

Abstract: A process for curing a natural or synthetic rubber compound under a plurality of curing conditions by: (1) obtaining time dependent data streams of dielectric or impedance values from a non-bridged impedance sensing circuit and a capacitor having the rubber compound being cured as a dialectric; (2) determining impedance related measurements from the obtained data streams; (3) determining a predictive curing equation by performing a multiple regression between: (a) reheometric data obtained from a plurality of different rubber compound samples cured in a rheometer at various environmental curing conditions, and (b) corresponding samples cured in a production mold at the same environmental conditions; (4) adjusting the curing equation to obtain cured parts having one or more desired properties; and (5) controlling the mass producing cured parts with a controller that uses the curing equation for predicting a cure time for each part, wherein the predictions are effective over variations in the rubber compound, a

Abstract: A process for curing a natural or synthetic rubber compound under a plurality of curing conditions by: (1) obtaining time dependent data streams of dielectric or impedance values from a non-bridged impedance sensing circuit and a capacitor having the rubber compound being cured as a dialectric; (2) determining impedance related measurements from the obtained data streams; (3) determining a predictive curing equation by performing a multiple regression between: (a) reheometric data obtained from a plurality of different rubber compound samples cured in a rheometer at various environmental curing conditions, and (b) corresponding samples cured in a production mold at the same environmental conditions; (4) adjusting the curing equation to obtain cured parts having one or more desired properties; and (5) controlling the mass producing cured parts with a controller that uses the curing equation for predicting a cure time for each part, wherein the predictions are effective over variations in the rubber compound, a

Abstract: A process for curing a moldable compound under a plurality of curing conditions by: (1) obtaining time dependent data streams of dielectric or impedance values from a plurality of sensors distributed within a curing mold, wherein the moldable compound is a dialectric for each of the sensors; (2) determining impedance related measurements from the data streams for the plurality of sensors; (3) determining predictive and/or corrective curing actions for enhancing the curing process using the impedance related measurements for the plurality of sensors; and (4) controlling the mass production curing of parts to obtain cured parts having one or more desired properties.

Abstract: A high volume lens curing system is described. The high volume lens curing system is configured to cure multiple eyeglass lenses in a continuous manner.

Abstract: A method for creating a three-dimensional solid freeform fabrication object with non-reactive powder includes spreading a non-reactive powder on a substrate, selectively dispensing a reactive resin onto the non-reactive powder forming a mixture of reactive resin and non-reactive powder, wherein the selective dispensing of the reactive resin defines the three-dimensional object, and curing the reactive resin thereby encapsulating the non-reactive powder.

Abstract: A design support apparatus including: a flow analyzer for analyzing a flow of thermosetting resin injected into a resin filling cavity to mold a resin mold product made of the thermosetting resin, using a finite difference method or a finite element method; a residual strain calculator for calculating residual strain (or stress) of the thermosetting resin after heat shrinkage of the thermosetting resin injected into the resin filling cavity to mold the resin mold product; and a strength analyzer for analyzing strength of the resin mold product, using a finite element method. According to this arrangement, strength of the resin mold product made of the thermosetting resin can be predicted accurately.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a plastic eyeglass lens includes a coating unit and a lens curing unit. The apparatus is preferably configured to allow the operation of both the coating unit and the lens curing unit. The apparatus may also include a post-cure unit and a controller. The controller is configured to control the operation of the coating unit, the lens curing unit and the post-cure unit. A lens forming composition may include an aromatic containing polyether polyethylenic functional monomer, a photoinitiator, and a coinitiator. The lens forming composition may be cured by the application of activating light or activating light and heat.

Abstract: A modeling method for minimizing the cure time and flow time of a thermoset in-mold coating for a molded article. The minimization of cure time is based on determining the cure time as a function of mold temperature and initiator level. The method for minimizing flow time is based on predicting the fill pattern for a specific geometry mold. The methods are used to reduce cycle time in the preparation of in-mold coated parts and reduce defects in the appearance of the coating.

Abstract: Windows for attenuating vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) light are created by adding metallic material to a fluoride crystalline material during manufacturing. The amount of attenuation in the final window may be controlled by controlling the manufacturing process to control the amount of metallic material remaining in the window after manufacture. If the distribution of metallic material from one window to another is inconsistent, the windows may be measured and sorted by their attenuation characteristics.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a plastic eyeglass lens includes a coating unit and a lens curing unit. The apparatus is preferably configured to allow the operation of both the coating unit and the lens curing unit. The apparatus may also include a post-cure unit and a controller. The controller is configured to control the operation of the coating unit, the lens curing unit and the post-cure unit. A lens forming composition may include an aromatic containing polyether polyethylenic functional monomer, a photoinitiator, and a coinitiator. The lens forming composition may be cured by the application of activating light or activating light and heat.

Abstract: An object is to reduce damage to the mechanical parts of a moving mechanism unit 5 for moving a retaining mechanism unit 7 and electric power consumption in an apparatus for taking out a molded product. The apparatus comprises a time measuring unit 4 for measuring a return time elapsing between a start of the returning operation of the retaining mechanism unit 7 in a preceding process and the next start of the penetrating operation for taking out a molded product; an arithmetic operation unit 11 for calculating a return moving speed distribution for a process succeeding the preceding process such that the returning operation terminates upon elapse of the return time measured by the time measuring means 4; and a control unit 12 for activating the moving mechanism unit 5 in such a way that the returning operation is carried out according to the return moving speed distribution in the succeeding process.

Abstract: A monitoring and control system for use in curing composite materials includes a model for a workpiece being cured. The model calculates current internal states of the workpiece and predicts, based upon past and current states of the workpiece, future states of the cure process. These future states are represented as virtual inputs to the controller, which controls operation of the cure process based upon both real and virtual inputs. Cure rates are affected by both external temperatures and internal heat generated by the curing process itself. The internally generated heat is considered by the model when calculating current states and predicting future states. By projecting the cure state into the future, problems caused by high cure rates can be avoided. In addition, pressure can be optimally controlled in response to estimated internal material state.

Abstract: A storage library includes a first robotic mechanism having an energy coupler and a second robotic mechanism having an energy coupler. The storage library further includes tracks disposed adjacent to media object storage cells for enabling access to each of the media object storage cells, and powered rails associated with the tracks for providing energy. The first robotic mechanism is movable toward the second robotic mechanism to enable the energy coupler of the first robotic mechanism to couple with the energy coupler of the second robotic mechanism to transfer energy from the first robotic mechanism to the second robotic mechanism. The energy couplers of the first and second robotic mechanisms couple together to transfer energy from the powered rails to the second robotic mechanism. The energy couplers of the first and second robotic mechanisms couple together to transfer energy between on-board energy sources.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a plastic eyeglass lens includes a coating unit and a lens curing unit. The apparatus is preferably configured to allow the operation of both the coating unit and the lens curing unit. The apparatus may also include a post-cure unit and a controller. The controller is configured to control the operation of the coating unit, the lens curing unit and the post-cure unit. A lens forming composition may include an aromatic containing polyether polyethylenic functional monomer, a photoinitiator, and a coinitiator.