公开(公告)号：US20240342988A1

公开(公告)日：2024-10-17

申请号：US18753760

申请日：2024-06-25

申请人： Seurat Technologies, Inc.

发明人： James A. DeMuth ,  Erik Toomre ,  Francis L. Leard ,  Kourosh Kamshad ,  Heiner Fees ,  Eugene Berdichevsky

IPC分类号： B29C64/264 ,  B22F3/24 ,  B22F10/00 ,  B22F10/10 ,  B22F10/28 ,  B22F10/32 ,  B22F10/34 ,  B22F10/36 ,  B22F10/47 ,  B22F10/50 ,  B22F10/64 ,  B22F10/70 ,  B22F10/73 ,  B22F12/00 ,  B22F12/17 ,  B22F12/20 ,  B22F12/30 ,  B22F12/33 ,  B22F12/41 ,  B22F12/44 ,  B22F12/45 ,  B22F12/53 ,  B22F12/70 ,  B22F12/88 ,  B22F12/90 ,  B23K15/00 ,  B23K15/06 ,  B23K26/00 ,  B23K26/03 ,  B23K26/08 ,  B23K26/082 ,  B23K26/12 ,  B23K26/142 ,  B23K26/144 ,  B23K26/16 ,  B23K26/342 ,  B23K26/36 ,  B23K26/70 ,  B23K37/04 ,  B23K101/00 ,  B23K101/02 ,  B23K101/24 ,  B23K103/00 ,  B25J11/00 ,  B28B1/00 ,  B29C64/153 ,  B29C64/268 ,  B29C64/386 ,  B29K105/00 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B33Y40/00 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  B33Y70/00 ,  B33Y80/00 ,  B33Y99/00 ,  G02B7/14 ,  G02B7/16 ,  G02B7/182 ,  G02B15/04 ,  G02B15/10 ,  G02B19/00 ,  G02B26/08 ,  G02B27/00 ,  G02B27/09 ,  G02B27/10 ,  G02B27/14 ,  G02B27/28 ,  G02F1/01 ,  G02F1/1333 ,  G02F1/135 ,  G05B17/02 ,  G07C3/14 ,  H01S5/00 ,  H01S5/40

CPC分类号： B29C64/264 ,  B22F3/24 ,  B22F10/00 ,  B22F10/28 ,  B22F10/34 ,  B22F10/36 ,  B22F10/70 ,  B22F12/00 ,  B22F12/226 ,  B22F12/30 ,  B22F12/33 ,  B22F12/38 ,  B22F12/44 ,  B22F12/70 ,  B22F12/88 ,  B22F12/90 ,  B23K15/0006 ,  B23K15/0013 ,  B23K15/002 ,  B23K15/0026 ,  B23K15/0093 ,  B23K15/06 ,  B23K26/03 ,  B23K26/032 ,  B23K26/083 ,  B23K26/0846 ,  B23K26/1224 ,  B23K26/123 ,  B23K26/127 ,  B23K26/142 ,  B23K26/144 ,  B23K26/16 ,  B23K26/36 ,  B23K26/702 ,  B23K26/703 ,  B23K26/704 ,  B23K37/0426 ,  B25J11/00 ,  B29C64/153 ,  B29C64/268 ,  B29C64/386 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y40/00 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  B33Y70/00 ,  B33Y80/00 ,  B33Y99/00 ,  G02B7/14 ,  G02B7/16 ,  G02B7/1827 ,  G02B15/04 ,  G02B15/10 ,  G02B19/0028 ,  G02B19/0047 ,  G02B26/0816 ,  G02B27/108 ,  G02F1/0136 ,  G02F1/133362 ,  G02F1/135 ,  G05B17/02 ,  H01S5/005 ,  H01S5/4012 ,  B22F2003/247 ,  B22F2003/248 ,  B22F10/10 ,  B22F10/32 ,  B22F10/47 ,  B22F10/50 ,  B22F10/64 ,  B22F10/73 ,  B22F12/17 ,  B22F12/20 ,  B22F12/222 ,  B22F12/41 ,  B22F12/45 ,  B22F12/53 ,  B22F2998/10 ,  B22F2999/00 ,  B23K15/0086 ,  B23K26/0006 ,  B23K26/082 ,  B23K26/342 ,  B23K37/0408 ,  B23K2101/001 ,  B23K2101/008 ,  B23K2101/02 ,  B23K2101/24 ,  B23K2103/00 ,  B23K2103/42 ,  B23K2103/50 ,  B28B1/001 ,  B29K2105/251 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  G02B27/0068 ,  G02B27/0905 ,  G02B27/141 ,  G02B27/283 ,  G02B27/286 ,  G05B2219/49023 ,  G07C3/146 ,  Y02P10/25 ,  Y02P80/40

摘要： A method of additive manufacture suitable for large and high resolution structures is disclosed. The method may include sequentially advancing each portion of a continuous part in the longitudinal direction from a first zone to a second zone. In the first zone, selected granules of a granular material may be amalgamated. In the second zone, unamalgamated granules of the granular material may be removed. The method may further include advancing a first portion of the continuous part from the second zone to a third zone while (1) a last portion of the continuous part is formed within the first zone and (2) the first portion is maintained in the same position in the lateral and transverse directions that the first portion occupied within the first zone and the second zone.

公开(公告)号：US20240131783A1

公开(公告)日：2024-04-25

申请号：US18400044

申请日：2023-12-29

申请人： Concept Laser GmbH

发明人： Dominik Eideloth

IPC分类号： B29C64/194 ,  B01D67/00 ,  B01L5/00 ,  B22F10/00 ,  B22F10/32 ,  B22F10/85 ,  B22F12/00 ,  B22F12/60 ,  B22F12/82 ,  B29C64/00 ,  B29C64/10 ,  B29C64/176 ,  B29C64/182 ,  B29C64/20 ,  B29C64/205 ,  B29C64/227 ,  B29C64/245 ,  B29C64/25 ,  B29C64/255 ,  B29C64/30 ,  B29C64/307 ,  B29C64/386 ,  B29C64/393 ,  B29C64/40 ,  B29C65/82 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B33Y40/00 ,  B33Y40/10 ,  B33Y40/20 ,  B33Y50/00 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  B33Y70/00 ,  B33Y80/00 ,  B33Y99/00

CPC分类号： B29C64/194 ,  B01D67/00045 ,  B01D67/00415 ,  B01L5/00 ,  B22F10/00 ,  B22F10/32 ,  B22F10/85 ,  B22F12/00 ,  B22F12/60 ,  B22F12/82 ,  B29C64/00 ,  B29C64/10 ,  B29C64/176 ,  B29C64/182 ,  B29C64/20 ,  B29C64/205 ,  B29C64/227 ,  B29C64/245 ,  B29C64/25 ,  B29C64/255 ,  B29C64/30 ,  B29C64/307 ,  B29C64/386 ,  B29C64/393 ,  B29C64/40 ,  B29C65/8253 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B33Y40/00 ,  B33Y40/10 ,  B33Y40/20 ,  B33Y50/00 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  B33Y70/00 ,  B33Y80/00 ,  B33Y99/00 ,  B28B1/001

摘要： Build material handling unit for a powder module for an apparatus for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects, which apparatus is adapted to successively layerwise selectively irradiate and consolidate layers of a build material which can be consolidated by means of an energy source, wherein the build material handling unit is coupled or can be coupled with a powder module, wherein the build material handling unit is adapted to level and/or compact a volume of build material arranged inside a powder chamber of the powder module by controlling the gas pressure inside the powder chamber.

公开(公告)号：US11951586B2

公开(公告)日：2024-04-09

申请号：US16842050

申请日：2020-04-07

申请人： RTX CORPORATION

发明人： Wendell V. Twelves ,  Joe Ott ,  Evan Butcher ,  John P. Rizzo, Jr.

IPC分类号： B24B31/00 ,  B22F3/24 ,  B22F10/28 ,  B22F10/66 ,  B24B31/116 ,  B24C1/04 ,  B24C3/32 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y40/20 ,  B33Y99/00 ,  F01D5/18

CPC分类号： B24B31/006 ,  B22F10/66 ,  B24B31/116 ,  B24C1/04 ,  B24C3/325 ,  B24C3/327 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y40/20 ,  F01D5/18 ,  F01D5/187 ,  B22F2003/247 ,  B22F10/28 ,  B22F2202/15 ,  B22F2999/00 ,  B33Y99/00 ,  F05D2250/25 ,  F05D2260/209 ,  B22F2999/00 ,  B22F10/28 ,  B22F10/66 ,  B22F5/10

摘要： A method for abrasive flow machining includes moving an abrasive media through a high-aspect passage of a workpiece. Local pressure of the abrasive media is increased at target abrasion surfaces of the high-aspect passage using a passage geometry that is configured to direct flow of the abrasive media into the target abrasion surfaces such that the target abrasion surfaces are preferentially polished by the abrasive media over other, non-targeted surfaces of the high-aspect passage at which the flow of the abrasive media is not directed into.

公开(公告)号：US11904533B2

公开(公告)日：2024-02-20

申请号：US16737626

申请日：2020-01-08

申请人： The Boeing Company

发明人： Nishant Sinha

IPC分类号： B29C64/00 ,  B29C64/153 ,  C08G73/10 ,  C08J7/04 ,  B29C64/30 ,  B29C64/205 ,  B22F12/00 ,  B33Y50/00 ,  B29C64/393 ,  B29C64/10 ,  B33Y80/00 ,  B33Y40/10 ,  B29C64/176 ,  B33Y40/20 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  B29C64/307 ,  B05D5/08 ,  B22F10/85 ,  B29C64/227 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B01D67/00 ,  B29C64/245 ,  B33Y99/00 ,  B29C64/25 ,  B29C64/255 ,  B22F10/00 ,  B29C64/182 ,  B33Y40/00 ,  B29C64/40 ,  B29C64/386 ,  B29C64/20 ,  B22F12/82 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y70/00 ,  B29K29/00 ,  B29K279/00 ,  G03F7/00

CPC分类号： B29C64/153 ,  B01D67/00045 ,  B01D67/00415 ,  B05D5/083 ,  B22F10/00 ,  B22F10/85 ,  B22F12/00 ,  B22F12/82 ,  B29C64/00 ,  B29C64/10 ,  B29C64/176 ,  B29C64/182 ,  B29C64/20 ,  B29C64/205 ,  B29C64/227 ,  B29C64/245 ,  B29C64/25 ,  B29C64/255 ,  B29C64/30 ,  B29C64/307 ,  B29C64/386 ,  B29C64/393 ,  B29C64/40 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B33Y40/00 ,  B33Y40/10 ,  B33Y40/20 ,  B33Y50/00 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  B33Y80/00 ,  B33Y99/00 ,  C08G73/10 ,  C08J7/04 ,  B29K2029/04 ,  B29K2279/08 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y70/00 ,  C08J2329/04 ,  C08J2379/08 ,  G03F7/70416 ,  G03G2215/2054 ,  G05B2219/49023 ,  G05B2219/49246 ,  H05K2201/015 ,  Y10T156/1722 ,  Y10T156/1798

摘要： A coated powder for use in additive manufacturing includes a base polymer layer formed of a base polymer material and a coating polymer layer formed of a coating polymer material. At least the coating polymer material is susceptible to dielectric heating in response to electromagnetic radiation, thereby promoting fusion between adjacent particles of coated powder that are deposited during the additive manufacturing process. Specifically, when electromagnetic radiation is applied to at least an interface area between adjacent particles of coated powder, the polymer coating layer melts to diffuse across the interface area, thereby preventing formation of voids. The base polymer material and the coating polymer material also may have similar melting points and compatible solubility parameters to further promote fusion between particles.

公开(公告)号：US11813671B2

公开(公告)日：2023-11-14

申请号：US17157343

申请日：2021-01-25

申请人： Rolls-Royce Corporation

发明人： Scott Nelson ,  Quinlan Yee Shuck ,  Brandon David Ribic

IPC分类号： B22F12/53 ,  B33Y99/00 ,  B33Y30/00

CPC分类号： B22F12/53 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B33Y99/00

摘要： A material deposition head includes a body portion and at least one nozzle. The body portion includes a first end, a second end, and a first exterior surface extending from the first end to the second end. The at least one nozzle is coupled to the body portion at or near the second end. The nozzle defines a second exterior surface and a material delivery channel that is fluidically coupled to a fluidized powder source configured to provide a plurality of particles of a material. At least one of the first exterior surface or the second exterior surface includes a microtextured surface configured to reduce a wettability of molten particles of the plurality of particles thereon.

公开(公告)号：US20230356465A1

公开(公告)日：2023-11-09

申请号：US18343431

申请日：2023-06-28

申请人： Seurat Technologies, Inc.

发明人： James A. DeMuth ,  Erik Toomre ,  Francis L. Leard ,  Kourosh Kamshad ,  Heiner Fees ,  Eugene Berdichevsky

IPC分类号： B33Y10/00 ,  B23K26/142 ,  B23K26/144 ,  B23K37/04 ,  B25J11/00 ,  H01S5/00 ,  B22F12/44 ,  G02B27/10 ,  B22F12/30 ,  B22F12/90 ,  B33Y80/00 ,  B23K15/00 ,  B23K26/36 ,  G02B7/16 ,  G02F1/1333 ,  G02F1/135 ,  H01S5/40 ,  B22F12/33 ,  B22F12/00 ,  B22F10/28 ,  B22F12/88 ,  B33Y40/00 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  B33Y70/00 ,  B23K26/12 ,  B23K26/03 ,  B23K26/16 ,  G02B15/04 ,  G02B15/10 ,  G02B19/00 ,  G05B17/02 ,  B22F12/70 ,  B22F10/70 ,  B22F10/36 ,  B29C64/264 ,  B29C64/153 ,  B33Y99/00 ,  B23K26/70 ,  B29C64/386 ,  B29C64/268 ,  B22F3/24 ,  B23K15/06 ,  B23K26/08 ,  G02B7/14 ,  G02B7/182 ,  G02F1/01 ,  B22F10/00 ,  B22F10/34 ,  G02B26/08

CPC分类号： B29C64/264 ,  B22F3/24 ,  B22F10/00 ,  B22F10/28 ,  B22F10/34 ,  B22F10/36 ,  B22F10/70 ,  B22F12/00 ,  B22F12/226 ,  B22F12/30 ,  B22F12/33 ,  B22F12/38 ,  B22F12/44 ,  B22F12/70 ,  B22F12/88 ,  B22F12/90 ,  B23K15/0006 ,  B23K15/0013 ,  B23K15/002 ,  B23K15/0026 ,  B23K15/0093 ,  B23K15/06 ,  B23K26/03 ,  B23K26/032 ,  B23K26/083 ,  B23K26/0846 ,  B23K26/1224 ,  B23K26/123 ,  B23K26/127 ,  B23K26/142 ,  B23K26/144 ,  B23K26/16 ,  B23K26/36 ,  B23K26/702 ,  B23K26/703 ,  B23K26/704 ,  B23K37/0426 ,  B25J11/00 ,  B29C64/153 ,  B29C64/268 ,  B29C64/386 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y40/00 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  B33Y70/00 ,  B33Y80/00 ,  B33Y99/00 ,  G02B7/14 ,  G02B7/16 ,  G02B7/1827 ,  G02B15/04 ,  G02B15/10 ,  G02B19/0028 ,  G02B19/0047 ,  G02B26/0816 ,  G02B27/108 ,  G02F1/0136 ,  G02F1/133362 ,  G02F1/135 ,  G05B17/02 ,  H01S5/005 ,  H01S5/4012 ,  B23K15/0086 ,  B23K26/0006

摘要： An apparatus and a method for powder bed fusion additive manufacturing involve a multiple-chamber design achieving a high efficiency and throughput. The multiple-chamber design features concurrent printing of one or more print jobs inside one or more build chambers, side removals of printed objects from build chambers allowing quick exchanges of powdered materials, and capabilities of elevated process temperature controls of build chambers and post processing heat treatments of printed objects. The multiple-chamber design also includes a height-adjustable optical assembly in combination with a fixed build platform method suitable for large and heavy printed objects.

公开(公告)号：US11807917B2

公开(公告)日：2023-11-07

申请号：US17078646

申请日：2020-10-23

申请人： II-VI Delaware, Inc.

发明人： Wen-Qing Xu ,  Shailesh Patkar ,  Xiaoming Li ,  Di Lan ,  Stephen P. Rummel

IPC分类号： C22C21/00 ,  B22F10/22 ,  B33Y70/00 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y99/00

CPC分类号： C22C21/00 ,  B22F10/22 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y70/00 ,  B33Y99/00 ,  B22F2301/052

摘要： An aluminum alloy wire, more specifically an aluminum-scandium wire, is adapted for an additive processing operation. A spool of material, containing an aluminum alloy wire, and a method of performing an additive processing operation, using an aluminum alloy wire, are also disclosed.

公开(公告)号：US11766829B2

公开(公告)日：2023-09-26

申请号：US17017392

申请日：2020-09-10

申请人： XEROX CORPORATION

发明人： Santokh S. Badesha ,  Varun Sambhy ,  Chu-Heng Liu ,  Peter M. Gulvin ,  Mark A. Cellura ,  George Shannon ,  Gary D. Redding ,  Lyle G. Dingman

IPC分类号： C04B41/00 ,  C04B41/45 ,  C04B41/88 ,  B33Y40/00 ,  B29C64/209 ,  B29C64/30 ,  B33Y99/00 ,  B22D23/00 ,  B22F12/53 ,  B33Y30/00

CPC分类号： B29C64/209 ,  B22D23/003 ,  B22F12/53 ,  B29C64/30 ,  B33Y99/00 ,  C04B41/0054 ,  C04B41/459 ,  C04B41/4586 ,  C04B41/88 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B33Y40/00

摘要： Nozzles for an additive manufacturing device and methods for improving wettability of the nozzles are disclosed. The method may include subjecting the nozzle to a surface treatment. The surface treatment may include contacting a surface of the nozzle with one or more surface modifying agents. The surface modifying agents may include one or more of an oxidizing agent, an acid, a base, or combinations thereof. The one or more surface modifying agents may increase an oxygen content of the surface of the nozzle. An inner surface of the nozzle may have a water contact angle of greater than 1° and less than about 90°. The inner surface of the nozzle may be free or substantially free of a coating.

公开(公告)号：US20230278286A1

公开(公告)日：2023-09-07

申请号：US18144892

申请日：2023-05-09

申请人： SPRINTRAY INC.

发明人： Jing Zhang ,  Amirhossein Mansourighasri ,  Abdol Hossein Bassir

IPC分类号： B29C64/255 ,  B29C64/232 ,  B29C64/245 ,  B29C64/386 ,  B29C64/277 ,  B29C64/35 ,  B29C64/30 ,  B29C64/176 ,  B22F10/85 ,  B29C64/40 ,  B29C64/10 ,  B33Y40/20 ,  B22F12/00 ,  B29C64/205 ,  B33Y80/00 ,  B33Y40/00 ,  B29C64/20 ,  B29C64/307 ,  B33Y40/10 ,  B29C64/227 ,  B33Y70/00 ,  B33Y50/00 ,  B33Y99/00 ,  B22F12/82 ,  B29C64/393 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  B29C64/00 ,  B29C64/182

CPC分类号： B29C64/255 ,  B29C64/232 ,  B29C64/245 ,  B29C64/386 ,  B29C64/277 ,  B29C64/35 ,  B29C64/30 ,  B29C64/176 ,  B22F10/85 ,  B29C64/40 ,  B29C64/10 ,  B33Y40/20 ,  B22F12/00 ,  B29C64/205 ,  B33Y80/00 ,  B33Y40/00 ,  B29C64/20 ,  B29C64/307 ,  B33Y40/10 ,  B29C64/227 ,  B33Y70/00 ,  B33Y50/00 ,  B33Y99/00 ,  B22F12/82 ,  B29C64/393 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  B29C64/00 ,  B29C64/182 ,  B33Y10/00

摘要： A system and method for providing three-dimensional printing is disclosed. The three-dimensional printing technology includes enhanced functionality to provide better resolution printing, filtration of forming materials stored within a reservoir tank, and a simple and efficient cleaning process to remove debris from the reservoir subsequent to a printing cycle.

公开(公告)号：US11666971B1

公开(公告)日：2023-06-06

申请号：US16790446

申请日：2020-02-13

申请人： Seurat Technologies, Inc.

发明人： James A. DeMuth ,  Erik Toomre ,  Francis L. Leard ,  Kourosh Kamshad ,  Heiner Fees ,  Eugene Berdichevsky

IPC分类号： B23K26/342 ,  B23K26/064 ,  B22F10/00 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  G02B27/00 ,  G02B19/00 ,  G02B15/10 ,  G02B7/182 ,  G02B7/16 ,  B23K37/04 ,  B22F3/24 ,  B23K26/08 ,  B23K26/12 ,  B25J11/00 ,  B23K26/36 ,  B33Y80/00 ,  H01S5/40 ,  H01S5/00 ,  G02F1/01 ,  G02F1/135 ,  G02F1/1333 ,  G02B27/14 ,  G02B26/08 ,  G02B15/04 ,  G02B7/14 ,  G05B17/02 ,  B33Y99/00 ,  B33Y70/00 ,  B23K26/142 ,  B28B1/00 ,  B23K26/16 ,  B23K26/70 ,  B23K26/144 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  B33Y40/00 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B29C64/386 ,  B23K26/03 ,  B23K15/06 ,  B23K15/00 ,  B23K26/082 ,  B23K26/00 ,  B29C64/268 ,  B29C64/264 ,  G02B27/28 ,  G02B27/09 ,  B29K105/00 ,  B23K101/24 ,  B23K101/02 ,  B23K101/00 ,  G07C3/14 ,  B23K103/00 ,  B22F10/10

CPC分类号： B22F10/00 ,  B22F3/24 ,  B23K15/002 ,  B23K15/0006 ,  B23K15/0013 ,  B23K15/0026 ,  B23K15/0086 ,  B23K15/0093 ,  B23K15/06 ,  B23K26/0006 ,  B23K26/03 ,  B23K26/032 ,  B23K26/082 ,  B23K26/083 ,  B23K26/0846 ,  B23K26/123 ,  B23K26/127 ,  B23K26/1224 ,  B23K26/142 ,  B23K26/144 ,  B23K26/16 ,  B23K26/342 ,  B23K26/36 ,  B23K26/702 ,  B23K26/703 ,  B23K26/704 ,  B23K37/0408 ,  B23K37/0426 ,  B25J11/00 ,  B28B1/001 ,  B29C64/264 ,  B29C64/268 ,  B29C64/386 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B33Y40/00 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  B33Y70/00 ,  B33Y80/00 ,  B33Y99/00 ,  G02B7/14 ,  G02B7/16 ,  G02B7/1827 ,  G02B15/04 ,  G02B15/10 ,  G02B19/0028 ,  G02B19/0047 ,  G02B26/0816 ,  G02B27/0068 ,  G02B27/141 ,  G02F1/0136 ,  G02F1/135 ,  G02F1/133362 ,  G05B17/02 ,  H01S5/005 ,  H01S5/4012 ,  B22F10/10 ,  B22F2003/247 ,  B22F2003/248 ,  B22F2998/10 ,  B22F2999/00 ,  B23K2101/001 ,  B23K2101/008 ,  B23K2101/02 ,  B23K2101/24 ,  B23K2103/00 ,  B23K2103/42 ,  B23K2103/50 ,  B29K2105/251 ,  G02B27/0905 ,  G02B27/283 ,  G02B27/286 ,  G05B2219/49023 ,  G07C3/146 ,  Y02P10/25 ,  Y02P80/40

摘要： An additive manufacturing system including a two-dimensional energy patterning system for imaging a powder bed is disclosed. Improved structure formation, part creation and manipulation, use of multiple additive manufacturing systems, and high throughput manufacturing methods suitable for automated or semi-automated factories are also disclosed.