A method and a device, by which a customer/buyer of an additively manufactured workpiece can verify whether the quality of the printed workpiece matches the specifications prescribed by the manufacturer is provided. The manufacturer can in this case control and/or monitor in particular a number of authorized workpieces. In addition, in the event of damage, it can be proved whether a workpiece authorized by the manufacturer has been used.

Systems and methods for welding asset tracking are disclosed. In some examples, a welding asset tracking system may comprise an asset tracking network of tags, hubs, and/or gateways retained by welding assets within a welding area. The asset tracking network may obtain and/or communicate to an asset tracking server welding data related to one or more of the welding assets, as well as position data obtained via an internal and/or external positioning system. In this way, the welding asset tracking server may continually receive updated information regarding each welding assets identity, location, and/or use. The asset tracking server may additionally send a command to a selected welding asset that causes an interface of the selected welding asset to emit an output that enables an operator to physically identify the welding asset.

Apparatus, systems, and/or methods are disclosed relating to welding systems that monitor welds performed by an operator. In some examples, the welding system monitors one or more welds performed using a welding tool, evaluates characteristics of the one or more welds in comparison to certain predetermined criteria, and determines a performance score for the operator based on the evaluation. In some examples, the characteristics of the one or more welds include the location of each of the one or more welds and/or the order in which the one or more welds are executed. In such an example, the predetermined criteria may include target locations for each of the one or more welds and/or a target order of execution. In some examples, the welding system may respond to deviations from the target locations and/or target order, such as by reducing a performance score, disabling weld operations, providing guidance to the operator, etc.

Apparatus, systems, and/or methods are disclosed relating to welding systems that monitor welds performed by an operator. In some examples, the welding system monitors one or more welds performed using a welding tool, evaluates characteristics of the one or more welds in comparison to certain predetermined criteria, and determines a performance score for the operator based on the evaluation. In some examples, the characteristics of the one or more welds include the location of each of the one or more welds and/or the order in which the one or more welds are executed. In such an example, the predetermined criteria may include target locations for each of the one or more welds and/or a target order of execution. In some examples, the welding system may respond to deviations from the target locations and/or target order, such as by reducing a performance score, disabling weld operations, providing guidance to the operator, etc.

Component supply unit includes supply section for supplying components to mounting device, is electrically connected to mounting device, receives from an operator an operation input to supply section and an operation input to mounting device, controls supply section in accordance with the operation input to supply section, and outputs a signal to mounting device based on the operation input to mounting device. Component supply unit receives the operation input to mounting device in addition to the operation input to component supply unit.

A method for monitoring an additive manufacturing process during fabrication of a component part is disclosed. In various embodiments, the method includes the steps of selecting a sensing matrix; orienting a sensor toward a surface of the component part; generating a discrete time signal, based on data obtained from the sensor, the discrete time signal being representative of a process condition of the component part while the component part is undergoing the additive manufacturing process; compressing the discrete time signal using the sensing matrix to form a compressed measurement signal; and storing the compressed measurement signal in a storage device while the component part is undergoing the additive manufacturing process. In various embodiments, selecting the sensing matrix comprises selecting a basis function. In various embodiments, the basis function is determined using a random time sampling.

An automated breadboard wiring assembly includes a breadboard with holes therein defining at least two nodes and at least a primary wiring board. The primary wiring board has a wiring matrix composed of a plurality of interconnected wiring segments, each wiring segment having a switch therealong. A plurality of contacts are interconnected with the wiring matrix with a switch positioned between each contact and the wiring matrix. Each contact is configured to engage a respective one of the breadboard nodes. An input device is configured to indicate desired wires between nodes and the locations of the desired wires define wiring information. A microprocessor configured to receive wiring information from the input device and open selective ones of the switches such that an electrical path along selective ones of the contacts and the wire segments is defined to correspond to each desired wire set forth in the wiring information.

A method of controlling at least one lubrication apparatus involves: determining whether vibration associated with the at least one lubrication apparatus satisfies one of a plurality of different criteria; and controlling the at least one lubrication apparatus according to whether the vibration associated with the at least one lubrication apparatus satisfies the one of the plurality of different criteria.

Systems and methods for welding asset tracking are disclosed. In some examples, a welding asset tracking system may comprise an asset tracking network of tags, hubs, and/or gateways retained by welding assets within a welding area. The asset tracking network may obtain and/or communicate to an asset tracking server welding data related to one or more of the welding assets, as well as position data obtained via an internal and/or external positioning system. In this way, the welding asset tracking server may continually receive updated information regarding each welding assets identity, location, and/or use. The asset tracking server may additionally send a command to a selected welding asset that causes an interface of the selected welding asset to emit an output that enables an operator to physically identify the welding asset.

An electro-wetting-based microfluidic droplet positioning system, includes an electro-wetter, a microprocessor, a main control module, a droplet drive module, a droplet positioning module and a power supply. Further, an electrowetting-based microfluidic droplet positioning method, includes the steps of: considering, by a system, a droplet to be measured in an electro-wetter and a hydrophobic insulation layer below the droplet as a capacitor connected in series; issuing, by a main control chip, a command to a droplet drive module, and driving, by the droplet drive module, the droplet to be measured to move; collecting, by a droplet positioning module, a current capacitance value of the droplet, and determining a relative position of the droplet; and verifying, by the system, whether the droplet is at a target position.