A method for fabricating an external element or a timepiece dial from non-conductive material, by performing or repeating a basic cycle of making a base from a non-conductive, or ceramic, or glass. or sapphire substrate; dry coating the base with a first sacrificial protective metal layer; etching a decoration with an ultrashort pulse laser to a depth at least equal to the local thickness of the first layer; dry coating the decoration and the remaining part of the first layer with a second metal and/or coloured decorative treatment layer; chemically removing each first layer; and before or after chemical removal of each first layer, mechanically levelling on the upper level of the base the compound thus formed.

Systems, methods, and devices for producing appliances for expansion of the arch of a patient are provided. An arch expanding appliance comprises a force generating portion to apply an arch expansion force and a retention portion to hold the force generating portion on the teeth. The retention portion comprises a flexible portion and a stiff portion. The force generating portion applies a force to move teeth associated with the flexible portion, while the stiff portion resists movement of its associated teeth. The orthodontic appliances can be designed according to the specifications provided herein and manufactured using direct fabrication methods.

A structure that forms a visual representation may include a first outer layer, a second outer layer, and an interlayer being disposed between the first outer layer and the second outer layer. The interlayer may have a first side adjacent to the first outer layer and a second side adjacent to the second outer layer. The interlayer includes a plurality of cuts extending from the first side of the interlayer towards the second side of the interlayer. Each of the plurality of cuts may have an angle with respect to a plane formed by a surface of the first side of the interlayer. Each angle for at least a portion of the plurality of cuts is based on one or more pixel values of at least one image that forms the basis of the visual representation.

The present invention discloses an automatic carving device for a wheel, mainly consisting of a rack, a chassis, a lifting cylinder, brackets A, bearing blocks, linear bearings, mounting plates, guide shafts, a lifting shaft, a servo motor A, a synchronous pulley A, a connection plate, a synchronous belt, a synchronous pulley B, a pedestal, a connection shaft A, a servo motor B, a shaft sleeve A, a lower end cover, a connection shaft B, a shaft sleeve B, and an oil cylinder. The automatic carving device for the wheel provided by the present invention can meet the requirement of automatically carving characters on the wheel, meanwhile has the characteristics of simple structure, convenience for manufacturing, stable performance and high precision that can meet the machining requirement, and can also meet the requirement of automatic production.

A system for creating three-dimensional grass graphics can include a means for cutting grass with an adjustable cutting height, a chlorophyll-based agent for coloring grass, and at least one stencil. The chlorophyll-based agent can be non-detrimental to a health of the grass and can be available in multiple shades. The stencil can be securable to the grass and can define a graphic to be painted on the grass using the chlorophyll-based agent. The means for cutting the grass can be able to pass over and around the stencil without damaging the stencil. Application of different shades of the chlorophyll-based agent to varying heights of grass can produce a three-dimensional effect for the graphic when viewed.

The present invention is directed to methods for inhibiting growth of bacteria and to nanometer scale surfaces having antibacterial properties.

A method for manufacturing a structure on a surface of a workpiece (1) is disclosed, the method having the following steps: applying a liquid base layer (2) onto the surface of the workpiece (1); spraying on at least one droplet (3) into the not yet congealed base layer (2), wherein the at least one droplet (3) at least partially, preferably completely, penetrates into the base layer (2); fixing the base layer (2); and at least partially removing the at least one droplet (3). Further, a second method having the following steps is disclosed: spraying on at least one droplet (3) onto the surface of the workpiece (1); applying a liquid base layer (2) onto the surface of the workpiece (1), wherein the base layer (2) flows around the at least one droplet (3) and preferably at least partially covers the at least one droplet (3); fixing the base layer (2); at least partially removing the at least one droplet (3). Finally, a device for performing the methods is disclosed.

A dental appliance having an integrally formed reservoir and/or an ornamental design integrated thereon. The ornamental design can be selected or customized by a patient. The design can be created by directing energy to the dental appliance to alter a material property of at least a portion of the appliance to create the design. Alternatively, a groove or recess can be formed on a surface of the appliance to either mechanically retain an ornamental design or the groove or recess can be filled with ink to form the design. The appliance, including the integrally formed reservoir, can be formed using direct fabrication techniques.

A mesh spray erosion assembly includes a spray board having a length, a width, and a material thickness, a tile blank having a length, a width, and a material thickness supported on one side of the spray board, a mesh frame having a length and width greater than that of the tile blank, and a material thickness equal to or less than that of the tile blank, the mesh frame centered over the tile blank and mounted to the spray board, and a mesh screen having a length and a width, the mesh screen centered over the mesh frame and mounted thereon, the mesh screen including non-masked portions and masked portions, characterized in that a user may apply a pressurized liquid spray through the non-masked portions of the mesh screen against the surface of the tile blank eroding material from the surface thereof according to artist design.

A mesh spray erosion assembly includes a spray board having a length, a width, and a material thickness, a tile blank having a length, a width, and a material thickness supported on one side of the spray board, a mesh frame having a length and width greater than that of the tile blank, and a material thickness equal to or less than that of the tile blank, the mesh frame centered over the tile blank and mounted to the spray board, and a mesh screen having a length and a width, the mesh screen centered over the mesh frame and mounted thereon, the mesh screen including non-masked portions and masked portions, characterized in that a user may apply a pressurized liquid spray through the non-masked portions of the mesh screen against the surface of the tile blank eroding material from the surface thereof according to artist design.