A method and an apparatus for collecting powder samples in real-time in powder bed fusion additive manufacturing may involves an ingester system for in-process collection and characterizations of powder samples. The collection may be performed periodically and uses the results of characterizations for adjustments in the powder bed fusion process. The ingester system of the present disclosure is capable of packaging powder samples collected in real-time into storage containers serving a multitude purposes of audit, process adjustments or actions.

A method and an apparatus for collecting powder samples in real-time in powder bed fusion additive manufacturing may involves an ingester system for in-process collection and characterizations of powder samples. The collection may be performed periodically and uses the results of characterizations for adjustments in the powder bed fusion process. The ingester system of the present disclosure is capable of packaging powder samples collected in real-time into storage containers serving a multitude purposes of audit, process adjustments or actions.

A zoom control method is provided, including: determining a midpoint of a connecting line of touch points located on both sides of an object to be close-up; determining a pixel vector formed from the midpoint of the connecting line to a center point of a screen; converting the pixel vector into an angle vector based on a conversion relationship between a diagonal angle of view of a current focal length range and a diagonal pixel of an image sensor of a camera system; and controlling the object to be close-up being moved to the center point of the screen based on the angle vector.

A zoom control method is provided, including: determining a midpoint of a connecting line of touch points located on both sides of an object to be close-up; determining a pixel vector formed from the midpoint of the connecting line to a center point of a screen; converting the pixel vector into an angle vector based on a conversion relationship between a diagonal angle of view of a current focal length range and a diagonal pixel of an image sensor of a camera system; and controlling the object to be close-up being moved to the center point of the screen based on the angle vector.

Methods and apparatus for supporting zoom operations using a plurality of optical chain modules, e.g., camera modules, are described. Switching between use of groups of optical chains with different focal lengths is used to support zoom operations. Digital zoom is used in some cases to support zoom levels corresponding to levels between the zoom levels of different optical chain groups or discrete focal lengths to which optical chains may be switched. In some embodiments optical chains have adjustable focal lengths and are switched between different focal lengths. In other embodiments optical chains have fixed focal lengths with different optical chain groups corresponding to different fixed focal lengths. Composite images are generated from images captured by multiple optical chains of the same group and/or different groups. Composite image is in accordance with a user zoom control setting. Individual composite images may be generated and/or a video sequence.

Methods and apparatus for supporting zoom operations using a plurality of optical chain modules, e.g., camera modules, are described. Switching between use of groups of optical chains with different focal lengths is used to support zoom operations. Digital zoom is used in some cases to support zoom levels corresponding to levels between the zoom levels of different optical chain groups or discrete focal lengths to which optical chains may be switched. In some embodiments optical chains have adjustable focal lengths and are switched between different focal lengths. In other embodiments optical chains have fixed focal lengths with different optical chain groups corresponding to different fixed focal lengths. Composite images are generated from images captured by multiple optical chains of the same group and/or different groups. Composite image is in accordance with a user zoom control setting. Individual composite images may be generated and/or a video sequence.

An electro-responsive gel lens having automatic multifocal and image stabilization functions according to the present invention comprises: a first electrode and a second electrode formed on a substrate and having different polarities; and a transmissive part which is formed of an electroactive polymer, and the shape of which is deformed when a voltage is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is formed in the plural, and a voltage is individually applied so as to change the shape of the transmissive part in three dimensions, such that the location of the focal point of light passing through the transmissive part is changed in three dimensions.

An electro-responsive gel lens having automatic multifocal and image stabilization functions according to the present invention comprises: a first electrode and a second electrode formed on a substrate and having different polarities; and a transmissive part which is formed of an electroactive polymer, and the shape of which is deformed when a voltage is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is formed in the plural, and a voltage is individually applied so as to change the shape of the transmissive part in three dimensions, such that the location of the focal point of light passing through the transmissive part is changed in three dimensions.

A manipulator device such as a robot arm that is capable of increasing manufacturing throughput for additively manufactured parts, and allows for the manipulation of parts that would be difficult or impossible for a human to move is described. The manipulator can grasp various permanent or temporary additively manufactured manipulation points on a part to enable repositioning or maneuvering of the part.

A manipulator device such as a robot arm that is capable of increasing manufacturing throughput for additively manufactured parts, and allows for the manipulation of parts that would be difficult or impossible for a human to move is described. The manipulator can grasp various permanent or temporary additively manufactured manipulation points on a part to enable repositioning or maneuvering of the part.