Patent ID: 12240172

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. It will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill, upon reading this description, that various aspects can be practiced without such details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and/or circuitry have been described at a relatively high-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present teachings.

Current 3D printing systems present a technical problem because blades used to render the deposited powder uniform over a printed substrate may generate sheer forces that may prevent or hinder the printing of thin layers of powder, e.g., in the range of 100 μm. Furthermore, rollers used to compact the deposited powders also introduce sheer forces that may prevent or hinder the uniform printing of thin layers of powder

To address these technical problems and more, in an example, this description provides a technical solution rendering the deposited powder uniform by using a powder feeder configured as an adjustable blade in conjunction with a counter-rotating roller positioned at a desired distance from the powder feeder. To further address the above technical problems, in another example, this description provides another technical solution independently adjusting the gap between the powder feeder and the surface of the substrate, and the gap between the counter-rotating roller and the surface of the substrate.

Various implementations include a print station of a three-dimensional (“3D”) printing apparatus, and method of 3D printing, the print station including a substrate configured to hold a printed object, the substrate having a longitudinal axis, and a print system over the substrate, the print system including a powder distribution device having a blade-shaped end, and a powder uniformization device located at a distance from the powder distribution device along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Various implementations include a powder deposition arrangement configured to facilitate uniform powder deposition of thin layers, where the powder is fed by a powder feeder that includes an adjustable blade, and the powder deposition arrangement also includes a counter-rotating roller located at a given distance from the powder feeder and used to compact the powder material during the process of 3D printing. In addition, the gap between the powder feeder and the substrate may be adjustable to increase the quality of the powder deposition. The gap between the powder feeder and the surface of the substrate defines the quality of the deposition by, e.g., minimizing the compaction of the powder. As another example, the gap between the counter-rotating roller and the substrate is also adjustable to a desired value in order to adjust the printed thickness as well as quality of the thin layer deposition during the process of 3D printing, the roller gap being independently adjustable from the gap between the powder feeder and the surface of the substrate. For example, the roller gap may define the final thickness of the printed layer, while, as discussed above, the powder feeder gap may define the quality of the deposition.

FIG.1schematically depicts a typical print station and an assembly apparatus with a continuous substrate. The print station can include a carrier device12. In some implementations, the carrier device12can include a conveyor configured to transport or move materials from a first position to a second position. The conveyor can include a belt and two rotating elements15, configured to rotate in the same direction to advance the belt in a certain direction. The carrier device12can have a distal end and a proximal end. The carrier device12can transport a substrate10from the distal end to the proximal end. The substrate10can be positioned by the two rotating elements15to a location where a transfer device76can transport a printed layer (not shown) to a build substrate80.

At the distal end of the carrier device12, a dispensing device20can be provided. The dispensing device20can simply be a dispenser configured to dispense fluidized material. The dispensing device20can include a materials storage21and a dispensing controller22. The dispensing controller22can be configured to meter an amount of fluidized material deposited onto the substrate10. The dispensing controller22can also be configured to precisely control the uniformity of the deposited fluidized material.

Near the distal end of the carrier device12, a compaction device30can be provided. In some implementations, the compaction device30can include a roller, made up of a hardened metal material designed as a cylindrical tube. In some implementations, the compaction device30can be configured to compact a fluidized material to a high density of at least 40% of the theoretical density of the fluidized material. The compaction device30rotates in the direction of movement of the substrate, i.e., in a clock-wise direction as illustrated inFIG.1.

Near the distal end of the carrier device12, a printing device40can be provided. The printing device40can be configured to deposit a liquid binding material to fix a precise pattern into the fluidized material. The precise pattern can be fixed into the fluidized material by binding the fluidized material into a connected and robust mass. In some implementations, the printing device40can be an ink jet type print head under direct control of a computer (not shown).

Near the center of the carrier device12, a fixing device50can be provided. The fixing device50can be configured to solidify the liquid binding material, thus fixing the fluidized material exposed to the liquid binding material in a robust solid pattern. The fixing device50can be a source of radiant energy that may interact with the liquid binding material to cause it to become solid. In some implementations, the radiant energy can be IR radiation, UV radiation, electron beam, or other known radiation types. It should be understood the fixing device50does not need to be limited to the disclosed radiation types, as this list is presented for exemplary implementations and not intended to be exhaustive. Alternatively, the fixing device50can include a device for dispersing a reactive agent configured to react with the liquid binding material and the fluidized material to convert the fluidized material to a robust mass.

A fluidized materials removal device60can be provided downstream from the fixing device50. The fluidized materials removal device60can be configured to remove all of the fluidized material deposited and compacted onto the substrate10. The fluidized materials removal device60can remove the fluidized material deposited and compacted onto the substrate, but not fixed in place by the liquid binder material.

A transfer device76can be implemented downstream from the fluidized materials removal device60in the assembly apparatus. The transfer device76can be configured to move a printed layer (not shown) from the substrate10. The printed layer can be moved from the substrate10to a build substrate80, or to the top of a stack of previously positioned layers91. The transfer device76can also include a pick-up assembly. The pick-up assembly can include an attachment device71configured to remove a printed layer from the substrate10. The attachment device71can include a vacuum device or an adhesive device to overcome the force holding the printed layer to the substrate10. The transfer device76may also include a translation device75configured to move the printed layer from the substrate10to an assembly apparatus81.

The elevator device100is configured to maintain the level of the top of the stack of previously positioned layers91. In an implementation, the elevator device100can include a linear motor device.

FIG.2illustrates a schematic representation of a print station and assembly apparatus with a continuous substrate for depositing thin layers of powder on a substrate, in accordance with various example implementations. With reference toFIG.1, the printing system210may correspond to, e.g., the combination of the dispensing device20and the compaction device30. InFIG.2, the print station200includes a support220and a printing system210. The printing system210may be movable while the support220may be fixed, or the printing system210may be fixed while the support220is movable. The printing system210may include a top support230configured to decrease or minimize non-uniform deposition, an adjustable roller240, and a powder feeder250. The printing system210may also include a roller cleaner260to clean the roller240of any residual powder that may remain thereon and that may contaminate the roller240.

In operation, the powder is provided by the powder feeder250while the printing system210is moving right to left relatively to the support220in the direction of arrow280, or the support220is moving left to right relatively to the printing system210, in a direction opposite to the arrow280. Accordingly, when the powder is provided by the powder feeder250, the powder is subsequently submitted to the rotating action of the roller240. For example, the roller240is a counter-rotating roller, i.e., the roller240rotates in a direction245that is opposite to the direction of the arrow280at the point of contact between the roller240and the powder deposited on the substrate270. The counter-rotating roller240agitates the powder after the powder is deposited on the substrate270. Accordingly, the powder that is provided by the powder feeder250is uniformized by the action of the counter-rotating roller240.

The counter-rotating roller240applies a pressure to the powder after the powder is deposited on the substrate270. Accordingly, the powder that is provided by the powder feeder250is uniformized by the action of the counter-rotating roller240. The counter-rotating roller240may installed with an adjustable angle so that the accumulated powder may be released behind the roller.

FIG.3Aillustrates a portion of a print station300including a powder feeder and a counter-rotating roller, in accordance with various example implementations. With reference toFIG.1, the print station may correspond to, e.g., the combination of the dispensing device20and the compaction device30. With reference toFIG.2, the print station may correspond to, e.g., the print station200. In various implementations, the print station300includes a powder feeder350, and the powder feeder350has a blade375integrated or included therein, so that when the powder exits the powder feeder350at the blade375located at the exit point of the powder feeder350, the powder is flattened and at least partially uniformized by the blade375.FIG.3Cprovides an illustration of the blade375. For example, the blade375ensures that the thickness of the powder that is deposited by the powder feeder350remains substantially the same. In addition, for example, a counter-rotating roller340is positioned at a given distance from the blade375, the counter-rotating roller340further planarizing and uniformizing the powder that exits the powder feeder350at the blade375. For example, the counter-rotating roller340may enable a uniform deposition of less flowable powders. The blade375may ensure that the thickness of the powder that is deposited by the powder feeder350remains substantially the same as it approaches the counter-rotating roller340. As a result, powder accumulation in front of the counter-rotating roller340may be avoided or reduced. The powder feeder350may also ensure the ability to maintain and/or reduce the sheer forces applied to the printed powder during powder deposition, and may thus allow the 3D printing of thin layers, e.g., in the range of 100 μm, on the substrate such as, e.g., substrate10illustrated inFIG.1. The powder feeder350, which includes the blade375, may have an adjustment arrangement configured to adjust the gap between the powder feeder350/blade375and the surface of the substrate. The counter-rotating roller340may also independently have an adjustment arrangement configured to adjust the gap between the counter-rotating roller340and the surface of the substrate.

In various implementations, the print station300may further include an alignment roller cleaner380configured to clean the roller340. For example, the roller cleaner380can remove unwanted powder particles that may remain on the roller340after the roller340distributed the powder. In addition, as the print station300may be movable with respect to the underlying substrate such as, e.g., substrate10illustrated inFIG.1, the blade375is also movable with respect to the substrate. In other examples, the substrate is movable with respect to the print station300, and thus movable with respect to the blade375.

In various implementations, the counter-rotating roller340rotates at a speed in the range of 10 RPM to 300 RPM. If the roller340has a rotating speed that is greater or lower than this range, then the resulting quality of the powder deposition may be deteriorated because the uniformity of the deposited powder may be affected by the counter-rotating roller.

In various implementations, a lubricant agent and/or a wetting agent is added to the powder being distributed by the powder feeder350in order to, e.g., increase the flowability of the powder that is deposited in front of the counter-rotating roller340. Adding such lubricant agent and/or a wetting agent may improve the compaction of the powder and minimize or control the tension between the substrate and the later-applied layers. Specifically, the lubricating agent facilitates obtaining a uniform compaction of the powder that is presented to the roller340. In implementations, the print station300may include a single roller340, and may avoid having to have an additional compacting roller that rotates in the direction of movement of the powder, i.e., rotates in the opposite direction to the rotation direction of roller340. Example lubricating agents and wetting agents include water and isopropyl alcohol.

FIG.3Billustrates a detailed portion of the print station illustrated inFIG.3A, in accordance with various example implementations. In various implementations, the portion referred to as “A” inFIG.3Ais discussed in greater detail below. InFIG.3B, the roller340has a radius R, and a distance between a point of contact of the blade375, labeled as “B,” and the end point of the blade375amay be equal to about R. For example, if the distance between the point of contact “B” of the blade375and the end point of the blade375ais higher than R, then the resulting powder may have poor uniformity. Also, if the distance between the point of contact “B” of the blade375and the end point of the blade375ais greater than R, then the powder may undergo rotation in front of the counter-rotating roller340, which results in a poor powder deposition such as, e.g., non-uniform deposition.

In various implementations, a gap390between the lowest portion of the blade375and the surface of the substrate (not shown) may be adjustable as desired. Accordingly, the gap390between the substrate and the blade375, or between the deposited powder and the blade375may be maintained at a desired constant, or substantially constant, value, which may allow to avoid or reduce contamination of the surface of the substrate by the powder. For example, in order to deposit a single layer of powder, the gap390between the substrate and the blade375may be adjusted accordingly. The gap390between the powder feeder and the surface of the substrate defines the quality of the deposition. As an example, the counter-rotating roller340may also have an adjustable gap395between the lowermost surface thereof and the substrate, the roller gap395being independently adjustable from the gap390between the powder feeder and the surface of the substrate. In addition, the roller gap395defines the final thickness of the printed layer, while, as discussed above, the powder feeder gap390defines the quality of the deposition by, e.g., minimizing the compaction of the powder. For example, the powder feeder gap390is greater than the roller gap395. For example, the powder feeder gap390is greater than the roller gap395and equal to or lower than one-third of the diameter of the counter-rotating roller340. If the powder feeder gap390is greater than one-third of the diameter of the counter-rotating roller340, then the powder may undergo rotation in front of the counter-rotating roller340, which results in a poor powder deposition such as, e.g., non-uniform deposition.

In various implementations, the counter-rotating roller340may be coated by a coating (not shown). For example, the coating may be an anodized coating, a Teflon coating, or a plastic coating. A plastic coating may minimize the friction between the powder and the counter-rotating roller340, and may also minimize contamination of the counter-rotating roller340by the powder. For example, during operation of the print station300, the powder that is distributed by the powder feeder350and rotated by the counter-rotating roller340may adhere to the surface of the counter-rotating roller340and may contaminate subsequent layers of the 3D printed product. A plastic coating on the counter-rotating roller340may decrease such contamination. Similarly, an anodized coating to the counter-rotating roller340may provide a decreased contamination, and may also reduce friction between the surface of the roller340and the substrate. As an example, the coating may reduce electrostatic charging of the powder during operation of the print station300. As another example, a thickness of the coating is in a range of 0.1 nm to 500 μm.

FIGS.4A-4Billustrate schematic representations of a print station in accordance with various example implementations. InFIG.4A, the print station400aincludes roller440, blade475, and substrate470. With reference toFIG.3A, roller440may correspond to roller340, and blade475may correspond to blade375, and with reference toFIG.2, substrate470may correspond to substrate270. InFIG.4A, the print station400further includes a vibrating device410a. For example, the vibrating device410ais functionally connected, e.g., integrally connected, to the roller440, and may be configured to vibrate at a rapid frequency in order to make the roller440vibrate at the rapid frequency. For example, the vibrating device410amay vibrate at, e.g., an ultrasonic frequency and thus makes the roller440vibrate at the ultrasonic frequency. As a result of the roller440vibrating at a rapid frequency, e.g., at an ultrasonic frequency, the powder that is in contact with the roller440during the counter-rotation of the roller440may be better distributed, and agglomeration of the powder at the point of contact with the roller440, or in the vicinity of the point of contact with the roller440, may be reduced, significantly reduced, or eliminated.

InFIG.4B, the print station400bincludes roller440, powder feeder450that includes blade475, and substrate470. With reference toFIG.3A, roller440may correspond to roller340, powder feeder450may correspond to powder feeder350, and blade475may correspond to blade375, and with reference toFIG.2, substrate470may correspond to substrate270. InFIG.4B, the print station400bfurther includes a vibrating device410b. For example, the vibrating device410bis functionally connected, e.g., integrally connected, to the substrate470, and may be configured to vibrate at a rapid frequency in order to make the substrate470vibrate at the rapid frequency. For example, the vibrating device410bmay vibrate at, e.g., an ultrasonic frequency and thus makes the substrate470vibrate at the ultrasonic frequency. As a result of the substrate470vibrating at a rapid frequency, e.g., at an ultrasonic frequency, the powder that is deposited by the blade475on the substrate470may be better distributed on the substrate470, and agglomeration of the powder at the point of contact with the roller440, or in the vicinity of the point of contact with the roller440, may be reduced, significantly reduced, or eliminated. In various implementations, the print station400a/400bmay include both vibrating devices410aand410b, in which case both the roller440and the substrate470are made to vibrate at the rapid frequency during deposition and distribution of the powder.

In various implementations, the powder feeder450may enclose therein one or more devices or elements460designed to control or influence the environment where the powder is stored before being distributed. For example, the devices or elements460may be any combination of a dehumidifier, one or more heating elements, and an inert gas provider configured to provide an inert gas inside the powder feeder450. Any one of these devices or elements460, whether alone or in combination, may be enclosed in the powder feeder450in order to ensure that the powder remains sufficiently dry and un-agglomerated, and thus to ensure a sufficient quality of the resulting printed layer.

In various implementations, the counter-rotating roller440may include an electric charging mechanism420that delivers an electric charge to the surface of the counter-rotating roller440to remove any powder that may adhere to the surface of the counter-rotating roller440via static charging. Alternatively, the electric charge delivered to the surface of the counter-rotating roller440by the electric charging mechanism420may prevent the powder from adhering to the surface of the counter-rotating roller440via static charging.

FIG.5illustrates a method of operation of a print station in a 3D printing apparatus, in accordance with various example implementations. In the process500ofFIG.5, at S510, a print system is arranged over a substrate, the substrate having a longitudinal axis. With reference toFIG.2, the printing system210is arranged over the substrate270or the support280. The process500continues to S520, where a powder is distributed on the substrate through a powder feeding device of the print system. For example, the powder is distributed on the powder bed of a print station that is part of a 3D printing apparatus. With reference toFIGS.3A and3B, the powder is distributed from the powder feeder350. In implementations, a lubricating agent and/or a wetting agent may be added to the powder that is distributed at S520, the lubricating agent and/or wetting agent being configured to increase the flowability of the powder and the compaction uniformity. By controlling the surface tension of the powder, the lubricating agent and/or wetting agent may also prevent or reduce powder sticking to the roller.

In various implementations, as the powder is distributed at S520, the process500continues to S530by contemporaneously or simultaneously flattening the distributed powder via, e.g., a blade integrated into the powder feeding device. For example, the flattening at S530may maintain a constant thickness of the powder distributed on the substrate. With reference toFIGS.3A and3B, as the powder is distributed via the powder feeder350, the powder is contemporaneously flattened by the blade375. The process500continues to S540where the powder is transported to a uniformizing device along a moving direction of the powder, the moving direction being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the substrate. For example, the uniformizing device may be a roller located at a desired distance from the blade375, the roller being configured to apply a pressure on the powder. The process500continues to S550where the powder is uniformized by a uniformizing device which may be, e.g., a roller configured to apply a pressure on the transported powder. With reference toFIGS.3A and3B, the powder is uniformized by the roller340which rotates and applies pressure on the powder. In implementations, the roller340rotates in a direction that is counter-clockwise, or counter to the moving direction of the powder at the point of contact between the roller340and the powder. The process500continues to S560, where the powder is transferred to the next station in the 3D printing process such as, e.g., printing in a printing device, fixing in a fixing device, or transferred to a transfer device. With reference toFIG.1, the powder may be transferred to the printing device40, the fixing device50, or the transfer device76.

In the following, further features, characteristics, and advantages of the instant application will be described via the following items:Item 1: A print station of a three-dimensional (“3D”) printing apparatus, the print station comprising: a substrate configured to hold a printed object, the substrate having a longitudinal axis; and a print system over the substrate, the print system including: a powder distribution device including a blade-shaped end; and a powder uniformization device located at a distance from the powder distribution device along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.Item 2: The print station of item 1, wherein a lower surface of the blade-shaped end of the powder distribution is parallel to the longitudinal axis.Item 3: The print station of any one of items 1 and 2, wherein the powder uniformization device comprises a roller.Item 4: The print station of any one of items 1-3, wherein the substrate is movable with respect to the print system along the longitudinal axis; and the print system is static with respect to the longitudinal axis.Item 5: The print station of any one of items 1-4, wherein the print system is movable with respect to the substrate along the longitudinal axis; and the substrate is static with respect to the longitudinal axis.Item 6: The print station of any one of items 1-5, wherein both the print system and the substrate are movable with respect to each other along the longitudinal axis.Item 7: The print station of any one of items 1-6, wherein a distance between a point on the roller and the blade-shaped end along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis is equal to about one radius of the roller.Item 8: The print station of any one of items 1-7, wherein the point is a lowest contact point of the roller to the substrate.Item 9: The print station of any one of items 1-8, further comprising a first adjustment mechanism configured to control a powder feeder gap between a lowest portion of the powder distribution device and the substrate.Item 10: The print station of any one of items 1-9, further comprising a second adjustment mechanism configured to control a roller gap between a lowest portion of the counter-rotating roller and the substrate.Item 11: The print station of any one of items 1-10, wherein the powder feeder gap and the roller gap are independently adjustable.Item 12: The print station of any one of items 1-11, wherein the powder feeder gap is dynamically adjusted to control uniform powder in front of the roller.Item 13: The print station of any one of items 1-12, further comprising a vibrating device configured to vibrate at least one of the roller and the substrate at a rapid frequency.Item 14: The print station of any one of items 1-13, wherein the rapid frequency comprises an ultrasonic frequency.Item 15: The print station of any one of items 1-14, wherein a surface of the roller is coated by a coating having a thickness in a range of 100 nm to 500 μm.Item 16: The print station of any one of items 1-15, wherein the coating comprises at least one of a plastic coating, a Teflon coating, and an anodized coating.Item 17: The print station of any one of items 1-16, further comprising a roller cleaning device configured to remove residual powder from the roller.Item 18: The print station of any one of items 1-17, wherein the roller cleaning device is located above the roller in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.Item 19: The print station of any one of items 1-18, wherein the roller is a single roller in the print station.Item 20: A method for three-dimensional (“3D”) printing at a print system, the print system including a substrate and a print station, the method comprising: arranging the print system over the substrate, the substrate having a longitudinal axis; distributing a powder on the substrate through a powder feeding device of the print system; contemporaneously flattening the powder by a blade integrated into the powder feeding device, the flattening including maintaining a constant thickness of the powder deposited on the substrate; transporting the powder to a uniformizing device in a moving direction of the powder, the moving direction being a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis; uniformizing the powder by the uniformizing device located at a distance from the powder feeding device along the direction parallel to the longitudinal direction; and transferring the powder to a next station in the 3D printing.Item 21: the method of item 20, wherein transferring the powder to the next station in the 3D printing comprises transferring the powder to one of a printing device, a fixing device, and a transporting device.Item 22: the method of any one of items 20 and 21, wherein uniformizing the powder by the uniformizing device comprises uniformizing the powder by a roller configured to apply a pressure on the powder transported thereto.Item 23: the method of any of items 20-22, wherein uniformizing the powder by the roller comprises rotating the roller in a direction counter to the moving direction of the powder at a point of contact of the roller and the powder.Item 24: the method of any of items 20-23, further comprising adding at least one of a lubricating agent and a wetting agent to the powder prior to the powder being deposited on the substrate, the at least one lubricating agent and wetting agent being configured to increase a flowability of the powder prior to the uniformizing of the powder.Item 25: the method of any of items 20-24, further comprising vibrating at least one of the roller and the substrate at a rapid frequency.Item 26: the method of any of items 20-25, wherein the rapid frequency comprises an ultrasonic frequency.

While various implementations have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting, and it is understood that many more implementations and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the implementations. Although many possible combinations of features are shown in the accompanying figures and discussed in this detailed description, many other combinations of the disclosed features are possible. Any feature of any implementation may be used in combination with or substituted for any other feature or element in any other implementation unless specifically restricted. Therefore, it will be understood that any of the features shown and/or discussed in the present disclosure may be implemented together in any suitable combination. Accordingly, the implementations are not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Also, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the attached claims.

While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the best mode and/or other examples, it is understood that various modifications may be made therein and that the subject matter disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples, and that the teachings may be applied in numerous applications, only some of which have been described herein. It is intended by the following claims to claim any and all applications, modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the present teachings.

Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, and other specifications that are set forth in this specification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, not exact. They are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistent with the functions to which they relate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain.

The scope of protection is limited solely by the claims that now follow. That scope is intended and should be interpreted to be as broad as is consistent with the ordinary meaning of the language that is used in the claims when interpreted in light of this specification and the prosecution history that follows and to encompass all structural and functional equivalents. Notwithstanding, none of the claims are intended to embrace subject matter that fails to satisfy the requirement of Sections 101, 102, or 103 of the Patent Act, nor should they be interpreted in such a way. Any unintended embracement of such subject matter is hereby disclaimed.

Except as stated immediately above, nothing that has been stated or illustrated is intended or should be interpreted to cause a dedication of any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent to the public, regardless of whether it is or is not recited in the claims.

It will be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions with respect to their corresponding respective areas of inquiry and study except where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.

Relational terms such as first and second and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “a” or “an” does not, without further constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various examples for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claims require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed example. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.