Semaphore operation manages exclusive access to a memory that is shared by a plurality of processing elements. Next the blended powders are mixed to yield a substantially homogeneous powder mixture and a portion of the substantially homogeneous powder mixture is formed into a green body. The updated control information is fed back to selected network elements to thereby affect operation of the selected elements. The slider is movable between a locked position where the slider holds the flap in the captive position and an unlocked position where the flap is free to move from the captive to the free position.