Patents Assigned to 3D System, Inc.
  • Systems and methods for seam resolution
    Patent number: 8994742
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for resolving seams in computer graphics when a two-dimensional image is applied to a three-dimensional structure. The method can include providing a two-dimensional image in a UV space, identifying at least one sub-image on the two-dimensional image, defining a seam connectivity for the two-dimensional image in the UV space, and remapping the location of an object on the two-dimensional image when the location of the object is within at least one seam boundary of the seam map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Edward Danks
  • Force reflecting haptic interface
    Patent number: 8994643
    Abstract: A multi-function force reflecting haptic interface including various sub-assemblies is disclosed. The sub-assemblies include multiple function user interfaces, a user interface docking station for setting the interface to a home position, temperature monitoring and control systems, and various kinematic cable drive systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Massie, William A. Goodwin, Elaine Chen, Deepak Kapoor, Abbe J. Cohen, Brandon Itkowitz
  • Custom braces, casts and devices having fenestrations and methods for designing and fabricating
    Patent number: 8986234
    Abstract: A custom brace and method for fabricating the custom brace includes marking a body with reference points and/or other indicators. Multiple images of the body from multiple angles are then obtained. The images are used to determine the contours of the body and the other markings are located and used to design the custom brace. Fenestrations can be added to the brace design. The custom brace can be fabricated with the fenestrations as a single piece structure or in multiple pieces that are assembled to complete the custom device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc
    Inventors: Scott Summit, Kenneth B. Trauner
  • Color stable inks and applications thereof
    Patent number: 8980406
    Abstract: In one aspect, inks for use with a 3D printer are described herein. In some embodiments, an ink comprises a polymerizable material and a reactive wax comprising a saturated alkyl moiety bonded to an ethyleneically unsaturated moiety through a urethane, urea, ester, or carbonate ester linkage, wherein the ink is free or substantially free of non-reactive wax.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Pingyong Xu
  • Compositions and methods for selective deposition modeling
    Patent number: 8975352
    Abstract: There is provided compositions and methods for producing three-dimensional objects by selective deposition modeling with a polar build material and a non-polar support material. The build material comprises a hydrocarbon wax material and a viscosity modifier, and the support material comprises a hydrocarbon alcohol wax material and a viscosity modifier. After the selective deposition modeling process has been completed, the object can be placed in a bath of polar solvent to remove the support material. The particular materials provided herein, and the post-processing methods associated therewith, provide for improved part quality of the three-dimensional object and for improved post-processing techniques. The three-dimensional objects can subsequently be used in a number of applications, such as patterns for investment casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John Stockwell, Pingyong Xu
  • Apparatus and methods for adjusting a texture wrapped onto the surface of a virtual object
    Patent number: 8963958
    Abstract: Techniques for wrapping a two-dimensional texture conformally onto a surface of a three dimensional virtual object within an arbitrarily-shaped, user-defined region. The techniques provide minimum distortion and allow interactive manipulation of the mapped texture. The techniques feature an energy minimization scheme in which distances between points on the surface of the three-dimensional virtual object serve as set lengths for springs connecting points of a planar mesh. The planar mesh is adjusted to minimize spring energy, and then used to define a patch upon which a two-dimensional texture is superimposed. Points on the surface of the virtual object are then mapped to corresponding points of the texture. A haptic/graphical user interface element that allows a user to interactively and intuitively adjust texture mapped within the arbitrary, user-defined region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Torsten Berger, Elaine Chen, Walter C. Shannon, III, Bob Tipton
  • PRINTING SYSTEM FOR FORMING THREE DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS
    Publication number: 20140345521
    Abstract: A three dimensional object creation system that prints objects layer by layer, the system including a plurality of printheads, the system printing at least part of each of multiple layers simultaneously, wherein the printheads are configured to enable printing of at least two different materials in at least one layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Apparatus and Methods for Haptic Rendering Using a Haptic Camera View
    Publication number: 20140333625
    Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for using a “haptic camera” within a virtual environment and for using graphical data from the haptic camera to produce touch feedback. The haptic camera obtains graphical data pertaining to virtual objects within the vicinity and along the trajectory of a user-controlled haptic interface device. The graphical data from the camera is interpreted haptically, thereby allowing touch feedback corresponding to the virtual environment to be provided to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon D. Itkowitz, Loren C. Shih, Marc Douglass Midura, Joshua E. Handley, William Alexander Goodwin
  • Selective deposition modeling using CW UV LED curing
    Patent number: 8876513
    Abstract: A continuous-wave (CW) ultraviolet (UV) curing system for solid freeform fabrication (SFF) is provided, wherein the curing system is configured to provide an exposure of UV radiation for one or more layers of UV-curable material. One or more UV exposures may initiate curing of a curable material in the layer dispensed by a solid freeform fabrication apparatus. One approach to provide the single or multiple UV exposures is the use of one or more UV LEDs, which generate UV radiation without generating any substantial amounts of infrared (IR) radiation at the same time. This allows for the curing process to be energy efficient and also allows for the SFF system to be far less complex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Hong Lim, Hernando Vicente Angulo, John D. Clay, Khalil Moussa
  • System and apparatus for haptically enabled three-dimensional scanning
    Patent number: 8849015
    Abstract: Described herein is a three-dimensional scanning system that features a camera integrated with a user-guided haptic interface device. The system allows an operator, through the sense of touch, to intuitively and interactively identify optimum locations for obtaining images or scans of an object. The system then assembles these scans to produce a virtual three-dimensional representation of the object with a high degree of accuracy and with a minimum of data artifacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Bodony, Dan Cookson, Curt Rawley, David Tzu-Wei Chen
  • THREE DIMENSIONAL PRINTING MATERIAL SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20140275317
    Abstract: A materials system and methods are provided to enable the formation of articles by 3D printing. In some embodiments, a materials system includes a substantially dry particulate material that includes an insoluble filler, a soluble filler, and a transition metal catalyst. The materials system further comprises a fluid binder including a (meth)acrylate monomer, an allyl ether functional monomer and/or oligomer, and a free-radical photoinitiator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Khalil Moussa
  • Powder Distribution for Laser Sintering Systems
    Publication number: 20140271326
    Abstract: There is provided improved laser sintering systems that increase the powder density and reduce anomalies of the powder layers that are sintered, that measure the laser power within the build chamber for automatic calibration during a build process, that deposit powder into the build chamber through a chute to minimize dusting, and that scrubs the air and cools the radiant heaters with recirculated scrubbed air. The improvements enable the laser sintering systems to make parts that are of higher and more consistent quality, precision, and strength, while enabling the user of the laser sintering systems to reuse greater proportions of previously used but unsintered powder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Cullen, Rafael Enrique Hidalgo
  • Chute for Laser Sintering Systems
    Publication number: 20140265045
    Abstract: There is provided improved laser sintering systems that increase the powder density and reduce anomalies of the powder layers that are sintered, that measure the laser power within the build chamber for automatic calibration during a build process, that deposit powder into the build chamber through a chute to minimize dusting, and that scrubs the air and cools the radiant heaters with recirculated scrubbed air. The improvements enable the laser sintering systems to make parts that are of higher and more consistent quality, precision, and strength, while enabling the user of the laser sintering systems to reuse greater proportions of previously used but unsintered powder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Cullen, Rafael Enrique Hidalgo
  • ADJUSTABLE BRACE
    Publication number: 20140228725
    Abstract: An adjustable brace includes a first portion for supporting one surface of a patient and a plurality of adjustable portions that allow the internal cross section of the brace to be adjusted. When a limb is injured, a patient may have a swollen limb and the adjustable brace can be set to a large cross section. As the limb heals, the swelling decreases and the limb cross section also decreases due to atrophy. The adjustable couplings are adjusted to reduce the cross section to properly fit the limb of the patient and provide proper protection and support during the healing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Summit, Kenneth B. Trauner
  • Printing system for forming three dimensional objects
    Patent number: 8761918
    Abstract: A printing system for forming a three dimensional object is disclosed. The printing system has a semiconductor memory for storing data that defines layers defining the three dimensional object, printhead groups. The printhead groups deposit at least two different materials simultaneously in at least one of the layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • BIKINI BRACE
    Publication number: 20140142486
    Abstract: A bikini brace has an inner surface that corresponds to a digital representation of an injured limb. The bikini brace can wrap around a length of the limb in a helical manner. The body of the bikini brace may be a single piece structure that is fenestrated to provide air circulation to the injured limb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: 3D Systems, Inc.
  • Imaging assembly
    Patent number: 8708685
    Abstract: A imaging assembly for generating a light beam suitable for sintering comprises a lamp housing and a lamp mounted in the lamp housing comprising a filament and a lamp base, wherein the lamp is oriented with the lamp base to the side of the filament. The imaging assembly further comprises a reflector, an aperture, and at least one condenser lens configured to focus light emitted by the filament through the aperture. The imaging assembly further comprises a set of achromatic doublet lenses, each achromatic doublet lens comprising three surfaces optimized to focus light at three wavelengths, wherein the set of achromatic doublet lenses focuses light over a range including the three wavelengths. The imaging assembly further comprises an outer lens, wherein the focused light beam exits the imaging assembly through the outer lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Hickerson, Jay Wright, Omar Ahsan
  • Edge smoothness with low resolution projected images for use in solid imaging
    Patent number: 8703037
    Abstract: A solid imaging apparatus and method employing sub-pixel shifting in multiple exposures of the digitally light projected image of a cross-section of a three-dimensional object on a solidifiable liquid medium. The multiple exposures provide increased resolution, preserving image features in a three-dimensional object and smoothing out rough or uneven edges that would otherwise be occur using digital light projectors that are limited by the number of pixels in an image projected over the size of the image. Algorithms are used to select pixels to be illuminated within the boundary of each image projected in the cross-section being exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Hull, Jouni P. Partanen, Charles R. Sperry, Patrick Dunne, Suzanne M. Scott, Dennis F. McNamara, Chris R. Manners
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DESIGNING AND FABRICATING STRING INSTRUMENTS
    Publication number: 20140100825
    Abstract: A computer provides a graphical user interface that allows designers to design string instruments. The dimensions and shape of the string instrument design can be altered using controls. The wind instrument design can be stored in a database and transmitted to a 3 dimensional printer which can fabricate the string instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Summit
  • Computer interface
    Patent number: D717300
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Venkat Gourishankar, Pulkit Kapur, David Chen, Scott Summit, Seth Astle, Kristin Size