Patents Assigned to 3D Systems, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20140076499
    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: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John Stockwell, Pingyong Xu
  • Publication number: 20140081190
    Abstract: A custom device and method for fabricating the custom device 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 device. The custom device can be fabricated as a single piece structure or in multiple pieces that are assembled to complete the custom device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Summit, Kenneth B. Trauner
  • Publication number: 20140072712
    Abstract: In one aspect, inks for use with a three dimensional printing system are described herein. In some embodiments, an ink for use in a three dimensional printing system comprises about 10-95 weight % polymerizable component and about 3-25 weight % non-reactive wax component, wherein the ink when cured has a Tg greater than the melting point of the non-reactive wax component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Pingyong Xu
  • Publication number: 20140065378
    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: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Pingyong Xu
  • Publication number: 20140052039
    Abstract: A spiral brace has an inner surface that corresponds to a digital representation of an injured limb. The spiral brace can wrap around a length of the limb in a helical manner. The body of the spiral 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: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Summit, Kenneth B. Trauner
  • Patent number: 8642692
    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 of 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: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John Stockwell, Pingyong Xu
  • Publication number: 20140027950
    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: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John Stockwell, Pingyong Xu
  • Publication number: 20140017460
    Abstract: In one aspect, build materials operable for use in 3D printing systems are described herein. In some embodiments, a build material comprises about 10 to 30 percent by weight of an oligomeric curable material; about 50 to 75 percent by weight of at least one diluent; and about 3 to 15 percent by weight of a reactive component. Moreover, in some cases, the build material is free or substantially free of a non-reactive wax component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Pingyong Xu, John Stockwell
  • Patent number: 8613716
    Abstract: A custom device and method for fabricating the custom device 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 device. The custom device can be fabricated 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: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Summit, Kenneth B Trauner
  • Publication number: 20130307193
    Abstract: There is provided a support structure for use with 3D printing of objects from computer-aided designs. The support structures include fine points that contact the down-facing surfaces of the 3D object being printed in order to adequately support the 3D object while also being adapted for easy removal after the 3D print process is complete. The fine points are possible by controlling the operation of the dispenser to provide a precise amount of material in a precise location. The dispenser jumps from a first fine point to a second fine point by retracting the print material after the first fine point is printed and then moving the dispenser vertically relative to the first fine point before the dispenser is moved horizontally to the second fine point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Alan Johnson, Chris Roberts Manners, Andrew Edwards
  • Publication number: 20130310507
    Abstract: In one aspect, adhesives for use with a 3D printer are described herein. In some embodiments, an adhesive for use with a 3D printer comprises a first polymeric component comprising a poly(vinyl alcohol) and a second polymeric component. The poly(vinyl alcohol), in some embodiments, comprises amorphous poly(vinyl alcohol). In some embodiments, the second polymeric component comprises a water-soluble polymer. Further, in some embodiments, an adhesive described herein further comprises a solvent, a surfactant, and/or a preservative.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Praveen Tummala, Peter Scott Turner, Martin Alan Johnson
  • Patent number: 8576222
    Abstract: A user of a modeling application modifies an initial virtual object using a sketch drawn on one or more construction planes. Typically, construction planes are connected by an axis that intersects the virtual object. The user can draw a sketch on each construction plane, and the modeling application interpolates a shape along the axis between the sketches to determine what material in the virtual object is to be removed from it. In this manner, material may be removed to create a recess or hole in the virtual object or otherwise to slice away material from the object. A user can use two or more axes and construction planes to produce complex shapes from the initial virtual object. A user can also select a portion of a virtual object and mirror the selected portion. Modifications that the user makes in the selected portion are made correspondingly in the mirrored portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua E. Handley, Marc Midura, Bradley A. Payne, Walter A. Aviles, Thomas Harold Massie, Walter C. Shannon, III
  • Patent number: 8575258
    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: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John Stockwell, Pingyong Xu
  • Patent number: 8573958
    Abstract: A stereolithography apparatus and an exposure system for a stereolithography apparatus, wherein light emitting diodes are used as light sources. The invention relates to aligning light from the light emitting diode and to the exchange and control of the light emitting diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ole Hangaard, Niels Holm Larsen, Emilie Pougeoise, Jèrôme Grelin
  • Patent number: 8569398
    Abstract: A fully curable jettable composition having a viscosity less than 30 cps at a temperature within the range of 15° C.-180° C. comprising (i) at least one low viscosity reactive resin; (ii) at least one higher viscosity resin having a viscosity greater than twice that of the low viscosity resin and a functionality of greater than or equal to 2; (iii) at least one curable toughener, (iv) at least one initiator for the polymerization of the resins, and (v) at least one stabilizer for delaying the curing of the resins of the composition. The composition can be jetted from piezo electric printing heads under the control of a computer program to form a multi-layered article, for example, a three dimensional article, in which the adjacent droplets merge and are cured homogeneously together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ranjana C. Patel, Yong Zhao, Richard John Peace
  • Patent number: 8568646
    Abstract: There is provided methods and apparatus for compensation of intensity profiles of imagers used in three-dimensional modelers. The intensity profile of the actinic radiation projected from the imager is determined by a variety of techniques, including but not limited to manually operated sensors, exposed and scanned actinic radiation-sensitive paper, and intensity profilers. Once the intensity profile of the imager is determined, each layer of the solidifiable liquid material is cured by projecting a plurality of patterns (as opposed to a single pattern) defining the two-dimensional cross-section of the part being cured. The patterns vary in duration, number, and/or shape to correlate to the intensity profile so that a single layer of selectively cured solidifiable liquid material is cured with a substantially equivalent (or otherwise controlled) amount of actinic radiation per unit of surface area to provide generally controlled and consistent part quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Hongqing V. Wang, Soon-Chun Kuek, Charles W. Hull, Richard Ora Gregory, II, Thomas Alan Kerekes
  • Publication number: 20130247946
    Abstract: A crutch includes a grip and a forearm support that are coupled to an elongated member that extends from the forearm support to the ground. The inner surface of the forearm support can correspond to a digital representation of a forearm of the patient and the outer surface of the hand grip can correspond to a digital representation of a palmar surface of the patient's hand in at least a partially closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Summit, Kenneth B. Trauner
  • Publication number: 20130236706
    Abstract: In one aspect, support materials operable for use in 3D printing systems are described herein. In some embodiments, a support material comprises a wax component comprising at least one ethoxylated fatty alcohol and a viscosity modifying agent, wherein the support material is water dispersible. In some embodiments, the wax component comprises a mixture of at least one fatty alcohol and at least one ethoxylated fatty alcohol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Pingyong Xu, Khalil Moussa, John Stockwell
  • Publication number: 20130226533
    Abstract: A fairing can be attached to a prosthetic limb or over a brace to alter the appearance of the prosthetic limb or brace. The outer surface of the prosthetic limb can be a mirror image of an intact limb and the outer surface of the brace can have an outer surface that corresponds to an injured limb. Because the fairing fits closely around the prosthetic limb or brace, the interior surface of the fairing has a surface that corresponds to a mirror image of an intact limb or an outer surface of an injured limb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: 3D Systems, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8521320
    Abstract: A printing system is provided having at least one printhead for printing material to create a printed product, and an object incorporation device that incorporates inorganic semiconductors into the product being printed while the at least one printhead prints the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook