Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments generally relate to reservoir manifold systems suitable for use with an additive manufacturing apparatus. Such manifold systems enable ease of use for making mechanical, electrical, and fluid connections to a reservoir used for additive manufacturing. Conduits formed in the reservoir manifold can allow for a fluid connection to be established with a reservoir to allow fluid flow into and out of the reservoir. The reservoir manifold can include one or more arms that are configured to move independently to couple to the reservoir of the printing apparatus. The reservoir manifold can include a trigger coupled to a latch mechanism for engaging one or more components of the apparatus. In some embodiments, the ability of the manifold to make electrical connections to the reservoir may present advantages to the ease-of-use and reliability of an additive manufacturing apparatus.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 14, 2022
Date of Patent:
August 22, 2023
Assignee:
3DFortify, Inc.
Inventors:
Andrew J. Caunter, Scott Goodrich, Adam Afzali, Noah Collins, Michael Santorella
Abstract: Three-dimensional printing methods and systems use a derived geometry and aligns anisotropic inclusions in any orientation at any number of discrete volumetric sections. Structural, thermal, or geometry-based analyses are combined with inclusion alignment computations and print preparation methods and provided to 3D printers to produce composite material parts that meet demanding geometric needs as well as enhanced structural and thermal requirements. In one example, optimal inclusion alignment vectors associated with a section of the object are calculated based on specifications for the object, segmenting a three-dimensional model of the object into layer slices, grouping each section within each layer slice having similar alignment vectors and combining the groupings and generating printing instructions for the object according to the grouped alignment vectors.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 14, 2021
Date of Patent:
March 7, 2023
Assignee:
3DFortify, Inc.
Inventors:
Daniel T. Shores, Joshua J. Martin, Randall M. Erb
Abstract: Three-dimensional printing methods and systems use a derived geometry and aligns anisotropic inclusions in any orientation at any number of discrete volumetric sections. Structural, thermal, or geometry-based analyses are combined with inclusion alignment computations and print preparation methods and provided to 3D printers to produce composite material parts that meet demanding geometric needs as well as enhanced structural and thermal requirements. In one example, optimal inclusion alignment vectors associated with a section of the object are calculated based on specifications for the object, segmenting a three-dimensional model of the object into layer slices, grouping each section within each layer slice having similar alignment vectors and combining the groupings and generating printing instructions for the object according to the grouped alignment vectors.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 25, 2020
Date of Patent:
February 23, 2021
Assignee:
3DFortify, Inc.
Inventors:
Daniel T. Shores, Joshua J. Martin, Randall M. Erb
Abstract: Three-dimensional printing methods and systems use a derived geometry and aligns anisotropic inclusions in any orientation at any number of discrete volumetric sections. Structural, thermal, or geometry-based analyses are combined with inclusion alignment computations and print preparation methods and provided to 3D printers to produce composite material parts that meet demanding geometric needs as well as enhanced structural and thermal requirements. In one example, optimal inclusion alignment vectors associated with a section of the object are calculated based on specifications for the object, segmenting a three-dimensional model of the object into layer slices, grouping each section within each layer slice having similar alignment vectors and combining the groupings and generating printing instructions for the object according to the grouped alignment vectors.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 5, 2019
Date of Patent:
August 4, 2020
Assignee:
3DFortify, Inc.
Inventors:
Daniel T. Shores, Joshua J. Martin, Randall M. Erb