Patents Assigned to Stratasys, Inc.
  • Method for building and using three-dimensional objects containing embedded identification-tag inserts
    Patent number: 9566743
    Abstract: A method for building a three-dimensional object containing an identification-tag insert, the method comprising performing a build operation to form layers of the three-dimensional object using a layer-based additive technique, placing the identification-tag insert on at least a portion of the layers during the build operation, and reading information from the identification-tag insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Kozlak, Steven A. Chillscyzn, J. Samuel Batchelder
  • Soluble support material for electrophotography-based additive manufacturing
    Patent number: 9557661
    Abstract: A support material for printing a support structure with an electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system, the support material including a composition having a charge control agent and a thermoplastic copolymer having aromatic groups, (meth)acrylate-based ester groups, carboxylic acid groups, and anhydride groups, with a high anhydride conversion. The composition is provided in a powder form having a controlled particle size, and the support material is configured for use in the electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system having a layer transfusion assembly for printing the support structure in a layer-by-layer manner, and is at least partially soluble in an aqueous solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventor: Trevor I. Martin
  • Graphene coated substrates and resulting composites
    Patent number: 9551072
    Abstract: The deposition of graphene is accomplished by various techniques that result in a change of the graphene's solubility in the liquid medium. The solubility change enables the deposition of the graphene onto the substrate. Once the graphene is deposited onto the substrate, the at least partially coated substrate may be separated from the liquid medium. The substrates may then serve as a carrier to deliver the graphene to a desired application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam R. Pawloski, Gregory S. Bennett, Jeffrey Jacob Cernohous, Kent Kaske, Adam E. Szymanski
  • Liquefier assembly for use in extrusion-based additive manufacturing systems
    Patent number: 9550327
    Abstract: A liquefier assembly for use in an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system, the liquefier assembly comprising a downstream portion having a first average inner cross-sectional area, and an upstream having a second average inner cross-sectional area that is less than the first inner cross-sectional area, the upstream portion defining a shoulder configured to restrict movement of a melt meniscus of a consumable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Swanson, Kevin C. Johnson, Timothy A. Hjelsand, J. Samuel Batchelder
  • Consumable assembly for use in extrusion-based layered deposition systems
    Patent number: 9545754
    Abstract: A consumable assembly comprising a container portion configured to retain a supply of filament, a guide tube connected to the container portion, and a pump portion connected to the guide tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Swanson
  • Additive manufacturing system and method for printing three-dimensional parts using velocimetry
    Patent number: 9527240
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing system that retains a print head for printing a three-dimensional part in a layer-by-layer manner using an additive manufacturing technique, where the retained print head is configured to receive a consumable material, melt the consumable material, and extrude the molten material. The system also includes a velocimetry assembly configured to determine flow rates of the molten material, and a controller assembly configured to manage the extrusion of the molten material from the print head, and to receive signals from the velocimetry assembly relating to the determined flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Samuel Batchelder
  • Method for printing three-dimensional parts wtih crystallization kinetics control
    Patent number: 9527242
    Abstract: A method for printing a three-dimensional part with an additive manufacturing system, which includes providing a part material that compositionally has one or more semi-crystalline polymers and one or more secondary materials that are configured to retard crystallization of the one or more semi-crystalline polymers, where the one or more secondary materials are substantially miscible with the one or more semi-crystalline polymers. The method also includes melting the part material in the additive manufacturing system, forming at least a portion of a layer of the three-dimensional part from the melted part material in a build environment, and maintaining the build environment at an annealing temperature that is between a glass transition temperature of the part material and a cold crystallization temperature of the part material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke M. B. Rodgers, Vittorio L. Jaker
  • Engineering-grade consumable materials for electrophotography-based additive manufacturing
    Patent number: 9523934
    Abstract: A part material for printing three-dimensional parts with an electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system, the part material including a composition having an engineering-grade thermoplastic material and a charge control agent. The part material is provided in a powder form having a controlled particle size, and is configured for use in the electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system having a layer transfusion assembly for printing the three-dimensional parts in a layer-by-layer manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Orrock, Steven A. Chillscyzn, Trevor I. Martin
  • Method for printing three-dimensional parts with additive manufacturing systems using scaffolds
    Patent number: 9511547
    Abstract: A method for printing a three-dimensional part with an additive manufacturing system, comprising printing the three-dimensional part in a layer-by-layer manner along a printing axis in the additive manufacturing system, printing a scaffold in a layer by layer manner along the printing axis along with the printing of the three-dimensional part, and bracing the three-dimensional part laterally relative to the printing axis with the scaffold while printing the three-dimensional part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Swanson, Dominic F. Mannella
  • Solid identification grid engine for calculating support material volumes, and methods of use
    Patent number: 9483588
    Abstract: A method for calculating a support material volume, the method comprising generating a grid of cells for a tree data structure of a digital part, where the cells define a plurality of cell arrays, and pinging the cells of one of the cell arrays until a cell containing a subset of the tree data structure is reached or until each cell in the cell array is pinged, where if a cell containing the subset of the tree data structure is reached, then designating the reached cell and all remaining unpinged cells in the cell array as filled. The method also includes repeating the pinging step for each remaining cell array to determine a total filled volume, and subtracting a volume of the digital part from the total filled volume to determine a support material volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventors: Ziad A. Nehme, Amer E. Mouawad
  • Part material for electrophotography-based additive manufacturing
    Patent number: 9482974
    Abstract: A part material for printing three-dimensional parts with an electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system, the part material including a composition having a copolymer (including acrylonitrile units, butadiene units, and aromatic units), a charge control agent, and a heat absorber. The part material is provided in a powder form having a controlled particle size, and is configured for use in the electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system having a layer transfusion assembly for printing the three-dimensional parts in a layer-by-layer manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventor: Trevor I. Martin
  • Head tool changer for use with deposition-based digital manufacturing systems
    Patent number: 9427838
    Abstract: A head tool changer for use with a deposition-based digital manufacturing system, the head tool changer comprising a tooling unit configured to retain a deposition head, a grip unit configured to engage with tooling unit and to relay electrical power to the tooling unit, and a master unit operably mounted to a gantry and configured to engage with the tooling unit and to relay electrical power to the tooling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Comb, Joseph E. Labossiere, Michael D. Bosveld, David G. Bocek, Max Peters
  • Electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system with reciprocating operation
    Patent number: 9423756
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing system for printing a three-dimensional part using electrophotography, the additive manufacturing system comprising a rotatable photoconductor component, first and second development stations configured to develop layers of materials on a surface of the rotatable photoconductor component while the rotatable photoconductor component rotates in opposing rotational directions, and a platen configured to operably receive the developed layers in a layer-by-layer manner to print the three-dimensional part from at least a portion of the received layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Hanson, J. Randolph Sanders, Michael W. Bacus, Steven A. Chillscyzn
  • Additive manufacturing method for printing three-dimensional parts with purge towers
    Patent number: 9421713
    Abstract: A method for printing a three-dimensional part with an additive manufacturing system, the method including printing layers of the three-dimensional part and of a support structure for the three-dimensional part from multiple print heads or deposition lines, and switching the print heads or deposition line between stand-by modes and operating modes in-between the printing of the layers of the three-dimensional part and the support structure. The method also includes performing a purge operation for each print head or deposition line switched to the operating mode, where the purge operation includes printing a layer of at least one purge tower from the print head or deposition line switched to the operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Swanson, Ronald G. Schloesser, Gary Larson
  • Three-dimensional parts having interconnected hollow patterns, and method for generating and printing thereof
    Patent number: 9399320
    Abstract: A three-dimensional part printed using an additive manufacturing technique, which includes sets of printed cell layers, each defining an array of hollow cells with wall segments, and sets of printed transition layers, each being disposed between adjacent printed cell layers, where the sets of printed transition layers each comprise sloped walls that diverge from a first portion of the wall segments and that converge towards a second portion of the wall segments to interconnect the hollow cells of adjacent printed cell layers, and where the sloped walls of adjacent printed transition layers have printing orientations that are rotated from each other in a build plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin C. Johnson, William J. Swanson
  • SEMI-CRYSTALLINE CONSUMABLE MATERIALS FOR ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY-BASED ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20160161872
    Abstract: A part material for printing three-dimensional parts with an electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system, the part material including a composition having a semi-crystalline thermoplastic material and a charge control agent. The part material is provided in a powder form having a controlled particle size, and is configured for use in the electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system having a layer transfusion assembly for printing the three-dimensional parts in a layer-by-layer manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Applicant: STRATASYS, INC.
    Inventors: James E. Orrock, Steven A. Chillscyzn, Trevor I. Martin
  • Radiation curable polymers
    Patent number: 9359499
    Abstract: A polymeric matrix is melt processed with reactive monomers or oligomers that are miscible in the polymeric matrix. Upon initial melt processing and mixing, the reactive monomers or oligomers contained within the resulting polymeric matrix are cured with actinic radiation to form a polymeric alloy. The alloy of the polymeric matrix and the cured polymer possesses a non-equilibrium morphology and a surface energy that is effectively secured for a desired application and use after subsequent compounding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Jacob Cernohous
  • Liquefier assembly for additive manufacturing systems, and methods of use thereof
    Patent number: 9327447
    Abstract: A liquefier assembly for use in an additive manufacturing system, which includes a rigid member having a gap, a liquefier tube operably disposed in the gap, one or more heater assemblies disposed in the gap in contact with the liquefier tube, and configured to heat the liquefier tube in a zone-by-zone manner, preferably one or more thermal resistors disposed in the gap between the rigid member and the heater assemblies, and preferably one or more sensors configured to operably measure pressure within the liquefier tube. The one or more heater assemblies may be operated to provide dynamic heat flow control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Samuel Batchelder, William J. Swanson, Kevin C. Johnson
  • Additive manufacturing technique for printing three-dimensional parts with printed receiving surfaces
    Patent number: 9327350
    Abstract: A method for printing three-dimensional parts with an additive manufacturing system, comprising printing successive layers having increasing cross-sectional areas, and printing layers of a three-dimensional part onto the previously printed layers, where a last layer of the previously printed successive layers has a cross-sectional area that is at least as large as a footprint area of the three-dimensional part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominic F. Mannella, William J. Swanson
  • Spool assembly with locking mechanism for additive manufacturing system, and methods of use thereof
    Patent number: 9321608
    Abstract: A spool assembly comprising a housing structure, a spool rotatably retained in an interior region of the housing structure, and a sealed sheath encasing the housing structure to define a barrier for the encased housing structure and the rotatably retained spool. The spool assembly further comprises a locking arm disposed outside of the sealed sheath and configured to operably engage the spool through the sealed sheath and through the housing structure in a manner that does not penetrate the sealed sheath, where the locking arm prevents the spool from rotating relative to the housing mechanism when operably engaged with the spool. The locking arm may disengage from the spool in a hands-free manner when the spool assembly is loaded into a bay of an additive manufacturing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad E. Beery, David M. Kozlak, Timothy A. Hjelsand