Abstract: A method of layerwise fabrication of a three-dimensional object is disclosed. The method comprises, for each of at least a few of the layers: dispensing at least a first modeling formulation and a second modeling formulation to form a core region using both the first and the second modeling formulations, and at least one envelope region at least partially surrounding the core region using one of the first and the second modeling formulations but not the other one of the first and the second modeling formulations. The method can also comprise exposing the layer to curing energy. The first modeling formulation is characterized, when hardened, by heat deflection temperature (HDT) of at least 90° C., and the second modeling formulation is characterized, when hardened, by Izod impact resistance (IR) value of at least 45 J/m.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 26, 2020
Date of Patent:
September 6, 2022
Assignee:
Stratasys Ltd.
Inventors:
Diana Ravich, Ophira Melamed, Avraham Teken, Gavish Mida, Avraham Levy, Cesar M. Manna
Abstract: A method of additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object is disclosed. The method comprises sequentially forming a plurality of layers each patterned according to the shape of a cross section of the object. In some embodiments, the formation of at least one of the layers comprises performing a raster scan to dispense at least a first building material composition, and a vector scan to dispense at least a second building material composition. The vector scan is optionally along a path selected to form at least one structure selected from the group consisting of (i) an elongated structure, (ii) a boundary structure at least partially surrounding an area filled with the first building material, and (iii) an inter-layer connecting structure.
Abstract: A system for additive manufacturing comprises a dispensing head for dispensing building materials on a working surface, a hardening system for hardening the building materials, a cooling system for evacuating heat away from the building materials, and a computerized controller. A thermal sensing system is mounted above the working surface in a manner that allows relative motion between the sensing system and the working surface, and is configured to generate sensing signals responsively to thermal energy sensed thereby. The controller controls the dispensing head to dispense the building materials in layers, the sensing system to generate the sensing signals only when the sensing system is above the building materials once hardened, and the heat evacuation rate of the cooling system responsively to the sensing signals.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 27, 2019
Date of Patent:
August 16, 2022
Assignee:
Stratasys Ltd.
Inventors:
Amit Feffer, Gil Shelef, Haim Rotfeld, David Prizant
Abstract: A method of processing data for additive manufacturing of a 3D object comprises: receiving graphic elements defining a surface of the object, and an input color texture to be visible over a surface of the object; transforming the elements to voxelized computer object data; constructing a 3D color map having a plurality of pixels, each being associated with a voxel and being categorized as either a topmost pixel or an internal pixel. Each topmost pixel is associated with a group of internal pixels forming a receptive field for the topmost pixel. A color-value is assigned to each topmost pixel and each internal pixel of a receptive field associated with the topmost pixel, based on the color texture and according to a subtractive color mixing. A material to be used during the additive manufacturing is designated based on the color-value.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 27, 2019
Date of Patent:
August 16, 2022
Assignee:
Stratasys Ltd.
Inventors:
Yoav Bressler, Shai Lipowitch, Shahar Klinger, Mayan Rumbak
Abstract: A method of monitoring an amount of building material in a cartridge that supplies the material to an additive manufacturing system, comprises introducing gas into the cartridge and measuring the pressure within the cartridge. When the pressure reaches a predetermined level, the amount of building material in the cartridge is determined based on a volume of gas introduced into the cartridge or based on a proxy of the volume.
Abstract: A method for producing a three-dimensional model via additive manufacturing includes building a green block in a layerwise manner with a powder material and a solidifiable non-powder material. The green block includes a green usable model. The solidified non-powder material is removed from the green block to extract the green usable model from the green block and the density of the green usable model is increased by applying Cold Isostatic Pressing (CIP). The green usable model is then sintered to produce a three-dimensional model.
Abstract: A method for preserving the shape of an object during sintering includes filling at least one volume defined by a surface of the object with a plurality of balls, sintering the object together with the balls and separating the object from the balls post sintering. The balls have a diameter of 0.5 mm-12 mm.
Abstract: A waste curing device to cure waste generated by an additive manufacturing system, the waste curing device comprising: a container for receiving the waste; a movable cover positioned above the container; one or more waste nozzles mounted on the moveable cover and configured to deliver waste into the container; a static cover positioned above the container and below the movable cover; one or more curing sources mounted on the static cover and configured to provide curing radiation to cure the waste in the container; wherein the movable cover is configured to move relative to the static cover to provide an open position for the waste nozzles to deliver waste into the container, and subsequently to a closed position, to shield the waste nozzles from curing radiation.
Type:
Application
Filed:
April 4, 2022
Publication date:
July 21, 2022
Applicant:
Stratasys Ltd.
Inventors:
Yaniv SHITRIT, Boris BELOCON, Gal BEGUN
Abstract: A method for sintering objects formed with aluminum powder includes forming a shape of an object with aluminum powder, selecting a sintering atmosphere and sintering the object in the sintering atmosphere. The sintering atmosphere includes Nitrogen and one or more of Argon and partial vacuum. The selection is based on a desired balance of degree of shrinkage and mechanical properties to be achieved.
Abstract: Methods of fabricating three-dimensional rubber-like objects which utilize one or more modeling material formulations which comprise an elastomeric curable material and silica particles are provided. Objects made of the modeling material formulations and featuring improved mechanical properties are also provided.
Abstract: A method of additive manufacturing (AM) includes dispensing a first building material formulation to form an outer region, and dispensing a second building material formulation to form an inner region, the outer region surrounding the inner region, the inner and outer regions being shaped to form a layer of the object; exposing the layer to a first curing condition, repeating the dispensing and the exposing to sequentially form a plurality of layers of the object and collectively exposing the plurality of layers to a second curing condition. The selections are such that the first building material formulation is hardened to a higher degree than the second building formulation. The outer regions form a hardened coating that at least partially encapsulates the inner regions. The second curing condition is other than the first curing condition and is selected to increase the degree that the inner region is hardened.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 27, 2019
Date of Patent:
July 5, 2022
Assignee:
Stratasys Ltd.
Inventors:
Mariana Pokrass, Lev Kuno, Eviatar Golan, Oren Zoran
Abstract: Modeling material formulations usable for forming a polyurea material in additive manufacturing, and methods for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects made of these formulations are provided. The modeling material formulation comprises at least one isocyanate-containing material and at least one amine-containing material such that at least one isocyanate-containing material comprises at least one polyisocyanate material and at least one amine-containing material comprises at least one aromatic polyamine material.
Type:
Application
Filed:
April 1, 2020
Publication date:
June 30, 2022
Applicant:
Stratasys Ltd.
Inventors:
Lev KUNO, Avraham LEVY, Laurent BENISVY
Abstract: An additive manufacturing method for printing an object includes receiving three-dimensional printing data corresponding to the object, defining an internal region of the object to be formed with a structured air pocket and printing the object with an additive manufacturing system. The object includes an internal region formed with a structured air pocket.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 29, 2020
Publication date:
May 26, 2022
Applicant:
Stratasys Ltd.
Inventors:
Yoav BRESSLER, Daniel DIKOVSKY, Mayan RUMBAK, Alexander LIBINSON
Abstract: A method of fabricating an object in layers, comprises, for at least one layer: dispensing a building material formulation to form a first portion of the layer, and leveling the first portion by a leveling device; increasing a vertical distance between the first portion and the leveling device; and while a topmost surface of the first portion is exposed and beneath a segment of the leveling device: dispensing a building material formulation to form a second portion of the layer, laterally displaced from the first portion along an indexing direction, and leveling the second portion by the leveling device.
Abstract: Formulations usable in additive manufacturing such as 3D inkjet printing which provide a transparent material when hardened, are provided. The formulation are designed so as to provide transparent objects or parts thereof with improved transmittance and color properties such as yellowness index, compared to commercially available formulations. The formulations comprise a photoinitiator at a relatively low amount and designed mixture of curable materials.
Type:
Application
Filed:
January 19, 2022
Publication date:
May 5, 2022
Applicant:
Stratasys Ltd.
Inventors:
Avraham LEVY, Diana RAVICH, Elena SHPAYZER, Mariana POKRASS
Abstract: Methods of fabricating three-dimensional rubber-like objects which utilize one or more modeling material formulations which comprise an elastomeric curable material and silica particles are provided. Objects made of the modeling material formulations and featuring improved mechanical properties are also provided.
Abstract: A waste curing device to cure waste generated by an additive manufacturing system, the waste curing device comprising: a container for receiving the waste; a movable cover positioned above the container; one or more waste nozzles mounted on the moveable cover and configured to deliver waste into the container; a static cover positioned above the container and below the movable cover; one or more curing sources mounted on the static cover and configured to provide curing radiation to cure the waste in the container; wherein the movable cover is configured to move relative to the static cover to provide an open position for the waste nozzles to deliver waste into the container, and subsequently to a closed position, to shield the waste nozzles from curing radiation.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 8, 2019
Date of Patent:
April 26, 2022
Assignee:
Stratasys Ltd.
Inventors:
Yaniv Shitrit, Boris Belocon, Gal Begun
Abstract: A formulation system usable in additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object that comprises, in at least a portion thereof, a cyanate ester-containing polymeric network, and additive manufacturing processes employing the formulation system are provided. Also provided are objects obtainable by the additive manufacturing and kits containing the formulation system. The formulation system includes a first modeling material formulation which includes a first curable material which is a thermally-curable cyanate ester and a second modeling material formulation which comprises an activating agent for promoting polymerization of the cyanate ester and is devoid of the first curable material, and further includes a second curable material which is different from the first curable material, and optionally an agent for promoting hardening of the second curable material.
Abstract: Formulations usable in additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object, which comprise a reinforcing material such as silica particles in an amount of from 10 to 30%, or from 15 to 20%, by weight, of the total weight of the formulation, and a designed combination of curable materials as described in the specification, is provided. Additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects made of such a formulation and featuring enhanced mechanical properties, and objects obtained thereby are also provided.
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 26, 2019
Publication date:
April 14, 2022
Applicant:
Stratasys Ltd.
Inventors:
Yaniv HIRSCHSOHN, Lior ZONDER, Ohad SHITRIT, Cesar M. MANNA