Patents Assigned to Z Corporation
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Publication number: 20110233808Abstract: The present invention is directed towards methods and apparatus for handling powder in a 3D printer. The invention includes a means of transporting powder from multiple sources to a powder dispensing apparatus with minimal user intervention, thus reducing contamination of the 3D printer and surrounding area with loose powder, while also providing a means of improving the recycling of powder for re-use.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2011Publication date: September 29, 2011Applicant: Z CorporationInventor: Thomas Davidson
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Patent number: 8017055Abstract: A three-dimensional printer uses inkjet-type printheads to rapidly prototype, or print, a three-dimensional model. A powder feeder includes a conveyor system and a metering system to deliver powder to a build area in measured quantities. The powder feeder also includes a vacuum system for loading powder into a feed reservoir or chamber. The vacuum system can also be used to cleanup excess powder. Other powder control features include powder gutters and magnetic powder plows. During printing, a cleaning system operates to remove powder from the printheads. In the event of a printhead or jet failure, the failure can be detected and corrective measures taken automatically. After printing, the model can be depowdered and infiltrated in an enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2010Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Z CorporationInventors: Thomas Davidson, Robert A. Phillips, David B. Russell
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Publication number: 20110211016Abstract: The present invention is directed towards methods and apparatus for handling powder in a 3D printer. The invention includes a means of transporting powder from multiple sources to a powder dispensing apparatus with minimal user intervention, thus reducing contamination of the 3D printer and surrounding area with loose powder, while also providing a means of improving the recycling of powder for re-use.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2011Publication date: September 1, 2011Applicant: Z CorporationInventors: Thomas Davidson, Andres T. Hernandez
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Patent number: 7979152Abstract: A build chamber for use in a three-dimensional printer and adapted for receiving powder for producing three-dimensional objects. The build chamber includes a build surface for receiving the powder, with the build surface including a first plate defining holes and a second plate defining a plurality of openings spaced apart and offset from the plurality of holes in the first plate. The second plate is disposed below and spaced from the first plate.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2007Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Z CorporationInventor: Thomas Davidson
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Patent number: 7971991Abstract: The present invention is directed towards methods and apparatus for handling powder in a 3D printer. The invention includes a means of transporting powder from multiple sources to a powder dispensing apparatus with minimal user intervention, thus reducing contamination of the 3D printer and surrounding area with loose powder, while also providing a means of improving the recycling of powder for re-use.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2007Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Z CorporationInventors: Thomas Davidson, Robert Villegas
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Publication number: 20110156301Abstract: Materials system, kit, and methods are provided to enable the formation of articles by three dimensional printing. The kit includes (i) a substantially dry particulate material including an aqueous-insoluble thermoplastic particulate material, plaster, and a water-soluble adhesive; (ii) an aqueous fluid binder, and (iii) an infiltrant.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2011Publication date: June 30, 2011Applicant: Z CorporationInventors: Eugene Giller, Derek X. Williams
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Patent number: 7968626Abstract: A materials system, kit, and methods are provided to enable the formation of articles by three dimensional printing. The kit includes (i) a substantially dry particulate material including an aqueous-insoluble thermoplastic particulate material, plaster, and a water-soluble adhesive; (ii) an aqueous fluid binder, and (iii) an infiltrant.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2008Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Z CorporationInventors: Eugene Giller, Derek X. Williams
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Publication number: 20110130489Abstract: A materials system and methods are provided to enable the formation of articles by Three Dimensional Printing. The materials system includes a transition metal catalyst that facilitates the reaction of an acrylate-containing binder with a particulate material.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2011Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: Z CorporationInventor: Derek X. Williams
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Patent number: 7905951Abstract: A materials system and methods are provided to enable the formation of articles by Three Dimensional Printing. The materials system includes a transition metal catalyst that facilitates the reaction of an acrylate-containing binder with a particulate material.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2007Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Z CorporationInventor: Derek X. Williams
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Publication number: 20110032301Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and methods for producing three-dimensional objects and auxiliary systems used in conjunction with the aforementioned apparatus and methods. The apparatus and methods involve 3D printing and servicing of the equipment used in the associated 3D printer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2010Publication date: February 10, 2011Applicant: Z CorporationInventors: William James Fienup, Andrew A. Berlin, Andres Tomas Hernandez, Joshua P. Kinsley, Walter H. Zengerle, III
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Patent number: 7828022Abstract: The present invention is directed towards methods and apparatus for handling powder in a 3D printer. The invention includes a means of transporting powder from multiple sources to a powder dispensing apparatus with minimal user intervention, thus reducing contamination of the 3D printer and surrounding area with loose powder, while also providing a means of improving the recycling of powder for re-use.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2007Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Z CorporationInventors: Thomas Davidson, Andres T. Hernandez, Joshua Kinsley, Jennifer Sanchez
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Patent number: 7824001Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and methods for producing three-dimensional objects and auxiliary systems used in conjunction with the aforementioned apparatus and methods. The apparatus and methods involve 3D printing and servicing of the equipment used in the associated 3D printer.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2004Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Z CorporationInventors: William James Fienup, Andrew A. Berlin, Andres Tomas Hernandez, Joshua P. Kinsley, Walter H. Zengerle, III
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Patent number: 7795349Abstract: The present invention is directed to three-dimensional printing material systems and method, and an article made therefrom. The method of the present invention includes building cross-sectional portions of a three-dimensional article, and assembling the individual cross-sectional areas in a layer-wise fashion to form a final article. The individual cross-sectional areas are built by using an ink-jet printhead to deliver a fluid to a particulate material that includes particulate material.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2006Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Z CorporationInventors: James F. Bredt, Timothy Anderson, David B. Russell, Sarah L. Clark, Matthew J. DiCologero
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Publication number: 20100151136Abstract: A three-dimensional printer uses inkjet-type printheads to rapidly prototype, or print, a three-dimensional model. A powder feeder includes a conveyor system and a metering system to deliver powder to a build area in measured quantities. The powder feeder also includes a vacuum system for loading powder into a feed reservoir or chamber. The vacuum system can also be used to cleanup excess powder. Other powder control features include powder gutters and magnetic powder plows. During printing, a cleaning system operates to remove powder from the printheads. In the event of a printhead or jet failure, the failure can be detected and corrective measures taken automatically. After printing, the model can be depowdered and infiltrated in an enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2010Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: Z CorporationInventors: Thomas Davidson, Robert A. Philips, Andres T. Hernandes, David B. Russell, Kevin Roche, Walter H. Zengerle, III, Andrew Berlin, Joshua P. Kinsley, Benjamin Daniel Sweet-Block, Darul Kisai
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Patent number: 7686995Abstract: A three-dimensional printer uses inkjet-type printheads to rapidly prototype, or print, a three-dimensional model. A powder feeder includes a conveyor system and a metering system to deliver powder to a build area in measured quantities. The powder feeder also includes a vacuum system for loading powder into a feed reservoir or chamber. The vacuum system can also be used to cleanup excess powder. Other powder control features include powder gutters and magnetic powder plows. During printing, a cleaning system operates to remove powder from the printheads. In the event of a printhead or jet failure, the failure can be detected and corrective measures taken automatically. After printing, the model can be depowdered and infiltrated in an enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2008Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Z CorporationInventors: Thomas Davidson, Robert A. Phillips, Andres T. Hernandez, David B. Russell, Kevin Roche, Walter H. Zengerle, III, Andrew Berlin, Joshua P. Kinsley, Benjamin Daniel Sweet-Block, Darul Kisai
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Patent number: 7569273Abstract: A materials system and method is provided to enable the formation of articles by three-dimensional printing. The materials system includes thermoplastic particulate filler material that allows the accurate definition of articles that are strong without being brittle.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2004Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: Z CorporationInventors: James F. Bredt, Sarah L. Clark, Derek X. Williams, Matthew J. DiCologero
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Patent number: 7550518Abstract: A three-dimensional printing materials system and method can produce both appearance models and small numbers of functional parts in an office environment. The method can include building cross-sectional portions of a three-dimensional article, and assembling the individual cross-sectional areas in a layer-wise fashion to form a final article. The individual cross-sectional areas can be built by using an ink-jet printhead to deliver an aqueous solvent or binder to an adhesive particulate mixture, causing the particles of the mixture to adhere together, and to previous cross-sectional areas. The binder can include at least one of nonaqueous organic monomeric compound, anionically ionizable polymer, cationic polymer, polymer, waterborne colloid, or inorganic solute.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2005Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Assignee: Z CorporationInventors: James F. Bredt, Sarah L. Clark, Evert F. Uy, Matthew J. DiCologero, Timothy Anderson, Michael Tarkanian, Derek X. Williams
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Publication number: 20090011066Abstract: A three-dimensional printer uses inkjet-type printheads to rapidly prototype, or print, a three-dimensional model. A powder feeder includes a conveyor system and a metering system to deliver powder to a build area in measured quantities. The powder feeder also includes a vacuum system for loading powder into a feed reservoir or chamber. The vacuum system can also be used to cleanup excess powder. Other powder control features include powder gutters and magnetic powder plows. During printing, a cleaning system operates to remove powder from the printheads. In the event of a printhead or jet failure, the failure can be detected and corrective measures taken automatically. After printing, the model can be depowdered and infiltrated in an enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2008Publication date: January 8, 2009Applicant: Z CorporationInventors: Thomas Davidson, Robert A. Phillips, Andres T. Hernandez, David B. Russell, Kevin Roche, Walter H. Zengerle, III, Andrew Berlin, Joshua P. Kinsley, Benjamin Daniel Sweet-Block, Darul Kisai
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Publication number: 20080281019Abstract: aterials system, kit, and methods are provided to enable the formation of articles by three dimensional printing. The kit includes (i) a substantially dry particulate material including an aqueous-insoluble thermoplastic particulate material, plaster, and a water-soluble adhesive; (ii) an aqueous fluid binder, and (iii) an infiltrant.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2008Publication date: November 13, 2008Applicant: Z CorporationInventors: Eugene Giller, Derek X. Williams
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Publication number: 20080252682Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and methods for producing three-dimensional objects and auxiliary systems used in conjunction with the aforementioned apparatus and methods. The apparatus and methods involve 3D printing and servicing of the equipment used in the associated 3D printer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2008Publication date: October 16, 2008Applicant: Z CorporationInventors: Andres Tomas Hernandez, Andrew A. Berlin, Benjamin D. Sweet-Block, Joshua P. Kinsley, Dmitriy Katalichenko, Chris Korda, Walter H. Zengerle, David B. Russell