Patents Assigned to Z Corporation
  • Publication number: 20110233808
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: Z Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Davidson
  • Patent number: 8017055
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Z Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Davidson, Robert A. Phillips, David B. Russell
  • Publication number: 20110211016
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: Z Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Davidson, Andres T. Hernandez
  • Patent number: 7979152
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Z Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Davidson
  • Patent number: 7971991
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Z Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Davidson, Robert Villegas
  • Publication number: 20110156301
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: Z Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene Giller, Derek X. Williams
  • Patent number: 7968626
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Z Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene Giller, Derek X. Williams
  • Publication number: 20110130489
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: Z Corporation
    Inventor: Derek X. Williams
  • Patent number: 7905951
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Z Corporation
    Inventor: Derek X. Williams
  • Publication number: 20110032301
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: Z Corporation
    Inventors: William James Fienup, Andrew A. Berlin, Andres Tomas Hernandez, Joshua P. Kinsley, Walter H. Zengerle, III
  • Patent number: 7828022
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Z Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Davidson, Andres T. Hernandez, Joshua Kinsley, Jennifer Sanchez
  • Patent number: 7824001
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Z Corporation
    Inventors: William James Fienup, Andrew A. Berlin, Andres Tomas Hernandez, Joshua P. Kinsley, Walter H. Zengerle, III
  • Patent number: 7795349
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Z Corporation
    Inventors: James F. Bredt, Timothy Anderson, David B. Russell, Sarah L. Clark, Matthew J. DiCologero
  • Publication number: 20100151136
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: Z Corporation
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 7686995
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Z Corporation
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 7569273
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Z Corporation
    Inventors: James F. Bredt, Sarah L. Clark, Derek X. Williams, Matthew J. DiCologero
  • Patent number: 7550518
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Z Corporation
    Inventors: James F. Bredt, Sarah L. Clark, Evert F. Uy, Matthew J. DiCologero, Timothy Anderson, Michael Tarkanian, Derek X. Williams
  • Publication number: 20090011066
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: Z Corporation
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20080281019
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: Z Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene Giller, Derek X. Williams
  • Publication number: 20080252682
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: Z Corporation
    Inventors: Andres Tomas Hernandez, Andrew A. Berlin, Benjamin D. Sweet-Block, Joshua P. Kinsley, Dmitriy Katalichenko, Chris Korda, Walter H. Zengerle, David B. Russell