Patents Examined by Jimmy R Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11701827
    Abstract: A multi-beam volumetric resin curing system and method for whole-volume additive manufacturing of an object includes a bath containing a photosensitive resin, a light source for producing a light beam, and a spatial light modulator which produces a phase- or intensity-modulated light beam by impressing a phase profile or intensity profile of an image onto a light beam received from the light source. The system and method also include projection optics which then produces multiple sub-image beams from the modulated light beam which are projected to intersect each other in the photosensitive resin to cure select volumetric regions of the resin in a whole-volume three-dimensional pattern representing the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Maxim Shusteff, Christopher M. Spadaccini, Nicholas Fang, Robert Matthew Panas, Johannes Henriksson, Brett Kelly, Allison E. Browar
  • Patent number: 11691199
    Abstract: The invention aims to provide a contactless method to create small conductive tracks on a substrate. To this end a method is provided for selective material deposition, comprising depositing a first material on a substrate; followed by solidifying the first material selectively in a first solidified pattern by one or more energy beams; and followed by propelling non-solidified material away from the substrate by a large area photonic exposure, controlled in timing, energy and intensity to leave the solidified first pattern of the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurwetenschappelijk onderzoek TNO
    Inventors: Gari Arutinov, Edsger Constant Pieter Smits, Jeroen Van Den Brand
  • Patent number: 11691215
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (100) for an additive manufacture. The device (100) comprises a laser device (110) for machining material using a laser beam (112), said laser device (110) being designed to deflect the laser beam (112) onto a machining region of a workpiece (10); at least one supply device (130) for a supply material, said supply device being designed to supply the supply material to the machining region; and an interferometer (140) which is designed to measure a distance to the workpiece (10) by means of an optical measuring beam (142).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Precitec GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Daniel Regulin, Heinz-Ingo Schneider, Henning Hanebuth, Markus Kogel-Hollacher, Thibault Bautze, Christian Staudenmaier
  • Patent number: 11691202
    Abstract: A 3-dimensional printing system for manufacturing a part is provided. The system includes a building platform having a deposited pattern of metal powder, a sand dispensing nozzle selectively supplying sand to the building platform, a binder dispensing nozzle selectively supplying binder material to the building platform, a robotic arm supporting one or more of the sand dispensing nozzle and the binder dispensing nozzle, the robotic arm moving the one or more of the sand dispensing nozzle and the binder dispensing nozzle, and a processor controlling the robotic arm to position the one or more of the sand dispensing nozzle and the binder dispensing nozzle relative to the deposited pattern of metal powder and control the sand dispensing nozzle and the binder dispensing nozzle to supply powdered sand and binder, respectively, based on a Computer Aided Drafting file associated with the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: LiLi Zheng, Wei Yuan
  • Patent number: 11691343
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides three-dimensional (3D) printing processes, apparatuses, software, and systems for the production of at least one desired 3D object. The 3D printer system (e.g., comprising a processing chamber, build module, or an unpacking station) described herein may retain a desired (e.g., inert) atmosphere around the material bed and/or 3D object at multiple 3D printing stages. The 3D printer described herein comprises one or more build modules that may have a controller separate from the controller of the processing chamber. The 3D printer described herein comprises a platform that may be automatically constructed. The invention(s) described herein may allow the 3D printing process to occur for a long time without operator intervention and/or down time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Inventors: Benyamin Buller, Zachary Ryan Murphree, Richard Joseph Romano, Thomas Blasius Brezoczky, Alan Rick Lappen
  • Patent number: 11679561
    Abstract: According to some aspects, techniques are provided for identifying contamination in additive fabrication devices by measuring light interacting with the contamination using one or more light sensors. Contamination located between a light source and a target of a light source can affect the uniformity and intensity of the light source when incident upon the target. For instance, in an inverse stereolithography device, contamination located between a light source and a liquid photopolymer resin that is to be cured can affect the quality of the fabricated object when the light is scattered or blocked by the contamination. Identifying the presence of contamination between the light source and the liquid photopolymer resin and alerting the user prior to initiating a fabrication process may increase the quality of the resulting fabricated object and improve the user experience by saving time and photocurable liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Formlabs, Inc.
    Inventors: Shane Wighton, Andrew M. Goldman, Henry Whitney, Justin Keenan
  • Patent number: 11667077
    Abstract: For increasing the speed in 3D printing, for avoiding the conveying elements slipping from the conveyed semi-finished product, and for improving the transmission of force from the conveying elements to the semi-finished products to be conveyed, a conveying installation is provided for an additive manufacturing machine. The conveying installation for conveying a semi-finished product comprises a longitudinal conveying mechanism which by means of a periodic movement of at least one conveying element conveys the semi-finished product along a conveying direction which is parallel to the semi-finished product longitudinal axis. The conveying element when moving in the conveying direction acquires the semi-finished product, and when moving counter to the conveying direction is released from the semi-finished product. This results in a movement of the semi-finished product in the conveying direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Claus Fastert, Johannes Born, Konstantin Schubert
  • Patent number: 11660811
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that includes a printer cartridge having a cartridge barrel for containing print material, an extruder having a nozzle and a lever arm, the lever arm including a plunger, the plunger having an inlet port, and a pneumatic system including a pneumatic piston, a solenoid valve and a Y-connector, wherein the pneumatic piston is configured to receive pressurized air from (1) the Y-connector to lower the lever arm to align the inlet port with an entry point of the extruder enabling print material to flow into the extruder through the inlet port, and (2) the solenoid valve to raise the lever arm to misalign the inlet port and the entry point to prevent additional print material to flow into the extruder. The apparatus further includes a build platform, and a plurality of rods and screws for guiding the extruder to dispense print material on the build platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: BeeHex Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Anjan Contractor, Benjamin Feltner
  • Patent number: 11649589
    Abstract: An improved adhesive composition having increased insulative properties is provided. The adhesive composition having improved insulative properties includes a starch component; an alkaline component; sodium tetraborate; water; and a plurality of expandable microspheres. Products having improved insulation capabilities and methods of making the products having improved insulation capabilities are also provided. The present adhesive and products including the adhesive is environmentally friendly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: HENKEL AG & CO., KGaA
    Inventors: Tianjian Huang, Robert Sandilla, Daniel Waski
  • Patent number: 11642842
    Abstract: In an example of a method for three-dimensional (3D) printing, a build material composition is applied to form a build material layer. The build material composition includes a polymeric or polymeric composite build material, and a precipitating agent. Based on a 3D object model, a fusing agent is selectively applied on at least a portion of the build material composition. The fusing agent includes a radiation absorber, which the precipitating agent precipitates. The build material composition is exposed to radiation to fuse the at least the portion to form a layer of a 3D part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Sterling Chaffins, Anthony P. Holden, Katrina Donovan, Noemie Midrez, Garry Hinch
  • Patent number: 11639028
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling an irradiation system (20), the irradiation system (20) being used in a device (10) for the additive manufacturing of three-dimensional workpieces and comprising at least three irradiation units (22a-d, 50), the method comprising the following steps: a) defining an irradiation region (30a-d) for each of the irradiation units (22a-d, 50), the irradiation regions (30a-d) each comprising a portion of an irradiation plane (28) which extends parallel to a carrier (16) of the device (10), and the irradiation regions (30a-d) being defined such that they overlap in a common overlap region (34); b) irradiating a raw material powder layer on the carrier (16) to produce a workpiece layer; c) arranging a further raw material powder layer on the already jetted raw material powder layer to produce a further workpiece layer. d) The invention also relates to a device for performing this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: SLM Solutions Group AG
    Inventors: Andreas Wiesner, Jan Wilkes, Christiane Thiel, Lukas Roesgen
  • Patent number: 11623371
    Abstract: A UV (ultraviolet) curing apparatus for a contact-lens polymerization process is provided. A UV curing module is equipped for the mold cavities of contact-lens curing molds, including a plurality of first UV light sources arranged above the mold cavities and a plurality of second UV light sources arranged below the mold cavities. A plurality of light output areas of a first light guide device guides the light beams emitted by the first UV light sources to illuminate upper light receiving surfaces of the molds. A plurality of reflecting plates of a second light guide device reflects and scatters the light beams emitted by the second UV light sources to lower light receiving surfaces of the molds. Thereby, the contact-lens polymer inside the molds is uniformly cured, and the yield is raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Hope Vision Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih Hong Chu, Zheng Jun Su, Cheng Tai Jao, Hsin Pei Yu, Huan Chiu Tsen
  • Patent number: 11607840
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for layer-wise instruction of a shaped body by stereolithography in subsequent layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventors: Jörg Ebert, Stefan Geissbühler
  • Patent number: 11607832
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a feed block that can stably produce a resin sheet in which a main material and an auxiliary material are stacked on top of another. The feed block feeds laminated molten resin P to a die, wherein laminated molten resin P has at least one main material A that consists of a molten resin in a shape of a plate or a sheet and auxiliary material B that consists of a molten resin in a shape of a plate or a sheet, wherein auxiliary material B is stacked on at least a part of at least one main material A with regard to a width direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: JAPAN STEEL WORKS, LTD.
    Inventors: Hideki Tomiyama, Makoto Iwamura, Masaki Ueda, Kazuya Yokomizo, Yousuke Tago
  • Patent number: 11602888
    Abstract: Continuous additive manufacturing apparatuses are provided. An apparatus includes an actinic radiation-transparent substrate having a major surface and an irradiation source configured to direct actinic radiation through the actinic radiation-transparent substrate at predetermined dosages at predetermined locations. The apparatus further includes a means for depositing a composition onto the major surface of the actinic radiation-transparent substrate and a means for conveying the actinic radiation-transparent substrate or the irradiation source with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Carsten Franke, Kenneth L. Smith, Jesse R. Behnke, Robert L. W. Smithson, Lucas D. Crestik, Olester Benson, Jr., Alexander J. Huffman
  • Patent number: 11602889
    Abstract: A stereolithography apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a light source unit, a photo-detector, and a control unit. The light source unit includes a plurality of light-emitting elements that emits light for curing a photo-curing resin. The photo-detector detects the light emitted from the light source unit. The control unit generates an amount-of-light profile indicating an amount-of-light distribution of the light on the basis of the light detected by the photo-detector and controls light emission of the plurality of light-emitting elements on the basis of the amount-of-light profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jugo Mitomo, Kei Satou
  • Patent number: 11577472
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing a zipper closure to polymeric film using minimal tension on the zipper closure includes providing first and second tension control loops, an eyemark detector, and a hole punch programmed to punch a hole in the zipper closure upon detection of the eyemark. The zipper closure and the film are supplied to a sealing station at the same speed, and the hole zipper closure is aligned with the eyemark on the film, to result in sealing the strip of zipper closure to the film resulting in minimal wrinkles to the resulting bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Reynolds Presto Products Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Soller, Carlos Chapek, Zachary Thompson, Aaron Wells, Gregory Heckman
  • Patent number: 11571851
    Abstract: A stereolithography apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a light source unit, a photo-detector, and a control unit. The light source unit includes a plurality of light-emitting elements that emits light for curing a photo-curing resin. The photo-detector detects the light emitted from the light source unit. The control unit generates an amount-of-light profile indicating an amount-of-light distribution of the light on the basis of the light detected by the photo-detector and controls light emission of the plurality of light-emitting elements on the basis of the amount-of-light profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jugo Mitomo, Kei Satou
  • Patent number: 11548069
    Abstract: A 3D printer successively fuses sheet material in a stack to form a three-dimensional object. The sheet material may provide a mesh separating islands of material that will be fused to produce the desired three-dimensional object. The mesh provides support for the island material during the fusing process and may be removed afterwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Thomas Rockwell Mackie, Brandon Joseph Walker, Nathan Donald Schumacher
  • Patent number: 11534832
    Abstract: A selective laser sintering system includes a leveling roller having a first orientation. The leveling roller is configured to roll over a first feed bin. The build chamber is configured to receive, from the first feed bin and by the leveling roller, a transfer of a portion of matrix material. The selective laser sintering system is configured to transfer the portion to the build chamber in a number of orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Lawrence Kulinsky, Edward Tackett, Benjamin Dolan