Patents by Inventor Ben Frantzdale
Ben Frantzdale has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11845229Abstract: According to some aspects, a method of additive fabrication is provided wherein a plurality of layers are formed on a build platform, each layer contacting a container in addition to the build platform and/or a previously formed layer, the method comprising calculating, using at least one processor, one or more forces to be applied to a first layer of the plurality of layers subsequent to the first layer being formed, said calculating being based at least in part on a determined area of at least one portion of the first layer that overhangs a second layer of the plurality of layers, forming the first layer, the first layer being in contact with the container and in contact with a previously formed layer of the plurality of layers, and separating the first layer from the container by applying the calculated one or more forces to the first layer.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2022Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: Formlabs, Inc.Inventors: Ben FrantzDale, Steven Thomas, Nicholas M. Sohn
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Publication number: 20220363048Abstract: According to some aspects, a method of additive fabrication is provided wherein a plurality of layers are formed on a build platform, each layer contacting a container in addition to the build platform and/or a previously formed layer, the method comprising calculating, using at least one processor, one or more forces to be applied to a first layer of the plurality of layers subsequent to the first layer being formed, said calculating being based at least in part on a determined area of at least one portion of the first layer that overhangs a second layer of the plurality of layers, forming the first layer, the first layer being in contact with the container and in contact with a previously formed layer of the plurality of layers, and separating the first layer from the container by applying the calculated one or more forces to the first layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2022Publication date: November 17, 2022Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.Inventors: Ben FrantzDale, Steven Thomas, Nicholas M. Sohn
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Patent number: 11351770Abstract: According to some aspects, a method of additive fabrication is provided wherein a plurality of layers are formed on a build platform, each layer contacting a container in addition to the build platform and/or a previously formed layer, the method comprising calculating, using at least one processor, one or more forces to be applied to a first layer of the plurality of layers subsequent to the first layer being formed, said calculating being based at least in part on a determined area of at least one portion of the first layer that overhangs a second layer of the plurality of layers, forming the first layer, the first layer being in contact with the container and in contact with a previously formed layer of the plurality of layers, and separating the first layer from the container by applying the calculated one or more forces to the first layer.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2020Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Formlabs, Inc.Inventors: Ben FrantzDale, Steven Thomas, Nicholas M. Sohn
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Publication number: 20210401290Abstract: Verifying the opacity of an inflatable membrane includes tests to measure the contribution of a background to the noise in the fluorescence signal as an inflatable membrane is stretched. For example, if the inflatable membrane fluoresces red and green light in response to illumination with visible blue light, the ratio of red to green fluoresced light is measured when the membrane is not stretched and then stretched while the membrane sits over a background that is half black and half red. When the change in the ratio of intensities of the two wavelengths of fluoresced light increases more for measurements taken over one portion of the background than the other, then the inflatable membrane is considered transparent to the wavelengths of fluoresced light, and if it increases a similar amount for measurements taken no matter which portion of the background the membrane covered, then the inflatable membrane is considered opaque.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2021Publication date: December 30, 2021Inventors: Alison M. Forsyth, Manas Menon, Stan Najmr, Federico Frigerio, Ben Frantzdale, Michael Rishton
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Patent number: 11154197Abstract: An inflatable membrane for use with a three-dimensional (3D) scanning system configured to measure signal intensity of a first and a second wavelength of light may include a matrix material, a pigment for opacity, and a fluorescent material that is transparent to the first and the second wavelengths of light. The first and second wavelengths of light may be ranges of wavelengths. The matrix material may include a silicone, and the pigment for opacity may include a carbon black. The 3D scanning system may be configured to scan anatomical cavities, such as the human ear canal.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: LANTOS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Alison M. Forsyth, Manas Menon, Stan Najmr, Federico Frigerio, Ben Frantzdale, Michael Rishton
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Publication number: 20210259551Abstract: A balloon membrane may be coupled with a scanner to produce a three-dimensional representation. The balloon membrane may include an exterior surface, and an interior surface comprising one or more fiducial markers having geometric features to form a random pattern that when detected by the scanner permits a processor of the scanner to use portions of the random pattern present in at least two image frames to align the at least two image frames to form the three-dimensional representation.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2021Publication date: August 26, 2021Inventors: Alison M. Forsyth, Daniel Vlasic, Ben Frantzdale, Alban de Brouchoven de Bergeyck, Xiaowei Chen, Manas Menon, Federico Frigerio
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Patent number: 10925493Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided an apparatus. The apparatus may include a balloon membrane. The balloon membrane may include an opening, an exterior surface, and an interior surface. The interior surface may include one or more fiducial markers forming a pattern detectable by a scanner imaging the interior surface of the balloon membrane. Scanned portions of the interior surface of the balloon membrane may be combined based on the fiducial markers forming the pattern. Related methods and articles of manufacture, including computer program products, are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: LANTOS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Alison M. Forsyth, Daniel Vlasic, Ben Frantzdale, Alban de Brouchoven de Bergeyck, Xiaowei Chen, Manas Menon, Federico Frigerio
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Patent number: 10675856Abstract: According to some aspects, a method of additive fabrication is provided wherein a plurality of layers of material are formed on a build platform, the method comprising forming a layer of material in contact with a substrate and further in contact with either a previously formed layer of material or the build platform, the substrate being an actinically transparent, flexible, composite material, and subsequent to the forming of the layer of the material, actively separating the layer of material from the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2016Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: Formlabs, Inc.Inventor: Ben FrantzDale
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Publication number: 20200164628Abstract: According to some aspects, a method of additive fabrication is provided wherein a plurality of layers are formed on a build platform, each layer contacting a container in addition to the build platform and/or a previously formed layer, the method comprising calculating, using at least one processor, one or more forces to be applied to a first layer of the plurality of layers subsequent to the first layer being formed, said calculating being based at least in part on a determined area of at least one portion of the first layer that overhangs a second layer of the plurality of layers, forming the first layer, the first layer being in contact with the container and in contact with a previously formed layer of the plurality of layers, and separating the first layer from the container by applying the calculated one or more forces to the first layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2020Publication date: May 28, 2020Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.Inventors: Ben FrantzDale, Steven Thomas, Nicholas M. Sohn
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Patent number: 10569526Abstract: According to some aspects, a method of additive fabrication is provided wherein a plurality of layers of material are formed on a surface of a build platform, each layer of material being formed so as to contact a container in addition to the surface of the build platform and/or a previously formed layer of material. The method comprises forming a layer of material in contact with the container and in contact with a previously formed layer of material, and subsequent to the forming of the layer of the material, separating the layer of material from the container by simultaneously applying a first force to the layer of the material in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the build platform, and a second force to the layer of the material in a direction parallel to the surface of the build platform.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2016Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: Formlabs, Inc.Inventors: Ben FrantzDale, Steven Thomas, Nicholas M. Sohn
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Techniques for applying a peel operation during additive fabrication and related systems and methods
Patent number: 10213966Abstract: According to some aspects, an additive fabrication device is provided. The additive fabrication device may be configured to form layers of material on a build platform, each layer of material being formed so as to contact a container in addition to the build platform and/or a previously formed layer of material, and may comprise a build platform, a container, and a plurality of mechanical linkages each independently coupled to the container and configured to move the container relative to the build platform.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2015Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: Formlabs, Inc.Inventor: Ben FrantzDale -
Patent number: 10207453Abstract: According to some aspects, an additive fabrication device is provided configured to form layers of material on a build platform, each layer of material being formed so as to contact a container in addition to the build platform and/or a previously formed layer of material. The additive fabrication device may comprise a container and a wiper, wherein the wiper comprises a wiper arm and a wiper blade coupled to said wiper arm using a pivoting coupling.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2016Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: Formlabs, Inc.Inventors: Ian Ferguson, Konstantinos Oikonomopoulos, Steven Thomas, Ben FrantzDale, Nicholas M. Sohn
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Patent number: 9895843Abstract: According to some aspects, a method of additive fabrication wherein a plurality of layers of material are formed on a build platform is provided. The method may comprise forming a layer of material in contact with a container, and subsequent to the forming of the layer of material, rotating the container relative to the build platform and moving the build platform relative to the container, thereby creating an effective fulcrum about an axis, wherein the rotating of the container and moving of the build platform causes the layer of material to separate from the container. According to some embodiments, the container may be configured to rotate about a fixed axis. According to some embodiments, moving the build platform may comprise moving the build platform toward the container.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2014Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Formlabs, Inc.Inventors: Maxim Lobovsky, Steven Thomas, Ben FrantzDale
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Publication number: 20170368747Abstract: According to some aspects, techniques for determining a position of a build platform in an additive fabrication device are provided. According to some embodiments, forces resisting separation of the build platform from an opposing surface are measured and a position of the build platform with respect to the opposing surface is determined. In some embodiments, such forces may include fluid forces present during separation of a build platform from an interior surface of a liquid photopolymer container.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2017Publication date: December 28, 2017Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.Inventors: Alexander Nolet, Ben FrantzDale, Dmitri Megretski
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Publication number: 20170057178Abstract: According to some aspects, a method of additive fabrication is provided wherein a plurality of layers of material are formed on a surface of a build platform, each layer of material being formed so as to contact a container in addition to the surface of the build platform and/or a previously formed layer of material. The method comprises forming a layer of material in contact with the container and in contact with a previously formed layer of material, and subsequent to the forming of the layer of the material, separating the layer of material from the container by simultaneously applying a first force to the layer of the material in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the build platform, and a second force to the layer of the material in a direction parallel to the surface of the build platform.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.Inventors: Ben FrantzDale, Steven Thomas, Nicholas M. Sohn
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Publication number: 20170057177Abstract: According to some aspects, an additive fabrication device is provided configured to form layers of material on a build platform, each layer of material being formed so as to contact a container in addition to the build platform and/or a previously formed layer of material. The additive fabrication device may comprise a container and a wiper, wherein the wiper comprises a wiper arm and a wiper blade coupled to said wiper arm using a pivoting coupling.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.Inventors: Ian Ferguson, Konstantinos Oikonomopoulos, Steven Thomas, Ben FrantzDale, Nicholas M. Sohn
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TECHNIQUES FOR APPLYING A PEEL OPERATION DURING ADDITIVE FABRICATION AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS
Publication number: 20160052205Abstract: According to some aspects, an additive fabrication device is provided. The additive fabrication device may be configured to form layers of material on a build platform, each layer of material being formed so as to contact a container in addition to the build platform and/or a previously formed layer of material, and may comprise a build platform, a container, and a plurality of mechanical linkages each independently coupled to the container and configured to move the container relative to the build platform.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2015Publication date: February 25, 2016Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.Inventor: Ben FrantzDale -
Publication number: 20160016361Abstract: According to some aspects, a method of additive fabrication wherein a plurality of layers of material are formed on a build platform is provided. The method may comprise forming a layer of material in contact with a container, and subsequent to the forming of the layer of material, rotating the container relative to the build platform and moving the build platform relative to the container, thereby creating an effective fulcrum about an axis, wherein the rotating of the container and moving of the build platform causes the layer of material to separate from the container. According to some embodiments, the container may be configured to rotate about a fixed axis. According to some embodiments, moving the build platform may comprise moving the build platform toward the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2014Publication date: January 21, 2016Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.Inventors: Maxim Lobovsky, Steven Thomas, Ben FrantzDale
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Publication number: 20140272221Abstract: An inflatable membrane for use with a three-dimensional (3D) scanning system configured to measure signal intensity of a first and a second wavelength of light may include a matrix material, a pigment for opacity, and a fluorescent material that is transparent to the first and the second wavelengths of light. The first and second wavelengths of light may be ranges of wavelengths. The matrix material may include a silicone, and the pigment for opacity may include a carbon black. The 3D scanning system may be configured to scan anatomical cavities, such as the human ear canal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: LANTOS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Alison M. Forsyth, Manas Menon, Stan Najmr, Federico Frigerio, Ben Frantzdale, Michael Rishton
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Publication number: 20140276005Abstract: In some example embodiments, there may be provided an apparatus. The apparatus may include a balloon membrane including an opening, an exterior surface, and an interior surface, the interior surface including one or more fiducial markers forming a pattern detectable by a scanner imaging the interior surface of the inflatable membrane. Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, may also be provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: LANTOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventors: Alison M. Forsyth, Daniel Vlasic, Ben Frantzdale, Alban De Brouchoven, Xiaowei Chen, Manas Menon, Federico Frigerio