Patents by Inventor Midnight Zero
Midnight Zero 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: 11931767Abstract: A metering apparatus and corresponding method meter a powder material in a three-dimensional (3D) printing system. The metering apparatus comprises a hopper with walls configured to contain a powder material, a metering roller, and a tool. The metering roller is located beneath an opening of the hopper. The metering roller and a given wall of the walls of the hopper are spaced apart by a gap therebetween at the opening; the gap in combination with rotation of the metering roller causes the powder material to flow from under the given wall of the hopper at a substantially predictable rate. The tool is positioned at the given wall where the flow emerges and is configured to force the powder material off of the metering roller to supply the 3D printing system with the powder material for printing a 3D object.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2018Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Desktop Metal, Inc.Inventors: Emanuel M. Sachs, Midnight Zero
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Patent number: 11833585Abstract: Techniques for depowdering in additive fabrication are provided. According to some aspects, techniques are provided that separate powder from parts through vibration of the powder, the parts, and/or structures mechanically connected to the powder and/or parts. For instance, the application of vibration may dislodge, aerate and/or otherwise increase the flowability of regions of the powder, thereby making it easier to remove the powder with a suitable means. Techniques for depowdering through vibration may be automated, thereby mitigating challenges associated with manual depowdering operations.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2020Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Desktop Metal, Inc.Inventors: Jamison Go, Robert Michael Shydo, Jr., Emanuel M. Sachs, Michael Santorella, Midnight Zero, Jonah Samuel Myerberg, Joseph Gabay, Jeffrey von Loesecke, Alexander K. McCalmont
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Publication number: 20230150029Abstract: Techniques for depowdering additively fabricated parts are described in which powder is separated from parts by creating a large pressure differential between the powder and parts and a nearby location. The pressure differential may cause gas to quickly flow into and/or around the powder and parts, thereby producing a force against the powder and parts. Since the powder is generally much lighter than the parts, this force may be much more effective at moving the powder than moving the parts. As a result, the powder and parts may be separated from one another. The pressure differential may be created in various ways, such as by holding the parts and part in a chamber that is pressurized with air and/or other gas(es). Rapid depressurization of the chamber may produce the aforementioned pressure differential, leading to powder movement away from the parts.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2022Publication date: May 18, 2023Applicant: Desktop Metal, Inc.Inventors: Emanuel M. Sachs, Midnight Zero
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Patent number: 11511350Abstract: Techniques for depowdering additively fabricated parts are described in which powder is separated from parts by creating a large pressure differential between the powder and parts and a nearby location. The pressure differential may cause gas to quickly flow into and/or around the powder and parts, thereby producing a force against the powder and parts. Since the powder is generally much lighter than the parts, this force may be much more effective at moving the powder than moving the parts. As a result, the powder and parts may be separated from one another. The pressure differential may be created in various ways, such as by holding the parts and part in a chamber that is pressurized with air and/or other gas(es). Rapid depressurization of the chamber may produce the aforementioned pressure differential, leading to powder movement away from the parts.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2019Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Desktop Metal, Inc.Inventors: Emanuel M. Sachs, Midnight Zero
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Publication number: 20220288523Abstract: Described herein is a method of identifying components in a fluid stream. Particularly, the invention relates to the identification and/or separation of one or more materials suspended in a fluid stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2022Publication date: September 15, 2022Inventors: Phuc Vinh Truong, Midnight Zero, Phuc Thien Truong
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Publication number: 20210237159Abstract: Techniques for depowdering additively fabricated parts are described. The techniques utilize various mechanisms to separate powder from parts. For instance, techniques for depowdering described herein may include fabrication of auxiliary structures in addition to fabrication of parts. Certain auxiliary structures may aid with depowdering operations, and may be fabricated along with parts during an additive fabrication process. The auxiliary structures may be shaped and/or have positional and/or geometrical relationships to the parts during fabrication. For instance, an auxiliary structure may include a cage structure fabricated around one or more parts.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2020Publication date: August 5, 2021Applicant: Desktop Metal, Inc.Inventors: Jamison Go, Michael Santorella, Jonah Samuel Myerberg, Matthew McCambridge, Alexander LeGendre, Robert J. Nick, Michael Goldblatt, Robert Michael Shydo, JR., Midnight Zero, Emanuel M. Sachs, Jeffrey von Loesecke, Alexander K. McCalmont, George Hudelson, Joe Pantano
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Publication number: 20210154735Abstract: A system and corresponding method for additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional (3D) object to improve packing density of a powder bed used in the manufacturing process. The system and corresponding method enable higher density packing of the powder. Such higher density packing leads to better mechanical interlocking of particles, leading to lower sintering temperatures and reduced deformation of the 3D object during sintering. An embodiment of the system comprises means for adjusting a volume of a powder metered onto a top surface of the powder bed to produce an adjusted metered volume and means for spreading the adjusted metered volume to produce a smooth volume for forming a smooth layer of the powder with controlled packing density across the top surface of the powder bed. The controlled packing density enables uniform shrinkage, without warping, of the 3D object during sintering to produce higher quality 3D printed objects.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2021Publication date: May 27, 2021Applicant: Desktop Metal, Inc.Inventors: George Hudelson, Emanuel M. Sachs, Glenn A. Jordan, Midnight Zero
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Patent number: 10940533Abstract: A system and corresponding method for additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional (3D) object to improve packing density of a powder bed used in the manufacturing process. The system and corresponding method enable higher density packing of the powder. Such higher density packing leads to better mechanical interlocking of particles, leading to lower sintering temperatures and reduced deformation of the 3D object during sintering. An embodiment of the system comprises means for adjusting a volume of a powder metered onto a top surface of the powder bed to produce an adjusted metered volume and means for spreading the adjusted metered volume to produce a smooth volume for forming a smooth layer of the powder with controlled packing density across the top surface of the powder bed. The controlled packing density enables uniform shrinkage, without warping, of the 3D object during sintering to produce higher quality 3D printed objects.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2018Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: Desktop Metal, Inc.Inventors: George Hudelson, Emanuel M. Sachs, Glenn A. Jordan, Midnight Zero
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Publication number: 20210053121Abstract: Techniques for depowdering in additive fabrication are provided. According to some aspects, techniques are provided that separate powder from parts through vibration of the powder, the parts, and/or structures mechanically connected to the powder and/or parts. For instance, the application of vibration may dislodge, aerate and/or otherwise increase the flowability of regions of the powder, thereby making it easier to remove the powder with a suitable means. Techniques for depowdering through vibration may be automated, thereby mitigating challenges associated with manual depowdering operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2020Publication date: February 25, 2021Applicant: Desktop Metal, Inc.Inventors: Jamison Go, Robert Michael Shydo, Emanuel M. Sachs, Michael Santorella, Midnight Zero, Jonah Samuel Myerberg, Joseph Gabay, Jeffrey von Loesecke, Alexander K. McCalmont
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Publication number: 20190193150Abstract: A system and corresponding method for additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional (3D) object to improve packing density of a powder bed used in the manufacturing process. The system and corresponding method enable higher density packing of the powder. Such higher density packing leads to better mechanical interlocking of particles, leading to lower sintering temperatures and reduced deformation of the 3D object during sintering. An embodiment of the system comprises means for adjusting a volume of a powder metered onto a top surface of the powder bed to produce an adjusted metered volume and means for spreading the adjusted metered volume to produce a smooth volume for forming a smooth layer of the powder with controlled packing density across the top surface of the powder bed. The controlled packing density enables uniform shrinkage, without warping, of the 3D object during sintering to produce higher quality 3D printed objects.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2018Publication date: June 27, 2019Inventors: George Hudelson, Emanuel M. Sachs, Glenn A. Jordan, Midnight Zero
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Publication number: 20180304301Abstract: Methods and systems for additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional (3D) object employ a unique metering system to precisely deposit metal injection molding (MIM) metal powder material into a uniformly distributed layer and compact the powder material by a roller for even distribution. An example embodiment meters the powder material at an opening of a powder supply storing the powder material to produce a flow of the powder material away from the powder supply and onto a moveable surface located beneath the opening. The opening and the moveable surface are spaced apart by a gap therebetween. The metering is based on the gap and a motion of the moveable surface relative to the powder supply. The motion enables the powder material to flow from the powder supply. Absent the motion, the powder material does not flow from the powder supply.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2018Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventors: Emanuel M. Sachs, Midnight Zero
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Publication number: 20180304302Abstract: A metering apparatus and corresponding method meter a powder material in a three-dimensional (3D) printing system. The metering apparatus comprises a hopper with walls configured to contain a powder material, a metering roller, and a tool. The metering roller is located beneath an opening of the hopper. The metering roller and a given wall of the walls of the hopper are spaced apart by a gap therebetween at the opening; the gap in combination with rotation of the metering roller causes the powder material to flow from under the given wall of the hopper at a substantially predictable rate. The tool is positioned at the given wall where the flow emerges and is configured to force the powder material off of the metering roller to supply the 3D printing system with the powder material for printing a 3D object.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2018Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventors: Emanuel M. Sachs, Midnight Zero